## **2022 Annual Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin Lymm** ## **Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting 30 April 2023** ## **Aim and Purposes** St Mary the Virgin Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent Rector Reverend Beverley Jameson in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral evangelistic social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of the church of St Mary the Virgin, Church Road Lymm and the Church Hall off Crouchley Lane Lymm. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and become part of our parish community. ## **Mission Statement** St. Mary’s is a worshipping community which seeks to nurture people in faith and serve the needs of the wider community through practical engagement. ## **Aims** 1. To share the good news of Jesus Christ to people of all ages and backgrounds 2. To nurture and grow disciples in Jesus Christ 3. To be a Christian presence at the heart of the community in Lymm 4. To provide a resource for the community ## **Objectives** - _a)_ Attract and retain families and young people to grow the church and be a more broadly based church family _(supporting Aim 1)_ - _b)_ Diversify worship to have some informal services whilst retaining more formal worship _(supporting Aim 1)_ - _c)_ Provide an open, welcoming experience especially to those new to St Mary’s _(supporting Aim 1)_ - d) Provide regular discipleship and bible study opportunities to explore faith _(supporting Aim 2)_ - _e)_ Provide Co-ordinated Pastoral Care within church family and within the wider community _(supporting Aim 2&3)_ - _f)_ Sustain links to schools and increase links to schools and young people _(supporting Aim 3)_ - _g)_ Sustain and develop projects and events networking within the church and the wider community _(supporting Aim 3 & 4)_ - h) Maximise the use of the church building and the Church Hall _(supporting Aim 4)_ ## **Achievements and Performance** Post COVID implications continue to effect church finances. St Mary’s continue to use technology for online worship (e.g. weekly Morning Prayer via zoom has been led by Derek 1 Buckthorpe, Lay Reader, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and for the Lent Course and Living in Love and Faith Course. This gives the opportunity for members of the congregation still not attending church due to anxiety over COVID to still access services and the life of the church. However some members of the congregation enjoy the online services as well as attending church. The Pastoral Care Team continued to meet in person and via zoom and supported our congregation by telephone calls and visits where appropriate. St Marys was slowly allowed into three care homes in Lymm (Brookfield, Cheshire Grange and Keate House) to take the usual regular services but still subject to COVID restrictions and occasional lock downs. Regular contact was maintained with the care home staff by Ian Bundey, Lay Reader. St Mary’s links to children and young people continue to grow. A Messy Church known as Crafts Snacks Church was renamed and re-launched as Create at St Mary’s led by curate Reverend Jill Elston and is steadily growing. St Mary’s children’s choir (launched in October 2021) continues to grow led by the Choir Director Susan Gadd and drawn from the wider community. The children’s choir sing at St Mary’s monthly family services (attended by their families) and festivals (e.g. St Mary’s Community Christmas Tree Festival, Christingle Service) Visits to the church by School children as part of religious education continue to be very popular with Ravenbank, Cherry Tree and Statham, Primary Schools. The Rector is a Trustee of Lymm High School and a Trustee and Chair of Trustees of the Beam Multi Academy Trust involving Ravenbank, Oughtrington, Statham Primary schools and Thelwall Infants School. All of which are secular schools (not church schools) Reverend Jill Elston is a governor of Statham Primary School 2022 saw the joy of celebrating Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee with the Rector involved in civic celebrations in Lymm and a Queens Platinum Jubilee Choral Celebration Service held at St Mary’s on Sunday 5 June 2022. Sadly this was followed by the death of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the Civic Church of Lymm, St Mary’s was involved in formal civic arrangements and a Civic Commemoration Service Marking the Death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took place at St Mary’s Church and was also live streamed via YouTube. Rector Reverend Beverley Jameson is Chaplain to the Royal British Legion, Lymm and District and Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Chester. Reverend Beverley Jameson is also a member of Diocesan Synod and Committee for Ministry and co-opted in to the Diocesan Finance and Scrutiny Committee. Reverend Jill Elston led the team to enable St Mary’s becoming an Eco Church. This involved working with many of the primary schools, particularly in re-creating St Mary’s Church Hall garden and other Eco Groups in Lymm. These efforts throughout 2022 led to St Mary’s achieving a bronze ECO award in January 2023. Reverend Jill also led St Mary’s Big Green Week event involving other Eco