2022-12-31-accounts

THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE

Annual Report

of the

Parochial Church Council including

the Financial Report

for the year ended 31st December 2022

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The Parish of The Good Shepherd

Ashton-under-Lyne

INDEX
	page
Parish Information	3
Parish Activity during 2022	4 - 14
Information from Individual Churches	15 – 23
Safeguarding Polices	24 - 45
Independent Examaniner’s report	46
Statement of Financial activities	47
Balance sheet	48
Notes to the Financial Statements	49 - 55
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	56 - 57

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The Parish of The Good Shepherd

Ashton-under-Lyne

Report on the Year 2022

Team Clergy:

The Parish is in Interregnum with no Stipendiary clergy. Revd Pat Lodge (retired OLM with PtO)

Revd Sheila Cant (retired OLM with PtO) ALM: Cath Sheldon Parish Bankers: HSBC Ashton-under-Lyne

Churches in the Parish: Holy Trinity, St Gabriel, St James, St Michael and All Angels, St Peter.

Correspondence: The Vicarage, Union Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 9NQ

Council Mem bers: Clergy, Parish and Church Wardens, Parish Safeguarding Officer, Parish Treasurer, Parish Secretary, elected members as below.

Parish Wardens: Tina Howarth and Les Smith Church Wardens Holy Trinity: Judith Hilton, Les Smith from May '17 St Gabriel: Sandra Kiy St Jam es: Tina Howarth St Michael: Michael Winterbottom St Peter: Carol Farnsworth, Phil Bowden Chair of PCC: Les Smith

Treasurer: Jan Ratcliffe

Secretary: Revd Pat Lodge

Elected Members: Janet Kennerley, Maureen Leigh, Gill Bradbury, Jeff Glennon, Margaret Stanley,

Safeguarding Officer: Moira Wilson

Electoral Roll Officer: Deborah Brindle Comm ittees/Groups: Two sub-groups – Treasurers and HR Registered Charity Num ber: 1134826

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Report from Chair of PCC:

Roger left the Parish mid December 2021 however his term of office did not end till 31[st] December 2021 and the interregnum officially started on 1[st] January 2022

In the first few weeks following Rogers leaving there was a general feeling in the Parish of depression and we had been cast adrift to fend for ourselves facing an uncertain future and fewer people expected to do more and more

We had our first meeting with the Area Dean, Revd Daniel Ramble, where we discussed the general situation in churches and what actions we had taken previously. At the conclusion of the meeting we left feeling very uncomfortable.

Over following weeks, it became obvious to us that prior to our first meeting, Daniel had not been given a clear historic and holistic view regarding the Parish constitution and the individual churches.

Over the year we have had many meetings and discussions which has resulted in building a strong working relationship with the Archdeacon and Daniel and now have a clearer view of the steps which need to be taken to enable the Parish to move forward in the future and attract a new incumbent.

It has been a challenging year in which we have discovered Roger carried out many tasks collecting and collating information required by the Diocese and other bodies/organisations.

Unfortunately, much of this information require by the Diocese was not passed on to us, causing many difficulties and delays in meeting deadline dates.

By working together, we have managed to resolve these difficulties and make collecting and collating the information easier in the future.

In January there was an online Industrial Tribunal hearing” Shapla Ali v The Parish” at the end of the hearing an agreed settlement could not reached.

This resulted in many discussions over the following months with our legal representatives before a final settlement was agreed.

The Parish profile was completed and sent to the Archdeacon in preparation for advertising that vacancy.

We held our first international emergency PCC meeting with members being in three different countries around the world to resolve the difficult situation regarding energy suppliers.

I, personally, and on the behave of PCC would like to offer our thanks and appreciation to Pat for the unfailing dedication help, time, effort and organisational skills she has provide in difficult and challenging circumstances over the last year to ensure the Parish has been able to carry on in a very trying and challenging year.

I would like to thank Pat, Shelia and Cath for organising and taking services through the year.

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I would also like to thank Jan the help and experiencing she has provided over the last year.

Finally, I would like to thank the PCC members for their dedication and hard work to enable the Parish to function by adopting different ways to worship, meet and work together which, hopefully, will attract a priest to come into the Parish and enable us all to move forward in these different and changing times.

Les Smith

J.L.Smith

Acting PCC Chair

Report from Electoral Roll Officer:

The Electoral Roll is in the process of being updated in order to have accurate information for collating the figures required for the PCC to work on the future of the Parish. Although we are not normally due to update it yet, under the circumstances it is necessary at this time.

Previously the Electoral Roll stood at 154.

Report from Parish Safeguarding Officer:

This year has been another challenging year with the pandemic still dictating what happens in our churches, there has been a lot of DBS renewals this year as well as having to complete DBS checks for Holy Trinity community Centre. There are no changes in procedures since the last issue of the church of England Safeguarding Handbook.

I know of no issues that have arisen in any of our churches over the last 12 months.

The Diocesan Policy, Safeguarding Children and Adults at risk, Manchester Diocesan handbook of policies and procedures is the Safeguarding policy which is to be implemented by parishes in its entirety. It has been completed in line with statutory and national guidelines and has been agreed at Diocesan Synod.

Our Parish Policies Statement for Children and Adults at Risk is in line with this policy.

The policies are displayed in each of our churches.

To comply with Diocesan regulations, volunteers and employees who work with children and young people are subject to DBS checks and references. PCC members are Trustees and as Trustees they require a DBS.

31-8 have now changed the application process and applicants can be completed digitally this means that after completing the self-declaration form they no longer need to physically show their ID to the church safeguarding officer. It also makes it easier as in most cases people will only need one form of identification. There will be times when this doesn’t work and the manual route will need to be completed.

The Diocese of Manchester request that these checks need to be renewed every 3 years and as such this renewal process is ongoing. The Parish abide by "Recommended Good Practice Guide" and Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk document.

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All youth workers are required to complete an on-line training course on child protection, which is provided by the Diocese. Following completion of all checks an up to date training record will be compiled.

The online training can be accessed via; https://safeguardingtraining.cofeportal.org

I advise the Parish of The Good Shepherd to abide by the following recommendations;

• That we continue to work within the framework of Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk.

• That we take advice from the Diocese and implement any necessary changes.

• we continue to ensure that all DBS checks and references are up to date.

Moira Wilson

Deanery Report:

Deanery Synod - Oldham and Ashton Deanery

Deanery Synod met in February 2022 and there was a report on the progress of the Transforming Manchester Diocese project. One of the items was that there will be a Deanery Children and Families worker in every deanery. (Update – the DCF worker for our Deanery is Laura Tebay who is now active and available for advice.)

Plans for “planting” will be developed, providing new initiatives for churches, such as Messy Church.

There will be a Transformation Support Officer in each Deanery to support the Area Dean and MCL’s, plus support parishes on missional opportunities Update – Revd John Evans has been appointed to this role.

Eco Church was another major topic and churches were encouraged to appoint an Eco Champion and register with the Eco Church initiative to assess their status.

July meeting – more updates on the transformation of our diocese and on those Mission Communities which were active. Again, Eco church was a major topic.

There was a presentation from the Head of Discipleship & Evangelism and the Head of Lay Development explaining that their roles were to encourage lay discipleship.

October meeting – more updates on the transformation of our diocese and on Mission Communities.

The Area Dean presented the Deanery Mission Action Plan (MAP) which allocated targets for each Mission Community. Our Mission Community should work towards

• Consolidating “Leading in Evangelism Course” – establishing faith sharing culture

• Building up on the success of occasional offices and follow up.

• Building up on the success of Holy Trinity Project and the Bread and butter thing project

The Lay Chair gave a presentation on Effective Communication and encouraged churches to update and expand on their web site/A Church Near You, plus Facebook and Twitter.

Again, Eco Church was a major point of discussion.

The Deanery Treasurer expressed concern that some churches had indicated that they would again be unable to pay their Parish Share in full and encouraged those churches to discuss this and find ways of increasing their giving.

Diocesan Synod

Three meetings were held in 2022, with the main issues being:-

Transforming Manchester Diocese

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Progress on the formation of Mission Communities and the new Deaneries, plus the introduction of new training for laity wishing to play key roles in Deaneries.

Diocesan Finances

The diocese is pushing forward strategies to increase the total amount of giving across all donation methods, with a focus on lifelong generosity at its heart. Area Deans and Deanery Treasurers will actively be contacting and encouraging those parishes who have not been paying in full to increase their payments.

Eco Diocese and Eco Churches

Updates on information are available on the website and we are encouraged to place the care of God’s Creation in our worship and on every PCC Agenda.

Jan Ratcliffe Deanery Synod Rep

Reports from Individual Churches:

1.Holy Trinity:

Introduction

We once again acknowledge the support of the PCC in being the umbrella organization that enables us to be “doers of the word”. This report provided an update on the work we have done in the past 12 months, shares the good news of the funding we have secured until 2026 and informs you of the vision for the future, a future that will hopefully secure the Church building as a vital community hub for many years to come.

It has been a busy and productive year at Holy Trinity church and Community Centre, we have defiantly seen signs of improvement as we recover from the pandemic and return to a “New Normal” We saw a real loss in confidence in the women who use the center due to the lack of connectivity as woman had been isolated for such a long time.

You will see from the list of actives just how much has been achieved and we would remind the PCC of the context of the work we do to reach the most difficult to reach in the most deprived area of Tameside and one of the most deprived areas in the county.

We remain committed to the empowerment of women who are difficult to reach and being a center for community cohesion for us the work has strong links to the 5 Marks of Anglicism and aims to responded to human need in loving service, Seek to transform unjust structures and challenge violence and promote justice and peace, to safeguard the creation.

– Holy Trinity Community Centre Activities January December 2022

• Ongoing room hire for local groups: Ashton Martial Arts, Lindley Educational Trust Youth Club, Lindley Educational Trust office hire, Neonatal Knitters, Weight Watchers.

• Police surgeries held regularly throughout the year; 21[st] February, 21[st] March, 20[th] April, 18[th] May, 15[th] June, 10[th] August, 7[th] September, 5[th] October, 2[nd] November, 30[th] November, 28[th] December.

• Private room hire for local residents parties, gatherings and meetings. Other room hire

• Action Together Funding Workshop, with Sue Moorcroft and Fozia Shaikh, 28[th] March.

• TMBC as a polling station 5[th] May.

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• Action Together Asylum Seekers & Refugee Network Meeting 22[nd] June.

• Tameside Adult Community Education September – December, Friday mornings, for their course, ‘Mindful Me’.

