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2025-12-31-accounts

The Parish of St James and St Basil Fenham

www.jamesbasilfenham.org.uk

Welcome to the Annual Report for 2025

&

Annual Parochial Church meetings 2026

The purpose of this document is to give details of all necessary reports and accounts and to provide an overview of the life of the parish in 2025. This booklet also includes the agendas and various papers for the annual meetings to be held on the 15[th] March 2025 as part of the main 10am service.

Contents
Introduction & Vicar’s Report 3
Snapshot of attendance 4
Administration, publicity and website 5
The African Chaplaincy 5
Bellringers 5
Café & Fenham Markets 6
Children & Young People 6
Deanery Synod Report 6
Electoral Roll 7
Engagement with schools 7
Fabric – Church 8
Fabric – Hall 9
Finance 9
Gardens 11
Godly Play 11
Hospitality 11
House of Good Result for 2025 12
Lay Ministry 12
Liturgy & Worship 13
Music 14
Net Zero Carbon 15
Property (Vicarage & Auburn Gardens) 16
Safeguarding and Health and Safety 17
Scouts 18
Study Groups/personal reflection & prayer 18
Annual General Meeting of Parishioners (APGM) 19
Annual Parochial Church Meeting 19
Appendix 1_Minutes of the APGM 2021_ 20
Appendix 2_Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 2021_ 20
Appendix 3 Summary of Parish Accounts & Financial Statement 23

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Introduction & Vicar’s Report

2025 was going to be a year of change, and where there is change, there must also be some sort of hope, plan or vision.

The year began in a great Christmas Season in which we sung, welcomed and celebrated together – again in the cold, but this is now part of our life… as someone recently noted, ‘folk just need to dress appropriately… just as they do at St James’ Park’! Our existing utility contracts continued to hold us firmly and our limited budget meant that whilst we did what we could, it was always going to be difficult, (these contracts are due for renewal in 2026 and so we hope for some movement in the current year).

At the Annual Meetings just before Easter, Nigel and Tony continued in their current terms as Churchwarden, and Tim and Jeanette continued for another year as Treasurer and PCC Secretary respectively. The Members of the Church Council returned for another year to help give oversight, direction and to act as Trustees for the Parish.

In the winter months, we had hoped to make significant progress with the project to redevelop the Fenham Hall Drive entrance. Our good intentions were thwarted as we found ourselves at the hand of a less than helpful City Council Planning officer who returned our proposals a number of times with recommendations, which when we then included, only for them to still indicate that they would object to any planning application. This was frustrating, and has limited our ability to create an almost fully accessible Church, reduce draught and heat loss and create a much more attractive entrance way to the Church, (and indeed, to Fenham). We will return to this in 2026.

Many of you will know that I faced change at home too. A motorbike ride over the Alps and a proposal at the end of May, led to my own marriage to Vicky at the end of August in Js & Bs. Parish archives suggest that I am not the first cleric of Js & Bs to marry someone from Cherryburn Gardens – though perhaps I am the first to be married in a Church filled with giant balloons. Vicky and I had hoped for an informal wedding in which close friends and the local community might gather to share with us. It was great to see many different over-lapping areas of our lives all together in church. We would like to take this opportunity to note again our thanks for friendship, love and generosity from many.

After a surprise announcement in late summer, we said farewell to our Associated Priest, The Revd Osaro Omobude. Osaro arrived here as the curate of my predecessor and having served many years here beyond his curacy, alongside his work in Mental Health Chaplaincy, made a decision to take a Parish Role as Associate Priest in the Parish of Stokeinteighhead in the Diocese of Exeter

As Summer gave way to Autumn, it was announced that our Curate, Ryan, had been appointed as Associate Priest at Hexham Abbey and that he would leave us in early 2026. Ryan has become a well-known and trusted colleague and friend to many in

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the parish. Personally, he arrived here in some of my darkest moments, and departs having faithfully walked alongside me for three and half years into a new beginning. He has left his mark on the parish… we hope that we have offered space to experiment and learn, to grow and refine and be ready to set out into a lifetime of ministry. Ryan’s departure also left the PCC with a once-in-a-lifetime decision about a significant asset of the Parish, number 32 Auburn Gardens.

Significant changes and vacancies in the Deanery, leave us with ever more pressure and shifting horizons as we plan and prepare for life together; I am always pleased that it is shared together in changing seasons. May we walk onward holding onto hope as we plan and prepare , and as a vision for our future hopefully becomes evermore clear.

James ~ 4[th] March 2026

A snapshot of attendance and membership

Parish Electoral Roll = 79 (2025= 78) The Usual Sunday Attendance figure in 2025 included those who attended our Sunday Services In 2025 our 10am services continued to be streamed online and average numbers of those joining in continued to be in the range of 6-12.

