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2025-12-31-accounts

2025 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Bures

Aims and Purposes

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Mary’s church building and churchyard.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to serving the village of Bures by enabling as many people as possible to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and join in the worship of our church throughout the parish. The PCC collaborates with the incumbent and Ministry Team to administer Sunday services and other activities which put faith into practice through prayer, Scripture, music and sacrament.

When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We aim to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church building and upkeep the churchyard.

Gathered Worship and Prayer

We enjoy a programme of Sunday services with variety designed to cater for all. Our Wake Up! Congregation, which began in June 2024, meets 9:15–10:00 am on the first and third Sundays of the month. In this all-age fresh expression of gathered worship, people of all ages listen to Jesus learning from the Bible and enjoy praying and singing. Our 10:30am service merges contemporary and traditional styles and Holy Communion is celebrated twice a month. An 8am Book of Common Prayer Communion Service is also offered on the second Sunday of the month. If there is a 5th Sunday in the month, this is generally a Benefice service in one of the three Parishes. Additional services have also been offered for special days such as Christmas, Easter, Mothering Sunday, Remembrance Sunday, Harvest

Festival, Plough Sunday and more. We are very grateful for the service of our organist and band leader, Sue Emerson, band and choir members, and all those who serve as musicians leading us in praise.

Each Wednesday there is an half-hour prayer meeting from 9:15 am and then a growing congregation enjoys an encouraging informal service of Morning Prayer from 10:00 am.

Home Groups are hosted in homes around the village where their members study the Bible and pray together, while enjoying fellowship. In this way, many are encouraged in their lives as disciples of Christ. We also aim to offer regular courses for those seeking to investigate the Christian faith and for those desiring to go deeper in their knowledge. We also held a Lent Course focussing on what Jesus achieved at the Cross.

All are welcome to attend our regular services. The worshiping community comprised 125. The average weekly attendance was 67 but this number increased greatly at festivals.

As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life. In marriage public vows are exchanged with God’s blessing. Thee baptisms took place during 2025. Three couples were married at St Mary’s in 2025. Through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life which is now complete in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping. We have cared for families and friends of loved ones hosting six funerals in 2025.

Deanery and Diocesan Synod

Two members of the PCC sit on the deanery synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church. The PCC is also enriched because two members of Diocesan Synod belong to our parish. The PCC receives regular reports on the proceeding of these synods. There is provision for items to be sent from Deanery Synod for consideration by parishes and for parishes to request consideration of matters by higher synods.

The Church Building and Churchyard

2025 has again been a busy year in caring for the fabric of the church. Many and various maintenance tasks have been carried out, boards painted and revarnished and appropriate tests and checks done to ensure alarms, fire extinguishers and electrical appliances are in safe working order. A bike rack has been installed to facilitate green transport. Faculty applications have been completed for the refurbishment of the four clock faces and for repairs to the tower. Screens have been installed in the church which have been generally well received and have enabled richer content to be used in our services at the same time as reducing photocopying. The trees bordering Wharf Lane have been pollarded and churchyard gravestones checked for safety. The roof has continued to spring leaks which have been repaired. Enise Davies has been contracted to carry out the church cleaning on a self-employed basis. There was an attempted theft of lead from the church roof in July but

the roof alarm acted as a deterrent. The police were called and took some items for forensic testing. Unfortunately, some damage was done to the roof which had to be repaired but we did gain a wheel-barrow left behind by the thieves.

The peaceful churchyard is enjoyed by many in our village community. The PCC are grateful for the work of the dedicated team of volunteers who care for the churchyard. The churchyard is closed for burials.

Pastoral Care

Some in our congregations are unable to attend church due to disability, sickness or mobility issues. Members of the pastoral team visit all those who request it, to listen, pray with and celebrate communion. Visits are also made to those who are sick in hospital.

Outreach

Our Open Door Cafe, every Wednesday morning is a popular community activity, where friendships are built and people are cared for. The monthly Friday Lunch Club provides meals and company to many members of our community. We invite all over-75s to an excellent Harvest Lunch. The PCC are grateful to the dedicated volunteers who give so much to make these activities possible.

We seek to offer regular courses which enable people to discover the Christian faith and grow in knowledge and discipleship. Special services are held specifically aimed at helping people of all-ages to discover, for example Messy Good Friday and the Walk of the Cross, and Christingle. In all of our regular services, we aim for the teaching and liturgy to be accessible and meaningful for those who have no experience of church and Christian faith as well as for those with much experience.

