The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical
Parish of St Mary's, Billingshurst,
In the Diocese of Chichester.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for 2024
Contents: Annual Report 1-8 Report of the independent examiner 9 Statement of financial activities 10 Balance sheet 11 Notes to the Accounts 12-25 Address: St Mary's Church, East Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH149PY Incumbent: The Revd. David Beal Independent James Peach Examiner: Kreston Reeves LLP Springfield House Springfield Road Horsham West Sussex, H14 3RG Bankers: Santander UK plc Customer Service Centre Bootle, Merseyside L30 4GB
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Our Aims and Purposes
St Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend David Beal, in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for maintenance of the Church Centre Complex of St Mary’s Billingshurst.
Our Vision
We are a community of people who want to worship God and share in Jesus’ love and message of hope. The vision of St Mary’s is to be a vibrant, diverse, and prayerful community where lives are transformed, and the light of God’s truth shines bright.
We seek to achieve this by being prayerful, united and truthful.
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Prayer is the core foundation of the church as it strengthens and unifies our relationship with God and with each other.
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We are welcoming and respond without judgement to all people in obedience to Jesus’ command to love one another we reach out in love to everyone and seek unity.
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Jesus is God’s truth, and we aim to live our lives in the light of that truth. We will proclaim it unashamedly, seeking to share God’s love in our community.
Objectives and Activities
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Mary’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions about how our services involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music, and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable people who live in Billingshurst to live their faith as part of our parish community through:
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Worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel and developing their knowledge of and trust in Jesus.
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
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Missionary and outreach work.
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Youth and children’s work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the historic Church of St Mary’s, which stands at the centre of our community as it has done for the best part of one thousand years, and the Church Centre Complex.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling.
During the year our main worship provision on Sundays has continued to be dynamic and vibrant. Our regular Sunday services are as follows:
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9.30 am All Age Worship.
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11.00 am Parish Communion.
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These services, led by our incumbent, or, prior to her temporary re-location to ministry in Camber, his associate the Reverend Yvonne Adam, involve members of the congregation in different ways. Both have music at the heart of our worship.
Central to our All-Age Worship are the team who lead us in both music and worship: Nick Wolfenden, Jo Eames, Karen Quigley, Gary Moore and Bethany Milton. The service is characterised by the distinctive sound born out of lyrical singing combined with soulful oboe playing accompanied by keyboard, guitar and drums. A small team work together to plan especially the third service of the month, increasingly involving children in our music making (as the vicar says, with the extended worship band, “anything can happen and probably will”), deliberately singing songs they are familiar with from school and encouraging enthusiastic marching and procession round the church. The continued growth of this service has been helped by the development of the Sunday School on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, delivered by Beth Little, our Family and Children’s Worker. It is also helped by the fact that alongside families with children, we welcome young people and adults whose preference is for an informal service, but one which includes thoughtful reflection for grownups as well as children.
The 11.00 Parish Communion is a little more formal, including a robed choir and servers, but the congregation is welcoming and engaged. Members of the congregation read lessons, lead highly reflective prayers of intercession, and assist with the Eucharist. During the course of the year, we have re-introduced the Chalice. For some, the sharing of the Peace once more involves the shaking of hands, but we have continued with the focused waving and quiet greeting which became our norm during Covid, and this reflects a growing community spirit.
The choir continues to perform with confidence under the leadership of Susie Duffy, and the congregation continues to sing with gusto as a result. Our organist, Michael Peters, not only leads us in our hymn singing, but also inspires us with the thoughtful and often lively organ voluntaries which accompany us as the service ends.
On the first Sunday of the month, we hold a single joint service at 10.00 am which brings together the two congregations, emphasising that we are one parish community. Our youngest members are under five and our oldest over a hundred years old. As time goes by children become familiar with hymns and sermons and grownups come to appreciate bass guitar and drums as they sing and enjoy flag waving as children march round the church.
