The Ecclesiastieal Parish of St Martin, Windermere Charity Number 1161992 St llTAlItiTh's Yov fG alw Annual Report & Financial Statement of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31" December 2023 and Minutes of the Vestry and Annual Parochial Church Meeting th held on Sunday 16 April 2023 "We aim to respond to God's love, enjoying it together in worship and mutual care, and sharin it with ever one. Incumbent: The Revd. James Richards BA MA The Rectory, Longlands Road, Bowness-on-WindenTAere, Bank: Nat West, Windernlere Barclays Bank plc, Kendal LA23 3AS. Parish Office: St. Martin's Parish Church, Lake Road, BOMeSs-0n-windennere, LA23 3DE Independent Examiner: Jackson and Graham, Chartered Accountants, Lake Road, Bowness-on-windemere, LA23 2JJ
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARTIN, WINDERMERE AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL VESTRY AI¥D PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY 21° APRIL 2024 IN CHURCH AT 11.30AM PRAYER APOLOGIES EASTER VESTRY ELECTION OF WARDENS Annual Parochia] Church Meeting APCM MINUTES OF 16° APRIL 2023 REPORT OF PCC FOR 2023 (Not available at time ofprinting these papers) ACCOUNTS & FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2023 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER CHURCH FABRIC & TERRIER REPORT DEANERY SYNOD REPORT SAFEGUARDING REPORT SUNDAY CLUB AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S GROUP REPORT ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICER'S REPORT ELECTION TO PCC ELECTION OF SIDESMEN RECTOR'S CLosfNG REMARKS and PRAYER
•*** There will be a short meeting of the new PCC immediately following the APCM speeifieally to eleet the officers of the PCC: Lay Chainnan. Secretary. Joint Treasurers" Electoral Roll Officer.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARTIN, WINDERMERE. DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ANIYUALVESTRY AND PAROCHIAL MEETING for th¢ year 2023, held in the ChUb at 11.30am o SUNDAY 16° April 2023 OPENING PRAYER and ATTENDANCE The Rector. Ihe Revd. James Richards opened the meeting with prayer. There were about 23 parishioners presenl. APOLOGIES Jill butler, Clarence and Susan Hcndri¢ks¢, Andrew and Ali Jarvis, Christine and John Parker, Jamie Han]ilton. ELECTION OF WARDENS (3 vacancies. Wardens are ex-officio m¢mbers of PCC) Mike Fletcher is willin8 lo stand again. Ros. Rooke was proposed warden. Elected unanimously. APCM MINUTES OF ocfoBER 2022 These were approved and signed as correct by the Chairnian. There were no matters arising. ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICER'S REPORT Pat Baldmryn reported ihat there are 96 parishioners on the Electoral Roll, 24 of whom are not resident in the parish. This is a reduction of one from last year, one name has been added, but sadly two parishioners have died. The average weekly attendance, ¢ount¢d in October 2022, was 67. However, if we iT]clude a wedding and the St. Martin and St. Mary School Harvest Festival. this number increases to 154. The report was accepted unanimously? Wlth thanks to Pat. REPORT OF PCC FOR 2022 This docum¢nt had been approved by the PCC and Circulated prioi to the meeting. It was approved unanimously. James reminded us that the PCC are trustees of the church. SAFEGUARDING REPORT lan Durrell reports for th¢ whole Ben¢fic¢. His report was included in the APCM bundle. AccouNfs & FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2022 Mike Baldwin spoke fst on the reporLs which had b¢¢n pr¢paTed jointly with Ted Cook and distributrd previously. H¢ said we had started the year in a much better position, with thanks to all the ladies who organise and run the various fairs, Easl¢r, Jubilee, Martinmas lunches and teas throughout the year. He also thanked the welcomers tor keeping the church open. He noted that th¢ gift stall is doing well too. It meant that we could pay our Parish Offer in full and make a