## Ofngton Park Methodist Church Trustees Report for the year ending 31[st] Aug 2023 

## 1. Objectves and actvites 

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Church Council now meets six times a year under the leadership of the presbyter in Pastoral Charge. 

Our mission statement: “this church exists to live the Good News of Jesus in word and action and build an inclusive community where everyone can come and fulfil their God-designed potential”. 

The church continues to use Our Calling to focus on all areas of the church’s life and has adopted some targets under the headings of Communication, Pastoral Care, Worship and Spirituality, Discipleship and Rhythm of Mission. These are used as guidelines in Stewards and Church Council meetings to focus our work. 

## 2. Achievements and performance 

The church family are made up of a wide age range but we continue to recognise that most of the congregation are chronologically older. This has led to the Leadership Team and Church Council to pray and explore a new vision having completed a successful year to celebrate the 90[th] Anniversary of the church. Every month saw a fundraising activity and in some cases two or three. Everybody put in a huge amount of effort and the sum raised reflected this challenging work. (Please see finance statement). 

However, this amount of effort is unsustainable over any great length of time. Sadly, a boiler replacement was necessary which meant £9,000 was needed to pay for the general maintenance of the building, once again leaving finances for a new kitchen (which is used for missional outreach) heavily dented. Post Covid, Zach’s café was formed and is open Monday – Thursday 9:00-12:00 midday, initially to give those who had been isolated during the pandemic a space to 



meet others and begin socialising again. There were two days where the concentrated effort was to reach families with small children. This has proved popular with many families. 

It was hoped that members of the congregation would also use this as a chance to meet with friends and consequently those who were visiting for the first time. This has not been extensively used by the congregation unless coming to church for other activities. 

We continue to provide a wide range of services for all ages and have advertised appropriate services to the differing age groups. Messy Church, Breakfast Church and Fun Church attract a regular number of people, and worship is rich and varied. We are grateful to our team of organists and musicians for their dedication and help in supporting those leading worship. A concerted effort is made to refer to the differing congregations as one, to promote unity within the church. 

The Church Administrator role continues for eight hours a week, and we are grateful to a number of volunteers who work on the Welcome Desk.  This continues to be a successful way of taking the burden of workload away from the Administrator. 

Regular use of Facebook and a new closed (by invitation only) group on Instagram continues to give the church a social media presence within the community and allows the young people to have safe contact with each other and their leaders. This year, due to the Preschool closing, the church has been able to offer a designated area to our young people and they have been busy decorating and organising the space to make it suitable to invite their friends into. Three new youth leaders have led this small but dedicated and committed group of young people every fortnight. They are represented on the Church Council and feel confident to join in the discussion when necessary and are always keen to help at social and fundraising events. 

Uniformed organisations continue to thrive and meet regularly on the premises, attending three Parade services each year. Cameo, Knit 



‘n’ Natter and the Bells group meet regularly on the premises and provide opportunities to share gifts and skills. 

The church and its members are upheld regularly by the Powerhouse of Prayer, a group which has met for many years for this purpose. Bible study is held weekly and for those who are unable to come there continues to be a Zoom facility. They have recently been studying the course ‘Everyone an Evangelist’ as a Circuit-wide initiative. 

Weddings have taken place during the year, including the first Same Sex Blessing which was a joy for all concerned. Baptisms have been celebrated both in messy church and traditional services. The pastoral team stay connected with members and adherents by telephone. Pastoral friends have been introduced who write, or phone, and then pass any concerns onto the Pastoral Co-ordinator or Minister. 

We have been delighted to welcome some new faces to our congregation and look forward to getting to know them better. All communion services are now face to face, with a team of people taking extended communion out to those who are housebound, or unable to attend due to illness. 

Senior Lunch Club (“Tuesday Lunches”) continues to be popular. The group has been extended by inviting a local group from Guild Care to join them. 

We have been developing and extending our ECO involvement with the new Eco team, which consists of adults and young people. The church grounds have new planters, a compost site, and exciting future plans. 

