The Parish Church of St John the Baptist Greenhill ( The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John, Greenhill, Harrow - a registered charity)
Annual Report (Pages 1 to 8) and Accounts (Pages 9 to 16) for 2023
Incumbent The Revd Barry Hingston (Vicar)
Bank
Barclays Bank PLC, Harrow Branch 355 Station Road, HARROW, Middlesex, HA1 2AN
Independent Examiner The Revd David Green
Church Address Sheepcote Road, HARROW, Middlesex, HA1 2JE Answerphone - (020) 8863 3690 - office@stjohnsharrow.org
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist. Greenhill
The Annual Reports of the Parochial Church Council of Greenhill and of the Parish Activities Generally for 2023
A Note from the PCC Secretary
With the Covid-19 Pandemic hopefully past us we are now in a "new normal" and the following information reflects this.
Parochial Church Council (PCC) Report
Administrative Information: The Church is situated in Greenhill, better known today as the central shopping area of Harrow, and is located at the junction of Station Road and Sheepcote Road. It is part of the Diocese of London within the Church of England and is in the Willesden Episcopal Area of that diocese. The correspondence address is St John's Church, Sheepcote Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2JE.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under the title of "The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John, Greenhill, Harrow" (number 1138108) and it was registered in 2010. The Victoria Hall, which was next to the
Church in Sheepcote Road and was rebuilt between 2018 and 2021, is a registered charity (number 207730) with a new registered charity taking over (number 1174963) and both are legally independent of the PCC.
PCC members who have served from the 1st January 2023 to the date this report was approved are as follows. The initials 'APCM' stand for Annual Parochial Church Meeting and that meeting for 2023 took place on Sunday, 21st May 2023. Dates of expiry of membership do not preclude the person concerned from standing for re-election. If no date of appointment or election is given, the person concerned was a member of the PCC at the 1st January 2023.
| Office Held on PCC | Notes | ||
| The Revd Barry Hingston*† |
Ex Officio (Vicar) | Chairman (Ex Officio) |
Until he leaves or retires from office. A member of the Deanery Synod (Ex Officio) (Last Service Easter Sunday 2024) |
| Mr Peter Polkinghorne*† |
Ex Officio (Churchwarden) |
To Archdeacon's Visitation 2024 | |
| Mrs Catherine Still†* | Ex Officio (Churchwarden) |
Vice Chairman | To Archdeacon's Visitation 2024 |
| The Revd Ajay More | Ex Officio (Associate Vicar) |
Until he leaves or retires from office. A member of the Deanery Synod (Ex Officio) |
|
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
| Notes | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Held on PCC | Notes | ||||
| Mr Peter Hawkins* | Ex Officio (Deanery Synod Representative) |
Secretary | Elected to the Deanery Synod by the Parish) To 31st July 2026 |
||
| Mr Tim Mackenzie | Ex Officio (Deanery Synod Representative) |
Elected to the Deanery Synod by the Parish to 31st July 2026 |
|||
| Mr Derek Biddle | Elected to APCM 2025 |
||||
| Mrs Claire Cook* | Elected to APCM 2024 |
||||
| Mrs Maggie Dawson | Elected to APCM 2025 |
||||
| Mr Gary Morris | Elected to APCM 2023 |
Did not stand for re-election at the APCM 2023 and has since left the parish for a local church |
|||
| Mr Simon Patrick* | Elected to APCM 2025 |
Treasurer | |||
| Miss Patricia Roney | Elected to APCM 2024 |
||||
| Miss Vicki Swinchatt* |
Miss Vicki Swinchatt* |
Elected to APCM 2026 |
|||
| * A member of the Standing Committee of the PCC † The Vicar and Churchwardens are ex officio members of the Standing Committee |
- A member of the Standing Committee of the PCC
† The Vicar and Churchwardens are ex officio members of the Standing Committee
Structure, Governance and Management: The
method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All those who attend Church are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and Activities: The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Vicar in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of Greenhill the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Parish Church of St John the Baptist Greenhill, Sheepcote Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2JE. The PCC has complied with its duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, in relation to having due regard to the House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable
adults.
Review of the Year : The PCC met formally 6 times during the year with an average attendance of 85·0% against 78·0% in 2022. All meetings were in person. Committees met or corresponded within themselves between meetings and their reports were received by the PCC and discussed where necessary. The PCC itself also did some of its business by correspondence between meetings, the details of such transactions being reported to the following PCC meeting so they appeared in the minutes.
At all meetings during the year the PCC discussed its finances, safeguarding and the proposed annex in the space outside the West Door of the Church. In January, the PCC discontinued the Easter Vigil Service on the grounds of very poor attendance and noted that the Annual Memorial Service had ended as Valerie Harrington, who organised it, was now in a home and it was not missed in 2022.
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
The PCC noted the roof alarm servicing was due and that it needed to find a new firm of electrical contractors. Finally it was noted that the Annual Churches Together in Central Harrow Joint Service would take place in our Church at 10.00am on Sunday, 22nd January 2023. March saw the Easter arrangements noted and these were normal. In May our Safeguarding Policy was renewed and it was noted that we need more volunteers to assist in Church on Sundays. In July the PCC agreed its contribution to the Common Fund for 2024 at £81,300. The PCC also appointed/re-appointed its Officers and Committees for the coming year. In September the PCC was looking for a new tenant for 20 Manor Court and the Annex tenders had been received, but not yet looked at. Also Services to the end of the year were outlined including the Deanery Choirs' Festival to be held this year in our Church on October 14th. In November we chose a contractor for the Annex project.
Vicar's Report: Dear church of St John the Baptist,
It is with some sadness and sense of loss that I write my last annual report. By the time this is distributed and read I will have finished my time here and heading for pastures new.
