## Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Parochial Church Council _The Parish of Oxford Saint Frideswide with Binsey For the year end 31[st] December 2025_ ## **Incumbent** The Revd Clare Sykes, B.A. (Hons) Osney Rectory, 81 West Way, Botley, Oxford, OX2 9JY ## **Bank** NatWest, 32, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, OX1 3EZ ## **Independent Examiner** Stephen Hendy, Data Developments, 1st Floor The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1HT ## _**Aims and Purposes**_ The **Osney Benefice** consists of two parishes: **St Frideswide with Binsey** and **North Hinksey with Botley** , each having two churches: St Frideswide with St Margaret of Antioch, Binsey and St Peter and St Paul, Botley with St Lawrence, North Hinksey. The Benefice serves the communities of West Oxford, Binsey, North Hinksey and Botley and aims to foster a vibrant Christian community. The benefice is part of the Anglican Church, focussing on loving service and community engagement. A **Parochial Church Council (PCC)** serves as the executive committee of the parish. It is made up of clergy and churchwardens of the parish, together with laity members who must number one-third of its overall composition. It is a corporate charitable body legally responsible for the financial affairs of the church and parish and the maintenance of its assets, such as church buildings and church halls. The members of the PCC have the responsibility of co-operating with the Incumbent to promote in the parish, _‘the whole mission of the church through pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical activities’._ _The Parochial Church Council (Powers) Measure 1956._ ## _**Objectives and Activities**_ _1. To love and worship God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit_ _2. To be a vibrant, visible, distinctive and inclusive Christian community in our neighbourhood_ _3. To make a difference in our world through loving service_ _4. To encourage all within our community to a life of FAITH in God through Jesus in the Power of the Holy Spirit_ We strive to be a hospitable church that welcomes and includes all sorts of people, the committed and the seeker alike. We seek to be generous in our judgements and kind in our actions, cooperating with our wider community for the common good. We aim to work for the justice, peace and integrity of all creation, respecting diversity and difference and valuing every person’s contribution, regardless of age. Page | 2 ## _**Achievements and Performance**_ The ministry team in 2025 was The Revd Clare Sykes Stipendiary Incumbent FT The Revd Rachel Cross Associate Priest, House for Duty (24 hours a week) The Revd Simon Cross Assistant Curate in training (Self-supporting) Ruth Kinahan Licensed Preacher Jane Barlow (ordinand), doing contextually based training in the benefice with Sarum College, Salisbury Sophie Boughton (ordinand), training for ordination at Wycliffe Hall. Leah Collins (ordinand) to 29 June when after ordination she transferred to her curacy in the Diocese of Gloucester. Irim Sarwar (ordinand), doing contextually based training in the benefice with Sarum College, Salisbury from July 2025. ## **Worship:** ## **St Frideswide** Tuesdays 9.30am Morning Prayer Wednesdays 3.00 pm Messy Church term-time until Feb 2025 Sundays 8.30am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer, BCP) (except last Sunday of the month) **St Margaret** Sundays 9am last Sunday of the month Holy Communion BCP 4.30 pm Evensong BCP (during British Summer Time only) Page | 3 ## _**Church Attendance**_ ## **Easter 2025** St. Margaret 30 (28 in 2024) St. Frideswide 91 (72 in 2024) **Christmas attendance 2025** St. Margaret 83 Carol Service (56 in 2024) 17 Christmas Day (21 in 2024) St. Frideswide 71 Carol Service (51 2024) 140 Crib & Christmas Day (129 in 2024) **Usual Sunday Attendance** St. Margaret 8 adults St. Frideswide 38 adults and 4 children ## _**Occasional Offices**_ **Baptisms** St. Margaret 0 St. Frideswide 3 **Confirmations** St. Margaret 0 St. Frideswide 0 **Weddings** St. Margaret 0 St. Frideswide 2 **Funerals** St. Margaret 2 St. Frideswide 1 Page | 4 ## **Worshipping Community for St. Frideswide** Total Children (Age 0-10) Young people (Age 11-17) 3 Adults (Age 18-69) Adults (Age 70+) ## **Worshipping Community for St. Margaret** **Total** Children (Age 0-10) 0 Young People (Age 11-17) 0 Adults (Age 18-69) 9 Adults (Age 70+) 1 ## **Children’s ministry** **Messy Church** for pre-school children continued on Wednesday afternoons during term time until February 2025 and Children’s Church took place monthly during the Sunday morning service. ## **Music** Until the end of the Trinity term, Segun Abiola and James Norton shared the role of **organist** , with James playing in term time only. Following James’ departure, the vacancy for Joint Organist and Choir Director was filled by Maddie Lay who is warmly welcome, playing in term-time. We are most grateful for all that James brought to the role during his time with us, and deeply appreciative of Segun’s ongoing