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2020-12-31-accounts

The Parish of

St. George, Benenden

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ending 31st December 2020

Rector:

Rev David Commander The Rectory The Green Benenden Kent TN17 4DL

Secretary:

Mrs J Collard 7 Fuggles Court Benenden Cranbrook

Kent TN17 4EF Charity No: 1132696

Aim and Purposes

St. George’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Rector, the Revd David Commander, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

Objectives and activities

When planning our church activities for the year, the Rector and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:-

Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.

Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.

Mission and outreach work

Our mission statement, adopted two years ago, is:-

“To know and love Jesus, and make his love known to all”

Review of the year.

Only 8 months since our last APCM and Reports, but the extraordinary times have continued. It has been a time of working out how to be church when we couldn’t meet face-to-face, when the church building was shut, when we couldn’t visit people at home, when we couldn’t have people to the Rectory for pastoral meetings. It’s been a time of frustration for priestly ministry.

From a church services point of view, the pattern of services through Covid changed. There have been less services, and they have alternated between the parish churches. However, the main 10 o’clock service has also been recorded every week and made available on-line. During lock-down this averaged 115 “views” each week. Coming out of lock-down, congregation figures are up and we are still getting 35-40 views per week. The Ministry Leadership Team has also made a scripture verse and reflection available every day throughout Covid – both on-line via the websites, and outside St. George’s Church and outside the Mission Church. Other prayer resources/links have been available on the website.

As good as these things may have been, they have not been as good as being able to worship freely, and just be with people. Thank you though to everyone who has kept things going during these extraordinary times: the Churchwardens and the MLT in particular.

1

Not being with people has also affected many other things, for example:

So I am sorry if some things have been dropped; if some things have not been done as well as they could have been. It has been an extraordinary time that we’ve all tried to adapt to and come through as best we could.

However, we are approaching the time of coming out of Covid restrictions! This is an opportunity for fresh ideas; to rebuild; re-imagine; re-energise what it is we are as Church, and what it is we feel we are called, by God, to do in this place, at this time. Part of this reviewing is the inward things : i.e. what we do in church; the “Sunday things”. As important as they are, what about the other 6 days of the week? The outward looking things ? The outreach ……the mission of our church?

The Diocese recently worked on plans across every Deanery. A document has been published entitled, “ Towards a flourishing and sustainable future.” (You can find it on their website; or there is a link on our church website.) A lengthy document. Not a great read, because of the financial picture it painted; but it is a message that has to be heard and taken to heart: How are we going to be church moving forwards?

The Vision of the Diocese (….and we are the Diocese!) is:

By God’s grace we want to be a people who are:

…living gratefully, giving generously, caring for creation & sharing the gospel ...growing in number & expectations – of God & ourselves

...motivated by justice & love, open to the Spirit & ready for adventure!

And it concludes: “Therefore we will......” ; i t is a sentence that is deliberately left unfinished. This is for us to complete; “Therefore we will…….”…….. do what? Here is an opportunity for us.

How about, “Therefore we will:”

It would also be good to have a think about the gifts and skills we each have, (and that we see in others) and how we might use them for the outreach and growth of the church.

2

If we want to grow our church (rather than see a gradual and continual decline to nothingness), then we have an opportunity to review, re-imagine, re-energise what it is we can do; both within church and without church; inward-looking things, and outward looking things. Howvwer, it needs two things: Prayer and People.

We can start with prayer, and ask God to lead us.

And we need an answer to prayer….and that could be you! You could have an outreach idea that together we can make work. It needs people coming forward and saying, “Therefore I will………” I will make this happen!

Thank you, everyone, for your support. Thank you to the PCC for your recent unanimous support with a particular issue. Thank you, Helen. I’ve now had enough of 12-15 months of not being able to get on and do things. I would be good to start moving forwards again; but in the direction God wants us to move! So pray. Let’s trust God to lead us in the right direction; and let’s also be prepared to be the answer to our prayers….and be prepared to make the things that God wants to happen - happen!

Revd David Commander Rector

St. George’s Church, Benenden May 2021

Fabric Report

A quinquennial review of the church fabric fell due in 2020. Happily our architect did not find any serious problems and these will be addressed mostly next year. However he did wish prompt attention to the asphalt surface of the North porch roof which was dealt with straightaway.

Repairs to the stained glass windows above the altar and in the bell ringing chamber were attended to.

