ELM RIDGE METHODJST CHURCH STATEMENf OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 CONTENTS:_ Page l....................................... Ind¢pmdent Examiner's Report Page 2....................................... Receipts and Payments Account Page3. . Statement of A￿ts and Liabilities Pages4- 8................................ Notes to th¢ Accoun18 Pages 9- 12.............................. Trustees Annual Report Charity Registration Number: J126826 ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH Independent Examiner's report to the Truslces of Elm Ridge illethodlsl Chureh I report to Ihe Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Elm Ridge Melhodisi Church (the Church) for the year ended 31 August 2025. which are set oul on pages 2 10 8. Responsibililies and basis ofreporl As the Church's Trnstees, you are responsible for the preparation of ihe accounts in ac¢ordan¢e with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('Ihe A¢l'). I report in respect ofmy examination ofthe Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all ihe applicable directions given by the Charily Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independenl araminei. s slalement I l)ave coinpleted iny examination. I confim) that no material niattershai'e come lo my attention in conneclioij with the exainiiiation giving me cause to beli¢v¢ that li) any JnaleTial re5pe¢l.' (i) accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Acl. or (2) the accounts do not accord with these records. I have no con¢ems and have come across no other matters in eonneclion with the examination to which all¢nlion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of Ihe accounts lo be rea¢h¢d. Sigiied: Nanie: Stephen Gardner Relevantpi'ofessional qiialificalion or membei'ship of Pi'ofessional body (i[any).' Institute of Chartered Accouiitanls in England and Wal¢s Fiytti.. King Hope Address: 31 Victoria Road Darlington DLI 5SB Dale.. Jg M tif (25,480) 33,744 TOTAL CASH FUNDS BROUCIIT FORWARD 27.099 110.213 25,469 162,781 129.037 TOTAL CASH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 46.116 77,716 13.469 137,301 162,7BI ELNI RIDGE IIIETHODIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 Unrestrictd Restricted Fund5 Funds 2025 2024 Noles CHURCH CASH FUNDS Tru51ees for Methodist Church Purp)ses I Ib 13.469 Cenlral Finance Board 13 73.907 Bank Accounls (27,791) Cash in Hand 37.716 51.185 73.907 12,209 84,082 12,280 66,419 40,(X)O TOTAL CHURCH CASH FUNDS 59,585 77,716 137,301 162,781 OTHER ASSETS Furniture and Equipment Investments Debtors and prepayments 10 59.875 59.875 111.427 111,427 16,209 65,401 133,876 16,299 12 16.209 76,084 111,427 187,511 215,576 LIABILITIES Creditors and accruals 20.566 20,566 17,632 Approved by the Church Council and signed on its behalf by:_ Steph¢ft Sulcliffe Revd. David Hinc liffe Dated: "IS Mtllicw 2026 The notes on pages 4 to 8 fonn part of these accounts. ELIII RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 OFFERINGS Services Stsnding OrdetEIGift Aid Tax Rcfunds Other 4.737 39,019 12.592 4.493 4,170 40.830 19,736 4,011 60,841 68,747 Tax refimds under gift aid for both 2022f23 and 2023124 were received in the year ended 31 August 2024. Offerings from Se￿1¢cS have been included within giftaid offaings in the bwks ofprime record in ihe year ended 31 Augu￿ 2025. SUIYDRY INCOME Church Flat Tiddlywinks 480 2.454 480 2,934 480 GRANT INCOME Benefa¢t TNSI Willan T￿￿t Other 40,000 12,400 52.400 Tlie Benefaci Trnst income is designated for the garden room project. It is expected ihat this project will be cancelled. and the fund returned. The Willan T￿$t income is d¢signated for thcgtounds a¢ce&8 projcct. The granl hasbeen fully ulilised in the year lo 31 August 2025. CIRCUIT ASsESsME￿r 