support and expertise, enabling us to continue to enjoy the ministry of our choir, Sunday by Sunday throughout the year. John Clements, Sarah Davies and Hilary Nixon have continued their regular Sunday afternoon **Taize service** at quarterly intervals throughout the year. This quietly reflective service of music and prayer – open to all – is always well received. **Baptism** preparations took place during the year as well as a **Parenting for Faith** course for families linked to the church and growing their faith in their home setting. Page | 5 ## **Outreach and Community engagement** With the unanimous support and backing of the PCC, The Revd Clare Sykes has rigorously pursued negotiations with all concerned for better protection at the **St Frideswide’s bus stop** for all those waiting in the mayhem of the Botley Road works over so long, through the changing seasons. This has proved an intensely frustrating exercise with serial delays in crosscommunications. The faculty permitting this work to be carried out was granted on 6[th] January 2026, and the work completed on 4[th] February. We are extremely grateful for Clare’s dogged tenacity in pursuing this exhausting and time-consuming exercise to a satisfactory outcome. Funds were again raised for **Home Start Oxford** over Advent and Christmas, through voluntary donations from members of the congregation towards the purchase of store gift cards for the charity to give to families in need, also towards their 'Big Give' campaign, as well as from carol singing at Waitrose and the collection at our Christmas Crib service. Together, these initiatives raised an impressive total of £1,170. The **free community curry** on Friday afternoons is now an established weekly event in our church calendar. Using surplus food from the Oxford Food Hub, cooked by volunteers in the Seacourt Hall, Botley, over 150 servings are given out each week to those who choose to eat in or take away. Our grateful thanks to chef James Hart who cooks and supervises serving; to our team of volunteers who serve, wash up and take servings out to the homeless community in Oxford city; and for the opportunity this creates for us to welcome the wider community into our building, offering warm hospitality and the opportunity to engage with us pastorally if they so wish. Alison Mathias and a small group of supporters launched a **Fundraising Scheme for the Refurbishment of the Servery.** We plan to improve our existing, basic facilities so that we might better welcome and serve our wider community. Launching in November, the scheme hosted two successful Morning Music events with coffee and cake. Page | 6 These were enthusiastically supported such that more ambitious events are in plan for the year ahead. We have a target of £20,000 to be raised, for which some grants are available. **Revd Simon Cross** gained strong support within our congregation for his **Prayer Box initiative.** Fixed to the railings close to the church entrance is a box with the open invitation ‘ _What Can We Pray For You?’_ . Every week, deposited prayer requests are brought into our Sunday Eucharist service where members of the congregation take away one or more, praying for those who seek our help throughout the week. The requests are returned the following Sunday where all are blessed at the altar as part of our service. It is our very real privilege to be a trusted part of West Oxford’s community in this way and a valued connection that we seek to sustain and maintain without interruption. **Binsey Fete** did not take place in 2025. The church was open to welcome participants in September’s Oxford Historic Churches **Ride & Stride** event and the **Oxford Open Doors** weekend, with tea, coffee and cakes on offer. **A Bible Study** Group met in Binsey during Lent and Advent. **Reflection Group** met once a month on a Wednesday evening throughout the year to explore together a range of topics sometimes biblical and sometimes secular. In the autumn term, a **midweek prayer group** met on Wednesday lunchtimes in church for a short interlude of prayer and then a chance to share a cup of tea, led by Jane Barlow. It was paused, as numbers dwindled. Friday mornings have seen **a short, informal breakfast gathering** hosted by Frances and Matthew Kordonowy in their home for people to pray and encourage each other. This has been a great way for the group to get to know each other better and they would welcome newcomers. Page | 7 ## **Administration** The legal and parochial administrative requirements for running parishes (which are charities) increase each year. The benefice is indebted to Gwenllian Davies who oversees our benefice office and manages the Church Hall at St Peter and St Paul. Gwen oversees statutory requirements such as Health & Safety compliance; Safeguarding good practice; GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation); Marriage documentation; preparation for the Annual Parochial Church Meetings; the maintenance of good record keeping. Additionally, Gwen manages weekly parish administration, social and print media and the website. She works closely with the clergy, churchwardens and treasurer to maintain the structural life of both parishes. Gwen’s working hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, between 9.30 am and 4 pm. _Thank you Gwen._ ## **In conclusion** We strive to be a vibrant, worshipping, prayerful presence in West Oxford alongside our ecumenical neighbours. Thank you to all who serve in countless ways in that daily endeavour. Whilst this Annual Report rightly documents the factual details of our work, our shared worship and community engagement cannot be accounted for in the same way but can be and are actively embraced by all who participate in whatever way. ## **Thank you, everyone.