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2025-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 31 December 2025 Charity Number 1191562

Statement of Purpose

Knowing God’s love: St. Paul’s exists to provide spiritual sustenance through the Lord Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit to all who come.

Sharing God’s love: We exist to provide pastoral care and support to church members and parishioners at every stage of life in the name of Christ, and to help alleviate poverty both spiritually and physically. Website: stpaulsfurzedown.co.uk

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THE PARISH OF ST PAUL’S FURZEDOWN

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025

Legal and administrative details

Charitable status

The Parish Church Council of ST PAUL’S FURZEDOWN was previously a charity exempted from registration with the Charity Commission. In 2020 as required by charity legislation, the Parish Church Council completed registration with the Charity Commission and gained its charity registration number: 1191562.

Location of the Church

St Paul’s Church address is: Welham Road, London SW17 9BT. The church is situated at the corner of Welham Road and Chillerton Road in a quiet residential area, with little passing traffic.

Website

Our website is stpaulsfurzedown.co.uk

Incumbent

Reverend [Biobelemoye] Belemo Alagoa is Associate Vicar

Bankers

NatWest – Tooting Branch – 30 Tooting High Street, SW17 0RG

Independent Examiner:

Mrs Paula Thomas, Chartered Accountant, London SW16

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THE PARISH OF ST PAUL’S, FURZEDOWN

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

The PCC of St Paul’s Furzedown has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent in promoting within the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church: pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. It is also responsible for maintaining and developing the building for the parish.

Trustees (being the members of the PCC)

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representational Rules. Those elected bring the skills required for the PCC and ensure the diversity reflects that of the parish.

PCC meetings

The PCC met six times during 2025 on 23 January, 27 March, 19 June, 17 July, 25 September and 20 November (plus a PCC Away Day on 21 June). During 2025, the members of the PCC were:

Ex officio
Reverend Belemo Alagoa Associate Vicar
Mr Graham Connell Reader;Church Warden[2023-Present]
Mr Malcolm Baker DeanerySynod[2023-2026]
Elected Members
Mr Ben Aryeetey [2025-2028]
Ms Georgie Buckler[2023-2026]
Ms Anita Codrington[2021-2027]
Ms Claire Neil[2022-2028]
Ms Lorna Nunn[2022-2028]
Ms Joan Poole, PCC Secretary 2021-[2021-2027]
Mrs Elspeth Greensmith[2024-2027]

All those listed are trustees at 31 December 2025 and at the date of this report.

Standing Committee

This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. It also prioritises and prepares the agenda for PCC meetings. The committee comprises the Incumbent, Churchwarden, Secretary, and two other members of the PCC appointed by the PCC.

Church Attendance

There were 50 members on the church Electoral Roll at the end of December 2025, some of whom attended regularly. Average attendance in October 2025 was 23. There was one baptism, one funeral and no marriages during the year. The congregation becomes increasingly old and infirm and the absence of many families and children continues to be of concern.

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Risk Management

The PCC has appointed a Safeguarding officer (supported by the vicar) to ensure full attention is paid to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults whilst in the building and attending events and services.

All volunteers assisting at the Youth Café (see review of the year) are DBS checked.

PCC Review of the Year 2025

Worship

Our regular pattern or worship continued throughout 2025. A service to affirm lay ministries was held at the beginning of February and members spoke of their roles in the church (including welcomer, bible reader, choir member, server). An All Souls service was held at the end of October, and was publicised in advance with notices outside the church.

Joint services with our sister churches, St Albans, St James and Mitcham Lane Baptist Church were held at times during the year. St Paul’s hosted two such services in August, the second of which (on the fifth Sunday) was also a healing service in which a large number of people came forward for prayer and anointing.

Music

The choir continued to enhance morning worship during 2025. New settings of the choral elements of the mass were introduced. Some unaccompanied anthems were sung. As in previous years there was a choral service during Holy Week, and at the start of Advent. As ever we thank Lorna Nunn for her work in organising these services and directing the choir. We also thank Peter Ramell who plays for us twice a month, along with John Mitchell and Ben Nunn who played for us on several occasions during 2025.

