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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Mary, West Chiltington

2023-12-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Report

of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of West Chiltington

St Mary’s Church, West Chiltington

Generous in Prayer and Giving

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JW Registered Charity no. 1138034

For the year ended 31 December 2023

CONTENTS

CONTENTS
Page
Trustees annual report 2
Statement of financial receipts and payments 12
Statement of assets and liabilities 13
Notes of the accounts 14
Report of the independent examiner 18
Attachments of outreach and ministry 21

Website: www.stmaryswestchilt.co.uk

Incumbent: Father Stephen Merriman SSC, The Rectory, East Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JY

Independent examiner: Mr Adrian C Radford, 7 Curbey Close, West Chiltington, RH20 2HU

Bankers: The NatWest Bank, 5 East Street, Chichester, PO19 1HH

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St Mary’s, West Chiltington

Generous in Prayer and Giving

Trustees Annual Report for 2023

Our aims and purposes as a charity

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating, with the Rector in

What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives

When planning our activities for the year, the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’. For 2023 we discussed and planned the following objectives and activities to fulfil our aims:

Enabling all in our church

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What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives

Overview of the Year

This year is the first year since the Covid-19 pandemic began the Church was able to implement and maintain a full act of Worship and events that encouraged the Villagers to enjoy acts of worship and community events led by the Church family of St Marys these have included:

Study: A Lent Course at the Rectory;

Prayer: A Lent Walk - walking around village praying for all who live and work in our Village, Station of the Cross - weekly pray and reflection upon our Salvation;

Outreach: weekly Lent Lunches in the Church Hall,

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Attendance at worship

The Church family welcomes visitors from in and outside the ecclesiastical parish. All attend by personal choice and it is our great pleasure to welcome those from all walks of life. The attendance is voluntary to worship the Lord Jesus Christ, we strongly hold the view this has a major public and personal benefit. The pattern of worship in church is as follows Sunday: 8am 1662 Book of Common Prayer Eucharist and 10am Common Worship Eucharist. Our midweek services occur on Wednesday and Thursday: On Wednesday 9:30am we have exposition of the blessed sacrament a time of quiet prayer and reflection followed by The Book of Common Prayer Eucharist at 10am. On Thursday’s 9:30am Rosary or during Lent Stations of the Cross, this has also become a source of ecumenical relationship as we are joined regularly by a member of the Roman Catholic Church. This is followed by 10am Common Worship Eucharist, on the first Thursday of each month at 10am we hold a Healing Service – Laying on of Hands and Anointing. On the Last Thursday of each month, we hold a Monthly Requiem. These are wonderful times to be still in the busy life we lead and many who come have expressed their delight to just be still and calm before God and in the quiet of the Church building, to find God’s healing and to remember their loved in in prayer. Sunday mornings can be hectic and noisy.

The Church remains open daily for private prayer and those visiting are freely able to light a candle as an act of prayer. The average count during October was 73 and increased compared to 2022 as we had a baptism service, and the number of members on the electoral role decreased by 3 to 119. All of the special services associated with the church festivals were well attended especially the Armistice Day and Christmastide services, with more visitors than regular worshippers. It is worth noting - Advent 4 was also Christmas eve, those who fall in the under 17 age group attended the 10am Advent 4 Parish Eucharist, 4pm Crib Service, 11pm Midnight Mass and 10am Christmas Day Eucharist. This should be acknowledged and great appreciation to these faithful members of the Church who are not represented on the PCC, this should be a source of engagement to the rest of the Church community.

One notable event in the Church calendar of 2023 other than acts of Christian worship was the Flower Festival, titled ‘Beauty of Creation’. This was a three-day event Friday 29[th] September – Sunday 1[st] October. It can not be underestimated of the benefit to the village and the outreach that was offered across this event. From those who visited the Church locally or further afield, welcomed and stayed for Lunch. The beauty of God’s creation was managed by Mrs Brenda Bull

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and a team of flower ladies the generosity of time and talent was appreciated by all who attended. We were also blessed by the generosity of local businesses who made donations from advertising to raffle prizes. The three-day event had music from a local folk group Shipwrecked, a Pet Service and Harvest festival. The time given by so many from the Church community in big or small ways was gratefully received and much appreciated by everyone. This was a great achievement and our sincere Thank you to all who played a part in this before and during.

Teaching, baptising and nurturing new and existing believers

As part of our nurturing new believers and teaching we have a well-established monthly service at Kensington Close a housing association, where the Eucharist, prayer and biblical teaching occur monthly. This has grown in number over the year meeting the spiritual needs of those who attend, especially for those within the village who are unable to attend St Mary’s Church, this has been a great source of outreach by the Church into the community. To also encourage teaching of the bible the Rector organised a Study Day on the Old Testament to be held at The Palace, Chichester and this was open to the whole Deanery, this was also held alongside the Lent Course based on the Chichester Diocese Lent Course on the Old Testament. There is one home group, which now meets regularly. The Rector organised and led a Parish Pilgrimage to Walsingham which was also open to the Storrington Deanery, this enabled those who attended to encounter God and other Christians from across the country. This was a joyful time and it was quickly decided to hold another Deanery Pilgrimage to Walsingham in 2024.

