StBart's St Bartholomew's Church End of Year Report and Accounts Year Ending 31st December 2024 Pco Page I
Introduction St Bartholomew's Church is situated next to Corsham Court in Corsham, and the correspondence address is Church House, 3 Church Street, Corsham SN13 OBY. St Bartholomew's is part of the Greater Corsham Team of churches with St John the Baptist Gastard and St Philip and St James Neston. We have a full-time Team Rector based in Corsham. The Rector is supported by a retired Associate Minister, a LInsed Lay Minister, the members of our team and church PCCS, a wide variety of church and out-of-church activity groups and the congregations themselves. St Bartholomew's Church is the largest church in the team. It provides a full array of well- attended services and activities that engage the community. It is a popular church for baptisms, weddings and funerals. It is the garrison church for MOD Corsham and is used by many of the schools in Corsham. ststus The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Bartholomew's Church is a charity that is registered with the Charities Commission as The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Bartholomew, Corsham; registration number 1132969. pcc PCC members who have served during 2024 are as follows: Chairman: Revd Dr Andrew Johnson Churchwardens (from APCM 2024): Fiona Draper, John Stott. Deanery Synod Representatives: Reginald Lambert and John Stott. Council Members: Christine Reid, Anthony Hall. Reginald Lambert. Joe McGeehan, Michael Lane, Hermione Skrine, Susan Lambert, L'nora Olney. Treasurer: Deborah Stott Secretary: Nigel Jackson Page 2
Deanery Synod Two members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link betsveen the parish and the wider structures of the Church. Issues raised at Deanery Synod are brought to the next PCC meeting. Structure, Governance and Management St Bartholomev/s is part of a team of churches. The Churchwardens of St Bartholomew's and one lay person are eligible to attend meetings of the Team Council, which meets as required to discuss matters relating to the team of churches. The PCC at St Bartholomew is scheduled to meet six times a year and is chaired by the Team Rector. The PCC Agenda is focused on standing items - Mission and Outreach, Buildings Matters, Safeguarding, Policy Ststements and Finance - and other important items that are programmed annually or raised to the PCC. When necessary, individuals are Co-opted onto the PCC to advise on a particular issue, e.g. eco-church. This ensures strong and diligent govemance. The Team Rector meets monthly with the churchwardens to review progress and ensure the smooth running of the church, and the Standing Committee of the PCC also meets from time to time between PCC meetings as required. Aim and Purposes The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Team Rector, Revd Dr Andrew Johnson, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical and to direct charitable donations. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of 'Church House,, 3 Church Street, Corsham. the Ladbrook Cemetery Chapel, and the residential properties at 2 The Tynings, Corsham and 7b Lypiatt Road, Corsham. Goals and Objectives The PCC works to the vision of 'Growing followers of Jesus, through growing in God, growing in love, and growing community. The church has a very active life, providing opportunities for a wide range of age groups, acting as a focal point for community events, and engaging with large numbers of people through formal, informal and out-of-church activities. There is a desire to reach out further into the community and to engage more effectively with it. Page 3
Review of the year St Bartholomew's Church offers a wide range of sericeS during the year. These include regular weekly services and one-offs to mark special events in the church calendar, like Holy Week, Easter, and Christmas. A monthly evening service on Zoom remains popular. The Team Rector continued to lead a weekly Bible study on Zoom throughout the year and provided monthly 8'.00am Sunday and 10".00am Wednesday Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion services. Normal church attendance rose slightly throughout the year. As well as our regular services we enabled our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. We connected with many families through 15 baptisms, and 4 weddings and 18 funerals were held in our church this year. The Thursday morning café in church established in 2023 continued to grow in popularity and unexpectedly raised very