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2020-08-31-accounts

Church Accruals Accounts 2019-2020

THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

(ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

(incorporating Central and Norton Methodist Churches)

Registered Charity - Registration number 1127225 ~~OT~~

Circuit No:
34/15
North Hertfordshire Circuit
~~ee~~		 Circuit No:
34/15
North Hertfordshire Circuit
~~ee~~		 Circuit No:
34/15
North Hertfordshire Circuit
~~ee~~		 Circuit No:
34/15
North Hertfordshire Circuit
~~ee~~		 Circuit No:
34/15
North Hertfordshire Circuit
~~ee~~
Minister: Reverend Malcolm Peacock
Church Stewards: Jonathan Battarbee
Vida Blankson
Roger Harrison
George Mather
Sarah Peacock
Vivien Storey
Valerie Mumford
Church Treasurer: John Sharman

Page 1

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020

Introduction

Structure, governance and management:

We are governed according to the "Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church". Within the Methodist Church we belong to the North Hertfordshire Circuit, which in turn is part of the Bedfordshire, Essex & Hertfordshire District.

Our governing body is the Church Council, which meets twice yearly usually in February and October. Trustees are generally appointed ex officio from leadership of various Church organisations, with provision for six others. There are committees to oversee Finance and Property, Outreach and Pastoral matters with social and other events organised by the Church Leadership Team.

Aims and objectives:

Our objectives are in line with those of the Methodist Church which are: -

Worship - The Church exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love. Learning & Caring - The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.

Service - The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice. Evangelism - The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ.

Review of the Year:

COVID-19 Context:

The Church’s 2019/20 year was split in half, pretty much exactly, by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the six months prior to the lockdown imposed in March 2020 the Church’s activities continued in a similar vein to previous years, however a total and hasty re-evaluation of how we worshipped and worked was necessitated by the country’s response to Coronavirus and the closing of places of worship.

We are fortunate to have a minister and several members of our congregation who are IT savvy, and thanks to their forethought we experimented with Zoom/live streamed services as cases of COVID19 began to increase. As such we were well placed to move to worship exclusively on-line when lockdown was implemented, and were able to put plans in place for those who had no access to the internet (CD recordings, service transcripts, and phone access to services). Our thanks should be recorded to all those who assisted in any way to make our buildings safe and provide support to vulnerable members of the community during these difficult times.

How have we grown as a Church?

2019/20 was the second year that Norton Methodist Church and Central Methodist Church Letchworth Garden City have been managed together as “one church on two sites”. Since October 2018 the two churches have been known as “The Methodist Church – Letchworth Garden City” and weekly notices sheets now give information about what is happening at both sites, with emphasis on the range of services available to worshipers each week. The impact of COVID-19 has actually been to lead to the further consolidation of the ties between the two congregations as we came together to worship via Zoom.

Whilst winter 2019/20 inevitably restricted the number and type of church family social events that could take place, the Stotfold Christian Choir visited in December 2019 and the church participated The Carol Service had the theme of homelessness, with readings about those involved in the Bristol Methodist Centre homelessness project, and contained contributions from the Church’s choir and band, as well as a drama. Our Christmas Eve Nativity service, and subsequent hospitality, was organised by members of our Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades and it was good to see a number of visitors at this service.

Page 2

Review of the year: (Continued.)

The move to Zoom services early in the pandemic meant that initially we attracted to our virtual services a number of visitors whose own churches had not yet found a solution to the restrictions on physical services. The ease with which people can join the virtual services from different locations also meant that people who have moved away from the area were able to “return” to worship with us. What have we done to encourage growth?

As part of our plan for growth we continue to employ a part time lay worker. Pre-COVID-19 they were involved in, and helped facilitate, a wide variety of events and activities e.g. a monthly Bread of Life lunch and Messy church at Norton; a Toddler group at Norton; and school assemblies at St Nicholas’ school. The long-established Toddler group at Central also continued thanks to its band of loyal volunteers.

COVID-19 has obviously had a huge impact on our normal activities - changing the way we worship by shutting our buildings; closing groups like Toddlers; and preventing social events like group lunches, however, partly through the use of technology and the dedication of many church members some normal activities continue and new ones have started. Our lay worker has still managed to carry out a wide variety of activities and events including provision of lunches (in various ways), and helping to run an outdoor messy church event over the summer.

