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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Luke, Ramsgate.

2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report 2024

May 2025 St. Luke’s Church, Ramsgate

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Contents

1 Introduction – Vicar’s Report............................................................................ 3
2 Parochial Church Council Report ....................................................................... 5
2.1
Aims and Purposes .............................................................................................................. 5
2.2
Objectives and Activities ..................................................................................................... 5
2.3
Achievements and Performance .......................................................................................... 5
2.3.1
Overview of Regular Activities ................................................................................................. 5
2.3.2
Sunday Services: In-Person and Online .................................................................................... 6
2.3.3
Pastoral Offices ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.3.4
PCC Secretary Report ............................................................................................................... 7
2.3.5
Specific reports from some of our ministries ........................................................................... 8
2.4
Financial Review ................................................................................................................ 11
2.4.1
Finance Review of 2024 ......................................................................................................... 11
2.4.2
Finance Projections for 2025.................................................................................................. 12
2.5
Reserves Policy .................................................................................................................. 13
2.6
Structure, governance and management .......................................................................... 13
2.6.1
The Role and Work of the PCC ............................................................................................... 13
2.6.2
PCC Policies ............................................................................................................................ 14
2.6.3
Finance Personnel .................................................................................................................. 14
2.7
Administrative Information ............................................................................................... 14
2.7.1
Basic Information................................................................................................................... 14
2.7.2
PCC Membership ................................................................................................................... 15
2.7.3
Electoral Roll Report (2024) ................................................................................................... 15
2.7.4
Staffing .................................................................................................................................. 16
2.8
Fabric Report ..................................................................................................................... 17
3 Independent Examiner’s Report ..................................................................... 18
4 Statement of Financial Activities .................................................................... 19
4.1
Balance Sheet .................................................................................................................... 20
4.2
Notes to Accounts.............................................................................................................. 21

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1 Introduction – Vicar’s Report

2024 was ‘The Year of Discernment.’ We wanted to find out what God was calling St. Luke’s and St. George’s to be about for the second half of the 2020’s and to come up with a 5-year plan and vision. The year began with an away day in River, near Dover, for PCC members from both churches and a few others with key leadership roles in the church. This generated lots of ideas and discussions. Our next step was to agree a verse of the year (Psalm 27:4) and a prayer for the year:

Heavenly Father, you know all and you love all, we long for your presence. As you hear the cries of the world help us to hear your word. Make us disregard our selfish ambitions and listen to your Spirit. Keep us in your grace and guide us when we are perplexed. Enable us to cast our nets far and wide, to reach the young, old, rich and poor with the gospel of your salvation. And guide us to revitalise our communities and buildings for the glory of your name. Amen

We had another evening meeting in February to try and clarify the questions we wanted to ask and came up with five questions:

During Lent we asked the study groups to consider these questions alongside studies on 1 Corinthians 8-14. We even experimented with the groups looking at the passage first and submitting questions to the preacher to respond to during the sermon on Sunday. The feedback from the study groups was collected and considered at another follow-up meeting at the end of April, where we struggled to pull together the mass of information, but came up with another five questions related to our specific challenges:

A questionnaire for the congregation was developed to try and seek people’s views on these questions and members were asked to complete it over the summer. The analysis of the responses then fed into another Saturday meeting mainly in St. Luke’s church but also involving some prayer walks. We looked at three possible vision ideas during this meeting and discussed the issues around them in an atmosphere of prayer. By the end

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of the meeting the mood seemed to be pointing to a version of the more radical vision: Dare to Share . This was then developed by the vicar and wardens from both churches into a fuller vision document called, Dare to Share, Dare to Grow. The document was presented to both PCCs separately in October to see if they would be happy for it to be presented to the wider congregation with a view of feedback being sought.

The vision was presented to a meeting of members from both congregations in November and people were invited to give their responses to it. This feedback was then reviewed by both PCCs separately, who met in early January 2025 and agreed to pursue the vision.

This all happened alongside the normal mission and ministry of St. Luke’s. There were some unique events: the celebration of my twentieth anniversary at St. Luke’s in May, the election hustings with the prospective MPs for Thanet East in June, the welcome of Beth our new curate and her husband, Tom and son Toby at the end of June, and the farewell to Claire Coleman as curate in August as she went off to become Team Vicar in Dover.

There were also some new initiatives. In September Tonya and her team launched an After School Club in the church on Thursday afternoons. Unfortunately, this was poorly attended, so we decided to put it on hold with the hope of relaunching it after Easter 2025. Also, in the autumn, Bruce Stokes and others set up a new monthly Men’s group, which was well attended by both church members and friends at its first three meetings in 2024.

In addition, because people had expressed interest in being involved in Pastoral Care in the summer survey, we set up a new Pastoral Care Team. This team decided to focus on building teams to support people with particular needs and no local family support, to improve our welcome of new people and to develop a prayer ministry on Sunday mornings. The first of these has developed well with teams of people coordinating support through WhatsApp groups.

With God’s strength and support, we have together come a long way in 2024. Our prayer is that God will continue to give us guidance, support and strength as we seek to grow his church and reach new people with the wonderful Good News of Christ.