significant funds during the year. The Mothers, Union also thrived throughout the year, obtaining a Bronze Award for its focus on domestic abuse. The church is a member of the ecumenical group in Corsham, along with the other churches. St Bartholomew's plays an active role in this group, and we were pleased to be involved in the Good Friday march of witness, and to lead the open-air carol service in Church Square. It was also pleasing to see the continued popularity of some of our services targeted at all ages. Early Birds continued their monthly services in church at 4:00pm on Sunday and the Young Church Bubble continued to lead a revamped Family Service in church on the fourth Sunday of the month which made use of the projector and screen. We also launched a new 'Sunday School, offering entitled FIG (Faith in God) on the first Sunday of the month. The PCC continued to focus on the need to draw in new volunteers to support the mission of the church, with a St Bart's Showcase event being organized to provide taster sessions of different aspects of church lrfe. We are considering improvements to the church building, such as a fixed projector and screen and upgraded sound system due to be installed in 2025. As outlined in a Net Zero audit report provided by the Diocese of Bristol during the year we are significantly constrained in upgrading the church building but are examining how Church House can be made more energy efficient. We were also awarded a Bronze Eco-church Award and are working towards achieving the Silver Award. We are also facing substantial repair costs in 2025126 to carry out major work on the Lady Chapel roof, as identified in the Quinquennial Report, and have also had to set aside funds in early 2025 to resolve a substantial leak in the roof of the Methuen Chapel. We are therefore seeking to strengthen our financial position so we can balan new initiatives with the burden of preserving our Grade 1 Listed historic building. Page 4
Balance sheet 2024 2023 Fixed assets 2 The Tynings 7b Lypiatt Road Church House 250.000 330.000 400,000 980.000 250,000 330,000 400,000 980,000 Total Flxod assots Currènt assets Bank current account 8,558 259 232.532 25,398 259 188,132 Messy Church balance Bank deposit account CCL4 ICBF) deposf( account restricted Cash in HarKI Team Accwnt Debtor Accounts Receivable Total Curr•nt as8•ts 3,028 216,817 241,3378 Llabllltles Agency Collections Accounts Payable 500 Total Llabllltles 500 Net A8SOt Surplus (deficlt) 1,220,848 1,196,817 Reserves Excess l (deficit) for year Starting balances 24,031 1,196,817 1,220,848 41,848 1,154,969 1,196,817 Totsl Reserve$ Represented by Funds Unrestricted Designated Restricted 31.395 1.099,470 89,983 26,998 1,088.305 81.515 Totsl 1.220,848 1,196.817 The fixed assets represent the properties owned by St Bartholomew's Church, comprising Church House at 3 Church Street and the two residential properties. Current assets have increased by £24,031. The total of all funds now stands at £1,220.848. Page 5 Tr-fvdfi J D Ay Gfv RCL
The Agency Collection represents a grant of £500 from Wittshire Council for the Corsham Military Graves Community Project that seeks to promote the military graves within the Ladbrook Lane Chapel by providing enhanced visitor information: this project remains ongoing. Reserves are the net of income over expenditure for the year. The increase in reserves totaled £24.031, achieved, principally, through HMRC gift aid repayments, and property rental income. Most of the reserves are tied up in Restricted or Designated funds of £1,189,453, of which 209,678 are cash resepdes. The Unrestricted funds balance is £31.395. The balance sheet value is spread across 18 funds, e.g. Bells, Organ, Fabric and the General Fund. Each fund is categorised either.. Unrestricted (can be spent anywhere), Designated (the donor would like them to be used for a specific purpose), or Restricted (can only be spent specifically on the reason for that fund existing, e.g. Organ Fund and Ms Evans Legacy Fund). Details of each fund's balance and in-year movements are shown at Note 2 to the accounts. Page 6
