## **The Parochial Church Council of St. John the Baptist Church, Meopham.** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024** ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, AND MANAGEMENT** St John the Baptist Church is situated in Wrotham Road, Meopham in the County of Kent. It is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Parish Office, St John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0AA. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules (2022 edition). ## **Membership** Members of the PCC (Trustees) are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During 2024 and up to the date of this report, the following served as Trustees and Members of the PCC: ## **Ex-Officio Members:** The Revd Canon Alyson Davie Rector/PCC Chairman/ From June 2014 Standing Committee Mr Peter Kettle Licensed Lay Minister From May 2021 Mrs Jenny Nash Churchwarden From May 2023 Mr Keith Jones Deanery Synod RepresentativeFrom May 2023 ## **Elected Members** : Mrs Jackie Hunter (from May 2019), Mrs Lila Reeves (from May 2022), Mrs Linda Sims (from April 2023), Mrs Pat Shelbrooke (from April 2023).and Mr Roger Wisdom (co opted from April 2024) ## **OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND FUTURE PLANS** The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting, within the parish, the whole mission of the church - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. It delivers public benefit through regular Sunday and weekday public worship and meetings for prayer. It also has responsibility for the teaching of Christianity and its values and the promotion of the mission of the Church. In addition, it seeks to give financial support to UK and overseas charities and missions. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the St. John’s Centre, which is a resource available for use by parishioners and residents. The PCC met on 7 occasions during the year. These included 6 regular meetings, plus a short meeting to appoint officers following the 2024 APCM. The PCC is supported by several Development and Task Groups which form part of the working structure of the PCC. ## **Standing Committee** This is the only committee required by Church regulations. It has the authority to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. ## **Development Groups Terms of Reference** To review the conduct, development, and strategy of their field of responsibility and to make recommendations to the PCC. ## **Buildings Development Group** The Church and the St. John’s Centre continue to remain in a reasonable state of repair. General maintenance to both buildings is undertaken by members of the Buildings Development Group with assistance from specialist contractors where necessary. Our thanks are due to those who have over the years given their time and efforts to clean the church. Due to the ageing congregation this is no longer possible and the work will now be undertaken by the Centre cleaner. A small dedicated team operate the sound system for church services, weddings, funerals, concerts and outside hirers and their continued support is very much appreciated. The Flower arranging team continue to provide displays for all the annual seasonal activities as well as throughout the year and again our thanks are due for their support and commitment. The St. John's Centre is in regular use. A new Fire Alarm system was installed as the old system was obsolete and did not meet current legislation. The car park was in a very poor state of repair but due to the generosity of a local business this has undergone a complete refurbishment with tarmac being laid to the entrance from the road, edging supplied around the perimeter of the carpark and the whole area re-surfaced with shingle. This has made a huge impact on the safety of the car park for pedestrians and enhanced the presentation of the site generally. The PCC has additionally been able to obtain the services of the Community Payback Scheme which provides a supervisor and team of workers every Saturday from 8.30am to 2.30pm. The clearance work that they have undertaken has made a significant impact on the site generally with overgrown areas being cleared and the south boundary fence reinstated. This service will continue for the foreseeable future and further improvements to the site are planned. The open churchyard continues to be maintained by a contractor who provides an excellent service. The Garden of Remembrance is voluntarily maintained. There are many jobs that are voluntarily undertaken to keep both the Church and the Centre running safely and smoothly and in so doing contribute significantly in helping to save money given the financial challenges. Thanks are due to the