Parish of St Mary with St Peter, Bury St Edmunds
Church of England Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich (Thingoe Deanery)
Parish of St Mary with St Peter, Bury St Edmunds
Annual Report
and
Financial Statements
of the Parochial Church Council
for the year ended 31 December 2025
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary with St Peter, Bury St Edmunds is a registered charity, number 1134666.
Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
| 1. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS | 3 |
|---|---|
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | 3 |
| 2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| PCC MEMBERSHIP | 4 |
| COMMITTEES | 5 |
| 3. CHARITABLE AIMS AND PURPOSES | 6 |
| PARISH STATISTICS | 6 |
| 4. CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES | 6 |
| 5. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE | 8 |
| WORSHIP MINISTRIES | 8 |
| ELECTORAL ROLL AND MEMBERSHIP | 11 |
| RAISING VOLUNTARY INCOME THROUGH GIVING | 11 |
| PARISH SHARE | 11 |
| OTHER ACTIVITIES | 12 |
| OPERATING BUILDINGS | 12 |
| 6. STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT | 14 |
| 7. FINANCIAL REVIEW | 15 |
| 8. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE | 17 |
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
1. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
St Mary with St Peter Parochial Church Council, Parish Office, St Mary’s Church, Honey Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1RT.
Email address for further information: jackie.crofts@stmaryschurchbse.org
Websites: stmaryschurchbse.org, stpetersbse.uk
Parish legal name: Bury St Edmunds, St Mary.
Benefice name: Bury St Edmunds: St Mary with St Peter’s District Church
The PCC banks with Royal Bank of Scotland, Drummond House, Edinburgh EH12 9JN and with HSBC, 54 Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1LJ.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Robin Jackson FCA, Chartered Accountant, Churchgate Accountants Ltd, 18 Langton Place, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1NE.
2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND
MANAGEMENT
The PCC has, as a governing document, two pieces of Church of England legislation, called Measures. These are the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules 2020 as amended.
The PCC is constituted as an unincorporated association. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
PCC MEMBERSHIP
Lay representatives of the Diocesan and Deanery Synods, Licensed Lay Ministers and Churchwardens are ex-officio members of the PCC. Lay members were elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), held in May 2025.
Vicar The Revd Canon Tiffer Robinson Associate Vicar (St Peter’s) The Revd Andy Williams Parish Churchwardens Brian Jones (St Mary’s), Philip Lloyd-Jones (St Peter’s ) District Churchwardens Rosie Perham (St Mary’s), Gary McDowell (St Peter’s) Deanery Synod Lay Representatives Joanna French (St Mary’s), Philip Lloyd-Jones (St Peter’s) Caroline Anderson (St Peter’s) PCC Treasurer Colin Firth PCC Secretary Daniel Holt Elected members (St Mary's) Nigel Beeton, Colin Firth, Robin Goodchild, Stephen Mills, Joanne Peachey Elected members (St Peter's) Phil Hymers, Stuart Lowe, Ian Nurcombe, Jane Turner Co-opted members Rob Bream Diocesan Synod Lay Representatives Peter Boyt (ex officio)
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
COMMITTEES
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the trustee body of the charity and is constituted under the Church Representation Rules. The PCC usually meets quarterly. During 2025, the PCC met four times. The Annual Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held on 11 May 2025. As usual, this was combined with a service of rededication.
The PCC elected a PCC Standing Committee consisting of the vicar, associate vicar, curate, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer of St Peter’s, treasurer of St Mary’s, churchwardens and district churchwardens. The standing committee has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The standing committee did not meet during 2025. The Thomas Clarkson Centre Management Committee is chaired by David Crofts and covers all aspects of the use and maintenance of this parish asset.
St Mary's and St Peter's District Church Councils (DCCs). The two churches work together under a Scheme of Delegation. Each has its own District Church Council, which meets at least four times per year, and reports to the PCC. The separate meetings are able to discuss matters affecting the individual churches. All policy, financial and faculty matters and proposals affecting the whole parish are referred to the PCC. Each church has its own subcommittees.
Each church has its own Mission Focus group which considers the support of mission partners and other agencies to deliver the parish’s objectives.
The patron of the parish is Simeon’s Trustees.
The wider ministry team (clergy, lay pastor, readers and lay elders) met three times during 2025. The meetings’ chief purpose is to ensure that the team of preachers and leaders of services are apprised of latest developments and consulted on relevant issues.
A full health and safety risk assessment was last carried out in 2015. The health and safety policy has been reviewed at regular intervals, most recently in March 2025.
The PCC complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
3. CHARITABLE AIMS AND PURPOSES
Church of England parishes seek to promote the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
This aim was expressed in a statement in 2017 as follows:
we seek to worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit; to teach the Bible in a way relevant to everyday life; to grow people in faith, understanding and love; to equip people to serve others; to offer people opportunities to meet Jesus and discover forgiveness and new life.
PARISH STATISTICS
The Parish of St Mary with St Peter is 2.6 square miles of central and southern Bury St Edmunds, characterised by residential estates and town centre businesses. The parish population in 2024 was 12,140.
In latest available data, the parish is ranked 8986 out of the Church of England’s 12,178 parishes according to indices of deprivation (1 = most deprived). The age profile of residents is older than the national average.
The parish’s boundaries were enlarged as part of a scheme of local parochial re-organisation enacted by a bishop’s order dated 1 December 2020. The effects are to include land that has been designated for future residential development near to the town, so the population of the parish will increase significantly in the next decade.
4. CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
In 2025, we continued to fulfil our aims and purposes including the following public charitable services:
- Public worship in two churches, using a variety of styles to reach a wide range of people (contemporary worship, choral Morning Prayer and Holy Communion, Book of Common Prayer). This diversity of worship styles is very unusual in a Church of England parish and is a major strength. Public prayer and worship take place every day. Online live Daily Prayer takes place five days a week and a committed group of people have engaged with this throughout the year.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
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Pastoral care and support. St Mary’s is a popular church for weddings, but in 2025, the number of weddings remained at a much lower level than in the years prior to the Covid pandemic. We continued to support bereaved families through funeral ministry, and in 2025 we once again held a Town Memorial Service in St Mary’s and a smaller Parish Memorial Service in St Peter’s, as well as hosting the hospice ‘Light up a Life’ service.
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Baptisms took place in St Mary’s during 2025.
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Opportunities to explore the Christian faith and to deepen personal discipleship with the encouragement of other Christians. Both churches have strong small groups for Bible study and prayer. An Alpha course was held in the spring, and a well-supported Advent course took place on the four Thursdays of Advent.
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St Mary' s Church is open seven days a week in normal circumstances and receives a large number of visitors. The historic Grade 1 listed building is a major attraction.
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St Mary’s Church is the civic church of Bury St Edmunds and welcomes a large number of people to services of widespread local importance. We see this as a vital way of positively relating to many people who do not regularly worship and to promote the welfare of Bury St Edmunds. The vicar and associate vicar work with many local organisations to support their work and to witness to the concern of God for the wider world.
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The PCC owns the Thomas Clarkson Centre, a former school, next to St Peter’s Church in Hospital Road. The Centre is a major community resource for Bury St Edmunds and its extensive facilities are in use throughout the week. During 2025, hire of the Centre continued to flourish, although still remaining lower than pre-pandemic.
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Bury St Edmunds has well-established ecumenical networks and the parish fully participates in these. Ecumenical initiatives such as Bury Drop In, Bury Town Pastors, Sporting ’87 and Bury Christian Youth are supported by the parish and its regular worshippers.
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The PCC supports a large number of mission and charity partners, through the two churches, including some of the town initiatives mentioned above. This extends our work to fulfil our aims in the wider world.
The vicar, the associate vicar and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The Parochial Church Council works diligently to ensure it fulfils its responsibilities for safeguarding, employment, financial management, upkeep and repair of its buildings and stewardship of its resources.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
5. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
2025 was a year of sustained and gradual growth across both churches, which has led to some reflection on how we need to adapt to meet the good challenges this brings. Although there has been much discussion nationally about the existence of a Quiet Revival, this would seem an appropriate term to describe what we have been seeing this year.
We ran the Alpha course for the third consecutive year, now an annual fixture in the life of the parish.
In June, we once again held a parish confirmation service, with a number of people confirmed and baptised, as well as young people being admitted to communion.
In 2024 after much discernment and planning, and a grant from the diocese, we appointed Hannah de Oliveira Lloyd as our youth worker for the parish. Over 2025 she grew a team and put discipleship opportunities in place for our very modest number of secondary school age children, which helped to engage and nurture them. She moved on to another youth work post after a year and the role was readvertised. In common with many other churches in the area and beyond, we failed to attract any applications, and existing and trusted members of the children and youth teams at both churches stepped in to keep the youth ministry going. In November 2025, Hannah and Adam Brown were appointed in a job share as the youth workers at St Mary’s using 2/3rds of the diocesan youth work grant, whilst St Peter’s decided to continue with their current provision for the time being. The Browns coordinate the running of the monthly parish youth group with volunteers from both churches.
We continue to have more American worshippers due to the increase in personnel across RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall who enrich the life of our churches. In 2025 we also saw a number of younger men come to faith particularly at St Mary’s and we have started specific ministry activities to engage and support them.
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Throughout 2025, St Mary’s held two services on Sunday mornings, with a contemporary service at 9:15am and a more traditional service at 11am, as well as a midweek service. St Peter’s continued with their morning service at 10:30am each Sunday. In addition, St Mary’s held evening services on one or two Sundays each month throughout the year, and St Peter’s continued its monthly Sunday evening informal praise service.
Through the course of 2025, midweek services took place at care homes in our parish.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
Each month, a Parish Prayer meeting was held on Zoom. A St Peter’s Vision Prayer Meeting was held weekly, also on Zoom. St Peter’s has a monthly face-to-face prayer meeting and in 2025 St Mary’s started to have weekly face-to-face prayer meetings. Online daily prayer was held five days a week on the days when there were no other services, reaching around 10 - 20 people.
Church Attendance
St Mary’s * has two regular services on Sundays. The 9.15 service is served by an excellent contemporary band led by Jim Herrington which has grown from the four very committed members in 2022 to include several more musicians who play regularly. The choir has seen many new members over 2025 and has continued to grow in experience and confidence. Thanks is due to our Director of Music DB and his skill and commitment and leadership, alongside the Choir Association and choir members who give so much of their time and talents.
There has been a significant increase in attendance at the 9:15am service over the last year and after declining slightly the 11am service started to grow noticeably during the last quarter of 2025. Attendance at the midweek service of Holy Communion has stayed fairly constant. Christmas services were mostly up considerably on 2024. Our number of new regular worshippers was 48 (22) including 17 (7) children, and 10 (6) of our regular worshippers moved to other churches, became housebound or died.
