## **SAINT JAMES THE GREAT, BLENDON ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2023**
## **ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
Saint James the Great Church is situated on the corner of Penhill Road and Bladindon Drive in Blendon, Bexley, Kent. It is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is 37 Bladindon Drive, Bexley, Kent, DA5 3BS. The church’s website can be found at www.stjamesblendon.org.uk. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission, as charity number 1176355.
PCC members who have served from 1st January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:
_Vicar:_
Rev’d Ian Smith
_Church Wardens:_ Mary Nunns Ian Willmott
_Deanery Synod Representatives:_ Beatrice Gilpin Timothy Nunns
_Elected Members:_ Ian Willmott Angela Davis Linda Willmott Ann Pennington (until 31[ST] October 2023) Andy Laker (elected at APCM 2023)
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The function and purpose of the PCC is outlined in the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. 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 to stand for election to the PCC. New PCC members are provided with background information to enable them quickly to understand the PCC’s business.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
St James’ PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church Centre complex of St James in Penhill Road, Blendon. The main activities of the PCC are provision of church services, baptisms, weddings, funerals, youth and children’s work, and prayer and teaching adults through meetings at church and in members’ homes, and overseeing development of outreach and mission.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. In particular we try to enable everyone to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
- Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus. • Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish. • Missionary and outreach work.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## _Church attendance_
The number on the Electoral Roll is reported separately. The average weekly attendance at our 10:30 service, counted during October 2023 was 32 adults and 4 children (2022: 29 adults and 4 children 2021: 31 adults and 3 children,2020: 25 adults and 0 children: 2019: 74 adults and 8 children, 2018: 63 adults and 8 children). Many churches have struggled to return to the kind of numbers they experienced before covid and St James in no different (festival services reflect a similar pattern). Members of our community have moved away and, of course, sadly some have died. Additionally, a number are living with health issues which prevent regular attendance.
Since the covid lockdown of March 2020 we have not held a midweek service. Messy Church continues to meet on the first Sunday of every month and attendance at that has been encouraging. There were three baptisms during 2023. We have continued to offer a funeral ministry, helping friends and family to express their grief and to give thanks for the life of their loved one, as well as commending that individual to God’s care, and in 2023 we conducted seven services.
## _Review of the year_
The full PCC met five times during the course of 2023, and continues to give a tithe to our Mission Partners, CRiBS, Tearfund and CMS as detailed in the accounts. The PCC decided early in 2024 to reallocate to Slade Green Foodbank the share previous given to CMS.
In the light of advice from the Charity Commission, the PCC has in place a written contract for the services of our organist & music group leader. Nicky Garland’s musical contributions are greatly appreciated, and we continue to be grateful for the hard work and time she gives to us.
The Social Committee continues to play a central role organising the social life of the parish. They have helped plan events such as the Pancake Evening and Maundy Thursday meal in addition to the wellattended Plants Plus and Christmas Fair.
Stay and Play continues to meet on a Tuesday afternoon and the numbers of those attending, and forming links outside the meeting, are encouraging. The Uniformed Organisations continue to meet.
Place of Welcome has been meeting on a Wednesday lunchtime providing a valued space for those who come to eat and talk.
The weekly prayer meeting (commenced in February 2017) continues; during 2023 we continued to use Zoom to facilitate that. (In-person meetings resumed in January 2024.)
## **SAFEGUARDING**
The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
Total receipts on ordinary unrestricted funds were £65,015, which is £1424 more than last year, and are detailed in the Financial Statements. We are thankful to so many members of St James, who give regularly to maintain its work – and especially to those who have set up or increased their Standing Orders, for giving to the church. Income to our general funds from planned giving, tax recovered and collections was £42,114, which is £1770 less than the previous year (which in turn was just over £2000 lower than in 2021). It is worth noting that fundraising efforts also raised less than in the previous year. This was offset by an increase in funds from hall rentals. However, we cannot place too much reliance on these additional income streams.
By far the biggest of our regular bills is the monthly payment to Diocese to cover the cost of our incumbent as well as other centralised services. In 2023 this amounted to £33,000, over £5000 less than the previous year and it does not cover the diocesan costs of ministry into this parish.
## **VOLUNTEERS**
We would like to thank our church members who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. So many people give freely of their time that it would be impossible to calculate the financial value of their contributions; and it would be invidious in this report to mention names – but our thanks go to all.
## **RESERVES – and RESERVES POLICY**
We review the Reserves policy annually; our current policy is that, at the start of each year, the church will hold a reserve of unrestricted funds (in cash or short-term deposits) amounting to approximately three months’ income, to cover uneven cash-flow and as a buffer against unexpected loss of income. On the basis of the budgeted income for 2024 our reserves are sufficient to meet that expectation.
