ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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:
Mrs. Patricia Kavanagh-Brown
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 2023
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 (Chairperson) | |
|---|---|---|
| Wardens: | Kosi Naidoo | April 2021 – April 2024 |
| Angela Samuels | April 2021– April 2024 | |
| Deputy Wardens: | Peter Hill | April 2021 – April 2024 |
| Pat Ojo | April 2019 – April 2025 | |
| Martn Dadswell | April 2023 - April 2026 | |
| Representatves on the Deanery Synod. | ||
| Wesley Hill | April 2023 – April 2026 | |
| Michele Smith | April 2023 - April 2026 | |
| Elected P.C.C: | ||
| Pauline Madison | Peter Hills Foundaton Governor | |
| Cindy Glover | April 2021- April 2024 | |
| Cherance Jalloh | May 2022- May 2025 | |
| Ronald Patenden | May 2022- May 2025 | |
| Edward Longley | April 2023 - April 2026 | |
| Tina Cole | April 2023 - April 2026 | |
| Andy Moore | April 2023 - April 2026 | |
| Treasurer | Jolin Holme | |
| Hudson Scot (assistant Treasurer) |
Secretary to the PCC: Sue Aldred
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the “Church Representation Rules” of the Church of England. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. Three new members will be elected this year.
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,
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evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for Holy Trinity Church and Trinity Halls.
Church Attendance
One of the joys of Holy Trinity is welcoming new people to our church. This has been a good year for welcoming new people, not only to our church but also to the local community, which remains vibrant and ever changing - especially with the major development around Canada Water. It has also been a joy that some have been born into the congregation. Brexit, Covid and the current economic climate continue to have ripples through our church life and outlook, but God has been good to us. In general church attendance is up on last year, also with more people attending the Thursday Eucharist and the Daily Offices.
The Church year
The church year was made up of various highlights, although the weather was perhaps not one of them; going from unsettled, to extreme heat for one week in August. The weather was somewhat overcast for our annual outing, which took us to Brighton this year. Two full coaches and some travelling by train, made for a good day together as a church family. The fact that there was cake and plenty of Prosecco to mark the Vicar’s 60th made for a happy occasion. The outing was made all the more special by a donation from a congregation member which meant that everyone on the coaches travelled for free again. This was an especially kind gesture in a year where the cost of living crisis has had such an impact on both individuals and the church, with rising heating costs and general all round inflation.
Yet still we weather the storms, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice and find Christ underpinning us at all times and in all places. Both Trinity Sunday and Harvest, were also good days where the congregation came together, not only to worship, but to also have a shared meal. These occasions, as well as helping to strengthen the fellowship of regular members together as brothers and sisters in Christ, also brings in people whose links with both faith and church are more tenuous. From a once tight-knit island community, to an increasingly diverse one, where both family and original home maybe far away, the church has an ever increasing need to build community, bring people together and be a place for those who are isolated. As part of trying to be a more open and inclusive church, the PCC agreed an inclusivity statement. This is now at the entrance to the church.
Our worship has varied from those smaller, more intimate services gathered in the Lady Chapel, or around the high Altar, to the large services marking festive occasions around Christmas and Easter, as well as life events that pack the church.
The year also saw our resident choral group, Musica Antica Rotherhithe, hold a number concerts which filled the church. Not only are these quality music events, they have also brought in new people to the church - five of whom have also joined the church choir. One of these concerts in June also combined with a stained glass window exhibition which went from the Friday to the Sunday of that weekend. In someways unusual for a church with no stain glass at all. Because of the very good acoustics of the building, a number of professional and semi-professional singers have been keen to use the church to rehearse, or hold auditions in - the church not being big enough for the final performance. Although care is needed, that while as a church we try to be generous, we still have bills to pay.
Good links are maintained with Peter Hills school, where we have foundation places on the Governing Body. Here we are thankful that one of our representatives Pauline Madison, brings a wealth of wisdom and experience through in work with various education authorities. Redriff school,
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although a secular school, still brings classes over to visit and then fills the church for two services at Christmas.
Alongside the schools, the Surrey Docks Police Ward panel meetings are now regularly held at Holy Trinity, along with two local housing association groups.
Various building issues came rather unexpectedly during the second half of 2023. The first being the need to relay the gas pipe work to the church heaters after the originals was found to be leaking. One of the boundary walls to the church grounds and one in the Nursery yard had to be either rebuilt from scratch, or have major repairs. This all added to our costs. Part of the main hall under flooring was found to be rotting and (in January 24) was replaced. Two water heaters - for the hall and the church are also due to be replaced. None of the above was anticipated and has been an extra unexpected expense.
But alongside the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows, Holy Trinity has remained, above all else, a place of prayer and worship. Morning and Evening Prayer is said through the week (with the exception of Fridays) and with our main Sunday services and Thursday morning Eucharist.
Behind all our working are a number of people who have faithfully discharged their duties to ensure that things happen and we continue to be a worshipping church community. We are blessed in our Wardens and deputy Wardens, treasurer and assistant treasurers, our sides people, welcomers, tea makers, readers and intercessors, Sunday school and youth leaders, our retired clergy (who keep working), our reader in training and our choir leader and organist. Though we are many, we are called to be one body, working in love and faith and common purpose together. It is our faith and love that will enable us to shine. Our willingness to engage with the world around us, the issues we face in society and our ability to be “open”, rather than “closed”, that will allow us to be a church for the parish, rather than a church in a parish. By God’s grace we continue to journey on together and despite the uneven road of life, we find through that grace of God, that company and fellowship with one another, through Christ Jesus, blessings unnumbered as we go along.
