2025-08-31-accounts - High Street Methodist Church Witney

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HIGH STREET METHODIST CHURCH, WITNEY

Charity number: 1129034 40 High Street Witney OX28 6HG

Annual Return: 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025

Trustees

Rev Jason Cooke Graham Beechey Dr Fraser Campbell Logue Linda Burbage Rebekah Coleman Valerie Donogue Margaret Maycock Janet Buckle Jonathan Miller Jane Heath Rev Andrew Biggs Ian Cotton Helen Williamson Anne Emily Crawford Heather Davies Keith Early Crawford

Structure, Governance and Management

High Street Methodist Church, Witney is a member of the Methodist Church UK Connexion. The charity is governed in accordance with the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church.

The Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, ensuring that its activities are in furtherance of its charitable purposes and carried out in accordance with Methodist Church regulations.

Objectives and Activities

The primary objective of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrines of the Methodist Church, alongside the provision of community support and outreach within Witney and the surrounding area.

In setting objectives and planning activities, the Trustees have given due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Activities and Achievements

The past 12 months (1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025) have seen the church continue to flourish as a busy hub at the heart of our community. The church maintains a strong reputation within Witney as an organisation committed to supporting and enhancing community life.

Our worshipping community has remained stable in weekly attendance. A reduction in membership numbers reflects the removal of inactive or relocated individuals rather than a decline in engagement. The pastoral team continues to provide a high standard of care, ensuring that the church remains a community rooted in love, fellowship, and mutual support.

Church-led activities continue to be wide-ranging and impactful. The weekly community meal provides free food and companionship to those in need. This initiative has received external recognition through support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Connected Communities Fund, including a grant to sustain and develop the service. Since its launch in 2023, the community meal has provided over 2,000 meals and created a welcoming, intergenerational space that fosters connection and reduces social isolation. This recognition reflects the programme’s contribution to dignity, inclusion, and community resilience.

The church coffee bar continues to offer free drinks and snacks, welcoming hundreds of visitors each week. The Alpha course runs at least twice annually and continues to grow in both reach and impact. Small groups, prayer ministries, and the Experience programme—through which approximately 1,000 children engage with Christianity each year—remain central to the church’s mission.

The church also oversees an Ecumenical Town Centre Chaplaincy team, now comprising almost 20 trained chaplains serving the wider community. The Dorcas team continues its ‘craftivism’ work, raising awareness of injustice while offering hope and practical support.

The church building remains one of the busiest in Witney, with regular use by a wide range of community groups including U3A, music societies, the horticultural society, the Women’s Institute, and various fitness and dance groups. This extensive use reflects the church’s commitment to being an open and accessible community resource.

Particular note is made of Witney Community Fridge and Larder (WFR), Christians Against Poverty (CAP), and Apollos Clothing, all operating within the Wesley Centre. WFR now leases the Bethany Room within the Wesley Centre, bringing together organisations with closely aligned social justice aims. This partnership is mutually beneficial, strengthening collaboration while further developing the Wesley Centre as a significant community and social hub.

WFR facilitates approximately 30,000 food collections annually. CAP supports individuals in becoming debt-free and delivers LifeSkills courses, while Apollos Clothing provides free clothing to those in need.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The church provides public benefit through the advancement of religion and through a wide range of community-focused activities. These include acts of worship open to all, pastoral care, educational programmes, and practical support initiatives such as the community meal, coffee bar, and social justice partnerships.

The facilities of the church are made widely available to individuals and community groups, contributing to social cohesion, wellbeing, and community development. Support is provided without discrimination, and particular care is given to those experiencing hardship, isolation, or vulnerability.

Through these activities, the church contributes positively to the spiritual, social, and practical needs of the local community.

Conclusion

This annual report provides an opportunity to reflect on the breadth and impact of the church’s work. The Trustees believe that High Street Methodist Church continues to play a significant and valued role within Witney, and that both the church and the wider community benefit from its ongoing activities and presence.

