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2022-08-31-accounts

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

Registered Charity Number 1127749

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022

Church Office Benfleet Methodist Church 67 High Road Benfleet Essex SS7 5LH

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

CONTENTS

Page
Index 2
Trustees’ report 3 - 10
Financial statements 11 – 18
Declarations and scrutiny 19
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
and Independent Examiner’s Statement 20
Appendix– Church Council membership 21

2

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022

Introduction

This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the SORP applicable to charities. In order to have a better understanding of the nature and activities of the Church readers are advised to go to the web site.

Aims and organisation

Our Mission

Our mission is to be a powerful spiritual influence in the community and a visible expression of God’s inclusive love.

Review of the year

2021/22 has been a near-normal year after several years affected by Covid, and most activities are back and functioning as they did previously. During the Covid period we did not lose any groups or activities on a permanent basis and it is good see everyone back in full swing.

I was glad when they said unto me ‘Let us go unto the House of the Lord’.

The worshipping community at Benfleet Methodist Church has been at the very core of everything we have done, whether in the field of fund raising for the new buildings, social activity, outreach or the involvement of the local community sharing the facilities.

At the end of the summer term we saw the Wesley Preschool close its doors for the last time. Ofsted and the officialdom just beat down the teachers and staff, compounded by the extra load from Covid meant that it could not continue. However, it had a long life and was instrumental in the early development of hundreds of children as well as introducing many families to the Church.

But as one door closes so another opens and our friends at Headway, the Brain Injury Charity, were seeking to start up a day centre in the Benfleet area having had the use of the counselling suite as their local offices for some time, so they took over the space and now meet from Tuesday to Friday in Wesley Hall as well as continuing their office occupation upstairs.

Our Youth work stumbled during the year with a change of personnel but this has now been remedied and from the beginning of the 2022/23 year the activities are going ahead with vigour, commitment and enthusiasm.

Our finances remain very sound, the income from the use of the premises covering the costs of maintaining the property and the return to fund raising was evident. Sadly with the passing and removal of several members our Sunday offerings have fallen a little but we remain very grateful that the bulk of our income both from church members and the premises users are paid by standing orders each month.

With the coming our new minister, Rev Zena Smith, in September we have been blessed with someone who identifies with our activities and ways of doing things, but is also able to bring fresh initiatives and ideas which are very well received.

3

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

Fellowship

Church services, healing services, bible study group have been in operation during the year plus Light Worship followed by a Light Lunch and other social/hospitality opportunities have resumed.

Youth work

Fusion and Fusion plus for children and young people continue to thrive with high attendances. The Fusion+ for the older children has restarted in September which is encouraging.

Little Bunnies – this group started only in September 2021 but is already at capacity

Uniformed groups – Rainbows, Brownies and Guides – these have restarted from September.

The Sunday School has restarted in September – “ from small beginnings” – and we hope this will continue, alongside the start of Messy Church on a monthly basis.

Social care

Mencap’s Music Man project - the music therapy group – continues to do remarkable work with music education service for children and adults with learning disabilities

OACS Counselling service – fully back to face-to-face counselling with four evening sessions each week.

Headway – the Brain Injury Charity – now have their South Essex Day Centre operational within the premises as well as their office use upstairs.

Hope Group – meeting on Mondays with activities for older people including those with early stages of dementia. This is a much needed facility to meet a real local need and the group provides a wonderful caring oversight on the many people who come along.

Sunday lunches – food for the body and company for those on their own – the only downside is the cost of food nowadays but the provision is meeting a need.

Whitechapel Mission – still receiving clothing that is taken up on a regular basis, very often monthly

Recreational and sporting activities

Badminton – Fully back in action with U3A Monday group and the Wednesday evening Church group.

Yard Arm Folk Orchestra – making music for their own and others entertainment

Wesley Art - activities continue for beginners and experienced artists

Wives Club, Women’s Fellowship and Ladies Thursday Club – All three groups have been up and running once more.

4

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

The Welcome Area

The Welcome Area has been open each morning between 10.00 am and 12 noon for tea and coffee and this has been of great benefit to many people – to be able to share some company or to catch up with friends.

