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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Upper Coquetdale

2023-12-31-accounts

PARISH OF UPPER COQUETDALE APCM 17[TH] APRIL 2024

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL 2023

During the year there have been three PCC meetings (April, September and November).

The April meeting (a short one following the Annual Parish Meeting) elected PCC members to the following PCC roles:

Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer Planned Giving Officer Electoral Roll Officer Safeguarding Officer Data Protection Officer

At the September meeting the Rector put forward a motion to the PCC – “This PCC delegates its responsibility regarding finance, property and personnel to the DCCs of Alnham, Alwinton & Holystone, Rothbury, Hepple and Thropton respectively. Decisions that affect the churches and property of the DCCs may be made with our authority”.

This motion was passed unanimously.

The Treasurer talked the members through the arrangements with regard to the Sequestration Fund and the Rectory during the Vacancy period. Some of the signatories on the various PCC bank accounts would be amended.

Permission was given for Alnham DCC to apply for a Faculty with regard to an application for grave space in the churchyard.

The Secretary advised that a letter would be distributed to the all of the DCC members and also PCC members with regard to the suitability of the Rectory. Once agreed the letter would be sent to Canon Shane Waddle.

In November a meeting was held with the Archdeacon (Catherine Sourbut Groves) and the Area Dean (Alison Hardy) to discuss arrangements for the Vacancy period and also the paperwork required for posting the advert for a new Rector for Upper Coquetdale.

Margaret Pope PCC Secretary March 2024

St Michael and All Angels Alnham St Michael and All Angels Alwinton Christ Church Hepple St Mary the Virgin Holystone All Saints Rothbury St Andrew Thropton

1

PARISH OF UPPER COQUETDALE PCC MEMBERSHIP 2023

Ex Officio members

Rector (PCC chair) The Reverend Canon John Sinclair (until 8[th] October 2023) Assistant Clergy The Reverend John Storey Lay Minister David Carey Libby Cripps Wardens Jackie Bickmore Helen Holmes Ken Branson (to 7.11.2023) Wilma Hunter (to 6.11.2023) Lesley Cowe Jenny Sordy Marion Farndale Julia Stott Kate Hazelwood Margy Tasker-Brown Deputy Wardens Sue Bowmer Margaret Pope Deanery Synod Representatives Liz Kerry (Diocesan Synod Representative) Jeff Reynalds Vacancy x 2 (Alwinton and Alnham) Members David Carey Fiona Cowley John Farndale Sharon Graham Gail Johnston Meron Marcyniuk Carol Milburn Joan Storey Vacancy Alnham

PCC Officers

Vice Chair John Farndale Secretary Margaret Pope (resigned 12.01.2024)

Other Appointments

Examiner Ryecroft Glenton Electoral Roll Officer Margaret Pope Safeguarding Officer Gail Johnston Treasurer Chris Pope (not on PCC) Planned Giving Officer Adrienne Thunder (not on PCC) Data Protection Officer Joan Storey

St Michael and All Angels Alnham St Michael and All Angels Alwinton Christ Church Hepple St Mary the Virgin Holystone All Saints Rothbury St Andrew Thropton

2

UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

TREASURER’S REPORT

Financial Review

At the end of the year the PCC Fund balance was £321.61, the Messy Church balance was £841.17, the Children and Young Persons Fund balance was £40.77 and the other funds all had a balance of zero making a total of £1,203.55 for Upper Coquetdale PCC accounts.

The Messy Church fund has been enhanced in 2023 by a gift aid donation of £100.00 from a member of the All Saints’ Church congregation, (adding a further £25.00 in gift aid) and a donation of £150.00 from The Dixon Trust. A further £41.02 has been donated at the monthly sessions but £216.98 has been spent on various items for the sessions leaving a balance of £841.17 at the end of 2023.

Three claims have been made to the HMRC Charities in 2023 for Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC for both Gift Aid and GASDS in April, August and December. Two claims have been made in 2023 for Alnham DCC the first for Gift Aid in March and the second for GASDS in June. Two claims have been made in 2023 for Alwinton & Holystone DCC the first for the 2022 Gift Aid and GASDS in December and the second for the 2023 Gift Aid also in December. HMRC Charities deposit all claims amounts into the Upper Coquetdale PCC bank account and then Adrienne Thunder, our PCC Planned Giving Officer, and I transfer the amount to the appropriate DCC bank account using the online bank transfer facility which requires two signatories to facilitate the transfer.

In March 2023 we received an Energy Support Grant of £705.50 from the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd to help with the increased energy costs. It was decided between our now retired Rector, Canon John Sinclair, and the three DCC treasurers that this grant should be divided equally across the three DCCs with Alwinton & Holystone DCC and Alnham DCC each receiving £235.16 and Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC receiving £235.18.

Once the Rector, Canon John Sinclair, had announced that he would be retiring later in the year, an appeal was launched for a monetary gift for him and Gill through the Upper Coquetdale PCC bank account. A total of £2,190.00 was raised and, of this, £30.00 was used to buy gifts for John and Gill which were presented to them after his final service on Sunday 8[th] October and the rest of the donations, which amounted to £2,160.00, was transferred to their bank account.

In the autumn of 2023 Barclays Bank carried out a review of the Upper Coquetdale PCC bank account and, after completing several forms and jumping through several hoops, the bank account was finally cleared to continue to be used. This review will occur every five years and so the next one will probably be in 2028.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Adrienne Thunder, Upper Coquetdale PCC and Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC Planned Giving Officer, for all the hard work she does on recording the Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC donations and on submitting the Gift Aid and GASDS claims to the HMRC Charities on behalf of the three DCCs. My thanks go to John Farndale, Alwinton & Holystone DCC Treasurer, and to Meron Marcyniuk, Alnham DCC Treasurer, for all they do on their accounts during the year and for assisting in producing the combined parish accounts for 2023. Thank you also to Ian Friend, Alwinton & Holystone DCC Planned Giving Officer, for all he does in recording their donations and to our retired Rector, Canon John Sinclair, for his support and guidance on various financial matters up to his retirement at the beginning of October 2023.

3

UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Finally, 2024 will present its own financial challenges for the PCC and the three DCCs as we face increases in our electricity and gas bills, our churches’ insurances and paying the Parish Share to the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd but I feel sure that the congregations of the various churches will rise to the occasion and that we will be able to meet our expenditure in full.

Christopher Pope – Treasurer

17th April 2024

....................................................... ......................................... …………………………….

Acting Chair Treasurer Date Dr John Farndale Christopher Pope

4

UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.

The accounts include the monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Parochial Church Council can be held responsible. They do not include the accounts of other Church groups that owe an affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the Parochial Church Council that are not subject to any special restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the Parochial Church Council. These include funds designated for a particular purpose by the Parochial Church Council.

Subject to the above, receipts and payments include income as received and expenditure when irrevocably paid.

