## **St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Finham, Coventry** Charity Commission Number 1133962 # **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council** **For the year ended 31[st] December 2024** **Incumbent: Rev. Matthew Taylor** ## **Bank: Santander** **Bootle, Merseyside, L30 4GB** ## **Independent Examiner:** **Mr. Luke Howson** ## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS, FINHAM, COVENTRY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER, 2024** ## **AIM and PURPOSE** St. Martin's 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. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church Hall, Fellowship Room and Community Hub of St. Martin's. The PCC is a charity that is registered with the Charity Commission, Number 1133962. ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** St. Martin’s Church is situated in Green Lane, Finham, Coventry. It is part of the Diocese of Coventry within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: The Vicarage, 136 Green Lane, Finham, Coventry, CV3 6EA. The PCC is a body corporate, operating under the PCC Powers Measure 1956 which came into effect on 2nd January, 1957 and the Church Representation Rules (within Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969, as amended). Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Meeting (APCM) in accordance with Church Representation Rules. At the 2001 APCM a resolution was adopted for 12 elected members to serve on the PCC. Members elected would serve for a period of three years and one third of the elected members would retire annually. Retiring members would be eligible to offer themselves for re-election. There are 100 parishioners on the new Church Electoral Roll, of which 47 are not resident within the parish. All those attending St. Martin’s are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and to consider standing for election to the PCC. The average church attendance on a normal Sunday in 2024 was 90 in person and many watching on live stream. ## **MEMBERSHIP OF THE PCC AND TRUSTEESHIP OF THE CHARITY FOR 2024 WAS:** Vicar: Rev. Matthew Timothy Taylor: appointed 2[nd] October 2017. Curate: Rev. Matthew David Ford: appointed 1[st] May 2022. Left the parish 28[th] January 2025. Curate: Rev. John Samuel: appointed 25[th] March 2023. Curate: Rev. Elizabeth Emma Goodwin: appointed 23[rd] April 2024. Ordinand: Ms. Rachel Nadine Douse: appointed 23[rd] April 2024. Church Warden: Mr. David Paul Foxwell: elected to the PCC 24[th] April 2018. Church Warden: Mr. Stanley Gerald McCarthy: elected to the PCC 24[th] April 2016. Mr. McCarthy retired as Church Warden at the Vestry Meeting on 8[th] April 2025 and did not seek re-election to the PCC. Ms. Ruth Valerie Khan: elected 23[rd] April 2024 and at the Vestry Meeting on 8[th] April 2025 was elected Church Warden. ## Lay Reader Dr. Andrew James Gurney Barclay: appointed 12[th] March 2011. Sadly, deceased 23[rd] August 2025. ## Representatives on the Deanery Synod Dr. Richard John Elton (Diocesan Synod): appointed 11[th] May 2021. Mr. Martin Bint (Deanery Synod): appointed 20[th] April 2017. ## Elected Members (up to 12) Ms. Agnes Caroline Brown: elected 25[th] April 2016. Retired at the APCM on 8[th] April 2025 and did not seek re-election. Ms. Helen Dorothy Marie Spencer: elected 11[th] May 2021 and re-elected at the APCM on 8[th] April 2025. For re-election in 2028. Ms. Frances Marion Armitage: elected 13[th] October 2020. For re-election in 2026. Ms. Jacqueline Anne Cubitt: elected 4[th] August 2009. For re-election in 2026. Mr. Andrew Hodgson Spencer: elected 30[th] August 2021. For re-election in 2027. Ms. Christina Joan Watkins: elected 8[th] April 2025. For re-election in 2028. Mr. Robert Geoffrey Makin: elected 8[th] April 2025. For re-election in 2028. ## **GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT and OBJECTIVES** The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met 6 times during the year. The PCC has Working Teams which meet and report to the PCC, the Standing Committee meet before the PCC, on a monthly basis. The Teams meet between PCC meetings minutes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary. The Standing Committee has a core of seven members who are Rev Matthew Taylor, Rev Matt Ford, Rev John Samuel, Dr Andrew Barclay, Mrs Jackie Cubitt, Mr Andrew Spencer and Mr Stan McCarthy. Standing Committee: This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The Standing Committee also oversees the monitoring of income and expenditure and the preparation of the annual budget. It oversees the work of the building sub-committee which ensures that the Church, Church Hall, Fellowship Room, Community Hub and grounds are maintained in a high standard of repair and cleanliness and oversees the use of the premises. ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT** The PCC continues to support and encourage a wide and growing number of church and local organisations, including the Mothers' Union and a variety of youth orientated entities. The PCC continues with its basic mission of providing an opportunity for all in the area and further afield to join in worship and celebration of the Sacraments of the Church. All are welcome to join in our services either in person or via Live Stream. The Trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the 2006 Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission. ## **VICAR’S REPORT - REV MATT TAYLOR** This year, we had a theme of Prophecy: “Then, Now, and To Come”. Our verse for the year was “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19a). We began by studying Isaiah, then delved into the life of Jesus as a Prophet. We also explored Revelation and focused on various prophets. There are so many people that I could thank, so as with every year I only have time to highlight a brief few of people’s efforts. First, I want to thank Stan McCarthy for his time as Church Warden, thanking him particularly for the work he did on Gift Aid. I know it’s been a tough year for him and the family and I am grateful he has agreed to continue looking after Gift Aid for us into the future. Matt Ford, who completed his final year with us, was a great source of encouragement and pastoral care for many. We are glad that his new role in Stratford will continue to utilise his skills and giftings. Last year, John Samuel, in his first year at St. Martin’s, faced a series of setbacks early in the year. He suffered a suspected stroke and spent a few worrying days in hospital. However, thanks to the prayers of the church and the practical help of cooked meals for him and his family when he returned, St. Martin’s demonstrated its love and care for him. It has been a challenging year for John as he has recovered from the trauma, but it is encouraging to see him beginning to regain his strength and confidence. ## **Summer Fest** One of the events that Matt spearheaded along with a great team was the 'Summer Fest’. We saw a wide variety of events, along with the talents of the ‘Music Room’ bringing members of their group to perform. Later in the day, a band of aged musicians also played, called ‘Uncle Bob’. And of course our own Gospel Choir performed too. The event was another way of making connections with our local community, bringing us closer and opening natural opportunities to share the Gospel more widely. ## **Prayer Ministry team** Our prayer ministry at the 11 am service truly came into its own this year. Each week, before the service, the team meet to prepare and seek God’s guidance. They often highlight ‘words’ that resonate with the teaching for the Sunday service. I know that many of you have benefited from their prayerful help and support. Throughout the year, we also provided training to support the team. Thanks go to Tina Watkins who leads the team and to all who make up the team. ## **Revive** Our coffee shop transitioned into a trading subsidiary of the charity in February 2024, recognising the potential to cross the VAT threshold. We are incredibly grateful to Martin Bint and Dave Foxwell for taking on the roles of directors and the additional responsibilities that came with it. Our accountant deserves special recognition for going above and beyond to assist us during this period, and her contributions were pivotal in helping us pass the threshold this year. Our volunteers continued to staff the coffee shop with hard work and dedication, creating a welcoming and inclusive space for people of all ages. In February, Ellen joined the team as our second chef, and has proved to be a wonderful asset to Revive. ## **St Martin’s Church Gospel Choir** This year, our gospel choir has flourished, providing a great platform for building community and singing together which has been proven to have positive effects on mental health. The choir comprises of a diverse group of church members, individuals from other churches, and members of the local community, being open to all to join. Their repertoire includes both older traditional and more modern gospel songs performed by people of faith and those without religious affiliation. The choir began by meeting every other week but now meet every week on a Wednesday, and it’s been a pleasure to see friendships built and new members welcomed so