Background
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Christ Church Flackwell Heath has the responsibility, as stated in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, of co-operating with the Vicar, Revd James Dwyer, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church and Church Centre of Christ Church, Flackwell Heath. Christ Church is a Registered Charity, as required under Charity Law, with a Charity Registration number of 1132634.
Parochial Church Council
Membership
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. In addition, members may be co-opted as necessary. During 2023 the following served as PCC members:
Ex officio members: Chair: Revd James Dwyer; Curate : Revd Gill Taylor (from July 2023); Associate Minister : Revd Martin Courtney; Licensed Lay Ministers: Sue Simpson (Vice Chair) and Debbie FoxWebb; Churchwardens : Paul Churchouse (until March 2023), Karen Christie (from March 2023) and Phil Simpson; Deanery Synod Representatives: Neil Bourhill, Neil Favager, and Richard Chalmers (from March 2023), and Rebecca Hawes (elected Deanery Synod Representative Designate in March 2023, becoming full Deanery Synod Representative in September 2023).
Annual Report 2023
addition to ex-officio and co-opted members and be elected on a three-year rolling retirement. During 2023 elected members were:
Reg Jaycock (from 2022 APCM), Meg Scullion (from 2021 APCM), Tim Franklin (from 2022 APCM), Denise Herschel (from 2021 APCM), Sammy Simpson (from 2023 APCM), Sylvia Bourhill (from 2021 APCM), and Phil Bellamy (from 2023 APCM 2020). James Wiseman remained co-opted by PCC following his co-option in November 2022 until September 2023.
PCC Committees
In 2023 the PCC had four committees:
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The Standing Committee is required by law and has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.
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The Missions Committee coordinates links with the five mission partners that the Church supports. It advises the PCC on mission giving.
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The Fabric Committee oversees the maintenance of the Church, Church Centre, and grounds.
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The Finance Subcommittee was formed in 2023 in response to our financial situation with the remint of stabilising our giving and providing analysis and oversight of church finances.
The PCC met 6 times during 2023 and once for a PCC morning in April. PCC Members were commissioned on 23[rd] 2023 April and, apart from the normal business life of the church, there was a regular focus on Mission, and agenda items on Safeguarding and GDPR compliance.
Elected members: It was agreed in the APCM in 2004 that the PCC should consist of seven elected members in
Church Attendance in 2023
Church attendance returned to a stable pattern during 2023, following years of disruption following the coronavirus pandemic. The 9am service saw an average weekly attendance of around 4045, the 10.30am of around 75-80 adults and 5-10 children and youth, and the 6.30pm a range of attendance, reflecting the varied service pattern. Average Sunday attendance across all three service is therefore around 130. There has been a considerable increase in attendance at Prayer for Everyone, the monthly church prayer meeting, and the monthly Holy Communion service has grown to around 15 people in attendance.
Numbers of Occasional Offices remained low, reflecting a concerning wider trend at a national level. In 2023 we held:
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6 baptisms
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1 wedding
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20 funerals in which Christ Church clergy and LLMs were involved, either at Christ Church or local crematoriums
Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll declared at the Annual Meeting in 2023 was 197 people, an increase of five compared with that declared in 2022 (192). During 2023 6 people were removed (deceased). In February 2024 2 people were added. The Christ Church Electoral Roll stands, as of 27[th] February 2024, at 193 (127 residents and 66 non-residents).
(Jackie Chalmers, Electoral Roll Officer)
Review of the Year
2023 was a year where Christ Church rejoiced in seeing new growth, both numerical and spiritual, as we continued to think about what it means to grow deeper with God and with one another. The following is a snapshot of what took place – it by no means covers everything!
In January 2023 we started the year with a Prayer Week, providing us with space to reflect on and pray into the year ahead. We hosted the first Deanery Synod of the new year, welcoming friends from across the Deanery to put Jesus at the centre and pray into the future. A new Finance Subcommittee of the PCC began meeting to help stabilise our finances.
February saw the start of Lent, with our Lent Course looking at the Lectio Course produced by 24/7 Prayer. Our Messy Church family, now meeting monthly, continued to grow, with over 50 children enjoying homemade pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.
