Trustee's Annual Report and Annual Financial Report For the year ended 31st December 2024 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Nicolas Itchingfield CONTENTS Paga Trustsos, Annual Report 2-11 Statement of Rac•ipts and Payments Statemont of Asgots & Llabllitiés 12-15 16 Notss to the Accounts 17 Independent ExamineV$ Rgport 18 St Nicolas, Church, FU￿ordS Hill, Itchingfield. West Sussex, RH13 ONX Registered Charity no. 1208703 www.sthiGolasitGhingfi@Id.¢)ry.uk Parochlal Church Councll tNi lasl hin field Trustses, Annual R ort for 2024 St Nlcolas, is tlr parish church for the vilEages of Barns Grggn and ItChingf￿Id and is part of the Horsham Dea￿ry and Ihe Di0￿e of Chlchester. It Is joined in a benefice wi(h St Pgter's Church in Slirrfold. Our R￿r Rev'd Sandra H811 relSred 8t the end of Janu8ry. 2024, so With Off￿t from 31sl January 2024 SI Nicolas, Church went into interr￿JnU￿. officially known as, vacancl,. A notice was received from the Diooese that theslart d*e oflhe appoinlmentpmess for a new 1r￿JMbèlllWa5 1st Apn'l 2024. by which lirne the PCC'S preparaliorts oflho ngcessary documentation were alfftady und*way. Howgver, in the autumn a fomal noticg 5iw8d b'y the Bishop of Chlchesterwa5 ￿1Ved stsling that the parish w¥5 to be'5uspended"from November 2024. This meant that the appolntment process changed, and matters rest with the Bishop and DioGQSP Io decid8. The most common reason for Buspension 18 85 a step towards possible pastoral rgorgantsalion, We have not been given any indication as to how long SLfjpBnsion will continue, il could be relatively bridf or for a numb8r of years according to circumstsn¢ès18:g. number & IC￿tIOn of parfshes in interregnum, number Df priests 58ektng a post, financAal considerab'ons>. "Pa$tor81 reorganisation could mean teing tak8n into a larger benefi￿, or into a group minlstry. We ne8d to be patient, and w thankful far the retired clergy YAW supp.ort U5 so well and enablo a normal.pattem of s8Nic85 to ¢￿tInue. Structure, Governance & Management The truste8 is Ihe Parochial Church Councfl (PCCI, which is a cwate body established by thg Church of England. The PCC is registered with the Charity Commlsslon ?s required by Ihè Charl1￿ Act 2011. The PCC operates under the Parochial ch￿￿h C(￿nCil (Powers) Measure 1956 and Iho Church Representation Rules Ischedule 3 to the SynDdicel Govemment Me89UtB 1969 (No. 2)]. Members from January 2024 th8 date thls report was 8pproYed'. Ex Off￿10 Members.. Rev'd Sandra Hall Ichairl (until Jan'24) Mrs M8rg¥et Thayre Mr Geoff Chamberlin Mr Martin Hennock Mrs Miriam Coghill Incumb6rtt CFxJrchwardèn (VieR Choir from Jan'24 to Aprf24) CFKJrchwarden (until Aug'24) Deanery Synod Deanary Synod Elgoted ￿Rembe￿.. Mrs Phillipa McBean Mrs Chr18 Hennock Mr3 Julla Nuson Mrs Ann8 Jsnnirtgs Mrs Judith Nesbitt MrRager Pitts Mr Bryan s￿th0n (from MaV24) Ice Ghair (from Aprf241 Secrelary Trea5ureF Co-opted Alembers.. Mr Geoff Chamberlin {frun Sep'241 Thaappointment of PCC members is govgmad by the Church Represenlation Rules. Membor8hip Ccnsists of catsin eX￿1ClO memtrers (clergy, churchwardens and m9rnbers of the D9¥18ry Synod) and up lo nine mwnberg (wh05e.ngmes must be on the church glecloral roll) who are 8Wed at Annual Parothial Ghurch. M8é1inas. The PCC may co-opt up trj two moro mamber5, whose 18rm 9nd5 at tho and of Iha noxl APCM.. Parishioners are warTnly encouragerl lo stand for election to th8 PCC and we try to ensure a balance of skllls experiencè"where possbi le. Additional Management Arrangements (contlnued) Standing Commltte• - This committe8 h88 power to transact business of the PCC between ils meetings, subject to any directions given by the PCC. The rector and churchw8rdens are members ex-officio, and other members appointed by the PCC at r(s meeting in May 2024 were Mrs Chris Hennock, Mrs Julia Htjson and Mrs Phillipa McBgan. Mrs Miriarn Coghill was appointed in September 2024 as Mr Geoff Chamberfin stepped cknvn as Churchwarden. Other Officers appointed by the PCC.. Sacristan Electoral Roll Officer Safeguardng OFfur Fundraising Committee Chair Fabric Commrttee Chair Churchyard Manager Mrs Wendy Dort(ings Mrs Chris Hennock Mr Bryan Southon Mrs Phillipa McBean Mr David Pickard Mrs Phillipa McB8an The Fabrle Commltto• mee18 to cthsider the repair and maintenance of the church buildings and r9Ptyts back to the PCC Most othèr church posl-holdws for the parish are appointed by th& PCC. Objectives and Activlties of the Parochial Church Council Maln Obi•c¢ivos The primary 0￿.eCtiVe of the PCC the promotion of the Gosp81 of OLK Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrin&s and practices of the Church of England. It is thè duly of the PCC, in cooperation wslh the ministsr when there is one, lo promote in the parish the wholg mission of the churth, pastoral, evangelistic. social and ecumenical. 