Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Alban and St Patrick Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YH
Registered Charity Number 1169941
ANNUAL REPORT & STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
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Annual Report for 2024 of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Alban & St. Patrick, Registered Charity Number 1169941
Introduction – Responsibilities of the PCC
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent (vicar) in promoting the whole mission of the Church of England, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in the ecclesiastical parish of St. Alban and St. Patrick. Highgate, Birmingham. The parish boundary runs clockwise from the junction of Alcester Street and High Street Deritend along High Street Bordesley, Camp Hill, Old Camp Hill, Stratford Place, Highgate Middleway, Belgrave Middleway, Sherlock Street, Macdonald Street, Rea Street South, Moseley Street and Alcester Street back to High Street Deritend.
The PCC is also responsible for proper maintenance of the Parish Church of St. Alban the Martyr, a Grade II* listed building (ID 1290539) situated on the corner of Conybere Street and Stanhope Street, and of the adjoining St. Patrick’s Room church hall.
The PCC is governed by the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended, the Church Representation Rules in Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 as amended and the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit for charities for the advancement of religion.
Membership of the PCC
Membership of the PCC may be ex officio, through election by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) or through co-option by the PCC.
The incumbent or priest-in-charge is a member and chairman ex officio. Other clergy, lay workers or readers licensed to the parish would also be members ex officio; but there were none in 2024.
Two churchwardens, who are elected annually at the Vestry Meeting that precedes the APCM, but do not take office until formally admitted by the Archdeacon, are ex officio members of the PCC.
Deanery Synod members, elected every third year at the APCM to serve for three years, are ex officio members of the PCC. Any lay members of Diocesan or General Synod on the Electoral Roll of the parish would also be ex officio PCC members of the PCC.
By a resolution of the 2013 APCM, up to three PCC members are elected each year to serve for three years. This is the default number under the Church Representation Rules for an electoral roll between 51 and 100. The roll was 40 at the 2024 APCM, for which the default number elected annually is two.
As well as these elected lay members, a PCC with six or nine elected members is entitled to co-opt up to two members to serve until the next APCM.
Members serving on the PCC at any time from 1[st] January 2024 until the date of this report:
Members serving ex officio:
Incumbent: Fr Dr Gerald Sykes (retired 11[th] January 2025)
Churchwardens:
Christopher Smith (re-elected at APCM 2024) Amanda Cadman (re-elected at APCM 2024)
Deanery Synod members Elected at the 2023 APCM to serve until 2026 APCM: Amanda Cadman Andrew Harvey
Directly elected members:
Elected at 2021 APCM to serve to 2024 APCM: Maureen Fellows Dianne Wainwright (resigned 22[nd] March 2023) (There was no third candidate for office.)
Elected at 2022 APCM to serve to 2025 APCM: Bryce Somerville Rachel Smith Fay Wilson
Elected at 2023 APCM to serve to 2026 APCM: Edward Fellows, Andrew Harvey Aled Liddington (resigned from APCM 2024)
Elected at 2024 APCM to serve to 2027 APCM: Maureen Fellows Cynthia Somerville (There was no third candidate for office.)
Co-opted member:
Angela Sones from 6[th] June 2024 to 2025 APCM
Officers 1[st] January 2024 to the date of this report: Chair: Fr Dr Gerald Sykes (to 11[th] January 2025) Deputy Chair: Edward Fellows
PCC Secretary: Andrew Harvey Minuting Secretary: Fay Wilson Electoral Roll Officer: Rachel Smith
Treasurer: Christopher Smith
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Amanda Cadman Children's Advocate: Amanda Cadman Vulnerable Adults' Advocate: Amanda Cadman DBS Administrator/Identity Verifier: Rachel Smith Music Secretary: Bryce Somerville
Sidesmen : Christopher Smith, Fay Wilson, Amanda Cadman, Andrew Harvey and Bryce Somerville
The Vestry and APCM for 2024 were held on Sunday 14[th] April in the church hall, St Patrick’s Room at 12:00 noon.
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PCC Meetings
The PCC held five meetings in 2024, numbered 507 to 511. (A sixth meeting, scheduled for January, was cancelled due to widespread illness of members.) The meetings were held in the church hall, some with provision for online participation. There was an average attendance of 78%. In 2025 the PCC has held two meetings to the date of this report: one regular meeting and a special meeting with the Archdeacon and Area Dean about the interregnum following the retirement of Fr Dr Gerald Sykes.
PCC Committees:
Standing Committee
The PCC is required to have a standing committee of at least five members. The members in 2024 were: Fr Gerry Sykes, Amanda Cadman, Christopher Smith, Andrew Harvey, Edward Fellows (until 6[th] June) and Bryce Somerville (from 6[th] June). This committee can transact PCC business between full meetings, subject to directions from the PCC.
Restoration and Maintenance Task Group
This Group had a remit to supervise the work of restoration and maintenance of the church building, apply for grants for restoration of the church, plan for regular maintenance and apply for diocesan faculties for the work. This related particularly to the renewal of the church roof, completed in 2020. Since 2021 its functions have reverted to the churchwardens and the standing committee.
Children and Young People Committee
This group addressed issues to do with the Family Multimedia Mass held on Saturdays in the church hall and appropriate participation of the children in the liturgy. Chaired by Fay Wilson, participants included the Vicar, and local parent Negash Mebrahtu. Since 2021 with a decrease in children attending, its functions have reverted to ad hoc consultations by the Vicar.
Music Development Committee
Following the announcement by Aled Liddington that he would move away from the West Midlands and would resign as Director of Music from Easter 2024, a committee consisting of the Vicar, Music Secretary, the Churchwardens and Aled Liddington considered the job description and funding for a replacement Director of Music, shortlisted two candidates, conducted interviews and advised the Vicar on the appointment of Angela Sones B. Mus., who took up the post in May 2024.
Other Parochial Bodies:
Although not committees formally appointed by the PCC, the following include members of the PCC and deliver reports to the PCC when appropriate.
Church Printing Unit
Operated from their own home by Edward and Maureen Fellows, the Printing Unit (also known as the Litho Unit, as it used to use offset lithography) prints our parish magazine and other items for the PCC. In 2024 it also printed magazines for two other churches and a quarterly magazine for an
amateur radio society. In 2021 the Unit purchased a new Canon machine to print, fold and staple magazines at a cost of £9,310. The cost was spread over four years by linear depreciation and is now full written off. The unit has provided an income of £2,000 annually to the church General Fund from the profits of its external work for some years. However, Maureen and Edward cannot continue, due to age and increasing infirmity, and expect to wind down the unit during 2025.
Friends of St. Alban's and St. Patrick's
Originally formed both to keep in touch with old friends and to raise funds to support the activities and fabric of the church, the Friends last held a fund-raising meeting in 2019 and last sent out a newsletter in 2018. The subscriptions of most former members have expired, although a few still contribute by standing orders. The Committee, chaired by Amanda Cadman, had hoped to place a new emphasis on non-fundraising events enabling wider participation from the congregation and beyond, but a lack of volunteers from a decreasing congregation means that the prospects of reviving the Friends are not currently good.
PCC Social Responsibilities:
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
The PCC is committed to promoting a safer church for everyone. In June 2023 the PCC adopted an updated Promoting a Safer Church Parish Policy Statement, a Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders, as well as a Parish Safeguarding Complaints Procedure (which covers complaints about the application of safeguarding procedures, rather than safeguarding issues).
