The Church of St James the Greater Parochial Church Council Annual Report and Financial Statements Year ended December 31, 2023 Registered Charity l 180188
Incumbent: The Reverend Andrew Quigley st Jomes the Greater Viccxage 216 London Rood Leicesler, LE2 1 NE Banks: Nalional Westminsler Bank plc Evinglon Road Leicester Sanlander Bank p Independent Examln•r. Jordon Denni5 TC Grovp Homilton Office Park 31 High View Close Leicester, LE4 9LJ
CONTENTS Page Annual Report Independenl Examiner's Report 16 Slolemenl of Finoncial Activilie5 17 Bobnce Sheel 18 Noles lo Ihe Financial Statements 19-24
THE MISSION OF ST JAMES THE GREATER is to welcome all people, to share with them the knowledge of God. to encourage them to follow the Chrlstian way to celebrate the joys of life and to support each other through its sorrows, to serve those amongst whom we live. and to address the needs of others In the world. WE ENDEAVOUR TO FULFIL OUR MISSION BY: . welcoming people regardless of age. race or 50cial status. 2. worshipping in ways both old and new. combining words and music. movement 5tillne55 with skill and imagination to glorify God and to inspire people in their life and work 3. belonging to the Church of England and taking an 3C¢ive par¢ in the life of the Diocese of Leicester. 4. listening to different points of view to discern God's will for the church and the world. 5. preaching and teaching a thoughrful response to the gospel of Jesus Christ in the light ol the Spirit for today. studylng the Bible and Christian life ir) groups and linking with Diocesan courses. 7. praying for the well-being of one another, for those who ask for our prayers, and for the church and the world. 8. caring pastorally for the need5 of the congregation and of the parish and contributing to charitable caus¢s. . conducting services at special moments for people - including baptisms, weddings and funera15 - and for organisations. l O. providing opporwnities for people of all 3ges to meet socially and as members of organisations. I l. promoting cultural excellence by making available space and facilioes for concert perforn)ances. 12. raising the money needed to maintain and improve our buildings. and to meet Ihe costs of our church's ministry and mission.
St James. Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent In promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, educational and ecumenical. The PCC also represents those who, akhough living outside the small parish, ch005e to be a55ociared with the worship and witne55 of this church. The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at St James the Greater and co be part of our community. Our seryices and worship put faith into practice throush prayer, scripture, music and sacrament. including learning about the Gospel and developing a trust in Jesus. We are a welcoming community with members from a variety of backgrounds from both within the parish and beyond. Membership of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) at November 2023 Ex Officio Ministry team Revd. Andrew Quigley Ex Officio Church Wardens Simon Edwards (first elected 2019) April Rule (first elected 2021) Ex Officio Deanery Synod 2020- 2023 William Woolley Ex Officio Deanery Synod 2021- 2024 Sheila Roberts Elected Member5 retire 2023 Caroline Beardsmore Vicky Roe Elected Members retire 2024 Mike Rule Mike Bull Elected Member5 retire 2025 Graham Jagger (Resigned February 2023) COMMIThEES The PCC operates through a select number of sub committees which meet belween full meeting5 Of the PCC to work towards achieving the mission and objectives of the Church. Reports on their work follow later in this documenL Standing Committee This is the only Commit required by law. It has Wer to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions y'ven by the PCC. Worship & Mission Committee Reviews the pattern and content of services and advises on education and mission.
The year at St. James 2023 This was generally a year of growth after the difficult pandemic years. We saw attendance increase at most services, most notably at the Sunday 8.30 service, where the congregation has almost doubled in number, and is also our "youngest" congregation. with more children present than any other regular service. Festival services at Easter, Christmas and other time5 also saw larger number5, as well as the chance for our excellent choir to offer some outstanding music. with our Director of Music now firmly established. We once again hosted the Diocesan Chrism Eucharis[ as well as a very popular Community Carol service {raising significant sums for LOROS), organised by David Andrews and Emma Trounson. We also hosted a memorial service for members of Leicestershire constabulary who had passed away during the pandemic. a5 well as a number of funera15. among them David Brunning's. after many years as an invaluable and much-loved rnember of OLtr community. Music at St James. has been both an attraction and an offering for the surrounding community. In addition ro our weekly choral services. concerts organised by Paul Jenkins continued, as well as those by many local choirs and orchestras (many of whom also use our building for their regular rehearsa15). Of particular note was a stunnin8 concert by combined German youth choirs during the summer. We welcomed James Gutceridge as parish administrator, with experience in that role at a nearby church. as well as musical expertise (always useful here!) as a director of music in Melton Mowbray. His appointment has allowed Vicky Roe to focus once more on her important roles as Pastoral Assistant and Safeguarding coordinacor. The Lent course. home group and klY Bible study continued by Zoom, while in-person fellowship took place at the choir youth group. meeting weekly in the undercroft (and for a miraculously dry barbecue in the vicarage 83rden!). News of the church was shared in the weekly bulletin. our websice, facebook page and noticeboards, as well as in the monthly magazine, The Shell, still in the hands of Paul Jenkins. Compline on Zoom has been held each Wednesday, and Communion followed by refreshments has continued on Thursdays, in addition to our nomial three Sunday services. varied with a ouple of service5 of Mattin5 and the innovation of Taize setvices, which proved a significant draw beyond the parish. Rev. Andr•w Quigley Vicar
Churchwardens Report 2023 April and I wish to thank the Warden Team for all their voluntary work at our SeThices during the last year. Paul ac 08..30 am. and Janet at l 0..30 a.m., David has had a period of'leave. to complete other community work and is soon to return to dury. During the last twelve months, April and I have, again, ntst only continued our Churthwarden duties, for example being alive to and reatting to any health and safery situations during services while regularly leaving site at 12:40 p.m. and 21:00 p.m. after completing post service duties, we have also been joint treasurer. fabric leads and perfomed comprehensive line manager duties for 3 of our 6 employee5.' we also pay wages. each month. to 6 employee5 and make paymen¢5 to our Organ and Choral Scholars. April is in full time worl and I have ocher long sonding community commitments. Rdeciing on the last 12 months and all the duties above, the first thought that comes to mind is one of constant interruption. A St James the Geater workn'ng day often starts just after 06:00 a.m. with questitsn5 and or urgenc informarion. via mobile phone apps. which needs an immediate response and can end with April or myself unexpectedly performing an end of day full site lockup. the very mundane. checking taps are turned off. heaters are switched off. windows are closed. all lights are off and all doors are locked, all this. finishing the day at gone I l o'clock at night- maintaining the requirements of our insurance policy. Each day, we keep each other fully informed of the day's events. with many electronic messages. Sharing this information is crlticalty important to effectively support our Six employees and contractors. Over a year there are many times when an ins(ant decision is required, and we are not both available. Our duries are many and varied, for example. meeting a scaffolder outside the hall and pausing our enjoyment and fellowship with the Choir during their E3Ster Day brealdaso so how do we maintain our spirituality. well. by contact with each of you. It 15 worth Saying again, it is an undoubted privilege greeting, talking to and wishing you a good week ahead. We Still try to spend some time on the forecourt before and just after a service starts, name badge proudly displayed and holding the weekly bulletin, to engage with passers-by, some of whom are now e5tabli5hed member5 of our congrezation. we regard this as part of our personal outreach into the communiry.
