2022-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Louth

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The Parish of Louth

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF LOUTH FOR 2022 Presented to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 25[th] May 2023

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE PARISH OF LOUTH

Objectives and activities

The primary object of the PCC is ‘the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England’. In doing so it ‘cooperates with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical’.[1] In the case of Louth, where a Team Ministry is in place, this co-operation is both with the Team Ministry (Priest-in-Charge, Team Vicar) and the Parish Ministry Team that they oversee, and those working in the Districts that make up the wider parish. The PCC held four ordinary meetings during the year. Much of its business is transacted through the District Church Councils or Churchwardens and Subcommittees working to support the ministry of the Church that is exercised by the Ministry Team.

Mission Communities – a vision for the local church

We continue to seek to discern God’s will for the various gathered communities that make up the Parish of Louth. The six locations (spread across five districts) comprise the Parish of Louth Mission Community. Within this St James’ and Trinity Centre fulfil the function of being a Key Mission Church, with a contribution to make to the wider work of the Diocese as well as serving their respective local needs. Each of the other churches in the Parish undertook a process of ‘church type categorisation’ during the year in line with the Diocesan programme of A Time to Change Together – Resourcing Sustainable Church. Stewton and South Elkington categorised themselves as Community Churches. St. Michael’s and Welton le Wold categorised themselves as Festival churches – although both aspire to become Community Churches.

Mission planning

At the beginning of 2013, building on the 2012 Parish Profile, it was agreed that work in the Parish of Louth would focus on building up the whole Church, seen in three different expressions of its life as:

a group of worshipping communities;
those in the wider community engaging with the love of God; and
a group of people engaged in these aspects of its mission and ministry.
At the core of this was the aspiration that we would make real our commitment that:

“In all we do, we will seek to live out Jesus’ command to draw close to the love of God in worship, and to share this by loving our neighbour”

These aspirations sit within the framework of the wider vision of the Diocese of Lincoln that the Church of England be ‘a transforming presence in Greater Lincolnshire’, embodied in a life that is ‘faithful in worship, confident in discipleship and joyful in service to others’. To

1 PCC (Powers) Measure 1956.

help focus our work we identified the following vision for each of the churches within the Parish:

The Ministry Team, supported by the PCC, will seek to encourage the Church to fulfil this calling by:

Maintaining a rhythm of prayer and resourcing worship;
Encouraging people to grow closer to God in faith;
Reaching out beyond the boundaries of the gathered Church to all those touched by Christ;
Serving the wider community and making visible God’s love for all; and
Enabling each of us, as the body of Christ, to fulfil our vocation by resourcing our work.

In the town of Louth…

The Parish Church of Louth St James, Westgate seeks to become…

A place of prayer and worship;
A place for visitors to encounter the wonder of God; and
A varied community travelling together and growing in faith.

The Parish Church of St. Michael, Church Street seeks to become…

A gathered community celebrating Christ among them, seeking to take that presence into his world; and

Trinity Centre, Eastgate seeks to become…

A resource for the wider Church and community;
A place where people can experience the love of God; and
A place where people can encounter God on their own terms.

In the villages…

…our churches exist to create an environment where we can worship, listen and grow to become better and more responsive disciples of Christ, so that we can witness to God's presence, and minister the things of God to all people. As we have been building on these foundations, developing our life and work, and it is our aim to continue:

Engaging with people from across the community;
Encouraging them to encounter Christ in their lives; and
Equipping people to do these tasks.

The pages that follow outline the scope of our work, and how we hope to grow a community

of faith where all can grow so as to be ‘fully alive’ to God’s presence among us and our communities.

Gloria Dei est vivens homo, vita hominis visio Dei.

The glory of God is a man fully alive, the life of a human is the vision of God.

WHOLE-LIFE LIVING: becoming fully alive THE MINSTER COMMUNITY: A Church engaged in prayer & worship, fellowship,

study, and service…

As we seek to build on our existing work, and discover where we are called to grow in the future, we have reflected on the resources we have and the needs of our community. Alongside this we have explored how we can use the riches of our past to help us shape the Church for the future. We are exploring how we can use the language of the ‘minster community’ to describe our life as a Church engaged in mission within the whole local community. This draws on the early origins of our churches as home to a community that proclaimed the Christian message in the earliest years of the English Church in this area. Rather than focusing on a single ‘minster church’ we understand this to call us to look at the different ways our resources (people, places and activities) contribute to the fullness of the life of the local Church.

The Minster Community is made up of… People (WHO?)

Parish Ministry Team
Extended Ministry Teams
Individuals
The wider community within which the Church is a worshipping presence

Activities (WHAT?)

An Oratory, as a place of prayer for the whole community
Local chapels, to mark life’s events in Baptism, Marriage and Burial and as places to gathering for worship
Shrines, special places hallowed by prayer where passers-by or those in need can find a place to pause in the presence of God
Community spaces, to welcome the wider community
Civic church, as a point of focus for the spiritual life of those in secular power
Almonry, for those in immediate physical need
Hospital, care and hospitality
Schools, where we can be alongside young people as they unlock creation
Study, to deepen faith in ways appropriate to each individual
Granges, as places for retreat from daily work

Locations (WHERE?)

Parish Church of Louth St James
Parish Church of St Michael
Trinity Centre
All Saints, South Elkington
St Andrew, Stewton
Church House, Upgate
Church House, Mt. Pleasant
Church Institute, S. Elkington
Keddington Churchyard
Everywhere else in our community!
St Martin, Welton le Wold

As an institution, the Parish of Louth consists of the Ministry Team and the Parochial Church Council; the legal custodian of the local resources of the Church. Together, they serve the spiritual needs of those who worship within the parish’s churches, and the wider community who are all God’s people in the Parish. The elements of minster community, familia (‘people’) and parochia (‘place’), come together as component parts of a whole around its activities of Prayer & Worship, Fellowship, Study and Service.

