Bank Virgin Money Rochdale Independent Examiner Mr D G Kershaw Objectives Holy Trinity P.C.C. has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbenL The Reverend lan 8ullock in promotsng in the ecclesiastical Parish the vlhole mission of the Church. pastoral, evangeli5ric. social and ecumenical. It also has main¢enance responsibilities for Holy Trinicy Church. Structure* governance and management The method of appointmen¢ of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged ro register on the Electoral Fioll and stand for election the PCC. The PCC held seven meerings durin8 the year. and four meetings of the Standing Committee. P.C.C. Membership The Parochial Church CoLtncil (P.C.C.) is a body corporate (P.C.C. Powers Measure 1956. Church Represenotion Rules 2022) and regisiered with the Charity Commission. PCC members are elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meering in accordance with the Church representation Rules 2022 and during the year. in addition there are a number of officers who are Ex-officio. During 2023. the following served as members of the PCC Incumbent The Reverend lan Bullock (E¥-officio) (Chair) Readers Mr David White (Resigned December 2023) Churchwardens Mr Fmnk Ketsh¢YW {EK-ofvo) Mr frahom Windslow (Ex-officio) Deanery Synod Fronk Kershow (Ex-oIFoo) Vacont {E¥-offKio} Elected Members Morcus Pritchard Val Lawrenson David White Chrisune KehaW Lynnette Windslow (Resi November 2023) erm of Office Expires 2024) (Resigned December 2023) erm of Office Expires 2025) ITen7) of Office Expires 2025) Page 2 of 14
Brenda Wilson Gillian Jackson (Term of Office Expires 2026) (Term of Office Expires 2026) *Names in itolic denote members of the Standing Committee Standing Committee This the only committee required by law. It has power co transact the business of the P.C.C. between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the council. It also meets to discu55 other matters to be put before the P.C.C. and prepare che agenda. It consists of the Vicar, churchwardens. P.C.C. Secretary. and in the absence of a permanent P.C.C. Treasurer. up to (wo elected members of the P.C.C. Benefice Church Council The Benefice Council has met through the year and has continued to look at how we can engage other members of the Benefice in mission. We also began to consider some materials for running an enquirers course after Easter 2024. The #prayerforeveryone initiative has cononued though this year. and has been warmly welcomed by people on our social media, and we have also been looking at ways to continue to develop this. Electoral Roll After the annual update of the Electoral Roll there were 41 people on the electoral roll at the APCM in March 2023 Page 3 of 14
Review of the Year COVID-19 As there was not 3 resurgence of COVID. the Benefice fully stood down all of its procedures. The only element that remained was the livestreaming of our Sunday service. which has continued throughoui 2023. and has continued to be watched each week via Facebook and YouTube. Matters discussed by the P.C.C. The full PCC and the S¢anding Committee has met during the year (In person in Spring and Summer, and via Zoom in Autumn and Winier). A5 alY4ays. the PCC and Standing Commitcee have discu55ed a range of issues. these have included.. APCM Preparations Building Maintenance Parish Finances The work of the Pascoral Response Team Proiect 2020 Vision 2022 Sus¢ainabiliry of the Parishes l Benefice The Lead Theft causing significanc damage to the church Financial Activities 2023 another challenging year for the Parish, with giving down approximately £1.500 on 2022. It was a delighi to See that the Youth Theatre resumed. and with che new cast and their October produc¢ion, the church saw a nec profit of approx. £600. (It is worth noting rhat this profit is afcer we inve5(ed in some new microphones to replace old non-functioning ones) We have continued to keep a tight rein on the budgeL we have made ends mee¢ and whilst we were unable to hit our full Parish Share. we paid 37% tOW3rds IL We have made some modest gains in the Project 2020 fund, although fundraising has continued to be difficulL Through good financial managemenL the Parish has remained viable again this year. and we will continue to work on the principle of a balanced budget whilst we work on recovery. and strive to meet our commitments at the highest level it is possible to achieve whilst preserving a reasonable operating budgeL We have not realised any of the giving that was10st through the pandemic years. and it is now unlikely that we will. Whilst our energy consumpoon appears to be low. when the issues with the lead theft are factored in and thac the new boilers were only commissioned in the third week of December, we are braced for increased energy costs as wincer sets in. the Page 4 of 14
grants that we received from the Diocese will give a small amount of respite. but this money will be used quickly if the winter turns harsh. Whilst there are signs of recovery. issues such as the lead theft have hit us. and we are continuing to resolves the issues but it is likely to be well inco the first quarter I half of the year before everything will be fully re501ved. Holy Trinity continues to depend on its members for supporL both practical and monetary. for its continued existence and outreach to the communi¢y. The Church can claim an extra 25p for every £1 &ven if donated by a tax payer who has signed a "Gift Aid" declardtion or completes and signs a one-off gift aid envelope, available at in each pew. This is paid by the Inland Revenue (at no extra cost to you); if you are a tax payer and would like to help boost the Church income. please have 3 word abour gift aiding your donations. Thank you to all who support the Parish in all your various ways; your generous