(Charity Number: 1176145)
St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Wisbech
Annual Report
and
Accounts
## of the
## Parochial Church Council
For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
## Charity Number
## 1176145
## Incumbent
The Revd Canon Matthew Bradbury BA. DMS. DipTh. The Vicarage
Love Lane Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1HP
## Bankers
Barclays Bank plc 12 Old Market Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1NN
Lloyds Bank plc 3 North Brink Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1JT
## Accountants
Bruch & Co Ltd 1 School Lane Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1AW
Page 1
## **The Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul, Wisbech Annual Report 2023**
By Canon Matthew Bradbury, Incumbent
## **Background**
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) co-operates with the Ministers and people of the Church to represent a ‘Visible and Generous’ Christian community, in which the Good News of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in word, witness and work. The PCC is also responsible for maintaining the property and fabric of the Parish Church and for the upkeep of the Church Hall and St. Peter’s Lodge.
## **Membership**
Members of the PCC are either ex-official or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church of England representation rules.
## **St Peter and St Paul Wisbech PCC 2022/2023**
|Incumbent and Chairman|Canon Matthew Bradbury|
|---|---|
|Vice-Chairman and Deanery Synod Rep|Mr Keith Aplin|
|Wardens|Mr Robert West|
||Mrs Kristy Leach|
|Deanery Synod Rep|Mrs Wendy Smith|
|Elected Members|Mrs Val Spriggs (Treasurer)|
||Mr Neil Virgo|
||Mrs Angela Sanders|
||Mrs Cynthia Maxey|
||Mrs Angie Manning|
||Mr Trevor Wright|
||Mrs Michelle Rham|
||Mr Thelston Durrant|
||Mrs Margaret Green|
## **PCC Activities**
The PCC operates through a number of Committees that regularly report to the PCC meetings. Some of the Committees have members who are not on the PCC, but who have been co-opted for their particular skills and specialised knowledge.
**Standing and Finance Committee:** This Committee is required by law and makes secondary and executive decisions for the PCC between meetings and (with the Incumbent) to formulate policy and strategy for approval by the PCC. It also has a limited spending authority to ensure that minor repairs and purchases can be made without the need to call an extraordinary PCC meeting. Although the Standing Committee has the power to act on behalf of the PCC it is subject to the guidance and moderation of the PCC.
**Pastoral and Outreach Committee:** This Committee plans and organises activities to improve the Christian outreach to the wider community. It engages in pastoral activities, especially in home visiting and with the nursing homes in the parish.
**Fabric Committee:** The Fabric Committee attends to all matters concerning the Church building and the fabric. It determines the priority of the various works to be carried out.
**Social Committee** : This Committee arranges a calendar of social events for Parishioners and for the town community throughout the year.
Page 2
## **The Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul, Wisbech Annual Report 2023 (Continued)**
**Hall Management Committee** : The Hall Management Committee oversees the administration and maintenance of the Hall. It determines the level of charges and the conditions of lettings.
## **Church Organisations**
The following is a list of Church organisations and groups currently operating: The Mother’s Union
St. Peter’s Ladies
St. Peter’s Petals (Flower arrangers)
## **Incumbent’s Report**
The Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is part of the Church of England within the Diocese of Ely. Its mission statement is _‘We pray to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ’_ . St. Peter and St. Paul’s has the privilege of standing at the century of the historic Town of Wisbech, as a witness to 900 years of Christian worship, prayer, teaching and service. It aims to be a welcoming and inclusive Church, opening its doors daily to enable people of all faiths and none, of all ages, backgrounds and traditions, to come to and be still in its hallowed spaces. The services are of a liberal catholic tradition of the Anglican Church, with Holy Communion at the heart of much of its worship.
In 2022 we completed a major repair and improvement campaign co-funded by local fundraising and the Heritage Lottery Fund. This work addressed important roof and stonework repairs, the installation of lavatories and a kitchen. The HLF project has provided the Church with a significant legacy of enhanced public outreach programmes, including the ‘drop in’ centre on Thursdays, regular structured school visit activities, the school singing project, an enhanced visitor experience and improved heritage opportunities. In 2023 the benefits of this work continued to attract large numbers of additional visitors and reaffirmed the Church as an important building in the Town’s historic and social outreach profile.
