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- - Priest in Charge Report

2022

It is amazing how much work and activity has taken place during 2022 across our church communities, and we were able to move forwards from the Covid19 pandemic. There are too many thanks to offer, and many are conveyed in the various papers in this APCM pack, but I would like to thank Loraine and Mike, Churchwardens, for all of their hard work keeping the church fabric and church services running and to the Standing Committee for their help. I am also very grateful for all members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for their contributions throughout the year. Many of our meetings have been challenging, and sometimes heated, because the issues that we have had to face – finances, Parish Share and aging buildings – as well as the ever present but exciting area of Mission in the age of declining church congregations – has evoked passions and heart felt feelings. None of us ever get everything right, and that includes me, but in 2022 we were able to expand into new areas further – Breakfast Time, Pastoral Friends and the continuing evolution of the Friends of the Parish of Birchington – and a myriad of other initiatives in our local church communities which has shown something of God to those who we have met and served which ought to offer us hope as we move forwards in times of uncertainty.

Worship

We continued to offer varied types of worship during 2022 from the more traditional Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Holy Communion service to All Age and Family Worship.

I would like to thank Peter, Sue, David, John, Margaret, Loraine, Mike, Angela and Paul for their support. Margaret became a Reader PTO in October 2022 and celebrated 25 years of Readership and we thanked John Hawkins for his Authorised Lay Ministry in June following his decision to retire. It was a joy to authorise our Pastoral Friends as they were commissioned in the summer. I would like to thank Tim and Chris for playing the organ for us and to the choir. Thanks to Loraine for organising the rotas and to all those people who have read to us from the Bible and offered intercessions. Many thanks to all those who have served tea and coffee and cake after services and displayed hospitality to others. And thank you to the bellringers at All Saints for their uplifting ringing as we are ‘called’ to worship, and to all the sides people who welcome our congregations into church.

Young people are the church’s future and as we strive to develop a children and young people’s missional strategy I would like to extend my thanks to Junior Church and to Tessa, Sara, Sue, Deirdre, Abi and Charlotte for all that they bring and offer the children who attend. Because of rota commitments

on Sundays I have only been able to attend once so far and went the Sunday before Mothering Sunday when we spent time together making cards and colouring them. It was an enjoyable experience and the children were fully engaged in the activities of Junior Church.

Mission

Good progress has been made in delivering our Mission Plan, particularly with the new initiatives that I have mentioned above. The Mission Plan and delivery against its objectives will be a recurring agenda item for future PCC meetings.

Friends of the Parish of Birchington

Under the chairmanship of David Sheekey, this group has made gradual progress despite the challenges that we face and has held several events. I would like to extend my thanks to David and all of the members of this subcommittee.

Seamarsh Group

Good and close collaboration between the Seamarsh Group began in 2021 but in 2022, planning work halted. However, the Deanery are keen for this Group to move forward and further work will begin during late 2023.

Finance

The Parish does not have financial resilience and is often vulnerable. The Parish continued to face significant financial pressures in 2022 (see 2022 accounts). It was very pleasing to see that we achieved to pay 90% of our quota for 2022. Many thanks to all for their generosity and support.

2023 and beyond

In April 2021, the PCC began some work on looking at the future shape of the Parish in the context of declining congregations, aging infrastructure and significant financial pressures. Over several years, the Parish has struggled meeting its Parish Share commitments, which was exacerbated by the pandemic, and from 2020 it has accrued significant arrears owed to the Diocese of Canterbury. These arrears coupled with the backlog maintenance and repairs from the Quinquennial Reports, maintaining two church halls and funding day-to-day running costs led to the PCC resolving in March 2023 to close St Mildred and St Thomas Churches and to reorder All Saints Church. Although the PCC approved a resolution for closures, a consultation process will be undertaken before final decisions are made. At the time of writing this Report, discussions are planned with the Diocese to agree a timetable and to confirm the detail of the consultation process.

Rev Mark Ham, Priest-in-Charge. 17[th] May 2023

Churchwardens’ Report

2022 was a busy year as we pushed forward in trying to get quotes for the quinquennial repairs. This has been extremely difficult as the companies we have approached have too much work on and because prices are soaring for materials, they were not prepared to provide quotes that were fixed for longer than a month in some cases.

This large number of repairs and huge costs are due to no quinquennial repairs undertaken from the last three inspections over the last fifteen years.

Of course, there has been other works needed on our five buildings during 2022. At St Thomas Church – the lead on the flat roof had been forced which has now been resealed, an asbestos inspection was carried out, and fortunately, only found in one small area of the church; a piece of ceiling panelling needed refixing and attention was given to the front door so that it would shut and lock.

Kearns Hall has been identified as requiring redecoration and new flooring. Community Payback have said that they will do this decoration and weeding of the gardens. The lock on the front door has been repaired, a new tap has replaced a faulty one in the kitchen and a window surround in the accessibility toilet made sound. The Scripture Union Mission team took over the hall during the first two weeks of the schools' summer holiday.

St Mildred’s church had a stained glass window replaced under our insurance policy after a fencing panel broke the glass and fitting. We only had to pay the excess on this claim.

All Saints Church had some lead resealed on the roof, as someone had lifted it, over the steps up to the bell tower, a stone was noticed to have slipped in the arch of the south door which has since been fixed.

