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2025-12-31-accounts

Charity registration: 1200407

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

CONTENTS

Trustees' report
Independent Examiners Report
Receipts and Payments Account
Analysis of Receipts and Payments Account
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Notes to the Financial Statements		 Page
1-2
3
4
5
6
7

Page 1

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

The charitable object of the Church is to promote in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church. The Church is part of the Church of England within the Diocese of Southwark

3 Review of Activities

Over the past twelve months, St John’s has continued to grow in ministry, fellowship, and community engagement despite the challenges facing the wider Church and society. We remain grateful to God for His faithfulness and for the opportunities to serve our parish and local community.

Our vision continues to be that of an open and welcoming church where people of all ages and backgrounds can encounter the love of Jesus Christ and explore the Christian faith. Encouragingly, we are seeing steady progress towards this aim. The structures and systems established in the post-Covid period are now becoming more embedded and are yielding positive results across many aspects of church life.

There has been a noticeable growth in participation, worship, and fellowship within the congregation. We continue to see evidence of a church community committed to serving others with compassion and generosity. This has contributed to an increasingly positive presence within the parish, with many visitors and new worshippers commenting on the warmth and vitality of the church community. During the year, we welcomed a steady number of new members, including families and children.

We are especially grateful for the ministry of Helen Bryant-Beecher, our Youth Pastor, who is completing the final year of her placement through the Diocese of London Youth Ministry Apprenticeship Scheme. Helen’s ministry among our children and young people continues to flourish and remains a significant blessing to the life of the church.

During the year, Sarah Bligh-Stewart joined the staff team as Community Connector, with funding support from Greenwich Council. In this role, Sarah works closely with residents, community groups, faith organisations, and local partners across the parish to strengthen community relationships, improve access to wellbeing support, and encourage wider participation in community life.

Our pastoral care ministry has continued to develop under the leadership of Sonia McIntosh and the pastoral team, who have worked diligently to maintain contact with church members and provide practical and spiritual support where needed.

Under the leadership of Richard Ratajczak, the music ministry has also continued to develop. We are grateful for the hard work of the music team and for the diversity of gifts represented within it. Under the supervision of Damie Ajayi and Cordelia Brown, the Youth Choir has continued its regular rehearsals and contributes faithfully to the monthly All-Age Service.

In partnership with Greenwich Youth for Christ (GYFC), St John’s continues to run a weekly youth club serving children and young people within the parish. Attendance has grown steadily, with more than thirty young people attending regularly. Building on this work, the quarterly Messy Church initiative has enabled many families connected to the youth club to engage more actively with church life.

The monthly Yoruba Fresh Expression service continues to develop positively, alongside a number of new wellbeing and community-focused initiatives for adults and children introduced during the year.

Our Saturday Foodbank ministry remains an important point of contact with the local community, supporting many individuals and families in need while providing opportunities for pastoral engagement. In addition, St John’s temporarily hosted the weekly Greenwich Foodbank for several months while their usual premises underwent repairs.

Page 2

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

REPORT OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

3 Review of Activities (Continued)

We give thanks to God for the stability of the church’s finances during the year. Ministry activities, maintenance works, and church projects have been supported through the generous giving of church members, income generated from property and hall hire, and external grant funding. We appreciate the enormous effort of our treasurer, Lekan Olasanmi, and the finance team for their invaluable work. We remain deeply grateful to all who support the mission and ministry of St John’s through their financial contributions, volunteering, time, and gifts.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for their continued commitment, wisdom, and support in the governance and oversight of the church.

As we look ahead, we do so with confidence in God’s continued guidance and provision. While challenges remain, we trust that the Lord will continue to strengthen St John’s in fulfilling His mission and serving the parish faithfully.

Revd Timmy Ajayi

The Church received cash receipts amounting to £113,895 (2024: £86,859) and made cash payments of £111,212 (2024: £106,170), recording an overall cash surplus of £2,683 (2024: cash deficit of £19,311) during the year. At 31 December 2025 cash funds amounted to £12,096 (2024: £9,413).

5 Reserves policy

Our current reserves policy is to hold unrestricted reserves that are at least equal to three months operational expenditure. We thank God that our current level of reserves are above this level.

Members of the PCC who served during the year were:

Rev Timmy Ajayi (Incumbent) Richard Ratajczak (PCC Vice Chair) Wale Kalejaiye (Church Warden) Naby Adetosoye (PCC Secretary) Olalekan Olasanmi (PCC Treasurer) Sonia McIntosh Folarin Ajala Olubunmi Taiwo Marilyn Nana Michael Sofeso Kola Adeyafa Olubunmi Adebanjo Emmanuel Adesanya Olaitan Fatoye Resigned May 2025 Sue Craven Deceased

The Church Independent Examiner is C J Dadswell FCA FCCA DChA, Caladine Limited, Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 1BF.