members of the Buildings Group for the work they undertake in maintaining the overall fabric of the Church and Centre - Gordon Dickins, Dennis Fairweather, Alan Forman, Jeff Richards, Linda Sims and Roger Wisdom. ## **Worship Mission & Ministry Development Group** This group considers and advises on the strategy and development of worship, mission and ministry in the life of the Church. It met formally twice in 2024, but with conversations throughout the year with PCC members and others we have continued to take a Big Picture look at the ministry, outreach, and worshipin our churches to help plan and foster our day-to-day activities and keep them focussed upon ‘Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known’. ## **Baptisms and Weddings.** In 2024 there were four baptisms and one wedding held at St John’s. **Funerals** continued throughout 2024. We held seventeen funerals either in St John’s or on behalf of St John’s at local crematoria. There were thirteen burials of cremated remains. ## **Outreach** Meopham Carers Support Group grows from strength to strength and meets weekly apart from the occasional break throughout the year. With St John's Church and Centre right in the middle of Meopham we do our best to create and strengthen links with all members of the community. One key feature of this is the Friday afternoon Community Cafe in the St John's Centre, which has been in operation since September 2019. This is a friendly place for tea, home-made cakes, and chat. There are regular visits from organisations providing help and advice. We have continued our links with Meopham Community Academy with school visits to the church, Christmas and Easter events and occasional assemblies. 2024saw theSunday Afternoon Club meet most months building links with the families with whom we have contact. ## **Pastoral Care** Services of Holy Communion and visits in Residential Homes (The Chestnuts, Holywell Park and Russell Court) and Home Communions took place when requested. We continue to keep in touch with congregation members who are now housebound and other contacts by email and telephone with visits when appropriate. ## **Task Groups** Task Groups are formed to report to the full PCC on any matters which they have been specifically asked to consider. The Outward Giving task group formed in 2019 and continued its work into 2024 ## **GIFT AID CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT for year ending 31/12/24** ## **Income from Giving for unrestricted use** |**Income from Giving for unrestricted use**||| |---|---|---| ||**2024**|**2023**| ||**£**|**£**| |Monthly regular giving|30,545|29,806| |Tax recoverable|7,886|8,705| |Income where tax not recoverable|2,580|3,011| |Open Plate collections|1,615|1.943| |Sundry donations|5,368|3.911| The number of people making regular donations during the year remained at 40 with all but 4 being eligible for Gift Aid. There were some increases to the regular payments during the year which were most welcome. The alternative regular method of giving, The Parish Giving Scheme, is still only being used by one donor. In July 2024 the PCC was addressed by the Generous Giving Advisor to the Diocese, and it was agreed that a service dedicated to giving would be held in March 2025 where both schemes would be promoted. ## **People** Allison Merry continued as our Parish Administrator and we employ Wendy Martin as our cleaner. It is a real privilege to have the services of James Brown and Paul Lee to help us on a regular basis playing organ and piano for which we are very thankful. We are also thankful to Peter Kettle who serves as Licensed Lay Minister across the benefice. Clive Adams continues to serve the benefice as a Reader with Permission to Officiate. ## **Church Membership and Attendance** All are welcome to attend our services. In 2024 there were 79 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll. Average Sunday attendance counted at services held across each week in the month of October 2024 was 50 adults and 3 children. Average attendance at midweek services was 8 adults. Easter 2024 attendance was 71. Christmas 2024 attendance over all Christmas Services was 219. These included members of St Mildred’s Nurstead congregation and 75 adults and 50 children who attended the Crib Service on Christmas Eve afternoon. Alyson handed over the role of Area Dean at the end of 2023 and continued to serve in her principal roles as Rector of Meopham with Nurstead and as Priest in Charge of Cobham with Luddesdowne & Dode, alongside The Revd Pam Davies who was licensed to all four churches as Associate Minister. ## **Cobham Deanery Synod 2024.