A team of five ordained and lay ministers, together with a committed group of volunteers serve a congregation which comprises an electoral roll of 77, from which there is an average Sunday attendance of about 40 people. Regular Sunday worship at traditional Church services is simply not growing across England and Wales at present and the static and disappointing numbers at St Peter & St Paul simply reflect that national trend. Nonetheless, this Church continues to welcome encouraging numbers of occasional worshippers at Easter, on Remembrance Sunday, and at Christmas. In 2023 there was an attendance of over 350 people at the Remembrance Sunday event; a total attendance of over 2700 people (including many schoolchildren) from the Town in the run up to Christmas, and nearly 500 (combined) at the Christmas Eve, Midnight and Christmas Morning services. These figures represent a 10% increase on 2022.
St Peter and St Paul remains one of the lead Churches in the Wisbech Changing Market Towns Mission and is active in supporting two employed workers (funded by the Diocese) and several volunteers in working in primary and secondary school settings. Additionally, this Church, in collaboration with the Parish Church of St Augustine’s (for which Canon Matthew is also the Incumbent) provides an important training centre for Curates, having, this year, supported The Revd Sue Squires Dutton in her final full year as a Curate and Eleanor Morrison who was selected for ordination and has begun the first stage of her training.
In addition to serving the sacramental, liturgical and pastoral needs of the regular and occasional churchgoers, the ministers and people of the Church also serve the wider community by (amongst other things).
- Conducting Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals for any person residing within the ecclesiastical Parish with suitable links to the Church.
Page 3
## **The Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul, Wisbech Annual Report 2023 (Continued)**
- Providing pastoral support at local care homes.
- Offering spiritual, moral and ethical input in local schools by leading assemblies and running dedicated music and spirituality projects.
- Opening the Church building every morning for anyone to visit for a time of quiet reflection and prayer.
- • Providing a designated place of worship and prayer for members of the Russian Orthodox Community.
- Providing a focus and leadership for the annual Wisbech Town Rose Fair.
- Maintaining a landmark Grade 1 listed gothic Church building as part of the architectural and historical heritage of the Town.
- Supporting the Incumbent in his role as Mayor’s Chaplain, High Sheriff’s Chaplain and accommodating Civic Services and other ‘Town’ events
These accounts record the financial aspect of our work. We are blessed with some inherited resources and occasional legacies, but most of the fundraising for the work and missions of the Church, falls upon the shoulders of the members of the congregation. We are also committed to paying our Parish Share, which is effectively our subscription to the Church of England which was £22,391 this year. Consequently, we must always strive to balance the need to be active and outward looking with complete stewardship of our resources. Our financial turnover enables us to have independent charitable status.
## **Canon Matthew Bradbury Incumbent**
Page 4
**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL, WISBECH**
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
|**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Incoming resources from donors
2(a)
Other voluntary incoming resources
2(b)
Incoming resources from operating activities
2(c)
Income from investments
2(d)
Income relating to the Heritage Lottery Fund
Project
2(e)
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Grants made
3(a)
Activities directly relating to work of Church
3(b)
Costs of generating funds
3(c)
Church management and administration
3(d)
Expenditure relating to the Heritage Lottery
Fund Project
3(e)
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
**GAINS AND (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS**9
- realised
- unrealised
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1STJANUARY 2023 (2022)
**BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT**
**31ST DECEMBER 2023 (2022)**
|
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
29,882.02
9,282.45
19,668.00
1,812.95
-
60,645.42
191.20
67,831.10
3,724.76
3,292.28
-
75,039.34
(14,393.92)
-
3,860.72
(10,533.20)
421,828.81
**411,295.61**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
5,000.00
-
380.56
44,654.46
50,035.02
-
4,978.00
-
-
30,629.40
35,607.40
14,427.62
-
3,940.53
18,368.15
54,850.29
**73,218.44**|**TOTAL FUNDS**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
29,882.02 32,921.56
14,282.45 53,258.45
19,668.00 15,641.50
2,193.51 2,061.98
44,654.46 214,441.59
110,680.44 318,325.08
191.20 200.00
72,809.10 67,803.15
3,724.76 3,140.53
3,292.28 2,484.22
30,629.40 213,596.97
110,646.74 287,224.87
33.70 31,100.21
- -
7,801.25 (5,885.89)
7,834.95 25,214.32
476,679.10
451,464.78
**484,514.05**
**476,679.10**|**TOTAL FUNDS**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
29,882.02 32,921.56
14,282.45 53,258.45
19,668.00 15,641.50
2,193.51 2,061.98
44,654.46 214,441.59
110,680.44 318,325.08
191.20 200.00
72,809.10 67,803.15
3,724.76 3,140.53
3,292.28 2,484.22
30,629.40 213,596.97
110,646.74 287,224.87
33.70 31,100.21
- -
7,801.25 (5,885.89)
7,834.95 25,214.32
476,679.10
451,464.78
**484,514.05**
**476,679.10**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||
||||
25,214.32
451,464.78
**476,679.10**|
||
|||||
||
|||||
Page 5
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL, WISBECH**
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023
|**Note**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible fixed assets
4
Investment assets
10
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
**LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING**
**DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
6(a)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**NET ASSETS**
5
**FUNDS**
Unrestricted
Restricted
7|**2023**
**£**
351,042.00
102,907.67
19,541.84
13,022.54
32,564.38
2,000.00|**£**
453,949.67
30,564.38
**484,514.05**
411,295.61
73,218.44
**484,514.05**|**2022**
**£**
351,556.00
45,106.42
7,897.79
94,118.89
102,016.68
22,000.00|**£**
396,662.42
80,016.68
**476,679.10**
421,828.81
54,850.29
**476,679.10**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on and signed on its behalf by:
Canon Matthew Bradbury Mrs Valerie Spriggs (Chairman) (Hon. Treasurer)
The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts
Page 6
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, together with applicable Accounting Standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2015). The accruals basis of accounting has been adopted, and the principal accounting policies set out below are applied consistently
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of the investment assets, which are shown at market value.
