St NRcholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
The Annual Report and Accounts of
the Parochial Church Council of
St Nicholas Stevenage
Reglstered Charity Number- 1161229
Year Ended 31 December 2023
Contents
Page
Report of the Tru5tee5
2-12
Independent Examlnerfs Report
13
Income and Expenditure Account lincorporating
Statement of Financial Artivitiesl
14
Balance Sheet
15
Notes to the Account5
16-27

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
IMrRODUCTION
The Parochlal Church Coun¢il as trustees of St Nicholas Church. Stevenage presents Its annual report and financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The trustees have adopted the provlsions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Re¢ommended
Prartice applicable to charities preparin8 their accounts In accordance with the Flnancial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) leffectlve l January 20191.
Definltlon$
pcc
The Parochlal Church Council comprislng Clergy and elected representatlves, the trustees
under the PCC powers measure 1956.
The Rector and Churchwardens appointed trustees under the will of the late Robert Hawkes
who dled in 2008.
Friends of St Nicholas An Independent charltable trust established to raise funds for the maintenance and
improvement of St Nicholas Church Stevenage.
The Rertor and Churchwardens are the trustees of the Bury Mead recreation area. The land Is
rented by Stevenage Borough Councll IS8CI for a peppercorn rent and they are fully
responsible for managing it.
Hawkes Trustees
Bury Mead Trustees
OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIE5
Alms and Purposes
In co-operation with the incumbent, the PCC has the responsibility of promoting the pastoral, evangelistic, social and
ecumenical mission of the church in the ecclesiastical parlsh of st Nicholas Stevenage. This includes the management
of the church buildlng on Rectory Lane, Stevena8e.
Resources
The parish is served by a full-tlme cleric Ilcenced by the Blshop of St. Albans. The Rertor Rev. Edward Keene has been
in post since June 2023, prior to which the parish was in an interregnum.
Mrs Alison Hare is the secretary to the benefice and provides admlnlstrative support to the clergy. She receives an
honorarium. Vergers and organlsts are appointed on an irregular basls to support many of the occasional offices.
The misslon of the church would not be fulfllled without the many volunteer5 who willingly serve in many areas of
church life.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
Objertlves
The '5Gs' have directed our work since the PCC agreed them in 2016.. Grounded in the Bible, Growlng in number,
Glorifying God, Greater in likeness to Jesus, Glued together In a loving community. After eight years and with a new
Rector it may be time to refresh these and we will revlew this at the next PCC away day in September 2024,
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DELIVERING PUBLIC BENEFIT
The PCC confirms that it has referred to the Charty's Commlsslon's guldance on public benefit and believes that its
objectives are in accordance with the guidance. The Mission Actlon Plan IMAPI approved by the Annual Parochial
Church Meeting IAPCMI in April 2018 sets targets relating to each of the PCC objectives. Some of the achievements
over the last 12 months have been as follows:
We started the new year still In an interregnum but we were looklng forward to see what God was going to do as we
planned our next round of intervlews. We advertised for the new Rector for a month startlng on 6 January. We
received four applications and on 8 March we short listed three of the appllcants. On 20th March we held the
interviews and appointed Edward Keene to be our new Rector, who was subsequently licenced on 16 June. We are
really grateful to all those who came and preached to us durlng the Interregnum especially Rev Ray Porter who did
the majority of the preaching. We were also helped with the preaching by Ben Epps, from Longmeadow Church and
Jon Woodrow from Grace Community Church both of whom we work with Closely.
On 4th February we held a barn dance for all the church family members from St Nicholas Church and from St Mary,
church Graveley. We had originally paid for this just before Covld which we were going to have for our church
weekend at home. The barn dance was well attended with most people wishing to use the music group a8ain. On 5
February Sunday afternoon Rev Tony Canon from the Church Soclety came to St Nicholas to speak on LLF ILiving In
Love and Faithl to explain the Implicatlons. Tony was well received, and it helped clarify the situatlon. There was a
Men's breakfast on iith February. On the Saturday 18 Februory Martin started his guitar workshop which ran for six
consecutive weeks. For lent the home groLtps all studled together Forgiven by TIM Chester. On 22 February we had
our Ash Wednesday Servlce with the imp051tlon of Ashes whlch Rev Ray Porter kindly agreed to lead.
On Iltb March the women's fellowshlp held thelr breakfast event at The Standing Order pub. On the same day
Weston Muslc Society held a concert at St Nicholas Church in the evenin8. On Sunday 26, March we were able to
announce that The Reverend Edward Keene had been appointed as Rector of St Nicholas and St Marvs, there was
much re}olcln8 that dayl
Durln8 Holy Week we held evening prayer on the Mondayi Tuesday, and Wednesdayi followlng a lectionary. Prior to
the Maundy Thursday service, we all shared a meal together. On Good Frlday we had meditations at St Marf5 at
3pm. We held our Easter fun day on 8, Aprll. We had Teddys 8oin8 down a zlp wire from the tower, a barbecue,
cream teas and cake. We had games for the children and a treasure hunt in the church yard. It was a lovely day, and tt
was well attended. Ray Porter led our Easter Day service which was also well attended.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DELIVERING PUBUC BENEFIT Iconydl
OD the 22nd April Weston Music Soclety held a concert at 7.30 at the church. On the 6th May from 10am to 10.30am
the bells were rLtng to celebrate the Klng's coronatlon. On 13th May we held a famlly quiz night in church. Our APCM
was held on 14 May. During the 5, 13, and 17th of June we held our pastoral care tralning this was dellvered over
three days by our safeguardlng lead Christine Chambers and we had 12 attending. Our Rertor Edward Keene was
installed on 19th June. The Collation was led by the Bishop of St Albans The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smlth and the Installatlon
and Indurtlon was by Archdeacon of Hertford The Venerable Janet Mackenzie.
On 15, July the Orpheus North Herts Choir held a concert at St Nicholas church in the evenlng. On the 26, August we
held a church fun day, but the weather was not very good so di5appointlngly the attendance was poor. On the 28
October the women's fellowship held a breakfast and on the same day Martin Bailey held a muslc team day. On the
1st November Edward held a memorial vigll at 5t Nichola5 and invited those who had lost loved ones in recent times.
This was well attended. Earlier on I" November we had a lunchtime Concert. On Sunday 12, November we held a
meeting in the 'EquippSng the Saint5, serles regardin8 Christian witness at work with the London Institute of
Contemporary Christianity. This was well received. On 18th November Bunyan Baptist Church held thelr Tralnlng
Course at st Nicholas. Durlng November St Nicholas is the main Stevenage dropplng-off point for Operatlon
Christmas Chlld. We held our first bring and share brunch at the joint benefite meetlng on 26, November whlch
went very well.
On I" December Women's Falth and Fellowship held thelr Christmas craft event. On December we hosted
Bras5 Band Concert for Fund Raising for Bridge Builders. It was very well recelved and much needed funds were
raised. For the first time In recent memory we have had secondary schools vlslting us over the Christmas perlod. The
Eh
Thoma5 Alleyne Academy visited us on 13 December and The Barclay Academy visited us on 5th December (year
7 in both Cases). On the 9 De¢ember the Stevenage Singers held a toncert. On IO, December we held our carols
th
by candlelight. On 16 December Edward and Hannah hosted a Families Christma5 Party. We held two Chrlstingle
Services one on the 17 December and the other on the 24 December,. the later one had around 200 people