organisations and based at the Church Hall which proved highly successful. There are 111 parishioners on the 2022 revision of the electoral roll with three additions and sadly deaths in parish. Attendance in 2022 was still affected by COVID with some members of the congregation taking some time to return in person after COVID. The average weekly attendance was 34 adults, 2 children, with more attending the Family Services 2 (approximately 39 adults 10 children) and considerably more attending the occasional and festival services St Mary’s serves the community with a range of occasional offices which were also affected by post COVID19 issues including 12 Baptisms 7 Weddings and 14 funerals (8 in church, 6 at a crematorium). There were also 12 burials of ashes in the church graveyard ## **Church Building and Church Hall** ## **Church** The churchyard was legally closed in October 2006 and responsibility for the maintenance of the churchyard including walls and fences lies with Warrington Borough Council. The collapsed wall which has been ongoing since February 2020 will finally be resolved this spring. The faculty has been completed and Warrington Borough Council has sourced another contractor. The roof has been leaking and causing damp issues for some time. Further to our ongoing leaking church and church hall roofs, Goldsmiths have inspected both buildings and have quoted to carry out much needed repair work. Wardens are also looking to carry out a survey of the lighting in church and begin to replace spent bulbs with energy efficient ones. Other lesser spends are replacing the broken fridge in church and a vacuum cleaner for the hall. Improved audio-visual apparatus and funding for said apparatus is still an ongoing issue. This work has been led by the Grants Team. A card machine has been purchased and has been used for events at both the Church and Hall. ## **Church Hall** The heating has been resolved in the Hall and all are pleased with the results. The flooring has been repaired and a new fridge freezer was purchased which facilitated the Church teas. Wardens and PCC members have recently had a meeting with Lymm Community Energy to see how they can possibly improve insulation, etc. and what grants could be available to the Church and Church Hall. A new vacuum cleaner has been purchased for the Church Hall As mentioned above as per the Church, the roof and gutters also need serious attention. Although much has been done to improve the amenity of Church Hall in recent times, its overall condition still remains a concern. Three Church Teas were held to raise funds for improvements. ## **Deanery Synod** Great Budworth Deanery Synod has met three times this year. In February, it met at Walton to discuss how parishes were recovering from the Covid pandemic and shared ideas of children's ministry and mission. In July the meeting at Grappenhall welcomed Neil Hudson speaking about mission and evangelism. This meeting was open for parishes to send extra representatives. In October there was another open meeting to discuss Vision Cafe. Harriet Roberts, Director of Vision and Strategy explained the concept of consulting on the vision for Chester Diocese and discussion followed. At each meeting there is a finance report; a report from Diocesan Synod and a Rural Dean's report. St Mary’s Parish representatives are the Rector; Revd Beverley Jameson, Curate; Revd Jill Elston and the elected members are Ian Bundey, Jill Wasey, and Tim Morris. Derek Buckthorpe is a de facto member as he is a Diocesan Synod representative. 3 ## **Ecumenical Relationships** Churches Together in Lymm and District (CTLD) continues to work collectively and effectively within the Lymm and district Community with a calendar of joint events organised between the Churches. The Chair for the year was from the United Reformed Church and meetings and events were well received and supported by the Churches and the community. School Assemblies, Open the Book, Messy Church, initiatives in support of the environment continue to reach out to the local primary School children and the co-operation over the Christmas and Easter periods has been effective and again well received. The offering of Warm Space, support of food banks, prayer, united services, communications through booklets and websites and other social media continue to be supported by individual and joint Church involvements. Special events such as a Songs of Praise in support of the Queen’s Jubilee were also held. ## **Structure Government and Management** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Mary’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (Rector), curate, church wardens, readers and those elected by members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. 