2024-12-31-accounts - The Parochial Church Council For The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Christopher, Bournemouth

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2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

Aim and purposes

The PCC at St Christopher’s Church has the responsibility of promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Church Centre adjoining the Church.

Objectives and activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community.

The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer, the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, music and sacraments.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable all people to live out their faith as part of our Southbourne parish community and the community in which they work, relax or study through:

Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing knowledge and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish and areas of Southbourne
Missionary and outreach work locally, nationally and internationally
Growth and discipleship programmes
Regular evangelistic events
Seeking opportunities for social and community partnerships

The mission statement for the church is 'We proclaim God’s love for everyone through his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives today’.

To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church and Church Centre.

Achievements and Performance

On Sunday Morning Worship:

In 2024, as a congregation we had preaching series as follows:

Our series in the Easter Term was preaching through the gospel of John. The series was entitled: Conversations and Confrontations. For the first part of the Summer Term our series was based in James as we considered being radically whole and mature in our faith.

Later in the summer Steve Legg came to speak at St Christopher’s which would have been one of the last time he would have spoken anywhere as he was suffering from cancer and went to be with the Lord last year. We had a short series entitled: Blessings from God. Archdeacon Jean preached on Being blessed by sharing the gospel. During the Christmas Term we had a series on Acts before moving into Advent and Christmas itself.

During the year during term time the Mid Week Bridge continued with a variety of series ranging from parables, Old Testament prophecies, models of prayer to the Psalms.

On Alpha:

And we had an Alpha Course which ran in the Christmas Term. This was smaller than in previous years but, as ever, the blessings through Alpha were rich indeed and relationships were deepened with each other and Jesus.

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

None of this could have happened without the hard work of our preachers, service leaders and MidWeek Bridge contributors. Week in and week out the work of the gospel goes on – thank you so much to you all.

They would say, though, that the glory does not go to them but to Him. So, thank you Lord, for your word which speaks about the living Word, our Lord Jesus.

Attendance

The average weekly attendance (Sunday services) counted during October 2024 were 72 adults (in person and on Zoom). This was because there were 3 funerals and 1 wedding. This did include the harvest service. The total number attending in person or on Zoom on Christmas Day were 62 adults and 5 children. There was no midnight service.

Home Groups

St Christopher’s homegroups are an important part of our church family life.

There are five groups which meet in the first and third week of each month. Evening groups meet in the host’s home with daytime afternoon groups in the bridge.

There are sixty five adults regularly getting together around God’s word and for prayer in a safe supportive informal environment. This year our homegroup studies have been in line with our Sunday morning service series. Thank you hosts and leaders for your service for The Lord and commitment to your groups.

If you would like to join a homegroup or change times, speak to Sheila Olsen.

Deanery Synod Report

In November 2024 Dean Catherine Ogle came to the meeting at St Saviour's and spoke about her role as Dean of Winchester Cathedral and mentioned that she was to retire in May '25. In April 2025 an open meeting was held at St Andrew's Bennett Road to meet Bishop Rhiannon King who spoke movingly about the missional opportunities that exist in Bournemouth. She intends introducing an initiative called ‘Believing in Bournemouth' that all churches will be able to participate in. This vision originated in Ipswich (from where she has come), where over 7 years the churches grew in numbers of worshippers across the ages, depth of discipleship and blessing. Apparently, a group of people had been praying for 21 years that God would bring revival to Ipswich – and He has! Further information about the possibilities for the way forward will be circulated later in the year as funding is being investigated. Area Dean Michael Smith is on sabbatical for 3 months. The next deanery synod meeting will be in September.

Sue Fairbairn

Fabric Report

Over the year the Church, the Hall and the Bridge have been used regularly on Sundays for worship services and events. Ranger, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows and the Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association and other groups have their weekly meetings in the hall, which is also regularly hired by local community groups including Zumba, Pilates, drama, and the Bournemouth Carnival Band. There are also occasional hires for such things as children’s parties and family events. The facilities of St Christopher’s are well used!

