Charity Registration No. 1144309
THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH ST MARY’S ECCLESFIELD
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Trustees | |
|---|---|
| Revd. Dr. Timothy Gill (Chairman) | |
| Revd. Jeni Fryer | |
| Mrs Susan Harland | |
| Mr Christopher Harper | |
| Mrs Andrea Hatcher | |
| Mrs Judith Nicholson | |
| Mr Andrew Robinson | |
| Mrs Anne Rostron | |
| Mrs Beverley Salt | |
| Mrs Andrea Southern | |
| Ms Claire Sykes | |
| Mrs Pamela Thomson | |
| Mrs Andrea Whittaker | |
| Charity number | 1144309 |
| Principal address | St Mary’s Parish Church |
| Church Street | |
| Ecclesfield | |
| Sheffield | |
| S35 9XZ | |
| Independent examiner | Natalie Bracey FCA |
| Member of Hart Shaw LLP | |
| Sheffield Business Park | |
| Europa Link | |
| Sheffield | |
| S9 1XU |
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report and receipts and payments accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
It should be noted that the annual report on the activities, achievements and performance is presented in detail at the Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for Sunday 27[th] April 2025 at 12 noon. The information which follows is a short summary of the information to be presented.
Structure, governance, and management.
As a member of the Church of England, St. Mary’s Church follows the laws, rules and requirements of the National Church. Parochial church council powers measure (1956) as amended and Church Representation rules that came in to force on 2 January 1956; also, the Church Representation Rules (contained in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended); and the Churchwardens Measure 2001 and any subsequent amendments.
St Mary’s is based at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Church Street, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, S35 9XZ. St Mary’s is part of the Diocese of Sheffield within the Church of England.
The PCC has enjoyed independent charitable status since 17 October 2011 (Charity number 1144309) and was previously able to act as a part of the Diocese of Sheffield Charity.
The PCC has up-to-date policies: - Health and Safety, Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Safe Church, and risk assessments for a range of activities and practices.
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year and since the year end are set out below:
Revd. Dr. Timothy Gill (Chairman) Revd. Samuel Ellmore (left parish 31[st] August 2024) Revd. Jeni Fryer Mrs Ann Hackett (stepped down as of 7[th] April 2024) Mrs Susan Harland Mr Christopher Harper Mrs Andrea Hatcher Mrs Josephine Hawksworth (stepped down as of 7[th] April 2024) Mrs Judith Nicholson Mr Andrew Robinson Mrs Anne Rostron Mrs Beverley Salt (appointed 7[th] April 2024) Mrs Andrea Southern (appointed 7[th] April 2024) Ms Claire Sykes (appointed 7[th] April 2024) Mrs Kay Thompson (stepped down as of 7[th] April 2024) Mrs Pamela Thomson Mrs Andrea Whittaker (appointed 7[th] April 2024)
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 to stand for election to the PCC.
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Aim and Purposes
St Mary’s Church, within the overall structure of the Church of England, is administered and managed by the Vicar and Parochial Church Council (PCC). The church has a strapline and mission statement, and its primary aim is to follow these: -
Following Jesus; Celebrating Life; Welcoming All
We are here to help people love and worship God. We aim to be, and encourage others to become, committed and active disciples of Jesus, who love God and worship him, who know the power of the Holy Spirit and who show God’s love in every part of their lives.
Objectives and Activities
In working towards our mission statement, we aim to offer a wide variety of church services appealing to the whole community. We also welcome those in the parish and those with qualifying connections to have their wedding services and baptisms at St Mary’s, as well as offering the families of the bereaved funeral services. We also aim to involve the local community in the life of the church and make the building available for secular purposes and concerts and in turn, to be involved in the secular activities of the Ecclesfield Community. When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and particularly the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community. We have an ancient and historical building which we strive to maintain and improve as a centre for all people in the village.
Achievements and Regular Activities
Worship and Prayer
Regular services include: - Sunday 10.00am Parish Communion (2nd Sunday Prayer and Praise Service) with Choir and Organ, or Music Group or all.
Baptism Services – incorporated in standard service or separately at 12 noon. 6.30 pm Evening service (2nd Sunday Holy Communion).
Midweek
9.30 am Thursday Holy Communion
There are a range of other special services organised during Lent, Advent, and Christmas. We welcome everyone to all services during the year and invite relatives of those who have been recently bereaved once a month with an annual service for families who have been bereaved.
The main 10.00am Sunday morning service and some special services continue to be streamed on Facebook and the Church website.
The events and special services we hold, including Easter and Christmas, were well attended. Fundraising events including concerts, coffee mornings and the Christmas Fayre were held. A particular highlight of the year were two services, including Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, led by the Steel City Choristers which were very well attended.
Coffee Shop
The coffee shop is run by volunteers and is very well attended and is an important part of St Mary’s outreach to the community of Ecclesfield.