2023 was a time of continued progress and consolidation for us following two very disrupted years of Covid-affected operation. At the time of writing our Sunday congregation, although variable, has stabilized around the 60-65 mark, which is marginally down on the 2019 level but encouraging given the impact and length of the crisis. In addition, we saw the emergence of a small group of children on Sundays which has enabled us to restart a lively little children's group (great thanks go to Cath Still!). We expanded the team for running the A/V facility on Sundays which means we continue the mixed-mode of service, keeping some of our mobility-limited congregation with us.
We have settled into a pattern of face-to-face services on Sundays (with online access in the morning), and an online service mid-week. This has had the benefit of achieving 8-10 people on a Wednesday which is much more than if we did it face to face. It also enabled us to do more discipleship work in the form of an online Alpha course. So, our technology is definitely helping and a huge thank you to Godfrey and the team for making it happen.
As of the end of 2023 we have appointed a contractor for our work outside the West Door. This will provide 3 new toilets, a small kitchenette, and some social space. Also, it will allow us to expand our electrical power intake which will have great benefits for our vestry kitchen. By the time you read this, the site outside the West Door will have been cleared and the work commenced. Completion is estimated to be July 2024.
2023 also saw us restore and expand our connection with the local C of E School, St Jerome, and I know that on my departure, Ajay wants to build on this. Last year we saw them visit the church again after a few years' lapse, culminating in a fabulous Christmas service with the church full of pupils and parents twice on one day. We look forward to seeing more of the same.
My personal plan is now well advanced and by the APCM I will have departed. I am moving back to Ealing to reconnect with my old church but as a self-supporting minister, so in a sense I am embarking on a period of retirement in that I am not taking on another church. I'd like to thank all those at St Johns for all your support and loyalty over the past 11 years. Space does not allow me to fully express my feelings here, but I passionately wish St John the Baptist all the best for the future.
God bless you all.
Barry Hingston.
Worship
Church Attendance: The mean average October weekly attendance was 65 as against 64 for October 2022. This included attendance in person in Church and at the Church at Home Zoom presentations. The Electoral Roll reported
at the APCM was 102 members against 100 in 2022. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
Choir: Following our annual performance of Stainer's Crucifixion in April, with a slightly larger choir than last year, the highlight was
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
hosting this year's Harrow Deanery Choirs Festival in October for the first time since 2010. We robed in, and processed from, the Victoria Hall (the first time that the new hall has been used for a church event), and I am grateful to Peter Polkinghorne, Derek Biddle and Peter Hawkins and the hall staff for making the arrangements run smoothly, as well as Esther Roberts and her friend Pat Turner for the refreshments. Also thanks to John Barnard, who designed the service (on the theme of Jesus as the Light of the World), Rev. Ajay More for leading it, Philip Rees (Stanmore, who grew up in this parish) for playing and Martin Singleton (Pinner) for conducting. Thanks also to the extra singers who joined us for Carols by Candlelight and to Dominica Parry for playing for part of this service and on Christmas morning. Ben Cook also played for a couple of services. But my main thanks are to our faithful choir members for practising week by week and leading our worship. New members always welcome! - Simon Patrick.
Gospel Choir: The Gospel Choir aims to worship God and share the good news of Jesus through joyful singing, in church and in the wider community.
In 2023 we continued to contribute to the 10am service once a month, including Racial Justice Sunday and Harvest. A highlight was the service on 7th May celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III.
Bishop Lusa made a short visit to St John's in May as part of his pilgrimage round all the churches in the area. The Bishop's visit coincided with Gospel Choir practice, so we were delighted to welcome him with singing.
In December we joined with Ajay and friends for carol-singing in English and Hindi. We sang outside the church and at the Sattavis Patidar centre in Wembley. We received kind donations totalling £166.27 which have been shared between Harrow Foodbank and Firm Foundation.
Thanks to everyone who has been part of the Gospel Choir in 2023 and all who have supported and encouraged us. It has been a joy to welcome new and returning members during the year. If you enjoy singing or play an instrument and would like to join, we'd love to hear from you. - Dominica Parry.
Servers: Our effective numbers are down to five, following the departure of the Morris family in the autumn to worship nearer to where they live: Noah had served faithfully for six and a half years. With Covid now thankfully mainly a distant memory, we will be considering whether to assist rather more in the sanctuary during the services. - Simon Patrick.
Sidesmen: With live streaming on Zoom now available only two sidesmen on duty were now needed to look after those who attended in person and enough sidesmen were so attending to create a rota. This remains the position and appears to be the "new normal" as I write (February 2024). However, some more sidesmen are needed to make rostering easier. There is only one requirement to be a Sidesman - your name is on the Electoral Roll of the Parish Church. If any person is interested (male or female), please see me. From 2020 Sidesmen are nolonger appointed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting but by the Parochial Church Council and this means we normally have at least six opportunities per annum to appoint Sidesmen as opposed to one in past years. - Peter Hawkins.
Flower Team: The Flower Team has had another busy year. My grateful thanks go to all the regular members of the team, and especially to Helen Morris for her years of dedicated arranging. Thank you also to the other kind people who help us to prepare the church for special occasions, this includes those who kindly donate greenery for our use. We couldn't do without you all. Thank you also to those who donate money for flowers. If there is anyone who would like to join the flower team, (we'd give full support and training), please speak to one of us. - Jill Polkinghorne.
Mission Links
Children's Society (The): I succeeded in carrying out a box opening in 2023, raising £80.60, from what turned out to be only four
remaining box-holders. With the decline in the use of coins, I am not expecting much demand for the numerous spare boxes I have inherited, but
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
instead I call on people to visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk to find out about the Society's work and perhaps make an online donation. - Simon Patrick.
