2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St George, Benenden

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The Parish of

St. George, Benenden

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

of the

Parochial Church Council

for the year ending 31st December 2024

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

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:-

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

Review of the Year

I have really struggled with getting the balance of the tone and feel of my annual report this year. I want, as the incumbent, to be encouraging and positive and tell you of the really good things that are happening. But, at the same time, I also need to be realistic and not paint such a good picture that nothing changes – because I have some concerns and several frustrations. And how do I express these without being discouraging?!

So, we start with some “thank you’s”; then a number of positives; then speak about the concerns and frustrations that we all need to be aware of and take on board.

The “thanks you’s” go to:

Our Churchwardens, David and Sue; and now to Cathy
Our Ministry Leadership Team (MLT): Revd Ylva & Revd Rosemary, our Associate Priests, and to David Harmsworth, our Reader Emeritus and recently appointed Local Worship Leader! (We also have Lyn Hayes – Authorised Lay Minister - in the benefice, but she mainly focuses on Sandhurst – as David does on Benenden.)
Our PCC members (in addition to the ex-officio members - David Collard, Sue Fisher, Revd Ylva): Cathy Presgrave, Charles Trollope (Treasurer), David Barnes, David Harmsworth, Julia Collard, SallyAnn Marks, Richard Stubbings & Guy Hagan.)
Our Parish Administrator, Cathy Baker. (Very flexible!)
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Ian Malaugh, and Parish Disclosure Officer, Cathy Baker

- And to Helen!

There are then a huge number of roles that are covered by a relatively small number of people to make our services work, and all the administration and practical things that need to happen so that our churches continue to be available to us to worship in and use for other activities. (Choir. Organists. Flowers. Cleaning. Bells. Magazine – contributors, editors, subscriptions, distribution. Rotas. Sides-people. Readers. Intercessors. Sacristans. Electoral Roll. Gift-Aid & Planned Giving. Deanery Synod. Unlocking/locking church every day. Toddler Group helpers. Churchyard maintenance. Church Project. Coffee/Refreshments. Flag-flyer! Vergers. Christian Aid. Mission Allocation. Wednesday Coffee Morning. Memorial Hall. Worship Group. “Discipleship & Mission” Group. Fete Committee. Newcomers Lunch. Christmas Day lunch.) We are quite an active church!

Your MLT conduct a large number of services every year! And give us all a lot of variety and choice! Looking at what is happening in other parishes around us, that should not be taken for granted. Last year, including the “special” services (Christmas, and Holy Week) plus the “pastoral” services, that totalled 174 services in our parish. And your MLT look after two parishes! Another 131 in Sandhurst. = 305 services pa = 5.8pw! That is a huge commitment.

Now some things of note since the last APCM – 22[nd] April 2024:

Vicki Young was ordained Deacon at Canterbury Cathedral on the 29[th] June last year. She moved to Marden and is serving her Curacy at St. Michael and All Angels Marden, and is loving it! This Maundy Thursday she was fully robed up and playing a part in the service at the Cathedral. On the 28[th] June this year, Vicki will be ordained, at the Cathedral, as a Priest. This is a lovely, positive, success story for our benefice; you have all played a part in her journey and development as a minister.
And Bishop Rose visited the Weald Deanery for 3.5 days last year. (w/c 29[th] April 2024 – a week after last year’s APCM!) She managed to visit an event in all the benefices in the Deanery in that time.
The benefice’s “Learning & Sharing the Faith” group – renamed “Discipleship & Mission” - is thriving. We now meet Quarterly in-person (rather than bi-annually), and monthly for an on-line prayer meeting. This is very encouraging and positive for the future. It is about creating and growing disciples, and about mission and outreach – both of which are to grow the kingdom of God. We had a hugely encouraging session with Lyndall Bywater on open/extemporary prayer. And she is coming again (Wednesday 14[th] May!) to lead a session on intercessory prayer. If you are interested, come along. (6:30pm, in the Mission Church.) The whole group are also going off on a 2-day Conference at Seasalter – “Leading Your Church into Growth”. (19[th] & 20[th] May) I am hugely encouraged by this.
The “Home Groups” that meet (Monday evening in the Mission Church; Tuesday evening at David & Julia’s) are encouraging. There is a good and loyal fellowship of eight people - from both parishes – on a Monday. Both groups though would really welcome others joining them. We have a good social time together, we read and discuss scripture together, and we pray together. This is what early church was! (If you have doubts, questions, want to find your answers about your faith….maybe give it a try!)