donation of £2500 to our Mission partners CMS. We were also able to make donations to The Children's Society from a share in the Martinmas fair and a very successful Christingle service, Both ihe Children's Society home boxes and the Christian Aid house collections were very good thanks to Janet. Clarence and Susan. Mike also thanked the bell ringers and musicians who waive their fees. Planned giving is still looking gool but any increases would be appreciated. He mentioned thai legaci¢s help the church funds greatly and hoped that people would give thought to l¢aving a legacy. Ted Cook then took over and explained the papers already distributed with the APCM bundle. He said that, in spile of the pandemic, planned giving continued to come in and fonn on average 600/• of contribulions to the church. All the events added £12000 to our funds and he also thanked all the ladies, especially Ann Wanska for their work. The sumup machine is working well without any negative effect
on ordinary donations. James menlioned that the d¢tailed breakdown that is produced is very helpful, especially during special services. Thc accounts were received unanimously. James expressed great appreciation from himself and the PCC to both Mike and Ted for all their work and for keeping the PCC up io date on a regular basis. Jackson and Graham were proposed and agreed as our continued independent examiner. THE FOLLOWING REPORTS HAD BEEN CIRCULATED PRIOR TOAPCM Church Fabric & Terrier Report, Thryth thanks to Mike Fletcher Deanery Synod, James had prepared this as we have no Deanery Synod representative. Safeguarding report Sunday Youth Club and Sunday Club reports, Home group report- with thanks to Miriam Rayner and Ali Jarvis. All reports were accepted. 10 ELECTIONS a) PCC l year terni - Janet Rudd. Elected unanimously. b) SIDESMEN The Current sidesmen, David & Carol Brooks, Hilary Sharpe, Ann Wansk4 Barbara Fletcher, Liz Howarth, Mary Fenna and Janet Rudd agreed io stand again. Val Garvey also volunteered to be sidesman. All were elect¢d unanimously. 11 RECTOR'S CLOSING REMARKS FOR ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING 2023 James had already distributed his report which was included Mrythin the APCM bundle, James had included a papeT showing the income and expenditure of the Diocese, and where the Parish Offer monies are allocated. He explained that every penny of Ihe offer comes back to support local ministy. He said the diocese is well and economically run. He thanked everyone for their help and support in maintsining the life of the church, he is extremely grateful. Mike Fletcher mentioned thai he would like to thank Liz Haworth who is tying to repair some of the hyllm books which have become tatty. Ted Cook asked about the Bishop vacancy. James said th, as in the previous vacancy for a team leader vicar, consultation will take place and profiles will be produced. There will be more inforn]ation in the KIT booklel. The meeting closed at 12.15pm with the Grace.
The Parochlal Church Councll of the Eccleslastlcal Parlsh of St. Mar17n, Windemiere Annual Report forthe year ended 31st December 2022. Administrative Information St. Martin's Church is situated close to Lake Windermere at Bowness. It is part of the South Lakes Team of parishes within the Diocese of Carlisle within the Church of England. The correspondence address Is The Parish Church of St. Martin. Lake Road, Bowness on Windermere, LA23 3DE. On 3rd June 2015, the PCC became a Registered Charity with the title of 'The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Marttn, Wlndermere, with the Charity Number 1161992. our Charity details can be accessed by all on the Charity Commission Register. PCC members elected at the APCM of 16th April 2023 until the date this report was accepted are: Ex Officlo members: James Richards, Team Rector (Chairl: Lawrence Basham, Team Vlcar Wardens.. Mike Fletcher and Rosemary Rooke Electoral Roll Offi'cer