The Ross Parishes Ross~on-Wye I Walford l Brampton Abbotts rossparishes,uk Iwiriw fAitk, hope & THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON-WYE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1163776 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN. ROSS-ON-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 Reports and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 CONTENTS Pa eNo. Annual Report Independent Examiner's Certificate Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 10-17 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS4)N-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the year ending 31 December 2020 Aim and purposes St Mary's Parochial Church Council (PCC) had the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, The Reverend Sean Semple, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC also has the responsibility for the maintenance and development of the church building and St Mary's Church Hall. Objectives and activities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Mary's. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and Scripture, music and sacrament. When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable parishioners to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: Worship and prayer; leaming about the gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish Mission and outreach work. To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church of St Mary's and St Mary's Church Hall. Since March 2020 the Covid pandemic has forced us to move much of our work on-line, a move which has enabled us to reach people well beyond the parish of Ross-on-wye. Achievements and perfomiance Worship and prayer The PCC has considered the need to extend the range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. The Thursday moming Eucharist plays an important role but our main efforts have been towards encouraging more young people to become part of the community at St Mary's. Our Intergenerational Missioner has continued her work for the third of her five years appointment in the Parish, Toast and Toddle Club, LEAF Club and school's work with Sox ministry using sock puppets and Open the Book at Brampton Abbotts C of E Primary School have all continued, Toast and Toddle and LEAF moving on-line as necessary. Other members of the Clergy Team assisted in holding Picnic Church on summer Sundays and in starting Messy Church in the autumn. All are welcome to attend our regular services and the PCC is grateful to the Clergy Team for their work in the services that are offered and for the additional opportunities that are offered by way of Lent and Advent courses. The two regular Bible Study groups have met on-line, and an on-line Alpha course was successfully held in the autumn. The church electoral roll is renewed every six years and following the full revision in early 2019 there are currently 128 parishioners on the roll, a large proportion of whom are resident within the parish. Three names have been removed through death. THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 There is a rota of volunteers to visit all who are sick or unable to get out for any other reason and to keep them in touch with church life. During lockdowns members of the Ministry Team and volunteers have maintained contact with older and vulnerable parishioners by telephone Deanery Synod Three members of the PCC sat on the Deanery Synod during the year. The Deanery Synod provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the Church. The Reordering of the Church and the use of St Mary's Church Hall Phase 2 3 of our reordering work in St Mary's Church was completed atthe end ofthe year and involved the remodelling of the main, north, porch and doorway to provide a brighter, more welcoming entrance, fully accessible to the disabled. The church hall is managed by the St Mary's Church Hall Committee on behalf of the PCC. Before the pandemic there were regular paying users of the hall. The two tenants have continued to occupy much of the first floor, with one room being retained for church use. Work is being investigated in order to improve disabled access to the building and this will be funded from our available reserves if charitable grants are not available. The Ross-on-wye Community Larder continues to operate successful from the basement but the Job Club has had to close during the pandemic. Grant making policy The PCC have a policy of making donations of 5 % of the income from other unrestricted giving including Gift Aid receipts under a pattem of regular giving or otherwise. The donations are made in support of both UK and overseas charities under the recommendation of either members of the PCC or the congregation of the church rather than in response to any applications made to the PCC. Although the decision is nomally made towards the end of the accounting period each year, This year we delayed the payments pending a review of the way these grants are made. Ecumenlcal relationships The church is a member of Churches Together in Ross-on-wye. Financial review Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £97,099 of which £53,067 was unrestricted planned voluntsry donations, and a further £13,255 was from income tax recovery on Gift Aid. Our membership of the Parish Giving Scheme has improved the collection of tax repayments but we have still failed to enhance the level of donations to any significant extent. We have opened an account with PayPal which has enabled donations to be given on line and we also have a card reader situated by the North door to enable visitors to donate electronically. We have received legacies and residue payments from Estates totalling £400 during the year and a generous grant of £1000 from the Ross Education Trust that is restricted to our educational work with children and young adults under the age of 25 years. The freehold house at 3 Redwood Close, Ross-on-wye is now occupied by our curate Rev'd Tiffany Jackson. The income from this letting was £995, prior to her occupation. Our regular fundraising activities have been curtailed by the covid pandemic but the 100 Club remains a successful source of income. Our rector undertook a 'Table Mountain Challenge, which raised £1751 and together with other fundraising events has had a positive effect on income. THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 Net movement in funds on unrestricted funds was a deficit of £37220 (excluding the contribution to the salary of the Intergenerational Missioner). This has reduced our balance of unrestricted funds to £116,162. As a PCC we are mindful of the fact that this represents a balance that is too large for our day-to-day needs but the current uncertainties over Covid are a con￿rn and ways need to be found to improve our income if annual deficits are to be addressed. The cost of the re-ordering phase 3 (£102,897) has been paid from restricted funds and since the end of the financial year we have received a grant of £16,106 to cover the VAT cost of this work. Reserves policy It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on free reserves (net current