Chair’s Annual Report 2023
Church – We began 2023 still in Interregnum but with Rev John licensed to All Saints Stranton and St. Lukes. We also have the great support of three retired priests namely Andrew Craig, Kevin Tones and Tony Roache for whom we are forever grateful. Between them all almost every service was covered in the year.
Open the Book is held in St Aidans Primary School every Monday morning. We now have a team of 4 people, Linda Dott, Janice Tarn, Patricia Watson and Hayley Liversidge, who run this on a rota basis.
Home Communion was taken on the first Monday of every month to 4 people in their homes, Queens Meadow Care Home and Elwick Grange Care Home by Linda Dott and Hazel Burton. My thanks go to them for their time and commitment.
Our total worshipping community during 2023 was 62, and our usual Sunday attendance was 34.
There are 52 on the Electoral Roll
Throughout 2023 we had a total of 18 Baptisms, 1 Marriage and 21 Funerals. In January it was agreed that we would go back to shaking hands at the Peace. This proved to be popular decision as everyone wanted to get back to some sort of normality.
Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday (with Archdeacon Rick) and all our Easter services were all well attended, although down from last year. On All Souls Day we again had a service at which all names of those who had died during the year, and our loved ones we wished to remember, were projected onto a screen and read out three times over a one and half hour period. People could then drop in at any time over this period to reflect and see and hear their loved one’s names.
Our Crib and Christingle service was held on Christmas Eve led by Linda Dott and Aneta Bradley, this was a success with 45 adults and 20 children in attendance, although numbers were down on last year. Our Midnight Mass service was held at 11.30pm at which there were 40 attendees, our numbers were increased again for a second year running.
Our full-time organist Steve Darkin announced that he would be retiring in September 2023 although he would continue to play for us on a Sunday and not take a fee.
The Parochial Fees for 2023 were received with slight increases across the board and were agreed at the PCC meeting in January. However, in March the
Fees were revised by the Church of England who reduced the increase and we therefore agreed the new lower increase.
In April we had our Annual Parish Meeting at which all reports were read and the new PCC was elected. I would like to thank all PCC members, our Treasurer Tony Batty and PCC Secretary and Prish Administrator Kathrine Batty for the time they devote to all meetings, and for the decisions they make which affect us all.
In August the PCC agreed that intinction could be practised provided it was carried out correctly. It was agreed at St Aidans that we would continue to have two chalices administered and a third placed on a table next to the priest who would dip the host into the wine and give it directly to the communicant. At St Columbas it would be the same procedure but simpler as there is only one chalice. This was relayed to the congregation and is occasionally announced when we have visitors.
At the beginning of the year, it was agreed that the new heating system in St Aidans was working well but the restoration of the floor still needed addressing and a request would be made to extend the faculty. The block flooring has now been re-laid and the walkways sanded and varnished this has made a great improvement to the building. A door mat has been inlaid in the floor at the vestry door and the toilet and foyer flooring has been replaced with new safety flooring. This now completes the restoration of the floors after the completion of the new heating system.
The DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee) visited St Aidans in September to have a look at and discuss our church and new heating system. They were very impressed with how well our church was maintained and how aesthetically pleasing and warm the new heating system was.
Both churches had their Quinquennial Inspections, St Columba’s was completed in October 2023 and St Aidan’s in November 2023, these of course always show up jobs which need addressing, some in the short term and some over the next five years.
As Parish Office is not attended on a regular basis it was decided that we would go to a booking system whereby anyone needing to book anything at the churches would make an appointment with Kathrine and this could be during the day or night. This is working well.
St Columbas continues with its regular Thursday morning service with a priest in attendance. The Hall is also hired on a regular basis by Sewing Bees on a Tuesday morning and a Meditation Group on Tuesday and Wednesday night. COH rent their office space there and parties are occasionally booked too. St Columba’s porch was painted by a gentleman from the community at no charge.
St Aidans was given the responsibility of Forest Church at the beginning of the year and this is run by Aneta Bradley. It is held on the last Sunday of every month, usually in St Aidans Primary School Garden, or in St Aidans Church in inclement weather. Forest Church averages 15-20 people and they enjoy such things as praying, discussions, singing, making things and cooking food on the campfire. It is a vital activity to our outreach in the community. Deanery Synod is attended by Brian Hayes and Linda Dott and the PCC get regular updates on matters discussed, thank you for your attendance. In September we were advised that Stranton Crematorium was to be closed for the next nine months Monday to Wednesday as it was being refurbished, therefore funerals which were to be followed by a cremation would only be able to take place on a Thursday and Friday.
The guided pledge was received from the Diocese and it was decided that we could not afford to pay the figure suggested. After a long discussion, and looking into ways of how we could cut back on our daily outgoings, we decided to increase our pledge on last years by double inflation. Our churches continue to run at a loss and it may be time for us all to look at our own monthly or weekly giving.
We continue to be registered as an inclusive church and advertise this as often as possible.
To aid Rev John’s diary we set dates for each monthly PCC for 2024 in advance and we did the same for The Group Council meetings which were set bimonthly.