In March we took the chance to support local organisations, welcoming the Police to Coffee Stop, agreeing with our local NHS Social Prescribers to host a Talking Café each week, and attending the AGM of the Flackwell Heath Residents’ Association. The APCM gave us a chance to give thanks for all God is doing, and look ahead with hope. Along with other local churches we participated in prayer meetings for the future of St Mark’s in Bourne End.
April began with joyful Easter celebrations, including taking our worship outside at our Good Friday and Easter Day services. Towards the end of the month we hosted a concert by Jonathan Veria to raise money for Restored, the charity standing up against domestic abuse. Alpha Courses also started at the end of April, helping people explore the Christian faith. We worked through a three-week sermon series looking at giving as part of discipleship.
In May we joined the celebrations taking place throughout the country to mark the coronation of King Charles III. James, our Vicar, travelled to Nandyal Diocese in South India to spend ten days visiting the Diocese of Oxford’s link there, coming
back with lots of stories. The Christian Aid Plant Sale was its usual success, welcoming many from the village community. On the last Sunday of the month we welcomed Paulin, our mission partner from Albania, to Christ Church, where he gave an update in our services and was present at a bring and share lunch to tell more stories. Thy Kingdom Come helped us pray with other churches across the world.
June brought with it the arrival of a new bench in the Quiet Garden, in memory of Sue Baldwin. A quieter month gave us a chance to take stock before the summer holidays, and make plans for Lighthouse kids club, taking place in the village, and the ongoing work of the Community Pantry, which by this point in the year had grown significantly to become a vital part of the village community. Helen Broadbent was welcomed as an LLM serving at Christ Church.
At the start of July our new Curate, Revd Gill Taylor, was ordained deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. We enjoyed a lovely church lunch to welcome her and her two boys, Joel and Nathan, to Christ Church. Christ Church had a stall at Heath Fest again, supporting the FHRA. A prayer week was held in Bourne End to pray for St Mark’s, while we hosted a Dementia Friendly Tea Dance to the delight of those who came.
In August we combined our morning services again, giving our congregations a chance to worship together. A group of around 30 went to New Wine in Kent, enjoying worship, talks, and time together (if not the weather!). We hosted Little Lighthouse at Christ Church while Lighthouse took place at Carrington Junior School, giving us the chance to engage with a number of our village children. School uniform supply packs were given out to 25 local families.
The new academic term started in September, and we marked it as a church with a sermon series looking at the priorities of Jesus. This was complemented by a Prayer Week in the Upper Room along the same theme, and with two joyful baptisms at the end of the month. Alpha Courses started again, kicked off by an Alpha Supper where James talked about his trip to India.
In October we celebrated Harvest with a collection for One Can Trust and the Community Pantry, welcoming Erica Holt from Wycombe Youth for Christ to come and speak. We hosted a Diocesan training day on funerals, and at the end of October hosted a superhero Messy Church as an alternative to Halloween.
In November we helped facilitate the village Remembrance Service as well as holding our annual Memorial Service at Christ Church. We hosted an art exhibition for Carrington Infant School and held another successful Charities Fayre, welcoming local charities to come and share their work.
December saw us hold many and various Christmas services, starting with Christmas on the Heath in association with the FHRA. Carols in the Car Park was a new service, and we had a significant increase in the number of attendees at our Christmas services. We engaged with over 800 children through school visits and assemblies.
Throughout the year, the church Safeguarding Policy was kept up to date and overseen by the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
The Fabric Committee: The Church and Centre continued to benefit from a small but dedicated team of volunteers, led by the churchwardens, particularly the monthly Grounds Working Party. Energy bills continued to be carefully monitored,
and the new bench was installed in the Quiet Garden in memory of Sue Baldwin. A church declutter began alongside continued work to keep the Church and Centre maintained and efficient. The Church and Centre continued to be cleaned to a high standard, professionally and by volunteers.
Worship: Christ Church is blessed by a talented team of musicians, singers, and technical support teams, complemented by Bible Readers, intercessors, and the flower team. In person services continue to be complemented by a livestream (10.30am only), managed by some superb volunteers. Services at Christ Church continue to offer a variety of styles, both traditional and modern. Communion returned to being offered from the common cup following the pandemic.
Discipleship: Growing deeper as disciples of Jesus continued to be a key part of Christ Church’s mission.
