# **PARISH CHURCH ST JOHN THE BAPTIST STAFFORD TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING** # **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL** # **FOR THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 18[th] April 2021** ## **Incumbent:** The Revered Dr Carl Rudd The Rectory Westhead Avenue Stafford ## **Independent Examiner:** Mr Malcolm Kidd Chestnut Close Derrington Stafford 1 ## **ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, STAFFORD TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE P.C.C. FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2020** ## **Index** Administrative Information 3 Structure Governance and Management 3 Objectives and Activities 3 Rectors Report 4 Review of the PCC Meetings 4 - 5 Church Wardens Report 5 Fabric Report 5 - 6 Deanery Report 6 Electoral Roll 6 - 7 Treasurers Report 7 - 8 Independent Examiners Report 9 Receipts and Payments Accounts 10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 11 Notes to the Financial Statements 12 - 15 To follow World Focus Group Places of Welcome Children’s and Youth Worker Pastoral Care and Baptism Prayer Chain St Johns C of E Primary Academy Report Music Flower Group 2 ## **1. Administrative Information** The parish church of St John the Baptist is situated on Bedford Avenue, Littleworth, Stafford and the correspondence address is, The Rectory, Westhead Avenue, Stafford.ST16 3RP The Parochial Church Council is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. PCC members who have served since the last Annual Parochial Church Meeting are: Incumbent The Rev’d Dr Carl Rudd Curate Vacant Readers Mrs Isobel Wakerell Wardens Mrs Anne Scott Deanery Mrs Wendy Clark Synod Representative Elected Members Mr Eddy Chambers Hon Treasurer Mrs Kathleen Passey Secretary Mr Steve Gale Ms Diane Humphreys Mrs Lyn Ryder Mrs Isobel Wakerell Mrs Naomi Blears (nee Wakerell) Mrs Sue Philp Mr Suresh Rajbhandari Mr Francis Tamba ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election if they feel called to do so. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish. 3 ## **Rectors report** Dear St Johns, 2020 will be a year that is never forgotten with Covid 19.We have seen the sadness with the death of Les Woodcock. We also have great thanks to give to God for his steadfast love. Knowing His consistent presence in hard times we can look to better times ahead with greater trust in His provision. I want to thank everyone who has helped to sustain our worship, cared for our church family, our building and continued to walk with us through this time. No matter what is happening there are three things that we never want to change; Love God, love one another, love the stranger. With this in mind I would ask you to pray for the whole PCC, all in leadership, and any you know in need. The church responded amazingly as lockdowns meant we could not meet, with phone calls, zoom chats, online services for worship and prayer. Changes in financial giving have sustained us whilst also recognising our income is not reaching expenditure. We look to continue to deepen the faith of us all and at the same time we look to stretch out to reach those searching for God and His kingdom of eternal life. As a stronger community with deeper faith we reflect Jesus more, and as restrictions lift we look to push forward as activities will restart and new ones begin. Pray for and prayer walk the new estates, opportunities for kingdom growth. ## **'Let light shine out of darkness’ … we have this treasure in jars of clay to show this all-surpassing power is from God. 2 Cor 4v6,7.** Every Blessing in Christ. Carl Carl Rudd Rector ## **PCC Review of the year** Due to the on-going global Covid 19 pandemic the Parochial Church Council Meeting (PCC) have been held online via Zoom for the majority of 2020. Members that did not have access to the Internet have been included in discussions/decisions by on-going contact with Carl the Rector. Relevant paperwork has also been circulated to them in paper format. The last year has seen the need for the PCC to be flexible and open to change often at short notice, particularly in decision and arrangements for worship. There have been a variety of opportunities for worship, from open public services, online & private prayer that have been conducted in an appropriate manner as government and Church of England advice/mandate has allowed. At the delayed APCM in October David Blake resigned as Church Warden and also Robert Judson as Verger, both Dave and Rob will be missed and were thanked for all their professionalism and dedication they gave in carrying out their roles. Both roles currently remain vacant, although two new members 4 were welcomed as PCC members Suresh Rajbhandari and Francis Tamba and we look forward to their input to decisions made at meeting. Also I would like to thank everyone for their continued support in my role as PCC Secretary, particularly during these unprecedented times. From dealing with queries, ‘signposting’ me and on a practical level helping to ensure minutes of meeting are hand delivered to persons not on email etc., thanks again. Kate Passey PCC Secretary ## **Church Wardens Report** This year has been notable for the Covid-19 virus which has governed how we as a church have been able to worship. Thanks are due to