City of Leicester Deanery Synod Report 2023 Deanery Synod met twice during 2023 Monday 27thMarch 2023 - Meeting at St. Andrews Church. Aylestone. This WdS an Open Meeting given on the weighry theme of"The need to 501ve the funding gap between parish contributions and clergy costs in the Diocese." A presentation was given by Diocesan officers from the Diocesan Board of Finance: David Palmer, Jonathan Kerry, Claire Bampton, Philip Leech and Simon Wilson. in which they outlined the difficult financial position facing the Diocese at this present time. They gave sugge5tion5 and p055ible proposa15 of how we can all contribute to the long rerni funding of local ministry, as a Diocese. They were also very explicit in the consequences facing the Diocese rf we did nothing to solve the present situation. In brief we were told that the Diocese is £2.4 million in deficit and that our main source of income The Parish Gift- formerly the Parish Share. where each Parish contributes funding to the Diocese 15 5eriou51y going down. Expenditure on day to day operations is greater than the income and is subject to inflation. It Yns pointed OUE that 80% of the falling income goes into expenditure on clergy. Therefore, a strong possible solution to this could be found in having Minster Communities, with an emphasis on a reduction of the number of paid clergy acros5 (he Diocese. They said, it wa5 through a greater expression of mission through the building up of discipleship and communities. that the Diocese could become a more outward facing, rather than being inward looking church. At this meeting The Deanery Synod Accounts were presented by the Lay Chair and Assistanc Area Dean on behalf of the Deanery Treasurer. The meeting closed with A Parish Profile ol SL Andrew5 given by it5 Vicar Revd. Rowena 8ass. Wednesday 5th July 2023 - All Saints Church, Scraptoft. The theme of this Synod was Climate Crisis and the Church. It began with a an illustrated powerpoint presentation given by Revd. Andrew Quigley in which he introduced background to the theme explaining the work that the Church of England wa5 currently engaged upon to achieve a promised carbon net zero target by 2030. He then went on to explain our Diocesan Strategy in helping to Contribu to this ambitious but necessary rargeL He introduced three city churches which were examples of quick win5 in how we a5 church communities can help to combat the Climate Crisis. These were frorn Revd. Martin Court from All Saints, Revd. Anne Scott from SL Peters Belgrave and Revd Sharon Plant from SL Paul's with St. Augustines who gave case studies on litr picking, Muddy Church. and the Outdoor Worship Leaders (OWL) neork and the Allotment Church. The Climate Crisis theme was completed with a presentation from Zina Zelte from Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire who explained their current campaign asking Leicestershire Counry Council ro divest their pension scheme from fossil fue15 - notably as Andrew had told U5, in the light that the Church of England Commi55ioners and The Church of England Pensions Board announcement to independently disinvest from fossil fuels. Zina asked synod what we as churches could do locally ourselves with the aim to support local initiative5 to divest from fossil fue15. Synod agreed to propose a motion to support her network group in their current campaign to ask Leicestershire County Council to divest their pension scheme from fossil fuels. Synod voted to join Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire and also support the Pension Divest campaign. The motion vtas carried unanimously in both houses: clergy and laity. Sheila Roberts Deanery Synod Representative
Electoral Roll Report The electoral roll to date stands at135 of which 14 live in the parish. Since la5¢ year 2023, 3 members of our fellowship have been removed and 8 new members have been added. Members can be added to the roll at any polnt. so If you. or anyone you know still wishes w be added to the roll. please fill in a forni and pass it on to me. Thank you. April Rule (Electoral Roll Officer) May 2024 Fabric Report 2023 Fabric Report APCM 2024 The fabric of the Church is in very good condition. Urgent repairs are required to the extension roof & flood damaged lower walls, plus a small repair to parts of the Lady Chapel apse roof Main fabric expenditure in 2023 The largest single expense during 2023 was a repair to the flat boiler at £1,081 Asbestos report £660. The electricity 3 phase electrical boxes no longer need replacing • Two thirds North Outside path tleared of overgrown plants, particularly in the 'path pit, & plants cleared from north east outside church wall around organ blower air trunking. £750 All drain5 cleared and annual contact es¢abli5hed £288 Broken gas heater in choir vestry replaced with electric heater £365.47 Fabric damage The organ was flooded on the 2nd May 2023 due to a humidifier faulL The extension was Ilooded. particularly around the boctom of the lifE in the lift mechanism room and che disability toile(s area on 22nd June 2023 due to exceptionally heavy rainfall within 30 minures. crashing down to ground off the high roof and south ai51e roof. Simon and April
