2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Lawren with St Paul Longridge Aim & purposes St Lawrence with St Paul Parochial Church Council {PCC) has the reswnsibility of Covoperdting with the incumbent, in the promotion of thewhole mission of thechurch, pastordl, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible forthe upkeep of the two churches in the Parish, St Lawren and St Paul. Objettives and Attlvities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to feel welcome at our churches and to become part of the worshiping community at St Lawrence with St Paul's. The PCC maintsins an oveniiew of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our ser41$ can involve the many groups that live within it. Our services and worship putfaith into Practi through prdyer, scripture, music and sacrament. When planning ouractivitiesfortheyear, we have consideredthe Charitycommission's guidan on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementsry guidan on charities forthe a(fvanrnent of religion. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain thefabric of the two thurches within the parish. Athlevements and performance l) Worshlp and Prayer The PCC supports and offers a wide rdnge of services. activities and events of spiritual. social and mental health benefit for our Longridge community. This year we implemented a project to enable better livestreaming of our Sunday Services on YouTube to reach those who can't normally attend morning worship. We now hold two services on a Sunday: a 10am Holy Communion Service with Children'5 Church at St Paul's Church and a 6.30pm Evensong ser¥ice at St Lawrence Church. There is also a 10am spoken Holy Communion service on a Thursday as well. We held 3 weddings, 22 baptism and 36 funerdls in 2024. All key Christian festivals were olebrated, and we continued to be active in the community through a host of events, such as a summer flower festival, organised to welcome a wider group of people. The PCC firmly believes that the (J)urch can be an organisation of hope for all age groups. and this includes the fostering of faith in God and in love for the lool community among the younger generation. We therefore continue to work closely with the local Church of England Prirnary School. 2) Deanery & Diocesan Synod Parish representstives are on the Deanery Synod, with one of these also sitting on Diocesan Synod. This enables the Pccto have an important link with the larger church.
3) Fabric of the church To ensure the maintenance and safety of our two<hurch building rna1ntenan and servicing checks to the boilers, fire extinguishers, the Willis organ at St. Paul's and the clock on the tower at St. Lawrence are all scheduled and carried out annually. The topple testing of headstones in St. Lawren churchyard continues to be carried out on a regular basis. As a matter of good practice, the PCC continue to approve annual maintenance checks at both churches to ensure gutters, pipe5, drains etc. are running freely. In addition, an annual risk assessment was carried out at both churches with the Parish H & S Offir. Surge protection sockets were fitted to all sockets in St. Paul's Church as a result of that assessment. A Fabric and Eco Group as a subgroup to the PCC has been set up which meets bimonthly to discuss ways to reduce the Parish Energy Footprint and work towards the A Rocha Eco Church Award in addition to dealing with on-going fabric issues. SL Lawrence Church. With the help of a Quick Wins grant via the DI0Se we were able to change all the fittings and lamps at St. Lawren church, both in the church itself and in the adjoining parish room to LED. Improvements to the heating in that church were also made following recommendations from the Diocesan Heating Adviser. Uneven stone steps which give access to the church and churchyard via a side entrdnce have been re-laid and are now safe to use again. Work has been carried out to an area of retaining wall at St. Lawrence church where tree stumps had caused the wall to bulge and become dangerous. The tree stumps have been removed and the wall and coping stones made good. A defibrillator was fixed on an outside wall at St. Lawrence. In June of 2024 an appeal was launched to raise more than £25,000 for the restoration of the Lychgate at St. Lawrence and we are now hopeful that this work will be done before the end of 2025. St. Paul's Church. With the help of fundraising pledges from parishioners and rnatch funding from the Parish Vision Fund we were able to install a modern Audio-visual system at St. Paul's Church which ha5 enhanced the overall worship experience by allowing more creative Servi content. The use of LED screens will Eradually redu our relian on printed service sheets. To provide MO security and protection for the Avequipment and monitors cvwaS also instslled at this church. Twelve trees at St. Paul's Church at the side of the carpark were felled on the recornrnendation of the Diocesan tree specialist as they were suffering from Ash Dieback. 4) Pastoral Care The Centenary room at St Paul's, and the Parish Room at St Lawrence's continue to provide a venue for variou5 activities, religiousi pastoral and charitable. Each Thursday the PCC supports a meeting of Walkie-
