.'Jtr ER'S H WNlitIL KEfOKf sr PEfER'S CHURCH 2 sr PErE￿s FIOAD, LEICEsfER, LE2lDA Registered Charty 1193247 ## **Parochial Church Council of St Peter's Highfields Annual Report 2025** ## **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 annually at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. During the year the following people served the PCC Rector - Rev’d Jonathan Surridge (chair) Deacon - Rev’d Caroline Brown Church Wardens - Elizabeth Gray (including Safeguarding) Delroy Davis (until APCM in 2025) Dave Edwards (appointed at the APCM) Mission and Administration: Cathryn Parsons (including Treasurer) Members - Jesus Brito (Head Server) Anita Fogarty (Secretary) Christopher Gray (Organist), until 2 December 2025 Jennifer Hillhouse (Event Host) Cynthia Simon (Deanery Synod) Eloise Edwards (Deanery Synod) Geraldine Robbins Tony Punter Mia Simon Rosanna Harris (until APCM) Meryl Skreet (until APCM) Delroy Davis (from APCM) Architect - Richard Brooks Independent Examiner - Tony Marvin Awarded Bronze Eco Church Status 2024. A member of Inclusive Church - we seek to celebrate and affirm every person without discrimination. ## **Rector’s Report** 2025 was a challenging and yet rewarding year for the church. Austerity continues to bite deeply on the poorest areas of the country, and Highfields and the St Peter’s estate, are not immune from the pressures and apparent lack of care from the country as a whole. It was the first full year following the withdrawal of Diocesan support for our Administration and work with our neighbours - work that the Church committed, after careful prayer, to continue in faith that funding would be found. We are phenomenally grateful for all the support that we have received during this time, especially for the support from Seven Trent Community Fund. The Diocesan reorganisation proposals, for so called ‘Minster Communities’ rumbled on and took both a lot of time and focus whilst bringing uncertainty. Particular thanks go to Anita Fogarty-Brown who attended all the original meetings to provide continuity and overview. Unfortunately, proposals are no further developed. The PCC reiterated previous concerns, specifically that, “ _We remain concerned about proposals that might seek to dilute the ministry presence in the parishes or impose any additional “oversight”, line management of anything that dilutes or hinders each PCCs ability to fulfil its legal responsibility or its calling to serve God in the parish, or similarly hinders or dilutes our Minister’s calling._ ” Bookings for private parties increased, as did demand for the Saturday feed provided in partnership with Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS). Attendance at Sunday Services has slowly increased, and numbers joining online have remained constant. Improvements were made with new microphones in church, a revamped and improved Coffee Bar and a steady switch over from Windows to Linux operating system meaning that computers did not have to be replaced. We maintained our Bronze Eco Award, and negotiated a new electricity and gas supply contract. As in previous years, our electricity is 100% renewable, and from October 2025 the gas used for heating the church and community rooms was classed as 100% biofuel - being generated from waste, and so considered by the UK Government as zero rated for carbon dioxide. The PCC renewed its statement on inclusivity, remained a member of the the Inclusive Church network and indicated that the church would bless same sex couples who were married and expressed a desire to be able to do so in stand alone services. ## **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, and Tuesday at 10am. Average attendance on Sunday is 35-40, and Tuesdays is 10-12. On Sunday, typically 11 people join us live online, with many more taking part in by watching later on. During the year we followed the Church Urban Funds “Growing Good” series and took Micah, “To walk humbly with our God” as our Bible verse for the