The weekly Toddler Group – “Cakes & Chaos” - is usually well attended, and is hugely appreciated by those who come along. You are welcome to pop in and have a tea/coffee sometime and be part of the general chaos!
This year, for the first time in many, many years we held a Patronal service; marking St. George, our patron saint. This was a Choral Evensong service led by an augmented choir. It seemed to be appreciated; we are considering holding it again next year.
This was followed by a presentation with an update on the church Project, and was attended by 72 people. Briefly, the salient points were:
We have the DAC on-board; they have supported our Faculty Petition
The period of public feedback ended on the 31[st] March. (One objection; this has been responded to.)
We have applied for Planning Permission. (One objection, Historic England, has now been withdrawn.) We were granted Planning Permission on the 28[th] April.
The Commissary General has asked some questions, which have been responded to. (This is a good sign; it shows he’s seen it, and is working on it!)
We await his decision and, hopefully, the granting of a Faculty. (In the coming weeks/months!)
We will shortly be receiving tenders for the project work
Once we have these, we will go through them very cautiously. We will review the project. And the finances. We will decide what it is we want to go ahead with….and when. We will apply for relevant grants, and kick-off our fundraising programme.
Work may start - on some of the project - in 2026.
When the church is closed, we have the Bishop’s permission to worship in: the Memorial Hall, Benenden CoE Primary School, St. Nicholas Church, and the Mission Church. And have a “Marriage Order” in place for couples with a Qualifying Connection to St. George’s to get married at St. Nicholas
Thanks you to all those working so hard on the project to get us where we are

Now my concerns for the future and the frustrations. The concerns are primarily around the need to share out the huge number of tasks that need to be done to a larger number of people, and to look at planning for these functions to continue in the future and not be picked up by the same, busy, over-stretched people. It has worked with the roll of Treasurer with Charles and Liz. But you will have read Rod Lebon’s concern for the future of bellringing and ensuring this continues at St George’s; that sentiment echoes to other areas of church life. This is just one example of continuity planning and encouraging others to come forward.

Sue Fisher has mentioned, in her Worship Report, about needing more Sides-people and Intercessors particularly. But we also need Readers. And training up other Sacristans would also be helpful.
The choir, which we all value and appreciate, needs encouragement and a bolster. If we wish to see it continue, we need to find someone to take on the leadership of the

choir – as Claire and David Harmsworth are holding this together atm. (We are also indebted to Jane Whitely for providing her organ playing at no cost to us.)
Ian Malaugh is our new Verger and covering weekend weddings, but we need to find someone to act as verger for the midweek services (i.e. predominantly funerals); these are currently being covered by our Churchwardens.
Succession planning for the role of managing the Churchyard would, I’m sure, be appreciated by Dick Hill! (And how to encourage more people in the community to get involved. And how to – pastorally – reduce the number of items appearing on graves and interment plots?)
Guy Hagan has kindly agreed to take on the roll of looking after the fabric of the church now David Barnes has stepped down. But we also need to find someone to take on the ad hoc maintenance of the Memorial Hall.
We’re without Deanery Synod reps from Benenden….which is a little embarrassing in my role as Area Dean!
The Fete Committee will, I think, need some fresh blood, ideas and enthusiasm soon in order to continue the great work it does in pulling together a wonderful village fete and great fundraiser!

Which sort of brings me onto the frustrations:

One of the main ones is the additional workload of being Area Dean! There are three frustrations about this:
Getting Chapter to meet, and getting people to attend Deanery Synod
The “administration” and all the meetings involved, and hours this consumes
The “time” involved taking me away from the parish ministry that I feel called to
Putting on special services – and even the normal pattern of services – and not many people attending/supporting. E.g. Ash Wednesday [17], Palm Sunday [54], Ascension [12], Pentecost [39] – major Christian services/events.
Also, the 8am average numbers dropping from 20-25 to typically 10-20. The 10am average numbers being fairly static….despite seeing new faces there. The Choral Evensong numbers and the “Connect Four” numbers being, generally, low. Does it indicate that we’re not providing what people want; or is it a general trend/change away from weekly worship? Yet, at the same time, those who do come really appreciate them.
The low attendance, compared to the numbers on the Electoral Roll, at APCMs (and worship) – is frustrating
Me not being here in the parish, or not being at and supporting other community things, as much as I wish….but still being incredibly busy! And not doing as much pastoral work as I would like to because of the other things.
The toddler group work, and school work, and family service work not really bearing the fruit I wish it would
The length of time, and the setbacks/red-tape surrounding the church project
The length of time it is taking - and the politics of the system - for the selection of a new Archbishop of Canterbury
The concerns over Diocese finances and the frustrations caused by the variations in increased Parish Share that we are being asked to pay

All of it, together, is very stretching and is testing….and for that, I apologise!