The church building lends itself to large gatherings and the Circuit and District make full use of this when holding larger services and meetings. The President, Vice President of Conference and the Chair of District were welcomed and met with local supernumeraries for 



tea. The building is well equipped with screens thanks to a generous grant from Circuit and District which are used at services and events. 

## Plans for future years. 

- To continue with Zach’s café which offers a free space to all generations. To continue to encourage the growth of 

- intergenerational worship offering a wide variety of relevant and vibrant worship. 

- To nurture those already part of the church through growth in small groups. To ensure safeguarding continues to be a priority whether online or otherwise. 

A new vision for the church has been discussed extensively with the Leadership Team, Church Council, and wider church family at an open day, which was positively received and affirmed. A permanent soft play area will be built in the main hall. The main hall will be decorated, and a new floor laid. Toilets will be added for ease of use for hall users. The kitchen is long overdue for refurbishment and is one of our main resources for church mission. It will be redesigned and updated as soon as this is possible. This will include some major work to address wood rot and work to an old chimney. The focus of the soft play will be to optimise the length of time we are able to engage with families with children from birth to the age of eight. This will enable a longer time to build relationships which are a key to church growth. 

A new youth group for the 7 – 10 age group will begin in September, which will feed into the older youth group which will be advertised in the soft play area. The soft play can be themed and will offer crafts and special sessions can also be provided for those needing a ‘quieter time of play,’ e.g., young people with individual special needs. It will also be offered to school groups for faith sessions. 

On Saturdays, the soft play will be for outside party hirers, with the possibility of two or three sessions and with assorted options for 



food, supplied by the church or self-catering. At present most of our party users hire a bouncy castle and on talking to them at booking are delighted that this will not be necessary in the future. 

It was recognised from the start of the discussions that compromise would be necessary for the existing groups who share this space. The vision/project responds to the popularity of Stay and Play pre covid and will hopefully generate some sustainable income. 

Due to the extended compassionate leave needed by the minister to recover from two close bereavements, the Stewards, Leadership Team, Lay Worker and three supernumerary ministers have enabled the life of the church to continue and flourish. They have also pastorally responded to those who were in need. On behalf of myself and the congregation I would wish to offer grateful thanks for their care, commitment, and dedication to the life of the church. 

Rev Dawn Carn 

## 3. Financial Review 

The Examined Account for the year ending 31st August 2023 shows a General Fund surplus of £3,275 after allocating reserves to the soft play project mentioned above. Overall income was aided by a rebate from the West Sussex (Coast & Downs) Circuit, increased lettings activity and a strong income stream from Zach’s drop in café and play zone. The Church works hard to keep expenditure levels as low as possible and to keep the buildings in good repair. Our property focus was on preparing the main hall to receive the soft play equipment. 

## 4. Investment policy and performance 

The General Fund comprises £38,636 held locally and £44,473 held in TMCP Model Trust Funds. Reserve funds underperformed resulting in a loss on revaluation of £2,477. 

## 5. Reserves Level and policy 



The Reserves Policy agreed by Church Council is a tiered approach as follows: 

   - a. A lower limit of 25% of turnover based on covering a significant ‘one-off’ expense (probably property-related). If the reserves fell below this level an action plan would be mandated to restore the minimum balances. 

   - b. A working band of 25%-50% of turnover would be considered the norm, wherein spend would be considered on a project by project basis which schemes merited funding. 

   - c. An upper limit of 50% of turnover, above which Church Council would actively consider spending. 

6. Trustees’ Responsibilites 

For each financial year ending on 31st August the Managing 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.  In preparing these financial statements the Managing Trustees must: 

- a. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently 

- b. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 

- c. Follow applicable accounting standards 

- d. Prepare accounts to comply with the Charities SORP 

- e. Keep proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and enables them to ensure that financial statements comply with the law.  They are also responsible for 

Trustees must also safeguard the assets of the charity and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 



The church operates within a sound control framework which allows it to function effectively. Processes in place are regularly reviewed and cover typical church activities such as recording and handling income, recording and controlling expenditure, management of restricted funds, effective budgeting, general financial controls and the review of investment holdings. 

7. Structure, governance and management 

The Church is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. 

