Trustees, Annual Report and Annual Financial Report Forthe year ended 31" December 2025 The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Nicolas Itchingfield CONTENTS Page Tru$to0$' Annual Report Statement of Assets & Llabliities Notes to the Account8 8-10 Resetves Poltcy 11 Indopendgnt Examiner's Report 12 St Nicol8s' Church, Fulfords Hill. Itchingfield, West Sussex, RH13 ONX Registered Charity no.. 1208703 www.stnico18sltchingfield.org.uk
Structure, Governance & Management The Parish of Itchingfield is part of the Diocese of Chichesterwithin the Church of England and is part of the Benef ice of Itchingfield with Slinfold, together with our sister parish and church of St Peter's Slinfold. The Parochial Church Council {PCCI is registered with the Charity Commission Registered Charity Number 1208703, as required bythe Charities Act 2011. PCC members are Trustees ofthe charity. Its governing document isthe Parochialchurch Councils (Powers) Measure 1956. Duringthe calendaryearcommencing 1 stJanuary2025, the following served as members of the Parochial Church Council. The appointment of PCC members is governed by the Church Representation Rules. Membership consists of certain ex-officio members (clergy, churchwardens and members of the Deanery Synod) and up to nine members (whose names must be on the church electoral roll)who are elected 8tAnnual Parochialchurch Meetings. The PCC mayco-opt uptotwo more members, whose term ends at the end of the nextAPCM. Parishioners are warmly encouraged to stand for election to the PCC and otherelected roles and we tryto ensure a balance of skills and experience where possible. Members from January 2025 until the date this report was approved- Ex Officio Members.. Rev'd Caroline Armit8gg Mrs Marg8retTh8yre Mr Geoff Ch8mberlin Mr M8rtin Hennock Mrs Miriam Coghill Mrs Carol Howard Prsegt in-charge (from 12" Augu8t 20251 Churchwarden ChurchwBrden (from 27th April 20251 Deanery Synod Deanery Synod Deanery Synod Ifrom 27th April 20251 Elected Members.. Mrs Phillipa McBean Mrs Chris Hennock Mrs julia Huson Mrs Anne Jenning$ Mr$ Judith Ne8bitt Mr Roger Pitts Mr Bryan Southon Vice Ch8ir Secretary Trea8urer (until November 20251 AttendingPCC but not8 Votingmember Mr8 Paula Whybrow Treasurer from November 2025 The PCC met Sixtimes during the yearwith an average attendance of 86%. This Trustees, Annual Report has been formally approved bythe PCC at. Addltlonal Management Arrangements Standlngcommlttee: This committee has powertotransact business of the PCC between its meetings. subjectto anydirections given bythe PCC. The Priest-in~charge and churchwardens
are members ex-officio, and other members are appointed by the PCC. In the period from January 2025 - May 2025 additional members Mrs Chris Hennock, Mrs Julia Huson and Mrs Phillipa McBean, and Mrs Miriam Coghill. Once our new Priest in Charge was appointed, she met regularlywith the Churchwardens. Fabrlc Commlttee: the Fabric Committee. which reports to the PCC, assists with the man8gement ofthe fabric of the church and buildings and churchyard and met five times. Safegu8rdlng: The PCC has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016, fully recognising its duty to have due regard to House of Bishops, guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. Electoral Roll: At December 315t 2025,followingthe compilation ofa new Electoral Rollin April 2025. the roll stood at 62with 22 outside the Parish. Our Alms Purpos89 and impact as a charity in 2025 The Parish of Itchingfield covers the villages of Barns Green and Itchingf ield and our centre of worship is the ancient parish church ofst Nicolas Itchingfield. 2025 has been a yearof change and development for us as 8 church and as charity. The parish started the year in v8can¢y and awaiting decisions and guid8nce form the Diocese as to f uture direction. During the Spring of 2025 it was advised that the Diocese would be reducing ordained support to the benefice to a 0.5 Priest in Charge. Reverend Caroline Armitage was licensed as Priest-in-charge on 12th August 2025. We are thankful that as a Parish and a Benefice we can now look forward to a period of stability and seeking howto pro¢laim God's word afresh forthis season. The primary objective 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. As part of the Diocese of Chichester, we do this within the context of the Diocesan mission and values to"Know, Love, Follow Jesus" and have continued throughout the period of vacancy as a congregation, and now with the involvement and guidance of our new Priest to work to fulfil this, our calling 8S Christians. When p18nning our activities we have been mindful of our charitable objects and considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on 'charities for the advancement of religion,. The Five Marks of Mission are an important statement bythe Anglican church which express its commitmentto and understandingofthe