2021-08-31-accounts - Alton Methodist Church

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 01 Septembe 2020 31 August 2021 r

From

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

Alton Methodist Church

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 1129465.

Charity's principal address Draymans Way

Alton

Hants

Postcode GU34 1AU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
Rev P Simpkins Minister Methodist Church UK
Ms J Nicholls Steward Annual Church Meeting
Mrs C. Woodruffe Steward Annual Church Meeting
Mrs D Bridger Steward Annual Church Meeting
Mrs A. Simpkins Steward Annual Church Meeting
Mr G Titterington Treasurer Church Council
Mrs D Titterington Church Council Church Council
Secretary
Mr D Allan Steward and Family Annual Church
Committee Meeting/Church Council
representative
Mr P White Property Committee Church Council
representative
Mrs H Smith Steward Church Council
Mr L Sheridan Lighthouse Church Council
representative
Mrs J. Marlow Church Family Church Council
Visitors
representative
Mrs L George Safeguarding Church Council
Mrs A Hughes Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mrs J Meager Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
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Mr N Hughes Finance Committee Church Council/Annual
representative and Church Meeting
Representative
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mrs N Buck Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mrs C Stovold Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mrs D Wright Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mr D Mason Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mrs I Jopling Representative Annual Church Meeting
elected by Church
Annual Meeting
Mr M Morrice Representative from Circuit Stewards
Circuit Stewards
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

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Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
(custodian trustees of our building)
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Alton Methodist Church is governed by Statutory Instruments 1996 Number 180, Type of governing document as amended by Statutory Instruments 2007 Number 2655.

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

Trust

How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Election by the Church’s Annual Meeting. Vacancies that arise during the Trustee selection methods year can be filled by election at a Church Council meeting.

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

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Additional governance issues (Optional information)

Alton Methodist Church is part of The Hants-Surrey Border Circuit (36/1) in the South East District of the Methodist Church, UK.

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

Alton Methodist Church is managed by the Church Council (Managing Trustees). A number of committees exist responsible for specific facets of the Church’s work.

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;

These include: The Family Committee The Finance Committee Property Committee.

the charity’s organisational structure and any wider The Church Council meets three times per year or more often if necessary. It
network with which the charity receives reports from groups and reviews their work providing guidance and
works; direction and authorises policy and is ultimately responsible for the activities of the
 relationship with any related relationship with any related groups. During the Covid Pandemic Church Council has met via Zoom, but it has now resumed in-person meetings.
relationship with any related relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Much of the day to day running of the church is entrusted to a team of stewards elected by the church membership. In addition, there is an annual church meeting where the whole of the church membership is able to meet and review the work of the church over the previous year. Due to the Covid Pandemic the 2020 AGM was cancelled and the 2021 AGM was postponed, and all elected members remained in post as elected reps, until Sept.2021.

The Church works to manage and limit risk as far as practicable. It reviews its practices against the Charity Commission’s “Internal Financial Controls for Charities” document regularly. It only pays for services in cash in exceptional services (and no such occasions occurred in the year under review). (The only exception to this rule is that at events where refreshments are available, food ingredients are often paid for in cash.) All cheque and electronic payments require 2 signatures. Operational risk is managed by servicing all fire extinguishers, electrical equipment, and sliding doors regularly. Personal and reputational risk is managed by adopting best practice, as recommended by the Methodist Church nationally, to safeguarding.

Section C Objectives and activities

The objective of the Church is summed up in our mission statement which states:

The calling of Alton Methodist Church is to respond to the Gospel of God’s Love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

This can be summarised in four key areas, i.e. worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism.

Worship: Increase the awareness of God’s presence and

celebrate God’s love.

Learning and Caring: Help people to grow and learn as Christians. Service: Be a good neighbour to people in need and challenge injustice. Evangelism: Make more followers of Jesus Christ.

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The Church comprises 100 members plus young people and others who have not entered into membership. One service is held each Sunday together with meetings for young people. In addition, there are normally many activities during the week. These include: Girls and Boys Brigades, Fortnightly Lunch Club, and Child Contact Centre. Many of these groups involve people and young people who are not members of the church. We value and wish to develop our links with the local community and the provision we are able to make, particularly for the elderly, vulnerable and young people with special needs who are welcomed into our various groups. In addition, there are a number of groups from the community who use these premises.