8eaulrful historic church, superbly maintained. Well done in k￿p10q it open. The PCC also has mainlenatxe responsibilrties for St Nicolas, Church and associated property. An important part of this is being resp)nsible for taking care of the Ghurth's financial affairs. EF, London Activitlos Undertakan Vvhen planning OLtr acliviti8s for the year, th8 PCC has considered th8 Charity Commission's guKdance on publi¢ benefit 8nd, in particular. the speafiG guidance on 'charities for the advanc8ment of religion,. The PCC has complied with the duly under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Disciplin8 Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of BIstr￿p$, guidance on safaguardino children and adults. We planned our objectNes and ￿lIVitieS to fuffil the following aims.. To encourage as many people as possible lo worship at St Nicolas, Church and in other locations around the parish., To encourage as many people as possfole to bKome part of the parish community at Sl Nicolas,. To maintain the lovely churchyard as a rich and varied habitat for the locsl flora and fauna ar pKturesque place for people to meet and forw81kers on Ihg public footpaths to sil and rest. What a cham7ing Ch￿￿h with a beauts'ful graveyard. knke stepping back in time. C&0, Haywards Heath Enjoying the birds and bluebells. 88autifvl and peaceful as always. A&S, 8n)adbridge Heath To provide regular services in a familiarfomiat for all memters of the public who wsh to attend. Visitors from within as w811 as OLtside the p8rish boundary come by personal Choice, and we welcome Ihern in peacefv41 and friandly almosphor&. Objectives and Activities of the Parochial Church Council (continued) Actlvltlos Undertaken (contlnued) To allow opportunities for all t0 8ncounter God and lo18arn more of Him by regular leaching on the word of God both in and out of the church buildirvJ to reach out to our I￿al community who may not ￿rne To provide a safe place for people to worship, spend r8flective lime and be at pgace by keeping the church building open for ServI￿S and private prayer and keeping it clean, wam and comfortable. To bring pastoral cara to those in need.. tha 8￿k., the b8reaved', the kjst, by visiting their homes or by te￿Phone calls and e4nails. To help addr8SS the needs of the local communty by allowing the church building to be a receiwru 8rea for the donation of food fcf Ic¢al food banks. To provide a welcoming venuè for our communiiy to ce￿brate and thank God at milestones of the joumey through lif8. Through baptism we thank God for the grft of lrfe, in marriage public vow5 are exchanged wrth Go(fs blèssing, arKJ through funeral services family and frBnds express their grief and give thanks for thg lrfe which 18 complete in this world and commend th8 person into God's keeping. To provide additional celebration and to ackntmledge the sa&ifice of others, with dedicated bell ringers being willing to ring on such occasons. u51ro w811-maintsined bells. What a marvellous opportunity lo be invited to wew the bell rirwers, have a go and experience the movement of the Bell Towerl Wonderful experience and a beautrful church. JR & MM, Au51ralia To provide educ8titsn, nurturing all ages by maintaining buildings of hisloric£l inteTrsl and by supporting the thal primary school and youth organisations. To support other charities by allowing occasional church collections lo b@ taken for other good causes.. working to assist peopl8 in need. Electoral Roll The Ch￿th elector81 roll was renewed ri Aoril 2024, with a resultarrt total of 86 names, 40 ofwhom live withrn the Parish. Achlevements and Performance Pmc8odings of tIM P4n)chlal Church Councll PCC hgld eight meetings during 2024, with attendance averaging 94%. Along with its routinè yet important admnistrative tasks. the PCC'S foGus was on several major matters which concemed church lffe, buildings and equipm&nt. The continued well-rumng of church1rf8 during the vacancy Consideration of whether lo investigate becoming a joint parish with Slinfold Working through th& aspects of work outlin&J in th8 archrtecl's NoV￿ber 2021 quinquennial insFection report Possible replacement of thg oil-fired he8ting with an electrical system (until this is cotxluded the Toilet and Tga Point project is on hold) Investigation of structural defecis in the Priests House Planning the