(Charity Number: 1176145)
Annual Report
and
Accounts
of the
Parochial Church Council of St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech
For the year ended 31[st] December 2024
Charity Number
1176145
Priest in Charge
Reverend Paul Kite The Vicarage Love Lane Wisbech Cambs PE13 1HP
Bankers
Barclays Bank plc Leicester Leicestershire LE87 2BB
Accountants
Bell Accountancy Services Ltd 26 St Pauls Road North Walton Highway Wisbech PE14 7DN
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Churchwarden’s report
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 2024
Incumbent and Chairman Canon Matthew Bradbury (Retired June 2024) Rev. Paul Kite (From November 15[th] 2024) Vice Chair Mr Keith Aplin Wardens Mr Keith Aplin 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 Mrs Michelle Rham Mr Thelston Durrant Mr Ron Rippin Mrs Margaret Green Mr Robert West
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 formulates policy and strategy for approval by the PCC. It is made up of incumbent, churchwardens and the two PCC officers the Treasurer and Secretary.
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.
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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
The Social Committee arranges a calendar of social events and fund raising activities for Parishioners and for the town community throughout the year.
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
T he following is a list of Church organisations and groups currently operating :
The Mothers’ Union St Peter’s Ladies St Peter’s Petals ( Flower arrangers)
Annual Report (from Keith Aplin and Kristy Leach Churchwardens)
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 2024 we said farewell to Canon Matthew Bradbury as he retired after nine years as our incumbent. During the period of interregnum which followed we were very fortunate to have Rev Sue Squires Dutton taking most of our services and we also welcomed our former Archdeacon The Ven. David Fleming to take services on three occasions.
At a combined meeting of the three PCCs of Wisbech St Peter and St Paul, Wisbech St Augustine and All Saints Walsoken held in June , it was agreed that the three parishes should be united into one benefice to be served by a Team Rector with a second priest to be appointed at a later date. The post was then advertised and we are delighted to welcome Revd Paul Kite as Rector Designate of the Benefice of Wisbech with Walsoken. . He was licensed by The Acting Bishop of Ely on November 14[th] in Wisbech St Peter and St Paul’s Church.
Revd Kite together with Rev Sue Squires Dutton now leads a committed group of volunteers who serve a congregation which comprises an electoral roll of 81 from which there is an average Sunday attendance of about 40 people.
Regular Sunday worship at traditional church services continues to decline throughout 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 and particularly at Christmas.
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St Peter and St Paul remains one of the lead churches in the Wisbech Changing Market Towns Mission and has been 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 (for which Canon Matthew was also the Priest in Charge) provided a training centre for Curates, and supported The Revd Sue Squires Dutton in her final full year as a Curate and Eleanor Morrison who was selected for ordination and began 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
-
Providing pastoral support at local care homes.
-
Offering spiritual, moral and ethical input in local schools by leading assemblies and running dedicated music and
-
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.
-
Maintaining a landmark Grade 1 listed gothic Church building as part of the architectural and historical heritage of
These accounts record the financial aspect of our work. We are blessed with some inherited resources and occasional legacies, but most of the fund raising 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 £23332 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.
Kristy Leach and Keith Aplin (Churchwardens)
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL, WISBECH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
| 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) Other income 2(f) 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 8 - realised - unrealised NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1STJANUARY 2024 (2023) BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024 (2023) |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 32,186.85 - 32,186.85 29,882.02 27,091.06 - 27,091.06 14,282.45 23,579.00 - 23,579.00 19,668.00 1,861.22 760.77 2,621.99 2,193.51 - - - 44,654.46 8,100.00 - 8,100.00 - TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|
| 92,818.13 760.77 93,578.90 110,680.44 |
|
| 279.00 - 279.00 191.20 87,840.08 873.36 88,713.44 72,809.10 2,765.73 - 2,765.73 3,724.76 2,675.17 - 2,675.17 3,292.28 - - - 30,629.40 |
|
| 93,559.98 873.36 94,433.34 110,646.74 |
|
| -741.85 -112.59 -854.44 33.70 - - - - 1,027.59 2,961.52 3,989.11 7,801.25 |
|
| 285.74 2,848.93 3,134.67 7,834.95 |
|
| 411,295.61 73,218.44 484,514.05 476,679.10 |
|
| 411,581.35 76,067.37 487,648.72 484,514.05 |
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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST. PETER & ST. PAUL, WISBECH
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 4 Investment assets 8 CURRENT ASSETS Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 6 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS 5 FUNDS Unrestricted Restricted 7 |
£ £ 350,528.00 106,896.78 457,424.78 16,817.06 14,906.88 31,723.94 1,500.00 30,223.94 487,648.72 411,581.35 76,067.37 487,648.72 2024 |
£ £ 351,042.00 102,907.67 453,949.67 19,541.84 13,022.54 32,564.38 2,000.00 30,564.38 484,514.05 411,295.61 73,218.44 484,514.05 2023 |
£ £ 351,042.00 102,907.67 453,949.67 19,541.84 13,022.54 32,564.38 2,000.00 30,564.38 484,514.05 411,295.61 73,218.44 484,514.05 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 411,295.61 73,218.44 484,514.05 |
Approved by the Parochial Church Council and signed on its behalf by:
| Reverend Paul Kite | Mrs Valerie Spriggs |
|---|---|
| (Chairman) | (Hon. Treasurer) |
| Date | Date |
The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
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.
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
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.