Finance Report 2024 Please see the Financial Statements of the PCC year ending 31 st December 2023 Urgent financial commitments in the coming 12 months are repairs to the eXnsIOn roof and flood damaged lower vAlls, a small repair to parts of the Lady Chapel apse roof and replacing the Church amplification system. I would suggest we cannot meet the cost of these repair5 from our monthly income and rdising funds may be necessary. Balances We ended 2022 with total funds of £144.179 We ended 2023 with total funds of £116.913 Largest individual expenditure item5 2023 Parish Gift £31,367 Music department wages £18,984 Expected notable expenditure wlthin next 8 years Replacement of organ console stops - internal electrical mechinism £20,000 plus Simon and April FLOWER GUILD ANNUAL REPORT The three members of the Guild find much satisfaction and a prNilege in arranging Commemorative flowers. weekly for you in church. We know they give such hope, consolauon, and peace of mind in remembrance. The Porch flowers are a mission call to the passing public. the positive feedback from v¥alker5 by. and those travelling on the buses is most welcome. The raisinz of funds to enable us to continue decorating the church for Festivals, like Easter. Christma5, HarvesE and the giving of Mothering Sunday daffodils is a concern to the Guild, in these difficult times. Julia Walker co.ordinator
Lectors Report Our team of 26 lectors continue to read each Sunday's bible readings with expert clarity and our thanks go out to all for their continued commitment to this integr21 part of our worship. It has been a joy to add new members to the team. especialty younger member5 of the choir. We are always interested in hearing from new lectors, ple3se contact Mike Rule if you wish to discuss becoming part of the team. Mike Rule Music Report Special Services and Events Early in the year we performed and recorded the première of a piece for SATB and organ which had been ylen especially for us by local composer Simon Mold. The piece is now published with a dedicauon to our choir. In March, we saw the first big Spring workshop and performance day for St James Chor31 Project a5 pupils from Oyerdale School and Stoneygate School came together in 50n& We hosted the Royal School of Church Music Leicester Area Diocesan Fe5tNal in July. Choristers from all three our choirs sang with singers from churches from around the Diocese for a seNice of Choral Evensong. The choir was conducted by Emma Trounson accompanied by Guy Steed on the organ. We were incredibly proud of our young Senior Choristers as 5 Gold candidates (Adelii Annabel, Cuthber¢ Oliver & Ram) I Silver {Emily) and 2 Bronze (Harriet & Regina) were awarded thelr RSCM medals at this service. The Junior Choristers and Senior Sopranos and Altos performed in the Summer Concert of the Leicester Philharmonic Choir. The Senior Choir enjoyed a Summer Tour to Bristol where we performed a lunchtime recital at Clifton Cathedral and sang Mattins. Eucharist and Even50ng 5ervice5 at St Mary Redcliffe. Members of the Senior Choir visited Newark Parish Church to sing Choral Evensong with their choir. which has kIckstad a continuing relationship between the choir5. Our All Souls Service included the Duruflé Requiem and our Senior Choir joined forces with the Cathedral's Senior Choir. Emma Trounson and Chris Ouvry-johns both condutted and sang the solos. and the organ playing was shared by Guy Steed and David Cowen. The junior and Senior Choirs took part in a 'Festival of Remembrance. organised by Ratby Band and through the St James Choral Project enabled the Hazel Primary School Choir to sing alongside our Junior Choir. In addition to our regular special Services, our new Communiry Carol Service returned, entitled 'Caring at Chri5tma5'. We raised money for LOROS and involved ensembles and soloists, many of whom are professional musicians. from the wider community. Readers included the Lord_ Lieutenant of Leicestershire, the Lord Mayor of Leicester & the High Sherrff of Leicestershi alongside local celebrities.