Paul Worledge (Vicar, St. Luke’s Ramsgate)

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2 Parochial Church Council Report

2.1 Aims and Purposes

St Luke’s Church PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd. Paul Worledge, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has responsibilities for the maintenance and management of the St. Luke’s church building and church hall. The hall is situated next to the church building on St. Luke’s Avenue, Ramsgate.

2.2 Objectives and Activities

The PCC through its various activities, seeks to demonstrate God’s love to our local community, provide opportunities for people to explore the Christian faith and encourage those who are Christians to grow in discipleship. These aims are brought about through a culture that seeks to:

This all happens through our main Sunday Services, smaller gatherings and specific projects aimed at supporting different groups in the wider community. We maintain our main church building and halls, to provide safe and welcoming spaces both for our own activities, but also for other community groups or members who wish to hire them.

2.3 Achievements and Performance

2.3.1 Overview of Regular Activities

These were the regular weekly activities running during 2024

Sunday 11:00-12:00 Sunday Service, including groups for ages 0- 14. With Livestream.

Monday 09:30-10:00 Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s) Study Group in evening

Tuesday 09:30-10:00 Daily Prayer (St. George’s) 09:30-11:30 Christ Church Toddlers in St. Luke’s Hall Study Group in afternoon

Wednesday Study group in the morning and Study group in the evening Depression and Anxiety Self-Help Group

Thursday 09:30-10:00 Daily Prayer (St. Luke’s) 10:00-11:30 Café4All 15:00-18:00 Youth Drop In (Launched in September, but put on pause in November)

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Friday

10:00-11:30 Play and Praise (Parent and Toddler Group) 12:30-14:30 Gather Women’s Drop In (Run by Youth With a Mission at St. Luke’s) 16:30-16:00 Creative Team music practice

Saturday 09:30-10:00 Daily Prayer (St. George’s)

The Social Events group also put on a number of events on through the year including: a Pancake Party (February), Beetle Drive and Games (April), Summer Fair (August) and Tear Fund Big Night Quiz Evening (November). A new Men’s Group was also launched, which aims to meet monthly for social events to connect the men in the church and others.

In May there was a special service to mark twenty years of Paul being vicar at St. Luke’s. After the service, there was a BBQ in the church grounds. Around £2,000 was raised as part of this towards new church signs which were erected in September.

We also held a hustings in the church in the lead up to the General Election, which included candidates from all the major parties and was chaired by the vicar.

The hall was regularly rented to slimming groups on a Tuesday and Thursday evenings and the Church to the Thanet Light Orchestra on Thursday evenings. It was also rented by various groups through the year, mainly for children’s parties.

2.3.2 Sunday Services: In-Person and Online

We continue to livestream our main 11am services and post the sermons as a separate video on our YouTube channel which reached over 220 subscribers by the end of 2024. These and other activities are advertised by a weekly email, which is sent out to 190 people each week. It is estimated that our worshipping community is 167 people (that is people who attend at least once a month or who are housebound and still in contact with the church). Our actual attendance and online attendance is shown in the table below:

The usual in-person attendance on a normal Sunday was 70 adults and 15 children. The figure for adults is in line with the number of adults attending in the years before Covid, but the number of children is about 50% of the number attending before Covid. It is also estimated that on average an additional 16 watch online each week, which would put the total number of adults attending, as higher than any year before Covid. It also needs to be noted that we now have a number of people attending who used to attend local churches which are now closed, suggesting overall decline in the local area.

The breakdown of the worshipping community by age is given in the table below:

Children(Age 0-10) 26(16%)
YoungPeople(Age 11-17) 14(8%)
Adults (Age 18-69) 90 (54%) – This is skewed to the older end of the
age range.
Adults(Age 70+) 37(22%)

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2.3.3 Pastoral Offices

In 2024, we had 5 baptisms, 2 marriages and 4 funerals linked with St. Luke’s.

2.3.4 PCC Secretary Report

During 2024, 8 PCC meetings took place including the APCM. The Standing Committee also met prior to each meeting to discuss pressing issues and to draft the agenda for the next PCC meeting. All meetings were quorate with, on average, 57% members attending each PCC meeting during the year, a decrease of 5% when compared with the previous years. The APCM was also well attended, with a total of 30 members of the congregation attending (including PCC members).

In 2024, there were a total of 15 PCC members. These were: Rev Paul Worledge, Rev Claire Coleman (until Sept 2024), Andrew McMillan, Nicky Galer, Brenda Walters-Erlam, David Perkins, Pauline Emptage, Audrey Tucker, Willow Whybrow, Alison Hawthorn, Mike Turner, Tonya Curry, Pam Elmes, George Leonard Chris Bissett and Beth Keenan (from August 2024).

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These are some of the items discussed, approved and implemented by the PCC during 2024:

report.

2024 being the year of discernment for Vision 2030 with the theme “Dare to Share, Dare to Grow”. Following

the consultation process and members engagement the decision was that for growth and to spread the words of God in the community, we need to move forward into 1 shared space, that being of St Georges, the church in Central Ramsgate.

We trust God to clear the path and take us where he wants us to go. May God continue to bless us all.

