## ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT For the year ended 31[st] December 2025 St Stephen’s Steeton Parochial Church Council 1 ## St Stephen's, Steeton Parochial Church Council ## _Table of contents_ ## _Page Number_ |Trustees Report|3| |---|---| |Independent Examiner’s Report|7| |Receipts and Payments Account|8| |Statement of Assets and Liabilities|9| |Notes to the Financial Statements|10| |Additional Reports|11| 2 ## **2025 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Stephen's Church, Steeton** ## Aims and Purposes The aim of St Stephen’s Parochial Church Council (the PCC) is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England, and in the absence of an incumbent, promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social, and ecumenical. To facilitate this, the PCC has responsibilities for the maintenance of St Stephens Church and church hall. ## Objectives and Activities The PCC have a commitment to increase awareness and to share the love of God with all people, in prayer, word, and action, through our special services and events planned to reach out to the wider community within and beyond this parish. Regular weekly worship is held on Sunday mornings mostly with a Communion Service from the book of Common Worship. Wednesday morning Communion Services use the Book of Common Prayer. Monday evenings there is a quiet service of Celtic Prayer. ‘Trails’, services with activities and prayers for children, are held to celebrate special events in the church’s calendar. To uphold our commitment of promoting the gospel, we need to provide our yearly share of money for the diocese. Our share, together with the costs of running our church, has come from regular giving by our congregation, supplemented by letting the hall to community groups, and by fund raising. The PCC also believes it is important to support charities regularly throughout the year, both in donations of money and goods. Specific charities were chosen in January for the coming year, preference often given to small charities with low overheads that help the local community. Apart from the positions of incumbent, verger, cleaner and organist, all work in the church is carried out by committed volunteers, both from members of the PCC and the congregation. We are a Fair-Trade church and do all we can to use fairly traded and local produce. We are working towards an Eco church, a diocesan initiative, by opting for carbon neutral provision of gas and electricity We are a church which exists for the people of Steeton, Eastburn, and beyond and are conscious that there are needy of all ages, and reach out with initiatives for young families, the elderly, and the lonely. ## Achievements and Performance Our incumbent Revd. Sally Pickering moved to pastures new in Cumbria in October, so we are again in a period of interregnum. Much appreciation is felt for the support received from the retired priests Revd. Michael C. and Revd. Jenny S., and from our Lay Minister Denise Raby. Regular attendance at the Sunday morning service throughout the year averaged 35 (thirty five) adults. There were forty eight (48) people on the electoral roll, with thirty six (36) living in the Parish of Steeton with Eastburn and 12 living outside the parish, Special services were arranged to evangelically reach out to our extended church family throughout the church’s year. Special services were held on Mothering Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Remembrance Sunday, Harvest, and at Christmas, a Carol Service, Christingle Service, and Midnight Communion. The Remembrance Day service was run jointly with members of the Methodist Church, Communion was taken into Steeton Court Care home by a lay member, and Steeton and Eastburn schools held their Carol services in church for Christmas. The church is open to visitors for quiet prayer during all Fund Raising events. 3 Meanwhile, work on maintaining the fabric of the church and hall was limited by lack of funds. Although the congregation’s donations, our fees from letting the hall and fundraising contributed to our Parish Share quota of £49,103 for 2025, our outgoings for fuel, and commodities needed for the running of the church and hall meant we were still unable to meet the full share request, giving £26,500. Problems with the tower and water ingress, are resolved allowing the restoration of the organ in January, but dry rot in the hall kitchen and restoration of the church roof remain projects for the future. Closure of the kitchen severely impacted our finances. The Social and Fundraising team organized events to raise funds, support charities, and reach out into our local community. A regular event, the monthly Luncheon Club acted as a ‘warm place’. There