Fareham Methodist Church
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 AUGUST 2025
Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
Objectives and activities
In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Church Council Meeting has given careful consideration to the Charity Commissioners’ general guidance on public benefit and, in particular, to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing our objectives and conforms to the Charities Act 2011.
Our Mission as a local church of the East Solent and Downs Circuit is to pursue the Mission of God through worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism.
This is done for as many people as possible within the Fareham area through the provision of Christian Worship, spiritual development and pastoral care both to church members and to the wider communities in which the church is located.
Fareham Methodist Church supports the advancement of the Christian Faith through ecumenical liaison with other Christian groups in Fareham.
Achievements and performance
Current year
Attendance at Sunday services runs at an average of approximately 60 per week, this was confirmed by way of a weekly count of attendees during October 2025. The majority of regular church attendees now donate by standing order which has meant that income from giving is now more predictable. There are a few who regularly use the card machine located in the Welcome Area. Church services are streamed to Youtube, these attract viewers of the ‘Livestream’ as well as people who view the service after the event.
Various weekday activities continue to take place in the life of the church with many offering outreach opportunities to the local community. This has become an increasingly important aspect of Church Life at Fareham. Mini Market on a Monday and Coffee Morning on a Thursday are vibrant outreach activities presenting an opportunity to engage in Christian conversations. The monthly Messy Church continued through the year although since the year end this activity is being re-designed to run during holiday periods only.
In December 2024 PV panels were placed on the roof of the Wickham Room. These started exporting energy in February. Also, in December an area of ‘Green Roof’ was installed over the vestry. Both of these contribute to the Church’s reduced environmental impact. During the year, in recognition of this improvement, the Church was awarded Eco Church Bronze by A Rocha.
In the early part of this Church year two new large screens were installed at the front of the church. This now means that the centre drop down screen is only used for film evenings. As a result the stained glass window is now on view. In Spring 2025 the Church hosted Synod for the Southampton District. The event was a great success and the Trustees are grateful for the support received from volunteers from neighbouring churches in the circuit.
The Church continues to make donations to other charities and through social events raise money for various appeals.
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Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
Future years
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To continue to focus on mission activity as an open and inclusive church and lead new people into faith and so grow the number of Christians.
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To focus on worship and spiritual development and continue the use of technology to stream services to people who cannot access the premises
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To continue to work with Christians Together in Fareham to promote Christianity in the Borough.
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To provide pastoral support to those in need.
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To continue to demonstrate our commitment to improving the environment by using resources available through the Eco Church project.
Financial review
Income and expense
During the year the Church received total income of £118,667 (2023-24 £91,416) and made payments of £109,263 (2023-24: £106,255). No bequests were received in the year. Funds held at TMCP in Trust Number 21694 stands at £8,807. Total restricted reserves held in endowment funds at TMCP amount to £15,965. The interest from these funds is paid into the General Fund as it is received.
Unrestricted reserves carried forward were £100,830 (2024-25: £91,104). £1,175 of these reserves are restricted. £56,547 are designated: £500 for benevolence payments; £282 in an asylum fund; £9,214 in the Organ and Keyboard Fund; £35,000 in the Major Property Repair Fund; £2,744 bequests held within church accounts and £8,807 as bequests held at TMCP for longer term or specific use.
The trustees of the Church have every reason to believe that the Charity is a going concern, principally because the majority of the donated income is not reliant on attendance within the church building but is paid directly to the church accounts by standing order. There are no subsidiary undertakings. The proportion of income that is from lettings has reduced from previous years and the Trustees are aware that this income cannot be relied on as fully secure. However the Trustees are confident that there are sufficient reserves to cover any reduction in lettings in the medium term.
Remuneration policy
The church currently has two employees, a cleaner working 11 hours per week and a caretaker working 4 hours per week. Both posts are paid the Real Living Wage set annually by the Living Wage Foundation. Pay reviews are normally undertaken with effect from 1[st] April each year with rates set by the Managing Trustees at the Church Council prior to this date.
Investment Policy and Performance
To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long term investment are lodged with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP).
Short term deposits are lodged directly with the Central Finance Board (CFB) and attract interest. The Trustees are not minded to invest in higher risk funds.
Reserves level and policy
The General Fund contains five designated funds, the Benevolence Fund, a fund for Organ and Musical Instruments, a fund to support asylum seekers, a special projects fund, and a
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Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
fund for Major Property Repair. It also contains restricted bequests held in the general account and unrestricted bequests held in Trust number 21694 at TMCP and in the church accounts.