attendln8. Almond Hill school held thelr Christmas Carol service in church on 19, December.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
for the year ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DEUVERING PUBUC BENEFIT (Conyd)
We held three services on Chrlstmas Eve, the third one belng a midnlght communion which started at 11.30pm. On
Christmas day we had a Family Service.
and
Throughout the year we have trled hard to malntaln our weekly schedule of services, keeplng to simllar times and
styles wherever possible.
Prayer Tlmes. We have a time of corporate prayer every other Wednesday morning from 8am to 8.40am for God's
blessing on the church, the people, and the wider world. We also have evening prayer and the benefice prayer
meeting both on alternative Wednesday evenings. The morning prayer meetlng on a Wednesday remalns on Zoom.
Sundays at 9:30am. A Servi￿ up to 90 mSnutes In length wlth hymns and songs and a longer talk. Children go to their
own groups after the flrst 10 minutes and re-join the service later. On two Sundays per month the serwce includes
Holy CommLbnlon.
Home Groups. Home Bible study groups meet throughout the week. All home groups now meet at someone's house.
The home groups meetevery other week.
Da
On 31 December 2023 the Church Electoral Roll numbered 80, of whom 38 lived in the parish and 42 lived outside the
parish. The average weekly attendance of adult5 and chlldren, counted during October was 65.
As well as regular services, the church enables the community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the
Journey through Ilfe. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marrlage publlc vows are exchanged wkth
God's blessing and, through funeral services. friends and famlly express their grief and give thanks for the lrfe which is
now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeplng.
2023 we had 7 baptlsm and 7 weddlngs and one Wedding Blessing. There were 21 funerals in the church wlth clergy
taking 4 other funeral servlces at the crematorium or cemetery chapel.
Two members of the church were elected to sit on the Stevenage Deanery Synod and are ex-officio members of the
PCC. This provides the PCC with an Important link between the parish and the wider structure of the church.
In
In 2008 the will of the late Robert Hawkes bequeathed the residue of his estate In trust to the Rector and
Chur¢hwardens for the malntenance and repair of the fabric of the St Nicholas church building. Under Canon Law the
funds are held by the Diocesan Board of Finan￿ as custodian trustee.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
for the year Ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DELIVERING PUBLIC BENEFIT (Convd)
The PCC determines the scope of any work for whlch the support of the will trust Ss sought. The PCC also obtalns the
necessary consents and then applies for grant5 from the trustees. In previous years invoices for 8rant financed work
were Settled directly from trLSSt funds. To avold potential accounting difficulties, from l January 2018 the trustees
agreed that all invoices should be approved by and settled from PCC funds. The expenditure is then reimbursed by
the Hawkes trustees.
During 2023 the followlng grants were made from the Hawkes Trust to the PCC
Recurring general maintenance
Item
Recuirlng Malntenance
Church buildings insLbrance (Ecclesiastlcal 91YAI
Non.Recurrlng Maintenance
Organ Refurbishment
Fire Alarm
Heatlng System
Lightning Conductor
Total Grants
3,366.68
185.00
1,608.96
4,565.95
934.80
10,661.39
The Hawkes Will Trustees have indicated that during 2024 they intend to contlnue their fundin8 of ¢hurch repairs and
Insurance using the Trust's funds.
The last quinquennlal inspection was completed in November 2021. The Hawkes trustees have agreed a 10-year
fundlng commitment of planned repairs and will release funds as repairs take pla￿.
The PCC thanks Bernie Matthews, Paul Drakes and Stuart Marshall who regularly inspert and carry out minor
malntenance on the inslde and outside of the buildln8.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DELIVERING PUBUC BENEFIT Icorfd)
Mlsslon and Evanzellsm
The continuing work of rni5sion and evangeli5rn is a major part of our Ilfe as a church whlch seeks to proclalm the
gospel of Jesus across our parish and across the town. Our evangelism team went out on the doors during late spring
and carried on untll late autumn when the weather tumed cold, For the flrst part of the year, we handed out leaflets
and tracts to those we met on the doors and posted a leaflet through the door for those who dld not ¢ome to the
door. The Rector produced a new leaflet which we handed out to those we spoke to on the doors. We are plannlng to
call on some of the people we have met on the door5 who have shown an interert.
Our Thursday afternoons hot chocolate has grown from strength to strength where we now have up to twenty
chlldren coming into church some weeks. We have got to know the chlldren well and we are always seelng new faces
coming along. We also have parents with younger children coming In as well for hot chocolate and people out for a
walk.
As part of our initiative to increase our wltnes5 and presence on the local estates we again delivered Christmas
Invitatlons to over two thousand homes.
We are now plannlng to produce a new a welcome pack contalning information about our church which we wlll use
for people moving into the area.
We have the church opened several tlmes a week,. Tuesday 24 Wednesday 12-2, Thursday 10-12 and Thursday
afternoons 2.30- 4pm. This also allows people to come In and have a look at the church and we can share the gospel
wlth them.
The mlsslon of the wider churth is supported by donatlons to four external Christian chartties.. Church Misslon Society
ICMSI with a particular Ilnk to Katia Rocks in Brazil,. Bridge Builders. our local gospel partners in the prSmary schools in
Stevenage,. The Barnabas fund supporting persecuted Christians around the world,. and Crosslinks with a particular
Ilnk to Rachel and Bernie Muluuta working in Kampala. Uganda, to reach, teach, disciple and train young adults.
Bridgebuilders recelve 40% of our mission giving and the remainder 2¢YA each.
Durfn¥ 2023 the church contlnued to support the worldwide Anglican movement GAFCON, and the UK based RENEW
movement which is working for the renewal of the Church of England and the growth and planting of healthy Blble-
teaching Anglican Churche5,
Ecumenlcal Relatlonshlps
Whilst we work m05t closely with other Anglican churches across the Stevenage area our strongest Ilnk Is with St
Marvs Church in Graveley, with whom we form a joint benefice. Sermon series are shared and both churches share
baptism and marriage preparation. There were also several shared services in 2023.
We are also part of Churches Together In Stevenage and are contlnulng to deepen our worklng relationshlps wlth
other churches who share our vision for mission and evangelism. As part of this we have continued our partnership
with Grace Community Church and Longmeadow Evangelical Church.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
ParochRal Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE IN DEUVERING PUBLIC BENEFIT {ConVd)
Church Bulldlng
We have been able to open our church buildlng to various organlsatlons.
Apart from the music concerts that we have here Stevenage Steps AA hold their meetings here along wlth the local
Baptist church who uses the building to run retreat days.
FINANaAL REVIEW
Full details of the accounts are provided in pages 14- 26 of this report.
Total recelpts of unrestrict
unds were £87,181. This comprlsed the following:
Source offunds
Amount (£)
Planned giving
Unrestrlcted voluntary donations
Collectlons in church
Weddlng and funeral fees
HMRC Gift Aid
Contribution from St Marfs, Graveley towards the
ParSsh Share and clergy
Contributlon for St Albans Dlocese toward5 the
Interregnum expenses
Other Income
53,126
1,487
4,262
2,881
12,269
9,614
3,052
490
Total recelpts of were £11,261. Thls comprised the followlng:
te
Source offunds
Amount (£)
Hawkes Bequest
Friends of St Nicholas
10,661
2,500
Compared to 2022, our planned glving decret7sed by 6% ond collectlons in church increased
by 3%.
The PCC wishes to record Its thanks to all those who, through their 8enerous financial glvingi
growing commitment to the work that Godls doing In thi5 corner of his kingdom.
Provlsion has been made In our balance sheet for the following monetary assets:
demonstrate our