Average attendances in 2025 (2024) are as follows:
The 9:15am contemporary service averages 102(90) adults and 14 (11) under 16 years. Children’s groups were held each Sunday called Energize and Nextgen.
The 11am traditional service averages 61 (60) adults and 3 (3) are under 16 years.
A service of Choral Evensong took place once or twice a month. The average attendance at this was 31 (34) of whom 1 (1) was under 16 years.
There is also a Holy Communion service every Wednesday. The numbers attending here average 24 (25).
The two morning congregations combined for a number of special services throughout the year. These included Easter, where the attendance was 281 (284) adults and 32 (38) were under 16 years; the service with Annual District Church Meeting, where the attendance was 119(138) adults, and 17 (12) were under 16 years; Harvest, with an attendance of 143 (146) adults and 18 (13) were under 16 years; and Christmas, where the attendance was 162(114) adults and 27 (23) were under 16 years.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
In June 2025 a Service of Confirmation and Reaffirmation was held at St Mary’s Church. Six candidates from St Mary’s and St Peter’s Churches were confirmed at this service, six were baptized and four were admitted to communion. The total attendance was 177 (**205).
The Good Friday meditation service was attended by 56(56) adults, and 0 (6) under 16 years.
Advent and Christmas services did not include an Advent Service this year (78 attended in 2024) due to preparations for Sharers in the Promise; St Mary’s carol service, attended by 397 (358) adults, and 17 (19) were under 16 years; the crib service, attended by 430 (312) and the midnight communion, which 179 (162) adults attended, and 17 (3) under 16 years. We also held a lunchtime carol service for the first time in a number of years, which was well attended, and attracted a mixture of ages from the very young to the very old.
Civic services included Battle of Britain, where the attendance was 267 (241) adults and 102(73) were under 16 and Remembrance, where the attendance was 355 (421) adults and 118 (99) were under 16.
Other special services included the Mayor’s Civic Service held for the first time, attended by 123 adults and 3 children. The Jankyn Smyth service was attended by 127 (161) adults and 137 (142) were under the age of 16, the Town Memorial Service to remember before God those who have died, which had an attendance of 157 (201), and the Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry Commemoration Service. In August, we hosted Suffolk’s County Service of Commemoration for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, which had an attendance of 452 adults and 60 under the age of 16, including members of the royal family, dignitaries and a large number of veterans’ family members.
St Mary’s Church was open for visits from 10.30am - 3pm six days a week. 16969 (17,756) visitors came to the church during the year outside services and events.
- The figures for average congregation at St Mary’s are based on the median figure for the year. Last year the TAR incorrectly recorded some adult counts as totals, which has been rectified for this year.
**In 2024 this was a joint service between both parishes, hence the higher number
St Peter’s holds a 10:30am service every Sunday, with an average attendance of around 78 (70). This includes an average of 68 (61) adults and 10 (9) children. Children’s groups were held on 34 Sundays during 2025. St Peter’s also holds an informal praise service most months, with an average attendance of 22 (21).
Lent and Easter services at St Peter’s included an Ash Wednesday service of Holy Communion, which was attended by 23 (15) people, a Maundy Thursday service, which was
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
attended by 36 (26) adults and 1 (0) children, and the Easter Sunday service, which was attended by 100 (92) people.
Special Christmas services included the Nativity Service, attended by 93 (76) people of whom 19 (12) were under 16; Carols by Candlelight, attended by 175 (184) people of whom 6 (25) were under 16 and the Christmas Day family communion, which was attended by 58 (76) people of whom 9 (7) were under 16.
Services for life events (baptisms, weddings and funerals) were held in both churches.
At St Mary's Church, the numbers (with 2024 figures in brackets) were: 0 (1) thanksgiving services for the birth of a child; 10 (17) baptisms; 5 (7) weddings; 0 (1) wedding blessing; 0 (2) renewal of marriage vows; 14 (9) funerals and memorial services for 2 (4) people.
At St Peter's Church there were 0 (0) thanksgiving services for a child; 0 (1) baptisms; 1 (0) weddings; 0 (0) wedding blessings; 0 (0) renewal of marriage vows; 1 (2) funerals, and 0 (0) memorial services.
The parish conducted 15 (23) funerals at a crematorium or cemetery in 2025, making a total of 30 (34) funeral services conducted by members of staff as well as 2 (3) memorial services and 2 (5) interments of ashes.
ELECTORAL ROLL AND MEMBERSHIP
In 2025, there was a complete revision of the Electoral Roll. At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting there were 235 (295) on the electoral roll. Of these, 168 (220) were on St Mary’s electoral roll, and 73 (78) were on St Peter’s roll. 6 (3) appeared on both rolls.
RAISING VOLUNTARY INCOME THROUGH GIVING
At St Mary’s in 2025, £170,311 (2024 £176,056) was given to the general fund through collections, tax effective regular giving and general donations. £28,188 (2024 £22,722) was given by or through the church for other charities or good causes.
At St Peter’s in 2025 £87,369 (2024 £80,124) was given to the general fund through collections, tax effective regular giving and general donations. £17,149 (2024 £15,230) was given by or through the church for other charities or good causes.
PARISH SHARE
The parish contribution to the diocesan share for 2025 was £156,000 (2024 £156,000). In 2026 the parish will pay a contribution of £156,865.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
OTHER ACTIVITIES
St Mary’s shares the site of the ancient and ruined Abbey of St Edmund with the cathedral, the public Abbey Gardens and others.
The two churches joined together to organise a number of social events throughout 2025. The men’s group met monthly for breakfast. Lunch & Chat continued to provide an opportunity for socialisation and food once a month and was well attended. The Little Fishes group for young children with their carers continued to meet twice a month throughout 2025, but closed at the end of the year due to insufficient volunteers to keep the group running. An average of 4 - 5 families attended each month.
St Mary’s ran a pop-in cafe each month throughout the year, and the Time Together social event took place four times through the course of the year.
A pop-up bookshop operated at St Mary’s on the first Wednesday of each month throughout the year.
Interactive exhibitions for schools were put on at Easter and at Christmas (Road to Easter and Through the Keyhole), and were well supported and much appreciated by those who attended.
The Sometimes on Sunday group met four times in 2025, at Easter, in the summer, at Harvest, and finally in November to experience the Through the Keyhole exhibition.
St Peter’s continued with the monthly Tea and Chat event, as well as a weekly Community Space each Saturday, where people can drop in for refreshments and to socialise. They also held a men’s bowls evening once a month and for much of the year they also ran a community cafe.
We seek to encourage people to work both with other churches in the town, and the work of the Christian church in the wider community. People from the congregations work with BCY (Bury Christian Youth), the Bury Drop in, Town Pastors, Sporting 87 (a Christian football club), CAP (Christians against poverty) and the St John’s Ecumenical Centre.
OPERATING BUILDINGS
The parish maintains St Mary’s Church, St Peter’s Church and the Thomas Clarkson Centre. As usual, regular maintenance and services were carried out in all the buildings.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
The St Mary’s Fabric Committee has considered a number of matters over the past year and various works of maintenance have been carried out. A large area of the wooden plinth on the north side central aisle had to be removed and replaced because of decay. Pew heaters and cables had to be temporarily removed also to enable the work. The resulting replacement floor looks very good but we may find other areas similarly affected in the future. The trap door to the tower and the stairs leading to upper tower levels were repaired for safety reasons. Improvements were made to the pulley system on the tower as it was difficult to raise and lower flags. The old projector screen had been difficult to raise for a long time and was replaced with a new screen and controls. The metal theft roof alarm became problematic with regular alerts when there was no apparent intrusion. This has now been rectified. Electrical work is often needed both to maintain safe and effective systems and for improvements. A project to tidy up a complex wiring layout with multiple extension leads on the north side of the church and on the rood screen was completed. The external notice boards on the west front were sanded and revarnished and now look much improved. The church organ requires air that is pumped into it to be at the correct humidity level and there is a humidifier unit housed with the blower in a large chamber on the north side of the church. This unit is at the end of its working life and plans were agreed for it to be replaced early in 2026 after the busy Christmas period. The arrangement of pews in the south aisle for refreshments and Open Kitchen has worked fairly well but might be much improved if the floor was level and the current pews and tables replaced with easier to access chairs and tables. Proposals have been discussed with the church architect and the Diocesan Advisory Committee, who have agreed with the principle. If we decide to proceed it will be a significant project and require formal processes of approval and contracting. The Tavern clock on the north wall by the entrance to the tower was removed for specialist repair and maintenance and is now back in place. The best future arrangements for heating in the church have continued to cause much discussion, particularly as three of the gas space heaters failed at the end of the year. Extending the under-pew heaters appears to be one possible option but we will continue to explore other solutions. Several years ago the tower lift was taken out of service as it was very rarely used and needed a lot of repair and improvement work. We are exploring the costs of reinstating the lift as there are now a number of people this might benefit. Each year there are many regular inspections, tests and maintenance issues that need attention. Fire alarms, emergency lighting, portable electrical equipment, lightning conductors and so on. Regular attention is also given to issues that an old building like St Mary’s throws up, including dampness arising from overflowing roof rainwater hoppers and downpipes. As the Parish Church there are also some works outside the building itself where our assistance is requested. This year we had to apply for a faculty (diocesan approval) for work to repair the ancient wall facing Crown Street, although the work itself and the cost were the responsibility of West Suffolk Council. We have also been involved in applying for permission to make up the roadway on the north side of the church, work which is being organised and paid for by the Abbey of St Edmund
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
Reborn project and which is expected to take place in 2027. In 2026 the church will have both a 5 yearly condition inspection and a five yearly inspection of the fixed wiring circuits.
At St Peter’s Maintenance and servicing work for 2025 was a significant item throughout the year. The gas mains pipes to the church were replaced and the gas reconnected. The fault in the gas-fired hot air heating system was resolved with the replacement of the thermostat to one of the gas heaters, and the system was reported as functioning normally. A defective radiant electric heater and the defective water heater of the hand basin in the vestry toilet were both replaced. SmartWater was applied to the accessible lead on the north side of the church roof. A defective LED floodlight on the south side of the church was replaced. The intruder alarm was serviced in late 2025, and a very low backup battery in the main control box was replaced. Policies: The Health and Safety and Fire policies for all three buildings were reviewed and adopted by the PCC on March 25, 2025.
