ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2022
Data Protection Notice
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) came into force in May 2018. As with all organisations, whether large businesses or small charities like ourselves, we must conform. We can advise that the only data we hold in confidence on any person within the parish is: -
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contact details that we use solely for communications with yourselves
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planned giving details that you choose to provide and held in total confidence on encrypted, password protected systems shared only with HMRC.
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contact and other details for baptisms, marriages and funerals for contact purposes and as required in law for the registers.
We do NOT share this information with any other outside bodies.
Administrative Information
Saint Mary the Virgin Church is situated in Queen Street, Gillingham, Dorset. It is part of the Benefice of Gillingham, Milton on Stour and Silton in the Diocese of Salisbury within the Church of England. The correspondence address is c/o The Rectory, High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AJ.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC, Church Representation Rules 2020) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission.
PCC members that have served since 22 February 2022 until the date this report was approved are: -
Incumbent (Chairman): Revd Canon Peter Greenwood (ex-officio) Pioneer Priest Revd Eve Pegler (ex-officio) Associate Priest Revd Tim Heaton (ex-officio – seconded to the Shaftesbury Benefice) Benefice Curate half time Revd Angus Mayhew (June 2022)
Churchwardens: Mrs Charlotte Armstrong and Mr Martyn Sanger (appointed 15 May 2022)
Deanery Synod Reps: Mrs Susan Bailey (to 2023), Mrs Sarah Snook (to 2023) and Mrs Cate Wickson (to 2023 – elected at May 2021 PCC Meeting)
Secretary: Meriol Cottrell
Treasurer: Mr Michael Sargent
Elected Members: Mrs Meriol Cottrell (to APCM 2023) Mr Richard Cowell (to APCM 2025) Mr Michael Giddings (to APCM 2025) Dr Teresa Goatham (to APCM 2023) Mrs Anne Kings (resigned July 2022) Miss Jennifer Light (to APCM 2025) Mrs Helen Long (to APCM 2024) Mrs Wendy Horne (resigned September 2022) Mr Alan Jeffs (to APCM 2025) Mr Colin Marsh (to APCM 2025) Mrs Sarah Sanger (co-opted 15 May 2022) Steve Young (Co-opted member)
Parish Administrator & Electoral Roll Officer: Mrs Carole Blackmore
Gillingham Churches Together Representatives: Revd Peter Greenwood
Parish Safeguarding Representative: Mrs Carol Hall
Electoral Roll Report for APCM to be held on 21 February 2023
The number on the Roll as at 31 December 2022 totalled 145.
Names added during 2022: - Martyn Sanger, Sarah Sanger, Anita Leigh and Jane Mitchell Names removed during 2022 : - Murray Pearson (RIP), Richard Clarke (RIP) and Richard Tracey (RIP), Freda Jerram (RIP)
Aims and Purposes
Every Church of England Church has the same aim: “To promote the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical”.
Structure, Governance and Management
Members of the PCC are either elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, (APCM) in accordance with Church Representation Rules, or act ex officio. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Objectives and Activities
St. Mary’s PCC as trustees have the responsibility of co-operating and working with the incumbent in the ecclesiastical parish of Gillingham, sharing in the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin and the Vicarage School Room in Queen Street, Gillingham.
Achievements and Performance
Church Attendance
St Mary’s Church was open for public worship throughout 2022 always in accordance with the guidance given by the Church of England and the Government. Sunday attendance averaged 60 with larger congregations at festivals such as Easter and Christmas and other special occasions. The midweek communion service regularly numbers 12. We marked the platinum jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with joy and a civic service in church on the morning of Friday 3rd June. With sorrow we marked Her Majesty's death with a civic commemoration service on the afternoon of Sunday 11th September. We participated fully in the civic ceremonies held in our town.
We celebrated the major festivals including Advent Carol Service, Burning of Ashes on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Eve, School Leavers Service, Remembrance Sunday, Christingle, Crib Service, Christmas Midnight Mass and Christmas Day.
The Bishop of Sherborne, Bishop Karen, lead us in the annual benefice service of confirmation at St Mary's this year on the afternoon of Sunday 18 September with baptism and confirmation of six candidates.
