2023-12-31-accounts - St Helen Auckland Pcc

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The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2023

Incumbent

The Revd. Canon Robert McTeer The Vicarage Manor Road St Helen Auckland Bank

Barclays Bank Business Park Bishop Auckland

Independent Examiner Mr Joseph Kellett FMAAT

S. Helen Auckland is a Society Parish under the Episcopal care of the Bishop of Beverley

REPORT OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[st ] DECEMBER 2023

S Helen’s P.C.C. has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent of the parish, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, and the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for S Helen’s Parish Church and S Helen’s Parish Centre.

Membership

Members of the P.C.C. are either ex- officio members or are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year, the following served as members of the P.C.C.

Incumbent: The Rev’d Canon Robert McTeer (Chairman) Curate The Rev’d Edward Gunn Churchwardens: Mr. John Bake Mrs Anne Skillcorn Lay Chairman: Mr John Bake Deanery Synod Representatives: Mrs Anne Skillcorn Miss Vannessa Pearson Miss Marion Curtis Elected Members: Mrs Pat Bake Miss Claire Bake Miss Marjorie Brodie Mr Robin Brown Mrs Margaret Clark Mrs Pat Elloitt Miss Marion Curtis Mrs Dianne Chew Mrs Kay Richardson Mr Paul Riding Mr Ian Skillcorn Miss Alyson Smith

P.C.C. Treasurer: Mrs Pat Bake ACMA MAAT. P.C.C. Secretary: Mrs Emma Gunn

Church Wardens and members of the Deanery Synod are ex-officio members of the PCC

Constitution

The constitution is that of the Constitution of the Church of England, which may be found in “A Handbook for Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors” Mowbray ISBN 0-26467411-1

Committees

The P.C.C. operates through a Standing Committee, which can meet between full meetings of the P.C.C. It is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the P.C.C. between its meetings, subject to any direction given by the Church Council.

Electoral Roll

The Electoral Roll was fully in accordance with church representation rules which states the roll has to be fully revised every six years. The current role consists of 125 persons.

Review of the Work of the P.C.C.

The Parochial Church Council has met four times this year. Gareth Gladman stepped down as PCC secretary and Emma Gunn was elected during the 23.5.22 PCC meeting. Many thanks for all Gareth’s hard work and dedication shown during his time as PCC secretary.

The work of the PCC has mainly centred around the roof issues this year. This has included reading through the Quinquennial Inspection, and a report from the Quantity Surveyor which detailed the costing for the repair work. From this a ‘roof committee; was formed to discuss funding, grants and projects that would allow us to apply for lottery heritage grants as well as other grants. The roof committee have met a further 3 times and have decided on a project that will hopefully satisfy the heritage requirements of the lottery grant. It was approved by the PCC to employ the architect to complete the grant process to ensure we stand the best chance of receiving the money. The proposals for the work have been sent to Diocesan Advisory Committee for a faculty approval but at the last PCC meeting (9.1.23) we had no update about this.

Further areas included in PCC meetings this year have included:

Safeguarding - Diane Chew gives regular updates on safeguarding which have included the online portal, DBS updates and safeguarding training renewal.
The Parish Centre - we have received several grants (£20,000 from Believe housing, £4,000 for the emergency doors) Which has allowed improvements to be carried out including 4 windows being added, new emergency doors and shower cubicles being turned into storage. Further grants are going to need to be sourced to ensure the centre is maintained specifically for guttering, painting, floors and outdoor paving.
Children and Youth Work - Gareth Gladman, the youth and community worker, has reported on how the main groups he runs are going including Jolly Tots and Busy Bees..

Emma Gunn Secretary to the PCC, Auckland St Helen

Deanery Synod Report

Treasurer’s Report

The year ended with a cash loss of £4k but considering we repaid the final instalment of the Leech loan we in fact broke even on our current accounts. We paid our quota to the Diocese of £30k ( a £2k increase on 2022) Youth and Community work expenses were lower than in 2022 as the employed Community and

Youth Worker reduced his hours at the end of Q2 and left before the year end thus making a saving. All other costs are in line with previous years.