warmly whenever they come. Throughout the year, the choir’s membership grew to exceed 50 individuals. The highlight of the year was the choir’s first ever concert, which sold out, featuring two hours of music, and raised an impressive amount of money for charity, which was shared equally between the Lighthouse and MND. ## **Treasurer** This year, we would like to extend a special thank you to Andrew for all the hard work and dedication that goes into being our treasurer. The preparation for this year ’s accounts was further complicated by the fact that the coffee shop needed to become a trading arm of the church, but Andrew managed to navigate these challenges with exceptional skill and expertise, for which I am extremely grateful. Reverend Matt Taylor ## **CHURCH WARDEN’S REPORT** Firstly let me start by thanking you for allowing me to serve in this role and your support and help throughout the last year, it has in many ways been a steep learning curve and I am still learning many of the tasks that need performing. At this point I would like to pay enormous thanks to Andrew Barclay for everything that he has done, I know that all of the church would join me in recognising the amazing work that he has put in both as a church warden but also in many years previous serving in a capacity of performing so many tasks that a church warden would normally have done. Most weeks it is only when we find things that need doing that we realise just what was taken onboard by Andrew, never moaning just quietly getting on in the background. Thank you so much Andrew, as a church we love and thank you so much. Also, thank you to Stan who has done a great job in bringing the cash card reader on line, now allowing many people to pay their offering or contribution online. Also for the great work in sorting the gift aid which we can now see in the church finances as a far more accurate picture of where we really are, thank you Stan and also to Geoff Machin who I know has come on board to assist Stan. I will move onto the bigger projects within the buildings work shortly but we should also at this point recognise people who regularly come in to complete those small tasks that without completion we couldn’t function, repairs to the toilets, doors, general maintenance and repair. I know that you don’t do these tasks for recognition but as a church we do so greatly appreciate your continued support and service which is often only seen by a small group of people. We are in need of individuals with skills who can assist with small repairs and if that resonates with you please let me or Matt know, it is often in the small jobs getting done that the church functions on a practical level. Your knowledge and help would be greatly appreciated. ## **Buildings** A thank you to the buildings team and those who have joined in the last 12 months. I would also like to pay a huge thank you to Alan Colliver who despite no longer serving on the actual buildings team has played a major part in ensuring jobs have been carried out and offering his expertise in so many areas. **Working party:** a building’s team was able to carry out some much needed tasks around the church. Cleaning out of guttering particularly by the kitchen, weeding and clearing of paths particularly around drainage area. Where possible unblocking of small drains on gated side of church building. The filling of small holes by tarmac in the car park. We are aware that the car park will need much further repair and maintenance going forward. **Demolishing of the shed:** we employed a company to complete this work for us. **Repair:** to large window in the revive area. **Installation of a new sound desk and video cameras:** fortunately we were able to use the skill sets of both Matt’s in much of this work using their technical knowledge. ## **Boiler serviced.** **Electrical work** : the completion and certification for the EICR (Electrical installation condition report). This included relabelling of the fuses. We did run into issues during this work when solar inverters were disconnected then not reconnected correctly, this caused a number of problems over the weeks around installation so care must be taken with any work carried out electrically that might require any form of temporary disconnection **.** **Kitchen roof repair:** we did have a couple of leaks on the church kitchen ceiling (Revive) that resulted in small repairs, we must be aware however that as a flat roof that there is a limited lifespan of a flat roof so this may be a concern for the future. **The Quinquennial inspection report:** the report did show three big projects which we must complete to ensure that we are structurally sound going forward. The first is the three dormer windows to the south-east elevation are in need of service and repaint of the timber sills. Alongside this is the replacement of the guttering some of which we cannot see the full extent until the PVC covering is removed. The drainage of all of this is into a soak away that appears to be blocking up. We did have to employ the services of Metro Rod to get photos of potential blockages but the full details are still unclear except we do know that there is a blockage. During stage one of the project we do need to complete a full inspection of the bellcote we are planning to complete this as a separate project but as part of the work completed during 2025. The other major parts of the project are the repair of the outside wall. This will require the removal of outer cladding then a redecoration this will probably be stage 3 of our project. There is also the repair of the interior back wall of the church, this will require the removal of the existing cladding, the allowance of a period of time maybe up to 6 to 9 months before we can then look at re cladding or similar. This will be stage 2 of our project. These projects we are looking at completing during 2025, 2026 and 2027. These projects are unfortunately going to cost a significant amount of money. We however serve a God who has time and time again shown us that he is in control and that we when we trust in him he has more than met our needs. We would still love to strengthen our building team or it might be you are able to just help with a particular project, please let us know if you can help. The church functions at its very best when it’s many members come together each offering their various skills. Thank you all so much and God bless. Dave ## **CHILDREN AND FAMILY WORKER REPORT** Firstly, I want to thank Kate Saxton, for all of the great work she did during her time spent in her role. With Kate’s resignation, in order to enable Stay and Play and Ignite groups to remain running, I volunteered to run them until a suitable replacement could be employed. I loved volunteering working with the children, and offered to help with school's work too. I am a nursery nurse by qualification and worked in the local primary school in Finham for 17 years. I had forgotten how much I missed working with children and a new passion was ignited. I spoke to Matt to say I felt I should be applying for the post of Children and Families Worker, as I felt a real calling for it. I also have the advantage of a Counselling Certificate which has been of immense benefit when speaking with parents and carers. The rest is history and I am now in post, starting from July 29th last year. Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since then … Here is a brief journey, so far. Our holiday bible club ran on Thursdays through August. It was extremely busy! We had some repeat children each week but also new ones. We had a great group of volunteers for whom we are very thankful. ## **Schools work:** During the year of 2024 we were able to visit Finham and Styvechale Primary Schools on a regular basis and they also visited the church. One of the first school sessions I was involved in was Easter Cracked. This takes place in the church and is attended by 150 children over 2 days. They are very busy sessions and the children and staff love attending them. The sessions are delivered in a fun but informative way, with short activities to join in with as they explore the Christian message of Easter. Our feedback from staff was great: _**“As always, you’ve welcomed us with such thought and care - thank you for the efforts of everyone**_ _**involved in making an interesting and memorable workshop for the children.”**_ Also _**“We love working with St.Martins, but this is our best event all year. Thank you all so much! The year 5 team!”