2020-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Marys, Easebourne

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

The Parish Church of St Mary Easebourne

West Sussex

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

OF THE

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Incumbent

Revd Derek Welsman

Independent Examiner

Trevor James

Banks

Barclay’s Bank Plc, Chichester

Charity Registration No 1151500

Parochial Church Council of St Mary, Easebourne

Registered Charity: 1151500

Trustees Annual Report for 2020

Structure, governance and management

The parish is a charity registered with the Charity Commission under the name of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Marys, Easebourne with the Registered Charity Number 1151500.

During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC):

Incumbent: The Revd Derek Welsman Chairman Wardens: Mrs Alison Davis Mr Roger Sked Secretary: Mrs Elizabeth Bounton Treasurer: Mr Eric Bounton Deanery Synod Reps: Mr Eric Bounton Mr Roger Bricknell Elected Members Mr Martin Dexter Mrs Jan Harling Mr Tony Craig Mrs Veronica Jull Mrs Sue Parry (Safeguarding Officer)

Standing Committee: Vicar, Church Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Mrs Veronica Jull

Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent/priest-incharge, curate, lay readers licensed to officiate in the church), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and 6 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.

Aim and purposes.

The primary objective of St Mary’s PCC is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd Derek Welsman, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

Objectives and activities

Through its Mission Action Plan the PCC sets out the following objectives:

Community : To continue to build a church community that is open to all and vibrant in worship and prayer; Gospel shaped, and Kingdom focused. Through continuing to provide a safe environment for all. Re-structuring our PCC’s to reduce levels of bureaucracy. To develop our worship space with an emphasis on access for all. Promote a greater community use of our church buildings.
Children’s Work : To build on the good practise already in place. Strengthening our links with our local schools. Developing our Messy Church Community. Developing new ways of supporting local families through Toddler Groups, Sunday School and wider youth activities.
Outreach : Proclaiming the Gospel to a new generation. Through a PCC focus on growing our church communities. Ensuring good practise in delivering Occasional offices. A focus on Back to Church Sunday. Making sure the church engages with all new housing developments within the local area.
Continuing Discipleship : How we all grow as a church family. Through inspiring the congregations to study, engage and learn. Develop prayerfulness and spirituality. Recognise the gifting of the church family for serving each other and the wider community.
The PCC also committed to work with their mission partners in supporting those in society and world who require support and care in their lives . This included supporting the work of those who support: the homeless, vulnerable families, those affected by war, vulnerable children and oversees aid.

The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the year and works with the vicar to promote services that match the needs of our local community. Our services and worship put faith into practise through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our activities, the PCC and the incumbent consider the Charity Commissions guidance on ‘public benefit’ and in particular, the specific guidance on ‘Charities for the advancement of religion’.

Achievement and performance

Church attendance

There are 149 parishioners on the church electoral roll, 79 of whom are not resident within the parish The average weekly attendance of 50 during the year was much reduced because of Covid restrictions.

Review of the year

The full PCC met 7 times during the year with an average level of attendance of 80%. Committees met between meetings and minutes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary.
COVID 19: As with all of society, 2020 was a year marked by the pandemic for our three churches. With closure of services for four months of the year, there was a huge impact upon worship and the life of the three church communities. When the churches were able to be

open – firstly just for private prayer and then for limited public worship – the church wardens worked tirelessly to make sure that our places of worship were safe for the congregations to enter; we cannot thank then enough for what they were able to achieve.

With closure of churches and subsequent restricted access to worship, there was a knock-on effect to our finances. Thankfully, we were able to cover our costs for the year and maintain our commitment as a charity to support local projects such as Stonepillow and the Midhurst Food Bank.

Worship: When possible, across our three churches, public worship was offered to support people in their daily life of faith. When churches were open only for private prayer, there is evidence that many from our villages found comfort and solace inside our ancient and historic churches.

The biggest casualty of the pandemic was a complete closure of worship for much of Lent and Easter . During these periods, worship was provided online using our wonderful webpage and Facebook pages. There is also evidence that during Lockdown, and subsequently during periods where people were still restricted because of being asked to isolate or shield, that our online services were used by many beyond our regular congregations.

Charitable giving: COVID-19’s lockdown happened at the beginning of Lent. This meant that our Lenten appeal for Education West Africa was severely affected. However, our three church communities, in spite of all that was happening in our country, still managed in 2020 to be active in supporting the wider work of the church. Our collection of food for the homeless in Chichester and the local area continued through our weekly produce collection in church - with food being gathered at our harvest Festivals (also including our two village schools) - with our collection at Christmas to provide the Christmas dinner. The churches also raised money for our deanery project to bring a family support worker to Midhurst Deanery. This project, working alongside Family Support Work - a Diocesan wide charity - will bring much needed support to local families who struggle. Sadly, although funds were raised, it is not possible for the charity to employ someone at this present time – but we look forward to being able to implement the project very soon. The three church communities also raised monies to support the Royal British Legion over the period of remembrance. There were also our regular collections for the work of the Children Society through our collection boxes. Sadly in 2020 the support of Macmillan, through proving remembrance services, the Tree of Hope and volunteer support was severely affected by the pandemic – it is hope that once things return to some form of normality, that this important work will resume. Full details of Charity support can be found in the financial section of this document.
Children’s work : Children’s work was the biggest casualty of last year, with Messy Church, Family Services and our toddler group unable to take place. Thankfully, once allowed we did maintain a good relationship with our Church of England Primary school, providing