This means it is very important that our schedule of equipment servicing and routine maintenance continues through the year, with any repairs or replacements addressed promptly. During 2024 there

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

were a number of items of equipment that required attention, the major ones being the partitions in the hall, the dishwasher, the fire alarm system and smoke sensors. Health & Safety regulations of course require us to keep everything in good order so that all church members and visitors, employees and volunteers, hirers of our premises and other members of the public are kept safe, enabling the church to carry out its mission, worship and ministry.

In 2024 we were also faced with having to replace the old gas boilers that provide heating and hot water in the Hall and Bridge. Unfortunately, during the commissioning procedure immediately after installation of the new boilers, it was found that the pressure of the gas supply from the mains in the road to the meter and on to the location of the boilers was inadequate to meet the demand of the new boilers. Several solutions to this problem were considered. In the end it was decided to get a new connection from the gas mains and lay a new supply pipe across our land at the rear of the church to a new meter on the outside of the Bridge toilets and then run new copper pipework to the boilers. Everything now works!

Thankfully, the exterior and the interior of the buildings have remained generally in a good state of repair.

The PCC extend their thanks to all the volunteers who have been given their time and expertise in many tasks throughout the year involving cleaning, maintenance and repairs, care of the grounds, garden and lawns.

Midweek activities

During 2024 all the following groups met: Funtime, Boys Brigade & Girls Association, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and SCY (St Christopher’s Youth) and Knit & Natter have met in the Hall or Bridge each week.

Wednesday Friendship met on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. ‘Who let the Dads out?’ (a group for Dads and Grandads with young children) met once a month it term times on Saturday mornings. The hall has also been used by local groups and individuals for regular and occasional events.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care is an important part of church family life. In Scripture we are urged to love one another as Jesus has loved us. At the moment we do not have a Care Coordinator. There is a team who try to ensure that those who may get overlooked are cared for, particularly those who are unable to join together on Sundays or other times. Home groups are the main basis for pastoral care, and the various groups that happen during the week are good opportunities to care for one another as well. Let us learn how to pray for one another.

Sue Fairbairn

Mission Support

The Missions Support Group aims to facilitate the continuing financial and prayer support of our mission partners by the whole church. We would like to thank the PCC for their commitment to Missions through the increasing percentage in the church’s budget to Missions, increasing from 7.5% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024, amounting to £7480. An extra £1040 was brought forward from 2023. The yearly allocation for 2024 was as follows: £ 260 designated by PCC £2400 Lunt (£200pm) £1320 Shelton (£110pm) £1320 Nash (£110pm) £1800 Anya (£150pm) £300 Sunflower (£300pa). We also gave Christmas-time gifts of £200 to each of the above 5 mission partners.

The Missions Support Group makes recommendations to the PCC regarding support levels for our mission partners. Our mission partners are: Julian Shelton, who works with SIL a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators. He coordinates the Yakar translation project in Russia; team members

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

include Anya, whom we also support financially. Simon and Becky Lunt, who work with Operation Mobilisation in North London among immigrants. Becky has trained in play therapy and is starting work in a school with traumatised refugee children.

Jeremy Nash, who works with Mission Africa, reaching children in schools in Burkina Faso with the gospel. He and Rachel worked in Chad until July running the TEAM Mission guest house.

We no longer support as a church the Sunflower Fellowship as the ties with that organisation have become more tenuous with the passage of time.

We have decided that instead of focussing on Mission on just one Sunday when we invite all our partners, we will instead have each partner preach at one service during the year. This will contribute to the regular preaching program but they can also illustrate with examples or situations from their own ministry. This gives us the possibility to focus on one partner and meet them after the service. Thus, Mission will be brought to our attention on several occasions throughout the year.