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW (Convd))
£5,916 for 81ft aid reclaim from HMRC for the period July- December 2023
2023 Independent examination fess £1,050.
£97.526 was spent from unrestrlrted funds to provide the Christian minlstry from St. Nicholas, Church, including the
contrlbutlon of £60,099 to the diocesan parlsh share that largely provldes the stipends and housing for the clergy. The
amounts that the churches in the deanery must flnd are shared between the churches according to a formula that Is
based mainly on a headcount of the congregations, and local demography. We must find more of the total required
at our church in relation to others because of our location in the town.
£7,800 was spent from the unrestricted funds on the four charities ICMS, Bridge Builders, Barnabas fund and
Cr05slinksl selected by the PCC.
£3,221 was spent on maintenance of the church buildlng from unre5tri¢ted funds.
The result for the year was a deflcit of income over expenditure of £10,345 on unrestrlcted funds, a surplu5 of £2,500
on restricted funds and an overall deflcit of £7,845. Adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the
beginning of the year, together with outstanding assets and liabilitles (including long term deferred parish Share
£29,177) there are net reserves of £5,900 to carry forward on 31st December 2023.
Reserves pollry
It Is our prarti¢e to maintain a balance in the current account of approximately £8,000 to cover the monthly forecast
of planned expenditure.
As of 31st December 2023, £6,2731s held on easy access deposit to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet
emergencies.
Durlng the current year the Trustees have transferred all remalnlng funds In old restricted funds to the general. All
donors to the specific restricted funds have been made aware of the transfer of funds
STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out In the Church Representation Rules. At st Nicholas Church,
the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent lour Rector), churchwardens, and members elected by those
members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. All those who attend our services are
encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making declslons on all matters of general concern and importance to the
parlsh, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Iconvdl
The tull PCC met slx tlmes durlng the perlod with an average attendance of 76%. Glven its wide responslbllitles the
PCC has a number of commlttees. each dealing with a particular aspert of parlsh life. These committees, which
Include worship, pastoral, giving and support for misslon, finance, buildings and fabric, soclal and hospitality, are all
responsible to the PCC and report back to it as appropriate with notes of their meetings and de¢lslon5. The full PCC
dlscusses and ratlfies any decisions as necessary.
Rlsk Management Poll¢y
The Rector and Churchwardens on behalf of the PCC have consldered the rlsks to which it is exposed. They relate to
the following major areas..
Risk Aret7
Financial Risks
Noture of Rlsk
Fraudulent misappropriation of PCC
assets and funds
MonagementArrangements
Finantial controls are in place
Including oversight of bank accounts
and payment processes. Insurance
cover against theft
Insurance cover agalnst the usual
perils backed by a bequest for the
maintenance of the building
Regular revlews of safety
arrangements backed by public
liability insurance
Care policy Sn place wlth screening of
individuals by the Disclosure ond
Borrlng Service
Dama8e to buildings
The church may be damaged by
weather, neglett, external abuse
Health and safety of people uslng
churth premises
Users of the bulldin8 may Suffer
injury because of an incident on the
prem15es
Children or vulnerable adults may be
abused by members of the church in
the context of church actlvlties
Abuse to children and vulnerable
adults
A surveyor appointed by Eccleslastical Insurance visited the Church and submitted a formal Rlsk Management Report
In July 2015. This inspection is required every 5 years. The followln8 two a¢tion5 have been completed..
A churth Health and Sofrty Policy has been complled In the format supplied by Ecclesiastlcal Insurance.
An asbestos register has been generated.
The Safeguarding Policy has been reviewed and updated.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who work so hard to maintsln our church as a lively and vibrant communlty.
We want to mention..
Our churchwardens, Mlke Wilton and Karen Walker and their team of assistant wardens.
Our Treasurer, Ja50n Cox, and his team of volunteers.
They have all worked tirelessly on our behalf.
io

