BISHOP STREET METHODIST CHURCH, LEICESTER
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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Town Hall Square, Leicester, 2025
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Bishop Street Methodist Church 10a Bishop Street Leicester LE1 6AF
Charity Number 1129068
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INTRODUCTION
The work described in the Annual Report of Bishop Street Methodist Church, 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025 reflects the calling of the Methodist Church in Great Britain which is set out as follows:
The aims of the Methodist Church are:
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Worship – to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love;
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Learning and caring – to help people to learn and grow as Christians, through mutual support and care;
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Service – to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice;
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Evangelism – to make more followers of Jesus Christ
The Trustees’ report thatfollows shows clearly that Bishop Street Methodist Church meets the public benefit requirement of the Charity Commissioners. Essential support groups and two of the leaseholders of church property, the Zinthiya Trust and Community Cycles, were able to continue providing much needed services to the community.
CONTEXT
Bishop Street Methodist Church provides regular acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike. It teaches Christianity through worship, sermons, small groups and Bible studies and undertakes pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. It opens its buildings to a wide range of groups and activities. However, it does this in the context of its situation, its membership and the needs of people at any given time.
As a church in the city centre, many people in vulnerable circumstances pass through its doors. Its premises are widely used by a very diverse cross-section of the city centre community – which includes people living in the locality and large numbers who travel into the centre from across the city and county. Christians from the Leicester area, and community organisations with no Christian background, all contribute to activities on the premises which enhance community life and support people who are marginalised.
The church community consists of people from a variety of social contexts and cultural backgrounds. Many must work unsocial hours and find church attendance difficult; some are seeking work or have low incomes; some are unable to work; some are students; a few are asylum seekers; some are families with small children; some are retired. Bishop Street welcomes such a diverse community and tries to be sensitive to differing needs and responsive to new initiatives, changes and ideas.
In sometimes difficult circumstances, our Minister Rev Liam Dacre-Davis has continued to develop his involvement in the life and work of the Church whilst also providing much needed support to Circuit colleagues and in his role as Methodist Chaplain to the University of Leicester.
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Bishop Street’s Annual report is presented under the following six sections
| 1. Worship – to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love; | p.4 |
|---|---|
| Sunday worship | |
| Appeals | |
| Bible Study | |
| Worship consultation | |
| 2. Learning and caring – to help people to learn and grow as Christians, | |
| through mutual support and care; | p.6 |
| Membership | |
| Pastoral Care | |
| Training for Stewards and Local Preachers | |
| Social Media | |
| Cell group | |
| Environment | |
| People in vulnerable circumstances | |
| Students | |
| Sunday School | |
| 3. Service – to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice; | p.7 |
| Chapel Café | |
| Community Groups | |
| Interfaith | |
| Property | |
| 4. Evangelism – to make more followers of Jesus Christ | p.8 |
| Art at the Chapel | |
| Art Exhibitions | |
| Concerts | |
| Outreach | |
| Talks in the Chapel | |
| Heritage | |
| Liaison with Church self-help groups | |
| 5. Governance, Admin and Management | p.9 |
| 6. Finance | p.11 |
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1. Worship – to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love
Sunday Worship
The Church is generally open 7 days a week and many people use it for private prayer as well as for public worship. Throughout the year, Sunday Morning worship services have been held in the Church and have continued to flourish. Services sometimes follow a theme, such asduring Advent and Lent. Most of the services are recorded and posted on YouTube later in the day, for use by people who are housebound, unable to attend through work or other commitments and those living at a greater distance.
Local preachers’ and ministers’ worship material was uploaded here: https://bishopstreetmethodistchurchsundaystuff.wordpress.com/
The Church offers facilities for baptisms, weddings and funerals, with accompanying pastoral care. It also hosts the Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship for Ghanaian worship on the first Sunday in each month.
The year commenced on Sunday 1[st ] September 2024 with a rousing Circuit Service led by the Chair of the Northampton District Rev Dr Sonia Hicks when we welcomed the new Superintendent Minister for the Leicester Trinity Circuit together with two Circuit Ministers from South Africa and Ghana respectively. A joyful musical contribution was made by the National Choir of the Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship.
Our Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 29[th] September was ably conducted by “our own” local preacher Miriam Stevenson who was joined by ZinthiyaGaneshpanchan of the Zinthiya Trust.
