The Parish of St John the Baptist, Old Malden
Registered Charity No 1145155
Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended
31[st] December 2023
Incumbent
The Reverend Michael Roper Vicarage: 5, Vicarage Close, off Paddock Close Worcester Park KT4 7LZ
Banks
NatWest Bank plc Worcester Park Branch Barclays Bank plc Worcester Park Branch
Independent Examiner
Nilkunj Dodhia BSc FCA MBA
Page 1
Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year funds funds funds funds total funds |
|
|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer Transfers Gross transfers between funds - in Gross transfers between funds - out Other recognised gains / losses Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Christmas Day Event Church Hall Churchyard Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) Restricted Angel Project Appeal Bereavement Cafe Bishop's Lent Appeal Christian Aid Christmas Day Event Church Building Churchyard Harvest Appeal MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal Organ Roy Clough Scouts Endowment Parish Endowment |
117,418 2,800 — 120,218 100,275 1,453 5,046 — 6,499 8,762 11,701 1,232 — 12,933 10,110 2,456 718 — 3,174 1,771 |
| 133,028 9,795 — 142,823 120,918 197 4 — 202 166 146,848 8,306 — 155,154 129,899 |
|
| 147,045 8,310 — 155,355 130,066 |
|
| (14,018) 1,485 — (12,532) (9,148) 730 — — 730 — — (730) — (730) — |
|
| (13,288) 756 — (12,532) (9,148) |
|
| 95,079 23,794 3,686 122,559 131,707 |
|
| 81,791 24,549 3,686 110,027 122,559 55,976 — — 55,976 59,364 813 — — 813 1,356 25,000 — — 25,000 25,000 — — — — 114 2 — — 2 9,245 — 56 — 56 1,086 — 1,732 — 1,732 1,732 — 893 — 893 286 — (19) — (19) 730 — 601 — 601 — — 9 — 9 — — 222 — 222 — — 76 — 76 76 — 16 — 16 61 — 19,137 — 19,137 18,112 — 1,776 — 1,776 1,704 — 49 — 49 8 — — 3,686 3,686 3,686 |
Page 2
Balance sheet
| Total funds Prior year funds |
|
|---|---|
| Fixed assets Tangible assets Heritage assets Investments Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year Net current assets less current liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets less liabilities Represented by Unrestricted General fund Designated Church Building Parish Office Computer Church Hall Christmas Day Event Vicar's Fund Churchyard Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) Restricted Bishop's Lent Appeal Christmas Day Event Churchyard Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal Covid-19 Costs Grant Harvest Appeal Angel Project Appeal Foodbank General Appeal Agency collection Bereavement Cafe Christian Aid Epiphany Gifts Scouts Ukraine Appeal 2022 Church Building Organ Roy Clough Endowment Parish Endowment Funds of the church |
6,087 — 25,000 25,000 32,933 42,862 |
| 64,019 67,862 15,225 14,269 39,441 52,648 |
|
| 54,665 66,917 8,658 12,219 |
|
| 8,658 12,219 |
|
| 46,007 54,698 |
|
| 110,027 122,559 |
|
| 110,027 122,559 55,976 59,364 — — — — 25,000 25,000 813 1,356 — — — 114 2 9,245 893 286 601 — 222 — — — 16 61 — — 76 76 56 1,086 — — — — 1,732 1,732 (19) 730 — — 49 8 — — 9 — 19,137 18,112 1,776 1,704 3,686 3,686 |
|
| 110,027 122,559 |
Page 3
Statement of assets and liabilities
| This year Last year |
|
|---|---|
| Heritage assets Church Hall Church Hall (Designated) - Total for Heritage assets Investments CBF 637054001S Parish Endowment (Endowment) - CBF 137002132S Parish Endowment (Endowment) - CBF 637054001D (Roy Clough Legacy) Roy Clough (Restricted) - CBF 637054002D General fund (Unrestricted) - Total for Investments Tangible assets Hot Cupboard Christmas Day Event (Designated) - Christmas Day Event (Restricted) - Printer General fund (Unrestricted) - Total for Tangible assets Cash at bank and in hand NatWest Current account Bereavement Cafe (Restricted) - Bishop's Lent Appeal (Restricted) - Christian Aid (Restricted) - Epiphany Gifts (Restricted) - Scouts (Restricted) - Church Building (Designated) - Organ (Restricted) - Roy Clough (Restricted) - Christmas Day Event (Designated) - Churchyard (Designated) - MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal (Restricted) - Covid-19 Costs Grant (Restricted) - Harvest Appeal (Restricted) - Angel Project Appeal (Restricted) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Agency collection (Restricted) - |