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
STRucfuRE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Convd)
Admlnlstrntlve Infofrnatlon
St Nicholas Church is situated In Rectory Lane. Stevenage, Herts SGI 4DA. It is part of the Diocese of St Albans wlthin
the Church of England. The correspondence addre55 15 St Nicholas House, 2A North Road, Stevenage, Herts SGI 4AT.
The PCC Is a body corporate IPCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representatlon Rules 20061 and is registered with
the Charlty Commission.
PCC members who have served at any time from I" January 2023 untll the date this report was approved are:
fficio memb
Clergy and Chairman
Revd Edward Keene from 19, June 2023
Martin Bailey Chalrman until l¥h June 2023
Churchwardens:
Karen Walker
Mike Wilton
Deanery Synod Reps..
Stuart Marshall
Cathy Bibby
Diocesan Synod Member land cri5 Repl..
Stuart Marshall
Co-opted:
Ali50n Hare- Secretary
Steve Bamford- Deputy Warden
ed Mem
Martin Bailey (Safeguarding Lead) until April 2023
Christine Chambers (Safeguarding Lead) from April 2023
Edward Kaahwa
Chris Taplin
Jason Cox (Treasurer)
Mark Parker
Mathew Isaac
Kate Casey from April 2022 until October 2023
Paul Schimmel from April 2023
Anthony Taylor from April 2023 to December 2023
li