Statement of Assets and Funds

5

UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Statement of financial activities PCC Messy
Church		 RHT
DCC		 A/H
DCC		 Alnham
DCC		 Children/
Youth		 Rector’s
Gift		 2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Incoming resources
HMRC Gift Aid & GASDS - 25.00 9367.68 2,178.50 726.51 - - 12,297.69 14,692.97
Ecclesiastical Insurance Trust 130 - - - - - - - - 130.00
Parish Support Grant - - 235.18 235.16 235.16 - - 705.50 1,685.00
Donations for the Rector’s Retirement Gift - - - - - - 2,190.00 2,190.00 -
MessyChurch Donations - 250.00 - - - - - 250.00 34.00
MessyChurch Fund Raising - - - - - - - 142.34
MessyChurch Collections - 41.02 - - - - - 41.02 58.34
Total incoming resources 0 316.02 9602.86 2,413.66 961.67 0 2,190.00 15,484.21 16,742.65
Resources expended
Transfers to Rothbury,Hepple & Thropton DCC - - 9,602.86 - - - - 9,602.86 9,557.03
Transfers to Alwinton & Holystone DCC - - - 2,413.66 - - - 2,413.66 2,491.47
Transfers to Alnham DCC - - - - 961.67 - - 961.67 4,459.47
Gifts for John & Gill Sinclair - - - - - - 30.00 30.00 -
MonetaryGift for the Rector’s Retirement - - - - - - 2,160.00 2,160.00 -
MessyChurch Expenses - 216.98 - - - - - 216.98 487.18
Total outgoing resources 0 216.98 9,602.86 2,413.66 961.67 0 2,190.00 15,385.17 16,995.15
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources 0 99.04 0 0 0 0 0 99.04 (252.50)
2022 Balances b/fwd 321.61 742.13 0 0 0 40.77 0 1,104.51 1,357.01
Net incoming/(outgoing)resources in 2023 0 99.04 0 0 0 0 0 99.04 (252.50)
Cash in Bank as at 31st December 2023 321.61 841.17 0 0 0 40.77 0 1,203.55 1,104.51

6

UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 31 DECEMBER 2023

Current assets
Cash at bank
Funds
PCC
Messy Church
Children & Young Persons
Rector’s Leaving Gift
Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC
Alnham DCC
Alwinton & Holystone DCC		 2023
£
1,203.55
321.61
841.17
40.77
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,203.55		 2022
£
1,104.51
321.61
742.13
40.77
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,104.51

Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention on a receipts and payment basis.

7

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE UPPER COQUETDALE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 3 - 4.

Respective responsibilities of members and examiner

As members (trustees) of the Parochial Church Council with responsibility for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that an audit is not required this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Parochial Church Council 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 members (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 next statement.

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:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the Church accounting regulations and also those contained within the 2011 Act.

have not been met; or

  1. to which, in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J Routledge FCA Ryecroft Glenton 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP April 2024

8

PARISH OF UPPER COQUETDALE - FINANCIAL SUMMARY YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023

R/H/T
2022
2023

GENERAL FUND
£
£
Income
Planned Giving
34,878
35,059
Gift Aided Giving Non-Regular
793
1,759
HMRC Gift Aid/GASDS
9,709
10,294
Rent and Service Fees
4,587
2,215
Fundraising
3,497
5,200
Plate Collections
4,187
4,240
Donations
1,805
1,738
Grants/Legacies/Misc/Charity Collections
0
0
Investment Income
399
810
Total Income
59,855
61,315
Payments
Cost of Generating Funds
920
1,060
Charitable Donations
1,000
0
Church Running Costs
54,626
58,879
Parish Administration
1,009
1,233
Total Payments
57,555
61,172
Investments Gain/Loss
-1,159
856
Surplus/Deficit
2,300
143
GENERAL FUND BALANCE
41,936
42,883
- includes Cannon Morton Bequest and Cardstall Fund
ALL FUNDS
Total Assets
112,809
127,880
Regular income as a % of running costs
51,352 = 87%*		 A/H
2022
£
5,528
844
1,930
292
6,155
1,793
1,698
2,071
514
20,825
0
0
12,769
1,965
14,734
-2,229
6,091
9,671
41,493
 Aln
UCP
2023
2022
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
9,299
1,723
1,538
42,129
599
0
0
1,637
2,179
3,898
727
15,537
612
0
297
4,879
5,269
2,390
2,661
12,042
3,741
979
724
6,959
828
1,658
3,481
5,161
235
0
0
2,071
517
0
0
913
23,279
10,648
9,428
91,328
0
726
633
1,646
0
0
0
1,000
14,461
4,465
6,623
71,860
1,529
342
260
3,316
15,990
5,533
7,516
77,822
1,818
0
0
-3,388
9,107
5,115
1,912
13,506
18,778
6,266
8,178
57,873
49,376
26,932
28,659
181,234

15,818 = 109%
2,989 = 45%		 2023
£
45,896
2,358
13,200
3,124
13,130
8,705
6,047
235
1,327
94,022
1,693
0
79,963
3,022
84,678
2,674
11,162
69,839
205,915

9

Restricted Funds:

Hepple Restoration Fund balance now £12,999 All Saints Organ Fund balance now £7,917 Holystone Restoration Fund balance now £7,078 A/H Charity Fund balance now £61 A/H Churchyard Fund balance now £8,776 Alwinton Heating Fund balance now £6,714 A/H Fabric Fund balance now £7,717 A/H Youth Fund balance now £252

NB - figures may not total exactly due to rounding

Key to Abbreviations: R/H/T - Rothbury, Hepple and Thropton District A/H - Alwinton and Holystone District Aln - Alnham District UCP - Upper Coquetdale Parish ,

Thropton Fabric Fund balance now £761 Rothbury Fabric Fund balance now £21,846 R/H/T Young People Fund balance now £832 Hepple Churchyard Fund balance now £1,379 Hepple Tree & Grass Fund balance now £1,256 R/H/T Parish Hall Fund balance now £16,817 R/H/T Wright Memorial Fund balance now £2,598 R/H/T Topping Memorial Fund balance now £613 R/H/T Donkin Bequest balance now £2,112 Rothbury Emergency Fund balance now £553 Rothbury Churchyard Fund balance now £73 Rothbury Coffee Fund balance now £3,094 Rothbury Warm Hub Fund balance now £10,581 Alnham Restoration Fund balance now £10,320 Alnham Fabric Fund balance now £10,161 Sequestration Fund balance now £341

Designated Funds:

R/H/T Hardship Fund balance now £1,225 R/H/T Cardstall Fund balance now £3,740

10

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL OF ROTHBURY HEPPLE AND THROPTON

TREASURER’S REPORT 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

We commenced 2023 with an operating balance of £12,015.13 for the General Fund in the Lloyds current bank account and cash in hand which included the December 2022 collection, planned giving and donations and we commence 2024 with a slightly lower balance of £11,658.60 for the General Fund in the Lloyds current bank account and cash in hand which includes the plate collections, planned giving and donations given during December 2023.

The 2023 figures for the General Fund Receipts and Payments Account show we have a surplus of £143.47 which means we have received more income than we have spent on expenditure for the General Fund.

Our allocation of Parish Share for 2023 was £35,000. This was paid in full during the course of the year and was completed at the beginning of December 2023 with a final payment of £2,900 all from General Fund income. However, an additional £1,000 was paid at the end of December 2023 increasing the total paid to £36,000.

Planned Giving was lower than anticipated and was £841 below the 2023 budget figure. Non-Regular Gift Aided giving has increased in comparison with 2022. The generosity of our regular givers is paramount to our main source of income. Plate collections have increased slightly this year and, although welcome, this income is unplanned and cannot be relied upon. Donors are to be encouraged to give regularly through Planned Giving, to enable us to budget effectively. We now offer both our own in-house Planned Giving scheme and the Parish Giving Scheme run by the Diocese of Gloucester.