**_ It’s really hard work, but wonderful to see the children happy and excited as they explore our church and hear about Jesus and his love for them. Please pray for the Easter Cracked sessions which will take place on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th April. We will have a total of 150 children over the two days with their staff. Thank you. During 2024, a total of 29 sessions were delivered to Finham and Styvechale Primary schools, via assemblies and lessons, either at the school or here in church. From September 2024, a new R.E curriculum for Coventry and Warwickshire came into effect, which has given Matt and me a whole lot of extra work in order to deliver the lessons. Most of the old lessons we had are unusable and we’ve spent a lot of time writing new ones. Matt Ford also helped to write some of the material before he left. The new material has been accepted positively and we’ve had some excellent feedback, given the subjects we’ve had to cover! Reconciliation lessons for year 2, with a title of “Why has the Coventry Blitz shaped Christian Worldviews locally and globally?” is just one of the new lessons. This was difficult to construct due to the age of the children, just 6 years of age, but it was received really well and feedback was very positive _**“... I have been trying to plan and resource these new objectives for year 2 and finding it very hard! Adam and Eve story - good level to engage year 2 and explain why we need forgiveness and ideas for how to say sorry - children enjoyed this sheet. Thank you!”**_ ## **Another new one for a year 1 class … “Who is Jesus?” with feedback as** _**“Very engaging! All children**_ _**wanted to contribute or participate. I really liked how the lesson ‘hooked’ the class in with Superhero links. The content was not overwhelming and the class digested the information well. Thank you Matt and Wendy** .”_ Every time we work with the schools, either there or here, is a privilege. We are so fortunate to visit and build such great relationships with the children and staff. ## **Ignite Group:** This is a lovely group for school children from the age of 7-11. There are currently up to 14 children who regularly come most weeks. We play games, crafts, share a bible story, question session and tuck. There has been a lot to deal with recently within the group, especially around the area of loss. A couple of children have lost grandparents and the parents of the children have also had support. One of the parents came along, with another, to the Quiet Christmas service as a result of an invitation given by myself as she had shared about her dad being very poorly and was really struggling, especially towards Christmas. She was able to spend time with both Matts and myself, talking and receiving prayer. Sadly, her dad passed away just after Christmas, but it has been good to let her know we’ve been praying for her and to see her regularly bring her child along to Ignite and still offer ongoing support as she continues to grieve. It’s amazing being able to build relationships like this, with these families. Please pray for this work, that God will really bless it, bring in children and that we will be able to support and encourage them during difficult as well as happy times. We are blessed with the help of Linda, Sue, Marilyn and Helen as well as visits from Matt sometimes to paint with the children which they love! Also occasional visits from others in church for a craft or other session. Thank you to each of you who give your time when you are all so busy, it is really appreciated! ## **Stay and Play:** It’s an early start, setting up the hall. I meet Matt and Mary at 8.15 every Wednesday, then Fran joins us from around 9.00. I am so grateful to them all for being there to support me, every single week. We lost Gill’s help early last year as she needed to spend more time with Andrew so I was extremely grateful to Mary for stepping in to help … and believe me she is amazing! John has also been coming along to some sessions, now he is able and his help is much appreciated. We could desperately do with more help, even if it’s just to set the hall up or put away after the session ends. Godfrey regularly comes in at the end of a session to do just that, so does Dave. You might have a gift of being able to talk to people, you would be most welcome. If you feel able to offer anything at all, please do speak to me or Matt. ## **Thrive:** It’s been lovely to meet Fiona, the local Thrive Childrens worker. I’ve met with her a couple of times now and her listening ear and suggestions have been really helpful. We have a networking meeting coming up soon and I’m looking forward to meeting with other Children's workers from the local area. ## **Sunday Children’s Work:** This is a lovely group for the children to attend. We follow the bible readings you have in church as much as we’re able, though occasionally, as with Revelation for example, this can be a bit unsuitable, so we adapt the lesson accordingly. There is usually a bit of fun first with a game, followed by a bible story and then a question time, craft and a prayer. I’m thankful to have the help of Helen, Linda and Sandra already, but would welcome anyone who would like to support this work to come along and see what we do. At the moment we are out every other week as a pair, enabling us all to have time in church, which is important for our own spiritual wellbeing and growth. I’m especially grateful to Sandra for giving her already busy time to this work, considering she is also busy with worship and delivering sermons sometimes. ## **Movie mornings:** These take place twice a year, during October and February half term. They are a free event for families to attend and we provide popcorn and a drink. I’ve now hosted 2, both of which have been hugely successful, with around 30 children and their carers. Thank you for taking your time to read my report. I have a big heart for this work and a real passion to see children and their families come to know and love Jesus as much as I do. I want them to know how much God is there for them especially now, in the difficult world we live in. Please ask me if there’s anything more you’d like to know. I value your continued support with prayer and if you feel you’d like to help with anything, please speak to myself or Matt. Thank you. God bless you, Wendy Foxwell. ## **YOUTH ENABLERS REPORT** ## **2024 Youth provision** I start this report again this year by giving thanks to the people who serve our young people at Youth provision. Our activities couldn’t happen without them. By way of a small Thank You, we held a ‘Coffee and Cake Thankyou’ gathering at Revive on 10th July 2024 and also leaders received a gift from the group including cards and bookmarks made by the youth group. We really do appreciate each and every person that serves the youth in some way. Thank you. ## **First contact groups running in 2023** ## **Wednesday - Community Bat and Chat (Including ways to bring All Ages together safely)** 34 sessions were held. We naturally lost 5 young people from provision this year, 3 due to becoming 18 and moving to college/University, 2 people who moved house, out of the area so we lost their attendance too. The local school runs enrichment activities on Wednesdays, and also introduced GCSE masterclass revision after school on Wednesdays in mid May so the numbers fluctuate during these times. Throughout the year the group has always been enjoyed by a core group of young people with 6 being the lowest number present and 16 being the highest. We continue to run the community youth group much the same as 2023 as it is working well. - Provides a place for first contact and community building. It continues to encourage young people to explore new activities: - Technology free club where Active sports/games and creative crafts are encouraged. We have made coasters, keyrings, clay pots, bookmarks etc. we enjoy themed sessions on special occasions such as Wimbledon (strawberries and cream tasting) - Regular craft table, games tables, pool, ping pong, basketball, darts etc. For the last 15 minutes, everyone joins in a group activity together. - Regular emails to parents/carers inviting them and their young people to all that we offer at the church. - Window display x3, Harvest, Easter and Christmas. - Young people from the provision create items to be displayed in the church window. Our provision for youth is free and it enables those attending to give back to the congregation using their creative gifts. It was a blessing to see young people from the community, contributing to the clay nativity scene using materials gifted to the Provision. 10th July 2024- We held a special end of term party for our 3 leavers who were leaving for University/ college. They each received a personalised scrapbook card, chocolates and a Gift bible (The Chosen). The youth enjoyed this celebration and they thoroughly enjoyed the local pizza. - Wednesday The After Party (Bible studies) **These sessions continue to provide Gospel exploration, discipleship building and growing in calling. The sessions follow the same passage as the Sunday group do** . We have hosted 22 sessions this year with up to 4 people attending. The young people who attend are of varying ages and engage really well together, the session provides a chance to explore the gospel and grow in confidence. Our last session of the year was held on 18th September. Later in the year we lost 3 young people to this group, 2 young people naturally turned 18 and went away to university/college and 1 moved house, out of the area. We reviewed the sessions and attendance with Matt the vicar and it was decided to take a small break from the current study and relaunch a new study in the new year. In September and October, we started to explore Eco church and asked for expressions of interest from our young people regarding recycling items, food waste, nature etc. 19th October, after attending a church meeting with a video and allotment visit, the Genesis study was decided. We have 9 young people interested in coming to this study. 