As a church we offer different forms of worship – Pre-pandemic there was a conventional service at both sites each week, and less frequent special services e.g. we held café worship quarterly at both the 08:30 and 10:45 Central services and also held an afternoon creative “Worship on the Weekend” (WoW) service every 4-6 months. In addition, our Brigades had their own quarterly service on a Friday evening which attracted good numbers of parents and were also well supported by a loyal group from within the church family. Since moving to virtual services in March we have managed to maintain a weekly 10:45 service and have held monthly 08:30 breakfast services. One of our lay preachers has initiated a dispersed house group during the pandemic, with people looking at the same study material at the same time in their own homes.

Our young people were invited to attend the Methodist Church’s annual national youth 3Generate event and in November 2019 six children and three adults travelled to Southport for the event with a large group from North Hertfordshire Circuit. Whilst the event is deemed successful and growing in popularity within the Methodist Church, it was a new experience for most of those attending from Central and some challenges were experienced so learning for future years is required. Following 3Generate, a new group for the Circuit’s young people started in January 2020. The idea of the group was to provide a forum for young Methodists to come together on a Saturday evening, socialise, have fun, and learn more about God. Unfortunately, after three successful meetings, COVID-19 intervened and the organisers of the group have unfortunately subsequently moved on to other roles.

What have we done to show God’s love?

Back in December 2019 Church members provided supplies to, and helped with the running of, a popup café in the town centre in the run up to Christmas. This was well attended with increasing numbers each week it was open during Advent.

Various church members engage in midweek activities which benefit the community and our pastoral visitors provide much valued support to those who are now less able to engage in church activities through age or illness. In terms of pastoral care, whilst face to face opportunities are currently more limited, much work continues via phone and through the distribution of CDs, service transcripts, and weekly notice sheets. In addition, from the beginning of the Lockdown in March we have run 1 pm lunch time drop-in Zoom meetings every day which have provided the opportunity for a chat and a catch-up which was particularly welcomed by those living on their own.

Similarly, as the impact of the pandemic was felt and it was evident that normal social occasions were no longer going to be possible, we started a Wednesday evening social Zoom with planned events each week. These have been fun, frivolous, enjoyable, and educational, and have involved games, quizzes, travelogues, “how to”s, play readings, and music. When COVID-19 restrictions and the weather allowed, a garden fellowship group was created to allow people to meet and chat face to face.

Page 3

Review of the year: (Continued.)

Our toddler groups remained very popular pre-COVID-19, while our Brigades continue to provide for the spiritual development of our young people and are now meeting virtually. Our members regularly support the local food bank

How have we shared the story of our faith?

Members came together to play and sing carols in the Town Centre before Christmas 2019. Bags containing knitted figures, and information about Christmas services were distributed. About 200 bags were given out to members of the community.

What one (or more) of the five practices of fruitful congregations have we adopted?

The “Five principles of Fruitful Congregations”, as outlined by the American Methodist bishop Robert Schnase, are: Radical Hospitality; Passionate Worship; Intentional Faith Development; Risktaking Mission and Service; and Extravagant Generosity. The majority of the church’s activities fall within these categories; however, some specific examples include:

Radical Hospitality – Until COVID-19 the church continued its practice of monthly lunches after the morning services, with donations going to charities.

Risk taking Mission and Service – We conducted an early morning café service at a café in the town centre and intend to repeat the experiment from time to time once we are allowed to do so again. Extravagant Generosity - Despite the COVID-19 situation and our inability to celebrate our church anniversary in June in any normal way, the annual gift day collection was a great success with a record amount received.

Plans for 2020-21

Obviously plans for 2020-21 will be largely determined by the COVID-19 situation. Over the summer we held discussions on whether, and when, to reopen our church buildings. Working groups were set up to look at the feasibility of what we could do in each of our church buildings, and to prepare accordingly so we can achieve limited reopening in as safe a way as possible, always acknowledging that there will be some risk. As a result, Church buildings will be re-opening from September 2020. Our support group for retired people, including those with memory impairment, called “Norton Butterfly Club” will also be restarting in a COVID-19 compliant way. We have also been conscious that our offering to our young people has suffered during the pandemic, however our Junior Church will be restarting virtually from September 2020 on a fortnightly basis and our Brigades are

operating again on a Friday evening via Zoom thanks to a fantastic group of volunteers. We are looking at ways of restarting our Toddler groups. A forum for the Circuit’s young people to meet is needed now that all the individual churches cannot sustain their own youth groups.

