ST PETER S CHURCH, LITTLE BUDWORTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2014

Transcription

1 ST PETER S CHURCH, LITTLE BUDWORTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2014 St Peter s Parochial Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the incumbent, the Revd John Davies (until 30 Aug. 2013), in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Membership Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. During the year the following served as members of the PCC: Incumbent: Rev. John Davies (until 30 Aug 2013) Lay Reader Emeriti: Lay Readers: Wardens: Representatives of the Deanery Synod: Magazine Editor: Treasurer: Secretary: Gift Aid Officer: Joyce Scholefield Duncan Goodwin John Stopford John Chappelle Anne Hall Diana Bancroft Sue Roberts Marilyn Irwin John Scott Sandy McKnight Mike Himbury Elected Members: John Chappelle (until APCM 2014) Anne Hall (until APCM 2015) Mike Himbury (until APCM 2014) Val Martell (until APCM 2015) John Scott (until APCM 2016) Jane Smith (until APCM 2016) Sophie Ainsworth (until APCM 2016) Maurice Hales (until APCM 2014) Donald Mackay (until APCM 2014) James Bancroft (until APCM 2016)

2 Sidespersons: Mornings: Diana Bancroft, John Chappelle, Cora Cowap, Anne Hall, Donald Mackay, Stuart Smith, Evenings: Maurice Hales, Mike Himbury, Peter Jones, Donald Mackay, John Scott, Rosemary Scott, Mike Smeethe, Peter Summers Committees: The PCC operates through a number of committees, which meet between full meetings of the PCC. Standing Committee: This is the only committee required by law. It has power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council. Finance Committee: Oversees the general financial dimensions of the work of St Peter s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting and coordinating the annual review of the Christian Stewardship of money through planned giving. Social and Fundraising Committee: Plans and arranges social and fund raising events for St Peter s Church. Fabric Committee: Looks after the upkeep of the Church and churchyard. Missionary and Charitable Giving Committee: Proposes the level and allocation of charitable giving by St Peter s Report on behalf of the Ministry Team. For much of the last year we have again been in vacancy, which is never an ideal situation, but thanks to the efforts of many people, from our own congregations and from outside, I believe we have been able to maintain the spiritual and worship life of our communities. Our principle objective has been to continue as closely to normal as possible but it has obviously meant that there has been only limited opportunity for new initiatives in terms of our worship and outreach. The re-ordering and it s Dedication by Bishop Peter at St Peter s, and the completion of legal requirements and Consecration of the new burial ground at St Mary s by Bishop Keith, have both been tremendous achievements and provide very valuable resources for our future, our thanks are due to all the hard work put in to ensure their completion. We are extremely grateful to all the retired and other Clergy who have given their time and their abilities not only to ensure the continuation of our regular communion services but also the baptisms, weddings and funerals, often not seen by most of us. Our thanks are due to Revd. Robin Forrester who took on spiritual oversight at St Peter s, also Revd Barry Jobber, Revd Roland Crook, Revd. Revd. Brian Peace, Revd.