The Parish would not be able to function without donations received throughout the year. These make up a sizable proportion of our income. The Votive Candle Stand and Wall Safe both make significant contributions to income with the Wall Safe showing a considerable decrease on the 2022 figure and the Votive Candle Stand is also showing a decrease on the 2022 figure. In November 2022 a Contactless Donations Terminal was installed in All Saints Church on a Diocesan trial which ended in early October 2023. A total of £972.00 was donated between November 2022 and October 2023 of which we received £66.78 in 2022 and £860.99 in 2023 with £44.23 being deducted in transactions charges. However, we have been able to claim £243.00 in GASDS on the gross donation of £972.00 and this is included in the HMRC Gift Aid on Planned Giving/GASDS figure for 2023 in the General Fund Receipts and Payments.

Fundraising activity for the General Fund, which is another essential source of income, commenced in January 2023 with the 100 Club renewal followed by a second 100 Club renewal in June 2023. We have raised the total of £1,880.00 during the year from the 100 Club. The Produce Stall run by Carol Milburn started again at the beginning of June and ran each month up to December with the exception of October and has raised a total of £382.30. At the end of August members of the three churches ran a stall at the Hexham Car Boot sale and raised £335.20. Also, in August a Nearly New Event which was run by Joan Storey raised £250.05. A monthly Coffee Morning and Stalls event organised by Kathryn Reynalds was held in All Saints Church between February and December which raised a total of £2,093.80. In May a Coronation Fete organised by Gill Sinclair and her team was held in All Saints Church which raised a total of £410.63 of which £198.13 from the Refreshment Stall was donated by Gill Sinclair to the Alnwick District Foodbank. The remaining £212.50 was split with £55.00 for the General Fund, £100.00 for the Rothbury Fabric Fund, £8.00 for the Rothbury Churchyard Fund and £49.50 for the Rothbury Warm Hub Fund. Joan Storey has also organised four other events during December 2022 and 2023 which have raised a total of £203.50 and a detailed breakdown of the General Fund figures can be found on page 7 under Fundraising.

The Parish Hall has received an income of £1,897.00 against a total expenditure of £3,075.99 meaning that the Parish Hall account has ended 2023 with a deficit of £1,178.99. This is due to the fact that one of our regular groups, The Trefoil Guild Rothbury have disbanded following their July 2023 meeting. However, our main regular group, Judali Yoga has increased the number of hours per week that they hire the hall back to pre-pandemic levels of use.

The Card Stall which Gill Sinclair was running and Alison Ball is now running also continues to provide an important source of income.

St Andrew’s Church, Thropton has had grass cutting carried out at a cost of £310.00 and the fire extinguishers have been tested at a total cost of £51.60. These items have been financed from the General Fund. The Thropton Fabric Fund, which is used for project work rather than general repairs, has paid £270.00 for new front doors and £458.00 for 2019 Quinquennial work. The Thropton Fabric Fund has a balance at the end of 2023 of £761.22.

1

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL OF ROTHBURY HEPPLE AND THROPTON

Christ Church Hepple has had its fire extinguishers tested at a cost of £51.60, the lightning conductor testing work has been undertaken at a cost of £120.00 and grass cutting has cost £975.00 in 2023 which have all been paid for from the General Fund. A further £130.00 has been paid for grass cutting from the Hepple Tree and Grass Fund. This fund also received £350.00 in gift aid donations, a further £87.50 in gift aid and £948.00 from burial and monument fees.

The Hepple Restoration Fund has received funeral fees of £198.00, donations of £475.00, planned giving of £250.00, HMRC gift aid and GASDS of £257.50, a funeral collection of £245.00, the Honesty Jar received £10.00 in donations and the Afternoon Tea and Wellbeing event raised £100.00 during 2023 and has a balance of £12,999.09 at the end of the year.

All Saints’ Rothbury has seen a total sum of £514.41 spent on cleaning and maintenance work in 2023 from the General Fund. This includes the garden waste bin (£49.50), grass cutting (£150.00), fire extinguishers tested (£55.20), lightning conductors testing (£120.00) and various items for All Saints Church (£139.71). From the Rothbury Fabric Fund £165.00 has been paid for repairs to the Bell Tower rope handrail and door. From the Bookstall Fund £2,074.89 has been paid out for a new noticeboard for All Saints Church and a further £65.00 to install it. We received a grant from Northumberland County Council of £2,000.00 towards the noticeboard and my thanks go to Councillor Steven Bridgett for organising that. A gift aid donation of £500.00, together with the gift aid of £125.00, was also received to cover the cost of the noticeboard.

Church running costs are showing in the accounts as £16,004.64. This figure is an increase from the 2022 figure of £15,072.50 which includes all the maintenance work undertaken at the three churches from the General Fund in 2023. A breakdown of the costs can be found in note 5 on page 8. Our energy use for the three churches and the parish hall, however, still needs to be addressed on an environmental and financial basis.

Parish Administration overall costs of £1,232.69 in 2023 shows an increase in comparison to 2022 figure which was £1,008,87.

To ensure our bank charges are not excessive I am continuing to use online banking wherever possible and we have seen a slight decrease in the amount of bank charges that we have paid in 2023 in comparison to 2022. In order to keep bank charges to a minimum a cash float of £300.00 was withdrawn in 2022 and is kept in a metal cash box in the vestry safe. This means that we will not incur bank charges in future every time a cash float is withdrawn or deposited in the current bank account. The cash float is shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities on page 10 in the column headed CASH FLOAT against the General Fund.

Printing and stationery costs of £386.92 for 2023 have slightly decreased on the 2022 figure of £403.15. The Administration Costs of £310.85 for 2023 covers the costs incurred by the treasurer and planned giving officer in managing the DCC’s financial affairs.

The Insurance Premiums total for 2023 for the three churches is shown in note 5 on page 8 as £7,297.90 which is a 6.24% increase on the figure of £6,869.15 shown for 2022 caused by the rate of inflation. The Parish Hall insurance premium was £1,000.36 in 2023 which is a 6.25% increase on the 2022 figure, again caused by the rate of inflation. In August 2018 the All Saints’ Church and Parish Hall insurances were merged into one policy, giving us the same insurance conditions for both properties.

In December 2022 the Parish of Upper Coquetdale received a Parish Support Grant for energy costs of £1,685.00 and this was split three ways between the three DCCs with the RHT DCC receiving £561.66. In March 2023 a further Energy Support Grant of £705.50 was received by the Parish and this again was split three ways between the three DCCs with the RHT DCC receiving £235.18. The grant is not shown in the General Fund receipts and Payments Account as the £235.18 has been recorded as negative expenditure against each of the six utilities.

In 2022 the Organ Restoration Fund name was changed to the Organ Fund as it was agreed that the restoration of the organ in All Saints Church had been completed. The Organ Fund has received income of £2,107.83 in 2023 through donations, GASDS and quarterly shared interest from the CBF Deposit Fund. From this fund we have paid a total of £306.65 in 2023 for the organ to be tuned by Harrison & Harrison Ltd of Durham. The Organ Fund has ended 2023 with a balance of £7,917.12 which is split between the CBF Deposit Fund (£7,006.38) and the Rothbury PCC-CG bank account (£910,74) which enables us to have a working capital and reducing the need to withdraw money from the CBF Deposit Fund. During 2023 £1,000.00 was transferred from the Rothbury PCC-CG bank account to the CBF Deposit Fund to reduce the working capital held in the Rothbury PCC-CG bank account.

