THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY (Charity No. 1134367)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Parish Church of All Saints, Westbury
Holy Saviour Church, Westbury Leigh
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
TRUSTEES' REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Aims and Purposes
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Westbury has the responsibility of cooperating with the clergy of the White Horse Team in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical.
Objectives and Activities
The primary object of the Westbury PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.
The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting the ecclesiastical parish and the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. It also has the responsibilities for both church buildings and the Parish Hall.
In accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit the incumbent and the PCC have ensured that all worship is open to all and encourage parishioners to take an active part in all aspects of the life of the Church.
Achievements & Performance
The PCC would like to thank everyone for their support over the year ending 2023, which had its joys as well as challenges. Starting with the latter, we were sorry that our Team Curate, Holly Newton, had to take several months of sick leave between March – December. We had to adjust to Holly not being around, delegate some of her ministry and of course she needed pastoral and spiritual care herself. At the end of the year, plans were put in place for Holly to return in a part-time non-stipendiary capacity, as a “House for Duty” priest. All this was agreed with the Bishop, Archdeacon, and Diocesan Director of Ordinands. Holly was keen to be able to finish her curacy and be able to offer herself for ministry roles in the future.
In 2023, Rob Danter, Organist at All Saints resigned for personal reasons. We are pleased that members of our churches with musical gifts have been able to step in and support the musical life of our churches.. A small group drew up a profile for a new Director of Music/Organist for All Saints, with a particular focus on using music as a tool for mission. We are pleased that a new Director of Music will be starting in September 2024
In the summer, we had a theft of lead from the roof of the south vestry at All Saints’. This resulted in damage due to water ingress. As a result we were unable to open the church to the public outside church services or events for the rest of 2023. Having successfully applied for a faculty from the DAC we hope to have the funds to replace the lead with terne-coated steel soon.
We are pleased to have completed our Mission Action Plan with the PCC during 2023 and are making good progress.
We have been very encouraged by the support of church members: of those who give so much of themselves, their time, their commitment and their gifts. It has also been encouraging to welcome so many people through our doors for special and important church events, including our Tractor Fest, Christmas Tree Festival, baptisms and funerals during the year, and not least our Christmas services which attracted more people this year since the Covid 19 pandemic. It is a sign that God is at work in our community and that All Saints and Holy Saviour play a special part in the life of our local communities which we want to foster and encourage, with the help of God.
Attendance
Average numbers for our services are given below:
Sundays at All Saints’:
Monthly Said Communion (15), Parish Communion (42)
Mid-week at All Saints':
Holy Communion (12)
Sundays at Holy Saviour:
Communion two or three times per month plus baptisms when required. (13)
In addition to our regular pattern of worship there have been 10 Baptisms, 2 weddings and 20 funerals conducted in our churches
The Mother’s Union branch continues to meet monthly.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
TRUSTEES' REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Plans for 2024
Following our work with the Flex programme in 2022, we continued to develop our Mission Action Plan during 2023. These plans continue to evolve, and at the time of writing we are reviewing our plans in the light of the new Diocesan vision and strategy document which was published during 2023.
Financial Review
We finished the year with a small shortfall before unrealised gains on our investments. Our regular giving has reduced by around £6,000 from the previous year. This is a matter of concern as the burden of supporting the ministry and church building falls on a smaller number of people. We have seen a substantial rise in our electricity and gas costs. Regretfully this means that we have been unable to pay our full share to the Diocese of Salisbury. This will undoubtedly have long term consequences for the provision of full time ministry in the parishes of both Westbury and Dilton Marsh.
Fundraising activity is hindered by a reduced number of volunteers which limits the how many events they can support with their time within the year. The annual Tractor Fest and Christmas Tree Festival continue to be our main fundraising events as well as providing a valuable link to our community.
In an effort to improve the efficiency of our donations we are encouraging members to join the Parish Giving Scheme. In 2023 the PCC reviewed the restricted and designated funds with a view to freeing up reserves to fund day to day expenses and the cost of the replacement of the south vestry roof. More work on this needs to take place in the years ahead.
