THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ’ ST. ANDREW S - ASHTON ON-RIBBLE PRESTON
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2024
CHARITY NUMBER: 1163132
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees:
The Trustees are the members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), details of members are on page 3
Church Address: St Andrew’s Church Blackpool Road Ashton-on-Ribble Preston PR2 1EQ
The Church is part of the Diocese of Blackburn within the Church of England
Vicar: Rev James D G Nash
Correspondence Address: St Andrew’s Vicarage
240 Tulketh Road Ashton-on-Ribble Preston PR2 1ES
Status: The Parochial Church Council of St Andrew’s, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire is a charity with Excepted Status given by the Charity Commission.
Bankers: Santander UK plc
Independent Examiner:
Mr Martin Garry BA(Hons), FCA Director of McDade Roberts Accountants Ltd 316 Blackpool Road Fulwood, Preston PR2 3AE
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED FROM 1ST JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024
Clergy (ex officio)
Rev J Nash (Chairman) Rev P Vautier (Curate from July 2024) Churchwardens: Mr C Lavender (appointed April 2022) Mr D Underhill (Vice Chairman; appointed April 2016)
General Synod Representative:
Mr S Boyall (reappointed July 2021)
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Diocesan Synod Representatives:
Rev J Nash (reappointed May 2024) Rev P Vautier (appointed August 2024)
Deanery Synod Representatives:
Mr S Short (appointed April 2023) Miss C Underhill (appointed April 2023)
Elected Members
Mrs C Beranek (reappointed April 2024) Mrs M Fernando (appointed April 2023) Mrs E Jefferies (appointed April 2022) Mr C Lavender (Churchwarden from April 2022) Mrs L Parkinson (appointed April 2023) Mrs L Read (reappointed April 2022) Mr N Sams (reappointed April 2024) Mrs C Sorsbie (appointed April 2023) Mr D Underhill (Churchwarden from April 2016)
Observers
Mrs M Bateman (PCC Secretary from April 2018)
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT OF PCC
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and may then stand for election to the PCC.
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The Vicar and Curate are ex officio members of the PCC
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Churchwardens are elected annually
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Members of the Blackburn Diocesan Synod and Preston Deanery Synod are elected every three years
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All other members are elected to serve for a term of three years
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Every year up to three members retire and may be re-elected or new members appointed
STRUCTURE OF THE PCC
With the exception of the Minister, who acts as the Chair, officers of the PCC are either elected from within the membership of the PCC or co-opted:
Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer
To facilitate the work of the PCC, the PCC is organised into a number of subCommittees. These sub-Committees both derive their authority from and report to the PCC at periodic meetings. They are as follows:
Buildings Committee Finance Committee Mission Committee
Safeguarding Committee Standing Committee
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RESPONSIBILITIES
The Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church and Church Hall complex of St Andrew’s, Tulketh Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston.
The PCC met 5 times during the year. The PCC received formal and informal reports of deliberations of meetings of sub-Committees. The PCC met for a Planning Day in June.
EMPLOYEES
The PCC employs Mrs Michelle Bateman as the Church Administrator (26 hours a week) and employed Mr Finn Sorsbie as a Ministry Trainee (17 hours a week) until 31[st] August 2024.
OFFICERS
Parish Safeguarding Officer Mr Stephen Boyall (from April 2023) Treasurer Mrs Claire Beranek (from Apr 2022)
THE CHURCH
ELECTORAL ROLL
The Electoral Roll is completely renewed every six years as required by Church Representation Rules. The Electoral Roll was renewed in 2019. The current membership is 101.
NORMAL SUNDAY CHURCH ATTENDANCE
The Church offers one Service every Sunday:
10.30am Morning Service with Junior Church (0-14s; not on 1[st] Sunday); All Age Service (1[st] Sunday)
Holy Communion at least once a month
In addition, the Church has a midweek BCP Communion Service on Wednesday at 10am.
There are also some Services on days of note through the year, e.g. Christmas Eve, Good Friday, etc.
The average Sunday attendance at the service in October 2023 was 131 people, 82 adults and 49 children (Oct 2023 – 135).
JUNIOR CHURCH AND ST. ANDREW’S C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
The Church has an active Junior Church (0-14) with 50-60 children attending under normal circumstances.
The Church is linked to St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School with a total potential roll of 420. Worship Assemblies, for pupils and teachers of the School, are usually carried out weekly in the Church (Juniors) and in the School (Infants) during term time, with Services at Harvest, Christmas, Easter and a Leavers’ Service at the end of the Summer Term.
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MINISTER’S REPORT
The huge highlight of this year has been the arrival of the Vautiers for Phil to serve as our Curate for the next 3 years or so. The whole family have been so warmly welcomed by all and settled so quickly, helped hugely by some miraculous answers to prayer regarding their housing and schooling for the children; 6 months in they are all firmly embedded into the heart of our church family which is a delight to see. It’s also been a great relief for me to have a cominister again after the year’s hiatus since the Houghtons left and Phil is quickly getting to grips with sharing in the glorious ministry of being undershepherds of the church of God, the flock bought with the precious blood of Jesus. A particular highlight was Phil’s involvement in our Christmas Services from his excellent talk at the Carol Service to ‘sleeping’ through the Family Carols!
Through last year there have been many blessings and encouragements across our children’s and youth ministry. I am so grateful for all those who have stepped up in serving our children to allow us to split Scramblers into the two new Groups, Crèche and Climbers; these have settled in so quickly and I know have allowed for much more flexibility and focus with the youngest of our children.