Assuming that at some point we are able to return to more traditional ways of worshipping, the Stewards have suggested that the Church’s Worship Consultation Group conduct a survey of service requirements to see how we can best shape our service offering for the future, potentially building on the success of our virtual services.

Financial Review:

Total income £122.2K (2018-19 £154.2K) was impacted by COVID-19 curtailing our activities, including property lettings. No legacies were received during the year (2018-19 £7.2K). Expenditure £116,814 was contained by good housekeeping, restricting property maintenance and improvements (2018-19 £147.2K). This produced a surplus of £5,392 (2018-19 £14.2K). The readily available reserves carried forward amount to £358.3K (2018-19 £352.9K).

The Trustees have every reason to believe that the Church is a going concern as there are sufficient members and supporters contributing regularly to meet commitments and liabilities. The Church owns the freehold properties of Central Methodist Church and Norton Methodist Church. Other investments are held in cash deposits which are readily available reserves. There were no unrealised gains.

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Trustee’s Annual Report on Finance and Governance

Basis of preparation and legal framework

The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 have been prepared in accordance with SORP(FRS102) as updated, being the current version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice.

Full Name of Charity/Church: The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

formerly known as Central Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Registration Charity Number: 1127225

Date of original registration: 17 December 2008 Name change effective: 01 September 2018

Main communication address: Central Methodist Church, Pixmore Way,

The members of The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City Church Council are the Charity Trustees, who normally meet two times each year in February and October. Membership is made up of church office holders, Minister and representatives appointed by the church at the Annual Church Meeting.

Full list of Church Council members and key lay employees are shown on page 8 of this report.

Treasurer: John Sharman

Independent examiner: John G Chastney MA FCA

Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Aims and organisation

Our mission is to be a powerful spiritual influence in the community and a visible expression of God’s inclusive love. We aim to achieve this by encouraging worship, social, and outreach activities that currently exist, and seeking new ways to extend to others the fellowship of the Church family. We aim to be:

A Church that welcomes people.

A Church that believes in discipleship and mission.

A Church that does ecumenism.

A Church that rejoices in introducing people to Jesus Christ

A Church that does not mind which church you go to as long as you go.

Through these, we seek to develop the life of the Church in Letchworth Garden City.

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have

been since the Date of Union the advancement of:

a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;

b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;

c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;

d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church

Worshiping God through prayer, song and other worship activities. The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike.

The teaching and learning of the Christian faith through sermons, courses and small groups.

The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.

Taking religious assemblies in local schools.

Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.

Provision of chaplaincy services to local schools, care homes and other institutions as appropriate and when able.

Public Benefit

We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document for the Church is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976)

Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).

Day to day management of the church is undertaken by the Church Leadership team along with the Minister.

The Trustees are appointed at the Annual Church Meeting.

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Trustees' Responsibilities

For each financial year ending on 31 August the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Church's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year and to prepare an annual report for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees have:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and ensuring their proper application under charity law, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Church's web site. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements and trustees' reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP & KEY LAY WORKERS

MINISTER Reverend Malcolm Peacock Chair (ex officio) LAY WORKERS Hazel Beadle Appointed Appointed CHURCH STEWARDS Jonathan Battarbee 12/03/2011 George Mather 12/03/2011 Vida Blankson 13/05/2018 Valerie Mumford 05/02/2019 Roger Harrison 12/03/2011 Sarah Peacock 11/05/2014 Vivien Storey 12/03/2011

