ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

ELhQ IUDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
JI AUGUST 2023
CONTENTS:.
Page l.......,............................... Independeni Examiner's Report
Page 2....................................... R￿C[pts and Payments Account
Pa8e 3....................................... State4nenl ofA&8ets and Liabilities
Pa8es4- 8................................ Notes to the Accounts
Pages 9- 12.............................. T￿51¢eS Annual Report
Ch¥4rity RegislratlOD Number: 1126826

ELM RIDGE IIIETHODIST CHURCH
Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of Elm Ridge Illelhodist Church
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Elm Rtdge Methodist Church (the Church) for
the year ¢nded 31 August 2023, Ivhich are set out on pages 2 to 8.
Respoiisibililies and basis ofreporl
As Ilie Cliurch's Trustees, you are responsible for th¢ preparation of the accounts in accordance willi Ihe
requircincnls of the chariti￿ Act 2011 ('Ihe Act,).
I report in respect of my examination ofthe Church's accounts Ca￿led out underse¢tion 145 of the Act and iii
carryii)g out my examination I have followed all the applicable direclions given by the Charily Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent ayaminer s s¢alemeFI(
I have completed my examination. I confinm that no material maltffs have come tomy altentioii in connection
with the examiiialioji giving me cause to believe ihat in any mat¢rial respect:
(i)
accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
(2)
the ac¢ounls do not accord ivith these records.
I have no concerns and have come across iio other matters in connection wilh Ilie exaininatioii lo which
attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reachcd.
Signed:
Name:
Steph
Gardner
Fil'm..
King Hope
Releiiantprofessional qiialificalion or membeisliip of
Pi'ofessional body {ifany).'
Institute of Chartered Accounlanls in
England and Wales
Addi-e3s: 31 Victoria Road
Darlinglon
DLI 5SB
Dale:
16 May 2024

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Central
Restrl¢ted UNrestrl¢ted
FuDd
Funds
Funds
(uttrestr5cted){s¢¢ note 14)
TOTAL FUNDS
202.3
2022
IYDte
RECEIPTS
Offerings
Donations
Weddin8s & Funeral Fees (net)
Events (net)
Room Hire
Sundry IIKome
Interest
Dividends
L£g8Ci¢S
Grdnt In¢onie
49,676
7.195
650
313
17.756
480
420
49.676
7,195
650
313
17,756
480
3,740
3285
64.148
5,747
1,299
2.871
13,299
1,177
53?
3.818
2.512
J,285
808
250
25D
76,740
5.797
15,786
808
Sale of Investments
Sale of furniture
83 J45
15,786
92,896
21,697
1,358
TOTAL RECEIPTS
76.740
21.583
99,131
115,951
PAYMENTS
Circuit Asse5srnent
Salaries
Donations
Piell]i5es Costs
Administration expenses
Other expenses
Management cha
42.927
18.043
3.324
34.796
5,638
4,747
42,927
18,043
3,324
34.796
5.638
4.747
669
57,236
IJ,304
1.923
32,441
7,465
15.359
818
596
73
109,475
596
Puwhas¢ of fLxed asset5
110.144
128,546
TOTAL PAYMENTS
109,475
596
73
110,144
128,546
LYET RECEIPTSI(PAYMENTS)
FOR THE YEAR
Trdnsfers beiween Funds
(32.735)
40.936
20,987
(40,2011
735
{735)
(11.013)
(12.595)
NE[ MOVEI¥IENT IN CASH FUNDS
8.201
(19214)
(11.013)
(12,595)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS
BROUGHT FORWARD
36.754
77.827
25,469
140.050
152.645
TOTAL CASH FUNDS
CARRIED FORIVARD
44.955
58.613
25,469
129.037
140,050

ELIII RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023
Unrestrieted Restricted
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
Notes
CHURCH CASH FUNDS
Trustees for Methodist ch￿￿h Purposes I Ib 25,469
Central Finance Board
13 27.314
Bank Accounts
17.641
Cash in Hand
58.613
84.082
27,314
17,641
103.296
950
35.804
TOTAL CHURCH CASH FUNDS
70.424
58,613 129,037
140,050
OTHER ASSETS
Furnilure
and Equipment
Investments
Debtors and prepayments
10 68,108
I la
12 25,224
68.108
118.752 118.752
25.224
73.683
131,264
16,525
93,332
18,752 212,084
221,472
LIABILITIES
Creditors and accruals
17,201
17.201
3.671
Approved by the Church Council and signed on its behalf by:_
Stephen Sutcliffe
d. John David Howard
Dated: 16 May 2024
The notes on pages 4 10 8 fonrl part of these accounts.

