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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Plymstock & Hooe, Plymouth.

2023-12-31-accounts

The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Parochial Church Council

Correspondence address:-

The Rectory, 5 Cobb Lane, Plymstock,

Plymouth PL9 9BQ

Members’ Report and Accounts

for the year ended

31 December 2023 Charity Number: 1133015

Team Rector Reverend Prebendary Jennie Appleby

Bankers:

NatWest, 12-16 Old Town Street, Plymouth, PL1 1DG

Independent Examiner:

Barretts Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers 22 Union Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2JS

The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Plymstock & Hooe Parochial Church Council Charity no. 1133015

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the charity trustees of the Church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).

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

Independent examiner’s statement

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

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Ian Barrett FCA FCIE Barretts 22 Union Street Newton Abbot TQ12 2JS

16[th] May 2024

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Aim and Purpose

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of Plymstock & Hooe had responsibility in 2023 to cooperate with and to support its Clergy and Readers in promoting across its four churches the whole pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical mission of the Church. Its principal aim was to work together across the Parish.

Objectives and activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our churches, and to become part of our parish family. When planning church activities the PCC considers the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. Exeter Diocese offers a three point Mission Action Plan i)to grow in prayer, ii)to make new disciples, iii) to serve the people of Devon with joy. Based on this the PCC has tried to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as if they were on a journey as God’s pilgrim people through

Achievements and Performance 2023

a) Worship and prayer

Regular Sunday worship follows a pattern of weekly Sunday Parish Eucharist alternating between St. John’s and St. Mary’s (the two largest church buildings). A midweek communion service was held on Tuesday mornings at St. Mary’s followed by coffee and discussion. Monthly informal services were held on Sunday afternoons. Home communions were regularly taken to housebound members of the parish and services in local care homes.

We hosted a Confirmation Service in March and a Priesting Ordination Service in September when we celebrated the Priesting of our curate, Rev. Jo Parker.

Special Services and events were held for the Kings Coronation. Weekly vigils for peace between Israel & Gaza took place in November. Lent and Advent Groups were held as well as further discussions about the Church of England Report, Living in Love and Faith . In the autumn a monthly course was held to study and practice different styles of prayer.

At Easter and Christmas, we took part in Ecumenical services held at the Broadway Shopping Centre and also the Refresh Gatherings which brought together local churches on three occasions during the year.

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe Statistics 2023

Summary 2023 statistics for the parish were as follows.

Average main Sunday service.
(In addition, approx 40 others 50
used printed service sheets at
home.)
Worshipping Community 120
Electoral Roll 131
Baptisms 16
Marriages 3
Funerals 32

Attendance numbers greatly increased at Christmas and Easter. Baptism preparation was given to families and marriage preparation provided for couples.

Deanery Synod Report 2023

Deanery Synod met twice in 2023 in June and October. Each meeting of Deanery Synod has a main speaker where members are made aware of things that are happening in the Plymouth Deanery.

In June Brigit Kiyaga from the Mission and Ministry team was the speaker and the main theme was giving/stewardship. We were provided with some interesting facts and figures about people’s giving habits in the Church of England. It was at this meeting that we were introduced to the Digital Giving scheme whereby the church nationally were rolling out an opportunity for parishes to bid for a contactless giving station for use in their church.

At the October meeting, we heard from Jeremy Putnam the new Mission Enabler for the diocese spoke to us about the Come and See weekend in November when the Archbishop of Canterbury would visit the diocese. He encouraged individual churches to organize their own Come and See events. He also introduced the Come and See series of videos, which could be used as a way to explore our faith in groups in our churches.

Church Buildings and Fabric Report 2023

Church buildings throughout the parish remain in good condition through the care and attention received by members of the PCC and congregation.

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Volunteers 2023

A great deal of work was carried out by a small number of committed volunteers to keep our buildings, especially the interiors, in good shape. They are thanked unreservedly for the work they do. The PCC would like to thank all volunteers who work tirelessly for the Parish. In 2023 our special thanks were due to Churchwardens who continued to set a pace and example for the rest of us to follow.

Mission and Evangelism 2023

A parish Alpha course was delivered in Jan/Feb. We held special events for the Coronation weekend, including a Barn Dance and took part in the ‘Big Help Out’ Day.

During Christian Aid Week the Parish made financial donations to the charity and a Coffee Morning raised a generous sum for Macmillan.

