2020-12-31-accounts

Holy Trinity Church, Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands. LA5 8DU St Mark’s Church, Main Road, Nether Kellet. LA6 1ER

Reg. Charity No. 1144401

Financial Accounts & Report for the Year Ending 31 December 2020

Treasurer: Andy Hampshire. Independent Examiner: Elizabeth Bateman

Approved by Bolton-le-Sands Parochial Church Council on 23 March 2020 and signed on its behalf by

Nancy Goodrich (Chairperson of the PCC) ……………………………..(Signature)

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Contents

Page

1. Introduction

2. Independent Examiner’s report

3. Notes to the financial statements

4. Statement of Financial Activities

5. 6.- 7. Receipts/Payments comparative figures – General account

6. -10. Treasurer’s written report

7. Safeguarding report

8. 11 – 12 Church Wardens’ Report

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2020 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Church, Bolton le Sands and St Mark’s Nether Kellett

Aim and purposes

Holy Trinity Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Nancy Goodrich, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Holy Trinity and St Mark’s Churches.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at Holy Trinity and St Mark’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.

Missionary and outreach work.

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of Holy Trinity and St Mark’s.

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At Holy Trinity the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens, and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.

PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2020 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members :

Incumbent: The Reverend Nancy Goodrich (Chairman) Wardens: Peter-John Davies, Mary Bunting

Elected members:

Elected members:
David Bateman	Keith Budden
Rob Daunt	Andrew Hampshire (Treasurer)
Karen Hillis (to 18 Oct 2020	Margaret Hutchinson
Brian James	Robert Whittaker
Andrew Williams	Margaret Foster (from 18 Oct 2020)
Russell Longton (from 18 Oct	2020)
Kath Brough (from 18 Oct 2020) Duncan Johnson (from 2 Feb 2021)

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Bolton le Sands Parochial Church Council

I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on pages 4 to 9.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church'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:

• Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act);

• To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and

• To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's report

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 which:

1. gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

2. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed

(signed 17 February 2021)

Elizabeth Bateman CPFA

1 Greenwood Crescent, Bolton le Sands, Carnforth LA5 8BE

Date: 17 Feb 2021

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Parochial Church Council (PCC) of Holy Trinity, Bolton-Le-Sands & St Mark’s Nether Kellett

Notes to the financial statements for the accounting year ending December 2020

1. Accounting policies

Basis of financial statements : The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Fund accounting : Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the PCC's discretion; the income derived from the endowment is to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place.

Restricted Funds comprise (a) income from endowments which is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor, and (b) revenue donations or grants for a specific PCC activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, interest on their pooled investment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis.

Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are to be spent on the PCC's general purposes.

Designated funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projects for administration purposes only. Funds designated as invested in fixed assets for the PCC's own use are abated in line with those assets' annual depreciation charges in the SOFA. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds.

The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis

Fixed assets : Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with s.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011.

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December 2020.

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Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period from 01 January 2020 to 31 December 2020

	Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total Prior year funds funds funds funds funds total funds Receipts Planned giving 36,591 — 267 — 36,858 36,019 Collections and other giving 3,562 — 142 — 3,704 11,271 Other voluntary receipts 13,920 9,861 5,950 — 29,732 38,122 Gift Aid recovered 11,894 3,125 113 — 15,132 10,308 Other receipts — — — — — 50 Activities for generating funds 5,528 — — — 5,528 12,596 Investment Income 271 — 1,722 — 1,994 2,457 Receipts from church activities 3,139 2,217 — — 5,356 8,568
	Total income 74,909 15,203 8,194 — 98,307 119,393 Payments Cost of generating funds 86 — — — 86 557 Missionary and Charitable Giving 342 — 1,283 — 1,625 2,609 Parish Share 65,914 — — — 65,914 52,488 Clergy and Staffing costs 3,579 — — — 3,579 5,514 Church Running Expenses 11,122 504 2,975 — 14,602 25,018 Church Repairs & Maintenance 146 1,920 3,081 — 5,148 72,658
	Total expenditure 81,191 2,424 7,339 — 90,955 158,846
	Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer (6,282) 12,779 854 — 7,351 (39,452)
	Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in 192 2,544 — 8,045 10,782 273 Gross transfers between funds - out (2,544) (187) (8,045) (5) (10,782) (273) Other recognised gains / losses Gains / losses on investment assets — — 3,900 — 3,900 8,907
	Net movement in funds (8,633) 15,135 (3,290) 8,039 11,251 (30,545) Reconciliation of funds
	Total funds brought forward 14,966 11,750 12,652 57,339 96,709 127,254
	Total funds carried forward 6,333 26,886 9,362 65,379 107,961 96,709
	Represented by Unrestricted General fund 6,333 — — — 6,333 14,966 Designated Capital Reserve — 13,877 — — 13,877 3,315 Communications Development — 2,544 — — 2,544 — Graveyard Designated Fund — 10,465 — — 10,465 8,248 Supper Club — — — — — 187 Restricted Agency collection — — 337 — 337 337 CBF and Diocese investment (use of School) — — 439 — 439 0 Choir Fund — — 474 — 474 708 Fabric Fund — — 1,370 — 1,370 571 Flower Fund — — 20 — 20 — Graveyard Fund (Restricted) — — 806 — 806 745 Organ Fund — — 3,375 — 3,375 4,508 Revaluation reserves — — — — — 4,145 St Mark's Fabric — — 1,299 — 1,299 549 St Mark's Toilet Fund — — 355 — 355 205 Vicar's Discretionary Fund — — 883 — 883 883 Endowment Legacy Funds for school — — — 65,379 65,379 57,339

