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2022-08-31-accounts

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31°*. AUGUST 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

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  1. Stewards Report 2 3. Property Report 3 4. Sunday School Report 3 5. Wesley House 4

  2. Community Centre 5-6

  3. Chairperson Report 7-8 8. Annual Financial Review 9

  4. Reserve Policy 9-10 10. Reference and Administrative information i 11. Responsibilities of Trustees 12 12. Independent Examiners Report 13 13. Summary of Annual Accounts 14-15 14. Notes to accounts . 16-18

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STRATFORD METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

Introduction

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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-

Mission consists of:

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Specific aspects of mission at Stratford Methodist Church:

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worship.

Review of progress and achievements

STEWARDS REPORT We thank God that we can now put behind us covid-19 and carry on with our lives.

There has been no change to the number of stewards although more stewards are always welcomed.

The church membership has noticeably gone down and may be attributed to two main factors: The temporary closure of the church during the covid-19 pandemic and the stance adopted by Conference on same sex marriage.

A church stewards meeting was held on the 11" of September 2022 where the main subject of the meeting was about the duties of a church steward. A copy of the manual ‘the Church Stewards handbook’ was given to each steward. At the time of this report, our senior steward Mr. Sam Agyeman Mensah is unwell and we will continue to pray for his speedy recovery. Many thanks to all stewards for their selfless devotion to the smooth running of the church.

Atto Saah

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' PROPERTY REPORT

Over past year we have carried out wide range of work to all areas of community centre and church, which has made a huge difference to our environment and the health & safety aspects of the building.

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Some of the work undertaking includes:

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FUTURE PLANS.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REPORT

Stratford (Bryant Street) Methodist church have a Sunday school session, during our Service — (11.00 - 12.30pm). Whére the children leave the main church at about 11.20am and return towards the end service to share what they have learnt during Sunday school.

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

We use a variety of resources - Roots, Sermon 4 kids and selection activities selected from the internet.

We have 3 dedicated and hardworking Sunday teachers who run variety of activities every Sunday to help our children learn more about God/Jesus and about been a Christian in a fun and exciting way.

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

WESLEY HOUSE REPORT

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.

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

Major Repairs

They has been one major repair over past 12 months, which was due to leaking shower trays.

ie

_ 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. :

Along with this we've had to deal with leaking pipes due to corrosion, toilet leakage due to the toilet basin not being secured to the floor minor and an infestation of rats which is ongoing, with Newham's vermin department supporting us.

A drainage survey is required to assess the quality of the pipes before the flushing of the whole system.

The current license agreement expires Oct 22, thus we have started the process with regards to it's renewal. The proposed new lease has been reviewed by the committee and Just Homes, and updated accordingly. Solicitors will be engaged in the coming weeks

COMMUNITY CENTRE REPORT

We continue to work with Sphere, a charity who obtains food, donations and baby items to assist the community elderly, mothers and the homeless alike. They currently use the centre facility twice a week and provision has been made to accommodate them fully. A formal licence agreement has been sent to Sphere for any additional programme they wish to conduct on the premises and awaiting confirmation. We currently assist in the food bank with Sphere on Mondays and Wednesdays. We are also yet to obtain any information about the donations obtain via the Facebook through the night shelter organisers. There is a notion that we could resume the night shelter back at the centre provided that volunteers are obtained and re-trained.

The church and centre continues to function considerably well with more enquiries daily. The revenue generated is almost at the level it was pre-pandemic. Thankfully, our regular users have returned and we have acquired one more. The new Latin American Dance Company using our premises has continued as well as the Karate Club. Thursday lunch club and the monthly Chinese lunch clubs are well attended and continue to gain momentum.

We currently have eight churches that use the premises for worship.

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We are eager to obtain volunteers to assist at the community centre during the day (weekdays or weekends)

as this help the centre immensely.

Ongoing task at present includes the following;

Needing people to help Dorothy and Amy on Thursdays

Volunteers needed for our monthly table top sale.

