## **Poulton-le-Sands Holy Trinity** ## **with St. Laurence, Morecambe** Annual report and financial statement of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2023. ## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** Poulton Le Sands Holy Trinity Church with Morecambe St Laurence, also known as Morecambe Parish Church, is situated in Church Street, Morecambe. We are in the Lancaster and Morecambe Deanery, which is part of the Diocese of Blackburn within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: The Rectory, Church Walk, Morecambe LA4 5PR. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) was a charity excepted from registration with the charity commission until the 23rd October 2013, when it became registered in its own right. PCC members who have served from 1st January 2023 until the date of this report are: Incumbent: Revd Chris Krawiec Chairman Standing Committee Curate: Revd Catherine Haydon (until 29[th] February 2023) Revd Jenny Guilder (From 21[st] June 2023) Wardens: Carol Bennett Standing Committee Brian Robinson Standing Committee ## Representatives on the Deanery Synod: Ruth Nightingale Carol Ogden Helen Gill ## Elected members: Chelsie Collier Treasurer Standing Committee Val Vose PCC Secretary Standing Committee David Woodhouse Standing Committee David Prescott Vice Chair Standing Committee Susan Armstrong John Livermore Graham Blick Lauren Stockon Tina White (From 22[nd] May 2023) Mandy Fuller (From 22[nd] May 2023) Stuart Whyte (From 22[nd] May 2023) ## Bankers: Triodos Bank, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS Central Board of Finance Church of England Funds, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6DZ. 2 ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT.** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and to consider standing for election to the PCC.PCC members are elected for 3-year terms of office, with a third up for renewal each year. The PCC met for 10 full meetings during 2021, discussing a wide range of topics. The meetings were well attended with 92% attendance. The Standing Committee met twice during the year to discuss a Loan agreement, Poulton Playtime, The post of Finance officer and Lease, Valuation and Survey of 13 Queen St. At most of the scheduled meetings a topic for discussion is highlighted and during the year the following topics were discussed: -  Holiday Club -  The Sanctuary (13 Queen St) -  Appointment of Officers -  Appointment of Deputy Wardens and Sidespeople -  Vision Day Reports were received from the Treasurer, Finance Team, Social and Outreach, Morecambe Pantry, The Lighthouse Club, Fabric and Safety, the Ministry Team Deanery Synod representatives, Staffing and Safeguarding Team, Communication Team, Horizon, Pastoral Team and The Children, Young People and Family Team. Following acceptance, copies of the previous meeting’s minutes are placed in a file in the vestibule. The parish was represented at Deanery level. In 2023 we received a Grant from the Diocese to help us pay our parish Share. The PCC are very much aware of the risks and monitor finance, property and responsibilities for safeguarding and always engage in a thorough discussion before committing to any major spend. ## **Objectives and Activities:** Morecambe Parish Church has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting within the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Our mission statement is: ## **‘Worshipping God, Serving our community, Living faithfully.’** As a parish with a Church of England Primary School, we seek to build on links between church and the school. School worshiped weekly in church when permitted by national guidance and an online service was provided if services could not be in person. We are represented at the weekly pastoral meeting, and there is a strong church link through the school governors. 3 We have a commitment to work with other churches and continue to be represented at the regular Morecambe Churches’ Forum meetings. We have worked on ensuring procedures are in place and up to date to deal with any matters relating to PCC/Trustee membership and safe from harm procedures for young people and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Officer ensures the safe from harm policy is kept up to date and in place. We periodically review our structures and make changes to enable us to move forward in faith together. Our health and safety officer has regularly reviewed matters and has ensured that we comply with current regulations. During 2023 our health and safety policy has been reviewed. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Church Attendance** There were 132 people on the electoral roll at the end of 2023 (2022: 108) 46% of whom live within the parish. Our new 9.30 service is still popular with a regular attendance of 60 adults and children. The attendance at our 10.30 am Parish Eucharist has been steady with our all-age services engaging a different group of people. During the year, 38 baptisms (2022: 36), 3 weddings (2022: 6) and 10 funerals (2022: 19) took place from the parish. Seasonal services are an important feature; we had a full in person and online programme for Holy Week and Easter and other major festivals. Our Carols by Candlelight service was well supported. Our Christingle service was very popular this year. ## **Parish Safeguarding Officers Report 2023** ## **Children and young people** This year, all of our activities have continued. We held another successful Holiday Club, which ran over 2 days. Chelsie Collier has started a new Youth Group, which is in it’s infancy. We have some new volunteers in the groups, which is good. The Child Protection Policy was reviewed this year and agreed by the PCC. The policy has been emailed to all involved with children and young people. It is also on the parish website and paper copies are available in the Parish Office, from the Rector and from me. Any visits involving children and young people outside regular meetings and off site visits need approval from either the Standing Committee or full PCC to ensure you are fully insured through the churches insurance policy. ## **Vulnerable Adults** Our Vulnerable Adults Policy has been agreed by the PCC. All volunteers that work with Vulnerable Adults have been emailed a copy of this. It is also on the parish website and paper copies are available in the Parish Office, from the Rector and from me. 4 ## **Lighthouse Club** Lighthouse Club, the wraparound care that is run for school continues to run successfully. It is managed by Joy Stembridge and assisted by a team of play workers. They have all been recruited safely, have enhanced DBS checks and have completed all the relevant Safeguarding training. ## **Morecambe Pantry** Morecambe Pantry continues to run successfully in it’s new home at Sanctuary. It is managed by Susan Armstrong, who we have DBS’d for her role. The other volunteers do not require DBS checks for their roles, but they are encouraged to undertake the Church of England Safeguarding Training. ## **Sanctuary Café** This has now been operating since the end of April. Susan Armstrong is building manager and Tina White is Café manager. They are supported by other paid staff & volunteers. These staff & volunteers do not need DBS checks for this role, but we are encouraging them all to undertake the Church of England Safeguarding Training for their roles. ## **Parish Safeguarding Handbook** The Church of England has now published this. All the relevant leaders, PCC members, myself and the Rector have electronic copies of the handbook. If anyone else would like an electronic copy of the handbook, please let me know and I will email a copy to them. These are now available as hard copies. the Rector and I have a copy and 2 are available in church and one in the Parish Office in the War Memorial Hall. We now have on display in the church and on one of the notice boards in the War Memorial Hall a Safeguarding poster with all relevant contact details. ## **DBS Checks** All DBS checks are being completed. We have tried to encourage all volunteers to register for the DBS update service, so that their DBS’s will be kept up to date and avoid us having to repeat the checks every 3 years. ## **Parish Safeguarding Dashboard Tool** We have continued using this tool which enables us to have an online record of how compliant we are in our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures. It will also enable use to keep a record of all our DBS checks and Safeguarding Training. More information will at a later date be introduced to the tool. ## **Training** Most safeguarding training is now done online. Foundation Training, which most people need to do is only valid for 3 years. Also, it became apparent that quite a few people needed to do Domestic Abuse Training for their role/s. All those people concerned have been emailed and asked to complete their training ASAP. Anyone who needs to attend Leadership Training for their roles have recently attended courses to keep them valid for another 3 years If any member of the congregation wishes to do the Safeguarding training, please contact me and I will let you have the link for the online training. ## **Ruth Nightingale** 5 ## **2023 Review of the Year** The worshipping life of Morecambe Parish Church has continued to flourish and grow. Our 9:30am Service has continued to go from strength to strength and along with our 10:30am and Thursday congregations, has continued to grow in number with new people joining throughout the year. We are a church that enjoys worshipping together. All that we do is underpinned with prayer from the prayer team, Horizon, which also runs a prayer chain. We want prayer to be the real engine room for the ministry and mission of this parish. We said goodbye to our Curate Revd Catherine as she went on to continue her ministry at St Pauls, Scotforth. Then in June, we said hello to our new Curate Revd Jenny Guilder as she began worshipping life with us as