Parish Church of St Lawrence, Frodingham Registered Charity Number 1135445
Final Accounts
for the year ended 31 December 2024
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024
Background
St Lawrence’s remains as part of the Benefice of Frodingham and New Brumby which means we continue to work together with All Saints parish. We remain a part of Churches Together in North Lincolnshire, which is formed by drawing from the denominations in North Lincolnshire. As part of the Diocese of Lincoln’s Time to Change Together program (TTCT) we are to be part of the North Manlake Local Mission Partnership.
PCC Membership
The PCC has specific responsibilities for the church buildings and the church hall and its members are either ex officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. At present the PCC has 11 lay members and 8 ex officio members (19 in total).
Committees
The PCC usually meets six times a year. The Standing Committee also meets 6 times a year prior to the PCC meetings and is responsible for setting the agenda for meetings of the Council. The Working Groups responsible to the PCC: Mission and Ministry, Finance and Stewardship, Social and Fundraising, and Fabric. Alongside the Standing Committee they remain responsible for the conduct of all PCC business between meetings.
Review of the Year
St Lawrence was open all year for services and we have hosted events too, we have seen some of those who have stayed away post the pandemic return and have also seen several new people join our congregation and take an active part in the life and work of the church. We have maintained Evening Prayer via Zoom on every Tuesday and Thursday evenings throughout the year and this has continued to attract a steady interest and following. Zoom has continued to be a means of communication, social gathering, and worship as well as a means of holding meetings too although less so than before. We also continued doing almost daily blogs to keep folk in touch, to offer Spiritual advice and support and to celebrate the Saints and Holy days, although these stopped at the end of April when I, Revd Canon Philip Brent, went into hospital for radical surgery and then spent 3 months recuperating and a further 3 months on a phased return to work. As a result of my forced inactivity Revd Julie Miles, our Self-supporting Assistant Curate took the lead in Spiritual Matters and responsibility for the leading of services. She was well supported by our stipendiary Curate, Revd Bob Frew, our Reader, Keith Farmery, and our Church wardens, Keith Farmery (again!) and Judith Barrow. Baptisms, Funerals and Weddings were conducted in Church although the numbers coming forwards for Weddings has slipped massively due to the rising costs and the cost-of-living crisis. In December, we hosted the St Lawrence Academy for their Christmas Services again as well as hosting Bushfields Infant School and the Christmas service for St Hughes Special School, as well as the Memorial Service arranged by Kettles Undertakers. It was a joy to host 9 Lessons and Carols in Church and our Christingle service was a massive success and extremely well attended. We also hosted Midnight Mass which was really well attended and appreciated.
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Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Review of the Year (continued)
Our finances have continued to struggle again this year as it has been difficult to maintain regular giving apart from those who give directly to the Bank but, as always, we have been well supported and looked after by our Treasurer, Christine Hall and the Planned Giving officer Angela Sturman also remains our Stewardship Officer looking after the Gift Aid claims. On the positive side, we had a considerable bequest during the year for £78,000 which, whilst being both generous and helpful, only papers over the cracks that our falling planned giving leaves us with. Our Sum-Up machines – one for the office and one for church – continue to enable people to pay for weddings and hall hire electronically and people to give that way too, although the machine in Church has had some teething issues. This has been successful and has seen an increase in giving at the occasional offices and bigger occasions too.
Our AGM and APCM were held in May, this was led by Judith Barrow in her role as Lay Chair in the absence of Philip. We continue to consider how to deal with the thorny issue of drainage around the Church. We are, as ever, grateful to John Veall who has worked hard to do many essential maintenance works in and around the Church and the Hall. The hedges on the perimeter of the hall grounds have had another much-needed trim and reshaping. We have re-instated a cleaning team and rota which seems to be working well, and the children’s area has had a much-needed tidy up. Finally, our stipendiary Assistant Curate, Revd Robert (Bob) Frew was ordained Priest at the end of June and also led the celebration of The Eucharist for the first time the following year. He has also become the chaplain for the local branch of the Royal British Legion and led the Town’s commemoration of the 80[th] anniversary of D-Day. Revd Julie Miles continued to work full time at the St Lawrence Academy, until September when she went part-time as well as supporting and enhancing our ministry here. Part of that ministry was to continue with our very successful Youth Emmaeus course which has seen 7 youngsters grow in faith supported by a small army of adults. Keith Farmery continues to blossom and grow in his ministry amongst us which is much appreciated by congregations in Church and at Randolph House Care Home especially. As Vicar I have completed the Reconciling Mission course which is starting to produce fruit in our local setting. Finally, we hosted a confirmation in May where we saw 5 of our own people get Confirmed as well as several from our neighbours from Bottesford and Ashby, the service was conducted by Bishop David Grimsby.
