## Ashbourne, St Oswald with Mappleton, St Mary Annual Report and Financial Statements Of the Parochial Church Council For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 St Oswald, Registered Charity No. 1185390 1 ## **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31[st] December 2023** ## **Correspondence Address:** St Oswald’s Parish Office School Lane Ashbourne DE6 1AN ## **Incumbent:** Revd. Duncan Ballard 3, Spire Close Ashbourne DE6 1DB ## **Bank:** Lloyds Bank Plc Compton Ashbourne DE6 1DY ## **Independent Examiner:** Smith Cooper 54 St. John’s Street Ashbourne DE6 1GH ## **Introduction** ## **Background** St. Oswald’s and St Mary’s PCC has the responsibility of co-operating with its clergy in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church of St. Oswald’s (except the chancel), the Church Centre and the Church of St Mary’s. ## **Membership** Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year the following served as members of the PCC: 2 ## Ashbourne, St Oswald’s with Mappleton, St Mary’s Parochial Church Council _Incumbent:_ The Revd. Duncan Ballard until 31/08/23 2023 _Retired Clergy_ The Revd Maggie Rode The Revd Nigel Rode The Revd Pip Short _Readers:_ Mr Mike Warner Mrs Lynda Herbert _Churchwardens:_ Mr Paul Elliott Mrs Anne Ford From 26/03/23 _Representatives on the_ Mr Roger Harrison From 1/7/2023 _Deanery Synod:_ Mr Peter Walker From 1/7/2023 Mr John Elwell From 1/7/2023 _Elected Representatives_ Mrs Elizabeth Bridges From APCM 2021 Mrs Susan Damesin*** From APCM 2021 Mr Michael Halls From APCM 2021 Miss Celia Yates From APCM 2021 Mrs Linda Barbour* From APCM 2022 Miss Hayley Sims From APCM 2022 Mrs Janet Wright** From APCM 2022 Mrs Celia Dickinson***** From APCM 2023 Mrs Rachel Gardner From APCM 2023 Mr Michael Hyde**** From APCM 2023 Mrs Lindsay Walker From APCM 2023 Mr Gary Wells From APCM 2023 Mrs Barbara Williams From APCM 2023 _***** Electoral Roll Officer_ _****** Secretary_ _******* Minute Secretary_ _******** Treasurer_ _********* Safeguarding Officer_ 3 ## **Committees** During 2023 the PCC operated with committees as follows: ## _Standing Committee:_ The Standing Committee is empowered by law to conduct PCC business between meetings of the full Church Council. It also acts, when required, as the financial planning group. Membership consisted of Incumbent (until July 2023) 2 retired priests with PTO, Churchwardens, PCC Secretary and PCC Treasurer and another PCC member invited from a rota. ## _Forums_ . During 2023 only the Resourcing Forum met. ## _Resourcing Forum_ To provide support and guidance to the PCC on the appropriate maintenance and management of the church premises (church and church hall) and grounds, and on the best use of our financial resources. ## **Electoral Roll** The Electoral Roll Officer (ERO) records those members of St. Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne and St. Mary’s Church, Mappleton who are eligible to vote in church elections. The ERO reports at every Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting and provides a regular update of its current total of numbers from both churches. During 2024, a revision only of the Electoral Roll was prepared. A completely new Electoral Roll is required to be compiled in 2025. At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on 28th April 2024, the numbers recorded for St. Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne are 119 (115 at APCM 2023 meeting) and for St. Mary’s Church, Mappleton are 20 (22 at APCM 2023). This is a combined total of 139 Electoral Roll members for both churches. 4 ## **Annual Report on Proceedings of the PCC and activities of the parish (2023)** The PCC met 7 times during the year with Standing Committee meeting between. The average attendance was 16 (out of 22). On an additional occasion the PCC were consulted by email (as all had access to e-mail) when a rapid decision was needed. At the beginning of the year the Resourcing Forum proposed a budget which was unanimously accepted. At subsequent meetings the Treasurer could report with reference to that budget. This became especially important in early months when energy prices were high (See Treasurer’s Report). The Bishop gave special permission to hold Holy Communion services in the Hall if the weather was very cold, but we didn’t need to use this provision. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy discipline Measure 2016 (to have regard to the House of Bishops’ guidance on Safeguarding). It continued to receive Safeguarding Reports from its Parish Safeguarding Officer at each meeting and the Officer ensured that safeguarding training for those who needed it was up to date. In October, 6 people completed Safeguarding Leadership training together and this prompted a proper review of our Safeguarding policy and practice. The Resourcing Forum planned and monitored several projects to improve the fabric of St Oswald’s church, Church Centre and grounds. (See report on ‘Fabric, Goods and Ornaments’ and Hall report). The replacement of lead on the Chancel roof was completed along with replacement of rainwater goods (fall pipes and hoppers). Inside the church, cleaning was once again undertaken by a group of volunteers. A new sound system (largely paid for by a generous donation) was installed and the boiler system controls needed some maintenance. Water meters were installed for Church and Church Centre. Derbyshire Dales District Council began more regular maintenance of the churchyard, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission supplied a sign to indicate that there were war graves there. The new group ‘Ossies Potters’ began looking after beds and borders. The Church Centre Hall was increasingly busy, booked during the day and in the evenings. An electrical inspection of the whole building was completed, a new heater installed in the Office, and CCTV updated. In October the Church Centre (along with adjacent Alms Houses) was flooded. The excellent efforts of an army of volunteers cleaned and kept the Hall open temporarily, whilst a major restoration and development project was negotiated with the Insurance company for 2024. At St Mary’s, Mappleton high electricity use was traced to a storage heater and a major water leak at the entrance to the churchyard was repaired (with retrospective Faculty permission). A QR code was provided to encourage donations from visitors. Churchyard maintenance remained costly. Overdue electrical and PAT testing (highlighted by the Quinquennial Inspection) were completed. The pattern of regular services included Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion (with a robed choir) & 6.30pm Choral Evensong, a weekly online service of Morning prayer (with thanks to Tony and Dierdre Wilmore), daily online Morning and Evening prayer (with thanks to Lynda Herbert), a monthly 9am Breakfast Church in the Hall, and a monthly service of Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church. St Oswald’s Sunday morning and evening services were preceded by bellringing. After the 10.30am service the congregation were offered refreshments in the Church Centre Hall. Festivals and special occasions were accompanied by a ‘Walk of Words’ along the churchyard paths (with thanks to Revd Pip and her team) There were social activities throughout the year. An evening of Line Dancing plus a supper caused much hilarity. We celebrated the Coronation of King Charles with a Flower Festival and Afternoon Tea, open to all, in the Church Hall. Pam Rhodes came to lead a Songs of Praise, with refreshments in the Hall afterwards. Teddy Bear Parachuting (from the church roof) marked the start of Ashbourne Festival and drew the usual large crowds. The church 5 also hosted one of the Festival concerts. Summer lunchtime concerts in church were popular and some benefitted from a new baby grand piano purchased with generous donations and a legacy. A successful Art Exhibition of work from local amateur artists (from the congregation and beyond) was held in church. A MacMillan coffee morning was held in the Hall. Towards the end of the year the ever-popular Christmas Tree festival included trees from even more of the local schools and community groups, and that brought in many visitors. St Oswald’s also hosted the start of the Ashbourne Arts Lantern Parade and hundreds of children and adults gathered to carry a lantern. Both an Open Garden and a Clothing Collection raised money for the church (With thanks to Michael Halls and Claire in the Office) Focussing on the needs of our local community, Ossie’s Kitchen began serving meals twice a month, Carers Count met once a month, and a new group, ‘Ossie’s Potters’, began work in the church grounds. Citizens Advice Bureau used the Church Centre to meet clients. Flowers and food which Marks and Spencer would throw away, were collected, and made available after the Sunday morning service (Thank you Irene and helpers) Links with local schools were maintained and strengthened. St Oswald’s Primary School came into the church for a service almost every month in termtime for a service they planned. In addition, every school year group made 2 morning visits to church as part of their RE curriculum. Revd Nigel, Janet Wright, and Sandra Taft helped them tackle topics which varied from a church Treasure Hunt to creating the sounds of Holy Week or answering questions such as ‘What is it like for someone to follow God?’, ‘Why does Christmas/Easter matter to Christians?’ News and information was shared on our website and in a weekly newsletter. In 2023 it was acknowledged that not everyone had access to such technology, so a few printed copies of the newsletter were made available each week. For this and many other tasks we are grateful to Claire Critchlow our administrator. Half way through the year the Revd Duncan secured the post of Ministry Area Leader in Cowbridge, Diocese of Llandaff. He attended his final PCC meeting in July which closed with a service of Holy Communion. On his final Sunday, he and Ellie were guests at an afternoon tea. The packed hall was evidence of just how much they had both meant to the community of Ashbourne and its surrounding villages. Members of other churches in Ashbourne joined him for a special Evensong later the same day. As we moved into an Interregnum Revds. Nigel and Maggie Rode took responsibility for the parish once again. The Archdeacon met with members of the PCC for initial discussions about the post to be advertised and the process of appointment which will probably take at least a year. We are so grateful to Revds. Nigel and Maggie for taking this on as well as Ossie’s Kitchen. Thank you too, to the other members of the Ministry Team who made this possible – Revd Pip Short, Mike and Lynda. We were delighted to support the renewal of Mike Warner’s Reader’s Licence. Janet Wright Approved at PCC meeting on 15-04-24 6 ## **Treasurers Report** & Financial Statements of the PCC for year ending 31[st] December 2023 **Financial Statements for St Oswalds are on pages 20 - 26 (** Received and approved at PCC meeting on 15-04-24), followed by accounts for Ossie’s Kitchen. The finances for Mappleton, St Mary’s are accounted for separately from Ashbourne St Oswald’s. ## **The Treasurer’s comments on the several funds in Receipts and Payments:** **Bellringers Fund** – A small increase of £142.50 during the year with the balance standing at £3,507. **Choir Fund** – A small increase of £54 to £3,042. **Fabric Fund** – A totally unexpected receipt was a legacy of £100,000 from the Will of the late Phyllis Margaret Jagger of 96 High Street, Uttoxeter who died on 9[th] May 2022. The replacement of downpipes by Geoff Nightingale cost £16,475 who also replaced the lead on the chancel roof, the cost of this being met by the Church Commissioners. A Feurich Baby Grand Piano was purchased at a cost of £11,000. The end of year balance was £275,893. **Flower Fund** – The opening balance of £681 increased by £1,000 to £1,681 as £1,000 was returned by the Flower Arrangers. **Organ Fund** – An increase of £642 to £4,267. **Special Purposes Fund** – Most of the opening balance of £20,963 was spent during the year and the end of year balance was £1,530. The audio system cost £14,688 with £12,500 coming from the anonymous donation with Gift Aid. The electrical inspection and necessary work of the Church Hall cost £10,364. A legacy of £2,000 was received from the estate of the late Mr G Halls and donations of £649.40 were received in memory of Mr C Haycock. **General Fund** – Planned giving in 2023 was approx. 5% more than the previous year. There were modest cost increases and the early costs of £4,033 attributable to the October floods resulted in a break even result in the General fund. This was only possible by our not paying in full the Common Fund amount of £86,096 requested by the Diocese. This figure includes St Mary, Mappleton and St John who paid £1,000 each. St Oswald paid £46,788 so the overall amount paid was 56.6% of the requested amount. It was decided we would give an increased £3,500 to missionary and other charitable organisations. This was allocated as follows: USPG £1,000 for the Church of North India £1,000 to Ace Youth Trust £1,000 to The Salvation Army - £500 to Ossie’s Kitchen. 7 04144 lJ1122 i•,•TU2 I•O>X41 prlpyi d1 838 88,1 i kl II, 11 88 888 g311 .111 88*8 48SSate8=. 8R84814 8-.88- o888¥9 ¥ 188:. lili 1511111 8118 8 18,11 FÉ Iia*" 88,8 18818 "Il ,Ii, Ill 1,11 li & Iii lli.1ifll s1111[ -11 S 1 ,5525 5 E Independent Examinerfs Report to the Parochial Church Council of St Oswald, Ashbourne Registered charity number: 1185390 I report on the accounts for the year ended 31° December2023. Respertlve responsiblllties of the PCC and Independent Examlner The PCC consider that an audit is not required for their year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) and that and independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.. Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lundef section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act.. and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Exarnlnerfs Stalement My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Oirections given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of a¢countin8 records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideratlon of any unusual item5 or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts. Independent Ejtamlnees Statement In connection with my examlnation. no matters have come to my attention: 11 Which 8ive me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accountin8 records in accordance wlth section 130 of the 2011 act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accountin8 records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or 21 to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. PKF Smith Cooper Limited, 7 Compton Street, Ashboume, DE6 IBX