At the Thomas Clarkson Centre, essential repairs identified in the quinquennial report were carried out. A new electric oven was purchased towards the end of 2025 and is working well. In late November, the gas boiler failed. We unsuccessfully attempted repairs, before installing a new boiler in December.
6. STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT
The Reverend Canon Tiffer Robinson has served as vicar and incumbent of the parish since October 2022.
Andy Williams continues to serve the congregation at St Peter’s, where he completed his curacy before being licensed as Associate Vicar with responsibility for St Peter’s in February 2022.
In 2025, the parish employed an Events Manager, a Church Administrator, a Caretaker and a Director of Music.
The parish also employs two cleaners.
Hannah and Adam Brown were appointed as part time youth workers in November 2025.
A very large proportion of the activity in the parish is undertaken by volunteers and we are very grateful for their work. We have a good team of retired, self-supporting and lay ministers who support the work of the stipendiary clergy, as well as many lay volunteers who give up their time to fulfil a whole variety of roles in the life of our churches.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
7. FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing documents, the Charities Acts 2011 and 2022 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014, the latest edition being dated October 2019.
Across the whole Parish income of all funds for 2025 amounted to £418,218 (2024 £405,737 after restatement) as shown on the financial statements. That included income from bequests and donations in memoriam totaling £7,500 (2024 £3,607). Of those amounts for 2025 £6,000 was to be used for unrestricted purposes and £1,500 for restricted purposes. No grants (2024 nil) were received by St Mary’s or by St Peter’s. £42,673 (2024 £46,113) came from letting the parish hall, which was supplemented by a Local Authority grant of £850 (2024 £1,000) and a donation of £5,000 (2024 nil). £33,911 (2024 £32,527 after restatement) was received as investment income, £7,785 (2024 £7,706) from such main charitable activities as weddings and funeral services and the balance of £320,499 (2024 £314,784) came primarily from church members. There were fewer exceptional items in 2025 within the £320,499 than in 2024. At Mary’s £15,662 was raised from event fees and other fundraising activities (2024 £11,484), £3,529 was raised for Choir Association activities (2024 nil) and no Diocesan grant (2024 £20,000) was received to fund the costs of youth work. Stripping out these exceptional items, the recurrent income raised from the congregations amounts to £301,308 (2024 £283,300). This represented an increase of slightly more than 6%.
Again, taking the Parish as a whole, expenditure on charitable activities totaled £439,132 (2024 £381,886). Thus, expenditure on charitable activities across the parish rose from 2024 to 2025 by £57,246. That increase was split between an increase of £25,878 at St Mary’s, an increase of £22,008 at St Peter’s and an increase of £9,360 at the Thomas Clarkson Centre.
The main changes at St Mary’s were as follows. £13,220 (2024 £5,385) was spent on youth work funded by the Diocesan grant received in 2024 and to be supplemented by further instalments from the Diocese in future years. £9,845 (2024 £4,816) was spent on donations to other charities, the additional amount largely having been raised at memorial services. £3,416 (2024 nil) was spent on a piano for use mainly by the choir and funded from a specific bequest. £194,265 (2024 £189,957) was spent on charitable activities through General Fund. £3,407 (2024 nil) was spent on upgrading the sound and visual system at St Mary’s funded by a bequest received some years ago.
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Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
The main changes at St Peter’s were as follows. £31,217 (2024 £14,203) was spent at St Peter’s on Fabric including preparation for a planned extension to the church building. In the context of spiraling costs those plans have been severely curtailed. £82,580 (2024 £80,300) was spent on charitable activities through General Fund. £10,883 (2024 £9,039) raised specifically for other charities was passed on to those charities.
£49,787 (2024 £40,427) was spent at the Thomas Clarkson Centre, the increase being mainly attributable to replacement of ovens, the cost being covered by a donation, and the emergency replacement of the boiler.
Across the parish, expenditure on charitable activities included donations and grants to other charities totaling £45,337 (2024 £37,952). In addition to expenditure on main charitable activities, costs of fundraising were small: £4,329 in 2025 (£2,746 in 2024).
After taking into consideration a fall in the value of our investments by £32,758 (2024 increase of £26,342 after restatement) our income and gains therefore fell short of our expenditure and losses by £58,001 (2024 surplus income and gains of £47,447). Income of £7,500 was attributable to bequests and donations in memoriam (2024 £3,607) and a deficit of £434 (2024 surplus £7,524) generated by the Thomas Clarkson Centre.
Each of the three component parts of the PCC’s financial activities has a reserves policy appropriate to its circumstances.
At the end of 2025 St Mary’s had total net assets, excluding permanent endowments, of £910,342. That is made up of £240,874 balances on unrestricted funds and £669,468 balances on restricted funds. Within unrestricted funds, the main balances for day-to-day purposes are the general fund and a linked fund together having a balance of £64,201. This balance is consistent with a reserves policy of holding sufficient in such reserves to pay at least three months recurrent bills, and, in addition, general reserves can have recourse to the Mission Development Fund. The Mission Development Fund is the other main unrestricted fund with a balance of about £172,500, which the PCC aims to use for development rather than simply maintenance of the mission life of the church, but can, if needed, be used to support the general fund. The main reserves within restricted funds are the Fabric Fund and linked funds, which have total balances of £602,190. The PCC wishes to retain £212,186 consisting of the Rae portfolio intact, leaving £390,004 available to meet any urgent work on the fabric of St Mary’s. The £390,004 includes equity-based investments of £363,895, which are subject to stock market fluctuations.
St Peter’s has net assets of £396,543. The main components of these are a Fabric Fund balance of £338,787 (including the surplus on linked investments), other restricted fund balances of £7,965, the balance of the Daphne Swatman Mission Fund of £18,197 and a General Fund balance of £31,594, sufficient to meet normal recurrent bills over a period
16
Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2025
slightly more than four months. These reserves are led in the form of stock exchange based assets with a value of about £146,000 and bank balances of about £250,000.
The Thomas Clarkson Centre has net assets of £618,485. That includes the building itself at a valuation of £250,000 plus expenditure incurred to the end of 2013 of £323,600 on planning and building the extension of the hall. General realisable reserves of £44,886 are held. These are sufficient to meet short-term likely refurbishment costs and to meet recurrent bills for six months.
Amounts not expected to be used in a period of about five years since acquisition are held in equity based pooled investments with the Church of England Investment Fund. Across the Parish these assets, excluding endowment funds, total about £856,500. These fell in value in 2025 by 4.0%. This investment fund has an ethical approach consistent with Church of England ethical principles. £8,542 is held in bond based pooled investments with the Church of England Short Duration Bond Fund and £11,887 available to the PCC held by the Diocesan Board of Finance. A further amount of £482,369 is held with various banks, of which £77,130 is held on deposit with the Church of England Deposit Fund. Much of the amounts held with Church of England Deposit Fund is held available to be spent on any urgent unplanned building work at St Mary’s church. Bank deposit balances are held at a high level by St Peter’s in anticipation of work to be carried out on the Fabric of St Peter’s.
8. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The key areas the vicar wishes to develop at St Mary’s going into 2026 and beyond are:
-
Adapting and restructuring our systems and processes so that we are better able to maintain the growth we have experienced in the last three years, and to enable more growth in the future. This year Rich Henson is coming on board part time for 6 months as our Acting Strategic Operations Manager, and it is hoped that this increased capacity in our operational abilities will continue in some form.
-
Developing our existing pathways into faith and discipleship, and ensuring they are scalable to meet future growth, and equipping the congregation to be more involved in this ministry.
-
Moving our stewardship from maintenance to mission, with teaching and vision to encourage new and existing members to give sacrificially so that we can meet the added challenges that growth brings.
-
Continuing to have in place a consistent prayer strategy to ensure that we have the vibrant life of prayer to undergird all that we do at St Mary’s, and ensure that we are truly seeking God’s will and acknowledging his sovereignty over all we do.
