2020-12-31-accounts

2020 Report

for the

Parochial Church Council

of

St Peter’s Broadwater, Stevenage

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THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. PETER’S, BROADWATER

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING AND THE ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING OF PARISHIONERS HELD ON SUNDAY 4[th] OCTOBER 2020 IN THE BUILDING AND ON ZOOM

The Vestry Meeting and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting were delayed until October this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. This also meant some people joined the meeting remotely using zoom video communication.

Revd Kate Sharples welcomed all to the meeting and opened with a prayer.

Those present:

On Zoom In the building Rose Aknai Revd Kate Sharples Revd Paul Foster Liz Carter John Hollands Barbara Blackwell Sue Dungey Peter Blackwell Helen Henry Rod Cutler Rosie Busfield Barbara Cutler Roger Busfield Rosie Hollands Ruth Pollard Graham Hall Gordon Baillie Richard Brooks Annette Baillie Obi Eneli Kieran Cooney Derek Peterson Muriel Peterson Paul Evenett Lynn Evenett Anna Beckett Kay Collier Lynne Lee-Diep Jill Adam Wayne Sime Louise Sime Tapiwa Tungamirai

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING OF PARISHIONERS

MINUTES

It was proposed by Wayne Sime that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the meeting held on Sunday 22nd April 2018, seconded by Helen Henry and agreed by all.

ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS

Kate explained how Sue Dungey was first elected churchwarden in April 2016 and continued serving during the previous vicar’s sabbatical, the interregnum, installation of new vicar and global pandemic. She had served for 4.5 years, and done a lot work, much of which is not seen. She was given a big vote of thanks and presented with flowers as a thank you.

Maurice Gordon and John Hollands agreed to stand as church wardens.

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Maurice Gordon Nominated by Wayne Sime Seconded by Paul Dymond John Hollands Nominated by Wayne Sime Seconded by Sue Dungey

There were no other nominations therefore there was no need to vote and Maurice Gordon and John Hollands were duly elected:

Kate prayed a blessing over them.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from: Janet Bell John Bell Catriona Brenton Marion Burton Doris Cork Gillian Gibbs John Greenway Brian Temple Carol temple Maurice Gordon Joanie Gordon Janice Brooks

2. MINUTES

It was proposed by Wayne Sime that the minutes were a true and accurate record of the meeting held on Sunday 7[th] April 2019, seconded by Jill Adam and agreed by all.

3. ANNUAL REPORT ON THE LIFE OF ST PETERS 2019

Several highlights for 2019 were mentioned to give thanks for:

• The church has 150 new, blue chairs that are light and stackable and 20 slightly narrower grey chairs, which fit round tables better.

• In the middle of the year Paul Foster our curate arrived along with Kathryn and Grace.

• The Alpha course saw several people come to faith or renew their faith.

• We had been praying for another band leader for the musical ministry team but actually got 2 new leaders.

• Several social events during the year, church walks and DVD mornings with lunch.

• Home groups continued, with one less evening group but gaining a daytime group.

• Love Stevenage was a family fun afternoon on Shephalbury Park which was a joint effort between us and Oak church. We were able to connect with lots of people from the community.

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4. ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT

The total on the electoral roll was now 105, an increase of 2 from 2019. Ten were added and 7 removed, mainly because went to worship elsewhere. Two thirds are female. There are 54 living in the parish and 51 outside.

Average Sunday weekly attendance was 68 adults which was an increase of 2 on the pervious year. An average of 16 children each Sunday, a decrease of 1 on the previous year. Towards the end of 2019 we welcomed several new people who have remained with the church.

5. ANNUAL REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE PARISH

We started with year with a balanced budget, however, some people left and giving went down at start of year. However, God is faithful, and by the end of the year we ended up with a small surplice. Helen thanked everyone who gives in the collection or directly through the bank.

Kate thanked Helen for all her work and everyone who has continued giving over the last year.

