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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of All Saints With St John, Hertford

2025-12-31-accounts

Registered Charity No: 1134035

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

(THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ALL SAINTS WITH ST JOHN, HERTFORD)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

Registered Charity No: 1134035

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Trustees:

Reverend Simon Cutmore (Chair) Andrew Belfield Colin Bird Janet Bird Samantha Bowden Helen Briggs Nerine Chalmers Linda Dye Martin Penny Mary Penny Verity Tranter Shirley Glover Dorothy Toyn

Secretary:

Bankers:

Mary Penny

National Westminster Bank plc 13 Stonehills, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6ND

Independent Examiner:

Alixe Bainbridge-Spring

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Registered Charity No: 113403

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

The Trustees are pleased to submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms a part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and are prepared on a cash receipts and payments basis.

Objects and policy

The objective and responsibility of All Saints Hertford PCC is to promote the whole mission of the Church of England in Hertford, including in particular:

Organisation

The members of the PCC are elected for three-year terms by those persons whose names appear on the electoral roll, which is revised annually, and is open to everyone who is a member of the Church of England and lives in the parish or who regularly worships at All Saints. The PCC is chaired by the Incumbent or Lay Chair and is led by two of its members, Janet Bird and Verity Tranter who were re-elected as churchwardens. The parish also sends elected representatives to the Deanery Synod, which is the next level of church government.

The PCC is responsible for:

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How our activities deliver public benefit

In common with the Church of England in general, we believe that our church exists for the benefit of all who wish to take advantage of what it can offer, both in spiritual terms and in all other respects. Those benefits are offered without restrictions or conditions and, although we always welcome contributions to our finances, such benefits are with few exceptions offered free of charge. We therefore seek to be outward-looking and inclusive in all that we do.

At the heart of our activities are the benefits offered by the pastoral mission of the Church, in which we are involved in our own local area. These benefits of course include spiritual support in the great landmark events of life, such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. However, they extend much more widely than this and include support for the sick and elderly and others in special need, and the spiritual and social benefits of regular or occasional attendance at church services.

Grouped around this core activity of mission are other activities which deliver public benefit in a variety of different ways. More details can be found in the next following section of this Report, but the range of such activities can be summarised as including in particular musical activities, social activities and activities directed at particular groups, such as children and young families, all of which are open to all.

Our regular activities

Led by Rev Canon Simon Cutmore, we undertook a major reflection on how we best operated in accordance with the Parish Profile we had developed in 2024. From this came a plan of six strands of activity (now seven), formally launched as a three year Vision in September 2025 (https:/Awww.allsaintshertford.org/vision.php ). More work on the practical implementation of this involving the entire congregation and community is planned for Lent 2026.

In a related activity, the PCC and Standing Committee have reviewed and revised their operations to streamline and focus their activities in-line with the agreed strands.

On Sundays at 10.00am, we held an All-Age Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month, and Parish Communion on the remining Sundays. We celebrated Holy Communion at 11.00 am on Thursday and on major Saints days as they occurred. Morning and Evening prayer was held Mon -Thurs and Morning Prayer on Saturdays.

Our Sunday evening service at 6.30 was an informal 'Breathing Space’ first Sunday with Choral Evensong according to the Book of Common Prayer on the second and fourth Sundays. We have continued on the third Sunday evening, a service of Choral Compline. Fifth Sundays have again been a variety of informal styles or a Choral Communion as appropriate.

We continue our weekly services at Bentley House, a local care home, which now ministers to elderly residents who could not otherwise attend church. Regular Assemblies in several local schools are led by the Vicar.

A monthly round of Home Communions for those in need has been established.

New patterns of worship were trialled and assessed by the PCC. Changes made to liturgy were in accordance with Common Worship and designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. The liturgical seasonal colours were introduced as banners on pillars to beautify the church building along with some new matching altar frontals to underline the seasonality of our worship.

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We have started a regular pattern of systematic study via a weekly Bible Study ‘Lectio Divina’ on-line on Monday evenings, and a mix of live and on-line weekly courses/opportunities to study under the brand ‘Thinking Thursdays’.

