Hereford CHURCH OF STJAMES THE GREAT, CRADLEY ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL sfATEMEpifs OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Aim and ur oses Cradley Parochial Church Council IPCC) is specifically responsible for the maintenance of the Grade 11 church of St. James the Great, Cradley, Herefordshire and has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Reverend Prebendary Robert Ward, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church. pastoral. evangelistic. social and ecumenical. Sadly Robert's period of office comes to an end in April 2025 after 17 years of dedication to Cradley Church. We are very grateful for his devotion to St James's Church, his generosity of spirit, his reflertive approach to ministry and his sincere integrity- We wish him and his wife, Mel, a long and happy retirement in Wells. Of course. our aims and purposes will not change with the new incumbent, whom we look forward to working with in the same positive spirit. Ob"ectives and Activities The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community at Cradley. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggertions on how our services can involve the many groups that live withill our parish. Our services and worship seek to bring people closer to God through Word and Sacrament, prayer and music. When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and. in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular. we try to enable everyone to live out their faith as part of our parish community through.. Worship and prayer- learning about the Gospel; and developing an understanding and trust in God. Provision of pastoral care for people livin8 in the parish Mission and outieach work The Diocese of Hereford lof which we are partl has identified five strategic priorities for the 20205 in its shared vision of Proclaiming Christ and Growing Disciples: l. Stronger congregations - growing faith 2. Schoo15 and intergenerational mission to help us grow younger 3. Equipping and supportin8 Lay leaders for mission 4. Creating generous giving and asset development (See financial report) 5. Sustainable building strategy and support for Parish offer The PCC has found these priorities a good basis for writing this report, with Priority 4 being addressed within the Financial Review
Priori er Con re ations - rowin Diocesan Gool.. Minimum 3% of the populotion attending o regulor art of worship, i.e. approximately 42 regular attendeesfrom the porishe5 of Crodley andstorridge combined. Worship and Prayer The PCC is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that will be beneficial and spiritually nourishing for our community and all are welcome to attend our regular services. Up to December 2024. there were 64 persons on the Church Elertoral Roll. I: Stron faith On Wednesday mornings Holy Communion is normally celebrated using Common Worship. Evening Pfayer is live-streamed from the rectory on Wednesday evening5. A Family Communion Service is held on the second Sunday and a lay-led service of Morning Worship on the 3rd Sunday, while a Parish Communion service is held on the 4th Sunday. Where there is a fifth Sunday. a joint benefice service is held. 2024 has seen a great deal of love and effort go into developing our new Church4AII service , which replaced our traditional Family Service in February of this year, with the aim of appealin8 to a wider demographic of worshippers. This service is held on the first Sunday of each month and aims to provide an opportunity for more informal worship. The service, together with the rertor, is devised by a team of around a dozen parishioners and differs from previous services in several ways: Each Church4AII service 15 based on a theme designed to generate wider interest, e.g. Peace, The Bells, Promises, etc. It roughly follows the structure of the previous Family Service but in a more flexible way, changing the order and modifyingthe words to become more inclusive. The hymns are selerted with a mind to mix the traditional with more modern hymn5 that may be more familiar to younger people. Soffle are really lively. others are much more con- templative. using Taize chants to enhance the interce55ions. We have also introduced the singing of the Lord's Prayer using the same version that children at Cradley School are fa- miliar with. Jimmy's Band plays a vital role with its combination of acoustic and electric instruments and we have welcomed two singers to the band to help lead the singing. The band also plays for the Chri5tingle Service on Christmas Eve. We have tried to link with Cradley School. encouraging people to attend and take part. The Head Teacher led the very successful Harvest Festival in the Autumn. Contemporary forms of liturgy are used at the Parish and Church4AII services and coffee is served afterwards to encourage members of the congregation to stop and chat. Tea and coffee-making equipment is left out at all times for visrtors to the church to make their own hot drinks should they wish to. The following table shows our attendance figures for 2024. which has been compared, where possible with the two previous year5. The table shows that our attendance, has not changed significantly. We continue to work on this as a PCC and initiated strategy meeting5 during 2024 to explore ways in which we could encourage further involvement from the community, encourage more young people to attend services and plan for succession into the future. These meetings will continue into 2025. Page 2