was no charge, but people kindly made donations. Earlier in the year a children’s Under 5 group on a Monday morning was run by Sally and volunteers from church. Other Social and Fundraising events during the year included the 200 Club, the Easter raffle, a May Day Fayre with stalls and duck race, a Tabletop Sale, a beetle drive, and the Advent Fayre with Father Christmas and the Hamper Raffle, all events open to the population of Steeton, Eastburn and beyond. Our mission to support local and international charities continued. Proceeds from the church Christmas card were sent to 500 Miles which provides prosthetic devices for disabled people in Africa, we helped to provide ‘Socks and Chocs’ for the homeless at Christmas through the Bradford Soup Run and sent a donation to the Women’s Refuge in Keighley at Christmas. We sent donations from Harvest to the Salvation Army in Keighley for people struggling with the rising cost of living. We supported the Good Food Shop with food items monthly. We supported appeals for the Sudan, Christian Aid by putting on a Murder Mystery, the Children’s Society through the Christingle Service and Christmas Luncheon Club, the British Royal Legion Poppy Appeal, and we supported a coffee morning to raise money for Martin House children’s hospice. The church has a web page, an internet address, and a Facebook page. Web address: **https://ststephenschurchsteeton.com** ## Plans for Future Periods Together we are making the following plans for 2026: - Continuation of our quest to find a new priest - Continuation of reaching out to the wider community with the initiatives which have been running during 2025, - Children and Parent Trails seasonally, . - Eradicating dry rot found in the church hall kitchen. - The continuation of fundraising, led by the Social and Fundraising Group. - The PCC will continue to uphold Health and Safety policies, Fire protection, Safeguarding and Child Protection policies, and consider Disability Issues. All policies are reviewed and updated annually. ## Financial Review for the year ended 2025 Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £63,791 (PY £66,986) of which £30,826 (PY £32,178) were unrestricted voluntary donations and a further £7,462 (PY £7,340) was Gift Aid. Restricted donations of £10,726 (PY £27,869) were also received. Further information is provided in the notes to the financial statements. Planning giving through envelopes and banker’s orders decreased by £4,353 compared with 2024 and was finalised at £20,732. Collections at services increased by £5,187 mainly related to refurbishment. The fundraising activities decreased in 2025 with a decrease of £2,766. In 2024 £8,725 was raised and 2025 ended at £5,960. Church activity income was down by £22,688 and was due mainly to the previous year insurance claim of £22,730. The hall lettings contributed £16,885 over the year compared with £16,770 in 2024. Total income decreased by £19,881 on 2024 (majority being the decrease in the PY insurance claim). The contribution of £36,500 (PY £27,500) to the Diocesan Parish Share. The request for 2025 was not met in full. 4 The net result for the year was an excess of receipts over payments of £6,834 on unrestricted funds and £1,193, in the restricted funds. Adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward on the 31 December 2025 on unrestricted funds totalled £34,277, with a balance of restricted funds of £43,430. Total receipts for the year exceeded total payments by £8,028. ## Reserves Policy It is the PCC’s policy to try to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds that equates to at least three months unrestricted payments and includes an allowance for the full diocesan parish share request. The purpose of such a contingency fund is to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and meet emergencies. A separate contingency account is in operation and the balance at the year-end was £12,624. (PY 12,624) The PCC remains committed to increase the contingency fund over time ## Risk Management The trustees of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Stephens, Steeton have considered major risks to which the charity is exposed, identified as in the general running of the church and its objectives for 2025, and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage these risks (Charities Accounts and Reports Regulations 2008). The management of the risks identified includes: 1. Cover to reduce the deterioration of the fabric of the church and hall, through insurance with Ecclesiastical which covers damage etc. to the buildings. The fabric is regularly reviewed in the light of the Insurance requirements, the Quinquennial reports, appropriate experts such as electricians, the day to day use of the buildings, and the needs of users. Remedial work is carried out according to funds available and level of risk. However, more funding will be needed now to carry on this work, through application for grants. 