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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn

2024-12-31-accounts

MBM THE PARISH CHURCH OF BASSINGBOURN A wellspring of hopefor all

Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of - St. Peter & St. Paul, Bassingbourn , 2024 ,

Revd Helen Orr 16 November 2025

Registered Charity 1169787

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1. Aim and Purposes

The primary object of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn is the promotion of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.

The PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Vicar, The Reverend Helen Orr in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish of Bassingbourn, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

In addition to having responsibility for the maintenance of the Church building, the PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the Church Room, 23 North End, Bassingbourn. The PCC liaises with Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth Parish Council which has the maintenance responsibility for the closed churchyard under s.215 of the Local Government Act 1972.

2. Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to become part of the worshipping community at the Parish Church. The PCC sets the strategic direction for the Church’s mission and worship and maintains an overview of our activities, always seeking ways in which we can welcome our village community to worship. Our services and activities seek to bring faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith through:

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit:

Public benefit: the public benefit requirement (PB1) Public benefit: running a charity (PB2) Public benefit: reporting (PB3) The Advancement of Religion for the Public Benefit

In 2023 the PCC reviewed its PCC Statements of Intent and Operating Principles to recognize compliance with the Charities Act and Charity Commission guidance.

It is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church and Church Room, not only to facilitate this work but also as the Church is a grade I heritage site.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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3. Vision and Strategy

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn is part of the Shingay Deanery of the Diocese of Ely. The vision of the diocese was set out in 2015 in People Fully Alive: Ely 2025 :

There are three imperatives for the diocese:

This led to five key themes:

In Bassingbourn, the vision of the Church pre-dates this vision of the Diocese having been discerned during 2014 when the whole church, led by the PCC was involved in the process. Nevertheless, the vision of the church in Bassingbourn fits well within the wider vision of the Diocese.

In particular, the Church has a strong desire to deepen discipleship, seeing our lives transformed and embracing evangelism reaching out into the community to share the transforming love of God with others. This vision has been worked out in the three key areas of worship, discipleship and mission as laid out below.

As the church moves into a new phase of its life and position in the community it will be appropriate to revisit our vision to guide us through the coming years. At a previous Vision Day it was noted that:

The vision was reinvigorated in 2022 by the strapline to ‘A wellspring of hope for all’.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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4. The Life of the Church

Throughout 2024 we have sought to ensure that the life of the Church continues to be shaped by our vision. .

4.1. Worship

Our worship ... expresses our whole-hearted response to God’s extravagant love. We are committed to offering worship in a variety of styles, seeking to be open to the Holy Spirit and desiring to be transformed as we encounter God.

The PCC is keen to offer a range of services that our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling throughout the month and over the course of the year. Our varied pattern of services enables us to offer both contemporary and more traditional worship. We are greatly blessed to have a strong group of musicians and singers who lead our sung worship.

Service times are set to encourage the maximum number of people to attend (extending public benefit) and at the start of 2024 the service pattern was:

1stSunday: 10:30 am, Holy Communion
1stThursday: 3:00 pm, Messy Church
2ndSunday: 10:30 am, All Age Service (Kids Service)
3rdSaturday 6:30 pm, Praise and Prayer informal worship service
3rdSunday: 10:30 am, Holy Communion
4thSunday: 10:30 am, Morning Praise

When there was a fifth Sunday in the month we met for joint worship with our neighbouring Parish, St Mary’s, Whaddon.

On 15th October, work commenced on the redevelopment of the church building which effectively became a construction site. We were pleased to have the cooperation of the United Reformed Church (URC) in South End, Bassingbourn to allow us to use their building for our services during this period. Alternative arrangements were made for Messy Church which has been held in the vicarage garden. Our service times were changed to accommodate our Sunday services alongside the United Reformed Church services:

1stSunday: 11:00 am, Holy Communion
1stThursday: 3:00 pm, Messy Church
2ndSunday: 11:00 am, All Age Service (Kids Service)
3rdSaturday 6:30 pm, Praise and Prayer informal worship service
3rdSunday: 11:00 am, Holy Communion
4thSunday: 10:30 am, Morning Praise

As before, when there was a fifth Sunday in the month we met for joint worship with our neighbouring Parish, St Mary’s, Whaddon.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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An informal time of ‘Praise and Prayer’ continued in 2023. ‘Praise and Prayer’ gives an opportunity for us to worship in a more informal way than is usually possible on Sunday mornings and provides a time when we can pray together for the life of the Church and the community.

In addition to regular worship on Sundays, we held a monthly Messy Church on the first Thursday of the month. More on that under “Mission” below.

A number of people participate in planning and contributing to our services. The Kids Service Team has continued to work hard to deliver attractive and creative services with Fuzz and Donkey which appeal to a younger age group

Members of the congregation continue to take part in our services particularly in reading the Bible, leading intercessions and leading sung worship. Many others act as welcomers, sides people and PA and projector operators. Our projector and screen are regularly used in our services to enhance our worship. We have greatly appreciated the commitment of our team of servers and our sacristan, Lesley Stewart.

Hospitality, in the form of tea and coffee were served by a willing team of helpers despite the difficulties we currently face in having limited facilities. Whilst we are meeting at the URC, we have returned to the practice of having refreshments before the service rather than after it. Our very capable and dedicated churchwardens ensure that the practical arrangements for our services run smoothly and we are grateful to them for this and for their hard work in so many areas of Church life.