Carl, Isobel and Megan for keeping ministry available albeit in very different circumstances. To comply with Government & Diocesan regulations we have at various times had to close the doors or been able to worship while maintaining a distance. Activities have had to be cancelled leading to loss of income and meetings with fellow worshippers. To combat this a Cascade system was put in place which has worked well. PCC and other meetings have taken place via Zoom and Sunday services are available on-line each week with readings and prayers from members of the Benefice congregations. Before the pandemic struck, we had enjoyed an Away Day led by David Primrose at Cloverley Hall in February. A future time away together has been deferred until 2022. Storage cupboards made from the old pew fronts have been installed in the Lady Chapel and corridor. A larger wall hung screen for the convenience of the celebrant and leader will replace the current small one. This will complete the planned reordering. In October we said farewell to Dave Blake who has served as church warden for the past four and a half years. Peter Grainger also moved to a new location in December. Both will be a loss to St John’s and PCC. My grateful thanks to both having worked well together as part of a team. ## Anne Scott Churchwarden ## **Fabric Report** The building fabric is generally in good condition. The Quinquennial Inspection completed in October 2019 identified that timber windows require decoration. Remedial works were required to the high-level dormer windows to resolve the ingress of water around them. Initial investigations have shown the lead work to the dormers is weatherproof and the ingress of water is due to warping window frames. Trial sealing of the timber was completed on the first dormer so all remaining windows will now be sealed to resolve the issue. During the above investigations, water ingress was noted at the roof apex. Work on this is due for completion in the early spring of 2021. 5 During the Covid-19 restrictions & closure in the summer, an electrical survey was carried out to establish the high use of electricity. This showed a heating pump sticking on whilst the system was idling in the shutdown period. The cause of the intermittent fault could not be established without detailed and costly investigation and replacement of suspect parts. The heating engineers suggested that the fault would resolve itself when the system is in full operation again, but any persistent failure should be reported to them for action. The hall floor was sealed & varnished in the summer and thanks must go to Francis for his help. Thanks go to Di Zhang and the volunteer cleaners. Peter has now moved to a new location but expresses his thanks to Ian Ryder for his support and hard work this year. Anne Scott With input from Peter Grainger. ## **Deanery Synod Report** Sadly, due to Covid-19, there were no Deanery Synod meetings this year. Wendy Clark Deanery Synod Rep ## **Electoral Roll Report** The total number on the Electoral Roll is 97 as opposed to 93 last year. The figures are as follows: **Age Group Inside Parish Outside Parish Total** Under 25 **2,** 2.06% **1,** 1.08% **3,** 3.09% 25-44 **11,** 11.34% **6,** 6.19% **17** , 17.53% 45-59 **16** , 16.50% **3,** 3.09% **19,** 19.59% 60+ **34** , 35.05% **24,** 24.74% **58** , 59.79% **Totals 63** , 64.95% **34** , 35.05% **97,** 100% 5 people have been removed from the Roll, 3 have moved out of the area, 1 is worshipping elsewhere and Les Woodcock sadly died to this life, and we give thanks for his faith and loyal service. 9 people have now signed their forms so are added back into the number. As we all had to sign new forms for the Electoral Roll last year, all of those included are true worshippers. The figures do not include, Carl, George or Roger, as Church of England priests are not included. There are still a few people who have not yet returned their forms so I’ll keep chasing for them. As you will see from the above figures 2/3rd of the congregation live in the parish. This has gradually increased which is so good. Also 3/5th of the congregation are in the 60+ age group. We still need to reach out to the young people around us but what a pleasure it is to see some of them reading regularly in church. 6 Thankfully most of our older people are fit and play an active part in our activities, however due to lockdown I think we may see changes in the future. There are some people who have been watching the services online who for a while may continue to do that. Nationwide it has been noted that there are more people joining in worship online than attending real worship. If they are new Christians, explorers or sheep returning to the fold, I pray they will continue to be fed and that they will be brave enough in the future to actually come to church. At this point I need to say a very big **Thank You** to all of those who have been involved in getting our services recorded and online, and to those who are on the rota’s. I can’t help but feel that in this day of technology the Anglican Church has to think seriously about how it collates the number of Christians. Every church has regular members who do not want to fill in Electoral Roll forms especially the younger generation. They regularly attend services like church@4 and feel that