Over the year, attendance at these services consolidated and grew. All are welcome to attend our regular services. At present there are 183 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll (185 in 2023),18 of whom are not resident within the parish. We lost 6 much loved parishioners from the Roll when they sadly died (3 in 2023). The average weekly attendance counted during October was 103 (95 in 2023).
On the first Sunday of the month, Evensong is sung at 6.30 pm and a small but growing congregation enjoys the sense of history inspired by the wording of the Book of Common Prayer and the beautiful responses and anthem sung by our accomplished choir who assist parishioners in mastering the mysteries of psalmody.
We continue to hold informal evening services at 7.30 pm on the second Sunday of each month. These services often have a more reflective feeling. Music is led by the worship band, and we study a passage of scripture together, encouraging contributions and insights from members of the congregation.
During the week, the church continues to provide opportunities for reflection, prayer and worship for the community. Morning Prayer takes place at 9.00 am from Monday to Friday and provides an opportunity for parishioners to use the Church’s common worship, follow the lectionary and reflect on the full and true implications of our parish prayer, the St Mary’s Prayer:
S overeign Lord
T each us, the family of St. Mary’s to listen to your voice M ake us ready to do your will
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A waken in us a love for you R enew us with your Holy Spirit so that Y our joy may be seen in us, as we S hare your vision, proclaim your love, and change this world
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
On Thursdays at 11.00 am we provide a service for those who cannot attend on Sundays, with a particular focus on prayer and reflection. These occasions provide an opportunity for tranquil spiritual reflection which has often proved highly valuable to those in need of solace. Prayers for the church and community are held in church every Saturday morning at 9.00 am.
As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through Baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God's blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping.
We regularly provide opportunities for worship at Osmund Court and Derwent Lodge for residents who are unable to attend services at church.
Toddler Church, reintroduced in 2022, remains a popular event for young families. Meeting each Wednesday morning during term time, in any given week there are 6-10 toddlers with their parent or carer.
On Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm The Sanctuary meetings continue led by Sharon Ashborn and Lucia Manika, providing a quiet, safe place for women to connect with God, with other women and with themselves—a place where transformation can happen in a positive way through the word and mindfulness of prayer.
We also have a number of thriving small groups. People gather to learn to love God and build, strengthen and deepen their faith through prayer, Bible study and other spiritual disciplines. Small Groups are safe places where we build, strengthen, and deepen our faith.
Special Events
The church year is constantly punctuated by special events. Congregations especially mark some. The calendar year began with the ecumenical service held at St Mary’s to mark the Week of Christian Unity, prefacing a year of co-operation and working together on the part of all the parish churches.
Our Easter services included one at sunrise on Easter Day, a moving and unifying experience for those able to attend, fueled by breakfast provided in St Mary’s Room.
The traditional Harvest Service called on us all to reflect on our great good fortune and it provided an opportunity to donate a large contribution to the village food bank.
Our stewardship campaign involved the entire church community in prayerful consideration of what the church can provide for the community and how parishioners can help support its activities and outreach. We were delighted that we were able to engage parishioners in this and heightened awareness of church activities. We were also especially pleased that we effectively exceeded our target, thanks to the generosity of church members.
As usual, the annual Remembrance Day service, coordinated by the Royal British Legion and involving all the Scout and Guide groups along with Parish Councillors in Billingshurst, provided a focus for the village. Scores of people gathered in the graveyard to join in time for the moment of remembrance and recognition, symbolised by the gathering of uniformed groups around the village memorial to those who gave their lives in the two world wars. Yet again, the trumpet solo renderings of the Last Post and Reveille were piercingly dramatic.
