S GEORGE’S PARISH CHURCH
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
25 April 2021
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL.
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1.1 Since our last APM, the PCC has met on three occasions. At each meeting as routine items of business the Council has considered reports from the Church’s Committees and Groups, which have occurred since the last Council meeting. In addition, reports were received from representatives of Diocesan and Deanery Synods of what has occurred at meetings of the respective synods. Diocesan Budget, in that it was not sustainable to keep all fulltime the posts of Clergy in the Diocese. This meant that the number of Clergy had to be reduced and would involve Parishes being required to work together to share Clergy resources. Therefore, at the request of Deanery Synod the Council has discussed this and considered who we may consider linking up with, given that we receive the episcopal ministry of the Bishop of Beverley with the consent of the Bishop of Newcastle. Discussions on this continue at Deanery level.
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1.2 The Council’s Annual Meeting was held on the 19[th of] October last, with the usual items of business, namely, the election of officers for the year, ie. Andrew Pinkett as Hon. Treasurer and myself as Hon. Secretary. Mr Michael Nicholson was elected as Lay Vice Chairman. The meeting also considered the terms of office of the Lay Members of the Council and the appointment of Committees and Groups. The Council has also considered the project of the redevelopment of the Church Hall and the establishment of a Charitable Company to oversee its development and future management on behalf of the PCC. To this end we discussed a Briefing Paper which set out the current situation and possible next steps. Following a detailed discussion, the Council felt that the current proposal of establishing a Charitable Trust to manage and erect a new hall be paused and enquires be made to establish the possible costs involved in keeping the present building but making it “fit for purpose” for say the next twenty years.
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1.3 This has been a further busy period for the Council considering the present circumstances and ensuring the appropriate Risk Assessments have been carried out and measures taken to ensure the Church and any activities allowed have been COVID 19 secure. The meetings have been well attended. As indicated above, reports have been received at each meeting from the various committees and Groups. The Fabric Committee have kept Council updated on the progress of work being undertaken with the Architect and details of the repairs, which have been completed throughout the period.
Repairs to the clearstory windows and stonework together with stonework repairs to the Apse have been completed. (Details of this work are referred to in the Church Wardens Report.)
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1.4 As part of our “Keeping in Touch” initiative during lockdown and during this period a Newsletter has been circulated to the congregation by email and “hard copy”, including its delivery to those shielding or unable to be with us. It has not been possible to produce a Magazine during this period. The Council decided that we should keep our present system of publishing a Newsletter in its present form, with the publication of an expanded edition from time to time.
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1.5 During this period, it has not been possible to have any social events which would have been well supported and enjoyed by all. We look forward to the time when we can again have such events as concerts, choral evensong etc. The Friends of St George’s also have been quiet given the present situation but have managed to hold their Annual Meeting and secure some funding from donations and subscriptions.
1.6 There have been some items of correspondence received, which have been considered and decisions made on how to take them forward.
1.7 As previously reported the Council has adopted the latest Diocesan Model Safeguarding Policy together with a paper entitled “Safer Working Practices” which sits alongside the Model. A Statement on Domestic Abuse and a new Confidential Declaration Form was also endorsed. Arrangements have been made for additional appropriate members of the church who work with children and vulnerable people to be checked and registered accordingly. A copy of the Policy is shown on the Church’s Website and lists of the people concerned are held with the Council’s official records. The Council has received regular reports the Parish Safeguarding Officer, including the completion of Declaration forms by Members of the PCC and others including those working with children, vulnerable people and others. As a result, I would state that the Council has complied with its duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). (Further information is in the Parish safeguarding Officer’s Report).
1.8 As stated above, discussions regarding Church Services have taken place and decisions taken having regard to COVID 19 Guidance issued by the Church of England.
1.9 Further development of the Choir is largely on hold under Andrew Reid as our Director of Music and his wife Louise. The “Choir Club” has met virtually and either a cantor or when permitted a small choir has sung at the 9.30 service on Sundays or other special midweek services.
2.0 Two members of the Council are to stand down this year, namely, Mr Philip Hornby and Mrs Liz Lynn. I would like to thank them on behalf of the PCC for their services to the Council and the Church.
I would also like to express my thanks to everyone for their support.
B McNally. Honorary Secretary.
April 2021.
SAINT GEORGE'S CHURCH CULLERCOATS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021 - CHURCH WARDEN'S REPORT
I am pleased to present this report for the year 2020/2021
Both Blyth and I would like to give our thanks to Fr. Adrian for his support and help during the year. We would also like to thank all who have assisted us during the year. A special thank you to the Readers and Intercessors, together with all the volunteers, for their contributions and ensuring that services run smoothly. May we also thank the retired clergy who assist so frequently filling in for services, without them it would be a struggle to maintain the number of services which are offered.