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Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity

Receipts / payments comparative figures

Selected period: 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2020

Description	01/01/2019-31/12/2019	01/01/2020-31/12/2020	Fund	Fund type
Reeipts
0101 – Planned Giving S/O Tax Effic.	21,625.00	27,440.00	General	Unrestricted
0105 - Planned giving-cheques Tax	549.00	450.00	General	Unrestricted
0120 - Charity Cheques	75.00	585.00	General	Unrestricted
0201 - Envelopes-planned giving	10,578.71	5,767.50	General	Unrestricted
0202 - Planned Giving Bank (S/O)	2,825.00	2,349.00	General	Unrestricted
0301 - Loose plate collections	6,482.98	1,683.18	General	Unrestricted
0302 - Plate Gift Aid (Pew envelopes)	2,995.55	1,510.26	General	Unrestricted
0310 - Loose plate collection-Occ.	712.07	171.36	General	Unrestricted
0315 - Gift Aid envelopes, occ. offices	724.61	197.67	General	Unrestricted
0410 - Giving through church boxes	—	2.00	General	Unrestricted
0502 - Donations/Gifts	10,581.35	5,213.45	General	Unrestricted
0504 - Donations; Text, Online,	58.28	8,090.96	General	Unrestricted
0505 - Donations - refreshments	—	271.91	General	Unrestricted
0550 - Donations appeals etc	—	342.40	General	Unrestricted
0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid	9,983.21	11,894.95	General	Unrestricted
0902 - Refreshments - sales	1,636.29	—	General	Unrestricted
0910 - Rummage sales etc	57.75	—	General	Unrestricted
0915 - Fund Raising-Fetes, Sales etc.	5,188.79	742.60	General	Unrestricted
0918 - Sale of small items	—	440.70	General	Unrestricted
1020 - Bank interest	494.11	121.49	General	Unrestricted
1030 - Rent from lands or buildings	300.00	150.00	General	Unrestricted
1101 - Fees for weddings and	5,834.00	2,839.00	General	Unrestricted
1102 - Community Use of Church	540.00	300.00	General	Unrestricted
1250 - Magazine income - advertising	3,257.00	2,150.00	General	Unrestricted
1260 - Parish magazine sales	2,457.00	2,195.60	General	Unrestricted
Totals	86,955.70	74,909.03
Payments
1730 - Costs of fetes & other events	192.99	30.00	General	Unrestricted
1732 - Cost of small items for sale	—	4.38	General	Unrestricted
1734 - Payment card/text commission	—	3.00	General	Unrestricted
1735 - Refreshments costs	364.59	49.28	General	Unrestricted
1801 - Giving to missionary societies	200.00	—	General	Unrestricted
1870 - Secular charities	361.00	342.00	General	Unrestricted
1910 - Ministry parish share etc	52,488.00	65,914.00	General	Unrestricted
2002 - Gifts & Discretionary giving	219.73	39.98	General	Unrestricted
2060 - Organist	975.00	300.00	General	Unrestricted
2101 - Working expenses of	844.25	33.66	General	Unrestricted
2120 - Council tax	2,681.00	2,784.27	General	Unrestricted
2150 - Vicar's telephone	747.78	411.56	General	Unrestricted
2170 - Education	40.00	290.49	General	Unrestricted
2201 - Parish training and mission	—	149.09	General	Unrestricted
2301 - Church running - insurance	2,547.46	1,886.81	General	Unrestricted
2310 - Church office: phone,	516.29	579.05	General	Unrestricted
2330 - Church maintenance	—	96.00	General	Unrestricted
2331 - Cleaning	14.82	—	General	Unrestricted
2340 - Upkeep of services	2,464.38	1,542.12	General	Unrestricted
2343 - Replacement of Equipment	482.65	146.17	General	Unrestricted
2345 - Under 18s	642.24	—	General	Unrestricted
2360 - Administration	1,041.66	918.72	General	Unrestricted

