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2021-08-31-accounts

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STRATFORD METHODIST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020/2021 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER— 1127618

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FOR THE YEAR ENDING 318™, AUGUST 2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

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Mission Statement		 1
2. Stewards Report 2
3. Property Report , 3
4. Sunday School Report 3
5. Wesley House 4
6. CommunityCentre 5-6
7. Chairperson Report 7-8
8. Annual Financial Review 9
9. Reserve Policy 9-10
10. Reference and Administrative information 11
11. Responsibilities ofTrustees 12
12. Independent Examiners Report 13
13.Summary Summary ofAnnual Accounts 14-15
14. Notestoaccounts 16-18

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STRATFORD METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

Introduction

Stratford Methodist church is part of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, situated within the Newham Circuit of churches. The Church registered, as a Charity on 20" January 2009. The Charity constituted according to Standing Order 610 of the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist church.

The managing trustees form the Church Council, which meets quarterly. The following Committees meets and report to Church Council: - Community Centre, Welfare, Stewards, Pastoral, Finance and Property, Worship and Youth and Adult committees.

This is the twelve year of our registration as a charity.

Mission Statement of Stratford Methodist Church

The mission statement of the Methodist Church as a whole is sum up in the document ‘Our Calling’. “The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission”.

Worship is about-

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Mission consists of:

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Specific aspects of mission at Stratford Methodist Church:

Review of progress and achievements

STEWARDS REPORT

We spent nearly the whole of the financial year under Government covid -19 restrictions. The result of this situation made our Church to be locked down until the resumption of Church services in June 2021.

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PROPERTY REPORT

The property team has carried out wide range of work to all areas of community centre, church and our hostel (Wesley House) This also included work for us to be Covid - 19 secure

Future Plans

Repair and repaint the main hall.

Updating boilers with more environment friendly ones.

Repair or replacement of leaded windows or fit secondary glazing in the main church area.

Replacement of carpet and look into replacing or repairing pews in the church.

Overhauling and updating music system in the church.

Eric Walker - Property Committee

SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT

At Stratford Methodist church, we have 3 dedicated and hardworking Sunday school teachers who run variety of activities every Sundays to help our children learn more about God/Jesus and about being a Christian in a fun and exciting way.

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We use a variety of resources - Roots (Methodist Church resources), Sermon 4 kids and a selection activities from the approved Christian internet websites.

All Sunday school teachers attend regular training courses to keep up to date with all the latest teaching techniques.

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Our Sunday school session, take place during our church service (11.00 - 12.30pm). The children leave the main church service at about 11.20am and return towards the end service to share what they have learnt during the Sunday school sessions.

The age range is from 3 — 16 years old, where the children either work in groups or work all together on an all - age activities.

WESLEY HOUSE REPORT

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Stratford Methodist has leased Wesley House Hostel, which has 14 rooms to Just Homes for five years, Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes TMCP was involved in the arrangement. Just Homes is a charity, which provides help to homeless people in The London Borough of Newham, to rebuild their lives.

Just Homes reports to Wesley House Committee quarterly which reports to Trustees of Stratford Methodist Church at Church Council meetings. There is a very good working relationship between Stratford Methodist Church and Just Homes.

Overview:

Just Homes are in their 4° Year of managing Wesley House and have full occupancy. The team are on site daily and have been maintaining the property very well. The council increased their funding this year and they've passed on this to us, in-line with our agreement. We have not had any meetings with Just Homes during this period, however we are in regular communications with them and issues are resolved when they arise.

Over the past 12 months, Just Homes - our outreach partner have continued to manage Wesley House. They have had full occupancy for the whole period and have provided vital accommodation to men sleeping on the street and parks around the Stratford area.

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Our partnership have grown stronger during this period and thus far they are up to date in settling all their invoices. All their bills have been paid on time and they have passed on to us the funding increase allocated to them by the local authority, as per our license agreement.

