2021-12-31-accounts - Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of Escrick

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2021 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Helen’s Church, Escrick

Aims and Objectives

St. Helen’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Richard Kirkman until his retirement in June 2021, and with other Church leaders from July 2021, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St. Helen’s Church, Escrick.

Objectives and Activities

The PCC is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all, whether they are regular worshipers or not. We strive to be open and accessible in every respect, and to make St. Helen’s the heart of our village community. In order to achieve this, the PCC recognises the need to be financially sustainable and encouraging generous giving has had to become a focus for us. We are also committed to strengthening and further developing our relationship with the village Church of England Primary School.

When planning our activities for the year, we considered our main objectives and tried to put in place services, opportunities for worship and community engagement that would enable us to achieve these. In particular, we tried to enable people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:

Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
Provision of services that specifically meet the needs of members of the community who would not ordinarily attend church, particularly families.
A varied programme of ‘Heritage Activities’ which engage a wide demographic.
Regular opportunities to engage with music within the church from bell ringing to singing in our newly formed choir.

To facilitate this work it is important that we maintain the fabric of the Church of St. Helen’s.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic again at times curtailed and restricted our activities and even closed the Church. However by the end of 2021 things were looking more positive but, that said, the situation inevitably impacted on events and fundraising which, in turn impacted on church finances during 2021.

Achievements and Performance

At the start of 2021 the Covid restrictions meant many of our services were online. One special online service took place on 14th February 2021, when Sammi Tooze from the Generous Giving team at the Diocese, helped us to bless all the pledges that have been made as a result of our 2020 ‘Sustainable Giving’ project. The theme of the service was ‘thankfulness’ and during this period of church closure, when income had been significantly reduced, we were indeed thankful for a successful programme and the generosity of those who are able to support the church financially.

In February, we were pleased to welcome Dave Rogers to the Benefice, in his new role as Assistant Priest to the joint Benefice. Dave brought with him energy, enthusiasm and lots of new ideas.

St Helen’s experienced further significant change in June 2021 with the retirement of Richard Kirkman, who had been priest in charge for 25 years. During the interregnum, we were incredibly fortunate to have the support of a number of clergy and lay people who allowed us to maintain our regular pattern of services: Rev. Francis Loftus, Rev. Dave Rogers and Chris Elliott to name but a few.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has remained a concern and a consideration over the past year, it has been wonderful that by the end of the year the life and work of St. Helen’s was returning slowly to something like normality. Services in person, weddings and christenings once again taking place and best of all, tea and cake are back on the menu! Our family services are back up and running under the new name, Family Fun @ 4, and these have been well attended. Heritage events are once again a regular occurrence. There have also been some new ventures this year including Little Hoot’s Baby and Toddler Group which began in September and the church choir, led by our organist, Nigel Bellamy. Such events are not only important to the people that attend them but also to the church as a whole for they integrate the church into the wider community and show what a welcoming place St. Helen’s is.

Throughout the course of the year there have been a number of memorable services. One particularly special service was held in August to celebrate the unveiling of a new plaque in the churchyard ‘Remembering the Babies and Children buried with no marked graves’. Mrs Peggy Brown unveiled the plaque which had been kindly provided and fitted by J W Myers Monumental Masons. In November, the church was once again bedecked with knitted poppies for our Remembrance service. The poppies were knitted by volunteers from the community and created an impressive display for worshippers and visitors alike. The stunning Carols by Candlelight service was another memorable service and benefitted from the singing of our new church choir.

The past year has also seen the relationship between the church and the local primary school continue to grow and strengthen. Christine Mason and Caroline Wandless meet the headteacher on a regular basis and seek opportunities to support one another. Church representatives are now able to contribute to whole school worship through ‘Open the Book’ assemblies once a month as well as providing visiting clergy. A number of classes have also been into church to explore the building and others have provided work to go on display within St Helen’s. We look forward to continuing this positive partnership in the year ahead.