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Sue Simpson continued to coordinate home groups at Christ Church, with groups encouraged to follow a church-wide teaching pattern of using the sermon series from September-Easter, and then choosing their own subjects
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Preaching continued to be a rich source of discipleship, led by Revd James Dwyer, Revd Gill Taylor (from July 2023), Revd Martin Courtney, Sue Simpson, Debbie Fox-Webb, as well as Sylvia Bourhill and Phil Bellamy (Authorised Preachers), and Cheryl Dwyer. Series included A Giving Church, Ezekiel, Revelation Priorities of Jesus, and the The Family Tree
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Sharon Howard and Bridget Wiseman continued to oversee Junior Church, supported by a fantastic team of volunteers. Engagement within schools was
grown throughout the year, with an increasing number of assemblies in school and visits to church by the children. Junior Church used the Urban Saints ‘Energize’ material as well as following sermon series
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Cheryl Dwyer continued to oversee Thrive, our youth group. Members of Thrive are involved across church life, including PCC, the coffee rota, All Age Worship, and more
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Messy Church grew during the year, meeting monthly and welcoming an average of 42 children and 22 carers each month for craft, games, Bible stories, and dinner. Messy Church is overseen by Cheryl Dwyer with support from a brilliant team
Prayer: Overseen by Jane Franklin, prayer continued to be a core value of Christ Church.
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Creative ways of praying were continued, including Prayer Weeks in January and September
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Daily Prayer (Mon-Fri) was held in the Rotunda, along with monthly parish prayers online and an emergency prayer chain and team of confidential intercessors
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Community Prayer regularly gathered leaders from nine local churches to pray for one another and our area
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Prayer takes place formally and informally during the week, in services, within prayer groups, and pastorally
Ministry:
- The Pastoral Team, under the leadership of Sue Hill, continued to provide excellent pastoral support and develop pastoral care at Christ Church. The Bereavement Visiting Team continued to minister to
those in the days after loss, and the Oasis self-help group kept in touch with many members when meeting together was not possible
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Prayer for Healing continued to be offered at the 9am service on third Sundays, and prayer ministry at the end of the 10.30am service remained a key point of prayer and support
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Fellaship (men’s ministry) and Sister Act (women’s ministry) met regularly throughout the year, welcoming a range of speakers from both within and outside the church
Outreach and Evangelism:
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The Flackwell Heath Community Pantry continued to be well resourced by donations from the church family and wider village. By the end of 2023 the Pantry had almost 100 families on its register, welcoming around 20-25 each week
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We again worked in partnership with St Peter’s Loudwater to provide 25 School Starter Packs to families with children starting at Carrington Schools in September
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Coffee Stop continued as a registered Warm Space, providing a place of comfort for those struggling with the cost of living
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Play Café and You-Nique provided regular contact points for families in the wider community, and offered a safe space
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Alpha courses were run in partnership with Flackwell Heath Methodist Church
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Coffee Stop remained a key part of Christ Church’s outreach in the community, running weekly during term time and on Wednesdays during school holidays (including the Christmas break)
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Christ Church members were involved with local ministries, including One Can Trust, Wycombe 24/7 Prayer, Wycombe Youth for Christ and Wycombe Homeless Connection. Christ Church continued to support Christian Aid through collection and the plant sale
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During 2023 Christ Church remained committed to five Mission Partners: Jubilee Society (Mongolia), the Albanian Christian Centre (with New Beginnings Children’s Home), London City Mission, Wycombe Youth for Christ, and a ministry in East Africa. At the end of 2023 our partnership with London City Mission (Jean-Louis Kassis) came to an end owing to a change in Jean-Louis’ role. It was agreed that we would prayerfully seek God’s guidance for a fifth mission partner, and for the moment place the money that would have been sent to London City Mission into a discretionary mission fund. The mission noticeboard was maintained all year
Other community involvement:
Christ Church continued to be an active presence in the life of the community, including:
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Welcoming the parish in for occasional offices
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Holding events to mark the Coronation of King Charles III
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Holding the annual Memorial Service in November
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Holding a variety of Christmas services
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Leading the village Remembrance Service and turning on the lights at the Village Christmas Festival
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Being an active presence in village schools
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Welcoming the Girl Guides, Brownies, and Rainbows for their Christmas service, and hosting Girls Brigade events
Financial Review: With total incoming resources of £224,244 and expenditure of £174,881, the net financial result for the year was an receipts compared to an excess of payments. Our finances were a significant area of focus during 2023, with a sermon series, publicity, Finance Subcommittee, and regular updates forming part of the strategy. The major outgoings were the Diocesan Parish Share and the salary of the part-time Administrator. All general income was tithed and supported the work of our five mission partners.