Easter Day 2025

2025= Attendance in the Parish – 101 2024= Attendance in the Parish – 67 2023= Attendance in the Parish - 55

Christmas 2025 (including all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services) Attendance in the Parish 2025 – 425

Attendance in the Parish 2024 – 413 Attendance in the Parish 2023 – 390 Attendance in the Parish 2022 – 297

October Count Nationally the Church of England uses the month of October as a sample month to calculate average attendance at all church services per week. This figure excludes ‘non average’ attendance, for example if Harvest Festival is held in October.

2021 = 39 2022 = 42 2023 = 57 2024 = 41 2025 = 53

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In 2025 2 weddings, 15 funerals and 2 baptisms were held in the Parish.

These figures include Funeral services held at the

Crematorium, but not those held in other burial grounds or other churches.

Administration, publicity and website.

In 2025 parish administration was completed by the Vicar, Curate and Churchwardens, assisted by Jeanette Welsh (as PCC Secretary).

Administration in the parish is a significant task and we remain thankful to those who help out with small jobs to share the load around a little.

Our Facebook and Instagram presence continued to grow in 2025 community ended the year with just under 1020 people ‘following’ us. Not only does this provide a route of communication with the local community and further failed, it also creates something of a online record of our life and activity.

We continued to develop our use of our data management tool iKnowChurch and during 2025 we added a new Safeguarding module to help create a single central record of any concerns and to help monitor training and DBS checks.

The African Chaplaincy

The African Chaplaincy last met as separate group during the winter of 2023. Throughout 2025 members of the Chaplaincy joined together with the 10am congregation.

Bellringers From Tim Bradbury

I took over the reins in the belfry during the course of last year and would like to express my thanks for the job that my predecessor, Jo Ayre did with the ringers.

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Thanks to the links Jo developed with the Jesmond ringers who support us on a Sunday morning we have often been able to ring all 8 bells. Practices continue on the 2[nd] , 4th and 5[th] Tuesdays each month. Although we are often low in numbers we are making good progress, particularly with the use of handbells during the practice. Just before Christmas the tenor clapper broke, but this has now been replaced with a new one made by John Taylor’s Bell Foundry in Loughborough. If anyone is interested in seeing what happens at the top of the spiral staircase, or even better would like to learn, please get in touch with me.

Café & Fenham Markets

In 2025, David and his team of volunteers, the café continued to operate from 10am to 1pm on most Thursdays. As in previous years, the café offers an excellent community space, used by a wide range of people from the local area. The profits from the café continued to increase and contributed 16% of our total income in 2025.

We also provided refreshments at the Markets again and refreshments at Concerts and Events. David notes his thanks to his team for their hard work and dedication over the year.

Markets

2025 saw four markets held in church on Saturday mornings with a range of local producers from craft, to cheese, honey and beer. The first two were quiet and led to a question about future years, however by the time the final one was held at the end of November trade had picked up and we look forward to welcoming folk back in 2026.

Children and Young People

Whilst we regularly have children and young people present in church, these are often in small numbers and in the absence of a regular group of people to prepare and lead anything specifically for this age group, the number attending is often very low. We were not able to return to experimenting with children’s groups on a Sunday morning due to a lack of leaders. Towards the end of the year, we regularly saw between four and six primary aged children in church.

Our ‘special’ services (for example, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday & Christmas), saw large numbers of family groups attending, perhaps suggesting a desire by families to keep some contact with us, even if they cannot be here very often. ‘Jellyfish and Bees @ Js & Bs’ (our early years, weekly music session) also continued to run throughout 2025.

- The Deanery Deanery Synod Report

Rachel Gill and Margaret Green continue to represent the parish on the Newcastle West Deanery Synod following their re-election at the 2025 APCM.

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Deanery Synod continue its pattern of meeting three times per year – once per academic term. As has been custom, it continues to meet in a different venue each time. In 2025, we joined with host churches for our meeting and then for their regular time of prayer and worship.

In 2025, The Deanery said ‘farewell’ to

The Revd Matthew Hunter (Whorlton, St John) on his appointment to a Parish in the Diocese of Leeds,

The Revd Dan McCarthy (Holy Cross Fenham) on his appointment to North Shields,

The Revd Allison Harding (Newburn and Throckley) on her appointment as Pioneer Ministry in the Ashington and Cramlington area.

We also saw our own Fr Osaro Omobude move on to a post in the Diocese of Exeter, and Revd Ryan McKeon come to the final weeks of his curacy as the year ended.