** Deanery Synod was due to continue with its three meetings a year format but the Summer meeting was cancelled. The first meeting, in February, was held in Ash Village Hall. The newly appointed Area Dean, The Rev’d Helen Reeves, welcomed everyone to the meeting. She then presented her predecessor, Alyson, and the Associate Area Dean, Elizabeth, with thank you gifts for their leadership during their five-year tenure. The main feature of the agenda was a discussion on ‘It’s your Deanery Synod’ where the attendees divided up into small groups and were asked to consider four questions. _How can we make a difference as a Deanery Synod? How is the Deanery Synod represented in our individual churches? What do we want from our Deanery Synod?_ And _Where are we now and where could we be?_ The groups then reported back and the responses were tabulated for future reference. The rest of the meeting comprised a prayer time and the usual Deanery and Parish reports. The October meeting was held in the Fawkham & Hartley Church Centre. After a welcome the first item on the agenda was to be the consideration of a motion from Ash PCC to be presented by George Pender. The motion concerned the conviction of Christian Preacher Stephen Green for breaching a public spaces protection order in the London Borough of Ealing for the ‘crime’ of peacefully praying and preaching the gospel in the vicinity of an abortion clinic whilst holding a placard carrying a quote from Psalm 139 vs 13-14. He had also been forced to pay costs of over £2,000. The call will be to repeal the law(s) which allowed this conviction to happen or, failing that, for others to receive a trial by jury. The motion was passed with only one against and one abstention. The other item of note was the changes to the Cobham Deanery. The parishes of Istead Rise and Southfleet had been moved to the new Deanery of Swanscombe leaving Cobham Deanery very small. It had been suggested that the rest of the RNWK Group should be split up but the Bishop had decide to leave things as they were for now. A general discussion followed and it was felt that as the Group worked well together it should be kept together whatever the future held. Further thoughts on the matter would be discussed at a future Synod meeting in 2025. The meeting then followed the normal practice of prayer and reports. ## **Risk Management** We regularly review the systems, policies and procedures that are in place to manage the risks that may have an impact upon the mission and ministry of the church in the parish. Our financial policies and procedures comply with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities (SORP 2015). During the year, we have continued to operate withour Safeguarding Policies for children and adults when they are vulnerable. Further, the PCC complies with the legal duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (to have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults). Safeguarding training, DBS checking and our involvement in the Diocesan Past Cases Review have all proceeded as and when needed. We have an established Fire Risk Assessment which continues to be updated as necessary.We have an established Lone Working Policy and regularly review our security. ## **Financial Review for annual report** The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 show a surplus for the year of £5,339 giving total reserves of £230,095 reflecting controlled expenditure given the level of income received. We benefitted substantially in 2024 from an anonymous donor that enabled the clearance, re-landscaping of the car park and tarmac to the entrance. The work of the Community Pay Back team has been gratefully appreciated with the overgrown vegetation within the church grounds being cleared to great effect. The balance sheet is improving with net current assets of £120,924 up from £110,296 last year. The fixed assets are reducing with depreciation but the surplus for the year is reflected in the improved cash position. There are 4 main types of reserve and the movement in each reserve is explained as follows: 1. Unrestricted funds. These funds are not restricted to a specific element of the charity. As at 31 December 2024 the movement was a result of income of £93,077 with expenditure of £82,182 leaving a surplus of £10,895 in the year. - a. Regular monthly planned giving donations was only £511 down on last year - b. Legacies received were £4,000 down on 2023 but sundry income and donations were £1,457 higher. - c. The St Johns centre was well used in the year and hire income together with the agreement with Meopham Parish Council brought in £24,746 towards the running costs. - d. Fund raising activities were lower after a pro active period the year before. - e. We received funds from The Friends of Meopham Church to replace the Monitor in the Church. In the prior year we received insurance funds from a claim for damage to the centre wall and funds from The Friends of Meopham Church to mend the Bell clappers. - f. Total expenditure remained at the reduced levels from 2023 principally because of a reduction to the amount paid to the Diocese Common Fund for the parish share and also outward giving. Spend increased on fuel and running costs due to the higher unit costs and a result of the greater usage of the church and centre. 