Choirs Senior Cholr In 2023 we had 6 Sopranos (and lor a time 7). 6 Altos, 3 Tenors. Although 3 basses have gone away to study we have gained I bass, so there are 6 Ba55es. (At the time of writing, the total membership is 24.> The Senior Choir have continued to progress in terms of blend. balance. tone. expression and intonation. They have expanded their repertoire by introducing brand new music or reintroducing music from the library which ha5 not been sung at St James for a while. In the 'Chorister Training. sessions, the school age members have been working on sight reading and singing one to a part. Junior Choir The Junior Choir had on average 7 members across 2023, (At the rime of writing there are I I members. with a mix of genders, aged 4-9.) The choir meets for an hour on Fridays and sings fun songs. play mu5icLI games, practise accessible pieces from the Senior Choir repertoire and learn music reading skills. They sing in Sunday services or events roughly once a month. My thanks go to regular chaperone Caroline Beardsmore and young helpers Regina and Emily from the Senior Choir for their invaluable supporL Recruitment has been ongoing through the 'St James Choral Project,. with workshops. concerts, and in school assemblies taking place over the year. Organists Our organists have continued to be a wonderful asset to us= Mike Rule (Associate Director of Music and Church Organist), Guy Steed (Assistant Organist). Nicholas Friedesdorff (Orgin Scholar) are all such dedicated and consummate musicians. Under Guy'5 Watchful Èye, Nicholas. confidence has developed throughout the year and is now very capable of playing for a whole service at St James. We are fortunate to have such an excellent team. Thanks I'd like to record my appreciation for all that the organists and Senior & Junior choristers do to produce the very high standards they produce week in week out. I would also like to thank the hgir chaperones. choir parents, the work of the clergy, the wardens. administration and also to the congregation for their supporL Thank you to the St James Singer5 and Mike too, who continue to ensure that beautiful musical worship conts'nues year round. Emma Trounson St James Singer5 We continue to be gratefijl to St Jame5 Singers who enhance our musical worship with their own repertoire which is delivered with energy and style. We are lucky to have such an able and committed choir w lead our musical worship during holiday periods which ensures St James the Greater has musical leadership all year round. At present the choir consists of 5 sopr2nos, 2 altos, 2 tenors and 3 basses. Stjames Singers rehearse lce a month and sing for one service each month and during holiday periods. We are always lookl-ng to welcome new singers who may be interested in joining. please come and have a chat with Mike Rule of one of the 5inger5 rf this may be of interesL Mike Rule
Houselzoom Groups At Stjames, we have continued to find that online meetings have proved very useful, especially as many find 1¢ difficult to travel into the centre of the ciry for mid-week se55ions. For some too online meetings have proved liberating, as it makes it realistic to attend a group and meet others, which might otherwise not have been possible. Currently we have one 'Hou5e Group, meeting in this way. Although the group is very willing to choose a new format for discussion. it has continued to look at hymns and their meaning. This has proved 10 be such a fascinating area of study and fits so well with the approach of St James, church to worship that interest has been maintained. This group meets on Monday afternoons. the artual date5 depending on the member5, commitment5. Similarly. a Bible Study group led by the vicar has been meeting. as well a5 a Lent group both also online. Anyone is welcoffle and it is a good way of getting to know some other members of the congrega¢ion. Perhaps the best way of starting a group, either online or in person, is to do so spontaneously, so you might think of setting up your own. If you would like to do this then members of the Ministry Team would be willing to suggest resource5. so do get in touch. Angela Jagger Pastoral A55i5tant'5 Report for 2023 For the first eight months of 2023, in the absence of a paid Administrator. I wa5 re5pon5ible for doing the administration work. preparing the weekly Bulletin and administering the hall and church bookings in the office. This took l 0-20 hours per week on average, leaving little time for other pastoral duties. although I VAS able to respond to some pastoral requests during that period and more in the last quarter of the year. l am grateful to Sheila Roberc5, who took on doing Home Communions and Jennifer Smith, who helped with preparing the weekly Bulletin. until the paid Administrator started work on 1st September 2023, for whom I prepared a folder with detailed information about the church, the hirers and administration tasks. I continued to provide information about the church to those living locally who are not on the InterneL through delivering the weekly Bulletin. as well as by printing and posting 'The Shell. magazine to them. I have attended the regular monthly Mlnlstry Team Meetings and typed the mlnutes. These meetings were conducted via Zoom or face-to-face. I have continued to prepare the Eucharistic Assistant's Rota each quarter and am grateful to the faithful team who serve in this ministry. io
I continued to represent St. James ar the World Day of Prayer group meetings. I took part in the 2023 service. which had been prepared by Christian women of Taiwan. Julia Walker provided a flower display for i( which was much admired. l attended the Bishops, Study Day at St. Martins House on 17th May 2023. I was relicenced as a Pastoral Assisrant at the 'Called Together, service in St. Margaret's Church on 20th May 2023. prior to which I had undergone a DBS check and completed the Leadership Level Safeguarding Training Course. l attended an organised retreat at Marygate House on the Hoty Island of Lindisfame at the start of Oc(ober 2023. I continued to cOrdinate the schools visits team. but no schools visited in 2023. Vicky Roe Safeguarding Co-ordinatorfs Report for 2023 At the end of 2019. the Diocese adopted the National Safeguarding Team's 'Safeguarding Handbook,. with some of the Guidelines from the previoLbS Diocese of Leicester document added to i[ covering both child and adulc safeguarding. A specific St. James the Greater Policy and Procedures documenL cross-referencing the Handbook