Bible Study and Prayer Group

Bible Study continued throughout 2025 with our ongoing study of the book of Acts, as guided by Tom Wright in his study book ‘Acts for Everyone’. This was only ‘seasonally’ interrupted by a dedicated Lent course, and ‘Responding to the Image of God’ by Joel Edwards during Advent, where we compared contemporary secular notions of respect with Bible teaching on the subject. We resolved to give further thought to re-establishing the prayer group.

Youth Café

A Youth Café was started at St Paul’s in September 2021 to provide a service to the many 6[th] formers from nearby Graveney School who gather in the vicinity at lunchtime and between lessons. The Youth Café is run by a team of volunteers from St Paul’s and other Furzedown churches. Open from 12.30 to 2.30pm on Tuesdays it has attracted a significant number of students (often around 150, on occasion over 200) who are invited to use the church to rest, work or play (chess, cards, or other games) as they see fit, whilst being treated to free drinks and biscuits (and homemade soup during the cold season). Some musicians among them provide entertainment on the church piano. The Café is clearly valued by the young people as a haven in which to ‘chill’ and it has provided volunteers with an opportunity to share their faith in a low-key, non-threatening manner when asked the reason for providing this service free of charge, with no strings attached. In a more general way, it may well be the case that most of these young people have rarely, if ever, crossed the threshold of a church building before. For each one of them, our prayer is that having received with grateful hearts the love of Christ we offer, a seed of faith might be sown there which the Holy Spirit will water and grow in the months and years ahead.

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Church Barbecue

In early July church members gathered in the garden of Chillerton Road vicarage (by very kind invitation of Belemo) to enjoy a barbecue and time to socialise.

Children’s Day

A Children’s Fun Day was held once more at the end of August, to mark the end of the summer holiday with an opportunity for local children and parents to take part in activities and enjoy refreshments in the church grounds. There was a bouncy castle much to the delight of the children.

Looking ahead to our centenary year

St Paul’s will mark its 100[th] birthday in June 2026. Throughout 2025 we were considering how to celebrate this occasion and plans were made for a special service (with invitations to special guests and past member) as well as a centenary booklet.

Joan Poole

Secretary to St Paul’s PCC

Church Warden’s Fabric Report 2025

Church Building

Further improvements and repairs to church lighting were undertaken throughout 2025. Ingresses of water towards the front end of the building have been noted during high winds and rain but given their sporadic nature and the small amount of penetration do not currently justify the expense of major repair work. The situation will be kept under close review.

A Quinquennial inspection of the church building was carried out in November by the church architect Tim Gough of Austin Winkley & Associates. The report concluded that the church was in reasonable condition but highlighted a number of matters that needed immediate attention, all essentially water related, i.e. pertaining to drains and gutters. The urgent work recommended has in the main already been completed. The opportunity was taken to seek the architect’s view on the suitability of the Crypt for renovation with a view to renting it out as potential office space. He advised that this was unlikely to be viable due to the lack of natural light.

A review of the electronic sound system was undertaken, it being recognised that the current system is now outdated. Lapel and hand-held wireless mics were felt desirable, as well as an upgrade to the loudspeakers and amplifier console to allow laptop inter-face. An upgrade package has subsequently been agreed by the PCC to be installed in 2026 ahead of the Centenary celebrations. The work will be carried out by DM Music.

The decision was taken to leave the Church Gate on Welham Road open during the summer months to allow access to the public. The gardens continue to be steadily enhanced by the work of our dedicated church gardeners , alongside the generous donations of (money for) bulbs, plants etc. by church members.

Seely Hall

The church continues to set aside money on a monthly basis for the replacement of the roof, recently quoted at over £200,000 by the church architect. The possibility of seeking a loan from the diocese remains open once sufficient funds have been saved. The bolt on the gate giving access to the area adjoining Mansard Beeches was fixed and fencing erected along the perimeter to prevent the depositing of rubbish by residents.

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A new signboard was put up outside Seely Hall giving contact information for booking the building at weekends. The hall continues to attract families with young children and generated, along with the Pentecostal Church that meets every Sunday, and the multi-faith prayer organisation that now meets once a month, thousands of pounds worth of additional income for St Paul’s throughout the year.

