## **ST. JAMES CHURCH, BREAM**
## **Annual Report 2022/2023**
## **Aim and purposes**
St. James Church Parochial Church Council (PCC) had the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon Chris Maclay, and later in the year managing the church within the vacancy led by the wardens and PCC. The purpose was to promote the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Since the Rev. Maclay moved on in the summer of 2022, the PCC has shouldered the full responsibility of continuing, maintaining and developing the whole mission of the Church. We welcomed our new incumbent in the Summer of 2023 – Steve Harrison who now continues to lead the body in promoting the vision of the Church.
## **Objectivities 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. James. We seek to serve the community of Bream in a variety of practical ways. We have a particular emphasis on encouraging children and young people from the community to engage and participate in Sunday worship. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. Initiatives / vision for this year include:
- 1) To continue to prioritise and resource Family, Youth and Children’s ministry, through our Children, Youth and Family workers.
- 2) To develop and maintain a variety of ministries aimed at combating poverty in all its forms in the community.
- 3) Extension of the previous work with families and the school enabling parents and helping them with specific struggles
- 4) To develop the church buildings to make them fit for purpose after facilitating the development of the new Church Center.
- 5) To support mission partners in the Czech Republic, Uganda, UK & Overseas.
When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific 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 from the Bible; and developing knowledge and trust in Jesus.
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish, young and old.
- Missionary and outreach work in the UK and further afield.
To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. James and of the Church Centre, for which there is a plan and sub-committee from the PCC.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Prayer and Worship**
_Prayer_ is seen as an essential key to all our outreach and activities at St. James. The Parish Prayer meeting meets once a month in the Church Centre. Prayer also takes place weekly on Wednesdays in the Church building at 7.00am.
_Sunday Worship_ seeks to be accessible to all, young and old, regular and newcomers. Morning worship is aimed at all ages, with activities for children (who then go off to their own activities). We have introduced an extra communion service at 9 am once a month.
## **Deanery Synod**
Two members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the Parish and the wider structures of the church. A report from the Deanery Synod is regularly brought to the PCC.
## **Pastoral Care**
Pastoral Care has an important emphasis in the life of St. James with the incumbent and other volunteers visiting the sick and housebound in the village and taking home communion as required. The PCC agreed to second a member of staff to a number of hours of pastoral work in the community. This is a developing ministry. Care for the bereaved is also an important part of the work at St. James’. There is now an extension of the pastoral work through schools and families, extending the role of our Families workers.
## **Mission and Evangelism**
Mission and Evangelism is part of the historic ‘life blood’ of St. James.
We support work in the UK – Viney Hill Adventure Centre, Ugly Duckling Company, Teens in Crisis, The Bible Society, The Christian Institute along with work in Uganda, the Czech Republic and other countries. We are reviewing this giving currently to reflect the vision and needs in the wider Christian community.
Evangelism and challenge is a regular feature at our guest services around the festivals and a part of our youth and children’s ministry.
New ventures established in 2016, Caleb’s Mountain and Linking Lives Forest of Dean continued in 2021. Caleb’s Mountain has had a break whilst we seek guidance on the future, but seek to link it to our current children’s and families work – this seeks to help parents and children within the community and through the school. Linking Lives is a befriending scheme combating loneliness and isolation in the Forest of Dean. The Church employs the Linking Lives Coordinator.
## **Bream Church of England School**
Bream School is part of the Severn Federation Academy Trust (SFAT). The new structure means that the incumbent Steve Harrison is part of the governing body, and is seeking to work closely with the school.
A team goes into the school weekly with an ‘Open the Book’ presentation and the school comes to the Church building for Christmas and Easter services as well as at Harvest Festival and the end of the summer term. There was a specific initiative this year where the Church and School worked together celebrating the anniversary of the Church buildings.
## **Ecumenical Relationships**
We continue to work with many of the local churches, with particular links with the youth.
## **Safeguarding (Child Protection & Vulnerable Adults)**
In consultation with the Diocese of Gloucester this area is taken extremely seriously, with regular training and advice given by the Diocese, and a Child & Vulnerable Adults protection policy formulated for the church. We have a policy of ‘safer recruitment’ for volunteers and staff and DBS checks are made for those who work regularly with children and vulnerable adults.
