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PCC stands for ‘Parochial Church Council’ The group that has the responsibility for managing the financial and legal responsibilities of the parish. Members of the PCC consist of the churchwardens, treasurers and secretaries.
The APCM is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Actually it comprises of two meetings the ‘Vestry Meeting’ which elects the Church Wardens for the coming year and the APCM itself which is the business meeting of the Church. It’s a meeting we’re legally required to have and must take place before the 31st May each year. The meeting is only open to members of the Church electoral roll, and those present vote on the appointment of PCC members, Deanery Synod representatives once every 3 year or when there is a vacancy and to accept the audited accounts of the Church.
For more guidance on APCM as well as form templates please visit the parish resources website
Each year, clergy, Churchwardens, PCC members and volunteers across our diocese faithfully complete their Parish Returns. We know it isn’t anyone’s favourite task, at times it can feel administrative, repetitive, or even a little daunting. But behind the spreadsheets and forms lies something far more meaningful, a picture of hope, faithfulness, and the shared story of our life together as the Church of England in this place.
Parish Returns allow us to see where God is already at work. They shine a light on new ministries emerging, congregations growing in confidence, and communities being served in Christ’s name. When viewed across the diocese, these numbers help us celebrate what is flourishing and learn from one another’s good news. Hope is often found in the small things, and Parish Returns help make those moments visible.
We are called to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, people, creation, buildings, finances, and opportunities. Accurate information helps the diocese understand where support is most needed, how resources can be allocated fairly, and how we can ensure ministry remains sustainable for the future. The information resources projects like Cornerstone a brilliant resource that you’ll be hearing more about this year. Far from being a bureaucratic exercise, all Parish Returns are a practical expression of our collective care for the Church today and for generations yet to come.
By tracking trends year on year, we can see changes clearly, whether in attendance, giving, volunteer capacity, or community engagement. This helps parishes plan realistically, celebrate growth, understand challenges, and explore new possibilities. Good data strengthens good decision making, and it equips us to respond faithfully to the mission and ministry God is calling us into.
When your parish submits its return, it becomes part of a wider, diocesan wide, and indeed national, picture. Every church, from the smallest rural chapel to the largest town centre congregation, plays a vital role in telling the story of the Church of England today. Your contribution matters, and we are deeply grateful for the care you take in providing it.
We know the process can sometimes feel burdensome, and we want to thank you, truly, for taking the time to complete your returns faithfully each year. Your effort strengthens our shared ministry, supports others, and helps us move into the future with clarity, honesty, and hope.
Further details and support resources for 2026 are available below, including a helpful FAQ video from The Church of England. If you have any questions or need help with the process at any stage, please do get in touch, we are here to support you.
Deadline for submissions are as follows
Thank you once again for your commitment, your patience, and your partnership in Christ’s Mission.
All returns are made via the Parish Returns Website here: https://parishreturns.churchofengland.org/.
Need help logging in? – contact Joanna Ormston at environment@peterboroughdiocese.org.uk or Nuala Salter at nuala.salter@peterborough-diocese.org.uk for help.
Statistics for Mission – for helping completing your statistics for mission please contact Paul Adams at paul.adams@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or on 01604 887071 (office) 07720 388894 (mobile).
Further guidance and information on this return can also be found here: Statistics for Mission Guidance and in the video below.
Energy Footprint Tool – For help completing your EFT return please contact Joanna Ormston at environment@peterborough-diocese.org.uk or on 01604 887041
Helpful resources for your Energy Footprint Tool can be found here: peterborough-diocese.org.uk/energy-footprint-tool.php
Across our diocese, parishes are rooted in their local communities, each with its own story, calling and faithful witness. While every church is deeply valued, none stands alone. Together we are part of one diocesan family within the Church of England, sharing in God’s mission across all our communities.
Our approach to funding is shaped by this shared life. Through generous giving we are able to sustain a Christian presence in every community. Parish contributions help to support clergy and lay ministers, schools and chaplaincies, safeguarding, and the care of buildings — enabling ministry to flourish across the whole diocese.