Due to the Covid Pandemic Church services and groups activities were unable to happen ‘live’ and on the premises since March 2020, with attempts to re-open thwarted by increases in the pandemic. Any events that did happen followed a strict Covid risk assessment overseen by a Covid Team set up within the Church. Services were prepared for on-line worship and groups met on-line as and when they could.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

Our paid staff comprises the Minister and an “Anna Chaplain” (Chaplain to older people in the town and surrounding villages.) All other activities are undertaken by volunteers. There are over 70 volunteers involved in some way in the activities that take place at the church.

For administrative purposes the Methodist Church in the country (the Connexion) is divided into 33 districts. Each district is further divided into Circuits. The Alton Methodist Church is one of eleven churches in the local Circuit. Circuit assessment is a sum paid quarterly to the circuit treasurer to cover Ministers salaries and a contribution towards District and Connexional running costs. Our Minister is employed and paid by the Circuit, leaving the Church with 1 direct employee.

The church signed a covenant with the local Anglican parish in 2009 to work more closely together. The project known as the Greater Alton Project (GAP) currently funds with others a Chaplain to the elderly (particularly those in nursing homes, and known as the “Anna Chaplain”), and a Chaplain at the local college.

The trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit, and believe this is illustrated by the Church’s service to the welfare of the elderly members of the surrounding community (outside our church) and to the younger members through the youth organisations.

The Pandemic affected the regular income of the church. Generosity from Church members through a gift day, and ongoing giving helped ease our financial losses so that the church remains sustainable.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

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Restrictions on Activities:

The regulations governing the Church do not permit the consumption of alcohol, and allow only very limited forms of gambling, on the premises.

Policy on grant making

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

The Church does not make grants to organisations outside the Methodist Church from its own funds, but it does often provide a channel for its members to make contributions to other charitable organisations working in the local community, or globally to further objectives that are complementary to our own objectives.(such as disaster relief).

Investment policy

The Church does not engage in speculative investment activity and all of our reserves are held in an interest bearing bank account operated by the UK Methodist Church.

Volunteers

Most of the work of the Church is performed by volunteers. Currently about 70 volunteers work for the church on a regular basis.

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Worship

Following the Covid Pandemic Worship services were transferred to being online until restrictions were eased in July 2021. The church offers one worship service per Sunday with an average attendance of 50-60 people each week. Special services have been held including baptisms and funeral/thanksgiving services. We continue to develop strong relationships with the Parish churches through the Greater Alton Project (GAP) and have held a number of well attended joint services. We are now holding “Messy Church” services aimed at family worship. Learning and Caring: The minister, along with the Pastoral Secretary and members of the congregation offer strong pastoral support to one another and to the wider community. During the pandemic ongoing caring and learning continued through on-line bible studies and pastoral telephone calls along with visits where possible. Service: Members of the church have run a weekly coffee morning and a fortnightly lunch club at the church. These are both well attended by mainly older people some of whom are members of the church but many are not. This helps to reduce the sense of loneliness and isolation that some of these folk tell us that they experience at times. We run successful children’s activities in the form of Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade companies, and members lead very successful Duke of Edinburgh groups leading to bronze, silver and gold awards. During the summer of 2021 events and services began to re-open following Covid guidelines. The Pandemic had some impact on our numbers of attendees due to age and a reluctance to meet in large groups. One of our new ventures is a Stay and Play Group for younger children. Evangelism: Members share their faith through friendship and service. Together with the GAP churches we have employed a chaplain to older people (Anna Chaplain). This ministry has been very much appreciated by individuals and by local care home staff. She has led communion services, funeral services, attended coffee morning and lunch clubs and, where appropriate, has shared her faith as a means of encouragement to those who she spends time with. Following a period on furlough, the work of the chaplain has resumed where and when possible.

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Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

Church Reserves Policy for Alton Methodist Church which is part of the Hants-Surrey Border Circuit 36/1

Trustees Annual Report Church Reserves Policy

The Charity’s Reserves Policy deals with:

(a) Our General Fund

Other funds also held which are NOT required to be included in our reserves are:

(b) Internal organisations (Restricted)
(c) GAP funds (Restricted)
(d) Special collections, where the Church collects money on behalf of other charities to facilitate giving by our members (Restricted)
(e) Benevolent Fund (Restricted).

Our Reserves:

(a) Our General Fund We aim to hold in reserve sufficient money in our general funds to cover a minimum of 6 months expenditure i.e. £40,000.

