THE CHURCH
OF ENGLAND
Diocese of Chester
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of
Stretton
St Matthew's
Trustee Annual Report and Financial Statements for Year ending 31st
December 2024
Registered Charity Number: 1132920

Acknowledgement
This report pays tribute to all those in the congregation,. the PCC and the Clergy team for all their
work and ministry in supporting our church, often not seen, but for the benefit of the whole parish.

St. Matthew's Church
St. Matthew's Church is situated in the village of Stretton in Warrington with the parish boundaries
encompassing Appleton and Stretton, and bordering Appleton Thorn and St Cross Church which
is within the Benefice. The Parish of St Matthew's Stretton is in the Deanery of Great Budworth
and is part of the Diocese of Chester.
The Church is a Grade11 listed building with a rich heritage dating back to 1827.
The Church is built of red sandstone with Westmorland slate roofs and has a bell tower
accommodating a ring of eight bells. It also has a tower clock with two unique clock fa￿S (there
are only about half a dozen church clocks in the country which have letters instead of numbers).
The Parish was originally in a rural village location, but now, north of the M56, is becoming part of
the south Warrington conurbation, whilst remaining more rural south of the motorway. The recent
housing developments have increased the population. New housing is proposed south of the
church, which will place the Church at the heart of a housing community, rather than its previously
rural position.
The Church considers itself very fortunate to have such a beautiful building, although maintenance
of the fabric continues to be a challenge.
St Matthew's Church of England Primary School is an integral part of the Church family. It is
located next to the Church which facilitates the use of the Church by the School. This allows
children of all ages to familiarise themselves with the building, not just for faith-related activities,
but for its history, architecture, and heritage.
The Church Hall is located next to the School. It is used on a regular basis by several local groups
such as Brownies and Stretton Parish Council as well as Church groups and hired out for
celebrations. During the weekdays, it is used by Pre-school, which is very popular. There is an
ongoing effort by the Church Hall Management Committee to market the benefits of hire within the
local community.

The Vicar's Report 2024- the Reverend Alan Jewell
That was the yearthat was...
At the time of writing (March 2025), we have just obsenjed a Day of Reflection marking the fifth
anniversary of the first lockdown of the COVID19 pandemic. It is clear that the shadow of those
events still hangs over us, and 2024 was a year in which we worked hard to consolidate our
recovery. What do we see when we look back at 2024? We give thanks for the life and witness of
our church communities in a year that had its share of challenges and blessings as we continued
to rebuild.
Worship
The COVID pandemic had a massive impact on our worshipping communities. As I said last year..
"We lost regular worshippers as people aged, continued to isolate, or simply got out of the
habit of attending church.
Having said that, both churches also show encouraging signs with new people attending services,
and, at St Matthew's, a core group of young families who come to Praise & Play and to Sunday
morning worship. On Sundays at St Matthew's, when it is a communion service, we have a small
team of volunteers who lead activities for children. Our thanks to them. Sadly, St Cross doesn't
have any children who come to church regularly. Families with children are assured of a warm
welcome in both churches!
Our regular pattern of services is unaltered. As we began to recover from the lockdowns, we
established a weekly communion service at St Cross at 9.30AM. At St Matthew's, the main service
is at 10.45AM- it is Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays, and all-age friendly Morning
Worship on the second and fourth. On those Sundays when it is Morning Worship at St Matthew's,
we have a Communion seniice at 8AM, with a small band of dedicated worshippers. On the first
Sunday of the month, we have a 6.30PM evening service which is informal and uses more
contemporary worship songs. Although it is at St Matthew's, worshippers come from both
churches. Where there is a fifth Sunday, we usually have a United Service which more-or-less
alternates between the two churches. When it is at St Cross, the United Service is at 9.30AM, and
when it is at St Matthew's, it is at 10.45AM (i,e. the usual start time for morning services in the host
church).
Morning services from St Matthew's are routinely livestreamed and recorded. Sometimes the
results are a bit patchy, with glitches caused by our very basic setup, but we are doing our best. If
you or someone you know would like to help with tech, please let us knowl
Each year, both churches enjoy a visit from one of the bishops. In 2024, Bishop Sam, the bishop
of Stockport, came to St Cross, and Bishop Julie, the bishop of Birkenhead, came to St Matthew's.
Our thanks go to those who regularly lead and support our weekly worship: among them, Reader,
Linda Buckley., retired priest Geoff Buchan,. and those who clean and decorate the
churches, arrange flowers, ring bells, navigate through PowerPoint presentations, welcome
visitors, and serve coffee after services.
Life Events
In 2024, our two churches were responsible for 19 baptisms (down from 31 in 2023, and 37 in
2022), 7 weddings (up from 6 in 2023, but down from 11 in 2022), and 22 funerals (up from 18 in
2023, and down from 23 in 2022)