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Once again, Christmas saw the village come together as several church and other community groups coalesced to produce a second glorious Billingshurst Nativity Procession There were several months’ exciting co-operation between St Mary’s, the other churches, the Billingshurst Dramatic Society, the Choral Society, the Petworth Marching Band, the Lions, the Scouts, the Weald School and other community volunteers, out of which a wonderful occasion arose. The logistics required were extensive with roads closed and fire and ambulance services on hand. Refreshments were available at the Community Centre before the tableau began as Mary learnt what God had chosen her for, she had consented to, and Joseph was planning for. Over 1500 participants, directed by a Star Narrator, many armed with special homemade lanterns, accompanied Mary and Joseph borne on their live donkey (Wonkey), as they reached Bethlehem late in the day, sought refuge at no less than four inns whose enthusiastic hosts all passed them on, via sock washing shepherds (who were looking after three delightful sheep), finally arriving at the stable having sung several traditional carols on the way. There they were greeted by two wise women and a learner wise man accompanied by a camel (Colin, a moving, life size puppet who played a significant role on social media drawing people’s attention to the community event beforehand). The stable scenes involved beautiful music provided by the church choir and band as well as a professional counter tenor who gave the first performance in a church of “Star”, composed by Alan Titchmarsh and Debbie Wiseman. The scenes in the church were live streamed to several village venues, increasing the feeling of a real community event.
This exciting evening showed how much faith exists in our community, how many businesses and other local organisations wanted to support the community through sponsorship, how much commitment there is between community groups and how many people were ready to be excited by a familiar and predictable story being told by enthusiastic protagonists. More than a hundred people came together as performers, set builders, sound and light technicians, camera operators, marshalls, promoters, costume and lantern makers and providers of refreshments to provide this joyful occasion. Several parishioners spoke of how much they enjoyed the fellowship of the evening and spoke of the “goosebumps” they felt during the scenes in church. One expressed her joy at seeing so many people in the church and keen to enter it, with some peering through the stained glass to get a glimpse of events inside: “I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Deanery Synod
Two members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and wider structures of the church.
The Church Centre Complex
We continue to plan and pray for the transformation of the church which will allow us to bring more church activities into our heritage building. The location of valuable artefacts still prevents us from permanent opening, but we look forward to doing so as the transformation project develops. A rota of parishioners continues to allow us to open the church on two days a week. We look forward to the time when we shall be able to hold more community events in a reconfigured church with more activity and performance space and appropriate toilet and catering facilities. In the meantime, we have begun to hold some cultural events in the church as it stands, including two highly successful concerts which drew in people from all over the village and the Choral Society has used the church for rehearsals. St Mary’s Room continues to provide a stalwart venue for multifarious activities for the community, mostly the parish. The congregations meet socially there between weekly services, except on the first Sunday of the month when the lingering and socialising takes place in the church itself.
Mission, Evangelism and Outreach
The PCC welcomed several new members this year, further broadening our diversity and extending the skills and expertise of the council. An Awayday was held on 21[st] September to discuss the outputs from 24 hours of prayer held in June which allowed parishioners to consider prayerfully and offer views about the future of St Mary’s. The Awayday helped members focus on the future and activities in the next year will emerge from those deliberations in four key areas: transformation; outreach; worship; and prayer.
We continue to promote many activities for the community, some of which are purely social, and attendance
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indicates how much these are appreciated. These include coffee mornings, especially popular on Saturdays, Lent lunches and friendly lunches on certain Sundays for people who might otherwise eat alone.
Amongst other events that are hosted in St. Mary’s Room are regular Wednesday meetings and even regular table tennis sessions for the mildly active and slightly competitive.
Our Children and Family Worker has organised numerous activities for youngsters in addition to our weekly Toddler Church where Children 0-5 are welcome with their grown-ups for stories, songs, and snacks. There are weekly Baby Zone meetings (where Toddler Swap Shop has proved especially popular) and the four Billingshurst churches welcome families to monthly Messy Church at the Community Hub—fun, games, crafts, singing and stories for all to enjoy with a sit-down meal for the children and their grown up.