a Deacon. LIFT, Ladies in fellowship together a group for ladies to share in fellowship and mutual support and fun together was started early this year which has proven popular. Beer and Bible has also continued to grow in number. A growth group was also started in the summer. This year also saw the launch of ‘Roots’ our group for young people between 8-12 years old which has been well attended and many of the young people in it went on to be confirmed and one even baptised. Our Service of Baptism and Confirmation on the 4[th] March was a wonderful celebration of faith and encouraged many of us in our own walk with Jesus. We also had a very successful Vison Day at Ellel Village Hall which helped set the tone for the year’s ministry and mission focus. Over 70 people came together to pray for and work through God’s vision for our parish. The ministry and mission of the parish has continued to grow over the last year. In many ways all the adaption we had to do during those Covid-19 years has enabled us to grow in unexpected ways. We have seen God’s faithfulness in financial and practical ways which has in turn encouraged our own faith. The continued success of the Lighthouse Club has undergirded our reach into, and support of, our school which has had a positive knock on effect for a greater connection with primary-aged children and their families. With plans to take on Morecambe Bay Primary School after school care early next year this initiative is going from strength to strength. The holiday club in the summer was a success and we intend to build on that for the next year. Joy Stembridge and the team have created an amazing, flourishing, fun and safe environment for children and parents/carers which we give thanks for! This year saw the opening of The Sanctuary, a community café and the space for the already successful ‘Morecambe Pantry’ to move to as a base of operations. This initiative has surprised us with its success and has quickly grown into a very busy café with all sorts of wonderful opportunities to share with our local community in faith and life. 6 We have run two Alpha courses, PCC meetings and hosted special community events which have lifted our local presence and connection above any prediction we made. The Sanctuary employs local staff and volunteers and is going from strength to strength. Great thanks are recorded for Sue Armstrong, Alan Livermore and Tina White and the team for their tireless, wonderful work in curating such a hive of mission, ministry and community connection. A trip to Iona was taken and many from the parish were refreshed and encouraged in the faith by being in such incredible surroundings sharing with one another in the holiness and fellowship. The Choir has grown over this year starting Choral Evensong as a semi-regular occurrence once again. A healthy number went to Moorland Choristers camp and an excellent Quiz night and supper was put on by the choir to raise funds. A much enjoyed summer choir concert was held which showcased the wonderful musical ability of so many talented people. Choristers young and old thoroughly enjoy this community of faith and music. MPC Holiday Club was another success this year attracting many children over three days to hear stories from the Bible and engage through craft, games and discussions. Our Roaming Nativity was extremely popular this year and many came and experienced the Christmas story in a live and engaging way. We also partnered with Heart Church and Heysham FM Church to run ‘Love Christmas’ where every family in our school received a goodie bag including a £15 Aldi voucher and a list of Christmas services and events and other goodies. The response to this was overwhelmingly positive across our community. Connections with our local Scout group were made stronger with 11[th] Morecambe’s coffee morning in June. A bell ringing striking tournament also took place this year where ringers from across the county came to ring out bells competitively with much goodnatured rivalry. Overall, 2023 has been a full and busy year for Morecambe Parish Church and all of this would not be possible without the hard work of those in visible role and those behind the scenes giving what they can towards God’s work here. Thank you! We can be excited for what God has in store for 2024! 7 ## **2023 Financial Review** Total receipts for the year were £239,631 as detailed in the financial statement, and £273,886 was the total expenditure, of which £65,245 was spent directly on the work of the church. ## **Incoming resources** ‘Incoming resources from Donors’ remained largely the same as last year with only £1,401 difference. Donations with a specific purpose have been listed under 'Other voluntary incoming resources'. ‘Voluntary incoming resources’ is £34,289 lower than last year. This is mainly due to the grants being listed under each project separately rather the under one heading. When this is taken into account we actually raised an additional £1,824. 