## The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury
Report and Accounts Year ended 31st December 2025
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **CHARITY INFORMATION**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Members of the Parochial Church Council**|**Incumbent**|Revd Serena Tajima|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Curate**|Revd Sarah Cotterill|||
||**Churchwardens**|Mr Stephen Birch|||
|||Mrs Caroline Owens|||
|**Diocesan Synod Representatives**||Revd Serena Tajima|||
|**Deanery Synod Representatives**||Mrs Caroline Owens|||
|||Revd Serena Tajima|||
||**Elected**|Mrs Lesley Burge|||
|||Mr Phil Burge||_PCC Treasurer_|
|||Mrs Helen Fuller||_PCC Secretary_|
|||Mrs Heather Clews|||
|||Mr John Punter|||
|||Mrs Hazel Punter|||
|||Mrs Denise Dunlop|||
|||Ms Sarah Bayliss (from 20 June 2025)|||
|||Ms Mary Parker (from|20 May 2025)||
|**Other role holders**||Mrs Lesley Burge||_Parish Safeguarding Officer_|
|||Mrs Lesley Burge||_DBS Administrator and Manager_|
|||Ms Mary Parker||_Health & Safety Officer_|
|||Dr Brendan O'Farrell||_Fire Safety Officer_|
|||Mr Dylan McCaig||_Musical Director_|
|||Mr Barry Davies||_Bell Tower Captain_|
|||Mrs Kate Hirons||_Parish Administrator_|
|**Charity Registration Number**|1179456||||
|**Principal Address**|St Marys Church||||
||Horse Fair||||
||Banbury||||
|**Independent Examiner**|Sarah Crispin ACA||||
||Stewardship||||
||1 Lamb's Passage||||
||London||||
||EC1Y 8AB||||
|**Bankers**|The Co-operative Bank||||
||Skelmersdale||||
||Virgin Bank||||
||Northampton||||
|**Appointed Architect**|||||
||Mr Nick Cox||||
||Nick Cox Architects||||
||77 Heyford Park||||
||Upper Heyford||||
||OX25 5HD||||
|**Contents**|||**Page**||
|Charity Information|||1||
|Annual Report of the Members of the Parochial|Church Council||2-7||
|Independent Examiner's Report|||8||
|Statement of Financial Activities|||9||
|Balance Sheet|||10||
|Notes to the Accounts|||11-19||
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives|||20||
Page 1
## **THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY’S CHURCH, BANBURY**
## **REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1179456**
## **ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2025**
The Members (who are the Trustees) present their report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.
## **Incumbent’s overview**
This year we have continued to see our regular congregation grow and change, especially welcoming new families. This has provided a welcome challenge in regards how best to support the younger members of our congregation. We have introduced a new All Age worship service called Embracing Church and are exploring what more we can do to support our younger members as a community.
As well as our weekly Sunday Parish services (including once monthly BCP Communion service) we continue to provide a mid-week Eucharist on the first three Thursdays of the month supported by a retired member of clergy, Rev. Alison Richardson. Home communions are being provided in care homes across St Mary’s Parish through lay and ordained members of St Mary’s. Although we are seeing signs of growth within our regular congregations, this has again not been replicated in regard to growth in our funds and we are planning on doing more work in sharing with the congregation the value of providing towards our Parish Share through our Parish Giving scheme.
We have created a quarterly magazine to keep members of the community up to date with what is happening and hope this may inspire new members to get more involved. The Arts team have continued to work hard to take care of a number of events throughout the year and are thinking of ways to expand our reach to other groups who might like to use us as a venue.
During the year we employed a professional fundraiser to give us some guidance on grants that could be available to us. We have applied for a variety of grants with some success. However, maintenance and issues with water ingress have impacted significantly on our finances. We are looking at applying for a large amount of funding from Heritage Lottery to help us with the significant need we have to update a number of areas of our building which are in need of updating and repair.
## **Aims and purposes**
St Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, in promoting the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social
Page 2
and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin. Horse Fair, Banbury and the adjacent Church Centre.