statement of Financial Activities (£) Financial Year 2024 Unrestrlctsd Deslgnated Restrietod Funds Funds Funds Financial Year 2023 Total Funds T¢)tsl Funds Receipts Planned Giving Collections and other giving Other voluntary receipts Gift Aid recovered Other receipts Adivities for generating funds Investment Income Rec8iPts from church activities Total rec8ipts 49,854 5.307 10,663 7,666 4.698 239 360 50.214 5,307 11.558 7.666 9,407 239 28,225 10,144 122,762 49,018 4.577 23,944 10,896 8,066 216 42,805 9,487 149,023 895 4,708 18,870 6.475 25.345 9,355 200 15,519 3.409 81,898 Payments Cost of generating funds Missionary and Charitable Giving Parish Share Clergy and Slaffing costs Church Running Expenses 275 1.475 50,003 2,950 22,062 1.640 336 3.651 50,003 2,950 27,982 675 53,000 2,560 33,323 5,920 Hall Running Costs 8.815 8,815 4,211 Property Runnlng Costs 2,057 2.057 2,503 Church Repalrs & Maint8narKe 771 1,377 794 2.942 1,484 Cemetery Chapel Repalrs & Maintenance Govemance Costs 240 240 240 Total payments TT,501 14,179 7.050 98.731 107,174 Not Income 1 (expendlturo resources before transfer 4,396 11,165 24,031 41,848 Transfers Gross transfers between funds- 33,300 Gross transfers between funds- out Net movement In funds 133,300) 4.396 11.165 8.468 24.031 41.848 Total fund8 brought foThvard 26,998 1.088,304 81,514 1.196,817 1,154,968 Total funds carrled forward 31.395 1.099,470 89.983 1.220,848 1,198,817 It is worth noting that all the figures mentioned below include Gombined figures, i. e. restricted, designated and unrestricted receipts and payments. There may be minor discrepancies due to rounding. The following notes are provided on the Financial Activities reported above. Receipts. Planned Giving comprises income through standing orders at the bank or via the Envelope system. Year on year receipts of £50,214 represent an increase of £1,196 and is attributed to the continuing drive to promote Standing Order giving. Page 7
Collections are those moneys given at all church servIs, including weddings and funerals, which are not in envelopes. An increase of £730 was achieved reflecting a general increase in the number of people attending servIs. Other voluntary receipts totaled £11,558. This is income from visrtors, refreshment donations after services, and miscellaneous income, including grant income of £270 from the Pickwick Education Trust and £585 from Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust - Ride & Stride event. The provision of a contactless giving station in December 2023 provided an income of £2,691 Gift Aid rebate receipts of £7,666 are down on last year, but do not include the £3,028 accrued in 2023 but received in this financial year. Other receipts of £9,407 comprises bank interest of £4,040 on the Appeal (Deposit) Account and £5,367 from fundraising activities including: bookshop sales, the Plant sale, and the Christmas Tree Festival. Thursday Café, introduced in December 2023 providing refreshments and fellowship, has proven to be very popular and has generated £3,114. Investment income, comprising the rent from the residential properties at 2 The Tynings and 7b Lypiatt Road, amounted to £18,870. Dividend income, from the Ms Evans legacy, amounted to £9,355, providing a total of £28,225. Other Church Activities includes the income achieved through letting out the church hall. For this accounting year Church House was operated as a separate fund. Lettings provided an income of £6,055 with many regular users providing a steady income stream. Total receipts of £122,762 are down by £26,261. however. the majority of this decrease is accounted for by a £20,000 legacy in the 2023 accounts. Payments. Missionary and charitable giving totaled £3,651 as support was provided to Doorway, the Corsham Churches Food Bank, Dorothy House and Tear Fund. Funding was part-sourced from Book Shop sales and a collection from the Town Carol service and through a aonation from the Discretionary Fund. The Diocesan Parish Share pledge was held at £50,000 for a 2nd year as the PCC sought to build reSoUrS for the substantial building repair programme commencing in 2025. Organist fees were increased in Quarter 4 of 2024. having been held at pandemic levels for 3 years. At £2,950 they remain below pre-pandemic levels. Church running costs at £27,982, although showing a small decrease on the previous year these payments are significantly impacted by rising Insuran costs and utility expenses. Contributions to the Greater Corsham Churches Benefi account remained at 2023 levels at £6,984. Churchyard Upkeep expenses of £5,232 provided contractor support to our Award-winning church grounds. Contract costs increased in year for the first time in 3 years and are funded by the Ms Evans Legacy fund. Page 8