The Bures Village Magazine, edited voluntarily by Gillian Chapman, is administered by the PCC as a service to the village. There are monthly issues. This magazine seeks to both spread the gospel and serve our community with relevant information and local matters. We are grateful for the team of volunteers who make the magazine possible. This year significant work has been undertaken to develop the content of the magazine and secure its future.

We seek to use social media channels to advertise our activities and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Volunteers also hold a stall at the monthly Bures market for the same purposes.

Due to changing need and availability of food from the supplying charity, the monthly BASIC Pop-Up Shop ended in May. At the last session there was an event to celebrate the work of this initiative in the years it ran and to thank the dedicated volunteers.

The Over-75s Harvest Lunch enabled many villagers to enjoy fellowship and food. Church in the Big Top on the Bures Music Festival main stage (a joint venture with Bures Baptist

Church) also enabled a good number of local people and some who had travelled for the Festival to hear God’s word and sing his praise along with our churches.

We support and engage in village activities, for example by carol singing at the Christmas Market, providing the venue for the Christmas Light Switch On, providing the venue for some of the yearly Bures Music Festival. The Bures Plough Sunday Tractor Run has now become an annual event.

All members of our congregations are encouraged to live out the life of discipleship in active service of their neighbours and the community.

Bures CEVC Primary School

St Mary’s church enjoys a strong and productive relationship with Bures Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. We pray for the school, and seek to support their work. Members of the Ministry Team lead whole-school collective worship each week, act as chaplain to children and staff, and aid in the delivery of the curriculum. Twice a term, the whole school comes to the church for a special collective worship and parents and carers are invited to join. The school uses the church building and churchyard for lessons in Religious Education and more, as well as for their celebrations and festivals.

Due to the school’s Church of England foundation, the Vicar is a School Governor by nature of the office. The PCC and Diocese together appoint a second Foundation Governor. Heather Whittle currently serves in this role. These governors participate with the Governing Body’s work of developing the strategic direction of the school and supporting and challenging the school’s leadership team.

Ecumenical Relationships

We enjoy partnership with Bures Baptist Church, sharing work in Jesus’ mission in our village. This is expressed through a joint service alternating between our buildings as well as joint outreach ‘Church in the Big Top’ on the Bures Music Festival main stage.

We are a member church of Churches Together in Sudbury and District, building relationships and joining in collaborative activities with churches from various denominations.

Financial Review

The PCC would firstly like to record their gratitude for the support of the congregation and members of the wider community for their continued financial support during 2025, especially during the current cost of living crisis. In God’s kindness we are in the position that this continued generosity has enabled us to continue to provide excellent ministry, mission, and outreach activities over the course of the year.

The financial statements record total income of £131,528 (2024 - £112,877) with expenditure amounting to £119,554 (2024 - £115,212). The main reason for the increase of income is due to a one off anonymous gift to fund the screens project that was received during 2025, with the increase in expenditure mainly due to the corresponding expenditure in respect of the screens project.

Net income in both the unrestricted and restricted funds showed a surplus of £2,804 (2024 - £2,301) and £9,170 (2024 - £4,636) respectively.

The overall increase in funds in the year was £11,974 (2024 - decrease of £2,335). As at 31 December 2025 the financial statements record total available funds of £119,230 (£66,7806 unrestricted and £52,451 restricted).

Looking ahead to the 2026 financial year, the PCC expects there to be a significant net outflow of funds owing to the work that we have instructed Gillett and Johnson to undertake to restore the clock faces. This work is being funded by the legacies of Lt.-Col. Richard Probert and Elizabeth Probert, which has been held in the corresponding restricted fund for some years. However, other than this the PCC expects giving to sufficiently cover the day to day expenditure of the Church.

Reserves Policy

The PCC aims to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds equivalent to six months unrestricted payments which equates to approximately £25,000. This is to provide contingency and to smooth cash flow. The PCC currently is meeting this target with funds of £37,861.

The balance of restricted funds total £52,540, of which £17,103 is reserved for the upkeep of the fabric of the church and its buildings. The PCC aims to retain a minimum restricted balance of £10,000 for repairs to the church building and fixtures, so the PCC is currently meeting this target.

Safeguarding

The PCC has elected to adopt the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church; safeguarding policy statement’. A copy can be found on the National Church of England website and/or Diocesan website (a hard copy is available in the Church Office).

The PCC has reviewed all roles where persons in roles for our church are in positions of leadership or have contact with children or vulnerable adults and the level of training required. The PCC requires such persons to comply with our 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).

Volunteers

The PCC would like to thank all the volunteers who servant-heartedly work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is with a well-kept building and churchyard. We are grateful for the work of churchwardens Chris and Andy, Charlie our Treasurer and Sue our Secretary, who have worked so tirelessly for the benefit of us all.

