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St. Francis of Assisi Links Road Radford Coventry
Diocese of Coventry
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Francis presents its annual report and accounts in respect of the year to 31st December 2024
The PCC is a charity excepted from registration with the Charity Commissioners.
Background
The PCC of St Francis has responsibility with the Vicar for promoting the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in the Church of England parish, within the Deanery of Coventry North and Diocese of Coventry, together with the oversight of the Church Building of St. Francis, its two halls and grounds.
The new parish (pastoral scheme) will consist of a population of almost 20,000 people once it comes into place when the sale of St Nicholas is completed.
Membership
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the APCM in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
| Vicar: | Revd Aggy Palairet | (Serving from 24thJanuary 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Wardens: | Sue Williams | |
| Priyanga Ugorgi | ||
| Representatives on | the Deanery Synod(serving until APCM 2026) | |
| Sue Williams (Ex officio, Diocesan Synod, Bishops Council) | ||
| Kate Hughes (PCC Secretary) (Licensed to Preach) | ||
| David Brightwell | (Electoral Roll Officer) | |
| Ogechi Ngemegwa | (Treasurer) (Also Diocesan Synod) | |
| Elected Members(serving until APCM 2025) | ||
| Penny Phillips | ||
| Patience Okojie | ||
| Nkem Nwokeocha | ||
| Beauty Ekhotisuehi | ||
| Marie Prue | ||
| Joanna Gerrard | ||
| Stacey Fennell (Safeguarding Officer) (co-opted) |
The PCC met 6 times during the year.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee of the PCC consists of the Vicar, Sue Williams (Churchwarden), Kate Hughes (PCC Secretary), Ogechi Ngemegwai (Church Treasurer), David Brightwell and Joanna Gerrard, and meets when needed during the year.
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Church Membership (Electoral Roll)
There are 56 members on the Electoral Roll as at the Annual Meeting, 20 resident and 36 not resident within the parish.
Officers
Sue Williams and Priyanga Ugorji have continued to serve as Wardens. Kate Hughes, David Brightwell and Ogechi Ngemegwai have been the church’s Deanery Synod Representatives. Sue Williams has also continued as our Diocesan Synod Representative. Kate Hughes acts as Parish Information Officer . Sue also continues sitting on Bishop’s Council .
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
In 2024 , St Francis welcomed many special visitors, including the Archbishop’s Secretary for Appointments, Bishop Ruth, Bishop Sophie, and the Lord Mayor. We also welcomed Hill Farm Primary School for a talk about Christmas. Through St Francis Employability, visitors from various organisations came into the church to witness the incredible projects taking place within St Francis Church.
Many wonderful things happen at St Francis, but we also face significant challenges, primarily related to the building. Over the past year, we’ve dealt with a failed boiler, a sparking fuse box, cracked pavement, poor lighting, damaged wiring, a leaky roof, blocked toilets, crumbling plaster, broken fences, and no running water in the kitchen — just to name a few of our urgent concerns.
God is good! Through hard work and dedication, alongside the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), tradesmen, St Francis Employability, and organisations such as Orbit and Fortem, we have transformed our church into a much safer space. We now have running water in the kitchen, a brand-new roof, two new boilers, repaired pavement with handrails, fully rewired lighting throughout the building, and functioning toilets. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to making St Francis a safer place for all!
The building itself is just one of my projects, but my true passion lies in building up the St Francis church family. Throughout 2023, I actively encouraged the congregation to discover their spiritual gifts, explore their areas of ministry, and step into active church roles. This year, I have seen those seeds slowly grow and mature, with new leaders emerging. For the first time in a long while, we are blessed with two wonderful Churchwardens and three Deputy Churchwardens. We have also welcomed new servers and members to the PCC, and our church family continues to grow numerically and spiritually. We’ve even had to bring out extra chairs on some Sundays
To strengthen our entire church family, we restarted Sunday school and launched a youth group, parents’ group, and creative worship sessions on Wednesdays. In August, we welcomed our new Growing Faith Families Minister, who now works alongside the congregation to nurture and deepen the faith of our children, youth, and families.