We are pleased to play our part in “Churches Together in Billingshurst” with two trustees representing St Mary’s working with the other church families in the village to oversee our ecumenical activities, including the annual joint service for the Week of Christian Unity in January. Coffee mornings, Messy Church, Street Pastors and the Nativity were examples of joint activities last year and we look forward to further growth in 2025. St Mary’s and the other churches are all represented at the Billingshurst Show and the Christmas Fayre, which are significant and well attended village occasions where we can be a visible part of the community, building connections with other organisations and with members of the community.
We regularly visit the primary school to deliver assembles alongside our colleagues in the other churches. The children come to St Mary’s for Easter and Christmas services, and we celebrate the Harvest festival with them in school. We are also regularly involved in faith debates at the Weald School.
We communicate all these activities, including our regular worship, and celebrate the beauty and history of our church through our Website and Facebook page which is also contributing to growing our community in the village. We were happy that so many people bought St Mary’s Christmas cards this year and took their Nativity programmes home to use as activity sheets.
Financial Review
Total receipts for unrestricted funds were £128,377 of which £89,037 were voluntary donations and a further £19,271 from Gift Aid.
The planned giving through the PGS (Parish Giving Scheme) - £48,565, an increase of 12.5%. The planned giving through envelopes and standing orders - £32,977, an increase of 5.5%.
Total unrestricted Income, including tax recovered increased by 5.3%
We were blessed with a legacy in the sum of £1,000 donated with no restrictions on their use, this together with our 3 fund raising events (two concerts and a quiz) plus our annual Generous giving Sunday held in the autumn are reflected in the above and we thank everyone for their support and generosity.
Restricted income in relation to donations amounted to £16,876 which included £10,782 Rev David Beal raised on his cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of The Transformation Project and detailed in the Financial Statement.
£132,115 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from St Mary's Church, including the contribution of £83,074 to the diocesan parish share, to fund clergy stipends, National Insurance and pension, clergy housing, training for clergy, ordinands and lay people, support services for parishes such as safeguarding services, buildings advice and much more.
The sum churches in the deanery must find is shared between the churches according to a formula that is based on a head count of the congregations. St Mary’s provided 103% of their Parish Share in 2024 to help support those parishes who are financially less fortunate.
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The net result for the year was an excess of payments over income of £3,738 on unrestricted funds prior to any transfers. Adding bank balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, and transfers between funds the total unrestricted funds carried forward on 31[st] December 2024 amounted to £302,025.
Restricted Funds
The net result for the year was an excess of receipts over payments of £7,205.
The total restricted funds carried forward on 31[st] December 2024 were £78,192.
Reserves Strategy
It is the PCC policy to maintain a balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding property) which equates to approximately six months' worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations.
This was not achieved in 2024; despite continuing to maintain good control of expenditure in these challenging times and an increase in our income over the previous year, the balance did not increase to the level anticipated.
Our annual Generous Giving Sunday took place in late September which focused on the importance of reviewing regular giving and legacies and was positively received, and as previously mentioned in this report, this together with three fundraising events (two music concerts and one quiz) helped place us in a better financial position at the end of 2024. More fund-raising events are planned for 2025.
It is PCC policy to invest fund balances with the CBF Church of England deposit fund.
Volunteers
We would like to thank our numerous volunteers together with our Church Wardens Sylvia Tilley and Stuart Wallace, for their tireless work on our behalf, together with the members of our PCC lead by Reverend David Beal, for their valuable contribution to our ministry and ensure our church is a warm, welcoming and vibrant space for all our Billingshurst community.
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Mary's the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), church wardens and members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services who are members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the Church funds are used.
New PCC members receive initial training, which includes safeguarding and their responsibilities as Trustees.
The full PCC met seven times during the year with an average attendance of 79%. Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has several committees each supporting a particular aspect of parish life.
These committees, which include worship, mission and outreach, fabric (transformation) and finance, are all responsible to the PCC and report back to it regularly with minutes of their decisions being received by the full PCC.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is now a standing item on the PCC agendas and no safeguarding issues or incidents occurred during 2024.