The Kitchen – In January it was reported that the kitchen was going very well
and it was agreed that the people who visited the Kitchen could come into church to eat their food and chat if required, thus easing our Covid rules. It was agreed that more volunteers would be sought.
We were given a table in the foyer of Morrisons for the week commencing July 17[th] . This proved a great success as we had many donations of food and money, our thanks go to Morrisons. However, we now need to obtain more donations and look at potential grants as the funding we presently have will run out at the end of our rental agreement, so if you have any ideas please let us know.
Warehouse – The unit’s rent agreement was up for renewal and a new three year deal was agreed with the landlord with a one-year break clause. The warehouse is a valuable space to store all our donated food items both dry goods and frozen and we get regular donations from FareShare and our local community. Our manager Claire Barker keeps the store clean and tidy and runs it effectively.
Hartlepool Central Group – The Group Council includes 6 members of our PCC who attend the meetings. We had 6 meetings in 2023 at which we discussed services, clergy arrangements, COH and the advertising for a new priest. We also had several joint services throughout the year. A post-Christmas meal was arranged for January 2023 at the Golden Lion where approx. 50 people attended from across the group and was a great success.
Interregnum – Archdeacon Rick had advised that our parish was top of the list for a new priest and requested our profile be sent along with summaries of Stranton St Lukes and COH. He then advised that what had been sent was not what was needed and we therefore requested a meeting with himself and the other parishes to iron exactly what was need so that we could push forward with advertising for the vacancy. At the meeting in July each parish understood what was required and they would all draw up their own profiles and St Aidans would send everything to the Archdeacon, this was done by the end of the month. All this meant longer delays than hoped for and the post was eventually advertised in September unfortunately the one potential candidate had to drop out meaning the post had to be re-advertised. This was done in February 2024 and we are waiting to interview a candidate in April 2024.
Communites of Hope – In January Aneta Bradley was Project Lead, with Emma Cain helping out, and a Little Bit of God Time was at Stranton. Hayley was running a Toddler Group at St Matthews with Emma’s help and she was also going into two schools, one being St Aidans Primary for Open the Book. They were also working very closely with the marginalised of our town. Unfortunately, in February All Saints Stranton, who are the legal employers of COH, took the unilateral decision to dismiss Aneta Bradley, leaving them without a Project Lead. This led to St Aidans PCC making the decision to have no further involvement with the management of COH. There being no Steering Group Rev John took on the responsibility for COH.
A Little Bit of God Time moved St Aidans Church during 2023.
A Vision Day was arranged for June 10[th ] for the Groups PCC’s when
representatives from the Diocese would attend to try to progress the future of COH. Our PCC agreed they wished to support COH and as many as possible would attend the day. After the meeting a Steering Group was formed to progress the future of COH, Kathrine Batty and Jane Spears from our parish
being our representatives. To date, although the Steering Group have met on several occasions, no Project Lead or Evangelist has been employed. COH offices remain in St Columbas. A Little Bit of God Time is on a Tuesday afternoon and the Drop in Café is open on a Friday morning in St Aidans.
Helen Rochester Chair of PCC, St Aidan and St Columba 07/04/2024
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HARTLEPOOL ST AIDAN AND ST COLUMBA CHARITY NUMBER 1185257 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income 2a Activities for generating funds 2b Income from investments 2c Church Activities 2d Other incoming resources 2e TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Cost of generation voluntary income 3b Fund raising trading costs 3c Church activities 3a Governance Costs 4 Other Expenses 5 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING RESOURCES BEFORE OTHER RECOGNIZED GAINS AND LOSSES Gains on investment assets: on disposal on revaluation NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES B/FWD 1 JANUARY Movement between funds BALANCES C/FWD 31 DECEMBER |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Trust funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 40197 2219 0 42416 52244 740 0 0 740 1032 283 244 3295 3822 1143 15929 0 0 15929 7750 769 11801 0 12570 23468 |
|---|---|
| 57918 14264 3295 75477 85637 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 53991 1186 0 55177 126178 7903 4971 0 12874 13473 2806 11729 0 14535 4712 |
|
| 64700 17886 0 82586 144363 |
|
| -6782 -3622 3295 -7109 -58726 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 -6782 -3622 3295 -7109 -58726 54685 65486 71776 191947 |
|
| 47903 61864 75071 184838 |
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HARTLEPOOL ST AIDAN AND ST COLUMBA CHARITY NUMBER 1185257 BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible 6a Investment 6b CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors 7 Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS/LIABILITIES Total assets less current liabilities TOTAL NET ASSETS PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted 10 Restricted 10 Trust funds 10 |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Trust funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 12270 0 0 12270 15337 0 0 75071 75071 71776 |
|---|---|
