2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Michael And All Angels Bramhall

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

St Michael and All Angels Bramhall Parish Church

Annual Report from the PCC for 2024

Prepared for presentation at

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Sunday 11 May 2025 at 11.30 a.m. in the Parish Centre

2024

St Michael & All Angels Parish Church COMMUNITY | INCLUSION | DISCIPLESHIP “PUTTING JESUS AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY”

St Michael and All Angels 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. The PCC also has responsibility for maintaining the site and buildings that comprise St Michael and All Angels Church and Parish Centre, together with the land and grounds of the church and all other properties owned by the PCC.

The Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels Bramhall is registered with the Charity Commissioners (Registration No. 1133883).

Incumbent : Reverend Calum Piper

Parish Office :

St Michael’s Parish Centre St Michael’s Avenue Bramhall Stockport SK7 2PG

Bankers :

National Westminster Bank HSBC

Independent Examiner : Mr Stephen Burt

3 Hobart Close Bramhall Stockport SK7 1NW

Charity Number: 1133883

Website

www.bramhall.church

Front Cover Image:

Joy Board shining in the Darkness

Confirmation Candidates with Bishop Mark Tanner, Bishop of Chester

Vicar’s Introduction

Every year as we prepare for the Annual Meeting I have the real joy of getting to read this report first and be reminded of all that happened in the previous year. I try to take the opportunity in this introduction to do two things; firstly to sum up the main themes of the report and secondly commend the report to you.

So much happened throughout the year and as I have been reflecting, I have been giving thanks for my church family. So much of our life together has demonstrated that we aren’t just a group of random people that happen to gather together each week, but we are brothers and sisters brought together as one family by Jesus.

Throughout last year we have cried together and laughed together. We have welcomed new members and commended dear friends to God’s care. We have walked together and moved the odd bit of furniture together. We have carried one another burdens and encouraged one another in faith.

I am so thankful to share life with such an amazing church family. 2024 wasn’t without its challenges, from continuing to steward our resources wisely to the wider crises of the Church of England, but through all of these the promise of Jesus has been my strength: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mattew 28:20)

To each of you, thank you for encouraging me in my faith and being part of the family. To each of the staff team members; Jenny, Alex, Karen and Jules, thank you for your hard work in sharing the joy of Jesus with others. To Mark and Jo, thank you for your commitment and dedication in the leading of worship. To Julie and Sue our Churchwardens, thank you! It has been a joy to serve alongside you, thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty, and thank you for the odd chocolate bar throughout the year too. To the wider PCC, safeguarding teams and volunteer teams thank you for your devotion and willingness to serve – without you so much simply wouldn’t happen.

I commend this report to you both as a reminder of all that has been but as an encouragement to embrace all that God still has for us.

May the Lord continue to be your guide and strength, your joy and your inspiration.

Revd Calum Piper Vicar

Churchwardens’ Message

2024 has been a challenging but rewarding year for the Wardens. Following the sudden death of our Treasurer Rob Watson, Sue has stepped in to, temporarily, fill the position. We really need someone to step forward to fill this position so please pray hard for a solution.

We spent three months in the office following the departure of administrator Janet. It has been a joy to welcome Julie Elkington to the team and a steep learning curve for all of us. The office is a busy place, and actually doing the job on a daily basis makes you appreciate our team even more.

We would like to share in our report two main things you need to be a Warden. The first is adaptability. During the past year we have stood in as Verger at weddings and funerals, been a keyholder at parties, stood in for the cleaner, attended Warden training, done a landlord inspection on Dawlish Close, learnt how to fix the barrel in the church door when it sticks, moved furniture and put the staging up and down numerous times.

We continue to do our weekly checks and arrange regular maintenance on the building and the annual ticking off of The Terrier. When Archdeacon Jane Proudfoot came to do our inspection we passed with flying colours and were told we could ‘have a gold star’.

As Wardens we have overseen many works at the church, all listed in the Buildings and Grounds section of the report. These include the refurbishment of the organ, a new flat roof on the parish centre and a new roof on the vestry. We are delighted that we are now a listed building.

It has been our honour to ‘staff in’ Bishop Mark at the confirmation service, to take part in the Walk of Witness, and to lay a wreath at the cenotaph.

The Wardens continue to hold fundraising/social events to encourage people from outside church to step into the building. We have held a pancake night, games show night, May Fair, fashion show, Christmas carol sing along, November craft fair and plant sales. These events raise much needed funds for our maintenance projects.

As volunteers we have joined grounds day, attended the bring and share lunch, helped with the field of light, helped to make Christingles, joined the choir, attended the Alpha course, helped at Experience Easter and Experience Christmas. We walked 14.2 miles with Sheila Newbon to support her 80th birthday challenge.

Many of the things listed above are not ‘Warden jobs’. They are what happen when you immerse yourselves in church family life.

The other thing you need as Warden is Faith - Faith that God will provide us with the strength, staff and volunteers to carry out all of the tasks.

We are very thankful to have such a supportive team around us in church and understanding husbands at home. Special thanks must go to Calum who goes above and beyond to ensure we have safe facilities whilst growing our parish.

Sue Howgego and Julie Sweeting

Churchwardens

Review of the Church’s Year 2024

People

The church was led through the year by a dedicated team – Vicar Calum Piper, Reader Mark Hackney, Ordinand Jo Oughton, Children’s Minister Jenny Gallimore, Director of Music Alex Walker, and Wardens Sue Howgego and Julie Sweeting. Karen Elsey was appointed as Communications Officer, and in May Julie (Jules) Elkington replaced Janet Blackshaw as Church Administrator.

The year saw the sad loss of several members of the congregation. Among those who died and will be sorely missed were Dorothy Jopson, Betty Scott, Rob Watson, Joane Anderton, Hazel Fuller, Susan Paley, Peter Illingworth, Marjorie Hulme, Jean Lewis, Arthur Mellor and David Ward. We were delighted to welcome nine new members to the regular congregation.

Worship

Our worship life remained committed to ensuring that there was a range of worship styles and to making the worship of God as accessible as possible to all. Three services continued to be offered on Sundays, at 8.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., along with a Wednesday morning service of Holy Communion, at 10.30 a.m. The 10.00 a.m. Sunday service is live-streamed when possible to allow people at home to join in. These “Church at Home” remote services are attended by an average of 46 people each week.

We were delighted to welcome Bishop Mark, who visited the church for a service of Confirmation on 10 November, the confirmation shared with candidates from All Saints, Cheadle Hulme, and Macclesfield Team Parish. Bishop Mark baptised and confirmed one candidate, and confirmed a further five.

St Michael’s Voices , under the leadership of our Director of Music Alex Walker, sang monthly at the 10.00 Sunday service, as well as for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, and at the service of Lessons and Carols before Christmas, when they were joined by the Meraki Choir.

On Easter Sunday, with the inclusion of the Easter Vigil service, attendance was 300, with 257 communicants. During Holy Week services included a Mediation evening, a Taize service, and a sung service of Compline, along with a Maundy Thursday Eucharist, Good Friday observance, and an Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

A survey of attendance over all services in October showed an average weekly attendance of 40, with an average Sunday attendance of 123, including children.

Overall Advent attendance from Advent Sunday to 23 December was 598 for the congregation and local community, plus 1382 attending school carol services. T otal attendance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including two Christingle services, was 968. There were 161 communicants at the Christmas Midnight Communion along with the morning Christmas Day service .

T he illuminated JOY artwork outside the east wall of the church was once again admired as a way of focusing attention for passers-by during Advent and Christmas. A further art installation of HOPE , created for Easter in 2022, was appreciated both by churchgoers and by passers-by.

Over the year there were 10 baptisms, 2 weddings, 12 funerals in church, 10 funeral services at the crematorium, and 10 burials of ashes or simple committals.