We are grateful to those who give generously of both their gifts of time and money to support the ministry of the parish. Westbury like many other parishes is concerned about the abilities of the church to fund both the costs of day to day ministry and the increasing financial liability of maintaining a Grade I listed building and the Parish Hall in the long term.
Reserves policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least three months unrestricted payments. This is equivalent to approximately £20,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. The cash balance of approximately £36,000 held on unrestricted (including designated) funds at the year-end was comfortably above this target, although the funds are largely designated for particular purposes. It is the PCC’s hope to maintain this over time but are mindful of the reduction in such funds during the year.
Volunteers
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our parish during 2023. It has been a challenging time in all sorts of ways, and we have been tested in our faith, but it has been wonderful to see people rallying round, being prepared to make changes, and respond to the opportunities presented to us. We pray that we will continue to grow in our faith, as we seek to reach out to our local communities with the good news of Christ, and continue to be a loving and welcoming community to all.
Structure, Governance & Management
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission.
The method of appointing the PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Clergy, Churchwardens, and elected representatives on the Deanery Synod are ex-officio members and up to twelve members are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
TRUSTEES' REPORT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Administrative information
The Parochial Church Council for the Ecclesiastical Parish of Westbury (PCC) is a registered charity, number 1134367. The principal office of the charity is The White Horse Team Office, Churchyard, Westbury, BA13 3BT.
The registered Trustees at the time of this report are:
Team Rector The Rev’d Rebecca Harris Team Vicar The Rev’d Caroline Husband Team Curate The Rev’d Holly Newton Churchwarden Ruth Hann Deanery Synod Reps Elisabeth Thomas Simon Thorne Elected Members Caroline Dunseath Debbie McEntee Lily Munday Judith Newton Brian Osborne Jenny Wray-Bliss Sharon Jones Ex- officio Ashley Jones LLM
The Parish Church is located off the Market Place in Westbury and is dedicated to All Saints’. There is a chapel of ease at Westbury Leigh which is dedicated to the Holy Saviour. The Parish is part of the White Horse Team Ministry in the Heytesbury Deanery in the Diocese of Salisbury within the Church of England.
There are two Church Schools in Westbury and our Foundation Governors are:
Westbury Junior School: Brian Osborne, who became a co-opted Governor at the end of 2023 Ian Cunningham – resigned July 2023 The Rev’d Rebecca Harris
Westbury Leigh Junior School:
The Rev’d Caroline Husband
At the end of 2023 there were 120 members on the electroal roll.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY (Charity number 1134367)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or
-
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.
James Gare FCA DChA
2 Henford Close Warminster Wiltshire BA12 9RA
Date
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Section A Receipts and payments and movements in investments
| A1 Receipts | General funds to the nearest £ 6,429 - - - - 3,882 29,542 16,285 250 14,547 1,131 |
General funds to the nearest £ 6,429 - - - - 3,882 29,542 16,285 250 14,547 1,131 |
Designated funds to the nearest £ 300 11,598 10,848 - - 284 - - - - 7,341 |