Another busy year!
Seasonal and special services
Our pattern of seasonal and special services has continued: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, where we were joined by the Bishop of Lincoln, All Saints and our annual Memorial Service which were all shared with our brothers and sisters at All Saints Church. We also hosted the Deanery Confirmation service.
Links across the Parish
The Men’s Breakfast continues and this year the venue was shared between All Saints and St Lawrence’s; it continues to encourage men from both congregations and a few visitors from outside the congregations. The Benefice also continued withs it’s Knit and Natter group, again sharing the venue between the two churches, which has proved successful and is enjoyed by many from within and without the congregations as well as helping support other charities and organisations with its produce. The Coffee and Chat group on Thursdays continues to be successful. We have been able to host several Afternoon teas, lunches as well as the Harvest Supper and New Year lunch too. For our Summer Fayre we tried something different offering it as a family fun day, elements of which were successful and can be built on for next year and the Winter Fayre saw us joined, once again, by Santa Claus.
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
Links with schools and uniformed organisations
I remain Chair of the Local Board of Trustees at St Lawrence’s Academy as it moves towards becoming a multi-Academy Trust, and Jane Holmes is Vice Chair of the Local Board too. We continue to offer support and I have recorded several addresses for their reflections which are held in tutor time and hosted their Christmas Services. Revd Julie continues in her Chaplaincy role at the Academy as well as her teaching role. The Academy has a new Head Teacher, Michael McClusky, who has brought new energy and direction that is really positive. I took the Christmas Service for Christmas at St Hugh’s Special School and also Bob and I took Harvest and Christingle services for Bushfield Infants too. We also had visits to and from Frodingham Infants and Scunthorpe C of E too.
GFS continues its good link and they are now up and running as normal. We have also continued to open up links with our local Brownies and Guides which meet in the Hall and hope we can build on this, which is a massive positive.
Pastoral Care
We have restarted Home Communions and a tranche of Pastoral visiting as well as maintaining our care of the Bereaved and the Housebound. Keith’s visits to Randolph House have proved positive and enjoyed by the residents and appreciated by the staff too. We also have restarted visiting those in hospital too but remain indebted to the Chaplaincy for their excellent all-round care. Bob, Julie and I have taken communion into several peoples’ homes this year as we resume this vital and important ministry. We have, sadly, lost several of our longest standing and dearest members this year and have hosted their funeral services too.
Looking to the future
We continue to rethink and reimagine how we do mission and how we can be more involved and active within our local communities; meetings and training to do this are ongoing. We have had links with new folks and with the wider community that we will build on moving forwards. As our Diocese looks at new ways of being a church, we know that our strong links with our fellow Anglican Churches in Scunthorpe and the Deanery will remain important and are things we need to keep building upon. Our links and work with Churches Together in North Lincolnshire are a means of supporting, helping and working with those in need in our community. We will also look at ways of working ever closer with All Saints and continue to worship together where possible, and share socially and in terms of ministry together. We have seen several new people join our congregation in recent times, some virtually and some in person, so there are some positive signs of new life. Bob continues to enjoy his training experience with us. He has brought joy, humour and some excellent pastoral sensitivity which have enhanced our ministry, he enjoys working with folk of all ages and is appreciated by those he ministers to. His willingness to learn and to take risks and grow is a boon. He has also taken services around the Deanery, done a placement at Lindsey Lodge Hospice and shared in the celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays and mid-week too.
Julie increased her Sunday working with us whilst I was on sick leave and continues to bring an injection of interest and passion to our work with young adults and teenagers. Her pastoral heart has seen her involved in our care and support of many folk in the past year.
Keith Farmery’s ministry is growing and will continue to grow amongst us. His organisation of the lay lead services, alongside Judith Barrow shows some of the many gifts he can bring to our churches mission and ministry. He also led the Deanery commemoration of the 50[th] Anniversary of the Flixborough Disaster.
