PCC report
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council for 2021
As the people of St Mary Magdalene Church we seek to: respond to the grace we receive from God; travel together where Jesus leads; provide from our resources to grow God’s church and care for all in need; and we are called by name to share our experiences of God.
St Mary Magdalene, Belmont is part of a United Benefice with St Laurence, Pittington. The Benefice is currently in a Vacancy. Rev Canon Leslie Morley, Rev Kevin Dunne, Rev Canon Di Johnson and Rev Dr Jenny Moberly continue with Permission to Officiate at Sunday morning services at both churches.
The PCC is legally responsible for co-operating with the Minister in promoting in the parish the whole ministry of the church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the church buildings and for the moveable items in the church. It has overall charge of all expenditure.
Membership of the PCC is either ex-officio or by election at the Annual Meeting. The parish has between 100 and 200 names on the electoral roll so is entitled to twelve lay representatives to the council. Representatives to Deanery Synod also sit on the PCC: the parish holds three such posts, elected at three-year intervals. Readers licensed to the parish sit on the PCC if the annual meeting decides this. The PCC may also co-opt certain representatives - up to two for a parish of this size electoral roll.
Membership of the PCC
Warden Anne Corbett ex officio Warden Kevin Reynolds ex officio Geoff Moore Deanery Synod (elected 2020) Charlotte Reynolds Deanery Synod (elected 2020)
Due to the particular circumstances of the pandemic 2020-2022 the PCC members had all agreed to remain on the council until the situation was more stable. At the Annual Meeting in 2022 eleven members were elected, with the intention of replacing three or four each year to return to the usual 3-year cycle.
Paul Beken Judith Holroyd Megan Port Peter Corbett Patrick Holroyd Julie Winkless Marjory Elliott Di Jackson Jean Foulds Jane Moore
Co-opted Gerald Ions (music), Anna Harvey (Authorised Pastoral Assistant)
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PCC report
Employees
Church Administrator Christina White Church Cleaner Deborah Reynolds Director of Music Gerald Ions The PCC also oversees payment of fees to vergers for weddings and funerals.
Church Statistics
There were 116 people on the 2022 Electoral Roll.
During the year we held 11 baptisms and a thanksgiving service, 1 wedding, and 15 funerals.
Live-streamed services continue to be watched by a small number of people.
An average of 11 adults attended early Sunday service, and an average of 37 the later service. Both services saw the occasional under-16. Easter day saw 63 adults and 5 under-16s at the 10.30 service.
An average of 12 adults attended Wednesday Communion.
Up to 17 children and 11 adults attended Messy Church.
An average of 14 adults attended the monthly Sunday afternoon "Time" service.
The Remembrance Sunday service was attended by 22 children and 99 adults, while an act of remembance on 11 November was attended by 75 children and 20 adults.
In the lead-up to Christmas a total of 48 children and 93 adults attended services for the Fire Service and the local school. 51 people attended the Christmas Carol Service, and 3 children and 53 adults attended Holy Communion on Christmas Day.
PCC Business during the Year
The PCC has had 7 meetings since the last APCM and this report highlights the work of the PCC from April 2022 to March 2023.
At each meeting we received an update on safeguarding: DBS checks and training undergone, any incidents, whether any disclosures have been made; and an interim treasurer's report.
May
We held a brief meeting after the APCM to elect officers, agree co-opted members and agree the composition of the Standing Committee. We agreed to formally put aside the expectation of face coverings during worship and other church activities.
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Later in the month we had a meeting with Archdeacon Libby Wilkinson to discuss the Vacancy. We agreed to use the coming months to consider the Parish Profile that was produced during the last Vacancy.
We discussed administrative arrangements for safeguarding and safer recruitment training. We agreed arrangements for the celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. We discussed the best way to use the Prayer Requests list on the pew sheet. Following the latest central church guidance we agreed to offer communion in both kinds by simultaneous administration.