The Ministry of Hospitality and Welcoming remains at the heart of the fellowship and the worshipping community is at the heart of all we do. With this in mind we have entered wholeheartedly in the Warm Space project by opening up the Welcome Area for three days each week inviting people to ‘Come in out of the cold’ and have a cup of tea or coffee, and have some lunch if they wish to. The current financial problems that many face are such that some will go hungry in our community so we are offering a hot lunch at no charge either to eat at the Church or take home to microwave there. We are also now operating a free mini-food bank with no referral requirement stocked most generously by local groups including the other churches and the schools in South Benfleet as well as many Church friends and families.

Plans for 2022/23

Our priority just now is to get the Warm Space project really established with the help of outside volunteers and thus far this has been encouraging.

Beyond that as a Church we will start to carry out our Mission Review to see where we are going and where we will be in the years ahead as we face the very common problem of an ageing congregation. However, our new Children and Families worker has already brought in families through the Little Bunnies, the Sunday School and the Messy Church so we now have a base from which we can grow.

The Church has been a real centre and hub for the whole community and very much used by people who meet on the premises either for worship or for social and recreational purposes. There are many people living locally who would claim that Benfleet Methodist Church was “their” church although they do not attend on a Sunday morning! Not yet – and that is the challenge we have taken up for young and old.

Income trends

All groups using the premises have paid their dues. The balance of the funds remaining in the Wesley Preschool were paid over to the Church in the sum of £18,135. There was a resurgence in fund raising which was encouraging, and grants were received towards the Youth work and Mission Enabler as agreed.

We are very fortunate that the bulk of our Sunday Offerings come by way of standing orders, but we lost a number of contributors during the year through death or removal, so Church offerings and Gift Aid were down by some £1,000.

5

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

Expenditure trends

Expenditure on utilities was well controlled although gas costs will increase once the current contract expires, but the electricity still runs onto 2025. During the year there were significant upgrades to electrical installations, plus the resurfacing of the artificial grass in the garden.

Fund balances

As at 31 August 2022 the net current assets of the Church available for general purposes amounted to £70,692 since the greater part of the accumulated funds are invested in the premises. Cash at bank and on deposit at the end of the year amounted to £92,339, up from last year at £60,728. However, this sum includes restricted funds and creditors of £28,970.

Basis of preparation and legal framework

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

6

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

Full name of charity Benfleet Methodist Church Registration Charity Number 1127749 Date of registration 28 January 2009 Main communication address Benfleet Methodist Church 67 High Road Benfleet Essex SS7 5LH

The members of the Church Council are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of church office holders and representatives appointed by the church council and the annual church meeting. The full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report

Church Ministers and officers

Minister Rev Zena Smith
Church Stewards Mrs Daisy Humphreys
Mr Michael Otchere
Mrs Marie Howard
Ms Rosalind Klass
Mrs D Norton
Mrs V Windsor
Church Council Secretary Mr Richard Reeves
Church Treasurers Mrs Val Ryall and Mrs Rosalind Klass
Chairman Property Committee Mr Andy Keyes
Chairman Finance Committee Mr Richard Reeves
Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Bankers CAF Bank Limited
25 Kings Hill Avenue
West Malling
Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent examiner Mr G W Dorrington
43 St Marys Road
Benfleet
Essex SS7 1NN

Mr Richard Reeves FCA acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the church during the year.

7

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

Aims and organisation

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

The organisation and resourcing public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.

The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.

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

Taking religious assemblies in local schools.

Provision of Christianity through the staging of events and services.

Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.

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 circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and the 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 Church Council and the Church Committees.

Trustee Training

A range of guidance produced by the Methodist Connexion to support effective running of the circuit, especially the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all Church Council members as induction to their role a trustees.

Related parties

The Church is part of the Southend and Leigh Circuit which is a part of the Beds, Essex & Herts District. Internal organisations which are accountable to the Church Council are Wives Club, Women’s Fellowship, Badminton Club, Wesley Art Group, Fusion Youth Group, Ladies Thursday Club, Little Bunnies Playgroup

Risk Management

The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Property Committee 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.

8

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

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:

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy for the Church is to hold a minimum of six months average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on the premises and/or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the required income.

Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are required to prepare financial statements each financial year which 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 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 hence for taking steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

9

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 continued

So far as each of the trustees is aware there is no relevant information that has not been disclosed to the independent examiner and each of the trustees believes that all steps have been taken that ought to have been taken to make them aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the independent examiner have been made aware of that information.

Signed on behalf of the Church Leadership team

Rev Z Smith Minister

Mr R Reeves

Church Council Secretary

Mrs V Ryall Joint Church Treasurer

Mrs D Humphreys Senior Church Steward

30 October 2022

10

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

Financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2022

Index: Page
Statement of financial activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2022 12
Statement of financial activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2021 13
Balance sheet as at 31 August 2022 14
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 15 – 18
Declarations and scrutiny 19
Independent examiner’s report 20
Membership of the Church Council (Managing Trustees) 21

11

Benfleet Methodist

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2022

Notes to
the General Fund Restricted
Total
accounts
(Unrestricted)		 Funds 2021-22
£ £ £
Income
1 Offerings 25,753 25,753
2 Donations 13/1 11,276 11,726
3 Gift aid 7,454 7,454
4 Interest and investment income 373
373
5 Income from investment properties - 0
6 Internal organisations 18,282 18,282
7 Other charitable income 13/2 78,446 78,446
8Total income **123,302 ** 18,282 **141,584 **
Expenditure
9 Circuit assessment or share 37,428 37,428
10 Grants and donations 450 450
11 Property maintenance 30,853 30,853
12 Insurance, utilities etc 11,133 11,133
13 Depreciation 3,431 3,431
14 Office expenses 925 925
15 Other expenditure 13/3 20,761 20,731
16 Internal organisations 74,075 74,075
17Total charitable expenditure 104,981 74,075 179,056
18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 0
19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 0
20Net income/(expenditure) 18,321 -55,793 -37,472
21 Transfers between funds 0
22 Other gains/(losses) 0
23Net movement in funds 18,321 -55,793 -37,472
24 Total funds brought forward 1,724,758 63,473 1,788,231
25 Total funds carried forward **1,743,079 ** 7,680 **1,750,759 **

12

Benfleet Methodist

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2021

Notes to
the General Fund Restricted
Total
accounts
(Unrestricted)		 Funds 2020-21
£ £ £
Income
1 Offerings 26,797 26,797
2 Donations 13/1 3,404 744
3 Gift aid 7,530 7,530
4 Interest and investment income 64
64
5 Income from investment properties - 0
6 Internal organisations 124,843 124,843
7 Other charitable income 13/2 55,464 58,124
8Total income **93,259 ** 124,843 **218,102 **
Expenditure
9 Circuit assessment or share 38,993 38,993
10 Grants and donations 1,770 1,770
11 Property maintenance 16,192 16,192
12 Insurance, utilities etc 11,777 11,777
13 Depreciation 2,103 2,103
14 Office expenses 541 541
15 Other expenditure 13/3 20,100 20,100
16 Internal organisations 116,312 116,312
17Total charitable expenditure 91,476 116,312 207,788
18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 0
19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 0
20Net income/(expenditure) 1,783 8,531 10,314
21 Transfers between funds 0
22 Other gains/(losses) 0
23Net movement in funds 1,783 8,531 10,314
24 Total funds brought forward 1,722,975 54,942 1,777,917
25 Total funds carried forward **1,724,758 ** 63,473 **1,788,231 **