Pat Baldwin Deanery Synod: Vacancy Elected members: Mike Baldwin ljoint-treasurerl, Jill Butler, Jennie Cartwri8ht, Ted Cook (Joint- treasurer), Diana Dodd, Mary Fenna Isecretaryl, Martin Rayner (Lay chairl, Janet Rudd, Ann Wanska. Mary Fenna This report has been prepared by the Chalr of the PCC, which has not had the opportunityto approve it. We note with sadness the loss of our valued friend and PCC Secretary. Mary Fenna who is much missed as part of our church family, and for her commitment to the life of St. Martin's and the work of the PCC over many years. Structure, governance and management: 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 so as to be eligible to vote for and/or Stand for election to the PCC. Objectives and activlties: The primary objective of St. Martin's is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrine and practice of the Church of England. St Martin's PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd. James Richard5, in promotin8 in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC has the maintenance responsibility for St. Martin's Church buildin8. Church attendance There were 96 members on the Church Electoral Roll at 16, April 2023, 24 of whom resided outside the parish. The average weekly attendance. counted at all services durin October 2023 (when national attendance count is done), wa5 49. At festivals and special occasions the weekly attendance number may exceed 500 . Notice of closure of the Electoral Roll for revision will be posted 12, March 2024 and displayed for 14 days. The revision date for the Roll is end March 2024 and the new revised Roll displayed in Church at the beginning of April 2023. Details of the updated Electoral Roll are reported to the APCM. Thanks The PCC thanks all musicians, singers, organists, and instrumentalist5. for their contribution to the Sunday services. and to lay leaders and interce55ors for the Morning Praise services which alternate with HO Communion services led by the Team Rector or other clergy Also remembered with thanks are those who work to keep the church clean, arrange flower5 and open the church during the summer month5 again to welcome visitors.
Mission and Evangelism: Part of the ministry of the church, beyond that to regular attenders. wa5 to the 8 couples who were married at St. Martin's and to their families and friend5 in 2023. Also the families and friends of the people whose funeral/memorial services were held here and to the 7 children baptised at St. Martin's and their parents, families and friends during the year. Youth work in the church is on Sunday morning5, for children between 3- 11 year5; thanks go to Miriam Rayner for running the Sunday Club, and Ali J3rvis, who holds a Youth Club meeting for older children in her home, plus all those who are involved. As alway5, more helpers would be appreciated. In conjunction with 5t. Mary's Church in Windermere. Sunday services have been live-streamed vla Facebook Èach Sunday, to reach out to those who felt unable to attend personally. The Christmas Carol service was held in church, a5 was Christingle and the Christmas Eve service,. the Christmas Day service was also held in church. All were well attended. Home groups met for fellowship, prayer and discussion. All meetings are held at member's homes. PCC Business The PCC held full meetings in February, May, July, September and November 2023, and a short formal meeting in April immediately after the APCM for the appointment of officers. PCC buslness has included: Regular review of parish finance5 ably assisted by the reports and information provided by our treasurers. Work to the fabric of the building flowing from the 2022 Quinquennial Inspection Barton memorial New boilers Painting and plasterwork in the St. John's Room Equipping the church for regular live-streamlng of services {"Hybrld church") Sharing our faith and growing the church This is only a list of the major items.
THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST TrL4RTIN WJNDERMERE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR EI¥DED 31st DECEMBER 2023 The Atmual Accounts havebeen prepar¢d in accordan¢ewiththe Charities Act2011 and PCC Accountsbility (5 edition) using the accruals accounting b8Si& Prior to the start of the year PCC had appmved a budget with a deficit of £4474 on unrestricted funds in anticipation of an increase in Parish Offer and a furtkn r¢duction in plaDned giving. We can report thaL in spite of the cost of living crÉsis continuing to bite, we did meet budget expectations on all headings except repairs and maintenance and paid our in¢r¢a5¢d PaTisb Off¢r in full and the year ended with an increase in unrestricted reserves of £66149. Of course, unrestricted reserves benefitted hugely from a very g¢n¢rous legacy of £75000 from the Estate of the late Susan Thornely for which the PCC are very gratefvl. This enabled usto caTry Out some outstanding repairs highlighted by the church abIteCt inhis latest quinquenniaI inspection report hence the over spend against budget on this heading. However, we were able to offset these Costs a little by claiming Wis of £1040 under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. On the other hand, we saw restricted reserves decr¢L8e by £8410 in the year, agaiffj as a cons¢quencc of. more than ¢xpected, exceptional repairs. Itw&s once again possible to hold fimdraising events. which tkns year included a Summer Fair. our gTOUP of St Martin's ladies s¢rving cream teas during augllst and a Martinmas fBir in early november. These wer¢ all vtry successfi]l cvents arkd thanks are due to all thos¢ who worked so hatd to make them so. We were able to welcome our usual steady flow of visitors tbroughout th¢ year (approx. 25000) with their vaIued donations, contactless and in boxes and steady gift siall sales. PCC fees and occasional retiring collections were CeIVed from weddings and funeral services duting the year and in the Gqse of the former, the b¢llTingers generously waived their fees in favour of the ChuTch. At the close of the year ullrestricted reserves stood at £106,181 and restiicted reserves at£] 6,130, together comfortably in ¢xcess of th¢ minimum our reserves policy says is needed. Planned giving, including gift-aid tax, at £40089 showed a I/0 decrease on the previous year (£44668) with the number of regular subscrilxrs decreasing from 50 to 45. This continuing decline is of real concern to the PCC. We are thaDkfi]I for the regulaT gifis from our parishioners througbout the year and trust you will be able to continue your valued support in 2024. As in previous years, we are grateful to our Musicians who waive their fees in favour of the Church. As already stated. the gift stall provided the usual valuable source of incom¢, after purchases. We are also thankful for the income we rec¢ived from Jenny's book sales, the flower fimd and refreslllnenls which all made good contributions. Thank you to everybody concerned. Our Parish Offer to the Diocese, which Provides the stipends, pensions and housing for clergy, was £43074. (£375042022), and took 55 % (450/0 2022) ofunresiricted incomingrosouT¢e4 (excludin8 legacie5). Accruals have been included for any expenditure incurred but Dot paid for at year-end. Exceptional r¢pairs. app &5 restricted expenditure and mor¢ routine maintenance appears as unrestricted expenditure. PCC were abl¢ to continue thetrfinancia] support for Church Mission Society, our mission partneTS and have sent a cheque for £2500. We had avery suGc¢ssful Christingl¢ service withmor¢ than 500 adults 7Jnd children present and raised £508 for the Cbildren's Society. As usual, people WOTked hard to eDsure that gifts from Children's Society boxes from the Cbristian Aid door to door llectiOn wer¢ m&Yirnised but. as th¢8¢ are sent dir¢cL they aTe not included in these Accounts. St Martins is part of the United Benefice of South Lakes and th¢ Team Ministy is mad¢ up of our R¢ctor Revd James Richards and Team vicar Revd IAvnence Basham. We look for¥vard to continuing to work with the other flve Parishes as we n)ove closer together and gain more of the potential cost benefits of scale. Ted Cook Mike Baldwin PCC TasU[C[S
TrIE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARIS ST MARTIN. WINDERMERE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2023 Unrestrtcted Restricted Fund$ Total Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Note MIN so RCES Planned Giving with Gift Planned Ging without GiftAtd Collections with Gift Aid Collections without Gfft Aid GiftAid recovered Donations with Gift Aid Donatsons withoul Gift Ald Boxes SUMUP Jennrfs Books Legaoes (>anls Voluntary Income: 29965 33 2140 2426 10097 305 4140 8499 3053 321 75000 1040 139619 5048 730 5778 5683 3656 9339 2142 34304 1788 1849 4615 11570 1743 937 8585 2707 137 2140 2426 10097 305 4140 8499 3D53 321 75000 1040 139519 5048 730 5778 5683 3656 9339 2630 2(a) 2{b) 2(cl 68675 3876 667 4543 7102 5220 12322 298 PCC fees forweddings & funerals Bellringers, fees donatsd Church A¢llvities: Gift Stall Concerts & EV15 21e) lThvestfnerts: fividends and interest 1 21fJ 488 Total Incoming Rwurces 6878 488 167366 838 SOURCES EXPEND Diocesan Parish Offering Clergy. Secretarial and Office Exp. tar Supplies Organist Parish Magazine otr costs K41nlstry'. 