talkies, a mother and toddlergroup. Coffee mornings are held in support of charitable causes. Charity events and collections have been organised for charities both at home and abroad. We alxi fund a scheme that supplies less well-off children with rtain items of school uniform, which their familie5 may not otherwise be able to afford. The room is also used for meetings by the Christian organisations such as the Mothers Union and the Tuesday aub, and secularsocieties such as the local history society. As part of the PCC'S responsibility to the wider community, the PCC allows the local Food Bank to operate from the Centenary room on a no charge basis. We can offer home Communions to those that are house bound. A bereavement seniice for those in need 15 offered by the PCC. Outreach group5 Vlslt the sick in hospital or home, and those who are nOtid not to have been at church rentlY are, where practicable, contacted. Each Wednesday a weekly'drop in" service called BrewTime is held, and although not a religious meeting it offers chance for people to meet others, and dip into church. The Wednesday aftemoon Welcome Cafe really picked up nurnbers in this period with on average 30 attendees of all ages mixing well together. The Neuro Diversity group continued to blossom in 2024 The church runs youth groups, during term time. which are well supported. 5) Mlsslon and Evangellsm Our parish magazine, The Log, is produced and distributed to parishioners ten times during the year. Several courses such as the Alpha Course and the Bible Course were held during the yearwhich allowed regular and new people to access the church and the message of the thristian faith. Local and national charities such as The Children's Society, Home for Good and Safe Families have benefited from retiring collertions, special events or specific donationsthroughout the year. We continue to support the Diocese Vision 2026, 'Local Churches, Transforming Communities, and we have our own church vision, 'Following Jesus in Loving CommuniW which supports this. Finally. this year special adverts were prodUd to go into local Longridge publications to advertise our different Church services and seasonal event. 6) Ecumenlcal Relatlonshlps The church is a memberof the ChurchesTogether in Longridge and District anda numberofjointserv1S were held throughout theyear, including the Remembrance sundayservi, held at St Pdul's and the Good Friday cenotaph service, which has multi-denominational input. The Food Bank is staffed by volunteers from all the churches, and is run from the Centenary room at St Paul's. 71 Flnanclal Revlew In 2024 the total reIpts were £247,874 of which £102,897 was reNed as restricted funds, £2,071 VRS designated fund5 and £142,906 was received as unrestricted funds.This represented an increase in total income of £53,677. Planned givin& however, was £7,284 than in 2023. and collections at ServIS continued to fall. The PCC continue5 to promote the Parish Giving kheme alongside 'card machine, giving, and Clergy will continue to promote 'giving through grace,. Othervoluntary reiptS increased by £38,803 from £22,218 to £61,021 mainly due to donations received for the Auditrvisual project at St Pauls, and the Lychgate fund at St LaWrens. GiftAid claimswere lowerthan in the previous yearat £19,219 compared to£39.198 in 2023. We continue to
promote the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), where eligible donations through this route automatically have Gift Aid reclaimed by PGS, and is reiVed in the same month asthe donation. A number of Gift Aid claims were outstanding at the year end and will be received in 2025. Fundraising revenue was down by £2561 and facilities rental income increased from £2,905, to £4.613. Fees for weddings and funerals increased by £1,198 to £21522. Investment income rose by £4.624. due mainly to an increase in the Haighton Dividend. We also sold some investments in the year generating £38,134. We were in receipt of a grant from the DI0Se towards the cost of the new Audio-wisual facilities of £16,429. £224,109 was spent in total, to provide the Christian ministry from St Lawren with St Paul, including the contribution of £89,217tothe diocesan parish sharewhich largely providesthe stipends and housingforthe clergy. Expenditure was up on 2023, by£34,838.This increase isduetomore beingspent on Repairsand Maintenance in 2023, £32,233 as opposed to £60.056 in 2024. Included within the 2024 expenditure is the Audio-visual Project at a total cost of £34,182. Expenditure on energyi churchydrd and running costs increased. aergy and staff ing costs were up by £1,446, mainly due to agreed increases in pay rates. The net result for the year was a surplus of £23,765 for the year- however it should be noted that within this figure is the sale of investment receipt of £38,134. Had we not sold these shares, then we would be showing deficit of £14,369.The value of a Central Investment Fund {aF) share increased over the course of the year. However, as we realized £38,134 worth of shares the actual end of seartotsl Wd1 of our investments now sits at £303,371, a reduction in value of £28,777. The United Utilities sharesshoweda lossof £283followinga decrease in theshare price.This isa paper loss only. The breakdown of the income from these shareslinvestments is detailed within section sc of the financial statements. 8) Reserves Pollcy It is PCC policy to maintain an unrestricted reserve of £20,000 {in cash or unrestricted investments) in the event of needing to cover future shortfalls in income over expenditure. This policy was achieved in 2024 To clarifydetails of our investments in light of the reservespolicy.The Investment Assets within the Finanaal Ststements- that currently stand at £309,371, some are restricted, £11,284, which means that the income and anycapital expenditure would be restricted as to their use. The remainder a Endowed and may also be restritted, as such only the income from these funds is available forthe PCC to use in line with the restrictions. 9) Volunteers If a projett requires a specific skill, volunteers may be Clpted onto the riOUS SU0mMittees, or indeed the PCC, for that specific project.
