2020-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul, St Leonards on Sea

Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-Sea

Christ Church, London Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN37 6GL

Registered Charity no. 1170031

For the year ended 31 December 2020

CONTENTS

Pages Trustees annual report 2-14 Statement of financial activities 15 Balance sheet 16 Notes to the accounts 17-24 Report of the independent examiner 25

Website: www.christchurchstleonards.co.uk Priest-in-Charge: Rt. Revd. Peter Wheatley Independent examiner: Ashdown Hurrey, Hastings Bankers: Charities Aid Foundation, West Malling

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Christ Church and St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul, St Leonards-on-Sea Trustees Annual Report for 2020

Our aims and purposes as a charity

The PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent in:

• The provision and maintenance of the fabric of Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea and its associated buildings;

• Conducting regular Christian worship;

• The celebration of the Holy Eucharist, including on a daily basis at Christ Church; baptisms, marriages and funerals;

• Leaving Christ Church open to the public to enter and benefit from personal spiritual

• contemplation;

• Promoting the study of Christian teaching, practices and Scriptures;

• The provision of means and encouragement to promote fellowship within the

• membership of the Churches and the wider community;

• In addition to the above, Christian devotional acts and outreach work is carried out,

• including:

• Visiting the sick;

• Administering the Sacraments to those unable to attend regular acts of Worship,

• to the sick and dying;

• Supporting pastoral work;

• Fostering ecumenical links between differing Christian denominations;

• Supporting the work of other local charities.

What we planned to do to achieve our charitable objectives

When planning our activities for the year, our incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on ‘charities for the advancement of religion’.

For 2020 we continued to pursue the following objectives and activities to fulfil our aims:

• Enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church;

• Enabling as many people as possible to become part of our parish community;

• Teaching, baptizing and confirming new and existing believers;

• Maintaining an overview of worship throughout the parish;

• Considering how services can involve the many groups that exist within the parish;

• Putting faith into practice, through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament;

• Offering worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel in small group situations;

• Assisting people from all walks of life to develop their knowledge of, and trust in, Jesus;

• Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish;

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• Providing assistance to the poor and needy of the parish;

• Maintaining the fabric of the church building as a historic centre and focus of life in the Parish.

Our Mission Action Plan is regularly reviewed and monitored at PCC meetings.

What we achieved and how we affected beneficiaries’ lives

The range of activities for Christ Church can be split broadly into three categories – a) worship, prayer, catechesis, pastoral care and evangelism; b) fellowship and fundraising; c) serving the local community

This year began well. Jane Hart was commissioned on 11 January by the Bishop of Chichester in his Cathedral as an Authorised Lay Minister to continue her work with children and families including coordinating the weekly activities of our parish Sunday School (PALS) group. We continued to open our Crypt as an emergency night shelter during the winter as part of the Local Authority Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP), extending this provision on other evenings through co-operation with Surviving the Streets. Over the weekend of 13-15 March a group of children from our Parish School joined the Diocesan pilgrim group at the Walsingham Children’s Pilgrimage, led by Head teacher, Mr Russell Thorne, Mrs Sharon Blythe, Mr Graham Marcroft, and Fr Nick. But this was just before the first lockdown in the coronavirus pandemic.

Worship, prayer, catechesis, pastoral care and evangelism

Public worship was suspended in March by order of the Government and the regulations prohibited the normal functioning of the Church's activities.

Mass continued to be offered daily in Church by the clergy throughout both the first lockdown (March to July) and the second (November/December). During these times the Church was kept open daily for private prayer. Public worship resumed as soon as permitted in July and again in December with four Masses on a Sunday as opposed to the previous two per Sunday to ensure ease of social distancing and cater also for the needs of the children who were unable to meet safely in the crypt.

When permitted Baptisms were celebrated and 2 adult candidates presented for Confirmation. With only limited numbers allowed to attend, funerals in Church included those of a number of members of the congregation, Christopher Langdon, Chas Bryan, Janet Davis, Adrian Tate, Sonia Rook, Sheila Johnston, Sheila Sergeant, and Fr Christopher Hopkins who, despite illness courageously suffered, had continued to celebrate and preach at Mass until his death. Requiescant in Pace .

Throughout the lockdowns Fr Nick Archer has led worship in Christ Church Academy, kept open for key workers and vulnerable children, and has provided weekly videos for classroom worship. When allowed, parishioners led ‘Open the Book’ collective worship in school,

The church bells were rung each Sunday. When collective bell ringing was not possible, the bell ringers ensured that a single bell was tolled both on Sunday and before the evening Mass.

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Fundraising and Fellowship

The not so good news

• The Parishioners monthly table sale that provides a regular source of income has had to be suspended due to COVID-19.

• Our Summer and Christmas Fayres had to be cancelled.

• The only Parish lunch to actually take place was on the Feast of the Epiphany; due to the pandemic all others were canceled.

The better news

• As previously reported, a fundraising group was established 2019 to assist in looking at ways of raising the substantial sum of money needed for renovation of the Church fabric.

• The group were advised in 2019 by Dr Katherine Prior, the Diocesan Adviser on Fundraising, this has continued to be a useful source of information but probably more suited to a later project looking at activities to engage with the community, after the main building funds have been raised.

