## **Parish of Poplar** All Saints & St Nicholas **Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)** for the year ended 31 December 2023 Charity Registration Number: **1134962** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **Reference and Administrative Information** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Parish of Poplar is a corporate body established by the Church of England under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 (as amended) and the Church Representation Rules. Its members are the charity trustees. ## **Clergy** - Rector: The Revd Phil Williams - Team Vicars: The Revd Matt Wall, The Revd Jenny Sheldon, The Revd Calebmark Onyemaobi - ● Assistant Clergy: The Revd Evonne Galloway (licensed at St Paul’s Shadwell), The Revd Gareth Haddow (licensed at St Paul’s Shadwell) ## **Licensed Lay Ministers** - Modupe Kenku - Philippa Downs ## **Churchwarden** - Imaikop Mmah ## **Elected PCC Members** - Chris Bingham - Sarah Wall - Liz Todd - Michelle Depree - Colin Campbell - Larissa Kelly ## **Deanery Synod Representative** - Janice Milbank ## **Staff (in attendance at PCC as appropriate)** - Laura Brown (Children and Families Worker, until 2023) - Liz Lee (Youth Work Apprentice) - Laura Penney (Caretaker and Administrator) ## **Parish Office** All Saints Church, Newby Place, London, E14 0EY Tel: 020 7538 9198 The Parish includes: - **All Saints Church** (Newby Place, E14 0EY) - **St Nicholas Church** (Aberfeldy Street, E14 0PT) The Parish of Poplar is a **Team Ministry** . 2 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The PCC meets at least four times per year to oversee the life and mission of the parish. It is supported by a **Standing Committee** (Rector, Team Vicar, Churchwarden, Secretary, Treasurer) and sub-committees for areas such as finance, buildings and fabric, mission planning, and children/youth ministry. Separate meetings of All Saints and St Nicholas PCC representatives focus on local mission and operational matters, with reports brought back to the full PCC. The PCC is responsible for: - promoting the whole mission of the Church (pastoral, evangelistic, educational, and social) - stewarding finances and assets for the benefit of the parish - ensuring safe, welcoming, and well-maintained church buildings ## **Objectives and Activities** The charitable objectives of the Parish of Poplar are: - to provide public worship and opportunities for prayer and reflection - to advance the Christian faith through teaching, pastoral care, and community service - to support families, children, and young people in faith and wellbeing - to serve the wider community through outreach, partnerships, and charitable support ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **Worship and Attendance** - **Average weekly attendance:** 71 (46 at All Saints; 25 at St Nicholas) - ● **Electoral Roll (Dec 2023)** : 136 members ## **All Saints Church** - Welcome **Rector Phil Williams** in February 2023; developed a stronger partnership with St Paul’s Shadwell and continues as a training context for curates. - Relaunch of **All Saints Choir and Junior Choir** under Jonathan Pease. - Continued tradition of **Choral Evensong** as a deanery resource. - Launch of **Stay & Play group** for children and families. - Hosted significant services: Billingsgate Remembrance, Carols in Chrisp Street Market, New Year’s Eve Crossover Service, and local school services. - Ran **100 Days of Prayer** , with strong community participation. 3 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **St Nicholas Church** - Growth in attendance post-Covid; new members welcomed. - **Revd Evonne Galloway** joined as curate in September 2023; to be ordained priest in June 2024. - **Christian Meditation group** established. - **Little Nicks** (children’s group) sustained by volunteers; **Tiny Tots** relaunched under new leadership, with expanded sessions funded. - A new **All-Age Service** launched midweek. - The church building continues to be a **vital community hub** , managed by Laura Penney. - Began **youth work on the Aberfeldy Estate** in partnership with XLP. ## **Pastoral Offices (2023)** - Funerals: 2 - Baptisms: 3 - Weddings: 4 - Burials of ashes: 0 ## **Church Facilities** - **All Saints** : boiler works completed; lift remains under review; church kept open more often though anti-social behaviour has been a challenge. - **St Nicholas** : ongoing plumbing and toilet issues require attention. - Archdeacon’s Visitation was successfully completed. ## **Financial Review** The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 show a deficit for the year of £(77,356) (2022: surplus of £11,832). Cash reserves held at the end of the year totalled £95,002 (2022: £139,712). The PCC holds reserves equivalent to **at least 3 months’ income** , in line with its reserves policy. The independent examination of the accounts was carried out by Zachary Ramsden, Independent Examiner. ## **Trustees’ Responsibilities** The PCC is responsible for preparing the report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Charity law in England and Wales requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the PCC and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the PCC for that period. 