Christian Aid: Christian Aid week collection was substantially down this year at £75. In this year (2023) we ran an online collection which mainly came from the congregation. Please consider helping at the 2024 Christian Aid week
12th-18th May 2024 and suggest to me what you might like to do to assist - Peter Polkinghorne.
Poppy Day Appeal: Thanks to collectors and a box in church, we did have a collection for the Poppy Appeal this year, and with good support we raised just over £1,850, a significant increase on last year. Thanks also to Sandra Broad (President of South Harrow branch of the Royal British Legion) for support - Peter Polkinghorne.
Community Engagement
Welcome Centre: The Welcome Centre is an open-door drop-in that St John's runs in collaboration with our local Roman Catholic parish of Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and this takes place in our Church. We aim to provide a space where people of all sorts and with all sorts of needs feel welcome, safe and reasonably warm. We give our thanks to the volunteers from both churches for all that they do throughout the year and welcome enquiries from potential volunteers and also offers towards the costs of the free refreshments and heating. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
Open Church: At one time known as "Church Watch" this opens the church on Friday afternoons from noon to 2.00.pm to enable people to come in for private prayer, to sit and be peaceful, just to look around, or to make contact with the church through the volunteer stewards. We give our thanks to the volunteer stewards for all that they do throughout the year. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
Church Garden: The shrubs which were planted in 2021 are doing really well, and have grown into large and beautiful bushes. The longestablished shrubs and hedges were pruned in the autumn and have benefited from being cut back.
The two rosemary plants and one lavender plant from the Easter Garden, which was displayed in church, have been planted in the flower bed adjacent to Sheepcote Road and are growing into fine shrubs. There was a fine display of daffodils alongside the Station Road side of the garden, and the flowering cherry trees were very beautiful. No further work has been needed on the benches around the war memorial. - Linda Clark.
Concerts: We held 19 concerts in the year (not counting another ten summer concerts, separately organised), with an attendance ranging from 39 to 69 with an average of 54, a slight increase on the figure of 47 in 2022, but not yet back up to preCovid levels. Four new performers took part as well as the large number of regulars. I am grateful to our band of helpers for enabling these concerts to take place, including by bringing and serving the food and welcoming people at the door. We made a small surplus for church funds. - Simon Patrick.
Firm Foundation Night Shelter: In 2023, the night shelter restarted on the usual basis, but unfortunately we were not informed, so could not assist. In 2024, we have made contact and are providing some volunteers. If you are interested in helping in the future, please contact Peter Polkinghorne. - Peter Polkinghorne.
Christian Growth
Women's Breakfasts: The Women's Breakfasts have continued to take place on the 2nd Saturday of the month, meeting from 9.30 till 11 at the Vicarage. We share food and time together, look at scripture and pray. Over the past year, we've
been looking at the books of Ephesians and Philippians, taking a few verses or a chapter at a time and asking God to speak to us as we share our thoughts on the passages. We will also often listen to some worship music, leading into a
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
time of prayer. It's a good time of fellowship and support to each other and valuable time in God's presence. The core group of about 8 of us who meet regularly has not changed particularly, Children's Work
although we have welcomed one new regular member. We do advertise the meetings in the news sheet, to open the group up to others who might like to come along. - Jill Hingston.
Children's Work on Sundays: We were able to meet every Sunday throughout 2023 - the first time since COVID - and this has been something to celebrate. We have four to six regular attenders, and we have been delighted to welcome occasional visitors during the year. We continue to meet in the Chapel while we only have one regular children's worker, in order to meet safeguarding requirements, but actually we are reaping the benefit of being visible and "dropin-able" for new families. We also enjoy sharing our activities with parishioners on their way back from receiving communion! As the local community grows, I would love to see our children's work grow too; we value your prayers for our children, both current and future. Thank you to those who have run sessions during the year, especially Jill Polkinghorne; please come and talk to me if you would like to join the Sunday morning team! - Cath Still.
Messy Church: Messy Church met throughout 2023, with its usual summer break, and we have been delighted to welcome 50 different families
into the church over the year, with an average of 12 families each session. This is an increase on recent years and shows how valuable our monthly sessions are. It is good to welcome church families and families from St Jerome's; in addition, many of the parents and children who come along have no church connection at all and so it is a real privilege (and responsibility!) to make a place where they feel welcomed and where they can meet Jesus, possibly for the first time. We have kept the same mix of crafts, worship and fellowship over food which seems to work well; this year we have created a babyfriendly space with soft floor toys, as well as providing baby-changing facilities in the choir vestry, and this has been welcomed and appreciated. Dominica and I are so grateful to the amazing team of volunteers who prepare food, run the activities, tidy up and keep us all safe in church - we could not do it without you! Please keep this valuable form of outreach in your prayers, as we build relationships with families from across Harrow. - Cath Still.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care: Pastoral Care at St John's (providing the members of St John's with care and support, both practical and spiritual) is mainly carried out without any formal organisation. However, Home Communions fall under this category being Communions taken to people who are unable to attend Church although some may attend on line. Also we have a Prayer Ministry Team which offers prayer at the end of the
10.00am Communion Services, providing welcome support for those who appreciate this form of ministry. Training is given if you are interested in serving in this way.
