St Paul's West Hackney
## **THE ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS**
## **Sunday 18 May 2025 at 11.30 am in St Paul’s Church**
## **AGENDA**
- 1) Opening prayers
- 2) Apologies for absence.
- 3) Minutes of the Meeting on 21 May 2024
- 4) Vote of thanks to outgoing Churchwardens.
- 5) Nominations for and, if necessary, election of :- 2 Churchwardens
- 6) Nominations for and, if necessary, election of:- 2 Chapelwardens
- 7) Nominations for and, if necessary, election of:- 2 Deanery Synod representatives 8) Nominations for and, if necessary, election of :- 1 Beadle
## **following on from the previous meeting**
1. Apologies for absence. Presentation & Formal Adoption of Statutory reports
2. Minutes of the Meeting on 21 May 2024
- _Report on the Electoral Roll of The Parish_
- _Presentation of Accounts & Appointment of Honorary Auditor_
- _Report on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church_
- _Report on the Proceedings of the Parochial Church Council_
- _Report on the Proceedings of the Deanery Synod_
3. Non-Statutory Reports
4. Lay Chair of the PCC’s Report
5. Nominations for and, if necessary, election of representatives to serve on the PCC.
6. Nomination for and, if necessary, election of 2 Deanery Synod Lay Representatives.
_*** I would be grateful if any nominations, questions, points of clarification or comments could be sent to me by email no later than 10am on Saturday 17 May 2025.**_
With best wishes,
## **Cicely Etienne**
## **Lay Chair of the PCC**
## **THE PARISH OF ST PAUL WEST HACKNEY**
**Annual Report And Financial Statements of**
**The Parochial Church Council**
**For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**Incumbent Sede Vacacnte 306 Amhurst Rd London N16 7UE**
**(Parish Correspondence Address)**
## **Bank Charities Aid Foundation Bank**
**Independent Examiner Kevin Ogilvie – Charity Book-Keeping 13 Evelyns Court Uxbridge UB3 3LR UK**
**The Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul, West Hackney Registered Charity No: 1137381**
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**Our vision Inclusive and values** St Paul’s, West Hackney is a **Loving Courageous** Christian community with a vision for a church and parish We call where all may have an enriching, ourselves and authentic, abundant and each other sustainable life. We pursue this **Grateful** to be… **Generous** vision by seeking to know, love and serve God and neighbour with our whole being and by following our seven **Collaborative Creative** core values. e> ry **3**
## **WHO WE ARE**
We are a community of folk who are single, married, divorced, widowed, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, gender fluid, not quite sure, rich, poor and penniless.
Some of us are wailing babies and are others excited toddlers. Some of us are a bit north of 60 and haven't quite grown up and some of us are in our teens and often feel like we’re growing up too fast. We are wheelchair users, runners, walkers and amblers. Sometimes we take a tumble and fall and when we do, we try and help each other up again.
Some of us sing like Niall Weir whilst others of us are happy just to growl quietly to ourselves. Some of us have come to browse, some have just woken up and some have just been released from prison.
Some of us attend church more than the Archbishop of Canterbury and some of us haven’t darkened the doors of a church since we were on the way home from that Christmas party ten years ago. Some of us are here because our mother is visiting for the weekend and it's more than our lives are worth not to go to church with her and look as though we’re having something that bears a passing resemblance to a good time.
Some of us find the whole idea of God a bit odd, have been damaged by religion, were force-fed religion as children or have wound up here by mistake. Some of us could use a prayer right now, have screwed up monumentally and would like to light a candle but don't quite know why.
Some of us are inked, pierced or both. Some of us are in recovery and others are still addicted. Some of us work too hard, some don't work, can't work, can't spell and feel like we’re not very good at stuff. Most of us know what it’s like to have problems, to be down in the dumps and, on occasions, to feel angry with God. A goodly number of us aren’t what you might call ‘exactly struck’ on organised religion.
Most of us have figured out that you can never really know what’s right for another person and some of us often long for some stillness in an often-noisy world, where we can discover the treasure that is within us.
We are a mixture of pilgrims, tourists, migrants, asylum seekers, neighbours, explorers, doubters and those who prefer to travel rather than to arrive. We call ourselves and each other to go about life in as compassionate, generous, collaborative, loving, creative, hospitable and grateful a way as possible.
We believe that the God who called us all into being - however he, she or they may be perceived – welcomes, includes and loves us all. We at St Paul's try, in our own stumbling way, to welcome, include and love one another too.
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## **THE PARISH OF ST PAUL WEST HACKNEY PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL**
## _Background_
The Parish of West Hackney is part of the Stepney Episcopal Area of The Diocese of London
West Hackney PCC has the responsibility for co-operating with the incumbent, The Reverend Niall Weir, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for St Paul’s Church and Hall.
