**St Peter’s Highfields** - 1 - **Annual Report 2023** Registered Charity 1193247 ## **Parochial Church Council of St Peter's Highfields Annual Report 2024** ## **Background** St Peter’s Highfields PCC has the responsibility of cooperating with the Rector in promoting the whole mission of the church - pastoral, evangelistic and ecumenical, and works with St Philip’s as part of the Benefice of St Peter Highfields and St Philips Leicester.The PCC is a registered charity, number 1193247. ## **Membership** Members of the PCC are either ex-officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Elected members serve for upto three years and are then elegible to be re-elected. During the year the following people served the PCC. Rector - Rev’d Jonathan Surridge (chair) Deacon - Rev’d Caroline Brown ChurchWardens - Delroy Davis - first appointed 2019 Elizabeth Gray (Safeguarding) - first appointed 2020 Mission and Administration - Cathryn Parsons (includingTreasurer) Members - Jesus Brito (Head Server) elected 2022 Anita Fogarty (Secretary) elected 2023 Christopher Gray (Organist) elected 2021 Jennifer Hillhouse (Event Host) elected 2023 Cynthia Simon (Deanery Synod) elected 2022 Geraldine Robbins elected 2021 Tony Punter elected 2023 HannahWalkom coopeted 2022 Dennise Johnson (resigned) Euan Johnson (resigned) Architect - Richard Brooks - Independent Examiner Tony Marvin Cook - Cameron Forbes (resigned) and HannahWalkom (resigned) ## **Rector’s Report** 2023 saw a continued rebuilding of the church following Covid, and saw us face up to a number of challenges, especially around the significant increase in the cost of gas and electricity and the withdrawal of a grant from Leicester Diocese which had covered the bulk of the cost of employing the Administrator and Mission work, although the actual impact will not be felt until 2024. Bookings for private parties increased, as did demand for the Saturday feed provided in partnership with Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS). - 2 - Attendance at Sunday Services has slowly increased, and numbers joining online have remained constant. Investment has been made in our online streaming, and work continued on improving the building. ## **Worshipping Community** St Peter’s has a steady group of loyal congregation members who attend most Sundays - either in church or online, and a large number of people who attend sporadically. A number of people attend for a short time, such as asylum seekers, or stay with us whilst they find confidence and either move on, or are able to move on themselves.We have supported a number of people in this position throughout the year. Regular worship is held on Sunday at 11am, andTuesday at 10am. Average attendance on Sunday is 35-40, andTuesday’s is 10-12. On Sunday, typically 11 people join us live on line, with many more taking part by watching later on. At harvest we collected over ¼ tonne of food, and raised £720, in partnership with St Philips.This was split between MLSS and One Roof. ## **Our Home** Overall, the building remains “at risk” on the National Heritage Register, and is likely to do so for some time.Work has commenced on some of the Priority One repairs - in particular the floor to the rear of the church which was raising up, has been examined and the drainage nearby has been improved which should stop the problems of flooding at the rear of the church. The gutters and valley over the organ loft were cleared, and some blockages removed which should reduce the problem of flooding over the organ loft, but there remains a problem that the drains in that part of the building can not accommodate sudden down pours of rain; one such incident washed much of the remaining gravel from the car park and a request from the council that we prevent the rest washing down the road.This was removed in July, and work will be needed on the car park surface sooner or later. Community Payback spent the summer working on the site, including some gardening, painting the internal halls and toilets, and the metal railings. Approval was received the remove the lime tree that is impacting on the rear kitchen, but the work could not be undertaken because of nesting birds and then rising sap - this will need to be completed early in 2024. Hiring of the hall and rear of church have become a significant source of funding.Work will be needed to