I did not choose the piece of scripture that I read at the start of our meetings. It is the epistle reading set, in the Lectionary, for Morning Prayer today. But it is pertinent for us all:

I [Paul] therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (Verses from Ephesians 4:1-16)

We need to be aware of our gifts and the gifts in others, and encourage them. Use them. Develop them. There is another bit of scripture, from John’s gospel, where Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.” And it speaks of pruning and of growth. God, the vine-grower, wants to see growth; he wants to see fruit. Another verse in that scripture said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” So I encourage you all, every day, to pray for the growth of your church; for your church (us) to bear fruit! Your Ministry Leadership Team, your Discipleship & Mission group want to see growth and fruit. We want to be encouraged by an enthusiasm for life and growth in faith and service. And we pray for that.

So, despite the concerns and frustrations, I am encouraged and have hope. And I hope the balance of that message has been heard as we all seek to serve God in this community and worship together at St. George’s.

Revd David Commander 12[th] May 2025

Fabric Report

Some minor repairs were carried on the east end of the church roof. The roof alarm installed last year has proved very unreliable and more trouble than its worth. The installers have been two chances tp put it right but to no avail. The installers have been asked to remove the system and repay the monies. Negotiations are still on going with regard to this.

A faculty has been obtained to construct a path to the new graves which has become very muddy and unsafe.

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.

The total income on the general account came to £103,518 which was 6% ahead of budget. The Fete despite the dreadful weather made an amazing £11,182 profit for the church and a number of other charities also benefitted. Parochial Fees (£8030) and some generous donations (£15,099) together with improved interest rates on the deposit accounts (£24,479) were the reasons for the favourable outcome. Expenditure on the general account was £81,600 5% under budget thereby producing a surplus of £21,918. The main overspends were Minor Repairs which included repairs (£999) to the lead flashing on the church tower. Miscellaneous includes donation (£500) towards the new flag pole on The Green. Churchyard maintenance included the acquisition of a new mower (£516). The budget included the appointment of a choir director which was never realised.

Fabric Fund

Almost the total expenditure £94,274 was on consultancy and architectural fees relating to the 20:20 project. Surplus from the general account (£10,959) enabled the fund to reduce the deficit.

Legacy Fund

The Legacy Fund received a further £31,003, from the estate of the late Barbara Sheffield.

Memorial Hall Fund

Hire fees dropped by nearly 30% but improved interest rates enabled the fund to make a surplus of £943,

Magazine Fund

The Magazine continues to be well supported with revenues remain buoyant. The slight decrease is due to a few slow payers which resulted in a small deficit (£681). Taking this into account it still enabled the magazine to continue to make a dividend of a £1000.

Hardship/BAT

Very little activity to report.

Mission Fund

£8252 was donated to various charities.

Nearly all funds have exposure to the equity markets. In 2024 there was a small increase in market value amounting to £39,000 across all funds. The overall result for St George’s combining all funds shows a loss of £14,729 mainly due to the £94,274 expenditure on consultant and architect fees on the 20;20 project.

Budget for 2025

Total income is forecast to be £101,500 which is similar to last year. Expenditure is forecast to be £86,200 which is higher than last year due the Parish Share increase of 6.5%. Office expenses is up to wages and National Insurance increase . Churchyard expenditure is up with professional tree work that has to be carried. The forecast surplus is £15,000.

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 £3,815 is held for future maintenance work including specific sums for church bells.

At the end of the year unrestricted assets stood at £332,785 which is more than required to provide working capital. £187,078 of this sum has been invested in CBF Church of England Investment funds

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 2024, 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:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
(b) to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed Dated

Mr D Rogers 10 Millers Meadow Sandhurst, Kent

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 2024

		Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	TOTAL FUNDS
		Funds	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
	Note	£	£	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
VoluntaryIncome	3	87078	6698	0	93776	165486
Activities forgeneratingfunds		17263	0	0	17263	24381
Income from investments		24479	33033	0	57512	48189
Church activities		18401	2439	0	20840	21056
Other incomingresources		0	0	0	0	0

TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES		147221	42170	0	189391	259112


RESOURCES EXPENDED	4
Costs ofgeneratingvoluntaryincome		0	0	0	0	635
Fund raisingcosts		4170	0	0	4170	7925
Church activities		101535	98415	0	199950	134101
Governance costs				0	0	0

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED		105705	98415	0	204120	142661


NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE
OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES		41516	-56245	0	-14729	116451
Gains on investment assets:	5
on disposal		0	0	0	0	0
on revaluation		5857	0	32945	38802	0

NET Repayment of Loan between funds					0	0

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS	6	47373	-56245	32945	24073	116451

BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY		494799	166112	1312978	1973889	866201

BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER		542172	109867	1345923	1997962	982652

For the year ending 31 December 2024

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 2024.

