At this time of the year, as Treasurer, I have the task of producing the annual accounts and also a budget for 2009.
Our major outgoing is the Parish Share which is paid to Salisbury, and perhaps a brief explanation of the calculation method would be helpful.
The overall costs of running the Salisbury Diocese, (the vast majority of which goes straight back into providing parish ministry and diocesan support services), is apportioned between the Deaneries. This is then further divided between the parishes using a set formula called Fairer Share, which, at its simplest form, divides the annual amount to be raised by the number of people who actually take part in the church's life.
The process in assessing the number of members takes place over the five Sundays after Easter. The assessment is based upon the people committed to worship and who may be expected to provide for the ministry of the Church. This will not be the same as the average number of weekly attendees. A three year rolling average is used and, with church attendance in West Parley gradually increasing, this means our average figure for the 2009 Parish Share will be 144.33, an increase from the 2008 figure of 136.67. The social economic make up of the parish is also included to arrive at an ability to contribute category.
The Parish Share figure for 2009 for West Parley will be £53,182 (2008 £48,777) which is an increase of 9% partly due to the increasing membership and hence the expected increase in giving. The overall Deanery increase is 3.2% and gives an amount of £338.59 for each of our 144.33 average membership.
When I prepare the budget, not only has the Parish Share to be included but also the day to day running costs of the church buildings and the services, which adds a further approximate £17,000.
We have income from Hall rent, Magazine income and Fees to offset against expenditure, but we still need to find some £60,000 to balance the books which is about £415 p.a. from each of the 144.33 average membership. Giving through the Standing Order, Freewill Offering envelopes, supplemented by tax reclaimed, and Plate collections brings in about £44,000 and we have had to use interest from our capital legacy funds for the past couple of years to 'balance the books'. However, it is likely that in 2009 even the interest will be insufficient and we will for the first time have to use capital.

The PCC are conscious to keep the outgoings to a minimum and I am always looking to increase income where possible. I have noticed that the cash in the Plate collections, particularly at the 9.45 a.m. St Marks service, is quite substantial and if the Yellow envelopes were used by those who are taxpayers, I could then claim an additional 28% thus increasing the income! Weekly Freewill Offering envelopes are also available for those not currently using the facility.

Also of relevance is Key facts about the Church of England (Opens new window)

PLANNED GIVING

Gift Aid will benefit the Church

Throughout time Charities have depended on the Alms, Tithes and giving of individuals to carry out their work. The Church is no exception and All Saints and St. Marks have benefited and been able to plan due to regular committed giving from church members.

The weekly envelope scheme, bank standing orders and cheques are the mainstay of the Church's income supplemented by collection plate giving at Services.

From the 6th April 2000, there have been major changes to the tax treatment of gifts with the introduction of Gift Aid. This can be of immense benefit to the Church.

The advantage of Gift Aid, over the previous Covenant arrangement, is that there is no fixed commitment.

Every pound donated can be enhanced by an additional 28%, if the donor has paid the equivalent tax. The donation does not have to be regular but can also be on an occasional basis. If your financial circumstances alter in the future, then you can adjust, both up or down, the amount you are giving.

Obviously, the Inland Revenue can ask for proof of giving and hence donations either regular or occasional need to be verified and consequently need to be by the envelope scheme, bank standing order or cheque. All this means is that to reclaim the tax a simple declaration form has to be completed and all donations are, of course, regarded as confidential by the Church.

We need to use the tax rules to the advantage of the Church. At this time of Stewardship, I would ask all those who are tax payers and at present use the envelope scheme but have not signed a gift aid form for their donations to use the Gift Aid scheme.

Even more important, those who are tax payers and place money in the collection plate could benefit the Church by switching to the envelope system.

As Gift Aid Secretary, I will be pleased to talk to any member of the Church and provide the declaration form.

Let us use the Tax rules to the Church's benefit.

For every £100 given the Church will receive £128

Derek Warner (Tel. 871952)

THE GIVE TO GROW CAMPAIGN

"This press release from Salisbury gives an indication of the success of the diocesan-wide Give to Grow campaign. We were one of the parishes that did not give a quantifiable result to Salisbury as, you will recall, we did not ask for specific pledges. However it is very pleasing to report that, from the figures already available within this year, a very generous response has been made by our parish and the rise in our share by almost £7000 is looking nearly attainable!"