WHO: The People at the heart of the Minster Community

The wider community living in, working in and visiting the Parish who are all people of God
Individuals who worship within the local church and live out a life of faith in daily life
Parish Ministry Team , overseen by Team Chapter (Priest-in-Charge, Associate Rector and Community Outreach Manager), working with each of our gathered communities and the wider community.
Extended Ministry Teams , led by members of the Parish Ministry Team and serving each of our gathered communities:

St James’ (Priest-in-Charge, assistant and retired clergy)

▪ Music and Liturgy ▪ Pastoral Visitors ▪ Visitors ▪ Fellowship

St Michael’s (Rev. Robert Mansfield, with Priest-in-Charge) South Elkington (Priest-in-Charge, with retired clergy and lay ministry team) Stewton (Rev. Robert Mansfield and Rev. Alan Hayday) Welton le Wold (Priest-in-Charge) Community Outreach Team

WHERE: The locations where the Minster Community focuses its life

At its broadest the Church is present wherever its members are. However, there are a number of focal points for the life of the Church, and the table blow identifies them and the areas of life they tend to be a focus for within the Parish of Louth:

		St James	St Michael	Trinity Centre	Sth Elkington	Stewton	Welton	Church House, Upgate	Church House, Mt Pleasant	Church Institute	Keddington
Oratory		●
Civic church		●
Local chapels	Gathered worship	❸	●	●	●	●	●
	Baptistry	●	●	O	●	O	O
	Marriage	●	●	O	●	●	O
	Burial	●	●	O	●	●	●				●
Almonry				●
Hospital		O	O	●	O	●
Study/ Education	Schools	KEVIGS Kidgate LGS	SMS	LGS StB	GHS
	Discipleship	●		●		●		O
Retreat/grange						●	+
Shrine		● Chapels		O	+	●	+				+
Community space		O	O	●+ youth	●	●	●	●	O	●

Code: ● – Significant activity for development O – Subsidiary part of activity + – possible area for development

HOW: Becoming fully alive

In order to live life fully, we will seek to structure our life as a community and the activities which are a part of it to encourage everyone to consider four elements of Christian living appropriately expressed in people’s lives and suited to their context:

WHOLE-LIFE LIVING: becoming fully alive

Four + PRAYER & WORSHIP in the presence of God + STUDY to deepen our experience elements + FELLOWSHIP with those who travel alongside us + SERVICE to others in our communities

Each of which is lived as a part of each stage of life

PARISH CHURCH OF LOUTH ST JAMES

Fabric Work

2022 saw the retirement of our long-standing Churchwarden (Jeannie Gurnham) and many thanks are due to her for her years of service. Jane Fletcher was elected at the annual meeting to replace her, and she has continued to lead the love and care for the congregation, building and those who visit.

Ongoing maintenance work continued during the year together with a detailed inspection of the south aisle pinnacles using a cherry picker. A full report has been produced and a schedule of works is being generated. This is a significant part of the Phase 2 works from our Quinquennial Inspection. A further QI is to be completed later in 2023.

The primary focus of work this year has been on the bells. During the year all of the clappers were removed and returned to Taylors Bell Foundry in Loughborough where they were re-faced. Work was also completed on the roller bearings. The main bearings were also inspected – with the tenor bearing being replaced. Further work on the remaining bearings is likely to be needed in 2023. Significant grant contributions were received to enable this work to be completed and thanks are particularly paid to the Friends of St. James who contributed very generously to this work.

During the year a significant amount of work was also undertaken at Church House, particularly around updating the electrical supply and maintenance of windows and gutters.

During the Wolds and Coasts Festival in October we highlighted the work which is ongoing to create plans for the future for St. James with regards to its carbon footprint, in line with the Church of England’s aims to be net free carbon by 2030. Planning continues with the assistance of our architect and this will develop during 2023.

The Team

The cafe and the gift shop continued to re-grow during the year following the challenges during the pandemic. This is important for business and serving the community and visitors, as are the guides. The choir, as usual, is doing splendidly and has been re-growing following the pandemic.

The DCC continues to review and support all that happens at St. James’. We are pleased that Robert Haynes is able to give more time to the needs of the church. Grateful thanks to him for taking on the role of the treasurer and for looking after the repairs etc. in Church House. Thanks also go to Adrian Sales for doing a vast amount of work on keeping the outside of the church looking smart and weed-free and also looking afters the planters.

KEDDINGTON CHURCHYARD

Keddington Churchyard sits within the District of St James and the section of the burial ground that remains ‘open’ is under the care of the PCC of Louth. The DCC maintain this ‘open’ part of the churchyard

PARISH CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, SOUTH ELKINGTON

The inside of the Institute is in need of painting and Joe Harris has quoted £3670 to fill, caulk and paint and it was agreed to go ahead.

The roof on the South Aisle needs replacing and the original thought was to replace the existing lead with Tern Coated Steel. We then learnt that it wouldn’t be possible to access the Nave roof at a later date, because tern Coated Steel won’t carry scaffolding, so we thought we would replace it as well. The planners decided this wasn’t a good idea, they were happy for steel on the aisle but not the nave. The architect suggested we seek permission for solar panels on the aisle and the planners have yet to comment on that and we aren’t interested because the export tariff is too low and we don’t use much electric. Steel covering requires roofers from afar who are experienced and cost a fortune. It is cheaper for us to us a local person and replace the roof with lead. We are at present waiting for the Archdeacons approval under list B of the Faculty Jurisdiction Measure

We are presently seeking Grant aid and any help with that would be appreciated. There are no other issues of concern with the fabric of the building.