CHURCH SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATOR

Pat Lander

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL

Appointed Appointed
1. Graham Albone 05/11/2018 15. Anita Latter 12/03/2011
2. Gail Aldridge 05/11/2018 16. David Latter 07/07/2019
3. Katie Allwright 15/05/2016 17. John McKean 12/03/2011
4. Muriel Anderson 12/03/2011 18.Christopher Parker 12/03/2011
5. Elizabeth Battarbee 12/03/2011 19. David Rafferty 10/02/2015
6. Cheryl Bidnell 12/03/2011 20.Jennifer Rogers 15/05/2012
7. Steven Brown 12/03/2011 21.John Sharman 12/03/2011
8. Linda Cain 05/11/2018 22.Paul Sharman 12/03/2011
9. Rebecca Carter 03/02/2016 23.Dave White 12/02/2014
10. Christine Druce 12/03/2011 24.Helen White 12/03/2011
11. Neil Gibbens 17/01/2018 25.Sally Woodhouse 12/03/2011
12. Kenneth Gibbs 12/03/2011 26. Susan Woodhouse 12/03/2011
13. Malcolm Knowles 05/11/2018 27. Colin Yates 12/03/2011
14. Patricia Lander 12/03/2011

Trustee Training

A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the church and the role of Trustees is given to the Church Trustees at various meetings and/or training sessions.

Related Parties

The Church is part of the North Hertfordshire Circuit, which is part of the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. None of the trustees made a gift of land or substantial other asset to the Church during the year or seek to influence the Trustees.

Internal organisations linked to this church are:

1st Letchworth Garden City Boys' Brigade 2nd Letchworth Garden City Girls' Brigade Central Band Tea & Toddlers

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Risk Management

The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Trustees with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded.

Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.

Safeguarding

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:

The Methodist Church Letchworth Garden City commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.

The Methodist Church Letchworth Garden City commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained persons that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy for the Church is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to six months’ average expenditure. The Designated Property Fund should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on the church building to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full expenses including the assessment payable to the Circuit.

We have only one direct employee below NI/tax threshold and therefore no requirement to provide for redundancy.

Page 9

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City Registration Charity Number: 1127225

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2020

Notes to the
accounts		 Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
Funds		 Total
2019-20		 Total
2018-19
£ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 4 89,000 105,980
- Collections and Gift Aid 76,328 - 76,328 82,701
- Donations 12,672 - 12,672 16,079
- Legacies - - 7,200
Charitable activities 5 - - 4,730
- Fund raising - - -
- Other - - - 4,730
Other trading activities 6 - - 27,331 42,533
- Lettings 27,249 - 27,249 42,133
- Miscellaneous 82 - 82 400
Investments 7, 13 2,276 156 2,432 2,218
Other 8 - - 3,443 5,893
- Internal organisations 18 2,656 - 2,656 5,893
- Miscellaneous 787 - 787 -
Total 122,050 156 122,206 161,354
Expenditure on:
Salaries, NIC & Pension costs - - -
Circuit Assessment 79,220 - 79,220 78,473
Maintenance on Church building(s) and property 11 12,980 - 12,980 38,681
Telephone and Travel - - - -
Utilities (insurance, heat and light, water, etc) 11,645 - 11,645 12,000
Expenditure on other property - - - -
Depreciation 12 - - - -
Provisions - - - -
Internal organisations 18 3,548 - 3,548 6,410
Grants and Donations 19 6,007 - 6,007 6,854
Other expenditure 3,377 37 3,414 4,738
Total 116,777 37 116,814 147,156
Other recognised gains / (losses):
Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of fixed assets - -
Gains/(Losses) on investment assets -
Actuarial gains /(losses) on defined benefit pension
schemes		 - -
Net income/(expenditure) 5,273 119 5,392 14,198
Transfers between funds 18 1,088 1,088
-		 - -
Net movement in funds 6,361 969
-		 5,392 14,198
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 334,252 3,018,639 3,352,891 3,338,693
Total funds carried forward 340,613 3,017,670 3,358,283 3,352,891
Balance brought forward from last year
Offerings/Gifts - received for External Organisations
Offerings/Gifts - passed to External Organisations
Balance carried forward
Page 10
258 294
4,397 10,063
4,430 10,099
225 258

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Registered Charity No. 1127225

Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020

Tangible Fixed Assets
Notes*		 Tangible Fixed Assets
Notes*		 Unrestricted
£		 Designated
(Unrestricted)		 Restricted
£		 Totals this year
£		 Totals this year
£		 Totals last year
£
Land & Buildings 12 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000
Equipment
Investmentproperties
Investments
Total fixed assets 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000
Current Assets
Debtors and Prepayments 14 6,500 111 6,611 11,380
Cash at Bank and in hand 14 1,917 (701) 1,216 5,743
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes		 17,670 17,670 18,639
Central Finance Board 85,493 248,034 333,527 324,612
Other
Total current assets 93,910 247,444 17,670 359,024 360,374
Current Liabilities
Creditors and Accruals (due in
under 1 yr)		 15 741 741 7,483
Net current assets (liabilities) 93,910 246,703 17,670 358,283 352,891
Total assets less current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities 93,910 246,703 3,017,670 3,358,283 3,352,891
Loans and creditors due after 1year 17
Provisions for liabs. and charges 17
Net assets
Funds of the Church
18
93,910 246,703 3,017,670 3,358,283 3,352,891
93,910
246,703
Unrestricted funds 93,910 246,703 340,613 334,252
Restricted funds 18 3,017,670 3,017,670 3,018,639
Total Funds 93,910 246,703 3,017,670 3,358,283 3,352,891

*Details - see Note 12

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

Notes to the Accounts

1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with SORP(FRS102) as updated, being the current version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice.

2. Funds

The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the Church which are Unrestricted. Restricted funds which are held for a narrower purpose including those for internal organisations. There are no Endowment funds. Details of each material fund are disclosed in note 18. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash.

3. Accounting policies

Basis

h h b d h b i f hi i l h i h h i k l These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year, on the accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the Church's financial position and activities.

Income

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Church becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Church to pay out resources.

Grants

Grants made by the Church from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Church accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. When the grant is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.

VAT

Since the Church is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.

Tangible fixed assets for use by the Church

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,000. The freehold property is shown at estimated market value.

Investment Properties

Investment properties - no property is currently deemed to be held as an investment for the long term purposes of the charity.

Investments

Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the SOFA.

Debtors and Prepayments

Debtors include outstanding lettings invoices in August.

Creditors

Creditors include outstandings relating to utilities and repairs etc. in August.

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

4. Donations and legacies
Collections
Gift Aid
Donations
Legacies
Total
5. Charitable activities
Fund raising
Other
Total
6. Other trading activities
Lettings
Miscellaneous
Total
7. Investment income
Central Finance Board
Other
Total
8. Other
Internal Organisations
Miscellaneous
Total		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2020 Total
2019 Total
£
£
57,228
57,228
62,473
19,100
19,100
20,228
76,328
-
76,328
82,701
12,672
12,672
16,079
-
-
-
7,200
89,000
-
89,000
105,980
Unrestricted
Restricted
2020
Total
2019
Total
£
£
-
-
-
4,730
-
-
-
4,730
Unrestricted
Restricted
2020
Total
2019
Total
£
£
£
£
27,249
27,249
42,133
82
-
82
400
-
-
-
-
27,331
-
27,331
42,533
Unrestricted
Restricted
2020
Total
2019
Total
£
£
£
£
2,276
2,276
2,051
156
156
167
2,276
156
2,432
2,218
Unrestricted
Restricted
2020
Total
2019
Total
£
£
£
£
2,656
2,656
5,893
787
787
-
-
-
-
3,443
-
3,443
5,893

Page 13

9. Payment to Trustees

£
Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Nature of the expenses
Total amount paid
£
£
Staff Costs paid during the year were:
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
Employer’s National Insurance costs
Pension costs
Total staff costs
Average number of staff employed during the year were:
£
£
£
11. Paid employees (cost shown in the SoFA as part of Maintenance on Church buildings and property)
10. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
£
.
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Church by agreement with the
Church Council Meeting
£
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts
Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor
No expenses were paid to Trustees.		 This year This year Last year
Nil Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
3,269
Nil
Nil
3,269
0.186
Nil
Nil
Nil
Nil
3,177
Nil
Nil
3,177
0.186 0.186

Note: Maintenance on Church building(s) and property includes the remuneration of a part-time cleaner who is self-employed and is not paid enough to require NI contributions or tax deductions.