Statistics of Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms and Confirmations
Baptisms 11 Weddings 13 Funerals at St Mary’s 25 Funerals at Crematorium 19 Interments of ashes 10
Regular Services
8.00am 1st Sunday - Holy Communion Morning Prayer – Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am Sunday - Parish Communion Meditation – meets weekly 10.30am Holy Communion - Wednesday 4.30pm Silent Prayer - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Services were held for all significant festivals.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2022
During the year 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 the PCC met on six occasions. The PCC continued using the ‘Build’ committee which looks after finance, housekeeping and buildings.
The Annual Parish and Annual Parochial Church Meetings were held on 22 February 2022.
When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth died, a condolence book was made available in St Mary’s Church, and the church collaborated fully with the town council in partnership to mark this sad occasion with a civic service, as mentioned above. In the same way we had previously celebrated with joy Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee. With the town council on the High Street we proclaimed the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.
Eden Café continued enabling fellowship, service to the local community and engagement with Climate Change and other environmental matters, open twice weekly in the Vicarage Schoolroom, and Terracycle. Recycling continues at the same time. These activities flow from the fifth mark of mission “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
The meditation group continued to meet weekly. Messy Church met three times, in September, November and for a Christmas Messy in December. The church’s work with local schools continued through the work of governors, collective worship, and Open the Book. The ‘Walking in Faith’ group continued monthly with Lent walks and with a Good Friday walk between the churches.
Our annual stewardship appeal was launched as usual on Passion Sunday and again resulted with individual increases to planned giving. However, with deaths and moves out of the area we have seen a decrease in planned giving and overall income.
The PCC continues to manage the maintenance of the church.
The PCC adopted ‘in-full’ the Church of England’s Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy and Job Descriptions are held for all roles within the church. These Job Descriptions enable the PCC to review and take action where DBS checks are required. The PCC has adopted a Safeguarding Policy with regard to Domestic Abuse a resolution was passed in 2019 to enable the diocese to be the link with the Charities Commission for serious safeguarding and other serious incidents. Key holder declarations are complete and the Key Holder List regularly updated. Risk Assessments are now routine and various policy documents are under development. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
FINANCE REPORT SUMMARY
As can be seen from the 2022 Statement of Accounts the bottom line is not good with a deficit of £12,188 which obviously means drawing on our reserves. That bottom line is worse than our deficit budget of £8,364 but would have been worse still if it were not for unexpected generous donations and legacies.
Planned Giving was down slightly but, of that, certain sums are given specifically for the Pioneer Pot. What is of more concern is that Planned Giving has reduced on average by 3.3% p.a. since 2017.
Generous though the donations were in 2022 they did not realise the unusual generosity of 2021.
Another big factor in comparison with 2021 is the Gift Aid claimed – in 2021 there was some back dated claims and though we haven’t claimed for the last three quarters of 2022, which would have improved our bottom line significantly, it will be of more use in 2023 where an anticipated deficit is likely to be more than £27,000, much of which is out of our control.
Fees relating to funerals and weddings (both received and paid) increased significantly in 2022 as weddings caught up from the delays caused by Covid - this gave a net increase to our accounts of some £8,782. This is unlikely to be repeated in 2023.
VSR rental improved post Covid with a consequential increase in running costs and there were also capital costs for improvements made to both VSR lighting and stable room decor.
Fund Raising has again provided a most welcome income stream of some £9,244 from Eden, Sunday coffee donations and other events such as the welcome Plant Sale.
Other minor variances can be seen on examination of the Statement of Accounts.
For 2023 we have been advised a 3% increase in the Parish Share paid to diocese, a 6.2% increase in church/VSR insurance and a fourfold increase in the cost of energy which, as mentioned above will leave us with a projected deficit likely to be more than £27,000. If 2023 matches our budget predictions, then 51% of our spendable reserves will have disappeared from their opening 2022 value. We also cautiously await what diocese intend with a potential revised Parish Share scheme for 2024 which currently amounts to 77% of annual real income.
The Fabric Fund remains healthy with over £41,000 available, which is just as well as a leaking nave roof requires attention when we can find a contractor willing to attend. The Fabric Fund contributes 50% of the cost of church/VSR insurance which is slightly less than its income from investments thus ensuring that the fund is not reduced by this methodology. The Pioneer Fund is equally healthy at £31,563.
To conclude on a more positive note the church family has responded generously to appeals and our gifts to home charities, mission and evangelism approximates to 5.7% of our giving (or 3.2% of our gross income) with a particular fantastic sum of £1,257 for the Lui Bicycle Advent Appeal. At this time, it is also appropriate to be thankful for the reserves secured by our forebears without which we would have not met our commitments.