The Vicar continues to work as Area Dean, supporting parishes in vacancy or moments of need as requested and working alongside the Bishop and Archdeacon in a ‘lite-touch’ oversight of the churches in the area. With a significant number of Vacant Parishes (and further expected in 2026), time pressures and demands from the Deanery continue to grow.

Electoral Roll from Margaret Green

After the complete renewal of the Electoral Roll last year, in March 22025 , there were 54 members. The next renewal will be in six years time, in 2031. In the intervening years the Roll will be revised yearly. With this year’s revision we welcome 7 new members, Andrea Page, Janice Warwick , Harish, and we welcome back Raj, Maggie, Reuben & Annie who did not join the Renewed Roll last year. With the loss of Huw Melluish ,who moved with Ryan to Hexham, we now have 60 members on the Electoral Roll. Although the Roll is revised yearly application to join can be made by residents & non residents in the parish over the year. They should be communicants who have been attending the church for 6 Months prior to making the application, or live in the Parish. Members are entitled to vote at the Annual General Church Meetings . It is allowed to be on the Electoral Roll of two churches but voting is only allowed on one .

Engagement with Schools

Once again in 2025, we welcomed school curriculum visits from Dame Allan’s Junior School and Wingrove Primary School and we visited the senior school to support their Religious Studies Curriculum.

Dame Allan’s Chamber Choir led Evensong in church at the end of each half term. In the summer term, The Schools appointed a new Chaplain, The Revd Doug Hemming. It

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was hoped that we might Doug around the parish from time to time too, however, Doug resigned his appointment at the end of 2024/25 academic year to take up a full time appointment in the Diocese of Durham. At the year end, The Schools were once again without a formal appointment of Chaplain.

Our relationship with DASPA – the Dame Allan’s Schools Parents Association – continued. The Parish hosts a half termly coffee morning and school uniform sale for parents.

The Vicar also resigned his position as a Director of the Pele Academy Trust after a number of years on the Board there. As the Pele Trust continued to grow and develop the role was demanding an increasing amount of time away from the Parish. In the spring of 2025 the Vicar came to the end of his term of office as a member and Director of Diocesan Board of Education.

Fabric

Church

Routine servicing and repairs continued throughout 2025. Small projects and repairs were completed thanks to the formation of a small team including Nigel, Kevin and others.

2025 saw the repairs and upgrade to the church clock. The works – funded in full by the end of 2024 – included the installation of auto winding mechanism and regulator to adjust for BST and GMT. New parts were also manufactured for the pendulum escape mechanism which, after some 90 years of service, had become worn and were leading the clock to ‘loose’ 10 minutes or so each week.

As in previous years, routine works were carried throughout the year including, servicing the heating system, and the organ was tuned in early summer by Woods of Huddersfield.

Following the completion of the works to vestries and ‘back of house’ area in 2024, the start of 2025 saw our attention turn towards the proposal to install a new interior lobby, level access and heating at the Fenham Hall Drive entrance and to relandscape the street scape on Fenham Hall Drive. The PCC proposal were met with positive support locally. However, on submission to the City Council for Planning Consent for the exterior works, the planning department indicated they would refuse permission not once, but after two further rounds of revision to incorporate the feedback they had given. It was clear towards the end of the year that the City Council would refuse planning permission for all but the most simple works and so our application was withdrawn and a decision made to revisit this afresh in 2026.

To mark the occasion of the marriage of the Vicar at the end of August, a replacement Ciborium was sourced and given by the Vicarage Household to replace the one donated in memory of Kenneth and Margaret Arthur in 1981. (Ken was a former long serving Churchwarden). The existing Ciborium was starting to show signs

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of wear from use over the years with the sliver plating becoming ‘pitted’ and marked. The new Ciborium is a solid silver piece also by John Paul Cooper – the designer and maker of our other Silver, and dates from the late 1920s and echoes the design of some the details found on some of our other pieces.

– Fabric Hall (including hall users)

Routine servicing continued in 2025. Regular users continued to meet, and activities included Zumba classes, daytime exercise groups and yoga, the local History Society, English and Maths Tuition, early morning weekend yoga, evening Youth Group and our resident Scout Group the 82[nd] Newcastle. In May of 2025, following a number of acts of vandalism to the Vicarage, the Hall Gardens (and the Vicar’s Car), the Youth Group was asked stop meeting. In September, the English and Maths Tuition stopped their weekly meetings due to a decline in attendance, we welcomed Smitha Menon who leads a weekly Traditional Indian Dance class for children on Saturday mornings.

Our two studio spaces (the Upper Room and the Basement) continue to be home to two local businesses. After a number of years, Derek Farrell moved from the Basement into larger premises elsewhere. The Basement was immediately occupied by another local joiner.

