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The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, Bedford

(Working Name: St Paul's Bedford) Report and Financial Statements Year to 31[st] December 2024 Registered Charity Number 1134614

	Page
Trustees’ Report	2
Independent examiner's report	8
Statement of financial activities	9
Balance sheet	10
Notes to the financial statements	11 - 16

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Aims and Purposes

St Paul’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility for cooperating with the minister, in promoting, within the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church - pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is also responsible for the maintenance of the Parish Church, which is a grade 1 listed building.

Objectives and Activities

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

St Paul’s is a welcoming and inclusive church that endeavours to serve Christ and to share his love and Good News with others. In particular, we try to enable people to live out their faith through:

Worship and prayer: Our services offer meaningful worship in an inclusive catholic liturgical style and we hold special services for the civic life of the Borough and County.
Welcome and Pastoral care: The church is open every weekday, offering a place of prayerfulness and peace for our ministry of worship, witness, and inclusive welcome, with a special care for the vulnerable and needy. Our pastoral work includes listening, support, prayers and encouragement, in addition to practical help and signposting to specialised agencies when needed. Members of our Pastoral Team visit those unable to attend church.
Teaching and discipleship: through teaching in sermons, Lent and Advent courses, preparation for confirmation and baptism, we help people to develop their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
Mission and Outreach: We endeavour to be proactive in reaching out to the community with the love and Good News of Jesus. We have an active ministry of community engagement, sharing God’s love and generosity by working in partnership with local community groups and institutions to provide care and support for the most vulnerable.

Achievements & Performance

2024 marked the end of an era in the life of St Paul’s Church, as the Reverend Canon Kevin Goss retired as vicar in October, after more than 10 years as incumbent. His final Sunday in church was 29[th] September, marked by a moving valedictory Eucharist.

On 15[th] December 2024 our Assistant Curate, the Reverend Anthony Davis was licensed as Curate in Charge by the Bishop of Bedford to provide leadership and stability during the vacancy.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Worship and Prayer

The following regular pattern of worship and public prayer was maintained throughout the year:

The weekly Parish Eucharist at 10:15am each Sunday
Weekday Eucharists at 12noon each Wednesday and 9:30am each Friday and Saturday
Morning Prayer every day from Monday to Saturday at 9:00am on Zoom.
Compline (night prayer) with an address every first Sunday of the month at 5:30pm

Our usual Sunday attendance at worship during 2024 was 69 adults and 4 children (2023: 65 adults and 4 children) and our average weekly church attendance during October 2024 was 97 adults and 3 children (2023: 102 adults and 3 children).

In addition to our regular services, we held special services for festivals:

We held services each day of Holy Week, including Maundy Thursday Eucharist with foot washing, the Good Friday Liturgy, the Easter Vigil and lighting of the Paschal fire on the evening of Holy Saturday
We also held the full range of Christmas services: Advent Carols, Christingle, Festival of Lessons & Carols by candlelight, Crib Service, Midnight Mass and All Age Festival Eucharist. We also held carol services for local schools, including Bedford Free School, Bedford Modern School and Bedford Girls’ School.
Other special services included Candlemas Carols, Ash Wednesday Eucharist with imposition of ashes, Ascension Day Eucharist, Corpus Christie Eucharist with benediction and an All Souls-tide Eucharist.
Our Easter attendance, including the Festival Eucharist and the Vigil service was 163, with 133 communicants (2023: 204 with 173 communicants)
Attendance on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was 414 with 150 communicants (2023: 395 with 165 communicants). Throughout Advent, we estimate that well over 2,000 people attended church services at St Paul’s.

It is a privilege as a parish church to mark significant milestones in faith and life for members of our community and parish.

We celebrated 5 baptisms of children and infants (2023: 3)
We prepared 4 adults for confirmation (2023: 0).
We celebrated 1 wedding (2023: 2)
We conducted 10 funerals in church (2023: 4 in church and 2 at the crematorium).

