## **St John the Evangelist Church, Hook Annual Report** 

## **and** 

## **Financial Statements** 

**For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 [Registered Charity number: 1183688]** 

**St John the Evangelist Church London Road Hook Hants RG27 9EG Tel:  01256 760169 Email:  office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk Website:   www.whitewaterchurches.co.uk** 



## **CONTENTS** 

|RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT|3|
|---|---|
|CHURCH WARDEN’S ANNUAL REPORT|4|
|ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION|6|
|BUILDING AND FABRIC REPORT|8|
|MINISTRY REPORTS|10|
|COMMUNITY ACTIVITY SUPPORT|16|
|FINANCIAL REVIEW|18|
|FINANCIAL STATEMENTS|F1 – F12|



Page **2** of **19** 



## **Rector’s Annual Report** 

## **Being in the Church Family** 

_“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” St Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 3 v 4-6._ 

We have had a really good year, with enjoyable growth in our worshipping community, new and deepening friendships, plus continuing our breadth of community activity. As a church team with many different individuals offering their gifts, we can celebrate, be grateful to God and to one another for the impact of hard work and faithful service. This report covers so many areas of our church life. We also give thanks for the financial generosity of our church family members and contributions from local organisations. We have financed our planned activities, church screen and projector, plus the purchase of a new piano, bought lovely new chairs and tables for the Narthex, and funded the unexpected need to restore the West Window, which will happen in 2024. 

It was a challenge to say goodbye to Shona and Martin Hoad on the 1st of January. We miss them and continue to wish them well in Cornwall. Our brilliant ministry team and musicians have pulled together for complete continuity, as we offer the full pattern of weekly worship across our four churches in the Whitewater Benefice, with each one taking leadership and responsibility for a church or service. In St John’s our musical worship has attracted new members to the choir and music group. Our worship has been aided by our new screen and projector in the church, awaited since before 2013. We use this monthly for All Age worship and for special events. We welcome children and families to many different worship and activities, as well as our ministry in schools. I want to thank each member of the Youth and Families Team, often serving behind the scenes to make it possible. We have continued to care for our senior members with monthly visits to Berry Court retirement community and Old Raven care home with communion, plus the Lunch Club and Friendship Café. We have read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as a church this year, with significant focus on the Beatitudes. It was so rewarding and inspiring as well as challenging us all to follow closely in Jesus’ footsteps. 

Our communication team has continued to enable us to stay in touch in a wide variety of different ways appropriate to age groups and activities. Our social activities have been well-supported, and the newcomers tea for those who have joined us since the pandemic was a joy. Our buildings are well-cared for, beautifully decorated with flowers, and we have great cakes, sausage rolls, cheese scones at the monthly cake sale, and more food after services, on Tuesday Lunch club once a month, on Thursday Friendship Café weekly, and much in between. The re-formed Gardening team have invested a lot in our grounds this year, with creative plans and visible impact, continuing the work of previous members. The May plant sale was well supported. 

My special thanks go to Samantha Frolich who became Church Warden in April, and has supported me throughout the year; to our finance team with Caroline Bushman as Treasurer; to Eliza Burridge who has supported us all from the Benefice Office; to Richard Morley for 8 years of service as Church Warden; to Richard Paganuzzi coordinating the fabric team; to Caroline Bushman for leading the choir; to Stephen Davies our organist and Nikki Wild leading the music group; Jonathan Bushman LLM for leading our young people ministry, our Ministry team adapting always, and our prayerful friends who underpin our spiritual life. Thank you so much. Also to so many who give their kind and encouraging friendship, prayer support, and vision for God’s kingdom. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector of the Whitewater Benefice_ 

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**Church Warden’s Annual Report** 

## **Statement of Aims** 

The Parochial Church Council [PCC] is to co-operate with the Rector and Ministry Team in promoting within Hook parish the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. The PCC met eight times in 2023, with an average attendance of 84%. There were additional Standing and Finance Committees. 

## **Membership** 

Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with Church Representation Rules. 

During 2023 the membership comprised: 

Rector Revd Canon Dr Marion de Quidt [Chair] Church Wardens Richard Morley [Vice Chair] [to August 2023] Samantha Frolich [Vice Chair] [from April 2023] Secretary Tom Maynes [from April 2023] Deanery Synod Representatives Kim Foster Caroline Bushman [Treasurer] [to April 2023] Martin Rudd [to April 2023] Elected Members Caroline Bushman [Treasurer] [from April 2023] Nicola Clague Stephen Davies Caroline Frolander Sophie Fulpesi Tom Maynes [also secretary – see above] Richard Paganuzzi Susan Purchase Martin Rudd [from April 2023] Liz Wilson 

## **Committees and Teams** 

The PCC operates through committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. Their deliberations are received by the full PCC and discussed accordingly. 

## **Standing Committee** 

This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. 

## **Finance Committee** 

This oversees the general financial work of St John’s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting, maintaining appropriate financial controls and co-ordinating a review of Christian stewardship of money, including planned giving. 

## **Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team** 

Our team includes ordained and Lay members who are listed in the Ministry Team Report. 

Page **4** of **19** 



**Review of the Year** 

As a church, 2023 has been a year of celebration. Our service attendance and congregation have grown and flourished. We have been delighted to offer a variety of services supporting all styles of worship. The music groups and choir have enhanced the worship ensuring that the music appeals to all types of worship. It has been a joy to watch our church family grow this past year. 

2023 has been a busy year for reaching out into our community and we have been grateful to attend both summer and Christmas fetes at Hook schools and the village fair organised by the Lions and Rotary Club. The Open the Book team attend Hook Infant school on a weekly basis, and it has been shared by parents that the children look forward to the team visiting. Reaching out and supporting the community as a church is an opportunity we not only value but enjoy immensely. Activities such as the Friendship Café and Monday Walkers group have returned to normal after the covid pandemic. 

It was an honour to welcome Bishop David to St. John’s in September for the confirmation service. Confirmation is a special time, and it was amazing to be able to share this with extended friends and families. 

The church has been a hub of fun and activity with Youth Club, Messy Church, and the Restoration Station holiday club. All the children who attended had so much fun which the team worked incredibly hard to ensure that there was a variety of activities to cater for all ages and preferences. Bumps and Babes has welcomed the younger infants and is also a way for mums to gain support from each other. Brownies and Rainbows have moved from the Church Hall into the Narthex to make use of the larger space. 