2022 2023 31.17 30.17 29.79 29.15 1.38 1.02 2024 30.19 29.07 1.12 Average Overall Attendance at Regular Sunday Services Of which adults: Of which young people- Average Overall Attendance at Regular Sunday Services by Type Parish Communion 28.80 31.36 33.42 Family Communion Family Services/Church4AII Morning Service 35.00 34.80 24.22 32.25 31.60 23.63 30.18 34.22 23.36 Average Overall Attendance at Regular + Special Servlces (Adults 4 Young People) Special Services vary from year to year but included are Mothering Sunday, Maundy Thursday. Easter, Ascension. Evenson& Baptisms, School Harvest, Remembrance. All Souls, Carol Service, School Carols. Christingle, Midnight Mass and Christmas Day 41.46 41.57 One service a month continues to be livtrstreamed from the church to cater for those who are unable to be physically present. On other Sundays a service is streamed either from the Rertory or elsewhere and 15 appreciated by those in the Benefice or beyond who join via the internet or by telephone. As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of our journey through life. At baptism we thank God for the gift of life and celebrate the start of our journey as children of God. In marriage, public vows are exchanged with God's blessing and through funeral services friends and family express their grief. giving thar7k5 for the life which is now complete in this world and commending the person into God's keeping. In 2024 at Cradley we celebrated three baptisms. four weddings, three church funerals and I 'freestanding' Cradley burial of ashes. Two further funerals were held at crematoria. Communication In order to advertise service5 and events and celebrate our successes. the parish has its own Facebook page as well as a website, and a weekly communication similar to the paper copy traditionally available in church is distributed electronically. Information about our church can also be found on the 'A Church Near You, website. In 2023 we updated our'welcome Leaflet, to go to new families moving into the village to make rt more colourful and welcoming. Music Cradley Church has a thriving and well-balanced SATB choir which normally sings at two services month including a choral communion setting at the Parish Communion, under professionally trained directorship. The choir is afPiliated to the Royal School of Church Music. A very successful carol service was again held this year, including members of the parish not regularly in the choir itself lalong with musical friends from nearby). There have also been occasional choral evensong services. and the choir took part in a more secular concert along with other community groups, in the church. Three rnembers of the congregation have taken it in turns to play the organ for services throughout the year, displaying the glorious range of sounds available from our historic Nicholson organ from the 1870$. During the year we have again been delighted to have iecitals from vislting professional organists, and other music groups have presented concerts in the Page 3
buildir78. This year we have been delighted to acquire, through donation, an acoustic piano, which will increase the range of Concerts possible in the building. Jimmy's Band, a group consisting of keyboard, violins, oboe and guitars. features prominently in the monthly Church 4AII services (see above). In addition to this we have a thriving and accomplished handbell group who perform at events and special services. Bells We have a fine ring of bells, which were rehung and augmented from six to eight atthe Millennium. A special service wa5 held on the 4 of August with the theme of the service being 'Bells'. During the service the congregation were invited into the ringing chamber to see a demonstration of ringing with a brief presentation on ringing theory and a tower bell installation. The bells were originally installed in 1724 and in order to celebrate the 300 year anniversary, an extended 'Quarter Peal of 1724 changes, was rung on the 21 of December. With the help of ringers from Mathon, our thriving group usually manages to ring at least six bells for the main services each Sunday. Visiting ringers frequently like to ring at Cradley and the space in and around the ringing chamber facilitates training and observation. Our ringers also visit other churches around the country from time to time. Pastoral Care, mission and Evangelism The clergy andlor members of the Three Villages Visitin8 Group visit members of the community who would appreciate a vistt or are unable to get to church. and to take Communion. The Rector is Chairman of the commrttee that produces a monthly community Newsletter for Cradley, Mathon and Storridge. This keeps our parishioners informed of important matters affecting ovr church a5 well as reporting on the numerous other organisations in the vi113ges. The PCC is grateful to the committee. and all of its volunteer helpers. "Coffee Stop at The Leys" meet5 monthly, usually on the last Thursday and provides an opportunity for residents at The Leys and their friends to meet socially. It is organised by a small group of members from the church congregation, and in recent years. has been supported financially by the local Charities of Richard Hill and Others. Helping those in need is 3 demonstration of our frdtth. Some mission giving is organised on a benefice-wide basis, including the provision of frugal lunches in Lent. Ecumenical Relationships When there is a fifth Sunday in a month the three parishes in the benefice come together for a "gathered service" which may be formal or informal in nature; if non-Eutharistic, a said service of Holy Communion is celebrated, at B different time, in one of the churches in the Benefice. Members of all three parish churches in the benefice and Cradley chapel (which belongs to The Countess of Huntingdon's Connexionl form Christians Together, which holds monthly meetings. Members of the congregation join this group for prayer, Bible study, discussion and worship. Deanery Synod The PCC has three seats on the Deanery Synod. This provides the PCC with an important link between the parish and the wider structures of the church.