• Funding from a parishioner enabled the installation of Wi-Fi throughout the church which was believed to provide access to various fundraising initiatives in the future. Little did we know that COVID-19 presented severe challenges in having to the close the church for some months, but the Wi-Fi assisted in the ‘livestreaming’ of services whilst the service booklets were emailed to people’s home from the Parish Office. Later in the year further funding was provided to purchase a licence for 12 months of an unmanned contactless donation device which in these difficult times, especially with cash handling and the church being open for private prayer and reflection only, has proved to be invaluable.

• Our website has been re-built to reflect a more modern look but has also included an online giving facility.

• Despite COVID-19 much progress has been made in dealing with the recommendations of the 2018 Quinquennial Report from our architect Peter Pritchett.

• We commissioned Heritage Stone Access (HAS) to conduct a survey of the Tower and Spire on the basis that there was a risk of falling masonry and ironwork from the clocks. This was conducted in the Spring of 2020 and a report received in May 2020.

• Bishop Peter, our Priest in Charge introduced the committee to Craigmyle, an experienced fundraising firm of some 50 years, especially in the area of an ecclesiastical nature.

• A meeting was held after lockdown 1 on the 15 June 2020 where exploratory ideas via a Zoom meeting with Craigmyle, these were:

• The nature of our reserves

• The importance of gain an ‘At Risk status’ with English Heritage

• The case for support to enable the raising of grants to enable renovations to the church fabric to be done

• If Craigmyle could assist in us achieving our fundraising objectives.

• Following the meeting Craigmyle presented a proposal of how they would assist Christ Church in its objective of raising sufficient funds to allow the renovations necessary. This was accepted at the PCC Meeting of 24[th] July 2020.

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• By September 2020 it became obvious that the Tower and Steeple required urgent work totaling around £120k. With the help of Craigmyle, the Fundraising Committee and our architect, Peter Pritchett, an offer of a grant of £89k was made by NLHF which enabled the planning of the work to be done in early 2021.

• In December Historic England approved our application to place Christ Church on the ‘At Risk’ register which will enhance our chances in grant applications.

Serving the Community

This year we have continued, as much as circumstances and restrictions have allowed, to continue looking outward in our mission and outreach.

We have still been able to support the local community in these ways:

• The Seaview Project (for the poor and needy) through contributions of food and useful small items and contributing staple foodstuffs and toiletries to Hastings Foodbank.

• Serving as local governors at our parish school.

• Serving as trustees of the Christ Church Old Buildings Trust (CCOBT), Sarah Brisco Trust and the St Mary Magdalen Educational Charity.

• Serving as Board members of the Christ Church House Improvement Society Ltd.

• Hosting weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

• Members of the sewing group are contributing knitted items of clothing to charities such as surviving the Streets, Dom’s Food Mission and Warming Up The Homeless.

These meetings have been face to face wherever possible or by zoom and telephone conference calls.

Night Shelters

• The Snowflake Night Shelter project still has our support although unable to run in its usual way.

• Opening the Crypt for the night shelters operated by SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) and Surviving the Streets has not been allowed this year but communications remain open with Hastings Council for using the Crypt and supporting SWEP in future.

• Regular contact and support is maintained with Surviving the Streets and some funding has been given to them via the Sarah Brisco charity. Discussions re ways forward for the church to continue its support are ongoing.

Church members continue to volunteer to lead our local Scout Group and serve as members of the Scout Group Committee although actual gatherings have been curtailed until allowed.

The monthly Community Cafe has been unable to take place this year but will resume when possible.

Some small table sales of craft items at the back of church have taken place after mass when possible but monthly table sales which provide an opportunity for outreach and fellowship with the wider community through conversation and refreshments have not been able to occur.

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The Parish Centre Hall and Crypt have had to postpone being resources for the community but will be operational when permissible. The Hall and Crypt have continued to be used by vulnerable groups AA, NA, CA. Tai Chi took place when allowed and other groups hopefully will return at a later date.

The ‘Book Room’ in the Parish Centre has been open twice a week when allowed and continues to raise a profitable amount of money as well as providing a reading resource for the congregation and wider public.

Plans have started to develop resources whereby different schools can use the church building for learning across the curriculum.

The Church has been able to continue to host some concerts this year and has a good ongoing relationship with Hastings Philharmonic Choir and Chamber Choir. We have been able to benefit from a variety of recitals by various people in church and some concerts have been rescheduled to take place at a later date.

Citizens Advice Bureau has settled into CCOBT’s Magnet Centre and a good relationship is developing with them.

The Church has also benefitted from being part of the Safer Streets project with liaison between Church, police and CAB to provide extra lighting and security cameras in the Courtyard. This will give extra security to the users of our premises.

Financial Review

Throughout 2020 the PCC continued to highlight different ways in which people can financially contribute to the mission and ministry of the Church in this Parish. In particular this stressed giving through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), enabling a more direct means of reclaiming Gift Aid, thus helping with our cash flow. Although there was a small uptake in numbers in the PGS, the overall level of regular giving has not increased.

During 2020 a number of generous donations enabled an increase in donations compared to 2019 and no legacies were received. The PCC continue to, where possible, keep expenditure under tight control. However fabric repair and other exceptional expenditure total £47,000 in the year. Income excluding legacies has been reduced by £15,000 whilst the Church has been closed and our ongoing underlying deficit remains stubbornly high, and without the special donation income, would have been £33,000. St Peter’s Hall was sold in March 2020 and achieved a surplus of £97,560. The increased investment holdings brought the expected additional income, but also a windfall gain on their revaluation at the year-end. We again caution that valuations can reduce as well as increase. The beneficial impact of this has been to increase our Reserves by £55,000

The PCC continues to address this unsustainable financial position through its Financial Sustainability Sub-Committee, tasked with achieving a balance of income over expenditure over a 5 year period. It has not been possible during 2020 to make much progress, and the expected deficit for 2021 remains too high at £44,000 thereby eroding further our accumulated reserves.

