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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1144290

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual report and financial statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

St Botolph without Aldgate

Contents

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees report 2 - 5
Independent examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the financial statements 10 - 16

St Botolph without Aldgate

Legal and administrative information

Parish

Saint Botolph, Aldgate and Holy Trinity, Minories

Charity registration number 1144290

Church address

St Botolph without Aldgate Aldgate High Street London EC3N 1AB

PCC members

The Revd Laura Jørgensen The Revd Jarel Robinson-Brown The Revd Amy Merriman

Chair, Rector, ex officio Assistant Curate, ex officio (to February 2024) Assistant Curate, ex officio (from May 2024)

Pauline Seymour Churchwarden, ex officio Anne Knowles Churchwarden, ex officio Danielle Cargill Deanery Synod, ex officio

Claire Easterman Mike Humber (PCC Treasurer) Charles Hyde (from April 2024) Rachel Jones (from April 2024) Charles Knowles Bernard Magny ( PCC Secretary) Matthew Piper Joseph Tilley Ashley Sawyer (from April 2023) Andrew Wallace

Independent Examiner

Maxine Gambrill FCCA PG Lemon LLP 134 High Street Hythe Kent CT21 5LB Kent CT21 5LB

Bankers

CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ

Page 1

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees of the Parochial Church Council present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are listed on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under number 1144290.

The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Laura Jørgensen, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has management and maintenance responsibilities for the Parish Church of St Botolph-without-Aldgate, its crypts, and the adjoining community centre (currently under construction).

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the annual parochial church meeting in accordance with Church Representation Rules. The PCC is also permitted to coopt to its number two persons. In 2024, the PCC met on 6 occasions.

Objectives and activities

St Botolph's is a church with a 'questioning faith, a radical hope and an inclusive love'

The PCC is committed to providing a sacred space for worship, prayer and quiet contemplation in the midst of the busyness of life. St Botolph's is an open and inclusive church and seeks to be part of the multi-layered local community of school, residents, businesses, the City, and those who pass through. We are committed to helping people understand more about the Christian faith, and to offering baptisms, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and other liturgical services for the community including carol services. In addition, we seek to be a place where all are welcome and can find help or be referred to the help that they require; this includes people with mental health difficulties, the homeless and rootless. We are committed to our Grade 1 listed building for worship and community use.

Major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.

Achievements and performance

Attendance at Sunday worship varies, with the changes in the pattern of worship post-Covid, with an average of 25 persons (adults and children), the same average as in 2022. The provision for people joining Sunday Worship online continued throughout 2024, to ensure that those who are unable to join in person are able to attend via Zoom, thus being able to feel involved in the service rather than merely watching.. During Sunday services, activities and learning are provided for children within the church, and children regularly serve as crucifer and acolytes.

Weekday Eucharists were held on Ash Wednesday); during Holy Week on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and in the lead-up to Christmas with carol services for the Portsoken Ward Club, Howden Group , Sidley Austin LLP , the Renaissance Foundation , the local community and a reflective Blue Christmas service.

We have established groups for the youth of our church, and those aged in their 20s and 30s, a growing demographic amongst the congregation, as opportunities to build friendships and to explore spirituality and life issues, in addition running Lent and Advent Courses to encourage people to reflect during these penitential seasons.

Page 2

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

St Botolph's Community Choirs continued to meet throughout 2024, both the adult choir and the children's choir. These choirs encourage people in their confidence and teamwork, as well as having fun together

The Aldgate School continues to hold weekly collective worship at the church led by our clergy. The school's Naming Day celebration, now an annual service replacing the former 'Founder's Day' service, was held here in May, and end of term services took place at Easter, the end of the Academic year and at Christmas, along with a Harvest Service where food was collected for Food for Aldgate.

One person was baptised at St Botolph's in 2024. Additionally, one person was presented for confirmation at St Paul's Cathedral at Easter

Following General Synod passing Prayers of Love and Faith for use with same-sex couples in the context of regular services, the PCC wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing concern on the limitations of the prayers.

St Botolph's engaged with Mission Action Planning with a meeting for the PCC and congregation in June led by Alan Gyle, with a positive response.

We are a supporter of the City of London Hygiene Bank, and joining the Toilet Twinning Scheme, twinning with latrines in Zimbabwe.

The new Aldgate Centre was handed over at the end of March 2024, with first hirings in May. The Centre was blessed by The Bishop of London on 24 June, with people present from the congregation, local community, livery connections, local charities and other friends of St Botolph's

A new website was constructed for The Aldgate Centre. A marketing consultant was brought in to assist getting systems ready, with a freelance designer subsequently brought in for ongoing social media marketing.The day-to-day administration of the Centre is currently being undertaken by the Parish Administrator and Rector, with plans to hire staff for premises and marketing.

