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2024-12-31-accounts

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Andrew Soham

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2024

Registered Charity Number: 1196349

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS Pages
Trustees' Report 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 14

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INFORMATION

Correspondence address

The New Vicarage 27 The Oaks Soham Cambs CB7 5FF

Vicar The Revd Eleanor Whalley Bankers Barclays Bank Plc Leicester LE87 2BB The CBF Church of England Funds, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4ET Independent Examiner Sue Chase, Simple Solutions (Cambs) Ltd Inspecting Architect Stephanie Norris, Stephanie Norris Architects

Page 1

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Ex Officio - Clergy Eleanor Whalley
Madeleine Albert from 1 August 2024
Ex Officio - Wardens Mark Campbell
Diane Cole
Ex Officio - Synods Carol Weyman
Elected:
Elected members with a three-year term Sue Davies 30/05/24
Carol Weyman 24/03/23
Michelle Palmer 24/03/23
David Tickner 24/03/23
John Cole 27/04/22
Margaret Fisher 27/04/22
Elected/Appointed Officers of the PCC
Vice-chair Mark Campbell 30/05/24
Treasurer Michelle Palmer 30/05/2024 - 16/02/2025
Treasurer Mark Campbell from 16/02/2025
Secretary Sue Davies 30/05/24
Parish Administrator Margaret Fisher 05/02/17
Electoral Role Officer Lynne Webb 30/05/24
Safeguarding Officer Carol Weyman 30/05/24
Assistant Safeguarding Officer Lisa Radcliffe 15/12/24
Data Protection Officer Margaret Fisher 30/05/24
Gift Aid Officer Eleanor Whalley 30/05/24
Co-opted Members
Susan Potts 11/07/24
Susan Dickinson 15/12/24

Page 2

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

We aim to serve our communities prayerfully, and to work together with friends within the church community and beyond, aiming to play our part in the building of God's Kingdom and helping people to experience God's love and grow as disciples of Jesus. We enjoy each other's company as we celebrate God's hope and life and the beauty of creation.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Unrestricted income for the year amounted to £71,830 (£72,065 in 2023). Corresponding expenditure totalled £74,372 (£73,194 in 2023). Ministry Share was agreed and paid in full and all arrears caught up. Costs for occasional offices increased to reflect the corresponding rise in fee income. Over all, the General Fund showed a deficit for the year of £2,542 (£1,129 in 2023), plus a transfer of £3,000 to the Restoration Fund.

Income specifically relating to pledged giving, which includes tax reclaimed, was £52,007 (£42,544 in 2023). Fund raising activities raised £2,974.

The Restricted Restoration Fund showed income of £68,031 from grants, donations and fundraising (£259,616 in 2023). In addition to the £3,000 mentioned above, £17,000 was transferred from Endowment Funds to help with the restoration work. Expenditure of £87,017 was incurred (£260,283 in 2023). This illustrates the continuing restoration work being carried out. A loan of £20,000 had been taken out with the Cambridge Historic Churches Trust in 2023 to enable the restorations and £5,000 of this was paid back. See note below.

The performance of the Endowment Funds was disappointing this year with and increase in value of only £3,275 (£12,206 increase in value in 2023). Money was transferred from the Soham Cowell Bequest to help fund the Ministry Share and the restoration work.

In the Footsteps of St Felix

The project, ‘In the Footsteps of St Felix’, was a £351,298 capital grant-funded project involving essential repair work to the church transepts and holding repairs to the nave roof. It involved reroofing, replacing and repairing rainwater goods, repointing and associated repair to roof timbers and masonry. Alongside the capital project was an extensive Activity Plan which took as its inspiration the church’s early medieval foundation and delivered a range of historic and heritage themed activities for the local community, and to young people from Soham Village College and St Andrew’s Primary School. The project completed in August 2024 and paved the way for a further bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for further funding for works needed to restore the church building such that it can be removed from Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. This bid was entitled 'St Andrew's Church Soham: Building Repairs and Building Skills for a Brighter Future' and was submitted in November 2024.

Principal Funding Sources

The regular sources of funds for normal operation are charitable donations from Church members, fund raising activities which bring in contributions from the wider community, statutory fees due from weddings and funerals, and interest and dividends from our investment holdings. We also receive an annual grant of 66% of Chancel insurance costs from Pembroke College Cambridge, our lay rector.