## Structure 

Offington Park  Methodist Church is part of the West Sussex ( Coast and Downs) Circuit.  As such it is represented on the Circuit Meeting which meets four times a year.  The Methodist Conference, with whom overall regulatory authority rests, meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches. 

## Governance 

Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference. 

The Connexional Office implements decisions made by the Conference and is responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits within the District. Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and the appropriate officers of the District for implementation. 

The District passes down to Circuit level for implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters. 

The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the presbyter, the Church Stewards, and other officers, and this regulatory control is then 



exercised by the Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity. 

## 8. Purpose of the Church 

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of: 

1. The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church; and 

2. Any charitable purposes for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church; and 

3. Any charitable purpose  for the time being of any society, or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church; and 

4. Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church. 

The primary purpose of Offington Park Methodist Church is to advance the Christian faith by providing opportunities for worship, Christian nurture and fellowship within the wider Worthing Community. 

The Church operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders.  It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Church. 

The members of the Church Council are appointed under the terms of S.O. 610(2).  The Superintendent is ex-officio chair of the Church Council but may delegate this task to other presbyters in the Circuit. 

The Church Council normally meets six times per year and deals with routine and exceptional matters.  It oversees the work of other groups within the life of the Church. The responsibilities of the Church Council and other committees are set out in Standing Orders 603 – 604 of the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. 



## 9. Reference and Administratve Details 

Name of the Church Offington Park  Methodist Church 

Charity Registraton number 1127681 

Superintendent Minister The Revd Rosemarie Clarke MA 

Presbyter in Pastoral Charge The  Revd Dawn Carn BA(Hons) 

Names of Managing Trustees Revd Dawn Carn John Bishop Adam Cook Lesley Skinner Jacqueline Brown Joy Barnes Hilary Colbourn Kevin Harmer Gill Powell Mike Powell David Gibbs Alison Wright John Carr Elaine Carr Sue Head John Head David Barnes Michele Funnell Charlotte Gould Carolyn Williams Catherine Burgess 



Independent Examiner
Mr Keith Thacker

## Ofngton Park Methodist Church 

General Fund Account for year ended 31 August 2023 

|Income<br>Oferings<br>Circuit Assessment Rebate<br>Gif Aid on Oferings<br>Gif Day Receipts<br>Donatons (General)<br>Letngs (Use of Premises)<br>Weddings and Funerals<br>Church Actvites (Fundraising)<br>Spotlight Sales<br>Photocopier Income<br>Transport Receipts<br>Church Flowers<br>Solar Panel Income<br>Interest on Investments<br>Miscellaneous Income<br>Fund Contributons<br>Zach's Café<br>Tuesday Lunches Net Surplus<br>Support Actvites<br>Cleaning Receipts<br>Total Income<br>Other Funds Income through bank<br>Expenditure<br>Circuit Assessment<br>Salaries & Wages<br>Insurance Premiums<br>Administraton<br>Property Account<br>Gas Charges*<br>Electricity Charges*<br>Water Rates/Commercial Waste Removal<br>Telecom inc Broadband<br>Church Actvites<br>Photocopier Expenditure<br>Transport Expenses<br>Church Flowers<br>Fees & Charges<br>Miscellaneous Expenses<br>Fund Expenses<br>Digital Media<br>Wedding and Funeral Costs<br>Zach's Café Expenses<br>Organ & Piano Costs<br>Cleaning Materials<br>Worship Resources<br>Total expenditure<br>Other Funds Expenses through bank<br>Net Surplus/Deficit(-)|THIS YEAR<br>###<br>£<br>72,792.58<br>8,255.00<br>18,422.74<br>10,860.10<br>4,425.60<br>32,376.35<br>1,199.00<br>9,374.76<br>735.55<br>146.20<br>819.12<br>135.00<br>4,441.03<br>3,202.10<br>667.28<br>0.00<br>10,204.28<br>3,392.89<br>210.55<br>482.28|LAST YEAR<br>###<br>£<br>68,316.41<br>9,040.00<br>16,465.13<br>11,731.02<br>0.00<br>20,179.06<br>0.00<br>9,801.61<br>0.00<br>0.00<br>3,912.47<br>526.53<br>0.00<br>868.82<br>215.94<br>2,274.40<br>4,206.37<br>0.00<br>2,738.15<br>0.00<br>150,275.91<br>81,400.00<br>6,622.97<br>5,179.57<br>2,852.65<br>21,550.17<br>4,717.95<br>3,924.61<br>1,064.69<br>764.03<br>3,119.73<br>2,892.04<br>1,388.93<br>171.30<br>0.00<br>2,233.94<br>72.00<br>0.00<br>0.00<br>1,372.23<br>834.35<br>1,041.80<br>1,632.90<br>#<br>142,835.86<br>7,440.05|
|---|---|---|
||182,142.41||
||8,499.94<br>84,984.00<br>9,846.40<br>5,955.80<br>497.13<br>10,132.54<br>4,657.79<br>4,057.40<br>1,304.69<br>1,266.30<br>2,575.39<br>3,227.29<br>525.48<br>182.78<br>293.74<br>1,054.45<br>0.00<br>2,708.88<br>175.00<br>2,485.07<br>689.97<br>3,842.75<br>609.71||
||141,072.56#<br>14,006.97||
||41,069.85||
||||
|B/F  Balance Collections for Others<br>Collections for Others (current year)<br>Payments to Others (current year)<br>C/F Balance Collections for Others|1,846.37<br>630.63<br>2,417.00||
||60.00||
|TOTAL OPMC FUNDS B/F<br>Unrealised Gain/Loss on TMCP Unit Revaluatons<br>Net Surplus/Defcit(-)|89,481.63<br>2,476.98<br>41,069.85||





