## **Minutes of The Joint Meeting of the Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting** 

## **11.30am on Sunday 17[th] May 2026.** 

## **Annual Meeting of the Parishioners** 

Rev Jen Houghton welcomed the Parishioners and opened with prayer. She reminded the meeting that all residents on the local electoral roll within the parish would be eligible to vote. 

1. Apologies for absence: Julie Mason, Jenny Gibson, Ian Jarman, Alison Stevenson. 

2. Approval of minutes of Annual Meeting of Parishioners (held 11[th] May 2025). There were no amendments, agreed as true record, proposed by Sue Russell, seconded by Joy Whitehead. All in favour, no abstentions. 

3. Appointment of Churchwardens: Simon Mettrick and Alison Stevenson willing to stand again. Simon proposed by Peter Houghton, seconded by [CAN’T READ SIGNATURE!!]. Alison proposed by Paula Thompson, seconded by Jane Jarman. All in favour. No abstentions. Jen thanked the Wardens for all their tireless efforts. 

## **Annual Parochial Church Meeting (only parishioners on St. Paul’s Electoral Roll entitled to vote)** 

1. Apologies for absence: Julie Mason, Jenny Gibson, Ian Jarman, Alison Stevenson. 

2. Approval of minutes of APCM (held on 11[th] May 2025): There were no amendments, agreed as a true record, proposed by David Freeman, seconded by Prue MacPherson. All in favour. No abstentions. 

3. Nominations for Deanery Synod and PCC: 

   - a. Election of three people to the Deanery Synod for three years - Ann Fernihough, proposed by Pam Ingram, seconded by Susan Hardman; Sue Russell, proposed by Julie Mason, seconded by Susan Hodgson, and Angie Mettrick, proposed by Susan Hodgson, seconded by Jane Jarman. All in favour, no abstentions. Jen thanked them for their work. 

   - b. Election of five people to the Parochial Church Council (3 for 3 years, 1 for 2 years, 1 for 1 year) – nominations, Paula Thompson, proposed by Sue Russell, seconded by Sue Fry; Jane Jarman, proposed by Paula Thompson, seconded by Julie Mason; John Emanuel, proposed by Prue MacPherson, seconded by David Freeman; Graham Cocks, proposed by Simon Mettrick, seconded by Neil Meehan; Prue MacPherson, proposed by Jane Jarman, seconded by Paula Thompson. All in favour, no abstentions. 

      - Jen thanked the nominees for standing. 

4. Safeguarding at St. Paul’s: Sue Russell and Natalie Loible (Parish Safeguarding Officers) had compiled a report for the Annual Review. Jen thanked them and all those who undertake Safeguarding training. 



5. Electoral Roll Report: Sue Russell presented the report as in the Annual Review. There are 92 members on the Roll. Jen thanked Sue for her continued work in this area. 

6. Annual Report of the PCC (paper copies had been available and online): Jen spoke to the Annual Review of 2025. She thanked Rev. Carolyn Lucas for her caring support given to St. Paul’s during the interregnum. Jen had felt welcomed by the church and the wider community. She commented that so many individuals give of their time and talents, most are volunteers many operate ‘under the radar’. Jen wished particularly to thank Steve and Joanne Griffiths who have contributed so much to the Parish Hall Committee. Applause given! 

Also, special thanks to Ian Reid who died in October. He served St. Paul’s so faithfully for so many years. 

7. Financial Report: Jane Greenfield had prepared the report for the Annual Review and it was presented by Graham Cocks. The generosity of Claire Jones’ legacy was highlighted. The church received £245,000. No questions were forthcoming. 

   - Approval of accounts – proposed by Paula Thompson, seconded by Peter Houghton, all in favour, no abstentions. 

   - Jane Greenfield, as retiring Treasurer, was thanked for her long service. A bouquet was presented and applause followed. 

Appointment of Independent Examiner. Charlotte Radcliffe-Crowe. Proposed by Simon Mettrick, seconded by Susan Hodgson, all in favour, no abstentions. 

## 8. Proposed resolutions: 

This APCM resolves that, in accordance with the provisions of the Church Representation Rules, the parish shall apply term limits for elected lay members of the PCC. After serving six consecutive years, a member must stand down and shall not be eligible for re-election to the PCC until a period of at least one year has elapsed. This resolution shall take effect at the 2027 APCM. 