We also launched a regular weekly service called 'SmAll Saints' on Tuesday mornings for babies, preschoolers and their parents/carers.

All Saints has a very strong musical tradition, and we have a choir of young people and adults which is open to anyone wishing to make a regular commitment to leading the congregation in singing at services, and to learn about the rich variety of sacred music. We believe that the musical training involved has strong educational benefits, and many of our former choir members have gone on to achieve success both in music and other walks of life. Several have gained choral or organ scholarships at university.

Our Director of Music and Assistant Organist play the church’s fine “Father Willis” organ and also have a leading role in encouraging the young and enthusiastic atmosphere of our Choir. We were able, after a significant gap to appoint a new 'Soundbites' organ scholar in Autumn 2025.

Our community links are enhanced by another musical activity for which All Saints is well known in the town, which is our regular series of “Soundbites” concerts on Wednesday lunchtimes. These cater for all ages, but mainly retired people, and are free of charge with donations welcomed. These concerts are of a high standard and often feature promising young professional musicians who are just starting their careers. They are also highly popular, and regular attenders often remark on the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and how the concerts are a great social service to the town, as well as a musical one.

In addition, the church is a well-used venue for a number of outside music organisations, including regular concerts by Hertford Choral Society, Hertford Symphony Orchestra and Lumos. Once again

we were the main hosts for the Hertfordshire Festival of Music.

We have very good relationships with our local schools who regularly visit. They bring students and families for school celebrations and for services such as Harvest Festivals and Carol Services. In 2025 the winner of the Christmas Tree Festival was Wheatcroft Primary School, and many local organisations took part — we plan to repeat this in 2026. We also value highly the social and other activities and services connected with the church, @.g., in 2025 we hosted the Hertfordshire Justice Service and a major Charity event raising over £68,000 for schoolreaders.org.

With the wider community in mind, we also host a monthly food festival, Street Food Heroes in our churchyard and this is sometimes combined with other activities to build relationships with the community.

A Creationtide Craft afternoon in the Summer Holidays hosted children and families making animal themed craft and a Scavenger Hunt, followed by a Games afternoon during the Autumn Half-term attracting a surprisingly large number of families. We plan to repeat/expand in 2026. We continue to develop our Eco credentials as the Greenwatch Talks bringing excellent speakers and an increasing audience into All Saints. Lunches are sold and early arrivals enjoy discussions on environmental concerns. We have embedded this work in our Vision.

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Many special groups exist in the church, for a variety of purposes, and although they are largely attended by the church community, they are open to all without distinction.

Apart from the activities already mentioned above, we have a Flower Club which both arranges flowers in the church building, including for weddings, and organises occasional special events, an Art Group which has held exhibitions, a Work Party undertaking essential maintenance of both church and hall, and an active group of bellringers, which we share with St Andrew’s Church

Review of 2025

The financial position is set out in more detail in the following sections of this report.

During the year our operating deficit was £5,409 reduced from over £18,000 in 2024 largely due to an increase in income, with costs being tightly controlled. All income lines exceeded budget, in particular hall lettings, Soundbites concerts, Church hires and events, in particular our very successful Christmas Tree festival. Most importantly, increased contributions from our committed members and fees from occasional services were significant sources of revenue and increased year on year.

We were able to make in full our requested charitable contribution of £80,039 to the Diocese of St. Albans which effectively pays for the costs of the Ministry, as well as supporting the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal. Other charities have benefited from us being open for occasional services, in particular funerals and weddings.

As mentioned last year, we have been suffering from intermittent boiler failure, with one of the two boilers permanently out of action. At the end of the year, we revived a faculty (permission) and replaced the old boilers with 2 new condensing boilers, having first removed asbestos from the boiler room and adjacent storeroom. The combined cost was £52,000 and additionally a further £8,000 was spent on repairs and maintenance. Great work is done by our Work Party which saves us employing contractors at significant cost. To defray the cost of the works. we were supported by a capital contribution of £58,000 from our associated Memorial Fund.