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE Accouwrs
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
OFFERINGS
2023
2022
Services
Standing onle￿GIft Aid
Tax Refunds
Other
5,789
37,204
3.768
44.782
12,246
3,352
6.683
49.676
64,148
Tax rethnds of £10,915 were receivcd in Septcmb¢r 2023.
SUNDRY INCOME
Chuirh Flat
Printillg and copying
480
697
480
1,177
CIRCUIT ASSESSMENT
42,947
57,236
The ¢ircuil assessment due MAY 2023 of £14,309 was nol paid It has not yet been finalised whether
payment will be requtred. It is currenily includeA in creditors.
SALARIES
Secretary
Pension
Others
Payroll admin cha￿e
8,427
5,701
9,556
60
7,412
Jo
18.043
13,304
The average number of persons employed was 2 (2022 - 2).
Due to variations in the timing olpayment4 13 monilL8 were paid this year but only I I last year.
DONATIONS MADE
Connexional
Others
450
1,473
3.324
3.324
,923

ELIII RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
PREMISES COSTS
2023
2022
Insurance Proceeds
Maintenance
Eleelric, Gas and Water
Insurance
(2.216)
15,290
15,449
6273
12.982
13,774
5,685
34.796
32.441
ADMENISTRATION EXPENSES
otficc cxpenses
Telephone
Bank Charges
Independent examiners fees
Professional fees
1731
806
121
1,980
3,860
I,289
186
1,890
240
5.638
7.465
OTHER EXPENSES
Events expenditure
San¢luary Project expenditu
Gardcn Projecl expendityrc
Housekeeping and hygi¢ne
Books & Miscellan￿1￿$
1.124
10,648
1,282
,474
.955
882
1,699
1,042
4,747
15,359
TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
S8lary ¢o$ls included £7,412 in 2022 paid to a tA￿te¢. This was for Cleaning work and did not remunerate
that P¢f50n for duties as a trustcc.

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE AccouNfs (CONTJNUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
io.
FURf41TURE & EQUIPMEP4T
Antiqye
Furniture
Furnllure
& Equipment
Total
2023
TotAI
2022
Orgrdll
Written-down Valve brouglit
forward 1.9.22
Additions for the year
Written down value of disy)sals
51,000
16.812
5,871
73,683 79,261
51.000
16,812
(3,000) (1,231)
5,871
73,683 79,261
<1,344) (5,575) (5,578)
Depreciation for the ycay
Writl¢n-down value carried
forward 31.8.23
48,000
15.581
4,527
68,108 73,683
Assets are depreciated by an agreed prowrtion of the purchase price each yur.
The 8nlique ￿rni￿re was valued freeof clwge by Tennants of Leyburn in 2018. This valualion has beert
maintained as the basi8 of the wrltlen down valu¢ in the aa¢4wn
The organ was revalued at £60,000 by Dr A.J. Henderson on 7 October 20I9.
I J. TRUSTEES FOR METHODIST CHURCH PURPOSES
This is an invcstment-receiving body within the Methodist Church. Funds held with them comprise:.
Tolals
Re8trl¢led
Fund
Unrestritted
Fund
2023
2022
a) Inv&simenls
M8nag¢d Equity Fund units
valuation at 1.9.22
increasel(de¢re&se) in
Vdluation ovcr the year
sal¢ proceeds
131264
131264
168,508
(3,274)
(l5.786)
(3.274)
(1 5,786)
(15,547)
(21.697)
Valualion at 31.8.23
118,752
118,752
131.264
b) Cash D4￿SitS
Tn]stees Interesl Fund
58,613
25.469
84.082
103.296
177,365
25.469
202.834
234,560

ELNI RIDGE TrIETHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (coNfiNUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
12.
DEB TORS AND PREPAVMENrs
In addition to the sum show￿ cet1ain receipts from 6 April 2023 to 31 Augu￿ 2023 wil] be subject to a
tur¢ gift aid claim.
13.
CENTRAL FINANCE BOARD CASH DEPOSITS
2023
2022
General Fund
27.314
950
27,314
950