** ## _**Pauline Martin, Hon Secretary, PCC St Frideswide’s with Binsey**_ ## _**Structure, Governance and Management**_ ## **Members of the PCC** Members of the PCC are ether ex-officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in accordance with Church Representation Rules **Ex-Officio members** Page | 8 Churchwardens are elected annually. Deanery Synod representatives are elected for a three-year term. The next triennium starts in 2026 ## **Clergy** The Revd Clare Sykes, Rector, Chairperson ex-officio The Revd Rachel Cross ## **Churchwardens** Mrs Jenny Shearan, Joint Vice Chair Mr Matthew Kordonowy ## **Officers of the PCC** Dr Andrew Horsfield, Hon Treasurer Mrs Pauline Martin, Hon Secretary ## **Deanery Synod Member** Mr John Kinahan ## **Elected members** Ms Sarah Davies Dr Andrew Horsfield Mrs Pauline Martin Mr Mike Shearan Dr Paul Spencer-Longhurst, Joint Vice-Chair Under Church Representation rules “ _a parish with an electoral roll of up to 50 persons can elect 6 members to the PCC. All members shall hold office from the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected until the conclusion of the third annual meeting thereafter, one third retiring and being_ ” . _elected each year_ This annual rotation of retiring and re-elected members is designed to protect the PCC from a group exodus at any one time and, at the 2026 APCM, falls to Sarah Davies and Andrew Horsfield The PCC met 7 times during the year. Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Finance are standing items (alongside others) on all Agendas ## _**Pauline Martin, Hon Secretary, PCC St Frideswide’s with Binsey**_ Page | 9 ## _**Finance**_ The financial report is included in the body of the report and the full accounts are available as a separate document. Our grateful thanks go to Andrew Horsfield our Honorary Treasurer who does a brilliant job, as always, at keeping the PCC informed about our current financial situation. ## _**Safe uardin g g**_ ## **The responsible body** The Incumbent and Parochial Church Council are corporately responsible for the safeguarding of all people within the church community. Specific responsibility is delegated to a Parish Safeguarding Officer, currently Jo Moffett-Levy, who reports to each PCC meeting. All church members are reminded that keeping each other safe is everyone’s responsibility. ## **Policies and practice** The clergy and PCC continue to meet the requirement to have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding continues to be a standing item on every agenda of the PCC meetings. The safeguarding policy was updated and approved by the PCC in March 2025. It is in line with the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance and meets statutory requirements whilst remaining relevant to our particular context. The next review of the safeguarding policy will be in March 2026. A copy of the policy is on the noticeboard. It was agreed by the PCCs that safeguarding policies should be the same across the four churches of the Benefice, and to that end the two PSOs are working together on a common suite of policies. The parish uses the Diocesan Parish Safeguarding Dashboard. This is an online tool which allows PSOs to complete an audit of Page | 10 safeguarding policy and practice in the parish. Following the audit, an action plan is automatically generated to assist them in maintaining and improving their safeguarding practices. The benefice has signed up to this, and the audits are completed by the PSO. ## **Safer recruitment** The parish is moving to the use of volunteer agreements and other safer recruitment procedures for any volunteer who will be working with children or vulnerable adults. The Church of England is establishing Safeguarding Hubs to help parishes track the stages of such appointments and monitor DBS clearances. The responsibility for DBS checks for all clergy and local licensed ministers lies with the Diocese of Oxford. In August a data breach was reported that affected some DBS information passed to the agency that deals with DBS checks for the Diocese. Individuals in the parish who could have been affected were contacted directly by the Diocese with advice about the possibility of fraud, and how to check credit records. ## **Training** Through the year the implications for safeguarding of changes in the activities in the