mission of¢hurch. Theyprovide aframeworkthrough which we express the activities we undert8ke which en8ble us to fulfil our calling. To pro¢lalm the Good News of the Klngdom This year we celebrated 900 years of Christian worship in the Parish and the church with a number of special events including a special service led by the Bishop of Horsham, Ruth Bushyager, and a Celebration Evensong at which Archdeacon Angela of Horsham preached. During 2025 we worked to encour8ge as many people as possible to worship at St Nicolas, Church and in otherlocations around the parish. We provide a mixof styles of service including Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship, supported by our choir and music group, whose contributions enhance our worship. Recognising that our historic church is away from our main centre of
populstion once a month we hold a Community Worship setvice. with music group. in Barns Green Village H81L. We are also thankful that through the dedicated service of our bell ringers our bells ring out regularly on Sundays calling us to worship and reminding the neighbourhood of God's presence. We givethanks that throughoutthe period ofv8cancywe have kept a regular and well attended service pattern, thanks to the help and support we received during the vacancy by visiting clergy. We particularly thank Rev'd Jack Mulder. Rev'd Sally Mitchell, Rev'd Beverley Miles, Rev'd Brian New, Rev'd D8vid Be81, the Ven Lionelwhatleyand Father MatthewAusten, and also the support of Lay Readers Martin Hennockand Carol Howard (from June 20251. We are also hugelygrateful for the continued dedication of our Honorary Assooi8te Priest. Rev'd Rosemary Cattell. who retired in 2021 after six years. SeiCe to the Benefice, and who has continued to give fantastic support by leading regularsunday services and most of the funerals during 2025. Th8t support has enabled us to continue to flourish n ourworship, To teach, baptlse and nurture newbelievers We continue to invest in ourthriving Messy Church held monthly in Barns Green after school. This is much valued by both the parents and carers and children who attend. We 8re delighted to offer baptism to those who seek it and three children were baptised at St Nicolas during 2025. To respond to human neéd by lovingservice We seek to seNe our community by accompanyingthem through life's changes and to provide a welcoming venue for our community to celebrate, thank God, and seek His comfort at milestones on the journeythrough life. We were able to celebrate three marriages, and support the bereaved through the provision of six funer81s Home Communion, Christmas seices, and other pastoral support is provided to our local care home Wellcross Grange and the adjacent Brain Injuries centre at Ketwin Court. Once again, we provided a well-attended and much appreciated Christmas lunch in the Barns Green School Community Room fora those who find themselves alone over the Christmas season, particularly the older members of our community To tr8nslorm unjust structurés of soclety, to challenge vlolence of every klnd and pursue peace 8ndraconcillation Recognising Jesus call in Matthew 25 v 35-40 we look to support local charities who assistthe vulner8ble. During2025 collections were made at, Remembrance Sunday and we donated to £495 to the British Legion and The church actively supports the local foodbank and donations were made by members ofthe congregation weeklythroughout the year. ro strlve to Safeguard the integrlty of creation, and sustain andrenewthe life of the earth
The Church achieved its E¢0 Church Bronze Award in February 2025, which reflects its commitment to creation care. We celebrate God's creation through m8intainingourlovelychurchyard as a rich and varied habitat for the local flora and fauna. We seek to provide and a beautiful place for people to meet sit and rest, to reflect, encounter our creator God. It also provides a much-valued space to remember loved ones who are buried there. We recognise our responsibilityto maintain our historic church, and the unusual historic Priest's House in our churchyard. Particu18r work has been carried out to preserve the structure of the Priest's House during 2025 which has been a significant f inancial investment. The dedicated service of cleoners, those who provide flowers, and those with particu18r responsibility for the fabric of the church has kept it as a beautiful and holy place for services. The churGh is open daily between 9am and dusk for quiet reflection for anyone who wishes. Our Fabric Committee has undertaken work examining heating options for the church. which will be further considered during 2026. We move forward into 2026 confident in our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ as the Creator and sustainer of His Church, and with hope as we seek to proclaim afresh the Word to this generation. W-P V CACOLiNt A£ni TA6t