A big Thank You to Finn (& therefore Chloe too) for all he did while serving at our Ministry Trainee. It was a fantastic year with Finn serving and growing in his gifts in so many ways, particularly as he headed up XTB and has handed it over in such good shape to Phil to lead now. We’re all excited to see where Finn will get his first teaching job and grateful for all the ways in which he continues to serve.
Not to be left out, The Avenue is really finding its feet and strengthening in its identity and purpose in equipping our teenagers for following Jesus with all the pressures and challenges they face. I’m so grateful to the Leaders, particularly Cheryl, who stepped down at the end of the year, and for Jess who has joined the team; please pray for a replacement for Nathan when he steps down at the end of the Summer Term. In addition to this, we are so thankful to God for all those who serve in Noah’s Ark and across Junior Church week by week and, at the other end of the age spectrum, for Claire and her team who run SALT. There have been a number of challenges through the last year, most obviously the ‘background noise’ of the Church of England, particularly the continuing shambles of the Living in Love & Faith process. I am so thankful to God for the wisdom and support of the PCC & Standing Committee as we’ve discussed the situation and our response to it. It’s been an unsettling time, with strained relationships with the diocese regarding our finances and giving, being confronted with what it would look like to leave the Church of England and wondering where we might leave to if we did?! While it has been necessary to deal with these issues as a church family, it is something of a relief that the process has hit an impasse which will last for at least a year, giving us the freedom to focus on more important matters as a church family.
We have also had to invest quite a lot of time, money and energy in our Church Hall recently and my huge thanks go to: Dave in his role as Churchwarden and Chair of the Buildings Committee (BC); Shell as she has liaised with the PreSchool as part of her Administrator’s role and her work for the BC; and all the rest of the Buildings Committee – Craig, Claire, Nick & Mark. Particular thanks to them and the team of willing helpers who spent half the summer holiday in the Scout Room making it ready for the Pre-School expansion in September.
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This has also obviously benefitted us as well, and the Scouts, and, now that the heater is fixed (thanks, Paul!), the room is so much more suitable for all that goes on in there. However, it will be nice to be able to wrestle our focus back onto the real building, the church family, over this coming year. My particular thanks, too, to Liz and Shell for all their tireless efforts on Staff, to Dave & Craig in their Churchwarden capacity and for all the little, unseen jobs they pick up, and most of all to Becca and our children for all their love, care and support (& challenge!) to help me fulfil my responsibilities as undershepherd of the flock, Jesus’ sheep, bought with his precious blood.
James Nash
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WOMEN’S MINISTRY REPORT
The women’s ministry at St Andrew’s has continued to be an encouragement over the past year. The aim is for women to be growing in their walk with Jesus, both individually, and together as a church family. We’ve seen real steps forward in the way women in our church family care for, support and encourage each other and also in women becoming part of our church family. The Women’s Getaway in March was a real highlight of the year for many as it often is. We spent some time thinking through the book of James and what it means to be living for Jesus day by day, along with time in prayer and praise, enjoying food and a walk together; through all this growing in our relationships with God and one another. We also had seminars for the first time, and enjoyed the chance to think through the topics of suffering, hormones and speech, and how Jesus speaks into each of those areas.
The Summer Term is often busy for us as a church family so we don’t always have a Women’s Breakfast or an Event that term.
In November we had a Women’s Breakfast which gave us chance to get to know Innes Vautier a bit better as she shared how God has been at work in her life.
Alongside each of these events there have been more regular activities: the Women’s Home Group (which has grown consistently over the past year) and the Women’s Book Group, along with Noah’s Ark providing opportunities to get to know lots of mums in the local community.
All of these things are great encouragements but ministry amongst women also happens in women chatting at the school gate, meeting up for coffee and caring for one another through life’s struggles.
As a Women’s Ministry Team we’ve been really encouraged over the last year with the growth in our church family both spiritually and numerically. While this brings some challenges, we’ve loved to see the women in our church family growing in love and commitment to the Lord, and to each other. One area of focus for us as a team has been how we encourage growth amongst the women in caring for each other pastorally and we pray that this will be an area we develop over the coming year.
Becca, Lin, Liz, Kate & Shell
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CHILDREN, YOUTH & SENIORS REPORT
I am so grateful to God for his provision of so many children and young people in our church family and it is so wonderful that we have a full range of groups and activities serving our children from 0-18, and a bit older! We’ve also seen growth in a number of our groups, both in numbers and depth of discipleship. I am so thankful for the wonderful teams of leaders who serve in each of our groups, generously giving up their time so willingly on Sunday mornings and other times during the week. We have over 40 people serving in different roles across the groups from Noah’s Ark to The Avenue and, of course, our thriving Junior Church. I’ve loved meeting with some of our Junior Church Leaders month my month to work through the passages coming up that month and it’s been fantastic to see leaders growing in their confidence and gifts.
James Nash
Junior Church (Becca Nash)
Junior Church comprises our Sunday morning Groups for 0-13 year-olds; children start in the Service with the adults before heading out to their groups, returning at the end of the Service.
An average week continues to see up to 60 children in Junior Church, split across five groups.
In addition to this, those who are in Year 9 & 10, and therefore too old for Pathfinders, have Pathfinder Plus. This group does a mix of serving in Junior Church as helpers or in church (e.g. sound desk) and coming out as a group after the sermon to chat about it with a couple of leaders. We are grateful to those leaders who have taken on this role.
Over the last year Junior Church has been restructured and we now have 2 groups for the 0-4s. Crèche for the 0-2 year-olds, led by Claire Beranek, and Climbers for the 3 and 4 year-olds, led by Hayley Dudgeon. Those who start School in September remain in Climbers for the Autumn and move into Adventurers in January. Having a term in School before moving up means they are more ready to fit into Adventurers and cope with the structure. Trekkers now meet in the School Junior Hall which is working out well.
