Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Report and Accounts The Parochial Church Council Of St Peter, Balsall Common Year ended 31st December 2024 Reglstered charlty number 1184291 Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Table of Contents Trustee Report........................................................................................................................................ Independent Examinerfs Report.. FlnatKlal Re¥tew............-....-.-................-........................-..........-....-....................-.........-....-.........-.... s￿￿eMent of Financial Activities.................................................................................-.......-..................10 Balance SheeL..................-.....-..-......................-.-.................-....,....-....-..-....-..........-....-....................11 Note5 to the Accounts.......-....-.........-..........................................................-.....-......... -.......--...-........12 Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Trustee Report Aim and purposes The Parochial Church Council of St Peter, 8alsall Common I"PCC") has the responsibllity of promoting within the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistlc, social, and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the malntenance of the hurch and church hall buildings and grounds. Objertives and Actlvltles The PCC is committed to ensuring that as many residents of the parish as possible are able to Worship at the church, and to become part of our church community. The PCC'S charitable object5 are primarily focused on the advancement of religion, which is recognised as a charitable purpose havtn8 public benefit. All regular worship is provided free of charge and 15 open to all. In addition the PCC'S activities include: The provision of sacred Spa￿ for private prayer and contemplation Pastoral work. including visiting the sick and the bere￿ed Teaching of Christianity through sem)ons, courses and small groups Taking of religious a55emblie5 in schools Promoting the whole mission of the Church through provislon of artivitie5 for parents and babies and young children Supporting other eharities in the UK and overseas Provision and maintenance of a hall for regular public worship and other church activities. and also as a community facillty available to all for recreational artivitie5 when not in use by the church To facilitate our whole mission it is important to mainlain the fabric of the church and the hall. The PCC has complied with its duty to have due regard to the House of Bishops, guidance on the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children {under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 20161. Alison Bennett is appointed Safeguarding Officer. Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Achievements and Performance Mlnistry The parish has been in a period of interregnurn since 9 April 2023, We are delighted that the Reverend Suzy Pearson wa5 installed as vicar on 24 September 2024. Until her installation, our service5 have been led by a rota of locum clergy, some retired. and assisted by Moira Johnson, Alison Bennett and Chris Price as readers. The Pccwould like to thank all those who have ensured that we can continue to run a full program of services. Worship and Prayer St Peter's embraces diverse worship styles, providing traditional and informal services alongside special events for all ages. We also offer online access to our services held in Church, to allow us to reach a wider audience, including those unable to visit in person due to illness or infirmity. Key services include weekly Sunday services with a mix of formats, lay-led services focused on accessibility, and community engagement sessions. Readers, lay leaders and volunteers play crucial roles in Service delNery and pastoral care. We actively collaborate with other local churches through joint se￿iceS and community events, fostering cooperation and support. We continue praying for our work with the children and their parents and for more new people to join our congregation. Throughout 2024 we have continued to offer the ministry of occasional offices, baptisms, weddings, funerals and burial of ashes services, which are significant occasions for many members of the parish and beyond. Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Church Centre This year we continued to open the church daily, for all who seek a place for quiet ontemplation and prayer. St Peterfs continues to hold dropin Warm Hub sessions on Thursday afternoons. The hall is used not only for church events but 15 hired out to a range of community groups, including exercise, drama and activities for the retired, as well as being available for private parties. Letting of the Hall is moving back towards pre-covid levels, vthich is pleasing a5 a service to the local community, but also for funds to malntaln and improve the Hall. Pastoral We organise several groups who meet regularly to learn rnore about Christianity, ask questions and express fears and doubts in a safe environment. Each group has a different audience and structure, so that as rnany as possible can attend one or more. Horne communions are also available forthe sick and housebound. Misslon and Evangellsm We have a small but active branch of the Mothers, Union at St Peter5, who take part in activities such as knitting clothes for premature babies. and blankets and teddies. Through the Mothers, Union we have a strong link with our sister diocese in Malawi and this year we arranged a large donation of clothes, blankets, tools and school necessities via the container that the Diocese organtse5. A weekly group called Teenies. Tinies and Toddlers meets during the school terms to provide support and company for parents and carers of pre-school children. We also run a monthlytea party, alongsidethewarm Hub, providinga friendlyplace to meet, particularly forolder members of our community. We fundraise on a regular basis for The Childrens. Society. including at the annual Christingle service. We have continued to collect food and other essentials for Helping Hands, a local food bank. We are active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and we have a church website where people can contact and connect with the church. In addltlon we have introduced a YouTube hannel, where members of the congregation, and others who would not normally attend church, May access recordings of our services, along with activities for families. Annual Report St Peter 8alsall Common Ecumenical Relationships We are members of Churches Together in Bals311 and Berkswell, joining with other churches in the area for coffee mornings. Lenten breakfa5t5, and other social artivities. as well as fundraisin8 for local and international charities. Volunteers The church would be unable to function without the hard work and dedication of a band of volunteers, and the PCC would like to place on record our heartfelt thanks to them all. There are too manyto mention by name, but the