17
| StatementofFinancialActivitiesfortheParishincorporating | |
|---|---|
| StMary's,5tPeter's andtheThomas ClarksonCentre | 1 |
| Balance Sheetat31 December 2025fortheParish | |
| incorporatingSt Mary's, St Peter's andtheThomas CtarksonCentre | 2 |
| Statementof trustees'responsibitities | 3 |
| AccountingPolicies | 4to5 |
| StMary'sincomeandexpenditure offunds | 6to10 |
| St Mary'sdetails of fundbalances | 11 |
| StPeter'sincome andexpenditure offunds | 12to14 |
| St Peter'sdetailsof fundbalances | 14 |
| Thomas ClarksonCentredetails ofincome andexpenditure | 15 |
| Notesto financiatstatements | 16to23 |
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY'S WITH ST PETER'S BURY ST EDMUNDS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 December 2025
| ST MARY'S | ST PETER'S | ST PETER'S | THOMAS CLARKSON CENTRE | THOMAS CLARKSON CENTRE | THOMAS CLARKSON CENTRE | PARISH | PARISH | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | TOTAL | Unrestricted | Restricted | TOTAL | Unrestricted | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | ||||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | FUNDS | Funds | Funds | FUNDS | Funds | Funds | FUNDS | FUNDS | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Restated | Restated | |||||||||||||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Income and endowments from | ||||||||||||||||
| Donations and legacies | 2(a),2(c),4(a),4(c),6 | 178278 | 20757 | 199035 | 215070 | 88210 | 23499 | 111709 | 91837 | 5850 | 5850 | 1000 | 316594 | 307907 | ||
| Other trading activities | 2(a),2(c),4(a),4(c),6 | 14781 | 2474 | 17255 | 11484 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42673 | 42673 | 46113 | 59928 | 57597 | |||
| Investments | 2(a),2(c),4(a),4(c),6 | 6280 | 19153 | 25433 | 25394 | 855 | 6793 | 7648 | 6295 | 830 | 830 | 838 | 33911 | 32527 | ||
| Charitable activities | 2(a),2(c),4(a),4(c),6 | 6523 | 290 | 6813 | 6915 | 972 | 0 | 972 | 791 | 0 | 7785 | 7706 | ||||
| __ | __ | __ | _ | __ | __ | __ | ___ | __ | __________ | |||||||
| TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | 205862 | 42674 | 248536 | 258863 | 90037 | 30292 | 120329 | 98923 | 49353 | 0 | 49353 | 47951 | 418218 | 405737 | ||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------- | -------------- | -------------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||||
| Expenditure on | ||||||||||||||||
| Raising funds | 2(b),2(d),4(b),4(d),6 | 4329 | 4329 | 2746 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4329 | 2746 | |||||
| Charitable activities | 2(b),2(d),4(b),4(d),6 | 201862 | 57705 | 259567 | 233689 | 84355 | 45423 | 129778 | 107770 | 49787 | 49787 | 40427 | 439132 | 381886 | ||
| __ | __ | __ | _ | __ | __ | __ | ___ | __ | __________ | |||||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 206191 | 57705 | 263896 | 236435 | 84355 | 45423 | 129778 | 107770 | 49787 | 0 | 49787 | 40427 | 443461 | 384632 | ||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------- | -------------- | -------------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||||
| Net gains/(losses) on investments | (5382) | (23484) | (2164) | (31030) | 18413 | 0 | (1728) | (1728) | 7929 | (32758) | 26342 | |||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------- | -------------- | -------------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||||
| Net Income and gains/(expenditure and losses) | (5711) | (38515) | (2164) | (46390) | 40841 | 5682 | (16859) | (11177) | (918) | (434) | 0 | (434) | 7524 | (58001) | 47447 | |
| Transfer between funds | 19837 | (19837) | 0 | 0 | (1200) | 1200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------- | -------------- | -------------------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |||||||||
| Net Income and gains/(expenditure and losses) | ||||||||||||||||
| before other recognised gains and losses | 14126 | (58352) | (2164) | (46390) | 40841 | 4482 | (15659) | (11177) | (918) | (434) | 0 | (434) | 7524 | (58001) | 47447 | |
| Other recognised gains/losses | ||||||||||||||||
| Gains (losses) on revaluation of fixed assets | ||||||||||||||||
| Actuarial gains/losses on defined benefit pension schemes | ||||||||||||||||
| __ | __ | __ | _ | __ | __ | __ | _ | ______ | __ | __________ | ||||||
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | 14126 | (58352) | (2164) | (46390) | 40841 | 4482 | (15659) | (11177) | (918) | (434) | 0 | (434) | 7524 | (58001) | 47447 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 3,5,6 | 226748 | 727820 | 54093 | 1008661 | 967820 | 45309 | 362411 | 407720 | 408638 | 618919 | 0 | 618919 | 611395 | 2035300 | 1987853 |
| at beginning of year | ||||||||||||||||
| __ | __ | __ | _ | __ | __ | __ | _ | ______ | __ | __________ | ||||||
| Total funds carried forward | ||||||||||||||||
| at end of year | 3,5,6 | 240874 | 669468 | 51929 | 962271 | 1008661 | 49791 | 346752 | 396543 | 407720 | 618485 | 0 | 618485 | 618919 | 1977299 | 2035300 |
| **__ ** | __ | __ | _ | **__ ** | **__ ** | __ | **___ ** | **__ ** | __________ |
1
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARYS WIYH ST PETER'S, 8URY ST EDMUNDS BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 Re8t8t8d St Marf5 St Peter'$ Thomas Clark¥on Centre Thomas IHrkson C&nlre Parl&h St Marf$ st Pet*r'$ Parish FIXED ASSETS Tanglble Inveslm8nls Inveslrllenls 10 573599 5T3599 782570 146260 573599 573599 813600 147997 782570 813800 12 146269 147997 CURRENT ASSETS Stock of cards, guides & book8 Deblots and prepayrnenls C£8h 81 bank and in hand 3446 26214 177427 3448 26786 482369 4202 37321 180471 4202 39095 499559 13 572 53174 1774 52720 251768 266368 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors 14 12n861 114941 188601 1377401 1269331 166451 191741 1427521 NET ¢URRENT ASSETS 179701 250274 44886 474861 195061 259723 45320 500104 Loans 15 NET ASSETS 962271 396543 618485 1977299 1008661 407720 618919 2035300 FUNDS 16 Endovffienl ReslriGted Unie$lriGled 51929 669468 240874 51929 1016220 9D9150 54093 727820 226748 54093 1090231 890978 346752 49791 362411 45309 618485 618919 TOTAL FUNDS 962271 396543 618485 1977299 1008661 407720 618919 2035300 This 8alance Sheet forms part of the accounts approved on 24 March 2026 PCC Chairman C Treasurer
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
▪ make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
▪ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. 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.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
-
there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's independent examiners are unaware; and
-
the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the independent examiners are aware of that information.
3
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY'S WITH ST PETER'S, BURY ST EDMUNDS
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ending 31 December 2025
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable accounting standard FRS 102.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of any church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
Fund accounting
General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available to be spent on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. The unrestricted funds of each of St Mary's and St Peter's Churches are, in practice, restricted to the furtherance of mission primarily as decided by the District Council of each respective Church.
Restricted funds are those funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in the notes to the financial statements. Endowment funds, where the capital must be retained, are explained in note 17.
Incoming Resources
Donations and legacies
Planned giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised in the final amount claimable for the tax year ending in the period of accounts plus an interim claim in respect of the next following tax year. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted when the PCC is entitled to the use of the resources, their ultimate receipt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are readily quantifiable.
Income from other trading activities
Funds raised by letting the Thomas Clarkson Centre (parish hall), fund raising events and sales of cards and guides from the church bookstall are accounted for gross.
Income from investment
Dividends and interest are accounted for when declared receivable.
Income from Charitable Activities
Income is recognised for the period in which it is earned.
Resources used
Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC.
4
1 Accounting Policies (Continued)
Activities directly related to the work of the Church
The diocesan parish share expected to be paid over is accounted for when due.
Other expenditure
All other expenditure is recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross.
Gains and losses on investments
Realised gains and losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December.
Fixed Assets
Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings
Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s. 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.
Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church’s Inventory which can be inspected at any reasonable time. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2001, there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts. Items acquired since 1 January 2001 have been capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their currently anticipated useful economic life on a straight line basis.
All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £2,500 or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2001 is written off.
Other land and buildings
The Thomas Clarkson (formerly Hyndman) Centre is shown at valuation so as to conform with SORP issued on 16 July 2014. Prior to SORP 2005 it was excluded since the PCC has a policy of long term retention of these assets. These assets are included at valuation on the balance sheet since reliable cost information is not available. Any expenditure on maintenance is written off as incurred.
Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over 4 years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
Investments
Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.
Current assets
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rent or other income are shown as debtors less any provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.
Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund or at the bank.
5
Note 2 St Mary's Church Summary of income of unrestricted funds
| Total | General | Clergy | Mission | Social & | Sound | Tiddlywinks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | Development | Fellowship | Happy Hands | |||||||
| Income and endowments: donations and legacies | 178278 | 170311 | 5000 | 2967 | ||||||
| Income from other trading activities | 14781 | 14781 | ||||||||
| Income from Investments | 6280 | 2530 | 3750 | |||||||
| Income from Charitable activities | 6523 | 6523 | ||||||||
| Other income | 0 | |||||||||
| Total income of unrestricted funds | 205862 | 194145 | 0 | 8750 | 2967 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Summary of expenditure of unrestricted funds | ||||||||||
| Total | General | Clergy | Mission | Social & | Sound | Tiddlywinks | ||||
| Housing | Development | Fellowship | Happy Hands | |||||||
| Expenditure on Raising Funds | ||||||||||
| Cost of generating Giving income | 0 | |||||||||
| Fundraising trading: costs of goods sold | 4329 | 4329 | ||||||||
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | 201862 | 194265 | 3407 | 4011 | 179 | |||||
| Total expenditure of unrestricted funds | 206191 | 198594 | 0 | 3407 | 4011 | 179 | 0 | |||
| Summary of income of restricted funds | ||||||||||
| Total | Choir | Fabric | Flowers | Grant Aided | Mission | Organ | Phoenix | Projects | ||
| Association | Youth Work | |||||||||
| Income and endowments: donations and legacies | 20757 | 1936 | 563 | 1061 | 9845 | 75 | 7277 | |||
| Income from other trading activities | 2474 | 1593 | 881 | |||||||
| Income from Investments | 19153 | 18865 | 9 | 279 | ||||||
| Income from Charitable activities | 290 | 290 | ||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||||
| Total income of restricted funds | 42674 | 3529 | 19428 | 2241 | 0 | 9845 | 354 | 0 | 7277 | |
| Summary of expenditure of restricted funds | ||||||||||
| Total | Choir | Fabric | Flowers | Grant Aided | Mission | Organ | Phoenix | Projects | ||
| Association | Youth Work | |||||||||