Our Chapel Anniversary Service was held on 3[rd] November and conducted by a former Superintendent Minister of the Trinity Circuit, Rev Gordon Webb whose message was thought-provoking and uplifting.
In December we celebrated Advent with a Gift Service followed by a festive Church lunch;a Nativity Play within a Communion service; a Christmas Carol Service, and Worship on Christmas Morning.The theme for Advent was “Hush the Noise”.
The annual Covenant Service was held on Sunday 12[th] January 2025 and conducted by Rev Liam Dacre-Davis.
The theme for Lent was “Soul Food” and preachers were encouraged to make use of material made available online by the Methodist Church. On Thursday evenings during Lent, a study group followed a 6-week online course entitled “Sunshine and Showers” looking at the paradoxes of prayer. Those who attended received a course booklet and found it most enlightening.
Our Lent charity was “Tree Aid” which works with countries in the northern Sahel region of Africa who are severely affected by land infertility and climate change.
On Sunday 23[rd] March, we were delighted to welcome Matt Forsyth (District Mission Enabler) to lead worship, accompanied by Rev Kim Shorley also from the District Mission Team, who encouraged us to celebrate where we were in
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terms of Mission and imagine what opportunities lay ahead of us. The conversations continued informally after the service over a shared Pizza lunch.
The Sunday Service for Palm Sunday was led by the Bishop Street Worship Team and took the form of a dramatised reading in 5 scenes of the “The Passion” from St. Luke.
The Annual Leicester Methodist Good Friday service was led by the Worship Team and Minister at 11.00am and was well supported by our own congregation and those from various churches around Leicester. In a second event on Good Friday at 1.00pm, we enjoyed a moving performance by the University of Leicester String Quartet of “The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross” by Joseph Haydn with a sequence of poems prepared by a church member.
In June 2025, Sunday morning preachers were invited to take part in the “Bible Month” initiative which focused on The Gospel of St John. To complement this series, four Bible study sessions were held on Monday afternoons in June, led by a Student Minister whilst on placement with us.
On Sunday 3[rd] August we welcomed Rev Derek McLean to conduct service on MHA Sunday in his capacity as a Trustee/Director of MHA nominated by the Methodist Church.
A number of Local Arrangement services were held throughout the year and ably led by our Worship Leaders and Worship Team. Topics included Education Sunday; a focus on the Three Wisemen for Epiphany Sunday; Black History Month; and Racial Justice Sunday.
Appeals
The envelope collection for Christian Aid from 11th-17th May 2025raised£106.00 in cash which was increased by Gift Aid offerings.
The Lent Appeal and Good Friday collection together raised £128.00 for Tree Aid which works on projects to restore and protect land in the Northern Sahel region of Africa by planting dryland trees.
The Easter Offering envelopes raised the sum of £70.00 for the Methodist Church World Mission Fund. The gifts were dedicated at the Easter Offering Service at Christchurch Methodist Church on 29[th] May. The Harvest Gifts for 2024 were passed on to the Zinthiya Trust “Community Shop” for distribution to people struggling to get enough food.
The Christmas Post Box for the exchange of Christmas cards amongst Church members was as popular as ever and, together with the collection on Christmas Morning, raised £84.25 in donations to support the work of “After 18” who provide support for young asylum seekers. The Christmas Gifts donated at the Christmas Gift Service were passed on to the Women’s Refuge, One Roof Leicester and “After18”.
A special Appeal in lieu of the Benevolent Fund collection was held on Sunday 23[rd] February for the emergency situation which had developed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sum of £61.85 was collected and passed on to TearFund.
Our Annual Gift Day Appeal was held on Sunday 20[th] July and remained open into August. The appeal for an ‘extra’ gift of money was focused on the imminent need to upgrade the church heating system and raised a sum in excess of £2,000.
Bible Study
The Bible study group continued to meet regularly each week and continued reading the Gospel of St Luke. A dedicated group of 4 - 8 people attend each Thursday from 12.00 -1.00pm.
Worship consultation
Worship consultations, also incorporating Forward Planning, were held during the year to plan services and special events over the forthcoming months. All members of the congregation were invited to attend the meetings which were held on Zoom.
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2. Learning and caring – to help people to learn and grow as Christians, through mutual support and care.