57,236 57,236 Tlie Circuit assessment due May 2023 of£14.309 wa5 not paid. 11 has not y¢t been finalised whether payment will be required. It is CU￿tlY includcd iti Creditor& ELM RtDGE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 SALARIES S￿retary Others Payroll odmin cha￿e 4.498 7.780 42 7,247 9,687 69 12,320 17,003 The average number of persons anplOY￿ was 2 (2024 - 2). Payments are now m8d¢ to Darlingtr)n and Teesdale MethodistCir¢uii eV￿yqUarter for shared serYicc5. The final payment in the year to 31 August 2025 01£3.723 is curntly included withiTh creditors. DONATIONS MADE Connexional Others 2,969 1,413 2,969 1.413 PREMISES COSTS Insurance Proceeds Maintenance Eleciric, Gas and Water Insuratice Hall healing and floor repair {i(x)) 14.506 22,281 6,762 (8,406) 6.128 14.097 6,577 16.954 43,449 35,350 ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES Office expenses Telephone Bank Charges Independent examiners fees 2.842 583 120 2,250 2.991 94l 135 2.130 5.795 6,197 ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE Accouwfs (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3] AUGUST 2025 2025 2024 OTHER EXPENSES Events expcnditure Chair based exercises- nel payments Special Pn)jects'. OrgaTh repair Garden room Grounds access Flat refui'bishmenl Housekeeping and hygiene Books & Miscellaneous 159 1.080 1.569 5,892 7,292 800 2,850 11,815 15,676 L.862 809 1,802 1,373 34.251 18,728 io. FURNITURE & EQUIPMEIYT Anliqme Furniture Furniture & Equipment Total 2023 Total 2024 Orga Written-down value brought fonvard 1.9.24 Additions for the year Written down value of diswsals 45.0(K) 14J50 6.051 65,401 68.108 2,562 45.000 14,350 (3.000) (1231 6,051 65.401 70,670 {1,295) (5,526) (5,269) Deprccialion for the y¢ar Written-down vAlue caTried forward 31.8.25 42.000 13.119 4.756 59.875 65,401 Assets are deprccialed by an agreed proportion of the purchase price each year. The antique furnittjre was valued free ofcharge by TeDnants of Leyburn in 2018. This valufition has been maintained a5 thc basis ofthe written down value in ihe a¢count& The organ was revalued at £60,000 by Dr A.J. Hendet30n on 7 October 2019. A furiher valuation h88 not been cftrria oul sincc reslordtion Work in 2023. Additions in the prior year comprised a dishwa5ber and PToje¢lion TV. ELM R￿GE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 I I. TRUSTEES FOR METHODisf CHURCH PURPOSES This is an investmeni-receiving body witbin th¢ Mcihodist Cknrch. Funds held with them comprise'.- Tolals Restriel¢d Unrestricled Fund Fund 2025 2024 a) Investments Managed Equity Fund unil$ valuation 81 1.9.24 inrrcase/(dccrease) in valuation oveT th¢ year sale proceeds 133,876 133,876 118,752 3,654 (26.103) 3,654 (26.I03) 15.124 valuation 4t 31.8.25 111.427 111,427 133,876 b) Cash Deposits Trustees Inlerest Fund 37.716 13.469 51,185 84,082 149,143 13,469 162,612 217,958 12. DEBTORS AND PREPAYbqENTS In addition to the sum shown, certain reccipts from 6 April 2025 10 31 August 2025 will be subject to a future gift aid claim. 13, CENTRAL FINANCE BOARD CASH DEPOSITS 2025 2024 Oeneral Fund 73,907 12,280 73.907 12,280 ELM RIDGE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3] AUGUST 2025 14. ANALYSIS OF RESTiucfED FUNDS Restriet¢d Fund Restrieted Grants Tolals 2025 2024 Ineomlng CYd5h ReSou￿e5 In¢ei-cst Dividends Sale of investtnents Grants reccived 2.829 1,974 26.103 2,829 1.974 26,103 3,179 2,636 52,400 TotAI Ineomliig Cash Resour¢ 30.906 30,906 58,215 Cash Resources Use Other expenses Management Charges 11.815 11.815 626 800 505 626 Total Cash Resources Used 626 11,815 12,441 1,305 Net Incoming Cash Res(tyurees Transfers to General Fund In¢rease/(D¢crease) in inveslments 30,280 {51.177) (22,449) (11,815) 215 18.465 56,910 (50.962) [5,310) (22,449) 15,124 Net