Planned giving was slightly up and we will have a major appeal in Lent 2024 to try and increase this. Hall lettings were slightly down with the departure of LCBC and Wednesday Slimming World but these have now been replaced with a Saturday morning Slimming Group. The number of Church Funerals continues to fall as in line with other Churches. We received a grant of £2500.00 from the PCP/NHS to start a craft/chat club and due to the Community Worker leaving this will not commence until February 2024. Pat Bake Treasurer

Youth and Community Report

The last couple of years has seen most of the significant work focus around the Parish Centre, and what we can offer in the way of Mission to people in these uncertain economic times, and with the cost of living crisis.

Following a very generous grant from the Housing Association, Believe, we have improved our storage facilities, replaced much of the tired play equipment and created a new sensory space in the old Parish Office. This last has meant that what we offer in the Centre twice a week is more attractive to carers with very young children, and has provided a play space for children with additional needs away from the hubbub of the main hall.

The Tuesday Jolly Tots, and Thursday Busy Bees groups remain popular with both groups receiving a free hot lunch and numbers over 50 at each session.

Fr Edward and Emma Gunn ran a youth group called ‘Ark Youth’ which has grown in the space of three months to include up to 15 teenagers, with others expressing an interest to come. They enjoy activities such as bowling and learning circus skills! From this group (who are not all Church kids) a group of eight attended the week long ‘Youth Pilgrimage’ at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk in August. The young people did an amazing job of helping to fundraise for this!

Fr Edward was also chaplain to Bishop Auckland ATC and visited once per month until he left the parish in December 2023. The Air Training Corps also attended church a couple of times per year.

Safeguarding

Mrs. Dianne Chew is our parish safeguarding office. All those involved in children’s work or working with vulnerable adults are DBS checked and a role of the names is maintained. Safeguarding training took place for all officers, PCC members and some members of the congregation in 2020 and training is due once again in 2023. Our policies are displayed with contact numbers on the church and centre notice board web site and face book page Safeguarding is on each PCC Agenda.

The Report of the Fabric and Ornaments of the Church

The building is well looked after and major works have been completed over the last 20 years including a major restoration of the church, including a new floor, under floor heating, damp protection, new pews and other associated works, the organ has been restored and added to. The church has had a full rewire and new lighting scheme with external floodlighting. Two new entrance doors with glass installed along with stonework repairs to the porch. The vestry has been completely refitted including a new access staircase. A new extension including a toilet and meeting room was completed in 2018 after 10 years of planning and fundraising. Minor repairs are undertaken as and when necessary.

The church is cleaned each week along with brass, silver and linen. The Guild of S. Martha’s team work hard every week to keep the church in first class order.

The roof and drains are cleared twice a year, the boilers services, organ tuned, and fire extinguishers serviced. All electrical and gas certificates are up to date

Work has been completed to upgrade the outdoor floodlights. The Alarms system has been upgraded.

The under floor heating is in constant use during the winter months, enabling background heat to the building all day to help preserve the fabric of the building and create a warm environment for daily worship.

The Ark extension built during 2018 it is now in full use most days for a variety of events for the local community.

The Quinquennial inspection was undertaken on 8th March 2021 and was received on 18th November 2021. The report highlights some issue with re-pointing stonework, the chancel roof, and chancel coping stones. A facility has now been granted for the total work which needs to be carried out in the QI at an estimated cost of £370,762 and we will be approaching charities and trusts for grants during 2023 and beyond.

Additions to the ornaments of the church during 2023

No additions to the fabric were made this year

Works to the Church during 2023

Soak-away drains cleared, drain pipes and roof gullies checked January and November.
Fire extinguishers checked and serviced.
Roof alarm system serviced.
Gas boilers repaired and serviced and gas certificate issue.
The external lights at ground level which are now obsolete were replaced with energy saving fittings
Organ tuned twice during the year.
The church is heated through the week from October to April by the under-floor system to protect the fabric of the building and the organ.
Church doors treated with Osmo oil.
Boiler repaired in the Ark.
The Ark alarm repaired.
New Alarm fitted into church

Pastoral review

The main pastoral work in a normal year at of S. Helen’s includes:

 Daily Mass and offices.