year of celebration for St Nicolas Inv8slig8tirKJ possible alternative ¢ar parking For further d8t8ils 8ee the reports on pages 5 to 9. Achievements and Performance (continued) IAlnlsty anrf runm'ng of the Church during the vacancy As a result of the v8cancy st has been ne￿Sary lo arrgngg ministerial Cover for all services. This task has been unrjertaken by M8rgaret Thayre, as churehwarden, who h8s (kne an amaing jobfirKling relirgd mini5tgr5 and ottiar clergy trj ensure all of the service&could cantinue as nomal Ihrougtrv)ut th8 year. 0￿ gratitud8 1$ dug to: Visthng Clergy- Rewd J&¢k Mulder, Rev'd Sally Mttchell, Rerfd Yvonne Adan, Rev'd Brian New, Rov'd David Beal, the Ven Lionel Whatley and Father Mallhew Austen who have kind￿ tsk8n services for u5 throughwt th8 vacancy. As&stants at Serv1￿ - our sidesrnen ar￿ women, readers. intercession leadets, communi￿ seTvers, togeUEr with sacrist8n WerKly Dorknngs and verger Phillipa McBean. Lay Reader- MartiTh Hennock who is a Itensed Lay Reader takgs $om& of Family S•Nths, W>angsday Evenlng Prayer and Bible Study Group. He dNides his ministry twne between St Nicolas, Sl Mark's in Horsham. Kale Wydr8, a I￿nSed Lay Readerfrom West Grinstead, has also kllyjly stepped in lo cover Fami]y sorvicès. HonoFry AssoGiatp Prigst-'Rev'd Rosemy Cattell, who retired in 2021 after six years, service to thts church but who has continued to give fart8StI¢ 8uPPOrt by leading regulat Sunday servi￿8 and most of the fUr￿ra4$. Former Rector Sandra Hall- whom wè miss since she rètired at the end of Ja)uary 2024 and worked hard to make the comm6ncement of lh8 vacancy as smooth as possible. Servicgs andattendances alurlng"2024 Ba tisms Weddin s and Funerals During 2024 there were tsyo baptisms. four.weddhg$. one Ihanksgiylng. no funerd¥ and liyee Intemienls of ular Sentiees Sunday SeNKes- Holy Communion held in church al 11ptn on1 sl, 3rd & 51h Sundays, and at 8am on 2nd & 41h Sundays. Average allendance at these setvtces (not Ir￿uding Eastw & Chitslmas) was 25. Family W0￿h1P- held at 10am on 4th Sundays usualy in Barns Green Village H811, had ￿ 8verage altendanc6 of 16 odults and three children. &ster2024- Communtin was held ori Maundy Thursday, and a Vigil on Good Frtday. R6v'd Jaok Mulder led the semce on EastFr Day, for whSch total allendanc& was 47. including chilctren. Christmas 2024. _ Communion was cèlebrated at the Midnight SeTwce and" al the Christmas Day.F£mily Servic&. Tolal atlendaTrcg was 70. with & good proportion of children on Chrislm25 Day. Howayer the most popular S￿l¢e was the Chr5strnas Eve Crib Service, With a c{￿9re98t10n of 10B, most of whom were.young childm. Children frorn Ihs'famtly swlce atxl Massy Ghurch were Inyolved In readings and prayers. Remembr8nce Sunday 2024- RBV'd Sally Milchg111gd the annual s8Nie6 of rernembran￿. held in the village hall (with a link lathe CenotaFfi) to which all villagers were wolcomgd. Congregatlon was 74 Including chlldren, and the collection was given to th8 Royal British L99ion. Hawt Festival 2024- The eollection and gifts offood w8re donated to Horsham Matters Food Ban Achlevements and Perforniance (continued) SeThiees and attendancgs during 2024 fconllnued) 'Outreath'. eNic8s and Other mmu lessy. Church - each montri in term twne we hold Messy Church in Ihe Barn& Grèon School communty room, to whith children from O-11 ytsrs are welcomed with an acoompanysng adult. In 2024 we had bth8en. 11 and 24 people atletyling. The childr8n enjoy doing at least fwg crafts, hgaring a Bible story. prayers and a song, all based on a Clyislian Iheme and ending with a meal 109ether. Our Me55y Churth group also enl8red a t￿e at the Barns Green inaugural Christmas Tree Festival. Families from Messy ChurGh decorated fh8 tree with ornaments Ihey had made. in the Decemtrer Session. Thg tree'was then taken to St Nicolas, Irr the Christmas seThices. H¢Jme Gomrnuri￿ - is taken evffy month to four peoplo'wh"o are now unable to attend servi￿. Care Home- Communion is also tsken once every monlh lo our local care homè ￿llere$S Grange. There 8re addilional servlces to celebrate Easter, SLmmer, Ha￿eSt and Christmas to wh￿h several mgmbers of St Nicola8' gdd support with music and singiry. Up to 20 residents allend Ih8se servicgs which they seem to )preci8te. Christmas Lunch- in December, all those living on thelr own In Bwns Green or part of the churth family were irivited to a Christmas lunch and entertainment Thi Ihe school commLE)ity room. There were 23 guasts. cral 8rvices and Evgnts It wa5 tho tum of Itthingfield to hos1 the annual benefi￿ Harvest Supper and a good time