# **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S** known as ## **St Edyth's Church, Sea Mills** ## **ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## 31 DECEMBER 2023 ## **Charity Number 1141128** 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |**Contents**|**Pages**| |---|---| |Trustees’ Annual Report|3 - 6| |Reference and Administrative Information|7| |Independent Examiner’s Report|8| |Receipts and Payments Account|9| |Statement of Assets and Liabilities|10| 2 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT ## **Objectives and activities** ## **St Edyth’s Mission Statement is:** As followers of Jesus, we aspire to be a loving, hope-filled community, committed to the spiritual and social transformation of Sea Mills, Coombe Dingle and beyond. Part of our values are summed up in the phrase ‘Gather, Grow, Go’, or ‘Gathering, Growing, Going in Jesus’ name’. ## **Gathering** We gather to worship regularly as a church family. Traditionally, worship at St Edyth’s takes place through regular weekly services; two services on Sundays and a service on Tuesdays, plus other occasional services throughout the year. The 10:30am Sunday service continues to be the “main” one at which there are the most visitors. Services vary from formal liturgical communion services to informal all age services which are led by musicians. ## **Growing** In September we were delighted to welcome our new Vicar – Sally Thomas – and her husband Neil. Both are contributing greatly to the ministry of St Edyth’s, and are already much-loved members of our church family. Sadly, all attempts to identify and appoint a Children and Families Minister have so far proved unsuccessful, but we continue to search for the appropriate person for this role. A Pledge Day in July 2023 brought promises of over £60,000 for this position, of which approximately a quarter had been received by 31[st] December 2023. We are delighted that “Seedlings” (our Toddler group on Wednesday mornings) has continued to thrive in 2023, despite the lack of a children’s minister, and we continue to be grateful to ASMA for their support until Sally’s arrival, which has enabled the group not only to continue but to flourish. We have continued engagement with Sea Mills Primary School, welcoming them at different seasons of the year, such as Harvest and Christmas, and since September, providing assembly input, shared with Highgrove. During the vacancy, this was maintained by Highgrove and other ASMA clergy and staff. Hall bookings rentals decreased slightly in 2023 and therefore have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. We simplified the charging structure for 2023 and are reviewing this further for 2024 with a view to attracting additional bookings. Our administrator – Katharine Wiltshire - continued in her remunerated role providing much needed support to the Vicar, Churchwardens, and vacancy leadership team. Throughout the year, we continued to develop our ministries both for current member ~~s,~~ and nonmembers. These included running Mental Health Awareness groups (Kintsugi hope course), small group Bible study groups, free Dancercise classes, and developing Seedlings - the thriving mid-week toddler group. We have also continued to partner with the Avonside Mission Area (ASMA) group of churches as we seek to share resources in North West Bristol. 3 ## TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT We continued to supervise and be supported by two Trinity College ordinands - one of these left during the year, and the other will leave us this Spring. It is part of our calling to continue this engagement with those seeking and receiving training for ministry in the Church of England, or other Christian ministry. ## **Going** St Edyth's has complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit, especially regarding the advancement of religion, and to this effect St Edyth’s endeavours to achieve its aims of encouraging members to worship God, become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and to work towards spiritual, social and cultural transformation for good in the community. We have continued to partner with the award-winning charity ‘TLG’ (Transforming Lives for Good) to provide “Make Lunch” (free cooked breakfast) to school children and families in need once a week during the holidays. In partnership with other local churches (charity umbrella ‘SMCI’) we have continued to run our local community café (“Café on the Square”) and allotments. W ~~e~~ have continued to provide pastoral support to people in our community, including ministering to the sick and dying and comforting the bereaved, and presiding at funerals, mainly in Canford Crematorium. Most of the upkeep, impact and outreach of St Edyth’s is through a committed group of volunteers. Our huge thanks to our PCC, our Wardens, to Barrie Havens (maintenance), to our cleaners, Sunday Volunteers, Fabric, Finance, Pastoral, Prayer teams, SMCI, Make Lunch, Dancercise and Deanery Synod volunteers to name a few. ## **Financial Review** The Financial Statements for 2023 have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis, in line with practice from prior years. The total income for the year was £155,850 (2022: £110,864) and the total expenses amounted to £138,292 (2022: £142,591), resulting in net receipts of £17,558 (2022: net payments of £31,727). Our Parish Share Contribution for 2023 amounted to £53,148 (2022: £52,524) and represents our major expense commitment. This contribution funds the salaries and other employment costs of clergy, payable by the Church of England. The other Designated & Restricted Funds’ balances have also continued to track their balances, as expected, in line with planned activities and expected charges/liabilities during 2023. The Closing Balances for the various Main Funds were as follows: General Fund £57,925 (2022: £55,857) Fabric Fund £29,527 (2022: £10,206) CYFM Fund £36,831 (2022: £21,556) CAP Fund £ - (2022: £19,890) Due to the closure of the local CAP branch on 31[st] December 2021 and the requirement to retain the CAP Fund for a minimum of one year after closure, the Fund was distributed during the year partly to South Bristol CAP Branch and partly to the debt support activities of Bristol North West Foodbank. The total Fund position as at 31[st] December = £130,514 (2022: £112,956). 