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2022-12-31-accounts

The Parish of

St. George, Benenden

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ending 31st December 2022

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

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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:-

Review of the Year

We have a wonderful church family at St. George’s. Without the efforts put in by many people, we would not be the church that we are. Today is a time to remember all the good things that have been achieved – are being achieved – and to be grateful for it all, and all the people who make things happen. But we also need to remember that since our last APCM we have lost some dear members of our church family. We remember Tracy Claridge and Iain Thomson; we remember them with love and with gratitude, for all that they contributed to the life of St. George’s Church over the years

From a personal point of view, the time since our last APCM has been “interesting”:

I have had my sabbatical; three months off, from mid-July to the beginning of October, to re-charge the batteries.

My sabbatical did exactly what I hope it would do…..it allowed me: to stop; to remember why I became a priest; to relax and re-charge; to read; and to come back feeling refreshed and ready to continue my ministry. Thank you to everyone who allowed this to happen: the Ministry Leadership

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Team, the Churchwardens, my Deanery colleagues and the Archdeacon. I have felt the benefit; I hope you have seen the benefit.

On the 5[th] March, I was commissioned as the next Area Dean of The Weald Deanery – but the work started before that. I have been learning (and continue to learn) what it is to be Area Dean, and what is involved. It is an honour to be asked to undertake this role; but it is also a steep learning curve, and it takes me away from some parish things. Little did I think, when I was ordained, that I would be Rector of two parishes, a training incumbent, the local Surrogate, Area Dean, and the Mayor’s Chaplain. But “the Lord moves in mysterious ways….!”

Earlier in the year we had the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Followed later in the year by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her death occurred whilst I was away on sabbatical. So we need to say a particular thank you to Revd Ylva Blid Mackenzie for her pastoral support of the community at this unique moment in our history. And whilst speaking about Ylva, we also recognise that she is coming to the end of her training curacy – in July this year; I am delighted to let you know that Ylva will be staying with us in the benefice as an Associate Priest. I particularly value her pastoral ministry within the benefice; and in the summer, we need to mark her transition from training curate to associate priest at a suitable service.

Other things that have occurred since our last APCM have included:

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All the things that we do at St. George’s, do not “just happen”! They need people to make them happen. The APCM is our opportunity to recognise and say thank you to everyone who makes things happen, and who makes St. George’s the church that it is. The number of people involved, and the number of tasks that are undertaken for our church to function and thrive is astonishing.

There are a huge number of tasks that are being done. But we also need more people. Firstly, to simply to spread the load; to take the load off those who have been doing tasks for years. But secondly, for some specific tasks that it would still be good to be able to share:

We have a wonderful church family at St. George’s. Thank you all for all that you do. If any of the other things that have been mentioned are of interest….. pray about it; come to church frequently; get involved; be part of making things happen in your church. The main Easter service was a great example of how the “feel” of a service is enhanced by more people being in church.

Fabric Report

I am pleased to report that the footpath through the churchyard was completed in the late summer. It has been approved generally and proved most welcome during the period of wet weather just before Christmas.

The day after the Rector started his sabbatical we suffered a plaster fall from the ceiling above the south aisle. Mercifully there were no injuries but it caused some alarm. Temporary repairs were soon made but a full restoration is planned early in 2023. With the large number of weddings which took place in 2022 a new carpet was laid along the chancel rail to smarten its appearance.

Consideration has been given to installing an alarm on the church roof to deter the theft of lead and copper. It should enable our insurers to offer the Treasurer better terms.

David Barnes

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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 £104,423, 20 % up on budget with the very successful fete and auction( fete profit £14,574, auction profit £3,118) together with some very generous donations up 91%(£13,367) being the main causes for the favourable outcome. Planned Giving was 2% down compared to last year which was itself 5% down.

Expenditure.