they belong to that local church, but because they don’t complete a form they are not included in the numbers given to the Diocese. Jesus would not exclude them for He says in Matthew 18 v20 “for where two or three come together in my name there am I with them” God bless you all and wishing us a safe and happy pandemic free future. Diane Humphreys Electoral Roll Officer ## **Treasurer’s Report** ## **Finance report for APCM 2021** 2020 has been a year like no other, and certainly a challenging year in many ways for us all. My thanks, as usual, to all who have assisted me-Treasury Team members and sides people. As this year’s transactions have not taken the usual pattern, I have taken the opportunity that Covid offers to make the task easier for myself by adopting Receipts and Payments accounting as allowed by The Charity Commission. This means that I have not allowed for amounts outstanding and receivable at the 31[st] December as well as not apportioning amounts paid in the year that refer to 2021 (prepayments) and calculations of expenditure to 31[st] December that will be included in 2021 bills (accruals). ## **Accounts for 2020** So bearing the above in mind, the deficit on the Unrestricted funds of the church showed a deficit of £2,850 for the year which is remarkable given the circumstances. (Compared with 2019 income was down by £10,358 but expenditure including the transfer from the Youth Worker fund was also down by £17,716 reducing this year’s deficit by £7358.) What is even more remarkable is the generosity of you, the Church members who, including Gift Aid, contributed around £57,000 towards church finances and I thank you all for your generosity. 7 The Unrestricted funds of the Church are the General Fund and the Designated Funds. There was no movement on the Designated funds this year so the total General Fund income for the year was £63,762 and expenditure £74,908 giving a deficit of £11,146. This deficit included a full year of our Youth Worker’s salary and expenses paid out of the General Fund. It was possible to transfer £7,956 from the Youth Worker Restricted Fund to offset expenses and allow for a contribution towards overheads. This transfer and an allocation from the Away Day Fund (£340) reduced this year’s deficit to £2,850. General fund income was boosted by £7,305 as your response to St John’s Gift Day Covid Appeal and £6,670 from the Government’s Furlough Scheme. Expenditure was reduced by 3 months Parish Share at 50% a saving of £5,917. Without these sums our deficit on the General Fund would have been almost £20,000 more and would have put us in real financial difficulties. ## **Reserves Policy** The Charity Commission dictate that it is only the General Fund that is “readily available”. At the 31[st] December 2020 the balance of the General Fund is £22,866. Based on this year’s running costs, the above figure is insufficient to satisfy our Reserves policy of representing six to nine months operating costs. ## **Quinquennial Survey** PCC agreed last year that the Designated Fabric Fund should be used for Quinquennial costs, (required by the five year survey of the building). The balance of this Fund at the year end is unchanged at £16,047. Expenditure over the next few years is expected to exceed this figure. ## **Conclusion** Our financial situation over the next few years gives cause for concern and will need to be addressed by the PCC. Eddy Chambers Hon Treasurer 8 ST. JOHN THE BAPnST CHURCH STAFFORD CHARITh REGISTRATION NUMBER 1138834 INDEPENDENT EXAIIINER'S REPORT 145(5Xbl olt* 2011 • . M. O. KW¢PFA P•ro¢hl•l Church co¥￿1 ol St John Ihe B•ptlK Slthord Reg￿er& ClwityNumb¥ 1138634 REc￿PT$ PAYMEPlfS ACCOUllfS I￿OI11M¢ RESOIJR¢ES 65.285 9.688 337 2.838 In¥ttl￿nI Int￿￿• 21C} 21*1 Other IncoM￿g itrSOurt8s 6.670 6.99D 12 Costof ge￿￿1￿9 tund% Co¥1ofgeneratsryvoluniaryiDc(￿e 3(al 2D7 119.565 èrn?ble èthitie5 fQ5ts hEr ￿50￿[re5￿j 3(Gl 3(dl 3(el T4￿9 246 246 1.284 TOTAL HES(MJFKESUSED EXCE55 OF HECBPTSOVER Pl4YMElIts BEFORETHPJ4SFEHS -11.145 -17.304 TFtANSFERS8ETWEEN FUNDS GT05S traDsfets t￿N¥een￿￿s. GT05S traDsfets teNVeeTrfL￿th. NET MOVEIIEKf FUNDS -17,J04 FIECONCILIATION OF FUNDS 2&n6 219JS 51.371 io Paro¢hlal Chur¢h Coun¢ll of St John the Baptls( Stsff*) STATEMENT OF ASSEfs and LIABILrnES- 31st DECEMBER 2020 U￿re#￿i￿ fu￿1* Re*tricttd End¢￿ T4)tsI Totsi fvnds 2019 Cash fu Cash ai bank In h•id Deposit fvndS-CCLA -1.185 24.OS1 2.312 16.268 18.580 6,724 7.851 40.319 48.170 15,832 37,138 52,970 6.724 Other rnonelary assets LDBF.RecI￿(TecWdDN fLhid 1.325 1,325 A•eets ￿aIned for¢huw¢h Me F4ano 2,000 Cuywtht Aggetg DebIorSa￿ prepawwts Curwent Llabllttles Creditots 3,387 2,267 326 2,513 U*116t Churth bthe A9￿cY ¢dl8(*ons Monies iecei¥ed in thaKe 1.439 1.439 2.59S ,455 1,642 5,692 1.439 1.439 N.B kny stto114is(xepan(ieswill ts%*arisen dueio io ihe neare* wund. proved byThe Paloch￿l thJr¢h Coun¢llon 8th March >)21 Rev Drc Rudd LAY ChA li Parochial Church Council of St John th8 Bapti< Stafford Notss to the Flnandal Statements tor the year ending 31st December 2020 Accouniiwj Poll¢lÈs These financial 5tsie￿nts have been xwdarKe with the ChJr(h Acwjntsry Regulaty￿s 2W8 together apKAi¢able *a￿ardS aThJ Lhe StateTh￿ of Re(￿￿ed Pra￿￿ ISORPI 2015. iaking advantaoe Df ihe r¥axabonsfN mll chantes. 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