Our mission, purpose and vision can be summarised as:
Worshipping God
Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ
Welcoming all who come
Celebrating our rich Christian and cultural heritage and handing it on
Contributing to the flourishing of our town and region so that all might have life in all its fullness
## **Our vision is to see lives and communities transformed by God’s love.**
This vision can be achieved by:
Worship and spirituality
Hospitality and care
Learning, nurture and formation
Outreach and engagement
Heritage and building development
Resources and stewardship
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _Parochial Church Council_
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 as amended by the Measure of 1969, and the Church Representation Rules 2021. The PCC is registered with the Charity Commission, number 1179456. The members named below have, except where indicated, served throughout the year.
All clergy and lay ministers licensed to the parish are members, as are, _ex officio,_ the churchwardens and diocesan and deanery synod members on the parish electoral roll. The remaining members are either elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting or are co-opted. This is in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC normally meets not less than four times a year, chaired by the Vicar, or in the case of a vacancy, by the Vice Chair. The Standing Committee of the PCC meets regularly to plan agendas, deal with other urgent issues and for strategic development.
Page 3
## **Safeguarding**
With regard to the PCC’s obligations to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, the members of the PCC confirm they have complied with their duties under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016.
## **Objectives and activities**
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at St Mary’s, which is an Inclusive Church, recognising that we also have a role as the civic church for Banbury. The Members have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Church should undertake.
The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how services can involve many diverse groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
In particular, we try to enable ordinary people 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, members of the congregation or those who are in some way part of our parish community.
Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church and the Church Centre and explore new ways of using these resources.
The church Electoral Roll at the end of the year was 51.
## **Activities during the year:**
Work to deliver our vision.
Address the funding issue by reducing our outgoings where possible, by continuing to promote the Parish Giving Scheme and by seeking new ways of generating income in order to sustain our ministry.
We held our Spring and Christmas craft fairs as usual, together with a book fair, various concerts and workshops.
_Further details of the activities of the church can be found in the Churchwarden’s report which is available on request._
Page 4
## **Quinquennial Inspection**
This was carried out on 5[th] February 2021 and we received the final report in July 2022. Several recommendations for immediate attention to the exterior and interior of the building were submitted. But, due to current financial constraints we are unable to proceed with these until suitable funding has been secured.
## **Financial Review**
The accounts are consolidated across the areas of the PCC, Arts@BSM and Bell Ringers.
Regarding Mission Giving it was decided that donations from the Christmas services would be given to three charities. From Carols by Candlelight £437.50 was donated to the Amos Trust (www.amostrust.uk); a small, creative human rights organisation committed to social justice, gender equality, climate justice and Palestinian rights. From the Crib Service £200.00 was donated to Standing the Gap (www.standingthegap.uk); an early intervention mental health charity, helping pre-school and primary school children manage big emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger and grief. The Midnight Mass (9pm) service raised £214.88 and this was donated to the Diocese of Oxford's Jamaica and Caymen Islands Appeal Fund (www.oxford.anglican.org/campaigns/jamaica-and-thecayman-islands-appeal). In October 2024 Jamaica was hit by Hurricane Melissa, which affected thousands of people. Four churches were destroyed and a number of other churches and schools suffered significant damage.
During the year we received three grants. In February we received £2,000 from Cherwell District Council to provide kitchen equipment, food and activities for refugees and asylum seekers. In November we received £2,800 from Warner Bequest, a Diocese of Oxford Fund, towards essential repairs. Finally, also in November we received £10,000 from RWK Goodman towards the restoration and conservation of St Mary’s Church.
Throughout the year St Mary’s was the venue for seven weddings and 12 funerals, generating an income of £3,371, a 20% increase on the previous year.
Centre Lettings had an extremely good year generating an income of £11,631, a 60% increase on the previous year (2024: £7,201, 2023: £4,076). This was primarily due to one organisation using the facility for four days every week.
Regarding the Arts Events at St Mary’s we had another very successful year, generating an income of £22,530 a 56% increase on the previous year (2024: £14,400, 2023: £18,066). Once again, we must give special thanks to the small band of Arts Committee volunteers without whose support these events would not be able to take place. Events included 28 (2024: 21) major concerts, a series of school concerts, art and photographic exhibitions, creative workshops supported by a local school, a Book Fair, the Banbury Early Music Festival and our regular Christmas Tree Festival.