In November 2024 the PCC adopted an updated Promoting a Safer Church Policy Statement, updated Safeguarding Children, Adult Safeguarding, Responding to Domestic Abuse and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policies and an updated Safeguarding Complaints Procedure. Copies of these are available on our website (www.saintalban.co.uk).
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018, the PCC is a Data Controller, holding and processing personal information about individuals including church members, donors, members of the Friends of St Alban’s & St Patrick’s, users of the premises, visitors and customers of the Printing Unit.
A Data Protection Notice explaining the kinds of data held, how and why they are processed and for how long some data must be kept is available on the parish website (www.saintalban.co.uk).
The PCC does not disclose personal data to third parties except when required to do so by law.
The churchwardens act as Data Protection Officers in the absence of a specific appointment.
Both the Diocese of Birmingham and the Vicar are separate Data Controllers from the PCC and responsible for any personal data that they hold.
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Accessibility
Because the church is built on land rising from west to east, there are flights of steps at both the west entrance from Stanhope Street and the south entrance from Conybere Street. Step-free access is available through the ‘cloister’ entrance to the north transept, reached by a path from Stanhope Street north of the church. There is an adapted toilet suitable for wheelchair users, which also provides a baby-changing facility. The church has an inductive loop for users of hearing aids.
Insurance
The PCC has a ParishCare policy with Trinitas Church Insurance Services, underwritten by Aviva, which provides public liability insurance of £10m and buildings cover of £30m. In 2024 £1,049 was received for damage to windows in an unsuccessful attempted break-in.
Risk Management
Charities required to have a full audit of their accounts are also required to include a Risk Management Statement in their annual report confirming that “the charity trustees have given consideration the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfy themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks”. The PCC did not fall into this category for 2024 and has yet to adopt a formal risk management strategy with a regular review of risks.
Parish Statistics – Changing Demographics
In the 2021 census there were about 4,924 people living in the parish, an increase from about 4,500 in 2011, and 3,371 in 2001. With the provision of new housing the population continues to increase. Between the 2001 and 2021 censuses there were substantial changes in the ethnicity and religious affiliation of the population of the parish:
| Ethnicity | 2001 | 2021 | Religion | 2001 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 41% | 21% | Christian | 45% | 24% | |
| Asian | 28% | 25% | Muslim | 27% | 50% | |
| Black | 19% | 32% | Other | 6% | 4% | |
| Mixed | 8% | 7% | None | 11% | 16% | |
| Other | 4% | 15% | Blank | 11% | 6% |
The parish is within the most deprived percentile of parishes in England (109[th] out of 12,178 parishes).
At the 2024 APCM the electoral roll was 40, 9 of whom lived in the parish. There had been one addition and three removals (one death, one moved away, one no longer attending) since the 2023 APCM, when it had 42 members. Under the Church Representation Rules, a new roll is compiled every six years. A new roll is being compiled in 2025 and is open for applications at the date of this report.
The Worshipping Community – those attending at least monthly or who would have done so if not prevented by illness – was assessed as 33 in December 2024, with 0 under 10, 1 age 11–17, 17 age 18–69 and 15 age 70 or over. Totals for previous years were:2023, 45; 2022, 46; 2021, 42; 2020, 51; 2019, 58; 2018, 71; 2017, 74; 2016, 69.
The pattern of regular services is now:
-
Weekly Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass with choir.
-
Fourth Sunday of the month, 6:00 p.m. Solemn Choral Evensong and Benediction.
In addition to regular weekly or monthly services, there are regular annual services for Epiphany, Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, St Patrick’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, St Alban’s Day, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Cross Day and Christmas.
In 2024 three funerals were held in the church. There was one adult baptism in the church, and two members were confirmed. No weddings, blessings after a civil ceremony or services of thanksgiving after the birth of a child were held. In 2025, to the date of this report, there has been one infant baptism in the church.
An Anglo-Catholic Missioner
The parish has joined with those of St George's, Edgbaston; St John's, Perry Barr; St Matthew's, Perry Beeches; and St Mark's, Kingstanding, in a five-year mission project to grow new disciples in each parish and pilot new ways that could be transferrable to other Anglo-Catholic settings. The project is being facilitated by a full-time Missioner, Mother Charlotte Gibson, who was licensed at St Alban’s Church on the 11[th] of April 2024. Her post is funded by a grant from the Church Commissioners.
Church Building and Contents
Quinquennial Inspection
A new inspection was carried out in September 2024. The report, delivered in November, has yet to be considered in detail by the PCC. Some of the defects identified in the previous quinquennial inspection, carried out in 1999, were addressed by adding to the work carried out in 2020 and 2021 to renew the church roof and provide improved accessibility.
Electrical Installation Condition Report
An electrical inspection of the church and hall was carried out in September 2024. Rectification of defects identified took place in February 2025.
The Building No Longer Formally at Risk
In 2016 the church was put on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, because: “The terracotta tiled roof has passed the point of repair and needs to be replaced urgently. The C20 extensions are also in poor condition and in need of repair. Rainwater goods need attention and there is work to be done to the perimeter of the apse because the external ground level is higher than the internal level.” Following renewal of the roof and lowering of the ground at the east end, the church was removed from Heritage at Risk Register in 2021.
The Church Roof Renewed
In 2016, the roofs of St Patrick's Chapel, the South Transept, the Ambulatory and the Organ Loft were renewed aided by a Heritage Lottery Fund Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund grant and VAT
Church Services
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reclaim under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. In 2020, the remaining high-level roofs were renewed, their rainwater goods refurbished or renewed, and other high-level repairs carried out while access from the scaffolding was available with the aid of a project delivery phase grant of £222,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
With the title Revealing St Alban’s Hidden Heritage, the project also included improving step-free access to the church, developing a range of new interpretive materials and providing more frequent open days. The project grant covered 43% of the cost of this work, and VAT was reclaimed through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, with the balance funded by the PCC’s restricted church restoration fund and designated funds, mainly from past unrestricted bequests set aside for this purpose.
Ground Level Lowered
The ground level at the east end of the church was lowered in 2016/17 and a French Drain created around the apse and St Patrick’s Chapel, funded by part of the bequest of John Taylor (and VAT reclaim under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme).
Floodlights Remain Defective
Floodlights were installed in 2001, part-funded by a grant from the Millennium Floodlighting Trust. Most of the underground cabling and many of the lamps now need replacing and have been disconnected. In 2024 only some floodlights at the west end were functional. Complete renewal using low-energy LED lamps is needed but the PCC currently has more urgent issues to address with the funds available.
Church Heating and Lighting
At the start of 2024 the church was heated by eleven gas heaters around the walls: 7 balancedflue convection heaters (of which 3 were renewed like-for-like during 2022) and 3 fan-assisted heaters. A fourth fan-assisted heater failed several years ago and cannot not be repaired or replaced like-for-like, while an eighth convector failed irreparably in 2023. Early in 2024 another of the fan-assisted heaters failed and one of the remaining convectors could not be relit in the autumn. Early in 2025 the pilot light of another convector will not remain lit. Due to pressure of work the Gas Engineers due to perform an annual service will not now attend until the end of April 2025. The size of the building and the large area of single-glazed windows prevent the heaters from achieving a comfortable temperature for the congregation in cold weather.
