As part of our ongoing efforts to keep worshippers and those who contribute financially informed of what is happening here at St. Eugene’s, I am happy this weekend to present for your information the income and expenditure account for the year ending 31st December 2008. I also use this opportunity to give a Child Protection update. I hope that you will find the accounts to be self-explanatory and the update informative.

Our main source of income is derived from the collection taken up every Sunday at the Offertory, which in 2008 amounted to £221,068, an increase of 19.18% on last year. This means that we are now in a position where our weekly collection is sufficient to cover our weekly expenditure. I take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to all who have made this possible by the increase in their weekly contributions. An equal significant amount of income comes from other sources such as Gift Aid, shrine candles, parish draw and interest from savings scheme. Last year money raised from these sources amounted to £136,987.

2008, like every year, presented its own challenges on many fronts. In the middle of April last year we began the re-structuring of the ground floor of the Parochial House. This work is now completed and has brought the public area of the house into line with good practice. The work was expensive and took a long time to complete but I am of the opinion that it was well worthwhile. Wages/staff costs are the single biggest item of expense for the parish. The new layout of the Parochial House presented me with the opportunity of reviewing staffing requirements and making the appropriate adjustments. The savings achieved through this exercise are not evident in the 2008 figures but will be seen in time.

Turmoil and uncertainty in the financial sector led to the demise of the Parishioners Savings Scheme. The impact of this will be felt in years to come. The “Friends of St Eugene’s Draw” was very successful and could be repeated in future years.

There were big increases in the cost of electricity and oil in 2008 (oil has dropped back a bit in more recent times and hopefully will remain so). To negate these increases we have tried to reduce consumption, hopefully without too much impact on people who use the Cathedral, with the result that money spent on electricity and oil are the same as previous years.

Looking forward I can say that plans are at an advanced stage to re-roof and replace the chimneys of the Parochial House. I have made application for grant aid from the Environment & Heritage Service and they are examining the proposals and costs. (If they take an eternity then necessity may mean that we get on with the work.)

Many people have lamented there being no parish draw at present. Conscious of the current economic climate I did not want to make extra demands on people. I do however hope to have a £20 draw beginning in September with the draw taking place prior to Christmas. More details later.

As well as contributions to the Cathedral, people are generous to many other good causes. On their behalf I thank those who have contributed.

I also take this opportunity to thank the huge number of volunteers who give of their time and talents over the years. The church cleaners, readers, Eucharistic ministers, collectors, counters, flower arrangers, sacristans and choir members are among the many. Those who worship and visitors alike are always very complimentary of how well the Cathedral looks.