## **Funds**
Unrestricted 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. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities 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 nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.
## **Incoming Resources**
## Voluntary Income and Capital Sources
Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received.
Income Tax recoverable on covenants is recognised either when the full annual amount covenanted has been received, or on the anniversary of the date of the covenant, whichever is the later. Income Tax recoverable on gift aid donations is recognised when the tax refund is received. Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain. Funds raised by fete, garden party and similar events are accounted for gross. Sales of books and magazines from the Church bookstall are accounted for gross.
## Other Ordinary Income
Rental income from the letting of Church premises is recognised when the rental is received.
## Income from Investments
Dividends and interest are accounted for when received. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year.
## Gains and Losses on Investments
Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31[st] December.
Page 7
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont)**
## **Resources Expended**
## Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.
## Activities directly relating to the work of the Church
The Parish share is accounted for when payable.
## Fixed Assets
Consecrated and beneficed property is excluded from the accounts by s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011.
No value is placed on movable church furnishings held by the church wardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal since the PCC considers this to be inalienable property. All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or benefice buildings and movable church furnishings, whether maintenance or improvements, is written off as expenditure in the Statement of Financial Activities and separately disclosed.
## Other Fixtures, Fittings and Office Equipment
On 1[st] January 1997, the policy on depreciation was changed. Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight line basis over five years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £1,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired.
## Investments
Investments are valued at market value at 31[st] December.
## Current Assets
Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit either with the CBF Church of England Funds, or at a bank.
## Taxation
The church is an excepted charity within the meaning of The Taxes Acts. Accordingly it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and expenditure gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made in these accounts.
Page 8
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
## **2. INCOMING RESOURCES**
|2(a)_Incoming resources from donors_
Planned giving:
Covenants/Gift Aid
Income Tax received
Collections (open plate) at all services
Collections for specific purposes
Sundry donations and wall safes
2(b)_Other voluntary incoming resources_
Transfer between funds
Grants received
Legacies received
Fund-raising events
2(c)_Incoming resources from operating activities_
Church Hall lettings etc
Fees
St.Peters Lodge
2(d)_Income from investments_
Interest including any reclaimed tax
Dividends
2(e)_Income relating to the Heritage Lottery Fund Project_
Grants received
Other
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
14,407.32
4,566.12
5,874.40
191.20
4,842.98
29,882.02
-
3,632.86
1,000.00
4,649.59
9,282.45
14,991.00
3,327.00
1,350.00
19,668.00
137.46
1,675.49
1,812.95
-
-
-
**60,645.42**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000.00
-
-
5,000.00
-
-
-
-
380.56
-
380.56
38,472.46
6,182.00
44,654.46
**50,035.02**|**TOTAL FUNDS**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
14,407.32 13,944.35
4,566.12 7,518.42
5,874.40 6,171.72
191.20 200.00
4,842.98 5,087.07
29,882.02 32,921.56
-
-
8,632.86 50,104.28
1,000.00 -
4,649.59 3,154.17
14,282.45 53,258.45
14,991.00 10,960.50
3,327.00 2,599.00
1,350.00 2,082.00
19,668.00 15,641.50
518.02 96.98
1,675.49 1,965.00
2,193.51 2,061.98
38,472.46 170,960.58
6,182.00 43,481.01
44,654.46 214,441.59
**110,680.44 318,325.08**|
|---|---|---|---|
Page 9
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
## **3. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
3(a)_Grants made_
Transfer between funds
-
From collections for specific purposes
191.20
191.20
3(b)_Activities directly relating to the work of the Church_