We are thankful for all those who have joined the Junior Church Team both to help and to lead and also for those who were willing to move Groups in order to make sure all Groups have enough Leaders and Helpers. It has been encouraging to see new Leaders being trained up and a willingness amongst the church family to serve in Junior Church.
Junior Church have continued to follow the same teaching pattern as the sermon series which allows parents and children to share what they are learning together. We are grateful for the sacrificial service of all those who serve in Junior Church and all the time dedicated to serving the children in our church family. The Leaders continue to benefit from a monthly Bible training session with James and there is now a well-established system of supporting one another and sharing of ideas on the WhatsApp Group. 3 of the Team went on the Growing Young Disciples training day last year and found it really helpful and we are hoping the team will increasingly use this great resource for training and equipping.
We continue to be very grateful that Linda Biscomb happily takes on the bulk of the craft preparation for all 3 of the older Groups, supported by the Adventurers and Trekkers Leaders. This is much appreciated by all the Leaders; it is a great help to arrive to craft tables ready, set up and good to go!
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XTB (Phil Vautier)
Our XTB Youth Group, for School Years 6–8, meets every Friday during term time from 5:30–7pm. Our leadership team currently consists of five regular members: Lucy, Linda, Nick, Finn, and Phil (Overall Leader) with a couple of extra leaders as needed. In June 2024, Eddie stepped down as he prepared for University and Finn passed the role of overall leader to me as he began teacher training. A big thank you to both for their service!
Before each session, leaders meet at 5pm to set up and pray. Each session then begins with time to welcome and share news. This is followed by activities, a 12–15 minute Bible talk prepared by a leader, and discussion and prayer in response.
This year, 27 different young people have attended, with 16–20 coming weekly. Many are not regular members of St Andrew’s, showing our wider reach. Some have a connection to the church without attending weekly, while others come from local churches without a similar group.
Over the past year, we’ve studied Jonah, Matthew, and Colossians. Recently, we explored Daniel over 10 weeks, reflecting on God’s eternal kingdom. At the end of each term, we hold a Question Time to answer questions submitted by the group.
Alongside teaching, we prioritise friendships, organising social events midway through each term. The current group have been marked by enthusiasm, energy, and unity. While numerical growth is encouraging, even more exciting is the deepening understanding of God’s plans and purposes. Though we may not always see the fruit, we trust in God’s work in their lives. We would deeply value your prayers for the year ahead:
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That the young people would grow to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
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For continued growth in and deepening of friendships.
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For wisdom and faithfulness as leaders in teaching and care.
The Avenue (Shell Bateman)
The Avenue is a youth group for Years 9-13 that meets in the Church Hall fortnightly on Sundays from 6-8:30pm. We start with a meal (generously provided by volunteers from the church family) and have time to chat whilst we eat. We spend time studying the Bible and praying and then finish with an enthusiastic game (or two!) of UNO Flip, where the aim is not to lose. Over the past year we’ve studied themes & issues from the Psalms, a mission-focussed Bible Overview and Colossians alongside Home Groups.
Cheryl Underhill stepped down as a leader in Summer 2024 and we’re grateful to Cheryl for all the time she gave to the young people at The Avenue while serving as a leader. In November 2024 we welcomed Jess Underhill as a leader (clearly we need an Underhill in one form or another!) and she has already been a great addition to The Avenue Team, serving alongside Nathan Dudgeon and Dan & me.
We’re thankful for and encouraged by the young people and their desire to live for Jesus in the midst of the issues and pressures they face in, and outside of, school. Please pray for our young people to have boldness in faith, a desire to share it with others and for hearts that want to follow Jesus despite the cost.
Noah’s Ark (Becca Nash)
Noah’s Ark has enjoyed a busy and happy year and we thank God for many encouragements. We are continuing to operate with a fixed register and, while we have around 35 families on our register, weekly attendance is very up and
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down depending on illness. The fixed register continues to give the opportunity of getting to know the mums and carers well and some of our mums do come along to Sunday services and one came to the carol service.
We are continuing to make the most of a short Bible slot at the end of each session to teach something of Jesus to the toddlers and their mums/carers. This is reinforced by the craft activity for the week; thank you to Linda for running this each week. I am grateful to all the helpers on the team who help lead the Bible slots: Lucy, Mel and now Innes, who we are really glad to have on the team leading the occasional Bible slot.
We now have a good number of volunteers to run the kitchen and have been very pleased to welcome Angela, Linda, Natalie and Norma onto the team to do this. The running of the group with setting up etc is very dependent on having people on the team who aren’t themselves looking after toddlers and Becca would be more than delighted to welcome others on to the team to help.
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SALT (Claire Beranek)
St Andrew’s Lunches Together (SALT) continues to be a time of welcome and comfort to the seniors in our church family and local community. Sadly nine of our very much loved members died in the year; they were: Kath Hitchen, George Nash, Frank Beranek, George Campbell, David Wade, Muriel Steiner, Ron Crewdson, Violet Fort and Mamie. We shed a few tears and shared wonderful memories and laughter as we remembered them. With an additional two of our regulars moving to nursing homes we’ve consequently had fewer attendees this year (usually 15-25) so please warmly invite new seniors to join us.
