## **Annual Report** ## **and** ## **Financial Statements** ## **Parochial Church Council** **of Wigan North East for the year ended 31 December 2025. Charity Number 1201984** 1 ## **Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church** ## **Council of Wigan North East,** ## **for the year ended 31 December 2025.** ## **Aims and Purposes** Wigan North East Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the Incumbent of the Wigan benefice, in promoting in the ecclesiastical Parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings of St David’s, Haigh; St Elizabeth’s, Aspull; St John’s, New Springs; and St Stephen’s, Whelley, together with the 3 associated church halls. When planning our activities for the year, the PCC considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and particularly the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of religion. The PCC is committed to promoting the Christian way of life through regular worship, prayer, nurture, outreach, charity and social activities; to build and maintain strong links with our three Church of England Primary Schools; and to provide spiritual, emotional and physical support to our community, especially at times of celebration, need or sorrow. ## **Achievement and Performance** ## _Psalm 95_ - _**1** Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;_ _let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation._ - _**2** Let us come before him with thanksgiving_ - _and extol him with music and song._ - _**3** For the Lord is the great God,_ _the great King above all gods._ - _**4** In his hand are the depths of the earth,_ _and the mountain peaks belong to him._ - _**5** The sea is his, for he made it,_ _and his hands formed the dry land._ - _**6** Come, let us bow down in worship,_ _let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;_ - _**7** for he is our God_ _and we are the people of his pasture,_ _the flock under his care._ In those verses of Psalm 95, the psalmist encourages us to “sing for joy to the Lord”. Why? Because God is our Rock, our firm security. The Lord, the psalmist continues, is God of the high, majestic mountains, 2 but is also the one who reaches out and down into the lowest places too, and our God knows all that he has made, even to the very breadth of the vast oceans. This year we have continued to worship God, our Rock, through our regular pattern of Sunday worship and midweek Journey groups. We have continued to occasionally use Celtic-style worship in our monthly Hub Worship; worship which draws on God as creator. All-age worship services have continued at both St Stephen’s and St Elizabeth’s, and it has been encouraging to see new connections being made and existing connections being strengthened in both churches. JEDS, our Hub Pantry based at St Stephen’s, has continued throughout this year; feeding people with physical food but also enabling a place of sharing and caring for one another and opening up opportunities for people to explore the Christian faith if they would like to. As in previous years, JEDS was also able to distribute Christmas hampers and children’s presents to those families identified by our schools as being most in need. Since May it has also been amazing to be able to offer an evening ‘popup’ JEDS Pantry at St David’s Hall. This pop-up enables working families to access the pantry and has seen a steady growth, now having over 100 members. Thanks must again go to all our pantry and popup pantry volunteers and also to Angie, landlady at the White Lion and Railway pub, for all her cooking for us. This year our hub Messy Church, based at St Elizabeth’s, moved to meet every month. This more regular meeting has really seen a growth in the feeling of being a worshiping community. Each month we have explored either a bible story or biblical theme, using crafts as a way in to think about the truths of God revealed in Jesus and through the bible. Other outreach events have also continued throughout this year 3T’s (now meeting in Worthington Grange), Churchyard Cafés, Drop-ins, and Men Who Mourn. There were also a good number and variety of social events throughout the year, designed to connect with all ages: quiz nights, concerts, family disco, film afternoon, BBQs, and other meals. All these events help to create opportunities for new friendships and connections to be made and to further strengthen existing ones. So, there is much to give God thanks for. But, as the psalmist also reminds us, God reaches out his hand into the depths; reaches out to us in the challenging times, the times we find difficult to be thankful for. In April, after much advice having been sought, we had to make the very difficult decision to temporarily close St John’s Church building due to a significant electrical fault. This temporary closure