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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of All Saints' Church, Pontefract

2024-12-31-accounts

The Parish of All Saints, Pontefract

ANNUAL REPORT

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024

The Benefice of Pontefract All Saints  St Giles’ with St Mary’s  St Michael the Archangel  St Stephen’s Strengthening Faith, Building Community

The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints’ Church, Pontefract is a charity registered in England and Wales (1137872).

Bank

Lloyds Bank PLC

Independent Examiner

KJA Kilner Johnson Ltd

Objectives

All Saints PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, The Reverend Ian Bullock in promoting in the ecclesiastical Parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for All Saints’ Church and its church hall.

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC held seven meetings during the year, and four meetings of the Standing Committee.

PCC Membership

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2022) and registered with the Charity Commission.

PCC members are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church representation Rules 2022 and during the year, in addition there are a number of officers who are Ex-Officio.

During 2024, the following served as members of the PCC

Incumbent The Reverend Ian Bullock (Ex-officio) (Chair from March 2024) Assistant Curate The Reverend Sam Fletcher (Finished Curacy August 2024) Associate Priests The Reverend Wayne Phillips (Ex-officio) The Reverend Kate Reynolds (Ex-officio) The Reverend Rod Walker (Ex-officio) The Reverend Mark Watkins (Ex-officio) (Chair until March 2024) Readers _Mrs Anita Hayes (Ex-Officio)_ Churchwardens _Mrs Madge Beaumont (Ex-Officio) Ms Paddy Ward (Ex-Officio)* (Resigned December 2024)_

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Deanery Synod Mr Vic Maranian (Ex-Officio) (Resigned January 2025) Vacant (Ex-Officio)

Elected Members

Ms Louise Livesley (Term of Office Expires 2025) Ms Paddy Ward_ (Term of Office Expires 2025) Mr Vic Maranian (Term of Office Expires 2026) _Mrs Christine Brown (Term of Office Expires 2027) Mr David Brown (Term of Office Expires 2027) Mrs Brenda Hall (Term of Office Expires 2027)

*Names in italic denote members of the Standing Committee

**As Clergy licensed to The Benefice of Pontefract, they have the right to attend all PCC meetings, but in practice this doesn’t always happen.

Standing Committee

This the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the council. It also meets to discuss other matters to be put before the PCC and prepare the agenda.

It consists of the Vicar, churchwardens, PCC Secretary, and in the absence of a permanent PCC Treasurer, up to two elected members of the PCC

Electoral Roll

After the annual update of the Electoral Roll there were 40 people on the electoral roll at the APCM in April 2024

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Review of the Year

Report from The Reverend Mark Watkins

2024 has been very much a year of change both at All Saints and in the Benefice as a whole. We began the year as part of a Benefice of two parishes - our own and that of St Giles (with St Marys) - and with an interregnum, which was filled around Eastertide as we welcomed Fr. Ian Bullock as Vicar of Pontefract. Not long after that our Benefice grew again with St Michaels Church, Carleton and St Stephens Church, East Hardwick becoming part of our growing Christian Family in the Pontefract Area.

Our own local ministry to the community where we are based has continued, with contacts in local schools, both visiting the schools themselves and also welcoming the children and teachers, and at Easter and Christmas, their parents and carers as well. Christmas Services for Schools alone saw some 500 plus people come through our doors, which, when added to other special services for the season, saw about 1000 people join us for Christmas Worship.

We also have regular services in three local Care Homes, with monthly Communion Services and also Carol Services at Christmastime, (So nearly 40 services per year) all of which are always very much appreciated.

Baptism numbers continue to recover since COVID, with 25 baptisms during the year. We now hold baptisms every other week and usually a maximum of two families per service and I want to thank all those who help and assist in this ministry.

Weddings do seem to have reduced in the past few years, with just 5 couples choosing to come and make their promises to each other and celebrate their Weddings in Church this year.