The Light of Lights Tree proved to be a welcome focus for those missing loved ones at Christmas time, leaving names on the tree in remembrance. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
Collections for Other Charities
In past years, before the introduction of the new regulations under the Charities Act 1993, it was traditional to show a list of monies collected for other charities through the efforts of the people of St John's, where we were acting as agent, in the notes to the Financial Statements. Under the new regulations, the PCC does not account for these monies, as they belong to the charities concerned
and consequently this list was lost. In the early years after the change there were some rumbles, and although some of these figures may be found in the reports above, I have listed them below again this year in order to maintain this old tradition. It must be understood that they do not form part of our Financial Statements and that some of the figures may be approximate.
| Bishop of Willesden's Mission Fund | 700.00 |
|---|---|
| Christian Aid | 75.00 |
| Firm Foundation (Carol Singing Donations) | 83.00 |
| Harrow Care Plus (Dell Bequest) | 500.00 |
| Harrow Food Bank (Harvest Appeal and | |
| Carol Singing) | 929.00 |
| Lent Appeal (Mozambique Conflict | |
| Trauma Support) | 100.00 |
| Poppy Day Appeal | 1,850.00 |
| St Luke's Hospice (Harrow Deanery | |
| Choirs Festival) | 221.00 |
| Total | 4,458.00 |
It is understood that some of these monies have been passed, or passed in part, through our books on an "in and out" basis. Please see notes to the accounts (Agency Accounts). Some of these figures may include Gift Aid. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
Finance
Financial Review: Expenditure on the new Annexe to the church building, and the reimbursement of these costs by the Victoria Hall Charity, have made it appropriate for our accounts to be prepared on an accruals basis, and the 2022 accounts (and the 2022 figures in this report) have been restated on this basis to match. The total income to the General Fund was £147,897 (2022: 119,292) and total expenditure £135,995 (2022: 115,505) giving a surplus, before transfers, of £11,942 (2022: £3,787). Although nearly all of our sources of income increased, there was considerable increase in some expenses, notably electricity and gas, and the expenditure on the three rental properties included considerable expenditure on repossessing one of the properties and a retrospective bill for service charges for several years on the other two (see Note 8 to the
accounts). We agreed with the Diocese of London that we would pay a lower Diocesan Common Fund contribution in 2023 (£70,000 rather than £75,200) but are raising this to £81,300 for 2024. St John’s was responsible for the finances of the Niya Jivan Church, a Hindi-speaking church community meeting at St Andrew’s, Kingsbury, for the whole of 2023: figures for the separate fund which we set up for them are at the end of the Annex to the accounts. Our reserves policy is set out in Note 12 to the accounts. - Simon Patrick, PCC Treasurer.
Planned Giving (Stewardship): 2023 was another successful year for the Planned Giving Scheme with total donations exceeding those of 2022. However the membership of the scheme dropped to 49 and it is known that there will be further reductions in 2024. Planned Giving by
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
the regular use of personally numbered envelopes or (better still) by a regular standing order from your bank enables the church, in the knowledge of promised regular income, to make viable forward plans for special services or events. A very helpful situation to enjoy. If you are not currently a member of the scheme please give consideration to joining and complete an application form, a supply of which is available at the back of the
church, or discuss the matter with one of he wardens or duty sidesmen. As usual at this time of the year I thank all those who participate in the scheme together with those who count the contents of the weekly envelopes on Sundays. Without this assistance I should be unable to continue in my role as Planned Giving Recorder, due to my being present only on Zoom at the various services. - Brian Lanning, Planned Giving Recorder.
Conclusion to the Reports
The foregoing reports, give an insight into the work of the Parochial Church Council, the parish organisations under its aegis and other associated organisations within the wider church.
For all this work we must be grateful, and we thank all those who have made these things possible. Also, we thank all those who have
taken the time and trouble to write these reports - no easy task.
Finally, on behalf of us all, I extend my grateful thanks to our Vicar the Revd Barry Hingston, and our Associate Vicar the Revd Ajay More, and the Churchwardens, and their families for sacrifices they make for us. - Peter Hawkins, PCC Secretary.
On behalf of the Parochial Church Council, Peter Polkinghorne, Vice-Chairman. 15th May 2024
The Accounts (Financial Statements) Follow
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St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
Financial Statements to the 31st December 2023
| Church of St John the Baptist, Greenhill, Harrow Income and Expenditure Account, 2023 Unre- stricted Desig- nated Re- stricted Total 2023 Total 2022 INCOME Income from generated funds Voluntary income Planned giving (by gift aid).......................... 51,186 600 5,233 57,019 50,089 Income tax recovered................................. 14,198 150 1,448 15,796 14,074 Planned giving (not gift aided).................... 2,819 — — 2,819 2,435 Collections.................................................. 6,189 — 665 6,854 6,697 Legacies..................................................... — 46,750 — 46,750 — Donations.................................................... 6,368 — 365 6,732 3,994 Sub-total: voluntary income........................... 80,760 47,500 7,711 135,970 77,288 Activities for generating funds Fundraising................................................. — — — — 252 Saturday morning coffee receipts............... — — — — — Sub-total: activities for generating funds..... — — — — 252 Investment income Property rent............................................... 52,950 — — 52,950 37,025 Interest and dividends................................. 7,828 2,073 463 10,364 2,470 Sub-total: investment income........................ 60,778 2,073 463 63,314 39,495 Total: receipts from generated funds.................. 141,537 49,573 8,174 199,284 117,036 Receipts from charitable activities Wedding/Funeral fees................................ 302 — — 302 160 Concert income........................................... 6,057 — — 6,057 5,180 Other income [notes 9, 15, 16]................... — 100,000 — 100,000 7,057 Total: receipts from charitable activities............ 6,359 100,000 — 106,359 12,396 INCOME: GRAND TOTALS................................... 