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2024-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Baptist, Clarendon Park, Leicester

Registered charity number: 1178009

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council

Year Ended 31 December 2024

Incumbent

Reverend John (Sami) Lindsey Church Office 4A Clarendon Park Road Leicester LE2 3AD

Bankers

NatWest Bank Plc 5 The Parade Oadby LE2 5BB

CAF Bank

25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill West Malling, ME19 4JQ

Independent Examiners

Wyatt & Co. 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the charity year ending 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual reports and financial statements of the Charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

Administrative information

St. John’s Church is situated on Clarendon Park Road just south of the centre of Leicester. It is part of the Diocese of Leicester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: St John the Baptist Church, 4a Clarendon Park Rd, Leicester, LE2 3AD

Incumbent: Revd. John (Sami) Lindsey Church Leader: Scott Else Curates: Revd. Alexia Simpson-Smith, Revd. David Lewis Lay Readers: Shirley Parsons Wardens: Fiona Aldridge, Huw Miles Deanery Synod Members: Piers Lindley

Parochial Church Council (PCC) Members 2024/25

Designation Term of Office
Ex-officio members
Revd John(Sami)Lindsey Parish Priest Ex-officio
Fiona Aldridge Churchwarden(St John’s) Ex–officio
Huw Miles Churchwarden(St John’s) Ex-officio
Revd Alexia Simpson-Smith Curate Ex-officio
Revd David Lewis Curate Ex-officio
ShirleyParsons Lay-reader Ex-officio
Elected Members (Must be on the Electoral Roll of Parish to be eligible for election)
1. Jane Kendrick Elected 2023-2026
2. Nigel(Piers)Lindley DeanerySynod(re-elected 24/4/23) 2023-2026
3. Susan(Kate)Aldridge Elected(Until 29/4/24) 2021-2024
4. Francisca Oloto Elected 2023-2026
5. Charles Carr Elected(re-elected 29/4/24) 2024-2027
6. Oliver Packer Elected 2023-2026
7. Mayowa Omoniyi-Oni Elected(resigned 18/1/24) 2023-2026
8. Jillian Gray Elected 2023-2026
9. Hannah Lewis Elected 2023-2026
10. Adam Simmonds Elected(from 29/4/24) 2024-2027

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

PCC Officers

Chair: Fiona Aldridge Vice Chair: Huw Miles Secretary: James Banks Treasurer: Carole Huffee

Structure, Governance and Management

The PCC is a body corporate (Church Representation Rules 2020) and a charity registered with the charity commission (reg. Charity no.1178009 ). The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New members receive initial training into the workings of the PCC.

The full PCC met six times during the year and was fully quorate at each meeting.

The PCC has one committee, the Standing Committee made up of Incumbent, Wardens and PCC Secretary.

The Key Management Personnel are: Scott Else (Church Leader), James Banks (Director of Operations) & Micheal Corner (Director of Emerging Generations).

Risk Management and Review

The PCC recognises its responsibility for identifying and managing risks within the organisation. A working party of PCC members has identified, collated and scored risks for the PCC to manage and action as necessary.

Safeguarding

The PCC of St John the Baptist are committed to the safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults.

In accordance with the Church of England policy, we have written and implemented a safeguarding policy and procedures based on ‘Promoting a Safer Church’. This was formally adopted by the PCC on 24/11/2020 and last reviewed by the PCC on 24/6/2024. A copy of the safeguarding policy can be found on our website. www.sjbchurch.co.uk/safeguarding The PCC has complied with the duty to have ‘due regard’ to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility but it is the duty of the Incumbent, Parish Safeguarding Officer and the PCC to ensure that the policies and procedures are being followed and reviewed on at least an annual basis. Safeguarding is a standing item on every PCC agenda.

The day to day responsibility for safeguarding within St John’s is delegated to the following officers:

Our local Safeguarding contacts are: Incumbent – Revd Sami Lindsey: slindsey@sjbchurch.co.uk Parish Safeguarding Officer – James Banks: jbanks@sjbchurch.co.uk

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

Aims and Purposes

The PCC of St John the Baptist Church is responsible for cooperating with the Incumbent to promote the ecclesiastical parish and the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Church buildings and attached Parish Centre, although these building are not owned by the PCC, but the Diocese of Leicester. The use of these buildings is gifted to the PCC by the Diocese.