assets) at a level which ensures the continued operation of the church and building. As highlighted earlier, we still maintain a balance of unrestricted funds that are too great for our needs but must be considered against our failure to ensure that our Budget runs at or near breakeven. In time we anticipate that a necessary reserve of at least three to six months unrestricted payments will need to be maintained. This would be equivalent to £35,000 to £70,000. It would be held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies and the PCC will decide the position taking into account the annual deficit with which we continue to be fa￿d. It is our policy to invest the short term investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund, and the remainder in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund. The investments are shown as valued as at 31 December 2019 and during the year the value has increased by £1676. The investment policy of the PCC has remained unchanged during the year. Volunteers We would like to thank all the volunteers who give their time in whatever way towards the work of our church. Structure, governance and management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Mary's the membership of the PCC consists of the Incumbent (our Rector), Licensed Clergy, including House for Duty Priests, Churchwardens, the Readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the church. All those who attend our servicesl members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met six times during the year with a very good average level of attendance THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 Administrative information St. Mary's Church is situated off the High Street between Church Street and St Mary's Street in Ross- on-wye, postcode HR9 5HD. It is part of the Diocese of Hereford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Benefice Office, The Rectory, Church Street, Ross-on-wye HR9 5HN. Registered charity number 1163776. PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2020 until the date this report was approved are: Rector and Chair The Rev'd Sean Semple The Rev'd Tiffany Jackson (from 8th July 2020) The Rev'd Prebendary Caroline Pascoe The Rev'd Canon Christopher Blanchard Licensed Clergy Readers Canon Freda Davies Churchwardens Dr John Setchfield Dr Janet Cooper VI￿ Chair Dr John Setchfield (as above) Treasurer Mr Peter Raddenbury (to 20th May 2020) Mr Roy Milnes (from 20th May 2020) Mr Paul Eward Mr Mark Sanderson Mrs Fiona Barnaby (to 7th July 2020) Mr Gerald Altree (from 71h October 2020) Mrs Rachel Lewis (from Ph October 2020) Mrs Fiona Barnaby (to 7th July 2020) Mr Paul Cummings (from 7th October 2020) Mr Bryan Jones Mr Paul Mason (from 7th October 2020) Mrs Anne Morris Mr Peter Reynolds Mr Keith Richards (to 7th October 2020) Mr Mark Sanderson Mrs Karen Vitale (to 7th October 2020) Mr Timothy Waters Mrs Rosie Winyard (from 7th October 2020) Mrs Christine Heather Cattanach (to 22nd January 2021) Mrs Rachel Lewis Deanery Synod Representatives Elected members Intergenerational Missioner Secretary Bankers: National Westminster Bank, 12 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AH The Co-operative Bank, P.0. Box 250, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 6wr THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS4)N-WYE Registerod Charity No.: 1163776 Trustoos, responslbilities in relation to the financial statements The PCC is responsible for all parish finan￿. its management and control, including the appointment of a Treasurer. While it may delegale some of its duties this does not remove its legal responsibilities. Charity law requires the PCC as Trustees of the Church to prepare an annual report and financial statements for each financial year. The PCC is also required to ensure that these are subjected to an annual independent examination or audit and to present these to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. In preparing these financial statements, the PCC are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and pnjdent; state whether applicable aGGounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the PCC will continue in operation. The PCC are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable aGcounting standards. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and d8tection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Parochial Church Council on and signed on its behalf by 2021 Chair THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, Ross￿N-WYE Registered Charity No.: 1163776 Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Parochial Church Council of the Ecumenical Parish of St Mary the Virgin. ROSS￿n-Wye I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2020 which are set out on pages 8t017. Respective Responsibilltles of Trustees and Examiner The Church's Trustees are responsible for the preparat￿n of the accounts. The Church's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charrties Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examinatson is needed. It is my responsibilty to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act); To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5){ b) of the 2011 Act); and To stste whether parb"cular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual rtems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is gNen as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attentK)n which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the 2011 Ac( or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Report5) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gNe a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter cOns￿ered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. David J Bennet( B.A. A.C.A. Chartered Accountant 1 Parsons Croft Hildersley Ross-on-wye 12- vll 2021 Date: THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON-WYE Reglstered Charity No.: 1163776 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ending 31 December 2020 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds Total Funds 2020 2019 Note Income and endowments Donations and legacies Other trading activities Income from investments Income from Charitable activities Other income 2(a) 2(b) 2(c) 2(d) 2(e) 77,771 13,560 598 6,141 3,333 1,000 78,771 104,624 13,560 22,727 2,006 3,257 6,141 11,485 3,333 2,590 1,408 Total income and endowments 101,402 2,408 103,810 144,683 Expenditure Expenditure on Raising funds 3(a) Expenditure on Charitable activities 3(b) 1,300 146,072 103,049 1,300 1,541 249,121 206,383 Total expenditure 147,372 103,049 250,421 207,924 Net galnsl(losses) on Investment assets on revaluation 4(b) 1.677 1,677 3,794 Net Movement in funds (45.970) (98,965) (144,934) (59,446) Total Funds brought forward 189,162 323,553 512,715 572.162 Total Funds carrled forward 143,192 224,588 367,781 512,715 TrIE PAROCHIAL C14URCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARY ThE VIRGIN, ROSS-ON.WYE Regllt•rnd ¢haTlty 140.: 1183776 8ALANce SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 2020 20. 19 Notès Flxed a55ets., "rangible