Approved on behalf of the Parochial Church Council on …................... and signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………………… …………………………………………… Rev Timmy Ajayi Lekan Olasanmi (Incumbent) (PCC Treasurer)

Page 3

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST JOHN'S PLUMSTEAD

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of St John's Plumstead ('the Charity') for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 4 to 7.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

C J Dadswell FCA FCCA DChA

Caladine Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne, BN21 1BF

Date: 28/05/2026

Page 4

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Receipts from:
Gifts and donations
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants received
Hall rental income
Property rental income
Wedding and funeral fees
Investment income
Bank interest received
Other income
Total receipts
Payments on:
Diocesan parish share
Church maintenance
General utilities
Donations and gifts
Church hall insurance, utilities and maintenance
Salary expenses
Supplies and provisions
Youth choir costs
Insurance
Parish administration
Administration, fundraising and licenses
IT and telecommunications
Bookkeeping and accountancy
Clergy expenses
Rental property utilities and maintenance
Yoruba Service Expenses
Young People & Youth Expenses
Training
Youth Pastor
Total payments
Transfers between funds
Net receipts/(payments)
Funds brought forward 1 January 2025
Funds carried forward 31 December 2025		 Unrestricted &
Designated Restricted
Total
2025
2025
2025
£
£
£
31,952
195
32,147
13,909
-
13,909
-
11,200
11,200
30,607
-
30,607
22,243
-
22,243
625
-
625
2,879
-
2,879
129
-
129
-
156
156
102,344
11,551
113,895
27,685
-
27,685
2,575
-
2,575
6,802
-
6,802
5,668
156
5,824
2,588
-
2,588
20,965
-
20,965
3,819
-
3,819
2,116
-
2,116
2,490
-
2,490
1,763
-
1,763
306
309
615
2,270
-
2,270
1,002
-
1,002
531
-
531
9,091
-
9,091
-
115
115
202
7,325
7,527
1,313
500
1,813
11,000
621
11,621
102,186
9,026
111,212
(2,475)
2,475
-
(2,317)
5,000
2,683
9,413
-
9,413
7,096
5,000
12,096		 Total
2024
£
33,387
-
11,835
24,924
11,890
1,380
2,812
284
347
86,859
26,715
8,796
6,405
7,182
1,623
15,363
1,416
2,370
2,397
3,768
684
9,911
1,075
1,429
9,142
1,580
6,314
-
-
106,170
-
(19,311)
28,724
9,413

Page 6

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£ £ £ £
MONETARY ASSETS
Cash at Bank 12,096 9,413
INVESTMENT ASSETS
CBF Investments 99,476 103,618
DEBTORS
Gift aid reclaimable 6,086 12,143
LIABILITIES
Accountancy / Independent Examiners fee 882 840
Approved on behalf of the Trustees:
…………………………………………… ……………………………………………
Rev Timmy Ajayi Lekan Olasanmi
(Incumbent) (PCC Treasurer)
Date:
----- End of picture text -----

Page 5

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT ANALYSIS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

ANALYSIS OF PAYMENTS
Donations and gifts
African Revival
Bible Society
C A Michael-Uche
Church Finance Supplies
Church Pastoral
Church Together
College of St Barnabas
Emmaus
Greenwich & Bexley Hospice
Helen Beeche
Joyce A Chudi Babies
Leprosy Mission
Novi Most
Sickle Cell Society
Simeons Trustee
Sonia Mcintosh Discretionary Charitable Giving
The Bible Society
Vicar's Discretionary
Church hall, utilities and maintenance
Maintenance
Utilities		 2025
£
600
-
650
600
25
150
350
350
300
-
150
150
150
400
1,100
200
650
5,825
1,873
715
2,588		 2024
£
-
200
500
200
500
-
150
-
350
200
2,732
150
150
150
400
900
-
600		 2024
7,182
951
672
1,623

Page 7

ST JOHN'S CHURCH PLUMSTEAD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1 Accounting Policies

2 Donations

Donations are recognised when received by or on behalf of the charity.

3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised in the year in which it is incurred and allocated to the appropriate category.

4 Funds

The charity operates a general fund for its activities. The charity also operates several restricted funds as follows:

Fund Name
Specific donations
Youth & young people
Training
South London Grants
Total		 Brought
forward
-
-
-
-
-		 Receipts
351
5,700
500
5,000
11,551		 Payments
(465)
(8,060)
(500)
-
(9,026)		 Transfers
115
2,360
-
2,475		 Carried
forward
-
-
5,000
5,000

Specific donations

Donations given to be passed on to external charities or to support specific members of the congregation.

Training

Grants to help fund training.

Youth & young people

Grants to help fund youth & young people expenditure

South London Grants

Grants to help fund Yoruba Service project, Music and the Youth project.

5 Unrestricted and Designated Funds

General Unrestricted Fund
34 Earl Rise Fund
Investment Income
Total		 Brought
forward
3,853
2,748
2,812
9,413		 Receipts
77,222
22,243
2,879
102,344		 Payments
(93,095)
(9,091)
-
(102,186)		 Transfers
12,020
(14,495)
-
(2,475)		 Carried
forward
-
1,405
5,691
7,096

34 Earl Rise Fund

Any surplus from the renting of 34 Earl Rise is set aside by the PCC to cover future repairs.

Investment income

This income is set aside for reinvestment and to grow the CBF Investment funds.