**ST BOTOLPH'S CHURCH THE PARISH OF CHEVENING**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S IN THE PARISH OF CHEVENING, KENT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
**Incumbent: The Reverend Hannah Adams Address: The Church Office Chevening Parish Hall Homedean Road Chipstead, Sevenoaks Kent, TN13 2RU**
**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CHEVENING SEVENOAKS DEANERY - DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER**
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025**
## **Administrative information**
St Botolph's Church is situated on Chevening Road in the parish of Chevening, Kent. It is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England. The address for correspondence is Chevening Church Office, Homedean Road, Chipstead, TN13 2RU.
The Parochial Church Council of St Botolph's (the PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England and it operates under the PCC Powers Measure 1956 as amended and the Church Representation Rules. The PCC was formerly an excepted charity and its registration with the Charity Commission was approved on 10th March 2010.
Information about the PCC and its activities can be found on the Charity Commission website under registration number 1134784. The PCC is subject to the Charities Act 2011 as amended.
The PCC officers and members who served during 2025 were:
|Incumbent|The Reverend Hannah|Adams||
|---|---|---|---|
|Churchwardens|Mr Joseph Devine|2023||
||Mrs Sally Munro|2023||
|Treasurer|Mr Graham Higgs|2023|Deanery Synod|
|Secretary|Mr Peter Wilson|2023||
|Members|Mrs Lela Weavers|2021|Diocesan Synod|
||Mrs Fiona Jordan|2023|Safeguarding Officer|
||Mrs Donna Hill|2023||
||Mr Andrew Taylor|2023||
||Mrs Hannah Williams|2023||
||Mrs Susan Wandless|2024||
||Mr Christopher Austen|2024|up to 6th May 2025|
||Mrs Elizabeth Austen|2025|from 6th May 2025|
||Mrs Jo Baxter|2024||
St Botolph's is a member of 'Churches Together' in Sevenoaks and District.
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## **THE CHIPSTEAD CHAPEL CHARITY (Charity Number 1147141)**
The PCC is the managing trustee of this charity and it can therefore be considered as connected but, as the nature and purpose of the two entities are not the same, consolidation of the accounts is not considered as appropriate.
## **STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE**
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
The primary duty of the PCC is to support the incumbent of the parish, the Reverend Hannah Adams, in promoting the whole mission of the church in the parish. It is also the function of the PCC to be responsible for the financial affairs of the church and the care and maintenance of the church fabric and its contents.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
In 2025 we continued to focus on the following priorities:-
Provision for Children and Young People especially practical space in church Growing our midweek small groups
Improving our welcome and integrating newcomers Unity across services
Our Rector has been on maternity leave for most of the year under review and so these notes have been provided by the Church Wardens.
The first half of the year was focussed around maintaining church life whilst planning for maternity leave. The Wardens have worked closely with the Archdeacon and the Area Dean who have provided much needed support and assistance in planning for the maternity leave. Within the Deanery there is a desperate shortage of clergy so a dedicated person was not available and cover had to be arranged on a weekly basis.The Rector was instrumental in arranging cover from August to December.
It was agreed that our serrvice provision would change to a single 10.00 a.m service and this has worked extremely well with a range of service formats being offered from a traditional common worship service to a less formal 'family' presentation. This has worked well with communion being worked at the 'rail' with all ages coming forward.
The church finances have been maintained on a 'break even' basis and we have been able to increase our Parish Contribution to the Diocese in line with inflation. Costs are carefully monitored as the need to maintain and indeed increase unrestricted reserves is recognised.
Looking ahead to 2026 the focus is on continuing to generate growth in our church family and it is hugely encouraging to see the enthusiastic way that everyone is pulling together and supporting one another. A prayer morning is planned for January to start the year in prayer and pray for ther Church's year ahead. We aim to be
## A BEACON OF HOPE
and see God's Transformational love at work in our lives and in our Community.
## Joseph Devine
Sally Munro
**Church Wardens**
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## **ELECTORAL ROLL AND PCC MEETINGS**
At the time of the Annual Parish Meeting in 2025 there were 119 on the electoral roll including 55 who were not resident in the parish. The average number of adults attending each morning service on Sundays was 62 compared with 68 for 2024.
The full Parochial Church Council met on 10 occasions with an average attendance of 80% The Standing Committee met regularly throughout the year and the minutes of these meetings were received by the PCC, discussed and adopted as appropriate.
## **WYNDHAM STRODE & ANOTHER (Charity Number 307745)**
This charity, founded in the early part of the 18th Century, is administered by Trustees being the Rector and Churchwardens of St Botolph's. The objects are to assist poor persons who are resident in the Parish of Chevening, who are under 21 years of age and who are preparing for, entering upon or engaged in any trade, occupation or service, to buy outfits, pay fees of instruction, travelling expenses or such means for their advancement in life or to enable them to earn their living, as the Trustees think fit. The entities are not connected.
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**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW 2025**
## **Income**
Total incoming resources were £122,325 (£146,342 in 2024) and these are detailed in the financial statements. Voluntary unrestricted income has increased to £120,825 from £115,998 in 2024. The income has benefitted from a gift of £5,000 from the estate of a parishioner.
