THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BISHOP AUCKLAND
REGISTERD CHARITY NUMBER 1180703
ANNUAL TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR 2024
Aims and Purposes
Bishop Auckland Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, Revd Matthew Keddilty, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of St Andrew’s Church, South Church and St Anne’s Church, Market Place, Bishop Auckland.
Objectives and Activities
When planning our activities for the year the incumbent and the PCC attach great importance to public benefit, and we try to enable every person to live out their faith as part of our parish community through
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worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel and developing their trust in Jesus
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provision of pastoral care and practical support for people living in the parish
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missionary and outreach work
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship in our two churches and to become part of our parish community. Our services and worship are based around prayer, Bible reading, preaching, music and sacrament.
PCC members also provide input into the parish Mission Action Plan as they consider how we can best serve our church members, local community and the wider world through our services and activities.
Achievements and Performance
Worship and Prayer
The PCC are keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year which our community find both beneficial (including for those who are socially isolated) and spiritually fulfilling. We try to provide a range of services: from a traditional Holy Communion service (liturgically led and with traditional hymns) in St Andrew’s each Sunday morning; a quieter Holy Communion service in St Anne’s each Thursday; and our contemporary Sunday Gathering service (of an inter-generational and interactive style, with contemporary music) from St Anne’s.
All are welcome to attend our regular services. In 2024 our parish worshipping community consisted of 124 people (31 children aged 0-10, 10 young people aged 11-17, 53 adults aged 18-69 and 30 adults aged 70+).
In 2025, we have prepared an entirely new Electoral Roll, as per the due process. There are now 64 people on the Church Electoral Roll.
As well as our regular services, we enable our local community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life and offer appropriate pastoral support. In 2024, 21 baptisms, 2 weddings and 27 funerals (of which 10 were conducted at a crematorium or cemetery) took place in our parish. On 3[rd] November we held a service for All Souls in St Anne’s Church for the relatives of those whose funerals had been conducted in the parish during the past year so that they could light a candle, listen to a short reflection and remember their loved ones.
Work with Children, Youth & Families
During 2024 our work with children, young people and families expanded following the recent appointment of our Growing Faith Mission Leader to work with 5-11s throughout the parish, to work alongside our refocussed Early Years Mission Leader. We also employed a Blessed Beginnings Sessional Worker to cover a long-term sickness absence. We undertook our weekly, term-time, activities of: Blessed Beginnings (our group for babies and toddlers and their parents / carers); Kingdom Kids (our group for 5-11s and their families); and, Youth Group (for young people aged 11 -18 years). During school holidays we ran a range of activities including a free family film club (with a hot meal included) and Stay ‘n’ Play sessions.
We continue supporting local primary schools by delivering a programme of weekly assemblies and RE lessons. We also worked with local primary schools to produce a large colourful display in St Anne’s during the weekend of the Food Festival and a similar display of decorations at the Christmas Tree Festival in St Anne’s which coincided with the town’s Christmas Market. On both occasions many families came into church to see what their children had made in school. We also held our Christingle service in St Andrew’s Church.
Ministry to the Elderly
Lay pastoral visitors visit house-bound parishioners and spend time talking, listening and giving communion to these people, who have been regular long-term church worshippers but who are no longer able to come to church. The pastoral visitors also visit anyone who has been in hospital and needs time to recuperate before returning to church. Those receiving visits all say how much they enjoy them, and that they feel better afterwards.
Town Events
Once again, the Bishop Auckland Food Festival took place in April and St Anne’s Church was open throughout the weekend providing refreshments and toilet facilities as well as a place for children to play. On Remembrance Sunday, the church and various members, led the town’s Civic Parade at the memorial, followed by a service in St Anne’s Church; and on D-Day led local civic proceedings to mark the 80th anniversary. After opening for the weekend of Bishop Auckland Christmas Town with a Christmas Tree festival in St Anne’s Church, on the Saturday before Christmas, we held a carol service in the Market Place.
Helping people in need
Our appointment of a Community Mission Leader increased our capacity to support individuals within and without our church family, allowing us to respond to the needs of the community, facilitate regular social events.