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Bolton le Sands Holy Trinity

Receipts / payments comparative figures

Selected period: 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2020

Description		01/01/2019-31/12/2019	01/01/2020-31/12/2020	Fund	Fund type
~~2370~~	~~- Visiting speakers / locums~~	~~17.20~~	~~10.00~~	~~General~~	~~Unrestricted~~
2401	- Church running - electric	1,626.47	1,243.18	General	Unrestricted
2410	- Church running - gas	2,325.81	1,586.85	General	Unrestricted
2420	- Church running - water	127.77	77.11	General	Unrestricted
2430	- St Mark's running	1,009.97	633.83	General	Unrestricted
2440	- St Mark's: Heat & light	437.50	619.62	General	Unrestricted
2501	- Magazine expenses	5,000.00	1,500.00	General	Unrestricted
	Totals	77,368.56	81,191.17

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TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REPORT for 2020

2020 was a very different year to normal because of the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We were forced into changes that were unforeseen at the beginning of the year and it is a credit to everyone involved with our church that it is as strong, or stronger than it was a year ago. My work as Treasurer was affected as much as any and I must thank all who helped me to adapt along the way. In particular David Bateman has continued to look after Planned Giving and Gift Aid; Wardens Peter-John Davies and Mary Bunting have facilitated a variety of new procedures and Andy Williams has been ‘educator-in-chief’ with all things on the internet.

Finally, thanks to Elizabeth Bateman who has again completed the Independent Examination most professionally.

Financial Review: Highlights summary

In 2020 our finances were badly affected by the consequences of ‘social distancing’: church was closed and/or numbers restricted, reducing income from collections, and social events were cancelled resulting in a large drop in fundraising. More positively, expenses were down and there was great progress in switching Planned Giving to standing order. At the end of the year we joined the Diocese-wide Pray-andGive fundraising initiative and the generosity of our congregation meant that, against all odds, we were able to meet our commitments for the year, in full.

The following highlights will be expanded upon later in the report, but give a brief overview of significant items:-

• Unrestricted income down 14% (£12036) to £74959.

• Unrestricted expenditure (excluding Parish Share) down 39% (£9603) to £15277.

• Parish Share contribution increased by 26% (£13426) to £65914.

• Parish Share ‘paid in full’ for fourth consecutive year, but after Diocesan grant of £5000 and £6232 from Reserves.

• General Reserve reduced but still adequate at £6378

• Restricted Reserves little changed but Designated Reserves show a healthy increase

• St Mark’s fabric issues remain a concern, and a challenge.

• If the 2019 outcome is repeated next year, net unrestricted income (£59682) will cover 80% of 2021 Parish Share (£74658), a shortfall of £14976.

Detailed Financial Review

Receipts & Payments

A summary of the year’s Receipts & Payments is given in the attached Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA). There then follows under the heading ‘Receipts/payments comparative figures – General account’, a more detailed look at how the figures for the General Account are made up. This covers the day-to-day running of the church and also gives the comparative figures for 2019. There was other income and expenditure through the various Designated and Restricted accounts and more detail about these is covered later in the report.

There have been a few presentational changes in the detailed figures this year, where an explanation is needed:-

1. Code 504 (Donations by text, contactless, online) has been added to reflect the increased importance of this type of donation. Previously they would have been included in code 502 which now just includes cash & cheque donations.

2. Code 505 (Donations – refreshments) has been added. This relates mainly to coffee & biscuits after services in church. Previously these were recorded under code 902 (Refreshment sales). The distinction is important as we can claim ‘Gift Aid on Small Donations’ if items are free and the donation is voluntary.

3. Code 918 (Sale of small items) has been added. This arises from the formal establishment of our ‘online shop’ and there is also a new expenditure code 1732 (Cost of small items for sale)

The following remarks expand upon the figures in the SOFA/Comparative figures, in the order that they appear in that report.

