Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Annual Report 2020 4// 'J Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Incumbent: The Reverend Canon James F Southward Principal Address: The Vicarage Hermitage Road Higham Rochester Kent ME3 7NE Registered Charity No.: 1169926 Independent Examiner: Mr G Cousins Merston 4 Chalk Road Higham Nr Rochester Kent, ME3 7JX Banks: Barclays Bank PLC Dartford Group Gravesend National Savings Bank Glasgow Scotland Santander PLC Merseyside CAF Bank Ltd West Malling Kent Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Report on the proceedings of the Council Aim and Purpose Sl. John's Parochi81 Church Council {PCC) has the responsibility of c(Foperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon James F. Southward, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of Ihe Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Objectives and Activlties The PCC is committed lo enabling as many people as possible lo use and worship at our church and lo become part of our parish community al St. John's. The PCC collaborates with the incumbent In decisions made about acts of worship particularly with a view lo involving the groups and organisalions that operate within the parish. Our pattern of worship is hinged on the daily celebration of Mass and Morning and Evening prayer. Our worship puts faith into Practi￿ through prayer, scripture and Sacrament. Public Benefit When planning our activities for the y8ar. the incumbent and PCC have considered th8 Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specrfic guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people lo live out their faith as part of our parish communily Ihrough.. Worship and prayer.. learning about the Gospel Provision of pastoral care for both those who live within the parish and non-resident worshippers Leading our Church into Growth- Missionary and outreach work To facililale this work, il is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of Sl. John and ils churchyard and the churchyard of St. Mary's, Higham. Administrative Infomiation Sl. John's Church is situated in Higham, Kenl.11 is in the Deanery of Slrood.. part of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester, and under the Episcopal care of the Bishop of Richborough. The PCC is a body corporate IPCC Powers and Measure 1956. Church Represenlalion Rules 20201 and a charity registered wilh the Charity Commission. The PCC lakes regard of the Charity Governance Code and is working towards compliance with the Code where il is relevant to the PCC'S activilics. PCC members who have served during 2020 are: Ex Officio." Incumbent Churchwardens Th8 Revd. Canon James Southward Mrs Helen Walker Mrs Teresa Joblin Chair Vice-chair Representatives on the Deanery Syn¢)d." Mrs Kim Wood Vulnerable Adults Representative until September 2020 and stepped down from the Deanery Synod role ￿n Oclober 2020. Mr Christopher Hanson Mr Stephen Phillips Elected Members Mr Edward Hance Mrs Elizabeth Croker Mrs Valerie Laurens Mrs Carole Rough Mrs Sarah Wright Mrs Anne Tammas-williams Mrs Catherine Ody Elected October 2020, previously an elected PCC Member Served until October 2020. Asst. Hon. Treasurer & Data Compliance Officer DBS First Recruiter Hon. Secretary & Elecloral Roll OfFicer Hon. Treasurer Parish Safeguarding O￿lcer. Stepped down from DBS Second Recruiter role in November 2020. Served until October 2020. DBS Second Recruiter. Elecled October 2020. Elected October 2020. Mrs Tessa Packer Mrs Nancy Hughes Mrs Julie Aldous Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Recruilment and appointment of New Trustees The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Induction and trainlng of New Trustees All new members of the PCC are mentored by serving members and are advised of their duties and responsibilities. Committees To manage ils lime in an effective way, the PCC operates several committees, which meet as appropriate throughout the year. The Incumbent is an ex officio member of all committees and one or both ChLtrchwardens sit on most committees. Commillee5 have the power to co-opt non-PCC members for a specified period of lime as appropriate. Standing Committee.. is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, sublecl lo any directions given by the Council. The Churchwardens are ex officio members and usually the Secretary, Treasurer landlor the Assistant Treasurer) and one other PCC member. This should equate to about one third of Ihe PCC. Finance Committee.. oversees the general financial dimension of the work of St. John's by monitoring income and expenditure and preparing budgets for future expenditure. The committea usually Comprises the Treasurer, Stewardship Recorder and both Churchwardens. Planned Givlng Committee.. is responsible for the co-ordination of the annual review of Planned Giving, which takes place during February and discusses matters relating lo charitable and missionary giving. The PCC, meeting on 17, March 2020, agreed to merge the committee with the Finance commillee. Soclal Commlttee.. is responsible for the or9anisalion of vanous fund raising events throughout the year, refreshmenls after special services and any other s(xial aspects of life al Sl. John's lo bring together our Church and our community. Policies Committee.. was established lo ensure that matters which require a standard response lo any possible cnquiries are agreed by the Vicar and the PCC, e.g. baptism, burial. Sl. Mary's Church and Churchyard. marriage. blessings, St. George's School. conlenl in principlelmanagemenl of Sl John's websile, elc. Social Medla & Communlcatlons Committee." was established to ¢¢>ordinale and oversee all aspects of media used by Sl. John's as tools in furthering the Church's work in the Community. Volunteers Members of the PCC act in a voluntary capacity and very much rely on the assistance of people outside of the Council. It has not been possible to quantify the value of volunteers. Church Attendance At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on the 16 October 2020 il was reported thal the number ol names on the Electoral Roll stood at 78. The Coronavirus situation began lo escalate in February 2020 and the country went inlo'lockdown, in March 2020 when St John's Church had to close. Daily Mass continued lo be offered. transferring the celebration online, from clergy homes, initially via Skype then moving onlo Zoom as numbers 'attending' these increased. Two Sunday morning masses were offered and a Sunday evening Mass was also available for a period of time via Facebook. The Vicarfs weekly emails and the Church website and social media siles were used lo share key information, including making hyperlinks available so bible readings COLJld be accessed. As the Coronavirus situation began lo improve and following Government and Diocesan advice. St John's was able to re-open a small area of the Church cordoned off for private prayer starting on Monday 15 June. This was followed on the 12 July when St John's was able to re￿pen for parishioners to attend some weekday Masses and Ihe two Sunday Masses. Sl John's Church then became open again every day for daily Mass with the continued offer of accessing Mass via Zoom. There was a mixed pallern of attendance, some parishioners attending Mass in Church. soffte continuing to access Mass via Zoom, some combining both. Sunday attendance of adults. together with the number of communicants, has fallen slightly over the year due lo dealhs, infirrnity and due to the Coronavirus silualion. Sometimes weekday Masses are only supported by those who live OUTSIDE Ihe parish. Junior Church continued as usual al the beginning of the year. The lack in Ihe number of children attending conlinued lo be a real problem, and Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston weekly attendance was utterly e￿atic. Junior Church also ceased when 'lockdown' started and is yet to re- slart. Achlevements and Performance A total of 6 PCC meetings look place be￿een January and De￿mber 2020 on a bi-monthly basis with an average of 10 members in attendance. There has been 1 Extraordinary meeting and 5 Standing Committee meetings during Ihe year. The Focus on Renewal and Growth Group, established 2013 by the Incumbent as a 'think-lank' lo support him in considering new or different