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Administration Inforniation St Mary's Church is situated on East Street, Billingshurst. It is part of the Diocese of Chichester within the Church of England. All correspondence should be addressed to: St Mary's Church Office, East Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9PY. The Parochial Church Council (PCCI is a body corporate {PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 20201 and is registered with the Charities Commission within the meaning as required by the Charities Act 2011. The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission {No 11327881. PCC members who have served during 2024 Incumbent.. The Reverend David Beal Churchwordens." Sylvia Tilley stuart Wallace (elected April 20171 (elected April 2018) Deanery Synod.. Hazel Bames Sandy Duck (elected April 2023) (elected April 2023) Treasurer Elerted Members.. Retired2024.' Roy Margetts (elected April 2018, re-eletted May 2021) Retiring 2025.. Durell Barnes Tim Foulsham Tonywarren Tina Woodhead (elected May 20221 (eletted May 2022) (elected May 2019, re-eletted May 20221 (eletted May 2019, relected May 2022) Secretary Retiring 2026.. Paul Moss Jonathan Little (eletted April 2022, relected May 2023) (elected May 2024) Retiring 2027.. Christina Arnold Elizabeth Connor Tony Duffy Simon Wttham (elected May 2021, re-elected May 2024} (elected May 2024) (elected May 2024) {elerted May 2021, re*lected May 20241 Vice Chairman Approved by the PCC on i 04LAeT and signed on its behalf by the Reverend David Beal {PCC Chairman)
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary's ('the charity')
We report to the charity Trustees on our examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
We report in respect of our examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our examination we have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for our work or for this report.
Signed: James Peach FCA
Dated: 14.04.2025
Kreston Reeves LLP Springfield House Springfield Road Horsham West Sussex RH12 2RG
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Fundraising event 4 Investments 5 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net income/ (expenditure) before net gains on investments Net gains on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 108,308 8,179 3,179 8,711 128,377 1,038 131,077 132,115 (3,738) - (3,738) 305,763 (3,738) 302,025 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 16,849 27 - - 16,876 - 9,671 9,671 7,205 - 7,205 70,987 7,205 78,192 |
Endowment funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - 219 219 10,082 219 10,301 |
Total funds 2024 £ 125,157 8,206 3,179 8,711 145,253 1,038 140,748 141,786 3,467 219 3,686 386,832 3,686 390,518 |
Total funds 2023 £ 107,242 8,358 683 10,856 |
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| 127,139 206 129,913 |
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| 130,119 (2,980) 824 |
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| (2,156) 388,988 (2,156) |
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| 386,832 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 12 to 25 form part of these financial statements.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARYS BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Investrnents 10 126.192 10,301 127,030 10,082 136,493 137,112 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 12 4,866 251,908 5,994 245,833 256,774 251,827 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 13 (2,749) (2,107) Net current assets 254,025 249,720 Total assets less Current liabilities 390,518 386,832 Total net assets 390.518 386,832 Charity funds Endowment funds Restricted fvnds Unrestricted funds 14 14 10,301 78,192 302,025 10,082 70,987 305,763 14 Total funds 390,518 386,832 The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Rev David Beal Date.. ioth ¢¥prL o•olS . The notes on pages 12 to 25 fonn part of these financial statements. Page11
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary's meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
1.2 Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
- Freehold property 50 years straight line - Office equipment 5 years straight line
1.5 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the statement of financial activities.
1.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.8 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
1.9 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.10 Pensions
The charity participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers.
CWPF has two sections:
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the Defined Benefits Scheme
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the Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections;
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a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and, b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.
Pension Builder Scheme
Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes.
Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors.
Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared is payable, unreduced, from age 65.
There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.
The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2024: £316, 2023: £316).
A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2022. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2025.
For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a deficit of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 10.1% following improvements in the funding position over 2022. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.
The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, the charity could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.
