Charity registration number: 1135105
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
**Annual Report and Financial Statements**
**for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
Hailwood & Co. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 392-394 Hoylake Road Moreton
Wirral CH46 6DF
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Annual Report and Financial Statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|Trustees' report|2 - 7|
|Independent Examiner's Report|8|
|Statement of Financial Activities|9|
|Balance Sheet|10|
|Cash Flow Statement|11|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|12 - 24|
|**These pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:**||
|Statement of Financial Activities by Fund|25|
1
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
|**Trustees Clergy and Officers :**|The Revd Martin Cannam, Rector|
|---|---|
||The Revd Josh Carlson, Associate Minister (resigned 07/05/25)|
||Captain Michael Barritt RN, Reader (Designated)|
||Mrs Jennie Hewitt, Reader (Designated)|
||Mr Sam Leinster, Churchwarden|
||Mr David Rushworth, Churchwarden and Deanery Synod|
||Representative (resigned 30/04/25)|
||Mr Roy Edward, Churchwarden (appointed 01/05/25)|
||Mr David Wetherell, Deanery Synod Representative|
||Dr Christine Wetherell PhD, Deanery Synod Representative|
||Mr Michael Donnan, Hon. Treasurer|
|**Secretary :**|Mrs Sarah Hall|
|**Other Officers and Trustees :**|Mrs Helen Mooney, Elected Council (resigned 30/04/25)|
||Mr David Ost, Elected Council (resigned 30/04/25)|
||Mrs Geraldine Pleasance, Elected Council (resigned 30/04/25)|
||Mr Jonathan Francis, Elected Council (resigned 30/04/25)|
||Mrs Helen Page, Elected Council|
||Mr Stephen Blair, Elected Council|
||Mrs Margaret Archer, Elected Council|
||Mr James Norman, Elected Council Waddell|
||Mrs Janice Bell, Elected Council|
||Mr Simon Draper, Elected Council (appointed 30/04/25)|
||Mr Nicholas Ellis, Elected Council (appointed 30/04/25)|
||Ms Sheena Hennell, Elected Council (appointed 30/04/25)|
||Mr Stephen Bell, Elected Council (appointed 30/04/25)|
|**Principal Office :**|The Parish Office|
||St Peter’s Church|
||Village Road|
||Heswall|
||Wirral, CH60 0DZ|
|**Charity Registration Number :**|1135105|
|**Bankers :**|Lloyds Bank|
||137 Telegraph Road, Heswall|
||Wirral, CH60 0AN|
|**Independent Examiner:**|Hailwood & Co|
||392-394 Hoylake Road,|
||Moreton|
||Wirral, CH46 6DF|
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## **Trustees Report**
## **Objects of the charity**
The Parochial Church Council of Heswall (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector, the Revd Martin Cannam, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the following buildings:
- St Peter’s Church, Village Road, Heswall
- 15 Castle Drive, Heswall
- The Parish Centre, Village Road, Heswall
- The Lighthouse Church, Telegraph Road, Heswall
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of our churches and the Parish Centre.
The objects of the charity are the provision of places of Christian worship, the promotion of Christian values and general support both directly and via other charities to those in need locally, nationally and abroad. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at St Peter’s Church and the Lighthouse Church and to become part of our parish community in Heswall. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements**
To further the above objects and vision, the charity’s main activities and achievements were as follows:
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
- Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
- Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
- Missionary and outreach work.
The charity carries out these objects by:
• Providing 4 or 5 acts of worship across the Parish each Sunday in a variety of styles to serve the varied preferences of churchgoers in gathered worship and seeking to reach a wide variety of new people. Services are led by our clergy, Readers, a number of retired clergy and a growing number of lay people including those authorised by the Diocese as Occasional Worship Leaders;
• Providing facilities for Baptism, Wedding and Funeral services for persons who request these and qualify under the polices adopted for those services;
• Organising a wide range of youth and adult activities in Heswall and abroad – this work was mostly undertaken by lay volunteers, in addition to Mrs Rachel Clark, a Children’s and Family Worker and Ms Dani Smith a Youth Leader, both employed by the PCC, and two interns who assist with the youth work;
• Providing grants to other charities. The PCC has resolved that 10% of the planned giving received by the parish be donated to appropriate charities, with which the parish has connections. As mentioned above, much
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of this work is carried out by volunteers whose contribution is essential to the smooth running of the parish. By focusing on these areas, we achieve our strategic priorities of promoting Christian values and providing Christian care support.
