2020-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Swaythling

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

Parish of Swaythling St Alban’s Church and St Mary’s Church

Annual report of the Parochial Church Council for the Year 2020

St Alban’s Church, Tulip Road

St Mary’s Church, South Stoneham

The Parish of Swaythling was created in 1992, having been formed by combining the previously separate adjacent parishes of St Mary, South Stoneham and St Alban the Martyr, Burgess Road, Swaythling. The Vicarage is 357 Burgess Road, Southampton, SO16 3BD. This address also covers St Alban's Church where the Parish Office is situated. St Mary's Church and the Parish Hall are situated in St Mary's Church Close, off Wessex Lane, SO18 2ST, about a mile from the Vicarage.

The website is www.swaythlingparish.org.uk and the facebook is facebook.com/SwaythlingParish. The Parish registered with the Charity Commission on 5 February 2010 with the title ‘ The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Swaythling ' (registered charity number 1134132).

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) manages the financial affairs of the parish and also, as required under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, co-operates with the Minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

page 1 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

Members of the PCC

The members of the PCC during the year 1 January to 31 December 2020 were as follows:

Ex Officio

Revd P Dockree, The Vicar (Chair) Churchwardens (St Alban’s) Mrs A Moore (until Oct) Mr J Moore

Churchwardens (St Alban’s)

Churchwardens (St Mary’s, South Stoneham)

Mrs J Hales Mrs J Trussler Deanery Synod Representatives

Mr J Moore (until Oct) Mr G Stone (Diocesan Synod) (Secretary) Elected Members Dr R Wilson (until Oct) Mr R Goldie Mrs S Harvey Miss A Lewin Mrs M Mew (Treasurer) Dr K Piggott Mr E Dixon Mrs O Wilson (from Oct) Mr J Saunders (from Oct) Co-opted Members Mr N Taylor (until October) In attendance Revd Canon J Davies Revd Canon B Hartnell Mr S Canadas (until July) Mr L Thompson (March)

*Membership note - vacancies from Oct for 1 Churchwarden, 2 Deanery Synod Reps, 1 Elected Member of PCC.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2020

PCC

The PCC met 5 times during the year. Two of those meetings were via Zoom due to COVID restrictions, the PCC also made use of the changes to Church Representation Rules that now allow formal business to be decided by correspondence. Some business was conducted through sub committees and groups, which reported regularly to PCC. In line with permission given by Bishop the AMP & APCM was also delayed until October.

The main activity of the PCC during the year was responding to the challenges of COVID, and specifically the PCC passed necessary resolution related to the temporary suspension of in person worship during the summer.

Other important elements of standard business considered by the PCC during the year included:

regular reports on the Parish's financial situation - see under Finance below.
matters relating to the church buildings (primarily as reflected in the reports on each church, as given in the relevant sections below).

Finance

It is remarkable that despite such a tumultuous year in every respect our general financial situation has remained reasonably stable. Income patterns have changed, with church collections and gift-aided giving substantially lower than usual; however, donations have increased very significantly, in some part due to the new online Stewardship method of giving. The reduction in our Parish Share by some £2,000 was particularly welcomed. As expected, revenue from use of the community room and parish hall were greatly reduced.

Of particular note regarding income, we are deeply indebted to the late Sheila Young and Rodney Marshall who have bequeathed substantial amounts to the Parish which will help facilitate the forthcoming building works.

Major works are planned over the next year or two at both St. Albans and St. Mary’s which has meant the involvement of our Church Architect in drawing detailed plans and schedules of work as well as producing the Quinquennial Report for St. Mary’s. Hence, this has incurred a significant cost. Other outgoings have remained much as usual with nothing significant to report.

page 2 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

Parish Life

during this period opportunities for worship and engagement with our wider church community were offered in various ways:

Electoral Roll

At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in October 2020 there were 88 people on the electoral roll (92 in 2019).

From 26 April a pre-recorded Service of the Word was broadcast via YouTube on Sunday mornings, with different members of our congregation leading us in sung worship, readings and prayers.
Printed service sheets were available for those without Internet access.

Church Attendance

The Covid 19 Pandemic affected personal attendance at public worship, but also opened up new opportunities for worship online. In the first three months of 2020, Sunday attendance at the 8am and 10.15 services averaged 49. In August, after the period of closure fewer people returned, and the average personal attendance dropped to 33. A similar pattern emerged after the second closure for the month of November. But from March and throughout the year, the recorded service sent out via YouTube reached an average of 50 households, some of which would have had more than one person taking part. Paper copies of the worship material was sent to any who didn't have internet access. Threshold continued on line throughout, with an average attendance of 12.

It is impossible to produce an accurate figure for attendance, but it is evident that on-line worship has engaged more people than would normally enter one of the churches. Most have not identified themselves, but some of those who have joined in are former members of the congregation, living at some distance from Southampton.