Membership
While the number of people attending worship is gradually increasing, the Membership of Bishop Street Methodist Church remains at 35 as recorded at the end of the Methodist year 31st August 2025. Pastoral group leaders and the Minister were involved in regular phone calls or emails to members of their groups during periods of difficulty or ill-health.
The Church congregation is made up of people from a diverse spread of church traditions and backgrounds who nevertheless find a sense of community and belonging at Bishop Street Methodist Church. This reflects the nature of a city centre church, and has resulted in a healthy list of ‘adherents’. Such a list includes those who may worship regularly but have chosen not to become members, as well as those who maintain a meaningful but looser connection with the church.
At the beginning of the Methodist year in September 2024, Rev Liam Dacre-Davis initiated an important conversation within the congregation on the question of “opting in” to celebrating same-sex marriage and emphasised the need to acknowledge that people’s attitudes and understandings vary on such topics. He encouraged the whole of our worshipping community to “live with contradictory convictions” and to participate in the conversation in a careful and compassionate manner. To facilitate the discussion, he produced detailed guidance on how to approach the conversations with a generosity of spirit. A session exploring Contradictory Convictions was incorporated into a service of Holy Communion in November and the Church Council subsequently voted to approve the registration of the Church for the solemnisation of same-sex marriages.
Pastoral care
Pastoral visitors have kept in regular contact with their groups. In addition to personal contact at Church or in homes, informal contact by email, phone, text and letter has been maintained between members of the congregation, cell group members and Bible Study group members. The care of the Pastoral Visitors has highlighted individual cases in which the church’s Benevolence Fund has then been used to support people in times of hardship.
The Connexional Prayer Handbooks “Praise and Protest” were distributed to church members in September 2024, thereby encouraging prayer and study through more resources. Further copies were made available to the wider public alongside other resources in the church’s Prayer Corner. Also available in the Prayer Corner and café is a selection of cards offering words of prayer in support of individuals facing situations of stress, loss, loneliness, etc.
The Minister has encouraged the use of Connexional resources to try to connect the congregation to the wider world of Methodism.
Training for Stewards and Local Preachers.
Mandatory Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training, ‘God for All’, remained available for all stewards and local preachers both in person and on line. Courses on Safeguarding (Foundation and Advanced modules) and Understanding the Lectionary were also available via the Circuit Office.
Social media
In order to strengthen and widen the Church’s online presence, work has continued on improving the website through the WordPress site https://bishopstreetmethodistchurchsundaystuff.wordpress.com. There is also a flourishing Facebook group: Bishop Street Community which is used for regular postings and a WhatsApp group also helps to maintain contact with the more tech-minded members of the congregation.
Cell Group
The Cell Group continued to meet regularly and tried to tempt new members by changing the meeting to the second Wednesday of the month at 12.30pm. The group continued studying “Open to Judgment”, another book written by Dr Rowan Williams, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, which was greatly appreciated. The book was a collection of chapters each written after a lecture or sermon which Dr Williams had given on the challenges of living as a Christian in today’s society. From May 2025, the
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group started reading a new book “The Lord and His Prayer” written by Tom Wright who is a former Bishop of Durham and writes in a very readable manner.
Environment
The Church’s array of solar panels had an on-going issue with not being able to access the reports. Attempts to get this sorted out under warranty eventually identified that a new inverter was the best solution, although this highlighted a further outage problem that was, after a lot of back and forth, traced to an issue within the Town Hall Square sub-station. By the end of August 2025, thanks to the perseverance and technical input of our Centre Co-ordinator, and the eventual successful adjustments by Carbon Legacy and Western Power, we were back to full solar generation, and close to getting full access to the reports. Some generation days were lost over the summer, but the solar panels are now back helping reduce our electricity imports and supplying a modest surplus of sustainable electricity back into the grid.
The Eco Church registration process, which achieved a Bronze Award in Spring 2024, provides a base from which we can consider what could be done to get to Silver. The Church continues to encourage low-carbon travel, and a significant proportion of Church members are able to come to church on foot, or by bus, as do a large number of mid-week users of the building.
The small rear courtyard contains a flower-bed and various planters which are maintained by members of the congregation.
People in Vulnerable circumstances
The church continued to support refugees, homeless people and asylum seekers both pastorally and through Benevolent Fund collections taken at Communion Services.