In the autumn rain water was discovered dripping into the bell chamber. This was traced to the flagpole which needed attention in any case. A new method of raising and lowering the pole was devised by Guy Hagan and the Rector, the leak repaired and a new lanyard fitted.

Thus the flag now flies happily and the new Christmas Star is more readily mounted.

.

David Barnes

3

Financial Review

General Account

The general account is amalgamated into the full accounts which have been prepared to follow the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 together with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006.

Income.

Total Income for the year was £70,348, 24% down on budget with the Covid 19 pandemic being the main cause. Planned Giving held up very well with most donors opting for bank transfers and quite a few cash donors opting to change. With church services severely reduced, particularly over Easter and Christmas, collections and donations were 70% down. Many weddings were postponed, resulting in Parochial fees being 28% down. The annual church fete had to be cancelled with £8 to £10K being lost. With no Speech Day or Confirmation the income from Benenden School was lost but the school did give their normal £1K donation

Expenditure.

Total Expenditure was £69,741, 15% below budget. The pandemic together with Choir Director leaving resulted in choir and organists cost being 72% down. Most other costs like Heating were all down due to the reduced activity.

The surplus on the General Account was £608 enabling £304 to be transferred to both the Mission and Fabric funds.

.

Budget for 2021

Income

Planned Giving is forecast to remain at the 2020 level at £35,500. Tax refunds will come to £9,400.

Fees will show a small increase with some weddings taking place that were scheduled for 2020. The annual fete will be held in September and is forecast to make £5000. The total income is budgeted to be £78,900 compared to 2020 £70,350 and more normally £90,000.

Expenditure

Total expenditure is forecast to be £73,900 about £4,200 up from last year. The main reasons are as follows. Parish Share is up £512 and churchyard costs (£1,500) include a tree survey that has to be carried out periodically. It is hoped that normal activity will slowly return to normal during the year and a new Choir Director will be appointed in the last quarter.

The 2021 budget is forecast to give a surplus of £5,010

4

Fabric Fund

The main spend this year was on the consultant’s report on the new heating project (£4,332) other spends were Quinquennial repairs inc repairs to North Porch Roof (£2,721), Stain glass repair (£685) and Lightning Conductor (£468) . Income included a donation from the Friends of St George’s (£1,610) and £1000 Legacy to the Bell Fund. The transfer from the general account only amounted to £304 which resulted in the fund making a deficit of £5,000.

Other Funds

The magazine fund made a surplus of £4,500 much of this was due to late payments coming in from the previous year when the fund made a loss of £300. The fund received a grant of a £1,000 from the Parish Council in case the revenue dropped from advertisers suffering Covid 19 problems. This sum will be held in reserve for the future. The Legacy fund received two legacies amounting to £5,120. The Rollings Interest fund was not used this year enabling the fund to make a gain of £23,000. The Poor/Hardship Fund was used to incorporate the Benenden Action Team initiative to assist those in the parish suffering financially due to the pandemic. The fund received £14,700 in donations and paid out £2,500. The Memorial Hall Fund made a loss of £636 owing to bookings being cancelled.

Nearly all funds have exposure to the equity markets with some £94,050 increase in market values surprisingly taking place in 2020.

The overall result for St George’s combining all funds shows a profit of £34,538 for 2020.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy to allocate surplus unrestricted income at the end of the year equally between Fabric and Mission funds. These sums continue to be classed as unrestricted although the intention is that they will be held in reserve for the appropriate function.

The balance in the Fabric restricted Fund of £6,080 is held for future maintenance work including specific sums for church bells.

At the end of the year unrestricted assets stood at £175,847 which is more than required to provide working capital. £96,983 of this sum has been invested in CBF Church of England Investment funds

5

Independent examiner’s report to the PCC of St. George’s, Benenden

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2020, which are set out on pages 6 to 11, is in respect of an examination carried out under Regulation 3(3) of the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (the Regulations) and s.145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act)

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

As the members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of Regulations and section 144(2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.