year. During Lent, two groups used the Musical “Les Miserable, to explore the real meaning of forgiveness and salvation. In Autumn we thoroughly enjoyed one of the occasional worship series, Sing the Lord a New Song, when we worshipped using music from The Beatles, and our Christmas all age worship was Carols and Curry. ## **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, but some remain. We embarked on a year long process of negotiation and exploration regarding our heating boilers and what alternatives , might be available, whilst also setting out to raise funds to replace the boilers. A Faculty was applied for and eventually awarded to replace the existing, unreliable and inefficient, gas boilers with new A+ rated efficient gas boilers. The remaining none-LED lights were replaced as part of an ongoing upgrade to lighting, but work will be needed in the coming year on the LED lights fitted in the church, some of which are starting to fail. Although we have toilets, they are not accessible to people in a wheelchair. The Quinquennial Inspection details a number of urgent works, and improvements needed such as to the electrical supply. Additionally, the roof over the main kitchen is failing, as is the main oven and hob,, and the windrow protection grill on the west window will soon need replacing. Work is still needed at the rear of church to complete the relamping and 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. ## **Our Neighbours** The church remains prominent in the community and bookings of private use have continued to increase. Over the course of the year, the demand for the free meal on a Saturday night has remained. Over 350 hot meals were provided on Christmas Eve, which this year also included a sit down option for those who were homeless, or living along. We continued our partnership with MLSS with a similar provision on a Wednesday lunchtime, and arranged and funded a Thank you meal for all the volunteers. We ran two Health Days aimed at “hard to reach” groups. We continued to host Leicester Community Radio, Slimming World and the RCCG King of Glory worship in the Hall on Sunday morning. We welcomed pupils from a number of local schools including Sparkenhoe Primary, Uplands Infants, Highfields Primary, Madani and also Green Lane. The St Philips Centre also used the church as a base for a number of inter-faith school visits. It was wonderful to join with our Muslim neighbours as we hosted a community Iftar, and again our neighbours joined us in May for the St Peter’s Spring Celebration which included food and dancing. We continue to be as generous as we can. The Saturday and Wednesday feed, which we deliver as partners with MLSS, has a lost opportunity cost of about £3,000 per year. We donated the food from our harvest collection to The Bridge and Wesley Hall. One Roof and Charity Link were our supported charities for the year with £927 being donated, and £880 was given to Leicester Diocese to support mission elsewhere in the Diocese. ## **Ourselves** Worshipping communities continue to grow, albeit 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 on Sunday at 11am 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 on Tuesdays at 10am for communion, and online for Morning Prayer at 9.30 on Tuesday to Friday. Our web site was revamped, and in order to improve accessibility for all, we started publishing the liturgy we use on Sundays via the web site. In June, we said “Good luck and farewell” to Josh, who had been with us for almost two years. He was ordained at Leicester Cathedral in July and joined The Church of the Martyrs, on the west of Leicester where he is Assistant Curate. We said farewell to Viola Helena Benjamin, Peter Joseph, Norris Charles, Kevin Patirck Rooney, Kenneth Henry, Lascelles Augustis Brown, Venris Lloyd Edie, James Webbe, Michael Oshungbure, Ainsley Harper (known as Bertie), Shantelle Griffith, Irlane Onita Burgess, Frederick Laudat, Rupert Alphonso Williams, Ruby Chambers, Koreen Morris, Evon