Rental groups include a number of support and self-help groups which have continued and expanded.
Students
Bishop Street Methodist Church offers an alternative to the charismatic churches often popular with students. From time to time, the church welcomes a small number of students from both De Montfort University and the University of Leicester and seeks to encourage their participation. Rev Liam DacreDavis has maintained his involvement in the Chaplaincy at the University of Leicester, attending the university on a weekly basis (Tuesday) and also helping to support various events throughout the academic year. Liam is also the Chaplaincy’s Safeguarding lead.
Sunday School
Sunday School is held from time to time when attendance by church youngsters and visitors permits. The more regular attendance by babies and teenagers is currently sustained within the Church.
We were delighted to have enough young people to stage a short Nativity Play during Advent. Two additional Christmas activities were a Saturday Messy Crafts morning and handing out mini gifts during the Town Hall Lights switch-on. Both gave a valuable interaction with families visiting the Town Hall Square illuminations.
3. Service – to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice.
Chapel Café
The Chapel Café continues to be run by the Zinthiya Trust and has normally been open 6 days a week. It is a Social Enterprise venture where people are supported into employment through work placements and apprenticeship. They are offered training and qualifications in Customer Service and Food Safety. It supports the church in being a welcoming and accepting place to everyone in the community and encourages groups to use the café for a variety of events.
Where the cafe has extended their decorations, we have worked alongside them to incorporate some positive Christian messages.
Community Groups
The building continues to be heavily used throughout the week, with a mix of self-help groups, community organisations, charities and Christian groups. Regular user groups include:
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9 Alcoholics Anonymous groups 5 Narcotics Anonymous groups 1 Cocaine Anonymous group “In Stitches” morning knitting group “After 18” weekly support groups
Other organisations that make use of us monthly or from time to time include PCO surgeries in the café, Optelex awareness and Macular Society support meetings, Choir rehearsals and concerts, CLASP carers meetings, LCPCF Adult carers support groups, RNID monthly meetings, a poetry group, various pop up shops at different times of the year run by the Zinthiya Trust, Pituitary Foundation meetings, shy social group and piano lessons.
Inter Faith
No formal Inter Faith meetings were arranged but information regarding Ecumenical activities within Leicester are published in the weekly Notices and members are encouraged to attend events of interest to them.
Property
Throughout the year, routine maintenance has continued as necessary including electrical inspection and testing, changing the main church downlights to more efficient LED types as the old ones had failed, as well as solar panel optimisation.
4. Evangelism – to make more followers of Jesus Christ
Art at the Chapel
Leicester Lo-Fi Photography has maintained its presence in the basement of the church and has continued to attract enthusiasts to an Open Club meeting on a Wednesday afternoon.
Art Exhibitions
We were pleased to host the Art, Design and Technology Exhibition by students from Brookvale Groby Learning Campus in the Church for the weekend of 13[th] – 15[th] June.
Concerts
A most enjoyable Organ recital of popular Christmas music and Carols was given by the Church Organist at lunchtime on Thursday 19[th] December 2024.
On Good Friday 18[th] April 2025 at 1.00pm, we appreciated the performance of ‘The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross’ a meditation on Good Friday in Bible readings, poems by our own Richard Gill and the music of Joseph Haydn.
On Wednesday 13[th] August 2025the Castle Baroque Players performed an introductory lunchtime recital in the Church featuring works by Telemann, Byrd and Corelli
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Outreach
The Minister was joined by members of the congregation on Wednesday 20[th] November 2024 at the Christmas Lights Switch-on to hand out Glow-sticks and share invitations to Advent and Christmas worship and events. This is an activity that many are keen to commit to so long as the Lights Switch-on continues. Volunteers also helped him to set up 'Messy Christmas' activities in the Church on Saturday 7[th] December and while there was little interaction on the day of setting it up, the activities found engagement throughout the week.
The Minister has also used large Whiteboards in the Town Hall Square to attract the attention of passers-by by posing a challenging question and inviting responses. This has proven to be a positive point of interaction and conversation with the general public and a source of discussion within the Church..
Talks in the Chapel
There was a break in the popular Talks in the Chapel this year but it is hoped that they will resume in future.