The vestries and hall are heated by a separate gasfired heating/hot water system. The choir vestry is heated independently by a gas boiler and radiators. Each of these can achieve a comfortable temperature.
The Church of England has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and in August 2021 the PCC moved to “Green Gas” and 100% renewable electricity tariffs. The PCC has replaced the more accessible incandescent filament lamps and former fluorescent tube lighting in the kitchen and choir vestry with low-energy LED lamps, but most of the church lighting system, using both
filament and discharge lamps, is not accessible without specialist equipment.
The Church of England Energy Footprint Tool reports gross figures for CO2 emissions from our gas and electricity usage of 12.6, 12.7 and 12.5 metric tonnes for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Based on our previous contracts for green gas and renewable electricity, it reported net figures of 1.6 and 1.7 metric tonnes for 2022 and 2023. In August 2024 the PCC moved to new three-year contracts for gas from British Gas “100% of your gas will be backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin from UK renewable green gas.” and electricity from E.ON Next “100% renewable”. Unfortunately, the 2024 energy tool does not recognise either of these tariffs and therefore reports both gross and net CO2 emissions for 2024 as 12.5 metric tonnes.
Church Floor
Over the last few years areas of heave/settlement in the church floor have become a problem, resulting in potential trip hazards. The PCC has added investigation and remedial work to the list of essential future work for which funding is needed.
Removal of Asbestos beneath the North Transept
In 2021, a small area of flooring collapsed in the north transept, revealing asbestos insulation board covering a chamber connected to old heating ducts. In 2022 specialist contractors dismantled the floor above the chamber, removed the asbestos and decontaminated the chamber and the recovered wooden floor blocks. In 2023 plans to reinstate the floor were prepared. However, at the date of this report, this work is on hold for lack of funds.
Church Hall and Vestries
In 2022 removal of asbestos-containing vinyl tiles and the flue of a former gas heater, believed to contain asbestos, from the choir vestry, revealed the poor condition of the terrazzo floor beneath.
In July 2023 (hitherto) extreme rainfall washed moss from the hall roof onto the flat roof of the kitchen and adjacent lobby blocking the drains. This roof sloped inwards towards the south gable of the hall, resulting in pooling and water entry, bringing down part of the kitchen ceiling and soaking the floor of the hall. Insurance provided £8,620 towards replacing f the ceiling and carpet.
In 2024 work began to replace the floor of the choir vestry with a new floor incorporating thermal insulation and surfaced with quarry tiles, with practical completion on 11[th] March 2025. At the same time the old fluorescent tube lighting was replaced with LED lighting in fittings of heritage appearance. The tiles and light fittings were paid for by donors.
Work also began in 2024 to alter the kitchen roof to slope away from the hall and discharge rainwater through chutes in the parapet and external down pipes to prevent future flooding due to blockage of internal drains, with practical completion on 13[th] January 2025. At the same time the lighting and ventilation of the kitchen was updated.
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After alteration of the roof there was further water ingress to the kitchen area, which has been traced to defects in the hall roof adjacent to the kitchen and further repairs will be needed in 2025.
Parking in Highgate
In 2019 Birmingham City Council proposed a controlled parking scheme for Highgate, in which parking on the frontages of the church would be reserved for residents, with limited pay-anddisplay parking on the opposite side of Stanhope Street. Following representations from the church, Councillor Brigid Jones, then Deputy Leader of the City Council, wrote to one of the churchwardens that the scheme would not operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and suggestions for paid parking on the frontages of the church, a waiting area for hearses outside the main doors and blue-badge holder bays would be incorporated in a revised plan. Covid-19 intervened, and the revised plan was not circulated. In 2024 the PCC received notice that it was now planned for the scheme to operate every day. New plans again showed that the frontages of the church and adjacent vicarage would be for residents’ parking, with “no waiting at any time” in front of the main entrance and limited paid parking on the other side of Stanhope Street. The Vicar, churchwardens, PCC and other members of the congregation, as well as members of other religious groups affected by the scheme, made representations to councillors and council officers requesting changes. At the date of this report, we do not know the outcome of the consultation.
Use of the Church Hall – St Patrick's Room
During 2024 the hall was used for five PCC meetings, until June for a Saturday afternoon Family Mass, for part of year for choir rehearsals and for refreshments after Sunday Mass and Festival Masses for St Patrick and St Alban. It was hired for one day a week by Highgate Community Support Ltd., for the meetings of a Women’s Group; by Birmingham Anglo-French Society for 14 evening meetings; and until July on Saturdays by Friction Arts to deliver their young peoples’ Art Club while their premises in Digbeth were renovated.
Church Open Days and Heritage Visitors
A programme of regular open days begun in 2020 was suspended due to Covid-19. We have been unable to restart a programme of regular open days, for lack of suitable volunteer stewards.
In 2022 we opened the church for the national Heritage Open Days (HOD) and Birmingham Heritage Week (BHW) with 90 visitors over ten days. In 2023 we opened the church for one day in association with a local street event with 11 visitors and for nine days during the HOD/BHW with 63 visitors. We also hosted visits by the Friends of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the University of the Third Age with 39 and 25 visitors, and 4 ‘heritage’ visitors attended while the church was open after services.
In 2024 we opened the church to visitors for six days over the HOD/BHW with 54 visitors and recorded 2 other ‘heritage’ visitors.
Concerts, Recitals and Music Visits
In 2019, before Covid-19, the church hosted 11 free concerts, 7 by members of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), with a total attendance of 244, a ticketed performance of Messiah given by the Birmingham Festival Chorus with an audience of 215 and 97 performers, and the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols of the Birmingham Bach Choir with a congregation of 190. After disruption of such activities by Covid-19, in 2022 we hosted 2 free concerts (combined attendance 37), a ticketed organ recital (attendance 43), and the Birmingham Bach Choir’s Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, attended by 143. In 2023 the church hosted 3 free concerts (combined attendance 53) and a visit by 35 Dutch Organists during their tour.
In 2024 we hosted one free concert by the RBC and another by Christi Park (combined audience 41) and hosted the Birmingham Bach Choir’s Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, attended by 138.
Food Bank
Operated by Amanda Cadman, assisted in 2024 by Akole Sykes and young people, the United Highgate Food Bank stores in the South Porch food, some donated but most purchased from grants and donations. It provides weekly food parcels to those in need in the parish.
Music, Choir and Organ
Aled Liddington gave notice that he would resign as Director of Music from the end of March 2024, due to a move away from the West Midlands. Angela Sones was appointed as his successor, but because of prior commitments could not take up the post until May and the PCC is grateful to John Jenkin for filling part of the gap between appointments. At the end of 2024 the regular Sunday morning choir had seven members, with increasing numbers of visitors from other churches assisting for Choral Evensong and other special services. During 2024 the organ’s choir slider machine was refurbished at a cost of £4,830 and during 2025 before the date of this report the great under-action has been refurbished at a cost of. £9,850. The Organ Fund is now empty, but all the leatherwork needs renewal soon at an estimated cost of £65,000, while modernisation of the piston capture system would cost a further £22,200.
Servers
During 2024 Harry Daniels, Simon Wainwright, Kevin Blakey (until he moved away) and Simon Mebrahtu (until he went away to university) kept up the standard of serving at Sunday Mass, assisted when available by Andrew Harvey. In 2025 Reshawn Farrell has joined the serving team.