The Wild Potager continued in the Upper Room under the ownership of Jane. By the early autumn this studio had been redecorated and was ready for workshops and business once again. The Old Kitchen offers space for Dave and his projects in his workshop area.

The Parish Hall management continued to be carried out by the Vicar. This is a significant – and often frustrating – use of time and resources. The redevelopment of the Parish Hall– initially conceived pre COVID-19, but on hold since – should remain a priority. In 2025, The Parish spent a minimal amount on repair and maintenance. By the early autumn the kitchen was felt to beyond use. The extractor fan had failed leading to excessive condensation and black mold, the remaining water boiler had ceased boiling meaning that there was no hot water, and the kitchen units were showing signs of wear and tear that would lead to closure if inspected by the Environmental Health Officer. A plan was drafted to carry out works to the kitchen as and when funds permitted. By the year end, the extractor fan and water boiler had been replaced and the central island unit/cupboards had been removed and replaced with stainless steel free standing benches. The remining kitchen units will be replaced and redecoration of the kitchen carried, together with some electrical improvements once funding allows.

Finance From Tim Bradbury

Although the bottom line in this year’s accounts shows a small increase in cash funds, don’t be lured into a false sense of security! We achieved this partly because we only paid £10,000 parish share compared to £15,000 last year and our gas and

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electricity costs for the church building were reduce due to a large refund of overpaid VAT. The true picture is that we are “bumping along the bottom” with a cash reserve of about 10 weeks of general expenditure. On the bright side we have seen a small increase in planned giving and I have just signed off on 3 year energy contracts which are at a substantially lower rate than we have been paying over the last 3 years. Three of these come into effect on 1st June 2026 and the hall gas account on 1st October 2026.

We are fortunate to have a small number of very generous members of the congregation who’s support has enabled us to keep our heads above water and I am grateful to all those who give what they can to support our church community. If anyone is not currently a regular giver, has not gift-aided their contributions if able to or would like to change the amount of their contributions please see me. I remain hopeful that our financial position will improve over the next 12 months. Tim Bradbury

At the annual meeting, our Treasurer will give a verbal update too, and together with the Vicar and Wardens, will be available to answer questions or make further comment if needed.

----- Start of picture text -----
EXPENSES Misc Costs, 1890.7,
£, % 1% Consultancy
Bank Charges,
Expenses, 1535.58,
1209.85, 1% Heat, Light & Power,
1%
18900.62, 14%
Office Printing &
Stationary, 3596.06,
3% Church Maintenance,
13308.93, 10%
Café Costs, 6889.09,
Music Expenses,
5% 30744.54, 23% Hall Maintenance,
834.51, 1%
Water Rates, 1828.26,
1% Gardens, 8916.42, 7%
Council Tax, 5260.76,
4% Insurance, 10878.15,
Expenses Paid, 8%
715.27, 1%
Parish Share Paid, Parochial Fees Paid, Worship Costs, Projects/Development,
10000, 7% 4239, 3% 3224.39, 2% 11272.8, 8%
----- End of picture text -----

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----- Start of picture text -----
Interest, 658.29, 0%
INCOME
Concert Income,
£, % 3892.39, 3% Misc Receipts, 260.02,
0%
Choir Subs, 2850, 2%
Donations, 24124.62,
18%
Café, 21940.15, 16%
Legacies, 3000, 2%
Charitable Activity, Collections, 768.18,
60, 0% 1%
Planned Giving,
20902, 15%
Rent , 25956, 19%
Gift Aid , 9764.68, 7%
Fees, 6508.83, 5%
Fundraising Income, Grant Received,
3905.9, 3% 12275.92, 9%
----- End of picture text -----

Gardens

January 2025 saw the installation of the three final benches that arrived in the latter part of 2024. Once in place, these complete the long term project to re-install benches in all of the bays in all of the gardens.

Throughout the year The Church Gardens continued to be an asset shared with the community. Our paid gardener, Penny Hunter continued to work with volunteers to manage the gardens throughout the year. In the 2024 report it was reported that one of regular volunteers Emma, was involved in a serious accident resulting in a brain injury. Emma’s recovery continued throughout 2024 and 2025, though the nature of her injury meant that she has not been able to return to the gardens.

The Gardeners continue to meet on a Tuesday morning most weeks, Penny leading the team of volunteers. There always things to be done, so if you’d like to join the regular gang, or simply call in on a week when you have a few hours free, please do call by.

Godly Play

We continue to hold a large stock of Godly Play resources, and these continue to be used on occasional school visits, and also on some occasion during our church services.