Heritage
The church was open for Heritage Open Day and Bike and Stride visitors (raising money for the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust) on Saturday 14[th] September 2024. The Heritage Room was open with people on hand to talk about the history and architecture of the Church, and our two organists demonstrated the depth and range of the organ.
The Remembrance Sunday Service was held on 10[th ] November 2024 and conducted by the Worship Team. Alison Skinner gave a fascinating talk whichfeatured the life ofSergeant George King DCM who served throughout the 1914-1918 war and was awarded the DCM for “conspicuous enterprise” in October 1914. He
was evacuated back to England during 1918 and died of his wounds on 6[th] November 1918. He is buried in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester.
Liaison with Church self-help groups
The Church Administrator continued to build bridges between the congregation and premises user groups by getting to know leaders and members of support groups and other user groups, such as the In Stitches Craft group. Engagement with the groups had progressed well and many of the independent self-help groups felt positive about links with the Church.
5. Governance, Structure and Management
GOVERNANCE
The appointment of Trustees and other officers follows the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church (CPD). The primary governing body of Bishop Street Methodist Church is the Church Council (the trustees), which is responsible for the general oversight of the church. The four trustees marked[--] additionally perform roles for the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit, a charity related to Bishop Street Methodist Church, for which they receive stipends, expenses or other remuneration from that charity in line with Methodist charity governance and procedures.
Annual General Meeting
All Church members can attend this meeting and are invited to raise any issue. Church Stewards and Church Representatives are elected at this meeting. The meeting was held during the Morning Service on Sunday 18[th] May 2025.
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Church Council
The Church Council comprising Office holders, elected Church Stewards, elected Church Representatives, Circuit ministerial staff and a Circuit Steward meets three times a year. The Council is chaired by the Minister. All decisions taken at Church Council are minuted, and a summary is circulated via the church notices. The Church has had vision planning meetings at least three times during the year, including through video conferencing. The Church Council has oversight of the Finance and Property Committee, Forward Planning Group and the Safeguarding Group with DBS checks and renewals being carried out as necessary.
THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees who served the charity were:
Officer holders
Rev Liam Dacre-Davis (Minister & Chair) Margaret Mackley (Secretary) Martin Briers (Treasurer) Mary Gill (Assistant Treasurer) Miriam Stevenson (Church Council Minutes Secretary) Alison Skinner (Pastoral Secretary)
Stewards
Margaret Byron (Senior steward) Peter Chitsenga. Mary Gill Tony Moore, Robin Stevenson Pelani Ziba
Church representatives Circuit representatives Deirdre Brunning Rev Christopher Andam
STRUCTURE
Bishop Street Methodist Church is part of the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit, and the Northampton District of the Methodist Church of Great Britain.
a) Finance and Property Committee
The major risks are identified and recorded by the Finance and Property Committee. The committee prepares accounts and budget and oversees day-to-day finance and property matters. Income and Expenditure is monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a monthly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. A regular annual review process is undertaken and recorded. The Trustees have agreed financial management arrangements requiring dual signatures on all cheques, and prior approval for all, except minor items, of expenditure. The group has continued to meet via video conferencing.
b) Forward Planning Group
This group, open to all members of the congregation, meets to plan future activities. This group was involved in the vision planning process and continues to meet via video conferencing.
c) Safeguarding Group
This group oversees all issues related to Safeguarding. Bishop Street Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of connexional safeguarding policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. New volunteers and post-holders within the church undertook the ‘Creating Safer Space Foundation Module’ safeguarding training organised by the Methodist Church. Volunteers are recruited, selected and supervised according to the Safer Recruitment Policy. DBS checks and renewals are carried out as necessary. A lone-working policy is in operation.
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MANAGEMENT Paid staff and volunteers
Day to day management of the premises is delegated to the Centre Administrator. All employees undergo an annual appraisal and take part in regular supervisions and reference group meetings.
6. FINANCE
i. Financial Review
Total collections (cash, envelopes and standing orders) including Gift Aid increased by £2,795 on 202324. Lettings and Rental Income however showed a reduction of £4,273.
Our Circuit Assessment contribution, calculated on a formula basis involving membership, attendance, income and reserves, reduced by £5,332.
Despite problems with the church heating during the winter period, the increased use of electricity for heating coupled with the resultant reduction in gas consumption was still within budget.
