## **BARNET BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH** Registered Charity No. 1128670 ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the Year Ended 31 August 2025** ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT** The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements of Barnet Brookside Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Methodist Church Standard Form of Accounts and applicable charity accounting guidance. Barnet Brookside Methodist Church exists to advance the Christian faith through worship, fellowship, pastoral care and service to the local community. The Church seeks to provide a welcoming place of worship whilst making its buildings and resources available for activities that benefit people of all ages within the community. The Trustees are grateful to the Ministers, Church Officers, members of the congregation and the many volunteers whose commitment enables the Church to continue its ministry and outreach. Their support remains fundamental to the life of the Church and its continuing service to the community. During the year the Church continued to provide regular worship, pastoral support and opportunities for Christian fellowship whilst maintaining its commitment to community engagement through the use of Brookside Church and Wesley Hall. The Trustees also approved a significant programme of repairs and maintenance to the Church's properties. Although this resulted in a planned reduction in reserves during the year, the Trustees consider this to be prudent stewardship of the Charity's assets, ensuring that the Church's buildings remain safe, welcoming and fit for purpose for future generations. The Trustees believe that Barnet Brookside Methodist Church remains financially sound and well placed to continue fulfilling its charitable purposes. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The purposes of Barnet Brookside Methodist Church are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Church and to provide public benefit through worship, fellowship, pastoral care and service to the local community. The Church achieves these objectives by: - providing regular acts of Christian worship; - encouraging prayer, Christian learning and spiritual development; - offering pastoral care and fellowship to members and visitors; - supporting ecumenical partnerships and community engagement; - making Church premises available for community organisations and activities; and - supporting local, national and international charitable causes. In planning its activities, the Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the Church continues to meet its charitable objectives for the benefit of both the congregation and the wider community. ## **CONTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEERS** The Trustees recognise that the continued success of Barnet Brookside Methodist Church depends upon the commitment, generosity and enthusiasm of its volunteers. Volunteers support every aspect of Church life including worship, pastoral care, administration, finance, property management, hospitality, fundraising and the management of room lettings. They also organise and support many of the Church's social and community events throughout the year. The Trustees wish to record their sincere appreciation for the dedication shown by all those who give their time and skills so freely. Their contribution enables the Church to continue serving both the congregation and the wider community. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** Barnet Brookside Methodist Church continues to play an important role within the local community through worship, fellowship and practical service. The Church remains an active member of the Barnet & Queensbury Methodist Circuit and continues to work in partnership with St Mary's Church, East Barnet, through the East Barnet Anglican Methodist Partnership (EBAMP). These relationships provide opportunities for shared worship, ecumenical events and joint community activities. Members of the congregation continue to support local foodbanks, community organisations and charitable initiatives, demonstrating the Church's ongoing commitment to serving those in need. Brookside Church and Wesley Hall continue to provide valuable facilities for a wide range of community activities. The popular Saturday Coffee Morning, Craft Group, annual Christmas Fair and Art and Craft Exhibition continue to provide opportunities for fellowship, friendship and community engagement whilst strengthening links with local residents. The Trustees are pleased to see continued community involvement and remain committed to developing the Church's role as a welcoming place of worship, fellowship and service for all. ## **TREASURER'S FINANCIAL REVIEW** The Trustees continued to manage the Church's finances prudently throughout the year whilst ensuring that sufficient resources remained available to support worship, ministry, pastoral care and community activities. During the year the Trustees approved a significant programme of planned repairs and maintenance to both Brookside Church and Wesley Hall. As a consequence, expenditure was substantially higher than in previous years and reserves were utilised to fund these essential works. The Trustees believe this represents prudent stewardship of the Charity's assets and helps ensure that both buildings remain safe, welcoming and fit for purpose for future generations. ## **Summary Statement of Receipts and Payments 2024/25** |**Income**|**2025 (£)**|**2024 (£)**| |---|---|---| |Offerings and Tax Recovered|36,749|37,508| |Bank and CFB Interest & Investment Income|9,945|24,652| |Lettings|97,124|79,234| |Other Receipts|364|14,689| |**Total Income**|**144,182**|**156,083**| |**Expenditure**||| |Circuit Assessment|40,612|36,800| |Repairs and Maintenance|81,358|9,251| |Utilities (Insurance, Water, Heating & Lighting)|31,132|32,943| |Other Payments|45,341|45,380| |**Total Expenditure**|**198,443**|**124,374**| |||| |**Net Surplus / (Deficit) for the Year**|**(54,261)**|**31,709**| ## **Financial Commentary** Total income for the year amounted to £144,182, compared with £156,083 in the previous year. Congregational giving, Gift Aid and income generated through the letting of Church premises continued to provide the Charity's principal sources of income. Income from lettings remained strong throughout the year, reflecting the continued use of Brookside Church and Wesley Hall by local community organisations. Investment income reduced compared with the previous year