St Nicolas Witham and Villages THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WITHAM (CHARITY NO. 1133036) ST NICOLAS, CHURCH CHIPPING HILL WITHAM CM8 2JS ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS- 2024 Team Rector Revd Dr Jonathan Pritchard Team Vicar Revd Jane Quinton Team Vicar Revd Howard Schnaar Assistant Curate Revd Noah Cockett Associate Priest Revd Susan Malam
WITHAM PCC THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THETOWN OF WITHAM CENTRED ON THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST NICOLAS The Parish Church is on Chipping Hill in Witham. The correspondence address is: The Parish Office, St Nicolas Church Hall, Chipping Hill, Witham. Essex CM8 2JS In 2024 the Parochial Church Council has consisted of: Revd Dr Jonathan Pritchard, Team Rector Revd Jane Quinton, Team Vicar Revd Howard Schnaar, Team Vicar Revd Noah Cockett, Asst. Curate Revd Susan Malam, Associate Priest SSM Mrs Deirdre Schnaar, Reader LLM Mr Andrew Holt, Churchwarden, Vice Chair of PCC, Electoral Roll Officer, Diocesan Synod & Deanery Synod Representative Ms Marian Mitchell, Churchwarden. Mr Mike Robinson, Diocesan Synod & Deanery Synod Representative Mrs Jenny Robinson, Deanery Synod Representative (Until 1st Oct 20241 Ms Dayo Akande, elected. PCC Treasurer. Mrs Samantha Rees, elected. PCC Secretary. th Mrs Lyn Corke, elected (Until 19 May 20241 th Mrs Caroline Churn, elected (From 9 July 2024) Mr Rodney Cullum, elected Mrs Zoe Gilby, elected Mr John Hassler, elected Mrs Janet Hewitt, elected (From 9th July 20241 Mr Michael Hewitt, elected (From 9th July 2024) Ms Tracey Mackay, elected Mrs Anna Pritchard, elected, Environment Advocate for Witham Deanery (From Feb. 20241 Ms Liz Tymrns, elected, Environment Advocate for Witham Deanery (From Feb. 20241 The PCC Standing Committee comprises tho Rector, the two Churchwardens, the PCC th Secretaryi Mr Rodney Cullum (Until 19 May 2024) & Mr5 Tracey Mackay {From igth may 2024). The PCC Accounts are held by Barclays Bank plc, Witham and funds are also held by the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund, London. The Independent Examiner is Mrs Ann Clarke, Witham.
St Nicolas, Church is part of the Witham and Villages Team Ministry which has responsibility for the town of Witham and the neighbouring parishes of Terling, Fairstead, White Notley, Faulkbourne, Rivenhall and Silver End. Each parish has its own PCC. The Witham and Villages Team Ministry is also joined with the parish of Hatfield Peverel with Ultingto form the Pilgrim Rivers Mission and Ministry Unit IMMUI. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates underthe Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The Pccwas exempted by order from registering with the Charity Commission until 2010 when it registered and was given the Charity number 1133036.
The PCC now has seven accounts which must be spent on Restricted purposes as follows; a) Abrey Trust The Managing Trustees [the PCCI shall apply the clear income and at their discretion the whole or part of the property of the Church Charity in or towards rebuilding, repairing, enlarging, altering, furnishing, and equipping the Church of St Nicolas in the said ecclesiastical parish. b) Church House Fund Under the control of the Incumbent & Churchwardens to be used to provide any building for the purposes of: l. Divine Worship 2. Classes or Lectures 3. Meetings 4. Clubs 5. Clerical Meetings & Social Conferences} 6. Any purpose in the opinion of the Incumbent & Churchwardens for improving conditions of the population of the Parish. Building may not be used in anyway against the principles of the Church of England. c) Fabric Fund Income & capital for upkeep of the fabric of St Nicolas church and churchyard. d) Graves Fund Income for upkeep of graves. e) John Suddards Memorial Fund Income and capital to provide discretionary funds in memory of the late Reverend John Suddards. f) Church Community Fund Income and capital for Witham based hardship cases / people in urgent need of money. This fund is administered via Braintree Halstead & Witham CAB. g) Bellringers Fund In December 2023 the PCC took responsibility for a seventh Restricted Account, held in trust for the Bellringers use. The appointment of PCC mernbers is governed by and Set out in the Church Representation Rules. PCC members are recruited frorn the wider congregation, and all are encouraged to consider standing. New members are offered induction training by the Church Wardens on a one-to-one basis. All members are briefed on cornpliance with health and safety legislation, safeguarding, data protection and other like legislation. Members have completed all required safeguarding courses via the online Diocesan training portal. They also have access to training events organised on a Deanery, Area, and Diocesan basis. Provision is made for sharing information and skills from these events where appropriate. The PCC met 6-weekly from January to November 2024. with the addition of a Faith meeting in February; A total of 9 meetings across the year. } Connected with the } Church
The PCC Standing Committee also met regularly throughout the year. Again 6-weekly,' usually 2-3 weeks before the PCC meetings. They involve agreeing the PCC agenda, plus any other urgent business to support PCC work. Email correspondence involves PCC agenda5, Virtual proposals & votes, relevant reports and subcommittee minutes for consideration and acceptance at PCC meetings.