was had by all, guests were aged froTn fDur to ovgr evJhty. The churchwa5 Vlsited by iwogroLWS of sxlmary school children, a Ladles History Group and somebell ring￿￿. Other Church Activitlos Church Gro Choir8nd Music-we have very. much gnjoyed anothgr chLYal year tcgether. There are now fourteen membw8 on the St Nicolas, choir list, which is very exctling vvhen working on harmony arthems and gongs for varlous special services. Pal Enticott, Mar9arel Watson arsd Mags Fisher continue to rot*8 playlng ihe organ throughout the year. John ￿￿enden kwidly playsfor the more demanding occasions and always helps the cFiJir to find the lost chord. The St Nicolas, MusiG Group plays on the fourth Sunday of gach month- normally in Bam$ Green Villaue Hall, or the.church rf the hall is unavailable. Members are Chris Henrvjck on cello, NioJla & Gary Moore on clarinet "and c8ion dnjm. Margaret Watson on haTP and Mags Fisher on kgyboard. Plgasa rb got In touch ff YOLL 9re irterested in joining the choir andlor the mUs￿9[0up. Bellringing- tho bells were rung before the ￿e4 majority of mid-momlng Sunday SerwI￿,.for1oUrwè*d[￿gs, and practices were held on most Fr￿aY evenings. Throuth ttria dislinctive and usuallyjoyhjl sourA of the ￿lIs, st Nicola5' ringers help lo mainiéin this.$iroular English tradition. Ghurch Flowers - we ¥e very lucky to have a numbgr of wonderful church fbw8r arrang8rs that wLYk es 8 team lo produce fresh sustainable flowers loltowing new guidelings of Ihe Church 8uslainabl& FLowèrs Group lo help environmont. The Team produce arrangements all ye¥ except Lent and Adv8nl. We also now request that 8ny florists workiry wilh us ￿Wedd1r@slFUnera}S do rot US9 Oasis and try to abidé by advico from Ghurch Sus181nable Flowers Group. Churth Cleaners - we would particularly wish lo mention that uh58en band of her￿ who carry out the vilal job of keeping Ihe church dusted arKI polished. making ita pl￿ which is obviously cherished and is welcoming to vi%ilors. Achievernents and PerforniancE (continued) Qther Church Actfvitle8 fconllnuedj Church Maint8nance_ we 8re soyery gralelul to Bob Dorklrys #nd David Pick¥d for all tha work Ih8yth on th9 Qnorm￿S task of look1￿ after an historic t￿lIdIng d81ing back to the 12th cenlLWy. This ran mean bping calkd o￿at short notica for urgent matters. LoGol Fundraiwng- our thanks.are due lo M8gs F18her and her leam, who with the 'Table Top Shop. have raised a remarkab￿.suM of mongy'ov8r the years through hatrl work sprked enterprises: Joinl Parish A proposal to form a joint P8fiBh with Slinfdd was first raised tow¥ds tha end of 2023, afler our becomrng aware. of Rgv'd Sandrgs r81ir6monL The main argument for It Was that having a singte larger parish rather .than two 8maller ones might make the post of re￿Or MO￿ allradivè lo rxospeclive carKJidales. However some PCC members had serlous rtsefvatKMS about the Idea. A detailed a$$?ssment was carrted out over a perrt)d of sever81 mcrths, and Special PCC meetings were convened r•Q that fouJ6 could ba concènlral&d on this key 8ubject. Eventually 8 r8solution to pri)ceed with further inv851igab.ons was lost by a majorily votè. so w& shall rematr) as al prè3fflt. separate parlshes wllhh a joint b?nefKe. St Nicolas 9 In 2025 we shall be marking continuity of worshlp'at st Nicolas, Chwch across nine centuries wth a number of events ar¥1 ojncerts planned lo Gelebrate the cttaslon. Safeguarding Four DBS th&cks have been completed this year including Ihe Diorgse'5 Safeguarding awareness trainin Annual safe ched(s have ba8n completed. Thartrtfully rN) saf8guarding incidBnls have been reported. The Dlotsse of ChtcfTester has hod an independ&Trt s*guar¢ling aLxlttwhieh rw3nises improV￿(errts havo b89n' madg along with recommendatlons for the future. We should all be aware that safeguarding is ewally Important ksr vulnerable adull8, noi only chiklren 8rxl we need to slay vigilant Deanery Synod The church can have up lo three mgmkérs of Ihe PCC Sitting on the Deanery (at present there ¥e memt¢rs>. Thi$ provi(ks the PCC wllh an imwrtant lir* btheen the parish and the W￿¢r structwes OF CPllchestgr diocese. On9 of St NicoLa8' representat6ves18 also the lay chair'of th& De8ntty ￿0d. The Synod met iwits in 2024. In MarGh, at Broadbridge Heath, Bishop Ruth spoke 8brxt her obseFvati)ns on the Htsrsham 8rea and her role as Bishop. She emphasised Ihe need for discipleshlp and on ilems that were influenti81 In developing dixiple¥hip within the th￿￿h. The seEond mgotsng for the yw was In October in R￿agwICk wlwe the Synoa debated rts role, wrth a proposal that Ihis htyjse should abolish