Reserves Policy: In November 2023 the PCC reviewed the current level of reserves and were happy with the reserves held at around 82,000, which is designed to cover the equivalent of two months’ general running costs and other anticipated expenses. Our reserves policy states our reserves must be no less that £40,000.
Revd James Dwyer Chair of the Parochial Church Council 27[th] February 2024
Parochial Church Council of Christ Church, Flackwell Heath Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ending 31 December 2023
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from donors 2(a) Other voluntary incoming resources 2(b) Incoming resources from operating activities: to further the Council's objects 2(c) to generate funds 2(d) Income from investment 2(e) Other ordinary incoming resources 2(f) TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Grants 3(a) Activities relating to the work of the Church 3(b) Church Management and Administration 3(c) TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS Balances brought forward at January 1 Balances carried forward at December 31 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 167,166 5,003 16,237 120 1,511 9,285 199,322 18,070 127,870 17,933 163,873 35,449 134,699 170,148 |
Restricted Funds £ - 24,923 24,923 1,638 9,370 11,008 13,915 1,216 15,131 |
2023 2022 £ £ 167,166 115,718 5,003 3,628 16,237 9,378 120 283 1,511 320 34,208 31,591 224,245 160,918 19,708 20,413 137,240 167,118 17,933 14,601 174,881 202,132 49,364 -41,214 135,915 177,129 185,279 135,915 TOTAL FUNDS |
2023 2022 £ £ 167,166 115,718 5,003 3,628 16,237 9,378 120 283 1,511 320 34,208 31,591 224,245 160,918 19,708 20,413 137,240 167,118 17,933 14,601 174,881 202,132 49,364 -41,214 135,915 177,129 185,279 135,915 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160,918 | ||||
| 20,413 167,118 14,601 |
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| 202,132 | ||||
| -41,214 | ||||
| 177,129 | ||||
| 135,915 |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December
2023
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Monetary Assets HSBC Current Account 6,689 5,424 2,500 Barclays Account 3,849 4,317 0 HSBC Deposit Account 20,216 CAF 90 day account 120,000 Cash 94 |
2023 2022 £ £ -6,013 4,056 1,175 33 104,981 46,660 85,000 85,000 136 166 |
| 185,279 135,915 |
Debtors
There are no debtors.
Creditors
There are no creditors
Liabilities
There are no liabilities
Moveable Church Furnishings
Moveable church furnishings are valued at £0.00 for accounting purposes.
Non-Monetary Assets
Assorted gardening implements and shed – valued at £0.00 for accounting purposes.
The PCC owns assorted dvds, books and office equipment – valued at £0.00 for accounting purposes
| Funds Statement Balance Restricted Funds Relief 490 Community Pantry 13,141 Designated Funds Hardship Fund 878 Oasis 3,995 General Fund 84,816 Development Fund 81,959 Total 185,279 Represented by :- HSBC Current Account (6,013) Barclays Account 1,175 CAF 90 day account 85,000 HSBC Deposit Account 104,981 Cash 136 Total 185,279 |
0.00 | |
|---|---|---|
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Parochial Church Council of Christ Church, Flackwell Heath Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
In previous years Designated and Restricted Funds were shown in a combined column. As Designated Funds are unrestricted they are now shown in the Unrestricted column
| 2 INCOMING RESOURCES Unrestricted Funds 2(a) Incoming resources from donors £ Planned giving: Gift Aid donations 88,956 Other planned giving 8,200 Income tax recoverable 30,602 Loose plate collections 6,827 Other Gift Aid donations 25,263 Other donations 7,318 167,166 2(b) Other voluntary incoming resources Donations to costs/expenses 1,003 One off Grants - Legacies 4,000 5,003 2(c) Incoming resources from operating activities: to further the Council's objects Bible Notes & Events 6,145 Church Centre lettings 8,972 Fees for weddings etc 1,120 Other - 16,237 2(d) Incoming resources from operating activities: to generate funds Other funds generated 120 120 2(e) Income from investment Bank and deposit account interest 1,511 1,511 2(f) Other ordinary incoming resources Special collections - Community Pantry Use of photocopier 198 Oasis 1,735 Cash Floats (eg. Coffee Stop) 7,352 9,285 Total Incoming Resources 199,322 |