Each month, our guests enjoy homemade soup, sandwiches and freshly baked cakes, usually followed by a talk or interview with someone in the church family. Last year we enjoyed hearing from Christine Tognarelli on her Swiss travels, Tim Jones as a special needs teacher and interviews with David Jeffries and Jess Underhill telling us how their faith has influenced their lives. We learnt about the Blood Bikes from David Marsh, heard Phil Vautier’s testimony and his childhood in Jersey, Dave Underhill shared his passion for planes through his work, and Cate Catmore gave her experiences as a Street Pastor. We looked at the painting “The shadow of death” by Holman Hunt and sang the Hymn “How Great Thou Art”, as well as learning how it came to be written. Our seniors love singing together, hence our Easter and Christmas celebrations are times of particular joy; this year at Christmas we learned the history of the carol “Hark the Herald Angel’s Sing”.
I’m very grateful for our wonderful team of volunteers who care so lovingly for our seniors with their gifts of serving, giving lifts, making soup and baking: Linda Biscomb, Linda Richardson, Janet Nash, Pat Adair, Christine Tognarelli, Emma Sams, Cate Catmore, Steph Spencer, Joan Hatton and Andrew & Norma Hamriding. We’re really thankful too to our church family for baking so many delicious cakes for us each month and sharing their lives with us. If you’d like to join our team, or are interested in attending, please come along on the 3[rd] Thursday of the month at 12.30pm, we’d love to see you.
Claire Beranek
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CHURCHWARDENS’ FABRIC REPORT
Despite challenges, our Father in heaven has continued to sustain us as a church family as we look to keep the fabric in safe and sound condition and use it fully for His purposes and to His glory. We thank God for His never-ending faithfulness and sustaining grace, both to the Buildings Committee and members of the church family who give their time and effort to this task.
With regard to the Church Building, the necessary regular upkeep has been carried out, consistent with annual maintenance requirements. Health and Safety has been reported upon, the firefighting equipment, heating system and other pertinent items have been examined, maintained and, where required, serviced and/or repaired. Our Church Building and Hall are in a condition commensurate with their age and, therefore, the upkeep and maintenance will remain challenging. However, with regular Building Committee reviews and Church Maintenance Days, at which people from across the whole church family volunteer to undertake general maintenance tasks, we believe we have achieved a sustainable operating model to keep on top of things.
As reported in last year’s Report, the change in ownership and reopening of the Pre-School highlighted issues which we gradually worked through during the 2024. The work to renew/renovate the Church Hall roof over the Pre-School and Scout Room areas was completed, largely funded by a third party grant but still requiring a substantial sum from church funds.
A specialist contractor was engaged to address asbestos issues in the Scout Room and equipment storage areas. Opportunity was taken to utilise skills and effort from within the church family to renovate the Scout Room areas with new lighting, additional insulation, removal of a mezzanine storage area, plasterboarding of the ceiling areas and complete repainting, to make the space a more welcoming and warmer space. This was a significant effort on behalf of members of the church family meaning this space is now also used by the Pre-School who have expanded the age group of children attending.
We are grateful for the large amount of support provided by all the church family at various points this year, in particular the Buildings Committee, Standing Committee, PCC and volunteers within the church family. Thank you to you all for your prayers and for all the time and effort so many of you have put in to help us in such roles.
The silverware of the Church is in good order.
Craig Lavender & David Underhill
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SAFEGUARDING REPORT
I’m very thankful to God that there have been no safeguarding incidents or concerns that have occurred over the last 12 months meaning I have had very little to do.
I remain very thankful to Shell for her hard work in keeping us all up to date with DBS checks, safeguarding training and also her excellent training she did in January for PCC Members and Children & Youth Leaders; thanks so much Shell!
As ever the landscape of safeguarding is changing with the Church of England, being very much in the public eye for how we conduct and ‘do’ safeguarding. I am firmly convinced that we are well served by the safeguarding team in Blackburn Diocese.
We must keep praying on that St Andrew’s would be a place where everyone and anyone can come and hear about the great love that Jesus and come to know Jesus for themselves with no barrier placed in their way.
Please do look up our Parish Safeguarding Handbook online, or we have hard copies at church which you can read (please don’t take away from the church building!); it sets out everything you could want to know! Safeguarding is always on the agenda at PCC meetings so it’s always something we are thinking about. If you’d like anything discussed in relation to safeguarding let James or me know and we can have it included.
Safeguarding is something for us all to be mindful of as we seek to love and care for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, not wanting anyone to fall or stumble due to the actions of another. So if you do have any concerns please come and talk to me in person, or you can call on 01772 445464 or email me at safeguarding@standrewsashton.org.uk.
Stephen Boyall
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TREASURER’S REPORT 2024
Our finances were boosted for the year with a legacy from the estate of Frank Beranek, which meant we did not overspend in the year. We can be thankful for families catching up withheld giving from 2023, which accounts for all the increases seen in voluntary income for the year. We also had an increase in our expenditure largely due to funding major repairs to the Church Hall.
The Gift Day gave our income a boost, as did a grant payment towards our Church Hall roof repair.
The generous legacy received in 2015 has been spent gradually over the years to fund staff wages and other projects and was used in 2024 to fund Finn Sorsbie as a Ministry Trainee from January to August. The remainder will allow us to continue operating in 2025.
The Charities Commission Regulations require that we declare that St Andrew’s continues to be a viable concern for the coming year.
This year the difference between our expenditure and income was £12,076 to the positive.
Our church weekly running costs of £3,497 were 6% higher than in 2023 (£3,295) with increases in building expenses (Church Hall major works), wages( one term for a Ministry Trainee), Council Tax (now also for Curate) and Parish Share.
Taking into account the Church Hall income and other income, we require donations of £2,632 each week to break even. At present we receive £1,408 in regular weekly donations, a shortfall of £1,224. In 2024 there were 62 donor units (people or households) who would each need to increase their weekly giving by £19.74 to cover this shortfall.