Our Service schedule is being maintained with a Morning Praise on the second Sunday of the month lead by a local team and a Communion Service on the 4[th] Sunday and our congregations have increased slightly over this time. I would like to thank Cameron for looking after us over the past 12 months and we do appreciate his time is not in abundance!

Charles Dobson and Tony Doherty – Churchwardens

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARTIN, WELTON LE WOLD

The church has been operating as a Festival Church during 2022 with the constraints of Covid-19 during the early part of the year. Services continue to be well attended by villagers and others during the year and the church building is also used as the centre of village life as it is the only publically available building.

Rebekah Stubbs and Sylvia White - Churchwardens

PARISH CHURCH OF ST ANDREW, STEWTON

The report reflects the first proper full year of opening after the Covid 19 pandemic.

Structure

The Quinquennial Inspection was carried out during this year, with no major problems identified which was good news. There is always general ongoing maintenance. One of the replacements we made was to the original ramp between nave and chancel which had admirably served its purpose for many years but was showing signs of wear. The new one is in three sections with extra rubber grips for safety. Woodworm treatment with a 30-year gurantee was applied, a fire extinguisher safety check and the five-year electrical inspection have taken place this year with positive outcomes.

Churchyard

The dry summer has resulted in shrunken graves becoming more emphasised so we commenced a programme of levelling them before reseeding. This was started in the late autumn and will carry on in 2023. The churchyard continues to be maintained with the help of a grass cutting contractor. The grass being cut regularly and the

roadside hedge trimmed back allowing us to use the outside space for community events when needed, and it is one of the aspects that visitors comment on so positively about when they come here. The churchyard is still used for burials and the internment of ashes as people appreciate the peace and quiet of the place. The plan of the churchyard with reserved plots is kept in the safe.

Dorothy Mansfield and Jane Rushby - Churchwardens

PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, LOUTH

2022 has continued to be a challenging time for St. Michael's, as it has for the other churches within the Team Parish. The congregation here has sadly been reducing either by death or by relocation and we particularly mention the death of Barbara Dales who gave many decades of worship and service to the church and the PCC.

We have continued with a said Communion Service held in the Lady Chapel on a Thursday morning during the year. This sees us welcome a small but regular group of communicants who appreciate not only the opportunity to worship, but also offers them a chance so socialise in a Covid safe way. Rev. Robert Mansfield has been greatly supporting St. Michael’s over this year, and we thank him enormously.

Our brothers and sisters in the Anteochian Orthodox Church, continued to use the altar of hospitality which we offered to them in 2020 during the first part of the year, but then returned to their previous chapel when we suffered storm damage and had to close the church for a week. We are continuing to have conversations with them about the long-term possibilities for them and us and the building of St. Michael’s church.

Financially, this has proved to be a very difficult time as it has for all of us. Income from Funerals and Weddings remained very low. Fortunately, a small restricted legacy allows for some funding towards the ongoing maintenance of the building.

St. Michael’s Church Hall continues to be a major concern, with the long-term tenants (St. Michael’s Playgroup) closing in July and a long-term solution is being sought to the future use of this building. Discussions have been ongoing in the latter half of the year with another Nursery provider who has submitted a plan to the PCC for the upgrading of the building as part of a lont-term leasing arrangement. Without either churchwardens or a DCC at St. Michael’s, the responsibilities and decisions are now taken by the PCC and we thank them for supporting this small group of faithful worshippers over this last year.

Reverend Cameron Watt – Priest-in-Charge

TRINITY CENTRE

Following on from the 2021 appointment of our two Community Connectors – Sue Padbury and Elise Needham the Trinity Centre is now The Wellbeing and Mental Health Hub for Louth - this being a joint venture with NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board.

The Centre has seen vast changes in the last 18 months since their appointment, with the creation of many support groups being set up to help to combat both Mental Health and subsequent health related issues – groups such as Safe Place Café, Warm Space, Peer Support group and the creation of the Night Light Café running at both Trinity Centre in Louth and in ‘The Wong’ at Horncastle to name but a few. Funding is being provided by the NHS for this to happen but does continue to produce challenges in order to secure the funding and to eventually access it.

The remit for the Connectors was that they are to provide a ‘safety net’ to help to stop people accessing Services with issues which could be safely resolved at a lower, non-clinical level. This intervention designed to alleviate the stresses of an already overstretched NHS and of course other public services.

We have also seen the inevitable upheavals in the Staffing structure here at the Centre with the appointment of a Peer Support Worker In 2021 – Cindy Stratford – in conjunction with the ‘Shine Mental Health’ group. Cindy – sadly – is no longer with us and has left for ‘pastures new’, Shine have decided not to replace her here at the Centre. Our Community Outreach Manager – Greg Gilbert has also left the Centre after approximately 10years service here and has been replaced by Jill Trafford, as Centre Manager. Other inevitable staff changes have now been implemented in order to maximise and make best use of the remaining staffing structure that we currently have in place and to ensure that we work as efficiently and as cost effectively as is possible. This has facilitated role changes for our remaining staff members - our Cleaner and Caretaker roles have now both developed into dual roles to maximise efficiency. This has, inevitably lead to extra responsibilities being required of some staff members and I am pleased to report that this is a process which, thus far, is proving to be successful.

The Community groups which have traditionally run from the Centre – such as the ‘Memories Matter’ (Dementia) group and our ‘Mother and Toddler’ group will still go ahead. The Mother and Toddler group will effectively be re-invented following its current demise (through lack of volunteer resource) be re-named and taken over and run by our new Children and Families Worker - Rebekah Stubbs. Our Memories Matter group is still run by Jane Pegg and continues to be a very popular and consistently well attended group. Platform Housing provide one of their staff members to attend the Centre on the 1[st] Thursday and 3[rd] Tuesday of each month to run a drop-in surgery to assist people with housing issues, and we do have a ‘Learning Together Babies’ group – an LCC initiative for Mothers and babies to attend on a Wednesday afternoon. The Probation Service and ‘We Are With You’ – an addiction support group still runs from the Centre.

