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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Bartholomew’s Church, Arborfield

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Trustees Annual Report

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) presents its Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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 2023 until the date this report was approved (or as indicated) are:

Rev Piers Bickersteth (Chair) (until Minister 18/2/24) Assoc. Minister Rev Andrew Kearns (Chair) Churchwardens Joseph Brown Adedayo Ajibola (until 26/4/23) Lynn McBurnie (from 26/4/23) Deanery Synod reps Gillian Kaiser (until 26/4/23) Poppy Brown Anthony Pollock Elected members Alison Caldwell Patricia Fryer Ian Hollamby Mark McDonnell Hannah Schuster (until 26/4/23) Felicity Singh Jonathan Green (from 26/4/23) Alex Kershaw (From 26/4/23)

Bankers Barclays Bank PLC Independent Examiner Lisa Darby FCA

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.”

The trustees confirm that they have given due consideration to the Charity Commission’s published guidance on the operation of public benefit.

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 2023 we supported the following: OMF, Christian Community Action (CCA), Open Doors and Crosslinks, along with a post-grad member of the church family working as a ministry trainee with a church in Southampton.

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.

Church at the Green marked its sixth birthday in March 2023 and continues to give thanks to God for all that He continues to do in establishing and keeping the church family, as well as building our relationships with neighbours who continue to move into the new housing locally. Piers Bickersteth continues in his role as rector of the benefice as well as leading the ministry at CTG.

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 119.

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. Sadly for us Piers announced his retirement and left in February 2024.

During the year the Church income was £126,342 (a decrease of £91,675 from 2022) and Church expenditure was £126,027 (last year £108,840 (an increase of £17,187 from 2022).

We have made mortgage repayments of £24,167.73 (£13,157.90 Capital Repayments and £10,991.23 Interest Repayments) to Methodist Chapel Aid limited towards last year’s loan of £250,000 for the refurbishment of School House.

The total cash balances at 31 December 2023 were £69,117, all of which is unrestricted. There is also £102,228 invested in a 120 day notice investment fund (£1,674 of these funds are restricted)

We are still in the planning stages of creating a new car parking area next to the church hall to improve the safety of church visitors. This is estimated to cost around £40,000 and we have so far spent £7,187 of this on the planning application.

Reserves

The reserves policy of the charity is to hold cash reserves which equate to a minimum of 2 months income at all times. For the 2023 year end this would require approximately £21,000 of cash reserve. The unrestricted immediately accessible cash held at the year end was £69,117, so the trustees are confident their reserve policy has been complied with.

Quinquennial Inspection

The quinquennial inspection was carried out in August 2020. There are several cracks in the masonry around the church which are being actively monitored with crack gauges. It is not yet clear if and when repairs will be required. There is a church working party which will be ensuring the required inspections and repairs are completed.

Heating

The engineer for the boiler has indicated that it is near end of life. An energy audit earlier in the year recommended that we replace the boiler with under pew heaters at an estimated cost of £17,000.

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 18 March 2024, and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Kearns Patricia Fryer

Rev Andrew Kearns Patricia Fryer Chairman Treasurer

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 2023 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.

Lisa Darby

Lisa Darby FCA

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: 25 March 2024

Page 5

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes *Income receipts* Voluntary receipts 2(a) Church activities 2(b) Investment income 2(c) Insurance claim *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 Car Park building work Loan repayments Purchase of fixed assets	General Funds £ 114,806 9,049 2,227 - 126,082 34,127 44,856 14,894 93,877 - 7,187 - 13,177 114,242 11,840 (11,670) 170 82,234 82,404	Restricted Funds £ 60 - 10 - 70 49 - 249 299 - - - - 299 (229) 303 74 1,600 1,674	Designated Funds £ - 70 - - 70 - - - - - - - - 70 - 70 87,197 87,267	Endowment Funds £ - - 120 - 120 496 - - 496 - - - 10,991 11,487 (11,367) 11,367 - - -	2023 £ 114,866 9,119 2,357 - 126,342 34,672 44,856 15,143 94,672 - 7,187 - 24,168 126,027 314 - 314 171,031 171,345	2022 £
						209,109 8,778 130 -
						218,016
						31,002 47,717 8,332
						87,051 - - 1,085 20,704
						108,840
						109,176 -
						109,176 61,855
						171,031

The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.