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued)
Looking to the future (continued)
Lisa Miller remains the first contact for the Parish in the office and continues to field many enquiries concerning weddings, baptisms and funerals for us. She has had to be a listening ear to wedding couples and baptism families. We are deeply indebted to her for her hard work, her efforts and care. She had 2 full months off work after her ankle operation in the Autumn and took up her duties again working from home in December.
Whilst the short- and medium-term picture is unclear the future is still bright! The ministry and growth of Bob, Julie and Keith in their roles amongst us has been a shared blessing and joy. It remains my privilege to be your Vicar.
Original Signed
………………………………….. Reverend Canon Philip Brent – Vicar 2025 18th May
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 12.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with 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 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
John Heeney BA (Hons) FCA RNS Chartered Accountants
50-54 Oswald Road Scunthorpe DN15 7PQ
18th May 2025
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM Receipts and Payments on General Account for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Voluntary Contributions: | |||
| Planned Giving | 26,213.55 | 27,475.32 | |
| Tax Recovered from Gift Aid | 6,649.56 | 7,320.23 | |
| Plated Collections | 4,019.68 |
4,052.34 | |
| 36,882.79 | 38,847.89 | ||
| 1 | Other Collections | 2,554.07 | 2,940.53 |
| 2 | Church Fees | 5,117.25 | 5,053.80 |
| 3 | Gifts, Donations and Bequests | 84,887.35 | 16,246.67 |
| Parish Hall Fees | 6,302.94 | 5,720.49 | |
| 4 | Special Fund Raising | 5,711.61 | 7,240.12 |
| 5 | Parish Office Charge | 173.35 | 148.00 |
| 6 | Church Heating Fee | 400.00 | 350.00 |
| Clergy Travel Expenses | 77.85 | 32.85 | |
| Current Account Interest | 1,809.63 | 1,049.95 | |
| Deposit Account Interest | 3,349.17 | 1,959.46 | |
| Tea Money | 487.16 | 617.76 | |
| Sundry | 230.00 |
- | |
| 147,983.17 |
80,207.52 | ||
| Opening Balances: | |||
| Current Account | 83,408.15 | 88,265.11 | |
| 200 Club Account | 375.00 | 375.00 | |
| CCLA Deposit Fund | 11,037.17 | 9,077.71 | |
| CCLA Building Fund | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | |
| CCLA Clergy Fund | 2,061.73 | 2,061.73 | |
| 146,882.05 |
149,779.55 | ||
| £294,865.22 | £229,987.07 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Receipts and Payments on General Account for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| PAYMENTS | |||
| 7 | Maintenance of Church | 17,773.98 | 18,258.11 |
| 8 | Church Requisites | 1,232.37 | 1,427.76 |
| 9 | Church Fees | 2,575.50 | 2,836.76 |
| 10 | Maintenance of Parish Hall | 10,798.86 | 9,356.04 |
| 11 | Clergy Expenses | 1,373.17 | 1,345.75 |
| Parish Share | 35,511.00 | 35,511.00 | |
| 12 | Special Fund Raising | 277.60 | 221.32 |
| 13 | Parish Office and Administration Expenses | 10,761.81 | 12,457.05 |
| 14 | Mission and Charity Payments | 1,548.80 | 1,608.76 |
| 15 | Miscellaneous | 202.21 |
82.47 |
| 82,055.30 |
83,105.02 | ||
| Closing Balances: | |||
| Current Account | 146,361.85 | 83,408.15 | |
| 200 Club Account | - | 375.00 | |
| CCLA Deposit Fund | 14,386.34 | 11,037.17 | |
| CCLA Building Fund | 50,000.00 | 50,000.00 | |
| CCLA Clergy Fund | 2,061.73 |
2,061.73 | |
| 212,809.92 | 146,882.05 | ||
| £294,865.22 |
£229,987.07 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other Collections | |
| Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals | 1,704.07 | |
| Gift Aided Donations | 850.00 |
|
| £2,554.07 |
||
| 2 | Church Fees | |
| Wedding Deposits and Instalments | 3,325.25 | |
| PCC Fees | 832.00 | |
| Organist Fees | 640.00 | |
| Verger Fees | 320.00 |
|
| £5,117.25 |
||
| 3 | Gifts, Donations and Bequests | |
| General | 4,020.14 | |
| Legacies | 80,867.21 |
|
| £84,887.35 |
||
| 4 | Special Fund Raising | |