We continue to support our local food bank (part of a crisis intervention project based in Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre) through donations of food and hygiene products, in addition to financial assistance.
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Throughout the year we have given to other registered charities in this country and overseas. These currently include Christians against Poverty, Compassion UK (through whom we sponsor a little boy in Kenya), The Message Trust, Medaille Trust, Mercy Ships and Prison Fellowship.
We have also supported local families by holding a baby clothing event and a school uniform event with items of clothing available free of charge or for a small donation. Grants of £1000 and donations from the community were used to purchase school uniform. We also keep a supply of used children’s clothes to offer to anyone who asks us for them.
When deciding which charities to support and for how long, the parish Global Mission Committee will bear in mind some of the stated priorities of the Diocese, namely poverty, children and the environment. We also continue to provide practical assistance to individuals who approach the church directly for help and where necessary we signpost them to the appropriate agencies when longer term support is required. In our care for the wider world, we seek where possible to use Fairtrade and environmentally friendly products.
We have also continued to help displaced Ukrainian families with clothes and given practical help and support to help them with their new life in our town. We held a Service of Prayer for Ukraine to mark the second anniversary of the invasion.
Ecumenical Involvement
Bishop Auckland Parish is a member of the Bishop Auckland Fellowship of Christian Churches (BAFCC), a grouping of local churches from various Christian denominations. BAFCC events in which the Bishop Auckland Parish were involved included the weekly Lent lunches and the ‘Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity’.
Parish Website and Facebook Page
Information about safeguarding and contact details for the parish are available on our website (www.baparish.church), and our Facebook page (Bishop Auckland Parish) is regularly updated.
Buildings
To facilitate our work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the churches of St Andrew (Grade I listed) and St Anne (Grade 2) and ensure that all equipment is serviced and inspected as necessary.
A programme of building works is being developed to provide St Anne’s Church with more appropriate facilities needed to serve the local community. The south roof of St Anne’s Church is in need of repair / replacement and we are currently looking into the possibility of installing solar panels or slates.
During 2024, works were carried out to restore the Bells at St Andrew’s Church, and a special service of rededication of the bells and a blessing of the new bell roles was also held on 28[th] April 2024.
In 2024, St Andrew’s Church celebrated its 750[th] birthday. Various celebratory events were held throughout the year including four scheduled concerts featuring a number of Choirs and the Durham Constabulary Brass Band, plus a special service on St Andrews day.
Hire of Church Premises
St Anne’s Church has a number of spaces available for hire at reasonable rates, subject to the completion of a hire agreement which includes compliance with health and safety and safeguarding regulations.
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Financial Review
In 2024 total receipts into unrestricted funds were £61,545: unrestricted voluntary donations amounted to £53,796, of which £9,310 was claimed as Gift Aid. Receipts from church activities, principally fees for weddings and funerals, contributed £4,279.
Of receipts into restricted funds of £46,317, grants accounted for £23,742. Most of these grants were for the staff costs.
Regular giving was up slightly on the previous year again (£36,591 - up from £36,440 in 2023).
At £107,862, total Parish receipts were higher than the £101,774 received in 2023, due mainly to increases in donations and fees for our activities and grants.
A total of £94,694 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from Bishop Auckland Parish, including the contribution of a Diocesan Parish Share of £39,210, (£7,969 more than in 2023). Other major costs were in respect of insurance, utilities, and buildings maintenance.
Payments from restricted funds amounted to £72,605; much of the youth and children’s work was funded by grants from the Scotto Trust, with a significant additional proportion coming from Parish reserves in the form of the St Anne’s Old School Fund, which is available for application for educational purposes.
Total payments in the year were £167,299, an increase from the £143,755 in 2023.
The net result for the year was an excess of payments over receipts of £59,437 overall.
Based on the bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward at 31 December 2024 thus amounted to £57,576.40 of unrestricted funds and £37,366.55 of restricted funds, that is, £94,942.95 in total.
The PCC wishes to thank John Griffiths (Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) for carrying out the role of Independent Examiner of the accounts.
Reserves policy
It is PCC policy to maintain a sufficient balance from unrestricted funds in its current account to cover day to day running expenses and to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time.