2. The increase in energy costs added to the funding risks of the church were reduced by taking up the most costeffective green options available, following consultation with an independent broker. This will be reviewed as and when necessary. 3. To prevent risks to Health and Safety, the responsible officer manages the risks identified by the insurers Ecclesiastical, in line with legal requirements and policies of the diocese. This will be reviewed annually. 4. Risks of climate change should be modified by the contributions of ECO teams in the diocese. ## Structure, Governance and Management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity 1173989. The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC _._ Caring for the church family is important, with members of the PCC acting as Representing Officers for Child/ Vulnerable Adult protection, Health and Safety, Disability Issues, and First Aid and undertaking appropriate training usually from the Diocese. The PCC is committed to being a church where all people are safe, particularly the vulnerable. Child protection/Vulnerable adults, Health and safety, and Fire policies are updated yearly. The full PCC meets six times a year. Members are responsible for decisions on all matters, including financial, related to St. Stephens Church. The Standing Committee, elected at the Annual Church Meeting, identifies issues for the Agenda of the PCC meetings. All working groups/ small committees (the Building Group, and the Social and Fundraising Group) and all officers report back regularly to the PCC. Minutes of the meetings are recorded and circulated two weeks before the next meeting, where they are voted on for approval. 5 5t 5WhvD'I SL Ll 117J9e9. CL¥r•ipwdenr•thJu￿ bv1ddTr￿ uithlehuftsl￿thn fl LyndACv4dr.21 CkN4hAw. St•Bkn. 802065 Synlld Rqy. L¢r4¥th 8riy*n Mn Ann Ph* Ex Binbjbl In•uT•T• byin• Pceon. o¢.¥- Independent examiner's report to the trustees of St Stephen'8 Steeton Parochial Church Councll I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the St Stephen's Steetoi Parochial Church Council (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025 Responsibilitles and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust YOU are responsi ble for the preparation of the 8ccounts in accordance with the requirements ofthe Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of theTrust's accounts carried out under sectioi 145 of the2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applical Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ib} of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to rn attention in connection with the ex8min8tion giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination towhich attention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a properunderstandingofthe accounts to be re8ched. Signed: ?Ao Name: A Deborah M Thorley ST STEPHEN'S, STE￿oN PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL Financial Statement for thg Year Endod 31st Dgcombar 2025 Re¢elpt$ and Payments A¢¢ounts UntESlnct￿J Note Funds ] Restrrted FutKJs ITOTAL 2025 TOTAL 2024 RECEIPTS Voluntary Roc8lpts: Pknr*d G￿l￿j 20,732 20.732 25,085 ColkCt￿nS a S&￿￿eS 485 9,657 10.122 4,935 All olhor gp4ngAfolunta retei 3a 9,629 1,069 10.698 Gift Aid Recover￿1 7,462 38,288 17",-7 6,298 7,462 49.014 7,3401 43,657 10,726 Aclivities forGenern*ng Fund¥ 3b 5,727 232 5,960 8,725 Inveslmentlncome 226 Church Ac*vi*e¥ 3d 18,886 41,5741 Total Receipts 74,975 PAYMENTS Church A¢lvllo8'. Di)c8san pansh corrtnbulion 26,500 27,500 C￿rgY and staffing costs C￿r¢h nIn￿ng éxpenses 38 13,800 13.800 14,424 Hai tunnity costs 11,480 11.4801 11,500 |Mission giwng ￿ donations 3f 3,334 3.334 5,0741 CMJrch refu￿￿hment msts 1,843 9.991 11.834 3,486 Costs of gon8ralng funds Total Paym8nts 56,957 9.991 66.947 61,984 D8f6clVSurplu8 6,834 | 1.193 8,028 32,872 T￿nsf&rf[DM s￿l1VjS Accounts 944 T￿nsf61t0 S841tus Accounts 28,813 5.002 6.834 1,193 8.028 C*h ol b8nk 8t¥J In hond at 1 27,443 42237 69.680 36,808 C*h al bank at¥J In hand al 31 Oecetnbe 34,277 43.430 77.707 69,680 6W41 L193 32J721 |Statement of Assets and Liabilities|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|Statement of Assets and Liabilities||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| |||||||Unrestricted||Restricted||TOTAL||TOTAL|| |||||||Funds||Funds||2024||2024|| |||||||£||£||£||£|| ||||||||||||||| |**Cash Funds**|||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Bank Current Account||||21,468|||-|21,468|||14,595|| ||||||||||||||| ||Cash in Hand||||185|||-|185|||224|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Contingency Account||||12,624||||12,624|||12,624|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Refurbishment Fund|||||-|16,730||16,730|||10,258|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Holiday at Home|||||-|451
451|||||218|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Organ Fund|||||-|17,828||17,828|||23,566|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Audio Visual Fund|||||-|0