For the Flower Club 2024 was quite quiet for the most part, with only one wedding. The major event of the year was the Flower Display for the Spirit of Art Festival, the theme being St Michael’s and the events that take place throughout the year, Easter, Lent, Advent, Prayer and Music to name a few. Everyone involved loved doing their arrangements; each member involved chose their own flowers appropriate to the occasion they were representing. The Flower Club is hopeful of several weddings in 2025 and of course the usual special celebrations, starting with Lilies for Easter. Unfortunately membership is dwindling for various reasons and the Club would welcome anyone who loves flowers and would like to learn more about arranging flowers.

The Serving Team has continued with its usual activities throughout the year. Additional members of the team are always welcome, so if you’d like to have the opportunity to get involved in this aspect of ministry, which also helps you increase your knowledge of what happens at services and other aspects of our worshipping life, or would like to discuss the possibility, please contact Phil Wadsworth .

A weekly collection of food and toiletry items continued to be made for Chelwood Food Bank in Stockport during 2024. The congregation continues to give generously.

Discipleship

Life Groups were established late in 2022 with the intention within the groups of sharing life and faith, and encouraging one another. By 2024 they comprised:

The Life 40 group, primarily for under 40s to come together for fellowship, food and growing together in faith. This meets fortnightly at the Vicarage, and is led by Calum and Jess Piper.
The Monday Life Doorway group, led fortnightly by Tricia and Bob Munn, has spent time among other things on a Bible study of 1 Peter, watching and discussing a video series on Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell, exploring the Creeds, and learning about faith in the USA from a visiting friend. The Christmas session involved a hilarious time playing “Bible Baffle”.
The Tuesday Fellowship meet s monthly in the afternoon , and is led by Pauline D’Souza. They have used downloaded study material such as Being Human by John Birch. Members take turns reading suggested passages from the Bible and the commentary from the study notes before launching into related discussions, often bringing in personal experiences and interests. Thoughtful participation is so good that progress with the study material is sometimes slower than intended!
Life Ladybrook, led by Jo Oughton, invites people to ask Big Questions about Faith and to discuss them in a relaxed environment over a drink. It meets on the first Monday of the month at the Ladybrook pub.
An Alpha course attended by 14 people took place early in the year.

During Lent, recordings were made and posted on social media for each day with reflections on a chosen Psalm. This was repeated during Advent, when the reflections were based on a line of a Christmas carol. Some of these were also used as part of the Service of Lessons and Carols.

A monthly prayer meeting has been established, as part of the desire to encourage more prayer among the congregation. A Bible Study group led by the Vicar meets fortnightly. Sermon series through the year included several sessions on the theme of Worship.

The Library, based in the Lounge, has continued to resource the congregation, and is overseen by librarian Dorothy Wright.

Ministry to Younger Generations

Jenny Gallimore was appointed as the Children’s Worker in January 2023, with several goals in mind – to continue to improve children’s ministry at St Michael’s, to strengthen the church’s relationships with the local primary schools, uniformed organisations and the wider community, and to help support children in developing their faith and relationship with God. In July 2024 the PCC warmly approved a new job title for her, and she became Children’s Minister.

Children’s Groups

Buds – This ministry group is aimed at children aged 0 – 11 years old and has continued to run weekly during the 10am Sunday service. The number of children attending averages around 10 per session (sometimes more, sometimes less). Buds provides an opportunity for the children to play games, learn Bible stories, do crafts and learn about God in a safe and nurturing environment. It also gives children the opportunity to make friends at church. We tend to have more children attending Buds during Baptism services and at Easter and Christmas. Buds enjoyed taking part in the annual Bramhall and Woodford Rotary Club Scarecrow Festival again, and this year were thrilled to win “Most Joyful” with their entry of “Lionel the Lion”!
Active Angels – This playgroup has continued to thrive as a place for young children and their parents/carers. The time came for many of our regulars to move on to the next chapter of life (starting preschool/reception), but numbers attending the group have remained high, as new babies and families have started coming to playgroup.
Holiday Club – A half-term holiday club was held on 28 May and saw lots of children and their families enjoy toys, games and crafts. Many of the Active Angels regulars attended and brought their older siblings with them.
Light Party – Jenny teamed up with other members of Churches Together to put on an alternative to Halloween for the local children and families in the form of a Light Party, where we celebrated Jesus as the light of the world. This took place on 31 October at Ford’s Lane Church. Over 20 children attended, and a great time was had by all (there were games, crafts, pizza, glow sticks and dancing!!).

Schools Work

Jenny has continued to work on strengthening our relationships with the local primary schools.

She has taken numerous assemblies at Nevill Road Junior School and Ladybrook Primary School. She has also been in to visit Pownall Green School to deliver various classroom-based R.E. sessions with both Reception and Year 2.
Experience Easter: Four schools came to visit St Michael’s for “Experience Easter” in March (Queensgate, Pownall Green, Whitehill and Moss Hey). A total of 297 children and their accompanying adults learnt about the Easter Story through interactive stations, and the feedback from the schools was excellent! This event was put on with lots of work from a wonderful group of fantastic volunteers, all of whom Jenny is very grateful for!
Experience Christmas: 350 local school children and around 35 adults (from Pownall Green, Ladybrook, Moss Hey, Queensgate and Nevill Road schools) came to learn about the Christmas story in an interactive way at St Michael’s in December. It was a resounding success – feedback from the schools was very positive. Again, many thanks to the huge team of volunteers for helping to pull it off!

Uniformed Organisations

Jenny has also continued to strengthen our links with the various uniformed units associated with St Michael’s Church. In February, the Beavers (4[th] Bramhall and 1[st] Woodford), Cubs (4[th] Bramhall) and Scouts (4[th] Bramhall) visited the church for an evening of pancake fun and activities, and in October, Jenny ran a session on Harvest with the 4[th] Bramhall Rainbows.

Children’s Ministry Plans

As our children’s ministry here at St Michael’s has been continuing to grow, Jenny and Calum took the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, and plan where we would like to be. They met with Jo to discuss a strategy going forwards to ensure that St Michael’s is doing all that it can in order to maximise the reach and effectiveness of our children’s ministry. Plans for the future include regular church family social nights, a youth activity sheet for children who outgrow Buds, adult service take-away sheets for parents of children in Buds, a larger scale summer holiday club (to be put on in collaboration with Churches Together) and continuing to work on our baptism ministry.

Christmas

Christmas was a joyful time which involved a lot of outreach to families and their children through services such as the Nativity and the Christingle. Both of these services were full of children and their families, which was wonderful to see.

St Michael’s Guides

Our Guide unit has gone from strength to strength during the past twelve months. There was a time after Covid when we had only 6 Guides in our Unit and some weeks there were as many leaders as girls! The days of a full unit of 24 seemed a very long time ago. However, 2024 saw a real surge in interest and we have started back in the New Year with a total of 20 girls. It’s wonderful to have such a lively and loud Tuesday evening!

The highlight of 2024 was GoldStock – a County wide camp to celebrate 50 years of GirlGuiding Stockport. 250 Rainbows, Brownies & Guides spent a glorious June weekend at a campsite near Preston, filled with activities, live performances, a fun fair, silent discos, amazing catering and lots of crafts. We continue to aim for a balanced programme with our Unit, including badge work, craft and lots of outdoor activities including night hikes and treasure hunts. We are also very lucky to have George Foot rejoining our unit.

Brownies

Last year we reported on the sad death of Ann Mason who had been involved in the St Michaels Brownie Unit for many years. Without Ann, it was not possible to continue running the unit, so it has folded, for now. Hopefully at some point in the future we will be blessed with someone who will have the time, energy and commitment to restart it.

Rainbows

Considering our Rainbow unit was going to close a couple of years ago when the Leader suddenly decided to step down, this too has grown in numbers and the unit is at full capacity. Katie works hard to keep the tiny girls busy, and she has some great support from the Young Leaders. The Rainbows spent an evening with the Guides helping them practice putting up tents for GoldStock and have also had a cinema trip to see Matilda .