Our reserves are held in the Diocesan Loans Fund, which pays a small (albeit useful) amount of interest and allows us ready access to the money.
The PCC is confident in God’s faithfulness, and considers that there are no material uncertainties about its ability to continue as a going concern.
_Approved by the PCC, on 27[th] April 2024_
_Ian Smith, Chairman_
## **ST JAMES the GREAT, BLENDON**
## **Annual Report and Financial Statements**
## **of the Parochial Church Council**
**For the year ended 31 December 2024**
**Incumbent: The Rev Ian Smith 37 Bladindon Drive Blendon Kent DA5 3BS**
**Bank: Santander plc BBAM Bridle Road Bootle Merseyside GIR 0AA**
**Independent Examiner: Mr John King 12 The Close LONGFIELD Kent DA3 7JA**
**Registered charity number 1176355**
## _**St James the Great, Blendon**_
## _**Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31st December 2024**_
|**_Incoming Resources_**
_Note_
_Voluntary income_
_2a_
_Activities for generating funds_
_2b_
_Income from Investments_
_2c_
_Income from Church activities_
_2d_
_Other incoming resources_
_2e_
**_Total Incoming Resources_**
**_Outgoing Resources_**
_Costs of generating funds_
_3a_
_Church activities_
_3b_
_Other resources expended_
_3c_
**_Total Outgoing Resources_**
**_Net Incoming/(Outgoing)_**
**_before transfers_**
**_Transfers_**
**_Net Movement in Funds_**
_Balances brought forward_
_at 1st January 2024_
**_Balances carried forward_**
**_at 31st December 2024_**|**_Unrestricted_**
**_Designated_**
**_Restricted Total Funds Total Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_2024_**
**_2023_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
_44,566_
_10,000_
_9,386_
_63,952_
_53,267_
_3,075_
_-_
_-_
_3,075_
_3,163_
_2,200_
_547_
_-_
_2,747_
_2,319_
_16,728_
_-_
_-_
_16,728_
_18,029_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
**_66,569_**
**_10,547_**
**_9,386_**
**_86,501_**
**_76,778_**
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_86_
_52,325_
_6,265_
_19,053_
_77,643_
_91,802_
_190_
_-_
_-_
_190_
_359_
**_52,516_**
**_6,265_**
**_19,053_**
**_77,834_**
**_92,247_**
**_14,053_**
**_4,282_**
**_(9,667)_**
**_8,668_**
**_(15,469)_**
_(3,028)_
_3,028_
_-_
_-_
_-_
**_11,025_**
**_7,310_**
**_(9,667)_**
**_8,668_**
**_(15,469)_**
_36,165_
_38,236_
_17,825_
_92,227_
_107,696_
**_47,191_**
**_45,546_**
**_8,158_**
**_100,895_**
**_92,227_**|
|---|---|
## _**St James the Great, Blendon**_
## _**Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024**_
|**_Fixed Assets_**
Tangible
_Note 3(d)_
**_Current Assets_**
Debtors
_Note 6_
Unclaimed Tax
_Note 6_
Short Term Deposits
Cash at bank & in hand
**_Current Liabilities_**
Creditors
_Note 6_
**Net Assets**
**Funds**
_Note 7_
Unrestricted Funds
Designated Funds
Restricted Funds|**_Unrestricted_**
**_Designated_**
**_Restricted_**
**_Total Funds_**
**_Total Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_Funds_**
**_2024_**
**_2023_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_3,949_
_0_
_0_
_3,949_
_3,025_
_57,110_
_17,465_
_0_
_74,575_
_69,628_
_-13,868_
_28,081_
_8,158_
_22,371_
_19,574_
**_47,191_**
**_45,546_**
**_8,158_**
**_100,895_**
**_92,227_**
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
_0_
**_47,191_**
**_45,546_**
**_8,158_**
**_100,895_**
**_92,227_**
_47,191_
_0_
_0_
_47,191_
_36,165_
_0_
_45,546_
_0_
_45,546_
_38,236_
_0_
_0_
_8,158_
_8,158_
_17,825_
**_47,191_**
**_45,546_**
**_8,158_**
**_100,895_**
**_92,227_**|
|---|---|
_Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 10th September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:_
_Chairman_
_**St James the Great, Blendon**_
## _**Notes to the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024**_
## _**1. NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**_
## 1.1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law.
## 1.2 FUNDS
## _**Restricted Funds**_
Restricted Funds represent income and donations given for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific purpose for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund at the year end.