Of course – we still run our Louth Churches Together Community Food Larder from here at the Centre and we do enjoy continuing support from our small group of extremely hardworking volunteers who we are always eternally grateful to for their continued hard work and unstinting support.

We do, also continue to provide support and assistance to those families and individuals who are most vulnerable and in need in our local Community - with the option to provide both practical assistance in the form of food and toiletries etc to ongoing support and assistance through sign posting to our resident Community Connectors or to agencies further afield should the situation require different types of help and assistance or a multi - faceted approach.

Our room rentals here at the Centre are finally showing an increase in uptake which has not been seen since the Covid pandemic and we are finally hopeful of increased usage and therefore increasing revenue in this regard. Businesses are finally beginning to re-emerge and to use our rooms here which is providing a welcome boost in Income for the Centre in what is proving to be an ever increasingly difficult financial climate.

Following on from the challenging times of the Covid Pandemic, we are looking forward to a brighter and more successful year for the Centre. This, however, can only be achieved with the help and continuing efforts of our hard working, committed workforce. I know that they are as committed as I am, to ensuring that the Centre will continue to be at the heart of our Communities and to be a stabilizing influence in the life of so many who are supported and indeed rely upon the work that continues to happen here.

Jill Trafford, Centre Manager

REPORT FROM THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

2022 was again a time of transition within the parish, with Rev. Arabella Milbank Robinson announcing her leaving at the same time as she came back from maternity leave. She, Fr. James, Aubrey & Ivor left the parish in July and have happily settled into a new life in Cambridge where she is Chaplain and Dean of Chapel at Selwyn College. Rev. Karen Gooding joined us as half-time Team Vicar in November and it was a real benefit to have another stipendiary colleague in the parish. With Fr. James leaving from his roles at Legbourne and as Rural Dean, the Acting Bishop asked me to also become Rural Dean, and I now have oversight over the vacant 29 churches in the Deanery, as well as the Team Parish of Louth. Plenty to do!

Covid has continued to play a large part in the life of our communities, and also our ability to hold services, and service patterns in the way in which we had done previously. We cannot underestimate the level of impact which the pandemic has had on people individually or as communities – with many volunteers not returning to previous roles across the country.

We have continued to focus on making a difference to people’s lives, and to sharing the love of God throughout the parish. We have been able to lead times of significant celebration and sadness during the year, including the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations and her death and the reflections on her life, as well as the usual cycle of Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas. At times like these we reach out into the community and seek to put Christ at the heart of all that we do.

Our social gospel is really important in the parish and the work which is run from the Trinity Centre must also be celebrated. Over 1000 people (and 73 pets) were fed through the work of the Churches Together Community Larder which we host. This equates to 1 in 17 of the population being assisted during the year. The work of the Commuinty Connectors (and the Commuinty Outreach Manager and Peer Support Worker whilst they were in post) made a real difference to the lives of many people during this year.

There are naturally, concerns about the future and discussions are ongoing with the Diocese and also the Deanery Partnership Steering Group (covering four deaneries, and roughly equal to East Lindsey) about what the shape of the organisation of our local churches will be. We have formed our Local Mission Partnership, and this is roughly the same size as Louthesk Deanery. The plan, if we get enough Covenant giving, is for there to be three stipendiary clergy, based in Louth, who will provide priestly ministry across the LMP, with a focus being at St. James as the Key Mission Church.

Excitingly, we have funding for a Children, Youth & Families Worker to the parish, and this post will start in early 2023. This is a 28 hours a week role, which should be able to make a real difference to how we can resource our work in this area across the parish.

I want to end by continuing to thank everyone, for all that you do to keep our church here (the people and the building) focussed on sharing the love of God with all whom we meet. As we look forward to the future, let us look to what we can do, rather than what we can’t.

‘For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good, to give you a future and a hope’ . Jeremiah Chapter 29 v 11

Rev. Cameron Watt – Priest-in-Charge

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCELSIASTICAL PARISH OF LOUTH

Reference and administrative information

This is the annual report for the activities of The Parochial Church Council for the Parish of Louth (the ‘PCC’) for the year from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2022.

The churches and chapels in the parish are:

The Parish Church of All Saints, South Elkington

The Parish Church of St. Andrew, Stewton

The Parish Church of Louth St. James, Westgate, Louth

The Parish Church of St. Martin, Welton-le-Wold
The Parish Church of St. Michael, Church Street, Louth

Trinity Centre, Eastgate, Louth (incorporating the Chapel of Holy Trinity, Louth)

The address for official correspondence for the PCC is: c/o The Deanery Office, 6 Upgate, Louth LN11 9ET.

The bankers to the PCC are: Lloyds Bank, Mercer Row, Louth.