A special thanks to Maurice and Andrew who have been in church on Sundays throughout the time that we have been able to have services. The main reason that we have been able to carry on with worship is the care put in to ensure social distancing when the congregation is entering, taking communion, and exiting the church.
Regretfully all those events that that we look forward to throughout the year have been unable to carry on, but hopefully there is light ahead and as the year progresses, we may be able to have some get togethers and return to a more normal way of life. We would normally give a Fabric Committee report but except for the repairs to the Clerestorey and Apse windows there has not been any work undertaken. Repairs are necessary to the ground floor windows and hope to be able to have those carried out in the near future. Hopefully with little disruption to services.
Churchwardens have responsibilities to the Incumbent, the Archdeacon, and the Bishop.
Normally we would attend a church in the Diocese to hear the Archdeacon’s charge and be sworn in. this was all done on Zoom this year.
We also have responsibility to ensure the inventory of Church belongings is up to date and accurate, and once again we have carried out an audit, and found everything to be satisfactory. Once every two years we also have a visit from the Archdeacon who carries out an inspection, according to our records we were due a visit this year, but it never took place. Maybe this year?
I can also report that the insurances for the church buildings and contents are up to date, together with those for the church hall. Our CCLI Licence for music has also been paid. Currently the premiums that are paid for insurances are: Church & Church Hall £10458.52 CCLI £239.00
Thank you all again for you much valued support.
Blyth Johnson Michael Nicholson
– Deanery Synod Report to APM April 2021
Since the last APM, Deanery Synod has just met twice three times, in November and March, with me, Margaret Patterson and Aubrey Bowles as representatives from St. George’s.
The Revd. Tim Mayfield is Area Dean, in July with Emma Doran as Lay Chair and Dr. Iain Shaw as Finance Officer, and Jan Porter remaining as Secretary and the post of Treasurer, currently vacant.
Each meeting has begun with parish representatives asking for prayer for a particular aspect of their parish life. News has been given of comings and goings within the Deanery and reports have been received from Diocesan and General Synods.
The Bishop of Berwick was present at the November meeting and spoke about the challenges facing the Deanery and the Diocese including the existing financial crisis which had exacerbated by the COVID 19 virus and lockdown. The Synod then considered some ways forward. The new Deanery Development Group was set up with me on from St George’s. A presentation was also given by the Deanery Finance Officer on Parish Share giving the latest figures and stating that our position in the Diocese was above average. At the time of writing, the next Synod meeting was scheduled to be on the 9[th of] March, when the main items to be discussed will be, a Deanery Mission Enabler (new estates) Revd. Dr Rae Caro, Deanery Development Group and its work so far, (Parish Reorganisation) and a talk on Parish Share.
Regarding Parishes, it is interesting to note that there are vacancies at St. Mark, Shiremoor, St. Luke and St. Peter, Wallsend and St. Aidan, Billy Mill and St. Hilda, Marden. We need to pray for and support these parishes whenever we can and give thanks for the ministry of the Revd. Canon Adrian Hughes here at St. George’s. Brian McNally.
St Georges Parish Church
Annual Parish Meeting
Safeguarding Report
The Safeguarding team met in January 2020 and have been unable to meet since due to the Corona virus pandemic.
However, our Safeguarding policies and practises remain in effect. And DBS checks are continuing to be maintained and update in accordance with the guidelines.
As and when we are able to, we will: -
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Re assess our priorities in terms of Safeguarding, and the tasks and new procedures that may need to be put in place.
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Continue to roll out the new Declaration forms (particularly for new PCC members).
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Ensure that training is up to date (in particular for the Pastoral group and new PCC members).
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It needs to be noted that currently training from the Diocese is available online. Foundation Safeguarding (Basic Awareness (CO)) can be done online. While C1 and C2 can be booked online, and details will be issued re workbooks and zoom details if applicable.
Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the Safeguarding team and the PCC for their support and due regard for Safeguarding in these difficult times.
This concludes the Safeguarding annual report for 2021.
Alison French Safeguarding Officer.
St. George’s Church, Cullercoats - Pastoral Care Group Report to APM April, 2021
In addition to the clergy and myself, there are four other members of the above group (Brenda Mennear, Eleanor Cooke, June Gibbon and Shaun Mitchell) and under normal circumstances we meet bi-monthly, usually after coffee following the Thursday Eucharist, to review the people receiving our support and to add others to our list. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, things have changed, but, by the time of the APM, we will, for the first time, have met by Zoom.