• Jigsaw Housing residents Christmas party 8[th] December.

• Community Gathering Pensioners’ Christmas party 15[th] December, featuring HTC Primary School choir.

People Place and Presence project provision

• Speech & Language Therapist information session, 24[th] January, attended by 13 women. This talk addressed health inequalities and raised awareness of speech therapy issues and child development, which are sometimes taboo within the Asian community.

• ESOL Health Matters course, ten week course, January to March, attended by 54 women: “ The women we teach English to have complex needs with many of them having caring responsibilities and their families are dependent on them to a great extent. Previous teaching has helped to improve English, confidence and self-esteem at the same time it has helped connect learners to services and expectations of services delivery. The Health Matters course will employ a range of agencies, Healthy Minds, Digital Health, arts and crafts and 20 minutes exercise as an icebreaker .” Carl Kelsall.

• ESOL Support course, January to March, ten week course, attended by 14 women. Course to support women with extra needs to develop their English language reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and confidence.

• Sewing classes. A weekly class taught by professional seamstress and Royal Exchange Theatre costume maker Lucy Woodcock, which ran from February to July and was attended by 21 women. A weekly drop in sewing session also ran from May to December, attended by 26 women.

• Stute Theatre I Am No Bird workshops: Dance Workshop 7th March, attended by 19 women, Creative Writing Workshop 14th March, attended by 15 women, Arts & Crafts Workshop 21st March 2022, attended by 14 women. The workshops were developed “ all with the aim of boosting confidence and communication skills, increasing wellbeing and reducing social isolation. These workshops offered participants a rewarding experience right on their doorsteps and a much needed opportunity to come together as a community” Stute Theatre. After the three workshops 11 women and HTCCC staff attended a performance of a short play about the Bronte sisters, by Stute Theatre, at Droyslden Library, on 9[th] May.

• Digital Health sessions, delivered by Emma Delany from The Bureau charity, May – July, attended by 29 women. These sessions aimed to help women access online

• healthcare, e.g. GP appointments, NHS online. “Participants were introduced to some ways that they can use the internet to support their health and wellbeing. The sessions covered the basics of selected online health resources, including: - How to access health information online via a browser or an app - How to make sure health information you are accessing is trustworthy - An overview of some specific online health resources e.g. the NHS app and other apps for health and wellbeing The sessions were pitched for participants who have a device, but may not be confident using it for anything other than communication purposes e.g. messages, calls, social media .” Emma Delany, The Bureau.

• ESOL Everyday English course, May to July, nine week course, attended by 53 women. The course aimed to develop women’s confidence in using English in everyday situations, e.g. in shops, on public transport, on the phone, when talking to teachers, doctors and other professionals. The use of role play encouraged active participation, self-expression and physical movement, boosted confidence and enhanced wellbeing.

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• ESOL Conversation Beginners course, nine week course, May to July, attended by 8 women. To support women with extra needs to develop their confidence in speaking and listening to English. Covering topics; introducing and talking about themselves, answering and asking questions of others, basic needs and emotional states, building vocabulary.

• ESOL Reading and Writing Support course, nine week course, May to July, attended by 7 women. To support women with extra needs to develop their confidence in reading and writing English. Using appropriate beginner level material and activities.

• Exercise sessions run in partnership with Jigsaw Homes, from May -, attended by 35 women. These exercise sessions were tailored specifically to the needs of the women, who learned new skills and boosted their fitness, balance and coordination. They enjoyed taking time out for themselves to have fun and relax and reported improved physical and mental wellbeing.

• Arts & Crafts sessions, May – September. Delivered by Oldham Play Action Group and local volunteer teacher Sarah Bolland, attended by 33 women. These sociable classes engaged women in fun, creative and rewarding craft activities which most had not tried before. They enjoyed learning crafting techniques and making items that they could take home to display and feel proud of.

• The Conservation Waterways Walks and Crafting sessions, May – July, attended by 6 women. TCV, with funding from United Utilities, ran a project to engage with a group of women from HTCCC to connect with nature and water environments in our local area. This included: “3 education sessions, 1 project planning session, and 4 practical improvement sessions, with the majority including visits to the beautiful local water way, Portland Basin Canal.”, TCV . The group participated in nature ID walks, litter picks and created artworks inspired by nature, including fish made from fresh willow sticks and a mural of a boat made with discarded plastic bottle tops. “ These activities have engaged this hard to reach audience in accessing their local blue and green spaces, as well as improve local natural environments through the production of sustainable art that raises awareness of plastic pollution and wildlife preservation. TCV would like to say a massive thank you to Holy Trinity Community Centre. The participants and staff have been engaged, helpful, and a pleasure to be around. Without community groups like Holy Trinity, these projects would not be able to be delivered to such a high standard, nor reach such a diverse audience”, TCV.

• Joint HTC Primary School / HTCCC Jubilee party, 18[th] May, for local families, residents and volunteers, supported by Jigsaw Housing.

• Cook & Eat course, June – November, attended by 36 women, by teacher Anna Kennedy, supported by Jigsaw Housing. Anna Kennedy. This course taught women healthy cooking techniques, such as cooking with less salt and without oil and promoted healthy eating habits. In each class they learned how to cook a new dish and then ate together.

• Patient Access to GP Services Research Project, 18[th] July. 13 women participated in this research project by Dr Jessica Drinkwater and Dr Rebecca Goulding from Manchester University: ‘Optimising people-centred access in primary care in the context of Covid-19: facilitating organisational and policy change’. The research investigated “ how access to general practice in the English NHS has changed in the context of Covid-19 and how access might be improved for providers and patients”.

• Stute Theatre Family Summer Workshops, August, attended by 30 women and 67 children. These school holiday workshops engaged families in fun creative play and activities and developed the children’s skills, such as listening to instructions, sharing, kindness, patience and playing together with mutual respect and tolerance. “ The workshops have been running through August on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 till 2.30 pm.

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• The funding came via the Big Lotteries ‘Awards For All’, thanks to an application from Stute Theatre. Stute has proven to be an excellent partner and I have discussed with them a future partnership to bring arts to the local community.” Carl Kelsall.

• Hollowford Residential 19th 20th 21 August, attended by 30 women and 38 children . A short active holiday weekend at the Hollowford Centre, in the beautiful setting of the village of Castleton in the Peak District. This very special event provided women and children with a much needed and rare weekend break away that they would not have been able to afford. Many had never been to the countryside before. The families lived together in shared accommodation and enjoyed catered meals. They participated in enjoyable and challenging outdoor activities, such as high ropes, canoeing and bush craft skills. “ In response to the loss of confidence and the cost of the living crisis, we agreed to use the under spend from 2020-21 to take families on benefits and agreed on criteria with Big Lottery Community Fund to the Hollowford Centre in Castleton. The residential was a great success with 70 people attending from 31 different families. Most attendees rated the experience as ‘excellent’” Carl Kelsall.

• ESOL Women and Mindfulness course, ten week course, September to November, attended by 45 women. This ESOL course informed women about mental wellbeing, taught coping strategies and connected people to services. Practitioners from Healthy Minds Tameside taught three sessions and raised awareness and addressed cultural issues to overcome barriers that may prevent some women from seeking help. They provided a vital stepping stone by sign posting women to access services.

• ESOL Conversation Beginners course, ten week course, September to November, attended by 7 women. To support women with extra needs to develop their confidence in speaking and listening to English. Covering topics; introducing and talking about themselves, answering and asking questions of others, basic needs and emotional states, building vocabulary.

• ESOL Conversation Progression course, ten week course, September to November, attended by 8 women. Building on the foundation of ESOL Conversation Beginners course; using verbs, pronouns, prepositions and question words and building vocabulary.

• Dance classes with professional dance teacher Olivia Peers, September - , attended by 30 women. Olivia created a bespoke course for the women, taking into account their interests, needs and taste in music! Women developed their confidence, coordination, balance, fitness, boosted their wellbeing and had fun in these sociable, fun classes.

• Theatre trip to Oldham Coliseum 12[th] October, to see ‘Glitterball’, attended by 14 women. Women enjoyed a rare night out at the theatre to enjoy a professional musical performance.

• Warm Welcome, November -, attended by 57 women. These sessions responded to the problems brought about by the cost of living crisis, by providing women with a warm place and a hot meal in the winter months. They enjoyed cooking, eating and socialising together and activities such as playing board games and drawing.

• Food Hygiene Course training, 7[th] November, supported by Jigsaw Housing, completed by 17 participants.

The Headline News People and short term future

People Place and Presence 2023/26

The Holy Trinity Community Centre have been awarded £308,000 over 3 years from the Big Lotteries Reaching Communities fund will (HTC) contribute £119,000 giving a total investment of £427,000 for the People Place and Presence project that aims to empower local people, with a particular focus on women considered most difficult to reach.

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For over 40 years the people of Holy Trinity have been working in partnership with others to alleviate needs and address some of the issues facing the local community. This has been done through the creation of the Community Centre which is now a very established and successful community resource whose work is well documented and recognised and praised by the local council, the local police, and a range of local and national funding bodies.

The People Place and Presence projects outcomes are to:

• Improve health and well-being,

• Increase learning opportunities,

• Increase levels of confidence in women to pre-Covid levels,

• Mitigate the impact of poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.

• Promote a strong active and cohesive community

• Improve services thanks to local people having more influence over service design and delivery,

• Improve connectivity with and between the local community and services,

• Support local volunteer groups with affordable rent, space, and support,

• Improve access for young people to Youth Services

The funding will ensure the Information Advice and Guidance service that runs from the center will continue with service benefiting around 400 people per year.

In addition, we aim to support 150 women per year to engage with other project activities to build confidence, skills, learning, and self-esteem that will lead to 30 women transitioning into employment.

The center is a much-valued community hub with around 10,000 visitors per year and supports some amazing activities and organisations, including, the Neonatal Knitters, Ashton Martial Arts, and Lindley Educational Trust who deliver leadership programs for young people and Youth Services.

The future

It has been the long term objective of the Holy Trinity Community Centre and Church to be less dependent on the PCC.

We are now working to create a Community Interest Organization, (CIO).

The CIO will be founded by members of the existing Management Committee with strong Church representation, the “founding members” we will ensure the trust have the required skills experience and knowledge to act as part of the governance structure and act in the best interests of the charity according to charities law. We would need to ensure the local community is more than a 51% future stakeholder .

We are working in partnership with the Manchester Diocese and the Parish of the Good Shephard (POTGS) to ensure a future asset transfer that will; work to the agreed objectives of the Holy Trinity Community Centre Trust HTCCT (working title)

The Draft objectives

To improve outcomes for the local community and promote fairness and justice.

