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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Stephen, Tonbridge

2024-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity no. 1132563

The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Stephen, Tonbridge

Known as St Stephen Tonbridge

Trustees Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31st December 2024

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Contents Page

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 1
Trustees' Annual Report 3
Independent Examiner's Report 8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Statement of Financial Position 10
Statement of Cash Flow 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Legal and Administrative Information

Reference

The Charity is called “The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Stephen, Tonbridge”. The Parochial Church Council is known as the PCC for short. Other names which are used for the charity are "St Stephen, Tonbridge". The Church is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and was registered on the 19 February 2009. Before this the church was excepted from registration.

Registered Charity Number 1132563 Registered Office 37 Waterloo Road Tonbridge TN9 2SW Incumbent The Reverend M. Barker Website ststephens.org.uk Primary Bankers The Co-operative Bank 1 Balloon Street Manchester M4 4BE Independent Examiner Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA Wyatt & Co Chartered Accountants 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees and members of the PCC

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) Members are elected or co-opted by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules 2020 or are ex-officio. The following people served as members of the PCC for all or part of the year.

Ex Officio Incumbent & Chairman: The Reverend Mark Barker Associate Vicar: The Reverend Miriam Barker Wardens: Mrs Glynis Hubble Mr Andrew Howe Mr Jonathan Stephens Deanery Synod Members: Mrs Patricia Hicks Mrs Edith Wills Mr David Wilson Mr Christopher Mileham Elected Members Elected Lay Representatives: Mrs Cathi Fredricks Mr Matthew Lake Mrs Helen Noble Mrs Kate Naylor Mr Tom Price Mr Jonathan Stephens Mr Richard Strawson Mr Darrell Sykes Mr Mark Thomas Mrs Wendy Fenn Mr Michael White Co-Opted members: Mrs Lynn Hams – Treasurer Also in attendance: Mrs Isabel Plimmer – PCC Secretary Mrs Rachael Plowman – Church & Finance Manager Mr Craig Spickernell – Associate Minister Mrs Helen Noble - Minute Secretary

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Legal Bit

The PCC is a charity which was excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 1598 “The Charities (Exception from Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2002”, and in 2009 was registered as a charity under Charity Number 1132563.

The function and purpose of the PCC is outlined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio (by right of office) or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules 2022.

The PCC met 6 times during the year, and its subcommittees, known as Resource Support Groups (RSGs) also met regularly. Each RSG reported to either PCC or the Standing and Resource Group on the activities of their group at some point during the year. The Chair of the Safeguarding RSG reported to each PCC meeting either in person or by written report.

Standing & Resource Group

This is the Standing Committee and as such has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. It monitors reports from the Heads of Fabric and Finance and from the other RSGs. Isabel Plimmer (Operations Manager) chairs this RSG.

Mission Action Group

The Mission Action Group oversees and advises the PCC on selection and support of mission partners and the allocation of our mission tithe. Lynn Hams chairs this RSG.

Human Resources Support Group

The HR RSG oversees and advises the PCC on all aspects of HR relating to the church, including the employment and pay structures for staff, in order to ensure our HR appointments and policies support and help implement the vision of the church. Isabel Plimmer (Operations Manager) chairs this RSG.

ICT Resource Support Group

The ICT RSG oversees and advises the PCC on all aspects of technology helping to ensure that our computers, phones, projectors, AV etc., work and enable the vision of the Church to be implemented. Daniel Lanstone chairs this RSG.

Risk Management Resource Support Group

The Risk RSG oversees and advises the PCC on all aspects of risk management, helping to assess the risks posed to the church, to monitor them and to inform PCC of any concerns, together with suggestions for mitigating these risks and so provide an assurance to the PCC that risks of all types are identified, monitored and controlled to an acceptable level, so enabling the church to implement its vision in a culture of safety. Darrell Sykes chairs this RSG.

Safeguarding Resource Support Group

The Safeguarding RSG oversees and advises the PCC on all aspects of safeguarding, both of children and of vulnerable adults, ensuring our policies are up to date and that those who need it are DBS checked and trained, helping to ensure that our safeguarding processes enable the vision of the Church to be implemented. Jan Smith (Parish Safeguarding Officer) chairs this group.