0|||||0|| ||||||||||||||| ||HSBC-Eco Fund|||||-|0
0|||||0|| ||||||||||||||| ||CCLA Account-Consecrated Ground Fund|||||-|2,000||2,000|||2,000|| ||||||||||||||| ||CCLA Account-Refurbishment Fund|||||-|6,421||6,421|||6,195|| ||||||||||||||| |||||||34,277||43,430||77,707||69,680|| |**Other monetary assets**|||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||No other monetary assets outstanding||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| |**Liabilities**|||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||No liabilities outstanding||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| |**Notes**|||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| |1|The financial statements of the PCC have been prepared||||||in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations|||||2006 using the|| ||Receipts and Payments basis.||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| |2|The movements in designated and restricted funds during the year were:||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||||||Bal c/fwd||Receipts||Transfer Out||Transfer|In|Bal c/fwd| ||**Designated**||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||Contingency Account||||12,624||0||0|||12,624|| ||||||||||||||| ||||||12,624||0||0||0||12,624| ||||||||||||||| ||**Restricted**||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||Refurbishment Fund||||||||||||| ||Holidays at Home||||||||||||| ||Organ Fund||||||||||||| ||Audio Visual Fund||||||||||||| ||Eco Fund||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||| ||||||42,237||11184||9,991||0||43,430| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||11,184||9,991||0||| ||||||Reconciliation to Funds = Current A/c plus Cash plus Designated plus Restricted||||||||| ||||||||||||Current||21,468| ||||||||||||Cash||185| ||||||||||6,001||Designated||12,624| ||||||||||||Restricted||43,430| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||||77,707| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||Balance from above||77,707| ||||||||||||||| ||||||||||||Diff||0| 9 3. Further Anatysis of Receipts and Payments Accounts Unrestricted FuThJs Resln"cted FUNJS TOTAL 2025 TOTAL 2024 Recalpts All 01her giwnglvolunlary TKeipts: Grants Donation5 Save our h911 Legacy ColketionsDonalons for Charit 5,750 1,461 133 5,750 1,461 1,202 250 3,217J 1.069 2,288 9,629 2,286 10,698 1.620 6.298 1,069 bl Acljvlljos lor genoratlng funds.. 200 Club Steeton Villqge Fun D ', Dwk Race I￿aY at Home Beèt￿ DrDia Christmas Fayre Hamper Raffle Lurth CILi¥ May Day Fayre Table Top Sale MLscalkNous 744 291 18 471 920 579 637 990 744 291 250 471 920 579 637 990 924 400 232 87 871 403 1.559 1.190 418 2.874 1,078 1,078 232 Investsnent Income: Barl( and CCLA Depostt Fund Intsrèsl 889 226 1,115 899 Church activit￿S. Fees for wEddiTrJs and fLThrals Church Hall lettiTrJ5 Ublity Refund InsUr￿Ce clam 2,001 16,885 2,001 16,885 2.074 16,770 22,730 41,574 18,886 18,886 Payments Church running expgnse5- Cost of Serwres Church bulldlng runnlrvJ oxpgnsas Administrat￿n costs Church repar5 and mantenance Church growds wkeep 1.393 7,128 5279 1.393 7,128 5279 2.582 8.331 | 3.5101 13,800 13,800 14.424 Mission gNing and donations 500 Mlles Chi￿1èn's Socièty Sudan Appeal Royal British Leglon stèèton Methodist Hol￿aY at Home BntBh Red Cross ChrfstSan Akl Lirked Diocese BOF Bi81￿p of Leeds MLSC donatlon pay o Retirement Bark Fees 200 Club 335 203 90 756 214 100 1,151 90 756 214 100 1,151 1,047 | 453 453 1,982 50 420 99 50 420 99 921 165 422 5.074 3334 3.334 ## **Church Warden Report 2025/26** On Wednesday 2nd July 2025 at St. Andrew’s, Keighley I made my declaration for a second term of serving as your Church Warden. I feel truly privileged to be in this position. It has been yet another challenging year for us all but with God’s Grace and everyone working together, we journey on. Part of my role is to set an example to the members of this Church and, indeed to the wider community. As human beings, we all have our own thoughts and views but so long as we can continue to listen to each other, respect one another and accept decisions taken by a majority, then I know we can continue to thrive. We have, and will, continue to face many challenges both in managing and maintaining two