It is our policy to invest our funds with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund.
Staff Team in post in 2024:
Vicar - Revd Matthew Keddilty
Children & Families’ Mission Leader for 0 - 11s/Early Years Mission Leader – Mrs Alison Keddilty
Parish Administrator –Mrs Jenny Laycock
Growing Faith Mission Leader – Rev Brett Vallis
Community Mission Leader – Mrs Jo Green (since 3 January 2024)
Blessed Beginnings Sessional Worker – Mrs Claire Scarlett (since 19 February 2024)
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Volunteers
All our volunteers have been safely recruited and undergone appropriate training.
Safeguarding
The PCC has endorsed and operates in accordance with the House of Bishops Safeguarding Policy for children, young people and adults. Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at all full PCC and Standing Committee meetings.
Rev Matt Keddilty has been acting as Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO), whilst the PCC has been recruiting a new individual to this post, and has worked with staff members and volunteers to ensure that the above safeguarding policy is being adhered to.
All our activities are risk assessed, and all paid and voluntary workers are ‘Safer Recruited’. DBS checks and safeguarding training are renewed every three years.
Contact details for local safeguarding officers are clearly displayed in both churches, as well as a list of emergency helplines.
Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The membership of Bishop Auckland PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), lay reader and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the Electoral Roll of the church. All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC is responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including decisions on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. During 2024 the PCC met four times to discuss church matters. During 2024 a Finance Committee was created whose terms of reference were approved by the PCC. We also have a Global Mission Committee which meets periodically throughout the year to discuss our support for other charities and organisations at home and abroad. The Global Mission Committee is responsible to the PCC and reports back to it regularly.
Three lay members of the PCC sit on the Deanery Synod and Diocesan Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the Parish and the wider structures of the Anglican Church.
Administrative Information
Bishop Auckland Parish consists of two churches: St Andrew’s Church, South Church, Bishop Auckland DL14 6FR and St Anne’s Church, Market Place, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP. Bishop Auckland Parish is part of the Diocese of Durham within the Church of England.
The Parish Office is based in St Anne’s Church and is open Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 12.30 pm when the Parish Administrator is available to respond to enquiries from members of the public.
The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and became a registered charity (number 1180703) in November 2018.
PCC members who were in office during 2024:
Incumbent: Revd Matthew Keddilty Chairperson
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Reader: Mrs Catherine Taylor
Vice Chair
Wardens :
Mrs Ruth Riddell (also Representative to Deanery Synod)
Mr Martin Wood (until 24 June 2024) (also Representative to Deanery Synod and Diocesan Synod)
Marilyn Weerasinghe (from 24 June 2024) Nick Barker (from 24 June 2024)
Elaine Simpson (from 24 June 2024)
Elected Members:
Anthony Coulls
Mrs Joanne Green
Miss Ruth Keddilty
Mr David Riddell (also Representative to Deanery Synod)
Mr John Waine
Mrs Marilyn Weerasinghe (from 19 May 2024)
Nora Jones (from 19 May 2024)
Julie Bowes (from 19 May 2024)
Shirley Brown (from 19 May 2024)
Mrs Rachel Wood
Co-opted Members:
Diane Manners (from 6 October 2024)
Ex-officio Members:
Martin Wood (from 24 June 2024)
This report and associated accounts were presented to the APCM of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bishop Auckland on 18 May 2025.
