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. Se￿iCe 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 se￿ices, 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
ANFul￿g
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 aCC￿￿8n¢e ilw Charlles Act 20118ThI th8
Church Accounting ReguLgbons 2(￿, usiry Ihe Receipts and Paymnts b3515.
Th8 fo1￿.n9 assets are rec(yJnised Ixrt not￿lU*1 in the St*ry￿t ofA8set8 arnl Li*ih"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 le￿1. lax refvndsl
anrÉd giiiThJ Ino tsx r8fiJTrJ$l
Lwse ￿$￿ col￿¢￿"0ns
Ckng Liff Qft￿ded ghirg
Gft reco%ered
kny Church
General cbnaècfis
L￿￿leS
G-ants
M8celar*ou6 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
In￿trEnts
Churctyard nwInknar￿k 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..
un￿trICted
C*neral
Fund
Total
T¢tsl
D￿9natsd 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
vil￿ge 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 arfp*tWrt -
TL*al paid on all funds
48716
11878
14502
75094 49676
CharitA￿e donationg totsllirKJ £621.98 ￿ n*e 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 C￿rgY
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 andown*nts from..
Don8ts"on$ and ègacies
Charltsbb acb"ifibe$
Ckner tra1ing a¢ti%ities
IrNethnts
Rewluatson gainlbss on CCLA
Clher r￿ipts
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 •WidI￿re>
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 acco￿nIS present a'truè and fair, ¥i•w
and thè report 15 limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlner's State￿￿nt
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 opin*on, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandir*g 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 Charte￿d Accountants of England and
Wales
12