weekly Collective Acts of Worship and half-termly RE sessions with each class. The church also supported the work of the Governing body with two Foundation Governors. This link with our local Church of England school is a vital part of our work as a church community, supporting the education and wellbeing of our children and their families. This work also includes our local independent school Conifers.

Occasional Offices : One of the key elements of our work as a charity, is providing Occasional Offices to our village communities. The Occasional offices of weddings, baptisms and funerals are central to our community work; offering both the buildings and liturgical worship to facilitate these events. Sadly, once again in 2020, the pandemic affected our ability to provide these services. There were to be 17 weddings booked in 2020 – we achieved just 4 of these. There had been an expectation that the church would be busy with funerals – sadly in the light of reduced numbers allowed to attend, many families chose not to use the services of the church; subsequently there was only 25 across our three churches.
Repairs to the church : 2020 saw very little works needed for our three churches. At St Mary’s the PCC is focused on repairing the bell tower steeple – however until we are out of COVID-19 restrictions, this work is suspended. At St James there was a minor repair to one capstone on the roof. At St Peter’s there was no significant works. The three PCC’s representing our churches recognise the importance of maintaining our three historic buildings for public use – through the dedicated work of our wardens and PCC’s our three churches are in good shape and have been open for private prayer throughout this last year.
Burial Grounds : The PCC’s continued to maintain their burial grounds across our benefice, with the contractors cutting the grass to a very high standard. The Parish Council continued to support the church with vital financial contributions to grass cutting. All five of our burial sites place a huge financial burden on the PCC’s with routine cutting of grass and essential repairs. The three PCC’s see the work of maintaining our church yards and burial grounds as essential to supporting our village life.
Safeguarding : All three PCC’s fully comply with the Church of England’s guidance on safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults. Through its Safeguarding Committee and the dedicated Safeguarding officers, the PCC’s work using he Diocesan Simple Quality Protects mark to ensure good practise. This means that the PCC’s follow all safer recruiting procedures: Using the DBS to check those who hold key roles in the church – using for key people all training pertaining to Safeguarding provided by the Church of England and ensuring that all places of worship are safe and secure for those who attend – especially children and vulnerable adults. Each year, before the APCM the PCC’s review the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy, which when passed is posted in our churches in public view. In 2020 there were no Safeguarding incidents in our three parishes.

One PCC : In 2020, in spite of the difficulties caused by the pandemic, the PCC’s were able to sign off on becoming One Parish and One PCC. This historic moment for our three churches, came after five years of hard work by all three PCC’s. It is important to thank all members of our PCC’s for the way in which this difficult discussions and decisions were undertaken. This important work should help all three churches to move forward with a new sense of purpose; empowered by their new sense of collective responsibility, fostering closer links but also providing new opportunities for mission and service across our One Parish.
Diocesan Strategy : 2019 saw the end of the Diocesan Five-year strategy called Vision for Growth. The strategy had sat at the heart of the PCC’s work over the five years encouraged by the years of Mercy, Prayer, Bible and Vocation. The PCC looks forward to the new Diocesan strategy which will be launched in 2020. The strategy will encourage us to reflect upon our shared life – what we do, what we give and how we share the Gospel.

Financial review

The financial statement of the PCC has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 1993 and the Church Accounting Regulation 2006 using the Receipt and Payment basis.
The total receipts on general unrestricted funds received were £74676 and are detailed in the Financial Report.
The payments to mission include, Educating West Africa £690, Stonepillow £400, British Legion £250. Monies raised for FSW amounted to £1034, but this money is being held at present due to Covid.
The largest expenditure of the PCC was the sum of £39,756 paid to the Diocese to cover ministry costs; this annual amount covers the housing and stipend and pension costs of the clergy and a standard sum for diocesan central costs, clergy training and a contribution to national church funds. In 2020 the cost of church insurance was paid directly by the parish.

Reserves Policy

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on the general unrestricted funds (excluding Property) which equates to approximately two months’ worth of unrestricted payments as contingency against unforeseen situations. The closing balance this year has than achieved this.
The designated fabric fund is retained towards the future cost of the upkeep of the church.
It is PCC policy to invest fund balances with the CBF Church of England deposit fund. A summary of these funds is attached to the financial statement.