Parish were explored and risk assessments were conducted and reviewed. In addition Parish safeguarding training requirements were monitored. ## **Safeguarding concerns and incidents** There were three adult safeguarding concerns in the course of the year. In line with our policies, these were all referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding team, who provided support and liaison with other churches where necessary. These three cases are being kept under review. What we are learning from these concerns is that, in some circumstances, some vulnerable adults whom we serve may pose a risk to other vulnerable adults. The support of the Diocesan team has been vital in working out how to navigate these situations. Page | 11 ## **How to report a safeguarding concern** Any safeguarding concerns, however minor, should be reported to either the Parish Safeguarding Officer, Wardens or Incumbent. Details of how to report any safeguarding concern can be found on our website or on the parish noticeboard. For any immediate danger call the Police. ## _**Jo Moffett-Levy, Parish Safeguarding Officer**_ ## _**Health and Safet y**_ The Parish H&S Officer is Jo Moffett-Levy. The responsibilities of the H&S Officer, and how these are shared with the clergy, PCC and Wardens, were agreed at a PCC meeting in September 2023. Insurance cover is provided by Ecclesiastical Insurance. All activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish are first approved by the PCC so that they are covered by insurance. The Church has a H&S policy that uses a standard template supplied by Ecclesiastical Insurance and reviewed by the PCC annually. Risk assessments for parish activities are undertaken and reviewed as necessary. The community meal on Fridays received a 5 Star Hygiene rating. Concerns about the safety of the travelling public during the closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge were pursued with, Network Rail, Keir, local MP Layla Moran at various points during the year. Any concerns about health and safety in either of the two church buildings (St Frideswide’s or St Margaret’s), the parish Room, or in the grounds of either church should be raised with the H&S officer or a Warden. ## _**Jo Moffett-Levy, Health and Safety Co-ordinator**_ Page | 12 ## _**The Electoral Roll**_ There are 38 names on the electoral roll. There are 2 additions and 0 deletions. ## _**Andrew Horsfield, Electoral Roll Officer**_ ## _**Deaner S nod y y**_ The eighth Deanery Synod meeting of the 2023-2026 triennium took place on 25 June 2025 in the University Church, and the major item of business was a parish share scheme developed with PCC treasurers and incumbents. Under Church law, the Synod is the meeting which agrees parish share allocations. Three options were presented, but the only one that commanded any support was the one that our PCC had previously decided on 21 May to support: an Option B under which support costs are shared in proportion to the 4-year average number of people on the electoral roll. Although the Synod decided to support this option, various Synod representatives asked (to general approval among most present) that their dissatisfaction with various aspects of Parish Share be put to the Diocese, and that the Diocese respond in concrete terms to Synod’s concerns. Those expressed included: - an increase in Parish Share in all three options presented from the previous no more than 50 per cent of a parish’s income up to 60 per cent of a parish’s income; - the need for the Diocese to (as parishes do) carefully review its own expenditure on central costs (such as diocesan staff) as to whether this expenditure is essential to support local parishes. There has, for example, been a steady year on year increase in full time equivalent diocesan staff from 71 in 2019 (see https://www.savetheparish.com/church-of-england-finance-bydiocese/ ) up to 85 in 2024 (see https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/61f2fd86f0ee5/content/page s/documents/odbf-2024-accounts.pdf ); Page | 13 - related to this concern, a desire that the Diocese direct the maximum amount possible of its central income and expenditure to supporting local ministry in parishes; and - a lack of diocesan transparency in how Parish Share is calculated. It is likely that Synod will return to these points in future meetings. The ninth Deanery Synod meeting of the 2023-2026 triennium took place on 17 September in Christ Church Cathedral’s Chapter House. Current Area Dean Gavin Knight was congratulated on his then-planned move to be Archdeacon of Buckingham, and thanked for his work for the Deanery. He himself identified more parishes co-operating on children’s and young people’s work, a diocesan priority, as an improvement in the Deanery’s work which could be built on in the future. Bishop Steven had not yet named a new Area Dean, but some names were being considered. Then-outgoing Area Dean Gavin stressed the importance of the Deanery as a link between parishes and the Diocese, and expressed his concern that there is currently no