Structure, governance and management

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), any other priests and deacons licensed to the Benefice, churchwardens, Deanery and Diocesan Synod members, and members elected by those who are on the electoral roll of the church. The PCC is also able to co-opt members who can bring particular expertise. 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 number on the ecclesiastical electoral roll of the parish in 2025 was 120.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. New members receive induction into the workings of the PCC. The full PCC met six times during 2025 and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting was held on 15 May 2025.

As well as the Standing Committee, the PCC delegates work to three sub-committees, which report to the PCC at each meeting:

During 2025, a temporary sub-committee was formed to oversee development of the Bures Village Magazine.

Administrative information

St Mary’s Church is situated on Church Square in the centre of the village of Bures, Suffolk. It is part of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Vicarage, Church Square, Bures, CO8 5AA.

The PCC is a body corporate (PCC Powers Measure 1956, Church Representation Rules 2006) and is registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1183767.

PCC members who have served at any time from 1st January 2025 until the date this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members:

Elected members:

Licensed Lay Readers appointed by the APCM:

Co-opted members:

The Parochial Church Council of St Mary the Virgin, Bures Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARYTHE VIRGIN BURES INAN IAL TATEMENT F R THE YEAR ENDIN IDE EMBER 2 Contents Page 1 Independent Examiner Report Page 2 Receipts and Payments Page 3 Summary of Incoming Resources Page4-5 Summary of Outgoing Resources Page 6 Movement in Funds Page 7 Assets and Liabilits'es Page8-9 Notes lo the Financial Statements

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025 Tliis tepoTI on the accounts of the PCC. foi Ilie year ended 31 DeL'ernbei 2025 which aTe set oiil in pages 2 10 8 is in respect of an examination carried oui in accordanLe wilh the Church Accounting Regulaiions 20061'Yh¢ Reglllatio114"l and 8.145 Df the Ch3ritie% Act 2011 I"The Acl'l. R¢sp¢ctiv¢ rcspon$ibiliti¢s of trust¢¢s and ¢xaminer As (he members of lh¢ PCC you are r¢S￿nSIble for the preparaiion of the accounts,. you eonsid¢r thai the audii Tequirement nf the Regulation% and Eeclinn 144121 of the LliaTitief Act do iiot apply. It is rny re%pon%ihiliry to issue ihis report on those aecounrs ill aeeordance with the Ternis of the Regulations. Basis Trf independent examiner'5 report My exaniinatioli W&9 Carried out in accordance with the (ieneral Dii'¢ctions gii'eii by the Charity Coinmission under seLliun 145 {5) (b) uf the ALI and lo be fLTrund in the Cliurtyh GiiidaiiLe 2011 EditiLbll. Thdt exaniiniiliun includes a review ot.lht accounting records kept by th¢ PCC and a cotnparison ot'iht accounts W1th those rtcords. rt also iiicludes consideTiiig any uniisual iterns 01 disclosure5 111 tlie accounts and Seeking explanations frorn you as ttusiccs concmiing any such maitcrs. Thc procedurcs undcrtakcn do noi proi'idc all thc cN'id¢ncc Ihai would bL rtyuired in an audit. alld collsequ¢nily I do not expre88 an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner's ststement In connection with my ¢xaminalion. no matter has cotne to my attention.. which giv¢s me r¢asonabl¢ caus¢ to believe that in any rnal¢rial respect the T¢quir¢rn¢nls lo keep accounting records in accordance with s¢ction 130 of the Act. and to prepare accounts which a￿ord with Ihe accounting records and to comply with the requireinent8 (If the Act, and tlie Reglllation have not been rnet., OT 2. to Whi¢￿ iD my opinior4 8tteDtion $hould ￿ drnwn in ord¢r to ¢tt•ble i ¥wJer under5th￿Ing of the -su_ ,4ff Dale,. 02

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
2a
2b
2c
2d
TOTAL INCOMING
RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
3a
3b
3c
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS
Bank and deposit accounts
Voluntary income
Parish Share
Church running costs
Balances brought forward
Net (deficit)/surplus
Transfers
Balances carried forward
Activities for generating
Income from investment
Income from Church ac
Cost of generating funds		 Unrestricted
funds
2025
£
71,565
169
1,459
6,818
)
)
)
)		 Restricted
funds
2025
£
30,057
7,153
2,136
12,171
)
)
)
)		 Total
funds
2025
£
101,622
7,322
3,595
18,989
)
)
)
)		 Total
funds
2024
£
92,720
7,694
3,386
9,076
)
)
)
)
80,011
)		 51,517
)		 131,528
)		 112,877
)
49,500
27,286
421
)
)
)		 0
41,286
1,061
)
)
)		 49,500
68,572
1,482
)
)
)		 54,500
59,042
1,670
)
)
)