Fees for weddings and funerals were £2,239 compared with £3,501 in 2024
## **Expenditure**
Our expenditure on church activities was £123,165 (£128,930 - 2024) and this includes our parish contribution of £50,964 (2024 - £45,957) to the costs of administering the Diocese and the cost of the Rector's stipend and associated costs.
Our expenditure, through current necessity, is strictly controlled but there continue to be a number of repair and maintenance issues which need to be constantly reviewed.
## **Reserves**
As a result of our activities in 2025, our unrestricted funds increased to £61,383 from £57,759 in 2024. Restricted reserves increased from £79,800 to £84,800 after completing the investment in a new Audio Visual resource.
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds of at least £25,000 to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. Unrestricted reserves, at the year end, amounted to £61,383 which, after setting aside the minimum referred to above, is equivalent to approximately 17 weeks compared to 18 in 2024.
Our restricted funds include the Building Fund which consists of monies given and retained towards meeting the costs of major repairs to the fabric of the church itself including such costs as may arise from our Quinquennial Inspections. We also have funds remaining after the completion of the work on the nave roof which, in the opinion of the PCC, may be used for further essential roof repairs and church maintenance. These funds total £54,897.
It is the policy of the PCC that funds held in excess of foreseeable needs shall be invested with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund with the CCLA.
## **Approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf by:**
**Graham C Higgs Treasurer**
Graham Higgs
**Date**
**1st May 2026**
The notes attached form part of these accounts
Page 4
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2025**
|**Income and endowments**
Voluntary income
Investment income
Fees
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Church activities
**Total expenditure**
Net income (-expenditure)
Unrealised gains or losses
**Net movement in funds**
Funds brought forward
Funds carried forward|Notes|Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
31.12.25
31.12.24|
|---|---|---|
||2a
2b
2c
2d
3a|106,940
84
107,024
138,822
2,036
1,416
3,452
4,017
2,289
2,289
3,501
9,560
9,560
8,661|
|||120,825
1,500
0
122,325
155,001|
|||116,757
6,407
123,165
132,588|
|||116,757
6,407
0
123,165
132,588|
|||4,068
-4,907
-840
22,413
-443
-1,000
-1,443
763|
|||3,625
-4,907
-1,000
-2,283
23,176
57,758
59,804
23,995
142,558
119,382|
|||£61,383
£54,897
£22,995
£140,275
£142,558|
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**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2025**
|Notes
**Accumulated funds**
6
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
**Total Church Funds**
**Represented by**
**Fixed assets**
7
Investments
**Current assets**
8
Accounts receivable-payable
Balances at bank
**Total Church Assets**
**Approved by the Parochial Church**
**Joseph Devine**
**Church Warden**
**Date**|Notes|31.12.25
61,383
54,897
23,995
£140,275
32,811
32,811
-1,207
108,671
107,464
£140,275
**Council and signed on its behalf by:**|31.12.24|
|---|---|---|---|
||||57,759
54,804
24,996|
||||£137,559|
||||34,254|
||||34,254|
||||-5,316
108,621|
||||103,305|
|||||
||||£137,559|
|||||
|||Joseph Devine||
|||||
|||**1st May 2026**||
The notes attached form part of these accounts
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**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2025**
## **ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs and with the Regulations regarding 'true and fair view'. They have been prepared under FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standard and the 2016 version of Recommended Practice, Accounting and reporting by Charities (SORP9 FRS102).
The Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets which are shown at market value. The Financial Statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.
## **1 FUNDS**
Unrestricted funds are those that can be used by the PCC for any qualifying general purpose.
Restricted funds are those that can only be used for the specific purpose for which they have been given. Details of the restrictions currently in place are given in the notes to the accounts.
Endowment funds are those where the capital amount must be maintained and only the income arising therefrom can be used for the specified purpose. The PCC have taken note of the provisions of the Trusts (Capital and Income) Act 2013 whereby they may opt for a division of total income and capital that balances the need to achieve the objectives of the endowment with the need to maintain the long term capital value of the fund.
## INCOMING RESOURCES
Planned giving, collections and donations generally are recognised when received. Tax recoverable is recognised when the income to which it relates is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC becomes legally entitled to the amounts concerned. Dividends and interest are accounted for when they become due.
## RESOURCES EXPENDED
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC.
The annual parish contribution to the diocese is paid by equal monthly instalements.
## FIXED ASSETS
Consecrated and beneficed property is not included in these accounts in accordance with S.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011.
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Movable church furnishings held by the Rector and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property and listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected at any reasonable time by arrangement with the church office.
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised on acquisition, included in the balance sheet and subsequently revalued at each year end. Depreciation on tangible fixed assets is not provided in these accounts unless considered appropriate.
Investments are valued at market value on the balance sheet date where available.
Short term deposits are cash held on deposit either with the CCLA or at Barclays Bank plc, Sevenoaks.
