Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Bartholomew’s Church, Arborfield
for the year ended 31 December 2021
Trustees Annual Report
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) presents its Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Reference and administrative information
The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission as The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Bartholomew’s, Arborfield, registration number 1146779.
The correspondence address of the Church is The Rectory, Church Lane, Arborfield, Berkshire RG2 9HZ.
The Trustees, members of the PCC who have served from 1 January 2021 until the date this report was approved are:
| Minister | Rev Piers Bickersteth (Chair) |
|---|---|
| Assoc. Minister | Rev Andrew Kearns |
| Churchwardens | Joseph Brown |
| Adedayo Ajibola | |
| Deanery Synod reps | Gillian Kaiser |
| Poppy Brown | |
| Anthony Pollock | |
| Elected members | Alison Caldwell |
| Patricia Fryer | |
| Ian Hollamby | |
| Mark McDonnell | |
| Hannah Schuster | |
| Felicity Singh | |
| Phil Rowlandson | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank PLC |
| Independent Examiner | Jacob Farley ACA |
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Structure, governance and management
The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956.
The appointment of PCC members is governed by, and set out in, the Church Representation Rules. The Trustees, members of the PCC, are either elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting or are co-opted onto the PCC and hold office for 3 years.
Objectives and activities
The principal purpose of St Bartholomew’s Church, Arborfield is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The objectives of the PCC are defined by the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956 as “to co-operate with the minister in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.”
In planning the activities the PCC has applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Achievements and performance
Our aim as a Church is to honour the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do. By his grace we are seeking to grow in our knowledge of him, our love for him and our obedience to him. We are also seeking to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to others as well, both by reaching out to others ourselves and by supporting mission partners in the UK and overseas. During 2020 we supported the following: Universities & Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), OMF, Crosslinks with Abuja Bible College (Nigeria) and the Algeo Family with SOW, (The Gambia), Christian Community Action (CCA), and Open Doors.
Our Sunday services are the focus for our life as a Church as we gather to listen to the Word of God being read and preached, and as we respond to him in prayer and praise. This is also a vital time for us to grow as a fellowship and refreshments after the service provide the opportunity for relationships to build. It is our assumption, however, that our life as a Church should overflow into our daily lives and our growth groups continue to provide a natural context for relationships to develop whereby people can serve and encourage one another further.
Much of the year has once again been impacted by restrictions on our gatherings both locally and nationally in order to restrict the spread of CV-19. Despite the restrictions and the disruption they bring to “normal” church life, we are thankful for the way we have been able to continue to gather both in-person and online
Church at the Green marked its fourth birthday in March 2021 and continues to give thanks to God for all that He continues to do in establishing and keeping the church family. Piers Bickersteth continues in his role as rector of the benefice as well as leading the ministry at CTG.
Phil Rowlandson entered into his fourth year in his role on the staff team, and now functions as an assistant minister at CTG, whilst continuing the selection process for ordination in the Church of England.
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Andy Kearns continues his role as Associate minister, based at Arborfield.
During the year the Electoral Roll was revised in accordance with Church of England practice and the number currently on the Roll is 118.
Most of the charity’s activities are undertaken by volunteers and the charity could not operate effectively without their efforts. In planning the activities, the PCC has applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
Our Lord, continues to be very kind to us with Andy Kearns our Associate minister continuing to lead us with support from Piers and Phil Rowlandson. From July we changed the model for supporting Church of the Green (CTG), so Arborfield PCC are no longer supporting CTG financially, the members of CTG pay their contributions into the Trust rather than to Arborfield PCC. We have also supported our mission partners as they seek to serve across the globe.
During the year the Church income was £175,397 (an increase of £13,843 from 2020) and Church expenditure was £127,631 (a decrease of £13,306 from 2020).
Additionally a £250,000 loan was granted by the Methodist Chapel Aid Limited towards the £255,912 cost of refurbishment of the School House. We are very pleased to say the project was completed successfully and that Andy Kearns and family moved into the property on 10[th] December.
The receipts and payments account also shows the final £8,500 repayments of the Church Hall Extension loans, and finally interest payments of £3,110 on the new School House loan.
The net receipts for the year were £30,244, so that total cash balances at 31 December 2021 were £61,855, of which £1,528 is restricted and £60,326 is unrestricted.