The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our church community at St. John’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship in the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.

Public Benefit Statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

In particular, we seek to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. John’s and the attached Parish Centre.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

Review of the Year – Scott Else

2024 was a year of laying foundations and ongoing transition within the life of the church. We continued the clarification and communication of the call that we believe God has placed before us.

We explored what it meant to be a Resourcing Church within the Diocese of Lecester in light of our god given vision, but also in line with the Minster Community process that is happening across the Diocese.

Our call to be a blessing to the wider church within the diocese was a particular focus as we continued to run Catalyst for church planting teams from other churches, as Sharon began to lead Be-Loved and our conversations around a Missional Network developed with a number of other churches.

We continued work to explore what it looks like for Missional Discipleship to be core to all we do in SJB, Leadership Learning Community continued through the first half of 2024 and a few new small groups started. The pace of implementation with small groups was slower than we would have expected or hoped for, but we believe much foundational work was still being undertaken.

As part of the process of clarifying our call we continued to alter our staffing structure inline with all that we felt God was calling us to do.

Across the year we organised a number of social events to increase relational connections within the church. There were two Pancake mornings where our young people and leaders served large numbers of the church, SJB Day was a great day where we had a BBQ and much fun on the school field, and in December we held a Christmas Party where a great number of the church attended.

Staffing

Across 2024 we saw a number of changes within our staff team at St Johns.

In January, Josh Young left our employment as full-time Youth Worker after being made redundant in Dec 2023. At the same time Sharon Leeson transitioned from being our Children’s Worker into the Team Leader for Be-Loved (our church plant with a focus on those with Special Educational Needs).

In May as the next stage of his Curacy, David Lewis started a new placement at St Cuthberts Church, Great Glen.

After a period of reflection and discernment, there was a Leadership transition, where Scott Else was commissioned on June 2[nd] as Leader of St Johns by Bishop Saju and Sami Lindsey was released into a wider role within our developing network. Sami remains as legal incumbent but day to day leadership of St Johns is provided by Scott.

Also in June Mike Corner joined the team as Director of Emerging Generations, with a focus on seeking to take our current work with under 18’s forward.

During the year Ali Simpson Smith started to transition into the pioneering phase of her curacy meaning her time at St John’s significantly reduced. In September she officially finished with her Sunday service responsibilities. She will continue to transition in 2025 so that she no longer has any responsibilities at St John’s.

In September Dawn Diggle retired from her role as Administrator after almost 10 years, Dawn has been an integral part of the Staff team here and we thank her for all she has done. In September Grace McSharry joined the team as Admin and Comms Manager, which is a new role to partly replace Dawn’s role.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

After a period of ill health, Jon Tearne rejoined the staff team as Associate Vicar in November.

Worship and Prayer

Sunday services in 2024 continued to provide significant highlights for us as a community. The festival times of Easter Sunday, Christmas Carol Service, Christmas Eve Family Service and Christmas Day communion saw the building full, with a large number of guests.

Multiple baptism and dedications included in the services saw visitors attending for the first time.

Across the year our teaching series began with Jesus Way from January to March. Faithful Exiles from April to May, where we explored what it means to live as exiles in todays world. From June until July we looked at a selection of Proverbs. We started September with 3 weeks looking at the first three chapters of Nehemiah and seeking to apply them into our life as a church. In October we spent time thinking about our Life Together with subjects like hospitality, community and difference. November and early December we looked at the person of the Holy Spirit. This was of course followed by an annual celebration of the Christmas story.

Our Wednesday Emmaus community (gathering around Celtic prayer and communion) continued to grow with an increasing number of people stepping into leadership roles.

We added regular monthly prayer and worship evenings, early morning prayer on Monday morning and had a week of prayer in September – large numbers of the church family engaged with some of these prayer gathering and times of Fasting.

In September we started four week equipping tracks looking at “Life of the spirit” and “How to read your Bible for all its worth” – both of these were well attended and everyone who attended found them helpful, stimulating and an aid to their own walk with Jesus.

Across the year we saw a number of new people join St Johns. These new people were from different backgrounds and has added to the increasing diversity in all forms of the St Johns Family.