2

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL OF ROTHBURY HEPPLE AND THROPTON

During 2022 the Rector decided to encourage wedding parties to give more generously in the collection plate by splitting any donations given on a 50:50 basis between the church and a charity of the bride and groom’s choosing and this is shown in Collections – Special Collections in note 3 on page 7. The 50% to the church is recorded under either the Hepple Restoration Fund, the Thropton Fabric Fund, the Rothbury Fabric Fund or the Rothbury Warm Hub Fund depending upon which church the wedding was held in. It was also decided to record any Baptism and Funeral plate collections given for the church under these funds depending upon which church the baptism or funeral was held in.

The CBF Investment Units may be required to fund major work in the future or supplement shortfalls in income streams. There has been an overall increase in the value of the CBF Investment units in 2023 due to the performance on the stock market. It is to be hoped that their value will maintain growth in the longer term. Income from interest on our CBF Deposit Fund and dividends from our CBF Investments has seen an increase in 2023 after the depressing low interest rates we received in 2022.

The Hepple Churchyard Fund has received £51.24 in shared interest from the CBF Deposit Fund during 2023.

During 2023 the budget for cleaning and maintenance for the three churches was exceeded due to the fact that the cost of grass cutting at Hepple and Thropton had risen from £12.00 per hour to £20.00 per hour due to the fact that new grass cutters were being used. The churchwardens at Hepple and Thropton were informed that grass cutting would have to be reduced in order to meet the budgetary figure and as a result gift aid donations of £350.00 were donated to be used for the Hepple grass cutting to which gift aid of £87.50 was added. The donations and gift aid were put into an existing restricted fund known as the Hepple Tree Fund which I renamed as the Hepple Tree and Grass Fund. In the event only £130.00 had to be used from this fund to pay for the final grass cut of the year at Hepple.

During 2023 I switched the fees for baptisms, banns, weddings, funeral and burials from being recorded in the General Fund to being allocated according to which church or churchyard the event took place in. What this means is all fees from weddings, banns and funerals held at All Saints’ Church are now allocated to the Rothbury Fabric Fund, all fees from weddings, banns and funerals held at Christ Church Hepple are now allocated to the Hepple Restoration Fund, all burial and monument fees in the Christ Church Hepple churchyard are allocated to the newly named Hepple Tree & Grass Fund and all fees for services held at St Andrews Thropton will be allocated to Thropton Fabric Fund. The General Fund will continue to receive fees for funerals held at crematoria and in 2023 this total £68.00 for two funerals held at Brockenfield Crematorium Felton.

The Rothbury Coffee Fund has received a total of £550.22 in 2023 which is represented by £446.09 in coffee donations and £104.13 in shared interest and has a balance of £3,094.29 at the end of 2023.

During the last quarter of 2023 Barclays bank conducted a review of the RHT DCC bank account. This is the bank account that receives all the Planned Giving Standing Orders each month which are then transferred to the DCC’s main bank account which is the Lloyds – Rothbury DCC bank account. The review of the RHT DCC bank account involved a lot of form filling which our Planned Giving Officer, Adrienne Thunder, undertook as the main contact for the bank account and also a considerable amount of telephone calls answering subsequent questions at which point I, as treasurer, became involved. I am pleased to report that after almost three months of detailed investigation Barclays bank were finally satisfied that the bank account was being properly used and administered and not being used for illicit purposes. We have been informed that Barclays bank will conducted a similar review every five years.

I am pleased to report that the Parish Giving Scheme run by the Diocese of Gloucester seems to have been secured financially as, in late 2023, the Archbishops’ Council decided to fund the running of the scheme from the centre rather than each diocese that uses the scheme paying an annual fee to the Diocese of Gloucester. I believe that the reasoning behind the change is to try and encourage dioceses that have been reluctant to use the scheme due to cost implications to now join the Parish Giving Scheme.

As I have reported at various RHT DCC meetings during 2023, the CCLA Investment Management, who administer our CBF Investment funds and CBF Deposit fund, finally switched in November 2023 to using a third-party agent to deal with all deposits and withdrawals. This has meant downloading and using a new withdrawal form and also downloading and using a deposit form for the first time which CCLA have provided. CCLA have also set up a new bank account into which all deposits are transferred and will only action those deposits on receipt of a deposit form attached to an e-mail. The CCLA Investment Management now has a Digital Portal which allows me to download all the documentation when I deposit into or withdraw from the funds.

3

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES REGARDING THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL OF ROTHBURY HEPPLE AND THROPTON

During a vacancy a Sequestration Fund has to be set up for the financial administration of the Rothbury Rectory and Visiting Clergy expenses which can be claimed back from the diocese on a monthly basis. At their September meeting the Upper Coquetdale PCC delegated the running of the Sequestration Fund to the RHT DCC. This is run by me, as RHT DCC Treasurer, as all financial matters concerning the rectory and visiting clergy are dealt with by this DCC.

At the RHT DCC meeting held in September members confirmed that the Sequestration Fund could be set up within the RHT DCC accounts and would be funded by a transfer of an initial £500.00 from the General Fund with up to a further £500.00 available to be transferred if required during the vacancy. The initial £500.00 was transferred from the General Fund to the Sequestration in September 2023 and has been used to fund expenditure on the rectory and visiting clergy. Since the end of October 2023, a monthly claim has been submitted to the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd and both the October and November claims have been paid. These payments are recorded in the accounts as negative expenditure offsetting the various payments. The Sequestration Fund is therefore not showing any income but is showing an expenditure figure of £159.35 which represents the December 2023 expenditure and a balance of £340.65 in the “Statement of Assets and Liabilities” on Page 11. The December 2023 claim is due to be paid by the diocese in January 2024 and will appear in the 2024 RHT DCC Accounts.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Planned Giving Administrator, Adrienne Thunder, for her tireless work in the banking and recording of all our income, to thank Christine Wilson for recording and banking the Hepple Restoration Fund income and expenditure, to thank Sue Bowmer for running the 100 Club, to thank Gill Sinclair and Alison Ball for running the Cardstall, to thank John Farndale, the Alwinton & Holystone DCC treasurer, and Meron Marcyniuk, the Alnham DCC treasurer, for their work in reimbursing Rothbury, Hepple & Thropton DCC their respective DCC’s monthly contribution to the parish running costs. I would also like to thank Paul Charlton of Ryecroft Glenton for all his work in inspecting the accounts year on year and for his accountancy advice when needed and to thank the Rector, Canon John Sinclair, for his support and advice during his incumbency in what have been difficult years to manage the finances.

Other thanks should go to Carol Milburn for running the Produce Stall on the first Sunday of each month and for all those who do the baking, to Kathryn Reynalds for organising and running the monthly Coffee Mornings on the second Saturday of the month and to Ken Branson, our Acting DCC Chairman, for his advice on difficult financial matters.

To conclude: We must ensure that we run with a surplus year on year in order to meet the DCC’s various commitments. We will not able to withdraw from Reserves indefinitely and the DCC must ensure that, through an effective budgeting process, spending does not exceed income. We need to concentrate on increasing our regular income through the ongoing Stewardship initiative by holding an annual renewal just to be able to balance our books. We have already made a start in making every effort to reduce our fundraising costs as these have been high and detract from the effectiveness of the fundraising events and this needs to continue year on year with careful financial management.

If all these steps are taken it is likely we will be able to pay our estimated 2024 Parish Share in full which is £35,000. This equates to £2,916.66 per month that is needed from regular planned giving, donations and fundraising. However, if the steps are not taken it is unlikely that we will be able to pay the 2024 Parish Share in full without selling more shares or we may default in 2024 as we did in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Going forward, maintaining a robust General Fund should be an area of priority and focus for the DCC.