STEPS Resource Support Group

The STEPS RSG oversees and advises the PCC on all aspects of our pre-school, helping to ensure the vision of the Church is implemented in STEPS and the Christian ethos is reflected in day-to-day practices. Rev. Mark Barker (Incumbent) chairs this RSG.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Statement of major risks

The major risks which affect the work of the Church in the parish have been identified and are monitored by the Risk Management RSG under the five categories recommended by the Charity Commission:

The Risk Register is kept up to date and is referred to the PCC on an annual basis.

Safeguarding

The PCC has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).

Membership and attendance

Our electoral roll stood at 303 as at May 2024, of which 37% are not resident in the parish and our average weekly attendance in October 2024 (Statistic for Mission) was 166 adults and 45 children.

Objectives and activities

Our objective (vision) is to be a Church and people that are “Passionate to know God and to make God known”.

St Stephen’s PCC has:

Grant making policy

St Stephen’s policy is to tithe 10% of the previous year’s donation income and 10% of any large legacies received during the current year. These were allocated in 2024 on the recommendation of the Mission Action Group as set out in note 15 of the accounts.

Role of volunteers

Volunteers play a vital role in every area of the ministry and organisation of the parish. Each volunteer is safely recruited, and without them much in the life of the church could not take place.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Achievements and Performance - Ten Key Moments

1. WE STIRRED UP INTEREST To grow wider is one focus of our strategy, and with this in mind we ran “The Start to Stir” course for those wanting to explore the basics of faith

2. WE REBUILT OUR WALLS

Physically we had stonemasons rebuild part of the church walls where there was a concerning bulge, but spiritually we rebuilt our prayer ministry team and relaunched towards the end of the year.

3. WE GREW DEEPER

Growing deeper is another strand of our 5-year strategy, and in March we surveyed the whole congregation with a list of questions on discipleship which will help us see how we grow in our faith over the coming few years

4. WE SAVED THE PLANET We celebrated Creation Care Sunday with a special service, but were also highlighted in a Church of England “Net Zero” video highlighting the reduction in energy usage and the cost savings we had made in changing our church light bulbs to LED.

5. WE SERVED CAKE …….as well as teas, coffees, lunches and so much more as part of our Living Well café, which includes working with local agencies, a Playspace for parents/carers and their toddlers which offers children the opportunity to engage with bible stories and worship songs, and the Feast larder.

6. WE THREW A PARTY

Craig & Jess Spickernell were selected to train for ordination and so we sadly said goodbye to them in September as they began an exciting new phase in their lives and God’s calling upon them to church

7. WE TACKLED A GIANT

In the Autumn we tackled the tricky subject of sexuality in the light of the “Living in Love and Faith” conversation within the wider Church of England. 90+ people attended the four sessions, where we opened Scripture, looked at the issues, raised the questions and discussed our responses.

8. WE SAW A SNAKE

Amongst other animals, ZooLab brought in a snake for the children of our Steps to look at and handle, as part of the continued care and education provided by our dedicated team of pre-school staff.

9. WE WENT TO THE MOON

Well, not exactly, but a group of our young people went to the Satellites Conference at Shepton Mallet in the summer – just one event in the ongoing busy life of our youth & children’s ministry, which includes weekly groups midweek and on Sundays, as well as supporting local schools.

10. WE CELEBRATED ON A FARM

And before we knew it, Christmas was here, which this year included a nativity in a barn on the Hamlyn’s farm – thank you to them and all who acted out and provided refreshments and music ….. including the cows, donkeys, sheep and chickens, and not to forget, baby Jesus!

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Financial Bit

We have three types of funds, restricted funds which can only be spent in accordance with the donor's wishes, i.e. they are ring-fenced, unrestricted funds which the PCC can apply for the general purposes of the church, and endowment funds which are capital funds which are kept long-term.

Our unrestricted income increased in 2024 from £590,570 to £621,168, an increase of 5%. Unrestricted donated income fell from £333,356 to £321,137, with one-off donations decreasing from £40,989 to £32,784. Planned giving also decreased from £234,944 in 2023 compared to £227,530 in 2024, although gift aid increased from £48,127 in 2023 to £54,060 in 2024. Rental Income from property rental increased from £59,024 to £75,203 (27%) which was due to increased occupancy throughout the year. Living Well income rose from £15,799 to £16,692, an increase of 7.5%. The main other income-generating activities continued to be STEPS, premises hire charges and fees for weddings and funerals. Giving towards restricted funds was £15,277 in 2024.