The PCC also has the following sub-committees: a) The Medieval Fayre Committee has delegated power to organise and run the AnnLtal Medieval Fayre. The 2024 Medieval Fayre was successfully held on 29 June. b) The Church Fabric Committee advises the PCC on fabric and property matters for the Church, Church grounds 3nd Church Hall. Meetings ran 4-6 weekly throughout the year. Finance and Stewardship committee has oversight of the accounts and finances. Social and Events Committee met regularly every 4-6 weeks throughout the year to encourage social events and fundraising opportunities at St Nicolas. (Part of our welcome agenda). Events this year included,. Quiz night5, Bring & share meals, and Music Recitals. d} Eco Church Group met regularly throughout the year, to develop the ecological agenda within our church. We achieved the A-Rocha Bronze award this year. Christmas Tree Festival, is developed and managed by the St Nicolas Christmas Tree Festival Committee. This working group met during 2024, and organised a successful festival over the weekend of 7-8 December. Working group5 also report to the PCC as required Outreach & Mission Group: Continuing our youth ministry and links Wlth local schools. Also focussed on wider mission outreach, pastoral care, and worship activities in the Parish. Friends Of St. Nicolas Group is aimed at developing Witham Town's Business links and general Community links with St Nicolas. f) In addition, the First Sunday Group exists to a551St the clergy on the content and delivery of the Sunday morning All Age Eucharist on the First Sunday of the month. The Ministry Team is led by the Team Rector who has overall responsibility for the Mission and Ministry of the Benefice of Witham and Villages {7 churches). He exercises direct responsibility for the Parishes of Witham, Faulkebourne and White Notley. Part of his remit is to engage church in its historic role within the public space of town and civic life. He is also responsible for training the Asslstant Curate. There are two Team Vicars. The Team Vicar for the Villages exercises responsibility for the parishes of Terling, Fairstead, and Rivenhall & Silver End. The Team Vicar for Neighbourhoods has responsibility for developing the Church's connections with communities in Witham's growing neighbourhoods. All members of the Team share in leading worship in each of the Churches of the Benefice. They also meet weekly for Staff Meetings and daily for Morning and Evening Prayer.
