## The Parish Church of **St Peter and St Paul Bishops Hull**
## **Annual Report for end 2025**
## “ **Worship, Mission, Discipleship** _”_
_This Report presents an overview of the Parochial Church Council’s (PCC) discussions and decisions for the year ending 31 December 2025_
## **PCC Membership**
The PCC is constituted with 18 members, together with the possibility of two co-opted additional members if required. During the past year, the following served as members:
St Peter & St Paul’s PCC is an elected body with responsibility, in co-operation with the Vicar, for promoting the whole mission of the Church within the parish. They are also responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings and, as Trustees, are accountable to the Archdeacon for the church’s finances.
_Incumbent (Ex Officio)_
1. Revd Phil Hughes
_Wardens (Ex Officio)_
2. John Perry (appointed at APCM 2024)
3. Tim Venn (appointed at APCM 2024)
## _Reader(s) (Ex Officio)_
4. Vacancy
_Deanery Synod representatives (Ex Officio)_
5. Vacancy
6. Vacancy
## _Elected members_
End of 1[st] office APCM 2028
7. Rachel Horder
8. Shirley Stapleton End of 2[nd] office APCM 2027 9. Mark Dakin End of 2[nd] office APCM 2027 10. Hilary Harper End of 1[st] office APCM 2028 11. Sue Martin End of 1[st] office APCM 2026 12. Lillian Priest End of 1[st] office APCM 2028 13. Beverley Keitch End of 1[st] office APCM 2028
14. Vacancy
15. Vacancy
16. Vacancy
17. Vacancy
18. Vacancy
## _Co-opted_
Beverley Keitch is the appointed person for Safeguarding as of 01 January 2025.
_Appointed_ for 2025 at first PCC meeting: **PCC Secretary** : A secretary is URGENTLY needed. John Perry stood in for this role throughout the year. **PCC Treasurer** : Rachel Horder as of 01 January 2024.
## **Committees**
The PCC operates through several committees or working groups as follows:
## **Standing Committee**
Consists of the Vicar, Church Warden x 2, PCC Chair and PCC Treasurer.
This committee is required by law and co-ordinates the urgent business between PCC meetings.
## **Fabric**
Consists of Church Warden x 2.
Responsible for co-ordinating and commissioning minor works of maintenance and repair in and around the building as well as presenting details of more complex works to the PCC for consideration and discussion.
## **Pastoral and Link Group**
Consists of Vicar, all Link People and Pastoral Team. Oversees organised pastoral work on behalf of the church.
## **Ministry / Worship Group**
Consists of Vicar and Reader(s).
Oversees and monitors the regular worship of the church, including seasonal and one-off services. In the absence of a Reader this work is done by the Vicar.
## **Children’s Working Group**
Our regular ministry to Children is currently through the Open the Book team, which is led by Christabel Ager.
## **Social Group**
There are many people in the church who willingly and ably support the social activities within the church, mainly through Coffee Mornings and after service refreshments (which are a vital part of our outreach and hospitality.
## **Review of the Year**
## **Church attendance**
At the end of 2025, the number of names on the Electoral Roll stood at **51** ( _APCM 2024, 50)_ . In line with Church Law, a new Electoral Roll was created in Spring 2025.
## **Parochial Church Council**
- The full PCC met 8 times (in The Bridge) for arranged meetings.
## **Overview**
In a year defined by encouragement and a collective seeking of God’s vision, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to developing our worship, increasing confidence in mission, and deepening our discipleship. Our growth is rooted in a diverse range of worship styles and teaching, all firmly grounded in Biblical understanding.
## **Worship**
Our worship remains centered on **Biblical authority** , creating space for the Holy Spirit to lead our community. Key developments this year include:
- **Lay Leadership:** We are actively exploring Diocesan initiatives for **Lay Worship Assistant** and **Lay Pastoral Assistant** roles, alongside a formal recognition of Pioneering Ministry training.
- **Prayer Ministry:** We have successfully introduced a re-imagined Prayer Ministry, which currently offers dedicated intercession during our monthly 10:00 am service.
## **Mission**
We continue to look outward, seeking to be a visible and welcoming presence in Bishops Hull:
- **Accessibility:** A primary focus remains on making our services inclusive and ensuring a warm, intentional welcome for all guests.
- **Community Presence:** We continue to strengthen our local impact, particularly through high-profile celebrations of the Church's key festivals and other ‘awareness’ events.
- **Youth Outreach:** We supported local families and schools by gifting **Real Advent Calendars** to all Reception-aged children and providing **‘It’s Your Move’** booklets to Year 6 students transitioning to secondary school as well as various seasonal opportunities to engage with the local community.
- **Open the Book:** We are proud to support the dedicated team bringing Bible stories to life within our local primary school connecting with approx. 200 children a fortnight.
- **Pastoral Care:** A team has been established to bring **Holy Communion to local Care Homes** . We are delighted that new members have recently completed training to join this vital ministry.
- We continue to support 4 agencies with financial and prayer support – **Church Mission Society** (Marcio and Noemi), **Christian Aid** , **Taunton Youth for Christ** , **Open Door (Taunton)**
## **Discipleship**
To foster spiritual growth, we have focused on teaching that bridges the gap between Scripture and daily life:
- **Teaching:** Our structure has focused on real-life application, making excellent use of the Lectionary and seasonal opportunities.