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Hospitality & Exhibitions

As always, the parish mission continues to place a high priority on its mission to create space for all whether through services, events, concerts or simply over coffee and food. 2025 saw a number of shared lunches in church following the Sunday Service - even though we couldn’t keep the church warm, we managed to get the hot food out on time.

The Church Kitchen will be 10 years old in 2026, and it is starting show signs of age and wear. The Dishwasher was replaced in the Summer of 2025 with a commercial unit and towards the end of the it became clear that we might need to rethink some of our practice and use of the kitchen as the weekly Café has continued to grow and expand.

In the late Summer of Autumn of 2025, we took part in the National Trust Heritage Open Days. This year, alongside our display of our collection of Silver by John Paul Cooper, we also hosted a photography exhibition highlighting some of the details in our magnificent stained glass windows. Some of these images featured in a Calendar for 2026 and our Christmas Cards for 2025.

House of Good The National Churches Trust Result for 2025

- - From the National Churches Trust – www.nationalchurchtrust.org/house good research Churches provide so many essential services for communities across the UK. From youth groups to foodbanks, they help to support the wellbeing of millions of people, including the most vulnerable in society. The House of Good is our groundbreaking research, which measures the value of all of these services to the country. Our first The House of

Good report published in 2020, using HM Treasury Green Book methodology, showed that the economic and social value of churches was £12.4 billion per year. But later research in 2021 showed that the figure was significantly higher than first thought. When HM Treasury updated guidance in The Green Book, we recalculated the figures. The new method showed that churches provide £55 billion social benefit to the UK – every year. You can find out more about the House of Good Report by searching online.

Using methodology created by HMRC and resources from The National Churches Trust, The Social Value Capital figure for our parish in 2025 was calculated to be £1,305,255.00. This means that for every £1 raised or donated to the parish in 2025, the social impact in 2025 was calculated to be a little over £13 invested in our local community and the people who live here.

Lay Ministry Reader's report from Andy Lie

I wish to thank James our Vicar/Area Dean for his support and encouragement in this past year, to Ryan (former Curate) who has now begun his new ministry at Hexham Abbey, the Church Wardens, PCC, and importantly to you all faithful members of

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SSJ&B. It has been good being involved in Sunday services, Holy Week leading up to Easter, the occasional pastoral visits, and several blocks of Bible and thematic studies during the year, especially those hosted by Ryan and Huw and latterly in the home of Niel and Joo-Li. Back in October 2025, I had my Reader Licence episcopally renewed for a further three years and that hopefully should take me near to my 35th anniversary as a lay minister in this diocese. Time to hang up my robes permanently by then?

Liturgy & Worship

In 2025, we continued to benefit from talents and skills of Dr Myles Hartly FRCO, as our Director of Music and Organist. Myles has brought a real gift to Sunday mornings and recitals, and his ability to show the range of colour and tone from our Walker Organ is noted by many.

Myles has continued to support and develop Sanctuary Voices as a Choir to support some Sunday Mornings and special services throughout the year. We try and ask the choir to sing once a month in order that members can commit and not feel that the choir takes over too much of their time. Sunday Mornings see our liturgy use a variety of sung settings to reflect the seasons from the more reflective settings by Merbecke and Murray, through to the more joyous compositions by Thorne, MacMillan and Schubert.

Morning and evening prayer and Midweek Eucharist

Due to a lack of attendance, the Midweek Eucharist did not return in 2025. The Clergy and members of the public continued to keep a rhythm of public morning and evening prayer daily throughout the year as often as possible. Whilst it is usually just clergy, they are regularly joined by people passing through.

The Church remained open daily and people still came in to the church to light candles and leave notes for things they would like prayer for.

It is hoped to start developing some resources and prompts for quiet reflection and prayer in the Memorial Chapel in 2026. We are aware that the Church building is used by many people each week, but we hope to keep a quiet space for reflection as a key feature of our life and activity.

Sunday Services and Occasional Offices

Our 10am Sunday services continued to be streamed online to our website and via YouTube. We have had a regular group of between 6 – 12 join us each week. We retained the option of being able to stream services like Funerals and Weddings to families on private pages if requested.

Our Sunday Service music has been mainly congregational led. Our Sunday Choir has continued to meet and grow throughout the year and is now a regular feature of our third Sunday services.

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Music

In 2025 Js & Bs continued to be the base for several choirs and music groups. J’s & B’s Singers with around 80 singers performed three concerts – two in Js & Bs and one in Hexham. Attendance at Concerts was very good with standing room only on a number of occasions. Income from the Js & Bs Choir continues to subsidise our other musical activity, notably the work of the Phoenix Choir.