3{al 3{bl 43074 14248 370 740 439 1105 s76 5748 4414 12620 22780 43074 14248 370 740 439 1319 60190 5746 4414 23264 33424 37504 12785 413 1622 31cl 214 214 2853 56181 5742 4181 9591 19514 Building: Power & Water Insurance Repairs & Maintenance 31dl IC644 Church Activitie8: Gift St811 Purchases 1348 3348 3728 W15ssions: Mlssionary and Charltable Giving 3(fj 2500 200 2700 5054 Tt>lal Résoureos Expended 886Q4 58 Net Incoming Rgsources bofore Oth$rGalns and Lcss8QS. 68274 -10570 57704 1361 Gains on disposal and revaluation of assets and inv6slmonts 13 35 49 Net Movement in Funds 68287 -10548 57739 1312 Transf8r8 beNYeen Funds -2138 2138 Ba13nc£$ bffwd on 1st January 2023 BalanS clfvid on 31st Dember 2023 40[2 24540 84572 63260 106181 16130 122311 64572 The noles on the following pages fomi part of these Accourts.
THE PCC F THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARTIN WINDERMERE BALANCE SHEET AT 31st DECEMBER 2023 Unrestrfcted un Restricted Total Funds Total Fund$ 202 i Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible Investments 75155 75155 17594 17594 92749 92749 17649 17649 CURRENT AS ETS 6(a} 16(bl 875 875 6388 1580 Debtors Short-lem deposits Cash at bank and in hand 28252 35515 1800 1800 30052 37315 46110 51494 CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors falliNJ due within one year j Receipts in advance Accruals 7{a) 4489 4489 31026 106181 3264 3264 -1464 46130 7753 7753 29562 122311 4571 4571 46923 64572 Net current assetsl Illabllltleg) TAL NET ASSE OARISH FUNDS Unresirictsd Rpsthcted TAL FUNDS 106181 1CE181 16130 122311 40032 24540 64572 8{bl 16130 16130 108181 The note5 on the following pag8s form part of these Accounts. Approved by the Pan)chial Church Councll on the 7th F¢buary 2024 and signed on its behalf by vd James J Richards IPCC Chalm)an>
Notes to the fmancial statements For the vear ended 31 De¢¢mber 2023 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The financial statements have been prq)ared in accordance with the Clwities Act 2011 and the PCC (5 edition) including the Church Accounting Regulations 2017 publislKd for the House of Bishops of the General Synod. The financial statemcnts have been prepaTed under the historical cost convention ¢x¢¢pt for the valuation of investment assets, which ate shown at llwket value. Tbe financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for wbi¢h the PCC is responsible in law. They do not iD¢lud¢ the accounts of ChUh groups that owe their main affiliation to another body. nor those that are infornial gatherings of church membeTh. Funds Endowmentfvnas are fiwds, the capital of whichmust be mainlained. only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or vnrestricted funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was estsblished. Reslrictedfvnds represent {a) income from tr[tS or endowments which may be expended only on those restsicted objects provided in the ternjs of the tn or bequest, aud (b) donations or grdTIts received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific objecL The futth may only be expended on the specific object for whi¢h they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each yw must be carri¢d forward as a balBnce on that fid. Unrestricled fvnds are general funds that can be used for PCC ordinary pury)ose5. Incoming r¢sources Planned giving, collecti¢)ns and donations are reco)iZed wh¢n received. Tax refunds ar¢ recogmized when they are claimed. Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is legally entitled to the amounts due and they are [e1ved. Dividends and interest are accountrd for when receive All other income is recognized when it is due d/Or received. AJI incoming resources are accounted for gross. Resonrtes expended Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over. or when awded, ifthat award creates a b2nding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish offer is accounted for WIM due. Amounts reIved specifically for mission are dealt with restiicted funds. All oth¢r ¢xpendItu is genera]ly recognized when it is illCUtTed and is accounted for gro&8. Fixed 45sets Consecrdted and ben¢fice propety is not included in the accounts in accordance with S.10 (2) (a) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable Church firnishings held by the rector and churchwardcns on special tn]st for the PCC and wbi¢h require a faculty for disposal are inali¢nabl¢ property. listed in th¢ church's inventory. which ¢an be inspected (at any re&8onable time). For anything acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficjent cost infornwtion available aod therefore such assets 8re not valued in tbe financial statements. Subsequently no individual item has cost more than £IOOO and these items of equipmenL whether used wkthin the church prcmises or rectory office. are written off when the asset is acquired. Iizveslments are valu¢d at market value at 31 December.