Basis of this Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the Act and to be found in the Church Guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Signed Dated

Mr D Rogers 3/4 Fairview Cottages Back Road Sandhurst, Kent

6

St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden

Statement of Financial Activities For the year ending 31 December 2020

Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary Income
3
Activities for generating funds
Income from investments
Church activities
Other incoming resources
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
4
Costs of generating voluntary income
Fund raising costs
Church activities
Governance costs
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE
OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
Gains on investment assets:
5
on disposal
on revaluation
NET Repayment of Loan between funds
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
6
BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY
BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
55115
0
14894
16731
0
86740
86
0
76827
76913
9827
0
14149
23976
282065
306041		 Restricted
Funds
£
3753
0
33759
1189
0
38701
0
0
13990
13990
24711
0
0
24711
93230
117941		 Endowment
Funds
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
79898
79898
1105981
1185879		 TOTAL FUNDS
2020
£
58868
0
48653
17920
0
125441
86
0
90817
0
90903
34538
0
94047
0
128585
1481276
1609861		 2019
£
93252
13738
34853
20370
0
162213
62
3111
121044
0
124217
37996
0
180146
0
218142
1263134
1481276

For the year ending 31 December 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2005.

These statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Funds

Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained (excepting expendable endowments) only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established.

Restricted Funds represent (a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year is carried forward as a balance on that fund. The PCC does not always invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis. Restricted funds are used to meet appropriate expenditure before utilising designated funds.

Unrestricted Funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. Funds designated by the PCC are included in unrestricted funds.

Incoming Resources

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognized when received. Tax refunds are recognized when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest is accrued. All other income is recognized when it is receivable. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

Resources Expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds. All other expenditure is generally recognized when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993.

Movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Subsequently no individual item has cost more than £1000 so all such expenditure has been written off when incurred.

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December 2020.

The Memorial Hall, given to the church authorities and under the management of the rector and churchwardens as a parish hall, is included in the fixed assets for restricted funds. Similarly, the incoming and outgoing resources for the hall are also shown in restricted funds.

2. COMPOSITION OF FUNDS

These comprise:

Unrestricted Funds:

General account, with the exception of small sums specified for particular items expended in year.

Mission fund, all of which is designated.

Fabric fund, that portion which has been designated

Legacy Fund . The income from this fund (part cash and part invested) will be shown as income for the general purposes of the PCC.

Restricted Funds:

General account, small sums specified for expenditure in the year.

Memorial Hall fund, this operates on a separate bank account, but is included here as a means of recording its activities

Rollings interest fund, receives income from the Rollings Capital endowment, restricted to the upkeep of the interior of the church.

Fabric fund, restricted to the upkeep of the church fabric.

Hardship/Poor fund was set up in 2018 incorporating three church warden charities. In 2020 the fund was used to receive donations and make payments to parishioners suffering financial problems during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Endowment Funds:

St. Margaret’s with Century Cottages, an expendable endowment for ecclesiastical purposes in the parish.

Anonymous Gift, income from which is for the general purposes of the PCC.

Gladys Bateman, income from which is restricted to the Fabric Fund.

Rollings Capital, income from which is held in the Rollings interest fund, restricted to the upkeep of the interior of the church.

3. INCOMING RESOURCES

Unrestricted General a/c Mission Fd Mission Fd Fabric Fund Fabric Fund Fabric Fund Legacy Fd Total
Voluntary income 49995 - - 5120 55115
Activities for generating income - - - - -
Income from investments 13919 - 975 - 14894
Church activities 16731 - - - 16731
Restricted General Fabric Rollings Hardship Mem Hall Total
Voluntary income / 978 F
d
2775		 I - l - 3753
Activities
for		 generating - - - - -
i
Income from investments		 - - 22979 10751 29 33759
Church activities - - - 1189 1189
Endowment St Margaret’s
Rollings Capital		 Total
Income from investments 0 0 0
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Unrestricted General a/c
Mission Fund		 Fabric Fund
Legacy		 Total
Costs of raising voluntary income 88 - - 88
Fund raising costs 0 0
Restricted General Fabric Rollings Hardship
Mem Hall		 Total
Church activities 898 8750 - 2488 1854
 13990
Endowment St Marg & Total
Century
Church activities 0 0

  1. RESOURCES EXPENDED

  2. GAINS ON INVESTMENT ASSETS

Variation to Book Value Variation to Book Value Movement in Year
2019 2020
Unrestricted £ £ £
Mary Wilkins Fund 74470 86035 11564
General Fund Investment Account 3904 4544 640
Fabric (designated) Investment Shares 23433 25379 1945
14149
Endowment
St Margaret’s/Inc Shares 50695 67250 16554
Anonymous Gift Investment Shares 31733 34694 2961
Gladys Bateman Investment Shares 2220 2555 336
Rollings Capital Investment Shares 426354 480077 53723
Rollings Capital Accumulation Shares 39778 46103 6324
79898

6. NET LOAN BETWEEN FUNDS

There were no outstanding loans between funds at the year end.