Eco Church Bronze Award
In November 2023 the church gained the Bronze Eco Church award. Our Environmental Lead is Rachel Smith. We hope to work towards a Silver Award. As part of our commitment, we will continue to leave most of the grass unmown from spring until late June to encourage wildflowers and pollinating insects, while keeping the edges tidy. Wildflowers which appeared in 2023 included pyramidal orchids.
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Financial Review
Deposits and Investments
The PCC considers it proper to accumulate and retain reserves to provide for future repairs and maintenance of the church and ancillary buildings. It deposits short-term reserves in the Central Board of Finance (CBF) Church of England Deposit Fund and invests long-term reserves in CBF investment funds. The investments are revalued yearly on the 31[st] of December, usually at the “net asset” or “midmarket” value, which lies between the “bid market value” at which shares may be sold and the “offer price” at which they may be bought. From 2019 the CBF Property Fund shares of Joyce Madeley’s bequest have been valued instead at the lower “bid market value” because the PCC may need to sell them in the short term to pay for restoration work.
Major Income and Expenditure for Building Work
Major expenditure on renewing the church roof, associated repairs and improvements to the stepfree entrance completed in 2021 depleted the PCC’s unrestricted reserves in matching funding for the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant that allowed the work to take place. In late 2021 the PCC received an unrestricted legacy of £50,000 from Mary Goodman (died 1[st] February 2001), which has enabled further work to the building.
During 2024 the renewal of the choir vestry floor and the alteration of the kitchen roof were started, but the PCC could not afford to proceed with the reinstatement of the floor in the north transept. Including VAT, £37,130 was spent on the choir vestry during the year and £33,046 on the kitchen roof, funded mainly from Mary Goodman’s bequest, together with contributions from our Restoration, Building and Friends’ Funds, grants from the Aspinall Trust and St Patrick’s Fund and donations. The VAT was recovered through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Financial Statements
The financial statements and notes on pages 7 to 18 follow Financial Reporting Standard 102 and give details of the movement and balances of PCC funds.
In 2024 the PCC’s gross income did not exceed £250,000, requiring examination of the accounts for the year by a qualified accountant, and the PCC’s gross assets did not exceed £3,260,000 (the inalienable buildings and land are not capitalised), which would have required a full audit.
In 2024 the PCC received donations and grants of £37,501 for unrestricted purposes and £62,458 for restricted. It met its financial obligations, including paying £31,008 to the Diocesan Common Fund.
3.5% of the expenditure of the PCC was classed as expenditure for fundraising. This was mainly the costs of the printing unit for external work (costs £4,904; income £6,722; a profit of 37% on turnover.
just £3,217. This represents a reserve of only 27 days average expenditure; a balance of about £7,260 would be required for a reserve of two months’ expenditure. General Fund income for 2024 was £4,172 more than for 2023 while expenditure was £4,537 more than for 2023.
The annual contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund was held at £27,359 from 2020 to 2023 following the effects of Covid-19, but for 2024 the PCC contributed £31,008, £3,091 more than the minimum ask for the year of £27,917. The PCC has committed to contributing £31,200 to the Common Fund for 2025.
Three-year contracts for green Gas and renewable Electricity begun in summer 2021 protected the PCC from the price spike following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but the best prices we could obtain for new three-year contracts for green Gas and renewable Electricity in summer 2024 result in an increase of £630 for electricity and £1,384 for gas based on the same annual usage.
Little of the expenditure from the General Fund is discretionary, so in 2025 the PCC will need to increase its income to make ends meet.
While acknowledging its dependence on voluntary contributions and the need to seek more or increased contributions as unavoidable costs rise, it is the view of the PCC that at the date of this report it remains financially viable as a going concern because it has Unrestricted reserves in the form of Designated Funds, which the PCC could redesignate to general purposes if needed.
Volunteers
The PCC depends on volunteers, most of whom live outside the parish and many of whom are elderly, for the running and administration of the church as well as for financial supports.
Retirement of Fr Dr Gerald Sykes
On Sunday 8[th] September 2024, Fr Gerry Sykes, announced to the congregation that he would retire as vicar early in the new year. He retired on 11[th] January 2025. The PCC records its warm thanks to Fr Gerry and his wife Akole for all that they have done in and for the parish over the last seven years.
Deaths in the Congregation
The PCC records with sorrow the deaths during the year of these members, former members and relatives of the congregation:
Seth Broadbent – 12[th] January 2024;
John Pomphrett – 13[th] January 2024; Patrick Littlejohns – 11[th] July 2024.
Adopted by the PCC on the 24[th] of March 2024 and signed on behalf of the PCC by:
The General Fund had an annual surplus £869 (following a surplus of £1,209 in 2023, a deficit of £2,063 in 2022, surpluses of £542 for 2021 and £1,672 for 2020 and deficits of £5,395 for 2019 and £6,351 for 2018) resulting in a year-end balance of
Amanda Cadman Christopher Smith Churchwarden Churchwarden
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ALBAN & ST PATRICK HIGHGATE BIRMINGHAM
Registered Charity 1169941
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
| Income & Endowments from: Donations 2a Charitable Activities 2b Other Trading Activities 2c Investments 2d Total Expenditure on: Raising Funds 3a,4 Charitable Activities 3b,4 Total Net income/(expenditure) before revaluing investments Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investment Assets 6 Net Income/(Expenditure) Transfers between Funds: in 5 Transfers between Funds: out 5 Net Transfers between Funds Net Movement in Funds 9 Published Balance for 2023 Total Funds at 31 December 9 Note |
General Fund £ Designated Funds £ 37,358 143 62,458 - 99,958 5,067 1,084 1,365 - 7,516 17 6,722 30 - 6,768 69 3,683 2,620 - 6,372 Restricted Funds £ Endowment Funds £ Unrestricted Funds Total 2024 £ |
67,758 15,677 7,784 5,491 Total 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 42,510 11,632 66,472 - 120,614 |
96,709 | |
| 378 4,969 - - 5,347 43,075 48,467 53,958 - 145,500 |
5,130 73,569 |
|
| 43,453 53,436 53,958 - 150,847 |
78,699 | |
| (943) (41,804) 12,514 - (30,233) - 2,184 562 1,654 4,400 |
18,010 4,158 |
|
| (943) (39,620) 13,077 1,654 (25,833) |
22,168 | |
| 2,000 188 172 - 2,360 (188) (2,172) - - (2,360) |
2,213 (2,213) |
|
| 1,812 (1,984) 172 - - |
- | |
| 869 (41,604) 13,249 1,654 (25,833) 2,349 105,390 79,174 72,247 259,159 |
22,168 236,991 |
|
| 3,217 63,786 92,423 73,900 233,326 |
259,159 |
Page 8
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ALBAN & ST PATRICK HIGHGATE BIRMINGHAM
Registered Charity 1169941
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
Balance Sheet at 31[st] December 2024
| Note | 2024 £ | 2023 £ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible | 6 | - | 2,328 |
| Investments | 6 | 132,330 | 127,930 |
| 132,330 | 130,258 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Debtors | 7a | 15,099 | 8,459 |
| Cash | 7b | 89,370 | 123,882 |
| 104,469 | 132,341 | ||
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Creditors | 8 | (3,472) | (3,440) |
| Current Assets less Current Liabilities | 100,996 | 128,901 | |
| Total Net Assets | 10 | 233,326 | 259,159 |
| Represented by Parish Funds: | 9 | ||
| Unrestricted - General Fund | 3,217 | 2,349 | |
| Unrestricted - Designated Funds | 63,786 | 105,390 | |
| Restricted Funds | 92,423 | 79,174 | |
| Endowment Funds | 73,900 | 72,247 | |
| Total Reserves | 233,326 | 259,159 |
The notes on pages 9 to 18 form part of these financial statements. Rounding to the nearest £ sterling for presentation has been carried out after calculation.