## _Membership_
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
During the financial year and up until the production of the Annual Accounts, the following served as members of the PCC:
||**_May 23 – May 24_**|**_MAY 24 – MAY 25_**|
|---|---|---|
|**Incumbent & Chair**|The Revd Niall Weir|_In vacancy_|
|**Assistant Priest**|The Revd Justin Gau|The Revd Justin Gau|
|**Wardens**|Ms Barbara Layne|Ms Barbara Layne|
||Ms Cicely Etienne|Ms Cicely Etienne|
|**Chapelwardens**|Ms Desiree Crump|Ms Desiree Crump|
||Ms Andy Crump|Ms Andy Crump|
|**Vice Chair**|Ms Cicely Etienne|Ms Cicely Etienne|
|**Secretary**|Vacant|_Chelsea Bielskus_|
|**Electoral Roll Officer**|Mrs Linda Green|Linda Green|
|**Treasurer**|Mr Christian Adams|Mr Christian Adams|
|**Deanery Synod Reps**|Ms Desiree Crump|Ms Desiree Crump|
||Mrs Christina Sosanya|Mrs Christina Sosanya|
|**Safeguarding Officer**|Mrs Christine Kakai|Mrs Christine Kakai|
|**Elected Members**|Mrs Christine Kakai|_Until May 26_|
||Mrs Jane Horsfall|_Until May 26_|
||Mr Jolley Gosnold|_Until May 25_|
||Mr Christian Adams|_Until May 25_|
|**Ex Officio**|||
||Mrs Christina Sosanya|_Deanery Synod Representative_|
||Ms Desiree Crump|_Deanery Synod Representative_|
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## _Committees_
The PCC has a Standing Committee as required by law. It endeavours to meet in advance of PCC meetings to set the agenda and it also has the power to transact any business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC.
## _Safeguarding_
The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, in relation to having due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. We are grateful to Ms Christine Kakai for her work and expertise as our Safeguarding Officer and to Ping and David Henningham for speaking up for our children and young people as our Children’s Advocates.
## _Church Attendance_
There are 98 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll, 22 of whom are resident within the parish.
## **Minutes of Annual Meetings of The Parish of St Paul’s West Hackney on 30 May 2024**
## **Annual Meeting of Parishioners**
1. The meeting opened with prayers.
2. No apologies were presented.
3. The minutes of the last Annual meeting of parishioners held on 31 May 2023 were approved.
4. Vote of thanks to outgoing Churchwardens
Cicely Etienne and Barbara Layne were thanked for their commitment, humour, humility and quality of work.
5. Nominations for 2 Churchwardens:
- Cicely Etienne and Barbara Layne were nominated for office and were duly appointed as there were no other nominations. Although Barbara had been in office for 5 years, the meeting was unanimous in extending her tenure for at least one further year
6. Nominations for 2 Chapelwardens. Outgoing wardens, Desiree Crump and Andy Crump were thanked for their quality of work and support of the Churchwardens. Desiree Crump and Andy Crump Green were duly elected since no other nominations were received.
7. Mr Michael Broadway was nominated as Parish Beadle and there being no further nominations, he was duly appointed..
Father Niall congratulated all new officers and gave renewed thanks to outgoing officers.
## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting**
- 1) **Apologies for absence** – None was received.
- **2) Minutes** of **the meeting** 31 May 2023were approved.
- **3) Presentation & Formal Adoption of Statutory Reports** – all reports were provided before the meeting.
- **Electoral Roll Report**
_A report was given and no questions were received._
- **Presentation of Annual Accounts and Appointment of Honorary Auditor Fr Niall presented a report on the parish’s financial affairs.** _Mr Kevin Ogilvy was appointed as Honorary Auditor._
- **Report on Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church**
## _**A report was published prior to the meeting.**_
- **Report on the Proceedings of the PCC and life of parish** _A report was published prior to the meeting._
_**Father Niall** thanked the PCC for their commitment._
- **Report on the Proceedings of the Deanery Synod**
_A report was circulated prior to the meeting._
_**Father Niall** thanked everyone who prepared these reports. The meeting then voted to adopt the reports. All reports were adopted._
- **4) Non-Statutory Reports**
## **Rector’s Report – Father Niall**
_Father Niall gave a report based on the previously circulated report on the proceedings of the PCC._
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## **Nomination and election of 3 people to serve on PCC**
_**Mr Jolley Gosnold** for 3 years_ _**Mrs Jane Horsfall** for 3 years_
_As there were no further nominations, they were duly received on to the PCC_
## **STATUTORY REPORTS FOR ADOPTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS on 18 May 2025**
## **REPORT ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL OF THE PARISH**
- Residents 22
- • Non-residents 76 **TOTAL 98**
## **PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS & ADOPTION OF HONORARY AUDITOR**
## _**Please see attached accounts.**_
## _**WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE TRUSTEES OF WEST HACKNEY PAROCHIAL CHARITY FOR THEIR ON-GOING AND GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY MINISTRY**_
_**WE ARE EQUALLY GRATEFUL TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND & WEST HACKNEY PAROCHIAL CHARITY FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR WORK.**_
## **REPORT ON THE FABRIC, GOODS AND ORNAMENTS OF OUR CHURCH**
## _**St Paul’s Church & Hall**_
- _Roof, gutters and drains were inspected and cleared._
- _Windows have been regularly cleaned._
- _The fire extinguishers were serviced regularly._
- _Ongoing maintenance works were carried out to the Churchyard and Recreation Ground._
- _PAT and other electrical checks were carried out to the Church, the hall and all electrical equipment._
- _The Church and Hall are well maintained on an on-going basis._
- _Internal and external lifts were inspected_
- _We are extremely grateful to Jarek Budny for his excellent work in maintaining our property as Facilities manager._
- _West Hackney Recreation Ground and St Paul’s Churchyard were regularly maintained and well kept._
- _Additional lighting and signage has been fitted to the gates into the Church car park ._
- _The Church Hall is kept wonderfully clean and we are grateful to our cleaner Graca for her care of our Hall Space._
- • _102 Solar panels were installed on the roof of St Paul’s Church and Hall and plans are in place to install 4 Air Source Heat Pumps and together, these installations will put the church well on the road to carbon neutrality._
- _The ‘stage; area at the back of the hall was completely renovated_
## **REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PCC & LIFE OF THE PARISH**
During the 12 months since the last Report, the PCC met on three occasions to ensure the ongoing life of the parish which may be summarised as follows :-
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Thank you all for attending this meeting and I hope it will not take too long, as I appreciate it is Sunday and we all live busy lives
You will have received the Agenda and the Annual Report for the past year ending 21 December 2024.