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Since in accordance with its stewardship policy, the church does not take separate collections for benevolence, a benevolence reserve is maintained in the General Fund for disbursement at the discretion of the minister.
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Church Council agreed that the church should start to build up a reserve to go towards replacement of the organ and other major musical instruments in the future. The designation of this fund is Organ and Keyboard with an ultimate target fund of £20,000.
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The major property reserve was re-assessed in October 2021 and a target property reserve has been set at £40,000 to cover major repair, renewals and improvements not included in the operating costs of the Church. This is designated CAPEX within the budget set each year. There is budgeted expenditure in the next 12 months of £5,000. The Quinquennial did not indicate any short-term major spend requirements.
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Previous bequests held in church funds amount to £3,369.
Withdrawal of money from the Designated Funds, restricted and unrestricted bequests requires Manging Trustee approval.
The remainder of the funds are held as Free Reserves. The target is for free reserves to cover approximately 6 months of operating costs with a target range of 40%-60%
| Designated Funds: | |
|---|---|
| Benevolence | £ 500 |
| Asylum fund | £ 282 |
| Organ and Keyboard | £ 9,214 |
| Major Property Repair (target £40k) | £35,000 |
| Unrestricted bequests @ TMCP | £ 8,807 |
| Unrestricted bequests held in accounts | £ 2,744 |
| Restricted bequests/gifts not yet expended | £ 625 |
| Free Reserve: | £42,508 – 49.1% |
| operating costs |
[forecast operating costs 2025/26 = £86,293]
Trustees’ responsibilities
For each financial year ending on 31[st] August the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Church’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees must:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently using the accruals method
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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follow applicable accounting standards
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prepare accounts to comply with the Charities SORP
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
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Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Church’s policy is to adhere to the Methodist Church’s policy on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. A Safeguarding Officer is appointed. The Circuit provides regular safeguarding training that can be accessed by the church as required. The Safeguarding Officer keeps records of training and ensures that this is up to date.
The Church does not hold any funds as custodian trustees on behalf of others.
Structure, governance and management
The Church is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church and was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 2 February 2009. Prior to this the charity had an excepted registration.
Structure
The Church is one of a number that make up the East Solent and Downs Circuit.
The Circuit is the coordinating charity and pay the stipends of the ministers and employ lay staff to serve the Churches in the Circuit; most decisions are made at or ratified by the Circuit Meeting.
The Circuit is part of the Southampton District which is the coordinating charity for a group of contiguous Circuits. District decisions are made at the half yearly synod to which the Circuit appoints both lay and ordained representatives. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches.
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Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference.
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The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits.
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Connexional decisions are passed via Districts to Circuits for local implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters.
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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 authority is then exercised by Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity.
Governance
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 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Church.
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Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
Reference and Administrative Details
Name of the charity
Fareham Methodist Church.
Charity registration number
1127814, registered in England and Wales
Principal Office
Fareham Methodist Church Kings Road Fareham PO16 0NU
Minister with pastoral oversight
Revd Pauline Crispin
Church Treasurer
Mr Michael Petter
Names of trustees
The following served as trustees throughout part or all of the year 2024-25 or were trustees at the time of this report being approved:
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Mrs Sally Bland
Mr Mark Brooks
Mr Nigel Cox
Revd Pauline Crispin
Mrs Patricia Croker
Ms Rachel Davies
Mrs Linda Foster
Mr Kevin Foster
Mrs Jill Groom
Mrs Edith Livingstone
Mrs Audrey Mann
Mr Peter Moody
Mrs Heather Murphy
Mrs Jean Petter
Mr Michael Petter
Mr Robert Temple
Mr Simon Potter
Mrs Margaret Shepherd
Mr Michael Shepherd
Mrs Catherine Stevenson
Mrs Roberta Watson
Mrs Margaret Wheeler
Mr Christopher Woodhams
Mrs Lin Woodhams
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Fareham Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2025
No trustee claims exemption from disclosure of his or her name here.
Bankers
CAF Bank Ltd Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 25 Kings Hill Avenue 9 Bonhill Street Kings Hill London West Malling EC2A 4PE Kent ME19 4JQ
Investment managers and custodian trustees
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ
Independent Examiner
Mrs Margaret Heathcote 19/21 High Street Emsworth Hants PO10 7AQ
Approvals
The Trustees’ Report and the Financial Statements were approved by the Church Council Meeting on 12[th] February 2026.
