2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Reports and

Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of Willingdon

For the year ended 31[ st ] December 2023

Banks:

Barclays Bank plc, 63 Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN213NE NatWest Bank, 96 Terminus Road, Eastbourne BN21 3LX

Independent Examiner:

David Jenkins, Accountant, MDJ Services, Unit A6, Chaucer Business Park, Dittons Road, Polegate, BN26 6QH

1 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

Charity Registration Number 1133784

Aims and Purposes

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the parish priest, Fr Adam Ransom, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is also specifically responsible for their respective church building and the church hall.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling the whole community to find faith in Jesus Christ and to worship him at church. The PCC along with the priest-in-charge, maintain an overview of the worshipping life of the parish. All our services aim to put our faith into practice through music, prayer, scripture, and sacrament.

In obedience to God’s Mission, we seek to help ordinary people in the parish live out their faith. We encourage worship and prayer, increasing understanding of scripture and deepening relationships with Jesus. We seek to provide pastoral care to those in the church and wider parish community. We hope to reach others through missional and evangelistic activity.

We are committed to encourage generous giving through our stewardship schemes and through raising funds by trading in our hall.

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

Throughout the year we held regular Sunday and weekday worship at the parish church and this was predominantly eucharistic following the liturgical seasons of the Christian year.

We took 2 baptisms, 1 marriage and 29 funerals during the year.

We marked the King’s Coronation along with other events alongside Hampden Park and the Hydneye in parish partnership worship.

We also held special services such as a Coronation Evensong and a pet blessing service. We invited guest preachers to a series of autumn evensongs, which were very well attended.

Our work as Church on the Trees continued to serve the community there and thanks must be given to Mary Wright, the honorary assistant clergy and all the volunteers who have made the Tuesday café and worship, the Wednesday Foodbank café, and all other offerings possible.

The Church and Hall

In order to serve the community and to raise funds to meet our financial obligations we rely on our church and hall buildings to be maintained to a good state of repair. During the year of

2 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

2023 our Churchwardens have been instrumental in co-ordinating the constant review and repair of the fabric of the building. Thank you to our hard-working wardens.

There have been several repairs to various parts of the building as guided by our Quinquennial report and observation. Our bells and clock were taken from the tower to be repaired under faculty and this work was to be completed in 2024.

James Ford of Clague LLP continues to be our inspecting architect.

The hall continued to be rented out during 2023 and this helped us to be able to run various mission initiatives and to gain a vital rental income .

Pastoral Care

Deacon Sue Wilkinson continues to be our Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator for the parish partnership and she oversees the provision of pastoral care. We trained and commissioned several new lay ministers of communion and along with the clergy they have taken a part in the pastoral ministry of our church. Visits were made to the sick and dying as well as opportunities given for people to discuss their cares and concerns. It is hoped that in 2024 a bereavement group will be operated by the parish partnership in the new care home on the top of Decoy Drive.

Children and Youth

During 2023 we continued to run Messy Church activities, a big thank you to all those involved.

A Children’s Cross service was held on Good Friday.

Our musical director, Anthony Wilson, ran a children’s singing event ‘I will sing with the Spirit’ to engage with younger singers.

We also held our annual crib services which were very well attended.

Engagement with Lower Willingdon and Oakwood schools occurred over the advent and Christmas period.

Our hopes for 2024 are to expand our children’s work by reinstating Kid’s on Sunday but also to introduce a new form of service for the last Sunday in the month which will be all age and encourage those who might find our regular Sunday worship daunting.

Mission and Evangelism

Alongside all of the mission and evangelistic work detailed in other parts of this report we:

• were pleased to participate in the Eastbourne Inspiring Angel’s project in the lead up to Christmas, which allowed us to help share the faith with those across the town alongside other churches from different denominations.

• 3 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

• also supported Family Support Work and the food bank.

Community Events and Engagement

• A pantomime was held in January 2023 and a good time was had by all!

• ‘Grace’ continued to be edited by Fr. Adam and this provided a source of news and

• information along with some humour to members of our worshipping community and the wider parish.

Financial Review

The Parochial Church Council had previously agreed that the 2023 accounts should be prepared and presented on the Receipts and Payments principle, rather than on the Accruals basis as before.

We started the year with total combined bank and investments balances of £437,094 and ended the year with total bank and investments of £356, 986 a reduction £80,108.

Receipts

Receipts of General Funds (comprising Unrestricted and Designated Funds) for 2023 were £139, 534, whereas Payments under the same heading totalled £193,264 giving a deficit on simple receipts and payments for the year of £53,730.

Most income heads were comparable with previous year’s accruals figures, with the exception of Donations where the 2022 figure includes a generous donation from a local parishioner of £100,000. The same parishioner also donated a further £66,000 which is a Restricted Fund for the renovation of the tower bells and repairs to the tower clock.

The PCC recognises and appreciates the valuable contribution of £12,458 from activities such as the summer fair, Christmas tree festival, panto and other fundraising initiatives.

The Parish Giving Scheme was introduced during the year and this income is included in Planned Giving. It is hoped that more donors will switch from the present standing-order scheme to the PGS during 2024.

