**THE PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, SOUTH WOODFORD**
## **REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL TO THE ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 2023**
Most of this report covers the period since the last Annual Meeting in May 2022. But because the Church of England’s accounting year is the calendar year, the accounts and financial commentary relate to calendar year 2022.
## **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 the Council is a registered charity, its members also have responsibilities as trustees of the charity.
As a church, our core principles are to be Christ-centred, Bible-based and Spirit-led. Our core values are compassion, courage and creativity. Our mission is to achieve numerical growth, spiritual depth and community renewal.
## **People**
It is a pleasure for the Council to continue to work in support of the Vicar, the Revd Abi Todd, and the Curate, the Revd Jonathan Huff, as they carry out their ministry at Holy Trinity. Their energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and under their leadership the church has continued to move forward over the past year. It was a great joy when Jonathan, previously serving as a deacon, was ordained priest at a service at Holy Trinity in October.
Alongside Abi and Jonathan, Issy Williamson has been working as our Children’s, Families and Youth Pastor since last May. She has brought a real zest to the work. From June, Simon Todd’s role expanded to be Head of Projects and Operations. Both aspects have benefitted greatly from his organisational and project management skills. Warm thanks also to intern Daniel Dadala, who left us last June to take up theological studies back in India; Victor Verdan, intern at All Saints Woodford Wells, who has been providing us with assistance on a part-time basis; and Mona Herald, who was our administrator until October.
We were pleased to welcome Elinor Jones, who joined the Council at last year’s Annual Meeting, when Jon Folwell and Eleanor Lightbody stood down; our thanks to them for their service. We are grateful to Emma Williamson for taking on an additional role as a second Deputy Warden. Otherwise, Council membership continues as before.
A great many other people have contributed hugely, mostly on a voluntary basis, to life at Holy Trinity over the past year. For example, around 40 people appear on one or more of the rotas relating to our Sunday services. It is impossible to name everyone here, but we are very grateful to them all for their invaluable service. Without such committed lay support the church could not function.
## **Worship, study and other activities**
We are grateful to have had a year without any of the disruptions which plagued us during the pandemic. The pattern of Sunday morning services, with a Traditional Eucharist using the liturgy of Common Worship at 9.00am followed by an All-Age Service in a more contemporary style at 10.45am, continues to work well. Since the beginning of 2023, the later service has only included Eucharist in alternate weeks, with other forms of worship, usually prayer ministry, included in the other weeks. We have been delighted to resume
our thrice-yearly parade services and welcome the uniformed organisations back into church. Our free café between the services has been well received and offers an excellent opportunity for fellowship, though it would be good if the two congregations overlapped more.
Provision for young people has remained at the core of our mission, currently delivered through four groups. Our Tots and Tinys group for pre-school children and their parents and carers meets on Thursday afternoons. For children up to and including primary school age, a regular Sunday School meets as a break-out from the 10.45am service on Sundays. Youth Lighthouse welcomes kids of upper junior/lower secondary age on Wednesday evenings, and Youth Fireplace for older youth meets on Sunday afternoons. These are all term-time groups; a number of other events have been organised for young people, especially in the school holidays.
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, now on Thursdays; and a midweek service of Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings. A midday prayer meeting in church on Tuesdays is to start shortly. Special services have been held on major festivals and a few other occasions.
An Alpha course was held in autumn 2022, providing an opportunity for people at different stages of their journey to discuss key questions of faith. Our first Salt session, a morning of encouragement and encounter for women, was held in November and another is being planned for May. Our three small groups have continued to meet throughout the past year for study and discussion, two online and one in person.
Open Table, a monthly early evening meal open free of charge to absolutely everyone in the community, young or old, with church connections or not, was introduced in January and has proved a great success. Other events to which we have welcomed the local community have been our annual fireworks display and celebrations for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and at Christmas.
Other church groups which meet regularly are the Mothers’ Union, Trinity Fitness, the Book Club, the Gardening Club and Trinity Pub Time. 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.
Charities supported during 2022 include the Children’s Society through the annual box opening; Mill Grove and Redbridge Foodbank with our harvest; and Crisis through the Christmas post scheme. From January 2023, we are giving monthly financial support to the Foodbank and four charities working with disadvantaged and oppressed people overseas.
## **Around the site**
Project Arclight is the name we have chosen for our plans to make more effective use of the church site for the future delivery of our mission objectives. Our vision for the project includes a new hall adjoining the south side of the church, designed and equipped to modern standards to meet the needs of present and future users, along with a publicly accessible children’s playground and café. We aim to cover the cost by turning part of the site over to residential use. In the process, we hope to add to the local stock of affordable housing.