Priori Schools and inter enerational mission to hel us row oun Diocesan Gool.. Increosing the number of young people and children engoged with worshipping communities The Chair of Governors of Cradley VA Primary School 15 also responsible for safeguarding in the parish church and is a member of the PCC. The Rector is on the governing body as an ex-ofFIcio member. He fortnightly visits school to lead a simplified communion Service, where the children participate by taking bread. The children know Ft as their 'Breakin8 Bread, service. 'Open the Book. volunteers have grown this year and they take it in tums to deliver and act out with the children different Bible stories. The whole school frequently attends church for special services, and parents and children alike enjoy it very much. Cradley School continues with a government initiative designed to build a sustainable pool of 'Community Champions, to actively engage young people to 'pass on the baton, and build on the foundations of trust established by groups in the community, our church being one of those groups. The church has worked closely with the school to minimise barriers. grow understanding, and improve engagement with our community. This has involved several visits from the school's Community Champions to make music with our church band, build a bug sanctuary in the churchyard and currently designing a simple 'treasure hunt, to entertain visiting children. It may be the start of bigger and better booklets. There is a small but active branch of the Mothers, Union and they continue to raise money for MU projects, sometimes from serving coffee after the moming service. They participate in church services, Mothering Sunday, Harvest, Christingle and other events. Stir-up Sunday is a very popular event in the parish, growing annually where children, parents and grand-parents participate. Many Christmas puddings are consumed in Cradley every Christmas! Our Church4AII services are flourishing where every efftjrt is made for it to be inclusive. All ages join in the acting of stories about camels, sheep. dragon5.. However, for all the efforts made, growth in young families and children attending church services changes little. The Chair of Governors writes weekly in the school newsletter drawing attention to events in church, services where the children would enjoy taking part. Priori ui in and su ortin Diocesan Gool.. New voluntory or loy leaders La leaders for mission Lay volunteers continue to be invaluable to the life of the benefice, especially in enablin8 and taking part in worship, online and in church. and in cordinating visiting and pastoral care throughout the community. Some have taken a regular and active role in leadin8 lay led worship. in ensuring the continuation of our worship on-line, and developing our outreach through elertronic and social media. A number of people have been approved by the PCC as Local Worship Leaders one of whom we are delighted to announce completed. in 2024, an 'lntroduction to Local Ministry, training course with the Diocese and now takes a very artive role in leading Lay worship across the benefice. We are very grateful to her for putting in so much of herown time and hard work towards achieving this qualification. All Lay worship leaders are offered training to become authorised to take a more central and active role in the leading of worship. Page 5
Priori 5: Sustainable buildin strate Diocesan Gool.. A sustainable cleorfvturefvr every church The Church Building and Churchyord Cradley Church is in the Malvern Hi115 'National Landscape., formerly known as Malvern Hills 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,, and has arrangements with the AONB Partnership. and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust. for them to provide information and displays in our church as part of our commitment to involvement and partnerships within the ¢ommuntty. Thi5 also encourages local tourism and. alongside leaflets and literature sponsored by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, brings visttors into the buildin& including local people who may not otherwise enter it. Brown tourism signs directing people from the main roads to the church and village hall have recently been provided. The PCC is responsible for maintaining the church and churchyard in good condition and extends its thanks to all who volunteer to keep the churchyard in such good condition. We are grateful for the contributions from the Parish Council to the cost of employing contrartors to cut the grass in the churchyard to the north side of the church. Many thanks, yet again. to the team of 30 volunteers who regularly mow the lawns and help harvest the hay. The yellow rattle sown last year in the summer meadow did nattake, butthe quality of the hay improves annually. The hay was used by villagers and sheep in Cradley and Ledbury and the grass compost is available for the 2025 WIICradley Wild planters project. In 2024 the old petrol lawn mower was replaced by a battery model- much lighter and more Eco-friendly. The shed has been moved to just behind the village hall shed to make way for the new toilet. Our Churchyard ha5 many historical tombs and features that we maintain. The stone foundation of the tomb just outside the Chancel door has been repaired and saplings