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 importance to the parish deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. Throughout 2022 the trustees held 7 business and specialized meetings in order to fulfil the management of the Charity. Average attendance throughout the year has been around 80% with the some of meetings held on Zoom and latterly in person. Detailed minutes and records have been maintained. ## **Safeguarding** St Mary’s Lymm takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. All authorized clergy, Safeguarding Officer, licensed readers and lay workers, church wardens and PCCs have ‘due regard’ to safeguarding guidance issued by the House of Bishops (including both policy and practice guidance). St Mary’s Safeguarding Officer for 2022 is Kath Buckley The P.C.C. continues to adopt and implement the Safe Guarding guide lines of the Church of England and the diocese of Chester. All details of the above can be found on the diocesan website – Safe guarding and Vulnerability policy and procedures: Safe in our Care. The Safe Guarding Officer’s number is on display along with Warrington Borough council Children’s and Adult Services are displayed in the Church and at the Church Hall. St Mary’s Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Adults in the Church was adopted by St. Mary’s Lymm at a PCC meeting held on Monday 5th March 2018 This Policy is reviewed and approved each year to monitor the progress which has been made and was reviewed and approved at PCC Meeting 6 March 2023. The annual Parish Safeguarding Audit has been completed and was also presented to the PCC 6 March 2022. All documentation regarding Church Hall users is in line with the safeguarding policy and is up to date. DBS checks are undertaken and updated regularly, Safeguarding training is compulsory where required. St Mary’s safeguarding Officers contact details , along with those of ‘Childline’, Family Lives’, and Warrington Children’s and Adult Services are displayed in both the church and church hall. 4 Currently the PCC and volunteers (working with children and vulnerable adults) are required to complete basic safe guarding training and DBS checks if required. The certificate that acknowledges the completion of the training will be stored with the Safe Guarding Officer. So far 20 have completed training certificates with more following. The Safe Guarding Officer worked closely with the Choir Leader to ensure that all Safe guarding matters are adhered to with regard to promoting and celebrating the Children’s Choir ## **GDPR** The PCC of St Mary’s Lymm complies with its obligations under data protection and GDPR by keeping personal data up to date; by storing and destroying it securely; by not collecting or retaining excessive amounts of data; by protecting personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorised access and disclosure and by ensuring that appropriate technical measures are in place to protect personal data. ## **Volunteers** We would like to thank all those who gave their time in 2022 for the parish including the wardens Kath Buckley and George Bainton, Lay Reader Ian Bundey PCC Secretary and Lay Reader Derek Buckthorpe, GDPR lead & Data Controller Carol Roberts, Organist and Musical Director Susan Gadd, The Choir, Safeguarding Officer Kath Buckley, Mothers Union, Liz France and the team of bell ringers, Kath Hough for supporting the Church Hall and all those who work tirelessly for the church. We would also like to thank our Rector Reverend Beverley Jameson, for all her hard work, care for our church community and her work in the wider community in Lymm. Special thanks to those who volunteered to be part of our various teams in 2022 - Finance Team (David Young, David Critchley, Liz France, Mike Hall) - Grants Team (Lewis Denton, Mike Hall, Tim Morris) - Pastoral Care Team (Susan Brook, Derek Buckthorpe, Pauline Buckthorpe, Ian Bundey, Linda Denton, Chris Scott) ## **Administrative Information** St Mary the Virgin Lymm is situated on Church Road, Lymm, WA13 0QS. It is part of the Diocese of Chester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Rectory, 46 Rectory Lane, Lymm WA13 0AL. St Mary’s Church Hall is situated off Crouchley Lane Lymm WA13 0AS. The PCC is the body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2011) and a charity registered with the Charity Commission Charity Registration number 1179339 ## **Officers** St Mary’s Safeguarding Officer – Kath Buckley GDPR Officer & Data Controller- Carol Roberts Electoral Roll Officer – Vanessa Lees PCC Secretary – Derek Buckthorpe 5 ## **PCC Members** Rector - Reverend Beverley Jameson Curate - Reverend Jill Elston Wardens – Kath Buckley and George Bainton Treasurer – David Young Readers –Derek Buckthorpe, Ian Bundey ## **Deanery Synod Elected Members** Ian Bundey, Jill Wasey and Tim Morris ## **PCC Elected Members at Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting 2022** Susan Brooks, Peter Clark, Simon Fathers, Liz France, Mike Hall, Vanessa Lees, Lesley Whitefield, David Young (Treasurer) ## **PCC Co-Opted Members** Lewis Denton, Jonathan Wide 6 ## **Financial Review** ## **Income** 2022 did see some return to normality , which resulted in the increased usage of the church hall and an uptake in the church being used for funerals and weddings. With this increased activity and the transfer of £17k from an old deposit account gave an increase year on year, on our Revenue stream of some £30k.However there is concern that some or more regular giving plans are seeing a decrease. Plus as can be seen the increase in our Income has been offset by increase in expenditure. We are grateful for the energy rebate of £900 from the Diocese. ## **Expenses** The