We are extremely grateful to The Reverend Amanda O’Neill, our Associate Minister, for all she does in teaching, encouraging and inspiring us and to our Licensed Lay Ministers, Erica Coomber, Simon Morris and Steve Renwick. The ministers have taken part in preaching and leading worship on a regular basis and contributed to the life of the church in a number of ways throughout the year.

As, well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life, in marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the . person into God's keeping We held three baptisms and four funerals in our Church this year. The ministry team officiated at one other funeral. There were 3 weddings.

All are welcome to attend our services. In 2024 there were 58 persons on the Church Electoral Roll, 64% of whom are resident within the parish.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

4

Discipleship

Our discipleship … deepens our faith, increases our knowledge and transforms us to be the people Jesus calls us to be as we follow him. We prioritise clear biblical teaching for every stage of faith and provide support and encouragement outside of Church services within small informal groups.

We give priority to clear biblical preaching in all our services, which helps to ensure that we are both encouraged and challenged to deepen our commitment to live as disciples of Jesus. We are fortunate that we have the facility to record sermons and to make them widely available, through our regularly updated website, to any who are interested. This facilitates further reflection throughout the week for individuals and groups.

Our small groups also known as home groups meet during the week for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. We encourage all to participate in home groups and are pleased that the groups are well attended. Currently there are three midweek groups which normally meet in the homes of members of the congregation.

Some members of the congregation also come together on a regular basis in prayer trios, supporting each other in our journeys of faith and life.

Every Thursday evening for up to an hour, members of the congregation meet to pray for the life of the church and for each other. This meeting is open to all and has continued to meet on Zoom throughout the year. We recognize how essential prayer is in all we undertake and how instrumental it is in our ongoing transformation and deepening of faith. We also have a monthly prayer diary and a prayer chain.

4.2. Mission

Our mission … is to share the love of God in Jesus which we experience ourselves. We do this by prayer and practical support of God’s mission within and beyond the Parish. We are committed to seeing lives transformed through building relationships, encouraging spiritual awareness and being Christ’s ambassadors.

To help us more effectively communicate and reach out to those beyond the Church community, as well as to aid our internal communication, the Church has a website: www.bassingbournchurch.org.uk. A weekly bulletin is produced and distributed by e-mail in addition to being available on the website.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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In 2024 we once again ran an Alpha course to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage in discussions and be transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Members of the PCC attended an ‘away-day’ – a seminar on the theme of Evangelism Reimagined.

We have continued our outreach to Bassingbourn Primary School and Bassingbourn Village College and started to build stronger relationships with them.

As a family themed outreach a series of creative craft and mission events entitled the real meaning of…” Father Christmas”, and now “Easter” which have seen over 90 parents and a hundred children in attendance. This year we have held our Real Story of Santa Claus event in St Catherine’s Church, Litlington.

This, alongside messy church and our all-age service has seen an increase in children and families attending the church this year and has in turn seen a revival of those wishing to get married and be baptised in the church.

Messy Church is an informal, family friendly model of church that has been adopted successfully in many places as a way of reaching out to those who might not otherwise come to church and is especially enjoyed by young families. It has become a much appreciated (and growing) fixture in the church calendar on the first Thursday of every month. A large team of people, ably led by Claire Ives, worked hard to provide engaging activities based around the chosen theme for the month. Together with a time of worship and teaching, and with a simple but hearty meal, the children and their families learn about the Christian faith.

Our successful craft group C3 meets on a Monday morning and the first Saturday morning each month in the church room for craft, chat and mutual support.

Our ministry to men has continued during 2024. The Men’s Group meets at least monthly for a meal, fellowship, teaching and prayer.

To meet an identified need for mothers and young children to have somewhere to meet, a Tots and Toddlers group led by Miriam Skuce operates on a Thursday morning and continues to be extremely popular. Tots and Toddlers is meeting off site at the Old School Community Centre during the building works.

Helping those in need is a demonstration of our faith and we seek to support a number of organizations at home and abroad. The PCC remains committed to giving 10% of our general income to mission and other appropriate and needy causes. Grants to mission partners are recommended by the Mission Committee and approved by the PCC.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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In 2024, as in 2023, we have supported the following:

• Friends International (Charity 1094095)

A Christian charity seeking to grow friendship and faith with international students in the UK & Ireland.

• GenR8 (Charity 1135194)

GenR8 takes the Christian message into primary schools in a number of imaginative ways.

• Home-Start Cambridgeshire (Charity 1106007)

A local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.

• Iris Ministries (Charity 1035087)

Andrew Fanstone is based in Fortaleza, Brazil, working and living with his wife and children in one of the worst slums in the city, working amongst prostitutes, drug dealers, orphans and widows.

• Radstock/Seedtime (Charity 326879)

Paul Williams located in Mongolia, with a focus on micro-enterprise development, helping to bring transformation to communities through business . and training with a moral and ethical ethos

• Romsey Mill (Charity 1069905)

Situated in Cambridge, Romsey Mill gives support to a wide range of people, young mums, school refusers, troubled teenagers and many others.