The total church funds continue to be healthy at £76,498 (31[st] December 2024).
Income
Our total gross income for the year was £193,915. The church family giving included catch up payments withheld in 2023 due to the LLF Process , hence regular weekly giving has not increased in 2024 in actual terms.
The number of donors in our church family for 2024 is 62, compared to 69 in 2023.
Unusual income for the year was the legacy from the estate of Frank Beranek (£40,000) the Lancashire Environmental Grant received (£15,739) and the Thanksgiving Gift Day (£7,931), which was split between Church Hall redevelopment and Mission Partners.
Church Hall lettings were up by £4,912 on the previous year, with the total income at £19,976.
For anyone wishing to give to our church the church bank account details are: SORT CODE: 09-01-54, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 85941082, PAYEE NAME: ST ANDREW’S PCC.
Please note that your bank may say that the payee name does not match; you can safely ignore this warning.
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There is a new method of giving available to improve our cash flow and reduce church admin which is the Parish Giving Scheme. Please speak to Claire Beranek to use this scheme.
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Expenditure
Our gross expenditure for the year was £181,839, a 6% increase on 2023 (£171,337).
The major differences in expenditure in 2024 compared to 2023 were:
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£9,311 reduction in church major repairs (none carried out in the year);
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£8,281 increase in Church Hall Major Costs due to the renewal of the Church Hall roof and internal refurbishment of the scout room;
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£7,117 increase in Parish Share (including fees paid for 2024);
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£4,825 increase in wages due two terms of Finn as our Ministry Trainee;
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£3,695 decrease in grants to others after the 2022 hardship fund was spent in 2023;
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£2,590 increase in Council Tax due to additionally paying the Curate’s Council Tax; and
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£1,106 reduction in giving to Mission Partners (2024 Gift Day funds will be spent in 2025).
N.B. Utility bills in general will increase significantly in 2025 due to new contracts being in place.
Reserves Policy
The PCC has a Reserves Policy for the church family to hold in reserves the equivalent of three months’ general running costs. It is also our policy to hold an amount for likely building works due to the last quinquennial inspection. The present Reserves Policy is to hold £50,000 in reserves and our closing reserves were enough to cover this. The reserves policy will be re-written in 2025 to reflect the changes in running costs.
Thanks
Many thanks to Emma Sams for processing of payments, Linda Biscomb for the counting of collections, Jeff Beranek for bookkeeping and Caroline Crook for overseeing the Church Hall bookings.
Claire Beranek, Treasurer
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricte d Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Endowmen t Funds |
TOTAL 2024 |
Lastyear | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS |
||||||
| Voluntaryincome | 121,086 | 23,670 | 144,756 | 93,133 | 51,623 | |
| Fundraisingfrom sales | 477 | 0 | 477 | 1,107 | (629) | |
| Income from investments | 361 | 0 | 361 | 823 | (462) | |
| Church actvites | 31,137 | 0 | 31,137 | 23,035 | 8,102 | |
| Gif aid claimed | 17,183 | 0 | 17,183 | 15,521 | 1,662 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 170,244 | 23,670 | 0 | 193,915 | 133,619 | 60,295 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||||||
| Direct expenses/purchases | 591 | 0 | 591 | 1,239 | (648) | |
| Overheads | 136,632 | 22,493 | 159,125 | 142,663 | 16,462 | |
| Church actvites/grants | 20,891 | 0 | 20,891 | 26,175 | (5,285) | |
| Professional fees | 1,232 | 0 | 1,232 | 1,260 | (28) | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 159,346 | 22,493 | 0 | 181,839 | 171,337 | 10,502 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS |
10,899 | 1,177 | 12,076 | (37,718) | 49,794 | |
| NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
10,899 | 1,177 | 0 | 12,076 | (37,718) | 49,794 |
| TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS |
(11,755) | 11,755 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | (857) | 12,932 | 12,076 | (37,718) | 49,794 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD |
69,424 | (5,001) | 64,423 | 102,141 | (37,718) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
56,812 | 19,686 | 0 | 76,498 | 64,423 | 12,076 |
SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS
| Fund name | Brought forward |
Investment Income |
Investment Gain/(Loss) |
All Other Income |
GifAid Claimed |
Expenditure | Fund Transfers |
Carried Forward |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Fund | 69,424 | 361 | 0 | 152,700 | 17,183 | (159,346) | (11,755) | 68,567 |
| Gif Day 2023 Fund |
356 | (356) | 0 | |||||
| Lancashire Environmental |
(5,357) | 15,739 | (22,137) | 11,755 | 0 | |||
| Gif Day 2024 Fund |
0 | 7,931 | 7,931 | |||||
| Total funds | 64,423 | 361 | 0 | 176,371 | 17,183 | (181,839) | 0 | 76,498 |
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Change