Following the incident with the broken shower hose last year, new signage are inplace within the showers and all residents are inducted on how to use the shower.

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Furthermore, the Electric Shower with the broken hose has been replaced.

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Major Repairs

They has been one major repair over past 12 months, which was due to leaking shower trays. The root cause of the leak was "poorly supported shower tray", this led to the sealed joint between the tiles and the shower tray being broken and water escaping through the gap onto the floor below.

All 3 shower enclosures had to be dismantled and the base reinforced with timber and plywood before being re-assembled.

The current license agreement expires Oct 22, thus we have started the process with regards to it's renewal.

COMMUNITY CENTRE REPORT

The centre continues to function well with more and more enquiries daily. That said, we are very selective of who/whom the venue is hired to. The revenue generated is not as it were pre Covid - 19. Thankfully 95% of our regular users have returned and we have acquired one more regular users but lost 30% overall. That said, we receive several enquires who are willing to take their place should they fulfil the criteria. This means that our revenue is almost back to the level it was at prior to the pandemic.

All our community users are back and the major change has been teaming up with Sphere, a charity who obtain food, donations and baby items to assist the community elderly, mothers and the homeless. They currently sue the centre twice a week and provision has been made to accommodate them fully. The only outstanding challenge awaiting is to create a formal agreement for the partnership. We are also yet to obtained any information about the donations obtain via the Facebook through the night shelter organisers. There is also a notion that we could resume the night shelter back at the centre provided volunteers are obtained and re-trained. We currently run a food bank on Monday and Wednesdays. We also have a new Latin American Dance company using our premises.

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We still require volunteers to assist at the community centre during the day (weekdays or weekends) as this wo help the centre immensely with enquires. Painting: We aim to complete the painting of the main hall after painting the stage area with revised quotations.

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Ongoing task at present We need people to help Dorothy and Pam on Thursdays Volunteers needed for our monthly table top sale. Changing the church carpet with the donation obtained / Deep clean church carpet Reviewing the telephone contract Temporary volunteering at the centre and long term volunteering opportunities Yet to receive all the licence in place from a few regular users as well as the insurances and reviewed safe guarding policy and personal.

Medium to long term 12- 46 months

Maximising the usage of our building for the purpose of what it is intended, seeking feasibility to develop the upper part of the main hall and replacing the roof

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CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

We give thanks to God as the year draws to a close.

Looking back, the whole world experienced an unprecedented crisis that as have been said never happened before.

The world was hit with Coronavirus 19. This prompted the governments in the world to take drastic actions in terms of lockdowns in many countries. The United Kingdom was not exempt, so we had our share of lockdown. This sudden announcement demanded that people stayed at home except front line workers.

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This affected the Churches including the Stratford Methodist Church.

During that time, we followed the Government and Methodist District Office guidelines about the Covid 19 and locked our Church to safeguard all our members especially our elderly and vulnerable members. Risk Assessments were often carried out to help members stay safe.

Sadly, the church lost two of our elderly members. May their souls rest in peace with God.

At that time the Pastoral Carers and the Minister reached out to almost all the Church members regularly by phone calls to keep them company and check their welfare. The Circuit also organised Zoom Services, enabling members to Worship which really helped members Spiritual wellbeing. Again, the Church organised Bible Studies and Prayers meetings on Zoom which were very appreciated and continues till now even though we are back in Church in person.

The Church also sent out Food parcels and financial support to some of our members to show them our Christ’s given love. Furthermore, the Church participated in the Easter Story in Schools on Zoom by Faith in Schools making the love and sacrifice of Christ our Lord known to pupils and teachers about Christianity as well as the Christmas Journey Story in Schools.

The Church was again involved with the Westfield Chaplaincy, chatting, listening and praying with Shopkeepers, shoppers and Hotel workers and was very appreciated just before the Covid 19 hit.