- **Resources:** We continue to promote individual spiritual growth by providing Daily Bible Study notes from the **Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF)** .
- **Prayers of Love and Faith:** Following prayerful consideration and discussion regarding offering _Prayers of Love and Faith_ , and having sought guidance from the Diocese and Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), the PCC unanimously voted not to ‘opt in’ to the use of these prayers at this time and welcomed the decision of the General Synod to close process.
## **Fabric Report**
Maintaining our sacred space is key to our stewardship. Following the December 2025 Quinquennial Report, we have established a structured program to address its findings. Over the next 12 months, we intend to meet all immediate recommendations using our own resources. For the longer term, more significant building works have been identified and we will be seeking advice and financial support from the Diocese/Grant bodies.
- **Maintenance:** Routine care of gutters, gulleys, and walkways (including washing and weeding) has been handled diligently.
- **Major Works:** To prevent internal damp, replacing the entire guttering system will now join our larger church repairs project.
- **Churchyard:** While the local council retains ultimate responsibility for the churchyard, a dedicated church team manages the mowing, reviewed annually.
## **Building Tomorrow’s Church Today**
We are delighted to report that the final invoice for this transformative project has been settled. This 40+ year project was **officially closed in 2025** .
## **Finance**
The accounts opened with £72,554.00 and closed with £106,443.00. _See Finance report for more details._
## **Fire Risk Assessment**
Latest fire safety checks are held by the Church Wardens in the Health and Safety file, along with the Terrier etc.
## **Safeguarding**
Our Safeguarding Policy is based on the Diocesan guidelines. Beverley Keitch is the Appointed Person for Safeguarding from 01 January 2025.
There have been no Safeguarding incidents to report to the APCM in 2025.
_PCC members, as Trustees of the Charity, have the ultimate legal responsibility for ensuring that the correct procedures are strictly adhered to and, in furtherance of this, the PCC consider the advice provided by the Diocese of Bath & Wells._
## **END**
## St. Peter and St. Paul Bishops Hull's Receipts & Payments Account
_for the year ended 31 December 2025_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2025 2024
Receipts £ £ £ £ £
Donations and Legacies:
Planned giving 34,772 - - 34,772 29,402
Collections, donations & other giving 18,111 - 40,200 58,311 13,185
Income tax recovered 9,930 - - 9,930 -
Legacies - - - - 5,538
Other Trading activities
Magazine/Bookstall sales/Hall Lettings etc 24 - - 24 (24)
- - - - -
Income from other Properties
Annual Fete/events 515 - - 515 1,700
Receipts from Investments:
Interest & dividends 1,601 - - 1,601 2,292
Receipts from Charitable activities:
Parochial fees 253 - - 253 355
Other Receipts
Insurance claims - - - - -
- - - - -
Sale proceeds from fixed assets
Loans received - - - - -
Other - - - - 332
Total Receipts 65,206 - 40,200 105,406 52,780
Payments
Charitable activities:
Donations/Grants to charities - - - - -
-
Mission & Evangelism (92) (3,931) (4,023) (7,976)
Parish Share (50,400) - - (50,400) (45,762)
- -
Clergy expenses (1,959) (1,959) (2,875)
-
Church running expenses (949) (1,089) (2,038) (4,546)
- - - - -
Churchyard maintenance
- -
Cost of raising funds (34) (34) (738)
- - - - -
Support costs
- -
Administration costs (inc. staff costs) (1,442) (1,442) (1,777)
Governance Costs (110) - - (110) (75)
Other (1,576) - - (1,576) (1,353)
Major expenditure
Repairs to church buildings - (1,431) (8,504) (9,935) 2,921
- - - - -
Repairs to other property
- - - - -
Capital purchases/additions
- - - - -
Loan repayments
Total payments (56,562) (6,451) (8,504) (71,517) (62,181)
Surplus/(Deficit) of Receipts over payments 8,644 (6,451) 31,696 33,889 (9,401)
Transfers between funds (10,000) - 10,000 - -
(1,356) (6,451) 41,696 33,889 (9,401)
Cash at bank and in hand at 1 Jan (Actual Balance) 33,595 18,672 20,287 72,554 81,955
Cash at bank and in hand at 31 Dec (Actual Balance) 32,239 12,221 61,983 106,443 72,554
General fund Designated fund Restricted fund
Notes
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_*produced using the Diocesan Cashbook v5_
## **Independent Examiner’s Certificate** for the PCC Accounts
Report to the trustees of: Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul **Parochial Church Council** On accounts for the year ended: 31 December 2025 Charity Number (if applicable): N/A **Respective responsibilities** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The **of trustees and examiner** charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: • examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, • to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and • to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. **Basis of independent** My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the **examiner’s statement** 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 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 accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
**Independent examiner's** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention (other than **statement** that disclosed below *) 1. 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 Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
- have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**Signed: Date:** 06/04/2026 **Name:** Pip Millard FCCA
> **Relevant professional** ACCA **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** Dennett House, 11 Middle St, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1SH
1
**March 2012**
**IER**
## Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
2
**March 2012**
**IER**