ideas for worship. outreach and care both in our Church and the wider community, has not mel this year. Episcopal Care." In 2015 the dI0￿san bishop made arrangements for St John's and other 'resolulion parishes, lo be moved from the pastoral care of the Bishop of Fulham to that of the Bishop of Richborough. Following on from the Church of England's decision lo ordain worven as bishops, the PCC gave considerab18 time to considering the way forward for St John's under Ihe new arrangements. Formal application was made to the Bishop of Rochester in 2015 to ask for arrangements for episcopal care lo bc made in accordance with the House of Bishop's Declaration on the minislry of Bishops and Priests. We have still not received a written reply lo dale. However. the appointment of Bishop Norman as an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese implies that this meets our silualion in part. Worship and Prayer.. The daily Celebration of Mass continues to form our main act of worship al Sl. John's. Following suggestions from the Focus on Renewal and Growth group in 2014. we have planned to offer a range of services that our community might find beneficial and spiritually fulfilling, such as 'Holy Hours, before the Blessèd Sacrament on a Saturday of each month. and al varying limes each week during Lent and Advent and a healing ministry during Mass on some Saturdays Ihrough the year. Unfortunately, the Covid 19 situation has made il impossible lo offer these ServI￿S during most of 2020. The opportunity lo request weekly intercession and thanksgiving prayers has continued lo be made availablc. The chance lo light individual, votive candles in memory of deceased loved ones on All Souls Day continues lo be popular. The Church, being open for prayer, is used by others as well as members. Lighting Prayer candles Is 8 frequent Occurren￿ most days. As well as our regular services, we enable the wider community to celebrate and thank God al the milestones of life's journey. Here again. the Covid 19 pandemic has severely limited our opportunity to offer these life celebrations. We have celebrated 1 Baptism but no Marriages in our Church and have led 21 funerals for the Community, 15 of these al Ihe cremalorium, 6 in Church. once Church use was allowed again. Music.. We do not have a contracted Organist al St John's. We are fortunate to have Mr. John Mounlford, Head of Music at Kings School, alongside other organists, to support us, when available, by playing the organ at services and working with the Singing Group. Support from Mr John Mounlford continued in January and February 2020 but due lo the Covid 19 sitL181ion and following recommendations from the Government and Diocese, music and singing In church has temporarily ceased. Mission and Evangellsm has continued lo be at the forefront of the PCC'S discussions. The Monthly Prayer Cycle continues lo be used, ensuring that every road within the village is prayed for along with various village organisalions and businesses. Bishop Noman s cycle of prayer for the 'Richborough family of Parishes, is also used daily. The monlttly Coffee and Conversation sessions which provide a meeting place on a Saturday morning for anyone in the village wishing to get out of the house. meeumake friends and have a good chat, were held al the beginning of the year. They are currently on hold during the Covid 19 511ualion. Lent Lunche5 held on Saturdays started lo lake place in February but had lo be cancelled due lo the Covid 19 situation. The money raised from the initial two lunches that did take pla￿ was sent in support of Christian Aid. There continued lo be members among the congregation who serve the village community among Friends of S.Mary's, School Governors. Higham History Group. and Hiara. Church members and the wider parish are invited lo donate to a food collects'on at St John's, al least once a month, which is then taken lo a Foodbank in Gravesend. The generosity of donors has bccn amazing, particularly during the Covid pandemic. In these ways, the people of God and the church of Christ are working for the benefit of the entire community. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Our Study Group, M4, which should meet on most first Mondays of the month, for Mass, Munch and ML(se was adversely affected and suspended as with other meetings in 2020. A new group was stsrted early in 2020 by PCC Member, Chris Hanson. and our Hon. As51Stanl Priest, Father Peler Bolton. Called the Confratemity of Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, it was formed lo address the low number of men in St John's congregation and with the objects of adopting a rule of lrfe, evangelizing and doing good works. Unfortunately. this group was in the early stages of formation when the pandemic struck and has been forced to suspend its activilies for the time being. Christmas Masses did lake place in church {with restricted numbers and following the Covid 19 special risk assessment guidelines) and via Zoom 8.g. Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. Unfortunately due lo the Covid 19 situation some Christmas church events had lo be cancelled due lo the increased risk5 that these could pose, namely the children's Crib servi￿ and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Parish Representative to the Cathedral.. The PCC is grateful lo Mr Roger Hill who Gonlinued as our Parish Representative until very recently. This scheffle is now defunct. Children and Youth work.. All activities for the children and young people throughout the year are approved by the PCC and subject to the usual permission being granted All volunteers working with hildren requiro the approval of the PCC and are DBS checked, where necessary. Vve follow Diocese & Parish guidelines for safegLtarding and social media. The safeguarding contacts for children arc publicired Ihroijghoul St John's and on our website. Due lo the Covid 19 situation. Junior Church ceased lo take place in the Church building from March 2020 De5Plte the Covid19 situation and the inability to meet in person, regular contact has been kept with Junior Church families throLJgh email. social media, and articles antj Junior Pages in The Bridge. Activities have been shared online and a virtual Crib Service for Zoom was prepared by JC teachers and allended by JC families on Christmas Eve. Encouragement is given lo conlinLJe worship. a couple of JC families reqularly attend weekly mass either in church or on Zoom. There has been positive feedback that these efforts are appreciated, and we will continue these Ihrough 2021 until we can meet again. The Teens N Twenties group did not meet in 2020- particularly for Palm Cross and Chrislingle Making because of Covid19. Lenl & Advent challengeslaclivilies were posled on the TNT Facebook page lo onlinue OLttreach. Voice Rejoice. a singing group, for childr8n whiGh was established at the end of 2017, is led by Mrs Catherine Ody assisted by Mrs Anne Tammas-williams. One of the objects of this group is lo provide a possible entry into church life for children who have previously had no conneclion. The choir has 4 chilrjren regularly attending and they had sung at various church services during 2019. The choir met up for practice at the beginning of the year through January & February 2020. Due to the Covid 19 situation this group Is currently not meeting. In previous years both Higham Primary and Gads Hill School h8ve made use of Sl. John's as an instrument in the teaching of Christianity during Religious Education. Again due lo the Covid 19 situation the use ol the church has temporarily ceased. Social Committee.. This group's role is lo organise food following major feasts and solemnities, ID facililale, encourage and foster a greater ministry of welcome and hospitalily. Apart from the Burns Night Supper, linked with dedication Festival, these events did not lake place due to Covid 19. Stewardshlp Committee.. This committee continued to produce their planned giving appeal, taking into account GDPR, by distributing packs lo all members of Ihe Congregation. They also normally provide d recommended plan for the PCC'S charitable giving each year. However. due lo a drop in PCC funds owing to the Covid 19 pandemic, it was not possible for this committee lo consider a plan of charitable giving for 2020. The functions of this