2023-12-31-accounts - Parochial Church Council Of Bournemouth Town Centre Parish

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Diocese of Winchester Deanery of Bournemouth

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

REPORTS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

SUNDAY 26[TH] MAY 2024 AT 12:15 PM ST PETER’S CHURCH

A MEETING FOR THE ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS

ST PETER’S CHURCH

Sunday 26[th] day of May at 11.45am

This meeting may be attended by:

All persons whose names are entered on the church electoral roll of the parish and
All persons resident in the parish whose names are entered on a register of local government electors by reason of such residence

Nominees for the year 2024/25

Church (Parish) Wardens

Jane MacDonald Chris Mayne

AGENDA ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

Sunday 26[th ] May 2024 12:15pm, St Peter’s Church

1.	Opening Prayers and Welcome from The Rev’d Canon Michael Smith, Area Dean	Opening Prayers and Welcome from The Rev’d Canon Michael Smith, Area Dean
2.	Present
3.	Apologies for Absence
4.	Minutes of the APCM Sunday 28th May 2023	Page 4
5.	Matters Arising
	Reports Section	Page 7
6.	Financial Report	Page 8
7.	Consolidated Accounts 2023	Page 10
8.	Appointment of Independent Examiner	Page 23
9.	Electoral Roll Update	Page 23
10.	Election of Officers and Representatives - FROZEN	Page 24
11.	PCC Secretary’s Report	Page 2 5
12.	Church Wardens Report	Page 27
13.	Deanery Synod Report	Page 32
14.	Rector’s Report	Page 32
15.	Any Other Business
16.	Close in Prayer

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

(St. Peter’s Church, St. Stephen’s Church, St. Augustin’s Church)

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING MINUTES

Sunday 28[th] May 2023 12:15pm – St Peter’s Church

1. Opening Prayers and Welcome

The Area Dean, The Rev’d Canon Michael Smith, led the opening prayer

2. Present

Michael Smith (Area Dean), Lisa Babb (PCC Secretary), Chris Mayne (Church Warden), , Ronalyn Bichard, Virginia Beck, Mike Emsley, Carolyn Emsley, Malcolm Dunbar, Francesca Jessop, Helen Ryder, Steve Baker, Barbara Sparling, Jackie Uren, Roger Uren, Janet Lawrence, Paul Higgs, Ruth Beasant, David Agar, Ros Atkin, Duncan Courts, Leigh Hatts

3. Apologies for Absence

Were accepted by Jane MacDonald, Colin Beck, Leigh Hatts, Neil Bichard, Helen Holmes, Fr Peter Huxham, Mark Holiday (PCC Treasurer), Paul Coote, Stephen Chappell,

4. Minutes of the APCM 2022

The minutes of the APCM held on 7[th] April 2022 were accepted as a true and accurate record:
Propose – Ronalyn Bichard
Seconded – Mike Emsley
Acceptance on general ‘Aye’
Michael Smith signed official minutes as record

5. Matters Arising

There were none

6. Financial Report – Lisa Babb

Lisa walked through the report.
No questions arose
Vote to accept the accounts
Propose - Virginia Beck
Seconded - Carolyn Emsley
Approval - unanimous

Appointment of Independent Examiner (James Shutler - 17 Tax & Accounting Ltd)
Proposed by Lisa Babb (PCC Secretary)
Seconded by Chris Mayne (Church Warden)
Unanimous vote for accepting the appointment

8. Electoral Roll Update

Lisa Babb gave a short run through on behalf of Paul Coote

	2023	2022	New	Died	Left
St Augustin’s	39	40	0	1	0
St Peter’s	123	120	7	2	2
St Stephen’s	45	44	1	1	1
TOTAL	207	204	6	7	4

9. Elections of Officers and Representatives

Michael Smith read all the positions and names out to the meeting
The elections of officers and representatives at the ADCMs were unanimously ratified with a general aye
Michael Smith personally thanked all serving officers, the wardens Jane and Chris, the PCC and Lisa Babb for her hard work as PCC Secretary
Round of applause