Signed Revd Matt Keddilty
Vicar of Bishop Auckland (PCC Chairman)
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BISHOP AUCKLAND. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1180703 I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Bishop Auckland for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are Set out in the attached pages. Respective responsibilitie5 of trustees and examiner As trustees of the charity the members of the Parochial Church Council are responsible for the preparation ol the accounts. The members consider that an audit 15 not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Att 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examlnation is needed. It Is my responsibility- to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Direciions given by the Charity Commlsslon under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner'5 report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a reviow of the accounting record5 kept by the charity and a tomparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosure5 in the account5 and seeking explanations from the trustees toncerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the account5 present a 'true and fair view, the report 15 limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Independent examiner'5 Statemont I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any materlal respect: accounting record5 were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Att or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date lo /og / Name JOHN LLOYD GRtFFITHS Address LIDO HOUSE, 22 NEW FOLD, HOLMFIRTH, WEST YORKS. HD9 2DQ Relevant professional Qualiticationlsl or body lif any) B.A. (Hons.) F.C.M.A
The P&rothial chuwth Cthjntll ol the Etclesidstic&l Parish of Bislw AuL&land Paee I Financial Statements lorthe year ended 31 December 2024 RECEIPTS AND PAYMEpifs ACCOUN[ Iloie Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Fund8 2024 2023 RECEIPTS Voluntary Receipts.. Planned Givin ColÈctk)n$ at Ser¢ices Other volunlary giving Gtft Aid awKI GASDS Retoveted Legacies Grants 34.9)2 5.458 4.127 9.310 1.e9D 38.591 5,458 17217 30.440 9.847 11.843 10.703 soo 13.rp)D 1.825 23.742 4D.347 23.742 94.143 11.530 53.790 80.8e3 Activities for Generating Funds Investment Incorne Church Activitieg Any other income TOTAL RECEIPTS 3.47D 4.279 2.73Q 3.188 73 6.200 7.447 73 6.831 13.238 1.045 101,TT4 5a 61,545 46,317 107,862 PAYMENTS Church Activitie¥'. Diocesan Parish Share Contribution Salaries & Honoraria Clergy & Staff Expenses Mission & Evangelism Mission GwirTrg & DonatK)ns 39.21D 10.834 39.210 05.114 1,730 10.634 2.284 118.072 31.241 38.420 6+7 54.48D 1.730 2.008 2.284 55.887 8.620 10.se8 2.402 83.597 5b 63.105 Church Running Expenses: Insurances Church Maintenance Administrabon Costs uknIrtEs othw Chlrch runn*ig expenses Maior Church Repairs & Maintenance Costs o( tradin 11.471 11.471 704 S.Q69 18.517 6.680 6,379 10.E143 3.Se3 14 5.038 14.713 5.388 31 1.8D4 1.272 0.379 20.7e8 7.W8 11.702 5¢ 38.200 9.500 47.71M) 59.910 Cost¥ of Generating Funds Other Payfftents TOTAL PAYMENTS 827 627 94,694 72.605 167399 143.755 EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS 133,1491 [26.2881 159,4371 141,9811 Transfers between funds Adjugtment to Closing balance Prior year a¢Jjustmeni NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 13031 11.7281 134.8781 (1.7281 161.165} 126.2881 142.3441 Cash in hand & Bank 8alance8 at 1 Jan 02.4 63.854 158.108 198.452 Cash in hand & Bank Balances at 31" Dec 57.570 37.307 94.943 150.108
The Parnchiol Church (rlI of the Ec(lesiostical Parish of Bishr4> PaEe 2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & UPAUTIES AT 31 DE(EWER Note UnresiiTrcted Funds Resiricied Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Cash Funds Cash in hand and bank current account HS6C Deposit accounts C.B.F. Dewsit Funds C.B.F. Trust FuTrJ (Lighlfoot Insb'tutel 121.285.601 27.897.QS 0.88 9.48172 6.812 35 088 9,481.72 78.882 DD 94942J5 7.711.85 58.592.04 80.501.79 155.W1658 78.&2.Trj 57.576.40 37.3.55 Other Monetary A$set$ Del)tor8 2.098 Gift Aid Recoverable 9.310 1.125 10.703 A8set8 retained for Chr¢h Use Liabilities Credrtors l. The financial statements hwe been wepared in acCOrdae the Church AccountinE Regulatio 20C6 u5ingthe Receipts and pTent basis. 2. NortrrThJnetary a5set5 retained for church use but not Vall forthe Ststementof Assets and abilrties indude fixture5 & fitlings and AV & Offi equIpnt.