Financial Position

The independently examined accounts of the PCC are attached to this report, and full details of the financial position are contained therein together with the examiner's report to the Trustees. During 2025 we had the benefit of a £25,000 donation from our associated Memorial Fund to finance operations. We also benefited from interest from the Memorial Fund of £14,687. This enabled us to fund 2025 with a closing General Fund which will be enough to fund the 2026 operating budget. Our associated Memorial Fund stood at £386,628 at the end of 2025, and our new Vicar, Rev'd Simon Cutmore, together with the Church Council is planning how best to enhance our mission and outreach and to undertake projects in the building and at St John’s Hall, which is used extensively by community groups. ene gg le ER nk ae ei5o

We are asset rich and income poor, but we now have access to cash and a profitable hall with developable land behind. Discussions on building a few houses have continued throughout 2025. We have a large church which is expensive to run, but our Memorial Fund gives us an opportunity to consider other major projects. Our challenge is to continue to grow our regular committed membership, create new income flows and to grow younger in line with current Diocesan initiatives.

Our general reserves at 31 December 2025 were £21,557. There is a welcome 3.6% reduction in the requested Diocese Contribution, which is £77,160 for 2026. Together with an expected increase in events, we are looking to break even in 2026, assuming that we can get a similar interest contribution from the Memorial Fund. The trustees are aware that if this were to decline the church may need additional support and stand ready to assist to ensure that the church has adequate financial resources. Accordingly, the PCC trustees are satisfied that the charity’s overall funding is such that it will be able to meet its obligations as they fall due in the ordinary course and accordingly the accounts have been drawn up on a going concern basis using the receipts and payments convention.

Reserves policy and risk management

Donations and grants that are provided for specific purposes are treated as Restricted Funds. All other reserves are held in Unrestricted funds, some of which have been designated for special purposes.

The Trustees confirm that risks are reviewed on an ongoing basis and systems and procedures are brought into place to manage those risks.

Recruitment and training policy for new Trustees

Trustees are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting or are co-opted by the Trustees. The persons entitled to vote at the APCM in order to elect the Trustees are those on the Electoral Roll of All Saints Church, Hertford. Training of new trustees takes the form of individual briefings and copies of the guidance for trustees issued by the Charities Commission as well as training sessions with the Diocese covering trustees’ duties and safeguarding.

Independent Examiner

Alixe Bainbridge-Spring has been appointed as Independent Examiner to the charity.

Statement of disclosure of information to the Independent Examiner

We, the trustees who held office at the date of approval of these Financial Statements, as set out above, each confirm so far as we are aware, that:

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By order of the trustees

Mary Penny

Secretary 18th March 2026

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ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

Registered Charity No: 1134035

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

| report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Alixe Bainbridge-Spring

10" February 2025

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Registered Charity No: 113403

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEARENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Voluntary income 3 51,504 57,962 109,466 23,446
Charitable activities 4 76,648 - 76,648 73,988
Investment income ) 16,165 539 16,704 15,592
Other income 6 15,103 - 15,103 25,430
Total incoming resources 159,420 58,501 217,921 138,456
Resources expended
Charitable activities:
Grants and donations 7 83,143 4,206 87,349 80,970
Church services 8 51,074 67,417 118,491 72,824
Administration and bankcharges 5,612 -—----- 5,612 5,544
Total resources expended 139,829 71,623 211,452 158,345
Netincoming resources beforetransfers transfers 19,591 (13,122) (6,469) (19,889)
Gross transfers between funds - - - -
Net movement in funds 19,591 (13,122) 6,469 (19,889)
Reconciliation offunds
Total funds at
1 January2025		 1,766 40,617 42,383 62,272
Totalfundsat31December2025 21,357 27,495 48,852 42,383

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these accounts

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ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

Registered Charity No: 113403

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |Notes|£|£| |Fixed|assets| |Tangible|fixed|assets|7|=| |Current assets| |Cash|200|200| |Cash|at bank|48,105|41,655| |Diocesan|Special|Deposit Account|547|528| |48,852|42,383| |Net assets|48,852|42,383| |Funds| |Restricted|funds|9|27,495|40,617| |Unrestricted funds:| |Designated|funds|-|-| |General|fund|9|21,357|1,766| |£48,852|£42,383| |Approved|by the trustees|on:|18" March|2026| |and|signed|on|their behalf by| |Sin,|ae| |slin Bird|Mary Penny|—|| |he notes on|pages|10 to|16 form|part of these accounts.|ae,|