In our role as Civic and County church, we held several civic and special services in 2024. These included the High Sheriff’s Justice Service in September, and a service of remembrance for the Road Victims Trust Charity in November.

We continued a ministry of welcome to those who have traditionally felt excluded from church with a songs of praise service aimed primarily at the LGBT community (LGBTea Party and Singalong) and, for the second year, a vigil to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Music has been a vital component of our liturgy at St Paul’s and will continue to be so. After the departure of our prior Director of Music in 2023, along with many members of the choir, it was very encouraging to see the continuance of music at our 10.15 Sunday services throughout the year, led by the Singers group. We were very well supported by a number of talented visiting organists at our Sunday 10.15 Eucharists throughout the year and were pleased to confirm the appointment of Adam Wright as our new St Paul’s Organist in October 2024. Plans to develop the choir and the variety of music in our liturgy during 2025 are already well in hand.

Welcome and Pastoral Care

Our location in the town centre provides important opportunities for welcome of visitors, pilgrims and tourists.

The church building is open to visitors between 11am and 3pm each weekday, enabled by our office team and a group of volunteers who act as welcomers. Our Tuesday Concert Series also welcomes many visitors to church as well as being a fundraising opportunity.

Visitors are also welcomed one Saturday a month for our Organ Recital Series and volunteers ensure that the church is open for teas, coffees and cakes on the morning of these recitals.

We have been pleased to extend an ecumenical welcome to the Serbian Orthodox Church which continues to hold regular services at St Paul’s, usually on the first Sunday of each month.

Members of our Pastoral Team visit those from our community unable to attend church. In addition, some of those we welcome into our building require particular pastoral care. Our pastoral work includes listening, support, prayers and encouragement, in addition to practical help and signposting to specialised agencies when needed.

Teaching and Discipleship

Teaching continues through the regular sermons given by the licensed clergy and readers, and retired clergy.

We also held specific courses during 2024. Our Lent course in studied diversity and inclusion from the perspective of race, sexuality, gender identity, disability and wealth, based on resources from Inclusive Church. Our Advent course considered the theme of God With Us.

In addition the Confirmation candidates followed a course of study on the basics of the Christian faith, whilst the parents of candidates for baptism and those coming for weddings were prepared for those important events by home visits from our Curate.

Mission and Outreach:

During 2024 we continued to reach out into our community offering practical and pastoral support to those in need. For example:

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

We have continued to support homeless households moving into accommodation for the first time though our homeless voucher scheme to provide some of the essentials for setting up a home.
We continue to support Bedford Foodbank by holding collections in church as well as though Fr. Anthony’s role as a member of their Board of Trustees. We also issued 22 foodbank vouchers in the year.
In June we partnered with Creative Arts Bedford and The Bedford Refugee and Asylum Seekers to host an art installation (DeadReckoning by Bern O'Donoghue) in the Trinity Chapel for Refugee week.
Our warm space ran during the winter of 2023/4 through a partnership between St Paul’s and St Andrew’s Church, with both churches providing volunteers to welcome visitors to the Anderson Room in church, make cups of tea, coffee, soup or pot noodles and provide a listening ear.
As the year came to an end, we continued our relationship with Dine With Us On The Streets, to host their Christmas meal for vulnerable members of our local community.

This pastoral and practical work in the community comes alongside our regular patterns of visiting residential care settings with communion, hosting schools for seasonal services and visits, taking part in Open the Book assemblies at a local school and a wide variety of other activities.

Financial Review

Total income in 2024 was down £68,787 from the prior year (£268,822 compared with £337,609 in 2023). However, this was largely due to the timing of donations and grants for restricted fabric projects, such as the North Porch and the Tower Clock and Bells projects.