June
Noting the increase of Covid cases in the area we discussed return to normal practices but kept most things the same for now. We had an initial discussion on fundraising. We agreed to host The Knitted Bible next May or June. We heard from Deanery Synod who have been discussing the Diocesan Priority Care For Creation.
September
We discussed our Guided Pledge (Parish Share) for 2023 and agreed a figure less than that proposed. We agreed two fundraising events in the next few months. We agreed emergency roof repairs, a Christmas tree in the grounds from the parish council, and to advertise for a replacement cleaner.
We discussed plans for Remembrance Sunday. We heard from Anna Harvey on her Lay Pastoral Ministry in the parish. We agreed to re-introduce singing during communion once the period of national mourning is over.
October
We noted that the diocesan office are happy to accept our reduced Parish Pledge. We agreed a Reserves Policy for our finances. We formed a small Working Party to allocate our charitable giving for the year.
December
we discussed Safeguarding Training and the implications for church volunteers. We agreed that volunteers should in all instances be requested to undergo the training, while having regard to individual circumstances such as non-autonomous volunteers.
We agreed salary increases for the administrator and cleaner, noting recent inflation figures and an imminent increase in the Living Wage, and an increase to the organist's honorarium in line with RSCM guidelines. We agreed the charitable giving proposed by the working party.
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We agreed Christmas services and heard from the Messy Church and monthly "Time..." groups. In light of the heavy workload on our retired clergy we agreed to take no new bookings for baptisms or weddings until May. We noted that the Eco Church group have arranged that we have a collection point for small electrical goods. We heard from Deanery Synod, including the suggestion to encourage Working Parties to concentrate on the Diocesan Priorities.
January
We discussed a post-pandemic return to normal communion administration but agreed to continue to intinct. We will revisit this question only when we have a new incumbent. In all other aspects we will return to our usual procedures.
We discussed St Hild's School's proposal to remove the faith requirement from its admissions policy criteria but were unable to reach a firm conclusion on our stance.
We discussed use of a legacy left to improve the church building and facilities.
We heard that Angela Stockdale is returning to her Lay Chaplaincy studies and heard an update from the Pastoral Visiting Team as well as encouraging reports from Messy Church and Cafe Church.
We agreed to remove the requirement for a yearly Fire Drill from the newest edition of the Health and Safety Policy.
March
We accepted the accounts for 2022.
We agreed to support Patrick Holroyd's return to Licensed Reader status (from Reader Emeritus).
We agreed to allow monthly use of the church building by a small Russian Orthodox group (subject to any necessary diocesan permissions).
We agreed arrangements for the Coronation weekend.
We agreed improvements to the church facilities to be funded by a specific legacy.
We discussed energy costs and decided to make no changes to the heating settings.
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St Mary Magdalene, Belmont
End of Year Financial Statements
Year ending 2022
Page 1
Total funds Prior year funds
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
General - General fund (Unrestricted)
| Receipts | |
|---|---|
| Incoming resources from generated funds | |
| Voluntary income | |
| 01 - Tax-efcient (gift-aid) planned giving | 32,262.50 34,346.60 |
02 - Other planned giving (not gift-aided) |
7,020.12 7,873.40 |
| 03 - Collections at services | 4,052.63 4,265.03 |
| 05 - Non-recurring giving. donations, appeals | 1,082.19 830.61 |