removed from the tomb just east of the church. The Maclean & Clementina Maxwell graves were tidied for the well attended Housman society talk in September and there is interest in the Ayscough graves. Ann and Jen's bench by the Glastonbury Thorn has been taken home, washed. winterised and re-oiled ready for St David's Day. The SW corner ofthe wall bythe lychg3te has been repaired and the meadow flowers, sponsored by Cradley Wild, flourished. We will have a WI/Cradley Wild planter for pollinators by the lychgate. Christmas decorations were cleared from the churchyard at Candlemas. Parishioners and those tending graves should be aware of the churchyard regulations at Cradle church.or A 'consultation' article about the Garden of Remembrance has been included in the three villages newsletter. There are kerbs and a stone memorial, {which may be a tomb) a few inches underthe surface and a sunken grave void. We wait for the toilet drain plans to be clarified before we obtain permissions to go ahead. We will continue to use the existing ashes memorial area and whole body burial while space remains. the Garden of Remembrance is currently an additional and alternative proposal designed to conserve other existing space for as long as possible. Frequent, regular inspections of the church fabric ensures that early action is taken to rertify problems and help prevent the need for major repair works. As in previous years, volunteers carried out routine maintenance tasks and regular inspections of all asperts of the building were made in order to detect any deteriorating elements. Some maintenance does, of course, need to be carried out by specialist contractors, such as checks to fire protection equipment, lightning conductors and any work at high level requiring scaffoldin etc. In 2024 it was necessary to engage contractors to carry out repairs to the vestry roof, re- pointing of open joints to the east end of the Lady Chapel and urgent works to repair and re-install Page 6
the chancel cross. the base of which had been found to be fracturing and crumbling. The 5 yearly inspection of the elertrical system was also carried out. The organ was tuned twice duringthe year. but no other work was carried out. The tuner mentioned that the Great soundboard leaks, and thattherefore the Great Fifteenth has become unstable and difficult totune. This will need to be attended to in due course. We are in receipt of both Planning Permission and Faculty for the new toilet facility. which we feel is key to a sustainable future for our church. We have now raised sufficient funds to enable the building work to proceed and we look forward to reporting on its completion in next year's annual report. Overarchin Priori Safe uardin The PCC has complied with the requirements imposed by the code under section 5A of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016. Page 7
Priori 4: Creatin enerous ivin and asset develo Dioceson Goal.. Breakeven budget/sustolnoble benefice5 Financial Review ment The basis on which the financial statements have been prepared is set out in Note l on page 13. Totsl receipts and payments on unrestricted and restrirted funds are shown in detail in the Statement of Financial Activitie5. For the year ended 31 December 2024. totsl income was £80593.611£69,203.63- 20231 and total expenditure was £70.069.451£55.637.19-20231- Net receipts from fundraising events for general purposes amounted to £5775.11 which 15 lower than £7,139.91 in 2023. This was due to £4418.02 being rdised specificalty for the Toilet project. The Village Fete contributed £21 to the general funds and the 2 Club has raised £743 net of prized money which is lower than the £830.(K) in 2023 due to a number of members moving out of the parish. The Around the world 80minutes presentation gNen by Derek and Anne caer raised a total of £2724.10 which was shared with the Midlands Air Ambulance, St Michaels Hospice and the Church. The St David's Day Concert in March, which was held jointly with the Village Hall. raised £494.52 for Church funds. The Lent tslk5 and Lunches raised £790.85 and were held for Mtwara and We are Farming Minds charities. The Organ recital in May raised £585.74 and the Housman talk in September. which was held for the Toilet project raised £343.74 The Summer raffle was held as part of the Village Fete so the proceeds were included in the Church share indicated above. The Cream Teas held in Church throughout the summer months raised a total £847.13 which was only Slight lower than the 2023 amount of £991.75. The Christmas Fair rni5ed £87.50 and the Christmas Raffle raised a further £254 making a totsl of £341.50. We contributed £33,CIJO to the Diocesan Common Fund. which pays fDr ministry and mission in our diocese, an increase of £l,IXKI on the previou5 year. We have pledged to contribute £33,1 in 2025 in view of the need to ensure we have suffitient funds to complete the toilet project. The Church Yard W811 was repaired at a cost of £31JJ) this was funded by the Insuran claim of E25CI) and £500 from the generdl fund. The West End wall of the Church was repointed at a cost of £3.3.