The P&rochi&l Church c¢11 ol the Ec¢lesiastic81 Parish of Bisl)op Au(kl8nd P&ge 3 3. The mo4Ement in restricted funds duri the year VEre as bel.. Bal Cthvd. Blhfd. Re Pa ents Tr8nsfer¥ Restricted St Anne's RestoratKtrn Fund St Anne's Old S¢hwl Fund L(d cwe'$ Charrty for Relief in Need Durham County Council Bishop Auckland Herilage Action Zone Youth & Children The Friends of Sl Anne Pansh Administrator Fund Heatin Cha Audio-b'i8ual E ment Or an Maintenance 70 58.093 7.204 78 29.951 8,000 130.8391 I2.2} l.D 1.171 13.8541 430 18.0 43.021 30,839 23 2.740 1.804 410 180 452 2.740 es 14 396 180 riAIII St AndrevKs Be115 RelE14n-Need Accountin Sofmfare Flowers Bookstall St Anne's Church NWL & ESW Water (Relundl St Andrevts .750. St Andrevfs Fa1¢ 400.00 4.4 8.878 8.379 13.888 31 11.5791 12.9491 2.284 50 50 14251 254 774 1.199 254 73 7242 73 3.457 3.785 83.654 40.317 72.8C6 37.367 Unre8tti¢ted L" htf(x)I Insbtthe 89.502 3.404 114.ID41 7B,862 st Anne'5 Restoration Fund is forthe restoration of st Anne s Clrth. st Annes Old School Fund is for edatIonal PLwposes. £30,839 vms used for youth and children's V4Drk Lord CrEwe'5 charity for Relief in Need is to be used Relief in Need purposes. £2.264 was used for social actbjn on pErty. Durham County COU11 8ishop Auckland HeritaRe ktion Zor wovbded a gr4nt toward5 rcofing works for St Anne's Church. £14.IC4 V4ras wrthdrawn from the Lightfc)t unrestricted trust fiJnd (held by the Diocese of Durham as a Custodian Trustee) 4. The PCC holds funds deposited on behalf of othus wth no control Overt management of these furxls. The rnernents in funds held the Parish dLwing the year are set ¢xrt below. Fundo hekl as agent Bal BIrd. 2.478 Receipts Payments 187 215 9.245 Transfers Cthvd. 2.288 495. 17 45.80 Ifc¢l St Petees Chapel. Audland Castle Donations from third parries to chanbes Fees and ob)ef payments to third parries 517 8.675 2.618 DonaTrs from third parti25 to charities contains monies collerted duri services for other charits5 and organisations. io
The Parochial churth COU11 of the Ettlesi&stital Parish of Bisknp Auckland Page 4 NOTES {Cont.} FurtherAna1¥'5 of Receipts ond Prnents Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 Recei ts a. Church activities Fees lor weddin s and funerals Trndin Room Rental 8ookstaR Total recei 3.7 2.394 6.153 12.Q3 520 520 5SO 774 774 ts from tradin acb.vths 520 4.279 774 1.2 7.447 3.168 13236 Payments b. Mission ANlA0 Christn$ A ainst Po¥e Chrisljan Aid - Turke Com assion UK Medaille Trust Merc Shi SUK Prison Felh)wshi The Messa e Trust Woodhouse Cthe Commun ivin and donations 3W 3TrJ 300 aEath uake 250 352 300 3W 3M 3W 3M 300 300 3M 300 300 3UU 2.284 3CpJ 3DO 300 300 2,402 Centre 2.284 c. Other church runnin Vicara ex endrture Church cleaning Upkeep of serrfices of church ard Governance costs Church alarms (not rtemized in 2022 Financial Statement) Bookst811 ex enses water 891 1.149 388 73 2.Q52 1.187 630 1.149 771 181 1.552 1.552 1.199 1.IW e36 72 li
The Parochial Churth C(ncIl of the Ecclesiastical Parish of 8ishc¥) Auddand P4y5 NOTES Icont.) 6. fhJrirE 2024 Spse to PCC Chair VQS renumered for eM0¥ment as Children & Families. MIOn Leader1£12.8111 u5 travd expenses. 7. 2024 a trustee was renumerated for emrloyThent as GrnVrty Mission Leader 1£9.8831 plus travd eKperbses. 8. Vtrgerfees he been &)rwted to pcc funds on requtst of the current wst holder. 9. Some afined is restrirted to the Parish Administrntor salary. 10. Pky Tw5ttts rece1 any renumffotion for5ervices as a Tnee. 12