Jen explained that this was to prevent ‘burn out’ and ensure that fresh ideas were encouraged. No question asked. Proposed by Angie Mettrick and seconded by Brian Dale. All in favour, no abstentions. 

This APCM resolves that, in accordance with the provisions of the Church Representation Rules, the Parish shall permit Readers/Lay Ministers licensed to the Parish to become exofficio members of the PCC. 

Proposed by Sue Russell, seconded by Prue MacPherson, all in favour, no abstentions. 

9. Final comments: Jen announced that it was Graham and Jill Cocks’ Ruby Wedding Anniversary. She prayed for them and their family at this time of celebration. 



Jen thanked all for attending and reminded the church that we have a mission of outreach. She said grace before inviting all to stay for the ‘bring and share’ lunch. 

{There were 50 church members in attendance} 



**Income and Expenditure Statement 2025** 

## **2025** 

|**Income**<br>Committed giving: Gift aid<br>Tax credit on committed giving<br>Other committed giving<br>Church collections<br>Donations for general funds<br>Linen fund<br>Donations in memory of Ian Reid<br>Winter fair, sales table, concerts, Thursday Rafe<br>Sunday refreshments<br>Weddings, baptisms, funeals, memorials<br>Parish hall mgmt fee<br>Centre lettings<br>Church collections for outside charities<br>Commonwealth war grave grant<br>Flower fund<br>Photocopying fee<br>C Jones legacy<br>Interest from investment account<br>**TOTAL**<br>**Expenses**<br>Payments to Diocese: Parish share<br>Payments to Diocese: Funeral & wedding fees<br>Church expenses<br>Sacristy<br>Audio/visual expenses<br>Vicar's expenses<br>Grant for lay reader training expenses<br>Heat, light, water<br>Insurance and fre insepction<br>Organ tuning and repair<br>Churchyard<br>Outreach, Adverts and Pastoral Care<br>Salaries and Honoraria<br>Parish Ofce<br>Accountant's examination<br>Accountant's fees payroll<br>Streaming licences<br>Catering<br>2nd Hook Scouts<br>Payments to outside charities<br>Fundraising outgoings<br>Flower fund<br>Service sheet<br>**TOTAL**<br>**Net income**|**Unrestricted funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>34,460<br>9,723<br>3,336<br>6,883<br>4,148<br>99<br>175<br>3,921<br>657<br>4,063<br>2,835<br>1,136<br>1,485<br>30<br>260<br>16<br>2,946<br>11,054|
|---|---|
||**86,836**<br>**389**|
||49,412<br>1,625<br>2,647<br>390<br>1,799<br>54<br>300<br>3,658<br>3,419<br>386<br>1,090<br>587<br>11,319<br>1,534<br>792<br>960<br>721<br>223<br>300<br>1,503<br>46<br>140<br>135|
||**82,901**<br>**140**|
|||
||**3,936            -            249**|





## **d funds Total** 

34,460 9,723 3,336 6,883 4,148 99 175 3,921 657 4,063 2,835 1,136 1,485 30 260 16 2,946 11,054 **87,225** 49,412 1,625 2,647 390 1,799 54 300 3,658 3,419 386 1,090 587 11,319 1,534 792 960 721 223 300 1,503 46 140 135 **83,041 -        4,185** 



**Balance sheet** 

**2025** 

|**Bank**<br>Current<br>Investment<br>**Non-restricted funds**<br>b/f<br>270,678<br>Balance of receipts over expenses<br>3,938<br>**Restricted funds**<br>b/f<br>thacker<br>229<br>linen<br>188<br>graves<br>90<br>fower<br>120|<br>|18,040<br>257,203<br>275,243<br>37,166<br>233,512<br> <br>229<br>89<br>60<br>-<br> <br>275,243|
|---|---|---|
||274,616<br> <br> <br> <br>||
||627||





**2024** 

30,034 241,022 271,056 

270,678 

378 

271,056 



## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PCC OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST PAUL’S HOOK** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Paul’s Hook (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2025. 

## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report** 

As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

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

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

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

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with 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 fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

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

## **Examiner’s Details** 

## Name: **Charlotte Radcliffe-Crow** 

**ACA** Relevant professional qualification or membership (if any): Address: **126 Cotterill Road, Surbiton KT6 7UL** 

Signed: 


Date: **2 April 2026**