We also continued with our well supported Craft Fairs held in May and November, with each one attracting around 25-30 stalls. Overall, these generated an income of £4,272, which was slightly down on the previous year (2024: £4,580, 2023: £4,748).
However, this was the sixth consecutive year the Parish Share has not been paid in full, with just £15,000 (35%) of the allotted contribution being made. This is down on recent years where we’ve generally managed to contribute around 50 to 60%. Ultimately, we're a congregation of around 60 individuals struggling with the running costs of a Grade I cathedral-sized parish church.
Page 5
Looking at 2025 overall, we generated an income of £122,452, with an expenditure of £125,181. We were unable to contribute more towards our Parish Share because around £20,000 of income was linked to specific restricted funds and we currently have very low reserves within our unrestricted funds.
The PCC continued to encourage the congregation to consider giving under the Parish Giving Scheme and for taxpayers amongst the congregation to consider making their financial donation to the Church under gift aid. These are important and vital ways to help ensure the financial future of St Mary’s Church.
## **Key Financial Policies**
## **Reserves Policy**
The Reserves Policy is reviewed periodically. This is geared to our budgeted expenditure, and we aim to hold the equivalent of 6-8 months of unrestricted expenditure in reserve. This equates to approximately £72,000 to £96,000 of unrestricted reserves. At year-end the charity held £25,178 in unrestricted reserves, meaning that we are not currently meeting our reserves policy. Discussions with the deanery are currently underway regarding our poor financial position.
## **Investment Policy**
Our overall policy position is not to tie up too much money in long-term investments, and our guiding principles are not to invest directly in stocks and shares and to limit the amounts held in long-term deposit investment accounts using investment in CBF funds for long-term growth. This position has been maintained.
## **Mission Policy**
The policy is to budget 5% of pledge, plus Parish Giving Scheme, plate and associated gift aid for the work of the Mission. This is split between international, national and local charities according to an agreed formula. Unfortunately, due to financial pressures we were only able to donate around 1.5% of pledge to three charities during the year.
In addition to the planned giving for mission, we may also respond to emergency situations either by a specific collection or a fundraising event.
## **Legacy Policy**
The policy is to use legacies to help fund significant development projects in the parish, whether buildings, equipment, or people. Members encouraged to leave gifts in their wills for the general purposes of the parish rather than for specific applications.
## **Giving Policy**
The policy is to encourage planned giving either through the Parish Giving Scheme, Bank Standing Order, by using the Contactless Payment system or by participation in an envelope scheme. For all giving we encourage gift-aiding if appropriate. Similarly, Contactless giving and gift-aid envelopes for one-off donations can be used. The Parish Giving Scheme helps cash flow and acts to inflation proof any giving via Direct Debit.
Page 6
In line with Diocesan guidelines a figure of 5% of disposable income is suggested as appropriate giving.
The PCC recognise that generous financial giving is set alongside time and talent, and so is freely given.
## **Statement of Responsibilities of the Members of the Parochial Church Council**
The PCC is responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the PCC to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the PCC are required to:
1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
2. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
3. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
4. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
5. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation
The PCC is 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 the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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.
## **Approval**
The Trustee’s report was approved by the PCC and signed on their behalf by:
## S Tajima
S Tajima (Apr 1, 2026 16:22:45 GMT+1) Revd Serena Tajima
Apr 1, 2026 Dated……………………………………………
Page 7
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF**
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury ('the Charity')**
I report to the members of the PCC (who are also the charity's trustees) on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 on pages 9 to 20 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 11 and 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As members 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 Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts 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.
## Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Apr 9, 2026 09:49:03 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Apr 9, 2026
Page 8
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
6
Raising funds
7
**Total expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
13
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
13|Unrestricted
Funds
£
63,118
39,721
140
102,979
112,906
1,092
113,998
-
(11,019)
4,225
(6,794)
31,972
25,178|Restricted
Funds
£
14,397
3,832
1,244
19,473
11,183
-
11,183
(812)
7,478
(4,225)
3,253
57,765
61,018|Total
Funds
2025
£
77,515
43,553
1,384
122,452
124,089
1,092
125,181
(812)
(3,541)
-
(3,541)
89,737
86,196|Total
Funds
2024
£
102,361
32,280
589|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||135,230|
|||||136,760
3,630|
|||||140,390|
|||||454|
|||||(4,706)
-|
|||||(4,706)
94,443|
|||||89,737|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The notes on pages 11-19 form part of these accounts.
Page 9
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Investments
9
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
11
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
12
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUND BALANCES**
13
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds|Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
6,097
38,423
44,520
(19,342)
25,178
25,178
25,178
3,919
21,259
25,178
-
25,178|Restricted
Funds
£
19,488
19,488
-
41,530
41,530
-
41,530
61,018
61,018
-
-
-
61,018
61,018|Total
Funds
2025
£
19,488
19,488
6,097
79,953
86,050
(19,342)
66,708
86,196
86,196
3,919
21,259
25,178
61,018
86,196|Total
Funds
2024
£
20,300|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||20,300|
|||||4,781
76,564|
|||||81,346
(11,909)|
|||||69,437|
||||||
|||||89,737|
|||||89,737|
|||||5,756
26,215|
|||||31,972
57,765|
|||||89,737|
The financial statements were approved by the members of the PCC and were signed on its behalf by:
S Tajima ---------------------------------------S Tajima (Apr 1, 2026 16:22:45 GMT+1) Revd Serena Tajima Apr 1, 2026 Date: __________
Charity number: 1179456
The notes on pages 11-19 form part of these accounts.
Page 10
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **1 Statutory Information**
The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury is a charity registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales. The charity's registered number and principal address can be found on the Charity Information page.
## **2 Accounting Policies**
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention. The financial statements include all activities for which the PCC is legally responsible; the activities of informal gatherings of church members and groups that owe their main affiliation to another body and are excluded.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with The Church Accounting Regulations 2006, the 'Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)' ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102") and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (the '2008 Regulations') requires charities to prepare their accounts in accordance with 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005' but this accounting standard has since been withdrawn and has been replaced by the Charities SORP mentioned in the preceding paragraph. The charity has prepared these financial statements in accordance with the new Charities SORP; this departure from the 2008 Regulations is believed to be necessary for these financial statements to give a 'true and fair view'.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
## a) Going concern
The PCC have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The PCC have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the PCC have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The PCC have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements. In making this assessment the trustees have considered how Covid-19 might affect projections.
## b) Income
Income (which includes planned giving, collections and other donations) is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part income is generally recognised when it is received by, or on behalf of, the PCC. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.
Income from charitable activities represents income receivable from goods, services and facilities supplied in furtherance of the charity's charitable objects. It includes income from the Arts@BSM initiative and letting of the buildings.
Investment income represents income generated by the charity's assets and includes income from investements
## c) Expenditure
Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Contributions in respect of the diocesan parish share are included in the Statement of Financial Activities for all amounts agreed to being payable for the financial year. Any contributions that have not been paid over by the year end are included as a creditor.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
Expenditure on raising funds comprises the costs incurred on running fundraising events.
Page 11
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **2 Accounting Policies (cont.)**
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
d) Fund accounting General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the PCC in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the PCC for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
e) Tangible fixed assets Consecrated and beneficed property is not included in these financial statements by virtue of s.10(2) of the Charities Act 2011. All expenditure on consecrated or beneficed buildings is written off in the year in which it is incurred.
Movable church furnishings held by the incumbent and Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are capitalised in accordance with the policy set out below. These items are regarded as inalienable property and are listed in the church's inventory which can be inspected at any reasonable time. Inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 has not been capitalised as there is insufficient cost information available.
Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £1,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
Equipment Over 3 to 7 years The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
## f) Investments
Fixed asset investments are held to generate income and / or for their investment potential. Current asset investments are investments that are held specifically for sale or are investments that the charity expects to sell by the next balance sheet date. Investments, other than social investments (see below), are valued as follows:
i) Investment property and listed investments are valued at their market value (fair value) at the balance sheet date. ii) Unlisted investments are measured at cost less impairment where it becomes apparent that the amount that could be realised is less than cost.
g) Pension scheme arrangements The charity also contributes to the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme, which is a multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme. The charity is unable to identify its share of this scheme's assets and liabilities therefore, as permitted by FRS 102, it is being treated as if it were a defined contribution scheme. Further information about this defined benefits scheme is disclosed elsewhere in the notes to these accounts.
## h) Taxation
The charity has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
i) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
j) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
- k) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The members of the PCC do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
Page 12
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **3 Donations**
|Donations of cash and similar
Government & other public body grants (note 3a)
Other grants receivable
Legacies receivable
Income tax recoverable
**a**
Diocese of Oxford
Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust
Cherwell District Council
Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action
Listed Places of Worship Grant
**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
PCC fees & other income
Rent, Lettings and Hire
Arts@BSM
Fundraising income
**5**
**Investment income**
Dividends
Bank interest
**6**
**Charitable expenditure**
**a**
**Costs incurred directly on specific activities**
Ministry expenses:
Parish share
Ministry staff employment costs
Clergy expenses
Services and hosplitality
Cost of choir & organist
Arts@BSM
Other costs
Property expenses:
Church utilities
Routine repairs and maintenance
Major repairs
Operational costs for church hall & other buildings
Grants payable (note 6c)
Government & other public body grants comprise:|2025
£
55,489
6,621
10,000
-
5,405
77,515
2025
£
2,800
-
2,000
-
1,821
6,621
2025
£
4,243
11,881
22,530
4,899
43,553
2025
£
419
965
1,384
2025
£
15,490
7,889
4,254
3,069
352
5,778
2,566
39,398
16,195
11,368
16,507
6,516
50,586
1,995
91,979|2024
£
52,081
16,150
5,038
26,000
3,092|
|---|---|---|
|||102,361|
|||2024
£
4,000
3,000
3,150
6,000
-|
|||16,150|
|||2024
£
3,100
7,951
14,400
6,829|
|||32,280|
|||2024
£
551
39|
|||589|
|||2024
£
26,192
9,137
373
2,250
622
2,290
1,785|
|||42,650
20,669
10,049
18,219
12,516|
|||61,453
2,830|
|||106,933|
Page 13
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **6 Charitable expenditure (cont.)**
|**b**
**Costs incurred on support & administration**
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee
Other
Administrative staff
Office costs
Telephone & IT costs
Operating lease charges
Insurance
**Total expenditure**|2025
£
2,640
-
2,640
9,231
3,443
3,221
1,976
11,599
32,110
124,089|2024
£
2,520
-|
|---|---|---|
|||2,520
8,719
2,749
2,954
1,584
11,301|
|||29,827|
|||136,760|
## **Total expenditure**
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £2,640 (2023: £2,520).
## **c Grants payable**
|Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty
**Cost of raising funds**
Fundraising costs|Institutions
£
936
-
936
Institutions
£
2,181
-
2,181|Individuals
£
-
1,059
1,059
Individuals
£
-
649
649
2025
£
1,092
1,092|2025
£
936
1,059|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,995|
||||2024
£
2,181
649|
||||2,830|
||||2024
£
3,630|
||||3,630|
## **7 Cost of raising funds**
## **8 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 2.8 (2024: 2.3). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
The charity's key management comprise the members of the PCC and the key staff named on the Charity Information page. During the year key management received employment benefits totalling £Nil (2024: £4,673).
