ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Incumbent:
Rev. Andrew Doyle Holy Trinity Vicarage 5 Bryan Road Rotherhithe London SE16 5HF
Bank:
Charities Aid Foundation Bank (CAF)
10 St. Bride Street, London EC4A 4AD
London SE1 2UE
Treasurer:
Mr. Jolin Holme
Independent Examiner:
Mr. Martin Dadswell
A: Holy Trinity Vicarage, 3 Bryan Road, London, SE16 5HF T: 020 7237 4098 E: Andrew.Doyle@holy-trinity-rotherhithe.org.uk W: www.holy-trinity-rotherhithe.org.uk
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ROTHERHITHE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
Administrative Information
Holy Trinity Church is set in the eastern part of the Rotherhithe Peninsula in London. It is part of the Diocese of Southwark within the Church of England. The correspondence address is Holy Trinity Vicarage, 5 Bryan Road, London, SE16 5HF.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is also a registered charity, No. 1174630
PCC members who have served in the last year are:
Incumbent: Rev. Andrew Doyle (Chairman) Reader Ivan Ibuno Wardens: Kosi Naidoo April 2018 – April 2021 Angela Samuels April 2019– April 2022 Deputy Wardens: Peter Hill April 2018 – April 2021 Pat Ojo April 2019 – April 2022 Representatives on the Deanery Synod. Louise Bishop April 2017 – April 2020 Godfrey Ojo April 2019 – April 2022 Elected P.C.C.: Aisha Sandy April 2019 – April 2022 Anne Stoten April 2017 – April 2020 Samantha Pullin April 2018 – April 2021 Pauline Madison Peter Hills Foundation Governor Hudson Scott Sept 2020 - April 2023 Treasurer Jolin Holme Secretary to the PCC: Ruth Mills
Structure, Governance and Management
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. Two new members will be elected this year. In a normal year it would be three.
Objectives and Activities
Holy Trinity’s PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Incumbent, the Revd. Andrew Doyle, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish and indeed the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for Holy Trinity Church and Trinity Halls.
Church Attendance
In what has been an unprecedented year - a phrase I will use a lot in this report - church attendance has held up remarkably well, even when the majority of people have joined our services via “zoom” and while at home. Nevertheless, despite the pandemic, we have sought to keep the church open, which it has been since July 2020. Even during the second lockdown, with further reduced numbers, Holy Trinity has been there as a place of prayer and worship. This has been especially important to those without Wi-fi connection and for those battling “cabin fever” and isolation.
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Although we lost treasured members of our congregation, only one former member, Carol Selima died of Covid. Unfortunately for the wider parish there were a number of Covid related deaths, along with much changed funeral services.
Covid also led to the postponement of two weddings, a number of baptisms and of course school services at Christmas.
Yet despite all of this, new people have still found their way to Holy Trinity, while former members - though having moved away from the area - where able to join us for worship via Zoom.
The Church year in a time of Covid.
As has been already said, this has been an exceptional year. For the first lockdown, there was no public worship in church from 22 of March until the 12th of July. Since the start of the lockdown, all hall bookings ceased and the hall still remains closed for public functions until the end of June 2021. From March 22nd until mid July, the Nursery also remained closed. They began a phased return through July, August and September of of 2020. The PCC also took the decision to charge no rent while the Nursery was closed and only a token rent through July, increasing in August and September, until back to normal by October, to ensure the Nursery got back on its feet again. All of which has had financial implications for the church. Even-so, Holy Trinity still paid its full parish share to the diocese.
Thanks to our Reader Ivan, a successful Zoom service was setup for Sunday mornings and when church services resumed, the Sunday Eucharist was set at 9:30am, with a Zoom service at 11am and Evening Prayer at 6pm. Along with daily Morning and Evening Prayer, the Thursday Eucharist and an additional Eucharist which has been established on Tuesday Evenings.
Because of restrictions, there is still no hymn singing. Face coverings must be worn and the Sacrament is given in one form only, with no sharing of the chalice. The presiding minister must also wear disposable gloves when administering the sacrament. All of which has taken time to adapt to.