ELECTED OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES 2023

	St. Peter’s	St. Stephen’s	St. Augustin’s
Parish Wardens	Jane MacDonald Chris Mayne	----	----

Deputy Wardens	Ronalyn Bichard Virginia Beck	Paul Moores Kani Trehorn	Janet Lawrence

Deanery Synod Reps	Duncan Courts	Helen Holmes Stephen Chappell	David Agar

PCC Members	Lisa Babb Mike Emsley Colin Beck	Paul Coote Diana Shiner	Jackie Uren Paul Higgs Ruth Beasant

DCC Members	Lisa Babb Mike Emsley Colin Beck Pauline Burns	Julian Davies Diana Shiner Paul Coote Adrian Scott Brenda Price Carol Claxton Don Oakley TonyClarke	Barbara Sparling Felicity Carter Glen Bainbridge Jackie Uren Paul Higgs Rosemary Simmonds Ruth Beasant

Electoral Roll Officers	Colin Beck	Paul Coote (Parish)	Barbara Sparling

10. PCC Secretary’s Report (Lisa Babb)

MS thanked LB for another year of hard work, keeping the PCC in order.
Round of applause

11. Church Wardens’ Report (Jane MacDonald-Styslinger)

No comments
All thanked Jane for her hard work during the year
Round of applause

12. Rector’s Report

MS explained no report had been submitted by Ian Terry for 2022.

13. Any Other Business

Francesca Jessop wanted to thank all of the clergy team
All agreed
Leigh Hatts raised the question of using the common cup again
LB explained that this had been raised in the ADCM at St Stephen’s and was being deferred to the next SS DCC meeting in June
The archdeacon’s Review Questionnaire was raised from the floor
LB explained the process of what it was about and why some had been chosen to complete it and not others
David Agar raised the issue of selling the Rectory and the St Augustin’s vicarage
Michael Smith explained the situation again and asked this be moved to the next PCC meeting for discussion

14. Close in Prayer

MS drew the meeting to a close with the Grace at 12:56pm

SIGNED:

_____________

The Rev’d Canon Michael Smith, Area Dean

DATE: 26[th] MAY 2024

REPORTS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

6. PCC FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2023

Consolidated Accounts

P&L

Incoming Resources

Overall incoming resources showed a significant increase in 2023 of £183,612 to £561,472 (2022: £377,860).

Much of the increase can be attributed to the restoration works carried out on St. Peters’ Church. Grants of £117,000 were received from The National Churches Trust, The Talbot Village Trust, the St. Peters’ Development Project and The Dorset Crime Commissioners Office. In addition, VAT on the project of £31,109 was refunded. These funds were all utilised on the imperative repairs required.

A further £10,330 was received from the insurers for damage to the reredos at St. Peters’ and as at 31 December 2023 these funds were held on account to carry out the necessary repair works.

Across the churches four legacies were also received from J Lamb, R West, J Kear and H Hughes amounting to £192,182 (2022: £183,971). Of these legacies two are for the purpose of restoration and maintenance works at St. Stephens’ and St. Augustin’s and have therefore been treated as restricted funds within the accounts.

Excluding the items discussed above the consolidated income from recurring sources showed an increase in the year of £16,962 or 9% to £210,851 (2022: £193,889).

Receipts from planned giving £46,518 (2022: £43,852), collections at services £23,191 (2022: 21,820), donations £19,435 (2022: £16,813), parish events £8,319 (2022: £7,319) and miscellaneous income £22,642 (2022: £11,750) all showed an increase compared to the prior year and more than offset slight decreases in funds received from the church boxes £4,072 (2022: £4,415), fund raising events £3,754 (2022: £6,346) and church activities £54,443 (2022: £60,809).

Resources Used

Overall expenditure in 2023 was £385,241 (2022: £223,678).

As with the incoming resources, those used across the parish have been distorted in the 2023 year by the restoration works at St. Peters’ Church (£158,669) and also the new roof for the annex at St. Augustin’s (£21,168). In 2022 St. Stephens’ spent £16,706 on the restoration of the organ.