5. Deanery Synod

The parish representatives to the Shingay Deanery Synod are Michelle Renwick and Nick Jones who were re-elected at the 2023 APCM.

6. The Church, Church Room and Church Office

The Church Room has been used by a number of groups and villagers throughout the week. It has been open during all services (weddings, funerals and other Church services) for use of the toilet. It has been used for other church meetings and events throughout the year and has been hired by members of the wider community for appropriate events. During the building redevelopment work it is also in use as a site office.

Our Administrator, Nick Jones works from the Church Office on three mornings per week (nine hours). The Office is equipped with telephone and internet, whilst the Church Room has wireless internet access and presentation facilities via a large LCD screen. The Church Office Wi-Fi has been extended into the Church using point to point signal extenders and into to the vicarage allowing all three buildings to have internet access from a single connection.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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7. Church Building Repair and Restoration

With the deadline approaching towards the end of the year for our final chance to start the project before the permission ran out, the building team submitted a plan to the PCC for the project to go ahead.

The Plan required the church as in, the Vicar, the wardens and the PCC to be the main contractor and client for the project. The construction work would be carried out by a small team of tradesmen and specialist companies, contracted directly to the church.

The church through the construction team would also purchase many of the materials required directly with suppliers. This would allow the building team to bring the cost of the project to £830,000.00 before VAT.

This plan was set out to the DAC and the chancellor for approval which was granted in September allowing works to start in October.

We then had a pre-construction work party with 23 members of the church attending to remove all the pews and cupboards these are stored in the chancel for repair.

Construction started on the 14th October, with the demolition of the raised platforms.

During this initial phrase we were working under the conditions set by the ecologists because of the bats present and power tools were restricted to those of 80 decibels or lower. This meant we also had to use an electric excavator and dumper as well as electric compactors, these are five times the cost of normal petrol ones and only run for 5 hours a day due to needing to be re-charged.

We removed all the soil and concrete to the sub-base level which revealed the extent of the Victorian renovations in the 19th century, at this level there was no archaeology.

However, when we started digging the foundation for the mezzanine floor, we discovered unmarked crypts which required a visit by the diocesan archaeologist, the structural engineer and the architect the latter two to redesign the steel supports and concrete capping for the crypts. In total we discovered five crypts in four locations.

With the concreting done we built the extensive steel frame with the help of a specialist steel erector but in November the cold spell put the bats into hibernation for the winter, this has ended our use of power tools until they re-emerge.

By the end of 2024 we had completed the sub-base and steel frame and were awaiting the underfloor heating and limecrete screeding.

On the 20th December the PCC were invited to view the works as the construction closed for the Christmas period.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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Special thanks need to be given to the men and women of the church who have helped out free of charge to ensure this project not only got started but can be finished.

Steve Renwick; Construction Manager

8. Annual Fabric Report

The annual fabric report by the churchwardens, under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018, describes the condition of the Church buildings. As we look back over the last year we realise that we have had a history making one!

It was an interesting and exciting year , as giving and fundraising reached 75% giving us enough to begin restoration. It’s been coming for 8 years now with these plans. COVID slowed us down and we were against the clock for our short deadline. Praise the Lord we can see that his timings were right.

This year we had to purchase replacement silverware after a theft. We will purchase more when we are back in our church building.

The yearly inspections and servicing of the clock, electrics, alarm system and fire extinguishers have taken place. The electrical check flagged up some work needed. We did the urgent work but knew that most of the other things flagged would be corrected during the restoration project.

We are in need of the side aisle roofs being replaced and are looking into this. A bat survey was needed for the restoration project and were surprised by the extent of this and the £34,000 cost it would be. Two types of bat have been found, the longeared brown bat and the pipistrelle. We are now beholden to the ecologist in all our processes of building work, which has been very challenging.

On 13th October we had our last service in the church building as we know it. We had a lovely service of both excitement and sadness, followed by the complete emptying of the church possession, all having to be logged and stored safely. As the church closed its doors on 14th October, twenty members of the church arrived to strip out the cupboards and pews. Eight Victorian pews were promptly sold. The others are awaiting inspection and restoration. On stripping back the church we could see all the things needing attention on the stone walls and pillars. On 15th October the reordering work in line with the faculty began, logging and photographing every step of the way, to enable us to keep records to share with everyone on completion and to keep as history.

The next challenge was to prepare for services in the URC church in South End, working together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all coping well and sharing their premises which we are so thankful for.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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Our church room and office space has been invaluable at this time enabling meetings and a resting place for many. It has some damp issues, being by the edge of a stream, which we will need to look more closely at. We have had a new extract fan fitted and will purchase a dehumidifier in the new year. We are planning to replace the two external doors.

We have looked at our quinquennial inspection report and the urgent items are included in the restoration project. Once the restoration project is completed, we will review this again to see what other items from the to-do list can be completed, funds permitting. – we are sure that in such a beautiful old building there will always be a to-do list.

As always, we feel fully supported and blessed by our amazing church family, giving us help and support with all their skills. We love their care and concern to serve the Lord with us.

Michelle Renwick and Vic Skuce (Churchwardens)

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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9. Financial Review

The summary is that 2024 made another expected deficit in unrestricted funds, but that the restricted funds increased very strongly due to generous donations to the Building Project and strong endowment fund growth.