throughou( was also developed. Both of these documents were adopted by the PCC at its meeting on 14th November 2019. Both documents have been updated and are available through the church web5ire, which has a Safeguarding statement on i¢s fron¢ page. They were adopted at the PCC meeting on Thursday 8th June, following the APCM on Sunday l 4th May 2023. Thereafter, the Annual Report to the PCC and Diocese was duly submitted. The Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement, the 'Promoting a Safer Church, and posters giving help.line numbers have been displayed throughout the church in public and private areas, as required by C of E policy. for the benefit of anyone using our faciliries or looking in the front porch. I continued to oversee the Disclosure and Barring Service checks for PCC members and those in contact with children andlor vulnerable adults, a process which is now done online through 'thir¢yone:eighr'. formerly known as CCPAS (Churches Child Protection Advisory Service>. I keep a record of Safeguarding Training undertaken by any employees and PCC members. This is mostly done online now through the C of E training portal httPs:Ilsafeguardingtrnining.cofeportal.orgl but some face-to-face training i% now also available. A folder with information about Safeguarding, policies. guidelines. form5. etc.. is Stored in the office cupboard for easy reference. There is also a 'Safeguarding' folder on the office computer. ontaining electronic versions of the documents in the physical folder. Information about Seriou5 Incident Reporting and the Retention of Records is included in IL
In the first quarter of the year. I completed the Leadership Level Safeguarding Course in preparation for being relicensed as a Pastoral Assistant in May 2023. l attended the Safeguarding Co-ordinator's Conference via Zoom on Saturday 4th November 2023. The subject was 'Empowering Children and Young People to t21k about abuse and wellbeing and the presentation slides were circulated to the Ministry Team and Youth Leaders alter the event. Further updates were also given about procedural matters and the Parish Safeguarding Dashboard. on which St. James the Greater is registered and that produces reports for PCC meetings. l also attended a Safeguarding Co-ordinator's Bi-monthty meeting on Zoom on the evening of Wednesday 6th December 2023. As l am no longer on the PCC, I prepare Safeguarding reports in advance of the meetings and circulate them to the PCC members. The Vicar is now the Safeguarding Representative on the pcc. Vicky Roe Refreshments Report 2022 Coffeeltea 15 provided after the service on Thursdays and Sundays. Sheila now is provKling CoffeelTea from 'Tr2def3ir" and biscuitslbirthday cake always welcome 2nd paper cups are ordered from Mike. Last year £600 was received which wns very acceptable- all went into the church funds. When the sun is shining chairs and tables are taken onto the Church forecour which 15 enjoyed by all - but we do need help from younger hands to bring it all back into the church. Help is also needed to cover holidayslsickness etc. Janet Burton Servers Report 2023 Another year completed during which the talented and Yer52tile team V are blessed with have risen to all the challenges presented to them both in Ordinary Time and on Festivals. The second chalice has been restored, the offertory procession reinstated and for Che Easter season we had 'worship in the round. After 53 years, including a time as Head Server. Angela Finn decided to retire with our thanks and best wishes. Lydia Doughty joined us from SL Mary de Castro but has since moved on. Advent Sunday marked 60 years since David Kibert and I made our debuts servers and we were rewarded with personal letters from the Bishop. The PCC agreed to incense being added to the Candlemas and All Saints services so Lucy Hutchinson 2nd Hazel Carlin have begun their training in its use. I mu5r also pay tribute to the work done by Sheila Roberts and her team in the provision and maintenance of ceremonial requisites. If anyone feels that they can contribute to these necessary and rewarding aspecrs of our worship, come and olk to us - you will be most welcome. William A. Woolley B.Sc. Head Server 12
Stswardshlp and Magazlne Co-ordlnatovs Report for 2023 By the end of 2023. there were 15 people using the weekly numbered envelopes for regular giving, which is down from 16 in 2022. This was a result of trio people leaving and one person joining fhe scheme. Baskets for donations continue to be placed on the back tables at church, with the gifts being taken up to the high altar during che Offertory. From mid-December 2022 to mid-February 2023. a CollecTin.com card reader machine was loaned to SL Jame5 from the Diocese Generous Giving Team for a trial period to assess its effectiveness. In that period it raised enough money to purchase a machine for the church, so from the last Sunday of April 2023 the church's own CollecTin.com machine has been in use each week. The donation suggestions set on the screen fall within the limit5 of the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, meaning that Grft Aid can be claimed on all offerings of those amounts given through the machine, irrespective of the tax status of the donor. Information packs aboui the Parish Giving Scheme are available on the table at the back of church for those who wish to give through their bank using this method. for which Gift Ald is processed for the church. The Shell magazine. with Paul Jenkins as Editor, was issued in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter 2023. It was put on the church website, delivered electronically to people on the church E-mail list and posced or delivered co those not on the Internet. Print copies were on Sale in church. The Summer 2023 edition commeMorad the coronation of King Charles111 with feature articles and the sermon preached by Rev. Andrew Quigley at a special Evensong on Sunday 7th May 2023. Vicky Roe 'The Shell. Editor'5 Review, 2023 It is again a great pleasure to give credit to Vicky Roe who has organised me very well to produce each issue of the Shell in 2023. In the first issue of 20231 was very pleased to have an article from Tom Clifford the plumber who has done excellent work at St James 2nd a committed Christian. Tom used to work at Bentle15 luxury cars and had the task of servicing the top of the range mode15 owned by Jamie Vardy and Princess Ann. Mary Campbell co-chair of the University Botanic Garden gave us a fascinating account of the history of The Knoll. Musical Director Emma Trounson is now firmly established at St James and an account of the ac¢ivities of the choir appears in each issue of the Shell. The May issue focused on the Coronation of King Charles. There were also articles about Choir Alumni Philomena Holladay and her fascination with steam engines and a progress report on the Youth Group by Chiara Steed. Emma proudly announced that the St James Organ Scholar Nicholas Friedesdorff won the Gold Medal at the Leicester MusicFest in the Advanced Organ and Piano classes. 13