The Quinquennial Inspection showed the requirement for urgent fabric restoration repairs, compounded by additional work now found to be required on the Tower and Steeple. In total there is a need for in excess of £600,000 to meet these costs, and this is greater than our level of reserves. During the year Christ Church engaged the fundraising consultancy Craigmyle as professional

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support to advise on a capital campaign to raise the sums required to take our building improvement plans forward, and to create plans to make the annual running costs of the church sustainable without relying on reserves.

Why we hold some money in reserve

The PCC discussed the following factors in arriving at their reserves policy:

• Money should only be kept in reserve for specific reasons – whilst the Bible clearly indicates that we should not hoard, it is also clear that sensible planning for known events and a contingency for emergencies are important.

• In 2020 there was an excess of expenditure over income of £62,000 before the exceptional surpluses on the sale of St Peter’s Hall and our Investments is taken into Account

• The ongoing income is insufficient to meet the ongoing costs of the Church. The largest item of cost being the Parish Share. Whilst there is no immediate cause for concern, given the current levels of cash and other reserves, it remains prudent to make reserves for both ongoing costs and special repair and maintenance costs, for the Church and Church Hall.

Policy : It is the policy of the Church to keep-six months’ running costs (£70,000), to cover any unforeseen emergencies. The PCC will also keep in reserve sufficient funds to enable the Church, and Church Hall to be kept in a good and substantial state of repair. Currently an amount of £42,000 is considered to be a reasonable estimate. This policy is reviewed annually.

Structure, governance and management of the charity

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered with the Charity Commission as required by the Charities Act 2011. Its governing document is the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.

During the year the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council:

Ex Officio members

Priest in Charge

The Rt Revd Peter Wheatley PCC Chairman

Assistant Curates:

The Revd Nicholas Archer

The Revd Dr Richard Ralph (NSM) PCC Secretary

Wardens:

Mrs Susan Shaw PCC Vice Chairman

Mrs Maureen Harman

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Elected Members:

George Brice [to 27 September 2020]

Jessica Campbell Assistant Safeguarding Officer

Trevor Davies Treasurer

Julie Gidlow

Christopher Goodman Data Protection Responsible Person

Tina-Marie Grevett [ from 27 September 2020 ]

Michael Hart

Jane Hart Safeguarding Officer

Wil Jewitt

Andrew Knight

Celia Manning [ from 27 September 2020 ]

Sharon Mercer [ to 27 September 2020 ]

John Read [ from 27 September 2020 ]

Carol Sherwood Electoral Roll Officer

David Smith

Deanery Synod Representatives

Louise Fisher

Anne Hanney Assistant Safeguarding Officer

Elizabeth Mackay

Susan Parsons [ from 27 September 2020 ]

Membership of the PCC is determined under the Church Representation Rules and consists of certain ex-officio members (the incumbent, curates), the churchwardens and members of the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synods and 13 members of the church who are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM). Members are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible.

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Structure, governance and management

As required by law, a Standing Committee meets to transact PCC business between PCC meetings.

A Maintenance Committee of the PCC worked with the Rector and Standing Committee in managing the fabric of the buildings.

Safeguarding and Fundraising sub-committees of the PCC also met regularly. Meetings of the Churchwardens and of the Clergy Staff took place on a monthly basis, chaired by the Priest in Charge

Christ Church St Leonards on Sea House Improvement Society Ltd

The Board of Directors is chaired by Bishop Peter. The Company Secretary is Trevor Davies and the Managing agents continue to be FPE. Fr Richard Ralph is in attendance at Director’s meetings. The Directors have the responsibility of administering and maintaining St Richard’s House, Pevensey Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. During 2020, the Board of Directors continued to improve the standard of housing and levels of comfort for our tenants, and despite ever-increasing costs kept rents at 2018 levels, but this incurred a deficit. The registered address is Christ Church Parish Office, 2 Christ Church Courtyard, London Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6GL.

St Mary Magdalen Educational Charity

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (306495). The charity offers cash grants to individuals and organisations that will tend to facilitate education in accordance with the principles of the Church of England, and provides grants to Christ Church School in particular. The charity mainly operates within the parish of Christ Church and St Mary Magdalen, St Leonards-on-Sea or in the wider Borough of Hastings. The Trustees are chaired by Bishop Peter. Trevor Davies is Treasurer.

Sarah Brisco Trust

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (211554). The Trustees are Bishop Peter, the Church Wardens and Treasurer. The charity exists for the relief of the poor of the Parish which it does through the making of grants to individuals, and organisations within the Parish of Christ Church, St Leonards-on-Sea, at the absolute and uncontrolled discretion of the Trustees.

In 2020 this included grants to Christ Church School for part of the costs of the needy schoolchildren's Breakfast Club, and Walsingham Pilgrimage, as well a contribution to the costs of the Calvary Chapel conversion that will enable this space to be used for the benefit of the wider Community.

Christ Church St Leonards Old Buildings Trust

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (1087321)

The Trust owns and manages the buildings parallel to Christ Church known as the Old School Buildings and the land upon which the Christ Church CE Primary and Nursery Academy stands.