The summary of account balances and activity during 2024 was thus:

31-Dec-2024 31-Dec-2023 Change Change
Unrestricted Funds 48,309 51,813 (3,504) -7%
Restricted Funds 288,898 225,667 63,231 28%
Endowment Funds 186,646 182,470 4,176 2%
Total 523,853 459,951 63,903 14%

Taking each type of asset in turn, the key factors in the movements in assets are as follows:

Unrestricted Funds

These are the monies which are raised and used in the everyday operation of the church.

Unrestricted giving was slightly down compared to 2023 and expenditure was about the same. Anticipated high building costs of the quinquennial remediation work and the roof repairs were mostly postponed into 2025 due to the distraction of the main building project, which meant we ended with a small deficit.

Restricted Funds

The restricted funds are monies that are designated to specific expenditure only. In 2024, the four areas of restricted expenditure activity were on the building project, servicing the clock automation, the servicing of the roof alarm and the usual recurring maintenance costs. We broke even on the church’s restricted funds.

Building Project Fund

The building project fund grew extremely well in 2024 from a very strong response to both another Giving Day fund raising appeal within the parish and from several very large donations from wealthy supporters further afield.

Endowment Funds

The movement in endowment funds is simply the year-on-year change in the value of our capital investments; this year has seen the value of these equity-backed investments increase marginally by £4k, or 2%, primarily due to a stagnant economy.

Please note that historically the endowment funds did not represent money that the church could spend freely; it was invested as “perpetual capital” needing specific permission from the trustees and the Charities Commission to spend the endowed

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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money. Such permission was obtained in 2020, so these endowment funds can now be drawn down from by the PCC, as required.

Our investments are managed partly by the CCLA, and partly by the Diocese of Ely. In addition to the changes in capital value, our endowments continue to generate interest and dividend income for the Church’s activities.

For more detailed information on the church’s finances, please refer to the financial statements which follow this report.

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

There are two “Incumbent and Churchwarden” funds for the alleviation of poverty in the Parish of Bassingbourn. While the Vicar and Churchwardens are the trustees of these funds, the funds are not part of the Church’s assets. Please contact the Churchwardens for more details of these funds.

Reserves policy

The PCC aims to have a reserve to cover at least three months of normal expenditure. At present, our unrestricted reserve is well in excess of this. The 2025 budget has been set to provide ministry growth whilst maintaining this minimum reserve.

Apart from some legacies endowed as restricted funds, and monies raised by fundraising events, the bulk of church finances are provided from voluntary giving by church members.

Plans for 2025

The financial statements below include an operating budget for 2025 that was agreed by the PCC. However, the primary plan for 2025 is to complete the building project by liquidating all available resources (e.g. donations, associated reclaimed Gift Aid, endowment funds, grants, unrestricted savings, temporary redirection of Parish Share contribution, etc.) as required, and only sourcing competitive commercial loans as a last resort if required to complete the project. In all cases, the three-month operating reserves will be retained liquid.

Bankers

Barclays Bank, High Street, Royston, Herts.

Central Board of Finance, administered by CCLA on behalf of the Church of England.

Independent Examiner

The 2024 financial statements were examined by Roger van Poortvliet of 134 Bridge Street, Whaddon, Cambs, SG8 5SQ. Mr. van Poortvliet is a professional accountant.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

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Financial Report

Financial Report
Unrestricted
Income
Regular giving (Standing Orders)
Other giving (cash & cheques)
One-off donations
Gift Aid (received)
Gift Aid (expected)
Church room hire
Wedding and funeral fees
C3 Craft Club
Tots and Toddlers
Messy Church
Income from Imprest accounts
Fundraising events
Investment income
Total:
Expenditure
Overheads and recurring expenses
Parish Share
Utilities
Upkeep of Services
Insurance (2024 share)
Insurance (2025 share)
Office expenses
Church room
Ministers' expenses
Gifts
Salaries
Training
Hospitality & Catering
PA/IT/AV
Music & Instruments
Upkeep of Fabric
Insurance claims
Ministry Areas
Giving to Missions
Communications
Young People’s Ministry
Pastoral/Bereavement Ministry
Discipleship and Outreach
Total:
Net Income (before projects)
Projects
Quinquennial remediation
Net Income (inc projects)		 1.00
Jan to Dec 2024
Actual
Actual
Forecast
Budget
Budget
For Period
For 2023
For 2024
For 2024
For 2025
Notes
38679
37523
38679
37523
38679
2637
2113
2637
2113
2637
799
4090
799
2000
2000
9646
10319
9646
10319
10223
1
0
168
32
168
32
192
2070
445
2070
445
0
627
826
627
826
0
418
522
418
522
200
27
175
27
175
0
409
0
409
0
0
1280
325
1280
325
600
5604
3776
5604
3776
0
62366
60145
62366
58055
58055
6
34786
33473
34786
33473
36525
4
1805
3317
1805
3317
705
972
696
972
696
3252
3
3369
3354
3369
3354
4000
5
431
3354
431
3354
4000
5
185
3354
185
3354
4000
1182
742
1182
742
1500
0
-14
0
-14
0
67
77
67
100
100
7378
6468
7378
7470
7747
261
165
261
255
255
212
98
212
298
298
349
245
349
245
0
710
1029
710
1329
730
295
1500
295
1500
0
-2652
0
-2652
0
0
8
5212
5378
5212
5195
5354
146
488
146
488
488
232
212
232
212
232
391
1366
391
600
600
3
0
0
0
0
0
55331
65302
55331
65970
69787
7034
-5158
7034
-7915
-11733
10802
3493
10802
8507
0
4
-3768
-8651
-3768
-16422
-11733
9