Investment Policy

St Andrew's reserves are invested with the CBF Church of England Funds, and in deposit accounts operated by the Diocese, which are reviewed regularly.

Reserves Policy

The level of reserves that will be maintained will be sufficient to ensure the Church continues to function throughout the ensuing year. Unusual income, such as bequests and occasional unrestricted lump sums, for use in funding non-regular needs, are held in reserve as designated funds. The Charity aims to hold in excess of one year's worth of running costs (around £70k). At the year end the total funds held were £186,320, of which £55,908 were restricted funds, £128,214 were endowment funds leaving free reserves of only £2,198.

Page 3

Principal Risks and uncertainties

The quinquenniel inspection of the Church in 2021 reiterated the need for very considerable and urgent restoration work to be undertaken as soon as funds became available to carry it out. The section 'In the Footsteps of St Felix' explains what we have done and where we are now.

Volunteers

The life of St Andrew's Church relies on ongoing prayer, commitment and contribution of members of its congregation and very many other volunteers throughout the year. Their efforts are greatly appreciated: we could not begin to manage without them.

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The Trustees, in setting their objectives, have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission. Their specific objective is to promote in the ecclesiasctical parish the whole mission of the church. This is achieved through the provision of services of public worship, including the Occasional Offices (baptisms, weddings and funerals); the provision of other activities open to all members of the public and aimed particularly at those in need (eg. Jam Sandwich Club, our school-holiday drop-in and our annual Pancake Party); making the church building available for use by external organisations whose activities are of direct public benefit, particularly to those in need.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

We look forward to the coming year, and in particular to:

Page 4

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice)

The Charities Act 2011 (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed, require the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charity for that period.

In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 27th April 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

….............................................................

The Revd Eleanor Whalley (Chair)

…............................................................. Mark Campbell (Treasurer)

Page 5

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE PCC of St Andrew, Soham

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 14 of the Financial Statements.

Respective responsibilities of the PCC and the Examiner

The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. 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

Basis of the 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 explanations from the PCC committee concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiners Statement

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

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 103 of the 2011 act, or, to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met,

Or,

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 11 April 2025

Sue Chase

Simple Solutions (Cambs) Ltd 5 Williams Close Great Gransden SG19 3QS

Page 6

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Note
2a
2b
2c
2d
Restoration project
2e
Other income
2f
3a
3b
Restoration project
3c
5
Net Income/(expenditure)
8
AT 1 JANUARY 2024
Gains/losses on investment assets
unrealised
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Transfer between funds
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
AFTER TRANSFERS
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations and legacies
Charitable Activities
Other trading activities
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
Investments
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Raising funds
Charitable Activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
TOTAL FUNDS
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
52,007
4,284
-
56,291
48,929
14,589
-
-
14,589
10,087
2,974
4,564
-
7,538
11,269
2,260
3,400
-
5,660
5,254
-
63,713
-
63,713
254,526
-
-
-
-
1,616
71,830
75,961
-
147,791
331,681
793
-
-
793
475
73,579
3,166
-
76,745
74,970
-
87,017
-
87,017
258,032
74,372
90,184
-
164,555
333,477
3,275
3,275
12,206
(2,542)
(14,222)
3,275
(13,489)
10,410
(3,000)
20,000
(17,000)
0
0
(5,542)
5,778
(13,725)
(13,489)
10,410
7,740
50,130
141,939
199,809
189,400
2,198
55,908
128,214
186,320
199,809

The ensuing notes form part of these accounts

Page 7

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

BALANCE SHEET

Note
Investments
5
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than
7a
9
9
9
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
one year
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
NET CURRENT ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
FIXED ASSETS
2024
£
155,875
155,875
4,554
55,800
60,354
14,909
45,445
15,000
186,320
2,198
55,908
128,214
186,320
2023
£
166,200
166,200
2,790
58,976
61,766
8,156
53,609
20,000
199,809
7,740
50,130
141,939
199,809

Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 27th April 2025

…............................................................. The Revd Eleanor Whalley (Chair)

…............................................................. Mark Campbell (Treasurer)

The ensuing notes form part of these accounts

Page 8

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their own accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Going Concern Basis

The trustees consider that the going concern basis is appropriate as they consider the reserves levels to be sufficient to ensure that the trustees can meet their financial obligations for the next 12 to 18 months and on the basis the entity is a going concern.