committee will be taken on by the Finance Committee in future. The Policies Committee." This committee has been unable to meet this year due lo the Covid 19 pandemic. The Vesty Hall.. Is generally available to be used by the wider community for family celebratory events, for outreach groups, and others such as the Friends of Sl. Mary's for special meetings. The Icon group and some exercise groups nomially use the facilities most weeks, as well as the hall being used for study Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston groups and church social events which the wider community is encouraged and invileij to allend. Unfortunately the use of the Vestry Hall has significantly reduced this year due to Covid 19. Following Government and Diocesan advice. access lo and use of the Vestry Hall inilially ￿aSed on the 17 March 2020. During a Standing Committee meeling on the 16 August discussions look place regarding how lo re- open the hall for use by outside organisalions. The Covid 19 special risk assessment was updaled and a Hall Guidance document was written to support users of the hall lo manage and follow the appropriate guidelines. For a short period of time the hall was being used by the Yoga and Knit and Naller groups bul this again has now ceased dLAe to changes in the Covid 19 situation. No. 17 Hermitage Road.. Fr Peter Bolton. Honorary Assistant Priest to Sl John's, continues with Ihe tenancy taken up in November 2018. Fr Peter has been a very welcome and highly involved addition to the St John's family. A burglary look place at No.17 in November which necessilaled the replacement of some locks {on-going insurance claim) and the inslallalion of new security lights (funded by Rolfe's Charity). An Electrical Installation Condition Report IEICRI inspection took place, a legal requirement, which highlighted that some minor improvements were desirable. The PCC will be dealing with these during 2021 St. Mary's Church and Churchyard." No Se￿IceS were held al St. Mary's Church during the year due lo the Covid 19 situation. The continued programme of vegetation clearance. lo keep the Churchyard accessible to the Higham community and other visitors. has continued. funded by Rolfe's Charity. General Church Repairs.. General maintenanc8 and repairs have taken place at Sl John's Church over the year. Work has taken place to-. Rebuild a section of the Churchyard wall (between the main gates and small gale on the main road). Further damage was caused to the corner of the wall. to the west of the main gale, this will need lo be repaired as soon as possible next year. Replacelrepair the ceiling and insulate the fl¢X)ring of the Vestry Hall. Also upgrading the current light system lo LED'S and installing emergency exil lights. Repair some tiles on the Lady Chapel roof. together with a loose tile on the Vestry Hall roof. Fix the lights in the Sacristy and the digital ¢onlrol box. Further electrical work is about to lake place in 2021 in connection with the lights outside the ChLsrch, as rainwater is seeping into the connecbon boxes for these. Also work is planned in 202110 remove one of the èleclric melers in the Church. For reasons unknown, Sl John's was historically filled wilh and charged for 2 electric meters. one of which il has been agreed by Ihc current energy suppler is not needed. Bell Tower." Our group of bell rin9ers continues lo improve and practise, aided by Iraining from the Kent County Association of Change Ringers. New bell muffles were ordered in February 2020 8nd are stored in the bell lower ready for use. Following Covid19 guidelines, change ringing was not possible bul individua15 have been able to chime when required lor Sunday Parish Mass and loll for funerals. Flnancial Revlew.. Finance remains a major ilern on the PCC'S agenda. It Gontinues to be difficult lo raise sufficient funds lo ensure the smooth running ol Sl John's Church. The Covid 19 situation has also now impacted on the financial situation wlh income generally down. Following consullalion wilh the Diocesan Office, the PCC decided to switch the method of accounb'ng from Accruals to Receipts & Payments from 2018 onwards. Mr G Cousins was appointed to act as Exarniner for the PCC'S accounts. 11 is the policy of the PCC lo maintain unrestricted funds. which are the free reserves of the PCC, at a level which equates lo approximately two months. unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover administration, maintenance and support cosls and lo respond to emergency siluations. Reserves were maintained al this level during 2020. Away-Giving.' It is the policy of the PCC to work towards being able to give away lo charitable causes a sum equal lo 5°/0 of our disposable in￿rne, less expenses beyond our control, e.g. Indicative Offer (formerly Parish Offer), rates and taxes, and restricled funds. Due to the reduction of income caused by the Covid 19 situation il was not feli possible to achieve this level of giving for 2020. It was agreed at the PCC meeting in March 2020 to donal8 all of our Away-Giving to Christian Aid this year. £520 was sent lo Christian Aid in February, which was raised as a resull of the 2 Lent Lunches that were able lo take place and vi3 'fines' and personal giving. Following a PCC meeting in November 2020 il was agreed to give another £800 to Christian Aid. Planned Giving.. Mrs Cheryl Robins carries on with her role as Stewardship Secretary. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Risk Management It is the PCC'S intention to identify the major risks which impact on the work of the Church in the Parish. We already have in place. a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders, a set of financial procedures, a grievance procedure for employees, a Health & Safety Policy and a policy on Domestic Violence. The PCC has also adopted the diocesan Dignity at Work policy. Health and safely risks are monitored on an on-going basis and are dealt with as they are identified and a risk analysis is updaled annually. The Council has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard lo the House of Bishops, guidance on safegLJarding children and vulnerable adults. The PCC has appointed Officers to deal with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring SeNi¢e and Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection. St John's was observant of the developing Covid 19 situalion and sought guidance from the Government and Diocese to ensure correct procedLJres were followed and adhered to. Covid 19 situation, plans and decisions, is currently a standing item on the PCC agenda lo be discussed at each meeting. The Standing Committee also mel on a number ol occasions lo discuss issues connected lo this that arose between PCC meetings. An initia1 Covid 19 special risk assessrnent was compiled and agre8d following a Standing Committee meeting held on 29 June and has been regularly checked and updated as needed since. This risk assessment is uploaded onto the Church Website and a copy is also kept on the Church notice board. Chlld Protection.. Mrs. C. Ody conlinues in her role as Parish Safeguarding Offi￿r. Mrs. T Jerome took on the role of Second Safeguarding Officer in September 2020. Disclosure and Barring SeThlce." Mrs. C Rough continues in her role as the Lead Recruiter and Mrs. N Hughes was elected lo the role as Second Lead Recruiter al the November 2020 PCC meeting. Safeguarding is a standing item on each PCC agenda. The PCC re￿iVeS regular updates from Mrs C Rough regarding DBS Now that the PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, all members have undergone D8S checks and newty elected members will be OBS checked. A procedure regarding 'Reporting of Serious Incidents, has been agreed and authority has been delegated lo the Diocesan Secretary to submit safeguarding Serious Incident Reports to the Charity Commission on behalf of the PCC'S Iruslees. A Safeguarding Audit was completed in April 2019. The PCC accepts and implements the House of Bishops Promoting a Safer Church Policy Slalement, and adopts the same as ils own policy. A Parish Safeguarding Handbook is kept in the Safeguarding folder in the church for easy access lo all. Steps were taken lo inform the current Sl John's congregation and wider ¢ommunity regarding the 'Communily Guidance in relation lo a Past Cases Review. by Rochesler Diocese in December 2019. The Past Cases Review was then completed and relumed to the Diocese with nothing to report. All re-elected Members and Officers of the PCC have completed the required level of online Safeguarding training. Newly elecled members will be supported to access this training if needed asap. Health and safety.. We have a CCTV system to help minirnise ihe risk of leaving the Church building unlocked during the day. An asbestos check and a fire risk analysis on the church buildings have been completed and recorded. Fire evacuation procedure is outlined on occasion lo the Congregation and large groups, and the￿ are signs and nolices on display. Full details of this procedure are also given lo organisations using Ihe church building for events. All Sidesmen are aware of the procedure. Maintenance of fire extinguishers and PAT lesling of electrical items is carried out on an annual basis. A full electrical inspection and a lightning conduclor inspection take place every five years. Policies.