The objects of the Trust are:

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1. The advancement and promotion of theological education and training for lay and ordained persons in the Church of England.

2. Meeting rooms for the Ecclesiastical Parish of Christ Church and St Mary Magdalen, St Peter and St Paul, St Leonards-on-Sea.

3. Accommodation for clergy and their families within the Church of England.

4. For other charitable purposes connected with the Church of England

The Priest in Charge of Christ Church, Bishop Peter Wheatley, Mrs Maureen Harman, Miss Maureen Mason (retired 20 July 2020), Bishop Nicholas Reade, and Mr Ian McKellar serve as Trustees. Mr Andrew Knight is Clerk to the Trustees. Two further Trustees have been identified and will join the Board in early 2021.

Highlights for 2020 have been:

• The continuation of a ten-year lease let to CA1066 (Citizens Advice Bureau) from 2/1/19

• A rolling 1-year lease let as a private residence for 17 Alfred Street from 1/5/2020

• The continuation of a rolling 1-year lease of the ‘Parish Rooms’ to the Christ Church PCC

• A continuation of a 125-year lease to Hastings Borough Council for the part of the building known as Renaissance House

• Despite the COVID-19 pandemic the Board met five times during 2020 and discussed and progressed where possible

• A closer relationship with the Mother Agnus Trust

• Fire Safety in the Old School Buildings (OSB) including replacing the fire alarm

• Maintenance of the outside of OSB (held up due to COVID-19)

• Long term strategy of the use of the OSB

• Recruitment of new Trustees

• Anti-Social behavior in and around the OSB and Christ Church

• Compliance with the Charities Commission advice on Risk and Financial Control

Risk Review

The risks facing the PCC include the state of repair of the church, and the financial requirements to meet its stated activities, including payment of its Annual Parish Share. The structure of the church is continually monitored by the Fabric and Maintenance Committee and the Church Architect and the finances are controlled by careful budgeting and encouragement and appeals to worshippers and visitors.

There have been no serious incidents or other matters relating to this charity over the previous financial year that should have been brought to the attention of the Charity Commissioners but have not.

There is a Church Risk Assessment booklet. It is strongly recommended that all who work in the church read it and abide by it. There is a copy in the Outer Sacristy and more copies are now available for groups who hire the church and for school visits.

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Organisational Structure

The PCC is responsible inter-alia for promoting the mission of the Church, the parochial budget, and all expenditure thereunder, and the care and maintenance of the fabric of the church. The PCC is also the normal channel of communication between the parishioners and the Bishop of the diocese. All members of the PCC are volunteers.

New representatives are told of their responsibilities and of the issues facing the Church by existing representatives, and receive such additional training as required. Officers of the PCC, including the Secretary and Treasurer are appointed at the first meeting of the PCC after the Vestry Meeting.

As indicated, members of the PCC also serve as representatives on the Deanery Synod.

The church is run entirely by volunteers, as the clergy are remunerated by the Church Commissioners. Without the work of these volunteers, Christ Church would not function.

Fabric

The following servicing has taken place: Boilers in the Church and Parish Centre; Church and Rectory alarms; Fire Extinguishers; Organ Tuning. At the time of writing PAT testing is still outstanding, as is the servicing of the Font Lifting Mechanism. The firms that do these have only been doing essential work as they have some workers shielding. This is also the reason why the replacement of high level bulbs in the Church hasn't taken place, as yet.

Radiators in the Parish Hall have been replaced and are more effective...

The motor for the organ blower burnt out, which was why the organ was not working for a period of time. The motor has been repaired.

Church outside metal railings and downpipes and brass silverware are protected by SmartWater.

The gulley where the Lady Chapel and Sanctuary join has been cleared of considerable rubbish etc. as rain water leaked into the former in heavy rain. We are hoping to have a safe ladder erected from the bell tower to the gulley so that expensive scaffolding is not needed when clearing is necessary.

Appreciation is recorded to the Church Cleaning Team for hoovering, floor washing, rubbish and weed removal, and many other such tasks. Also thank you to those who keep the gardens in check.

Safeguarding

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) adopts the Safeguarding Policy of the Diocese of Chichester and reviews this annually. Our Safeguarding Officer is Mrs Jane Hart. She is assisted by Mrs Anne Hanney and Miss Jessica Campbell. The Diocese has a Safeguarding Website https://safeguarding.chichester.anglican.org, which can be accessed by anyone, and all the policies and procedures adopted by the PCC are available here. They are also available via a link on the front page of our Parish website. Due to not being regularly in church, the policies need to be updated and re-signed, and this will happen before the APCM in March 2021.

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During 2020, the Safeguarding Training was delivered by Zoom, with those needing to update attending, including Jane Hart and Fr Richard Ralph at C2 level. It has been difficult to monitor this during the various lockdowns of the pandemic, but Jane is aware of any courses being made available and the PCC and wider Parish community will be notified as appropriate. The courses are C0 and C1 safeguarding training, required by all in any role concerning young people or vulnerable adults. C2 training is for all laity in a leadership role. The Clergy are also required to take C3 training.

The Diocesan Simple Quality Protects (SQP) safeguarding audit tool, was used to complete the SQP1 audit. This was completed and is reviewed regularly, including at Deanery workshops. I am happy to report that Jane and Fr Nick met with Kim Nash and Morag Keane in February 2020 and after being interviewed and discussing our research, policies and risk assessments, we were told we had passed the SQP in March 2020.