Of the 19 baptisms, 10 were at St Matthew's, and 9 at St Cross., of the 7 weddings, 6 were at St
Matthew's, with just 1 at St Cross., and of the 22 funerals, 19 were held on behalf of St Matthew's,
and 3 on behalf of St Cross. (Funerals that go directly to the crematorium or cemetery are
regarded as being the responsibility of one of the two churches, even if there is no seniice held in
church.)
The statistics, of course, don't tell the full story. Among those for whom funerals were conducted
there were, as always, some familiar names, including some who were regular worshippers, and
some who were well-known in the local community and beyond. Some funerals are memorable
because they are a joyful celebration of a life lived to the full. But this year, l also officiated at the
burial of a baby who arrived in this world prematurely and did not survive. Our prayers are with all
who have lost loved ones.
As always, l am grateful to those who support our 'Life Events, services
the Vergers, (Alan Bruce at St Matthew's and David Rose at St Cross)
the Churchwardens at both churches
Carol Rylett who is Baptism Administrator at St Matthew's
Rose Jewell, who is first call musician for weddings and funerals (and those who deputise
when she is not available)
those who arrange flowers
the bellringers at St Matthew's.
other clergy who occasionally take seniices, including the Revd Geoff Buchan.
Volunteers
In last year's report, I commented on the drop in numbers of people who do any voluntary work,
and the impact that has had on our churches and other charities. I regularly have conversations
where people say to me, "What we need is some younger folk to step up and take responsibility,..
Thankfully, both churches have committed volunteers who take on roles, Among them are
1. Churchwardens.. David Shaw and Sandra Bates at St Cross, Stephen Edwards at St
Matthew's.
2. Members of both Parochial Church Councils, including our Treasurers, Catherine Edwards
at St Matthew's and Tracy-Anne Clancey at St Cross. As noted in last year's report,
Catherine had announced her intention to stand down as Treasurer. We are very grateful to
her for her continued support for St Matthew's, and to Matthew Heywood who came forward
to take on the Treasurer role.
3. Safeguarding Officers.. Paul Clancey at St Cross and Maddy Murdoch at St Matthew's.
Social Events
Both churches are open for coffee on a weekly basis - Tuesday mornings at St Cross and
Wednesday mornings at St Matthew's - and refreshments are offered after most services. Thanks
to the hospitality teams in both churches.
Both churches have regular social events, which also raise funds. Examples include music nights,

sausage butties served after church, a hotpot lunch, flower-arranging classes, a history talk, and
so on. Appleton Thorn Village Choir are regular contributors on these occasions, and, at St
Matthew's, we also enjoyed welcoming singers and musicians from St Matthew's Primary School.
The Singing Kettle is a monthly get-together at the Church Hall for a chat over a cuppa and a bit of
a singalong.
Once a month, St Matthew's hosts a pub quiz, thanks to the kind hospitality of the Stretton Fox,
who also generously provide a prize for the winning team. Thanks also to our ex￿lIent quiz-setter
and presenter, Linda Buckley, and her ever-helpful assistant, Dennis.
All of these occasions do raise money for the churches, but they are also intended to be
enjoyable.. we want to put the fun into fundraising.
Looking ahead
As I mentioned at the start of this report, l am writing at a time when we are reflecting on the fifth
anniversary of the first Covid lockdown. In my sermon at the start of Lent, I talked about Jesus
going into the desert where he is tested, and about the people of God in the Hebrew bible, who
spent 40 challenging years wandering in the wilderness. God's people often fail, but Jesus
succeeds, and offers us the fruit of his victory to share. The Covid years were a wilderness
experience, but as winter turns to spring, so Lent leads us to Easter.
In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul reflects on his own struggles. He knows his brokenness and
weakness. He wants to be good and to good, but his humanity is frail and fractured. He might fall
into despair as he recognises his helplessness..
Wretched man that l am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
But he follows that question immediately with the answer..
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lordl (Romans 7.25}
Alan Jewell, Vicar, St Matthew's, Stretton, and St Cross, Appleton Thorn