movement In funds Funds brought forward (43.346) 192,489 (11,600) 51.600 (54,946) 66,724 244.089 177.365 Funds Carried fonvard 149,143 40,000 189.143 244.089 The ¢arried forw8rd Fund value is represent￿ by:" 2025 2024 Cash Dep)sils Invesim¢nts 37,716 111,427 40,000 77.716 110,213 111.427 133.876 149,143 40.000 189,143 244,089 Garden rooni project (repa￿)ent eXP￿ted) Grounds access projecl (fully utilised) 40,000 40,000 Elm Ridge Methodist Church, Darlington Registered Charity No= 1126826 Tel.. 074713235831 Email= Dfficc@.elipiridgwpIeihodist.t￿_Iik I wwryY.eimridgemediodi*.org.uk Trustees Anttual Re￿rt and Accounts- y¢ar end¢d 31 August 2025. Accountants: King Hop¢, 31 Victoria Road, DarlingioTh. Publlc Benefit.. Elin Ridge Mcih(Mlist Church provides a seven day a week Chrislian ininistry to tl)¢ West Darli118ton neighbourliood. Regular services of worship are at (h¢ heart of our mission and supported by study groups and pastoral care to mfflnbers and adherent Tlie premises 8T¢ used exiensively for a wide ran8¢ of activitics for all agcs and 8re open lo Ihe whol¢ COEnrnunily. Tlic prcmises are also used by external organisalions such as Slimming World, W¢iglil Watchers. di¢ local PA￿r group, Ihe National Childbirth Trust. Sing Comniunity Choir. Probus, Yoga and cliair-based exercise groups, sev¢r81 art and embroidery Eroups, Parkinsons UK, Darlingtoi) Town Mission and a Lung CanccT Support group. W¢ welcomc any organisaiion provided they do llol detract from the Christian etlios of th¢ ¢hurch. Coffee Drop-ln 8essAOnS aTe oprn ID thc publie and lielp build relationships with our I￿al community. Tlie rcccnt parlncrsliip with Durham Wildlif¢ TTUSI supported by Ihe Willon Trust 1989 has successfully opened acttss to the hithctlo inacce&8iblc wild area with en888ement by a nuniber of comznunity groups to learn and engage in th¢ area. The Irustees believ¢ they have had du¢ regard lo the Cliarity CoMmi￿10n guidance on public b¢D¢fil. Aftlv5tle$: Christian worship is our core aotivity. Our Sunday servi¢¢s are held wcck]y at 10:30am and we liold Parade Services for thc children bcloDging to thc uniforn)ed organisations lo be presenl appropriate Sundays of the year. Monihly during spring and wmmer. we ho5taCircuit Service at 6pm. We algo sha joint servic¢s wiib All Soints Parish Church foT ecumen1￿7 events. Weekly prethrecoTd¢d worship servi¢¢s prodwed in collabornlion wiib the DarlingtOD aT)d Teesdale Methodist Circuit are also a part of our rcgular ministry. Our Pastoral Visitor ne¢work rthllains a much- apprccialed SOUTCC ofpraclicol and SPiTitual fri￿dS1)Ipattd suppyt The weekly n¢wslettcrconlinuesto be circulated widely. A ￿11 range of uniformed groups- Rainbows. Beaver4 Brownies,Cub8. Guides. Scouts, ExplO￿r Scouts and R8n8ers- for children and young pcople aged 5-24 meet rcBularlydurin8the week and we enwuragc social ¢v¢nts involving faiDilies. Mosl of th¢ unifornied groups have a waiting list. Tiddlywiak4 a thurch run group for porn)ISI￿rers and young childr￿, Inccls weckly durin8 temi time. Car¢ for the elderly 8nd those who live alon¢ is an important part of (Trur ministry. Elin Ridge Chvr¢b supporls retiredlclderly pcople by providing several groups for friendship. support and fcllowsliip whicl) Ineet weekly, fortnigbily or monthly. In addition. there arc study 8roups for all members of the Cliurch. Structures.. Elin Ridge Chur¢h is parl of Darlington and Teesdalc Meihodist Circuit, which includes nine Meihodisl Churchcs located betw¢¢n D8Tlitiglon aod Middleton-in-Teesdalc. Elin Ridge is governed by a Church Coullcil (memb¢r5]iip listcd) meeting at least twicep¢r y¢ar. plu8 an AGM ai which all 105 {figurc al August 2025) church m¢mbers ar¢ eligiblc (o atiend. Repre5eThtativ¢s of ihe Churcli Council attend Ilie Circuit