The churchyard has been opened up over 2022 by the gardening volunteers and the group who have taken on the care for the war graves and along with TDC care and spring cutback looks very tidy and attractive. The drainage system around All Saints Church was cleared of the leaves, mud and rubbish by community payback.

The PCC agreed to allow Auger Stone markers to be placed on the interment plots in the Garden of Remembrance. Roberts of Ramsgate will be our provider of these markers and will undertake the placement of the stones.

We put in faculties for the church yard railings to be rubbed down and repainted (by Community Payback), retrospectively for the bird boxes that were placed in trees in Rev Witts’ time with us (agreed by the Diocese) The Nave Altar (awaiting a final response), and the refurbishment of the notice boards ( two have already been completed and the others due now). The organ was augmented following donations from Kath Porteus and Tim Attride in memory of Chris Porteus and Tim’s parents and a service of dedication was held.

Church House walls have dried out after the water got in from the flat roofs which have now been replaced, although there are leaks, letting in rain, that come in through the pointing with wear dependant on the direction of the wind. A secondhand fridge freezer was donated to us to store the Breakfast Time food in which is kept in the Committee Room.

Across the Parish in January 2022, we arranged for the portable electrical equipment to be PAT tested, the ovens were cleaned professionally and our heating systems in All Saints, Church House, St Thomas Church and Kearns Hall were inspected by CS Heating as part of our maintenance policy with them. We had one call out to Kearns Hall and one to Church House during the year.

I know that this report covers 2022 but it would be remiss of us if we do not thank some people for some of the work that they have done in the parish this year as well as last year – Tim and his team Mike Little and David Sheekey) who have replaced the lights with LED ones in All Saints. The change has transformed the lighting of the building. Tim has also put up two additional security lights outside Church House, improved the lighting and emergency lighting in Church House, sorted out the lighting issues in Kearns Hall and is about to do likewise in St Thomas Church.

Mick and his team for the porch and walls on the outside of CH and for decorating the Committee Room (Bob Dean, Terry Porter and Marion) – next stop the office. And at St Thomas where Eddie did so much work last year to keep the outside of the church looking smart with painting and planting pots. Paul Seymour has got a list of repairs that he is going to carry out during the Spring at St Mildreds.

Loraine Bant and Mike Little

Churchwardens

Safeguarding Report

During 2022 four safeguarding issues were reported to the PSO. Four of these were kept under review by the Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) and Priest-in-Charge and one was reported to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer (DSO). This safeguarding issue, in the opinion of the DSO required no further action.

Loraine Bant

Parish Safeguarding Officer

Birchington CEP School and Church Links.

Our village Church Primary School continues to flourish as do the links that we as a church have with the school. At the end of the school year Foundation Governor, Chris Hedges, retired as a Governor. He had been a Vice Chair of Governors for a number of years and the link Governor for Mathematics, Art and Music. The PCC thanked him for his long service as a Foundation Governor. We were quick to find a replacement in Tina Seymour, but processing her application took time and she did not attend a meeting until 2023. Rev Mark is our ex officio Governor, as Priest-inCharge and Loraine Bant is another Foundation Governor.

Our links have strengthened and developed since Rev Mark has been with us. In 2022, there was a weekly prayer group for staff and one started for the pupils too. Collective Worship was led weekly (with differing year groups) by the Foundation Governors using the school’s Christian values as the theme. Loraine led a weekly Messy Church Club, each term having a different year group.

Breakfast Time has gone from strength to strength, and we often fed over forty people at our weekday sessions. We are very lucky that the Birchington Evening WI support this – and two members run Tuesday mornings. In October we started a ‘Hotspot’ for families from the school – the school obtained a grant from the Chrispe Charity - which paid for games and refreshments for five months. This allowed families to come on route home for a warm supper, tea/coffee and biscuits on arrival and a safe place for families to play together or the children to play together whilst the adults socialised. Members of staff supported this venture and Loraine and Mark cooked the supper. We also welcomed members of the community to support the activity. We regularly fed thirty five people.

The Intergenerational Club based at St Thomas’ Church also has been successful – a small group of our congregations meet with a small group of children alternate weeks during term time and the session is always filled with chattering and laughter as an activity is completed. We thank people from the church, local community and WI who have supported our events.

The school have decorated our church at Pentecost and Harvest with their artwork, poems and prayers. Lucy Green, the music lead at the school has brought the choir to sing at a 10.30am All Age Worship service and at Christmas organised a recording of the choir singing Silent Night for our Facebook page which the congregations voted as their favourite from the nominated carols suggested by Lucy.

Rev. Mark and Loraine have judged a number of competitions including one for the best the Easter Garden and Easter Bonnet.

Rev. Mark has supported staff occasionally during times of personal great anxiety over the year.

The school is well on its way for their next SIAMS inspection – the criteria has changed dramatically since the last inspection and the three Foundation Governors are going to be well briefed before that occurs.