2024 2023
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| £ | £ | £ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIXED ASSETS Investments |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Prepayments Deposits and Cash Bank Account |
0 19,088 0 28 62,198 |
0 15,601 16,200 43 50,547 |
0 3,487 (16,200) (14) 11,651 |
| LIABILITIES Accounts payable within 1 year NET CURRENT ASSETS/ (LIABILITIES) |
81,314 4,816 76,498 |
82,390 17,967 64,423 |
(1,076) (13,152) 12,076 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Accountspayable over 1year |
76,498 0 |
64,423 0 |
12,076 0 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted Endowment |
76,498 68,567 7,931 0 |
64,423 69,424 (5,001) 0 |
12,076 (857) 12,932 0 |
| TOTAL PARISH FUNDS | 76,498 | 64,423 | 12,076 |
SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS
| SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Name Type |
Start 2024 |
End 2024 |
Change | Notes |
| General Fund Unrestricted Gif Day 2023 Fund Restricted Gif Day 2024 Fund Restricted Lancashire Environmental Restricted |
69,424 356 0 (5,357) |
68,567 0 7,931 0 |
(857) (356) 7,931 5,357 |
General purpose fund Remaining funds spent Fund to commence spending in 2025 All LEF donatons spent |
| 64,423 | 76,498 | 12,076 |
TOTAL ASSETS
| TOTAL ASSETS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account | Start 2024 |
End 2024 |
Change | Notes |
| Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Prepayment Main Bank Account PetyCash |
(17,967) 15,601 16,200 50,547 43 |
(4,816) 19,088 0 62,198 28 |
13,152 3,487 (16,200) 11,651 (14) |
Money owed to others at end of year Money owed to PCC at end of year (inc. Gif Aid) Advance payment in 2023 for roof repairs in 2024 Santander bank account |
| 64,423 | 76,498 | 12,076 |
19
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Detailed)
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Detailed) | INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Detailed) | INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Detailed) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Last year | Change | |||||||
| N/C | Income | Funds | Funds | 2024 | |||||||
| Voluntary income | |||||||||||
| 4000 | Donaton to Bank | 74,957 | 7,475 | 82,432 | 73,368 | 9,065 | |||||
| 4002 | Envelopes & other planned giving | 4,357 | 356 | 4,714 | 4,041 | 673 | |||||
| 4003 | Loose plate collecton (Cash GASD) | 1,105 | 50 | 1,155 | 1,122 | 33 | |||||
| 4004 | Loose plate collecton (Cash Non Gif Aid) | 77 | 77 | 25 | 52 | ||||||
| 4007 | Sundry Donatons | 474 | 50 | 524 | 2,120 | (1,596) | |||||
| 4100 | Grants (from others) | 115 | 15,739 | 15,854 | 12,458 | 3,396 | |||||
| 4200 | Legacies | 40,000 | 40,000 | 0 | 40,000 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 121,086 | 23,670 | 144,756 | 93,133 | 51,623 | ||||||
| Actvites for generatng funds | |||||||||||
| 4401 | Book/CD/DVD sales (and parish magazine) | 477 | 477 | 1,107 | (629) | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 477 | 0 | 477 | 1,107 | (629) | ||||||
| Church actvites | |||||||||||
| 4600 | Fees collected for weddings and funerals | 4,002 | 4,002 | 994 | 3,008 | ||||||
| 4601 | Noah's Ark donatons | 818 | 818 | 802 | 17 | ||||||
| 4602 | Church Events | 4,736 | 4,736 | 4,781 | (45) | ||||||
| 4603 | Church hall letngs - regular | 19,193 | 19,193 | 14,302 | 4,891 | ||||||
| 4604 | Church hall letngs - casual | 783 | 783 | 762 | 21 | ||||||
| 4605 | Seniors' Lunch & Tea (donatons) | 674 | 674 | 697 | (23) | ||||||
| 4606 | Evangelistc events (donatons) | 55 | 55 | 0 | 55 | ||||||
| 4607 | XTB (donatons) | 876 | 876 | 698 | 179 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 31,137 | 0 | 31,137 | 23,035 | 8,102 | ||||||
| Income from investments | |||||||||||
| 4700 | Investment Income (Interest) | 361 | 361 | 823 | (462) | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 361.33 | 0 | 361 | 823 | (462) | ||||||
| Other income | |||||||||||
| 4801 | Tax recoverable on Gif Aid donatons | 17,183 | 17,183 | 15,521 | 1,662 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 17,183 | 0 | 17,183 | 15,521 | 1,662 | ||||||
| Gross income | 170,244 | 23,670 | 193,915 | 133,619 | 60,295 | ||||||
20
| Funds | Total | Last year | Change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/C | Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | ||
| Church actvites | ||||||
| 5000 | Grants (to others) | 593 | 593 | 4,288 | (3,695) | |
| 5203 | Other church event costs | 4,873 | 4,873 | 5,282 | (408) | |
| 5204 | Giving to missionary societes | 8,394 | 8,394 | 9,500 | (1,106) | |
| 5205 | Evangelistc events (inc. home mission) | 69 | 69 | 148 | (79) | |
| 5206 | Parish Training (externally provided) | 0 | 0 | 550 | (550) | |
| 5207 | Visitng speakers/locums | 100 | 100 | 43 | 57 | |
| 5208 | Junior Church costs | 442 | 442 | 634 | (192) | |
| 5209 | Church services expenses | 1,607 | 1,607 | 1,425 | 182 | |
| 5210 | Conferences (externally provided) | 1,169 | 1,169 | 384 | 786 | |
| 5211 | Seniors' meals costs | 851 | 851 | 802 | 50 | |
| 5212 | Noak's Ark costs | 302 | 302 | 395 | (93) | |
| 5213 | XTB costs | 1,668 | 1,668 | 1,453 | 214 | |
| 5214 | Support to school costs | 350 | 350 | 357 | (7) | |
| 5215 | PCC expenses | 113 | 113 | 103 | 10 | |
| 5216 | Flowers | 0 | 0 | 27 | (27) | |
| 5217 | Staf training/resources (internal) | 358 | 358 | 784 | (426) | |
| Sub Total: | 20,891 | 0 | 20,891 | 26,175 | (5,285) | |
| Fund Raising | ||||||
| 6100 | Fund Raising Expenses | 90 | 90 | 20 | 69 | |