To sustain an affordable, accessible local asset at the heart of the local community.

To support a stronger and cohesive community leading to action and change.

To work to an Asset Based Community Development that empowers the local community.

To ensure there is an ongoing Christian presence in the area.

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To continue to work with women who are the most difficult to reach

The future development plan will need to be achieved in a number of stages,

Secure funding for the long term development worker (currently funded from limited project reserves).

Create a CIO that will allow us to be independent from the PCC with our own constitution and charities number

Apply to Heritage lottery for essential repair work

Apply for funding for the repurposing of the building

Secure funding for project activities

Develop a sustainable business plan with alternative income streams.

To achieve our vision we will need to work in partnership with organisations and funders who share are vision, to transforming the lives of local people. We very much hope that the PCC and Manchester Diocese will be a future partner in our work.

2. Saint Gabriel’s:

• Please note that the Balance sheet for St Gabriel’s is at the end of the Financial report. (Apologies)

DCC MEMBERSHIP

During the year, the following people served as members of the DCC

Revd Shelia Cant

Sandra Kiy (Churchwarden)

Phillip Lee (Treasurer) 2023

Deborah Brindle (Secretary) 2023

The following to serve until 2023: Hazel Sugden, Mandy Hayes, Phillip Lee, Deborah Brindle

The following are to serve until 2024: S Kenyon, J Kenworthy

The following are to serve until 2025: Malcolm Sugden

CLERGY

Since the departure of Rev Farnworth in December 2021, the Parish of the Good Shepherd has relied on the Revd Pat Lodge with the support of Revd Sheila Cant who since assigned to St Gabriel’s and has brought much needed inspiration and joy to our small community. Sheila helps with the Place of Welcome as well as taking on responsibility as a governor at Parochial school. We feel very privileged to have Sheila’s support at St Gabriel’s.

An advert for a new Priest in charge has been drawn up by the PCC, prior to which we had to update the Parish Profile, which Deborah collaborated with the individual churches and Revd Pat Lodge.

SERVICES

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In August 2022 Sally and Michael Billing’s wedding took place, it was a beautiful day and a very emotional occasion.

There has been one funeral and two Baptisms in 2022

With only two members of clergy, the churches have had to adapt; we have at least one joint service each month and a shared service with St James every month. Visiting clergy have helped ease the load for Revd Pat and Shelia, but it is thanks to Revd Pat that we have maintained some kind of normality.

Key services have been at the forefront and Revd Pat has ensured that each church has held one of these services.

ELECTORAL ROLL

The number of members on the Electoral Roll of St Gabriel’s is 19.

CHURCHWARDEN’S REPORT

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attends St Gabriel’s for the contributions they make and for the help that they give in the general running of the church and at special events. Deborah has continued to provide excellent support with the Gift Aid payments and other paperwork. Sheila Kenyon, Christine Etchells and Carole Hulse have also been a great support in helping to set up for services and for the Place of Welcome, especially when I was away on holiday. Thanks also go to Martyn Moorhouse who continues to fix minor problems and carry out general maintenance, and especially helped this year with the boiler and radiators which caused a few issues with maintaining the heating in church. I must say an extra big thank you to Mandy for inspiring us all with her ideas, planning and hard work in the new Community Garden. She is amazing and a force to be reckoned with when she has a saw or a spade in her hands!

Rev Sheila has been a great asset to the church, leading us with enthusiasm and energy and inspiring us not only in our faith but also in our ambition to keep St Gabriel’s church as an important part of the community in which we operate.

We are still dealing with a long-term interregnum and are left with many concerns about our future, along with the other churches in our Parish. We know that it will be a future which will see less clergy and more lay people having to take more responsibilities, which is daunting to say the least. Within the team, Pat Lodge has admirably led the group of churchwardens within the Parish and the PCC to address the future and regular meetings continue to be held. An advert for a new incumbent has been put into the Church Times at great expense but has still not been productive. Many churches are in a similar situation sadly so it will not be easy to find somebody to take on the role in the present climate.

All our congregation has supported the new rota which had to be put in place, with a united service and a shared service every month and we are grateful for retired clergy coming in to help us out for other services. Being a churchwarden is not easy in these circumstances; we are a small team but an amazing one – the sharing of ideas and concerns is comforting – I couldn’t do this without all the support – so thank you.

I continue to serve as the Foundation Governor at Parochial School, maintaining good links with them and it is good to have them visiting the church regularly for choir visits to the Place of Welcome and to the Community Garden.

JUNIOR CHURCH

We have only been able to put a table at the back of church for children to sit at to do simple activities, colouring etc. The children don’t come regularly but seemed happy when they did.

CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, VULNERABLE ADULTS AND SAFEGUARDING

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St. Gabriel’s Church shares the commitment regarding safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. By following the Parish/Diocesan guidelines and procedures, and by being aware of our role and the possibilities of child abuse and neglect, we aim to create a safe environment. The 'Safeguarding Handbook' of policy and procedures and the Safe Church Policy and document should be adhered to at all times. It is everybody’s responsibility to make sure they are familiar with it. Information is located in the vestry and on the notice board.

St Gabriel’s church follows the Parish and diocesan DBS guidelines. The safeguarding statement provides the foundation for everyone to understand the shared responsibility for safeguarding our children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is of paramount importance and its effectiveness depends on our awareness and support.

In the course of the year, Mandy Hayes, Sheila Kenyon and Sandra Kiy attended an online safeguarding course. The new course was rather challenging, but all three received their certificates.

USE of BUILDING and MAINTENANCE

Use of the church building by regular groups is set out below:

Monday morning – Place of Welcome Monday evening – Pilates Tuesday afternoon – Knit and Natter (left us in December 22) Wednesday evening – Exercise & Fitness Thursday afternoon/evening – Baker School of Dance Friday morning – Home Schooling Saturday afternoon - Baker School of Dance

The Place of Welcome, held in the church on Monday mornings continues to be of great value to members of our church and the local community who suffer from social isolation or loneliness. Numbers have continued to grow and we have also gained more volunteers. We now have use of the St John’s Church minibus to transport people to and from the sessions, which is wonderful.

In March, Sandra and Mandy set up a Community Garden Project in an attempt to enable the church grounds to be used better by the local community and to make better use of the grassy area. The plans have begun to come together; the Memory Garden has been neatened up with space for plaques so that people can remember loved ones who have died. A bench and two chairs by the from entrance sit within a sensory garden, providing a pleasant area for people to sit before coming into church or waiting for people coming out. The children from Parochial School are involved in helping to plan an environmental garden with bug hotel, willow structures etc and the aim is for the classes to use it regularly next year. Other areas including a patio, raised vegetable beds are planned but the work is being held up due to the need for a Faculty and Planning Permission but these are being dealt with.

This year we also set up a Food Pantry at the back of church. It was felt it was needed due to the number of people struggling. Many people attending our user groups (especially the fitness class) have contributed to the pantry and it has been quite well-used. A grant helps us to top up the supplies.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE REPORT

We had a Quinquennial inspection in October which examined the grounds and fabric of the church. The report didn’t contain anything unexpected and our maintenance plans continue to be carried out.

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This year we had the gutters, downpipes and facias replaced with black upvc ones. This was quite costly but much needed. We also had a small part of the roof over the kitchen/vestry replaced. A new coir mat was fitted in the entrance vestibule and a new carpet in the first room and the old leather sofa was removed to make that area cleaner and neater.

We had some trouble this year with the boiler and leaking radiators resulting in the heating breaking down. This caused problems for the groups using the building on occasions but has now been fixed.

Huw Edwards, a professional gardener, offered to take over the mowing of the grass in church free of charge which is wonderful.

FUNDRAISING

In January we began fundraising through JustGiving and with support from the User Groups to raise the funds to install a defibrillator outside church. This was a great success and the money was raised in just a few weeks with much support from the local businesses and local community. It was installed through the local Rotary Group and is also maintained by them. It has only been used once thankfully this year.

In July a Summer Fair was held to raise funds for the Community Garden Project. This was a successful event with people renting stalls and a large raffle etc. It raised £1377 and many people in the community enjoyed seeing the beginnings of the garden plans whilst enjoying the bouncy castle and other games etc in the church grounds.

In November a Christmas Market was held in the Church which was very well attended and raised over £1402 for church funds. Again 12 people bought stalls for the afternoon and we provided hot meat and potato pie/cheese and onion pie for lunch. The Christmas raffle in itself brought in £600 which was fantastic.

At Christmas, 16 Reverse Advent Calendar boxes were donated once again to Infinity Initiatives. We are very grateful to members of the congregation who collected items during Advent to provide Christmas treats for families in crisis. Unfortunately, a flood in the Infinity Initiatives offices meant that the distribution of the boxes wasn’t as good this year, but Sheil K and Sandra helped to deliver some.

Harvest gifts were once again sent to Infinity Initiatives this year.

In order to support the Place of Welcome and the Community Garden, Sandra has continued to apply for grants. This year we got 6 grants, amounting to £2788 for the Place of Welcome, used for parties, equipment, food and to go towards the heating costs. We also got one of £500 to set up the Food Pantry and 5 grants for the Community Garden amounting to £5150. Sandra aims to continue to apply for similar grants in the future as these are very much needed.

CHAIR’S REPORT

As the Parish of The Good Shepherd has continued in interregnum for the whole of 2022, I have been delighted to support St Gabriel’s and the Parish as an Associate Priest. Sunday services continue, all be it with few but faithful members. There is always a sense of worship and deep shared faith in each service.

I continue to be wonderfully encouraged by the sense of faith, service and community outreach which exudes from all in our congregation. It is encouraging to see so many of St Gabriel’s folk joining services at other worship centres in the Parish, and to hear of the willingness to join together as a united Parish.

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Pastoral care is maintained with all those unable to worship in person by many of the church family. Thank you so much for keeping in touch and calling round to check in with folk. Thank you also for your care for me and my family.

The Place of Welcome continues to provide a safe social space for many in the community with numbers growing and fantastic funding support from Asda. I really enjoy my chats with folk and am challenging my memory – Tea / Coffee / Sugar / Milk / Toast etc – who has requested what? Becoming a Warm Welcome Space and having a Food Pantry has also attracted others to come along and share food and friendship.

The community garden is developing well and bringing new members of the local community into the church environment. Parochial school choir has also visited and wish to extend their links with St Gabriels in the coming year. It is positive that Sandra Kiy and I are governors at Parochial School and that a faith link if maintained with the school families.