In November we hosted our ‘Welcome tea’ for our new members of our congregation which was well attended. It was a great opportunity to get to know everyone with a combination of great food and conversation. We also presented a quiz to help everyone learn some fun facts about St. John’s and how it’s been a familiar landmark of the Hook community since 1938. 

The church has been a regular venue for concerts for Hook Choral Society. Their last concert, at Christmas, was a performed to a full church. With our own Church Choir and the Wessex Chamber Choir practices, we now have three choirs regularly using the church. 

Remembrance Sunday was an honour for us to support alongside the Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Rainbows, Brownies, church family and the Hook community. To be able to parade up to our Hook memorial and honour and remember those who gave up their lives was such a humbling experience. 

It has been a privilege to continue to support our Ukrainian family with the use of our church for their English lessons and are grateful to Hart Voluntary Action and Odiham Consolidated Charities for their financial help. We were also honoured that we were able to offer St. John’s as a venue for the families to celebrate the Ukraine Independence Day. Again we are grateful for Hart Council for their help for this event, and for supporting the Ukrainian guests in Hart in general. 

Our Christmas events are always an exciting time for us to open our doors and welcome the community to worship together at this magical time. We had an amazing turn out for Carols Around the Tree. The Crib Service held on Christmas Eve had the church bursting at the seams which was wonderful, and it was such a joy to see all the children dressed up as characters from the nativity. 

_Samantha Frolich, Church Warden_ 

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## **Administrative Information** 

St John the Evangelist Church is situated on London Road, Hook and is part of the Whitewater Benefice of Hook and HMR (Heckfield and Mattingley with Rotherwick).  It is in the Deanery of Odiham under the Diocese of Winchester within the Church of England. The correspondence address is: 

The Church Office St John the Evangelist Church London Road Hook RG27 9EG. 

The PCC is a charity registered with the Charity Commission in the legal name which is “THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, HOOK” with the registration number 1183688.  The PCC is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. 

## **Electoral Roll Report** 

The Electoral Roll records the names and addresses of all those who consider their spiritual home to be St John the Evangelist, Hook. It is used for a variety of purposes including parish and diocesan communications, and it also determines the number of representatives the church has on the Deanery Synod. Having your name on the Electoral Roll allows you to vote at the Annual Parochial Church meeting. 

As of 31[st] December 2023, the number of people enrolled for St John’s was 130. This represents a net increase of 8 since 31[st] December 2022. Of these, 82% live in the parish and 18% live outside the parish. The composition of St John’s Electoral Roll is 65% women and 35% men. 

The PCC appreciates the help and support that roll members give to St John’s through their prayers, offerings, and participation in church life. 

## _Susan Purchase, Electoral Roll Officer_ 

## **PCC Meetings** 

PCC met eight times in 2023. 

As in previous years, meetings continued to focus on nominated subjects: worship and discipleship, iKnow (February); annual reports and financial statements, screen and projector (March 1); diocesan three year financial plan consultation (March 2); update on HMR post, church and centre cleaning (May); SIAMS, Eco Church (July); safeguarding (September); budget, west window repair, Narthex furniture, wellbeing of rector and ministers (November). 

The APCM was held on 23[rd] April 2023. Full copies of PCC documents are available on request from the Church Office. 

The churchwarden would like to thank the sub-committees and individuals for their support in the administration of the Church. 

## _Samantha Frolich, Church Warden_ 

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**Comms Team** 

The Comms Team meets most months at St John’s to co-ordinate communications and publicity. 

As a team we manage much of the benefice communications. 

- 1) Website – this year we have continued to work with various updates from our service provider, most recently adding better functionality into the calendar. 

- 2) Facebook – we continue to manage Facebook for both Hook and HMR. 

- 3) ACNY – we update A Church Near You publishing details of services and events here.  ACNY has had an update, which lets us manage a benefice, publishing events to all or specific churches, which is a big improvement. 

- 4) Banners, posters and fliers – we have produced a number of banners that go outside St John’s, posters for events, and even fliers for Hook Churches.  We are trying to ensure consistency so that our branding is obvious, and ensuring that we use the similar images across a range of social media/media – to give a visual cohesion so for example what is on Facebook matches the banners we have outside church. 

- 5) iKnow Church.  We also manage iKnow Church which is used for management of Life Events such as Weddings across the Benefice, and in Hook it is now used to manage our church members, groups, teams, rotas, contacts, ticketed events, room bookings and the electoral roll etc. 

A considerable amount of effort was put into rationalising, following up getting the appropriate (GDPR) boxes ticked so we can contact you, and generally improving the quality of the data that is held in iKnow Church and this activity will continue into next year.  As a team we worry about GDPR, we ensure that we have the appropriate consent, so will often be chasing you for consent to email you or to use photos of you. 

It has become clear that improvements are required to the IT infrastructure to support collaborative working between office staff, ministers and church officers with a single cloud-based document store. This will be investigated further in the new year. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt (Rector), Anna Shergold (Whitewater Website manager), Dave Wilson (IT manager)_ 

Page **7** of **19** 



## **Building and Fabric Report** 

This report was made to the Parochial Church Council [PCC] under section 5 of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 by Samantha Frolich as Church Warden in March 2024; and is also made by her to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on behalf of the PCC. 

The highlight of 2023 was the installation, after over a decade of deliberations, of a permanently installed projector and retractable screen with associated computer, audio and visual hardware and software. 

At the same time, while the scaffolding tower was on hire, the uplighter LED bulbs were all replaced and re-aligned so that they were all of the same brightness, hue and direction. All fluorescent strip lighting in the parlour, servery, kitchen and office was replaced with new LED units. There remain a few fluorescent units in hallways, stairwells and other places where lighting is very rarely switched on. These will be considered for replacement with LEDs when they need to be repaired. 

Funds and faculty approval have been obtained to repair the west window, which has been suffering from significant rainwater ingress for several years. Work will start in April 2024. Rainwater continues to be a concern in general, with several sporadic leaks to the Narthex roof and several cast iron gutters that need overhauling. Addressing these will be prioritised in 2024. New raised paving slabs were installed between the rectory and the flower vestry door to create a safer passage when the path was otherwise flooded. 

The gardening team has increased in size. Work continues to make the church grounds suitable for wildlife as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Mowing of both the front lawns by the gardening team itself and that of the rear lawn by Hook Parish Council’s contactors has been reduced to increase the number of wildflowers. 