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Once more the Church with Keir Hardie Methodist Church supported and filled in about 50 Christmas Shoe Boxes for less fortunate children abroad through the Samaritan Purse with donations for posting the boxes.

ON THE CHURCH PREMISES: In the Church premise, we started Foodbank led by Nicole ( Which organisation is Nicole ... and some of the Church members. Thanks to Amy, Stuart and Eric from the Church who helped regularly.

We had some Super Markets donating food to be distriobuted to people in the Community and beyond. Those who could not come out due to health reasons had food sent to their homes.

Thank God there was a real community spirit in looking after one another in the Church and the Community. Our Church premises was used as Hubs for School Children during holidays and continues to support school children during this Christmas holidays with cooked food and activities and gifts.

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Now the Churchis still worshipping physically observing the covid guidelines and pray for God’s intervention for the new omicron variant to enable people to worship freely as much as possible.

However, may God's will be done in His world but to help people to be rooted morein faith in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

We thank God through Christ Jesus and A big thank you to all our Church members, families and friends who have helped and supported the Churches to keep going in these difficult situations.

On behalf of my family and the Church community, | wish you all A wonderful Christmas and a Peaceful New Year that Christ Jesus brings to all those who put their trust in Him.

God bless you and all your families. Please stay safe.

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Rev Elizabeth Osei

Chairperson Trustees of Stratford Methodist Church

Stratford Methodist Church

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ANNUAL FINANCIAL REVIEW

Full details of the results for the year are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities on page 13 and Balance Sheet 14, and they are further analysed on pages 15 and 17.

The total income for the year ended 31 August 2021 was £100,747 and the total expenditure was £73,292 resulting in surplus of £27,455

RESERVES POLICY

We submit our annual report in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Conference and the Charity Commission guidance in CC19.

The trustees have established their mission aims taking into account all of the resources available in terms of people, property and money

Mission initiatives/projects have been costed or estimates made of projected future costs, which take into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Report/s. We have agreed a Reserves Policy, which is set out below and recorded in the trustees’ minutes and our Annual Report

We recognise the need to be accountable as charity trustees for all the money, which comes into our hands and will provide further information as required by the Church Council

A structure for the risk based assessment of the free reserves requirement set by the Stratford Methodist Church Council. This sets the target free reserves of £200,000. This level was calculated taking into account the amount considered to be needed to enable the charity to fulfil its existing financial obligations and to future financial obligations, arising from the loss of tenants or indeterminate risks could be met. In this report for the year ended 31 August 2021 the Church Council acknowledged that free reserves were below the

At 31st August 2021, Stratford Methodist Church had total cash reserves of £173,347

These funds were held in the following account:

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Central|Finance|Board|£151,483| |Cash|at|Bank|and|in|hand|£|21,864| |Total|£173,347|

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Total

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General Church Funds from the Church and the Community Centre are for paying annual! assessments to Newham Methodist Circuit of (€30,600.00 per annum) and to pay maintenance and repair costs of a large building complex which is heavily used for community activities. Community Centre pays for expenses of running the Community Centre and unexpected loss of income from user groups. We aim to have a cash reserve of £200,000 for the Church and for the Community Centre. We currently have about £173,347 in our total reserve and we need a further £26,653 to archive our target of reserve. The reserve will cover the six months operating expense and start working through projects which have been approved by the Church Council.

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“We are followers of Jesus Christ, and we seek to enter into his thinking about wealth and its place in our life and actions both individually and collectively.

Continually looking to see if it is producing the fruit of the Spirit and the signs of the Kingdom. Having a sense of gratitude to God for the resources entrusted to us.

Applying wisdom in being good stewards of all resources.

Deepening a sense of trust in God’s ability to provide for our needs rather than depending upon our own

sense offinancial security.

Sustaining a spirit of mutual care and the sharing of resources with one another.”

Being faithful in using our resources in ways that release new possibilities and care for those who minister on our behalf.”