Financial Review

Total income received in 2021 was £47,821 and this included an extremely generous of bequest of £10,000 which inevitably influenced the overall financial picture. With total expenditure of £35,793 this means that there was a surplus in 2021 of £12,027. Excluding the £10,000 bequest and 2021 showed a surplus of £2,027.

During 2021 income was adversely affected by the Covid-19 situation with, for example, church closed for a period, fewer weddings than would normally be expected and a negative impact on fundraising activities. Hopefully there will gradually be a return to greater normality in 2022 and this should help increase the level of income.

2021 expenditure was generally routine with no major unexpected costs although, that said, maintaining a 160-year-old grade 2* listed building and its accompanying excellent grounds will always generate some repair and maintenance costs.

During 2021 it was agreed to keep around £10,000 in the current account which should be sufficient for ongoing cashflow purposes, and the balance of the funds were transferred into a CCLA investment account. The value of the CCLA account will move in response to broader financial market conditions.

On 31st December 2021 St Helen’s had a total of £40,245 in funds and this was split between £12,316 in the current account and £27,929 in the investment account.

During 2021 total expenditure was, as noted above, £35,793 so the funds held by St Helen’s represent the equivalent of a financial buffer of about 12 months but, once again, with a large historic building and the likes of quinquennial repairs it can be necessary to spend some substantial sums or, in other words, there is always a degree of uncertainty.

Ideally St Helen’s will start to generate a regular ongoing financial surplus, and this would, in turn, allow gradual increases to the annual freewill offering; indeed the 2022 freewill offer has been increased by 20% or an extra £2,000 compared with 2021.

THE 2022 BUDGET

For 2022 PCC has decided to increase its freewill offer up to £12,000 and with most other costs and incomes expected to be broadly similar to 2021 then, unless there are, for example some significant bequests and donations, it is anticipated there will be about a £3,000 deficit in 2022. Hopefully income will be stronger than budgeted and progress on the fundraising front would be extremely helpful and if income is higher than £37,000 that should help reduce the anticipated deficit.

Costs are generally well-controlled and, particularly after some modest allowance for increased fuel costs it is difficult to see any material savings being generated during 2022.

Additional Information

Volunteers:

We would like to thank all of the people who are involved in the life of St Helen’s Church: Richard, Dave, Francis, Jackie, Chris and the visiting preachers who lead our services; the many volunteers who support services every week, giving welcome, leading prayers and reading; those who hold St Helen’s in their prayers; the people who tirelessly undertake the many chores involved in maintaining our beautiful building and grounds, particularly Brian Castle and his team of green fingered volunteer gardeners; those who create the wonderful floral displays in the church; Nigel Bellamy for providing us with glorious music on the organ each week; the newly formed choir who sing for Communion services; the bell ringers who have restarted their ringing; those who help to raise vital church funds and support our charitable work; all the members of the PCC who have continued to meet, sometimes online, throughout the pandemic to ensure St Helen’s had continued to function; and to our churchwarden, Caroline Wandless, and her ever supportive husband, Roger, who do much for our church behind the scenes, working with great enthusiasm and commitment. Thank you all.

Structure, Governance and Management:

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. Helen’s the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar), churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church.

All those who attend our services / members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met eight times during the year.

Church Council Members on 31[st] December 2021:

Ex-Officio

3 years to serve

Louise Bartle (Clergy in Vacancy) Fiona Walters Caroline Wandless (Churchwarden) John Wilson Maurice Vassie (Deanery Representative)

2 years to serve Sadie Ashton Christine Mason (Co-opted) Hilary Castle Pat Reader (Co-opted) Carolyn Skilbeck

