Annual Report and Financial Slatements For the Parish of SL Mary's, Kingsclere Year ended 3ISI December 2024 "For l know the plans I have for you," declares the tA)RD, lans to prosper }'ou and not to harm you. plans to give }'ou hope and a future." Jeremiah 29: Al ## **Introduction and statutory information** The parish of Kingsclere is one of two parishes which together make up the United Benefice of Kingsclere and Ashford Hill with Headley, within the Diocese of Winchester, within the Church of England. Rev. Pete Williams is Priest-in-Charge. The parish church is St Mary’s. The correspondence address is Church Office, 37 George Street, Kingsclere, RG20 5NH. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, number 1164911. ## **Objectives** The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of working with the incumbent in promoting the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical – together with oversight of the finances and care of the church buildings and churchyard. Our benefice vision is defined as: “Follow Jesus, Love God’s Family, Bless Others”. The membership of the PCC during 2024 was follows: |Vicar (Chair)|Rev Pete Williams| |---|---| |Churchwardens|John Price| |Licenced Lay Ministers|Steve Green
BeverleyWilliams(from October 2024)| |Deanery Synod Members|Janet Larkins (to April 2024)
Matt Hensby (from April 2024)| |PCC Members|Steve Green (ex-Offico to April 2024)
Kate Pink (from May 2021 to April 2024)
Lesego Stapley (from May 2021 to April 2024)
Sara Hannan (from April 2022)
Janet Larkins (from April 2022)
John Price (from April 2023)
Rodolph de Salis (from April 2023)
Matt Hensby (co-opted September 2023,elected April 2024)| |Secretary|Emma Rivers| PCC members are elected for a three-year term according to the Church Representation Rules. At its APCM in 2005, Kingsclere passed a resolution to set a limit of 3 years for continuous service, after which an individual would be required to step down for a minimum of 1 year. This has been in operation since April 2006. All regular worshippers are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC. ## **Officers of the PCC** Chair: Rev Pete Williams Treasurer: Lesego Stapley to April 2024, Matt Hensby from April 2024 Secretary: Emma Rivers (non-voting) Electoral Roll Officer: Les Wallace Safeguarding Officer: Emma Rivers ## **Sub-Committees & Working Groups** The PCC fulfils its responsibilities by delegating to various smaller groups. The Standing Committee is a statutory sub-Committee and made up of the Vicar and Churchwardens (ex-officio) and at least two representatives of the PCC. During 2024 the standing committee did not meet, but instead the PCC met as a whole. The Fabric sub-committee deal with issues relating to the fabric of the building. There are two other working groups – the Ministry Team who meet to discuss worship in the parish, and the larder team, who oversee the Community Larder only. ## **What has the PCC done during the year?** The PCC met 7 times during the year. The average level of attendance was 93%. During the year, the PCC: - Carried out essential maintenance on St Mary’s Church including repairs to the bells, belfry doors, floodlights and stained-glass windows, plus began investigative works on issues with the south wall, nave roof, nave floor, and drainage in the SW corner. - Received regular reports on the finances of the PCC and reviewed spend against budget, adjusting our CMF contribution as necessary. - Supported Melanie Townsend as she was awarded the Bishop’s Permission to Preach (BPP), and Steve Green & Janet Larkins as they started the BCM “Beyond Church Walls” training. - Approved the addition of a second Sunday morning service, allowing for provision of 9 am traditional & 10:30 am contemporary services. - Were involved, through the Foundation Governors, in the recruitment process of a new Head Teacher at Kingsclere Primary School. - Approved the launch of the “Transforming Lives For Good” programme at Kingsclere Primary School. - Carried our Risk Assessment work for the ringing of bells, access to the roof, and for occasional events & services. In addition, reports were received from the Treasurer of the PCC accounts, the Deanery representative and others to ensure that the PCC were monitoring and supporting all the activities being undertaken in its name. ## **Risk** The Council identifies risk in relation to our investments and take appropriate actions to minimise the financial effect of that risk. The Council endeavours to identify the risks relating to their activities and take such action to avoid or minimise such risks. ## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities** Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to: - Set suitable accounting policies and then apply then consistently. - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. - State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence. The Council is responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Safeguarding** Throughout the year the PCC have complied with their duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance. Rev Pete Williams (Priest in Charge) ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere for the year ended 31 December 2024. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions 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 come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## Mark Ellis (ACMA) 21 Coppice Road, Kingsclere. 18[th] April 2025 PAR(KHL4L CHURCH C