**Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** ## **Annual Report 2021** **Incumbent:** 1 **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** The Reverend Canon James F Southward Retired 31[st] October 2021 Currently in Interregnum ## **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 2 **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t Report on the proceedings of the Council** ## **Aim and Purpose** St. John’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent, the Reverend Canon James F. Southward, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Since Fr James’ retirement, the Churchwardens have been responsible for general every day running of the Church and the Honorary Assistant Priests, Fr Peter Bolton and Fr Andrew Davis, have offered to support spiritual matters. ## **Objectives and Activities** The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to use and worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St. John's. The PCC collaborates with the Incumbent and Churchwardens in decisions made about acts of worship particularly with a view to involving the groups and organisations 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 practice through prayer, scripture and Sacrament. ## **Public Benefit** When planning our activities for the year, the Incumbent, Churchwardens and PCC have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through: - 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 facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. John and its churchyard and the churchyard of St. Mary's, Higham. ## **Administrative Information** St. John's Church is situated in Higham, Kent. It was in the Deanery of Strood, but on 8[th] December 2021 it transferred to the Deanery of Gravesham, part of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester. St John’s Church is under the Episcopal care of the Bishop of Richborough. The boundaries of the ecclesiastical parish of Higham with Merston have also changed, so that they are the same as those of the civil parish of Higham. These changes were formally agreed in writing by the Bishop of Tonbridge. The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers and Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2020) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission. The PCC takes regard of the Charity Governance Code and is working towards compliance with the Code where it is relevant to the PCC’s activities. PCC members who have served during 2021 are: ## _**Ex Officio:**_ Incumbent The Revd. Canon James Southward Chair - Retired 31[st] October 2021 Churchwardens Mrs Helen Walker Vice-Chair - Chair since 31[st] October 2021 Mrs Teresa Joblin ## _**Representatives on the Deanery Synod** :_ Mr Christopher Hanson Mr Stephen Phillips 3 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** ## _**Elected Members**_ Mr Edward Hance Mrs Valerie Laurens Asst. Hon. Treasurer & Data Compliance Officer Mrs Carole Rough DBS First Recruiter Mrs Sarah Wright Hon. Secretary & Electoral Roll Officer Mrs Anne Tammas-Williams Hon. Treasurer Mrs Catherine Ody Parish Safeguarding Officer. Stepped down from PSO and PCC April 2021. Mrs Nancy Hughes DBS Second Recruiter. Mrs Julie Aldous ## **Recruitment 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 training 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 its time 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 including one or both of the Churchwardens. Committees have the power to co-opt non-PCC members for a specified period of time as appropriate. _**Standing Committee:**_ is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. The Churchwardens are ex officio members and usually the Secretary, Treasurer (and/or the Assistant Treasurer) and one other PCC member. This should equate to about one third of the 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. It is responsible for the co-ordination of the annual review of Planned Giving, which takes place during February and discusses matters relating to charitable and missionary giving. They also normally provide a recommended plan for the PCC’s charitable giving each year. The committee usually comprises the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, Stewardship Recorder and both Churchwardens. _**Social Committee:**_ is responsible for the organisation of various fund-raising events throughout the year, refreshments after special services and any other social aspects of life at St. John's to bring together our Church and our community. _**Policies Committee:**_ was established to ensure that matters which require a standard response to any possible enquiries are agreed by the Vicar and the PCC, e.g., baptism, burial, St. Mary’s Church and Churchyard, marriage, blessings, St. George’s School, content in principle/management of St John’s website, etc. _**Social Media & Communications Committee:**_ was established to co-ordinate and oversee all aspects of media used by St. 