6. BUILDINGS AND FABRIC REPORT

The buildings work concentrated on the day to day upkeep and the refurbishment of the hall rather than redeveloping the front entrance of church. Sue thanked Rod who cuts the grass, Roger who does so many things, Maurice for being a right-hand man, Emma for cleaning and Vi for flower arranging. Also John for helping her when she started.

7. ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE DEANERY SYNOD

Deanery Synod has continued to meet. Wayne Sime was asked to chair a meeting for Holy Trinity Church to facilitate a consultation session with different interested groups. During the year Revd Chris Bunce left and Revd Andy Thomas was appointed the new rural dean.

Wayne is also the Stevenage Deanery rep on Diocesan Synod.

8. APPOINTMENTS TO THE DEANERY SYNOD

There are 3 vacancies for Deanery Synod Rep.

Obi Eneli was proposed by Wayne Sime And seconded by Richard Brooks Wayne Sime was proposed by John Hollands And seconded by Maurice Gordon

As there were only two candidates, Obi and Wayne were duly elected.

9. APPOINTMENTS TO THE PCC

Kate thanked those who were standing down. Gill Gibbs served for 6 years and as secretary for 2 years, Jill Adam for 6 years and secretary for 5 years in total and David Owen who served for 3 years. There were 6 vacancies and 4 nominations for vacancies on the PCC:

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Helen Henry was proposed by John Hollands and seconded by Tracy Dymond Louise Sime was proposed by John Hollands and seconded by Maurice Gordon Rose Aknai was proposed by Jacqui Horbury and seconded by Ken Aknai

Tapiwa Tungamirai was proposed by Annette Baillie and seconded by Gordon Baillie

There was no need for an election, so these were duly appointed as PCC members for a three year period. Kate said thank you to Jill Adam for all that she did as secretary and led us in prayer for the PCC.

10. APPOINTMENT OF SIDES PERSONS/WELCOMERS

Kate read out the list of sidespersons to be appointed: Obi Eneli, Richard Brooks, Peter & Pauline Sharp, Janet & John Bell, David Okoturo, Wendy Hills, Sue Dungey, Gill Gibbs, Kay Collier, Joanie Gordon, Jacqui Horbury and Carol Temple, and Pat Wood, Annette Baillie

They were all approved.

11. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE PCC

Revd Kate Sharples asked the congregation for approval of the appointment of Sue Viles of Gamlingay as the Independent Examiner of the 2019 accounts.

Proposed by Helen Henry, seconded by Annette Baillie, accepted by all.

Annette and Barbara C were thanked for counting the money.

12. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Paul was ordained priest the week before. He was thanked for all he had done and his passion for mission and youth. He was given a card and gifts of a home communion set and a Luton Town face mask.

Kate said that it’s hard to look to the future at this time. It’s a good time to pause, reflect and pray about some of things we do. Children’s and family work is one area she hoped we could look at and find a new direction for it. Kate thanked Lynne for her work in the office and everyone who’d been part of the mission and ministry of the church. She said that we are going forward on an adventure with Jesus, knowing that he knows the future. We will continue being church, gathering when we can, supporting and praying for each other.

13. QUESTIONS TO THE VICAR AND CHURCH WARDENS

Rose Aknai thanked the vicar, churchwardens and PCC for all they had done keeping the church going.

Kay Collier thanked the worship team for the on-line worship. She asked if we can still get money in from the hall. Kate confirmed that at the time of the meeting, groups were allowed in the hall and so we were receiving some money.

14. CLOSING PRAYER

Kate closed the meeting with a prayer.

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2020 ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST PETER’S, STEVENAGE

Report of the year

The year 2020 was an exceptionally unusual year due to the coronavirus global pandemic, which stopped most of our regular activities for the year.

We had a great start to 2020

Encounters with God was held in half term, Feb 18[th] - 21[st] . Several different prayer zones were created, and the church was open for people to drop in and spend time in prayer. On the Tuesday afternoon we held “Messy Prayer” with extra prayer zones in the hall for children. It was very encouraging to see many families from Messy Church, who also enjoyed the tea and cake and time to chat.

