ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 AUGUST 2024
COIYTENTS:_
Pagel.
. Independent Examiner's Report
. Receipts and Payments A¢Koun¢
Page 2........
Page 3.......
. Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Pages 4- 8,......
. Noles ¢0 the Accounts
Pages 9- 12.......
.. Trusiees Annual Report
Charlty Reglstratlon Number: 1126826

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
Independent Examlner's report to Ihe Truslets of Elm Rldge Methodlst Church
I report to the Trustees on my examinalion of the accounts of Elm Ridge Methodist Church (the Cliurch) for
the year elided 31 August 2024, which are set out on pages 2 to 8.
Responsibilities ai?d basis ofreporl
As the Church's Trustees, you are responsible for the prq)aration of the accouiits in accordance with the
requireinents of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.).
I report in respect of my examinalion of the Churcli's accounts catried out under section 145 of the Act and in
carryiiig out my examination I have followed all the applicable directioiis given by the Charity Coinmission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Acl.
Independent examiner s siatemeni
I have coinpleted my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my attention in eAJnnection
with the eX￿ninatIon giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
(i)
accounting records were nol kept as requir¢d by section 130 of the Act. or
(2)
the accounts do not ac¢ord with Ih¢s¢ records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other inallers in c￿]U]ectIon with the exainination to which
attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.
Signed:
Name:
Stephen Watson Gardner
Firm:
King Hope
Relevant professional qualificalion or membersliip of
Professlonal body (Ifany),.
Institute of Chartered Accountants in
Englaiid and Wales
Address., 31 Victoria Road
Darlington
DLI 5SB
Date:

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3J AUGUST 2024
Gtneral Restrleted Unrestrl¢t¢d
Fund
Funds
Fund$
(unrestri¢ted)(see note 14)
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
2023
Note
RECEIPTS
Off¢rings
Donations
Weddings & Funeral Fees (net)
Events (nel)
Rooin Hir¢
Sundry In¢om¢
Interest
Dividends
Legacies
Grant In¢om¢
49,676
7,195
650
313
17,756
480
3,740
3,285
68.747
12.963
395
3.177
23,109
480
1,020
68,747
12,963
395
3,177
23,109
480
5,546
2,636
3,179
2,636
,347
52,400
52,400
250
109,891
58,215
1,347
169,453
83,345
15,786
Sal¢ of Investments
Insurance Claim Proc¢eds
3,358
3,358
TOTAL RECEIPTS
113,249
58,215
1,347
172,811
99,131
PAYMENTS
Circuit Assessment
Salaries
Donations
Premises Costs
Administration expenses
Other expenses
Management charges
57.236
17,003
1.413
35.350
6,197
17,928
57,236
17,003
1,413
35,350
6,197
18,728
578
42,927
18,043
3,324
34.796
5,638
4,747
669
800
505
73
135,127
2,562
,305
73
136,505
2,562
110,144
Purchase of fixed assets
TOTAL PAYMEIYTS
137,689
1,305
73
139,067
110,144
NET RECEIPTSI(PAYIIqENTS)
FOR THE YEAR
Transfers between Funds
(24.440)
6.584
56.9lO
(5,310)
,274
(1,274)
33,744
(11,013)
NET MOVEMENT IIY CASH FUNDS
(17.856)
51.600
33,744
(11,013)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS
BROUGHT FORIVARD
44.955
58.613
25,469
129.037
140,050
TOTAL CASH FUNDS
CARRIED FORWARD
27,099
110,213
25,469
162,781
129,037

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABJLITIES
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
Uiirestricted Restrlcted
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
Notes
CHURCH CASH FUNDS
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes I Ib 25.469
Central Finance Board
13 12,280
Bank Accounts
14.819
Cash in Hand
58,613
84,082
12,280
66,419
84,082
27,314
17,641
51,600
TOTAL CHURCH CASH FUNDS
S2.568
110,213 162,781
129,037
OTHER ASSETS
Furniture
and Equipment
Investments
Debtors and prepayments
10 65,401
Ila
12 16,299
65,401
133,876 133,876
16,299
68,108
118,752
25,224
81,700
133,876 215,576
212,084
LIABILITIES
Creditors and accruals
17.632
17.632
17,201
Approved by the Church Council and signed on ils behalf by:_
Stephen Sutcliffe
Revd. John David Howard
Dated:
2025
The notes on pages 4 to 8 fonn part of these accounts.