Annette Taylor, Wilhelmina Riley, Timothy Morris, Tuncer Olcer, Clive McKoy, Magdalene Eleanor Hinds, Verna Celestona Frederick, Richard Greenwood, Ernest Pinney, Elsie Jemmott, Troy Archibald, and Shirley Martin. May they all rest in peace, and rise in glory. ## **Our Finances** Our full financial report is included which continues to show that the church manages to balance its books but remains in a difficult position. Austerity has it the community very hard. The finances as shown do not show the full cost of running the church as the stipend for our priest (who we share with St Philips) is largely paid for through support from the Church Commissioners Lowest Income Fund. ## **Deanery Synod** We are part of the Leicester Deanery Synod. Cynthia Simon and Eloise Edwards are our representatives on Synod. ## **Safeguarding** The PCC and the church as a whole takes safeguarding very seriously. Extra attention was paid to ensure that all training was up to date and beyond the minimum needed. New signs were erected across the church to support those who might have been subject to abuse, whether in a church context or elsewhere. The PCC had to deal with one serious safeguarding incident which, whilst it did not occur on church property, impacted massively on the church community and on some members of the PCC and the church. This incident has been reported both to Leicester Diocese and to the Charity Commission. Initial indications are that the Church has dealt with the issue appropriately, offered support that was needed, and that our actions have mitigated against any ongoing risk, but as always we remain open to further learning. ## **Organist** The PCC suspended our organist on 4th December 2025 and formally terminated their appointment on 21st December 2025. Treasurers Report to the AGM, 2026 The formal accounts for our financial year 2025 are presented below along with the comparison for the preceding 12 months. Formal notes and Interpretation for accounts 5t l. The accounting period for St Peter's Highfields is from l January 2025 to 31" December 2025 2. Gift Aid claims: HMRC gift aid tax refunds during the year £4719.71 3. Automatic monthly HMRC gift aid tax refunds from the Parish Giving scheme returned £1297.06 for 2025 Notes to accounts These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with The Charities Act (England and Wales) 2011 There are four active Account Funds: General fund (Unrestricted) Boiler Fund (Designated) Windrush Window (Designated) Grant fund (Restricted) Included: Church Urban Fund.. Near Neighbours Strengthening Ties: social activities £3153.00 Severn Trent Community Fund £19566 split over two years 2024-25 . Income received 31°, December 2024 £15119.91. Expenditure £15119.91 in 2025 o Leicester City Council Public Health Engagement Grant £1940 Category break down". Donations, appeals etc, Harvest, Shoe box, Boiler, Funerals, Autumn Fair, Curry and Carols Non-recurring grants- includes restricted la5 above) Other Funds Generated: Activity day sales Salaries: J. Hillhouse (parties, cleaning and supportl, C. Parsons (Community LiaisonlPremises) Running Expenses: small equipment, disposables, stationery, promotion, furniture. o Parish training and mission: fun day, training day, coach to Skegness, gifts. Giving to external charities: Charity Link Maintenance.. general maintenance and upkeep, fire extinguishers, boiler maintenance, outdoor lights, brickwork, electrics, drainpipe, Contracts and Licenses: church suite, giving plates, website, accounting software, streaming license, permissions, mobile phone sim, fire alarm music license ICT and Technology: tablet and card machine 4. Utilities l Gas and Electric Gas and Electric prices are updated annually in October Current supplier- Corona Energy 2024-25 2025-2026 Gas KW Rate 4.19 3.80 Standing Charge £8.06 per day E7.80 per day Electric 38 (church meter) KW Rate 23.25 20.78 Standing Charge 22.218 pence pd 14.38 pence pd Electric 51 (hall meter) KW Rate day 25.36 24.31 KW Rate night 20.88 16.86 Standing Charge 10.1 pence pd 6.21 pence pd For 2024 the combined cost of utilities was £15674.88 For 2025 the combined cost of utilities was £18552.30 Note: All electricity is 100% renewable. From October 2025 all gas is biomethane. 