4th Bramhall (St Michael’s) Scouts

2024 was another great year for 4[th] Bramhall with lots of young people engaging with scouting activities, earning badges and attending camps. A Drey of Squirrels has been established for children aged 4 to 6.Last year we bid farewell to Jon Wood as Group Lead Volunteer who stepped down for family reasons and welcomed Matt Wilson as the new Lead Volunteer. We continue to look for new volunteers particularly with helping lead some of the sections or trustees to help with the governance of our group.

The Mill

It was after much prayer and difficult conversation that the trustees decided that the final session of The MILL would be on Friday 24 May 2024, after which they would close The MILL down, with due reference to the terms of the lease on the premises and the ordinances laid down by our Trust Deed.

For several months, if not years, before this decision was made, there had been a struggle to find new trustees to take on the running of the MILL. At the same time, they came realise, with sadness, that there are few if any youth workers anymore nationally, due to youth work training being sidelined and reduced to almost zero throughout the country. It is almost impossible to run all The Mill sessions each week with just one youth worker, and when Ian was offered full time work with his church, we had no replies at all to our adverts for a replacement.

This state of affairs maybe could have been overcome, but, additionally, not enough young people came along to our sessions – fewer than fifteen came each week when in the past we’ve seen as

many as 200+ come over a month of sessions. The whole ethos of youth work changed with Covid and subsequently with the way young people engaged with the world.

We sincerely and warmly thank you, the congregation and church, for supporting The MILL with your prayers and your donations of money, time and talent. We absolutely could never have even started this amazing adventure we have been on since the year 2000 without your help. We appreciate and are thankful that over the years many young people have passed through The MILL and, hopefully, they have experienced kindness and fairness and fun there, rooted in a Christian heart, which will be a rock for them to build on throughout their lives.

The Trustees have yet to finally close the bank account due to outstanding utility monies owed to them. There will be some money left over when all is settled which has to be used for similar purposes. The Trustees will inform Churches Together in Bramhall and Woodford as to where it is sent. All the equipment within the Mill went to good homes in the area. The music and sound kit went to an enterprise working with marginalised people in Trafford; the seating and bar kit to a cricket club starting a youth project; the computers to Cadets working with young people in Brinnington; the craft kit and piano to a new primary school classroom; the Friendship group were given our Christian games and resources; SCOPE and the Thrift Shop were donated the kitchen equipment – so everything possible was given to a good home.

The Trustees hosted a joyful party in the summer at Bramhall Baptist Church, bringing everyone together who painted, cleaned, volunteered in the cafe, did youth work, was a trustee, helped raise funds, added up the finances, made rotas, arranged safeguarding courses, listened and prayed and so much more for The MILL over 24 years. It was a fitting closure for a project which made a difference.

The Trustees – Angela Rowley, Janet Ketteringham, Brian Couch and Rachel Hopper – all pray that some form of Christian youth work in Bramhall rises up and continues to support and nurture our own young people.

Festival 2024: The Spirit of Art

From 27 September to 5 October 2024, the Spirit of Art[®] came upon St Michael’s as we played host to an artistic extravaganza of literature, arts, music and film. For over a week our church, adorned with the exquisite floral displays of our very own Flower Club, was able to delight visitors with a sensational exhibition of artwork from Stockport College and Stephen Raw.

The festival kicked off with pops and fizz – free-flowing Prosecco blended with beautiful, graceful music from Verity and her pianist friend certainly provided the perfect backdrop for mingling around the various exhibitions and installations.

Alex Wilton, former organ scholar at St Michael’s now studying at London’s Royal College of Music, filled the pews and pulled out all the stops (aided by Louise Richardson!) showcasing our newly refurbished Henry Willis organ. Calum’s innovation to live-stream the organist directly onto church TVs was brilliant.

Later in the week N Choir delivered a choral treat; acclaimed crime authors (Rhiannon Ward, Caroline England, and James Ellson) had their audience gripped; Simply Cinema found the perfect venue for their screening of The Chorus; and people hit the dance floor with Funktion on the stage.

The Spirit of Art[®] also flowed through the many creative folk who got stuck into the various workshops (Photography, Acrylics, and Ceramics) so expertly hosted by the Trafford and Stockport College Group.

A befitting grand finale for this wonderful festival saw a packed church enchanted by a glorious performance by the Cheshire Sinfonia and, as guest soloist, the renowned violinist Katie Stillman.

A hugely ambitious festival such as this would simply not have been possible without the incredible help and dedication of so many St Michael’s volunteers, the generosity and unbelievable talent of its participants and exhibitors, and the kind support of our local community joining in and attending the events. Thank you all, and thanks also to Stockport Council who kindly supported this festival via their Ward Flexibility Fund scheme!

The Parish Development Group believes the festival was a great success all round and dearly hope to deepen relationships forged during this festival and to develop new relationships in future via the Spirit of Art® concept and brand (now secured as a UK registered trademark and ready to be leveraged). This and previous festivals show St Michael’s is uniquely placed to serve and engage with its local community. We never “hide one's light under a bushel” – the PDG would love to hear innovative ideas from anyone, so please feel free to help.

ot t ,(1 I, ((

Fellowship and Community

2024 saw continued fellowship within church activities and organisations. The monthly breakfast after the 8.00 a.m. Sunday service continued, and the congregation met together for a bring-andshare lunch to celebrate the Patronal Festival in September.

The Walking Group continued at the beginning of the year, but sadly was then disbanded as fewer and fewer people were available.

The programme of Friday fundraising events, set up to raise funds for church projects but also for everyone to enjoy, continued throughout the year. During 2024 there were six events. They were:

Pancake Night
Games Show
May Fair
Fashion Show
Craft Fair
Christmas Carol Singalong

Approximately £11,234.45 has been raised so far. These events would not be possible without the help from volunteers, so a big thank you to them for all that they have done.

Reader Mark Hackney has continued leading worship in four care homes in the community, Abbeyfield, Meadway, Bramhall Manor and Ladybrook Manor. A growing number of congregants who are currently unable to attend church have received monthly visits for a service of Holy Communion. A tea party took place in church at Easter for residents from local care homes. It began with a short service, and was followed by a sociable gathering for residents, carers and church congregants .

The Field of Light event just before Christmas for people to light a candle in memory of a loved one had to be moved from outside into the church building because of very inclement weather. This did not detract from the power of this event, which was attended by those from the wider community as well as members of the congregation.

The Mothers’ Union has continued with its monthly meetings, which have featured talks mainly on caring organizations or on spiritual matters. Our motto is "Faith Fun and Fellowship", which we endeavour to follow. During 2024 the Mothers' Union continued with it its collection of school stationery sent in Bags of Education for disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe. We have been able to support the work of the Mother and Baby Unit at HM Prison Styal and support the Mothers' Union work with Literacy and Numeracy in Burundi and the Sudan, which eventually enables the women to become more independent and support their families.

ACE (Arts and Craft Experience) has met on the first, third and fifth Thursdays of most months. On the latter occasions the extended session includes the sharing of a Faith Lunch. Some sessions have included new activities such as quilling, paracord macramé and decorative angels, and others have built on past experience when creating cyanotype pictures, dowry purses, decorative covers using serviettes, card making, embroidery, lino cutting, gelli printing and acrylic pouring. At the start of the year a purple Pulpit Fall and Lectern markers with a Chester Cross was created using decorative silver work; in the autumn the backdrop of a Bethlehem hillside, used for both Experiencing Christmas and the Nativity service. The outing this year was to Creative Recycling in Chorlton which was truly inspirational, and gave lots of ideas for 2025.

TGiM (Thank God it’s Monday) fellowship lunches for retired people held on the second Monday of the month continued to be well attended during 2024. Often guest speakers have given presentations which have proven to be very enjoyable, interesting and thought-provoking.

Buildings and Grounds

(incorporating fabric and ornaments report)

Church Following an inspection of the church, grade 2 listing was approved at the end of the year; the church can now reclaim VAT on repairs. In late spring a full programme of refurbishment was undertaken on the organ, in time for the Festival of Art. The vestry roof has been sealed because of cracks in the old coating. Being white, the new coating will reflect the sun and reduce heat damage to the coating. Coping stones above the vestry have been re-pointed to stop damp.