The Foundation Governors

All Saint’s Committee

Although the pandemic still had an impact in 2022, the All Saints committee was able to meet three times (April, August and November). There was a frank discussion at the April meeting on the role and remit of this committee, following which it was agreed unanimously that it served a useful role as a mechanism for that church and its parishioners to raise issues, concerns and suggestions with Mark and the PCC

I would like to acknowledge the good work by the churchwardens in looking after the fabric of both All Saints and Church House. The current system works effectively with minor repairs and improvements being actioned with approval from them or the PCC as appropriate. Full details of these are contained in the committee reports but I’d particularly like to flag the excellent work by Tim Attride and Mike Little in replacing the lights in the church, the tidying up of the church vestry, and the painting and repairs done in Church House by Mick Ransley, Bob Dean and Terry Porter with help from others. The appropriate use of Community Payback is also acknowledged, not least in clearing the car park drains. The area around church house has been kept tidy with regular ‘working parties arranged’

The committee kept All Saints open on Saturday mornings in 2022 from 1000 to 1200 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the volunteer team. Although visitor numbers are generally small, it provides a welcome opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer as wqell as making the church accessible to those interested in our architectural heritage

The committee continued to organise social events during the year. Quizzes were run by Doug in July and Michael in November, both of which were well attended and brought opportunities for outreach and fellowship as well as raising much-needed funds.

The balances of the accounts associated with All Saints as at 31.12.22 are as follows:

All Saints account	£1902.56
Church House fund	£4113,56
All Saints Restoration Fund	£767.84
Quex Fund	£887.30

Full details of all expendtures and income to these funds are contained in the 2022 parish accounts

Dave Alker (10.05.23) Dave.alker@btinternet.com or 01843 845783/07962 929700

Men’s Supper Club

Men’s Supper Club meetings were held in 2022 but again were affected by the pandemic, particularly at the start of the year. Three meetings were held in Church House – Fish & Chip suppers in January, May and November – as well as the now traditional BBQ at the Quex Bell Tower in July. Membership at 1[st] January 2022 was 28 with funds of £38.00 carried over from the previous year

Membership of Men’s Supper Club declined gradually through 2022 with members increasingly unable or unwilling to cater. At year end membership was only 20 and it was decided to disband the group. The closing balance of £77.00 was transferred to parish funds on 23[rd] November 2022. It is hoped that a men’s fellowship BBQ will be held at the Quex Bell Tower in July 2023 to continue that tradition

18.04.23

Dave Alker

St Thomas & Kearns Hall Report

Spurgeons held a reunion in Kearns Hall on 18[th] June
On St Thomas Day, 3[rd] July, a service of Songs of Praise was followed by Tea
Scripture Union held their annual mission in Kearns Hall from 21[st] July to 6[th] August
A Commemoration Service for HRH Queen Elizabeth II was held on 11[th] September
Margaret Hawkins celebrated 25 years as a Reader on 23[rd] October.
A service of Evensong was held on 29[th] October to mark the 90[th] anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone of St Thomas Church by the Brothers of Birchington Masonic Lodge. Members of the congregation were joined by a party from the Lodge.
Sarah-Jane & Andrew were married in St Thomas on 3[rd] December and held their reception in Kearns Hall
The Nativity Scene was erected on the front lawn with the help of members of the Isle of Thanet Sunrise Rotary Club.
The Christmas Tree Festival from 10[th] – 17[th] December was a great success bringing in a large number of participants from the local community.
The Joint Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Thanet held the annual Carol Service on 16[th] December. Well over 100 people from the local community attended the service which was followed by refreshments.
The St Thomas Church Carol Service was held on 18[th] December
The late Chris Emmorey bequeathed a set of Russian Icons to St Thomas Church in her will. A decision is pending concerning the sale or display of the icons.
After many years of dedicated service, Pam Boulton stood down from the St Thomas Committee, which expressed their huge gratitude for her hard work.
Jan White presented a set of beautifully embroidered Purifiers to St Thomas.
After many years of dedicated service, Jenny Fuller will shortly be moving to Faversham and will then stand down from the St Thomas Committee. Her huge contribution to the life of St Thomas Church will be greatly missed.

Chris Hedges, Assistant Churchwarden – Report submitted 15[th] April 2023.

St Mildred’s Report

The St Mildred’s Committee met again on 2[nd] August 2022 and has now met several times. It has discussed matters regarding the church fabric, including heating, church services, fundraising and the cleaning and upkeep of the church.

I would like to thank all those on the Committee for their commitment.

Paul Seymour

Junior Church

Junior Church returned to in-person meetings in 2022. It was good to see the children back and our numbers rose to 15 on the books with some new members. They generally didn’t all come on the same day but we had a good turn out on a regular basis.

We continued using the ‘Roots’ books to follow the same lectionary as the church.

The children loved the Pantomime outing at the beginning of the year, performed by the Birchington Guild of Players as usual.

Christmas was a great with the children taking an active part in the Churches together Advent service at the Village Centre. They also helped making the Christingles on Christmas Eve

Unfortunately, Tessa was unable to attend as much as she would like but still kept a close eye on our activities. The children ask after her on a regular basis.

Thank you to Sue for her help and support every week. Also, thank you to Charlotte, Abi and Deirdre for stepping in when needed.

Sara Gower

Pastoral Friends

The initial training for the Pastoral Friends has now been completed and Rev. Mark commissioned them at the Pentecost Service at St Thomas Church. We meet regularly for updates on what each member is involved with, and we have identified further training for the group, particularly in the areas of dementia and loneliness.

