2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Poplar (All Saints And St Nicholas)

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Parish of Poplar

All Saints & St Nicholas

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the year ended 31 December 2024

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 Vicar: The Revd Matt Wall
Team Vicar: The Revd Calebmark Onyemaobi
Curate: The Revd Evonne Galloway (licensed at St Paul’s Shadwell)
Curate: The Revd Gareth Haddow (licensed at St Paul’s Shadwell)
Revd Jenny Sheldon (PTO)

Licensed Lay Ministers

Modupe Kenku
Pip Etchells

Churchwardens (elected)

Ima Mmah (All Saints)
Georgina Depree (St Nicholas)

PCC Members (elected)

Chris Bingham (Treasurer)
Sarah Wall (Secretary)
Michelle Depree
Colin Campbell
Larissa Kelly

Deanery Synod Representative

Janice Millbank

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 .

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

Usual Weekly Attendance: 146 (88 at All Saints; 43 at St Nicholas, 15 at Hope Street)
Electoral Roll: 148 members

Worship, Mission and Parish Life

Over the past year, the life of the parish has continued to grow in depth, breadth and diversity across our churches and worshipping communities. There has been much to give thanks for, alongside ongoing challenges that we continue to hold in prayer.

Worship and Prayer

Worship remains at the heart of parish life. At All Saints , Sunday worship continues to gather around 80 people each week, alongside a monthly choral Evensong and a regular Friday lunchtime Mass. The development of a new children’s choir, Magnify , has been a particular encouragement, with children now regularly contributing to Evensong. Children’s ministry is also being strengthened through the relaunch of Sunday groups.

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962

At St Nick’s , worship continues both on Sundays and through a midweek All Age service. While numbers have fluctuated, it has been encouraging to see new people joining. The church continues to be experienced as a place of stillness and prayer within a rapidly changing community.

Across the parish, rhythms of prayer remain strong. Morning Prayer is held regularly at All Saints and St Nick’s, alongside online gatherings during the week. New and growing prayer meetings have also emerged at London City Island and within homes.

In September we launched our new Sunday congregation on London City Island , led by Revd Calebmark. In its first term average attendance was 15.

Mission and Discipleship

Mission continues to take a variety of forms across the parish. At All Saints , the church is open daily, offering a space of welcome and encounter. Outreach initiatives such as Tower Tots are building connections with local families, with some now joining Sunday worship. The development of the church gardens, alongside Tower Hamlets Council, aims to create further opportunities for community engagement.

At St Nick’s , Messy Church continues to thrive with a strong team of volunteers, and the Pilgrim course has grown under new leadership. There has also been significant engagement with local schools. Weekly ministry at St Saviour’s connects with around 250 children, while recent visits from Culloden School brought over 700 pupils into the church, reflecting the strength of these relationships.

At London City Island , the ministry continues to develop well, with a Sunday gathering, regular prayer meetings and strong seasonal events at Christmas. The community is now being shaped under the new name Hope Street , reflecting a vision to bring hope into homes and neighbourhoods.

Alongside this, an exciting new student ministry has emerged at Republic, where a growing fellowship now meets twice weekly on campus, with around 50 attending and increasing demand for space.

Fellowship and Community Life

Fellowship continues to be expressed in simple but meaningful ways. At All Saints, monthly bring-and-share lunches and regular gatherings after weekday services foster community. At St Nick’s, events such as the parish BBQ have strengthened relationships, supported by an active leadership team.

Across the parish, there is a growing sense of shared life, with people serving faithfully in a wide range of roles, from hospitality and music to children’s ministry and outreach.

Deanery and Wider Links

We continue to play an active part in the life of the Tower Hamlets Deanery, which includes 18 parishes and 22 churches. There is a strong sense of unity across diverse traditions, and we are grateful for Janice Milbank’s service as our Deanery Synod representative. All Saints also continues to host the annual Church of England school leavers service.

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962

Safeguarding

Safeguarding remains a priority. Pritam Knox has been appointed as Safeguarding Officer, all volunteers are DBS checked, and safeguarding information is now more clearly visible within our church buildings.

Buildings and Resources

Alongside much encouragement, there are ongoing practical challenges. At St Nick’s in particular, issues with the roof, drains and heating remain significant. While grant applications are underway, including through new diocesan funding streams, further work will be required in the coming year.

Looking Ahead

Financially, the parish has faced challenges, including the unexpected closure of bank accounts and delays in financial reporting, though significant progress has now been made. We are grateful to those who have worked hard to bring systems back up to date and for the generosity of those who support the parish, including income from local properties and recent gifts.

As we look ahead, we remain prayerful about how we continue to grow sustainably, deepen discipleship, and extend our mission across the parish. There is much to be thankful for, and we look forward with faith to all that lies ahead.\

Pastoral Offices

8 Baptisms
4 wedding
2 funerals

Financial Review

The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 show a deficit for the year of £(43,921) (2023: deficit of £(77,356). Cash reserves held at the end of the year totalled £77,980 (2023: £95,002).

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.

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas) Registered charity number: 1134962

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.

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 14[th] August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

The Rev. Phil Williams, PCC Chairperson

Trustee

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 2024.