Meeting which ronvenes at least thr¢¢ tirn¢s a Y￿r. Detailed work on properly and finance is dcl¢gated to a Finance Committ¢¢ wl)ich reporfs to the Cliurch Couii¢il. The leadership of the Cburch is ¢IKougli th¢ Sithvards, meeting whi¢li reporls directly lo Ilie Church Council. Trustees of the Registered Cbarity behTr'een September 2024 ¥nd ANgvst 2025 Trustees of tbe Reglstered Charlt Position Name Dale Dal¢ Icft Dale Firsl appointcd posl ilin Appoini¢d to post if ITh ycar to Churcli Council 2022 2020 2023 2016 2016 2022 2022 2023 2009 2023 2024 1999 2002 2018 21M)5 Artin8 Superinlendenl (Chair) Circuit Presbyl CiTCUit Presbyier Church Council Secrdary Cliurch Steward Cliurch SIcw8rd ChuKh SiewaTd Church Steward Church Treasurer Pastoral Committee Secretary Pastoral Committe¢ Property Committee Finance Committee Safeguarding M¢thodisL Home5 R¢v John Howard Rev Grabam Cutler R¢v GaviD Hum¢ Sara t*yfield£arroll Tony Allcn Peter Gallop Linda Gallop Sheenah Adkills Stephen Sulcliffe Andre8 Robson Mary Everitt Ion Souler David H8rris Sally Sutelbffe Josann¢ Hall Decei)]ber 2024 2021 M¢tliodist Women in Briiain Elected by G¢ner#l Cburch Meeling Margaret Wannouth Jo Cundick John Wearmouth Malwlm Cund&ck Sara Layfield-Carn)I Victoria Pelling Joe Haves Susan Jaleel Mary Haves Deborah Andr¢w 2015 2015 2015 2016 2017 2021 2023 2024 2023 Other members of Church Coullcll who are not Trustees of the Ch8rliy Pre5bytei Circuit Representativ¢ Chur¢h StewaTd Eleeied by Gencral Church Meeting Ele¢ted by G¢ncral Churcli Meeting Elected by Gcn¢ral ChuTch Meeting 2022 2020 2015 Rev Philip Clarkc Valuie Tooih Julic Watso 2018 Ang¢la Gib50n 2018 Su5annc Davison Alison Dinsd8le 2022 io The cotijposiiion of ihe ChuTch Council and method of appointnKnt is detcnnined by Standing Ord¢i's relating lo the Governance of thc Mclhodisr Church in Great Britain. hti ..Ilwww.m¢thodist.or .uklmedia191571conf-2018-C d-vol-2. df 20. All meinbers are expected to be (rusiees of the charity unl&ss they specifiully decline lo do so. The minisier appoiiil¢d to the church who is chaTW of tnjslecs ha5 been on long-l¢rn] medi¢81 leave and die rol¢ of chair has been assumed by Rev John Howard, a¢(ing supctin1endenl inini51er. This ivill continue uiitil Sepieniber 2025 ivhen a ncw minister and chair will toke up ihis O￿l¢C. Safeguarding Offiiers: Sally Sutcliffe (registered as a iThstee) Performall¢ela¢hi¢vemellts ov¢r the IAst year: We continued to host w¢¢kly worship services on Sunday mornings 8tid ]nonihly on an cvcning. Thiring Advent and Lent. groups met for sludyp praycr and fellowship. A newly fornied ￿ollp of lliusiGians and sing¢rs added a n)usical flavour to S￿VICeS celebrating thc f¢stivals. All of our Cliurch servic¢s are open to any menibcT of the public. Meetings of TTh$tees and Ihc vJrious chuTch managem¢nt comm*iees were all held according to Ihc nslilution of the chuTCh. A full programme of activities mcan5 that the recruitment and Iraining of new volunteeTS, including Iheir DBS clearance and saf¢guarding Iraining is vitsl and on-goillg. For our Harvest Festival, we supported the Mcthodist aid charity All We Can. Further doDations were also made tlirouBhout the ycar including events raising funds for Mdhodist Homc5, Afjtion for Children and other local alld national charities. Thc church continued to support fair trade by using fair Iradc PToducts wh¢r¢ver possible. Elni Ridge received the A Rocha broiize award for our eco and e4vironmenlal engageineni as Ihe fir51 st¢p to T¢￿Snis1￿g our obligalions to lh¢ created world ID which we IivG Men'5 Fellowship continued to med for our members and fricnds, as did Tiddlywinks (our loddler group). Our regular Monday morning Coffee Drop-in was well 8iiended by member5 of the local Probus group, church family and people