Deanery Lay Chair to replace the outgoing Chair, and no Secretary. In discussion, it was observed that these volunteer roles are very time consuming, and so would be restricted to those with spare time during working weekdays. The multiple roles of the Lay Chair in particular amount to the equivalent of a part-time job, making it unsurprising that there had been no volunteers for this post. It was suggested that this could be addressed by breaking up the different responsibilities of the role so that a team of volunteers instead of one person could work with the Area Dean to discharge the Lay Chair’s duties. Area Dean Gavin noted that he had already suggested this to Bishop Steven, and would suggest it again. _Subsequently, on 16 October Gavin Knight informed Synod members that he would not be taking up the post of Archdeacon of Buckingham and will be remaining as our Area Dean._ The main item on the 17 September Agenda was a presentation by Thames Valley Police Lead Chaplain the Rev’d Nicky Skipwort. Page | 14 She has much experience as a police chaplain in England and Wales, and her work with the police started when she was Community Missioner for All Saints Church, High Wycombe. Nicky, as she prefers to be known, co-ordinates a team of 27 volunteer chaplains (21 of whom are Christian, mainly ordained in the Church of England) who provide personal, practical, and spiritual care to Thames Valley Police officers, staff, and their families of all faiths and none. Police chaplains can be lay or ordained, and in the same way as Royal Navy chaplains assume the police rank and seniority of the person they are talking to. Chaplains do not work with people outside the police such as crime victims, witnesses, or suspects. Nicky is passionate about police chaplaincy, and strongly stressed the importance of chaplains fully reflecting the diversity of the community the police serve. A police chaplain’s role is to build a relationship of acceptance, friendship, and trust with officers and staff at all levels from toilet cleaner to Chief Constable, and to offer a source of comfort during the often stressful and at times dangerous duties undertaken by the police. She summaries the role as being to offer the police ‟a good listening to.” Nicky also stressed that we can and should all play a part in this, by both praying for police officers, staff, and families, as well as when we see them on duty to greet them and be friendly. The tenth and final Deanery Synod meeting of the 2023-2026 triennium took place on 3 December at St Margaret’s Church. However, a concurrent meeting on the freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine meant that I could not attend the Synod meeting. No date and place has been set for the next Deanery Synod meeting. ## _**John Kinahan, Deanery Synod Representative**_ Page | 15 ## _**Fabric, Goods and Ornaments Report**_ ## **St Frideswide’s** The main works on the fabric of St Frideswide’s during 2025 were repairs to the roof of the Lady Chapel to stop rainwater entering. These were carried out by Everest Roofing in January for £1,090 + VAT to the West end of the roof and in December for £525 + VAT to refix slipped flashing at the East end of the roof. Several minor repairs were also made during the year, including those to the lock of the back door, a toilet cistern, the electric socket by the kitchenette, the water pipe to the kitchenette sink, and the drainpipe leading out of it. A welcome addition to the external fabric was the substantial “Sheffield” cycle stand installed behind the West end in August by Richard Brown and Danny Connors, volunteers from St Peter and St Paul’s. The stand was donated by St Peter and St Paul’s as they had replaced it, and the necessary building materials were funded by a gift from Beate Howett just before she sadly had to leave St Frideswide’s to move to her family in Hertfordshire. Another gift was the large, lively and colourful painting of the East end of St Frideswide's and its grounds which local artist Andrew Manson had painted and presented to the church in late 2024. This was framed in early 2025 and hung by the artist on the South wall opposite the entrance door, and attracts interest and appreciation from both members of the congregation and visitors to the church. The picture also features on the cover of a further gift - a new edition of Malcom Graham’s history of the church with additions on its more recent history by Michael Shearan. Botley Road has remained closed to traffic between St Frideswide’s and the railway station since April 2023, and the church grounds near the bus stop continued to suffer the ill effects of the overcrowding of the pavement. Towards the end of the year the prolonged efforts of the Rector to mitigate the dangers to pedestrians finally bore fruit when Network Rail produced suitable plans for a temporary bus shelter on the edge of the church grounds, enabling us to secure a diocesan faculty to permit this to be constructed in early 2026. Page | 16 Another service to the local community in 2025 was fixing a sturdy