All members of the congregation required to do so (those in leadership/training/supervision/trustee roles) have been DBS checked (Criminal Records Bureau), and these are updated every 5 years. We aim to be transparent in all we do, and are compliant with all required forms and information, subject to GDPR.

Any safeguarding concerns should be addressed to the Clergy or Safeguarding officers, when advice and appropriate action will be taken. Any concern will be treated in utmost confidence. There were regular meetings of the Safeguarding Committee during 2019. Unfortunately, due to the various lockdowns and shielding situations, we did not meet regularly during 2020, but as restrictions lift the team will do so by Zoom or in person; these will continue monthly or bi-monthly thereafter.

Thankfully there were no issues that needed to be addressed during the periods of closure. However, one scheme that was successful was Jane asking for coats for children at our school. Sadly some children do not have adequate clothing, particularly during the winter months, and after an appeal, Jane was able to offer a few bags of coats to the school to be donated to those in need. Thank you very much for this support.

PALS (Christ Church Sunday School)

Some of the children were able to attend the Walsingham Children’s Pilgrimage from 13[th] -15[th] March. 32 adults, including Jane Hart, and children from Christ Church School made the journey and had a wonderful weekend considering the theme of Saving Water, making new friends, meeting old ones, and enjoying wonderful fellowship together. I learnt some new songs, which one day I hope we can share in church, and also some sign language which I have incorporated into the newly formed Family Mass.

Sadly, our last Face to Face PALS session was in March 2020, but the Family Mass takes place at 10.30 on a Sunday, and is ‘in lieu’ of Sunday School. There have been some new families join us, which is a great blessing, and we try to involve them in as much of the service as possible; reading the lessons and Gospel, taking part in actions and activities, adding incense to a large burner and making their private prayers. It is a joyous celebration, and will be further enhanced when we are once again able to sing. Thank you to David who plays the organ at various intervals.

For the very young ones I have put together individual packs in zipped folders. This keeps their crafting and colouring Covid safe as they are not sharing anything. The packs include crayons and

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paper, scratch art, prayers, stickers, and posters relevant to the day’s story. They are kept in church so we know no one else will use them and I top them up on a weekly basis.

I managed to introduce Godly Play at the beginning of March which I hope to use bi-monthly when we are able to meet again, but have also sent out electronically.

Also, I made up Holy Week/ Easter packs that I was able to deliver to the PALS children just before lockdown last year.

I have maintained contact by email and text with the families as much as possible during times when the church was closed.

Deanery Synod Report

A Deanery Synod report on the February meeting of Synod was discussed at the PCC meeting of 10 March 2020. Louise Fisher pointed out the difficulties inherent in a body that encompassed sharplycontrasting styles of churchmanship. Bishop Peter underlined the importance of reports from the Synod which drew the attention of the PCC to matters of wider significance and also of direct relevance to the parish (including the Deanery Review and financial matters).

It was noted that there was a large aggregated shortfall in the payment of the Parish Shares throughout the Deanery, which was at odds with the payment in full of its Share by Christ Church PCC. Bishop Peter agreed that many of the parishes in the Deanery continued to struggle financially; and the notion of cross-subsidy from wealthy parishes in the West of poor parishes in the East of the diocese was in active discussion.

Since the meeting on 3 February 2020 parish representative had not heard anything from Synod. Over the previous two years parish representatives had been contributing through discussion to a report for the Diocesan Synod. There has been a change of Rural Dean and this may mean a change in focus. We are disappointed not to have been asked to an online meeting and sorry that we have nothing new to report to the PCC.

Christ Church Bell Ringers

The Christ Church St Leonards Bell Ringers Guild, to give it its original Victorian title, is currently returning thirteen paid-up members of the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers. As such, it is one of the better populated towers in the county. Ringing has, of course, been restricted over 2020, but we have rung when it has been allowed to do so, and have received very favourable comments from the local community as a result, particularly when the bells were heard again after the Health Protection regulations were lifted at the beginning of July. It has become apparent that the sound of the bells is an important part of the lives of many of our neighbours, and was sorely missed during the government-imposed silence.

We are delighted that such considerable sums have been raised for work to the tower, to help ensure that the bells continue to be heard for a long time to come; and we hope that the clock chimes, another integral part of life in central St Leonards until comparatively recently, may soon be heard again as well. The bells themselves continue to be in good order.

Alan Pink , Tower Captain

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9[th] Hastings (Christ Church) Scout Group

Well, I once heard someone say, “What a difference a year makes”. They were obviously talking about the year 2020. Looking back I suppose you could call this BC – Before Covid -19. The year started off so well for our Group with each section just about full and running smoothly, which is always a relief when you are the Group Scout Leader.

By the end of the previous year we had just raised the money needed to replace some old tents and equipment and we were eagerly awaiting a trip to the tent suppliers to purchase new ones. The Beavers were organising a fund-raising evening for their forthcoming trip to Lego Land and the whole Group was looking forward to helping with the Hastings Half Marathon drinks station amongst other events throughout the year.

But unfortunately, on Friday 20th March the whole of the UK went into Lockdown and Scouting had to be put on hold.

In the months that followed, the Scouting HQ has organized a Zoom account for every Group in the Country so we can do virtual meetings and we have had several Leader meetings. Every group has had to put certain things in place ready for when we can meet up again face-to-face. Part of this was completing lengthy Risk Assessments which had to be approved by the District Commissioner.