deanery synods. Ther8 w* a lively deb8t& on both the tssueg and benefAs of th• role of the deanery synod. There 15 5ti11 a vacancy for a Deanwy Synod.8ectEl￿ and the treasurer is plsnning to retire after this Synod, so a new treasurerwill b8 negdad. In a y8ar or.so. Goods & Ornaments has been one amendment to the thurch inventory, with qunied grgen and white wipII falls glven to St Nlcol3s' Church. There have keen no Olhar changes to.Ih8 gcods and omam@rf$ of thg church t*Jmg the year. Carbon Footprint A larget been set by Gener81 S￿Dd for all p8rts of theclwrch of England, incluthro parishos, lo regch n81 zero emissions by 2030. This 19 somelhing to which the PCC will pay ch)se att￿lI0n in the Goming ye￿, "utlllsing the guxJ8nce provid￿1 by the C of E Environmenl Working Group and the Dioces& Neady all L( thg Ilghls within trE church have now been chon9ed to LED to help with our ¢art)on footprint and investigations arg ongoing into the thurch hoating. A su￿$S810n has a180 baan mad& lo the Church of Eng18nd Energy Foolprint Tool regarding Sl Nicolas, erwy use. Churchyard Thls year we have achieved more wildflowers than in the last few years due to tha areas )8ng ¢Ut back iower and at slightly different times. Our corrtrxlor has made a fantos1￿ slart on re-genér8t￿g the overgrown lower west SKle burial area and we will b9 doing more lo Ihal area in the o)ming months lo bring 11. in line with the whole 1Th8ervatton erga and wild areas of the Churchy8rd. A deadtrgo was removed from the. bwer west arga. Wo have u$6d th8 wood to creale.an insect hctsl and all the chlppings will be used to crgate betier path5 Y¢ithin tho churchyard. Jultan F￿C1S ktndly repa￿ed one of our oldest donated seats to its fvll ylory for our thurttJyaTd v[s￿orE to (Jyrtlnue lo sit on. We also replaced a seat on our green area whera many w.alkgrs 5tcp arld have their lunch. This year it seem8we have h*A a kjt more people in the churchyard doing research on graves and headstDlla5, and we have answered 1018 of enquiries by &m8il about Ihe churd)yard for famli y histories. Priesfs House hilst the Priest's House is not induded wlthin the 8rchitecl's qulnquennL81 Inswiion, SLbslantiql defeds of the structure have bacome eppar8nL The weslem end of the S￿th wall is ty)weA; this is thouGhl to tre largely due to the huge weight of tho Horsham .Stone roof bearlng down on it for many years, the buildin9 having originally teen CDn5tnJctgd about 500 yeaFS ago. Thg gast door has also becA)me drfficult lorjpen and close. Overthe course of the yeor wg have had plan5 artd a specÈficatton of WDrks prrthGed by Hookley & Dawson. and our Inspectirva Church Axchitect. These were sent out tu v￿lOUS compani9S to tend9r for the r9qUWgd" repair VA)¢1<. W￿k cfi anc4enl buildings must be carried out sympathelKally by (x)mp818nl conlractors using appropriate materia18, so cnmes al a substarilial cost. We are working with the SeniLY Church Building8 and Pasloral R￿￿onI88t1￿ Offw al th? Diocese to identify ff any grants rrtight ￿ avaitabl8 lo betp U6 repair Ihls rxecious h18toric building and hope to be able to Comm￿Ce rapair wgrk in the first ha￿ of 2025.. Church Buildlng Members of.'the Fabric CommillBg haY8"CDntinued to gn5ure that ihg maIn￿anCe plan is bèing foll¢W￿l and kept up to date. The priority works identified within the ￿0v*aM￿r 2021 qulnquennlal hspection reFXJrt are gradually being addressed. kn inspection of the bails and th8 bell frames wa5 carried out by a SFxlallst company in octo￿ 2024. No issues were Ident￿e￿ in the report and very useful information and advi08 on 8 ongolng mainlen8nce was impart'•d to the current steeple keeping team. Tollet & Tea Maklng Facllltles The DioLEsan Advlsory Commtitee IDACI have begn kspl updated regarding prDgres.s ort this long njming Fxolecl by the archftect. Following rerelpt of formal SLPPOrt from Historic En9lar¥J in January 2023 supP￿1ng Option 3 Iltxating the new facilities in an eXtenS￿)n on Ihe northorn side of the church, accessed via a door towards Ihe roar of the navel the Pre-AFplicatloTr Advlce rjocumentation was sulxnitted to the various dosign*gJ consuRg9s. We rècerved responses from the 18St of the designated consultees on 31.$1 ALUUSt 2023. Unfortunately, th8 investigation of an alternative healing sy8tem(s} for the d)urch h2s ImpKcations for this pro￿￿ and herKe pro9ress on thts project h88 been delaye(1 untll these wive3tigaiims have beerfr fully cA)ncluded. Church Building (contlnued> Church Heeung The current (thurch heatlng system is an oil fired hol water system aTrJ'in resFonse.lo h wi5he5 oftho Church 'd England for us to move away from the use of fDssiI fuels by 2030 a Hèating Su&Commillea was formed to hvès15gate the posslole alternotives. Vlsits were made by membars of th6 subJ proieet to provida loilet and tea m8kiro facilthes at the church. In addition, wa wère able to r8i8e £300 for our support al.th6 Run B￿S Green event and.