REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION
PCC SECRETARY REPORT
Background The Benefice is held in plurality with Pen Selwood. The incumbent is Rev Alison Way who was licensed in 2020. The Lay Reader is Mrs Penny Ashton
Membership
The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission. Registered Number 1154897 Members of the PCC are elected in accordance with the Church Representation rules at the Annual Parochial Meeting
| During the year the following | served on the PCC | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | Rev Alison Way | |||
| Vice Chair | Mrs Penny Ashton | Elected | 2023 | |
| Wardens | Mrs Judy Chiplen | “ | 2023 | |
| Mrs Gill Oaten | “ |
2023 | ||
| Deputies | Mrs Sylvie Pattison | ” |
2023 | |
| Mrs Mary Wallis | “ |
2023 | ||
| Treasurer | Mr Phil Thomas | (co-opted) | “ |
2023 |
| Deanery Synod Reps | Mrs Penny Ashton | “ |
2023 | |
| Mrs Joanna Durham | Matthews | “ |
2023 | |
| Electoral Roll Officer | Mrs Rosemary Keep | “ | 2023 | |
| Safeguarding Officer | Mrs Nicky King | (co-opted) | “ |
2023 |
| Safeguarding Officer(admin) | Mrs Janet Lowe | “ |
2023 | |
| Gift Aid Officer | Mr Roger Lowe (until | Nov 2023) | “ |
2021 |
| Elected Members | ||||
| Mrs Elizabeth Baxter | “ |
2022 | ||
| Mrs Gill D’Arcy | “ |
2022 | ||
| Mr Richard D’Arcy | “ |
2021 | ||
| Mrs Joanna Ebner | “ |
2023 | ||
| Mrs Sue Hall | “ |
2022 | ||
| Mrs Pat Sainsbury | “ |
2022 | ||
| Mrs Elizabeth Vivyan | “ |
2022 | ||
| PCC Secretary | Mrs Rosemary Keep | “ |
2023 |
Through the year there were 6 PCC meetings all held in the church. A working group of the rector, wardens, reader and administrator continued to meet between PCC meetings to agree PCC agendas and handle immediate issues. Some decisions had to be made between meetings in consultation with members which were subsequently ratified at following meetings.
The PCC is a statutory body and is required to co-operate with the incumbent in promoting the mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. In addition, the PCC is responsible for the care, maintenance and insurance of the fabric, goods and ornaments of the Church and the care of the Churchyard in order to ensure that present and future community needs are met. The PCC advises and provides guidance on all matters undertaken in the name of St Peter and St Paul Wincanton. The PCC is responsible for monitoring church finances and expenditure.
Fundraising Committee
As the hiatus of the coronavirus pandemic was finally at an end, full fundraising was able to take place again. The regular monthly coffee mornings in the Church became increasingly popular with a KnitIn and Plant Sale as add-ons. The annual Summer Church Path Fete and Christmas Fayre were held in the Church and a Bingo Evening took place in the Memorial Hall.
Social Committee
As above, the Social Committee was able to resume a full service of providing catering for refreshments after the Sunday service, with additional helpers recruited, and also the Lent Lunch, the Happy Harvest event and the Harvest Lunch.
Brief Review of 2023
There was a full return to normal church life after the hiatus of the lockdown periods during the coronavirus pandemic. As above the annual Lent Lunch was held with funds going to our Zambia link church, St John, Chingola. The Church celebrated the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in May. There was a successful Happy Harvest event for families when the Church was filled with
children participating in the various activities. The Annual Remembrance Day Service was very well attended and supported by Wincanton RBL with the Army Air Corps on parade. There was a full range of Christmas activities including a Christingle, a Carol Service, a Crib Service and for a couple of weeks the school used the church for their Christmas events.
The PCC has continued to undertake necessary work regarding Safeguarding (see below), Risk Assessments and a Disability Audit was undertaken.
The PCC was able to initiate the repairs to the roof after successful grant fundraising by Richard D’Arcy and Roger Lowe. The work was completed on time and under budget by the end of the year. Without the worries of the coronavirus pandemic, the Rector was at last able to concentrate on plans for the ongoing work of the church and she was really getting into her stride with new initiatives including setting up an Alpha Course. The PCC is grateful to Rev Way for her spiritual, pastoral and social leadership of the Church.
Safeguarding commitment
The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline measure 2016 (duty to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.) Nicky King continued as Safeguarding Officer with Janet Lowe looking after the admin side.