When the exceptional costs are excluded, resources used across the parish showed a slight decrease in the year being £205,404 (2022: £206,972).

As is to be expected in the current economic climate some costs such as the buildings running expenses £47,488 (2022: £42,105) and salary costs £29,552 (2022: £18,288) increased compared to the previous year. In addition, architects fees were significantly higher at £18,584 (2022: £844) due to the building works undertaken.

However, these increases were offset by lower diocesan quota costs £45,302 (2022: £49,235), routine buildings maintenance £13,551 (2022: £27,877) and donations given £77 (2022: £15,326).

Net Movement in Funds

Overall funds have increased by £188,745 or 38% to £686,209 (2022: £497,464). This is made up of:

Net incoming resources £176,231
Gains on investments £12,514

It should be noted that included within the net incoming resources £130,550 relate to restricted funds.

When the effect of all legacies of £192,182 (2022: £183,971) are excluded, the parish would have made a small loss in the year of £3,437 but the overall financial performance has been far stronger in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Balance Sheet

Debtors increased in the year to £33,894 (2022: £25,434) and creditors and accruals decreased to £30,810 (2022: £38,784) which is a positive trend.

Finally, cash in hand and at the bank increased compared to the previous year to £422,412 (2022: £388,989). Using the expenditure figure (excluding the exceptional items discussed above) for the year of £205,404 this gives cover of 2.05 times.

Lisa Babb PCC Secretary

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

INDEX

	Page No.
GENERAL INFORMATION	1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT	2
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES	3
BALANCE SHEET	4
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	5-12
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT	13

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

Incumbent:

The Parish Office Hinton Road Bournemouth BH1 2EE

Bank: Natwest, Bournemouth

Reviewer: All Tax Ltd 17 Mortimer Road Bournemouth BH8 9HP

Independent Examiner: The Accounting Bureau Ltd 87 North Road Poole Dorset BH14 0LT

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

Independent Examiner's Report to the PCC of Bournemouth Town Centre Parish

I report on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31st December 2023 which are set out on pages 3 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity's trustees (the members of the PCC) consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) 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 2011 Act;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

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 with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the PCC concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act: and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met; or
2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name….................................................................A Carr, AAT

Address The Accounting Bureau Ltd 87 North Road Poole Dorset BH14 0LT

Date…...................................................................

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

Note Incoming Resources Voluntary Income 2(a) Activities for generating funds 2(b) Church activities 2(c) Other incoming resources Total incoming resources Resources Used Charitable giving Church activities 3(a) Costs of generating voluntary income 3(b) Governance costs 3(c) Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Gains/(losses) on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Balance brought forward 1.1.23 5 Balance carried forward 31.12.23	Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 226,408 127,217 13,762 117,000 54,443 - 22,642 - 317,255 244,217 77 - 267,264 117,000 - - 900 - 268,241 117,000 49,014 127,217 9,181 3,333 58,195 130,550 484,172 13,292 542,367 143,842	2023 2022 353,625 290,636 130,762 14,665 54,443 60,809 22,642 11,750 Total Funds
		561,472 377,860
		77 15,326 384,264 207,452 - - 900 900
		385,241 223,678
		176,231 154,182 12,514 15,228 -
		188,745 138,954 497,464 358,510
		686,209 497,464

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023

2023 £ 250 33,894 422,412	2022 £ 250 25,434 388,989	2022 £ 22 121,553
		121,575 375,889
456,556 30,810	414,673 38,784

		497,464
		484,172 13,292
		497,464

Approved by the Trustees on …...........................................................and signed on their behalf by:

…........................................................

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006, the Charities Act 2011, together with applicable standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP 2005).

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The accounts consolidate the figures for St. Peter's, St. Stephen's and St Augustin's Churches.