• Maintaining the Parish Church of St Peter and the Lighthouse Church - this work is overseen and organised by the Fabric Committee, which is entirely made up of volunteers;
Worship and Prayer: The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our parishioners find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. Sunday services include said BCP Holy Communion at 8am, a more traditional service of Common Worship (Holy Communion or Morning Worship) at 9.15am, a contemporary worship service at 10.45am and Evensong at 4.00pm (all at St Peter’s). Services at 10.30am and 6.30pm are held at the Lighthouse Church. Opportunities are provided for people to engage in more outgoing worship such as that provided by the youth group (Youth Fellowship) within our parish at Encounter, a service at 6.30pm held at the Lighthouse Church, prepared and run entirely by members of the Youth Fellowship. Attendances at Sunday Services in the Parish average approximately 250 weekly. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God’s keeping.
We have celebrated 6 baptisms, 8 weddings and held 15 funerals in our churches this year, 11 funerals at Crematoriums and 20 interments of ashes.
Deanery Synod: Three members of the PCC sit on the Wirral North Deanery Synod and two members sit on the Chester Diocesan Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.
Pastoral Care: Some members of our parish are unable to attend church due to sickness or age. One of the ministers or retired clergy has visited all church members who have requested it, to celebrate communion with them either at their homes or in hospital. A number of pastoral care teams visit those who are sick or unable to get out for any other reason to keep them in touch with church life. A home Communion team continues to provide a valuable service to those who are unable to attend Communion services in church.
Parish Charitable Giving: Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith. The Wider Mission and Social Action Team is responsible for selecting the local and national charities who are nominated as a Mission of the Month, for which special collections are taken on occasions. A presentation is usually provided by a representative of the Charity or a local champion at the services on that Sunday.
Ecumenical Relationships: The parish is a member of Churches Together in Heswall. During the week of Christian Unity, there is daily prayer and an ecumenical service. On Good Friday Heswall Churches Together leads a walk of witness along Telegraph Road in the centre of Heswall.
The Lighthouse Church: We are delighted that construction of the Lighthouse Church has been completed and a satisfactory financial agreement with Skyline, the builders, has been achieved. The building continues to be well used and new opportunities arise to welcome new people into the building. Particularly of note are Thursday's "Singing Cafe" which often attracts up to 100 people, often people with their carers, Monday's "Knit and Natter" and Friday /Saturday early mornings "Open Doors" welcoming the night club clientele into the building for support, safety and an opportunity for discussion.
Youth Fellowship and Children and Families: The PCC has maintained its commitment of our work among children and families with Rachel Clark, who worked as Children and Families leader (to Aug 2025), and Dani Smith as a Youth Worker.
Angelina Hedt volunteered as youth intern and children’s intern until summer of 2025 and made a great contribution. We are very grateful to Miriam & Chris McCormick for welcoming her into their home. Patricia and
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Ari Fonseca have joined us in August 2025 from Brazil through Time for God and are making a valuable contribution. We are grateful to Anne Jackson for providing the accommodation for them in her house.
Open Door: This is a Christian, social community response to an initiative developed by Bishop Mark (Bishop of Chester) Heswall Parish decided that a group of parishioner volunteers will form 5 teams each of 5 people to open the Lighthouse Church from 11pm on Friday nights until 3am on Saturday mornings to serve the night time economy of Heswall. On a typical Open Door 15 – 50 people will pass through The Lighthouse Church for hot drinks, a warm space, conversation, prayer, toilets and phone charging. This has been an inspiring new work connecting the church with a different sector of the Wirral population. This has proved very successful and is now established as a regular and valued service to the community in Heswall.
Other Activities: We are very grateful for the involvement of lay people in a huge range of activities across the Parish, including Life and House Groups, Singing Café, Thursdays Together, Grub Club, Pastoral Care, The Meeting Place, Knit & Natter, Men’s breakfast, Open Door, H2O Women’s events, Courses including Bereavement Support, Alpha, Baptism and Marriage preparation, Early Years Parenting, Baby Tiddlers, Little Fishes, Little Lights, Mothers’ Union, music and worship, including the Choir at St Peter’s as well as the music groups at St Peter’s and the Lighthouse Church, and a whole host of others, especially those involved with our fantastic work among children and young people, and with the wonderful work that goes on each week at the St Peter’s Centre. We are very grateful to the Bell Ringers who provide appropriate peals most Sundays, at weddings and on other special occasions.