Restricted Funds £ - 1,638 23,285 - 24,923 24,923 |
2023 2022 88,956 72,425 8,200 4,132 30,602 20,677 6,827 3,106 25,263 10,238 7,318 5,140 167,166 115,718 1,003 1,628 - 2,000 4,000 - 5,003 3,628 6,145 2,064 8,972 6,894 1,120 420 - - 16,237 9,378 120 283 120 283 1,511 320 1,511 320 1,638 4,935 23,285 819 198 175 1,735 20,589 7,352 5,073 34,208 31,591 224,245 160,918 TOTAL FUNDS |
2023 2022 88,956 72,425 8,200 4,132 30,602 20,677 6,827 3,106 25,263 10,238 7,318 5,140 167,166 115,718 1,003 1,628 - 2,000 4,000 - 5,003 3,628 6,145 2,064 8,972 6,894 1,120 420 - - 16,237 9,378 120 283 120 283 1,511 320 1,511 320 1,638 4,935 23,285 819 198 175 1,735 20,589 7,352 5,073 34,208 31,591 224,245 160,918 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115,718 | |||
| 1,628 2,000 - |
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| 3,628 | |||
| 2,064 6,894 420 - |
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| 9,378 | |||
| 283 | |||
| 283 | |||
| 320 | |||
| 320 | |||
| 4,935 819 175 20,589 5,073 |
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| 31,591 | |||
| 160,918 |
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| 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED 3(a) Grants Missionary societies Relief and development Home mission Special collections Other 3(b) Activities relating to the work of the Church Ministry: Diocesan Parish Share Clergy expenses Sanctuary Music Junior Church/Youth Materials/books/services Church running expenses Church repairs/maintenance Church Centre costs Bible Notes & Events Cash Floats (eg. Coffee Stop) Oasis Community Pantry Training Families/Parenting Improvements 3(c) Church Management and Administration Printing and stationery Administrator salary & related costs Office/administration TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED |
Unrestricted Funds £ 17,470 - 600 - - 18,070 86,488 1,475 345 667 648 383 8,904 1,755 6,214 2,177 6,179 657 34 11,465 479 127,870 3,325 13,373 1,235 17,933 163,873 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 1,638 1,638 9,370 9,370 11,008 |
0 2023 2022 17,470 14,400 - - 600 600 1,638 4,512 - 901 19,708 20,413 86,488 87,207 1,475 1,047 345 102 667 873 648 1,211 383 181 8,904 3,365 1,755 2,864 6,214 5,903 2,177 1,625 6,179 2,972 657 20,447 9,370 93 34 136 11,465 7,828 479 31,264 137,240 167,118 3,325 2,557 13,373 10,676 1,235 1,368 17,933 14,601 174,881 202,132 TOTAL FUNDS |
0 2023 2022 17,470 14,400 - - 600 600 1,638 4,512 - 901 19,708 20,413 86,488 87,207 1,475 1,047 345 102 667 873 648 1,211 383 181 8,904 3,365 1,755 2,864 6,214 5,903 2,177 1,625 6,179 2,972 657 20,447 9,370 93 34 136 11,465 7,828 479 31,264 137,240 167,118 3,325 2,557 13,373 10,676 1,235 1,368 17,933 14,601 174,881 202,132 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,413 | ||||
| 87,207 1,047 102 873 1,211 181 3,365 2,864 5,903 1,625 2,972 20,447 93 136 7,828 31,264 |
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| 167,118 | ||||
| 2,557 10,676 1,368 |
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| 14,601 | ||||
| 202,132 |
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Independent examiner's report to the PCC of Christ Church, Flackwell Heath
This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2022 which are set out on pages 1 to 4 is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Account Regulations 2006 ("the regulations") and section 43 of the Charities Act 1993 ("the act").
Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Independent Examiner
The PCC is responsible for the preparation of the accounts and considers that an audit is not required for this year and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the regulations
Basis of this Independent Examiner's Statement
This examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. It includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements • to keep accounting records
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met;
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Mr Ian Bickerstaffe 17 Ash Close Walters Ash High Wycombe HP14 4TR
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