Unrestricted Receipts:

In 2020 total unrestricted receipts went down by £12036 to £74959, a drop of 14%. This was entirely due to the adverse effect of the restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Given the

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exceptional nature of the problems that arose in 2020 the amount of income received is remarkably good. It is in fact higher than any of the last five years apart from 2019 which had seen a perhaps unsustainable 24% increase compared with 2018.

Planned Giving by the standing order and envelope schemes still forms the bulk of our income and the figure of £36641 was little changed from 2019. However, there was an acceleration in the switch from weekly envelopes to monthly standing order that has been seen in recent years. We now have 52 standing orders per month coming in, and 23 envelopes.

Receipts under ‘Collections & Other Giving’ saw the biggest effect from the closure and/or restriction of services in church during the year. Income here was down by two-thirds, from £11200 to £3500.

Towards the end of the year it was becoming evident that income would not cover all planned outgoings unless an appeal was made for additional donations. The whole Diocese was suffering from a similar shortfall in funds and during November Bishop Julian announced the ‘Pray and Give’ initiative. Our PCC decided to use this as a focus for our fundraising and our Parish responded magnificently. A sum of almost £12000 was raised in December and makes up almost all of the income shown in the ‘Other Voluntary Receipts’ section of the accounts.

Total Gift Aid received from HMRC increased by 20% and reflects the higher income received in 2019, as most of the payment is received 12 months in arrears

The next SOFA heading – ‘Activities generating funds’ covers several areas of activity. This year it consists almost entirely of advertising in, and sales of, The Messenger magazine. There is a separate note in my comments further down this report about how these funds were dealt with, and any surplus was placed to a Designated Reserve at the end of the year.

In a normal year there would also have been several thousand pounds shown in this section, from fundraising events such as coffee mornings, fetes and fairs etc. The coronavirus crisis put paid to all this type of activity. The fundraising team led by Andy Williams started a new initiative of online sales of items such as facemasks and Christmas wreaths, and there was notable success from this in December. Hopefully they will be able to build on this even after we go back to more normal events.

The last income line on the SOFA comprises income from weddings, funerals and related items. Total income was 50% down here. All but two weddings had to be cancelled during the year and the number of funerals held in church was lower due to social-distancing restrictions.

Unrestricted Payments:

Excluding Parish Share payments, expenditure made from unrestricted funds fell by 39% (£9603) to £15277. There were virtually no areas of expenditure where the figures were not lower in 2020, some substantially so. Most of these were due to the reduced activities in all aspects of church life due to coronavirus restrictions.

The biggest saving in % terms was a result of the decision to cancel all but three issues of The Messenger magazine. At £500 for each issue this saved £3500 in printing costs.

Outside of the ‘coronavirus effect’ we were also able to make good savings by consolidating the buildings & contents insurance for Holy Trinity and St Mark’s into a single policy with Trinitas. The £2043 total for the year is 45% less than the combined payment on the separate policies held in 2018 The major part of normal expenditure is Parish Share, and we were able to pay this in full for the fourth consecutive year. The amount paid has also risen consistently over that period and this year’s sum was 89% higher than the £36000 that we were able to pay as recently as 2016.

Of the £65914 paid, £59682 came from the net surplus for 2020 and a further £6232 was from the General Reserve. We were fortunate that, in 2019, this Reserve had benefitted from a Diocesan Grant of £10000 that was not needed in full. In 2020 we had a further grant of £5000. We applied for the grants specifically because we were at the time forecasting a shortfall. Over the two-year period this has proved be a prudent decision as without them there would clearly have been such a shortfall.

We are fortunate to have sufficient Restricted and Designated reserves to cover normal repairs and maintenance to the fabric of Holy Trinity, so that these costs do not drain unrestricted income. Similarly, expenditure on maintenance of the graveyards is covered by income from burials. This is accounted for via the designated graveyard reserve.

Reserves Policy

The SOFA report lists a number of accumulated reserves under three different headings: Unrestricted, Designated and Restricted. I will cover relevant points in turn:-

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• Unrestricted: General Fund : as noted above, most of our income is unrestricted and is used to pay the majority of costs, including Parish Share. To ensure that there is always enough cash available to cover fluctuations in cashflow, it is PCC policy to keep a minimum balance to cover two-three months’ normal expenditure (currently equating to approximately £5000) in the General Reserve. Whilst the balance fell during the year it is still more than adequate.