Changing the church carpet with the donation obtained / Deep cleaning of the carpet as well as obtaining a

new lectern.

Temporary volunteering at the centre and long term volunteering opportunities

To review insurances, safe guarding policy and personal by all users.

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 oncea feasibility study

is in place.

Review our utility services, systems and update our heating systems accordingly particularly the hall as well as the Kitchen units.

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whe

~ CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

I wish to thank you all for your help and continual support in all the difficult years gone. I really commend your commitment and the dedication of you all in supporting God’s work in this part of London.

As a diverse community, we have worked together by God’s grace to make God’s work a reality.

My observations have been

  1. the utilization of the Church premises: it is encouraging to know that the Church premises is always used by the community and this I believe reflects God’s presence in Newham.

  2. The unity and enthusiasm you show in working together to enhance the work of God even with our different opinions and I hope that will continue by God’s grace. It is my prayer that God will give us His wisdom to discern His truth and to work towards His will on earth.

  3. The way the Church leaders work with the people who hire the premises is so commendable and I pray that it will continue for good to encourage other people to experience God’s love and peace.

A lot of structural work has been done such as some repairs in the Big Hall floor, heating, painting and lighting to make the place fit for regular use.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

We continue to meet on Wednesday mornings in person and on Zoom in the Evenings to study what God’s Word teaches us in the Bible and pray to know and understand Him more.

We meet every Sunday morning in person to worship and socialise together as God’s family in Christ. All our activities are open to all people who wish to come. On Thursdays, we have lunch Club where people from the Community come for meals and chat paying a small amount to cover the food cost.

Once a month on Saturdays there is Table Top Sales in which the people from the community participate to socialise and feel the love of Christ among others. Since the Covid19, the Centre opened its doors for Food Bank, distributing food to people from the community on Mondays and Wednesdays during the week and continues to this day.

)

There was also School Children’s Holiday Hub throughout the school holidays where children came to have activities and be cared for by the Sphere Group from morning till late afternoon. Z

The Church also helps out in Faith- in- Schools to share the Christian Story especially during Christmas and Easter.

At the moment the Church is involved and exploring how best to team up with other Christian Groups in Newham to help Refugee children in the Hotels and Vulnerable Women to feel and experience the love and peace that only Christ Jesus can give through activities.

Again, the Church participates in meetings with Faith Leaders with activities in Newham to work with the Council to help and support residents in Newham through the living crisis by sign- posting people to get help needed from the appropriate places in the government sector such as keeping Warm, Cost of living, Mental Health issues and support for children as well as distributing Vitamin D to older people to improve their health, especially during winter.

We are also part of the Street Pastors Team which goes out on Friday night to give help and support to those in need at that time of the day especially, Rough sleepers.

I will say that Christians are together a BIG BOOK being constantly read by people we come across in our daily walks in the world.

Let us therefore be the ‘refreshing Book’ other people would want to read every day, to experience the presence and peace of God through Christ and give glory to God our Father.

As long as God spares our lives, we have a lot to continue doing to show God’s love to the world.

Therefore, hold on tight to the faith we profess and continue to ask Christ Jesus to help and give us the strength to finish the race set before us with confidence and joy knowing that our work for Christ will never be in vain.

Stay safe and may God bless you all.

Thank you.

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 14 and Balance Sheet 15, and they are further analysed on pages 17and 18.

The total income for the year ended 31 August 2022 was £168,161 and the total expenditure was £79,140 resulting in surplus of £89,021

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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 £300,000. 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 2022 the Church Council acknowledged that free reserves were below:

At 31st August 2022, Stratford Methodist Church had total cash reserves of £262,368

These funds were held in the following account:

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Central Finance Board £247,228
Cash at Bank and in hand £15,140
Total £262,368
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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 £300,000 for the Church and for the Community Centre. We currently have about £262,368 in our total reserve and we need a further £37,632 to achieve 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.

“We are followers ofJesus 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 ofgratitude to Godfor the resources entrusted to us.