13 Queen St which includes Morecambe Pantry and the Sanctuary Café had an income of £95,627 this year. This figure includes £32,479 from the Café, £41,659 in Grants and Donations and £21,489 from the work in the Pantry. Lighthouse Club had an income of £17,045 from parents and £5,177 from Grants and Donations, bring the total to £22,222. ## **Resources Used** We received a grant for £34,000 taken directly off our parish share, leaving us with £22,000 to pay for 2023. We paid £9,137 during 2023 and are paying the rest (£12,863) in instalments over 2024. Running expenses have risen by £2,418 since last year, and we have spent £2,232 more on Children and Youth Ministry. Due to the South Aisle and roof we have had another year of large maintenance expenditure totalling £22,823. Our Utility bills like most, tripled in 2023. 13 Queen St spent £102,142 which can be broken down in to £35,116 on rent and utilities, £27,581on maintenance, repair and equipment and £39,445 on Stock for both the Café and Pantry. Lighthouse club Spent £8,720 on Food and equipment. Wages cover the following members of staff: Musical Director and Organist, Finance Officer, Mission and Outreach Enabler, Café Manager, Lighthouse Club Manager, 7 parttime Playworkers and 4 part-time Café Team Members totalling £83,666. Our Debtors and liabilities are as follows; Still owing to us as of the 31st December 2023 are £1,749 from the Walney grant, a £500 Donation and £2,575 Gift-aid for a total of £4,824. We paid the following in early 2024; Diocesan Fees of £2996, Awarded donations of £3,900, payroll of £1,189. We also have longer term Liabilities; £13,755 of a building loan from the diocese and £35,000 Loan agreed by the PCC to ease cashflow difficulties. The net result at the year-end was an excess of payments over receipts (deficit) of £34,255 The restricted funds comprise of restricted grants, the Flower Fund, the Choir fund and Building & Maintenance fund. ## **Reserves policy** We have a 'normal' turnover of £240,000 and the PCC looks to have three months' reserves in addition to any designated funds to ensure that it can function; This is equal to £60,000. 8 # **Poulton-le-Sands Holy Trinity with St. Laurence, Morecambe** Statements of Accounts for 12 months ending 31st December 2023 Chelsie Collier Treasurer 9 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENCE, MORECAMBE** ## **ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of Accounting** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2005. The PCC prepared these accounts on a receipt and payments basis. ## **Funds** General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Restricted funds are to be used for the specific purpose for which they were intended. The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. ## **Incoming Resources.** _Voluntary income and capital resources._ Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving received under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for when they are received. Funds raised by garden parties and similar events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines are accounted for gross. ## **Resources used.** _Activities directly related to the work of the Church._ The diocesan parish share is accounted for when due. Expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. ## **Fixed Assets.** Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 1993. No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. ## **Current assets.** Amounts owing to the PCC at 31st December in respect of Gift Aid are shown as debtors. Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds or at the bank. 10 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **TO THE PCC OF HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENCE, MORECAMBE.** This report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2020 which are set out on pages 10 and 11, is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 (‘the Regulations’) and s.43 of the Charities Act 1993 (‘the Act’). ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.** As members of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements; you consider that the audit requirement of the Regulations and s 43(2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to issue this report on those financial statements in accordance with the terms of Regulations. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s report.** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charities Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the Act and to be found in the Church guidance, 2006 edition. That examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts with those records. It also includes considering 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **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 - a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and - b. to prepare financial statements, which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations have not been met; or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: ## **Damien Sissons BA FCA Independent Examiner** ## **For and on behalf of Waters & Atkinson Chartered Accountants** The Old Court House Clark Street Morecambe Lancashire LA4 5HR 11 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENC& VL)RECAMBE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31st ￿em￿ler 2023 Unrestri¢ted Restri¢ted Funds Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming re9)Ur￿ from donors Other voluntary incomin9 resources Income from chaiitable anolliary trading Income from InveStn￿nts 2a £ 63.634 2b £ 32,910 2c £ 56.292 2d £ 352 83,834 51.ts28 £ 124.617 352 65,035 ,317 ,665 192 £ 18,118 £ &9,3 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES £ 153,188 £ 86,443 £ T39,￿1 £ 186,209 RESOURCES USED Grants 4,17S ActNities dir￿tlY relating to the Kork of the church 3b £ 142,216 Church Manage￿ent and administraty.on 2,505 Wages 48,368 4, 17S £ 182,762 2,￿5 84.444 3,559 £ 175,403 1,129 31,950 £ 40,546 £ 36,076 TOTAL RESOURCES USED £ 197,264 £ 76,ff22 £ 273.e86 £ 212,041 NET INCOMINGIIOUTGOINGI R&SOURCES 1£44,0761 £9,821 1£34,259 1£25,8321 NET MOVEMENTS IN FUND £44 076 £9 821 £34 255 £25 832 Balances brought forward at 1st January 202313)22) 6,129 £ 11,953 18.Ci52 43,914 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31ST DECEMBER X23 P.27.947 9_16, 173 18,082 12 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENC￿ MORECAMBE BALANCE SHEET AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023 2023 2022 FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS DebtDf5 Cash at Bank 4,824 35,219 40.043 15, 21.258 LIABILITIES.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 17.51D 3,176 NET CURRENT ASSETS 22,533 18,082 LiABILITIES.' AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN MORE THAN ONE YEAR 38,7C6 NET ILIA8ILITIESyASSETS (£16, 17 18,082 FUNDS Unrestricted R85tricted 10 1£37,94n 21,774 6,129 11.953 £16,173 18,082 Approved by the Parochial Church Counal on , and signed on its behaK by.. Rev'd Chris Kra￿leC Chairman The notès on thè followng pagès form part ol th•s* accounts 13 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY WITH ST LAURENC& 1*￿REcAM8E NOTES TO THE FIMANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31st December 2023 2 INCOAIING RE80URCE8 Unrestrktod Funds Rostrlctqd Total F￿d5 2023 2022 2a Inc¢Jnin Re50urces froxn Flanned Gmng Gift Ad Flanned *4d Pew envekpes Inccr￿ tox recrNwed Cdlectths 29,110 12,210 521 11,893 5,204 29.110 12.210 521 11.893 5.204 4.696 63.634 33,188 7.875 832 14.372 3.183 T￿al 63,634 65.035 2b Clher vc4untÈrylncfthn Ckn8licfft5. appea15. etc. Air(*)ry larn N¢Xice ￿eet C8ndes FItr￿ bjnd Chnstmès Tree Festtval ¢ial events Grgnt5 (￿lI(￿n$ M'nistry Uncashed cheojes Chcir Fund Jildino & Maintenance fijnd Grant5 l¢xyrds 4ctiifjtse5 dlhe church Tcl resoJrce$ 7.221 7.221 18. 1,040 1,523 2.196 59.055 871 2,087 2.087 299 828 1.127 650 9.389 1,235 395 9.389 30 524 51.028 2c Income from chanlatle ancilla Magaz￿e$l8r￿*I8ts Fknclctwing Occagcfial Office Fees tfecambe Pantry Ihwse Club T￿$1 Iradn 211 6,768 32,479 17045 6.768 95.￿7 22.222 124.617 8,082 22.662 4710 35 665 £ 63,148 5.177 £ FA325 2d Income Ircrn investments Interest Tclal 352 352 352 352 192 192 TOTAL INCOIIING ResouRCES 153,188 £ 86.443 £ 239.631 £ 186.209 14 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITr v￿TH ST LAURENC4 PKIRECAMBE NOTES TOTrE FINANCiAL STAIEhfM151 C(•4Tr4JEDI For tho year eThJ8d 3151 Docember 2023 3 RESOURCES USED LI￿r￿￿1¢¢¥d F￿d$ Rèstrktod Tota Fwds 2023 2022 3a Or￿t$ and Char[ta￿e gmng D(m81K￿s Mrrecarne Pantry Tdal 4.175 4.175 2.840 719 3b Actl*Atlas dlr•dly rèlatlng to th• of t￿ thurth Mnislry." Pansh share Recl(xs expense$ Recltty c¢)sts CurÈle h(￿SIng Cc6ts QJrales Expenses Read2r % P.A expenses Hcwitaltyfijnd Fees to dttese Church running expenses Children's ministry Church rnpintenpnce Chty ri%h ffj¢e Parish SrKid e￿t$ Utiltyc¢Jsts- Gas and &ectriuty. Water Insurance ch￿ Fund Gifts Flower$ WechJingFuneral Fees Bank charges Mrttcambe Pantry Ihwse aub Re-(kthrng Prq'ect Tctal 9,137 9.137 44,372 3.792 3.792 3.713 1,785 362 115 170 2,999 7,459 9,877 2.622 13.434 1.714 2.919 1.961 8.160 3.166 9.877 2.622 22.823 2.871 2.919 9.389 1.157 2.691 1,381 4,833 2,447 2,795 2.*5 8.160 3.1e6 270 270 15 140 2,019 367 76,107 5,300 933 310 72,142 933 310 102.142 8.720 £ 30,ts)0 142216 182 762 f 175403 3¢ Church managom8nt and •Jmlnlstratlon ministr8bm". P8per 1.850 1.850 486 643 CoJrses Tclal 655 655 4 Staff Costs Woges Payc Tclal 47.590 778 48 388 £ ￿.076 83.666 778 84.444 31,511 439 31 950 £ 36076 Trtal 197.264 t 76.622 £ 273.886 £ 212,041 15 **Rector Honorary Associate Priest** Rev Chris Krawiec Rev Anne Cunliffe 01524 410941 01524 422509 RevChris@morecambeparish.church RevAnne@morecambeparish.church **Curate** Rev Jenny Guilder 07843273737 Curate@morecambeparish.church **Morecambe Parish Church** C/O Morecambe War Memorial Hall, Church Walk, MORECAMBE, LA4 5PR. Registered Charity Number: 1154323 www.morecambeparishchurch.org.uk 16