Mike Sargent, Hon. Treasurer
RESERVES POLICY
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds (if possible) that equates to at least two months unrestricted payments in order to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time.
Approved by the PCC on 16th March 2021 and signed on their behalf by the Revd Canon Peter Greenwood (PCC Chairman)
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR 2022
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL FUND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | Actual | Whole Year | ||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| RECEIPTS | ||||
| Incoming resources from donors | ||||
| Planned giving | 51320.40 | 54030.75 | ||
| Collections and other giving | 5566.35 | 4418.20 | ||
| Tax recovered | 7959.10 | 25402.34 | ||
| 64845.85 | 83851.29 | |||
| Other voluntary incoming resources | ||||
| Legacies | 8500.00 | 1000.00 | ||
| Donations | 7483.18 | 17586.69 | ||
| Grants | 952.40 | 205.00 | ||
| 16935.58 | 18791.69 | |||
| Income from operating activities to further the work of the church | ||||
| Impact magazine | 2432.00 | 1744.50 | ||
| Rent from VSR | 5191.20 | 1830.00 | ||
| Fundraising | 9243.81 | 8060.84 | ||
| Fees | 23133.29 | 10570.00 | ||
| 40000.30 | 22205.34 | |||
| Income from investments | ||||
| Bank interest | 815.92 | 26.25 | ||
| Central costs paid by Milton | 2349.62 | 2372.43 | ||
| Central costs paid by Silton | 2306.88 | 2372.43 | ||
| Transfers from restricted funds | 5459.92 | 115.50 | ||
| 10932.34 | 4886.61 | |||
| Total Receipts | 132714.07 | 129734.93 |
| Total Receipts | 132714.07 | 129734.93 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAYMENTS | ||||
| Grants | ||||
| Home charities | 1786.01 | 1958.26 | ||
| 1786.01 | 1958.26 | |||
| Activities directly relating to the work of the church | ||||
| Diocesan parish share | 85857.72 | 81769.12 | ||
| Church running expenses | 10380.15 | 9684.40 | ||
| VSR running expenses | 3783.68 | 1689.96 | ||
| Clergy expenses | 929.70 | 1579.03 | ||
| Cost of services | 1002.53 | 646.56 | ||
| Cost of fundraising | 168.80 | 104.50 | ||
| Impact magazine | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| Church capital expenses | 331.20 | 287.55 | ||
| VSR capital expenses | 3666.08 | 191.58 | ||
| Salaries and honoraria | 15295.33 | 14847.84 | ||
| Mission and evangelism | 1947.43 | 439.35 | ||
| 123362.62 | 111239.89 | |||
| Church management and administration | ||||
| Office costs | 4462.17 | 3435.87 | ||
| Assigned fees | 11332.00 | 7561.00 | ||
| Bank charges | 0.00 | 0.04 | ||
| 15794.17 | 10996.91 | |||
| Transfers to restricted funds | 3960.00 | 3900.00 | ||
| 3960.00 | 3900.00 | |||
| Total Payments | 144902.80 | 128095.06 | ||
| Excess - Receipts minus Payments | -12188.73 | 1639.87 | ||
| Total opening funds held | 82612.02 | 80972.15 | ||
| Total closing funds held | 70423.29 Note 1 | 82612.02 | ||
| Opening reserved funds available for general use (inc. legacies) | 77657.42 | |||
| Closing reserved funds available for general use (inc. legacies) | 66517.92 | |||
| Note 1 32480.37 is currently held for singular purposes (inc. legacies) |
GENERAL FUND APPORTIONMENT
@ reconciliation
| GENERAL FUND APPORTIONMENT @ reconciliation |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| (Year | end) | ||||
| NON-SPECIFIC (UNRESTICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 58,582.42 | ||||
| Receipts | 121,932.62 | ||||
| Transfer to Legacy | 1,000.00 | ||||
| Payments | 141,572.12 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 37,942.92 | 58,582.42 | |||
| LEGACY FUND (UNRESTRICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 19,075.00 | ||||
| Transfer from above | 1,000.00 | ||||
| Jane Harris legacy | 5,000.00 | ||||
| Brain Rainey legacy | 500.00 | ||||
| Louise Done Legacy | 1,000.00 | ||||
| Brenda Sanctuary Legacy | 2,000.00 | ||||
| Payments | |||||
| Funds YTD | 28,575.00 | 19,075.00 | |||
| Eden Capital (DESIGNATED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 1,085.82 | ||||
| Receipts | 0.00 | ||||
| Payments | 1,085.82 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 0.00 | 1,085.82 | |||