With all this now in place and with the recent Government announcements about coming out of the latest Lockdown, we eagerly wait to hear from Scout HQ when we may be able to start back. Even though we have been unable to do much this past year because of the lockdowns and other restrictions, we still have a healthy number of young people who still want to come back, which is every encouraging,

Also, very encouragingly, I’ve just received our first Scout enquiry of the year for someone wanting to join our Group as soon as we can meet up, as well as someone interested in becoming a new adult leader.

I would like to thank all the Adult Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Helpers for the excellent job they do, volunteering their time in making a real difference in the lives of the young people in our Group and hopefully in the not-too-distant future we can all resume our face-to-face meetings.

Graeme Monk

Group Scout Leader

This Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by The Rt. Revd. Peter Wheatley, PCC Chairman

8 March 2021

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Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-Sea

Registered Charity no. 1170031

Statement of Financial Activities for the 12 months ended 31st December 2020

	Unrestricted Fund	Restricted Fund(s)	Restricted Fund(s)	Endowment Fund(s)	Endowment Fund(s)	Total Funds	Total Funds 2019	Total Funds 2019	Notes 2 3
Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other receipts	£ 77,478 794 14,100 9,239		£ (1,306) 448		£	£ 77,478 794 12,794 9,687 -	£ 86,697 740 33,182 5,074
Total income	101,611		(858)		-	100,753	125,693
Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other trading activities Other expenditure	7,702 139,724 14,793		240 258			7,702 139,964 15,051 -	158 113,317 29,747
Total expenditure	162,219		498		-	162,717	143,222
Net gains (or losses) on investments	115,847		938		18	116,803	10,127
Net income or (net expenditure)	55,239		(418)		18	54,839	(7,402)
Transfers between funds Other recognised gains/(losses): Reconciliation of funds:						-
	55,239		(418)		18	54,839 - -	(7,402)
Net movement in funds	55,239		(418)		18	54,839	(7,402)
Total funds brought forward 31.12.2019	488,276	17,431			523	506,230
Total funds carried forward	543,515	17,013			541	561,069

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Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-Sea Registered Charity no. 1170031

Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020

Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2020
	Total Funds 2020	Total Funds 2019	Notes 8 10 15 11 12 13 9
Intangible assets Tangible assets Investments Endowed investments	£ - - 298,652 541	£ - 110,000 279,427 523
Total fixed assets	299,193 £	389,950 £
Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand	- 4,711 321,372	- 5,202 164,330
Total current assets	326,083 £	169,532 £
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	(22,135)	(11,180)
Net current assets or (liabilities)	303,948 £	158,352 £
Total assets less current liabilities Provisions for liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year	603,141 - (42,072)	548,302 - (42,072)
Total net assets or (liabilities)	561,069 £	506,230 £
The funds of the charity: Endowment funds Restricted income funds	541 17,013	523 17,431
Unrestricted funds Revaluation reserve	543,515 -	488,276 -
Total unrestricted funds	543,515 £	488,276 £
Total charity funds	561,069 £	506,230 £

This Annual Financial Report, for the year ended 31st December 2020, including the notes following, was Approved by the PCC and signed on its behalf by

+Peter Wheatley Chairman

Date: 18/03/2021

Page 16

Notes to the financial report

1 Accounting policies

a Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the current (2015) Statement Of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities SORP (FRS 102).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of investments at market value and the revaluation of fixed assets. 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 their affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of church members.

b Funds accounting

Funds held by the PCC are:

Unrestricted funds - general funds which can be used for PCC ordinary purposes

Designated funds - monies set aside by the PCC out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds - a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest; b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by the PCC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Endowment funds - funds the capital of which must be maintained; only income arising from the investment of the endowment may be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds, depending on the purpose set out in the terms of the original endowment

c Income and endowments

All income and endowments are accounted for without deduction for any costs of receivability, are recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Collections are recognised when received.

Planned giving receivable is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement, receipt is probable, and the amount accords with the Gift Aid declaration or other record of intention to donate.

Gift aid recovered is recognised when the income to which it is attached is recognised.

Grants and legacies are recognised when the formal offer in writing of the funding, is received by the PCC.

Charitable activities

Sales of magazines and study notes are recognised when received.

Rents from property are recognised in accordance with the rental agreements, when receipt is probable.

Other trading activities

Trading activities are where income is receivable in return for selling goods or providing services. Income from trading is recognised either: a - when received, or b - in the cease of concerts: for the year in question, irrespective of date of receipt. Advance bookings are included in creditors until the concert has taken place. Investment income

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.

Page 17

Notes to the financial report (continued)

All other income

All other income is recognised in accordance with the above overall policy.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains are recognised when the investments are sold

Unrealised gains and losses are accounted for on revaluation at 31 December.

d Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and accounted for gross.

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded where the award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Church Activities

The diocesan parish contribution is accounted for on an annual basis, reflecting the allocation set by our Deanery. Any parish contribution unpaid at 31 December is provided for in these accounts as an operational (though not a legal) liability and is shown as a creditor in the balance sheet.

e Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishing held by the Vicar and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal, are accounted as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected but are not included in the financial statements. For other property acquired prior to (date) there is insufficient cost information available and therefore the cost of such assets is not stated in the financial statements.