3 Norman Jones, Canon Michael Walters and Revd. Simon Hamill-Stewart, Revd. Chris Samuels who have been good friends to us. In addition Readers Herbert Manley, Andy Sloan and Anne Davidson-Lund have also contributed to our services to ensure their continuation.. And so with much help, plus our own Ministry Team, Duncan, Joyce, Jane, Pauline, Theresa, and our team of visitors, we have managed to maintain almost all of our regular activities, not just Sunday worship but Home group, Prayer meetings, Choir events, Pastoral visiting, Confirmation, Baptism and Wedding preparation, a significant achievement. Throughout the year our Rural Dean, Revd. Simon Drew and our Arch-Deacon The Venerable Dr. Mike Gilberston have not only led services for us but have been extremely helpful in giving us their valued experience and support at PCC and planning meetings, and when advice has been needed at other times. Our Wardens, Alan, John B, Anne and John C, Secretaries Linda and Sandy, and PCC members have all accepted and carried out their significant additional responsibilities quietly and efficiently in the background, without their efforts little would have happened at all and our sincere thanks are due to them all. And of course our selectors Donald, John S, Linda and Alan, who, with the help and support of The Archdeacon and Rural Dean, carried out the successful search for a new incumbent and have helped us to ensured that all will be ready to receive Chris and Barbara into our family in May. I am sure that the many and varied activities of the last year will be mentioned in the other reports presented to the meeting, in hearing them please remember that none of them have happened on their own, all have required planning and effort from many devoted members of our congregations, some of whom will be retiring at this meeting and to them we offer our sincere and additional thanks. Our prayers will be with them for the future as they will for all those who either continue or accept new roles for the coming year. We are often reminded that we are the church not the buildings, wonderful though they are, and so thank you to all who have continued to worship and work for our Lord in our communities, recently joined or having been attending for a lifetime it is through our prayer and fellowship together that the light of Christ continues to burn here. I am sure I speak for all on the Ministry Team when I say that it has been a privilege and a pleasure to play our part in the life and work of our Parishes. It would be remiss of me if I were not to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Duncan who will shortly be transferring to St Michael and All Angels Middlewich and to Jane who on her ordination will be moving to St Helen s, Witton ( Northwich ) for their massive contributions through their Ministry, their work with the Choir and to the life of our benefice. You will both be greatly missed, and always welcome back with us at any time. May God bless all of us as we continue to work together in His name. John. Reader.

4 Churchwardens Report for 2013 We started 2013 without a vicar, but having appointed Rev John Davies in December 2012, his induction date had been set for 19 th April So by the 2013 APCM our Vicar was in situ. The re-ordering of the church started on 13 th May 2013 and initially we were able to hold our Sunday services in church, as agreed with the contractors. However, this came to an abrupt halt when asbestos was uncovered under some of the flagstones. Thus, from then on, our morning services had to be held in one of three places Commonside Methodist Church, the Village Hall or the Village Green. Initially the green and hall were used for non-communion services and, as they don t have a morning service, the chapel was available for us to use for our morning communion services, with our evening congregation joining in with the Methodists at the chapel. Our grateful thanks are extended to our friends at the Methodist Church for their hospitality over those three difficult months. Having temporarily lost our church premises, at the beginning of September we then lost our vicar, who decided that the joint incumbency of St Peter s and St Mary s was not for him and his family. The consequence being that we were then without a church and a vicar! Much prayer and pulling together from the whole congregation got us through, with the valued support of local clergy and Readers, and in particular with the diligence and hard work of our own laity Duncan Goodwin, John Stopford, Joyce Scholefield and Jane Millinchip, for which we thank them wholeheartedly. It is heartening to say that throughout all these difficulties, our congregation has remained steadfast and fairly constant, and we thank them greatly for that. The major work on the church was finished at the beginning of October 2013, and we had our first service in church on 6 th Autumn Fest. Bishop Peter then came to dedicate the internal work and extension on Friday 15 th November, when we had our belated Harvest followed by a bring and share supper in church. The re-ordering and extension formed our GAP3 project for The interregnum carried on to December 2013 and beyond, but with the good news that another vicar, Canon Chris Humphries, had been appointed at the beginning of that month, and he would start in the spring of Because of the upheaval with the re-ordering and interregna, there do not seem to have been as many fundraising events as in other years, but nevertheless, there have been many opportunities for social gatherings as will be seen below:-

5 Easter Monday 1 st April - Parish Lunch Sunday 28 th April - Bring & Share lunch after APCM & morning service to welcome Rev & Mrs John Davies Sunday 5 th May - Rogation Service at John Hales Sunday 30 th June - Morning Service on the Village Green Saturday 6 th July - Church yard tidy up & bar b q Sunday 21 st July - Morning Service on the Village Green (MU cake sale afterwards) Saturday 28 th September - Sponsored Asbestos Walk Sunday 6 th October - Autumn Fest instead of Harvest Friday 15 th November - Harvest Evensong Bishop Peter & Dedication of re-ordered church & extension & Bring & Share supper Sunday 24 th November - Christingle 4.30pm Saturday 14 th December - Christmas Tree Festival & Christmas Fair Sat 21 st, Mon 23 rd & - Carol singing round the pubs Tues 24 th Dec. & parish Sunday 22 nd December - Crib Service & Nativity and 9 Lessons & Carols The Parochial Church Council met 11 times during It has been an active and supportive committee, with younger than average members than over the last few years. The average attendance at services over the year was as follows: Sunday Mornings Matins Eucharist Family -adults children Sunday Evenings The numbers were as follows for specific services: Plough Service 82 Mothering Sunday 44 Easter Sunday 74