| FREE BREAKFAST FRIDAY (DESIGNATED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 500.00 | ||||
| Receipts | 510.00 | ||||
| Payments | 158.08 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 851.92 | 500.00 | |||
| BELL RINGERS (RESTRICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 2,745.20 | ||||
| Receipts | 1,346.00 | ||||
| Payments | 1,544.70 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 2,546.50 | 2,745.20 | |||
| BIBLES for SCHOOLS (RESTICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 29.45 | ||||
| Receipts | 245.45 | ||||
| Payments | 178.50 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 96.40 | 29.45 | |||
| MEMORY BOX (RESTRICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 110.00 | ||||
| Receipts | |||||
| Payments | 110.00 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 0.00 | 110.00 | |||
| MOTHERS UNION (RESTRICTD) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 90.00 | ||||
| Receipts | |||||
| Payments | |||||
| Funds YTD | 90.00 | 90.00 | |||
| CHURCH FLOWERS (RESTRICTED) | |||||
| Funds at 31.12.21 | 394.13 | ||||
| Receipts | 180.00 | ||||
| Payments | 253.58 | ||||
| Funds YTD | 320.55 | 394.13 | |||
| TOTAL | 70,423.29 | 82,612.02 | |||
| Of which misc funds | 32,480.37 | 24,029.60 | |||
| Total misc receipts | 10,781.45 | ||||
| Total misc payments | 3,330.68 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR 31 December 2022
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GENERAL RESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED INVESTMENT FUNDS
FUND Administered by Diocese
SANTANDER Fabric Carlton Choir Pioneer Building Nurse Church Church Carlton
97333084 Fund Cross Fund Pot Fund Reid Trust Trust Cross
CCLA CCLA CCLA CCLA CCLA Lloyds CCLA CCLA CCLA CCLA
634117003D 634117001D 634117002D 634117006D 634117007D 42542568 634117001S 134001358S 134001209F 134001343S
CLOSED CLOSED
Monetary assets at 31.12.21 82,612.02 39,517.10 6,820.20 1,343.75 29,007.75 510.00 154,936.89 3,695.10 333.36 14,336.05
RECEIPTS
Net receipts 126,438.23
Donations
Interest 815.92 522.61 92.92 17.15 399.31
Income from other CCLA investments 4,176.92 376.70
Investment gain/loss -18,157.80 -476.75 -1,670.11
Transfers in 5,459.92 510.00 0.00 0.00 3,450.00 0.00 333.36
PAYMENTS
Net payments 140,942.80
Transfers out 3,960.00 3,607.00 0.00 49.66 1,293.26 510.00 333.36
Monetary assets at last reconciliation 70,423.29 Note 2 41,119.63 7,289.82 1,311.24 31,563.80 0.00 136,779.09 3,551.71 0.00 12,665.94
Bid market valuation
Note 2 Of which 32,480.37 is held for singular purposes (see Sheet 6) £510 from Shares transferred by value from 134001209F to
Lloyds to 1340011358S
Checksum 70,423.29 Fabric Fund
----- End of picture text -----
| Gillingham and | Shafestbury Show | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In hand | |||||||
| 28-Sep | 1500 IN | BACS | 1500 | ||||
| 13-Oct | 500 OUT | 22370 | 1000 | DHCT | cashed | ||
| 13-Oct | 500 OUT | 22371 | 500 | Royal Agricultural benevolent Institution | cashed | ||
| 15-Oct | 500 OUT | 22372 | 0 | Gillingham & | Shaftesbury Agricultural Society | cashed | |
| LUI Bicycles | |||||||
| 21-Nov | 20 | 20 | To St Mary's | R377 | |||
| 27-Nov | 170 | 190 | To St Mary's | R386 | |||
| 30-Nov | 10 | 200 | To St Mary's | R389 | |||
| 05-Dec | 170 | 370 | To St Mary's | R399 | |||
| 09-Dec | 5 | 375 | To St Mary's | R406 | |||
| 11-Dec | 150 | 525 | Chq to DBF | TW | |||
| 12-Dec | 40 | 565 | To St Mary's | +150 rejected | chq | R411 | |
| 14-Dec | 212 | 777 | Chq to DBF | RE | |||
| 15-Dec | 30 | 807 | Chq to DBF | HL | |||
| 15-Dec | 110 | 917 | To St Mary's | R418 | |||
| 16-Dec | 20 | 937 | To St Mary's | R418 | |||
| 18-Dec | 30 | 967 | Chq to DBF | FA | |||
| 18-Dec | 25 | 992 | Chq to DBF | JH | |||
| 18-Dec | 20 | 1012 | To St Mary's | R420 | |||
| 20-Dec | 150 | 1162 | To St Mary's | R429 | |||
| 22-Dec | 10 | 1172 | To St mary's | R433 | |||
| 23-Dec | 80 | 1252 | To St Marys | R437 | |||
| 25-Dec | 5 | 1257 | To St Mary's | R438 | |||
| 1257 | |||||||
| 1257 | |||||||
| 1257 | |||||||
| 1257 | Gift Aid | 126.25 | |||||