- The PCC has agreed an(5 recorded local policies regarding burials, baptisms and marriages, the use of Sl Mary's Church and Churchyard and Sl John's Churchyard, which are additional lo the Diocesan Regulations. Local policies have also been agreed regarding the signature by the Incumbent of application forms for entrance and free travel to Sl George's school. and Ihe use of social media. Also policies regarding the personal safety of lone workers and legacies to St John's are in place. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)." The PCC took into account the new GDPR that became12W in May 2018. The Parish's Data Controller is Rev. Canon James F Southward in conjunction with the PCC. Mrs V Laurens was appointed as Data Compliance Officer. The Policies Committee worked lo produce the following docurnentation to support the implementation of GDPR.. GDPR action plan. GDPR policy- adopted by the PCC on the 17" July 2018. Privacy notices for general use and for role holders. CCTV policy- adopted by the PCC on the 10 September 2018. An Annual Return of Processing Activities. A letter sent out to all members of the congregation to inform them about GDPR. In September 2020. Andrew Wooding Jones. Ihe Archdeacon of Rochester, contacted Fr James and asked him to consider becoming the Priest in Charge at All Sainls Church, Perry Street, Gravesend. Consultslion with PCC membefs look pla¢e and there was agreemenl with Fr James taking on this role. This has now been officially confirmed. It was agreed that this could be a posilive collaboration between Sl John's and All Saints. Sarah Wrlghl Hon. Secretary Rev. Canon James F Southward Vicar ol Higham and Rector of Merston ## **PCC ACCOUNTS** **Year Ending 31 December 2020** # **Higham with Merston PCC Receipts & Payments Accounts** 1 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ||||||**TOTAL**|||||TOTAL| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|**FUNDS**|Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|FUNDS| ||Notes|Funds|Funds|Funds|**2020**|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|2019| |||£|£|£|**£**|£|£|£|£|£| |**Receipts**||||||||||| |_Voluntary income_|2a|58,480|0|17,461|**75,941**|67,728|728|4,573||73,030| |_Activities for generating funds_|2b|5,569|0|186|**5,755**|6,572|0|437||7,009| |_Investment income_|2c|96|35|0|**130**|87|117|0||204| |_Church activities_|2d|2,726|0|3,492|**6,218**|11,927|0|0||11,927| |_Other incoming resources_|2e|2,690|0|0|**2,690**|2,640||0||2,640| |||69,560|35|21,139|**90,735**|88,955|846|5,010|0|94,810| |**Payments**||||||||||| |_Costs of generating voluntary income_|3a|64|0|0|**64**|82|0|0||82| |_Fund-raising trading costs_|3b|379|0|0|**379**|661|0|0||661| |_Church activities_|3c|83,030|14,676|20,368|**118,073**|78,868|4,242|2,582||85,692| |**Total resources expended**||83,472|14,676|20,368|**118,516**|79,611|4,242|2,582||86,435| |**Excess of Receipts over Payments**||(13,912)|(14,641)|772|**(27,782)**|9,344|(3,396)|2,428||8,376| |Transfers between funds - transfers in||8,200|12,900|12,000|**33,100**|0|10,291|150||10,441| |Transfers between funds - transfers out||(8,200)|(12,900)|(12,000)|**(33,100)**|(10,291)|0|(150)||(10,441)| ||||||**0**|||||0| |||(13,912)|(14,641)|772|**(27,782)**|(947)|6,894|2,428||8,376| |Bank current and deposit accounts 1 January 2020/19||77,916|22,587|(448)|**100,056**|78,863|15,693|(2,876)|0|91,680| |**Bank current and deposit accounts at 31 December 2020/19** 4||64,004|7,946|324|**72,274**|77,916|22,587|(448)|0|100,056| 2 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** |Notes
Cash and bank deposits
Current accounts
Deposit accounts
Church repair fund
4
Other monetary assets
Investment assets
Assets retained for Church Use
No 17 Hermitage Road
Liabilities
Charity Payments|General Designated
Restricted Endowment
**2020**
General Designated
Restricted Endowment
2019

Fund
Fund
Funds
Fund
**Total**
Fund
Fund
Funds
Fund
Total
£
£
£
£
**£**
£
£
£
£
£
13,422 3,258 670
**17,350**21,994
21,994
12,121 40,794
**52,915**12,025 55,032
67,057
2,010
**2,010**
11,005
11,005| |---|---| ||25,543 46,062 670
**72,275**34,019 66,036 -
100,056| ||-
**-**
-
**-**
-| ||- - -
**-**
-| ||**-**
-| ||- - -
**-**
- -| ||300,000
**300,000**
300,000
300,000
**-**
-
-| ||- 300,000 -
**300,000**
300,000
300,000| ||-
-
**-**170
170
0
**-**
0
-| ||- - - -**-**
**0**
0
170| Description of any Assets …………………………………………………….. Semi detached 3 bedroomed house for use of retired clergy, estimated market value 300,000 Approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf Treasurer Date The accompanying notes form a part of these financial statements. Incumbent 3 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **1 Accounting Policies** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Re 2006 using the Receipts & Payments basis. Receipts and payments include income as rece expenditure when irrevocably paid. The accounts include monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is resp law. They do not include the accounts of church groups which owe their main affiliation to a body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. ## Funds Unrestricted funds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. These i designated funds which can be redesignated. Restricted funds represent (a) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited b for a specific object, and (b) income from trusts and endowments which may be expended o those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust of bequest. The funds may only b expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent end of the year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising f investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted funds depen the purpose for which the endowment was established. The following assets are recognised but not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets a Liabilities: Movable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the P which require a faculty for disposal; Land and buildings held on behalf of the PCC. The following assets are recognised and a monetary value given as part of the description i Statement of Assets and Liabilities: Bank and deposit accounts; Amounts owing from HMRC formal claim has been made; Investment assets. Liabilities are recognised and a monetary value given in the Statement of Assets and Liabili the supply had been received by 31 December. 4 gulations ived and onsible in another include y the PCC only on be t at the from nding upon and CC and n the where a ities where 4 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**2**
**a**
_Voluntary income_
Planned giving by standing order
Planned giving envelopes
Income tax recoverable
Collections
Charity Collections
Donations and appeals
Legacies/Grants
**b**
_Activities for generating funds_
General fundraising
Parish Magazine/VotiveCandles/Flowers
**c**
_Investment income_
Dividends and interest
**d**
_Income from Church Activities_
Church Hall Income
Fees from weddings, funerals, etc
DBF element of fees
Refreshments
Social Committee
**e**
_Other incoming resources_
Sundry
Other income
**Total receipts**|**TOTAL**
TOTAL
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
FUNDS
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2020**
Funds
Funds
Funds
2019
£
£
£
**£**
£
£
£
£