In August I reported on the fascinating group of people who were given HOrrary Degree5 at the Universiry of Leicester degree ceremonies. A musical friend of mine Jude Richardson gave an account of his life story sr2rting in Bermuda via Bloomington Indiana and arriving in Leicester. Emma gave an account of the choir visit to Bristol Cathedral. In November Vicky reported on an excellent concert by Cantus Juvenum Karlruhe and her visit to Holy Island. I was delighted that Professor Martin Barstow wrote about his life as an astrophysicist and a member of the Church of England. Martin's article contained a specracular picture from the James Webb Space Telescope. Finally. I gave an account of a visit we made to Frankfurc and Mainz to see a Leicester University Aumni who is taking the opera world by storm. Everyone l asked to contribute did so with great enthu5ia5m especially when I sent them the previous edition. At this moment several people are hard at work writing article5 for the next edition of the Shell. The Shell re3ches past and present members of St James and so it should be seen as part of our outreach activities. Interesting articles from people with wide range of backgrounds clearly helps ro show that Stjames the Greater is lively Church. Paul Jenkin5, Editor of the Shell Friends of SL James the Greater Report. 2024 The Friends of St James the Greater was launched by our former Vicar, the Very Reverend Dr Derek Hole, Provost Emeritus of Leicester Cathedral. Its main aims are to preserve and enhance the fabric of the Church of St James the Greater and to support its work and ministry. by a variety of means: Keeping in touch with former members of the congregation who remain interested in the Church's wellbeing, but are no longer able to worship regularly. due to relocation, infirmity or other changed circumstances- Canvassing for financial support via subscription or legacy.. Providing inforn)ation about and invitations to special evens including the Patronal Festival, festivals in the Church calendar, concerts 2nd exhibitions, not forgettinz social occasions. The FOSJ 15 an independent charity. its activitie5 stalled during the pandemic and the protrdcted illness of Derek Hole. However. in 2022. the Trustees regrouped under the chairnianship of Mrs Tricia Dean. who worshipped and Served in the Church for 40 years, before moving to Lutterworth. The death of the Honourable David Brunning deprived them of a valued colleague. but they have welcomed Dr Caroline Beardsmore and Mrs April Rule ro their ranks. It is the Trustees. aspiration to revive the FOSJ, to build up its membership and to play a more prominent part in the affairs of the Church, with particular reference to the upkeep of its buildings. An Annual General Meeting, to which all members of the congregation were invited, was held after the morning service on the 2023 Patronal Festival. Thi will be repeated in 2024. hoping for a better attendance from 311 interested parties. 14
At the AGM, the Chairman will report on the outcomes of a mailsho¢ which will have informed the Trustees, proposals for the future role of the FOSJ, including the disposition of existing funds. Information about the FOSJ and its actNlties should be available in Church and published in its weekly Newsletter or quarterly magazine. The Shell. Tricia Dean Chairman. Friends of St Jame5 the Greater Concerts. Church and Hall Letting5 from January to August 2023 I continued to do the administration of church and hall bookings on a Voluntary basis, but after the efforts and excessive hours required to cover the events at the end of 2022 brought me to the point of exhaustion. I gave notice in January that I was no longer prepared to coyer mid- week evening hire5 and wanted to finish working at the end of August 2023, over two year5 fter I 'stepped into the breach,. I recommended that someone be appointed in good time to be trained on the systems in place in an extended hand-over period before 31 st August. The PCC agreed to the appointment of a paid administrator on 20th April. but the advertisemen¢ was not placed in Diomail until 17th July. In mid-AuguSL James Gutreridge was appointed as par¢-rime paid Administrator to start working on weekday afternoons from I st September 2023. The bookings recording systems I had worked hard to set up in January 2022 helped keep track of enquiries, bookings and Invoices from one-off hall hirers, regular hire groups 2nd those hiring the church for concert5 or event5. The in5trUCtion5 On it5 operarion were updated when necessary. From January to August 2023. there were 5 one-off hall hire events. 6 regular groups who hired the halls on a weekly or monthly basis, 15 concerts, including a choral workshop for schools and a concert by St. James Choristers. There wre also funerdls and other special services. including the Dioce53n Chrisffl EucharisL The Building Seryices Co-ordinator was onty available to cover Saturday bookings. due to other employment on weekdays. The Churchwarden, who had offered to coyer mid_week hire5, was unable to do any of the dates requested by those wanting to book the halls, so they had to be given an apology and a list of other halls for hire in the area. For two Eid parry bookings on Wednesday 28th June, Tony Chizema had to take a day off from his other work to be able to cover the hires, as I was on holiday and no one else was available. This situation means that one-off hall hires 2nd concercs can only be accepted for Saturdays, limifing the potential income lor the church, as 1¢ is necessary to have an SJG represenrative on- 51* for all Such letcings. From September. the Administration and bookings will not be my responsibiliry. but I have prepared a folder of inforniation for the new person with detailed insrructions on the administration sys£em5. weekly and monthly tasks. Bulletin preparation. Bo0.n&5 System. tarrffs and forms, along with a 'Who's Who at SL James, contacts list. Vicky Roe