## **Financial Review**
Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £172,138 of which £547 was investment income. Restricted/Designated income of £15,059 including £65 of investment income was also received and is detailed in the Financial Statements. Income from general giving increased by 6.2%. This was largely the result of a gift day to raise money to pay for our new Children Youth and Family Worker. Total income increased by 16.1%. We are grateful to Sylvanus Lysons Fund for a grant of £3,250 in support of Linking Lives, The Langtree Trust for a gift of £500 towards items for the church centre, the Co-op for a grant of £2,000 from their community fund and the the Warnford Trust for a grant of £1,000 to help with the cost of church roof repairs.
£168,776 was spent to provide the Christian ministry from St James’s Church, including the contribution to the diocesan parish share which totalled £72,000 for the year and largely provides the stipend, house and pension costs of the incumbent. The sum that the churches in the deanery have to find is based on the actual ministry costs of each parish. St James’s has historically and consistently met the full cost of its ministry as assessed by the diocese, and contributed slightly above this figure, so contributing 'mutual support' to other churches in the diocese. It is the church’s policy to donate approximately 10% of its unrestricted general income, to support Christian mission work in the United Kingdom and overseas.
The net result for the year before revaluation of fixed assets was an excess of income over expenditure of £3,362 on unrestricted funds and an excess of expenditure over income of £14,496 on restricted funds.
## **Reserves Policy**
The bank balance of £5,452 on unrestricted funds equated to slightly less than 5 months unrestricted payments. The current reserves policy states that we should keep 3 months of general expenditure, an extra 1 month of wages plus monies pledges in support of Linking Lives and Caleb’s Mountain in reserve. This is currently in the region of £45,000. We had an outstanding gift aid claim worth approximately £20k at the year end.
It is our policy to invest funds not required for immediate use with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.
## **Volunteers**
Our volunteers give much of their time and energy helping out in many of the areas of church life – perhaps 80% of the work and service is done by willing volunteers. Some of these include work with the children, young people and the elderly, working with the local school, buildings, music and many more. Special mention would be to our Church Wardens Matthew Rees and Dave Chappell and our Treasurer Shirley Robinson who has done a wonderful job on the church’s accounts and finances. Also to all the members of the PCC for their valuable contribution to our ministry here at St. James, enabling the church to run smoothly.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. James the membership of the PCC consists of the Incumbent, Church Wardens 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. Where relevant, staff members are co-opted as non-voting members.
Decisions that need to be made on matters within the church and the parish itself become the responsibility of the PCC. Part of their role is to decide where the funds of the church are to be distributed.
## **The full PCC met six times during the year and all meetings were quorate.**
## **Administrative Information**
St. James Church is situated in Bream in the Forest of Dean. It is part of the Diocese of Gloucester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St James’ Church Centre, Coleford Road, Bream, Lydney GL15 6ES.
The PCC is a body corporate, PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006. (and a Charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commission.)
Ex Officio: Steve Harrison Rhys Phillips
Wardens: Matthew Rees Dave Chappell
Deanery Synod: Annie Hemsley Sergio Nascimento Bridget Wilks
## Elected Members:
_Jane Simpson Dorothy Haworth Shirley Robinson Andy Ewens Louisa Small-page Mitchell Sergio Nascimento Cheri do Nascimento Christine Ely Don Ely Glenn Egan_
## Co-opted Members:
Claire Phillips (co-opted as Parish Administrator & Electoral Roll Officer) _Barry Stevens (co-opted as Children’s and Family Support Worker)_
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
## **Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31 December 2022**
|**Note**
**Incoming Resources**
Donations, legacies and similar
incoming resources
Luncheon Club/Under 5s
Other income generated from
activities of the church
Income Tax Recovered
Charitable Trusts
Caleb's Mountain
10
Linking Lives
11
New Centre
Interest
Sundries
8
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources Expended**
Parish Share
Wages and Expenses
1
Property and Office Costs
Mission and Charity Donations
2
Caleb's Mountain
10
Linking Lives
11
Church Building Repairs
Sundries
8
**Total Expended Resources**
**Net incoming resources**
**before revaluation of fixed**
**assets**
**Gains andlosses on**
**revaluation of fixed assets**
**for the church's own use**
3