Subsequent to the building of the new Centre, this year part of the area of the church and churchyard vested in the incumbent was transferred to the London Diocesan Fund as a custodian trustee for the PCC.

Our Rector was appointed Area Dean for the City Deanery on 15 April 2024.

Financial review

The PCC aims to use incoming finances to fund activities in keeping with our charitable purposes. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to retain a level of financial reserves to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet expenditure as income may not meet the immediate need for payments on a month by month basis, and to ensure emergency expenditure can be made if needed. We also aim to have six months' planned expenditure in cash reserves.

St Botolph's contributed £7,500 towards the 2024 Diocese of London's Common Fund (paid at the beginning of 2025). This contribution is in the light of our ministry costs and to help securing the future of local church ministry.

2024 saw planned/regular giving by members fall for a second year by 5.9% (though not as markedly as in 13% in 2023). Cash collections also fell by 15%. This was offset by sizeable increases in Church Rate (over 3¾ times the amount received in 2023) and in church/hall hirings (over 5¼ times that received in 2023).

Page 3

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

As in previous years, the Parish benefits from the financial support and encouragement received from the City Churches Grants Committee and also from the Aldgate Freedom Foundation. We again place on record our appreciation to these organisations for their commitment and assistance in helping us to engage in mission and ministry opportunities within our community. Additionally, we have also been supported in realising our vision for The Aldgate Centre by the generous grants of a number of charities and organisations. During 2024, the PCC agreed that, in the absence of clarification as to the scope of the special purposes for the Restricted J Porter Fund it holds (specified as "relating to the crypt"), the scope shall be understood as relating to the fabric, furnishings and fixtures of the crypt, including the decoration and the provision of furniture and equipment for use within the crypt.

Fabric

In 2024, minor works were undertaken on the carillon and its solenoid, hatch doors from the roof void to the roofs were replaced, there was remedial work on the church WC, and one of the microphones were repaired. Additionally, the PCC petitioned for a faculty to clean the Barbara Sansoni Altar Cloth, in order to preserve it for future use.

The Aldgate Centre opened in March with good reviews regarding its design and facilities. This new community space will provide a flexible space to meet the needs of the local church, resident and business communities, as well as providing financial sustainability for church growth and the development of mission and ministry. Work continued beyond March attending to extensive snagging and rectifying defects that arose after handover; this work was still ongoing by the end of 2024.

Safeguarding

The PCC continues to work in line with Church of England Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance, and safeguarding is included as a standing agenda item at all PCC meetings. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and clergy discipline measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). Safeguarding roles within the church are...

At the time of the preparation of this report all PCC members (except two) have undertaken formal Safeguarding Training courses.

In 2024, all safeguarding concerns were shared with Parish Safeguarding Officer, and any questions raised were forwarded to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Staff and Volunteers

We continue to employ a full-time administrator, working five days a week.

Page 4

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

The PCC wishes to express its appreciation to all who generously gave of their time and talents in 2023, by …

From the Diocese of London

The Diocese of London is the largest and most diverse in the Church of England. We have over 500 churches and 750 licensed clergy. We are able to have a church in almost every community, supporting the vision for every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ. In 2024, 50 new deacons were ordained and early draft statistics indicate that Average Weekly Attendance in London grew by 7.5% to over 60,000.

During 2024, we have continued working towards our priorities of becoming a younger, safer and more racially just Church. For example:

In a challenging year for safeguarding, referrals to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team increased substantially, indicating more trust and confidence in the safeguarding service. 789 people were given safeguarding leadership training, and 3,808 DBS checks were carried out.

The breadth of parishes and Bishop's Mission Orders in London nurtured confident disciples, compassionate communities and creative growth in an amazing variety of ways. They also contributed over £23m in Common Fund, an increase of almost £1m. Alongside £13.2m income raised by the London Diocesan Fund (LDF) and £3.6m from LDF reserves, this paid to provide ministry and support parishes across the Diocese.

Page 5

St Botolph without Aldgate

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024

Statement of the Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees of the PCC are responsible for preparing the PCC Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the PCC's Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the PCC's Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 . The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the PCC and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Revd Laura Jørgensen Chair

Page 6

St Botolph without Aldgate

Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the financial statements of St Botolph without Aldgate.

