# **The Parochial Church Council of St Barnabas Hemel Hempstead Annual Report For the Year ended 31st December 2023** ## **Aim and purposes** St Barnabas's Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. ## **Objectives and activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Barnabas. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music, and sacrament. When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: - Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. - Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish. - Missionary and outreach work. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St Barnabas and its halls which are used by the congregation and community groups. ## **Achievements and performance** 2023 was a year of change as our new Team Vicar was appointed and began ministry in Adeyfield alongside the congregation of St Barnabas. There is likely to be more change in the future as the Diocese of St Albans restarted the consultation on the future of the Hemel Hempstead Team Ministry. ## **Appointment of theTeam Vicar** Following the departure of Rev Richard Graham in 2022, St Barnabas started 2023 without a Team Vicar. For the first six months of 2023 the Team Rector, the Rev. Canon John Williams, has provided guidance and support to the PCC. In addition, other members of the team clergy, Rev Austin Janes and Rev Pete Stevenson, conducted services. In January 2023 the role of Team Vicar was advertised both within the Diocese of St Albans and nationally. Several people applied for the position and the interview panel shortlisted a number to invite for an interview at St Barnabas. Following a day of interviews and other activities the interview panel offered the position to the Rev Matthew Renyard and he accepted. On 28[th] June 2023 the Bishop of St Alban’s licenced Rev Matthew as Team Vicar and he began his ministry in Adeyfield. ## **Regular Weekly Services** We are delighted that in the main, all of our regular services have continued and that our congregation and PCC have remained faithful and hopeful during a difficult year. Both weekly services and our midweek communion have a wonderful core of worshippers demonstrating the value to us of continuing and seeking expansion in the forms of service that we offer. Tea and coffee following services is vital to our keeping in touch and up to date with our church family thanks to all who participate. Visitors, of whom we have had many during this year, invariably speak of the enthusiasm and participation of our church with a good variety of people offering themselves in support, praying, reading, leading, and giving testimony and insight at our services. Also, we recognise those assisting in welcome and by moving chairs, making tea, and washing up. We are fortunate in having people and resources in St Barnabas that have allowed this. ## **Children and Youth Groups** JAM, our Sunday school, is regularly provided for our young people, but we continue to struggle a little with critical mass as the number of families attending has fallen. Expectantly we pray for a sufficient increase in our numbers to enable the leaders to be confident in their planning and well supported in their delivery. We are most grateful to Heather, Ian and Videlina for their faithful and unfailing service. We also try to ensure that Youth Across Hemel and Hard COR events are publicised for our youngsters. Valerie and her team of helpers have continued running our Mum’s and Toddlers group on a Thursday morning. The group was renamed Little B’s to reflect that the group is open for anyone from baby to toddler age. This is a valuable and much appreciated opportunity for them to meet and share experiences and friendship in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Our Open the Book group have continued to visit Hobletts Manor Infants School and children visited the church. A new headteacher was appointed at Broadfield Academy in Summer 2023 and has rebuilt a relationship with St Barnabas. Rev Matthew has visited Broadfield and children from the school have come to St Barnabas for services. ## **Weekday Community Use** Our buildings are used for many and