• Designated: Capital Reserve : it is PCC policy that any legacies received, where specific instructions for use are not given, are used for fabric expenditure, and this fund consists of the balance of such receipts. There were no legacies of this type during the year, total income of £12987 being reclaimed Gift Aid of £3125 on 2019 donations to the ‘Loo & Brew’ project, plus a DCMS grant of £9862 covering the VAT element of the same project. At the year-end there is an outstanding credit of £478.26 due from a further DCMS VAT refund grant. The total funds available are therefore substantial, over £14000, but there is a potential liability in excess of £20000 for repair to the stone louvres in the belltower, which are in an unstable and dangerous condition. It is hoped that some grant funding may be available to cover part of the cost but is prudent, at the moment, to minimise any further calls on this Reserve until the situation becomes clearer.

• Designated: Graveyard fund: it is PCC policy that fees received from burials and graveyard monuments are reserved for expenditure on maintaining the graveyards. The balance has risen substantially this year because expenditure has been minimal – due to coronavirus problems the City Council have not been able to fulfil the contract to mow the grass, normally costing in excess of £3000.

• Designated: Communications Development Fund: this is a new fund started in 2020. It consists of monies ‘left over’ from the running of The Messenger magazine. Publication of the magazine had to be suspended early in the year, but after subscription and advertising income had been received. Printing costs of £500 per month were not incurred for seven months. When the decision was made not to carry on publishing the magazine in 2021 the PCC thought it only right to offer a proportionate refund of subscriptions/advertising fees. When making the offer we said that if the money was left with us it would be treated as a donation to fund the improvement of all our other forms of communication with the Parish and wider community. Not a single refund request was made, so our Communications team now have the flexibility to incur costs without first having to consider raising funds for the purpose.

• Restricted Funds: there are a number of small Restricted funds where cash has been raised/donated for specific purposes in the past and there has been little movement in most of these during the year. There are four funds with balances/movement in excess of £1000: 1. The Fabric Fund holds legacies and donations made specifically for the fabric of Holy Trinity. There was one legacy of £3000 in 2020. 2. The Organ Fund was accumulated some years ago and is available for servicing and repair of the organ, which would otherwise be a cost to the General Fund. 3. The Revaluation Reserve of £4145 has been brought to zero by transfer to the Endowment Legacy Fund. The Independent Examination discovered a ‘posting error’ from a few years ago and this corrects the situation. There has been no risk to funds in the interim as these funds are ring-fenced. 4.The St Mark’s Fabric fund holds legacies & donations made specifically for the fabric of St Mark’s. At the year end the PCC had agreed to fund urgent works to repair/replace gutters and downpipes, which will exhaust the balance of £1299. More work is needed to bring the fabric of St Mark’s up to an acceptable standard and the PCC will address this during 2021.

THE FUTURE

As I write this report at the beginning of 2021 we are into another National Lockdown; church services and social gatherings are again suspended. It looks as though it will be at least weeks, possibly months, before things start to return to normal, and the negative effect on income from those activities where we come together will continue.

There is little scope to reduce overheads any more, and in the absence of further Diocesan grants we are faced with meeting the full Parish Share of £74658. In simple terms (and yes I know, things are never simple), if other costs stay the same in 2021, total unrestricted income of £88000 will be needed for us to be able to cover all commitments, an increase of £13000 (17%) over 2020.

This will, once again, be a challenge, but one that I am sure the Parish can rise to in exactly the same way that it did in 2020.

Andy Hampshire. Treasurer, Holy Trinity & St Mark’s

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Safeguarding report

The Church of England is increasingly aware that in the past serious mistakes were made which led to victims of abuse often being unheard, or not responded to in a fair and loving way. Now the church, at national, diocesan and parish levels, is committed to putting survivors of abuse at the centre of our responses going forward, and to this end processes for screening volunteers and staff and responding to allegations are more rigorous.

Towards the end of 2020 we updated our parish safeguarding policy in line with guidance from national church, and this new policy was approved by the PCC in January 2021. It can be found on the church website.

We are pleased to report that there have been no incidents requiring action in our parish. However, we are aware that during the lockdowns of the past year, it is known that incidents of abuse and domestic violence have increased in our country, and if anyone has concerns or requires advice, please feel free to contact us.

Mary Bunting

Kath Lane

Church Wardens’ report.