The work is being overseen by a project board, appointed by the Council and chaired by Simon Todd. Architects have been appointed, and discussions have been held with stakeholders to refine our understanding of the facilities required. The next step will be to produce initial designs ready for pre-planning discussions with Redbridge Council. We shall
continue to inform and consult church members and other interested parties, including local neighbours, at appropriate stages.
As regards our existing infrastructure, the past year has been much quieter, and less expensive, than the previous one. The largest item of expenditure on the church was for reinstatement after a break-in (largely covered by insurance) and the consequent installation of a security system. In the hall, we acquired and fitted a new gas cooker in the kitchen and new hand-dryers in the toilets. Greater detail on matters relating to premises and property will be found in the Churchwardens’ report to the Annual Meeting.
## **Finance**
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 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 increases in voluntary giving in the previous two years, the amount given in 2022 fell back somewhat, amounting to £78,750 compared with £102,500 in 2021. This dip was partly offset by increases in the Gift Aid rebate and hall rents.
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. For the third consecutive year we were able to pay our share in full, which many parishes struggle to do. There is, however, a cloud on the horizon: the Diocese has changed the way in which Parish Share is calculated, meaning that we are being asked to pay £22,000 more in 2023 than 2022. Recognising a strong moral obligation to meet this charge, the Council has committed to try to cope with the increase, with the assistance of a grant kindly being provided by All Saints.
Charity law requires the 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. We finished 2022 with marginally lower reserves than at the start of the year, and there was no money to set aside. For a number of reasons, the Council foresees more difficulty in maintaining reserve levels in 2023.
In accordance with its fiduciary duty, the 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 Council for 2022/23:
The Revd Abi Todd Vicar, Chairman The Revd Jonathan Huff Curate Linda Adams-Avornyo John Barlow Jane Burgess Andries Cilliers Churchwarden Andy Coombes Les Crossland Licensed Lay Minister, Deanery Synod Representative Paul Hamilton Elinor Jones Gary King Churchwarden Ian McBrayne Treasurer Monica Napier John Thurley Deputy Warden, Deanery Synod Representative, Vice-Chairman Emma Williamson Deputy Warden, Secretary
**THE PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, SOUTH WOODFORD**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2022**
## **A. RECEIPTS**
## **Unrestricted funds**
|**_General Fund_**|**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Voluntary giving|||
|Online regular giving|55,469.17|54,964.30|
|Stewardship envelopes|6,075.00|7,565.00|
|Online one-off giving|160.25|-|
|Loose collections|4,643.21|3,387.81|
|Gift Day|6,503.10|6,905.00|
|Other donations|5,900.00|29,772.66|
|Gift Aid tax rebate|19,049.62|15,706.60|
|Events and fundraising (see note A1)|4,810.11|4,888.77|
|Receipts from church activities|||
|Hall rents|25,907.60|20,633.20|
|Fees for weddings and funerals|732.00|2,316.00|
|Contributions for magazine|140.00|362.00|
|Donation from All Saints, Woodford Wells|-|7,000.00|
|Other receipts (see note A2)|4,630.23|3,166.74|
|**_Total General Fund_**|**134,020.29**
|**156,668.08**|
|**_Hardship Fund_**|220.00|140.00|
|**_Future Mission Reserve_**|||
|Transfer from General Fund|-|16,000.00|
|**Total unrestricted receipts**|**134,240.29**
|**172,808.08**|
|**Restricted funds**|||
|**_Charities Fund_**(see note A3)|145.00|447.00|
|**_Betty Wheel’s Legacy_**|||
|Deposit account interest|2,133.30|124.83|
|**_Dennis Carney’s Bequest_**|-|5,000.35|
|**_Azalea Fund_**|-|693.10|
|**_Intern Fund_**|**-**|923.86|
|**_Youth Pastor Fund_**|||