Page 14

12. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost or valuation

12. Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost or valuation
Church (non
investment)
land and
buildings
£		 Other non
investment land
and buildings
£
Investment
properties (land
and buildings)
£		 Other fixed
assets including
motor vehicles
£		 Fixtures, fittings
and equipment
£		 Payments on
account and
assets under
construction
£		 Total
£
Balance brought forward 01/09/2019 3,000,000 3,000,000
Additions -
Revaluations(+/-) -
Disposals(-) -
Transfers *(+/-) -
Balance carried forward 3,000,000 3,000,000

Accumulated depreciation

Accumulated depreciation
Balance brought forward 01/09/2019
Depreciation charge foryear(-)
Revaluations(+/-)
Disposals(-)
Transfers*(+/-)
Balance carried forward
Net book amount
Brought forward 3,000,000 - - - - 3,000,000
Carried forward 3,000,000 - - - - 3,000,000

Note : There is no depreciation provision on the church buildings as the impairment review at the end of the year judged the market value to be greater than book value.

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

13. Investments

The investments that support the various funds are held by TMCP in The Trustees' Interest Fund on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium and long term investments.

TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference.

Analysis of investment movements

Analysis of investment movements Analysis of investment movements Analysis of investment movements
This year
Prev year
£
£
Change in investment values
Value at beginning of year 18,639 15,850
Add:additions 7,200
Less:withdrawals -1,088 -4,546
Add:Interest less administration 119 135
Value at end of year 17,670 18,639

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

14. Analysis of current assets

Debtors and prepayments
Other debtors (Property lettings)
Total debtors and prepayments
Pre paid assessments
Accrued income (HMRC Gift Aid accrued)		 This year
£
6,500
111
6,611		 Last year
£
6,500 10,618
111 1,215
6,611 11,833

100% [2018-19: 100%] by value of the debtors brought forward at the beginning of the year have been recovered during the year. There have been no write-offs in the year

Analysis of cash at bank

Bank balance held in HSBC Letchworth Garden City branch
Bank balance held by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Cash held by Central Finance Board of The Methodist Church		 1,216 6,969
17,670 15,850
333,527 305,137

15. Analysis of current liabilities and long term creditors

Trade Creditors

Other Creditors (inc. Utilities, property repairs and funds due to third parties

Total Current Liabilities
741 3,672
741 3,672

100% [2018-19: 100%] by value of the creditors brought forward at the beginning of the year have been paid during the year.

16. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

At the 31 st August 2020 the Church had no capital commitments.

No Contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2020.

Page 17

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

17. Loans and creditors due after one year

Loans

Loans
Source Amount brought
forward
£

New
borrowings
£
Loan interest
£
Repayable in
the year £		 Balance at
year end
£
Nil
Nil
Repayment due Totals
Due within 12 months
Due after more than 12 months
Total Nil

Purpose of loans

None

Creditors due after one year

Name of creditor Amount on
31-Aug-2020
Amount on
31-Aug-2021
Nil
Total Nil Nil

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The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

18. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements 2019-20

Unrestricted Funds
Internal Organisations Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
Brigades Camp Fund 1,057 375 325 1,107
Brigades General Fund 2,247 1,223 1,606 1,864
Child Sponsorship Fund 1,321 633 1,175 779
Flower Fund 918 50 968
Tea & Toddlers 408 375 442 341
Sub totals 5,951 2,656 3,548 5,059
Other Funds Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
General Fund 75,540 78,402 66,785 87,157
Norton Methodist Ch. 13,504 11,489 9,151 -4,000 11,842
Norton Comm. Centre 9,810 11,170 18,901 4,000 6,079
Organ Fund 20,090 20,090
Property Fund 209,357 18,333 18,392 1,088 210,386
Sub totals
Total Unrestricted Funds		 328,301 119,394 113,229 1,088 335,554
334,252 122,050 116,777 1,088 340,613
Restricted Funds
Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
TMCP - Various Bequests 18,639 156 37 -1,088 17,670
Methodist Model Trust
Property		 3,000,000 3,000,000
Total Restricted Funds
3,018,639 156 37 -1,088 3,017,670

Note: £1,088 was transferred from Bequests held by TMCP to fund a new laptop computer & cabinet

£37 expenditure represents TMCP administration charge

Endowment Funds

Endowment Funds
Restricted Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
None
Totals Nil Nil

Page 19

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

18. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements previous year 2018-19