Aim and Purpose.
Aim
The primary objective of all Parochial Church Councils (PCCS) is the promotion of the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC
has the responsibility to co-operate with the incumbent - the Reverend Alan Jewell - "in promoting
in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical., (The
PCC (Powers) Measure 1956).
At St. Matthew's the mission statement is "Sharing the love of Jesus with all through friendship,
prayer and service., The Church exists to serve its Parish - the whole local Community- not just
its congregation.
Structure, governance, and management.
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England and is a
Registered Charity (Charity No. 1132920). The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council
(Powers) Measure 1956, the Church Representation Rules 2023, and the Charities Act 2011.
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by
those on the electoral roll, in accordance with the Church Representation Rules and the Charity
Commission Guidance. They are the charity trustees who are "persons having the general control
and management of the administration of the charity" (Charities Act 2011).
The PCC is chaired by the Vicar and meets monthly, with the exceptions of August and
December. Meetings alternate between a full business meeting and a discussion meeting of one
or two items only. This allows for the business meeting to deal primarily with the operational and
financial management of the Church, with reports from sub-committees, and any urgent business.
The discussion meeting allows for in-depth debate on key items and is important both for the
education of members and to allocate more time for topics which may have greater medium to
long term significance than could be given in a bigger agenda.
At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 19th May 2024 there were no new
nominations to PCC: Laura Matheson expressed an interest in joining the PCC, having not been
nominated before the meeting, was co-opted by the PCC. During the year Matt Heywood was also
co-opted as a member of the PCC.
Stephen Edwards was elected as churchwarden for a further year. There were no other
nominations for churchwarden.
An active database was maintained ensuring that DBS checks are undertaken and maintained,
and that all PCC members complete the appropriate level of safeguarding training. During the year
Maddy Murdoch was appointed as Parish Safeguarding Officer, and has now implemented the
diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard to ensure that appropriate checks, actions and training are in
place.
The PCC has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline
Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops, guidance on
safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

During the year, the following served as members of the PCC..
Ex Officio
Revd. Alan Jewell
Church Warden
Stephen Edwards
Lay Representatives on The
Deanery Synod
Linda Buckley
Stephen Edwards
Carol Rylett
Treasurer
Bob Turner from March 2024 (resigned May
2025)
Stephen Edwards from June 2024 '
Secretary
Stephen Edwards from June 2024
Elected Members
Elected until 2025
Jean Doherty
Elected until 2026
Carol Rylett
Co-opted until 2025
Laura Matheson
Co-opted until 2025
Matt Heywood
* Under the Church Representation Rules Part 9 M20 if no one is appointed as Treasurer,
the role has to be discharged by a Churchwarden. We are grateful to Catherine Edwards
who has continued to do the church's book-keeping.
The Standing Committee of the PCC meets monthly to consider any matters between PCC
meetings, and to set the agenda and to ensure that relevant papers and information are ready to
inform decision-making. It also has the responsibility to transact the business of the PCC between
meetings.
The PCC is assisted by a Finance Sub-Group and the Church Hall Management Committee.
The Sub-committee membership is voluntary with PCC members agreeing to assist with the work
required in their specific area in order that the PCC is given detailed information on which to base
decisions. Non-PCC members are also invited to participate, where their individual area of
expertise greatly assists the work being undertaken. The Sub-Groups do not have executive
responsibility. The Church Hall Management Committee is responsible for the operational
management of the Church Hall, and the management of bookings.
At the beginning of the year the PCC appointed Richard Williams as its architect.