Our unrestricted expenses in 2024 decreased from £597,326 to £595,776, largely due to a lower staff headcount in the final third of the year. Larger expenditure items included stonemasonry works on the north aisle gable wall, new boilers for 20 Woodfield Road and the Church office, decoration and carpeting at Flat 17, a new bathroom at the Mission House and the equipment purchased for the sound desk upgrade. Expenditure from restricted funds was £15,719 in 2024.

After transfers, before revaluation, the result is an unrestricted funds surplus of £25,392 (improved from the deficit £6,756 in 2023) of which £12,793 was generated by STEPS.

Total Unrestricted funds of £2,115,883 consist mainly of the properties owned by the PCC at their net book value of £1,948,799 This includes a decrease of £92,200 following the revaluation of St Eanswythe’s Mission Hall and Flats.

Restricted funds are £13,159.

Cash reserves policy: It is our aim to keep in reserve an amount of at least 6 weeks of unrestricted cash expenditure £69,113 (£61,485 for 2023). As at 31st December our unrestricted cash reserves were above this amount, Excess funds are held to finance future growth.

Investment Policy: It is our policy to invest cash not required in the short term with CAF Bank, Kingdom Bank, The Rochester Diocesan Board of Finance or in the CCLA Church Of England Deposit Fund

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

Looking Ahead

After all that and so much more, we have some ambitious plans for 2025 (and beyond), all focussed on our vision “to be a church that is passionate to know God and to make God known”, and specifically on the three strands of our 5-year strategy:

TO GROW DEEPER

TO GROW WIDER

TO GROW YOUNGER

All this will be set within us seeking to “create a safe & healthy culture” as we welcome, care for and support all those who we have contact with and who come in through our doors.

To help support this financially, the PCC has taken the decision to sell the properties at St. Eanswythe’s, and the chapel, 3 flats and mission house will be marketed over the next few years, and the current services held in the chapel twice a month will move up to St. Stephen’s in September 2025.

And as we look to the future, an enormous THANK YOU to all those who have supported the life and ministry of the church through giving of their time, their talents and gifts, their finances. You are too numerous to name, but know who you are and how you minister and serve. But a particular thanks to the staff team and the churchwardens for all that you do.

Mark BARKER

Signed on behalf of the Trustees………………………………………………………

Revd Mark Barker

Name of Trustee ………………………………………………………………………..

13/05/2025

Date:…………………………………………..

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Independent Examiner's Report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of St Stephen, Tonbridge ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA Date: 14/05/2025 Independent Examiner 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

Statement of Financial Activities
2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies 321,137 10,812 331,949 338,326
Charitable activities 213,214 4,465 217,679 195,446
Activities for generating income 84,959 - 84,959 68,470
Investment income 1,858 - 1,858 2,061
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Total Income 2 621,168 15,277 636,445 604,303
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 3 595,776 15,719 611,495 612,398
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Total Expenditure 595,776 15,719 611,495 612,398
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Net Income / (Expenditure) Before Gains/(Loses) 25,392 (442) 24,950 (8,095)
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Gain/(loss) on revaluation of fixed asset 8 (92,200) - - 92,200
 -
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Net Income / (Expenditure) After Gains/(Loses) (66,808) (442) (67,250) (8,095)
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Net Income and Net Movement in Funds
Total funds brought forward 12 2,181,641 14,651 2,196,292 2,033,087
Transfers 12 1,050 (1,050) - -
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────
Total Funds Carried Forward 12 2,115,883 13,159 2,129,042 2,024,992
────────── ────────── ────────── ──────────

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Statement of Financial Position

Statement of Financial Position
2024 2023
Note £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets 8 1,952,944 2,040,999
────────── ──────────
1,952,944 2,040,999
Current Assets
Debtors 9 10,566 10,515
Short term investment 57,227 52,175
Cash at bank and in hand 132,581 131,559
────────── ──────────
200,374 194,249
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 10 24,276 38,956
────────── ──────────
Net Current Assets 176,098 155,293
────────── ──────────
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 2,129,042 2,196,292
────────── ──────────
Net Assets 13 2,129,042 2,196,292
────────── ──────────
Funds of the Charity
Restricted funds 12 13,159 14,651
Unrestricted funds 12
Unrestricted general 51,943 15,927
Designated funds 2,012,660 2,022,234
Revaluation reserve 51,280 143,480
────────── ──────────
Total Charity Funds 2,129,042 2,196,292
────────── ──────────