Brenda Walters-Erlam (Church Warden)

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2.3.6 Specific reports from some of our ministries

Cafe4All

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, NIV)

Cafe 4 All is in its third year and continues to connect St Luke’s with our local community, providing a safe place to enjoy a chat with savouries, cakes, teas and coffees, all offered free of charge. We do have a donation plate and have received more than £1,000 over the year. At the end of 2024 we decided to renew the hot water heater which will be completed in early 2025. We praise and thank our Lord for all that happens here! For the Councillors who hold their surgery here and other meetings held during, before and after Cafe 4 All. Thanks to God for our Core team, Lesley, Lois, Peter and myself, Andrew. We are also very grateful to Emily (Charlie’s daughter) for making such lovely bread. Thanks to Charlie and others who help driving people to and from Cafe 4 All and to Bruce for rocking up with his rock cakes and for playing the piano. And thanks to Margaret, Barbara and Richard for stepping in when needed! It’s true to say it’s the ‘team work’ that makes the ‘dream work’!

I spoke to a few of our regular visitors who gave the following comments:-

“It’s a wonderful place to come because you can talk to so many different people about so many different things,”

“We come here for the company and of course the lovely bread and amazing cakes.”

“If you live on your own, you might not celebrate your own birthday but when you come to Cafe 4 All and have a birthday cake presented to you that means a lot!”

“We enjoy the events like the Carols & Cakes, the Address to the Haggis, and Bruce playing the piano.”

Andrew McMillan

Play and Praise

We have had another fantastic year at Play and Praise in 2024. Our numbers seem to be steady at 16-25 children every week. Welcoming new families is always a joy. We have a craft every week that follows a bible story from our Early Readers Bible. On special days we do craft for the kids to celebrate these days: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Red Nose Day and Children in Need. The craft has been very popular and encourages interacting with the children, and the parents or carers interacting with each other. With a wide range of toys, we have something for every age group. We sing songs and nursery rhythms after play time and end this with a bible story, incorporating the craft. We end the session with healthy snacks for the kids and not so healthy treats, tea and coffee for the parents or carers.

Tonya Curry

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Sparklers

In 2024, Sparklers resumed for children from birth to year 1. Each week, the children focus on a new story from the bible and explore this through song, instruments and craft. The session ends with a prayer of their choice and time for them to build friendships and play together.

Lauren Meyrick

Sunday Club

Sunday Club meets most weeks during term time and is for children from years 1 – 6 at primary school. It is held in the hall, where there is space to sit as a group on a large rug looking at a section of the bible using Mustard Seed material. Children then sit at tables for cutting & sticking, colouring or decorating the week’s activity sheet to reinforce the message of the lesson and take home.

Mustard Seed material is divided into different series of 4 – 7 lessons on different books of the bible. The children are generally engaged and enjoy the bible story. Many of the Old Testament stories are dramatic and adventurous and really draw the children in. New Testament sessions are compelling and again really hold the attention of the children.

Spending time doing the craft activity gives opportunity to chat with children and any parents who might be there, particularly if they are new to church. It is also a chance for the children to talk and build up relationships with each other. The session often finishes with a prayer and any personal requests that might have come up are added.

Sunday Club sponsors a boy in the Philippines called John, through the children’s charity, Compassion. ‘Pennies for John’ are collected in a money box, although most children forget to bring coins! He is often prayed for and cards are sent to him. His letters are also read out and enjoyed.

Early in the year, June stepped down from leading Sunday Club. Tina continued to help most weeks and Jonathan also joined as a helper. From September onwards, Tina and Jonathan agreed to lead along with Terry and Willow. The routine for leading has evolved into a four-week pattern where a leader helps lead, leads and has two weeks off before helping to lead again.

A special thanks to Tina and Jonathan for coming on board to help lead Sunday Club. Also, thanks to Terry for his faithful leading and storytelling skills! Thanks be to God for his good work in the lives of our young people at St Lukes through Sunday Club.

Willow Whybrow

Pathfinders

Pathfinders had gone quite well in 2024. We did the same plan as Sunday Club and found this quite a challenge, with the low number of children attending most weeks. We added more artwork to the Perry Room which the children really enjoyed. The children seem to interact more through craft. There was a moment of joy in September when one child decided to still come into pathfinders, although she had reached the age of leaving us.

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The most memorable moment of 2024 was in November, all three clubs met together in the main hall for 10-15 minutes and practiced the Christmas song, Joy to the World, which they then performed in the church carol service. This was enjoyed by the congregation and all the children singing. All the Sunday leaders were left feeling very happy and blessed to have the children we have in our Sunday clubs.

Tonya Curry

Social Events

Last year was another successful year of events. Starting with the pancake party that was well attended, then we had the beetle drive in April. In May we celebrated Paul being with us for 20 years.

We then had the summer fair at the end August which unfortunately wasn’t as well attended as we would have liked, we wonder if it was the date. If we do something like that again we are thinking beginning of July.

Light party was next which was well attended, every year we seem to get more children. We finished the year off with the Big Quiz for Tear Fund.

Charlie Harley

Men’s Group

Four men from St. Luke’s decided to restart this group in September. Following a shared meal and discussion, we began to put a monthly programme together. In October we staged a Pool Tournament and then in November visited the Salvation Army for a talk on chocolate by Carl Whitewood. The group is primarily a social group for members, but also a space to which members’ friends can be invited. Numbers have hovered around 20. Ced Hann, who attended all of the 2024 sessions, went to be with the Lord in early 2025. We will miss him but hope that the group will continue to draw new members.