ST JAMES THE GREAIER CHURCH LElCtSTER INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE PAROCHIAL CHUIECH COUNCII We report on the accounts of 51 James the Greoter Church Leicester for the yeor end8d 31 December 2023. which ore Sel oul on page5 17 to 24. This reFJOrt is made soleW lo th8 Iruslees, 0$ a body. in accordance with the regulation5 mcKle under SectK)n 154 of Ihe Choiilies Act 2011. Ojr work ha5 been Lmdertoken so that we might slate to the chority's truslees those motters w• required lo slate lo Ihem in an Ind8p8ndenl ExanNnerfs report and lor no other PUTPOSe. To the lu11È5t èxtenl p&rmitt&d by lew. we do not acc&pl cx ossum& responsibility lo anyone other than the charitY'S trustees. os o body. for our wtJk. Icx this report, or lor th& opinions we hove lomed. Respectlve respon51blllMes ollhe PCC ond the exumlner Ihe charity's trustees are responsible loi Ihe preporalion of the accounls. The chariW5 tru5tee5 consider thot an aucfil Li not required for this year Under Section 144121 ol the Charitie5 Act 2011 Ilhe ACtI orKJ Ihot on independenl examination is needed. We are qualified to undertoke the exominotion by being o mamber of the Inslitvle of Chartered AccoLMltanls in Englond and Wales. It responsibrtY to.. exomine th¢ occounts Under secllon 145 01 the Act lo lolow the procedures laid down in the general D¥eclions given by the Charity Commission vnder section 14515llbl ol the Act. Bas1$ of Independent txamkner's st0m•h1 Our examiTh)tion was cOd wt in occe(dthee wtth thè Génèral DettiOnS gwèn by lh8 Charity CommissK)n. An exominotion v)cludÈs o TÈVi&W ol thè accounting records kept by the charity ard a compC50n ol Ihe ¢xcounts prèsèntéd with thosè recordg. It also inck)des consideration ol any unusual items or disclosures in Ihe cKcounts. ond 5éékg èxplontslions from you 0$ Irustees conceming any such motlets. The yocedures undèrtaken do not promde oll the emdence Ihot w0d be required in on oudrt. and consequently no oFxnw)n is given 0$ lo whether the occ<)vntS Fxesent o'tfue foif. view on(J the report is ITmlted to Ihose matters set out n the stotemenl below. Indèp•nd•nt ExamhWs slalemenl We hove completed our exomination. We confim Ihot m moteiial motters hove come to our ottenlKJn in eonneclnn with the eyominoti¢y) giving cav5e lo beIve that in ony moteriol re5pecl'. accounting records were not kept In respect of the Chority as reqvlred by sedion 130 of the Act.. or • the accounts do nol occord those records. We hove no concerns ond hove come across no other motters in connection with Ihe examination to which Ilenlion should be drown in this report in order to enoble o proper understanding of thè oeeounts to be oched. Jor¢Jon Dennis TC Group 31 HwJh View Close Leicesler LE4 9LJ 29 October 2024 16
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For Ihe year ended 31 December 2Q22 Unreslrfeled Restrfcted Fund5 Fund5 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Nole INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income 21al 64,384 64,384 77,634 Activities for Generaling Funds 21bl Inveslmenl Income 21cl 11.061 5,152 Income from Church Activities 21dl 25,146 25,146 31.542 Grants and transfers 21el l.(k87 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 100,591 l(K1,591 115,415 RESOURCES EXPENDED Tolol Church Activities 3101 127,562 295 127.857 97,122 TOYAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 127,562 295 127.857 97.122 NET OUTGOING RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 126,9711 12951 127.2661 18,293 Gro$$ Tronslers 239 12391 NET INCOMING/IOUTGOING} RESOURCES AFIER TRANSFERS 126,7321 15341 127.2661 18.293 BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AI I JANUARY 2023 131.538 12.641 144.179 125,886 BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AI 31 Decembor 2023 104.806 12,lQ7 116.913 144,179 The noles on F)ages 19 to 24 form parl of these occounls. 17
PAROCHIAI CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH IEICESTER BALANCÈ SHEET AT 31 Decembef2023 2023 2022 Note FIXED ASSErs Tonglbl8 flxed o¥ets 1.188 CVRRENf ASSEts Debtor5 Sh(rt lem clepDsits 81.416 79.956 Cosh ot bonk ond In hond 34a84 64.207 115.90) 144.263 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALIING DLIE WJTHIN ONE YEAI NEfciiRIENT ASSETS 15,725 144.179 ASSETS 144.179 FUNDS Urnestricted 104,806 131.538 Restrlcted 12.107 12.641 144.179 Approved by the Parcthlal Church Council on 29 October 2024 cd shJned on Sts beholf by: Reverend Andrew QU A1 Ru Sknon Ecknrds The notes on poges 19 to 24 form parl ol these accounls 18
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For tho y¢or ended 31 December 2023 l Accounllng pollchs Basls ol occountlng The finonciol slalemenls hove been prepoTed in occordonce wlh the Chvrch Accounling Regulolions 2006 logether wth applicoble accounting slondards ond the Chorities SORP. The financial slalemenls have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Funds Genera1 funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any reslriclions regording their Use and ore ovailoble lor opplicolion on Ihe general purpose5 Of the PCC. Funds designaled for a particular purpose by the PCC e atso unreslricled. The purp05e5 01 the ieslricted fvnds ore 05 lolbws: Holyooke Trust Fund lo moke 9ranls in coses of need ol the dcretIOn ol Ihe Vicar Organ Fund lo repair and renovale Ihe Church organ Youlh Fund - lo conlribule to youth work wlhin the Chvrch Fabric ond Furnishing Fund - lo iepaii and ienovale Church builclings and furnishings incorporoling the Disobled Access Fund. lo develop ond enhonce all ospecls of music within the Church *0 provide support lor the choir ond it's project5 - to provide hymn books lor the Church to provide rerVatIOn works for the west front and Ihe church ioof Music Development Fund Choir Fvnd Hymn Book Fund Renovolion Fund These account5 include all transaclion5. a5sels and liabililies lor which the PCC 15 responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of Church groups thal owe their main allilialion lo anolher l)ody or those that are informal golherings of ChuTch members. Incomlng rn$our¢es Voluntary Income and capllal sources Collections are recognised when received by or on beholl of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. Income lox recoverable on Gifl AKI donations i5 recognised when the income recognised. Granls and legacies to the PCC are recognised when receNed. Funds raised by lundraising ond social events are accounted for gloss. oth•r Income Rentol income from letting of Ihe church premises, ond ossocialed charges. are occounled for when eamed. Parochial fees due lo the PCC for weddings. funerals elc are accounted lor on an event by event basis 19