|Grant to employ Youth Pastor|29,600.25|-|
|**_Development Fund_**|||
|Donation towards Project Arclight|15,000.00||
|---|---|---|
|**_Woodford Parochial Charities_**|818.00||
|**Total restricted receipts**|**47,696.55**|**7,189.14**|
|**Total all receipts**|**181,936.84**
|**179,997.22**|
## **B. PAYMENTS**
## **Unrestricted funds**
|**_General Fund_**|**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Parish Share|57,538.97|59,750.00|
|Clergy and staff (see note B1)|18,700.18|6,960.96|
|Caretaker|8,330.00|7,970.00|
|Church running costs|||
|Church insurance|4,956.26|4,530.75|
|Church heat and light|4,842.82|4,183.79|
|Other church expenses (see note B2)|10,482.52|2,543.59|
|Organist|3,150.00|2,610.00|
|Conduct of services (see note B3)|2,428.94|3,045.43|
|Printing and office supplies (see note B4) 2,763.08||2,288.11|
|Technology (see note B5)|1,773.73|1,563.37|
|Children and youth work (see note B6)|1,978.69|995.27|
|Hall running costs|||
|Hall insurance|2,467.12|2,323.09|
|Hall heat and light|7,505.80|4,134.43|
|Other hall expenses (see note B7)|4.036.86|21,716.73|
|Upkeep of churchyard (see note B8)|680.64|3,225.70|
|Costs of events and fundraising (see note B9)|5,108.98|3,457.75|
|Other payments (see note B10)|679.90|2,208.45|
|Transfer to Intern Fund|-|773.86|
|Transfer to Future Mission Reserve|-|16,000.00|
|**_Total General Fund_**|**137,424.49**
|**150,281.28**|
|**_Hardship Fund -_**Support for people in need|65.50|700.00|
|**Total payments from unrestricted funds**|**137,489.99**
|**150,981.28**|
|**Restricted funds**|||
|**_Organ Fund_**|||
|Organ tuning|-|960.00|
|**_Charities Fund_**|||
|Charitable donations|145.00|447.00|
|**_Betty Wheel’s Legacy_**(see note B11)|74,739.05|44,605.64|
|**_Azalea Fund_**|||
|Return of money for charitable use|693.10|-|
|**_Intern Fund_**|-|2,323.86|
|---|---|---|
|**_Youth Pastor Fund_**(see note B12)|23,317.40|15,698.15|
|**_Woodford Parochial Charities_**|||
|Support for people in need|647.05|-|
|**Total payments from restricted funds**|**99,541.60**|**64,034.65**|
|**Total all payments**|**237,031.59**|**215,015.93**|
## **C. BALANCE SHEET**
For each fund, the balance at the end of the year and the change in-year were as follows:
||**31.12.2022**|**31.12.2021**|**Increase/(decrease)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**General Fund**
|30,377.41|33,781.61|(3,404.20)|
|**Kent and Sussex Contract Fund**|25,000.00|25,000.00|-|
|**Hardship Fund**
|637.34|482.84|154.50|
|**Future Mission Reserve**
|16,000.00|16,000.00|-|
|**Organ Fund**
|8,233.36|8,233.36|-|
|**Charities Fund**
|**-**|**-**|**-**|
|**Betty Wheel’s Legacy**
|68,782.82|141,388.57|(72,605.75)|
|**Dennis Carney’s Bequest**
|5,000.35|5,000.35|-|
|**Azalea Fund**|**-**|693.10|(693.10)|
|**Youth Pastor Fund**
|18,616.70|12,333.85|6,282.85|
|**Development Fund**
|15,000.00|-|15,000.00|
|**Woodford Parochial Charities**|170.95|-|170.95|
|**Total all funds**
|**187,818.93**|**242,913.68**
|**(55,094.75)**|
|The money was held in bank accounts as follows:||
|---|---|
|**Barclays Bank – current**
24,341.97|51,570.02|
|**Central Board of Finance – deposit**163,476.96|191,343.66|
|**Total all accounts**
**187,818.93**|**242,913.68**|
shall be applied to the amount of Betty Wheel’s Legacy.
## **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.
Betty Wheel’s Legacy was left to the church for the purpose of major capital expenditure.
Dennis Carney’s Bequest was left to the church for use on the fabric of the church building.
The Intern Fund held money received to support the engagement of an intern. It was closed at the end of 2021, with subsequent payments met from the General Fund.
The Azalea Fund held money on behalf of a church member which she was raising for charitable purposes. The money was returned to its owner in 2022 and the fund closed.
The Youth Pastor Fund holds money received as a grant to cover the employment of a youth pastor.
The Woodford Parochial Charities Fund holds money received as part of a distribution to local churches for the benefit of people in need in the ancient parish of Woodford.