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

We also hosted a diocesan travelling exhibition of photographs and written testimonies entitled This Is My Story.

In November, we took part in the Diocesan ‘Come & See’ weekend and organized a ‘Come & Remember’ afternoon for the bereaved which included a panel of speakers and a cream tea.

We visited some of the local primary schools to lead assemblies for Harvest and Christmas and to take lessons at Pentecost and Advent/Christmas. It was good to welcome schools into church for RE lessons and staged mock baptisms and weddings. We also hosted the usual Christingles and Carol Services for local schools and Cubs, attracting over 1000 children and their parents into our buildings in the run-up to Christmas in December.

The clergy conducted monthly communion services in care homes, Selkirk House and Furzehatt Residential Home, as well as Easter/Christmas services.

A community Carol Service was held at The Boringdon Arms and our Christingle services at St Mary’s and Good Shepherd on Christmas Eve attracted a large number of local families to both churches.

Warm Welcome Space continued over the winter months in 2023, meeting on Sunday afternoons in St. Mary’s Church Hall. This provided a warm space, hot food, games and conversation for anyone in the parish. Hooe’s Place Community Café met weekly in St. John’s Church Hall, offering a hot meal and companionship for the elderly.

A monthly newsletter continued to be sent out to all those in the worshipping community across the parish.

Other Activities 2023

We continued to serve the local community by collecting contributions for Plymouth Foodbank in boxes across the Parish.

We have greatly appreciated the work of the Probation Service in keeping St Mary’s churchyard tidy, particularly as all graves were made accessible, making a huge difference to the appearance of the churchyard.

Safeguarding 2023

The PCC has complied with its obligation under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. The PCC has regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults by acting within current legislation, guidance, national frameworks and the Diocese of Exeter Safeguarding procedures. It has evidenced this by the completion of the Diocesan Safeguarding Checklist which is being used for future planning. The Parish has several named Safeguarding contacts who liaise with the Parish Safeguarding Representative. Safer Recruitment, Training and DBS checking of those requiring it is ongoing.

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe Structure, Governance and Management 2023

Parochial Church Council (PCC) 2023

The method of appointment of PCC members is in accordance with Church Representation Rules.

Composition of the PCC in 2023 is shown as follows.

Jan - May APCM May - December
Clergy - ex-officio 3 3
Reader - ex-officio 1 1
Parochial Wardens - elected 2 2
Deanery Synod Members 3 yr office
appointed by PCC		 2 2
Diocesan Synod Members - ex-officio 1 1
Elected Members 11 12

Parish Governance was managed by teams including members of the PCC and other volunteers, to include:

Standing Committee to manage ongoing parish matters legal and material (Under Rule M31 in Church Rep. Rules, with over 50 names on the electoral roll, the Standing Committee to consist of a) the minister, b) each churchwarden who is a member of the PCC c) at least 2 other PCC members appointed by PCC resolution) .

Ministry Team to plan worship and mission initiatives.

Administrative Information 2023

Our Parish is part of the Deanery of The City of Plymouth, in the Diocese of Exeter.

The 3 worship centres are each located as follows:

Clergy

Team Rector Rev’d Prebendary Jennie Appleby

Curate Rev’d Joanne Parker

Associate Priest Rev’d Carl Budden

The PCC

This is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, and the Church Representation Rules 2006) and Registered Charity No 1133015.

7

The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe PCC members in 2023 .

Ex Officio

Team Rector The Rev’d Jennie Appleby (Chairperson) Curate The Rev’d Joanne Parker Associate Priest The Rev’d Carl Budden LLM (Reader) Mr Graham Dee, Diocesan Synod Dr Kerry Gilbert (Lay Vice Chair) Elected members

Parochial Church Wardens Mr Graham Naylor Elected Annually Dr Kerry Gilbert Elected Annually Deanery Synod Reps (Appointed by & from PCC) Mrs Delia Kevern Elected May 2022 for 3 years Dr Kerry Gilbert Elected May 2023 for 3 years Members Mr Anthony Banbury(Reader/LLM) Elected May 2022 for 3 years, Ex.Off. from Sept 23 Mr Neil Broom Until May 2023 Mr. Bob Davidson Elected May 2023 for 3 years Dr Frankie Dee Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mrs Sheila Eccleston Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mrs Elizabeth Elliot Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mrs Mary Goulding Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mr Richard Harvey Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mrs Delia Kevern Elected May 2022 for 3 years Mr Graham Lea Elected May 2022 for 3 years Mrs Lorraine Pinkham Elected May 2023 for 3 years Mr Peter Towell Until May 2023

Trustees

All PCC Members are Trustees.