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2024
2023
OFFERINGS
se￿ICes
Standing OrderslGift Aid
Tax Refunds
Other
4,170
40,830
19,736
4,011
5,789
37,204
6,683
68,747
49,676
Tax re￿ndS undel. gift aid for both 2022123 and 2023124 were received in the year ended 31 August 2024.
SUIYDRY INCOME
Church Flat
480
480
GRANT INCOME
Benefact Trust
Willan Trust
other
40,000
12,400
250
52,400
250
The Benefact Trust income is designaied for the garden room project,
The Willan Trust income is de3i8nated for the grounds access piDje¢t.
57,230
CIRCUIT ASSESSMENT
42,947
Thc circuit assessment duc May 2023 of £14.309 was not paid. It has not yet been finalised whether
payment will be required. Jt is CUATenily included in creditors.

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2024
2023
SALARIES
Secretary
Pension
Others
Payroll admin charge
7.247
8.427
9,687
69
9,556
60
17,003
18,043
The average number of persons employeAI was 2 (2023 - 2).
Due to variations in the liming of payments, although 12 months were paid this year, 13 payments were
made last year.
DONATIONS MADE
Connexional
Others
1,413
3,324
1.413
3,324
PREMISES COSTS
Insurance Proceeds
Maintenance
Electric, Gas and Water
Insurance
Hall heating and floor rq)air
(8,406)
6,128
14,097
6,577
16,954
(2,216)
15,290
15,449
6,273
35,350
34,796
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES
Office expenses
Telephone
Bank Charges
Independent examiners fees
2,991
941
135
2,130
2,731
806
121
1,980
6,197
5,638

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2024
2023
OTHER EXPENSES
Events expendi￿re
Special Projects..
Organ repair
Garden room
Grounds access
Garden Projeci expenditure
Housekeeping And hygiene
Books & Miscellaneous
1,569
1,124
5,892
7,292
800
882
1,699
1,042
1,802
1,373
18,728
4,747
10. FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT
Anllque
Fvrnilure
Furnlture
& Equipmellt
Total
2024
TotAI
2023
Organ
Written-down value brought
forward 1.9.23
Additions for the year
Written down value of disposals
48.0(K)
15.581
4,527
2,562
68.108
2,562
73,683
48,000
15,581
(3,000) (1,231)
7,089
70,670 73,683
(1,038) (5,269) (5,S75)
Depreciation for the year
Written-down value carried
forward 31.8.24
45,000
14,350
6,051
65,401 68,108
Assels air depi'ecialed by an agreed proportion of the purchase price each year.
The antique furnitUTe was valued free ofcharge by Tennants of Leyburn in 2018. This valuation has been
mairttained as the basis of ihe written down value An the accounts.
The organ was revalued al £60,000 by Dr A.J. Henderson on 7 October 2019. A further valuation has not
been carried out since resloration work in 2023.
Additions in the year comprised a dishwasher and projection TV.

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3] AUGUST 2024
11. TRUSTEES FOR METHODIST CHURCH PURPOSES
This is an investment-recciving body within the Methodist Church. Funds held with them comprise:_
Totals
Restricted Unrestricted
Fllnd
Fund
2024
2023
a) Investments
Managcd Equity Fund unils
valuation at 1.9.23
increase/(deci'ease) in
valuation over the year
sale proceeds
118,752
118,752
131,264
15,124
15,124
(3,274)
(1 5,786)
valuation at 3J.8.24
133,876
133,876
118,752
b) Cash Deposits
Tiustees Interest Fund
58,613
25.469
84,082
84,082
192.489
25,469
217.958
202,834
12, DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
In addition to the sum shown, certain receipis from 6 April 2024 to 31 August 2024 will be subject to a
future gift aid Claim.
13. CENTRAL FINANCE BOARD CASH DEPOSITS
2024
2023
General Fund
12,280 27,314
12,280 27,314

ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOU]YTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
14. ANALYSIS OF RESTRICTED FUNDS
Restrieted
Fund
Restricted
Grants
Totals
2024
2023
Incomlng Cash Resources
Interest
Dividends
Sale of investments
Grants receiveAI
3,179
2,636
3,179
2,636
2,512
3.285
1 S,786
52,400
52,400
Total Incomlng Cash Resources
5,815
52,400
58,215 21,583
Casli Resources Use
Other expenses
Management Char8es
800
800
505
505
596
Total Cash Resources Used
505
800
1,305
596
Net Ineomlng Cash Resources
Ti'ansfers to General Fund
Increase/(Dccrease) in valualion of Anvcslmenls
5,310
(5,310)
15,124
51,600
56,910 20,987
(5,310) (40,201)
15,124 (12,512)
Net movement In funds
Funds brought fonvard
15,124
177,365
Sl,600
66,724 (31,726)
177,365 209,091
Funds carrled forward
192,489
51,600
244,089 177,365
The carried forward Fund value is represented by:"
2024
2023
Cash Deposits
Investments
58,613
133,876
51.600
110,213 58,613
133,876 118,752
192,489
51,600
244,089 177,365
Garden l'oom pi'ojecl
Grounds access project
40,000
11,600
51,600

Elm Ridge Methodist Church, Darlington
Regisiered Charily No; 1126826
Tel: 01325 282491 | Email: office@elinrldg¢iiieiliodisl.¢o.iik I www.¢linrid8¢nieihodist.or8.uk
Trustees Annual Report and Accounts - year ended 31 August 2024.
Accountaiits: King Hope Chartered Accountants, 3 I Victoria Road, Darlington,
Public Benefit..
Elm Ridge Methodist Church providcs a s¢ven day a w¢ek Christian ministry lo the West Darlington
neighbourhood. R¢gular ￿rviceS of worsliip are at ilie hcart of our tnission and supported by study
groups and pasloral care lo membcrs and adhcrents.
Th¢ preinises are used extensively for a wide range of activities for all ages and arc open to the whole
¢ommunity. The preinis¢s are also used by external organisalions such as Slimming World, Weight
Watcliers, the local PACT group, Ilie Nalional Cl)ildbirth Trusl, Sing Coinmunily Choir, Probug,
Yoga and cliair-based exercise groups, several art and embroidery groups, Parkinson8 UK, Darlington
Town Mission and a Lung Can¢er Support group. We welcome any orgarjisalion provided tliey do not
detract from tlie Christian eil)0$ of th¢ ¢l)urcli. Coffee Drop-ln sessions ar¢ open to the public and lielp
build relationships with our local Communily.
Working in p8rtn¢rship with Durham Wildlife Trust, we continu¢ lo d¢v¢lop ways in whicli th¢ more
hidden part8 of our church growids can be used for tlie benefit of natur¢ and th¢ local community,
Th¢ trust¢es believe they have had due regard io th¢ Charity Coinmission guidance on public benefit.
A¢tlvltle8:
Chrislian worship is our core activity. Our Sunday scrvices are held ￿NeCklY at 10:30am and wc liold
Parade Services for th¢ cliildren belonging to the unifornicd organisalions to be present on appropriate
Sundays of the ycar. Monthly durin8 spfbng and suinmer, wc host a Circuit Service at 6pm.we also shar¢
joint services with All SaiDls Parisli Church for ccuincnical cvents.
Weekly pre-recorded worship services produced in collaboration with the Darlin8ton and Teesdal¢
Mcthodist Circuit ar¢ al80 a part of our regular minislry. Our Pasloral Visitor network remains a rnucli-
appreciated source of practi¢al and spiritual friendsllip and support. Tlie weekly newsletter Continues to be
circulated widely.
A full range of uniforined groups- Rainbows, Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides, Scouts, Explorer Scouts
and Rangers - for childr¢n and young people a8¢d 5-24 Ineet regularly during th¢ week, and we encoura8¢
social events involvAll8 families. Mod of th¢ unifonned groups hav¢ a waiting list.
Tiddlyyinks, a ¢hurcli run group for parenislcarers and young Children, meets w¢ekly durin8 tenn time.
Care for the elderly and ihosc who live alone is an imporlant part of our ininistry. Elm Ridge Chur¢l]
supports rctiredlelderly pcople by providing several groups for fricndship, support and fellowship
which mcet w¢ekly. fortnightly or monthly. In addilion. lh￿e are study 8roups for all inembers of the
Cliurch.
Structures:
Elin Ridge Cliurch is part of Darlington and Tecsdalc Methodist Circuit, wliich includes niiie
Metliodist Churches locatcd bclween Darlington and Middleton-in-Teesdale, Elin Ridg¢ is governed
by a Church Council (n]embership lisid) m¢¢ting at l¢ast twice per ycar, plus an AGM at wliich all
116 (figure at Augus(2024) chur¢h m¢mb¢rs are eligible to attend, R¢pres¢ntatives of the ChuTcII
Council attend the Circuit Meeling which convenes at l¢ast three times a year.
Detailed work on Property and finance is delegaied to a Finan¢e Committee whicli reports to tlie
Church Council, Tlie l¢adership of th¢ Church is througli the St¢wards' m¢¢ting wliich reports directly
to the Churcli Council.