Trustees Responsibilities

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue:

Name of Trustee: Signed on Behalf of the Trustees: Date of Approval:

Revd Mark Barker ───────────────────────────────────────────────────

───────────────────────────────────────────────────

13/05/2025

───────────────────────────────────────────────────

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows
2024 2023
£ £
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 9,743 (9,230)
────────── ──────────
9,743 (9,230)
────────── ──────────
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Dividends and interest 1,858 2,061
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (5,527) -
────────── ──────────
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (3,669) 2,061
────────── ──────────
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Repayments on borrowing - -
Cash inflows from new borrowing - -
────────── ──────────
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - -
────────── ──────────
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 6,074 (7,169)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 183,734 190,903
────────── ──────────
Cash and Cash Equivalents at the End of the Reporting Period 189,808 183,734
────────── ──────────
Reconciliation of Net Movement in Funds to Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities
2024 2023
£ £
Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)		 (67,250) 135,385
Adjustments for:
Gain/(loss) on revaluation of fixed assets 92,200 (143,480)
Interest received (1,858) (2,061)
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 1,382 1,263
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (51) (3,662)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors (14,680) 3,325
────────── ──────────
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 9,743 (9,230)
────────── ──────────
Analysis of Cash and Cash Equivalents
2024 2023
£ £
Cash at bank and in hand 132,581 131,559
Short term deposits 57,227 52,175
────────── ──────────
Total cash and cash equivalents 189,808 183,734
────────── ──────────

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

The primary objective of the charity is to promote the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrine and practice of the Church of England. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Assessment of Going Concern

Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Fund Accounting

PCC funds are required to be analysed under specific headings, as follows:

General funds represent the ‘free’ funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restriction regarding their use and are available for application for the general purposes of the PCC.

Designated funds are earmarked by the PCC for particular purposes but are nevertheless still unrestricted as the PCC can redesignate the funds if it wishes.

Restricted funds are funds collected or donated for a particular purpose and cannot be used by the PCC for any other purpose except by agreement with the donor.

The funds of the PCC have been appropriately analysed and the statement of financial activities has been prepared in accordance with this analysis.

Accounting Requirements

The accounts are required to include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC can be held responsible, and therefore include:

The value of land and property;

Tax on gifts and donations received during the year;

Specific giving directed to support other missions, charities and churches

The accounts do not include the accounts of church groups that owe an affiliation to another group, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members. Church groups which are largely self-financing, are excluded as they do not materially affect the accounts; however subsidies paid to these groups are included.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is probable that the resources will be received, and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.

• All voluntary income from members of the church are recognised as donations and are included in full, with associated Gift Aid receivable in the Statement of Financial Activities.

• Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of specific performance by the charity are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.

• Incoming resources from charitable trading activities such as the letting of the building are accounted for when invoices are drawn up (as the point of entitlement).

• Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.

• Volunteer time, the value of voluntary support for the work of the church, is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees annual report.

Application of Resources

Grants and outward giving are accounted for in the SOFA when paid, unless an obligation, whether constructive or legal, exists to the recipient in accordance with the Charities SORP and FRS 102.

Parish share and other costs directly relating to the work and activities of the Church are accounted for when they are incurred or become due and payable.

Resources Expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Governance Costs

Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees' meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Tangible Fixed Assets

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by S10(2)(c) of the Charities Act 2011. No value is attributed to moveable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings and moveable church furnishings, whether for maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed.

Other land and buildings held on behalf of the PCC for its own purposes are valued at a fair but prudent valuation which is considered to be a reasonable estimate of the current value “in use” of the property. No depreciation has been charged in respect of such properties as they are kept in sound condition and any expenditure on maintenance or improvement following regular review is written off as incurred. It is our policy, as a general rule, to commission a revaluation of our properties at least once every 7 - 8 years.

No depreciation is provided on buildings as the current estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years, so that any depreciation charges would be immaterial.

An impairment review is carried out on a regular basis and any resultant loss identified is included within expenditure for the year. (NB an impairment review is a formal check that the current value of a fixed asset such as a house or building is greater than the value shown in the balance sheet. If there is a fixed asset that is overvalued because, say the roof is about to fall in, the charity should reduce the balance accordingly and write off the reduction in cost. Close detail is kept on all properties and as money is set aside each year into repair funds, by the nature of this active asset management this happens regularly each year).