20 Christmas selection boxes were given out to our young people, those who were staying with us also received a personal invite to this new group. Sunday groups Snack & unwrap YOUTH Sundays & Growing in calling (ages 11-15 come out to groups, 16-18 stay in church, although any young person of Youth age group is welcome to attend the session) **These sessions provide a chance for our young people to socialise with other Christians and talk about their week. We discuss the same passage that is preached in church, although we often pick the most relevant verses from it for our young people to unwrap.** These sessions have up to 6 young people attend each week, however this does not include the young people who are on the rota serving the congregation in the worship band, on vision or sound. Our Young people have served often in the service and we shall miss them greatly but wish them every success at university. We are delighted that this year we have seen a total of 6 young people regularly on the rota to serve on a Sunday. It does mean that they miss coming out to groups but we are really pleased to see these young people grow in calling.Their service ranges between worship band, drums, guitar and keyboard, vision, the sound desk and the collection plate. Parent/ carers prayer gathering We have continued to hold prayer gatherings every other week in term time throughout this year. Starting promptly at 13:00 hours and finishing at 13:20. We pray in general for our provision and for volunteers to join us. We are very grateful for the people who attend this group. ## **Involvement in Children's provision/Transition** Youth Enabler attended: - 18th March 2024, Easter Cracked local Junior school. 19th March 2024, Easter Cracked, local Junior school. - 11th June 2024, Junior school transition day both local schools. 31st July – helped to set up for the Children's Holiday Club. - 1st August – Helped at the Children's Holiday Club. - 9th December 2024 and 10th December 2024,I planned for 2 days' attendance at Christmas Unwrapped. I was not needed for these sessions due to the high number of volunteers so I attended after the event to help with tables and clear up. ## Volunteers & Leaders - 10th July 2024 - ‘Coffee and Cake Thankyou’ gathering at Revive. We included the Prayer group attendees in this as we are truly grateful for anyone who serves the youth whether face to face or from a distance. - December 2024 - ‘Leaders Thankyou’ ,leaders received a gift from the group including cards and bookmarks made by the youth group. We really do appreciate each and every person that serves the youth in some way. Thank you. - Recruited a new volunteer towards the end of 2023 who would like to help at Sunday groups, we are delighted. - Youth enabler and some volunteers attended the first aid course on 27th April 2024 Youth Enabler and 2 volunteers attended the face to face safeguarding training (raising awareness of Domestic Abuse). We still have a need for more volunteers at all of our youth provisions. We lost Matt our curate who we said goodbye to at the end of the year and also one of our regular volunteers from Wednesday has moved to a less flexible job and is not available any longer to serve our youth on a Wednesday. The Youth enabler has 9 weeks unpaid holiday plus usual holiday allocation to take, youth enabler attends all youth provision groups every week in term time and Sunday groups every week. We cannot run Sunday groups during holidays unless we have more volunteers and people who are happy to lead and plan. It would be a blessing to welcome new volunteers to the provision to allow the youth enabler to take allocated annual leave. ## Events to bring All Ages together safely 6th October 2024- For The Harvest Festival, as part of the All Age service. 11 of our Young people served the church congregation in different ways. We had a young person on welcome, 2 young people baked over 110 cakes between them, and 2 young people served them to the congregation. We had a young person on the collection plate, one reading the passage, one on vision, one on sound and 2 played in the worship band on keyboard and drums. 10th November 2024 - The Young people created a Remembrance display of poppies for the church window. One young person read the prayer at the end. 15th December 2024 - The Youth took part in the nativity service. One young person was playing in the worship band and 3 young people also narrated during the service. The young people create these crafts for the window display while at the community bat & chat youth club. They create them especially for the church window display. This is a wonderful way to safely connect All ages. The congregation contributes towards the cost of the youth club and the Young people create a display for the congregation to view at various times in the year. _Youth created the 2024 Easter window display using a variety of craft techniques used in the community youth club._ _Youth recycled items to create a window display. Harvest festival window display 2024._ _Youth created a Christmas window display for the church including a clay nativity scene using materials gifted to the Provision._ _Youth created a Remembrance window display for the church which they plan to add to each year._ ## **VOLUNTEERS** Our thanks are given to all those who freely give of their time, talents and treasure to all areas of the church’s ministry, from banking, dealing with Gift Aid, working with children, The Revive Coffee Shop, the Gospel Choir, Pastoral care, administration and all those other tasks which together fulfil the holistic role of St Martin’s both in the Church and in the wider community. Thanks too to our Vicar, Matt, Curate John, the Churchwardens Dave and Stan. Reader, Andrew and all on the PCC for all their hard work in 2024, particularly Jackie Cubitt our PCC secretary who works so hard to ensure the APCM happens efficiently. We look to the future with confidence. ## **EMPLOYEES** We are particularly appreciative of Jackie Bint our Parish Administrator who did a great job also administering our Hall Bookings, our part time Children and Family worker Kate Saxton who stepped down in July and now Wendy Foxwell, who continues to make great connections with our local schools and has done a wonderful job running Stay and Play and Lisa Clamp our part time Youth Enabler who has deepened relationships and grown numbers, all of which make a significant contribution to the mission of St Martin’s as we seek to help people Explore Faith, Love Jesus and serve our community. ## **SAFEGUARDING REPORT** We continue to safely recruit volunteers for The Revive Coffee Shop, thank you to those volunteers for filling in forms, taking the Basic Safeguarding Training and for those who have completed references. I would like again, to say a really big thank you to everyone who works with children, keeping up to date with their training, especially as they now have to complete the Domestic Abuse Course. All members of PCC have completed all training required to be a member of PCC including the Domestic Abuse training. During the year the Safeguarding Training continues to be online. A big thank you to Wendy and Lisa, who have completed so many Risk Assessment forms for the groups during the year as the guidelines change. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Disciplinary Measure 2016, which imposes a legal duty on the PCC _to have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding children and vulnerable adults._ You might wonder what it means to “have due regard”, and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) observed that this legal term was not well understood. If you would like further details, please do contact the Safeguarding Officer. During the year the Parish Dashboard has expanded and now includes a Hub from April 2024. Everyone on the Hub is now able to access their records of training and their DBS. We were asked to join a pilot scheme for the Parish Dashboard, which now will contact people when courses are due and also adds the DBS information when he DBS checks come through, which these days only take a few days. There are eighty one people assigned to roles here at St Martin’s and I am happy to say that, other than two new volunteers are required to complete the DBS everyone who requires it has done so. There are a few people who work with young people and children who are still to take the Domestic Abuse Course, but as this has only just become mandatory they have a year to complete it. The Safer Recruitment process continues to be used for everyone in the majority of roles within the church. This included completing an Application form, Confidential Record form and references being requested. For those who have responsibilities for managing others, they are now required to complete the Safer Recruitment and People Management online Course. We continue to keep up to date with the Parish Dashboard, even though it is continually changing. The Parish Dashboard forms the Action Plan from the Safeguarding Policy adopted by the PCC eight years ago and is a great asset, making sure all safeguarding regulations are adhered to. There are three levels and I am pleased to say that