prayer box to the church railings next to Botley Road. This was much used by passers-by and enabled members of the congregation to pray for our neighbours in a more informed and individual way. Unfortunately, the box was removed, on two different occasions, by a person or persons unknown, but it was replaced both times by Simon Cross, who had devised and put up the box in the first place. A new broad leaved lime tree was planted inside the Botley Road border of the churchyard in January, a gift from Jose Johnson to the church and to her family. Inside the church, monthly group cleaning mornings continued, and every week two volunteers made an absolutely outstanding contribution to the attractiveness and welcome of the building: Cherie Moss by cleaning all the floors and WCs, and Jose Johnson by continuing to create beautiful flower arrangements. The planned new servery at the back of church received faculty permission, and the first fundraising events towards its cost - two highly successful coffee and cake mornings in church with entertainment by local musicians - were organised in November and December by the “Servery Squad” of volunteer fundraisers. The five-yearly electrical inspection was carried out in May. The fire extinguishers were serviced in December. The organ was tuned in June and December. ## **St Margaret’s Binsey** Roof repairs replacing slipped and broken stone slates were carried out in February by Rayners for £4,425 + VAT. In May a nest of flying ants was observed in the chancel and a pest control specialist was engaged to eliminate them. In June there was a fall of shot plaster into the chancel from high on its West wall and this was investigated, again by Rayners who provided a quote to replaster the area. The problem seemed to result from the drying out of plaster which had swollen the previous year because of damp from one of the leaks which had since been mended. As a result we decided to get further quotes for replastering this and the older area of fallen plaster by the West window before engaging a builder to re-plaster these in 2026. Page | 17 In March St Margaret’s saw the funeral of Ian Thompson who had played the reed organ for services there over many years. He is greatly missed. Ian took the last burial space in the churchyard, which is still open however for the strewing of ashes. It was Ian’s widow Akiko who played the organ for the Christmas carol service. The churchyard continued to be managed in accordance with its Maintenance Plan to promote natural habitats while still providing well-mown space around the graves. This was done in cooperation with Jackie Holderness and her team of volunteers who look after the Psalm 23 Garden along the north-west edge of the churchyard. It was a particular joy in the summer to watch butterflies and other pollinators enjoying the swathes of blue alkanet flowers bordering the Garden. We owe huge debts of gratitude to Sunday Akabogu who cleans St Margaret’s, and to Jim and Diana McMahon who provide invaluable help to the wardens by keeping a close eye on its fabric, goods and ornaments as well as doing much work to care for these themselves. ## **Both churches** As wardens we have performed the annual inventory check for both churches and there were no changes apart from the additions mentioned below. The inventory inspections have been recorded in the Log Books and Terriers of both churches. In line with the advice of our insurers we have in place comprehensive policies and arrangements including a Fire Action Plan. The triennial Archdeacon’s Inspection of the running of the parish was carried out in April and the feedback from this was good. At the APCM in May Paul Spencer-Longhurst retired as churchwarden and was replaced by Matthew Kordonowy. Paul had performed this role for many years, and we continue to value his expertise and experience on the PCC and his excellent work in organising the musical life of St Frideswide’s. Thank you to Michael Shearan who maintains both churchyards. As ever, we could not have continued without the support and leadership of Clare, our Rector and Rachel, our Assistant Priest. Page | 18 We are much indebted also to our team of clergy helpers comprising the Revds Dr.Simon Cross, Prof. Martin Henig, Jo Moffett-Levy, Phillip Nixon and Vernon Orr, who have led our worship and contributed greatly to our church and spiritual life over the year. Last, but not least, we are most grateful to Gwenllian Davies who provides much needed and reliable administrative support to us as part of the Osney Benefice. ## _**Jenny Shearan and Matthew Kordonowy, Churchwardens**_ ## _**Annual Financial Re ort p**_ The year 2025 was testing for the church finances. There were some large expenses including repair of the roof (£2,388) and electrical system (£1,738) for St Frideswide’s church, and high electricity bills (£8,015). We have switched electricity supplier and reprogrammed the control system and our electricity costs so far now seem reasonable. In 2024 it was noted that the General Fund, which covers all regular expenses, was