Reserves
The trustees have agreed the policy in the amount of holding cash reserves of 2 months income. As CTG givers are no longer contributing to Arborfield PCC our monthly income has reduced however this has been offset by not paying CTG expenses since July. Despite this we have increased the amount held in our reserves. The cash held in the unrestricted fund has increased to £60,326 (2020: £28,732).
Quinquennial Inspection
The quinquennial inspection was carried out in August 2020 and the report was received in October, immediate work has been recommended. Included in this year’s expenditure was the repair of the lightning conductor £6,618 which we were fortunate to receive a partial refund of £3,941 from our insurance company. An inspection and roof repairs of £1650 were made in January 2022. There are several cracks in the masonry around the church which are being actively monitored but it is not yet clear if and when repairs will be required.
3
Going concern
The Charity is reliant on the support of voluntary donations to enable it to continue operating. The trustees believe that support will continue and that the Charity will continue to operate.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
The PCC is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
With regard to the PCC’s obligations to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, the members of the PCC confirm that they have complied with their duties under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016.
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 2 April 2022, and signed on its behalf by:
Piers Bickersteth Patricia Fryer Chairman Treasurer
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2021 on pages 6 to 9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jacob Farley ACA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 5 May 2022
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Notes Income receipts Voluntary receipts 2(a) Church activities 2(b) Investment income 2(c) Insurance claim Capital and similar receipts Total receipts Payments Church activities 3(a) Ministry costs 3(b) Mission and charitable gifts 3(c) Total payments Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers School House refurbishment Church Hall loan repayments Loan interest Loan for refurbishment of School House |
General Funds £ 167,742 3,704 - 3,941 175,387 - - 175,387 48,254 65,197 13,500 126,951 - 8,500 3,110 138,561 36,826 (5,232) 31,594 28,732 60,326 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 10 - 10 - - 10 15 - 665 680 - - - 680 (670) (680) (1,350) 2,879 1,528 |
Endowment Funds £ - - - - - 250,000 250,000 250,000 - - - - 255,912 - - 255,912 (5,912) 5,912 - - - |
2021 £ 167,742 3,704 10 3,941 175,397 250,000 250,000 425,397 48,269 65,197 14,165 127,631 255,912 8,500 3,110 395,153 30,244 - 30,244 31,611 61,855 |
2020 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158,627 2,916 11 - |
|||||
| 161,554 | |||||
| - | |||||
| - | |||||
| 161,554 | |||||
| 61,240 65,698 14,000 |
|||||
| 140,937 8,595 8,500 - |
|||||
| 158,032 | |||||
| 3,522 - |
|||||
| 3,522 28,089 |
|||||
| 31,611 |
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Tenancy deposit Other debtors Total current assets C Liabilities Falling due within one year Loan repayments Diossian Board of Finance Accounts payable Fee for Independent Examination Accrued expenses Total net current assets D Church Hall sliding partitions Liabilities secured on School House Total assets less secured liabilities School House used as clergy accommodation (2021 valuation by Haslams, Chartered Surveyors) CBF Investment Fund (Ditchfield Prize Bell Fund) Assets and secured liabilities retained for charity's own use Loan payments falling due within less than one year Loan payments falling due after one year |
General funds £ 60,326 60,326 - 3,055 2,100 1,361 6,516 66,842 - 718 156 1,560 - 2,434 64,408 - 11,034 11,034 - - - 11,034 |
Restricted funds £ 1,528 1,528 375 - - - 375 1,903 - - - - - - 1,903 - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 750,000 - 750,000 13,158 236,842 250,000 500,000 |
2021 £ 61,855 61,855 375 3,055 2,100 1,361 6,890 68,745 - 718 156 1,560 - 2,434 66,311 750,000 11,034 761,034 13,158 236,842 250,000 511,034 |
2020 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31,611 | |||||
| 31,611 | |||||
| 328 1,751 - 500 |
|||||
| 2,579 | |||||
| 34,190 | |||||
| 8,500 - - 1,260 3,730 |
|||||
| 13,490 | |||||
| 20,700 | |||||
| - 11,034 |
|||||
| 11,034 | |||||
| - - |
|||||
| - | |||||
| 11,034 |
School House is held under an endowment trust deed dated 1st December 1871 for the education of the children of Arborfield and Barkham in the principles of the Church of England at the Coombs Primary School. It is occupied as a residence by the church's associate minister for this purpose. The rent saved from renting accommodation for the church's associate minister from a third party will fund the loan repayments. There is therefore no additional liability on the PCC arising from this arrangement.