Restricted (excl Building Project)

Building Project

----- Start of picture text -----
Income (including Gift Aid) Income 207706 6
Ellen Pyne Fund 712 Expenditure 171192
Russell Elbourn Fund 888 Net Profit/Loss 36514
Appeal Fund 0
6 1600 Roofing Project 2
Expense Income 30000 6
Expenditure 4041
Expenditure on Fabric (from EP) 1029 Net Profit/Loss 25959
Expenditure on Fabric (from RE) 1211
Other Building Projects (from Appeal) 0
2240
Net Profit/Loss -640
Bank Balances 01-Jan-24 31-Dec-24 Imprest Balances
(including accruals)
Unrestricted C3 0
Current 500 500 Bell Ringers (josephine@chears.co.uk) 200
Saving 26683 21704 Refreshments (Jane Ravenscroft) 0
CCLA Gen 22799 24009 Men's Group (Steve Renwick) 254
49981 46213 454
Gain/loss this year -3768
This is excluding any Gift Aid due Endowment Balances
Restricted
CCLA RE 1095 772 Library * 102,711
CCLA SEP 892 575 Russell & Elbourn * 63,541
CCLA App (currently for the Roofing Project) 16 25959 Sarah Ellen Pyne 20,394
Building 223665 260194 186646
225667 287501 * y/e 2024 not yet available
Gain/loss this year 61833
Total 275649 333714 Grand Total 520815
----- End of picture text -----*

Notes

  1. The Gift Aid claim amount is currently provisional but any variance from the actual claim will be negligible.

  2. Note that the Roofing Project now has its own restricted section. The main holding account for this will be the Appeal Fund now that the Building Project no longer needs it.

  3. The agreed rental cost of the URC is show in the Upkeep of Services costs.

  4. The forecast for the 2024 family share was incorrectly copied from 2023 and so not uplifted.

  5. The insurance premium was higher than expected due to the claim of the stolen silverware from the safe.

  6. If our total income as a PCC exceeds £250k, we will legally need to ensure our Independent Examiner is ACA-accredited. Our income so far this year is aleady over £260k, so we have recruited such a qualified Independent Examiner.

  7. As the restricted funds dwindle, we will be paying for the upkeep of fabric from unrestricted funds from now on.

  8. This is the insurance claim payout for the safe theft, minus the amount spent on replacing the stolen items.

  9. Note that this deficit includes a prepayment for the 2025 portion of the insurance policy, which was paid in July 2024.

Stronger than expected income coupled with lower expenses due to relocating means we made a surplus of £7,034 in 2024.

----- Start of picture text -----
Bank Balances 01-Jan-24 31-Dec-24
From bank statements From bank statements before
before inter-account Transfers and After inter-account inter-account transfers and Transfers and After inter-account
transfers and accruals accruals transfers and accruals accruals accruals transfers and accruals
Unrestricted
Barclays Current 560.00 -9399.01 500.00 500.00 7768.73 500.00
Barclays Saving 36021.79 0.00 26682.78 13935.76 0.00 21704.49
CCLA General 22798.56 0.00 22798.56 24008.67 0.00 24008.67
49981.34 46213.16
Restricted
CCLA Russell Elbourn 401.28 693.92 1095.20 471.41 301.06 772.47
CCLA Sarah Ellen Pyne 4021.99 -3130.15 891.84 1596.43 -1021.64 574.79
CCLA Appeal 356.48 -340.92 15.56 30000.00 -4040.76 25959.24
Barclays Building 199212.23 24452.66 223664.89 237012.62 23181.63 260194.25
225667.49 287500.75
Total 70112.92 12276.50 275648.83 307524.89 26189.02 333713.91
----- End of picture text -----

Reconciliation between bank accounts and PCC reports for 2024 (excluding Imprest accounts)

From reports to PCC Net Movement From bank accounts Net Movement Unrestricted profit/loss -3768.18 Unrestricted profit/loss -3768.18 Restricted profit/loss 61833.26 Restricted profit/loss 61833.26 Total 58065.08 Total 58065.08 Unrestricted v. Restricted Bank v. Report Differences (should be zero) 0.00 0.00

