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

2024-12-31-accounts

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH BICKLEY

Diocese of Rochester

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council

for the year ended 31st December 2024

Parish Priest

The Rev’d Henry Everett SSC

Honorary Assistant Priests

The Rev’d David Cossar SSC The Rev’d Canon Owen Beament MBE The Rev’d Canon Paul Jenkins

Churchwardens

Mr Leonard Brown

Mr Paul Braybrooke

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd

Independent Examiner

Mrs Claire Moore

Charities Act Registration Number – 1132872

www.stgeorgebickley.co.uk

St George’s Church, Bickley

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH, BICKLEY

Under the Pastoral Care of the Bishop of Richborough

Mission Statement

1

St George’s Church, Bickley

Parochial Church Council

The Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the Parish Priest in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Powers Measure (1956) as amended.

Membership

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Following resolutions of the APCM members are elected for a three-year period, after which they are not eligible for re-election until at least one year has passed. The PCC may also co-opt up to two additional members.

During 2024/25 the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council

Incumbent The Rev’d Henry Everett (Chairman) Churchwardens Mr Leonard Brown (Vice-Chairman) Mr Paul Braybrooke

Elected lay representatives on the Deanery Synod

Mr David Hood Mrs Monica Sanderson

Elected members

Mrs Merle Bennett (retires 2025) Mrs Pauline Emburey (retires 2026) Mrs Margaret Brading (retires 2026) Mr Robert Hodgetts (retires 2025) Mr Stephen Cheese (retires 2025) Ms Janet McFarlane (retires 2027) Mrs Donna Dawson (retires 2027)

Co-opted: Miss Eleanor Bull, Mr Graham Callow

Committees

The PCC has set up the following committees which carry out particular functions on behalf of the Council:

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by church law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Events Committee

This is responsible for planning parish social events. It also arranges refreshments required in association with services and other events. The Committee is also responsible – to an extent - for raising money for both general and specific purposes.

Mission Committee

This Committee advises the PCC on where the parish’s efforts at mission and evangelism ought to be focussed, and meets on an ad hoc basis.

PCC Meetings during 2024

The full PCC met six times during 2024 with very good attendance on all occasions.

Church Attendance

There were 123 persons on the Church Electoral Roll in 2024. Of these approximately one third are resident in the parish and two thirds non-resident. The average Sunday Mass attendance was 97 (86). Usual Sunday Mass attendance in 2024 was 91 (81), including 12 (10) children.

Low Mass is usually offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday with an attendance ranging from 5 to 25. Mass was sung on a number of Holy Days and every day during Holy Week. Attendance at Easter Services was 135 and at Christmas services was 448. In addition, approximately 2500 children and parents attended school services during the year.

There were 21 baptisms, 6 weddings and 14 funerals during 2024.

The church is generally open during daylight hours.

*Figures in brackets relate to 2023.

Safeguarding

The parish of St George, Bickley is committed to implementing the House of Bishops' safeguarding policies and good practice guidance. A formal statement under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults) to adopt the House of Bishops' "Promoting a Safer Church: Safeguarding Policy Statement" was agreed by the Parochial Church Council and recorded in the Minutes of the meeting on 18 October 2020.

The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Our Commitments:

Public Benefit

The Trustees take account of the Charity Commission general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the PCC’s purpose and in considering how planned activities will meet that aim.

The Trustees believe that St George’s Church promotes the whole mission of the Church of England in the Parish of Bickley and beyond its boundaries, including its pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical aspects, and that in doing so it provides a benefit to the public by:

Review of the Year

During the year the clergy continued to cover Sunday Masses in neighbouring parishes, but were delighted to attend the institution of new parish priests at Belvedere and Beckenham.

We celebrated the 160[th] anniversary of the consecration of St George’s with a number of special events arranged by the Events Committee.

Quiz Nights were held in January and October and were highly successful.

Bishop Norman visited us for the last time in January 2024 and conducted a confirmation. After the Mass he was presented with an icon of St George by which to remember us in his retirement.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

The local service for the (women’s) World Day of Prayer took place at St George’s, under the able leadership of Sandra Hambleton-Smith.

Lent was observed with our usual soup and bread lunch accompanying a Lent course led by the clergy on the Old Testament readings for the Sundays of Lent. The Society Penitential Service on Palm Sunday was held at St George’s, and led by Fr Henry.