| 06 - Tax recovered via gift aid | 12,000.00 12,286.75 |
| Total Voluntary income | 56,417.44 59,602.39 |
| Activities for generating funds | |
| 09 - gross income from fund raising | 105.00 5.85 |
| Total Activities for generating funds | 105.00 5.85 |
| Investment income | |
| 10 - Dividends, interest, property income | 6.03 — |
| Total Investment income | 6.03 — |
| Church Activities | |
| 11 - Statutory PCC fees | 2,507.00 3,310.00 |
| 12 - Income from trading (magazine, hall) | 2,693.80 2,834.25 |
| Total Church Activities | 5,200.80 6,144.25 |
| Other incoming resources | |
| 08 - Income from Trusts or grants (restricted | 36,748.87 23,137.80 |
| RES - Restricted funds | 22,821.67 10,061.41 |
| Total Other incoming resources | 59,570.54 33,199.21 |
| Total Receipts | 121,299.81 98,951.70 |
| Payments | |
| Cost of generating funds | |
| 17 - Costs of generating funds | 165.37 150.00 |
| Total Cost of generating funds | 165.37 150.00 |
| Charitable activities | |
| 18 - Mission giving/Donations to charity | 4,839.05 5,284.00 |
| Total Charitable activities | 4,839.05 5,284.00 |
| Church Activities | |
| 19 - Parish share | 63,265.00 61,728.00 |
| 20 - Salaries, wages, honoraria | 11,268.20 5,212.14 |
| 21 - Expenses | 507.48 947.69 |
| 22 - Mission and evangelism projects | 3,696.75 601.15 |
| 23 - Church running expenses | 10,191.02 9,311.92 |
| 24 - Church utility bills | 4,382.95 3,766.72 |
| 25 - Costs of trading (magazine, hall) | 3,181.50 2,730.00 |
| Total Church Activities | 96,492.90 84,297.62 |
| Governance costs | |
| 26 - Governance costs | 360.00 460.00 |
| Total Governance costs | 360.00 460.00 |
| Major capital expenditure | |
| 27 - Major repairs to church | 5,280.41 — |
| Total Major capital expenditure | 5,280.41 — |
| Other resources used | |
| CHO - Choir Fund | 50.38 202.96 |
| REST - Restricted Funds | 10,026.95 10,439.90 |
| Total Other resources used | 10,077.33 10,642.86 |
| Total Payments | 117,215.06 100,834.48 |
| Excess of Incoming resources over Resources used | 4,084.75 (1,882.78) |
Page 2
Brought forward balance
28,408.82 30,291.60 Carried forward balance 32,493.57 28,408.82
BF - Building Fund (Restricted)
| BF - Building Fund (Restricted) | |
|---|---|
| Payments | |
| Other resources used | |
| TFR - Transfers | 3,641.34 — |
| Total Other resources used | 3,641.34 — |
| Total Payments | 3,641.34 — |
| Excess of Incoming resources over Resources used | (3,641.34) — |
| Brought forward balance | 3,641.34 3,641.34 |
| Carried forward balance | — 3,641.34 |
| BBRT - Barclays base rate tracker (Designated) | |
| Receipts | |
| Incoming resources from generated funds | |
| Investment income | |
| 10 - Dividends, interest, property income | 15.78 1.64 |
| Total Investment income | 15.78 1.64 |
| Total Receipts | 15.78 1.64 |
| Excess of Incoming resources over Resources used | 15.78 1.64 |
| Brought forward balance | 16,330.17 16,328.53 |
| Carried forward balance | 16,345.95 16,330.17 |
| NR - Northern Rock (Designated) | |
| Brought forward balance | 0.42 0.42 |
| Carried forward balance | 0.42 0.42 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | This year Last year |
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| Barclays base rate tracker | |
| Barclays base rate tracker (Designated) - | 16,345.95 16,330.17 |
| 16,345.95 16,330.17 |
|
| Building Fund | |
| Building Fund (Restricted) - | — 3,641.34 |
| — 3,641.34 |
|
| General account | |
| General fund (Unrestricted) - | 32,493.57 28,408.82 |
| 32,493.57 28,408.82 |
|
| Virgin Money | |
| Northern Rock (Designated) - | 0.42 0.42 |
| Total for Cash at bank and in hand | 48,839.94 48,380.75 |
| Liabilities (Gilligate Loan) | 3,000.00 4,500.00 |
| Grand total | 45,839.94 43,880.75 |
Page 3