| Expenditure on Raising Funds | ||||||||||
| Fundraising trading: costs of goods sold | 0 | |||||||||
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | 57705 | 3160 | 24715 | 1908 | 13220 | 9845 | 4857 | |||
| Total expenditure of restricted funds | 57705 | 3160 | 24715 | 1908 | 13220 | 9845 | 0 | 0 | 4857 |
6
Note 2(a) St Mary's Church
Income of unrestricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| General | Planned Giving attracting tax relief | 96291 | 92921 | ||
| Tax recovered | 26031 | 28151 | |||
| Collections and visitors' donations | 47989 | 54984 | |||
| ______ | 170311 | _ | 176056 | ||
| Mission Development | Bequests | ||||
| Jane Aston | 1000 | ||||
| Miss Josephine Scott | 5000 | ||||
| ______ | 5000 | _ | 1000 | ||
| Social & Fellowship | Donations | 559 | 337 | ||
| Open Kitchen | 2408 | 2974 | |||
| ______ | 2967 | _ | 3311 | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ||||
| 178278 | 180367 | ||||
| ====== | ====== | ||||
| Income from other trading activities | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| General | Postcards, books & sundries | 3033 | 1619 | ||
| Concerts and fundraising events | 11748 | 9260 | |||
| --------- | --------- | ||||
| 14781 | 10879 | ||||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Income from Investments | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| General | Interest and dividends | 2530 | 2758 | ||
| Mission Development | Interest and dividends | 3750 | 3663 | ||
| --------- | --------- | ||||
| 6280 | 6421 | ||||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Income from Charitable | activities | ||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| General | Wedding etc. fees | 6523 | 6485 | ||
| --------- | --------- | ||||
| Total | 6523 | 6485 | |||
| ===== | ===== |
7
Note 2(b) St Mary's Church
Expenditure of unrestricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure on Raising funds | |||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
| General | Cost of generating voluntary giving | ||||
| Postcards, books & sundries | 908 | 692 | |||
| Costs of concerts and fundraising events | 3421 | 2054 | |||
| --------- | --------- | ||||
| 4329 | 2746 | ||||
| ===== | ===== |
Expenditure on Charitable activities
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Parish Share paid to Diocese | 78915 | 80330 | ||
| Clergy expenses | 857 | 1656 | |||
| Alpha course etc. | 714 | 798 | |||
| Children's material | 122 | 394 | |||
| Bibles, books, wine & candles | 1445 | 1244 | |||
| Musical costs | 22776 | 17184 | |||
| Utilities & insurance | 34126 | 35764 | |||
| Wedding etc. expenses | 1767 | 2248 | |||
| ______ | 140722 | ______ | 139618 | ||
| General | Office running costs | 568 | 1208 | ||
| Parish administrators | 21350 | 20810 | |||
| Payroll administration | 1584 | 1620 | |||
| Youth work subscription | 252 | 252 | |||
| Caretaker work at Sunday services | 2249 | 1976 | |||
| Printing, stationery and advertising | 5493 | 2485 | |||
| Photocopying & paper | 602 | 733 | |||
| Sundries | 1369 | 1674 | |||
| Telephone | 621 | 563 | |||
| Deanery | 20 | 20 | |||
| Independent Examination costs | 1092 | 1092 | |||
| ______ | 35200 | ______ | 32433 | ||
| General | Grants made | 18343 | 17906 | ||
| Clergy Housing Maintenance | Work on conservatory | 629 | |||
| Mission Development | Audio Visual system improvements | 3407 | |||
| Social & Fellowship | Refreshments etc. | 2316 | 1346 | ||
| Costs of Open Kitchen | 1695 | 2312 | |||
| ______ | 4011 | ______ | 3658 | ||
| Sound | Microphones, batteries etc. | 179 | 342 | ||
| ------------ | ------------ | ||||
| Total | 201862 | 194586 | |||
| ======= | ======= |
8
Note 2(c) St Mary's Church
Income of restricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Choir Association | Donations and subscriptions etc. | 1936 | |||
| Fabric | Other grants and donations | 63 | 629 | ||
| Bequest - Ronald Leslie Steele | 500 | ||||
| Bequest - Heulwen Stewart | 2000 | ||||
| _____ | 563 | _____ | 2629 | ||
| Flower | Donations | 61 | |||
| Bequest - Miss Josephine Scott | 1000 | ||||
| _____ | 1061 | _____ | 0 | ||
| Grant aided Youth Work | Diocesan grant | 20000 | |||
| Mission | Collections and monthly giving | 9845 | 4816 | ||
| Organ | Donations | 75 | 50 | ||
| Projects | Concert proceeds for music ministry | 90 | |||
| Donation for Children's library | 50 | ||||
| Donation for gardener at vicarage | 1000 | ||||
| Donation Time Together | 285 | 326 | |||
| Christmas events | 1027 | 32 | |||
| Donations for staff wages | 5875 | 5800 | |||
| _____ | 7277 | _____ | 7208 | ||
| ---------- | -------- | ||||
| 20757 | 34703 | ||||
| ====== | ===== | ||||
| Income from other trading | activities | ||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Choir Association | Fund raising income | 1593 | |||
| Flower | Fund raising income | 881 | 605 | ||
| --------- | --------- | ||||
| Total | 2474 | 605 | |||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Income from Investments | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Fabric | Dividends from Sayer bequest | 916 | 894 | ||
| Dividends from Rae bequest | 6141 | 5998 | |||
| Dividends from Fursland portfolio | 6839 | 6681 | |||
| Other investment income | 4969 | 5113 | |||
| _____ | 18865 | _____ | 18686 | ||
| Flower | 9 | 15 | |||
| Organ | Dividends from Plumpton bequest | 279 | 272 | ||
| --------- | -------- | ||||
| Total | 19153 | 18973 | |||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Income from Charitable activities | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Flower | Wedding fees & donations | 290 | 430 | ||
| --------- | -------- | ||||
| Total | 290 | 430 | |||
| ===== | ===== |
9
Note 2(d) St Mary's Church
Expenditure of restricted funds
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditure on Raising funds | |||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on Charitable | activities | ||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
| Choir Association | Choir activities | 3160 | 0 | ||
| Fabric | Carpentry | 12199 | 3284 | ||
| Caretaker | 6258 | 6219 | |||
| Flags and flagpole repairs | 300 | ||||
| Glass repairs | 288 | ||||
| Heaters and water heater | 834 | ||||
| Lighting and electrical | 3285 | 1966 | |||
| Miscellaneous | 897 | 879 | |||
| Painting | 145 | ||||
| Pew cushions | 12035 | ||||
| Quinquennial work | 417 | ||||
| Statutory tests & maintenance | 1242 | 1237 | |||
| ______ | 24715 | ______ | 26770 | ||
| Flower | Provision of flowers etc. | 1908 | 1228 | ||
| Grant aided Youth Work | Employment costs | 12784 | 5275 | ||
| Expenses | 436 | 110 | |||
| ______ | 13220 | ______ | 5385 | ||
| Mission | Grants made | 9845 | 4816 | ||
| Projects | Choir piano | 3416 | |||
| Gardener at vicarage | 405 | 639 | |||
| Christmas through the Keyhole | 892 | ||||
| Sometimes on Sunday | 67 | 53 | |||
| Time Together | 77 | 212 | |||
| ______ | 4857 | ______ | 904 | ||
| ---------- | --------- | ||||
| Total | 57705 | 39103 | |||
| ====== | ===== |
10
Note 3 St Mary's Church Details of Fund Balances at end of year
| Fund Balances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | |||
| General Fund | 34396 | 17058 | |
| Surplus on CBF Shares | 29805 | 31105 | |
| Clergy Housing Maintenance Fund | 3171 | 2371 | |
| Mission Development Fund | 131103 | 129510 | |
| Surplus on Mission Development portfolio | 41462 | 45544 | |
| Social and Fellowship | 358 | 402 | |
| Sound Fund | 49 | 228 | |
| Tiddlywinks/Happy Hands | 530 | 530 | |
| ----------- | ----------- | ||
| 3(A) | 240874 | 226748 | |
| ====== | ===== | ||
| Restricted Funds | |||
| Choir Association | 5321 | 4952 | |
| Fabric Fund | 248252 | 267501 | |
| Flower Fund | 1508 | 1175 | |
| Grant Aided Youth Work | 1395 | 14615 | |
| Mission Fund | 0 | 0 | |
| Organ Fund | 39592 | 39238 | |
| Phoenix Folk Group | 1 | 1 | |
| Projects Fund | 9063 | 12518 | |
| Surplus on Croasdale & fabric | |||
| committee portfolios | 24768 | 26063 | |
| Surplus on DBF deposit | 10398 | 9892 | |
| Surplus on Fursland portfolio | 108665 | 118492 | |
| Surplus on Porter portfolio | 58150 | 62182 | |
| Surplus on Rae portfolio | 162355 | 171191 | |
| ----------- | ----------- | ||
| 3(B) | 669468 | 727820 | |
| ====== | ===== |
Expenditure on St Mary's Fabric can have recourse to the amount of the aggregate balances on the Fabric Fund plus the surpluses on the Croasdale & fabric committee, Fursland, Porter and Rae portfolios. At 31 December 2025 this was £602,190 (2024 £645,429)
| Endowment Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sayer Bequest | 31633 | 32950 |
| Plumpton Bequest | 9634 | 10035 |
| Raingate Street Charity | 3863 | 4023 |
| Chancel Repair Fund | 5439 | 5665 |
| J Sutton Charity | 406 | 426 |
| St Mary's Estate | 710 | 740 |
| Lady Rivers Charity | 244 | 254 |
| --------- | --------- | |
| 51929 | 54093 | |
| ===== | ===== |
11
Note 4 St Peter's Church
| Summary of income of unrestricted funds | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | General | Daphne | ||||||
| Swatman | ||||||||
| Mission | ||||||||
| Income and endowments: donations and legacies | 88210 | 87369 | 841 | |||||
| Income from other trading activities | ||||||||
| Income from Investments | 855 | 855 | ||||||
| Income from Charitable activities | 972 | 972 | ||||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| Total income of unrestricted funds | 90037 | 88341 | 1696 | |||||
| Summary of expenditure of unrestricted funds | ||||||||
| Total | General | Daphne | ||||||
| Swatman | ||||||||
| Mission | ||||||||
| Expenditure on Raising Funds | ||||||||
| Fundraising trading: costs of goods sold | ||||||||
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | 84355 | 82580 | 1775 | |||||
| Total expenditure of unrestricted funds | 84355 | 82580 | 1775 | |||||
| Summary of income of restricted funds | ||||||||
| Total | Fabric | Little Fishes | Love Gift | Lunch | Mission | People | Tea | |
| (Toddler) | & Chat | in Need | & Chat | |||||
| Income and endowments: donations and legacies | 23499 | 10065 | 164 | 2387 | 10883 | |||
| Income from other trading activities | ||||||||
| Income from Investments | 6793 | 6793 | ||||||
| Income from Charitable activities | ||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| Total income of restricted funds | 30292 | 16858 | 164 | 0 | 2387 | 10883 | 0 | 0 |
| Summary of expenditure of restricted funds | ||||||||
| Total | Fabric | Little Fishes | Love Gift | Lunch | Mission | People | Tea | |
| (Toddler) | & Chat | in Need | & Chat | |||||
| Expenditure on Raising Funds | 0 | |||||||
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | 45423 | 31217 | 45 | 650 | 2028 | 10883 | 600 | |
| Total expenditure of unrestricted funds | 45423 | 31217 | 45 | 650 | 2028 | 10883 | 600 | 0 |
12
Note 4(a) St Peter's Church Income of unrestricted funds
2025 2024
| Income and endowments | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies | |||||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||||
| General | Regular Planned Giving | 66784 | 63864 | ||||
| Tax recovered | 15325 | 14655 | |||||
| Other collections and donations | 4900 | 1535 | |||||
| Special events/miscellaneous | 360 | 70 | |||||
| ______ | 87369 | ______ | 80124 | ||||
| Daphne Swatman Mission | Donations | 841 | 300 | ||||
| ----------- | ----------- | ||||||
| 88210 | 80424 | ||||||
| ====== | ===== | ||||||
| Income from Investments | |||||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||||
| Daphne Swatman Mission | Interest | 855 | 817 | ||||
| ----------- | ----------- | ||||||
| 855 | 817 | ||||||
| ===== | ===== | ||||||
| Income from Charitable activities | |||||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||||
| General | Wedding etc. fees | 972 | 791 | ||||
| ===== | ===== | ||||||
| Note 4(b) St Peter's Church | |||||||
| Expenditure of unrestricted funds | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Expenditure on Charitable | activities | ||||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||||
| General | Parish Share paid to | ||||||
| Diocese | 65085 | 63670 | |||||
| Clergy, readers & others' expenses | 539 | 493 | |||||
| Bibles, wine, candles & flowers | 622 | 195 | |||||
| Musical activities costs | 449 | 632 | |||||
| Utilities, insurance & maintenance | 3307 | 3116 | |||||
| Wedding etc. expenses | 434 | 50 | |||||
| Specific groups/services | 347 | 613 | |||||
| ______ | 70783 | ______ | 68769 | ||||
| Parish administration | 4000 | 4439 | |||||
| Depreciation | |||||||