## Ofngton Park Methodist Church 

General Fund Account for year ended 31 August 2023 

|Net Other Fund Movements (Refected in CFB)<br>TOTAL OPMC FUNDS C/F|THIS YEAR<br>###<br>£<br>5,507.03|LAST YEAR<br>###<br>£|
|---|---|---|
||122,567.47||
||||
|STATEMENT OF|FUNDS||
|Current Local Fund Balances<br>CAF Bank Current Account<br>Cash In Hand<br>Central Finance Board<br>Less Funds Collected for Others<br>Sub-total Funds held locally<br>Reserve General Funds Held at TMCP Manchester<br>TMCP Trustee's Interest Fund<br>TMCP Managed Fixed Int Fund<br>TMCP Managed Mixed Int Fund<br>Sub-total Reserves<br>TOTAL OPMC FUNDS|10,092.89<br>325.00<br>67,736.38|33,425.05<br>325.00<br>10,627.77|
||60.00|1,846.37|
||78,094.27|42,531.45<br>845.41<br>17,376.55<br>28,728.22<br>46,950.18<br>89,481.63<br>|
||845.41<br>16,119.60<br>27,508.19||
||44,473.20||
||||
||122,567.47||
||##||
|ANALYSIS OF FUNDS H|ELD LOCALLY||
|Funds Held Locally<br>CAF Current Account<br>Central Finance Board<br>Unrestricted<br>COP Project Fund<br>Restricted<br>Youth Fund<br>Restricted<br>Dunning Bequest<br>Restricted<br>OPYP (Senior Youth) Fund<br>Restricted<br>Tuesday Lunches Reserve Fund<br>Restricted<br>Kitchen Refurbishment Fund<br>Restricted<br>Minibus (Transport) Fund<br>Designated<br>Eco Fund<br>Designated|||
||10,357.89|31,903.68|
||28,278.18|979.90|
||28,334.09<br>0.00<br>2,676.50<br>1,650.18<br>2,007.19<br>4,043.86<br>0.00<br>746.38|0.00<br>1,372.61<br>870.21<br>2,000.00<br>0.00<br>2,209.76<br>2,388.03<br>807.26<br>42,531.45|
||78,094.27||
||||
|ANALYSIS OF RESERVES|||
|Reserves<br>Allocated Reserves<br>Unallocated Reserves<br>Sub-total Reserves<br>TOTAL OPMC Funds|0.00<br>44,473.20|0.00<br>46,950.18<br>46,950.18<br>89,481.63|
||44,473.20||
||||
||122,567.47||
||||
|ANALYSIS OF GENERAL FUND HOLDINGS<br>General Fund at CFB<br>General Fund at Bank & In Cash<br>General Fund at TMCP<br>Total General Fund<br>Total Other Funds<br>TOTAL OPMC FUNDS|2023<br>28,278.18<br>10,357.89<br>44,473.20|2022<br>979.90<br>31,903.68<br>46,950.18<br>79,833.76<br>9,647.87<br>89,481.63|
||83,109.27|79,833.76|
||39,458.20||
|TOTAL OPMC FUNDS|122,567.47|89,481.63|
|||2022<br>80,106.38<br>79,833.76<br>-272.62<br>-1,186.69<br>16,088.38<br>-15,174.31<br>-272.62|
|GENERAL FUND MOVEMENT|2023|2022|
||79,833.76<br>83,109.27<br>3,275.51<br>27,298.28<br>-21,545.79<br>-2,476.98|80,106.38<br>79,833.76<br>-272.62<br>-1,186.69<br>16,088.38<br>-15,174.31|
||3,275.51|-272.62|





CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Offington Park Methodist
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 August 2023
West Sussex (Coast & Downs)
Circuit
Circuit no
36108
Registered Charity- Charity Registration number
1127681
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and
Customs Gift Aid numbor
(The HMRC number is equivalent lo a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable slalus
and may be used to give lo donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisalion's
charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charitios are
excepted from registration under Stalulory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister..
Rev Dawn Carn
Church Stewards:
Jacqueline Brown
Hilary Colbourn
Joy Barnes
Kevin Harmer
Gillian Powell
John Bishop
Treasurer:
Michael Powell
Church R and P 2015.￿S
1of5

.CCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
Offington Park
Methodist
chU￿h
Uniestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Totsls thi$
Totsls last
yèar
SECTION A
year
a1
RECEIPTS
Note
a2
Offerin
s and Tax recovered
Bank and CFB interest and
Investment income
91,215
91.215
84,782
a3
3,202
32,610
55,349
182,376
3.202
32,610
55,349
182,376
869
a4
Letlin
20,179
44,446
150,276
a5
Other receipts
TOTAL RECEIPTS
a6
{a71
SECTION B
b1
PAYMENTS
b2
Circuit Assessment or Share
84,984
84.984
81,400
b3
Donations
b4
Repairs and Maintenance
utilities Ilnsurances, water
cha
es, heatin
hlin
10,823
10.823
21,550
b5
17,242
17,242
15,651
b7
Other payments
TOTAL PAYMENTS
28,024
141.073
28,024
141,073
24,235
142,836
b8
Ib91
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS
c1
a6-b8
41,303
41.303
7.440
Total funds brought forward from
last year
87,248
87.248
c61
86,757
c3
Sub total
Ic1+c21
128,551
128,551
94,197
Transfers and ad'uslments
15,984
5,984
c7
16,9491
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR
Ic3+c41
122,567
122,567
Ic81
87,248
Ic61
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
Ith0$9 amounts are not to bè included in total receiptsl
ments figures above)
d1
Balance brou
ht forward from last
ear
1,846
d2
Offerin
sIGifts - received for external o
anisalions
630
3,465
d3
OfferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisations
2,416
1,619
d4
BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID
Id1 +d2431
60
1,846
2of5
hUrch¢vreLYipls-and-pa￿Cnts-202j 111