**0**
**0**
33,786
**33,786**
32,834
**32,834**
9,006
**9,006**
10,505
**10,505**
13,127
**13,127**
16,708
**16,708**
1,519
**1,519**
4,414
539
**4,954**
520
**520**
1,615
**1,615**
1,042
16806
**17,848**
2,717
2284
**5,001**
135
**135**
550
728
135
**1,413**| |---|---| ||58,480
0
17,461
**75,941**
67,728
728
4,573
**73,030**| ||1,403
**1,403**
3,109
39
**3,148**
4,166
186
**4,352**
3,463
398
**3,861**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**| ||5,569
0
186
**5,755**
6,572
0
437
**7,009**| ||96
35
**130**
87
117
**204**| ||96
35
0
**130**
87
117
0
**204**| ||739
**739**
5,125
**5,125**
1,820
**1,820**
3,563
**3,563**
3,492
**3,492**
2,042
**2,042**
167
**167**
648
**648**
0
**0**
550
**550**| ||2,726
0
3,492
**6,218**
11,927
0
0
**11,927**| ||50
**50**
**0**
2,640
**2,640**
2,640
**2,640**| ||2,690
0
0
**2,690**
2,640
0
0
**2,640**| ||| ||69,560
35
21,139
**90,735**
88,955
846
5,010
**94,810**| 5 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** |**3**
**Payments**
**a**
_Costs of generating voluntary income_
Stewardship costs
**b**
_Fund raising costs_
**c**
_Church Activities_
Missionary and charitable giving (Note 6):
Ministry Costs
Diocesan Ofer
Expenses
Vicarage costs
Other Benefce account costs
Other Ministry costs
Church running expenses
Utilities
Refreshments
Insurance
Church maintenance
Major Structural work
Upkeep of services
Organ Tuning and Playing
No. 17 Hermitage Road
Maintenance
Insurance
Administration
Training/Childrens Church
Other costs
**Total payments**|**TOTAL**
TOTAL
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
FUNDS
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2020**
Funds
Funds
Funds
2019
£
£
£
**£**
£
£
£
£
**0**
**0**
64
**64**
82
**82**| |---|---| ||64
0
0
**64**
82
0
**82**| ||379
**379**
661
**661**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**| ||379
0
0
**379**
661
0
**661**| ||1,050
690
**1,740**
1,782
2,022
**3,804**
**0**
**0**
52,966
**52,966**
52,482
**52,482**
2,514
**2,514**
1,386
**1,386**
4,049
**4,049**
3,551
**3,551**
2,555
**2,555**
162
**162**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**0**
4,937
**4,937**
5,470
**5,470**
86
**86**
342
**342**
3,586
**3,586**
3,653
**3,653**
9,578
261
**9,839**
1,712
150
**1,862**
14,144
15,000
**29,144**
**0**
1,067
1,324
**2,391**
2,171
410
**2,581**
835
**835**
2,719
**2,719**
**0**
**0**
576
**576**
558
**558**
211
**211**
201
**201**
1,189
**1,189**
1,992
**1,992**
67
**67**
255
**255**
320
532
537
**1,389**
431
4,242
**4,673**| ||83,030
14,676
20,368
**118,073**
78,868
4,242
2,582
**85,692**| ||| ||83,472
14,676
20,368
**118,516**
79,611
4,242
2,582
86,435| 6 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** ## **4 Statement of Fund Movements** |**Unrestricted Fund**
General fund
**Designated Fund**
**Restricted Fund**
**Total bank and current accounts**
**Endowment Fund**
**Total funds**|Bal b/fwd
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**Bal c/fwd**
1 Jan 2020
between
**31 Dec 2020**
funds
£
£
£
£
**£**
32,231
69,560
(83,472)
9,000
**27,319**| |---|---| ||32,231
69,560
(83,472)
9,000
**27,319**| ||65,922
35
(14,676)
(9,000)
**42,281**| ||65,922
35
(14,676)
(9,000)
**42,281**| ||1,902
21,139
(20,368)
0
**2,674**| ||1,902
21,139
(20,368)
0
**2,674**| ||| ||100,055
90,735
(118,516)
0
**72,273**| ||**0**| ||0
0
0
**0**| ||| ||100,055
90,735
(118,516)
0
**72,273**| The General Fund is available to the PCC for day to day income and expenses. Its assets are held in a Santander and Barclays Current Account. The Church Repair Fund has been designated by the PCC for the repair of that building. The monies are held in a deposit account with Rochester Diocese Board of Finance. The Bell Tower Fund which forms part of the Restoration Fund is held for the purpose of making repairs to the tower, bells and church clock. This fund is financed from donations and charges made at weddings. 7 ## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020** **5 Staff costs** **2020** 2019 **£** £ **a** _Wages and salaries_ **0** 0 ## **b** _Payments to PCC members_ No other payments, apart from reimbursement of expenses, were made to PCC members. ## **6** Missionary and charitable giving |Bishop of Richborough Discretionary Fund
Christian Aid
Gravesham food bank
National Churches Trust
Save the children
Barnabas Fund
Rochester DBF - Conf. Collection
Zimbabwe appeal
Ellenor
Yes Liberia|**2020**
2019
**£**
**£**
£
£
**Undesignated**
**Special**
Undesignated
Special
**Collections**
Collections
**150**
**800 520**
**1,200**
**22**
**50**
**50**
**170**
**150**
**382**
**-**
**1,000**
**200**
**200**
**650**| |---|---| ||**1,050**
**690**
1,782
2,022| ## **7 Reserves policy** It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on liquid unrestricted funds which equates to approximately 2 months' unrestricted payments, to cover administration, maintenance and support costs and to respond to emergency situations. Reserves were maintained at this level during the year. 8 ## **Compatibility Report for Final 1.xls Run on 27/01/2021 16:54** The following features in this workbook are not supported by earlier versions of Excel. These features may be lost or degraded when opening this workbook in an earlier version of Excel or if you save this workbook in an earlier file format. |**Minor loss of fdelity**|**# of**|**Version**| |---|---|---| ||**occurrenc**|| ||**es**|| |Some cells or styles in this workbook contain|6|Excel 97-| |formatting that is not supported by the selected
fle format. These formats will be converted to the
closest format available.||2003| Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Annual Report 2020 4// 'J Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Incumbent: The Reverend Canon James F Southward Principal Address: The Vicarage Hermitage Road Higham Rochester Kent ME3 7NE Registered Charity No.: 1169926 Independent Examiner: Mr G Cousins Merston 4 Chalk Road Higham Nr Rochester Kent, ME3 7JX Banks: Barclays Bank PLC Dartford Group Gravesend National Savings Bank Glasgow Scotland Santander PLC Merseyside CAF Bank Ltd West Malling Kent Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Report on the proceedings of the Council Aim and Purpose Sl. John's Parochi81 Church Council {PCC) has the responsibility of c(Foperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon James F. Southward, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of Ihe Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Objectives and Activlties The PCC is committed lo enabling as many people as possible lo use and worship at our church and lo become part of our parish community al St. John's. The PCC collaborates with the incumbent In decisions made about acts of worship particularly with a view lo involving the groups and organisalions that operate within the parish. Our pattern of worship is hinged on the daily celebration of Mass and Morning and Evening prayer. Our worship puts faith into Practi￿ through prayer, scripture and Sacrament. Public Benefit When planning our activities for the y8ar. the incumbent and PCC have considered th8 Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specrfic guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people lo live out their faith as part of our parish communily Ihrough.. Worship and prayer.. learning about the Gospel Provision of pastoral care for both those who live within the parish and non-resident worshippers Leading our Church into Growth- Missionary and outreach work To facililale this work, il is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of Sl. John and ils churchyard and the churchyard of St. Mary's, Higham. Administrative Infomiation Sl. John's Church is situated in Higham, Kenl.11 is in the Deanery of Slrood.. part of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester, and under the Episcopal care of the Bishop of Richborough. The PCC is a body corporate IPCC Powers and Measure 1956. Church Represenlalion Rules 20201 and a charity registered wilh the Charity Commission. The PCC lakes regard of the Charity Governance Code and is working towards compliance with the Code where il is relevant to the PCC'S activilics. PCC members who have served during 2020 are: Ex Officio." Incumbent Churchwardens Th8 Revd. Canon James Southward Mrs Helen Walker Mrs Teresa Joblin Chair Vice-chair Representatives on the Deanery Syn¢)d." Mrs