improve the lighting - switching to LED in the hall, and completion of the lighting installation in the rear of the church.The PCC also needs to be mindful over the state of the floor; in the rear of the church it is wearing badly and the tiles are coming loose. Across the whole church there is a lack of insulation across the floor. An asbestos survey needs to be undertaken as well. The electricity across the site is 100% renewable, generated from the Hornsea One windfarm, about 20 miles from theYorkshire coast. ## **Our Neighbours** The church remains prominent in the community and bookings for private use have continued to increase, up about one third on the previous year. Bookings tend to be made later than, for example, St Philips, and the PCC will need to manage the careful balance between maximising income whilst still supporting local families who do not have the money for large celebrations. - 3 - Over the course of the year, the number of people receiving a free meal on a Saturday night has steadily increased. Over 350 hot meals were provided on Christmas Eve, and we continued our partnership with MLSS by introducing a similar provision on aWednesday lunchtime. Over the cold months of winter we hosted film nights. We said farewell to Cameron Forbes with mixed emotions - he brought an excitement and vitality to our Tuesday and Friday lunches and we were thrilled he was moving on to work at the Kings’ Coffee Shop, but sad to see him leave. Hannah took over as cook but then left to take up a full time roll at the University HospitalsTrust. Our Parish Lunches have struggled since and the PCC needs to continue to reflect on what God is calling us to do around these areas. We continued to host Leicester Community Radio, and hosted their winter fayre and volunteer awards night. We welcomed pupils from a number of local schools including Sparkenhoe Primary, Uplands Infants, Highfields Primary, Madani and also the U3A Architects group.The St Philips Centre also used the church as a base for a number of inter-faith school visits. ## **Ourselves** Worshipping communities continue to grow, albeit it slowly, and some people join us and then move out of the area.We are always encouraged when people either choose to stay at St Peter’s, or we hear of how they have joined another church. Our main service is on Sunday at 11am which is a communion service.To be as inclusive as possible, we use communion wine that has been fermented from grapes and then had the alcohol removed so that it is suitable for all.We also meet onTuesdays at 10am for communion, and online for Morning Prayer at 9.30 on Tuesday to Friday. During the year we studied “Lydia” by Paula Goodier, and a number of people we confirmed when Bishop Martyn held a confirmation service at St Margaret’s. We ran a number of film nights, during Lent, with a Christian message, started the Journey in Faith (JiF) course and welcomed Josh Crick DeBoom as our Ordinand (training to be a priest). Our vicar, Jonathan, got married to Cathryn in a beautiful service led by Bishop Martyn Snow. We said farewell to Lowell FredThomas, Roy Kenneth Brotherson, Cordeth Ballamy, Enid Malcom,Tristan Connel, Inez Piney, Ralph Christian, FrancisViola Herbert, Kathleen Samuels, Gerry Burke, Alan Anderson Thomas, Lawrence Richards, Reuben Baptiste, Julie Campbell, Joseph Brown and Glyne Stuart. May they all rest in peace, and rise in glory. ## **Our Finances** We went into 2023 knowing that it would be a challenging year.We had set a variety of actions in place (some which will continue into 2024) to help manage the finances better. Overall, the accounts show a loss of £11,000 based on the receipts and payments. In real terms, although this shows a dramatic increase over 2022, because of an overpayment in gas and electric in previous years, this reduced the total expenditure for 2022, and the overspend is of a similar magnitude. Obviously, we are not in a position to operate year in and out with a deficit budget, and work will need to be undertaken to correct - 4 - this in due course. But, in light of a doubling of expenditure on gas and electricity (reduced because of better management of heating and lighting), this was a good outcome.The PCC have set a simialr defict for 2024 In the midst of austerity, that impacts particularly harshly on deprived parishes such as St Peter’s, there has been