A group from the Pastoral Friends organise the twice monthly drop in coffee mornings in Church House – held on the 2[nd] and 4th Tuesday of the month. The Pastoral Friend lunches have also been well received and at our final lunch in the year – December 2022 - we enjoyed a Christmas meal together, Santa Claus visited with presents for all and Chris Hedges entertained the diners with some singalong carols and well known Christmas songs.

A small donation can be given at either the coffee mornings or lunches which means that the Pastoral Friends can provide lunches and cakes and biscuits from the donations made.

It is good to see that from these events Kath Porteus and Wendy Warner have formed a games afternoon with some of the people who attend the coffee mornings and lunches.

Some of the Pastoral Friends provide lifts to events and church, act as “church buddies” or are visiting members of our church community in their homes with some providing Home Communion.

It is planned to establish a prayer “What’s App” facility.

The Pastoral Friends

Communications

During 2022 a weekly newsletter was introduced with service type, church and times, Bible readings and the Collects for the next seven days. A prayer list was also included as well as information about forthcoming baptisms, marriages and funerals. Forthcoming events for the diary, and other information about the Parish are also regular features. The newsletter is available in paper form every Sunday at church services and is posted on Facebook, the Parish Website and is displayed in our church noticeboards.

Our Facebook page is still operative and is used to post information and messages of encouragement.

The noticeboards that were outside the churchyard walls were renovated and updated at All Saints and the other boards within or attached to the church walls as well as the board at St Thomas were temporarily fixed to block out information that was out of date.

In response to the publication of PCC minutes, the PCC agreed that within ten days of a PCC meeting draft minutes would be sent to the PCC members, and a summary of those minutes posted in a file in all three of our churches for the congregations to read. Signed copies of the PCC meeting would be posted after the meeting at which the minutes are signed and again placed in the files at the back of the churches.

The Priest-in-Charge and the Churchwardens have committed to meeting regularly with representatives from the Epple Hill Allotments (every two months) and also with the volunteer co-ordinator of the group who are tending some of the graves in All Saints Churchyard and its flower beds.

Articles are placed in the Parish magazine to communicate work that is ongoing in the Parish by the Priest-in-Charge or other individuals. Thank you to Tessa and Bob Hinge for their unstinting work in editing and producing the Parish Magazine.

The Parish Website is ongoing and many thanks to Chris Hedges for its upkeep.

The Priest-in-Charge is available most of the drop in coffee mornings on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in Church House and his contact details are on the notice boards, on the newsletter and in the Parish magazine along with other key members of the PCC.

Communications is more of an art than a science and we do not always get it right. Please let me know how communications can be improved if you have any views or ideas.

Rev Mark Ham, Priest-in-Charge. 18[th] May 2023.

Friends of the Parish of Birchington

2022 finally allowed events to go ahead without the threat of cancellation because of Covid restrictions. Events during the year for the Friends of the Parish of Birchington included a Friends' breakfast in March, a guided to of the Churchyard given by Tim Maakestad in April, an Organ Concert given by Tim Attride in May. There was a Friends' Barbecue given in the Vicarage garden in July. In September, Peter Russell gave an illustrated history of the church of All Saints. We finished the year with a much enjoyed informal singalong of Christmas music, timed to coincide with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Square. The FoPB has accrued £1,800 from its fundraising activities in 2022.

Organisation of Friends' events relies on the efforts of a small committee. To be more successful, the committee would very much welcome active participants who believe that they can broaden the range and scale of events and be involved in helping making these possible.

Going forward, it is the intention to gain charitable status for the Friends making them on independent organisation.

David Sheekey, Chair.

Choir, Organ and Bellringing Report

Choir and Organ

As reported last year, we have suffered with numbers since returning after the pandemic. However, we are maintaining music during the Communion almost every week and sang again at the ecumenical Good Friday service. With some augmentation, we had a very well-received Lessons & Carols service, so hopefully we can continue this tradition – especially with the candles lighting the church.

The augmentation work on the organ seems to have been very successful and has certainly made the organ more flexible for both hymn accompaniment and for incidental music / voluntaries etc. Last year’s recitals were very well received and I can confirm that Alessandro is returning later this year for another performance. There is one very minor issue outstanding (a temperature sensor to allow the digital stops to tune automatically), but this is in hand.

I remain very grateful to Chris Hedges for his work at St Thomas and am enjoying my monthly visits to play at St Mildred’s since Lynda retired.

Bell-ringing

Since last April, we have continued to ring almost every week for the morning service – even when this took place in St Thomas. We have again tried to involve the village, ringing for many birthdays and anniversaries – even naming some new methods after local residents – as well as for some particularly significant events, both sad and happy. We rang and named “Seventy Glorious Years” and “The Longest Reign” for the late Queen Elizabeth and, more recently, “Vivat Rex Carolus” for the coronation of King Charles III. We have now named over 100 methods never rung before. For the tenth time in twelve years, Birchington was the leading tower for Quarter Peals.

’ – Treasurer s Report 2022 Approved Accounts, Sybella Petley Fund and Parish Fundraising.

Our balance sheet is looking less healthy in 2022 with our endowment investments value reducing by just over £100,000. However, there was an increase in 2021 of just over £100,000. Consequently we are back to the end of 2020 in our value!

This year’s Charity Commission loan repayment of £3,000 was paid. The balance of the loan account stands at £35,606. The balance needs to get £52,000 to be cleared by 2030.