(? and the east gable cross was repaired at a cost of £2947.20. Further roof repai were a150 required costing £1535. These repairs were funded from our Fabric and NCT Maintenance Funds which now have balances of £3308.23 and £1661.67 respectively. The electrical instsllation required replacing due to the heavy load placed on the Supply for the electrical overhead heaters. The cost of materials for this was £1112.72 and the required inspection charge was £480. We are very fortunate to have a church warden who is a qualified electrician, and carried out the electrical instsllation replacement, otheiSe the cost would have been considerably more. During the year managed to secure further funding for the disabled toilet from the Lasletts Charities, the Beatrice Laing Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We subsequently went out to tender and are in the process of awarding the contract. The estimated cost is approximately £82,(K)O plus VAT and outstanding architert fee5. However there are a number of provisional sums included in the estimate with respect to the drainage and electrical supply. The toilet fund currently stands at £67.436 with a further £30,032 in outstanding grants. This should be sufficient as we will be able to claim back the VAT from the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme. The net result for the year was a deficit of income over expendtture of £6.018.801£1096.04- 2023 surplu51 on unrestricted funds. The restricted funds increased by £16,542.96 as a result of a number of donations and grants for the insta113tion of the Disabled Toilet and the purchase of a piano. The piano is treated as a restritted asset purchase and will be depreciated over a 5 year period. Including bank and deposit balances brought foTh¥ard at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward at 31" December 2024 on unrestricted funds totalled £30,508.231£36,572.03 - 20231 of which E32,836.091£35,406.50- 20231 was in cash, current accounts and on deposit. Overall there was an increase of £11,228.34 in the financial balances mainly due to increased grants, donations. Gift Aid and fund raising activities. The restricted fund balance increased to £85.055.171£68512.21- 20231 mainly due to donations Page 8
and grants for the Church Toilet. The gift aid is shown apportioned between the refurbishment and Beneral funds as a Significant amount is due to the donations for the Toilet. The revaluation of the Dr Webster investment saw a welcome increase in value to £14,498.07. For many years voluntary giving was insufficient to meet our contributiorb to the diocese. Since our successful stewardship campaign in 2017 this has been covered by planned giving, open plate collections at services, donations and the associated Gift Aid. but we continue to rely upon fees for weddings and funerals and fundraising events to cover the other costs of ministry and the running expenses of our large building and churchyard. During 2024 we saw a number of regular givers move out of the Parish so we anticipate a reduction during 2025 unless additional regular givers can be found Within the year the Parish Council contributed £2,IXKI towards the upkeep of the churchyard. Expenditure on the Church Graveyard is taken from a restricted fund into which thè Parish Counci15' Colltribution is deposited along with other donations for the upkeep of the Church Yard. In 2024 a total of £4,066.66 was spent on Church Yard Maintenance. which included the purchase of new mower for £849. This partially funded by a one of donation of £400 from a member of the church. It is anticipated that the expenditure in 2025 will hopefully remain around the £4,(th mark. The contactless payment devices have proved beneficial for donations and fundraising and in 2024 £2020.(K) was paid via these devices. The PCC tries to build on the help and guidance given by the diocese on encouraging giving within the wider context of Christian Stewardship. We hope 2025 will be a year where more fundraising events are held and further regular giving can be secured. Members of the Church family will again be asked to review the giving of their time and talents 35 well as their financial support. Diocesan priority 4 recognises the urgent need to become financially sustainable to resource mission. Our thanks go to Howard Painter who has again very generously gNen his services as Independent Examiner of the 2024 finances pro bono. Reserves polity It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds which equates to at least six months, nrestricted payments. equivalent to about £25.0(M).(KJ. This is le5S than the figure for 2024 as a result of stable running costs and Parish Share paid to the Diocese. It is held to smooth out cash flow and to meet emergencies that may arise from time to time. The cash and bank balances of £30,508.23 held on unrestricted funds at the year-end exeded thi5 target. The PCC also holds other fvnds that cannot be included as -fe. reserves a5 they are held for restricted purposes. These represent the proceeds ot donations and fund raising projects, including grants, for specific purposes. Investments It is our general policy to invest our fund5, balances with the CBF Church of England Depostt Fund. The Dr Webster Fund however is invested in accumulation units in the CBF Investment Fund for the Church of England. Income is reinvested within the fund tt5elf. and not distributed in cash to unit holders. Volunteers We would like to thank all the volLFnteers who work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. In particular. we want to mention our Churchwardens lan Bailey and Diane Roberts who worked so tirelessly on our behalf, and all the other members of the PCC for their valuable contribution to our ministry and for keepinB the church runnin8. In particular, we wish to thank lan Bailey for his work on the electrical installation, Kevin Brewer for arrdn8ing and hosting the twice weekly live streaming of services and Tony Copp for his work in the Church Yard. Paee 9