## _**Unrestricted Funds**_
Unrestricted Funds represent the general funds which can be used by the PCC for ordinary purposes.
## 1.3 INCOMING RESOURCES
Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax refunds are recognised when the donation to which they relate is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for when received; and interest when credited by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gross.
## 1.4 RESOURCES EXPENDED
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid or (if the award creates a binding obligation on the PCC) when awarded. All other expenditure is recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. Amounts received specifically for mission are dealt with in restricted funds.
## 1.5 FIXED ASSETS
Section 10 of the Charities Act 2011 excludes consecrated and benefice property from the requirements of the Act; such property is not included in these accounts.
Moveable Church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inalienable property, listed in the church's inventory (which may be inspected on reasonable notice to the churchwardens). For acquisitions before 2000 insufficient cost information is available and such assets are not included in the Balance Sheet.
Items purchased for £1000 or less are written off on acquisition; other equipment purchased for use in the church is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 4 years. By the end of 2018, all such items purchased had been fully depreciated; so no value is ascribed to tangible fixed assets.
## _**St James the Great, Blendon**_
## _**Notes to the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024**_
## _**2. INCOMING RESOURCES**_
||**_Unrestricted_**|**_Designated_**|**_Restricted_**|**_2024_**|**_2023_**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**_funds_**|**_funds_**|**_funds_**|**_Total_**|**_Total_**|
||**_£_**|**_£_**|**_£_**|**_£_**|**_£_**|
|_a) Voluntary income_||||||
|_Planned giving_|_30,231_|_-_|_-_|_30,231_|_28,001_|
|_Income tax recovered/_
_recoverable_|_8,871_||_1,020_|_9,890_|_10,238_|
|||_-_||||
|_Collections & other_||||||
|_giving_|_5,465_|_-_|_8,366_|_13,831_|_15,027_|
|_(including Gift Day)_||||_-_||
|_Legacies_||_10,000_|_-_|_10,000_||
|_Designated donations_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_||
|||||_-_||
|||||_-_||
|_b) Activities for generating funds_||||_-_||
|_Fundraising_|_3,075_|_-_|_-_|_3,075_|_3,163_|
|||||_-_||
|_c) Income from Investments_||||_-_||
|_Interest_|_2,200_|_547_|_-_|_2,747_|_2,319_|
|||||_-_||
||_._|||||
|_d) Income from Church activities_||||_-_||
|_Fees_|_339_|_-_|_-_|_339_|_(30)_|
|_Hall rentals_|_16,389_|_-_|_-_|_16,389_|_18,059_|
|_Remembrance Book_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|
|_Photocopier income_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|
|_e) Other incoming resources_||||||
|_Other income_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|_-_|
|**_TOTAL_**||||||
|**_INCOMING RESOURCES_**|_66,569_|_10,547_|_9,386_|_86,501_|_76,778_|
## _**St James the Great, Blendon**_
## _**Notes to the Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024**_
|**_3. RESOURCES USED_**
_a) Costs of generating funds_
_Envelope Scheme_
_Cost of Fetes & Bazaars_
_b) Church Activities_
_Missions_
_Ministry costs (Diocese)_
_Clergy & Vicarage expenses_
_Organists_
_Mission & evangelism_
_Church running expenses_
_Church utility bills_
_Hall Running costs_
_Repairs & Maintenance_
_Minor improvements_
_c) Other resources expended_
_Church management_
_Depreciation charge (below)_
_Miscellaneous_
**_TOTAL RESOURCES USED_**|**_Unrestricted Designated Restricted_**
**_2024_**
**_2023_**
**_funds_**
**_funds_**
**_funds_**
**_Total_**
**_Total_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
**_£_**
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_75_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_11_
_6,514_
_-_
_8,903_
_15,416_
_11,002_
_34,400_
_-_
_34,400_
_33,000_
_3,103_
_-_
_3,103_
_2,644_
_2,891_
_-_
_2,500_
_5,391_
_4,713_
_195_
_-_
_20_
_215_
_2,442_
_950_
_63_
_1,013_
_902_
_1,381_
_-_
_7,568_
_8,949_
_8,575_
_1,464_
_-_
_-_
_1,464_
_2,829_
_1,428_
_6,265_
_-_
_7,693_
_25,695_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_190_
_-_
_-_
_190_
_344_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_15_
_52,516_
_6,265_
_19,053_
_77,834_
_92,247_|
|---|---|
## _d) Depreciation_
_All spending on church equipment, fixtures & fittings (e.g. data projection system; chancel carpet & chairs; vestry refurb; windows) was fully depreciated by 31.12.2018. A nil value is therefore shown for "Fixed Assets" and for Depreciation._
**St James the Great, Blendon Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## _**Note 4: STAFF COSTS**_
All persons undertaking work on behalf of the PCC during the year, including our musicians, were self-employed subcontractors, paid on the basis of invoices for work done. As such they are not considered to be employees of the church; and it is their responsibility to pay any social security costs arising. There were therefore no staff costs during 2024 (as was also the case in 2023).