The needy, sick, dying and bereaved were visited at home or in the hospital by the Vicar, curate and Eucharistic Ministers.
Members of the parish received home visits and the housebound received communion at home
Growing Durham Adult Learning group v i s i t e d church and members of the congregation joined the group for coffee or tea.
A full programme of social events was held enjoyed during the year.
Parish pilgrimage to Walsingham each year. Some members of the parish attend the National Pilgrimage late May bank holiday.
A weekly Lent lunch is held in aid of a charity
Fr McTeer and members of the church serve the wider church by attending; Deanery Synod, Forward in Faith Chapter, Society of the Holy Cross chapters, Forward in Faith National Assembly and attended various Patronal Festivals around the diocese. The Vicar also serves as a Trustee to Durham Historic Churches Trust and Local Vicar of the Society of the Holy Cross.
Fr McTeer retired from the Governing Body of Copeland Road School. He stood down from St Helen’s School during 2022 after 25 years of service. . Fr Edward was a governor of Oakley Cross School until December 2023. School work along with assemblies accounts for quite a large proportion of clergy time. Durham County Council presented Fr. McTeer with a Long Service Award for over 25 years of service as school governor.
Members of the congregation are involved in many social and community activities within the parish including fostering of children, school governors, visiting the sick, providing transport for the elderly, providing meals for the lonely on Christmas Day, W.I. meetings, helping with Sunday School and youth work.
The parish maintains its own website, Facebook page and weekly notice sheet. More information is now sent electronically.
We meet for coffee and cake on Sunday and Wednesday after Mass in the new extension.
Quiz night each month.
Computer skill classes for all age groups.

Provision for young people

Jolly Tots pre-school meet weekly with lunch provided.
Busy Bees preschool meet weekly with lunch provided.
Messy Church meets once per month.
The parish provide Beavers, Cub and Scout Groups.
Copeland Road, Oakley Cross and S. Helen’s school visited on a regular basis for assemblies and church visits.
School services and visits of children for course work take place in the church.
Fr McTeer is Vice President of Bishop Auckland District Scouts.
Around 6-8 children attend Sunday Club which runs in the Ark during the first half of the parish mass
Two children are members of our junior choir.
Our serving team has ten members of mixed age including four children under 10 and two teenagers
A monthly teenage group of 15 meet once per month in the Ark or for nights out.
We have six young servers under 13 year of age and two teenagers along with three adults.

The Ark

Weekly Coffee and open church.
Community lunch on Wednesday.
Monthly quiz nights.
Silver surfers.
Local history club.
Coffee after services.
Craft afternoon once per month
Choir practice.
Funeral and baptism teas.

Parish statistics for 2022

The Worshipping community including Messy Church is 123 consisting of

Children 26
Young people (11-17) 10.
Adults (18-69) 40
Adults (over 70) 45.
Baptisms 23.
Weddings 0
Funerals 20 conducted through the ministry of S. Helen’s.
Easter attendance was 120 school service attendances.
Christmas attendance 523 ( which includes schools services).
Average Sunday attendance in 2023 54 Adults and 8 Children making an average Parish Mass attendance of 60.
Average weekly communions including weekday masses in 2023 were 110.
Wednesday Mass 2023 Mass has an average attendance of 30 with other weekdays from 3 to 9 depending on the day.
Monthly attendance at Messy Church of 12-20 people in 2023.
Jolly tot average attendance is 45-up to up to 60 school holidays as siblings join for the session
Busy bees average attendance is 40 up to 55 school holidays as siblings join for the session

The Parish Centre

A Health and Safety Policy has been agreed and a Fire Policy is in place. A Policy for the Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults is in place.

Works to the centre in 2023

Windows were installed via a grant for the parish centre main hall and lounge area achieving natural light into the building.