The Report consists of Safeguarding Compliance and I confirm that the PCC has due regard to the House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
You will also note that the financial report demonstrates a healthy balance and a positive outlook for the coming year.
As you are all aware, our Parish went into interregnum (vacancy) after Fr Niall retired in July 2024. Much of the early part of this was spent in a series of meetings with the Diocese, particularly concerning the Vicarage and the land and their decision to appoint a Priest-in-Charge rather than an Incumbent. A great deal of time and effort then went into preparing our Parish Profile, advertising the vacancy, short listing candidates, conducting interviews, and ultimately, successfully appointing a new Priest-in-Charge.
Yet, the life of the church did not pause during this period. Alongside the recruitment process, both the PCC and the wider church community remained active, engaging in a range of projects and discussions that continued to move the church forward.
Our Church is a place where people from all walks of life can come together—where we can be vulnerable with one another and grow together. It’s a space where the usual power dynamics are turned upside down, and those who might be considered "nobodies" stand on equal footing with the "somebodies." Not because we are all the same, but because our differences are not only welcomed— they’re essential.
Our diversity and inclusivity are gifts to be celebrated. We are wonderfully and gloriously different—and not just in age, but in background, perspective, and experience. Each of us brings something unique and needed to the body of Christ.
As we look to the year ahead, I continue to pray for a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit at work in and through us. May our lives overflow with grace, so that more of us may discover and use our Godgiven gifts and passions for the flourishing of His kingdom. Together, let us seek new and creative ways to share the hospitality, joy, and love of Jesus Christ—with one another and with those we serve in these uncertain times.
Above all, may we find joy in the journey—walking alongside dear friends and fellow travellers on the way, united in prayer and purpose, through all the ups and downs of life, as a community centred on the heart and love of Jesus
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge all those who helped keep things steady throughout the interregnum. Without each of you—and the care, support, and goodwill you offered during this time—our church would not be in the blessed position it is today.
So many of you stepped up, and many continue to do so, and for that I am truly grateful. I would especially like to thank Fr. Justin and the PCC, who took on numerous additional responsibilities throughout this period. Their dedication and hard work made my role as Acting Chair far smoother than it might otherwise have been.
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Finally, thank you all so much for your support and friendship over the past year. It has been a
challenging time for each of us in different ways, and what a blessing it is to be part of a warm and caring church family—especially in both seasons of need and of abundance
## _**Our Life as a Church Community**_
- Sam Silverlock continued in his role as our Garden Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator and he keeps the Recreation Ground and Churchyard in excellent and attractive condition, not least during these demanding times.
- Jane Horsfall and Cicely Etienne continue to deliver a valued and effective ministry as Pastoral Assistants.
- We continue to be blessed by the company and ministry of Fr Justin Gau to St Paul’s as our Self-Supporting Assistant Priest.
- We welcomed Jarek Budny as our Facilities Manager.
- We celebrated 200 years of St Paul’s with the publication of ‘St Paul’s, Yesterday, toady and tomorrow’ and with a Mass and party on 4 May
- We said a very fond farewell to Fr Niall after 22 years of dedicated and inspirational service to the parish at a party o the 2nd June.
- We have appointed Fr Brandon Fletcher James to be our new Priest in Charge. He will be licensed on the 8 July and start in post on the 23 July
## _**Worship, Education and Nurture**_
- Members of the congregation continue to lead prayers and read lessons both during our Sunday morning services
- We are very grateful to Will Bruce, Michael Broadway, David Appleton, John Evanson and Ginny Strawson who play so magnificently for us during our Sunday worship.
- Our Carol Service which was hugely popular and attended by over 150 people
- We said a fond farewell to:
## Carol Horscraft Lucille Boston
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
- We were delighted to welcome into the church by Baptism :-
## Ezekiel Asante
## _**Property, Stewardship & Finance**_
- We are very grateful to Mr Christian Adams for his work as our Honorary Treasurer.
- We are now into our fourth year of membership of the Church of England’s Parish Giving Scheme which greatly simplifies the process by which people make their donations to the church and makes the collection of Gift Aid much more straightforward.
- For the 8th year in a row, West Hackney Recreation Ground and St Paul's Churchyard have been awarded the prestige Green Flag status. Congratulations to Sam and to Davan and the team from Hackney Council Parks Department.
- We are grateful to Graca, our wonderful cleaner, for keeping St Paul’s Church Hall so clean and tidy and for being such a positive and cheery presence
- Our solar panels and heat exchangers have been working fantastically and we are well on our way not jyst to being a carbon neutral parish, but one which receives an income from the power companies
- In January, we received a formal Visitation from the Archdeacon of Hackney, who met with the Rector, the Wardens and the PCC to review the life and governance of the Parish. His report was favourable and he gave us some pointers for the way forward, not least during the vacancy created by Fr Niall’s retirement.
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## _**Young People**_
- Once again, we were able to hold our annual Crib Service on Christmas Eve which attracted over 150 children and adults.
- In partnership with St Paul's Cathedral, Hackney Choral continues to run Junior and Senior Children’s Choirs on Monday afternoons in the hall. The choirs sing Evensong twice a term in the church and once a term in St Paul’s Cathedral with the. Cathedral Choir. Will Bruce is now very much at home as director of our children’s choirs. We thank Ginny Strawson, Theo Andrew Watson, Andy Crump and George Cook for all their wonderful and imaginative commitment.