Christopher Pope – Treasurer

20th March 2024

…………………………………… ………………………… ………………………

Acting Chair Treasurer Date Kenneth Branson Christopher Pope

4

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH, HEPPLE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The Financial Statements of the DCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts and Payments basis.

The accounts include the monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the DCC can be held responsible. They do not include the accounts of other Church groups that owe an affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the DCC that are not subject to any special restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the DCC. These include funds designated for a particular purpose by the DCC.

Subject to the above, receipts and payments include income as received and expenditure when irrevocably paid.

Statement of Assets and Funds

5

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT


RECEIPTS

Income from Operating Activities
Fees
Church Hire
Parish Hall Rent

Fund Raising
Fund Raising General (1)
Fund Raising 100 Club
Incoming Resources from Donors
Planned Giving (2)
Planned Giving Recall
HMRC Gift Aid on Planned Giving/GASDS (2)
Gift Aid Giving Non- Regular (2)
Plate Collections (3)
Other Voluntary Incoming Resources
Donations(4)
Income from Investments
CBF Deposit Fund Shared Interest
NSIB Dividends
CBF Investment Funds Dividends
TOTAL RECEIPTS

PAYMENTS
Cost of generating funds
Fund Raising Costs (7)
Charitable Activities
Donations to Missions and Charities
Church Activities and Running Costs
Parish Share
Church Running Costs (5)
Clergy Expenses
Parish Hall Running Costs (8)
Service & Sanctuary Expenses
Visiting, Lay and Retired Clergy Costs
Quinquennial Inspection
Parish Administration
Bank Charges
Planned Giving Expenses
Printing and Stationery
Administration Costs
Internet Broadband
Telephone Rothbury Rectory
TOTAL PAYMENTS

OPERATING SURPLUS FOR YEAR (9)
 2023

£

68.00
250.00
1,897.00
2,215.00
3,319.85
1,880.00
5,199.85
35,059.15
3
-
10,294.29
1,758.80
4,240.41
51,352.65
4
1,737.79
1,737.79
35.88
514.17
259.74
809.79
61,315.08 5
1,060.00
1,060.00
-
36,000.00
3
16,004.64
1
3,137.66
3,075.99
477.28
183.35
-
58,878.92
5
84.00
6.00
386.92
310.85
66.17
378.75
1,232.69
61,171.61 5
**143.47 **		 2022
£
3,203.00
200.00
1,184.00
4,587.00
1,601.53
1,896.00
3,497.53
5,477.92
(600.00)
9,709.35
793.00
4,186.83
9,567.10
1,804.57
1,804.57
6.17
134.22
258.31
398.70
9,854.90
920.00
920.00
1,000.00
4,000.00
5,072.50
3,079.60
2,032.65
280.78
160.20
-
4,625.73
92.29
11.56
403.15
-
65.39
436.48
1,008.87
7,554.60
2,300.30

6

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE NOTES TO THE GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2023

1. Fundraising

The Produce/Cake Stall commenced on the first Sunday in June 2023 and continued each month up to December 2023 with the exception of October. Other fundraising events in 2023 have included a Sale of Household items, a Nearly New Clothes Sale, a stall at the Elsdon Christmas Fayre in December 2022, a Record Collection Sale, a Coronation Fete, a Nearly New Sale and a Car Boot sale at Hexham both at the end of August and a monthly Coffee Morning event held each month from February to December 2023 in All Saints Church Rothbury. The breakdown of the proceeds are as follows:


Produce/Cake Stall (June – December 2023)

Sale of Household Items

Nearly New Clothes Sale

Stall at Elsdon Christmas Fayre (December 2022)

Sale of Record Collection

Coronation Fete – Bags & Scarfs (May 2023)

Nearly New Sale (August 2023)

Hexham Car Boot Sale (August 2023)

Coffee Morning Events (February - December 2023)

Total
 £
382.30
20.00
22.50
31.00
130.00
55.00
250.05
335.20
2,093.80

3,319.85

2.

Planned Giving

The total of regular giving in 2023 has seen a slight decrease on the 2022 figure of £418.77. The Planned Giving overall figure of £35,059.15 includes £9,410.15 which has been paid through the Parish Giving Scheme run by the Diocese of Gloucester. From this scheme we have also received £2,352.67 in Gift Aid which forms part of the overall total of £10,294.29 for Gift Aid/GASDS claimed from the HMRC. Non-regular giving via Gift Aid Envelopes in 2023 has also seen an increase of £965.80 on the 2022 figure.

3.

Income from Plate Collections is given as the total amount for all three churches. The 2023 figure has seen a slight increase on the 2022 figure. The breakdown between the three churches is as follows: -

Hepple
Rothbury
Thropton
Total		 2023
£
436.00
3,333.41
471.00
4,240.41		 2022
£
487.05
3,096.78
603.00
4,186.83

Collections – Special Collections

The recommendations in the Church of England publication “The Charities Act and the PCC – 2006”, as revised to take into account the revision in 2005 of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) are that collections made for specific charities, either in church or at other events, should not be included in the receipts and payments but noted separately. The totals for 2023 are shown below; these do not appear in the Receipts and Payments account.


Alnwick District Foodbank – Collection from the Rector’s Retirement Service
Meningitis Now – Wedding Plate Collection
Messy Church – HMRC Charities Gift Aid on Donation
Mind – Wedding Plate Collection
Revd Colin Scott Funeral – Donation of Organist and Verger Fees
Total		 £
739.35
46.00
25.00
95.00
100.00
1,005.35

7

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE NOTES TO THE GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2023 - CONTINUED

4. Donations Received

The sum of £1,737.79 includes £469.24 from the Wall Safe, £272.56 from the Votive Candle Stand, £860.99 from the Contactless Donations Terminal and £135.00 in general donations.

5. Church Running Costs; (Items purchased from Cardstall account not showing in these figures).

6.


Insurance on the three church buildings
Music, Bells, Organ and Piano Tuning and Organist Expenses
Cleaning and maintenance
Utilities
Social Expenses (Rector’s Retirement Party)
Miscellaneous Sundries
Total
From the Card Stall account the following has been paid
The Royal British Legion – Wreath for 2023
Fund Raising Banners
New Noticeboard for All Saints Church (including installation)
Greetings Cards etc
Total		 2023
£
7,297.90
2,352.16
1,892.61
4,231.29
45.89
184.79
16,004.64
£
23.98
228.00
2,129.89
184.27
2,576.14		 2022
£
6,869.15
2,570.30
1,616.58
3,865.88
-
150.59
15,072.50

The total of £2,576.14 for items purchased is not showing in Church Running costs (5) but is shown in the Fund Movement Summary on page 12.

7. Fund Raising Cost

A limited number of fundraising events took place throughout the year which incurred the following costs:

£

8.

NCC Small Lotteries Licence
100 Club Prizes
Total

Parish Hall Running Costs
2023
£
Insurance
1,000.36
Cleaning and Maintenance
646.67
Utilities
1,428.96
Music Licenses
-
Total
3,075.99		 20.00
1,040.00
1,060.00
2022
£
941.51
485.88
443.54
161.72
2,032.65

The Cleaning and Maintenance figure of £646.67 includes £80.00 for the boiler to be tested, £36.00 for the fire extinguishers to be tested, £63.30 for a new smoke detector, £152.00 for two new fluorescent lights and clocks, and £220.00 for the carpets to be professionally cleaned.

It was decided by the Rector and Treasurer not to renew the Music Licenses for the Parish Hall for 2023 as no lets are made where music would be played. This decision will be kept under review.

9.