147,897 149,573 8,174 305,644 129,432 EXPENDITURE Cost of generating funds Fundraising expenses [note 5].......................... — — — — 194 Total: cost of generating funds........................... — — — — 194 Charitable activities Diocesan Common Fund.................................. 70,000 — — 70,000 75,200 Donations and subscriptions............................. 827 — 1,421 2,248 2,309 Upkeep of building............................................ 2,698 800 — 3,497 1,995 Upkeep of Church services............................... 946 — 3,710 4,656 725 Heating (gas).................................................... 9,080 — — 9,080 7,027 Electricity........................................................... 2,737 — — 2,737 1,866 Cleaning [note 11]............................................. 1,829 — — 1,829 1,716 Insurance.......................................................... 5,556 — — 5,556 4,846 Salaries [note 11].............................................. 3,394 — — 3,394 3,013 Vestry phone..................................................... 591 — — 591 574 Printing and stationery...................................... 226 — — 226 394 Clergy expenses............................................... 2,159 — 118 2,277 1,916 Concert expenses............................................. 5,156 — — 5,156 5,164 Flowers............................................................. — — 354 354 354 Sundries............................................................ 3,040 102,173 734 105,947 6,617 Property expenses............................................ 27,715 — — 27,715 7,392 Total: Charitable activities................................... 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,108 EXPENDITURE: GRAND TOTALS........................ 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,302 Surplus (before transfers).................................... 11,942 46,601 1,838 60,381 8,130 Transfers................................................................. -13,100 13,100 — — — Surplus (after transfers)....................................... -1,158 59,701 1,838 60,381 8,130 |
Church of St John the Baptist, Greenhill, Harrow Income and Expenditure Account, 2023 Unre- stricted Desig- nated Re- stricted Total 2023 Total 2022 INCOME Income from generated funds Voluntary income Planned giving (by gift aid).......................... 51,186 600 5,233 57,019 50,089 Income tax recovered................................. 14,198 150 1,448 15,796 14,074 Planned giving (not gift aided).................... 2,819 — — 2,819 2,435 Collections.................................................. 6,189 — 665 6,854 6,697 Legacies..................................................... — 46,750 — 46,750 — Donations.................................................... 6,368 — 365 6,732 3,994 Sub-total: voluntary income........................... 80,760 47,500 7,711 135,970 77,288 Activities for generating funds Fundraising................................................. — — — — 252 Saturday morning coffee receipts............... — — — — — Sub-total: activities for generating funds..... — — — — 252 Investment income Property rent............................................... 52,950 — — 52,950 37,025 Interest and dividends................................. 7,828 2,073 463 10,364 2,470 Sub-total: investment income........................ 60,778 2,073 463 63,314 39,495 Total: receipts from generated funds.................. 141,537 49,573 8,174 199,284 117,036 Receipts from charitable activities Wedding/Funeral fees................................ 302 — — 302 160 Concert income........................................... 6,057 — — 6,057 5,180 Other income [notes 9, 15, 16]................... — 100,000 — 100,000 7,057 Total: receipts from charitable activities............ 6,359 100,000 — 106,359 12,396 INCOME: GRAND TOTALS................................... 147,897 149,573 8,174 305,644 129,432 EXPENDITURE Cost of generating funds Fundraising expenses [note 5].......................... — — — — 194 Total: cost of generating funds........................... — — — — 194 Charitable activities Diocesan Common Fund.................................. 70,000 — — 70,000 75,200 Donations and subscriptions............................. 827 — 1,421 2,248 2,309 Upkeep of building............................................ 2,698 800 — 3,497 1,995 Upkeep of Church services............................... 946 — 3,710 4,656 725 Heating (gas).................................................... 9,080 — — 9,080 7,027 Electricity........................................................... 2,737 — — 2,737 1,866 Cleaning [note 11]............................................. 1,829 — — 1,829 1,716 Insurance.......................................................... 5,556 — — 5,556 4,846 Salaries [note 11].............................................. 3,394 — — 3,394 3,013 Vestry phone..................................................... 591 — — 591 574 Printing and stationery...................................... 226 — — 226 394 Clergy expenses............................................... 2,159 — 118 2,277 1,916 Concert expenses............................................. 5,156 — — 5,156 5,164 Flowers............................................................. — — 354 354 354 Sundries............................................................ 3,040 102,173 734 105,947 6,617 Property expenses............................................ 27,715 — — 27,715 7,392 Total: Charitable activities................................... 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,108 EXPENDITURE: GRAND TOTALS........................ 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,302 Surplus (before transfers).................................... 11,942 46,601 1,838 60,381 8,130 Transfers................................................................. -13,100 13,100 — — — Surplus (after transfers)....................................... -1,158 59,701 1,838 60,381 8,130 |
Church of St John the Baptist, Greenhill, Harrow Income and Expenditure Account, 2023 Unre- stricted Desig- nated Re- stricted Total 2023 Total 2022 INCOME Income from generated funds Voluntary income Planned giving (by gift aid).......................... 51,186 600 5,233 57,019 50,089 Income tax recovered................................. 14,198 150 1,448 15,796 14,074 Planned giving (not gift aided).................... 2,819 — — 2,819 2,435 Collections.................................................. 6,189 — 665 6,854 6,697 Legacies..................................................... — 46,750 — 46,750 — Donations.................................................... 6,368 — 365 6,732 3,994 Sub-total: voluntary income........................... 80,760 47,500 7,711 135,970 77,288 Activities for generating funds Fundraising................................................. — — — — 252 Saturday morning coffee receipts............... — — — — — Sub-total: activities for generating funds..... — — — — 252 Investment income Property rent............................................... 52,950 — — 52,950 37,025 Interest and dividends................................. 