Unrestricted income was £19,354 higher in 2024 (£192,942, compared with £173,588 in 2023). This was largely due to an 11% (£6,255) increase in planned giving, testament to the generosity of members of the congregation, a legacy of £10,000 received early in 2024, and an increase of 20% or £3,143 in letting income. Receipts from Gift aid were also higher, though to some extent this represents the reclaiming of unclaimed Gift Aid from prior years.

We are once again grateful for the continuing support of the Friends of St. Paul’s, The Gale Family Trust, Williams & Co. and the Dorothy Hilda Porter Trust for grant funding, as well as the organisers of the Christmas Tree Festival and the regular Tuesday concerts and Saturday Organ Recitals, which all contribute significantly to our income.

Total Expenditure was £54,888 lower than 2023 (£286,179 compared with £341,067 in 2023). Again, this was largely due to the timing of expenditure on restricted fabric projects, such as the North Porch and the Pinnacles.

Unrestricted Expenditure was £20,414 higher in 2024 (£183,403 compared with £162,989 in 2023). The main cause of this was that in 2024 we were able to pay £65,000 of the total parish share requested by the diocese (92% of the £70,476 requested) compared with £27,840 in 2023 (38% of the £74,045 requested). This is a significant achievement and will hopefully

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

indicate to the Diocese that ministry at St Paul’s church is financially sustainable. We expect to be able to pay our parish share in full in 2025.

Other significant year on year changes in unrestricted expenditure are a reduction in wages, salaries and fees (as we did not have a director of music during 2024) and a reduction in utility bills, due to an effort to reduce the amount of time the heating was on in church.

Overall, our general funds ended the year roughly £10,000 higher than they were in the prior year and our restricted funds showed a smaller increase of about £600.

Expenditures from the restricted mission fund were also significantly lower in 2024, as the prior year included some specific grants made to Citizens UK for community organising, as well as greater expenditure on our homeless and cost of living grants schemes.

Fund raising for the Tower, Clock and Bells appeal continued throughout the year, resulting in £13,420 income for that project, which is kept in a restricted fund. The fund currently stands at £64,140, however, a number of grants have been pledged but not yet received. The project team estimate that over £354,000 has been raised or pledged for this project. The project is currently out to tender, but it is expected that there is still a significant way to go to reach the funds required, which were estimated before COVID to be £500,000 before VAT. The amount required will also be impacted by the government’s announcement that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which provides grants to offset the cost of VAT on works for listed places of worship, has been restricted to £25,000 per year for each place of worship.

During 2024 the PCC cleared up a number of legacy restricted funds with balances less than £1,000, and, with the generous permission of the original donor, were able to transfer the balance of the restricted Staging Fund into general funds.

Reserves

It has been PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on free reserves (net current assets) which equates to at least three months’ unrestricted payments. At the end of 2024 this would require us to hold £45,851 in our general funds. Our funds have recovered significantly this year, and our balance at the end of the year in general funds of £50,399 now meets this policy.

It remains our policy to invest short term investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund.

Structure, governance and 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 method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. Our membership of the PCC consists of the Incumbent (the Vicar), Assistant Curate, Churchwardens, Readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church, to both the PCC and to the Deanery Synod.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Administrative information

St Paul’s Church is located in St Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SQ, which is also the correspondence address. St Paul’s Church is part of the Bedford and Elstow Deanery in the Diocese of Saint Albans within the Church of England.

The Parochial Church Council is registered with the Charity Commission and its registration number is 1134614.