varied activities during the week. The below shows the church activities which use the church: • Mid-Week Holy Communion – Wednesday mornings - Little B’s – Thursday mornings (term time) The below show the outside groups which we currently hire to: - St Barnabas Pre-school – Monday to Friday (term time) - Alcoholics Anonymous – Monday and Sunday evenings - Majorettes – Monday evening - • NHS Blood Clinic – Tuesday all day • Ballet Classes - Saturday morning up to July 2023 In addition, the halls and church were hired out for individual events and birthday parties. St Barnabas Pre-school remains our most valuable partner in terms of rental income and in bringing young people into the premises of St Barnabas. Although an independent charity the Preschool is intrinsically embedded into our work in Adeyfield. The staff, parents and children gain familiarity with the church through their attendance and are invited to take part in special services and share in church events throughout the year. The financial contribution of their rental is vital to our ongoing viability and once again they have been most generous in spending their accumulated funds on improvements and maintenance of the building and space that we share. ## **Buildings** Following the issue with the high level lights in 2022 these were replaced with more efficient LED lights in early in 2023. Our main projector has become unreliable and will need replacing at some point in 2024. This gives an opportunity to switch from a projector to multiple large TV screens. ## **Electoral Roll** The number on adults on the Electoral Roll was 65. ## **Sunday Services** The average Sunday attendances (based on when the church was open) for both services was: ||2023|2022|2021| |---|---|---|---| |All Ages|56|54|35| ## **Safeguarding** There were no safeguarding incidents to report during 2023. Linda Capon (Safeguarding Coordinator) continued to provide advice and administration, using the Parish Dashboard system. All PCC members completed relevant safeguarding training. All relevant DBS checks were competed as required in caring for the young and vulnerable people who come to St Barnabas. There were no safeguarding incidents in the year. ## **Occasional Offices** The occasional offices are those services which relate to baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Following on from a funeral, we offer an opportunity for those bereaved to talk to a member of our Bereavement Team. The numbers of the occasional offices for our parish in 2022 were: |||**2023**|**2022**|**2021**| |---|---|---|---|---| |Baptisms /|Christenings|1|7|1| |Thanksgivings||0|0|0| |Confirmations||0|0
|0| |Weddings:|
In St Barnabas church|0|1|0| ||In St Mary’s church (by St Barnabas vicar)|0|0|0| |Funerals:||12|8|20| ## **Pastoral care** In respect to caring for the needs of those in church and the community. The church members do a number of caring of activities. - Taking news sheets round to those who did not have internet capability. - Telephoning those who were on their own. - Helping out with shopping where needed. ## **Hemel Hempstead Team** St Barnabas is part of the Hemel Hempstead Team ministry which comprises four parishes and five churches being led by Revd Canon John Williams. In the Autumn of 2023 the Diocese restarted the consultation on reducing the number of Team Vicars in the Hemel Hempstead Team. An open meeting was held which was attended by a good number of people from St Barnabas as the congregation is aware that this change will have knock on effects at St Barnabas. The PCC has continued to engage with the formal process and consider its response to the proposals. ## **Ecumenical relationships** The church is a member of Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead. There are monthly prayer meetings for all the churches in Hemel which St Barnabas participates in and hosted one this year. The church supports a churches wide initiative to operate a Christian Cafe and ‘community hub’ (Liberty Tea Rooms) in the town. Several people in the church help at the café and the Foodbank and Night Shelter which is also supported by the churches in Hemel Hempstead. ## **Financial