Funds

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

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

Restricted Funds are those which are donated for a particular project or purpose and are transferable for other uses only with a prior agreement of donors.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income and capital sources

All collections, planned giving, donations and legacies are accounted on an accruals basis. Income tax recoverable on gift-aided donations is claimed during the year that the income is received.

Other ordinary income

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when rental is due.

Income from investments

Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December 2023.

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

Funds

Restricted Funds are those which are donated for a particular project or purpose and are transferable for other uses only with a prior agreement of donors.

Incoming resources

Voluntary income and capital sources

All collections, planned giving, donations and legacies are accounted on an accruals basis. Income tax recoverable on gift-aided donations is claimed during the year that the income is received.

Other ordinary income

Rental income from the letting of church premises is recognised when rental is due.

Income from investments

Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.

Gains and losses on investments

Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31 December 2023.

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

2 Incoming resources (a) Voluntary Income Planned giving: Bank orders, weekly envelope scheme and other regular giving Income tax and VAT recoverable Collections at Services Church boxes Donations, appeals, etc. Compensation/Insurance claims Legacies (b) Activities for generating fund Fund raising events Grants Parish events (c) Church activities Church hall lettings and car park Wedding and funeral fees	Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 46,518 - 57,897 - 23,191 - 4,072 - 19,435 - 10,330 - 64,965 127,217 226,408 127,217 3,754 - 1,689 117,000 8,319 - 13,762 117,000 52,883 - 1,560 - 54,443 -	2023 2022 46,518 43,852 57,897 16,765 23,191 21,820 4,072 4,415 19,435 16,813 10,330 3,000 192,182 183,971 Total Funds
		353,625 290,636
		3,754 6,346 118,689 1,000 8,319 7,319
		130,762 14,665
		52,883 56,774 1,560 4,035
		54,443 60,809

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

3 Resources used (a) Church Activities Ministry - diocesan quota - clergy expenses Church and Church buildings - Running expenses Church buildings and Churchyard - Routine maintenance Church service costs Parish Administrator's salary costs (see note 3e) Books, postage, telephone and advertising Parish office costs Accountancy fees Professional fees Bank charges Sundry expenses Special expenditure (see note 3d) (b) Costs of generating funds Costs of generating voluntary income: Fundraising events Parish events (c) Governance costs Independent Examiner's fees	Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 45,302 - 1,558 - 47,488 - 13,551 - 34,761 - 29,552 - 1,388 - 2,651 - 4,334 - 18,584 - 204 - 3,848 - 181,043 - 384,264 - - - - - - - 900 - 900 -	2023 2022 45,302 49,235 1,558 1,807 47,488 42,105 13,551 27,877 34,761 35,411 29,552 18,288 1,388 2,322 2,651 2,962 4,334 3,864 18,584 844 204 184 3,848 5,847 181,043 16,706 Total Funds
		384,264 207,452
		- - - -
		- -
		900 900
		900 900

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

3 (d) Special expenditure St. Peters: Tower and spire repairs St. Stephens: Organ repairs St. Augustins: Boiler for annex Roof for annex (e) Staff costs Wages and salaries Average number of employees 4 (a)Fixed assets Tangible Written down value 1.1.23 Additions Depreciation Written down value 31.12.23	Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 41,669 117,000 - - 1,206 - 21,168 - 64,043 117,000		2023 2022 158,669 - - 16,706 1,206 - 21,168 - Total Funds
			181,043 16,706
			29,552 18,288 1 1
			2023 2022 22 28 - - General Equipment
			22 28 - 6 -
			22 22

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

4 (b) Investments The investments comprised of the following:- UNRESTRICTED CBF Investment Fund CBF Fixed Interest Fund RESTRICTED CBF Investment Fund CBF Deposit Accounts Natwest Savings Account Cambridge Building Society Total Market Value of Investments 5 Analysis of Funds Restricted funds Parochial Chuch Council St. Peters Church St. Stephens Church St. Augustins Church Unrestricted Funds Parochial Chuch Council St. Peters Church St. Stephens Church St. Augustins Church Total Designated Funds	Market Value 2023 112,240 6,075 118,315 14,399 510 107,217 20,000 142,126 260,441 - - 20,000 122,126 142,126 100,067 83,030 300,651 60,335 544,083 686,209	Market Value	Market Value
			2022 102,527 5,734 108,261 12,782 510 - - 13,292 121,553 - - - 13,292 13,292 95,938 79,398 253,191 55,645 484,172 497,464

BOURNEMOUTH TOWN CENTRE PARISH

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023

9 The Friends of St. Peters

This is a separate registered charity which produces its own accounts and reports to the Charity Commission and operates for the benefit of St. Peter's Church.

