2020-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Leonard, Flamstead Registered Charity Number- 1179567 Annual Report and Accounts For the Calendar Year to 31st December 2020

Introduction 2020 has been another year of challenge5 and indeed of successes. In the early part of the year we were able to use the new facilTties provided by the LEADER Projert and described in his annual report last year by Reverend Tom Sander. In January we said goodbye to Rev Stephen Tudway as he took up the post of Wicar in Cumbria. Several parishioners were able to go to his installation in his new parish and enjoyed a brief trip to wonderful countryside. March of course, saw the first lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of the Corona Virus and immediately a cessation of church services. The APM was held virtually in April and Maryjenkin and John King were elected as Church Wardens. At the end of the first lockdown in the summer we were able to resume worship in church, but in September St Leonard's closed for approximately one year in order to carry out the major repairs to the roof and south clerestory windows. Members of the St Leonard's con8re8ation were welcomed to St John's where the swearing in of the wardens of both churches took place. Shortly after this Rev Tom announced that he was leaving after seven years at St Leonard's to take up a post at a church in the West End of London. He was to stay until after Christmas. but his last Servi￿ with us would be January 3rd Aims, Purposes and Objertives The PCC is, in common with other such bodies. constituted underthe Parochial Church Council Powers Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules 1957 las amended). such, it has the legal responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promotin& in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is responsible forst Leonard's Church and its churchyard, together with the burial ground at God's Acre. Ecclesiastically, Flamstead is part of a United Benefice with St John's Church in Markyate. which is served by the same Wicar and Curate. The respective PCCS land in particular their Treasurers) seek to share the benefits and burdens of this structure in the most effective manner possible. The PCC iscommitted to enabling as many peopleas possibletoworship atourchurch and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship and makes suggestions for the improvement of our Se￿ICe5 and artivities. When planning our actiNities for the year. the incumbent and the PCC are mindful of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefft and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith and spirltuality as part of our parish community through worship and prayer. leaming about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. We provide pastoral care for all and any who live in the parish, regardless of any connectionthey may or may not have with the worshipping lrfe of the church; and we condurt work of mission and outreath. Equality of access is of especial importance to this PCC and is reflected in the Equality Policy which was approved during the course of 2018 and the very prominent and broad statements of welcome which are displayed in our church and on our website.

Our buildings and land. St Leonard's Church and Churchyard, together with God's Acre, are very important in the lrfe of the parish. and it is of particular importance that the PCC maintains these properties and makes them accessible to all. Structure and administrative information St Leonard's Church is situated in the centre of Flamstead. Its Correspondence address is just down the road at The Wicarage. 50 Trowley Hill Road. Enquiries may also be addressed to the Administrator, Mrs Pandora Abel Smith, at the parish offi￿, St John's Church. Church End. Markyate. The PCC is a body corporate by virtue of the PCC Powers Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules (as amended). tt is a charity registered with the Charity Commission. During the year, the following served as members of the PCC: Ex-officio The Rev. Thomas Sander, Incumbent (Chair) {until Dec 31 20201 Warden Mary Jenkin {Warden Elect, elected April 20211 Elected Greg Parsons Laura Parr Claire Rudd John King Miranda Motley Karen Barton -Treasurer The PCC met each month during 2020 and averaged over 80% attendance. Statement of trustees, responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee￿ Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance w¥th applicable law, FRS 102 {Financial Reporting Standards) and SORP 2015 (Statement of Recommended Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare Financial Statementsforeach financialyearwhich give atrueand fairview of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incomin8 resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparin8 these Financial Statements, the trustees are required to: a) Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. b) Observe the methods and principles in the current SORP. c) Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. dl State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disdosed and explained in the Financial Statements. e) Prepare the Financial Statements on an accruals basis. The trustees are responsible for keepin8 sufficient accountin8 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 wsth the Charities Act, Charity Reporting and Accounting Guidance, and the relevant trust instruments. They are also

responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence fortaking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of frdud and other irregularities. The PCC are further responsible for employing staff to undertake key roles In the Church, mindful of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers} Measure 1956, statutory employment legislation and current Church of En8land Guidelines. The PCC employed Church Administrator throughout 2018. the cost of which was shared with St John's Markyate PCC. Toward the end of the year. the Administratorfs hours were increased from 4 to 6 hours per week, reflecting the increased levels of activity in the two churches. Remuneration is calculated and reviewed annually with reference to employee experience/qualifications, Retail Price Inde￿ local comparators and performance, and is monitored through annual reviews conducted by the Vicar. Financial Report Reference is made to the financial statements attached to this Annual Report. During 2020 there was continued focus on the restoration of St Leonard's. and we wish to thank everyone who supported this throughout the year for their generosity through donations, pledges. and volunteering their time. The restricted fund for the restoration was -£16.202 at the end of the year. although this does not include the Stage 2 grant of £83.097 from the Heritage Lottery Fund received in February 2021. part of which covered costs incurred in 2020. The building work to provide a kitchen, toilet and disabled access was completed, and was funded by the European LEADER fund and a grant from FOSL We also received a substantial donation forthe new door in the North porch. 2020 proved financially challenging due to the pandemic forcing closure of the church over the weeks to Easter, followed by Covid restrictions on servtce5, until September when St Leonard's dosed for the start of the restoration works. The PCC. with significant help from Andrew Lambourne, submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for an emergency grant of £5.700 towards essential running and maintenance costs. Voluntary donations to unrestrirted reserves (money available for general use approved bythe PCQ fell duringthe yeardue to the limited collections at services; this was partially offset by an increase in Planned Giving. The introduction of the GoodBox cont2Ctless card machine proved beneficial. The net result of income less expenditure at the end of 2020 was £5.930. We continued to pay the Parish Share throughout 2020, thus SUPPOrting the work of the Diocese and national church. Controls on costs remain tight, particularly in light of the reduction in income expected in the coming year. In 2021 the PCC will consider tts own financial and administrative position. and will continue to review its financial contToI Reserves Policy It is the policy of the PCC to maintain (where possible) a balance on unrestricted reserve which equates to at least 3 months, unrestricted payments, to cover the PCUS necessary outgoings in the event of unexpected loss of income. At present this sum is

estimated in the amount of £15.OCi). The balance held on unrestricted funds this year complied with this policy. It is our policy to invest our fund balances with the CBF Church of England accounts. Achievements in 2020 Worship As we entered the new year. congregations continued to increase steadily. with a few younger faces appearing regularly. and bringing their children to swell the monthlyfamily services. We enlarged our lists of readers and intercessors and. having found among our worshippers a professional chorus master prepared to give freely of his expertise. we were developing more interest in a choir, particularly at family services. This interest was greatly enhanced by our new organ. Lockdown brought a temporary halt to this expansion but it resumed vlith renewed vigour, albeit socially distanced, when lockdown was eased. and continued through the summer until St Leonard's was closed for repairs in September. From then, for the rest of the year until the November lockdown, some worshippers from St Leonard's joined the congregation at St John'5 either for mornin8 communion or evensong. Unft)rtunately, the weekly 8.(M) am service at St Leonard's had to be suspended. During lockdowns, the vicar Revd Tom Sander went to great pains to support worship by producing weekly YouTube videos of the Eucharist in both St Leonard's and St John's, often splicing together videos of parishioners and their families in their homes contributing to the proceedings of the service. The lockdowns also stimulated smaller groups of parishioners to meet for prayers on zoom, as well as being involved in regular zoom communion serrfices on Wednesdays and Compline on Fridays. Occasionol Offices There were no weddings or Baptisms this year. Two funerals were conducted- one for a long-standing parishioner, ex-member of the PCC and regular server on the Altar and one for a relatively new member of the parish. Sacristy Team Report 2020 The last year has been very quiet for our team as St Leonar<fs has either been closed for services due to Covpj restrictions or. latterty, sealed off enlirety so that the Heritage Restoration works could Iwin in eamest As a team. V￿th a great deal of help from family and fiiends, we have helFed to keep our food bank well stocked; deaned and prepared the church for sep4ices when they ¢oukl take pla￿ and supported our community in various practical ways during the pandemic crisis. We have been deeply touched by the support we have received from our Wardens, Mary Jenkin and John King, our PCC. the wider St. Leonard's family and from across our village.

After the church dos&J for essentTal repairs at the end of August 2020, we decided that we would ty to keep some of our communty proierts going. such as an outdoor version of our Chrtstmas Memory Tree arKI. once again. were delighted by the strong ¢ommunty response. (It was our great pleasure to be able to send a donation of £2LK) pounds to Maqsood Anwar. secretary of the Madinah Mosque Llrton, to help support their appeal for funds to aid the horrEless of the town during the wnter months. m￿eY for this was raised by small gifts throughout 2020 from the aforementioned initiatNes. whi￿ St Leonard's has been dowl, have been able to worship at our fellow benefice church of St. John's, Markyate. *fftere have received a very warm welcome. Members of our Saoisty Team have been invited to join Iheir Vesty Team until we can worship On￿ more in our own churth. We are truty enjoying working our opposite numbers and seeing the roles from an entirely different persFwtive. Miranda MotFey, on behalf of The SL Leonard's Sacrrsty Team. St Leonard's Church September 2020 saw the church close for the major restoration project on the roof and South Clerestory windows. following the successful bid the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The closure is planned to last for one year. so parishioners at St Leonard's have benefrtted from support and services from the other thurch in our Benefice, St John's Markyate, where we have been made very welcome. Prior to the closure, all services of communion. prayer and occasional offices were performed as of last year. God's Acre The burial ground has benefitted from some significant tidying and a future development will be to remove the laurel hedge to provide space for a further 50 graves. Ecumenical Relationships We are delighted to be able to continue ourfriendship with the Madinah Mosque in Luton. Although we have remained in contart. mainly via email and through our friend Revd. Jo Burke, our planned joint events had to be shelved because of the pandemic crisis. It isthe firm wish of both communitiesthat the events will resume in earnest as soon as it is safe and practical so to do. Volunteers The incumbent and PCC would like to record their thanks to all those who have worked so hard this year to make our church the lively and successful communty that it is. We have refrained from singling out individuals or groups in this report, lest we forget some. We would also like to thank Stjohn's for making us 50 welcome. The joint service at 10.15 has strengthened our mutual relationship, for the benefit of all.