review** The statements of financial activity and position at 31[st] December 2023 set out a detailed summary of the PCC's finances. These show that financially 2023 was better than 2022 with the year showing an overall surplus of £27,441 (2022 deficit £5,654). The church started the year with reserves of £26,887; by the end of 2023 this had increased to £53,829. ## **Income** Total income in 2023 at £127,766 was £44,935, 54%, higher than that in 2022. The increase was largely due to the increase in unrestricted one-off donations (and associated gift aid), these totalled £33,001 in 2023 compared to £3,319 in the previous year. The majority of donations were made by members of the church in response to a special request in early 2023 for donations and increased giving to address the deficit budget of £14k, agreed by the PCC, relating to increased energy costs, lighting and an ageing projector. As a result, there was also a 10% increase in regular giving. Income from the pre-school increased as energy costs increased, however due to problems with lighting, church and hall hire income reduced by £622 overall compared to 2022. ## **Giving Away** The PCC aims to give away 10% of its unrestricted income from the pledge, plate and donated income. In addition, collections are made for other causes (e.g., Christingle, DENS, Bishops Appeals). In 2023 we have accrued (put aside), or pledged to give, £7,654 as outside giving. A full list of recipients is detailed in the notes to the Accounts. ## **Expenditure** Expenditure increased by £11,840, 13%, with the largest increase of £6,109, (94%) for electricity and gas costs. A new contract started in the final quarter of 2023 which should see a fall in future energy costs. Repair and maintenance costs were reduced, compared to the previous year, as the cost of replacement lighting was partially offset by an insurance claim of £4,229. A new copier/printer was purchased during the year at a cost of £2,053, The quota in 2023 of £48,044, 2% higher than 2022, was paid in full. ## **Year 2024** The budgeted statement of financial activity for 2024 shows overall expenditure for 2024 at £109,921, £9,651, 10%, higher than 2023. This increase reflects a large, anticipated increase in Music/PA costs of £9,087 due to ageing equipment needing to be replaced. Energy costs are forecast to reduce by £5,174 compared to 2023. On the income side we have budgeted for unrestricted income to be 27% lower than 2023 reflecting the unpredictable nature of one-off donations. Budgeted income in 2024 is based on existing regular income from lettings and regular giving by standing orders. This budget shows an overall deficit in 2024 planned at £19,180 bringing yearend reserves to £31k. ## **Reserves policy** The PCC reserves policy is to maintain / repair the church and buildings and have adequate funds to pay for legal obligations as required. This policy is reflected in the need to keep two months running costs and three months’ salary costs to cover unforeseen emergencies. In view of the state of the building the PCC will aim to add £2,000 to reserves each year to cover work due at quinquennial inspections. This policy will be reviewed every twelve months. ## **Structure, governance, and management** The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Barnabas the membership of the PCC consists of the Team Vicar, churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and 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 deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met six times during the year. Given its wide responsibilities the PCC has a number of committees each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. These include Service Leading, Bereavement and the Standing Committee. ## **Administrative Information** The Parochial Church Council of St Barnabas Church, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead is a registered with the Charities Commission with the Charity number 1133788. The members of the PCC are the trustees of the charity. It is part of the Diocese St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Barnabas Church, The Queen’s