- INCOMING RESOi]RCES 2(a} Includes tsx recovered and tax claithed not yet recovered £1883(£2045) up to 31 December, and tax claimed on loose ¢ash in collections and boxes under the GASD Scheme. 2(Tr>) Includes £75000 from the ¢staie of the late Susan Thom¢ly. 2(c) These.are grants under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in respect of VAT paid on ¢buh repairs.. 2{d) The bell ringers have generously waived their wedding fees. 2(e) These are the proceeds of the SuADmer fair, cream te&8 in august and the Martinnw fair. 2(fj Dividends and interest received on investments and pemianent endowments. The interest on the legacy in 2 (b) has significantly boosted th¢ unrestricted figure.
- RESOURCES EXPENDED 3(a) Diocesan Parish Offeiing paid in twelve equal instalmcnts 3(b) Includes £10130 for the Parish Administrator (2022 £9289). 3(c) Includ¢s £342 fee for Independent Examination (U¢stilcted). 3(d} Insurance premium paid by instabnents. 3(e) Unrestricted costs are routine repairs and maintenance and restricted LM)sts represent exceptional non routine work. 3(fj Unrestricted costs represent a donation to ovr Mission Partners at CMS. the Bishop's Harvest Appe81 and to the Children's Society from the Christingle service. Restricted donations include donations to Christian Ala and the Windern]er¢ and District Food BanL
- GAINSILOSSES ON THE DISPOSAL AND REVALUATION OF JNVESTMEiYrs These can be analysed as follows: Unrestricted Restrieted CBF C of E Income shares COIF Clwities Incon]e units 13
S. At 31 December 2023 Inveslments were beld in the following FuTAas: Unrestricted CBF C of E tncome Shares CBF C of E Deposit fimd Restricted CBF C of E Deposit fund COIF Charities Incoffje Units Barclays Base Rate Reward Deposit 7 shares market value 155 75000 I0922 258 6414 13 units The PCC also receive restrtcted income from three connected Charity endowments . (Registered Charities). 6. CtIRREwf ASSETS 6(a) Gift stall stock held at cost price. 6(b) Includes Gift Aid tax refLll for 3 months to 31st December claimed but not receiv 7. CURRENf LIABILrriES 7{b) Unrestricted accruals at year-end include clergy and administration costs £262, power and water costs £763 and donation to CMS £2500, £508 froni ChriStine for Children's society and other ilems due but not paid at year-end.. Restricted acenS include £3264 for a roof repair completed but not paid at year-en 8. PARISH FUNDS 8(a) The reserves available are to meet future shortfalls in incoming resources against resources expended. Ev¢ry effort is made to increase incoming resources and Control resources expended. The PCC has a Reserves Poli¢y whicb states that we should hold at l¢a$t 3 month'¥ average rnnlling costs ID UDrestricted reserve together with at least £20,000. for emergency fabrie Wor in either restricted or unrestricted reserve and, unless better terms can b¢ obtained from ODr own bankers, fund balances will be InVted with the CBF Church of England Fund The R¢serv¢s Policy is r¢vi¢wed annually. 8(b) Funds which have arisen from legacies, fundraisi dividends and asset sales are restrict¢d to the putposes directed i.e. fabric. PAYMENTS TO PCC MEMBERS A small immaterial portion of the expenses paid to the incumbent may bave rejatd to his services as chaiTnw of the PCC. Other expenses were paid lo officers for expenses wholly and exclusively incurred by them in the perfornianee of their duties.