We received a grant of £4,000 from Kent County Council via Councillor Linda Wright for work on the roof at Church House and we have written to her expressing our gratitude. This funding was used for further work needed on the roof.

I am pleased to report that the Parish was able to pay £68,000 of our Parish Share this year. We used £48,000 from general funds and £20,000 from the Church Lands interest funds to cover this commitment. There was a shortfall of £7,476 for this year. There are further arrears of £63,329 from previous years.

The St Mildred’s Fund is showing a minus at the end of the year; this is due to an insurance claim for work on one of the church windows; we were reimbursed by our insurance company at the beginning of 2023.

Monies from the Sybella Petley Fund (Acol Churchyard – used for the poor of the Parish) were allocated to the Foodbank, Birchington CEP School and King Ethelbert’s School.

The insurance figure has increased greatly as we changed to a monthly direct debit in 2020 to assist in our financial planning. It has returned to our usual figure of approximately £9,000.

Planned Giving reduced with some of our Parishioners no longer being with us; however, collections have increased now that churches have reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rent received this year is less than last year due to invoices being sent out later than normal.

Also, the magazine did not cover its costs due to invoices for magazine adverts going out in January 2023 instead of December as usual. Both will look better in 2023.

Church hall running costs have increased with both halls returning to full use.

Fundraising this year included the 100 Club, recycling, quiz evenings, craft fair, book sale, cream teas, BBQ at The Vicarage, Ride and Stride, Table Top sales and organ recitals to name just a few.

2023 will be a challenging time but we must put our trust in God to help us through.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the finances from giving up their time and their monies.

Sara Gower

Treasurer

PCC Report

The PCC met on four occasions between January 2022 and December 2022. It was planned to hold five meetings during the year but the one scheduled for September 2022 was cancelled because the Priest-in-Charge was suffering from Covid.

Attendances were as follows throughout 2022:

12[th] January: 22

23[rd] March: 15

29[th] June: 18

23[rd] November: 18

Each meeting included the Priest-in-Charge, Churchwardens’ and Treasurer’s Reports, individual church reports as well as Safeguarding, Birchington Primary School, Deanery and Diocesan Synod Reports.

The main topics also covered in those meetings were:

Finance/parish share/the future shape of the Parish/churchyard matters/allotments/Breakfast Time/endowments/organ augmentation/Anna Chaplaincy/fundraising/ Authorised Lay Ministry/Code of conduct/Quinquennial Reports/communications and reporting PCC decisions to our church communities/local church committees and their terms of reference and the Parish Giving Scheme.

Tim Attride

PCC Secretary

Deanery Synod Report

The following Synods were held in 2022 which considered the following:

24[th] March: Discussion led by the Archdeacon of Maidstone on

“Living Generously” followed by group work.

23[rd] June: Rural Chaplaincy.

29[th] September: Diocesan Roadshow on its strategy and financial position.

Rev Mark Ham and Loraine Bant

Diocesan Synod Report

The following Synods were held in 2022 which considered the following:

12[th] March: Communities and partnerships; missional learning communities; finances; reports from General Synod and generosity.

13[th] July: Zoom meeting on financial planning and Parish Share for 2023.

19[th] November: Lambeth Conference reflections; the environment and Eco church; safeguarding and the legal responsibilities of the PCC and cost of living issues.

Rev Mark Ham and Loraine Bant

ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICERS REPORT.

A.P.C.M. SUNDAY, 28th May, 2023

The total number of parishioners recorded on the Electoral Roll as of last year’s APCM on 15[th] May, 2022 was 166.

Since then 3 names have been removed due to death.

However, 7 names have been added. This gives a total of 170 parishioners recorded on the Electoral Roll as of today’s A.P.C.M.,

Geoff Pegg.

Electoral Roll Officer.

The Parochial Church Counci of

The Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints Birchington with St Mildred Acol and St Thomas Minnis Ba (Charity Commission Registration Number : 1163660)

Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Year ended 31 December 2022

Contents	Page
Trustees Annual Report	1 to 4
Treasurer's Report	5
Independent Examiner's Report	6
Statement of Financial Activities	7
Balance Sheet	8
Notes to the Financial Statements	9 to 13

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022 Reference and Administration Details

Charity name The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish Birchington with St Mildred Acol and St Thomas Minnis B Other name Birchington PCC Registered Charity Number 1163660 Principal address The Parish Office, Church House, Kent Gardens BIRCHINGTON, Kent CT7 9RS

Trustees who manage the charity

The Reverend Mark Ham Vicar and Chairman Loraine Bant Churchwarden Michael Little Churchwarden Sara Gower Treasurer David Alker Edwin Doody to 15 May 2022 Lily Doody to 15 May 2022 Margaret Hawkins to 23 Nov 2022 Christopher Hedges Hazel Hedges Tessa Hinge Douglas Holmes Maureen Hudson from 15 May 2022 Neville Hudson Maria Longdon Michael Longdon Timothy Maakestad Geoffrey Pegg Janette Porter from 15 May 2022 Kathleen Porteous to 15 May 2022 Michael Ransley Paul Seymour Bernard Taylor from 15 May 2022 Barry Smith Janet White to 15 May 2022

Secretary Timothy Attride

Page 1

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022

Names and addresses of advisors

Bankers

HSBC

Westwood Cross Shopping Centre 26 Margate Road, Broadstairs CT10 2BF

Investment Managers

Independent examiner

CCLA

Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET Andrew Webster FCA DChA 48 St Martin's Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1PP

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document Issued by the Church of England and adopted

How the charity is constituted

A formerly excepted charity as a Church of En

Trustee selection methods

Trustees elected for a three year period by th Church who are entered on the Electoral Roll.