)ne of the fund raising activities of the PCC would be possible without the dedicated help of volunteers, and the PCC would like to express its grdtitude to all of those who have helped in any way. overthe course of the last twelve months. 10) Structure• govwnaKe and man¥mwt The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established bythe thurch of England. The PCC operdtes under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At 5t Lawrence with St Paul, the meM1rshIp of the PCC consists of the incumbent, curate, churchwardens, deputy churthwardens, secretary, treasurer, Deanery Synod representatives, Vision Champion, readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church.The Pccmembersare resw)nsible formaking decisions on all mattersof generdl conrn and Importan to the parish, induding decidin8 on how funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met Sixtimes during theyear, with an average attendance of 78%. Given itswide responsibilities the PCC has a number of committees each dealing with a particular aspect of parish lrfe. These committees, which include but are not restricted to worship, pastoral. social and stewardship (fabri¢ and finance), are all responsible to the Pccand report back to it regularly, minutes of their meetings being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
11)Admlnlstrative infom)ation St Lawrence's Church is the Parish Church. and is situated on Lower Lane in Longridge. St Paul's Church is situated on Church Strt.The parish is part of the DI0Se of Blackburn within the Church of England. The PCC is a body corpornte (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2011) and is a registered charity, number 1134831. The members of the PCC *niing during the period of these accounts were: Ex offlclo members: -Incumbent: The Reverend Mike Barton (chair) -curate Reverend Simon King -Reader: Muriel Anderson {Resigned 22 April 2024) -warden: Alethea Jane Ng (Resigned 22 April 2024) -warden: Dorothy Ann Little -warden: Dorothy Laver (From 22 April 2024) -Deputy Warden: Graham Kelsall -Deputy Warden: Mae Hays (From 22 April 2024) -Secretsry: Barbara f4+lcCDrmi(k {Re&gned 22 April 20241 -secretary: Barbara Burton (From 22 April 2024) -Treasurer: Graham Kelsall -Di0san Synod Representative Graham Kelsall -Deanery Synod Representative: Karen Louise Ellen Boardman (also Vision Ulampion) -Deanery Synod Representative: Graham Kelsall -Deanery Synod Representstive: Chris Martin -Deanery Synod Representative: Dorothy Laver
Eletted Members: - Annamarie Rogers-waterman - Barbara Mccormick David Hartley - Rosemary Lyons -valerie Wardley - Barbara Burton - Michael Dawson -Vernon Kinrade - Helen Clements Philip Jones Stephanie Willan - Robert Stephen Bretherton Andrew Filder - Mae Heys Amii Bateson -wendy Smyth (From 22 April 2024) (From 22 April 2024) (resigned 22 April 2024) Approved by the PCC on ............. chalrman) and signed on thelr behalf by the Reverend Mlke Barton (FCC Reverend Mike Barton.... Date... g6/6/,,
Independent Exominers Report to the PCC Members/Trustees oASt Lawrence St Poul Longridge I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 9- 11. This report on the finanaal statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024, is in respert of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 20061"the Regulations") and sertion 145 of the Charities Act 20111.the ACV). Respertlve responslbllttles of the Pccond the Examlner As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 {"the Regulation<) and section 145 of trie Charities Act 2011 {"the ACY'I. I report in respect of my examination of the charitrls accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charlty Commission under section 145{51(bl of the Act Independent Exomlners statement I have completed my examination. I conflrm that no material matters have come to my attentlon In connection with the examination giving me Cause to believe that in any material respect: Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by sectton 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 requlrementthat the accounts give a true and falrview which is not a matter considered as part of the Independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whlch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Christine Richards FCA, Independent Examiner ICAEW McDade Roberts Accountants Ltd BTC House Chapel Hill Longridge Preston PR3 3JY 08 May 2025
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Receipts and Payments Account D•s¥yth•dFthJ T20 t41202) Fw R•¢•ip¢s 58.601 E 6,512 £ s.1 É 6.39) É 58. 62.264 .lJ6 5.171 12 Noti¥+llK S.581 Alothw WrWohIrlrtyE 2.071 É SZ.Y7 É 38.198 96.309 É 2.071 É SIYJ7 ( IJO.9)7 Artlvlt1•5 101 ••fv•1•1thg F¥nds 11,YJl É 1).501 C452 2.lJ4 1 lJ.4r6 A@tlYl¢l+s 262 20.Q6 h•r i•e•lpts Tal R•B•lpii 191.1•7 Piiish Shw• 9211 É 89217 21.311 gllO0 26,865 i(.Jbl 2.465 É .555 É ChwchILr•ryis•s 40.757 £ s.a20 É 69) £ 66284 1 222. 189,191 P49m•n¢i IN.2691 £ l421 1 16.61) I 2J.765 4.9 Tr$1 b•iw+DFwrfs Translm fvoc•d£ •ssiwis s¥• 19.7241 I 1142IJ L 9ffi24 É 2).Y6S 77 4.926 Cb$h¥b1knhd¥IJ C•sh IIJI0• Cwr•N Att¢>JV Shj A¢¢ou NdIAt¢ wO•posll A£¢c g.IX) É 9.1 6.J81 22.726 6.522 1.650 E 228 25.776 4.7JJ E 043 É ¥•Sim•fti Ass•is IrN11ff Fur Shiis iiM¥kwV4hJ* 272.%1
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