Kim Wood Vulnerable Adults Representative until September 2020 and stepped down from the Deanery Synod role ￿n Oclober 2020. Mr Christopher Hanson Mr Stephen Phillips Elected Members Mr Edward Hance Mrs Elizabeth Croker Mrs Valerie Laurens Mrs Carole Rough Mrs Sarah Wright Mrs Anne Tammas-williams Mrs Catherine Ody Elected October 2020, previously an elected PCC Member Served until October 2020. Asst. Hon. Treasurer & Data Compliance Officer DBS First Recruiter Hon. Secretary & Elecloral Roll OfFicer Hon. Treasurer Parish Safeguarding O￿lcer. Stepped down from DBS Second Recruiter role in November 2020. Served until October 2020. DBS Second Recruiter. Elecled October 2020. Elected October 2020. Mrs Tessa Packer Mrs Nancy Hughes Mrs Julie Aldous Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Recruilment and appointment of New Trustees The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Induction and trainlng of New Trustees All new members of the PCC are mentored by serving members and are advised of their duties and responsibilities. Committees To manage ils lime in an effective way, the PCC operates several committees, which meet as appropriate throughout the year. The Incumbent is an ex officio member of all committees and one or both ChLtrchwardens sit on most committees. Commillee5 have the power to co-opt non-PCC members for a specified period of lime as appropriate. Standing Committee.. is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, sublecl lo any directions given by the Council. The Churchwardens are ex officio members and usually the Secretary, Treasurer landlor the Assistant Treasurer) and one other PCC member. This should equate to about one third of Ihe PCC. Finance Committee.. oversees the general financial dimension of the work of St. John's by monitoring income and expenditure and preparing budgets for future expenditure. The committea usually Comprises the Treasurer, Stewardship Recorder and both Churchwardens. Planned Givlng Committee.. is responsible for the co-ordination of the annual review of Planned Giving, which takes place during February and discusses matters relating lo charitable and missionary giving. The PCC, meeting on 17, March 2020, agreed to merge the committee with the Finance commillee. Soclal Commlttee.. is responsible for the or9anisalion of vanous fund raising events throughout the year, refreshmenls after special services and any other s(xial aspects of life al Sl. John's lo bring together our Church and our community. Policies Committee.. was established lo ensure that matters which require a standard response lo any possible cnquiries are agreed by the Vicar and the PCC, e.g. baptism, burial. Sl. Mary's Church and Churchyard. marriage. blessings, St. George's School. conlenl in principlelmanagemenl of Sl John's websile, elc. Social Medla & Communlcatlons Committee." was established to ¢¢>ordinale and oversee all aspects of media used by Sl. John's as tools in furthering the Church's work in the Community. Volunteers Members of the PCC act in a voluntary capacity and very much rely on the assistance of people outside of the Council. It has not been possible to quantify the value of volunteers. Church Attendance At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on the 16 October 2020 il was reported thal the number ol names on the Electoral Roll stood at 78. The Coronavirus situation began lo escalate in February 2020 and the country went inlo'lockdown, in March 2020 when St John's Church had to close. Daily Mass continued lo be offered. transferring the celebration online, from clergy homes, initially via Skype then moving onlo Zoom as numbers 'attending' these increased. Two Sunday morning masses were offered and a Sunday evening Mass was also available for a period of time via Facebook. The Vicarfs weekly emails and the Church website and social media siles were used lo share key information, including making hyperlinks available so bible readings COLJld be accessed. As the Coronavirus situation began lo improve and following Government and Diocesan advice. St John's was able to re-open a small area of the Church cordoned off for private prayer starting on Monday 15 June. This was followed on the 12 July when St John's was able to re￿pen for parishioners to attend some weekday Masses and Ihe two Sunday Masses. Sl John's Church then became open again every day for daily Mass with the continued offer of accessing Mass via Zoom. There was a mixed pallern of attendance, some parishioners attending Mass in Church. soffte continuing to access Mass via Zoom, some combining both. Sunday attendance of adults. together with the number of communicants, has fallen slightly over the year due lo dealhs, infirrnity and due to the Coronavirus silualion. Sometimes weekday Masses are only supported by those who live OUTSIDE Ihe parish. Junior Church continued as usual al the beginning of the year. The lack in Ihe number of children attending conlinued lo be a real problem, and Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston weekly attendance was utterly e￿atic. Junior Church also ceased when 'lockdown' started and is yet to re- slart. Achlevements and Performance A total of 6 PCC meetings look place be￿een January and De￿mber 2020 on a bi-monthly basis with an average of 10 members in attendance. There has been 1 Extraordinary meeting and 5 Standing Committee meetings during Ihe year. The Focus on Renewal and Growth Group, established 2013 by the Incumbent as a 'think-lank' lo support him in considering new or different ideas for worship. outreach and care both in our Church and the wider community, has not mel this year. Episcopal Care." In 2015 the dI0￿san bishop made arrangements for St John's and other 'resolulion parishes, lo be moved from the pastoral care of the Bishop of Fulham to that of the Bishop of Richborough. Following on from the Church of England's decision lo ordain worven as bishops, the PCC gave considerab18 time to considering the way forward for St John's under Ihe new arrangements. Formal application was made to the Bishop of Rochester in 2015 to ask for arrangements for episcopal care lo bc made in accordance with the House of Bishop's Declaration on the minislry of Bishops and Priests. We have still not received a written reply lo dale. However. the appointment of Bishop Norman as an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese implies that this meets our silualion in part. Worship and Prayer.. The daily Celebration of Mass continues to form our main act of worship al Sl. John's. Following suggestions from the Focus on Renewal and Growth group in 2014. we have planned to offer a range of services that our community might find beneficial and spiritually fulfilling, such as 'Holy Hours, before the Blessèd Sacrament on a Saturday of each month. and al varying limes each week during Lent and Advent and a healing ministry during Mass on some Saturdays Ihrough the year. Unfortunately, the Covid 19 situation has made il impossible lo offer these ServI￿S during most of 2020. The opportunity lo request weekly intercession and thanksgiving prayers has continued lo be made availablc. The chance lo light individual, votive candles in memory of deceased loved ones on All Souls Day continues lo be popular. The Church, being open for prayer, is used by others as well as members. Lighting Prayer candles Is 8 frequent Occurren￿ most days. As well as our regular services, we enable the wider community to celebrate and thank God al the milestones of life's journey. Here again. the Covid 19 pandemic has severely limited our opportunity to offer these life celebrations. We have celebrated 1 Baptism but no Marriages in our Church and have led 21 funerals for the Community, 15 of these al Ihe cremalorium, 6 in Church. once Church use was allowed again. Music.. We do not have a contracted Organist al St John's. We are fortunate to have Mr. John Mounlford, Head of Music at Kings School, alongside other organists, to support us, when available, by playing the organ at services and working with the Singing Group. Support from Mr John Mounlford continued in January and February 2020 but due lo the Covid 19 sitL181ion and following recommendations from the Government and Diocese, music and singing In church has temporarily ceased. Mission and Evangellsm has continued lo