£54throuah EasyFundraising. Interest received increased signifTcantty in 2024 by £4,765 due.to higher interest rates. Followi￿ a change in polioy investment. ineome is now all2cat8d.lo both the.Gener81 Fund and.1￿￿ Fabric Fund, .as furth￿ detalled bek)w. Financial Review (contlnuod). endituie The largest gxpenditvre of Ihg PCC is the partsh 8hare of £30.540 paid to the DI0￿e, which continL lo the during a.'vacancy. Thi5 amount Govers the housing, stlpend and pénsion costs of the cl¥w, an alt¢¢ation for diocesarn central costs, ckgy trawiirng and a ￿ntribUtIOn to naltonal church funds. The amount pald by Itchlngf￿Id PCC in 2024 increased by £992, the tolal representing 75% of the amount requifftd to coverfull miniglry costs. Mnistry expenses wera £2.063 lower this year due to the vacancy, with 8 Credit wsition of £37 beiig record8d for 2024 as a result of a small council lax refvjnd on thp ro¢tw. Church rLnning exper￿eS Increase¢J by f2,109 overall, or 31 OA, rtiosly due to the chLYchyard where ex￿nSeS werg £1.530 highar than the prior year. This was driven by 8 number of itsms, iTrSudin9 £624 for the ￿MOve1 ofa dead willow tree, £372 fcf thè ¢leararTr of bramblgs, £224 for a new benth and a £280 incr￿e In regulw maintenance costs. Given the donations ffceived in 2024, il was possible for mora of thès8 expensesto be covered by the Churchyard Fund than usual. Church rLEnning èxpenses for Ifp sxior year also benefRted frcffl a £45Ocne-off compensation paymenl from Sou￿￿Tr Wator, which was not rgpealad in 2024. Major bulldirg rep8lrs in 2024 kndudes Internal decoration and hole repair5 to the north el￿ation at a cost of £1,320, professional fees on the repairs to the chancel 8nd chimney £1,2S), professional faes on the repaws rryuirgd lo th8 Priest's HoLtse £437 and a pew he81ing e]ectAcal survey £360. Whilst Ihere was expect8d v8halion in expense types due to the normal Maintenan￿ cycles, butlding and maSnlenanoe costs overall remalned al a similar level. Accorofftgly, Ibe £2,146 SLFrplus remaining from th8 £4,OCQ buildlng and maintenance budget lor Ihe year, which is transferred to the Fabric Fund In accordance with our reserves policy, w8s al 8 slmilar ￿Ve{ to the wior year. Result Paynents from the Gener81 Fund for 2023 exceeded receipt5 with an inits'al defjcil of £5,270 bèing record&d for the year. However in Juty 2024 the PC"C r$solv￿ tha( from Iho financial year ending 315t Decgmbgr 2024, rf General Fund is In a position at the end of the year, income generated from inv8Stment5 will be allocated to the G¥*ral until a breakeyen position is achvaV￿1. Any remaining investtTbgnt. i￿Orne wlll allocaied lo Ihe Fabric Fund. For the financial year end8d 31st December 2024. Wosit fund income of £5,270 has therefore been allocated lo the Ganeral Fund to retu￿ it lo a breakeven positlon, with the remginmig investrri8nt Ir￿Me of £7,350 being alloca8d to th8 Fabric FU￿1. Whilst suffKi9nt investsnenl incc¥ne was.availablg in 2024 to offset the Gonoral Fund d8fleAt, it Is not 8uslainable position given the cash reserves that will need to bg used on building projetsis In the near fL&ture and declining interest rates. Expenses are wntinuing to rise which. agan6t a Irenfj Of decfininq giving. leaves the PCG in a challerwJlng fInan￿81 poslllon. Ttp PCC rèmains I￿u98d on tying to grow th8 conoraaalion and prth will be tracked separdtely and the most appropriale us8 of th8 gift determined, The Churchyarrt Fund is a restrtthd fund which can only 5Ferit on the upkeep ofihe churchyard, including routinè maintenance any tr88 SLW required. 11 is the policy of the P'CC not lo hold any money in reseNe in the Churthyard Fund. Any amourt rèmaining in this fund at the gnd of tha year is due 10 liming only 2nd will be utili￿1 at the beginning of the followinu year. The Fabric Fund is a reslrictad fvnd which can only bo 5pw*on l￿fa￿(IC ofthe ¢hurth. Consequently the Fabric Fund will build up Te5erve to pay forfjuluro mprov8ments and r8pairs. In July2024 the PCC rosolV￿ that, from th& fin￿cial year endiro 31st December2024, rftha Gèneral Func5 ia in o tsficil position al the erKI of Ihe year, incomo generated froTll inv85tmenls wlll be allocated to the General Fund until 8 t*eakeven position is achieved. Any r￿ma￿ing invpstm8nl irKomo