The following people have been members of the PCC during the period being reported:

Licensed clergy: The Reverend Cameron Watt (Chair) The Reverend Robert Mansfield (PTO) The Reverend Arabella Milbank Robinson (until 23 August 2022) The Reverend Karen Gooding (from 7 November 2022)

Readers: Dr Paul Hill Churchwardens: Mr Charles Dobson Mrs Dorothy Mansfield Mr Tony Doherty Mrs Jane Fletcher (from 26 May 2022) Mrs Harjinder Gurnham (until 26 May 2022) Mrs Jane Rushby Mrs Rebekah Stubbs Mrs Sylvia White

Deanery Synod: Mr Mike Crosby (Treasurer and Lay Vice-chair) (St. James) Mr Tony Doherty (South Elkington) Mr Peter Taylor (Welton le Wold) Dr Paul Hill (St. James) Ms Sue Smith (St. James) Mr Malcolm Locking (Stewton)

Elected Members: Mrs Barbara Dales (St. Michael’s, until 15 October 2022) Mrs Jill Day (South Elkington) Mr Peter Taylor (Welton le Wold) Mrs Lesley Lewis (Stewton) Mrs Tiffany Noden (St. James, until 28 July 2022)

Co-opted: Mrs Jennifer Goodwin (Secretary)

In the normal course of events the day-to-day activities of the PCC are delegated to the appropriate Churchwardens, DCCs or PCC officers who work alongside the various members of the Ministry Team serving the parish.

Structure, governance and management

The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Louth is a corporate body established in law as part of the Church of England. The PCC operates under the legal powers and provisions of the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure[2] and the Church Representation Rules.[3] The PCC exceeds the limits for exception from registering with the Charity Commission, and is therefore registered under the name of ‘The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Louth’ (Charity No. 1132658). The geographical parish which the PCC of the Parish of Louth serves is coterminous with that which is served by the Parish of Louth Team Ministry, which was established by a Scheme made under the Pastoral Measure 1968 in 1974.

The appointment of PCC members is governed by and set out in the Church Representation Rules, under which a scheme has been drawn up for the representation of five districts within the parish. In line with these provisions, membership of the PCC is provided for as follows:

Ex officio members of the PCC:

All ordained and lay ministers licensed within the parish

2 Churchwardens for each of the 5 districts within the Parish

Representatives to Deanery Synod (the maximum number is decided by Diocesan Synod and is based upon each district being represented by the number of representatives relative to their electoral roll as if they were individual parishes).

Any member of Diocesan Synod or the General Synod entitled to be a member

Elected members of the PCC:

One member per hundred electors (or part thereof) within each district

Co-opted members of the PCC:

The PCC is entitled to co-opt additional members up to one fifth of the number of elected members.

On appointment/election, members of the PCC are informed of their status as charity trustees and the broad remit of their responsibilities both under church and charity law and must sign the appropriate fit and proper persons declarations. PCC members are informed, via the PCC Secretary, of training opportunities provided by the diocese. As is legally required, the PCC has a Standing Committee that comprises the Priest-in-Charge, two Church Wardens (elected by, and from among, the churchwardens), the lay vice-chair of the PCC, the secretary of the PCC, the treasurer of the PCC, and three ordinary members of the PCC (elected by the PCC). The Standing Committee has the power to transact business on behalf of the PCC between its meetings. In addition to the Standing Committee the following groups have powers delegated to them as described:

2 - http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukcm/Eliz2/4 5/3/contents

3 - - - - - https://www.churchofengland.org/about us/structure/churchlawlegis/church representation rules/church representation ruleshttps://www.churchofengland.org/about-us/structure/churchlawlegis/church-representation-rules/churchrepresentation-rules-online.aspxonline.aspx

District Church Councils for each of the five parish churches have powers delegated under a scheme established in 1995 and are responsible, through their Churchwardens and PCC representatives, to the PCC for the life of the church in the districts for which they are responsible. Their activities are outlined in the individual reports for each District that are attached as annexes to this report.

Trinity Centre Sub-committee , established by resolution of the PCC in 2011, which is responsible for the maintenance of the building and provision of ecclesiastical services in Trinity Centre that were formerly the responsibility of the Holy Trinity District Church Council. It also manages the separate funds of the various community outreach programmes.

PCC Report 2022

The PCC met five times in 2022. Areas covered included:

Regular finance reports;
The replacement of Parish Share by a covenant to the diocese for a similar amount;
All Saints, South Elkington - a faculty for proposed works to the south aisle and porch;
St james's - refurbishment of the bells;
St Michael's and St Michael's House governance, including the proposal for Button's Nursery to take over and refurbish Church House for use by them as a playgroup/nursery;
Time to Change Together - the effects of these proposals on our diocese, deanery and parish, particularly on clergy appointments at local level;
Announcement of the appointment of Rev. Karen Gooding as Team Vicar;
The proposal to appoint a Children and Young Persons' Worker for three years, funded partly by the diocese and partly by the parish;
The proposal to appoint a Parish Operations Manager;
Safeguarding Action Plan, DBS and Safeguarding Training for PCC members.

Jennifer Goodwin - PCC Secretary

PERMISSION TO ADMINISTER AT THE COMMUNION

The following have been given permission by the Bishop of Lincoln to administer at the Communion:

Margaret Anderson, Jane Fletcher, Frances Green, Robert Haynes, Matthew Oakes, Brian Luckwell, Harjinder Gurnham, Richard Gurnham, Yee To, Adele Lee, Peter Moore, Penny Stevenson, Diane Thompson, Robert Thompson, Dorothy Mansfield, Jane Rushby, and, Helen Rushby.

All of these run from the 19[th] November 2018 to the 18[th] November 2023.

Safeguarding report

The Team Parish of Louth has adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. This means that we are committed to:

The safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable adults in our Parish.
Carefully selecting paid and voluntary staff who might come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This is a legal requirement.

Responding without delay to any concerns made which could suggest that a child or young person or vulnerable adult may have been harmed physically, psychologically, sexually, financially, or by radicalisation, and/or exploitation.
Cooperating fully with the police, local authority and all other professional statutory bodies should an investigation be required.
Ministering appropriately to any child, young person or vulnerable adult, who has experienced abuse of any kind.
Ensuring that any child, young person and vulnerable adult is protected within our parish and offered our support and pastoral care to those if in need.
Our safeguarding practices are audited by the Safeguarding Team in Lincoln.