St Matthew's is represented on the Deanery Synod by the Vicar and three lay members. Our
Reader is the Lay Chairman. The Deanery Synod is an intermediary between the PCC and
Diocesan Synod and usually meets three times per year. The Deanery Synod is made up of
Clergy and Laity members from across the Great Budworth deanery. It met three times during the
year to hear reports from the Diocesan Synod, to discuss the Diocesan Strategy, the church's
work at Creamfields and other matters.
A key responsibility of the PCC is to identify how our activities are focused on achieving public
benefit and positively impacting on the lives of people in our congregation and community. The
Strategy work has focused significantly on how the Church can outreach and build increasingly
stronger links with the local community. The incumbent, Alan Jewell, and the PCC are very aware
of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on
"Charities for the advancement of religion" (2011) and are keen to demonstrate how this is being
achieved in practice.
io

Objectives and Activities
Strategic development to enable recovery and growth.
The church has returned to a more normal situation post COVID, and we continue to explore new
areas of development..
Continuing to develop links and promote positive action beyond the Church
building into the Community.
This involves communication and events.
Develop and progress our work on eco-church.
Eco Church is a scheme run by A Rocha, UK equipping churches to care for God's creation
through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and individual lifestyles.
There is a survey tool which assesses a church's current position and has advice on how to
become more Eco-friendly.
Promote the Diocesan strategy.
The diocese has four working parties looking at the four streams of the strategy which are:
Growing our Missional Health - helping each worshipping community (of which parishes
are a main constituent) grow in their personal discipleship to Jesus Christ, and their mission
together in their local community
Increasing our Missional Reach - helping each worshipping community to reach those
key demographics in their local context who are not currently part of their worshipping
community- in particular this is about helping us becoming younger and more diverse
Planting new Missional Communities - helping each worshipping community to be
inspired to plant one new worshipping community by 2030, and looking at specific strategic
planting I collaborative mission opportunities
Developing Missional Leadership- encouraging and supporting our existing leaders
(ordained, licensed, employed, volunteers), and creating the pathways to ensure that we
can grow, train and release more people into missional leadership.
li

Meeting our Objectives- Performance and Review
Strategic development to enable recovery and growth
Building on the work of the previous year four areas were identified for further work..
Service provision
> Children & young people
> Nurturing Discipleship
Events
SeNice provision
We maintained the adopted senjice pattern..
> First and third Sunday 10.'45am Holy Communion
Second and Fourth Sunday 8am Holy Communion, 10.45 Morning Worship
Fifth Sunday.. A United Service with St. Cross.
p A monthly Contemporary Evening Service.
Children & young people
With a number of families with young children having recently joined the church, we have re-
started Children's Activities during the 10.45am Holy Communion services. Several people have
volunteered to assist with this. It currently consists of activity sheets which are done around one
of the tables at the back of the church.
If there is sufficient demand for Children's Activities on a Sunday morning, and there are sufficient
numbers, then the church hall is available.
We have re-started doing Extravaganzas, aimed at families, on a quarterly basis. This involves
refreshments, crafts and a short service.
Nurturing Discipleship
During Lent and Advent, we hold a weekly service of Compline (or 'Night Prayer,) which includes a
reflection led by Alan or Linda. These usually follow a theme that encourages church members to
consider how their own faith and discipleship might develop.
Coffee after services on Sundays and Thursdays often provides opportunities for church members
to discuss matter that have arisen from worship and preaching.
Church Fellowship
The Church Fellowship has amalgamated with Connections and now has 28 members across the
benefice. This year's speakers have included Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and Rev. Shawn
Verhey, Chaplain at Thorn Cross. Other activities have included Afternoon Tea at Fryer's Garden
Centre, a Whist Drive, Christmas Decoration making and a Christmas meal at The Cat and Lion.
At Christmas the Fellowship supported the Room at the Inn and the Y Project.
The Singing Kettle.
The Singing Kettle has regular gatherings on the fourth Thursday of every month in the Church
Hall with refreshments and an informal sing-along.
12

Events
A number of events were put on during the year for the local community, with the intention of
reaching beyond the regular congregation:
Stretton: The Bridgerton Years
In November Clare Olver gave a talk on Stretton 200 years ago, as we are looking forward to 2026
being the bicentenary of the original church being built.. Clare had discovered a Stretton
equivalent of Bridgerton's Lady Whistledown.
Quizzes
Linda Buckley has run a monthly quiz, which is hosted by the Stretton Fox.
Musical evenings
Two musical evenings were held in July and December featuring local musicians, ST. Matthew's
Primary School, the Appleton Thorn choir and the Singing Kettle band leading everyone in song.
Heritage Open Days
On 14th September the Church was open as part of the national Heritage Open Days. The tower
was also open up to the Ringing Chamber, and several people ascended to learn about bell
ringing.
Christmas Tree Festival
The annual Christmas Tree Festival was held over the last weekend in November and the first in
December with local businesses sponsoring and decorating the trees.
Continuing to develop links and promote positive action beyond the Church
building into the community.
Communication is mainly electronic, using the church's website and Facebook page.
Facebook
Our Facebook page has 555 followers (640/0 of whom live in Warrington), but with sharing to other
local pages our posts can reach more than double that number, with approximately a third
engaging with the post (commenting, liking or sharing).
Our audience profile..
13