13

Benfleet Methodist Church

Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2022

Fixed Assets Notes to
the
Accounts		 General
Fund (Unre-
stricted)
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Totals 2022
£		 Totals 2022
£		 Totals 2021
£
Churchbuilding and otherproperty 13/4 1,668,387 1,668,387 1,671,818
Investment properties 0
Investments 0
Total fixed assets 1,668,387 0 1,668,387 1,671,818
Current Assets
Debtors and prepayments 13/5 7,323 7,323 7,774
Loans by the Churches 0
Investments with TMCP 0
Central Finance Board Deposits 85,556 85,556 48,193
CashatBankandin hand 6,783 4,200 10,983 76,008
Total current assets 99,662 4,200 103,862 131,975
Current liabilities
Creditors (due in under 1 year) 24,970 -3,480 21,490 2,040
Grants payablewithin 2020-21 , 0
Total current liabilities 24,970 -3,480 21,490 2,040
Net current assets/liabilities **74,692 ** 7,680 82,372 62,536
1,750,759
0
0
0
1,750,759
1,743,079
0
1,743,079
7,680
0
1,750,759
Total assets less current liabilities 1,743,079 7,680 1,750,759 1,788,231
Long term liabilities
(due after more than one year)
Grants payable after 2020-21 0
Loans to the Church 0
0
Net assets 1,743,079 7,680 1,750,759 1,788,231

**Funds of the Church **
General Fund (Unrestricted) 1,743,079 1,743,079 1,724,758
DesignatedFunds (Unrestricted) 0
Total Unrestricted Funds 1,743,079 1,724,758
RestrictedFunds 7,680 7,680 63,473
EndowmentFunds 0
Total Funds 1,743,079 7,680 1,750,759 1,788,231

14

BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022

1. Basis of accounting and accounting policies

i Accounting standard

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

ii Public benefit entity

Benfleet Methodist Church meets the 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.

iii Basis

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments (including properties) are shown at their market value at the end of the year. The accruals basis has been used and trustees present accounts that show a true and fair view of the Church’s financial position and activities.

iv Content

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £ sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.

v FRS 102 SORP 2015

These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with FRS102 SORP 2015. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable charity law in England, this being the Charities Act 2011 and SI 2008/629 *Charities accounting and Reporting Regulations) and, pending the making of replacement Regulations specific to SORP 2015 in accordance with Reg.8(4)(d) of SI 2008/629, the charity trustees have departed from the requirement of Reg.8(5) by following SORP (FRS 102) instead of SORP 2005 to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view in the circumstances.

vi Going concern

Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2022, the trustees believe that the Church is a going concern.

vii Income recognition

Income is brought into account when there is entitlement and the amount is reliably measurable once it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will be forthcoming.

Individual amounts categorised as Other income in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material.

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102), the time of volunteers is not recognised. Further information on this matter is provided in the Trustees’ Annual Report. If goods are donated, a value will be shown in the SOFA or Notes where the value is considered material.

15

vii Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, where the amount is reliably measurable and it is considered more likely than not that there will be an outflow of economic benefit.

ix VAT

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

x Tangible fixed assets

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 in the accounts at deemed historical cost representing each property’s gross carrying value as at 1 September 2015, being that property’s cost as far as the redevelopments are concerned and an internal valuation of the original premises remaining after the redevelopment plus any additions thereafter at cost.

No depreciation is provided because the trustees have maintained the buildings such that their values have been maintained.

The Church has made use of the deemed cost option on transitioning to FRS102 as outlined above.

xi Receivables and Payables; Bank and Cash (Basic Financial Instruments)

Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Church or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit fund balances are shown at their realisable values.

xii Funds

The trustees have adopted a policy for all unrestricted reserves which is attached as a separate document.

2. Payments to trustees

The Church policy is to reimburse members of the CLT and other trustees for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties, including where appropriate travelling expenses, or where they have been requested to undertake certain activities for the Church. The Minister and officers fulfil the primary executive roles within the Church. None of the trustees is an employee of the Church nor was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the Church, other than reimbursement of appropriate expenses incurred on behalf of the Church. During the year the sum of £nil was reimbursed in this regard to trustees (2020 - £nil).

3. Premises

The freehold premises comprise the church and the ancillary halls and facilities. The equipment comprises furniture and fitting acquired at the time of the redevelopment plus addition at cost. Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis over five years commencing in the year after acquisition.

4. Debtors and Prepayments

All sums shown as Debtors at 1 September 2021 were received during the year 2021-22. All sums paid in advance at 1 September 2021 were for activities that have been held during 2021-22. It is expected that payments in advance at 31 August 2022 will be expensed during 2022-23

5. Central Finance Board (CFB) and Bank Balances

Monetary balances held at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church and at CAF Bank are all available on demand without loss of interest.