The Church of England has a dedicated National Safeguarding Team, NST, who are working to increase the capacity and expertise of parishes, dioceses and other Church of England institutions to respond to safeguarding concerns and support victims and survivors. The diocese has a similar team and their contact details are displayed in all of our churches.

The PCC has complied with its 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). We can only achieve our continued aims for safeguarding if:

All who are in substantial contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults in their roles within the Team Parish of Louth openly agree to undertake a DBS. This would include all those in pastoral roles, church wardens, lay ministers, those in financial positions, those who work in pop in clubs and children’s clubs (even in a volunteer capacity) as well as those who undertake visitation services to the elderly. Please contact either the Parish Safeguarding Officer for a DBS. The process is simple and straight forwards and totally confidential.
All those in such roles undertake the necessary training. Training at basic and foundation levels and for domestic abuse are now available online through the national CofE website.
The PCC continues to manage its safeguarding through the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard, which is regularly reviewed at its meetings. Safeguarding is an agenda item at every PCC meeting.

Financial review

The PCC is responsible for the direct management of accounts relating to those expenses that are parish-wide in nature, and also holds reserves (both restricted and unrestricted). In addition to these directly managed funds, the PCC is responsible for those funds that are managed at a local level by the five DCCs and the Trinity Centre Committee. Again, most of these funds include a mixture of revenue and reserve accounts; some having significant sums invested in reserves.

Accounts are prepared in line with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. The accounts of each District are presented and adopted at the Annual District Meeting and consolidated with the accounts relating solely to the PCC and presented to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

In 2022 the PCC reported a significant increase in income compared with 2021 resulting primarily from grant income associated with the Community Connectors project (2022 was the first full year of the project) and church and church hall lettings recovering further from the pandemic closures and restrictions in 2020 and 2021. The PCC reported a significant increase in expenditure in 2022 primarily explained by the Community Connectors project, other community activities, and increases in church hall running costs. No major church repairs were undertaken in 2022.

The reserves and investment policies are kept under regular review:

Reserves Policy: The PCC holds reserves to cover peaks and troughs in income and expenditure, to protect against uncertainties in future income and to deliver future charitable activities. The Parish Treasurer reviews reserves with DCC Treasurers on an annual basis to ensure adequate cover for planned activities and to identify future risks for the PCC.

Investment Policy: The PCC holds investments mainly through The Central Board of Finance (CBF) Church of England Funds managed by CCLA Investment Management Limited, deposit accounts including The CBF Church of England Deposit Fund and UK banks, and current accounts with UK banks. The investment funds provide a vital source of dividend income to support the work of the parish. The Parish Treasurer reviews the detail of the investments with DCC Treasurers on an annual basis and confirms the institutions and investments acceptable to the PCC for any investments.

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Trinity Centre undertakes a number of activities that serve the wider mission of the Church to the local community. The assets of these various projects are held in trust by the PCC, and managed on their behalf by the Trinity Centre Sub-Committee of the PCC. Each project held in trust is accounted for as a separate designated/restricted fund within the Trinity Centre accounts. Currently these projects include:

The Louth and District Community Larder (run on behalf of Churches Together in Louth and District)

THE DEANERY SYNOD OF THE DEANERY OF LOUTHESK

Report on 2022

The main focus of the Deanery Synod during the year continued to be the Diocesan Change programme – A Time to Change Together (formerly ‘Resourcing Sustainable Church’). Working together with colleagues from the other deaneries in the Deanery Partnership (Bolingbroke, Horncastle and Calcewaithe & Candleshoe) a plan has been agreed for the Local Mission Partnership (LMP) around Louth which envisages three stipendiary clergy, co-located in Louth, serving the whole LMP (which is roughly co-terminus with Louthesk Deanery).

The Deanery Synod welcomed the Bishop of Grantham to its February meeting who led the Synod in a presentation on Living in Love and Faith. LLF was also the theme of the Deanery Lent Course in 2022.

Rev. Cameron Watt became the Rural Dean over the summer with the departure of the previous Rural Dean – the Rev. James Robinson. Alongside the parish of Louth the Rural Dean now has oversight of the four vacant benefices and its 29 church buildings and 56 churchyards.

$tEred EhaitynumbEr J13265E LOUTH PAROCHIAI CHURCH COUNCIL Mnan¢lal Statements Yeai ended 31 December 2022

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL Contents of the Flnan¢lal Statementsfortheyeaf ended 31 De¢ember 2022 Page Statement of Financial Actwities Balance Sheet Notrs tothe Financial Statements 3to7 Independent Examiner's Report

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF FINANCFAL AcTIVlEs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Fund8 Fund5 Total 2022 Totsl 2021 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income Attivities for generating Funds Income from Investments Income from church actlvlties other Incoming resources Sale of fixed assets 282.437 18,505 33.802 90,607 11.325 48,953 1,548 3,635 17,953 240 331,390 20,053 37,437 108,560 11,565 154,282 16,346 35,255 54.080 1.534 744 2b 2d 2f TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 436.676 72,329 509,005 262,241 RESOURCES EXPENDED Church Activities Fund Raising Costs Governance Other Resources expended 377,031 3,736 1,872 15,567 77,369 25 454,400 3,761 1,872 16,677 294,201 3,246 1,960 511 3b 3c 3d i.iio TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDEO 398,206 78,504 476.710 299,918 NEf INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 38,470 -6.175 32.295 -37,677 NEf ILOSSIIGAIN ON INVESTMENTS 49.050 -3,528 -4,112 -56.690 132,637 NET INCOMING RESOURCES -10,580 -9,703 -4.112 -24,395 94.960 TRANSFER BttWEEN FUNDS 7,787 7,787 2,553 Ntr MOVEMENT IN FUNDS -2,793 -17.490 4,112 -24.395 97.513 BALANCES BIFWD I JANUARY 2021 8,9,10 641,911 310,362 33,975 986,248 888,735 BALANCES c/F 31 DECEMBER 2021 8,9,10 639,118 292.872 29.863 961,853 986.248 Page I