6 Rogation 36 Autumn Fest 65 Remembrance Sunday 64 Harvest & Dedication 80 Harvest Songs of Praise 30 Christingle 68 Crib Service & Nativity 52 9 Lessons & Carols 107 Christmas Eve 31 Christmas Day 61 There were 4 Baptisms 2 Weddings 4 Funerals and Thanksgiving Services Many thanks again to all those people who help with the running of the Church in so many different ways and who make the Churchwardens job so much easier. TREASURER S REPORT FOR 2013 Introduction 2013 was a year of high expenditure - 209,871. This was due to the reordering of the church which cost 177,170. In 2012 the church had assets of 268,786 and in 2013 this was reduced to 95,279. The expenditure, made possible by the generous legacies of two parishioners, was planned. The assets of the church are now in better shape than might have been expected, due to increased receipts in 2013 than 2012 and also to reduced expenditure in 2013 than 2012 (excluding reordering). Both of these aspects of the church finances are of prime importance and it is right to give some analysis to show where the benefits have been generated. Receipts were increased in three key areas Events/Fund raising, Gift Aid collections and gift aid tax recovered. Conversely, Plate collections were reduced and this is exactly what we would like to see in order to maximize the ability to reclaim tax on Gift Aid. Overall receipts in 2013 were 36,364 compared to 35,058 in The importance of events and fund raising cannot be overestimated. Without the hard work and dedication of many people in the parish the funds of the church would be eroding constantly.

7 Payments were 209,871 in 2013 compared to 40,079 in Subtracting the 177,170 of reordering costs shows that the ongoing payments for 2013 were 32,701. This is a good reduction on the costs incurred in There are two main costs in running the church Parish Share which is set by the Diocese, and Church running expenses. Parish share in 2013 was 17,576 and the church running expenses were 10,148. This latter is reduced a little from The costs which were significantly reduced in 2013 were staffing costs. The reasons for this reduction are that we had no youth worker, no vicar for the majority of the time but were offset by the fact that we now have an excellent Administrative assistant. Overall the Staffing costs were 4,500 lower in 2013 than This is unlikely to continue as we will have a vicar, the administrative assistant will be ongoing throughout the year and we now have a new organist. We have no influence over the Parish Share costs and, in fact, they have been increased by 3.5% for We also have the ongoing staffing costs. So the area where we can do our best to save money is in the church running expenses. Included in this category are items such as insurance, oil, electricity, upkeep of the churchyard, cleaning and so on. The scope for saving money is limited and therefore all expenditure is reviewed and authorized by the Treasurer, who is more than happy to authorize expenditure of money in fund raising activities such as the 10 challenge which has been going on in the early part of Whilst a very important purpose of church finances is for the upkeep of the church and its traditions another equally important aspect is charitable giving by the church to designated causes. In the last two years we have given about 1800 each year and it would be very good if we could increase that amount. So that is another incentive to keep control of our expenses where we can and to increase our efforts to raise money. A claim has been submitted to recover VAT paid for the reordering. If successful this will increase the church funds by approximately 25,000. Finally, I would like to thank all those who have given so generously in the past year and all who have worked so hard on behalf of the church not only to raise funds but also for the time that they give so willingly and freely. Receipts and Payments Account Total funds Prior year funds Receipts Planned giving Gift Aid - Bank 8,165 7,810 Gift Aid - Envelopes 7,790 5,256 Total Planned giving 15,955 13,066 Collections and other giving Loose plate collections 1,311 2,436 Total Collections and other giving 1,311 2,436