The pastoral meetings, residential care home and Eucharistic visits may have gone during the pandemic, but the work of the group has continued, as we have prayed for people and kept in touch with them by telephone, text and email. Thanks must go to Maggi Creese for compiling the newsletter and I, for one, send out over forty copies by email, as do Father Adrian, Brian McNally, Louise Reid and Gordon and Sheila Wightman, whilst. Father Adrian, David and Maggi Creese, Sarah Gregg, Heather Wright and Martin Hood deliver hard copies. In addition, a What’s App group has been established and the church is now on Face-book, with church services being broadcast from the 8.00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist on You Tube (as well as on Face-book). This means that the Eucharist is accessible to anyone without having to download software. Thanks must go to Helen Hughes and Paul Corrigan for facilitating the recording of the liturgy.
The church has also introduced a “track and trace” system, which provides us with a snapshot of those present at services and those shielding. Numbers of people staying away has increased since the last lock-down, which began after Christmas, but it is pleasing to note that some new people have joined us. Because of the pandemic, St. George’s Hospital Wheelers have not been needed at North Tyneside General Hospital. However, my appeal for people to do crafting for the hospitals of the Northumbria Healthcare Trust has borne much fruit, as was illustrated in my article which was recently sent round with the newsletter.
On top of all this, there is a lot of unseen work going on, of which I heard a fine example the other day.
To all who have helped, and are helping, to keep the church family together, during these difficult days, I send my grateful thanks and love and prayers. Finally, I am sorry to say that we have lost several members of the church family since my last report and with the Chairman’s permission I would like us to stand for a minute’s silence to remember them.
Margaret Patterson (Reader) – 05.03.21.
HONOURARY TREASURER’S REPORT ST GEORGE’S CHURCH
FINANCIAL YEAR 2020
Before I make comments on the Accounts I would like to thank those other people who play an active and important part in managing the finance of this church. A very loyal, but small group of people meet to open planned giving envelopes, reconcile loose cash, record monies against income categories and take these monies to the bank. I know that this group works diligently and unseen but make my task that much easier. I would like to thank the Planned Giving team who keep the records on planned giving and deal with all the Inland Revenue returns. Others I would like to mention are Father Adrian whom I pester regularly on financial matters ,William Burgess the Honorary Auditor whose support and help is much appreciated and Brian McNally who patiently checks and countersigns all the cheques I place before him.
Overall Surplus/Deficit
Receipts exceeded Payments by £12516 but this ‘surplus’ hides the fact that due to Covid-19 2020 was a challenging year.
Receipts :
Our principal receipts were
| Planned Giving | £43782 |
|---|---|
| Gift Aid tax refund | £21703 |
| Misc receipts | £11003 |
| Church Maintenance | £7068 |
| Legacies | £6000 |
| Restricted Donations | £5146 |
Income from Planned giving was down from previous years but this may be explained by the lockdown late in the year and the income from some weekly envelopes not being banked by financial year end.
Gift Aid tax refund of £21703 included arrears of £11321 which HMRC owed us from a previous year. Having paid us these arrears they then incorrectly credited our bank account with a further £9321 at a later date. We made them aware of this but by financial year end HMRC had not yet requested repayment. This overpayment is included in the Misc Receipts figure above.
The church maintenance figure of £7068 includes an anonymous donation of £3000.
The Friends of St Georges loaned us £5146 to pay for Architects fees.As the loan was for a specific purpose it has been treated as a Restricted donation for accounting purposes.
As expected income from collections,hall rent,fayres , concerts,wedding /funerals ,coffee fund were significantly down. Here are some comparisons;
| 2019 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Collections | 12326 | 2556 |
| Voluntary Income | 6309 | 2761 |
| Hall Rent | 2236 | 400 |
| Wedding/funeral fees | 10831 | 4775 |
Our Director of Music Andrew Reid spent various times in 2020 furloughed and we claimed £1790 through the Job Retention grant scheme.
To put into some context. In 2020 gross receipts were £112804. But of this £14467 were the overpayment from HMRC and the loan from the Friends. These will need to be repaid. In addition £17690 was from grants,legacies and one off donations . So approx. £32100 of gross receipts were from ‘non-recurring’ sources. Receipts from ‘recurring ‘ sources were therefore approx. £80700. By comparison 2019 receipts from recurring sources were approx. £94000.
Payments :
Our principal payments were
| Parish share | £50500 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | £10358 |
| Services | £6823 |
| General maintenance | £5604 |
| Restricted donations | £5192 |
We had pledged to pay £50500 Parish share in 2020 and we achieved this though it did require us to use some of our Reserves. In the light of this and due to the continuing uncertasinty around income we have made a pledge to pay £40000 Parish share in 2021.