Our preacher on St George’s Day was the Bishop of Fulham, who was offering us episcopal oversight during the Richborough vacancy, and we were joined by friends from other churches.

We enjoyed a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral in May, with a devotional tour of the Cathedral and Evensong.

Baptism families joined us at the Parish Mass for a thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Baptism in May, and recently married couples returned for a similar thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Marriage in August.

Fr Philip Corbett, General Secretary of the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith, our patrons, preached at a special Festal Evensong in June.

We held an art exhibition in the church in July by members of the Bromley Art Society, who use our hall.

We held our Summer Fete on 22[nd] June, which was a great success. We were entertained by the Viva A Cappella Choir, who rehearse in our hall weekly.

The Bishop of Rochester preached at the Dedication Festival in July.

Both Sine Nomine Singers in October, and Viva A Cappella Choir in September, gave concerts in church as part of the 160[th] anniversary. We were happy to host other concerts as well.

The parish pilgrimage to Walsingham in July was led by Fr Henry.

The Society parishes enjoyed a pilgrimage to Aylesford Priory in August, at which a minibus-load of parishioners were present.

Fundraising took place during the year for Aid to the Church in Need (Gaza Appeal), Welcare in Bromley, and Bromley Foodbank.

In September we held a History Study Day in collaboration with Bromley Borough Local History Society.

Parishioners enjoyed a parish lunch after the Harvest Festival.

All Saints’ Day was observed on 31[st] October, with a Sung Mass at which the Bishop of Fulham presided and confirmed, and blessed a new Angelus Bell. All Souls’ Day was observed jointly with the Annunciation, with a Sung Mass in Chislehurst.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

The final event of the anniversary celebrations was a Bach Evening in November, where Stephen Davies introduced the Schübler Chorales.

In December we were pleased to host carol services for 15[th] Bromley Scout Group, Breaside Prep School, Bromley High Junior School, Bromley High School, and Bickley Park School.

Our 2024 Christmas celebrations began with St George’s Primary School Carol Services. Our traditional Nine Lessons and Carols was well-attended. The Christmas Eve Crib Service attracted a completely full church. The Midnight Mass and Christmas morning Mass were also both well-attended, with numbers at pre-Covid levels.

Financial Review

The net surplus for the year was £8,102 (2023: deficit £6,111), comprising a surplus in unrestricted funds of £4,564 (2023: deficit £6,357) and a surplus of £3,538 (2023: surplus £246) in restricted funds.

Total incoming resources were £141,595 (2023: £120,107), £129,024 (2023: £114,682) in unrestricted funds and £12,571 (2023: £5,425) in restricted funds.

Legacies amounting to £nil (2023 £nil) were received during the year.

At 31[st] December 2024 total funds were £96,206 (2023: £88,104). Funds designated for specific purposes were £51,815 (2023: £47,137). Restricted Funds were £3,442 (2023: Nil). The general fund decreased by £18 to £40,949 (2023: £40,967). Total cash balances at 31 December 2024 were £98,198 (2023: £90,627) held in short term deposits, current account and cash.

Hall income is a substantial source of income for St George’s.

St George’s supported several charities during the year. The Lent Appeal contributed £850 to Aid to the Church in Need. The Harvest collection raised £600 for the Bromley Borough Food Bank, and £650 was raised at the Christmas Family Crib Service, for Welcare, Bromley that provides support to children and families. £500 was donated to the Additional Curate Society and £1,500 to support priesthood in the Church of England. A donation of £250 was made to the College of St Barnabas.

The main items of on-going expenditure continue to be parish share (which includes stipendiary costs), and the maintenance and running costs of the church and hall, including utility and insurance costs.

In order to secure the long-term viability of the parish, further significant maintenance works to the church and hall will be necessary over future years, including repairs to the church masonry. It is encouraging that people continue to commit to the parish through the planned giving schemes including making donations under Gift Aid. It is critical that we continue to try to increase incoming resources and manage our on-going expenditure.