Administrative information The church of St. Jame5 the Great is situated in Rectory Lane, Crddley. It is part of the Diocese of Hereford within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Rectory, Cradley, Malvern. WR13 SL The parish forms part of the United Benefice of Crddley, Mathon and Storridge. PCC members who have served from l January 2024 until the date thts report was approved are= Ex Officio members.. Incumbent.. Churchwardens.. The Reverend Robert Ward IChaim)an} lan Bailey Diane Roberts lan Bailey Mike Hames Christopher Roberts Sue Bailey Eryl Copp Margaret Edgar John Parsons Sue Warner Peter Warner Jane MacFarlane (elected April 20241 Diocesan Synod Member: Deanery Synod RepsentativeS.. ElÈrted membets.. Structure. governance and management The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England and w35 regISted with the Charity Commission for England and Wale5 on 16 June 2020, number 1190026. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Councils Measure. The method of appointment of PCC members is t out in the Church Representation Rules. At St. James, the membership of the PCC corksists of the incumbent lour Rertorl. Churchwardens and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. 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. All members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The full PCC met eight times in person during the year. with an average level of attendance of 75%. Business wa5 also transacted by email. Given its wide responsibtlities the PCC has several committees and working parties, each dealing with a particular aspect of parish life. These committees, which include churchyard, outreach and events. paIrS and development, and worship are all responsible to the PCC,. their reports are (eIved by the full PCC and discussed as necessary. The following officers Seed during the year.. L8y vice-chair-. Mike Hames TreasUr Christopher Roberts Secretary Susan Warner Minute Taker John Parsons Approved by the PCC on 21 March 2025 and signed on its behalt by the Revefid Robert Ward IPCC chairman) Pa8e 10
Independent examiner's report to the trustee5lmembers of the Parochial Church Council of St Jame5 the Great, Cradley I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set otjt on pages 12 to 16. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charty's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charities Artl and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under sertion 145 of the 2011 Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Dirertions gNen by the Charity Commission (under section14515llbl of the 2011 Actl. and to State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with general Dirertions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the charity afid a comparison of the account5 presented with those records. It also includes considerntion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. ar)d consequentty no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set OLrt in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examinatiorb, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect- accounting records We not kept in accordance with settion 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records, or statutory fees were not accounted for correctly. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. H N Painter JP BSC FCA The Firs Church Road Crowle Worcester WR7 4AX 21" March 2025 Page 11
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNaL OF sr JAMES THE GREAT, CRADLEY STATElfEpifoF Afu4NCL4LAcnvmES FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 DEUMBER Z024 UreStrte funds TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 lunds funds Incomeand endowments Voluntsry income A¢tNitiesforgeneFatingfunds Income from investments Church artNities Totsi incomingresouf¢È5 30.86&S4 7.050.37 I.FAM).43 2.894.LY) 42.413.34 27.915.96 5,066.58 3.281T3 LglS.(X) a8.).27 58,784.$0 12.116.95 4.883.16 48,78a.64 8.103.48 3.393.51 .923. 69.2D3.63 21dl 593.61 Expenditure chUh actNitles Cts5tsof 8eneiatingfun<15 Total re5Our5expÈdEd 45,531.88 1.275.26 46.W7.14 2161i75 68.145.63 1.923.82 70.069.4S 53223fj3 1314.16 SS.637.19 23,26131 Net Ititllfflln8 resources beforetr4nsfer5 I4.393.) 14.917.96 10.524.16 13,566.44 Transfer berween funds 11.62&a)I L625K Net IntotniTr¥resources befvre oth recognisedBainslllossesl 16J)l&WI 16.$42.96 10524.16 13.566.44 Revaluation 8ain5on investments 70LI8 704.18 L549.(X) Net mohmentin funds {6.0> 16.54196 11,228.34 .1ts.44 BalanSSht fotward I lanuary2024 36527.03 ,793.89 6&512.21 i.833.14 103,717.69 8alances (3fried for¥Yard 31 December2024 30.5LK23 14.49&07 8S.OSS.17 130,061.47 118.833.13 FALANCESHEEfASAT31J)ECEMBER2024 esEn#ed knEKts TOTAL 2024 TOTAL 2023 funds fund5 Fixed assets TangiblÈ Investments 1103.20 2.103.20 14.498.07 16,601.27 14.498.07 I4.407 Ll,793.89 .79339 2.103.20 Current aet5 DebtorsaDd prÈpaytneDts Short-term deposit5 Cash at bafik and in hond 435137 .ts1.34 2.654.75 37.187.46 45(YJA 66,779.26 IL066.21 84.354.53 10.89143 96.9fQ.g) 13.720.96 t21.541.99 7.369.43 91073.50 10.012.68 .455.61 Creditor5- amountsfallin80uewrfthin ¢e year 679.E3 1.40256 8.081.79 4,416.37 Netcurrent355ets .508.23 82,95L97 113.460.20 105.039.24 Totsl net aet5 30.508.23 14,498.07 8S.055 17 130.061.47 118,833.13 RepreSend by Parisb Funds Unrestricred Designated Restritted Endowmerrt 30.508.23 14.498.07 85.CSS.17 36.527.03 13.793.89 512.21 130,OSI.47 118.833.13 Approved bvtt Pccon 2tst Mar<haTrx1 Sigrd on hs bEhalFbylhè Re knwward IPCC(tsirnwnl