-o-

Full PCC met on 8 occasions in 2023, with an average attendance of 78%.

During 2023, the PCC continued to address its vision for the Mission Action Plan. Building on earlier images of “connection-with-God,-each other-&-the-community” and the Diocesan “growing-in-

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

prayer,-making-new-disciples-and-serving-people of Devon” we would become a “journeying” group - people on a “pilgrimage”.

Plans were made and events put in place for the King’s Coronation.

PCC regularly considered and acted upon local matters of finance, buildings, worship, mission, outreach, families, children, pastoral care, safeguarding and other items. In particular a match-funding bid “Give To Go Green” was secured to initiate upgrading of heating and lighting in St.Mary’s church. (£10k raised, + £10k grant = £20k total).

And during 2023 there were regular informal meetings of the clergy and churchwardens, the Standing Committee, the Ministry team and other groups as need arose.

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Financial Report 2023

Banking The Parish used three banks, The Cooperative Bank (St. Mary's), Lloyds Bank (St. John's and Plymstock Parish Hall) and NatWest (The Good Shepherd and PCC).

The Skipton Building Society(Plymouth branch) was also used as a Parish savings building society).

Financial Review Income was £178,607(£95,132). Expenditure was £136,031 (£76,088). Our income was inflated by a generous, restricted legacy of £80,937. Our expenditure increased through payment of the 2022 Common Fund deficit of £39,767..

With the agreement of the Diocese, we paid £54,000 of the 2023 Common Fund Request, a deficit of £28,921.There is no liability beyond the paid £54,000.

A recent letter from the Acting Bishop of Exeter states that the Common Fund is used to pay “the clergy, clergy housing, resources for mission and ministry, training and support.” By not paying our Common Fund Requests we are relying on the generosity of other Parishes to contribute towards our shortfalls. Additionally it is building up potential difficulties for the future. Our 2024 Common Fund Request is £81,574.

Stewardship Many parishioners are generous with their time and with their financial giving. Where people pay any tax on their income, the most effective way of contributing financially is through the Parish Giving Scheme. This system allows the Gift Aid element of a person's donation plus the donation itself to be received within days of making the donation. Currently, 30 people use the Parish Giving Scheme. The average donation is £53/month.

If 90 people were to use the Parish Giving Scheme, paying the current average donation, the Parish would raise £71,550. (There are 140 people on the electoral roll).

Potential Financial weakness St. Mary's designated Maintenance Fund had £16,601 at the end of the year. Given the size and age of the church this is considered to be insufficient.

Plymstock Parish Hall/Hooe's Place These activities play a significant part in the community and social life of the Parish. Financially, they raised £17,650.

Potential Savings The Parish is not frivolous with its spending. There are potential savings to be made with our utilities costs.

Merging the Parish's Bank Accounts The extent to which the PCC wishes to know the income and expenditure of each church/hall has an important bearing on the merging of the bank accounts and the way our financial software is used. This issue requires resolution in 2024.

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Reserves Policy It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds (if possible) which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments.

Management of the Parish Finance The Parish requires three/four people to manage its finances. Thanks are due to Marion Banbury, Mandy Towell, and Tony Maggs. Finally, very special thanks are due to Kathryn Brewer (Deanery Treasurer).