Peter Erlam, Trevor Kenney, Bruce Stokes & Mike Turner

Wednesday Daytime Study Group

Our Study group has six regular members who meet weekly to study God's Word and pray.

During the year each member has had the opportunity to lead a session successfully and everyone has gained confidence in sharing and discussing the Bible passages. We keep in touch via our WhatsApp group to share group information, prayer requests and to praise and thank God for His amazing love and many blessings to us all. We pray God will enable us to be bold and use the opportunities He gives us to share our faith with others. 'Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Vanessa Shingles

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2.4 Financial Review

2.4.1 Finance Review of 2024

Total income for the year of £108,336 was £3,068 less than last year (2023: £111,404), see Note 2. This was mainly due to receiving a £5,000 legacy in 2023, but no legacies in 2024).

Total expenditure of £117,838 was £18,137 more than last year (2023: £99,701) see Note 3. This was partly due to the increase in Parish Share.

The full financial statements accompany this report.

Our designated funds are:

Hall, Social, Café 4 All and Play and Praise. The Hall fund is where all income and expenditure, purely relating to the Hall, are kept. The Social Fund, where monies collected at social events is held, will be used to help fund future events. If required, the designated funds could be utilized, if the general fund required it, and two of them, do indeed, form part of our reserve policy.

The Café 4 All Fund is for the outreach coffee morning we hold each Thursday. Any donations received towards the refreshments is held in the Café 4 All Fund and will be used, where necessary, for posters, replacing coffee machines etc.

The Play & Praise group is held on a Friday morning and is a self-sufficient pre-school group. Any monies collected can be used to purchase items that are beneficial to the group, such as Advent calendars and easter eggs.

We hold a number of restricted Mission funds; this is where donations are collected for different Missions throughout the year. The money in these funds as at the end of December are forwarded to the relevant missions each year.

Royal Harbour Outreach was set up to start a new initiative at the harbour. Unfortunately, the pioneer of the initiative passed away before the project could take off. Talks are ongoing as to what will happen to this fund in the future.

General Fund

This fund includes all transactions concerned with the day to day running of the church, church building, the cost of running services, outreach and both adult and child training. The largest commitment is the Parish Share, paid to Canterbury Diocese to cover the cost of our vicar and the cost of training curates across the Diocese, along with various other Diocesan expenses and initiatives. Included within this fund is monies transferred from the Church building fund and Capital fund, to ensure we have enough money to cover the day to day running of the church.

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We are encouraged and grateful to God that in the midst of another difficult year, so many people have continued to be so generous and been able to continue to support the church through faithful regular giving and generous one-off donations. Without these, we would not have been able to break even.

To increase giving to St Luke’s a commitment Sunday is held annually towards the end of the year. This is an opportunity for people to consider their support to the church in the coming year, both in action and financially. The response allows for an accurate budget to be prepared for the following year and is crucial for informing decisions made by the PCC.

Hall Fund

The Hall has had slightly more bookings this year, than last, however the maintenance of the hall was much higher in 2024 due to new radiators being installed to replace the old gas heaters and the installation of a water heater. The salaries for the hall bookings administrator, gardener and maintenance worker were all for a full year, whereas in 2023 they were not employed until May.

Donations

A number of one-off donations were made by some individuals towards the notice boards for the Church and Hall, including two donations of £500 each and three at £100 each. However, one off donations towards the church were less than in 2023.The Independent Examiner kindly donated his gift (£100) to the church, feeling that the church had a greater need for it.

2.4.2 Finance Projections for 2025

After preparation of a budget, it is anticipated that we are facing a deficit of £30,649 for 2025 which is much worse than recent years and will affect our ability to meet the Parish Share. The Parish Share has increased to £65,299. The deficit will need to be covered, as much as possible through extra donations or increased regular giving. To reduce the deficit the PCC will continue to consider cost saving strategies and keep finances on the agenda at all PCC meetings.

The income budget for 2025 will not be sufficient to meet all church running costs and pay the Parish Share. The Diocese are aware of this and have agreed to us remaining an active church, while not paying the full Parish Share (£65,299). All other liabilities should still be met in full.

Longer term, we are looking to make cost savings on administration and buildings. This is via our Dare to Grow, Dare to Share vision 2030 vision which aims to bring St. Luke’s and St. George’s together as a unified parish. We will set up an efficient administration and decision-making system. It will also involve developing St. George’s as a shared space for use by both congregations, working with architects and builders on design and planning and source funding through the sale of buildings, grants and fundraising.

Please continue to pray about the financial needs of St Luke’s and our individual response to this need. If you are a tax payer, please remember to sign a Gift Aid Declaration and ensure that any gifts you make are identifiable by putting your name on the slip available with giving envelopes. Tax reclaims increase giving without further cost to donors. Donations can be made via BACS, but please do advise the treasurer if the gift

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is for any other purpose than the General Fund. Donations can also be made via the Parish Giving Scheme, as long as the donation is towards the General Fund. Please also remember to look at Give as you Live. This is a scheme where the church receives a donation when you make online purchases. Please look at their website or app and consider using this scheme when making purchases.