| 6200 | Goods Purchased for Resale (eg books) | 501 | 501 | 1,219 | (718) | |
| Sub Total: | 591 | 0 | 591 | 1,239 | (648) | |
| Rent and rates | ||||||
| 7000 | Rent | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | |
| 7001 | Council Tax | 5,476 | 5,476 | 2,886 | 2,590 | |
| 7002 | Water Rates - Vicarage | 832 | 832 | 407 | 425 | |
| 7003 | Water Rates - Church and Hall | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,980 | (480) | |
| 7005 | Waste collecton | 193 | 193 | 28 | 165 | |
| Sub Total: | 8,011 | 0 | 8,011 | 5,310 | 2,700 | |
| Gas and electricity | ||||||
| 7105 | Electricity - Church | 763 | 763 | 793 | (30) | |
| 7106 | Electricity - Church hall | 2,550 | 2,550 | 3,213 | (663) | |
| 7107 | Gas - Church | 1,631 | 1,631 | 1,398 | 233 | |
| 7108 | Gas - Church hall | 2,685 | 2,685 | 1,814 | 871 | |
| Sub Total: | 7,629 | 0 | 7,629 | 7,218 | 411 | |
| Travelling expenses | ||||||
| 7200 | Transport/parking/travel | 690 | 690 | 633 | 57 | |
| Sub Total: | 690 | 0 | 690 | 633 | 57 | |
21
| Funds | Funds | Total | Total | Last year | Change | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/C | Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | |||||||
| Printng/Statonery/etc. | |||||||||||
| 7300 | Photocopying/Printng | 1,195 | 1,195 | 888 | 307 | ||||||
| 7302 | Ofce Statonery | 33 | 33 | 19 | 14 | ||||||
| 7303 | Books/literature to give away | 434 | 434 | 963 | (529) | ||||||
| 7304 | Music printng/licenses costs | 722 | 722 | 680 | 42 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 2,384 | 0 | 2,384 | 2,549 | (166) | ||||||
| Telephone/Computer/etc. | |||||||||||
| 7352 | Computer and Sofware | 284 | 284 | 204 | 80 | ||||||
| 7354 | Website costs | 591 | 591 | 561 | 30 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 875 | 0 | 875 | 766 | 110 | ||||||
| Maintenance | |||||||||||
| 7500 | Furniture & furnishings | 132 | 132 | 0 | 132 | ||||||
| 7501 | Church and hall cleaning | 6,718 | 6,718 | 5,974 | 744 | ||||||
| 7502 | Audio/video equipment | 1,005 | 1,005 | 791 | 214 | ||||||
| 7513 | Fire, health & safety costs | 1,840 | 1,840 | 1,037 | 803 | ||||||
| 7514 | Upkeep of churchyard | 20 | 20 | 274 | (255) | ||||||
| 7515 | Church and hall maintenance | 2,130 | 775 | 2,905 | 3,119 | (214) | |||||
| 7516 | Church major repairs | 0 | 0 | 9,311 | (9,311) | ||||||
| 7518 | Church hall major repairs | 3,790 | 21,718 | 25,508 | 17,227 | 8,281 | |||||
| Sub Total: | 15,634 | 22,493 | 38,127 | 37,732 | 395 | ||||||
| General Expenses | |||||||||||
| 7600 | Ministry parish share & fees | 71,857 | 71,857 | 64,740 | 7,117 | ||||||
| 7604 | Insurance | 6,341 | 6,341 | 6,049 | 292 | ||||||
| 7606 | Miscellaneous costs | 22 | 22 | - | 22 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 78,220 | 0 | 78,220 | 70,789 | 7,431 | ||||||
| Wages | |||||||||||
| 7803 | Visitng Organist | 465 | 465 | 65 | 400 | ||||||
| 7804 | Gross Wages - Assistant staf | 21,181 | 21,181 | 16,357 | 4,825 | ||||||
| 7805 | Sexton | 60 | 60 | 98 | (38) | ||||||
| 7808 | Employer Pension Contributons | 1,483 | 1,483 | 1,145 | 338 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 23,189 | 0 | 23,189 | 17,664 | 5,525 | ||||||
| Professional fees | |||||||||||
| 7902 | Accountancy Fees | 141 | 141 | 241 | (100) | ||||||
| 7904 | Professional Fees | 35 | 35 | 35 | 0 | ||||||
| 7909 | Audit Fees | 1,056 | 1,056 | 984 | 72 | ||||||
| Sub Total: | 1,232 | 0 | 1,232 | 1,260 | (28) | ||||||
| Gross expenditure | 159,346 | 22,493 | 181,839 | 171,337 | 10,502 | ||||||
| Net income/(expenditure): | 10,899 | 1,177 | 12,076 | (37,718) | 49,794 |
22
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Summary)
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Summary) | INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Summary) | INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Summary) | INCOME AND EXPENDITURE (Summary) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Total | Last year | Change | |||||||||
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | |||||||||
| Voluntary income | 121,086 | 23,670 | 144,756 | 93,133 | 51,623 | |||||||
| Actvites for generatng funds | 477 | 0 | 477 | 1,107 | (629) | |||||||
| Church actvites | 31,137 | 0 | 31,137 | 23,035 | 8,102 | |||||||
| Income from investments | 361 | 0 | 361 | 823 | (462) | |||||||
| Tax recoverable on Gif Aid donatons | 17,183 | 0 | 17,183 | 15,521 | 1,662 | |||||||
| Gross income | 170,244 | 23,670 | 193,915 | 133,619 | 60,295 | |||||||
| Funds | Total | Last year | Change | |||||||||
| Expenditure | Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | |||||||||
| Church actvites | 20,891 | 0 | 20,891 | 26,175 | (5,285) | |||||||
| Fund Raising | 591 | 0 | 591 | 1,239 | (648) | |||||||
| Rent and rates | 8,011 | 0 | 8,011 | 5,310 | 2,700 | |||||||
| Gas and electricity | 7,629 | 0 | 7,629 | 7,218 | 411 | |||||||
| Travelling expenses | 690 | 0 | 690 | 633 | 57 | |||||||
| Printng/Statonery/etc. | 2,384 | 0 | 2,384 | 2,549 | (166) | |||||||
| Telephone/Computer/etc. | 875 | 0 | 875 | 766 | 110 | |||||||
| Maintenance | 15,634 | 22,493 | 38,127 | 37,732 | 395 | |||||||
| General Expenses | 78,220 | 0 | 78,220 | 70,789 | 7,431 | |||||||
| Wages | 23,189 | 0 | 23,189 | 17,664 | 5,525 | |||||||
| Professional fees | 1,232 | 0 | 1,232 | 1,260 | (28) | |||||||
| Gross expenditure | 159,346 | 22,493 | 181,839 | 171,337 | 10,502 | |||||||
| Net income/(expenditure): | 10,899 | 1,177 | 12,076 | (37,718) | 49,794 |
23
