## **The Parish of St John the Baptist Leamington South**
**The Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 together with Legal and Administrative information.**
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## **Contents**
|**Report**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Organisational structure|3|
|Membership of PCC|4|
|Aims and Organisation|5|
|Structure Management|6|
|Objectives and Activities|7|
|Worship and Prayer|7-8|
|Vicar’s Report|8-10|
|Secretary’s Report|10|
|Churchwardens’ Report|11-13|
|Safeguarding Report|13-15|
|Electoral Roll Report|15|
|Deanery Synod Report|16|
|Food Kitchen|16|
|Music Report|17|
|Men in Sheds Report|17-18|
|Youth Work Report|18-20|
|Church Brigade Report|20-21|
|Little Lambs Report|22|
|Brownies Report|22|
|Rainbows Report|23|
|Treasurer’s Report|24-26|
|Independent Examiner’s Report||
|Annual accounts||
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**Dedication and Address:** St John the Baptist, Tachbrook Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 3BN
**Independent Examiner:**
Stewardship 1 Lamb’s Passage London EC1Y 8AB
**Bankers:**
Unity Trust Bank PO Box 7193 Planetary Road Willenhall WV1 9DG
**Consultant Architects:** Oliver Architecture The Coffin Works 13 - 15 Fleet Street Birmingham B3 1JH
**Insurance:** Trinitas Church Insurance Blenheim House 1-2 Bridge Street Guildford GU1 4RY
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## _**Membership of the PCC**_
Members of the PCC are either ex-officio (Churchwardens, Lay Reader, and Deanery Synod Representatives) or they are elected at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
The 2024 composition of the PCC following was as follows: Father Stephen Parker (Chair)
Mr Paul Hamilton (Treasurer/Vice Chair)
Mr Terence Gardner (Church Warden, _to 25[th] May 2024,_ PCC member _from 25[th] May 2024_ )
Mr Joab Lawlor (Church Warden, _to 25[th] May 2024_ )
Mr Silas Taylor (Church Warden _from 25[th] May 2024_ )
Mr Ben Kelsey (PCC member, Church Warden _from 25[th] May 2024_ )
Mr Thomas Raynor (Secretary)
Miss Claire Russell (Parish Safeguarding Officer, Electoral Roll Officer)
Father Daniel Vickerstaff (curate: co-opted)
Mr George Lawlor
Mr Mark Perkins ( _from 25[th] May 2024_ )
Ms Marianne Rohan
Mrs Susan McIntyre-Walker ( _term ended 25[th] May 2024)_
The Coventry Diocesan Board of Finance acted as Custodian Trustee for the inalienable property of the church.
## _**Standing Committee**_
This is the only committee required by law. It comprises the ex officio members, Churchwardens, Lay Reader, Secretary, and Treasurer. Its duty is to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. During 2023 the Standing Committee met in person six times and maintained regular communication online.
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## _**Child Protection and Safeguarding**_
Government legislation requires that all statutory and voluntary organisations working with children address the issues of Child Protection. The PCC regularly discusses Safeguarding and has adopted the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy.
## _**Aims and Organisation:**_
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St John the Baptist, South Leamington, has the responsibility of cooperating with the Vicar, the Reverend Stephen Parker, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The primary object of the PCC is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC (Powers) Measure 1956 states that the PCC 'is to cooperate with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical'.
The mission of the Church of St. John the Baptist is:
- To keep faith with those who built and beautified this church by the sensitive development of its facilities and to meet today’s needs.
- To maintain the continuity of Anglo-Catholic worship in this holy place and make orthodox Anglicanism available to more people.
- To reach out with the Gospel to the people who live, shop and work in this parish.
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## _**Structure Management and Governance**_
St John the Baptist Church PCC is a body corporate established by the Church of England and operates under the Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956 and the Church Representation Rules. The PCC is a registered charity.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules (2020). All eligible church members are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. The PCC operates one subcommittee - the Standing Committee.
Training has been provided for all PCC members on Safeguarding, and all PCC members must complete basic and foundation level online safeguarding courses provided by the Church of England.
Individual members receive external training as and when deemed appropriate by the PCC. Training may include basic health and safety, risk assessment and management, further safeguarding training, including safer recruitment and/or domestic abuse awareness.
The number of members on the Electoral Roll for the year ended 31 December 2023 was 67. Usual Sunday attendance averaged 70.
## _**Public benefit**_
The PCC has had regard to the Charity Commission public benefit guidance and the rest of this report highlights how we are meeting our Public Benefit requirements.