Stewardship Network Good Practice Guide, Christian Stewardship Network

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Reference and Administrative information

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CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER - 1127618

Officers:

Chairperson—Rev Elizabeth Owusu Osei

Treasurer-Isaac Ankomah

WEBSITE www.bryantstreetmethodist.org.uk E-mail-stratfordmethodistchurch@gmail.com

Secretary— Denise Sandra Walker

Managing Trustees:

Rev Asif Karam — Appointed 1st September 2019 Rev Elizabeth Owusu Osei- Appointed 1st September 2017 Mr Isaac Ankomah- Appointed ist January 2009 Mrs Denise Sandra Walker- Appointed 1st January 2009 Mrs Tina Agyeman-Mensah- Appointed 1st January 2009 Mrs Margaret Marfo- Appointed 1st January 2009

Mr. Samuel Agyeman-Mensah- Appointed 1st January 2009 Miss. Hong Nio Ho- Appointed 1st January 2009

Mr. Solomon Oluwafemi Ijiehin- Appointed 1st January 2009

Mrs. Bernice Johnson- Appointed -1st January 2009 Madame Pamela Prentice- Appointed 1st January 2009

Mr. Edmond Simpson- Appointed 1st January 2009

Ms. Gloria Thomas — Appointed 1st January 2009

' Mr. Eric Walker- Appointed 1st January 2009 Mr, Atto Saah — Appointed 16" June 2017 Ms, Dorothy Duddy — Appointed 13 August 2017 Mr. Jones Agyeman- Appointed 15* May 2019

Registered Address: Stratford Methodist Church Bryant Street Stratford London E15 4RU

Bankers: HSBC 8 Victoria Street Westminster London : SW1H ONJ

Independent Examiner Glory Community Accounting Services 318 Barking Road London E13 8HL

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

The Charity Trustees have responsibilities to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees should follow best practice and:

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The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial! position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity Law. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Rev Elizabeth Owusu Osei (Chairperson)

Date. OL OF.-AOFL

Mrs Denise Sandra walker (Secretary)

Isaac Ankomah (Treasurer)

ate. 5 2022-

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Stratford Methodist Church

| report on the attached Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2021, which are set on pages 10 to 15 and have been prepared on an accrual basis.

Respective responsibilities of Management Committee and Examiner: The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; 0 to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement: My examination carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement: In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention, which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

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

Hasina Jahan (M Com, DFT, MAAT, MBA) Glory Community Accounting Services Glory Community Accounting Services 318 Barking Road 318 Barking Road on Plaistow London E13 8HL

Date: Ol | Os |2022

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Summary of Annual Accounts 2020/2021

These are summary accounts and may not contain sufficient information for a full Understanding of the charity's financial affairs.

A copy of the full annual accounts is available from our registered address on request

Statement of Financlal Activities for the Year Ended 31st August 2021

2021 2021 2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Income
income from Charitable Activities
(2)
Investment Income (Bank Interest)		 99,653
106		 -
-		 99,653
106		 114,611
886
HMRC refund 988 988
Total Income 400,747 - 100,747 115,497
Expenditure
Expenditure on Charitable Activities (3) 73,292 - 73,292 90,040
Total Expenditure 73,292 - 73,292 90,040
Net Income/ (Expenditure) 27,455 - 27,455 25,457
Total Funds Brought forward 1,951,291 - 1,951,291 1,925,834
TotalFundsCarriedforward 1,987,746 ; 1,978,746 1,951,291

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Balance Sheetas at 31%August 2020
2021 2020
£ £
Tangible & Fixed Assets
ChurchBuilding 1,800,000 1,800,000
Current Assets
Cash atbankand in hand 173,347 145,891
Debtors and Pre-payment 5 7,000 7,000
Total CurrentAssets 180,347 152,891
Current Liabilities
Creditors and accruals (due in under 1
year) 6 1,600 1,600
NetCurrentAssets 178,747 151,291
Total Assets less Current liabilities 1,978,747 1,951,291
Total NetAssets/ (Liabilities) 1,978,747 1,951,291
Funds and Reserves
Unrestricted Fund 1,978,747 1,951,291
Restricted Fund
1,978,747 1,951,291
Approved bythe Management Committee and signed on its behalf by:
RevElizabethaOsei (Chairperson) IsaacAnkomah(Treasurer)
naeO-./05(aga... Date... 51202%