The Newcastle Phoenix Choir continues to meet on Friday afternoons in the church. During the year they performed several times - alongside The Morning Chorus in concert, in a service of Remembrance at Brunswick Methodist Church and in the homelessness awareness service at J’s & B’s.

Alongside choirs run on behalf of the PCC, Js & Bs continued to be a home for Voices of Hope, The Fenham Ensemble and The Morning Chorus as they worked on rehearsal and in concerts.

Sadly, illness meant that Ernie Scott wasn’t able to organise a Saturday Classics Concert Series in 2025.

In the summer time, we welcomed back Johnathan Bloxham and the Northern Chords Festival for their performance of Dido and Aeneas.

The church continues to be a popular choice for musicians looking to perform their music and used again as a ‘recording studio’ on a number of occasions by private musicians keen to make the best of the acoustics and facilities on site.

The Newcastle Phoenix Choir from Tim Bradbury

The Newcastle Phoenix Choir continues to meet in the church every Friday afternoon during term time. They continue to be grateful for the support, both financial and practical provided by members of our church community.

The group continues to enjoy making music – including in the regular guitar group formed by members of the choir – and is a very supportive group of friends always ready to support each other which has been particularly valuable in the face of the loss of 3 members in recent months.

We will shortly be performing at the final of a competition organised by Ad Gefrin which seeks to recognise unsung heroes in the form of community organisations in the North East who provide a variety of activities and support for community members. We are also contestants in the final!

We are also going to be performing alongside several other choirs on Sunday 22nd March in the Glasshouse at 11.30am until 12.30pm if anyone is able to make it there after the morning service.

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Net Zero Carbon 2030

General Synod voted in February 2020 for the whole of the Church of England to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. The vote recognised that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation and a fundamental injustice. You can find out more about the 2030 target online at - https://www.churchofengland.org/net - - zero carbon routemap

The Parish achieved the Silver Eco Church award in 2023. Since then, we already begun to take some steps to reduce our environmental impact. Our Gas heating boilers are all ‘A’ Rated. The Changes made in 2024 to the vestry area to move this part of the church to electric heating may explain the reasons for the first graph – a reduction in emissions from Gas and an increase in emissions from Electricity. This change was expected and means that we are making steps to move away from gas heating and onto renewable electricity. It may be possible – in time, and with suitable funding in place – to install solar PV cells on the church roof, battery storage in the church cellar and commercial air source heat pumps (once our gas boilers reach the end of their serviceable life).

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Property (Vicarage & Auburn Gardens) The Vicarage

As the official ‘Benefice Property’, maintenance of the Vicarage remains the responsibility of the Diocese, day to day running costs are met by the Vicarage Household.

As reported for the seventh consecutive year, electrical problems persist in the house, with fuses tripping and supply failures regularly occurring. These are reported to the diocese, but no works have been carried out.

Issues relating to the guttering over the yard and above the front door remain and whilst reported to the diocese, no site visit took place and no remedial works were carried out in 2025. The leak at the side (above the yard) of the house is causing damp and moss to build up. The lead gutter above the front door is failing due to rotten timber within the eaves of the house.

The Vicarage is a large, listed (Grade 2) building that proves to be very difficult and expensive to heat. This is noted for the record as this extra burden is not faced by some clergy households in more modern or efficient vicarages in effect meant a reduction in stipend for the incumbent here, (all parish clergy in the diocese receive the same ‘package in terms of payment, pension and the provision of an official house).

The house is larger than most in the diocese and fails to meet the recommended standards for clergy housing as it does not offer accessible entrance routes, nor a separately accessed office space. The house was due for its 5 yearly inspection in 2024, however this was not carried out by the Diocesan Surveyor in 2024 or 2025.

32 Auburn Gardens

The house is owned by the PCC on Auburn Gardens and under the terms of a trust deed, retains its designation as housing for an Assistant Curate if one is appointed to the Parish.

As noted in previous annual reports, the future of number 32 has been a matter of some discussion and debate. In the summer of 2025, in accordance the Charity Act

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(2011), the PCC commissioned GF White of Hexham to provide a Designated Advisors Report (DAR) on the house. This was much more than an Estate Agent’s valuation. The DAR provided a professional opinion on the condition of the house together with an estimate cost of repairs and recommendations for the future of the property as an asset of the PCC. The Property is held under the terms of Trust established in 1930 to provide ‘church worker housing’ for the parish. Whilst number 32 has been known as the ‘Curates House’, the presence of such a house has little impact on the appointment of a future Curate to the parish as the diocese will simply rent a house for the duration of the curacy – indeed, during times when we have had a curate in post the Diocese has rented the house from the PCC.