Audience
555 Facebook followers
Age and gender
•Men
20.10%
Women 79.90%
20%
Is%
0%
-JJJ.iJ
1824
2S)d
)544
4554
5564
54
You Tube
We continue to stream our main Sunday service live on You Tube, which benefits members who
are not able to get to the church. Our YouTube channel has 24 subscribers and had over 1,000
views in 2024..
Website
Our website ( www.stmatthewschurchstretton.or
, uk ) attracts over 1 ,000 visitors per month.
We are encouraged to see new people joining the church, and have started activities for young
children at the back of church during Holy Communion services.
This objective is ongoing improvements were made to the external noticeboards with the
inclusion of the church's website. The website and our Facebook page require a continual flow of
postings to keep them relevant..
Develop and progress our work on eco-church.
We have undertaken the Eco-church survey to benchmark ourselves against the criteria which
produced the following outcome..
Category
Worship and Teaching
Buildings
Land
Award
Gold award
Bronze award
No award
Community and Global Engagement
Lifestyle
No award
No award
A Rocha have developed a new survey tool covering five key areas of church life..
14

Worship and teaching
Buildings and energy
Land and nature
Community and global engagement
Lifestyle
There are simple things that can be done as part of our Eco Strategy and we are seeking
someone with an interest in this area who will help us develop our Eco strategy
Promote the Diocesan strategy.
The PCC shares the aims of the Diocesan strategy as set out above under the Deanery Synod
section.
Fabric
The PCC receives regular reports on the status of the fabric of the buildings, which requires a
continued programme of repairs and maintenance.
The lights within the church do not all work. During the year work was undertaken when four lights
on the north side of the nave stopped working due to a fault with one. The PCC would like to
change the bulbs for LED lights when funding can be found, as this would reduce the on-going
electricity consumption.
The gutters were all cleared in November by a company using a large vacuum cleaner and long
pipes with a camera attachment.
During the year a number of small trees were felled and maintenance carried out on others. The
timber was taken away by parishioners.
A revised quote was obtained for the repair of the tower clock, following the offer of funding in
memory of two church members. An application was made to the diocese for a faculty, which was
granted in January 2025. The work commenced in March 2025.
In October the Quinquennial Inspection was undertaken by the church's architect. The report
identifies a number of minor repairs required, but also highlights that the church building is 150
years old and that repairs are required to the walls and eventually expensive reroofing.
We continue to benefit from the work done by the Community Payback Scheme in maintaining the
churchyard..
Looking FonNard to 2025
Whilst the challenges the Church faces are not underestimated, the church is growing in numbers
across all ages. The PCC keeps the changes which have been made under review, and will make
adaptions as necessary.
The PCC, Vicar and ministry team remain deeply committed to the development of St Matthew's,
and are optimistic that 2025 will be a year of continued growth.
15

Financial Review
Income
Voluntsry Giving
Total voluntary receipts from general unrestricted funds received was £52,703, received through
planned giving, service collections, voluntary receipts, and gift aid tax recovery. Comparing
voluntary giving against 2023, giving through Standing Orders decreased by 5 % and collections at
services declined by £1 ,000. The church is grateful for a donation towards the cost of tree work in
the churchyard.
Other Income
The Church Hall has maintained its income despite changes in the number of regular hirers. The
Church held several fundraising events throughout the year, raising £3,000.
The church is grateful to all those who give financially, whether through regular contributions, ad-
hoc donations at services, or other means of support.
Expenditure
Parish Share
The largest expenditure item was the Parish Share, amounting to £44,619 in 2024. This
contribution to the Diocese supports the provision and maintenance of mission and ministry,
including clergy housing, stipend, pensions, new ordinand training, and shared diocesan costs.
The contribution also assists churches with financial difficulties. The amount due from the Church
for 2024 was £83,238. However, the PCC agreed that it was unable to pay the full Parish Share
and instead contributed 500/0. As of 3181 December 2024, the unpaid amount stood at £111,893.34.
While this is not a legal liability and does not show in the Financial Statements, the PCC is aware
that it should be paid if sufficient funds become available.
Staff costs
The PCC paid for a church hall and Offi￿ cleaner for part of the year, and a verger for wedding
and funerals.
Trustee payments and expenses
The PCC supported the clergy by paying Council Tax, Water and environmental charges for the
vicarage amounting to £3,820. Additional costs included travel, telephone and broadband. No
expense payments were made to persons related to, or connected to, the trustees.
Other charitable giving
During the year, the church was able to undertake its Christmas Tree Festival, this raised £1 ,522
and 50 % (£771) of the amount raised was donated to St Rocco's Hospice.
Repairs
Routine maintenance and repairs were undertaken during the year to ensure the PCC met its
responsibility for health and safety. Tree work was undertaken in the churchyard, supported by
generous donation.
Major Works
A new boiler was installed in the Church Hall, using the restricted Hall Fund. Additionally, the car
park wall was repaired following an accident, with costs covered through an insurance claim.
16