Thanks: It would be very remiss not to record the PCC’s extreme gratitude to the licensed Clergy, the Revds Martin Cannam and Josh Carlson (to May 2025) who have both contributed so willingly to maintaining the spiritual life of the Parish during the last year. They have both worked tirelessly to ensure that all the normal services continued to be held, that occasional offices were undertaken as necessary, and that any parishioners who required a visit were attended to. They do have our especial thanks, as do the retired clergy, the Revds Alan Leach, Ian Hobbs and Ian Urquhart who also assist in leading and preaching at services. Thanks are also due to all the office staff, Julia MacGregor and Sarah Hall who have both assisted in the smooth running of the Parish Office over the year, and also to Pamela Francis in her role as Assistant Treasurer. Thanks are also due to Peter Johns and Tim Murray who have served as Vergers at St Peter’s Church for weddings and funerals and to Janet Truman and Helen Hinde our church cleaners. The PCC expresses its sincere thanks to all of those who have contributed both practically and financially to sustaining the work of the Church in this past year. Your support is greatly appreciated.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Parish of Heswall is served by St. Peter’s Church, in the Lower Village, and the newly opened Lighthouse Church. Each Church has equal representation from its members on the Parochial Church Council, which is the legal entity governing the Parish. Strategic decisions are normally made by the PCC, although the Standing Committee (comprising the Rector, Revd Josh Carlson (to May 2025), the two Churchwardens, together with David Ost and Roy Edward prior to the APCM and David Wetherill and Sheena Hennel post APCM) is authorised to make any decisions in case of urgency, subject to ratification by the next PCC Meeting.
The governing documents for the Parish are the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules.
Day to day management of the Parish is delegated to the Rector. During 2025 the staff team consisted of: the Rector: Rev Martin Cannam, Associate Rector: Rev Josh Carlson; (to May 2025) Children and Family Leader: Mrs Rachel Clark (to August 2025), Youth Worker: Miss Dani Smith, Administrator: Mrs Julia MacGregor, Administrator / Rector’s PA: Mrs Sarah Hall who also acts as Secretary to the PCC. Assistant Treasurer: Mrs Pamela Francis, Youth Interns: Angelina Hedt (to August 2025) followed by Ari and Patricia Fonseca
The Church’s worship has been supported by the ministry of a team of dedicated lay people, including our Readers: Michael Barritt and Jennifer Hewitt. We are also grateful for the assistance of a number of retired clergy, including Rev Ian Hobbs and Rev Ian Urquhart and Rev Alan Leach. Valuable support was also given
5
by Authorised Occasionally Worship Leaders: Allison Bell, Janet Connah, Sam Leinster, Sarah Hulse, Sarah Cannam, Dani Smith Rachel Clark, Normal Waddell and Mark Brown. During the year the PCC has met bimonthly, the Annual Parochial Church Meeting being held on 30th April 2025. PCC Membership for the year is shown above.
Committees of the PCC: The PCC elected the following committees and as appropriate, delegated to them authority for action on its behalf:
Standing Committee - to act between PCC meetings where necessary.
Finance Committee - to manage the financial affairs of the Parish.
Fabric Committee - to oversee the maintenance and development of the buildings and fabric.
Parish Building Project Steering Group - to manage the completion of the Lighthouse Church.
Staff Support Group - to effectively manage and support Parish employed and voluntary staff with appropriate employment and other policies.
Safeguarding -The PCC has appointed Helen Page as Safeguarding Officer and has appropriate safeguarding policies in place. All PCC members, together with other leaders are now required to undertake appropriate safeguarding training at regular intervals and this has been completed. All PCC members are also required to hold an Enhanced DBS Check (without barring) on appointment and to complete the required training within 3 months of appointment.
Revision of leadership structures, staffing and discipleship pathways. Good progress has been made implementing the new Congregational Leadership Teams and Ministry Teams, thereby reducing the continual burden of decision making which previously lay with the Rector. Work continues to embed these structures in place and to develop discipleship pathways.