Tooting Deanery Synod Report 2025

During the past year the Tooting Deanery Synod met three times, providing opportunities for parishes to share experience, receive diocesan updates, and reflect together on the challenges and opportunities facing our churches. Each meeting opened with worship and prayer, grounding our discussions in the life of the Church.

Leadership

Revd Marcus Gibbs completed his five-year term as Area Dean in summer 2025 and was thanked for his dedicated service. Revd Jonathan MacNeaney (St Mary’s Balham) has now taken up the role and chaired the May 2026 meeting. He will be formally commissioned at the September synod. Parishes were reminded to elect new deanery synod representatives at their APCMs, with new members taking office on 1 July 2026.

Diocesan Finance

Financial pressures were a major theme across all meetings. Although parish contributions have risen, they have not kept pace with inflation, and only around a quarter of parishes currently meet their full ministry costs. The diocese remains financially sustainable until 2029, but reductions in expenditure are expected. Improvements to clergy pensions were approved nationally and will be funded from the pension scheme’s surplus, with no additional cost to dioceses.

Safeguarding

The Church of England has commissioned the INEQE Safeguarding Group to audit all dioceses and cathedrals. Southwark’s audit will take place in 2026, and parishes will be asked to contribute through a questionnaire.

Vacancy in See

Synod received updates on the process to appoint the next Bishop of Southwark. A diocesan “statement of need” has been prepared, and six diocesan representatives will join the Crown Nominations Committee. Parishes were encouraged to pray for the discernment process.

Children Youth and Families

The April 2025 meeting focused on supporting children and young people. Key themes included additional needs provision, volunteer shortages, and teenage disengagement. Recommended resources included Growing Hope, Urban Saints, Parenting for Faith, and the Kitchen Table Project. Grants for new initiatives are available through the diocese.

Parish Growth and Flourishing

In May 2026, synod members shared practical examples of what is helping their parishes grow. Themes included:

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Mission Partnerships

The Awareness Foundation presented their work promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East and developing new partnerships with local schools. Parishes were invited to host presentations.

Bereavement Support

A revised leaflet, Help and Support at the time of a Bereavement from your Local Church , was introduced to raise awareness of church funerals and pastoral support.

Financial Review for 2025

The activities of the parish insofar as they impinge upon the Statement of Financial Activities have been as follows:

  1. St Paul’s total income in 2025 amounted to £132,170 (a decrease from £136,932 in 2024) of which £4,600 was restricted. Total expenditure amounted to £92,182 (down from £114,480 in 2024). This represents a net movement in funds of £37,880. At the end of 2025 we had total net assets of £174,901 (£137,022 in 2024).

  2. Our principal source of income in 2025 remains the rent paid by the Eveline Day Nursery, long term tenants of the Seely Hall. The rent review commenced in 2023 resulted in a rent increase to £80,000 per annum from June 2025 and backdated to 2023. The nursery has honoured agreed schedules throughout. Additional income is generated by letting St Paul’s and the Seely Hall to two separate churches, and the Seely Hall for children’s parties. These activities take place at weekends in accordance with the lease agreement. It is regarded as important that the hall should remain available for community use.

  3. The Parish’s contribution to the central fund of the Diocese of Southwark (the Parish Support Fund) remained a significant item of expenditure at £30,000 for 2025 and has been paid in full. In anticipation of major repairs to our buildings, we were granted special dispensation by the Archdeacon to reduce our contribution in 2023 to £30,000 and this will be continued in 2026.

  4. St Paul's has maintained its regular contributions to the Furzedown Churches and the Furzedown Youth Centre of £100 each per month. We have omitted to make contributions to our tithed charities this year due to an administrative oversight.

  5. The cost of maintaining and repairing our ageing buildings has increased, and we are advised that the Seely Hall roof will need to be replaced within some five years. Additionally, the church roof is leaking. Therefore, since August 2024 we have designated £2000 monthly to be paid into the NatWest Liquidity Manager 95 Day Account. Its balance as at 31 December 2025 was £89,921. Conversations with the Diocese regarding the possibility of a loan to part-finance the work on Seely Hall have begun and other fund raising will continue in 2026. Additionally, we have the NatWest Current Account and funds in the Central Board of Finance Deposit Accounts. A separate fund has been established with generous donations to revive the Sunday School. This is likely to be a long-term aspiration as there are currently no children in the congregation to take advantage of this.