We celebrated 2 baptisms, 4 Weddings, 13 Church funerals, 1 Crematorium Funeral and 10 interments of Ashes.

We are pleased the church is open daily, and in the winter months the Church remains open as part of a Warm Space, Warm Welcome, for all to enjoy God’s house and encounter God in the stillness and quietness and for those interested in History to marvel at the 12th and 13th century wall paintings.

Provision of Church facilities

The Church Hall use remained more or less the same during 2023, with the Rainbows & Brownies, two Art Groups, Ladies that Boogie, The West Chiltington Silver Band and West Chiltington Cavaliers continuing their regular meetings.

The Refresh Café held the first Thursday of the month, in the morning. This is a free café, serving homemade cakes, tea and coffee, this is for all villagers to gather and talk, and it has been especially beneficial for those who live alone. The time for Refresh café was moved from 10:30am to 11am. This was to encourage those who attend the Café to come to the service of healing which occurs at 10am that morning. To receive refreshment in both senses, spiritual and physical.

The Friendship lunch occurs on the third Thursday of the lunch, at 12:30pm it is a lunch time meal, which is charged at a very reasonable price, and monies raised goes to various charities, with

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seasonal meals being served and the highlight is most definitely the Christmas lunch, with the music group.

Please see attached appendix Reports written by Pam Wells on these two events.

Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish

The Pastoral Team offers pastoral support within the parish and they support the Rector in the pastoral care and support within the village. Home communion is also made available to those unable to attend public worship. Those receiving Communion at home has more than doubled throughout the year with now 14 communicants regularly receiving Holy Communion at home monthly.

The Family Support Work has once again been well supported throughout the year, a large wicker basket is left within the Church porch for donations and the Harvest Festival donations went to the Family Support Work as well as a toy appeal.

Please see attached appendix Reports written by Sally Boyland

Communications

We publish a monthly Church village magazine; this has been available for many years and it is widely read by villagers of the Church and wider community. It is much appreciated for the village to share their news and events as well as the Church family sharing and advertising forth coming events and services in the Church and Village.

Our new and improved Church website is a vital way to communicate all activities of the Church. This is updated regularly with church services, events and information to access the life of the Church here in West Chiltington. It has proven to be a valuable asset to the life of the Church.

Other charitable giving

Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a historic centre and focus of life in the village

Replacement of stolen lead from the vestry link roof has progressed. A helpful discussion with the loss adjuster confirmed that the extent of insurance cover on the roof itself was limited to £7000

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with a further £7000 of cover for consequential damage due to water penetration and damage to internal decorations. The loss adjuster also required the internal ceilings to be removed together with interstitial roof insulation so that the roof beams may be treated to prevent future rotting due to rainwater exposure. Light fittings were also to be replaced and electrics checked. A full planning application was prepared detailing a change of roofing material as required by the conservation officer and planning approval eventually obtained. In early October the temporary roofing was replaced with a steel cladding which is less likely to be stolen than the original lead. The cost was £24,212.88 and the building is once again weathertight. Repair to the internal ceilings and woodwork remains outstanding and the builders have been chased as this work was first promised in the autumn and then again in early January. In parallel, a dialogue with loss adjusters was maintained to question the £7000 limit on the insurance cover. It has now been agreed there is no limit on the policy for the type of claim we have submitted and finally confirmation was received that our full claim of £29,799.33, covering the cost of both the external roof repair and the internal works, less a £250 excess would be recommended to the insurance company for payment.

The fixed term contracts for supply of electricity and gas to the Church Hall and electricity to the Church were renewed from the end of June. A large increase in the electricity daily charge was largely offset by a reduction in the unit rate. The net effect on annual costs, given the same usage, will be an increase in electricity costs of approximately £230 for electricity to the Church and Church Hall and a reduction of approximately £230 in the price of gas to the Church Hall. The British Gas contract for the supply of gas to the Church itself, which represents 80% of St Marys energy costs, was renegotiated in mid-October. EDF was considered as a competitive supplier alongside British Gas. EDF not only offered a slightly lower unit rate but a dramatically lower daily charge. It was felt prudent to change supplier to EDF and lock in this offer with a contract for 3years.

