High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DR
Tel: 01761 410450 e-mail: info@msnmcc.org
Annual Charity Report for the year ended 31st August 2022
The Church was established in April 1990 and is a member of the North East Somerset and Bath Circuit in the Methodist Church, Bristol District as from September 2008. There has been Methodist witness in the town dating to the middle of the eighteenth century.
In order to comply with the Charity Commission’s requirements, the Church, comprising the work and assets in Midsomer Norton, was registered as a separate charity on 4[th] March 2009, No 1128385. Prior to that date, the Church being part of the Methodist Church in the UK was exempted from registration under Statutory Instrument No 1598.
The Church Council is the Legal and Administrative body of the Church and usually meets quarterly. Day to day matters are delegated to the Church Stewards (as listed) and other church officials as appointed by the Church Council.
| Minister: | Rev Stephen Robinson |
|---|---|
| Church Council Members: | Revs Stephen Robinson, Simon Topping, Martin Slocombe. |
| (as at 31stAugust 2022) | Lay members: Sally Brick, Annie Brimble, Keith Brown, |
| Cathy Edge, Darcey Green, Helen Green, Lydia Hinton, | |
| Judith Knight, Simon Knight, Virgie Lewis, James Roberts | |
| Mark Robinson, Ian Sims, Julie Slade. | |
| Church Stewards: | Sally Brick, Helen Green, Lydia Hinton, Simon Knight |
| Virgie Lewis. | |
| Treasurer: | Julie Slade |
| Bankers: | National Westminster Bank, Midsomer Norton |
| Charities Aid Foundation | |
| Central Finance Board of Methodist Church, London | |
| Independent Examiner | Browning Ltd, Chartered Accountants, Midsomer Norton |
All official correspondence should be sent to the Minister/Secretary/Treasurer at Midsomer Norton Methodist Church, High Street, Midsomer Norton, Somerset, BA3 2DR
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Re port of the Church Council for the year ended 31st August 2022
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the Church, as contained in its Mission Statement, is to reflect God’s love in everything we do so that others may be drawn to faith in Christ.
Regular Sunday Services are held and weekday activities complement these. All are welcome at these events.
The Church Council is charged with overseeing everything that takes place in the name of the Methodist Church in Midsomer Norton and maintaining the building in good order. Community groups are encouraged to use the facilities when available. During the year, usually in conjunction with other Churches in the town, various events have taken place including United Worship and Christmas activities.
Risk Management
The Church Council has regularly considered the major risks to which they as Trustees are exposed and have regularly reviewed those risks and systems along with procedures to manage those risks.
Volunteers are checked (including where appropriate under the Criminal Records Legislation) and a policy statement prepared under the Health and Safety at Work 1974 legislation incorporating risk assessments. Training is given in kitchen procedures and the Methodist Church’s Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults policies adhered to.
General Review of the Year
Rev Stephen Robinson was the Minister during this period and was supported by a team of Church Stewards who together form the Church Leadership Team. As a Leadership Team they oversee the life and work of the Church.
This year has seen the continued significant challenge in the life of the church with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic which, through government legislation and Methodist Church guidance, led to the closure of the church building and activities for periods of time. Added to that in August 2021 the building suffered flooding and the Centre had to be closed
Before that, church activities were run by a large group of volunteers both members and adherents to whom we are grateful.
Membership was recorded at 108 with many more people from the local community associated with the church and its activities.
Activities covering spiritual and social aspects of the church life have been held for the benefit of the public. Centre bookings by local community organisations have yet to recover from the cessation of hall lettings due to the flood last year which forced many hirers to seek alternative premises for their activities. Some regular events run by the church for the whole community have re-started but in a more limited capacity. The church has continued to offer pastoral care to a number of people both within and outside the church and visiting those who are sick and infirm has resumed since the Covid pandemic.
Partnerships continue with the local Community Pantry and also Small Stuff Baby Bank which meets the needs of some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our local community.
The church has been able to resume its previous pattern of ‘in person’ worship in the building whilst continuing to upload some digital worship.
The church has a growing impact on social media through its web site, Twitter and Facebook pages.
We continue to oversee ongoing maintenance of the premises which increases as the building ages, and demands considerable finance to remain in its current good condition. The church continues to base its life on its Vision Statement:
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Our mission is to reflect God’s love in everything we do, so that others may be drawn to faith in Christ
Financial Review of the Year
The Church Council continues to be grateful to members and friends for their generous support and financial offerings. Regular giving is slightly down on the previous year and the income from lettings, whilst gradually improving, is still much less than before the pandemic. The overall Church Reserves remain satisfactory.