was whilst we awaited the decision of the Church Commissioners over the long-term future of St John’s church building in the light of the recommendation for permanent closure following the Right Buildings process. This decision was, we recognise, an extremely difficult one, most especially for the members of St John’s and we continue to hold them in our prayers. In June this year we were able to celebrate with Andrew Turton again as he was ordained priest in Liverpool Cathedral. We continue to be thankful to God for Andrew’s ministry amongst us and were also delighted to be able to celebrate his and Sue’s engagement in the latter part of the year. In October we had to say ‘goodbye’ to Rev Frances Shoesmith and her husband Steve as Frances retired from ordained ministry. Frances had served in Wigan North East, first as a Hub Leader and then, most recently, had helped to grow teams across Wigan in a part-time role. We give thanks to God for all Frances shared with us in her ministry and pray for a blessed retirement for both her and Steve. 3 We are hugely thankful to all those across the hub who have again given tirelessly of their time and talents as we join in with all that God is doing in this parish. Particular thanks go to our Churchwardens, Peter Walker and Richard Thomas, who work tirelessly in looking after our buildings. Thanks again to Margeret Bishop our Treasurer and to all the finance team; to Julie Oldham our PCC secretary; to all those who serve in our Local Missional Leadership Teams; and to everyone who helps in so many ways; often unseen but extremely valued. Above all, we give thanks to God who is “ _the Rock of our salvation”_ . ## **Financial Review** Once again, we are thankful to those who have contributed to the management of our hub finances, particularly to Margaret Bishop as PCC treasurer. She has continued to be assisted and supported by Elizabeth Hayward, Richard Fisher, David Garrington, David Ryding, and Susan Whittle. The following gives a narrative summary to the accompanying, independently examined, accounts Figures are generally rounded to the nearest £500 for clarity. Income: 1. Overall income in 2025 was £128,000, up from £119 000 in 2024 (an increase of £9000) ## 2. Income – Notable details - a. Planned Voluntary Giving (Gift Aid, Other and collection at church services) as £166 less than 2024. - b. Income received from fundraising was reduced by £4000 compared to 2024. The total amount of fundraising income received into General funds in 2025 was £7800. - c. Wedding and funeral fees saw a modest increase of £1000 than in 2024. - d. Hall lettings from General funds in 2025 were the same as 2024. - e. St Stephen’s received an anonymous donation of £6000 specifically for building repairs (restricted fund) and an anonymous donation of £6000 towards the parish’s contribution to 2025 Deanery Share. - f. Total grants received in 2025 were £10 210. These were from The Hibbert Trust and Wigan Council’s Brighter Borough Fund. ## Expenditure: 3. Overall payments from all funds saw an increase of £13 000 ## 4. Payments notable details: - a. Deanery share contribution was £39 000; 42% of what was asked of us. This contribution was £5000 less than we paid in 2024, when we achieved 51% of what was asked. 4 - b. As in 2024, clergy expenses continued to fall. This is due to their being a reduction of clergy within the parish. - c. Routine church maintenance increased significantly by £6000. This was for essential repair works; the costs were covered from general, restricted and designated funds and from grants received. - d. Church buildings insurance increased by £500 - e. Church utility bills were down by £1500 compared to 2024. Just as in previous years, Sunday services were held in the church halls to save on heating costs. - f. There was an increase of £5000 in churchyard maintenance costs. This increase was funded through restricted funds. - g. Church hall running costs remained the same as in 2024. These costs were covered through rental income and from designated funds. 5. Other notes: - a. The necessary temporary closure of St John’s Church building in March led to a significant reduction in income received from St John’s. During this time the parish still had to meet ongoing costs, including buildings insurance and utilities standing charges. - b. Because of historic precedence, hall lettings received from St David’s and St Elizabeth’s halls go into designated funds, rentals from St Stephen’s hall go into the general fund. - c. St Elizabeth’s and St Stephen’s continue to pay CCLI and PRS which cover the playing and projection of songs/hymns used in all age worship. This licenses also cover a limited number of public event performances. As Trustees, the PCC are aware of our financial responsibilities and we continually review the levels of controllable expenditure, making savings wherever possible. ## **Risk Assessment.