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## _**Objectives and activities**_
The aim of St John’s is to grow a family out of strangers by sharing the love of Jesus with the men, women and children of the parish that we serve.
The PCC’s role is to cooperate with the Vicar in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.
The primary object of the PCC is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.
## _**Worship and prayer**_
St John’s is keen to offer a range of services during the week and over the course of the year that our community finds both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. The Sunday morning Mass, the Afternoon Service, and Evensong provide good quality liturgical experiences that offer authentic, spirit-filled encounters with the Divine.
The midweek celebration of Mass, offering of the holy rosary, and Bible study provide points of spiritual nourishment throughout the week.
As well as our regular services, we enable our community to celebrate and thank God at the milestones of the journey through life. Through baptism we thank God for the gift of life; in marriage, public vows are exchanged with God's blessing; through funeral services friends and family express their grief and give thanks for the life that is now complete in this world and commend the person into God's keeping.
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A large proportion of the costs that our missional activities incur are funded through grants. The full breakdown of the costs of our programmes and activities are shown in the accounts.
As a church we rely hugely on the contribution of volunteers. We are grateful for all of these. They include people welcoming worshippers to each of the services; the choir; servers; readers of the lessons; people preparing prayers; the youth group leaders; children’s work leaders; worship team members; those counting the collection; PCC members; the treasurer; the Church Wardens; the PCC Secretary; Safeguarding Officer; all those who lead missional outreach projects, and all those who help to clean and maintain St John’s throughout the year.
## **Vicar’s Report**
2024 was another good year for St John’s, for which I give hearty thanks to Almighty God, and the wonderful parish that he has called me to serve and its diligent and faithful people.
It was a real joy to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our 3.30pm service, which has grown into a solid congregation. This new community offers a different liturgical experience at St John’s and means that across the three main Sunday services we offer something for every liturgical taste.
A real highlight of the year for me was our Confirmation service. We have Confirmations yearly, as God continues to add to our number mature disciples of Jesus Christ, but the real joy this year was having people from both the 9.30am Parish Mass and the 3.30pm Afternoon Service confirmed by Bishop Paul in their own services.
After several attempts over the years to establish a daytime drop in for people to socialise at, we reattempted this project in 2024
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and launched our weekly Brunch Club, supported by volunteers from both the 9.30am and 3.30pm congregations. This has proved incredibly successful, both in terms of attendance, and in the opportunity build relationships with those who live within the parish and town that we are called to minister in.
2024 saw us appoint Paula as our Parish Nurse and she laid good foundations for the project to build upon, and in her time with us raised the presence of St John’s in the local community. Paula and her team from her home church in Solihull did a fantastic job of introducing St John’s to Puppet Church, which has saw the addition of a new family service on a bi-monthly basis, which has shown potential for growth.
There was much to give thanks for in 2024, the above are but edited highlights, but I would be remiss in not mentioning:
- The ongoing success of our youth work – both Church Brigade and the Friday Youth Group are thriving, and we had wonderful pilgrimages to both the Walsingham Children’s, and Youth Pilgrimages.
- The formation of a monthly communion service at Jubilee House.
- The continued success of the Friday Lunch Time Concerts organised by Mr Adrian Moore
- The Men and Women’s Breakfasts
- The Launch of Men in Sheds
- Another terrific Christmas Day community meal – feeding
- even more people than in 2023!
- The joy and privilege of celebrating 10 years of Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood with you all.
2024 once again is testimony to the continued blessings that God pours upon St John’s and the parish. As ever, I commend the
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following reports to you: they speak powerfully of the hard work, diligence and faithfulness of our volunteers and office holders. St John’s would not be able to do nearly half of what we do week by week without the continued and ongoing support of you all, both through your prayers and hard work. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
It has been a true joy for me, as your parish priest, to see members of the different congregations working together across our various outreach projects. If our parish motto is to _Make a Family out of Strangers_ is has been powerful to see St John’s grow into a church that is one family made up of several congregations.
May Jesus Christ be praised in His Church, now and forever!