25,000 25,000 |
| 25,000 25,000 |
|
| 25,000 25,000 771 771 |
|
| 771 771 500 500 |
|
| 500 500 1,662 1,590 |
|
| 1,662 1,590 30,000 40,000 |
|
| 30,000 40,000 |
|
| 32,933 42,862 496 — 251 — |
|
| 747 — 5,340 — |
|
| 5,340 — |
|
| 6,087 — 1,732 1,732 862 286 (38) 730 (171) — 47 8 — (6) 2,958 2,085 114 114 353 1,023 — (271) (59) 58 — 79 31 31 (231) 683 6,183 (2,001) — 90 |
|
| 11,782 4,641 |
Page 4
| Barclays Current Account Epiphany Gifts (Restricted) - Parish Endowment (Endowment) - Christmas Day Event (Designated) - Churchyard (Restricted) - Harvest Appeal (Restricted) - Angel Project Appeal (Restricted) - General fund (Unrestricted) - NatWest PGS Account General fund (Unrestricted) - NatWest Restoration Account Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) (Designated) - NatWest Deposit Account Church Building (Designated) - Church Building (Restricted) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Barclays Number 4 Organ (Restricted) - Barclays Number 6 Churchyard (Designated) - Churchyard (Restricted) - Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) (Designated) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Cash in hand Christmas Day Event (Designated) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Total for Cash at bank and in hand Debtors Accounts Receivable Bishop's Lent Appeal (Restricted) - Christian Aid (Restricted) - Epiphany Gifts (Restricted) - Scouts (Restricted) - Church Building (Designated) - Christmas Day Event (Designated) - Christmas Day Event (Restricted) - Churchyard (Designated) - Churchyard (Restricted) - MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal (Restricted) - Harvest Appeal (Restricted) - Angel Project Appeal (Restricted) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Agency collection (Restricted) - Total for Debtors |
This year Last year 128 — 2,415 2,415 6 — 113 — 75 72 — 184 2,625 10,835 |
|---|---|
| 5,362 13,506 896 3,601 |
|
| 896 3,601 1 7,456 |
|
| 1 7,456 — 8 9 — 3,923 3,778 |
|
| 3,932 3,786 16,179 16,027 |
|
| 16,179 16,027 — 500 2 — 1 2,500 505 1 |
|
| 507 3,001 500 600 280 30 |
|
| 780 630 |
|
| 39,441 52,648 31 — 19 — 43 — 3 — — 101 — 316 350 — — 114 108 — 75 3 — 3 596 419 14,001 12,805 — 508 |
|
| 15,225 14,269 |
|
| 15,225 14,269 |
Page 5
| Agency accounts Agency collections Agency collection (Restricted) - Total for Agency accounts Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year Accounts Payable Church Building (Designated) - Christmas Day Event (Designated) - Churchyard (Designated) - Restoration (Formerly Church Building Major Works) (Designated) - Covid-19 Costs Grant (Restricted) - Harvest Appeal (Restricted) - Angel Project Appeal (Restricted) - General fund (Unrestricted) - Total for Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year Grand total |
This year Last year — (598) |
|---|---|
| — (598) |
|
| — (598) — (104) (542) (583) — (229) — (711) — (79) (30) (30) (320) (200) (7,766) (9,685) |
|
| (8,658) (11,621) |
|
| 110,027 122,559 |
Page 6
Fund movement by type
| Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/losses Journals Closing | |
|---|---|
| BLA - Bishop's Lent Appeal Restricted Sub-total for BLA Bereavemen - Bereavement Cafe Restricted Sub-total for Bereavemen CAid - Christian Aid Restricted Sub-total for CAid Epiphany - Epiphany Gifts Restricted Sub-total for Epiphany Scouts - Scouts Restricted Sub-total for Scouts ChurchBldg - Church Building Designated Restricted Sub-total for ChurchBldg ChurchHall - Church Hall Designated Sub-total for ChurchHall Organ - Organ Restricted Sub-total for Organ RoyClough - Roy Clough Restricted Sub-total for RoyClough Endowment - Parish Endowment Endowment Sub-total for Endowment XmasEvent - Christmas Day Event Designated Restricted Sub-total for XmasEvent ChrchYd - Churchyard Designated Restricted Sub-total for ChrchYd Restn - Restoration Designated Restricted Sub-total for Restn |