Parish Office
Rachel Feltham, the Parish Administrator, maintained her excellent work in running the Parish Office and the everyday organisation of the Church. She overcame a difficult period dealing with telephone and printer problems in the office and the PCC is grateful to her for the competent and cheerful manner she carries out her role.
Retiring PCC member
Roger Lowe stood down as a PCC member in November due to ill health. The PCC expressed gratitude to him for his contribution, particularly as Gift Aid Officer. Rosemary Keep PCC Secretary
CHURCHWARDENS REPORT
We started 2023 with the various things as churchwardens we are required to do. We made sure the log book was up to date and this was presented to the PCC. We checked the inventory and completed our part of the Statistics for Mission form.
With all of our services back to normal after covid we enjoyed several joint services with Pen Selwood. In May we paid tribute to our new King with a Songs of Praise and a celebratory drink after the service. Throughout the summer, Bishop Michael hosted evenings at the Bishop’s Palace Wells, to thank churchwardens for their commitment to the role. We attended an evening in June. It started with Choral Evensong in the Cathedral followed by drinks and nibbles in the Palace garden served by Bishop Michael and his wife Lizzie. It was a beautiful warm evening and we were able to wander around the Palace gardens. We had a great time!
In December we had the usual Primary School nativities and carol services. It was lovely to see the church so full and the children were delightful.
The tower and organ loft roofs were replaced. The work started in October and was finished by Christmas. The scaffolding was amazing. We must thank Richard D’Arcy, Roger Lowe and latterly Jim Ebner, for their hard work on this project. Also thanks go to Adrian Chiplen and Colin Wallis for liaising with the workmen.
We have a contactless card machine in the church now – we have finally arrived in the 21[st] century! Thank you to Jim Ebner for his work on this.
This year John Tough passed away, many of us went to a beautiful service for him at the crematorium. Also for most of this year we have missed seeing Roger Lowe in our church due to illness and sadly he passed away early in 2024. Roger was such a big part of our church life and we miss him.
We would like to thank our deputy wardens, Mary Wallis and Sylvie Pattison, who are such a great help to us. Thanks also go to Penny Ashton our Reader and to all the retired clergy who regularly help us with services, in particular Ken Masters and Lydia Avery. Our Parish Administrator, Rachel Feltham, is such a great help to our church and to us personally.
Finally, in December, we heard the difficult news that Alison would be leaving us at Easter 2024. We would like to thank her for her ministry over the last four years and for all she has achieved at St Peter and St Paul. We send her our love and prayers as she leaves for pastures new. Gill Oaten and Judy Chiplen Churchwardens.
TOWER CAPTAIN REPORT
The bells of Wincanton are generally rung every Sunday morning for Service and every Tuesday evening for Practice.
In March we opened the Tower for the Wincanton History Day, and received much interest in the bells and bell ringing. Giving people the opportunity to ‘have a go’ produced several new recruits. Since then, Jim Ebner, Aaron Moreton and Lily Moreton have become valuable members of our band as they continue to improve their skills.
The bells were rung for one wedding on 20[th] May.
Thirteen Wincanton ringers, including Rev Alison and all the new recruits, rang the bells joyfully for the Coronation of King Charles III on 6[th] May.
We welcomed ringers from other local towers to branch practices here on two occasions, in January and July.
We have had teams of visiting ringers on seven occasions, three of which were for Quarter Peals, and one Full Peal.
In September, we hosted the Annual Eight Bell Striking Competition of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers. I am pleased to report that the Cary Branch band gained a creditable 3[rd] place. Many thanks to the Catering Team who provided a wonderful “Ringers’ Tea”.
I am always grateful to Adrian Chiplen who, with assistance from Richard D’Arcy and Chris Smith, continues to keep our bells in good working order. Janet Lowe, Tower Captain.
DEANERY SYNOD REPORT
Deanery Synod met in March, July and October of 2023, but unfortunately neither Wincanton nor Penselwood was represented at the October meeting.
Most of the synod's time this year has been taken up with considering and discussing the plans for the reorganisation of the benefices in order to achieve the required reduction in paid clergy from 8.5 to 7. The draft plan that was eventually agreed at Deanery Synod in July was then forwarded to The Wells Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Group meeting in November and we have been informed that it received approval there. There will now follow a time of further consultation with the parishes. At the October Synod, Penny, who had volunteered to serve was approved as a member of the Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group.