## _**Note 5: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**_
A small immaterial portion of the expenses paid to the Incumbent may have related to his services in chairing the PCC.
Apart from the clergy working expenses disclosed at note 3 (Resources Used), all other payments to PCC members relate to their acting as agents for the PCC in making purchases on its behalf and being reimbursed for this; such expenditure does not need to be disclosed. Of the clergy expenses, £233.35 represented mileage and parking costs, £20 represents postage and stationery costs; the remainder was reimbursement of expenditure incurred on the PCC's behalf.
PCC members are among those who give to St James. In 2024, the Gift Aid Secretary recorded gifts totalling £24,437 (2023: £21,954) from PCC members and their spouses. Other unrecordable gifts may also have been made - e.g. cash offerings in the collection plate.
## _**Note 6: DEBTORS AND CREDITORS**_
At 31st December, there were no "Debtors". A bill for clergy expenses was received shortly after the year end; this is shown under "Creditors". There was also unclaimed tax, on Gift Aid donations received during 2024, including gifts to St James for the benefit of other charities, such as the Harvest giving to our Mission Partners. The tax claim was submitted on 11th January and payment was received on 15th January.
## _**NOTE 7: FUNDS**_
## **DESIGNATED FUNDS**
|Church Repair Fund
Alpha
Foodbank
Messy Church
CTIOB Concert
Legacy|**Opening**
**Closing**
**Balance**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Balance**
14,718.11
546.94
-
2,200.00
17,465.05
43.03
-
-
-
43.03
-
-
-
886.50
886.50
-
-
-
-
-
58.82
-
-
(58.82)
-
23,416.44
10,000.00
6,265.07
-
27,151.37
38,236.40
10,546.94
6,265.07
3,027.68
45,545.95|
|---|---|
The Church Repair Fund is held by the Diocese on behalf of the PCC towards costs of repairs arising from future quinquennial inspections.
The Alpha Fund is designated towards the costs of the Alpha Course. The Foodbank fund is used for funds allocated by the PCC for donations to the Slade Green Foodbank as part of St James's mission giving.
## **St James the Great, Blendon**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## _**Note 7 (continued)**_
## **RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|Flowers
Mission Partners (Harvest)
Camino Fund
Tables
Shoeboxes
Youth Work
Outreach and Worship
Foodbank
Utilities
Christmas Cards
Photocopier
Church Meals|**Opening**
**Closing**
**Balance**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Transfers**
**Balance**
201.75
-
-
-
201.75
6,672.50
2,193.09
8,865.59
-
-
2,435.00
-
-
-
2,435.00
213.50
-
-
-
213.50
175.00
-
37.00
-
138.00
(190.95)
480.95
-
-
290.00
-
2,500.00
2,500.00
-
0.00
-
1,692.06
63.00
-
1,629.06
5,067.77
2,500.00
7,567.77
-
0.00
-
19.62
19.62
-
0.00
3,000.00
-
-
-
3,000.00
250.75
-
-
-
250.75
17,825.32
9,385.72
19,052.98
-
8,158.06|
|---|---|
Restricted funds are held in the PCC's general funds for the specific purposes stated.
The Outreach and Worship Fund is for local evangelism to support for example: (i) Places of Welcome, Stay and Play, Messy Church and expenses associated with other evangelistic endeavours (e.g. Pancake Saturday, deficit on Church meals) (ii) Minor building repairs to ensure the building is a safe and welcoming place (iii) Worship resources – (e.g. organist’s fees, music licences, service props)
The Utilities Fund derives from a gift for domestic purposes within St James only (e.g. payment of utility bills and minor maintenance), at the PCC’s absolute discretion.
The Flowers fund originated with a legacy from the late Mary Sampson. It is intended for the purchase of longer-lasting flower accessories, such as stands, vases and oases.
The Camino Fund is established for providing support to parishioners in need, to be spent at the discretion of the Vicar & Wardens.
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Parochial Church Council of St James the Great, Blendon**
I report to the trustees (ie the members of the PCC) on my examination of the accounts of the Parochial Church Council (the PCC) for the year ended 31st December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the PCC you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
## **Independent Examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Signature
……………………………….. Mr John King, MBCS CITP 12 The Close LONGFIELD Kent DA3 7JA
Date ……
## Date
22/05/2025