286 608 — — — — 893 |
| 286 608 — — — — 893 1,732 14 14 — — — 1,732 |
|
| 1,732 14 14 — — — 1,732 730 892 910 (730) — — (19) |
|
| 730 892 910 (730) — — (19) — 1,094 1,094 — — — — |
|
| — 1,094 1,094 — — — — 8 43 1 — — — 49 |
|
| 8 43 1 — — — 49 — — — — — — — — 580 571 — — — 9 |
|
| — 580 571 — — — 9 25,000 — — — — — 25,000 |
|
| 25,000 — — — — — 25,000 18,112 1,312 286 — — — 19,137 |
|
| 18,112 1,312 286 — — — 19,137 1,704 71 — — — — 1,776 |
|
| 1,704 71 — — — — 1,776 3,686 — — — — — 3,686 |
|
| 3,686 — — — — — 3,686 1,356 — 542 — — — 813 — 850 249 — — — 601 |
|
| 1,356 850 791 — — — 1,414 114 — 114 — — — — — 477 255 — — — 222 |
|
| 114 477 370 — — — 222 9,245 10 9,253 — — — 2 — 25 25 — — — — |
|
| 9,245 35 9,278 — — — 2 |
Page 7
| MPSBIBLES - MPS School Leavers' Restricted Sub-total for MPSBIBLES Harvest - Harvest Appeal Restricted Sub-total for Harvest ANGEL - Angel Project Appeal Restricted Sub-total for ANGEL General - General fund Unrestricted Sub-total for General Grand total |
Opening Incoming Outgoing Transfers Gains/ losses Journals Closing 61 348 393 — — — 16 |
|---|---|
| 61 348 393 — — — 16 76 — — — — — 76 |
|
| 76 — — — — — 76 1,086 3,482 4,511 — — — 56 |
|
| 1,086 3,482 4,511 — — — 56 59,364 133,017 137,135 730 — — 55,976 |
|
| 59,364 133,017 137,135 730 — — 55,976 |
|
| 122,559 142,823 155,355 — — — 110,027 |
Page 8
Analysis of income and expenditure
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations under Gift Aid by Bank or PGS Donations under Gift Aid by Envelopes Other planned giving (not gift-aided) Loose plate collections Donations by Church Groups One-off Gift Aid gifts Donations appeals etc. Tax recoverable on Gift Aid Legacies Non-recurring one-off grants Other funds generated Total Income from charitable activities Angel Project Appeal Donations Fees for weddings and funerals Christmas Day Event Donations Christian Aid Appeal Donations Bishop's Lent Appeal Donations MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal Dons Scouts Appeal Donations Harvest Appeal Donations Ukraine Appeal 2022 Donations Total Other trading activities Maeldune Fair Christmas Fair Other Fund Raising Online Store Bookstall sales - fund raising Magazine income - advertising Parish magazine sales Total Investments CBF Deposit Interest Rent from lands or buildings Bank and building society interest Total |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations under Gift Aid by Bank or PGS Donations under Gift Aid by Envelopes Other planned giving (not gift-aided) Loose plate collections Donations by Church Groups One-off Gift Aid gifts Donations appeals etc. Tax recoverable on Gift Aid Legacies Non-recurring one-off grants Other funds generated Total Income from charitable activities Angel Project Appeal Donations Fees for weddings and funerals Christmas Day Event Donations Christian Aid Appeal Donations Bishop's Lent Appeal Donations MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal Dons Scouts Appeal Donations Harvest Appeal Donations Ukraine Appeal 2022 Donations Total Other trading activities Maeldune Fair Christmas Fair Other Fund Raising Online Store Bookstall sales - fund raising Magazine income - advertising Parish magazine sales Total Investments CBF Deposit Interest Rent from lands or buildings Bank and building society interest Total |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations under Gift Aid by Bank or PGS Donations under Gift Aid by Envelopes Other planned giving (not gift-aided) Loose plate collections Donations