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Reserves Policy

In 2018 the PCC set a reserves policy to endeavour to achieve a balance on undesignated funds in cash and at the bank equal to six months expenditure to cover general outgoings. Based on the 2025 budget this amounts to £65,600 (2024: £62,650). The undesignated Cash & Bank balance at 31 December 2024 of £46,383 (2023: £43,490) represented a deficit of £19,217 (2023: deficit £19,160) against this policy.

Surplus cash may be invested in short term bank deposit accounts, and endowment funds are invested in accordance with the terms of the endowment.

Signed on behalf of the Parochial Church Council

Fr Henry Everett Chairman 11 March 2025

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Independent examiner’s report to the PCC of St George’s Church, Bickley

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The PCC's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

Claire Moore Bickley Kent 25 April 2025

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
2a
Activities for generating funds
2b
Income from investments
2c
Church activities
2d
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
2
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Church activities
3a
Fund raising costs
3b
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
3
NET (OUTGOING) / INCOMING
RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS
Transfers between funds
9
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
BALANCE BROUGHT FORWARD
1 JANUARY
9
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD
31 DECEMBER
9		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
59,277
12,571
71,848
61,352
-
61,352
3,170
-
3,170
5,225
-
5,225
129,024
12,571
141,595
123,867
9,033
132,900
593
-
593
124,460
9,033
133,493
4,564
3,538
8,102
96
(96)
-
4,660
3,442
8.102
88,104
-
88,104
92,764
3,442
96,206		 Total
Funds
2023
£
62,913
50,086
2,460
4,648
120,107
125,035
1,183
126,218
(6,111)
-
(6,111)
94,215
88,104

The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

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St George’s Church, Bickley

Balance sheet

At 31 December 2024

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
6
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES
Creditors - amounts falling due
within one year
8
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS
PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted
9
Restricted
9		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
-
-
-
9,798
-
9,798
92,048
-
92,048
2,058
4,092
6,150
103,904
4,092
107,996
(11,140)
(650)(11,790)
92,764
3,442
96,206
92,764
3,442
96,206
92,764
-
92,764
-
3,442
3,442
92,764
3.442
96,206		 Total
Funds
2023
£
-
9,300
86,394
4,233
99,927
(11,823)
88,104
88,104
88,104
-
88,104

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 11 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by :

Fr Henry Everett David Hood Chairman Treasurer and Member of the PCC The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements

Registered Charity Number: 1132872

10

1 Accounting policies

a) Basis of accounting

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).

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, or those that are informal gatherings of church members.

b) Funds

Details of the movements in the funds under the PCC’s control during the year are given in note 9 to the financial statements.

The General Fund represents the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for the general purposes of the PCC. The PCC seeks to hold sufficient free reserves in the general fund to meet its future expenditure requirements, taking into account expected future income.

The PCC has agreed that the Hall and Church Diocesan Repair Schemes as designated funds. These funds are designated to contribute to the cost of for future repairs and maintenance to the church and church hall identified as necessary by inspectors appointed on behalf of the diocese;

Restricted funds are restricted to the purpose for which the funds have been raised.

Income and expenditure relating to special appeals to meet specific expenditure are included as restricted movements. Special appeals are conducted with the proviso that any final surplus remaining once all expenditure has been met can be transferred to the unrestricted General Fund.

Where expenditure exceeds income on a specific project the excess costs are charged in the unrestricted general fund.

Endowment funds are capital funds to which the PCC has access to the income only, and can only realise the investment under the terms of the endowment.

11

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

c) Incoming resources

Planned giving collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax income is recognised when the income to which it relates is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due. Interest is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is receivable.

All incoming resources are recognised gross except for contributions to shared costs, monies received on behalf of other parties and refunds.

d) Resources used

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded if their award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with as restricted funds.

The parish share is accounted for when payable. All other expenditure is accounted for when due.

All expenditure is accounted for gross, except for the element of shared costs and payments of money received on behalf of other parties.

e) Fixed assets

Tangible assets

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the financial statements.

Moveable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property.

For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 are capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their anticipated useful economic life on a straight-line basis.

All expenditure incurred on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £1,000 or on the repair of moveable church furnishings is written off as incurred.

Office and other equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of less than £1,000 are written off when the asset is acquired.

Investments

Any investments are valued at market value at 31 December each year and unrealised gains or losses are accounted for in the financial statements. Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold.

12

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

f) Current assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.