7,828 2,073 463 10,364 2,470 Sub-total: investment income........................ 60,778 2,073 463 63,314 39,495 Total: receipts from generated funds.................. 141,537 49,573 8,174 199,284 117,036 Receipts from charitable activities Wedding/Funeral fees................................ 302 — — 302 160 Concert income........................................... 6,057 — — 6,057 5,180 Other income [notes 9, 15, 16]................... — 100,000 — 100,000 7,057 Total: receipts from charitable activities............ 6,359 100,000 — 106,359 12,396 INCOME: GRAND TOTALS................................... 147,897 149,573 8,174 305,644 129,432 EXPENDITURE Cost of generating funds Fundraising expenses [note 5].......................... — — — — 194 Total: cost of generating funds........................... — — — — 194 Charitable activities Diocesan Common Fund.................................. 70,000 — — 70,000 75,200 Donations and subscriptions............................. 827 — 1,421 2,248 2,309 Upkeep of building............................................ 2,698 800 — 3,497 1,995 Upkeep of Church services............................... 946 — 3,710 4,656 725 Heating (gas).................................................... 9,080 — — 9,080 7,027 Electricity........................................................... 2,737 — — 2,737 1,866 Cleaning [note 11]............................................. 1,829 — — 1,829 1,716 Insurance.......................................................... 5,556 — — 5,556 4,846 Salaries [note 11].............................................. 3,394 — — 3,394 3,013 Vestry phone..................................................... 591 — — 591 574 Printing and stationery...................................... 226 — — 226 394 Clergy expenses............................................... 2,159 — 118 2,277 1,916 Concert expenses............................................. 5,156 — — 5,156 5,164 Flowers............................................................. — — 354 354 354 Sundries............................................................ 3,040 102,173 734 105,947 6,617 Property expenses............................................ 27,715 — — 27,715 7,392 Total: Charitable activities................................... 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,108 EXPENDITURE: GRAND TOTALS........................ 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 121,302 Surplus (before transfers).................................... 11,942 46,601 1,838 60,381 8,130 Transfers................................................................. -13,100 13,100 — — — Surplus (after transfers)....................................... -1,158 59,701 1,838 60,381 8,130 |
|---|---|---|
| 302 — — 302 6,057 — — 6,057 — 100,000 — 100,000 |
160 5,180 7,057 |
|
| 6,359 100,000 — 106,359 |
12,396 | |
| 147,897 149,573 8,174 305,644 |
129,432 | |
| — — — — 194 |
||
| — — — — 194 |
||
| 70,000 — — 70,000 827 — 1,421 2,248 2,698 800 — 3,497 946 — 3,710 4,656 9,080 — — 9,080 2,737 — — 2,737 1,829 — — 1,829 5,556 — — 5,556 3,394 — — 3,394 591 — — 591 226 — — 226 2,159 — 118 2,277 5,156 — — 5,156 — — 354 354 3,040 102,173 734 105,947 27,715 — — 27,715 |
75,200 2,309 1,995 725 7,027 1,866 1,716 4,846 3,013 574 394 1,916 5,164 354 6,617 7,392 |
|
| 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 |
121,108 | |
| 135,954 102,973 6,336 245,263 |
121,302 | |
| 11,942 46,601 1,838 60,381 8,130 -13,100 13,100 — — — |
||
| -1,158 59,701 1,838 60,381 |
8,130 |
Page 9 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
| Balance sheet as at 31 December 2023 | Balance sheet as at 31 December 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| As at | As at | |
| 31.12.23 | 31.12.22 | |
| Fixed assets | ||
| Tangible assets [notes 6 and 7]............................ | 1,328,649 | 1,329,641 |
| 1,328,649 | 1,329,641 | |
| Current assets | ||
| Debtors and prepayments [note 8]........................ | 65,131 | 13,247 |
| Cash at bank and in hand [note 10]...................... | 317,018 | 265,853 |
| 382,150 | 279,100 | |
| Liabilities | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due in 1 year [note 8]... | 44,109 | 2,434 |
| Net current assets less current liabilities............ | 338,040 | 276,667 |
| Total assets less current liabilities....................... | 1,666,689 | 1,606,308 |
| Total net assets less liabilities.............................. | 1,666,689 | 1,606,308 |
| Fund movement summary, | Fund movement summary, | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund and type [note 2] | Balance | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Gains/ | Balance |
| brought | resources | resources | Losses | carried | ||
| forward | forward | |||||
| General fund (unrestricted).................. | 38,281 | 147,897 | 135,954 | -13,100 | — | 37,124 |
| Designated funds | ||||||
| Annexe [Notes 8 and 15]................... | — | 100,000 | 100,000 | — | — | — |
| Church fabric..................................... | 60,761 | 2,823 | — | 10,000 | — | 73,585 |
| Legacies and Donations.................... | 126,239 | 46,750 | 140 | — | — | 172,849 |
| Mission and Outreach....................... | 18,083 | — | 1,984 | — | — | 16,100 |
| Organ................................................ | 10,869 | — | 800 | 1,000 | — | 11,069 |
| Vicar's discretionary fund.................. | 684 | — | — | — | — | 684 |
| Vicarage maintenance [note 14]........ | 2,029 | — | — | 500 | — | 2,529 |
| Children and Young People.............. | 951 | — | 49 | — | — | 902 |
| Boiler renewal................................... | 6,613 | — | — | 1,600 | — | 8,213 |
| Properties [note 7]............................. | 1,325,000 | — | — | — | — | 1,325,000 |
| Sub-total (designated funds)................ | 1,551,228 | 149,573 | 102,973 | 13,100 | — | 1,610,929 |
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Gardening......................................... | 104 | — | 104 | — | — | — |
| Events Committee............................. | 3,172 | — | — | — | — | 3,172 |
| Missionary Committee....................... | 35 | 1 | — | — | — | 36 |
| Choir................................................. | 1,745 | 379 | 620 | — | — | 1,504 |
| Gospel Choir..................................... | 911 | 28 | 85 | — | — | 854 |
| Welcome Centre............................... | 390 | 13 | — | — | — | 403 |
| Flower fund....................................... | 632 | 304 | 354 | — | — | 582 |
| Harvest Appeal (Harrow Food Bank) | 47 | 799 | 846 | — | — | — |
| Dell Bequest fund [note 15]............... | 5,100 | 155 | 500 | — | — | 4,756 |
| Naya Jivan [note 16]......................... | 4,663 | 6,495 | 3,828 | — | — | 7,330 |
| Sub-total (restricted funds).................. | 16,798 | 8,174 | 6,336 | — | — | 18,636 |
| Grand totals........................................... | 1,606,308 | 305,644 | 245,263 | — | — | 1,666,689 |
Figures have been rounded to the nearest pound independently, so may not sum exactly to the totals. For details of income and expenditure for the funds other than the General Fund, see the Annex.