Total Expenditure was £78,095, 3% above budget. The main overspend was minor repairs which included two years worth of fire protection £700, Electric light bulbs £850 and boiler maintenance/repairs £650. Trinitas has taken over from Ecclesiastical as the church insurers resulting in a saving of some 30%. Insurance costs include the first six months of next year because the premium was paid in one go. Next year the annual cost will be circa £3500.

The surplus on the General Account was £26,328 enabling £13,164 to be transferred to both the Fabric and Mission funds.

Budget for 2023

Income

Planned Giving is forecast to remain at about £32,500 (Actual 2022 £32,457) Fees will show a decrease now that the Covid postponed weddings have taken place that were scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The annual fete will be held in June and is forecast to make £10,000. With interest rates rising fund income will increase to over £16,000. The total income is budgeted to be £91,400 compared to 2022 £104,300.

Expenditure

Total expenditure is forecast to be £80,800 about £3,000 up from last year. The main reasons are the large price increases expected in electricity and oil costs some of which will be offset by the lower insurance premium.

The 2023 budget is forecast to give a surplus of £10,500

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Fabric Fund

The two main items of expenditure were the quinquennial repairs bill (£15,431) and footpath (£25,764) which were generously sponsored by the Friends of St George’s and the KCC/Primary School respectively. Surplus from the general account enabled the fund to make a £6854 surplus.

Other Funds

The Magazine fund made a surplus of £1,500 for the second year in a row with demand for advertising remaining buoyant. This allowed the dividend to the general account to be increased to £1000. The Rollings Interest fund was not used this year enabling the fund to make a gain of £26,300. The Poor/Hardship Fund paid out £1,788 to various needs. The Memorial Hall Fund broke even helped by very low repair costs. Hirers are beginning to come back but increased energy costs will put pressure on margins. Rates will be increased by 50p/hr in June.

Nearly all funds have exposure to the equity markets with some £185,00 decrease in market values offsetting most of the £199,000 increase last year.

The overall result for St George’s combining all funds shows a profit of £55,464 for 2022.

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 £4.152 is held for future maintenance work including specific sums for church bells.

At the end of the year unrestricted assets stood at £228,723 which is more than required to provide working capital. £124,578 of this sum has been invested in CBF Church of England Investment funds

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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 2022, 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

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St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden
Statement of Financial Activities
For theyear ending 31 December 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL FUNDS
Funds Funds Funds 2022 2021
Note £ £ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
VoluntaryIncome 3 73538 41905 0 115443 59983
Activities forgeneratingfunds 24065 0 0 24065 17634
Income from investments 15362 26363 0 41725 37531
Church activities 19842 3220 0 23062 17325
Other incomingresources 238 0 0 238 0
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 133045 71488 0 204533 132473
RESOURCES EXPENDED 4
Costs ofgeneratingvoluntaryincome 0 0 0 0 63
Fund raisingcosts 3747 0 0 3747 3268
Church activities 98116 47206 0 145322 91627
Governance costs 0 0 0
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 101863 47206 0 149069 94958
NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE
OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 31182 24282 0 55464 37515
Gains on investment assets: 5
on disposal 0 0 0 0 0
on revaluation -29943 0 -155277 -185220 0
NET Repayment of Loan between funds 0 0
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 6 1239 24282 -155277 -129756 37515
BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY 356985 135327 1354151 1846463 866201
BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER 358224 159609 1198874 1716707 903716

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For the year ending 31 December 2022

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.

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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 2022.

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.