Father Stephen Parker SSC
## **Secretary’s Report**
The PCC have met in person on the following dates: 28 January 2024
23 June 2024 28 July 2024
29 September 2024
17 November 2024
At each meeting the PCC have received reports and discussed standing items covering safeguarding, health and safety, fabric and financial reporting. The PCC have also discussed during the course of the year: the Parish Nursing Scheme; the potential establishment of a Parish Pantry; the sale of School House; the lighting project; the continued development of the spiritual life of St Johns; and the wider mission within the local community. Mr Thomas Raynor, Secretary
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## **Churchwardens Report**
The mission of St. John the Baptist Church is to share the love of Jesus Christ with our community, to maintain the traditions of Anglo-Catholic worship, and to reach out in service and evangelism. As Churchwardens, we have sought to support this mission by ensuring that our church buildings and resources remain safe, functional, and welcoming spaces for worship, fellowship, and outreach.
2024 has been a highly productive year for the Wardens, marking the final year of the quinquennium. At the start of the year, we conducted a review of the 2020 quinquennial report, prepared by architect Stephen Oliver, which identified 221 recommendations. Throughout this year, we have systematically worked through these issues, prioritising those that could be completed without specialist contractors. Over the past year, we have successfully completed 27 actions, bringing the total completed actions to 47, which equates to approximately 21% of the total recommendations, highlighting the significant progress made this year.
## **Notable Works Completed in 2024**
- **Front Door Structural Repair:** The front door had detached from the brickwork and had dropped to the floor, posing security and health and safety risks. The door was reattached and raised off the floor, restoring functionality and safety.
- **Gutter Maintenance:** The lower-level gutters were inspected and cleared of debris, along with the chancel roof area abutting the tower. The high-level gutters are scheduled for inspection and cleaning in 2025.
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- **Basement Housekeeping:** The longstanding dry rot issue in the basement was exacerbated by debris acting as a food source for the fungi. All rubbish has been removed, and the area thoroughly cleaned. Next year, efforts will continue to restore proper ventilation.
- **Hanging Lamp Repair:** The lamp above the Image of Our Lady of Walsingham has been securely reattached.
## **Church Hall Repairs and Improvements**
- **Boundary Fence Installation:** Following the sale of the School House, a new boundary fence was installed adjacent to the hall, extending the rear garden. A new strip of land has been created, which we hope to develop into a community vegetable patch.
- **Female Toilet Repair:** After years of frequent damage and being out of service, the female toilet was permanently repaired in July.
- **Water Leak Fix:** A leak from the main water incomer under the hall sink was identified and repaired.
- **Window Replacement:** Due to recurring damage, the highlevel single-pane windows in the hall were replaced with perspex sheets, preventing future breakages and eliminating safety risks from falling glass.
- **Gutter Maintenance:** The west-side hall gutters, which were overflowing during rain, were promptly cleared.
## **Annual Maintenance and Administrative Updates**
- The annual maintenance of the **clock, organ, fire extinguishers, and portable appliances** was carried out.
- The **terrier and inventory** of the church is in the process of being renewed.
- The **church logbook** has been updated to reflect all works completed during 2024.
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As we continue to serve, we remain committed to ensuring that the church is a beacon of faith and service in our parish. Our ongoing maintenance and improvements are not just about preserving a historic building but about making sure that it remains a place where all can come to know the love of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Fr. Stephen Parker and the wider parish community in this mission and look forward to another year of service and growth.
Mr. Ben Kelsey and Mr. Silas Taylor
## **Safeguarding Report**
The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (which sets out the PCC's obligations to safeguard children and vulnerable adults).
As a church we believe that effective safeguarding of both children and adults is of paramount importance, and we strive to model best practice across our church policies and practices. Our safeguarding policy, code of conduct, safer working guidance, and expectations are made clear to all potential volunteers and details of those responsible for safeguarding are clearly displayed in both church and hall, as well as on the church website.
2024 has continued the trend of being busy in terms of safer recruitment, training and day to day safeguarding of our activities for children, youth and vulnerable adults. Our children’s work has continued to develop with monthly children’s church and the addition of fortnightly Praise and Play (Puppet Church) alongside our weekly CLCGB company and
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special family fun-day events. Our youth programme continues to be well attended and we have again seen a pleasing number of new faces this year, which has meant bringing some additional volunteer leaders into the team. Risks around County lines, CSE and drug/alcohol misuse continue to be concerns within this demographic, and we are continuing to work with other agencies where these concerns become evident.
We have continued to co-ordinate with the Warwickshire multiagency team, Safer Neighbourhood Team, and Diocesan Safeguarding Team to help support and safeguard all members of our Children’s and Youth ministries, and those vulnerable adults we work with and have contact with. We continue to use the Diocesan _Parish Dashboards_ online safeguarding portal to manage our safeguarding and recruitment of volunteers and we continue to work through Level 3 of the Dashboard as new areas come online and updates are made. .