## **2 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
|a Voluntary income
planned giving
one off donations, collections
other donations, appeals
Gift Aid recoverable
Grants
Church activities
b Investment income
dividends
interest
c Fees for funerals and weddings
d other income
**TOTAL INCOME**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
31.12.25
31.12.24|
|---|---|
||50,044
50,044
68,021
36,932
36,932
14,497
28
28
32,825
14,232
14,232
17,480
6,040
6,040
6,000
4,476
4,476
0|
||111,752
0
111,752
138,823|
||1,014
1,014
1,186
1,021
975
1,996
2,832|
||2,035
975
0
3,010
4,018|
||2,239
2,239
3,501|
||2,239
0
0
2,239
3,501|
||5,000
5,000
4,649|
||5,000
0
0
5,000
4,649|
|||
||£121,026
£975
£0
£122,001
£150,991|
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**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2025**
## **EXPENDITURE**
|**3**
a Mission & charitable giving
Parish contribution to Diocese
Salaries for support staff
Communications fees
Visiting clergy
Honoraria, organists, vergers
Ministry support
Rectory costs
Church running costs
Church repairs & maintenance
Church equipment
Parish office costs
Governance & audit
b Fundraising costs
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**|Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
31.12.25
31.12.24|
|---|---|
||2,308
2,308
1,606
50,964
50,964
45,957
27,366
27,366
23,445
624
624
3,520
318
318
466
2,280
2,280
2,270
7,771
7,771
1,641
4,410
4,410
3,747
10,136
10,136
12,534
7,758
7,758
4,905
2,748
2,748
23,784
2,824
20
2,844
5,055|
||116,759
2,768
119,527
128,930|
|||
||£116,759
£2,768
0
£119,527
£128,930|
c In 2019 a restricted fund was established in the name of the Reverend Maurice Hewitt to provide a stained glass window in the church. Extensive repairs were needed to the window concerned to enable the project to be completed and they were completed in January 2020. The window and explanatory plaque were completed and installed in 2022
## **4 STAFF COSTS**
|**FF COSTS**||
|---|---|
|Average number of employees
Wages costs|2
2|
||£27,366
£23,445|
## **5 RELATED PARTIES**
PCC members and officers are reimbursed for making approved purchases as agents of the PCC. These transactions are not regarded as personal and no disclosure of them is required.
Although an ex officio member of the PCC, the Rector is employed by the Church of England and her stipend and associated costs are included within note 3(a).
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## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2025**
## **FIXED ASSETS**
|**ED ASSETS**|||
|---|---|---|
|INVESTMENTS
DBF CBF Investment Fund
BP Amoco 8% Cum 1st pref
City of London Trust 4.2% pref
COIF Investment Fund|Holding
Purchased|Cost
31.12.25
31.12.24|
||1,081
Nov 1967
500
April 1992
500
April 1992
£456
Mar 2001|1,000
£
23,996
£
24,995
£
360
£
727
£
690
£
265
£
475
£
430
£
4,610
£
8,811
£
8,267
£|
|||6,235
£
34,009
£
34,382
£|
|**7**
**FUNDS**
a ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
31.12.25
31.12.24
Investments
8,811
8,811
9,258
Current assets
107,466
23,996
131,462
128,301
107,466
£
8,811
£
23,996
£
£140,273
£137,559
b ANALYSIS OF FUNDS
General Fund
66,383
66,383
103,305
Restricted funds
49,895
49,895
9,258
Stanhope Fund
23,995
23,995
24,996
£66,383
£49,895
£23,995
£140,273
£137,559
**8**
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Gift Aid recoverable
3,353
5,308
Receivables
11,412
4,375
14,765
9,683
less
Money held for Chipstead Chapel Charity
15,000
15,000
-£235
-5,317
Barclays Bank plc
32,928
35,582
CCLA general
50,755
49,134
CCLA building
13,384
12,805
CCLA other restricted
11,603
11,101
£108,670
108,622|Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
31.12.25
31.12.24|Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
31.12.25
31.12.24|
|---|---|---|
||8,811
107,466
23,996|8,811
9,258
131,462
128,301|
||107,466
£
8,811
£
23,996
£|£140,273
£137,559|
||66,383
49,895
23,995|66,383
103,305
49,895
9,258
23,995
24,996|
||£66,383
£49,895
£23,995|£140,273
£137,559|
|||3,353
5,308
11,412
4,375|
|||14,765
9,683
15,000
15,000|
|||-£235
-5,317|
|||32,928
35,582
50,755
49,134
13,384
12,805
11,603
11,101|
|||£108,670
108,622|
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**THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST BOTOLPH'S**
## **Year ended 31st December 2025**
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2025**
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2025 which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner**
The church trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
It is my responsibility, as Independent Examiner, to:
- examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011
- follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners in Section 145(b) of the 2011 Act
- The P state whether particular matters have been brought to my attention
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. Such examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes a consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from appropriate trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opijnion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below:-
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act or
- to prepare financial statements which accord with those accounting records
have not been met or
- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signed Joshua Peake
Mr Joshua Peake, ACCA
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Joshua Peake Date 1st May 2026
**----- End of picture text -----**
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