| Printing, photocopying and advert. | 462 | 419 | |||||
| Miscellaneous | 757 | 170 | |||||
| Independent Examination Fee | 312 | 312 | |||||
| ______ | 5531 | ______ | 5340 | ||||
| General | Grants made | 6266 | 6191 | ||||
| ______ | 82580 | ______ | 80300 | ||||
| Daphne Swatman Mission | Outreach expenditure | 1775 | 1416 | ||||
| ----------- | ----------- | ||||||
| Total | 84355 | 81716 | |||||
| ====== | ===== |
13
Note 4(c) St Peter's Church Income of restricted funds
| Note 4(c) St Peter's Church Income of restricted funds |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Fabric | Donations | 10065 | 0 | ||
| Little Fishes | Donations & subscriptions | 164 | 250 | ||
| Love Gift | Donations | 0 | 0 | ||
| Lunch and Chat | Donations & subscriptions | 2387 | 2051 | ||
| Mission | Collections and monthly giving | 10883 | 9039 | ||
| People in Need | Donations | 0 | 0 | ||
| Tea and Chat | Donations | 0 | 73 | ||
| ----------- | ------------ | ||||
| Total | 23499 | 11413 | |||
| ====== | ======= | ||||
| Income from Investments | |||||
| Fund | Description of Income | ||||
| Fabric | Interest | 6793 | 4774 | ||
| ----------- | ----------- | ||||
| Total | 6793 | 4774 | |||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Note 4(d) St Peter's Church | |||||
| Expenditure of restricted funds | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Expenditure on raising Funds | |||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on Charitable activities | |||||
| Fund | Description of Expenditure | ||||
| Fabric | Building Extension | 25640 | 10352 | ||
| Insurance | 1402 | 1362 | |||
| Maintenance | 3752 | 2119 | |||
| Miscellaneous | 423 | 370 | |||
| ______ | 31217 | ______ | 14203 | ||
| Little Fishes | Expenditure of Toddlers | 45 | 154 | ||
| Love Gift | Support given | 650 | 300 | ||
| Lunch and Chat | Provision of meals | 2028 | 1458 | ||
| Mission | Grants made | 10883 | 9039 | ||
| People in Need | Support given | 600 | 900 | ||
| Tea and Chat | Social expenditure | ||||
| --------- | -------- | ||||
| 45423 | 26054 | ||||
| ===== | ===== | ||||
| Note 5 St Peter's Church | |||||
| Details of Fund Balances at | end of year | ||||
| Fund Balances | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Unrestricted Funds | General Fund | 31594 | 27033 | ||
| Daphne Swatman Mission | 18197 | 18276 | |||
| --------- | ----------- | ||||
| 49791 | 45309 | ||||
| ===== | ====== | ||||
| Restricted Funds | Fabric | 262518 | 276173 | ||
| Surplus on Fabric portfolio | 76269 | 78701 | |||
| Little Fishes (Toddler Group) | 594 | 475 | |||
| Love Gift | 1496 | 1546 | |||
| Lunch and Chat | 952 | 593 | |||
| Mission | 0 | 0 | |||
| People in Need | 4850 | 4850 | |||
| Tea and Chat | 73 | 73 | |||
| --------- | ----------- | ||||
| 346752 | 362411 | ||||
| ===== | ===== |
14
Note 6 Thomas Clarkson Centre Details of income and expenditure
Destination
Note THOMAS CLARKSON CENTRE
For the year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| General Fund | |||||
| Income | |||||
| 6(a) | Local Authority Grant | 850 | 1000 | ||
| 6(b) | Donations | 5000 | |||
| 6(c) | Hiring income | 42673 | 46113 | ||
| 6(d) | Bank interest | 830 | 838 | ||
| ______ | 49353 | _____ | 47951 | ||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Cleaning | 8256 | 7976 | |||
| Gas | 2537 | 4654 | |||
| Electricity | 2126 | 1913 | |||
| Refuse Collection | 545 | 469 | |||
| Water Rates | 673 | 983 | |||
| Insurance | 1034 | 1015 | |||
| Maintenance & Fittings | 15940 | 4364 | |||
| Building works | |||||
| Internet | 463 | 548 | |||
| Sundry expenditure | 57 | 349 | |||
| Independent Examination | 156 | 156 | |||
| Administration of bookings | 6000 | 6000 | |||
| Parish Share paid to Diocese | 12000 | 12000 | |||
| 6(e) | ______ | (49787) | _____ | (40427) | |
| _ | _ | ||||
| Surplus/(deficit) for year | (434) | 7524 | |||
| 6(g) | Balance b/f | 614919 | 611395 | ||
| Transfer to Refurbishment Fund | (4000) | (4000) | |||
| --------- | ---------- | ||||
| 6(h) | Balance c/f | 610485 | 614919 | ||
| ====== | ====== |
Refurbishment Fund
- 6(i) Income
6(j) Expenditure
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| _ | _ | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for year | 0 | 0 |
| Balance b/f | 4000 | 0 |
| Transfer from General Fund | 4000 | 4000 |
| -------- | -------- | |
| Balance c/f | 8000 | 4000 |
| ==== | ==== |
15
7 Staff costs
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025
| 7 Staff costs | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Thomas | |||||
| St Mary's | St Peter's | Clarkson | Parish | Parish | |
| Centre | |||||
| Wages, salaries and social security | 72555 | 4000 | 13104 | 89659 | 75062 |
During the year the PCC employed at St Mary's a Director of Music, assistant organists, two parish administrators, a caretaker, a cleaner and various youth workers. The administrators and youth workers were based mainly at St Mary's and met the needs of both churches and the Thomas Clarkson Centre. The PCC also employed a cleaner at the Thomas Clarkson Centre.
All employees earned below £60,000 pa. All employees were employed part time.
The average number of full time equivalent employees for the year for the Parish was 4.
Employers' National Insurance costs amounting to £ nil (2024 £ nil) were included in the costs reported in this note.
Employers' occupational pension costs under a defined contribution scheme with NEST amounted to £3,517 (2024 £2,991).
The salaries paid in the year to PCC employees who were also members of PCC or close family of such members were as follows: Administrator including Events Management Mrs J Crofts £22,750.
The salaries of the Administrators are set by St Mary's Finance Committee. Mrs J Crofts is not a member of that committee. The salaries are endorsed by the PCC. Mrs J Crofts disqualifies herself from consideration by the PCC of her salary.
Two members of the PCC were reimbursed travelling, telephone and other expenses totalling £1,138.
8 Investment Income
The gross investment income arising from each class of investment is disclosed as follows.
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restated | |||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Thomas | |||||
| St Mary's St Peter's |
Clarkson | Parish | Parish | ||
| Centre | |||||
| Income from investments listed on a | |||||
| recognised stock exchange and from ones | |||||
| valued by reference to such investments | 22192 | 22192 | 21600 | ||
| Other investments - cash deposits | 3241 | 7648 | 830 | 11719 | 10223 |
| ______ | _____ | _____ | ______ | _____ | |
| 25433 | 7648 | 830 | 33911 | 31823 | |
| ===== | ==== | ===== | ====== | ===== | |
| 9 Transfers between Funds | |||||
| Funds affected | Reason for transfer | ||||
| St Mary's | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| From Fabric Fund to General Fund | Insurance/alarm on Fabric met by Fabric Fund | 9094 | 8768 | ||
| To General Fund from Fabric Fund | Insurance/alarm on Fabric met by Fabric Fund | (9094) | (8768) | ||
| From Fabric Fund to General Fund | Cost of heating Fabric met by Fabric Fund | 4868 | 6159 | ||
| To General Fund from Fabric Fund | Cost of heating Fabric met by Fabric Fund | (4868) | (6159) | ||
| To Sound Fund from General Fund | Maintenance and operation of sound system | 500 | |||
| From General Fund to Sound Fund | Maintenance and operation of sound system | (500) | |||
| To Social & Fellowship Fund from General Fund | To supplement income of Social & Fellowship Fund | 1000 | |||
| From General Fund to Social & Fellowship Fund Fund | To supplement income of Social & Fellowship Fund | (1000) | |||
| From Projects Fund to General Fund | Donations restricted to paying Staff wages | 5875 | 5800 | ||
| To General Fund from Projects Fund | Donations restricted to paying Staff wages | (5875) | (5800) | ||
| To Clergy Housing Fund from General Fund | Addition to designated fund to maintain housing | 800 | 800 | ||
| From General Fund to Clergy Housing Fund | Addition to designated fund to maintain housing | (800) | (800) | ||
| From Mission Development Fund to General Fund | Investment income used to support General | Fund | 3750 | 3663 | |
| To General Fund from Mission Development Fund | Investment income used to support General | Fund | (3750) | (3663) | |
| From Mission Development Fund to General Fund | Previous years' income to support General Fund and restoration | (27138) | |||
| To General Fund from Mission Development Fund | Previous years' income to support General Fund and restoration | 27138 | |||
| From Mission Development Fund to Fabric Fund | Cost of pew cushions borne by Mission Development Fund | 12035 | |||
| To Mission Development Fund from Fabric Fund | Cost of pew cushions borne by Mission Development Fund | (12035) |
Total Transfers
St Peter's
From General Fund to Love Gift Fund To Love Gift Fund from General Fund From General Fund to People in Need To People in Need from General Fund
Thomas Clarkson Centre
From General Fund to Refurbishment Fund To Refurbishment Fund from General Fund
| __ | ______ | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | |
| ======= | ======= | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Tithed giving to support Love Gift Fund | 600 | 600 |
| Tithed giving to support Love Gift Fund | (600) | (600) |
| Tithed giving for People in Need Fund | 600 | 600 |
| Tithed giving for People in Need Fund | (600) | (600) |
| __ | ______ | |
| 0 | 0 | |
| ======= | ======= | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Creation of designated fund for work on building & contents | (4000) | (4000) |
| Creation of designated fund for work on building & contents | 4000 | 4000 |
| __ | ______ | |
| 0 | 0 | |
| ======= | ======= |
16
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
10 Fixed assets for use by PCC
St Mary's £
| £ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Office Equipment |
Projector | Audio Visual Equipment |
Copier | Total | ||
| Cost | At 31 December 2024 | 1767 | 6695 | 0 | 2645 | 11107 |
| Additions | 0 | |||||
| Disposals | 0 | |||||
| Cost | At 31 December 2025 | 1767 | 6695 | 0 | 2645 | 11107 |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Accumulated depreciation | At 31 December 2024 | 1767 | 6695 | 0 | 2645 | 11107 |
| Charge for year | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Depreciation on disposals | 0 | |||||
| Accumulated depreciation | At 31 December 2025 | 1767 | 6695 | 0 | 2645 | 11107 |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Net Book Value | At 31 December 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| Net Book Value | At 31 December 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | ||
| St Peter's | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
| Chairs | Audio Visual Equipment |
Copier | Total | |||
| Cost | At 31 December 2024 | 9419 | 0 | 1323 | 10742 | |
| Additions | 0 | |||||
| Disposals | 0 | |||||
| Cost | At 31 December 2025 | 9419 | 0 | 1323 | 10742 | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | |||
| Accumulated depreciation | At 31 December 2024 | 9419 | 0 | 1323 | 10742 | |
| Charge for year | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Depreciation on disposals | 0 | |||||
| Accumulated depreciation | At 31 December 2025 | 9419 | 0 | 1323 | 10742 | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | |||
| Net Book Value | At 31 December 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | |||
| Net Book Value | At 31 December 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| ==== | ==== | ==== | ==== | |||
| Thomas Clarkson Centre | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Property at valuation | At 31 December 2012 & 2013 | 250000 | 250000 | |||
| Expenditure of Development to 31 December 2009 | 21776 | 21776 | ||||
| Expenditure of Development Y/E 31 December 2010 | 104934 | 104934 | ||||
| Expenditure of Development Y/E 31 December 2011 | 185375 | 185375 | ||||
| Expenditure of Development Y/E 31 December 2012 | 7714 | 7714 | ||||
| Expenditure of Development Y/E 31 December 2013 | 3800 | 3800 | ||||
| ______ | ______ | |||||
| Valuation and development | expenditure at end of year | 573599 | 573599 | |||
| ======= | ====== |
The Clarkson Centre has been included at a valuation as at 31 December 2005 together with expenditure on work on the extension to the Centre. The valuation was carried out by Tony Redman, MA, BSc, FRICS, IHBC. His qualification to carry out this valuation is as a partner in the firm of Whitworth Co-Partnership, Chartered Architects and Surveyors.