Parish Centre The flat roofs were resurfaced to stop leaks, the hall floor was given a new waterproof surface, and a screen was installed in the lounge. The electrics used outside by the Scouts were upgraded. Plans were agreed to replace the faulty lighting in the hall and to repair the bargeboards at the west end of the hall.

33 Dawlish Close A leak behind the bath in this PCC property damaged ceilings downstairs, but remedial work was covered by insurance. Later in the year the tenant agreed to new terms, but wanted various work done. The letting agents investigated and produced a costed list, including remedying damp in the bathroom where the extractor fan was not working. After querying some of the costs and how these issues were not picked up earlier, it emerged that reports of the agents’ inspections were posted on a website not previously known to the church. After an inspection by the Wardens, an agreed list of work started.

a

Fabric & Ornaments As a result of these activities, the fabric and ornaments of the church are in good order, supported by work in hand for 2025.

Health and Safety

Weekly fire alarm zone tests for the Hall were carried out throughout the year, together with a monthly functional emergency lighting test for the Hall and an annual one-hour test to prove that the lighting will function on the battery back-up system to enable safe evacuation. Various repairs and replacements have taken place throughout the year. The annual inspection of the ladders and step ladders used by St. Michael’s personnel was carried out in February; no concerns were expressed.

The fire alarm system has had several outages during the year, with the supplier taking longer to respond than contracted to do, despite multiple contacts being made by the Wardens and Calum.

The Health & Safety Policy was reviewed and amended in March/April 2024 and signed by the Vicar on 14 May following approval by the PCC on that day.

Prices have been sought for repairs to the soffits and bargeboards associated with the Hall. A contractor has been chosen and this work is due to be carried out in the spring of 2025.

The brickwork to the right of the kitchen door is permanently damp, due to a blockage in the downspout from the gutter causing rainwater to spray out of the water butt overflow onto the brickwork. This is being addressed.

Safeguarding

We are committed to high standards of safeguarding practice at St Michael and All Angels. The Safeguarding team (Louise Sell, Sue Taylor, Sheila Collins) continues to meet regularly with Calum Piper and Jenny Gallimore, the Children’s Minister. They liaise regularly with the Churchwardens, Julie Sweeting and Sue Howgego. The meetings are an opportunity to check that our systems and processes are fit for purpose, to review safeguarding elements of church policies and risk assessments, to discuss any formal and informal safeguarding concerns, and to respond to diocesan communications.

The support provided by the diocese to safeguarding in the parish has continued to evolve. Safeguarding leads now have the opportunity to attend network meetings for safeguarding officers across the diocese, facilitated by two diocesan safeguarding officers. Louise Sell has attended one meeting and all three members of our safeguarding team were able to attend the most recent one. These events are an opportunity to discuss updates from the national and diocesan team, to discuss a range of topics related to safeguarding, and to share local approaches to enhancing safeguarding in every parish. The discussion has also included updates on the administrative system which has been put in place during the year. We no longer complete a Parish Safeguarding Audit but are required to complete a Parish Dashboard. A brief report is generated by the system for each Parochial Church Council meeting, with a full report annually. The reports give the Parochial Church Council assurance about what actions have been undertaken and what still needs to be done. Since the requirements are continually evolving, no parish is expected to be in a position yet where everything is marked as green and up to date. Alongside the dashboard, there is also a Parish Hub. The safeguarding team now use this as a place to list and define all our church staff and volunteer roles, with DBS and training requirements and compliance for each person. The Hub and the dashboard contain convenient links to relevant safeguarding policies, documents and support.

During the year the team have received the risk assessments for Active Angels, and events including holiday clubs, Experience Christmas and Easter, Pancake Day and fund raising / outreach events.

At the Parochial Church Council meeting in January 2025 the safeguarding team facilitated a discussion about our church culture in relation to safeguarding. We should have a culture within our church which is safe, compassionate and healthy. We considered our strengths in this regard, our weaknesses and any actions that we could take to further improve the culture.

The safeguarding team has been saddened during the year by the ongoing impact on victims and survivors of historical failings of safeguarding within the wider Church. We have been heartened to receive acknowledgement from Bishop Mark of the continued work to improve safeguarding practice at parish level.

Vision 2030

During 2022 the PCC had spent a considerable time working to draw together a vision for the church for seven years ahead. When completed it stated:

In 2030 St Michael’s will be a church where:

We proclaim our faith confidently
We embrace a mixed ecology of worship
Our membership is reflective of the wider Parish
Our resources are used sustainably

• We serve our community actively

The working through of this vision remained a priority in 2024, as the PCC developed its ideas on how to implement the vision most effectively. Over the last two years we have achieved the following under each of the statements:

We proclaim our faith confidently

Hosted two alpha courses
Continued to run life groups encouraging people in personal discipleship
Shared reflections online from members of the congregation
Started to develop a podcast asking big life and faith questions
We embrace a mixed ecology of worship
Continued to develop our services to enable a variety of styles
Held a Taizé service during Holy Week
Grown the St Michael’s singers and collaborated with another choir.
Encouraged the learning of new hymns

Our membership is reflective of the wider Parish

Welcomed new members to the church family
Committed to strengthening our membership process

Our resources are used sustainably

Installed LED lighting across the site on a phased project
Moved smaller services into the lounge during the winter
Changed our finance systems to enable better oversight of the budget and financial management
Taken regular energy readings to better manage energy usage

We serve our community actively

Built new partnerships with businesses in the local community
Been visibly present at community festivals

The PCC

Membership

Members of the PCC either hold office ex officio or are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. A small number of members may also be co-opted. From the 2024 APCM, elections to the PCC confer membership for three years, with a maximum service of six consecutive years, after which members must stand down for at least one year. During the year the following served as members of the PCC.

Ex-officio Members

Ex-officio Members
Clergy	The Reverend Calum Piper_(Vicar & Chairman)_
Churchwardens	Sue Howgego	Julie Sweeting
Reader	Mark Hackney
Pastoral Worker	John Baker
Deanery Synod member	David Beveridge (to July 2024_)_
Deanery Synod Representatives from APCM 2023(elected for 3 years)
	Sheila Collins	Phil Wadsworth
	Janet Ketteringham	David Walker
	Bob Munn

Elected Members

Lay representatives to APCM 2024

Frances Beards	Brenda Knight
David Beveridge	Tricia Munn
Samantha Bowden	Sheila Newbon
Rachel Chadwick	Louise Richardson
Robert Cryer	Louise Sell
Joyce Devine	David Taylor
Michael Holmes	Alexandria Walker_(resigned Sept. 2023)_
Jill Illingworth_(resigned Aug. 2023)_	Ann Walker
Peter Illingworth	Rob Watson
Phil Ketteringham
Co-opted member to APCM 2024
Jenny Gallimore
Lay representatives from APCM 2024
Elected for 3 years:	Elected for 2 years:
Rachel Chadwick	Peter Driver_(elected Sept. 2024)_
Doreen Donnan	Michael Holmes
George Foot	Tricia Munn
Phil Ketteringham	Joyce Partington_(elected Sept. 2024)_
Brenda Knight	David Taylor
Sheila Newbon	Sue Taylor
Louise Sell	Ann Walker
Rob Watson_(died May 2024)_
Co-opted member from APCM 2024
Jenny Gallimore

The APCM agreed in 2023 that with effect from the APCM in 2024, lay representatives would serve for three years, with a maximum service of six consecutive years as before. In the implementation of this change in 2024 the PCC decided by lot who would serve for 3, 2 or 1 years.

Report

The full PCC met six times during the year. The average level of attendance at meetings was 71%. Committees and working groups met between meetings, and reports of their deliberations and activities were received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.

During the year the PCC received reports and discussed, among other things, the offering of blessings for same-sex couples already in a civil marriage or partnership. It was agreed to offer such blessings only to couples who are committed followers of Jesus and members of the family of St Michael’s. The PCC also received a comprehensive report reviewing the Micah project, which was established in 2020 to fund work in the community, in the first instance by appointing a Children and Families worker.