Parochial Church Council members who served from 1[st] January 2024 until the 17[th] March 2025 are listed below:

Vicar	The Rev’d Canon Kevin Goss – Chair (until end October 2024)
Assistant Curate/ Curate in charge	The Rev’d Anthony Davis – (Chair from January 2025)
Churchwardens	Florence Bignell (until July 2024)
	Alison Phillipson (from July 2024)
	Malcolm Smith (and Deanery Synod representative)
Reader	Clifford Harris (until May 2024)
Deanery Synod Representatives	Wendy Jones (Deputy Chair and Safeguarding Officer)
	Claire Price (until August 2024)
Other elected members	Rachel Brown
	Stephen Buckle (until January 2024)
	Linda Byer
	Rachel Clover
	Ann Collett-White
	Valerie Lane
	Kaye McLelland (until October 2024)
	David Price
	Dulcie Stanhope (From April 2024)
	Pat Whittome (PCC Secretary)

Report approved by the PCC on 19[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by

The Rev’d Anthony Davis Curate in Charge and Chair of PCC

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, Bedford. Charity Number 1134614

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the PCC”) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity's trustees, you, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’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 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:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

C A Airey FCCA of George Hay Partnership LLP Brigham House 93 High Street Biggleswade Bedfordshire SG18 0LD

March 2025

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note 2 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Activities for generating funds Income from church activities Investments Total income 3 Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on church activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets Gains on revaluation, fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Restricted Endowment General Designated Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ £ £ 139,376 - 73,394 - 212,770 288,421 42,177 - - - 42,177 39,965 9,612 - 2,426 - 12,038 7,719 1,777 - 60 - 1,837 1,503 192,942 - 75,880 - 268,822 337,609 2,304 - - - 2,304 3,123 181,098 28,250 74,526 - 283,874 337,944 TOTALS Unrestricted Funds
	183,403 28,250 74,526 - 286,179 341,067
	9,539 (28,250) 1,354 - (17,357) (3,458) 3,778 - 3,337 - 7,115 30,142 (3,041) - (4,074) - (7,115) (30,142) - - - 50 50 104 - - - - - - 10,276 (28,250) 617 50 (17,307) (3,354) 40,123 310,750 85,826 2,170 438,869 442,223 50,399 282,500 86,443 2,220 421,562 438,869

Note
2
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Activities for generating funds
Income from church activities
Investments
Total income
3
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Expenditure on church activities
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Transfers:
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains/losses on investment assets
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward

Restricted
Endowment
General
Designated
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
139,376
-
73,394
-
212,770
288,421
42,177
-
-
-
42,177
39,965
9,612
-
2,426
-
12,038
7,719
1,777
-
60
-
1,837
1,503
192,942
-
75,880
-
268,822
337,609
2,304
-
-
-
2,304
3,123
181,098
28,250
74,526
-
283,874
337,944
TOTALS
Unrestricted Funds

183,403
28,250
74,526
-
286,179
341,067

9,539
(28,250)
1,354
-
(17,357)
(3,458)
3,778
-
3,337
-
7,115
30,142
(3,041)
-
(4,074)
-
(7,115)
(30,142)
-
-
-
50
50
104
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,276
(28,250)
617
50
(17,307)
(3,354)
40,123
310,750
85,826
2,170
438,869
442,223
50,399
282,500
86,443
2,220
421,562
438,869

The notes on pages 5 to 9 form part of these financial statements

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

£ £ 282,500 2,220 284,720 17,504 140,652 158,156 21,314 136,842 421,562 50,399 282,500 332,899 86,443 2,220 421,562 2024	£ £ 282,500 2,220 284,720 17,504 140,652 158,156 21,314 136,842 421,562 50,399 282,500 332,899 86,443 2,220 421,562 2024	£ £ 310,750 2,170 312,920 14,470 119,889 134,360 8,411 125,949 438,869 40,123 310,750 350,873 85,826 2,170 438,869 2023
	284,720 136,842	312,920 125,949
158,156 21,314

	421,562	438,869
	50,399 282,500	40,123 310,750
	332,899 86,443 2,220	350,873 85,826 2,170
	421,562	438,869

Approved by the PCC on 19[th] March 2025 and signed on their behalf by

The Rev’d Anthony Davis Curate in Charge and Chair of PCC

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation:

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with the applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).

The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets and movable church furnishings, which are shown at fair value.

The Financial Statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Parochial Church Council is responsible in law.

