2024-12-31-accounts

The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31st December 2024

Incumbent Vacancy

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 2024

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: Vacant Churchwardens: Mr. John Bake Mrs. Anne Skillcorn Lay Chairman: Mr. John Bake Deanery Synod Representatives: Miss Marion Curtis Mrs. Anne Skillcorn Miss Vannessa Pearson Elected Members: Mrs Pat Bake Miss Claire Bake Miss Marjorie Brodie Miss Marion Curtis Mrs Dianne Chew Mr Robin Brown Mrs Kay Richardson Mr Ian Skillcorn Miss Alyson Smith Mrs Pat Elliott Mrs Margaret Clark Mr Paul Riding

P.C.C. Treasurer: Mrs. Pat Bake ACMA MAAT. P.C.C. Secretary: Miss Vannessa Pearson

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

1

Constitution

The constitution is that of the Constitution of the Church of England, which can be found in “A Handbook for Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors” Mowbray ISBN 0-264-67411-1.

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 and a full review has taken place this year. The current role consists of 103 persons.

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

The Parochial Church Council has met six times this year. Vannessa Pearson was elected during the May PCC meeting as Secretary.

The work of the PCC has centred around the vacancy and the completion of the Vacancy Audit Report for the Diocese.

The Bronze Award for Eco Church has been achieved, and we are currently working on obtaining Silver.

For the time being the roof has had to be put on a back burner until the post of Vicar is filled.

Further areas included in PCC meetings this year have included:

• Safeguarding – Dianne Chew gives regular updates on safeguarding which have included the online portal, DBS updates and safeguarding training renewal.

• The Parish Centre – The guttering and roof repairs have been completed at the Centre and the Centre painted throughout.

• Children and Youth Work – Busy Bees and Jolly Tots continue to thrive lead by a small but very enthusiastic band, many, many thanks to those who help in any way.

• Welcoming spaces was resurrected for the winter months meeting in the Centre on a Monday afternoon.

Vannessa Pearson

Secretary to the PCC, Auckland St Helen

Deanery Synod Report

Our three members of synod have attended the deanery meetings and have reported back any relevant information to the PCC- guest speakers included Eco Church, Diocesan Mission Officer, Parish Giving, caring for a world. Deanery Mission Grants are available for any new projects £500.

Treasurer’s Report

Planned giving was down on the previous year mainly due to regular givers either passing away or moving out of the area and this resulted in our tax claim also being reduced. Funerals, and weddings were financially about the same but there was an increase in general alms giving.

The number of funerals, baptisms, and weddings has continued to decline. Fund raising was down on previous years but has shown a marked increase so far for 2025.

We did well with Grants for the Youth Work and the Parish centre which has meant that both the parish centre and youth work are currently self supporting.

The quota was paid in full.

Overall total cash funds increased in 2024 due to;

• a. Just over £3k being obtained in farm rent which covered the last 3 years

• b. A grant of £15k being obtained to refurbish the Centre Kitchen

Although the cash funds are £14k higher than last years closing - £15k is ring fenced for the kitchen.

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 places for all officers, 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 Diocese have created dashboards by which they communicate any safeguarding issues to the Parishes and this goes to the Churchwardens as well as the Parish Safe Guarding Officer

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.

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 church has under gone an inspection by the Fire Brigade and we were given a clean bill of health.

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 faculty has now been granted for the total work which needs to be carried out at an estimated cost of £370,762.

Additions to the ornaments of the church during 2024

No additions to the fabric were made this year.

Works to the Church during 2024

• Soak-away drains cleared, drainp i p e s 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 in March 2022 is now completed.

• 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.

Pastoral review

As we have been in interregnum for nearly all of 2024 pastoral work has been limited but we have still managed the following

• Growing Durham Adult Learning group v i s i t e d Jolly Tots and Welcoming Spaces.

• A full programme of social events was held enjoyed during the year.

• Parish pilgrimage to Walsingham in August. Some members of the parish attend the National Pilgrimage during the late May bank holiday.

• A weekly Lent lunch was held in aid of a charity

• Members of the church serve the wider church by attending, Deanery Synod, and Patronal Festivals around the diocese.

• Members of the congregation are involved in many social and community activities within the parish including 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.

• We meet for coffee and cake on Sunday and Wednesday after Mass in the Ark.

• Quiz night each month.

• Computer skill classes for all age groups.

• Warm spaces were opened in the Parish Centre.

• 4 young members of the congregation are preparing for Confirmation.

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.

• Sunday Club which runs in the Ark during the first half of the Parish Mass

• Our choir continues to be strong and is a great support to the Mass.

• Our serving team has ten members of mixed age including four children under 12.

• Two teenagers are members of the Choir.

The Ark

• Weekly Coffee and open church.

• Monthly quiz nights.

• Silver surfers.

• Local history club.

• Coffee after services.

• Choir practice.

• Funeral and baptism teas.