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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 56518 20 - 17000 73538
Activities for generating income 24065 - - - 24065
Income from investments 15362 - - - 15362
Church activities 19842 - - - 19842
Restricted General Fabric Rollings Hardship Mem Hall Total
Voluntary income 800 F d
41105		 I - l - 41905
Activities
for		 generating - - - - -
i
Income from investments		 - - 25988 181 194 26363
Church activities - - - 3220 3220
Endowment St Margaret’s Rollings Capital Total
Income from investments 0 0 0

4. RESOURCES EXPENDED

Unrestricted General a/c General a/c Mission Fund Mission Fund Fabric Fund Fabric Fund Legacy Total
Costs of raising voluntary income - -
Fund raising costs 3747 3747
Restricted General
Fabric		 Rollings Hardship Mem Hall Total
Church activities 800
41195		 - 1788 3423 47206
Endowment St Marg & Total
Century
Church activities 0 0

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5. GAINS ON INVESTMENT ASSETS

Variation to Book Value Variation to Book Value Movement in Year
2022 2023
Unrestricted £ £ £
Mary Wilkins Fund 111343 86622 -24721
General Fund Investment Account 5907 4601 -1306
Fabric (designated) Investment Shares 29522 25605 -3917
-29944
Endowment
St Margaret’s/Inc Shares 102507 69178 -33329
Anonymous Gift Investment Shares 41000 35039 -5961
Gladys Bateman Investment Shares 3271 2595 -676
Rollings Capital Investment Shares 594500 486336 -108164
Rollings Capital Accumulation Shares 57673 50526 -7147
-185221

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

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.

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8. CURRENT ASSETS

Creditors

Sandhurst PCC Expenses 0

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St George's Parochial Church Council, Benenden
Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment TOTAL FUNDS
Funds Funds Funds 2022 2021
Note £ £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible 7 44023 360000 0 404023 404023
Investments 241407 0 1187115 1428522 1597743
285430 360000 1187115 1832545 2001766
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock 0 0 0 0 0
Debtors 8 0 0 0 0 0
Short-term Deposits 72262 159994 8098 240354 224036
Cash at Bank and in Hand 31883 15949 0 47832 24716
104145 175943 8098 288186 248752
LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts due in 0 0 0
oneyear 0 0 0 0 27
Net Current Assets(Liabilities) 104145 175943 8098 288186 248725
Total Assets less Liabilities 389575 535943 1195213 2120731 2250491
Creditors: amounts due after 0 0 0 0 0
oneyear
TOTAL NET ASSETS 389575 535943 1195213 2120731 2250491
PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted 389575 --- --- 389575 384991
Restricted --- 535943 --- 535943 515010
Endowment --- --- 1195213 1195213 1350490
389575 535943 1195213 2120731 2250491
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on the 27th March 2023
and signed on its behalf by the Revd David Commander (PCC Chairman)
The notes on pages 6 to 11 form part of these accounts

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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 114 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll for 2022, 28 of whom are not resident within the parish.

St George’s Benenden Statistics 2022 (showing the effect of the Covid pandemic)

Easter communicants 126

Easter attendance 199

Average church attendance on a Sunday (October count): 51 adult; 2 under 16

Christmas Eve/Day communicants – 95

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day attendance – 373

Baptisms Under 1 year old – 4

Age 1-12 – 6 Age 13+ - 0 Marriages – 18 Blessings – 0

Funerals – held in church – 10

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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 2022 until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Rev David Commander Chairman Curate: Rev Ylva Blid-Mackenzie Wardens: Mr. David Collard Mrs Sue Fisher Representatives Mrs Hazel Strouts Elected 18[th] April 2023 on the Deanery Synod Elected Members Mr David Barnes Mrs Julia Collard Mrs Jane Davies Mr Richard Fisher Resigned 18[th] April 2023 Mr David Harmsworth Co-opted 24[th] October 2022 Mrs Janet Kelly-Vickers Resigned 18[th] April 2023 Mrs Sally-Ann Marks Elected 18[th] April 2023 Mr. Martin Pexton Resigned 8[th] August 2022 Mrs Catherine Presgrave Co-opted 28[th] March 2022 Mr Ian Malaugh Mr Richard Stubbins Elected 4[th] April 2022 Mr. Charles Trollope Treasurer

Approved by the PCC on the 22nd May 2023 and signed on their behalf by the Chairman of that meeting .

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