After half-term a youth café was started on Wednesdays after school. It had a fantastic start with 18 young people attending, only to be closed down by the country going into lockdown.

Church went on-line in March

On Sun 22[nd] March, with buildings closed for services, we had our first ever on-line service live on facebook, streamed from the church. With total lockdown from March 23[rd] , all future services were streamed from homes. Being church on-line was a whole new experience for us. We started with just the 10.30am service on-line, but soon added the 9.30am Thursday communion service. Homegroups went online using zoom, and the Sunday evening prayer meeting had many more people joining in on zoom than before lockdown. “Coffee times” after the services on zoom were also added. Those not on-line were kept in contact with by regular phone calls and had their own off-line newsletter.

Children and youth work was more difficult online, however a weekly zoom group for children in school years 3-6 has been held since May. A “light party in a bag” was delivered to all the children and young people we have contacts for. A pastoral care system was set up to try to keep in contact with all church members.

About 30 people joined in with the 8 week on-line prayer course held over zoom. There was a morning or evening option, and many people found it inspired and re-vitalised their prayer life.

Building re-opened

In the middle of June we opened the building twice a week for private prayer, particularly for those who were not on-line. August saw the return of the Thursday communion service to the building, although with the chairs spaced out 2 meters apart, face coverings and copious hand gel, it did not feel quite the same. In September we moved to 2 Sunday services, one on facebook at 9.30am and one in the building at 11.15am. Social distancing meant that numbers were very restricted, and many people preferred to stay online because there was no singing in the building.

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Building closed again!

In November the country went back into lockdown, and so the building was closed again and everything went back on-line. We managed a few more services in the building in December before closing the building again just before Christmas. Closing the building forced us to think more about celebrating Christmas outside of the building. Lots of church members knitted stars and angels which were used to decorate the outside of the building. A huge wooden nativity scene, a banner and lights completed the display, which was a visible presence in the community. Christmas bags were delivered to 51 children/young people, and some of the elderly or off-line church members.

We lament our losses

The usual activities of Sunday children and youth church, Tea & Co, Stepping Stones, Messy Church, and the service in Roebuck nursing home, all stopped. Pastoral visiting, coffee after church, all social events, Love Stevenage, the light party and the Christmas journey also did not happen this year. This has been sad and difficult for us as a church, and particularly for those who served in this way and took part in these activities. We are also aware of the personal struggles so many people have been through this year.

We give thanks for God’s goodness

We have not stopped being church, and so many people have stepped up in amazing ways over the last year. The band leaders have all adapted to leading worship without the support of a band and doing it by video. Lots of preaching has been by video too! The whole congregation has been so supportive of the on-line services, and we’ve been able to worship and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in our own homes. When we could open the building, the services were really appreciated. The homegroup leaders and pastoral care team have supported many people during this time, and lots of people have taken the time to phone, pray, send cards, organise one-to-one walks and leave gifts on doorsteps. Thank you to everyone for being part of St Peter’s.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Aim and purposes

St Peter’s Parochial Church Council (PCC), in cooperation with the incumbent, Revd Kate Sharples, is responsible for the whole ministry and mission of the Church to the Parish of Broadwater. This includes pastoral, evangelistic, social action and ecumenical work and involvement in initiatives across Stevenage with ‘Churches Together in Stevenage.” The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church and hall buildings.

Vision and Objectives

Our vision is to be a missional church – showing God’s love to the community – and to be a relevant

and visible presence, providing pathways by which people can seek and know God.

• We want to continue to be a welcoming community that loves people of all ages and cares for them. To enable all ages to become mature followers of Jesus and to rely on him through prayer and Bible reading and the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

• We want to be “A Furnace” where people meet with Jesus, where lives are transformed by his presence, where miracles happen and people are sent out by the Holy Spirit on fire for God.

• We want to be church that serves the community, helping to meet the needs of the brokenness in our parish.

This is the Mission Action Plan (MAP) which the PCC agreed in 2018.