Seeking for a vision for St Michael’s as we would like it to be in 2030 remained an important item on each agenda.

Committees

The PCC operates with two permanent committees, and with working groups set up to tackle any special projects or tasks. These committees and working groups meet and report as necessary to the PCC.

Standing Committee

Membership: Vicar, Churchwardens, PCC Vice-Chairman, PCC Secretary, PCC Treasurer

This Committee is required by church law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. It met six times during 2023, primarily to set agendas for PCC meetings.

Finance and Buildings Committee

Membership: Bob Munn (Chairman), Vicar, Churchwardens, Rob Watson (PCC Treasurer, to 9 May 2024), Hedley Smith (PCC Health, Safety & Environmental Officer), George Foot, Mike Holmes, Louise Sell, David Taylor, Ann Walker

Remit The overall aim of this committee is to provide and maintain the material and other resources needed to carry out God’s work at St. Michael’s. It is responsible for finance; care of buildings and grounds; health, safety and environmental issues; and personnel matters. It has powers delegated from the PCC to deal with smaller and more detailed matters, and it provides advice and makes recommendations to the PCC on more substantial ones, including the annual budget and reserves. It met six times during 2024.

Rob Watson In the latter half of the year, the Committee’s work was overshadowed by the sudden death of Rob Watson, the Treasurer. As reported last year, he had brought together a new finance team, updated our banking arrangements (not without a struggle), and installed better accounting software: he is greatly missed. So far there is no successor, but with their experience of finance, the Wardens have stepped in to fill the gap, with Sue Howgego acting as Treasurer, in particular to prepare the annual accounts for 2024. She has continued to bed in the new software and revise procedures so that future financial reports, including the annual accounts, should be simpler to extract. The committee is enormously grateful for all this work behind the scenes in addition to her duties as Warden, but looks to appoint a substantive Treasurer as soon as possible.

Planned giving This is the church’s largest source of income. To express gratitude to God for his goodness and to thank and encourage those who pledge their giving, Thanksgiving Sunday has for many years been held early in the year. However, the church budget is prepared for the start of the financial year, which at St Michael’s is the calendar year from January, before people’s pledges for that year are known. This year Thanksgiving Sunday was moved to the autumn to align with budgeting for 2025, and there are positive signs of increased pledges for 2025.

Health, Safety & Environment The Health, Safety & Environmental Officer provides regular updates across the site and buildings, which the committee reports on to the PCC. He reported no serious defects, but following specialist tests, faults in the lightning conductors were remedied.

Work on the Church, the Parish Centre and 33 Dawlish Close took up a major part of the Committee’s time. Details can be found in the paragraph on Buildings and Grounds on page 16.

Aspects of these and other matters considered by the committee are also mentioned elsewhere in this report, including in the report on Buildings and Grounds and the reports from the acting Treasurer, from the Wardens, and from the Health, Safety & Environmental Officer.

Eco Action Group

Membership: Hamida Adkins, Frances Beards, Peter Crossen, Robert Cryer, Doreen Donnan, George Foot, Bryan Goodwin, Sheila Newbon, Calum Piper, Louise Richardson, Helen Russ, Phil Wadsworth (Chairperson), Jonathan Worne

Our Targets – approved and adopted by the PCC – for 2024 and their outcomes were:

Work with the F&B Committee and the PCC to produce a ‘Parish Route Map to Net Zero’. In Progress at year end. Under the Chester Diocese Net Zero Programme, St Michael’s was given a professional energy audit in autumn 2024, the resultant report being delivered in January 2025. Clearly producing the Parish Route Map needed to be paused until the results from that report could be analysed and incorporated.
Support uniformed organisations attached to St Michael’s to help their members achieve ‘green badges’ where such are available.
Under development at year end. A meeting of 4[th] Bramhall Scouts and EAG representatives has agreed the outline of this, and the 2025 Targets will include its development.
Produce a list, for general information, of what items can be recycled locally, and where. In progress at year end. Ever-changing information has delayed this, but the 2025 Targets will include doing a ‘snap-shot’ list at a particular point.
Hold Information and Engagement Stalls on Rogation Sunday and Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday: Achieved
Reduce gross CO2 emissions from the St Michael’s site from 2023 figures: Awaiting 2024 data
Observe ‘Walk to Church Sunday’ on Rogation Sunday 5 May: Achieved
Informed by our Parish Route Map to Net Zero, produce a St Michael’s Green Policy. Awaiting completion of ‘Parish Route Map to Net Zero’ (see above).

Parish Development Group (Finance)

Current Membership: Louise Richardson, Sue Taylor, Stuart Villard, Phil Wadsworth, Michael Holmes.

This group seeks to support the Parish’s mission and strategies for future development by identifying, bidding for and securing external sources of funding; by producing, organising and evaluating an annual programme of events and activities with the dual aim of generating income and importantly enhancing community outreach and social engagement with the Church and the wider parish; and by working with existing and potentially new church groups to co-ordinate all fund-raising activities across the church organisation, in order to reduce the possibility of duplication and event fatigue.

The group spent most of the past year planning and ultimately executing the Spirit of Art Festival. As will be apparent from the report earlier on this event, given the number of external parties involved, this took a great deal of hard work and co-ordination. The group applied for a few different grants to support the festival and were delighted to be awarded a grant from Stockport Council, which was a great help.

The devastating and sudden loss of Rob Watson was a huge blow to this group as well as the wider church and community. He was a key contributor, champion, and supporter of all that the group did and does – the Rob-shaped hole, that of a much-loved warm, wise, way-finder whose intellect and positivity could take you anywhere you needed to go, lives on as a memorial to this great man. Thanks be to God for the life of Rob. May he rest in peace and rise in glory, and may the Lord comfort his wonderful family, particularly his beloved wife and daughter.

New members, keen to share their ideas, energy, and/or skills to aid future fundraising and community outreach, would be most welcome. Meetings are very informal and enjoyable – it's certainly a safe space to share wild and wonderful ideas and any contributions, however big or small, are extremely valued!

Electoral Roll Report

On 1 January 2024, Revision 4 of the Electoral Roll had a membership of 246, of which 177 members resided within the Parish and 69 were non-residents.

Under the Church Representation Rules, the Electoral Roll for the Church is renewed every six years and must be revised each year for presentation at the Church’s APCM. Thus, Revision 5, for 2024–2025, started on 24 February 2024 and was completed on 13 April 2024.

Required changes to the Electoral Roll were presented, as Amendment Lists, at each PCC meeting. During 2024 there were 5 Amendment Lists presented - 1 for Revision 4 and, 4 for Revision 5. Those changes comprised 12 additions, 17 removals and 1 change to members’ contact details.

The Annual Report for 2024 thus records the Electoral Roll, as of 31st December 2024, as having a membership of 241, of which 179 members reside within the parish boundary and 62 are nonresidents.

Phil Ketteringham continued to act as Electoral Roll Officer for most of the year, then gradually handing over to Peter Driver.

Policies

As a registered charity, every year St Michael’s has to send the Charity Commission a report and our accounts. For 2023 the Charity Commission asked charities to report whether they had a number of specific policies to manage risks to the charity’s continuing operations. Checking showed that we had most of the expected policies, with one or two still under development, but some were not clearly set out. This prompted a review of our policies during 2024. The outcome was a new overall policy statement on how we manage different risks through our various policies; a new Serious Incident Policy (which we hope never to have to use); and new policies on Social Media and on activities for which we will not hire our premises (basically if they contradict the values of the Church of England, may cause distress, or are party political – private room hire and hustings open to all parties are not excluded).

Al policies have been brought to a common format, headed by a summary of the scope and main provisions of the policy. The policies are listed with their summaries on our website.

Deanery Synod

Cheadle Deanery Synod met three times in 2024. The first meeting took place on the 12 March which was a presentation by Jon Pocock, the Strategic Programme Director for the Diocese of Chester. Jon shared with the synod a recent presentation given to diocesan synod on the new diocesan vision and how this was being developed into a strategy. The second meeting of the year took place on the 12 June which featured a presentation from Papyrus, a UK-wide suicide prevention charity. The third meeting of the year was held on 8 October. The Bishop of Stockport attended this synod and held an open session for members to ask him questions.

