Financial Update

The start of 2008 went well with regard to the preparing of the 2007 Accounts. However, as I am sure you are all no doubt aware, accountants Jackson Green were unable to proceed with working on our Accounts which left us without an examiner. The PCC was then resigned to the prospect of having to pay somewhere in the region of £800 to have the examination completed.

On 6th May, the new PCC had its first meeting where we had the very good news from David Hodgens, that Mr Gordon Beer, Director of HWCA Limited (a firm of chartered accountants), had offered to examine St. George’s 2007 Accounts free of charge. Gordon is currently working on the Accounts and on behalf of the PCC, our grateful thanks go to David Hodgens for making the connection and of course to Gordon for taking on the task.

The first five months of the year has shown that income is down against budget and expenditure is slightly less than budgeted. Bearing in mind we are not half way through the year, this is not such a good start. If the trend continues, 2008 Budget is going to be very difficult to follow.

On a more promising note, we do have the Summer Fete which will hopefully generate the much needed funds to keep the Church running.

At the end of April, the Parish Share was not paid. This was due to cash flow problems and it was therefore agreed that the balance in the small deposit account holding £1,634 was to be withdrawn. This will help us to get back on track with the Parish Share.

One or two items of income to note:

(average figures for past 5 months)

Planned Giving	2242.00
Pink env. & donations	662.00
Loose plate collections	76.00
Sale of bulbs & votives	1006.00
Advertising	735.00
PCC & Assigned fees rec’d	443.00
Fundraising	403.00

Quarter 1 January to March Gift Aid was received totalling £1961. A donation of £750 was received from Charities Aid Foundation. £316 investment fund interest was received and donations for the purchase of Lent books totalled £149 against an initial outlay of just over £200.

Outgoing items (excluding utilities):

Insurance & licences	1586.00
Parish share	14579.10
Assigned fees	561.10
Purchase of pink & green env.	108.00
Photocopier lease	355.00
Organ/piano tune	127.00
Purchase of mower & fridge for which donations were received, with thanks.	388.00
Retiring collections
January: St Marys Axim	151.39
February: Church Urban Fund	133.25
March: Bishops Lent Appeal	392.82
April: Winston’s Wish Plus £68.66 from the collection at the Church Band’s concert	121.15
Burma Cyclone Appeal	248.02
May: Christian Aid	398.02
Also donated by the Wednesday Coffee Morning collections:
Donation for use of Church Hall	75.00
African Child Trust	50.00
Christian Aid	50.00
Burma Cyclone Appeal	50.00

Each month I produce a Finance Report which is presented at PCC meetings. A copy of this Report can be found at the back of the Church. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Carol Mckells, Hon. Treasurer to the PCC