Churchwardens, Christine Hornsby and Sarah Roth bear a huge responsibility in organising the life of the church, particularly in this period of interre8nurn. Structure. Governance and Management The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representatlon Rules. The current incumbent is ex off icio chair of the PCC, and the Churchwardens and Deanery Synod members are ex officio members of the PCC. Other members are elected to the PCC by members of the electoral roll at the Annual General Meeting. and may also be co-opted durin£ the year. Members of the congregation are artively encouraged to re8lSter on the electoral roll, and to stand for membership of the PCC. The PCC are responsible for making all decisions concerning the general running of the church, the raising of funds. and the use of those funds. The PCC met 5 times during the year, and discussed a range of i55ue5 includin8 the process for appointin8 a new incumbent, Safeguarding, discussin8 the Diocese's -People and Places" initiative, and fundraising. The Standing Committee, comprising of the incumbent, Churchwardens, Honorary Secretary and HonoraryTreasurer also meet outside PCC meetings when there are urgent issues to discuss. There are also several sub-groups which meet on 3 regular basis, sud) as the Premises Commitlee, which are granted powers to make decisions on particular area5, and to report back regularly to the main PCC. Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Admlnistratlve Informatlon The church 15 Situated in Holly Lane. Balsall Common. CV7 7EA. It is part of the Oioeese of Birmingham, within the Church of England. The church does not have a parish office phone number, but emails can be sentto vicar cbalsall.or .uk. The PCC is a body corporate {PCC Powers Measures 1956, Church Representation Rules 20061 and a charity registered with the Charity Commission, number 1184291. PCC members who have served at any time since I, January 2024 to the date of this report are.. Ex Officio Members th The Reverend Susan Pearson (appointed 24 September 20241 Christine Hornsby (Churchwarden) Sarah Roth Eileen Lamb {Deanery Synod member) Elected Members Alla Pavuk (Honorary Secretary) Christine Lee (Honorary Treasurer) Dr Margaret Eyre (resigned 12 May 2024) Christine Hunnisett Moira Johnson Amy Kershaw Bryan Marlow Rachel Westwood Robert Farmer Edward Perkin Rosemary Birse Margaret Mayhew Dr Leslie de Chernatonv Ih Susan Williams lappointed 5 May 2024) William Chamberlain (appointed Slh May 2024) Kimberley Wright (appointed 5 May 20241 Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the members I trustees of St Peter Balsall Common Parochial Church Council I report on the accounts forthe year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pa8es 10 to 13. Respective responslbllStle5 Of the Trustee and Independent Examlney As trustees of the charity the members ofthe PCC are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the Charities Act 20111.the 2011 ACVI. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in tarrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Oirection5 given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{b} of the Act Independent Exarnlnerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me causeto believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirement5 concerningthe forrn and content of account5 set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2(X)8 otherthan any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not matter considered as part of an independent examination. Signed Alison Lowe 13 May 2025 Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common Financlal Review The accounts for the year show a surplus of incoming to outgoing resources for the year of £2,394 as opposed to a surplus of £7,095 in the previous year. The reduction is principally caused by slightly lower income from charitable activities, particularly fundraising and parish fees, and a higher contribution to Common Fund. Incomln8 Resources Voluntary giving, excluding legacies, increased by £452, due to lower planned giving and tax recovered from gift aid, offset by an increase in donations. The decrease of £2,854 in Income from charitable activittes is due to lower income from fundraising and parish fees. Expendfture Day-to-day running costs are generally under control. We increased our voluntary additional payment to Common Fund by £2,167, which accounts for most of the increase in costs of £2.277. Reserves Pollcy Following our significant refurbishment project in 2013, our reserrfes policy is to rebuild our financial reseryes to cover our commitments, particularly in respect of necessary maintenance of the church buildin8. Flxed assets Consecrated and benefice property is not included in the accounts, in accordance with slo of the Charities Act 2011. Moveable church furnishings held by the incumbent Vicar and the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a special faculty for disposal are inalienable church property. listed in the Church's terrier which can be inspected at any reasonable time. Equipment used on the Church premises is capitalised if it is over £S.IJOO and written off over a S year period. Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACIIVIIIES For the year ended 31 Oecember 2024 2024 Re￿lIcted funds 2023 Unrestrltted Note: funds Total Totsl Funds Funds Income and Endowments Donalion5 and legacres Income from charitable activitles other tradin8 actMtie5 63.273 18,968 1.532 1,627 64.900 807 19.775 1.532 64,448 22,629 1,554 Total income and endowment5 83,773 2,434 86.207 88.631 EMpeftd1￿rQ Cost of raising funds Cost of generating funds for voulntary income Charitable activities 81,525 2.288 83,813 81,536 81.525 2,288 83,813 81.536 Transfer Unrestrlited Funds to Re5trlcted Funds Net rnovemenl In fufwls 2,248 146 2.394 7.09S Reconclliatlon of funds Funds brought fonward 27,7S4 3,372 31,126 24,031 Fund5 carrled foThnrd 30,002 3,518 33,520 31.126 io Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common BALANCE SHEEr Asat310•c•mber2024 2024 2023 Current Assets Bank Accounts at HSBC Bank Accounts at C8F 33,270 250 33,520 30,891 235 31,126 Current Llabllltles Creditors Net Current Assets 33,520 31,126 Net Assets 33.520 31.126 Represented by Unrestricted Fund5 Restricted Funds 30,002 3.518 33.520 27,754 31,126 Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 131tr5125 And signed on its behalf by: Reverend S Pearson, Chairman The notes on pages 11 to 13 forrn part of these account5 li Annual Report St Peter Balsall Common 2024 Unresirlrted Re5trlcted Total Funds Fund5 Funds 2023 Total Funds 21 Oonatlons and Legacles Planned giving.. tax effKient Other planned giving Tax recovered from Gift AKI Other giving Grants Le8aCV L%)natlons and charltable donatis)ns 41,465 1.819 10,640 41865 1.819 10.640 42.S35 2,443 11,277 1,153 5CY) 1.653 8,196 63.273 1.127 9,323 1,627 64,900 5,489 64,448 31 Income from tharltablp actlvttles Lettings Parlsh fees Fundraisir 18.031 556 381 18,968 .031 556 1,188 807 19,775 I8,￿5 2,194 1.630 22,629 41