Paroehial Churcb Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Marlin, Winderniere Independent aMiner'S Report I report on the accounts of the Trust for the yeaT ended 31. Decernber 2023 which are set out on pages I to 5. Respective responsibilities of the PCC Hnd examiner The member5 of the PCC are respons3ble for the preparation of the accounts. The PCC consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 ofthe Charities Act 201 I (the Charittes Act) and that an independenl examination is needed. It is my iesponsibility to= examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the chariti Act. and to state whether partiodar matters have com¢ to my attention. BY4sis of the independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance Mryth the Genera] Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the acwunting records kept by the PCC and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It a150 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the account4 and seekin8 explanations from you as rnembers concerning any suchrnatters. Theprocedutes undertaken do not provide all theevidenGethat would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion 15 given as to wh¢ther the accounts present a 'trne and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters s¢t out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs Statement In Connection with my examItiOn, no matter has come to my attention" which gives me reasonable cause to believe that I any mataial respecl the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act). and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting recoTds and compty with the accounting requirernents of the Charities Act have not been met, or 2. to whiclL in my opinioo attention Should be drawn in order to enabk a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. A E LISIIMAN. F.M.A.A.T Jackson & Graham Lake Road Bowness-on-windemiere Cumbria LA23 2JJ Date i}T£ H.,.
Fabric & Terrier An audit of the Church inventory had been undertaken and found to be in ordcr. How¢v¢r, the fabric of the building gives concern, and although the major structUTal and decorative issues highlighied in the last"Quinquennial Report" have been TectifJe(L the roof continues to be a major cause for concern. Water ingress is damaging the murnls and interior and limFts the seating available to the congregation. I b¢li¢v¢ that ¢fforts should be made to raise the funds to undertake the repairs as a matter of some urgency. In addition the heating boiler has a very short life eXptancY and should be replaced as soon as possible. Funds are available to cover the cost, bul we are awaiting advice from the Diocese as to the energy source. I have not considered it appropriate to give a detsiled report all the relalively minor r¢pairs and maintenance issues whi¢h have been undertaken during the year. Mike Flet¢her, Church Ward¢n Deane S nodRe To be given verbally byJames Safe uardin rt Since the last Church APCM'S in the spring of 2023 there have been no Safeguarding roDr¢rns reported to m¢, nor any concerns raised by me with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor. Th¢ main focus for saf¢guarding this year has been on th¢ training of church volunteers and arranging DBS cherks and certiflcation for volunteers who have been identified by the Dio¢ese as working with vulTJerable adults or young people. I would also like lo take this opportunity to let you all know thai for personal family reasons I will b¢ stepping back from my roles. including this role during the summer of 2024. Lynda and I will be moving so dates have not yet been sel in 51one. I would like to thank you all for your help and Covoperdtion over the yeaTS. lan Durrell Safeguarding OfficeT- South Lakes Team Sunda Youth Club Sunday Youih Club regularly ha5 5 young people who meel fortnightly during trrni time. The aim is to provide a safe space for youJ)gsters to meet And talk openly about issues relevant to them. also to feel they Can ask any queslions. Fa¢h session has a theme with a Biblica] text. Activilies ar¢ bas¢d on the theme including drnma, craft and games. Ali Jarvis Sunda Club W¢ Continue to follow the Friends and Heroes series. This involves An 8dventure story which is then linked to Bible story. W¢ watch the video and then ta]k about the story and link it to everyday life and the way we relale to people around us. We then do a Craft activity to reinforce what we have learnt or play a game. At Christmas we watched a video called Dougy Doug Doug which involves lots of dancing to songs with a Christian theme and we al80 watched a film about the nalivity. W¢ only have one regular m¢mb¢r but visitors are always w¢l¢ome to join us. Miriam Rayner Home Gro We continue to meet altemate Fridays during tern) time. This year we are watching "The Chosen" which follows Jesus's life and ministry which we've all found fascinating. All followed by lively discussion. Miriam Rayner