The PCC are mindful that their role as Trustees is not one of property developer, and given our limited resources, a decision was taken to replace number 32 once it became vacant in the later part of the year. The PCC will review this decision once the house becomes vacant again with a view to immediately placing the house on the open market at the earliest opportunity in 2026. Any proceeds from the sale will be held by the PCC under the terms of the existing Trust for ‘church worker housing’. It is likely that the PCC will need to purchase a new property in the near future to ensure that they continue to comply with the terms of the Trust.

Safeguarding and Health and Safety

Ensuring our buildings and communities are as safe as they can be is of upmost importance

Health and Safety

In line with our insurance requirements and with national Church policy, we continue to review risk assessments for activities and events.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policies & Procedures for the Church of England are outlined nationally by the House of Bishops & can be seen in the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, a copy of which is displayed on the church notice board . Safeguarding is always on the agenda of PCC meetings & policies agreed upon by the PCC are reviewed as necessary.

All members of the PCC, as trustees of the church, & anyone in close contact with children, young people & vulnerable adults, are subject to DBS checks, (the Disclosure & Baring Service) every 5 years & those checked in this way have to attend training courses, on line initially & then in groups, either face to face or on Zoom thereafter. Information about safeguarding & useful numbers can be seen on the church notice board & website, - jamesbasilfenham.org.uk. & details of the Safeguarding Officer are on the Sunday pew sheet.

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A new system for logging concerns and actions introduced as part of the iKnowChurch system towards the end of 2024 continued to be used as a single, central record of reports or concerns.

– Scouts 82[nd] Newcastle

The Group continued to meet throughout 2025 and we were pleased to welcome members into church on Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Sunday and to our final Market of the Year.

The Parish continues to be pleased to offer a home to the 82[nd] Scouts and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support in our shared life here in Fenham. At the time of printing a report from the Group wasn’t yet available.

Study Groups/personal reflection & prayer

The bible study fellowship has continued in 2025 and has been well attended. The previous format of meetings at the Curate’s house with a simple supper and conversation offered space to meet and reflect together. The focus has been on specific books and texts and on occasion more informally reflecting on the lectionary readings or on the season. With the announcement of Ryan’s appointment to Hexham Abbey, it was hoped that the groups might continue in some form in 2026, but it was recognised and understood that the leadership of these might need to be shared a little more.

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Annual Meeting of Parishioners

In accordance with the Churchwardens Measure 2001 a meeting of the parishioners of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Fenham: St James and St Basil, will be held for the purpose of appointing 2 churchwardens of the parish.

The following persons are entitled to attend the meeting and vote:

(a) persons whose names are entered on the church electoral roll of the parish; and

(b) persons resident in the parish whose names are entered on a register of local government electors by reason of such residence.

To be appointed churchwarden a person must be baptized and;

(a) entered on the church electoral roll of the parish;

(c) an actual communicant;

Agenda

1) Minutes of the last meeting Appendix 1

2) Election of Churchwardens

Annual Parochial Church Meeting Church Representation Rules 2021

Agenda

1) Apologies

2) Minutes of the last meeting Appendix 2

3) Matters arising

4) Election of

a. Diocesan Synod representatives (2 needed)

b. Members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

5) Appointment of Auditor

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9) Chairman’s Report to be presented as a review of the year during the service – 10) Any Other Business To be notified at the start of the meeting

Appendix 1. Annual General Meeting of Parishioners 2024 (Vestry meeting)

Minutes

Present & Apologies

Present: There were 20 members of the Electoral Roll present including:

1. Minutes

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Parishioners held on Sunday 17th March

amendments

Proposed by: Margaret Reid

Seconded by: Joo Li Ng

Agreed unanimously by all present with no matters arising

The minutes were duly signed by Revd J. McGowan

2. Election of Churchwardens

The Parish of Fenham, St James and St Basil has two (2) Churchwardens

Two nominations were received for Churchwarden:

Appendix 2. Minutes of the previous APCM held on 16th March 2025

Annual Parochial Church Meeting Sunday 16th March 2025 during the 10am Service in Church

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1. Present & Apologies

See list above at AGM Minutes

2 Minutes of the previous Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 17th March 2024

The minutes were received as true and correct with no amendments

Proposed by: Margaret Cutting

Seconded by: Lesley Crawford

The minutes were agreed by all and duly signed by Revd J McGowan

3. Matters Arising

There were no Matters Arising

4. Election of:

a) Deanery Synod Representatives (2)