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16/4/24
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Financial Review (for full details please see Church accounts).
The Church once more has been blessed with the giving of the congregation, without their financial support the Church finances would be dire in the extreme. In faith - despite the very harsh effects of the cost of living crisis and high inflations, we stuck to our goal of increasing our giving to the diocese by 4% again.
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Below go the accounts for 2023 plus any comments you wish to makes, plus a statement from the auditor.
In 2023 the total receipts were £115,409 (compared to £128,960 in 2022). The bulk of this difference in the Church receipts arises from the 2023 gift aid not being received in 2023, due to a change of personnel resulting in difficulty accessing our online account however, we have since resolved this and received the 2023 gift aid for the amount of £11,633.81 in January 2024.
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Collections, Donations, other receipts were £59,409 (was £77,683 in 2022)
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Fund Raising, Church Fees, Nursery and Lettings were £56,520 (was £51,268 in 2022)
In 2023 the total payments were £106,289 (compared to £74,078 in 2022). This hike in payments over the last year is largely attributable to increased energy prices i.e. Church Utility costs have doubled (£3,752 in 2023 was £1,925 in 2022) & Hall utility costs have nearly quadrupled (£23,568 in 2023 compared to £6,733 was 2022) in addition to this, following the quinquennial report which took place in 2023, further spending was required on some Major works which included the Hall Floor, Church Gas Pipes & Hall Water Heater.
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Parish Share £40,755 (was £39,188 in 2022) – 4% increase as agreed by PCC.
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Church running expenses including church major works £22,959 (was £14,205 in 2022)
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Hall running costs including hall major works 38,106 (was £14,796 in 2022)
Overall, there was an excess of receipts over payments of £9,640 (down from £54,642 in 2022) Nonetheless this contributed to a Bank balance as at the end of the year of £278,521 (up from £268,951 in 2022)
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 fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies.
Mr. Jolin Holme Hudson Scott
Treasurer Treasurer’s Assistant
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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 2021 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:
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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.
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Observations and Suggestions
I Name: Address:
Date:
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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ROTHERHITHE Flnanclal Statementsfor the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Retelpts and PaymentsA£wunts TheAccounts hGve been preporeé on the recelpts andpoyments b051> Unrestrlrted Unrtstrkted Designated Rtstrkted Endtswmert Fund fvnd Fund Fund Total 2023 Total 2022 ChanÈe A Note Retelpts Voluntary Re¢elpts'. Collectlons at servlces 9.$45 9,$45 10,464 19191 17.3351 110,0201 118.2741 All uthergivinBI voluntary CeIpts Glft ald recovered 49.794 70 49.864 57.199 10,020 77.683 59.339 70 59.409 ActMllesfor8eneratlIUttds Invests))ert Income Churth aafvldo$ 56,520 115,859 56,520 115,929 51,268 128,950 5,252 113,0221 Tol•l r•¢•lpts 70 Payment5 Church Acllvltles.. Parlsh share 140,7551 13.2451 122,9591 138,1061 14001 1105,4651 18241 1106.2891 9.570 140,7551 139,1881 11.5671 13.2451 12.5031 17431 122,9591 114,2051 18,7551 138,1061 114,7961 (23.3101 14001 12,6731 2.273 1105,4651 173,3641 132.1021 18241 1106.2891 174.0781 132.2111 9,640 54,642 145,0031 Clergy and staffing costs Church running expenses Hall running costs Mi55ion giving and donations Cost of leratIn1nd$ Total Payments Excess of receipts over ptyments Transfers between funds 70 Cash at bank and in hand at l Jan Cash at bank and in hand at 310ec 268.951 230 269.181 214,419 269.181 54,762 278.521 300 278.821 Page 8 of 11
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ROTHERHITHE Statsm•nt of Ass•t8 and Llabllltl¢s Notes Unrestricted Funds Designated frJnd$ Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2023 Totsl 2022 Cash funds 88nk CU&t Accounts 278.521 278,521 268,951 Oep051t fund Cash h81d in Church safa 278,521 278,821 268,951 Other Monetary Assèts Incomè tax recovera8 Investment assets Investment Fund Shares al market Value Assgts rg¢8ined for church use Hall (At Insurance Value) 81 151.413 151,413 151,413 Llabilities Page 9 of 11
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Continued on next page
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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ROTHERHITHE 81 Mlssion giving and donats.ons Mission Giving st Nicholas Fund Ire5trict8d funds) Total 14001 12.5631 2,163 110 14001 12,6731 2,273 71 Cash funds Current Shawbrook Cash in Safe 278,521 268,951 9,570 300 300 St Nicho188 Fund Total 278,821 268,951 9,870 It has come to our attentlon that the Hall Is currently registered as belonging to the Dlocese and not the Church. This is now b9inG r9viewed and we will update 88 soon as we have further infomialion. For now, as agr88d with PCC & ind8p8nd8nt 8X8miner, we will still r8POrt this as an Asset at it8 81 historic insuranc8 v&lu8. Page 11 of 11