Methods used to recruit and appoint new Trustees: Licensed Clergy are ex officio members of the PCC, as are Churchwardens. 4 members of the PCC are elected at each Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and serve for a period of 3 years, and there are therefore 12 elected PCC members. There are also three parishioners who are members of the Deanery Synod, one of whom is elected by the APCM for a three-year period, and two of whom are members of the Diocesan Synod, who are elected by the Deanery for a threeyear period, all of whom are ex officio members of the PCC. The APCM has the power to decide whether any Lay Readers in the Parish may serve as members of the PCC.
Training of new Trustees: New Trustees are provided with copies of documents outlining their responsibilities as Trustees of a Charity provided by HM Government.
Remuneration of Key Personnel: The remuneration of all employees of the Parish is reviewed annually, and notice is taken of any increase recommended by the Chester Diocese.
## **Financial Review**
Planned Giving Review: After the extensive review of finances with the parish in 2024 it was decided that it was not appropriate to repeat the process in 2025.
Purchases: The Finance Committee regularly reviews the contracts for purchased services including utilities and recommends changes to the PCC where appropriate.
Risk Management: The trustees have reviewed the major risks, financial and non-financial to which the council is exposed in the course of its current activities. They have assessed these risks and ensured that appropriate systems and controls exist to minimise internal risks and the effective response mechanisms exist to respond to and minimise the impact of external risks.
The areas reviewed in detail include:
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- Strategic risks
- Risks to church services
- Safeguarding and Health & Safety
- Legal
- Financial
- Properties and Premises
- The Lighthouse Building Project
## **Investments Policy**
The Finance Committee has determined that the reserves of the Parish should continue to be retained in cash on term deposit with banks and other financial institutions including CCLA to ensure that liquid funds will be available for expenditure in a timely manner. The Finance Committee is charged with ensuring investments are adequately distributed so they are protected from default.
## **Reserves Policy**
The total amount held by the Parish as reserves at 31[st] December 2025 amounted to £2,619,910, of which £2,370,794 was held in restricted and endowed accounts, leaving £240,415 as unrestricted reserves.
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately four months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover support and governance costs. The trustees consider that a level of four months is sufficient given the anticipated needs of the forthcoming year.
The balance held as unrestricted funds at 31[st] December 2025 was £240,415. Of this, £71,643 represents Designated Funds set aside by the PCC in accordance with the Legacies and Donations Policy. The free reserves of unrestricted funds amount to £168,772 against actual unrestricted expenditure for four months of approximately £112,000. The Parish has now restored the target level of reserves.
## **Responsibilities of Trustees under charity law**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
5. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signature
This report was approved by the trustees. and is sned on tsir behalf by".
Rev Martin Ca am. Rector
Mike Donnan. Treasurer
LLLb
Date:
Date l?
Zozc
8
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Independent Examiner's Report**
Report to the trustees of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 set out on pages 9 to 25.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **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 Trust’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**
The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales _._
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.
A D French FCA
Hailwood & Co Chartered Accountants
392-394 Hoylake Road, Moreton, Wirral, CH46 6DF.
Date: March 2026 25
9
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
**Income and endowments:**
Donations and legacies
2
327,513
Charitable activities
3
90,216
Investment income
4
23,530
Total income
441,259
**Expenditure:**
Charitable activities
5
331,936
Other
6
4,880
Total expenditure
336,816
Net income/(expenditure)
104,443
Gross transfers between funds
(111,133)
Other recognised gains/(losses)
(2,039)
Net movement in funds
14
(8,729)
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
14
249,144
Total funds carried forward
14
240,415|Restricted Endowment
funds
funds
£
£
43,221
-
73
-
9,782
-
53,076
-
41,599
-
113,235
-
154,834
-
(101,758)
-
111,133
-
-
(363)
9,375
(363)
2,361,419
9,064
2,370,794
8,701|Total
2025
£
370,734
90,289
33,312
494,335
373,535
118,115
491,650
2,685
-
(2,402)
283
2,619,627
2,619,910|Total
2024
£
361,905
85,007
18,216|
|---|---|---|---|
||||465,128|
||||450,369
117,768|
||||568,137|
||||(103,009)
-
705|
||||(102,304)
2,721,931|
||||2,619,627|
All of the Charity's activities in 2025 and 2024 derive from continuing operations.