Square, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4EW. During the year membership of the PCC was as follows: PCC Membership: Team Rector Revd John Williams (Chairman) Team Vicar Revd Matthew Renyard (Chairman) Appointed 28[th] June 2023 Wardens Paul Boggis (Re-Appointed 20[th] April 2023) Elected Members: Treasurer Helen Fellows Sharon Noble Ian Smith (Re-appointed 20[th] April 2023) Elizabeth Pavlick (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) Linda Robson (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) John Thomson (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) David Capon (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) Janice Farnella (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) Kenneth Hunt (Appointed 7[th] April 2022) The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Approved by the Parochial Church Council of St Barnabas Church on 25[th] September 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Rev Matthew Renyard (Chairman) The Parochial Churth Coundl of St Barnabas, Hemel Hempstead Independent Examiner's Report to the The Parish of St Barnaba$ Hemel Hem stead for the Year ended 31st December 2023 I report on the acownts of the Parish for the year erKknJ 31 December 2023 ¥Yhich are set out on pages 2 to8. Respective reSpon￿billtieS of members and examiner As ￿em￿r5 of the Parish you are reSp￿)nSIble for the preparntion of the ac£ounts,' consider that an audit is not required for this year urkler Sect￿ 144 of ttE charit￿5 Att 2011 and that an Independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 A¢ follow the laKI down in the General DirectKJns gfven the Charfty Commisslon (under sectlon 145{5)(b) of the 2011 P£t); and state whettricr particular matters have come to my attentw)n. Basls of independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with the General Directlons given by the Chartty Commissioner5. An examination 1ndl￿e5 a review of the ￿cOUntir¥j records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wlth those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations fr{￿ you as trustees Con￿mIng any such matter5. The pr(Kedures uTrJertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do r)ot expres4 an audit O￿nIOn on the view qiven by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connertion with my examination, ￿ matter has come to my attention. whKh gwes me reasonat4e cause to kelieve that in any matedal ￿Fert the requirements to keep xcountiTrJ r￿rdS in aCc￿￿n￿ with sedion 130 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts whtch accorrl with the accounting reo)rds and to comply wlth the accounti￿ requirements of the 1993 Act have not teen rrEt: or to which, In my opinK)n, attentim shoukl be drawn in order to enable a proper undersianding of the accounts to k reached. SKJned S Boyall Name Sharon Boyall Address.. 85 Bury Road Hemel Hempsle&a HP1 1HW Date: The Pan>chial Church Council of St Barnabas, Hemel Hèmp#ead Funts FUN15 TOTAL FVND5 2023 2022 INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Reg)urce5 from d￿rS (Xher volunrary incoming wurtrs Inroming resources from operatsry ath"wties 10 rtjrther the Courtil'5 obJ￿ts to generate fLm&s Income from Investment Other incoming resources 21al 21bl 53,030 21cl 21dJ 21el 21fj 32.021 32,021 28.C83 419 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPE14DEO C.051s of gen¢ratiFvJ funds Grants knvitie5 dlrectly relatlNJ to cl churth Church management aThJ &lrninistr3th)n 31dl 314] 7,654 5.302 31b) 3[¢1 83,430 9,241 84,429 9,241 76,557 6.n6 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 11)0.325 101 324 NET INCOMINGI(oirrGOJNG) RESOURCES 27.441 (999) 26,442 4,654 transl•rn 476 NET INCOMINGIIOUTGOING} RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES 27M41 (523) 26,918 GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTME IITS 24 13 NEf MOVEMENT 114 FUNDS 27,465 (523) 26,942 4,641 BALA14CES BROUGHT FORWARD AT I JANUARY 25.887 26m7 31,528 BALANCES CARIUED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 53,352 477 53,829 26,887 P4E2 The Parochial Churth Council of St Barnabas Ilemel Hempstead Statement of Financijl Position as at 31 December 2023 