There were some forward financial commitments at the year-end which included: the Church’s on-going commitment to the Circuit; to continue to maintain the suite of premises; employment of a Digital Outreach Worker.
Public Benefit
The Church Council has considered the requirements as required under the public benefit provisions of the Charities Act 2006.
We continue to serve the community of Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas with a variety of activities and services for all ages. Such services and activities offer a breadth of opportunity for help and support under the three headings of: Pastoral, Outreach and Worship and Prayer
We are keen to offer a warm welcome to all no matter what age, background, ethnicity or faith (including those with no faith)
We also work in partnership with other agencies in the Town such as Local Churches, through Churches Together, the Town Council, Foodbank, local schools and other voluntary organisations. Our Minister was a Governor at Longvernal and Norton Hill Primary Schools. He was also Chaplain to the Town Council.
We continue to seek new ways of responding to the variety of needs in the area
Trustees’ Responsibilities
Charity law requires the Church Council, as Trustees, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Church and of the results of the Church for that year.
In preparing those financial statements, the Church Council is required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; to make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume the Church will continue.
The Church Council is responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Midsomer Norton Methodist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2021 Bath & North East Somerset Circuit Circuit no 07113 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered chanty number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used lo give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodisl charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are expied from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242} 1128385 Minister.. Rev. Stephen Robinson Church Stewards.. Sally Brick Helen Gen Barry Gunfield (until 05107121) Lydia Hinton Virgie Lewis Simon Knight (from 05107121) Treasurer.. Julie Slade Church R and P 2015.xl$ l of5
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Midsomer Norton Methodist Church Unrestricted Restricted Totsls this Funds Funds year Totsls last year SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 64,853 64.853 63,922 a3 243 23 266 828 a4 Lettin 47 47 7,794 15,304 87.848 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 6,457 71.601 5,300 5,323 11.757 76.924 a6 la71 SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 49,500 49,SOO 44,625 b3 Donations 2,000 10,390 2,000 10.390 2.500 b4 Re airs and Maintenan Ulililies Ilnsurances. swaler charges, healing & lighlingl 18,493 b5 8,674 8.674 13,160 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 3,494 6.509 10,002 80,566 10,939 89.717 b8 74,058 6,509 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a6 2,456 1,186 3,643 1,869 Total funds brought fOard from last year c2 111,730 10,676 122,406 c6 124,274 Sub total c1+c2 109,274 9,490 118,763 122,405 Transfers and ad'ustmenls 4,400 4,400 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 104,874 13,890 118.763 (¢81 122,405 {c61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included In total receiptsl a mentsfi ure8 above} d1 Balance brou ht foard from last ear 265 d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for external or nisalions $45 3.972 d3 OfferingslGifts passed lo external oiganisations 465 4,237 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3) 80 Churth R and P 2015.x15 2of5
Midsomer Norton Methodist Church SUMMARY HURCH ACCOUNT NCI SECTION E Guidance Notes tts Ctxn Surnmary of the Church a¢¢ovnls lorthe yearended 31 August 2021 ana Internal OrganLsabons rerubn9 to church ¢CVc1VJ[Ch lPetin9. Note thaithe funds of an Internal Organisaiw WOU noTraIlY be Resthtte¢ lun(ts VeSS Il coukl clearty thaitThty¢tsJbJ be Led for any MethL%i prOSe. Thi$ sectw)n rnusl be compleie¢ toarrive at thegross ComE and expptKJiturptc4aL4 oflhe Cmrch. ff grc6s Irwne exceed5 ttACcn threshcld, thtrn IhÈAc¢tus mettrK)d of ar£ounling ANDA OIFFERENT FORM mu$it* used to reportthe {wkW¥LSlhEbslel. Please relerkn trt gill08n notes regarding transfers betseen the LTh$tnrl and connected Distr CMganisatioDs INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Op8nry balanS Closi an Slo ff Lunches $y omen 20 Gro 240 240 ¢3 & Toddler Gro 176 17S e4 Flowers 24 24 e5 Sub totsi ol Inleynal anisalions funds 460 e11 460 e12 Church