io
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecdes1asti Parish of St Peter, Heswall
Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2025
21r25
2024
Note
Fixed a&8ets
Tangible assets
Investments
io
li
2.494,372 2506,475
52,632
131,058
2547.1x14 2.637,533
Current &ssets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
12
16
25.287
236.677
28,922
279,813
261.9fv1
308,735
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
13
(27,658) (151.641)
Net current assets
234,31
157.094
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
13
(161,400) (175.IXK))
Net assets
2.619.910 2.619.627
Funds of the eharity:
Endowment funds
Restricted funds
14
14
8,701
9,064
2.370.794 2.361,419
Unrestricted income fim(L8
Unrestricted funds
14
240.415
249,144
Totsl funds
14
2.619,910 2,619.627
The financial statements on pages 9 to 24 were approved by the trustees. and authorised for
issue on I q March 2026 and signed on betlf by:
The Revd Martin Cannam
Trustee
Mr Michael Donnan
Trustee
11
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Cash Flow Statement**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|Note
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net cash income
**Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items**
Depreciation
Impairment
Revaluation of investments
**Working capital adjustments**
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
12
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
13
Decrease in provisions
Net cash flows from operating activities
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
10
Sale of tangible fixed assets
10
Purchase of investments
11
Sale of investments
11
Net cash flows from investing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
16
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
16
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December
16
**Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds**
(Decrease) /increase in cash
Net funds at 1 January
Net funds at 31 December|2025
£
283
113,235
-
2,402
115,920
3,635
(137,582)
-
(18,027)
(101,133)
-
-
76,024
(25,109)
(43,136)
279,813
236,677
(43,136)
279,813
236,677|2024
£
(102,304)
110,664
-
(705)|
|---|---|---|
|||7,655
(5,714)
(5,839)
-|
|||(3,898)
(80,574)
-
(256)
-|
|||(80,830)|
|||(84,728)
364,541|
|||279,813|
|||(84,728)
364,541|
|||279,813|
12
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
## **Basis of preparation**
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Income and endowments**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Donations and legacies**
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading, and where costs are not directly attributable to one heading they have been allocated on an appropriate basis.
13
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## **Raising funds**
These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
## **Interest**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and when the amount can be reliably measured by the charity.
## **Support costs**
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
## **Governance costs**
These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, management and trustees' meetings and reimbursed expenses.
## **Pension costs**
In line with workplace pensions legislation, the charity makes contributions into a defined contribution pension scheme on behalf of its employees, accounting for expenditure as it falls due.
## **Taxation**
The charity meets the definition of a charitable entity for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, it is exempt from taxation in respect of its income or capital gains to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are initially recorded at cost.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
14
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are legacies set aside by the PCC in accordance with the legacies and donations policy and are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Endowment funds created by gifts from various individuals. The income is used for the purpose specified when the capital was donated.
## **Fixed asset investments**
Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
## **Tangible fixed assets and depreciation - fixtures, fittings and equipment**
Fixtures, fittings and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Fixtures and fittings
## 10% straight line
A full year's depreciation is charged in the year of acquisition, no charge is made in the year of disposal.
15
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## **Tangible fixed assets, depreciation, and changes in accounting estimates - freehold land & buildings**
Land and buildings are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is charged on the Lighthouse Church and St Peters' Centre on a straight line basis over the useful life of each component as follows:
|Structure|50 years|
|---|---|
|Roofs|30 years|
|Windows and doors|25 years|
|Externals|15 years|
|Mechanical and electrical installations|15 years|
|Finishes|10 years|
|Audio visual systems|10 years|
|Bathrooms and kitchens|10 years|
The Associate Rector's House on Castle Drive continues to be depreciated on a straight line basis over 100 years, this being more appropriate to a building which is already over 100 years old. The Charity starts to depreciate properties and their components in the year of completion. Tangible assets are reviewed annually for indicators of impairment, and should those indicators be present, a more detailed review undertaken.