Church House (Hall) Running Costs of £8.815 include extraordinary repairs to rectify damp issues. these were provided from the Property Fund. Other cost5 arise predominantly from electricity charges of £2,487 and wages of £1.220 for the cleaner. Costs against the 2 residential properties amounted to £2,057 covering insurance costs, inspections and minor repairs. Church Repairs and Maintenance payments of £2,942 provided for a comprehensive maintenance survey of the roofs and extemal fabric and the temporary fixing of defects requiring urgent rectification. Several areas of concem have been identified that will need to be addressed in 2025. Governance costs are in respect of the Independent Examination of the church accounts. In total the payments for 2024 of £98,731 represent a decrease of £8,443 on 2023 figures. Receipts of £122,762 are off set by Payments of £98,731 provldlng a Net income of £24,031. Notes to the Accounts These accounts have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011, and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015. The fom and Content of these accounts is compliant with FRS102. Note 1- Accounting Policles There have been no changes in accounting policy during 2024, so no restating of prior year figures has been necessary. The majority of income (planned giving, donations, fundraising. and dividends received) is accounted for in month of receipt. Income due to Gift Aid Rebates and wedding and funeral fees is accounted for in the month of receipt in-year. Trustees have not been pald any remuneratlon or reGeived other beneflts from employment with the charity. No trustee expenses have been incurred. Other than for the independent examination, no related paty transactions were made. Paid staff employed (cleaner) stste they are self-employed, so no tax or National Insurance contributions were payable. Likewise, no pension liabilities have been accrued. Fixed Assets are subject to re-valuation every 5 years. They were last professionally revalued in 2015; provisional indications are that these may have increased by £15,000 - a professional valuation will be sought during 2025. Debtors and creditors are all short-term (less than 1 year) and are accounted for at full value. No provisions are applied. Page 9
Note 2- Movement by fund {£) Opening Incoming Outgoing Balance Resources Resources Transfers In l (Out) Gains I L053es Closing BalanGe Unrestricted Funds General Fund 26.998 81,898 77,501 31,395 Designated Fund3 Property Fund Building8 Fund Fabri¢ 46.518 18,870 5957 59,431 980.10 32,379 4,895 661 980,000 30,912 3,055 661 1.467 1.840 Discretionary Fund Messy Church Fund Reserve Fund 23.850 23,850 1,099,470 TOTAL DESIGNATED FUNDS 1,088,304 25,345 14.179 TOTAL NON-ResTRICTED FUNDS 1,115,302 110,271 91,680 1,130,865 Restricted Funds Buildings & Restoratlon Fund Bèlls Fund Church Warden & Junior Church Churchyard Fund Fabric 18.086 2.271 4.985 200 23,072 2,471 1.425 329 1,564 522 2.045 357 256 2,845 36,073 17,856 81,739 75 597 2,045 357 Flowers Fund Kneeler Fund Mlssion & Evangellsm Fund Ms. Evans Legacy Fund Organ Fund TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS 256 2,509 39,976 17,358 90.208 336 6,025 498 9.929 15,519 7,050 TOTAL RESERVES 1.197.042 122.762 98.731 1,221.073 The purpose underlying each of these funds is shown below: Property Fund - This reiVeS the rental income from 2 The Tynings and 7b Lypiatt Road to private tenants; and funds the maintenance and repairs of these properties. Buildings Fund - This holds the value of the Fixed Assets: namely Church House and the residential properties at: 2 The Tynings and 7b Lypiatt Road, Corsham. Discretionary Fund - This provides resources for the Rector to use for charitable purposes at his discretion. Messy Church Fund - Income and expenditure incurred in funning Messy Church. Page 10
Reserve Fund - Set aside to protect the charity against a drop in income and to cover emergencies: it is provisionally set at three months, church running costs. Buildings & Restoration Fund - A fund built up to fund necessary restoration work on the church building. Bells Fund - Receives income from wedding fees. and funds maintenance and repairs to the bells. Church Warden & Junior Church - Funding received specifically for spending on the work of Faith in God (FIGS) and other children's work. Churchyard Fund - Funding set aside for maintenance of churchyard. This currently holds restricted funds from the Ames legacy. The capital is held by the Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance in the CBF Investment Fund with the parish receiving the dividends. Fabric Fund - Funding received specifically for the maintenance of the fabric. There are both Restricted and Designated elements of the fund. Flowers Fund - Funding received specifically for the provision