General maintenance of £5604 was on the Clerestory repairs and the bulk of the Restricted donations payments were the Architects fees.
Our contributions towards charities has continued. Half of the collections raised from weddings, baptisms and funerals is given to a charity nominated by the families. Despite the Covid-19 restrictions £781 was donated with the money going to 9 different charities.
End of Year Balances and Reserves
At year end the General fund cash balance was £30078. However the fund had liabilities of £14467 ( the money owing to HMRC and the loan from the Friends ). The net General fund balance of £15611 equates to approx. 9 weeks normal unrestricted payments.
I would like to express my thanks to everyone for their support throughout the year.
A J PINKETT Treasurer
March 2021
ST GEORGES CULLERCOATS
Name of PCC
Receipts and payments accounts
For the year from 1 January to 31 December 2020
Receipts and payments
| Receipts and payments | Receipts and payments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts Voluntary Income: Collections of loose cash Tax recovered via Gift Aid Legacies received (capital value) Recurring grants Non-recurring grants Activities for Generating Funds Receipts from Church Activities: Parochial fees Other Income Sub total Income from trading and other church activities Investment Income (including Property) Planned giving net of tax Other giving and donations (recurring and non-recurring) |
Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 43,782 3,234 1,682 21,703 1,790 971 205 683 687 9,321 84,058 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 268 7,068 6,000 6,169 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 43,782 3,502 8,750 21,703 6,000 0 7,959 971 205 683 687 14,467 108,709 0 108,709 167 781 50,500 4,551 5,692 1,506 16,633 3,709 1,861 0 85,400 10,796 0 96,196 12,513 0 47,449 59,962 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
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| 48,851 | ||||||
| 16,684 | ||||||
| 4,742 | ||||||
| 3,081 | ||||||
| 200 | ||||||
| 0 | ||||||
| 430 | ||||||
| 6,309 | ||||||
| 266 | ||||||
| 5,146 24,651 |
683 | 5,325 | ||||
| 687 | 2,943 | |||||
| 14,467 | 0 | |||||
| 108,709 | 88,831 | |||||
| Asset & investment sales, etc. | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Payments Costs of Generating Funds Mission / Charitable Grants Church Activities: Diocesan parish share Salaries / honoraria Expenses of clergy etc Mission and evangelism costs Church running expenses Church utility costs Costs of trading Governance costs Sub total Major repairs and building works Asset & investment purchases Total payments Receipts minus (payments) Transfers between funds Cash funds lastyear end Cash funds this year end Costs of other activities (not fund-raising) Total receipts |
84,058 167 50,500 4,551 5,692 427 14,612 3,709 1,861 81,519 81,519 2,539 (635) 28,174 30,078 |
24,651 | ||||
| 108,709 | 88,831 | |||||
| 781 | ||||||
| 109 | ||||||
| 3,153 | ||||||
| 1,079 2,021 3,881 |
50,500 | 50,000 | ||||
| 4,551 | 5,300 | |||||
| 5,692 | 4,073 | |||||
| 1,506 | 1,106 | |||||
| 16,633 | 19,487 | |||||
| 3,709 | 4,858 | |||||
| 1,861 | 2,584 | |||||
| 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||
| 85,400 | 90,670 | |||||
| 10,796 | ||||||
| 0 | ||||||
| 0 | ||||||
| 14,677 | 96,196 | 90,670 | ||||
| 2,539 | 9,974 | 12,513 | (1,839) | |||
| (635) | 635 19,275 |
0 | ||||
| 28,174 | 47,449 | |||||
| 30,078 | 29,884 | 59,962 | (1,839) |
26/04/2021
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| Statement of assets and | liabilities at the end of the year | liabilities at the end of the year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by the chairman of the PCC and the treasurer or a church warden on behalf of the PCC Assets retained for the PCC’s own use Investment assets Other monetary assets Cash funds Liabilities |
Details Details Architects fees Details valuation on the land and Chancel repairs building Details HMRC Overpayment Signature Loan from Friends of St Georges Other cash funds Bank current account CBF deposit fund Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments accounts) possible to put an accurate . The Parish Hall. It is not |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 7,014 15,611 22,725 14,275 339 30,078 29,886 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted 9,321 Unrestricted 5,146 Restricted 5,928 Restricted 675 Print Name Rev A hughes A Pinkett |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| - | ||||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| Current value (optional) |
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| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| Rev A hughes | 25/04/2021 | |||
| A Pinkett | 25/04/2021 |
26/04/2021
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An Independent Examiner's Report
To the PCC of St George's Cullercoats.
This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2020 is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993.
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s.43(2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under s.43(7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
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to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr W Burgess
March 2021