by Church Groups One-off Gift Aid gifts Donations appeals etc. Tax recoverable on Gift Aid Legacies Non-recurring one-off grants Other funds generated Total Income from charitable activities Angel Project Appeal Donations Fees for weddings and funerals Christmas Day Event Donations Christian Aid Appeal Donations Bishop's Lent Appeal Donations MPS School Leavers' Bibles Appeal Dons Scouts Appeal Donations Harvest Appeal Donations Ukraine Appeal 2022 Donations Total Other trading activities Maeldune Fair Christmas Fair Other Fund Raising Online Store Bookstall sales - fund raising Magazine income - advertising Parish magazine sales Total Investments CBF Deposit Interest Rent from lands or buildings Bank and building society interest Total |
Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year 76,692 — — — 76,692 65,169 1,065 — — — 1,065 1,008 630 — — — 630 520 3,204 — — — 3,204 1,942 62 — — — 62 68 8,058 — 1,224 — 9,282 6,825 2,939 — 363 — 3,302 2,672 23,462 — 810 — 24,272 18,373 — — — — — 3,000 1,200 — — — 1,200 200 107 — 402 — 510 498 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 117,418 — 2,800 — 120,218 100,275 (11) — 2,520 — 2,508 2,169 1,371 — — — 1,371 2,567 — — 850 — 850 485 — — 800 — 800 703 — — 577 — 577 284 93 — 260 — 353 326 — — 40 — 40 152 — — — — — 10 — — — — — 2,067 |
|||
| 1,453 — 5,046 — 6,499 8,762 2,626 — — — 2,626 3,302 1,885 — — — 1,885 1,290 5,607 — 1,232 — 6,839 3,682 90 — — — 90 9 5 — — — 5 — 790 — — — 790 862 697 — — — 697 965 |
|||
| 11,701 — 1,232 — 12,933 10,110 2,313 — 517 — 2,829 1,616 130 — — — 130 130 3 10 201 — 214 26 |
|||
| 2,446 10 718 — 3,174 1,771 |
|||
| INCOME TOTAL | 133,017 10 9,795 — 142,823 120,918 |
Page 9
| Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year EXPENDITURE Raising funds Fees paid to fund raisers 69 — 4 — 74 77 Costs of fetes & other events 128 — — — 128 89 Total 197 — 4 — 202 166 Expenditure on charitable activities Parish Support Fund 72,000 — — — 72,000 72,000 Restoration Costs – Professional Fees 24,551 9,253 29 — 33,833 5,950 Salary of parish administrator 10,639 — — — 10,639 9,732 Church running - electric 3,249 — — — 3,249 2,097 Church running - gas 4,237 — — — 4,237 2,277 Church running - water 197 — — — 197 111 Church running - insurance 2,043 — — — 2,043 1,924 Music 6,124 — — — 6,124 4,972 Organ / piano tuning 1,216 — 286 — 1,502 1,168 Church maintenance 5,397 — 567 — 5,964 10,538 Administration 2,418 — — — 2,418 2,092 Mission giving to charities 1,610 — 5,421 — 7,031 7,235 Upkeep of services 1,523 — 1,094 — 2,618 1,714 Upkeep of churchyard 1,036 114 255 — 1,405 6,139 Costs of Christmas Day Event — 542 — — 542 836 Home mission — — 389 — 389 452 Working expenses of incumbent 285 — — — 285 39 Depreciation of Fixed Assets — — 249 — 249 — Working expenses of other ministry team 118 — — — 118 142 Cleaning — — — — — 66 Children's Ministry 196 — — — 196 315 Costs of Bereavement Café — — 14 — 14 — Magazine expenses 100 — — — 100 100 Total 136,938 9,910 8,306 — 155,154 129,899 |
Total Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year 69 — 4 — 74 77 128 — — — 128 89 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 136,938 9,910 8,306 — 155,154 129,899 |
||
| EXPENDITURE TOTAL | 137,135 9,910 8,310 — 155,355 130,066 |
|
| GRAND TOTAL | (4,118) (9,900) 1,485 — (12,532) (9,148) |
Page 10
Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting basis
These accounts have been prepared using the Historical Cost Convention, under which the value of assets on the balance sheet is based on their original cost when acquired. We have also employed accruals-based accounting in which revenues and expenses are recorded when revenue is earned or when expenses are incurred, whether or not cash has been received or paid. Accordingly, we have provided for costs and income relating to 2022 but which had not been paid or received as at the 31[st] of December 2022.