This way of sharing reflects the earliest Christian communities, where believers gave what they could so that all might benefit. In the Acts of the Apostles we see the early church as a community ‘of one heart and soul’, where believers shared ‘everything in common’ so that none was in need (Acts 4:32–35). While our lives look different today, the spirit of that shared generosity remains visible when churches support one another in faith and love, actively supporting the mission of God in this place.
We see the same principle in Paul’s encouragement to the church in Corinth, inviting them to set aside regular gifts for Christians in Jerusalem whom they would never meet (1 Corinthians 16:1–4). This was not payment for services received, but an expression of unity, generosity and shared mission in Christ.
We invite every benefice to pray about its giving and to contribute as generously as it is able. By doing so, we live out our faith together, ensuring that the good news of Jesus Christ continues to be shared, and that God’s kingdom may grow and flourish throughout the Diocese of Peterborough.
For more information on the income and expenditure please see Parish Share Explained booklet.
You might like to visit the Generosity Learning Hub. This provides resources, guidance and inspiration to aid teaching and preaching about generous giving in all contexts.
The Diocesan Generous Giving Team is also here to help. They have a range of resources available here.
The information you provide during the parish returns process is available as spotlights for your parish - please see the links below which will allow you to search for your parish spotlight.
Most of the work of a PCC Treasurer is straightforward and there is help available for areas that you might find slightly more complex. If you are new to the role, then please read our welcome letter.
Guide for PCC Treasurers is our handbook for all Treasurers
Parish Share Explained shows how the Diocese is funded and how it supports our churches and schools.
The Parish Resource website is a comprehensive website maintained by the Stewardship & Resources team of the Church of England and covers all aspects of PCC finances. The following pages are particularly helpful for new PCC Treasurers:
The Charity Commission has published a series of '5 minute guides' covering the 'core syllabus' of basics that trustees need to know. The first of these guides, managing charity finances, is particularly relevant for PCC Treasurers but is applicable to all trustees. We strongly recommend you read this, and make use of the additional links and guidance from this page.
As the Charity Commission points out, 'as a trustee you must take steps to make sure that your charity’s money is safe, properly used and accounted for. Every trustee has to do this. Even if your charity has an expert to manage its finances, you are still responsible for overseeing your charity’s money.'
| Key responsibilities are to: | The other ' 5-minute guides' are: |
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Protect your PCC's money |
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Know your PCC's financial position |
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Keep accurate financial records |
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Manage expenses and payments to trustees |
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Deal with financial problems quickly |
PCC Accountability: The Charities Act 2011 and the PCC (5th edition, 2017)
This excellent book produced by the Church of England contains everything you'll need to know about preparing the year-end accounts including a full set of example accounts. The contents can be read on-line.
Further accounting and reporting guidance can be found on the PCC Accounts and Return of Parish Finance page of the website.
A PCC's 'gross income' will determine when it needs to register with the Charity Commission and comply with charity law. Refer to the dedicated page on the Parish Resources site for further guidance: Charities Act requirements for PCC registration.
We have a dedicated section of resources available to help with the role of Churchwardens here: https://www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/churchwardens
Charities have a range of Governing Documents. Charitable Trusts are governed by Trust Deeds; Charitable Companies will have a Memorandum and Articles; whilst Charitable Associations usually have a Constitution. Whilst Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) are charities, they are governed by two pieces of Church of England legislation, called Measures. These are:
This defines the principal function, or purpose, of the PCC as "promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church". You can find the full text of the PCC Powers Measure in its currently amended form on the Statute Law Database by clicking here.
A new edition of the Rules was produced for 2017 and can be purchased as a book or EPUB eBook from Church House Publishing using this link. A Kindle edition can be purchased from Amazon.
An updated online edition of the Rules as at 1 January 2017 is also available on this link.
The 5th Edition of PCC Accountability (incoporating SORP 2015) was published by Church House Publishing in February 2017.
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