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 Not&8 2022 2021 FIXED ASSErs Tangible Investments 4,248 61)0,7Z2 604,970 4,264 656,358 660,622 Sb CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 5hortTerm Dep051t5 Cash at bank and in hand 10,388 88,324 228,890 327,602 112.013 298,201 410,315 LIABILITIES Creditors- due in one year Deferred income 10,994 42,438 53,432 1,976 1.976 NET CURRENT ASSETSILIABILITIES 356,883 325,626 Totsl Assets less current Liabilities 961.853 986.248 Creditor5- due afterone year TOTAL NEfAssErs 961,853 986,248 PARISH FUNDS Unre5trirted Restricted Endowtnent 8.9&10 8,9&10 8,9&10 639,118 292,872 29,863 961,853 641.911 310,362 33,975 986,248 Slgned on behalf of the board of trustees by: Date Date Page 2

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 1 ACCOUNYING POLICIES BASIS OF PREPERATION The financial 51atements have been prepared in accordan wth Ac¢ounb"ng Reporting by charrtS.' statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charilE5 preparing their attr>unts In accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard appli¢able in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective 1 January 20151 (Charitres SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. Louth Parochial Church Council meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102 As$els and liabilitS are initk41ty recognwd at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relev8nt a¢counting policy notelsl. In preparing th8 accounts, the trustees have conSided whether in applwng the accounts.ng policRs required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 any re5talement of tt)e comparatNe items was requirecs. INCOMING RESOURCES Income is recognised Mthen the chainty ha5 enbtelrnent to the funds. any perfomiance condrtions attached to the ilemlsl of income have been met. it is probable that the incorne will be ¢ÈV and the amount can be measured reliably. RESOURCES EXPENDED Ewenditure is recffjnBed the is a legal or ConstrucVe obligation to make a payment to a Ihiid paty, if it is Probab that the Seemernt will be required and the amount of the obligatloll Gan be measured reliabty. Exp8nditur8 15 dss5ified under the following actwity h8adings." Cost offvndrai5ing- Cotnprises the ¢osts associated wth the fund raisiftg activities hekj by ihe tharity Expenditure on charitsble activities- indudes the ujsts of church activies Jndettsken to further the purpose of the charity and a55ocrated support and funniThJ costs. other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other catergory. ASSErs on$eGrd*d and bFnefiGe proporty IJ so tar as wnsecrated and bEnefI pr¢)perty of any kind k5 exduded from the statutory definits.on of 'd)arity' by Section 10121 lal and Icl of the Charits"es Act 2011 such a558ts a not capi181ised in Ihe financial slaternents. Investsmnts Investsnenls quoted on a recognised stod¢ exchange orwho$e value derives from them are valued at market value al the year and. Other investment assets ale included at Y)e PCC'S best estimate of market value. Mov8menl in value of invesknents m8a5uied at fair or market value 15 taken through the ststement of fiannual actwites. Short term deposils These are the cash held on deposrt erther with the CCLA or at Y)e bank. Page 3

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THe FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 FUNDS Unrestricted Funds These represent the remaining inujme funds of the PCC that are available for SPendg on the general purpos8s of the PCC. induding amounts designated by the PCC for fLxed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are thEiefor8 not induded in it5 Yr8e reserve8, as di%dosed in th8 trustees. rew>rt. Restrictsd Fund8 These are income funds that must be spent on r6strKted purposes and details of the funds and restri¢bon$ provrd8d are shown in the notes to the accounts. Endowment Funds These are restricted fund5 that must be retained astrust caphal etther permanently or subject to a dlscretionary power to spend capltal as Income, and where the use of any Income or benefit derived from the capital may be restiicted or unrestricted. Full detsils of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts. 2 INCOMING RESOUR¢ES Unrestritttd Restrictsd Endowment Funds Fund5 Funds Total 2022 Totsl 2021 21al Voluntsry Income Planned Givlng.. Gift Aid Donations Tax Recov@r3ble OthÈr Collertions lopen platel Grants 41,067 8,522 1,416 17,447 185,496 21,520 6,969 282,437 262 41.329 8.522 1,416 18.384 214.845 39,92S 6.969 331,390 43,205 16,914 2,956 11,422 22,388 57,397 937 29.349 18,405 Donations. appeals. etc. Legacies 48.953 154.282 21bl A¢tivits•s for generating Funds Fund rdiSing 18,505 18,$05 1.548 I,S48 20,053 20,053 16,346 16.346 21 tl Income from Investments Dividends and Interest Including ta¥ recoverable Rent from land & bulldlnRS 14.903 18.899 33.802 3,572 63 3,635 18.475 18,962 37,437 17,086 18,169 35,255 21dl Illm& from church activities Church and Church Hall Lettings Fees for weddings and funerals Parish Magazine sales and advert15ing Trinity ActNities 76,641 12,872 io 1,084 90,607 76,641 12,872 18 19,029 108,560 35.478 11.786 275 6.541 54,080 17,945 17,953 21el Other Incoming resources 11,325 240 11,565 1,534 21fj Sale of fi¥od #wts 744 436,676 72,329 509,005 262,241 Page 4