Funds:

Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained, only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending on the purpose for which the endowment was established.

Restricted Funds represent:

a. income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided for in the terms of the trust or bequest, and
b. donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the Parochial Parish Council for a specific object.

The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining at the end of the year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The Parochial Church Council does not usually invest separately for each fund. Where there is no specific investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds or as directed by the Parochial Church Council.

Unrestricted Funds represent:

The remaining income funds of the Parochial Church Council that are available for spending on the general purposes of the Parochial Church Council, including amounts designated by the Parochial Church Council for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its "free reserves" as disclosed in the Trustees' Report.

Incoming Resources:

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource is received, or expenditure incurred, to which they relate. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the Parochial Church Council is legally entitled to the amounts due. Dividends are accounted for when receivable, interest and tax recoverable is accrued. All other income is recognised when it is received. Amounts received specifically for outside mission are dealt with as restricted funds.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Resources Expended:

Grants and donations are accounted for when they are paid over, or when awarded, if the award creates a binding and constructive obligation on the Parochial Church Council. The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred.

Fixed Assets:

Consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by the Charities Act 2011.

Movable church furnishings, held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the parish have been capitalised at fair value as at 1[st] January 2015, being the date of adoption of SORP(FRS102), and depreciated over their useful economic life. Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised value at the rate of 5% per annum.

Investments:

Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

		Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted	Endowment	TOTALS	TOTALS
		General	Designated	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
		£	£	£	£	£	£
2	Income and endowments from:
	Donations and legacies
	1110 - Planned Giving - Bank	60,858	-	-	-	60,858	53,271
	1120 - Planned Giving - Envelopes	2,364	-	-	-	2,364	3,696
	1210 - Collections at Services	13,137	-	-	-	13,137	16,725
	1220 - Donations in Church	7,636	-	10	-	7,646	6,075
	1230 - Other Donations	10,204	-	8,268	-	18,471	26,215
	1300 - Gift Aid Receivable	22,523	-	1,011	-	23,534	17,608
	1400 - Bequests	10,200	-	-	-	10,200	3,000
	1510 - Grant from Friends of St Paul's	-	-	2,563	-	2,563	2,232
	1520 - Grant from Dorothy Porter Trust	-	-	53,127	-	53,127	120,432
	1580 - VAT Refunds -Listed Places of Worship	1,274	-	5,319	-	6,594	370
	1590 - Grants - Other	11,180	-	3,095	-	14,275	38,796
	Donations and legacies Totals	139,376	-	73,394	-	212,770	288,421
	Activities for generating funds
	2010 - Concerts and Recitals	10,646	-	-	-	10,646	10,265
	2100 - Letting Income	18,647	-	-	-	18,647	15,504
	2220 - Christmas Tree Festival	11,933	-	-	-	11,933	11,987
	2290 - Other Fundraising Events	951	-	-	-	951	2,209
	Activities for generating funds Totals	42,177	-	-	-	42,177	39,965
	Income from church activities
	3110 - Catering Income (Teas, Coffees etc.)	2,233	-	148	-	2,381	1,510
	3210 - Sales of Candles, Books, Cards etc	659	-	28	-	687	816
	3220 - Spire Magazine	18	-	-	-	18	1,060
	3300 - Fees for Weddings and Funerals	6,702	-	158	-	6,860	4,056
	3400 - Insurance Claims Received	-	-	2,092	-	2,092	-
	3500 - Miscellaneous Church Income Income from church activities Totals	- 9,612	- -	- 2,426	- -	- 12,038	278 7,719
	Investments
	3900 - Investment Income	1,777	-	60	-	1,837	1,503
	Investments Totals	1,777	-	60	-	1,837	1,503
	Income and endowments Grand totals	192,942	-	75,880	-	268,822	337,609