be at the forefront of the PCC'S discussions. The Monthly Prayer Cycle continues lo be used, ensuring that every road within the village is prayed for along with various village organisalions and businesses. Bishop Noman s cycle of prayer for the 'Richborough family of Parishes, is also used daily. The monlttly Coffee and Conversation sessions which provide a meeting place on a Saturday morning for anyone in the village wishing to get out of the house. meeumake friends and have a good chat, were held al the beginning of the year. They are currently on hold during the Covid 19 511ualion. Lent Lunche5 held on Saturdays started lo lake place in February but had lo be cancelled due lo the Covid 19 situation. The money raised from the initial two lunches that did take pla￿ was sent in support of Christian Aid. There continued lo be members among the congregation who serve the village community among Friends of S.Mary's, School Governors. Higham History Group. and Hiara. Church members and the wider parish are invited lo donate to a food collects'on at St John's, al least once a month, which is then taken lo a Foodbank in Gravesend. The generosity of donors has bccn amazing, particularly during the Covid pandemic. In these ways, the people of God and the church of Christ are working for the benefit of the entire community. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Our Study Group, M4, which should meet on most first Mondays of the month, for Mass, Munch and ML(se was adversely affected and suspended as with other meetings in 2020. A new group was stsrted early in 2020 by PCC Member, Chris Hanson. and our Hon. As51Stanl Priest, Father Peler Bolton. Called the Confratemity of Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, it was formed lo address the low number of men in St John's congregation and with the objects of adopting a rule of lrfe, evangelizing and doing good works. Unfortunately. this group was in the early stages of formation when the pandemic struck and has been forced to suspend its activilies for the time being. Christmas Masses did lake place in church {with restricted numbers and following the Covid 19 special risk assessment guidelines) and via Zoom 8.g. Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. Unfortunately due lo the Covid 19 situation some Christmas church events had lo be cancelled due lo the increased risk5 that these could pose, namely the children's Crib servi￿ and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Parish Representative to the Cathedral.. The PCC is grateful lo Mr Roger Hill who Gonlinued as our Parish Representative until very recently. This scheffle is now defunct. Children and Youth work.. All activities for the children and young people throughout the year are approved by the PCC and subject to the usual permission being granted All volunteers working with hildren requiro the approval of the PCC and are DBS checked, where necessary. Vve follow Diocese & Parish guidelines for safegLtarding and social media. The safeguarding contacts for children arc publicired Ihroijghoul St John's and on our website. Due lo the Covid 19 situation. Junior Church ceased lo take place in the Church building from March 2020 De5Plte the Covid19 situation and the inability to meet in person, regular contact has been kept with Junior Church families throLJgh email. social media, and articles antj Junior Pages in The Bridge. Activities have been shared online and a virtual Crib Service for Zoom was prepared by JC teachers and allended by JC families on Christmas Eve. Encouragement is given lo conlinLJe worship. a couple of JC families reqularly attend weekly mass either in church or on Zoom. There has been positive feedback that these efforts are appreciated, and we will continue these Ihrough 2021 until we can meet again. The Teens N Twenties group did not meet in 2020- particularly for Palm Cross and Chrislingle Making because of Covid19. Lenl & Advent challengeslaclivilies were posled on the TNT Facebook page lo onlinue OLttreach. Voice Rejoice. a singing group, for childr8n whiGh was established at the end of 2017, is led by Mrs Catherine Ody assisted by Mrs Anne Tammas-williams. One of the objects of this group is lo provide a possible entry into church life for children who have previously had no conneclion. The choir has 4 chilrjren regularly attending and they had sung at various church services during 2019. The choir met up for practice at the beginning of the year through January & February 2020. Due to the Covid 19 situation this group Is currently not meeting. In previous years both Higham Primary and Gads Hill School h8ve made use of Sl. John's as an instrument in the teaching of Christianity during Religious Education. Again due lo the Covid 19 situation the use ol the church has temporarily ceased. Social Committee.. This group's role is lo organise food following major feasts and solemnities, ID facililale, encourage and foster a greater ministry of welcome and hospitalily. Apart from the Burns Night Supper, linked with dedication Festival, these events did not lake place due to Covid 19. Stewardshlp Committee.. This committee continued to produce their planned giving appeal, taking into account GDPR, by distributing packs lo all members of Ihe Congregation. They also normally provide d recommended plan for the PCC'S charitable giving each year. However. due lo a drop in PCC funds owing to the Covid 19 pandemic, it was not possible for this committee lo consider a plan of charitable giving for 2020. The functions of this committee will be taken on by the Finance Committee in future. The Policies Committee." This committee has been unable to meet this year due lo the Covid 19 pandemic. The Vesty Hall.. Is generally available to be used by the wider community for family celebratory events, for outreach groups, and others such as the Friends of Sl. Mary's for special meetings. The Icon group and some exercise groups nomially use the facilities most weeks, as well as the hall being used for study Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston groups and church social events which the wider community is encouraged and invileij to allend. Unfortunately the use of the Vestry Hall has significantly reduced this year due to Covid 19. Following Government and Diocesan advice. access lo and use of the Vestry Hall inilially ￿aSed on the 17 March 2020. During a Standing Committee meeling on the 16 August discussions look place regarding how lo re- open the hall for use by outside organisalions. The Covid 19 special risk assessment was updaled and a Hall Guidance document was written to support users of the hall lo manage and follow the appropriate guidelines. For a short period of time the hall was being used by the Yoga and Knit and Naller groups bul this again has now ceased dLAe to changes in the Covid 19 situation. No. 17 Hermitage Road.. Fr Peter Bolton. Honorary Assistant Priest to Sl John's, continues with Ihe tenancy taken up in November 2018. Fr Peter has been a very welcome and highly involved addition to the St John's family. A burglary look place at No.17 in November which necessilaled the replacement of some locks {on-going insurance claim) and the inslallalion of new security lights (funded by Rolfe's Charity). An Electrical Installation Condition Report IEICRI inspection took place, a legal requirement, which highlighted that some minor improvements were desirable. The PCC will be dealing with these during 2021 St. Mary's Church and Churchyard." No Se￿IceS were held al St. Mary's Church during the year due lo the Covid 19 situation. The continued programme of vegetation clearance. lo keep the Churchyard accessible to the Higham community and other visitors. has continued. funded by Rolfe's Charity. General Church Repairs.. General maintenanc8 and repairs have taken place at Sl John's Church over the year. Work has taken place to-. Rebuild a section of the Churchyard wall (between the main gates and small gale on the main road). Further damage was caused to the corner of the wall. to the west of the main gale, this will need lo be repaired as soon as possible next year. Replacelrepair the ceiling and insulate the fl¢X)ring of the Vestry Hall. Also upgrading the current light system lo LED'S and installing emergency exil lights. Repair some tiles on the Lady Chapel