THE PARISH OF CENTRAL EXETER
CHURCHES OF ST MARY ARCHES, ST OLAVE, ST PANCIiAS, ST PETLOCL 5T STEPHEN
GtVlNG BREATHING SPACE,, LIVING THE VALUES: ENGAGING WITH THE CITY
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of
Central Exeter
Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year
ended 31 December 2023.

Introdurtion to 2024 Annual Re
This last year has seen significant change to the area adjoining St Stephen's church with the
redevelopment of the House of Fraser department store into Hotel Indigo- a luxury
boutique hotel. The former store has still managed to retain some retail units on the
ground floor together with bars and eateries associated with the hotel. This could be said
to make up in some way for the loss of the Royal Clarence Hotel, which although its exterior
may be retained seems now destined to morph into domestic accommodation.
As a parlsh we are acutely aware of the ever-changing pattern of activity within the city
centre and try to provide some sense of long-term continuity through the continuing
presence of our medieval churches- which are themselves important features of the city
landscape.
Administratlve Information
The Parish of Central Exeter is a charity which is registered with the Charity Commissioners,
number 1134851. It is part of the Diocese of Exeter within the Church of England. The
correspondence address is Parish Administrator, 3, Blackthorn Way, Cullompton EX15 IQH.
Parish Churches
St Stephen, High Street, Exeter EX4 3LN
Daughter Churches
St Mary Arches, Mary Arches Street,
Exeter EX4 3BA
St Pancras, Guildhall Centre,
Exeter EX4 3HW
St Petrock, H igh Street, Exeter EX4 3DT
St Olave, Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3AT
Team Rector
Revd Sheila Swarbrick
Ministry Team
Revd Sheila Swarbrick, 7 Lower Kings Avenue, Exeter EX4 6JT
Bank
Lloyds Bank, High Street, Exeter, EX4 3NL
Independent Examiner
Simon Gay, 14A, Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter EX2 9AY
Membership
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting
in accordance with the Church Representation rules.

5t
PCC members who have served from l January 2023 until the date that this report was
approved are:
Ministry Team: Revd Sheila Swarbrick
Chalr Keith Walton until April 2023 then Revd Sheila Swarbrick
The Churchwardens: Keith Walton, Betsy Allen
Representatives of Deanery Synod= Jessica Claridge, Celia Smith
The Elected Members from 2022: Don Brantonlresigned September 2023), Richard Skinner,
Viv Asher,
The Elected Members from 2023 Helen Evans, Claire Mayer
{There were no elections in 20211
The following officers were appointed:
Treasurer: Sean Swarbrick
Secretary: Mary Keaney
Structure Governance and Mana
ement
Commlttees
The Planning Committee IClor8y, Churchwardensl meets in between full PCC meetinss.
Other ad hoc committees and working groups are created and terminated as needed.
The full PCC met for ordinary meetings four times during the year, all being face to face, and
for one extraordinary meeting online. The average attendance {ordinary meetings) was 75¥0.
Aim and Pur
oses
Statement
'The PCC is required, as stated in the Parochial Church Councils {Powers} Measure 1966, to
co-operate with the Parish Priest, in promoting in the Parish the whole mission of the church,
pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical,.
Icontinues)

Ob"ectives and Activities
The Parish's vision, goals and actions are stated in full in the Mission Action Plan.
Vision
Being part of God's mission of love and reconciliation in and through Jesus Christ, we are
committed to:
Giving breathing space
Living the values
Engaging with the City
Objectives (goals)
We will achieve our vision by working together with others as we pursue the following goals:
To attract more people to enter and use our churches and find it a positive experience;
To encourage visitors, church members and church users on their spiritual journey,
challenging towards deeper levels of Christian commitment;
To meet our on-going parish commitments, seeklng efficient and effective use of our
resources with other Anglican or Ecumenical colleagues.
In carrying out their work the Trustees take due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance
on public benefit.
Continuing Artivities
We have been 3ble to keep all our churches open on weekdays and for the now established
pattern of services at St Stephen's on the first, third and fifth Sunday of each month, St
Pancras on the second, and St Olave on the fourth. We continued to provide an online service
sheet as an alternative to the 8.00 am service in St Pancras, which is also used as a basis for
discussion in the ensuing zoom meeting.
The lunchtime service of Communion in St Pancras has been maintained monthly on
Thursdays at 12.00.
Voluntary organisations are able to use the churches for approved purposes on request and
subject to terms and conditions.
Continuing activities (maintained in various formats throughout the year) include:
Variety of worship services as outlined above.
Lent Groups
Summer concerts and other music activities
Exhibitions
'Inner Room, poetry workshops
(Continues)