Equipment used for church purposes is capitalised and written off on a straight line basis over the reasonable estimated life span of the item. Routine replacements and renewals to the projection, computer and sound equipment and other equipment purchases under £4,000 are written off as expenditure in the SOFA.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Operating Leases

Rental charges payable under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the terms of the lease.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

There are no critical judgements, significant assumptions concerning the future and key sources of estimation of uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

**2 ** Analysis of Income
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations and Legacies
Donations 267,077 8,199 275,276
Income tax recoverable 54,060 - 54,060
Legacies - - -
Grants - 2,613 2,613
────────── ──────────
──────────
321,137 10,812 331,949
Charitable Activities
STEPS 187,332 2,248 189,580
Church activities 7,257 - 7,257
Fees 1,933 2,217 4,150
Cafe income 16,692 - 16,692
────────── ──────────
──────────
213,214 4,465 217,679
Activities for Generating Income
House rentals 43,140 - 43,140
St Eanswythe's flats 32,063 - 32,063
Church & community centre hire 9,756 - 9,756
────────── ──────────
──────────
84,959 - 84,959
Investment Income
Interest received 1,858 - 1,858
────────── ──────────
──────────
1,858 - 1,858
Other
Other income - - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
- - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
Total Income 621,168 15,277 636,445
────────── ──────────
──────────

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

**2 ** Analysis of Income(Continued)
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations and Legacies
Donations 285,229 4,970 290,199
Income tax recoverable 48,127 - 48,127
Legacies - - -
Grants - - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
333,356 4,970 338,326
Charitable Activities
STEPS 160,713 3,914 164,627
Church activities 7,931 646 8,577
Fees 2,530 3,913 6,443
Cafe income 15,799 - 15,799
────────── ──────────
──────────
186,973 8,473 195,446
Activities for Generating Income
House rentals 27,234 290 27,524
St Eanswythe's flats 31,500 - 31,500
Church & community centre hire 9,446 - 9,446
────────── ──────────
──────────
68,180 290 68,470
Investment Income
Dividends and interest 2,061 - 2,061
────────── ──────────
──────────
2,061 - 2,061
Other
Other income - - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
- - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
Total Income 590,570 13,733 604,303
────────── ──────────
──────────

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St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

3 Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type

Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Worship 4,220 - 4,220
Ministry 349 - 349
Youth and children 2,094 739 2,833
Living Well Tonbridge - Café 14,549 1,377 15,926
Staffing 166,847 - 166,847
Insurance 4,212 - 4,212
Utilities 25,202 - 25,202
Maintenance & contracts 40,722 - 40,722
ICT 12,642 - 12,642
Operations 25,023 - 25,023
Parish Share 89,329 - 89,329
Mission giving 27,609 625 28,234
Other costs 6,864 - 6,864
Independent examination and accounts preparation 2,200 - 2,200
Depreciation 1,382 - 1,382
STEPS staff costs 142,272 - 142,272
STEPS other costs 22,267 2,279 24,546
Unrestricted building fund - - -
Vision (legacy) - - -
Vicar's discretionary fund 1,157 - 1,157
Events fund 6,836 - 6,836
Restricted funds-other projects - 10,699 10,699
HMRC employers national insurance repayment - - -
────────── ──────────
──────────
595,776 15,719 611,495
────────── ──────────
──────────

18

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

tes to the Financial Statements
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Worship 4,059 - 4,059
Ministry 1,762 - 1,762
Youth and children 2,524 - 2,524
Living Well Tonbridge - Café 10,536 295 10,831
Staffing 174,436 - 174,436
Insurance 3,916 - 3,916
Utilities 35,029 3,173 38,202
Maintenance & contracts 26,343 - 26,343
ICT 15,647 - 15,647
Operations 22,987 - 22,987
Parish Share 83,681 - 83,681
Mission giving 21,665 - 21,665
Other costs 6,214 30 6,244
Independent examination 2,040 - 2,040
Depreciation 1,263 - 1,263
STEPS staff costs 117,240 - 117,240
STEPS other costs 21,026 2,280 23,306
Unrestricted building fund 5,227 - 5,227
Vision (legacy) 21,067 852 21,919
Vicar's discretionary fund 1,360 - 1,360
Events fund 6,631 - 6,631
Restricted funds-other projects - 8,442 8,442
HMRC employer's national insurance repayment 12,673 - 12,673
────────── ──────────
──────────
597,326 15,072 612,398
────────── ──────────
──────────

4 Parish Share

St Stephen's Tonbridge is a parish church of the Church of England in the Diocese of Rochester, by means of Parish Share, helps the funding of ministers, particularly parochial clergy, throughout the Diocese, the work of various Diocesan bodies and the work of the Church of England as a whole. The Diocese is a community resourcing a common task, and not a charity trying to raise funds to meet a need. In 2024, the amount paid by the PCC was £89,329 (2023: £83,681).