iIttTestricted Designated Funds Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets Investment aY&ts 773 773 749 773 773 749 CURRENT ASSETS st(Kk Debtors Short term deposrts Cash at bank and in hand 18.344 18,Y4 9,952 43,470 477 43,947 23,463 61 14 62 LIABILrrIES; AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 9,235 9,235 7,277 NEf CURRE14T ASSETS 52,579 477 53,056 26,138 NEf ASSETS 352 477 FUNDS Unrestritted Oesignated Restricted 53.352 53,352 477 25,8ti7 1,000 477 TOTAL FUPIDS 477 Approved by the Parlxhwl Church Council of St &imaiK)S ¢Jn 2024 aThl s•JneAI on its behalf by.. Matthew Renyard Vicar Helen FdkM5 Treasurer Page 3 The Porothl81 Churth Coundl af St Bamaba& Ilernel HwTrpstead Notes to the Financ1￿ st•tements lorthe Y•Jr ended 31st I>K•nbe¥ 2023 flote I A￿0￿￿1￿9 poliaes stsrxjards and the Charibes SORP 2￿5. The fvnarfol 5ts1ew￿ts h)¥e been ryep*ed the c05t ety a55ets are 5h(hYn at market vol￿. *ufi¢Js C￿￿￿dI fill￿S re&Yes￿t fuTh#5 of the KC that we fK* to ary th* •ttl are aY*kile on the The accwnts I￿+￿e att tra￿()1￿5 a￿ets a￿j Ftc & le5￿￿$t￿e In t•Y TW do rnt xwjnts d church InEomin9 rewyrres Cullttt￿Iis are rLXDgnizod recei￿a by bthav of tr￿ Pfc Plm4 recel¥tl* ￿der (M is 1ecw￿ed oteived Income ret¢mrab* M &ft Is reryyjntyed ¥kn thè to the ￿etsUnted tr as Scth a5 the PCC ￿ tm)ti￿d of ￿$ *al entytkrnent the *7XXmt s wènbfiabLN rts try ￿rC LS certain Fwd5 raised by ￿ fete garth party ar*1 shTh*r e￿nts we art￿ ts as Ilw Tax rtroverat4e w SKh Is rwniRed In the S￿ atttthtm9 y&¥ Resoufcts expend•d The di￿￿Th p•n5h s￿* * arcounted FLY pald. parth share at 31 for in these accr¥Jnts as an wr•ttonal (th￿g￿ not a leg¥) Iiabdity 3$ a (yedtr &lo￿t Flx•d A￿ts cons￿•14￿ property •Thl mo¥ubtethutrth IwnlthlTh Consecr*ed and benefKed aiy W Is Ivrm the 5.9.fA2Xa) of ts tJ•rl#es 1993. Moveab* chuKh lumtshir￿ held ty ¢he VKar aAI Cmvth th? KC rew*e a f•cth fw dW•l. 4re All ffliiior IteTrs 4we wnlteft of wlipn purihaged. Other flxtures flttirwJ5 and offle¢ ¢quipJMfit F.quipD*nf Used w4thin IhÈ Church premi9* Is deweoated br* b•y5 over 3 y￿r5. Indl¥*U *lth a NthJ5e rfflce 01 *5$ than £l.000 are written oif 3sset KS •rwred. The Parochial Church Council of St Barnaba4 Hemel Hempstead Notes to the Financlal Ststements for the Year ended 3tst December 2023 Note Funds Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 2(4) Incoming resources from donors Planned givin9'. Gift Aid dOnath.￿ts Income lax recoverat4e Other plann&J giving Cc41ecttons (0￿ ￿te) at all serv Gift days Sundry d￿￿orts 38,668 18,344 18,344 35,116 9,%0 4,867 4,867 4,635 33,001 94,880 33,Ixii 3,319 53,030 Other voluntary Incoming 2(b) resources Grants Donatlclls, appeals, etc Legacles 1,289 1,150 439 2(¢) Income from operating artlvitles: to further the Countsl's objects Bor)kslall Churcli hall lettings etc 30,548 1,473 30,548 1,473 021 27,069 1,024 Income from operatlng 2{d) actlvltles: to generate funds Magazines (advertisement fees) events 2(e) Income from Investment Div*denés and int￿t Including any reclaimat￿e tax 2{n Other ordlnary incoming resources Toddlers Other ordinary incoming resources 626 239 626 239 419 865 865 419 TOTAL INCOMZNG RESOURCES 127,766 127,766 83.981 The Parothial Chvtth Counol of St Bamab•s, Hernel Trtempstead Note$ to the Flnancial Statementsfor the Year ended 31st DecernI￿ 2023 Fun TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 ￿E￿AcEs EXPENDED 31*1 Grants Churth ovtrseas.. - mis5Kwry wetEs - drK5 Jenues UK Glviry.. Home niisgc¥)s and otsr ¢Jurth ietts Charibes 7,654 7,654 5,302 Artl¥lties dlrKUy rel•1j￿ to 3(bl the work of tht Churth MiTr15try'. dwjce5￿ Sha (leigy exttibÈs yoiith & ch￿￿t￿nS ¥vt*k otlier Cler￿ roys L'iurch - runn1r￿ exr￿S Church ￿￿1n1t￿￿￿e Mi&sion 46.954 316 273 720 720 22,679 10.132 1.459 22,679 10,132 1.459 15,375 12,525 1,114 43 Chur￿ 130 of the 2011 Act; and to p￿pare account5 which accord with tr￿ ￿CountIng records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not tEen mel,. or to which, in my opinion, attention slK)ukJ be drawn in ￿der to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to te reached. SvJned S Boyall Name Shari)n Boyall Address.. 85 Bury Road Hemel Hempstead HP1 1HW Date..