Deanery Synod Report All licensed clergy In the Deanery and lay members appointed from every parish in the Deanery make up the Deanery Synod. A5 well as its routlne buslness it also elects members for Diocesan Synod and for General Synod. The Deanery Synod can ask for a motlon to be debated bythe Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synod motions can even become part of the business ofthe national church. We are entitled to have two lay members attending Deanery Synod to keep us UP with news form the Synod and to represent our parish in discussions that take place. Currently we do not have a lay representative on Deanery Synod. This report has been prepared bythe Team Rector. The Windermere Deanery Synod met in March, July and November. Regular reports were received on Finance, including Parish Offer; the development of Mission Communities; and Network Youth Church. In the area of our Mission Community, Chris Mason's Network Youth Church work has included supporting Experience Easter for our local primary schools at St Marys, Windermere; establishing a prayer breakfast meeting for schools. children and youth work support; establishin8 a Lunch Club at the Lakes School: supportin8 the establishing of an after-school drop-in at St. Mary's Church, Windermere. In February we weltomed Bishop Rob who addressed the meeting about the'God For All, Agenda; offering elements of the material given at the Bishops, recent Roadshow. Key Themes included Ministry Development • Growing Younger • Schools • Church Planting & Pioneering • Buildings • Eco Strategy • Digital. He answered questions, in particular with regard to the forthcoming process to appoint a new Bishop of Carlisle. In July Anna Newlove (Net Zero Officer) gave a presentation relating to the 'Tread Gently. part of the Dlocesan 'God for All, Vision. In November Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideonsl gave a short presentation and offered to visit parishes to share something of their work, and Sophie Hodge (Dlocesan Stewardship Enabler) gave a presentation about Stewardship and Legacy Giving. Rertor's Remarks I want to echo and emphasise the thanks the PCC has given to so many people whose prayer and commitment sustain the life of St. Martin's. Especial I want to thank ourtwo churchwarden5 who quietly and without fuss shoulder many burdens. Looking back. as we do at an annual meetin& we have a great deal to be thankful for. Looking forward, l am often impatient to see thin8s happen. I look for change and growth. but I recognise what is needed and sometimes lacking on my own part to make that happen. One thing I have been wanting to see for a lon8 tirne has been a drop-in session for students from the Lakes School on their way home into Windermere. Finally, beginning last summer and carrying on through the autumn while I was on sabbatical leave, this has become established with a small group of volunteers from local churches. Thls Is not the only change I would like to see, and l am still adapting to beln8 responsible for three
churches rather than just one. Thls has been quite a learning process for me, and still is. l am grateful for the uncomplalning prayer and support I have received. In Luke's Gospel {chapter 131 Jesus tells a parable of a vlneyard owner who comes to a fig tree In his vineyard and for the third year in a row finds no fruit on it. Frustrated, he tells the vineyard worker or vine-dresser to cut it down because it is just Using up the soil and wasting space. The vine-dresser replies replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year. until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good- but if not, yov can cut it down., It is a parable l BO on reflecting on. I think that what is happening is that the vine-dresser is suggesting root-pruning the tree a process which can help to improve their overall health and fruit production. This is what he has in mind when he talks about digging round it. Then he is going to encourage it by feedlng it well. If we apply this parable to a church community what does it mean? To me it suggests two things.. one 15 that we may need to stop some things which may be absorbing our energy but not fruirful for our life and mission as part of the people of God,. the other is that there may be things we need to nourish and encourage in order that they can bear fruit. I don't necessarily know what those things are, and it is not a matter for the clergy alone, but for all of us as people of God seekinB to discern what he is now calling us to do andto be.