2. Restricted funds. The restricted fund is the net value of the St Johns Centre that is being reduced each year by the annual depreciation charge for the Centre. This fund will always show an annual deficit and there is no cash reserve for use relating to this fund. 3. Designated funds. These funds have been allocated for specific expenditure by the PCC. There has been a decrease in the year of £159 as we benefited from the higher bank base rate interest receipts off-setting the depreciation costs and lower expenditure on landscaping. 4. Endowment funds. The funds were specified for a specific purpose by the donor and are held through the Diocese and CCLA and can only be redesignated with approval from the Charity Commission depending on value. As at 31 December 2024 the market value of the funds had increased from 2023 by £261 there had been no other movement. ## Reserves Policy The PCC long term policy is to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds, not otherwise committed equal to three months’ worth of running costs. If 2025 continues returns a surplus this policy will be near achievement. The PCC continue to monitor income and expenditure and review ways to improve income streams and reduce costs so that the policy can be maintained. Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 19 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by: The Revd. Canon Alyson Davie Rector: Meopham with Nurstead PCC Chairman. St. John the Baptist Church Meopham Financlal Statements of the Parochial Church Council (The Trustees) For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 Re918t•r￿ Offlu & Corr•8pondon¢e Address: The Parlsh Office Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 OAA Rector and PCC Chalrnian The Revd. Canon Alyson Davle The Rectory, Shlpley Hills Road, Meopham DA13 OAD Bank•rn: Santander PLC Bootle. Menseyslde L30 4GB Independent Examln•r: Phlllp Bradley FCA Bradley & Co Limited 4B Chrlstchurch House, Beaufort Court Rothester ME2 4FX Reglster•d Charity No: 1133014 Page l of 12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Statsment of Flnanclal Actlvitios For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS Unrnstrictsd Rostrictsd End0￿￿ent Designat•d Funds Funds Fund8 Funds 2024 2023 Note INCOME tkjnalons and Legacle5 21a) 48,994 52,376 Fundraislng & Trading ActlvSUes 21bl 1,065 1.065 3,681 Income from Church Aclivltles 2{c) 40,745 40.745 36.226 InDJme from Investments 2(dl 308 2.945 3,253 2.110 Other In¢om8 2(el 1,965 1,985 6,799 TOTAL INCOME 93,077 2,945 9Q022 101,192 EXPENDITURE Mlsslon and Ch8ritabl8 Giving 3(8) 3,000 3,000 3.000 Support ￿sts 31b) 18.773 18,773 16,612 ExpeTrJiture on Church Actlvltles 3(c} 59.792 5,658 3,104 68,554 88.210 ExpeThJlture on Raising Fund8 31d) 251 251 Other ExpeThJlture 31el 368 8,298 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 82,182 5.668 3,104 95,074 NET SPEND BEFORE TRANSFERS 10,895 {5,6581 {159) 5,078 8,118 TRAN8FERS BETWEEN FUND8 12 NEf INCOMEISPEND BEFORE INVESTMENT MOVEMENT 10.895 {5,6581 {159) 5,078 6.118 GAINI{LOSS) ON INVESTMENT ASSETS 261 281 959 NET MOVEMEKf IN FUNDS (LOSS) 10,895 15,658) 261 (1591 5,339 7,OTI Balances Brought Forward at 1st January 2024 31,635 97.093 11242 84.786 224,756 217,679 TOTAL PARISH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 12 £42,530 The notes on pages 4 to 12 form part of these accounts. £91,435 £11.503 £84,627 £230,095 £224,756 Page 2 of12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Balance Sheet as at 31 st Decomber 2024 2024 2023 Note FIXED A8SETS Tangible Fixed Assets: Fixtures, Flttlngs and Equipment St. John's Centre 5(a) 5(b) 4,662 93.006 4.310 98,908 97,668 103.218 Investm8nt Assets 11,503 11,242 TOTAL FIXED ASSErs 109,171 114,460 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Short tarm deposits Cash at bank and in hand 2,959 e2,196 62.796 5,020 59,250 51,495 127,951 115,765 LIABILITIES: Amounts falllng due wlthln one year 10 (7,026) <5,469) NET CURRENT ASSETS 120,925 110.296 TOTAL NET ASSETS £230,095 £224,756 FUNDS Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Deslgnated Endowment 12 12 12 12 42,530 91,435 84,627 11,503 31,635 97,093 84,786 11.242 TOTAL