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: 17th August 2026

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 2024

Note INCOME FROM: Donations and legacies 2 (a) Other trading activities 2 (b) Other income 2 (c) TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Charitable activities 3 (a) TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 7 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Balances brought forward at 1 January BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER	Unrestrict ed Funds £ 132,999 74,949 4,522 212,470 - 259,499 259,499 (47,029) (47,029) 719,240 672,211	Restricted Funds £ 8,278 - - 8,278 - 5,170 5,170 3,108 3,108 15,392 18,499	TOTAL FUNDS 2024 £ 141,277 74,949 4,522		Unrestrict ed Funds £ 50,178 56,885 7,129 114,192 - 191,548 191,548 (77,356) (77,356) 796,596 719,240	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - 15,392 15,392	TOTAL FUNDS 2023 £ 50,178 56,885 7,129
			220,748				114,192
			- 264,669				- 191,548
			264,669				191,548
			(43,921) -				(77,356) -
			(43,921) 734,631				(77,356) 811,988
			690,710				734,632

Registered charity number: 1134962

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)

Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2024

Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 6 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand 7 Debtors LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR NET ASSETS Represented by: FUNDS 9 Restricted Unrestricted Total funds	2024 £ 683,361 77,980 9,525		2023 £ 683,436 95,002 -
	87,505		95,002
	(53,491)		(43,807)
	34,015		51,195
	(26,666)		-
	690,710		734,632
	18,499 672,211		15,392 719,240
	690,710		734,632

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 14[th] August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

The Rev. Phil Williams, PCC Chairperson

Trustee

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 2024

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

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).

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)

Registered charity number: 1134962

2 INCOME 2 (a) Donations and legacies Grant income Donations Gift Aid Other fundraising 2 (b) Other trading activities Rent Occasional hire Fees income 2 (c) Other income Interest received Other income TOTAL INCOME 3 EXPENDITURE 3 (a) Charitable activities Ministry Church running expenses Depreciation Repairs and maintenance Organ Staff costs including pensions Common Fund Bank charges Professional services Independent Examiner's fees	Unrestricte d Funds £ 77,500 55,499 - - 132,999 58,597 14,972 1,380 74,949 2,022 2,500 4,522 212,470 Unrestricte d Funds £ 22,149 53,523 75 90,491 - 32,103 55,833 246 4,229 850 259,499	Restricted Funds £ 8,278 - - - 8,278 - - - - - 8,278 Restricted Funds £ 72 - - - - 5,098 - - - - 5,170	TOTAL FUNDS 2024 £ 85,778 55,499 - -
			141,277
			58,597 14,972 1,380
			74,949
			2,022 2,500
			4,522

			220,748

			TOTAL FUNDS 2024 £ 22,220 53,523 75 90,491 - 37,201 55,833 246 4,229 850
			264,669

4 Staff costs

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
£ £
Staff costs including pensions 37,201 34,185
37,201 34,185
----- End of picture text -----

No employee earned in excess of £60,000 in the year (2023:none).

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)

Registered charity number: 1134962

6 Tangible fixed assets

5 Related party transactions

No trustees received any remuneration or benefits from the PCC. There were no other disclosable transactions.

Tangible fixed assets
Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions during the year Disposals during the year At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net Book Value At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024	Freehold buildings £ 682,938 - - 682,938 - - - 682,938 682,938	Fixtures & fittings £ 5,928 - - 5,928 5,430 75 5,505 498 423	Total £ 688,866 - -
			688,866
			5,430 75
			5,505

			688,866

			683,361

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)

Registered charity number: 1134962

7 Bank and cash in hand CAF Bank CCLA Fabric fund CCLA Properties CBF deposit account Barclays PCC account Barclays Halls & Properties account HSBC current account Barclays BPA Petty cash Cheque in hand	2024 £ 31,255 14,333 14,210 8,926 - (294) 3,800 5,751 - - 77,980	2023 £ 13,610 13,494 8,476 - 1,873 10,547 5,666 - 41,336
		95,002

Creditors Payroll taxes Pensions Accruals Owing to SPS Owing to London Diocesan Fund within 1 year Owing to London Diocesan Fund after 1 year Other creditors	2024 £ (286) 202 3,196 15,173 13,333 26,667 21,872 80,157	2023 £ 468 62 - 43,277 - - -
		43,807

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Poplar (All Saints and St Nicholas)

Registered charity number: 1134962

9 Analysis of movement in funds

Restricted funds Christian Aid Church railings Crisis Children's Society Delhi Brotherhood Disaster Fund Church energy cost support grant GrowTH Lent Appeal Poppy Appeal Helping orphans THMP Music Director Tiny Tots Youth garden project Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	Opening Balance £ 10 8,731 516 196 210 643 - 104 1,066 201 214 - - 3,500 15,392 683,436 35,804 719,240 734,632	Income £ - - - - - - - - - - - 2,500 5,778 - 8,278 - 212,470 212,470 220,748	Expenditure £ - - - - - - - - - - - (2,500) (2,670) - (5,170) (75) (259,424) (259,499) (264,669)	Transfers between funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 - - 0 0	Closing Balance £ 10 8,731 516 196 210 643 - 104 1,066 201 214 - 3,108 3,500
					18,499
					683,362 (11,150)
					672,211

					690,710

10 Analysis of movement in funds: prior year

Restricted funds Christian Aid Church railings Crisis Children's Society Delhi Brotherhood Disaster Fund Church energy cost support grant GrowTH Lent Appeal Poppy Appeal Helping orphans Youth garden project Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds: fixed assets General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	Opening Balance £ 10 8,731 516 196 210 643 - 104 1,066 201 214 3,500 15,391 683,524 113,072 796,596 811,987	Income £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 - 114,192 114,192 114,192	Expenditure £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 (88) (191,460) (191,548) (191,548)	Transfers between funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 - - 0 0	Closing Balance £ 10 8,731 516 196 210 643 - 104 1,066 201 214 3,500
					15,392
					683,436 35,804
					719,240

					734,632

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 Non-current liabilities Total net assets	General funds - 69,006 (53,491) (26,666) (11,150)	Designated funds 683,362 - - - 683,362	Restricted funds - 18,499 - - 18,499	Total 683,362 87,505 (53,491) (26,666)
				690,710