Training is essential; this year, we invited diocesan staff to give talks at St Francis. These talks provided learning opportunities and allowed us to connect with people from other churches. Kate Hughes and I also attended the Leading Your Church into Growth (LyCiG) conference,
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where we received expert guidance on leading our church into growth. I hope these programs will build our skills and confidence, empowering us to step into leadership roles and live out our faith in all aspects of life - whether at church, home, school, or the workplace. As we refine our lifestyle choices within the church, I am delighted to share that St Francis has been awarded the Eco Church Bronze Award !
What’s Next?
Not only is our church family growing, but so is the size of our parish. As of 1st May 2024, North and South Radford have united to form a single parish: Radford. We have gained many parishioners, schools, and a churchyard. Our mission field has expanded, and St Francis is set to benefit from the sale of St Nicholas' church building. Soon, we can begin dreaming of how this funding will help further our mission by improving or developing our existing buildings in 2025.
This year, we completed our Natural Church Development survey and identified worship development as one of our priorities. Our Wednesday evening services are creative and unique, making them the perfect setting to explore how we can make worship even more inspiring, innovative, and engaging, deepening our faith through heartfelt worship. With such a beautifully diverse congregation, intercultural worship will be a key area for exploration in 2025. We seek to better celebrate the richness of different cultures, languages, and backgrounds, ensuring everyone feels embraced and valued for who they are. I dream of seeing the vision of Pentecost reflected within our church — a place where people from all nations gather, worship in different languages, yet understand one another fully and unite in worship with the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Aggy Palairet (Vicar)
Other Activities and Social Events
Along with the weekly services, Holy Days, Easter and Christmas we have also held various activities and Social Events. In January we held a Bring & Share Lunch to celebrate Aggy’s Birthday and in July we held a ‘95[th] ’ Birthday celebration with Cake for Joan.
Our Monthly Dining Out Club has continued to meet throughout the year with 10-14 of us going to various pubs and restaurants for a meal and get-together. At Christmas we enjoyed a Carvery at the Toby.
We have also held a few courses and joined with some Diocesan courses to help nurture folks faith and gifts. In January we joined a Diocesan Training Course set of 5 weeks called “Stages of Life” and in February Rob Harrison gave a talk in church on the “Old Testament.” During Lent we held a Lent Course based on the film “The Greatest Showman.” In June Aggy and Kate attended a conference in Swanwick entitled “Leading Your Church into Growth.”
September saw Ed Palairet and Sue Williams launch a monthly Youth Group held on the second Sunday of each month following the All-Age Service. The youngsters aged 12+ enjoy pool, snooker, table tennis, table football, craft etc, share lunch together and participate in a 10 minute “Pause for Thought” activity. We have about 9 teenagers attend.
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October saw us holding our annual Pet Service for St Francis Day which is always a fun, if somewhat noisy with a good array of animals. We welcome the Brownies and their parents along to this service. To tie in with St Francis Day we also held a St Francis Day Supper which was well attended and good to have our Methodist friends join us.
October 13 we celebrated Harvest Thanksgiving and in November we launched our new monthly “Worship/Praise Service.” every third Wednesday of the month. Priyanga writes … It has been a time of worshiping through songs, hymns, meditations and also a place to learn and develop our God given talents. We have an average of 6 attending every month.
December was a busy month what with Advent & Christmas. We combined our usual Advent Hush with the worship evening in December. Held a lovely Christingle service and had the pleasure of welcoming Bishop Ruth and our Lord Mayor to our Crib Service . We held our annual Christmas Fayre and our St Francis “Choir” sang Carols at Coundon Manor Care Home.
Rainbows and Brownies are all flourishing and enjoying lots of activities. Guides moved to collaborate with Guides at St Thomas to make one larger unit and also to help with leaders.
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Fabric Report and Church Warden’s Report
Church
New Boilers. New Wiring and fuse box. Cracked pavement repaired. Handrails fitted
New Roof
Running Water to kitchen
Leaky toilet repairs.
Fire Extinguishers and Church Alarm System have both been serviced.
Hall
New fence panels fitted. General wear and tear and blockages in toilets Nothing major just a few minor repairs.
Grounds have been maintained with volunteers during the week and several grounds working days both here and at St Nicholas.
Church Warden’s Comments
A Big thank you to Maria, Patience and Toyosi who have assisted us as Deputy Wardens over the past year. To Cassie and other folk who have run Sunday Club Sunday mornings.
