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2022-12-31-accounts

Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of the Epiphany Gipton For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022

Administrative Information

The Epiphany Church is situated in Beech Lane, Gipton, Leeds 9. It is in the Allerton Deanery of the Diocese of Leeds within the Church of England. The correspondence address is 227 Beech Lane, Leeds, LS9 6SW.

The church has a website at www.epiphanyleeds.wordpress.com

PCC members who have served from May 22 until this report was approved are:

Vicar: The Reverend Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons

Wardens: No Church wardens were elected

Ex-Officio Members: Heather Goodison - Elected Deanery Synod Representative (Until APCM 2023) Anna Thomas Elected Deanery Synod Representative (until APCM 2023) Elected Members () = aspects of responsibility

NB: All serve for 3 years with one third retiring each year (retirees are eligible for re-election)

Jan Ali (Licensed Lay Minister) (until APCM 2023) Chris Muir (Until APCM 2023) *********** Mandy Ruddiman (Until APCM 2024) ************ Jill Cavasi (Safeguarding Officer) (Until APCM 2025) Jill Ryan (Elected November 22)

Christine Brett was appointed treasurer and attends PCC in a non-voting capacity.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a corporate body established by the Church of England.

The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure as amended and Church representation rules that came into force on 2 January 1957 and is registered with the Charity Commission (No.1157658). PCC members are Trustees.

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 stand for election to the PCC.

As well as the Standing Committee (the only committee required by law, having powers to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any direction given by the Council) the PCC has appointed the following committees:

Finance Committee Property Committee

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Worship Committee Other groups meet as appropriate to carry out the mission and ministry of the Church

Objectives and Activities

The Epiphany PCC has a responsibility of co-operating with the Vicar, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical.

The mission focus of the church of the Epiphany is captured in the Vision for Mission Statement and in the Mission Action Plan

We aspire to be a welcoming, inclusive and open church that is focused on following in the Way of Jesus and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, supporting God’s mission in Gipton through being a Worshipping Community, a Learning Community and a Serving Community.

Vicar’s Report

2022 has been a year of challenges surrounded by hope and we give thanks to God for grace as we travelled through the year.

There was grief at the beginning of the year as we mourned the death of Debbie Nouwen our curate. We are grateful to Debbie for all that she contributed to our church life. In death she continued to contribute – and we received a legacy to go towards the Church Doors and an iPad which now enhances the music provision in our Sunday worship.

After Easter I was not well, and I thank everyone both from within the Epiphany Community and beyond who enabled the work of the Church to go on and for their prayers.

It has been challenging pulling out of the sadness at the beginning of the year but following the Maundy Thursday meal together there have been rays of hope. People have stepped up to take different responsibilities and new people are joining us on a Sunday morning. It continues to be a privilege to be part of this church community and to share in what it means to be part of the Body of Christ in this place.

Worship at Epiphany

Sunday worship has continued in person throughout 2022. Thank you to Reverend Bridget Hawkins for sharing worship with us and to Jan Ali our Licensed Lay Minister who continues to provide regular services of the Word. Our children worship with us and it has been good to have Alfred helping to run the music.

We have continued with zoom compline in Lent and Advent shared across the benefice. In Holy Week we had a wonderful fish and chip supper to mark Jesus final meal with his disciples followed by evening prayer, a vigil and compline. This was the first time we had shared food together since 2019 and was a very special occasion.

In August the PCC asked the bishop for permission for 8 members of the congregation to administer the chalice.

Carols around the tree was a highlight of our Christmas worship.

Learning at Epiphany

The monthly zoom bible study and Lent group have continued throughout 2022

Service at Epiphany

We continue to work with the Trussell Trust to offer Foodbank on Tuesday mornings. Sadly numbers continue to increase. Chris Muir has stepped down from her long service with Foodbank. Thanks to her for all she has done.

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Richard Naylor has agreed to take on the manager role at Epiphany, liaising with the office and working with the team of 8 volunteers to ensure we keep up this valuable service.

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Activities in the Church Hall continue which provide both an income stream for the church and also the opportunity to build relationships with different groups. Working with Zest and Space 2 we have been able to offer a number of community events together. These included:

Plans are in place for further joint working in 2023.

Kathryn Fitzsimons Vicar

PCC report

The PCC met five times during 2022 with an average attendance of 66 %

PCC committees met at appropriate intervals between PCC meetings and reported back when necessary.

The charity for the year nominated by the PCC was WYDAN and money was also raised for Christian Aid.

The PCC would like to express their appreciation and great thanks to Kathryn our Vicar, Jan our Lay Minister and all who have contributed to the smooth running of services and church activities during 2022.

Anna Thomas PCC Secretary

Deanery Synod

The Deanery held regular meetings during the year. The Deanery took part in important discussions about the planned changes to Deaneries throughout the Diocese at the beginning of the year and members were able to register the opinions of their parishes.