Designated funds to the nearest £ 300 11,598 10,848 - - 284 - - - - 7,341 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - 8,928 956 - 354 - - 778 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - 8,928 956 - 354 - - 778 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 6,729 11,598 10,848 - 8,928 5,122 29,542 16,639 250 14,547 9,250 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 6,729 11,598 10,848 - 8,928 5,122 29,542 16,639 250 14,547 9,250 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundraising | 6,429 | 8,030 | |||||||||
| Grants | - | - | |||||||||
| Church hall lettings | - | 10,441 | |||||||||
| Sales ofgoods and services | - | 155 | |||||||||
| Fees from occasional services | - | 15,185 | |||||||||
| Dividends and interest | 3,882 | 5,094 | |||||||||
| Gift Aid donations | 29,542 | 41,739 | |||||||||
| Other donations | 16,285 | 11,607 | |||||||||
| Legacydonations | 250 | - | |||||||||
| Gift aid reclaimed | 14,547 | 4,303 | |||||||||
| Other income | 1,131 | 11,550 | |||||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||||
| 72,066 | 30,371 | 11,016 | - | 113,453 | 108,104 | ||||||
| 38,109 3,331 2,175 4,529 23,433 386 |
- - 265 8,417 28,193 107 |
- - - - - - |
38,109 6,933 2,450 13,808 51,626 2,647 |
||||||||
| Parish Share | 38,109 | - | - | 36,999 | |||||||
| Worship | 3,331 | 3,602 | - | 9,853 | |||||||
| Fundraising | 2,175 | 10 | - | 3,726 | |||||||
| Administration | 4,529 | 862 | - | 12,759 | |||||||
| Premises | 23,433 | - | - | 33,904 | |||||||
| Other costs | 386 | 2,154 | - | 7,153 | |||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A4 Investmentgains |
|||||||||||
| 71,963 | 36,982 | 6,628 | - | 115,573 | 104,394 | ||||||
103 |
(6,611) | 4,388 | - | (2,120) | 3,710 | ||||||
| - | - | 7,756 | 16,115 | 23,871 | |||||||
| Unrealised (losses) / gains on CBF |
- | - | 7,756 | 16,115 | 23,871 | (29,083) | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | 7,756 | 16,115 | 23,871 | (29,083) | |||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) and investment gains A5 Transfers between funds A6 Monetary funds last year end Monetary funds this year end |
|||||||||||
103 |
(6,611) | 12,144 | 16,115 | 21,751 | (25,373) | ||||||
| - 305,552 327,303 |
|||||||||||
| (2,530) | 3,551 | (1,021) | - | - | - | ||||||
| 6,295 | 44,848 | 83,129 | 171,280 | 305,552 | 330,925 | ||||||
| 3,868 | 41,788 | 94,252 | 187,395 | ||||||||
| 3,868 | 41,788 | 94,252 | 187,395 | 327,303 | 305,552 |
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B2 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds and funds held in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund |
Details Details Lloyds TSB Bell ringers Account CBF Church of England Investments Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
General funds to nearest £ 3,868 - - |
General funds to nearest £ 3,868 - - |
Designated funds to nearest £ 41,788 - - |
Designated funds to nearest £ 41,788 - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 17,769 6,999 69,484 |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 17,769 6,999 69,484 |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,868 | 41,788 | 17,769 | - | |||||
| - | - | 6,999 | - | |||||
| - | - | 69,484 | 187,395 | |||||
| 3,868 | 41,788 | 94,252 | 187,395 | |||||
| OK | OK Fund to which asset belongs |
OK Cost (optional) |
OK | |||||
| Current value (optional) |
||||||||
| General | - | - | ||||||
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
|||||
| General | - | - | ||||||
| Signature | Date of approval |
|||||||
| Rev’d Rebecca Harris (Team Rector) | ||||||||
| Ruth Hann (Churchwarden) |
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Section C Statement of funds at the end of the period
| Brought Forward to nearest £ C1 Unrestricted general funds |
Brought Forward to nearest £ C1 Unrestricted general funds |
Brought Forward to nearest £ C1 Unrestricted general funds |
Income to nearest £ |
Income to nearest £ |
Expenditure to nearest £ |
Expenditure to nearest £ |
Transfers to nearest £ |
Transfers to nearest £ |
Gains on Investments to nearest £ |
Gains on Investments to nearest £ |