5 Independent Examination Fees

Fees payable to the independent examiner for:

Independent Examination Fees
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
2024 2023
£ £
Independent examination and accounts preparation 2,120 2,040
────────── ──────────
2,120 2,040
────────── ──────────

19

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

6 Staff Costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 293,977 276,318
Social security costs 14,586 7,749
Employer pension contribution 8,153 7,867
────────── ──────────
Total Employment Costs 316,716 291,934
────────── ──────────

The Vicar is employed by the Diocese of Rochester so his costs have not been included in the salary figures included above.

The average headcount of employees during the year was as follows:

2024 2023
Church employees 10 10
STEPS preschool employees 9 10
────────── ──────────
19 20
────────── ──────────

Number of employees who received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year was as follows:

More than £60,000

2024 2023
- -

Key Management Personnel

The charity’s key lay management personnel comprise the associate ministers, operations manager and youth & children's pastor. Total remuneration paid to key management personnel was £112,076 (2023: £112,985).

20

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

7 Trustee Remuneration, Expenses and Donations

During the year no trustees received remuneration for employment.

Five trustees received payments for expense claims during 2023. These expenses are mainly related to ministry costs and day to day running of the church. The expenses reimbursed to trustees during the year totalled £1,557 (2023: £1,721).

The aggregate value of donations made by PCC members was £51,717 (2023: £41,725).

8 Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets
Freehold
Land and
Buildings Equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost or Valuation
At 1st January 2024 2,040,999 5,055 2,046,054
Revaluation (92,200) - (92,200)
Additions - 5,527 5,527
────────── ────────── ──────────
At 31st December 2024 1,948,799 10,582 1,959,381
────────── ────────── ──────────
Depreciation
At 1st January 2024 - 5,055 5,055
Depreciation charge - 1,382 1,382
────────── ────────── ──────────
At 31st December 2024 - 6,437 6,437
────────── ────────── ──────────
Net Book Value
────────── ────────── ──────────
At 31st December 2024 1,948,799 4,145 1,952,944
────────── ────────── ──────────
At 31st December 2023 2,040,999 - 2,040,999

The property breakdown is as follows, valued in accordance with the Accounting Policies note 1. In the previous year the St Eanswythe's Mission House was revalued by Andrew Langford who is a qualified property valuer. The property was revalued on a market value basis.

2024 2023
£ £
Office, 35 Waterloo Road, Tonbridge 213,228 213,228
House, 20 Woodfield Road, Tonbridge 279,571 279,571
Church Hall, 37 Waterloo Road, Tonbridge 68,000 68,000
Community Centre, Waterloo Road, Tonbridge 68,000 68,000
St Eanswythe's Chapel, Priory Road, Tonbridge 150,000 227,200
St Eanswythe's Court Flats, Priory Road, Tonbridge 610,000 625,000
St Eanswythe's Mission House, Priory Road, Tonbridge 560,000 560,000
────────── ──────────
1,948,799 2,040,999
────────── ──────────

21

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

9 Debtors

Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Income tax recoverable 3,746 3,565
Prepayments 3,017 6,308
Other debtors 3,803 642
────────── ──────────
10,566 10,515
────────── ──────────

10 Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

2024 2023
£ £
Accounts payable 7,425 7,864
Accruals and other creditors 2,834 2,567
Tax and pension costs 13,892 13,927
Deferred income 125 14,598
────────── ──────────
24,276 38,956
────────── ──────────

11 Deferred Income

2024 2023
£ £
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period 14,598 14,598
Amount released to income (14,598) (14,598)
Amount deferred in year 125 14,598
────────── ──────────
Balance at the end of the reporting period 125 14,598
────────── ──────────

At the close of the year end £125 (2023: £14,598) of STEPS preschool local authority funding was received before the year end for children places for the next academic following the year end.