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024
Basis of Financial Statements
The financial statements of St Andrew’s PCC, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1[st] January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. The charity is not required to register for Value Added Tax (VAT). Relevant payroll taxes are paid to HMRC on a monthly basis. The charity qualifies for the Employment Allowance which reduces the employer's National Insurance payments. The charity claims Gift Aid annually on qualifying donations on a receivable basis.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. The only Unrestricted fund now held by the church is the General Fund at £68,576 (as of 31[st] December 2024)
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. The one restricted fund remaining open at the end of the year was the 2024 Gift Day Fund of £7,931.
24
Incoming Resources
Voluntary income and capital sources
Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations are recognised when the income is received. This means it is received in the next financial year (2025) and is shown as accrued (expected to be received) in the accounts for 2024.
Funds received by SALT, XTB and similar groups or events are accounted for gross. Sales of books are accounted for gross.
Other income
Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is received.
Investments
Savings interest is accounted for when paid. The PCC holds no investments.
Resources used
Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. Grants received in 2024 was the Lancashire Environmental Fund grant of £15,739 towards the Church Hall roof renewal.
Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
The Parish Share is accounted for when paid.
Staffing
Two members of staff were paid from church funds: Michelle Bateman, Administrator (part-time, 25 hours a week) and Finn Sorsbie, Ministry Trainee (17 hours a week, finished 31[st] August 2024). The Vicar, James Nash, and the Curate, Phil Vautier, receive a stipends from the Church Commissioners and so the PCC only pays Council Tax and water rates for the Vicarage and Curate’s House, 65 Egerton Road. All members of staff receive expenses and have training paid for by church funds. Monthly pension contributions have been made on a payable basis to the NEST Pensions scheme on behalf of employees.
Fixed Assets
Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings
Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2)to 10(4) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated.
Other fixtures, fittings, and office equipment
Fixed assets are recognised when a resource is controlled by the charity as a result of a past event or transaction, for example a past gift or purchase; it is probable that the expected future economic benefits associated with the asset
25
will flow to the charity; and the historical cost or fair value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Individual spend will be assessed in respect of its capital nature and any repairs or replacements will not be capitalised and will be included as expenditure in the year it is incurred.
26
Current Assets
Amounts owing to the PCC at 31[st] December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable.
Short-term deposits include cash held at the main bank account with Santander.
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on Monday 24[th] February 2025
and signed on its behalf by:
(Chairman) (Treasurer)
27
Ind•pendent Examlners reportto the PCC of SL Andrw's ChuNh, Ashton-on-Ribble. Preston I report to the PCC members on my examinalion of the accounts of the charity forthe year ended 31 December 2024. This report on the finanoal statements of the PCC ft)r the year ended 31 Decem 2024, Is In respect of an examinatlon cartled out In accordance vthth the Church Accountlng Regulations 26 1.the egulations. ) and sectlon 145 of the Charities Act 2011 l.the Act" ). R•sp•ctlve responslbllltles of the PCC and th• 0X1n•T As members of the PCC you are responslble for the preparation ofthe financial statements In accordance wlth the Church Accountlng Regulatlons 2(KJ61"¢he Regulatlonsl and sectlon 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (?he Acfl. I report in respect of my examination of the charitys accounts carrled out under sectton 145 of the Art and in carrylng out my examinatlon I have followed all appllcable directions given by the Charity Commlsslon undeT sectlon 14515)Ib) of the Act. Indepondent examlnerfs statement I have completed my examinatlon. I conflrm that no materlal mattets have come to my attentlon In connectlon with the examinatlon giving me cause to bdleve that In ar)y material respect: l. Accountlng records were not kept in respect of the Trustas required bysection 130 of the A¢ or 2. The accountsdo not accord wlth those record5; or 3. The accounts do not comply wlth the applicable requlrements concernlng the fonn and content of accounts set out In the Charltles (accounts and reports) Regulailons 21J18 other than any requlrementthat the accounts glve a true and fair vlew whlch bs not a matter consldered as part of the independent examlnation. I have no concems and have come across no otr matters In connectton with the examination to whlch attentlon should be drawn In this report In order to enable a proper understsndlng of the accounts to be reached. Martln Garry IH¢)nsl, FC& IndepeThlent ExamSner Dlrector of McDade Roberts Accountants Ltd 316 BlackrA)ol Road Fulwood PRESTON PR2 3AE 28