we continue to be on level three and the Hub on Stage three. The PCC have regular updates at each PCC meeting and have reviewed the Policies on an annual basis. Safeguarding is high up on the agenda at every PCC meeting so the PCC have regular updates and receive up to date information on Safeguarding and the Action Plan from the Parish Dashboard. Please do ask if you would like to know more about the Parish Dashboard and Hub. There is more information on Safeguarding in the Narthex, Fellowship Room and the main Hall. Thank you to everyone who has made this role so much easier by completing references, filling in forms, booking on line courses and also the support I have had from our vicar, Reverend Matt Taylor, Reverend Matt Ford, Lisa, Kate and Wendy. Thank you so much. Jackie Cubitt Safeguarding Officer ## **MISSION WORKING GROUP REPORT** The PCC agreed some time ago to give to other organisations 10% of our unrestricted income, working on the previous year’s income. The amount available for 2024 was £11,502. In 2024, donations were made as follows (in most cases by direct debit): |In 2024, donations were|made as follows (in most cases by|direct debit):||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Recipient**|**Focus**|**Region**|**Annual**
**amount**|**Monthly**
**Amount**| |Lighthouse Coventry|Health|UK|£1200|£100| |Thrive|Evangelism|UK|£1200|£100| |Coventry City Mission|Evangelism|UK|£1200|£100| |SAT-7|Evangelism/Education|Overseas|£1200|£100| |OM/Osgoods1|Evangelism|UK/Overseas|£4200|£350| |Friends of Mvumi|Health|Overseas|£600|£50| |Mercy Ships|Health|Overseas|£600|£50| |A Rocha|Environment/Conservation|UK|£200|/| |Andrew Smith2|Evangelism/Returnee focus|UK/Overseas||£100| ## **Additional** - A one-off donation of £200 was made to Hope Coventry ## **Emergency relief** - In our allocation of regular donations, we keep a certain amount back for emergency giving purposes. In view of the crisis in the Middle East, the congregation were invited to make donations - 1 This is reducing to £250 per month from April 2025 - 2 Started in November 2024 and these came to £552.10. This sum was combined with the church’s remaining emergency relief fund, and a total of £1254.10 was donated to three organisations (Embrace the Middle East, Tear Fund and Christian Aid). We regularly pray for the above organisations, individuals and needs in our church services and prayer meetings, and also privately. ## **Mission group members** The group is greatly depleted owing to Gail Brigden’s death and Andrew Barclay’s illness, and now only comprises, Caroline Brown, Lynette Smith and Helen Spencer. If anyone is interested in joining the group, please let Helen Spencer know. ## **PARISH OFFICE REPORT 2024** The Parish Office is located at the back of church, in the Vestry and is usually open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Access to the Office is through the back church door, via video link. Jackie Bint is the Parish Administrator and has served in this role for 21 years, providing administrative support to St. Martin’s church, its leadership team, Revive Coffee Shop and staff members. The role of Parish Administrator is key to the church’s relationship with the wider community as it is often the very first point of contact for church enquiries, via email, telephone or in person. - The administrative requirements and record keeping for Baptisms, Marriages, Confirmations and Funerals continue to be handled by the Office. Administrative support is given to Revive Coffee Shop when required. - The Parish Office compiles a weekly notice sheet that is printed, delivered to **6** parishioners who are no longer able to attend church in person, and distributed to almost **100** recipients by email. Its purpose is to summarise what’s on at St. Martin’s, share information and highlight upcoming events. - At the end of November, St. Martin’s held it’s annual, and very popular, Christmas Fair. The Parish Office once again planned and co-ordinated the layout and booking of stalls in both Hall and Fellowship Room; this year raising **£334.00** from the table fees from **29 different stall holders.** This money was donated to Carriers of Hope and Foodbank. - St. Martin’s church has **29** regular Hall, Fellowship Room, Church & Field users. The premises are additionally used for many private events, meetings, and parties. The Parish Office manages all hall bookings, both ‘regular’ and ‘casual’, from initial enquiry and booking, through to invoicing and revenue management. ## **Regular groups using the facilities at St. Martin’s include the following:** Mothers’ Union, Good Neighbours Men’s Fellowship Group, St. Martin’s Gospel Choir, Senior Citizens @ St. Martin’s, Alpha Art Group, Stay & Play, Ignite, St. Martin’s Youth Group, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Saints Explorers, Rainbows, 2 Brownie groups, Guides, Rangers, Drama Tots, Artventurers, Wildlings outdoor play, Nigel Watson Art Class, Textile History Group, Craft workshops, Finham WI, Coventry Adoption Group, New Horizons, Private dance tuition, Ballroom Dancing, Aao Miloh Group. ## **Hall Revenue** Revenue generated from hall lettings has once again increased substantially, year on year. Jan-Dec 2024 Hall lettings generated over £26,000. The newly refurbished Fellowship Room remains popular with smaller, local crafting groups. Our large hall is particularly popular for children’s activities and private parties. Although the floor was re-sanded and sealed in January, the additional footfall in the hall is considerably impacting the condition of the paintwork and walls. *To maintain the level of revenue generated from bookings, it will be important for the PCC to discuss, plan and implement some renovations to the hall walls and repainting soon. ## **Weekly Intercessions list** The Parish Office now centrally co-ordinates the church intercessions list which gives the names of those who have requested prayer. The list of the sick and bereaved is updated weekly. Jackie Bint – Parish Administrator ## **MOTHERS’ UNION BRANCH LEADER’S REPORT** 2024 has been my third year as your Branch Leader and I would like to thank our wonderful Committee for all their hard work and support. Marilyn Douglas, Gail Brigden, Sue Pickering, Barbara Barret, Christine Crout, Jean Smith and Gary Askew, Treasurer. Each one plays a particular part behind the scenes in each branch meeting that you don’t always see, but this branch could not run so well without them. Also, thanks go out to Mary Greenfield and Jill Holt for their unstinting service to our branch. Mary oversaw the knitting assisted by Jill, and Jill handled the Baptism Roll. Mary also delivered your birthday card and any flowers that we’ve sent. A big thank you to Val Hunt for playing the piano and Christine playing guitar for us, making our Acts of Worship sound so beautiful. Also, many thanks are given to Jackie Bint our church administrator who always puts notices of our meetings in St Martin’s Newsletter, and finally, to our clergy here at St Martin’s for all their continued support and prayers. A major thank you goes to our knitting group who supply the Neonatal Unit at the hospital and also The Haven Refuge with great numbers of items that they have made and donated, and I know they are very gratefully received. We have enjoyed a year of fellowship that has included Lenten Communion, which was enjoyed by us with hot cross buns as usual, and for Mothering Sunday our branch donated the daffodils given out at the Sunday service, thanks again go to Mary Greenfield for getting the daffodils for us. We had several speakers over the year including MU member Rosie Lee who came to tell us about her journey of faith as she travels towards ordination. John Elton came to speak to us about Mercy Ships and MU member Anne Short explained MU’s link to the Community of the Cross of Nails at Coventry Cathedral. During the year some of our members took part in Members Days at St Peter’s Wellesbourne and our Advent Service at Holy Trinity, Coventry. Members enjoyed our own ‘Songs of Praise’ service, and our cream tea in July raised money for the Summer of Hope Appeal. At the Christmas Fair we again ran a cake stall. I have to thank all those members who donated the amazing homemade cakes and mince pies that we sold. The proceeds of which went to help with our donations for the year and also to our branch funds. We had our Christmas Celebration in December, where we took part in ‘The Journey’ a nativity play. Gail Brigden did a marvellous job of rounding up the props and costumes, and directing and also narrating. A huge thank you to Gail for all her hard work. Gary was Joseph and Marilyn was Mary. Sue played the angel, and other members played the shepherds and the wise men. Our Diocesan President Karen Morriss enjoyed it so much she was wiping tears of laughter from her eyes when Joseph forgot the donkey. We also sang carols and enjoyed the love of the Christmas story, and also the eating of the mince pies. We received a lovely email from Karen thanking us for inviting her and her husband, Trustee Paul Morriss and saying she thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Christmas Cheer’. Finally, thank you, members and guests who are a part of our branch and share friendship and fellowship with each other, and have supported Mothers Union in their work both at home and abroad, throughout the past year. Lynette Askew - Branch Leader ## **MEN’S GROUP ON FRIDAYS** Thank you so much for letting us hire the fellowship room over the course of 2024. We continue to see great results from men coming together and simply being able to just sit down over tea, coffee and cake and biscuits and discuss a variety of topics and subjects. There is often a lot of laughter, reminiscing, sometimes thought provoking conversation. The group is extremely friendly and very respectful of one another. Some talk quite a lot whereas others might be very comfortable just listening but we always try to include everyone in the conversation who want to contribute. The local social prescribers see our group as a very important group in the area and we often have referrals. 