giving of time and money is greatly valued. A copy of the Income and Expenditure. and Balance sheets are appended to the back of this report for inspection and have been independently examined by Mr D G Ker5haw, to whom we are grateful for his continued supporL Fabric In many ways this has been a strange and difficult year. The roofing company finally, after many months came to finish the work that they had been contracted to do! The ongoing problem with pigeons and cheir guano is 50113nnoying due to having to clean it up before every service, to which we are working on 3 solution to this problem. The school have had their fencing raised. so we don't appear to be having problems with footballs breaking windows. Unfortunately. we are becoming close to having to replace the Church window on both the North and South sides of the Nave. we are just waiting for the DAC to arrange one of their inspection visits to give approval for us to go ahead with getting the work done. Sadly, we found that we had vnter coming into the vestry via the roof gully. This we took a5 problems caused by pigeons nesting in that gully. Due to the extreme amount of rain, we couldn t get or expec¢ a workman co climb up onto the roof to repair the damage by cleaning out the gully. When there was finaSly a break in the rain. he went up onto the Chancel roof to clear the leaves there {this needs to be done twice ye3rty). As he looked over. he informed us that the problem wasn't caused by the pigeons but by the fact th2t the lead had been stolen which formed the gully earlier in the year when the weather had been good but unfortunately. we were unaware of this unul the rains had resrnrted. We informed the insurance company and the saga started! The damage continued occurring as no one would or could repair the problem until the weather improved. Our insurers did inspett the damage which consisted of Page5of14
Damage to the Parquet flooring inside the vestry. Damage to Ihe internal vestry door. Damage to the walls. Damage to the light switches. The105s of a number of books. bible5. prayer books, lectionary and othe. Damage to a storage cabineL Damage to the microphones. Damage to the Heating Boiler5 due to water seeping through the floorin& Damage to cwo antique chairs. Inspection and clean-up of the water ingress had co happen daily until the work could commence. Thankfully work on replacing the lead as evenwalty able to st3n and be finished, though that had problems of irs own. The temporary installarion of dehumidifiers sorted w work on drying out the floor. After Fr lan and Frank had been turning the lights on. using a stick and srnnding about five feet away. It was felt tha[ after seeing sparks. the ume was right co get the electricians back to do whatever was necessary co fix the problem. this has been solved by repositioning the light switches. The cabinet has had to be deswoyed, the books replaced. the microphones repaired and the two chairs sent to be refurbished. We hired some heaters to try to hear the Church though not fijlly succe55fully. The problem with the Boilers, after getting four qu0. has been solved by having to replace the heau'ng system. The Church is gettsng warmer than ic has been for a long cime. Even now at the end of 2023 Some of the remedial work hasn't been finished. Due to the excessive rain tha¢ there has been over the las¢ month. we have had some watrr coming into the Chancel this will be solved as soon as our roofer is able to go onco the roof. The same problem occurred wich the bell tower. again due 10 excessive rain. This problem will also be solved. One good thing that has h2ppened 2nd has pleased a good number of people is that we are iesting soffle new lighung for the chancel. This test has brought back into view the beautiful angelic caryings inside the chancel. Study In Lent 2023. we ran a lent course which focussed upon Jesus. 40-day wilderness experiences. nd how we draw from them. as they strengthen our faith. Again. we offered three INe sessions 2nd one on Zoom. Uptake this year vfas incredibly poor with a litde over 25 people engaging with the course. The weekly study group continued to meet through 2023 (Pausing for Lent) and have discussed a range of scripture. Page6of14
Worship 10.15 a.m. Holy Communion Holy Days and 5 Sundays - Benefice Services at l 0.00 a.m. {rotating around the three Parishes) We have seen the attendance levels at Hoty Trinity averaging in the mid 20,5 with 2 good regular attendance of young people additional to thi5 number. Clergy The Reverend lan Bullock has contsnued the work of bringing unity to the Benefice. working on formalising and in places centralising methods of working in the Parishes and Benefice. Additionally. he has continued to build relationships with organisations within the Benefice, and continued to serve a5 vice-chair of LEAF (Littieborough Evenfs and Associauons Forum), until November where he assumed the role of Chair. In addition w his duties inside the Benefice. Fr lan also serrfes as the Clergy Chaplain to the Lay Readers in the Archdeaconry of Rochdale. Member of the Diocesan Synod. Member of Diocesan Giving Steering Group. Member of the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee, ALM Tutor for Parish Administration. Finance and Governance and as Bishops Advisor to Diocesan Pastoral Group. Throughou¢ 2023 in addition to his day-co-day duties Fr lan's work has concentrated on trying ¢0 encourage people within the churches to explore their gifts and talents. so as ¢0 strengthen the Benefice a5 a whole. In addition to the Pastorydl Team. a Digital Team has been created ¢0 continue ro work on promoting our work through our web and social media presence. Lay Readers In 2023 David continued with his duties. including the sharing of leading Collective Worship in Holy Trinity School. In December David left the Benefice for family reasons. and whilst he continues With his work as the Lay Ch2p13in to the Lay Readers in the Rochdale Archdeaconry. we wish him well in his new parish as he and Joan settle in. Web Site Web address.. htt :Ilwww.cofe-li eborou h.co.uk The site continues to be popular. and the throughput tnffic increased to approx. 282.000 hits in 2023. this still reflects that people are interested in getts'ng to know the Benefice. The greater control over our Benefice e-mail addresse5 continues to be a great benefit to us, with them being utslised both internally for a variety of purposes. and externally for people who want to contact us with queries regarding a variery of items such as baptisms. wedding and other general queries which are also received and answered. Page 7 of 14