77,207
)		 42,347
)		 119,554
)		 115,212
)
2,804
)		 9,170
)		 11,974
)		 (2,335)
63,976
2,804
0
)
)
)
 43,280
9,170
0
)
)
)
 107,256
11,974
0
)
)
)
 109,591
(2,335)
0

)
)
66,780
)		 52,451
)		 119,230
)		 107,256
)

Page 2

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES 2 - INCOMING RESOURCES

2a Voluntary income
Gift Aided donations
Non-Gift Aided giving
Collections
Contactless/QR Code
Giving through church boxes
One off gifts
Legacies and grants
Donations, appeals, etc
Gift Aid recovered thereon		 Unrestricted
funds
£
48,568
4,240
4,414
504
0
1,841
1
11,997
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 Restricted
funds
£
10,730
45
857
38
473
15,420
500
5
1,989
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 TOTAL FUNDS
2025
2024
£
£
59,298
56,369
4,285
5,903
5,271
4,863
542
203
473
345
17,261
1,473
500
7,354
6
1
13,986
16,211
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 TOTAL FUNDS
2025
2024
£
£
59,298
56,369
4,285
5,903
5,271
4,863
542
203
473
345
17,261
1,473
500
7,354
6
1
13,986
16,211
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
2b Activities for generating 71,565
)		 30,057
)		 101,622
)		 92,720
)
funds
169
)		 7,153
)		 7,322
)		 7,694
)
7,153
2,136
)
)		 7,322
3,595
)
)		 7,694
3,386
)
)
2,136
90
11,992
0
0
0
89
0
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 3,595
2,118
11,992
988
1,683
2,119
89
0
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 3,386
1,937
0
1,041
2,473
2,147
1,451
27
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Fees for weddings and funerals
Benefice weekend
Open Doors
Magazine advertising
Magazine sales
Other activities
Transfers from other churches
6,818
)		 12,171
)		 18,989
)		 9,076
)
RESOURCES
TOTAL		 80,011
)		 51,517
)		 131,528
)		 112,877
)

Page 3

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES 3 – OUTGOING RESOURCES

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
funds funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
3a Parish Share
2023 Additional Payment 0
)		 0
)		 0
)		 2,000
)
Ministry Element 49,500
)		 0
)		 49,500
)		 50,179
)
Non-Ministry 0
)		 0
)		 0
)		 2,321
)
49,500
)		 0
)		 49,500
)		 54,500
)

3b Church Running Costs

3a Parish Share
2023 Additional Payment
Ministry Element
Non-Ministry		 Unrestricted
funds
£
0
49,500
0
)
)
)		 Restricted
funds
£
0
0
0
)
)
)		 Total
2025
£
0
49,500
0
)
)
)		 Funds
2024
£
2,000
50,179
2,321
)
)
)
49,500
)		 0
)		 49,500
)		 54,500
)
Missionary and charitable gi
Clergy and staff costs:
Church running
Giving to mission societies
Giving to relief and dev. agencie
Home mission
Secular charities
Assistant staff
Honararia
Visiting speakers
Working expenses of incumbent
Training and mission
Benefice weekend
Wake Up!
Counselling and education
Insurance
Organ tuning
Cleaning
Moveable furnishings
Upkeep of services
Upkeep of churchyard
Flowers
Administration
Catering
Photocopying
Software licences
Website and publicity
Church office
Electricity
Water
Oil
Broadband
Magazine costs
Regular maintenance
Major works/Projects
Total
Salary and payroll processing for		 ving:
0
s
0
0
30
)
)
)
)		 5,195
0
0
4,661
)
)
)
)		 5,195
0
0
4,691
)
)
)
)		 0
0
100
4,880
)
)
)
)
30
)		 9,856
)		 9,886
)		 4,980
)
0
0
0
0

501

)
)
)
)
)		 0
0
0
0
0
)
)
)
)
)		 0
0
0
0
501
)
)
)
)
)		 0
0
2,000
0
1,139
)
)
)
)
)
501
)		 0
)		 501
)		 3,139
)
0
0
0
0
3,199
0
1,750
85
211
866
488
735
533
2,044
719
646
0
2,866
302
3,091
493
4,415
3,826
486
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 0
8,127
145
0
0
288
0
0
111
0
273
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
20
2,490
19,926
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 0
8,127
145
0
3,199
288
1,750
85
322
866
761
785
533
2,044
719
646
0
2,866
302
3,091
493
4,435
6,316
20,412
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)		 0
2,774
440
0
3,132
0
1,356
0
827
65
433
1,759
787
1,473
1,015
359
0
1,529
253
1,235
375
5,759
26,307
1,045
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
26,755
)		 31,430
)		 58,185
)		 50,923
)
27,286
)		 41,286
)		 68,572
)		 59,042
)