After several years of painstaking work, Rob Parker’s repair to the Churchyard wall bordering Church Street has been completed. However there remains a 10-meter section which bulges and is in a very poor condition making it unsafe to tackle in the same way. This section will require the involvement of professional stone masons and heavy equipment together with provision of new matching stone which is difficult to obtain. The PCC has been advised this section of wall remains in need of attention to avoid complete collapse at some unpredictable point in time.

Statutory biannual electrical testing at the Church and Church Hall has been carried out and Certificates have been issued. The small amount of remedial work recommended will be put in hand in due course. Periodic testing of the lightning conductor has also been carried out and a pass certificate issued. Protection remains very good. Alongside these items annual PAT testing of all electrical devices and boiler maintenance have been completed.

Following vandalism over recent years, an opportunity occurred to protect the Church Hall with CCTV at no cost to the Church. The system also covers much of the car park.

Whites, bellhangers, have advised on bell maintenance as identified in quinquennial inspection reports. Recently a number of problems have arisen including failure of two of the bell ropes due to the pulley system. A quotation for essential works has been obtained.

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Financial Review

Incoming and outgoing resources

The total receipts on general unrestricted funds were £103,251 and are detailed in the Financial Report. This is an overall increase of £1,202 compared with 2022. Regular givings were up £2,574, however there was a reductio ~~n o~~ f £945 in the total received in ad-hoc donations, and of this £1,000 was restricted. Outgoing from general unrestricted funds were £89,256 down from £112,002 in 2022, which included the cost of demolishing the derelict youth building. No legacies were received in 2023.

Sharing the ministry costs of the Diocese of Chichester

The largest expenditure of the PCC was the sum of £40,000 paid to the diocese for our share of all churches’ Parish Ministry Costs. This PMC covers the housing, stipend and pension costs of the clergy, and a standard sum for diocesan central costs, clergy training and a contribution to national church funds. It is also important to note that approximately 80% of the PMC relates directly to the clergy costs of this parish, the remainder being the shared costs of the Christian family throughout the whole Church of England, including helping churches less able to manage than ourselves.

Staff costs

The PCC pays for a secretary to assist the Rector in the church office located at the Rectory, a cleaner for the church hall and new vestry and an organist. Further details are provided in the notes to the accounts.

Trustee payments and expenses

We pay Council, Water, and Environmental rates for the Rectory and electricity to heat the parish office. Mrs Brenda Bull, who is also a trustee, received £3,780 for duties as parish Secretary. There were no other payments to persons related to or connected to the current trustees.

Repairs to the fabric of the church building

No major work was carried out during the year to either the Church or Church Hall during 2023.

Why we hold some money in reserve

It has been PCC policy to maintain a balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding property) which equates to approximately three months’ worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations . The impact of Covid as forced careful consideration of future finances and a reserve of about 6 months income will be retained. As we face significant repair costs to the buildings which are our responsibility, part of the reserve will be held in a Designated Building Fund. The closing balance of this year is in line with this policy.

It is PCC policy to invest surplus funds with the CBF Church of England deposit fund, returning proportionately these funds to our current account, as they are needed, to pay larger bills.

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As well as holding the above general reserves, from time to time the PCC receives restricted legacies for expenditure on purposes defined by the donor. We aim to expend such money as soon as possible after receiving the legacy, depending on the specific objectives of the donor. Where we have identified that the specific purpose can only be achieved by delaying the expenditure, we invest the legacy temporarily until such time as the need for appropriate expenditure is identified.

Footnote

Our report above sets out a valuable support to the parish during a year of significant changes in individual freedoms and we would wish to thank our Rector, Church Wardens, and PCC Officers for the way they have steered us through this year with many changes to the regulations. Also, a thank you to our members for their steady support in spite of the ever-changing situation and into the forthcoming year. Thank you.

Structure, governance, and management of the charity

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council:

Ex Officio members
Incumbent: The Revd. Stephen Merriman Chairman
Wardens: Mr Patrick Higham Vice Chairman
Mr Cosmo Goldsmith
Lay Reader: Mr Jim Latter
Elected Members Mrs Pam Wells Safeguarding Officer
Mrs Brenda Bull PCC Treasurer
Mrs Diane Bennett
Mrs Alison Littleboy
Mr Clive Cole
Deanery Synod: Mrs Ann Chapman
Mrs Vanessa Llambias
Mr Phil Race
PCC Secretary: Mrs Brenda Bull

Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent/priest-in-charge, curate, lay readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and currently 5 but can be up to 8 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).

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Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.

During the year the PCC reviewed both their Safeguarding policy and their policy under the General Data Protection Regulations, both of which are available in the church porch.