Use of the parish website to communicate with and provide support to the parish
members and the general public.
Jewish Circle Dancing
Prayers round the Cross bi-monthly
Seeking Silence
Book Club
Achievements and Performance
Church Attendance
There are 35 Parishioners on the church electoral roll of which 33 are not resident within the
Parish. Average Sunday attendance in-church is about 19, supplemented by others who used
online worship sheets. Attendance in-church at Easter 2023 was 22 plus 6 at home
communions and 19 on Christmas Day.
Community use of Churches
St Stephen's continues to be the main church for community use. During the late autumn
of 2022 a new venture started in this building- Safe Space, open three nights a week,
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 11 pm to 3.30 am., and this use continued for most
of 2023. Since Autumn 2023 this venture had been on hold as they try to obtain new
sources of long-term funding.
Safe Space serves three main purposes - light medical treatment like cuts, sprains, recovery,
blisters; welfare support like counselling, phone chargin& water, safety alarms, bottle tops,
change of clothes and a safe and warm place to wait for transport home.
We have also seen a continued steady use of St Stephen's by the Armed Forces Veterans,
Support Group, Exeter Network Church and of St Stephen's and St Pancras by the Russian
and Romanian Orthodox churches. In total in St Stephen's we hosted over 270 separate
events including worship services, Bible Study, prayer meetings, support groups, concerts
and coffee mornings.
St Petrock's continues to host support group meetings, the Exeter Guild of Bell-ringers plus
their library, and we have developed a regular programme of exhibitions. With the main
body of the Quire in Exeter Cathedral being out of use for renovation and excavation, the
Dean and Chapter have been using St Petrock's for daily morning prayer and eucharist and
St Pancras for a weekly communion service lunchtime on Wednesdays.
St Pancras is on the register of Small Pilgrim Places and is open daily for private prayer, with
monthly BCP Communion and monthly shortened lunchtime Communion services. Seeking
Silence continues as a monthly time of meditation on the first Wednesday of the month.

St Olave's IS the church used least by the community, largely because of its fixed pews, but
was used during Lent for a weekly service of compline.
St Mary Arches is now leased to Unlimited Church -. the Diocesan youth church and holds a
number of activities to attract young people.
Parlsh Activities
As outlined earlier the pattern of our church services was changed for 2022. We have re-
introduced lunches for the Summer Concerts, and restsrted Prayers around the Cros5 at St
Pancras,
We supported the Fore Street Flea Market with St Olave's taking part in this event. The
Christmas St Nic's Fayre was also able to take place as a parish fundraiser,
The Inner Room, launched in 2020 as a parish outreach project has continued to flourish with
a mixture of face to face and zoom activities. The Room to Write events which give
participants prompts to write poetry is now self-contained without needing regular input
from Helen Evans - the project champion. We are delighted to have been able to run live
events in St Stephens and St Olaves, giving opportunity to create poems using visual prompts
including the use of the paintings hanging in St Olaves.
Our Facebook page is continually updated along with the website.
We continue to support the Exeter Community Initiative, St Petrock's Centre for the
Homeless, and the Exeter City Centre Chaplaincy, as well as a programtne of monthly giving
to selected local, national and international charities.
We are ensuring that members of the PCC receive appropriate Safeguarding clearances and
training to their level of involvement in the Parish.
The churchwardens have continued to meet informally with their counterpart5 at St Davids
to explore ways in which we can work more closely together. With the retirement of the St
David's rector there is now a vacancy in that parish, and we need to wait until this is filled
before exploring in any depth how future co-operation might work.
Icontlnues)

Church Buildin85.
The PCC has continued to undertake all the necessary repair and rnaintenan￿ of the
churches in the Parish, mostly resulting from normal wear and tear, pests and occasional
abuse or vandalism.
The quinquennial surveys of St Stephens and Stolaves havetaken place with the report from
St Stephen's now available and that from St Olaves expected shortly.
Links with other churcheslorganisations
The Parish continues to be invofved with the Exeter City Centre Chaplaincy. The Revd Sheila
Swarbrick has continued to provide a vital link between the parish and other churches in the
Cent￿ of Exeter and Diocese at all levels both formally and informally.
Poliry
The PCC is kept abreast of Parish responsibilities under the Safeguarding legislation by our
designated representative. We have taken due regard to the guidance issued by the House
of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The
churchwardens and PCC members have completed their required Safeguarding Training. A
Safeguarding policy document is in place. We have a Health and Safety Officer and our H&S
policy is reviewed as necessary. We introduced a Data Security policy and have issued
appropriate privacy notices and received and recorded consents for use of data as required
by the General Personal Data Regulations.
Financial Revlew
The total Income for the Parish in 2023 was £73,588, of which £5,000 was restricted funding
for specific projects. This rneans that £68,538 represents income derived from 'normal'
parish activities. Expenditure of £53,215 gave us an excess of total income by £20,373. This
is largely because of increased use of the churches by outside bodies especially the Cathedral.
Howeverthis can only be seen as a one-off.
The target parlsh (unrestricted) income budget for 2024 has been agreed by the PCC at
£52,5(X).
Re5erve5 Pollcy
In 2013 the PCC agreed to a reserves policy of 4 times the monthly average expenditure,
which equates to £17,5(K) for 2024
Approved by the PCC on Date and signed on their behalf by:
GL SvJac
Sheila Swarbrick PCC Chair
(Continues)