The generosity of the church family seems endless with harvest, advent collections supporting Infinity Initiatives and Pauline Town.

We continue to face a difficult future trying to sustain worship services at St Gabriel’s and at the Parish’s other worship centres. My prayer is for your faithfulness to God to continue and for all to embrace the changes ahead with a positive mind and willing heart.

Stay safe, stay calm, God loves us.

Rev. Sheila

3. St James:

Church Warden Report

Grass has been cut though out March 2022 to October 2022.

We had a problem with Rats in the Summer this has been sorted and cleared we had a problem with the drains near the vestry and Mark Howarth has cemented the drain plus some extra holes near the vestry door which was believed this is where they were coming in.

The light outside the vestry bulb were changed but looks like it needs a new light my cub leader has said this can be brought from Screwfix and shouldn’t cost a lot.

Organ was due a service in February this has been put on hold due to our finances .

Tina Howarth

3[rd] Ashton Scout Report

We had our annual fundraiser the race night held at the Cricket club very successful and this paid the rent to church.

April we held the St Georges Day Parade. This was the first in two years due to Covid and we held it in Church. Myself and Mark led the service and it was attended by many of the district and lots of great feedback - a great morning was had by all with everyone renewing the promises.

May the scouts went on Competition camp. This again was the first after Covid. Although we didn’t win the weather was great and a good time was had by all.

Many badges have been achieved throughout the year.

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The youngsters had a Christmas party and all were given a small gift.

The cubs played in the five a side football which we came 3[rd] - must be in the name because we always seem to come 3[rd] (need to change to 1[st] Ashton)

Numbers are up and down. They seemed to drop off through winter. We are still short on leaders as some have had to step back due to health and personal issues.

I would like to thank all the leaders for their support and parents for bringing their young people every week and look forward to another year in scouting, with many district events

Tina Howarth

3[rd] Ashton Group Scout Leader

St James Brownies Report:

Currently we now have 12 brownies on the Register.

Following on from the ups and downs of the ‘Covid’ restrictions in 2022 brownies were back having meetings Face to Face each week. It was good to have planned activates go ahead without the threat of ‘lock downs.’

In June the girls took part in ‘hike’ from Park Bridge to Alexandra Park in Oldham.

The highlight of the year was being able to take the girls experience camp for the first time. We spent a weekend in July at Waddow (near Clitheroe) for an Adventure camp much enjoyed by both brownies and guiders.

During the year the brownies have earned many badges and enjoyed varied activities at the meetings. These activities are as diverse as painting, yoga, baking and acting out plays.

Like every other organisation the brownie unit funds have been depleted. Hopefully in the future we may be able to improve our financial situation.

St James brownies wish to thank the Church for the facilities they enjoy in the church building.

As a leader I wish to thank Helen, Shalina and Alina (brownie guiders) and Samantha (Unit Helper) for their commitment to encourage the girls to achieve their best in guiding activities.

The Rainbow unit is currently inactive due a shortage of leaders.

4. St Michael’s Report:

Secretary’s Report

This year we have had five regular meetings and two extraordinary meetings. The extraordinary meetings were to discuss the Parish Profile and options for the future of the car park. These meetings have all taken place using Zoom. Attendance has been good, as has the amount of commitment shown.

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Unfortunately DCC membership is less than half of the optimum size of 16. We began the year with 9 members but currently there are just 7. We are without a vicar, Electoral Roll Officer, Safeguarding Officer, Sunday School leader, verger and a second warden. This means that a small number of people are doing their best to cover a large number of duties.

We were fortunate to have Margaret Stanley take on the role of Treasurer in February. After Rev’d Roger Farnsworth’s retirement in December of last year there was period of administrative uncertainty with finance before Margaret took the helm. We are very grateful to her for taking on this onerous responsibility. Another change for the DCC was that Peter Lee resigned as warden in August. His many skills have been missed. On a sad note, Enid Fisher passed away early in the year. Her years of service to the Church, including as a member of the DCC, were much valued and she is sorely missed.

Just as we had began to return to normality after all the restrictions and complications associated with Covid, the Parish entered a period of interregnum. This has lasted all year and has caused many difficulties. The Diocese has been looking for a different configuration in the Parish before appointing a new priest, who will then have a developmental role in this new way of working. There have been many changes to times, places and frequency of services within the Parish. Arranging for Clergy from across the Diocese to conduct services has been one of the many challenges. We are deeply indebted to Reverend Pat Lodge and Revered Sheila Cant for their hard work and commitment to ensuring that the Parish has remained viable and for their major contribution to determining future changes. We are especially beholden to Pat for taking on this mammoth task in her retirement. There have, as yet, been no applicants to become our new incumbent despite national advertisements.

Lack of finance has been a recurring concern this year, as it has in previous years. St Michael’s is an old building which costs a lot to maintain. This, along with all the other necessary demands on finance, means that more income is urgently needed.

The need to generate more income leads on to another major issue for the DCC this year and that has been how to capitalise on our major asset, the car park. It has been finally agreed to pass the running of the car park to a private company called ParkingEye.

Financial insecurity and the dwindling number of volunteers to take on the many roles necessary to keep the Church running smoothly, and to contribute fresh ideas and aspirations, are abiding challenges. This has been a particularly difficult year but, with God’s blessing, we move forward into next with hope and determination.

Belle Kasprzyk

DCC Secretary

Charities Report

Please see Charities Report in the Accounts file

Church Warden’s Report

For all of this year we have been in an interregnum, with all the additional problems that this entails and it would thus be remiss of me not to thank everyone who, in whatever way, has kept things going forward so admirably during this difficult period. It is always dangerous to single out individuals when so very many people have given not inconsiderable energy during this demanding period. However, some do deserve a special mention and the ones who spring to mind instantly are the Rev’d Pat Lodge who has literally kept the show on the road not just here at St Michael’s but also throughout the whole Parish of the Good Shepherd, a not inconsiderable task, and to the Rev’d Sheila Cant for covering not just Sunday morning services but so much more. Thankyou Pat and Sheila.

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Our church is renowned for its music and for its beautiful and traditional style of worship; due in no small part to our excellent choir and to our organist and choirmaster, John Miles. We have hosted a number of Choral Evensongs and a multi-faith Jewish/Christian concert, which were all much acclaimed and, going forward, something on which we can build. It would of course also be remiss not to mention Jeff Brannan and the bell ringers who he gathers together for us and who enhance what our church has to offer, not just for weddings but also for events in our nation’s life and again enhances the beauty of St Michael’s and everything we have to give.

Of course, none of this would be possible without all the work that our amazing congregation manages to keep doing, we are hardly a vast congregation but the work required to keep our magnificent church not just afloat but moving forward is daunting but it is done, day after day. Thank you.

The church was once again open for the Heritage weekend in September and this year we can look forward to our new-found, or to be precise, our rekindled association with the Royal Air Force Cadets being used at the weekend with tours of the tower and the RAF band playing for us over the two days. This would also be a perfect place in this report to thank “The Friends” for their stalwart support of the ancient Parish Church of Ashton-under-Lyne. It is very much appreciated.

We were also proud to host the Royal Air Force Cadets’ commemoration day service as well as the Borough Remembrance Day Service and for good measure we also organised a celebration in the War Memorial Gardens marking the centenary of the opening of the Cenotaph and of course the annual Civic Carol Service.

As I write this report the ‘new’ heating system, that eternal thorn in our side, is still proving difficult to control but some progress has been made and I hope that by the time of the AGM I might be able to report that we have finally mastered it.

The DCC took the difficult decision to make the car park staff redundant and to pass the running of the car park over to a private company, ParkingEye. The local Authority granted planning permission and (again as I write) we are still waiting for the faculty to be finally passed.

We continue in our efforts to grow as a cohesive part of the Parish of the Good Shepherd and, along with all the churches in the parish, took part in a day retreat organised by the Archdeacon and the Area Dean. Certainly as far as the St Michael’s participants were concerned, it was a rewarding and worthwhile day that certainly helped us to come closer together as a parish.

As a church we have witnessed to God on this site since at least 1281 and though our future at the moment is still unknown, with all the frustrations and worries that that entails, I am totally convinced that no matter what that future might throw at us, St Michael’s, firmly trusting in God, is more than equipped with enough fortitude, talent and determination to see us safe through any storm.

Michael J. Winterbottom

Church Warden

Safeguarding Report

Following personal tragedy, our Safeguarding Officer has had to take on the responsibility for the upbringing of her two grandchildren and she continues to look after her increasingly disabled husband. She has asked to step down temporarily from her role in Safeguarding for St Michael’s. The Parish Safeguarding Officer has been informed of this situation and has agreed that we can contact her

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should we have any issues or queries. Our Safeguarding policies are displayed in Church and the DCC are fully aware of what needs to be done should there be an issue around Safeguarding in our Church.

These same personal circumstances apply to the absence of reports on Sunday School and the Electoral Roll.

Church Choir Report

The state of the choir remains rather precarious, but we have been able to sing for all our eucharist services this past year. Choir members are certainly loyal and take rehearsals very seriously. For the first time following the pandemic we were able to augment our numbers with tenors and basses for several choral evensongs and for the Carol Service and were able to use deputy organists on a few occasions. More singers (in all parts) would be extremely welcome. Rehearsals are still currently on Wednesdays in church from 7.15 to 8.15pm (moving to Thursdays during the summer in May), and that would be a good place to come and try out your voice, even if you are not sure you want to be in the choir.

John Miles

Choir master and Organist

Friends of Ashton Parish Church

The Friends resumed their social activates after Covid this year with our annual lunch, which was at the “Heroes of Waterloo”. Everyone enjoyed the event and we will be returning in 2023.

For our summer outing we went to York and were able to fill a small coach. The weather was beautiful and a group of us went on a tour of the Minster, which was well worth the visit.

Heritage Weekend was well attended. The passing of our Queen, Elizabeth 2[nd] , meant that people were coming into Church to sign the Book of Condolence, many of whom joined the tours and activities available, which made it a very successful weekend.

Friends’ subscriptions for 2023 are coming in slowly and to date we have 30 members.

Elaine Gaskell

Treasurer

5. St Peter’s Report:

This year at St Peter's has been a year of ups and downs, the year started with everything being put on hold again because of Covid. Decisions were made in line with the Dioceses on taking the services safely and I feel that we did our best to keep everyone safe. Numbers to our services have averaged around 30, mainly adults, everybody adhered to the covid restrictions. Thank you to everyone who made our job easier.

