THE PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, SOUTH WOODFORD
REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL TO THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2022
Most of this report covers the period since the last Annual Meeting in May 2021. But because the Church of England’s accounting year is the calendar year, the accounts and financial commentary relate to the whole of 2021.
Aims and objectives
The Parochial Church Council has responsibilities under both church and charity law. As the governing body of Holy Trinity church, its role is to cooperate with the clergy and other members of the ministry team in promoting the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. As our church is now a registered charity, the members of the Council also have responsibilities as trustees of the charity.
As a church, we are committed to worshipping God, loving one another and serving the community. We seek to be Christ-centred, Bible-based and Spirit-led. Our mission is to achieve numerical growth, spiritual depth and community renewal.
People
By the time of the Annual Meeting, our incumbent, the Revd Abi Todd, will have been formally inducted as Vicar of the parish. Until now, her title has been Priest-in-Charge. The change makes Abi’s appointment permanent and demonstrates the confidence which the Diocese has in her and in the future of the parish. It is a pleasure for the Parochial Church Council to continue to work in support of Abi and her ministry at Holy Trinity.
We were also delighted in July 2021 to welcome the Revd Jonathan Huff as Curate. His appointment is further evidence that the Diocese is ready to commit resources to God’s work in this place, and he has brought great enthusiasm to the role.
A growing staff team has been working alongside Abi and Jonathan. Lizzy Plummer worked at Holy Trinity as Children’s, Families and Youth Pastor from June 2021 to February 2022; Issy Williamson, our former intern, has been appointed as her successor. Our current intern, Daniel Dadala, has been with us since September 2021; and in the same month Simon Todd took up a temporary position as Projects Director to give a kick-start to a number of practical matters. The team has had admin support from Jessie Baker between November 2021 and March 2022; and more recently from Mona Herald. We are indebted to everyone in the team for the contributions they have made.
On the Parochial Church Council, we have enjoyed a period of stability. We have had the same membership over the past year as in the year before (with the addition of Jonathan since his arrival); and our work has also been helped by being able to meet in person again since the easing of the covid rules.
A great many other people have contributed hugely, mostly on a voluntary basis, to life at Holy Trinity over the past year. For example, more than 50 people contributed to the running of the services and other events at Christmas 2021. It is impossible to name everyone here, but we are very grateful to them all for their invaluable service.
Worship, study and other activities
In the year since the last Annual Meeting, we have been able to worship in church every week without the disruptions of the previous fifteen months. It was a great boon to be able to meet online during the pandemic, and people were able to join us who cannot be with us in person; it has been even better to come together again and share in communal worship.
The pattern of Sunday morning services, with a Traditional Eucharist using the liturgy of Common Worship at 9.00am followed by an All-Age Eucharist in a more contemporary style at 10.45am, is now firmly established and working well. Since covid restrictions were eased, tea and coffee have been available between the services; this has provided an opportunity for members of the two congregations to come together on a social basis.
There have continued to be three other opportunities for communal worship each week – Evening Prayer on Sundays, followed by Bible study; an early morning online prayer meeting on Tuesdays; and a midweek service of Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings – as well as special services on major festivals and a few other occasions.
Two Alpha courses have been held over the past year, from April to June 2021 and from January to March 2022. Another is planned for the autumn. The courses have provided an opportunity for people at different stages of their journey to discuss key questions of faith. A course on Living in Love and Faith was held, also from January to March 2022, as part of the Church of England’s exploration of issues about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. Our three small groups have continued to meet weekly through the past year for study and discussion, two online and one in person; additional groups are being planned.
Provision for young people has remained at the core of our mission. For children up to and including primary school age, a regular Sunday School has met as a break-out from the 10.45am service on Sundays in term-time, and a number of family events have been organised. For the older age group, a range of activities have taken place, both on Sundays and during the week, to make the most of their enthusiasm; the programme continues to evolve. Our Tots and Tinys group for pre-school children and their parents and carers has continued to meet on Thursday afternoons.
Other church groups have resumed regular meetings since the pandemic: the Mothers’ Union, Trinity Fitness, the Book Club and the Gardening Club. The choir meets weekly to practise for the 9.00am service on Sundays, and the worship band whose members provide the music for the 10.45am service meets as a group quarterly. An innovation during the year has been Trinity Pub Time, a fortnightly social session at the Railway Bell. In November 2021, our annual fireworks display was able to take place again after being cancelled in 2020: the event drew by far its largest audience yet.