2. Gift Aid Tax Reclaims
During 2023 two quarterly claims were completed, including one relating to donations received in the fourth quarter of 2022. At the 2023 year-end we have therefore accrued a total of £10,927, in respect of the final claims for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2023 and the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme for the tax year 2022-23. These claims were in the process of being formulated for submission during the preparation of these accounts.
3. Parish Support Fund
The Parish Pledge to the Diocese of Southwark for 2023 of £72,000 was paid in full for the year. The Pledge for 2024 as approved by the PCC is £72,000.
4. Property
Property is shown at its historical cost. The hall is owned by the Parish, but day-to-day management and financing is governed by a separate charitable trust and the hall is used for the benefit of the local community, as well as for Parish events.
5. Building Works
Following observations made in the last quinquennial report the parish is embarking on a programme of major building works, known as the Restoration Project. This will require significant funds, which in turn will need specific fundraising. A donation of £10,000 made in late 2019 was designated to start the Fund for these works. A further one-off private donation of £15,000 was received during 2021 which the donor wished the PCC to determine the purpose for which it was to be allocated and which the PCC designated to the Fund. Two legacies were received in 2022 and the PCC decided to allocate these and future legacies (until further notice) to the newly renamed Restoration Fund (previously known as the ‘Major Building Works Fund’).
During 2023 the Parish incurred Restoration Costs including architect’s fees of £33,833 in relation to the Restoration. Of these, £9,253 were borne by the Restoration Fund which at the end of 2023 had been fully depleted. The balance of costs was borne by the General Fund. The Parish is engaged in seeking grants for the major part of the work that it looks to carry out.
Page 11
6. Tangible Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets held for the Parish’s own use are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The minimum value for capitalizing such assets is c£1,000. Annual depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on a straight-line basis. Normally depreciation will be charged at 25% as standard. At each balance sheet date, we review the net value of each tangible fixed asset to determine whether there is any indication that any items have suffered impairment and the net value in the accounts adjusted accordingly.
In 2023 we acquired a new ‘hot cupboard’ catering trolley, at a cost of £996, to support the Christmas Day Event the Fund for which bore this cost. At the 2023 year-end this capitalised asset was depreciated by 25%.
We also acquired and capitalised a new printer in 2023, replacing the previous printer which had been in use for over a decade, and which had been fully written off in earlier years. The cost of the new printer was £5,340, which was borne by the General Fund, was paid in 2024 and was therefore accrued in 2023 as the printer was held and owned by the Parish from mid-December 2023. However, the new printer had not been appreciably used as at 31.12.2023, so no depreciation was charged this year. The depreciation rate for this asset is also planned at 25%.