We have now dispensed with the wearing of mask which makes singing our hymns more enjoyable, of course we have emphasized that if members of the congregation wish to carry on wearing their masks, the decision is entirely their own. It is also nice that we can now take communion, be it only in one kind depending on the clergies’ discretion.

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We have welcomed new people to our church this year and we are happy that they have decided to be part of our church family. One of our new family helps in our drop in to deliver English lessons, another of our families run our Spanish lessons at church.

A craft club started this year in the lounge, but owing to a drop in numbers the organisers decided to end the sessions. Likewise, the ESOL classes had to end because of the lack of people attending and other classes opening in nearby locations.

St. Peter’s school held their Easter, Summer, leavers, Harvest and Christmas services in church. These were well attended by parents of all faiths.

The school took part in the Easter Experience, in which we put together different stations, each station had something relevant to the story leading up to the crucifixion of Christ, they tried on different crowns, had their feet washed (if they wanted to) looked at the garden of Gethsemane, knocked nails into wood so they could experience what it must have felt like when Jesus was nailed to the cross, and they tasted bread sticks dipped in white vinegar.

Some of the children from the school also took part in their version of the Christmas story in the church, the rest of the children came over at different intervals to church to be entertained by them, it was brilliant.

West End Primary Academy has also used the church to enhance their children’s understanding of church and what it does to enrich their learning. They are hoping to build on these links and use the church for other things.

We have lost much loved members of our church, and this leaves a gaping hole in our congregation, we are thankful for everything they did for the church during their time with us.

We have had no significant work this year, we desperately need some repair work on the windows, also the balcony is in need of clearing and cleaning, once this has been done there is a possibility we can hold bigger music events, apparently the acoustics in St. Peter’s are fantastic. The surveyor made a start on our quinquennial inspection, and we are waiting for him to return and complete it.

We held a Spring fair + cream tea, we also held a Christmas fair that was well supported, and by renting out our tables, it enabled us to raise quite a sum of money to help in the running of the church. It also freed up some of our volunteers to work on the church stalls, i.e. Tombola, refreshments, Christmas goods, etc.

During the year, Music Services held 2 events, one being a “Choir Festival” day, and the other Brass and Carols, they were both well attended. Tameside Community choir also used the church for a fund raising event, the money made on the night went to C.A.P (Christians against poverty.

The church grounds are still in need of maintenance; the council did meet us part way by allowing the gardener to cut the grass edges around the paths. Also after a telephone conversation with someone representing the garden section, it was agreed that we would allow them to remove the pinnacle off the top of one of monuments, the monument concerned was dedicated to the fallen in the first world war, the reason being that it was unsafe, it was either let them dismantle it or get a stone mason to repair it, which of course could possibly have been expensive.

We would like to thank our A.L.M Cath, Revd Pat and Revd Sheila for their support in helping us with services and baptisms, plus everything else behind the scenes.

Carol Farnsworth and Phil Bowden

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THE CHURCH LADS' AND CHURCH GIRLS' BRIGADE ANNUAL RETURN FOR PARISH AGM MEETING 2023

Company Name: St. Peters Ashton Under Lyne Company Number: 2408

Battalion: Tameside Diocese: Manchester

Regiment: Manchester

Correspondent: Officers: Full Name Patricia Pye Patricia Pye Address 76 Grey Street Cath Sheldon Stalybridge Victoria Taylor Cheshire Registered Helpers: Post Code SK15 2NR Michaela Higgins Phone [phone] John Iddon EMAIL [e-mail] Tanya Ladley Andrew Bradbury

		March 2022	March 2022	March 2023	March 2023
Section	No. of Members	Lads	Girls	Lads	Girls
Martins	Reception - Year 2	0	4	2	3
Y Team	Year 3 - Year 5	4	2	1	2
JTC	Year 6 – Year 8	1	2	2	1
Seniors	Year 9 upwards	4	4	2	6
Total		9	12	7	12

St Peters CLCGB meets every Friday night 6.30pm – 8.00pm (Term Time only) at St Peters C of E School

Subs are £1.50 per week

Our Brigade Nights are varied and activities include:

• Games

• Art & Craft

• Badgework

• Band & Drill

We celebrate achievements and present awards during the Church Parade service which is held every 2nd Sunday of the month.

Our aim is to create an evening centered around Fun, Faith and Fellowship and members develop friendships not only within the Company but within Tameside Battalion and Manchester Regiment. We meet with other Brigade companies for team games, band, sports & social events and parades.

The annual Manchester Regiment Outdoor Activity Week which takes place in Scotland is very popular with the older members. In August 2022, 5 members and 1 officer attended. They all had a fantastic time taking part in the activities.

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Annual Fees are paid to National Headquarters which covers insurance fees and events.

All Brigade Officers, Registered Helpers and members over 18 years have DBS clearance and have completed CLCGB mandatory training. The training courses completed include:

• Safeguarding

• Food Hygiene

• First Aid

This year our Annual Regimental Skills Day was very well attended.

2 Senior members completed their First Aid training along with 1 leader renewing their qualification.

• 1 leader and 1 Senior member completed the Drill course.

• 1 leader and 1 Senior member completed the Games course.

• 1 leader completed the Taking Groups Away course.

• 1 leader completed the Special Needs Awareness course.

1 Senior member has now completed a 12-month Young Leaders and Sports Leaders Training Programme.

2 Senior members have expressed an interest in the next Young Leaders Training Programme.

It is very encouraging that our Senior members are wanting to take part in the training offered and they will be great assets to the company in the future years.

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Financial Reports: Parish: Accounts and Sequestration Our Team Rector, Revd Roger Farnworth, retired and left the area in December 2021. although officially retsined responsibility for St James, Vicarage unti1 March 2022. After March, the parish was put into Sequestration, which enabled the parish to claim reimbursement from the Diocese for all costs on both St James, Vicarage and Hutton Avenue Vicarage. 5eque5tration requires that fees for ocrJsional offi￿$ and claims for reimbursement of vicarage expenses are submitted every month and any refunds are paid direct into the parish bank account. There have been some late payments and minor complications which have been due to changes of staff in the diocese, but the parish process works well thanks to the 5yStem5 Put in place to centralise records of weddings and funerals and the 5UPPOrt of our team of Treasurers. The balance in the main Parish Account ha5 increased over the year to a final balance of £5930.69. This is mainly due to the decrease tn Ministry expenses, now only having expenses for our Associate Priest, Revd Sheila Cant. It should be noted that Ministry Expenses of £820 include £389 for postage costs for the weekly mailings. The end of year balante does not intlude an outstanding expense, as we have not yet received an invoice from the Auditor f(Fr the 2021 accounts- l estimate thi5 will be approx. £6(K) which will now be paid in the account5 for 2023. The extra funds in the account has enabled us to pay for the clergy vacancy advert in The Church fimes. which was £941.12. The Payroll Account has a surplus of I month's funds and this will continue to build to cover any reqttirements for redundancy etc. The accounts for 2022 We￿ ￿vieWed and agreed by our independent examiner, Pete Summers. Budget The budget for 2022 and the contributions paid by churches into the main account were aEieed by TreasureTS in January 2022. These were paid in the ratios relating to Parish Share Points set by the diocese. The PSP'S for 2023 will result in ￿dUCed contributions for St James and increased contributions from St Gabriel. St Michael and St Peter remain approx. the same. 2023 budÉet reflects the hope that we will have an inc(tmbent for the latter half of the year. 22 24

Bank We Continue to bank with HSBC. In May 2022, PCC authorised the Parish Treasurer to make payment5 via bank transfer rather than cheques. This has meant that payments are immediate, saving the Treasurer having to seek 2 signatures and then posting a cheque plu5 the fecipient 15 saved the inconvenience of having to journey to the bank to pay it It is a much more efficient workin8 practice. The Independent Exam¢ner was asked to pay particular attention to these payments, for reasons of transparency. Payroll The gerteral payroll systems are working smoothly. All wage payments and payments to HMRC have been made on time. There were no staff changes during 2022. HTCCC'S employment tribunal issue was eventually settled out of court In September, with the settlement figure of £45(K) belng paid out of HTCCC'S payroll account funds. A dispute with an energy broker claiming for lost commission was again settled out of court. with FrtCCC paying £2800 in October as compensation. Easy Peasy have provided an extremely efficient and professional service, whilst beiTrg friendly and flexible. Cath Sheldon has been overseeing all aspects of Finance, HR and Payroll, including pensions and there have been discussions about the recording of holidays and sickness both for Holy Trinily Community Centre and for the staff at St Michael's. The role of Administratortrreasurer cost the parish £5216 IgTossI in 2022. an increase of £1256 over 2021. This is due to the increased responsibilities during interregnum. including managing the Sequestration account and additional admin support. Pensions In March 2022. we made our final paymet)ts to the Church of England Pension 8oard and our account with them was closed. The majority of employees have left the fvt)ds in their account5 Wlth this organisation. In April we began making payments via Direct Debit to NEST and this has been an excellent decision. Individuals can access their accounts online and Easy Peasy can view the funds and check that the correct amounts have been credited. Parish Share Early in 2022 our churches agreed that again they could only cornfflit to paying 25% of the parish share due to income and attendance not recovering after the pandemic lockdowns. and the diocese was informed. All churches paid their Sha￿ of the 25% by the end of 2022. 23 25

Below is the breakdown of what churches paid. based on the diocesan Parish Share Points. PARISH SHARE 2022 E47,338 Parish Share 2022 St Gabriel's Stjames St Michael's St Peter's Par¥sh 4.733.80 £ 17,041.68 £ 14,201.40 £ 11.361.12 £ 47,338.QKI 10.00 36.00 30.00 24.00 iOO.LKI Parlsh Share for 2023 £42.604 S￿.46 2O056f ¥s 7J 1616J fj2Zhl 1gPJ7 fwol lll.22 II&JSJS I13￿7 t￿m￿tACciUlll FulldsAvaU•bk sLIt￿￿B￿a￿ttl5￿L31 1221 5ts&7J IiOJSJ5 77UT 72wÈ-J2 A•AISL.Illk I]4￿15 714729 114%9 71J15941 3SJ9425 Jt7n Ratcliffe 14.04.23 24 26