While they were not delivered by the end of 2023, comfortable, stackable chairs and new go-pak tables have been ordered for the Narthex. These will replace the black plastic chairs and the non-foldable tables. 

A vermin control company was engaged in the autumn after reports of several rats. While they can be tolerated in the bushes between the church and the garage, since they were found within the garden of the pre-school, they were eradicated. 

The largest pothole in the car park was repaired but several more smaller ones have appeared at the vehicle exit during the autumn and will be addressed in 2024. 

_Samantha Frolich, Church Warden_ 

## **Gardening Team** 

Purpose: To improve the grounds in a three-fold way: 

1. Cultivate more shrubs for the Flower Team 

2. Improve the appearance of the church grounds for the benefit of everyone who walks through the church grounds 

3. Create more areas to host a wider diversity of wildlife. 

When and where: Wednesday from 10am until approx. 1pm 

Page **8** of **19** 



The team has looked at the following areas during 2023: 

- Created a Wild Corner at the front (opposite the pre-school) to support the movement of invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians 

- Became involved in Slow Worms in Churchyards (SLiC) and set up 10 reptile shelters around the grounds 

- Improved the entrance to the church by planting geraniums to the left of the path and maintaining the rose bed behind the bench 

- We have also begun to work on other areas, which are part of our current year’s aims (our year runs from October to October): 

- Planted more spring bulbs 

- Prepared a mowing plan which allows the Gardening Team, Richard Paganuzzi, and the Goslings to be responsible for specific areas, which has allowed us to have different areas of short, meadow and long grass to encourage biodiversity 

- Prepared a plan to remove the old compost area so that we can build a three leaf bays - this will enable us to generate our own compost 

- Started work on creating a Wild Corridor (running along the garage side of the front of the church) to provide a natural habitat for a wide range of fauna 

- Prepared a list of plants for the Flower Team, applied for funds from the PCC, bought and planted them 

- Started to record cultivated flowering plants each month (to can see where the gaps are when we apply for more funding for plants) 

- Surveyed the long and meadow grass areas for flora and fauna to provide the basis of records which can be used to show change in biodiversity 

- Made wooden signs for different areas of the garden and linked them to the website via a QR code to allow the public to read what we are doing and why 

- Updated the website on a regular basis to show what we are doing 

## _Amanda Whittaker_ 

## **Flower Arranging Team** 

We continue to have a team of eight volunteers who are pleased to share in this dedicated ministry. 

This year we changed from using biodegradable Oasis to chicken wire for the majority of our floral displays, in line with working towards sustainable church flower arranging.  Although this has been a challenge, we are all proud of our achievements. 

During May the Flower Team held a successful church fundraising Plant Sale.  The majority of the plants were produced/grown by the team.  This was a happy social event and well supported by the local community. 

## _Felicity Rudd_ 

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**Ministry Reports** 

## **Benefice Safeguarding Team Report** 

Both Hook and HMR’s PCC have complied with their duty under Section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have regard to House of Bishops ’guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults). 

The role of Safeguarding Officer is now jointly held by two members of Hook PCC who have benefited from a good handover from Martin Rudd who resigned from this position in 2023. Both Hook and HMR PCC’s have considered and approved both (Hook and HMR) Parish Safeguarding Policies and received a report on current safeguarding concerns from a Safeguarding officer or the rector at each PCC meeting. 

PCC members and relevant leaders and members of groups have been asked to undertake relevant Safeguarding training as advised in the diocese safeguarding training matrix and uptake of this training continues to improve. DBS checks are being undertaken as current certificates expire or new volunteers take up roles. The requirement to record relevant risk assessments for various church groups has been noted and remains work in progress. A small number of safeguarding concerns have arisen which have been managed and/or escalated appropriately following the approved Diocesan Safeguarding procedures. 

_Caroline Frolander and Sophie Fulpesi, Safeguarding Officers_ 

## **Whitewater Benefice Ministry Team** 

Our team of licensed ministers has continued to meet monthly on the first Saturday each month through the year. We read the Bible, pray together, and reflect on the focus for our shared ministry, not only planning with rotas. We continue to work well as a leadership team, taking in advice and comments from Hook and HMR PCCs. We share out roles and responsibilities, and to care for parishioners across the four churches: Hook, Heckfield, Mattingley and Rotherwick, and ministry in schools, nursing homes and in the community. 

In 2023 our clergy team has been just me. Our licenced ministry team (previously called ‘Readers’, now Licenced Lay Ministers (LLM)) has included Jonathan Bushman, Tim Maynes and Jennifer Martin (Permission to Officiate). In our wider authorised ministry team we have those with Bishops’ Commission for Mission (BCM), Shirley Clancy (pastoral), Kim Foster (Creation Care), Rosie Mandry (worship), Brigitte Maynes (pastoral), Carol-Anne Morris (pastoral), and Nikki Wild (worship). Helen Holley joined the Benefice for two months on placement pre-ordination, and was enthusiastic about our ministry and Benefice life. In Hook parish in 2023 we conducted 8 funerals in church, 3 funerals at Crematoria, 3 interments of ashes, no weddings, 2 baptisms, and in the Whitewater Benefice confirmation service 6 teenagers were confirmed and 1 adult. Our ministry to schools and homes is reported elsewhere. Thank you to our congregations who support us, advise us, and join Benefice teams to make things happen. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_ 

## **Pastoral Ministry** 

As a parish we are invited to support people in the community, in nursing homes, and in hospital. Much of this goes on quietly and carefully without a fanfare, and is appreciated for home visits, shopping, lifts 

Page **10** of **19** 



to hospital or phone calls. Many of our church family have a particular care of a group or individuals. Each month Jennifer Martin LLM, Brigitte Maynes and Joyce Baldock take Holy Communion into Old Raven care home, and Tim Maynes LLM shares in Holy Communion at Berry Court Anchor home with me. Men’s breakfast has been meeting alternate months in a variety of venues around Hook on Saturday mornings. Thank you to Richard Morley for co-ordinating. The Hook Church Lunch Club, Friendship café, Monday walkers, Craft and Flower teams, and support for Bluebell Café at Holdshott Farm are regular faithful occasions for fun and friendship, and are only possible because of the sensitivity and hard work of the teams who serve. Our fellowship groups are places of deep friendship and support and reported elsewhere. 