1. To be able to use the building more flexibly for outreach by buying new chairs The new chairs were bought last year, so this action is completed

2. To reach new people by specifically concentrating on young people

• Work with young people started with the new youth café before lockdown, and we hope to start that up again in the coming year.

3. To make the front entrance accessible, visible, and welcoming In 2021 we will start a project to redevelop the front entrance

As lockdown lifts and life returns to some sort of normality, we will restart our mission and ministry activities. There will be also new challenges and opportunities to respond to.

Activities

Musical Ministry Ken Aknai

This has certainly been a unique year in terms of the challenges we have faced with the lockdown restrictions. Finding ways to effectively engage the church in live online corporate worship has been a steep learning curve, but also very rewarding. God has most definitely equipped us with new skills on this journey, and we are still learning and trying new things. Physical distance has not hindered the work of the Holy Spirit as we have worshipped online together each week.

During the first lockdown, the team took advantage of the extra time some of us had to engage in some basic vocal training together over Zoom with “Voice in Ministry”, with a few of us going on to have more in-depth and personalised singing coaching on a one-to-one. Our voices are, after all, our primary instrument for raising hallelujahs!

I believe that God has used this past year to equip us and grow us for the times ahead when we can finally worship together again physically back in the church building, so that our Spirit-led worship magnifies his name and edifies the church.

Huge thanks to Alan, Obi and Paul E for cheerfully throwing themselves into the challenge of worship leading this past year, to Paul E also for all the work he puts in to the graphical and lyrical production side of things. And huge thanks to Kate and Paul F for all their support and prayers for the team .

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Pastoral Care Rosemary Busfield and Sue Dungey

During this year of the pandemic and lockdown, the aim of pastoral care has been to ensure all church members have had regular contact with a church leader or member of the wider church leadership team.

Home group leaders have been responsible for their members and those not in home groups were put into new groups and given a group leader. All leaders have made regular contact by phone, text or email depending on the personal preference of the people being contacted. Kate and Paul have been available to provide extra support where necessary.

With the church buildings closed, initial dialogue was around church communication, to confirm that people were able to access Facebook services, and church emails. It became apparent that not everyone was able to do this so for these people an alternative version of the newsletter has been produced and delivered, containing up to date church information.

Home Groups Kate Sharples

Home groups have continued over the last year on zoom, and a huge thank you to all the leaders. People have really appreciated the support and prayer.

Alan and Kim: “We have all become Zoomers over the last year! One advantage is that those who enjoy a glass of red wine don’t have to worry about driving home! In addition to our meetings we have had the odd quiz evening and stay in regular contact via WhatsApp. Humour is so important in times of trouble.

Janet and John: Our homegroup has met weekly during the past year, and has been a very important time of support and learning for us all. We believe that we have grown much closer as a group of people.

Obi: Some new members joined us who prior to lockdown had not belonged to a group. One member commented that prior to lock down they had found it difficult to attend regularly and said it was great to have regular connection, bible study and prayer. Plus, they felt that they had got to know the group members a bit more. However, for others it was just not the same as meeting in person, and they missed that warmth and fellowship that we can only get when we are physically together. Overall God has been faithful to us as a group and there have been answers to prayer, personally and for friends and family which has strengthened our faith and commitment to prayer and fellowship.

Maurice B and Julie: The highlight over this past year has been the support and prayer that we have been able to offer each other. God is good and we continued to see him at work during the challenges of the pandemic.

Maurice Gordon: The daytime Home Group recommenced on Wednesday mornings after the summer using Zoom. After some amusing difficulties getting acquainted with the technology the meetings have been very successful with 8 or 9 generally attending. We have shared our experiences of the lockdowns and prayed together and have included Bible studies or reflections of the most recent talk or sermon. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to include any worship music although occasionally one or two have led us into a song. We managed to maintain contact with those not on the internet by text or phone.

Paul Foster: In October we started a new homegroup trying to connect even more people into homegroups during the pandemic. The group has a clear focus of fun and discipleship. For our fun each week one of us will run some sort of game and to start with our discipleship was going through the timelines video series.