Statement Of Financial Activities - year ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
2
51,761 3
Activities for generating funds
4
2,353
Income from investments
5,604
Church activities
5
2,647
Other incoming resources
0
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
62,366
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable donations
5,212
Capital contraction of investments
0
Church activities
6
60,658 7
Governance costs
0
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
65,870
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Capital growth of investments
0
Change in balances of PCC accounts
(3,504)
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(3,504)
BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY
51,813
BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER
48,309 10
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
2024
£
FIXED ASSETS
Investments/Endowments
8
186,646
186,646
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash in hand and on deposit
9
301,417
Prepayments
14
3,038
Other debtors
15
32,751
337,206
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accruals
0
TOTAL NET ASSETS
523,853
RETAINED PARISH FUNDS
Unrestricted
48,309
Restricted
10
288,898
Endowments
8
186,646
523,853		 Restricted
Funds
£
231,112
0
8,194
0
0
239,306
0
0
176,075
0
176,075
0 8
63,230
63,230
225,667
288,898
2023
Restated *
£
182,470
182,470
251,622
2,607
24,649
278,878
(1,397)
459,951
51,813
225,667
182,470
459,951		 Endowment
Funds
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4,176
0
4,176
182,470
186,646
Change
(3,504)
63,230
4,176
63,903		 Total 2024
£
282,873
2,353
13,798
2,647
0
301,671
5,212
0
236,733
0
241,945
4,176
59,726
63,903
459,951 9
523,853 9
Change %
-7%
28%
2%
14%		 Total 2023
Restated *
£
130,283
1,847
6,156
1,099
0
139,385
5,378
0
66,214
0
71,592
15,691
67,793
83,484
376,466
459,951

TO BE APPROVED

Notes 1 - 16 form part of these accounts

*See Note 12 below

Notes to the Accounts

Note 1 - Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).

Incoming Resources

Recognition of incoming resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

  1. the PCC becomes legally entitled to the benefit of use of the resources;

  2. and inflow of economic benefit is probable;

  3. the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Fundraising costs

Funds raised from events and trading activities (e.g. a fete, a garden party or sales of books and magazines) are reported gross in the SOFA - i.e. before any related costs that may have been deducted from the gross proceeds.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are included in the SOFA when any preconditions preventing their use by the PCC have been met. For collections and planned giving this is when the funds are received.

Gift Aid Tax claims etc. on cash donations

Gift Aid and other tax claims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the cash donations to which they relate.

Donated services and facilities

These are included in income (and at the same time in resources expended) at the estimated fair value to the PCC of the service or facility received.

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees' Annual Report.

Rental income

Rental income from the letting of the church is recognised when the rental is due.

Investment income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Investment gains and losses

This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.

Expenditure and Liabilities

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation and settlement is probable and quantifiable.

Governance costs

Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Assets

Tangible fixed assets for use by charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts in kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Land = nil

Buildings* = nil

Fixtures and fittings = 20 years

*No depreciation is provided on buildings, as the currently estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years, so that any depreciation charges would be immaterial. An impairment review is carried out at each year end and any resultant loss identified included in expenditure for the year.

Investments

Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them (CIFs etc.) are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value.

Short-term deposits

Include cash held on deposit either with the CCLA Church of England Funds or at the bank.

Funds

Unrestricted funds

These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and that are therefore not included in its 'free reserves' as disclosed in the trustees' report.

Restricted funds

These are income funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.

Endowment funds

These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.

No payment has been made by the PCC to the independent examiner for any audit or independent examination services, other assurance services or other financial services such as taxation advice, consultancy, financial advice and accountancy.

The PCC would typically make grants to charitable organisations equal to ten percent of all regular and ad hoc donations plus any Gift Aid reclaimable on such. A subcommittee of the PCC meets annually to agree what amounts should be paid to which charities from this ten percent allocation.

Note 2 - Unrestricted Voluntary Income

Regular income
Collections and other donations
Gift Aid
Note 3 - Restricted Voluntary Income
Voluntary donations		 2024
38,679
3,435
9,646
51,761
2024
231,112
231,112		 2023
37,523
6,203
10,319
54,045
2023
76,238
76,238

Note 4 - Fundraising events

Net Income
Craft Club
Messy Church
Tos and Toddlers
Mayhem refreshments		 2024
627
27
418
1,280
2,353		 2023
826
175
522
325
1,847

Note 5 - Income from Church Activities

Church Room hire
Fees (funerals, weddings, etc.)
Other income
_ Imprest accounts balances_		 2024
168
2,070
409
2,647		 2023
Restated *
32
445
622
1,099

Note 6 - Cost of Church Activities

Utilities + building running costs
Parish and Deanery Share
Hospitality and outreach
Young People
Pastoral/Bereavement
Music
Advertising, publicity etc
Sound and video equipment
Insurance
Training
Service expenses
Stationery and administration
Salaries
13
Clergy expenses
Church room
Unspent insurance claim proceeds
Unrestricted upkeep of fabric
Unrestricted building works
Other expense		 2024
1,805
34,786
278
232
391
710
146
349
3,369
261
972
185
7,378
0
1,182
(2,652)
295
10,802
167
60,658		 2023
3,317
33,473
175
212
1,366
1,029
488
245
3,030
165
696
324
6,468
(14)
742
0
0
12,553
0
64,269

Note 7 - Restricted expenditure on Church Activities

Clock electrification
Maintenance of roof alarm
Fire protection
Chancel Repairs
Electrical/lightning maintenance
Sundry expenditure on fabric & cleaning
Roofing Project *
Building Project		 2024
305
1,211
195
0
529
0
2,644
171,192
176,075		 2023
Restated *
277
1,084
176
0
926
0
1,397
(1,915)
1,945

Note 8 - Statement of Endowment Funds

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023 Difference
Library 102,711 100,413 2,298
Russell & Elbourn 63,541 62,119 1,422
Sarah Ellen Pyne 20,394 19,938 456
186,646 182,470 4,176
----- End of picture text -----

Each of these endowments is invested in perpetual capital which means that the actual endowment itself cannot be spent without prior agreement with the trustees. The capital endowment moves in line with the stock markets, and has experienced significant fluctuations in recent years due to the volatility on the stock market.