Approval This Report was approved by the PCC on 2￿1 May 2021 and signed on their behalf by Maryjenkin (Churdi Warden and chair of PCC during the vacancy)

Page 7 Independent Examinerys Report to the Parnehial Churth CoHn¢il ofN4w5tead ThTrs report on the financial statements of the PCC for the year ended 31" Decemlr 2020 whi¢h a 5¢t out on pages 8 to 14 is in re• of an examin￿ carried thjt accor￿ with section 145 of the C])arities Act 2011 (the Act). Rupe£tive respTrn5ibilitits of Ihe PCC aBd the eXA￿l￿tr As members of the PCC you aTe responsible for the preparati￿ of the financial statements" you consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Act do not apply. It is my r¢spoDsibility to ¢xaTnin¢ the accounts section 145 of the ACL follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions gKv¢n by the Charity commi￿70￿erS stttioo 145(5Xb) of the ACL and th whether any particular matteTS have com¢ to my attentiOII. Basis of this report My ¢xamin￿l0￿ w&8 carried out in accordance with tb¢ General DirectiODS given by the Clwity Commission. That ¢Xatnination Incl￿1￿8 a review of the accounting rewrds kept by the PCC and a compartson of the ac¢ounts with these ttcor&%. It also incllth considering any unusual items or di%losures in th¢ ￿CoUnt5 and seekillg axplanations from you &s trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undeTtsk¢n do not provide all the evidence that would bc r¢quired in an audil and cO￿S¢qUentIy, I do not expre&5 an audit opinion on the view given by the accowts. Independent ¢￿￿7n¢r.$ s¢•t¢menl connection with my examiDioT4 no matterh&8 come to my att¢nti (l) which giv&% me Te&8onabk caus¢ to b¢lieve that in any material rwthe requiremet)ts to prepare accowts whi¢h ae¢ord with the &coutthg record$ alld compty with the Twuirem¢uts of the Act have notbeen meL or (2) to wtrLi¢h, ID Opinio￿ attention shoukl b¢ drawn in order to amble a proper und¢Tthding of the financial s￿¢￿t￿nts to be rexheAL Angela M. BaTkerACA IB. Singl¢ts EaDe, Flamstea HertfordsbirE AL3 8EN 13 October 2021

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FaT￿h￿lIch#T¢b Courfliof ¢1 Sbe¢tual JlgtDectm￿r 2020 2020 2019 ASSETS T￿￿bk 31275 43,450 31912 45,087 CURRENT ASSETS Debtoyj 25,775 3.300 53.581 82.656 2Q709 3.272 129 835 159,816 Cash&tbaDk anditt hatsd LIABILrrffis..AMouKfs FALLfNGDUEwEfHINONE YEAR [16 342 lJ.917 43,474 30271 1SJ96 2,962 48 24,341 61,277 2.943 Restri¢Led Approivl bytbe P4To¢hitlthurth CouM¢B 2ttd May 2021 ¥￿Ed￿n its beblf by. ry JenkiD Warden and chlirof PCC during the wl Then0t¢S￿ ply 10 to 15 formpart of th¢$08cKounts. P489

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ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND Unrestricted Restricted Endowment	Funds Funds Funds Total Funds	£ £ £ £	Tangible fixed assets Note 4 - 31,275 - 31,275	Investment Fixed Assets Note 5 - - 1,637 1,637	Current Assets 97,010 (15,679) 1,325 82,656	Current Liabilities Note 7 (66,739) - - (66,739)	Fund Balance 30,271 15,596 2,962 48,829		FUND DETAILS	The restricted funds includes the Restoration Fund which comprises funds raised and grants received to restore the church building.	The endowment funds comprise the following endowments: 2020 2019	£ £	Bennett Charity 100 100	Bennett Charity 100 100	Lamp Endowment 62 62	Flamstead Trust 100 100	Mrs Kingham Trust 100 100	Burchmore Graves Trust 250 250	Chancel Fund-deposit fund 1,325 1,306	Chancel Fund-income shares 25 25	Richard's bequest - (previously Ordination Candidates Fund) 1,000 1,000	2,962 2,943		PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT	Architects fees of £1020 for the 2019 Quinquennial Report were charged incorrectly to Restricted Funds in 2019. An adjustment has been	made to correctly charge this against Unrestricted Funds in 2020.	Page 14
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