wlll be alloc8ted tts the Fabric Fun Otherfunds (designated by fhe PCC or restricledl rn2y b• sot up for a sp&ific purF4)$9 (for example to improv8facilities atlh&churohl. Fundraising may be rfiquired. arvj so until a target figure is achieved and wc*k eorhmences, fund$ will be kept in reserve invested. Reserves are currenuy invested through CCLA Inveslrrt8nl Management Lt¢J In Ihg GBF G￿rth of England fLnds. either in kne Deposit FLfftd (which providas nterast. and is availabl8 tor ¥nmediate withth8wal without penalty), or in the Inveslment Fund Iwhlch is equity ba50d, arya Fxovides S￿re income as well as long term grow￿). The Treasurer, in conjunction wth PCC, will d9tgrmine the split bthveen fl￿d9 on an ongoing basis. 5t is the policy of the PCC that any money not spent by year gnd In the Bullding and Malrtenance budget of the General Fund be design4lpd to th8 Fabric Fund. This Trustees. Annu81 Reportwas approvèa by the PCC and slgn8d on Ks.behaM by Philllpa McBean. Vice Chair Dale.. 1Clh March 2025 ST NICOLAS, CHURCH. ITCHINGFIELD RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 3.lst DECEMBER 2024 Receipts Unre$trlcto(l .UnMtrfct•d R•8trktèd R•sZr*ctsd G•n¢rnl" Dg8ignal•d Chufthyard Fabric Funds Funds Funds Fundg 2024 Tulatr Fund$ 2023 Total Funds Donatlons & Laga¢i•s Plannetj Givin9 OlherTax EffiosèntGlvirrfJ Cotlgdions at 8ervices CDntades3 Donatigns Wall Safe Othtrr Donation5 GiftAd RecovoEBd Legactes Received Grwnts 120 500 3,500 15,762 4.315 5,679 160 243 4.549 8,85e 815 5,679 565 6.000 2B9 177 5,542 6,124 46,394 4.486 86.852 242 4.399 6,856 2.200 1,555 l.SSS 3.755 33.294 120 Charftabl4 Actlvitios Fees pgid to PCC Messy Church Fundrakging 1,820 103 354 277 1,820 103 354 2A77 2.542 145 63 2,750 OtherTr¥ding Activities TabltrTop Sht)p Ott)et Fundralslng Evenl$ 6.160 3,818 6.160 6.160 Investh)4nt Income CBF Deposit Fund Interesi INol•7) CBF Inyosknent Fund C4Vtd8nds uffentAccounl Interesl 527Q 12.550 70 350 6,oTa 70 390 5.620 58 7J50 Total 120 6,351J 15.065 82,726 102,272 8urfthng & M•interJ&nce transferfru GgneTal F¢Jnd (Nob sj 2.146 2.146 Total Rec•lpts 20 6,250 64,872 .104334 ST NICOLAS, CHURCH, ITCHINGFIELD RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER 2024 Payments untr￿¢￿rf. Un￿StrICted R¢¥tyiotpd Re8trtcted G•fteral Dgslgnthtt Ghur¢hyard Fabrfc Fundg. Funds Funds Funds 2024 20fJ Total Funds Total Funds ChuTch Actlvlt MSaslonary & Charitable Giving {Nole 1) Parish Share to Diocese Ministy EXp￿Se3 (Note 21 M¢ssy.Church 752 30,540 1371 147 7S2 722 1371 147 2,028 .214 oth?r Church Expènses Church Runrylng Expgnsos (Note 3) Cost of8ervi¢e$ (Nole 4) Builthng and maintenan￿ (Nota 5) Anajor Buildlng R8pairs INtsté 61 Registr8tion Fees and &b$¢rIpl￿ns Bank Charges Z4Q 4,640 8.944 1,D40 1,854 3,367 624 6.835 692 1,938 26,209 450 60 1,040 1,854 3,867 624 61 Expenditu￿ on ￿ritable Activitie 30,04 3.367 4T.292 61,694 Expenditu￿ ¥)n Raising Fund8 238 ExWltuYE on Trndino Aotiyiti Hire of Villago Hall Totsl 39,045 240 4YA30 68,T15 Bulldlng & Nknintenan¢e tran8ferlo Faknc Fund 1.270 330 4.032 384 224 4e40 3.680 240 6,835 4. Cost"of Sorvlcss Hire of Village Hall - Ckganist5 Fees - Consumables - Sta1ionery and Printing - Refr¢*m¢nt¥ 349 349 50 538 24 301. 243 24 692 ST NICOLAS. CHURCH, ITCHINGFIELD RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDING 315t DECEMBER 2024 Notes to Paymgnts Unrn8tr1¢t•d un￿st￿cted R¥¥tri¢ted Re8tr1cted General Daslgnated Chuyohyard Fabrtc Funds Fund¥ Funrjs Funds 2024 fotrl Funds 20rJ Totsl Funds S. 8uilding & m4int4nanc• - Organ and PA System Healiro & Boil¢r -T0￿r& Roof - El•theAI Equipntgnt - knohtnSng Conductor - ￿re Equipment - Carpenty - Arcailt¢VEngineer Fees. - New Portal￿. su1￿(01 1.345 155 204 81& 155 818 234 362 120 49Y 120 1.854 1,838 alance Trangfer'to Fabric Fund 2,146 2,146 2.062 Budgrt 4000 40 000 The PCC resolved that any un5penl arnouni. in Ihe Building & Malnten8nc& budg&t ramaithSny at year end, bg transfetred 10 t Fabrlo Fundtoward$ ftrtutp repair o)sts. 6. fv18joraulldlng R•p4trs . Archited and olhei pr¢f¢ssional fees . RepairvKtrk 2.047 2,047 3,825 3.3fj7 26,209 .7. InV￿*M•nI Income In Juty 2024 Ihe PCC re¥olv8d IhaL from thg financial year èndlng 31$1 D&ember 2W24, If.Ihe G'eneral Fund 1$ in a deffiat posthn at Ihe end of Ihe yeor, income generafed from investments will be alo￿ted io the Gener81 Fund untll a Woakoven poslllon Is achiwed. Any rematnSng Invesiment irLomo w511 beallocated to the Fabric Fund. For the financial year ended 31%t December 2024, the Goneral Fund was in defiot by £5,270 and oecordingly thls omC￿nI of Inye8tm8nt 5r￿0m& has been allocafed lo thc"Generel Fund to relum it to a breakoven po$itson. 