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the objects of the charity

The PCC's charitable objects ('Promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission o church') are primarily focussed on the advancement of religion, which is recognised as purpose having public benefit. All regular public worship is provided free of charge and In addition the PCC's further activities as listed below also have public benefit

Page 2 Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022

Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects

Provision of public worship in the parish church of All Saints Birchington and churches of St Mildred Acol and St Thomas Minnis Bay
The provision of sacred spaces for personal prayer and contemplation
The provision of pastoral work, including the visiting of the sick and bereave
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups
The promotion of the whole mission of the Church through the provision of a senior citizens, parents and toddlers and other special needs groups.
The support of other charities in the UK and overseas.

Policy on Reserves

The PCC aims to follow the advice of the Charity Commission in this respect but at the m is having concerns in connection with paying the annual Parish Share to the Diocese.

Funds materially in deficit

No fund of the charity is in deficit.

Accounting responsibilities of the trustees

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give fair view of the state of affairs of the association and of the income and expenditure of for that period. In preparing these accounts the trustees

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently:
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent:
Follow applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures explained in the accounts
Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to that the charity will continue its operations

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) R 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence fo reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and other irregularities.

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Page 3

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022

Approval

This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf

The Reverend Mark P Ham Vicar and Chairman

Page 4

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Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Treasurer's Report - year ended 31 December 2022

Our balance sheet is looking less healthy this year with our endowment investments value reducing by just over £100,000. However, there was an increase in 2021 of just over £100,0 Consequently we are back to the end of 2020 in our value!

This year's Charity Commission loan repayment of £3,000 was paid. The balance of the loan account stands at £35,606. The balance needs to get to £52,000 to be cleared by 2030.

We received a grant of £4,000 from Kent County Council, via Councillor Wright, for work on the roof at Church House. This was used for further work needed on the roof.

I am pleased to report that were able to pay £68,000 of our Parish Share this year. We used £48,000 from general funds and £20,000 from the Church Lands interest funds to cover thes monies. There was a shortfall of £7,476 for this year. There is a further arrears of £63,329 fr previous years.

The St Mildred's monies are showing a minus at the end of the year. This is due to an insura claim for work on the window - we were reimbursed by our insurance company at the beginning of 2023.

Monies from the Sybella Petley fund (Acol Churchyard) were given out again to the Food Ban Birchington Church of England Primary School and King Ethelbert's School for the poor of the parish.

The insurance figure has gone up greatly this year as we changed to a monthly direct debit 2020, to help with our financial planning. It has returned to our usual figure of approximately £9,000.

Planned giving reduced with some of our Parishioners no longer being with us. However, collections have increased now that churches have reopened after the Covid pandemic.

The rent received this year is less than last year due to invoices being sent out later than no Also, the magazine looked as though it did not cover itself - this is also due to magazine adv invoices going out in January 2023 instead of December as usual. They will both look better 2023

Church hall running costs have increased with both halls returning to full use.

Fundraising this year included the 100 club, recycling, quiz evenings, craft fair, book sale, cr teas, BBQ at the vicarage, Ride and Stride, table top sales and organ recitals to name just a

Looking ahead to 2023 will continue to be a challenging time for us all but we must put our trust in God to help us through.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with the finances from their giving of time and their monies.

Sara Gower

Page 5

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Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Parochial Chu Council of All Saints Birchington

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 Dece out on pages 7 to 13

This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters to state to them in a Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone o as a body, for my work or for this report.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Exa

As trustees of the charity the members of the PCC are responsible for the pr financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Ac

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out un of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the appl given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have c attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believ material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 o
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concern and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair a matter considered as part of an independent examination

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

A G Webster FCA, DChA, FRSA 48 St Martin's Hill CANTERBURY CT1 1PP

Page 6

urch

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nder section 145 licable Directions

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of the Charities Act;

ning the form Regulations r' view which is not

th the examination understanding

Page 6

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2022

		Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment
Note		Funds	Funds	Funds
		£	£	£
Incoming Resources	2
Voluntary income:
Incoming resources from donors		60,482	9,327
Other voluntary incoming resources
Activities for generating funds:		36,272	2,466
Receipts from Church Activities		1,662	-
Other ordinary income resources:		502	5,117
Income from investments:		1,622	21,246	453
Total Incoming Resources		100,540	38,156	453
Resources Expended	3
Costs of generating funds:
Fund-raising and publicity		829	625
Charitable activities:
Grants made		4,372	4,285
Direct ministry expenditure		48,180	20,000
Church running expenses		25,033	2,002
Salaries and support costs		3,758	-
Church hall running costs		9,538	-
Administration		8,656	2,625
Major works		-	12,854
Total Resources Used		100,366	42,391
Net Incoming/(Outgoing)
Resources Before Transfers		174	(4,235)	453
Repayment of endowment				3,000
Decrease in value of investments				(100,493)
Net Movement in Funds		174	(4,235)	(97,040)
Balances at 1 January 2022		1,967	49,927	879,904
Balances at 31 December 2022		2,141	45,692	782,864