of flowers in the church. Kneeler Fund - Funding received for the repair and replacement of kneelers. Mission & Evangelism Fund - Funding received specifically for use on mission and evangelism activities. Ms Evans Legacy Fund - Holds dividends received from the Ms Evans Legacy. Expenditure is limited to the churchyard and the exterior of the church. All expenditure is agreed by the trustees of the fund. Organ Fund - Funding received specifically for the maintenance and restoration of the organ. Note 3 . Agency Transactions To conform to the requirements of the Anti-money Laundering regulations, charities are required to disclose all transactions where monies are accepted and passed on to other organisations. Such monies do not form part of the income or expenditure of St Bartholomew's, and the Church is acting only as an agent for those other bodies. Organisation Opening Balance Collected in ear Remitted in ear Closing balance. Corsham Military Graves Community Pro ect 500 500 Page IJ
Note 4- Costs of External Examination and Other Financial Services Costs of £240 were incurred in 2024 for the External Examination of the Annual Report and Accounts. Note 5- Reserves Policy The Charity Commission encourages the retention of a quantified reserve that protects charities against drops in income and to cover opportunities and emergencies. It is therefore the policy of St Bartholomew's PCC to finance its parish mission for growth, to continue to honour its Parish Pledge 2024 and to keep a reserve of three months, general church running costs. This three months, General Reserve will cover all running costs, except for the Parish Share. This General Reserve does not include any provision of funding for grants to charities, which will be confirmed through events and annual budgeting. This General Reserve does not include any provision for building works. which are covered by restricted Restoration reserve and a designated Fabric reserve: these were reviewed in line with the implications of the Quinquennial Inspection 2021. Note 6 - Going Concern Accounting Policy The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the church is able to continue as a going concern. St Bartholomew's has made an encouraging recovery since the pandemic and finances are once again returning to a healthy level: the PCC continues to keep the financial situation under review. The church holds unrestricted general reserves of £38,483 and a designated reserve of £23,850 that can be drawn down if necessary. The PCC consider that the charity has sufficient cash reserves to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved. Page 12
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Sectioii A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the members Pwothial Church CourKil (PCC) of St BarthOloM18 Church. Corsham, SN13 OBY On accounts for the year ondod 31 Decentsr 2024 Charity no 1132969 I report to the PCC on my examinati of the accounts the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 31112r2023. Rosponslbllluos and . basls of rnport. As members of the PCC. you are responsib for the preparation of Ihe accounts in a¢£ordae Wh Ihe requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe At). I report in respect of my examination of the PCC'S xcounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Acl and In carylng out my examination, I have follthyed all the applicable Direclions glven by the Ch•ity Cornmisslon under Section 145(5){b) (A the ACL Indopendent I have ¢x)mplet8d rry exarThnation. I confirm that no mat8rial matters have examinorf8 Statement come to my 8tt8nlion in o)nnedion with the ex8mlnatlon {other than that dl8closed in Section B) which gives m• $0 to blOve that in, any material respect." the aCCntIng r)rdS were not kept in *wlanCe with 8ectlon 130 of the Chaffties Ad; or the acthunts did ncl acxord with the a(winting records; or the accounts did ncl comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form arKI content ol aLxx>unts set out in the CharFties (Accounts and Rep)rts) Regulalions 2008 other than any requirement that the a(xounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter
nsiderBd as part of an independent examination. I have no ¢J)n(xms and have come 083 no other matters in connection with the ex8minatlcm to whlth attention should be drawn in this report in Slgned: QS/o2 RfiToPt16f O. WAlCll/hAM {. 6.[./9 . 7oZS Name: Rolovant profMslonal quallficaknls) or body (If any): Addrass: WATCHMAN ACCOUNTANTS LI Wiltshire SN15 3DD Emall: CWatchMan0CGounttsmn IER Oct 2018