FUNDS 12 £230.095 £224,756 Approved by the Parochial Church Council on the 19 March 2025 and signed on Its tehalf by: The R8vd. Canon Alyson Davie Rector and PCC Chairman Mrs J Hunter Treasurer The note5 on pages 4 to 12 fomi part of thes8 accounts. Page 3 of 12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptlst Meopham Notes to the Financlal Statements Forthe Year Ended 31st December 2024 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial stat8m8nts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards,. the 2017 Statement of Recommended Practic8: Accounting and R8POrting by Charitles (Charltles SORP (FRS 102)): the Charities Act 2011. and Church Accountlng Regulations 2006(2018 edition). The Parochial Church Council is a public b8neflt entlty wlthln the meanlng of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost conventlon except for th8 Valuation of investrnent assets. which are shown at market value. The financial statemenls include all transactions. assets and liabillties for which the PCC Is responslble In law. Th8y do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherlngs of church members. Fund8 Endowment Funds held are capltal In nature. The Income arislng from Investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted fund8 dependlng upon the purpose for whlch the endowment Was established. Rostrfct•d Fund• represent (a) Income from trusts or endowment8 whlch may be exp8nd8d only on those r8stricted objects provlded In the temis of the trust or bequest, and (b) donations or grants recelved ft)r a speGSfic object or Invited by the PCC for a speclfic object. The funds may only be spent on the 8peGIfiG purpose for whlch they were glven. Any balance remalnlng unspent at the end of e&h year is carried forward as a balance on that fund. A breakdown of the Restrlcted Funds can be found at Note 12. Deslgnaled Funds or eamiarked funds represent funds the PCC has rlng fenced for a partlcular charltable project or has dlscretlon on how these particular funds are spent. These ere not funds available to spend on the general runnlng of th@ charlty. Our designated funds include: the sound system" church fixtures and fittings, church and churchyard repalr and malntenance. Unrestrlcted Funds are general funds whlch can be used for PCC ordinary buslness and charitsble purp068S. Fln emo Incom•: Planned givlng, GolleGtlon3 and donatlons are re￿gnISed when recelved. Tax refunds are reco9nised when the income to whlch they relate is rec6ived. Grants and legades are accounted for when the PCC Is lagalty entitled to the amounts due. Dlvldends are accounted for when receivable: interest Is accrued. All othor income Is recognlsed when It Is recelvable. All inccffle Is accounted for gross. Expenditure: Grants and donations are accounted for when pald over, or when awarded, if that award cr8ates a binding or constructSve obligation on the PCC. The Dlocesan Contribution is accounted for when due. All expendlture Is generally recognised when it Is Incurred and is accounted for gross. Flxed Assets: Consecrated and benefice property is not included In th8 accounts in accordance with The Charltles Act 2011. which took effect on the 14th March 2012. Hence the St John the Baptlst Church has been excluded from the Balance Sheet. The bulldlngs and contents are insured for £13.3m. All expendlture Incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed propety, whether maintenance or Improvements have been written off during the year. Moveable church fumishlngs h81d by the vlcar and churchwardens on speclal trust for the PCC and which requlre a Faculty for dlsposal classified as inalienable property. They are listed in thè church's inventory. whlch can b8 Inspected at any reasonable tlme. For anything 8cquired prior to 2000 there is insLrfficient cost information avallable and therefore such assets are not valued in the financlal statements. It8ms not indud8d in the Faculty and acquired since 1st January 2001. have been capitalised and depreclated over their estimated useful eGonomlc lives on a straight line basis. Equipment Used in the church promlses and the St John's Centre is depreciated on a stralght-llne basls over five years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase pric8 of £300 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. The freehold propety of the St John's Centre is depreciated on a straight line basis over 40 y8ars. Investments are included in the financial statements at market value at the year end. Page 4 of 12 The Parochlal Church Council of St John the Baptlst Meopham Note8 to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 2 INCOME TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS Unrestrlcted