Funerals continue to be an important part of our ministry with 21 in church and at least 7 services taken by clergy directly at Crematoria, but there were a good number of other funerals that our clergy will have taken in other local churches and for families from other churches where our clergy have helped out. Our Clergy have also provided cover in churches outside our Benefice throughout the year in regular services where Interregnum and illness have left them without Clergy of their own.

We have studied God’s Word in a series of Bible Studies held on Thursdays on and off during the year, and enjoyed Film-Nights - again usually on Thursdays.

This year we enjoyed fellowship together in a new way with the first (But hopefully not the last) Afternoon Tea being held, with Music and Entertainment all provided ‘In House’ and excellent catering via the Prince of Wales Hospice catering services.

I was very pleased to see that our Finances continue to improve, and we were able to increase our Parish Share contribution and still end up showing a small increased balance of income over expenditure.

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We look forward this coming year to exploring what the extended Benefice will mean as we all grow together in Worship and Mission and Service for our communities as we seek to be more and more our part in the Body of Christ in Pontefract.

Finally, I want to say a big ‘Thank You’ to you all for your support this past year for me in my ministry amongst you and for your prayers and love - especially in my health concerns. And of course, an enormous Thank You to every one of you for your help and support of the Mission of All Saints here in Pontefract - without that we could do nothing!

God’s Richest Blessings in the coming years.

Matters discussed by the PCC

The full PCC and the Standing Committee has met throughout the year. As always, the PCC and Standing Committee have discussed a range of issues, these have included:

Financial Activities

2024 saw an increase of our income by approximately £13,000, and whilst our expenditure also rose by approximately £10,000 this gave us a net increase of £3000, which is good news, considering we were also able to increase our Parish Share contribution by £5,000 to give a total £24,000

There was no movement in the restricted accounts for the Church Gates or Hall, although due to work being done by the council, we were able to widen the gates on South Baileygate, which means that a hearse has easier access to church.

All Saints’ continues to depend on its members for support, both practical and monetary, for its continued existence and outreach to the community.

The Church can claim an extra 25p for every £1 given if donated by a tax payer who has signed a “Gift Aid” declaration or completes and signs a one-off gift aid envelope, available from the welcome team.

This is paid by the Inland Revenue (at no extra cost to you); if you are a tax payer and would like to help boost the Church income, please have a word about gift aiding your donations.

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Thank you to all who support the Parish in all your various ways; your generous giving of time and money is greatly valued.

We are fortunate to have an accountant who acts as our treasurer, Mrs Sam Hutton, who during this year has made the decision to give her skills and expertise to us freely, we are grateful for her support. Fr Ian has been building a close working relationship with her, and between them they are ensuring that we remain fiscally secure for the future.

A copy of the parish accounts are appended to the back of this report for inspection and have been independently examined by KJA Kilner Johnson Ltd, to whom we are grateful for their continued support.

Fabric

The church clock was serviced in January by Smiths of Derby.

In February Hawkesworth did the PAT testing all was fine on checking.

March/April PTSG from Castleford checked the Lightning Protection System and 2 faults were found which resulted in the termination box being replaced by the outside tower door and also the renewal of the earth connection at the SE corner of the building due to a high resistance reading.

In May CFS from Pontefract checked our fire extinguishers resulting in 2 being exchanged. One in the Kitchen and the other in the North Transept.

In May anti-climb paint was renewed.

In June some leaks were repaired on the flat office/vestry roof and 3 bags of rubbish removed. The lead around the main entrance windows was repaired and that of the chutes to the flat office/vestry roof. The church toilet was blocked and unblocked by rodding.

July: Vegetation was removed from the South Porch roof. The LED lights in the church Nave were replaced for higher wattage ratings which improved the lighting.

September:

The church organ stopped working due to a faulty power unit to the blower. This was replaced by Andrew Carter organ builder from Wakefield.

In October the church gas boiler was serviced and checked by Jonathan Carter from Rothwell and a yearly gas certificate issued.

November: Paths near both church gates were re-tarmacked and the SW gate opening was widened by Wakefield council.

The assistance alarm in the church toilet was found to be not working. This was repaired by Alpha Electrics.