95% of those who come along return and many then make it a regular group that they attend. Here are some of the stories: This group was recommended to me by IAPT It has been a wonderful experience for me at a time I was feeling lost and isolated. This has so benefited my mental health and I look forward to coming each week. I lost my wife of over 50 years of marriage, I felt so alone and depressed, my son recommended the group as his sister in law knew Dave. I haven’t looked back since the first week I visited, I honestly look forward to each Friday when I can meet with my friends have a great time together and enjoy their company. My Dad has been coming to the group since its start, he thoroughly enjoys it. It is great respite for him as Mum is very ill and needs a full time carer. He can’t remember what happened yesterday but he gets the chance to talk about days gone past which he clearly remembers. (We love having him along, he is a wonderful gentleman). Although this is not a church group we do have several members of the church come along and each gets great benefit in different ways. The other thing the group does is gives support, if anyone is missing for more than one week they will get a phone call just to ensure they are ok. I really enjoy leading this group, it has given me the opportunity to meet some truly amazing and wonderful people and I feel many friendships have been made. Thank you, Dave Foxwell ## **TREASURER’S REPORT FOR 2024** This year marked the transition of the Revive coffee shop at the start of February 2024 from a part of the church to a limited company acting as a trading arm of the church. The church continues to bank cash takings from Revive and in return handles its salary, fuel, cleaning and payroll bills as well as some other payments, such as for cleaning materials. The full accounts, as presented to the Charity Commission, are given as an appendix to this report. ## **Summary** - For many years expenditure by the church has been greater than income. 2024 marked a change, with the church achieving a cash surplus. - Total church income fell from £230,562 in 2023 to £227,659. This is because takings by the coffee shop after the start of February 2024 are no longer included. However, the income did include just over £16,000 in payments from the coffee shop as donations and as reimbursement of bills paid by the church. - Total church expenditure also fell, from £254,889 to £173,737, again because spending by the coffee shop from the start of February 2024 is no longer included. - Total income exceeded total expenditure by £53,922, reversing a deficit of £24,326 in 2023. - Total cash and investment assets rose from £222,060 in 2023 to £238,750. ## **Income** Congregational giving (standing orders, donations, envelopes, loose cash, refreshments after services and the card reader) fell by 6.6%, from £95,289 in 2003 to £88,801. Giving by standing order continued to increase but giving by envelopes fell as did donations, although loose cash giving held up relatively well. Giving through the card reader, installed in mid-2023, rose from £264 to £1,721 of which £1,127 was for general church funds, the remainder mainly for special appeals. The coffee shop operated as part of the church until the end of January 2024 and thereafter as a subsidiary limited company. Its net profit over the year, before deductions to the church, was £10,507 of which £1,650 was paid to the church as rent and £4,000 as a donation. The remaining £4,857 will be donated to the church in 2025. Additional income came from cash takings in January 2024 and reimbursements of expenditure by the church on the shop’s behalf, including salaries, utility costs and cleaning. The Coffee Shop’s final net profit was therefore zero. A note on the Coffee Shop’s status as a trading subsidiary of the church is appended to this report. Income from hall bookings rose from £23,263 to £27,471, confirming the church’s important role as a centre for community activities and functions. After difficulties in 2023, claiming of Gift Aid was resumed and no less than £30,465 was recovered for a period from late 2022 to late 2024. This boosted the year’s income considerably and thanks are due to Stan McCarthy and Geoff Makin for their splendid work. The church received a legacy of £5,000 from the estate of the late Ann Gough and this will be used to support the church’s youth work. Thanks to the efforts of Frances Armitage we were also successful in obtaining a grant of £3,000 from the Golden Bottle Trust for the Walls project. ## **Expenditure** Parish share rose from £67,572 to £69,330 per annum at the start of 2024. The three staff members received a pay increase in April and a replacement assistant chef for the coffee shop began employment in the same month. The solar panels brought down annual electricity consumption from a peak of 22,116 kWh in 2022 to 19,649 in 2003 and this fell further to 12,682 in 2024, their first full year of operation. Over the year we also exported 6,022 kWh back to the grid. Gas consumption is also down from 2022, although it is higher than in 2023. Even so, overall kWh use fell from 67,674 in 2023 to 64,831. As a result spending on utilities fell from £16,007 in 2023 to £8,322, although the true figure is nearer £10,500 as a bill for the last three months did not arrive until 2025. Expenditure on the buildings was lower than in 2023 as work on the solar panels was completed, although £1,367 was spent on further survey work for repairs to the church walls. Essential and periodic inspection and maintenance, not to mention cleaning, formed the bulk of the spending with an intern attached to another church continuing to do most of the latter. A separate report gives details of coffee shop income and expenditure. The shop continues to pay the church a share of the costs for utilities and cleaning. ## **Investments** To support cash flow, £9,500 was transferred from the CAF church funds account to the Santander current account in January and February and a further £4,500 from the CCLA deposit account in February. £41,000 worth of shares in the BlackRock fund were sold in February and the proceeds placed in the Santander account. The aim was to move them to a more ethical fund but there have been difficulties in achieving this; there is also uncertainty about whether this money, like the £20,000 originally invested with BlackRock and its predecessors, is an endowment and would therefore require special approval before it can be spent. The sale reduced the value of the holding with BlackRock from £61,822 at the start of the year to £21,437 at the end. The value of the holding in CCLA income shares rose from £137,738 at the start of 2024 to £140,891 by the end of the year although there was a slight drop in the last quarter. These holdings paid out £3,823 in dividends, which were paid into the CCLA deposit account. The CCLA deposit account began the year at £5,685 and ended at £5,208, although the latter figure compares with a low point of £2,205 at the end of March. St Martin’s Church does not have an investment policy of its own but aims to adhere to the Church of England’s statements on Responsible and Ethical Investment Policy as set out by its Responsible Investment Team in 2024 and summarised on the Church of England website. ## **Reserves** In January 2020 the PCC reviewed its policy on financial reserves and decided that sufficient accessible funds should be kept at all times to cover six months of essential expenditure. Based on 2024, the amount to be kept in reserve is estimated to be £68,582. Unrestricted cash funds at the end of 2024 amounted to £29,857 (although releasing of the £41,000 would greatly increase this) and investment assets to £162,328. ## **Coffee shop** The coffee shop has continued to be a success, both in terms of patronage and profitability, and it has made a positive contribution to the church’s accounts, as described above. The coffee shop has published its own annual report which gives further details. Please also note the addendum to this report. ## **Accounts and administration** Andrew Spencer continued as Church Treasurer. The professional accountant Alex Langlands handles the finances of the coffee shop but has also provided a great deal of advice during the complex period of the reorganisation, for which we are deeply grateful. Mr. Luke Howson of Finansure Ltd, Wrexham, agreed