If you have any questions about church finance, please do not hesitate to ask.

Nicky Galer (Treasurer to the PCC)

2.5 Reserves Policy

The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. The Trustees have concluded that, together with the reserves established to help in such circumstances, there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity, therefore, continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

It is considered good practice to hold around three months of general expenses as a reserve fund. Based on 2024 expenditure this would amount to around £25,000. The year-end balance was £24, 967 so we are at where we want to be.

Nicky Galer (Treasurer to the PCC)

2.6 Structure, governance and management

2.6.1 The Role and Work of the PCC

The PCC is the Parochial Church Council of St. Luke's church. Members include the vicar and those elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting by those who are on the church electoral roll. It has responsibility to oversee the running of church life and the churches mission in collaboration with the vicar and has a legal responsibility to oversee the upkeep of the church buildings and the running of the church finances.

Clergy licensed to the parish are automatically on the PCC. Church Wardens are elected annually and automatically become members of the PCC. Deanery Synod representatives are elected to Deanery Synod every three years (the next Deanery Synod election is in 2025), unless there is a vacancy, in which case they are elected until the next Deanery Synod election. They are also automatically part of the PCC. At least 1/3 of members elected to the PCC must be elected at the APCM each year and anyone who has not been elected at the last two APCMs needs to be re-elected to continue on the PCC.

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The PCC has a standing committee consisting of the Incumbent, Secretary, Treasurer and Wardens. This group can meet to make decisions on behalf of the PCC when decisions need to be made quickly.

2.6.2 PCC Policies

As well as setting a budget each year, the PCC annually reviews a number of policies to ensure that we are meeting our legal responsibilities to care for the people who we work with. These include:

These can be accessed online at: http://www.stlukesramsgate.org/policies.html

2.6.3 Finance Personnel

The PCC appoints its Treasurer at the first meeting after the Annual Church Parochial Meeting (APCM). The PCC Treasurer is Mrs Nicky Galer. The PCC has a Bank Mandate which confirms the signatories to the accounts and this stipulates that two signatures are required at all times. In addition, other personnel have been appointed to assist the smooth running of the finances. These include a Hall Manager; responsible for bookings and collection of rents for the church hall. A Utilities Manager; who oversees the utility bills. A Banker; who collects all money and pays it to the bank. A Second Authoriser; chosen from the PCC to check and confirm all electronic payments. Additionally, nominated people have been chosen to maintain the petty cash accounts that are held within the various church groups.

2.7 Administrative Information

2.7.1 Basic Information

St Luke’s Church is situated on the corner of Hollicondane Road and St Luke’s Avenue, Ramsgate. It is part of the Deanery of Thanet, in the Diocese of Canterbury, within the Church of England.

The Parochial Church Council was registered with the Charity Commission on 25th October, 2010. Registration No: 1138535. There is a requirement to upload financial information with the Annual Report to the Charity Commission website each year.

Church Office: (10am-2pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).

Bankers:

CAF Bank Ltd. 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ CCLA Investment Management Ltd. , The CBF Church of England Funds, 80 Cheapside, LONDON, EC2V 6DZ

Independent Examiner: Alex Finlow FCA 5 Wear Bay Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6AT

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2.7.2 PCC Membership

Here is the membership:

Licensed Clergy: Rev. Paul Worledge (Chair, Incumbent) Rev. Claire Coleman (Until….?) Rev. Beth Keenan (From June 2024) Wardens Mr. Andrew McMillan (Elected May 2024) Mrs. Brenda Walters-Erlam (Elected May 2024) Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Mr. Mike Turner (Elected May 2022) Mrs. Alison Hawthorn (Elected May 2022) Elected members: Mr. David Perkins (Elected May 2022) Mr. James Patterson (Elected May 2023) Mrs. Willow Whybrow (Elected May 2023) Mrs. Pamela Elmes (Elected May 2023) Mrs. Pauline Emptage (Elected May 2024) Mrs. Audrey Tucker (Elected May 2024) Mrs. Tonya Curry (Elected May 2024) Mr. Christopher Bissett (Elected May 2024) Mr. George Leonard (Elected May 2024)

Co-Opted Members

Mrs. Nicky Galer (Treasurer) Vacant (Secretary)

In addition, The PCC also appointed the following officers:

Parish Safeguarding Coordinator: Pauline Emptage Electoral Roll Officer: James Patterson Parish Disclosure Officer: James Patterson

Health and Safety Officers: David Perkins and vacant

Cheque Signatories: Nicky Galer, Paul Worledge, Andrew McMillan, Brenda Walter-Erlams Online authorization of payments: Nicky Galer and Mike Turner

2.7.3 Electoral Roll Report (2024)

In 2024 we removed 8 names from the electoral roll (people who had moved away or changed churches) and added 11 new names of those who had applied to join the electoral roll this year. The new roll has thus increased from 100 to 103. Of the 103 on the 2024 electoral roll 34 live in the parish, up from 33 last year.

James Patterson (Electoral Roll Officer).

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2.7.4 Staffing

The PCC employs 4 part-time staff:

The 2024 set of reports and accounts were approved at the PCC meeting on 26[th] April 2025.