Ministry:
Parish Share
22,391.00
Clergy expenses
1,627.29
Upkeep of services
1,804.24
Salaries/Wages/Honoraria
2,030.00
Church running expenses
8,692.72
Other expenses/Mission Young People
2,781.06
Church maintenance
11,677.46
Hall running costs
4,652.37
Hall repairs and renewals
11,230.48
Vicars discretionary fund
-
St.Peter’s Lodge expenditure
430.48
Depreciation of Equipment
514.00
67,831.10
3(c)_Costs of generating funds_
Wedding & Funeral expenses
2,369.00
Cost of fund-raising events
1,355.76
3,724.76
3(d)_Church Management and Administration_
Administration:
Other expenses
3,292.28
3,292.28
3(e)_Expenditure relating to the Heritage Lottery Fund Project_
School Projects, Classes & Activities
-
Professional Fees
-
Church Restoration Costs
-
-
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**75,039.34**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,978.00
-
-
-
-
-
4,978.00
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,066.34
26,563.06
30,629.40
**35,607.40**|**TOTAL FUNDS**
**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
-
-
191.20 -
191.20 -
22,391.00 20,759.91
1,627.29 1,583.80
1,804.24 1,030.78
2,030.00 1,500.00
8,692.72 8,832.43
2,781.06 2,357.53
16,655.46 15,634.69
4,652.37 3,980.79
11,230.48 4,561.74
-
-
430.48 6,707.68
514.00 853.80
72,809.10 67,803.15
2,369.00 1,509.00
1,355.76 1,631.53
3,724.76 3,140.53
3,292.28 2,484.22
3,292.28 2,484.22
-
3,690.52
4,066.34 21,277.20
26,563.06 188,629.25
30,629.40 213,596.97
**110,646.74** **287,224.87**|
|---|---|---|
Page 10
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
## **4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|GROSS BOOK VALUE
At 1stJanuary 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31stDecember 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1stJanuary 2023
Charge for the Year
Eliminated on Disposal
At 31stDecember 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31stDecember 2023
At 31stDecember 2022|**Freehold Land**
**and Buildings**
**£**
350,000.00
-
-
350,000.00
-
-
-
-
_________
350,000.00
350,000.00|**Other**
**Assets**
**£**
30,274.32
-
(5,748.83)
24,525.49
28,718.32
514.00
(5,748.83)
23,483.49
1,042.00
1,556.00|**Total**
**£**
380,274.32
-
(5,748.83)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
325,474.51
28,718.32
514.00
(5,748.83)|
||||
23,483.49
_________
351,042.00
351,556.00|
The freehold land and buildings comprise the Church Hall which was valued on the basis of current usage by the Parochial Church Council on 31[st] December 1997.
## **5. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND**
|Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
**Fund Balance**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
395,937.71
17,357.90
(2,000.00)
411,295.61|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
58,011.96
15,206.48
-
73,218.44|**Total**
**£**
453,949.67
32,564.38
( 2,000.00)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
**484,514.05**|
## **6. LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|Loan
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
-
2,000.00
**2,000.00**|**2022**
**£**
20,000.00
2,000.00
**22,000.00**|
|---|---|---|
## **7. FUND DETAILS**
The Restricted Funds are principally the Fabric Fund, which are funds raised for development, maintenance and preservation and the Lottery Heritage Fund, which are funds raised for the development and improvement of the Church and also to support the community.
## **8. INVESTMENTS**
## i)
|Units
Description
1986.07
CBF CoE Income Shares
76.75
CBF CoE Accumulation Shares
894.75
CBF CoE Accumulation Shares
Purchased in Year|Cost
**£**
6,365.68
2,398.31
50,000.00
**58,763.99**|Market
Value on
31/12/23
**£**
44,895.71
4,583.03
53,428.93
**102,907.67**|Market
Value on
31/12/22
**£**
41,034.99
4,071.43
-
**45,106.42**|Unrealised
Gain/(Loss)
**£**
3,860.72
511.60
3,428.93
**7,801.25**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 11
**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL, WISBECH**
## **Treasurer’s Statement**
I have prepared the accounts on pages 5 to 11 for the year ended 31 December 2023.
…………………………………….
Mrs Valerie Spriggs
Date:
## **Independent Examiner’s Report**
I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 5 to 11.
## **Respective Responsibilities**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiner’s Statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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.
…….……………….…………………
Mr Lee Bell F.M.A.A.T Bruch & Co Ltd, 1 School Lane, Wisbech, Cambs, PE13 1AW
Date:
Page 12