The Financial Statements were approved by the Parochial Church Council on the 24[th] of March 2025. Signed in interregnum by the Church Wardens on behalf of the PCC:
Amanda Cadman Churchwarden
Christopher A Smith Churchwarden
NOTES
Page 9
Note 1: Principal Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations' 'true and fair view' provisions, together with FRS 102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP (FRS 102)).
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention except for investment assets which are included at fair valuation. The financial statements include all transactions, assets, and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe the main affiliation to another body (there are currently none), nor those that are informal gatherings of church members, nor those of Connected Charities.
The monetary unit of these financial statements is £ Sterling. All calculations have been performed before rounding pence.
Funds
Unrestricted Funds represent funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for the general purposes of the PCC. The Unrestricted Funds have been divided into the General Fund, representing the ordinary income and expenditure of the PCC, and a number of Designated Funds that have been set aside by the PCC for particular purposes. Designated Funds could in the future be re-designated by the PCC for any other purpose. Restricted Funds have been given to the PCC to be used for particular purposes. Endowment Funds have been given to the PCC with the condition that the capital is retained and that only the income from the capital is expended. Such income may be either Unrestricted or Restricted depending on the donor's stipulations. Under church regulations the capital of Endowment funds is held by the Diocese on behalf of the PCC.
Connected Charities
Charities connected to the PCC are independent trusts that are outside the control of the PCC (although their Trustees may include individual members of the PCC) but which have charitable objects substantially overlapping those of the PCC. They are registered separately with the Charity Commission and are responsible for the publication of their own accounts.
The PCC regularly receives monetary grants from two Connected Charities: the Trustees of St Alban's School (a charitable company limited by guarantee; Company Number 7287734, Charity Number 1139434, which also administers the St Patrick's Fund, previously a separate connected charity) and the Aspinall Trust (Charity Number 1061909). The monetary grants received from these Connected Charities are shown as income in the PCC's accounts.
Income
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when (i) the PCC is legally entitled to it, (ii) ultimate receipt is probable, and (iii) the amount to be recognised can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Planned giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the income to which they relate is received. Legacies to the PCC are recognised when the PCC is notified of legal entitlement and the amount due. Grants are recognised when any precondition to their use by the PCC has been met. Dividends are accounted for when declared receivable, interest as and when accrued by the payer. Gifts in kind are accounted for at their fair value when received. All income is accounted for gross. The value of volunteer help is not included in the accounts but is acknowledged in the Annual Report.
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for gross. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the PCC to expend resources. Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and allocated to a specific category under two headings:
Costs of Raising Funds: These are the costs associated with the PCC's fundraising actvities such as the work of the Printing Unit for external organisations, fundraising events, and planned giving costs; the church hall St Patrick's Room is used mainly for parish purposes and is not separately metered, but an estimate of the cost of heating and lighting for hire use is included here.
Charitable Expenditure: Charitable expenditure is analysed between Ministry and Mission expenditure. Ministry expenditure includes the direct costs of running the church such as the Diocesan Common Fund, church building and running costs. Mission expenditure includes mission giving and outreach activities in the community.
Page 10
Support costs consist of central management, administration, and goverance costs such as office costs, examination and publication of accounts, and bank charges. The costs are allocated to the Fundraising, Resourcing Ministry and Resourcing Mission expenditure headings. Grants and donations made by the PCC are accounted for when awarded by a resolution of the PCC. In 2024 the agreed contribution to the Diocesan Common Fund was, as usual, paid in full. However, if any part remained unpaid at 31 December then it would be provided for in the accounts as an operational (although not legal) liability.
Assets
Consecrated or Benefice Land, Buildings and Moveable Church Furnishings
Valuation of Benefice property and consecrated property is excluded from the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. St Patrick's Room (the Church Hall) and the associated ancillary rooms are situated on beneficed land and are structurally integrated with the church building. The PCC therefore considers them inalienable property and they are not capiltalised in the accounts. Moveable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust of the PCC, which are recorded in the inventory and require a Faculty for disposal, are considered inalienable property and are not capitalised. All expenditure on consecrated and benefice buildings, St Patrick's Rooms and associated ancillary rooms, and church furnishings are written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Other Fixtures, Fittings, and Equipment
In 2021 a new Canon laser printer system that prints, folds and staples booklets directly from the layout computer was purchased by the Printing Unit at a cost of £9,310. It was capitalised and has been depreciated linearly over four years. It is kept and operated at the home of PCC members Edward and Maureen Fellows, the volunteers who run the Printing Unit. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £5,000 or less are written off when acquired.
Investments
Shares in the CBF Investment Funds and Property Funds are valued yearly at 31st December. Normally the Mid Market Value also known as Net Asset Value quoted by the CBF is used, which as the mid value between the bid and offer prices is a fair valuation of shares held for the long term. However, it is possible that the PCC will need to sell some or all of the CBF shares belonging to the Joyce Madeley Fund (an unrestricted, designated fund) to provide funding for work to the church building. Because of the possibile liquidation of this fixed asset within the next year it has instead been valued at the lower CBF Bid Market Value at 31st December 2024, which is the value that would have been achieved if the shares had been sold at that date. However, when and if these shares are sold the value will depend on the bid price at that time, which may be lower.
Current Assets
Debtors from which payment is receivable within one year, and Creditors which are payable within one year, and which do not constitute a financing transaction are measured at the transaction price. All stocks of consumable materials, such as wine, wafers, candles, printing unit materials, guidebooks, souvenirs, and foodbank stock are written off at the time of purchase.
Financial Instruments
The PCC has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 "Basic Financial Instruments" and Section 12 "Other Financial Instruments" of FRS 102 in full to all of its financial instruments.
Page 11
| Page 11 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note 2: Income 2a Donations Planned Giving[1] Gift Days[2] Collections[3] Friends' Subscriptions Sundry Donations Gift Aid Tax Recoverable Grants Received by the PCC[4] 2b Charitable Activities Fees Received by the PCC Magazine Sales Shrine Candle Boxes Refreshments after Services Church Meals and Outings Church & Hall Lettings Insurance, Compensation etc.[5] 2c Other Trading Activities Fundraising Events Sale of Souvenirs, Guides etc. St Alban's Printing Unit 2d Investments CBF Investment Fund Dividends CBF Property Fund Dividends Deposit Fund Interest Other Interest Received Total Income |
2024 | 2023 |
| Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2024 10,645 - 760 11,405 9,625 - 70 9,695 1,523 - 785 2,308 - - 52 52 4,235 143 22,387 26,765 6,330 - 5,295 11,625 5,000 - 32,609 37,609 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2023 8,810 - 760 9,570 9,585 - - 9,585 2,968 - 960 3,928 - - 57 57 330 420 8,271 9,021 4,976 - 1,864 6,840 5,000 - 23,757 28,757 Unrestricted Funds |
|
| 37,358 143 62,458 99,958 |
31,668 420 35,669 67,758 |
|
| 312 - - 312 154 - - 154 - - 161 161 - 479 - 479 - 605 - 605 4,551 - 155 4,706 50 - 1,049 1,099 |
99 - - 99 267 - - 267 - - 131 131 - 352 - 352 - - - - 6,208 - - 6,208 - - 8,620 8,620 |
|
| 5,067 1,084 1,365 7,516 |
6,574 352 8,751 15,677 |
|
| - - - - 17 - 30 46 - 6,722 - 6,722 |
- 338 287 625 2 - 34 36 - 7,123 - 7,123 |
|
| 17 6,722 30 6,768 |
2 7,461 321 7,784 |
|
| - 507 2,180 2,687 - 2,246 - 2,246 - 930 426 1,356 69 - 13 82 |
- 499 2,147 2,646 - 1,357 - 1,357 - 855 524 1,379 94 - 15 109 |
|
| 69 3,683 2,620 6,372 |
94 2,711 2,686 5,491 |
|
| 42,510 11,632 66,472 120,614 |
38,338 10,944 47,428 96,709 |
[1] Restricted Planned Giving income relates to donations for the Foodbank.