- In July of 2024, we ran a week-long Choral Course in the church hall for over 60 young people. The week culminated in a concert in St Paul’s Hall and the young people joined a group of professional singers in singing Evenson in St Paul’s Cathedral. The young people also made a professional recording of a specially commissioned song.
- Dolores Crump continues to run her very successful Children’s Book project once a month after church and we’re so grateful to her for this wonderful and greatly appreciated initiative.
## _**Community Involvement and Mission**_
- The Open Doors Sexual Health Clinic, which works with young women at risk, has continued to operate from our church hall and north meeting room, with social distancing firmly in place. We are very grateful to Helen Corcoran for representing us with this project. With the help of Duckie and VFD, we helped the women to celebrate Christmas with a fabulous Christmas Party.
- Fr Justin and three of our church members continue to serve as trustees of West Hackney Parochial Charity and West Hackney Almshouse.
- North London Action of the Homeless goes from strength to strength under the superb leadership of Lucie Galand and her colleagues Andy Caws and Delphine Allard. Jessica Hodge has taken on the role of Chair of Trustees. Raymond Lyons and Lucie Galand continue to lead the Evering Rd Kitchen Garden project.
- Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market continues to operate from our churchyard on Saturday mornings and attracts over 2000 people onto our site every weekend. We are very grateful to the marketeers for their generous donations to North London Action for the Homeless. Again, we congratulate Kerry Rankine for the amazing way in which she manages the market, which is now considered a model of good management by other similar markets across the UK.
- Narcotics Anonymous continue their meetings in the church hall on Thursday evenings. The Women’s Meeting on Sunday evenings is also going from strength to strength.
- The Saturday morning meeting for 'Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous' is also going strong and growing all the time.
- The Christmas Forest – or Pines and Needles as they are now known - once again brought Christmas cheer to our churchyard in November and December.
- The Posh Club is still alive and well and during its break between Easter and the autumn, the ‘No Frills Social Club’ continues to meet in the hall with between 60 – 70 attendees each week who meet for dancing, eating, drinking and socialising. We’re very grateful to Peter Robertshaw and his team of volunteers for their energy and commitment and for their wonderful initiative of the ‘No Frills Social Club’, which runs on two Wednesdays every month.
- The regenerated Churchyard and Recreation Ground have developed into a popular meeting place for local people and the footfall of people passing through the site has been remarkable.
- The Over 50’s Dance Group, normally meets 2-3 times a month in our church hall and it is wonderful to have them back after the lockdown. This project provides a vital, creative and exciting meeting point for so many senior folk from our church community and beyond and we are very grateful to Barbara Layne and her team for organising this project so effortlessly and effectively.
- We are grateful to Shira Hess and Yogahome for running an excellent and weekly yoga-based exercise group in the church hall, which is proving hugely popular. Our thanks go to Jane Horsfall for overseeing this.
- We welcomed ‘The Choir with No Name’, an innovative project that runs a choir for people experiencing homelessness and we are delighted to have them on board.
- We also welcomed a Ukulele Group to our hall, run by the University of the 3rd Age.
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**REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DEANERY SYNOD**
## _Report on the proceedings of the Hackney Deanery Synod_
_as required by Rule 9(1)(e) of the Church Representation Rules_
The Deanery Synod’s main functions are:
- to promote in Hackney Deanery the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical
- to consider matters concerning the Church of England and to make provision for such matters in relation to the Deanery
- to bring together the views of the parishes of the Deanery on common problems, and to discuss and formulate common policies on those problems
- to foster a sense of community and interdependence among those parishes
- to be the point of contact between those parishes and the Diocesan Synod.
During the year since the last APCM, our representatives on Hackney Deanery Synod have been Desiree Crump, Christina Sosanya (lay members) and the Rector.
During 2024 the Hackney Deanery Synod met on three occasions. Details of these, and the main matters discussed or decided, are given below:
1. Meeting on Monday 29 April at St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney: The main items were as follows: (1) Martin Hornbuckle, Stepney Area Finance Adviser, gave a presentation about Church Finance and answered questions. (2) Synod, recalling with great sadness the mistreatment of Child Q in a school in Hackney, and in light of the commitment of the Diocese of London to racial justice and the wellbeing of all children and young people: (a) adopted a _Charter for Valuing Children & Young People in Hackney Deanery Churches_ (‘the Charter’) and a summary for use with young people (‘the Children’s Summary’), affirming our allegiance to Jesus Christ in his care and welcome for all children by reassuring parents, caregivers, children and young people that no one under 18 will be strip-searched on church premises or in the course of any church-run activity; (b) commended the Charter and the Children’s Summary to PCCs of all parishes in the Deanery for adoption and implementation by them; and (c) resolved that a Motion be put to London Diocesan Synod which, if adopted, would commend the Charter and the Children’s Summary to the Deanery Synods of other Deaneries in the Diocese and to the PCCs of parishes in those Deaneries for adoption and implementation by them. Synod also received reports, including an update on the funding bid for the Hackney & Islington Mission Programme, the outcome of which was expected in June. The Motion at (c) commending the Charter was considered by London Diocesan Synod on 27 February 2025, but sadly was not adopted in view of various issues that were raised, though it is understood that it may be possible to bring it back after addressing those issues, and Deanery Synod will consider the matter further during 2025.