Church Accruals Accounts 2022025 THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2025 h Street Methodist Church. Witne Church Regist•r•d Chwity- R•gistltin number Ilf pplkabl•) 1129034 West Oxf¢xdshi Clrcuit No 2303 Mlnlster Rev Ja8cn CocA(e Church Stewards Janet PA Helen Wlliams Fraser Logue Ri¢tiard Tpedy Mike Hutchrys Church Treasurer Jonathan Miller

Hlgh Sireet Methodlst Church. Wltney Number 1129034 Statement of Flrtanclal Actlvltles ISOFAI for the year ended 31 AuEUSt 2025 Section A Statement of financial activities o¢ommon catogorios nrostricto ostr cto ndowmont ota unds rior yQlL r Incomlng resources INote 41 F01 F02 F03 F04 F05 Income and endowments Irom: Donalions and leg3oe5 Other tra&in9 acbvib05 InvesThen15 oIDer 98,79 108.392 1.639 4.806 Total Resources expended (Note 51 Expondllvro on.. Church Aciivilies Prowrty Other 160,03 42.139 15.348 Total Nèt Ineornèllexpgndlturel before Investment gain81llosse81 4,662 640 4.022 3,897 Not Incomellexpenditurel Extraordlnary items Transfers between funds Other recognised galnsll10$9¢51'. Gains and10sge¥ on rev81u•uw ol Iiied asseis for th¢ charily $ us gainwiiossesi Net movement in funds 4,662 640 4.022 3,897 Reconclllgtlon of funds.. TDtsI fvjnds brought forw8rd 57,127 61,789 2.057 1.417 59,184 63,206 63,081 59,184 Total funds carrled forward

High Street Methodist Church. Witney Number 1129034 Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025 Section B Balance sheet Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds Endowment Total thls funds year Total last year Fixed assets Tangible assets FOI 11.208 11,208 F02 F03 F04 11,208 11,208 F05 16,811 16,811 (Note 81 Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors (Note 9) Cash at bank and In hand (Note 101 Total current assets 3,490 36,424 39,914 3,490 53,832 57.322 2,389 53.316 55,705 17.408 17.408 810 Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year {Note 111 811 5.324 5,324 13,332 Net current assets/{liabilities) B12 34,590 17.408 51.998 42,373 Total assets less current liabilities 813 45,798 17.408 63.206 59,184 Credltors: amounts falllng due after one year (Note 11) Provlslons for Ilabilltles B15 rofal net assets or liabilities Funds of the Charity Endowment funds 816 45.798 17,408 63,206 59,184 817 Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds Revaluation reserve B18 1,417 1.417 61.789 2,057 57,127 19 61,789 B20 Total funds 821 61,789 1.417 63.206 59,184 Signed by one or trustees on behalf of all nalure Print Name Date ol Fraser Logue Jonathan Miller

MI Street Methodljt Churth. Wttnev Nwnbtr 1129034 Section C l. Basls of a¢couniln8 The financial Matemenis bloo wepared underihechariiiesAct 2011 in •¢¢ordanCeIh the 2014 vefsion of Accwntin8afftd Reptsnin8by Chafilies.. Siaiement of AecommefidEd Piaai¢e ISORPI appJitabletochèrrys prepariwtheir a¢¢ounrs in accordance wilh thp Finon¢lal Reportin8 Stanthrd SMalr Entitles appncsble ifi UK lelfeafve from l January 20151-the Chaibtle$ 50RP IFftSSEI- WepteThI lorthe SCY$ 2Q05 verslon spKlfied in its reIed 2008 ReSl•t1n5•Trl In a¢¢¢idontth the'true athd falr overTlde' pro¥lsio# eontalned Thereln." 2. Fynds Thelunds held tonstite. Gen¢r•l Funds held lor any puipos¢of Churth which are Unr¢Mrttted. Restfirted It$h1¢h are held fora narrower purpose Includmzh0seftrf i#teihal 0rganlsatn5.There are also the fc41NYn8 Endovmeffj fvnds a511sted. Deta115 of e•th mateiial fund ¥e disdosed in noie 16. Anyfurtds maybe represented by moi thanlust cash. Notes to the accounts 3. A¢countln8 pollcl•s 8asls These a¢£ounts h¥ebeehprepared 00 the $1$ olhi510rf¢S cosi e¥eopt thal kn¥eMments a shthvn ai ihelr mwketvalue at qndof the r. on the alal5 ba$15 to Sh a tryt•nd falrvl•wof the Clwr¢h-s finè1 posilim •rtd all11$. Incom• In¢Mw1s Induded in the Stat•n¢Dt of Financlal Aetl¥i¢ieslSOFAI when the Churth becornu enittled to fesource5. the irusteesare r•a%onab certain recd¥ethe woyr¢o5- and the fflMeiarywdluetanbe me¥¥red with sufficient rellability. Expendlture Thls 6 r¢801$e4 When a 11a41¥ Is Incurred, or • constru¢tive obll8alfv)n arlses, that res($ In the payment being unawoldabk. Li4I1itie5are feco8nised as Soon as an outlk)wof etk benefit 1stondered more liety than not der the legal orfonstrutlive obli8atlon committin8the Clrcuit to pay out Grants Gnnts madE byihe Churth from its own hjndsare fee011d in full ai thetimeof a8reemeni orhen the(hU accept51hatthwe Is a le8•1 oroperaiional obll84lpn io rnae the p3ymEnt. When ihe grant Ss ie¢urrent over more ihan oneyearthe batsnce payable in future year$15 Lreated as a provi$Tr lor Iuiure comrnltmenis in the B•L4nce Sheet a8ainst ihe appropriate fund. Ihe prw5b)n being released lfi futurèye¥r5 as instalments are In accord0rKeiih the ori8irTrallyayeed terrns. VAT Skncethe Churth Is notVAT rewstered, all VAT ls<harBed 6th the expenses iowNth It refers. Tanilble flxed assets for use by the Church These4 ¢apitalised Ifiheyurt be ustd for ihan year. athd indlv&luall¥ cost at kast £l,(fX. The freehold wopertyls shown at ¢osi.. IMstMent Prop•rtles Investfflent prwrtles property Iscurrently deemedtonot be held for ihe lon8term purposesofihe thwity. Investments IN¥e5tments arVaed ith balance shew at market valuE It ihp arend. In¥esimeni intomt is included intPaCCot5hefi receivablè and any8alns or1055 on reva•11 81 the year¢nd ait5ho*n In the SOFA. DebtOTS ar Prepayments Debim Include outstandini lin85 Irwolces ihAwust. CrltorS Crethtots thdElSUnn85 ielètlmn8t• lIll•t$. Idephothes. e¢c inAuBusr.