There are also distinctive and authorised lay ministries working in the parishes: Deirdre Schnarr 15 a Reader/Licensed Lay Minister ILLMI. Pat Pullen & Heather Brewster are both Lay Funeral Ministers. David Martin, Pat Hall, and Andrew Holt are Authorised Lay Preachers IALPI OBJECTIVES AND AcfiviTIES The primary objective of the PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC is fully committed to co-operating with the clergy team to promote throughout the parish, the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical, th The church receives the services of a Director of Music. Mr David Martin (Until 30 March 5t 20241 and Mr Ashley Thompson (From l April 20241. We have a paid Parish Administrator; th Ms Linzi Barrett, We also have a paid hall Cleaner; Ms Annika Halford (From 20 May 20241. The church is very dependent on the goodwill and hard work of the many volunteers, in particular, the church officers, church cleaning, churchyard maintenance, odd jobs, church hall letting, duplicating service sheets and the like, sacristan duties, worship organisation, and many other specific tasks are all achieved through volunteer work. Our thanks are expressed to all those who helped to carry out these duties throughout the year. This year marked David Martin's final set of Easter services after 40 years as our well-loved Director of Music. The ClergyTeam have settled well into our benefice, town, and villages with flourishing results. All regularly preach and celebrate Communion at St Nicolas, with the welcome addition of our Assistant Curate Revd Noah Cockett, who was priested at St. Botolph's Church in Colchester on the 28th September. He celebrated his first Holy Communion service atst Nicolas on Sunday 29th The PCC worked with the clergy to encourage the congregation, and its growth to ensure that fruitFul and effective discipleship is developed, particularly at the festival services, and during the seasons of Lent and Advent. Chatterbox, the toddler group for pre-school children, continues to flourish, meeting weekly on Mondays in term time. Our All-Age Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month has seen several new families join us this year and grows from strength to strength. Sunday Children's Church restarted in February, followed by 3 new Sunday evening discussion group for older teenagers from April. We have an effective and growing Eco group who organised and introduced an ecologically supportive churchyard plan in April. They feed creative ideas into our adult congregation and all our children'5 group5 alike, which support growth in our church and help focus us on the need to look after God'5 amazing created world. All are an excellent resource for children's education and nurture in our parish.
We have been focussing on the long process of obtaining a faculty for several church Fabric projects throughout the year. Our major project and faculty process ongoing, is that to replace the existing lead roof in the South Aisle of the church with Terne Coated Stainless steel. This to make good the damage from previous lead thefts over the years, and to future proof this happening again. The full proposal and plans are currently being assessed for approval by Chelmsford Diocesan Advisory Committee. To support this project, we agreed this year'5 Mediaeval Fayre profits (£11,432.10) be 311ocated into a new designated fund, The 'South Aisle Roof Repair Fund- this will support fundraising and grant matching applications to help us meet the costs involved in repairing the south aisle roof. In November we agreed to accept our Architects recommendation for Lodge and Sons to complete the work on this project, at a cost of £66,580 (excluding VATI. We are hopeful that thi5 work will be completed by end of 2025. Our two major annual community events, the MediVal Fayre lin June} and the Christmas Treo Festival (in December), were very successful, well attended and much enjoyed by all. We also held several social events, including Quiz nights, a Talent show and a series of music31 recitals in the Church. The Mother5, Union held their usual full calendar during the year. Our commitment to working well with our sister churches in Witham continues. We support Tuesday Praise atthe URC and Churches Together in Witham. The Easterwitness, and outdoor Carol service were both held in the Grove Centre again this year- with the Christmas Service opening the Town's Christmas Market. Finances do continue to struggle, especially with the need to continue to allocate funds towards our Parish Share, and into the general maintenance of what is a grade I listed church building. And as noted above, specifically, we have a major obligation to repair our church roof which require5 a significant amount of additional funding. We are pleased to note that regulargiving has continued to increase during 2024. Supported by our growing congregation, effective ministry within our church and our reaching out to the local community. We have also been effectively reviewing our bi115 and income in consultation with our Eco team. We are now on a green eco-friendly tariff with a new gas/electricity supplier from October 2024 which will save approx. £1,000 per year. We have significantly reduced our water bills in year, overestimated to March 2024, and have received a refund of £2,000. We have a150 competitively increased our Hall hire charges in line with maintenance improvements made by volunteers to our Hall premises this year. Everything in God's grace is moving in the right direction. ACHIEVEMENT The church enjoyed a successful year of worship and witness. Our regular 9.30am Sunday Communion Service continues, as does our regular 6.00pm Sunday Evensong service and our regular 10am Thursday Communion Service. All services are clergy led.