Statement of Accounts 2023

Parish of Plymstock and Hooe

Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

Income
Planned Giving
Parish Giving
Scheme
Other collections
Charitable Giving
Donations
Gift Aid
Legacies
Diocese payment to
PCC
Bank and B/S
Interest
Fees
Hall Lettings
Other income
Grants
Hall Fund
Community Garden
Mission
Grant to repay VAT
Totals
Expenditure
Charitable Giving
Mission Giving
Mission Costs
Common Fund
Church Utilities
Church Insurance
Church Other
Church Maintenance		 PCC
St Mary
St John
GS
Total PCC
2022
1,327.76
6,190.86
1,640.00
20.00
9,178.62
4,089
2,950.12
9,982.59
7,381.42
1,280.00
21,594.13
20,439
4,038.40
2,279.20
6,317.60
5,076
1,094.45
1,094.45
2,033
6,522.18
1,969.62
1,316.65
0.00
9,808.45
16,746
737.56
3,356.94
1,558.52
320.00
5,973.02
9,341
0.00
80,936.82
80,936.82
5,000
3,999.96
3,999.96
4,060
2,098.93
190.35
1,291.71
1,115.45
4,696.44
1,063
8,114.00
8,114.00
13,254
10,500.00
9,809.00
1,784.00
22,093.00
4,091
3,510.12
3,510.12
9,941
1,290.00
1,290.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
31,645.08
36,228.76
25,276.50
85,456.27178,606.61
95,132
178,606.00
1,518.43
25.00
1,543.43
2,664
0.00
0.00
171
211.15
211.15
195
93,767.00
93,767.00
48,939
9,758.64
2,143.90
1,160.19
13,062.73
7,042
4,458.35
2,096.87
1,109.95
7,665.17
6,972
1,326.45
462.41
818.34
2,607.20
1,585
2,388.83
1,397.94
288.80
4,075.57
1,888

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The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Clergy Expenses
Hall Utilities
Hall Insurance
Hall Other
Hall Maintenance
Running Costs - IE
Fees
Other
Totals
Net receipts
Common fund
payments		 826.92
826.92
24
4,751.80
2,648.81
1,565.31
8,965.92
1,989
1,136.93
470.82
1,607.75
441
161.80
82.13
530.25
774.18
291
12.54
431.48
0.00
444.02
2,910
480.00
480.00
977
98,129.95
23,156.30
9,619.47
5,125.32136,031.04
76,088
-
136,032.00
-
66,484.87
13,072.46
15,657.03
80,330.95
42,575.57
19,045
93,767.00
93,767.00
48,939

Parish of Plymstock and Hooe Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Assets

Cash at Bank
PCC
St. Mary;s
St. John's
Good Shepherd
Totals
Investments
St John's
Exeter Board of
Finance
CCLA
Totals
Liabilities
Common Fund
Agency
Totals
Represented by
funds
Unrestricted		 General
Restricted
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
64,895
96,113
161,008
102,296
32,756
1,765
34,521
28,743
34,295
186
34,481
37,083
1,119
0
1,119
10,457
133,065
98,064
231,129
178,579
904
904
826
28,000
28,000
28,000
28,904
0
28,904
28,826
0
0
0
39,767
0
6,512
6,512
20,895
0
6,512
6,512
60,662
161,969
161,969

11

The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe

Restricted
Totals
161,969
General Fund
General Fund
Designated Funds
St John's Church
St John's Church
St John's Hall
St John's Fabric
St Mary's
Maintenance
Plymstock Parish Hall
Restricted Funds
Legacy
Charitable Giving
Retiring Collections
Mission Fund
St Mary's Bell Fund
St John's Hall
Good Shepherd
Legacy
Flower Fund
Agency Collections
EDBF
Organist
Verger		 91,552
91,552
91,552
253,521
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Gains/Loss
Balance
01-Jan-23
31-Dec-
23
£
£
£
£
£
£
124,965
81,273
-127,067
891
78
80,140
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Adjustment
Balance
01-Jan-23
31-Dec-
23
£
£
£
£
£
£
28,000
28,000
184
436
620
26,718
26,718
556
2
-28
-274
256
16,187
182
-703
935
16,601
13,785
-6,063
1,912
9,634
71,645
14,405
-6,794
2,573
0
81,829
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Adjustment
Balance
01-Jan-23
31-Dec-
23
£
£
£
£
£
£
5,000
-1,313
3,687
145
437
-342
-99
141
-99
396
-396
99
0
3,763
-120
3,643
1,819
8
1,827
167
167
82,052
0
82,052
35
35
10,795
82,928
-2,171
0
0
91,552
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Adjustment
Balance
01-Jan-23
31-Dec-
23
£
£
£
£
£
£
17,395
6,278
-17,351
6,322
1,940
-1,800
140
500
-450
50

12

The Parish of Plymstock & Hooe
Bells 0 180 -180 0
Plymstock Parish Hall 3,500 52 -88 -3,464 0
20,895 8,950 -19,869 -3,464 0 6,512

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Trustees Report for 2023

Approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf

……………………. Rev Jennie Appleby (Chair) Date 15/04/24………………………………

13