Seating has been spaced out in church, with every other pew roped off, with only three individual people per pew. Giving a total of 30 separate people in the pews, where in normal times there could be as many as 120. The number of 30 was further reduced to 20 for the second lockdown which began at the end of December 2020. In 2020 there was no celebration in church of Easter, Trinity Sunday (usually a very big event for us) and no Carol service, Christingle and Crib service, or Midnight Mass. To put this in context, even during the Second World War, where the church building was destroyed, most of these services still took place in the Church Hall, which became the church for 20 years.
But despite the hardships, valiant and inspirational services and work have taken place. There has been a Zoom Carol Service - the choir using the skills of Ed Alfred to record pieces to be sung. Indeed the choir has continued to meet through the year via Zoom, for a time during the Autumn back in church (rehearsals only) and recording anthems to be played in church and during Zoom worship. One such occasion was the eightieth anniversary of the start of the Blitz and the destruction of the old church building. This service, held on the 7th of September, was made all the more memorable for the appearance of Eileen Smith, whose memories of that night were read out.
The PCC has continued to meet via Zoom and make decisions. As part of the work, at what might be called a “holding AGM” in the Autumn of 2020, it was agreed that Wardens and PCC members would continue in their roles for the time being to ensure continuity during an unprecedented time. The Church Wardens have taken on extra burdens to ensure that
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we continue to function as a church and that worship within the Church building remains as safe as it can in this time of Covid. Wardens, our Reader Ivan, even those reading the lessons and leading the prayers, have often rushed from the 9:30 service to get home to computers, IPads and mobile phones to do the same thing again for our Zoom worship.
All of this has worked better than I first thought - despite the learning curve and the mysteries of the mute button. It has allowed us to remain a worshipping community, keeping people connected, especially where pastoral home visits (except in extreme cases) has not been possible due to restrictions. The phone and electronic devices have certainly played an important part. But they have still never replaced the face-to-face contact which people still have needed, even if partially hidden behind face coverings. The same has been so when meeting the prime family members to arrange funerals. To start with, this was done by phone and with email prompters to help put services together. But I stopped this after a few months, taking to meet two or three members of the family, at a distance in church. All of which helped the family to organise a funeral service at a most traumatic time for them.
It has been a very tough year and it continues. But the people of Holy Trinity have responded to the challenge prayerfully, as Christians, going the extra mile with grace and as often as not, good humour.
As I write this now, sat in the sunshine of the Vicarage garden, there are real signs of hope - despite other parts of the world suffering terribly. Even though we remain under something of the Covid cloud, with another storm always possible, yet we remain people of the resurrection, people of hope, people who through God always have a future, no matter what.
I am looking forward to gradually opening up and planning ahead once more. All of course, through the grace of God and upheld by your prayers.
26/4/21
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Financial Review (for full details please see Church accounts).
The Church has been blessed with some very generous members of the congrega8on, without their financial support the Church finances would be in a far less healthy posi8on.
Church receipts of £82,030, compared to £134,744 in 2019, reflec8ng the restric8ons during the pandemic:
-
Collec8ons, other giving and giI aid of £57,068 (was £63,485 in 2019)
-
Fund raising, church fees, nursery and leOngs were £24,962 (was £71,259)
Church payments of £62,846, compared to £115,674 in 2019, as the PCC sought to carefully limit outgoings:
-
Parish share £37,680 (was £35,962)
-
Church running expenses and church major works £9,392 (was £26,894)
-
Hall running costs and hall major works £11,212 (was £41,325)
-
Other: staffing, mission giving, cost of genera8ng funds £4,562 (was £11,493)
Overall there was an excess of receipts over payments of £19,184, compared to £19,070 in 2019. This contributed to a bank balance as at the end of the year of £165,767 (was £146,583).
Reserves Policy.
It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least six months unrestricted payments. These reserves are held to smooth out fluctua8ons in cash flow and to meet emergencies.
Mr. Jolin Holme Treasurer
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Independent Examiner's Report to the members/trustees of Holy Trinity Church,
Rotherhithe, Parochial Church Council .
