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2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. John the Baptist, Southend-on-Sea for the year ended 31st December 2024

TO BE A CHURCH OF DIVERSE PEOPLE TRUSTING AND FOLLOWING JESUS, LOVING AND FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, SERVING OUR PARISH AND SUPPORTING CHURCH REVITALISATION IN SOUTHEND FOR OUR GREATEST JOY; THE GLORY OF GOD

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE & CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

REVD. MIKE WALKER

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER:

J P FRANCIS FCA, 1386 LONDON ROAD, LEIGH-ON-SEA SS9 2UJ

BACKGROUND

St John the Baptist PCC co-operates with the incumbent in the promotion of the Christian Faith in our ecclesiastical parish and the fulfilment of our church vision set out above and the responsibility and maintenance of the church buildings and grounds.

CHARITABLE STATUS

The PCC is a charity registered with The Charities Commission #1194402

RECRUITMENT OF TRUSTEES

The appointment of trustees is determined in accordance with the Parochial Church Council Procedures. All of our trustees are safely recruited and DBS checked.

CURRENT PCC MEMBERSHIP

Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation rules as published by the Church of England. They are as follows (starred persons are on the standing committee):

Clergy Revd Michael Walker Revd June Oldacre Wardens Steve Bannister Jacky Rossi Deanery Synod Christine Ballard Joe O’Riordan Elected Members James Armstrong Matt Burgess Dana Harbage Jenny Martin (PCC Secretary) Lewis Saville Colleen Seymour Jill Simmonds Linda Thornton Thabs Tuso Co-Options Jude Mummery (Parish Safeguarding Officer) Linda Saville (Associate Minister)*

2

YEAR IN REVIEW

The key highlights of year to December 31st 2024 are as follows:

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170
160
150
140
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Jan 24 Feb 24 Mar 24 Apr 24 May 24 Jun 24 Jul 24 Aug 24 Sep 24 Oct 24 Nov 24 Dec 24
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3

Revd Mike Walker

Priest in Charge and PCC Chair April 2025

4

Financial Review for 2024

2024 saw further growth, a solid/ stable financial outcome and extension of various ministries at St John’s, including the successful launch of a new midweek gathered study event, ‘Intentional Disciples’ (or ‘ID’). This is reflected in the numbers for the year ended 31[st] December 2024, which are presented in detail in the Annual Report & Accounts and will be filed with Chelmsford Diocese and the Charity Commission in due course.

Here are a few financial highlights from the 2024 reporting year:

Regular giving and other donations/ income streams

Parish Share allocation/ contributions

‘Parish Share’ is the amount required to be paid by individual parishes to contribute towards the budgeted costs of the Chelmsford Diocese, incl. provision of stipendiary clergy (for St John’s this means Mike Walker’s salary, pension, housing and other expenses), curate training, central resources/ support to parishes and various other Diocese/ Deanery costs. Share allocations to individual parishes are calculated in accordance with a formula, reflecting a number of variables, including an allowance to reflect the relative deprivation of the geographical area in which the Church is located.

5

Contractual/ paid staff changes and funding arrangements

Buildings/ repair costs etc

6

FY24 Net result and closing cash position

St. John’s reported an overall consolidated net Income/ Expenditure surplus of £5,342 (FY23: Net surplus £1,495). This resulted in a small increase in total Balance Sheet net assets position at Dec-24 to £48,975 (Dec23: £43,633), with total available cash reserves increased to £38,274 (Dec-23: £36,576).

Note: In late Dec-24, after a lengthy application/ consideration period, St John’s was awarded a grant of £120,000 over 2 years from The Jerusalem Trust (part of the Sainsbury family trusts, and a substantial provider of grants to support provision of Christian ministry) to assist in supporting and expanding the work of the gospel, including additional church plant projects. The first tranche of £60,000 was received in early Jan-25 (post 2024 year-end) and the second tranche (also £60,000) is expected to follow in early Jan-26.

Reserves policy

Since Mar-23, cash surplus to immediate requirements is invested in a St. John’s-designated deposit account held with the CBF Church of England Deposit Fund (‘CBF’), via CCLA, which invests funds in ethical funds (in line with the policies of the Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group (‘EIAG’)) and offers a slightly higher rate of interest than traditional high street banks, with comparable security of deposit.

