Draft Annual Report 2025
The financial statement of the PCC has been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis for reporting. A copy of this report is sent to the Charity Commission and to the Diocese of Bath & Wells.
Parish Share
We were once again unable to pay the full amount requested by the Diocese (£81,329) but finally paid £56,500. Under the new formula we have been requested to contribute £79,880 in 2025, but are aiming at £56,500. This amount is the “cost” of a Vicar, housing and support costs.
Employees
Tracey Staples, our Administrator, is shared with the benefices of Grabbist, Exmoor and Old Cleeve and the Area Dean. Minehead acts as employer with proportionate contributions from the other parishes. Calculations of Tax, National Insurance and Pension are out-sourced to James Price.
Children & Families Worker
Following a gap of 18 months, we were ready to appoint a new Children & Families Worker. Vicki Robinson “hit the ground running” in December. Her appointment is for two years and is being funded with £25,000 set aside from a legacy of Margaret & Dan Olive. Running costs are being made through our Mission Fund at NatWest bank.
Essential Maintenance
We need to spend over £5000 a year on hygiene, electrics, fire safety, asbestos survey, and CCTV. Heating in St Andrew’s and St Peter’s is powered by electricity and is oil-fired at St Michael’s . The cost of this was £7,500. Our contract for electricity is due for renewal on September 30th 2026.
Giving and Fundraising
34 people now give through the Parish Giving Scheme which has led to a great saving in time. The average gift is £16 per week. 40 people still use monthly Standing Orders where the average gift is £8.42 per week.
Contactless Giving is available at St Andrew’s and this yielded £3,622 in 2025. We are looking at setting up contactless giving at St Michael’s although the wall safe and plate brought in £1,400.
Fundraising activities have slowed in 2025 bringing in £3,118 (less than half of the previous year). St Peter’s Upper Room (SPUR) raised over £6,500 which, after stallholders had been paid, raised £2,034 for the church.
Fees for weddings and funerals are shared between the Diocese and the Parish Church. We received £5,164 following an increase in the number of weddings now that we have Vicars once again.
Charitable Giving
Individually, many of us give to charities, but as a Church, we also want to support charitable activities. So far we have not found a way to encourage this kind of giving.
John Thorogood Treasurer
The churchyard at St Michael’s is officially closed and the maintenance has become the responsibility of the Town Council.
The footpath, which is disintegrating, is our responsibility and there are plans to replace this using a legacy from Mike Pretty. This legacy also enabled us to renew the toilet in St Michael’s. The family of the late Joe Passmore has offered to renew the floodlights.
STATEMENT OF ASSETS
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Minehead holds 4 bank accounts:-
| BALANCE | BALANCE | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2025 | 31st December 2025 | |
| 1.The General Account held at Santander | £4,162.00 | £5,194.36 £967.63 £52,250.00 £40,717.08 |
| 2. The Minehead Mission Fund held at NatWest | £485.63 | |
| 3. The General Deposit Account held with CCLA* (...541) | £52,250.00 | |
| (the Mission Fund) | ||
| 4. The Fabric Deposit Account held with CCLA* (...540) | £51,217.08 |
TOTAL ASSETS: £99,129.07
*CCLA Investment Management Ltd holds the funds of the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England