The Ascension Day service this year was held in Wincanton and the lively style of worship was much appreciated by all who attended. The preacher at this service was Rev Ann Gell, currently acting Dean of Wells who had been unable to preach in 2022 due to Covid.
Wincanton and Pen Selwood also led the opening worship at the July synod meeting, with a theme of rejoicing in God’s plan for our future, even though at times it can be hard to understand. Our thanks are due to Alison for organising these two worship events.
Penny Ashton Deanery Synod Representative.
ELECTORAL ROLL REPORT
As at the end of 2023, the Electoral Roll stood at 69 – an increase of 5 from last year. With life returning to normal after the coronavirus new people were attending services and social events, so it was possible to encourage them to join the Church Electoral Roll. Hopefully this trend will continue.
Additions can be made to the Electoral Roll at any time after the APCM. Please let me know of anyone who might like to be included in the future.
I would like to thank Rachel Feltham, the Parish Administrator, for her continued support in maintaining the Electoral Roll.
Rosemary Keep Electoral Roll Officer.
ZAMBIA LINK REPORT
The proceeds from the Lent activities of the lunch, boxes and the Good Friday service collection were all contributed to the donation to our Zambia Link Church, St John, Chingola. This amounted to £391.18 and was sent to the Diocese for onward transmission.
Unfortunately, contact with St John was rather sparse during the year, despite greetings being sent for Easter and Christmas. It is understood that the priests are moved around quite frequently in Zambia so an effort will be made to regain contact.
As ever, grateful thanks to all those who generously support our Zambia Link fund and in particular to Gill Oaten who always organises the Lent Lunch so well.
Rosemary Keep Zambia Link Representative.
FABRIC REPORT
The church had a full electric check in January. We were told our electrics are “satisfactory”, it will be checked again in 2026.
The boiler, lightning conductor and fire extinguishers were all serviced and we had all the portable electrical items tested.
As noted in the fabric report 2022 the church boiler needed a new burner, this was completed at the beginning of 2023. It would be lovely to have a year when the boiler wasn’t causing a problem, sadly that was not the case for 2023. The boiler started losing pressure at the beginning of December. With the help of Colin Wallis we managed to nurse the boiler until after Christmas, with only a couple of cold services.
The drains and gullies were emptied. White lines inside and outside were re-painted.
As reported last year the rope on the flagpole was cut. In 2023 the flagpole was taken down and the rope replaced ready for the King’s Coronation. Thank you to all who helped with this.
Finally we record our thanks to the town council workers who look after the churchyard. I would like to thank Colin Wallis for his help particularly with the boiler. Adrian Chiplen.
Organ Loft Roof & Tower Roof Replacement
In 2020 the opportunity arose, for us, to apply for grant funding under the Covid-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Fund, from Historic England. An application was prepared and submitted by Sam, our architect, in August 2020. In October 2020 we were notified our application had been successful, and we had been awarded £8,335 towards the cost for development stage fees, up to Tender Invitations.
Tenders were invited. In March 2021 four contractors returned tenders within the specified tender period. Purely on a financial basis, our architect recommended we accept the tender submitted by Ellis & Co. Subsequently, the PCC agreed to Ellis & Co being our preferred contractor.
A Faculty application was submitted in June 2021 and approval was granted in August 2021. A site meeting was held in the church in July 2021, with Gary Watson from the Diocese, to seek guidance relating to potential grant funding bodies. Gary subsequently sent us a list of potential funding bodies, to which we could apply.
The onerous task of seeking grant funding began in December 2021. Firstly, by sending letters to various, less known, grant funding bodies in an effort to secure an element of funding, to set the ball rolling. This had limited success and it soon became evident that grant applications needed to be submitted to larger, more widely known, funding bodies.
Detailed and comprehensive applications were prepared and submitted, with the final application being submitted in April 2023. During this period, we were fortunate in securing additional funding, with the final award, to us, being made in May 2023. This resulted in sufficient funding being achieved.
As the process in securing sufficient funding was over a long period, the overall cost of the project had risen significantly. Revised project costs were submitted by Ellis & Co. The initial overall project cost in June 2021 was £128,860.31(Incl VAT) In March 2023 the overall cost had risen to £158,319.65 (Incl VAT) In July 2023 the overall cost had risen to £162,248.44 (Incl VAT)
In July 2023 the revised tender, by Ellis & Co, was formally accepted by our architect, on behalf of the PCC. This ensured there would be no further increase in the overall project cost. In September 2023 a pre-contract meeting was held in the church, with interested parties.