Our mission includes outreach to the community, locally and further afield. Charities supported during the year include the Children’s Society through the annual box opening; Mill Grove and Redbridge Food Bank with our harvest; and Crisis through the Christmas post scheme. We worked with other churches to offer a presence at the South Woodford street market on Easter Day. Oakdale School visited Holy Trinity for their Christmas service. We put a leaflet about Christmas services through every door in the parish; and Parish News was issued monthly to a range of neighbours and former church members.
Around the site
During the past year, two major projects have been completed in the church: complete redecoration and a versatile new lighting system. Combined with the earlier creation of a social space at the back of the church, the result is a brighter and more appealing building, as well as one which better serves a range of worship styles and other uses. A number of issues relating to the church heating system have also been addressed.
In 2021, Historic England received an application from a private individual for the church to be listed as a building of special historic or architectural interest. After a site visit and the compilation of a detailed report, it was decided that the building did not meet the listing criteria.
A considerable amount of work has taken place during the year in the church hall: to improve the safety and resilience of the electrical system, to create a new fire protection system, and to make the toilets pleasanter and more hygienic. The hall now meets basic standards for our own purposes and for external hire, though it still falls short of providing the range of facilities we would like to see.
The grounds have been maintained to a reasonable standard, thanks to the efforts of the Gardening Club and others who have kept the grass mown. More could be achieved if we had more volunteers for this work.
Two areas currently under investigation where significant work may be required in the near future are the church organ and the external drainage. Otherwise, the latest five-yearly architect’s inspection of the premises suggested a number of areas where routine maintenance is required, but nothing which alarmed us.
More excitingly, the Parochial Church Council has decided that the time is right to consider again the possibility of redeveloping parts of the site, following the collapse in 2017 of an earlier scheme centred on the provision of a new multi-purpose hall alongside the church. The Council has appointed a Project Board to identify our needs as a church and those of the local area, and to consider how they can best be met. We will consult and update church members and representatives of the local community at appropriate stages before decisions are taken.
Finance
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2021 are attached.
In accordance with legal requirements, the accounts are divided into unrestricted and restricted funds. Unrestricted funds result from general fundraising and may be used for any purpose. Restricted funds are those which are given to the church for specific purposes. The Notes to the Financial Statements explain the funds more fully.
The law also requires us to have our Financial Statements reviewed by an Independent Examiner. Jon Groom has once more been kind enough to give his time and auditing skills to this task. His report, which is attached, raises no issues.
Following the steep rise in voluntary giving in 2020, there was a further increase in 2021, reaching a total of £102,500 compared with £85,500 the previous year. Along with a Gift Aid rebate at twice the 2020 level, this has been crucial in allowing the church to meet significant maintenance expenditure at the same time as covering staffing costs and equipping itself for growing levels of activity. Our other main sources of income were hall rents, beginning to recover after the pandemic; a donation from All Saints, Woodford Wells which we have used to fund the Project Director post; a bequest from former church member Dennis Carney; and the proceeds of the fireworks display.
All parishes are obliged to pay a sum to the Diocese each year, known as the Parish Share, as a contribution to the costs of providing parish clergy and central Diocesan services. Many parishes have struggled with this charge recently, and it is gratifying that we were able to meet our share - £59,700 - in full. For capital works, we continue to be able to draw on Betty Wheel’s legacy, which covered the church redecoration and lighting and retains some funding for further activity.
The Hardship Fund, set up in 2020 in the knowledge that some local people would be experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic, continues to be available, though only limited use was made of it in 2021. The fund may become very relevant again in this time of sharp increases in the cost of living; anyone who thinks it could be of benefit to themselves or others is invited to approach Abi in confidence.
Charity law requires the Parochial Church Council to develop and report policies on reserves. The Council’s policy is to hold reserves in the General Fund sufficient to meet expenditure from that fund for a period of three months, and after that, to the extent that it is possible, to set money aside in a designated fund to be used as and when necessary to cover increased levels of missional activity. In keeping with this policy, we set aside £16,000 at the end of 2021 to establish a Future Mission Reserve.
In accordance with its fiduciary duty, the Parochial Church Council keeps a close watch on expenditure and ensures there is an audit trail for the Independent Examiner to follow. There is no legal requirement to maintain a risk register, but the Council believes the systems it has established are appropriate to minimise risk, safeguard its assets and prevent fraud.