Page 4

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES 3 – OUTGOING RESOURCES - CONTINUED

3c cost of generating funds
TOTAL OUTGOING RESOU
Costs of fund raising
149
Bank / Transaction Charges
421
77,207
272
)
)
)
)		 149
272
)
)		 1,061
0
)
)		 1,210
272
)
)		 1,506
163
)
)
421
)
 1,061
)
 1,482
)
 1,670
)
42,347
)		 119,554
)		 115,212
)

Page 5

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES 4 – MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Fund
Note		 Brought
Incoming
Transfers
Outgoing
Carried
forward
resources
resources
forward
£
£
£
£
£
1
Fabric Maintenance
Probert legacy – nave ceiling
Russe
Wake Up!
Clock Trust
Sharp Flower fund
Dorcas Bridge
Tower Fund – Bells
Donor Specified
Launde
Total restricted funds
General fund		 10,506
8,827
(2,230)
17,103
19,081
779
19,860
2,000
3,365
(5,195)
170
1,024
885
(145)
1,764
654
277
(222)
709
919
479
(114)
1,284
4,739
200
(549)
4,390
1,930
130
(87)
1,973
2,427
24,583
-25678
1,332
-
11,992
(8,127)
3,865
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
43,280
51,517
-
(42,347)
52,450
63,976
80,011
(77,207)
66,780
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
107,256
131,528
-
(119,554)
119,230
)
)
)
)

Notes:

1

The General Fund balance includes £28,919 of desingated funds, which were desingated from legacies recieved during 2023 and have been designated to fund future projects of the PCC.

Page 6

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES

5 – STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Sharp Probert
Total General Fabric Donor Russe Flower Tower Clock Wake Dorcas Nave Launde
Fund Specified Fund Fund Trust Up! Bridge Legacy
£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Santander 4,143 ) 1,894 ) 360
)		 290
)		 - ) 408
)		 - ) 163
)		 - ) 199
)		 779
)		 50
)
Unity Trust Bank
(Current)		 36,939 ) 18,492 ) 8,653 ) 1,042 ) 170
)		 876
)		 - ) 546
)		 1,764 ) - ) 1,581 ) 3,815 )
Unity Trust Bank
(Instant Access)		 35,662 ) 33,890 ) - ) - ) - ) - ) 1,772 ) - ) - ) - ) - ) - )
Cash in hand 201
)		 - ) - ) - ) - ) - ) 201
)		 - ) - ) - ) - ) - )
CCLA Deposit 42,285 ) 12,504 ) 8,090 ) - ) - ) - ) - ) - ) - ) 4,191 ) 17,500 ) - )
Total Funds 119,230 ) 66,780 ) 17,103 ) 1,332 ) 170
)		 1,284 ) 1,973 ) 709
)		 1,764 ) 4,390 ) 19,860 ) 3,865 )

Debtors

As at 31 December 2025 the PCC had paid a deposits totalling £250 towards the benefice weekend, which is due to take place in 2026

Liabilities

The PCC has a photocopier lease agreement, which commenced on 1 December 2021 and finishes on 1 December 2026. As at 31 December 2025, the amounts due in respect of this lease are as follows:

2025
Amounts Falling due within one year - 1,219 -
Amounts falling due within 1 - 5 years - - -
Total amounts due - 1,219 -

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PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, BURES NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Accounting Policies of the Parochial Church Council

The Financial Statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2011 using the Receipts and Payments basis.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any special restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the PCC. These include funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC.

The accounts include monetary transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC can be held responsible. They do not include the accounts of other Church groups that owe an affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Subject to the above, receipts and payments include income as received and expenditure when irrevocably paid.

It is the aim of the PCC to retain a reserve fund equivalent to 3 months expenditure. Members would like to see a sum of £25,000 held in this fund, although they appreciate that this may not always be possible.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

The following assets are recognised but not valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

Moveable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and · which require a faculty for disposal.

The following liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

Approval

This Annual Report and Financial Statements were approved by the PCC and signed by the chair:

on 19 March 2026.

The Revd Daniel Whiffin (Vicar)

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