Numbers comingto regular church services increased across the year, with some new families attending. The 9'.30am Communion service ranges between 70 to 90 with the All-Age Communion service attracting the largest numbers. Attendance at Evensong generally varies between 24 to 40 (with the notable exception of David Martin's last service where there were over 100.) Numbers attending Christmas services in 2024 also significantly increased (by 25% building on the growth we noted last year. This was aided by continued proactive publicity for church services, both physical and online, and encouraging a culture of invitation within the regular congregation. Holy Week services continue to be a significant high point of the churches Spiritual journey through the year In 2024 the clergy and lay funeral ministers officiated at 35 baptisms, 7 weddings, 14 funeral services in Church, 6 at the Crematorium, and 2 interments of ashes in the churchyard. FINANCIAL Ekundayo Akande formally took over from John Hassler as treasurer on 30 May 2024. Key items from the financial report are set out below. Total receipts on ordinary restricted funds in 2024 wa5 at £116,874, higher than the 2023 figure of £IIO,011. Expenses increased moving from £96,090 in 2023 to £116,608 in 2024 leaving a small surplus of £266. £112,320 was spent on Church Activities, including an increase of £40,371 in 2024 from £30,000 in 2023 in contributions towards the Diocesan Parish Share (Parish Sharel. Parish Share contributions are made towards ministry costs and central diocesan costs, calculated by 3 formula based on church members. We were unable to meet our budgeted Parish share contribution of £99,508 for 2024 and only able to contribute £40,371. This payment included £9171 (realised from Mediaeval fayre income for 2023 intended to go towards the Parish Share for 20231. The Mediaeval Fayre continues to be the largest revenue generator with income of £16,646 up from £14,742 in 2023, bringing the total income for fundraising activities to £24,984 from £22,340 in 2023. This year, Mediaeval Fayre income was allocated to the roof fund. Expenses for organising fundraising activities also decreased from £6233 in 2023 to £4158 in 2024. RESERVES POLICY The PCC'S policy requires that a balance of approximately 4 months be maintained to cover emergency requirements. Paying the total amount of £99,508 as budgeted in Parish Share would have depleted our unrestricted reserves, left us vulnerable and 15
not in accordance with the PCC'S policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds. After adding bank and deposit balance5 brought forward on l January 2024, the balance carried forward on 31st December 2024 for the ordinary unrestricted funds remains as £37,730 which continue5 to support the policy on unrestricted funds. We have continued to invest our funds balances with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund. Approved by the PCC on 8 April 2025 and signed on their behalf by Revd Dr Jonathan Pritchard (PCC Chair)
Wltham Parochlal Church Councll - St Nlcolas Church.Charlty No 1133036 R9[Pl$ and Paymonts Accounts Unrestrfcted Fund Unresvlcted Oesl8rtatsd Funtt P4rlctsd Funds End(wJrnnt Funds Total 2024 2023 Receipts Voluntsryrecelpts Pl3nndwnI Collectionsand other81ng l otherwwnglvoluntary recepts GIftAd Recovered Total VoluntaryReteipts 64,647 5,911 1.392 64,647 5,911 1,392 48,033 5,577 10.574 78.726 78,726 68,342 Activitie5for geratIngfundS InVestmt Income Chur£hActivities Redemption of Investment5 (Aher recelpts Totsl Recelpts 24.984 885 5,975 24.984 3,193 5,975 23,888 1,895 4,739 918 1,390 6,304 116074 70 1,460 6,374 11,147 119,252 110,011 918 Payments chUh11les Parish share Clerg¥and staffingcosts Church runn5n8exp5es Hall runnSngcostS Church Repairs& maintanCe Hall