Membership of the Parochial Church Council
The following have served as members of the Parochial Church Council for 2021/22:
The Revd Abi Todd Vicar, Chairman The Revd Jonathan Huff Curate (from July 2021) Linda Adams-Avornyo John Barlow Jane Burgess Andries Cilliers Churchwarden Andy Coombes Les Crossland Licensed Lay Minister, Deanery Synod Representative Jon Folwell Paul Hamilton Gary King Churchwarden Eleanor Lightbody Ian McBrayne Treasurer Monica Napier John Thurley Deputy Warden, Deanery Synod Representative, Vice-Chairman Emma Williamson Secretary
THE PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, SOUTH WOODFORD
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2021
A. RECEIPTS
Unrestricted funds
| General Fund | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary giving | ||
| Online giving | 54,964.30 | 40,255.93 |
| Stewardship envelopes | 7,565.00 | 9,347.20 |
| Loose collections | 3,387.81 | 2,817.48 |
| Gift Day | 6,905.00 | 6,215.00 |
| Donations | 29,772.66 | 26,977.43 |
| Gift Aid tax rebate | 15,706.60 | 7,846.19 |
| Events and fundraising (see note A1) | 4,888.77 | 984.00 |
| Receipts from church activities | ||
| Hall rents | 20,633.20 | 17,388.78 |
| Fees for weddings and funerals | 2,316.00 | 716.00 |
| Magazine sales | 362.00 | 296.50 |
| Donation from All Saints, Woodford Wells | 7,000.00 | - |
| Other receipts (see note A2) | 3,166.74 | 1,509.46 |
| Total General Fund | 156,668.08 | 114,353.97 |
| Hardship Fund | 140.00 | 2,454.62 |
| Future Mission Reserve | ||
| Transfer from General Fund | 16,000.00 | - |
| Total unrestricted receipts | 172,808.08 | 116,808.59 |
| Restricted funds | ||
| Charities Fund(see note A3) | 447.00 | 752.78 |
| Betty Wheel’s Legacy | ||
| Deposit account interest | 124.83 | 1,025.42 |
| Robert Hampson’s Bequest | - | 16,047.44 |
| Dennis Carney’s Bequest | 5,000.35 | - |
| Azalea Fund | 693.10 | - |
| Intern Fund | ||
| Contribution to support of intern | 150.00 | 2,200.00 |
| Transfer from General Fund | 773.86 | - |
| Youth Pastor Fund | ||
| Grant to employ Youth Pastor | - | 28,032.00 |
| Total restricted receipts | 7,189.14 | 48,057.64 |
| Total all receipts | 179,997.22 | 164,866.23 |
B. PAYMENTS Unrestricted funds
| B. PAYMENTS Unrestricted funds |
||
|---|---|---|
| General Fund | 2021 | 2020 |
| Parish Share | 59,750.00 | 59,716.00 |
| Clergy and staff (see note B1) | 6,960.96 | 2,020.00 |
| Caretaker | 7,970.00 | 7,680.00 |
| Church running costs | ||
| Church insurance | 4,530.75 | 4,470.19 |
| Church heat and light | 4,183.79 | 4,217.23 |
| Other church expenses (see note B2) | 2,543.59 | 1,888.90 |
| Organist | 2,610.00 | 1,260.00 |
| Conduct of services (see note B3) | 3,045.43 | 624.72 |
| Printing and office supplies (see note B4) 2,288.11 | 879.67 | |
| Technology (see note B5) | 1,563.37 | - |
| Children and youth work (see note B6) | 995.27 | - |
| Hall running costs | ||
| Hall insurance | 2,323.09 | 2,290.97 |
| Hall heat and light | 4,134.43 | 4,641.40 |
| Other hall expenses (see note B7) | 21,716.73 | 5,251.02 |
| Upkeep of churchyard (see note B8) | 3,225.70 | 82.50 |
| Costs of events and fundraising (see note B9) | 3,457.75 | 262.00 |
| Other payments (see note B10) | 2,208.45 | 3,998.41 |
| Transfer to Robert Hampson’s Bequest | - | 2,047.44 |
| Transfer to Intern Fund | 773.86 | - |
| Transfer to Future Mission Reserve | 16,000.00 | |
| Total General Fund | 150,281.28 | 101,330.45 |
| Hardship Fund -Support for people in need | 700.00 | 1,411.78 |
| Totalpayments from unrestricted funds | 150,981.28 | 102,742.23 |
| Restricted funds | ||
| Organ Fund | ||
| Organ tuning | 960.00 | 926.26 |
| Charities Fund(see note B11) | 447.00 | 752.78 |
| Woodford Parochial Charities | ||
| Support for people in need | - | 710.00 |
| Betty Wheel’s Legacy(see note B12) | 44,605.64 | 33,381.26 |
| Robert Hampson’s Bequest | - | 33,933.04 |
| Intern Fund(see note B13) | 2,323.86 | 800.00 |
| Youth Pastor Fund(see note B14) | 15,698.15 | - |
| Totalpayments from restricted funds | 64,034.65 | 70,503.34 |
| Total all payments | 215,015.93 | 173,245.57 |
C. BALANCE SHEET
For each fund, the balance at the end of the year and the change in-year were as follows:
| 31.12.2021 | 31.12.2020 | Increase/(decrease) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund | 33,781.61 | 27,394.81 | 6,386.80 | |