1 year to serve Margaret Gowthorpe Judith Luscombe Nigel Wood

St Helen's Church E5crick 2021 Accourrts St Helen's Church, Escrick Accounts to 31 December 2021 Index: Sertlon: Overview ofthe 2021 accounts Income ExpendÉture Summary of income and expenditure Current account Investment account Summary offunds Treasurer statement and audit certFficate Pagelsl:

st Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Overview of the 2021 Accounts Total income received in 2021 was £47.821 and this included an extremely generous of bequest of £IO,C(10 which inevitsbty Fnlluences the overall financial picture. With total expenditure of £35,793 this means that there was a surplus in 2021 of £12,027. Excluding the £I0,cl) bequest and 2021 showed a surplus of £2.027. During 2021 intorne was adversety afferted by the Covid-19 situation wbth, for exarnp. church closed for a period. fewer weddings than would nonnally be experted and a negative impact on fundraising activities. Hopefvlly there will 8raduèlly be a return to greater norniality in 2022 and this should help increase the level of income. 2021 expenditure was generalty routine with no major unexperted costs although, that said, maintaining a Ifg>year-old grade 2. listed buifdin8 and itsatcompanying excelsent groundswill always generate some repair and maintenance costs. During 2021 it was agreed to keep around £10,0 in the current account which shoLEld be sufficient forongoing cashflow purposes, and the balance of the funds were transferred into a CCLA investment account. The value of the CCLA account wll move in resFonse to broader financial market conditions. On 315t December 2021 St Helen's had a total of £40,245 in funds and this was split between £12.316 in the current account and £27,929 in the investment account. During 2021 total expendrture was, as noted above, £35.793 so the funds held by St Helen's represent the equivalent of a financial buffer of just over 12months but, once again. wrth a large historic building and the likes of qtjinquennial repairs it can be necessary to spend some substantial sums or. in other words, there is always a degree of uncertainty. Idealty St Helen's will start to generate a regular OFtgoing financial surplus. and this would. in tum, allow gradual increases to the annual freewill offerin8- indeed the 2022 freewill offer has been increased by 2(FA or an extrd £2.(hX) cornpared with 2021.

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Income INCOME 2021 2020 2019 Planned re Collections HMRCgift aid TOTAL GIVING ular giving 8,297 6.653 3.815 765 7.419 5,435 5.401 9,393 2,796 I7 ,661 Weddings Funerals TOTAL sfATufoRY FEES 4,039 6,330 10369 2115 3240 5355 3,065 5,575 Monies from the Benefice Legacies and Donation Listed Places of Worship VAT claim Fundraising ICIJ Club Income Allotments and Gar3ge5 Heritage Lottery Grant Roof Alami Grants Other Grants From investment accounts Miscellaneous Income 232 13,003 3,570 2.552 4.745 982 550 250 72,055 7,470 912 3,426 1,139 377 334,799 3116 9.120 19,009 2,743 30 19 20 TOTAL INCOME 4721 4n,588 Notes: During the yearthe church recerrfed a total of £12,895 from legacies and one large donation. In terms of fundraising iftcome. Ét included: Willow weaving £6(K) (net £250 after costs} Wreaths £1.069 lincluding a raffle but net £124 after costs) Heritage £4C6 Church Box £479 Votive / books £309 The miscellaneous income related to a gift to the rertor on his Irernent.

St Helen's Church Escrtck 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Expenditure EXPENDITURE 2021 2020 2019 Freewill to Diocese Statutory Fees TOTAL TO DIOCESE lo.c3 1.475 IIA75 io.c 15,450 2,263 17.713 IiHx> PAYMENTS TO CHARITIES lJ89 2838 2A02 Organists Vergers Bellringers Visiting clergy Payment to 8enefKe Account TOTAL FEES 2,322 533 658 1,188 276 1.424 351 131 750 2347 305 750 4.843 4.226 Insurance 4.993 1.878 1,545 135 337 4,978 1,596 1,846 272 4,885 2,671 2,775 210 Electricity Water Internet TOTAL UTILMES ioyi Repair an(1 maintenance Installation of Roof Alarni Churchyard Club Prizes Miscellaneous linc fvndraising expenses} Heritage Project TOTAL EXPENDMJRE Transfer to CCLA GROSS ADJusfED EXpENDuRE 4.241 393 5.967 4,288 2.224 1.803 1,506 470 2.151 13,793 2.579 438,188 479,958 35,793 25.0(X) 60,793 These payments to chartties are essentially collections at fvnerals with subsequent payment to a charity, for example Concer Research, and services where the tolSection is for a specific charity, for example.. Remembrnnce Sunday and the Royal British Legion. The miscellaneous cost5 of £3096 included- £808 related to a 8rft to the rettor on hrs retirement- £945 of costs at the wreath making dayi £350 of costs related to the wllow weaving artNity,' £206 for the purchase of a new mobile oryan: and £182 of legal fees related to the award of a faculty. The repair and maintenants tosts of £4,241 included: £380 of lawnmower servicin& £1.776 to Tom Rhodes mainly for outstanding quinquennial repairs: £4 for the new card reader {but 10% later refunded); and a total of £734 for elertrical related works. The main churchyard cost was £597 felated to work on tree&