listed buildings (Church and the hall), a shortfall in finances and being in another interregnum. We continue to address these issues with the help and guidance of clergy, including Rev Richard Burge (assistant area Dean), Rev Mike Green (Vicar of Kildwick, our Mother Church), retired clergy (especially Rev Michael Cowgill and Rev Jenny Savage) and by working as a team. In the late summer, Rev Sally Pickering announced that she was leaving us to join the Diocese of Carlisle. Her last services were on Sunday 26th October and Wednesday 29th. Sally told me that she didn’t ‘t want a fuss and asked that any monies collected for her leaving to be donated to the Church roof fund. This was very generous and much appreciated. However, we couldn’t let her leave without an acknowledgement of our thanks for her work here at St. Stephen’s and so after a short speech, I presented her with a card and flowers at her last Sunday service. Anna was also thanked for her help at St. Stephen’s and was given a card and a token of our appreciation. At this point, I would like to record my sincere thanks to Rev Michael and Rev Jenny for all that they have done and continue to do, to support us in this time of vacancy. I also extend those thanks to Denise, our lay reader and to visiting clergy. Having no resident organist and, indeed no organ for much of the year, brought yet another challenge. Thank you to Alden and Christine for operating the somewhat temperamental sound system and cd player. I am delighted to say that I have just been informed that the organ is now fully working. A “mantel” has been built to cover the blower (in the tower) and therefore prevent any future water ingress to the workings of the organ. Thank you to Ann Phillips for overseeing this work The smooth running of St. Stephen’s is testimony to everyone pulling together and helping out when needed. We are very grateful to everyone who contributes to this, especially to the PCC, to Val our secretary, also to the finance team headed by Thelma, our verger Julie, Alyson for taking on the hall administration, Julie for compiling and printing the monthly newsletter, Ann Phillips and Anne Tunney for meeting the various service engineers, to Alden for controlling the heating and to Stephen, our cleaner, who takes such pride in making sure that the Church and hall are cleaned and presentable. I would like to add my personal thanks to you all for supporting me in this role as Church Warden. Thank you to Anne Tunney for her unfailing support as my “deputy”. It continues to be a huge learning curve, and I couldn’t do it without you all. Many thanks also to all those who volunteer by acting as welcomers, crucifers, servers, reading the lessons, doing the intercessions, singing in the choir, leading Sunday club, serving refreshments, mowing the grass ….and much more. There is always room for volunteers with jobs around Church and at events. You will be warmly welcomed and much appreciated. We are still not in a position to be able to use the kitchen, but I can report that the hall continues to be used daily by Bridge House, twice a week by Pilates, once a month by the Women’s Institute and we still get bookings for children’s parties’ The card payment machine is now up and running, thanks to Francine and Rev Mike Green from Kildwick. As we know, many people do not carry cash these days and often would like to make a donation to the upkeep of our beautiful Church. At St. Stephen’s we continue to support many charities, including the local food bank, 500 miles, Children’s Society, Christian Aid, Poppy Fund, the link Diocese in Sudan, to name but a few. The Social and fundraising team remain very active and we have enjoyed many events, such as Beetle Drive, Murder/ Mystery evening, Holidays at home, lunch club and much more. 11 We listened to what people wanted and so the traditional Christingle Service was re-introduced this year and was well attended. A huge thank you to Julie for putting this together. It really was a joy. Midnight Communion was also brought back. Finally, an update on the vacancy process. The PCC met with Rev Mike Green, our Patron, and discussed the best way forward with the vacancy at St. Stephen’s. We agreed that the advert should be for an interim Priest of not less than 3 years. We have now reached the stage of a section 12 meeting (14th April). This is when the PCC meet with The Bishop, Archdeacon, Patron, Lay chair of Deanery Synod and Area Dean and the brochure is agreed. Once this is agreed, along with the Parish Profile and other papers, then the vacancy will be advertised. I would like to thank everyone who has, and is, helping in this process, with particular thanks to Val who has worked tirelessly to bring it