| 1257 | |||||||
| 1257 | |||||||
| 1257 | Chq from St Mary's | 810 | |||||
| Chq direct DBF | 447 | ||||||
| Checksum | 1257 | 1383.25 inc. Gift Aid |
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Key Indicators by Value
100000
90000 Diocesan
Share
80000
70000
60000 Reserves
50000
Planned giving
40000
30000
20000 Church
Running
10000 expenses
0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
----- End of picture text -----
These tables indicate the key items affecting our accounts including 2023 projections
----- Start of picture text -----
Key Indicators highlighting the percentage change
80.00 Church
Running
expenses
60.00
40.00 Diocesan
Share
20.00
0.00
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Planned giving
-20.00
Reserves
-40.00
----- End of picture text -----
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FABRIC REPORT
Rain water has been getting in to the nave in the north west corner adjacent to the tower - a builder who will take on the work has now finally been appointed (February 2023). The gutter on the west side of the south porch fell down and is to be repaired. The loose stone on the north porch east corner is also still to be repaired. VSR - The Stable Room has been repainted, thank you very much to the team, and a new floor covering laid. New kitchen lights and taps, and taps in the gentlemen's toilet have also been installed. The storage shed for Little Cherubs is to be replaced in 2023. In conclusion there has been a general difficulty in getting builders to look at what they call "small" jobs. We remain hopeful that this will continue to improve this year.
DEANERY SYNOD REPORT
There were three meetings in 2022, at Marnhull, East Stour and Sturminster. At Marnhull we had a very good review of the situation across the Deanery from Archdeacon Penny Sayer. She was clear in recognising the difficulties of rural ministry and the state we are in.
In the early summer we were at East Stour with a less successful presentation. Tim our new rural Dean, a role he seems to have taken to very well, was very much in charge.
In September our meeting was transformed to a very lovely memorial service for the late Queen, led by Tim and open to all of the Deanery community.
I enjoy the contact with the wider Deanery and hearing how other parishes manage similar problems. It is important we keep in mind this broader perspective.
Kate Wickson, Deanery Synod Representative
IMPACT MAGAZINE
Impact, the parish magazine produced 10 editions this year. With many thanks to those who contribute to the magazine, and especially to David Grundy who edits the magazine, Carole Blackmore who prints and backs us up in many ways with the magazine, Carol Foster who arranges the delivery of the magazine.
PARISH OFFICE
Mrs Carole Blackmore has continued to work tirelessly throughout the year. Looking after the whole benefice she deals with all day to day enquiries, arranging weddings, funerals, baptisms, taking VSR bookings, liaising with all elected parish officers, organising and printing the weekly pew sheets, printing and collating Impact and keeping the administration in good order. We also recognize and are grateful for the pastoral element of her role in the office in listening to and dealing with parishioners queries and supporting the clergy with her good humour and efficiency.
THE VICARAGE SCHOOL ROOM (VSR)
In 2022 the VSR was used and enjoyed by a wide range of groups and activities including Little Cherubs, Syrian Cuisine, Eden cafe, meditation, after Sunday service coffee, Free Breakfast Friday, private party bookings, art group, Mothers’ Union, marriage preparation, Messy Church, funeral refreshments, baptism parties, the garden interest group, Action for Children, Christian Aid Lent lunches, Gillingham Carnival Club, Rock 'n' Roll afternoons, the Town Meadow AGM, Spirit-rhythm-and-rock concert, PCC meetings, Build committee meetings, plant sale, Gillingham swimming club, Gillingham Walkers.... What a great resource it is for the church and the community. Well done everyone who looks after it, especially our cleaner and dedicated volunteers