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
-
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006. The 2023 accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis, and the figures for 2022 have been restated to match. The accounts include (under “sundries” in the General Fund column) a provision for a fee for examining the accounts of £780 including VAT.
-
The General Fund represents the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions on their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. The restricted funds may be used only for the purposes for which the money was given to them.
-
Collections for specific charities are counted as “agency accounts” and have been sent to the relevant organisations before the end of the year (except that a sum of £10 outstanding at the end of 2022 was remitted to St Luke’s Hospice in 2023). The figures are not shown in these accounts.
-
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law.
Page 10 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body or those that are informal gatherings of church members.
-
Income from fundraising and other activities of the church is accounted for gross, with the associated expenditure appearing under “Fundraising expenses” or other relevant expenditure line.
-
Consecrated property is excluded from the accounts under section 10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property, and are not included in the accounts. They are listed in the church’s inventory. The major items of audio-visual equipment and the office computer are being depreciated over five years: their value at the end of 2023 was £3,649.
-
The PCC owns flats at 20 Manor Court and 76 and 77 Moore House, which are let out. These properties were last valued, as at 31 December 2021, at £425,000 for 20 Manor Court and £450,000 each for 76 and 77 Moore House.
-
The figure for Debtors and Prepayments in the Balance Sheet includes Gift Aid on donations received in the relevant year (even if the Gift Aid had not been received by the end of the year). For 2023 it also includes a legacy of £46,750, which we were notified of in 2023 and which we received in early 2024. The figures for Creditors includes accrued expenditure on electricity and gas, and in 2023 a liability for £10,928 for unpaid (and previously uninvoiced) service charges for 76 and 77 Moore House since their construction in 2020. The 2023 creditors figure also includes £30,580 as the amount received from the Victoria Hall towards expenditure on the Annexe (see also Note 15) not spent on preparatory expenditure by the end of 2023.
-
In December 2022 a Church Energy Cost Support Grant of £2,641 was received from the Diocese of London. This is shown under “other income”.
-
The “cash at bank and in hand” as at 31 December 2023 includes £257,314 on the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund. Events Committee funds are held in a separate account.
-
Payments are made to the Administrator (under “Salaries”) and the Cleaner (under “Cleaning”). There are no discloseable transactions in respect of PCC members, persons closely connected with them or other related parties.
-
On 19 September 2007 the PCC agreed to a reserves policy, as follows: “It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on the General Fund and any legacies and donations (if possible) which equates to approximately six months’ unrestricted payments, to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. The balance of the Fabric Fund is retained towards meeting the cost of repairs to the church building as and when necessary. It is our policy to invest our fund balances in the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.” The balances at the end of 2023 represent 18.1 months’ unrestricted payments (2022: 16.3). This is partly because of legacies received in 2017 and 2023/24.
-
Following permission from the Charity Commission to release capital from small permanent endowment funds, in August 2010 the Vicar and Churchwardens requested that the investments of the Dell Bequest be sold and transferred to a restricted PCC fund. The Vicar and Churchwardens still have responsibility for seeing that the funds are distributed in a way which reflects the intention of the original bequest and so annual donations of £500 are made to Harrow Care Plus (formerly Harrow Christmas Care).
-
On 7 July 2016 the PCC agreed to create a Vicarage Maintenance fund to comply with diocesan policy that PCCs should provide the cost of redecoration of one room in the vicarage per year (such costs are not covered by the Diocese). It was agreed to transfer £500 to this fund each year.
-
The accounts contain a new designated fund for expenditure on the Annexe being built at the west end of the church; this expenditure is being reimbursed by the Victoria Hall Charity. However, as the
Page 11 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
Annexe is a capital project being funded by capital receipts, this does not generate any net income or expenditure. £100,000 had been received by the end of 2023, of which £69,420 had been spent on preliminary work. The difference of £30,580 due to be paid after the year end is included in the Balance Sheet under “creditors” as mentioned in Note 8.
-
In December 2022 St John’s became responsible for the financial affairs of Naya Jivan Church, a Hindi-speaking church meeting at St Andrew’s, Kingsbury. Funds of £4,416 were transferred from Holy Trinity, Hounslow, the church previously responsible, and donations of £171 were received during the remainder of 2022. The annex to these accounts includes the relevant figures from our accounts for 2023, and the figures for 2022 incorporate information supplied by Holy Trinity, Hounslow.
-
The analysis of the receipts and payments of the individual funds are provided as an annex to the accounts.
Report by the Independent Examiner
I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of Parochial Church Council and examiner
The members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC considers 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 Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- 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
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Revd David M Green FCA
Page 12 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
Gowers Limited The Old School House Bridge Road Hunton Bridge Kings Langley Herts. WD4 8SZ Date: 16th May 2024.
Page 13 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
Annex to the Accounts
Church of St John the Baptist, Greenhill, Harrow ANNEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2023: FUND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
This Annex does not form part of the examined accounts.
