The Church of St Mary- Great Sankey Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1RE
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ending 31st December 2023
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St. Mary’s, Great Sankey
Annual Report of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
A member of the West Warrington Church Team
1. Reference and Administrative Information
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary, Great Sankey is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Charity registration number: 1180928.
St. Mary’s Church is located on Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 1RE. The parish is part of the Diocese of Liverpool.
Official correspondence should be sent to the Rev. Jeremy Tear, St. Mary’s Church, Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1RE
For the period 1[st] January 2023 until the date of approval of this report, the following people served as members of the Parochial Church Council:
| Pioneer Team Rector | Rev. Jeremy Tear |
|---|---|
| Chair | |
| Churchwardens | Jane Hampton (appointed April 2023, Vice chair) |
| Lynn Parish (term of office ended April 2023) | |
| John Taylor (appointed April 2022) | |
| Elected members | Amanda Adlington (appointed April 2023) |
| Susan Gibbons (resigned January 2023) | |
| Jane Hampton (appointed April 2022) | |
| Roxy Jones (term of office ended April 2023) | |
| Lynn Parish (appointed April 2023) | |
| Joan Rotheram (appointed September 2022) | |
| Julie Shaw (Treasurer, resigned April 2023) | |
| Keith White (appointed May 2023) | |
| Ex-officio members | Rev. Martin Thorpe, Pioneer Team Vicar |
| Rev. Sarah Peppiatt, Pioneer Team Vicar | |
| Deanery Synod | Roxy Jones (term of office ended April 2023) |
| Representatives | Kate Forrest (appointed April 2023) |
| Electoral Roll | Jean Lawrence |
| DBS Verifier and | Clare Grimes |
| Safeguarding Officer |
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Finance Assistant Fiona Barnard, appointed 2018. Fiona was invited to attend meetings but could not vote. Fiona has kindly been taking the minutes of meetings.
Assistant Warden Kate Forrest and Ian Knight were re-appointed in April 2023 but are not members of the PCC.
Employees
Gail Cordon, Laura Hampton, Derek Bowden, Mick and Doren Hartop, and Lynn Parish undertook ad hoc duties as vergers/bell ringers
Treasurer’s Report See attached.
Independent P Carty FCA, 70 Longbarn Lane, Woolston, Warrington, WA1 4QR Examiner
2. Structure, Management and Governance
St. Mary’s Sankey PCC is a body corporate and operates under the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules .
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All church members are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.
Day to day management of the Church was delegated by the PCC to the Standing Committee: Rev. Jeremy Tear (Pioneer Team Vicar appointed 2015) John Taylor (Churchwarden from April 2022) and Jane Hampton (Churchwarden from April 2023)
The Standing Committee can be contacted by telephone as shown in the Church Suite app; Rev Jeremy Tear can be contacted by e-mail at: revjeremytear@gmail.com or phone on 01925-485288.
Safeguarding Procedures
The PCC has complied with its duty to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Individual PCC members receive online training as and when deemed appropriate. The Safeguarding Officer undertook Diocesan training (after an initial session with Diocesan Advisor Ruth Reed in 2018) and the whole PCC received training in child protection policy and procedures during this session. All members of the PCC are in the process of completing DBS checks. We received additional training on GDPR by Helen Aghanian, our Church Administrator in 2018.
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Risk Assessments
The PCC undertook a programme of risk assessments to identify their major risks. Procedures were then put in place to manage those risks and minimise their impact on the life of the church.
Financial Risk
An annual budget is prepared to ensure short term viability. Actual results compared with budget are reported to the PCC every half year. The charity has two main sources of income; namely the giving by members to the Church by cash on plates, legacies, Parish Giving Scheme & envelopes; and baptisms, weddings and funerals.
The PCC review their investments regularly. Investments are only made in approved low risk funds.
All assets are insured. A review was carried out in 2018 to ensure cover at an appropriate level.
The PCC has approved internal and external controls for annual accounts.
● Compliance with Law and Regulation
A health and safety review was undertaken by a member of the church with specific experience in this area. The PCC was appraised of the risks and the necessary requirements and these are undergoing compliance.
● Operational risk
Regular maintenance checks are done on the building by way of a Quinquennial on the structure and checks on internal electrical items like boiler, heating system, fire extinguishers, fire & security alarms.
3. Objectives and Activities
The general functions of the PCC are stated within section 2 of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
At St. Mary’s our vision statement says that we desire ‘to be a growing church making a growing difference’. We desire to grow both numerically, spiritually and through the facilities we offer. At the PCC’s away day in July 2021, we devised a three-year strategy document for the period 2021-2023.
When planning our activities for the year, the PCC gave consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of religion.
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Our activities in 2023 provided the following public benefits:
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Regular public worship open to all, both on Sundays, midweek and for funerals, weddings and baptisms. The Church has easy access and was awarded a ‘ Child Friendly Award ’ in 2017 by the Liverpool Diocese.
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The provision of sacred space for personal prayer and contemplation and praying for those who ask for assistance.
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Pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved. Home Communion is taken out to some who are unable to attend church by a small authorised team.
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We held Christmas services in church for Great Sankey and Park Road Primary Schools. Kids Planet Nursery school attended Easter, Harvest and Christmas events and we went into nursery to read bible stories for pre-school children during the year.
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Sunday school activities for those aged 4-11 called ‘Lightnings’, in church.
