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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St George, Benenden

2023-12-31-accounts

The Parish of

St. George, Benenden

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ending

31st December 2023

Rector:

Revd 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 five years ago, is:-

Revdiew of the Year

On the 5[th] March 2023, I was commissioned as the Area Dean of The Weald Deanery; it has been a steep learning curve, and inevitably it has taken me away from some parish things. Thankfully there has been the support of all four benefice Churchwardens, the members of our Ministry Leadership Team, and our Parish Administrator. The pastoral side of the role is enjoyable – ensuring the other priests take care of themselves; the admin, meetings and finance side of the role are not quite so! But….we are developing a Chapter who are beginning to be open and trusting; this is a good thing for the future of the Deanery.

Services and events that have occurred within the parish since our last APCM have included:

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Approx. 124 services in this parish. i.e. Sundays & “Specials”. (Plus 105 services in Sandhurst parish. With the pastoral services, this gives a total of 279 services conducted across the benefice.)

These services and events are primarily accomplished by:

There is also our annual Village Fete in Support of St. George’s Church; a great fund raiser and a wonderful community event. Thank you to Athena and the Fete Committee for organising this. (2024 Fete is on the 15[th] June. The 2025 is on the 21[st] June!)

However, to make everything happen there are a huge number of other tasks that are required to be undertaken to make everything run as we expect them to whenever we come to a church service:

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You can see, there are a huge number of tasks that are being done. We can always do with more volunteers to help out! Remember back to the reading with which I opened our meetings

We give our grandchildren gifts; we enjoy it when they take an interest and play/use those gifts. It’s the same with God. He has given us gifts; he enjoys it when we use them! You too can play your part; invite someone along to a church service! Better still, bring them along to a church service!

We are working energise and Revitalise our church; to be a flourishing church! We do so by showing how God is relevant in our lives. How “church” is a good thing in our lives. And always welcoming anyone who comes into church.

The Learning and Sharing the Faith group are going to meet with the Primary School. The objective being to find out what the needs of children and families are in our village….with a view to seeing how we (the church) can help meet that need. i.e. How “the church” can be relevant in people’s lives! How “God” can be relevant in people’s lives!

We are also thinking of succession planning, and thinking of creating positions like Assistant Churchwardens; so people can “shadow”, and learn what the job is about before “learning as you go along”!

Thank you for what you are doing already. But it would be great to do more to grow God’s Kingdom in this place! So, if any of the above tasks sounds interesting, come and speak to me or one of the Churchwardens.

Revd David Commander

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Fabric Report

In August 2022 we suffered a plaster fall from the roof above the back pews of the south aisle. Happily nobody was hurt but it took time to repair in 2023.

In June the PCC decided to install an alarm to safeguard the church roof. Whilst our roof is mostly sheet copper rather than lead it remains attractive to thieves. Our insurers approved this measure and accordingly offered a discount on our premium.

The church heating has caused concern in the year. A major overhaul of the system has taken place which we hope will improve the situation.

The church clock had a service which revealed major defects and will have to be taken away for substantial repairs at considerable cost. Discussions are taking place with the Parish Council who are jointly responsible for its upkeep. It might be some time before we have a working clock again.

The path in the actual churchyard underwent some further work to alleviate potential trip hazards. However the earlier work in 2020 has proved most successful with a firm surface enabling walkers to cross the glebe field without getting their shoes muddy.

David Barnes

Financial Revdiew

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

The total income on the general account came to £102,158 which was 12% ahead of budget. The Fete (£14,097 profit) and some generous donations (£14,179) together with improved interest rates on the deposit accounts were the reasons for the favourable outcome. This figure would have been higher as the new software that CCLA has commissioned now pays interest 2 months after quarter end. All the deposit accounts only had three payments instead of four in 2023.

Expenditure

Expenditure on the general account was £77,042 5% under budget thereby producing a surplus of £25,116. The main overspend was Office Expenses which included two new computers for the office and the Rector.

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Fabric Fund

The main expenditure £23,940 was on consultancy and architectural fees relating to the 20:20 project. A roof alarm was installed at a cost £3816 and now gives the church £50,000 cover in the event of a theft. Other repairs to the heat exchanger, ceiling and clock came to £5,565. Surplus from the general account (£12,558) enabled the fund to make a £4,992 surplus.

Legacy Fund

The Legacy Fund received £101,500, £100,000 of which came from the estate of the late Barbara Sheffield.

Memorial Hall Fund

Hire fees increased by over 30% and improved interest rates enabled the income to nearly reach £4,000. With no repair costs the Hall made a £1,179 surplus.

Magazine Fund

The Magazine continues to be well supported with revenues up nearly 20%. enabling the magazine to make a surplus of £2,272. This allowed the dividend to the general account to continue at £1000

Hardship/BAT

Very little activity to report.

Mission Fund

£8400 was donated to various charities.

.

Nearly all funds have exposure to the equity markets with some £141,000 increase in market values offsetting most of the £185,00 decrease last year .

The overall result for St George’s combining all funds shows a profit of £116,451 of which £101,500 came from legacies for 2023.

Budget for 2024

Total income is forecast to be £97,750 which is similar to last year. Expenditure is forecast to be £85,720 which is higher than last year as it is proposed to appoint a choir director from April onwards. A new expenditure item Security/Fire was introduced under Fabric spend. This will include the annual fee for the new roof alarm and other safety costs such as Fire precaution which use to come under Miscellaneous. With the 7% increase in Parish Share the forecast surplus for 2024 is £11,930 which is only about half of 2023 actual.