• ABRSM music exams.

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 2024

The guttering and down-comers have been fully replaced.

Other work included:

• Gas boilers serviced.

• Fire extinguished serviced.

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 an excellent facility for the parish and community.

The Vicarage

The vicarage has been sold STC and a new vicarage purchased by the Diocese.

Works to the Vicarage

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

Conclusion

We hope that 2025 will see us able to appoint a new Vicar and to move forward fulfilling our Mission Statement -

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

John Bake - PCC Chairman March 2025

S. Helen Auckland PCC Receipts and Payment Account	S. Helen Auckland PCC Receipts and Payment Account	2024
Receipts
VoluntaryIncome
Planned Giving		21936
Income Tax recovered		12827
Alms		2465
Donations/Charities		1703
Heat and Light Appeal
Receipts from Church Activities
PCC Fees		1427
Diocesan Fees		1042
Hall/Ark Lettings		10295
Roof Fund
Activities forgeneratingfunds
Fund Raising		9281
Curate's House Rent
Nicholson Trust Interest 2
sub total		60976
Non-recurringreceipts
Snowdon Youth Work Trust		0
DCC - Warm spaces
PCP NHS
DCC -JollyTots
SirJames Knott-Jersey-Kitchen
Walsingham- Bus
StJohn of God- children Walsingham
Warm Spaces		0
Church Com H/L		0
North East Churches		0
Grants Youth Worker
Grants Gaunless Gateway		0
Believe
Farm Rent		0
Total Receipts		60976
Payments
Quota		30000
Administration		2484
Roof Fund
MessyChurch
Charities		1201
Church Repairs		0
Centre Repairs
Fund raising		2380
Maintenance/Insurance		9813
Youth Worker Exp		0

Youth Worker	0
Youth Work scotto
Believe
Parish Centre	12055
Heat and Light	4113
Heat and Light Subsidy	300
Cost of Services	3096
Vicarage Exp	400
Support Costs	5031
ClergyExp	1900
stationery	754
Walsingham	2420
Wm Leech Loan repayments
Total Payments	75947
Net receipts/payments	-14971
Transfers between funds	10000
Cash funds lastyear	5953
Cash funds thisyear end	982
	Total
Cash Funds
Parish Current-barclays
Restricted Deposit Acc-barclay
Centre Current
CCLA Investment
CCLA Investment Diocese
Total cash funds	94346
Restricted funds under the Nicholson	Trust are asper the
the Vicar and Churchwardens and no	t under thejurisdicti
these accounts for clarity purposes o	nly.
This trust moneyis available for the	upkeepof the fabric
Investment Assets stated at cost
Nicholson Trust PropertyPool Shares
Curates House

Designated	Designated	Nicholson Trust Restricted	Nicholson Trust Restricted	Total Funds	Total Funds
					21936
					12827
					2465
	0				1703
	2998				2998
					0
					1427
	0				1042
					10295
	1484				1484
					0
	2504				11785
	3973		0		3973
			6114		6114
	10960		6114		78050
	0				0
	5500		0		5500
	0				0
	1000				1000
	15000				15000
	1170				1170
	1250				1250
					0
	0				0
					0
	0				0
					0
	500				500
	3850				3850
	39230		6114		106320
					0
			0		30000
					2484
	0				0
	0				0
	0				1201
	0				0
	10400				10400
	0				2380
	0				9813
	6600				6600

		0
2473		2473
0		0
		12055
		4113
		300
		3096
		400
		5031
		1900
		754
500		2920
0		0
19973	0	95920
19257	6114	10400
-10000		0
35188	42806	83946
44445	48920	94346
Actual	Unrestricted	Restricted
PCC Funds	Funds	Funds
8143		20000
11483		0
	5800
		0
19626	5800	20000
terms of the legacyunder the control of
on of the PCC but have been included in
of the Parish Church of S.Helen Auckland only

Last Year 23882 14966 3771 942 2590 1584 0 10885 0 0 14033 3709 6114 82476 10000 0 2500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9667 0 0 0 104643 30000 3164 0 0 940 925 2244 9434 3564

9314 2727 4793 11158 4985 600 4885 2509 7451 686 -358 5000 104021 Nicholson Trust 46612 2308 48920 75000 155000

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Sectlon A Independent Examine￿5 Report R8POrt to the trusteesl members of AocVI.,J p6 On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any} I Ila.7aLS. Set out on page3 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust-) for the year ended 3 1 1131 a L+ Responsibllitles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of Ihe account5 in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. S have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib} of the Aot. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matter5 have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with th8 examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: accounting records were not kept In accordance wilh section IJU ot the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have com8 across no othèr matter5 in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reachgd. Please delele the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 29-Ll-2S Name: OICPM ¢LLLETT Relevant professlonal quallfFcatlon(s) or body {rf any): frm A*f. Address: 19 ILEefvSftTrJcM ILoA- bHS IER October 2018