16
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**2**
**Income from donations and legacies**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Designated
General
funds
£
£
£
Donations and legacies:
Appeals, donations and legacies
8,000
23,271
38,330
Gift aid reclaimed
-
56,152
4,891
Direct giving
-
240,090
-
8,000
319,513
43,221
**3**
**Income from charitable activities**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted
General
funds
£
£
Fees and sundries
52,357
73
Hall lettings
37,859
-
90,216
73
**4**
**Investment income**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted Endowment
General
funds
funds
£
£
£
Dividends, interest and rent
23,530
9,782
-
23,530
9,782
-|Total
2025
£
69,601
61,043
240,090
370,734
Total
2025
£
52,430
37,859
90,289
Total
2025
£
33,312
33,312|Total
2024
£
72,519
61,909
227,477|
|---|---|---|
|||361,905|
|||Total
2024
£
52,486
32,521|
|||85,007|
|||Total
2024
£
18,216|
|||18,216|
17
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**5**
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
Unrestricted funds
General
£
Diocesan share
64,313
Clergy expenses
275
Rent and rates
8,494
Other property expenses
29,920
Uganda mission
-
Staff training and support
9,938
Stationery and postage
3,208
Telephone
2,268
Equipment costs
2,273
Insurance
11,973
Miscellaneous
-
Bank charges
11,137
Office wages and salaries
41,916
Professional fees
1,921
Water rates
5,529
Upkeep of churches
12,871
Upkeep of churchyard and walls
7,222
Halls running costs
26,988
Youth projects and parish resources
24,967
Youth and children's leader salaries
19,460
Other wages and salaries
18,744
St Peter's school costs
5,000
Grants paid
19,524
Sundry expenses
3,995
331,936|Restricted Endowment
funds
funds
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
21,123
-
5,281
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
205
-
-
-
-
-
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,890
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,599
-|Total
2025
£
64,313
275
8,494
51,043
5,281
9,938
3,208
2,268
2,478
11,973
-
11,237
41,916
1,921
5,529
12,871
7,222
26,988
24,967
34,350
18,744
5,000
19,524
3,995
373,535|Total
2024
£
184,056
1,460
16,122
18,969
-
7,805
1,489
2,570
5,142
10,833
-
11,308
41,615
2,193
4,647
7,178
8,575
32,574
15,558
49,465
15,035
5,000
8,713
62|
|---|---|---|---|
||||450,369|
18
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**6**
**Analysis of governance and other costs**
Unrestricted funds
General
£
**Governance costs**
Independent examination and accountancy fees:
Independent examination fees
1,290
Other accountancy fees
3,590
4,880
**Other costs**
Construction costs not capitalised
-
Depreciation
-
Impairment
-
4,880|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
113,235
-
113,235|Total
2025
£
1,290
3,590
4,880
-
113,235
-
118,115|Total
2024
£
1,242
5,862|
|---|---|---|---|
||||7,104
-
110,664
-|
||||117,768|
Net incoming/outgoing resources for the year are stated after charging the above items.
Construction costs not capitalised refer to costs incurred in the construction of the Lighthouse Church which the trustees chose not to capitalise, such as those associated with the overrunning of the project.
## **7 Related party transactions**
|**Trustees remuneration and expenses**|2025|2024|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|The Charity made the following transactions with Trustees:|||
|Mileage and telephone expenses|770|1,411|
There were no other related party transactions in the year.
## **8 Staff costs**
The number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the Charity during the year expressed in full time equivalents was 3.4 (2024: 3.3). Another 1 (2024: 2) is employed by the Diocese and is included in the Diocesan Share.
Employee salaries totalled £95,010 (2024: £106,115) and included social security costs of £1,361 (2024: £959) and pension contributions of £1,631 (2024: £1,804). No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 in either year.
19
**The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **9 Taxation**
The Charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
|Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2025
Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
Impairment
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2025
Net book value
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024|Freehold
land and
buildings
£
3,163,687
101,133
-
3,264,820
663,929
112,396
-
-
776,325
2,488,495
2,499,758|Fixtures
fittings and
equipment
£
63,398
-
-
63,398
56,681
840
-
-
57,521
5,877
6,717|Total
£
3,227,085
101,133
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,328,218|
||||720,610
113,236
-
-|
||||833,846|
||||2,494,372|
||||2,506,475|
The Associate Rector's House, 15 Castle Drive, Heswall is Parish property and is included in fixed assets at its cost of £125,320 less accumulated depreciation. In the opinion of the Trustees the current market value is around £500,000. It does not meet our Associate Rector's needs and so is currently being let.