Restrlctod Endowment Deslgnat•d Fund8 Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 2 (a) Donatlons and Logacles nne Gift Aid donations Tax recoverable Non Glft Aid donations 30,545 7,485 30,545 7,485 2.580 29.806 7,619 3,011 Open Plate Tax recoverable tlons & A eals: Wall safe Other donations 8CI 1,81S 401 1,615 401 1,943 1,086 5,366 1,000 3,904 5,000 52,376 1,000 2 {b) Fundralslng & Tradlng Actlvltl68: Soclal and other fundr81slng 8Ctivltles Meopham Revlaw 1.065 1.065 3,881 1,065 1,065 3,881 21¢) Incom• from Church Acllvltl08 Fees rec8lvable weddlngslfunerals St John's Centre Contrlbution from St Miklred's 11,324 24,746 4,675 40,745 11,324 24,748 4.675 40,745 11,427 20,799 4.000 36,226 2 (d) Incomo from Investment8 Dlvldends and Interest 2,945 2,945 3,253 3,253 2,110 2,110 2 (e) Other Incom• Grants and contributlons 1.965 1,965 1.965 1,965 6,799 6.799 TOTAL INCOME £93.077 £0 £2,945 £96,022 £101,192 Page 5 of12 The Parochlal Church Councll of St John tho Baptlst Meopham Notes to tha Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 3 EXPENDITURE TOTAL FUNDS 2024 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 UnrostrIct￿ Restrlcted Endowment Designated Funds Funds Funds Funds 3 (a) Mission and Charftable Glvlng Ov8rseas Or anisations: Church Mlsslon Soclety ITOLWA- Kondoa 1,000 1.000 1,000 1.000 1.OCK) 1.0(YJ Total Ovorseas Organlsatlons m8 Glvln L'Arche London Gravesham Food bank Autism South East St Lukes Total Glvon to UK Organ18atlon$ 2,1)00 2.000 2,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1.000 1,000 1,000 Total MIs8lon and Charltabl• Glvlng 3.000 3,000 3.000 For 2021-2023 a new Outward givlng plan was approved provkllng paymenls of up to 10% of glvlng subject to the bank balance. The plan has been extendad to 2024 wlth a new p18n belng approved for 202&2028. The chosen charltable partners are: Church Mlssion Soclety - Supportlng Andrew and Lisa Peart, Santa Cruz, Bolivia In thelr mlssionary work ITOLWA - Kondoa, T8nzanla to support lrfe savlng work to bring water and mission support to the reglon Autlsm South East- to support famllles who Ilve wlth Autlsm TOTAL FUNDS 2024 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 Unrestrtcted Re8trlctod Endowment Doslgnatod Funds Funds Funds Funds 3 (b) Support Costs Printing. postage and statlonery Telephon, IT and broadband Parish staff costs Legal and professkjnal fees 2,870 2,440 13,463 2,870 2,850 2,152 11.610 13.463 18,773 18,773 16.612 Page 6 of12 The Parochial Church Councll of St John the Baptlst Meopham Notes to the Financial Statsments For the Year Ended 31 st December 2024 continued 3 EXPENDITURE CONTINUED TOTAL FUNDS 2024 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 Unr08trlcted Rostrlct•d Endowmont De8lgnated Funds Fund8 Funds Funds 3 {c) Church Actlvltles Expandlture Church muslc, sound and vision Heat, Ilght and power Buildlngs and contents insurance Other church and churchyard expenditure Major bulldlng and grounds refurblshment Clergy and Rectory costs and expenses Vlsltlng clergy seNicas cover St John's Centre runnlng costs Parfsh contributlon and fees to Dlocese W8lf8r8, worshlp and learnlng 858 6,560 7.319 2,630 2.597 4,827 219 14,574 20,019 389 59,792 120 83 978 1,613 7,945 6.589 7,513 1.945 1.879 96 22.302 17.570 758 68,210 7,319 5.287 2.597 4.627 219 20.476 20.019 389 68,564 2.657 5.658 244 5,658 3.104 3 (d) Expendltur• on Ral8lng Fund8 Soclal and othar fundralslro actlvltles 251 251 954 251 251 954 3 {0) Other Expondtture Gr8nts and contributlons 366 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £82,182 £5,658 £3.104 £90,944 £95,074 4 STAFF AND TRUSTEE COSTS AND EXPENSES 2024 2023 Staff Salarles Penslon Costs 17.910 419 16,808 357 £18.329 £17,165 Durlng the year the PCC employed a Parlsh Admlnlstrator and Office Cleaner. The stipend of the Rector was met by the Di¢)cese of Rochester and the PCC mado a contribution towards clargy costs. One Trustee (2023 - 1 } claimed reimbursement of expenses during the year. The amount paid was £1.259 (2023- £1.172). Page 7 of12 The Parochlal ChurGh Councll of St John the Baptlst Meopham Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st December 2024 continued 5 FIXED ASSETS 5 (a) Equlpment 2024 Audio Vlsual Electronic Other and Muslc Equlpment Equlpment 2024 2023 T•)tal Totsl Cost At 1 st January. 2024 Additions Disposals At 318t December, 2024 Depreclatlon At 1st January. 2024 Charge for the year Disposals At 31st December, 2024 el Book Value At 3181 Decamb•r. 2024 At 31st December, 2023 36.227 2.116 8,065 1.487 22.299 66,591 3,603 72.905 (6,314} 66.591 9.552 22.299 70.194 36.227 317 7.945 194 18.109 2,740 62.281 3.252 65.395 3.200 (6,314) 62,281 36.544 8.139 20.849 65,532 £1,799 £0 £1,413 £120 £1,450 £4.190 £4.662 £4,310 £4.310 £7,510 S (b) Land and 8ulldlng$ (St John's C•ntr•) 2024 Fro•hold Bulldlng at B811 Tower Land Cost CoBt 2024 Total 2023 Total Cost At 1 st January, 2024 Add5tions At 318t Docembor. 