Treasurer's Notices

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From the Treasurer: November was not a particularly good month and after we have paid our Away Giving commitments, I anticipate that at the year end our Bank balance will be virtually the same as it was on 1st January this year but we have been able to pay our increased Parish Contribution for 2009 in full. The appeal letter which has just gone out is extremely important and has, so far, met with some limited success but I do urge everybody to consider their position and do whatever they can to put the Church on a sounder financial footing for 2010 and thereafter. Richard Hill Posted 13.12.2009
From the Treasurer - October: In October our income exceeded our expenditure quite significantly but this was entirely due to our recovery of Gift Aid on offerings from those who pay Income Tax. This shows how very beneficial this form of giving becomes and I would urge all those who make offerings and have not yet signed up to regular giving through Gift Aid to do so without delay. Please ask me for the relevant necessary forms to enable us to recover the appropriate tax from your contributions. This year, so far, our income has exceeded expenditure by just under £3500. However if is essential that we husband our financial resources for the next 14 months as the inevitable increase in our Parish Contribution in 2010 is going to be very difficult to meet. Posted 08.11.2009
From the Treasurer - September: September continued the improvement shown in August and our income exceeded costs by £1043.34. Again, PCC fees that are received play a big part in the Church's financial life but we must never rely on something like this to balance our books. Again, I thank all those who regularly contribute to the Church either weekly or by monthly standing order because Gift Aid increases our income by 25% and is, therefore, very valuable. Posted 18.10.2009
From the Treasurer - August: August was a much better month and our income exceeded costs by £944.15. This was due to a very generous donation being received, two weddings being held in the Church and the excellent 'Country meets Caribbean' evening in the Hall. In addition, Sunday collections were slightly raised. I am so pleased to present a brighter picture instead of my usual 'doom and gloom' and I thank all those who have contributed. Richard Hill Posted 06.09.2009
From the Treasurer - July: Financially July was a disappointing month in that our expenditure exceeded our income by £539.79. There were no really significant increases or decreases in any area but it is strange how small fluctuations can alter the picture quite significantly. Obviously we still need to increase our income, and the C & W / Caribbean evening should help in this respect. On a brighter note, I am pleased to report that two additional members have taken up our envelope giving scheme, making a commitment to regular giving which is most welcome. Richard Hill Posted 09.08.2009
From the Treasurer - June: In June our finances improved slightly. Income exceeded expenditure by £1018 which means that after 6 months, our bank balance has improved by £763 which is a very modest increase, to say the least. Again I have to draw to attention to the fact that we are simply not managing to increase our receipts whilst our expenditure continues on a basis which leaves little room for manoeuvre. I think it might be helpful if I detail some of our standing costs and show our income sources. All these figures are shown as an average over the last 6 months. Income: Standing Orders - £1980, collections at services - £900, Gift aid tax reclaims - £570, income from Church Hall lettings - £330, donations - £240, income from weddings/funerals - £222. Total £4242. Expenditure: Parish Contribution - £2334, Electricity for Church and Hall - £508, Hall cleaning/repairs - £375, Church Office telephone/stationary/equipment - £302, Vicarage council tax/water - £244, running repairs to church/service costs - £254, Vicar's expenses - £180. Total £4197. You will understand that the above figures are not precise, as space does not permit greater detail, but you can see that in our expenditure, the costs are virtually fixed and in spite of negotiating reductions in electricity there is no further room for economies. Therefore there can only be one major way in which we can increase our income and that is for each person, in the Parish or a member of the Church, to reconsider their personal giving commitment and increase their monthly giving amount, remembering that each £1.00 contributed by Standing Order or envelope qualifies for Gift Aid, provided the donor is a taxpayer, and we receive an additional 28p making the donation £1.28 in total. Richard Hill Posted 19.07.2009
From the Treasurer - May: Our financial position in May deteriorated very seriously and we spent nearly £1350 more than we received. The only major cost increase was for electricity where the supply company increased our monthly payment from £300 to £450 but we are locked into a contract until October 2009 and there is little we can do at this stage. The fundamental problem is that our income seems to be continually decreasing. Sunday collections are down and similarly ad-hoc donations. Church Hall hirings brought in £531 in April - £297 in May. The biggest drop was in PCC fees where there was a reduction of £1266. PCC fees are very unpredictable as they cover weddings, funerals etc and should not be relied upon to keep us solvent, they are better seen as income that can be used for a rainy day. As you can see from the above, we are moving into dangerous waters and unless we all (in spite of the current economic situation) prayerfully review our regular giving to the Church the PCC may well have to take some very difficult and distressing decisions. I regret having to write in this manner but I feel it is better that you are all forewarned and forearmed. Richard Hill Posted 07.06.2009
From the Treasurer - April: After 4 months of the year our Bank balance has only increased by £1095. We have, however, paid all our bills and are up to date with our Parish Contribution. The remaining Parish Contribution to be paid during the rest of the year amounts to £16332. As I have reported previously. we need to raise our regular income levels each month if our Church is to be financially solid. Richard Hill. Posted 17.05.2009
From the Treasurer - March The first quarter of this year has not been particularly encouraging for our Church. Whilst we have paid all our bills on time and our Parish Contribution to the Diocese, we have only managed to increase our Bank balance by £700 since the beginning of the year, which leaves little margin should some significant unplanned item of expenditure arise. Much of our income is of an unstructured nature whilst most of our costs remain constant Clearly, much remains to be done if we are to put our Church on a sound financial footing. Richard Hill Posted 12.04.2009
From the Treasurer - February February was not a good month for our Church finances. Income totalled £2923 but our expenditure was £3748, giving a deficit of £825. The main reason for this was the completion of the refurbishment of the Hall Kitchen and the cleaning of the Hall floor and Gage Chapel carpet. Even if these costs are excluded, the deficit was still £62. I am afraid that our collections and planned monthly givings are simply not generating sufficient income and this is a very worrying situation. If it continues, we may find it difficult to pay our Parish Contribution each month. Richard Hill Posted 08.03.2009
From the Treasurer - January Income from all sources for January 2009 (collections, donations, standing orders, Hall hire. Funeral fees etc) came to £4066. Expenditure, which included our Parish Contribution to the Diocese, electricity, annual insurance on the Hall and servicing of the mowers came to £4164. It was, therefore, a month when income was less than expenditure by £98. Richard Hill Posted 22.02.2009
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