church like all households have been subject to inflationary supply pressures and the upsurge in energy prices. We have also undertaken much necessary repair and maintenance work within our church hall . This repair work though is well merited,in that it will enable continued Revenue streams from the church hall in the future. Our ministry support costs increased with the much valued addition of our curate. ## **Overall** Our increase in the Revenue stream was offset by increases in expenditure year on year , we were still able to post a positive contribution in the year. We will continue to proceed with caution as we have a high maintenance church and a church hall that could require further improvement. All expenditure will continue to be closely monitored. David Critchley will continue help with the transfer of the remaining deposit accounts into our general account. ## **Budget 2023** Income streams will decrease , I don't anticipate expenditure will decrease to the same extent which result in a deterioration of our cash balances in the year. ## **Thanks** I am grateful to a number of people for their support - David and Sylvia's continued dedication is beyond admiration. - Mike Hall for his endeavours with utilities and all round support. - Lewis and Tim doing great work in the background on Grant applications - Liz for chasing in the tax rebate A special thank you to all at St Marys and the kindness of the general public. David Young St Mary’s PCC Treasurer 7 Independenl Examiner Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of St Mary the Virgin, Lymm For the year ended 310ecember 2022 Respectlve responsibilities ol the Truslees and Independent Examiner As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audil is not required for this year under section 144121 ol the Charilies Acl 2011 (the 2011 Atll and Ihal an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section145 of the 2011 Act. lo follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners S￿l0n 145(51(bl of the 2011 Act: and state whether particular matters have comè to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review ol the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison ol the accounts presented with those records. It also includes nsideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounls, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The proTrdures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audil opinion on the accounts. Independent Examiner's Slalement In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention 1.which give m8 reasonabEe cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements- lo keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Acl,'- lo prepafe accounls wilh accord with these accounting records have not been met., 2.10 which, in my opinion, attention shoukl be drawn in order to enable a prcy8r understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Christopher Callaway Msc 181 Pensby Road. Heswall, Wirral, CH616UB Date 0410312023 Accounts LI'MII PARISFI C.H('RCH RECF.IPTS ADID PAI'.ME.ThTS AIC TO December 22 2021 AC'I'L'AL 2022 94,988 I'OTAL REcr.iYtS BID 125.5n8 AND SE Organ. osgwiist and Choir Insurance 2.549 5,028 2,745 1.631 1,021 106 1,614 438 5.065 4.890 5.279 3.932 777 3,43 340 2.665 1.675 1,000 23,989 Water El¢ctriLjt>' Repairs alld Muii)tcnancc Rep21rs to tlie DoileT Priiiting Stationcri. and Offtce Expenses 16,197 4,928 CTORS kXPENSk ' AND REC'I"OIIY AND CI,ERI 4.551 46.40Q MINI% FRY SUPPORT COS'I'S 54.882 "HLJRCII HAI.L 986 214 906 1,257 1,9%0 417 80 180 213 36 Il'ater F.lectricity Insurai)cc Hall Clcaning Refiisc Collwtion Gcneijl Repairs and hlaintentui¢e CJ4TdeniJig Musi¢ l.icence Otli¢r 1,769 473 1.648 1.320 1,525 907 8,468 400 224 60 6,239 16,794 2.811 WF.DDING AN[) FUNERAL PAYMENTS 3.966 OTHFR IJA YME.NT8 Other Co%is 2,453 2,453 3,898 3.898 108.080 1 $ 960 Exccs% of Pajments oTrer Reveipts 17,428 io LYIThI PARISH CHiniCH RECEIV15 AND PAYIIEhTS AIC 12 MOliTHS TO Decemb¢r21ll2 15, Exress of ￿tr Receipts 17,4?8 TTallsfttfrom Rectors FuTrl 15,960 ExCe￿of Receipts o¥erPa)Thents Is,w) Bank BaLa￿ 31stDtterteTWd1 k Ba*e 31st Decerta 2022 65,￿1 82,321 16.760 T&¥&1[￿ refu￿4 ¢5tinwte InArnc¢ church InsvThnLY chur¢h hall ken in ?021 accts late cheq taken in 2021 x¢ts I￿tch¢qUe 105,480 Jill 105,481 Able Seeurity oss c￿￿k balallce 143 525 (1431 17.428 li rA Illlé 55£ 12 *4 13 4 0 i$l,,Iiiii ai pl VJ 1151sIIi 14 rrt 16 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UA81LmES AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2022 2021 CASH FUNDS 2022 UNRESTRICT DFUNDS 47,011 18,550 Bank Aco)unt Barday5 Bank Account Lloyds Weddings and Funeral Account 63,114 21279 65,￿1 Total Unfestri¢Aed Funds 84,3¥8 DESIGNATED FUNDS Sl Ma￿$ Reodering Fund5 Hindley Evans RESTRicfED FUNDS 8,79) Hindley Eyans Rectors Trust Education Trust Si Marls Reodering Funds Sl Marf$ Reodering Funds 9,205 740 3.321 10,481 80,IXX) 3,266 9,209 80,(KJO 101,265 103,747 166,826 TOTAL 188.140 Tax RecoY8rable There is apyoxim*ety £14.KKI of lThxme tax due for 2022. Assets Retsined Lym PCC ¢Y￿rI￿e thurth hall. b)Ih the land and the buildings There are no 5ignth(2nl liabilities We have endowment dewst d￿ntsWhith totsl £6,CM EndrrMnentsiDeposit 17