Flnanclal Review During 2025 the Style of accounting was simplified to streamline our administration and aid comprehension for PCC members. This being so the comparative figures for the years 2024 and 2025 may appear to have discrepancies in the detail. However. the overall totals are correct. and have been verified, and we look forward to 2026 being more manageable from an accounting perspective. The final result for the year showed a net reduction in assets of £14,102. The final result being Assets of £261736. However, it should be noted that £72212 of this is held in restricted funds which can only be used forthe reason given atthe point of donation. This is a veryhealthyasset value and St Nicolas has much to be gratefulfor. Income was £3,759 down compared to 2024, standing 8t £61,113 and attention will be paid to this during 2026. Against this, costs were significantly higher at £75,215 compared with £49.676 during 2024. This is almost entirely owing to the major expenses of repairs and renewals ofthe church and historic listed Priest's House. These repairs amounted to £26,398. It is important to continue to maintain the viability of both buildings and for enabling this we are most gratefulto everyone who has donated in anyway to the Church of St Nicolas,. I would also liketotake the opportunityto show appreciation to Julia Husonfor hertwelveyears working as ourTreasurer. Toworkfull time. have children and also act as Treasurer is no mean feat and we are most grateful for everything she has given. Paula Whybrow, Treasurer
FINANCIAL REPORT ASSETSAND LAIBILITIES Tolel ANFulg 2024 Genoral! Dw•lgnat8d., R••trided Ftsnd*! Fundls l Fund•', 2025 Assets: Bank A¢wunts Current accourrt -8851.64 4.845 2.714 34.640 Bank Oepc6it CCLA 826 17.802 17A02 11,81Ya £ 159.e24 87.587 239,C CCLA 827 2.220 2,312 £2Z.9n £168.$44 £72,212,, £261,730 e75.962 Current Asset Investment D•btorn 2.073 Total assets £22.979 81, £72312. 61,736 £218.026 Chancel Trust Inmtrrnnt Incc Uabllltlw: Lknpaid Diocew fees for %svJdingsJfunoraL5 Accountants fees 251 Ch8nty paynpnts dua Totsl 1&bm £251
NOTESTOTHE FINANCIAL REPORT Th8 financial stthmnts of ts PCC halt te8n prepar# in aCC8n¢e ilw Charlles Act 20118ThI th8 Church Accounting ReguLgbons 2(, usiry Ihe Receipts and Paymnts b3515. Th8 fo1.n9 assets are rec(yJnised Ixrt notlU1 in the Stryt ofA8set8 arnl Liih"tes.' )Ydb church furn15hing5 hekj by churchward8ns on special trustloi tt)e PCC. wthich requir8 lacully I( dlsposal. si$ of totsl ra¢8lwtr. lthre8trScbJ General Fund Totsl Oesignatrèd R6stridwJ Al FurKJs Funds Furdls All Funds giiing le1. lax refvndsl anrÉd giiiThJ Ino tsx r8fiJTrJ$l Lwse $ col¢"0ns Ckng Liff Qftded ghirg Gft reco%ered kny Church General cbnaècfis LleS G-ants M8celarou6 IrKc tknn8tions 8TrJ k9acies 1S483 $322 15 4741 129 8811 4741 129 9361 103 1536 2300 250 34951 250 39752 1701 3100 41422 Fw$ for ddIn & funer$ tp fund Funcl RAising Tr*Jing 80tiiitièS Bank & CBF deposit interest Fb¥£knabon 99irflctss CCLA IntrEnts Churctyard nwInknark recwy Total r8C8iwJ on 8N fjJrd$ 8168 8168 1820 6160 354 12 10228 11167 427 3820 12900 3820 11060 2146 44781 7145 61059
4.Anatygs of total paid.. untrICted Cneral Fund Total T¢tsl D9natsd Restricted All Funds FurhJ$ Funds Fun$ 2025 2024 Charitable grants and donaticns Parish share to Chichester Diocese nisty Ewses Church e4)enses inc utilib'es 5sy ChLwchlChiPJrens w)rk vilge Hall hire Adffini8tr8ti¢)n Repairs and renwls Accc¥Jnting arKI E)8rrinerfs fees Insurance Churchyard mainten8nce Fund raising costs ritsble Gc¢ts 622 752 31500 30540 4211 2828 412 511 1172 26563 315LXJ 4211 2828 412 511 1172 3962 147 11878 10724 5221 1778 1778 3778 649 74024 49615 3778 238 649 47645 11878 14502 Bank Fees (er trading costs £lcKesan fees Trading costs Transition81 accounting arfptWrt - TLal paid on all funds 48716 11878 14502 75094 49676 CharitAe donationg totsllirKJ £621.98 ne to Ihe fol(Mlng wisaliom ,. , Royal British Legii)n £320.00 . HNsham tter$ £175.¢XI Christmas knnch £126.98 60 61 1010 1070 1010 1070 61 The Parish thare of £31500 paid to the Chichester Diocese is for the payment of CrgY and other central co*. Tha R8ctOry18 h¢ld in the books of Chichester Diocese and 18 for the us8 of the incumbent. The Restricted Fund3 are the Fabric fund 8nd the Churchyard fund The designated funds are set aside from the main Parish funds. and can be transferred into the general fund for future use. al There were no employee or employer payments paid duringthe year. bl No payments were m8de to PCC members in the year otherthan for reimbursement of expen8e$ incurred on bghalf of the PCC. No tr8n$actions were made with persons related to PCC member8. 12 Gift Aid is recl8imable on planned and one off givingwhere requested to do $0 bythe donor and also a proportion is recl8im8bltr on gener81 c88h income from collections et¢. Gift aid included since the last claim was submitted on 29 April 2024 coveringdongtlons to 5" April 2025.