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Approved by the PCC on............
ond signed on thelr behalf by Edword Keene IPCC Chairmanj
Edwa
eene (PCC Choirmanj
12

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of
St Nicholas Church, 5tevenage, Parothlal Church Councll
I report to the trustee5 on my examination of the accounts of the St Nicholas Church, Stevenage, Parochial Church
Council, for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responslbllltles and basls of report
As the charity trustees of the St Nltholas Church, Stevenage, Parochlal Church Councili you are responsible for the
preparation of the a¢¢ounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Att 20111'the ACVI.
I report In respect of my examination of the St Nicholas Church, Stevenage, Parochial Church Council's accounts
carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examlnatlon I have followed all the applicable
Direction5 given by the a)arlty Commission under section 145(5)Ibl of the Act.
Independent examlnerfs staternent
I have ¢ompleted my examlnation. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connertion with
the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect..
accountin8 records were not kept in re5pert of the St Nlcholas Church, Stevenage, Parochial Church Council
as requlred by sectlon 130 of the Act,. or
the accounts do not accord with those records,. or
the account5 do not comply wlth the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts
set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a
'true and falr view whlch is not a matter considered as part on an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come acr055 no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to en¥e a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
C Wilklnson FCCA
Barker Wilkinson L6mlted
19-21 Middle Row
stevenage
Hertfordshire
SGI 3AW
Date
13

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Income and Expenditure Account
(Incorporating Statement of Financial Activities)
Year Ended 31 December 2023
2023
UTrrestrfrted
2023
Re$trirted
2023
Total
2022
Total
Note
Incomln8 Resources
Planned GlvSn8
Collertions
Gift Aid Recovered
Total
53,126
4,262
12,269
69,657
53,126
4,262
12,269
69,657
56,221
4,139
14,157
74,517
Other Artivities
Church Actlvlties
other Income
Totsl
1.487
2,881
13,156
17,524
2,500
3,987
2,881
23,817
30,685
9,806
4,167
50,038
64,011
10,661
13,161
Total of Incomln8 Resources
87,181
13,161
100,342
138,528
Resources Expended
Charftable Attlvftle5
Parish Share
Clergy & Staffing Costs
Church Running Expenses
Mission Glvlng and Donations
Deanery and CTIS
Church Improvement5
Repairs and Renewals
Totsl
60,099
1,844
21,348
10,857
157
60,099
1,844
24,715
10,857
157
60,718
1,858
23.429
9,578
158
26,184
20,386
14l311
3,367
3,221
97,526
7,294
10,661
10,515
108,187
Excess of Expendlture Over In¢ome
Transfer between funds
Net movement of funds
Totsl funds brought forward
rotsl fvnds carrfed lorward
(10,345)
24,168
13,823
110,423
2,51XI
124,1681
{2L668)
24,168
2,500
(7,8451
(3,783)
(7,845)
13,745
13,783)
17,528
13,745
The notes on pa8es 16 to 27 form part of these accounts
14