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Youth café Paul Foster

In the months leading up to 2020 we developed a youth strategy proposal which was accepted by the PCC and set in motion in January 2020. We wanted to create an after school café for young people that developed into a community, and would also incorporate a faith developing youth group at the end of the café. We set up training for our volunteers in January and started the café in the last week in February. We ran for 3 weeks until we were forced to close because of Coronavirus. However, in those 3 weeks we saw numbers grow weekly until in the final week we had 18 young people. It was clear that there is a want/need for this youth resource in Broadwater. What was amazing, was that we saw young people come to the café who had been connected with St Peters before and as soon as we find some sort of normal w will start again.

Schools Work Paul Foster and Kate Sharples

It’s been great to maintain contact with Shephalbury Park and Roebuck primary schools during the year, and provide a few assemblies via Microsoft Teams and sending in videos.

Paul has continued to partner with Oak church working in Barnwell, running a mentorship group for at risk males. Although this has been successful and the school would like us to do more, it has been completely determined by the restrictions over the last year.

Mission Partners Kate Sharples

We have continued to support three mission partners. These are Bridgebuilders Christian Trust, working in primary schools in Stevenage; Oak Church, working with local youth and in secondary schools; and Miriam and Owen Pugh, working with Africa Inland Mission in Tanzania bringing the gospel to unreached people.

Making it Happen

Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The PCC and the Vicar, Revd Kate Sharples, continue to work well together, overseeing the work and activities of St Peter’s.

The PCC met 5 times in 2020, once in person and the others by zoom. The main points of discussion at PCC meetings were:

• Responding to the coronavirus pandemic - New pattern of services on-line and in the building - Hall refurbishment - Children and families work

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Finance Report for the year ending December 31st 2020

Helen Henry, Treasurer

(to be read in conjunction with the Accounts)

This year has been a challenging year for St Peter’s Church in line with what has happened in Churches, charities and businesses up and down the country but I want to thank all the members of St Peter’s who have faithfully continually to give. With the church not being open to be able to give donations by cash and the hall being closed for a large part of the year, there was a real concern that the finances of St Peter’s would seriously be impacted. What we have found was that people still gave either by swapping to payment through their banks or putting cash/cheques through the vicarage door. The giving from regular donations was actually greater than in 2019; £62,993 2020 compared to £55,975 for 2019.

This meant we were still able to pay the full parish share required by the diocese of St Albans.

Income from the church hall dropped by 2/3rds from £19,416 to £6,581 but the reduction in the cost of utilities £3,533 compared to £4,960 meant our outgoings were considerably less.

We took less in gift aid than normally we can claim under the Gift Aid small donation scheme (GASDS) for donations from Stepping Stones and from Messy Church which were unable to run for most of the year.

The PCC decided at the start of the first lockdown that staff would be topped up to 100% of their wages as we were able to claim 80% under the governments furlough scheme. After the initial 3 months lockdown, it was apparent that things were not going back to normal so it was agreed to continue paying the 20% top up to support the staff. As the giving had continued to stay healthy this meant that this was possible. As flexible furlough was introduced staff were used as needed. Staff were paid a total of £9,847; £6211 plus £3636 from the government furlough scheme.

We continued to support our 3 mission partners and the PCC agreed to extended the 3 year commitment by a further year to support the causes it the difficult times all charities were facing. A total of £4788 was given.

The new Youth group was opened in February using money from a grant (£750) from a local councillor and money from the projects pot.

While the hall was not in use, £5890 was spent on decorating and updating the heating in the hall.

The Church savings accounts has £77,057 plus £11,300 in the general running accounts of which is £25,000 set as side for emergencies, £30,560 given as a gift for improving the front entrance (project not yet started), £13,200 for the projects fund leaving £19,597 for general running

Administration

Lynne Lee-Diep has worked 12 hours a week as the church administrator and hall booking manager, while the buildings were open, and was furloughed during lockdown periods. A huge thank you for all that she has done over the year.