Worship

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic our church buildings were closed for worship between 19 March and 18 August, and 5 November to 2 December. However,

Threshold continued via Zoom on Sunday evenings, with space to worship, pray, and to share news.
A pre-recorded midweek Reflection usually by the Vicar was broadcast on YouTube.
Evening prayer was held online on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 9pm, via Zoom
St Mary’s Church was opened for one session a week for private prayer, after 18 July until services began in church buildings in August.
Children who usually attend Builders and Trekkers were sent regular packs of activities to complete at home during the closure period.
Short craft videos were produced for Tuesdays Together, with some ideas for simple projects to do at home, available via Facebook and our Youtube channel.
Zoom services were held in the evenings during Holy Week. A short interactive and reflective service was held on-line via Zoom to celebrate Ascension Day.

Between 18 August and 2 November, and after 2 December, services in person were able to take place. This was subject to a full risk assessment and careful planning, within various coronavirus measures implemented. Services were held at 8am at St Mary’s

page 3 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

(Holy Communion) and 10.15am at St Albans. In the first instance this was a service of the Word, with Holy Communion reintroduced a couple of weeks later.

Threshold recommenced in person from 6 September. The impossibility of ensuring small children observed social distancing meant that Builders and Trekkers could not re-start in its previous format with children in church for part of the service. Provision was therefore made for children in the community room, with their parents present for the full duration of the service, and with individual sets of material produced. This ceased at the end of October amidst concerns about rising infection rates.

An online Service of Remembering, to commemorate those from our church and community who had died in the last year, was broadcast on our YouTube channel on 1 November. Our community Remembrance Day gathering this year also took place online, with a pre-recorded two-minute silence at the memorial at St Alban's aired on YouTube at 10.50am on Remembrance Sunday.

We were pleased to be able to hold some face-to-face activities over the Christmas period, even if under restrictions. Socially-distanced ‘walk-through’ Christingles were held at both churches (outside at St Mary’s), with music, lights and displays and the opportunity to collect a Christingle in a bag.

We were thrilled to welcome over 70 individuals between our two Christingles.

There was one well attended Midnight service, at St Mary’s, with advance booking to ensure the congregation could be accommodated safely. Holy Communion (BCP) took place at St Mary’s at 8am, and we were pleased to be again joined by members of the Baptist church for a socially-distanced service of Holy Communion at St Alban’s at 10.15.

On 23 August we said goodbye Scott Canadas at the end of his Ministry Experience Scheme year, and we have all very much enjoyed and benefited from having him with us. We have been pleased to have Lee Thompson with us in the Spring term as a final year ordinand.

Alan Williams ‘retired’ as Sacristan at St Alban’s after many years e and we thank him for all his faithful service.

page 4 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

Community Engagement

In March 2020, as the first Lockdown started, we worked closely with local schools to ensure children who usually receive free school meals received provision in place of them. After a few weeks, Cantell School offered to make extra lunches and asked us to distribute them locally to families who would benefit. Once this stopped, at Easter, a local pub, The Yacht Tavern, in Woolston offered to step in and continue to provide over 40 packed lunches every day until the summer holidays.

Their involvement continued through the summer holidays when they switched to providing nearly 70 hot meals once a week which a team then delivered to families locally, some already known to us and others referred by local schools.

Alongside this we worked closely with City Catering to ensure the continuation of the holiday lunch club for families at risk of holiday hunger, that had been started in the parish at the end of 2019. Whilst these couldn't meet in person, City Catering secured funding to provide recipe boxes which we then gave to families who had previously attended, and as funding increased, to other families identified by ourselves or local schools as requiring support. By October half term we were involved in delivering 60 boxes which we added craft packs to as well, made up by members of the parish.

Over the summer holidays we held a weekly collection point outside St Alban's, not only for the recipe boxes but for anyone requiring help with food, which was sourced through Fareshare-Go (collecting food that would otherwise be thrown away from local supermarkets) and donations from Basics Bank and individuals. Referrals could also be made to basics Bank as well as other local services including debt advice, as needed.

Following this summer holiday activity, we launched "Thursdays Together" out of recognition of an increasing need and concerns about food poverty in the local community.

This continues to meet every Thursday morning at St Alban's. It provides a meeting place where people can collect food, and when the government regulations allow, have a drink and a chat.

As pensioners’ lunches have not been able to happen in person, from June, a team of volunteers were able

page 5 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

to deliver homemade lunches to those who usually come as well as some others who we were made aware of and who very much appreciate this contact. This continued monthly and has received very positive feedback.