[2] Restricted Gift Day income is Lammas offering (for the Sanctuary Fund to provisd altar bread and wine).
[3] Collections includes both general and special collections, both gift-aided through envelopes or the Small Donations Scheme and otherwise.
[4] Grants received from Trustees of St Albans School : £2,500 Maintenance of Public Worship; £1,500 Food Bank Fund; £39 Organ Fund.
(2023: £2,500 Maintenance of Public Worship.)
St Patrick's Fund : £2,500 Maintenance of Public Worship; £1,500 Food Bank Fund; £1,296 Organ Fund.
(2023: £2,500 “Maintenance of Public Worship”, £1,500 Food Bank Fund, £4,633 Kitchen Roof.)
Grants from the Aspinall Trust : £9,500 Church Insurance, £2,000 Monitored Alarm, £2,000 Kitchen Roof, £2,000 Electrical Survey, £1,000
Director of Music Fees - all Restricted Funds.
(2023: £7,000 Church Insurance, £4,000 Director of Music Fees, £3,100 Kitchen Works, £2,000 Monitored Alarm, £400 Sound System.) Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme contra VAT on work to the fabric of the listed building £11,524 - Restricted Fund. (2023: £1,124) Mary Briggs Charity : £250 for Social Work - Restricted Fund.
Diocesan return of balance on wind up of Parsonages Fund : 2023: £247 - Miscellaneous Restricted Fund.
[5] £50 compensation for problems adding a new signatory to bank account, £1,049 insurance for damage to windows in attempted break-in.
(2023: Trinitas (AVIVA) insurance for water damage to kitchen ceiling and hall carpet.)
Page 12
| Page 12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Note 3: Expenditure 3a Raising Funds Printing Unit Costs (External Work) Hall Hire Costs (Gas, Electricity) Fundraising Event Costs Support Costs for Fundraising[1] |
2024 | 2023 |
| Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2024 - 4,904 - 4,904 368 - - 368 - - - - 11 64 - 75 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2023 - 4,691 - 4,691 153 - - 153 - 223 - 223 - 63 - 63 Unrestricted Funds |
|
| Total RaisingFunds | 378 4,969 - 5,347 |
153 4,977 - 5,130 |
| 3b Charitable Expenditure Resourcing Ministry Diocesan Common Fund Parish Priest Expenses Visiting Clergy Expenses Church Running Costs[2] Church Maintenance Upkeep of Services Upkeep of Church Garden Magazine & Bookstall Costs Printing Unit Costs (PCC work) Foodbank Church Heritage Projects Church Hall Costs[3] Verger Building Repairs & Improvements[4] Provision of Liturgical Music[5] Church Meals & Outings[6] Support Costs for Ministry[1] Total Resourcing Ministry Resourcing Mission Overseas Missions & Church Soc Overseas Relief & Development Home Relief: St Anne's Hostel Secular Charities (Home & O'seas) Home Secular Relief Support Costs for Mission[1] Total Resourcing Mission Total Charitable Expenditure Total Expenditure |
31,008 - - 31,008 1,745 - - 1,745 258 - - 258 4,780 260 12,036 17,076 117 2,315 3,384 5,816 754 - 2,411 3,165 - - 180 180 54 - - 54 - 117 - 117 - - 2,130 2,130 - - - - - 215 165 380 - - - - - 44,863 30,143 75,006 3,138 - 2,885 6,023 - 696 - 696 1,221 2 69 1,292 |
27,359 - - 27,359 2,411 - - 2,411 161 - - 161 5,329 1,436 9,000 15,764 - 1,473 372 1,845 1,222 - 982 2,204 - - 1,000 1,000 64 - - 64 - 140 - 140 - - 1,467 1,467 50 - - 50 300 582 6,435 7,316 - - - - - 2,386 3,464 5,851 694 - 4,898 5,592 - 264 162 426 1,127 2 61 1,189 |
| 43,075 48,467 53,404 144,946 |
38,716 6,282 27,840 72,839 |
|
| - - - - - - - - - - 498 498 - - 56 56 - - - - - - - - |
46 - 373 419 - - - - - - 310 310 - - - - - - - - 1 - - 1 |
|
| - - 554 554 |
48 - 683 731 |
|
| 43,075 48,467 53,958 145,500 |
38,763 6,282 28,523 73,569 |
|
| 43,453 53,436 53,958 150,847 |
38,916 11,260 28,523 78,699 |
[1] Support costs are allocated to Fundraising, Resourcing Ministry and Resourcing Mission (see Note 4: Analysis of Expenditure).
[2] Church Running Costs: Insurance £9,017; Alarm £2,316; Extinguishers £260; Gas £2,062; Electricity £2,269; Water £133; New Polisher £1,020. (2023: Insurance £7,887; Alarm System £2,147; Heating System £1,073; Fire Extinguishers £363; Gas £2,235; Electricity £1,659; Water £400.) [3] Figure for 2023 Includes £6,140 refurbishment of toilets paid for by restricted donations.
[4] Choir Vestry £37,130; Kitchen Roof £33,046; Organ £4,830. (2023: North Transept plans £1,032, Choir Vestry £2,419; Kitchen Roof £2,400.)
[5] Fees: Director of Music £5,190, Other organists £470, Choir £100, Conductor £50, Trumpeter (Remembrance Sunday) £80; RSCM subs. £133.
(2023: Fees: Director of Music £5,160, Other organists £100, Choir £125, Trumpeter (Remembrance Sunday) £80; RSCM subs. £127.)
[6] Licensing of Missioner £400; Patronal Festival £168; Visiting Organists £128.(2023: Patronal Festival £264; Walsingham pilgrimage £162.)
Page 13
Note 4: Analysis of Expenditure
| Raising Funds Charitable Activities Resourcing Ministry Resourcing Mission Total 2024 |
4a: Analysis of Expenditure: 2024 |
|---|---|
| 5,347 144,946 554 - 75 - - - 5,272 Activities Directly Undertaken Grant/Donation Funding of Activities Support Costs[1] TOTAL 2024 143,654 554 1,292 |
|
| 149,480 - 1,367 150,847 |
[1] Support Costs (as set out in 4c below) have been allocated to Fundraising, Resourcing Ministry and Resourcing Mission expenditures in proportion to their expenditure values.