22

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

12 Analysis of Charitable Funds

1 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Gains/Loses Transfers 31 Dec 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted
General funds 10,453 419,979 (368,157) - (15,805) 46,470
STEPS Unrestricted 5,474 187,332 (169,923) - (17,410) 5,473
Fund
Revaluation Reserve 143,480 - - (92,200) - 51,280
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 159,407 607,311 (538,080) (92,200) (33,215) 103,223
Designated
Living Well Tonbridge - - - - - -
Property maintenance
reserve		 15,922 - (10,534) - 5,400 10,788
Property improvement
fund		 16,849 6,600 (6,032) - - 17,417
Staff illness fund -
PCC		 7,700 - - - 1,200 8,900
Staff illness fund -
STEPS		 8,349 - (4,616) - 2,250 5,983
Vision fund (Legacy) 61,263 - - - - 61,263
Vicars Discretionary
fund		 1,498 823 (1,157) - - 1,164
IT maintenance fund 150 - (912) - 1,297 535
Events fund 2,487 6,434 (6,836) - - 2,085
MAG (Designated)
fund		 10,497 - (27,609) - 24,118 7,006
MAG discretionary - - - - - -
fund
Property fund 1,897,519 - - - - 1,897,519
Charis project fund - - - - - -
Emergency and - - - - - -
support fund
MAG Eden Walsall - - - - - -
Mpwapwa project fund - - - - - -
MAG TTCW fund - - - - - -
Mission trip fund - - - - - -
Unrestricted building - - - - - -
fund
Boiler replacement - - - - - -
fund
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 2,022,234 13,857 (57,696) - 34,265 2,012,660
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Unrestricted 2,181,641 621,168 (595,776) (92,200) 1,050 2,115,883
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────

23

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Analysis of Charitable Funds(continued) Funds(continued)
1 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Gains/Loses Transfers 31 Dec 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds
STEPS Restricted
Fund		 3,453 2,248 (2,279) - - 3,422
Living Well Tonbridge
restricted		 2,236 4,708 (1,377) - - 5,567
Vision fund - - - - - -
Blend Fund 739 - (739) - - -
Restricted funds -
Other Projects		 6,547 2,682 (4,436) - (1,050) 3,743
Agency giving 1,676 5,014 (6,263) - - 427
Other smaller imaterial
- - - - - -
funds
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Restricted 14,651 14,652 (15,094) - (1,050) 13,159
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Funds
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 2,196,292 635,820 (610,870) (92,200) - 2,129,042
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────

Material Fund Transfers 2024

STEPS Unrestricted Fund

£17,410 was transferred from STEPS £14,960 of this went to General Fund as end year profit is returned to church funds, and the remainder was transferred throughout the year to the IT Maintenance fund and STEPS Illness fund, which build up a pot of reserves to be used to purchase IT equiipment / fund long term sick leave.

MAG (Designated) fund

During 2024, £24,118 was transferred from General funds to the MAG Designated fund to enable us to support our mission partners.

24

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Analysis of Charitable Funds (continued)

1 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Gains/Loses Transfers 31 Dec 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted
General funds 20,511 376,917 (355,428) - (31,547) 10,453
STEPS Unrestricted - 160,713 (153,039) - (2,200) 5,474
Fund
Revaluation Reserve - - - 143,480 - 143,480
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 20,511 537,630 (508,467) 143,480 (33,747) 159,407
Designated
Living Well Tonbridge 27,819 15,883 (13,562) - (30,140) -
Property maintenance
reserve		 14,818 - (8,650) - 9,754 15,922
Property improvement
fund		 11,312 300 (5,974) - 11,211 16,849
Staff illness fund -
PCC		 6,500 - - - 1,200 7,700
Staff illness fund -
STEPS		 6,349 - - - 2,000 8,349
Vision fund (Legacy) 27,126 27,385 (21,067) - 27,819 61,263
Vicars Discretionary
fund		 2,843 15 (1,360) - - 1,498
IT maintenance fund 2,170 - (4,723) - 2,703 150
Events fund 1,262 7,856 (6,631) - - 2,487
MAG (Designated)
fund		 - - - - 10,497 10,497
MAG discretionary
fund		 1,297 1,441 (4,500) - 1,762 -
Property fund 1,897,519 - - - - 1,897,519
Charis project fund 31 - (7,600) - 7,569 -
Emergency and
support fund		 659 - (1,500) - 841 -
MAG Eden Walsall 1,770 - - - (1,770) -
Mpwapwa project fund 1,632 - (2,265) - 633 -
MAG TTCW fund - - (5,800) - 5,800 -
Mission trip fund 1,843 - - - (1,843) -
Unrestricted building
fund		 16,378 60 (5,227) - (11,211) -
Boiler replacement
fund		 4,000 - - - (4,000) -
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 2,025,328 52,940 (88,859) - 32,825 2,022,234
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Unrestricted 2,018,020 590,570 (583,764) 143,480 29,218 2,181,641
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────