The 2023 figure for the “Operating Surplus for Year” shows we have a surplus of £143.47 on the income and expenditure for the General Fund for the year. This has been achieved despite the fact that the overall payments for 2023 have increased by £3,617.01 on the 2022 figure which has been offset by the fact that the receipts for 2023 have increased by £1,460.18 over the 2022 figure.

8

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Fixed assets £ £
CBF Investment Fund (1) 8,663.11 7,885.63
CBF Investment Fund (WS) (1) 878.43 799.60
National Savings & Investment Bond - Canon Morton Bequest (3) 17,000.00 17,000.00
26,541.54 25,685.23
Current assets
Debtors - -
CBF Deposit Account (3) 75,222.38 62,087.22
Cash Float 300.00 300.00
Sum Total of other Bank Accounts 25,815.72 24,737.07
101,338.10 87,124.29
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year - -
Net current assets less current liabilities 101,338.10 87,124.29
Total assets less current liabilities 127,879.64 112,809.52
Total net assets less liabilities 127,879.64 112,809.52
Represented by (2)
Unrestricted
Unrestricted - General fund (4) 21,200.14 20,700.36
Designated
Designated – Hardship Fund 1,225.28 1,179.75
Designated - Cardstall Fund (5) 3,739.64 3,292.21
Restricted
Restricted - Donkin Bequest 2,111.69 2,033.22
Restricted - Parish Hall Fund 16,816.57 16,191.66
Restricted - Hepple Restoration Fund 12,999.09 11,463.59
Restricted - Organ Fund 7,917.12 6,115.94
Restricted – Thropton Fabric Fund 761.22 1,445.59
Restricted - Topping Memorial Fund 613.00 590.22
Restricted - Wright Memorial Fund 2,598.38 2,501.83
Restricted – Hepple Churchyard Fund 1,378.69 1,327.45
Restricted – Hepple Tree & Grass Fund 1,255.50 0.00
Restricted – Rothbury Churchyard Fund 72.91 44.05
Restricted – Rothbury Coffee Fund 3,094.29 2,556.27
Restricted – Rothbury Fabric Fund 21,846.38 14,276.13
Restricted – Rothbury Emergency Fund 552.89 591.08
Restricted – Rothbury Warm Hub Fund 10,580.93 9,755.83
Restricted – Sequestration Fund 340.65 0.00
Restricted – Young People Fund 832.27 801.34
Endowment
Endowment - Canon Morton Bequest (3) 17,943.00 17,943.00
Funds of the churches 127,879.64 112,809.52

9

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Funds
Unrestricted funds
General Reserve
Canon Morton Bequest Fund
Designated funds
Hardship Fund
Cardstall Fund
Restricted Funds
Parish Hall Fund (1)
Wright Memorial Fund
Topping Memorial Fund
Hepple Restoration Fund
Hepple Churchyard Fund
Hepple Tree & Grass Fund
Rothbury Churchyard Fund
Rothbury Coffee Fund (2)
Rothbury Fabric Fund
Rothbury Emergency Fund
Rothbury Warm Hub Fund (1)
Donkin Bequest
Thropton Fabric Fund
Sequestration Fund
Young People Fund
Organ Fund
Total funds		 Bank
Accounts
£
CBF deposit
account
£
NSIB
£
CBF
investment
units
£
Cash
Float
£
Total
£
11,358.60
-
-
9,541.54
300.00
21,200.14
-
943.00
17,000.00
-
-
17,943.00
-
1,225.28
-
-
-
1,225.28
167.64
3,572.00
-
-
-
3,739.64
-
16,816.57
-
-
-
16,816.57
-
2,598.38
-
-
-
2,598.38
-
613.00
-
-
-
613.00
12,999.09
-
-
-
-
12,999.09
-
1,378.69
-
-
-
1,378.69
-
1,255.50
-
-
-
1,255.50
-
72.91
-
-
-
72.91
-
3,094.29
-
-
-
3,094.29
-
21,846.38
-
-
-
21,846.38
39.00
513.89
-
-
-
552.89
-
10,580.93
-
-
-
10,580.93
-
2,111.69
-
-
-
2,111.69
-
761.22
-
-
-
761.22
340.65
-
-
-
-
340.65
-
832.27
-
-
-
832.27
910.74
7006.38
-
-
-
7,917.12
25,815.72
75,222.38
17,000.00
9,541.54
300.00
**127,879.64 **

Notes

1. In 2022 the Community Hall Fund was split between the Parish Hall Fund and the Rothbury Warm Hub Fub Fund.

2. In 2022 the Rothbury Coffee Fund was created as a restricted fund and is funded from coffee donations made after the Sunday morning service at All Saints Church Rothbury and can be used to purchase new equipment for the purpose of producing tea and coffee.

10

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Fund movement summary

Funds
Unrestricted funds
General Reserve
Canon Morton Bequest Fund
Designated funds
Hardship Fund
Cardstall Fund
Restricted funds
Parish Hall Fund
Wright Memorial Fund
Topping Memorial Fund
Hepple Restoration Fund
Hepple Churchyard Fund
Hepple Tree & Grass Fund
Rothbury Churchyard Fund
Rothbury Coffee Fund
Rothbury Fabric Fund
Rothbury Emergency Fund
Rothbury Warm Hub Fund
Donkin Bequest
Thropton Fabric Fund
Sequestration Fund
Young People Fund
Organ Fund
Total funds		 Fund
balances
b/fwd
£
Incoming
Resources
£
Outgoing
Resources
£
Transfers
£
Investment
Gains and
(Losses)
£
Fund
balances
c/fwd
£
20,700.36
61,315.08
(61,171.61)
(500.00)
856.31
21,200.14
17,943.00
-
-
-
-
17,943.00
1,179.75
45.53
-
-
-
1,225.28
3,292.21
3,023.57
(2,576.14)
-
-
3,739.64
16,191.66
624.91
-
-
-
16,816.57
2,501.83
96.55
-
-
-
2,598.38
590.22
22.78
-
-
-
613.00
11,463.59
1,535.50
-
-
-
12,999.09
1,327.45
51.24
-
-
-
1,378.69
-
1,385.50
(130.00)
-
-
1,255.50
44.05
28.86
-
-
-
72.91
2,556.27
550.22
(12.20)
-
-
3,094.29
14,276.13
7,815.25
(245.00)
-
-
21,846.38
591.08
22.81
(61.00)
-
-
552.89
9,755.83
825.10
-
-
-
10,580.93
2,033.22
78.47
-
-
-
2,111.69
1,445.59
44.03
(728.40)
-
-
761.22
-
-
(159.35)
500.00
-
340.65
801.34
30.93
-
-
-
832.27
6,115.94
2,107.83
(306.65)
-
-
7,917.12
112,809.52
79,604.16
(65,390.35)
-
856.31
**127,879.64 **

11

THE CHURCHES OF ALL SAINTS ROTHBURY, ST ANDREW THROPTON AND CHRIST CHURCH HEPPLE NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND FUNDS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

1) As the DCC accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, the sum of the funds equals the assets, which must be shown as being allocated to specific funds. The capital in the CBF Investment Funds is available, if needed, to be used as the DCC shall decide. The remaining CBF units which were valued at a combined total of £8,685.23 on 31 December 2022 have increased in overall value by £856.31 in 2023.

As at 31 December 2022 the CBF Investment Fund was valued at £7,885.63 as shown on page 9 under the 2022 figure. This fund was revalued on 30 June 2023 and increased in value by £281.25 to £8,166.88. The fund was again revalued on 31 December 2023 and has seen a further increase in value of £496.23 and was valued at £8,663.11. This means that over the full 2023 year this investment fund has increased by £777.48.