The basis of valuation is to value the PCC's freehold interest in the School Unit, car park and orchard at Hospital Road Bury St Edmunds on a "value in use" basis. The valuation excludes the consecrated ground and the structure of St Peter's Church. It recognises that the use of the site is limited to any ecclesiastical purpose affecting the parish and any purposes in connection with educational schemes for providing facilities for the spiritual moral and physical training of persons residing in or near the parish. The title to the site is held as custodian trustee by the Diocesan Board of Finance.
There are no surviving records of the historical cost of this site.
It was not valued prior to 2005, since, under SORP 1995, it has been excluded from the Balance Sheet by reason of its having been regarded as an "historic asset".
Depreciation has not been charged in respect of the Thomas Clarkson Centre. This is in the context of the potential depreciation charge and the accumulated depreciation not being material because the estimated residual value of the asset is not materially different from the carrying amount of the asset. The asset has been subject to an impairment review. That review has concluded that the net realisable value is not lower than the net book value.
17
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
| 11 Investments | ||
|---|---|---|
| St Mary's | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ |
£ | |
| Endowments at market value | 51929 | 54093 |
| General Fund assets | ||
| - Central Board of Finance at market value (cost £1,406; 2024 £1,406) | 31211 | 32511 |
| Chancel Repair assets at market value | ||
| - St Edmundsbury and Ipswich DBF | 11887 | 11381 |
| Rae portfolio at market value | ||
| - Central Board of Finance Investment Fund (cost £101,503; 2024 £101,503) | 212186 | 221022 |
| Croasdale and Fabric Committee portfolios at market value | ||
| - Central Board of Finance Investment Fund (cost £15,453; 2024 £15,453) | 31094 | 32389 |
| Mission Development portfolio at market value | ||
| - Central Board of Finance Fixed Interest Fund (cost £9,447; 2024 £9,447) | 8542 | 8338 |
| - Central Board of Finance Investment Fund (cost £54,764; 2024 £54,764) | 102920 | 107206 |
| Porter portfolio at market value | ||
| - CBF Investment Fund (cost £71,487; 2024 £71,487) | 96816 | 100848 |
| Fursland portfolio at market value | ||
| - CBF Investment Fund (original value £163,996; 2024 £163,996) | 235985 | 245812 |
| __ | __ | |
| 782570 | 813600 | |
| ======= | ======= | |
| 12 Investments | ||
| St Peter's | 2025 | 2024 |
| Restated | ||
| £ |
£ | |
| Fabric portfolio at market value | ||
| - Central Board of Finance Investment fund (cost £82,795; 2024 £82,795) | 146269 | 147997 |
| ===== | ===== |
| 13 Debtors | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's St Peter's | Thomas Clarkson |
Parish | Parish | ||
| Centre | 2024 | ||||
| Tax recoverable: | |||||
| restricted funds | 610 | 610 | 640 | ||
| unrestricted funds | |||||
| Restricted funds | 3597 | 3597 | 2791 | ||
| Prepayments | 569 | 50 | 619 | 555 | |
| Amounts due from other | |||||
| parts of Parish | 213 | ||||
| Other debtors | 21438 | 522 | 21960 | 34896 | |
| ______ | _ | _ | ______ | ______ | |
| 26214 | 0 | 572 | 26786 | 39095 | |
| ====== | ======= | ====== | ====== | ====== | |
| 14 Current liabilities | |||||
| St Mary's St Peter's | Thomas Clarkson |
Parish | Parish | ||
| Centre | 2024 | ||||
| Creditor restricted funds: | |||||
| Mission collections | 2473 | 1489 | 3962 | 4247 | |
| Fabric | |||||
| Other | 36 | 36 | 146 | ||
| Accruals & deferred income | 21927 | 8860 | 30787 | 33637 | |
| Amounts due to other | |||||
| parts of Parish | 213 | ||||
| Other creditors | 2950 | 5 | 2955 | 4509 | |
| ______ | _____ | _____ | ______ | _____ | |
| 27386 | 1494 | 8860 | 37740 | 42752 | |
| ====== | ===== | ====== | ====== | ===== |
18
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2025
15 Loans
No loans received from outside the PCC were outstanding at any time in the period of these financial statements
16 Analysis of Net Assets by Fund
| 16 Analysis of Net Assets by Fund | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's | Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed asset investments | |||||
| Endowments | 51929 | 51929 | 54093 | ||
| CBF Investments | 31211 | 31211 | 32511 | ||
| DBF Investments | 11887 | 11887 | 11381 | ||
| Rae portfolio | 212186 | 212186 | 221022 | ||
| Porter portfolio | 96816 | 96816 | 100848 | ||
| Tangible assets | 0 | 0 | |||
| Current asset investments | |||||
| Croasdale & Fabric Committee | 31094 | 31094 | 32389 | ||
| CBF Mission Development portfolio | 111462 | 111462 | 115544 | ||
| Stock of guides, cards & books | 3446 | 3446 | 4202 | ||
| Debtors & prepayments | 22007 | 4207 | 26214 | 37321 | |
| CBF Deposit Fund balances | 15187 | 29638 | 44825 | 44825 | |
| Bank balances & deposits | 82438 | 49953 | 132391 | 135435 | |
| Creditors | (24877) | (2509) | (27386) | (26933) | |
| _ | _ | ______ | __ | __ | |
| 240874 | 433272 | 51929 | 726075 | 762638 | |
| Current asset investment | |||||
| For St Mary Fabric Fund | |||||
| Reginald Fursland portfolio | |||||
| CBF Investment Fund | 235985 | 235985 | 245812 | ||
| CBF Deposit Fund balances | 211 | 211 | 211 | ||
| _ | _ | ______ | __ | __ | |
| 240874 | 669468 | 51929 | 962271 | 1008661 | |
| ======= | ======= | ====== | ======= | ======= | |
| St Peter's | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |||
| Restated | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Tangible Assets | 0 | 0 | |||
| Bank balances & deposits | 49796 | 201972 | 251768 | 266368 | |
| CBF Investments | 146269 | 146269 | 147997 | ||
| Debtors & prepayments | 0 | 0 | |||
| Creditors | (5) | (1489) | (1494) | (6645) | |
| _ | _ | __ | __ | ||
| 49791 | 346752 | 396543 | 407720 | ||
| ======= | ======= | ======= | ======= | ||
| Thomas Clarkson Centre | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Property | 250000 | 250000 | 250000 | ||
| Expenditure on development | 323599 | 323599 | 323599 | ||
| Bank balances & deposits | 53174 | 53174 | 52720 | ||
| Debtors & prepayments | 572 | 572 | 1774 | ||
| Creditors | (8860) | (8860) | (9174) | ||
| _ | _ | __ | __ | ||
| 618485 | 0 | 618485 | 618919 | ||
| ======= | ======= | ======= | ======= |
19
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
| 17 Fund details | |
|---|---|
| St Mary's | |
| The unrestricted funds were designated as follows : | |
| General Fund | furtherance of the mission of St Mary's |
| Surplus on CBF shares | surplus on General Fund investment therefore available to supplement General Fund |
| Clergy Housing Fund | fund to finance maintenance of Clergy Housing for areas not maintained by Diocese |
| Mission Development | financing of projects to advance the mission of St Mary's |
| Surplus on Mission | surplus on Mission Development Fund investments therefore available to supplement |
| Development portfolio | Mission Development Fund |
| Social & Fellowship Fund | internal and external mission |
| Sound Fund | maintenance and refurbishment of sound system |
| Tiddlywinks/Happy Hands Fund | work with young children & parents |
| The restricted funds consist of: | |
| Choir Association | to maintain and develop St Mary's Choir |
| Fabric Fund | to maintain and improve the Church fabric |
| Flowers Fund | provision of flowers and floral displays |
| Grant Aided Youth Work Fund | to provided Youth Work support by Diocesan grants |
| Mission Fund | collections on behalf of other church societies & secular charities |
| Organ Fund | to renovate and improve the Church organ |
| Phoenix Folk Group Fund | to bring music to the wider community; dormant |
| Projects Fund | Projects to improve the environment for worship within St Mary's |
| Surplus on Fursland portfolio | Surplus on investments held from 2011 for Fabric Fund therefore available to |
| supplement Fabric Fund | |
| Surplus on Porter portfolio | Surplus on Fabric Fund investments therefore available to supplement Fabric Fund |
| Surplus on Rae portfolio | Surplus on Fabric Fund investments therefore available to supplement Fabric Fund |
| Surplus on DBF deposit | to maintain and improve the Church fabric particularly the Chancel |
| Surplus on Croasdale | |
| bequest & fabric stocks | Surplus on Fabric Fund investments therefore available to supplement Fabric Fund |
| The endowment funds consist of | : |
| Name | Value (£) Valuation Date Endowment in favour of |
| Sayer bequest | 31633 31/12/2025 Fabric |
| Plumpton bequest | 9634 31/12/2025 Organ |
| Raingate Street charity | 3863 31/12/2025 General/Mission Development |
| Chancel Repair Fund | 5439 31/12/2025 Fabric/insurance |
| J Sutton | 406 31/12/2025 General |
| St Mary's Estate | 710 31/12/2025 General |
| Lady Rivers Charity | 244 31/12/2025 General |
Though St Mary's receives the income on the Sayer Bequest, Plumpton bequest and Raingate Street Charity, and is entitled to the income on the Chancel repair fund, the capital is held by the Diocesan Board of Finance, as custodian trustee who hold the capital in the form of shares in the Central Board of Finance Investment Fund. St Mary's PCC holds the capital of the J Sutton, St Mary's Estate and Lady Rivers Charity in the form of shares in COIF Charities Investment Fund, shares in the CBF Investment Fund and shares in the CBF Investment Fund respectively. These are all permanent endowments which the PCC is not permitted to realise.