to act as Independent Examiner of the church finances for 2024 and the church’s Standing Committee agreed to his appointment in October 2025. The church continued to use two current accounts, with Santander Bank and with CAF. The first is mainly for cash receipts, most standing orders and cheque payments and the latter for electronic transfers. On becoming a limited company the coffee shop opened a new account with HSBC and the former CAF coffee shop account was run down and finally closed in September 2024, with the remaining £4.00 balance transferred to the CAF church funds account. For the first time this year we have used the Expense Plus accounting system to present the church finances although the former spreadsheet method is used as a backup. The coffee shop now handles its accounts separately as a subsidiary company. ## **Unrestricted and restricted funds** The church’s unrestricted coffee shop fund was a legacy of the shop’s previous status as part of the church’s finances. It continued to handle the coffee shop’s revenue and spending until the end of January. A decision as to the funds that it still holds has to be made. The former restricted coffee shop fund receives and banks cash receipts from the shop and also reimbursements for most of the expenses that the church has paid for. A new unrestricted St Martins coffee shop fund holds reimbursements from the shop for utilities and also rents and donations received from the shop. The Solar Panels restricted fund received a £700 goodwill payment from Solax in recompense for problems with the batteries filling. There were no out-payments from the fund and we may change its scope to support other eco-projects as well. The West Wall restricted fund received the £3,000 grant from the Golden Bottle Trust and paid for the costs of surveys. It will hold any future grant money that we receive for this project. The restricted funds for Youth and Missions contain money pledged by church members for those uses and a tithe from the church’s unrestricted income was paid into the Missions fund to support the donations listed below. A restricted fund has been set up to handle donations to and payments by the Gospel Choir. ## **External giving** The church continues to make monthly donations of £100 each to Lighthouse Christian Care, Thrive Youth Ministries, the Coventry City Mission and Sat7 UK and of £50 each to Mercy Ships UK Ltd and the Friends of Mvumi Hospital. At its meetings in July and September the PCC agreed to donate £100 per month to support Andrew Smith in his Returnees’ Focus student work and to reduce support for the Osgoods from £350 to £250 per month, the reduction to take place from March 2025. The church also donated to Tear Fund and Embrace the Middle East to support relief work in Lebanon and Gaza, to HOPE Coventry and Through the Roof, and it began an annual donation to A Rocha. ## **Concluding thoughts** We thank God that last year’s cash deficit of £24,326 has been converted to a surplus of £53,922. It must be borne in mind, however, that £41,000 of this results from the sale of shares in BlackRock and the status and availability of that sum have still to be clarified. Moreover, since it results from the appreciation in value of an endowment of £20,000 it is money that has accrued to the church since 1995 but it is a one-off, not a recurrent source of income. Similarly, the amount of tax reclaimed is partly a recovery of arrears and the annual income from this source will be lower in future. The changing economic situation has already led to a fall in congregational giving; on the other hand hall bookings and the coffee shop make an important contribution. The forthcoming work on the church walls will naturally be expensive and we will continue to look into possible grants and other sources. The Diocese has already committed some funds to support the project. The church presents a budget to the PCC towards the end of the year at which attention is repeatedly drawn to the need to minimise and preferably remove the deficit which has been running for several years. A stewardship campaign was run in 2023 and another is to take place towards the close of 2025. The Treasurer wishes to conclude by thanking the church leaders and members for their advice and support through the past year. God has provided; we pray that he will continue to do so and give us the wisdom and faith that we always need. Andrew Spencer, October 2025. ## **Addendum: Trading subsidiary** The PCC has a wholly owned trading subsidiary called St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd, which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 15455624). The principal activities of St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd are the running of an unlicensed community coffee shop and event catering. The PCC beneficially owns all of the share capital of St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd through nominees. The share capital of St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd of £3 is divided into 3 ordinary shares of £1 each. These shares are held in trust by the Vicar and the two Churchwardens on behalf of the PCC. With St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd being a private company, the shares are not open to subscription from the public, and only the Vicar and Churchwardens may hold a share in the company. Upon retirement from the role of Vicar or Churchwarden, the share transfers to the next Vicar or Churchwarden. St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd has not been consolidated into the PCC accounts as the group qualifies for exemption from preparing consolidated accounts under the Charities Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006. St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd started trading 1 February 2024. Its year end is 31 December, the same as the PCC's. All of the distributable profits of St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd are donated to the PCC as a gift aid donation. A summary of the results of the subsidiary undertaking in 2024 are as follows: ||£| |---|---| |Turnover|86,264| |Cost of sales|56,878| |**Gross profit**|**29,385**| |Operating Costs|(20,528)| |Gift Aid distribution to PCC|(8,857)| |**Profit before taxation**|-| |Taxation|-| |**Profit after taxation**|-| |Accumulated profits brought forward|-| |**Non-charitable trading reserves**|-| ## **Addendum: Related Party Transactions** Three members of the PCC are directors of St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd. During the year, the PCC received the following amounts from St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd: - Rent: £1,650 - Contribution towards light, power and heating: £4,950 - Gift aid distribution: £4,000 (followed by £4,857 accrued in the 2024 company accounts and transferred to the PCC on 12[th] June 2025). Trustees. Report Obl8cts of the ¢h8rtty Promoting in the e￿lesIaStICal parish Ihe whole mission ot the Churth. Summafy of the Gharlty's maln actlvllles and achievements To lurther thg thve objects and vislon. Ihe charity's rnain acthjities and aGhievements were as follows.. Promotes the whole mission of the church in its spirstual, pastoral. eVange￿StIC, social and ecumenical roles. Promdes seNice5 and premises for the loc￿ community in Finham and the clty of Coventry. We also have a trading subsidiary that 18 a community coffee shop. In planning the actwities. the trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit iSSU8d by the Charity Commisslon. Reserves Policy The charity alms to hokl a minimum of £60,000 Iwhich is approximatgly six months of unavoidable expenditure) as unrestricted cash. so that the charity could continue lo operate shoukj income and l or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the chartty held unrestricted cash of £29,857. Moves are to be undertaken lo release a further £41.000 for general use. Until now this money has en designated as endowment funds because they result from the appreciation in vatue ol an original £20,000 endowment. This Is suE4'8Ct lo adwc8 from the relevant professional slalulory persons. Slgnature This report was approved by the trustees, and Is signed on Iheir behalf by.. Nam& SigTrature ale ## **Independent Examiner’s Report** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parochial Church Council of St Martin in the Fields, Coventry ('the charity') for the year ended 31/12/2024. ## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report** As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. ## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## **Independent Examiner’s Details** Name: Mr. Luke Howson Address: Finansure Ltd., 2 Sheppard Street, Brymbo, Wrexham LL11 5FF, Wales **----- Start of picture text -----**
Name Luke Howson MAAT
Signature
Date 29 October 2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS, COVENTRY** ## **ACCOUNTS** ## Receipts & Payments Statement |**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Receipts**|||| |**Donations & Legacies**||||| |Card Reader
1,382|338|0|1,721|264| |Donation from St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd
4,000|0|0|4,000|0| |Donations
4,223|546|0|4,768|15,302| |Legacies
0|5,000|0|5,000|0| |Loose Plate Collections