Trustee$ of the Regftstered Charfity beliveen Septeniber 2023 alld August 2024
Trustees of the Reglstered
Cbarlt
Position
Name
Date
Date
Date First
appointed l¢ft post Appointed
to post if in if in
to Cliurch
year.
year
Council
Acting Superintendent (Chair)
Rcv John Howard
11
Sept 2022
June 2022
Sepl 2020
Sept 2020
2016
May 2016
2022
2022
2023
Circuit Presbytcr
Circuit Presbyter
Cliur¢h Council Sccrctary
Church Steward
Churrli Stcward
Church Steward
Church Steward
Churcli Steward
Church Steward
Church Treasurer
Pastoral Committe¢ S¢cretary
Pastoral Coinmittee
Property Committee
Finance Committ¢¢
Safeguarding
Methodist Hoines
Mcthodist Women in Britain
Elected by Gcneral Church
Meetin8
Rcv Graham Cutl
Rev Brian Hutton
Sara iAyficld-Carroll
Tony Allen
Pclcr Gallop
Linda Gallop
Polly Vernon
Erin Robinson
Sheenah Adkins
Siephen Sul¢liffe
Andrea Robson
Mary Event¢
lan Souter
David Harris
Sally Sutcliffe
Josannc Hall
Margaret Wcarmoutli
June 2024
2023
2009
2023
June 2023
Jun¢ 2024
1999
2002
April 2018
2005
May 2021
Jo Cundick
John Wearmouth
Malcolm Cundick
Sara Layfield-carrol
Victori8 Pellin8
Joe Haves
Susan Jal¢¢l
Mary Haves
Deborah Andr¢w
2015
2015
2015
2016
2017
2021
2023
June 2024
2023
Other members of Chureb Councll wbo are Dot Trustees of tbe
Charlty
Prcsbyter
Circuit Representative
Church St¢ward
Elected by G¢neral Church
Meeting
Elected by General Church
M¢cting
Elected by Gencral Church
Mectin
R¢v Philip Clarke
Valerie Tootli
Julie Walson
2022
2020
May 2015
Angela Gibson
2018
Susann¢ Davison
2018
Alison Dinsdale
11912022
The composition of the Chur¢h Council ond m¢ihod of appointment is detemiined by Standing Orders
relatin8 to the Gov¢rnanc¢ of lh¢ Meihodist Church in Great Britain,
10