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

		Unrestricted Funds	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted	Endowment	TOTALS	TOTALS
		General	Designated	Funds	Funds	2024	2023
		£	£	£	£	£	£
3	Expenditure on:
	Raising funds
	5110 - Fundraising Costs	867	-	-	-	867		850
	5120 - Concert & Recital Costs	1,438	-	-	-	1,438		2,273
	Raising funds Totals	2,304	-	-	-	2,304		3,123
	Expenditure on church activities
	4100 - Diocesan Parish Share	65,000	-	-	-	65,000	27,840
	4110 - Diocesan share of Wedding and Funeral	1,780	-	-	-	1,780		931
	4120 - Vacancy Expenses	-	-	352	-	352		-
	4200 - Wages, Salaries and Fees	45,592	-	-	-	45,592	55,133
	4210 - Pension Contributions	2,847	-	-	-	2,847		1,791
	4220 - HR and Payroll Costs	478	-	-	-	478		2,230
	4250 - Fees - Organist, Verger, Etc.	5,462	-	1,377	-	6,840		4,310
	4310 - Utilities - Energy, Water, etc.	23,905	-	-	-	23,905	29,341
	4320 - Insurance	7,899	-	-	-	7,899		7,538
	4330 - Alarm System Costs	4,023	-	-	-	4,023		6,953
	4340 - General Repairs	2,722	-	4,898	-	7,621		1,950
	4410 - Office, IT and Admin Expenditure	8,731	-	-	-	8,731		9,788
	4450 - Bank Charges	1,172	-	-	-	1,172		883
	4510 - Accountancy Fees	(5)	-	-	-	(5)		116
	4520 - Professional Fees	-	-	-	-	-		622
	4550 - Independent Examiner's Fee	1,500	-	-	-	1,500		1,480
	4610 - Clergy Expenses	3,854	-	-	-	3,854		4,045
	4620 - Sacristy Costs	1,222	-	-	-	1,222		1,815
	4630 - Vestments	-	-	3,038	-	3,038		1,933
	4670 - Mission Costs	-	-	354	-	354	13,641
	4680 - Donations to Other Charities	2,326	-	250	-	2,576		2,465
	4710 - Music Costs	517	-	445	-	962		1,724
	4720 - Organ and Piano Tuning	902	-	576	-	1,479		1,489
	4730 - Licensing Costs	579	-	629	-	1,208		553
	4810 - Catering Costs	180	-	-	-	180		171
	4850 - Miscellaneous Costs	411	-	835	-	1,246		2,592
	4901 - Pinnacle Repair	-	-	8,166	-	8,166	89,970
	4902 - North Porch Repair	-	-	44,815	-	44,815	30,462
	4903 - Tower Clock & Bells Appeal costs	-	-	6,227	-	6,227		7,931
	4950 - Other Fabric Project Costs	-	-	2,563	-	2,563		-
	4990 - Depreciation of Tangible Fixed Assets	-	28,250	-	-	28,250	28,250
	Expenditure on church activities Totals	181,098	28,250	74,526	-	283,874	337,944
	Expenditure Grand totals	183,403	28,250	74,526	-	286,179	341,067

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

4	STAFF COSTS		2024		2023
	Wages and Salaries	£	45,592	£	55,133
	Average number of Employees		3		4

5 TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES

During the year the Rev'd Canon Kevin Goss, chair of the PCC and the Rev'd Anthony Davis, both PCC members, received expenses related to the performance of their duties as parish clergy. All expenses are consistent with Church of England guidance on the parochial expenses of clergy. During the course of the year members of the PCC, were reimbursed for other expediture incurred as agents on behalf of the PCC. These other payments are recorded in the accounts under the relevant expenditure category.