** The PCC recognises that in relation to ‘Risk Assessment’, risk is defined as ‘the threat of any action or event which will adversely affect an organisation’s ability to achieve its objectives and execute its strategies’. It also accepts that the term ‘risk’ can include any circumstances that may, or do, have an adverse effect, and is wider than financial matters. ‘Risks’ relate not only to the negative consequences of a threat, but also to the impact of not taking advantage of opportunities. The PCC recognises it requires a practical Health and Safety Policy covering activities for both the churches and their surrounding grounds. The contents and obligations of the Equality Act 2010 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 are known and complied with to the best of the PCC’s ability. The PCC is aware of its responsibilities in respect of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in its requirement to carry out a fire assessment to identify any possible dangers and risks, to take action to minimise the risks and to create a plan to deal with any emergencies, and also to write up and keep a record of its findings and to review its assessment annually. The PCC has appointed the Churchwardens to be the responsible persons to put these things into operation. 5 ## **Safeguarding** There is a Safeguarding Policy in place in respect of children and vulnerable adults. DBS checks have been and are made for those dealing regularly with young people and vulnerable adults. The Parish Safeguarding Officer is Mrs Rachel Thomas. There is also a safeguarding contact for each congregation/building, who work with the PSO. Those new to PCC have each undertaken safeguarding training. Whilst it is impossible to eliminate all risks and their consequences, efforts are constantly made to minimise such occurrences. The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 to have due regard _to the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance."_ ## **Structure, governance and management:** The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. The PCC is a body corporate, which means that it is a separate body from the people who serve on it. PCC members are also trustees, which entails various responsibilities under charity law. All PCC members have signed the ‘PCC Trustee Eligibility Declaration’, declaring themselves to be fit and proper persons The Standing Committee of the PCC is the only committee required by church law and has the power to transact the business of the PCC between meetings, subject to ratification by the PCC. Its members are the Team Vicars, the two Churchwardens, Treasurer, Secretary and one lay PCC member. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC. ## **PCC members 2025:** ## Clergy: Team Rector: Revd. Neil Cook Team Vicars: Revd. Stephen Beck, Revd. Frances Shoesmith (resigned October 2025) The other Team Vicars of the Wigan Benefice are also members of the PCC during 2025: Revd Sue Fulford, Revd Dot Gosling, Revd Stan Higginson, Revd Canon Sam Nicholson, Revd Fran Humphry, Revd Catherine Coslett, Rev Clive Doran, Rev Roland Harvey, Rev Sandra Jones. Lay Members: Churchwardens (ex-officio PCC members): Mr Peter Walker Mr Richard Thomas Representatives on the Deanery Synod (terms end APCM 2026): Mr Peter Walker _(Post up for election)_ Mrs Barbara Holden _(Post up for election)_ Mr Mike Knight _(Post up for election) Vacancy (Post up for election)_ 6 Elected lay members: _(Post up for election)_ Mrs Joan Garrington – term ends APCM 2026 _(Post up for election)_ Mrs Helen Hollis – term ends APCM 2026, _(Post up for election)_ Mr Les Williams – term ends APCM 2026 _(Post up for election)_ Mr Eric Grindrod – term ends APCM 2026 _(Post up for election)_ Mrs Margaret Bishop (PCC Treasurer) – term ends APCM 2027 Mrs Julie Oldham (PCC Secretary) - term ends APCM 2027 Mrs Susan Whittle – term ends APCM 2028 Mrs Nicola Cosens – terms ends APCM 2028 Mrs Joanne McClennon – term ends APCM 2028 Ms Ruth Atherton -term ends APCM 2028 _Vacancy_ - term ends APCM 2027 _(Post up for election) Vacancy_ – term ends APCM 2027 _(Post up for election)_ _(Post up for election)_ The Standing Committee of the PCC during 2025 was: Mr Peter Walker, Mr Richard Thomas, Mrs Helen Hollis, Mrs Julie Oldham, Mrs Margaret Bishop, Rev Stephen Beck, Rev Frances Shoesmith (resigned October 2025). ## **Electoral Roll** As of 31[st] December 2025, the parish electoral role consisted of 123 members. This report was agreed by the PCC on 19[th] March 2026. Signed:______________________________________ (Revd Stephen Beck, PCC Chair) 7 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF WIGAN NORTH EAST Cha Rof. No. 1201984 