The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Central Exeter
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Totsl
Funds
Prev Year
Note
INCOMif4G RESOURCES
Voluntsry Income
Activities for Eenerating funds
Income from savings
Church Activities
21al
2{bl
21cl
21dl
32.278
1,888
579
33,843
5.000
37.278
1,888
579
33,843
40,757
3,479
105
9,948
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
68,588
73,588
54,289
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Church Activities
.Fund-raising trading costs
Governance Costs
31a}
31bl
31cl
52,486
729
53215
64,426
367
200
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
52.486
729
53,215
64,993
NET INCOMING RESOURCES
16,102
4,271
20.373
-10,704
Translers between funds
NEf MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
16,102
4,271
20,373
-10,704
BALANCES B/FWD start of year
49,395
4,456
53,851
77,005
BALANCES CIFWD end of period
65,497
8,727
74,224
66,301
{Continues}

The Parochial Church Council of the Parish of Central Exeter
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
T¢tal
Funds
Total Funds
Prev Year
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9.889
CURRETrif ASS￿5
Debtors
Deposit account
Shared Interest Account
Cash at bank
1,650
18,450
5,042
40,355
65,497
1,650
18.450
5.042
49,082
74.224
1,756
17,036
8.727
8,727
58,221
86,902
LIABIUTIES
Creditots- all amounts fallin8 (lue
in one year
20,601
Totol assets less current liabilities
65,497
8,727
74,224
66,301
TOTAL NET ASSETS
65,497
8.727
74,224
66,301
REPRESEfrifED BY
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
65,497
65,497
8,727
74,224
30,569
35,732
66,301
8.727
65.497
8,727
{Continues)

The Parochlal Church Council of the Parish of Central Exeter
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2023.
and forming an integral part of the statements.
l Accounting policles
Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting regulations
2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of
Recommended Pr3Ctice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and the
financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is
responsible in law.
(a) Funds
The General Fund represents the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions
regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC.
Designated are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future and remain
unrestricted.
Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for a specific purpose, the
use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
(b) Incoming resources
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Income tax
recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and
legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement,
the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain.
Funds raised by fundraising events are accounted for gross.
Income received from use of PCC property is on a voluntary basis dependent on the ability
to pay and therefore accounted for only when received.
(c) Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing
the charity to the expenditure. The Common Fund contribution is accounted for when
paid.
{Contlnues)
io

(d) Fixed Assets
Consecrated and beneficed property is not included in the accounts in accordance with
s.10(2}(a) and (c} of the Charities Act 2011.
Moveable church furnishings held by the Incumbent and Churchwardens on special trust for
the PCC and require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property. listed in the church's
inventory which can be inspected {at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to
2000 there is insufficient information available and therefore such assets are not valued in
the financial statements. Subsequently no individual item has cost over £2,000 so all such
expenditure has been written off when incurred.
Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 4
years. Equipment wlth a purchase price of £2,000 or less is written off when acquired.
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
INCOMING RESOURCES
21al Voluntary Income
Tax efficient planned givlng
Collection51gpen platel
Recurring donations
Non recurring donations
Tax recoverable on planned & non
recurring donations
Recurring grants
Other grants
10,032
710
3.492
3.935
10,032
710
3,492
3,935
3,152
10,957
3,152
10.957
5,(X)O
5,CQO
32,278
37,278
21bl Artl¥Sties for Generating funds
Fund-raising
1,888
1,888
1,888
1,888
21cl Income from savin85
Interest from deposit account
Interest from Shared Interest Acc
573
573
578
578
21dl Incarne from church activities
Use of church buildin8s - local
community
Other
Fees retained
31,618
2,122
104
31,618
2,122
104
33,844
33,844
21e) Other incoming resour¢es
Mis￿lIaneOUS
Totsl Incoming Resourtes
68,588
73.588
li