Other work included:

Gas boilers serviced
Fire extinguished serviced
Windows installed
Guttering around the building renewed
painted as a community project by Trades4care. Grants are being applied for the repair guttering at a cost of £11,000.
Paths repaired in entrance

 Raised garden installed

Centre users:

Jolly Tots
Busy Bees
Scout, beaver and cub groups
Guide group
Slimming World
Church social events
Children’s birthday parties
Funeral and baptism teas
Community events

The centre is well used a excellent facility for the parish and community

The Vicarage

The Quinquennial Inspection took place in October 2021 by the diocesan surveyor, It was reported, “The property is particularly well maintained and cared for and has no apparent structural defects”.

The size of the vicarage along with no double glazing means it is a struggle for the incumbent to heat it adequately with very large heating bills to heat a selection of rooms to 15 degrees for part of the day. A wood burner helps heat the main reception room during the evening.

The gardens continued to be well maintained with the help of a gardener who works two hours per week.

Works to the Vicarage

No works were carried out to the vicarage during the past year

Conclusion

Part way through 2023 we started to feel that normal worship attendance and social events had reverted to pre-pandemic levels. We were only closed when ordered to do so and remained open while many other parishes closed. This is reflected in our bounce back.

We celebrated the coronation in May 2023 of HM King Charles III

Some patterns of attendance have changed from Sunday to weekdays. Some people are simply out of the habit of coming to church at all, some are less regular and some have found other things to do on Sundays. However, we have an increase of new people worshipping with us.

Fr Edward our curate left the parish in December to take up the appointment of Shine Priest at Walsingham

Mr. Gareth Gladman our Youth and Community Worker left the parish to be ordained deacon and now serves at Tudhoe and Bowburn.

Fr Peter Anderton carried on as Associate Priest and is a great help to the parish.

One of the great strengths of S. Helen’s is the large number of people taking on responsibility and doing some work or service in the parish. A lot of people doing something small achieves great results. I am extremely grateful for this sharing of responsibility, commitment and collaboration of so many to the parish and our service and mission.

The improvement of our choral tradition is still a major objective. We will continue to work to become a centre of excellence in worship, prayer and service to our community and the wider church. This in itself can lead to growth. Our Director of Music, Mrs. Joan Johnson is outstanding in her commitment to the music of the parish.

It is interesting that young people and young adults and children seem to be attracted to traditional teaching, ceremonial, prayer, worship and music. As a parish we will continue to remain faithful to the catholic faith and practice that comes to us from the apostles and of which the Church of England is part, working and praying for the re-union of the Church of God, celebrating the Mass and offices each day, trying to order our lives to the teaching of our Lord in Holy Scripture, proclaiming the word of God, building up our faith, baptising our children, caring for the sick and the poor, providing for our young people, serving those in need, burying the dead, caring for the bereaved and proclaiming Christ crucified, died and risen.

We are committed to worshipping God, teaching and nurturing our people, serving our community in Christian love and joy, with a passion for mission and conversion using the Sacraments of the Church and Holy Scriptures, confident that

THE MASS IS THE GREATEST ACT OF MISSION OF THE CHURCH

and the ability of the Mass and good worship to build the discipleship of the congregation and convert people to the Christian faith and a living relationship with Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A number of our people are members of the “Save Parish Church Movement”. The traditional parish system is by far the best way to stop the decline of the Church of England. We are committed to simply being the Parish Church in West Auckland, St Helen Auckland and Tindale Crescent. To celebrate the Mass and daily offices which deepens our discipleship and inspires us to go out and serve our community and bring more people to experience the life changing love of God.

This is my last report before retirement after 29 years in the parish. I would like to thank all past and present PCC members, wardens and congregation, (that is the people of S. Helen’s who attend and who contribute time, talent and money) and the local community for 29 years of happy ministry in this community and church. We have achieved a great deal in that period and the restoration and extension to the church, the rebuilding of the organ and the purchase of the Parish Centre being the major projects of many.

The parish is in a good place, finances are sound and the PCC and congregation are commited to growing the parish, serving God and the community.