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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Fareham Methodist
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
East Solent & Downs Circuit Circuit no. 26/07
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
1127814
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister: Revd. Pauline Crispin Church Stewards: Mrs Jean Petter Miss Rach Davies Mrs Audrey Mann Mr Chris Woodhams Mr Michael Shepherd Treasurer: Mr Mike Petter
SFA 2024-2025
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Fareham Methodist Church
Restricted
Funds incl
Unrestricted Trust No Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds 21694 year year
Note £ £ £ £
a1 RECEIPTS 1
a2 Offerings and Tax recovered 63,104 63,104 61,602
Bank and CFB interest and
a3 Investment income 3,826 3,826 3,539
a4 Lettings 17,067 17,067 12,806
a5 Other receipts 2 34,670 34,670 13,469
a6 TOTAL RECEIPTS 118,667 118,667 (a7) 91,416
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 51,408 51,408 49,164
b3 Donations 3 2,623 2,623 3,375
b4 Repairs and Maintenance 4 9,078 9,078 24,959
Utilities (Insurances, water
b5 charges, heating & lighting) 5 13,166 13,166 12,547
b6 [Caretaking & Cleaning] 6 11,668 11,668 10,540
b7 Other payments 2 21,320 21,320 5,670
b8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 109,263 109,263 (b9) 106,255
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
c1 FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) 9,404 9,404 (14,839)
Total funds brought forward from
last year
c2 82,576 8,807 91,383 (c6) 105,943
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 91,980 8,807 100,787 91,104
c4 Transfers and adjustments 43 (c7) 279
c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 91,980 8,807 100,830 (c8) 91,383 (c6)
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SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
d (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above) £ £
d1 Balance brought forward from last year 1,107
d2 Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations incl TLC 3,392 3,517
d3 Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations incl TLC 3,349 2,410
d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) 1,150 1,107
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FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
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SFA 2024-2025
Fareham Methodist
Church
SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION E
Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page
Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
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INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances Closing balances
e1 Flower Fund 20 192 (172) 345 173
e2 Friday Lunches 1,785 1,799 (14) 34 20
e3 Junior Church 3 (3) 174 171
e4 Mini Market 2,044 2,247 (203) 363 160
e5 Parent & Toddler 528 582 (54) 166 112
e6
e7
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds 4,377 4,823 (446) 1,082 (e11) 636 (e12)
Church accounts (totals
brought forward from page
e9 2 - totals column) 118,667 (a7) 109,263 (b9) 9,404 43 (c7) 91,383 (c6) 100,830 (c8)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD
e10 BY CHURCH 123,044 114,086 8,958 43 92,465 (x) 101,466 (y)
Continue on a separate sheet TOTAL
if necessary and bring the TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
totals forward
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SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
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OPENING CLOSING
CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2025 BALANCES BALANCES
f1 Cash in hand
f2 Bank Current Account 22,179 38,804
f3 Bank Deposit Account 30,227 21,046
f4 Central Finance Board 30,170 32,173
f5 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 8,807 8,807
f6 Other funds
f7 SUB TOTAL - Church accounts 91,383 (c6) 100,830 (c8)
Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing
f8 balance total from above) (e12) 1,082 (e11) 636 (e12)
f9 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 92,465 (x) 101,466 (y)
SECTION G At At
1 September 2024 31 August 2025
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES
g1 Investments (include Endowments) 15,965 15,965
g2 Land & Buildings (see notes re Insurance value) 3,426,350 3,542,825
g3 Other Assets 172,477 178,340
g4 Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end
g5 Other Liabilities
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f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5
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SFA 2024-2025
Fareham Methodist Church Reg Charlty: 1127814 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these R8C8lPt and Paymenl based accounts for the year to 31 Augu$t 2025 have been prepared from Ihe records of the Church and that they inGlud@ all funds under the control of th8 church trustees. Signgluro gf treaeurer ,......,. 12 Narne and addr8ss of treasurer.. Michael Petter. 4 Romyns Court. Far8ham, P014 1N8 Pf•sontatlon to tho Church Iru8tO08 I confimi that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 weremill be" presented to the meets'no of the Church trustees held on ................. Signaluro of tho Chgir of tho meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Indepèndent Examlner's Rgport to the Trustees of the Fareham Methodist Church Charity Numbor 1127814 Ruponslbilltl•s and ba8ls of roport I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of thé .... Church lor the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on page$ .1. to 3 As the Church's trust88S, YOU are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢¢ordance with the requirements of the Charities AGt 2011 {'the ACY). Lc trt I réport in Spect 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 appii¢able DlrecUon8 glven by the Charity Commission under section 145(51(b) of the Act. delete or ¢ir¢le as appropriate SFA202420 4of5
Fareham Methodist Church Reg Charity: 1127814 Independent Examiner's Stat•m•nt I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention n connection with the examination (other than that disclosed belo) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the aGGounting recorda were not kept in a¢¢ordance with section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. 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 havelhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments wtth 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 eXs5 of £10,000 {ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Slqnature of independent examiner Name of independent examlner Relevant professional qualtfication of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) ..Qw>k. 4.g.KWk...w.&...RJ.4Th)...rn.**kn.o sknK.. Address ..1 e4- t Post Code delete or circle as appropriate SFA 2024-2025 5015
Notes accompanying Accounts for Year ended 31st August 2025
Both the General Fund and Trust No. 21694 are unrestricted.