The above loan which is secured on the School House is repayable in equal half yearly instalments and is repayable in full by 2041.
Consecrated property, beneficed property and moveable church furnishings which require a special faculty for disposal are excluded from the above list of charity assets.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Piers Bickersteth
Date: 2 April 2022
The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the PCC in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the PCC for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 a) Voluntary income Regular donations under gift aid Other regular donations Total regular receipts One-off donations under gift aid Other one-off donations Collections Total receipts from one-off donations Gift aid reclaimed b) Church activities Clergy fees Other activities and fees c) Investment income Dividends from CBF investment funds 3 a) Church activities Church @ the Green Church running costs Office cost and central costs Insurance Independent examination School House utilities Assigned fees Other charitable activities Other costs b) Ministry costs Associate Minister Ministry trainees Youth worker Other ministry expenses c) Mission and charitable gifts Christian Community Action Crosslinks OMF International Open Doors UCCF Bibles given to school leavers |
General funds £ 79,076 11,735 90,811 46,453 800 72 47,325 29,606 167,742 3,619 85 3,704 - - General funds £ 18,706 12,799 7,459 3,544 1,260 1,177 1,457 198 1,654 48,254 56,387 - 4,078 4,732 65,197 1,500 4,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 - 13,500 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 10 Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - 15 15 - - - - - - - - - - 665 665 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total 2021 £ 79,076 11,735 90,811 46,453 800 72 47,325 29,606 167,742 3,619 85 3,704 10 10 Total 2021 £ 18,706 12,799 7,459 3,544 1,260 1,177 1,457 198 1,669 48,269 56,387 - 4,078 4,732 65,197 1,500 4,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 665 14,165 |
Total 2020 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89,393 9,630 |
|||||
| 99,023 | |||||
| 23,300 5,600 592 |
|||||
| 29,492 | |||||
| 30,113 | |||||
| 158,627 | |||||
| 2,432 484 |
|||||
| 2,916 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
| Total 2020 £ |
|||||
| 39,492 5,721 8,750 3,515 1,140 - 477 177 1,968 |
|||||
| 61,240 | |||||
| 55,452 5,528 4,056 662 |
|||||
| 65,698 | |||||
| 1,500 4,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 500 |
|||||
| 14,000 |
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
4 Staff and trustees
The church has no direct employees. Its activities are carried out by volunteers and by staff employed by an independent charity (The Arborfield and Barkham Parish Churches Trust). Grants paid to that trust to meet these costs are included in the ministry section of note 3 above.
Included in the staff employed by that independent charity is Rev Andrew Kearns, who is a member of the PCC of Arborfield Church and hence a trustee. The Associate Minister costs shown in note 3 above represent the amounts paid to The Arborfield and Barkham Parish Churches Trust for provision of the services of Rev Kearns by that trust.
No person connected with the PCC has been paid remuneration or other benefits from the funds of the PCC.
5 Fund movements
| d movements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds Restricted funds: Bell fund School House fund Ditchfield prize fund Other nominated gifts Endowment funds: School House fund Total funds |
Opening balance £ 28,732 1,182 680 193 823 2,879 - - 31,611 |
Receipts £ 175,387 - - 10 - 10 250,000 250,000 425,397 |
Payments £ (138,561) (15) - - (665) (680) (255,912) (255,912) (395,153) |
Transfers £ (5,232) - (680) - - (680) 5,912 5,912 - |
Closing balance £ 60,326 |
| 1,167 - 203 158 |
|||||
| 1,528 | |||||
| - | |||||
| - | |||||
| 61,855 |
The School House endowment fund has been created following the surrender of the lease of the School House. The School House is held in accordance with the terms of the original trust deed dated 1 December 1871.
The transfer from the restricted School House fund into the School House endowment fund reflects the trustees view that this fund is an endowment fund in accordance with the original trust deed relating to the School House.
The transfer from the general fund into the School House endowment fund is a contribution towards the refurbishment costs of the School House.
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