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For th• y•ar •nded 31 December 2023 l Accounting pollcies corrtlnued Income from investments Interest from shorl lerm deposils with the Central Board of Finance of the Chvrch of Englond. received gross, is occounted lor when received. Rosovrces used Gronts Grants ond donations are accounted lor when paid over. or when awarded. if that award create5 a binding obligotion on the PCC, A¢ffvilios dlreclly relallng lo the work of the Church The dioceson porish contribution is occounled for when paid. Flx•d assets Consecioted property and movoble church furnlshlngs Consecrated and beneficed property ol any kind is excluded from the accounts by S l 0121 lol ond Icl of the Charitie5 Act 2011. Movable church fumishings held by the Vicor and Churchwordens on speciol trust for the PCC. and which require a loculty for disposal. are accounted for as inolienable properly unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church's Inventory which can be inspected lal any reasonable limel. For inolienoble property ocquired prior lo l Januory 2002 Ihere is insvlficient cost information ovailoble and therefore such assets ore nol valved in the account5. Inclividual items acquired aller l January 2002, and with a purchase pice of £I,OOD or more. wll be copitolised and deprecioted in Ihe occounts over Iheir currently anticipated useful economic life on a straight-line basis. All expenditure Incurred in the year on consecraled or beneficed bulldings or movable church furnishings. individual items under £1,000. or on the repair of movable church fvmishing5 acquired before l Jonuary 2002, over Ihal value. is writlen off. OlhLv Flxtures IIHlngs and offfce equlpmenl Office equipment used within the Church premise5 15 deprected on a straight-line basis over 4 yeors. Current assets Amounls owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees. renls or other income are shown as deblors less provision for amounls thal may prove uncollectable. Short-lerm deposits include cash held on deposit at the CBF Church ol England Funds. 20
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the yeai ended 31 December 2023 2 INCOMING RESOURCES Unie$lTkted Restrfcted Funds Fund5 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 2022 2101 Volunlary Income Plate Collections Casvol Gifl Aid Donalion5 Envelope Scheme Slonding orders- Sonlonder income Income Tax Recloimed Donalions Voltive Flower Donotions Porish Giving Scheme Slewardship Wall sale 5,112 2.667 5,112 2,667 2,496 2,604 2,960 .699 20,894 20,894 12,604 279 12,604 279 11.991 20,147 2.360 321 20,147 2.360 321 22.723 64.384 64,384 77,634 21bl Acllvllle5 for Generallng Funds 21cl Investment Income Interest Received Renl from Church Flot Rent orreors 2,776 7,270 1.015 11.061 2.776 7,270 1,015 11,061 752 4.400 5.152 21dl Income from Church A¢tMlles Wedding & Funeral Fees Church Renla15 and undercroft Holl Renlals and Ashmon room hire Concerts- Poul Jenkins Misc. Income Coffee ond bor tokings Choir money 719 6,917 13.410 2,817 195 719 6.917 13.410 2,817 195 788 300 12,481 14,218 3.127 1,412 25,146 25.146 31,542 21el Grants and Transfors Transfer from Flower Guild Donations & Grants 1,087 1,087 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES I CK),591 IIyJ.591 115.415 21
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTER NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the ended 31 December 2023 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED UnTe$lrfcl Funds Reslrlcled Funds TOTAL FUNDS 21x23 2022 3101 CHURCH EXPENSES Ger1 Church Expenses Careloking, Cleoning, Security Pension Repoirs & Renewols Light. Heal. PoweT.Watei InssJronce Bank charges Clergy Expenses Fines Holl rent refund Ftower owanging other Expenses 10,764 10.764 8.422 238 21,642 19,381 8.102 237 213 7,617 24,370 8,658 349 174 7,617 24,370 8,658 349 174 450 1,422 2,245 63.152 10 2.146 54.088 10 2,146 54.088 Chuvch Admlnlslrollon Expenses Adminislialoi Prinling & Stationery Telephones Acoun15 fees Cord machine rentals Sub5criplion5 Other Expenses- add £2 roundin9 2413 4.745 2.513 3.150 2,413 4,745 2,513 3,150 3,349 2,245 267 13,978 267 13,978 2,199 7,793 Cholr & Orgon Expènses Director ol Music ganis15 Choir Cygan & Piano Mainlenonce Music & Subscriptions Sloging cr6w Other Expen5e5 12,038 9,903 1.792 2,446 12.038 9,903 1,792 2.446 19.129 2,432 3,513 1.150 1,150 éQ3 25,677 27.329 27,329 Church wganlKthons Chullabl• Glvlng Ptsh Contrlbvllon 31,367 31,367 Expenses on Operallng Accounts Hotyooke Fund Organ Fund Youth Fund FO.¢ & Furnishing Fund Choir Fund Flower Guild Fund Cor)certS Garden Parly Hymn Books & Music 5LX) 295 295 295 1,095 500 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 127,562 295 127,857 97.122 22
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST JAMES THE GREATER CHURCH LEICESTE6 NOTES 10 TrIE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2023 4 STAFF COSTS 2023 2022 Wage5 and salories Penssion costs 32,880 27,215 32,880 27,453 During Ihe year Ihe PCC employed the 5ervice5 of a Direclor of Music, Orgonisl / Associole Direclor of Music, on Administrator, a Building Services Co-ordinolor and o cleaner. There were no other disclosoble Ironsoctions in respect of PCC members, persons closely reloled with them or other related parties. 5 FIXED ASSETS FOR USE BY THE PCC Flxtur•$ & Flttlngs Church Hall Total Cost ot l Jonuory 2023 odditions 28,010.(K) ,187.96 41,308 69,318 1,188 al 31 December 2023 29.197.96 41,308 70,506 Dèprèclalion at l January %)23 charge fof the year 28.010.00 41.308 69.318 ot 31 December 2023 28,010.00 41,308 69,318 Net Book Volvo al 31 December 2023 ,187.96 1,188 al 31 December 2022 Frxlures and Fittings comprises both office and church equipmenl. LIABILITIES: AMOUNIS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEA 2023 2022 other creditors 175 630 175 630 23
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2023 7 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUNO Unreslricled Funds Restrlcted Funds Tot Fixed asset5 Current 05sels Current liobilities 1,188 103,793 11751 1,188 115.900 11751 12,107 Fund balance 104.806 12,107 116.913 8 RESTRICTED FUNDS 2023 2022 Youth Group Hymn Books Choir Holyoake Orgon Fund Flower Guild Fabric Music Development 1,408 612 1,438 1.408 612 1,438 1.653 1.077 528 4.705 1.653 1,316 528 12,107 12,641 24