Emerging Generations

As with many other areas within the church 2024 was a year of transition, with Josh Young being made redundant from his role as youth worker and Sharon Lesson starting her role at Ministry Lead for BeLoved.

Scott Else provided leadership cover during the first five months, until Mike Corner started as the Director of Emerging generations.

We saw some growth in our Sunday numbers across all the children’s and youth groups, many of the youngsters made significant steps on their own faith journeys. The renamed groups (Explorers, Voyagers, Adventurers & Pioneers) covered the same passage or theme at the preaching in the Autumn Term.

We were encouraged as a number of members stepped up to serve within the teams.

After much review of the staffing and current operation of Buzzy Bees (our midweek toddler group) we made the difficult and painful decision to close Buzzy Bees in the summer. Even as we made this

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

decision, it was with the expectation that God would go before us, raising up new leaders with a clear vision of how to serve and reach the community BuzZy Bees team had been caring for.

MOLO continued to be a group where mothers of under one year olds found a loving and safe community. SAT DADS continued as a monthly space where new and existing members enjoyed the opportunity to connect with others.

Tuesday youth grew in numbers across the year, during the early part of the year we spent time thinking about Jesus through Chosen clips and in the second half of the year they spent time listening to different testimonies from leaders, and young people themselves.

In November, 34 young people and leaders went to the Frontier Centre for a youth weekend. It was a great time where many of the young people met powerfully with Jesus, and grew a greater sense of belonging and hunger for more!

Our partnership with the school continued to grow as we worked with them to provide themed services, assemblies, and lunch time club for years 5&6. A particular highlight was hosting the Christmas performances at the church.

Evangelism and Discipleship

As described elsewhere we continued to run Leadership Learning Community across the first half of the year, providing people with an opportunity to go further in their own discipleship and think about what it means to be a leader. Be-Equipped learning tracks were run in September where about 40 members of the church attended.

Throughout the year the demand for our compassion ministry, led by Rachel Lowe, grew and our foodbank served more people than ever.

At Christmas we were also able to bless young people in the local hostel and families from the local school with ‘bags of kindness’, something that was led by Jill & Charlie Carr. Throughout the year the compassion team grew, and many more people stepped up to serve. A big thank you to all those people who contributed towards this vital ministry that serves our community.

Resourcing Church, Pioneering, and Planting

As a resourcing church within the Diocese of Leicester we have a call to work strategically across the city, to plant new or revitalise existing churches, develop leaders and be a blessing to the wider Diocese and church.

As part of this call we have continued our partnership with St Peters, Oadby across the year, this took on a more involved nature when Jon Tearne was signed off with long term sickness in June. Sami Lindsey took on an interim role for 2 days a week to support the work at St Peters and to begin to hold conversations about a future model of ministry there. As mentioned earlier after being on long time absence we discerned it was right for Jon Tearne to rejoin the staff team at SJB and Sami’s interim role at St Peters was extended.

In addition, Sharon Leeson began to gather a core team for Be-loved. This led to us forming a partnership with The Navigators as Jonny Lawrance-Owen joined the core team. We are excited by this development and the opportunities it presents. The core team have spent much time defining values and clarifying

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

their Vision to cultivate communities for people with additional needs and their families in Leicester. They have developed relationships with other organisations and local Special schools

We have operated Catalyst for four church planting teams and have been journeying with other possible teams to create another future Catalyst learning cohort.

As part of our wider call to be a blessing to the wider diocese we have spent much time supporting over churches as we explored possible relationship that would form network and work within the framework of the Diocesan minster Community Process. We held information evening for other PCC’s, a BBQ to build stronger relationships and monthly network prayers for leaders of churches.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

The Church Building & Parish Centre – James Banks

Throughout 2024 the main church building and attached parish centre continue to be well used to support the mission and ministry of the church and are let out to supplement church income.

The main external user of the parish centre is ‘Little John’s Pre-School’ who continue to use it MondayFriday during term time. There are a selection of other ad-hoc users who use the building in the evenings and at weekends.

Various groups during the week continue to benefit from use of the main church space, especially MOLO, BuzZy Bees & SAT DADS baby/toddler groups. We have also been able to host the first Catalyst Church Planting Hub learning community and our own large church gatherings such as the Christmas party. The fitting of carpet to the main church alongside the purchase of chairs and round tables in previous years, has been key to enabling these things to happen.