**Net Movement in Funds**
Total funds brought forward
Transfer of General Funds to Projects
Church Building Fund
Linking Lives
Total funds carried forward|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
114,628
2,852
9,553
24,971
1,242
547
18,345
**172,138**
76,500
36,854
11,573
18,473
0
25,376
**168,776**
**3,362**
(8,731)
**(5,369)**
**473,720**
(5,000)
(2,000)
**461,351**|**Restricted/**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
0
876
2,000
11,998
120
65
**15,059**
27,977
1,253
325
**29,555**
**(14,496)**
0
**(14,496)**
**22,255**
5,000
2,000
**14,759**|**Total 2022**
**£**
**114,628**
**2,852**
**9,553**
**25,847**
**2,000**
**11,998**
**120**
**1,242**
**612**
**18,345**
**187,197**
**76,500**
**64,830**
**11,573**
**18,473**
**1,253**
**325**
**0**
**172,955**
**14,242**
**(8,731)**
**5,511**
**495,975**
**476,110**|**Total 2021**
**£**
**107,625**
**892**
**6,610**
**22,711**
**250**
**14,218**
**4,162**
**480**
**41**
**0**
**156,989**
**72,000**
**60,168**
**18,006**
**15,702**
**1,394**
**627**
**34,207**
**202,104**
**(45,115)**
**(9,044)**
**(54,159)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
## **Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2022**
|**Note**
**Fixed Assets**
New Church Centre
Tangible Assets
3
**Total Fixed Assets**
**Current Assets**
Debtors and Prepayments
4
Cash at bank
**Total Current Assets**
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
5
**Net Current Assets**
**Net Assets**
**Income Fund**
Total Funds
11
**Total funds**|**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
385,440
0
**385,440**
21,627
54,452
**76,079**
168
**75,911**
**461,351**
461,351
**461,351**|**Restricted/**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
0
**0**
1,118
13,954
**15,072**
313
**14,759**
**14,759**
14,759
**14,759**|**Total 2022**
**£**
385,440
**0**
**385,440**
**22,745**
**68,406**
**91,151**
**481**
**90,670**
**476,110**
**476,110**
**476,110**|**Total 2021**
**£**
**393,911**
**260**
**394,171**
**20,417**
**85,127**
**105,544**
**3,740**
**101,804**
**495,975**
**495,975**
**495,975**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the PCC on by:
2
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
## **Accounting Policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that buildings are shown at market value) in accordance with UK accounting standards and with the Charities Act 1993
In accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2007) and the Charities Act 1993, these accounts have been prepared using the accruals basis of accounting. There have been no changes in accounting policies since last year.
## **Accounting Policies**
Incoming resources are recognised when the church becomes entitled to the resources, the members of the PCC are virtually certain that they will receive the resources, and when the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Grants and donations are only recognised when the Church has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the accounts at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
## **Fees for examining the accounts**
No fees were paid for examining the church's statutory accounts. (2020:£nil)
## **Tangible Fixed Assets**
Fixtures and fittings are depreciated over 5 years on a straight line basis. Only purchases in excess of £1000 are capitalised. Buildings are presented at their estimated current market value and amortised over a period of 50 years Computers are depreciated over a period of 4 years
The church building does not belong to the PCC though it is their responsibility to maintain it. In 2021 £32503 was spent on repairs to the roof.
## **Reserves Policy**
At the March 2020 PCC meeting the following policy was agreed: The Reserves Policy of the PCC of St James Bream is that we should hold money to cover 3 months of general expenditure plus 4 months of wages. Additionally, monies committed to other projects eg Caleb's Mountain and Linking Lives should be held in reserve. Expenditure is expected to be £12.5k per month for 2022 (including wages) but will be continuously reviewed.
Additionally at the beginning of 2022 it was agreed that, should funds allow, the sum of £5000 per annum wil be transferred to a building fund to offset further major repairs.
## **Notes to the accounts**
## **1. Staff Costs and Expenses**
|Staff Wages
Staff Expenses
Casual
Number of paid employees during the year|**2022**
**£**
63,785
245
800
**64,830**
6|**2021**
£
59,428
565
175
**60,168**
5|
|---|---|---|
3
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
## **2. Charitable Donations**
During the year the Church made the following charitable donations:-
|Jane and Hans Koebele and family (OM)
Ugly Duckling Company
Bible Society
Sam and Chloe Mutton
Teens in Crisis
Viney Hill Adventure Centre
Christian Institute
Turkey|**Overseas**
6,600
1,000
500
**8,100**|**Home**
1,000
500
1,000
500
500
**3,500**|**Total**
**6,600**
**1,000**
**500**
**1,000**
**1,000**
**500**
**500**
**500**
**11,600**|
|---|---|---|---|
The balance of the figure shown at '2' relates to local mission such as lunch club, under 5's, youth and children's work along with monies donated from special collections.