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church CouncRI
Balance Sheet
A5 At 31 December 2023
Note
2023
Unre$trkted
2023
Restrlrted
2023
Total
2022
Total
Cash Funds
General Current A¢¢ount
General Reserve Account
Wedding Current Account
Totsl Cash Funds
23,890
3,773
5,523
33,186
23,890
6,273
5,523
35,686
34,169
6,273
1,108
4&550
2,500
2,500
Other debtors
Gift Aid Recoverable
Total Current Assets
5,916
39,102
5,916
41,602
7,082
48,632
2,500
Creditors.. amounts fallln8 due wlthln one year
Independent Examlners fee
Wedding Deposlts
Deferred Parish Share
Tottl Llabllltles
1,002
5,523
29,177
35,702
1,002
5,523
29,177
35,702
1,002
1,108
32,777
Net Current Assets
3,400
2,500
2,300
13.745
Totsis Funds
2,500
13,745
The notes QD pages 16 to 27 form part of these accounts
Approved by the PCC on ... .
d signed on their behalf:
Jason Cox
Treasurer
Edward Keene
Rertor
Karen Walker
Churthwarden
15

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
ParochRal Church Council
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 December 2023
Accountlng Pollcles
The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been prepared usin8 the a¢cruals basis of a¢¢ountln&
Basls of prèparln8 the Ilnanclal ststements.
The financlal statements have been prepared under the historlcal cost convention.
The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulation$ 2006, the provlsions of
Accountlng and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice appllcable to charities preparing thelr
accounts in accordance with the Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021
leffective l JanL¢ary 20191.
The financlal statements Include all transartions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC 15 re5ponslble in law. They do
not Include the accounts of church groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those that are Informal
gatherings of church member5.
The trustees are not aware of any materlal uncertalntles about the charlvs ability to continue and therefore the
Charity's financial statements have been prepared on a golng concern basis.
Incomln8 resources
Planned giving, collections and similar donations are reco8nised when received.
Tax refunds are recognlsed when the incomln8 resource to which they relate is recelved.
Grants and legacies are recognised when the PCC Is entltled to the use of the resources, their ultimate recelpt Is
considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are reliably quantlfiable.
Interest as and when accrued by the payer. All Incoming resources are accounted for gross.
Resources expended.
Grants and donations are recognlsed when paid, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructlve
obligation on the PCC.
The diocesan parlsh share expected to be pald over is recognlsed when due.
All other expendlture is generally recognlsed when it is incurred.
16

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Accountln8 Pollcles (Conyd)
Flxed assets
Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts In attordance with $1012llal and Icl of the
Charltles Art 2011.
Individual Items of equipment with a purchase prlce in excess of £1,000 are capitali5ed and depreclatlon is charged
from the year of acquisltlon on a straight-line basis over the estlmated useful Ilves.
Fund accountln8
Restrictèdfunds comprise revenue donatlons or grants for specific PCC actlvltles intended by the donor.
Unrestrictedfunds are income funds which are to be spent for the PCC general purposes.
Designatedlunds are unrestrlrted funds set aside by the Pcctrustees for use In the future.
Projertfunds are unrestricted funds designated for projects or for administratlon purposes only. Deslgnated funds
remain unre5trlrted and the PCC will transfer any surplusldeficlts to/from other general funds and the end of the
designated projert.
Flnanclal Instruments
The charity only has flnancial assets and liabilltles of a klnd that qualify as basic flnan¢ial instruments. Basic financial
Instrument5 are inltlally recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at settlement value.
Other Artlyhles
2023
2023
Unrestrlrted Restrlrted
2023
Total
2022
Total
Donatlon5
Buildlng Fund Donations
Roof Alarm (Grant)
Totsl
1,487
2.500
3,987
4,076
3,830
1.900
1487
2,5(NJ
3,987
17

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Financlal Statement5
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Church Attlvliles
2023
2023
Unrestrlcted Restrlcted
2023
Total
2022
Total
Weddlngs, Funerals & Other
Fees
2,881
2,881
4,167
Other Incorne
2023
2023
2023
2022
Unrestrlrted Restrl¢ted
Total
Total
Graveley PCC (Parish Share}
Graveley pcc iaergyl
Other Income
Listed Places of Worship
Hawke$ Bequest Fund
St Alban5 Diocese
Interregnum Contrlbution
Charitable Activities
9,000
614
290
9,000
614
9,000
450
135
873
39,390
290
10,661
10,661
3,052
200
3,052
200
190
13.156
10,661
23B17
50,038
18