ELIVI RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
14. ANALYSIS OF RESTRicfED FUNDS
Restrlctlxl
Fund
Total$
2023
2022
Ineomln2 Cash R¢sour¢¢$
Interest
Dividends
Sale of investments
2,512
3.285
15,786
2,512
372
3,285
3,818
15,786 21,697
Total Incoming Cash Resources
21,583
21,583 25,887
Cash Resources U$¢
Mana8em¢nl Chargcs
596
596
745
Total Cash Resourees Used
596
596
745
Net Incomln8 Cash Resourees
20,987
20.987 25.142
Transfers lo Genernl Fund
(40.201)
{40.201) (40.144)
(D￿reaSe) in valuation of inve5tsnenls
(12,512)
(12,512) (37,244)
Nel niovement in funds
(31.726)
(31.726) {52.246)
Funds brought forward
209,091
209,091 261,337
Fund$ earrled forward
177,365
177.365 209.091
The carried fonyard Fund value is repr¢s¢nled by:"
2023
2022
Cash D￿osIts
lThv¢stments
58,613
118.752
77,827
131,264
177,365
209,091

Elm Ridge Methodist Churcb, Darlington
Regi51ered Charity No: 1126816
Tel.. 01325 282491 | Email- offieé@elmridge￿eIjIodIS1.Co.llk | ￿¥W.¢]mridgeMethC￿lSi.oTg.tsk
Trnslees Annual Report and A￿)unts- year ended 31 August 2023.
Accountants: King Hope Cl)art¢red A¢¢ounlant$, 31 Victoria Road, Darlingion.
Publlc Bellefit..
Elm Ridge Methodist CItUT¢li providcs a seven day J week Cliri￿lan minlslry lo the Wesl Darlinglon
n¢ighbourhood. Regular services ofworship are at th¢ heart of our inission and supported by study
groups and pastoral Gare ¢0 mernb￿ and adhercthts.
The pr¢mises ar¢ used ext¢n￿VeIy for a wide rong¢ of aclivilies for all ages and are opcn ID the whole
community. The pr¢inises are also uscd by external organisations ￿jeh as Slimming World. Weight
Wal¢hers. the local PACT 8roup. the National Childbirth Trn8t. Sing Cowmunity Clioir. Probu
Yoga and chair-based exer¢ise groups. several art wid embroidery groups. PaTkinson8 UK, Darlington
Town Mission and a Lung Cancer Support group. W¢ welcome any organisation PTovided they do not
detract froin Ihe ChrisliaTh eih05 of thc Ghurch. Coffee Drop-Jn sessions are open lo Ihe public and hdp
build ￿latiO1)ShipS with our local community.
Working in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trusl. we ar¢ Gurr¢Dtly dcveloping way8 in wbicli the
more hidden parts of our church 8rounds can be used for the benefit of na¢ure and th¢ local
ommunily.
The tnisl¢es believe they liave had du¢ i¢gard to ihc ChaTily Commission guidance on public benefit.
Activltle$=
Chrisiian worship is our core activity. Our Sunday servic¢s are held w¢ekiy 8t 10:30am 8nd we hold
P8Tade Servic¢s for the children bdonging to the unifornied OTganisations lo be present oll appTopriate
Sundaysof ihe ycbr. Monthly during SPTin8 and summer. we host a Circuit Service at 6pm.we hav¢ joint
servi¢¢s with All Sainls Parish Church ottce or twice a year alternately at ¢acli chui¢h.
W¢ekly pre•Tecorded worship services produced in rollaboratioD with the Darlington and T¢esdale
Meihodi81 Circuit are also a part of our iegular ministry. Our Pastoral VisiloT n¢lwoAc Temains a much-
appreciated sour¢eof pr8¢lical gnd spiritual friendshipand support.Theweekly newslell¢rcontinue$ kn be
circulated widely.
A full l'ang¢ of uniformcd groups-Rainbows, Beai'ers. Brownies. Cubs, Guid¢s. Scou15, Explorer Scouts
and RanBers- for children and yo)Jngpeople agcd 5-24 m¢ct re8ularly during the we¢k, and we ￿￿Urage
social ev￿lS involving families. Mosl ofihe uniformed groups hav¢ a waiting list.
Tiddlyivinks, a church run 8roup forpar¢Dlslcarers 8nd young children, M￿1$ weekly duTin8 tern] time.
Carc for the elderly and thos¢ who live aloDC 1$ an important partof our ministry. Elill Ridg¢ Church
supports r¢tired/¢lderly people by PToviditig several groups for friendship. support and fcllowship
which ine¢t weekly. forlnighily or inonthly. In addition, there are study groups for all membeTS of tli
Cliurch.
Structures:
Elm Ridge Churcb is part of DaTlington and T¢¢sdale Methodist Circuil, which includes len Methodist
Churchcs locatd betwccn Darlinglon and Middlelon-in-T¢esdale. El]n Ridge is goyemed by R Cliurch
Council (membership listed) J]]eeling at Icast three times per year. plus an AGM at which all 134 [at
August 2023 figure) church members ar¢ eligible lo attcnd.