P•e•lpts and Paynwts SunYNry ihrestricted neral Total 085ignabY Reth"cknJ All Furth Al Fund8 Funds Fundls 2025 Fu IncorrB and andownnts from.. Don8ts"on$ and ègacies Charltsbb acb"ifibe$ Ckner tra1ing a¢ti%ities IrNethnts Rewluatson gainlbss on CCLA Clher ripts Total rec81 34951 1701 39502 41422 825 3820 825 11167 -92 427 12970 250 7746 2146 84924 44777 61055 E¥enditure on.. Anisty aThl church e>r¢n¥es Renewal Costs Charit3bkn costs Tra1in9 C08L8 Transiticrwl accounong a4ustrwl Total paid 42472 3*2 822 1859 177 48892 42472 11878 14502 7367 1659 177 75271 238 11878 14502 Reconciliation of fund¥'. W¢t inco or Inat •WidIre> Transfers beknwn fund$ nTh)wwt in fund8 Bank accounts at 1 January Bank aexwnts at 31 Decentsr 4115 -3345 8495 411S S150 27094 161394 22979 166644 757 -14218 15248 -14216 275952 281738 15248 26010 2759¥ 87464 10
Raserv03 Policy Suff icient funds will be maintained in the current account to meet known liabilities, which includes all known expenses for the next 2-3-month period, together with provision for costs in respect of forthcoming projects (which includes repairs arising from the quinquennial inspection, and other active fabric projects. The PCC have currently chosen to allocate as Designated Funds certain unrestricted sums received from legacies and amounts allocated to maintenance but unspent in previous years to a fabric Fund to be retained to meet potential future capital costs of maintaining 8nd developing our historic buildings, and unrestricted funds received from certain legacies to be used for signif icant development projects in the Parish. Such Designated Funds are nowto be reviewed annuallyas to whether anychange is needed. The Churchyard Fund is a restricted fund which can only be spent on the upkeep of the churchyard. including routine maintenance and any tree surgery required. It is the policy of the PCC not to hold any money in reserve in the Churchyard Fund. Any amount remaining in this fund at the end of the year is due to timing only and will be utilised at the beginning of the following year. The Fabric Fund is a restricted fund which can only be spent on the fabric of the church. Consequently, the Fabric Fund will build up in reserve to pay for future improvements and repairs. Surplus c8sh overand abovethat requiredfordayto dayoperations is currentlyinvested through CCLA Investment Management Ltd in the CBF Church of England funds, either in the Deposit Fund (which provides interest, and is available for immediate withdrawal without penalty), or in the Investment Fund (which is equity based, and provides share income as well as long term growth). The Treasurer, in Conjunction with the PCC, will determine the split between funds on an ongoing basis. 11
Independent Examinerfs Report to the PCC of St Nl¢olas Church, Itchingfield for the Year Ended 31st December 2025 This is my report to the Parochi41 Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish IPCCI of St Nicolos Churth. on the annual financial report for the year ended 31st December 2025. Resptctivt responslb51¥tiè5 of trustse$ and examiner The PCC rnembers are responsible for the preparation of the annual reports. The PCC memb•rs con5iderthat an aud1t Is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 20111"the Ch•ritie5 ACVI and that an Independent examination is needed. It is my re$pon$ibility to.. l. examin• th• accounts under section 145 Of the Charities Act, 2. to follow the procedures laid down in the 8eneral Directtons given by the Charity Commlsslon (under section 145lSllbl of the Charities Aet, and 3. to state whether particular matter$ ha ¢om• to my attention. 8asls of Indèpenderlt exomlnerfs statemènt My examination was carried oui in accordance with general Directions gwen by the Charlty Comrni55ion. An examination Includes a roview of the accotsntin8 records kept by the charity and ¥ compari50n of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes conslderation of any unusual items or dixlosure5 in the accounts, and seekin8 explanations from the trustees concerning any su¢h matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required In an audit. and consequently no tspinion is given as to whethet the acconIS present a'truè and fair, ¥i•w and thè report 15 limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's Statent In connection w1th my examination, no matter has comg to rnyattention l. which #Nes rne reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirernents.. to keep accountine records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act.. and b. to Prepa atcounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accountinz requirernents of the Charitles Act have not been met,. or 2. to which, in my opinon, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandirg of the accounts to be reached. Examlnerf$ s18nature..,...... Date....... JoaHne Rutherford Ejtamlnerfs dress,. 67 Cobden Road. BTi8hton. 8N2 9TJ Relevant profe551Linal qyalificationlsl. Fellow of the Institute of Charted Accountants of England and Wales 12