_Safer Recruitment & Disclosure and Barring Service Checks (DBS)_ The Church of England updated its Safer Recruitment Guidance in July 2021 and we follow this for all eligible roles. Over the course of this year, all necessary DBS checks, and safer recruitment of PCC, Warden’s and eligible volunteers have been carried out, apart from a new instance where some paperwork is outstanding and this has been managed through the rotas until all checks are complete. The biggest challenge in undertaking this process still continues to be sourcing written references, with named referees often needing chasing several times to produce references.
## _Safeguarding Training_
All those currently volunteering with children’s/youth have activities have completed at least Basic level training, as relevant to their role, and those responsible for leading groups and
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activities have completed at least Foundation level. Clergy, Readers and Safeguarding Officers are required to have completed the _Leadership_ training, and all are fully up to date with this. Up to December 2024 Clergy, Reader and Wardens had completed the Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse course in addition to the core training, this will be rolled out to a wider number of roles in 2025 as per diocesan guidance.
## _Logging & Reporting_
In line with diocesan and church safeguarding policy, all safeguarding records and logs are securely stored and kept updated. Any reports/disclosures are logged and shared with the DSA (diocesan safeguarding advisor) in line with guidance.
## _Reportable Instances_
There have been no instances reportable to the Charity Commission during the last 12 months.
Miss Claire Russell Parish Safeguarding Officer
## **Electoral Roll Report**
2025 has seen the creation of a new role, as per the six-year cycle. The number listed stands at 64.
## Miss C. Russell, Electoral Roll Officer
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## **Deanery Synod Report**
Our representatives in the House of Clergy are Father Stephen Parker and Father Daniel Vickerstaff, our elected representatives in the House of Laity are Claire Russell (also Deanery Lay Chair) and Paul Hamilton. Marianne Rohan and Thomas Raynor (until July 2024) are also members of Deanery Synod by virtue of their election to Diocesan Synod.
The synod met three times in 2024. Each time beginning with a simple act of worship followed by committee business and news from around the parishes.
## **Food Kitchen**
Since we began the food kitchen in March 2020, I have been overwhelmed by both the breadth and diversity of those making use of the provision, and by the continued support and generosity from the congregation.
2024 was no less impressive, averaging 30 plus meals a week, with a continued cross section from the local community accessing the service.
Thank you to all the volunteers who support this witness and ministry.
Father Stephen Parker
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## **Music Report**
Music has continued to be an important aspect of church life at St John’s throughout 2024.
Though small in number the choir has provided Communion motets and anthems at the morning masses and at Evensongs on the majority of Sundays, Claire singing solo when the choir was on holiday.
In addition to the regular services there were the Advent carol service and the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols when we were pleased to welcome extra singers to lend their voices and also help with the organ-playing too.
The Lunchtime Concert Series ran from mid-April to midOctober – twelve concerts including music for organ, harpsichord, piano, voice and various instrumental groups. These were well attended and were very enjoyable events, light refreshments being available before each concert.
Many thanks to Sue, Kate, Terry and Claire for their singing throughout the year, and also to Ed Goldsmith and Claire for playing the organ and piano when I was not able to do so.
Mr Adrian Moore
## **Men in Sheds Report**
Our Men in Sheds group launched in February of 2024 and has been broadly successful in offering a space for local men to socialise and engage in practical, hands-on work together each Tuesday. We have seen sustained support from a few committed members who are eager to see the group grow and flourish.
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However, due to unforeseen circumstances I had been left as the sole leader of the group for a number of months, causing its development to stagnate towards the end of 2024.
Over the coming year, I am looking forward to continued work with the vicar and our members to finish the long-overdue job of acquiring a shed. This will allow us to progress with our longterm mission of having meaningful conversations with more men in the community as well as undertaking ever more interesting and fulfilling projects.
Mr Silas Taylor
## **Youth Work**
## _Friday Night Youth_
2024 has seen a shift in who we are seeing on a Friday night – the frenetic numbers of 40 on teenagers is down slightly, (averaging around 25 on a weekly basis) but in its place is a core group of individuals. The quieter evenings mean it is easier to engage in conversation and develop and deepen ongoing relationships.
Particular thanks to Paul Hamilton and Silas Taylor who have steadfastly maintained the kitchen side of operations on a Friday night; providing a constant stream of pizza and squash to hungry teenagers.