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 Unrestrirted Restricted Endowment Fund¥ Funds Funds 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED Total 2022 Total 2021 31al Church A¢tivitie$ Mis$onary and Charrtable Gwing Mini5try.' Diocesan PBrish Share Ministry Cost5 Church Runnlngexpenses Church Maintenance Upkeep of services Wedding and Funeral fees D@preciation/ÈquipmÈnt Church Yard Up keep Church Hall Running Costs Major Repairs Church Major Repairs H311 Bank Charges Staff Costs Communlty and Parlsh Prolect 7.406 42.958 I,oii 40,007 28.287 2,385 1,199 12,042 8,605 55,000 I,oii 52,586 28,412 2,385 694 55,000 1,280 44,919 17,833 4.962 12,579 125 2,247 290 2,247 290 49,624 2.249 694 35,766 23,260 49,408 216 622 192,922 9,488 377,031 622 220,381 33,237 454,400 235 94,076 13,233 294,201 27,459 23,749 77,369 31bl Fund Raising Costs Coffee Morning Costslrefreshments Otherfund fa15ing costs 3.736 3.736 25 3,761 2.346 900 3,246 25 25 3.736 31cl Governance 1,872 1,872 1,960 31dl Other ROSOUT¢OS èxpend 15,567 I,iio 16,677 511 398,206 78,504 476,710 299,918 4 STAFF COSTS 2012 2021 41al Wages and sèlaries 220,381 94.076 During the ye8r the PCC employed vergers. a COTnmunity centre administr3tor,Community Outreach Manager, Communlty Connertors. Peer Support Worker, DCC Administrator, Choir Director. organist5, caretakers and cleaners. 41bl RELATED PARTIES No payments or expenses were paid to PCC members In theircapacitya5 trustees. Pbge 5

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 5 FIXED ASSETS thurch Equipment Church Halls 5131 Tangible Total Actual Cost/NBV At l January 2021 Net Di5P05al5lAddonS le55 depreciation 109 4.155 4,264 1161 1161 At 31 December ZOZI 93 4,155 4.248 51bl Inve51ments The majority of Investments are held in the CBF Church of En8land Investment Fund. No investments were liquldated in thp year Ila5t ye4r £6,177 w45 liquidatedl. The market value at 31 December 2022 was E600.72212021 £656,358) which repSentS investments for.. Unrestritted Fund5 Restricted Funds Endowtnent Funds 403,231 167,628 29,863 600,722 The galn Sn Investments includes £11,561 of music funds previously held as a separate charlty ènd consolidated in these accounts for the year ended 31 DÈcÈmber 2022 for the flrst time. 6 CURRENT ASSETS Debtor5 IUnre5tricted funds) loo loo 7 LIABILlEs 10,994 42.438 53.432 Defprred intome 8 FUNDS Th@ rostrlcted funds arè funds 8lftèd to speclfic churchgs ITrln&ty fpntrp. nr 8rAnt4 recewed for restricted purp05e5. The sumrnary record5 the closing balances for each church, Trlnlty Centre. and balances held centrally a5 parish funds.. Unrestrirted Restricted Endowment Tot312022 St James. St Mich3el's South Elkineton HolyTrinity Trlnity Centre St Andrew's, Stewton St Martin's. Welton le Wold P3ri5h Balance 31 DecÈmber 2021 67.359 3.721 40.011 11.426 100,670 8,352 8,188 399,391 639,118 105.208 400 27,509 200.076 4.121 40,016 98,202 161,127 40,264 15,044 403,003 961,853 86,776 60,457 31.912 6.856 1,258 292,872 2,354 29,863 Page 6

LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total 2022 Balance l January 2021 Incoming r&sour¢e5 Resources expended Investrnent gains Transfer between funds 8alènce 31 December 2021 641.911 436,676 398,206 49,050 7,787 639,118 310,362 72,329 78.504 3.528 7,787 292.872 33,975 986,248 509,005 476,710 56,690 4,112 29,863 961.853 10 ANALYSIS OF ASSETS BY FUND Unrestrlcted Restritted Endowment Total 2022 Tangible Fixed A55ets Investment Fixed Assets CurrÈntA5sets 93 403.231 279.226 4.155 167,628 131,089 4,248 600,722 410,315 29.863 due in one year due after one year 43.432 10,000 53,432 639,118 292.872 29,863 961,853 Page 7

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS REPORTTO LOUTH PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL We report on the accounts of the council for the yearended 31st Decernber 2022 which are set out on Pages I to 7. Respectr¥e responslbilities of the councll and examlner The charity'5 trustees are resw)nsible for the preperation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an 8udit Is not required forthis year under settion 144 of the chatieS Act 20111 the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibilityto.. l. examine the account5 under section 145 of the Charities Act,. ii. to follDw the procecfures laid down in the General Directions given bythe Charity Commission under section 145151 Ibl of the Charities Act,. ènd ill to state whether particular matters have come to our attention Ba555 of Independent examlner's rèport Our examination was carried out in accordance wlth the Gener31 Dirortlons ElvÈn by the Charity Commlssion. An examination include5 a review of the accounting records kept by the ¢harty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideratlon of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seekin8 explanations from you as the Council concerning any Such rnatters. The procedures uniSert8ken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no oplnlon is given asto whether the accounts present a true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next staternent. ndepertdent ejtarniner's Statement In connection with our examination. no matter has come to our attentnn.. 111 whlch glves us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep acctsunting records in accordance with sertion 130 of the Charities Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting CordS and comply with the accounting Tequirements of the Charities Art have not been met or 121 to which. in our opinlon. attentlon should be drawn In orderto enablÈ a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. D Johnson MAAT Independent Examiner Dexter & Sharpe ILouthl Chortered Certrfied Acrountsnts and Registered AuditoT5 l Eastgate LOUTH Lin¢olnshirÈ LNII gNB Dated.. Page 8

$tEred EhaitynumbEr J13265E LOUTH PAROCHIAI CHURCH COUNCIL Mnan¢lal Statements Yeai ended 31 December 2022