4,250|0|0|4,250|4,610| |One-off Grants
0
Planned Giving Envelopes
7,771|3,000
0|0
0|3,000
7,771|10,500
8,561| |Refreshments
672|0|0|672|655| |Standing Orders
67,627|1,992|0|69,619|65,897| |Tax Recovered
30,465|0|0|30,465|0| |**Charitable Activities**||||| |Fund-raising
900|0|0|900|1,485| |Receipts from Children & Youth
642
Repair Workshop Receipts
373|223
0|0
0|865
373|531
337| |Stay & Play Income
2,241|0|0|2,241|2,126| |Weddings & Funerals
3,346|0|0|3,346|1,026| |**Investments**||||| |Interest / Dividends
4,040|0|0|4,040|4,149| |**Trading Activities**||||| |Coffee Shop Income
5,532|0|0|5,532|82,841| |Hall Lettings
27,471|0|0|27,471|23,263| |Rent / Utility Contribution from St Martins
Coffee Shop Ltd
6,600|0|0|6,600|0| |**Other**||||| |Appeals
920|267|0|1,187|0| |Loans Received
0|0|0|0|0| |Sale of Fixed Assets
0|0|0|0|0| |Sale of Investments
0
Sundry Receipts
2,138|0
700|41,000
0|41,000
2,838|0
9,016| |Total receipts
174,593|12,066|41,000|227,659|230,562| See Notes 2 and 3. ||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||**Payments**|||| |**Charitable Activities**||||||| |Children & Youth|2,841||275|0|3,116|2,038| |Clergy Expenses|1,543||0|0|1,543|2,547| |Honoraria|133||0|0|133|100| |Ministry Parish Share|69,330||0|0|69,330|67,572| |Mission Agencies|1,313||11,800|0|13,113|10,347| |Music, Sound & Vision|8,377||0|0|8,377|1,106| |Publicity|797||0|0|797|347| |Staffing & Overheads|25,709||7,512|0|33,221|57,681| |Wedding & Funeral Fees - Diocese|379||0|0|379|1,044| |Worship, Sacramental & Lay Reading|1,578||0|0|1,578|1,213| |**Raising Funds**||||||| |Fund-raising Activities|2,772||0|0|2,772|252| |**Governance Costs**||||||| |Governance Costs|0||0|0|0|0| |**Support**||||||| |Accountancy Costs|0||0|0|0|340| |Administration
Bank Charges|4,361
169||0
0|0
0|4,361
169|3,131
23| |Buildings|17,633||1,367|0|19,000|39,334| |Churchyard Upkeep|1,298||0|0|1,298|9,018| |Insurance|3,320||0|0|3,320|3,439| |Licences & Software|687||0|0|687|0| |Utilities|8,322||0|0|8,322|16,007| |**Other**||||||| |Agency Costs|0||0|0|0|0| |Coffee Shop - Admin Costs|0||0|0|0|5,789| |Coffee Shop - Cost of Sales|0||0|0|0|29,498| |Coffee Shop - Equipment|0||0|0|0|2,506| |Coffee Shop - Other Costs|0||549|0|549|755| |Fixed Asset Purchases|0||0|0|0|0| |Loans Repaid|0||0|0|0|0| |Money Invested|0||0|0|0|0| |Sundry Supplies|1,672||0|0|1,672|800| |Total payments|152,234||21,503|0|173,737|254,889| |||||||| |Net Receipts / Payments (before transfers)|22,359||-9,437|41,000|53,922|-24,326| |Fund Transfers In
Fund Transfers Out|0
11,502||11,502
0|0
0|11,502
11,502|3,893
3,893| |Net Movement of Cash Funds|10,857||2,065|41,000|53,922|-24,326| |Total Cash Funds Brought Forward|19,000||3,500|0|22,500|46,827| |Total Cash Funds Carried Forward|29,857||5,565|41,000|76,422|22,500| ## **Cash funds by account** |**Cash funds by account**|**Cash funds by account**|**Cash funds by account**|**Cash funds by account**|**Cash funds by account**|**Cash funds by account**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |Santander Current Account|9,524|5,565|41,000|56,089|2,888| |CAF Cash Account, Church Funds|14,967|0|0|14,967|2,597| |CAF Cash Account, Revive|0|0|0|0|11,005| |CCLA Deposit Account|5,208|0|0|5,208|5,685| |Cash in hand, Church|141|0|0|141|139| |Cash in hand, Coffee Shop|18|0|0|18|185| |**Total cash funds**|**29,857**|**5,565**|**41,000**|**76,422**|**22,500**| ## Asset & Liability Statement ## **Cash Assets** |**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**|**Cash Assets**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |General Unrestricted Funds (Unrestricted)||8,895|0|0|8,895|6,232| |Coffee Shop (UR) (Unrestricted)||6,494|0|0|6,494|9,637| |Stay & Play (UR) (Unrestricted)||4,726|0|0|4,726|2,665| |Stay & Play (R) (Restricted)||0|716|0|716|716| |Mission (R) (Restricted)||0|254|0|254|0| |Youth (R) (Restricted)||0|2,613|0|2,613|2,665| |Solar Panels (R) (Restricted)||0|819|0|819|119| |West Wall (R) (Restricted)||0|1,633|0|1,633|0| |Agency (Unrestricted)||135|0|0|135|0| |Repair workshop (Designated)||840|0|0|840|467| |Gospel Choir (R) (Restricted)
Investments (Endowment) (Endowment)||0
0|79
0|0
41,000|79
41,000|0
0| |St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd (R) (Restricted)||0|-549|0|-549|0| |St Martins Coffee Shop Ltd (UR) (Unrestricted)||8,768|0|0|8,768|0| |**Other Monetary Assets**||||||| ||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |Gift Aid|From November 2024, included
in claim made in February 2025|2,000|0|0|2,000|15,000| |Stock|Not applicable|0|0|0|0|0| |Other|Charitable Donation due from St
Martins Coffee Shop Ltd, 2025|4,857|0|0|4,857|0| |See Note 3.||||||| ||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**||**Endowment**||**Total**||**Prior Year**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Gift Aid|From November 2024, included
in claim made in February 2025|2,000||0||0||2,000|15,000| |Stock|Not applicable|0||0||0||0|0| |Other|Charitable Donation due from St
Martins Coffee Shop Ltd, 2025|4,857||0||0||4,857|0| |See Note|3.||||||||| ## **Investment Assets** |**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**|**Investment Assets**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |Property|Not applicable|0|0|0|0|0| |Investment Accounts|CCLA Investment
Account (Cost:
£94,168 in 2017)|140,891|0|0|140,891|137,738| |Other|Black Rock Charities
UK Equity Fund (Cost:
£20,000 in 1995)|0|0|21,437|21,437|61,822| |**Fixed Assets**||||||| ||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |Land & Buildings|Buildings & contents
insured for|6,650,000|0|0|6,650,000|6,650,000| |Music & PA Equipment|Sound desk
purchased in May
2024, depreciated
20% p.a.|4,413|0|0|4,413|0| |Computers & IT|Included in Buildings|||||| |Furniture|Included in Buildings|||||| |Motor Vehicles|Not applicable|0|0|0|0|0| |Other|Solar panels &
mountings|13,340|0|0|13,340|13,920| See Note 4. ## **Liabilities** |**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**|**Liabilities**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Notes**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**Total**|**Prior Year**| |Loans Outstanding|None.|0|0|0|0|0| |Pension Payment Owed|None, as payment
was made in late
December.|0|0|0|0|0| |HMRC Payments Owed|For December,
made in early
January 2025.|141|0|0|0|0| |Independent
Examination Fee Due|To Mr. Jatinder
Singh Birdi & Mr.
Luke Howson.|1,100|0|0|0|0| |Other|Miscellaneous
payments.|3,685|0|0|0|0| ## **Movement of Funds** |**Fund Name**|**Opening**||||**Closing**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Fund Transfers**|| ||**Balance**||||**Balance**| ||||||| |General
Unrestricted Funds
(Unrestricted)|6,232|154,695|140,530|-11,502|8,895| |Coffee Shop (UR)
(Unrestricted)|9,637|5,535|8,678|0|6,494| |Stay & Play (UR)
(Unrestricted)|2,665|2,241|179|0|4,726| |Stay & Play (R)
(Restricted)|716|0|0|0|716| |Mission (R)
(Restricted)|0|552|11,800|11,502|254| |Youth (R)
(Restricted)|2,665|7,735|7,787|0|2,613| |Solar Panels (R)
(Restricted)|119|700|0|0|819| |West Wall (R)
(Restricted)|0|3,000|1,367|0|1,633| |Agency
(Unrestricted)|0|1,150|1,015|0|135| |Repair workshop
(Designated)|467|373|0|0|840| |Gospel Choir (R)
(Restricted)|0|79|0|0|79| |Investments
(Endowment)|0|41,000|0|0|41,000| |St Martins Coffee
Shop Ltd (R)
(Restricted)|0|0|549|0|-549| |St Martins Coffee
Shop Ltd (UR)
(Unrestricted)|0|10,600|1,832|0|8,768| |TOTAL|22,500|227,659|173,737|0|76,422| ## Notes to the Accounts ## **Note 1: Accounting policies** The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs. General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects. Note 2.. Receipts and payments~ donatlons The £15,302 in donatknns 2023 Included.. £2.613 to the Youth fund, donated by the Committee of Open the Book Coventry when it was wound up. To be used for youth and children's work. £3,050 to the Solar Pane15 fvnd. dominated by five large donations. to complete installation of the solar pane15 and surrounding fencin8. £3,CKJO to the West Wall *Jnd, donated by a member of the congregation to support survey WDrk. All these donations were of a one-off nature. Installation of the solar panels has been completed and rernedial work on the church wa115 will be funded by fvture grant applications and donations. Note 3: Re¢eipts and payments- tam recO￿red and Other monetary assets The church member who was responsible for making Gift Aifl subrni5sion5 in 2023 encountered difficult personal problerns and did not make any submisslons in that year. (The previous Gift Ald money reclaimed was £5,650 re￿iVed on 31 Deomber 2022.1 After circumstan￿$ eased and the person was able to help wtth data, another mernber took respO￿lbilr(V in earty 2024. Several submis5ion5 were made durlng the year and as a result the tax recovered durlng 2024 covered two years. An estimated £2,000 has been shown as remaining tax from 2024 thatwas recovered in 2025. Note 4: Flxed asset$-solar panels The solèr panels and their support strutture were Instslled in December 2022 èt a cttst of about £14,500. Depreclatlng over a 25 year lifespan gives values of £13.920 in 2023 and £13,340 in 2024. The indoor components (inverters, batteries and cabling) will be covered under the Buildings and Contents cover. Signature These accoun15 havg been approved by the trustees, and are signed on thelr behalf by.. Name SyJhalure //< Dale 27 /o/zoZ