2. Meeting on Tuesday 16 July at St James, Lower Clapton Road: It was reported that the bid for ‘Diocesan Investment Programme’ funding for the Hackney & Islington Mission Programme had been successful, £9.4 million having been awarded to support 4 strands of mission over a 6 year period: Planting & Partnerships, Youth, Estates Work and Catholic Renewal. The Area Dean described each of these 4 areas of work. The Revd Daniel Gerrans, Vicar of St Michael of All Angels London Fields and Stepney Area Creation Care Lead, and Richard Nicholson, a member of St Mary’s Islington and of the Stepney Area Creation Care Group, gave a presentation about Creation Care in Stepney Area, including the current state of the Climate Crisis; the Parish Creation Care Plan produced by the Group and circulated to parishes to help them on their journey towards net-zero; and the Eco Church programme, for which about half of the parishes in the Deanery had already registered. Daniel and Richard encouraged those which had not yet registered for Eco Church to do so and offered assistance where needed.
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3. Meeting on Thursday 21 November at St Mary of Eton, Hackney Wick: The Revd Daniel Gerrans and lay member Savi Hensman (St Michael and All Angels London Fields) led a discussion about Clergy and Lay Wellbeing in which parishes who have not yet done so were encouraged to engage with _The Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing_ , adopted by General Synod by Act of Synod in 2020 and involving a mutual commitment by clergy and laity _‘to work together to coordinate and improve our approach to clergy care and wellbeing so that the whole Church may flourish in the service of the mission of God’_ .
Thank you to all who have attended and contributed to Deanery Synod during this last year.
Our thanks to our Deanery Synod Representatives, Christina Sosanya and Desiree Crump for representing us on Hackney Deanery Synod and for keeping us abreast of wider church matters.
## **Treasurer’s Report**
The unexamined accounts for 2024 are presented for provisional approval by the APCM. These are subject to independent review as per accountancy requirements. I ask that the APCM’s delegate the power to approve the accounts once the independent review has concluded and subject to no material changes being required.
The APCM should note:
1. The total income was £181k compared to £200k in 2023. The 2023 income included £16k in relation to one-off recovery of historic Gift Aid.
2. The significant additional expenditure in 2024 against Missionary and Charitable Giving activities relates to grant monies received for a partner organisation in 2023 that was paid out in 2024. It does not represent an increase in expenditure against SPWH funds.
3. SPWH benefited this year from the installation of 104 solar panels, an air source pump, batteries to store energy generated, new radiators and a water heater. SPWH is now one of if not the most carbon neutral church in Hackney. In addition to the environmental benefit these works will afford SPWH significant savings against its utility bills.
This work was made possible by £146k of grants facilitated by Hackney Light and Power and the London Legacy Development Commission. As the SPWH contribution to costs the PCC agreed to release £40k of endowment funds (investments).
4. Funds released from endowments mean that the total value of SPWH endowments have reduced from £554k to £488k. Whilst this will result in a loss of investment income in future years the expectation is that these will be more than offset by the savings in utility expenses that would otherwise have been incurred.
5. Every parish is expected by its diocese to make a contribution to the Common Fund. This is predominantly used to pay clergy salaries and all related costs including accommodation and training. In 2024 the cost incurred from the diocesan Common Fund in relation to SPWH was £91,300. Against this SPWH made a contribution of £46k (50%). This was the same amount as was paid in 2023 whereas in previous years SPWH contribution has been increased. There is an expectation that this parish move toward contributing 70% of the Parish Share by 2030.
6. Ahead of Fr Niall’s retirement the PCC made the decision to employ a parttime facilities manager. For many years SPWH had employed a Parish Administrator to support the management of the buildings and the work of the parish. More recently and since the loss of the previous Administrator these considerable responsibilities had been undertaken by Fr Niall. PCC felt it necessary to employ a Facilities Manager to take on many of these essential administrative tasks through the vacancy and an ongoing basis given these additional responsibilities are beyond and above those normally expected on a Rector / Priest-in-Charge.
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- Six-months costs of employing the Facilities Manager are reflected in the accounts.
7. Looking to 2025 the PCC and SPWH will need to look prioirtise raising additional funds to cover ongoing commitments and meeting the ambition to increase the Common Fund contribution in line with expectations.
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## **Independent Examiner's R eport to the Trustees of St Paul’s Church West Hackney**
I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 3 1[st] December 2024 which are set out on finance pages of the Annual Report.
## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner**
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act **2011** (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
_Since the gross income for the year exceeds the amount provided in section 145(3) of the Act, I confirm that I am qualified to act as Independent Examiner under the provisions of that section of the Act and that my qualification is as shown below._
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- 1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
- 2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kevin Ogilvie Signed
13 Evelyns Close, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB8 3LR
Date 27th May 2025
## **Sofa Separate Designated**
||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Designated**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**Total**
**funds**
**Prior**
**year**
**total**
**funds**|
|---|---|
|**Receipts**
Planned giving
33,120
-
-
-
33,120
29,467
Collections and other giving
8,681
-
-
-
8,681
9,012
Other voluntary receipts
28,337
-
7,405
-
35,742
19,920
Gift aid recovered
5,659
-
-
-
5,659
22,146
Other receipts
903
-
-
-
903
32,373
Activities for generating funds
-
-
-
-
-
-
Investment income
14,178
-
3,567
-
17,745
19,452
Receipts from church activities
61,621
17,660
374
-
79,655
68,104
**Total income**
**152,500**
**17,660**
**11,346**
**-**
**181,506 200,474**
**Resources used**
Cost of generating funds
456
-
-
-
456
-
Missionary and Charitable Giving
5,079
-
43,642
-
48,721
23,746
Parish Share
46,000
-
-
-
46,000
43,800
Clergy and Staffing costs
17,628
24,245
-
-
41,873
27,244
Church Running Expenses
16,890
-
1,294
-
18,184
21,551
Hall Running Costs
21,648
-
4,105
-
25,753
34,732
Church Repairs & Maintenance
8,585
2,229
-
-
10,814
12,683
Hall Repairs & Maintenenace
48,893
-
8,833
-
57,726
16,570
New Building Work
20
-
1,708
-
1,727
81,237
Goverance Costs
4,956
-
1,753
-
6,709
2,058
**Total expenditure**
**170,155**
**26,473**
**61,335**
**-**
**257,963 263,621**
**Net income / (expenditure)**
**resources before transfer**
**(17,656)**
**(8,813)**
**(49,989)**
**-**
**(76,458) (63,148)**
**Transfers**
Gross transfers between funds - in
78,665
-
360
-
79,025
89,442
Gross transfers between funds - out (360)
-
-
(78,665)
(79,025) (89,442)
**Other recognised gains / losses**
Gains/losses on investment assets
-
-
-
-
-
29
Gains on revaluation, fixed assets,
charity's own use
-
-
-
13,134
13,134
48,509
**Net movement in funds**
**60,650**
**(8,813)**
**(49,629)**
**(65,531)**
**(63,324) (14,609)**
**Reconciliation of funds**
**Total funds brought forward**
**21,414**
**34,707**
**52,462**
**553,797**
**662,379 676,989**
**Total funds carried forward**
**82,063**
**25,893**
**2,833**
**488,265**
**599,055 662,379**|33,120
-
-
-
33,120
29,467
8,681
-
-
-
8,681
9,012
28,337
-
7,405
-
35,742
19,920
5,659
-
-
-
5,659
22,146
903
-
-
-
903
32,373
-
-
-
-
-
-
14,178
-
3,567
-
17,745
19,452
61,621
17,660
374
-
79,655
68,104|
||**152,500**
**17,660**
**11,346**
**-**
**181,506 200,474**
456
-
-
-
456
-
5,079
-
43,642
-
48,721
23,746
46,000
-
-
-
46,000
43,800
17,628
24,245
-
-
41,873
27,244
16,890
-
1,294
-
18,184
21,551
21,648
-
4,105
-
25,753
34,732
8,585
2,229
-
-
10,814
12,683
48,893
-
8,833
-
57,726
16,570
20
-
1,708
-
1,727
81,237
4,956
-
1,753
-
6,709
2,058|
||**170,155**
**26,473**
**61,335**
**-**
**257,963 263,621**|
||**60,650**
**(8,813)**
**(49,629)**
**(65,531)**
**(63,324) (14,609)**|
||**21,414**
**34,707**
**52,462**
**553,797**
**662,379 676,989**|
||**82,063**
**25,893**
**2,833**
**488,265**
**599,055 662,379**|
## **Balance Sheet detailed**
|**Balance Sheet detailed**||
|---|---|
|**Class and code**
**Description**|**As at**
**31/12/2024**
**As at**
**31/12/2023**|
|**Fixed assets**
6504
CBF Deposit Account-Evering Rd Hall Sale
6507
M&G Shares from sale of Clevedon Rd Site
6508
CBF Shares from sale of Evering Rd Site
6509
Shares from sale of St Barnabas' Hall
**Total Fixed assets**
**Current assets**
6501
CAF Cash account - 1967
6502
CAF Gold account - 6808
6503
CAF Platinum account - 4064
6505
CBF Deposit account Bequest
6510
NATWEST Current account
6515
CAF a/c Reaching Communities Building - 9473
**Total Current assets**
**Liabilities**
6699
Agency collections
Z04
Accounts Payable
**Total Liabilities**
**Net Asset surplus (deficit)**
**Reserves**
Excess/(deficit) to date
Z01
Starting balances
Z02
Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Z03
Gains and losses own use
**Total Reserves**
**Represented by Funds**
General (Unrestricted)
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
**Total**|-
-
-
-
(0)
37,547
488,265
516,249|
||**488,265**
**553,796**
47,563
30,553
21,335
37,762
-
-
40,195
40,195
-
262
1,973
88|
||**111,067**
**108,860**
277
277
-
-|
||**277**
**277**|
||**599,055**
**662,379**|
||(76,458)
(63,148)
563,983
578,593
98,396
98,425
13,134
48,509|
||**599,055**
**662,379**
82,063
21,414
25,893
34,707
2,833
52,462
488,265
553,797|
||**599,055**
**662,379**|
Signed
Name _____________________
_____________________
Signature ______________________