10 St. Peter's Church Development Project

This fund is a separate registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation and produces its own accounts.

8. ELECTION OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS 2024

• Mr James Shutler - All Tax Ltd

9. ELECTORAL ROLL UPDATE (to end April 2024)

	2023	2024	New	Died	Left
St Augustin’s	39	40	1	0	0
St Peter’s	123	122	3	2	2
St Stephen’s	45	43	2	2	2
TOTAL	207	205	6	7	4

Notes to the Electoral Roll

St Augustin’s
New	Diana Blair
St Peter’s
Died	Godfrey French and Alison Mallows
Moved	Elizabeth Fotheringham & Davina Johnson
New	Donald and Philippa Gobbett and TemiTope Talabi
St Stephen’s
Died	Jo Hollis and Ray Farleigh
Moved	Ian Campbell and Rob Dishington
New	Danny Campbell and Barry Gibbins

10.ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES 2024 - FROZEN

The PCC have been advised by the diocese not to hold elections at this year’s final APCM meeting.

This is due to the imminent change in the parish structure which is due to take place during the summer at some point, and the new pastoral measure coming into force, which will then trigger elections at that time.

The current team will remain in place until then as follows:

	St. Peter’s	St. Stephen’s	St. Augustin’s
Parish Wardens	Jane MacDonald- Styslinger Chris Mayne	----	----

Deputy Wardens	Ronalyn Bichard Virginia Beck		Janet Lawrence

Deanery Synod Reps	Duncan Courts	Helen Holmes Stephen Chappell	David Agar

PCC Members	Colin Beck Lisa Babb Mike Emsley	Paul Coote Diana Shiner Ruth Marshall	Jackie Uren Paul Higgs Ruth Beasant

DCC Members	Colin Beck Lisa Babb Mike Emsley Pauline Burns	Adrian Scott Brenda Price Carol Claxton Diana Shiner Don Oakley Julian Davies Paul Coote Tony Clarke Ruth Marshall	Barbara Sparling Felicity Carter Glen Bainbridge Jackie Uren Paul Higgs Rosemary Simmonds Ruth Beasant

Electoral Roll Officers	Colin Beck	Paul Coote (Parish)	Barbara Sparling

11. PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL SECRETARY’S REPORT 2023

The full BTCP PCC met on three occasions this year:

Thursday 10[th] August 2023 Monday 15[th] February 2024 Friday 17[th] May 2024

And then discussed various matters for approval via email on eleven occasions:

12[th] June 2023 23[rd] June 2023 7[th] July 2023 17[th] July 2023 6[th] October 2023 9[th] October 2023 10[th] October 2023 10[th] January 2024 20[th] January 2024 3[rd] April 2024 5[th] April 2024

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting for 2023 , was held on Sunday 28[th] May 2023, at 12.15pm in St Peter’s Church.

During the past year, the PCC has continued to review and improve its governance of the whole parish, increasing its levels of monitoring and scrutiny of finance and all buildings of the parish.

The procurement of the Contactless Card Machine in St Stephen’s back is proving valuable during 2023, and both the fixed installation in St Peter’s and the Solo card reader has made significant progress, with payments via this method continuing to increase weekly.

The PCC would like to formally thank James Shutler, our Independent Examiner, for his hard work and diligence in assisting the church treasurers in keeping our parish financially in order.