8 Other voluntary receipts Donations appeals etc 239 2,675 Non-recurring one-off grants 321 Recurring grants Total Other voluntary receipts 257 3,015 Gift Aid recovered Tax recoverable on Gift Aid 4,063 2,680 Total Gift Aid recovered 4,063 2,680 Other receipts Other funds generated 300 Surplus - sales of fixed assets 33 Total Other receipts 333 Activities for generating funds Events and Fund Raising 5,599 4,042 Magazine income - advertising Parish magazine sales 1,923 1,587 Total Activities for generating funds 8,313 6,179 Investment Income Bank and building society interest 1,951 4,869 Dividends Rent from lands or buildings Total Investment Income 2,252 5,142 Receipts from church activities Fees for weddings and funerals 3,877 2,539 Total Receipts from church activities 3,877 2,539 Total Receipts 36,364 35,058 Payments Cost of generating funds Costs of fetes & other events Fees paid to fund raisers 74 Investment management costs Total Cost of generating funds Missionary and Charitable Giving Giving - relief and development agencies Giving to missionary societies 75 1,350

9 Home mission 400 Secular charities 850 Total Missionary and Charitable Giving 1,725 1,800 Parish Share Ministry parish share etc 17,576 17,689 Stipends quota 195 Total Parish Share 17,576 17,884 Clergy and Staffing costs Assistant staff costs 1,327 4,692 Council tax 810 Salary of parish administrator 1,098 Visiting speakers / locums 497 Working expenses of incumbent 844 Total Clergy and Staffing costs 2,425 6,843 Church Running Expenses Administration 1,409 1,351 Church maintenance Church running - electric Church running - heating and lighting 134 Church running - insurance 2,806 2,869 Church running - oil 842 1,598 Cleaning Magazine expenses 1,533 1,442 Organ / piano tuning Parish training and mission 40 Upkeep of churchyard 1,224 1,181 Upkeep of services Total Church Running Expenses 10,148 10,616 New Building work New building Church 177,170 2,377 Total New Building work 177,170 2,377 Total Payments 209,871 40,079 Excess of Receipts over Payments (173,507) (5,021) Transfers to/(from) Brought forward balance 268, ,807 Carried forward balance 95, ,785

10 Balance sheet Class and code Description This year Last year Current assets 6501 Bank current account 36, , Investec 6503 United Trust 54,267 52, Standard Life 51, CAF Selector 6506 CBF Investments 1,891 1, CCLA (CBF) deposit account 2, Magazine 2,454 3,273 Total Current assets 95, ,785 Reserves Excess / (deficit) to date (173,507 ) Z01 Starting balances 268, ,785 Total Reserves 95, ,785 Represented by funds Unrestricted 90, ,677 Designated 2,454 84,417 Restricted 1,891 1,689 Endowment Conclusion 2013 was a busy year for the church in that we had no vicar for the majority of the time and we carried out a major reordering. In spite of these things the finances of the church are slightly better than they were 12 months ago. We are gaining much better control of our finances thanks to the disciplines which have been put in place and the cooperation of everyone involved. This report dated: 7 th March 2013 Report on reordering of the church 2013 Introduction In the late 1990s the congregation raised the issue of a need for a lavatory in the church. The cost in March 2003 was estimated at , excluding consultancy and