as interest rates returned towards more typical levels. Total expenditure increased significantly during the year, principally as a result of the planned programme of repairs and maintenance. Expenditure on repairs increased from £9,251 in the previous year to £81,358, reflecting the Trustees' decision to progress essential works identified through the Church's long-term property maintenance programme. Other operating expenditure remained broadly consistent with previous years and continued to be carefully managed. The Church recorded a deficit of £54,261, compared with a surplus of £31,709 in the previous year. The Trustees do not regard this as a weakening of the Charity's underlying financial position. Rather, it reflects the planned use of accumulated reserves to fund essential investment in the Church's buildings. **Summary of Funds Held at 31[st] August 2025** The Church's financial position remains strong. At 31 August 2025, total funds stood at £241,887 compared with £296,148 at the previous year end. |**Assets**|**2025 (£)**|**2024 (£)**| |---|---|---| |TMCP|149,865|202,509| |Central Finance Board|7,204|7,004| |Other Bank Balances|84,818|86,635| |**Total Funds**|**241,887**|**296,148**| The reduction in reserves reflects the planned investment in the Church's buildings rather than any deterioration in the Charity's financial stability. The Trustees are satisfied that the Church continues to hold appropriate reserves to support its ongoing ministry, maintain its property and respond to future opportunities and challenges. ## **Reserves Policy** The Trustees maintain reserves to ensure the continued financial stability of the Charity and to provide resources for the ongoing maintenance and improvement of Brookside Church and Wesley Hall. Reserves are reviewed annually and are considered in the light of the Church's operational requirements, future property commitments and potential unforeseen expenditure. Following the planned programme of repairs undertaken during the year, total reserves remain at £241,887, which the Trustees consider appropriate for the size and activities of the Charity. Restricted funds continue to be applied solely for the purposes for which they were given. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** Barnet Brookside Methodist Church is a registered charity governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church. The Church forms part of the Barnet & Queensbury Methodist Circuit and is managed by the Church Council, whose members are the Charity Trustees. The Church Council is responsible for the overall governance of the Charity, ensuring that its resources are applied solely in furtherance of its charitable purposes. The Trustees meet regularly throughout the year to consider matters relating to worship, mission, finance, property, safeguarding and the general administration of the Church. The Trustees recognise the importance of good governance and continue to review the Church's policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure that they remain appropriate for the size and activities of the Charity. ## **RISK MANAGEMENT** The Trustees regularly review the principal risks facing the Charity and have established appropriate systems of internal control to mitigate those risks where reasonably possible. The principal risks identified by the Trustees include: - maintaining sustainable levels of income through congregational giving and lettings; - meeting the ongoing maintenance requirements of Brookside Church and Wesley Hall; - ensuring compliance with safeguarding, health and safety and other statutory obligations; - maintaining appropriate reserves to respond to unforeseen expenditure; and - supporting the continued growth and engagement of the Church community. The Trustees consider these risks regularly and, where appropriate, obtain professional advice to assist in managing them effectively. ## **TRUSTEES** The following served as Charity Trustees during the year: - Rev Alberta Konadu-Yiadom – Chair - Anna Louise Durston - Louise Susan Sutton - Linda Joan Brown - Helen O'Sullivan - Jayne Delaney - Euan Durston - Michael Brandrick - Gwen Jones - Christine Jeanne Setchell - Margaret Thompson - Robin Leslie Dyer - Derrick John Setchell - Shirley-Anne Wheeler - Lyn Forster - Eddie Thompson - Edward Eldred - Pauline Eldred - Sheila Alice Mortimer ## **TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the requirements of the Methodist Church. The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, safeguarding the assets of the Charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are also responsible for ensuring that appropriate accounting policies are applied consistently and that judgements and estimates are reasonable and prudent. The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their responsibilities in preparing these financial statements and consider that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Approved by the Church Council on __________________ 2026. Signed on behalf of the Trustees: Rev Alberta Konadu-Yiadom Chair ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BARNET BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH** I report on the financial statements of Barnet Brookside Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission. ## **Independent Examiner's Statement** I have completed my examination and confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that: - proper accounting records have not been maintained in accordance with the Charities Act 2011; or - the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. David French FCCA Independent Examiner Date: 27[th] June 2026 ## **Future Plans** The Trustees will continue to focus on supporting the Church's mission, maintaining and improving its buildings, encouraging community use of its premises and ensuring that Barnet Brookside Methodist Church remains a welcoming place of worship and service for future generations. ## **Conclusion** The Trustees wish to record their sincere thanks to the Ministers, Church Officers, volunteers, members of the congregation and the many organisations that continue to support the work of Barnet Brookside Methodist Church. Through their generosity, commitment and faithful service, the Church continues to provide Christian worship, pastoral care and practical support to the local community. The Trustees look forward with confidence to continuing this work in partnership with the Barnet & Queensbury Methodist Circuit and the wider community in the years ahead.