Page 14
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.11 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Endowment funds are funds which are held on a permanent basis by the charity.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Planned giving Collections at all services Sundry donations and appeals Reordering Income tax recoverable Grants (charity giving) Bequests and legacies Total 2023 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 78,770 3,662 1,006 - 19,271 4,549 1,050 108,308 101,646 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 170 - 14,225 852 1,602 - - 16,849 5,596 |
Total funds 2024 £ 78,940 3,662 15,231 852 20,873 4,549 1,050 125,157 107,242 |
Total funds 2023 £ 71,059 3,804 4,868 1,457 18,503 1,501 6,050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107,242 | ||||
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
3. Income from charitable activities
| Church hall lettings etc. Fees from weddings etc. Miscellaneous income Church bookshop (Caritas) Total 2023 4. Income from other trading activities Income from fundraising events |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 3,396 3,536 1,247 - 8,179 8,358 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - - 27 - 27 - |
Total funds 2024 £ 3,396 3,536 1,274 - 8,206 8,358 |
Total funds 2023 £ 3,346 3,714 1,203 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,358 | ||||
| Fetes, bazaars and other fundraising activities Total 2023 5. Investment income Dividends and Interest Total 2023 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 3,179 683 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 8,711 10,856 |
Total funds 2024 £ 3,179 683 Total funds 2024 £ 8,711 10,856 |
Total funds 2023 £ 683 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2023 £ 10,856 |
|||
Page 16
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6. Expenditure on raising funds
Fundraising trading expenses
| Other events Total 2023 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1,038 206 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,038 206 |
Total funds 2023 £ 206 |
|---|---|---|---|
7. Expenditure on Charitable activities
| Charitable activities Secular charities Diocesan parish contribution Church running expenses Church maintenance Publicity Youth and children expenses Depreciation Organist/choir costs Church administration costs Independent examiner's fee Total 2023 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 4,773 83,074 19,078 7,192 1,749 89 838 3,600 8,815 1,869 131,077 128,769 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - - 1,215 - - 8,180 - - 276 - 9,671 1,144 |
Total funds 2024 £ 4,773 83,074 20,293 7,192 1,749 8,269 838 3,600 9,091 1,869 140,748 129,913 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1,319 79,583 14,665 8,354 1,705 8,353 838 3,500 9,916 1,680 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129,913 | ||||
Page 17
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
8. Staff costs
| Wages and Salaries The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was Average number of employees |
2024 £ 17,830 as follows: 2024 No. 4 |
2023 £ 17,964 2023 No. 4 |
|---|---|---|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
9. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
During the year ended 31 December 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL).
10. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Freehold property £ 137,514 137,514 11,004 688 11,692 125,822 126,510 |
Office equipment £ 2,145 2,145 1,625 150 1,775 370 520 |
Total £ 139,659 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 139,659 | |||
| 12,629 838 |
|||
| 13,467 | |||
| 126,192 | |||
| 127,030 |
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THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
11. Fixed asset investments
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2024 Revaluations At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Listed investments £ 10,082 219 |
|---|---|
| 10,301 | |
| 10,301 | |
| 10,082 |
12. Debtors
| Due within one year Other debtors Accrued income |
2024 £ 2,775 2,091 4,866 |
2023 £ 3,397 2,597 |
|---|---|---|
| 5,994 |
13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 889 1,860 2,749 |
2023 £ 427 1,680 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,107 |
Page 19
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
14. Statement of funds
| Statement of funds - current year Unrestricted funds Designated funds Contingency Vicarage decoration Vicar's contingency Fabric Flower Organ Property Social committee Social club sale General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Endowment funds* |
Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 7,113 503 642 7,853 24 2,074 127,198 186 218,069 363,662 (57,899) 305,763 |
Income £ 758 - - 200 - - - - - 958 127,419 128,377 |
Expenditure £ (514) - - (5,507) - - - - - (6,021) (126,094) (132,115) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 7,357 503 642 2,546 24 2,074 127,198 186 218,069 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 358,599 | |||||