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2020 which are set out on the proceeding pages of the Accounts.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They 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 Commissioners 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 consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee 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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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 s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
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To prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
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- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Observations and Suggestions
In reviewing the accounts a number of areas for potential improvement were observed:
- 1) In light of Covid-19 and ease of accounting it would advisable to keep cash, wherever practicable to a minimum.
Name: Mr. Martin Dadswell Address: 1 Surrey House 236 Rotherhithe Street London. SE16 5QX Date: 17/05/21
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Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
| Receipts and Payments Accounts The Accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments bas Receipts Voluntary Receipts: Collections at services All other giving/ voluntary receipts Gift aid recovered Activities for generating funds Investment Income Church activities Total receipts Payments Church Activities: Parish share Clergy and staffing costs Church running expenses Hall running costs Mission giving and donations Cost of generating funds Total Payments Excess of receipts over payments Transfers between funds Cash at bank and in hand at 1 Jan Cash at bank and in hand at 31 Dec |
is. Note Unrestricted Fund Unrestricted Designated fund Restricted Fund Endowment Fund Total 2020 Total 2019 Change𝚫 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 5,962) 5,962) 13,602) (7,640) 1) 39,031) 300) 39,331) 37,178) 2,153) 11,775) 11,775) 12,705) (930) |
|---|---|
| 56,768) 300) 57,068) 63,485) (6,417) - - - - 2) 24,962) 24,962) 71,259) (46,297) |
|
| 81,730) 300) 82,030) 134,744) (52,714) (37,680) (37,680) (35,962) (1,718) 3) (2,650) (2,650) (4,719) 2,069) 4) (9,392) (9,392) (26,894) 17,502) 5) (11,212) (11,212) (41,325) 30,113) 6) (1,270) (300) (1,570) (4,250) 2,680) |
|
| (62,204) (300) (62,504) (113,150) 50,646) (342) (342) (2,524) 2,182) |
|
| (62,546) (300) (62,846) (115,674) 52,828) 19,184) 19,184) 19,070) 114) |
|
| 146,583) 146,583) 127,513) 19,070) |
|
| 165,767) - 165,767) 146,583) 19,184) |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ROTHERHITHE
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment
Notes Funds funds Funds Funds Total 2020 Total 2019
£ £ £ £ £ £
Cash funds
Bank Current Accounts 85,115 85,115 96,554
Deposit fund 80,652 80,652 50,000
Cash held in Church safe - - 29
7) 165,767 165,767 146,583
Other Monetary Assets
Income tax recoverable - -
Investment assets
Investment Fund Shares at market value - -
Assets retained for church use
Hall (At Insurance Value) 151,413 151,413 151,413
Liabilities - - -
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Notes 2020 2019
1) All other giving/ voluntary receipts £ £
Standing orders 33,148 33,992
CAF / Charitable giving 1,360 1,225
Donations (general) 4,317 1,332
Donations (restricted) 300 -
Other 206 629
Total 39,331 37,178
2) Church activities
Fund Raising 1,135 7,688
Church Fees / Other (gross) 1,275 3,839
Nursery Licence 21,752 52,831
Lettings 800 6,901
Total 24,962 71,259
3) Clergy and staffing costs
Music expense (2,650) (4,719)
4) Church running expenses
Church Expenses (2,907) (3,353)
Church Operating Costs (4,424) (8,330)
Coach Hire for Brighton - (1,436)
Flowers (18) (456)
Church Fees Payments (914) (1,608)
Church Kneelers - (236)
Quinquennial Report - (120)
Church Roof Security System (878) (879)
Major works (250) (10,476)
Total (9,392) (26,894)
5) Hall running costs
Utilities (6,267) (6,551)
Refuse Collection (1,302) (1,785)
Cleaning (1,469) (4,907)
Maintenance (1,768) (517)
Major works - (24,460)
Other costs (406) (3,105)
Total (11,212) (41,325)
6) Mission giving and donations
Mission Giving (1,270) (4,000)
St Nicholas Fund (restricted funds) (300) (250)
Total (1,570) (4,250)
7) Cash funds
Current 85,115 96,554
Shawbrook 80,652 50,000
Cash in Safe - 29
Total 165,767 146,583
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