a great demonstration of generosity. Overall financial giving increased by 44 per cent compared to 2022, including an increase in those using the **Parish Giving Scheme** which is a very efficient way of giving for those who have a regular income.The church received no legacy income; this is a source of much support for some churches. For 2024, the PCC took the difficult decision to reduce the Parish Share giving to the diocese.This was taken after much prayerful consideration, and the diocese removing the support for our mission and administration work. Reflection included an examination of what the impact would be if we maintained the Parish Share, and what action we would need to take in order to set a balanced budget.The PCC had previously informed the diocese of the difficulties that the church would face if the support was cut, and is particularly frustrating as the Diocese receives considerable support from the Church Commissioners to assist the most deprived parishes, of which St Peter’s in one. Our Parish Share for 2024 is offered as £800. ## **Thank-you** St Peter’s Highfields has proudly and humbly served the parish and its communities for 149 years.We could not do what we do without the massive support of a whole range of volunteers or are either memebrs of the church or support the activities of the church. Most of us do this work because of our faith.We have also been generously supported financially by many individuals - thank you.We know that times are challenging, and appreciate the sacrifices you make to maintain this support.We have also received support from a range of other places.We are part of the Church of England, and in 2023 the Diocese of Leicester covered the cost of our Admin and Mission work, and provided the Rector.We also would like to say thank you to our other partners -The Asda Foundation who donated £1000 to help keep the Lounge open, and fund the soup and bread we provided; Community Matters fund (most of which we dealt with in 2024), the Church Urban Fund whose grant of £1534 enabled us to train ourselves and MLSS in emergecny First Aid, ConflictTraining and Food Hygiene, and also £6992.95 which was Crowdfuning including a very generous £2249.95 from individuals which was boosted with £980 from the Aviva Cost of Living Boost, £940 from SoverignThriving communities and £2823 from the CoopWarm Spaces. For 2024, we are already boosted by the annoucnement of £9217 from Community Matters which will help those who are homeless or living in poor housing, and £25,596 from the National Lottery Community Fund. Rev Jonathan Surridge Rector May 2024 - 5 - ## **Treasurers Report to the AGM, 22nd May 2023** The formal accounts for our financial year 2023 are presented below along with the comparison for the preceding 12 months. Formal notes and Interpreta�on for accounts 1. The accoun�ng period for St Peter’s Highfields is from 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023 2. Gi�Aid claims: HMRC gi�aid tax refunds during the year £580.58 Automa�c monthly HMRC gi�aid tax refunds from the Parish Giving scheme returned £1335.82 for 2023 ## Notes to accounts 1. These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with The Charities Act (England and Wales) 2011 2. There are currently two active Account Funds: - General fund – (Unrestricted) - Grant fund (Restricted). Includes: - Church Urban Fund: Near Neighbours Training Grant. £1534 for Emergency First Aid, Conflict Training and Food Hygiene. - Na�onal Grid Electricity Distribu�on: Community Ma�ers Fund, "Insula�ng warm rooms and people" £9217 3. Category break down: - Donations, appeals etc, Ukraine, Harvest, Cheque dona�ons, Symphonia Concert, Easy Fundraising, Refreshments and Private Dona�ons - Non-recurring grants: includes restricted (as above) and non-restricted grants: - Asda Founda�on – Warm Room costs, £1000 - St Peter’s Highfields Living Room – Crowdfunder £6992.95 - Crowd £2249.95 - Aviva Cost of Living Boost £980 - Coop Warm Spaces £2823 - Sovereign Thriving Communi�es £940 - Salaries - J. Hillhouse (parties, cleaning and support), H. Walkom (Cook), - Running Expenses: small equipment, disposables, shelves, gardening - Parish training and mission: Chris�ngle, Christmas and Easter, Loros, P.C.C Away Day, Grant training costs, Gi� - Giving to external chari�es: One Roof, M.L.S.S - Maintenance: boilers, gutters, pain�ng, hall