As at 31 December 2022 the CBF Investment Fund (WS) was valued at £799.60 as shown on page 9 under the 2022 figure. This fund was revalued on 30 June 2023 and increased in value by £28.51 to £828.11. The fund was again revalued on 31 December 2023 and has seen a further increase in value of £50.32 and was valued at £878.43. This means that over the full 2023 year this investment fund has increased by £78.83.

Overall, the two CBF Investment Funds have increased in total value by £856.31 during 2023 and as at 31 December 2023 were valued at a combined total of £9,541.54.

2) Shared Interest. The General Fund has received all the interest from the CBF Investment Accounts amounting to £259.74 and from the Canon Morton Bequest held in a NS&I Investment Bond amounting to £514.17 as well as £35.88 from the Canon Morton Bequest held in the CBF Deposit Fund Account. Each fund held in the CBF Deposit Fund Account has received interest (at a rate of 3.30254%) in proportion to its balance as at 31 December 2023. This was the amount of interest generated during the year by the CBF Deposit Account and amounted in total to £2,484.25.

This was the amount of interest generated during the year
£2,484.25.		 by the CBF Deposit Account and amo
£
CBF Deposit Fund Account 2,484.25
CBF Investment Fund Account (WS) 23.90
CBF Investment Fund Account 235.84
NS&I Bond 514.17
Total 3,258.16 (2022: £770.99)
The overall interest rate for 2023 was 3.30254%.

3) The Canon Morton Bequest of £17,943 is held as £17,000 in the NS& I Bond and £943 in the CBF Deposit Account

4) In 2023 the General Fund Receipts and Payments Account had an operating surplus of £143.47. This surplus was achieved as a result of careful management of the income and expenditure which has resulted in our ability to pay £36,000 in parish share to the Diocese in 2023. As at 31 December 2023 there is a total of £21,200.14 in the General Fund which is held in the following bank accounts:

CBF Investment Fund Account
CBF Investment Fund Account (WS)
Cash in Hand (Float)
Lloyds Bank – Rothbury DCC bank account
Total
 £
8,663.11
878.43
300.00
11,358.60
21,200.14

5) Cardstall Fund: This money is held in two separate accounts (one in the Rothbury DCC current account and the other in the CBF Deposit Fund account). The Cardstall Fund has received £109.27 interest in 2023 and is included in the Statement of Assets and Funds on pages 9 - 11. As at 31 December 2023 there is a total of £3,739.64 in the Cardstall Fund which is held in the following bank accounts:

CBF Deposit Fund Account
Lloyds Bank– Rothbury DCC bank account
Total
 £
3,572.00
167.64
3,739.64

12

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE DISTRICT CHURCH COUNCIL OF ROTHBURY HEPPLE AND THROPTON

I report on the accounts of the DCC for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 - 12.

Respective responsibilities of members and examiner

As members (trustees) of the DCC with responsibility for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that an audit is not required this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the DCC 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 members (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 next statement.

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:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the Church accounting regulations and also those contained within the 2011 Act.

have not been met; or

  1. to which, in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J Routledge FCA Ryecroft Glenton 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP

March 2024

13

The District of Alwinton with Holystone in

The Parish of Upper Coquetdale

Treasurer's Report for the Financial Year 2023

Income exceeded expenditure this year. Our income was £31041.61 in total, and expenditure was £24976.21. As our statement of financial activity (SOFA) shows, these figures are very similar to those of the previous year. In 2022 we had one off income relating to a covid grant and power outages following Arwen's damage of some £5000. This year we did receive a small grant from the Church of £235 to offset the increased energy costs.

Giving to the church via members' bank accounts have considerably increased from five and a half thousand pounds to nine and a half, and consequently our gift aid refund from HMRC is up also.

Plate collections have also increased from £2000 to £3700, much of this increase being due to the generosity of congregations at some of the funerals that have been held. Fundraising income dropped a little from £7962 to £6578. Service fees increased by over £2000; these accrue from weddings and funerals.

Fund raising has done well, though not quite so well as in the previous year. Events have ranged from Pimms and fireworks to bingo, teas in church, raffle, quiz. The curry night was re-instated following the covid ban.

Expenditure has been high, just on £25000, and very similar to the previous year. There were some £1000 electrical repairs, and several smaller items including servicing of gas heaters, inspection of gas fixtures, fire extinguisher service, replacement of defunct heater at St Mary's (a second gas heater remains to be replaced in the Biddlestone Porch at St Michael's). The two churches cost over £6500, an increase of £2000 over last year to keep running, including insurance (over £3500 annually for both buildings), electricity and gas. Service upkeep is a little higher than 2022; the greater part of this sum is to cover organists' remuneration. Holystone spent over £100 on candles, but the minimum quantity our suppliers allow us to order should keep us lit for a number of years. We also spent a similar sum on Common Worship service booklets for Morning Prayer on Sunday.

Energy costs have risen, as we all know, and the church is not immune to this. Government has given some assistance with electricity bills, though the scheme is less generous than that for residential customers. As I write, I hear via the Deanery that the Diocese wants us to aim to pay Parish Share at the level we did pre-covid, ie £17494. That may be possible on today's figures. Our current bank account holds over £24000, but of that £11000 is held in restricted funds and, therefore, not available to pay Parish Share. No doubt we could afford a bit more, but £17494, unless our income increases greatly, on the basis of today's figures, is unattainable. This is a matter to which the DCC will have to give close attention in the coming months.

John Farndale, M arch 2024

Approved at annual District meeting of 24th March 2024 in St Mary's Holystone

JA Farndale, Treasurer

ulia Stott, Warden

14

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS ALWINTON WITH ST MARY THE VIRGIN HOLYSTONE STATEMENT

OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

INCOME
Planned gift aided giving
Gift aided gifts
Gift aid- tax reclaimed
Other planned giving
Collections (plate)
Gifts and donations
Grants and legacies
Fundraising less costs
Investment income
Service fees
Charity collections
EXPENDITURE
Charitable donations
Diocesan quota
Parish expenses
Church general
Service upkeep
Maintenance Churchyards
Fabric
Equipment
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
Gain/(Loss) on revaluation of investments
Net movement of funds
Opening balance 1 January 2023
Closing balance 31 December 2023		 General
Unrestricted
Restricted
Fund
£
Funds
£
9,299.00
300.00
599.00
-
2,178.50
-
270.00
-
3,741.08
-
558.31
300.50
235.16
-
5,268.47
1,310.00
517.01
-
612.00
2,781.00
-
3,071.58
23,278.53
7,763.08
-
3,126.00
6,600.00
-
1,529.44
-
6,553.41
-
1,307.18
-
-
1,850.00
-
-
-
4,010.18		 2023
£
2022
£
9,599.00
5,533.00
599.00
844.50
2,178.50
1,929.80
270.00
310.00
3,741.08
2,000.84
858.81
1,977.55
235.16
5,096.50
6,578.47
7,962.18
517.01
514.16
3,393.00
1,307.00
3,071.58
3,629.00
31,041.61
31,104.53
3,126.00
3,784.18
6,600.00
7,000.00
1,529.44
1,964.65
6,553.41
4,661.93
1,307.18
1,107.20
1,850.00
1,820.00
-
5,282.50
4,010.18
-
15,990.03
8,986.18		 24,976.21
25,620.46
7,288.50
(1,223.10)
1,818.16
-		 6,065.40
5,484.07
1,818.16
(2,228.99)
9,106.66
(1,223.10)
9,671.19
31,821.59		 7,883.56
3,255.08
41,492.78
38,237.70
18,777.85
30,598.49		 49,376.34
41,492.78