20
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
17 Fund details (Continued) St Peter's
The unrestricted fund consists of :
General Daphne Swatman Mission Fund
furtherance of the mission of St Peter's bequests and donations for the development of mission This fund was characterised prior to 2013 as a Restricted Fund In 2016 this fund was renamed and absorbed the balance of the formerly named Mission Development Fund
The restricted funds consist of:
Fabric Fund
Surplus on Fabric portfolio
Little Fishes (Toddler Group) Fund Love Gift Fund
Lunch and Chat Fund Mission Fund People in Immediate Need Fund People in Need Fund Social & Fellowship Fund Tea and Chat Fund
to maintain, reorder and improve the Church fabric In 2016 this fund was renamed and absorbed the balance of the formerly named Reordering Fund Surplus on Fabric Fund investments therefore available to supplement Fabric Fund work with young children & parents giving a gift that is not urgent or essential but an expression of God’s love, expressed through His church provision of meals and companionship for older people collections on behalf of other church societies & secular charities renamed 2024 People in Need Fund giving relief to people in need internal and external mission; dormant contributions from an informal series of afternoon meetings
Thomas Clarkson Centre
The unrestricted fund consists of: General Fund Refurbishment Fund The restricted fund consists of: Appeal for equipment
letting and investment income and running costs reserves designated to be used for major work on building & contents
Special appeal for equipment and expenditure on that equipment; dormant
18 Bequests
The total bequests and donations in memoriam for the year were as follows
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| St Mary's | St Peter's | Parish | Parish | |
| Restricted and Designated Funds | ||||
| including Fabric Fund | ||||
| Miss Josephine Scott | 1000 | 1000 | ||
| Ronald Leslie Steele | 500 | 500 | ||
| Heulwen Stewart | 0 | 2000 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | ||||
| Jane Aston | 0 | 1000 | ||
| Heather Glasswell | 1000 | 1000 | ||
| Anne Hutton | 0 | 607 | ||
| Miss Josephine Scott | 5000 | 5000 | ||
| _ | _ | ______ | _ | |
| 7500 | 0 | 7500 | 3607 | |
| ======= | ======= | ====== | ====== |
19 Grants made and collections paid to others
The following grants were made to other organisations and individuals
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| St Mary's | ||
| from restricted funds | 9845 | 4816 |
| from unrestricted funds | 18343 | 17906 |
| ---------- | ---------- | |
| total | 28188 | 22722 |
| ===== | ===== | |
| St Peter's | ||
| from restricted funds | 10883 | 9039 |
| from unrestricted funds | 6266 | 6191 |
| ---------- | ---------- | |
| total | 17149 | 15230 |
| ===== | ===== | |
| Parish total | 45337 | 37952 |
| ===== | ===== |
21
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
19 Grants made and collections paid to others (Continued)
The recipients of these grants were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's | St Peter's | Parish | Parish | |
| £ | £ | |||
| A2B (Aid to Balkans) | 1436 | 1436 | 1200 | |
| BCY | 1328 | 1225 | 2553 | 2871 |
| Bury Drop In Centre | 1641 | 1641 | 1671 | |
| Bury Town Pastors | 1311 | 1293 | 2604 | 2871 |
| Cancer Research UK | 1111 | 1111 | ||
| Cantus Firmus Trust | 1065 | 1065 | ||
| CAP (Christians Against Poverty) | 1337 | 1337 | 1200 | |
| Children's Society | 50 | 50 | ||
| Churches Together | 66 | 66 | 132 | 207 |
| Dignity Freedom Network | 1340 | 1340 | 1671 | |
| Gaza Appeal | 583 | 583 | ||
| Global Hope | 105 | |||
| Montgomery Heights | 1811 | 1811 | 1671 | |
| MyWish charity | 350 | 350 | ||
| OMF International | 20 | |||
| Open Doors | 1401 | 1401 | 1145 | |
| RAF Benevolent Fund | 574 | 574 | 562 | |
| Royal Anglians | 270 | 270 | ||
| Royal British Legion | 3217 | 50 | 3267 | 928 |
| St George's Day | 123 | |||
| SIM/Fifields | 6750 | 6750 | 6488 | |
| SIM/MacInnes Greece | 1275 | 1275 | 1200 | |
| Simeon Trustees | 100 | 100 | 200 | 200 |
| Sporting 87 | 1318 | 1318 | 1671 | |
| Storehouse | 9426 | 9426 | 9039 | |
| Tanzania Church Partnership Association | ||||
| Tearfund | 1446 | 280 | 1726 | 1891 |
| Turkey/Syria appeal | 500 | 500 | ||
| Ukraine Appeals | 2506 | 2506 | 1218 | |
| Other | 111 | 111 | ||
| --------- | --------- | --------- | --------- | |
| 28188 | 17149 | 45337 | 37952 | |
| ====== | ===== | ====== | ====== |
22
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2025
20 Restatements made to 2024 financial statements
In 2024 17.2% of the holding of CBF Investment Fund shares held by St Peter's was disposed of realising £30,000 which was invested in a CBF Deposit Fund account. This part disposal was not shown in the 2024 financial statements which were approved by the PCC. The 2024 financial statements have been restated to reflect this transaction. The net assets and fund balances shown in the approved financial statements are unchanged by this restatement. The effect of the restatement on the 2024 assets on the balance sheet are to reduce the value of investments by £30,704 and to increase the balances held on bank and deposit accounts by the same amount. The effect of the restatement on the Statement of Financial Activities is to increase the investment income by £704 and reduce the gain on investments by the same amount. All these restatements originate with St Peter's and affect the assets and income and gains of the Parish by the same amounts. The assets, fund balances and income and gains of St Mary's and the Thomas Clarkson Centre have not been restated.
21 PCC responsibilities for repair
No general provision has been made in the accounts for liabilities to maintain the Church buildings.
At St Mary's all major work identified by the latest quinquennial survey was carried out in 2023 and 2024. No large items of expenditure on fabric are expected to be incurred in 2026.
A quinquennial inspection of St Peter's church was carried out in March 2022. Two sections were identified as needing remedial works and repairs at estimated costs of £4,000 for general repair work and £9,500 for repairs to stonework. Some of the general repair works have been carried out by church members. Stonework repairs were planned for late Spring 2023 and are expected to take place in Spring 2026. The cost of this work is now expected to have increased by ca. £1,000.
The last estimate for the cost of the extension to the church was £1m by contrast to the estimate of £450,000 when the scheme was conceived. St Peter's DCC has decided that the extension as originally conceived is unachievable and the original project has been terminated. Consideration is now being given to re-ordering the church. The reordering of the church is currently subject to a cost limit of £300,000.
Work was completed in 2013 on a major scheme affecting the structure of the Thomas Clarkson Centre. Further refurbishment and security work was carried out in 2019. Further refurbishment is expected in future years dependent on available resources.
22 Material transactions with members of the PCC
Other than the remuneration and benefits referred to in note 7 above, there have been no material transactions undertaken in the name of or on behalf of the PCC in which any person connected with the PCC has a material interest. The total income donated by members of the PCC amounted to £37,842. This amount does not include recurrent recoveries of tax under the Gift Aid provisions, which are estimated to amount to £9,461 .
23 Remuneration of auditor/independent examiner
Robin Jackson, director of Churchgate Accountants Ltd, Bury St Edmunds has acted as independent examiner of the 2024 financial statements.
These statements contain a cost of £1,560 in respect of Independent Examination of the 2024 financial statements and report and a provision of £1,560 in respect of Independent Examination for 2025.
No fees were paid to the Independent Examiner in respect of any other services rendered to the PCC. Fees were paid to Churchgate Accountants Ltd of £1,620 (2024 £1,620) in respect of the provision of payroll services. Fees were paid to Churchgate Accountants Ltd of £90 (2024 nil) in respect of identity verification.
24 Insurance of buildings
The insurance cover of the buildings and contents at January 2025 were as follows : St Mary's Church £49,312,316, St Peter's Church £6,650,000 and Thomas Clarkson Centre £3,300,000. The valuations were based on surveys carried out in 2023 and include improvement work at the Thomas Clarkson Centre. Insurance cover is 100% of the valuations of St Mary's, St Peter's and the Thomas Clarkson Centre.
23
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of St Marfs with St Peterfs Parochial Church Council I report on the accounts of St Mary's with St Peterfs Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages I to 29. This report is made solely to the trustees, as a body. in accordance with the General Direction5 given by the Charity Commission. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examiner's port and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by low. I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body. for my work. for this report. or for the opinions I have formed. Re5pectlve responsibilities of the trustees and e¥aminer The charivs 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 Charitie5 Art 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The charivs gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the ICAEW. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; follow the procedures laid down in the General Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Charities Att,. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of indeptndent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Direction5 given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented with those e0rds. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeks explanations from you as trustee5 concerning any such rnatter5. 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters Set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination. no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respea= the accounting record5 were not kept in accordan with settion 130 of the Charitie5 Act: or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records- or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirernents concernin8 the form and content of account5 set out in the Charities (Account5 and Reports) Regulations 2CK)8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as Part of an independent examination. I have come acro55 no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention Should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date lolc Robin Jatkson FCA Chartered Accountant Churchgate Accountants Limited Langton Place Bury St Edmunds