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Notes on the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet

for the year ended 31August 2021

1. Accounting Policies

(a) Format of the Financial Statements

Accounting framework and accounting policies

1.1 Accounting framework

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2014 version of Accounting and Reporting by Chanties: Statement of Recommended Practice

(SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015) — (the Charities SORP (FRS 102) as amended by Update Bulletin 1) — in replacement for the SORP’s 2005 version specified in its related 2008. Regulations and in accordance with the “true and fair override” provision contained therein.

1.2 Public benefit entity

The Stratford Methodist Church definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.

1.3. Basis

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost to showa true and fair view of the Stratford Methodist Church financial position and activities.

1.4 Content

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. The accounts were expressed in £ Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.

1.5 Going concern

Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2021, the trustees believe that the Church is a going concern.

1.6 Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted funds are income from Sunday Collection, lettings from Just Homes and Community Centre , donations and other activities

1.7 Restricted Funds

Restricted funds are grant for specific purposes which are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year received.

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1.8 Consolidation

The Church oversees the work of Community Centre and for this reason, the financial statements of the Church is the consolidation of the Church, Community Centre and the income from Just Homes.

1.9 Income recognition

Income is brought into account when it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will accrue. Income is generate from offerings tax recoverable, donations, contributions for use of the premise: and from Just Homes

1.10 Expenditure

This is recognised whena liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payme! 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 District to pay out resources. Expenditure is recognise in the year in which liabilities are incurred. 1.11 Receivables and Payables; Bank and Cash Debtors are stated at the amounts pre-paid Newham Circuit as part of our assessment and Creditor is the fee for the independent accounts examiner. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit accounts balances with CFB.

1.12 Tangible Fixed Assets

This year a value for the church premises remains the same as the previous year. There has not been any depreciation provided or revaluation done. The figure is based on the insured value of the buildings

2. Income from Charitable Activities

2021 2021 2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
Offering
Lettings		 And Tax Recoverable 29,896
69,757		 -
-		 29,896
69,757		 22,693
91,919
Total 99,653 99,653 114,612

Total

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.penditure on Charitable Activities

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2021 2021 2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted
. Funds Funds Total Total
CircuitAssessment ofShares
Grants and Donations
Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance
Utilities
OtherExpenditure
Support&Governance Cost (Notes 4)
Covid 19OpeningChurch,		 30,600
17,207
2,895
6,917
6,123
9,550		 -
“
-
-
-
-
-		 30,600
17,207
2,895
6,917
6,123
9,550		 30,600
1,380
19,842
2,892
5,464
18,404
9,010
2,447
Total eee
73,292
-
73,292
90,040
SS
ge
4. Support&Governance Cost
2021 2021 2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
StaffCost
Accountancyfee		 8,550
1,000		 - 8,550
1,000		 8,010
1,000
Total eee
9,550
-
9,550
9,010
SSSSSSSsSsS9S99aaSSSSSS
ge
5. Debtors and Prepayments
2021
Unrestricted
Funds		 2021
Restricted
Funds		 2021
Total		 2020
Total
Pre-payment to Methodist Circuit 7,000 - 7,000 7,000
Total eee
7,000
-
7,000
7,000
a
6. Creditor
2021 2021 2021 2020
Unrestricted Restricted
Independent
Examiner
Assessment
Total		 Funds
Funds
Total
Total
1,000
1,000
1,000
600
-
600
600
EC
0
1,600
-
1,600
1,600
SSS
Ye
eee

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