The Annual Deanery Service was held in June and a service of thanksgiving for the Allerton Deanery and to celebrate the newly formed Deanery of East Leeds was held in November. Kathryn has now resigned as Area Dean and Revd Anne Russell has taken on the role. Anna has resigned as Deanery representative, leaving a vacancy at present, Heather being the sole representative from Epiphany.

Heather Goodison and Anna Thomas Deanery Synod Reps

Safeguarding

There have been no safeguarding incidents to report this year.

Across this year we have made steps forward with the Diocese Safeguarding dashboard and have almost completed stage 1. I will be arranging training in the new year for those members of the PCC who have not already completed it.

Jill Cavasi Safeguarding Officer

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Property report CHURCH

There were quite a few occasions of vandalism and fly tipping during the year all of which were reported with crime numbers allocated. The bottom panels on the main doors were temporary boarded after being kicked in. Anti vandal paint was applied to hinder access to the flat roof with warning signs put up.

The Diocese have fitted two security cameras to the Vicarage giving coverage to the car park and the main Church entrance doors.

Following an application by Jan Ali to a Home Office scheme for security improvements to places of worship, Contractors undertook a survey and submitted a report on our behalf. Quotes to replace the main doors were received but due to the relative high cost this work is on hold until more funds are available.

As previously noted, all the Church outside doors are in a poor state and will need attention again when funds are in place.

Internally the damp evident on the wall in St Nicholas chapel originally caused by pigeon debris blocking the outside down pipe appears to have stabilised.

HALL

An order has been placed to replace the kitchen door leading to the main hall. Repairs were made to the heater by the main hall entrance. The kitchen needs some redecoration to keep it up to standard.

Richard Naylor Property Committee

Brownie Report

We continue to adapt to Guiding in a post covid world, not least that finding new volunteers is a challenge. We welcomed a new unit helper this year but changes to her work pattern have meant that she has had to take a break from Guiding, we remain hopeful that she will be able to return soon.

We have followed a varied programme of activities throughout the year, celebrating both the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by achieving the Girlguiding North East England challenge badge and mourning her loss in September. In the winter term as well as our regular program we completed the 12 days of Christmas challenge.

We have been able to enjoy the outdoors this year and joined Parkwood Division for a walk to Roundhay Park, it was a good chance to get to know members of other units, appreciate nature and even do some litter picking before enjoying ice creams at the park. In July we went on Pack Holiday, sharing the site with the Guides, getting to know the Guide leaders and girls helps prepare the older Brownies for the transition to Guides. The girls tried archery and grass sledging but the biggest hit was the waterslide which saw everyone get very wet!

In November we visited Leeds Playhouse and enjoyed an excellent performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Both leaders have completed Safe Space training in 2022 and First Response training in January 2023.

Funding Guiding continues to be a pressure on our resources, we have had a significant increase (£7ph) in annual membership fees paid to Girlguiding UK and like everyone else are seeing costs rising but income stagnating. We are exploring sources of funds and looking at ways of growing Guiding in Gipton.

Jan Ali & Margaret Poulter Brownie Leaders

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13[th] Epiphany Scout group

This Year has been a good year for us, In May our Beavers went on a joint camp with three other Beaver Sections from around the district organised and led by our own Beaver Scout Leader Nightingale with up to 50 beavers attending the event at Bradley wood Scout Campsite in June our cubs attended County camp Cubadoodledoo at Hesleywood in Sheffield. We also had a cub and Scout camp in October at Wooley Edge Scout Campsite where we invited 1[st] St Mary’s Kippax to join us which was a great success.

Over the course of this year our we have had 9 scouts reach their top awards 4 Beavers as they moved to cubs obtained their Chief Scout Bronze Awards 3 cubs their Chief Scouts Silver and 2 Scouts as they left us to move onto explorers have achieved their Chief Scout Gold awards.

Coming up over the academic year, we have our big County Camp Challenge 23 at Bramham park and our District Bowling Competition as well as some amazing activities of all our sections.

Upon our return after the spring half term break, we will be opening our new Squirrel section for 4 to 6 year olds this is an exciting time for the group as this give us the opportunity to extend our reach to introduce more Boys and Girls to Scouting and its values in Gipton and surrounding areas.

We have had a lot of parents needing help with subscription costs and so even though we have an amazing amount of YP in group the income is about 43% down this year but we have supported those parents struggling so we can keep the Young people in scouting so finances are not a barrier for the these Young people to access scouting in Gipton, and I am pleased to say this was recognised by the Scout Association and a grant was awarded to cover this and a little more so we can update some of our equipment which has been a boost to the teams morale and shows their hard work is recognised in the best way by helping us to continue to support those parents who do need our help.