6 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES Restricted Endowment TOTAL General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 126,149 - 162,272 - 288,421 Activities for generating funds 38,375 - 1,590 - 39,965 Income from church activities 7,619 - 100 - 7,719 Investments 1,444 - 59 - 1,503 Total income 173,588 - 164,021 - 337,609 Expenditure on: Raising funds 3,123 - - - 3,123 Expenditure on church activities 159,866 28,250 149,828 - 337,944 Total expenditure 162,989 28,250 149,828 - 341,067 10,599 (28,250) 14,193 - (3,458) Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - in 22,410 - 7,732 - 30,142 Gross transfers between funds - out (4,103) - (24,933) (1,106) (30,142) Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets - - - 104 104 Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use - - - - - Net movement in funds 28,906 (28,250) (3,008) (1,002) (3,354) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 11,218 339,000 88,834 3,172 442,223 Total funds carried forward 40,123 310,750 85,826 2,170 438,869 7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Moveable Church Furnishings TOTAL £ £ Cost or Valuation as at 1 January and 31 December 2024 565,000 565,000 Depreciation at 1 January 2024 254,250 254,250 Depreciation charge for the year 28,250 28,250 Depreciation at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net Book Value at 1 January 2024 310,750 310,750 Net Book Value at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net income / (expenditure) Unrestricted Funds	6 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES Restricted Endowment TOTAL General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 126,149 - 162,272 - 288,421 Activities for generating funds 38,375 - 1,590 - 39,965 Income from church activities 7,619 - 100 - 7,719 Investments 1,444 - 59 - 1,503 Total income 173,588 - 164,021 - 337,609 Expenditure on: Raising funds 3,123 - - - 3,123 Expenditure on church activities 159,866 28,250 149,828 - 337,944 Total expenditure 162,989 28,250 149,828 - 341,067 10,599 (28,250) 14,193 - (3,458) Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - in 22,410 - 7,732 - 30,142 Gross transfers between funds - out (4,103) - (24,933) (1,106) (30,142) Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets - - - 104 104 Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use - - - - - Net movement in funds 28,906 (28,250) (3,008) (1,002) (3,354) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 11,218 339,000 88,834 3,172 442,223 Total funds carried forward 40,123 310,750 85,826 2,170 438,869 7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Moveable Church Furnishings TOTAL £ £ Cost or Valuation as at 1 January and 31 December 2024 565,000 565,000 Depreciation at 1 January 2024 254,250 254,250 Depreciation charge for the year 28,250 28,250 Depreciation at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net Book Value at 1 January 2024 310,750 310,750 Net Book Value at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net income / (expenditure) Unrestricted Funds	6 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES Restricted Endowment TOTAL General Designated Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 126,149 - 162,272 - 288,421 Activities for generating funds 38,375 - 1,590 - 39,965 Income from church activities 7,619 - 100 - 7,719 Investments 1,444 - 59 - 1,503 Total income 173,588 - 164,021 - 337,609 Expenditure on: Raising funds 3,123 - - - 3,123 Expenditure on church activities 159,866 28,250 149,828 - 337,944 Total expenditure 162,989 28,250 149,828 - 341,067 10,599 (28,250) 14,193 - (3,458) Transfers: Gross transfers between funds - in 22,410 - 7,732 - 30,142 Gross transfers between funds - out (4,103) - (24,933) (1,106) (30,142) Other recognised gains / losses Gains/losses on investment assets - - - 104 104 Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's own use - - - - - Net movement in funds 28,906 (28,250) (3,008) (1,002) (3,354) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 11,218 339,000 88,834 3,172 442,223 Total funds carried forward 40,123 310,750 85,826 2,170 438,869 7 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Moveable Church Furnishings TOTAL £ £ Cost or Valuation as at 1 January and 31 December 2024 565,000 565,000 Depreciation at 1 January 2024 254,250 254,250 Depreciation charge for the year 28,250 28,250 Depreciation at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net Book Value at 1 January 2024 310,750 310,750 Net Book Value at 31 December 2024 282,500 282,500 Net income / (expenditure) Unrestricted Funds
	173,588 - 164,021 - 337,609
	3,123 - - - 3,123 159,866 28,250 149,828 - 337,944
	162,989 28,250 149,828 - 341,067
	10,599 (28,250) 14,193 - (3,458) 22,410 - 7,732 - 30,142 (4,103) - (24,933) (1,106) (30,142) - - - 104 104 - - - - -
	28,906 (28,250) (3,008) (1,002) (3,354)
	11,218 339,000 88,834	3,172 442,223
	40,123 310,750 85,826	2,170 438,869
		Moveable Church Furnishings TOTAL £ £ 565,000 565,000
		254,250 254,250 28,250 28,250
		282,500 282,500
		310,750 310,750
		282,500 282,500

The movable church furnishings are shown at cost (£565,000) which is the deemed cost under SORP(FRS102) transitional provisions, under which the valuation as at 1st January 2015 is applied to assets extant at that date.

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

8 CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND C10: CBF Deposit Fund C20: Current Account C30: Sir Alexander Leith Fund Account C32: Outreach Committee Account C34: Bells Appeal Account	2024 2023 £ £ 31,539 29,949 37,718 31,923 3,558 3,379 1,023 732 66,814 53,906
	140,652 119,889

9 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS General Fund Tangible Fixed Assets (Designated) 10 RESTRICTED FUNDS Tower Clock And Bells Appeal Choral Scholarship Fund Clock Fund Organ Scholar Fund Education Fund Robes Fund Bell Ringers Fund Homeless Support Fund Outreach Fund Peter And Paul Statues Fund Building Repairs Fund Chairs Fund Choir Robes Fund Fabric Projects Fund KIG Retirement Gift Fellowship Lunches Fund Music Fund North Porch Repair Pinnacles Project Staging Fund Vacancy Fund	1 January 2024 Income Expend. Transfers Gains/ (Losses) 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 40,123 192,942 183,403 737 - 50,399 310,750 - 28,250 - - 282,500
	350,873 192,942 211,653 737 - 332,899
	1 January 2024 Income Expend. Transfers Gains/ (Losses) 31 Dec 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 53,906 13,420 6,227 3,041 - 64,140 9,433 - - - - 9,433 2,896 - - - - 2,896 2,474 - - - - 2,474 1,436 1,050 250 - - 2,236 2,090 2,865 3,038 187 - 2,104 1,368 - - - - 1,368 1,050 45 354 - - 741 500 148 - - - 648 875 - 338 - - 537 2,697 2,152 4,898 109 - 60 148 - - (148) - - 187 - - (187) - - 109 2,563 2,563 (109) - - - 835 835 - - - 960 - - (960) - - 3,027 - 3,027 - - - - 44,477 44,477 - - - - 8,166 8,166 - - - 2,670 - - (2,670) - - - 158 352 - - (194)
	85,826 75,880 74,526 (737) - 86,443

Restricted funds have been donated to the PCC for specific purposes and may only be used for the purpose for which they were donated:

11 Chancel - Chancel Fund ENDOWMENT FUNDS/ FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS	1 January 2020 Income Expend. Transfers Gains/ (Losses) 31 Dec 2020 £ £ £ £ £ £ 2,170 - - - 50 2,220
	2,170 - - - 50 2,220

Endowment funds are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital permanently and generate income for the PCC to be used for restricted purposes. Income from the Chancel fund is allocated to the Building Repairs Fund.

OpenCharities

2024-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, Bedford

CONTENTS

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Aims and Purposes

Objectives and Activities

Achievements & Performance

Worship and Prayer

Welcome and Pastoral Care

Teaching and Discipleship

Mission and Outreach:

Financial Review

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Reserves

Structure, governance and management

Administrative information

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

Independent examiner’s statement

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation:

Funds:

Restricted Funds represent:

Unrestricted Funds represent:

Incoming Resources:

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL, BEDFORD

Resources Expended:

Fixed Assets:

Investments:

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)

5 TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont.)