Throughout the year minor works were carries out around the church including heating repairs and redecoration to parts of the parish centre.

Following the quinquennial inspection in 2023, we have not made much progress on the works recommended there although none are critical. Towards the end of the year we started to engage our architect in plans to redevelop the building to be more suitable for future use, as well as address some of the issues highlighted in the Quinquennial. We are very grateful to Adam Simmonds who is taking a lead on this area once again, and we hope to be able to present plans in 2025. Scott will be setting out the building development as one of the priorities for us as a church in 2025.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

City of Leicester Deanery Synod Report

The March Deanery Synod explored 'Making Church Accessible for All' focusing on the experience of SEND Children (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and a Curate with physical disabilities leading a church community.

After opening worship led by Tony Leighton the Master of Wyggestons, Nadine Weedall, SEND Chaplain at Learn Academies Trust gave us some background into the crisis in SEND support in schools, and explained how her part time role as SEND Chaplain was to support the 19 schools in the multi academies trust with their SEND provision. Nadine works strategically across the trust offering pastoral support to teachers, identifying opportunities for funding and support for SEND students and particularly working with SEND-Co Teachers (teachers who have leadership responsibility). Nadine shared her vision (from Hosea) of the desert blooming, and asked for our prayers for the work of SEND support in schools. Rachel Hunter and Yvonne O'Donoghue are both SEND teachers and shared practical examples of how churches can create welcoming environments for SEND children. This included providing hands on activities, visual representations of parts of worship, creating quite opportunities for SEND children to explore churches and making sure explanations are literal, e.g. not showing grapes and bread for holy communion, when you use wine and wafers.

After an opportunity for questions, Cecilia Adjadje, Curate at St Mary’s Knighton shared some of her experiences of becoming a curate and the adaptations put in place to ensure that she could undertake her training and help to lead her church community.

The July Deanery Synod invited five faith practitioners to share something of their academic research that they are currently or have recently undertaken. Riaz Ravat, Deputy Director of the St Philip's Centre, spoke about ‘Faith Mapping’ a forthcoming piece of research that he will be undertaking mapping the faith practices of the city. This will build upon research that he undertook ten years ago and is designed to explore how faith practice has changed across the city and the impact that faith communities have on the city beyond being a place of worship, e.g. in the areas of social justice, community care and partnership working.

The variety of the presentations was much appreciated by Synod and there was general agreement that a similar opportunity for colleagues to share their academic research in the future was desired.

The November Deanery Synod was an Open meeting on the subject of ‘Parish Contributions and Diocesan Finances.’ Simon Wilson and David Palmer from the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) presented. With the aid of slides, we were able to see a decade long picture of how diocesan operating finances have mainly increased, and Parish Contributions have decreased.

The reasons for the drop in Parish Contributions centre around parish incomes being cut, and they are not inflation proofed. Money is needed for projects. Parishes that can contribute more are being asked to do so. The Leicester diocese wishes to maintain contributions via its Gift system, with mutual respect and support.

The National Insurance changes in the budget for 2025 will have a significant impact to the tune of £120,000 plus. At the current rate, the diocese will run out of money in five years’ time.

David explained that in his experience, the two hundred parishes that make up the Leicester diocese are collectively, in a far worse situation than any other diocese he had knowledge of. There are no easy solutions, and it is difficult to balance the books. Clergy costs make up 60% of the budget and St. Martin’s House costs have reduced by £1/1.5 million. Targets are a £1.5 million cut in the deficit 2024, £1 million in 2025 and £500,000 the year after.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

Church attendance

At the date of the APCM in 2024 there were 125 persons on the Electoral Roll

The analysis of the general attendance and participation in the life of the church was:

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

Financial Performance – Carole Huffee

The accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 have been prepared on an accruals basis in line with the previous year.

The key financial objectives in 2024 remained as they have been in recent years - to ensure the day to day finances of the church remain on a sustainable basis and to build financial resilience through reserves to ensure challenges can be weathered.

