Financial Update

The new issue dates for St George’s News means that the information I now provide needs to be in more general terms.

If specific information is required, please feel free to ask. I can provide copies of reports used at PCC meetings and of course those reports are posted on the Noticeboard after each meeting.

The 2007 budget is likely to be yet another challenge to the Church ­finances with expected outgoing already higher than the hoped for income. According to the budget each month we can expect to pay out at least £5,500, whereas income is hoped to be at least £5,300.

This gives us no leeway for unexpected bills. As the Church Treasurer, I am extremely grateful for all the regular donations received. These get us through the day-to-day running of the Church.

In addition to those regular donations, St. George’s does receive generous one-off donations which fortunately get us through the unforeseen. Already this year has seen the need to renew the heaters in the Church Hall. Private donations totalling £1,150 were gratefully received, together with a donation from the Wednesday Coffee morning collections.

Repair to the Church’s main glass doors resulted in a bill of £935, for which a withdrawal of funds from the Deposit account has been made. This has taken the account down to £1,630.76; the impact of this is a reduction in earned interest. We are also due to receive a bill in the region of £450 for work to repair various broken windows. This work is still in progress.

The Burns night raised a net figure of £263.99 and the West End Premiere evening raised £300, with the raffle ticket sales of £154 being donated to Naomi House.

Sale of bulbs, plants and votives at the end of March has raised £1093, against a budget of £375. A fantastic start to the year. Income from sale of Parish magazines, books and advertisements has started well, being almost £165 over budget.

Donations via standing orders and envelopes currently stand at just under £8,000 for the first quarter of the year, against a hoped for £8,500. A claim to the Inland Revenue will shortly be made and we should receive a refund of tax during April.

£400 has been donated by the Friday Coffee morning Fund Raising Committee which has been received with thanks.

Retiring collections for Biblelands and USPG raised £149.45 and £133.88 respectively and the Bishops Lent Appeal has raised approximately £136 (figure to be confirmed). £35 was also raised in aid of Biblelands, by the Tuesday afternoon Lent Group.

Our Parish Share payments commenced in February and will be paid over 10 months at £4844 per month. Fees due to the Diocese for the first quarter of 2007 have been paid at £468.

Finally, I would like to pass on my thanks to those who have had to prepare Accounts Summaries to be incorporated in the Church’s end of year Accounts. For most, this involves a fair amount of work and can be time consuming. The end of year seems to come round rather quickly and, just as last year, I found myself not as well prepared as I had hoped. The Accounts have been submitted to the Accountant and it is hoped that they will shortly be confirmed.

As usual, if you have any queries concerning the Church’s finances please come and have a chat and I will endeavour to provide an answer.

Carol McKells
Hon. Treasurer to the PCC