OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-12-31-accounts

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng

Minutes

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng. Minutes.

Sunday 17[th] . May 2026 at 11.15 am in the church Hall

  1. Present: 38

  2. Rev, Jo Parrott welcomed everyone.

  3. Sandra Wheeler was appointed as Clerk to the Meeting – agreed.

4 Apologies for absence: Val and Ray Bocking, Hilary and Derek Gay, Sue and Alan Hammond, Anne Moscrop, Jackie Peake, Malcolm Peter, Brian and Vera Snelling.

MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

1 Minutes of the 2025 Meeting.

Agreement was proposed by Steven Gaunt, seconded by Pauline Low with agreement from all.

2 There were no matters arising.

3 Election of Church Wardens.

Nominations had been received and seconded, and the meeting unanimously welcomed the election of Peter Easy and Barbara Peter as Church Wardens.

Rev. Jo Parrott thanked them for their work and closed the meeting.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2026.

1 Minutes of the annual meeting held in 2025

Acceptance of the minutes of the APCM held on 25[th] . May 2025 was proposed by Peter Easy, seconded by Heather King and agreed by all.

  1. There were no matters arising.

3 Reports.

Copies of the Reports had been circulated prior to the meeting.

3.4 The independently examined accounts and statement of funds and property for the year ended 31[st] . December 2025

1

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng

Minutes

Cathy Roberts proposed acceptance of these reports, seconded by Alan Brook and agreed by all.

Rev. Jo Parrott spoke to these reports and on Vision for the Church and leading the Church into growth.

She outlined three priorities:

2, Prayer: This was happening in different kinds of small groups and through carrying on with mentoring.

3Communication and invitation in the Church Family and Community.

This included a need to look at having a dynamic website across the Benefice.

She outlined how we had entered into a year of apprenticeship and quoted from Acts and how it speaks of reaching people.

To this end we had completed;

A ‘Being With’ Course and these had resulted in a new table community and new Home Groups.

Another ‘Bing With’ course will start in September, possibly online, with an ‘in person’ one in the Spring of 2027.

2

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng

Minutes

We had been blessed with many new faces. Messy Church had grown. From this had come the baptism of Imogen and the future baptism of another baby at ‘Explore at Four’.

A family using the Porch Pantry had come to Messy Church and had stayed.

The Bereavement Drop in provided pastoral care.

Sunbeams had strengthened relationships

There was more and more crossover but she challenged the congregation to have testimony to give help.

The Messy Christingle and Messy Christmas had been a joyous celebration with over 180 people attending.

Finance. With the New Year had come the realisation that we are currently spending £11k a month when we are in receipt of only £7k a month. We are now unable to pay the Parish Share. We are not the only Church in this situation but it affects the Church nationally. We cannot do the work if we cannot pay.

The situation is being addressed on a yearly basis. We have had a series of Sermons and the next will be Pentecost when we will be challenged to pledge what we can.

The financial situation had arisen through process, and out of lack of it. She thanked the Treasurer for his work, and concern. She also thanked the ‘working party’ looking at our finance.

Rev. Jo said that we are a ‘Church Family’ moving in the right direction and it involves ‘Benefice’ changes, new, and to come. These will continue leading our growth in prayer. - A God of Mission.

This doesn’t put boundaries in our groups. It needs Vision, wisdom and commitment. God’s Church is for everyone.

She mentioned the ‘Mothers Union ‘Report and the importance of the older generation, not feeling forgotten.

Although there was great sadness at the closure of ‘Sparrows’, it meant that the hall was now more available. she challenged us to look at what we could offer that was more distinctive.

Eg, Peldon offered a monthly church lunch.

How could we help meet the needs of the Mothers Union’, ‘Indoor ladies ’ ?

She challenged us to think of how we could hold ‘all generations with love and inclusivity.

3

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng

Minutes

John 17. - Jesus prays for his disciples. We live in a world overrun with pluralisation and leadership conflicts.

We proclaim Jesus. How do we proclaim Him in a world that doesn’t want to recognise Him. We can show unity. How we look at others when we disagree. The Worlds measures are not God’s economy.

God’s worship is when we hold together in difference. Difference in Service type and nuance. There are so many different ways to worship and ways in which God meets us. Demanding a set style of Service, as the only way to worship, is Christian consumerism.

Our worship is what we can bring to God. -It’s okay to have our own styles but that’s not the main thing.

Who are we to say how we meet God? We need to honour each and recognise He speaks in and through all. We need to worship together. We need each other and the beauty of diversity in the body of Christ.

She spoke of the reference in Colossians - ‘Bearing with one another’… Clothe yourselves with the love which binds and the peace – in one body and Be Thankful’. In Thessalonians we read of how it happened and it still happens.