5. Grants St Peter's would like to give thanks to the following organisations for Grants Awarded in 2025: Church Urban Fund - Near Neighbours £3153.00 Leicester City Council- Public Health Engagement Grant £1940.00 and to Severn Trent Community Fund £19566 awarded in 2024 with expenditure 2024-2025 St Peter's would also like to thank all the individuals who have generously given in 2025 Signed Jonatfian Sun*iLlse Catfiryn g)arsons Rev Jonathan Surridge (Rector) Cathryn Parsons (Treasurer) st Peterfs Hlghfi91ds Balanc• Sheetdetallgd at 3111212025 Asat 3111212024 Current assets &￿1.. &r4{￿rISnt8O￿ 6W2.. Cash&) ..&nkd8rx)sil*y)xnt 659J..PetyC4sh 64.132.84 25.31 62.￿.88 723.01 40.( 40.(X) Totsl Current asmts 64,197SS 63.068.89 Liobilltles 11544.e51 11.544.651 138.(KJ Total Li*bilitie$ 138.00 Ngt knt Surplus Id•ll¢ltl 65,742.60 62,930.89 Res•r¥•s Ex*ssl(tsfiiit)bé Z01' Sartiry ￿18￿￿ )3..C*n88ndlc6sescMr 2.811.71 62.WA9 17.3CI3.41 45,621A8 Total R•￿r￿•S 65.742.80 62.930.89 Represented by Fund$ f￿neral 5&142.46 4eiy).14 47,￿.91 7&3.99 L*S1￿ 15,119.99 62g30J9 T(*•l 65,741fy) St Peter's Highfields Recelpts and Payments Account For the period from 01 January 2025 to 31 Docember 2025 Tlanwj *￿ts ar¢ctsgiiiro 10,513.15 6294.38 2A82.43 6.016.7T 1271. 24￿7.79 1W.(M) 5.491.15 3.175IK) 10.693.15 9,74793 11,7&5.53 7504.&8 10,750.43 52.229.61 6.016.77 6,e48. 1271.50 37628 24,e87.79 19.(￿.16 5,Cr33m GftlidrecAThered 5,469.( 735.02 5,469.Q) 3.9M.84 70fv7&17 99,672J9 T(ts111o¢e¥ts 8W15 4(M.LYJ CoslofgwratsrvJ fvnds MssK)naryand Pdrish Sharè 47r66 1,5eo.32 477.6e 6.W.32 12,377.TT 880.00 ￿). 19.718.24 17.4S3.59 29274.48 31.742.20 3211.97 13.51029 7,546.79 6,2150) s.l￿3.(1) 8.(Q3.93 25.962.80 3211.97 7N679 11,70BJ1 3,411.68 Cfvch Repair5 &￿a'r￿&*r Hall RuMiroCr6ts Hall Rep8ir¥ &V&inÈrw New￿ll(l￿v T¢tsl 47.IJ49A7 aV12S9 9.oe 8W.15 11%119J¥ 11.71 17,XeA1 Tran818rs". 1>055 trans*rs L*MwbtK15.in ¢>c6s bThJs.cvl 1299.971 17.309.41 17WA1 9,￿.55 8046.15 115.119.991 8W.1S 11S11999) 2011.71 2*11.71 47N5fh91 753S9 1&119Sg 82￿￿9 K821A8 14146 *ew.14 65,742.80 8193039 St Petsrfs Hlghllelds Anatysls of Receipts and Payn*nts S•lxtad ￿rIod.. 01 January 2025 to 31 De¢en*èr2025 Total G•n•ral Deslgnated Restrlct•d Endown*nt Thls ￿ar L•sl ￿ar Recelpts Plannod gbvlng 0101-(3ftPId-￿k 0102-Parishaiing 0110-(3ftAd-EtAdr 01.(Aa¥rAanr*duiiiTrJ 1.49328 5fiXJ24 1,447.43 1.94220 180 1.67328 5.87&82 1A47.43 1.91220 2,45824 ,747.99 Planned glvln9 Totals 10,513.15 180.00 10.693.15 Coll8ctlon8 and other glvlng OX51.L(x￿e￿(x￿1eo*tr 3.955.91 2258.44 s.￿1.15 450. 8.937.( 2,7(￿A4 1979.79 101-Al Ot*rgi￿rVjaThl￿Ur￿I8Cd[ts D￿1.(￿￿ff Gft14dgts Colle¢tton8 and oth•r glvlng Toto1$ 6,294.38 5,491.15 11.785.53 7,504.68 #h•r voluntary r•c8iPts 2N82A3 1175.(X) &657.43 2,549.63 0701. Lepcies 1. RevJrringgJits 5.(133IKJ 5,OXI. 49.679.98 Oth•r ¥oluntaryrec8ipts Totals 2A82.43 3,175.00 5.093.00 10,750.43 52329.61 Glft Ad recov•r•d LEQ1.Taxre(walA8onGftAd 016.77 6,016.77 016.77 Glft r¥¢overod Tota15 6,016.77 6,848.23 Oth•r ro¢•lpts 12&01 128.01 (Y310.CAtrAthrx* 1310- kFwdN*dalms 1311-*ny(knrir¥))mo 1313.knrB0f{￿t.LcR￿*Jo 814.08 529.41 614.r Z). 35& 529.41 (Xh•r ro¢•lpts Totals 1,271.50 1,271.50 376.38 ivities for gènerallng fund¥ 121o-HreofHalI￿I1d1ry 1212-ts?a￿Jr 22,7ZJ.79 1,W.CO 24,687.79 22.723.79 39.IJYJ.16 vltlos for g•neratlng funds Totals 24.687.79 19,009.16 Inv•¥tm•nt Incon 1020.Bot*arKJbJiklirgsoigtyirkn*st Investmont Income Totals Tc•tal Gon•ral Deslgnatod R•$lrlct•d End0￿￿nI Th18 ￿ar Last par Receipts from church actfvl¢le$ 1101. Fee$*y￿**r￿s andfiThr8Ls 1812-￿IS 1314-9Aff cc6tcuthlxthcrf 4,771L 4,777. xK).o) 491(M) 2.741.C 147.14 1,W.70 4¥2.CQ Rgcelpts from ¢hur¢h actlvSti08 Totsl$ 4469.00 5,469.00 3,9￿.84 Recelpts Grand Totsls 56.735.02 8W.15 5,093.00 70.674.17 99,672.89 Payn*nts Cost of gen•ratlng fund$ 1710_CAk%ts of*#s4rYJft*gr3nts 1730.Fwthsiro aLliiitie5usts arvJiwH 2385.Tortsac1L￿F£85 477.e6 477.68 ¢o$t of generatlng fund$ Totals 477.86 477.66 213.83 Ml88lonaryand CharRable Glvlng 1801-s￿rQ￿e￿￿T￿1 d*rfoe¥kn￿$sY 2￿2.Fr￿￿ Ctsis. Mssh)Tr Z2O3.