The group’s leaders have had many personal turbulent moments over the last 5 – 6 months but even though they have had some very hard times they have turned up despite this when possible and done what has been needed to support the group and those team members who could help in areas when needed did so with no explanation needed which makes me proud and humble to be the Group Scout Leader of 13[th] Epiphany.

Our exec has agreed to having three Sub-committees one of which is focused on re-engaging the community looking for ways to help out or start up a project but will primarily will be looking at supporting the Church moving forward so any requests are welcome.

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t thank Linda for all she does in supporting our Beaver Section and wish her luck and a speedy recovery from her operation. She will be missed by us all during this time!

Matt Jackson Group Scout Leader

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From the Treasurer

2022 was my second year as Treasurer for Epiphany Church and I first of all have to thank the team who share the load and help ensure the financial arrangements run smoothly.

Compared with 2021 when the church was still dealing with the effects of the pandemic and major repairs to the nave ceiling, 2022 saw a gradual return to stability in terms of church services, increasing use of the hall facilities and more opportunities to build relationships with the local community.

Financial Reports

1. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities Report

This Report shows:

a) the four places where the Church’s money is stored ;

After the depletion in the savings account in 2021 as monies were used to contribute towards the funding of the Nave ceiling repairs, the balance was built up thanks primarily to the receipt of two legacies.

The cash -in-hand accounts show a zero balance at the year end because:

b) Liabilities. These are monies held by or collected by the church, that belong to other agencies (effectively the church acts as Agents for them). In 2022 the agency collections were:

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c) a breakdown of the money held by the church . This year you can see that there was £18,192.17 unrestricted funding (money that can be used for the day-to-day work), at the end of the financial year.

The PCC agreed that the designated and restricted accounts excluding building and legacy funds would be transferred into the unrestricted General fund as at 31[st] December 2022. These were leftover balances from projects or services that have ceased)

2. The Receipts and Payments account provides:

a) a breakdown of the money that received and paid out in 2022 . It shows that £41,034.80 was received and 38,410.90 spent this year.

b) the transfer of fund between accounts.

Analysis of the Receipts and Payments Account - which breaks the report down into more detail - will be available on request at any time.

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Income in 2022:

My thanks go to everyone at Epiphany for your continuing commitment to Stewardship and giving to keep the church running in 2022. Whilst planned giving reduced slightly compared to 2021 (which had seen some catch up as lockdowns ended), loose plate collections and other giving increased so a total of £14326.64 was received. In addition the church received £3493.02 representing gift aid recovered, an increase of nearly £1000 on 2021.

Other receipts in 2022 were

Receipts from church activities increased considerably in 2022. The PCC had agreed the first increase since 2019 in hall rental fees, excluding use by Uniformed Groups. This together with a very welcome increase in the use of the church halls by community groups and individuals for parties meant that the income from hall lettings was £6583.00 in 2022 compared to £3,381.50 in 2021. Net fees from weddings and funerals amounted to £2108.23 compared with £281.00 in 2021. Wedding fees are paid in advance so these include the fees for some weddings scheduled to take place in 2023.

We received two legacies in 2022. £1000 unrestricted for the General Fund and £6,500 from Rev Debbie Nouwen into designated funds for use when the main church doors are replaced.

Expenditure in 2022:

After the circumstances of a pandemic induced lockdown and the church been closed for essential Nave ceiling repairs, paying 50% of the parish Share in 2021 was a really commendable achievement. However thanks to parishioners’ commitment to stewardship throughout the year and increased income particularly from church hall lettings the Parish Share was paid in full in 2022

Church and Hall running expenses from the General Fund were maintained at a similar level to 2021. We were fortunate to still benefit from a fixed rate tariff with Octopus Energy. The increase overall in the hall running expenses was paid out of the designated building fund and the one-oof grant from Leeds City Council for the new heaters and water boiler in the church hall.

Maintenance contracts with various companies were continued in order to ensure that the church and hall ware well looked after. A new 5-year maintenance contract was agreed for the church photocopier.

The repairs to the Nave Ceiling were completed and paid for in 2021 from the church’s restricted building fund and grants received. The final retention payment of £1446 was paid in 2022 from the church’s restricted building fund.

£100 was given to the National Churches Trust

£269.30 was given to Christian Aid as agreed by the PCC from collections from baptism services, and donations in lieu of Christmas cards between members of the congregation

Overall there was a small but significant surplus of income over expenditure in 2022.

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For 2023:

The Parish Share in 2023 of £21,132 is an increase of 10% on 2022. It is by far the largest call on the church’s finances. Furthermore the fixed rate energy tariff with Octopus Energy will expire in September 2023 and the church could face other increases in its expenditure due to the general rise in the cost of living. The PCC therefore agreed that charges for hall use including by the uniformed groups would rise by 10%

The PCC approved a deficit budget for 2023 that included paying the Parish Share of £21,132.00 in full and if necessary, using some of its available reserves. It is important to note that the budget was very cautious in its estimate of income. The PCC and Finance Team will be carefully overseeing the cash flow of the Church to ensure it remains financially solvent and not at risk of being unable to meet its obligations.