The net result for the year was a surplus of £2,041 on unrestricted funds. The outstanding loan from the Leicester Trinity Circuit remains at £13,000.
The accounts include a small restricted fund held, and administered, on behalf of Churches Together in Leicester City Centre which at 31[st] August 2025 amounted to £452.
ii Reserves
General (Unrestricted) Funds. This includes our Bank (Co-operative Community Directplus) and Central Finance Board (“CFB”) accounts plus cash in hand. At the end of the financial year (31.8.25) this totalled £14.812 (£12,772 at 31.8.24) but included the outstanding interest free loan from the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit mentioned earlier.
We aim ideally to hold in reserves sufficient money in our General Fund to cover six months budgeted expenditure.
There are currently no Designated Funds.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES
The charity's trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Trevor Mildred has been re-appointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year.
Signed on behalf of the trustees Rev Liam Dacre-Davis Chair 13 October 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BISHOP STREET METHODIST CHURCH LEICESTER
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 14-15.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by a charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material aspect the requirements:
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to keep accountings records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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· to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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(3) I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes ("TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ("CFB"), which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Trevor Mildred Independent Examiner 1 October 2025
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Bishop Street Methodist Church Statement of Financial Activities For the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
Unrestricted Restricted Totals Totals Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ RECEIPTS Offerings and Tax recoverable 19,703 13 19,716 16.908 Bank and CFB interest and Investment Income 381 244 625 668 Lettings 54.562 - 54,562 58,835 Other receipts 4,404 807 5,211 4,879 TOTAL RECEIPTS 79,050 1,063 80,113 81,290 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share 24,225 - 24,225 29,557 Donations 1,025 568 1,593 2,897 Repairs and Maintenance 7,318 7,318 11,156 Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,887 - 15,887 16,140 Other payments 28,554 55 28,609 27,179 TOTAL PAYMENTS 77,009 623 77,632 86,928 NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2,041 440 2,480 (5,638) Total funds brought forward from last year (228) 8,612 8,384 14,022 Sub-total 1,812 9,051 10,864 8,384 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | ||||||
| 16.908 | ||||||
| 668 | ||||||
| 58,835 | ||||||
| 4,879 | ||||||
| 81,290 | ||||||
| 29,557 | ||||||
| 2,897 | ||||||
| 11,156 | ||||||
| 16,140 | ||||||
| 27,179 | ||||||
| 86,928 | ||||||
| (5,638) | ||||||
| 14,022 | ||||||
| Sub-total | 1,812 | 9,051 | 10,864 | 8,384 | ||
| Transfers and adjustments | - | - | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 1,812 9,051 |
10,864 | |||||
| TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR |
1,812 | 9,051 | 10,864 | 8,384 |
BANK BALANCES AND FUND BALANCES
| BANK BALANCES OPENING CLOSING BALANCES BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
BANK BALANCES OPENING CLOSING BALANCES BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
BANK BALANCES OPENING CLOSING BALANCES BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash in hand | 117 | 109 |
| Co-operative Bank Current Account | 11,077 | 5,862 |
| Central Finance Board Bank (CFB) | 10,190 | 17,893 |
| Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) | - | |
| Other funds | (13,000) | (13,000) |
| TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH | 8,384 | 10,864 |
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| OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Investments(includingEndowments) | - | - |
| Land & Buildings | 1,474,341 | 1,525,943 |
| Other Assets | - | - |
| Loan(s) | - | - |
| Other Liabilities | - | - |
| FUND BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
FUND BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
FUND BALANCES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
£ |
£ |
|
| Unrestricted | ||
| General Fund | (228) | 1,812 |
| Leicester Trinity Circuit Loan | 13,000 | 13,000 |
| TOTAL GENERAL FUND | 12,772 | 14.812 |
| Restricted | ||
| Art at the Chapel | 2,833 | 2,915 |
| Benevolent Fund | 551 | 74 |
| CTLCC – Christians Together in Leicester City Centre |
439 | 452 |
| Development Fund | 3,011 | 3,728 |
| Flower Fund | 136 | 173 |
| Heritage Fund | 1,641 | 1,709 |
| Organ Fund | - | |
| TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS | ||
| TOTAL CHURCH FUND BALANCES | 8,384 | 10.864 |
14