Work on both roofs commenced on Monday 2[nd] October 2023 and was completed on Tuesday 19[th] December 2023, slightly ahead of the scheduled date of Friday 5[th] January 2024. This work was always going to be undertaken during the Autumn months, due to the evidence of Bats within the tower.
All of the project invoices have been paid. All of the VAT element on each invoice has been reclaimed, via the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
A small retention is being held by the PCC for the 12-month defect liability period. This will become payable in December 2024.
Richard D’Arcy
2023 Financial Review
The Church received unrestricted income of £55,859 in 2023 with unrestricted expenditure of £60,272. This means a deficit of £4,413 for the general funds which is an improvement on the 2022 deficit of £5,926. This income included £8,980 from gift aid claims and £3,800 from VAT reclaims. Expenditure included £24,887 to the Bath & Wells Diocese towards the Parish Share.
Further grants, legacies and donations towards the roof appeal meant an additional income of £65,155 towards restricted funds. Expenditure from restricted funds totalled £110,640 which includes £3,273 in final payments for the organ rebuild, and £106,229 towards the roof repair.
Reserves
The general funds have decreased from £11,586 to £7,173.
Designated funds for re-ordering remain at £45,001. The Roof Appeal stands at £20,448 at the end of 2023, further payments were made at the start of 2024 with the final payments due at the end of 2024. Other restricted funds total £6,918.
Overall reserves have decreased from £129,437 to £79,540.
The accounts have been independently examined, the Balance Sheet and Analysis of Income and Expenditure for the year are included.
Phil Thomas
Treasurer
St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Wincanton - X 92418 0 581
Balance Sheet detailed
| 31/12/2023 31/12/2022 As at As at |
||
|---|---|---|
| Current assets £69,446.17 6501 Bank current account £51,438.52 £1,500.35 6505 Bank deposit account £1,500.35 £8,774.04 6510 CCLA (CBF) deposit account £8,501.57 £144.42 6511 CBF Appeals account £139.94 £26.15 6512 CBF Fabric account £25.34 — 6591 Coventry BS £68,289.75 £79,891.13 Total Current assets £129,895.47 Liabilities £351.25 6699 Agency collections £458.00 £351.25 Total Liabilities £458.00 £79,539.88 Net Asset surplus (deficit) £129,437.47 Reserves (£49,897.59) Excess / (deficit) to date — £129,437.47 Z01 Starting balances £129,437.47 £79,539.88 Total Reserves £129,437.47 £7,172.99 Unrestricted £11,585.51 £45,000.83 Designated £45,000.83 £27,366.06 Restricted £72,851.13 — Endowment — Represented by Funds £79,539.88 £129,437.47 Total |
||
26 February 2024
Page 1
St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Wincanton - X 92418 0 581
Analysis of income and expenditure
Period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
| Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | This year | Last year | |
| Incoming resources | ||||||
| Incoming resources from generated funds | ||||||
| Voluntary income | ||||||
| 0101 - Gift Aid - Bank | £20,961.05 | — | £664.00 | — | £21,625.05 | £23,896.78 |
| 0110 - Gift Aid - Envelopes | £1,117.70 | — | £120.00 | — | £1,237.70 | £664.58 |
| 0201 - Other planned giving | £120.00 | — | — | — | £120.00 | £120.00 |
| 0301 - Loose plate collections | £1,770.24 | — | £2.00 | — | £1,772.24 | £1,982.11 |
| 0401 - Regular gift days | — | — | — | — | — | £25.00 |
| 0410 - Giving through church boxes | £637.50 | — | £197.00 | — | £834.50 | £430.00 |
| 0550 - Donations appeals etc | £1,684.71 | — | £47,164.00 | — | £48,848.71 | £4,704.55 |
| 0601 - Tax recoverable on Gift Aid | £8,980.37 | — | £989.13 | — | £9,969.50 | £6,656.77 |
| 0701 - Legacies | — | — | £16,018.84 | — | £16,018.84 | — |
| 08A1 - Non-recurring one-off grants | £3,799.52 | — | — | — | £3,799.52 | £12,371.17 |