(>ar**rvJl￿ySs 917.19 1,7t9h3 9,741 12.377.fT 629AI 629.41 5.W.91 3.91 Mk51onaryand ¢harknblo Glvlng Total8 1.560.32 S.093.00 6,653.32 Parish Shar* 191o-mnisty￿Th5h5￿WQat Pari$h Shore Totals 880.00 880.00 800.00 Clergyand siafflng costs 7,822.31 11.7CQJ1 19,SS)E2 17,￿￿j 2ryy2-&aff Pensi 2101.C*iarKlslaff ev￿85 l•ryyand &affln9 ¢08ts Totals fj87.62 187. 122.79 8.009.93 11.708.31 19.718.24 17,453.59 Church Runnlng expense¥ 2201- Parish trdiThffj8nd miss1￿Cr$ts 2W-RunNrwJLxEts I.CGS71 1,07023 SJ).70 708.rK) 3,12￿l¥j 617h8 229).93 289. 1.C&5.71 1,070I3 .70 6.784.29 572.76 .81 2381 2382.￿nTUr￿rs aryj Fla'tth Z3&3.(Jganisl 2384.d8ary￿SUW1￿s 7(M S.1￿j. 617.68 4WJY) 3.4eo. 2.￿.93 1,0321 2387. Mand TedwK*4y 2388-Cynl8lFur￿l 24￿2-￿5 5W.95 8203.16 215.57 t,076.79 25.962.80 1,847￿3 1,￿.75 7,542.88 7,W.63 7,77125 24(￿.￿8(￿aty 2404.￿ 2405.PhrX*lem￿li￿r￿l 21557 1,076.79 29.374A8 1241fi5 Chur¢h Runnlng Expen808 Total$ 3.411.68 31,742.20 Hall Running G0618 Total General O•slgnat•d ￿lIT1¢t*￿ Endowmnt Thls ￿aT Last svar Hall Running Costs Tota18 Church Ropalrs & Molnten8neè 2701-nA(*ret4lrs 2702.hthtsd 2785.KknnI￿èn 3211.97 3.211.97 3211.97 3.21197 13,51029 13,51029 ChwGh R•palr• & Maintenan¢e Total8 Hall Repalrs & Malnt•nance Hall Repalrs & molni8nan￿ Totals New Building work Now Buildlng work Total$ Governan￿ Costs 2&5.60 7261.19 10.(K) 62(6BO 2fn2.Ir*Lrar 7261.19 Governan¢• Costs Tota15 7,546.79 7,$46.79 6.215AO Paymnts Grand Totals 47.649A7 20212.99 67062A6 82,363A8 St Peterfs Hlghfields Statsmnt of Assots and LiablIrt￿ Ibyfundl As at: 31 Decombèr 2025 Balance Previous balanc• Cash M Bank knd In ￿nd 6501: Bank ¢urr¢nt account Qmjrth &ildar 8B46.15 .077.15 46293. 15.119.V 138£ 7S3.93 1¢9wcrller rvJrk&8hWrth Re5kndp 11.544fj51 7&7.YJ 64132.64 62.305.8B 6502.. Cash 8ook (knlftJrKI 2521 723n1 25.31 723.01 6590.. P•ttyCash CAwlfiJnd Urwe8th"L*Y 40.L¥) 40.00 40.00 C85h A Bank knd In Hand 64,197.95 63.068.89 4èncyknunts 6699: P4ency coll8Gtlon$ *oerK¥ull8c*Ly) 11,544B51 11,544.65) 138.(K) 138.00 4•n¢ykcounts 11,544.651 138.00 Grand Total 65,742.60 62,930.89 (HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the truslees On accounts for the year ended Gharfty no lif any) 11152*7 Sat out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") f(￿ the ye8r ended Responslbllities and basls of report As the ch8rilVs Irusl8es, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Acl 2011 {'the Act'l. I report in resped of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission undor section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Indep8nd•nt examinerfs statement u app￿¢4￿￿￿. Dalete l } fflnot 8pplicabl8. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material Matters have come to my attention in cyjnneclion with the examination {0#￿ di8d03etrbeth"l ￿lch gives me cause to believe that in. any material respecL" the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts dKI not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fom and content of accounls set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than arty requirement that the accounts give a 'lwe and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have corne across no other matters in connection wlth Ihe examination to which attentson should be drawn In this report in order lo enable a proper understandlng of the aGlX)unls to be reached. ' ￿e8$8 delete the ¥vords in the brackets ifthey do not appty. Signèd.. Dale: 13 Name: Rolevant professional qualifi¢allon(s) or body (If any): Address: 4LPC, LÈk Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examinatson of charity ac￿￿nts." diractions and guidance for examiners). Glve here bri¢f detalls of any Items that the examlner wishes to disclose.