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	Fabric Fund	Legacy Fd	Total
Voluntary income	56075		-	31003	93776
Activities forgeneratingincome	17263	-	-	-	17263
Income from investments	24479	-	-	-	24479
Church activities	18401	-	-	-	18401

Restricted	General	Fabric	Rollings	Hardship	Mem Hall	Total
Voluntaryincome	840	5858	-	-		6698
Activities for generating		-	-	-		-
Income from investments	-	-	32063	150	820	33033
Church activities	-	-	-		2439	2439

Endowment	St Margaret’s	Rollings Capital	Total
Income from investments	0	0	0

4. RESOURCES EXPENDED

Unrestricted	Unrestricted	General a/c	General a/c	Mission Fund	Fabric Fund	Fabric Fund	Legacy	Total
Costs of raising voluntary income				-			-
Fund raising costs		4170						4170

Restricted		General	Fabric	Rollings	Hardship	Mem Hall		Total
Church activities		840	95106	-	153	2316		98415

Endowment	St Marg & Century Cotts							Total
Church activities	0							0

5. GAINS ON INVESTMENT ASSETS

GAINS ON INVESTMENT ASSETS
	Variation to Book Value		Movement in	Year
	2023	2024
Unrestricted	£	£	£
Mary Wilkins Fund	108701	114456		5755
General Fund Investment Account	5539	5782		243
Fabric (designated) Investment Shares	28405	29145		739
				6737

Endowment
St Margaret’s/Inc Shares	93005	99297	6292
Anonymous Gift Investment Shares	39300	40426	1125
Gladys Bateman Investment Shares	3078	3206	128

Rollings Capital Investment Shares	563663	584082	20419
Rollings Capital Accumulation Shares	59543	63641	4099
			38802

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 0

St George's Parochial Church Council,	St George's Parochial Church Council,	St George's Parochial Church Council,	Benenden

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2024

			Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	TOTAL FUNDS
			Funds	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
		Note	£	£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS
	Tangible	7	44023	360000	0	404023	404023
	Investments		336462	0	1334092	1670554	1609251
			380485	360000	1334092	2074577	2013274
CURRENT ASSETS
	Stock		0	0	0	0	0
	Debtors	8	0	0	0	0	0
	Short-term Deposits		144927	156883	8098	309908	325442
	Cash at Bank and in Hand		780	16714	0	17494	39222
			145707	173597	8098	327402	364664
LIABILITIES
	Creditors: amounts due in			0	0		0
	oneyear		0	0	0	0	27

	Net Current Assets(Liabilities)		145707	173597	8098	327402	364637


	Total Assets less Liabilities		526192	533597	1342190	2401979	2377911

	Creditors: amounts due after		0	0	0	0	0
	oneyear
TOTAL NET ASSETS			526192	533597	1342190	2401979	2377911

PARISH FUNDS
	Unrestricted		526192	---	---	526192	526039
	Restricted		---	533597	---	533597	541745
	Endowment		---	---	1342190	1342190	1310127
			526192	533597	1342190	2401979	2377911

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on the 24th March 2025
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 116 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll for 2024, 30 of whom are not resident within the parish.

St George’s Benenden Statistics 2024

Easter communicants 158

Easter attendance 244

Average church attendance on a Sunday (October count): 61 adult; 2 under 16

Christmas Eve/Day communicants – 93

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day attendance – 803

Baptisms Under 1 year old – 8 Age 1-12 – 2 Age 13+ - 0 Marriages – 9

Blessings – 1

Funerals – held in church – 10

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 2024 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 Resigned 6[th] November 2024 on the Deanery Synod Elected Members Mr David Barnes Mrs Julia Collard Mrs Jane Davies Resigned 22[nd] April 2024 Mr Guy Hagan Co-opted 27[th] May 2024 Mr David Harmsworth Mrs Janet Kelly-Vickers Resigned 22[nd] April 2024 Mrs Sally-Ann Marks Mrs Catherine Presgrave Mr Richard Stubbings Mr. Charles Trollope Treasurer

Approved by the PCC on the 9[th] June 2025 and signed on their behalf by the Chairman of that meeting .