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Flnancial Ststements
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Church Runnlng Expenses
2023
Unrestilrted
2023
Restrlrted
2023
Total
2022
Total
Services Upkeep
Copyright Licences
Software Costs
Insurance
Flowers
Gas, Elertricity, Water and
other premises costs
General expenses
Independent Examiner's Fee
Kitchen Upkeep
Mission Action Plan
Safeguardlng
stationery/Println8
Sunday Club & Youth Work
Equipment Hire
Rector Recruitment Expenses
Welcome Gift- Rector
Leaving Gift- Rector
Parlsh Administrator
179
639
179
639
438
2,980
167
991
688
62
4,437
133
438
13871
167
3,367
8.577
1,809
1,050
388
1,365
91
208
loo
180
626
425
8,577
1,809
1,050
3,577
1,270
1,254
470
2,435
15
1,365
91
208
loo
loo
180
999
626
425
1,584
5,232
23,429
5,493
21,348
5,493
24,715
3,367
19

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
ParochRal Church Council
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Mlsslon Glvln8 and Donatlons
2023
2023
2023
2022
Unrestrfrted Restrlrted
Total Funds Unrestrlrted
Church Overseas
Church Mission Society
Cros51inks
Barnabas Fund
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
1,560
General Charltles
Bridge Builders
Herts Historic Churches
Hawkes Bequest Fund
Charitable Donatlons
3,120
50
1,900
1,107
lo￿57
3,120
50
1,900
1,107
10,857
3,120
50
1,278
9￿78
20

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Financial Ststements
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Movement In Funds
Onl.
January 2023
Net
Movement In
Funds
Transfers
Between
Funds
On 31"
December 2023
Unrestrlrted Funds
General Fund
110.423)
110,3451
24,168
3,400
Restrlrted Funds
Deanery
Muslc Fund
Revitali5ation Fund
Mothering Sunday Flower5
Weston Famlly
Frlends of St Nicholas
Hawkes Bequest Fund
Total Funds
75
2,367
21,716
1751
12,3671
121,716)
151
{51
2,500
2.500
13,745
17,845)
5,900
Net movement In funds are as follows-
In¢omln8
resources
Resources
Expended
Galnsand
Losses
Movement In
Funds
Unrestrlrted Funds
General Fund
87,181
97,526
110.345)
Restrlrted Funds
Friends of St Nicholas
Hawks Bequest Fund
Total Funds
2,500
10,661
100.342
2,500
10,661
108,187
{7,8451
21

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Accounts.
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Movement In Funds (Contrd)
Comparative net movement In funds, Included In the above are as follows..
Onl.
January 2022
Net
Movement In
Funds
Transfers
Between
Funds
On 31.
December 2022
Unrestrlcted Funds
General Fund
11,8521
18,5711
110,4231
Re$trlrted Funds
Deanery
Music Fund
Revitalisatlon Fund
Mothering Sunday Flowers
Weston Family
Hawkes Bequest Fund
Totsl Fund$
75
2,367
16,928
75
2,367
21.716
4,788
17,528
13,783)
13,7Q4
Net movement In funds are as follows:
Incoming
resources
Resource5
Expended
fjalns and
Losses
Movement In
Funds
Unrestrlrted Funds
General Fund
93,477
102,048
18,5711
Restrlcted Funds
Revktallsation Fund
Hawks Bequest Fund
Totsl Funds
4,788
40.263
138,528
4.788
40,263
142,311
(3,783)
22

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Accounts.
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Convd)
Movement In Funds {ConVd)
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months comblned posltion is as follows..
Ati.
January
2022
Net
Movement
In Funds
Transfers
Between
Funds
At 3111
December
2021
Unrestrlrted Funds
General Fund
11,8521
118,9161
24,168
3,400
Restrlrted Funds
Deanery
Music Fund
Revitali5ation Fund
Motherlng Sunday Flowers
Weston Famlly
Friends of St Nicholas
Hawkes Bequest Fund
Total Funds
75
2.367
16,928
1751
12,3671
121,716
15)
151
4,788
2,500
2,500
17.528
111,628)
5,900
Net movement in funds, included In the above are as follows..
Intomlng
resources
Resources
E¥pended
Galns and
Losses
Movement
In Funds
Unrestrlrted Fund$
General Fund
180,658
199,574
118,9161
Restrlcted Funds
Revitalisatlon Fund
Frier¢ds of St Nichola5
Hawks Bequest Fund
Totsl Funds
4,788
2,500
50,924
238.780
4,788
2,500
50,924
250,498
(11,628)
23