## _Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_ 

## **Old Raven House** 

The purpose of the group is to bring Holy Communion to the residents, offer pastoral care to residents staff and families. We meet monthly on the fourth Friday of each month. 

Ministered to residents, bringing the church to the home. Offering support and engaging with the residents, meeting them where they are at. 

## _Jennifer Martin LLM, assisted by Brigitte Maynes and Joyce Baldock_ 

## **Youth and Families Ministry** 

The Youth and Families team has been active in 2023 during which we saw growth in the number of children and families coming into the church. We ran Junior Church, Messy Church, Bumps and Babes, and Youth Group. The Youth and Families team has run stalls at school fetes and a well-supported children's Christmas craft at the church outdoor Carol event. We also ran a two-day holiday club at the end of summer. In addition to ministry in the church, members of St. John's have served in Whitewater School, Hook Infants and Hook Junior Schools leading collective worship as well as the Open the Book activities (see details below). 

Many thanks to all those involved in running youth and family activities in 2023, the commitment and hard work of the team combined with their experience has been very much appreciated. 

## _Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

## **Junior Church** 

Junior Church continues to run each Sunday morning apart from the first Sunday when there is All Age Worship. The dedicated team are running two groups; one for infants and pre-school children, and the other for Junior and Secondary school aged children. The sessions are normally based on the lectionary theme for the day and are part of the Sunday morning service. 

## _Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

## **Messy Church** 

Messy Church meets monthly and has grown in 2023, now there are regularly over 20 children at each Messy Church service plus their parents or adult carers. The Messy Church team has also been supplemented with young leaders of secondary school age which really helps with larger numbers. 

_Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

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## **Restoration Station** 

At the end of the summer holidays we organised a two-day holiday club for primary school children with over 40 young people joining us over the two days on the theme of Restoration Station as we looked how Jesus restores people's lives. 

## _Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

## **Youth Group** 

Youth Group for young people in year 8 or above has continued to run and has grown in 2023. It was wonderful to see 5 members of the Youth Group being confirmed by Bishop David in September 2023 following the Youth Alpha Course. It has been good to see young people in the church getting involved in the life of the church, for example, with the sound desk, Bible readings and prayers and helping to lead younger children activities. 

## _Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

## **Bumps and Babes** 

Bumps and Babes was started after COVID to give babies and toddlers a chance to socialise, and give new mums people to share things with. We meet in the Narthex every Wednesday during term time from 9 until 11. 

It was a very special moment at our last meeting of the term, when our Coffee and Study group arrived at the perfect time to give our little ones battery candles – the light of Christ, it was beautiful. The toddlers loved picking the wild flowers, pressing them and the making pictures with the dried flowers. We try to bring some of the Bible into our play and craft which is not always easy! We have a board in the parlour, please look at what we have been up to. 

## _Gill Morley and Gill Lochead_ 

## **Open the Book** 

The purpose of Open the Book is to give children the opportunity to hear Bible stories on a regular basis as part of their collective worship. We go into Hook Infant School every Monday afternoon in term time. 

New material has been introduced this year by the Open the Book organisers. We have had a new member joining the team. 

## _Brigitte Maynes_ 

## **Assemblies and RE Lessons** 

We are invited into three local schools to contribute the Christian perspective to Religious Education as well as leading whole school assemblies/ Collective worship. Denise White, Brigitte Maynes and I lead Assembly in Hook Juniors each month. In Hook Infants and Whitewater Church of England Primary school, I lead worship half-termly or fortnightly in addition to the two Open the Book teams. I also lead RE lessons as requested and we host Christmas Nativity for Year 2 in St John’s. We attend the school presentations at Easter and Christmas in Hook Junior school and are invited for a celebration thank you tea at the end of the year. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_ 

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**Musical Worship** 

## **Choir** 

During 2023, the choir has been pleased to welcome a number of new singers.  There are now around 25 regular members at our weekly practices (including juniors) and usually around 16-20 singing at any service. 

We support hymn singing at the 2nd and 4th Sunday 10am services, on the 4th Sundays we sing a service setting and an anthem.  We also support additional services, including Festivals (such as Ascension Day), the Confirmation service and the Christmas Carol service – with guests, this year 40 singers were involved.  We were pleased again to have the opportunity to sing in Winchester Cathedral for the local Royal School of Church Music festival.  Small groups of singers are also called upon to support singing at weddings and funerals in the Whitewater Benefice.  In total, the choir sang at over 40 services in 2023. 

As well as learning pieces to sing, a number of choristers (both juniors and adults) have been working on their “Voice for Life” programme, learning music theory and more about church music, consequently some gained singing medals during the year. 

My thanks to Stephen Davies for his regular playing at choir practice and his support and to David Bridgman for his occasional playing. 

## _Caroline Bushman, Choir Director_ 

## **Music Group** 

The Music Group is our pool of musicians and singers (other than the Choir) for services at St John’s. 

The Music Group has provided music through 2023 for the 10am All Age and Morning Worship services at St John’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. 

A variety of songs and hymns have been selected, introducing new music to the congregation whilst still including some favourites. 

The group has grown in confidence and number, welcoming those who are occasionally available to sing or play an instrument. 

In January, we joined with our friends from Life Church to lead worship at the Unity Service. 

In addition, during the year we have led three Taizé reflective services on a Sunday evening. 

Since December, we have enjoyed the new digital piano in church which has enhanced the quality of the music.  The old piano is now a useful resource for rehearsal and preparation time in the Choir Room. Looking ahead to 2024 we would love to welcome more musicians who might like to dust off an instrument and join in (even just occasionally) and anyone who would like to be involved on the sound technical side. 

## _Nikki Wild_ 

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**Fellowship Groups** 

## **Living Flame** 

Living Flame meets for fellowship and Bible study on the first and third Wednesday of the month in St John’s Church Centre. 

Small groups give us the opportunity to explore God’s word in more depth and consider how we apply it in our daily lives.  Our meetings are relaxed, friendly and sociable, beginning with a time to share news before we study of God’s word.  We conclude by sharing prayer requests to take into the week ahead. Topics we have covered in 2023 have included the Armour of God, “Rest is worship” and the Beatitudes. Going into 2024, we have begun a study exploring the Psalms. 