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** 4 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with** **M t** At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on the 25[th] April 2021 it was reported that the number of names on the Electoral Roll stood at 78. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation and the rising level of cases in Kent, St John’s Church had to close again on the 6[th] January 2021. Funeral services and the small area of the Church cordoned off for private prayer continued to be offered. Daily Mass continued online, from St John’s Church and sometimes from clergy homes via Zoom. The Zoom Masses have continued throughout the year and the aim is for these to be an ongoing offer while there is a need. The Vicar sent out weekly updates and copies of the bulletin by email until restrictions were relaxed and the Church website and social media sites were used to share key information, including making hyperlinks available so bible readings could be accessed. As the Coronavirus situation began to improve again and following Government and Diocesan advice, St John’s was able to re-open on 14[th] March 2021. Initially the numbers of people who could attend services was restricted to 30 to ensure social distancing was maintained. Over the course of the year these numbers were gradually increased as advised by Government and Diocesan recommendations. Currently St John’s is now fully open with no restrictions on numbers attending services. The Covid 19 special risk assessment continues to be adhered to. There in an ongoing mixed pattern of attendance, some parishioners attending Mass in Church, some continuing to access Mass via Zoom, some combining both. Sunday and weekday attendance of adults, together with the number of communicants, has fallen over the year due to deaths, infirmity and the Coronavirus situation. ## **Achievements and Performance** A total of 8 PCC meetings took place between January and December 2021. Initially on a bimonthly basis, moving to monthly following Fr James’ retirement. An average of 10 members attended meetings. There have been 2 Extraordinary meetings, 2 face - to - face Standing Committee meetings, (with some Standing Committee meetings/ decisions taking place via email or text during the year), plus a Section 11 meeting. _**Episcopal Care:**_ In 2015 the diocesan bishop made arrangements for St John’s and other ‘resolution parishes’ to 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 to ordain women as bishops, the PCC gave considerable time to considering the way forward for St John’s under the new arrangements. Formal application was made to the Bishop of Rochester in 2015 to ask for arrangements for episcopal care to be made in accordance with the House of Bishop’s Declaration on the ministry of Bishops and Priests. We have still not received a written reply to date. However, the appointment of Bishop Norman as an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese implies that this meets our situation in part. When it was known that Fr James was due to retire in October 2021, it was suggested that a review of St John’s Resolutions should be an agenda item at the next full PCC meeting (27[th] July). Following discussions, it was proposed that following this review of resolutions A, B and ’C' (Request for episcopal care in accordance with the House of Bishops Declaration on the ministry of Bishops and Priests) that the PCC continue to stand by their original resolutions and that this must not affect our Christian duty of care and respect to all the Church community. All PCC members present voted in favour of this with 2 abstentions. _**Worship and Prayer:**_ The daily celebration of Mass continues to form our main act of worship at St. John's. We have planned to offer a range of services that our community might find beneficial and spiritually fulfilling, such as ‘Holy Hours’ before the Blessed Sacrament on a Saturday of each month, and at varying times each week during Lent and Advent and a healing ministry during Mass on some Saturdays through the year. Unfortunately, the Covid 19 situation has made it impossible to offer these services during most of 2021. The opportunity to request weekly intercession and thanksgiving prayers has continued to be made available. The chance to light individual, votive candles in memory of deceased loved ones on All Souls Day continues to be popular. The Church, being open for prayer, is used by others as well as members. Lighting prayer candles is a frequent occurrence most days. As well as our regular services, we enable the wider community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of life's journey. Here again, the Covid 19 pandemic has severely limited our 5 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with** **M t** opportunity to offer these life celebrations. We have celebrated 3 Baptisms and 2 Marriages in our Church and have led 15 funerals for the Community, 10 of these at the crematorium, and 5 in Church. 