from tb¢ local wmmuThity. Thc project to establish access lo the lower part of Ihc grounds coinpleted. in partnctsliip with th¢ Durliam Wildlifc Trusl wilh financiol support by the Willall Trnsl 1989. This ha5 fTated saf¢ access to Ilie lower part of Ilie grounds and we have ¢ni¢rtained a range of visilors to explor¢ the wildlif¢ tbere, and learn of Ihe cnvironment ond th¢ Creation. A number of volunleers from the church and cojnmunity togetheT each week to help maintaill the church buildivJ8. hall and grounds. We continued to develop plans for an extension ￿ lh¢ building and a po&siblc caf¢ project with a view to ￿￿kIng a firm decision during 2026. Aims ond obJectlve$ for tbe coming }tAr: To provid¢ Varied. relevaDt and inclusive worship. To otyer good quality pasloral care lo our mcmb¢rs and fricnd5. To lead peopl¢ to faiili in Christ and nurture and encourage them as diseiples of Jesus. To explore different ways of worshippinB and uicoura8e wider participation by those wl)o use our premis¢s ilirough an emphasis on Ibe f¢slivals. To eonlinue lo giyc activc support to ihe wider Meihodist Circuit, especially in teTms of offcriD8 whole-licarted lupport lo working with Ihc other churches to deepcn our faith and knowledge of Christianity. taking an a¢iivc interest in the mission of the Darlington Mtttbodist District and the wid¢r M¢thodist Connexion. To explor¢ opportunities for ccumenical r¢lationships in the eoniext of Ilie Angli¢0nlMetbodist Covenant and othcr initiatives. including supporlin8.Churchc5 TogdhcT iti Darlin810n'. To 8IIPPOTI voluntary and cbaritable ivork aD)vnd th¢ UK and E¢yond. To eontiiiue our programn)e to idenlify and train new leaders for s¢veral 8roups, including worktts with children and young people. To seek appropriatc ways io includ¢our local cominunily In ihclifeof thechurch and forthe CIIuTch to build mutually beneficial relationsbips wilh ihe people with whom ive come into contact. To look 31 options for the sustainable fu¢ur¢ of Elm Rid8¢ Cbuwb c¢ntered on a bal8nccd bud8rt and m8xiinising the use of Ibe building5 and ground& Safeg￿4￿dIng Foliey: Elin Ridg¢ adopts the slandaTd S8feguarding Policy for M¢thodi51 churches as recomiy)ended by tlic COn￿￿10naI Methodisi Church. The poli¢y is display￿ in all buildings and copies provided for all groups using our p￿Mises. Posters 8dvising on safeguarding mattcrs and giving h¢lplin¢ dcl8ils a displayed on notice boards and lavaiories. Safeguarding training has be¢n off¢red during the y¢ar at basic and advaDcd lev¢ls to ihose p¢ople that bave responsibilities involving ¢hildr¢n's activities or adults who may be vulnerable. Wh¢re rcquired. individuals are also DBS Ch￿k￿ at ihe interval and level advised by Meth¢xiisi Chur¢h Safer Recruitthent and Safegu8rding Policy. Therc have been no incideDt5 through the yeaT requiring 8ny formal invcsti8ation. Risk Assessment, Property and Health & Swfety.. Our Property Committee regularly reviews the risks CODnected to their areas of WOTk and report to t)ie Church Council appTOPTiately. No major cost items of maint¢n8ncc were required to the premis¢s duiing thc year. The Risk r¢gister was updated again during lh¢ year and suins of moncy allocated froni reserv¢s to deal with possible futyre issues rtlating to the roDf. drainag¢ ond trees. Do¢utnents regarding the fjnancial risk of Trusteeship ai¢ madc Jyailable to new Trusl¢es when appoinied. FIDanee Revlev for the 12 montb5 epdlllg 31 Au8115t 2025: Tlic Church a￿oun1S record an operating cash defi¢it of £56.870 yearwhich wasable lobe fimded fro]n reservcs The Reserrt8 and Inveslment Polieies werc updaia and opprovd by Mgnaging Tru51ces. The Church's iDvestments (oiher than ¢ash) arc held with the Twslees for Methodi51 Church Purpo8e5. Signed:..... Dal¢-.....- 12