Holy Trinity Financial Report: %%1#848 XI1¥￿1￿#s 25 27

St James Financial report: Financial Re ort for 2022 For the 3 consecutive year, we were unable to pay the full Parish share. We needed to pay 25%, amounting to £4261, £2593 payable in January 2023, offset by the DI0￿Se retsining the £1668 gift aid refund. If at the end of 2023 we need to pay 25% or more Parish share, this will have a serious impact on the Church's finances. l Glvln 2022 Totsl 2022 Equivalent r week 2021 Total 2021 Equivalent r week 2020 Total 2020 Equivalent week Dirert Giving £6369 £122 £7756 £149 £9606 £185 Tax reclaimed on Giving £1668 £32 3799 £73 £481 £9 Total £8037 £154 £11555 £222 £10087 £194 We continue to be indebted to the generosity of members who pay by standing order, glving over £300 a month to Church funds. We are still sbuggling with congregation numbers, which means weekly collections are still down on pre Covid Sundays. We have been helped by a Diocese grant towards heating costs and we have also been able to reclaim VAT on major works. However, we sb"Il need to l(K)k for more ways of increasing our regular income with costs increasing significanuy. aisin in in 2022 2021 2020 Fund raisinglDonations £3843 £2759 £5651 Letting$ £3109 £1104 £1323 Totsl £6952 £3863 £6974 We were able to have more fundrzising events in 2022, the main event being a really successful Queen tribute concert which raised more than £IOOO. In addition, 2 brass band concerts helped to raise some much needed funds. Lettings increased ori previous years as the NA and AA re￿Med to regular weekly 26 28

meetings. However, we need to look at their monthly rent payments as we must offset larye energy cost increase5. We are also looking to do more fund raising events, including more concerts en within the in res re the f Ilowin item 2022 2021 2020 Fairs indudi Christmas 423 Market Stall 156 42 Tea Mon 126 134 39 zine 24 Art Exhibition Donation 665 100 aub 120 Fundralsl CAF 70 350 HaThest A 138 196 124 other Events 2557 672 81 Funerals Weddi 1317 787 1979 Face Masks 169 747 Not included in the at(sve figures are various restricted donations and grants. ndi 2022 2021 2020 Insurance Costs 2768 2745 2740 Heatin 3602 3807 3439 Li htin 2144 1190 1327 Water 340 306 276 General Maintenance 635 297 527 Electrical work 207 120 222 orre irslRe ments 6965 17487 27 29

Whilst the costs of running the Church have not increased significantty since pre Cowd, the new electricity contract has led to a neady doubling of lighting costs, most of this due to the Church paying £IOOO just for standing chèrges. A new gas contract comes into effect in July and this will lead to a threefold increase, which will mean an annual cost of around £IOOOO. We need to ensure we do control the heating so it's not on when the Churctt is not being used. The Church is facing a critical period financially. A forecast to the end of 2023 indicates fvnds down to barely £IOOO, $0 everything must be done to ensure we remain Mable. I am not confident of financial a￿lstanCe from either the Government or the Diocese towards increased energy costs; I have already expressed concerns to the Parish about gur financial situation and the Di￿eSe are also aware of our predicament. Hopefully, we won't be faced with major repairs to the Church's fabric and can attrart more funding, maybe in the fomi of grants. Peter G Sumrners Treasurer February 2023 4J AT Ac¢￿￿$TImGPtr￿lEs WICQIWNGRESC¥JRCES F￿r4 IDBS47 n&l Gmn 47¢.56 •1 2P) lor 28 30

T•TL RES(WRCÉ8UEED iQQJ 37aA• ¥7SAI JlQ.F4 4T4JI Tl7 2JD7D Flq 41FATh) 922AJ ZQi? AD 4t tF￿￿2? ¥117.71 IT,53W.TJ 4¥B 0nth1caF4￿ff TAI E FINA 2U22 I. PyknDi•ti cé131 .T Tr411 J￿￿ffr ÉWIS tJB.7• .7• P•tyC*Bh411 F￿1￿lF￿￿¥¢11h) l jIrn￿ty F.SS 29 31

St Gabriel's Financial Report: FINANcfAL REPORT Sum In 2022 St Gabriel's expenditure exceeded its income by £2,480 (2021: excess income - £1,671) Items of note were.. Actual 9ivin9 of £4,836 was almost Il% up on the 2021 £4,349 Church rental income received of £7.053 was 14370 up on the £2.893 9enerated in 2021 Parish Share The Parish Share for 2022 £4,734 of which £1,271 (267.) was met by direct payment and 9ift aid income tax receipts. Whereas previously our fair portion of the Parish share was considered to be 10 /. of the whole. for 2023 this has been decreed to be 25 10 or £10.651. It has been proposed that a realistic aim is to pay at least 307ts some £3,195. We will also be contributin9 towards 2570 of Parish team costs. Utilisation o Resources and the Future As the f inancial accounts reveal. re9ular usage of the church by communtty groups remains critical to the f inancial wellbeing of St 6obriel's particular during the ongoing impact from risin9 Costs. There is also a need to ensure the fabric of the buildin9 is well and regularly maintained which will necessitate the continued use of our capital reserves. Inde endent Examiner s Re rt Samantha L Knott MAA T has certif led that the accounts for 2022 give a true and fair view of the transactions for the finoncial yeor. St Michael's Financial Report: Treasurer's Report Treasurerf5 Re ort Please see Financial documentation in the Accounts file in addition this report. At a rÈcÈnt meeting of the Treasurers of the four churches in the Parish of the Good Shepherd ie St Gabriel's. St Jame5, St Michael'5 and St Peter'5. las far as End of Year Accounts are concerned, Holy Trinity is t￿ated separately as it is a Festival Church). it was agreed to produce a much more simple Balance Sheet for the purposes of the AGMS. Maureen Leigh, Treasurer at St Peter's, has produced a template for doing this and all churches are urged to follow this format so it can be seen at a glance how each church compares and contrast5 Wlth the other churche5 in the Parish. This is what is in your paperwork for thi5.meeting. The much fuller attount is compiled by Pete Summers, who examines our aCCo￿￿t5. and is difficult to follow. If any parishioner wishes to consult the fuller accounts, a copy is available at the back of Church. The balance in the current account on the l January 2022. as shown in the bank statements. was £32,549.28 and by 30 32

31" December 2022 it was £20,457.13, giving U5 an overspend of £12,092.15 for the financial year ending 31" December 2022. NB This contrasts with the figure shown on the Balance Sheet you have been givern of an overspend of £12.052.25 because it includes the sum of £39.90 under Interest and Dividends. This interest was earned on the Thanksgiving Fund and the Louisa Andrew Legacy, which are 8usines5 Reserve Accounts, not our current account, but l am advised, the interest they attract must be shown on the Balance Sheet. The remaining 40p is ne8ligible and is accounted for by additional monies left in the paying in machine at the bank or the paying in tnathine recording a deficlt amount in counting the money deposFted. This deficit is actually smaller than I predicted because of a Èenerou5 donatton from the Bellringers ot £2.426.77 which was transferred to the Thanksgiving Fund and by a grant of £1.250.IXI from the Diocese which helped to offset the cost of £3.127.95 needed for 2(M) lities of oil delivered in March. Wtr>at is clear is that with an overspend year on year and with only £20.457.13 left in the current account. the Church has only about two years left to remain open unless we can increase our income substantially. You will note that the tar park in 2022 made £30,444.40 for the church but £25,685.(KJ of that was paid out in car park wages. IF we are able to obtsin a Faculty in the foreseeable future and are able to hand over the running of the car to ParkingEye.thi5 should ease our financial problems somewhat but we are already a quarter of the way though 2023 and still paying out £2,(XK) per month in car park wèges. It 5hotJld also be noted that our Gift A*ded Envelope and Standing Ordercovenanted Giving wa5 down on 2021 (£4,591.70 in 2022 compared with £5,378.84 in 20211. This is because people have left the area and not been replaced and already this year we have witnessed the death of one of our most loyal and financially supportive parishioners. Against this, it mvst be noted that otsr expendTrture as a church has gone up from £48.555.63 in 2021 to £56, 899.40 in 2021. Seemingly in 2021 only £1.049.44 was paid in Quota payments but in 2022, £4,726.08 was paid out. Similarly, Church Running Expenses Int￿ased by £IOOO and in 2022. £2.505.04 was paid out in Organist's Wages and Fees and Verger's Fees whereas in 2021 Pete Summers has a zero figure against thi5 payment, presumably because of Covid. I would like to ask of the COng￿gatIon that 35 rnany of you a5 possible pay your regular giving to the Church by Standing Order. With the Interregnum being protrarted and the necessity of continuing with united and shared services with the other churches, it Seems to me that St Michael's may- and l onty suggest this to all of you have lost out on its weekly giving because we are not always in our own Church. On a more positive note, at the last Treasurers, meeting, It was proposed and carried, ready for ratification by the next PCC meeting on 26, April, that as.we are all in thi5 togethert (Rev Sheila Cant's words) there Should be a 'levelling up, between all four churches. with each Chufch paying the same amount in Quots payments and the same amount monthly to the Parish of the Good Shepherd to cover Team Clergy expenses. PCC property, Team Admin Assistant's wages etc., given that many of our churches. particularly ours, cost more than others ￿ insurance, running and maintenance costs. This should work to our benefit. Margaret Stanlev Church TreaSu￿r St Mithagfs Church Balance She Income Gfft Aid Claitns Envelopes & slo covenanied Envelopes unwvenanled a5 at 31.12.2022 22Ex £1,611.51 Ulilibes (Gas. Elec, Water. Phone etcl £5,220.36 Minor Repairs IRouline .591.70 Mal￿tenanCe> ££2,335,00 £2,335.OD £0.00 Upkeep ofServi¢es £1,147.61 31 33

Team Cler9y £1,994.09 8xpenses TeatD PCC £1,966.00 Property C8sh f1.311.10 Fees Intere518 DNKJends Donations (Howersl t)on8tion ICAF RFI Donation Isale ofxmas CO$ MLI Donations IH8riesl and Bell Fund) Donation5 £319.62 £39.90 Church Insurance £0.00 Gift Claims ItOw*dS pa￿ STharèl £0.00 Parisfi Share (Quoial £0.00 Mi5￿11aneOu5 ITeaml £2,503.55 Building Work £120.00 General Expenses £9.686.76 £4,726.08 £0.00 CCLA transfer Fund Raisin9 Ico0¢8rt and toursl Parf$h ofG¢r￿ Shep IErwgyWI £0.00 DK)￿San Fees £622.00 £326.00 All Chariti& £1,250.00 Home Cttarilies Organisl&Vergers's £0.00 Fees &Wages £376.78 Use of loungel¢hurch Charity Appeals Organ Repair Fund Car Park Othèr Inc(Knt £2,505.04 £0.00 Car Patk Wag88 Team Admin £0.00 Asgist8ni £30,444.40 Transfer lo Thanksgiving A¢fywnl £25,685.00 £569.24 £2.394.79 Totsi EXpondI￿re Total In¢om8 £44847.15 £56,899AO Overspend: -£12.052.25 Total Curren Curr•nt A¢Co￿￿t¥S at 1.1.2023 £20.457.44 Thanksglvlng Fund £2.749.23 Loulsa AndTew Legacy £694A4 Total Flnanclal Assgts: £23,901.11 CCLA ACC¢JUNT.' £ 3.037.03 Margar•t Stsnloy Ch¢j￿h Tr•asur&r 31.03 2023 32 34