| 12270 0 75071 87341 87113 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1905 0 0 1905 3672 34817 60865 0 95682 101162 |
|
| 36722 60865 0 97587 104834 |
|
| 90 0 0 90 0 |
|
| 48902 60865 75071 184838 191947 |
|
| 48902 60865 75071 184838 191947 48902 48902 54685 60865 60865 65486 75071 75071 71776 |
|
| 48902 60865 75071 184838 191947 |
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HARTLEPOOL ST AIDAN AND ST COLUMBA CHARITY NUMBER 1185257 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2 (a)Voluntary income Planned Giving Gift Aid Donations Tax recovered Other Collections Grants Donations Bequests 2 (b)Activities for generating funds Annual Fair harvest Christmas appeal 2 ( c)Income from investments Interest 2 (d)Income from church activities Fees Rent 2 (e)Other incoming resources Thursday kitchen Sundry Income Charity Income Insurance Claim 2 (f) sequestration Total incoming resources |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Trust funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 16429 16429 16851 5603 898 6501 7388 4873 4873 5462 3186 921 4107 3430 0 400 400 17823 2106 2106 790 8000 8000 500 |
|---|---|
| 40197 2219 0 42416 52244 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 117 740 740 915 |
|
| 740 0 740 1032 |
|
| 283 244 3295 3822 1143 |
|
| 7277 7277 2883 8652 8652 4867 |
|
| 15929 0 0 15929 7750 |
|
| 10213 10213 22071 769 1323 2092 1255 265 265 142 0 0 |
|
| 769 11801 0 12570 23468 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 57918 14264 3295 75477 85637 |
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HARTLEPOOL ST AIDAN AND ST COLUMBA CHARITY NUMBER 1185257 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 3. RESOURCES EXPENDED 3 (a) Church Activities Charitable giving Christian Aid Hospice Children's Society Other Ministry: Diocesan parish share Other ministry costs New heating system Church running and maintenance Depreciation Printing and stationery 3(b)Generation of voluntary income Cost of lottery licence Trading expenditure 3 ( c)Fund raising costs concert/coffee morning annual fair 4 (a)STAFF COSTS Wages and salaries |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Trust funds 2023 2022 144 144 142 0 0 121 121 0 0 921 921 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 1186 0 1186 142 13437 13437 27295 3963 3963 515 0 0 73494 32484 32484 20561 3067 3067 3067 1040 1040 841 |
|
| 53991 1186 0 55177 125773 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 7903 4971 0 12874 13473 |
During the year the PCC employed a parish administrator (part time). No payments were large enough to attract social security costs.
As the Parish Administrator, Mrs Kathrine Batty, who is a member of the PCC, was paid £5528 (2022 £5590) during the year. As the warehouse manager Ms Clare Barker who is a member of the PCC was paid £4971 (2022:£5218) during the year. No other payments or expenses were paid to other PCC members or persons closely connected to them or related parties The parish contribute to expenses of Revd John Bell as part of group arrangements
5. OTHER COSTS
| Professional fees Sundry Expenses Thursday kitchen |
2100 2100 0 706 500 1206 601 11229 11229 4111 |
|---|---|
| 2806 11729 0 14535 4712 |
ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HARTLEPOOL ST AIDAN AND ST COLUMBA CHARITY NUMBER 1185257 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 6.FIXED ASSETS (a) Tangible (b) Investments 7.DEBTORS Invoices issued 8. LIABILITIES Sundry creditors |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Trust funds 2023 2022 12270 0 0 12270 15337 |
|---|---|
| 0 0 75071 75071 71776 |
|
| 12270 0 75071 87341 87113 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 90 0 0 0 0 |
9. FUNDS
The restricted funds comprise the organ fund and parish hall fund. The endowment funds are the Bolton Trust (to be used for general purposes) the Bulmer Trust (to be used at the absolute discretion of the vicar and Church Wardens) the PCC trust (to be used for ecclesiastical purposes within the parish) and the Wilkinson Trust (to be used for general purposes).
| Parish Hall Fund |
Organ Fund |
Bolton Trust |
Bulmer Trust |
PCC Trust |
Wilkinson Trust |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Movements | ||||||
| Balance at 1 January2023 | 0 | 31751 | 7512 | 34356 | 26878 | 3030 |
| resources expended | ||||||
| Interest received | 245 | 345 | 1577 | 1234 | 139 | |
| Balance at 31 December 2023 | 0 | 31996 | 7857 | 35933 | 28112 | 3169 |
| Unrestricted Restricted Trust TOTAL funds funds funds 2023 12270 12270 75071 75071 36722 60865 97587 90 0 90 48902 60865 75071 184838 |
||||||
| 10. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS byfund |
Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Trust funds |
TOTAL 2023 |
||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 12270 | 12270 | ||||
| Investment Fixed Assets | 75071 | 75071 | ||||
| Current Assets | 36722 | 60865 | 97587 | |||
| Current Liabilities | 90 | 0 | 90 | |||
| TOTAL | 48902 | 60865 | 75071 | 184838 | ||
Independent Examiners Certfcate for Ecclesiastcal Parish of Hartlepool St Aidan and St. Columba, Charity Number 1185257
I report to the Trustees of Ecclesiastical Parish of Hartlepool St Aidan and St. Columba, for the year end 31 December 2023
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011,
To follow the procedures laid down in the general direction given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011 and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiners statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the following requirements have not been met
-
a) To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 b) To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act and to account for Statutory Fees correctly
-
To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Date
Name: David S. Burns ACA
30 Snowdrop Road, Hartlepool