Parish of Mickleham Parochial Church Council - Treasurer's report for 2007-08
from the June 2008 magazine
St Michael’s Church, Mickleham Annual Parochial
Church Meeting
Following the annual meeting of parishioners, at which the two
churchwardens were elected, the Annual Parochial Church Meeting
took place in St Michael’s Church on Sunday 20th April.
There were 40 people present, and the Chair was taken by the
Incumbent, Canon David Eaton.
Reports were received on the Fabric, Furnishing and Ornaments of the Parish Church and the Chapel of Ease (this was mostly about the current redecoration and refurbishment works and the vestry plans) and on the proceedings of Leatherhead Deanery Synod and of the PCC. Reports of other church-related groups, including Sunday Club, the Crew youth groups and St Michael’s School were circulated. The Treasurer’s report is given in full below. Elections were made to the PCC and of Sidesmen, and David Ireland ended by giving his review as Parish Priest. Elizabeth Moughton
from the June 2008 magazine
PCC Treasurer’s Report 2007-8
2007 could not have started better, with the receipt, in January
2007, of the exceptionally generous donation of £200,000 towards
our Restoration and Repairs Fund, made by the Ranmore Trust,
founded and financed by Geoffrey Suckling. I am delighted to
report that in January 2008, we received a further generous
donation of £100,000 from the Ranmore Trust, also towards our
Restoration and Repairs Fund. These monies, together with other
donations to that Fund (including those resulting from the
‘sponsor a boss’ appeal, which has raised in excess of
£8,000 so far this year) have been deposited in the CBF Deposit
Fund, which attracts a relatively high rate of interest
(averaging 5.754 % in the last quarter). They have enabled the
PCC to move forward with confidence in progressing the various
projects approved by the PCC, which include:
1. stonework repairs (2007)
2. removal of front pews and retiling of floor (2007)
3. refurbishment works at the Chapel (2007-2008)
4. redecoration of nave, chancel, ceiling and bosses (2008)
5. new lighting system (2008)
6. vestry extension (hopefully 2008).
The Buildings Committee will doubtless report in more detail on these projects. Total expenditure on restoration and refurbishment works in 2007 was £38,666. Our expenditure in 2008 will greatly exceed this, and if all projects are completed, will virtually exhaust our Restoration and Repairs Fund – such is the cost of maintaining, and enhancing the facilities and beauty, of our lovely church.
It is, however, from our General Fund that we have to pay for parish expenses such as the ever-increasing parish share which the PCC has to contribute towards diocesan funds (to pay for the costs of ministry within, and the administration of, the diocese), clergy expenses, upkeep of services, organist’s fees, and day-to-day running costs of the church, and from which we finance our outward giving.
Thanks to further increases in regular giving and collections (enhanced by tax recoveries), the success of fund-raising activities such as the Harvest Supper Barn Dance and the Christmas Raffle, and the continuing popularity of St. Michael’s as a wedding venue, our General Fund receipts in 2007 totalled £64,731, against expenditure of £61,547 – a surplus of £3,184.
However, we must all be aware that expenses are likely to increase significantly in 2008: parish share alone will increase by more than £4,300, from £29,490 in 2007 to £33,793 in 2008, accounting for over half of budgeted General Fund expenditure. Stewardship and fund-raising remain as important as ever, despite our good fortune in being able to finance our various buildings projects from our Restoration and Repairs Fund.
Our outward giving for 2007 totalled some £4,332, including a (second) special donation of £1,000 to St Michael’s School, USPG Easter boxes (£400), Christingle collection for the Children’s Society (£433), and carols in pubs and Crib Service collections for Haydon Hall in India totalling £560. We made donations to a number of other charities, including the Church Housing Trust, Princess Alice Hospice, and the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf (for the work of the Anglican Church in Baghdad). The £5,072 figure in the accounts includes some cheques written in 2007 in respect of donations from our 2006 budget.
Overall, our accounts for 2007 show an excess
of receipts over expenditure of £198,907, and our year-end
balances totalled £249,919 (largely accounted for, respectively,
by the surplus on our Restoration and Repairs Fund, and the
balance on our CBF Deposit Account).
The finances of the Parish Magazine remain in good shape, with an
excess of receipts over expenditure of £1,703, and a year-end
balance of £6,116*.
Richard Siberry Hon Treasurer
* This figure reflects the previous year’s successful appeal
for donations. Although advertising income covers printing costs
additional funds are needed to upgrade equipment and computer
software.