2024 Dopreclatlon At 1 sl January. 2024 Charg8 for year At 31st Decemb•r, 2024 et Book Value At 31st December, 2024 At 31 st December. 2023 711 226.322 2,436 229,469 229,469 711 226,322 2,436 229,469 229,469 130,134 5,658 135.792 427 130.561 5,902 136,463 124.659 5,902 130,561 244 671 £711 £711 £90,530 £96,188 £1,765 £2.009 £93,006 £98,908 £98,908 £104,810 6 INVESTMENT ASSETS 2024 2023 Market Value At 1st January Net profiV{loss) on revaluatlon At 31st Dècember 11.242 281 £11,503 10.283 959 £11.242 All of Ihe Investments orl In8ted from ErKlowments and the St(￿kS held a 2024 2023 300 The Central Board of Finance Income Shares 191 The Central Board of Finance Income Shares £100 3Yo Metropolltan Water Stock Golding Bird Tall Bells Cogswell Graves 6.937 4,416 150 £11.503 6,782 4,318 142 £11,242 Page 8 of 12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Notes to the Financial Statements For tho Year Ended 31st December 2024 continued 7 DEBTORS 2024 2023 Tax r8COV8rable (Gift Ald) Other debtors 2,098 861 £2,959 2,793 2,227 £5,020 8 SHORT TERM DEPOSITS Deslgnated R￿tr￿t•d Unrostrlthd Total Funds Total Funds Funds Fund8 Funds 2024 2023 Roch8Ster Dlocesan Bd of Flnance - Church Repair Fund CCLA Church of England Deposit - Lllllan Ollver Legacy CCLA Church of England Deposit- Davld Gardner Legacy CCLA Church of England Deposlt- No 2 Account 11,082 38,331 12.781 11,082 38,331 12.781 10.713 36,399 12,137 £62,196 £0 £62,196 £59,250 Deslgnated Funds include short term cash deposits set aslde to fund building work. The last Quinqu8nnlal Inspection of tha church buildSng was carried out In 2021 and received In January 2022. The inspection recommendatlons for mlnor repair and survay wo to be carrled out within 5 years. All works should be completed In the tlmescale required. 9 CASH AT BANKAND IN HAND 2024 2023 Bank Cash In hand 62,705 51,290 205 £51,495 £61796 The balanc8 hold in the bank includes £4,564 drawndown from the Llllian Oliver fund for r8palr work to the Louvres £16,477 designated funds from Goldlng Bird and £313 designated funds ft)r charlty coll8Ctions 10 LIABILITIES - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Accrued expenses Other deferred income - weddlng deposSts DBF fees to Diocese Charity collection awaltlng payment- Poverty & Hop8 and Itolwa Charlty collection awaltlng payment- other Payroll taxes and pension contributlons due not Pald 3.712 200 653 1,048 492 921 3.564 200 792 338 -25 601 £7.026 £S470 Page 9 of 12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Notes to tho Flnanclal Ststements For the Year Ended 318t December 2024 continued 11 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND Unrostrlctod Ra8trfctsd Endowm6nt Deslgnatod Funds Funds Funds Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Balance Sheet Funds Held Tangible Fixed Assets Investment Assets Net Current Assets 91.241 3.215 94.456 11.503 124,136 103,218 11.242 110,298 11,503 42,530 81,412 £42,530 £91,435 £11,503 £84,627 £230,095 £224,756 12 FUNDS Balance at 0110112024 Incomo Outgolngs Investm•nt Transf•r Balanc• at Galnsl Between 3111212024 (L08888) Funds R•8trl¢t•d Fund8: Mission. mlnlstry & youth St John's Centre land & buildings Ro8trfct¢d Total 194 ,899 £97,093 194 91,241 £91,435 -5,658 5.658 £0 £0 D￿1gnatod Funds . David Gardner legacy (capital items) Lillian Olfver legacy (repairs and maintenance) Arthur Fltz-slmon legacy Dorothy Bollon legacy Ellzabeth Bugg legacy Cholr Fund Sound System Qulnquennlal Report Church Gas Boller Bell Tower Louvres Golding Bird OU￿ard glvlng Deslgnatod Total 14,182 34.999 1,000 500 3,344 944 110 10.591 860 2.009 16,447 -120 14.706 36.847 1,000 500 1,932 -1,996 110 10,960 369 -244 1,765 16,447 £84786 £2.945 3.104 £0 £0 £84.627 Endowment Funds £11,242 £0 £0 £261 £0 £11.503 Unrestrlcted Funds £31,635 £93,077 -£82.182 £0 £0 £42.530 TOTAL FUNDS £224,756 £96.022 -£90.944 £261 £0 £230.095 Page 10 of 12 Tho Parochlal Church Councll of St John the Baptl8t Meopham Notes to the Financlal Statements For the Yoar Ended 31st Docomber 2024 continuod 13 PRIOR YEAR COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unre8trlct•d Rutrlct•d Endowment D•8ignat•d Total Fund* Total Fund8 Fund• Funds Fund• Funds 2023 2022 INCOME Donglbns and Legac408 52,376 52,376 51,071 Fundral8lng & Tradlng Actlvltle8 3,681 3.681 8,030 Income from Churth A¢tlvttles 36.228 36.228 30,240 In(x)mo from In￿strnonts 1,810 300 2,110 otror IrKome- Insurar￿ Claim 6,799 6,799 3,528 TOTAL INCOME 100,892 300 101,192 93.832 EXPENDrruRE Ml88lon arn1 Charttable