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
| 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 2(f) Other income Insurance claims TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 13,634.46 - 13,634.46 14,407.32 4,597.39 - 4,597.39 4,566.12 6,914.50 - 6,914.50 5,874.40 279.00 - 279.00 191.20 6,761.50 - 6,761.50 4,842.98 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|
| 32,186.85 - 32,186.85 29,882.02 |
|
| - - - - 20,612.86 - 20,612.86 8,632.86 - - - 1,000.00 6,478.20 - 6,478.20 4,649.59 |
|
| 27,091.06 - 27,091.06 14,282.45 |
|
| 17,117.00 - 17,117.00 14,991.00 4,962.00 - 4,962.00 3,327.00 1,500.00 - 1,500.00 1,350.00 |
|
| 23,579.00 - 23,579.00 19,668.00 |
|
| 268.20 760.77 1,028.97 518.02 1,593.02 - 1,593.02 1,675.49 |
|
| 1,861.22 760.77 2,621.99 2,193.51 |
|
| - - - 38,472.46 - - - 6,182.00 |
|
| - - - 44,654.46 |
|
| 8,100.00 - 8,100.00 - |
|
| 8,100.00 - 8,100.00 - |
|
| 92,818.13 760.77 93,578.90 110,680.44 |
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
3 RESOURCES EXPENDED
| 3(a) Grants made Transfer between funds From collections for specific purposes 3(b) Activities directly relating to the work of the Church Ministry: Parish Share Clergy expenses Upkeep of services Salaries/Wages/Honoraria Mission young people Church running expenses Church maintenance Hall running costs Hall repairs and renewals St.Peter’s Lodge expenditure Depreciation of Equipment 3(c) Costs of generating funds Wedding & Funeral expenses Cost of fund-raising events 3(d) Church Management and Administration Administration: Other expenses Accountancy fees 3(e) Expenditure relating to the Heritage Lottery Fund Project School Projects, Classes & Activities Professional Fees Church Restoration Costs TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ - - - - 279.00 - 279.00 191.20 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|
| 279.00 - 279.00 191.20 |
|
| 23,322.22 - 23,322.22 22,391.00 1,200.84 - 1,200.84 1,627.29 2,339.09 - 2,339.09 1,804.24 1,610.00 - 1,610.00 2,030.00 1,634.37 - 1,634.37 2,781.06 11,702.03 - 11,702.03 8,692.72 4,550.66 - 4,550.66 16,655.46 12,209.29 - 12,209.29 4,652.37 28,114.11 873.36 28,987.47 11,230.48 643.47 - 643.47 430.48 514.00 - 514.00 514.00 |
|
| 87,840.08 873.36 88,713.44 72,809.10 |
|
| 2,596.00 - 2,596.00 2,369.00 169.73 - 169.73 1,355.76 |
|
| 2,765.73 - 2,765.73 3,724.76 |
|
| 1,279.17 - 1,279.17 1,451.48 1,396.00 - 1,396.00 1,840.80 |
|
| 2,675.17 - 2,675.17 3,292.28 |
|
| - - - - - - - 4,066.34 - - - 26,563.06 |
|
| - - - 30,629.40 |
|
| 93,559.98 873.36 94,433.34 110,646.74 |
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued) For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
4 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| GROSS BOOK VALUE At 1stJanuary 2024 Additions Disposals At 31stDecember 2024 DEPRECIATION At 1stJanuary 2024 Charge for the Year Eliminated on Disposal At 31stDecember 2023 NET BOOK VALUE At 31stDecember 2023 At 31stDecember 2024 |
Freehold Land Other and Buildings Assets Total £ £ £ 350,000.00 24,525.49 374,525.49 - - - - - - |
| 350,000.00 24,525.49 374,525.49 |
|
| - 23,483.49 23,483.49 - 514.00 514.00 - 0.00 0.00 |
|
| - 23,997.49 23,997.49 |
|
| 350,000.00 1,042.00 351,042.00 |
|
| 350,000.00 528.00 350,528.00 |
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 Restricted Funds Funds Total £ £ £ 396,965.30 60,973.48 457,938.78 16,630.05 15,093.89 31,723.94 -1,500.00 - -1,500.00 |
|---|---|
| 412,095.35 76,067.37 488,162.72 |
6 LIABILITIES: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 1,500.00 | 2,000.00 |
| 1,500.00 | 2,000.00 |
7 FUND DETAILS
The Restricted Funds are principally the Fabric Fund, which are funds raised for development, maintenance and preservation and historically the Rose Fair Fund & the Lottery Heritage Fund, both discontinued, which were funds raised for the development & improvement of the Church and also to support the community.
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8 INVESTMENTS
| INVESTMENTS | |
|---|---|
| Description Units CBF CoE Income Shares 1986.07 CBF CoE Accumulation Shares 76.75 CBF CoE Accumulation Shares 894.75 Purchased in 2023 |
Market Market Value on Value on Unrealised Cost 31/12/2023 31/12/2024 Gain/(Loss) £ £ £ £ 6,365.68 44,895.71 45,923.30 1,027.59 2,398.31 4,583.03 4,817.00 233.97 50,000.00 53,428.93 56,156.48 2,727.55 |
| 58,763.99 102,907.67 106,896.78 3,989.11 |
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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 2024.
…………………………………….
Mrs V Spriggs Date:
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the year ended 31[st] December 2024, 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
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 Date:
Bell Accountancy Services Ltd, 26 St Pauls Road North, Walton Highway, Wisbech, PE14 7DN
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