Offin
ton Par
Church
MARY OF CHURCH AGGOVNTS AND INTERNAL
RGAPIISATIONS REPORTING TO THE ¢
pcHc
UNCIL
SECTION E
efollow the Guldance Notes to co
lete
Sufflmary of the Churth accounts for the year e￿e￿ 31 August 2023 and Intfjrnal Organi$atsons reKA)rbn9 to Ihechurch Cc￿n[￿￿¢hY[th Meeting. Note thaithe lunds ol
Èn Intsrnal Oroanisalion normally te Reslricled funds unle55 Ilcould becle3dy shDWn thai theyeould ￿ used forany Meth<￿1$1 puipos¢ This seeiion musi
cgmpleied t02rrive allhe gross In¢OTne¥nd expendiluretotsls of the Church. Ilgr055 illcoffle exceeds IheAccruals IhreshDld. then the Acctuals fflelho¢ of accounliDg
AND A DIFFERENT FORM rnust be used to the ￿￿O￿niS lsee Mah(Mli$lwebsrtel. Pkne referto the guthce notes rega￿1n9 transfers betsyeen the Dislncl
and connected Disiri¢t Oroanisauons
INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS
Plei R*¢¥ptsi
Paymenls
Openiny
balance5
R¢¢tipts
Pa
ments
ustments
cbsing
Be*)evoJence
357
357
Tuesd
Luntheg
418
1.53D
1.530
e5
¢7
ub Ii)lal o
Intem8
Organisabonsfund¥
416
1,946
357
e12
hurch 8c¢ounts Itotals
brought forward from page
2-totals column)
18Z.J76
141.073
Ib9
41.303
15,9841
87,248
122,S67
BY CHURCH
182,792
143,019
39,773
6.9841
89,135
122,924
con￿nUe on a sep3r?le sheei
Il r*essary and bnng ihe
totals lotward
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL
PAYME14TS
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF
ETS AND LIABILITIES
OPENING
BALANCES
CLOSIP4G
BALANCES
¢HUPCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au
u*2023
Cash in han<1
325
32S
nx CvtreniAceounl
33,425
10,033
Bank D
511Accounl
f4
Central Finante BcArd
6.548
67.736
Tivstees for Melhodisl Church Pu
46.950
44,473
Other funds
SUB TOTAL- Church a¢toun
87.248
122,567
Total funds held by Internal Organisalions (Iheck)5i
balance from above) 18121
1,887
357
TOTAL CASH FUN05 HELD BY CHIJRCH
89.135
122,924
SECTION G
Al
1 September 2022
51 Augus12023
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
Investment$
Indude EndNments
Land & BU￿￿1
see re Insuiance value
£6.22tn
£7.10rn
OtherAssets
£278k
£318k
Ltran
- shDW aM￿nl￿tS1andl
reod
f4 InclLthonly Funds he￿ al the Central Finance Boar
15 Includeonly Fund$ he￿ ai Trus*es lor Melhodisl Church Putposes
91 Indude any oihw Inyestsnenls Irhot the cash elemeni of TMCP trusts aGcounls this 1$ indud*d in line f5
3018

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 o
ch Council
Signature of Treasurer
Dale
2iliolz3
Name
MICHAEL POWELL
Address
20 Sl Lawrence Avenue Worthing BN14 7JF
Presentation to the 'Chur¢h Councll for approval.
I confirm Ihal the Accounts have been presented lo the Church Council on
2111012023
and were approved.
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Rev Dawn Carn
Date
21.10.1
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
Offlngton Park Methodist
Church
This Report is on the Church Accounts for the year ended 31 August
2023
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Gharily's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an
audit is not required for this year und8r section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Charities Act) and that an
independent examination is needed.
11 is my responsibility to..
Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act
lo follow the procedures laid down in the genefftl Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under Section 14515llbl of the Charities Acll, and
lo slate whether particular mallers have come lo my altenlion.
2015 thurch R and P.￿8
4of5

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was 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. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts,
and seeking explanations from the Iruslees concerning any such mallers. The procedures undertaken do not
provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether
the accounts present a 'lrue and fairf view and the report is limited lo those mallers sel out in the statement
below.
Independent Examinor's Statement
In connection with my examination, no maller has come lo my attention lolher than that disclosed below'l..
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements..
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act.,
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Charities Act have not been mel., or
121
lo which, in my opinion, allenlion should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
' Please d&lete the words in the brackets rfthey do rpot apply appropriate
(31 I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Melhodisl
Church Purposes I'TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds al the Central Finance Board
of the Methodist Church {"CFB"}, which are individually in excess of £10,000 Iten thousand pounds) 81 the
balance sheet dale.
Please Gircle as appropriate
Name
Keith Thacker
Signature
Relevant Professional qualification or body
Address
16rf7
Dale
2015 church R atld P.xls
5015