The overall result for the year on the general fund was a small deficit. After adjusting for one off items in 2023 (Legacies & legal settlement) total income rose very slightly year on year primarily due to increased bank interest. Voluntary income, which is the main source of income for the church, remained at levels seen in previous years. Whilst Resource church funding increased in the year this funding varies by year as the associated cost base varies and as such current year values are not indicative of future positions. The staff team have continued to pay close attention to costs incurred through the year to ensure spending is consistent with the agreed PCC budget. Parish share and Staff costs remain the highest areas of spend, with an increase in Parish share in 2024 compared to 2023.

Historically, amounts have been allocated annually from the general fund to create a separate Church Planting fund. During 2024, it was agreed to transfer accumulated funds from the Church Planting Fund back to the General Fund, with future Church Planting activity to be funded from the General Fund. The one off payment received in a prior year relating to historic utility bills has partially been offset against current year utility bills with a balance carried forward for utilisation against 2025 energy costs . No additional legacy income was received during 2024.

The majority of the church's reserves are held in cash and the finance committee of the PCC periodically review the various bank accounts held to ensure interest income on deposits is optimised whilst managing risk. The small amount of debtor balances on the balance sheet are expected to be received in full in the coming year.

Reserves Policy

It is not the intention of the PCC to hold large amounts of reserves for Investment purposes, it believes the church resources should be used for the work of God’s kingdom as they are provided to us. However it is recognised that it is prudent to keep some general reserves in to cover primary operational costs in the event of an unforeseen reduction in income or increase in expenditure. It is the policy of the PCC to hold reserves equivalent to three months core operating costs (gross salaries and essential operating costs) at any one time.

Unrestricted reserves held at 31 December 2024 were in excess of the amounts required under the reserves policy due to the receipt of income from legacies, which has been classified as a designated reserve. The PCC are still considering how this income will be used.

St John the Baptist Leicester Annual Report Year Ending 31 December 2024

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed

Sami Lindsey Fiona Aldridge Huw Miles Incumbent Warden (Chair) Warden

The Parochial Church Council of The Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Baptist, Clarendon Park, Leicester Year Ended 31st December 2024

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Baptist, Clarendon Park, Leicester ('the charity') for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements 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.

Independent examiner's statement

I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA

Date:

Independent Examiner 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES

notes
Total
INCOME from:
Voluntary Income
2a
125,466
6,073
131,539
Activites for Generating Funds
2b
13,999
-
13,999
Investment Income
2c
10,407
-
10,407
Income from Charitable Activites
2d
89,401
4,060
93,461
Other income
2e
546
75
621
TOTAL
239,819
10,208
250,027
EXPENDITURE on:
Charitable Expenditure
Mission and Ministry
3a
161,233
11,369
172,602
Property, Management and Admin
3b
83,282
1,200
84,482
TOTAL
244,515
12,569
257,084
NET INCOME (EXPENDITURE)
(4,696)
(2,361)
(7,057)
Transfers between funds
-
-
-
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(4,696)
(2,361)
(7,057)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds brought forward
13
256,536
11,943
268,479
Total funds carried forward
251,841
9,581
261,422
2024
2024
2024
Un Restricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 Total
188,582
7,563
196,145
14,873
-
14,873
4,771
-
4,771
77,340
3,072
80,412
24,059
257
24,316
2023
Un Restricted
Funds
2023
Restricted
Funds
2023
309,625
10,892
320,517
150,479
9,514
159,993
86,565
92
86,657
237,044
9,606
246,650
72,581
1,286
73,867
-
-
-
72,581
1,286
73,867
183,955
10,657
194,612
256,536
11,943
268,479

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
notes
FIXED ASSETS:
Tangible assets
6
CURRENT ASSETS:
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
LIABILITIES:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
9
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
TOTAL NET ASSETS OR LIABILITIES
7
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY:
Restricted funds
13g
Unrestricted funds
13l
TOTAL FUNDS
13m		 2024
notes
719
6
19,012
8
249,770
268,782
(8,079)
9
260,703
261,422
-
261,422
7
9,582
14g
251,840
14l
261,422
14m		 2023
630
10,843
261,556
272,399
(4,550)
267,849
268,479
-
268,479
11,943
256,536
268,479

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 17/03/25 and signed on its behalf by :

Revd Sami Lindsey Carole Huffee
Incumbent Treasurer
The notes 1 to 15 form part of these accounts.

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

St John the Baptist Church, Clarendon Park, Leicester is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales. The address of the charity is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006.