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In December a loose downpipe SE corner of the old Nave above the boiler room roof was repaired, painted and re-fixed by Dream Heritage.

Also, all Parapet gutters, sumps, rain goods etc cleared and cleaned by Dream Heritage.

Study

Fr Mark has already talked about the studies undertaken during 2024, and we look forward to enhancing the study of the Benefice in 2025.

Worship

Regular Worship at All Saints is as follows:

10.00 a.m. Holy Communion 6.30 p.m. Evensong (4[th] Sunday of Month Holy Communion)

9.30 a.m. Wednesday – Midweek Holy Communion

In addition to our regular worship there have been other services conducted through the year during Holy week and Christmas, as well as the memorable Pet service which was received very positively.

Clergy

In March 2024 All Saints welcomed The Reverend Ian Bullock as the Vicar of Pontefract, and on 1[st] May 2024 the Pastoral Scheme to create the New Benefice of Pontefract came into operation, the parishes of All Saints, Ss Giles’ with St Mary’s, Michael the Archangel and Stephen all operate under the authority of The Vicar of Pontefract.

This scheme also altered the licences of the clergy team with the four Associate Priests now being authorised to work across the new Benefice, their invaluable work allows us to enjoy worship across the Benefice and we give thanks for their service,

As the long-term view is to increase the level of co-operation through the Benefice, there has been the beginning of much more interaction with all of the clergy team within the parishes. Fr Ian has the responsibility of ensuring that worship happens within all our churches, and as such, the allocation of clergy resources reflects this new way of working.

We are also grateful for the support of other members of the clergy The Reverend Michael Taylor is a retired member of clergy, who is Beneficed with us, and we are also fortunate to be able to call upon The Reverends Sue Hulme and Mike Marsh to supplement the team.

In August at a Benefice service, we said goodbye to Fr Sam Fletcher as he completed his curacy and moved to Exeter to work on a Doctorate.

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In addition to his duties inside the Benefice, Fr Ian also accepted the invitation to become the Assistant Area Dean of Pontefract, working with the diocesan Stewardship team, a mentor to other members of clergy, and a Member of the Diocesan Synod.

Lay Ministers

The Benefice of Pontefract is blessed with a number of Local Lay Ministers (LLM’s), with Mrs Anita Hayes and Mrs Jackie Guest, based at All Saints, Mrs Jill Clapham and Mr David Brooks (Permission To Officiate) at St Giles and Ms Natalie Vause (currently in her final training year) at St Michael the Archangel.

In addition to this we have a Lay Worship leader, Mrs Barbara Pollard and a Lay Pastoral Minister Mr Alf Taylor at St Stephen’s

In the same way that the clergy licences changed with the new Benefice, the LLM’s did as well, primarily this affects the Local Lay Ministers with them having the opportunity to grow and develop their ministry more widely. However, as we continue to develop other opportunities will be available for all Lay Ministers to be involved on a Benefice scale.

We are grateful for all the work that they do, and how they enhance our churches.

Social Media

Web address: http://www.cofe-pontefract.co.uk

2024 saw a lot of changes to the way the social media is run following Fr Ian’s arrival.

We now have a Facebook page for all five churches in the Benefice which allows for all the churches to share news and events for what is happening in their Church and for news and events at all five churches to be shared between Facebook pages so that people don’t have to navigate from one page to another.

Thank you to Natalie Vause at St Michael’s and Barbara Pollard at St Stephen’s for their input in promoting events on the St Michael’s and St Stephen’s Facebook pages, we are looking for others to become part of this team, which as we move forward will be crucial. If you are interested in getting involved, in the first instance please talk to Fr Ian.

Due to a donation, a licence for Hootsuite was purchased which means that posts can be scheduled in advance and shared on the Facebook pages quickly and easily rather than having to post content one page at a time.

The other big change in 2024 was the launch of the Benefice website which Fr Ian put hours of work into. It is still very much a work in progress but it will be a great asset to the Benefice once it is fully up and running. All the old websites have now been shut down, but for the time being we have retained ownership of the addresses, and a review of whether to keep these will happen later.