| 0901 - Other funds generated | £11,142.50 | — | — | — | £11,142.50 | £10,908.30 |
| Voluntary income Sub-totals | £50,213.59 | — | £65,154.97 | — | £115,368.56 | £61,759.26 |
| Activities for generating funds | ||||||
| 0910 - Rummage sales etc | £447.83 | — | — | — | £447.83 | — |
| 1240 - Church hall lettings - fund | £865.00 | — | — | — | £865.00 | £170.00 |
| raising | ||||||
| Activities for generating funds | £1,312.83 | — | — | — | £1,312.83 | £170.00 |
| Sub-totals | ||||||
| Investment income | ||||||
| 1020 - Bank and building society | £1,692.70 | — | — | — | £1,692.70 | £640.11 |
| interest | ||||||
| Investment income Sub-totals | £1,692.70 | — | — | — | £1,692.70 | £640.11 |
| Incoming resources from | £53,219.12 | — | £65,154.97 | — | £118,374.09 | £62,569.37 |
| generated funds Totals | ||||||
| Incoming resources from charitable activities | ||||||
| Incoming resources from charitable | activities | |||||
| 1101 - Fees for weddings and funerals | £2,640.00 | — | — | — | £2,640.00 | £1,205.00 |
| Incoming resources from | £2,640.00 | — | — | — | £2,640.00 | £1,205.00 |
| charitable activities Sub-totals | ||||||
| Incoming resources from | £2,640.00 | — | — | — | £2,640.00 | £1,205.00 |
| charitable activities Totals |
28 July 2024 Page 1
Total Last year
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
This year
— — Incoming resources £55,859.12 £65,154.97 £121,014.09 £63,774.37 Grand totals
Resources used
| Cost of generating funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of generating voluntary income | ||||||
| 1710 - Costs of applying for grants | — | — | £873.00 | — | £873.00 | £1,675.57 |
| 1730 - Costs of fetes & other events | £72.00 | — | — | — | £72.00 | £166.75 |
| Cost of generating voluntary | £72.00 | — | £873.00 | — | £945.00 | £1,842.32 |
| income Sub-totals | ||||||
| Cost of generating funds | £72.00 | — | £873.00 | — | £945.00 | £1,842.32 |
| Totals | ||||||
| Charitable activities | ||||||
| Charitable activities | ||||||
| 1801 - Giving to missionary societies | — | — | — | — | — | £190.17 |
| 1830 - Giving - relief and development | £254.43 | — | — | — | £254.43 | — |
| agencies | ||||||
| 1850 - Home mission | £185.90 | — | — | — | £185.90 | £202.75 |
| 1870 - Secular charities | £280.00 | — | — | — | £280.00 | £80.00 |
| 1910 - Ministry parish share etc | £24,887.12 | — | — | — | £24,887.12 | £24,399.68 |
| 2050 - Salary of parish administrator | £7,556.04 | — | — | — | £7,556.04 | £7,225.12 |
| 2101 - Working expenses of | £2,729.39 | — | — | — | £2,729.39 | £2,300.43 |
| incumbent | ||||||
| 2301 - Church running - insurance | £3,863.89 | — | — | — | £3,863.89 | £3,333.50 |
| 2320 - Organ / piano tuning | — | — | — | — | — | £347.70 |
| 2330 - Church maintenance | £2,005.83 | — | — | — | £2,005.83 | £4,905.46 |
| 2340 - Upkeep of services | £4,387.80 | — | £264.88 | — | £4,652.68 | £4,765.12 |
| 2360 - Administration | £7,888.85 | — | — | — | £7,888.85 | £6,683.29 |
| 2370 - Visiting speakers / locums | £253.40 | — | — | — | £253.40 | £277.10 |
| 2401 - Church running - electric | £2,793.66 | — | — | — | £2,793.66 | £1,351.37 |
| 2410 - Church running - gas | £2,987.11 | — | — | — | £2,987.11 | £978.95 |
| 2420 - Church running - water | £126.22 | — | — | — | £126.22 | £84.74 |
| 2701 - Church major repairs - structure | — | — | £98,255.87 | — | £98,255.87 | — |
| 2801 - Church major repairs Project | — | — | £7,973.16 | — | £7,973.16 | — |
| Management | ||||||
| 2820 - Church major repairs | — | — | £3,273.13 | — | £3,273.13 | £18,000.00 |
| Consultancy | ||||||
| Charitable activities Sub-totals | £60,199.64 | — | £109,767.04 | — | £169,966.68 | £75,125.38 |
| Charitable activities Totals | £60,199.64 | — | £109,767.04 | — | £169,966.68 | £75,125.38 |
| Resources used | £60,271.64 | — | £110,640.04 | — | £170,911.68 | £76,967.70 |
| Grand totals |
28 July 2024 Page 2
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