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Revd. Stephen Merriman, Chairman

signed The Revd Stephen R Merriman

Dated

……………………………………………

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Annual Financial Report

of the Parochial Church Council of the

St Mary’s Church, West Chiltington

Generous in Prayer and Giving

St Mary’s Church, Church Street, West Chiltington, RH20 2JW Registered Charity no. 1138034

For the year ended 31 December 2023

CONTENTS
Page
Statement of financial receipts and payments 12
Statement of assets and liabilities 13
Notes of the accounts 14
Report of the independent examiner 19

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Generous in Prayer and Giving

St Mary’s, West Chiltington

Trustees Annual Report for 2023

Statement of Financial Receipts and Payments

Statement of Financial Receipts and Payments

12

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

13

Notes to the Financial Report

  1. The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and current Church Accounting Regulations, using the Receipts and Payments basis.

  2. The following assets are recognised but not valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, which require a faculty for disposal.

  3. Analysis of total received

  4. Legacies.

No legacies were received in 2023.

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Notes to the Financial Report

  1. Analysis of total paid:

  2. Charitable grants and donations were made to Family Support Work, Christian Aid (Turkey Earthquake Appeal), Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Cats Protection, The Children’s Society and Embrace The Middle East.

  3. The Parish share to the Chichester Diocese is for the payment to Clergy and other central costs. The full cost of parish ministry amounts to approximately £81,445.

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Notes to the Financial Report

____________

  1. The church hall is on a freehold property also used as a church car park which is owned by the PCC adjoining the church and cost £4,612 to build.

  2. The Restricted fund represents accumulated donations and appeals for the maintenance of the church building.

  3. Gift Aid is recovered on donations received up to year end, the last claim was submitted midDecember 2023, covering donations to that date.

  4. Payment to PCC employees:

11. Payments to PCC members:

Mrs Brenda Bull received £3,780 for Secretarial support to the Rector.

  1. Transactions with persons related to PCC members:

There were none.

13. Transactions with related charities:

There are no related charities.

14. Statement of funds:

Endowment funds are required by the donors to be invested and the income spent on specific objectives.

The Francis Charity is an endowment invested in CBF Investment Fund shares, with the income to be spent on churchyard maintenance.

Restricted funds are not invested permanently but are to be spent within reasonable timescales.

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The longstanding Restoration Fund is invested in CBF Investment Fund shares with the income to be spent on the fabric of the Church.

The other restricted funds comprise the Church Restoration Fund.

The Richard Legacy fund is to be spent on the organ and Audio-visual improvements in the church.

The Church IT Fund is to be used towards the installation of audio / visual equipment in the church.

Unrestricted funds are not subject to any donor restrictions and can be spent as the PCC decides.

The General Fund received the normal church income to cover the day-to-day activities of the church.

The Hall Fund is used to cover the running of the hall as a designated fund to clearly identify the finances of this important outreach activity.

The Building Fund is money set aside to cover anticipated expenditure in respect of the church hall, which may need to be met from the General Fund, and previously including the cost of making safe and then demolishing the old youth building. The expenditure in 2023 was slightly higher than anticipated, and the resulting overdraft balance has been cleared by transferring funds from the General Fund at year end. As there are no planned works for the Church Hall for 2024 the balance has been left at £0.

The summary of all funds appears on the next page.

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Notes to the Financial Report

16 Summary of funds

Fund income and expenditure and final balances are as follows:

----- Start of picture text -----
Balances b/f Income Expenditure, Balances c/f
1 Jan 2023 Transfers, 31 Dec 2023
Other Gains
and Losses
£ £ £ £
Francis Charity at cost 324 324
Total of all endowed funds 324 0 0 324
Restoration Fund Investment at cost 4400 4400
Church Restoration fund 79322 2849 -24519 57652
Richards Legacy 5130 -1507 3623
Church IT Fund 1000 1000
Total of all restricted funds 89852 2849 -26026 66675
Fixed interest investment at cost 800 800
General fund 26358 97699 -82933 41124
Designated Building Fund 1045 101 -1146 0
Designated Church Hall fund 2369 5451 -5177 2643
Total of all unrestricted funds 30572 103251 -89256 44567
Total Funds 120748 106100 -115282 111566
----- End of picture text -----

17 Market value of investments @ 31[st] December 2023

The market value of shares shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at cost is as follows:

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Independent Examiner’s Report

to the PCC of St Mary’s Church, West Chiltington for the Year Ended 31st December 2023

Section A

This is my report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish (PCC) of St Mary West Chiltington on the annual report for the year ended 31st December 2023 set out on pages 12 to 18.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The PCC members are responsible for the preparation of the annual reports. The PCC members consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

  1. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

  2. to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and

  3. to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 seeks explanations from the 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

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

a. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

b. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Examiner’s signature

Examiner’s name CAPITALS Address

……………………………………………………

……………………………………………………

7 Curbey Close, West Chiltington RH20 2HU

Relevant professional ………………………………….. Dated ………………………………..

qualification or body

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Section B Disclosure

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose

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