Carried Forward to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General fund | 6,295 | 72,066 | (71,963) | (2,530) | - | 3,868 | |||||
| Sub total | 6,295 | 72,066 | (71,963) | (2,530) | - | 3,868 | |||||
| - C2 Unrestricted designated funds 100 Club - DiscretionaryFund 4,502 Easter Thanksgiving 1,431 Office - Phyllis Griffin Bequest 12,014 Parish Hall 24,661 SpecialGift 2,199 Windows book 41 Youth Club - |
- 300 284 - 6,374 - 10,848 - - 12,565 |
- (265) - - (12,200) - (18,734) - - (5,783) |
- (35) - - 5,826 - - (2,199) (41) - |
- - - - - - - - - |
|||||||
| 100 Club | - | 300 | (265) | (35) | - | - | |||||
| DiscretionaryFund | 4,502 | 284 | - | - | - | 4,786 | |||||
| Easter Thanksgiving | 1,431 | - | - | - | - | 1,431 | |||||
| Office | - | 6,374 | (12,200) | 5,826 | - | - | |||||
| Phyllis Griffin Bequest | 12,014 | - | - | - | - | 12,014 | |||||
| Parish Hall | 24,661 | 10,848 | (18,734) | - | - | 16,775 | |||||
| SpecialGift | 2,199 | - | - | (2,199) | - | - | |||||
| Windows book | 41 | - | - | (41) | - | - | |||||
| Youth Club | - | 12,565 | (5,783) | - | - | 6,782 | |||||
| Sub total | 44,848 | 30,371 | (36,982) | 3,551 | - | 41,788 | |||||
| C3 Restricted funds | - 565 498 - 360 252 7,903 180 464 6,452 425 - - - 3,218 19 1,069 10,211 51,513 |
- - 856 230 - - - - 546 - 379 9,005 - - - - - - |
- - - (216) - - - - - (19) (862) (5,521) - (10) - - - |
- (565) (498) 2,663 (374) (252) - 498 (464) - - 483 (3,484) 981 - (9) - - - |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,283 6,473 |
- | |||||
| 100 Club | 565 | (565) | - | ||||||||
| A-S Choir | 498 | - | - | (498) | - | - | |||||
| A-SFabric | - | 856 | - | 2,663 | - | 3,519 | |||||
| A-SFlower | 360 | 230 | (216) | (374) | - | - | |||||
| A-S Garden | 252 | - | - | (252) | - | - | |||||
| A-S Organ | 7,903 | - | - | - | - | 7,903 | |||||
| A-S Organ& Choir | 180 | - | - | 498 | - | 678 | |||||
| A-SReordering | 464 | - | - | (464) | - | - | |||||
| BellsRevenue | 6,452 | 546 | - | - | - | 6,998 | |||||
| Children'sMission | 425 | - | (19) | - | - | 406 | |||||
| Curacy | - | 379 | (862) | 483 | - | - | |||||
| Fees | - | 9,005 | (5,521) | (3,484) | - | - | |||||
| Hall Redeveloment | - | - | 981 | - | 981 | ||||||
| H-SFabric | 3,218 | - | - | - | - | 3,218 | |||||
| H-SFlower | 19 | - | (10) | (9) | - | - | |||||
| StAldhamGrant | 1,069 | - | - | - | - | 1,069 | |||||
| Marlborough fund | 10,211 | - | - | - | 1,283 | 11,494 | |||||
| Tin Hut Deposit | 51,513 | - | - | - | 6,473 | 57,986 | |||||
| Sub total | 83,129 | 11,016 | (6,628) | (1,021) | 7,756 | 94,252 | |||||
| C4 Endowment funds | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| AS Church Repair Fund | 9,263 | - | - | - | 871 | 10,134 | |||||
| H-SEndowment | 5,930 | - | - | - | 558 | 6,488 | |||||
| Holy Saviour church repair fund |
10,052 | - | - | - | 945 | 10,997 | |||||
| KnightEndowment | 6,730 | - | - | - | 634 | 7,364 | |||||
| MabelSmith Endowment | 129,817 | - | - | - | 12,214 | 142,031 | |||||
| Stafford Brown CCLA | 9,488 | - | - | - | 893 | 10,381 | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 171,280 | - | - | - | 16,115 | 187,395 | |||||
| Totals | - | - | - | ||||||||
| 305,552 | 113,453 | (115,573) | - | 23,871 | 327,303 |
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WESTBURY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Section D Notes to the accounts
D1 Basis of accounts preperation
Although the accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments method, the unrealised gain on the funds held in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund have also been included to provide a fuller understanding of the Charity's monetary assets.
D2 Endowments
All Saints' Church Repair Fund incorporates: Cox bequest, Cutler/ Francis bequest, Massey Lopes bequest, Timsbury bequest.
Holy Saviour Church repair fund incorporates: Henry Butcher bequest, W/L Church Repair fund
Stafford Brown Endowment incorporates Gibbs bequest.