_____________________
Date _____________________
## **Fund movement summary**
|**Fund**|**Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/Losses Journals Closing**|
|---|---|
|**200 Book**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**Duckie**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**ERSSDA**
Endowment
**Sub-totals**
**ERSSEF**
Endowment
**Sub-totals**
**HCC**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**OD**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**RDF**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**SBHEF**
Endowment
**Sub-totals**
**SBHIF**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**Stat Fees**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**WHPC 200**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**WHPC Defib**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**WHPC12Step**
Restricted
**Sub-totals**
**WHRG-MM**
Designated
**Sub-totals**
**General**
Unrestricted
**Sub-totals**|-
5,000
4,893
-
-
-
107|
||**-**
**5,000**
**4,893**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**107**
35,000
-
35,000
-
-
-
-|
||**35,000**
**-**
**35,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
0
-
-
-
-
-
0|
||**0**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**0**
37,547
-
-
(38,665)
1,118
-
-|
||**37,547**
**-**
**-**
**(38,665)**
**1,118**
**-**
**-**
-
200
80
80
-
-
200|
||**-**
**200**
**80**
**80**
**-**
**-**
**200**
1,058
210
1,268
-
-
-
-|
||**1,058**
**210**
**1,268**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
-
-
168
168
-
-
-|
||**-**
**-**
**168**
**168**
**-**
**-**
**-**
516,249
-
-
(40,000)
12,016
-
488,265|
||**516,249**
**-**
**-**
**(40,000)**
**12,016**
**-**
**488,265**
6,112
3,567
6,788
-
-
-
2,891|
||**6,112**
**3,567**
**6,788**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,891**
1,379
374
1,753
-
-
-
-|
||**1,379**
**374**
**1,753**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
3,333
-
3,333
-
-
-
-|
||**3,333**
**-**
**3,333**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
-
1,995
1,708
-
-
-
287|
||**-**
**1,995**
**1,708**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**287**
5,580
-
6,343
111
-
-
(652)|
||**5,580**
**-**
**6,343**
**111**
**-**
**-**
**(652)**
34,707
17,660
26,473
-
-
-
25,893|
||**34,707**
**17,660**
**26,473**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**25,893**
21,414
152,500
170,155
78,305
-
-
82,063|
||**21,414**
**152,500**
**170,155**
**78,305**
**-**
**-**
**82,063**|
|**Totals**|**662,379**
**181,506**
**257,963**
**-**
**13,134**
**-**
**599,055**|
## **Analysis of income and expenditure**
||**Total**|
|---|---|
||**Unrestricted Designated Restricted EndowmentThis**
**year**
**Last**
**year**|
|**RECEIPTS**
**Planned giving**
0101 - Gift Aid - Standing Orders
2,495
-
-
-
2,495
2,530
0102 - Gift Aid Envelopes
900
-
-
-
900
-
0104 - Payroll Giving
720
-
-
-
720
654
0105 - Parish Giving. Scheme
Giving
28,855
-
-
-
28,855
25,901
0201 - Non Gift Aid - Standing
Order
150
-
-
-
150
382
**Planned giving Totals**
**33,120**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**33,120**
**29,467**
**Collections and other giving**
0301 - Sunday Collections
8,681
-
-
-
8,681
8,996
0303 - Other Services
-
-
-
-
-
15
**Collections and other giving**
**Totals**
**8,681**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**8,681**
**9,012**
**Other voluntary receipts**
0401 - Recurring Giving/Donations 200
-
-
-
200
-
0403 - Hackney Children's Choir
-
-
-
-
-
240
0408 - North London Action for the
Homeless
-
-
200
-
200
-
0410 - Open Doors
-
-
210
-
210
2,957
0501 - Ad Hoc Donations
325
-
-
-
325
1,499
0502 - Donations for Gifts
-
-
-
-
-
325
0503 - Fundraising Events
712
-
-
-
712
50
0804 - Non-Recurring Grants
27,100
-
6,995
-
34,095
14,850
**Other voluntary receipts Totals28,337**
**-**
**7,405**
**-**
**35,742**
**19,920**
**Gift aid recovered**
0601 - Gift Aid Recovered
2,531
-
-
-
2,531
16,111
0602 - Parish Giving Scheme Gift
Aid Recovered
3,128
-
-
-
3,128
6,035
**Gift aid recovered Totals**
**5,659**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,659**
**22,146**
**Other receipts**
0409 - Duckie
-
-
-
-
-
26,250
1300 - Other Income Resources
903
-
-
-
903
6,123
**Other receipts Totals**
**903**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**903**
**32,373**
**Investment income**
1001 - Interests
14,178
-
3,567
-
17,745
19,452
**Investment income Totals**
**14,178**
**-**
**3,567**
**-**
**17,745**
**19,452**
**Receipts from church activities**
1101 - Statutory Fees
124
-
374
-
498
499
1200 - Church Rental
252
-
-
-
252
50
1201 - Hall Rental
61,035
-
-
-
61,035
48,170
1202 - North Community Room
Lettings
120
-
-
-
120
1,840
1203 - South Community Room
Lettings
90
-
-
-
90
300
1207 - Churchyard Rental
-
6,985
-
-
6,985
11,065
1208 - Parking Lettings
-
10,675
-
-
10,675
6,180
**Receipts from church activities**
**Totals**
**61,621**
**17,660**
**374**
**-**
**79,655**
**68,104**
**Receipts Grand totals**
**152,500**
**17,660**
**11,346**
**-**
**181,506 200,474**
**RESOURCES USED**
**Cost of generating funds**
1702 - Stewardship Campaign