together. As we journey on at St. Stephen’s my hopes and prayers are that, with the love and guidance of God, we will look forward, embrace any change with a positive attitude and continue to love and respect one another. Lynda Corser Church Warden ## **Inventory** Installation of a “mantel” over the organ blower in the tower. ## **Deanery Report for April 25 to April 26 for the APCM** At present we have 2 deanery representatives: Val Hodgson and Julie Lonsdale who attend most of the meetings when they are able. We have been instructed that at this APCM April 2026 we must elect new Deanery Synod Members as the 3 year term has ended. There are 3 meetings per year. ## 7.5.25 Bradford Episcopal Area Forum meeting (BEAF) Bishop Toby said that in future the BEAF meetings will be combined with a deanery meeting. He pointed out that the Church and Christians are ‘counter cultural’ because we want to help each other. The Parish Share is about parishes helping one another. He wished to encourage us by the news of the ‘quiet revival’ where young people are seeking out churches. He challenged us to see if we are ready for this. No money was forthcoming from the ‘Bradford Year of Culture’ but the touring production of a ‘Bradford Carol’ will go ahead. ## 24.6.25 Aire and Worth Deanery Synod Rev Richard Burge to be licensed in July to St Andrew’s, Keighley. Bishop Toby to be Acting Bishop of Leeds for 18 months. Rev Duncan Milwain spoke about the life and work of Bradford Cathedral as a place of witness, worship and civic and cultural engagement. ## 9.2.26 Aire and Worth Deanery Synod Groups discussed how being a Christian influenced how they voted. Themes that were raised: Christians put self aside and look for the common good, the impact on the local area, tolerance and respecting individuals, a longing for politics not to be confrontational and a Keighley Parish Priest said that many in his parish felt they were not educated enough to make a decision. Anna Dixon MP for Shipley spoke to us via Zoom about her life as an MP and how she is influenced by being a Christian. She said faith had been important for her calling to be an MP and faith sustained her. She said it was important that local and national government understood how faith communities supported local communities and that the churches should tell MPs what the church is doing in terms of social action. Julie Lonsdale March 2026 12 ## **Safeguarding Annual Report for St Stephen’s APCM April 25 – April 26** In January 2026 the PCC reviewed the ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ document produced by the Church of England as its policy for safeguarding. Other policies were reviewed and accepted: recruitment of ex offenders and equal opportunities. Lone working policy due to be reviewed in March 2026. Some tweaking and scrutiny of pastoral visiting and the code of safer working practice are required. We also need to look at getting a volunteer policy and a whistleblowing policy. ## **Training** The clergy, lay ministers, Parish Safeguarding Officer, people working with children and vulnerable adults and members of the PCC all need to undertake various levels of safeguarding training. The Basic awareness and Foundation courses are requirements, and the raising awareness of domestic abuse is recommended. These are up to date with reminders being given to people when they need to renew the training. Rev Sally Pickering and Lynda Corser achieved the ‘safer recruitment’ certificate. ## **DBS Checking** The clergy, members of the PCC and those working with children all need to have an enhanced DBS check. Julie Lonsdale, as Lead Recruiter, ensures this process is undertaken. All DBS checks are up to date. All PCC members need to have completed the ‘Confidential Declaration’ Form and these are up to date. ## **Safeguarding Procedures** We display information in our church buildings with contacts for people to go to if they have any concerns about safeguarding. These have been updated since Sally left. All PCC members have a chart which details what to do in case of a safeguarding situation. ## **Future Work** - We need to ensure volunteers are clear about their roles and have volunteer agreements - We need to check we have an up to date list of church activities - Risk assessments for the pastoral group and trails are needed. Julie Lonsdale (Parish Safeguarding Officer) March 2026 ## **Electoral Roll Report 2026** There are fifty (50) people on the new electoral roll, with thirty six (36) people living in the Parish of Steeton with Eastburn and 14 living outside the parish. Steeton with Eastburn 36 Glusburn 2 Silsden 4 Addingham 2 Bradley 1 Sutton-in-Craven 2 Cowling 1 Keighley 1 Skipton 1 Linda Shearing (electoral roll officer) 13