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Buildings and Fabric Report Maurice Gordon and John Hollands

Our Church and Hall have stood mainly empty and quiet for the majority of 2020 due to the Covid 19 restrictions. Nevertheless, we have been able to take the opportunity to review the condition of the buildings and plan for the future. The 2019 Building and Fabric report included our desire to redevelop the church entrance and a decision has been taken to progress this in 2021.

We also actioned our previous plans to refurbish the hall. We redecorated internally, replaced all the radiators and the rotted round window frame in the west wall. The planned replacement flooring has been deferred until after the Covid 19 pandemic as it was decided the floor markings for social distancing would be best added to an old floor rather than a new one.

The church buildings and fabric remain in good condition and no major works have been undertaken in the past year. There are a few on-going issues remaining from the 2018 Diocesan Quinquennial Report (ie spalling brickwork and the condition of the boundary wall) and the recent identification of cracking to the window cill beneath the large stained glass chancel window. These items will need to be addressed in 2021 with hopefully funding from grants that may be available to us. An unsuccessful application was made during 2020.

A revised Health and Safety Policy document has been approved by the PCC and Churchwarden John Hollands confirmed as H & S Officer.

Despite the lockdown we have still needed to maintain the grounds and on behalf of us both we thank Roger Busfield and Rod Cutler for their attention to the grass and shrubbery etc and other minor repairs. In addition, we thank Emma Stilling for her hard work keeping all areas of the buildings clean and safe despite the restrictions due to Covid 19. Finally thanks also to Sue Dungey, who stood down as churchwarden in October, for her assistance in a variety of ways as we experienced this strange year of lockdowns.

Safeguarding Louise Sime

Here at St Peter’s we take Safeguarding very seriously. Recognising there are a few people who are determined to harm children or adults deliberately seeking out organisations where children or other vulnerable people meet. The Church is particularly vulnerable to these people.

We need to ensure we create and maintain a safeguarding culture that will discourage people from becoming involved within Church for the wrong reasons and make it difficult to harm or abuse children or adults. For this reason, we ensure that everyone working with children, vulnerable adults and pastoral visits have been Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked and have taken part in the diocesan safeguarding training.

Most of our leaders and helpers had safeguarding training in 2017. Due to the pandemic their training has expired. Once training sessions start again, we will be organising sessions for them. During the pandemic our safeguarding policy has been updated to include how we work with children on-line.

Lynn Lee-Diep, our Church administrator continues to be our lead Recruiter and ensures all our new DBS checks are carried out and the timely renewal of existing DBS certificates.

We can report that the PCC has been fully compliant with the duty section 5 of the safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults)

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Diocesan Synod Wayne Sime

Wayne Sime (WS) is our Diocesan Synod Representative. The first meeting was focussed on the finances of the Diocese, which were not in a good place. The Diocese only had a nine week cashflow. WS did question this, as there was a requirement on behalf of the Charity Commission to have at least six months of cash in reserves in order to maintain services in time of need. WS was told that this would put a greater burden on churches to provide additional cash to the Diocese. WS suggested that perhaps some of the diocese assets could be realized, in order that they were in cash form and could form a six month reserve. It was explained that the Diocese did not have a clear picture of the finances across the diocese. For example, all income is lumped together (room hire, direct giving, loose giving) and therefore the Diocese was unsure of what income they would receive during the pandemic.

The second meeting was focussed on the Covenant for Clergy Care & Wellbeing, strategic options for a new Youth Strategy and elections (plus existing vacancies) for the next Diocesan & General Synods. All of these motions were supported by the Synod.

There has also been a separate meeting of the House of Laity which was virtual and was attended by WS. This is only the second time that the House of Laity has met during the last three years. The first time was back in October 2018 when it met for 10 minutes to appoint the Chair of the House of Laity which was suggested by the House of Bishops. The second meeting was held virtually in October 2020 in order to give input into the Covenant for Clergy Care & Wellbeing.

WS is not seeking reappointment as Diocesan Representative and therefore June 2021 Diocesan Synod will be my last meeting.