The Library endowment arose from the sale of the Church's historic books (the Nightingale Bequest), and is "For the maintenance and upkeep of the Parish Church". Income arising from this endowment is therefore retained in general funds rather than restricted, as the total expenditure on heating, lighting and insurance substantially exceeds this income. In the case of the Russell & Elbourn and Sarah Ellen Pyne endowments, this income feeds into Restricted Funds, as shown at Note 10 below.

Note 9 - Cash at Year End

Barclays bank accounts
CCLA deposit accounts
Unpresented cheques
Cash & cheques in hand
Imprest accounts		 2024
251,448
56,077
(6,891)
329
454
301,417		 2023
Restated *
235,794
27,578
(12,673)
300
622
251,622

Note 10 - Statement of Restricted Funds

B/fwd (1 Jan 2024)
Interest and dividend income
Voluntary income
Expense
C/fwd (31 Dec 2024)		 Russell
1,095
888
0
(1,211)
772		 Pyne
892
712
0
(1,029)
575		 Appeal
16
0
30,000
(2,644)
27,372		 Building
223,665
6,594
201,112
(171,192)
260,179		 Total
225,667
8,194
231,112
(176,075)
288,898

Restricted Funds

Russell Elbourn Sarah Ellen Pyne Appeal Building

Restriction on Use

The use of all endowment funds and other covenanted deposit accounts is restricted to the maintenance, upkeep, repair and improvement of the fabric of the Parish Church, the Churchyard and the Church Room.

Note 11 - Related Party Transactions

The following payments were made to PCC members during 2024:

2024 2023
Vic Skuce (Building Project contractor) 5,938 0
Steve Renwick (Building Project contractor) 29,463 0
Nick Jones (admininstrator) 7,168 6,468

Nothing remained due to PCC members during 2024. No amounts were due from PCC members at 31 December 2024 (2023: £nil)

Note 12 - Restatement

The accounts have been restated to move the accounts to an accruals basisand correct some classification errors. The key impacts are as follows:

he key impacts are as follows:
Impact on net
Impact on net movement in
assets funds
Inclusion of Imprest accounts 622 0
Recording or prepayments and accruals 1,210 0

Cash in hand and on deposit in the 2023 accounts also wrongly included other debtors of £24,649. These are now separately disclosed.

Note 13 - Salaries

The PCC employs one member of staff part time - the administator. The payroll for staff is processed on the PCC's behalf by an external payroll processor called WEBA, for a monthly fee. Below are the payments made to the staff and the payroll processor.

Administrator
Gross pay
Processor fees
Note 14 - Prepayments
Remaining Oil
Insurance
Note 15 - Other Debtors
Reclaimable Gift Aid
Reclaimable VAT		 2024
7,168
210
7,378
2024
483
2,555
3,038
2024
11,659
21,092
32,751		 2023
6,276
192
6,468
2023
483
2,124
2,607
2023
24,649
0
24,649

Note 16 - Fixed Assets

The PCC does not include any fixed assets in the blance sheet. The buildings and any building works are not recorded as fixed assets as the buildings are owned by the Church Commissioners.

Heritage Assets

Certain assets, such as historic church buildings, stained glass windows, and antique artefacts, may qualify as heritage assets. In accordance with relevant accounting standards, these are disclosed separately in the Inventory and may not be subject to depreciation due to their enduring historical and cultural significance. These assets have not been assessed for their fair market value. Our heritage assets, which are listed below are not included in the balance sheet.

Bassingbourn Parish Church

Inventory 2024

Schedule of Church Plate

Chalices 1 silver height 8.5inches, hallmark 1609 (set)

Patens 1 silver diameter 4 inches 1609(set)

Flagons 1 silver plated height 12 inches St Peter and St Paul Bassingbourn (NB leaks so not used, advised not to use for wine.)

Pair of Lincoln chalices

Metal silver plate with a gilt bowl. 3/4" high. 4 1/8" diameter bowl. 10fl.oz capacity.

Solid silver paten Diameter:25cm

1

April 2024

Other Plate

1 brass ewer for baptism

Triple oil stock – case of 3 brass containers

Lrg wafer box

2

April 2024

Schedule of Furnishings and Fittings

Altars 1 wooden in chancel

1 wooden in nave

Ornaments (crosses, candlesticks)

Brass Cross, Chancel

Eagle Stand

Small wooden cross, prayer corner

Small wooden cross, metal plate and figure of Christ (vestry cupboard)

Wardens’ staves-2 wooden with bronze crosses

Communion Rail, brass, in sanctuary

Processional Cross, wood and brass. (kept in ringing chamber)

3

April 2024

Brass Candlesticks 2

Riddell posts, wooden, x 2 in Sanctuary

Standard triple candle holders x 2, brass, in Sanctuary

Wooden candle sticks, painted gold x 2, in vestry cupboard A

Pulpit Wooden with 2 brass candle holders

4

April 2024

Lectern

Large lectern, wooden

Font

Stone, early Perpendicular 15[th] century

Font cover; wooden with iron handle

Screens

Decorated Tudor screen between chancel and Nave.