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Accounts.
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Movement In Funds {ConVdl
There were no transfers between funds In 2023.
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
General fvnd
The general funds are available for the furtherance of the PCCS charitable objectlves.
General funds are largely maintained by memberfs donations and collections.
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Deanery
The deanery funds are available for expendlture on new mu8S.
The deanery fund was set up In 2016 by a grant from the deanery. The small underspend on this fund has been
transferred to the general fund and the donors have been made aware.
Musl¢ Fund
The muslc funds are available for expenditure on musical scores, tees for organist and possible fees of a music
dlrector to produce a full choral even50ng.
The fund was set up in 2017 by a grant from The St Nicholas Church Cholr. Unspent funds have been transferred to
the General Fund and the donors have been made aware.
Revltslisatlon Fund (lormerly New Development Fund
Church members contributed to the revitalisation fund via church membershlp fund ICMFI and one off contrlbutions,
further one of donations from various organisations have been received for the purpose of the revstalisation of the
church.
Funds are restricted for expenditure on major work5 to the Church Buildings concurrently or subsequent to the
renovation of the church floor and lightin8 that commenced in 2019. The major works project has now been
completed and the unspent funds have been transferred to the General Fund the parlshioner5 have been made
aware.
24

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Accounts
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Movement In Funds {ConVd)
Motherfn8 Sufiday Fund
In 2018 a donation of £50 was made to fund flowers and posies for Mothering Sunday.
The small underspend on thls fund has been transferred to the general fund and the donors have been made aware.
Weston Famlly Fund
During 2020 the Weston family made a don*ion of £660 towards a new lectern whlch was purchased during the
year. Unspent funds have been transferred to the General Fund and the donors have been made aware.
Friends ol St Nlchola$
The Frlends of St Nlcholas made a donation toward5 the maintenance of the Church building.
H?wke$ Bequest Fund
The Hawkes Bequest funds all maintenance ¢osts of the church building of St Nicholas. The maintenance cost Is paid
by the PCC and then a request is made to the Trustees of the Hawkes Bequest to reimburse the maintenan¢e cost.
Trustees Remuneratlon and Related Party Transattlons
No trustee received any remuneration, benefits or expenses otherthan as dlsclosed below..
During the period under review, Alison Hare (a member of the PCCI recelved £5,49312022 £5,232) in payments and
expenses for admlnistrative support.
The Rector is due to be in receipt of a monthly allowance for broadband and computer depreciation. Revd. Keene
covers the cost of hls moblle phone and is responsible for updating his computer, laptop and printer as and when
needed, allowances paid in 2023 were £Nil12022 £8141.
Trustees receive payment for reimbursed expenses incurred on the PCCS behalf as agent for the PCC.
The Rerfd E Keene, Karen Walker and Mike Wilton are or were trustees of The Hawkes Will Trust during the period
under revlew, the PCC recelved restrirted grants of £10,66112022 £39,390) and paid a donation of £1,90012022 £NIII
from and to The Hawkes Will Trust during the year.
During the year total donations received, both regular and one-off, from trustees who have served during the period
was £13,38012022 £15,160) both for the general and revitalisatlon fund.
25

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notes to the Accounts.
Year Ended 31 December 2023
(Cont'd)
Legal Ststus
The Charity Is a trust registered at the Charity Commlsslon at St Nlthola5 Church, Rectory Lane, Stevenage. Herts, SGI
4DA. The charity is a public benefit entlty.
26

St Nicholas Church, Stevenage
Parochial Church Council
Notss to the Accounts
Year Ended 31 De￿mber 2023
(Cont'd)
io.
Comparatlves for the statement of Flnanclal Actlvftles
Not•
2022
Unrestrlrted
2022
Restrlcted
2022
Total
2021
Total
Incomlng Resources
Planned Glvlng
Collectlons
Gift Aid Recovered
Totsl
56,221
4,139
13,199
73,559
56,221
4,139
14,157
74.517
51,757
3,245
13,646
958
958
Other Activities
Chur¢h Activities
Other Income
Totsl
5,976
4,167
9,775
19,918
3,830
9,806
4,167
50,038
64,011
10,043
4,590
65,305
79,938
40,263
44,093
Total of Incornln8 Resources
93.477
45,051
138,528
148,586
Resources Expended
Chjrftable Actlvltles
Parish Share
Clergy & Staffing Costs
Church Runnin8 Expenses
Mission Giving and Donatlons
Deanery and CTIS
Church Improvements
Repairs and Renewals
Total
60,718
1,858
19,225
9,578
158
60,718
1,858
23,429
9,578
158
26,184
20,386
142,311
63,170
1,632
22,162
8.575
147
55,957
15.675
167,318
4,204
4,364
6,147
102,048
21,820
14,239
40,263
Exce￿ of E¥pendltur¢ Over Income
Transfer between funds
Net movement of lunds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carrled fofward
14571)
4,788
13,783)
118 732)
18,571)
11,8521
110,4231
4,788
19,380
24,168
13,783)
17,528
13,745
118,732)
36,260
17,528
27