We are already seeing a good amount of traffic on the site, and are looking forward to seeing how this develops as the site grows.

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The social media will continue to be developed and improved as we move into 2025. We will make more effective use of X (formally known as Twitter) and look into developing an Instagram account to allow for content to be shared with a younger audience.

During 2024 we have developed a new daily cycle of Prayer, #PrayerforEveryone, which was launched in January. A prayer goes out each morning at 8.00 a.m. for a different group or industry in society across the Facebook pages and X account.

As always, if you have a news story or event taking place in one of our Churches and you - would like it to be promoted on social media, please email jonathan.harris@cofe pontefract.co.uk and we can put it on for you.

Jonathan Harris Benefice Digital Lead

Outreach and Activities

Schools work

Fr Mark has continued to work with schools within the parish, and Fr Ian has begun to forge a strong connection with St Giles’, where he has also taken up his post as a governor.

Social Events

All Saints is slowly starting to see growth with social events.

During 2025 we are looking to grow these further.

It was noted at the APCM in 2024 that there was a need to look at how we can encourage the growth of coffee on a Sunday morning after the service, as this was lacking. This is a key element to our witness as a worshipping community, and an opportunity to grow in fellowship.

Presently there are refreshments after worship on a Wednesday, which are always welcomed by people who attend worship, and offer an opportunity to speak to people who may have joined us for the first time. It is hoped that we can build a team in 2025 who will be able to allow us to offer the same hospitality as we look outwards.

Good Causes

During 2024, All Saints was able to support the following organisation:

Safeguarding

The Church complies with Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and Practices, with regular updating of the Diocesan Safeguarding Dashboard and Safeguarding Hub. These guide the PCC in fulfilling its statutory obligations.

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The PCC continues to commit to carrying out the Church of England Policy for Safeguarding; it also reaffirms that everyone is responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults irrespective of their role within the church community, with any concerns being reported to the Safeguarding Officer, Clergy or a member of the PCC.

All members of All Saints’ who are, due to the nature of their post (Voluntary or otherwise) currently in receipt of an enhanced DBS check and this information is confidentially stored with the parish administrator. Post holders and volunteers have all received the necessary clearance to the fulfil their roles. All DBS checks are renewed every three years.

Actions completed:

I am in constant contact with Father Ian and would like to thank him for his support of Safeguarding Matters. My thanks also to Father Mark, our Church Warden Madge, Paddy the Church Administrator and anyone I’ve pestered for answers to my questions.

Safeguarding is not one person’s responsibility; it is the responsibility of all. If at any time you have any Safeguarding Concerns, please report it as soon as possible.

Christine Brown Safeguarding Officer

Conclusion

This Report and the Attached Accounts were approved by the PCC on 4[nd] February 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

The Reverend Ian Bullock (PCC Chair) Vicar of Pontefract

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All Saints Church, Pontefract Independent Examiners Report to the PCC of All Saints Church I report to the Parochial Church Council IPCCI on my examination of the accounts of the charty for the year ended 31 December 2024. Responsibilities and basis of rewt As members of the PCC you are reswnsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chuch Accounting Regulations 2006 l%he Regulations) and $1.44121 of the Charities Act 20111.the ACYI. I report in respect of my examination of the church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Art and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicatle Dirertion5 given by the Charity Commission under section 14515}Ibl of the Art and the Church Guidance 2006 Edition. Independent examinevs statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in conneth.on with the examinab.on giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the tharrty as required by section 130 of the Ac¢. or the accounts do not accord wrth those records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection ￿th the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. KJA Kilnef Johnson Ltd Network House West 26 Stubs Beck Lane Cleckheaton 8019 4 Page 11 of 15