Page 7

Total 2022 £ 69,809 38,738 1,662 5,619 23,321 139,149 1,454 8,657 68,180 27,035 3,758 9,538 11,281 12,854 142,757 (3,608) 3,000 (100,493) (101,101) 931,798 830,697	Total 2021 £ 66,566 19,283 3,981 861 22,469
	113,160
	896 5,653 65,000 14,755 3,260 6,036 7,867 17,216
	120,683
	(7,523) 3,000 106,096
	101,573 830,225
	931,798

Page 7

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2022

		Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment
	Note	Funds	Funds	Funds
		£	£	£
Fixed Assets
Investment assets
CBF				746,131
COIF				1,127
		-	-	747,258
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash in hand			66
Current Account		1,911
Savings Account			40,790
CBF deposits		230	4,836	35,606
Net Current Assets		2,141	45,692	35,606
Net Assets	£	2,141	45,692	782,864
Funds
Unrestricted
General Fund		1,911
Capital Reserve		230		39,243
		2,141	-	39,243
Restricted
Church Lands	4		1,000	708,775
Emma Simmons			536	1,127
Acol Churchyard Fund(SP)			1,459	24,132
Education Trust			1,841	9,587
Other restricted funds			40,856
			45,692	743,621
Total Funds	£	2,141	45,692	782,864
Approved by the Parochial Church	Council on	2023 and signed on its behal

The Reverend Mark P Ham Vicar and Chairman

Page 8

Total 2022 £ 746,131 1,127 747,258 66 1,911 40,790 40,672 83,439 830,697 1,911 39,473 41,384 709,775 1,663 25,591 11,428 40,856 789,313 830,697	Total 2021 £ 846,476 1,275
	847,751
	201 1,935 41,768 40,143
	84,047
	931,798
	1,935 45,304
	47,239
	796,082 1,787 32,037 12,684 41,969
	884,559
	931,798

f by:

Page 8

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

1 Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Ac Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restric regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affi another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income and capital resources

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when t is recognised.

Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as and when the PCC is notifie entitlement and can identify the amount due.

Funds raised by events are accounted for gross

Sales of magazines from the church are accounted for gross.

Other ordinary income

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the renta

Resources expended

Activities directly relating to the work of the church

The diocesan quota or parish share is accounted for when payable. During the ended 31 December 2022 £68,000 was paid against an amount requested of £ Over the last four years a total of £70,805 has been underpaid to the Diocese a the amounts requested. No provision has been made for this amount in these a in accordance with advice received from Diocesan House.

Investments

Stock exchange investments are included at the mid market value on the date Sheet. The three areas of land have not been included on the Balance Sheet as regarded to be of little or no commercial value.

Page 9

ccounting

ctions f the PCC. responsible in ffiliation to

the income i ed of its legal al is due.

year £75,476. against accounts

of the Balance s they are

Page 9

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

2 Incoming Resources

Incoming Resources
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment
	Funds	Funds	Funds
	£	£	£
Incoming Resources from Donors
Planned Giving	32,841
Collections	8,011
Collections for charities	4,372
Income Tax Recovered	10,935
Donations & Legacies	4,323	9,327
	60,482	9,327
Activities for Generating Funds
Fundraising activities	4,292	2,466
Magazine	777
Church Hall Lettings	31,203
	36,272	2,466
Receipts from Church Activities
Fees	1,662
Miscellaneous
Insurance claims	-
Furlough payments received
Grant from KCC		4,000
Sundry income	502	1,117
	502	5,117
Investment Income
Interest - Bank savings account		84
CBF Funds	1,198	21,162	453
Rent from land	424
	1,622	21,246	453
Total Receipts	100,540	38,156	453

Page 10

Total 2022 £ 32,841 8,011 4,372 10,935 13,650 69,809 6,758 777 31,203 38,738 1,662 - 4,000 1,619 5,619 84 22,813 424 23,321 139,149	Total 2021 £ 34,392 5,470 1,339 8,950 16,415
	66,566
	4,912 1,150 13,221
	19,283
	3,981
	- 861
	861
	4 21,537 928
	22,469
	113,160

Page 10

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington Notes to the Financial Statements 3 Resources Used

for the year ended 31 Decemb

Fund Raising Event Costs Fund raising expenses Magazines Donations (Grants) Charitable giving Direct Ministry Expenditure Parish Share Clergy working expenses Church Running Expenses Upkeep of services Gas, Electric & Water Insurance Security costs Repairs & Maintenance Salaries & Support Costs Church hall running costs Administration Printing & Stationery Miscellaneous Bank Charges Independent Examiner Loan repayment Major Works Organ All SS Notice Boards All SS Canopy CH Hse Asbestos survey St T Window repairs (ins) St M Legilium Quinquennial exps Heating repairs CH New roof New Altar Tree work St M Total Payments	Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 37 625 792
	829 625
	4,372 4,285
	48,000 20,000 180
	48,180 20,000
	5,377 7,441 9,321 24 2,870 2,002
	25,033 2,002
	3,758
	9,538
	4,431 593 2,616 232 9 400 3,000
	8,656 2,625
	7,500 590 575 649 3,540
	- 12,854
	100,366 42,391