For opening and closing balances see Financial Statements (Fund Movement Summary)
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| CHURCH ANNEXE FUND (designated) See Notes 8 and 15 | ||
| Capital income: Grants from Victoria Hall 100,000 Capital expenditure: Design/planning work 69,420 |
100,000 – – |
– |
| – – |
||
| Capital expenditure: paid in 2024 30,580 Surplus (deficit) for year |
100,000 – – |
|
| – | ||
| CHURCH FABRIC FUND (designated) | ||
| Income Donations 600 Income tax recovered on gift aid 150 Interest 2,073 Expenditure – Surplus (deficit) for year Transfer from General Fund |
600 150 2,823 1,588 2,338 – – – 2,823 2,338 10,000 10,000 |
|
| – | ||
| 2,338 | ||
| 10,000 | ||
| LEGACIES AND DONATIONS FUND (designated) | ||
| These are substantial legacies and donations for general purposes which the Council proposes to spend on itemsoflastingvalue |
||
| Income Legacy 46,750 Expenditure Depreciation 140 Surplus (deficit) for year |
46,750 – – 140 140 140 46,610 (140) |
– |
| (140) | ||
| MISSION AND OUTREACH FUND (designated) | ||
| Income Donations – Expenditure Donation – Zoom subscription/streaming licence 62 Bible courses/Lent books etc. 200 Heaters – Other outreach expenditure – Audio-visual equipment/depreciation 1,722 Surplus (deficit) for year |
– – – 80 406 75 86 36 1,984 2,432 3,115 (1,984) (3,115) |
– |
| (3,115) | ||
| ORGAN FUND (designated) | ||
| Income Interest Expenditure Servicing and repair 800 Surplus (deficit) for year Transfer from General Fund |
– 368 368 800 – – (800) 368 1,000 1,000 |
|
| – | ||
| 368 | ||
| 1,000 | ||
| VIC R’S DISCRETION RY FUND(designated) | ||
Income – Expenditure – Surplus (deficit) for year |
– – – – – |
– |
| – | ||
| – | ||
| VICARAGE MAINTAINANCE FUND (designated) | ||
| Income – Expenditure Vicarage maintainance – Surplus (deficit) for year Transfer from General Fund |
– – – – – 500 |
– |
| – | ||
| – | ||
| 500 | ||
| CHILDREN’S FUND(designated) | ||
Income – Expenditure Messy Church – Surplus (deficit) for year |
– – 49 – (49) |
– |
| – | ||
| – |
Page 14 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
| 2023 2022 |
2023 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| BOILER RENEWAL FUND (designated) | ||
| Income Interest Expenditure Surplus (deficit) for year Transfer from General Fund |
– 187 187 – – – – 187 1,600 1,600 |
|
| – | ||
| 187 | ||
| 1,600 | ||
| EVENTS COMMITTEE (restricted) | ||
| Income Social events Expenditure Cost of social events Surplus (deficit) for year |
– 252 252 – 194 194 – 58 |
|
| 58 | ||
| CHOIR FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Stainer's Crucifixion (2023: inc GASDS) 332 Interest 47 Expenditure Music – Harrow Deanery Choirs Festival 300 Stainer's Crucifixion expenses 320 Surplus (deficit) for year |
364 379 61 425 25 620 320 345 (241) 80 |
|
| 80 | ||
| GOSPEL CHOIR FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Donations – Interest 28 Expenditure Donations 75 Transport 10 Surplus (deficit) for year |
75 28 34 109 85 – – (57) 109 |
|
| – | ||
| 109 | ||
| GARDEN FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Donations – Income tax recovered – Interest – Expenditure Hedge cutting/maintenance/clearing 104 Surplus (deficit) for year |
200 50 – 4 254 104 150 150 (104) 104 |
|
| 104 | ||
| MISSIONARY COMMITTEE FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Interest 1 Expenditure – Surplus (deficit) for year |
1 1 1 – – – 1 1 |
|
| – | ||
| 1 | ||
| WELCOME CENTRE FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Interest 13 Expenditure – Surplus (deficit) for year |
13 15 15 – – – 13 15 |
|
| – | ||
| 15 | ||
| FLOWER FUND (restricted) | ||
| Income Donations for flowers 285 Interest 19 Expenditure Flower purchases 354 Surplus (deficit) for year |
316 304 22 338 354 354 354 (50) (16) |
|
| (16) | ||
| DELL BEQUEST (restricted) | ||
| Income Interest 155 Expenditure Harrow Care Plus 500 Surplus (deficit) for year |
155 190 190 500 500 500 (345) (310) |
|
| (310) |
Page 15 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.
| 2023 2022 |
2023 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| HARVEST APPEAL (restricted) | ||
| Income Donations 639 Income tax recovered 207 Expenditure Harrow Food Bank 846 Surplus (deficit) for year |
653 846 116 769 846 769 769 (0) 0 |
|
| 0 | ||
| LENT APPEAL 2022 (restricted) | ||
| Income Donations Income tax recovered Expenditure Diocesan Lent Appeal Surplus (deficit) for year |
90 – 3 93 – 93 93 – – |
|
| – | ||
| NAYA JIVAN (2022 figures incorporate data from Holy Trinity, Hounslow) [Note 16] | ||
| Income Gift-aided donations 4,888 Income tax recovered 1,222 Non-gift-aided donations 186 Interest 199 Grants (from Archdeacon) – Expenditure Rent to St Andrew's, Kingsbury 3,710 Clergy expenses 118 Church services – Surplus (deficit) for year |
4,906 1,116 257 – 6,495 3,500 9,779 5,740 909 3,828 1,225 7,874 2,667 1,905 |
|
| 1,905 |
Page 16 of 16
St John the Baptist Greenhill, Annual Report and Accounts 2023.