in steady decline. This trend accelerated in 2025 with the fund having a negative balance for the latter part of the year. At year end we transferred funds from the Insurance Fund to both the General Fund (£2,488) and the St Frideswide Fabric Fund (£1,977) to bring their balances back to zero. This was an emergency measure approved by the PCC. The Insurance Fund serves two purposes: to ensure we always have funds to cover the excess on any insurance claim, and to prevent cash flow problems by acting as a reserve in the bank account. On a positive note, fundraising and planning for the new servery to support the Friday Community Meal is progressing well. See below for more detail. Page | 19 ## **Income** Relative to 2024, our income decreased by £54,131, due primarily to the legacy of £60,000 we received in 2024. If we discount the legacy, then we see underlying giving has actually increased by £5,869, showing the continued generosity of the congregation. The legacy was invested in the COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund in 2025. Unfortunately, the fund lost value during March and the start of April, and has recovered only slowly since then, being down by £3,525 by year end. ## **Expenditure** Our expenditure increased by £17,122 due to the points mentioned above, but also from paying off St Margaret’s quinquennial repair expenses accrued in 2024, and the cost of architect plans for the servery. The latter two expenses were covered by relevant funds and did not influence the General or St Frideswide Fabric Funds. Parish share remains a large expense (£27,444) as it finances essential clergy costs paid by the diocese through the Deanery. It is expected to decrease in 2026 as a result of a new formula being used by the Deanery. Other major costs, in order of size, were: major works (£12,332); electricity (£8,015); administration costs (£6,074); insurance (£5,049); minor works (£4,893); organists (£2,850). ## **Assets** Our total net assets decreased by £10,455 from £90,195 to £79,740. This is primarily from a reduction in cash at the bank. ## **Servery** A significant project is the replacing of the current sink area at the back of St Frideswide’s church with a new servery. This is to support the popular Friday community meal. The graph on the next page shows the results of the fundraising effort. We need to raise around £20,000. The expenditure in May was for the architects. The steady flow of donations in the second half of the year is in large part a result of the hard work of a dedicated team arranging events that provide funds for the servery. We plan to raise additional funds from grants. Page | 20 ## **Outlook** The outlook for 2026 looks challenging, but maybe brighter than 2025. The Insurance Fund will need to be replenished to bring it back to £5,000 so it can perform its main purposes. We may need to use some of the legacy savings to help fund the servery. We should increase regular giving to rebuild the funds that were depleted in 2025, and to ensure we can cover future expenses. I note an upcoming expense: the fee for the independent examiner (£360). Thanks are due to our independent examiner at Data Developments. _Andrew Horsfield, PCC Treasurer_ _**This report has been approved for publication by the Parochial Church Council for St. Frideswide with Binsey**_ _Rector’s Signature:_ _Please Print Name: Revd Clare Sykes Date: 27[th] March 2026_ Page | 21 ## **Parochial Church Council of St Frideswide with Binsey** **Financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2025** 1 ## **Independent Examiner’s report** ## **Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025** ## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and they consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144(2) 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 down 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. ## **Basis of the Independent Examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records 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 report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In connection with my examination, no material matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 2[nd] April 2025 Signed: ## Stephen Hendy Data Developments, First Floor, The Chubb Building, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT 2 ## **Receipts and Payments Account** ## **For the year ending 31 December 2025** ## **NOTE: THERE MAY BE SOME MINOR DIFFERENCES IN NUMBERS DUE TO ROUNDING** |**Notes**
**Receipts**
Voluntary Receipts
2a
Activities for Generating Funds
2b
Investment Income
2c
Church Activities
2d
Other Receipts
2e
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
Church Activities
3a
Cost of Generating Funds
3b
Governance Costs
3c
Other Payments
3d
**Total Payments**
**Net Receipts Before Other Recognised Gains and Losses**
**Gains on Investment Assets**
2c, 4
**Net Movement in Funds**
**Transfers between funds**
**Balances Brought Forward 1 January**
**Balances Carried Forward 31 December**
**Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31 December 2025**
Notes