I report on the accounts of St Botolph without Aldgate for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 2 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Maxine Gambrill FCCA Chartered Certified Accountant Independent examiner PG Lemon LLP 134 High Street Hythe Kent CT21 5LB

Page 7

St Botolph without Aldgate

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
Notes
£
£
Incoming and endowments
Voluntary income
2
24,526
79,273
Activities for generating funds
3
35,354
-
Investment income
4
7,693
-
Church activities
5
-
-
Other income
6
38,683
430,000
Total income
106,256
509,273
Expenditure
Church activities
7
124,855
491,378
Governance costs
8
-
-
Total expenditure
124,855
491,378
Net income before investment gains
)
(18,599
17,895
Net gains on investments
-
11,129
Net income
)
(18,599
29,024
Total funds brought forward
92,446
506,301
Total funds carried forward
73,847
535,325		 2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
103,799
125,116
35,354
6,935
7,693
9,493
-
805
468,683
1,726,938
615,529
1,869,287
616,233
2,136,383
-
4,900
616,233
2,141,283
)
(704
)
(271,996
11,129
26,754
10,425
)
(245,242
598,747
843,989
609,172
598,747

The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 8

St Botolph without Aldgate

Balance sheet

as at 31 December 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Investments
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
17
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds
Total funds		 2024
2023
£
£
£
£
27,355
28,544
271,986
260,857
299,341
289,401
285,236
43,310
109,947
463,931
395,183
507,241
)
(85,352
)
(197,895
309,831
309,346
609,172
598,747
535,325
506,301
73,847
92,446
609,172
598,747		 2024
2023
£
£
£
£
27,355
28,544
271,986
260,857
299,341
289,401
285,236
43,310
109,947
463,931
395,183
507,241
)
(85,352
)
(197,895
309,831
309,346
609,172
598,747
535,325
506,301
73,847
92,446
609,172
598,747
289,401
309,346
598,747
506,301
92,446
598,747

The financial statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on .................................................. and signed on its behalf by

The Revd Laura Jørgensen

The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 9

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below.

1.1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

St Botolph without Aldgate Parochial Church Council (the PCC) constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the PCC's ability to continue as a going concern.

1.2. Fund accounting

The Unrestricted Funds (the General Fund and the Designated Special projects Fund) represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted but accounted for as a separate fund.

The Restricted Funds comprise amounts received from donors where their application is for a specific purpose.

1.3. Income recognition

Incoming resources from donors are recognised when received.

Planned giving is recognised only when received.

Income tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the claim has been agreed by H M Revenue & Customs.

Grants are recognised when received from the grantor.

Income from the use of church premises is recognised when agreed and paid by the occupier.

A voluntary church rate is levied on certain property in the parish and the income is recognised when received.

Income from investments is received when due and receivable.

1.4. Expenditure

All resources expended are recognised when paid and significant items of expenditure due but not paid are accrued at the balance sheet date.

Page 10

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1.5. Tangible fixed assets

Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings

Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011.

Moveable church furnishings are accounted as inalienable property and stated at nil amount. All expenditure incurred on such property is treated as resources expended and so written off.

Equipment used within the church premises is written off when acquired, unless of a material amount in which case it is capitalised in fixed assets and depreciated over its useful life.

Piano

The piano is being depreciated over 30 years which represents its expected useful economic life.

1.6. Investments

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December.

Gains and losses on investments arise on the sale of investments and from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

1.7. Current assets

Minor stocks of unsold books are not recognised as an asset.

Amounts receivable but not paid at the balance sheet date are included in current assets as debtors less any provision applicable.

2. Voluntary income

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Planned giving
9,396
-
Income tax recoverable on planned giving
1,643
-
Collections at services
1,849
-
Other collections
1,545
-
Donations, appeals, etc.
7,300
-
Grants receivable
2,500
14,280
Grants receivable - SMF - Curate
-
60,829
Clergy housing repayment
-
4,164
Other voluntary income activity
293
-
24,526
79,273		 2024
Total
£
9,396
1,643
1,849
1,545
7,300
16,780
60,829
4,164
293
103,799		 2023
Total
£
9,963
1,903
2,203
171
3,719
89,380
17,626
-
151
125,116

Grants receivable during the year were City Burial Fund £2,500 (£2,600), Aldgate Freedom Foundation £14,280(£86,780).