All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings and individual items costing under £1,000 are written off in the year they were incurred.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost of tangible fixed assets, excluding freehold properties, over their expected useful lives. The rates generally applicable are:

� Fixtures and fittings 20%

� Audio visual equipment 33%

� Office equipment 25%

No depreciation is provided on freehold property as it is the PCC's policy to maintain these assets in a continual state of sound repair. The useful economic life of these assets is so long and residual values so high that any depreciation would not be material. These assets will be subject to annual impairment reviews. Provision will be made if there has been any permanent diminution in value.

Investments

Investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date.

f Current Assets

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown a debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.

Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds, or at the bank

Page 18

Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-Sea

Analysis of income and endowments 12 months to 31st December 2020

	Unrestricted Fund	Restricted Fund(s)	Restricted Fund(s)	Endowment	Endowment	Total Funds	Total Funds 2019
					Fund(s)	2020
	£		£			£	£
Planned giving (excl. Gift Aid) Planned Giving (incl Gift Aid) Donations Loose cash collections Fund Raising Events Summer and Winter Fayres Table Sales Gift Aid recoverable Legacies Grants	18,052 14,192 30,195 2,578 587 1,588 10,286					18,052 14,192 30,195 2,578 587 - 1,588 10,286 - -	20,206 12,349 23,965 5,468 1,075 3,869 9,765 10,000
Donations and legacies	77,478 £	£	-	£	-	77,478 £	86,697 £
Fees for weddings & funerals	794					794	740
Charitable activities	794 £	£	-	£	-	794 £	740 £
Summer fete & Christmas bazaar Coffee and Candles Rent from letting of St Peters Hall Church Hall and Office Letting Grants Walsingham Pilgrimages	830 900 12,370		250 (1,556)			- 830 900 12,370 250 (1,556)	3,563 2,457 20,900 250 6,012
Other trading activities	14,100 £	£	(1,306)	£	-	12,794 £	33,182 £
Bank & CBF deposit interest CBF investment fund dividend HMRC Interest re Gift Aid	1,266 7,947 26		448			1,266 8,395 26	2,472 2,408 194
Investments	9,239 £	£	448	£	-	9,687 £	5,074 £
						-
Total income and endowments on all funds	101,611 £	£	(858)	£	-	100,753 £	125,693 £

Page 19

Christ Church with St Mary Magdalen and St Peter and St Paul St Leonards-on-Sea

Analysis of expenditure 12 months to 31st December 2020

	Unrestricted Fund	Restricted Fund(s)	Restricted Fund(s)	Endowment Fund(s)	Endowment Fund(s)	Total Funds	Total Funds
						2020	2019
Special appeals costs (e.g. adverts, brochures) Summer fete & Christmas bazaar costs Planned Giving Costs Stewardship costs (e.g. printing envelopes) Grants costs (e.g. making E/Heritage application) Investment management costs Other fundraising (non-trading) costs	£ 35 7,667		£			£ - - 35 - 7,667 - -	£ 158
Cost of raising funds	7,702 £	£	-	£	-	7,702 £	158 £
Missionary and charitable giving Ministry: diocesan parish share other clergy costs Staff Upkeep of services Church running Sunday school Church maintenance and repair Fabric Costs Insurance of Church Building Grants Fees for Weddings and Funerals Quinquennial Inspection/Architects Fees Bank charges Rectory Costs Governance	61,800 936 6,134 946 13,456 11,358 31,706 6,727 20 1,666 90 2,965 1,920		190 50			61,800 936 6,134 1,136 13,456 50 11,358 31,706 6,727 20 - 1,666 90 2,965 1,920	60,000 2,363 6,752 2,947 10,048 242 3,937 6,566 50 17,928 90 594 1,800
Cost of charitable activities	139,724 £	£	240	£	-	139,964 £	113,317 £
Summer fete & Christmas bazaar costs St Peters Hall costs Church Hall and Crypt running costs Curate costs Parish magazine costs Bookstall costs Walsingham Pilgrimages Sundry Expenses	637 12,167 1,989		258			- 637 12,167 2,247 - - - -	3,307 18,192 3,697 4,551
Cost of other trading activities	14,793 £	£	258	£	-	15,051 £	29,747 £
Total expended on all funds	162,219 £	£	498	£	-	162,717 £	143,222 £

Page 20

Notes to the financial report (continued)

4 Missionary and charitable giving:

4 Missionary and charitablegiving:
	Unrestricted Fund	Restricted Fund/s		Endowed Fund/s		Total Funds 2020	Total Funds 2019
Overseas: Home:	£		£		£	£ - -	£
	- £	£	-	£	-	- £	- £

5 Staff costs

	Unrestricted Fund	Restricted Fund/s	Restricted Fund/s	Endowed Fund/s	Endowed Fund/s	Total Funds 2020	Total Funds 2019
a Remuneration Wages and salaries Social Security costs	£ 6,134		£		£	£ 6,134 -	£ 6,752
	6,134 £	£	-	£	-	6,134 £	6,752 £

6 Governance

6 Governance
	Unrestricted		Restricted		Endowed		Total Funds	Total Funds
		Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019
		£		£		£	£	£
Independent examination	1,920						1,920	1,800
Accounts production Bookkeeping							- -
	1,920 £		£	-	£	-	1,920 £	1,800 £

	Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Restricted	Restricted	Endowed	Endowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
		Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019
7 Analysis of transfers between funds		£		£		£	£	£
							-
	£	-	£	-	£	-	- £	- £