## _Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage_
Highlights this year have included a very busy week at the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage with a group of 26 young people and 5 leaders (a big thank you to Tom Raynor, Jake Newbury, and Ben Cheeseman for supporting this adventure – it is such a significant experience for so many of our young people, and they really do appreciate all the hard work that goes into it, even
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whilst trying to beg a fourth pop-tart of a foggy morning on camp!
The young people had a great time, including daily mass, walking the holy mile, opportunities for confession, laying on of hands, and anointing, trips to the Zoo and seaside, swimming, a disco and a BBQ. A huge thank you also to everyone who supported this work through our God-parents scheme; without you we wouldn’t be able to fund going at a price the young people could afford, your generosity is a real blessing. This year we hope to take an even bigger group and are already looking at grants to help us achieve this!
## _Trips and Activities_
Aside from our weekly Friday nights, this year’s youth programme has also featured more Life skills work, including much baking and cooking; the children really engage with this – it is rare to end a Sunday Mass without the parish Instagram page being filled with messages from teenagers asking if it is on. We also enjoyed a trip to Alton Towers.
## _Family Fun-Events_
Building on the success of the Easter Family Fun Day of 2023, 2024 saw us welcoming over 170 people into St John’s.
Our regular summer BBQs were well attended also, and then the autumn brought with it a shake up - our usual Light and Bright Party was changed after many years in that format, and a merry band of volunteers set up a number of ‘stations’ around the parish to meet with locals where they were. It was effective at bringing St John’s into the streets of the parish, many of whom we had no contact with, and resulted in more people being spoken with than the traditional model.
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## _Summer Club_
As well as taking our older teenagers camping again this summer, we also ran our very successful weeks Summer Club, using the Scripture Union resource. A fantastic backroom/kitchen team enabled a smooth and well provisioned week of fun, prayer, bible stories and games. The week was well attended with many new faces, as well as lots who have returned for a second, third or fourth year! They were ready to hear and explore the stories of God’s love in action in the bible and had some really good questions during the week. The Summer Club was again rounded off with an invitation for the children who took part, and their families, to join us for the parish BBQ the very next day – it was great to see a number of them choose to attend and we continue to see some who have again started to attend church brigade!
Father Stephen, Miss Claire Russell & Team
## **Church Brigade**
St John’s Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade Company launched to members in May 2022, and has continued to see good growth and attendance over the last two and a half years. We have been running two sections – Martins (ages 5-7) and Y- Team (ages 7-10) for the majority of this time, expanding to also offer JTC (ages 11-13) as of Autumn 2024.
The Church Lads’ and Church Girl’s Brigade is the Anglican Church’s own uniformed youth organisation: welcoming children and young people of all faiths and none. This organisation has a lot of history and, for over 125 years, The Brigade has been fulfilling its object to extend the kingdom of Christ among lads and girls'. Brigade aims to provide opportunities for children and young people to enjoy fun, faith, fellowship and, through The Brigade, are learning to be better
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equipped to cope with the demands that society places upon them. The Brigade creates a caring and safe environment in which friendships between young people and children and adults can be established and helps young people and children to grow in confidence, develop their skills and abilities enabling them to work together and show care and concern for others. We encourage young people and children to explore their spirituality and respond to the Christian faith.
Our own company has spent time this year working towards our hiking badge, continuing to explore what it means to be members of a church, and how the different stories in the bible can help us to shape our own lives and relationships (with others, with God, and with our world); alongside opportunities to explore nature and the environment, make crafts, cook together and play a wide range of games. We enjoyed a lovely weekend at the Walsingham Children’s Pilgrimage in March, with a lively group of cadets enjoying the food, visiting petting zoo, disco and activity afternoon alongside the opportunity to worship alongside their peers and explore Walsingham. The young people are looking forward to a joint social with a CLCGB Company from Banbury in the near future.
We are keen to expand our team of leaders and helpers for 2025 as numbers continue to increase. If God is calling you to volunteer as a leader or helper for brigade, please speak to Fr Stephen.
Major Father Stephen Parker, Officer in Command
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## **Little Lambs Report**
After a year where it was proving a challenge to secure sustained and consistent help from volunteers, the decision was made towards the end of 2024 to place Little Lambs on a sabbatical for a season. I am optimistic that we will relaunch this ministry when volunteer levels allow.