Hlgh Street Methodlst Church, Wltnev Number 1129034 Note 4 Analvsis of income lunds Incornè funds Total lunds Prlor year Analysi$ Donatlons and legacles: Collections Gift Aid Donalions Legacies Grant from Circuit 81.935 15,381 5.655 81,935 15,381 5,655 76,768 14,033 7,990 Total 102.971 102,971 98,791 Other tradlng acilvliie8: Lellings Collee Bar Events Income Other 115,008 6,352 115,008 6,352 102.490 5,902 121 360 Income from investments: Central Finance Board 1,380 1,380 1,615 er Other: Collections for external organisalion Sundry Income 314 4,835 314 4.835 379 4,427 er 14 TOTAL INCOME

Hlgh Street Methodist Church, Wltney Number 1129034 No Note 5 Analvsls of exDendlture Rostrlctod Incomo lund8 Unrestrlcted funds Endowment funds Total funds Prlor year Analysls Circuit Assessment Expendlture on church actlvltles: 93,386 50.225 93.386 50,225 2,193 5.359 88,539 58.788 Salaries, NIC and Pension costs Grants and Donations 2,783 5,359 590 10,628 2,082 Oulreachlmission" Total expendSture on church a¢tSvltles 146,187 590 146,777 160,037 Expendlture on Property Manlenancè of church buildings Ulililies linsurance, heal light elcl Depreciation 15,598 42,177 5,603 15,598 42,177 5,603 11,685 24.850 5.604 Total ex endlture on propert 63,378 63,378 42.139 Other un xpen Coffee Bar ure 4,803 4,803 3.831 Total other expenditure 16.664 50 16,714 15.348 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 226.229 640 226.869 217,524 Outreach was classed as Sundry Expenditure in previous accounts

High Street Methodist Church, Wltney Number 1129034 ectio to cc Note 6 Details of certain items of exDenditure This year Last year Independent examiner's fees 450.00 420.00 Assurance services other than audit or independent examination Tax advisory fees Other fees (for example: financlal advice, consultancy. accountancy services) paid to the independent 0xaminr Note 7 Paid emDlov8es This vear Last vear Salaries and waqes Social securitv costs Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) Other emDlovee benefits Total staff costs 45 821 56 153 303 50 225 58 789 for the charity whose contracts are with and are pald No employees received employee benefits lexcluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000 TRUE 11.2 Average head Count in the year The parts ofthg charity in whlch the employees work Is year Number as year Number Total

High Street Methodist Church. Witney Number 1129034 Note 8 Tangible fixed assets 8.1 Cost or valuatlon Freehold land & bulldlngs Other land & buildings Plant, machinery and motor vghicles Fixtures. fittings and equipment Total At the beginning of the year Additions 26,538 26.538 Revaluations Disposals Transfers At end of the year 26.538 26,538 8.2 Depreciation and Impairments "Basis Rate rai hl Line Strai hl Line Strai ht Line Strai hl Lin Strai hl Line Al beginning of the year Disposals 9,727 9,727 Depreciation 5,603 5,603 Impairment Transfers. At end of the year 15,330 15,330 8.3 Net book value Nel book value al the beginning of the year Nel book value al the end of the year 16,811 16.811 11,208 11,208