The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with with FRS 102 (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The financial statements have been prepared as a going conern under the historical cost convention except for the valuation on investment assets where appropriate, which are shown at market value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

As a charity with an income less than £500,000 we have made use of the exemption under the Charities SORP and not prepared a statement of cash flows.

In 2020 there was a fundamental change in the basis of the preperation of the financial accounts from cash accounting to accruals accounting.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restriction regarding their particular 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.

Funds received that are subject to a restriction are held in a separate fund and used only for that purpose. Where monies given for a restricted capital purpose are expended, the asset is no longer viewed as restricted and an appropriate transfer is made to the General Fund. This includes the payment of any related mortgage liability.

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

Donations are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC or in the case of pledged donations when the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is probable. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. 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 probable.

Activities for Generating Funds

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due.

Investment Income

Interest is accounted for as it accrues.

Income from Charitable Activites

Income from activities run by the church is recognised when it is due.

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 December in each year.

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report

Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Resources used

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid, or when awarded if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Allocation of Costs

Costs have been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The PCC is exempted from tax under s.505 ICTA 1988, as a registered charity (reference 1132601).

Fixed assets

Consecrated land and buildings and movable church furnishings

The value of these assets is excluded from the accounts by virtue of s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011. Any expenditure, whether maintenance or improvement, is written off to revenue in the year it arises. Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment

Expenditure below £500 per item is written off in the year of acquisition. Computer equipment and other equipment is depreciated over 3 years on a straight line basis.

Current assets

All amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December are shown as debtors, less a provision for any amounts that may prove uncollectable.

Provisions for liabilities are shown where an essential future cost is estimated at the year end.

Pension costs

The PCC as 'Employer' has an auto enrolment pension scheme with the Peoples Pension. All qualifying employees are automatically enrolled on the scheme and non-qualifying employees offered to enrol, at the start of their employment. Contributions are made by both employer and employee into the scheme according to their staff contract. Employers continuing responsibility and duties will be undertaken.

Donated goods, facilities and services, including volunteers

Income raised from donated gifts for resale is recognised at the point of sale where the value of the donation is considered not material in the context of total annual income and/or where the estimated resale value cannot be determined.

The organisation relies on the contribution of many unpaid general volunteers to carry out activities. In the absence of a reliable basis for measurement, this contribution is not accounted for in monetary terms.

Going Concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to contine as a going conern.

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report

Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

2
INCOME
2a Voluntary Income
Regular Donations
One Off Gifts
Collections at Services
Gift Aid Received
Legacies
Grants
2b Activites for Generating Funds
Room Hire
2c Investment Income
Bank Interest
2d Income from Charitable Activites
0-18 Ministries
Resource Church
Church Events
Church Fees
Staff Training
Operations Support Service
Catalyst Hub
2e Other income
LPW Grant for VAT
Printing Charges
Other
Legal Settlement
TOTAL		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
TOTAL
FUNDS
2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
88,279
1,200
89,479
90,166
1,200
91,366
6,402
1,635
8,037
9,164
2,403
11,567
7,709
-
7,709
4,949
-
4,949
23,076
588
23,664
23,544
856
24,400
-
-
-
60,000
-
60,000
-
2,650
2,650
759
3,104
3,863
125,466
6,073
131,539
188,582
7,563
196,145
13,999
-
13,999
14,873
-
14,873
13,999
-
13,999
14,873
-
14,873
10,407
-
10,407
4,771
-
4,771
10,407
-
10,407
4,771
-
4,771
4,217
128
4,345
1,720
-
1,720
63,284
933
64,217
59,667
138
59,805
1,846
-
1,846
901
-
901
1,526
1,175
2,701
1,352
781
2,133
-
1,824
1,824
-
2,153
2,153
8,528
-
8,528
7,700
-
7,700
10,000
-
10,000
6,000
-
6,000
89,401
4,060
93,461
77,340
3,072
80,412
218
-
218
622
-
622
101
-
101
259
-
259
227
75
302
178
257
435
-
-
-
23,000
-
23,000
546
75
621
24,059
257
24,316
239,819
10,208
250,027
309,625
10,892
320,517