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 £339,372 which is more than required to provide working capital. £164,578 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 2023, 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 re

view 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, Benend•n statement of Flnan¢lal A¢tlvltles For the year ending 31 December 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Funds TOTAL FUNDS 23 2022 Note INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income Acliwtses lor generating funds Income from Investments Church actmties Olher incomlng resources 161016 24381 18392 17584 4470 165486 24381 48189 21056 115443 24065 41725 23062 238 29797 3472 TOT￿ INCOMING RESOURCES 22W73 37739 259112 X14533 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating voluntary income Fund raising costs Church admties Governance costs 635 7925 102865 635 7925 134101 3747 145322 31236 TOT￿ RESOURCES EXPENDED 111425 31236 142661 149069 NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINSAND LOSSES Gain5 on investment assets. on disposal on revaluat'on 109948 6503 116451 26627 114104 140731 -185220 NET Repayment ol Loan belween funds NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 136575 6503 114104 257182 -129756 BALU4CES 81FWD 1 JANUARY 358224 159609 1198874 1716707 1846463 BALINCES CIFWD 310ECEMBER 494799 166112 1312978 1973B89 1716707

For the year ending 31 December 2023

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 2023.

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.

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3. INCOMING RESOURCES

INCOMING RESOURCES
Unrestricted General a/c Mission Fd Fabric Fund Legacy Fd Total
Voluntary income 59516 - 101500 161016
Activities forgeneratingincome 24381 - - - 24381
Income from investments 18392 - - - 18392
Church activities 17584 - - - 17584
Restricted General Fabric **Rollings ** Hardship Mem Hall Total
Voluntaryincome 780 3690 - - 4470
Activities
for
generating		 - - - -
Income from investments - - 29229 88 480 29797
Church activities - - - 3472 3472
Total
0
Endowment **St Margaret’s ** Rollings Capital Total
Income from investments
0
0		 0

4. RESOURCES EXPENDED

RESOURCES EXPENDED
Unrestricted General a/c Mission Fund Fabric Fund Legacy Total
Costs of raising voluntary income 635 - - 635

Fund raising costs		 7925 7925
Restricted General Fabric Rollings Hardship Mem Hall Total
Church activities 799 27660
-
4		 2773 31236
Endowment St Marg &
Century
Cotts		 Total
Church activities 0 0

5. GAINS ON INVESTMENT ASSETS

Variation to Book Value Variation to Book Value Movemen t in Year t in Year
2022 2023
Unrestricted £ £ £
Mary Wilkins Fund 86605 108701 22096

General Fund Investment Account		 4618 5539 921
Fabric (designated) Investment Shares 25605 28405 2800
25817
Endowment
St Margaret’s/Inc Shares 69178 93005 23827

Anonymous Gift Investment Shares		 35039 39300 4262

Gladys Bateman Investment Shares		 2595 3078 484
Rollings Capital Investment Shares 486336 563663 77327

Rollings Capital Accumulation Shares		 50526 59543 9016
114916

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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

Creditors

Sandhurst PCC Expenses 27

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St Goorg•'s Parochial Church Coun¢il, Bonondon Balance Sheet at 31 December 2023 Unrestn"cte¢J Funds Reslrided Funds En¢Jowment Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible Investments 44023 307222 351245 360000 404023 1609251 2013274 404023 1428522 1832545 1302029 1302029 360000 CURRENT ASSErs Stock Debtors Short-term Deposits Cash at Bank and in Hand 153494 21327 174821 163850 17895 181745 8098 325442 39222 364664 240354 47832 288186 8098 LIABILITIES Creditors. amounts due in one year 27 27 Net Current Assets (Liabililiesl 174794 181745 8098 364637 288186 Total Assets less LiabIl￿eS 526039 541745 1310127 2377911 2120731 Cieditors. amounts due after one year TOT￿ NET ASSETS 526039 541745 1310127 2377911 2120731 PARISH FUNOS Unreslricled Restricted Endowment 526039 526039 541745 1310127 2377911 389575 535943 1195213 2120731 541745 1310127 1310127 526039 541745 Approved by1he Parochial Churth Counal on the 11th March 2024 and signed on its behalf by the Revd Dabid Commander IPCC Chairman) The notes on pages 6 10 11 form part of these accounts 14

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 2023, 30 of whom are not resident within the parish.

St George’s Benenden Statistics 2023

Easter communicants 158

Easter attendance 230

Average church attendance on a Sunday (October count): 69 adult; 6 under 16

Christmas Eve/Day communicants – 136

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day attendance – 840

Baptisms Under 1 year old – 3 Age 1-12 – 6 Age 13+ - 1 Marriages – 7

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 2023 until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Revd David Commander Chairman
Assistant Priest: Revd Ylva Blid-Mackenzie
Wardens: Mr. David Collard
Mrs Sue Fisher
Representatives Mrs Hazel Strouts Elected 18thApril 2023
on the Deanery
Synod
Elected Members Mr David Barnes
Mrs Julia Collard
Mrs Jane Davies
Mr Richard Fisher Resigned 18thApril 2023
Mr David Harmsworth
Mrs Janet Kelly-Vickers Resigned 18thApril 2023
Mrs Sally-Ann Marks Elected 18thApril 2023
Mrs Catherine Presgrave
Mr Ian Malaugh Resigned 18thApril 2023
Mr Richard Stubbings
Mr. Charles Trollope Treasurer

Approved by the PCC on the 27[th] May 2024 and signed on their behalf by the Chairman of that meeting .

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