Churches Together in Bramhall and Woodford

Churches Together in Bramhall and Woodford continued its ministry predominantly with ministers or leadership representatives from each of the Churches gathering together each month to pray and share encouragement. There were three main comings together of the wider church fellowships, these being the Good Friday Walk of Witness and Service of Unity, Praise in the Park during September, along with a new venture supporting the new Woodford Winterfest community event. Churches Together also enable the village nativity scene to be erected each year. Calum continued to serve as chair of Churches Together.

Good Friday Service of Unity

Public Benefit

The Charity Commission requires charities to report on how their activities carried out their aims for the public benefit. In reporting, the PCC has had regard to the Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Worship

Services are open to all, and the church is open for private prayer and meditation on weekdays. Services of worship take place each Sunday and Wednesday in the parish church and at Christmas in Bramhall Hall Chapel.

Occasional Offices

The church is normally used for baptisms, weddings and funerals. During 2023 there were 10 baptisms, 2 weddings, 12 funerals in church, 10 funeral services at the crematorium, and 10 burials of ashes or other committals .

Education

Contacts have been made with some local schools, and links are maintained with uniformed organisations. Learning about the Christian faith is fostered by sermons, by all-age services, by short study programmes, and by a variety of house groups, sometimes meeting digitally. Parties of local school children visit the church as part of their curriculum and are introduced to the building and the activities that go on in it. A local school sometimes borrows equipment. This work takes place in the context of our Strategy for Children and Young People.

Concerts

The church building is available for booking by organizations that present concerts and book readings. 17 concerts were held in church during 2024, along with 4 school carol concerts.

Pastoral Care

The church leads worship in four care homes in the community, Abbeyfield, Meadway, Bramhall Manor and Ladybrook Manor. A growing number of congregants who are currently unable to attend church have received monthly visits for a service of Holy Communion. A tea party took place in church at Easter for residents from local care homes . The clergy have visited and ministered to those in hospital or hospice. A new Pastoral Care team visits ill or elderly parishioners.

Scouts and Guides

St Michael’s sponsors the 4th Bramhall Scout Group and 4th Bramhall Guides and Brownies, each of which has a policy of open recruitment. The Scouts have their own premises, but the Guides meet in the Church Hall. Both organizations use the church grounds for outdoor activities such as games and cooking.

Active Angels

Active Angels provides activities for pre-school children with their mothers or other carers.

Parish Centre

The Parish Centre is available for hiring when not required for church use. It is often the venue for meetings of charities and other bodies, and various special events and parties.

Missions and charities

The PCC gives to missions and charities from any surplus voluntary income. Missions and charities also benefit from funds raised by special collections and fund-raising activities.

Chelwood Food Bank

A collection of food and toiletry items is made every week, normally at both morning services, and donated to this Food Bank in Stockport the following day.

Giving to Missions and Charities

The better than expected outcome at the end of 2023 meant that there was a surplus of £8000 over the year. This enabled allocations to be made during 2024 to missions and charities from part of it, as is our normal practice. The Message Trust ( a UK Christian charity delivering Christian schools work), the Oasis Centre in Gorton, Wellspring in Stockport, and the Church Army were each awarded £1,000 from the surplus after consideration and voting by the congregation and the PCC.

We continued to support Newala, and a donation for porridge breakfasts in schools was agreed from the 2023 accounts. The facility to send funds abroad was costing £20 a month, and given the end of the formal Newala link, all the remaining funds were transferred to Newala (now well accustomed to using our donations effectively), and the facility was closed.

The Children’s Society benefited from £2347.09 from the Christingle collections over the Christmas period of 2024.

Financial Review from the acting Treasurer

The total income for the year was £275,788 and expenditure was £265,468. There was an unrealised gain of £4,567 giving a profit of £14,887. However, various adjustments had to be made in 2024 to deal with errors that had occurred in previous years, including bringing into the SOFA the income from designated funds. When these adjustments are deducted, it gives a deficit of £13,028. This is less than the deficit of £26,280 forecast in the budget.

2024 saw the church refurbish its organ at a cost of £34,413.61. The Trustees of Bramhall Parish Hall contributed towards the net cost and some legacies were used.

During the latter part of the year, the church obtained a grade II listing which then enabled it to claim back the VAT incurred on not only the organ works but also other repair work on the church building. This grant scheme has been extended for another year, so it will be used again in 2025 if the works meet the requirements of the scheme.

Other maintenance works and costs included:

Other maintenance works and costs included:
	£
Refurbishing the parish hall floor	5,220
Electrical works (after a contribution from the Scouts)	828
Garage repairs	672
Parish centre roof repair	2,750
Repointing work on the vestry	6,924
Vestry roof work	1,986
Lightning protection repairs	640

These works, totalling £19,020, are significant contributions to keeping the church buildings watertight, safe and attractive.

2024 also saw the transition of the accounting systems to the cloud. This has made it easier for the finance team to access the information. It has, however, had its teething problems, especially in the annual accounts production. This is being resolved and should make the 2025 accounts much easier to prepare.

During the year the Treasurer, Rob Watson, died unexpectedly, just prior to transitioning the accounts to the online system. Sue Howgego, church warden, is temporarily covering the Treasurer role and hopefully a new Treasurer can be found very soon.

The Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels, Bramhall Financial Statements Year ending 31 December 2024

Contents Page Independent Examiner's Review Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts 7-16 We hereby certify that the Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2024, as set out on pages 5 to 16, were approved at the Parochial Church Council meeting held on 1 April 2025. Vicar.. Churchwarden................. Churchwarden......

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Reporttothe trustees St Nichael and All Angels, Bramhall Parochial Church Council On accountsfortheyear ended 31 December 2024 CharTty no (if any) 1133883 Set out on pages 4-16 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 3111212024, Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"the Act"). I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given bythe Charity Commission under section 145(5llb> of the Act.

Independent exarniner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accoid8nce with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting reGords' or the accounts did not comply with the applicable reouirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a'trLJe and fair, viewwhich is not a matter considered as part of an independent 8X8min8tion. 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 en8ble a proper understandinE of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: Name: Stephen D Burt Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): FCCA Address: S Hobart Close, Bramhall. Cheshire SK7 1NW

Statement of Financial Activities For the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Total 2023 total funds Unrestricted Restricted funds funds funds Receipts Donations and legacies Other trading activities Investments Income from charitable activities Other income Total income Payments 157,223 36,312 193,536 140,700 47,269 17,474 47,269 18,144 35,703 15,900 670 13,556 5,924 241,446 13,556 -2,640 3,284 34,342 275,788 17,765 5,515 215,583 Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Other ex enditure Total ex enditure Net income l (expenditure) resources before transfer 5,738 5,738 186,744 19,213 211,695 56,183 242.926 -2,410 16,803 53 773 265 468 213,041 2,251 215,292 291 Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - In Gross transfers belween f unds - out Other recognised gains I losses Gainsllosses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets charit 's own use Net movement in funds 14,453 13,195 27,648 92,466 13,195 -14,453 -27,648 -92,466 -330 8,768 -11,920 13,636 13,597 26,807 14,887 Reconclliation of funds Total funds brou ht forward Total funds carried fomard 573,821 600 628 72,514 646,336 60,595 661223 632,739 646 336

Balance Sheet Asat 3111212023 Note Asat 3111212024 Fixed assets Tangible Assets 354,962 354,962 362,566 362,566 Current assets Debtors Investments Cash At Bank And In Hand 10 18,713 11 132,988 166,444 318,145 10 128,421 191,108 319,539 Liabilities Creditors: Amounts Falling Due In One Year Net current assets less current liabilities 12 11.885 35,770 306,261 283,769 Total assets less current liabilities 661,223 646,336 Represented by Unrestricted General 586,702 573,821 Deslgnated Church Projects Spirit Of Art 11,114 2,811 Restrlcted Agency collectlon Church Projects Church Textiles Flower Club Lawn Mower Micah Grant Organ Maintenance Screens {7320) 4,202 1,116 804 3,000 54,137 73.712 1,506 1.952 661,223 Fund Totals 646,336

Notes to the financial statements 1) Accounting policies 1.a Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102). The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at fair value. The PCC meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statemenls are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the PCC. l.b Going concern The financial statements have been prepared on the going-concern basis. There are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubts upon the PCC'S ability to continue as a going concern. 1.c Funds General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application for the general purposes of the PCC. Funds d8signated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also not restricled. Restricted funds are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held ar)d restriGtions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts, The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. 1.d Income Donatioi?s and legacies Planned giving, collections and general donations are recognized only when received. Gifl aid recoverable on donations is recognized when the donation is received. Grants and legacies to the PCC are recognized as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable. Charit8ble activities Income from church fee income is recognized when the fee is due. Income from activities is accounted for gross. other trading 8Glivities Rental income is recognized when the rent is due. Where income is received in advance, it is recognized in the year in which the event takes place that it relates to. Investments Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.