11 burials of ashes have taken place. _**Music:**_ We do not have a contracted Organist at St John’s. We are fortunate to have Mr. John Mountford, 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. Playing the organ and singing in church was able to start again, following previous Covid restrictions, early in September. _**Mission and Evangelism:**_ has continued to be at the forefront of the PCC’s discussions. The Monthly Prayer Cycle continues to be used, ensuring that every road within the village is prayed for along with various village organisations and businesses. Bishop Norman’s cycle of prayer for the ‘Richborough family of Parishes’ is also used daily. The monthly 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, meet/make friends and have a good chat, started being held again from 31[st] July. Lent Lunches did not take place this year due to Covid. There continued to 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 to donate to a food collection at St John’s, at least once a month, which is then taken to a Foodbank in Gravesend. The generosity of donors has been 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. Our Study Group, **M4,** which should meet on most first **M** ondays of the month, for **M** ass, **M** unch and **M** use has been affected by the Covid situation but a programme studying St Marks Gospel for Lent did take place via Zoom and was organised and led by Fr Peter in February 2021. Christmas Masses did take place in church (following the Covid 19 special risk assessment guidelines) and via Zoom i.e. Midnight Mass and Christmas Day. A Service of Lessons and Carols also went ahead on the Sunday before Christmas. _**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 children require the approval of the PCC and are DBS checked, where necessary. We follow Diocese & Parish guidelines for safeguarding and social media. The safeguarding contacts for children are publicised throughout St John’s and on our website. Due to Covid restrictions, Junior Church had ceased to take place in the Church building from March 2020 until September 2021. During the hiatus, regular contact was kept with Junior Church families through digital lessons, email, social media, and articles and Junior Pages in The Bridge. Regular communication to Junior Church families continues. Sadly, the ongoing Covid situation still means many families have not returned to in-person Junior Church (although a very large group met on 19[th] September to bid farewell to Fr James) and we have had to be flexible in planning and carrying out activities, with the cancellation in particular of Christmas and Epiphany celebrations, including Crib Service on Christmas Eve. A small group of youth and parents met to make Christingles for collection by parishioners from the porch on Christmas Eve. We continue to do what we can to minister to our families and young people during these difficult times. The Teens N Twenties group has ceased. Voice Rejoice, a singing group for children, is no longer running. _**Social Media and Communications Committee:**_ In a year where meeting in person continued to be difficult because of the pandemic, social media was an important means of reaching parishioners. St John’s media includes The Bridge, the website (both edited by Mrs Liz Croker), Facebook and Twitter (both administrated by Mrs Nancy Hughes). The Bridge – Subscriptions were down for the year from about 320 to 280. The number of articles has increased which is invaluable. The PCC had agreed to defer the collection for all 6 **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** subscribers until September 2021 since the magazine had only been provided digitally prior to that. Mrs Heather Harvey has joined the team to coordinate distributors. The website – Weekly bulletins are provided online for those who are unable to attend mass. It provides a place for reminders of special masses, foodbank collection dates, and a source for daily readings and prayers. A new website has been built in response to BT removing the editing software without notice. Whilst not all pages are complete, Mrs Croker has done a great job at short notice. The site is greatly improved for viewing on mobile devices. Facebook & Twitter – Our social networking sites enable us to engage with the congregation, the community and the wider church with news/announcements, fundraising/charity campaigns, seasonal celebrations, weekly bulletin/readings, inspirational content and worship. Our social networking saw a 12% increase over the year. In 2021 Mrs Lizzie Hanson agreed to be second administrator to assist as necessary. Special thanks to Fr Peter Bolton for all he has contributed to social media since his arrival at St John’s. _**Social Committee:**_ On 27[th] June Fr. Andrew’s 50[th] anniversary of ordination as a priest was celebrated and on 19[th] September, a celebration of Harvest took place which was jointly celebrated as Fr James’ retirement party. Due to the ongoing Covid 19 situation most events generally organised by this committee could not take place. _**The Policies Committee:**_ This committee met on two separate occasions to discuss the Charity Governance Code. Following looking through the code, it was felt by the committee that St John’s is generally complying with the code. Some work is needed, but it will be a work in progress. _**The Vestry 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 St. Mary’s for special meetings. Some local groups normally use the facilities most weeks, as well as the hall being used for study groups and church social events which the wider community is encouraged and invited to attend. Unfortunately, the hall was out of use from January until the beginning of June, due to Covid 19. Coffee and Conversation started running again at the end of July. Users of the hall continue to follow the Vestry Hall Guidance document and the Covid 19 special risk assessment continues to be monitored and updated accordingly. New chairs, carpeting (hall and lobby) and lino (kitchen) were purchased and installed this year. _**No.17 Hermitage Road:**_ Fr Peter Bolton, Honorary Assistant Priest to St John’s, continued with the tenancy this year, taken up in November 2018. Fr Peter has been a very welcome and highly involved addition to the St John’s family, and he will be much missed following his departure from the Parish. The following work was carried out during the year at the property - garden maintenance, outside security lights and a new dishwasher were installed. The porch that was built 32 years ago needed repair; the guttering and downpipes were replaced and the circular window, fascia & soffit boards were fixed following rainwater leaking into them. _**St. Mary’s Church and Churchyard:**_ Usually four services are held each year. This year, again due to the Covid 19 situation, only 2 services took place. The continued programme of vegetation clearance, to keep the Churchyard accessible to the Higham community and other visitors, has continued, funded by Rolfe’s Charity. _**General Church Repairs:**_ General maintenance and repairs have taken place at St John’s Church over the year. Work has also taken place to: Remove the public rubbish bin from the Churchyard. Remove one of the electric meters (St John’s was historically fitted with and charged for 2 electric meters, one of which it has been agreed by the current energy suppler is not needed). Following discussions at PCC meetings it was agreed to leave for now the further damage caused to the corner of the churchyard wall, to the west of the main gate and review again following the next Quinquennial report. 7 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** _**Bell Tower:**_ Our group of bell ringers continues to improve and practise, but their activities have also been limited by the Covid situation. The ringers returned to ringing when all felt it safe to do so within government guidelines. The group have been ringing in face masks and also been using a Co2 (Carbon Dioxide) monitor to determine the levels in the ringing chamber with 6 ringers present and ringing. Readings were high, so the window, door and the hatch to the clock and bells were opened to improve circulation and ventilation. This did bring the readings down with the added use of a fan but not really low enough to be safe. The band discussed the readings and the increased spread of the new Omicron virus, and it was felt that, until the Coronavirus numbers were dramatically reduced, ringing as a band in our tower would not take place. However, a couple from the same household would continue to chime for Sunday Mass and special services. All surfaces are cleaned with anti-bacterial cloths and hand sanitiser is also used before and after ringing. We have also had one new recruit this year, but he has been unable to practice on an ongoing basis due to the Covid restrictions. _**Financial Review:**_ Finance remains a major item on the PCC’s agenda. It continues to be difficult to raise sufficient funds to ensure the smooth running of St John’s Church. The Covid 19 situation has also now impacted on the financial situation with income generally down. It is the policy of the PCC to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the PCC, at a level which equates to approximately two months’ unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover administration, maintenance and support costs and to respond to emergency situations. Reserves were maintained at this level during 2021. The PCC held discussions regarding the possibility of buying and using a card reader/ contactless donations device. Mr Hanson, PCC member, completed some research