4 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 In preparing those financial statements, the PCC is required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - Observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP; - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the activities of the PCC will continue. The PCC is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the PCC and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the governing document. The PCC is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the PCC and financial information included in the PCC website. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 15/04/2026 and signed on its behalf by: The Rev. Phil Williams, PCC Chairperson Trustee 5 ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the** ## **Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity's trustees, 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did 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. ## Signed: Zachary Ramsden Name: Zachary Ramsden FCA Chartered Accountant 63 Deakin Leas, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2JT Date: 2[nd ] May 2025 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2023 7 ## The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2023 |**Note**
**FI XED ASSETS**
Tangible fixed assets
6
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Cash at bank and in hand
7
Debtors
**LI ABI LI TI ES: AMOUNTS FALLI NG DUE WI THI N ONE YEAR**
8
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**LI ABI LI TI ES: AMOUNTS FALLI NG DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR**
**NET ASSETS**
**Represented by:**
**FUNDS**
9
Restricted
Unrestricted
**Total funds**|**2023**
**£**
683,436
95,002
0||**2022**
**£**
683,525
139,712| |---|---|---|---| ||95,002||139,712| ||(43,807)||(11,249)| ||51,195||128,463| ||-||-| ||734,632||811,988| ||15,392
719,240||15,392
796,596| ||734,632||811,988| ||||| Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 15th April 2026 and signed on its behalf by: The Rev. Phil Williams, PCC Chairperson Trustee 8 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **Notes to the Financial Statements** For the year ended 31 December 2023 ## **1. Accounting Policies** ## Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: a) UK accounting standards, including the provisions of Section 1A (Small Entities) of **FRS 102** – The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. b) **Charities SORP (FRS 102)** – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective 1 January 2015). c) The **Charities Act 2011** . ## Public Benefit Entity The charity qualifies as a public benefit entity under FRS 102. ## Going Concern The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis. There are no material uncertainties affecting the charity’s ability to continue operating. ## Income Recognition - **Voluntary income & donations (including legacies):** Recognised when entitlement exists, receipt is probable, and the amount can be reliably measured. - **Gift Aid tax recovery:** Recognised once the tax reclaim has been submitted. - **Grants:** Recognised when receivable. - **Trading activities (e.g., rental income):** Recognised when earned, shown gross, with associated costs included under fundraising. - **Interest:** Recognised when receivable, normally upon bank notification. - **Investment property income:** Included in Investments when due. ## Expenditure Recognition - Expenditure is recognised when a liability is probable and can be reliably measured. Longer-term liabilities are discounted to present value. - As the PCC is not VAT-registered, expenditure includes VAT where applicable. ## **Categories of expenditure:** - **Raising funds:** Includes fundraising costs, property maintenance, and grant applications. - **Charitable activities:** Includes costs directly related to fulfilling the PCC’s objectives, grants payable, governance costs, and support costs. - Grants payable: Accrued once the recipient has been notified (if unconditional). Conditional grants are accrued only when conditions outside PCC control remain. - Governance costs: Include independent examination, legal fees, and