## **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 

- worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel and developing their trust in Jesus 

- provision of pastoral care and practical support for people living in the parish 

- 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. 

2 



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. 

3 



## **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) 

4 



## **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 

5 



_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) 

6 



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 (￿r￿lI 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 Ch￿r¢h Use
Liabilities
Credrtors
l. The financial statements hwe been wepared in acCOrda￿e the Church AccountinE
Regulatio￿ 20C6 u5ingthe Receipts and p￿T￿ent basis.
2. NortrrThJnetary a5set5 retained for church use but not Vall￿ forthe Ststementof Assets and
abilrties indude fixture5 & fitlings and AV & Offi￿ equIp￿nt.

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 V*Ere as bel￿￿..
Bal
Cthvd.
Blhfd.
Re
Pa
ents
Tr8nsfer¥
Restricted
St Anne's RestoratKtrn Fund
St Anne's Old S¢hwl Fund
L(*d c￿we'$ 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 Fa￿1¢
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 Cl￿rth.
st Annes Old School Fund is for ed￿atIonal 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 p￿Erty.
Durham County COU￿11 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 rn￿ernents in funds held ￿ the Parish dLwing the year are set ¢xrt below.
Fundo hekl as agent
Bal
BI￿rd.
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
Dona￿Trs from third parti25 to charities contains monies collerted duri￿ services for other
charits5 and organisations.
io

The Parochial churth COU￿11 of the Ettlesi&stital Parish of Bisknp Auckland
Page 4
NOTES {Cont.}
FurtherAna1¥￿'5 of Receipts ond P￿rnents
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
AN￿lA0
Christ￿n$ 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 Sp￿se to PCC Chair V*QS renumer*ed for eM￿0¥ment as Children & Families.
MI￿On Leader1£12.8111 ￿u5 travd expenses.
7. 2024 a trustee was renumerated for emrloyThent as G￿rnV￿rty Mission Leader
1£9.8831 plus travd eKperbses.
8. Vtrgerfees h￿e 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 Tn￿ee.
12