Additionally, the Benefice Facebook page has continued to gather momentum. and at the beginning of the 2023. 691 people liked the page h15 is an increase from January 2022 where we had 658), and is continuing to receiving a daily prayer update as well and other regular updates from us. The Benefice has also continued to increase its use of Twitter. and can be followed @cofelittleborough. You can also follow us on Instagram: cofelittleborough In 2022 The Benefice continued co use YouTube for livestreaming service5. as well as other announcements that we made. It 15 envisaged that the use of YouTube and Facebook will continue for our livestreamed services. Outreach and Activities Junior Church l am really pleased that over the year we have increased the number of children registered with us as members ofjunior Church. For mosc of the academic year. Junior Church has taken place in the school during the mornin8 service. The sessions follow a similar pattern each weel often including singing. a story. an activicy and a prayer. As far as is appropriace, the session is based around one of the readings Chat is set for che Sunday and being read in church. This year I have been delighted th3t some of our children are beginning ¢0 ask questions. demonstraung that they are thinking carefully about what we believe and why. I have enjoyed talking to them and I think it is good that they know from an early age that there are some questions that we just cannot answer and that is OK. From time to time, we have displayed thildren's work on a board in church allowing others to enjoy ¢heir art and writing. We hope that member5 Of the congregation have enjoyed sharing this with us and ralk to the children individually asking them about their activity. This is all very positive however: the susrainabiliry of Junior Church is now in quesuon. We started the year with three leaders and were delighted 10 recruit two additional leaders, however this was short lived. and we were soon reduced back to four. Sadly. over the last few months we have lost Thvo members of the team. This leaves me with one helper. Rey lan has repeatedly adverused for additional Junior Church leaders. but without success. Some PCC members agreed to supporc in an emergency, and we are able ro do this as PCC members have compleced the appropria DBS and Safeguarding training. This cannot be a long-term solution. In order to try to manage this situation, we have relocated the Junior Church to the kitchen area. With the door open. one per50n is able to lead the sessions with Safeguarding requirements fulfilled. Obviously. Junior Church will only run on those Sundays that a leader is available. If anyone would like to know more about ioining the Junior Church. either as a leader or a helper, please speak to Fr lan or Lynne(. Page8of 14
Schools work Fr lan has continued to work wth our t410 church schools. 2nd we have this year fully resumed a Collecuve Worship schedule. as well as opening up the church services that the schools have to any parents who wish to attend. Fr lan has continued to spend time over the year going in to teach on a variery of subjects. During this year Holy Triniry also had its SIAMS (The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schoo15) Inspection. Fr lan worked closely with members of the Schools SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and governors co answer the questions that the inspector had about our effectiveness a5 a church school. At the end of the inspection. we were deemed as 'Good'. This will be the last time we are given a grade as their framework changed at the beginning of this academic year. but a5 a school we are committed to continuing to improve our faith-based education, and have already started to implemenc the new RE syllabus which becomes the new standard in September 2024 for all schools. In addition to the activities in school and church. Fr13n also attended Young Voices at Manchester Arena. chere were over I 1.000 children there. and it was a real delight to see their exemplary behaviour outside of their normal setting and a real credit to our school. Social Events Due ¢0 the reduced numbers returning, it was decided that as we began to host social events again, these would be done a5 'Benefice Evenu. 3nd during the course of the year we did che following. Summer Fayre I AM MARK Quiz night Band Concert Breakfast with Santa Choir concert Markec stall at Rushbearing and Christmas Lights curn on Attendance and support were mixed, with good interactions from the general public. but little support from the congregations, with one event having to be cancelled due to lack of interesL Project 2020 Work has continued to be incredibty slow on fundraising for the projec¢ finding funders to supporc this kind of project has been slow going over 2023. although it is hoped there will be funders available in 2024 as COVID relief is now coming to a close. Another issue has been down co the lack of volunteers taking on roles. which have remained with Fr lan. During the year we were able to hold our annual Art Exhibition, which increased the fund. we again hosted the Mayor s chariry conceri for which we retained the proceeds from the bar. Sainsburys continued to support us through counter collectsons. and other item5 were made and sold for the benefit of the projecL as well as donations thac were made. Page9of 14