Repairs& Malntthance ion wvingand donations Total CMrchArtItles 40.371 15,51XI 4249 6,593 6.276 501 230 112,320 40,371 15.500 43,341 6,593 6,276 501 230 112.812 30.000 11,153 27,869 8,634 9,373 2,498 200 89,727 492 492 Cost ofsenwatlnsJnds GDvernaft¢ecosts Other paytnents Total Paymerts 4,158 130 4,158 130 6,233 130 116 608 492 117,100 96,090 Excessofrecelptsoverptym¢ntsl Ipaymentso¥er recelptsl 266 918 968 2.152 13.911 Movemaits Betwepn Funds (Roof Fund) -5.903 5,903 Cash at bankand in hand at ljan 21.745 20.704 48,467 90,916 76.995 Cathatl)8nkand inhand•t31 Dec 21,622 $5.338 90,916 Stat•mont of Assèts and Liabilities Unrestrlcted Fund Unrestritted Do48ned Fund Restrftted Funds Endowment Funts Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Not• C•thFunds Bank Currwt Account Depo4tkcounts Totals 12,930 3,685 17,937 21,622 10.270 45,068 55,338 26,885 66,183 93.068 32,945 57,971 90.916 16,108 Ilabllltles Misslonèryand CharltèbleGivin8 Church CommunityFund John Suddards Mwrorial Fund Hopecommunitywitharn Fund BelIrngeS Fund Totals 89 89 1,592 3.685 2.989 5,689 14.044 89 1,592 3,685 2.990 6.111 1,592 3,685 2,989 89 Totsl NetAssets Genual Fund Equipment Fund Abrey Trust Churth HouseFund Fabric Fund Graves Fund Roof Fund Hopecommunltywltham Fund Bdlrinsw5 Fvnd John Suddards fvkmorial Fund Church communityFund Totals 16,019 16,019 17,937 17,980 3,883 14.569 2,733 5,903 21,656 17,018 17,518 3,687 13,836 2,734 17.937 17,980 3.883 14,569 2,733 5.903 16A119 17.937 79.024 76.449
Witham Parochial Church Councll - St Nlcolas Church -ChaTity No 1133036 Financial Statemonl fortho year endgd 31st December 2024 Gon•ral Fund {UnrnstTicted) Ro¢0iPts and Payments Ac¢ount 2024 2023 Receipts Note R•gular Glvlng 64,647 49,581 64,647 49,581 Collg¢tion$ and other giving Loose plate INon-Gift Aid Donation81 Oneff Grfi Akl grFts Ioonations various Gift Aid Incorr Tax recovered 5,883 28 6.776 5.567 4,158 12.087 9.735 Othèr voluntary r•e•ipts Legades Charitabk donat5 Donati)ns 200 9,585 389 400 621 371 400 Votlves FloweTS- dOnatll$ 1,392 10.574 Re¢&lpts from actlvil&8 for generating fvnd8 Mediaeval Fayre ConrtS Easyfundraising.co.uk Goneral Fundr8ising Church hall lettlngs Income Magazine sales & advertising 16,646 100 93 401 7.485 259 14,742 461 364 421 6,262 90 24,984 22,340 Inveslment Income 885 184 R•colpts from Church a¢ti¥ities Paroehkgl fèos Ifa8s frorn w8ddang8 and funeraL8 Choir and Organ Inco L((8tUre Incon 5,975 4,739 5,975 4.739 Oth&r Ro¢•Fpts Insurance Clawr Grants other Recepts 1,045 3.991 6,304 6,304 116.874 5.036 102,189 Payments Church Activltlgs Di0san Parish Share Clergy and staffing )st8 Church Funnin9 8xpense$ Hall wnning costs Church Rep8iB & Maintenance Hall Repairs & Maintenance Oversèas rrission and relief agencEs Home rnission and other church so¢11$ 40,371 1 $,500 42,849 6,593 6,276 501 30,000 11,153 27,869 8,634 6,300 2,498 230 200 112,320 86.654 Fundralsing Costs Other fundrak%thg costs Magazina Cos*s Mediaeval Fayre 160 842 49 5,342 3,998 4,158 130 116,608 6.233 130 93,017 Other Payments Ex¢•$$ of Receipts ovor Paym•nts 266 9,171 m0vennts 8•twa•n Funds -5.903 4,637 9,171 Bank Cunpnt and Dèposit accounts al 1 st January 21.745 12,574 Bank Curr•nt and Deposit accounts at 31$t December 18,108 21.745 io