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Trust No. 21694 consists of Model Trust bequests.
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Other Receipts and Other Payments
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4
Donations
Repairs
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Receipts Weekday activity 7133
Mini market: £2392
Messy Church: £137
Holiday at Home: £258
Coffee Centre: £1950
Friday lunch: £890
parent & Toddlert £120
Shirley stall £300
Bazaar: £910
Contactless £176
Organ & Keyboard fund donations 385
Environmental fund 3767
Sunday lunch donations 160
Contactless 94
Sunday coffee donations 150
Env Grant 12734
AV Grant 2000
Asylum support 182
Flower fund 50
PRF refund 8000
Other 15 34670
Payments Messy Church 166
Copying, Copyright & Website 1367
Environmental projects 15073
AV projects 3969
Bank & contactless fees 168
Benevolance payments 95
Other incl expenses 482
21320
Advance payment Gift Aid 128
World Missions 800
Mission in Britain 500
Fund for the Support of Presbyters and Deacons 250
Fund for human need 200
BRF 200
Friends of homeless in Fareham 200
Christians Together in Fareham 195
Masonic car parking 150
2623
Boiler service & repair 340
Fire alarm and extinguishers 280
Electrical work & certification 4155
AST Door entry system & repairs to doors 1315
Sound desk screens 248
New fridge 289
New water heater 408
Blind in church 86
Carpet cleaner 93
Decoration 1601
Plumbing repairs 132
General repairs <£75 131
9078
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FAREHAM METHODIST CHURCH
Notes accompanying Accounts for Year ended 31st August 2025 continued
| 5 | Utilities | Broadband | 440 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | 1944 | |||
| Electricity | 6794 | |||
| BT | 62 | |||
| Insurance | 3926 | |||
| 13166 | ||||
| 6 | Caretaking and cleaning | |||
| Wages | 9779 | |||
| Janitorial supplies | 729 | |||
| PHS | 940 | |||
| Window clean | 220 | |||
| 11668 | ||||
| 7. | General | Fund at 31st August 2025 | ||
| Running Costs Reserve | 42508 | |||
| Benevolence Reserve | 500 | |||
| Asylum Fund | 282 | |||
| Organ & Keyboard reserve | 9214 | |||
| Environmental Fund | 0 | |||
| Major Repairs Reserve | 35000 | |||
| Unrestricted bequests @ TMCP | 8807 | |||
| Unrestricted bequests in account | 2744 | |||
| Restricted bequests in account | 625 | |||
| Restricted fund TLC | 1150 | |||
| 100830 | ||||
| 8. | Appeals | for External Organisations | ||
| Action for Children | 1018 | |||
| All We Can | 629 | |||
| Youth Options | 316 | |||
| Two Saints | 195 | |||
| Christian Aid Week | 255 | |||
| Step by Step collected TLC | 900 | |||
| World Mission Fund JMA | 36 | |||
| 3349 |
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The investment shown in Section G is Trust No. 17856 and Trust No. 22184 with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (Charity No. 1136358).
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The Buildings and "other assets" (contents and organ) are valued at the sums for which they are insured. The sums insured are increased annually according to appropriate indices.
Fareham Methodist ChurGh Reg Charity: 1127814 Independent Examlnerfs Statgmont I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed belo) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in aGGordance with 3ection 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord wsth tha accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In thts report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I h8velhave not" obtained independent verification of all Investments with Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church whi¢h are individually in eXsS of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Srgnature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualrfication of independent examiner Name of fim (where appropriate) ..Q*>k. A.OW&....¥...j .n).....¢s.{a&.k.. Post Code delete or circle as appropriste SFA 202&2025 5of5