This year we agreed to turn our focus to achieving one of the aspects of the project which is not dependent on anything else. the windows. and we are awaiting a visit from the DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee) to seek their approval to split this aspect of the project from the resL Holy Trinity Youth Theatre Workshop Once more it ha5 been an in¢eresting year. Though I'm not sure how some people would have seen io we started the year with a car in Church until nearly Easter and have finished with an oven and 2 coffin. The summer production went well. especially as we had new members who hadn'c done anything before. who along with the others stepped up to the mark Following on from Fr lan and Frank going into Stanfield Hall and Holy Trinicy Schools to advertise the theatre group, it decided co repeac the opporwnity again. This brought new members. The October show Oliver! also went well and we were encouraged by all of the help tha¢ the paren¢$ gave us in erects'ng and dismantling the stage. We are constantly encouraged by the way that the children perform both on and off the stage. and by Che way that they act with each other. Though it does seem strange thar last year many children, even some adults wanced to be photographed in the Chitry Chirry car buL noc this year in the coffin. Thank you once more to John for all the times that he helps us with the nlth'ng of our scrange wooden requesrs. We would like to thank Katy and David Warbunon for all of their support. Thanks to Lynnette. Chris, Amanda and Graham for all that they do. Thanks to the children and parents of our group. Thank you ¢0 the Church and everyone for your supporL Good Causes During 2023 the Benefice were able to support the following organisations: Rochdale Foodbank at H3rves¢ (along with Stansfield Hall School and Holy Trinity School) Children's Society through the Christingle service Safeguarding The Parish conunues to take safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults seriously and during 2023 ha5 conunued to operate in the Benefice in line with the guidelines and practices as set down by manChesr Diocese. Page 10 of 14
This has included DBS Checks and trnining. a5 well as the compleoon of the annual self- declaration forms. This inforniaoon is now held confidentially and centrally. and the Parish and Benefice are committed to ensuring our churches are safe places for all people. The Website con£inue5 to be updated to refiect best practices, and de5tribes the way5 that anyone who is concerned about a matter can get in touch. as well as offering links to other groups who can provide assistance. We additionally commit to working tt)gether as a Benefice in ensuring that we meet our obligations. Accounts The Accounts were approved by the PCC on 2- February 2024 and signed on their behalf by. The Reverend lan Bullock {P.C.C. Chair) Vicar of Litdeborough Page 11 of 14
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Report to the Trusteeslmembers of Hoty Trinity. Littleborough on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 Respective responsibilitie5 of Trustee5 and Examiner The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Chariues Aci 2011 (the Charities Act) and thac an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act To follow procedures laid down in the general Direccions given by the Charity Commission (under secuon 145(5)(b) of the Charities Aci) and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with gener Directions given by the Charities Commission. An examina¢ion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presenced with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanacions from che truscees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and. consequendy no opinion is 8iven as to whether the accouncs preseni a 'rrue and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the stacemenr below. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 111 Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respec¢ the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities ACL to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounung requirements of the Charities Act have not been mec or 121 To which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name Mr D G Kershaw t)at&' 2" Felw 2024 21 Sunset Hill Top. Meanwood. Leeds, LS6 4LP Address Page 12 of 14
Hoty Trinity Balance sheet (Church of England) As at 31 Dember 2023 As at3111ZIZ023 As at 3111212022 Current assets Investments at CCLA 79.061.57 76,606.70 Cash at bank and in hand 45,684.97 32,493.74 127,746.54 109,100.44 Net current aswts less current Ilabllitles 127.746.54 109,100.44 Total assets less current Ilablllties 127,746.54 109,100.44 Total net assets less Ilabllities 127.746.54 109.100.44 Represented by untrIcted Virgin Bank 3,794.21 2.100.82 Restrlrted Restricted- Project 2020 avniting trf to Inv. Restricted- Benefice Mission Fund 23.150.67 25.698.87 39.80 1,28.71 Restricted - 8enefice Shared Cost - Magazine Restricted - Benefice Shared Cost - Prin*r 77.37 143.19 0.74 119.68 Resrricted - Other Charity Donati¢Jns Restricted - Specific Legaae5 Restricted - Benefice Fundraising Restritted- PCC Investment Account 1.680.(KJ 1.350.00 2.232.18 2.952.47 79.061.57 76,606.70 Re5tricEed - Lead Theft 14.71 O.C(I Funds of the Church 124,746.54 109,100.44 Page 13 of 14
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