1.e Expenditure Raising funds Expenditure on raising funds is accounted for on the accruals basis Charitable activities Expenditure on charitable activities is acGounled for on the accruals basis. Grants are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. 2. Tangible fixed assets Consecrated land and buildings and moveable church furnishing Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011. Fieehold property Freehold property is valued at purchase price. In the opinion of the PCC, depreciation of freehold properties would be immaterial and has not been charged, The PCC carries out an annual impairment review, and in their opinion no provision is necessary in respect of the value at which freehold properties are included in the financial statements. Other fixed assets other fixed assets are recognized at cost. Individual assets with a purchase price less than £1 ,000 are written off when the asset is acquired. Depreciation has been provided on other fixed assets on a straight-line basis in order to write off the cost of the assets over the following estimated useful lives: Parish Centre refurbishment - 50 years Chairs 10 years Equipment 5 years 3. Investments Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognized at their transaction value and subsequenlly measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The SOFA includes net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year. Our short-term deposits are managed by CCLA as a long-term investment. The funds can be available at short notice, which may result in a loss due to the valuation of the shares at the time of disposal. Dividends on the funds are paid 4 times a year and accounted for only when received. 4. Debtors Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for any amounts that may prove uncollectable. These are recognized initially at the settlement amount. Prepayments are va5ued at the amount prepaid, net of any trade discounts due. 5. Creditors Creditors are recognized when the PCC has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors are recognized at the amount that the PCC anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payment for the goods or services it must provide.

Staff costs 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Employer's pension contributions 36,303 585 29,584 349 36,888 29,933 2024 2023 Average number of employees During the year the PCC did not employ anyone who earned £60,000 per annum or more (2023.. none). Total employee benefits (including pension) were £36,888 (2023: 29,933). The children's minister is paid from the Micah project, which is a restricted fund. Related party transactions David Taylor is an employee of the PCC and is asso an elected member of the PCC. He is paid services fees for funerals, weddings and burials of ashes. During the 2024 year he received a gross salary of £995, (2023.. £1,805) Jenny Gallimore is employed as the children's minister and is also a co-opted member of the PCC. She received a gross salary of £19,500 (2023: £15,984) and employer's pension contributions of £585 (2023: £349). During the year to 31 December 2024, the charily received £3.000 {2023'. £0) in donations from the PCC members, key management personnel and persons closely connected to them. The donors did not attach any conditions to their gifts that required the charity to significantly alter the nature of its existing aGtivities. C18rgy and staff claimed expenses of £1,068 (2023: £1,473) during the year for travel, subsistence, office supplies and the computer costs. No other transactions were undertaken with any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties. Missionary and charitable giving 2024 2023 Church Army Message Trust Oasis Cenlre Wellspring Christian Aid NACOA The Mill 1,000 1,000 1.000 1,000 1,134 555 1,133 1,133 3,955 4,000 Newala 5,047 During 2024, the Newala fund was closed and the remaining monies were sent to Tanzania. This was done because the formal link to Newala had been ended, and the cost of maintaining an international payment facility was greatly reducing the monies available to the sink for its porridge donations.

Tangible fixed assets Freehold land & buildings 33 Dawlish Parish Centre refurbishment Close Chairs Equipment Total Cost Brought & carried forward Depreciation Brought forward Charge for year Carried forward Net book value Carried forward Brought foward 225,000 167,624 55,136 93,044 540,804 55,135 88,791 178,236 34.310 3,353 4,252 7,606 55,135 93,043 185,842 37,663 225,000 129,960 1 354.962 4,253 362,568 225,000 133,314 A market appraisal was made on 7 May 2015 of 33 Dawlish Close, Bramhall, by Snapes, which recommended an asking price of £190,000. According to Zoopla's website the current average pri at 31 December 2019 was £225,000. 10. Investments Markel value brought foNard Net gains on revaluation Market value carried forward 128,421 4,567 132,988 11. Debtors and prepayments 2024 2023 Tax recoverable Prepayments other debtors Grant monies re VAT recoverable 6,915 3,370 1,207 7,221 10 18,713 6,124 12. Creditors and accruals 2024 2023 Accruals Deferred income other creditors 7,587 1,740 2,557 11,885 19,853 15,917 35,770 10

Bank Charges 2024 2023 Bank Gharges The PCC incurs bank charges on the bank current accounts and when the card reader is used. Where these relate to a charitable donation, the gross amount is sent to the charity and the church suffers the bank charges. 717 699
Unrestricted funds Charitable Giving In 2024, the PCC distributed £1,000 each to four charities. The charities supported were: Wellspring in Stockport, the Church Army, the Oasis Centre and the Message Trust. In addition, weekly donations in kind are taken to the Chelwood Food Bank. At Christmas, the monies collected at the carol services and Christingle services are sent to the Children's Society, At the year end, £2347.09 was due to them.
Restricted funds S8veral restricted funds have not been used over many years. In 2024 the Textiles Fund was used to clean the Parish Centre curtains, leaving a balance of £690.78. The Flower Club Fund was used for displays during the Spirit of Art festival, leaving an overspend of £0.44. Under the provision applicable to small charities, the PCC has agreed to Iransfer the remaining balances on these two funds back to the general unrestricted fund. The Church Projects Fund has been recognized as a designated fund, because the funds can be used for various projects. These funds currently total £11,114.45, and are expected to b8 used in 2025.
Fund movement summary Fund balances brought forward Fund balances Carried. fornard Incoming Outgoing Journal entries Fund Transfer Resources Resources 4201 General fund 573,821 221,782 205,957 1257 586,702 4201 Sub-totals 573,821 221,782 205,957 1257 586,702 Spirit Of Art 7,107 4,296 Church Projects 12,557 1,442 sub.totals 19,664 5.738 13,926 Lawn Mower 3,0(JJ 3,000 Screen Fund 1,952 1,952 Church Proj8Cts 4,202 4202 Micah Organ Maintenance 73,712 670 20.245 54,137 32,578 34.708 3,636 Flower Club 805 Church Textiles 1.116 425 -691 Sub-totals 79,834 38,200 56,183 .1,257 60,595 .4201 Total 653,655 279,646 267,878 661,223 12

Analysis of income and expenditure 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 General Designated Restricted 2024 2023 Receipts Donations and legacies 0101 Planned Giving 0201 Other planned giving 0301 Loose plate colleclions 0550 - Donations appeals etc 0601- Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 0701 Legacies 08A1- VAT recoverable 0901 Other funds generated Donations and legacies: Totals other trading activities 0910 - Fund raising for church projects 0912 Spirit of Art Festival - Income 0915- Parish groups income 0916 - Gardening income 0917 - ACE income 0918 - Flower Club 1240 - Church hall leltings fund raising 1250 - Newala Diocese Tanzania Project 1255- Music Income Other trading activities: Totals Investments 1020- Bank and building society interest 1025 - Micah grant interest (restricted) 1030 - Renl from lands or buildings Investments: Totals Income from charitable activities 1101 Fees for weddings and funerals 105,577 105,577 97,407 11,547 2,454 2,454 2,233 7,187 35,312 42,499 22,302 9,760 7.221 22,302 10,760 7,221 25,389 1,000 2,722 157,223 2,722 4,12.4 36,312 193,536 140,700 12,557 12,557 7,107 7,107 1,261 956 202 1,048 1,261 956 202 1,048 6,101 1,030 428 2,834 23,614 23,614 24,335 374 150 27,605 374 150 47,269 975 19,664 35,703 6,432 6,432 4,775 670 670 551 11.042 17,474 11,042 18,144 10,573 15,900 670 4,229 4,229 7,046