Short term deposits represent cash held on deposit at the Diocese of Rochester. Where a bank account holds cash in respect of more than one fund, the assets are apportioned between the various unrestricted and restricted funds according to the fund balance.

2
Incoming resources
2a Voluntary income
Planned giving
Tax efficient donations
Other
Other giving
Collections at services
Tax recoverable
Donations, appeals
Tax recoverable
Legacies
Grants
2b Activities for generating funds
Fund-raising
Hall lettings
2c
Income from investments
Interest
2d Church activities
Fees
Other fund raising events
Total incoming resources		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
31,311
-
31,311
30,002
2,330
-
2,330
4,016
4,255
-
4,255
3,969
8,535
-
8,535
8,065
10,029
-
10,029
9,511
2,416
11,644
14,060
5,921
401
927
1,328
1,129
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
300
59,277
12,571
71,848
62,913
9,174
-
9,174
5,006
52,178
-
52,178
45,080
61,352-
61,352
50,086
3,170
-
3,170
2,460
3,890
-
3,890
3,293
1,335
-
1,335
1,355
5,225
-
5,225
4,648
129,024
12,571 141,595120,107

13

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

4
Staff costs
Wages and salaries
Other pension costs
3
Resources used
3a Church activities
Missionary and charitable giving:
Ministry:
Diocesan parish share
Families, Children Mission
Other
Clergy expenses
Upkeep of services
Music and choir
Church running expenses
Church maintenance and repairs
Churchyard upkeep
Hall running expenses
Hall maintenance and repairs
Printing and stationery
Parish office running expenses
Cost of appeals
Bank charges
3b Fund raising costs
Costs of fund raising events
Total resources used		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
339
4,011
4,350
2,700
63,000
-
63,000
60,000
290
-
290
399
2,450
-
2,450
1,067
6,283
-
6,283
4,936
2,203
1,621
3,824
3,874
8.328
935
9,263
8,057
14,811
-
14,811
20,996
5,936
2,395
8,331
3,534
2,638
-
2,638
2,010
11,712
-
11,712
13,297
3,637
-
3,637
1,628
1,774
-
1,774
1,556
405
71
476
882
-
-
-
-
61
-
61
99
123,867
9,033
132,900
125,035
593
-
593
1,183
124,460
9,033
133,493
126,218
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
5,944
-
5,944
5,644
-
-
-
-
5,944
-
5,944
5,644

5 Transactions with related parties

Under accounting regulations, the PCC is required to disclose all material transactions with related parties. The PCC considers those persons who are, or are closely connected to, members of the PCC to be related parties. There were no material transactions with related parties during 2024 or 2023.

14

St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

6
Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2024
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024 and 2023
7
Debtors
Tax recoverable
Prepayments and accrued income
8
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Creditors for goods and services
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Hall
Total
Equipment
£
£
1,140
1,140
-
-
1,140
1,140
1,140
1,140
-
-
1,140
1,140
-
-
2024
2023
£
£
8,178
7,922
1,620
1,378
9,798
9,300
2024
2023
£
£
605
-
-
-
11,185
11,823
11,790
11,823

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St George’s Church, Bickley Notes to the Financial Statements

9 Fund details
1 January
Incoming		 Resources Transfers 31 December
2024 Resources
Expended		 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Fund - undesignated 40,967
127,346
(124,460)		 (2,904) 40,949
Diocesan Repair Scheme -
designated 47,137
1,678		 - 3,000 51,815
Total unrestricted funds 88,104
129,024
(124,460)		 96 **92,764 **
Restricted funds
Charitable Collections -
7,454
(4,012)		 - 3,442
Other Donations - 5,117
(5,021)		 (96) -
Total restricted funds - 12,571
(9,033)		 (96) 3,442
Total funds 88,104
141,595
(133,493)		 - 96,206
10 Summary of fund assets
Liabilities: due
Fixed Current in less than
assets assets one year Net asset
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General Fund - undesignated - 52,089 (11,140) 40,949
Diocesan Repair Scheme - designated - 51,815 - 51,815
Total unrestricted funds - 103,904 (11,140) 92,764
Restricted funds
Charitable Collections - 4,092 (650) 3,442
Total funds - 107,996 (11,790) 96,206

16