Our mission is to love, serve and worship Our Lord Jesus Christ

To God be the Glory

The Reverend Canon Robert McTeer SSC Vicar and PCC Chairman 15[th] March 2024

		A	C	D	E	F	G
1		S. Helen Auckland PCC Current Account
2		ACCOUNTS 2023
3
4	Income		£		£
5			2023		2022
6	PLANNED	GIVING	23882		21471
7	Tax recove	rd	14966		10803
8	ALMS		3771		3011
9	Christmas	Appeal			0
10	CHARITIE	S	375		1432
11	Tea and C	offee	2021		1065
12	PCC Fees		1584		1860
13	Diocesan	Fees	2593		2696
14	Organist a	nd Verger	2205		1910
15	FUND RAI	SING	12012		13874
16	Ark Youth		91
17	Lamps				544
18	Organ Fun	d			100
19	Heat and Light		2590		3140
20	Roof Fund				410
21	Ark Rent		1120		1090
22	Donations		567		1200
23			67777		64606
24	Donations / Grants
25	Snowdon Trust Youth Work		10000		10000
26	PCP NHS Craft Club		2500		0
27	Lord Crewe				100
28	Millbank Sale				0
29	Grants- Youth Worker		9667		6667
30	Grants - Tesco				0
31	Farm Rent
32	Messychurch - deanery				300
33	Believe				19000
34	Warm Space				1000
35	Church Comm H/L				4590
36	Scotto				5200
37	North East churches - covid				0
38	Transfers from Trust
39	VAT Refund		0		0
40			22167		46857
41
42	Curates House Rent		3709		3375
43	Walsingham		358		0
44	Receipts for the year		94012		114838
45	Expenditure
46	QUOTA		30000		28000
47	Wm Leech Loan Repay		5000		5000
48	Roof Restoration				17072
49	Administration		3164		3442
50	Other church repairs		925		0
51	CHARITIES		940		1836
52	Messy Church				65
53	DBF Fees		2593		2696
54	FUND RAISING EXPENSES		2244		2451
55	MAINTENANCE/Insurance		9434		10548
56	Heat and Light		4985		4801
57	Heat and Light Vicarage		600
58	Cost of Service		4885		3419	£249.53
59	STATIONERY		686		1210
60	Walsingham Deposit c/f		0		200
61	Youth Worker		9314		13195
62	Youth Work Provision and Costs		3564		6564
63	Youth Work Scotto		2727		352
64	Support Costs- Lay workers and organi		4714		4191
65	Believe		4793		12416
66	Clergy Exp		7451		6635	£6,250.00
67	Curates House Maint/Insurance				0
68	West 60				0
69	Ordination				991
70
71	Total Expenditure		98018		125084
72
73	Net receipts		-4007	0	-10246
74
75	Bank Balances b/f		36797		47042
76						bank statements	£20,679.70
77	Bank Balance c/f		32790		36797		£9,287.58
78							£29,967.28
79						To Clear	£2,822.48
80	RESTRICTED						£32,789.76
81	Millbank Sale		20000
82	Youth Work		8764
83	Scotto		2121
84	Wm Leach Balance		0
85	Believe		1791
86			30885
87
88	Unrestricted Balance		1905
89
90
91
92
93
94
95

Page 1

St Helen Auckland Parish Centre

ACCOUNTS 2023

2022 416 2241 1644 1800 272 48 1059 1700 9180 3000 12180	2022 416 2241 1644 1800 272 48 1059 1700 9180 3000 12180	2022
		416 2241 1644 1800 272 48 1059 1700 9180
224 2480 5091 403 525 1625 540 10888
-1708 8501 9793 41
	8501
	9793
	41

Page 2

Nicholson Trust Account 1 (held by the Diocese)

	2023	2022		2023	2022
Opening Balance	2308	2308	Quota-transfer to dioces	0	0
			Closing Bal	2308	2308
	2308	2308		2308	2308

The money in these accounts can only under the terms of the trust be available for the upkeep of the fabric of the Parish Church

of S Helen Auckland only and it is at the discretion of the incumbent and church wardens