11 statutory fees and VAT, based on a scheme to install the facility in the existing vestry and providing an extension to the Northwest corner of the building. It was felt that the cost was beyond the resources of the congregation and there was a reluctance to take on what was considered a major project, not least, because of the need for a faculty from the Diocese. Decision to move forward In the late 2000s two long standing members of the congregation, Peter Bearne and Joyce Cliff, died and left substantial sums of money as bequests to the church. There were no restrictions to the bequests but the consensus was that both the deceased persons would support the improvement of facilities in the church, bringing the church into the 21 st century with facilities to allow its use for various types of performance as well as purely religious services. In 2010 the PCC agreed to develop a scheme for provision of the improved facilities and to seek professional services from Graham Holland of Graham Holland Associates, an architectural practice. It was agreed that the opportunity should be taken to consider any other possible improvements to the interior of the church. The logic being that such an arrangement would minimise disruption to the functioning of the church. The architect suggested a number of churches to inspect to develop ideas for reordering. The church wardens and a PCC member, with construction experience, visited five churches at Daresbury, Great Budworth, Chelford, Odd Rode and Marbury. As a result of the visits, a scheme was developed, with the architect, to reorder the interior of the church together with an extension to incorporate a meeting room and allow conversion of the vestry into a lavatory and kitchen. Scheme development The scheme was discussed and approved in principle by the PCC. In addition, the PCC agreed that a quantity surveyor should be retained to prepare an estimate of cost. The architect briefed the quantity surveyor, Alistair Jones Associates. The estimate of cost was Based on the estimate of cost and the experience of the PCC member contingency and a provision for additional works a total project cost of 178,605 was developed excluding VAT, which it was assumed would be reclaimed under a Government Scheme for places of worship. The PCC agreed that on the basis of the estimate the project should proceed. The Architect was instructed to develop the scheme in detail. The Diocesan Advisory Committee was approached with an outline of the scheme. The response from DAC was broadly supportive but made three significant recommendations. First, it was recommended that the views of the broader community should be sought together. Second, a list of organisations that should be consulted before the design was finalised. The DAC would not recommend the issue of a faculty by the Chancellor unless there was evidence that the organisations had been consulted and their advice acted upon. Third, there was a requirement that Statements of Significance and Needs be prepared to support the proposal.

12 Consultation period The architect prepared outline designs for the purpose of consultation. An open weekend was held in the church in June 2011 to explain to the wider community the proposals. The open weekend satisfied one of the requirements of the DAC and led to modifications of the proposals. A first draft of the Statements was prepared and submitted to the DAC in late As a result of consultation with the relevant organisations further modifications were made and the design finalised in July At this stage a formal application for a faculty was made through the Diocesan Registrar to the Chancellor and notices posted as required by the Registrar. The faculty was granted in September Funding In parallel with the faculty preparation a fund raising pamphlet was produced titled Reordering Appeal 2013 that was issued to all parishioners before Christmas The appeal explained the need to cover a shortfall in income against outgoings rather than a lack of funds to pay for the project. The response to the appeal has not been good because, it was suggested, the community knew that sufficient funds were available. Similarly, a number of funding agencies were approached but, in a time of financial stress, the project did not satisfy very strict criteria. Construction A decision was made to instruct the architect to seek detailed planning permission from the Local Authority together with Building Regulation approval. Upon receipt of these approvals the Architect was instructed to go out to tender for the Works to a list of four experienced contractors. Tenders were received in March 2012 with all bids within the budget. The lowest bid was received from Grosvenor Construction in the sum of 118, It was confirmed that sufficient funds were available and a decision made by the PCC to accept the bid and instruct the Architect to proceed on that basis. A Planning Supervisor is a requirement of the CDM Regulations and, on the recommendation of the architect, Jill Osborne Associates was appointed to supervise the work with respect to the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive. The output from the Planning Supervisor is the Health and Safety File a statutory requirement that should, inter alia, identify all risks associated with working in the building. Such a file did not exist prior to commencement of the work. The works commenced on May 13 th 2013 for a planned period of 16 weeks. The external works in the church yard, including excavation and piling, were observed by an archaeologist in case of remains being found. No remains were found and the works continued to programme. Internal works included modification of the central heating and were commenced in advance of programme. The plumbing system was exposed and revealed the presence of asbestos. The Planning Supervisor required the work to cease and the site to be closed while a full investigation was carried out by specialists. The extent of the asbestos removal works was identified and quotations sought from specialists. An order was placed and the works carried out over to successive weekends. Following air tests the works in the church were recommenced after a delay of some 6 weeks to the internal works. The project was completed at the end of