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Summary of Income and Expenditure 2021 2020 2019 Total Income Total Expenditure Surplus or (deficit) of income over expenditure 47.821 35,793 W128 38,070 472.588 479,958 (73701 116.418) The 2021 SLFrplus at St Helen's is very much due to the £I0.Cj bequest tt received and as alrea(iy noted in the oveThiew of 2021. without that extremely generous bequest there would have been a surplus of £2,028 as opposed to a surplus of £12.028. In 2020 St Helen's had a deficit of £16,418 but this was, in large parL due to a final retention payment of £13,793 related to the heritage project.

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Current Account 2021 2020 2019 Opening bank balaTh at 01 January Income Sub-total of openin balance and income Expenditure including transfers to CCLA aosing bank balance at 31 December Unpresented cheques at 31 December Net dosing bank balance at 31 December 25,288 47,821 73.109 60,793 IZA16 41.706 38,070 79,776 49,076 472,588 521.664 479,958 41,706 1,230 40,476 25.288 902 24.386 12J16 There were no unpresented cheques at 31.12.21 but. followin8 three funerals in mid / late Decemberthere are some sums which will be paid out in early 2022 when some final contributFons to the various collections are made. These are: £118.85 to Parkinson UK £168.63 to Dementia UK £168.64 to Yorkshire Cancer £187.00 to Epilepsy Society In addition. some £382 of organist. £20 to Selby DC and £33 for verger fees will also be paid in early January 2022. The combined value ofthese payments is £1,078.12. This sum will be largely or indeed more probably be exceeded by outstsnding HMRC gift aid for the second half of 2021 and. to illustrate. in July 2021 some £1.535.55 of gift aid claim was received.

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Investment Account Investment Accounts 2021 2020 2019 TOTAL 27.929 1376 1287 During 2021 PCC converted its existing small CCLA investment lat 31.12.20 rt had been £1,376> from income to accumulation shares meaning dividends are now reinvested in the fund as opposed to being paid quarterly to PCC. In addftion. PCC transferred £25,0 from the Barclays current account additional CCLA accumulation shares. With favourable market movement increasin8 value of the investmentsat 315t Dember 2021, the value of the investment was £27.929.

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Accounts St Helen's Church: Summary of Funds 2021 2020 Funds on 31# December Current account Investment account Total funds 12.316 27.929 40.245 25.288 1,376 26,664 The PCC need5 to be clear abjut which fijnds are restricted. and which are unrestricted and or designated. 'Restricted fundg are sums of money that are held on trust for particular purposes and can only be spent on those purposes. 'Unrestrirted funds, can be spent on any of the PCCS general purposes. 'Designated funds. are sums of unrestricted money earmarked by the PCC for specific purposes. All the Restricted Funds and Designated Funds were spent on the Heritsge projert, whKh ran from 2016 to 2019 $0 all current PCC funds a Unrestricted.

St Helen's Church Escrick 2021 Account5 St Helen's Church Accounts: treasurer statement and audit certificate Treasurer statement: These accounts are an accurate. fèir and full repsentatIOn of the finances of St Helen's Church at 31 December 2021. John Wilson St Helen's Church PCC Treasurer Audit certifkate: The income and expendsture accounts and the summary of fund5 are in aBreement with properly maintained accounts and records maintained by the St Helen's PCC Treasurer. John Wilson. 41LI Leisa Myers Si Helen's Church Auditor