Our thanks to Richard Tarver for playing the organ Sunday by Sunday, and for the opportunity for me to play my clarinet during Holy Week. Also the musicians (Aggy, Kartoon and Oliver who play at the monthly worship service.
Many thanks to Ogechi the Treasurer, Altar servers, those who have helped with flower arranging and decorating the church for Easter, Harvest and Christmas, Also to Kate, PCC Secretary, for all her assistance and her regular bi-monthly newsletters/updates, David the Sacristan and Electoral Roll Officer, Recky and team for their help with refreshments on Sunday mornings, and those who have assisted us in various other ways when needed.
It is a privilege to serve as churchwardens and one we do not take lightly.
Thanks be to God and to all who have supported us throughout the year.
Sue Williams and Priyanga Ugorji, Church Warden
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Deanery Synod
In the past year Coventry North Deanery Synod has met 3 times. David Brightwell, Kate Hughes and Ogechi Ngemewa are the elected representatives from St Francis, and Sue Williams is an ex officio member as also a member of Diocesan Synod A lot of every meeting is taken up with business, especially setting the Parish Share for each year, which is each parish’s contribution towards paying the clergy. Coventry North is one of the poorest deaneries in the diocese, so although all the parishes pay their Share, we are subsidised by wealthier parishes in the diocese, and limited as to how many clergy posts we can afford to have. We meet each time at a different church in the Deanery (this year at St Paul’s, Foleshill (twice) and St Laurence’s Foleshill; the Area Dean is Gareth Irvine, Vicar of St Laurence’s Foleshill.
As well as business, we usually have a talk or discussion at each meeting. In the past year we have had a presentations from our Interim Bishop Ruth; a Praise and Prayer session incorporating good news and mission opportunities for each parish; and a talk on National Safeguarding Standards by Sarah Price, the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. We also receive reports from Diocesan Synod and General Synod and get regular updates from the parishes about what is happening and what they are doing. The meetings are a chance to get to know clergy and laity from other parishes, which is one of the parts of being a Deanery Synod representative that I particularly value.
Kate Hughes
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Employability Report
Extract from St Francis Employability annual report
Statistics 2024
Welfare Support
- 1057 welfare support appointments for 350 different clients
Employment Support
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1052 employment support appointments
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7242 hours of volunteering
ESOL/Courses
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1472 hours of ESOL teaching
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Clients speak 79 different languages
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38 accreditations of work-based skills courses
Food Support
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2474 number of food parcels
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766 households supported through food
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Average 50 meals a day at our café
Key Highlights
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Establishing relationships with businesses, leading to a successful new roof and water supply into the kitchen
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Improvements to the outside play area and grounds through similar measures
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Equipping staff with professional development opportunities
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Developing the charity’s structure
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Securing free bus passes for clients, allowing them to save a large sum of money
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Return visits through ‘Business in the Community’ (BITC)
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All services have grown - none have been lost, despite the increase in demand
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The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Radford, Coventry (St Francis of Assisi Church)
Financial Statements 31 December 2024
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The PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Radford, Coventry
(St Francis of Assisi Church)
Accounts for the year ended
31[st] December, 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiners Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 - 7 |
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Independent examiner’s report to the PCC of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Radford, Coventry
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the examiner
The PCC 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 needed. It is my responsibility to
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioner section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General 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 considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:
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(1) which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Gavin Kibble
1 Kineton Road, Coventry, CV2 3NR
28[th] February, 2025
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Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total |
|
|---|---|
| Funds Funds Funds Funds |
|
| Note | 2024 2024 2024 2023 |
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| Receipts | |
| Incoming Resources from Donors 2 |
20,779 18,000 38,779 24,720 |
| Income from Church Activities 3 |
34,312 - 34,312 25,740 |
| Total Receipts | 55,091 18,000 73,091 50,460 |
| Payments | |
| Fundraising costs | - - - 427 |
| Activities DirectlyRelatingto the Work of the Church 4 |
69,654 8,442 78,096 47,870 |
| Total Payments | 69,654 8,442 78,096 48,297 |
| Excess of Receipts over Payments | (14,563) 9,558 (5,005) 2,163 |
| Cash at bank and in hand at 1st January | 33,417 - 33,417 31,254 |
| Cash at bank and in hand at 31st December | 18,854 9,558 28,412 33,417 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All income derives from continuing activities.