13 September The final cost was of the order of excluding VAT a saving over budget of some Lessons learnt A number of lessons have been learnt for the future, as follows 1. Any work in the church will require a faculty 2. Faculties are not a reason not to do things but someone needs to drive the process 3. Consultation can improve the outcomes 4. A more detailed investigation of the site of the Works could avoid delay due to unforeseen circumstances but such investigations incur cost and an earlier discovery of asbestos would not have changed the need to remove. 5. A realistic but conservative estimate of cost has to be prepared to ensure that funding is fully available 6. The works would have been more straight forward if the church had been emptied of all loose fittings and books etc before commencement, but where to store 7. More repair work could have been carried out if a more detailed dilapidation survey had been carried out before commencement 8. The architect was determined not to change anything from the contracted works which avoided any cost over runs. JCh/02/14 REPORT OF MISSIONARY AND CHARITABLE GIVING 2011 Sub committee:- Diana Bancroft Ruth Andrews Sophie Ainsworth This year 400 was sent to Mid Cheshire Samaritans, Church Housing Trust, Blind Veterans UK and Farm Africa. A token donation of 200 was given to Gary and Naoko Seddon (John Davies s stepson and daughter in law) who are training as missionaries. Letters of thanks have been received from all the charities. Diana Bancroft SOCIAL AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE REPORT The following events took place during the year: Easter Monday 1 st April - Parish Lunch Sunday 28 th April - Bring and Share lunch after APCM to welcome Rev & Mrs John Davies

14 Saturday 6 th July - Church yard tidy up & bar b q Saturday 28 th September - Sponsored Asbestos Walk Friday 15 th November - Harvest Evensong \bring and Share Supper after rededication of re-ordered church and extension by Bishop Peter Saturday 14 th December - Christmas Tree Festival & Christmas Fair Sat 21 st, Mon 23 rd & Tues 24 th Dec - Carol singing round the pubs & parish MOTHERS UNION REPORT FOR 2011 Mother s Union at St. Peter s has had a good year with interesting meetings which included a visit from our Prayer Partners from Neston. We joined with Whitegate branch for an Advent Service. We also took part in events with the wider Mothers Union as some members attended the Diocesan and Deanery Festivals and the Archdeaconry Advent Service. A considerable donation was made to the work of Mothers Union overseas. After a year without an official leader Diana agreed to act as leader until such time someone else feels they could fulfil the role. Sadly we have lost a longstanding and loyal member, and former leader, in Margaret who has left the district. We are also about to lose another former leader as Caroline prepared to move to pastures new. The good news is that Katy Pearce became a member at the end of last year/ THE FESTIVAL CHOIR The Festival Choir has sung at Easter, Harvest and Christmas. In addition last year we sang a welcome hymn for John. Practicing after the morning service generally works well but we throw in a few extra practices for the alto ladies at the chapel on a Thursday evening! We are now trying a new venture and offering the choir for weddings sometimes just to give a boost to the hymns and, if required, singing during the signing of the register. A donation will be requested which will boost church funds. Comments following our performances are generally very positive. Diana Bancroft

15 WEBSITE REPORT St. Peter s Little Budworth Website The site opened on November 3 rd Aim of the church website: To aid communication between the church, its members, the local community and the wider world. Who updates the site? The web designer is James Bancoft. Updates can be added by ing James at jamesbancroft1@googl .com What sorts of things are on the website? It is updated weekly with the weekly bulletin. Occasionally photos are added (when someone is able to take them). In addition we have flyers and information for our fundraising events. On one occasion the Warden s Stop Press was added. Some information about the Mothers Union has been added. Areas to develop: Our All About Us page to let people know about the church, its leaders and people with key roles. Information about types of services at the church (Sunday services as well as weddings and funerals). We should add monthly rotas etc. A page about the faith of the church. A page about the music in the church. A page for Young People. Hits: Statistics have been recorded since 26 th December 2013 January 2014: 2031 February 2014: 612 Busiest day of the month: 16 th (7.38% of people have visited on the 16 th of the month) Busiest day of the week: Monday (19.1% of people visit on a Monday) When you search for St. Peter s Little Budworth the site is 2 nd on the list When you search for Little Budworth the site is 14 th on the list. James Bancroft