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
ex￿pied from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242}
1128385
Minister..
Rev. Stephen Robinson
Church Stewards..
Sally Brick
Helen G￿en
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 fO￿ard 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 fo￿ard 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 ¢C￿Vc1VJ[Ch ￿lPetin9. Note thaithe funds of
an Internal Organisaiw WOU￿ no￿TraIlY be Resthtte¢ lun(ts V￿eSS Il coukl clearty thaitThty¢tsJbJ be L￿ed for any Meth￿L%i p￿r￿OSe. Thi$ sectw)n rnusl be
compleie¢ toarrive at thegross ￿ComE and expptKJiturptc4aL4 oflhe Cmrch. ff grc6s Irwne exceed5 tt*ACcn￿ threshcld, thtrn IhÈAc¢tu*s mettrK)d of ar£ounling
ANDA OIFFERENT FORM mu$it* used to reportthe {wkW¥￿LSl￿hEbslel. Please relerkn trt gill08n￿ notes regarding transfers betseen the LTh$tnrl
and connected Distr￿ CMganisatioDs
INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS
Op8nry
balan￿S
Closi
an
Slo
ff Lunches
$y
omen
20
Gro
240
240
¢3
& Toddler Gro
176
17S
e4
Flowers
24
24
e5
Sub totsi ol Inleynal
anisalions funds
460
e11
460
e12
Church a¢¢out)ts Itots
brought foThvard from ￿ge
2- totals cdumrtl
76,924
1?71
80.566
13,6431
{c71
122,406
118,763
BY CHURCH
76,924
13.6431
122.865
119.2Z3
Conbnue ￿ a separate sheet
il recessary and the
tota15 loTh¥ard
TOTAL RECEIPTS
TOTAL
PAYMEMrs
SECTION F
TATEM
LtriES
OPENING
CLOSING
BALANCES
CHLIRCH- CASH FUP4DS HELDat31 Au
ust 2021
Cash in hand
2D
Bank Current A¢couni- Nat￿1
15.510
ank CvrrertAcGounl- CAF
18,622
Central Finance Board
22.031
22,062
Trustees for Meth￿ist Church Pu
72.434
70,074
Olherlurtd5
SU8 TOTAL- Church aceounts
122.406
Total lunds hèld by Internal Organrsaiwjns Ith2 ck)5fvJ
b8lart¢etotal tr￿n above) le121
460
460
TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH
122,865
119,303
SECTION G
At
1 Seo¥nbw 2020
31 Augusl 2021
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILl￿E$
InVestsn￿lg
Indude En(&Mn6n
Land & Buildi
see notss re Insurarte value
OtherA5sets
Loan
-5how amwniouislarHJi
areThl
Otl)er Liabilrfies
14 In$ude ￿lY Furkl5 hdd at thè Central Firtarte Board
15 Indude only at Tru5tee5 for meth￿Ist Church Purrx
91 knclud$ 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 I￿8/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
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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 GI1￿1&F¢AFC￿OippFS8Fp

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 o￿n 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