## _Nikki Wild_ 

## **Thursday Fellowship Group** 

Thursday Fellowship has continued in 2023, meeting most Thursday evenings on Zoom to explore the Bible and God’s message for us today. We also enjoyed some occasional face to face social events. Studies in 2023 included the Archbishop's Lent study 'Failure', a study on Jesus the Game Changer and the Advent course Mary's Voice. There are between 7 and 13 people coming each week and we always welcome new members. 

## _Jonathan Bushman, LLM_ 

## **Sunday Fellowship Group** 

The Sunday Fellowship Group meets in people’s homes one Sunday evening a month for Bible study. 

We have met a number of times during 2023, often discussing topics relating to the Sunday morning sermon. 

## _Caroline Bushman_ 

## **Wednesday Ecumenical Bible Group** 

The purpose of the group is to develop a deeper understanding of the bible, to follow Jesus. We meet every Wednesday morning on zoom Within the group there are people from several Christian denominations. 

We followed Sharing the Easter Story by Sally Welch. Studied some Women in the Bible The calling and ministry of 12 disciples, and the example they have set. Following from this we looked at the writings of St. John. 

## _Jennifer Martin, LLM_ 

## **Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group** 

The Wednesday Coffee and Bible Study Group meets every other Wednesday, usually at the church, for Bible study and refreshments. 

_Denise White_ 

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## **Knit and Natter** 

Knit and Natter takes place on the 1st and 3rd Monday, 2 till 4 in the Narthex. We also run a cake sale on the 1st Saturday of the month from 10 until 12 in Narthex. 

Again we have had a busy year: baking cakes for 1st Saturday which raises an average of £150 a month and at least double at Christmas. 

- Knitting Bobby Buddies for Hampshire Constabulary. 

- Knitting sunflowers for Basingstoke Hospital outpatients department (they are not allowed real flowers). 

- Craft and beautiful handmade cards for Christmas. 

- Making bunting to brighten the Narthex. 

## _Gill Morley_ 

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## **Community Activity Support** 

As a local church we are privileged to be able to support the work of other organisations by providing an excellent venue and facilities, as well as pastoral care for some groups. Hook Choral Society continue to rehearse on Tuesdays as they have for many years, and offer wonderful Autumn and Christmas Concerts. The Wessex Chamber Choir also began weekly rehearsals in 2023. We have continued for another full year to support our Ukrainian friends with English language lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays, in partnership with Hart District Council and Odiham Consolidated Charities. We know that our part is small considering the massive disruption to their lives, and we gain as much from their friendship and positive attitude as they do from our support. Special thanks go to Simon de Quidt, who has been instrumental in the Ukrainian ministry, with help from Richard Paganuzzi and the team. 

The Rainbows and Brownies, our local uniformed Guiding organisations use the Narthex weekly, and the Trefoil Guild come for termly meetings. Marion is the Bramshill Scout District Chaplain and welcomes the young people and leaders into St John’s for St George’s Day Parade in April and for their Faith Badges, in addition to our shared village Remembrance Day events. We were very sad when Sue Hedges died suddenly this year. She has had an incredible impact on local scouting, has been a good friend and long-term member of St John’s Church. Her funeral service was packed. 

The St John’s Preschool continues to offer excellent provision for young children as recognised by OFSTED. Many nurseries have closed in recent years, and our team have needed to turn away 50 families in the last year, but they have navigated many challenges and will continue into 2024. We are delighted to host them in our church hall. 

Every week the locally organised Hart walkers come into the church for coffee after their walk. It is hugely appreciated, well attended, and we thank Jenny Littlefield for her faithful supportive hospitality. 

In December 2023 we were delighted to achieve Bronze status in the A Rocha Eco-Church award system after many years of preparation and teamwork action. Thank you to Samantha Frolich for pulling all the strands together. We shall be working for our Silver status in 2024. 

## _Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_ 

## **Friendship Café** 

Friendship Cafe runs every Thursday morning in the narthex from 10 am until 11.30am. We aim to provide a warm and safe environment for social interaction. 

Sadly we lost two of our much loved regulars recently but we have also welcomed several newcomers over the past year. We have about twenty regular attendees and enjoy good conversations and much laughter along with coffee, tea and cake. 

## _Carol-Anne Morris_ 

## **Lunch Club** 

The purpose of St John’s Lunch Club is to reach out to the elderly and lonely in the village by giving them the opportunity to get out of the house and meet up with friends over a convivial meal.  The menu that we offer is as varied as ever & features old favourites as well as continuing to introduce new recipes to increase our repertoire.  We still offer a choice of three main courses as well as a choice of three desserts and after a trial run of having a vegetarian option for 6 people in the main course, we have 

Page **16** of **19** 



continued to offer it.  We meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the Narthex and although we do not have an ‘official’ Lunch Club in August, we try and do something simple along the lines of a ploughman’s.   We have a few new volunteers, which is good news as it is useful to have a goodly number of volunteers who are able to help out in case of illness or holidays.  Sadly several of our ‘Lunch Clubbers’ have passed away in the past year but new faces are joining the more familiar ones and the numbers coming remain fairly steady between 30-40 each month.   Those who come to Lunch Club are always very appreciative of the efforts made by the volunteers. 

## _Catriona Terrell_ 

## **Ecumenical Ministry** 

We continue to share a common purpose with churches in Hook with Life Church and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. We share in ecumenical bible study groups, ‘Open the Book’ in Hook Infant School, leaflets to advertise Christmas and Easter services, a Good Friday Walk of Witness in the heart of Hook village, an Annual Unity service in the Hook Elizabeth Hall, and the Annual World Day of Prayer Service. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Rector_ 

## **Odiham Deanery Synod** 

We met three times in 2023. 27[th] Feb at St John’s Hook, with a presentation on Cross Cultural Mission, by Paul Thaxter, and prayers for our Companion Link in Myanmar.  13[th] July at St John’s Hartley Wintney with a presentation from Archdeacon Richard Brand (Winchester) on Clergy Wellbeing, and the Clergy Covenant of 2020 to be considered by PCCs. In 2022 Odiham Deanery delivered 96.3% of CMF request. We elected the Deanery officers. On 29[th] November at St Barnabas Darby Green, Marion presented from the Bishops’ Learning day on Children and Youth Ministry, encouraging us to look at ways to double the number of children and young people in our churches by 2030; with an update from General Synod on the Church of England Prayers of love and faith. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Odiham Area Dean_ 

## **Winchester Diocesan Synod** 

We met four times in 2023. On 16[th] March the Board of Education moved to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation; Synod also heard a report from the visit to Rwanda and approved a proposal to increase weekly clergy rest hours. Budget consultations began. Clergy stipends were increased in line with other dioceses. On 22[nd] June, Annual Report and Accounts for 2022 were considered, and Common Mission Fund requests were approved. A virtual meeting on 11[th] September approved the Diocesan 3-year financial plan. On 22[nd] November Synod adopted the net zero route map as approved by the Church of England, heard a report on the visit to Burundi, approved a change to the standing orders of Synod, received updates from Bishops Council and General Synod. We said thank you and farewell to Bishop Debbie Sellin as she moved on to Peterborough, and welcome to Bishop Philip Mounstephen to be installed in January 2024. 