20
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **10 Tangible fixed assets (continued)**
The St Peter's Centre building has been included at contractual cost plus other improvement costs to date, less impairment losses and accumulated depreciation.
Impairment losses are recognised in the statement of financial activities under "Other" expenditure (note 6).
The Lighthouse Church has been included at contractual cost plus other improvement costs to date. Costs associated with the overrun of the construction contract have not been capitalised, nor have certain preliminary costs that do not relate to the building as it was eventually constructed.
Beneficed and Consecrated properties are excluded from the financial statements by s10.2(a) and 10.2(c) of the Charities Act 2011. These comprise St Peter's Church and The Rectory.
The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Parish Hall were transferred by deed of appropriation in 1925 to the Parochial Church Council at no cost. The Church has now been demolished and The Lighthouse Church built in its place.
## **11 Fixed asset investments**
|**Fixed asset investments**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Other investments**
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2025|Listed
£
54,824
-
-
(2,192)
52,632|Unlisted
£
76,234
-
(76,024)
(210)
-|Total
£
131,058
-
(76,024)
(2,402)|
||||52,632|
The historical cost of the listed investments is not available. All are held in the UK. Listed shares are valued based on share price at the year end. Unlisted cash investments are valued at cost.
21
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**12**
**Debtors**
Prepayments
Accounts receivable
Other debtors
**13**
**Creditors**
**Amounts due within one year**
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Bank loans and overdrafts
Accounts payable
**Amounts due after more than one year**
Bank loans and overdrafts|2025
£
3,281
7,617
14,389
25,287
2025
£
606
14,851
10,000
2,201
27,658
161,400
161,400|2024
£
13,156
7,055
8,711|
|---|---|---|
|||28,922|
|||2024
£
-
138,084
10,000
3,557|
|||151,641|
|||175,000|
|||175,000|
Bank loans and overdrafts relate to a loan from Methodist Chapel Aid Limited for the purpose of construction of The Lighthouse Church.
The loan is secured on the charity's land and building at 15 Castle Drive. See note 10 for further information on this asset.
The loan is repayable over 20 years, ending in 2043, and carries interest at a variable rate currently at 5.65%.
22
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **14 Funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General funds
Designated funds
Total unrestricted
**Restricted funds**
St Peter's Centre
The Lighthouse Church
Castle Drive
Uganda Fund
St Peter's Choir
St Peter's Church Restoration
Youth & Children's Work
The Lighthouse Church
Development
Total restricted
**Endowment funds**
Permanent
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
84,369
164,775
249,144
310,085
1,888,124
116,549
1,663
264
30,705
14,029
-
2,361,419
9,064
2,619,627|Incoming
resources
£
433,259
8,000
441,259
-
-
-
10,938
73
4,028
906
37,131
53,076
-
494,335|Resources
expended
£
(336,816)
-
(336,816)
(14,958)
(97,024)
(1,253)
(5,281)
(205)
(21,123)
(14,890)
(100)
(154,834)
-
(491,650)|Transfers
£
(10,001)
(101,132)
(111,133)
-
114,733
-
-
-
-
-
(3,600)
111,133
-
-|Other
recognised
gains
£
(2,039)
-
(2,039)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(363)
(2,402)|Closing
balance
£
168,772
71,643|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||240,415|
|||||||295,127
1,905,833
115,296
7,320
132
13,610
45
33,431|
|||||||2,370,794|
|||||||8,701|
|||||||2,619,910|
There follows a description of the larger funds:
## **St Peter's Centre and Castle Drive Funds**
These funds represent the net book value of the two properties.
## **The Lighthouse Church Fund**
This represents the net book value of the asset, less borrowings drawn in order to complete the project.
23
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **14 Funds (continued)**
## **The Lighthouse Church Development Fund**
This represents donations made after completion of the build raised for future improvements of the building and its contents.
## **Uganda Fund**
The Youth Fellowship Mission periodically visit Uganda. The funds raised for this purpose are retained in this fund until the time comes to pay for the trip.
## **St Peter's Church Restoration and Youth & Children's Work Funds**
Both funds are self explanatory, being ring fenced donations to fund relevant expenditure.
