**The Parochial Church Council of St. John the Baptist Church, Meopham.** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025** ## **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 (2025 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 2025and 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 Representative From May 2023 ## **Elected Members** : Mrs Jackie Hunter (from May 2019),Mrs Jan Richards (from 2025), Mrs Linda Sims (from April 2023),Mr Derek Shelbrooke (from 2025),MrsPat 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 2025 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 regular visits of the Community Payback team during the past year have once again contributed considerably to the upkeep of the St, John's Centre, car park, churchyard and more recently the church. Major projects included the re-surfacing of the paths leading to the church. To comply with fire regulations a new fire alarm system was installed in the St. John's Centre together with a disabled ramp and new fire doors. A new carpet was also fitted in the foyer of the Centre. Thanks are due to all those who give of their time to undertake the maintenance and organisation of the Church and Centre to ensure that it is safe and ready for users and visitors. 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 open churchyard continues to be maintained by a local contractor who provides an excellent service. The Garden of Remembrance is voluntarily maintained. ## **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 2025, 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 2025 there were six baptisms, two thanksgivings for the gift of a child and two weddings held at St John’s. **Funerals** continued throughout 2025. We held five funerals either in St John’s or on behalf of St John’s at local crematoria. There were fourteenburials 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. 2025 saw theSunday Afternoon Club meet most months building links with young families. ## **Pastoral Care** Services of Holy Communion and visits in Residential Homes (The Chestnuts&Holywell Park)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 2025. ## **GIFT AID CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT for year ending 31/12/25** |Income from Giving for unrestricted use|2025|2024| |---|---|---| ||£|£| |Standing orders, direct debits and cheques|32,303|30,545| |Gift aid|8,134|7,886| |Income from which gift aid cannot be claimed|2,713|2,580| |Open plate collections|1,873|1,615| |Sundry donations|3,499|5,368| During 2025 we had a Generous Giving service with a representative from the Diocese assisting the PCC. The service resulted in some increases to the regular payments during the year which were most welcome and with an added benefit from gift aid. The benefit of using the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) were reiterated in the service and 8 people moved to giving via this way in March. The total now giving via the PGS is 9 and Gift aid is claimed and received monthly. At the end of the year the number of people making regular donations to the old gift aid scheme had reduced to 28. The old scheme also lost 3 members due to death or resignation. Gift aid is claimed on the old scheme on a quarterly basis. Sundry donations include the Community Café. 2025 figures benefited from a couple of large donations. ## **People** Allison Merry continued as our Parish Administrator and we employ Wendy Martinas our cleaner who continues to also clean the church building once a week. 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 2025 there were 72 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll. Average Sunday attendance counted at services held across each week in the month of October 2025 was 45 adults. Average attendance at midweek services was 8 adults. Easter 2025 attendance was 72. Christmas 2025 attendance over all Christmas Services was 273. These included members of St Mildred’s, Nurstead congregation. ## **Cobham Deanery Synod 2025** The February meeting, held at St John’s Meopham, was well attended. It was an open meeting to hear the Bishop give his Power Point presentation on the Diocesan Vision and Strategy entitled ‘Change, Serve and Grow’. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session. St Peter’s, Ridley was the venue for the June meeting. The main subject of the evening was a review of questions raised by Deanery members following the February presentation. Unfortunately, the Diocese could not find a speaker to address the questions but one of the parish reps from Ash produced the Diocesan report for 2025 which contained details about implementing the vision. This provoked a far ranging discussion with opinions expressed and further questions raised. October’s meeting was held in the Jubilee Hall, Longfield where Zara Rawlinson (Diocesan Racial Justice Officer) was welcomed to talk about her role in this new initiative within the Diocesan vision and strategy. The purpose of the initiative was to ensure that the Church of England was welcoming, diverse and inclusive. A Q&A session followed Zara’s very detailed talk. Following the resignation of the Area Dean (The Revd.Helen Reeves) early in the year and the transfer of Istead Rise and Southfleet to a neighbouring Deanery the future of Cobham Deanery remains uncertain. ## **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 2025 show a surplus for the year of £195,965 giving total reserves of £426,060 (2024- £230,095). The surplus is a result of 2 significant legacy donations and a further sum from The Friends of Meopham Church. Without these 3 donations there would have been a deficit of £25,263 in the year of which the £18,506 is attributed to the ramp and doors to the Centre and new carpet was £18,506. We continue to benefit financially from the work carried out by the Community Pay Back team and an anonymous donor the impact of which is clear to see around the grounds of the Centre and Church. The balance sheet has improved with net current assets of £323,751 (2024 - £120,924). The fixed assets are reducing with depreciation. The value of the endowments fell in the year as a result of market movements. 