Father Stephen Parker
## **1[st] Leamington (St John’s) Brownies Report**
1st Leamington Brownies runs on a Thursday evening. We have been full (our number is restricted by the available space in the hall), for the year and we have a waiting list. We follow the national programme and have been able to offer a wide variety of activities.
We attended Church Parades that we were invited to, although Brownie attendance was poor, we continue to encourage our families to show their gratitude to St John’s support by attending. We funded and ran the children’s corner at the Christmas fair where we raised a healthy sum of money in lieu of rent payments. Our Brownies enjoyed helping to run the stall and we’d be more than happy to continue this tradition and support a summer fair if one is planned.
In response to events of summer 2024, we updated our risk assessment and will now shut the front door of the building if a Brownie is using the toilets, we then open the front door and relock the internal door as soon as possible to continue access to the toilets for other church users at the time of our meetings, we are thankful for the churches acceptance of this change.
Mrs Gemma Arthurson
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## **1[st] Leamington (St John’s) Rainbows**
1[st] Leamington Rainbows has moved to a Monday evening. We currently have 6 girls. We are struggling to build our numbers but will be doing a big advertising push in January, we have had a student from Warwick university begin to volunteer with us, we are still looking for more support however.
We follow the national programme and have been able to offer a wide variety of activities. This year the girls have enjoyed activities that have explored there understanding of themselves, and their emotions.
We have attended parade Sundays at church to support the running of the children’s area.
We have had a donation of a storage unit by a member of the congregation.
We are grateful for the use of the hall.
Miss Stephanie Jarrett
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## **Treasurer’s Report**
## _The general position_
Income and expenditure, including grants, continue to enable in addition to regular Sunday and weekday services, an increasing number of missional activities as other sections of this report show.
## _Parish Share_
Our chief asset and resource, our Parish Priest, whose stipend is paid from funds collected across the Warwick and Leamington deanery. The Diocese assessed the PCC’s Parish Share contribution to be £27,500 for the year to 31 December 2024. Having reviewed the PCC’s finances, the members of the PCC decided to restrict the PCC’s contribution to £12,500. Due to cashflow this was not paid in 2024, but it is planned for it to be paid in 2025 as soon as conditions allow.
## _School House_
The Vicar and Churchwardens as trustees of the School House Trust have sold the property and, and agreed by the trustees, refunded the PCC the lost rental income while the property was vacant, Council Tax and the expenses incurred in the sale that were covered by the PCC. The trustees are agreed that a proportion of future rental income will be remitted to the PCC, with a separate fund to be built up to cover any expenses in the future, for example, boiler maintenance and repairs.
## _Church Hall_
The hall is in good condition. The roof is sound. Most of the hall’s available time is taken up with missional and other church-supported activities and rental income has therefore reduced.
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## _Planned giving_
Giving through standing orders continue to support the church’s work and the number of givers has increased. Open plate giving, which many treat as planned giving – and which we claim Gift Aid on - is also generous, especially given the dramatically altered demographics of the current congregation: some still at school; few in full-time employment; a number who have chronic medical conditions; or are retired.
## _Fundraising_
Lunchtime concerts, monthly coffee mornings and a Christmas Fair are important sources of income. These activities continue to have the benefit of bringing new people into the church’s buildings and strengthening relationships between church members.
## _Grants_
Some successful grant applications to support our work with, for example, youth have relieved pressure on the general funds which were previously supporting this work, along with generous donations from individual congregation members.
## _Electronic payments and giving_
The introduction of technology, including SumUp, QR codes and Online Giving, has added to our income in 2024. Donors can either make a Gift Aid declaration, or small donations can be treated under the Small Donations Scheme increasing their value to the PCC by 25%. The PCC has registered with the Parish Giving Scheme to facilitate planned and one-off giving.
## _Investment policy_
There are restricted funds invested by the Coventry Diocesan Board of Finance in CCLA shares. These give a better rate of return now that interest rates generally have increased.
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## _Reserves policy_
Our policy shall be to hold a reserve of £10,000 in the Current Account.
## _The position at the end of the year_
As mentioned earlier, although our financial situation has improved on last year’s, we are not yet confident in making increased Parish share contributions until income increases.
## _Banking arrangements_
Our online banking arrangements with Unity Trust Bank continue to work well.
## _Gift Aid_
The Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme continue to provide significant income to the church.
## _Independent examiner_
PCC decided to use the Stewardship organisation’s services again for the preparation of the 2024 accounts and examination.