16

6. Creditors, Accruals and Income in Advance

It is expected that all sums accrued at 31 August 2022 will be paid during the year to 31 August 2023.

7. Funds

General Fund (unrestricted)

The purpose of this fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Church and which have not been designated for other purposes. Some 95% of this fund is held as a freehold property, being the church and ancillary premises

Restricted Funds

These represent funds of Church organisations who report to the Church Council together with other accumulated minor funds plus a specific grant as yet unspent.

8. Related Parties

Church trustees, being members of the Church, make regular freewill offerings to support the work and activities of the Church. These are made through regular standing orders, weekly envelopes or cash put into the collection plates. It is neither practical nor appropriate to attempt to segregate these amounts that are given voluntarily.

Related parties include the Methodist Conference, the BE&H District and Churches within the Circuit, other Methodist Districts in Great Britain, CFB and TMCP.

9. Volunteer Contribution

Every entity (Connexion, District, Circuit and Church) within the Methodist Church in GB is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills, time and money in the furtherance of the work of the Church. In the Church the principal contribution is by serving on committees of the Church that deal with the mission, property, finance, policy, training and safeguarding. We are grateful to all of them for their help and commitment. No attempt has been made by this Church to value the non-monetary contributions to the Church in monetary terms.

10. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

There were no capital commitments or contingent liabilities at the year-end (2021 – nil)

11. Lease commitments

The Church has no lease commitments

12. Independent examiner

No fees payable to the independent examiner.

13. Financial analysis

13. Financial analysis
2022 2021
13/1 Fund raising and donations
Fund raising 10,074 2,660
Donations 1,202 744
11,276 3,404
13/2 Other charitable income
Use of premises 43,411 29,601
Other 18,135 0
Grants 16,900 0

17

78,446 29,601
13/3 Other expenditure
Youth Work 19,540 18,450
Website 339 343
Sundry 433 703
Performing rights licence 449 560
20,761 20,056
13/4 Fixed assets Church Equip Total
building -ment
**Cost or valuation **
Balance brought forward 1,661,778 71,983 1,733,761
Additions 0 0 0
Disposals 0 0 0
1,661,778 71,983 1,733,761
Depreciation
Balance brought forward 0 61,943 61,943
Released on disposal 0 0 0
Charge for year 0 3,431 3,431
0 65,374 65,374
Net Book Value
31 August 2022 1,661,778 6,609 1,668,387
31 August 2021 1,661,778 10,040 1,671,818
13/5 **Debtors and prepayments ** 2022 2021
Circuit assessment paid in advance 3,700 3,119
Use of premises 1,340 1,997
Other 273 1,489
Prepayments 2,010 1,169
7,323 7,774

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BENFLEET METHODIST CHURCH

Declarations and Scrutiny

I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2022 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.

Signature of joint treasurer V E Ryall

Date 30 October 2022

Name and address of joint treasurer

Mrs V Ryall 14 Orchill Road Hadleigh Essex SS7 2LS

Presentation to the Church trustees

I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 were presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on 12 October 2022

Signature of the Chair of the meeting

Rev Zena Smith Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Zena Smith Date 30 October 2022

19

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the

Benfleet Methodist Church

Charity Number 1127749

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Benfleet Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2022 set out on pages 11 to 17. As the Church’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.

Benfleet Methodist Church

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below*) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.

Signature of independent examiner G W Dorrington

Name of independent examiner Mr G W Dorrington

Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner

Address 43 St Marys Rad Benfleet Essex SS7 1NN

Date 30 October 2022

20

APPENDIX

Church Council Membership

Rev Zena Smith (Chairman) Mrs Doreen Bartlett Mr John Downer Mrs Sue Downer Mrs Janice Gray Mr Rob Gray Mrs Stella Holden Mrs Marie Howard Mrs Daisy Humphreys Mrs Caroline Huggett Mr Andy Keyes Mrs Ann Keyes Mrs Rosalind Klaas Mr Vernon Murray Mrs Diane Norton Mr Michael Otchere Mr Richard Reeves (Secretary) Mrs Marilyn Robinson Mrs Val Ryall Mr John Spain Mr John Stokes Mrs Shelagh Stokes Mrs Val Windsor

21