15

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS ALWINTON WITH ST MARY THE VIRGIN HOLYSTONE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

CURRENT
ASSETS
Newcastle Diocesan Fund
CBF Church of England Deposit Fund
Bank current account
TOTAL ASSETS AND NET WORTH
REPRESENTED BY PARISH FUNDS
General (unrestricted)
Restricted funds
Churchyard fund
Fabric fund
Alwinton heating fund
Holystone restoration
Youth
Charity fund		 2023
£
18,914.53
6,171.45
24,290.36
-
49,376.34
18,777.85
8,775.81
7,717.43
6,714.34
7,078.10
252.23
60.58
30,598.49
-
49,376.34		 2023
£
18,914.53
6,171.45
24,290.36		 2022
£
17,288.01
5,979.81
18,224.96
49,376.34 41,492.78
9,671.19
6,234.31
11,727.61
6,714.34
6,778.10
252.23
115.00
41,492.78

16

ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS ALWINTON WITH ST MARY THE VIRGIN HOLYSTONE RESTRICTED FUNDS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

INCOME
Net fundraising
Donations etc
EXPENDITURE
Net movement in funds
Opening balance 1 January 2023
Closing balance 31 December
2023		 Churchyard
fund
Fabric fund
Alwinton
heating
fund
Holystone
restoration
Youth
£
£
£
£
£
1,310.00
-
-
-
-
3,081.50
300.00
-		 Charity
fund
Total
£
£
3,071.58
4,381.58
3,381.50
4,391.50
-
-
300.00
-		 3,071.58
7,763.08
1,850.00
4,010.18
-
-		 3,126.00
8,986.18
2,541.50
(4,010.18)
-
300.00
0.00
6,234.31
11,727.61 6,714.34
6,778.10
252.23		 (54.42)
(1,223.10)
115.00
31,821.59
8,775.81
7,717.43 6,714.34
7,078.10
252.23		 60.58
30,598.49

3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS

ALWINTON WITH ST MARY THE VIRGIN HOLYSTONE

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 1 - 3.

Respective responsibilities of members and examiner

As members (trustees) with responsibility for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that an audit is not required this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept 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 members (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 next statement.

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:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the Church accounting regulations and also those contained within the 2011 Act.

have not been met; or

  1. to which, in my opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J P Routledge FCA Ryecroft Glenton 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP March 2024

5

18

St. Michael and All Angels, Alnham

Treasurer’s report for the Current Accounts for the calendar year 2023

To be read in conjunction with the full accounts.

For 2023, St Michael’s recorded a surplus of £1,912 (2022 – surplus £5,115 which included £3,341 Gift Aid claims going back to 2019).

Income

Total income was £9,428 (£10,648).

Regular Giving at £1,538 down 11% due to a cancelled standing order.

Collections at £724 down 26% because we omitted to put the plates out at the 2022 Christmas Eve service (money would have been banked in January 2023).

Summer Lunch at £2,661 up 11% mainly due to increased numbers attending despite ticket prices being unchanged from 2022.

Other Income at £3,481 up 110% but after taking out a grant and a transfer from the Restoration Account for the replacement notice board, donations for John Sinclair’s leaving collection and Air Ambulance (these 4 items amounting to £1,600), the increase was only 13% due mainly to increased lettings of the church space and equipment. Within this category jam sales amounted to £299 (£354) – the future of this income is uncertain.

Service Fees at £297 was in respect of a wedding.

Gift Aid / GASDS at £727 was up 30% (after taking out the £3,341 Gift Aid claims going back to 2019) due to the first-time inclusion of GASDS.

Expenses

Total expenses amounted to £7,516 (£5,533).

Biggest repeat items:
A. Heat & Power £ 839*
B. Insurance £1,631
C. Parish Share £1,500

Parish Expenses at £260 down 24%.

*Heat & Power down 40% on a cash basis. However, after adding back grants and a refund in respect of overcharged VAT, the true cost in 2023 was £1,654 (£2,017) representing a reduction of 18% as a result of better management of how and when we use electricity.

Summer Lunch expenses at £633 down 13% due to the generosity of food providers.

Repairs & Renewals at £1,252 represents the replacement notice board in respect of which we received a grant of £500 from Whittingham, Callaly & Alnham Parish Council and £500 was transferred from the Restoration Account.

Fire Safety at £313 included the annual inspection and new equipment (inspection for 2022 was paid in 2023 due to the invoice for 2022 going astray).

19

Church Running Costs at £335 included £295 in respect of organ service.

Other at £753 included £500 for John Sinclair’s leaving collection and £100 for Air Ambulance both amounts were included in Other Income.

Bank Account Balances as at 31 December 2023

  1. Everyday Accounts (Lloyds Bank) £ 8,178 Cr (up £1,911 (being the surplus for 2023) since 31/12/22)

  2. Rainy Day Account (CCLA) £10,161 Cr (up £316 (interest) since 31/12/22) 3. Restoration Account (Lloyds Bank) £10,320 Cr (down £500 (transfer to Everyday Accounts to part pay for the replacement notice board) since 31/12/22)

Mr M Marcyniuk Treasurer 25/2/24

20

st Illlcha•l & All Anll•￿. Alnhm £t.$39.(K) £1.T23.Ll) £979.05 £2,3W.20 £1.8$7.87 Cc4wn$ £2,061. £3,481.35 £ne.61 a•97.80 TOTAL £9.427.91 £iO.W.32 ExpeMsES £341.41 £t.40S.13 £I.E66.14 El.631.14 E6)2.83 Fundr•kng EqLlwni e1.252(X) £1.tfxi.c £313.20 £1.￿.r Ftro Safotya L•J•lrt C￿rth Runrdw C £753 13 £9).￿) TOTAL £7A18.25 £5M#. El,911.88 £S,115.32 É8.286.17. £1.1￿.￿5 £9,427.91 £to.648.32 7,61625 J.$33.Ik) £8.177.83 £6.2￿.17 £6388.17 £1.1￿.$5 EI.911M £5.11&32 £8.171.83 TrEaSUtyr 4 11 ¥1311* 21

st MIGhMI & All Aiiw, Alnh•m TOTAL 8YMrECR& TOTPL £iOmO.f £11.401.32 £10 ElO,e20.c• £11.101.32 Jthn Ixlz 22

IAYS J Robl8on Cl•ugh•nd Scrnlnwood Alnham Nr Alnwkk NorlhuM￿r1and NE66 4TP Mr M Marcyniuk TmBuier St Michad &AUAngels Church. Alnham CIO The Ohd S¢hool Ho Alnham Nr￿Th￿t Northumb¢rland NE06 4TN Dear Mr Marcyniuk INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT Conceming the CurrentAccountAcc8unts for the year •nded 31 D￿mber 2023 and the RestorthnAtt()untAccounts for th& yaar ended 31 Decemtér2023 for St MKhael &AJI Angels Church. Anham rtheAccounts"l. I have checked the ￿￿vant receipts and pa• Its 8cwunting ￿ri18) 8nd the r8¥uttingAeeounts. l ojnfim that the aw)untiThJ records have bggn property kept aThY that theAcc￿￿ts ac¢ord with the accounling recwl$. Yours sinc*r•ty J Robinson IndeFendent Examinèr 27- 23