4b: Analysis of Expenditure: 2023
| Resourcing Ministry Resourcing Mission Total 2024 |
[1] Support Costs (as set out in 4c below) have been allocated to Fundraising, Resourcing Ministry and Resourcing Mission expenditures in proportion to their expenditure values. 144,946 554 - - - 149,480 143,654 554 - 1,292 1,367 150,847 4b: Analysis of Expenditure: 2023 |
|---|---|
| Raising Funds Charitable Activities Resourcing Ministry Resourcing Mission Total 2023 |
Activities Directly Undertaken Grant/Donation Funding of Activities Support Costs[1] TOTAL 2023 71,649 - 1,189 72,839 729 - 1 731 5,067 - 63 5,130 |
| 77,445 - 1,254 78,699 |
[1] Support Costs allocated in proportion to expenditure.
4c: Analysis of Support Costs
| Restricted Total Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2024 General Designated Funds 2023 Broadband/Phone Line 741 - - 741 678 - - 678 Office Costs 40 - 7 47 - - - - Examination & Publication of Accounts 365 - - 365 360 - - 360 Bank Charges 85 66 62 213 90 65 61 215 1,232 66 69 1,367 1,128 65 61 1,254 Note 5: Transfers Between Funds General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Funds Endowm't Funds Total 2024 LPoW Grant claim re 2023 timed out; now paid by Bequests - (172) 172 - - 2,000 (2,000) - - - (188) 188 - - - Total Transfers into Funds 2,000 188 172 - 2,360 Total Transfers out of Funds (188) (2,172) - - (2,360) Net Transfer In/(Out) 1,812 (1,984) 172 - - Unrestricted Funds 2024 2023 Unrestricted Funds Printing Fund surplus to General Fund General Fund to Printing Fund for PCC printing |
2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Total Restricted Total General Designated Funds 2024 General Designated Funds 2023 741 - - 741 678 - - 678 40 - 7 47 - - - - 365 - - 365 360 - - 360 85 66 62 213 90 65 61 215 Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds |
||
| 1,232 66 69 1,367 1,128 65 61 1,254 |
Page 14
Note 6: Fixed Assets
| Tangible Fixed Assets[1] Printing Unit Canon Printer System[2] Investment Assets Unrealized Gains and Losses J Madeley Bequest (Designated Fund) W Box Music Fund (Restricted) M Goodman Memorial Fund (Endm't) Henry Lee Sanctuary Fund (Endm't) |
Net Book Value 01/01/24 2,328 Value 01/01/24 31,122 24,562 18,265 53,981 127,930 |
Additions Charge for the Year - (2,328) Change in Market Value 2,184 562 418 1,236 4,400 |
Net Book Value 31/12/24 - Value 31/12/24 33,306 [3] 25,124 [4] 18,683 [4] 55,217 [4] 132,330 |
|---|---|---|---|
[1] The PCC has no freehold land or buildings; the St Patrick's Room building is on inalienable Benefice Land and is not capitalised.
[2] The printing/stapling/folding system purchased in 2021 for £9,310.14 has been depreciated linearly over four years.
[3] Based on bid value of 121.28 pence per CBF Property Fund Income Share at 31/12/2024 - asset may be sold for restoration work.
[4] Based on value of 2,312.27 pence per CBF Investment Fund Income Share at 31/12/2024 - (bid/offer spread no longer applies).
Note 7: Current Assets
| Note 7: Current Assets | |
|---|---|
| 7a Debtors at 31/12/2024 Gift Aid Income Tax Reclaimable[1] Pre-Payments for Services[2] LPoW Grant claimed against VAT Church/Hall Hire Invoiced PCC Fees Funeral 27/12/24 Printing Invoiced Q4 CBF Deposit Fund Interest Due 7b Cash in Bank at 31/12/2024 Cash in Hand Current Bank Accounts CBF Deposit Accounts |
5,333 - 4,090 9,422 1,850 - 137 1,987 - - 2,858 2,858 400 - - 400 104 - - 104 - 76 - 76 - 206 46 252 Total 2024 General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Funds |
| 7,687 281 7,131 15,099 |
|
| - 215 186 402 (3,160) 13,105 53,000 62,946 - 17,621 8,402 26,022 Total 2024 Designated Funds Restricted Funds General Fund |
|
| (3,160) 30,941 61,588 89,370 |
[1] Income Tax to be reclaimed on donations from 06/04/2024 to 31/12/2024 covered by Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Schemes.
[2] Prepayment for monitored alarm system to 30/09/2025 £1,800; RSCM membership 2025 £137; Water credit balance 31/12/24 £50.
| Note 8: Creditors Fees Collected for Diocese Accruals for Goods & Services[1] Owed to Volunteers[2] Due to External Charities[3] Prepaid magazine subscriptions |
- - 215 215 1,130 398 5 1,533 54 345 631 1,030 - - 569 569 125 - 125 Total 2024 General Fund Designated Funds Restricted Funds |
|---|---|
| 1,309 743 1,421 3,472 |
[1] Costs for 2024 not paid until 2025: Gas £402; Electricity £721; Printing Unit materials £392; Bank Charges £18.
[2] For Walsingham pilgrimage £511; Catering costs £453; Printing costs £169; Christmas Flowers £120.
[3] St Anne's Hostel £498, paid 2025; SmileTrain £56, paid in 2025; St Thomas College Karachi £15, below cost of transfer.
Page 15
| Note 9: Movement of Funds Endowment Funds M Goodman Memorial Fund H Lee Sanctuary Reserve Fund Total Endowments Restricted Funds Birthday Book Fund Charities Fund Choir Fund Church Urban Fund Digital Media Fund Foodbank Flower Fund Floodlight Fund Friends Fund Garden Fund GPOW VAT Refund Grant Fund Insurance Claim Fund Lecture Fund Music Development Fund Organ Fund Director of Music Fund Restoration Appeal Fund Sanctuary Fund Vicar's Discretionary Fund Walsingham Pilgrimage Fund W Box Choral Music Income W Box Choral Music Reserve Youth Work Fund Miscellaneous Restricted Funds [1] Total Restricted Funds Designated Funds Building Fund Miscellaneous Bequests Fund J Madeley Bequest Fund Maintenance Fund [2] Printing Fund Refreshment Fund Total Designated Funds General Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Balance at Income Expenditure Transfers Capital Balance at 01/01/24 (net) Movement 31/12/24 18,265 - - - 418 18,683 53,981 - - - 1,236 55,217 |
|---|---|
| 72,247 - - - 1,654 73,900 |
|
| 4,716 118 - - - 4,833 - 554 554 - - - 640 - - - - 640 200 - - - - 200 182 - - - - 182 3,084 4,230 2,130 - - 5,184 121 229 243 - - 107 250 - - - - 250 3,704 177 3,800 - - 82 - 1,250 - - - 1,250 - 11,524 11,696 172 - - 6,620 1,049 1,049 - - 6,620 67 - - - - 67 1,495 25 233 - - 1,287 6,233 5,438 4,830 - - 6,842 - 3,500 1,970 - - 1,530 852 15,394 - - - 16,246 13,326 1,921 980 - - 14,267 53 - - - - 53 76 - - - - 76 - 682 682 - - - 24,562 - - - 562 25,124 1,913 - - - - 1,913 11,080 20,381 25,791 - - 5,670 |
|
| 79,174 66,472 53,958 172 562 92,423 |
|
| 1,525 33 1,481 - - 77 49,579 - 43,382 (172) - 6,025 31,122 - - - 2,184 33,306 974 3,046 2,575 - - 1,445 20,260 7,469 5,087 (1,812) - 20,829 1,930 1,084 911 - - 2,103 |
|
| 105,390 11,632 53,436 (1,984) 2,184 63,786 |
|
| 2,349 42,510 43,453 1,812 - 3,217 |
|
| 259,159 120,614 150,847 - 4,400 233,326 |
[1] See Note 13 for details of Miscellaneous Restricted Funds
- [2] Income from M Goodman Memorial Fund Endowment and invested Designated reserve J Madeley Bequest.