The Parochial Church Council have agreed that interest earned on the deposit account with the Central Board of Finance of the Church of England
## **Notes about receipts**
## **A1. Events and fundraising**
|**A1. Events and fundraising**||
|---|---|
|Ken’s bike ride|750.00|
|Jubilee celebration|465.86|
|Salt women’s morning|426.61|
|Fireworks display|2,323.68|
|Christmas in the Car Park|147.51|
|Sale of Bibles|212.34|
|Tots and Tinys|444.12|
|Refund of 2021 purchase|39.99|
|TOTAL|4,810.11|
|**A2. Other receipts**||
|Insurance receipt|3,110.34|
|All Saints share of intern’s rent|900.00|
|Bible Reading Fellowship subs|211.90|
|Votive candles|197.99|
|Receipts for New Wine tickets|200.00|
|Bank error|10.00|
|TOTAL|4,630.23|
|**A3. Charities Fund**||
|Christmas post (2021)|25.00|
|Christmas post (2022)|120.00|
|TOTAL|145.00|
|**Notes about payments**||
|---|---|
|**B1. Clergy and staff**||
|Clergy expense grants|3,600.00|
|Staff salaries and overheads|12,276.90|
|Intern rent and expenses|1,925.00|
|Conference and training|713.18|
|Refreshments|70.10|
|Visiting clergy|115.00|
|TOTAL
|18,700.18|
|**B2. Other church expenses**||
|---|---|
|Reinstatement after break-in|3,410.28|
|Repairs to heating system|1,596.00|
|External window guard|1,466.40|
|Security system|1,130.23|
|Gutter cleaning|900.00|
|Fire extinguisher test and supplies|350.85|
|Lightning conductor inspection|208.06|
|Chair storage|231.20|
|Electric sockets|240.00|
|Sign at entrance|33.71|
|Flag and rope|32.84|
|Key cutting|50.95|
|Cleaning|832.00|
|TOTAL
|10,482.52|
|**B3. Conduct of services**||
|Altar supplies|204.14|
|Copyright licences|859.88|
|Music and musicians|501.84|
|Special services|319.16|
|Café supplies|441.30|
|Piano tuning|75.00|
|Lectern Bible|27.62|
|TOTAL
|2,428.94|
|**B4. Printing and office supplies**||
|Printer ink and toner|892.11|
|Office equipment and supplies|264.57|
|Banners and posters|618.20|
|Other printing|612.20|
|Gift Day/stewardship envelopes 148.13||
|Photography|100.00|
|Service register|35.00|
|Baptism certificates|27.92|
|Christmas postbox|64.95|
|TOTAL|2,763.08|
## **B5. Technology**
|**B5. Technology**||
|---|---|
|Wifi subscription|528.21|
|Domaine registration|14.39|
|Website hosting|143.00|
|ChurchSuite subscription|539.50|
|ProPresenter licence/software|175.10|
|Social media tool|99.99|
|Card reader|46.80|
|Peripherals|47.98|
|Audio-visual supplies|178.76|
|TOTAL|1,773.73|
|**B6. Children and youth**||
|Sunday School|682.03|
|Youth|835.66|
|Tots and Tinys|45.48|
|Year 6 Festival|85.53|
|Raising up Faith subscription|210.00|
|Table football game|119.99|
|TOTAL
|1,978.69|
|**B7. Other hall expenses**||
|Waste collection|1,371.11|
|Electrical work
|180.00|
|Fire extinguisher test and supplies|350.85|
|Fire protection system service|96.00|
|Boiler repair|318.00|
|Ceiling repair|250.00|
|Hand dryers|882.00|
|Gas cooker and fitting|524.96|
|Toilet seats|38.00|
|Bookings diary|25.94|
|TOTAL
|4,036.86|
## **B8. Upkeep of churchyard**
|**B8. Upkeep of churchyard**||
|---|---|
|Mower service and supplies|576.64|
|Bike rack|30.00|
|Fence repair|34.00|
|Bench repair|40.00|
|TOTAL
|680.64|
|**B9. Cost of events and fundraising**|**B9. Cost of events and fundraising**|
|---|---|
|Restoration Club prizes|268.00|
|Jubilee celebration|796.71|
|Sale of Bibles|422.00|
|Alpha course launch party|243.85|
|Fireworks display
|1,893.72|
|Salt women’s morning|260.00|
|Glow in the Dark party|471.37|
|Christmas in the Car Park|753.33|
|TOTAL
|5,108.98|
|**B10. Other payments**||
|Funeral fees
|398.00|
|Bible Reading Fellowship notes|261.90|
|Bank error|20.00|
|TOTAL|679.90|
|**B11. Betty Wheel’s Legacy**||
|Church audio-visual system|3,352.90|
|Church lighting
|58,801.27|
|Project Arclight
|12,584.88|
|TOTAL
|74,739.05|
|**B12. Youth Pastor Fund**||
|Salary and overheads
|21,328.40|
|Training|1,989.00|
|TOTAL
|23,317.40|
## **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 2022, 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 17[th] March 2023