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As at 31[st] December 2024
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Monetary Assets | ||||
| Cash at bank | 18,854 | 9,558 | 28,412 | 33,417 |
| Total Monetary Assets | 18,854 | 9,558 | 28,412 | 33,417 |
| Other Assets | ||||
| Unclaimed gift aid | 3,525 | - | 3,525 | 1,083 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Sundrycreditors | 300 | - | 300 | 300 |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 09/04/_2025
The notes on page 6 and 7 form part of these financial statements
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31[st] December, 2024
1 : Accounting Policies
- a) Financial Statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards. The financial statements have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis under the historical cost convention.
b) Funds
Unrestricted (general funds) represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restricted conditions imposed by donors.
The accounts include all of the transactions for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body or those that are informal gatherings of church members.
| 2: Incoming Resources from Donors | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total |
|---|---|
| Funds Funds Funds Funds |
|
| 2024 2024 2024 2023 |
|
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| Planned giving (tax recoverable) | 6,789 - 6,789 7,169 |
| Other giving | 9,954 - 9,954 7,664 |
| Gifts and donations | 575 - 575 396 |
| Grants Received | - 18,000 18,000 8,500 |
| Gift Aid recovered | 3,461 - 3,461 991 |
| 20,779 18,000 38,779 24,720 |
|
| 3: Income from Church Activities | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total |
| Funds Funds Funds Funds |
|
| 2024 2024 2024 2023 |
|
| £ £ £ £ |
|
| Hall hire | 32,005 - 32,005 24,452 |
| Fees to PCC | 2,208 - 2,208 1,161 |
| Other receipts | 100 - 100 127 |
| 34,312 - 34,312 25,740 |
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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended 31[st] December, 2024
| 4 : Church Running Expenses | Unrestricted | Restricted |
Total | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Parish share | 22,647 | - |
22,647 | 18,226 |
| Staffing costs | - | 3,442 |
3,442 | 669 |
| Clergy Expenses | 156 | 156 | ||
| Church repairs and maintenance | 29,138 | 5,000 |
34,138 | 6,056 |
| Cleaning | - | - | - |
|
| Utility Costs | 11,057 | - |
11,057 | 18,431 |
| Insurance | 2,753 | - |
2,753 | 2,876 |
| Small value equipment | 1,127 | - |
1,127 | - |
| Worship | 788 | - |
788 | 433 |
| Other ordinary expenditure | 619 | - |
619 | 292 |
| Teaching Resources | 238 | - |
238 | - |
| Events | - | - | 315 |
|
| Publicity | - | - | 296 |
|
| Subscriptions | 831 | - |
831 | 276 |
| Independent Examination | 300 | - |
300 | - |
| Total Church Running Expenses | 69,654 | 8,442 |
78,096 | 47,870 |
5 : Employees
There was 1 employee during the year (2023: nil).No employees received remuneration in excess of £60,000.
6: Related Party Transactions
There were no related party transactions during the year (2023: nil).
7: Movement of Restricted Funds
| Boiler Replacement Growing Faith Minister |
Opening Balance as at 1.1.24 Income Expenditure Closing Balance as at 31.12.24 £ £ £ £ - 5,000 (5,000) - - 13000 (3,442) 9,558 |
|---|---|
| - 18,000 (8,442) 9,558 |
Description of Restricted Funds :
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Boiler Replacement
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Employment of a Growing Faith Minister.
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Statement of Financial Activities (Prior Year)
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total |
||
|---|---|---|
| Funds Funds Funds Funds |
||
| 2023 2023 2023 2022 |
||
| £ £ £ £ |
||
| Receipts | ||
| Incoming Resources from Donors | 24,720 - 24,720 15,061 |
|
| Income from Church Activities | 25,740 - 25,740 21,072 |
|
| Total Receipts | 50,460 - 50,460 36,133 |
|
| Payments | ||
| Fundraising costs | 427 - 427 - |
|
| Activities DirectlyRelatingto the Work of the Church | 47,870 - 47,870 32,189 |
|
| Total Payments | 48,297 - 48,297 32,189 |
|
| Excess of Receipts over Payments | 2,163 - 2,163 3,944 |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand at 1st January | 31,254 - 31,254 27,310 |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand at 31st December | 33,417 - 33,417 31,254 |
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