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

EXPENDITURE
Charitable Expenditure
3a
Mission and Ministry
Mission Giving
Parish Share
Compassion Activities
Mission Activities
0-18 Ministies
Catalyst Hub
Resource Church
Staff Training
Interns
Church Events
Hospitality & Gifts
Church Services
Church Fees i.e. weddings
Hardship Grants
Ministerial Salaries and expenses
3b
Property, Management and Admin
Church Utilities and Cleaning
Church Repairs
Technical maint & Equipment
Admin Staff Salaries & Expenses
Office Expenses
Computer Software & Licence Fees
Professional Fees
Banks Charges and Card Fees
Room Hire
TOTAL		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
TOTAL
FUNDS
2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
TOTAL
FUNDS
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
6,793
20
6,813
4,486
20
4,506
58,500
-
58,500
54,000
-
54,000
-
4,518
4,518
-
4,915
4,915
304
-
304
1,086
-
1,086
5,559
1,908
7,467
2,034
309
2,343
1,198
-
1,198
171
-
171
3,825
933
4,758
2,970
137
3,107
2,694
1,825
4,519
2,595
2,192
4,787
-
-
-
1,268
-
1,268
1,329
-
1,329
1,008
-
1,008
1,773
440
2,213
1,784
110
1,894
2,343
-
2,343
2,441
-
2,441
105
1,175
1,280
12
781
793
-
550
550
-
1,050
1,050
76,810
-
76,810
76,624
-
76,624
161,233
11,369
172,602
150,479
9,514
159,993
18,166
-
18,166
17,418
-
17,418
3,950
-
3,950
5,002
-
5,002
2,901
1,182
4,083
1,487
65
1,552
49,763
-
49,763
43,436
-
43,436
2,762
-
2,762
2,551
-
2,551
3,419
-
3,419
2,989
-
2,989
1,642
-
1,642
13,128
-
13,128
598
18
616
554
27
581
81
-
81
-
-
-
83,282
1,200
84,482
86,565
92
86,657
244,514
12,569
257,084
237,044
9,606
246,650

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4 STAFF COSTS

STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social Security costs
Pension costs
TOTAL		 2024
£
112,710
4,218
5,097		 2023
£
109,683
2,918
4,927
117,528
122,025

In 2024, the PCC employed an average of 6 (2023: 5) members of staff. The full time equivalent employees were 4.1 (2023: 4.2) There were no employees who earned more than £60,000 including pension costs. The PCC contributed to a defined contribution personal pension scheme for 5 employees (2023: 4).

During 2024 a redundency payments was made to 1 member of staff. Although the Charity SORP asks that we disclose the amount, the trustees decided due to confidentiality not to disclose the amount other than to say it was made in line with the contract of employment.

5 REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES PAID TO TRUSTEES AND KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

No trustee was paid for their services as trustee. Expenses incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily for the benefit of the organisation were reimbursed during 2024 to 4 (2023: 5) trustees of £3,328 (2023: £3,875) and 3 (2023: 2) Key Management Personnel of £274 (2023: £2,025). Trustee indemnity was paid for on behalf of the trustees.

The total remuneration of key management personnel (including employers NI & pension) during 2024 was: £87,442 (2023: £68,442)

6 FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC

Cost
Cost at 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Cost at 31 December 2024
Depreciation
Depreciation at 1 January 2024
Eliminated on Disposal
Depreciation for the year
Depreciation at 31 December 2024
Net book value at 31 December 2024
Net book value at 31 December 2023		 Equipment
3,868
1,078
-
4,946
3,238
-
989
4,227
719
630

7 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
719
258,483
(7,362)		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
10,299
(717)
9,582		 Total
2024
£
719
268,782
(8,079)
261,422		 Total
2023
£
630
272,399
(4,550)
251,840 268,479

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

8 DEBTORS

DEBTORS
Gift Aid recoverable
Other Debtors & Prepayments		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,052
17,488
18,540		 Restricted
Funds
£
158
314
472		 Total
2024
£
1,210
17,802
19,012		 Total
2023
£
1,018
9,825
10,843

During 2022 the church was notified that they were a benficary in the will of the Late Christine Hoyes and were entitled to a fixed percentage share of the estate. At the point the 2024 accounts were finalised the final value of the estate had not been determined, but all interim distrubutions had been received.