| (56,574) 302,025 |
|||||
Page 20
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - current year (continued)
| St Mary's Endowment Restricted funds Choir Churchyard Vicarage decoration Flower Organ Social Committee Church reordering St Mary's endowments Youth and children Children and families St Mary's Room Fund Total of funds |
Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 10,082 498 738 1,300 46 1,246 90 55,166 2,557 8,443 903 - 70,987 386,832 |
Income £ - - - - 648 - - 12,662 - 2,831 35 700 16,876 145,253 |
Expenditure £ - - (200) - (564) - - (450) - (7,657) (523) (277) (9,671) (141,786) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 219 - - - - - - - - - - - - 219 |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 10,301 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 538 1,300 130 1,246 90 67,378 2,557 3,617 415 423 |
|||||
| 78,192 | |||||
| 390,518 |
Page 21
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 14. Statement of funds (continued) Statement of funds - prior year Unrestricted funds Designated funds Contingency Vicarage decoration Vicar's contingency Fabric Flower Organ Property Social committee Social club sale General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Endowment funds* |
Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 9,925 503 642 9,166 24 2,074 127,198 186 218,069 367,787 (54,592) 313,195 |
Income £ - - - - - - - - - - 121,543 121,543 |
Expenditure £ (2,812) - - (1,313) - - - - - (4,125) (124,850) (128,975) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 7,113 503 642 7,853 24 2,074 127,198 186 218,069 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 363,662 | |||||
| (57,899) 305,763 |
|||||
Page 22
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year (continued)
| St Mary's Endowment Restricted funds Choir Churchyard Vicarage decoration Flower Organ Social Committee Church reordering St Mary's endowments Youth and children Children and families Total of funds |
Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 9,258 498 738 1,300 45 1,246 90 53,055 2,557 5,326 1,680 66,535 388,988 |
Income £ - - - - 135 - - 2,111 - 3,350 - 5,596 127,139 |
Expenditure £ - - - - (134) - - - - (233) (777) (1,144) (130,119) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 824 - - - - - - - - - - - 824 |
Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 10,082 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 738 1,300 46 1,246 90 55,166 2,557 8,443 903 |
|||||
| 70,987 | |||||
| 386,832 |
Page 23
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
14. Statement of funds (continued)
Restricted Fund detail
Choir For the use of the choir for replacement vestments, consumable items and other such purchases. Churchyard Used to maintain the churchyard and fund any work required. Vicarage decoration For the general upkeep and decoration of the vicarage. Flower For the purpose of flowers for use in services. Organ For the maintenance and upkeep of the organ. Social committee For the use of the social committee in organising social events etc. Church reordering For the use in church reordering and transformation including essential repair work. St Mary's endowments These funds are held by the Diocese Youth and Children Donations have been received to aid youth groups within the church and also a 'youth' worker, who will have a broader area of responsibility than just youth. Children and families
Designated fund details
These are funds allocated out of the unrestricted fund for specific future purposes or projects. *The use of the Social Club sale fund is limited by the following covenants allowing the proceeds to be used only in respect of: Billingshurst Institute A site for church or chapel (must be Church of England) Carrying out divine services A house for clergy A house for clerical etc. meetings A garden for use by any of the above Any other use that has a spiritual dimension etc connected with the Church of England
Endowment fund details
These are historical endowments held by the Church of England on behalf of the church.
Page 24
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY'S
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 126,192 - 178,582 (2,749) 302,025 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - - 78,192 - 78,192 |
Endowment funds 2024 £ - 10,301 - - 10,301 |
Total funds 2024 £ 126,192 10,301 256,774 (2,749) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 390,518 |
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 127,030 - 180,840 (2,107) 305,763 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 70,987 - 70,987 |
Endowment funds 2023 £ - 10,082 - - 10,082 |
Total funds 2023 £ 127,030 10,082 251,827 (2,107) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 386,832 |
16. Related party transactions
The charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the charity at 31 December 2024.
Page 25