regarding this, informing the PCC of the potential benefits. At the PCC meeting in November, it was proposed and agreed by all to trial a device for a year. _**Away-Giving:**_ It is the policy of the PCC to work towards being able to give away to charitable causes a sum equal to 5% of our disposable income, less expenses beyond our control, e.g., Parish Offer rates and taxes, and restricted funds. Due to the reduction of income caused by the Covid 19 situation it was not felt possible to achieve this level of giving for 2021. It was agreed at the PCC meeting in December 2021 to donate £1000. £100 to the Bishop of Richborough’s Discretionary fund, £300 each to – The Barnabas Fund, The College of St Barnabas and SAAFA. Christian Aid week raised £1,189.91, including money donated via ‘Lent ‘fines’ and personal giving. The Harvest Bucket appeal and raffle raised £550 which was sent to support Afghan refugees via Welcome Churches. The Poppy Appeal raised £117.23. A collection following the Service of Lessons and Carols raised £112.70 which was sent to Christian Aid for their Afghanistan Appeal. _**Planned Giving:**_ Mrs Cheryl Robins continued with her role as Stewardship Secretary. The Finance committee produced their annual planned giving appeal, taking into account GDPR, by distributing packs to all members of the Congregation, mostly this year by email, with some paper copies prepared to hand out in church. They also normally provide a recommended plan for the PCC’s charitable giving each year. However, due to a drop in PCC funds owing to the Covid 19 pandemic, it was not possible for this committee to consider a plan of charitable giving for 2021. ## **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 safety risks are monitored on an on-going basis and are dealt with as they are identified, and a risk analysis is updated annually. The Council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on 8 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with** **M t** safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The PCC has appointed Officers to deal with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service and Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection. St John’s has been observant of the evolving Covid 19 situation and continues to follow guidance from the Government and Diocese to ensure correct procedures are followed and adhered to. Covid 19 situation, plans and decisions, is a standing item on the PCC agenda to be discussed at each meeting. The Standing Committee also met in person and liaised via email/ text on several occasions to discuss issues connected to this that arose between PCC meetings. A Covid 19 special risk assessment has been compiled and agreed and has been regularly checked and updated as needed since. This risk assessment is displayed on the Church and Vestry Hall notice boards. ## _**Safeguarding**_ Mrs. C. Ody stood down from her role as Parish Safeguarding Officer in April 2021. Mrs. T Jerome took on the role from April 2021. Before every PCC meeting, Mrs Jerome is invited to contribute any needed information or updates via the PCC Secretary, so if anything is raised it can be fed back during PCC meetings. Mrs Jerome receives updates regarding Safeguarding via the Diocesan Safeguarding Newsletter. Mrs. C Rough continues in her role as the Lead Recruiter and Mrs. N Hughes continues in her role as Second Lead Recruiter. The PCC receives regular updates from Mrs C Rough regarding DBS. Safeguarding is a standing item on each PCC agenda. All members have undergone DBS checks and newly elected members will be DBS checked. The Standing Committee met in May 2021 to discuss and complete an updated version of the ‘Delegation of Reporting of Serious Incidences to the Charity Commission’ form. This was discussed at the July PCC meeting, and it was agreed to accept the updated version of the form. A Safeguarding Audit was completed in April 2019. The PCC accepts and implements the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement’ and adopts the same as its own policy. A Parish Safeguarding Handbook is kept in the Safeguarding folder in the church for easy access to all. All re-elected Members and Officers of the PCC have completed the required level of online Safeguarding training. Newly elected members will be supported to access this training if needed asap. _**Health and safety:**_ We have a CCTV system to help minimise the 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 to the Congregation and large groups, and there are signs and notices on display. Full details of this procedure are also given to organisations using the church building for events. All Sidesmen are aware of the procedure. Maintenance of fire extinguishers and PAT testing of electrical items is carried out on an annual basis. A full electrical inspection and a lightning conductor inspection take place every five years. _**Policies:**_ The PCC has agreed and recorded local policies regarding burials, baptisms and marriages, the use of St Mary’s Church and Churchyard and St John’s Churchyard, which are additional to the Diocesan Regulations. Local policies have also been agreed regarding the signature by the Incumbent of application forms for entrance and free travel to St George’s school, and the use of social media. Also, policies regarding the personal safety of lone workers and legacies to St John’s are in place. _**General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):**_ The PCC takes into account GDPR that became law in May 2018. The Parish’s Data Controller is the Incumbent in conjunction with the PCC. Mrs V Laurens was appointed as Data Compliance Officer. Policies, consent forms and privacy notices were produced in compliance with the regulations. In May 2021 an updated consent form was developed for church attendees to sign, so they could formally consent, in line with GDPR regulations, to their data to be used by the Incumbent/ PCC for future communications. 9 ## **Parochial Church Council of Higham with M t** In 2020, Fr James was appointed as Priest in Charge at All Saints Church, Perry Street, Gravesend, in addition to his role as Vicar of Higham with Merston. Fr James is continuing as Priest-in-Charge at All Saints, Perry Street for another 6 months following his retirement from St John’s. ## **Interregnum** The Reverend Canon James F Southward retired on the 31[st] October 2021 following 26 years of service to the Parish of St John’s, Higham with Merston. Andrew Wooding Jones, the Archdeacon of Rochester, met with PCC members on 20[th] July to explain the processes that would take place during the Interregnum period, including the Section 11 meeting, compiling the Parish Profile and electing Parish Representatives. He shared information about St John’s Church’s patron, St John’s College Cambridge and reported that this patronage would probably be suspended to simplify the process of appointing a priest for both St John’s and All Saints, Perry St. and the patrons asked to step back. This was confirmed when the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee informed the PCC Secretary via email that it had recently been recommended that the bishop consider suspending the patronage, by St John’s College, Cambridge, of the parish of Higham with Merston upon the retirement of Fr James. The email also stated that during the period of suspension a priest-in -charge would be nominated for the vacancy at St Johns (a priest-in-charge to both St John’s, Higham, and All Saints, Perry Street) _._ The Diocese asked for PCC views regarding this proposal. Mrs Walker, Churchwarden contacted Bishop Norman to ask for his advice as to whether the PCC should challenge the suspension of patronage, given that, when the PCC had originally agreed to share their priest with All Saints, Perry Street, there had been no mention that this would involve a change to a priest-in-charge, rather than a vicar, on Father James’ retirement. Bishop Norman suggested that we agree to the suspension, as it could be revised in future and would probably be imposed anyway. The Standing Committee agreed a response, which was sent to the Diocese, stating the PCC’s agreement to the suspension in this instance, but asking for assurance that the situation could be reviewed in the future. A response was then received from the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee reporting – ‘The Bishop has decided to suspend the Patron’s Right of Presentation to the benefice for a period of up to five years from 1 November 2021.’ A small group from the PCC met and worked together to complete the Parish Profile. The Section 11 meeting took place on the 7[th] November. 2 Parish Representatives were elected, Mrs Helen Walker, Churchwarden and Mr Chris Hanson, PCC and Deanery Synod rep. and the final version of the Parish Profile agreed. Mrs Wright, PCC Secretary is liaising with Revd Jane Winter regarding PCC members attending ‘Addressing/ Unconscious Bias’ training. We currently await next steps from the Diocese. **Sarah Wright Helen Walker Teresa Joblin** _Hon. Secretary Chair and Churchwarden Churchwarden_ 10 PCC ACCOUNTS Year Ending 31 December 2021 Higham with Merston PCC Receipts & Payments Accounts * th ¢• 01 ¢D 00 - O O 0 0 ¢0 ) ¢)J a) ¢N J ¥0 *L* Q o) ¢D P o e) ( r4 (W ry (y ry e) c c 112 uou PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 A¢¢ounting Policies The ffnancial statements have been prepared in accordance wtth the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts & Payments basis. Receipts and payments include income as r￿1Ved and expenditure when irrevocabty paid. The accounts include monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounls of chLtrch groups which owe their main affiliation to another body. nor those that are inforrnal gatherings of church members. Funds Unrestricted ftjnds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. These include designated funds which can be redesignated. Restricted funds ￿present la) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the pcc tor a specific object, and Ibl income from twsls and endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the tem)s of the trust of bequest. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balan￿ remaining unspent at the end of the year must be camed forward as a balance on that fund. Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained., only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted fijnds depending UFX)n the purpose for which the endowment was established. The following assets are recognised but not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities". Movable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and 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 descnption in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities". Bank and deposrt accounts". Amounts owing from HMRC where a fomial Claim has been made." Inveslmenl assets. Liabilities are recognised and a monetary value given in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities where the supply had been r￿￿ed by 31 December. o)*r wj￿rt oojQ)￿ OryJnrJJ o oj VJ Sif122 111 U￿nr£tr) (TJ ¢D qj ¢n rmoj (00 (No ¢D ts) r ro fD (N uJLnO sr OUJ ) Tr- ¢ Q) 0> O & (o G) (N u) (o o) 0> li, I,&￿, OW>OOO?ttcu_ Qc UE302 PAROCHLAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM wrrH MERSTON NOTES TO TFEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YiAR ENDED 31 DÈCEMBER 2021 4 Statemert of Fund Movemerts Transfers. Investment gain5 831 Inr£ 1 Jan 2021 Eyndthre Transfers bebveen fufids Bal clftvd 31 Dec 2021 Unr8Strictsd Fund General fund 75.724 181.4181 58.310 75.724 181.4181 58,310 De$ig*ated Fund 8,531 8,531 RestriGted Fund 324 (7.9731 2,034 324 17.9731 2,034 Total bank and currentaccounls 72.273 189,3911 68,874 Totsl funds 72.273 85.992 189.3911 68,874 The General Fund i8 availab￿ to the PCC fordayto day ￿Come and eypenses. ns assets are heSJ in a Santanderand Barclays Current Acc¢unt The Church Repair Fund has b8en de5bJnaled by ¢he PCC ftythe repair of that Ixjikling. The TnoniEs are hekl in a deposit accountwith Rochester Di(Kese Board of Finan￿. The Restoration Fund hehy ferthe purpose of any restorat￿ YAy)rft requiral tothÈ buikling orgroufid$ and i% finanod by don8tions, fund raising evenis and interest on fund$ alrtra(ty IEkJ The Bell Tower Fund which fomis part of Resloralion Fund is hehy forthe pvrpose ol makiThJ repairs to the tth*r. bells and chur clock. This fund is finan￿ from donations and charges made al*dd￿￿. PAROcH￿LCHURCH COUNCIL￿ XIGHAIA VIITrI MERSTQN NOTES TOTHE FIP4ANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED J1 DECEMBER 2021 W8ge5 Jo¢sJlarrts Iro NèbDnslCMth8sTn $￿eth? cA¢tren Barn*as Fu Ssafa El 170 afst B￿r 941 Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the tfusteesl members of Higham viith Merston Church PCC On accounts for the year 31" December 2021 1169926 rrf ary) One to Eight I report to the trustees on nry exanllnation of the ac(x)unts of the above charity llhe Ttusn for the year ended 3111212021. Responsibilities and basis ot report As the chariws Instee5. you are responsible fDr the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the ChaJities Act 20JI (Ihe Atr). You are S&isfied that your chanty is nor required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead Eo Ikwe an independert examin*ton. I report in respect of my examtnation of the TnL8Vs accounts catried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in cffjing out nry examination, I have followed the applrcable Directions grven by the Charity Commt5sion under section 145(5Xb) of the ACL Independent I have completed try examination. I confim that material tnatters have examiners statement cixne to nry attention in connection viith the exanynaion ￿lch gives n cause to belreve that in. any rtkterial respect the accounbng recorts were rK)t kept in accordance wrth section 130 of the Ctwities A¢ or the accounts did not acc(Kd with the accounting records. I have no concems and have C(￿ across no other matters in connectFon With the exanination to whtch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undeNanding of the acccvnts to be reached. Signed: Geolfrey John Cousins Relevant professional qualificatson(s) or body {rf any): WA Address: 4 Chalk Road. Higham. Rochester. ME3 7JX PCC ACCOUNTS Year Ending 31 December 2021 Higham with Merston PCC Receipts & Payments Accounts * th ¢• 01 ¢D 00 - O O 0 0 ¢0 ) ¢)J a) ¢N J ¥0 *L* Q o) ¢D P o e) ( r4 (W ry (y ry e) c c 112 uou PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM WITH MERSTON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 A¢¢ounting Policies The ffnancial statements have been prepared in accordance wtth the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 using the Receipts & Payments basis. Receipts and payments include income as r￿1Ved and expenditure when irrevocabty paid. The accounts include monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounls of chLtrch groups which owe their main affiliation to another body. nor those that are inforrnal gatherings of church members. Funds Unrestricted ftjnds are general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes. These include designated funds which can be redesignated. Restricted funds ￿present la) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the pcc tor a specific object, and Ibl income from twsls and endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the tem)s of the trust of bequest. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balan￿ remaining unspent at the end of the year must be camed forward as a balance on that fund. Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained., only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used either as restricted or unrestricted fijnds depending UFX)n the purpose for which the endowment was established. The following assets are recognised but not necessarily valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities". Movable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and 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 descnption in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities". Bank and deposrt accounts". Amounts owing from HMRC where a fomial Claim has been made." Inveslmenl assets. Liabilities are recognised and a monetary value given in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities where the supply had been r￿￿ed by 31 December. o)*r wj￿rt oojQ)￿ OryJnrJJ o oj VJ Sif122 111 U￿nr£tr) (TJ ¢D qj ¢n rmoj (00 (No ¢D ts) r ro fD (N uJLnO sr OUJ ) Tr- ¢ Q) 0> O & (o G) (N u) (o o) 0> li, I,&￿, OW>OOO?ttcu_ Qc UE302 PAROCHLAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HIGHAM wrrH MERSTON NOTES TO TFEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YiAR ENDED 31 DÈCEMBER 2021 4 Statemert of Fund Movemerts Transfers. Investment gain5 831 Inr£ 1 Jan 2021 Eyndthre Transfers bebveen fufids Bal clftvd 31 Dec 2021 Unr8Strictsd Fund General fund 75.724 181.4181 58.310 75.724 181.4181 58,310 De$ig*ated Fund 8,531 8,531 RestriGted Fund 324 (7.9731 2,034 324 17.9731 2,034 Total bank and currentaccounls 72.273 189,3911 68,874 Totsl funds 72.273 85.992 189.3911 68,874 The General Fund i8 availab￿ to the PCC fordayto day ￿Come and eypenses. ns assets are heSJ in a Santanderand Barclays Current Acc¢unt The Church Repair Fund has b8en de5bJnaled by ¢he PCC ftythe repair of that Ixjikling. The TnoniEs are hekl in a deposit accountwith Rochester Di(Kese Board of Finan￿. The Restoration Fund hehy ferthe purpose of any restorat￿ YAy)rft requiral tothÈ buikling orgroufid$ and i% finanod by don8tions, fund raising evenis and interest on fund$ alrtra(ty IEkJ The Bell Tower Fund which fomis part of Resloralion Fund is hehy forthe pvrpose ol makiThJ repairs to the tth*r. bells and chur clock. This fund is finan￿ from donations and charges made al*dd￿￿. PAROcH￿LCHURCH COUNCIL￿ XIGHAIA VIITrI MERSTQN NOTES TOTHE FIP4ANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED J1 DECEMBER 2021 W8ge5 Jo¢sJlarrts Iro NèbDnslCMth8sTn $￿eth? cA¢tren Barn*as Fu Ssafa El 170 afst B￿r 941 Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the tfusteesl members of Higham viith Merston Church PCC On accounts for the year 31" December 2021 1169926 rrf ary) One to Eight I report to the trustees on nry exanllnation of the ac(x)unts of the above charity llhe Ttusn for the year ended 3111212021. Responsibilities and basis ot report As the chariws Instee5. you are responsible fDr the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the ChaJities Act 20JI (Ihe Atr). You are S&isfied that your chanty is nor required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead Eo Ikwe an independert examin*ton. I report in respect of my examtnation of the TnL8Vs accounts catried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in cffjing out nry examination, I have followed the applrcable Directions grven by the Charity Commt5sion under section 145(5Xb) of the ACL Independent I have completed try examination. I confim that material tnatters have examiners statement cixne to nry attention in connection viith the exanynaion ￿lch gives n cause to belreve that in. any rtkterial respect the accounbng recorts were rK)t kept in accordance wrth section 130 of the Ctwities A¢ or the accounts did not acc(Kd with the accounting records. I have no concems and have C(￿ across no other matters in connectFon With the exanination to whtch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undeNanding of the acccvnts to be reached. Signed: Geolfrey John Cousins Relevant professional qualificatson(s) or body {rf any): WA Address: 4 Chalk Road. Higham. Rochester. ME3 7JX