update, electrical installation updates, drains, fire ex�nguishers, skip, �les, plumbing, general - Contracts and Licenses: church suite, giving plates, website, accoun�ng software, streaming license, permissions, mobile phone sim - ICT and Technology: Computer towers, tablet and associated equipment - 6 - ## 4. U�li�es / Gas and Electric Gas and Electric rate changes occur in October of each year. A substan�al increase in October 2022 on all three meters of rates per unit and standing charge had a significant impact on the 2023 finances. Table 1 shows the rate of increase. ||Oct 21- Sept|22|Oct 22 – Sept 23|Oct 22 – Sept 23|Oct 23 – Sept 24|Oct 23 – Sept 24| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Per Unit|Standing
charge|Per unit|Standing
Charge|Per unit|Standing
Charge| |Electric
rooms|14.77p|£0.78/day|33.38p|£1.35/day|25.48p|£2.39/day| |Electric –
church|Not
recorded|£0.49/day|33.15p|£0.57/day|25.38p|£0.95/day| |Gas|1.95p|£3.33/day|8.48p|£7.29/day|4.88p|£7.74/day| _Table 1_ In 2023 U�li�es was broken down into separate nominal accounts to improve monitoring For 2022 the combined cost of u�li�es was £9457.27 For 2023 the combined cost of u�li�es was £21,673.79 A reduc�on in the rates was secured for October 2023 – September 2024 To reduce use of Gas, improved control systems have been fi�ed to the church boilers. ## 5. Grants St Peter’s would like to give thanks to the following organisa�ons for Grants Awarded in 2023: Church Urban Fund – Near Neighbours £1534 National Grid Electricity Distribu�on – Community Matters Fund £9217 Asda Founda�on - £1000 Aviva Cost of Living Boost £980 Coop Warm Spaces £2823 Sovereign Thriving Communi�es £940 Local Giving, Na�onal Lottery Community Fund – Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund Warm Welcome to our Neighbours £25,596.44 awarded in 2023, showing in 2024 accounts. St Peter’s would also like to thank all the individuals who have generously given in 2023. Rev Jonathan Surridge Rector Cathryn Parsons Treasurer - 7 - St Peter's Highfields Receipts and Payments Account For the period from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 T£lal PritY￿ar fuN4 tdalfLrt Fèceipts Flanned gi%ing Colle(*ons and othergiiing ClherwluntsryreLEiPts GftAd reM￿r Cknerrewpts bestsgeneBting fvnds Re*ipts thurth e￿i￿￿e8 Tdal Ptsc8lsA8 11.802 89 7,253A8 2.679 16 1.91640 7.186 16.91134 5.254.83 11,802.89 8.438.17 7253.48 5.503.77 13.054.74 11.964.61 1.916.40 637.37 7.186.99 573.65 16.91134 12.475.50 3.978h3 fj.922.86 10.375.58 11276.001 9,IM.58 53,005.09 62,104.67 46,515.93 M88ionaryand ￿ant8￿*{aNIrWj Parish Shar8 Clergyand gaffing (x)5ts Churth Running F￿￿eS Church Repairs (kneMan￿ Costs 2.792.51 8.000.00 5.975.56 31.034.01 10.830 2g 6.03748 61669.85 177.34 2,￿￿5 13,272.34 8,(MM). 8,000.00 5,975.$6 3,020.m 13,155.67 1S.899.02 14.119.49 6.785.25 6.037.48 6.366.50 7025BAJS $3,343.20 2,121.66 3289.20 TrAal S.SBB20 111,6M761 3,511.38 18,153JBI 16,827.271 (>oss transfers bekneen fi￿$. In (>oss tran8f8ts b&kneen fiThJs.out 4.474.86 1,016.21 4￿18.19 1662.161 18,122.291 11224.811 17.852.061 (7,1(Kl.081 6004.76 18,47&041 (7,106MI 6W4.76 10,(M)926 110,(MYa.261 18,153.381 16027.271 18,Tll261 16,827.271 REcu￿1113tiCfiC1I Eand Totsls 53,005.09 9,099.58 62,104.67 46,515.93 Payments ¢o$t of 9eneratin9 lund$ 1710- Costs ofapplyng ft*grant8 1730- Fundrasiw ad%ibes and pa5ment 2385- Transaction Fees Cost of generating funds Totsls Mlsslonary and Charftable Glvlng 1801- Gling toe)km81 thanbeslmissiLY 2202- Fcrf)d thts- M881 913.37 913J7 1,879.14 171.34 2,056A8 1,741A4 10,Y25.90 2203. (>anl Eyndiknres Missionary and Charilable Giving Totals 2,792.51 177.34 2,969.85 13,272.34 Parlsh Share 1910- Mnistyp9ri5h sh3re* a,(￿[￿) 8.(KM).(M) 8,(KM).00 Parish Share Tota15 8,000.00 8,000.00 8,000.00 Clergyand Stafflng costs 2￿1- Salaries,wages and M)nana 2￿2- siaff ￿r￿10￿ 5,786.09 5.786.09 2,851.70 2101- ￿ergy￿S1aff ewses 18947 189.47 162.30 Clergyand Staffing costs Tota15 5,975.56 5,975.56 3,020.00 Church Runnlng Expenses 2170- Edur¥tion 2201- Parish trainiry and mission msts 2380- Running ctrts 2381-Ithrshi￿At3￿￿ptI1eS 2382- Ctyan Tuniw and ￿l￿tenan 2&83- Qg8nist 2384- deaning supplies 2396. cOn￿cts and Li￿seS 23B7. ICT8nd Tethmlogy 2388- ffj*ni$tFun8ral 2401- Ublthes- Gas. eledriC.￿￿te￿. phane 2402. &s 2￿. El8cbiaty 2404-Water 998.11 1 ￿58.8 2.354.TT 431.(r2 59 431.