7. Investments
Investments with the Central Board of Finance:
Share Income Investments (shown at historical cost in the accounts)
| Units CofE Investment Fund Income Shares 1,000 Fynes Clinton Grave Trust 732 Total Deposit Income Investments Roy Clough Bequest Fund Deposit General Fund Deposit Total Overall Total Investments - As shown in the accounts - At market value as at 31/12 |
Historical Cost £ 771 500 |
Market Valuation 2023 Market Valuation 2022 £ £ 22,605 20,661 16,547 15,124 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,271 | 39,152 35,785 |
|
| 2023 2022 £ £ 1,641 1,590 30,000 40,000 |
||
| 31,641 41,590 32,912 42,841 69,793 77,375 |
Page 12
8. Debtors
| ebtors | |
|---|---|
| Gift Aid Tax to be claimed from HMRC (various funds) Scouts re legal fees relating to renegotiating of hall site hut lease 2023 Angel Appeal Donation received in 2024 2022 Funeral Fees due from Funeral Directors, received in 2023 Investment Income relating to 2022 received in 2023 Unrestricted Donations relating to 2022 received in 2023 Christmas Day Event Donations Sundry Other Overall Total Debtors |
2023 2022 £ £ 10,921 8,645 2,804 2,804 130 - - 647 582 532 - 1,230 350 210 438 201 |
| 15,225 14,269 |
Debtors as at 31 December 2022 relate primarily to the Gift Aid Tax reclaims referred to in Note 2 above, together with a payment made to settle legal fees in relation to the renegotiation of the lease on the scout hut, which is expected to be recouped from the scout troop. In addition, there were a number of donations and income received or confirmed prior to the year-end but banked or received in early 2024.
9. Creditors
| Amounts collected on behalf of others (‘agency collections’) Diocesan service fees & other amounts due Charitable donations Total Agency Collections Deferred Income Diocesan Grant made in 2022 for the alleviation of energy costs Accrued expenditure Cost of new Printer Tree Felling costs Utilities and Admin Upgrade to WiFi facility costs Restoration costs Incumbent Costs and Reimbursables Church Building Maintenance Christmas Day Event Expenses Organ Maintenance Outreach & Home Mission Wedding Fee Deposit Other Total Accounts Payable |
2023 2022 £ £ - 97 - 10 |
|---|---|
| - 107 |
|
| - 1,200 5,340 - - 5,500 967 1,599 - 840 - 711 624 622 403 - 543 583 286 286 - 230 100 - 395 50 |
|
| 8,658 11,621 |
Page 13
10. Maeldune and Christmas Fairs
| Maeldune and Christmas Fairs | |
|---|---|
| Gross Income Gross Expenses Net result |
Maeldune Fair Christmas Fair 2023 2022 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 2,626 3,302 1,885 1,290 71 89 57 - |
| 2,555 3,213 1,828 1,290 |
In 2023 we were again pleased to be able to hold both the annual Maeldune Fayre in June and the Autumn/Christmas Fair in late November having had to shelve or curtail plans in some recent years during periods of Covid restrictions. The Fundraising Team, together with many others, worked hard to make these community events, on Plough Green and in the Church Hall respectively, very successful.
11. Christmas Day Event
| hristmas Day Event | |
|---|---|
| Gross Income Gross Expenses Depreciation of ‘Hot Cupboard’ Fixed Asset Net |
2023 2022 £ £ 350 485 542 836 249 - |
| (441) (351) |
This year we invested in a new ‘Hot Cupboard’ catering kit at a cost of £996 (see note 6 above relating to Fixed Assets). In previous years we have hired equivalent resources, at considerable and increasing cost and difficulty in sourcing. This purchase will help us to reduce running costs over time and will ease the organizing of the event, whilst also having a useful asset for other occasions. Donations on the day and in advance boosted the overall income for the event by £350, all of which is held within a restricted fund from which expenses are paid. The Fund balance has accumulated over many previous years and is currently able to absorb recent annual deficits.
Page 14
Annual Report
2023 was the first fully post-Covid year for St John’s, with a full range of mission and activity possible, not that these have ‘returned to normal’, since patterns of life and opportunities have changed permanently in the years since early 2020 and we continue to adapt financially. As a result of a successful Stewardship campaign in the middle of the year, regular giving has shown a significant rise for the first time in many years. Fundraising events have once again generated significant income, and we have received generous one-off donations. We have continued to manage and control our day-to-day costs carefully, including our contribution to the Diocese’s Parish Support Fund as was made in in previous years, £72,000. This has allowed us to make very significant payments, amounting to £33k, largely from our General Funds, to act as ‘seed money’ for our Restoration Project.