## **3. Tangible Fixed Assets**
|**Cost or Valuation**
Balance brought forward
Additions
Disposal of Assets
Balance carried forward
**Accumulated Depreciation**
Balance brought forward
Depreciation for year
Balance carried forward
**Net Book Value at 31 December 2021**
**Net Book Value at 31 December 2022**
**4. Debtors and Prepayments**
Prepaid Denmark Air Fares
Income Tax Recoverable - Church
Income Tax Recoverable Caleb's Mountain|**Freehold Land &**
**Buildings**
**£**
423,560
0
0
**423,560**
29,649
8,471
**38,120**
**393,911**
**385,440**
**Unrestricted**
**£**
793
20,834
1,118
**22,745**|**Fixtures &**
**Fittings**
**£**
14,565
0
0
**14,565**
14,305
260
**14,565**
**260**
**0**
**Restricted/**
**Designated**
**0**|**Total 2022**
**£**
**438,125**
**0**
**0**
**438,125**
43,954
8,731
**52,685**
**394,171**
**385,440**
**Total 2021**
**£**
19,095
1,322
**20,417**|**Total 2021**
**£**
**438,125**
**0**
**438,125**
34,910
9,044
**43,954**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
4
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
## **5. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Admin
Diocese - Pastoral Fees
Wages/Expenses
HMRC
Lunch Club Invoice
Retentions on Roof Repairs|**2022**
**£**
313
168
**481**|**2021**
**£**
12
379
723
922
1,704
**3,740**|
|---|---|---|
## **6. Restricted and Designated Funds**
|Church Building Fund
9
Caleb's Mountain
10
Linking Lives
11
For Container|**Fund Total 2022**
**£**
5,065
5,080
2,614
2,000
**14,759**|**2021**
**£**
0
15,363
6,892
0
**22,255**|**Movement**
**2022**
5,065
(10,283)
(4,278)
2,000
**(7,496)**|
|---|---|---|---|
Above figures have taken accruals into account The £2000 for the container refers to a grant awarded to us by the Co-op which had not been spent at the year end.
## **7. Related Party Transactions**
During the year, a number of payments were made to parties related to the PCC.
It is the policy of the PCC to reimburse the Vicar for his out of pocket expenses in full. For 2022 no expenses were claimed.
Two full members of the PCC (and two co-opted) were employees of the church.
The vicar's wife was an employee of the church as she headed up Linking Lives. She was not a member of the PCC.
## **8. Sundry Receipts and Payments**
Sundry receipts and payments were considerably larger in 2022 than previous years as they included air fares received and then paid out for the youth trip to Brazil. We also facilitateded utility grants to those in need. The money was paid from the church account and then repaid to us from the Bank Bank who had received a grant for this purpose. These monies were not strictly income of the church.
## **9. Church Building Funds**
|Opening Balance
Donations
Tfr from Unrestricted
Interest on Funds
Expenditure
Closing Balance|**2022**
5,000
65
5,065|**2021**
28,231
480
11
(28,722)
0|
|---|---|---|
5
## **St James Church, Bream Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022**
|**10. Caleb's Mountain**
Opening Balance
Donations
Grants (Sylvanus Lysons)
Gift Aid Received
Tfr from PCC
Schools Work
Expenditure
Closing Balance
**11. Linking Lives**
Opening Balance
Tfr from PCC
Grants (Anchor Foundation)
Other Income
Expenditure
Closing Balance
**12. Movement in Reserves**
Reserves at 1 January 2022
Net gain / (loss) for the year
Transfer of Funds
Movement in Tangible Fixed Assets
Reserves at 31 December 2022|**2022**
15,363
5,220
3,250
876
3,528
(23,157)
5,080
**2022**
6,892
2,000
0
120
(6,398)
2,614
**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
473,720
3,362
(7,000)
(8,731)
461,351|**2021**
18,631
7,964
3,250
1,571
3,300
3,004
(22,357)
15,363
**2021**
6,954
2,000
4,000
162
(6,224)
6,892
**Restricted/**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**£**
22,255
(14,496)
7,000
0
14,759|**Total**
**£**
**495,975**
**(11,134)**
**(8,731)**
**476,110**|
|---|---|---|---|
6
##