_Canon Marion de Quidt, Diocesan Synod Clergy Representative of Odiham Deanery_ 

Page **17** of **19** 



**Financial Review** 

## **Income** 

The PCC’s income comes significantly from regular donations through Planned Giving schemes (such as the Parish Giving Scheme) and collections at church services, plus associated Gift Aid reclaimed from the UK Government.  The PCC’s voluntary income increased significantly in 2023 to £95,494, of this amount, £42,900 was donated by Trustees.  The PCC successfully raised funds for a new screen and projector as well as receiving grants from the Odiham Consolidated Charities towards English lessons for our local Ukrainian residents 

Renting out the church facilities to various local organisations also generates income, in 2023 this was £21,723.  During the year a number of fundraising events were held which raised £2,949.  The PCC also received significant interest income in 2023 for the first time in some years, being £1,892.  Other small items contributed the remainder of the PCC’s income, which totalled £127,401. 

## **Expense** 

The PCC contributed the full amount requested of it to the Diocese of Winchester Common Mission Fund – this was £54,196.  The PCC also donated £3,685 to various charities, either from its own funds or following collections or fundraising events held, as well as spending £5,061 on its work with local Ukrainian residents.  The PCC also invested £10,522 in the new screen and projector. 

The remainder of expenditure (£37,879) covered everything from the utility bills, salaries for the church staff, building maintenance, cost of consumables such as coffee, paper, cleaning materials, music and necessary administration expenses such as licenses required for streaming services.  Total expenditure was £111,343. 

## **Outcome for 2023** 

A surplus of £16,058 was generated during 2023. 

## **Reserves** 

The PCC holds unrestricted reserves of £69,629 plus restricted reserves of £8,160.  The majority of this is held within the PCC’s account in the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund managed by CCLA.  Further information can be found in the financial statements contained within this report. 

## **Outlook** 

In terms of finances in 2024, a significant building repair is due to be carried out in the Spring, but the PCC is grateful for the continued faithful giving of a large proportion of the congregation, which enables it to investigate ideas which might require a larger financial outlay, including ideas which help St John’s on its journey towards the Eco Church Silver and Gold awards. 

_Caroline Bushman, Treasurer_ 

Page **18** of **19** 



## **PCC Approval of Annual Report** 

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 13 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by 

....................................... 

**Canon Marion de Quidt PCC Chair** 

Page **19** of **19** 



## **The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook** 

**Charity registration number 1183688** 

## **Financial Statements** 

**For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**St John the Evangelist Church London Road** 

**Hook** 

**Hants** 

**RG27 9EG** 

**Tel:  01256 760169** 

**Email:  office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk** 

**Website:** www.whitewaterchurches.co.uk 

F1 



## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook** 

I report to the members of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook (hereafter PCC) for the year ended 31 December 2023. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the members of the PCC, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the PCC’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the PCC as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

2. The accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an internal examination. 

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. 


Deborah Gibbs FMAAT DLM Accountancy Services Ltd 6 Hyacinth Close Basingstoke RG22 5RE 

F2 



## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities** 

## **For the Year Ended 31 December 2023** 

|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>Total Funds<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>2023<br>2022<br>Note<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>Total Funds<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>2023<br>2022<br>Note<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>Total Funds<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>2023<br>2022<br>Note<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOMING RESOURCES**|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>Total Funds<br>Funds<br>Funds<br>2023<br>2022<br>Note<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**INCOMING RESOURCES**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2022|
||||£|
|||||
|Voluntary Income<br>Activities for<br>generating Funds<br>Investment Income<br>Church activities|2(a)|89,997<br>5,497<br>95,494<br>6,291<br>-<br>6,291<br>1,892<br>-<br>1,892<br>23,724<br>-<br>23,724|70,009|
||2(b)||7,077|
||2(c)||317|
||2(d)||20,935|
|**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**<br>**121,904**<br>**5,497**<br>**127,401**|||**98,338**|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**||||
|Church activities<br>Cost of generation<br>of voluntary income<br>Governance costs|3(a)<br>3(b)<br>3(c)|103,518<br>5,564<br>109,082<br>212<br>-<br>212<br>2,049<br>-<br>2,049|94,359|
||||943|
||||2,113|
|**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**<br>**105,779**<br>**5,564**<br>**111,343**|||**97,415**|
|**NET INCOMING / (OUTGOING)**<br>**RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER**<br>**RECOGNISED GAINS & LOSSES**<br>**16,125**<br>**(67)**<br>**16,058**|||**923**|
|**TRANSFERS**<br>(7,827)<br>7,827<br>-|||-|
|**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>**8,298**<br>**7,760**<br>**16,058**|||**923**|
|BAL B/F 1 JANUARY<br>61,331<br>400<br>61,731||||
||||60,808|
|**BAL C/F 31 DECEMBER**<br>**69,629**<br>**8,160**<br>**77,789**|||**61,731**|



**The notes on pages F5 to F12 form part of these financial statements.** 

F3 



## **Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist, Hook** 

## **Balance Sheet** 

## **For the Year Ended 31 December 2023** 

|**FIXED ASSETS**|Notes<br>**As at**<br>**As at**<br>**31/12/2023**<br>**31/12/2022**<br>£<br>£|
|---|---|
|Screen and projector|5<br>7,890<br>0|
||**Total Fixed Assets**<br>**7,890**<br>**0**|



## **CURRENT ASSETS** 

|Bank & Cash<br>CBF Deposit Account<br>Debtors and prepayments|9,599<br>19,375<br>63,525<br>47,525<br>6<br>3,472<br>1,803|
|---|---|
||**Total Current Assets**<br>**76,596**<br>**68,703**|
|**IABILITIES**||
|Creditors and accruals|7<br>6,697<br>6,971|
||**Total Liabilities**<br>**6,697**<br>**6,971**|
|||
||**Net Asset Surplus**<br>**77,789**<br>**61,732**|



|||
|---|---|
|**Represented by Funds**<br>Note||
||Note|
|Unrestricted<br>Restricted|8<br>69,629<br>61,332<br>8<br>8,160<br>400|
|**Total**|**77,789**<br>**61,732**|



## **The notes on pages F5 to F12 form part of these financial statements.** 

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 13 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by Rev’d Canon Marion de Quidt. 

