2023-12-31-accounts

2023 Annual Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin Lymm

Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting 21 April 2024

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)

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Achievements and Performance

The church is at the heart of the community and provides civic services including Rushbearing Service, Lymm High Founders Day Service and Remembrance Sunday Service. The popular Christmas Tree Festival was a huge success with forty-nine trees on display, entertainment form local groups and schools, refreshments and a craft stall.

St Marys pastoral Team has been invited to provide services and pastoral support to a new care Home in Lymm, Statham Manor, the main contact being Derek Buckthorpe Lay Reader. The Pastoral Team continues to provide services and pastoral support to Brookfield, Cheshire Grange and Keate House Care Homes. Regular contact was maintained with the care home staff by Ian Bundey, Lay Reader.

St Mary’s links to children and young people continue including a Messy Church known as Create at St Mary’s. St Mary’s children’s choir (launched in October 2021) continues led by the Choir Director Susan Gadd and drawn from the wider community. The children’s choir sing at St Mary’s family services (attended by their families) and festivals (e.g. St Mary’s Community Christmas Tree Festival) 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. Experience Easter, an interactive way of telling the Easter story, was visited by over 300 Children from Cherry Tree; Ravenbank, Statham and Oughtrington primary schools came. Both Reverend Beverley and Reverend Jill are frequent visitors to the four secular local primary schools and the schools frequently visit St Mary’s church for various activities.

Rector Reverend Beverley Jameson is Chaplain to the Royal British Legion, Lymm and District and is the Bishops Advisor for Ecumenical Partnerships 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 Central Services Committee. In October 2023 she was made Rural Dean of Great Budworth

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 and developed the Church Hall Garden.

There are 104 parishioners on the 2023 revision of the electoral roll with two additions, 6 deaths, one person moved away and two no longer attend. The average weekly attendance in 2023 was 34 adults, 2 children, with more attending the Family Services (approximately 39 adults 10 children) and considerably more attending the occasional and festival services

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St Mary’s serves the community with a range of occasional offices including 7 Baptisms 2 Weddings and 12 funerals (5 in church, 5 at a crematorium, 2 graveside). There were also 9 burials of ashes in the church graveyard

Church Building and Church Hall

Church

All maintenance is up to date including PAT testing, Lightening, Clock mechanism etc. The leaks have been investigated and repairs are on-going. The church yard had had graves made safe by Warrington Borough Council. After going out to tender Military Cleaning now clean the church once every two weeks. After a six months’ probation they/ and the PCC were happy for them to continue. The Quintennial Inspection took place September 2023, but the subsequent report did not arrive until January 2024 and is incorrect in key areas.

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 has been ongoing since February 2020. Warrington Borough Council installed a footbridge in November 2023 to allow access to lower part of the churchyard and the war Memorial in time for the November 2023 Remembrance Service. The lower graveyard was cleared and a bridge was installed down to the lower graves and the monument There is no firm date for the wall repairs. A Warden is meeting with officials from Warrington Borough Council on a regular basis for repairs to commence in 2024.

Church Hall

A Team have worked throughout 2023 to ensure that the garden behind the hall is now useable. This has enabled workshops for local primary schools to be held there to great success. The hall now has a new gate, painted by a Warden based on designs by local primary school children from a competition organised by Curate Reverend Jill Elston. The hall roof has been mended for leaks, a new heating has been installed and general repairs undertaken.

Deanery Synod

Great Budworth Deanery Synod has met three times this year. In February at St. Matthew's Church where the then Archdeacon Ian Bishop talked about Eco Church. In July, the meeting was at St. Wilfrid's, Grappenhall where Deanery Synod considered a response to the motion about Living in Life and Faith. In September, Rev Jane became one of two clergy to become interim Archdeacons and Reverend Beverley became Rural Dean. She therefore chaired the meeting in October, again at St. Matthew's where Harriet Roberts took us through the Diocese of Chester's Vision going forward. At each meeting there is a finance report and a report from Diocesan Synod. Our present parish representatives are the Rector, Reverend Beverley Jameson, curate Reverend Jill Elston; and elected members are Ian

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Bundey, Jill Wasey and Michael Hall. Derek Buckthorpe is de facto member as a Diocesan synod member.

Ecumenical Relationships

Churches Together in Lymm and District (CTLD) continues to meet and work together within the Lymm and district with a focus on reaching out to encourage and nurture belonging and involvement within our community of Christian activity. A particular development has the been the activities of the Sanctuary Café and Sanctuary Hub providing linking possibilities for families, the lonely, those with memory loss, those who are caring for others and who need a helping hand. We continue to reach out into our local primary schools, support Messy Church, Open the Book, our local food bank, offer initiatives in support of the environment, prayer, learning, special Easter and Lent activities, participation in united services and local festivals and communication through websites and booklets. Special events in support of the King’s Coronation were also held as well as promoting attendance at a special free area event in Warrington

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 2023 the trustees held 8 business and specialized meetings in order to fulfil the management of the Charity. Average attendance throughout the year has been around 87% with one meeting held on Zoom and the rest in church. Detailed minutes and records have been maintained.