7. FIXED ASSETS

The fixed assets have not been revalued since last year.

Unrestricted The plot of land known as the Beadle Platt, comprising 0.0951 hectares valued in 2014 at agricultural land values at £2045 Toilet and Store building (Known as the Owl House) constructed on the Beadle Platt at construction costs in 2002 £41978 £44023 Restricted The building known as the Memorial Hall including the land on which it stands valued at insurance valuation (2014) £360000 Previous valuation £157,369

Not included in the Balance Sheet but recorded here for information is that parcel of land, adjoining the vicarage, known as the Glebe Field and comprising 1.095 hectares, valued at 2014 agricultural land prices at £23550. It should not be assumed that any of these assets can or may be disposed of at these valuations.

8. CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

Sandhurst PCC Expenses 240

11

St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2020

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible
7
Investments
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
Debtors
8
Short-term
Cash at Bank and in Hand
LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts due in
one year
Net Current Assets (Liabilities)
Total Assets less Liabilities
Creditors: amounts due after
one year
TOTAL NET ASSETS
PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
44023
212940
256963
0
240
79760
-1136
78864
0
0
78864
335827
0
335827
335827
---
---
335827		 Restricted
Funds
£
360000
0
360000
0
0
102265
33575
135840
0
0
135840
495840
0
495840
---
495840
---
495840		 Endowment
Funds
£
0
1174119
1174119
0
0
8098
0
8098
0
0
8098
1182217
0
1182217
---
---
1182217
1182217		 TOTAL FUNDS
2020
2019
£
£
404023
404023
1387059
1293013
1791082
1697036
0
0
240
243
190123
161129
32439
26891
222802
188263
0
0
0
222802
188263
2013884
1885299
0
0
2013884
1885299
335827
326856
495840
456123
1182217
1102320
2013884
1885299		 TOTAL FUNDS
2020
2019
£
£
404023
404023
1387059
1293013
1791082
1697036
0
0
240
243
190123
161129
32439
26891
222802
188263
0
0
0
222802
188263
2013884
1885299
0
0
2013884
1885299
335827
326856
495840
456123
1182217
1102320
2013884
1885299
1697036
0
243
161129
26891
188263
0
0
188263
1885299
0
1885299
326856
456123
1102320
1885299

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on the 22nd March 2021 and signed on its behalf by the Revd David Commander (PCC Chairman)

The notes on pages 6 to 11 form part of these accounts

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

Church attendance.

There were 109 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll for 2020, 23 of whom are not resident within the parish. Due to the Covid pandemic the October count average weekly attendance, was 37 adults and 3 under 16.

St George’s Benenden Statistics 2020 (showing the effect of the Covid pandemic)

Easter communicants 59

Easter attendance 61

Average church attendance on a Sunday (October count): 37 adult; 3 under 16

Christmas Eve/Day communicants – 34

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day attendance – 130

Baptisms Under 1 year old – 1

Age 1-12 – 0

Age 13+ - 0

Marriages – 3 Blessings – 0

Funerals – held in church – 9

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Administrative Information

St. George’s is situated at the top of The Green in Benenden. It is part of the Diocese of Canterbury within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Rectory, The Green, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4DL.

PCC members who have served from 1[st] January 2020 until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Rev David Commander Chairman
Curate: Rev Ylva Blid-Mackenzie From 1stSept 2020
Wardens: Mr. David Collard
Mr Tracy Claridge To 23 09 20
Mrs Sue Fisher From 23 09 20
Representatives Mrs. Sue Fisher To 20 05 21
on the Deanery
Synod Mr Tracy Claridge To 20 05 21
Elected Members Mr David Barnes
Mrs Julia Collard
Mrs Jane Davies
Mr Richard Fisher
Mrs Janet Kelly-Vickers
Mr. Martin Pexton
Ms Cristina Symons To 23 09 20
Mr Ian Malaugh
Mrs Heather Trollope
Mr. Charles Trollope Treasurer

Approved by the PCC on the 26[th] July 2021 and signed on their behalf by the Chairman of that meeting .

.............................................................................................................................................

14