In the new year we will be doing more of the same- ‘Being with Christ…. Becoming like Him and Doing the things Jesus did.’

2026 A year of Prayer and Discipling.

2027 Giving, Safeguarding and digging down in our Worship Structures.

Rev. Jo challenged us to bear with one another. To pray for musicians. She urged us to share what God is doing in our lives and she emphasized that she is available to all.

She finished in prayer.

4 Elections.

4.0 PCC

Rev. Jo spoke of Stan Joslin and his service. His resignation had left a place on the PCC.

Janine Piper and Scott Cooper had stepped forward. Nominations and Seconders were in place and all agreed to their election.

4.1 Deanery Synod. Pete Rudlin had offered to serve with Geoff Hills on Deanery Synod.

5. Appointment of Independent Examiner for 2026.

4

Parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul. West Mersea Annual Mee6ng

Minutes

Louisa Tippett had agreed to undertake this role. Proposer: Alan Brook. Seconder: Sue Brook and agreed by all.

  1. Rev. Jo Parrott thanked the Rev. John Pantry, The Rev. David Willey and The Rev. Alison Creasey for their help and support.

  2. Notices There were none.

  3. 8 Date of Next Year’s meeting- TBC

  4. 9 Closing Prayer. Peter Easy closed the meeting in prayer.

5

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

Registered Charity Number 1142676

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA Registered Charity Number 1142676

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

2024
INCOMING RESOURCES
£
On Unrestricted Funds
Incoming Resources from Donors
5,240.49
General Collections
36,117.42
Parish Giving Scheme
21,498.00
Standing Orders( incl Family Worker donations)
2,508.15
Donations for General Fund
14,292.83
Gift Aided Tax Reclaim
1,064.61
Good Plate Online Giving
442.24
Messy Church Donations
-
Carol Services
89.79
Midnight Mass & Christmas Day
-
Confirmation Service
81,253.53
Other Voluntary Incoming Resources
210.00
Donations for Mary's Meals
1,040.16
Legacies
1,250.16
Income from Ancillary Trading
1,451.83
LPWS Grant
4,983.00
Hall Hire
-
Insurance Claim re Wall Settlement
6,434.83
Ordinary Incoming Resources
30.36
Bank loyalty Reward
17,749.08
Fees from Funerals & Weddings
637.00
Catering/ Refreshments
793.39
Benefice Team Ministry Expenses Reimbursed
19,209.83
334.25
Interest Received
108,482.60
Total Incoming Resources		 2025
£
4,796.52
34,879.04
23,870.76
2,417.20
15,637.93
1,837.38
402.59
-
107.48
90.00
84,038.90
488.00
5,000.00
5,488.00
-
3,310.00
500.00
3,810.00
-
17,021.00
365.43
456.30
17,842.73
383.02
111,562.65

1

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA Registered Charity Number 1142676

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

2024
OUTGOING RESOURCES
£
On Unrestricted Funds
Ministry
57,087.36
Diocesan Family Share
4,108.34
Team Ministry Expenses
61,195.70
Running Expenses
200.16
Good Plate Fees
443.34
Water & Sewerage
2,637.73
Insurance
1,760.37
Heating Oil
2,766.82
Electricity
813.00
Altar Requisites
24,989.94
Parish Office
406.89
Office Machines & Equipment
4,089.67
Printing, Postage & Stationery
4,810.14
Hall Costs
1,051.01
Catering Costs
406.40
Audio & Video Costs
150.00
Organists Fees
168.88
Easter Costs
1,143.24
Messy Church Costs
6,062.52
General Running Repairs
502.30
Flowers/Oasis
6,140.80
Families Worker Costs
142.95
Evangelism
4,315.24
Charities and Missions -see schedule
320.88
Bank & Audit Charges
13,157.00
Funeral & Wedding Fees Costs
279.15
Sunday School Sponsorship
415.52
Sunbeams
-
Insurance Claim Costs
77,173.95
138,369.65
Total Outgoing Resources
108,482.60
Total Incoming Resources
(29,887.05)
Net Change on Year
86,150.37
Balance at 1st January 2025
56,263.32
Balance at 31st December 2025		 2025
£
58,391.16
6,702.57
65,093.73
200.16
498.68
2,648.45
3,519.67
3,764.48
848.63
26,302.33
-
1,585.01
5,023.89
1,399.83
417.40
360.00
106.86
1,250.97
2,209.15
234.27
7,149.00
361.49
3,957.05
236.01
13,639.02
216.00
934.06
223.82
77,086.23
142,179.96
111,562.65
(30,617.31)
56,263.32
25,646.01

2

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA Registered Charity Number 1142676