The Finance Committee has continued to meet very regularly to monitor the financial status of the Parish and to report and make recommendations to the PCC. The Parish’s reserves are reasonable and as a result the Parish must be considered a ‘going concern’, but very careful management by and on behalf of the PCC of the Restoration Project will be necessary, since our reserves at the end of 2023 will not allow for significant further disbursements without careful ‘forward’ financial planning and equally significant fundraising for this purpose.
Income
Donations
Regular donations to the Parish by bank or envelope increased very significantly since 2022 as a result of the Stewardship Campaign run in the first half of the year, with some 15 new donors and 38 of our 100+ donors electing to move to the CofE Parish Giving Scheme. This scheme is very helpful in reducing the demands on our administrative efforts, and also providing gift aid claim monies in the same month as the donations.
During 2023 one-off donations, many given under gift aid, rose to higher levels than in 2022 and for this we are very grateful. These include gifts totaling over £1k under the Epiphany Gifts Appeal to cover sacristy costs. We remain very tax-efficient, with a very high level of gift aid claim across regular donations, one-off gifts as well as appeal donations.
We released the balance of a generous grant received from Southwark Diocese made in late 2022 to help cover the cost of increased energy costs. This has helped us cope with the sever increase seen in October 2022.
This year contactless and cashless giving, which we started in 2021, has continued to be very buoyant, largely replacing cash donations by using the contactless kit in church and donate buttons on the Parish website, and through the services of the providers SumUp and GiveALittle, as recommended by the Church of England. Although this development was already part of Parish plans, as with so many other social trends, the pandemic accelerated these as the move away from cash increased along with the reduced ability to attend church in person.
Income from Charitable Activities
As in 2022, the parish ran several very successful campaigns, largely online and on a cashless basis, for Christian Aid and the Christmas Angel Project for local school children. The online nature of these appeals, using SumUp and GiveALittle, lend themselves to social media and gift aid donation, and the income and expenditure for each of these now feature as both income and expenditure under the general banner of Home Mission.
Fees for weddings, funerals and burials of ashes are set by the Church of England and are charged accordingly. Since 2020, parishes receive no income from funerals conducted purely at crematoria; these are passed to the Diocese in full (other than small donations that may occasionally be paid by funeral directors to cover incidental
Page 15
costs such as travel). Two weddings took place (2022: one); three funeral services were held in church (2022: seven) and three burials of ashes took place in the churchyard (2022: four).
Other ‘Trading’ Activities
The Fundraising Team continued to work hard to raise funds and were able to run a full programme of events including the Maeldune Fair in June and a busy Christmas Fair in late November. The annual Story Tent event was held in person just before Christmas once again, a jumble sale and organ recitals took place, and a ‘£10 Challenge’ attracted over 30 members of the congregation, who raised over £2,800 over the summer months.
Sales income and advertising from Old Malden News both dropped again significantly; paper copies have proved less popular, and the magazine is fully available online for free as an important means of communication and outreach.
Investment income
Investment income from our various CBF/CCLA deposits increased significantly as interest rates rose steadily from historically low levels.
Overall, income has risen very significantly (by almost £23k) over 2022, partially because of increased appeal donations, but primarily as a result of new and generous regular donations.
Expenditure
General Comments
In order to meet its commitments and the ongoing circumstances of the pandemic, the PCC budget for 2023 once again forecast a significant deficit for the year (over £22k) and as in previous years this guided the PCC and its Finance Committee as they managed the finances through the year. The more notable variances between 2020 and 2021 are drawn out below.
Parish Support Fund (Diocesan Contribution)
The Parish’s contribution to the Diocese has now remained at £72k for a number of years as St John’s steadies its finances. Payments were made in full (as referenced in note 3 to the accounts) and given the budgetary challenges our pledge for 2024 remains at £72,000. Meanwhile the average cost to the Diocese for a parish priest, including accommodation, pension, training and all the parish support that we receive, has risen beyond £84k. The shortfall in our contribution to the full estimated cost remains a concern for the PCC.