Rev. Paul Worledge (Vicar, St. Luke’s and Chair of St. Luke’s PCC)

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2.8 Fabric Report

Background: During 2023, following an inspection by the Fire Authority Enforcement Officer, St Luke’s church and church hall received a Notice of Non-Statutory Schedule of required improvements, including having a professional fire risk assessment completed. The Fire Authority stated that they will follow up in the future to check on improvements. Our response to this was slow for a variety of reasons, however progress made in 2024 is shown below.

January – March

Vicar Paul asked the congregation if anyone was able and willing to support the Buildings Team who have been running with very few members. Andrew Gilham said that he could assist in an advisory role, however we are thankful for his practical help throughout the year in addition to his regular input in maintaining the audio / visual systems. A replacement combination boiler for the supply of hot water was agreed by the PCC and fitted. It was also identified that fire extinguishers may need replacing and that the church notice boards also needed replacing.

April - June

The PCC agreed to fund the new church notice boards with money raised from St Luke’s ‘gift day’. The future use of our buildings began to be one of the focal questions during this year of discernment. A local pest control company was commissioned to deal with mice in church. The 5 yearly Electrical installation check and PAT testing were also completed.

July - September

A professional fire risk assessment was completed, however this has placed restrictions on the number of people allowed in the church building. It also identified further extensive necessary fire safety works, such as needing to bring the large exit door on the North side of church back into operation and a requirement for fireproof boarding to compartmentalize higher risk areas in the crypt, near the electric consumer unit. Some new fire extinguishers were purchased for the Crypt and kitchenette areas. The other extinguishers were serviced and have not yet reached their end of service life. The new noticeboards were purchased. Following a complaint from a local resident to Kent County Council, a tree survey was completed. Quotes for the fire Safety works were received with estimates between £1,500 - £23,000. With the help of Andrew Gilham, he and myself started to complete some of the smaller required works. The church boilers required some expensive repair work which was completed.

October - December

Fire safety works continued, and we were able to complete Fire Safety training, Fire safety log for all relevant testing and training record keeping, professional schedule for annual mandatory checks, additional electric sockets and new emergency lighting, fire proofing the kitchen servery door and curtains in the church hall. We are currently at the expiratory stage of bringing the North doors back into operation. The new church notice boards were erected thanks to Shaun with some help from Jonah. We are again thankful to our staff group for their work on the administration, cleaning and maintaining of the building and grounds of the church and church hall. It should however be noted that the use of the church building in particular has both changed and increased and our cleaner has been absent for a long time during which her work is being covered. I have recommended a review of our cleaning needs.

Andrew McMillan (Churchwarden)

17

3 Independent Examiner’s Report

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31 December 2024

This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 19 to 25, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (‘the Regulations’) and Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees & Examiner

As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 144(2) of the 2011 Act does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the PCC, and the PCC Trustees, as a body, for my work, for this report or for the opinions I have formed.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section s.145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and to be found in the Church Guidance, 2006 edition, issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishop’s Council. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts 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:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and

  3. to prepare accounts, which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the 2011 Act and the Regulations have not been met; or

  4. to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

==> picture [57 x 11] intentionally omitted <==

Alex Finlow FCA, 5 Wear Bay Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 6AT

18

4 Statement of Financial Activities

St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate
Statement of Financial Activities
year ended 31 December 2024
2024 2023
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds funds funds
Note £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Voluntaryincome 2a 81,031 1,749 4,744 87,524 82,439 6,538 4,406 93,383
Activities forgeneratingfunds 2b 428 - - 428 320 - - 320
Income from investments 2c 901 - - 901 630 - - 630
Church activities 2d 2,708 12,502 - 15,209 2,987 11,490 - 14,477
Other incomingresources 2e 3,546 728 - 4,274 1,762 832 - 2,594
Total Income 88,613 14,978 4,744 108,336 88,138 18,860 4,406 111,404
Less:
Expenditure on:
Cost of generating voluntary income 3a - - - - - - - -
Fundraising trading costs 3b - - - - - - - -
Church activities 3c 97,458 16,208 4,173 117,838 81,730 12,675 5,296 99,701
Governance 3d - - - - - - - -
Total Expenditure 97,458 16,208 4,173 117,838 81,730 12,675 5,296 99,701
Net income /(expenditure) ( 8,845) ( 1,229) 572 ( 9,502) 6,408 6,185 ( 890) 11,703
Brought forward at 1 January 2024 9 16,558 34,471 123,415 174,444 9,573 28,286 124,882 162,741
Transfers 17,254 ( 17,405) 152 - 577 - ( 577) -
Carried forward at 31 December 2024 9 24,967 15,836 124,138 164,941 16,558 34,471 123,415 174,444
Continuing Operations
None of the PCC's operations were acquired or disconti nued duringthe above two financialyears.
Total Recognised Gains and Losses
The PCC has no recognisedgains or losses other than the income and expenditure for the above twoyears.
the notes onpa ges 21 - 25 formpart of these financial statements

19

4.1 Balance Sheet

4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet 4.1 Balance Sheet
2024
2023
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
funds
Note
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible
6
-
-
120,000
120,000