The moribund Churches Together Fund run by the parishes of St Wilfred’s Broad Road , St John’s Polegate and St Mary’s Willingdon was wound-up and the Fund balance of £1,505 was shared equally between the three churches.

We were able to claim back £6,981 VAT paid on the tower bells and clock works and other repairs under the LPOW grant scheme. No legacies were received in the year.

Payments

There were no direct payments of grants to like-minded charities in the year. Instead, Mission Costs cover the financial support given to the Church On The Trees to fund not only the cost of

• 4 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

the Foodbank and weekly services, but also payments to needy individuals within the Partnership parishes at the discretion of the clergy.

Our Parish Share payment of to the Diocese represents 114% of our Parish Ministry Costs and continues to present a huge and daunting commitment.

Work commenced in the year on the renovation of the tower bells and repairs to the tower clock, both generously funded by a local parishioner. Staged payments were made during the year and both works are expected to be completed in 2024.

Repairs and improvements totalling £8,378 were made to the Church house at No 37 Church Street currently rented to the deacon at St Mary’s. It is the responsibility of the PCC as landlord to maintain the property in good order. (There are no comparative costs shown in the 2022 accounts).

Clergy expenses and purchases are received, collated and paid by Mr Tony Kemp the treasurer of the PCC at Hampden Park and the Hydneye. An apportionment is billed to St Mary’s Willingdon and paid accordingly. We continue to be most grateful to Mr Kemp for his good work and support in this way.

The Director of Music who had originally been recruited on a self-employed basis was taken on to the payroll during the year. Subsequently, the administration of our payroll comprising the office administrator and the director of music, was outsourced to Alpha Payroll Ltd which is now responsible for payslips and HMRC matters . A workplace pension scheme was introduced for the office administrator.

Reserves Policy

During the year the PCC regularly reviewed the purpose and value of Restricted, Designated and Unrestricted funds. The PCC continues to consider these funds appropriate to current and future needs.

The Quinquennial Report 2022 has pointed to the extensive work required to restore and renovate the outbuildings in the Church Hall yard together with other outstanding items needing attention.

Safeguarding

The parish continues to review and update all safeguarding procedures, following the current diocesan guidelines including implementing ‘Simple Quality Protects’ (SQP). The Parochial Church Council fully recognises its duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Volunteers

The PCC wishes to thank all those who have volunteered in any way over the course 2023 in helping keep things running.

5 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

In particular it wishes to thank Ms Stephanie Anderson and Mr Trevor Amey for their tireless work in the maintenance of the fabric of the buildings and work as wardens over 2023.

Thank you to Jim Tomsett for undertaking the role of treasurer and thank you also to Alan Benstead for his work as stewardship officer.

The PCC also thank:

• The team of volunteers for their work on the churchyard.

• The flower team for the stunning creations they make.

• Those who clean the church and care for the linen.

• Those who set up for services.

• Our servers and welcomers who help keep things running smoothly.

• Those who help with messy church.

• Our social committee for all their work on providing entertainment and food throughout the year.

• Our bell ringers who had to suffer months without the bells!

• Annabel and all those who work so hard on the annual pantomime.

• Our lay ministry team who do such a good job visiting people and distributing the chalice at communion.

• Our honorary assistant clergy and readers for their hard work and care.

• Our musical director and choir for the beauty they bring to our worship.

Structure, Governance and Management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At both PCCs consists of the Priest in Charge, churchwardens, and elected members. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and those who are confirmed are encouraged stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including decisions on how the funds of the PCCs are to be spent. All members are made aware of their obligations as Charity Trustees and their responsibility to uphold safeguarding practices.

The PCCs meet no less than once every three months plus hold an Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

Administrative Information

The parish of Willingdon consists of St Mary, the virgin, which is situated on Church Street, Willingdon. It is part of the Diocese of Chichester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is the Parish Office, St Mary, the virgin, Willingdon, BN20 9HT. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission.

6 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023

There are people currently on the electoral roll of the parish.

PCC members who have served from the 1[ st ] January 2023 until the 31[ st ] December 2023 Priest in Charge and Chair: The Revd Adam Ransom (Ex-Officio) Associate Vicar: The Reverend Danny Pegg (Ex-Officio) Associate Vicar: The Reverend Sue Wilkinson (Ex-Officio) Treasurer Mr Jim Tomsett (stood down on 31[ st ] December 2023) Wardens: Mr Trevor Amey (Ex-Officio) (Vice Chair) Ms Stephanie Anderson (Ex Officio) Representatives of the Deanery Synod: Mr Olaf Hoag (Ex-Officio) Mr Paul Martin (Ex-Officio) Mrs Joan (Ex-Officio) General Synod Member: Tina Nay (Ex-Officio) Elected Members: Melissa Green (Until APCM) Polly Stone-Lee Sheela Wilson Lynne Lorraine Co-opted members: Val Winslade (stepped down due to ill health in 2023) Jeremy Rowett (PTO lay reader) Lyn Bishop (PTO lay reader)

7 Annual reports and financial statements for the PCC of Hampden Park and the Hydneye, Eastbourne, Year ending 2023