Applying wisdom in being good stewards ofall 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 ofmutual care and the sharing ofresources 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

Officers: Chairperson—Rev Elizabeth Owusu Osei

Treasurer-Isaac Ankomah

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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 . Rev Paul Regan- Appointed 1st January 2009 Mr Isaac Ankomah- Appointed 1st 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 1‘t 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:

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)

Isaac Ankomah (Treasurer)

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Mrs Denise Sandra Walker (Secretary)

Date. 2°42S

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Stratford Methodist Church

I report on the attached Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2022, which are set on pages 19 to 18 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; 1) 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 ofIndependent 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 procedurés 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

I 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.

SCT See (M Com, DFT, MARL MBs) Glory Community Accounting Services Glory Community Accounting Services 8 Barking Road 318 Barking Road 348 Barking London Plaistow E13 8HL London E13 8HL

Date: 30/04/23

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Summary of Annual Accounts 2021/2022

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 Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st August 2022

2022 2022 2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Income
Income from Charitable Activities (2) 167,226 - 167,226 99,654
Investment Income (Bank Interest) 935 - 935 106
HMRC refund 988
Total Income 168,161 - 168,161 100,748
Expenditure .
Expenditure on Charitable Activities (3) 79,140 - 79,140 73,292
Total Expenditure 79,140 - 79,140 73,292
NetIncome /(Expenditure) 89,021 - 89,021 27,456
TotalFunds Brought forward 1,978,747 - 1,978,747 1,951,291
TotalFundsCarriedforward 2,067,768 - 2,067,768 1,978,747

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Balance Sheetasat31*August2022
2022 2021
‘£ 3
Tangible
& Fixed Assets		 ’
Church Building 1,800,000 1,800,000
Current Assets
Cash atbank and in hand 262,368 173,347
Debtors and Pre-payment 5 7,000 7,000
Total CurrentAssets 269,368 180,347
Current Liabilities
Creditors and accruals(due inunder 1 year) 6 1,600 1,600
Net CurrentAssets A 267,768 178,747
Total Assets less Current liabilities 2,067,768 1,978,747
TotalNetAssets /(Liabilities) 2,067,768 1,978,747
Funds and Reserves
Unrestricted Fund 2,067,768 1,978,747
Restricted Fund
2,067,768 1,978,747

Approved by the Management Committee and signed on its behalf by:

Rev Ffelss eee Elizabeth Owusu Osei (Chairperson) Isaac Ankomah (Treasurer) Date... 2.¢.caubees. Date...2>6Oe 507

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Notes on the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 August 2022 |

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 Charities: Statement ofRecommended 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.

13 Basis

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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 and 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

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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 premises and from Just Homes

1.10 Expenditure

This is recognised whena 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 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 2. Income from Charitable
Activities .
2022 2022 2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
OfferingAndTaxRecoverable
Lettings		 39,662
127,564		 -
-		 39,662
127,564		 29,896
69,758
Total . 167,226
-
167,226
99,654
OFF
054

_

3. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

2022 : 2022 2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
CircuitAssessmentofShares 30,600 - 30,600 30,600
Repairs and Maintenance 19,654 - 19,654 17,207
Insurance 3,077 - 3,077 2,895
Utilities 7,028 - 7,028 6,917
OtherExpenditure 7,206 “ 7,206 6,123
Support& Governance Cost (Notes 4) 11,575 - 11,575 9,550
Total 79,140 - 79,140 73,292
4. Support& Governance Cost
‘ 2022 2022 2022 2021
. Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
StaffCost 10,575 - 10,575 8550
Accountancy fee 1,000 1,000 1,000
Total 11,575 - 11,575 9,550
5. Debtors andPrepayments
2022 2022 2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
Pre-payment to Methodist Circuit 7,000 - 7,000 7,000
Total 7,000 - 7,000 7,000
Creditor
2022 2022 2022 2021
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
Accountancy fee 1,000 1,000 1,000
Assessment 600 - 600 600
Total BSS 1,600
SSeR		 IS -
ETF NNT		 1,600
EA		 1,600
ST
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