76
-
-
-
76
-
1703 - Fundraising Events
380
-
-
-
380
-
**Cost of generating funds Totals456**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**456**
**-**
**Missionary and Charitable Giving**
1801 - Rector's Discretionay Fund -
-
168
-
168
2,502|2,495
-
-
-
2,495
2,530
900
-
-
-
900
-
720
-
-
-
720
654
28,855
-
-
-
28,855
25,901
150
-
-
-
150
382|
||**33,120**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**33,120**
**29,467**
8,681
-
-
-
8,681
8,996
-
-
-
-
-
15|
||**8,681**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**8,681**
**9,012**
200
-
-
-
200
-
-
-
-
-
-
240
-
-
200
-
200
-
-
-
210
-
210
2,957
325
-
-
-
325
1,499
-
-
-
-
-
325
712
-
-
-
712
50
27,100
-
6,995
-
34,095
14,850|
||**28,337**
**-**
**7,405**
**-**
**35,742**
**19,920**
2,531
-
-
-
2,531
16,111
3,128
-
-
-
3,128
6,035|
||**5,659**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,659**
**22,146**
-
-
-
-
-
26,250
903
-
-
-
903
6,123|
||**903**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**903**
**32,373**
14,178
-
3,567
-
17,745
19,452|
||**14,178**
**-**
**3,567**
**-**
**17,745**
**19,452**
124
-
374
-
498
499
252
-
-
-
252
50
61,035
-
-
-
61,035
48,170
120
-
-
-
120
1,840
90
-
-
-
90
300
-
6,985
-
-
6,985
11,065
-
10,675
-
-
10,675
6,180|
||**61,621**
**17,660**
**374**
**-**
**79,655**
**68,104**|
||**152,500**
**17,660**
**11,346**
**-**
**181,506 200,474**|
||76
-
-
-
76
-
380
-
-
-
380
-|
|1802 - Charitable Giving
2201 - Events
2203 - Nurture Courses
2205 - Children's Work
2206 - Bees & Buds
2207 - Hackney Children's Choir
2208 - Sunday Club
2211 - Cantignorus Chorus
2212 - Duckie & Posh Club
2213 - NLAH
2214 - Open Doors Project
2221 - Communication & Branding
2307 - Caring for Church's Ground
- Events
**Missionary and Charitable**
**Giving Totals**
**Parish Share**
1901 - Common Fund
**Parish Share Totals**
**Clergy and Staffing costs**
2001 - Organists
2002 - Facilities Manager's Salary
2003 - Garden Manager's Salary
2006 - Garden Manager's Pension
2101 - Rector's Expenses
2102 - Curate's Expenses
2105 - Garden Manager's
Expenses
2109 - Housing
**Clergy and Staffing costs**
**Totals**
**Church Running Expenses**
2300 - Church Office Expenses
2301 - Cost of Services
2302 - Church Cleaning
2303 - Church Insurance
2309 - Parish Events
2400 - Church Utility Bills
**Church Running Expenses**
**Totals**
**Hall Running Costs**
2501 - Hall Cleaning
2502 - Hall Insurance
2503 - Hall Office Expences
2504 - Hall Utility Bills
2505 - Hall H&S, Fire and Risk
**Hall Running Costs Totals**
**Church Repairs & Maintenance**
2304 - Church Routine
Maintenance
2305 - Caring for Church Grounds
2306 - Caring for Church's Ground
- Equipment
2700 - Church Major Repairs
2701 - Church Redecoration
2702 - Replacement of Church
Items
**Church Repairs & Maintenance**
**Totals**
**Hall Repairs & Maintenenace**
2800 - Hall Major Repairs
2802 - Replacement of Hall Items
2803 - Hall Maintenance
**Hall Repairs & Maintenenace**
**Totals**
**New Building Work**|280
-
-
-
280
-
3,095
-
7,126
-
10,222
-
341
-
-
-
341
-
100
-
-
-
100
322
-
-
-
-
-
2,820
-
-
80
-
80
2,156
1,256
-
-
-
1,256
5,023
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
-
-
35,000
-
35,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
360
-
-
1,268
-
1,268
3,711
7
-
-
-
7
3,659
-
-
-
-
-
193|
|---|---|
||**5,079**
**-**
**43,642**
**-**
**48,721**
**23,746**
46,000
-
-
-
46,000
43,800|
||**46,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**46,000**
**43,800**
3,300
-
-
-
3,300
2,050
12,731
-
-
-
12,731
-
-
21,608
-
-
21,608
22,344
-
2,436
-
-
2,436
1,588
780
-
-
-
780
590
28
-
-
-
28
-
456
-
-
-
456
-
334
201
-
-
534
671|
||**17,628**
**24,245**
**-**
**-**
**41,873**
**27,244**
1,239
-
-
-
1,239
1,602
2,607
-
-
-
2,607
5,414
5,212
-
-
-
5,212
5,008
3,503
-
-
-
3,503
1,714
-
-
1,100
-
1,100
641
4,329
-
194
-
4,523
7,172|
||**16,890**
**-**
**1,294**
**-**
**18,184**
**21,551**
15,240
-
118
-
15,358
14,812
90
-
-
-
90
1,712
718
-
-
-
718
1,441
5,601
-
3,987
-
9,587
16,682
-
-
-
-
-
85|
||**21,648**
**-**
**4,105**
**-**
**25,753**
**34,732**
6,369
-
-
-
6,369
4,276
310
2,028
-
-
2,338
3,712
-
201
-
-
201
-
-
-
-
-
-
696
-
-
-
-
-
2,429
1,906
-
-
-
1,906
1,570|
||**8,585**
**2,229**
**-**
**-**
**10,814**
**12,683**
41,100
-
-
-
41,100
-
1,640
-
1,009
-
2,648
2,112
6,154
-
7,824
-
13,977
14,457|
||**48,893**
**-**
**8,833**
**-**
**57,726**
**16,570**|
|2900 - New Building Work Church
2901 - New Building Work Hall
**New Building Work Totals**
**Goverance Costs**
2600 - Governance Costs
2601 - PCC Admin
2602 - IT Equipmenmt
2607 - Bank Charges
2608 - Accountancy Fees
2610 - Statutory Church Fees
**Goverance Costs Totals**
**Resources used Grand totals**|-
-
-
-
-
39,445
20
-
1,708
-
1,727
41,792|
|---|---|
||**20**
**-**
**1,708**
**-**
**1,727**
**81,237**
-
-
-
-
-
984
765
-
-
-
765
-
224
-
-
-
224
-
567
-
-
-
567
194
3,400
-
-
-
3,400
880
-
-
1,753
-
1,753
-|
||**4,956**
**-**
**1,753**
**-**
**6,709**
**2,058**|
||**170,155**
**26,473**
**61,335**
**-**
**257,963 263,621**|