| Annual Charity | 880.68 | |
| Special Parish Collections | 952.19 | |
| Special Parish Events | 1,616.92 | |
| Summer Fair | 995.76 | |
| Winter Fair | 1,156.05 | |
| Small Fund Raising | 110.01 |
|
| £5,711.61 | ||
| 5 | Parish Office Charge | |
| Printing and Stationery Recharge | 173.35 | |
| £173.35 |
||
| 6 | Church Heating Fee | |
| Church Heating Fee | 400.00 | |
| £400.00 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Notes
| 7 8 9 10 |
Maintenance of Church Music 1,633.00 Gas 5,143.68 Electricity 1,913.00 Water 381.34 Insurance 5,359.15 Organ Maintenance 140.00 General Repairs 251.81 Specific Repairs 2,856.00 Burglar Alarm 96.00 £17,773.98 Church Requisites Altar Requirements 286.33 Music Copyright Licence 591.37 Lockie Envelopes – FWO Gift Aid 348.93 Children’s Work 5.74 £1,232.37 Church Fees Fees to Diocese 723.00 Organist 920.00 Verger 480.00 Bells 120.00 Flowers 60.00 Video 100.00 Choir 150.00 All Saints 22.50 £2,575.50 Maintenance of Parish Hall Gas 2,295.55 Electricity 740.00 Water 395.00 Insurance 2,064.00 General Repairs 572.99 Specific Repairs 4,263.10 Cleaning Materials 127.22 Burglar Alarm 186.00 Hall Refunds 155.00 £10,798.86 |
|---|---|
10
PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Clergy Expenses | |
| Travel Expenses | 657.59 | |
| Telephone, Postage and Stationery | 546.37 | |
| Book and Miscellaneous Items |
169.21 |
|
| £1,373.17 | ||
| 12 | Special Fund Raising | |
| Summer Fair Expenses | 140.80 | |
| Winter Fair Expenses | 106.80 | |
| Events Expenses | 30.00 | |
| £277.60 | ||
| 13 | Parish Office and Administration Expenses | |
| Photocopier and Printer | 1,942.28 | |
| Paper | 79.86 | |
| Telephone, Postage and Stationery | 862.81 | |
| Administrator Salary | 6,502.08 | |
| Parish Clerk Expenses | 210.00 | |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 1,164.78 | |
| £10,761.81 | ||
| 14 | Mission and Charity Payments | |
| Annual Charity | 880.68 | |
| Special Charity Collection | 664.12 | |
| Parish Office and Administration Expenses | 4.00 | |
| £1,548.80 | ||
| 15 | Miscellaneous | |
| Church Repair Scheme | 30.00 | |
| Tea/Coffee Expenses | 28.21 | |
| Donations | 30.00 | |
| Miscellaneous Payments | 114.00 | |
| £202.21 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Summary of accounts held with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
| Balance | With- | Balance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.01.24 | Deposits | drawals | 31.12.24 | |
| General Account | 83,408.15 | 144,959.00 | 82,005.30 | 146,361.85 |
| 200 Club Account | 375.00 | 180.00 |
555.00 | - |
| £83,783.15 | £145,139.00 | £82,560.30 | £146,361.85 |
The General Account balance includes funding received towards the salary, pension and expenses of the Youth Worker. £8,515.00 of the monies received up to 31 December 2024 is in respect of expenditure not yet incurred, the Youth Worker having left in 2018, and represents a restricted fund at the year end.
The 200 Club Account was closed during the financial year.
Summary of Church Funds at 31 December 2024
| General Fund: | |
|---|---|
| Restricted | 8,515.00 |
| Unrestricted | 137,846.85 |
| 146,361.85 | |
| 200 Club Account | - |
| CCLA - unrestricted | 66,448.07 |
| £212,809.92 |
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PARISH CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE, FRODINGHAM
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Assets at 31 December 2024
Church :
| Altar Furniture | £15,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Interior Furnishings and Fittings | £10,000.00 |
| Grand Organ | £10,000.00 |
| Public Address System | £1,800.00 |
| Altar Frontal and Panel | £2,200.00 |
Church Hall :
| Building, Land and Contents | £300,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Grand Piano | £10,000.00 |
| Office Equipment | £1,200.00 |
Original Signed Original Signed …………………………… …………………….. Revd Canon P Brent Mrs C J Hall Vicar Treasurer
2025 18th May