25

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Analysis of Charitable Funds (continued)

1 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Gains/Loses Transfers 31 Dec 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds
STEPS Restricted
Fund 1,819 3,914 (2,280) - - 3,453
Living Well Tonbridge
restricted		 - 860 (295) - 1,671 2,236
Vision fund 852 - (852) - - -
Blend Fund 739 - - - - 739
Restricted funds -
Other Projects 10,879 4,974 (9,306) - - 6,547
Agency giving - 3,985 (2,309) - - 1,676
Other smaller
immaterial funds 779 - (30) - (749) -
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Restricted 15,068 13,733 (15,072) - 922 14,651
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total Funds
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────
Total 2,033,088 604,303 (598,836) 143,480 30,140 2,196,292
────────── ──────────
──────────
──────────		 ──────────
──────────

Material Fund Transfers 2023

Transfer to close fund with the funds being transferred back to the Vision fund where they originally came from.

Living Well Tonbridge Transfer to close fund with the funds being transferred back to the Vision fund where they originally came from. Charis project fund Transfer to close fund following the conclusion of the project. Unrestricted building fund Transfer to close fund with fund being transferred to the Property improvement fund.

During the year a consolidation exercise took place to reduce and rationalise the number of designated funds held by the PCC. This is the reason for the increased number of fund transfers with multiple funds being closed.

Fund Descriptions

Outlined below are the details for all the material funds held during the financial year.

Unrestricted Funds

General funds STEPS Unrestricted Fund Revaluation Reserve

Day to day operational costs for the church and church buildings. Day to day operational costs for the preschool and premises. Fund to hold the value of the revalued element of the buildings in accordance with the accounting policy and the charity's SORP.

26

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

Designated Funds

Property maintenance reserve

Property improvement fund

Vision fund (Legacy) Property fund Unrestricted building fund Boiler replacement fund

For major maintenance of public church buildings in line with quinquennial inspections.

Rented Property Fund - for major expenditures on rental properties.

Money received in response to vision related appeals. Value of all buildings owned. Now closed - for non-quinquennial building projects. Now closed - money put aside for rolling programme of boiler replacement in non-rental properties.

Restricted Funds

STEPS Restricted Fund

Living Well Tonbridge restricted Restricted funds - Other Projects Agency giving

Funds received for specific restricted purposes within the preschool.

Donations restricted for use for Living Well activities. Donations restricted for use for other specific projects. Money collected for and dispersed to other agencies.

13 Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Fixed Assets 1,952,944 - 1,952,944
Current Assets 187,215 13,159 200,374
Creditors less than 1 year (24,276) - (24,276)
────────── ──────────
──────────
2,115,883 13,159 2,129,042
────────── ──────────
──────────
Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Fixed Assets 2,040,999 - 2,040,999
Current Assets 179,598 14,651 194,249
Creditors less than 1 year (38,956) - (38,956)
────────── ──────────
──────────
2,181,641 14,651 2,196,292
────────── ──────────
──────────

27

St Stephen Tonbridge

Year Ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

14 Related Party Transactions

During the year Rachael Plowman, a close family member of trustee Mrs Edith Wills, was employed as the Church & Finance Administrator. The total remuneration received during the year including Employer’s National Insurance and Employer’s Pension contribution was £19,826 (2023: £19,389).

During the year a £500 donation was made by the PCC to Tonbridge Counselling Service, a charity where Rev’d Mark Barker is a trustee.

In the prior year £360 was paid to Tonbridge Counselling Service, a charity where Rev’d Mark Barker is a trustee.

15 Mission Partners

During the year the PCC provided financial support to a number of mission partners, both internationally and within the UK, through the Mission Action Group (MAG). The following grants were made:

Charis, Romania – £7,599.96

Mpwapwa CCMP Project, Tanzania – £8,530

Tonbridge Children’s Workshop, UK – £6,300

In addition to the above, a further £3,750 was distributed from MAG Funds in response to emergency appeals received throughout the year.

28