All Saints Church, Pontefract Re¢eipts and Payments A¢¢ounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Vnrestrided Ljesyated Restrirted TOTAL p￿te funds furmts hJrMts 2024 TOTAL 2023 Reteipts Voluntary rueipts PLinned gMng5 Collections at servi All Other&￿vingfvoIuntary reC￿pt5 19.615 12264 1.542 33,421 19.615 12,264 1.597 33.476 11,387 55 7.313 27.245 55 Adiniities for generatingfunds Investment income Churth artivities Total recwts 27.674 61.095 27,674 61.150 20,831 48.076 55 Pl￿Ments chw<h a¢ti¥ities ocesan parish contriEMJtk?n Mintstsy eN4)enses Church runnine expenses mis￿0n5 gNing and donation5 24.1￿1 414 32.686 187 57.286 570 24.C 414 33,021 187 57,621 570 335 29.095 335 48.095 Costs of generating Total payments Excess of rece¥Jts ovef p8¥Thents Transfer bet*Een frjnds 57,856 3.239 499- 335 58,191 2.959 48,095 19 493 3,738 2.959 ,142 59,101 19 56.161 56.142 Cash at bank and in hand at l January Cash at bank and in hand at 31 December 2.875 16,767 16,767 40.238 Page 12of 15

All Saints Church. Pontefract Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024 Unrestrirted fvnd5 De$￿ated RestrKted fund5 funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Cash fuTh Uoyds TSB Current Account Cash in hand 39,456 782 40.238 16.767 58.319 782 59.101 54.534 1.607 56.141 16.767 Other monetsry assets SaNryourTrust 991 991 991 991 967 967 Assets Reta￿￿ for chwch 149.544 149.544 149,544 Liat•lities Trade credths Accountsncy 354 354 1.2 1,614 12 1.614 1.2(4) Page 13of 15

All Saints Church, Pontefract Notes to the Financial Statements l. Basis of Preparation The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordarKe with the Church Accounting regulations 2￿6 using the Receipts and Payments basis. 2. Fixed assets Fixed assets retained for thurch use is made up of the Church Hall. The assets are retoided at cosL 3. Pk>vement in restrirted f￿d$ The movements in restricted funds dUri￿a the year were: Balance Blfwd Balante Clfvid Receipts Pawnents Transfer Restricted Church Gates Church Hall io,coo 6,767 16.767 io,coo 6,767 16,767 The church gate fund rewesents accumulated donations for the maintenance ofthe church gates. The church hall fund represents accumulated funds from the renting out of the hall which has been allocated fof the maintenance and upkeep of the property. 4. Pk>vement in designated funds The ff￿Vernents in restricted fvnds duri￿ the year were: Balance Blfwd Balance Clfwd Receipts Payments Transfer Designated Building Maintenance furMI Children Fund Flowerfvnd 2,565 155 55 335 19J 2,096 155 154 2.875 154 499 55 335 2,(B6 The building maintenance fvnd represents accumulated donation5 for the rna1ntena￿e of the church building. The children fijnd represents accumulated donations for the purchase of resources for the children in the corEreation. The tower fund represents accumulated donation5 forthe maintenance of the cP￿rCh tower. Page 14of 15

All Saints Church, Pontefra¢t Furthef Analysis of Reteipts and Payments TOTAL TOTAi 24 rtds fvhds Ttrorfwd Roworfund euilrfing fund 325 55 210 441 187 187 Vxrve (￿dIe cdlect Faculty fee refuTrJed 322 6,102 6,991 1.542 55 1,597 Bar intere5E cl a(ti¥itiÈS FÈÈS for eddI￿ and fwaL% IL024 IIP24 AfternofAI tea Booksalos 31 93 IS.1￿7 20,831 Parish ma￿21r*è incorne Clvx<h hall lettiry5 15.%7 27.674 15.%7 27.674 Pa￿Der￿ts dl (hurth vunnM¥exponseS fee5 AdminsEratyvesorvxes T[eaSU￿r 4239 1,675 4239 1.675 620 counrancy 1260 1260 Pnnrin& SM￿neryand tele&4Krf EquiFffjem Chwth build￿1 ruriiwiE exFeD5es legal fees InsurancÈ 2312 2312 1.835 1,036 7.397 7397 3.185 32.686 335 3520 33P21 4.339 29.0% 335 Third party donatiCftS 187 187 187 187 Page 15of 15