Gmr 3,000 3,CA)O 2,105 Support I￿$18 16,612 16,612 16.644 Expendlluro on Church ALthltle• 55.413 5.658 7,139 68,210 78.024 Expondllure on Ralsing Fund8 954 954 8.286 Other ExperKllture - Insurance Clelm 6,298 6,298 1,530 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 82,277 5,658 7,139 95,074 106.589 NET INCOMEISPEND BEFORE TRANSFERS 18,615 (5.658) (6,839) 6.118 {12.757) TRAN8FERS BEfwEEN FUNDS NET INCOME18PEND BEFORE INVESTMEKf GAINS 18,615 {5,6&8) {6,839) 6,118 {12,757) GAIN ON INVESTMENT A8SET8 (1,351) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS £18,615 (£5.658) (£6,839) £7.077 (£14,108) Balancè• Brought Forward at 1st Jonuary 2023 13,020 102,751 10,283 91.625 217,879 231,787 TOTAL PARISH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD £31,635 £97,093 £11242 £84,786 £224,756 £217,679 Pagell of 12 Inde￿ndent Examlnerfs R•port to the Parochlal Church Councll of St John the Baptist Church, Meopham This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 st Decamber, 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 11 is in respeGt of an examination carried out in accordance v41th the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ("the Regulations") and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {"the ACY,). Respectlve responslbllltles of the PCC and tho Examlner It is my responsibility to:_ examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures lald do￿Tr In the general directlons glven by the Charlty Commisslon { under section 145 (5) (b) of the Charities Act - to state whether particular matters have corne to my attention. As members of the PCC you are responslble for the preparatlon of the financial statements; you considar that no audit is required under section 144 of th8 Charities Act 2011 and that an indap&ndent examination is needed. Basls of thls report My examinatlon was carried out in accordance wlth the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented ￿1th tho88 record8.lts also indudes consideration of any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounts, and seaking explanations from the trustees conceming 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 Irue and faif veiw and the report is limited to those matters set out In the statement below. Ind8￿ndant Examlnerfs Statement In connectlon vAth my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon: (1) wthich gives me r8asonabl8 cause to balieve that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and compty wlth the accounting requlrements of the Charities Act hav6 not been met; or {2) to which. in my oplnion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Philip Bradley FCA Bradley & Co Limited 4B Christchurch House, Beaufort Court Rochester ME2 4FX Date: 19th March 2025 Page 12 of 12 Inde￿ndent Examlnerfs R•port to the Parochlal Church Councll of St John the Baptist Church, Meopham This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 st Decamber, 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 11 is in respeGt of an examination carried out in accordance v41th the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ("the Regulations") and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 {"the ACY,). Respectlve responslbllltles of the PCC and tho Examlner It is my responsibility to:_ examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures lald do￿Tr In the general directlons glven by the Charlty Commisslon { under section 145 (5) (b) of the Charities Act - to state whether particular matters have corne to my attention. As members of the PCC you are responslble for the preparatlon of the financial statements; you considar that no audit is required under section 144 of th8 Charities Act 2011 and that an indap&ndent examination is needed. Basls of thls report My examinatlon was carried out in accordance wlth the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented ￿1th tho88 record8.lts also indudes consideration of any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounts, and seaking explanations from the trustees conceming 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 Irue and faif veiw and the report is limited to those matters set out In the statement below. Ind8￿ndant Examlnerfs Statement In connectlon vAth my examlnatlon, no matter has come to my attentlon: (1) wthich gives me r8asonabl8 cause to balieve that in, any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and compty wlth the accounting requlrements of the Charities Act hav6 not been met; or {2) to which. in my oplnion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Philip Bradley FCA Bradley & Co Limited 4B Christchurch House, Beaufort Court Rochester ME2 4FX Date: 19th March 2025 Page 12 of 12