15.- ST NICOLAS. CHURCH, ITCHINGFIELD STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Unrgstricted Unr2$trfeted R4y¥trk(ed Restricted Deslllnated Ghur¢hy4rd Fabrlc Fund6 Funrl Funds 2024 2023 Totsl Funds Total Funds Funds Btt¥vd at i¢tJanuary 2024 Recei)ts Payments Exce￿ of reryelpts.o¥erpayff￿￿ts In¢rea30 in mod¢¢t value of inve3trrEnts 2T.094 161.514 72,096 260.704 227.013 41,191 41.191 120 240 6,380 17,211 3,605 13,606 4,B72 49.e78 15,196 104,334 70.837 33,4wr 1120) 1,710 52 194 Balancè ts at 31st Detamb•r 2024 27,094 161,394 1,T10 /6,7S4 260,704 Inveslmtsnts Daposlis Current A￿Unt Clergy expenses r•pgyak46 by Dloces8 PCG Owned Assets 2,812 2,312 239,000 34,203 437 2.26Q 245,000 17,000 g,f 57 437 159.000 27,094 193 181,394 1,710 84754 276.952 103 260.704 Diocesan aS￿gn￿ f698 recelved 238 Totsl Ass•ls 27.287 161.394 1.710 85.764 276.1415 Debtors GfftAld r8covgrab Prepaid RSCM sub#eripti*)n Listed Places ofWGYship VAT grant Contsdless donallons 2,224 137 Total 2,073 3.658 Totsi Assetg 29.380 161.394 1,710 8S.754 27¢218 284.59S Llabllltles: .CTrdltors Cl)ichpster Diocege Ifeesl tJl¢liltes Ministy 0XP￿se$ 193 58 236 8. 166 Total Llabllltles 251 ,Appfoved..ty Ihg Paroohlal Church Couneil and sfoned on Its behall by.. PhiifipahAcBean.....-............................-........ VKe Chalr Dale.. 1Dth Mgrth 2025 Trpa8ur8r 16- ST NICOLAS, CHURCH, ITCHINGFIELD NOTES TO TrIE FINANCIAL REPORT 1. The fine￿claI statements of the PCC have been prepared in accordanca wilh the Charit￿S W 2011 and 4rr8nt Church A¢¢ount￿g Regulations, using th8 Receipts and Payments basi$. 2. Gift Atd Is recovarablg on donatiJrKS receNed up to ye8r end, sÉnce the last claim was submitted on 29h Ap￿1 2024 coverlng donations lo 5th April 2024. 3. No payments were made to PCC. m*nbérs in year Other"th￿ for reimbursem￿1 of expenses incurred on behalf of Ihg PCC. 4. Fund TYF￿. Ra8trlcted Funds reyesents morw given.by domrs for a specrfitspurpose, 8nd can only be used forthat PLfPOSg. Restrlcled tund5 are not Invested pemianentty bul are to be sp￿1 wthin reasonable tRnescales. Unrnslri¢tsd (Genera) Funds are not subj.ect to any donor rgslri¢tions artd can bè sp'ent as the PCG ths. Funds tw axo set aside for a particular pufposaby th6 PCC ar& Doslgnatod Funds, wth th8 dèsignation hav£ng an administrativ9 PLwe only which do86 not restrict the PCC'S discr8.tion to apply the funds, ST NICOLAS, CHURCH, ITCHINGFIELD INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT Repcrt to the Paroehial Church C¢Juncil (PCCI of the Eccle5iasti¢al Parish of St Nicolas, Church Itchingfield on the annLag1'report for the ￿ar ￿)ded 31￿ December 2024, as set out on.pages 12 to 1.7. ROsp6￿1ve ro8pon8ibilitie6 of trustets and examlner The PCC members 8r& responsib￿ fc( the preparation of tFie annual reports. The PCC m8mters ccY)sid6r Ihae an aucfit is not required for this year Lmdw section 1.44 ofii* Ch8rf(ies Act 2011 C'the Charities Acr'} and that an IrKlep￿enI examinat1￿ Is needed. ft is my ￿pOnSibIlitY10.. l ) examinÉ the accounts urtdar sèetk￿ 145 of Charities Ad.. 2) lo follow the procedures 18id dDwn ￿ the general Dwections given by Ihe Charty Commissicn (Lmdgr ,section 14q5llbl of the Charities Act,. and 3) 10 State whthgr partscufar m8tter8 have oJne to my attention. Ba61s of independ8nt exan¥norfs slatement My examination was Ca￿led out in accordance with g•noral DtroGtion6 given by the Charfty Commr48ion. An examination includss a review oflhe accounting rfj￿S kept by charity and a Comparison ofthp accounts prewted with those records. It also indudes consideration of any uNsual rtem6 or di5d05ures In the 8cLounts, and seeking explanations frcrn the trustees conceming any suGh matters, The prorAduras Lmdertd(en do not provide all the evidence that wo￿￿ be required in an audit. and consoqugntly w opinion Is given as to whether the #ccounts present a 'true and fair, vigw and the report is Iwniled lo Ihtise maU6rs 88t out in th8 statement bélow. Indepèndent examinoffs statement In ¢fflneGllon wth my ekamination, no materfal matiers have come lo my attention whith gives mo ca￿8 to bglrg¥e Ihat, in any material rospect.. accounting recordswere not kept in accordence with section 130 of the Ctwities Act,. JX the accc4Jnts do rtr)t accord with the accounting re¢ords I have come acros$ no other matters irt cOnneCt￿n wilh tho 8xamnation lo which attention sfKxJld be.dr8wn in (￿der to enable a prcper urpderstandiro of.lhe acGoLwts lo be reathed. PtsC* Mr Patrlck Casey FCA Dal8 61 H8mpstead Road Dorking Surrey RH43AH 18-