Safeguarding

The PCC. 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. Currently 22 DBS certificates are in place for the Church. Ian Bundey and Derek Buckthorne have had their DBS updated by the diocese as they are Lay Readers. The new member of the PCC has completed the DBS needed as has a volunteer. In November 2023 the Safe Guarding Officer in line with the Diocese’s requirements gave a talk on Safe guarding to all present at

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Communion. To discuss printing of the aide memoire on Safe Guarding that was handed out to all, this is to be reviewed by the PCC. The PCC and volunteers throughout 2023 were encouraged to complete basic safe guarding training which is on line. The certificate that acknowledges the completion of the training will be stored with the Safe Guarding Officer. So far 23 have completed training certificates with more following. The Rev Beverley Jameson and the Curate Jill Elston, have enhanced training certificates. The Safe Guarding Officer completed the Leadership Pathway Module, in May 2022, certificate issued June 2022. All parents for the children’s choir have filled in again the necessary paper work with regard to taking photographs/recording and social media. An advisory letter to the parents of children in the choir has also been sent to all helpers and parents from the Safe Guarding Officer. All volunteers have completed either a DBS or the appropriate certification or both. The Safeguarding Officer will be reviewing certification and who will be needed to do their DBS again in 2024.On the orders of the diocese a dedicated email with pass word has been set up.

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 2023 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 2023

• Finance Team (David Young, Treasurer, David Critchley, Liz France, Michael Hall)

• Grants Team (Lewis Denton, Mike Hall, Tim Morris)

• Pastoral Care Team (Reverend Beverley Jameson, Reverend Jill Elston, Derek Buckthorpe, Pauline Buckthorpe, Ian Bundey)

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• Building Fund Group (Tim Morris, Simon Fathers, Derek Buckthorpe, George Bainton, Lewis Denton)

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

Deanery Synod Elected Members (Ex-officio PCC members)

Ian Bundey, Jill Wasey and Michael Hall

Diocesan Synod Representatives

Derek Buckthorpe

Rector - Reverend Beverley Jameson

PCC Members

Rector - Reverend Beverley Jameson Curate - Reverend Jill Elston Wardens – Kath Buckley and George Bainton Licensed Lay Readers – Derek Buckthorpe, Ian Bundey

PCC Elected Members at Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting 2023

Susan Brooks, Peter Clark, Lewis Denton, Vanessa Lees, Tim Morris Jonathan Wide David Young (Treasurer) Malcolm Young

PCC Co-Opted Members

Simon Fathers, Liz France

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Financial Review David Young, Treasurer

Income

Our income stream is down year on year by some £20k , in the financial year 2022 we transferred £17k from an old legacy account. .Church hall receipts continue to be strong and there has been a tremendous effort in collecting tax refunds from all the kind payments and donations. Weddings and funeral receipts saw a downturn after having an upside in 2022 from the post Covid wedding services

Expenses

To compensate for the downturn in year on year income , expenditure decreased but not at the same rate. 2022 saw necessary outlay on maintaining the church hall , which has proved sound investment with increased demand for church hall rental.

Overall

We have been able to post a positive return , but there are underlying pressures and we heavily reliant upon the continued demand for the church hall

Budget 2024

Income streams we have allowed for a small upturn , but this will be totally absorbed by sharp increases in utility bills . We will have clerical support for the bulk of the year , plus there are plans for further refurbishment and enhancement of both the church and church hall

Thank You

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

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Independent Examiner Report , Christopher Callaway

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2023 Accounts, David Young, Treasurer

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MENT ASSET AND LIA TIES 1ST DEC MBER 20 2023 CASH FUNDS Tric UND 70.766 23.035 BankAwwt Bardays BankA¢t￿mI Uoydg Weddings and Funer8A Account 63,114 21,279 93.801 Tot•1 UDreth¢ied Fund$ 84.393 OESIGNATED FUNDS SI fvlary's Rea(1￿￿ Funds ley Evans RESTrICTED FUNDS 8,235 25,000 Indley Evans David Mars Rectors Trust Eth¢a￿On Twgi Sl Mary's ReothDE Fund8 st Msry's Reoderiry Fwd& 9,205 3,353 14.241 80.000 131.575 740 3.321 10,481 80,WO 103.747 225,376 TOTAL 188.140 Tax Rec<y¥•r8ble re is apW0￿m*elY £14,300 of Incomo tAX du6 for 2023. Assets Retaiwdd Lymm PC¢ owm the churth h811. bolh the ￿n0 and the building& There are no $1ynthGgnt Iiabllilles End0yrn￿￿0￿P0srt Wg hav8 two8ndow￿n1 depD&it a¢¢ountswhich 10181 £8,000 16