Deanery Synod Wayne Sime and Obi Eneli

Obi Eneli (OE) & Wayne Sime are our Deanery Representatives. The first meeting was in person and the Chaplain from Lister hospital gave a very interesting talk and asked for volunteers. The second one was virtual due to the pandemic. We had a talk on an Emotional Needs survey and how using a tool like that might be of benefit to parishes in the Deanery, which had a mixed reception.

Electoral Roll

There are 106 people on the electoral roll. No-one has been removed from the electoral roll, which was last prepared 7 months ago, and one person has been added. Of the members on the roll, 73 are female, 33 are male. 55 of the members live within the parish and 51 live outside of the parish.

In 2020 there were 14 funerals, 1 baptism and 0 weddings conducted.

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Administrative information

St Peter’s Church is situated on Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage, part of the Marymead neighbourhood hub. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Willows, Stevenage Herts SG2 8AN. Registered charity number is 1152921.

PCC members who have served at any time during 2019:

Ex Officio members:

	Vicar: Reverend Kate Sharples (Chair)
Clergy:
	Curate: Reverend Paul Foster
	Richard Brooks (and deanery synod rep until 4thOct 2020)
Readers:	Gordon Baillie
	Obi Eneli(and Deanerysynod repfrom 4thOct 2020)
	Maurice Gordon
Wardens:	Sue Dungey until Oct 4th2020
	John Hollands from Oct 4th2020

Elected members:

Jill Adam PCC Secretary until Oct 4[th] 2020 Rose Aknai PCC Secretary from Oct 4[th] 2020 Annette Baillie Gilly Gibbs until 4[th] Oct 2020 Helen Henry Treasurer David Owen until 4[th] Oct 2020 Louise Sime Wayne Sime Representative on Deanery Synod and Lay Vice Chair Wendy Hills Linda Smith Tapiwa Tungamirai from 4[th] Oct 2020

Co-opted members: Paul Evenett From 19[th] Oct 2020

Approved by the PCC on Mon 29[th] March 2021

and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Kate Sharples (PCC Chairperson)

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VICAR

Revd Kate Sharples, The Vicarage, 1 The Willows, Stevenage SG2 8AN

BANK DETAILS

Bank of Scotland PO Box 10, 38 St Andrew Square Edinburgh EH2 2YR

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Susan Viles Debonair Management Services Limited 14 St Mary’s, Gamlingay, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 3ET

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Report from the Treasurer for the PCC of St Peterfs Church Broadwater for the year ending December 2020 This year has been a challenging year for St Peterfs Church in line with what has happened in Churches: charities and businesses up and down the country. The COVID-19 pandemic meant that the church has had to close if s doors for months at a time on 3 separate occasions. With the congregation not being able to give donations by cash and the hall being closed for a large part of the year, there was a real concern that the finances of St Peterfs would seriously be impacted. What we have found was that people still gave either by swapping to payment through their banks or putting cash and cheques through the vicarage door. The giving from regular donations was actually greater than in 2019., £62,993 2020 compared to £55.975 for 2019. We paid the full parish shaTe required by the diocese of St Albans. Income from the church hall dropped by 213rds from £19,416 to £6,581 but the reduction in the cost of utilities £3,533 compared to £4.960 meant our outgoings were considerably less. We took less in gift aid than normally we can claim under the Gift Aid small donatson scheme (GASDS) for donations from Stepping Stones toddler group and from Messy Church which were unable to run for most of the year. The PCC decided at the start of the first lockdown that staff would be topped up to 100 % of their wages as we were able to claim 800k under the governments furlough scheme. After the inits.al 3 months lockdown. it was apparent that things were not going back to normal so it was agreed to continue paying the 200/0 top up to support the staff. As the giving had continued to stay healthy this meant that this was possible. As flexible furlough was introduced staff were used as needed. Staff were paid a total of £9,847" £6211 plus £3636 from the government furlough scheme. We continued to support our 3 mission partners and the PCC agreed to extended the 3 year commitment by a further year to support the causes it the difficult times all charities were facing. A total of £4788 was given. The new Youth group was opened in February using money from a granl (£750) from a local councillor and money from the projects pot While the hall was not in use, £5890 was spent on decorating and updating the heating in the hall. The Church savings accounts has £77,057 plus £11,300 in the general running accounts of which is £25,000 set as side for emergencies, £30,560 given as a gift for improving the front entran￿ (project not yet started), £13,200 for the projects fund leaving £19,597 for general running. The PCC'S reserve policy has remained the same. No trustee re￿iVed any financial remuneratj'on. Helen Henry Treasurer to the PCC. Page I