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 2025 the movement was a result of income of £93,062 with expenditure of £95,758 leaving a deficit of £2,392 in the year. No significant items to highlight. The outward giving was £3,000 as in the previous year. 2. Restricted funds. The restricted fund has been increased this year by a significant legacy that is restricted in use to the repair of the Church itself. The previous element of the restricted funds is the net value of the St Johns Centre that is being reduced each year by the annual depreciation charge for the Centre. This St Johns Element of the fund will always show an annual deficit and there is no cash reserve for use relating to this fund. The legacy should increase in value from its investment until such time as it is spent. 3. Designated funds. These funds have been allocated for specific expenditure by the PCC. There has been a significant increase in 2025 due to a legacy that the PCC agreed to designate. Funds were used to pay for the works in the St Johns Centre in the year. 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 2025 the market value of the funds had decreased from 2024 by £447 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 2026 continues to return 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 18 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by: The Revd. Canon Alyson Davie Rector: Meopham with Nurstead PCC Chairman. St. John the Baptist Church Meopham Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council (The Trustees) For the Year Ended 31st December 2025 R•gl$terod Office & Corr••pond•nc• Addrass: The Parish Office Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 OAA R•¢tor and PCC Ch•lrn)an The Revd. Canon ￿y$On Da￿& The Recaory. Shipley Hills Road. Meopham DA13 OAD Bank•r8: Santander PLC Booye, Merseyyide L30 4GB Inde￿nd0ftt Examiner.. Philip Bradley FCA 8radley & Co Limiied 42 Christchurth Hws9. Beaufort Court Roch•ster ME2 4FX •gi$tsrgd Charity No: 1133014 Page l of12 The ParoGhlal Church Council of St John the Bapttst Meopham Statement of Financial Activities For the Year Ended 31st December 2025 TOTAL FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS Unrnstrlcttd Restrictsd Endovffl*nt OesignatEd Fund¥ Funds Fund• Fund* 2025 2024 INCOME Donations 8nd Legaaes 21al 49,417 65,053 I￿.175 270,645 48,994 FundrAIAing & Tradln9 Athitss 21bl 2.163 2,163 1,085 Income trom Church Acts'viti¢8 21¢) 38,535 38,535 40,745 Inccfn? Irorn InvestmMts 21dl 2.947 349 1,176 4,472 3,253 Other Income 21•1 1.965 TOTAL INCOME 93,062 6S,402 157,351 315.815 ,022 EXPENDITURE Mission ond Charltsble &vlr 3(91 3,1)JO 2,000 Support C06ts 21.￿7 21,007 18.n3 Expgndilure vn Chure* Aclivit 3(¢1 71.431 5.658 17,987 95,076 88,554 Expendilure on Rai$iTrJ Funds 3(dl 320 251 Other Expendilur• 3(•1 366 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 95,758 17,987 119,403 90.944 NET SPEND BEFORE TRANSFERS 69.744 139,384 196A12 5.078 TRANSFERS BEThEEN FUNDS 12 NET INGOMEISPEND BEFORE INVESTMENT MOVEMENT 113921 59A40 139J64 196,412 5.078 GAINIIL08S1 ON INVESTMENT A8SET8 14471 14471 261 Ngf MOVEMEKT IN FUNDS ILOSSI 113921 144Y} 139.364 195,96S 5.339 BalanceB Brought Forward at 1st January 2025 42.530 91.435 11.503 84.627 230,095 224,756 TOTAL PARISH FUNDS ¢ARRIED FORWARD 12 £40,138 £150,875 £11.OS6 £223.991 £426,060 £230,095 The not9$ on pages 4 19 12 fomi part of these account5. Page 2 of12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Balance Sheèt as at 31st December 2025 2025 2024 Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible Fixed Assets.. Fixtures. Fiiti"ngs and Equipment Sl. John's Centre 51al 51bl 4.149 87.104 4.662 93.006 91,253 97.868 Investment Assets 11.056 11.503 TOTAL FIXED ASSETS £102.309 109,171 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand 3,221 284,406 63,036 2,959 62,198 62,796 £330.663 127.961 LIABILITIES., ounts falling due vllthin one year 10 {6.912) 17.0271 NET CURRENT ASSETS £323,751 120,924 TOTAL NET ASSETS £426,060 £230,096 FUNDS Unre5trfctsd Restricled Designated Endowmfjnt 12 40.138 150.985 223,881 11,056 42,530 91,435 84.627 11,503 12 12 12 TOTAL FUNDS 12 £426,060 £230,095 Approved by the Parochial Church cou￿1 on the 18 March 2026 and signed on tts behaff by: The Revd. Canon Ayson Davy Rector and PCC Chaimian Mrs J Hunter Treasurer The notes on pages 4 to 12 form part of these accounts. Page3 of12 The Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Meopham Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31st December 2025 1. ACCOUNTING POUCIES The financial statements have been p￿Pared in accordance vth appliCa￿e accounting standards. the 2017 Stslemenl of Recommended Pracb"ce'. Accounting an(J Re￿￿'n9 by Chanties {Cnaritie$ SORP IFRS 102)).. Ihe Charities Act 2011,. and Church Accounting Regulations 200612018 edition}. The Parothial Churth Counc(116 a publlc bonefft ￿1n the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the histoncal o)$t convention except for the valuation of investment a$sels. which afe shown at Mark￿ value. Th8 finawal statsmonts indude all tran8actions. assets and liakn'lfae5 for which the PCC is re3pon5ible In law. They do not include the accounts of thur¢h gro(tps ttbat ob%* their main 8ffiliation tg anolhef body, nor those that are informal gatherfn9s of Church members. Endowment Funds held ar& ¢aphal In natu￿. The Income arising from investment of the endowment may be used eithèr 88 reSt￿cled or unreslncted funds aepending uwn the purpose lor which the endowment was established. R88tr1ct•d Fund8 rèpresent lal income from trusts or andowments whlch may be expended only on those re$lri¢ted ¢t¢je¢t$ provided In the terms of the trust or bequest. and Ibl donations or grants received for a obj8¢t Qr invitsd by the PCC for a 5Pgcific object. The fund¥ May only be spent on the spe¢ifi¢ purpose for %thieh thay were given. Any balance remaining unsp$nt al thè end of ea¢h y*ar is ¢arri&d forward as a balance on that fund. A breakdown of the R8strKt•d Funds can be tound al Note 12. D•8lgnatsd Fund8 or eamarked funds repro$ent lunds the PCC hag ring foncod for a pa1￿Cular charitable project or ha8 dlgcration on how Ihase partlcuL3r funds ar8 spènt. Thesa are not funds available to spend on Ihe general running of the charity. Our designated funds include.. the sound system.. thurch fixiures and fith'ngs, church and churchyard repair and maintgnancg. Urtro¥trictod Fund¥ are gener¥1 fund$ which cBn be used for PCC ordinary busines8 and ¢harilabl¥ purposas. Flnanclal Statomonts Incoffle: Planned gfvlng. collectionB and donations are recogni8ed vthen receivod. Tax refvnds Bfe recognl8ed ￿en tha income lo which they relat• is received. Grants and legacies art 4c¢ounl¥d for the PCC 1$ le9ally entiuel to tho amounts due. Dividends are accounted for ¥then receNable', interest is accrue(l. Al other income is r¢¢ogni8ed vh)en it is racèivabla. All income Is accounted for gros5. Expenditure.. Grants and donathons are accounted for when paid over, or vthen awarded. rfthal award ¢r•ates a blndlng or constructiv8 obligalon on the PCC. The Diocesan Contn.bUt￿ 1$ ac￿￿nted for wh8n due. All expenditure is generally recognised when rt Is incurred and 15 accounted lor gr055. Fixed Assets.. Consecrated and benefice property is tM)t Inrjuded In Ihe accounts in accordance Thtr Charillos Act 2011, which took effect en the 14th March 2012. Hence Ihe Sl John the Baptlst Church has been ex¢luded from the Balance Sheet. The bulldings and contsnts are Insured foi £14 63m. All exwnI￿re In￿rremply with the acxounting requirements of the Charikn'e5 Act have not been met,. or 121 to whlch, In my opinlon. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper underslanding of the accounts to te reached. Philip Bradley FCA Bradley & Co Limited 4B Christchurch Hou9e, Beaufort Court Rochester ME2 4FX Dale.. 22nd April 2026 Page 12of12 Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of St John the Baptist Church, Meophaw This report on the ',Inancial st31emen".s of the PCC for the year ended 31 sl December 2025, which are set out on pages 2 10 11 is In resrecl of afj examination carried out In acc)rdaTrce Kiilh, lrye Church Accounting Regulations 20061 the Regulations l a4d section 145 01 the Charities Act 2011 1 the Ac:. '). Respective responsibilitie5 of the PCC and the Examiner 11 is my responsibility lo.. ex2mine the accounis ijncjer section 145 of the Charities Act. lo follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission l unde.. seclioT 145151 Ibl o,: the Charities Act lo slate whether particular mallers have come lo my allenlion. As members of the PCC you 2re iesponsible for the preparation of the finan-ial slalemenls,. you ¢or.sider that no audit 18 required under gection 144 01 the Charities Acl 204 1 and 'hat an indepenaent examination Is needed. Basis of this report My examination was carried out In accordance with the gengral Directions given by the Charity Commission An exatninalion Includes a review of the accDunl."ng records kept by the charity and a cormparison of the accounts presented witn those records Its also Includes consideration ol any uyusual Items 01 disclosures In Ile accounts, and seeking explanations from the IrJslees concerning any such m311ers. The proceuures undertaken do nol provide all the evioence Ihat,NOLild be required in an auclil, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts presènt a 'lrue and fair, veiw and the reporti is limited +0 those matters sel out In the sla èmenl below Independent Examiner's Statement In CDnneclion with my examination, no maller ha8 corne lo tny attention". 111 which gives me reasonable cause lo believe Ilal In, any material respect. the requirements lo keep accoLITlting records In accordance with section 130 0¢ the Charities Act., and lo prepare accounts. wh Ich accord with the accounting records and comply viilh the accounting requirements o,. the Charities Act have not been met" or 121 lo wkiich, In my opip.ion. allenlion should be drawn in older to epable a proper underslanding of the accounts lo oe reached. Philip BracIley FCA Bradley & Co Lirniled 4B Chiislchurch House. Beaufort Court Rochester ME2 4FX Dale. 22nd April 2026 I'aoe ILof11