## **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 202*2025 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•gist￿ltin 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 T*pedy 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 •¢¢ordanCe￿Ih the 2014 vefsion of Accwntin8afftd Reptsnin8by Chafilies.. Siaiement of AecommefidEd Piaai¢e ISORPI appJitabletochèrry*s prepariwtheir a¢¢ounrs in accordance wilh thp Finon¢lal Reportin8 Stanthrd SMal￿r Entitles appncsble ifi UK lelfeafve from l January 20151-the Chaibtle$ 50RP IFftSSEI- Wep￿t￿eThI lorthe SC*Y$ 2Q05 verslon spKlfied in its re￿Ied 2008 ReS￿l•t￿1n5•Trl In a¢¢¢idon￿￿tth the'true athd falr overTlde' pro¥lsio# eontalned Thereln." 2. Fynds Thelunds held tonstit￿e. Gen¢r•l Funds held lor any puipos¢of Churth which are Unr¢Mrttted. Restfirted It￿￿$￿h1¢h are held fora narrower purpose Includm￿zh0seftrf i#teihal 0rganlsat￿n5.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 a￿l￿al5 ba$15 to Sh￿ a tryt•nd falrvl•wof the Clwr¢h-s fin￿￿è1 posilim •rtd all1￿1￿$. 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$e4 When a 11a￿41¥ Is Incurred, or • constru¢tive obll8alfv)n arlses, that res￿($ In the payment being unawoldabk. Li4I1itie5are feco8nised as Soon as an outlk)wof et￿￿k benefit 1ston￿dered more li*ety than not ￿der the legal orfonstrutlive obli8atlon committin8the Clrcuit to pay out Grants Gnnts madE byihe Churth from its own hjndsare fee0￿11￿d in full ai thetimeof a8reemeni or*hen the(hU￿ accept51hatthwe Is a le8•1 oroperaiional obll84lpn io rna*e 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 accord0rKe￿iih the ori8irTrallyayeed terrns. VAT Skncethe Churth Is notVAT rewstered, all VAT lsns gvon by the C￿lty Ctynmls￿0n. 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 inC￿deS C(￿11deraI￿ of arry uwwl ilems. in nalur• of xal&. or dtsdosures in the acCow￿s. $••king •xplanotiM$ 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 aCr￿unIS 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 V*ith my exaMina￿n, 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￿• T*thh 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 inthvld￿Y 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 Church Accruals Accounts 202*2025 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•gist￿ltin 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 T*pedy 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 •¢¢ordanCe￿Ih the 2014 vefsion of Accwntin8afftd Reptsnin8by Chafilies.. Siaiement of AecommefidEd Piaai¢e ISORPI appJitabletochèrry*s prepariwtheir a¢¢ounrs in accordance wilh thp Finon¢lal Reportin8 Stanthrd SMal￿r Entitles appncsble ifi UK lelfeafve from l January 20151-the Chaibtle$ 50RP IFftSSEI- Wep￿t￿eThI lorthe SC*Y$ 2Q05 verslon spKlfied in its re￿Ied 2008 ReS￿l•t￿1n5•Trl In a¢¢¢idon￿￿tth the'true athd falr overTlde' pro¥lsio# eontalned Thereln." 2. Fynds Thelunds held tonstit￿e. Gen¢r•l Funds held lor any puipos¢of Churth which are Unr¢Mrttted. Restfirted It￿￿$￿h1¢h are held fora narrower purpose Includm￿zh0seftrf i#teihal 0rganlsat￿n5.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 a￿l￿al5 ba$15 to Sh￿ a tryt•nd falrvl•wof the Clwr¢h-s fin￿￿è1 posilim •rtd all1￿1￿$. 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$e4 When a 11a￿41¥ Is Incurred, or • constru¢tive obll8alfv)n arlses, that res￿($ In the payment being unawoldabk. Li4I1itie5are feco8nised as Soon as an outlk)wof et￿￿k benefit 1ston￿dered more li*ety than not ￿der the legal orfonstrutlive obli8atlon committin8the Clrcuit to pay out Grants Gnnts madE byihe Churth from its own hjndsare fee0￿11￿d in full ai thetimeof a8reemeni or*hen the(hU￿ accept51hatthwe Is a le8•1 oroperaiional obll84lpn io rna*e 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 accord0rKe￿iih the ori8irTrallyayeed terrns. VAT Skncethe Churth Is notVAT rewstered, all VAT lsns gvon by the C￿lty Ctynmls￿0n. 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 inC￿deS C(￿11deraI￿ of arry uwwl ilems. in nalur• of xal&. or dtsdosures in the acCow￿s. $••king •xplanotiM$ 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 aCr￿unIS 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 V*ith my exaMina￿n, 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￿• T*thh 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 inthvld￿Y 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