l Accounting policies Basis of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared on the accruals basis and under the Church Actounting Regulations 2006 in accordance wrth applicable accounting Standèrds and the current Statement of Recommended Prattice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities and applicable accounting standard FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost converbtion except for investment assets. which are shown at market value. The financial statements include all transactiorbs, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of chufch groups that owe their main afFiliation to another body. nor those that are informal gatherings of church members. Fund accounting Endowmentfunds a funds. the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the PCC'S discretion- the income derived from the endowment is to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place_ The PCC currently has no Endowment Ftjnds. Restricted funds comprise lal income from endowments that is to be expended only on the restricted purposes intended by the donor, and Ibl revenue donations or grants for a specific PCC activity intended by the donor. Where these funds have unspent balances. interest on their pooled irwestment is apportioned to the individual funds on an average balance basis. Unrestrirted funds are intome funds that are to be spent on the PCC'S gerieral purposes. Designoted funds are general funds set aside by the PCC for use in the future. Project funds are designated for particular projetts for administration purposes only. Funds designated as invested in fixed assets for the PCC'S own se a abated in line with those assets, annual depciatio[l charges in the SOFA. Designated funds remain unrestricted and the PCC will move any surplus to other general funds. Incoming sOurceS Planned giving, collections and similar donations are recognised when re1Vert. Tax refunds are recognised when the incoming resource to which they relate is received. Grant5 and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is entitled to the use of the resources, their ultimate receipt is considered reasonably certain and the amounts due are readily quantifiable. Dividends are accounted for when declared recewable. interest as and when accrued by the payer. All incoming resources are accounted for gr05S. Rewurces @xpended Grants and donations a accounted for when paid over. or when awarded, if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan parish share expetted to be paid over is accounted for when due. All other expenditure is genetally recognised when it is incurred and is accounted for gross. Fixed assets Consecrated and benefice property is not induded in the accounts in accordance with S.1012llal and Icl of the Charities Act 2011. Movable church furnishings held by the ctor and churchvRrdens on spec481 trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal are inèlienable property, listed in the church's inventory. which can be inspected lat any reasonable timel. For anything acquired prior to 21KX) there is insufficlent cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the financial statements. Subsequently the only stems costing more than f I,O(K) are the chair5 and tables purchased as part of the reordering of the north aisle (including the Lady Chapell in 2019 and the purchase of an acoustic piano in 2024. Equipment used within the church premises is depreciated on a straight-line basis over five years. Individual items of equipment with a purchase Price of £l,O(MJ or less are wrrtten off when the asset is acquired. Investments are valued at market value at 31 DeMber. Page 13
2 Income and endowmènts DeyBnated fvnd5 IDTAL TOTAL 2023 funds 2024 al Wuntsry Income Pnrted grrfing C¢llettion5 at Servi$ 16.2ts8.38 17.WL71 5.65154 813.67 6.465.21 8,051.67 Donations 1.670.9J 9.118.65 10,789.55 8,855.35 Grants 17.79150 .29150 7,frfKI.t)) GrftArd recoverÈd 6.70945 1).93 6,890.78 6.974.91 otherwtaryreceIpts 12747 10.21 138.08 IW.OD 27915.96 58.78<50 48,783.64 bl Acti¥ides forgenerabncfuDd5 FundnisiTr8 7.r6037 5,C66.58 12,11&95 8.103.48 7W.37 5.066.58 12.116.95 8,ioa.d8 ¢1 lTh%Esrm•rttirt¢orne Inrerest LfAM)A3 3.282.73 4.883.16 3.393.51 I,EA3 3,28L73 4.883.16 3.393.51 dl ThuacyM@S Fees foi wÈddins5 and fvneTrls tsbursemÈnts 2.894 495. 3.389. 6,376.fy) 1.420.(Y) 1,420. 2.547. 894.(0 1,915.LK) 4.8(B. .923.(X) Totsi In¢ome 42.411¥ 3&1.17 BO.593.61 69203.6a 3 Expenditure 41 ChtÈrch atbvityexpe MIs5ionatyand charitsbleg4ln8 304.03 1.731.71 Home Z17.IXJ 3JJ69.97 3.286.97 1281.10 Dkicesan pètish ribu• Othermlnlstry t05t5 Lhurch mnningand ma5ntÈnante Major repairs- srfurtural a3.n(A1 33.rm.00 32,LKWI I.175 156LrK> 1739.55 5,506.96 10.305.ll ,gJ2.12 19,297.84 6,799.80 3.818.$8 3,81&88 Churchyard upkeep PntIn8ad 5tationeryetc Otherpa¥mertts LWci¥tion 4.W66 4.(.66 3.807.92 225.73 225.73 l(M).14 275.29 8KJ.17 525. S.80 4553L88 22.613.75 6&N5.63 53,323.03 bl Stewardship costs C05ts0f £ranlapplicatvJns FundTrisin8tosts 1.27526 648.S6 1.923.82 2,31Q16 1.27526 648.56 1.913.82 2.314.16 ToWeMwditiwo 46J07.14 2326Z.31 70,069.45 55.637.19 Page 14