High Street Methodist Church. Witney Number 1129034 Note 9 Debtors and prepayments This year Last year Trade debtors 3.490 2,389 Prepaymonts and accrued Income Other debtors Total 3.490 2.389 Note 10 Cash at Hand and In Bank Thls year Last year Held at Central Flnance Board 39,656 14,156 20 29.441 23,855 20 Held at 8ank Held in Cash Total 53,832 53.316 Note 11 Creditors and accruals Amounts fallln This vear due within Last vear Amounts fallin Thls vear due after Last vear Trade credltors Accruals and deferred Income Other creditors 783 1,041 3,500 5,324 525 9.306 3.500 13.331 Total

H58h Street Methodlst Chuich. Wltnev Number 1129034 ccou t Icont Note 12 Transactlon8 wlth trustees and related Dartles 12.1 Tru$le¢ remuneratlon and benefits Nono of th¢ trustees have been paid any remunorallon or receivod any other benellts from an employment with thelr charity or a related entlty ITrue or Falsèl TRUE 12.2 Trustees, exp8nse8 No trustee expenses have been Incurred (True or Falsol TRUE 12.3 Transactionlsl wlth related partles Th¢ro havg been no related party transactlons In tho reportlng porlod ITruo or Fal$ol TRUE Amounts writton off during rtsportlng Name of the trustee or rèlatèd party Relatlonshlp to charlty Description ol the transaetlonl$l Balanco at perlod ond Provision for bad dobts al period end Amount

High Street Methodist Church, Witney Number 1129034 DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm Ihal these accrual based 8ccounls lor the year ended 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the record5 01 the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council l Members, Meeting / Leadership Group. Signalure of Treasurer Dale FSYPJVa Name ol Treasurer Jonathan Miller Address 41 Wylham View, Eynsham, Wilney, OX29 4LX Presentation to the Church Council for approval. I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented lo the Church Council al ils meeting on Z311 and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name ol the Chair ol the meeting Dale Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the High Street Methodist Church Witney This Report is on the Church Accounts for the year ended 31. Augu51 2025 Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The Church's Iruslees are responsible for ensuring that the annual report and accounts for Ihe year lo 31 August 2025 present a true and lair view of the Church's income and expenditure for Ihe year and of ils a55els and liabilities al the balance sheel dale The Iruslees consider that an audit Is not necessary lor this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Charities Acll and that an independent examination is needed. 11 Is my fesponsibilily lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 01 the Charities Act., lo follow the procedures laid down In the general Directions given by the Charity Commission un(Ser Section 14515llbl of the Charities act., and lo slate whether particular malters have come lo my allenlion.

HIBh Street Methadlst Church, Wltney Nurnber 1129034 8a8kn of Indepondont Ex•ndMf• R•port My examinalion was carried out in acCOrf with Ihe general dwedx>ns gvon by the Clty Ctynmls0n. An èxaminalion Indudos 8 re¥i8w of the reccKds kept ty the ttharty and o ¢cAmparison of fv accoLnts presenled with Ihose rec4rd$. It also inCdeS C(11deraI of arry uwwl ilems. in nalur• of xal&. or dtsdosures in the acCows. $••king •xplanotiM$ from lh• Tvuslees concwThng such matt•rs. Th• procedwes Wmlertaken do not provide all ihe evidenrk Ihai woukl bè f•quinl in an audrf and. consequ•nUy no opin)n ts given as lo %thether the aCrunIS present a true and lair view. My r•pNI Is liftmted to tIM)Bé matters set ¢XA in the slllemeni below. Independent Examlnef s Stal•m•nt In corthction Vith my exaMinan, no matter has c(¥))e to my atlentian whlch glves me reasonat40 cause to beleve that #i mateiial respect the requirements". . to kmp records in accorda• Tthh Section 130 of the Chaiilies Act 2011. . to wepare x¢ounts ¥thich accwd wilh the accountiffj r•ccKdi and ¢ompty tylh the ac£ounti requirem•nts ol the Ch¥it Acl have nol been mel,. or 12) to whth, in my opin*Jn. att•ntson •houkl be drawn n cKder to enable a propèr understanding ol the vxoun16 to be reached. (3) I have obtained ind•peTrJent verificalion of all inv6stmeni$ with the Truslees for Methodlsl Church Pwposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of Iho Methodlst Church which are inthvldY in excess 01 £10,000 (ten thousand pound$i at the bdance #heel date. Name ol independent examin Slgnaluré of independenl examin Relevant Professional UalirKatK or Name ol ffim (wthere approwwle) Addwess OKY6 J4 Date 14