Page 6

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

General funds £ 69,117 13,287 82,404	Restricted funds £ - 1,674 1,674	Designated funds £ - 87,267 87,267	Endowment funds £ - - -	2023 £ 69,117 102,228 171,345	2022 £
					171,031
					171,031
					16,688 1,882 5,831
2,557 2,075	- -	- -	- -	2,557 2,075
-	-	-	-	- 4,632 175,977
4,632 87,036	- 1,674	- 87,267	- -		22,520
					193,550

852 730 - 1,500 351 3,433 83,603	- - - - - - 1,674	- - - - - - 87,267	- - - - - - -	852 730 - 1,500 351 3,433 172,544	- - 5,500 1,440
					6,940
					186,610

- 11,034 11,034 - - - 11,034	- - - - - - -	- - - - - - -	750,000 - 750,000 13,158 210,526 223,684 526,316	750,000 11,034 761,034 13,158 210,526 223,684 537,350	750,000 11,034
					761,034
					13,158 223,684
					236,842
					524,192

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:

Andrew Kearns

_____ Rev Andrew Kearns

Date: 18 March 2024

The notes on pages 8-9 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 Rental 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 Youth worker Other ministry expenses c) Mission and charitable gifts Christian Community Action South Central Gospel Crosslinks Open Doors Church at the Green Individuals Bibles given to school leavers	General funds £ 65,150 16,040 81,190 1,810 525 409 2,744 30,872 114,806 3,212 5,837 9,049 - 2,227 2,227 General funds £ - 12,950 9,892 4,150 1,968 - 544 363 4,260 34,127 39,378 4,479 999 44,856 2,500 500 3,394 2,500 5,500 500 - 14,894	Restricted funds £ - - - - 60 - 60 - 60 - - - - 10 10 Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - 49 49 - - - - - - - - - 249 249	Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 70 70 - - - Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - 120 - 120 Endowment funds £ - - - 496 - - - - - 496 - - - - - - - - - - -	Total 2023 £ 65,150 16,040 81,190 1,810 585 409 2,804 30,872 114,866 3,212 5,907 9,119 120 2,237 2,357 Total 2023 £ - 12,950 9,892 4,646 1,968 - 544 363 4,309 34,672 39,378 4,479 999 44,856 2,500 500 3,394 2,500 5,500 500 249 15,143	Total 2022 £
						67,464 11,897
						79,361
						28,135 91,237 335
						119,707
						10,041
						209,109
						5,706 3,072
						8,778
						120 10
						130
						Total 2022 £
						- 12,429 4,942 4,206 1,978 1,603 2,830 - 3,015
						31,002
						40,258 4,234 3,225
						47,717
						1,500 1,000 - 2,500 - 500 332
						8,332

Page 8

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, ARBORFIELD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 3b above represent the amounts paid to The Arborfield and Barkham Parish Churches Trust for provision of the services of Rev Andrew Kearns by that trust.

Rev Andrew Kearns and family received accommodation in the recently renovated School House during the year. The cost of this accommodation was covered by the PCC with a peppercorn rent of £10 pcm being paid by the minister.

Rev Andrew Kearns received a gift of £2,100 in the previous year: £600 grant for professional development and £1,500 gift for use in his 2023 sabbatical. No gifts were paid to him during 2023.

A close relative of trustee Patricia Fryer received a £500 grant towards a ministry apprentice programme, as permitted by the charity's governing document.

No other person connected with the PCC has been paid remuneration or other benefits from the funds of the PC, other than the direct reimbursement of expenses with no profit element.

5 Fund movements

General funds Restricted funds: Bell fund Women's Ministry fund Ditchfield prize fund Other nominated gifts Endowment funds: School House fund Designated funds: Women's Ministry fund Sustain Ministry Legacy fund Total funds	Opening balance £ 82,234 1,327 60 212 - 1,600 - - - 87,197 87,197 171,031	Receipts £ 126,082 60 10 - 70 120 120 70 - 70 126,342	Payments £ (114,242) (49) - (249) (299) (11,487) (11,487) - - - (126,027)	Transfers £ (11,670) 64 239 303 11,367 11,367 - - - -	Closing balance £ 82,404
					1,402 60 212 -
					1,674
					-
					-
					70 87,197
					87,267
					171,345

The Bell fund relates to income and expenditure received and paid directly in relation to the Church bells and the bell ringing lessons. The Women's Ministry fund relates to income, donations and costs that are in relation to the Women's ministry that the church runs.

The Ditchfield prize fund relates to income to be applied in providing one or more prizes for religious knowledge to one or more children in school every year. 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 Sustain Ministry Legacy fund relates to a legacy gift received that will contribute towards the continued ministry running costs of the church. This includes such costs as Minister costs and children & youth ministry costs.

The transfer from the general fund into the Ditchfield prize fund is a contribution towards the purchase of bibles for school leavers.

The transfer from the general fund into the School House endowment fund is a contribution towards the mortgage repayment on the School House.

The transfer from the general fund into the Bell fund is a contribution towards the annual bell expenditure incurred during 2023.

Page 9

OpenCharities

2023-12-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of St Bartholomew’s Church, Arborfield