| Kent and Sussex Contract Fund25,000.00 | 25,000.00 | - | ||
| Hardship Fund | 482.84 | 1,042.84 | (560.00) | |
| Future Mission Reserve | 16,000.00 | - | 16,000.00 | |
| Organ Fund | 8,233.36 | 9,193.36 | (960.00) | |
| Charities Fund | - | - | - | |
| Betty Wheel’s Legacy | 141,388.57 | 185,869.38 | (44,480.81) | |
| Intern Fund | - | 1,400.00 | (1,400.00) | |
| Youth Pastor Fund | 12,333.85 | 28,032.00 | (15,698.15) | |
| Azalea Fund | 693.10 | - | 693.10 | |
| Dennis Carney’s Bequest | 5,000.35 | - | 5,000.35 | |
| Total all funds | 242,913.68 | 277,932.39 | (35,018.71) | |
| The money was held in bank accounts as follows: | ||||
| Barclays Bank – current | 51,570.02 | 26,713.56 | ||
| Central Board of Finance – deposit191,343.66 | 251,218.83 | |||
| Total all accounts | 242,913.68 | 277,932.39 |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
General
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations on a receipts and payments basis.
The moveable assets owned by the Parochial Church Council have not been valued in the statements.
No payments were made in the year to members of the Parochial Church Council in relation to their duties.
The General Fund relates to the general purpose receipts of the church and its day-to-day running costs.
The Kent and Sussex Contract Fund holds money payable to the church by the contractors Kent and Sussex under the contract for a new hall on which they subsequently defaulted.
The Hardship Fund was set up to support people in need, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Future Mission Reserve was established in 2021 to hold funds set aside for future use on the mission work of the church.
The Organ Fund holds donations made for the refurbishment and subsequent maintenance of the church organ.
The Charities Fund holds money donated for charitable purposes.
The Parochial Church Council have agreed that interest earned on the deposit account with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England shall be applied to the amount of Betty Wheel’s Legacy.
Notes about receipts
A1. Events and fundraising
| A1. Events and fundraising | |
|---|---|
| Restoration Club subscriptions | 720.00 |
| Glow in the Dark party | 40.10 |
| Fireworks display | 4,128.67 |
| TOTAL | 4,888.77 |
| A2. Other receipts | |
| Insurance receipts | 1,915.00 |
| Scout Hall ground rent | 40.00 |
| Bible Reading Fellowship subs | 256.50 |
| Votive candles | 81.63 |
| Return of deposit on shredder | 400.00 |
| Refund for returned purchases | 344.66 |
| Refund for purchases in error | 128.95 |
| TOTAL | 3,166.74 |
| A3. Charities Fund | |
| Christmas post (2020) | 40.00 |
| Christmas post (2021) | 185.00 |
| Beavers’ harvest cake sale | 222.00 |
| TOTAL | 447.00 |
Betty Wheel’s Legacy was left to the church for the purpose of major capital expenditure.
The Intern Fund holds money received to support the engagement of an intern.
The Youth Pastor Fund holds money received as a grant to cover the employment of a youth pastor.
The Azalea Fund was set up in 2021 to hold money on behalf of a church member which she has raised in support of the charity Azalea.
Dennis Carney’s Bequest was received in 2021 for use on the fabric of the church building.
Two other funds referred to in these statements operated in 2020 but not in 2021:
- Money from the Woodford Parochial Charities is distributed to churches for the benefit of people in need in the ancient parish of Woodford. No distribution has been received in the past two years, and the money we held was exhausted in 2020.
Notes about payments
B1. Clergy and staff
| B1. Clergy and staff | |
|---|---|
| Clergy expense grants | 2,650.00 |
| Staff salaries and overheads | 3,286.66 |
| Conference and training | 870.00 |
| Refreshments | 119.30 |
| Welcome gift | 35.00 |
| TOTAL | 6,960.96 |
B2. Other church expenses
| B2. Other church expenses | |
|---|---|
| Fire extinguisher test and supplies | 192.71 |
| Lightning conductor inspection | 208.06 |
| Boiler servicing and repair | 2,007.43 |
| Key cutting | 50.00 |
| Defibrillator batteries | 50.00 |
| First aid kit | 35.39 |
| TOTAL |
2,543.59 |
- Robert Hampson’s Bequest was left to the church to further its growth through mission activities. The last of the bequest was spent in 2020.