Rachel Gill and Margaret Green were elected in 2023 & their term continues for 3years until 2026

b) Members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

Parochial Church Council (PCC) members serve a term of 3years, however can be re-elected providing there is no-one else wishing to be nominated &

who has not previously been a member of the (PCC), or there is an unfilled

vacancy

Bonnie Brinn has served the term of 3years & has not sought to be re-elected

There were 2vacancies, however there were no nominations

c) Sidespersons/Welcomers

Under the new rules, these positions are to be filled at the first meeting of the

PCC in accordance with Section 2(2)(f) of the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956

5. Appointment of Examiner of Accounts

Jane Makepeace examined the 2024 accounts and has agreed to stand again as Independent Examiner of Accounts for 2025

Proposed by: Margaret Green

Seconded by: Marjorie Rochester

The position was unanimously agreed by all

Revd J McGowan gave a note of thanks to Jane

6. Report on the proceedings of the Church Council

These reports were received in the form of a booklet which has been printed and distributed to members of the Electoral Roll in advance of the APCM and this

booklet to be taken as such a report (see attached)

All were invited to ask any questions. There were no questions or comments.

7. Treasurer's Report & Accounts (Jan-Dec 2024)

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a) Examination of Accounts These are reported within this booklet (attached) which were discussed and accepted by the PCC at a previous PCC meeting & were then independently examined by Jane Makepeace.

All were invited to ask any questions or comments of Tim Bradbury (Treasurer). There were no questions or comments.

b) Statement of Funds & Property

No verbal report was given. The Church Logbooks were available and Accounts were contained within the printed booklet and an opportunity for any questions was given. There were no questions or comments.

8. Fabric Report

JMc gave a brief summary/overview & mentioned the work done to reduce the heat loss within the church building. Also the Interior Porch & Level Access project which the PCC is undertaking on Fenham Hall Drive side of the Church building & encouraged everyone for their comments/feedback as soon as possible in order for the project to go ahead as soon as possible. The VAT regulations are changing soon & if this work is not completed within the desired timescale then we could be liable to additional vat charges of approximately £12,500. Therefore we would obviously wish to avoid incurring this costly VAT charge

Further details were contained within the booklet.

An opportunity for questions was given. There were no questions

32 Auburn Gardens

Alongside the report in the booklet, JMc highlighted the significant amount of maintenance required on the property in the future once it has been vacated by the current Curate. JMc also stated there are strict covenants on the property

which will restrict our future use, and advised that the PCC is considering what to do next with the property.

9. Chairman’s Report

JMc spoke about congregation numbers and attendance figures in that whilst we

are seeing some growth which is good and that perhaps this echoes that the Church is open and that we offer welcome and hospitality.

However JMc emphasised that we are struggling financially and highlighted that

we don’t have any huge assets. JMc also outlined that it is good to see our income and expenditure figures and where our money is being spent.

JMc advised that over the past 5years we have reduced our Carbon Emission by ⅓

which is good news and we have made significant changes to help with this.

10. AOB

NONE

There being no other business Revd J McGowan closed the meeting and announced:

NEXT PCC MEETING: Wednesday 19th March at 7pm

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Appendix 3 Financial statements

These include a statement of Assets and Liabilities at the 31[st] December 2025, together with the financial statements for 2024. NB at the time of printing, these statements, whilst approved by the PCC, were awaiting Inspection. If this has not been completed by the date of the APCM, it will be proposed that these statements are ‘received’ and then are later ‘approved’ at an Extra-ordinary Meeting called for this purpose sometime before the 31[st] May 2025 whose date and time will be published in accordance with rule M13 of the Church Representation Rules 2020.

Employee Pensions Liability Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) December 2025 Year End

The Parish participates in the Pension Builder Scheme section of 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. 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.

A valuation of the Pension Builder Scheme is carried out once every three years. The most recent valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2022.

This followed improvements in the funding position over 2025. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The next valuation is due as at 31 December 2025. For the Pension Builder 2014 section, the valuation revealed a surplus of £8.5m on the ongoing assumptions used. There is no requirement for deficit payments at the current time. The legal structure of the scheme is such that if another employer fails, The Parish could become responsible for paying a share of the failed employer’s pension liabilities.

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Assets

Property owned by the Parochial Church Council is detailed in the Inventory and Terrier (Church Logbook).

32 Auburn Gardens

This property is held in trust by the PCC for the purpose of providing accommodation for an Assistant Curate if one is appointed. The property generates rental income for the parish which is detailed in the financial statement. The property (or any assets arising from a sale of the property) may not be used for any purpose other than housing for an Assistant Curate without the express consent of the Charity Commission, the Church Commissioners, the Incumbent, and the Bishop of Newcastle. As noted earlier, the PCC will need carefully consider the future of this asset and it make a decision between repair and refurbishment or replacement in the near future.

24

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