roof. together with a loose tile on the Vestry Hall roof. Fix the lights in the Sacristy and the digital ¢onlrol box. Further electrical work is about to lake place in 2021 in connection with the lights outside the ChLsrch, as rainwater is seeping into the connecbon boxes for these. Also work is planned in 202110 remove one of the èleclric melers in the Church. For reasons unknown, Sl John's was historically filled wilh and charged for 2 electric meters. one of which il has been agreed by Ihc current energy suppler is not needed. Bell Tower." Our group of bell rin9ers continues lo improve and practise, aided by Iraining from the Kent County Association of Change Ringers. New bell muffles were ordered in February 2020 8nd are stored in the bell lower ready for use. Following Covid19 guidelines, change ringing was not possible bul individua15 have been able to chime when required lor Sunday Parish Mass and loll for funerals. Flnancial Revlew.. Finance remains a major ilern on the PCC'S agenda. It Gontinues to be difficult lo raise sufficient funds lo ensure the smooth running ol Sl John's Church. The Covid 19 situation has also now impacted on the financial situation wlh income generally down. Following consullalion wilh the Diocesan Office, the PCC decided to switch the method of accounb'ng from Accruals to Receipts & Payments from 2018 onwards. Mr G Cousins was appointed to act as Exarniner for the PCC'S accounts. 11 is the policy of the PCC lo maintain unrestricted funds. which are the free reserves of the PCC, at a level which equates lo approximately two months. unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover administration, maintenance and support cosls and lo respond to emergency siluations. Reserves were maintained al this level during 2020. Away-Giving.' It is the policy of the PCC to work towards being able to give away lo charitable causes a sum equal lo 5°/0 of our disposable in￿rne, less expenses beyond our control, e.g. Indicative Offer (formerly Parish Offer), rates and taxes, and restricled funds. Due to the reduction of income caused by the Covid 19 situation il was not feli possible to achieve this level of giving for 2020. It was agreed at the PCC meeting in March 2020 to donal8 all of our Away-Giving to Christian Aid this year. £520 was sent lo Christian Aid in February, which was raised as a resull of the 2 Lent Lunches that were able lo take place and vi3 'fines' and personal giving. Following a PCC meeting in November 2020 il was agreed to give another £800 to Christian Aid. Planned Giving.. Mrs Cheryl Robins carries on with her role as Stewardship Secretary. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston Risk Management It is the PCC'S intention to identify the major risks which impact on the work of the Church in the Parish. We already have in place. a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders, a set of financial procedures, a grievance procedure for employees, a Health & Safety Policy and a policy on Domestic Violence. The PCC has also adopted the diocesan Dignity at Work policy. Health and safely risks are monitored on an on-going basis and are dealt with as they are identified and a risk analysis is updaled annually. The Council has complied with the duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard lo the House of Bishops, guidance on safegLJarding children and vulnerable adults. The PCC has appointed Officers to deal with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring SeNi¢e and Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection. St John's was observant of the developing Covid 19 situalion and sought guidance from the Government and Diocese to ensure correct procedLJres were followed and adhered to. Covid 19 situation, plans and decisions, is currently a standing item on the PCC agenda lo be discussed at each meeting. The Standing Committee also mel on a number ol occasions lo discuss issues connected lo this that arose between PCC meetings. An initia1 Covid 19 special risk assessrnent was compiled and agre8d following a Standing Committee meeting held on 29 June and has been regularly checked and updated as needed since. This risk assessment is uploaded onto the Church Website and a copy is also kept on the Church notice board. Chlld Protection.. Mrs. C. Ody conlinues in her role as Parish Safeguarding Offi￿r. Mrs. T Jerome took on the role of Second Safeguarding Officer in September 2020. Disclosure and Barring SeThlce." Mrs. C Rough continues in her role as the Lead Recruiter and Mrs. N Hughes was elected lo the role as Second Lead Recruiter al the November 2020 PCC meeting. Safeguarding is a standing item on each PCC agenda. The PCC re￿iVeS regular updates from Mrs C Rough regarding DBS Now that the PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission, all members have undergone D8S checks and newty elected members will be OBS checked. A procedure regarding 'Reporting of Serious Incidents, has been agreed and authority has been delegated lo the Diocesan Secretary to submit safeguarding Serious Incident Reports to the Charity Commission on behalf of the PCC'S Iruslees. A Safeguarding Audit was completed in April 2019. The PCC accepts and implements the House of Bishops Promoting a Safer Church Policy Slalement, and adopts the same as ils own policy. A Parish Safeguarding Handbook is kept in the Safeguarding folder in the church for easy access lo all. Steps were taken lo inform the current Sl John's congregation and wider ¢ommunity regarding the 'Communily Guidance in relation lo a Past Cases Review. by Rochesler Diocese in December 2019. The Past Cases Review was then completed and relumed to the Diocese with nothing to report. All re-elected Members and Officers of the PCC have completed the required level of online Safeguarding training. Newly elecled members will be supported to access this training if needed asap. Health and safety.. We have a CCTV system to help minirnise ihe risk of leaving the Church building unlocked during the day. An asbestos check and a fire risk analysis on the church buildings have been completed and recorded. Fire evacuation procedure is outlined on occasion lo the Congregation and large groups, and the￿ are signs and nolices on display. Full details of this procedure are also given lo organisations using Ihe church building for events. All Sidesmen are aware of the procedure. Maintenance of fire extinguishers and PAT lesling of electrical items is carried out on an annual basis. A full electrical inspection and a lightning conduclor inspection take place every five years. Policies.- The PCC has agreed an(5 recorded local policies regarding burials, baptisms and marriages, the use of Sl Mary's Church and Churchyard and Sl John's Churchyard, which are additional lo the Diocesan Regulations. Local policies have also been agreed regarding the signature by the Incumbent of application forms for entrance and free travel to Sl George's school. and Ihe use of social media. Also policies regarding the personal safety of lone workers and legacies to St John's are in place. Parochial Church Council of Higham with Merston General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)." The PCC took into account the new GDPR that became12W in May 2018. The Parish's Data Controller is Rev. Canon James F Southward in conjunction with the PCC. Mrs V Laurens was appointed as Data Compliance Officer. The Policies Committee worked lo produce the following docurnentation to support the implementation of GDPR.. GDPR action plan. GDPR policy- adopted by the PCC on the 17" July 2018. Privacy notices for general use and for role holders. CCTV policy- adopted by the PCC on the 10 September 2018. An Annual Return of Processing Activities. A letter sent out to all members of the congregation to inform them about GDPR. In September 2020. Andrew Wooding Jones. Ihe Archdeacon of Rochester, contacted Fr James and asked him to consider becoming the Priest in Charge at All Sainls Church, Perry Street, Gravesend. Consultslion with PCC membefs look pla¢e and there was agreemenl with Fr James taking on this role. This has now been officially confirmed. It was agreed that this could be a posilive collaboration between Sl John's and All Saints. Sarah Wrlghl Hon. Secretary Rev. Canon James F Southward Vicar ol Higham and Rector of Merston