B3. Conduct of services
B8. Upkeep of churchyard
| B8. Upkeep of churchyard | |
|---|---|
| Tree felling and clearance | 1,248.00 |
| Drainage survey |
1,050.00 |
| Floodlighting repair | 72.00 |
| External lights | 149.25 |
| Deposit on shredder (refunded) | 400.00 |
| Revisions to noticeboard | 160.00 |
| Equipment and supplies | 146.45 |
| TOTAL |
3,225.70 |
| Marriage register | 25.00 | Tree felling and clearance | 1,248.00 | |
| Altar supplies | 180.30 | Drainage survey |
1,050.00 | |
| Copyright licences | 806.81 | Floodlighting repair | 72.00 | |
| Musicians | 220.00 | External lights | 149.25 | |
| Special services Welcome team kit Tea and coffee kit and supplies |
516.21 36.31 1,260.80 |
Deposit on shredder (refunded) Revisions to noticeboard Equipment and supplies |
400.00 160.00 146.45 |
|
| TOTAL |
3,225.70 | |||
| TOTAL | 3,045.43 | |||
| B9. Cost of events and fundraising | ||||
| B4. Printing and office supplies | ||||
| Restoration Club prizes | 260.00 | |||
| Laptop | 450.00 | Small Group supplies | 124.00 | |
| Laser printer | 364.99 | Parish picnics | 107.80 | |
| Toner for printers | 509.13 | Family film afternoon | 20.35 | |
| Office equipment and supplies | 182.15 | Fireworks display |
1,491.43 | |
| Banners and posters | 457.16 | Glow in the Dark party | 410.39 | |
| Other printing | 250.10 | Christmas in the Car Park | 1,043.78 | |
| Leaflet holder and postbox | 66.66 | TOTAL |
3,457.75 | |
| Postage | 7.92 | |||
| TOTAL | 2,288.11 | B10. Other payments | ||
| B5. Technology | Wedding and funeral fees New Wine conference fees |
1,403.00 270.00 |
||
| AV and streaming kit | 981.90 | Bible Reading Fellowship notes | 256.50 | |
| Wifi subscription Domaine registration Website hosting |
81.00 14.39 92.40 |
Purchase of flowers Gift for Bishop Peter Charged in error (refunded) |
100.00 50.00 128.95 |
|
| ChurchSuite subscription | 156.00 | TOTAL | 2,208.45 | |
| ProPresenter licence | 141.68 | |||
| Office 365 set-up | 96.00 | B11. Missions Fund | ||
| TOTAL | 1,563.37 | Redbridge Foodbank Mill Grove |
111.00 111.00 |
|
| B6. Children and youth | Crisis | 225.00 | ||
| Sunday School | 71.15 | TOTAL | 447.00 | |
| Youth | 469.21 | |||
| Tots and Tinys | 58.82 | B12. Betty Wheel’s Legacy | ||
| Toddler Corner | 194.61 | Church redecoration |
40,299.64 | |
| Welcome event s | 156.48 | Church lighting |
4,306.00 | |
| Farewell gift | 45.00 | TOTAL |
44,605.64 | |
| TOTAL | 995.27 | |||
| B13. Intern Fund | ||||
| B7. Other hall expenses | ||||
| Waste collection 1,293.50 Electrical work 10,189.44 Fire extinguisher test and supplies 192.69 |
Accommodation and subsistence Training Travel expenses |
2,200.00 65.00 58.86 |
||
| Fire protection system | 3,824.46 | TOTAL |
2,323.86 | |
| Boiler servicing and repair | 534.00 | |||
| Toilet repairs and improvements | 4,190.50 | B14. Youth Pastor Fund | ||
| Drainpipe and gully repair Chimney breast repair Roof repair Key cutting |
400.00 90.00 820.00 50.00 |
Salary and overheads Training Disclosure and Barring check |
15,355.35 65.00 40.00 |
|
| First aid kit | 72.14 | Recruitment advertisement | 110.00 | |
| Fluorescent tubes | 60.00 | Payroll management fee | 127.80 | |
| TOTAL |
21,716.73 | TOTAL |
15,698.15 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF HOLY TRINITY, HERMON HILL, SOUTH WOODFORD
I report on the accounts of the Parochial Church Council for the year ended 31[st] December 2021, which are attached.
Respective responsibilities of the Parochial Church Council and the Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees 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:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow 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 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 explanation from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
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, or to prepare accounts which accord with those accounting records, have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jon Groom ACIB Independent Examiner