Reserves
The PCC has a good reserves position, thanks to generous legacies given in the past. It is the
policy of the PCC to keep two months general running costs as a general reserve, and an
additional amount to cover committed contract costs and minor repairs. Major building works,
including those identified under the Quinquennial Inspection, will only be undertaken once
additional funding is secured. The reserve requirement under this policy is £25,000. Our current
free reserves more than meet this policy and will enable the PCC to use the remaining reserves to
support its cash flow during 2025, if required to continue its mission.
On 31 December 2024 unrestricted reserves were £63,698. There are no longer any designated
reserves, so the unrestricted reserves are available to support the general running of the church.
Additionally, the PCC had £23,266 in restricted reserves, including £18,504 for the church hall. The
balance is made up of smaller funds belonging to groups within the church.
The investments are accumulation shares held with CCLA in The Church of England Investment
Fund. These create capital growth rather than income.
Financial Recovery Plan.
Throughout 2024, the PCC continued implementing its Financial Recovery Plan. Repairs were
kept to the minimum necessary for health and safety. High energy costs remain a challenge,
slowing progress towards financial recovery,
Looking Forward
The continuing deficit is a concern. The PCC has looked to reduce costs wherever possible and
will continue to do so in 2025. The PCC has made the decision to continue to not pay its full Parish
Share to ensure sufficient reserves if required. The need to increase giving to meet regular
commitments remains.
The PCC is aware of its current dependence on regular donors and regular hall hirers. The church
remains grateful to all those who contribute to the Church financially and in other ways. As St
Matthew's approaches the 200-year anniversary, there is an opportunity to engage the community
and generate additional income to support maintenance and improvements to the church.
Matthew Heywood, Treasurer
17

Administration
Principal Address..
St Matthew's Church
Stretton Road
Warrington
Cheshire
WA4 4NT
Independent Examiner".
Hayley Jardine BFP ACA,
Voisey & Co
Chartered Accountants
8 Winmarleigh Street
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1JW
Bankers..
HSBC
11 Bridge Street
Warrington
WA12EY
CCLA Investment Management Ltd
1 Angel Lane
London
EC4R 3AB
Architect:
Richard Williams BA(Hons) BArch RIBA
Williams Architecture
88 Cherry Lane
Lymm
Cheshire
WA13 OPD
18

Charity Number 1132920
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
of the
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF STRETTON - ST MATTHEW'S
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL of the ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF STRETTON- STMArrHEWS
Flnancial Statements for year ended
31st December 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF STREfTON
{Regist8red Number: 1132920)
Independent examlnèrs report to the trustees of The Parochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslastlcal
Parlsh of Stretton - St Matthew's.
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parochial Church Council of the
Ecclesiastical Parish of Stretton - St Matthew's for the year ended 31 sl December 2024.
Responslbllltles and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'i.
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carrled out under Section 145 of the Act and in
carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under
Section 145{5)(b) of the Act.
Basig of Independent Examlner's Report
My examination was Carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items
or disclosures in the accounts 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair Vie￿ and the report is
limited to those matters set oul in the Statement below.
Independont Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection
with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act,. or
the accounts do not accord with those records-, or
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.
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
Hayley Jardine BFP ACA
Voisey & Co
Chartered Accountants
8 Winmarleigh Street
Warrington
Cheshire
WA11JW
Date 8th May 2026