## **St Peter's Choir Fund**
This represents unclaimed chorister's fees from weddings and funerals retained for future expenditure appropriate for St Peter's Church choir.
## **Designated Fund**
The Designated Fund represents one-off significant donations (£5k or above) and legacies donated without restriction and set aside from general income by the PCC policy on significant donations and legacies. They are normally to be used at the PCC's discretion to fund developments and new initiatives within the parish.
## **15 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Unrestricted funds
General
£
Tangible fixed assets
5,877
Fixed asset investments
43,931
Current assets
208,265
Current liabilities
(17,658)
Non-current liabilities
-
Total net assets
240,415|Restricted Endowment
funds
funds
£
£
2,488,495
-
-
8,701
53,699
-
(10,000)
-
(161,400)
-
2,370,794
8,701|Total
2025
£
2,494,372
52,632
261,964
(27,658)
(161,400)
2,619,910|Total
2024
£
2,506,475
131,058
308,735
(151,641)
(175,000)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2,619,627|
24
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**16**|**Analysis of net funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||As at|Net cash|As at|
|||01/01/2025|inflow|31/12/2025|
|||£|£|£|
||Cash at bank and in hand|279,813|(43,136)|236,677|
## **17 Capital Commitments**
|**Capital Commitments**|||
|---|---|---|
|Capital expenditure that has been contracted for
but not provided for
Capital expenditure that has been authorised
but not contracted for|2025
£
-
-|2024
£
102,000|
||||
|||-|
The construction of the Lighthouse Church is now complete, and the building is open for use. The commitment in the prior year represents retention payments due to the contractors for various small pieces of work outstanding from the original contract.
The Charity has a loan facility of up to £400,000 in place with Methodist Chapel Aid, and has utilised £200,000 of this as the cost of development has not been successfully fundraised.
## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Peter, Heswall Statement of Financial Activities by Fund for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
|**Income**
Appeals, donations and legacies
Gift aid reclaimed
Direct giving
Fees and sundries
Hall lettings
Magazines etc.
Insurance claims
Grants receivable
Investment income
Total income
**Expenditure**
Diocesan share
Clergy expenses
Rent and rates
Other property expenses
Uganda mission
Staff training and support
Stationery and postage
Telephone
Equipment costs
Insurance
Miscellaneous
Bank charges
Office wages and salaries
Professional fees
Water rates
Upkeep of churches
Upkeep of churchyard and walls
Halls running costs
Youth projects and parish resources
Youth and children's leader salaries
Other wages and salaries
St Peter's school costs
Grants paid
Sundry expenses
Independent examination and accountancy fees:
Construction costs not capitalised
Impairment
Depreciation
Total expenditure
Transfers
Revaluation gains/(losses)
Net movement in funds
Funds at 1 January 2025
Funds at 31 December 2025|Unrestricted Funds|Unrestricted Funds|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Restricted Funds
|Endowment|Endowment|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||8,000|433,259|-|-|-|37,131|10,938|73|4,028|906|-|494,335|
||64,313
64,313
275
275
8,494
8,494
29,920
-
21,123
51,043
5,281
5,281
9,938
9,938
3,208
3,208
2,268
2,268
-
2,273
205
2,478
11,973
11,973
-
-
11,137
100
11,237
41,916
41,916
1,921
1,921
5,529
5,529
12,871
12,871
7,222
7,222
26,988
26,988
24,967
24,967
19,460
14,890
34,350
18,744
18,744
5,000
5,000
19,524
19,524
3,995
3,995
4,881
4,881
-
-
-
-
-
14,958
97,024
1,253
113,235||||||||||||
||-|336,816|14,958|97,024|1,253|100|5,281|205|21,123|14,890|-|491,650|
||(101,132)
(10,001)
114,733
(3,600)
-
-
(2,039)
(363)
(2,402)||||||||||||
||(93,132)|84,403|(14,958)|17,709|(1,253)|33,431|5,657|(132)|(17,095)|(13,984)|(363)|283|
||164,775
84,369
310,085
1,888,124
116,549
-
1,663
264
30,705
14,029
9,064
2,619,627||||||||||||
||71,643|168,772|295,127|1,905,833|115,296|33,431|7,320|132|13,610|45|8,701|2,619,910|