**Fixed Assets**
4
Equipment
Investments|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**Total 2025**
**Total 2024**
42,809
0
15,990
0
58,799
113,239
76
0
665
0
741
824
0
0
32
0
32
31
2,334
0
0
0
2,334
1,935
2,304
0
0
0
2,304
2,311
47,523
0
16,686
0
64,209
118,340
53,276
0
16,144
0
69,419
53,051
349
0
0
0
349
0
425
0
0
0
425
120
100
0
0
0
100
0
54,149
0
16,144
0
70,293
53,171
**(6,626)**
**0**
**542**
**0**
**(6,084)**
**65,169**
0
(3,525)
0
(45)
(3,571)
25
**(6,626)**
**(3,525)**
**542**
**(45)**
**(9,655)**
**65,194**
2,488
(4,465)
1,977
0
0
0
4,138
65,000
19,922
1,135
90,195
25,000
0
57,010
22,440
1,089
80,540
90,194
**2025**
**2024**
0
0
1,089
1,135
1,089
1,135| |---|---| 3 |**Current Assets**
7
Cash in Hand
Cash at Bank
**Liabilities**
Creditors – Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
**Total Net Assets**|312
105
79,139
88,955
79,451
89,060
(800)
0
80,540
90,195| |---|---| **Notes to the financial statements** **For the year ending 31 December 2025** ## 1 Accounting policies The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 together with applicable accounting standards and the SORP 2005. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the valuation of investment assets which are shown at market value Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be maintained, only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used in accordance with the purpose for which the endowment was established Restricted funds represent income, donations or grants received for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given and any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund 2 2a |**Receipts**
**Voluntary Receipts**
Planned Giving
Gift Aid – Bank
Gift Aid –
Envelopes
Other Planned
Giving
Collections at Services
Other Giving
Gift Days
Church Boxes
Donations
Grants
Legacies
Gift Aid Recovered|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**Total 2025**
**Total 2024**

29,952
0
705
0
30,657
26,726
1,217
0
118
0
1,335
2,000

1,405
0
0
0
1,405
2,915
930
0
0
0
930
1,200
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,139
0
1,139
1,042
1,743
0
10,338
0
12,081
6,193
0
0
2,680
0
2,680
4,490
0
0
0
0
0
60,000
7,562
0
1,010
0
8,572
8,672
42,809
0
15,990
0
58,799
113,239| |---|---| 4 2b 2c 2d 2e 3 3a |**Activities for Generating Funds**
**Investment Income**
Interest
Gain
**Church Activities**
Fees
Other
**Other Receipts**
Car park
Space Rental
Temporary Loan
Other
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
**Church Activities**
Parish Share
Clergy and Staffing Costs
Church Running Expenses
Insurance
Organ
Maintenance
Organists
Church
Maintenance
Major works
Services
Printing &
Stationary
Administration
Electricity
Water
Diocesan Fees
Mission Giving and Donations|76
0
665
0
741
824
0
0
32
0
32
31
0
(3,525)
0
(45)
(3,571)
0
0
(3,525)
32
(45)
(3,539)
31
2,334
0
0
0
2,334
1,935
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,334
0
0
0
2,334
1,935
2,004
0
0
0
2,004
2,004
300
0
0
0
300
322
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
(15)
2,304
0
0
0
2,304
2,311
**47,523**
**(3,525)**
**16,686**
**(45)**
**60,639**
**118,340**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**Total 2025**
**Total 2024**
27,444
0
0
0
27,444
26,137
0
0
0
0
0
1,063
5,049
0
0
0
5,049
4,940
540
0
0
0
540
457
2,850
0
0
0
2,850
2,700
1,320
0
3,573
0
4,893
3,724
0
0
12,332
0
12,332
930
1,115
0
239
0
1,354
952
0
0
0
0
0
0
6,074
0
0
0
6,074
6,095
8,015
0
0
0
8,015
5,064
95
0
0
0
95
85
774
0
0
0
774
661
0
0
0
0
0
242
53,276
0
16,144
0
69,419
53,051| |---|---| 5 3b 3c 3d 4 5 |**Cost of Generating Funds**
**Governance Costs**
**Other Payments**
**Total Payments**
**Fixed Assets**
**Funds**|349
0
0
0
349
0
425
0
0
0
425
120
100
0
0
0
100
0
**54,149**
**0**
**16,144**
**0**
**70,293**
**53,171**
0
0
0
1,089
1,089
1,135
**0**
**57,010**
**21,640**
**1,089**
**79,740**
**90,195**| |---|---| The restricted funds held during the year have comprised the following |St M Fabric
St F Fabric
Kenlock Fund
Kitchen
StFQuinquennial
Flowers
Trees
Mission
Admin computer|**Balance 1**
**January**
**Receipts**
**Payments**
**Transfers**
**Creditors**
**Balance 31**
**December**
13,840
6,596
6,578
0
0
13,857
2,940
390
5,307
1,977
0
0
293
32
0
0
0
325
2,189
8,480
4,020
0
0
6,650
4
0
0
0
0
4
30
319
239
0
0
110
0
20
0
0
0
20
625
50
0
0
0
675
0
800
0
0
(800)
0
19,922
16,686
16,144
1,977
(800)
21,640| |---|---| 7 8 **Analysis of Net Assets by Fund** |Fixed Assets
Investment Fixed Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
**Debtors**
HMRC
Stewardship
Listed Places of Worship
Give A Little
Other grants|**Unrestricted Designated Restricted**
**Endowment Total 2025**
**Total 2024**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,089
1,089
1,135
0
57,010
22,440
0
79,451
89,060
0
0
(800)
0
(800)
0
0
57,010
21,640
1,089
79,740
90,195
**Unrestricted Designated Restricted**
**Endowment Total 2025**
**Total 2024**
1,039
0
1,149
0
2,188
40
0
15
0
54
0
0
1,433
0
1,433
79
0
0
0
79
0
0
5,000
0
5,000| |---|---| ||1,157
0
7,597
0
8,754
9,228| 6