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Supporting other charities in the UK and overseas with 10% of income, plus special collections. Also, practical support for the Food Bank in Warrington, and for children in need in our town through a Toy Service.
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We held a Summer and Christmas Fair to raise funds for the church and to provide opportunities for the community to connect with one another
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We have a monthly community lunch to provide a means for people to connect with each other and avoid isolation
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We rented out the church to a local Pilates teacher for weekly sessions, and occasionally to other bodies, e.g. Great Sankey Parish Council.
Churches Together in West Warrington
St. Mary’s Church continues to work with other churches in West Warrington. This included a Churches Together Good Friday service and a Prayer Walk on Ascension Day. We also worked with other churches in West Warrington to share God’s love through providing ‘Open the Book’ bible story telling sessions in local schools
West Warrington Team Ministry
On a team note, St. Mary’s is part of the West Warrington Team Ministry which comprises St. Mary’s, Great Sankey; St. Paul’s, Penketh; St. James’, Hood Manor; and St. Philip’s, Westbrook. The clergy meet together regularly, and the churches worship together on specific occasions throughout the year.
Church Buildings
A variety of general maintenance tasks were completed including work to the roof and tower as part of our Quinquennial inspection
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Charitable giving policy
At St. Mary’s we give away a tithe (10%) of our annual giving through the Parish Giving Scheme, a weekly envelope scheme, standing orders and cash on the plate.
We also support the following charities: - Leprosy Mission, Church Army, Church Mission Society, The Children’s Society, and The Food Bank in Warrington (part of the Trussell Trust).
4. Achievements and performance
Electoral roll
There were 96 people registered on the electoral roll at the APCM in 2023.
Worship
Average attendance at Sunday Services in 2023 was around 7 people attending the 8am communion service and around 59 adults/children attending an average 10am service. We also had a consistent figure of around 12 attending the Wednesday Holy Communion service.
Pastoral care and service to our community
It has always been a top priority of the church to care for members and to serve the local community. This takes place within both regular and special church services (including an annual memorial service for the bereaved), and monthly home communion visits. The Vicar writes a weekly letter sent by email/post.
Growing in Faith
In spring 2023, we ran a Growing in Faith course, followed by The Talking Jesus course in the summer. In the autumn, we ran an Alpha course which was attended by members of the church and those connected to it.
5 . Financial review
See Treasurer’s Report.
Reserves Policy
We keep a reserve of £5,000.
6. Plans for the future
See ‘Strategy Document for 2021-2023’ which we have reviewed at PCC.
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Great Sankey, St Mary Statement of Financial Activities
For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | total funds | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 72,279.05 | 4,207.07 | - | 76,486.12 | 67,974.30 |
| Income from charitable activities | 6,878.00 | - | - | 6,878.00 | 8,334.87 |
| Other trading activities | 3,852.73 | 211.38 | - | 4,064.11 | 3,856.59 |
| Investments | 3,307.69 | - | - | 3,307.69 | 1,336.78 |
| Other income | - | - | - | - | 84.00 |
| Total income | 86,317.47 | 4,418.45 | - | 90,735.92 | 81,586.54 |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 421.73 | - | - | 421.73 | 1,464.49 |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 118,086.02 | 1,550.40 | - | 119,636.42 | 93,285.10 |
| Other expenditure | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total expenditure | 118,507.75 | 1,550.40 | - | 120,058.15 | 94,749.59 |
| Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer | (32,190.28) | 2,868.05 | - | (29,322.23) | (13,163.05) |
| Transfers: | |||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | 14,014.55 | - | - | 14,014.55 | - |
| Gross transfers between funds - out | (14,014.55) | - | - | (14,014.55) | - |
| Other recognised gains / losses | |||||
| Gains/losses on investment assets | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gains on revaluation,fixed assets,charity's own use | - | - | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | (32,190.28) | 2,868.05 | - | (29,322.23) | (13,163.05) |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 201,710.34 | 5,744.67 | - | 207,455.01 | 220,618.06 |
| Total funds carried forward | 169,520.06 | 8,612.72 | - | 178,132.78 | 207,455.01 |
(13 March 2024 6:34 pm) Page 1 of 1
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of St Marys PCC Great Sankey On account$ for the year ended 31° December 2023 Charlty no {if any} 1180928 Set out on pag•s I r8port to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust I for the year ended 31112 12023. Responslbllltles and As the charity Irusteas of the Trust, you ar8 r8sponsible for the pr8paralion basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"the Act"). I report in respect ol my examination of tho Trust's accounts carried out under se¢tion 145 of thè 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed th8 applicable Directions given by th8 Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. I have completod my examinatlon. l Confim that no material matters have come lo my attention (other than that di$clo$8d below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to beliève that in, any material respect.. accounting records wer8 not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with thé accounting records Independent èxaminar'8 statement I have no concems and have come 8cross no other matters in conn8clan with the examination to which attèntion should be drawn in ord8r lo enabl8 propèr understanding of the accounts to be reached Please delete the words in the brnckets if th8y do not apply. Slgned: Date: 0810412024 Name: Paul Carty Relevant professlonal qualifi¢atlonl$l or body {If any): Association of Accounting Technicians Address.. 234 Manchester Road Warrington WA138D IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight matters of Goncem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. d1ctionS and guidance for examinérs). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wlshe8 to disclose. IER October 2018