(b) Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of the PCC that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and which are available for application on the general purposes of the PCC. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the PCC are also treated as funds which have been given for a particular purpose and which are therefore not available for the general purposes of the PCC, but only for this particular purpose.

(c) Income

Income from planned giving and collections are recognised as received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the related income is recognised. Grants and legacies are recognised when the amount falls due. Rents and investments income are recognised when receivable.

(d) Expenditure

Expenditure is recorded when payable, and where unpaid at the year end are included as creditors.

(e) Fixed Assets

Consecrated property is not included in accordance with s.10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011. Assets listed in the Church inventory, which require a faculty for disposal, are inalienable property and not included in the accounts. For inalienable property acquired prior to 2015 there is insufficient cost information available and therefore such assets are not valued in the accounts. Items acquired since January 2015 will be capitalised and depreciated in the accounts over their currently anticipated useful economic life where the cost is deemed sufficiently material.

(f) Investments

Investments are stated at market value.

(g) Taxation

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of Schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK Corporation Tax purposes.

Page 9

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

a) Donations and legacies
Pledged Giving:
Offertory
Tax reclaimable
Collections
Contactless donations
Other donations, grants and legacies
b) Charitable activities
Church activities:
Wedding and funeral fees
c) Other trading activities
Fund raising events
d) Investments
Interest
Dividends
e) Restoration Project
Grants
f) Other income
Other
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
2. INCOMING RESOURCES
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
29,887
29,887
32,990
8,403
544
8,947
9,554
2,493
2,493
2,854
2,173
2,173
1,598
9,052
3,740
12,792
1,932
-
-
TOTAL FUNDS
52,007
4,284
-
56,291
48,929
14,589
14,589
10,087
14,589
-
-
14,589
10,087
2,974
4,564
7,538
11,269
2,974
4,564
-
7,538
11,269
919
3,400
4,319
3,969
1,340
1,340
1,285
2,260
3,400
-
5,660
5,254
63,713
63,713
254,526
-
63,713
-
63,713
254,526
-
-
1,616
-
-
-
-
1,616
71,830
75,961
-
147,791
331,681

Page 10

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. EXPENDITURE
3a. Raising Funds
Fundraising costs
200 Club prizes
3b. Charitable activities
Ministry Share
Vicar and curate allowances
Church utilities
Church insurance
Church Repairs & maintenance
Organist & Service Fees
Wedding & Funeral Fees
Mission Giving
Legal fees
Admin
Sundry
Junior church
Governance:
Independent Examination
3c. Restoration Project
Fees & work carried out
Loan repayment
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
318
318
475
475
475
TOTAL FUNDS
793
-
-
793
475
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
45,507
45,507
45,000
2,120
2,120
3,683
5,418
5,418
975
7,692
7,692
9,059
1,753
2,174
3,927
5,099
1,918
388
2,306
3,200
5,587
5,587
5,233
70
70
100
-
300
2,637
2,637
1,323
29
29
0
605
605
290
-
0
848
848
710
TOTAL FUNDS
73,579
3,166
-
76,745
74,970
87,017
87,017
252,532
-
5,500
-
87,017
-
87,017
258,032

4. Trustee Expenses

No members of the PCC received any remuneration NO PCC members claimed expenses

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED

74,372 90,184 - 164,555 333,477

Page 11

THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST ANDREW SOHAM FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. Investments

Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Value at 1st January 2024
24,261
Additions
Capital withdrawal
Interest and dividends
3,400
Revaluation gain/loss
Value at 31 December 2024
-
27,661
Invested in:
CBF Investment Funds
CBF Deposit Funds
27,661
-
27,661
Investments held by:
General Fund
Fabric Fund
Sunday School Fund
9,734
Bells and Tower Maintenance Fund
17,928
27,661
6. Debtors
Tax recoverable
Other Debtors & Prepayments
7. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade Creditors
Other Creditors & accruals
Wedding Deposits
7a. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Loan from Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust
Unrestricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
24,261
3,400
Endowment
Total
Funds
141,939
166,200
-
(17,000)
(17,000)
3,400
3,275
3,275
-
27,661
128,214
155,875
27,661 128,214
128,214
27,661
-
27,661
128,214
155,875
9,734
17,928
31,098
31,098
20,094
20,094
32,719
42,452
44,303
62,231
27,661 128,214
155,875
2024
2023
£
£
1,236
918
3,318
1,872
4,554
2,790
2024
2023
£
£
924
1,483
13,685
300
6,673
14,909
8,156
2024
2023
£
£
15,000
20,000
15,000
20,000

Page 12

8. FUNDS

The movements on the funds are:

Restricted funds:
Flower Fund
Sunday School Fund
Bell & Tower Fund
Fabric Fund
Youth Work Fund
Noticeboard & Communications Fund
Hymn Book Fund
Restoration Fund
Mothers Union
National Churches Trust Fund
Jam Sandwich Club
Unrestricted funds :
General Fund
Endowment Funds:
General Fund
Sunday School Fund
Bells and Tower Fund
Fabric Fund
Opening
Balances at 1
January 24
Incoming
Resources
Outgoing
Resources
Transfers /
Revaluations
Balances
Carried
Forward
1,460
(388)
1,072
8,391 1,343
(605)
9,129
15,869 2,057
17,926
10,691 250
(2,174)
8,767
780
- 500
280
493
493
97
97
11,328 71,911
(87,017)
20,036
16,258
986
986
36
(36)
-
400
500)
900
50,130
75,961
(90,184)
20,000
55,908
7,740 71,830
(74,372)
(3,000)
2,198
7,740
71,830
(74,372)
(3,000)
2,198
46,996
(15,898)
31,098
31,987
732
32,719
43,312
991
44,303
19,644
450
20,094
141,939
-
-
(13,725)
128,214
199,809
147,791
(164,555)
3,275
186,320

Restricted Funds consist of:

Flower Fund - donations and fundraising for the cost of flowers.

Sunday School Fund - donations and endowment fund income for the Sunday School .

Bells and Tower Fund - donations and endowment fund income for the maintenance and repair of the bells and tower. Fabric Fund - donations and endowment fnd income for the upkeep and repair of the church fabric. Youth Work Fund - Council Grant for youth work.

Jam Sandwich Club - grants received to fund a drop in session for families during school holidays.

Notice Board & Communications Fund - Grants received to allow church events to be publicised more widely. Hymn Book Fund - donations for updating the hymn books and PA system.

Restoration Fund - donations made towards the costs of restoring the church building.

Page 13

Project Management Fund - Donation received to support St Andrew's Church-based heritage-related project management activities.

National Churches Trust Fund - Grant received to support the efforts to combat the problem of roosting birds in the church roof.

Mothers Union Fund - donation made for helping families in need.

Endowment Funds Consist of:

General Fund - Cowell bequest the income from which can be used for general purposes and is taken directly to unrestricted income

Sunday School Fund - Peacock and Lyon bequests the income from which is to be used for the Sunday School and is each year included in the Sunday School restricted fund.

Bell and Tower Fund - Peacock bequest the income from which is to be used on the church bells and tower and is each year included in the Bells and Tower restricted fund.

Fabric Fund - Basil Slack Trust and Grace Norman bequest the income from which is to be used for the upkeep and repair of the church fabric and is each year included in the Fabric restricted fund.

9. BREAKDOWN OF NET ASSETS BY FUND:

9. BREAKDOWN OF NET ASSETS BY FUND:
Investments
Current assets
Liabilities
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
2024
2023
Funds
Funds
Fund
-
27,661
128,214
155,875
166,200
15,528
43,742
59,271
61,766
(13,331)
(15,495)
(28,826)
(28,156)
2,198
55,908
128,214
186,320
199,809

10. Trust Funds

The PCC acts as trustee for the Mrs Jill Clark and Train Explosion funds, with a value of £1,996.72 and £708.04 respectively, which have charitable aims different to those of the PCC and are therefore not included in these accounts.

Page 14