……………………….… (PCC Chair) 

F4 



## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, together with accounting standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) on the accruals basis and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102) 2[nd] edition October 2019.  The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Evangelist Hook (hereafter “PCC”) is registered with the Charity Commission with registration number 1183688.  The PCC is a public benefit entity. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. 

## **Funds** 

**Unrestricted funds** represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. **Funds designated** for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted. 

**Restricted funds** are those funds that must be spent on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions are provided in note 8. 

## **Incoming Resources** 

## **Voluntary income and capital sources** 

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC. Planned giving receivable under Gift Aid is recognised only when received. Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the donation is recognised. 

Grants and legacies to the PCC are accounted for as soon as the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain. Funds raised through fundraising events are accounted for gross. 

## **Other income** 

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when the rental is due. 

## **Income from investments** 

Dividends are accounted for when due and payable, and interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting year. 

## **Gains and losses on investments** 

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December. 

F5 



## **Grants & Donations** 

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC. All other expenditure is generally recognised when it is incurred and accounted for gross. 

## **Activities directly relating to the work of the Church** 

The contribution to the Diocesan Common Mission Fund is accounted for when due. Any contribution unpaid at 31 December would be provided for in these financial statements as an operational (though not a legal) liability and would be shown as a creditor in the balance sheet [2023 – Nil] 

## **Fixed assets** 

## **Consecrated property and movable church furnishings** 

Consecrated and beneficed property of any kind is excluded from the financial statements by Section 10(2) (a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. 

Movable church furnishings held by the vicar and churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are accounted for as inalienable property unless consecrated. They are listed in the Church’s inventory, which can be inspected (at any reasonable time). For inalienable property acquired prior to 2000 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Items acquired since 1 January 2000 have been capitalised and depreciated in the financial statements over their currently anticipated useful economic life on a straightline basis. 

All expenditure incurred in the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £3,000 or on the repair of movable church furnishings acquired before 1 January 2000 is written off. 

## **Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment** 

Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over four years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase price of £3,000 or less are written off when the asset is acquired. 

## **Investments** 

Investments are valued at market value at 31 December. 

## **Current assets** 

Amounts owing to the PCC at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectable. 

## **Basis of preparation** 

There are no material uncertainties about the PCC’s ability to continue operating, consequently these accounts are presented on the basis that the PCC continues as a going concern. 

F6 



## **2. INCOMING RESOURCES** 

|2(a)<br>2(b)<br>2(c)<br>2(d)|**Unrestricted**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Total Funds**<br>2023<br>2022<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Voluntary Income**<br>Planned Giving<br>47,987<br>-<br>47,987<br>42,845<br>Collections at Services<br>17,009<br>288<br>17,297<br>10,787<br>Tax Recoverable<br>12,427<br>-<br>12,427<br>9,566<br>Tax - GASDS<br>1,694<br>-<br>1,694<br>1,273<br>Grants received<br>-<br>5,209<br>5,209<br>2,514<br>Donations,appeals<br>10,880<br>-<br>10,880<br>3,024|
|---|---|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**89,997**<br>**5,497**<br>**95,494**<br>**70,009**|
||**Activities for generating funds**<br>Fundraising<br>2,949<br>-<br>2,949<br>3,575<br>Lunch Club<br>2,284<br>-<br>2,284<br>2,407<br>Coffee Shop<br>941<br>-<br>941<br>763<br>Bookstall and printing<br>59<br>-<br>59<br>307<br>Other events<br>58<br>-<br>58<br>25|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**6,291**<br>**-**<br>**6,291**<br>**7,077**|
||**Income from Investments**<br>Dividends and interest<br>including tax recoverable<br>1,892<br>-<br>1,892<br>317|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**1,892**<br>**-**<br>**1,892**<br>**317**|
||Church Lettings<br>21,723<br>-<br>21,723<br>18,873<br>Fees<br>2,001<br>-<br>2,001<br>2,062|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**23,724**<br>**-**<br>**23,724**<br>**20,935**|
|||
||**Total Income**<br>**121,904**<br>**5,497**<br>**127,401**<br>**98,338**|



The total amount of donations received without attached conditions from Trustees during 2023 was £42,900 (2022: £32,843). 

F7 



## **3. RESOURCES EXPENDED** 

|3(a)<br>3(b)<br>3(c)|Unrestricted<br>Restricted<br>Total Funds<br>2023<br>2022<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>**Church Activities**<br>Common Mission Fund<br>54,196<br>-<br>54,196<br>55,628<br>Other ministry costs<br>3,497<br>-<br>3,497<br>2,746<br>Music costs<br>3,809<br>-<br>3,809<br>763<br>Church running & maintenance<br>28,637<br>159<br>28,796<br>20,019<br>Youth Children & Families<br>346<br>-<br>346<br>445<br>Administration<br>7,500<br>-<br>7,500<br>6,079<br>Lunch Club & Coffee Shop<br>1,709<br>344<br>2,053<br>2,211<br>Others<br>139<br>-<br>139<br>397<br>Mission Grants<br>Overseas<br>250<br>5,061<br>5,311<br>2,928<br>Home<br>764<br>-<br>764<br>619<br>Collections<br>2,671<br>-<br>2,671<br>2,524|
|---|---|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**103,518**<br>**5,564**<br>**109,082**<br>**94,359**|
||**Fund Raising costs**<br>212<br>-<br>212<br>943|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**212**<br>**-**<br>**212**<br>**943**|
||**Governance Costs**<br>Ind. Examination<br>300<br>-<br>300<br>300<br>Licences<br>1,749<br>-<br>1,749<br>1,813|
||**Sub Totals**<br>**2,049**<br>**-**<br>**2,049**<br>**2,113**|
|||
||**Total Expenditure**<br>**105,779**<br>**5,564**<br>**111,343**<br>**97,415**|



F8 



## **4. EMPLOYEES** 

|**4. EMPLOYEES**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds||
||||2023|2022|
||£|£|£|£|
|Wages and Salaries|5,422|-|5,422|6,870|
|Social Security costs|-|-|-|-|
|Employer’s contribution to pensions|89|-|89|61|
|**Totals**|**5,511**|**-**|**5,511**|**6,931**|



The average number of employees during the year was two.  No employee received employee benefits greater than £60,000.  The Benefice Administrator is employed by the PCC but 50% of the cost is recharged to Heckfield, Mattingley and Rotherwick PCC.  The amounts shown above include the PCC of Hook Parish’s share of the costs. 