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL of the ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF STRETTON- ST MA TTHEWS
Financial Statements for year ended
31st December 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
-1 Noles
Unreslficled ,' R88tricted
Funds
Funds
Total "l-" Total
2024 1 2023 j
RECEIPTS
Voliintary Recelpts
Planned
Collection al sèrvic&s
All otliei givinglvolunlary receipts
Gift Aid Tax recovered
30,478
7,246
5,990
30,478
7,246
8.292
31,982
8,213
8,608
2,302
52,703
55,005
57,653
ActSvitie8 for generallng f unds
Inveslinenllncome
i C hiirch Activities
Other Iiicome
Tolal recelpts
3,108
556
19,361
665
209
3,773
765
19,361
2,957
537
19,273
3,176 , 80,238
PAYMENTS
C hiirch activities
Diocesan parish contribution
Clergy and staff costs
Church running costs
Hall iunnincJ costs
Charitable donations
44,619
7,449
8,193
20,316 22,902
4,383
5,922
18,095
4,383
1010
75,556
10
2,221
71,777
70,120
' Costs of genewatlng funds
Other Costs
105
332
437
350
006
"Total payments
77 245
8257
Excess of receipts over payments
--(183)
12154) ': <2337>
4.302
Cash at bank and In hand at 1 Janiiary
34,392
12.763
47,155
42,853
Cash at baiik and In hand AL 31
December

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL of the ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF sfRETTON - ST MA TTHEWS
Financial Statements for year ended
31$1 December 2024
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Notes
Unrestricted ;. Restricted Total
Fuiidg
Funds
2024
Total
2023
Cash Fund8
Bank Current Account & Cash
Deposil Funds
23,185
23,185 23,392
21633 ' 23 763
Inve51ment Assets
Investment Fund shares al market value
Assets retained for church use
Liabilities
Due lo Dioc8S8
l-"- other liabilities
175
175
296
Approved by the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Stretton - St Mallhews on 101h
Apri
and signed on its behalf by..
Revd Alan Jewell

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL ol the ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF STRETTON - ST MA TTHEWS
Financial Statements for year ended
31$t December 2024
Notes to the accounts
The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting
Regulations 2006, using the Receipts and Payments basis.
The fixed asset retained for the church use is the church hall at historical cost.
The PCC has considered its reserves in accordance with the policy set out in their report. The reserve
requirement based on these accounts is £ 25,000 which is more than met by the PCC'S free reserves.
Unrestricted ,' Re5trlcted Total
Funds
Fund5
2024
-T-otal |
2023 1
All other 9lvlnglvoluntary recelpts
Legacies and Grants
Donations
Other Incom8
120
2.219
120
2,302 , 4,521
1.375
74
Incowne from Snveslments
Bank inleresl
Church Actlvltles
Fees foi weddings and funerals
Church hall hire
Magazine Sales
6,858
12,503
6.078
12.503 :. 13.148
Olher Income
Insurance Clalm
Clergy and staff costs
Clergy costs
Salaries
Parish Office costs
1 4,297 4.279
2,155 2.867
2,155
Church running expeiises
Church Music
Bellringers
Church flowers
Church service costs
Youth Work
Insurance
Lighl and heat
Repairs and malntenance
Sundrie5
Professional lees
Accountancy..-.-
493
493
177
495
782
495
500
2.009
166
166
5,927, ' 5,777
5,805
2,172, , 4,391
49
445
360
600
5,805
2,219
396
360
600
4,004
731

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL of the ECCLESIASTICAL
PARISH OF STRETTON - ST MA TTHEWS
Financial Statements for year ended
31" December 2024
Unrestricted ,' Restricted
Funds
Funds
-rotal
2023
2024
',10. Charitable donalions
Chrislian organisations
--s-ecular oroanisations
239
771
173
500
',11. Other Costs- major WOTks
Hall Development
Church Floor
Re-ordefin
-r- Hall New Boiler
-car p.ark Wall rep_air
12,851
4,841
1,314
2,777
12. Staff Cost8
The PCC pays for the services of a Verger and paid lor a Church Hall Cleaner for part of the year.
There were no employèè benefits lo key management personnel in the previous or current years,
13. Tran8a¢tlon8 wlth Tru8tèe8
The incumbent was reimbursed for expenses incurred on behalf of the Church, lolalling £ 493.