-
-
120,000
120,000
-
-
120,000
120,000

-
-
120,000
120,000
Current Assets
Debtors
7
1,421
-
43
1,464

-
-
-
-
Cash at bank and in hand
23,547
15,835
4,096
43,478

16,558
34,470
3,415
54,444
24,967
15,835
4,139
44,941
16,558
34,470
3,415
54,444
St. Luke's Church - Ramsgate
Balance Sheet
year ended 31 December 2024
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand		 7 -
-
16,558		 -
-
34,470		 120,000
-
3,415		 120,000
-
54,444
16,558 34,470 3,415 54,444
Current Liabilities
Creditors falling due
within oneyear		 8 - - - - - - - -
Net Current Assets 24,967 15,835 4,139 44,941 16,558 34,470 3,415
 54,444
Total Net Assets 24,967 15,835 124,139 164,941 16,558 34,470 123,415 174,444
Represented by Parish Funds
Free reserves
Designated
Restricted		 9
9
9		 24,967 15,835 124,139 24,967
15,835
124,139		 16,558 34,470 123,415 16,558
34,470
123,415
24,967 15,835 124,139 164,941 16,558 34,470 123,415 174,444
Approved bythe PCC on and signed on its behalf by:
26th April 2025
/
~~a~~
~~		 ~~ ~~ ~~
Chairman
~~a~~
~~		 ~~
the notes onpages 21 - 25 formpart of these financial statements

the notes on pages 21 - 25 form part of these financial statements

20

4.2 Notes to Accounts

Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and Accounting and reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102).

St Luke's Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for land and buildings which is carried at deemed cost under the transitional provisions of FRS 102.

General Funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any regulations regarding their use and are available for the application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular use by the PCC are also unrestricted. The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Voluntary Income and capital sources

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due. Funds raised by fetes, garden parties and other similar events are accounted for gross.

Other Ordinary Income

Rental Income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.

Income from Investments

Interest is accounted for when receivable.

The Diocesan quota or parish share is accounted for when payable. Any quota unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (although not legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the Balance Sheet.

Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by Section 10 (2) (a) of the Charities Act 2011. No value is placed on movable furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off as expenditure in the SOFA and separately disclosed. The valuation for the Church Hall is based on a sale value obtained in 2019.

21

==> picture [498 x 460] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
St. Luke's Church - Ramsgate
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
year ended 31 December 2024
2024 2023
Note Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
2 Income from:
2a Voluntary income
Planned giving:
Standing orders and - -
53,866 2,076 55,942 48,576 1,890 50,466
envelopes scheme
Tax recoverable 14,588 - 727 15,316 16,472 - 662 17,134
CAF etc. - - - - - - - -
68,454 - 2,803 71,258 65,048 - 2,552 67,600
Collections 9,354 - 1,941 11,295 13,441 - 1,854 15,295
Other giving 2,222 1,749 - 3,971 2,950 1,538 - 4,488
Grants 1,000 - - 1,000 1,000 - - 1,000
Legacies - - - - - 5,000 - 5,000
81,031 1,749 4,744 87,524 82,439 6,538 4,406 93,383
2b Activities for generating funds
Fundraising and events 428 - - 428 320 - - 320
428 - - 428 320 - - 320
2c Income from investments
Bank interest 901 - - 901 630 - - 630
901 - - 901 630 - - 630
2d Church activities
Church hall lettings 1,866 12,502 - 14,367 1,299 11,490 - 12,789
Fees 842 - - 842 1,688 - - 1,688
Coffee - - - - - - - -
2,708 12,502 - 15,209 2,987 11,490 - 14,477
2e Other incoming resources
Miscellaneous 3,546 728 - 4,274 1,762 832 - 2,594
3,546 728 - 4,274 1,762 832 - 2,594
Total Income 88,613 14,978 4,744 108,336 88,138 18,860 4,406 111,404
----- End of picture text -----

22

==> picture [498 x 407] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
St. Luke's Church - Ramsgate
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
year ended 31 December 2024
2024 2023
Note Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
3 Resources Expended:
3a Cost of generating voluntary income
Planned giving stationery - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
3b Fundraising trading costs
Fundraising and events - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
3c Church activities:
- - - -
Missionary societies 4,173 4,173 5,296 5,296
Charities 870 - - 870 820 - - 820
870 - 4,173 5,043 820 - 5,296 6,116
Ministry:
- - - -
Diocesan parish share 59,098 59,098 56,538 56,538
- - - -
Clergy and staff costs 8,464 8,464 7,641 7,641
Church maintenance 10,091 - - 10,091 2,806 - - 2,806
Hall maintenance - 1,531 - 1,531 - 939 - 939
Hall running costs - 13,668 - 13,668 - 10,787 - 10,787
Church running costs 15,138 1,004 - 16,142 11,512 899 - 12,411
Insurance 3,675 - - 3,675 2,306 - - 2,306
Bank charges 122 6 - 128 106 51 - 157
96,588 16,208 - 112,795 80,910 12,675 - 93,585
Total 97,458 16,208 4,173 117,838 81,730 12,675 5,296 99,701
3d Governance costs
Independent Examiner's Fee - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Total Resources Expended 97,458 16,208 4,173 117,838 81,730 12,675 5,296 99,701
----- End of picture text -----

