THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS **31 DECEMBER 2024**
**Charity Number 1170099**
**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Contents**|**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Reference & Administrative Information|1|
|Report of the Trustees|2 - 5|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|6|
|Receipts and payments Account|7|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|8|
|Fund Balances|8|
**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Trustees**
Revd Michael Taylor (retired October 2024) Debbie Ashcroft Steve Ashcroft Roland Birchby Margaret Dodge (resigned May 2024) Karen Grattage Alan Gwyn Richard Hutchinson (resigned May 2024) Penny Murray Roger Paine Trevor Quartermaine Kathy Tucker Liz Wordsworth Rachel Moore (appointed May 2024) David Sibley (appointed May 2024) Lesley Mackenzie (appointed May 2024)
(appointed May 2024) (appointed May 2024) (appointed May 2024)
## **Parish Office**
The Old Bakery High Street Freshford Bath BA2 7WF
## **Independent Examiner**
Joshua Kingston BSc ACA Burton Sweet Limited Chartered Accountants The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
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**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Strategic Vision**
Our vision is to find a model of rural ministry that makes disciples and grows the church in today’s society.
## **Objectives and activities**
The chief objective of the PCC is the development and growth of the Christian faith in the villages of Freshford, Limpley Stoke and Hinton Charterhouse. This is achieved by services at our three Parish Churches and wider mission in the communities. The PCC also maintains and develops its three church buildings and The Old Bakery (church rooms) for the benefit of its church members and the wider community.
Following discussions with the Diocese, the PCC has now become responsible for the ownership and operation of Limpley Stoke Village Hall. This has involved the maintenance and upkeep of the building, considering licenses for its users, and providing appropriate insurance. These discussions were ongoing in 2024 and near resolution.
## **Leadership**
The Rev Mike Taylor (Priest-in-charge) retired in October 2024 having led and served the Parish since 2016.
The Trustees would wish to record their heartfelt thanks to Mike for all his work he has undertaken in the Parish, and for his unswerving service in supporting the three churches, their members and everyone in the three village communities. The Trustees would also wish to thank Mike for his commitment to Biblical teachings, and readiness to offer encouragement to all on their journey of faith.
The Diocese has proposed (as part of its cost savings exercise) that Mike’s replacement will be employed on a House-for-Duty basis. The new Minister will work three days each week including Sundays. This will mean a significant change for the Parish and its work. A recruitment process starts in 2025 following the Trustees’ discussions with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and the Archdeacon of Bath.
## **Achievements and performance**
We have an established pattern of services of worship in the three churches - St Peter’s, St Mary’s and St John’s. Each Sunday morning there is a main parish service in one church. On the fifth Sunday, cafe church takes place in St Peter’s. In addition, there are a number of midweek Home Groups, and Prayer Meetings.
St Peter’s Church has been subject to extensive refurbishment and internal reordering. This work started in 2022 and services started again in St Peter’s from Easter 2023. It is hoped that the new open, welcoming and light space can be used for wider community benefit. The facilities are now being used by Freshford Church School.
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**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Financial Review**
For 2024, the PCC has prepared its accounts on a Receipts and Payments basis, as income has fallen back to more usual levels after the completion of the St Peter’s reordering project. Total receipts for the year were £79,749 and payments £112,170.
## **Reserves**
The Trustees’ policy is to ensure that as far as possible, income should at least cover day to day operating costs on an ongoing basis. It is recognized, however, that it may be necessary, in pursuit of our vision, objects and activities, to draw down reserves from time to time to enable us to maintain adequately and improve the facilities in our three church buildings and The Old Bakery, all of which are listed. The Trustees consider that reserves should be maintained in the range of 45% - 55% of annual expenditure so that emergency funding of essential building repairs can be carried out and all normal expenditure can be met. As at 31st December 2024 free reserves amounted to £40,657. The PCC are satisfied with the overall level of reserves and are mindful of the maintenance cost of the three churches in its care.
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**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Governing document**
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Freshford, Limpley Stoke and Hinton Charterhouse became Registered Charity Number 1170099 in November 2016 as its annual income was likely to exceed £100,000. It was previously recognised by the Charity Commission as a Charity but since its gross annual income had not then exceeded £100,000 it was previously 'excepted' from registration.
All members of the PCC are Trustees of the 'Trust' - that is the PCC - and the whole has body corporate status.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees**
In accordance with the Church Representation Rules, Trustees are nominated for election by Church Members and additionally in the case of Churchwardens by those having a residential qualification. They are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and serve until the completion of the succeeding APCM. Legislation rules that the Minister of the Parish is Chair of the PCC and during a vacancy period this is undertaken by the Area Dean, the Archdeacon, or their nominees.
## **Organisational structure**
The Trustees normally meet regularly and determine overall policy and approve applications for Faculties and major capital expenditure. The day-to-day operations of our three churches is delegated to the Churchwardens who have worked hard in very difficult circumstances to do what we can within government regulations and guidance from the Diocese. We have however taken care to ensure that key items such as finance, employment, risk management, health and safety and safeguarding of children and the vulnerable have been properly covered by the Trustees.