Through careful negotiation of our insurance, we managed to secure some small savings again compared to our cover in the past. However, with a significant break-in and damage to some quatrefoil windows at St Stephen’s, plus the overall increase in global insurance premiums, it is looking unlikely that this savings trend will continue in 2024. Therefore the focus will be to minimise those increases.

Our CMF payments were paid in full by all three churches and I have negotiated a reduction in our allocation for 2024 and will continue to negotiate hard for continued savings in 2025.

During the interregnum, it was agreed with the Diocese that the PCC should contribute to paying for one service each week for clergy cover, which although is a change from the old system of none, is still representing a saving compared to the number of services we were having to pay for whilst the past incumbent was in post and not taking the full quota of services, so the parish has made savings on that front this year and has not had to incur the expenses of travel, mobile phone and phone/internet at the rectory, plus no personal expenditure for retreats or course fees.

Key repairs to all three of our church buildings were discussed throughout the year, mainly tower and spire repairs, boiler replacements and essential organ repairs at St Peter’s, roof and annexe heating replacement at St Augustin’s, the sale of the Hall at St Stephen’s and electrical and essential window repairs at St Stephen’s. These huge costs that all repairs will incur both in 2023 and into 2024, along with the continuing fall in income due the financial crisis beginning to bite household expenditures, has brought funding streams again into sharp focus for the PCC and this will continue to be on the main agenda to address during 2024.

The interregnum continued, with a meeting of the PCC and Archdeacon Jean in August 2023, following the Archdeacon’s Review which took place in late spring, directing the parish to change from a Team Ministry and advertise for a Common Tenure Interim Post (CTIP). Based on this, a small team took on the mantal of drafting the parish profile and advertisement which began in September, with a plan to complete and advertise at the end of 2023/beginning of 2024.

The panel met on 25[th] March 2024 and the candidates presented were felt to be unsuitable at this time. At time of writing (24[th] May 2024), the parish representatives are still waiting to hear back from Archdeacon Jean and Bishop Geoff (Acting Bishop of Southampton) who are still to decide on what the next steps are to be…

Lisa Babb - PCC Secretary

12.CHURCH WARDENS’ REPORT 2023

Another splendid year for BTCP and for all three of our churches. We have to thank so very many people for their invaluable contributions.

In this year of Interregnum, we must firstly thank our ministers who have been so very attentive and kept the show very much not only on the road but trail blazing as to what good ministry can be.

Our heartfelt thanks to the following: Canons Andrew Gough and John Turpin, Rev’d David Lund, Stephen Holmes, David Wheeler, Chris Steed, Steve Parselle, Robin Harger, Alan Dadd, John Staples, Paul Collins and to our LLM Roger Marley. We would particularly like to thank our Area Dean, The Rev’d Canon Michael Smith who has provided the most brilliant counsel - guiding us through the Parish Profile process with Archdeacon Jean plus dealing with some of the more challenging aspects of some volunteers.

We know that we speak for all of your DCC secretaries - Paul Coote, Barbara Sparling and Jane MacDonald in thanking each and every one of the DCC members who have helped prayerfully shape the big and small decisions that affect our parish on a daily basis. The only action is action and all of our DCC members have rolled their sleeves up in their own way and contributed to the life of this Parish.

We thank you all.

GROUNDS

St Peter’s grounds continue to be to be attended to every Tuesday morning between 9am and 12pm. We still have our stalwart from Bournemouth RotaryNigel Bennett and Ted Taylor, plus regulars from St Peters congregation (Mike and Carolyn Emsley, Virginia and Colin Beck and Steve Jones) and John Barrett from the locality. Come summer we will be helped by more locals. Locals and visitors still express delight at the open and safe feel of these grounds. All are welcome at our regular Tuesday morning gardening group.

St Peter’s finally rolled out a new CCTV system outside the church. Huge thanks to the Friends of St Peters who paid for this work

The grounds at St Augustin are beautifully kept - many hours of hard work go into these, so our grateful thanks go to Ruth Beasant who is the gardener there.