23

St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate St. Luke's Church-Ramsgate
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
year ended 31 December 2024
Note
4 Relatedparties, Trustee expenses and remuneration
During the year, expenses were reimbursed to no (2023:none) PCC members.
5 Staff costs 2024 2023
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Wages and salaries 11,469 7,651 - 19,120 9,684 5,314 - 14,998
Social security costs - - - - - - - -
Pensions - - - - - - - -
11,469 7,651 - 19,120 9,684 5,314 - 14,998
6 Tangible fixed assets 2024
Land & Total
Buildings
Cost
As at 01.01.24 120,000 120,000
Additions - -
As at 31.12.24 120,000 120,000 Church Hall value based on 2019 sale value.
Depreciation
As at 01.01.24 - -
Charged - -
As at 31.12.24 - -
Net Book Value
As at 31.12.24 120,000 120,000
As at 31.12.23 120,000 120,000
240,000 240,000
2024 2023
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
7 Debtors
Gift Aid receivable 1,421 - 43 1,464 - - - -
- - - - - - - -
1,421 - 43 1,464 - - - -
8 Creditors
Accruals - - - - - - 269 269
- - - - - - 269 269

24

year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024 year ended 31 December 2024
Brought Carried
Note forward forward
01.01.24 Income Expenditure Result Transfers 31.12.24
9 Reserves £ £ £ £ £ £
General 16,558 88,613 97,458 ( 8,845) 17,254 24,967
Designated
Church BuildingFund 5,000 - - - ( 5,000) -
Capital Fund 25,705 - - - (14,000) 11,705
Hall 1,258 12,602 15,204 (2,603) 1,345 -
Play &Praise 731 260 174 86 - 817
Play &Praise-petty cash 209 728 730 (2) - 207
Cafe4 All 1,381 1,362 100 1,262 250 2,892
Social 187 27 - 27 - 214
34,470 14,978 16,208 (1,229) (17,405) 15,835
Totalunrestrictedreserves 51,029 103,591 113,665 (10,074) (152) 40,802
Restricted
FixedAssets- Hall 120,000 - - - - 120,000
Harvest Appeal - 910 - 910 - 910
Mission -Church MissionSociety/SAMS 317 314 476 (163) 189 344
Mission -Church Pastoral Aid Society 758 457 996 ( 539) 189 408
Mission - Local Mission 652 585 652 ( 67) ( 577) 8
Mission -Sponsor AChild - 289 440 (152) 152 -
Mission - Tearfund 1,094 762 1,094 ( 332) 189 951
Mission -Greg & SylviaVenables 482 437 484 (46) 189 625
Mission -General - 961 - 961 ( 945) 16
Royal HarbourOutreach 111 - - - - 111
ACTS - 30 30 - 766 766
123,415 4,744 4,173 571 152 124,139
Total Reserves 174,444 108,336 117,838 ( 9,503) - 164,941
Brought Carried
forward forward
01.01.23 Income Expenditure Result Transfers 31.12.23
Reserves £ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted
General 9,573 88,138 81,730 6,408 577 16,558
Designated
Church BuildingFund 5,000 - - - - 5,000
Capital Fund 22,380 5,000 1,675 3,325 - 25,705
Hall - 11,490 10,232 1,258 - 1,258
Play &Praise 592 220 81 139 - 731
Play &Praise-petty cash 87 832 711 121 - 209
Cafe4 All 227 1,154 - 1,154 1,381
Social - 164 (23) 187 - 187
28,286 18,860 12,676 6,184 - 34,470
Totalunrestrictedreserves 37,859 106,998 94,406 12,592 577 51,029
Restricted
FixedAssets- Hall 120,000 - - - - 120,000
Harvest Appeal - 881 881 - - -
Mission -Church MissionSociety/SAMS 288 129 288 (159) 189 317
Mission -Church Pastoral Aid Society 527 569 527 42 189 758
Mission - Local Mission - 464 - 464 189 652
Mission -Sponsor AChild - - 352 ( 352) 352 -
Mission - Tearfund 1,264 907 1,266 ( 358) 189 1,094
Mission -Greg & SylviaVenables 490 294 490 (196) 189 482
Mission -General - 943 - 943 ( 943) -
Royal HarbourOutreach 111 - - - - 111
ACTS 603 603 ( 603) - -
Flowers-petty cash 55 - - - ( 55) -
Men'sWork 127 - - - (127) -
Men's Group- Petty Cash 20 - - - (20) -
TuesdayFriendship Club-petty cash 20 - - - (20) -
Women'sWork 61 - - - ( 61) -
Youth 352 - - - ( 352) -
Youth -petty cash 45 - - - (45) -
Harvest 21 - TearfundRecover together - - - - - -
I AM MARK Performance - - - - - -
Mission -CMS/Seeds - - - - - -
Ukraine conflictcollection - - - - - -
Harvest 22 -Compassion 670 - 670 ( 670) - -
CommunityPastors - 219 219 - - -
Hardship dueto coronavirus 250 - - - (250) -
124,882 4,406 5,296 ( 890) ( 577) 123,415
Total Reserves 162,741 111,404 99,701 11,702 - 174,444

25