9 LIABILITIES : AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

LIABILITIES : AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Creditors for goods and services
Deferred Income		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
7,362
-
7,362		 Restricted
Funds
£
717
-
717		 Total
2024
£
8,079
-
8,079		 Total
2023
£
4,487
63
4,550

All deferred income in 2023 was released in 2024.

Deferred income in 2023 comprises room hire income received for future financial periods.

10 GOVERNANCE COSTS

The Independent Examiners rumuneration for 2024 was £768 (2023: £738).

11 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Donations of £27,023 (2023: £38,913) were received during the year from 12 (2023: 19) Trustees & their partners. No conditions were attached to these donations.

During the year the church received payments of £8,528 (2023: £7,700) from St Peter's Oadby relating to operations support services provided by the church. Sami Lindsey was a trustee of the charity and also provided interim leadership to the trustees of St Peter's Oadby during 2024. Jonathan Tearne was a trustee of the charity until 29/1/23 and also the chair of trustees for St Peter's Oadby (until November 2024).

During 2023, the church made a gift of £750 to David & Hannah Lewis, trustees of the charity in 2023, towards emergency travel costs. David & Hannah were not involved in discussions on this decision.

12 GOVERNMENT GRANTS

During the year no (2023: 0) Government Grants were received.

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report

Year ended 31 December 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

13 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS

notes
Restricted funds:
Hardship Fund
13a
13b
Compassion Fund
13c
Third Party
13d
Children's Work
13e
SAT DADS
13f
13g
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Church Planting (Designated)
13h
Mission Giving (Designated)
13i
Legacies (Designated)
13j
Utilities (Designated)
13k
13l
Total funds
13m
Buildings Development Fund		 Fund
balances
brought
forward at
1/1/2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Fund balances
carried
forward at
31/12/2024
£
£
£
£
£
731
375
(558)
-
548
£
8,012
-
(1,182)
-
6,830
£
810
5,313
(4,528)
-
1,595
£
-
4,521
(4,521)
-
-
£
1,340
-
(731)
-
609
£
1,050
-
(1,050)
-
-
£
11,943
10,209
(12,570)
-
9,582
£
24,178
239,820
(244,156)
18,498
38,340
£
14,498
-
-
(14,498)
-
£
360
-
(360)
-
£
210,000
-
-
-
210,000
£
7,500
-
-
(4,000)
3,500
£
256,536
239,820
(244,516)
-
251,840
£
268,479
250,029
(257,086)
-
261,422
£

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report

Year ended 31 December 2024

14 SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS (Prior Year)

notes
Restricted funds:
Hardship Fund
14a
14b
Compassion Fund
14c
Third Party
14d
Children's Work
14e
SAT DADS
14f
14g
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Church Planting (Designated)
14h
Mission Giving (Designated)
14i
Legacies (Designated)
14j
Utilities (Designated)
14k
14l
Total funds
14m
Buildings Development Fund		 Fund
balances
brought
forward at
1/1/2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
£
217
1,580
(1,065)
-
7,882
130
-
-
1,157
4,683
(5,031)
-
-
3,350
(3,350)
-
1,340
-
-
-
61
1,150
(161)
-		 Fund balances
carried
forward at
31/12/2023
£
731
£
8,012
£
810
£
-
£
1,340
£
1,050
£
10,657
10,893
(9,607)
-		 11,943
£
24,197
226,624
(221,057)
(5,586)
9,705
-
-
4,793
53
-
(4,486)
4,793
150,000
60,000
-
-
-
23,000
(11,500)
(4,000)
183,955
309,624
(237,043)
-
194,612
320,517
(246,650)
-		 24,178
£
14,498
£
360
£
210,000
£
7,500
£
256,536
£
268,479
£

St John The Baptist Church Leicester Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024

15 GRANTS
Giving to Missions, other organisations and individuals:
New Wine
Transforming Lives for Good
Open Doors
The Bridge Leicester
The Bridge East Midlands
SLCP
The Navigators - UK
South Leicester Foodbank
St John's School - Bibles
The Saffires Project
Holy Trinity Leicester (Intern Mission Trip)
Full Gospel Assemblies of Pakistan (via Stewardship)
Christian Aid
Total Grants		 2024
2023
£
£
500
1,179
1,909
-
1,909
-
1,909
-
150
10
10
-
1,180
-
1,180
206
287
-
-
-
150
-
500
220
20
6,813
4,506