TRI CH RCH TMI HAEL & AL AN EL TOT 2022 Fn• tYès￿IId Fun Fun 2021 IIKQUIN6 RE￿o￿E0 10.T24.D7 9,54Q 4fj 21bl 1,250.iNJ 1.966.00 1.9S$.00 1,5B3. 44 J¥ J91.45 RESOURCES V5ED Grants 390.00 52.93fj 5$ 78.78 376.T8 52.936.59 250. 48.555.53 to 3P> Jo 3.$86 03 3.5W.03 1.096.64 $27 47 Eth0n1￿&￿e￿eTr￿$ el To7￿ RESC¥mS USED 50 158 74 NeritfolAtr￿lOIITG01NG1AE8OlWEs 13,342.15 T25Q.00 12.052.25 GAN5 AND LOSSES OMIN¥ESTMEiir NET A￿EllEr{fIN FiITa)5 13,342.16 1.250.00 12.052 25 11.0872S BALVKES BRQUfjHfFQRVIARDAT I ￿N￿ARy 2022 9.bbO.59 90.604.96 . 45,140.70 35,58361 46.65098 AT 31 DPGpm￿r?fj22 TR HT NDER-LYNE BALANGESHEET AT 31 Doc•m￿r2022 EL 2022 FIXEDASSETS Tpn9ib astèts 6(&1 Doblo CÈsh atbankand ID hand U￿U￿E￿..A￿I0uHTF￿Wj UVE WTHIN ONÉ YENA trTCURRElfASSETS FUNDS F￿ty 23,222.T4 90,644.86 43,890 70 9,880 59 9Q.440 19 33 35

St Peterfs Financlal Report: Treasurer's re ort on 2022 end of ear balance sheet for St. Peter's Income This has dropped by around £5500 in comparison to 2021 £1500 of this is loss of income from group5 which used the church/lounge and £1500 less income from envelopes and standing orders (although plate colleclion was increased slightly) There was also £3000 transferred from our CCLA account in 2021 to top up our current account but no transfer was necessary in 2022 A £1500 dividend was also received in 2021 for changing banks which increased the income figure Fund-raisÈng in 2022 increased by £500 and income from fees by £1800 enditure The utilities expendtture (gas, electricity, water. phone, internet etc) increased by £600 (however, since then we have r¢c¢ived a credit of around £800 for overpayments which makes il roughly the same as 2021) The electricity contract will change in May 2023 which will significantly increase charges There has been no building work carried oui during 2022 nor any minor repaiTS which has reduced the expenditure for 2022 by approx £2000 in comparison to 2021 As there have been significantly more funerals/weddings the diocesan and associated fees have increased in 2022 by around £1 000 General As the bank balance carried fonvard from 2021 was significantly higher than that carried fonvard from 2020, with the adjustments in income and expenditure explained above, the bank balance for year end 2022 is approximately £2300 above year end 2021 Although the 2022 year end bank balance stands at £12784, this includes the designated Alex Fund, the Organ fund, the Bells Fund and the Red Cross Drop-in balances which effectkvely reduce the balance to £5865 The pledged amount of 250/0 of St. Peter's contribution to the Parish Share was paid. Most of this was from gift aid reclaims with a 'top-up' payment of £433.25 (although in fact the Diocese did not credit the final gift aid claim to 2022) As the cost of electricity will increase from May 2023 it may require a review of the hourly charges for using the church. The lounge should not be affected as it is heated by gas which should not change until June 2024 34 36

Date: 30.03.23 sr PEfERS CHURCH IN ThE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD AsiffoN UNDER LYNE I have examined the annual account records for St Peters Church, Ashton, whlch are being kept in a neat and orderly manner to allow infomiation to be easlly accessed and understood. I have checked the relevant bank ststements, ￿lPts, income and expenditure details which are itemised in the balance sheets Including the parate balances for the Church Restoration fund and the CCLA account. Finally, I can confirm the balance sheets are a true and accurate record of the Church accounts and show the current financial positson of St Peters Church Ashton, for the year ending 31° December 2022 Signed." Catherine Sheldon FMAAT ACIPP 37

Sheetl St. Peterf8 Ch h Bala Income Grft Aid Claims Énvelopes & slo covenanted Envelopes Lbncovenanled Cash Fees Interest & Dividends I Donations (Flowers Donation (CAF RFI Donation (Sale of Xmas CDS MLI Donation (Misc) Donation for bells repair CCLA IransfeF Efforts Parish of Goo(1 Shep IEnepJyGrnrrti Use of loungelchurch Chaiity Appeals Organ Repair Fund Red Cro￿ reclaim ce Sheet 31.12.22 2022 Ex anses £2,407.03 Utilities IGas, Eléc. Water, Phone el¢) £5,470.00 Minor Repaiis Iheating. electrical workl U62.00 Upkeep of SerV￿e$ £3.246.94 Team Clergy expenses £3.382.00 Team PCC Propety. £0.00 Church Insufanee £132.01 Grft Claims (towards Part8h Share) £200.00 Parish Share jQuolal £180.00 Miscellaneous jTeamj £78.72 Building Work £2,426.77 General ExpenseslvahknNW HW.bokn•eNI £0.00 Diocesan Fees £1,282.00 Missions & Charities £1,250.1)O Home CharitiesiFIArveGI hicEI63.50 20211 £448.75 Organist Fees £95.00 Verger Fees £105.00 Team Admin A88i8tsnl £0.00 DroFFin (room hire + expenses) £3.997.55 £0.00 £639.38 £379.39 £6,291.37 £2,407.03 £433.25 £587.69 £385.78 £0.00 £210.00 £240.00 £985.30 £225.00 Total Income Bank balance fwd from 2021 £21.166.221 £10 472.34 £31638.56, ,Total Expgndlture '.Bank Balanc• 31.12.22 £18.853.98 £12 784.58 in CCLA A unt £7,234.96 Dè81 nat￿ Al x Fund £397.25 (held in main acwunt) nat￿ Red Cross In Fund in bank ' £3.919.68 jhas £20 ¢8sh il08tJ nated O an Fund £175.00 (heid in main account) Insuranc ear x £339.SO uota and Insurance for2022 total paid £11,361.12 42.840.28: £8.520.84 L1 37, 46.291.37 £0.00 £17 652.49, Quots decr¢a$¢d by £1725.70 lapprox 13 %) Quota Ins.increased by £142.55 lapprox 2.3%) Insurance Forth wh le ar Average weekly envlso) Average w••kly ¢a¥h £144.12 £37.34 £181.46 £42.27 Grft Aid 23.73 £114.08 £62.44 £176.52 £46.29 2.81 £171.93 £36.35 Gfft Ald £208.28 Gift Aid Page I 38

Sheet1 MIKE CUSTANCE LEGACY INVESTEO IN THÉ CCLA INVESTMENT MANA INCOME EXPENDITURE 31.03.22 Interest 30.06.22 Interest 30.09.22 Intsrest 31.12.22 Interesl .'Transhr to church alc £0.00 £14.24 £26.51 £46.96 £93.93 Total Expendlture £7 141.03 Bank Balance 31.12.22, £0.00 £7 234.96 £7 234.96 BIF Bank Balance 31.12.21 Page 1 39

Red Cross Dro -in Balance as at 31.12.22 BANK Balance carried forward from 2021: CASH FLOAT £4414.68 £ 60.00 Transartions 2022 Income Re-claimed from Red Cross 0.00 Transfer from bank 0.00 Total Income £ 0.00 £ 0.00 enditure Cash destitution payments Room hire12022} Transfer to cash float ESOL Tutor fees Sundry stationery items for ESOL £ 35.00 £ 195.00 JI. £ 0.00 0.00 £ 30.00 £ 5.00 Total Expenditure £ 225.00 Balance 2022 Carried forward Total Bank Balance as at 31.12.22 £-225.00 £3919.68 £3919.68 Cash float 31.12.22 £ 0.00 £ 40.00 £ 20.00 40

She￿1 St. Gabr 's Statement of Flnancial Activities Year end 31 De¢ember 2022 Income Gift Claims Envelopes & slo covenanted Envelo es uncovenanted Cash Fees Interest & Oividend8 DonatiorB- Defibnllator en5es Utilities and cleanin Minor Re airs Upkeep of Services Team Clergy expenses Team PCC Plo Church Insurance Gift Akd Ckims Itowards P￿$b Share) Parish Share (Quotal Miscellaneous (Team) Building Work D￿>Tr￿n Fees DefibrilLator Home Charities Magazines Team Admin Assistant £1.￿.13 £3,437.20 £432.00 £966.75 £809.00 £41.85 £1.21X).00 £1.297.60 £414.92 £46.56 £236.32 £760.63 £1.086.13 £185.00 £9.9XI.00 £360. £1,2￿.00 £0.00 £48.00 £882.04 CCLAtransfer FundraEin Pari8h ofGood Skphèid Letti income Charit A peals £0.00 £1.492.80 £1,250.00 £7.053.1 £0.00 EnErgyGtanll Totsl Income Bank balance 01.01.22 £17,768.73 £39 428.71 Totsl Ex nditurÈ Bank Balancè 31.12.22 £20.248.28 £36 949.1 Excess of ex diture over in¢orne £2 479.55 Balance Sheet as al 31 December 2022 Unrestricted church funds main account 33.724.69 Restilcted church Funds in CCLA account 3.224.47 Non<hurch FestFiGtedldesignated funds in maln a¢￿ts￿t 12,036.95 Totsl bank funds as at 31 Docember 2022 t48,986.11 Page 1 42

Safe Church Policy

As a church community, we are committed to:

• The care, nurture of and respectful pastoral ministry with all children and adults

• The safeguarding and protection of all children and adults

• The establishment of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment, where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ regarding the dangers of abuse, which:

For children and young people

• ➢ Values them for who they are, and nurtures their positive development

• ➢ Enables them to participate fully and contribute to their church community

• ➢ Protects them from actual or potential harm

For adults who may be at risk, including those suffering domestic abuse:

• ➢ Ensures that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse

• ➢ Encourages those who may be vulnerable

• To lead as independent a life as possible

• To choose how to lead their life

• To be active contributors to the church community

• ➢ Protects those who may be vulnerable from actual or potential harm

For all people

• ➢ Enables and encourages concerns to be raised and responded to openly and consistently

• ➢ Offers support and care for those suffering, or who have suffered, from any form of abuse

• ➢ Promotes respect and the value of each person as a child of God

We are therefore committed to best practice according to the national policies and guidelines of the Church of England, in the protection of children and vulnerable people; in the recruitment, training and supervision of all who exercise a pastoral ministry; and in responding to any allegations or complaints.