Stained glass

Monuments 2 ornamental coffin lids

5

April 2024

Nightingale monument (nave)

Recumbent marble figure –sanctuary

Brass plaque on wall by pulpit, originally on floor of nave.

Hatchment (large tablet with coat of arms) west wall

Weather cock, exterior, N.S.E.W.

Sculpture

Bells 5 bells in belfry cast by Miles Gray 1650

1 bell added in 1975

Clocks 1 tower clock

Paintings

Metalwork clocks, processional crosses, lamps, chandeliers, light fittings, communion rail

6

April 2024

Candle snuffer, brass top.

Font ewer – brass

Wall safe by south door

Safe- 1 in vestry

1 in vicarage

Porch light

chancel chandelier

Woodwork Small Oak table in chancel

Large oak notice board, used as prayer board.

Small wooden table

wooden table

7

April 2024

Wooden table, turned legs.

Stand for flag pole, wooden, brass plaque reading “1929-1980”

Wooden Pedestal, chancel

----- Start of picture text -----
Wooden chest on legs, chancel
----- End of picture text -----

2 Bishops Chairs with inscription to Robert and Elizabeth Taylor.

8

April 2024

2 kneelers, wooden base blue cushions.

Tall floor standing Pascal candle stick, wooden

1 wooden litany desk

Large wooden cupboard, by main entrance

Wooden leaflet table

Large iron bound blue chest

Vestment chest in vestry

Vestry cupboards; 1 tall single, 1 tall double

9

April 2024

Architecture Ancient sedilia, triple in the sanctuary

Ancient piscina, double in the sanctuary, single in south chapel

Niches either side of Lady Chapel window (figures removed)

Ancient aumbries; 1 north east side of sanctuary

Textiles Vestments

Burses and veils; 1 blue, 2 gold, 1 red.

Frontals

2 Altar cloths on rolls

4 frontals Green; White/gold, Purple, Red

4 frontals not used; Green, White/gold, Blue, Red

1 gold dorsal

Fair Linen

Purificators 5

Corporals 4

Lavabo towels 7

Palls 3

1 Altar covering, white

Hangings

4 Pulpit Falls; Green, red, purple, white.

Assorted banners 5

Collection bags 2

Miscellaneous textiles

10

April 2024

Kneelers x4 tapestry, at alter rail

Pew kneelers x 40

Long Pew cushions – red –x 6

Organ Walker 1867 two manuals, 4 feet pedals

Miscellaneous

Stone dish with lid, vestry cupboard

Pictures/plaques;

Photo of Rev Robert Henry Boyd 1899-1935

Wooden plaque re church room restoration by Gift of E.T.Russell esq.

Wooden plaque re The Incorporated Society for Buildings and Churches give £30 for re seating of the church.

Brass plaque re vestry clock in memory of Mabel Johnson

11

April 2024

Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of St Peter and St Paul's Church, Bassingbourn I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2024. Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 {the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility 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 Commission under section 145{5llb) of the 2011 Act,. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of this report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charitv 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 include5 consideration of any unusual rtems OT disclosures rn thE aCcO￿nts, and seeking explanations frorn you as trustees concerning any suth matters. The procedure5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given 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 examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention {11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met,. or 12) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mr. Roger van Poortyliet L3 IBridge Street, Whaddon, Cambs, SG8 5SQ 13th October 2025

10. Structure, Governance and Management

The Parish Church of St. Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn is part of the Deanery of Shingay in the Diocese of Ely within the Church of England.

The Incumbent and Vicar is the Rev’d Helen Orr who holds the benefice in plurality with the benefice of Whaddon, being Vicar also of St Mary the Virgin Whaddon. The position is half-time.

The Parochial Church Council is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2022) and is a registered charity, registration number 1169787. The PCC is also registered with HMRC as a charity for tax purposes.

There were no serious incidents in 2024 which required reporting to the Charity Commission and hence none that were unreported.

The method of appointment of members of the Parochial Church Council is set out in the Church Representation Rules 2022. At St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent, churchwardens, the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the Church. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC is 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 PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 as amended by the Safeguarding (Code of Practice) Measure 2021 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops' guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). Training in safeguarding is provided to PCC members, who are subject to DBS checks. The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Dr Renate Marsh.

In addition to a Standing Committee, the PCC has a Building Committee, a Fundraising Committee and a Mission Committee. Each committee operates within documented Terms of Reference.

The PCC employs a part-time administrator for three mornings a week. Remuneration is set by the Standing Committee and approved by the PCC.

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

17

The full PCC met nine times in the year 2024 with an average level of attendance of 77%.

PCC members who have served at any time from 1[st ] January 2024 until the

date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members:

Elected members:

Vicar:

The Rev’d Helen Orr, The Vicarage, 21 North End, Bassingbourn, Royston, Herts, SG8 5NZ.

E-mail: vicar@ bassingbournchurch.org.uk

PCC Secretary:

Mike Hallett E-mail: secretary@bassingbournchurch.org.uk

The correspondence address is:

The Church Office, 23 North End, Bassingbourn, SG8 5NZ.

E-mail: office@bassingbournchurch.org.uk

St Peter & St Paul Bassingbourn

Annual Report 2024

18