Each month, one of our mission partners is remembered in Sunday prayers and a new notice board has been created in The Bridge giving news and updates of our partners. Thanks to Pat Blanchard who conscientiously keeps this up to date and relevant by putting up newsletters when they come out.

Jeremy Nash

Commitment

During 2024 we had 40 (39 in 2023) committed givers who used standing orders or the Parish Giving Scheme. Of those gift aiding, 9 used standing orders and 31 used the Parish Giving Scheme.

Volunteers

We want to give our heartfelt thanks to all those who so faithfully give of their time, gifting and energy to keep the church and the services running smoothly by volunteering to help in one way or another. Some new members have joined the welcoming team during the year. They are our first point of contact to those coming in, whether they are new folk or visitors. We need to encourage people to join this team. Our volunteers are a vital part of what is carried out at St Christopher's so if anyone wants to join us, please have a word with one of the wardens.

Structure Governance and Management

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Minutes of the PCC regarding Church Representation Rules.

We now comply with the duty under 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).

At St Christopher’s the membership of the PCC consisted of the Priest-In-Charge Reverend Andy McPherson (to July 2024), Churchwardens, those elected by members of the congregation and who are on the Electoral Roll of the church. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met 6 times during the year in person.

Grateful thanks go to these teams who give oversight and direction to the church.

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

Administrative Information

St Christopher’s Church is situated in Southbourne, Bournemouth. It is part of the Diocese of Winchester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is St Christopher’s Church, Arnewood Road, Bournemouth, BH6 5DW. Registered charity number 1153390. PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2024 until the date this report was approved are:

Wardens:

Mrs Sue Fairbairn (from April 2024)
Mr Alan Bennet (from April 2024)
Mrs Pat Giles (to April 2024)
Mr Richard Armstrong (to April 2024)

Elected members:

Mr Alan Bennet, Deanery Synod (from April 2023), Lay Vice Chair
Mrs Sue Fairbairn, Deanery Synod (from April 2023)
Mrs Ingrid Cooney, PCC secretary (from April 2023)
Mr Mark Inkpen (to April 2024)
Mrs Janice Price (to April 2024)
Ms Sheila Olsen (from April 2023)
Mrs Lindsay Beaumont (from April 2023)
Mr Alan Tregilgas (from April 2023)
Mr Mike Wyatt (from April 2023)
Mr Richard Sparke (from April 2023)
Mrs Gay Arrowsmith (from April 2024)
Mr Philip Attwood (from April 2024 to April 2025)
Mrs Francis Attwood (from April 2024 to April 2025)
Mr Richard Armstrong (from April 2024)
Mrs Nina Maynard (from April 2024)

Co-opted:

Mr Fred Stewart (to April 2024)
Mrs Karen Barker, Safeguarding Officer
Mr Dave Arrowsmith

Approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by the Chair

Signed

Dated rg |yfrore

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

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2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

NOTE TO THE ACCOUNTS

Accountng Policies

Basis of Financial Statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities FRS102.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which in law the P.C.C. is responsible.

Figures in the financial statements are shown rounded to the nearest pound and as a result there are some minor rounding differences within some totals.

Fund Accounting

Endowment Funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the P.C.C.’s discretion, with any income derived to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was originally established. At 31 December 2024 we have no Endowment Funds.

Restricted Funds are made up of income from endowments that are to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor, and revenue donations or grants for a specific P.C.C. activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances, any interest on their pooled investments is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis. At 31 December 2024 we hold Restricted Funds in respect of the residue of two legacies received several years ago and our Mission Holding Account which temporarily holds money given for specified missions, charities or individuals until distribution.

Unrestricted Funds are income funds which are spent on the P.C.C.’s general purposes.

Designated Funds are general funds set aside from time to time by the P.C.C. for specified purposes in the future. Project Funds are designated for administration purposes only. Funds that are designated as invested in Fixed Assets for the P.C.C.’s own use are abated in line with those assets’ annual depreciation charges in the SOFA. All Designated Funds remain unrestricted and the P.C.C. may alter their designation or move any surplus to other general funds.