  6. Monthly giving by bankers’ orders decreased in 2025 but the open collection increased. Gift Aid was not claimed for 2025, but it has been accrued in this year’s accounts. The PCC continues to encourage the congregation to give to the Church in a regular and committed way using one of the stewardship schemes., but this has little effect. The generosity of the congregation of St Paul’s continues to be a source of both encouragement and humility, considering that they are so few.

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Reserves Policy

The term ‘reserves’ in this document is used to describe the part of a PCC’s income fund that is freely available for its general purposes. ‘Reserves’ are therefore the resources the PCC has available to spend for the church’s purposes once it has met its commitments and covered its other planned expenditure. In 2022, based on Diocesan guidance and particular features of St Paul’s, it was proposed that initial reserves comprise two months running expenses and two months hall income to cover unforeseen emergencies. Our overall financial situation in 2025 is healthier, but it would seem prudent to retain the same arrangements as last year, in anticipation of the predicted expenditure on the cost of centenary events

Reporting Accountants

Ms Paula Thomas has indicated her willingness to serve as Independent Examiner next year, for which we are very grateful, and a resolution re-appointing her will be proposed at the APCM.

Elspeth Greensmith PCC member

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THE PARISH OF ST PAUL’S CHURCH FURZEDOWN

Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025

Statement of PCC members’ responsibilities

The law requires PCC members to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the Parochial Church Council of St Paul’s Furzedown during the year and its financial position at the end of the year.

In preparing those financial statements, we are required to:

The PCC members are responsible for keeping accounting records, for safeguarding the assets of the organization, and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities, should they exist.

These accounts were approved by the PCC at its meeting on 19 March 2026. For and on behalf of the PCC:

Belemo Alagoa Associate Vicar

Elspeth Greensmith PCC member Date: 19 March 2026

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE PCC OF ST PAUL’S FURZEDOWN

This report is on the accounts of the PCC for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 11 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner

As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination no material matters have come to my attention which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have come across no other matters in connection with my examination to which attention should be drawn, in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Paula Thomas BSc FCA CTA 25 Westcote Road, London SW16 6BN Date: 4 April 2026

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ST PAUL'S CHURCH FURZEDOWN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

Notes
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
Incoming resources
Voluntary income
2(a)
Activities for generating funds
2(b)
Investment Income
2(c)
Church activities
2(d)
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Church activities
3(a)
Costs of generating funds
3(b)
Total resources expended
Net incoming resources before
other recognised gains/(losses)
Revaluation (losses)/gains on
investments
Net movement in funds
Balances b/fwd 1 January
Balances c/fwd 31 December		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
19,925
4,600
100,213
-
3,917
-
3,515
-
127,570
4,600
73,264
-
18,918
-
92,182
-
35,388
4,600
(2,109)
-		 Total
2025
£
2024
£
24,525
26,533
100,213
102,033
3,917
1,720
3,515
6,646
132,170
136,932
73,264
75,568
18,918
38,912
92,182
114,480
39,988
22,452
(2,109)
1,126
33,279
4,600		 37,879
23,578
130,782
6,240
164,061
10,840		 137,022
113,444
174,901
137,022

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ST PAUL'S CHURCH FURZEDOWN BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[st] DECEMBER 2025

Notes 2025 2024
£
 £
Current Assets
Cash at Bank :
NatWest Current Account 31,889 46,647
NatWest Liquidity 95 day Account 89,921 36,461
Central Board of Finance Deposit 4 51,219 51,871
Account
Debtors and Prepayments 5 5,917 6,598
Total Current Assets 178,946 141,577
Liabilities
Creditors - amounts falling due within one 6 4,045 4,555
year
Net Current Assets 174,901 137,022
Total Net Assets 170,901 137,022
Total Parish Funds 7
Unrestricted 164,061 130,782
Restricted 10,840 6,240
174,901 137,022

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 19 March 2026

Belemo Alagoa Chair

Elspeth Greensmith PCC member

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ST PAUL'S CHURCH FURZEDOWN

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTFOR YEAR ENDING 31[st] DECEMBER 2025

1 . ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation

The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of the PCCs, and with the Regulations’ “true and fair view” provisions, together with FRS 102 (2017) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2017 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities, (SORP (FRS 102)). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

1.2 Going concern

The Trustees have considered income and expenditure for 2026 and set a budget for the year which reflects a similar net surplus to that of last year, approximately £20K. Consequently, the PCC is confident that this indicates that the charity is a going concern.