This policy is reviewed each year by the Parochial Church Council and re-affirmed at the Annual Meeting.

Because we understand that:

God has a special care for those who struggle

• All of us at different periods of our lives are vulnerable and in need of help

• We can make a difference

This policy was agreed by the PCC on

Incumbent ……………………………………………………….

Safeguarding Coordinator ………………………………………………. Date ………………

43

Policy Statement on Safeguarding

Children & Young People

This statement was agreed at the PCC meeting held on

• ➢ As members of this church, we commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all, especially children and young people

• ➢ It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children and young people and to report any abuse discovered or suspected

• ➢ We recognise that our work with children and young people is the responsibility of the whole church

• ➢ Our church is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with children and young people and to providing supervision

• ➢ Our church is committed to following the guidelines and procedures published by the Diocese

• ➢ The parish will adopt good practice guidelines

• ➢ Safeguarding Children issues will be at the forefront in terms of seeking or accepting those volunteering to help with young people. Each worker with children and young people must undertake Diocesan Safeguarding Training, know the guidelines and undertake to follow them. Each shall be given a copy of the Parish’s agreed procedures and good practice guidelines.

• ➢ As part of our commitment to children and young people, the PCC has appointed Moira Wilson as Safeguarding Coordinator.

• ➢ Children and Young People are an important part of our Church today

• ➢ They have much to give as well as to receive

• ➢ We will listen to them

• ➢ As we nurture them in worship, learning, and in community life, we will respect the wishes and feelings of Children and Young People.

Incumbent ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Safeguarding Officer…………………………………………………………………………………..

Safeguarding Coordinator………………………………………………. …….. Date ………………………………...

44

Policy Statement on

Safeguarding of Adults at Risk

This statement was agreed at the PCC meeting on

• ➢ We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable/at risk at some time in our lives.

• ➢ As members of this parish we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all adults to whom we minister.

• ➢ We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be at risk, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.

• ➢ We commit ourselves to promoting safe practices by those in positions of trust.

• ➢ The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be at risk.

• ➢ It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of people at risk and to report such abuse that we discover or suspect.

• ➢ We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be at risk.

• ➢ The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be at risk.

• ➢ The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.

• ➢ Each person who works with people who may be at risk will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines establish by this church.

• ➢ As part of our commitment safeguarding all people, the PCC has appointed Moira Wilson as Safeguarding Coordinator

• ➢ Each of the churches within the Team will appoint a safeguarding officer to represent the concerns and views of people who may be at risk at their meetings and to outside bodies.

This policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved.

Incumbent …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Safeguarding Officer……………………………………………………………………………….

Safeguarding Coordinator ………………………………………………………………. Date …………………………..……….

45

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Parish of The Good Shepherd

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Parish of The Good Shepherd (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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

Jane Cooksey

Jane Cooksey Limited 15/16 Boarshurst Bus. Park, Boarshurst Lane, Greenfield Oldham Lancashire OL3 7ER

18 August 2023

46

THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Income resources from Donors 206,819 Other trading activities 2 100 Investment income 3 41,143 Other income 29,958 Total 278,020 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 2,567 Charitable activities Activities relating directly to the work of the church 104,084 Staff Costs 156,108 Extraordinary expenses 23,718 Church management and Administration - Total 286,477 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (8,457) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 106,849 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 98,392	Restricted fund £ 6,364 - - - 6,364 225 - - - - 225 6,139 69,650 75,789	2022 Total funds £ 213,183 100 41,143 29,958 284,384 2,792 104,084 156,108 23,718 - 286,702 (2,318) 176,499 174,181	2021 Total funds £ 219,445 58 53,551 5,129 278,183 852 84,952 147,953 8,846 690 243,293 34,890 141,609 176,499

47

THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2022

Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 107,327 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 9 (8,935) NET CURRENT ASSETS 98,392 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 98,392 NET ASSETS 98,392 FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	Restricted fund £ 77,456 (1,667) 75,789 75,789 75,789	2022 Total funds £ 184,783 (10,602) 174,181 174,181 174,181 98,392 75,789 174,181	2021 Total funds £ 181,967 (5,468) 176,499 176,499 176,499 106,849 69,650 176,499

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Trustee

48

THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Voluntary Income and Capital Resources

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donation is recognised when the income is received. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.

Sale of books and magazines from the church bookstall are accounted for gross.

Other Ordinary Income

Rental income from the letting of church premises and other property is recognised when the rental is due.

Income from Investments

Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings

• 25% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Fund accounting

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not included the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
	2022	2021
	£	£
Magazines/Common worship	75	58
Fees	25	-
	100	58

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

Rents from PCC property Deposit account interest	2022 £ 41,055 88 41,143	2021 £ 53,538 13
		53,551

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021.

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

	2022	2021
Church Activities	11	12

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Income resources from Donors 215,706 Other trading activities 58 Investment income 53,549 Other income 5,129 Total 274,442 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 82 Charitable activities Activities relating directly to the work of the church 83,144 Staff Costs 147,953 Extraordinary expenses 8,846 Church management and Administration 690 Total 240,715 NET INCOME 33,727 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 73,122 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 106,849	Restricted fund £ 3,739 - 2 - 3,741 770 1,808 - - - 2,578 1,163 68,487 69,650	Total funds £ 219,445 58 53,551 5,129 278,183 852 84,952 147,953 8,846 690 243,293 34,890 141,609 176,499

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

7. ASHTON PARISH CHURCH CHARITIES

The accounts show a transfer of £146,038 to this charity being monies held on behalf of eleven dormant charities. At the latter end of 2019 there was an initiative from the Charity Commission to look into dormant charities. As a result we engaged a Trust Transfer Associate from UKCF who would transfer all of the charities and assets into the Benjamin Mellor Charity and close all the other charities. The Benjamin Mellor Charity then changed its name to 'Ashton parish Church Charities'. The objects of the revised charity would also change to 'The relief of those in need in the Parish of the Good Shepherd, Ashton Under Lyne by reason of youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021	Fixtures and fittings £ 16,858
	16,858
	-
	-

9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Taxation and social security Other creditors	2022 £ 1,543 9,059 10,602	2021 £ 1,543 3,925
		5,468

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted general fund TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.1.22 £ 106,849 69,650 176,499	Net movement in funds £ (8,457) 6,139 (2,318)	At 31.12.22 £ 98,392 75,789
			174,181

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 278,020 Restricted funds Restricted general fund 6,364 TOTAL FUNDS 284,384 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.1.21 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 73,122 Restricted funds Restricted general fund 68,487 TOTAL FUNDS 141,609 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 274,442 Restricted funds Restricted general fund 3,741 TOTAL FUNDS 278,183

Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (286,477) (8,457) (225) 6,139 (286,702) (2,318) Net movement At in funds 31.12.21 £ £ 33,727 106,849 1,163 69,650 34,890 176,499 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (240,715) 33,727 (2,578) 1,163 (243,293) 34,890

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted general fund TOTAL FUNDS	At 1.1.21 £ 73,122 68,487 141,609	Net movement in funds £ 25,270 7,302 32,572	At 31.12.22 £ 98,392 75,789 174,181

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted general fund TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 552,462 10,105 562,567	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (527,192) 25,270 (2,803) 7,302 (529,995) 32,572

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The Parish of the good Shepherd participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of CWPF for lay staff. The Scheme is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the assets of the schemes separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

The Church Workers Pension Fund has a section known as the Defined Benefits Scheme, a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic and a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014.

Pension Builder Scheme

The Pension Builder Scheme of the Church Workers Pension Fund is made up of two sections, Pension Builder Classic and Pension Builder 2014, both of which are classed as defined benefit schemes.

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension for members for payment from retirement, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Bonuses may also be declared, depending upon the investment returns and other factors.

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum that members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. This account may have bonuses added by the Board before retirement. The bonuses depend on investment experience and other factors. There is no requirement for the Board to grant any bonuses. The account, plus any bonuses declared, is payable from members' Normal Pension Age.

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme.

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme's assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The pensions costs charged to the SOFA in the year are the contributions payable (2022: £13680, £ 2021: £12,852).

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2016. A valuation as at 31 December 2019 was under way as at 31 December 2022.

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a deficit of £14.2m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review, the Board chose not to grant a discretionary bonus, which will have acted to improve the funding position. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £1.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time.

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, The Parish of the good Shepherd could become responsible for paying a share of that employer's pension liabilities.

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2022.

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Income resources from Donors Covenants Income tax recoverable Uncovenanted Collections Grants and project income Donations, Appeals Donated services and facilities Other trading activities Magazines/Common worship Fees Investment income Rents from PCC property Deposit account interest Other income Other income Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Raising donations and legacies Cost of Fund-Raising events Charitable activities Wages Church Overseas Office costs Sundries Diocesan Quota Clergy Expenses Church running expenses Hall -running expenses Church Maintenance Upkeep of services Expenditure of Parish Magazine Support & Education costs Salary of the Organists Verger and Choir Carried forward	2022 £ 28,224 7,843 7,800 7,154 151,090 3,218 7,854 213,183 75 25 100 41,055 88 41,143 29,958 284,384 2,792 161,146 390 639 3,176 10,505 783 42,290 16,790 3,043 2,864 163 14,052 3,090 258,931	2021 £ 22,101 11,217 4,573 5,922 168,719 3,859 3,054 219,445 58 - 58 53,538 13 53,551 5,129 278,183 852 147,953 - 1,201 (48) 10,436 2,075 41,771 16,063 3,408 1,865 - 3,280 2,535 230,539

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THE PARISH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Charitable activities Brought forward Major works Home Missions & Secular charities Support costs Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income	2022 £ 258,931 23,718 1,011 283,660 250 286,702 (2,318)	2021 £ 230,539 8,846 2,366 241,751 690 243,293 34,890

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