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Funds
Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
Brigades Camp Fund 1,005 1,330 1,278 1,057
Brigades General Fund 1,900 2,578 2,231 2,247
Child Sponsorship Fund 1,668 1,003 1,350 1,321
Flower Fund 1,053 40 175 918
General Fund 70,171 73,926 67,557 -1,000 75,540
Monday Drop In 520 164 684 0
Norton Methodist Ch. 12,587 14,115 9,198 -4,000 13,504
Norton Comm. Centre 6,941 18,515 19,646 4,000 9,810
Organ Fund 19,090 1,000 20,090
Property Fund 207,585 41,538 44,313 4,547 209,357
Tea & Toddlers 322 778 692 408
Totals 322,842 153,987 147,124 4,547 0 334,252

Note: £1,000 was transferred from General Fund to the Organ Fund to provide for future work

Restricted Funds

Restricted Funds
Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
TMCP - Various Bequests 15,851 7,367 32 -4,547 18,639
0
Totals 15,851 7,367 32 -4,547 0 18,639

Note: £4,547 was transferred from Bequests held by TMCP to fund capital projects £32 expenditure represents TMCP administration charge

Endowment Funds

Endowment Funds
Restricted Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing Balance
None
Totals Nil 0 0 0 0 Nil

Page 20

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

19. Related party transactions

This year

This year
Name of related
party		 **Relationship ** Description of
transaction
Income from
related party
during the
year		 Payments to
related
party during
the year		 Loans to /
(from)
related
party
during the
year		 Amounts
owed by /
(to) related
party as on
31-Aug-
2020
£ £ £ £
Methodist Church
Fund		 Connexional Donation Nil 410 Nil Nil
Mission in Britain
Fund		 Connexional Donation Nil 410 Nil Nil
Fund for Support of
Presbyters &
Deacons		 Connexional Donation Nil 550 Nil Nil
Fund for Property Connexional Donation Nil 510 Nil Nil
World Mission Fund Connexional Donation Nil 593 Nil Nil
All We Can Connexional Donation Nil 1,783 Nil Nil
Methodist Homes Connexional Donation Nil 250 Nil Nil
Total 0 4,506 0 0
Donations to unrelated parties:
Total grants and donations:		 1,501
6,007

Donations to unrelated parties: Total grants and donations:

Last year

Last year
Name of related
party		 **Relationship ** Description of
transaction
Income from
related party
during the
year		 Payments to
related
party during
the year		 Loans to /
(from)
related
party
during the
year		 Amounts
owed by /
(to) related
party as on
31-Aug-
2019
£ £ £ £
JMA Connexional Donation Nil Nil Nil Nil
Methodist Church
Fund		 Connexional Donation Nil Nil Nil Nil
Mission in Britain
Fund		 Connexional Donation Nil 800 Nil Nil
Fund for Support of
Presbyters &
Deacons		 Connexional Donation Nil 580 Nil Nil
Fund for Property Connexional Donation Nil 400 Nil Nil
World Mission Fund Connexional Donation Nil 847 Nil 12
All We Can Connexional Donation Nil 2,165 Nil Nil
Methodist Homes Connexional Donation Nil 262 Nil Nil
Total 0 5,054 0 12
Donations to unrelated parties:
Total grants and donations:		 1,800
6,854

Page 21

The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City

DECLARATIONS

Treasurer

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council.

Signature of Treasurer Original signed: J Sharman Date 14-Oct-20 Name John W Sharman Address Letchworth Garden City Hertfordshire Presentation to the Church Council Meeting for approval. I confirm that the Accounts were, or will be, presented to the Church Council Meeting on 14-Oct-20 and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the Original signed: M Peacock meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Reverend Malcolm Peacock Date: 14th October 2020

Page 22

Independent Examiner's Report

Report to the Trustees of The Methodist Church - Letchworth Garden City On accounts for the year 31 August 2020 Charity No. 1127225 ended Set out on pages 10 - 21 inclusive I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31st August 2019 Responsibilities and basis As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act") I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member Statement of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: ► the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or ► the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or ► the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name:
Signed:
Relevent professional
qualification(s) or body		 Original signed: J Chastney 17/01/2021
J G Chastney
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Page 23