Restoration Costs
During 2023 we incurred £33,833 of architect’s and surveyor’s fees in relation to the planning for the Restoration Project. Of these c£9,300 were borne by designated funds set aside by the PCC in earlier years specifically for the Project. The balance was borne by the General Fund.
Church Running Costs
These have risen in line with inflation and consumption as the building has been in greater use than 2020.
Administration and Administrator salary
The PCC agreed to an inflationary rise for the salary of our Administrator. Other Administrative costs have remained consistent, except for the cost of a projector as budgeted (with the excess of the cost donated). This asset was not capitalised on account of its relatively low cost.
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Church Running Costs
Gas and Electricity costs rose substantially in October 2022, such that we experienced the bulk of the increase across 2023. Unit charges fell somewhat in October 2023 at their annual resetting, and we therefore expect to see a drop for 2024, depending on consumption. In 2023 we released the main part of a standard parish grant that we received in 2022 from Southwark Diocese to help in the then rising cost of energy.
Music & Organ
The PCC also agreed to an inflationary rise in our Choir Director’s and Organists fees, the service of both of whom is provided on a self-employed contractual basis. Other music costs marginally less restricted than in 2022, but also include CCLI licence fees of £500 that in 2022 were charged to the Upkeep of Services. We had to replace an internal support within the organ, leading to an additional cost of £286, borne by the Organ Restricted Fund.
Church Maintenance
In 2023 the vestry lavabo and worktop had to be replaced during the year at a cost of c£400.
Exceptional costs in 2022 included water and drainage surveys conducted to determine in some detail the topographical layout and work that will be required at some stage to stem the challenges of damp in the church building. 2023 costs also included Quinquennial fees of £2.5k for the review of the church and the church hall.
Upkeep of Services
These costs have increased over 2022 as we moved back into a full pattern of services for the year and replenished run-down stocks. Over £1k of these costs were borne by the Epiphany Gifts Appeal Restricted Fund.
Upkeep of Churchyard
Day-to-day churchyard costs continued to be pegged back, whereas in 2022 costs included the cutting up and removal of a large oak tree on the churchyard boundary.
Upkeep of Services
In 2020 our ongoing costs for services have remained low. Those in 2020 included significant expenses for reopening the church and the costs of kit for livestreaming services, all of which are covered by the Covid-19 grant referred to in the income review.
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Mission Giving
The charitable and mission giving payments that we undertook during the year as approved by the PCC were:
| From general funds as our mission giving Care International Young Minds Re-Engage KCAH Kingston Foodbank The Royal British Legion, Worcester Park Home Mission collections and appeals Angel Appeal Christian Aid Appeal & Brekkie MPS School Leavers’ Bibles Appeal Scouts Appeal Winter Appeal for Kingston Foodbank Bishop’s Lent Appeal |
2023 £ 300 KCAH 300 Kingston Foodbank 300 300 300 1,500 60 The Royal British Legion, Worcester Park 1,560 4,512 Angel Appeal Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal 910 Christian Aid Appeal & Brekkie 389 MPS School Leavers’ Bibles Appeal 50 Scouts Appeal 304 Spring Foodbank Harvest for K Foodbank 178 Bishops Lent Appeal 6,343 |
2022 £ 750 750 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 60 |
||
| 2,060 | ||
| 2,770 2,175 730 300 152 30 286 |
||
| 6,443 |
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Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of St John the Baptist Church, Old Malden
Basis of this Report
This report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on the accompanying pages, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 ('the regulations') and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner
As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and section 144 (2) of the Act do not apply. It is my responsibili[ty ] to issue this report on those fmancial statements in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.
Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Chari[ty ] Commission under section 145 ( 5) of the Act and to be found in the Church Guidance, 2006 edition, issued by the Finance Division of the Archbishops' Council. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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[1] 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 Act; and
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to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or
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[2] to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed .. .. "J/?.!!.,4;{)&[& ] PCC Chairman /'f [,/4., ] /2Aa.J 'Zd"f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date ................... 7. 7-f..--:1 ..
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