Page 11

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

3.
Activities for generating funds
Unrestricted
funds
£
Bookstall, art exhibitions and sundry
1,820
Aldgate Rooms and Church hire
27,333
Crypt hire
5,833
Candle box
368
35,354
4.
Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
£
Investment income and bank interest receivable
7,693
7,693
5.
Church activities
Church and facility fees
6.
Other income
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Insurance claim
283
-
Parish rate
30,000
-
Car park rental
8,400
-
Special Projects - Grant - Trust for London
-
380,000
Special Projects - Grant - City of London
-
50,000
38,683
430,000		 2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
1,820
1,638
27,333
4,801
5,833
-
368
496
35,354
6,935
2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
7,693
9,493
7,693
9,493
2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
-
805
-
805
2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
283
-
30,000
13,891
8,400
8,400
380,000
1,704,647
50,000
-
468,683
1,726,938		 2023
Total
£
1,638
4,801
-
496
6,935
2023
Total
£
9,493
9,493
2023
Total
£
805
805

Page 12

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

7.
Charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Ministry: Common fund and other contributions
-
-
Clergy expenses
2,053
6,771
Church running expenses
21,106
6,000
Church repair and maintenance
21,291
-
Worship supplies
1,660
-
Salaries, fees and expenses
38,282
-
Refreshments
355
-
Office expenses including stationery
9,801
-
Marketing & advertising
1,824
-
Bank charges
66
-
Other expenses
1,092
-
Aldgate Rooms Project - costs expended
-
478,607
Hall running costs
17,760
-
Legal fees
5,650
-
Professional fees
50
-
Accountancy and reporting fees
2,676
-
Depreciation & impairment
1,189
-
124,855
491,378
8.
Governance costs		 2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
-
5,000
8,824
37,251
27,106
14,407
21,291
10,874
1,660
1,868
38,282
52,309
355
75
9,801
12,821
1,824
-
66
88
1,092
22
478,607
1,988,315
17,760
-
5,650
5,669
50
3,915
2,676
2,580
1,189
1,189
616,233
2,136,383		 2024
2023
Total
Total
£
£
-
5,000
8,824
37,251
27,106
14,407
21,291
10,874
1,660
1,868
38,282
52,309
355
75
9,801
12,821
1,824
-
66
88
1,092
22
478,607
1,988,315
17,760
-
5,650
5,669
50
3,915
2,676
2,580
1,189
1,189
616,233
2,136,383
Governance costs
Professional - Auditor remuneration 2024
Total
£
-
-		 2023
Total
£
4,900
4,900

Page 13

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

9. Staff costs Employment costs

Staff costs
Employment costs
Gross salaries including national insurance
Organ expenses and stipend
Shown as:
Salaries, fees and expenses (Note 7)		 2024
£
37,000
1,282
38,282
38,282
38,282		 2023
£
51,596
713
52,309
52,309
52,309

10. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2024 and
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net book values
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Piano
£
35,680
7,136
1,189
8,325
27,355
28,545		 Total
£
35,680
7,136
1,189
8,325
27,355
28,545

11. Fixed asset investments

Investments
£
Valuation
At 1 January 2024
260,857
Revaluations
11,129
At 31 December 2024
271,986		 Total
£
260,857
11,129
271,986

Page 14

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

12.
Debtors
Sundry debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
13.
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Sundry creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2024
£
30,236
255,000
285,236
2024
£
77,775
7,577
85,352		 2023
£
43,310
-
43,310
2023
£
172,948
24,947
197,895

14. Funds

Restricted funds

Endowment Burial Ground Trust

Funding for the maintenance of the Church.

J Porter Fund

Money donated for the Crypt.

J Cook Scripture Reader Fund

Money originally established to pay for a curate and now meets honoraria for clergy.

Curate's fund

Money set aside to pay for housing costs.

The Aldgate Freedom fund (AFF)

Money set aside to pay for fabric, music project and rector's discretionary expenses.

Aldgate Rooms Project fund

The income through grants received and expenditure on construction costs, professional fees, consultancy and salaries relating to the redevelopment of the Church Hall and Offices (The Aldgate Rooms).

Page 15

St Botolph without Aldgate

Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

15. Unrestricted funds At At
01/01/24
Incoming
Outgoing
31/12/24
resources resources
£ £ £
£
General fund 92,446 106,256
)
(124,855
73,847
**16. ** Restricted funds At At
01/01/24 Incoming Outgoing Gains/ 31/12/24
resources resources (losses)
£ £ £ £ £
Endowment Burial Ground Trust 75,695 - - 1,710 77,405
J Porter Fund 147,181 - - 7,487 154,668
J Cook Scripture Reader Fund 37,981 - - 1,932 39,913
Aldgate Rooms Project Fund 143,025 430,000 )
(478,607		 - 94,418
Curate's fund - 64,993 )
(6,771		 - 58,222
The Aldgate Freedom fund (AFF) 102,419 14,280 )
(6,000		 - 110,699
506,301 509,273 )
(491,378		 11,129 535,325
17. Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds
£ £ £
Fund balances at 31 December 2024 as represented by:
Tangible fixed assets 27,355 - 27,355
Investment assets - 271,986 271,986
Current assets 131,844 263,339 395,183
Current and long term liabilities )
(85,352		 - )
(85,352
73,847 535,325 609,172

Page 16