a¢¢out)ts Itots brought foThvard from ge 2- totals cdumrtl 76,924 1?71 80.566 13,6431 {c71 122,406 118,763 BY CHURCH 76,924 13.6431 122.865 119.2Z3 Conbnue a separate sheet il recessary and the tota15 loTh¥ard TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMEMrs SECTION F TATEM LtriES OPENING CLOSING BALANCES CHLIRCH- CASH FUP4DS HELDat31 Au ust 2021 Cash in hand 2D Bank Current A¢couni- Nat1 15.510 ank CvrrertAcGounl- CAF 18,622 Central Finance Board 22.031 22,062 Trustees for Methist Church Pu 72.434 70,074 Olherlurtd5 SU8 TOTAL- Church aceounts 122.406 Total lunds hèld by Internal Organrsaiwjns Ith2 ck)5fvJ b8lart¢etotal trn above) le121 460 460 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 122,865 119,303 SECTION G At 1 Seo¥nbw 2020 31 Augusl 2021 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILlE$ InVestsnlg Indude En(&Mn6n Land & Buildi see notss re Insurarte value OtherA5sets Loan -5how amwniouislarHJi areThl Otl)er Liabilrfies 14 In$ude lY Furkl5 hdd at thè Central Firtarte Board 15 Indude only at Tru5tee5 for methIst Church Purrx 91 knclud$ any 0¢r In¥e5trnents (not the cash ¥E01 TUCPtru5ts awAXJrts ttms 2015 ClwxthkudPxL%
Name of Church Midsomer Norton Methodist Church No 1128385 Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all fvnds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer Name and address of treasurer Julie Slade, 8 Underhill Lane. MidsoTner Norton, Radstock Post Code...BA3 2RT... Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 werelwdkbe. presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on W NL:v 2£LI Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Re v.. A...r... rt.<)3.1 r4g Date Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Midsomer Norton Methodist Church Charity Number 1128385 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Midsomer Norton Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages .1 to3 As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance vrith the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'l. 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. delete or circle as appropriate 40fS
Name of Church Midsomer Norton Methodist Church No 1128385 Independent Examiner's Ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ( ") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect- the accounting records were not kept in accordance 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 I8/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 Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner fc(J Name of firm (where appropriate) P G Owen Limited Chartered Accoutht8nts & Financial Advisors Address 124 High St. Midsomer Norton Bath BA3 2DA Tel: 01761410444 Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate 2015 church R and P.xL8 5of5
aeply to.. ,Wlidsomer Norton jur Ref.. IDGIMMIHF Gillard Limited Your Ref: Chartered Accountants Date: 14 December 2021 Julie Slade. Hon 'l"reasurer Midsomer Norton Mcthodist Church Centre High Street Midsomer Norton BA3 2DR Dear Julie. MIDSOIIIF.R NORTON MF.THODIST CHLRCH CF.NTRF. INDEI)E)'DEL)T EXANL IIIATIOJ, FOR THF. YF.AR TO 31 AUC.UST 2021 Further to ihe provision of addilional infom)ation: I have pleasure in enclosing the accounts and completed certificate for the N'ear. As in the previous years, we have found no major irregularilies ho.ever l ivould make the following comments. l. The Dats Dei'elopments program you are no using appears to working very well and I hope )'ou are finding it Us¢1. Certainly thc spccific layouts for ihc Methodist Church reports must save you a lot of time. 2. You advised a transfer of £4,400 and we have agreed ihai Restricted fund balances ai the end of the year should be as follows Benevolent fund 1,819 Church Worker Salary Fund 12,071 £13,890 There were some rounding ditTeiences which I have accommodated by small adju&tm¢nts 3. As the external Groups need to bc sho 5CP<dtejY on p(ige 3 1 have had to Use the full set ol"ReLeipts and payment forms ralhcr Ihan Ihe shortened version. Cont... 124 High Street. Midsomer Norton Baih. BA3 2DA T:1017611410444 • F..1017611411670 7 Northumberland Buildtngs Bath BAI 2JB T:1012251422183 * F=101225I 464626 21A Market Place. Wartninster Wiltshire BA12 9AY T:1019851213130. F..1019851219480 Liractor. l D GI11&F¢AFCOippFS8Fp
Our cxamination of the records found no irrcgularitics or queries on the sample selected. Finally, I cnclose a note of my firni's charges. As you no longer have employees we are keeping the payroll scheme on as an annual schcme aJ]d filing nil returns. As usual I have heavily discounted our fees to rcflect our ongoing commitment to the Church. Yours sincerely IAND Enc. LLARD FCA FCCA DipPFS BFP