Page 11

ber 2022

Total 2022 £ 662 792 1,454 8,657 68,000 180 68,180 5,377 7,441 9,321 24 4,872 27,035 3,758 9,538 4,431 3,209 241 400 3,000 11,281 7,500 590 575 649 3540 12,854 142,757	Total 2021 £ 176 720
	896
	5,653
	65,000 -
	65,000
	4,131 5,386 3,050 2,188
	14,755
	3,260
	6,036
	3,898 569 400 3,000
	7,867
	450 2,636 2,416 10,140 554 1,020
	17,216
	120,683

Page 11

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Movements on restricted funds

Church Lands Emma Simmons Acol Churchyard (SP) Education Trust 100 Club Junior Church All Saints AS Restoration fund Church House Quex Chapel St Thomas St Mildred's New Toilet Fund Messy Church Church Wardens Fund Vicar's Discretionary Fund Toddlers Group Music Fund Breakfast Time Pastoral Friends Friends of Parish Churches Together	Balance Monies Monies Transfers 1.1.2022 In Out £ £ £ £ 944 20,056 (20,000) 512 24 4,684 775 (4,000) 1,818 308 (285) 504 (504) 315 330 (269) 1,505 1,204 (806) 768 2,098 4,017 (2,001) 687 200 27,207 585 (1,009) 2,960 24 (3,610) 58 351 381 752 200 (305) 106 3,680 4,549 (7,500) 401 3,204 (1,538) - 286 - 1,963 (124) 196 431 (440)
	49,927 38,156 (42,391) -

Page 12

Balance 31.12.2022 £ 1,000 536 1,459 1,841 - 376 1,903 768 4,114 887 26,783 (626) 58 351 381 647 106 729 2,067 286 1,839 187 45,692

Page 12

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Details of Restricted Accounts

Church Lands

The Capital is invested in an investment fund which is not available to the Paris is paid into our account. This income is to be used for the maintenance of the P and any residue can be used for repairing and beautifying the churches of Acol Bay. Any remaining balance my be used in the furthering of the religious and o charitable work of the Church of England in the ecclesiastical parish.

Emma Simmons

It's purpose is to benefit the poor/elderly of Acol and grants can be made to ind

Acol Churchyard (Sybella Petley)

The capital is invested in an investment fund which is not available to the Paris is paid into our account and can be distributed to the deserving poor in the par Christmas.

Education Trust

The Capital is invested in an investment fund which is not available to the Paris is paid into this account for educational purposes in the parish

SAVINGS ACCOUNT

All Saints Fund

These monies are from various legacies and fund raising over the years. A subs was received from 'The Friends of All Saints' in 2009. These funds are to be use

St Mildred's Fund

These funds are to be used for the upkeep of St Mildred's.

St Thomas Funds

These funds have been raised from legacies, gift days and fundraising and are for the upkeep of St Thomas Church and Kearns Hall.

Details of land owned by the PCC

The PCC own four pieces of land

The land on which the Acol village hall stands. Ground rent is charged at £200 per the lease dated 18 March 2013 organised by the Diocese.

The Allotments at St James Terrace, Birchington. Land registry title number K9 Piece of land off Canterbury Road, Birchington. Land registry title number K983 Piece of land off Canterbury Road, Birchington. Land registry title number K983

These pieces of land have been looked at by the Diocese and are regarded to h commercial value at the present time.

*Diocese have put in planning application - on this piece of land

Page 13

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Page 13

The Parochial Church Counci of

The Ecclesiastical Parish of All Saints Birchington with St Mildred Acol and St Thomas Minnis Ba (Charity Commission Registration Number : 1163660)

Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2022

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Year ended 31 December 2022

Contents	Page
Trustees Annual Report	1 to 4
Treasurer's Report	5
Independent Examiner's Report	6
Statement of Financial Activities	7
Balance Sheet	8
Notes to the Financial Statements	9 to 13

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022 Reference and Administration Details

Trustees who manage the charity

Secretary Timothy Attride

Page 1

Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022

Names and addresses of advisors

Bankers

HSBC

Westwood Cross Shopping Centre 26 Margate Road, Broadstairs CT10 2BF

Investment Managers

Independent examiner

CCLA

Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4ET Andrew Webster FCA DChA 48 St Martin's Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1PP

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document Issued by the Church of England and adopted

How the charity is constituted

A formerly excepted charity as a Church of En

Trustee selection methods

Trustees elected for a three year period by th Church who are entered on the Electoral Roll.

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the objects of the charity

Page 2 Parochial Church Council of All Saints, Birchington

Trustees' Annual Report year ended 31 December 2022

Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects

Provision of public worship in the parish church of All Saints Birchington and churches of St Mildred Acol and St Thomas Minnis Bay
The provision of sacred spaces for personal prayer and contemplation
The provision of pastoral work, including the visiting of the sick and bereave
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups
The promotion of the whole mission of the Church through the provision of a senior citizens, parents and toddlers and other special needs groups.
The support of other charities in the UK and overseas.

Policy on Reserves

The PCC aims to follow the advice of the Charity Commission in this respect but at the m is having concerns in connection with paying the annual Parish Share to the Diocese.

Funds materially in deficit

No fund of the charity is in deficit.

Accounting responsibilities of the trustees

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently:
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent:
Follow applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures explained in the accounts
Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to that the charity will continue its operations