Revd Serena Tajima, incumbent, and Revd Sarah Cotterill (who are clergy members of the PCC) receive a stipend from the Diocese and so are not employees; some of the Parish Share paid to the Diocese is used to help meet the cost of these stipends. Both were provided with accommodation (which is customary for clergy). The charity also reimbursed expenses to Revd Serena Tajima and Sarah Cotterill; these costs are disclosed in note 6 'Charitable Expenditure' under the heading 'Clergy expenses'.
|**d asset investments**
Cost or fair value brought forward
Change in value of investments
Cost or fair value carried forward|CCLA
Investment
Fund
20,300
(812)
19,488|2025
£
20,300
(812)
19,488|2024
£
19,846
454|
|---|---|---|---|
||||20,300|
## **9 Fixed asset investments**
Page 14
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **10 Debtors**
|**ors**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Tax recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**h at Bank and in Hand**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits (with a term of three months or less)
Petty cash
**itors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Pension creditor
Other creditors
Accruals|2025
£
34
5,405
-
658
6,097
2025
£
53,970
25,879
104
79,953
2025
£
8,056
-
2,539
8,747
19,342|2024
£
425
3,092
160
1,104|
|||4,781|
|||2024
£
48,248
25,000
3,316|
|||76,564|
|||2024
£
6,283
543
1,289
3,794|
|||11,909|
## **11 Cash at Bank and in Hand**
## **12 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Page 15
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **13 Funds**
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
PCC Funds
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Bell Ringers' Fund
Boiler Fund
St Mary's Centre Fund Capital
St Mary's Centre Fund Income
Wardens/J W Harding Fund
Refugee Fund
Jeff West Paintings Restoration Fund
Well Together Fund
New Kitchen Fund
Restoration Fund
Other ministry funds
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2025
£
26,215
26,215
5,757
31,972
3,609
1,697
20,300
817
658
65
25,000
4,888
-
-
732
57,766
89,738|Incoming
resources
2025
£
-
-
102,979
102,979
1,806
-
-
279
-
2,267
879
-
4,242
10,000
-
19,473
122,452|Outgoing
resources
2025
£
(4,956)
(4,956)
(109,042)
(113,998)
(1,204)
-
-
-
(658)
(1,198)
-
-
-
(7,919)
(205)
(11,184)
(125,182)|Transfers
in the year
2025
£
-
-
4,225
4,225
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(4,888)
663
-
-
(4,225)
-|Gains and
losses
2025
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
(812)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(812)
(812)|Closing
balance
2025
£
21,259|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||21,259
3,919|
|||||||25,178|
|||||||4,211
1,697
19,488
1,096
-
1,134
25,879
-
4,905
2,081
527|
|||||||61,018|
|||||||86,196|
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|**ysis of net assets by fund**
assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Fixed asset investments
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
-
-
6,097
-
17,164
21,259
(19,342)
-
3,919
21,259
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
19,488
-
41,530
-
61,018|2025
£
19,488
6,097
79,953
(19,342)|
|||General
funds
£
-
6,097
17,164
(19,342)
3,919|||
|||||86,196|
Page 16
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **13 Funds (cont.)**
In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_Designated Funds_
PCC Fund
_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Appeal Fund
Bell Ringers' Fund
Boiler Fund
Building Fund
St Mary's Centre Fund Capital
St Mary's Centre Fund Income
Maisie Green/A Bishop Fund
Wardens/J W Harding Fund
Community Green spaces
Refugee Fund
Jeff West Paintings Restoration Fund
Well Together Fund
Net Zero Carbon Preparation Fund
Kitchen Refit Fund
Roof Repair Fund
Other ministry funds
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2024
£
29,260
29,260
26,518
55,777
675
3,942
1,697
1,220
19,846
542
7,201
1,974
30
668
-
-
-
-
-
871
38,665
94,443|Incoming
resources
2024
£
-
-
93,513
93,513
-
126
-
-
-
274
-
-
-
47
25,000
6,000
3,000
3,000
4,000
270
41,717
135,230|Outgoing
resources
2024
£
(3,045)
(3,045)
(114,533)
(117,578)
-
(459)
-
(1,139)
-
-
(7,801)
(1,316)
(27)
(549)
-
(1,112)
(3,000)
(3,000)
(4,000)
(409)
(22,813)
(140,390)|Transfers
in the year
2024
£
-
-
259
259
(675)
-
-
(81)
-
-
600
-
(3)
(100)
-
-
-
-
-
-
(259)
-|Gains and
losses
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
454
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
454
454|Closing
balance
2024
£
26,215|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||26,215
5,756|
|||||||31,972|
|||||||-
3,608
1,697
0
20,300
817
0
658
(0)
65
25,000
4,888
-
-
-
732|
|||||||57,765|
|||||||89,737|
Page 17
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **13 Funds (cont.)**
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Fixed asset investments
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
-
-
3,963
-
13,702
26,215
(11,909)
-
5,756
26,215
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
20,300
818
36,647
-
57,765|2024
£
20,300
4,781
76,564
(11,909)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
-
3,963
13,702
(11,909)
5,756|||
|||||89,737|
The Appeal fund was for essential major fabric repairs. This fund was closed during the prior year with the remaining balance transferred to the General Fund.