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OECEMBER 2 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF WIGAN MORTH H￿ 1201984 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 DECEMBER 202S PAYMENT AccouKr 202S Total 2024 Total Funds Funds Funds ECEIPT Voluntary Givlng". Gift Aid planned giving Other planned giving colle￿10n$ at seThi¢es Donations Grft Aid recovered Legacies received Grants received 36.154 4.809 8.387 2,833 9,889 500 10,210 36.154 4.809 8,387 9,033 9,889 500 11,210 33.414 5,147 10,955 1.479 11.401 6.200 5.172 Actlvltl•8 for 9*￿ratIng fvnds: In￿me from fundraising 289 7,809 11,993 n¢¢>mo from InvMtm•nts: Bank intere¥t received 87 411 498 63 hU￿h athltlu: Stslutory fees I*￿￿ng8, funerat8 etcl Hall lettings Other income 19,808 6,876 1.780 19,808 17,697 1,780 18,613 17,521 3.030 10,821 TOTAL RECEIPTS 108.853 7.611 127.574 118,788 PAYMENT Costs of genorallng funds: Weekly envelopesrfundraising Costs of church actlvltlo#: Deanery share contribution WDT administration support Readers fee$ & ex￿nSeS Clergy expenses Upkeep of seNces Routine church maintenance Church insuran Church utility bills Administratson and g)vem*)ce Churchyard maintenance Church hall costs Major gxpondiiur•: Malor repairs to ¢hLth bjildi 238 238 7S 39.000 18.918 200 6.288 39.000 18,918 200 6.288 1,114 18,096 10.848 14.139 3,788 7.531 9,926 44.100 12,480 7.146 756 12.184 10.234 15.743 2.367 2.456 9,584 263 2.144 189 15,952 10,848 14,139 2,310 1.000 78 1.478 6.531 9.848 TOTAL PAYMENTS 109,633 13.733 6.720 130,086 117,125 NET sURPLWIDEFIC￿) (780) 12.623) 891 12,512) 1,663 Trnn8f•r• b•tw••n lund• 104 1104) NEf MOVEMENT IN FLINDS (676) (2.6231 787 (2.5121 1.663 Balances bm at 1st January 2025 5.490 67.402 23.799 ,691 95,028 Balancgs enat 31st Doc•mber 2025 4814 64.779 24,586 94179 96,691 PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF WIGAN IIORTH EAST No. 1201984 FINANCIAL STATEMENT R THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 TATEMENT AND UABILMES G•n•ral Doslgnatsd Restricted 2025 Fund Fund¥ Fund• Ag•n¢yAl¢ Totsl 2024 Total Cash in Hand Bank Current A¢¢ourts'. CBF Dewrt A¢counts CBF Fixed InconK* Investme Agency Ale- JEDS Panlry 2.433 42 2.475 64.719 24,586 91,798 42 2.475 136 94.179 91,652 2,564 2,475 4.814 64.T79 136 96,691 1. The finana¢Fal stslements ofthe PCC have been pl￿red In ￿£1ydance th8 Church Accounfjng Regulat￿n3 2009 using the Receipts al￿ Payffents ba*8. 2. Consecrated and benefickd property of any kn'nd is exduded from the finanaal stst•m•nt8 by s.10121 of the Chanlies Ad 2011 The foll(￿ing 888ets are T￿ognIsed but not nK*8swty valued in tho Slatem8nt of A888ts and Liabilrtl•$.' - mveable churth fumishings held ty th8 Chwcfward8n8 on S￿￿81 trust for the PCC *l)ith requi￿ a ta¢￿ty lor disposal - eddilional prop•rty oh￿ad by th• PCC but ha8 not been valL*d.. St Davrfs Parish Hall, St Elvzabath's Parish Hau & St Stethen'8 Parish Ho11 3. The expen8e8 paid lo dergy may indude a small irrrnaterial pr￿￿n relo10$ lo th•lr function 88 PCC m8mb8r8. 4. No paymonts V•we made to PCC mèmb8rJ for belng membèrs of the PCC. Approved by th8 PCC on 2026 and wd on th8ir beh4f br. Chairma TreasuTer 10 Independent Examiner's unqualified report to the members of the P.C.C. of the Parish of Wigan North East (Charity Registralion Number 1201984) of the P.C.C Financial Statements for the year ending 31". December 2025. as set out on pages of this Report. Respective responsibilities of the P.C.C. and the ¢xamiDer. Th¢ P.C.C. members acting as the charity s trustees are responsible for the prepardtion of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for the 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 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. Ba81s of the Independent EIAminer's statement. My examination was carried out in accordance ￿7th the general Directions given by the Charity Commission and the 8uidance published in PCC Accountability (The Charlties Act 2011 and the P.C.C.), 5 edition). An examination includes a review of the accounting rewrds kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees Concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the rewrt is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. IndepeDdeDt exAmiDer'$ 8tatemenL In connection with my examination, no material maller has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that iffj any material respect: arxounting records were not kept in accordance ￿1th section 130 of the Charities Act, or the accounts do not accord to the accounting records. I have come across no other matters in connection ￿7th the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts 7S Teached. Signed. Jl£&,, Revd. A. A. Clements. Date 18 . April 2026. Name Fellow Association of Charity ￿￿¢&￿ndent Examiners. Addre&8 15 Carieton Roa￿ Great Knowley. Chorley PR6 8TQ ACIE PCC CC32 11