Mr Paul Hamilton, Treasurer
The report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
stephen parker (May 15, 2025 20:15 GMT+1)stephen parker
~~____________~~ ______
Rev Stephen Parker
## May 15, 2025
____________
Date
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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of St John the Baptist Church, South Leamington ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 28 to 32 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 2011 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## J. Young
J. Young (May 19, 2025 09:03 GMT+1)
Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: May 19, 2025
Page 27
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Voluntary receipts
2(a)
Fundraising income
2(b)
Church activities
2(c)
Investment income
2(d)
**_Total receipts_**
**Payments**
Church activities
Parish share
Clergy and staffing costs
3(a)
3(b)
3(c)
4
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
7
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers
Church running expenses
Hall running costs
Fundraising expenses|General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
56,932
-
2,692
-
3,941
-
6,262
-
69,827
-
-
-
593
-
37,156
-
7,144
-
396
-
45,288
-
24,538
-
-
-
24,538
-
(1,253)
-
23,286
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
44,126
-
984
-
45,110
-
1,452
11,132
-
-
12,584
32,526
-
32,526
11,718
44,244|Total
2024
£
101,058
2,692
4,925
6,262
114,936
-
2,044
48,288
7,144
396
57,872
57,064
-
57,064
10,465
67,530|Total
2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||79,961
2,390
5,688
3,048|
|||||91,086|
|||||12,000
1,060
87,746
8,157
332|
|||||109,295|
|||||(18,209)
-|
|||||(18,209)
28,674|
|||||10,465|
The notes on pages 30-32 form part of these accounts.
Page 28
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Coventry Diocese BoF Grant
Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament grant
**C**
**Liabilities**
**Falling due within one year**
Parish share
Fee for Independent Examination
Accrued expenses||General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
23,286
-
-
-
23,286
-
1,295
-
-
-
-
-
1,295
-
12,500
-
1,080
-
-
-
13,580
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
2,628
41,615
44,243
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Total
2024
£
25,915
41,615
67,530
1,295
-
-
1,295
12,500
1,080
-
13,580|Total
2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
23,286
-
23,286
1,295
-
-
1,295
12,500
1,080
-
13,580||||
||||||5,559
4,907|
||||||10,465|
||||||1,216
6,500
2,500|
||||||10,216|
||||||-
840
1,000|
||||||1,840|
## **D Assets retained for charity's own use**
Consecrated property, beneficed property and moveable church furnishings which require a special faculty for disposal are excluded from the list of charity assets.
## **E Investment assets**
|Investment Fund Shares Condor Trust|Fund to
which asset
belongs
Endowment|2024
value
£
9,527
9,527|2023
value
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||||9,313|
||||9,313|
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
___________________________________Rev Stephen Parker stephen parker (May 15, 2025 20:15 GMT+1)stephen parker
Date: ______________ May 15, 2025
The notes on pages 30-32 form part of these accounts.
Page 29
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the PCC in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the PCC for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|**2**
**a) Voluntary income**
Planned giving
Collections at services
Parish Giving Scheme
Grants
Grant from School House Trust
Note 5
Other donations
Gift aid recovered (including through Parish Giving)
**b) Fundraising income**
Fundraising
**c) Church activities**
Fees for weddings and funerals
Church Events
Other
Mission
**d)**
**Investment income**
Lettings for community use of the Church Hall
Interest from cash deposits
Note 5c
Dividends from CBF investment funds||Unrestrict|Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ed Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
44,126
-
-
-
44,126
-
-
984
-
-
-
984
-
-
-
-|Total
2024
£
13,772
6,033
2,247
50,626
20,461
2,260
5,658
101,058
2,692
2,692
1,504
2,692
327
401
4,925
1,135
4,868
259
6,262|Total
2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
13,772
6,033
2,247
6,500
20,461
2,260
5,658
56,932
2,692
2,692
520
2,692
327
401
3,941
1,135
4,868
259
6,262|||||
|||||||19,941
4,538
935
41,644
-
3,990
8,912|
|||||||79,961|
|||||||2,390|
|||||||2,390|
|||||||2,068
3,312
163
145|
|||||||5,688|
|||||||2,678
116
255|
|||||||3,048|
Page 30
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**3**
**a)**
**Clergy and staffing costs**
Cost of payroll
Clergy expenses||Unrestrict|Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
ed Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
1,452
-
1,452|Total
2024
£
1,452
593
2,044|Total
2023
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General
funds
£
-
593
593|||||
|||||||-
1,060|
|||||||1,060|
Rev Stephen Parker (who is a clergy member of the PCC) receives a stipend from the Diocese; the cost of this stipend is not included in the above however it should be noted that some of the Parish share is used to help pay the stipends. Rev Stephen Parker was provided with accommodation (which is customary for clergy) and the cost of this accommodation is disclosed in the above note. Rev Stephen Parker incurred expenses whilst serving as clergy and these costs are also disclosed in the above note.