INDEPEIWEiYf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC OF BELMONT ST MARY IIAGDALENE CHURCH. DURHAM I report on th¢ accounts of the PCC for the yur ended 31 De£ember2022 which are as sei out on the atkched page ReSI1Ve Responsibilities of PCC Members 2nd ExAmiBer The PCC members are wsible for the preparatÉon of the xcounts. The memErs consider that an audii is not Tequired for ihis TreAt ut]der seaion 144(2) of th¢ Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Aci) and that an indeent eXami10n is needed. It is my ItS]S[bIlIty lo: examine the accounts under secti¢)n 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the predureS laid do1 in the genera] Directiong given by the Charity Commission under secti¢)n 145{5)(b) of the 2011 Act and CBF guidance. and to statr ivhether particular matters have come io my attention. Bas of Ind¢pendellt alDer'S Report examination w&s carried out in accordance with the genernl Dtrections given by th¢ Charits" Comlnission and given guidance from the CBF. An examination Inc]Le$ a reN'ieM of the acci)unting records kept by the PCC 8nd a comparison of the accounts presend with those records. li also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you #s members conc¢rning any such matTers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an 8udit and consa4uenily no opinion is as to whether ihe awlunts present a tue and fair Vi¢ and the rert is limi*d to thos¢ matte[5 Set out in the 51aternetJt below. depeDdent Enltr,5 Statemeot connection with my exAmination. no matter ha8 eome to my Attaition: l) Which giv£s me re&wnable Gquse to believe in any Enatertaj resF£ct the requÉrernenls'. - to keep accounting records in accordallce with section 130 of the 2011 Act" - to prepare accounts which SOrd the accounting r¢¢ords and Comply with the accounting wuirements of the 2011 Act have not been met" or 2) to which. in Tny opinioffj attention should be drawn in 0er to enable a prOr unders g (Trf the accounts to be reached. TJH CTA 7 Elvet Watersid¢ Dutham DH13DA 23 Felyuary 2023 Page 4
Page 5
INDEPEIWEiYf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE PCC OF BELMONT ST MARY IIAGDALENE CHURCH. DURHAM I report on th¢ accounts of the PCC for the yur ended 31 De£ember2022 which are as sei out on the atkched page ReSI1Ve Responsibilities of PCC Members 2nd ExAmiBer The PCC members are wsible for the preparatÉon of the xcounts. The memErs consider that an audii is not Tequired for ihis TreAt ut]der seaion 144(2) of th¢ Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Aci) and that an indeent eXami10n is needed. It is my ItS]S[bIlIty lo: examine the accounts under secti¢)n 145 of the 2011 Act to follow the predureS laid do1 in the genera] Directiong given by the Charity Commission under secti¢)n 145{5)(b) of the 2011 Act and CBF guidance. and to statr ivhether particular matters have come io my attention. Bas of Ind¢pendellt alDer'S Report examination w&s carried out in accordance with the genernl Dtrections given by th¢ Charits" Comlnission and given guidance from the CBF. An examination Inc]Le$ a reN'ieM of the acci)unting records kept by the PCC 8nd a comparison of the accounts presend with those records. li also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you #s members conc¢rning any such matTers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an 8udit and consa4uenily no opinion is as to whether ihe awlunts present a tue and fair Vi¢ and the rert is limi*d to thos¢ matte[5 Set out in the 51aternetJt below. depeDdent Enltr,5 Statemeot connection with my exAmination. no matter ha8 eome to my Attaition: l) Which giv£s me re&wnable Gquse to believe in any Enatertaj resF£ct the requÉrernenls'. - to keep accounting records in accordallce with section 130 of the 2011 Act" - to prepare accounts which SOrd the accounting r¢¢ords and Comply with the accounting wuirements of the 2011 Act have not been met" or 2) to which. in Tny opinioffj attention should be drawn in 0er to enable a prOr unders g (Trf the accounts to be reached. TJH CTA 7 Elvet Watersid¢ Dutham DH13DA 23 Felyuary 2023 Page I