	2023	2022		2023	2022
Opening Balance	35500	31285	Withdrawn	0	0
Property Fund	75000	75000
Nicholson Trust
100 Club	0	0
Interest	4998	4215
			Closing Bal	40498	35500
			Property fund	75000	75000
	115498	110500		115498	110500

The money in these accounts can only under the terms of the trust be available for the upkeep of the fabric of the Parish Church of S Helen Auckland only and it is at the discretion of the incumbent and church wardens The property fund shares were valued at 70397.26 (73839.26) as at 31.12.23(31.12.22)

Page 3

S. Helen Auckland PCC Receipts and Payment Account	2023
Receipts	Unrestricted Funds	Organ/Kibi Parish Centre Fund Walsingham Restricted	Nicholson Trust Restricted	Total	Funds	La	st Year
Voluntary Income
Planned Giving	23882				23882		21471
Income Tax recovered	14966				14966		10803
Alms	3771				3771		3011
Donations/Charities	942	0			942		2632
Heat and Light Appeal		2590			2590		3140
Receipts from Church Activities					0
PCC Fees	1584				1584		1860
Diocesan Fees	0	0			0		0
Lamps	0				0		544
Hall/Ark Lettings	10885				10885		13271
Organ Fund		0					100
Roof Fund		0					410
Activities for generating funds					0		0
Fund Raising	12012	2021			14033		14939
Curate's House Rent		3709	0		3709		3375
Nicholson Trust Interest 2			4998		4998		4215
sub total	68043	8320	4998		81361		79771
Non-recurring receipts
Snowdon Youth Work Trust	0	10000			10000		10000
Millbank Sale		0	0		0		0
PCP NHS		2500			2500		0
Lord Crewe		0			0		100
DCMS VAT Refund		0			0		0
Scotto Food JollyTots		0			0		5200
DeaneryMessychurch		0			0		300
Warm Spaces	0				0		1000
Church Com H/L	0	0			0		4590
North East Churches	0				0		0
Grants Youth Worker		9667			9667		6667
Grants Gaunless Gateway	0				0		0
Believe		0			0		19000
Farm Rent	0	0			0		0
Total Receipts	68043	30487	4998		103528		126628
Payments					0
Quota	30000		0		30000		28000
Administration	3164				3164		3442
Roof Fund		0			0		17072
MessyChurch		0			0		65
Charities	940	0			940		1836
Church Repairs	925	0			925		0
Fund raising	2244	0			2244		3027
Maintenance/Insurance	9434	0			9434		10548
Youth Worker Exp	0	3564			3564		6564
Youth Worker	0	9314			9314		13195
Youth Work scotto		2727			2727		352
Believe		4793			4793		12416
Parish Centre	11158				11158		10889
Heat and Light	4985				4985		4801
Heat and Light Subsidy	600				600
Cost of Services	4885				4885		3419
Support Costs	2509				2509		2281
ClergyExp	7451				7451		6635
Ordination	0	0			0		990
stationery	686				686		1210
Walsingham	0	-358			-358		200
Wm Leech Loan repayments		5000			5000		5000
Total Payments	78982	25039	0		104021		131942
Net receipts/payments	-10939	5449	4998		-493		-5314
Transfers between funds	10000	-10000	0		0
Cash funds lastyear	6892	39739	37808		84439		89753
							0
Cash funds this year end	5953	35188	42806		83946		84439
	Total	Actual PCC Funds	Unrestricted Funds	Restri Funds	cted	N	icholson Trust

Cash Funds
Parish Current		1905			10205
Restricted Deposit Acc					20680
Centre Current			8349
CCLA Investment					0		40498
CCLA Investment Diocese							2308
Total cash funds	83945	1905	8349		30885		42806
Restricted funds under the Nicholson Trus	t are as per the te	rms of the legacy u	nder the control	of
the Vicar and Churchwardens and not und	er the jurisdiction	of the PCC but hav	e been included i	n
these accounts for clarity purposes only.
This trust money is available for the upkee	p of the fabric of t	he Parish Church o	f S.Helen Auckla	nd only
Investment Assets stated at cost
Nicholson Trust PropertyPool Share	s						75000
Curates House							155000