Transfers bEtren fund5 8rttwd 015 Atricted Funds paid into GeneralActount Less Corree Disbursernwt and5pedal Cdlecwn UnrestiictÈd Funds paid fvom the RestredA(JnI Resrricte¢l fvnds paid tfj GAaCCOnt 2024 Flei Transfer ieen Funds COr5}rb1Ls 14 4.441 5535.12 TTrnsferfrom General to Restre Funds TTan5ferto Church Yard Mainten3ntè Fw Transfer of Grftd on pnadoatvJn5 Totsi 1.625. TaTh%lblÈflxedassets At ijanuary 2021 Addr(5 At31[cernr 2024 4.720.26 2629 16291KI 4.no.26 Deprecktitsn At iJ¥nuary 2024 Deweriation charged in thèyear At31 December2024 4,72026 52>8 4.720.26 tavryln8amouni At31 DeceYnber2024 2.1(t3.20 At31 tr2mber2023 6 ¥ixedAs5etinvestrnert CostOTvalu•tion At ljanuary 2024 Additions Valuation chan Disp05als At 31 Oeomber2024 13.793A9 or 14.498m At31 Decemèer 2024 14.498n7 At 31 0embÈr2023 13,793.89 DbOr5 GSft Aid reroverdb MS $te PLice5 of WOrshrpnI Late Rthe Tketsles Christmas Trawsw>nsorship SpDTr5or5hip of StreaminglKence5 CCLA 1Threst Tnsfer0M RestrKted ban*acfount TrdnsfeTfromGenetal b3nka¢cDunt Unrestrirne 3,982S6 .93 358.41 793ffj1 5.535.12 6.$09.C 4.351.37 Daw50n & Mew Invo Christinglè & Cafol ServKe colletboD5 Vale Dehvmk¥rfiÈrfor Pkno Ver8er.Oigan15t & Rin8erS Fee5 4QTr Electrlcity Printing Costs CY MowiTrg UnprEsentedChegues Tiansferto General BankAccount Transferto Restrirted BafikAc¢ourrt IILFKI 381ffj6 986.51 38Q.LKI 264.90 73.fll 5535.11 Page 15
Q679.23 1.40256 9. Funds Fund Trdftsfers Transfers out Bro£h110¢W0Trf PEipts Carrd forwar¢J iJnffestrictÈdfvnds General 36527.03 d2.a113.34 6,7.14 1,625AYJ 30S0&23 Desl9rtotEdfunds Drwebster Fvnd 13.793.89 (L(x) 14,498.07 Re5tnctedfunds 2QOClub 368.74 -1O9.(Kk 259.74 Bell &Tower &32&28 517.03 8,845.31 169.21 Choir 31Q21 141_ Church fabtit 9.65257 1.16U6 1.950KKJ 7&02 3,308.23 Dsbursements Flower H3ssc<ks& Cushion5 NCT Maintenan Di¥n & Piano Refurbishmenl Chvrchyard MèinteTrance Resiricied fvndrai51ng Spetial ttsllethofj5 UTralloc3ted Interest 131.23 ory) 2.22 50.31 3,113.84 3(K.42 144.35 1 59652 L661_67 2.463.(MJ 67.436.56 -141.12 158838 26.1th147 L050 625.QI 45,(.95 194.S4 472.06 1.247_71 889111 793.01 1.719.77 811.49 793.01 G8,512_21 aÈ.180.27 23.26131 1.625. 8S,055.17 Total all Funos 118,833.13 8l.297.79 70.069.45 130,061.47 The General Fund represents incornety be usedfor the general purFx)ses of the PCC The Dr Webster Fund representsthÈ residue of a legacylrom the Di Webster. retsNEd in 1962. For many years It was thought that thi5 Was restricted to the mèintenance of zhe church fabric, but research in 2019 has confirrned that it 15 for the geneol wrposes of the church. The PCC ha5 hoviever e4rrnarked it for maintenance of the tsbrK. It is invested in CBF Church of England Investment Fund Accumulation Units 3nd therefore no dNidend is receivÈd a5the income of the fvnd is re-invested. The 20D Club Fund represents 5ubscnption5 ld irs athance. whrch are held in this fijnd tjntil the month of the dTaw to which they refer, when they are transferred to the General IUnrestrittÈdl Furwl. The Bell & Tower Fund repfesents surplu5 unOs raised in 2(W for the Tefu¥bishrnent and augrnentstion of the bells and a550Ci8ted necessary work on the tower, and Subsequent donations when the bells3 used atweddings. The Church Fabric Fund represents accurnulated donions and app2aLsfor fabric mairrteTrarKe. Disbursemerts representfees ft)r bell ringers. the¥eTgerand the Qwdnist at weddings and fU[ra15, where the PCC is merety artinE as 88ent. The Flower Fund repSentS donatios to be on the purchase of fiowersto dÈtore church. The Has50cks & Cushions Fund represent5 fvnds held fDrthe wrchase of marer4alsfDr rnakin8 these iterns. The Organ & Piano Fund represents accurnulated donations and apppals for m3illtenonce of the organ and for the purchase and maintenance of the church pièllo contains the remaining walue of £2103.20 for rhe piano. The £625 transfer into the fund is in lieu of the 8rft claimed on the donations forthe piano. Thts will be paid into thE gener31 fund in 2026. The Refurbishment Fund represents donations to finance the reSsary refurbÉ5hment arKt adapratlon of church p[niseS to facilttate greater community use. ThL8 will be used forthe installat)n of the Disabled ToileL The Church Yard Maintenance Fund wa5 setup in 2021 to hold the contribwon made bythe Parish Council and other donation5 for Church Yard Maintenance Restrirted Fundraising and Srecial Collections represem the proceeds of fundrai5inge*ttts and Co1Onswhi¢h are specifKally for the benefit of some other organisation. and where the PCC ts merety actins as agent. The unallocated interest repsents the interest income frorn the restritted CCLA ac(vunt for the 4 Quarter of 2024. which is now not capitalized until January 2025. Signed.. Rector Signed.......... Ind. Examiner Page 16