Thanks also to Ruth Marshall who has been dealing with the removal of the gardening waste from the work done in the grounds around St Stephen by Faithworks. Grateful thanks to Faithworks for their amazing efforts.

FINANCES

We are delighted to report that once again the BTCP Common Mission Fund has been paid in full by all of our churches this year.

At St Peter’s we thank Lisa Babb and Jane MacDonald who do our accounts and who dealt with entering over £270,000 of turnover and a similar amount of expenses this year alone on our online system and our Gift Aid and VAT reclaim officer Ronalyn Bichard.

We also thank Ruth Beasant at St Augustin together with Lisa Babb, and Brenda Price at St Stephen for their dedication to their treasurer roles. They handle all accounts, gift aid and VAT reclaim on their own. We would welcome anyone onto the finance team who could help share the roles, as it amounts to a few days each month.

As you all know, congregational giving is the only way to sustain our churches and The Parish Giving Scheme is truly the only way that we can manage our budgets and finances so thankyou to those who use this system. Giving this way makes all our treasurers’ lives so much easier and is clean and simply and avoids volunteers having to count and bank cash, and physically have to submit a form to claim gift aid on every single envelope handed in. You can change the amount you give at any time under this scheme by making a quick phone call. It is also anonymous, so please all parishioners consider going onto this scheme if you haven’t already made the switch. Leaflets are available from the Parish Office and any treasurer can help you fill it in.

DEPUTY WARDENS

Janet at St Augustin’s and Ronalyn and Virginia at St Peter’s continue to be amazing warden support. We now know from the decision taken in September 2023 by the PCC that the Team Ministry structure will be dismantled and therefore the DCCs will be disbanded and with it, the role of Deputy Warden will also disappear.

We would personally like to thank these individuals from the bottom of our hearts for all they do and continue to do for our churches.

The new structure in 2024 will focus on cross-church committees and communication for Finance, Worship and Fabric and so their talents will still be very much used in their chosen area.

FABRIC AND FACULTY

We thank Adrian Scott, Ruth Marshall, Janet Lawrence and Ruth Beasant for their continued efforts for St Stephen and St Augustin for appraising us of all matters needing urgent repair and attention. We must also thank Ruth for becoming Fabric Officer for St Stephen’s. Her experience and contacts with working at churches will prove so very useful and she is someone who rolls up her sleeves and ‘gets the job done’ so we welcome her to St Stephen’s DCC and the PCC.

The approval process for all matters is complicated and arduous and requires a lot of work and attention to detail before any work affecting fabric can be started.

We faced into the tower and spire work starting at St Peters in 2022 which cost in the region of £154,000.00 plus VAT. The fundraising efforts of Alice Miller and Deano Pickering are warmly thanked.

St Augustin’s replaced their annex roof in 2023 and will be replacing their church roof during 2024.

St Stephen’s completed a large organ repair and are facing into large stone and window repairs in 2024.

I would personally like to thank the Diocese for all their support. Sue De Candole (Diocesan Legal Registrar) and Sarah Hart from Batt Broadbent are always available at the end of a phone or via email to answer all our queries. We have again dealt with a lot of faculty /List B applications which require a huge amount of online legal document preparation, meeting on site with contractors at the relevant church to agree specifications, liaising with the DAC Secretary and in many cases the DAC designated “Special Advisors”. Massive thanks to Jane who deals with all fabric matters across all three of our churches.

We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts Richard Streatfield and Sarah Feltham at the DAC who are always on hand to discuss issues and be a

critical friend. Their workload must be staggering and yet they are always responsive, kind, helpful and knowledgeable.

Anyone thinking of joining the new cross-church Fabric Committee should attend one of the courses run by the Diocese on the online Faculty System.

MUSIC

We thank all our organists , Directors of Music , choristers and choirs - with special mention to Jacquie Uren, Sean Tucker, Duncan Courts, Caren Courts and Neil Sissons for their gifts.