Wltham Parochial Church Councll - St Nicolas Church . Charfty No 1133036 Financial Statement for the year ended 31 st Docombor 2024 Fabri¢ Fund Recoipts and Payments Account - Restricled Fund 2024 2023 Receipts Bank Interest 734 734 430 430 paynts Excess of Receipts over Payrnents 734 430 Bank Current and D8pos(( ants al 1st January 13,836 13,406 Bank Currgntand Deposit accounts at 31st Dg¢¢mber 14,569 13.836 ChuTGh House Fund Recelpts and Payments Account . Restrfcted Fund 2024 2023 Receipts Bank Interest 195 114 PaywrEnts Ex¢ess of Rec8ipts over PaynEnt 195 114 Bank Cunent and Deposit accounts 8t 1st January 3,687 3.573 Bank Curr•nt And Dèpo#it accounts at 31 st D•e•mr 3.883 3.687 Abrey Trust Rfy¢oipt5 and Payments A¢Unt . Rpstrfcted Fund 2024 2023 Reeelpts Bank Interest 461 544 Payments Excess of Recei?ts ovgr PaynEnt 461 544 Bank Current and Depostt 8¢wunts at 1 st January 17,518 16,974 Bank Current and Doposit a¢counts at 31 st D•¢omb•r 17,980 17,518 Wltham Parochial Church Council - St Nlcolas Church -Charlty No 1133036 Graves Fund Recelpls and Payments Account - Restricted Fund 2024 2023 Re¢¥pt5 Payments Bank Charg8 Exc8ss of RofW)ts over Paynnt Bank Current and Deposf( accounts at 1st January 2,734 2,734 Bank Currgnt and Deposit accounts at 31st December 2.733 2.734 li
Chur¢h Community Fund Receipts and Paymenls AGcount- Rostrict6d Fund 2024 2023 Receipts Payments Excess of Receipts over Paynnt Bank Current and Deposit a¢¢ounts at 1st January 1,592 1,592 Bank Current and Dep081t ac¢ounts at 31 St De¢ember 1,592 1,592 John Suddards Momorlal Fund Rec¢ipt$ and Paymenls Account - Deslgnated Fund 2024 2023 R0¢9iPts Not ReiptS Payrrents Excess of Receipts over Payment Bank CuNgnl and D8pos(( accounts al 1st January 3,685 3,685 Bank Current and O•posit aee¢)unts at 31st December 3,68S 3.685 Hope Communlty Iwltham) Fund Receipts and Payments Account - Restricted Fund 2024 2023 Receipts [natIOn PaYntS Excess of Recaipls ovèr Paynnt Bank Current and Deposf( aVA)unts at 1st January 2,989 2,990 Bank Current and Deposlt a¢¢ounts at 31st Decombgr 2,989 2.990 Equipment Fund Receipts and Paymonts Account - Dè5ignatod Fund 2024 2023 Receipts Bank Interest 918 623 Payments RepaiT ol Church Organ ExsS of R¢¢aipts over PaywEnt 3,073 -2,450 918 Bank Currenl and Deposit aUnts at 1st J8nu8ry 17,018 19,468 Bank Currentand D•posit 8¢¢ounts at 31st D•c•mbgr 17,937 17.018 Bellrlngers Fund - Restrfcted Fund 2024 2023 Re¢8lPts 70 Transfer to PCC 6,111 Payrn8nt$ 492 Excess of R8CgiPts over payftnt Bank Current and Deposit accounts at 1st January 6,111 Bank Curront and DePtt •¢¢¢unts at 31$t D•¢•mbor S,689 6.111 li
Witham Parochial Church Council - St Nicolas Church - Charlty No 1133036 Flnancial Statement for the year ended 31st December 2024 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st December 2024 2024 2023 Cash funds Current Accounts Depos¢t Accounts 26,885 66,183 32,945 57,971 Total Current and Deposlt Accounts 93.068 90.916 Liabilf(ies {G8néral Fund) other tangible assets Lawnmower, cards and offic8 equipm8nt for our Parish and Mediaeval Fayre Notss The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2008 using the Receipts and Payments basis. The following assets ar8 r8cognised but not necessarily valued in the Sta18ment of Assets and Liabilities.. Moveable church fumishings h81d by the church wardens on special trust for th8 PCC and which require a faculty for disposal. The expenses paid to clergy may include a small immaterial proportion, which relat8$ to their function as PCC members. No other payments were made to PCC members. Approved bythePCCon 2025 and signed on their behalf by Revd Dr. Jonathan Prltchard (Chairl and Dayo Akande IPCCTreasurerl
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Pomchial Church Councll of The Ecclesiastical Parish of Witham. I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2024 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,. to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning 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 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: {1} which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met. or (21 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Mrs Ann Clarke Signature.. Relevant professional quallfication or body: Address: 4 Abercorn Way, Witham, Essex, CM8 2UF Date: 29th April 2025