## **ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, BURWASH, EAST SUSSEX** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2022** ## **1.REVIEW** ## **1.1 ACTIVITIES** In common with other Parishes, the activities of St. Bartholomew’s have emerged from the Covid 19 pandemic. Fund raising has resumed and a new pattern of services has been introduced. The new Rector, the Reverend Thomas Pelham who was licenced on 20 December 2021,has been warmly welcomed to the Parish. Maintenance of he Church and Churchyard has continued ; a “Reordering” Project has been initiated with the objectives of providing kitchen and toilet facilities in the Church together with the creation of discrete areas for small gatherings and services. In the united Benefice of St. Bartholomew’s, St. Philip’s Burwash Weald and St. Nicholas Etchingham work to bring the three parishes into a coherent whole has continued and Benefice services now take place regularly . Close relationships are maintained with the two local primary schools at Burwash and Etchingham; several trustees serve as governors at Burwash. ## **1.2 PUBLIC BENEFIT AND OBJECTIVES** ## **1.2.1** In accordance with Section 4(6) of the Charities Act 2006 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 the Trustees confirm that they have given due regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity commission when exercising their powers and duties during the period. ## **1.2.2** St. Bartholomew’s Church is an inclusive and welcoming community; it exists through the generosity of benefactors of an earlier age and continues under the supervision of the PCC, the Churchwardens and the Rector. It provides Church of England Christian worship for the parish of Burwash and a place of quiet reflection for all. Individual members of the congregation make donations to charity through specific collections both within and outside the Church. In addition, donations are made to charities directly by the PCC, and also from collections at informal fund raising events. Collections are taken in Church for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal on Remembrance Sunday and for The Children’s Society following the Christingle Service. A Food Bank continues to operate for the benefit of the Diocesan Association for Family Support Work. ## **1.2.3** One objective of St. Bartholomew’s is to be a focal point of the Village; the Burwash Village Magazine which is published both on line and in hard copy, plays a significant part in this. In addition a number of activities designed to provide outreach to the wider community, have now recommenced. These include: - Tuesday Drop in - 3 C’s Coffee Cake and chat mornings - Children’s Corner - Quarterly coffee mornings and book sales - Xmas Tree Festival and School PTFA Fair - Remembrance Day ‘Act of Remembrance’ - School services Two new activities are now under way; they are a ‘Parent and Toddler’ Group and “Ladies @ 2.30” (formerly ‘The Burwash Women’s Group). The Church is now open during daylight hours and is again welcoming many visitors. ## **1.3 FINANCE** The General fund shows an excess of receipts over payments of £9,491, largely due to the receipt of a substantial donations towards the “Reordering” Project. Planned giving receipts have maintained 2021 levels. Other collections in Church have increased slightly and Fund Raising has shown a marked improvement . The level of formal reserves within the General Fund is considered adequate. Following agreement from the PCC access to income in the’ Unrestricted’ Curteis Fund is also available for ministry costs should the need arise. ## **2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION** ## **2.1 PCC MEMBERS AT THE APCM, 22 May 2022 UPDATED TO 14 JUNE 2022** **ELECTED RE-ELECTED RETIRE STATUS** Thomas Pelham Ex.Off Jo Brown 2018 2021 2024 Foundation Governor Gary Churchill 2016 2019 2022 David Dunham 2019 2022 Asst. Churchwarden. Resigned Nov.21 Richard Harden Ex.Off Churchwarden from Sept 2020 Maureen Jenner 2017 2020 2023 Charles Merchant Ex.Off Deanery Synod & Vice Chairman Celia Merchant Ex.Off Deanery Synod Vicky Patterson Ex.Off Churchwarden from April 2015 & Foundation Governor Val Stevens Co-Op Ministry Team Andrew Schofield 2020 2023 Resigned 14 June 2022 Hilary Stewart 2017 2020 2023 Young People Sara Stonor Ex.Off Deanery & Diocesan Synod Rachel Thomson 2018 2021 2024 Mary Westhead Co.Op Safeguarding Officer Christopher Woodburn 2022 2025 2028 Hon.Treasurer from 2016 6 Elected Members [5 after 14 June 2022] 6 Ex. Officio members 2 Co-opted members 14 (13 after 14 June 2022) ## **2.2 PCC GOVERNANCE** Charity Registration: 1 December 2009 Charity Number 1133028 Governing Document: Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 Address: c/o St. Bartholomew’s Church, High street, Burwash, East Sussex TN19 7EH ## Committees Standing Committee, Worship Group, Young People’s Group, Communications Group, Fund Raising Committee, Building Re-ordering Committee. ## Induction and Training All members of the PCC have their duties and responsibilities explained to them, including their duty of care and the implications of the Charities Act 2006 and Statement of Recommended Practice 2005. They are updated on regulatory and legislative changes as these arise. In addition, all PCC members undertake Safeguarding Training. ## Risk Analysis The PCC has put in place appropriate controls to minimise the likelihood of, or opportunity for, fraud or other malpractice. These are reviewed by the PCC from time to time. They include the requirement for two trustees to sign cheques or other instructions to the PCC’s bankers. In addition, a financial report is presented for review to each PCC meeting. ## Meeting Attendance in 2022 7 March 14 6 June 11 5 September 12 5 December 7 ## **2.3 CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND ELECTORAL ROLL** Electoral Roll 99 Normal Sunday attendance 44 (Average overall 54) Easter Day 90 Good Friday and Vigil 25 Christmas Eve/Day 222 School Services 5 with total attendance 1080 Approved by the Trustees on 6 March 2023 Rector ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST.BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH BURWASH Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2022** |||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**All Funds**|**All Funds**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Funds**|**Fund**|**2022**|**2021**| ||**General**|**Designated**|||| |**Monetary Assets**|||||| |Bank Current Account|12410|0|273|12683|15664| |CBF Deposit Account|17902|39441|14223|71566|50566| |**Other Assets**|||||| |Investments (at Market Value)|1659|362601|0|364260|377998| |Glebe Field (at cost)|26584|0|0|26584|26584| |**Total Assets**|58555|402042|14496|475093|470812| |**Liabilities**||||0|0| ## **Notes** 1. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, using the Receipts and Payments accounting convention. 2. No payments were made to PCC members or connected persons other than for the reimbursement of expenditure incurred on behalf of the PCC. Reimbursement was made to 4 members of the PCC totalling £3060. Payments made to third parties on behalf of the Rector in repect of Rectory General and Water Rates amounted to £3740. 3.The cost of investments was £221616. Approved by the PCC on 6 March 2023 and signed on its behalf by Reverend Thomas Pelham Rector C.H.Woodburn Treasurer INDEPEIYDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST BARTHOLOMEW'S, BURWASH J Tewrt to the trustees on my examination of the ￿Illnts of Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parisb of St Bartholomew's Church Bwiyash (the TnL8t) for the year ended 31 December 2022. RÉsponslbUlda and bo¥ls ofreport As the charity trLLStees of the TnLSt you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the A¢t'). I report in respect of my exomination of the Tn￿.$ 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 Conllnission undcr scction 145(5)(b) of the ACL Independent aaminer's slalemenl I have ￿Mpleted my examinthon. I confm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the cxamination giving me cause to believe that in any matrrial respect.. a) accountin8 records were nol kept in resFct of the Tntst as required by section 130 of the Act. or b) thc accounts do not al￿rd with those records I have no concerns and have corne across no other matters in ¢onncction with the examination to which attenlion should be drawn in this report in order to ¢nable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. NICK WADE, ACA 20 February 2023 Nick Wade ACA The Presbytery, Spring Iane. Burwasl E&8t TN19 7JA