Page 21

Notes to the financial report (continued)

8 Fixed Assets

a Investments

8 Fixed Assets a Investments
	Unrestricted	Restricted		Endowed		Total Funds
	Fund		Fund/s		Fund/s		Notes
Market value 1 January 2020 Net (losses)/gains and revaluation	£ 264,820 18,287	£ 14,607 938			£ 523 18	£ 279,950 - - 19,243
Market value 31 December 2020	283,107 £	15,545 £		£	541	299,193 £

b Tangible fixed assets

b Tangible fixed assets
	Freehold land and buildings	Audio visual equipment	Office equipment	Total fixed assets	Notes
Cost or valuation At 1 January 2020 Additions Disposals Revaluation	£ 110,000 (110,000)	£	£	£ 110,000 - (110,000) -
At 31 December 2020	- £	- £	- £	- £
Charge for impairment At 1 January 2020 Additions Disposals Revaluation				- - - -
At 31 December 2020	- £	- £	- £	- £
Net book amounts At 31 December 2020	- £	- £	- £	- £
At 31 December 2019	110,000 £	- £	- £	110,000 £

Page 22

Notes to the financial report (continued)

9 Analysis of net assets by fund

9 Analysis of net assets by fund
	Unrestricted	Re	stricted	E	ndowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019	Notes
Investment fixed assets Current assets (except cash) Cash at bank and on deposit Current liabilities Provisions for Liabilities	£ 283,107 4,711 319,904 (22,135) (42,072)	£ 15,545 1,468			£ 541	£ 299,193 4,711 321,372 (22,135) (42,072)	£ 389,950 5,202 164,330 (11,180) (42,072)
	543,515 £	17,013 £		£	541	561,069 £	506,230 £	14
10 Debtors
	Unrestricted	Re	stricted	E	ndowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019	Notes
	£		£		£	£	£
Income tax recoverable	2,540					2,540	3,339
Prepayments and accrued income Other debtors	2,171					2,171 -	1,863
	4,711 £	£	-	£	-	4,711 £	5,202 £

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	Unrestricted	Re	stricted	E	ndowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019	Notes
Deferred income Accruals for utilities and other costs Other creditors	£ 22,135		£		£	£ - 22,135 -	£ 11,180
	22,135 £	£	-	£	-	22,135 £	11,180 £

12 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

	Unrestricted	Re	stricted	E	ndowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019	Notes
Other creditors	£		£		£	£ -	£
	- £	£	-	£	-	- £	- £

13 Provisions for Liabilities

13 Provisions for Liabilities
	Unrestricted	Re	stricted	E	ndowed	Total Funds	Total Funds
	Funds		Fund/s		Fund/s	2020	2019	Notes
Provision for Church Hall Maintenance Provision for Church Maintenance	£ 42,072		£		£	£ - 42,072	£ 42,072
	42,072 £	£	-	£	-	42,072 £	42,072 £

The Board of Trustees have deemed the valuation of the provision for Church Maintenance (2017 Church Hall and Church Maintenance) as reasonable based on the report of the Architect following the Quinquennial Inspection of the structure of the Church and the recommendations included in the Report.

Page 23

Notes to the financial report (continued)

14 Statement of funds

		Balances b/fwd 1 Jan 2020	Income	Expenditure	Transfers, other gains and losses	Balances c/fwd 31 Dec 2020
	DBF Funds	£ 523	£	£	£ 18	£ 541
	Total of all endowed funds	523 £	- £	- £	18 £	541 £
	Rector & Churchwardens YACC Walsingham Pilgrimage Fund Sunday School Trollopes Charity	577 1,922 295 14,637	(1,556) 250 448	50 448	938	- 577 366 495 15,575
	Total of all restricted funds	17,431 £	(858) £	498 £	938 £	17,013 £
	General fund	488,276	101,611	162,219	115,847	543,515
	Total of all unrestricted funds	488,276 £	101,611 £	162,219 £	115,847 £	543,515 £
	Total funds	506,230 £	100,753 £	162,717 £	116,803 £	561,069 £

The endowed fund comprises an historic bequest

The restricted funds are as set out above. The YACC balance is considered to be a designated account. Restricted funds are not invested permanently, but are to be spent within reasonable timescales.

The unrestricted fund includes a designated sum £42,072 which has PCC has set aside towards the cost of future fabric repairs to the Church

Within the unrestricted funds are balances totalling £320,352 that can be utilised for expenditure by the authority of the Rector and Churchwardens only

15 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

15 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
	Total Funds	Total Funds
	2020	2019	Notes
Cash in hand including non-notice deposits Notice deposits (less than 3 months) Overdraft facility repayable on demand	£ 321,372 - -	£ 164,330 - -
Total cash and cash equivalents	321,372 £	164,330 £

16 Related parties and transactions

Certain members of the PCC are also trustees of certain other Charities.

No member of the PCC has any financial transactions with any of these Charities.

Page 24

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF CHRIST CHURCH WITH ST MARY MAGDALEN AND ST PETER AND ST PAUL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2020

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2020 set out on pages 15 to 24.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.

It is my responsibility to

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,

• to follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act), and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My Examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and

3. • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

S. R. Sampson BFP FCA FCIE DChA For and on behalf of Ashdown Hurrey Auditors Limited Accountants and Business Advisors 20 Havelock Road Hastings East Sussex TN34 1BP

Date: 18/03/2021

Page 25