Page 16
Note 10: Analysis of Net Assets by Fund Type
| Page 16 Note 10: Analysis of Net Assets by Fund |
Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Assets - Tangible Fixed Assets - Investment Current Assets - Debtors Current Assets - (Cash, Bank & CBF deposit) Current Liabilities Assets less Current Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Net Assets |
Restricted Endowment General Designated Funds Funds - - - - - 33,306 25,124 73,900 7,687 281 7,131 - (3,160) 30,941 61,588 - (1,309) (743) (1,421) - 3,217 63,786 92,423 73,900 - - - - 3,217 63,786 92,423 73,900 Unrestricted |
Total Total 2024 2023 - 2,328 132,330 127,930 15,099 8,459 89,370 123,882 (3,472) (3,440) |
| 233,326 259,159 - - |
||
| 233,326 259,159 |
Note 11: Payments to PCC Members
Aled Liddington received fees of £1,720 and Angela Sones fees of £3,900 for services as successive Directors of Music. No other member of the PCC received remuneration or expenses other than the re-imbursement of expenditure on behalf of the PCC.
| Note | 12: | Staff Costs | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | - | - | ||
| Social Security Costs | - | - | ||
| Pension Contributions | - | - | ||
| - | - |
The Directors of Music each charged fees for the Musical services they provided and were not P.C.C. employees. The P.C.C. had no paid employees in 2023 or 2024.
Note 13: Miscellaneous Restricted Fund
At start of year: £4,633 for Kitchen Roof renewal; £3,100 for Kitchen Roof/Kitchen Refit; £1,250 for Cloister welcome sign, fixing overflowing vestry header tank, garden tidy; £750 towards improving the West Entrance; £500 for Garden Improvement; £354 for Sound system; £247 for Vicarage; £159 piano repair etc.; £56 towards a new green frontal for St Alban's Altar; £31 parish lamp at Walsingham.
Income: Grants from the Aspinall Trust of £9,500 for insurance; £2,000 for Monitored Alarm System, £2,000 for Electrical Survey and £2,000 for kitchen roof renewal or refit. Donations (with any Gift Aid) £2,000 for Choir Vestry tiles; £871 for a new remote control for bell unit; £500 for piano maintenance. Grant from the Mary Briggs Charity for Social Work £250.
Donations in kind: (These appear as simultaneous restricted income and expenditure) Total recorded £1,383: New Floor Polisher £1,020; Dishwasher Service £165; Easter Flowers £123; Domain Registration £48; Keys cut for Choir Vestry £20; Postages £7.
Expenditure: Insurance £9,016; Kitchen Roof alteration and related work £7,817; Alarm system £2,000; Tiles for Choir Vestry £2,000; Electrical Survey £2,000; Bell remote control £871; Cloister welcome sign £300; Garden tidy £180; Piano tuning £165; Fixing leaking tank £150; Lamp at Walsingham £31.
At end of year: £1,916 for Kitchen Roof/Refit; £620 for Cloister welcome sign, garden tidy; £500 for Garden Improvement; £750 towards improving the West Entrance; £494 piano repair etc.; £483 for Church Insurance; £354 for Sound system; £250 for Social Work; £247 for Vicarage; £56 towards a new green frontal for St Alban's Altar.
Note 14: Purposes of Funds
Page 17
General Fund : unrestricted and undesignated monies which may use for any purpose
Designated Funds
Building : monies designated (or redesignated) to be used for building maintenance, renewal or improvement
Miscellaneous Bequests : balance of unrestricted bequests set aside to be used at a future date (e.g. as for Building Fund) Joyce Madeley Bequest : unrestricted bequest retained as capital; income used for maintenance
Maintenance : monies set aside for maintenance and minor repairs; receives income from Mary Goodman Memorial Fund and Joyce Madeley Bequest Fund
Printing : monies retained by the St Albans Printing Unit from its income to provide for the renewal of equipment Refreshment : retained surplus from providing tea, coffee etc. after services
Restricted Funds
Birthday Book : birthday donations to be used for purchase of sanctuary items etc.
Charities : monies collected (on an annual basis) to give to external charitable causes
Choir : monies given for the purchase of choir vestments etc.
Church Urban : monies given by the Church Urban Fund for the Near Neighbours project
Digital Media : monies given to provide equipment or software or pay running costs of digital media
Director of Music : monies given to provide for the fees of the Director of Music
Flower : monies given to provide flowers for the church Floodlight : money for replacement of church floodlights
Foodbank : monies given to provide for a foodbank run from the church
Friends : monies raised by the Friends of St Alban's & St Patrick's used to support projects in or associated with the church GPOW VAT Refund Grant : grant monies due/received contra VAT on work to fabric of listed church building
Lecture : monies raised to provide public lectures on theology and church history etc.
Music Development : monies given to support the development of music within the church
Organ : monies given for the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the church organ Organists Fund : Monies given to pay organists' fees
Restoration : monies raised, and grants received, for the restoration and enhancement of the church building Sanctuary : monies raised for the purchase of Sanctuary items; income from the H Lee Sanctuary Reserve Fund Vicar's Discretionary : Monies used at the sole discretion of the Vicar for charitable purposes within the parish
Walsingham : monies used to fund the annual Parish Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham
W Box Choral Music Income : Income from the W Box Choral Music Reserve, used towards fees of Director of Music
W Box Choral Music Reserve : monies left by Wilfred Box and others to maintain choral services in the church; currently retained as capital to provide continuing income towards fees of Director of Music
Youth Work : monies for Youth Ministry
Miscellaneous Restricted : miscellaneous funds donated for restricted purposes (See Note 13 for details)
Endowment Funds
Mary Goodman Memorial Fund : a Permanent Endowment made in 1950 by John Goodman in memory of his mother; held by the Diocesan Trustees "upon trust to pay the income to the Vicar and Churchwardens to be applied by them for all or any of the following purposes or such of them as shall be legally charitable namely: (a) as a maintenance fund for the general maintenance and upkeep of the church; (b) for any other church purpose (but not including the augmentation of the Vicar's stipend)''. The income is considered to be unrestricted because of (b) and is paid to the Maintenance Fund because of (a).
Henry Lee Sanctuary Reserve : Considered to be an Endowment and is held by the Diocesan Trusteees. In accordance with the will of Henry Lee 'the monies to be placed on reserve to pay for the costs of replacing Cassocks, Cottas, and Slippers for Servers or any other Sanctuary requirements as and when required'. The income is restricted and is paid into the Sanctuary Fund.
Page 18
Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Alban and St Patrick, Highgate, Birmingham, Charity No. 1169941 on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 17
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act;
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follow the procedure laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Direction given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for a full audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
- concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: 14 April 2025
Professional Qualifications or Body: Associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers (U. K.)
Address: 70 Overbury Close, Birmingham B31 2HD