Accounting Policy:

The Accounts have been prepared on a ‘Receipts and Payments’ basis, which means that transactions are accounted for as money is received or spent, rather than accruals accounting.

Funds:

The accounts are separated into various pots of money, for general, designated or restricted use;

General funds are for the day-to-day running of the Church and Hall.

Designated funds are those pots of money that are set aside from the general funds, to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are those which must be used for a very specific purpose, for example grants or donations for specific things.

The table below explains what the various funds are:

Type of fund Name of fund Purpose
Unrestricted General Day-to-day running costs
Designated BF-Des £200 each month is saved in this account to put
towards Maintenance. Sometimes this needs to be
increased if there is additional expenditure on
Church or Hall maintenance, as there was in 2022.
Designated BSA-Des Buildings Special Appeal, where donations from the
congregation towards the new boiler were saved
and the balance reserved to use for further building
projects. Rev Nouwen’s legacy of £6500 towards
the replacement of the church external doors was
added to this fund in 2022.
Designated Legacy Money left in legacy. For the replacement of the
items used in Communion. Necessary purchases
were made and the balance remains here.
Restricted BF – Res This is where Grant money for large building works
is held. Currently it has a small balance of VAT
reclaimed.

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Restricted One-off grants This is where small one-off grants received during
the year are held.
Restricted DEG Diocesan Energy Grant to help with Epiphany’s
energy costs in 2023.

Reserves Policy:

The PCC aims to keep between 3 and 6 months running costs in the bank at all times. This is a minimum of £8,000 and a maximum of £18,000, in the general funds. This ensures that the Church is able to meet its running costs for 3 months.

The total free reserves at the year-end were £26,696 comprising £15,942.17 in the unrestricted General Fund and £13,753 which has been designated towards a variety of purposes as set out in the table below. In 2023 it is planned that monies from the Designated Building Fund and the Designated Building Special Appeal Fund will be used to pay for the replacement of the main church doors, a new fire door between the kitchen and large hall.

Movement of funds:

This table shows the movement of money between the funds

Fund and type Fund
balances
brought
forward
from
2021		 Incoming
resources		 Outgoing
resources		 Transfers Fund
balances
carried
forward to
2023
Unrestricted –
General Fund		 22,512.24 30,043.80 31,763.93 (4,849.94) 15,942.17
Designated –
Building Fund		 569.33 2,000.00 5,002.97 6,300.00 3,866.36
Designated –
Building
Special Appeal
Fund		 3,516.00 198.00 6500.00 0.00 9,818.00
Designated –
Dynamo		 63.12 0.00 0.00 (63.12) 0.00
Designated –
Legacy		 69.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 69.20
Restricted –
Arts		 1,107.07 0.00 0.00 (1,107.07) 0.00
Restricted –
Building Fund		 4,756.25 241.00 1446.00 0.00 3551.25
Restricted –
Healing		 31.69 0.00 0.00 (31.69) 0.00
Restricted –
Mothers Union		 30.00 0.00 0.00 (30.00) 0.00
Restricted –
Mission with
young people		 218.18 0.00 0.00 (218.18) 0.00
Restricted –
One-off grants		 0.00 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 0.00

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Restricted –
Diocesan
Energy grant		 0.00 2,250.00 0.00 0.00 2,250.00
TOTALS **32,873.08 ** 41,034.80 38,410.90 0.00 35,496.88

Following the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has included the closure of the church buildings at various times during 2020 and 2021, the level of income received by the PCC into its General Account reduced.

To compensate for this the PCC reduced its standing order for share during 2020 and 2021. However, a generous donation from a sister church in 2020 meant the Share was paid in full for that year and the ongoing commitment of the worshipping community enabled 50% to be paid in 2021 and 100% in 2022.

Whilst the PCC remains committed to paying what Parish Share it can and in 2023 is working towards paying it in full, this is not a legal obligation and therefore, the trustees are confident that, if necessary, they can flex the amount of Parish Share paid over the next 12 months to ensure the charity remains a Going Concern.

. This report and the accounts were approved by the PCC on 24[th] March 2023

Signed on behalf of the PCC

Signature

Date 17 4 23

Name Kathryn Anne Fitzsimons

Appendix 1 Receipts and Payment Account for the period 01January 2022 to 31 December 2022 Appendix 2 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as 31 December 2022

Appendix 3 Independent Examiner’s Report

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The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of

The Epiphany Gipton, Leeds

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of The Epiphany Gipton, Leeds

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: …………………………………… Name: Simon Bostrom FCIE

25/04/2023

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW