ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH RAVENSWOOD AVENUE WEST WICKHAM, KENT BR4 0PW (CHARITY NO: 1134856)
ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL For the year ended 31[st] December 2024
INCUMBENT: VACANT
BANK: CAF BANK LTD 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: Mr Neil Tullis A.C.A.
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St Francis of Assisi West Wickham Annual Report 2024
Background:
St Francis is part of the United Benefice of St Mary of Nazareth and St Francis of Assisi, West Wickham, with each church having their own PCC. We are also in a Group Ministry with St John the Baptist, West Wickham. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England. It operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure, and is a registered charity. It has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the church and hall buildings and grounds with the buildings being insured by Ecclesiastical Insurance. The PCC met 5 times in 2024 plus one joint meeting with St Mary’s of Nazareth PCC with an average attendance of 70%.
Membership:
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio, co-opted or elected by the APCM in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Members are elected to serve for 3 years.
Vicar Parish in Interregnum Assistant Priests Rev. Richard Ford and Ven. Carol Coslett SPAs Mrs Lesley East and Mrs Rowena Griffiths Churchwardens Dr Kate Dyer and Mrs Valerie Hamilton Treasurer Mr David Wada Reader - Secretary Mrs Nichola Nightingale Deanery Synod Representatives: Mrs Marion Barry and Mrs Sheila Hawkins
Elected Members:
Until APCM (2025): Mrs Gillian Challenger, Mrs Joan Burford Until APCM (2026): Mrs Barbara Goodchild Until APCM (2027): Mr Roger Dyer, Mrs Kim Teare, Ms Jacqueline Turner
Co-Opted Members:
Until APCM (2025): Mr Matt Thompson (Youth Club)
Committees:
The PCC operates through two Committees which meet between full meetings of the PCC:
-
Standing Committee: this is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any direction by the Council.
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Hall Committee: has responsibility for the management and maintenance of the hall.
Church Attendance:
There are 82 on the Electoral Roll. The average weekly in-person attendance was 61 counted during October, with 41 views for an on-line service shown jointly with St Mary’s.
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Ministry and Mission Report - 2024
St Francis of Assisi Church in West Wickham is part of a united benefice, together with St Mary’s church. We follow a pattern of three services on a Sunday morning, with the main service at St Francis’ being at 10.45am. On one Sunday each month (normally the first Sunday) there is a joint service at 10am, which alternates where it is held, and on the second Sunday the service is normally non-eucharistic with a variety of themes, such as Christian Aid, Songs of Praise or Mothering Sunday. From Easter this year we began to distribute communion using the common cup, and from November intinction was discontinued. Following the resignation of our Vicar, Rev Hazel O’Sullivan, we are currently in a Vacancy with many in both churches taking on additional roles. Church and Community came together for a special service, a lunch and a community tea to thank Hazel for her service and to wish her well for the future.
The choir are part the congregation for most services, singing together from the back of the church. However, where we have a joint service, they join with St Mary’s choir back in the chancel.
Our on-line presence, streamed from both church buildings continues. This, together with pastoral visiting in person and by telephone for those who are housebound, ensures that we keep in touch with the whole of our community. Our ministry to young families continues mostly through a monthly Messy Church with an average congregation of 25 made up of children, accompanying adults, and a supporting team which are invaluable in enabling Messy Church to continue. We have reconfigured and improved our children’s area and continued to provide weekly activities for children on Sunday mornings.
Our ministry is founded on prayer, and a corporate Morning Prayer is held on Wednesdays at St Francis and Thursdays at St Mary’s, as well as on-line reflections being sent by email to many in the congregation on six days in the week. St Francis’ Church is also open for private prayer on a Wednesday morning. Additionally, in September a group started to pray for growth in the Church on a weekly basis.
During the current interregnum we are blessed to have Rev Richard Ford as Assistant Priest and the Ven. Carol Coslett, who works in encouraging lay ministry at the Diocese of Southwark, as an Assistant Priest, being licensed to the united benefice.
We have continued with the community garden for referrals from GP social prescribers, which operated in conjunction with St John’s Church, West Wickham, and creation-tide services for both the Sunday congregations and Messy Church.
We also continue with much of our community support, including collecting for Bromley Homeless Starter Packs, facilitating regular donations for local Foodbanks with High Street collection dates in the year and a specific collection for Christmas hampers and a weekly warm space in the winter months.
3
We have promoted the work of the diocesan Modern Slavery Advisors via a presentation to our Women’s Group and a presentation to the congregations on Safeguarding Sunday and a presence at our Christmas Tree Festival.
Other regular activities include:
-
Regular community lunches four times a year at St Francis’ and monthly at St Mary’s
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Three home groups met, mostly bi-weekly, throughout the year, with an additional group for Lent
-
Our youth group continues to thrive and meets weekly during term time
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A monthly Saturday coffee morning on the first Saturday of each month with the August coffee morning being held for all volunteers in both St Francis and St Mary’s
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Monthly lunchtime recitals during May – September
This year there have been a significant number of deaths across the united benefice and we continue to support the bereaved, including holding an annual Memorial Service in November.
Once again, we held a Christmas Tree Festival in December, well supported by community and church organisations and raising money for ‘Welcare in Bromley’. We also opened the church on the evening of the West Wickham Christmas Lights switchon and provided a quiet, reflective space for families. We also held two music concerts: Croydon Male Voice Choir and ‘Finding Neverland’ a selection of musical theatre songs followed by afternoon tea.
The West Wickham Choir is supported by many in our congregation, and they held a concert in July, raising money for charity and they staged the Big Christmas Sing in December, which raised money for Christian Aid.
Our connection with other local community groups has been strengthened this year through the following support:
-
The 7[th] West Wickham Scout Group held their carol service at St Francis and attended our Harvest Festival and St George’s Day service. The Squirrels who meet on a Sunday morning in term time and join with many of our non-eucharistic services for a time at the end continue to grow. The Squirrels also joined with us on Remembrance Sunday.
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A visit by students from Glebe School, a special educational school, in January 2025. Oak Lodge School and Wickham Common School held their Christmas Concerts at St Francis’ this year.
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We hosted the West Wickham Christmas Lights event and opened the church on that occasion, with many from the community coming in to light a candle
4
More widely, we have connected with other churches in the Croydon Addington Deanery through participating in a Deanery Pilgrimage in September.
With many thanks to the ministry team and all the volunteers who have contributed to our worship, discipleship groups, and other social events throughout the year.
Financial Review/Report:
We have a small Excess of Income for the year of £700, which is excellent as we have spent over £13782 on repairs & improvements to the Church & Hall. We received a legacy from Joyce Town which we have decided to spread over 3 years, this is the second year.
From our Church activities for charities, Christian Aid received £953.86 from the Big Christmas Sing, which was worth £1087.64 to them with Gift Aid. We raised £1068.09 cash for the Bromley & Shrublands Foodbanks in addition to all the food that we collected for them. Other charity payments are listed on page 8 of the Annual Accounts. The fund for the new disabled toilet in the Hall stands at £4478.97, including a donation of £1095 from the Crittal Trust.
The Parish Giving Scheme is a great help to the Treasurer, saving administration and gift aid time. We would encourage others to join the scheme as once you have signed up it is simpler than a monthly standing order.
The costs of distribution and preparation of the Parish Magazine have increased considerably resulting in a loss this year. The PCC has agreed that the price be £5 minimum for hand distribution & £10 for posting, with immediate effect.
Fabric Report:
We have started to work on making improvements to the church heating by replacing old leaky valves and installing reflectors behind the radiators. More work is planned, including installing air curtains at the external doors. The boiler room gate padlock has been replaced.
Work has been done to improve the facilities for children and families with the reconfiguration of the children’s area and the purchase of a baby change table to install in the church toilet.
The Church Noticeboard remains under review as we are awaiting information from the company regarding costs of additional wording to be added once we have an Incumbent.
5
We have addressed recommendations in our fire risk assessment by decluttering the upstairs office and storage. We also replaced some of our fire extinguishers due to their age.
The PCC has agreed to re-site the organ to the south side of the platform.
Some emergency repairs to our lighting system were undertaken.
Extensive gardening work was done to improve visibility down the south side and some repairs were done to paving and steps.
Hall Report:
Hall Income was up by over £7,000 in the year largely due to the Weight Watchers taking another day and an increase in the Pre School rent to take into account the new kitchenette.
Sundry Maintenance includes the construction and fit out of the Pre School kitchenette, which could be capitalized against it. Stripping that out, maintenance costs were broadly neutral, but we have still not addressed:
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Lack of hot water in the toilets
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Failing window frames
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The kitchen
Projects outstanding are:
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Installing Low Energy lighting in the back hall (especially as this is used all week)
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Planning for replacement of the gas heaters
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Creating a compliant disabled w/c
There is £4,500 in the Disabled Toilet Fund, but further fundraising initiatives are required.
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28.2.25
6
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI WEST WICKHAM PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Charity No: 1134856
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Incoming Resources Voluntary Income 2a Activities for generating funds 2b Income from investments 2c Church activities 2d Legacies 2e Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Costs of generating voluntary income 3a Fund-raising trading costs 3b Church activities 3c Missions 3d Payments from Lighting Fund 15 Payments from Repairs Legacy 17 Governance Costs 3g Total Resources Expended Net Movement in Funds Total Funds brought forward at 1st. January 2023 Net Movement of Funds for year Total Funds carried forward at 31st. December 2024 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 41,576 41,576 47,165 2,674 2,674 698 3,836 3,836 3,146 37,568 37,568 29,947 1,500 1,500 1,500 |
|---|---|
| 87,154 0 87,154 82,456 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 85,254 85,254 79,962 1,200 1,200 1,200 0 0 0 0 0 5,207 0 0 0 |
|
| 86,454 0 86,454 86,369 |
|
| 700 0 700 -3,913 |
|
| 469,494 26,011 491,592 495,505 700 0 700 -3,913 |
|
| 470,194 26,011 492,292 491,592 |
Page 1
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
BALANCE SHEET AT 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 5 Investments 6 Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors 8 Short term Deposits Cash at Bank Creditors: amounts due within one year 9 Net Current assets Total Assets less current liabilities Represented by: Parish Funds 7 Restricted 10 Unrestricted 10 |
2024 390,915 0 390,915 8,884 52,327 53,136 114,347 -12,970 101,377 492,292 20,792 471,500 492,292 |
2023 390,915 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 390,915 5,195 51,590 62,206 |
||
| 118,991 -18,314 |
||
| 100,677 | ||
| 491,592 | ||
| 20,792 470,800 |
||
| 491,592 |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 18 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Dr. Kate Dyer Churchwarden & PCC Chair
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements
Page 2
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
Cash Flow Statement for the Year ended 31 December 2024
| Net Cash from Operating Activities Net Income Adjustments for: Decrease/(Increase) in Debtors (Decrease)/Increase in Creditors Legacy Use Net cash provided by operating activities Analysis of Cash Cash Deposits |
2024 700 -3689 -5344 0 -8333 10573 94890 105463 |
2023 1295 -209 3163 5207 |
|---|---|---|
| 9456 | ||
| 15761 98035 |
||
| 113796 |
Page 3
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| 2 Income a Voluntary Income Planned Giving Collected at all services General Donations Other receipts Tax recoverable b Activities for generating funds Events Refreshments Gift Day c Investment Income Interest d Income from Church Activities Church & Hall Lettings Fees from Weddings, etc. Parish Magazine e Income from Legacies Total Incoming Resources |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 30,521 0 30,521 32,271 2,656 0 2,656 3,519 477 0 477 2,142 223 0 223 1,081 7,699 0 7,699 8,152 |
|---|---|
| 41,576 0 41,576 47,165 |
|
| 1,199 0 1,199 192 543 0 543 506 932 0 932 0 |
|
| 2,674 0 2,674 698 |
|
| 3,836 0 3,836 3,146 |
|
| 35,840 0 35,840 28,121 1,765 0 1,765 1,805 -37 0 -37 21 |
|
| 37,568 0 37,568 29,947 |
|
| 1,500 0 1,500 1,500 |
|
| 87,154 0 87,154 82,456 |
Page 4
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| 3 Expenditure a Costs of generating Voluntary Income Stewardship Costs b Fund-raising Trading Costs c Church Activities Ministry Costs Diocesan Parish Contribution Other Clergy Costs Church Running Expenses Upkeep of Services Honoria & Fees Church Hall Running Costs Church Repairs etc. Hall Repairs etc. d Gifts to Missions e Payments from Lighting Fund f Payments from Repairs Legacy g Governance Costs Independent Examination Fee Cost of Annual Accounts Total Resources Expended |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 39,500 0 39,500 38,250 490 0 490 882 14,492 0 14,492 11,995 307 0 307 254 4,490 0 4,490 4,640 11,831 0 11,831 13,173 3,918 0 3,918 8,136 10,226 0 10,226 2,632 |
|
| 85,254 0 85,254 79,962 |
|
| 1,200 0 1,200 1,200 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 5,207 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 86,454 0 86,454 86,369 |
Page 5
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
-
4 Staff Costs
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Wages & Salaries
| 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|
| £4,490 | £4,640 |
Fees have been paid to 3 organists to cover services and choir rehearsals.
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b. Payments to PCC members
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There were no disclosable transactions in respect of PCC members nor persons closely related to them nor other related parties.
5 Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost or Valuation At 1st. January 2024 Additions Disposals Revaluation At 31st. December 2024 Deprecation At 1st. January 2024 Additions Disposals At 31st. December 2024 Net Book Values At 1st. January 2024 At 31st. December 2024 |
Freehold Land Church Hall Total & Buildings Contents £ £ £ 372,873 18,042 390,915 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 372,873 18,042 390,915 |
|
| 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 |
|
| 372,873 18,042 390,915 |
|
| 372,873 18,042 390,915 |
The Freehold Land & Buildings comprise the Church Hall. For accounting purposes, the value of this property and it's contents are at the valuations made for insurance purposes in 2005.