'IWll(Il',l))L'iliciilisi.oi'u. (IL.'Anvcli,ij91 i7{Ic(}1)1".2018-I
)a ie 5?.11. All ineinbers are
expected to be Inistees of tlie cliariiy unless Iliey sp¢¢ifically decliiie lo do so.
Th¢ iiiinister appointed to the clJur¢h who is cliair of irustees has been on long-terin medical leave and
the role of cliair has b¢¢n assum¢d by Rev John Howard, a¢lin8 $up¢riiitendenl ininister. This will
continue until September 2025 when a new minisier and ¢hair will lak¢ up tliis office.
Safeguarding Officers:
Sally Sutcliffc (registered as a Irustcc)
Performancelaehiei'ements over the last year:
We continued to Iiost weekly worship services on Sunday mornings and inontlily on an evening.
During Advcnt and Lcnl, groups Jnci for sludy> praycr and fcllowship. A ncwly fonned group of
Inusicians and singers addcd a musical flavour lo serviccs celebialiiig thc festivals. All of our Cliurch
scrvices arc open to any mcmber of thc public.
Meetings of Trustees and the variou$ ¢l)urch Inanagemenl cominiltees were held in person.
A full programine of activities ineans that ihe re¢ruilment and Iraining of new volunteers, including
their DBS clearance and safegu8rding Irainins is viial and on-going.
For our Harvest Festival, we supporl¢d anolh¢r ¢liurch in tl)e lown wilh donations of money and
800d$, Furih¢r donations w¢r¢ also made ihroughout lh¢ year. Events rais¢d funds for Meiliodi8t
Hom¢s and other local and national charilie& Th¢ Church ¢on¢inu¢d to support fair trade by using fair
trade produ¢ts wlierever possible.
Elin Ridge rec¢ived A Rocha bronze award for our eco and environrnenlal ¢nBa8em¢nt as th¢ fist 8l¢p
to re¢o8nising our obligalion8 to tlie creal¢d world in which we liY¢.
Men's Fellowship continued to ineei for our mcmbers and friends, PAS did Tiddlywinks (our toddler
group). Our regular Monday morning Coffee Drop-in was well allcnded by ineinbers of the local
Probu5 group. churcli family and p￿pIe from Ilie local coinmunily.
A group cstablished to develop Ihe ext￿s1ve grounds around the properly began working in
collaboration with Durhain Wildlif¢ Trusl lo develop ways in whicli Ihc more hidden paits of our
hurcli grounds could b¢ used for the benefit of nature and tlie local community.
A number of volunteers from the church and ¢oinmunity came togetlier each week to help maintain
the church buildingg hall and grounds.
A group established to look into the viability of developing a full-tiine caf¢ facility on tlie premises
Inet a nuinber of times throughout the year. Planning permission has been granl¢d and fundraising lias
ommen¢¢d with a view lo slarlin8 work in 2025126..
Alm8 and obJe¢tlves for tbe eomlng year:
To provid¢ varicd, relcvanl and inclusive worship.
To offer good qualiiy pasloral caTe to our inembcrs and friends.
To lead people to faiih in Chrisl aDd nurtuie and cncouragc Ihcin as disciples of Jcsus.
To explore different ways ofwoTshipping and encourage wider participation by tliosc wlio use our
preinises through an emphasis on the f¢stivals.
To continue to give activ¢ support to the wid¢r Methodist c1￿Ult, cspecially in lerins of offering
whole-hearted supporl lo working with thc otlier cliurclies lo dccpen OUT faiih and knowledge of
Cliristianity, taking an aclive inleresl in the mission of the DaTlington Metliodisl District alld the
wider Methodist Connexion.
To explore opportunili¢s for ¢¢um¢ni¢al r¢lalionships in the context of the Anglican/Methodist
Covenant and other inilialives, including supporling 'Chvrch¢s Together in Darlington,.
To support voluntary and charitabl¢ work around lh¢ UK and b¢yond,

To continue our progranjine lo identify and traiii new leaders for several groups, includin8 work¢rS
willi children and young people.
To seek appropriate ways lo include oiir local coinmunity in the life of Ili¢ Churcli and for Ilie
Church to build inutually b¢n¢ficial rel81ionships willi (lie people willi whom we coine into contact.
To look at options for ih¢ suslainabl¢ thture of Elin Ridge aiurch center¢d on a balanced budget
and inaximising il)¢ use of th¢ buildings and grounds.
Safeguarding Policy:
Elm Ridge adopts tlie standard Safeguarding Policy for Methodist cburcbes as recomincnded by tlie
Conn¢xional Methodist Cl)urch. The policy is display¢d in all buildings and copies provided for all
groups using our pr¢inis¢s. Poslers advising on safeguarding inaltcrs and giving liclpline details are
displayed on notice boards and lavaloTi¢S. Safcguarding training has been offered duriiig the ycar at
basic and advanced levels to ihose peopl¢ ihal havc ￿SpOnsibl11t1¢S involving cliildren's activities or
adults wlio inay b¢ vulnerable. Wliere required, individuals are a150 DBS check¢d at tlie int¢rval and
level advis¢d by Methodisl Church Safer Recruilment and Safeguarding Policy.
Rl8k Assessment, Property and Herdlth & Safely:
Our Property Coinmiltee regularly reviews Ihe risks ¢onn¢¢led io Iheir areas of work and report to the
Churcli Council approprial¢ly. No m8jor cosl iieins of mainlenance were r¢quired to tlie premises
during the year. The Risk register was updated ag8in during lh¢ year and sums of nioney allocated
from reserves to deal with possible future issues r¢laling to the roof, drainage and trees.
Documents regarding the financial risk of Trusl¢¢ship ar¢ made available to new Tru8t¢¢s wlien
appoint¢d.
Flnance Revlew for the 12 monlhs eDdlng JI August 2024:
T1ie Church accounts record an operaling cash dcficit of £24,440 for the year which was abl¢ to be funded
from reserv¢s. The valu¢ of invcslments also increascd by £15.124andrc51ricted grant fundsby £51,600.
Tlie Rescrves and Illveslment Policics were updal¢d and approved by Managing Trustee8.
The Cliurcli's investmenls (other ihan cash) are held with the Truslees for Methodist Cliurcli Purposes.
Signed..
Date..
12