RESOURCES EXPENDED
31al thurth Artlvltl
Missionary and charitable 8ivin8
Overseas missionlaid
Local charities
UK & Internaiional charities
635
635
1,290
470
1,290
470
2,395
2395
Ministry.. Diocesan parish share
Clergy expenses
Cost of seNices
Church upkeep & mainlenance
Utilities
Administration
Miscellaneous
Furniture & fittings
Depreciation
.9,469
107
95
19,223
12.471
7,328
1,398
9.469
107
95
729
19.952
12,471
7,328
1,398
52,486
729
S3.215
31b) Fund-ralsing trading costs
31el Govemance costs
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
52,486
729
53.215
The PCC does not employ any staff and ha5 not made any payments to PCC members for remuneratlon.
TANGIBLE FIXED A55ETS NIA
Unrestricted
Funds
Restrirted
Funds
Total Funds
DEBTORS
Tax recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrue(l income
1,650
1,650
1,650
1,650
LIABIUTIES
Payments held on trust for charities
Creditor5
Other creditors
Accruals
12

REsfRICTED FUNDS
Churches
Upkeep Fund
Fund Movements
Totsl funds
Balance at Istjanuary
In£omin8 ReSoUr￿S
Resources Expended
FundsTransfer
Balan¢e at 31st December
4.456
4.456
-728
-728
8,728
8,728
Net a$5ets of rettrlrted funds
Tangible fixed assets
Tax recoverable
Acmied Income
Deposit a¢¢ount
current ￿COUnt
liabillties (all wrthln one year)
8,728
8.728
8.728
8.728
9 Explanatlon of Restritted Funds
The Churches Upkeep Fund is a restricted fund for donations and grants given to the Parish
speciflcally for the upkeep of the churches for which the PCC 15 Tesponsible and would include
running costs and repair and maintenance.
Approved by the PCC on
6- 2<
and 5iEned on its behalf by
IJ. kp/d
Sheila Swarbrick (Chainnan)
Sean Swarbrick (Treasurer}
13

DIOCESE
OFEXETER
Independent Examinerfs Certificate
forthe PCC Accounts
THE CHURCH
OF ENGLAND
IN DEVON
Report lo the tru8lèe5 ot.
arochlal Church Councll
On accounts for the year ended:
SI/iz/z<
ChaTity Nurnbor lif applubl8).'
iU4851
Resp4ctiv8 Kgsponslbilfties The charws trustee$ are responsible for the prepar8)"on of the accounts. The
of trustoes and gxamlner charity's tnthes considef that all aLEdit is not requiièd for this year under sect5on
144 of the Charilies Act 2011 (tha Chadties A¢tl and that an independent
exaffitnation is t)eeded.
It is my ￿SPonSIbl11ty to..
examlne the accounts under section 145 ofthe Charittes A¢
to foltow Ihe proceclures laid down w) the general Directions gNen by lJ)e
Charity Comfflission (under section 145(511bl of the Charflies Act, and
10 8tate whether partiwl8r m8tteTS have come lo my attention.
88sls of Inde￿ndant My examlnatlon was caffred oul in accordance with gerFeral Direth'ons given by the
&xamlnerfs ststement Ckarity Commissh)n. An exa￿Ull0110n in¢Sudes 8 review of accountsng TecorLIs
kept bythe ¢hafity and a cowartson ofthe aGtOUEts presented wrth those rec￿$.
It atso includes u)nsrderalion of any unusual items or discJ0su￿ in the accounts,
and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any su¢h mattors. The
procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an
8udil. and consequently no opinK7n is gwan as to W￿ther the acmjnts present a
'InJe and fairf view and the re[￿rt is limrted to thosg matters set oul fft the statemnt
below.
Indèpondent examln*fs In eonnèction wlh my exgminalion, no matter has come to myattention lotherihan
statom&nt th* disclosed below'l
1. which gives me reasOna￿e cause lo beli&ve that in, any material respect, the
requirements..
lo keep a￿nting refX)rds in accortsance w#h Se￿On 130 ofthe Charitfes
Act", and
to prepare accounts ￿2¢h accord with the accounting rec¥)rds and comply
with the acthunling requirements of the ChariLÉes A
have not been met,. or
2. to which, in my opinfon, attention should be dravm in order to ￿latr4e a proper
l￿￿erstand￿g of th8 aco)unts to be reached.
' Please delele the v/ords in the brack&ts if they do nol apply.
$19ned:
Name..
Relevant profèssionttl
qualificallorfs} or body (If
anyl-
f 4
Address:
Z,