Note: In addition to the main St John’s General Fund deposit account held with CCLA, in Jan-25 (post 2024 financial year-end) a new CCLA Deposit account, the St John’s Grants Fund was established, to hold the £60,000 initial tranche of grant monies received from The Jerusalem Trust (see above) pending progress with the next church plant project .

PCC considers that a minimum of two months’ average expenditure, estimated at £10,000, should be retained as standby liquidity in the main Lloyds bank accounts, to cover any unforeseen income fluctuations. PCC regularly reviews the level of reserves to ensure that sufficient funds are held to meet its contractual commitments and those arising from other obligations.

Alan Prosser – Facilities & Finance Manager

4[th] April 2025

7

St John The Baptist Church Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31st December 2024

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Charitable activities
Other trading activies
Other
Total Income
Expenditures:
Raising funds
Charitable activities expenses
Other expenditure
Total Expenditures
Net income/(expenditure) resources before transfer
Transfers
Gross transfers between funds - in
Gross transfers between funds - out
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Represented by
Unrestricted fund
General fund
( Restricted
84,895
84,895
85,855
85,855
960)

960
-
(
960
(
-
-
-
-
Unrestricted
106,890
1,657
7,664
7,004
425
123,640
1,441
111,774
4,123
117,338
6,302
-
960)

960)

43,633
48,975
48,975
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2024
106,890
1,657
92,559
7,004
425
208,535
1,441
197,629
4,123
203,193
5,342
-
-
-
43,633
48,975
48,975
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2023
91,089
958
96,864
6,398
2,228
197,537
2,358
188,453
5,231
196,042
1,495
-
-
-
42,138
43,633
43,633
43,633

8

St John The Baptist Church Analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31st December 2024

Income
Donations and legacies
Cash donations
Donations and legacies
Gift Aid received on donations
Giving station
Regular giving
Special collections
Stewardship/CAF donations
Sundry receipts
Website special events
Website giving
Investment income
Bank interest
Charitable activities
Clergy fees received
Fundraising events
Kids ministry income
Midweek Events income (incl. ID)
SDF Income grant
Other trading activies
Car parking fees
Premises hire
Other
Furniture sale
Insurance pay out
Total Income
Restricted
-
-
84,895
84,895
-
-
84,895
Unrestricted
8,421
4,662
16,998
5,339
49,974
170
1,208
11,730
1,008
7,380
106,890
1,657
1,657
2,507
1,246
603
3,308
7,664
6,194
810
7,004
425
-
425
123,640
Year Ended
31.12.2024
8,421
4,662
16,998
5,339
49,974
170
1,208
11,730
1,008
7,380
106,890
1,657
1,657
2,507
1,246
603
3,308
84,895
92,559
6,194
810
7,004
425
-
425
208,535
Year Ended
31.12.2023
8,820
3,783
13,974
4,927
42,778
391
2,386
491
3,892
9,647
91,089
958
958
1,794
1,094
1,898
-
92,078
96,864
4,966
1,432
6,398
200
2,028
2,228
197,537

9

St John The Baptist Church Analysis of income and expenditure for the year ended 31st December 2024

Expenditures
Raising funds
Advertising & Outreach
Charitable activities expenses
AV/IT equipment
Christmas
Cleaning and waste expenses
General ministry
ID Midweek ministry expenses
Hospitality
Insurances
Kids ministry
Office/ general administrative expenses
Organ maintenance
Parish fees paid to Diocese
Parish share
Pastoral team
Recurring office expenses
Repairs and maintenance
SDF Clergy expenses
SDF Salaries and pensions
St Johns external giving/ mission
Sundry expenses
Training
Utilities
Other expenditure
Accountancy
Contactless fees/ website fees
Copyright
Guest speaker fees and expenses
Organ playing fees
Other professional services
Total Expenditures
Net Income/(Expenditure)
( Restricted
-
960
84,895
85,855
-
85,855
960)
Unrestricted
1,441
1,441
722
1,656
4,099
1,172
3,997
2,340
5,859
7,088
5,842
388
943
36,881
686
3,381
11,301
-
-
720
13,172
379
11,148
111,774
850
269
1,099
100
1,540
265
4,123
117,338
6,302
Year Ended
31.12.2024
1,441
1,441
722
1,656
4,099
1,172
3,997
2,340
5,859
7,088
5,842
388
943
36,881
686
3,381
11,301
960
84,895
720
13,172
379
11,148
197,629
850
269
1,099
100
1,540
265
4,123
203,193
5,342
Year Ended
31.12.2023
2,358
2,358
6,494
1,050
3,838
1,266
-
1,248
5,601
5,116
3,103
383
679
32,000
344
2,980
19,865
2,205
89,960
492
4,297
298
7,234
188,453
1,082
276
1,044
612
1,290
927
5,231
196,042
1,495