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Bereavement Café
The Bereavement Café is held on the 2[nd] Saturday of each month, is run by volunteers from the church congregation and provides a safe space for anyone to be able to come and spend time with others who have experienced bereavement.
Coffee Shop
The church is open to all every Tuesday and Friday morning for tea, coffee and toasted teacakes and cakes.
Mothers Union
Meets on the 1st Wednesday every month in the Gatty Hall.
Church Choir
Meets to practice on Friday evenings.
Music Group
Meets to practice on Thursday evenings.
Ladies Group
Meets on Thursday afternoons.
Bell Ringers
Meet Tuesday evenings to practice.
Synods
The church can elect representatives to sit on the Deanery Synod and the Diocesan Synod providing a two-way communication path to these committees. St Mary’s currently has two representatives who attend Deanery Synod and one member who attends the Diocesan Synod.
Mission, Evangelism and Outreach
Teams led from the PCC aim to help to improve links to the community and provide pathways for those with faith to strengthen this.
Magazine
Our parish magazine is published monthly and is available at several retail points in the village and is also available to download from the Church website.
Financial Review
Once again, the PCC had to make some difficult decisions on routine expenditure (excluding one-off projects) from the general accounts, particularly the Common Fund contribution (which the PCC agreed to reduce by £2,000 from £32,000 to £30,000), to keep expenditure in line with a continued reduction in income, and expenditure was again kept low in 2024, despite the challenges of higher energy costs and inflation.
In an attempt to maximise income where possible, the PCC agreed to open two 30-day notice savings accounts, transferring £50,000 of general (unrestricted funds) to one account and £30,000 of designated funds to a separate restoration account.
Some of the provisions made for spending on training, teaching and children and young people plus paying a Musical Director were not used. By keeping running costs under control and the generosity of the congregation with regular giving and fundraising the result was that receipts were greater than payments by £10,706.
Project Accounts and Restoration
There were no major projects completed during 2024.
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The benefits of the replacement lighting carried out in 2023 began to come to fruition as the replacement LED units use less than 50% electricity compared to the previous ones. The overall effect is a dramatic improvement.
Following restoration of the medieval altar top (stone Mensa) with a new base this now sits in the North Transept Chapel as part of the enhanced prayer corner with 5 new chairs. Further work will be carried out in this area of the church in 2025 to complete the Chapel.
Other Restoration work carried out in 2024 included a new internal ramp to aid access to the chancel, further lighting improvements, renewal of the south porch doors and improvements to the sound system to replace microphones for the main services.
A risk assessment was commissioned on the land known as “The Paddock” as to the safety of the trees located along the roadside of Church Street, which resulted on recommendations to remove some of the trees and this work will be carried out in 2025.
There is still ongoing repair work required on the building resulting from the 2020 Quinquennial inspection and progress will continue to be made on this during 2025. Subject to available funding, the development of the North Transept Chapel will continue with the medieval crosses eventually being moved into this area.
The Restoration Fund ends the year with a balance of £52,443.
2025
This is expected to be another challenging year for the general accounts when it will take careful management to balance the books, particularly given the anticipated continued reduction in income, both from regular giving and from church activities (weddings/funerals). The PCC are still hoping to appoint an organist during 2025, and this is reflected in the budget. The PCC has taken the decision to keep its pledge to the Diocesan Common Fund at £30,000, which is considerably less than we were able to pledge pre-pandemic. The number of weddings in 2025 is much lower than in both 2023 and 2024 and this has been factored into the budget for 2025. The PCC will again review the budget during the year and consider if an increased amount can be paid to the Diocese towards the Common Fund.
Tower Roof
During 2024, there has been both continued and increasing leaks from the tower roof onto the bells in the belfry and through the bellringing room ceiling. Temporary repairs have been completed. However, the roof has the oldest lead on the building dating back to the 1930’s and the roof will need to be recovered with new insulation in the belfry and replacement of the ceiling and decoration in the bellringing room. The work will require extensive scaffolding, and the outline cost is in the region of £150k and this will require applications for grants and fundraising.
Reserves Policy
The aim of the PCC is to balance income and expenditure whilst making a generous contribution to the Diocese Common Fund and to make gifts of at least 5% to charities. We also keep raising funds for the restoration of our ancient church building. The PCC aims to respect all reserves which are designated to particular areas of expenditure or restricted to specific purposes. The PCC aims to keep a minimum of three months recurring expenditure in unrestricted reserves as a standard policy of financial prudence.
Thank ‐ you
We would like to thank all the many members of the congregation, all volunteers, and the Community of Ecclesfield for their incredible generosity and for their hard work during another difficult year to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is.
Chris Harper Treasurer
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR EN�E� �� �ECEM�ER ����
ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
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ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST MARY’S PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Mary’s Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2024 (Registered charity number 1144309).
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
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Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and
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State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.
Have not been met; or
- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Natalie Bracey FCA Hart Shaw LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors Sheffield Business Park Europa Link Sheffield S9 1XU