1105 - Children's Ministy Income 1210 - Produce Stall 1230 - Church ha51 lettings objectives 1245 Hire of Church Incorne from charitable activities: Totals 3,460 210 3,460 210 1,389 1,228 880 4.778 880 4,778 1,001 7,101 13,556 13,556 17,765 1026 - CDBF Grant income Adjustments Code - 9999 other income: Totals 5.515 3,284 3,284 3,284 3,284 5,515 Receipts: Grand totals 219,142 19,664 36,982 275,788 215,583 Payments Raising funds General Deslgnated Restricted 2024 2023 1730 Costs for church fundraising projects 1735 Spiril of Arl Festival Expenditure Raising funds: Totals 1.442 4,296 5,738 4,296 5,738 Expenditure on charitable activities 1801 Charitable funds d istribution 1830 - Newala Diocese Tanzania Project- expenditure 1850 - Home mission 1910 - Ministry parish share etc 2050 Salary of parish administrator 2120 - Council tax 2140 - Water rates - vicarage 2150 - Vicar's telephone 2151- Vicar's mileage and car parking 2152 - Vicar's postage 2153 - Vicar's books and stationery 2154 - Vicar's sundries 4,000 4,000 3,955 5,047 5,047 -989 98,845 98,845 92,227 13,600 5,094 4,671 4,671 616 173 616 173 466 196 183 183 288 48 20 20 96 33

2155 - Vicar's computer hardware 2156 - Vicar's computer software 2170- Education 2301 Church running - insurance 2310 Church office- telephone 2320 - Church maintenance -organ I piano tuning 2330 - Church maintenance-buildings 2331 Hall cleaning 2332 - Church maintenance -fire 2340 Altar requisites 2341 Liturgical Sundries 2342 - Music expenses 2350 - Upkeep of grounds 2361 Admin printing and postage 2362 - Publicity and display materials 2363 - Stationery 2363A - Thanksgiving Sunday 2364 - Computer software 2365 - Admin other 2368 - Bank charges 2369 Hall - Refreshments 2370 - Visiting speakers I locums 2401 Church running - electric 2410 Church running - gas 2420 - Water rates 2510 Children's ministry expenditure 2520 - Micah expenditure ( restricted) 2560- Hall running maintenance 2610 - Parish Events 2611- ACE expenditure 2612- Flower Club 2613- Gardening Club Expenditure 199 199 178 660 660 830 4,180 4,180 7,344 1,151 1,151 867 34,708 34,708 816 21,536 3,304 21,536 3,729 9,081 3,590 425 4,081 508 125 981 72 4,081 508 125 981 72 3,004 170 98 593 64 1,814 1,814 3,334 245 560 245 560 20 46 89 111 127 717 302 89 111 127 717 302 85 402 33 699 444 387 387 400 3,315 3,315 5,456 12,300 1,951 12,300 1,951 13,978 472 1,800 1,800 1,389 20,245 20,245 16,829 273 1,037 155 1,140 .273 1,037 155 1,945 10,472 805 2,541 419 419 1,030 15

2730 - Depreciation P&M 2840 - Other PCC property upkeep 2841 Dawlish Close Insurance 2842 - Property Management 51B25- Sundry Cr Pension Expenditure on charitable activities: Totals Other expenditure 2650- CDBF Grant Expenditure 6650 - PAYE Control account SHP1- Net salary payment other expenditure: Totals 7,604 7,604 10,766 652 652 336 189 189 389 1,197 1,197 2,292 -22 186,744 56,183 242,926 213,041 2,252 19,213 19,213 -2,410 -2,410 16,803 16,803 2,251 Payments: Grand totals 205,957 5,738 53,773 265,468 215,292

The Parochial Church Council of St Michael and All Angels, Bramhall Financial Statements Year ending 31 December 2024

Staff costs 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Employer's pension contributions 36,303 585 29,584 349 36,888 29,933 2024 2023 Average number of employees During the year the PCC did not employ anyone who earned £60,000 per annum or more (2023.. none). Total employee benefits (including pension) were £36,888 (2023: 29,933). The children's minister is paid from the Micah project, which is a restricted fund. Related party transactions David Taylor is an employee of the PCC and is asso an elected member of the PCC. He is paid services fees for funerals, weddings and burials of ashes. During the 2024 year he received a gross salary of £995, (2023.. £1,805) Jenny Gallimore is employed as the children's minister and is also a co-opted member of the PCC. She received a gross salary of £19,500 (2023: £15,984) and employer's pension contributions of £585 (2023: £349). During the year to 31 December 2024, the charily received £3.000 {2023'. £0) in donations from the PCC members, key management personnel and persons closely connected to them. The donors did not attach any conditions to their gifts that required the charity to significantly alter the nature of its existing aGtivities. C18rgy and staff claimed expenses of £1,068 (2023: £1,473) during the year for travel, subsistence, office supplies and the computer costs. No other transactions were undertaken with any other PCC member, persons closely connected to them or related parties. Missionary and charitable giving 2024 2023 Church Army Message Trust Oasis Cenlre Wellspring Christian Aid NACOA The Mill 1,000 1,000 1.000 1,000 1,134 555 1,133 1,133 3,955 4,000 Newala 5,047 During 2024, the Newala fund was closed and the remaining monies were sent to Tanzania. This was done because the formal link to Newala had been ended, and the cost of maintaining an international payment facility was greatly reducing the monies available to the sink for its porridge donations.

Bank Charges 2024 2023 Bank Gharges The PCC incurs bank charges on the bank current accounts and when the card reader is used. Where these relate to a charitable donation, the gross amount is sent to the charity and the church suffers the bank charges. 717 699
Unrestricted funds Charitable Giving In 2024, the PCC distributed £1,000 each to four charities. The charities supported were: Wellspring in Stockport, the Church Army, the Oasis Centre and the Message Trust. In addition, weekly donations in kind are taken to the Chelwood Food Bank. At Christmas, the monies collected at the carol services and Christingle services are sent to the Children's Society, At the year end, £2347.09 was due to them.
Restricted funds S8veral restricted funds have not been used over many years. In 2024 the Textiles Fund was used to clean the Parish Centre curtains, leaving a balance of £690.78. The Flower Club Fund was used for displays during the Spirit of Art festival, leaving an overspend of £0.44. Under the provision applicable to small charities, the PCC has agreed to Iransfer the remaining balances on these two funds back to the general unrestricted fund. The Church Projects Fund has been recognized as a designated fund, because the funds can be used for various projects. These funds currently total £11,114.45, and are expected to b8 used in 2025.
Fund movement summary Fund balances brought forward Fund balances Carried. fornard Incoming Outgoing Journal entries Fund Transfer Resources Resources 4201 General fund 573,821 221,782 205,957 1257 586,702 4201 Sub-totals 573,821 221,782 205,957 1257 586,702 Spirit Of Art 7,107 4,296 Church Projects 12,557 1,442 sub.totals 19,664 5.738 13,926 Lawn Mower 3,0(JJ 3,000 Screen Fund 1,952 1,952 Church Proj8Cts 4,202 4202 Micah Organ Maintenance 73,712 670 20.245 54,137 32,578 34.708 3,636 Flower Club 805 Church Textiles 1.116 425 -691 Sub-totals 79,834 38,200 56,183 .1,257 60,595 .4201 Total 653,655 279,646 267,878 661,223 12