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 RESTRICTED FUNDS

2024
£
BELL FUND
8,546.08
Balance at 1st January 2025
453.61
Interest Received
-
Repairs
8,999.69
Balance at 31st December 2025
FABRIC FUND
3,414.50
Balance at 1st January 2025
278.46
Interest Received
8,710.98
Donation from Friends of WMPC
(8,710.98)
Porch Masonry Repairs
-
Contribution for Church Hall Path Repairs
-
Weather Vane Repairs -metal work, carpentry & painting
-
Weather Vane Repairs -scaffolding
-
Painting of Windows
-
Electrical Survey by Tony Pyne Carter
3,692.96
Balance at 31st December 2025
COMMUNITY CHEST FUND
307.97
Balance at 1st January 2025
-
Transferred from General Fund
300.00
Donations Received
(300.00)
Good Causes
307.97
Balance at 31st December 2025
PORCH PANTRY FUND
6,987.20
Balance at 1st January 2025
-
Transferred from General Fund
25,210.43
Donations Received
(13,014.65)
Purchases
19,182.98
Balance at 31st December 2025
TITHE CHANCEL ENDOWMENT FUND
15,708.16
713.8835 Shares held 1st January 2025
440.53
Dividends in the year (reinvested in shares)
358.22
Shares re-valuation
16,506.91
713.8835 Shares held 31st December 2025		 2025
£
8,999.69
407.28
-
9,406.97
3,692.96
167.12
6,779.00
-
(1,530.00)
(2,469.00)
(2,880.00)
(608.00)
(2,112.00)
1,040.08
307.97
-
50.00
(352.10)
5.87
19,182.98
-
5,999.28
(12,856.31)
12,325.95
16,506.91
463.51
(671.06)
16,299.36

3

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA Registered Charity Number 1142676

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 RESTRICTED FUNDS

2024
£
AUDIO VISUAL FUND
4,128.07
Balance at 1st January 2025
-
Donation towards Sound System
-
Sound System Costs including Installation
4,128.07
Balance as at 31st December 2025
CHURCH & COMMUNITY(CCTV) FUND
1,237.16
Balance at 1st January 2025
-
Art Festival Income
(378.00)
Sunbeams Roll Unfold Large Play Kitchen
(261.87)
Sunbeams Dark Den with Accessories
-
Posters & Art Packs
597.29
Balance as at 31st December 2025		 2025
£
4,128.07
5,500.00
(3,310.31)
6,317.76
597.29
580.82
-
-
(279.30)
898.81

4

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA

Registered Charity Number 1142676

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2025

2024
£
CURRENT ASSETS		 2024
£
CURRENT ASSETS		 2025
£
16,299.36
33,433.24
22,113.49
57.23
1,714.27
(1,676.78)
71,940.81
Totals
25,646.01
12,325.95
9,406.97
1,040.08
5.87
6,317.76
898.81
16,299.36
71,940.81
16,506.91
Central Board of Finance Investment Fund Units
69,470.36
Cash with Barclays Bank
21,156.07
Cash with Central Board of Finance of the Church of England
57.23
Cash in hand
3,161.71
Debtors and Prepayments
(673.09)
Liabilities
the Church of England
109,679.19
REPRESENTED BY:
Totals
56,263.32
General Fund
19,182.98
Porch Pantry Fund
8,999.69
Bell Fund
3,692.96
Fabric Fund
307.97
Community Chest Fund
4,128.07
Audio Visual Fund
597.29
Church & Community (CCTV) Fund
16,506.91
Tithe Chancel Trust- held by Diocese
109,679.19		 Restricted
Unrestricted
25,646.01
12,325.95
9,406.97
1,040.08
5.87
6,317.76
898.81
16,299.36
46,294.80
25,646.01

5

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL, WEST MERSEA Registered Charity Number 1142676

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

SCHEDULE OF GIVING TO CHARITIES AND MISSIONS

2024
£
500.00
Essex Clergy Charity (LMDC)
573.66
Leprosy Mission
749.72
Mersea Beach Club
500.00
Mission to Seafarers
187.09
Royal British Legion Remembrance Day
500.00
Colchester Beacon House
-
The Children's Society
500.00
Colchester CYO
500.00
Fellowship Afloat
304.77
Mary's Meals
4,315.24
Additional gifts in year recorded separately:
89.79
The Children's Society - Christmas
279.15
Sunday School Sponsorship
4,684.18
Total		 2025
£
500.00
-
500.00
500.00
204.50
500.00
107.55
500.00
500.00
645.00
3,957.05
107.48
216.00
4,280.53

6

Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of St. Peter

and St. Paul, West Mersea Registered Charity Number 1142676

I report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of St Peter and St Paul, West Mersea on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As members of the Parochial Church Council 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 Parochial Church Council's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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:

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.

L C Tippett ACA

Chartered Accountant

West Bergholt 23 March 2026

7