## **ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, BURWASH, EAST SUSSEX (CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1133028)** ## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR 2023** ## **1.REVIEW** St. Bartholomew’s is part of the United Benefice of St. Bartholomew’s, St. Philip’s Burwash Weald and St. Nicholas Etchingham. An appropriate pattern of services has been introduced to reflect this arrangement. The Church and Churchyard continue to be maintained to high standards ; 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. Close relationships are maintained with the two local primary schools at Burwash and Etchingham; several trustees serve as governors at Burwash. ## **2.PUBLIC BENEFIT AND OBJECTIVES** **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. **2.2** St. Bartholomew’s is supervised by its PCC, the Churchwarden and the Rector. It provides Church of England worship and a place of quiet reflection. Donations are made to charities directly by the PCC and from collections at fund raising events. Collections are taken in Church for the Royal British Legion on Remembrance Sunday and for the Children’s Society following the Christingle Service. A Food Bank continues to operate for the Diocesan Association for Family Support Work. ## **2.3** St. Bartholomew’s supports a number of activities designed to provide outreach to the wider community. These include: - Tuesday Drop in - 3 C’s Coffee Cake and Chat mornings - Children’ Corner - Wednesday Club - Quarterly coffee mornings and book sales - Xmas Tree Festival and School PTFA Fair - Remembrance Day ‘Act of Remembrance’ - School services - Parent and Toddler Group - Ladies @ 2.30 ## **2.4 FINANCE** The General Fund shows an excess of payments over receipts of £11,553. Once again, direct comparison with 2022 is not straightforward and reference to the 2023 Financial Statement is recommended. However, there is a general trend of lower regular planned giving and other normal collections in Church. Fund raising receipts have also fallen from 2022 levels and the Burwash Village Magazine has a significant deficit. Individual donations on special occasions have, however, risen sharply. Expenditure continues to rise, notably in respect of utilities and churchyard maintenance. The level of formal reserves within the General Fund is not 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 ## **3.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION** ## **3.1 PCC MEMBERS** ## **Ex Officio** Thomas Pelham Rector Richard Harden Churchwarden Charles Merchant Vice Chairman and Deanery Synod Member Celia Merchant Deanery Synod Member Sara Stonor Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod Member ## **Co-opted** Val Stevens Ministry Team Mary Westhead Safeguarding Officer ## **Elected** Joanne Brown (2018:re-elected 2021) Foundation Governor Sally Gomer (2023) Planned Giving Secretary Jonathan Gomer (2023) Christopher Woodburn (2022) Honorary Treasurer ## **PCC GOVERNANCE** St. Bartholomew’s Governing Document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. It operates through the Parochial Church Council, its Standing Committee, Worship Group, Young People’s Group, Communications Group, Fund Raising Committee and Re-ordering Committee. 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. The PCC has put in place appropriate controls to minimise the likelihood of, or opportunity for, fraud or other malpractice. Meeting Attendance in 2022 6 March 12; 5 June 9; 4 September 9; 4 December 10 ## **3.3 CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND ELECTORAL ROLL** Electoral Roll 99; Normal Sunday attendance 42 (Average overall 48); Easter Day 82; Good Friday and Vigil 25; Christmas Eve/Day 152; School Services 5 with total attendance 1118. Approved by the Trustees on 4 March 2023. Rector ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST.BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH BURWASH Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023** |||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**All Funds**|**All Funds**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Funds**|**Fund**|**2023**|**2022**| ||**General**|**Designated**|||| |**Monetary Assets**|||||| |Bank Current Account|4000|0|0|4000|12683| |CBF Deposit Account|0|51798|12041|63839|71566| |**Other Assets**|||||| |Investments (at Market Value)|1750|385426|0|387176|364260| |Glebe Field (at cost)|26584|0|0|26584|26584| |**Total Assets**|32334|437224|12041|481599|475093| |**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 3 members of the PCC totalling £2249. Payments made to third parties on behalf of the Rector in respect of Rectory General and Water Rates amounted to £3280. 3.The cost of investments was £221616. Approved by the PCC on 4 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Reverend Thomas Pelham Rector C.H.Woodburn Treasurer INDEPE]YDENf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST BARTHOLOMEW'S, BURWASH I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Parochial Church Council of the E¢clesi&stical Parish of St Bartholomew's Church Burwash (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023. R￿Po￿lbilltles and basis of report As the ¢harity trustees of the Trnst you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢cor(lance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I rewrt in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts caTried 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 ACL Independen¢ ￿&mIner'S Stalen￿nI I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material matteTS have come to my attention in ¢onne¢tion with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: a) accounting r¢¢ords were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act. or b} the accounts do not accord with those records 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 undeTStanding of the accounts to be reached. NICK WADE, FCA 19 February 2024 Nick Wade FCA The Presbytery, Spring Lane, BurwasK East Susse& TN19 7JA