S. >fo8,rfiiiri.I'LC L Section A Statement of financial activities Section A activity 6unds fu￿￿$ Tolal funds funds Incoming resources (Note 2) Income and endowments frorn-. [knnat￿ns legaa￿ Imles 2a-bl Ch3rit3ble acbvities Inute 2GI Other trading trites Investments (note 2dl Other (note 2el Totsl Resources expended (Note 3) 462 89,972 2,390 92,362 105,449 Expenditure on: R8i$irg fund$ Charita￿e acbv(oes 3cl 95 104,995 Total 102,605 2,390 ', 100,940 Net incomellexpendlturel before Investment gainslllossesl -12.634 -12,634 4,510 9ainsllbssesl or ￿VeSty￿ents Net incomel(expenditurel Extraordinary items Transfers between funds {n(rte 9} -12,634 -12.634 4,510 Gainsand losses m reValuat￿n asseLts tytrt<tsitys Use Other gainslllossesl Net movement in funds -12.634 -12,634 4,510 Reconciliation ol funds.- Totsl fvnds brcughl fmrd 113,556 100,922 30.222 143,778 131,144 139.268 Total funds carried forward 30.222 143,778 Page I SOFA

Section B Balance sheet Restsicted income funds Unrestrithd funds Designated Total this funds year Total last year Fixed assets Tangible assets (Note 5) Total fixed assets 49.055 49,055 49,055 49,055 59,994 59,994 Current assets Debtors (Note 7) Investments (Note 6) Cash at bank and in hand (Note 6) Total cufrent assets 3.154 237 38,075 41.467 3.154 237 83,393 86.785 4,889 236 82,546 87,671 30,222 30.222 15.096 15,096 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (Note 8) 4,696 4,696 3,887 Net cuffent assets/{liabilitiesJ 36,771 30,222 15,096 82.089 83,784 Totsl assets less current liabilities 85,826 30.222 15.096 131,144 143,778 Total net assets orliabilities 85,826 30,222 15.096 131,144 143,778 Funds of the Charity Designated fund5 Restricted income funds (Note 6} UnrestriGted funds 15,096 14.901 30,222 98,655 143.778 30,222 30,222 85,826 131,144 85,826 85,826 Totsl funds 30.222 15,096 Signed by tsvo PCC Membe￿ on teham of all the PCC Dale of approval dlmmlyyyy Print Name Signature Helen Henry 22103121 Obinna Eneli 22103121 Page ? Balance She¢t

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Independent Examinerfs report to the PCC of St Peter, Broad7+￿ter I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31st December 2020, which are set oul on pages 1 to 11. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The church's truslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 14412) of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to: examine the a￿o￿nIS U￿er section 145 of Ihe Act". to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Church Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Ad" and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs ￿port My examination was carried out in accordan￿ wilh the general Directtons given by the Church Commission. An examinab'on includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a Comparison of the accounts presented wtth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts. arHI seeking explanats.ons from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair v￿. and report is lim.tied to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection wrth my examination. no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements". to keep accounting records in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act.. and to prepare accounts whith accord wrth the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the A have not been met,. or (21 to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Susan Viles 14 St Marys, Gamlingay SG19 3Er 19° April 2021 Address-. Date: Page 13

Independent Examiner’s report to the PCC of St Peter, Broadwater

I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31[st] December 2020, which are set out on pages 1 to 11.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Church Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and

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

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Church Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the church and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act

have not been met; or

understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: Susan Viles Address: 14 St Marys, Gamlingay SG19 3ET Date: 19[th] April 2021

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