4 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT ## **Reserves Policy** The policy of the PCC is to retain sufficient cash reserves in the General Fund equivalent to a minimum of 6 months projected General Expenses. The Actual Cash reserves held against the General Fund as at the 31st of December, 2023 was £57,921 (reserve required £48,000). For 2024, this level has been increased slightly to £50,000 (2023: £48,000). The PCC had agreed to transfer £8,000 (2022: £4,000) from the General Fund to the Fabric Fund to pay for planned (such as repointing) or unforeseen expenditure on the fabric of the Church. The trustees have considered the going concern status of the charity and conclude that there are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. This has also been considered in the context of the cash position at the date of signing along with future cash projections. ## **Administrative Information** St Edyth’s Church is situated in Sea Mills, part of the Diocese of Bristol within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity which is registered with the Charity Commission No: 1141128 as “The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Edyth’s” ## **Structure, governance and management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are the trustees of the charity. ## **PCC members’ responsibilities in respect of the financial statements** The members of the PCC are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the parish and of the income and expenditure of the parish for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the PCC is required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 5 ## TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT The PCC members are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parish and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 4th March 2024 Signed on their behalf by: _______________________________ Rev Sally Thomas, Vicar 6 ## RFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION **Charity name** The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Edyth's known as _St Edyth's Church, Sea Mills_ **Charity registration number** 1141128 **Principal office** Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU **Registered office** Avonleaze, Sea Mills, Bristol, BS9 2HU **Trustees Officers** Rev Sally Thomas Appointed 27[th] September 2023 Heather Daw, Warden David Spottiswoode, Warden **Ex Officio** Rebecca Cross, Deanery Synod rep. Resigned 14[TH] May 2023 Elizabeth Marks, Deanery Synod rep. Chris Wright, Deanery Synod rep Appointed 14[th] May 2023 **Elected members** Teresa Goodall Mark Temple (Secretary) Neil Branscombe Resigned 14[th] May 2023 Zac Abraham (Treasurer) Peter Marks John Hewer Resigned 14[th] May 2023 Geraldine Richardson Resigned 14[th] May 2023 Emma Speakman Appointed 14[th] May 2023 **Co-opted members** Graham Baker Elizabeth Fry (Licensed Lay Minister) **Independent Examiner** Joshua Kingston, BSc ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower, 5 Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road, Flax Bourton, Bristol BS48 1UR 7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ## **Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of The PCC St Edyth’s, Sea Mills** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The PCC St Edyth’s, Sea Mills (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Joshua Kingston BSc ACA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR 04 March 2024 Date: ………………………… 8 ## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023 2022
RECEIPTS £ £ £ £
Grants received - 2,752 2,752 5,954
Donations 89,596 17,342 106,938 64,745
Gift Aid received 19,006 225 19,231 12,731
Charitable activities
Fees for services 656 - 656 1,400
Church activities - 913 913 61
Hall rental 10,405 - 10,405 11,785
Investment income 2,973 - 2,973 1,507
Other income- from transmitter and solar panels 11,982 - 11,982 12,681
TOTAL RECEIPTS 134,618 21,232 155,850 110,864
PAYMENTS
Charitable activities
Grants made:
Parish Share 53,148 - 53,148 52,524
Other giving 4,800 23,114 27,914 4,662
Ministry expenses 1,348 1,839 3,187 3,047
Capital expenses 7,795 - 7,795 -
Costs of charitable activities
Wages and other staff costs 17,233 - 17,233 19,835
Heat, light & cleaning 9,486 - 9,486 10,469
Repairs & maintenance 2,952 - 2,952 38,925
Insurance 4,550 - 4,550 4,206
Office expenses 4,355 - 4,355 5,727
Governance Costs 4,074 - 4,074 972
Bank charges 139 - 139 123
Miscellaneous expenses 3,349 110 3,459 2,101
TOTAL PAYMENTS 113,229 25,063 138,292 142,591
NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) 21,389 (3,831) 17,558 (31,727)
Transfers between funds - - - -
Cash funds 1 January 2023 66,063 46,893 112,956 144,683
Cash funds 31 December 2023 87,452 43,062 130,514 112,956
**----- End of picture text -----**
9 ## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST EDYTH'S** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** |**Cash funds**
Bank and cash balances
**Other monetary assets**
Gift Aid not yet claimed
**Assets retained for the church's own use**
Solar panels (cost £20,870)
Equipment (cost £18,570)
**Cash fund balances at 31 December 2023**
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
Fabric fund
**Restricted funds**
Christians against Poverty
Flower fund
Mums and tots
Solar panels
Youthwork
Make Lunch
Vicar's discretionary fund
**Total**|**Balance**
**1 January**
**2023**
55,857
10,206
66,063
19,890
240
510
627
21,556
3,195
875
46,893
**112,956**|**£**
87,452
3,564
3,564
3,304
6,004
9,308
**Income**
115,868
18,750
134,618
-
-
913
-
15,385
3,102
1,832
21,232
**155,850**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**|**£**
43,062
-
-
-
-
-
**Expenditure**
(105,800)
(7,429)
(113,229)
(19,890)
(82)
(646)
-
(110)
(1,851)
(2,484)
(25,063)
**(138,292)**
**Restricted**
**Funds**|**£**
**130,514**
3,564
**3,564**
3,304
6,004
**9,308**
**Transfers**
(8,000)
8,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
**Total Funds**
**2023**|**£**
112,956
1,222
1,222
5,391
-
5,391
**Balance**
**31 December**
**2023**
57,925
29,527
87,452
-
158
777
627
36,831
4,446
223
43,062
**130,514**
**Total Funds**
**2022**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ## 04 March 2024 These financial statement were approved by the trustees on …......................and are signed on their behalf by: …………………………. Rev Sally Thomas, Vicar 10