St Peter’s Choral Foundation (CIO) is now up and running and we hope to liquidate funds left in trust for the music department in early 2024. As ever we need more volunteers to help run courses and chaperone events for St Peter’s choir so, please reach out to Duncan if music is your thing or you know someone who is passionate about choral music and tradition who can add value to this charity. All are welcome.

GENERAL

We would also like to thank those who count the money at all three churches, Stephen Chappell and Paul Coote at St Stephen, Janet Laurence and Rosemary Carter at St Augustin and Jane at St Peter. Also, a big thank you to Marion Trimby who continues to run the Visitors Centre in St Peter’s and Chris Mayne and his team who run Parry’s Café.

A big thank you again to Lisa for all the concerts and events that are arranged at all our churches. These truly show our community outreach and focus and raise significant funds. And a big thank you to Chris for all that he does in this regard at St Peter’s.

LISA BABB

Once again, we must pay tribute to Lisa. This year of Interregnum has seen her doubling efforts across all three churches to ensure worship continues as normal. She works tirelessly to ensure that all our i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed in ensuring we have every legal protection.

Her skills in producing all artwork for events across the Parish are amazing and the amount of personal time invested in every event helping to set up and clear up are tiring to watch. She is also our point person for all six sets of accounts working with our Independent Examiner to ensure all accounts reflect correct

categorisations etc. as well as all invoicing across the parish, including all events and also car parking. She deals with all returns to the Diocese, ensures all clergy rotas are drawn up and is our point person for all weddings, funerals, hires. Her fundraising last year alone has helped all three churches receive thousands of pounds in much needed funds and she is on constant look out for money saved and money earned.

Plus being Co-Treasurer at St Augustin and St Peter and PCC Secretary in her own time. We would be lost without you Lisa.

Thank you.

MISSION

Our collaboration with the Town Centre Pastors at St Peter is even more important than ever as the town centre more than ever reflects the sad state of folk who are suffering addiction.

A Sunday School at St Peter is a priority for our Parish in 2024 but we appreciate that the new Incumbent may need to be in place to make that a reality.

As ever, Bournemouth Town Centre Parish is under pressure financially and is ever needing volunteers to help renew and refresh existing ones both at the local church level and as part of our tireless commitment to mission in our town centre. It is true to say that our greatest, most powerful, most transformational resource remains its congregation. We thank all church openers and closers, pastoral visitors, sides persons, coffee folk, sacristy assistants, servers, chalice assistants, welcomers, cleaners and all volunteers in whatever role for their unstinting hard work.

However, the strength of the Parish Team as a whole has been a unifying focus for mission and vision for our Town Centre. We must keep the show on the road over the continued period of Interregnum which is breathing new life into our Parish. It really has been a pleasure to work with all you folk and to see such amazing outreach and mission being done at all three churches.

So very grateful to you all, as every year.

Chris Mayne and Jane MacDonald Church Wardens

13.Deanery Synod Report 2023

The Deanery Synod met three times in 2023/24 (as required by Church Regulations) under the chairmanship of the Area Dean Canon Michael Smith. Canon Michael is anxious to stimulate informed discussion on matters of common concern by inviting guest speakers to address us. Thus, in October, guest speaker Rev. Rachel Noel’s topic for discussion was “diversity and inclusion” – the sacred cow of our times. In February, the Synod were addressed on the subject of the “ECO Church”, exploring the Church’s response to climate change. Canon Michael wishes to extend an invitation to non-synodical members of our congregations to attend these meetings.

The Deanery Synod is, of course, the sounding-board for the grass roots perspective on mission and ministry to be made known to, and perhaps to influence, the Diocese.

On a personal note, the two SS representatives (Helen Holmes and Stephen Chappell) wish now to stand down to give the opportunity to younger voices.

Stephen Chappell on behalf of the BTCP Deanery Synod Representatives Helen Holmes, Duncan Courts, David Agar

14.The Rector’s Report to St Peter’s Annual Meeting

The parish currently remains in interregnum. All other aspects and reports have been correctly submitted and are contained within the Annual Report that satisfy statutory requirements.