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Registered Charity No: 113403

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1 Trustees’ responsibilities Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the regulations applicable to Smaller Charities preparing their accounts on a cash receipts and payments basis. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Registered Charity No: 1134035

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2.4 Resources expended (continued) Charitable activities are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

2.6 Taxation The charity is exempt from tax on its income and gains to the extent that income and gains are applicable to and are applied for charitable purposes only.

From time to time, the trustees designate monies for a particular use and transfer funds from the General Fund to other Funds.

3 Voluntary income

Voluntary income for the year falls into the following categories:

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Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
funds funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Donations
Concerts 10,578 - 10,578 11,046
Fundraising 15,926 40 15,966 11,309
26,504 40 26,544 22,355
Grants
Memorial Fund 25,000 57,922 82,922 -
Listed Places of Worship - - - 1,091
Gifts in kind - “ -
Total voluntary income 51,504 57,962 109,466 23,446
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ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

Registered Charity No: 1134035

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

4 Incoming resources from charitable activities Incoming resources from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
funds funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Planned giving 40,985 - 40,985 40,582
Donations 11,069 - 11,069 15,950
Income tax reclaimed 12,058 - 12,058 10,710
Baptisms, weddings, and funerals 10,432 - 10,432 4,905
Collections for missions and charities 3,104 - 3,104 1,841
76,648 - 76,648 73,988
5 Investment income
2025 2024
£ £
Interestfrom Memorial Fund, shortterm deposits and dividends 16,704 15,592
6 Other income
2025 2024
£ £
Cull bequest 901 898
Hall net lettings 14,202 9,532
LegacyforOrganFund : 15,000

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ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

Registered Charity No: 1134035

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

7 Grants and donations

Grants and donations
2025 2024
£ £
StAlbans Diocesan Board ofFinance 80,039 74,786
Teaching awards
Musicgrants		 1,950
2,256		 1,888
2,456
Bishop’s HarvestAppeal—Mission Direct 280 460
World Day ofPrayer
Royal British Legion		 157
488		 -
518
Ordinands Fund - 474
Mothers Union 507 -
The Childrens Society 208 238
Future Hope
Christian Aid		 1,054
78		 -
150
MSF 232
Cancer Research 100 -
87,349 80,970

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Registered Charity No: 1134035

ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 ee

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8 Church Services

Church Services 2025 2024
£ £
Heating
Electricity andwater
Insurance		 17,394
3,300
8,774		 16,431
3,883
7,634
Cleaning, copying and other costs
Repairs and maintenance
BellTower lighting
Music
Organ tuning and repairs
Defibrillator
Clergy expenses and service materials		 5,813
60,060
1,227
12,863
6,391
-
2,669		 6,050
19,050
-
11,948
7,702
126
-
118,491 72,824
9 Movements infunds
At1 January’
2025
£		 Incoming
resources
£		 Outgoing
resources
£		 At31 December
Transfers
2025
£
£
Restricted/designated funds
Mothers Union Closure Fund
Peregrine FalconsWebcam Fund
Bells Fund		 4
77
4,010		 0
0
0		 (4)
0
(1,227)		 0
0
)		 0
77
2,783
Fabric Fund
Heating Fund
Choir Legacy Fund
Organ Fund		 2,640
0
16,070
17,816		 57,966
40
178
317		 (60,060)
0
(4,206)
(6,126)		 0
0
0
0		 546
40
12,042
12,007
Total restricted funds 40,617 58,501 (71,623) (0) 27,495
Unrestricted funds
General Fund 1,766 159,420 (139,829) 0 21,357
42,383 217,921 (211,452) (0) 48,852

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ALL SAINTS HERTFORD PCC Registered Charity No: 1134035 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 oaeea

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