compliance costs. ## **Other:** - Rentals under operating leases are charged as incurred. ## Funds ● **Restricted Funds:** Must be used for specified purposes as directed by the donor/funder. Related expenditure and 9 ## The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 fair cost allocations are charged to these funds. - **Unrestricted Funds:** Available for general use without restriction. - **Designated Funds:** Unrestricted funds set aside by trustees for specific purposes. ## Tangible Fixed Assets - Assets costing more than £1,000 are recorded at cost less depreciation. - **Depreciation rates:** - Freehold buildings: No depreciation charged - Fixtures & fittings: Calculated to write off fixed assets over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis at rates of 15%, 20% or 33.3% ## **Consecrated & benefice property:** - Consecrated land, the church building, vicarage, and certain furnishings are excluded from the accounts under the Charities Act 2011. - Moveable church furnishings held in trust (requiring a faculty for disposal) are treated as inalienable property. - All expenditure on such property (maintenance or improvement) is charged as an expense in the Statement of Financial Activities. ## Investments - Investments are shown at closing market value in the balance sheet. - Gains and losses on revaluation are recorded in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA). 10 ## The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **4 Staff costs** |Staff costs including pensions|**2023**
**£**
34,185||**2022**
**£**
32,342| |---|---|---|---| ||34,185||32,342| ||||| No employee earned in excess of £60,000 in the year (2022:none). ## **5 Related party transactions** No trustees received any remuneration or benefits from the PCC. There were no other disclosable transactions. 11 ## The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 ## **6 Tangible fixed assets** |**6**|**Tangible fixed assets**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Freehold**||**Fixtures &**||| |||**buildings**||**fittings**|**Total**|| |||**£**||**£**|**£**|| ||**Cost**|||||| ||At 1 January 2023|682,938||5,928|688,866|| ||Additions during the year|-||-|-|| ||Disposals during the year|-||-|-|| ||At 31 December 2023|682,938||5,928|688,866|| ||**Depreciation**|||||| ||At 1 January 2023|-||5,343|5,343|| ||Charge for the year|-||88||88| ||At 31 December 2023|-||5,430|5,430|| ||**Net Book Value**|||||| ||At 1 January 2023|682,938||587|688,866|| |||||||| ||At 31 December 2023|682,938||498|683,436|| |**7**|**Bank and cash in hand**||**2023**||**2022**|| ||||**£**||**£**|| ||CCLA Fabric fund||13,610||13,188|| ||CCLA Properties||13,494||13,075|| ||CBF deposit account||8,476||8,213|| ||Barclays PCC account|||-|82,791|| ||Barclays Halls & Properties account||1,873||9,058|| ||HSBC current account||10,547||7,538|| ||Barclays BPA||5,666||5,613|| ||Petty cash|||-|236|| ||Cheque in hand||41,336|||| ||||95,002||139,712|| |**8**|**Creditors**||**2023**||**2022**|| ||||**£**||**£**|| ||Payroll taxes|||468|206|| ||Pensions|||62|201|| ||Net wages|||-|1,152|| ||Accruals|||-|9,690|| ||Owing to SPS||43,277|||| ||||43,807||11,249|| 12 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Register￿ charity numtrEr.' 1134962 Analyth of rnob•rn•nl In fund• Tran8l•r8 Exp•ndVtur H••¢r1￿•￿ lund* B•lmn¢* In¢om• fvnd¥ B#l•n¢• Chrisb"anMd Churrh railir¥Js Crisis Child￿￿,5 knety io 8,731 516 196 210 643 io 8,731 516 196 210 fA3 Clsaster Fu Churth ertyLOSt SWYFOrt grart &owTH Appeal Fbppy Appeal HelprMJ (Kthr Yiwth garden [￿￿tt 104 104 201 214 3,5 201 214 3,5 Total r•strbct•d funds 15 92 Unrostrictod fvnd• tks'gnate) 6B3.436 35,804 114.192 Total unro8trlcted lunda 790 96 719 40 Toi•l fvnd* 811 988 734 632 An11￿ of mo%*m•nt In ftsnd#: ptitir y•*r Tr•nsf•r• between C*enlng Bal•nc• Expendltur aoskng Balanc• R•atrkt•d fund* Incom• ChrfstianAid Ctsjrth railirwjs Crisis Child￿n,$ knety Lklh" Brotherttrx Lisaster FLnd Church erwo)st swx*t grart OWTH LentAppeal Fl)ppy Appeal ork4k)ns Youth garden pwjeci io 8,ni 516 io 8,731 516 196 210 643 210 393 1641 {3LK)) (2fft1) 104 201 214 201 214 Tot•1 re¥trkted lunds 41 Unr•#triet•d lund* gnated furnts.. assets ral fuTh 683fi27 I￿.730 {103) li68￿) 683,524 113.072 177.208 Toi•l unr••lrid•d fur 788 57 177 208 168969 796 Total funds 800 155 183 742 811 988 13 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962 |**11**
**Net assets by fund**
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
**Total net assets**|**General**
**funds**
-
79,611
(43,807)
**35,804**|**Designated**
**funds**
683,436
-
-
**683,436**|**Restricted**
**funds**
-
15,392
**15,392**|**Total**
683,436
95,002
(43,807)| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||**734,632**| 14