1.3 Fixed assets

Purchases are written off in the year of purchase.

1.4 The Church building

The activities of the PCC take place at which is owned by the Church of England (Southwark Diocese). The PCC is responsible for the repair of the Church building and for safeguarding the Church building and assets. All repairs and development expenditure is charged to the income and expenditure account.

1.5 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.

Restricted Funds are those funds which must be spent on specific purposes.

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law.

1.6 Incoming Resources

Planned giving, collections and donations are recognised when received. Tax recoverable under Gift Aid is recognized when the incoming resource to which it relates is received.

Grants and legacies are accounted for when the PCC is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable, and its ultimate receipt by the PCC is reasonably certain.

Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue.

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

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1.7 Resources Expended

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid, or when awarded if that award creates a binding or constructive obligation on the PCC. The diocesan contribution or parish share is accounted for when due.

2. Incoming resources
(a) Voluntary income
Monthly giving by bankers orders
Open collection
Gift aid
(b) Activities for generating funds
Seely hall rentals
Calendars
Centenary celebration
Fun day
Lent collection
(c) Investment Income
Dividends on CCLA funds
Bank Interest
(d) Church activities
Wedding/funerals/baptism fees
Contribution for use of church
Total income		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2025
£
2024
£
7,580
-
7,580
8,860
8,018
4,600
12,618
12,971
4,327
-
4,327
4,702
19,925
4,600
24,525
26,533
100,051
-
100,051
101,633
135
-
135
223
-
-
42
-
-
-
30
27
-
27
105
100,213
-
100,213
102,033
1,457
-
1,457
1,384
2,460
-
2,460
336
3,917
-
3,917
1,720
615
-
615
806
2,900
-
2,900
5,840
3,515
-
3,515
6,646
127,570
4,600
132,170
136,932

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3. Expenditure
(a) Church activities
Mission giving and donations
Furzedown Churches
Furzedown Youth Centre
Mercy Ships
Welcare
Lent Appeal
Diocesan parish contribution
Maintenance and repairs
Lighting and heating
Water
Insurance
Choir and organ expenses
Printing and stationery
Grounds /memorial garden
General expenses
Professional fees
Administration/ caretaker costs
Cleaning
Rubbish collection
Tooting area dean fund
(b) Costs of generating funds
Seely hall expenses
Total expenditure		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2025
£
2024
£
1,200
-
1,200
1,200
1,200
-
1,200
3,300
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
250
2,400
-
2,400
6,750
30,000
-
30,000
30,000
19,769
-
19,769
19,626
2,004
-
2,004
3,718
255
-
255
237
4,883
-
4,883
4,676
614
-
614
760
576
-
576
943
2,600
-
2,600
1,139
2,824
-
2,824
1,653
1,245
-
1,245
675
1,914
-
1,914
1,370
2,481
-
2,481
2,298
1,339
-
1,339
1,363
360
-
360
360
73,264
-
73,264
75,568
18,918
-
18,918
38,912
18,918
-
18,918
38,912
92,182
-
92,182
114,480

4. Investments

Investments are stated in the Balance Sheet at Market Value. The Central Board of Finance of Church of England shares, and the 4% Consolidated Stocks are valued at bid market price on the nearest valuation dated 31st December 2025.

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5. Debtors 2025 2024
£
 £
Seely Hall - Light/Heat etc 5,526
 6,598
Accrued Income 391
 -
**5,917 **
6,598
6. Creditors 2025 2024
£
 £
Accruals 2,493 3,405
Gift Aid to be refunded 1,552 1,150
4,045 4,555
7. Total Parish Funds 2025 2024
£
 £
Unrestricted funds:
General Fund 74,140 94,321
Designated Fund – Seely Hall roof repairs 89,921 36,461
Total unrestricted funds 164,061 130,782
Restricted funds:
Church Roof repairs 4,840 2,240
Sunday School 6,000 4,000
Total restricted funds 10,840 6,240

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