6 Investments
There are no Investments.
7 Analysis of Net Assets by fund at 31st. December 2024
| Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities 8 Debtors Income Tax Recoverable Prepayments & accrued income Other debtors |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 390,915 0 390,915 114,347 114,347 -12,970 -12,970 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 390,915 0 390,915 114,347 114,347 -12,970 -12,970 |
|---|---|---|
| 492,292 0 492,292 |
||
| 2024 2023 £ £ 6,508 2,369 1,338 2,826 1,038 0 |
||
| 8,884 5,195 |
Page 6
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| 9 Creditors - Amounts falling due within one year Deferred income Accruals for utilities & other costs Other creditors |
2024 2023 £ £ 2,508 943 1,268 1,521 9,194 15,851 |
|---|---|
| 12,970 18,315 |
| 10 Statement of Funds Unrestricted Funds General Fund Legacies Fabric Fund Restricted Funds Lighting & Improvement Fund Church Repairs & Maintenance Fund Total Funds |
Bal b/fwd Income Expenditure Bal c/fwd 1.1.24 31.12.24 £ £ £ £ 324,400 87,154 86,454 325,100 125,172 0 0 125,172 21,228 0 0 21,228 |
|---|---|
| 470,800 87,154 86,454 471,500 |
|
| 13,601 0 0 13,601 7,191 0 0 7,191 |
|
| 20,792 0 0 20,792 |
|
| 491,592 87,154 86,454 492,292 |
The Unrestricted General Fund includes the valuation of the Church Hall Buildings & Contents of £390,915
11 Analysis of Running Costs & Maintenance of Church & Hall
| Heating & Lighting Cleaning Insurance Rates - General & Water Administration Maintenance Interregnum Costs CCTV Total |
Church Hall |
|---|---|
| 2024 2023 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 3,918 3,749 3,112 3,694 1,223 1,272 6,342 6,717 4,645 4,388 1,698 1,681 163 90 679 1,081 2,479 2,496 0 0 3,918 5,986 10,226 2,632 909 0 0 0 0 2,150 0 0 |
|
| 17,255 20,131 22,057 15,805 |
12 Donations to the Church from PCC members during the year totalled £9078
Page 7
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, WEST WICKHAM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. DECEMBER 2024
| 13 Gifts to Charities Amounts paid to Charities OMF in Japan EarAid Nepal Anglican Eye Clinic Ghana Bromley Foodbank Shrublands Foodbank Action Aid St. Andrew's, Zimbabwe Christian Aid The Children's Society Demelza House Welcare in Bromley St. Christopher's Macmillan Cancer Bishop's Lent Appeal Wateraid DEC Ukraine British Heart Foundation 14 Fabric Fund Balance 1.1.24 Balance 31.12.24 15 Lighting & Improvement Fund Balance 1.1.24 Balance 31.12.24 16 Legacies Balance 1.1.24 Balance 31.12.24 17 Church Repairs & Maintenance Fund (Legacy) Balance 1.1.24 Balance 31.12.24 Page 8 |
2024 £ 400.00 400.00 400.00 534.08 514.01 0.00 2982.00 1760.53 380.71 95.00 593.64 291.62 0.00 315.50 145.00 0.00 0.00 8812.09 |
2023 £ 618 400 400 938 775 500 0 1,455 339 71 419 67 67 0 0 251 225 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,525 | ||
| Unrestricted £ 21,228 |
||
| 21,228 | ||
| Restricted £ 13,601 |
||
| 13,601 | ||
| Unrestricted £ 125,172 |
||
| 125,172 | ||
| Restricted 7,191 |
||
| 7,191 | ||
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST. FRANCIS WEST WICKHAM PAROCHIALCHURCH COUNCIL Accounts certificate for the year endin8 31 December 2024 which are Set out on pages I to 8. Respectlve responsiblllties of the Trustees and Independent Examlner The charitles, trustees consider that an audit is not requlred under sectlon 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an Independent examination is needed. It is my responsibillty to: l. Examine the accounts undersection 145 of the 2011 Art 2. Follow the procedures laid down In the General Directlons 8iven by the Charities Commisslon sertion 14515llbl of the 2011 Act 3. State whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of Independent Examine5 Report My examinatlon wa5 carried out in accordance wlth the General Dirertlons of the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It includes consideration of any unusual Items or dlsclosures In the accounts and seeking explanatlon from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required under a full audit and consequently I do not present an audited opinion on the accounts. Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wlth the exarnination giving me cause to believe that in any material respert: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by sectlon 130 of theAct; or the accounts do not accord with those records; or 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 on an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connettlon with the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Neil Tullis ACA 59 Greenway5 Beckenham Kent BR3 3NQ February 26, 2025