The Bell Ringers' Fund is for maintenance of the bells and furthering the aims of ringing
The Boiler Fund is for the replacement of the church boiler in the event of failure.
The Building Fund was for church building works. This fund was closed during the prior year with the remaining balance transferred to the General Fund.
The St Mary's Centre Fund - the Capital Fund is held with the Central Board of Finance. Only the income may be used for the provision & upkeep of a Church Centre.
Maisie Green/ A Bishop Fund was for church repairs & maintenance. This fund was closed during the prior year with the shortfall funded by the General Fund.
The Churchwarden's / JW Harding Fund is for furthering religious and other charitable work within the parish.
Other ministry funds include the Children's Work Fund for supporting children's work and the Music Fund for supporting music. The Community Green Space fund related to grant funding received to help with the development of a wildlife area to the rear of the Church Hall. This fund was closed during the prior year with the remaining balance transferred to the General Fund. The Refugee Fund relates to a grant received for basic food supplies to enable refugees living in Banbury to cook for themselves in the Church Hall.
The Jeff West Paintings restoration Fund includes legacy income to be used to conserve wall paintings in the chancel of the church. The Well Together Fund is to employ a part-time Wellbeing Coordinator to liaise with, and support asylum seekers. The Net Zero Carbon Preparation Fund relates to grant funding received towards decarbonisation.
The Kitchen Refit Fund relates to grant funding to refit the church hall kitchen.
The Roof Repair Fund relates to grant funding specific for church roof repairs.
The New Kitchen Fund is to help refit the kitchen area in St Mary's Church.
The Restoration Fund is monies provided by RWK Goodman to help with the restoration and conservation of St Mary's Church.
Page 18
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **14 Operating lease commitments**
The charity has an operating lease for its photocopier. The minimum amount payable in respect of this lease is as follows:
|Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years
Payments falling due:|2025
£
2,040
6,630
-
8,670|2024
£
1,584
792
-|
|---|---|---|
|||2,376|
During the year the charity was charged £1,976 (2024: £1,584) for its operating lease.
## **15 Transactions with related parties** During the year the charity:
a) received donations totalling £9,847 (2024: £11,165) from related parties (which includes members of the PCC, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
Except as disclosed in note 8, 'Analysis of staff costs', there have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.
Page 19
## **The Parochial Church Council of St Mary's Church, Banbury**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities:
6
Raising funds
7
**Total Expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
13
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
13||General
Designated
2025
2025
£
£
63,118
-
39,721
-
140
-
102,979
-
108,340
4,566
702
390
109,042
4,956
-
-
(6,063)
(4,956)
4,225
-
(1,838)
(4,956)
5,757
26,215
3,919
21,259
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2025
£
14,397
3,832
1,244
19,473
11,183
-
11,183
(812)
7,478
(4,225)
3,253
57,765
61,018|Total
2025
£
77,515
43,553
1,384
122,452
124,089
1,092
125,181
(812)
(3,541)
-
(3,541)
89,737
86,196|||General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
60,982
-
32,255
-
277
-
93,513
-
113,683
265
850
2,779
114,533
3,045
-
-
(21,020)
(3,045)
259
-
(20,762)
(3,045)
26,518
29,260
5,757
26,215
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2024
£
41,379
25
313
41,717
22,812
-
22,812
454
19,359
(259)
19,100
38,665
57,765|Total
2024
£
102,361
32,280
589
135,230
136,760
3,630
140,390
454
(4,706)
-
(4,706)
94,443
89,737|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 20