None of the PCC Members were remunerated as employees during 2023 or 2022. 

One PCC member had travel expenses reimbursed totalling £448 [2022: two members - £582]. 

## **PENSIONS** 

The PCC of Hook Parish participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) for lay staff.  CWPF is administered by the Church of England Pensions Board, which holds the CWPF assets separately from those of the Employer and other participating employers. 

CWPF has two sections: 

1. the Defined Benefits Scheme 

2. The Pension Builder Scheme, which has two subsections; 

   - a. a deferred annuity section known as Pension Builder Classic, and, 

   - b. a cash balance section known as Pension Builder 2014, in which the PCC of Hook Parish participates. 

## **Pension Builder Scheme** 

Both sections of the Pension Builder Scheme are classed as defined benefit schemes. 

Pension Builder Classic provides a pension, accumulated from contributions paid and converted into a deferred annuity during employment based on terms set and reviewed by the Church of England Pensions Board from time to time. Discretionary increases may also be added, depending on investment returns and other factors. 

Pension Builder 2014 is a cash balance scheme that provides a lump sum which members use to provide benefits at retirement. Pension contributions are recorded in an account for each member. Discretionary bonuses may be added before retirement, depending on investment returns and other factors. The account, plus any bonuses declared, is payable, unreduced, from age 65. 

There is no sub-division of assets between employers in each section of the Pension Builder Scheme. 

The scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102.  This is because it is not possible to attribute the Pension Builder Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers and means that contributions are accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme.  The pensions costs charged to the SoFA in the year are the contributions payable (2023: £89, 2022: £61) 

F9 



A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years.  The most recent was carried out as at 31 December 2019. 

For the Pension Builder Classic section, the valuation revealed a deficit of £4.8m on the ongoing assumptions used. At the most recent annual review effective 1 January 2024, the Board chose to grant a discretionary bonus of 6.7% to both pensions not yet in payment and pensions in payment in respect of service prior to April 1997; and a bonus on pensions in payment in respect of post April 2006 service so that the pension increase was 5% (where usually it would be calculated based on inflation up to 2.5%). This followed improvements in the funding position over 2023. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. 

For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £5.5m on the ongoing assumptions used.  There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. 

The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2022.  Calculations for this are currently under way. 

The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, The PCC of Hook Parish could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities. 

## 5. **FIXED ASSETS** 

|Actual Cost<br>At 1/1/2023<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31/12/2023<br>Depreciation<br>At 1/1/2023<br>Charge for year<br>At 31/12/2023<br>Net Value<br>At 1/1/2023|Screen and<br>projector<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>10,522<br>10,522<br>-<br>-|
|---|---|
||10,522<br>10,522<br>-<br>-<br>2,632<br>2,632|
||2,632<br>2,632<br>-<br>-|
|**At 31/12/2023**|**7,890**<br>**7,890**|



F10 



## **6. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS (UNRESTRICTED FUNDS)** 

||2023|2022|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Debtors|3,472|1,803|
|Prepayments|-|-|
|**Total**|**3,472**|**1,803**|



Debtors are the reimbursement by HMR Parish in respect of a share of the cost of ministry and administration, reimbursement by the RC Diocese of Portsmouth in respect of a share of the cost of the village Christmas Card, an amount due in respect of room rental plus an amount of Gift Aid claimed from HMRC not yet received.  All were received during January 2024. 

## **7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS** 

||2023|2022|
|---|---|---|
|_Amounts falling due within one year_|£|£|
|Creditors|6,406|6,615|
|Accruals|291|356|
|**Total**|**6,697**|**6,971**|



Creditors are payments for expenditure incurred in 2023 but not paid until 2024. These represent amounts due but unpaid for utilities, various expenses, fees collected on behalf of Winchester Diocese, the independent examiner’s fee and sundry other small invoices. 

F11 



2023 

## **8. FUNDS** 

|1 January 2023<br>Income<br>Expenditure<br>Transfers<br>31 December 2023<br>Details<br>Fabric<br>Audio Visual<br>Organ<br>Coffee Shop<br>Ukraine Support<br>Represented by<br>Fixed assets<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities||Unrestricted<br>Designated Non<br>Designated<br>Total<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>10,490<br>50,841<br>61,331<br>10,329<br>111,575<br>121,904<br>(10,640)<br>(95,139) (105,779)<br>(3,978)<br>(3,849)<br>(7,827)|Restricted<br>Total<br>£<br>400<br>5,497<br>(5,564)<br>7,827|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**6,201**<br>**63,428**<br>**69,629**|**8,160**|
|||£<br>5,201<br>-<br>1,000<br>-<br>-<br>**10,490**<br>Unrestricted<br>£<br>-<br>76,326<br>(6,697)|£<br>-<br>7,890<br>-<br>83<br>187|
||||**8,160**|
||||Restricted<br>£<br>7,890<br>270<br>-<br>**8,160**|
|||**69,629**||



## **9. RESERVES** 

The PCC considers that it is appropriate to hold reserves equal to three months expenditure, including the PCC’s contribution to the Diocese’s Common Mission Fund, to cover the running costs – this equates to £25k based on the 2023 expenditure levels. 

In addition, designated reserves are held relating to future repair requirements of the church.  Restricted donations are discouraged by the PCC, but amounts were received during the year specifically for new kitchen equipment and for the PCC’s work with the local Ukrainian population, where we are grateful to the Odiham Consolidated Charities for their support for English lessons for local Ukrainian residents.  It is anticipated that these restricted funds will be spent in full in 2024. 

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