Representativ￿ of Ibe Church Council altend the Circuit Meeling which collvenes ai Ica5t tliree timcs
a year.
Detailed work on property and finance is dclryated io a Finauce Cominill¢e which r¢porlS to the
Church Couneil. The leadership of ihe Churth is ihrough the Stewards, mecling wliich reports direcily
lo the Church Coullcil.
Trustee5 of the Registered Charity between September 2022 and August 2023
Trustees of the Rtglstered
ChAri¢
Position
Name
Dal¢
Date
Date First
appoinied
left post Appoinled
lo post if in if in
to Churcli
Coun¢il
MinisleT in Pastoral C118rge
CiTCUlt Presbyter
Circuit Presbyier
Clkurch Council S¢cretary
Churcli Steward
Chureh Stew8rd
Cburch Sicward
Church Si¢ward
Church StewArd
Church Treasurer
Pastoral Committee Seor¢l8ry
Properly Committee
Finan￿ Comtnittee
Safcguarding
M¢thodi5t Homes
Metliodist Womcn in Brit81n
Elected by General Church
Meeting
Rev Jobn Howard
Rev Grnbam Cull
Rev Briall Hullfrn
David Hall
Tony Allen
Peter Gallop
Linda Gallop
Polly Vemon
Sheenah Adkins
Siephen SulcliiT¢
Andrea Robson
lan Souter
David Harris
Sally Sutcliffe
Josanne Hall
Margaret Wearmouth
Srylt 2022
June 2022
S¢pt 2020
Sept 2020
2003
May 2016
2022
2022
2023
2023
2009
2023
1999
2002
April 2018
2005
May 2021
May 2021
June 2023
June 2023
Jun¢ 2023
Jo Cundick
John weann0￿￿
Malcolm Cundick
Sara Layfield-carrol
Vi¢loria Pelling
Joe Haves
Su58n Ja1￿1
Debordh Andrew
Tony Harper
Valerie Tooth
2015
2015
2015
2016
2017
2021
131612023
131612023
131612023
11912022
Circuit Representative
2020
Other membtrs of Church Coujjeil who are Dot Tru$tees of the
Cknarlly
ChuTch Steward
EIKl¢d by General Church
Meelin
Julie Watson
May 2015
cla Gibson
2018
Elected by General Church
Me¢ling
Elected by General Cliureh
Meetin
Susanne Davison
2018
Alison Dinsdale
11912022
io

Th¢ ¢omposilion of the Church Council a¥Jd metliod of appoinim¢nt is detenniD¢d by Standing Orders
relaling to th¢ Govcrnance of the Meihodi5t Cburch iti Great Britain
Illl )%'.liiviiyii'.i)i¢iliodis1.c)r 3 iik/iiiedi1c 191 j7..'cni)I'_*018-ci)d-vol-?
(11- a '¢ 5211. All members ai¢
¢xpected to be Irjstees of the tharity unlcss ihcy spccifjcally dc¢line to do so.
SafeguArdlng Officer5:
Sally Sulrlirrc (rcgistered as a Iruslee)
Performanccl&thlevement$ over the last year-
We continucd lo host weekly worshTrp s¢rvices on Sunday mon)in8s aDd inonthly on an cv¢nin8.
During Advent and Lent, groups m¢1 for study. prayer and fellowship. Sadly, the chllrch prayer group
ceascd meetinB, howcvcr thTough the newslettcr's wcckly praycr points wrilten by Inember4 prayer
has continued io be a very important part of our millA8ty. A newly fonned group of musicians and
singers added a musical flavour to scrvices cel¢braiing the f¢slivals. All of our Church servi￿S a
open lo any metnb¢r of the public.
Meetings of Trustees and the various church management committc¢5 hcld in p¢r50n.
A ￿1] programille of activities means thai the recruitment and tr8it)ing of new volunieers. including
their DBS clcaTancc and 5afcguardinB training is vital aDd on-going.
For our Harvest Festival. we supported a local food ballk with donati¢ms of goods. Further donations
wue also JnAd¢ throughout the y¢ar. Events raised fijnds for Methodist Homes, CRY (Cardiac Risk to
the Young) and other local and national charities. The cliurch continued to support fair trade by using
fair Irade products wherever possibl&
Men's F¢llowship conlinu¢d to In¢¢1 foi out m¢mbeTS and friend4 as did Tiddlywinks (our toddler
group). Our regular Monday morning Coffe¢ Drop-in was well att¢nded by m¢mbers of th¢ local
Probus groupy ¢hvr¢h family and people from thc I￿al community.
A group utablished lo devclop the cxl¢nsiv¢ grounds arouDd th¢ Fwperty b¢gan working in
collaboration with Durham Wildlife Trnsl to develop ways in whith Ihe more hidden parts of our
¢liurch grounds could bc uscd for th¢ b¢n¢fil of tsa￿re and ibe lo￿1 community.
A numbcr of votunlccrs from the church and community came (08ether each week to help maintain
the ¢hurch building, hall and grounds.
A group ￿tablished lo look into lh¢ viability of developing a full.liine cafe facility on the premis¢s
mel a number of limes throughout the year. Planning pennission has been gT8nted 8nd ways to fund
Ihe project are under discussion.
Alnjs and obJectlYe8 for lh¢ coming year..
To provide varicd, relevant and inclusive WOTship.
To offer good quality pasloial ¢ar¢ lo our members and frieJMI&
To lead people to faiih in Christ and nurture and encourage them as disciples of Jesu5.
To explor¢differetttways Orw￿$h1ppIn8 and encDurage widerparti¢ipalion bythose who use our
Premises through an wnphasis on the festivals.
To continue to giv¢ active support to the wider Methodist Circuil, especially in terms of offerin8
wtsol¢-h¢art¢d supporl lo working with the other churches lo deepen our faith and knowledge of
Christianity, taking an active Trnterest in the mi55ion of the Darlin8lDn Metliodist District and the
wider M¢ih(Nlisl Connexion.
To rxplorc opportunities for ecumcnical relalionthips in the context of the An8licaELIMethodist
Covenani and oiher initiatives. including supporting'Chur¢hes Together in D8Tlinglon'.
To support volufttsry and charitable work around the UK and Ixyond.
To ¢ontinuc ourpro8ramme to identify aud trnin new leadersforseverdl8roup4 includin8 workers
with childr¢n and youn8 pcopk.