This trustees’ annual report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by the Revd Derek Welsman, PCC Chairman:

Signed:

Date:

Independent Examiner's Report to the Members of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church Easebourne l report on my examlnatlon of the Accounts of the Parochlal Church Council IPCCI for the year ended 31. December 2020. This report Is made 501ely to the PCC, as a body, in accordance wlth the Charitie5 Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I mlght statè to thè members of the PCC those matters l am reqvired to state to them it) an independent examiner'5 report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not a¢cept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the PCC and the member5 of the PCC as a body, for any work. for thls report, orfor the opinions I have fomed. Respon55bllltle5 arKt basss of report As members of the PCC. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the requirements of the Chafities Act 2011 1.the Act.) and the Church Accounttng Regulations. You ¢onslder that an audtt Ss not requlred for the year under the Church ACCOUnng RegUlaOnS and sect5on 144121 of the Art and that an independent examinarion is needed. It 15 my re5pon5ibility to: examine the accounts under the Churth Accountlng Regulatfons and settfon 145 of the Act,. follow the procedures laid down In general Dlrertlons glven by the Charlty Commission under sethon 144121 of the Act,. and to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the Independent examlner'5 report My examlnatfon was carried out in accordance with the general Dlrertion5 8iven by the Charity Commlsslon. An examinadon Includes a review of the accountin8 rttords kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual Items or dlsclosures In the ac¢ouAts and seeking explanations from you as members of the PCC concerning anv such mattèrs. The procedures undertaken do not provlde all the evldence that would bè requlred In an audit and con5eqyently no oplnion is given as to whether the accounts present a *rue and fair iriew, and the report Is Ilmited to those matter5 set out in the statement below. Independent •MIne1.5 statement In connertlon with my examlnatlon no matter has come to my attendon.. which glves me reasonable cause to belleve that in any material fespect the requirements to keep accOunn8 records in accordance with section 130 of the Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accountin8 records and COFpply with the accounting requlrements of the Art have not been met, or to whlch, In my oplnion, attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. le Trevor James FCA D¢hA Dormer Cotta8e West Broyle Chichester West Sussex P019 3PR 4 May 2021

ST MARY'S. EASEBOURNE PCC RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS 31st DECEMBER 2020 2020 2019 RECEIPTS GIn$ Planned glvlng DesSgnated Collertlons/Other GASDS donatlons Donèdons Glft Ald Recovery Mlnlstry Contrlbuttons Legacles Actl¥ltl•s lor pn•r•l lunds Refectory Fete, fair, etc 200 Club Income Chur¢h artlvlt5•s Fees Other Income Investments Interest from deposlt funds Campbell Trust- capltal wlthdrawn Tot*1 r•e•lpts 31.939 3,121 4,735 3,433 15,778 27,997 10,825 8,970 6,302 2,172 4,OJO Is 60,¢XJ6 60,281 1,035 1,252 10,000 1,815 3,329 7,582 12,287 12,726 6,956 1.483 14,542 7,687 8,439 22,229 3,16S 358 4S9 3,523 459 PAYMENTS R•lsSni lund$ Fundralsln8 expenses Admlnlstratlon costs Church athvltle5 MlssSon Dlocesan share Dlocese fees Clergy expenses Mlnlstry sundrles SÈrvlees- electrlclty, gas, etc Insurance Church runnln8 & m15c expenses Bulldin8 work5 & prolects 2OJ Club expenses Total payments Net Payments Cash funds at 31 December 2019 C•sh funds at Yi D¢cember 2020 330 282 330 282 2,662 39,756 7,179 8,889 4,393 3,522 4,626 7,382 9,115 4,475 8,090 36,840 7,989 9,164 6,881 4,598 4,869 7,993 4,314 2.494 91,999 92,329 93,232 93,514 2,181 118,618 120,799 120,799 112,725

ST MARY'S, EASEBOURNE PCC STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 31" DECEMBER 2020 Cash funds Unrestrlcted Gen funds Restricted funds Endowment funds 8ank No I current acwunt Bank No 2 current account Bank deposit account CBF deposit account Total cash funds 24,186 12,727 75,811 112,725 Investment ass•ts Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment fund5 Chancel Trust Snve5tmentS Unspent chancel income CBF Investment fund C8F Fixed interest Securities fund Total other monetsry assets 2,375 346 2,721 Unrestrlrted funds RestrScted fijnds Endowment funds Sale Henley Mlsslon Trust In¥estment$ {Fabrltl CBF Investment fvnd CBF Fixed Interest securitles fund Total other monetary assets 16,472 3,999 20.471 Unrestritted fund5 RestrictÈd funds Endowment funds Campbell Trust Investments (Churchyard) CBF Fixed interest 5e¢urirfes fund Totsl other monetary asset5 ¢ts f•r charlty's own use Funds to which asset belon8S C05t loptionall Current value loptionall Total assets for charity's own use Uablllttes Funds to whith liability relate5 Amount due loptlonall When due loptlonall Creditors Total Ilabilltle5 Jnrestrlcted 650

ST MARY'S, EASEBOURNE PCC STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 31" DECEMBER 2020 Si8ned on behalf of St Mary's Easebourne Parochial Church Council Print name Print narne Date ......................................-