10

St John The Baptist Church Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2024

Fixed Asset
Cash at bank and in hand
CCLA General Fund Deposit
Checking (5280)
Savings (5168)
Petty cash
Debtors
Debtors
Creditors
Accruals
Total net assets (liabilities)
Charity funds
Surplus/(Deficit)
Total Charity funds
Restricted
-
-
-
-
-
-
Unrestricted
24,796
1,307
12,059
112
38,274
15,846
15,846
5,145
5,145
48,975
48,975
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2024
24,796
1,307
12,059
112
38,274
15,846
15,846
5,145
5,145
48,975
48,975
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2023
28,328
2,526
5,445
277
36,576
11,599
11,599
4,542
4,542
43,633
43,633
43,633

11

St John The Baptist Church for the year ended 31st December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

1) Accounting Policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)’,Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Financial reporting standard 102 – reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 ‘The Financial Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’:

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax in its charitable activities.

b) Funds

General funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available by approval for the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also unrestricted.

The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body, nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.

c) Incoming Resources

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the PCC.

Planned giving receivable under covenants is recognised only when received.

Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the income is received.

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

d) Resources Used

Costs of generating funds

These include the costs of any fund-raising activities.

Grants

Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the PCC.

Activities directly relating to the work of the Church

The diocesan parish share is accounted for when paid.

Governance costs

These represent the cost involved in running and staffing the church office. The independent examiner has kindly waived his entitlement to any fees.

12

St John The Baptist Church for the year ended 31st December 2024

e) Fixed Assets

Consecrated land and buildings and moveable church furnishings

Consecrated and benefice property is excluded from the accounts by s.96(2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011.

No value is placed on moveable church furnishings held by the churchwardens on special trust for the PCC, which require a Faculty approval for disposal and which the PCC considers to be inalienable property, since insufficient cost information is available to value such assets in the accounts.

All expenditure incurred during the year on consecrated or beneficed buildings, individual items under £1,000 or on the repair of moveable church furnishings acquired is written off.

f) Current assets

Amounts owing at 31 December in respect of fees, rents or other income due are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.

Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit at the bank.

2) Trustee Expenses

No trustee received any remuneration for services provided to the charity in the year other than those disclosed in the Related Party note.

3) Staff Costs
Wages and salaries including Social Security costs
Staff pension
Year Ended
31.12.2024
£
83,445
1,450
Year Ended
31.12.2023
£
88,561
1,399

St Johns The Baptist Church employed 5 staff members during the year. No employee received any benefits other than that of a pension.

5) Debtors

Debtors
Liabilities: Amounts falling due with one year
Accrual
Analysis of Net Assets by Fund
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Restricted
-
-
Restricted
-
-
Restricted
-
-
-
Unrestricted
15,846
15,846
Unrestricted
5,145
5,145
Unrestricted
54,120
5,145
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2024
£
15,846
15,846
Year Ended
31.12.2024
£
5,145
5,145
Year Ended
31.12.2024
£
54,120
5,145
48,975
Year Ended
31.12.2023
£
11,599
11,599
Year Ended
31.12.2023
£
4,542
4,542
Year Ended
31.12.2023
£
48,175
4,542
43,633

6) Liabilities: Amounts falling due with one year

7) Analysis of Net Assets by Fund

8) Related Party Disclosure

During the year the charity paid a salary of £32,130 to Mrs Linda Saville with pension contributions totalling £777 for her role as Community Pastor since September 2022 and a salary of £13,750 to Mr Lewis Saville with pension contributions of £297 for his role as Worship Leader since July 2024. Both Mrs Linda Saville and Mr Lewis Saville are Trustees.

13

Independent Examiner's Unqualified Report

St John The Baptist Church

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees

I report on the financial statements of the Trust for the period ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 1 to 13.

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements. 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.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been made or

J P Francis FCA 1386 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex, SS9 2UJ

Date: 23rd April 2025

14