(r2 3(￿.33 1,253( 1,848. 2,&10.(M) 463.30 1.253.( 1.848.(Y) 2,745.(M) 463.30 1,193.63 405.00 2,270.00 1,24638 1.246 12.69 380.00 481.99 280.(M) 9,45727 13,W 7,159.85 104.76 13.WBO 7,159B5 104.76 2405. FknonelBroadband 1,02438 1.024 -io- Total General Designated Restricted Endowment This year Last year Chur¢h Running Expen$e$ Totals 31,034.01 2,121.66 33,155.67 15,899.02 Hall Running Costs Hall Running Costs Tolal$ Church Repairs & Maintenance 2701- majorrepairs 2702.kn*itect 2720- Intthit*arKJ8thric*d￿rabn9 2785- 6T1. 434.75 1,112.51 13,(￿.￿2 10,152.47 2,854.45 6,78525 Church Repairs & Maintenance Totals 10,830.29 3,289.20 14,119.49 6,785.25 Hall Repalr8 & M81ntenance 2&88- ￿￿Inten￿ hall Hall Repairs & maintenan￿ Totals New Bulldlng work 2920. Newt￿ildI￿wOrk New Bulldlng work Totals Governance Costs 2301- (*wrarthw8t8 &>2m1r￿OnI8UdItfé￿ 54.76 54.76 23￿￿- Insuran 5,98272 5.982.72 5,466.59 Governan¢e Costs Ttstals 6,037.48 6,037.48 6,366.59 Payments Grand Totals 64,669.85 5,588.20 70.258.05 53,34320 -li- St Peterfs Hlghflelds Balance Sheet detailed Asat 3111212023 Asat 3111212022 Current a55ets 6S)1'. Bank￿rr￿nI￿￿nI 44A52.36 252.32 SI,￿0.93 022 6￿2..cash 6505.. BankdepC6itWy￿unI 659).. PettyC8sh 79.49 Total Current assot8 44.744.68 54.420.64 Uabllltle$ e6wJ.'i*ncycdlttVon8 I￿.60) 1896.601 Total Llabllltles 2.00 Net Asset surplu5 Ideficiti 45,641.28 54,418.64 Reserves Exxslldeffiulltod* Z01'. Sts￿n9 b818rtts Z03."l*ins and loss& ovm use 18,153.381 $1.418.64 1623.981 45.641.28 I6,827￿7) 61,245.91 Total Re$Èrves 54.418.64 Represented by Funds (*npral IUnrestr(*dl tksignated Res￿oIsd 36,42428 44,900.32 7.106.( 2.412.24 9217.00 Tortal 45N128 5V18 -12- st Peterfs Highfields Statemènt of ￿sets and Liabilities (by fund} As aL' 31 December 2023 Balanc8 Previous balance Cash At Bank And In Hand 6501.. Bank current account l>antFunding Fund FYq"edFund (*neral fund Reslrit*ed 9217.00 3,222.70 6,089.87 tksign8ted ReS￿rts￿ Unreslrided 36,131. 1896.601 44,452.36 44,585.17 2,058 ycolle(* Re5trotsd 54,340.93 6502.. Cash Book lkneral ￿nd Unreslri(tsd Restrrtsd 252.32 022 252.32 6505.. Bank depo$lt a¢¢ounl .￿F￿nd Restrrtsd Dèslgnatsd Unreskn( 11,Z24.811 1,01621 F¥q"&tFund nwal fund 6590.. Petty Cash (>antFunding I￿￿81 ￿nd Restrded 127.061 1(b.55 Unre5bi(led 40.00 40.00 79.49 Cash A Bank And In Hand 44,744.68 54.420.64 q8ncyAccounts 6699.. *4ency collectlons ycollects Re51rioled 1896.601 1896.601 2.00 2.00 encykcounts 1896.601 2.00 Grand Totsl 45,641.28 54,418.64 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independènt examinerfs report on the accounts Seclion A Independeni Examiner s Report Report to the Irustees On accounts for the year endgd Charity no (If any) 31 7)b)Lf*iS&? lJ¥3 Sol out on pagos I report to the trustees on my examination of the a￿OUnts of the atove dwty (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended ResponsllAlllles and ba$ls of report As the chartlls trustees, you are responslble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Ad 2011 ('Ihe Acr). I report in r8SPeCt of my pxarnination of the T￿￿t'S accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carrying out my examination, I have fdlowed all the appllcable Dlreetk)rts gr4en by the Chartty Cornrnissic under Sed1￿ 145(5)(b} of the Act. Indepondgnt examlnerfs statement un ua aFvI1￿￿[stethbOdY]1. Delete [ ] If nd appNc8ble. Insert name of I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have to my attenlicm in connection with Ihe examination (Ott￿pu￿1 dbdo6￿wh1¢h gfvos ma Gause to belleve thal In, any matenal respecL' the aco)unting rewth vRre not kept in accordance with sectton 130 of the Charlties ACL" or Ihe accounts dld not accord with the accountlng records., or the awounts did not comply with the applicable requiremerts concamtng the f(¥m and content of accounts set out in the Chariti96 {Accounts and Rep￿8) Regulatlons 21J)8 other than any requirement that the accounts glve a Irue and falrf vlew ￿lch Is not a matter c￿nSidered as part of an BKlepeThJent examina11c￿. I hav8 rn> (xmcems arNJ hav8 a(¥Ds6 no dher matters in connedion with the examinatlon to Mthlch ailention should be drawn In this report in Order lo enab16 8 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Ple8 delete the words in l)rackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Iry 0A#LV Ik¥Lf Relevant professlonal quallflcatlon(s) or boty IER Oct 2018