## **Risk Assessment**
The Trustees are conscious of their legal obligations to maintain the places of worship, buildings, churchyards, curtilages and other property for which they have responsibility and to conduct their operations and activities in such manner as satisfies current Health and Safety and other legislation. Specifically, this extends to arranging that prescribed routine inspections of the fabric of the buildings, electrical installations, firefighting appliances, gas fired appliances and accessibility audits are carried out by appropriately qualified professional bodies. Also included is a review of our safeguarding procedures in relation to children and vulnerable persons. A programme of health and safety audits has been implemented to assure the Trustees that all material risks have been addressed and that all practical steps have been taken to minimise the effects of those risks. In particular during the pandemic each activity has been the subject of a risk assessment.
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**THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Safeguarding**
Our policies and practices remain in line with advice from the Diocese of Bath and Wells Safeguarding Adviser.
## **Impairment Review of Fixed Assets**
As Managing Trustees of the three parish churches and The Old Bakery, the PCC is confident that its operational potential would not suffer significant impairment were one of the three churches to become unavailable in the short term. Permanent loss of one church or temporary loss of more than one church together with temporary or permanent loss of The Old Bakery would require fundamental change of strategy and re-deployment of resources.
The Trustees are confident that adequate levels of insurance are carried for the parish churches, their contents, The Old Bakery and Limpley Stoke Village Hall.
## **Future plans**
Our aim is to provide rural ministry that connects with as many people in our three communities as possible by offering some diversity in our approach to worship with informal, more structured, family focused, and café style worship included in our mix. Church Trustees and members of the church also play an active part in working alongside the local Church primary school in Freshford.
Approved by the Trustees on May 11, 2025.
Signed by order of the Trustees
…………………………….. ………………………….. David Sibley, Churchwarden Roger Paine, Treasurer
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## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of PCC of the Parish of Freshford and Limpley Stoke with Hinton Charterhouse**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of PCC of the Parish of Freshford and Limpley Stoke with Hinton Charterhouse (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records
I have no concerns and 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.
Joshua Kingston BSc ACA Burton Sweet Limited, Chartered Accountants The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
Date: May 11, 2025.
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## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
|**RECEIPTS**
Donations and legacies
Planned giving
Collections, donations and other giving
Income tax recovered
Grants received
Fundraising events
Charitable activities
Parochial fees
Other trading activities: Hall lettings
Interest received
Other
Transferred on closure of investment accounts
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
**Charitable activities**
_Grants made:_
Donations to charities
_Direct costs_
Mission and evangelism
Parish share
Ministry costs
Church building maintenance
Heat, light and rates
Insurance
Churchyard maintenance
St Peter's Freshford reordering project
_Support costs_
Administration costs
Sundry
_Governance_
Independent Examiner's fee:
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS)**
**Transfers**
Cash funds 1 January 2024
**Cash funds 31 December 2024**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
29,589
4,756
-
700
1,372
4,291
1,464
1,475
4,899
-
48,546
-
-
35,906
5,139
2,554
9,589
5,027
3,390
-
19,659
8,268
2,076
91,608
(43,062)
21,968
61,751
40,657|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
16,622
2,739
-
-
-
-
-
2,203
-
9,639
31,203
-
-
-
2,281
10,970
5,674
-
-
-
-
1,637
-
20,562
10,641
(21,968)
76,243
64,916|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
46,211
7,495
-
700
1,372
4,291
1,464
3,678
4,899
9,639
79,749
-
-
35,906
7,420
13,524
15,263
5,027
3,390
-
19,659
9,905
2,076
112,170
(32,421)
-
137,994
105,573|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
43,252
6,322
4,498
19,576
-
6,056
1,425
2,706
2,461
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||86,296|
|||||1,224
127
33,922
4,497
10,990
9,937
4,140
2,617
108,766
12,030
4,656
2,092|
|||||194,998|
|||||(108,702)
-
246,696|
|||||137,994|
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## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF FRESHFORD WITH LIMPLEY STOKE AND HINTON CHARTERHOUSE**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
|**Cash funds**
Bank and cash balances
**Other monetary assets**
Investments - Limpley Stoke
**Liabilities**
Independent examiner's fee
Retentions for building work
**Cash Fund movements at 31 December 2024**
**01-Jan-24**
**Unrestricted General funds**
PCC General Fund
6,818
Old Bakery
(4,647)
Freshford Church
59,580
Total Unrestricted funds
61,751
**Restricted funds**
Freshford Church
36,513
Limpley Stoke Church
17,716
Hinton Charterhouse Church
(15,344)
Disabled Access Appeal
37,358
76,243
**Total**
137,994|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
40,657
45,934
45,934
3,057
-
3,057
**Receipts**
4,945
15,594
28,007
48,546
1,938
8,007
21,258
-
31,203
79,749|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
64,916
14,151
14,151
-
9,500
9,500
**Payments**
(63,671)
(8,479)
(19,458)
(91,608)
-
(13,175)
(3,481)
(3,906)
(20,562)
(112,170)|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
105,573
60,085
60,085
3,057
9,500
12,557
**Transfers**
**and**
**investment**
**gains**
55,350
-
(33,382)
21,968
-
(5,650)
(16,318)
-
(21,968)
-|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
137,994|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||66,120|
|||||66,120|
|||||3,057
41,100|
|||||44,157|
|||||**31-Dec-24**
3,442
2,468
34,747|
|||||40,657
38,451
6,898
(13,885)
33,452|
|||||64,916|
|||||105,573|
## **Related parties**
During the year, two trustees received a total of £2,165 (2023: two trustees received £1,210) for playing the organ for services and assisting with weddings and funerals. There were no other related party transactions.
Signed on behalf of the trustees on May 11, 2025.
………………………….
Roger Paine, Treasurer
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