To scek appropriate ways to includ¢ our lo¢al ¢ominunily in ihe lifc of Ilie Churcli and for ihe
Church to build mutually bencfirial relationshipswith ihepeoplewiili wliotn iveconi¢ inlo contact.
To look at option5 lor the sustainabl¢ future of Elm Ridg¢ Cliurch ceiitcred ott a balanced budget
and Inaximising th¢ us¢ of the buildings and grounds.
Safeguarding Policy:
Elm Ridgc adopts th¢ slandard Safeguarding Policy for M¢thodist ¢hurche$ as recommended by the
Connexional Methodist Church. Thc policy is reviewed at least annually displayed in all buildings
and copies providcd for all groups using our premises. Posters adiiisillg on safeguarding matters and
giving h¢lpline details are displayed on notice board5 and lavatories. Safeguarding training has bccn
offered during tlic year at basic and advanced levels (o those people ihal have ￿sponSIbl1111eS
involving children's activities or adults who may b¢ vulnerable. Where required, individuals aTC also
DBS cliecked at th¢ interyal and level advised by Methodist Church Safer Rccnjitineni and
Safeguarding Policy.
One minor incident was recorded during the year which was deali wilh at th¢ time ac¢oTding lo the
policy. No further aclton was rcquir¢d.
Rlsk Assessment, Property and Ilelllth & Safety..
Our Property Commiltee regularly reviews the risks connected lo their areas of work and report to the
Church Council appropriately. No Inajor cost items of maintcnance were required to tlie premises
during ihe year. Th¢ Risk register ivas updated again during Ilie year and sums of money allocated
from reserves to dcal with possible futur¢ issues ￿lating to th¢ roof. drainage and (recs.
Diiring the year a visitor lo the church experienced an accident on th¢ p￿￿7￿$ resulting in a personal
injury claim. This was passed to our insurers who handlcd the claim and seiil¢d ivithoui direct C05110
Ihe cliur¢h. Thc area wh¢re the Injury ￿curred has subs¢quenily i*en irnprov¢d.
Documents regarding the financial risk of Ttusleeship are made available lo new Truslees whcn
appointed.
Finance Revieiy for the 12 montbs endlng 31 August 2023:
The Church accounts r¢¢ord a rcccipls and payments deficit of £11,013 foriheyear. which was ablelo be
fundcd from resetve5. Inveslmenls also decreased by £12.512.
The Res¢rves and IDveslmenl Poli¢ies wcre updated and approved by Managing Trustees.
Th¢ Church's inv¢slmcnts (oth¢r than cash) are held with tlic Trnstee5 for h(ethodist Church Purposes.
Signed..
16 May 2024
Dale:..
12