|**b)**
**Church running costs**
Maintenance of services
Diocesan fees
Children and youth ministry
Events, outings and pilgrimages
Maintenance of church fabric
Maintenance of school house
Insurance
Governance
Administration and support
Church utilities
Community support
Community support (Interfund Loan)
Missional activities
**c)**
**Church hall running costs**
Routine hall expenditure (including insurance)
**4**
**Fundraising expenses**
Miscellaneous fundraising expenses|7,529
-
1,825
3,277
3,734
2,272
6,365
840
1,707
6,471
-
-
3,137
37,156
7,144
7,144
396
396|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|-
1,128
7,764
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,241
-
-
11,132
-
-
-
-|7,529
1,128
9,589
3,277
3,734
2,272
6,365
840
1,707
6,471
2,241
-
3,137
48,288
7,144
7,144
396
396|6,788
1,887
11,754
4,865
8,632
3,878
7,692
810
2,137
4,377
24,697
6,500
3,730|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||87,746|
||||||8,157|
||||||8,157|
||||||332|
||||||332|
## **5 Acting as agent**
During the year, the charity received money on behalf of the School House Trust relating to the sale of the property known as the School House. This income was received as agent and both the income and subsequent payment are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account. The transactions are as follows:
a) In March 2024, £284,390 was received as proceeds from the sale of the property, on behalf of the School House Trust.
- b) In October 2024, £263,939 was paid across to the School House Trust.
The remaining £20,450, along with the interest accumulated whilst holding the funds, was granted to the charity - which had been managing this c) property for many years - to cover reimbursement of expenditure incurred on the property, and loss of rental income, during the sale period.
Page 31
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH LEAMINGTON PRIORS**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **6 Transactions with related parties**
Other than direct reimbursement of expenditure made on behalf of the church, no other amounts were paid or are payable to any PCC Member or to any person connected to them.
## **7 Movement on general and restricted funds**
|**ement on general and restricted funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|General funds
Restricted funds
Parish Nursing Grant
Parish Nursing Grant - WCCGF 2023
Music Donation 2023
Davies Family Gift
Lighting project
Garden project
Youth pilgrimage 2024
Children's pilgrimage 2024
CO-OP Grant 2023
St Agnes Fund
Restoration Fund 2019
Youth work
Pantry
Diocesan Fees
Total restricted funds
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
(1,253)
4,115
201
2,565
2,930
-
-
-
-
521
1,067
50
-
-
268
11,717
10,465|Receipts
£
69,827
-
-
-
1,000
33,300
2,650
4,835
485
-
-
-
856
1,000
984
45,110
114,936|Payments
£
(45,288)
(3,491)
(201)
-
-
-
-
(4,835)
(485)
(521)
(1,067)
-
(856)
-
(1,128)
(12,584)
(57,872)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|Closing
balance
£
23,286
624
-
2,565
3,930
33,300
2,650
-
-
-
-
50
-
1,000
124|
||||||44,243|
||||||67,529|
Parish Nursing Grant is a grant specifically to support the work of the Parish Nurse.
Parish Nursing Grant WCCGF to provide furniture and internet access for the Parish Nurse.
Music Donation to support music in the church in consultation with the Vicar and Reader.
Davies Family Gift is a grant to cover fixtures and fittings of the church, in consultation with the family and the PCC.
The Lighting project relates to the installation of a complete new lighting system in the church building to be completed in 2025.
The Garden project relates to the establisment of a garden with a footpath and disabled access at the front of the church to be completed in 2025.
Youth and children's pilgrimages 2024 - various grants and other funds raised to support the costs.
CO-OP Grant - a grant to support Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade.
St Agnes Fund Established - donations from the congregation for uniforms for Brownies and Uniformed Organisations Restoration Fund is for church restoration.
Youth work relates to funds raised to support this ministry.
The Pantry relates to funds raised for the purpose of distributing surplus supermarket and other food donations at modest prices to those in need in 2025.
Diocesan Fees relates to monies transferred to the Diocese for wedding and funeral fees.
Page 32