In many ways this is a difficult and unique report to present. At the beginning of the year no one would have ever comprehended the complexities that were to befall us. And yet I have to say overall the church community has been flexible and dare I say adapted and is continuing to adapt well. No one would have ever dreamt of using so much technology to deliver services or had fast track teaching on how to zoom!

1. Church Services:

We have flexed from ‘normal’ services at the beginning of the year, to dedicated zoom services mid-year, to hybrid church and zoom services mid-year and then back to zoom services at the end of the year!

Thank you for your adaptability. Mary and I truly appreciate your sensitivity and perseverance during this time. We did not want to set up a booking register for the services between July and the end of the year, not wanting to turn anyone away. Amazingly we have been able to accommodate everyone and we are grateful to all who gave us their names and contact details so willingly. Nancy has been phenomenal as she trawled for music and sermons which has taken a considerable amount of her time and energies.

Specific Services:

The Sunday 10.30am services have indeed grown, and we have had a number of people from outside the parish, and children joining them which has been a joy to see.

The Wednesday service has continued, with a faithful and growing congregation.

We ran some church 2[nd] Sunday services which has most definitely been appreciated by family members. Indeed, there were occasions this service drew more people that the 10.30am service. The Zoom afternoon services have generated much fun as children race around their homes collecting items.

The Glebe Field services have been complex to organize in one sense but a joy as so many people have been to at least see, wave, shout, and or speak to friends they have not seen for a long time.

Specific services including the carol service in the church grounds, the 4pm Crib service in the Glebe field were unique and much appreciated.

1. MU. We are grateful for the way Kath Lane and the team have maintained their MU meetings.

2. Men’s Breakfast has continued during lock down and meant a great deal to many men as they have been able to continue and deepen friendship and fellowship

3. First Friday has continued to be a blessing. It is a joy seeing so many different people taking on a role and the way so many people from outside the parish and indeed internationally are joining us

4. House Groups continue to anchor many people during this time. We would love to see more house groups starting

5. Amazingly Andrew Williams has been running weekly crash courses on specific issues to do with zoom and computers and I know from these people have gained confidence and perhaps even surprised their grandchildren with their extended abilities

6. We even had an on-line Christmas fayre!

We are grateful with the way different working groups have continued during the year:

1. Pray ers. Those who faithfully, individually and in small groups pray for the work of the parish. If we do not continue to pray for the work here then we ‘build on sand’. It is God’s work we are doing and to do this we need to faithfully spend time with Him to know what we should be doing.

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1. The great work of the Building and Fabric group to maintain our lovely historic building

2. The Graveyard and church grounds group. It is such a pleasure to see the grounds being transformed. I know may people who daily walk through the church value all of this work

3. The Finance Team as they diligently work to ensure we can cover all of our commitments.

4. The Welcome Team as they faithfully turn up to church early to prepare and welcome people in. Even during lock down, we are grateful to those who helped us out as Mary and I dealt with extra COVID responsibilities.

During the first 3 months of the year, prior to lockdown we thank the

1. The Baptism team as they faithfully organized, welcomed and supported families before, during and after the baptisms, sometimes in lively noisy services. I find it fascinating that even when people have left the parish and come home for baptisms, they still call it their church. What has been rooted in their younger years still impacts on them.

2. Ian Entwistle, the ‘boys’ band’ and others who have enriched our services with their playing and led us in worship. Thank you.

3. The Coffee Mornings that took place that not only generated income for the church but enriched fellowship between attendees.

We want to recognize everyone who responded in practical ways to COVID:

1. Andrew Williams and those who set up the Neighbourhood Covid response to care for people within our parish

2. Those who stepped up, went out of their way and cared for neighbours, friends, and those who you might not have known that well, and contacted, shopped, got medicines and kept ‘an eye’ on people

3. Those who cared and supported people going through bereavement during lock downs when people were so isolated and alone.

‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ and in many ways many of you have done this, whether by adapting to new technology and ways the services are run; reaching out and caring for each other, and indeed to people outside our church community. We are a parish church; therefore, we should always focus on all people within our parish

The coming year, 2021, will be complex, occasionally difficult, as we as always step into the unknown. Although we do not know how the year will pan out God does.

Can we encourage you to become active in the ministry of your church and parish? It isn’t what you can’t do that is important but what you can. Each little act of service, prayer, encouragement, support, builds up the church body.

Thank you.

Mary Bunting and Peter John Davies

7[th] March 2021.

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