Incoming Resources

Planned giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when received. Gift Aid tax reclaim amounts are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the P.C.C. is entitled to use these resources when their ultimate receipt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are readily quantifiable. Interest is accounted for as and when accrued by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

Resources Expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over if the award creates a binding obligation on the P.C.C. Our contribution to the Diocesan Common Mission Fund is paid by monthly direct debit and is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is recognised when incurred and accounted for gross.

Fixed Assets

Consecrated and Benefice property is not included in the accounts in accordance with S.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. Moveable Church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the P.C.C. and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements.

Equipment used within the Church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years, apart from the organ. The organ is now outside of its 10 year guarantee and the P.C.C. needs to consider the appropriate depreciation going forward. Other individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £500 or less are written off on acquisition of the asset.

For the Bridge project, together with upgrading of the existing Hall and its facilities, donations, grants and other income were accumulated in a Restricted Fund and the resulting expenditure was taken from it. This expenditure has been capitalised as a Fixed Asset and recorded as such on the Balance Sheet under Restricted Income Funds. The Bridge project was completed in 2016. The Hall and Bridge building combined, excluding the value of the land, is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 50 years, being its estimated useful life.

Accounts Receivable

At 31 December 2024 £639 was due for a Gift Aid tax reclaim which was received in January 2025.

Accounts Payable

At 31 December 2024 there is a total sum of £18,431 accrued. £10,757 is the maximum due to the gas contractor, with the actual amount to be paid still to be agreed. £5,783 was due to a fire services company and was paid in January 2025. £421 is in the Missions Holding Account pending distribution. £1,165 is held for BBGA/SCY to be paid over during 2025.

Financial Review of 2024

Total receipts were £105,457 (£118,081 in 2023). This includes planned monthly giving of £54,145 (£52,016 in 2023), other donations and one-off gifts of £14,851 (£30,663 in 2023) and Gift Aid tax reclaimed of £10,627 (£11,010 in 2023). Other income was £13,158 from premises lettings (£13,071 in 2023), plus £7,481 from charitable activities and £5,197 investment Income.

Total expenditure was £144,240 (£138,301 in 2023). A major cost incurred was for the replacement of the gas boilers that service the Hall and the Bridge, which involved re-routing the gas supply from the mains to the new boilers and the installation of a new gas meter; the

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.

total cost of all associated works amounted to £26,415 (of which £10,757 is unpaid pending final price agreement with the contractor). Significant repairs were also required to some essential equipment in the premises, amounting to £9,359 (£1,459 in 2023). Office expenses were £1,896 (£177 in 2023) because we had to lease a new photocopier. Utilities costs were down to £10,232 (£11,434 in 2023) mainly due to a correction to the VAT rate applied from 20% to 5%. Staff costs were also down to £48,468 (£51,336 in 2023), partly because of a change in working hours for some employees and partly because we were able to claim a National Insurance rebate.

The net result in 2024 was a deficit of £49,764 including depreciation of £10,981. This compares to a deficit of £29,751 including £9,531 depreciation in 2023.

The combined total of all funds at 31 December 2024 is £539,769 (£589,403 total in 2023). This includes the significant fixed asset of £453,817 for the Hall and Bridge. Liquid assets amount to £103,743, comprising £93,437 (£19,101 of which is restricted) in investment funds and £10,306 cash in the bank.

Reserves Policy

The P.C.C. maintains its policy on free reserves (Net Current Assets) of holding a balance that equates to at least three months unrestricted payments plus any potential redundancy payments. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow to meet emergencies/contingencies. At 31 December 2024 the balance of the free reserves is £85,952 which is sufficient to cover the potential need.

It is our policy to hold our investment fund balances with the CCLA – The CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.

2024 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Christopher's Church, Bournemouth.