Supported by a range of community organisations, individuals and businesses we were able to be involved in a number of activities for families and individuals during the Christmas period:

Delivering recipe boxes from City Catering and Christmas craft activities to 60 local families
Delivering 50 hampers made up by the Yacht Tavern, Woolston which included fresh food, tinned food and gifts, to local families identified by schools or ourselves as being in need of support
Making up and delivering a further 10 hampers to families or individuals who had not been supported by the other options but were still in need of support
Delivering 35 Christmas dinners to those who would usually attend Pensioner’s lunch

Pastoral Care

Contact with all church members was made by phone throughout the period of closure. Following discussions at the beginning of the year, the Lay Pastors re-formed the Care-Rings system. Under the new arrangement each of the main congregations was placed into a group of 6/8 individuals or families, supported by group pastors who would keep in contact with those in their care, being aware of any unusual or prolonged absences, and letting the Vicar know of any concerns of which he should be aware. The new system was launched just in time for the second period of lock-down.

page 6 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

Social Activities

Due to coronavirus restrictions, it was not possible to hold the usual social and fund-raising activities. We held a virtual summer fair, on Saturday 18 July, with deliveries of a cream tea door to door, and the sale of Seville Liqueur marmalade for a donation to church funds, with an online quiz for all the family in the evening. In place of the Christmas fair, on Saturday 5 December we offered a delivery of sweet and savoury Christmas gift bags.

project and detailed specifications for the works were produced. The specifications were put out to tender during November and four bids were returned in early December. Also in November, PCC passed a resolution agreeing that the repair works should go ahead subject to diocesan approval and affordable quotations. Permission from the diocese was due to be sought early in the New Year so that a final decision on costs could be taken by PCC at its January meeting.

With the church either closed or with restricted access for much of the year there was little opportunity for regular maintenance of the building. The repair to a leaking toilet cistern in the cloakroom area in October and the annual maintenance of the heating boiler in December were the only minor works carried out during the year.

In the grounds, the shrubs were pruned, and the rear hedge was cut by an external firm in September, as in the previous year. Grass cutting was less frequent than usual during the year because of the restrictions.

Friends of St Alban’s

St Alban's Church

Report on the Fabric, Fixtures and Grounds and Church Committee / User Group

It was not possible to hold a Friends annual meeting during the year because of the restrictions but subscription renewals were invited and there was a positive response from most members. Membership stood at 28 following the subscription renewal.

Because of the lockdown restrictions, no progress was made in the first half of the year in moving forward the preparations for the structural repairs highlighted in the 2018 quinquennial inspection report (cracking on the tower turret, in the tower room, and in the floor of the Lady Chapel). But in the early autumn the church architect was able to resume work on the

page 7 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

Community

Room

As a result of the lockdowns and the Coronavirusrelated restrictions all external

bookings for the Community Room were cancelled from March onwards. General parish activity also ceased, including post-service refreshments, but the room was used, together with the church itself, for a number of community activities, including Thursdays Together, related to food distribution.

Mavis Ryan stood down as administrator of the Community Room in March, having held the position since the room was opened in 2006, and thanks are due to her for all her work during this time.

St Mary’s Church

St Mary's Church: Report on the Fabric, Furnishings and Grounds Church Committee / User Group

2020 saw the quinquennial inspection of the church by the Architect. The full report has now been received which gives us sufficient details to push ahead with an application for a faculty for the roof repairs. We are hoping this can been done in 2021

During the summer when restrictions were eased a thorough spring clean was done.

Churchyard

When permitted the gardening group met on Tuesdays but social distancing was kept and no shared refreshments. The rear of churchyard was left to grow wild and it was a blessing to see the wild flowers flourish.

Friends of St Mary’s (FoSM)

There has been no opportunity for a meeting in 2020. It is hoped a meeting will be possible in 2021.

Parish Hall

The hall has had little use during 2020. A QR code is in place with sanitisers and attendance record for the minimal use it has had. A thorough clean was done before the hall was used before the further lock down.

Deanery Synod

The Synod met on two occasions during 2020. At February meeting Bishop Debbie spoke to the Synod. In September The Revd Sheena Williams was appointed Area Dean, and The Revds Kathy Hicken and Gary Roberts appointed Assistant Area Deans. At the October meeting, held by Zoom, a new Lay Chair, Su Brakewell, was elected, as Claire Robinson stepped down to begin training for ordination as distinctive Deacon.

Approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf:

Rev Peter Dockree (Vicar)

page 8 of 8

Swaythling Parish – Annual Report 2020

End of Year Audited Accounts- 31 December 2020 SWAYTHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF FUNDS AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2020 FIXED ASSETS'.- CURRENT ASSETS:. C.B.F. Deposit Account 160698.55 Nat. West Bank Account 12928.54 173627.09 NET ASSETS:_ Represented By:" Notes Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Reserves 4705.84 158824.11 10097 14 173627.09 I have examined the books, records etc. presented to me and together with the appropriate explanations.. I certify that the detsils herein represent a true record of the current financial affairs. R G Paulley, l.C.P.A, A.T.T, l) Date

SWAYfHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2020 GENERAL ACCOUNT 2020 2019 RECEIPTS:. Gift Aided Giving Tax Refunds Non-Gift Aided giving Donation5 Church Collections 17634 14 2548.09 442.00 13293.36 1166.00 35083.59 25498 55 2792.98 1787.80 2612.29 4626.36 37317.98 Fees Fundrasing Use of Sl Mary's Community Room Refunds Children's work HMRC Furlough Refund of income lax Insurance bonus 1452 00 1551.30 61500 1963.00 2833 00 2865.02 3197.00 2785.67 10.00 1092.90 5236.59 130.00 12040.79 47124.38 49008 67 Less EXPENDITURE:_ Clergy expenses CEMES Lighl,Heat,Water,In$urance Insurance Maintenance Administration Fees etc Upkeep of Services Parish Share Organists & Choirs Maintenance & SM Cleaning SlationerylTelephone Major Repairs Expenses Re Fundraising Community Room Expenses Parish Office Childrens work & outreach Income Tax Transfer to photocopier New refn"geralor 553.98 496.14 4320 00 3930.32 4531.56 1673.56 1279.60 1007.44 29322.28 443.21 1627.56 1183.45 5083.60 4495.23 209.60 2443 13 19979 26815.60 245.00 1730.80 1724.40 2749.80 384.89 85.53 5673.84 396.58 357.60 421 96 418.97 5615.88 190.46 393.40 20.00 319.99 S3469.36 53469.36 56875.79 SURPLUS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE Transfer tolfrom Reserve -6344.98 47124.38 -7867.12 49008.67

SWAYTHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2020 Surplus (Ex5$) Balance BIFwd CIFwd 1) SUMMARY OF UNRESTRICTED FUNOS: PARISH HALL'.- RECEIPTS Receipts from users Donations Grant for fire doors 4344.26 4344.26 Less Expenditure.' Light & Heat MaintenanceUlng Cleaning Insurance New Boiler New Water Healer New EqLJipment New Toilets Transfer to Gen Fund 1487.20 642.00 1286.56 1368.44 4784.20 439 94 2820.24 2380.3 MAGAZINES:_ Receipls'.- Suscriptions advertisements 0.00 Less Expendilure-.- Photocopier Costs Postages 0.00 0.00 0.00 MEMORIALS:. Powell Wilson Walker Eddis Wakefield 200.00 250 00 625.54 250.00 1000 00 200.00 250.00 625.54 250.00 1000.00

SWAYTHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2020 Surplus (Excess) Balance BIFwd CIFwd 21 SUMMARY OF RESTRICTED FUNDS:. FABRIC FUND:. Re¢eipls'. Grave Prep Less.. Payment Update memorial 0.00 8496.57 8496 57 CHURCHYARD: ReIpts..- Payment for Inscriptions Investment Dividends Donatson Grant from City Council 20.00 810.00 830.00 Less. Expendilure'.- Inscriptions Maintenance 680.40 600.00 1280.40 450.40 2025.73 1575.33 Make Lunch:. Receipts".- 118000 Less." Payment 472 94 472.94 707.06 456.84 1163.90 FLOWER FUND: Ftebeipts- Less Payrnenls'.- 0.00 321.73 321.73 SPECIAL FUNDS:_ St Albans Organ st Marys Organ Roof 729.69 134 16 2622 67 729.69 134.16 3029.77 407.10 407.10

SWAHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2020 Surplus (Excessl Balance BIFwd CFwd MISSION & CHARITIES:. Receipls".- Oonalions Less Paymenls'.- Charities 466.46 466.46 650.82 184.36 PARISH OFFICE:. Receipls'.- Printing Service Sheets Transfer from Police Grant Transfer from Reserves 60.00 10.27 70.27 Less Paymenls'.- Photocopier Maintenance 930.99 930.99 460.72 735.99 -124.73 STEVENS SOUTH STONEHAM FUND:. Receipls'.- Deposit Interest Donatson 230.13 230.13 Payrnents... Sculptor's fee 50.00 50.00 180.13 22752.48 22932.61 FRIENDS OF ST MARYS FUND: Receipls.' Membership fees & events Rod Marshall 4500 58983.44 59028.44 Paymenls'.- Postage Concert 0.00 59028.44 9577.63 68606.07 FRIENDS OF ST ALBANS FUND:_ Receipt5".- Membership fees & events Tax Refund 263.00 Payments.. Trans to Gen Fund 263.00 2026.65 2289.65 Young Legacy ReiptS..- Abel Solicitor 49485.00 49485.00 49485 00 158824.11

SWAHLING PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2020 31 SUMMARY OF RESERVES:. Balance brought forward CBF Interest Transfer to General Fund Balance carried forward 16109.91 332.2 -6344.97 10097.14