The reason for this is twofold:

(i) The Church needs a minimum of 3 months average expenditure in reserve as working capital to cover normal running costs.

(ii) Maintenance of church buildings. Funds need to be available to meet unexpected repair bills.

This Reserves Policy has been approved by the Church Council (Managing trustees) on 27[th] February 2020.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

None

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

The Church derives most of its income from donations of its members. It additional information, where has been successful in winning external grants to support the provision of relevant about: an “Anna Chaplain” to support elderly people of all denominations in the  the charity’s principal Alton area. Currently support is coming from the Complins Trust. A small sources of funds (including amount of income is derived from letting out rooms within our building. any fundraising);

how expenditure has During the Pandemic regular giving from church members has continued, although less so due to regular meetings not happening. Fund raising
supported the key objectives events have not been able to happen and funds from church lettings
of the charity; ceased with effect from March 2020. Lettings resumed in the summer of
investment policy and 2021. A very good gift day did happen however and along with support objectives including any from the Methodist Circuit the church was able to sustain its work and ethical investment policy ministry. adopted.

Section F Other optional information

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Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Graham Charles Titterington Full name(s) Philip Mark Simpkins Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Minister Treasurer etc) Date 3rd May 2022

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CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Alton Meth¢xlist Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2021 C1Ult Circuit no 3611 Registèred Charlty - Charfty Reglstration nUmr If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Glft Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terns of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to se8 evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister.. 1129465 Rev Phili Sim kins Church Stewards.. Mr D. Allan Mrs D Bridger Mrs C W(iodrufYe Mr5 An8ela Simpkins Mrs H Smith Miss J Nicholls Treasurer. Graham Titterington Church R and P 2015.xts tof5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Alton Methodist Church Unrestricted Restricted Totsis thls Fun(ts Funds oar Totsls last SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB intere51 and Investment income Lellin Other Teceipls TOTAL RECEIPTS Note 65,846 5,837 71.683 79,241 a2 374 a3 58 58 84 200 200 2,845 2.099 84.559 469 11.601 17.438 12,070 84,011 a6 66.573 {a71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS Circuit Assessment or Share Donations 54,929 1,810 b2 51,963 1.620 2,086 51.963 1,620 2.086 b3 b4 Re airs and Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsurances. water char es heatin hlin b5 3.616 3,616 4,363 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 5.528 64,813 19.054 19,054 24,582 83.867 19,968 94,453 {b9) b8 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS 1.760 144 c1 Total funds brought foard from last year c2 62,935 21,948 84,883 ¢6 94,777 Sub total c1+c2 64.695 20,332 85,027 84,883 Transfers and ad'ustments c7 1¢61 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR c3+c41 64,695 20,332 85.027 c81 84,883 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts are not to be in¢luded in total rocei entsfi uros abovg 455 d1 Balance brou ht fonvard from last ear 144 d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for extemal or nisalh)ns 414 2,482 411 d3 OfferingslGifts - passed lo extemal organisalwJns 2,793 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2431 147 144 Church R P 2015.xls 2015

Altoll Meth(xlist Chur¢h IiARY OF CHUR ccou AND TO SECTIOP4 E hè Summary oflhe Church atntS for the year 31 AWitsI2021 Iwysalw reprn 10 theChLKth CwtvUChLYth Kng. Ploie thallhe fund5 of an Intemal organisati would norrnally be Restncied unkss It(kn1 kLaty Shr1 cld tEuwJfrany Me151 PLTfN)se Th$ Son mustbe ¢Qp1ed to amve al thegroas Incwtr e>4rture rl thechurth Kgttts Ircne eK¢e&lSIheA15 thBn Pwuals fTthod of accounbng ANDA DIFFERENT FORM musl be used to rwttt (see MatKKst%b5isl. pkne regatOifvJMsfws b2ts4rtthe Dishct gnd conneGIO DistrKtOmanLsabDrts. INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Orniry b•bnces 629 8rl 4de 439 1,043 Glrl$ *d• 742 81 e2 Duk• of Edinbu h AwArds 745 428 e5 e6 e7 ublou21 ol Inletnal 8n1$alnS funds 387 2537 e12 5.072 4685 Church aG¢OUtit• Itot•l¥ k)rou9ht lorward from pty• 2- tot•l$ colurntyl 84.011 la7 {t71 84,883 c61 86,027 c81 e9 BY eHUR¢H 89.083 88.M2 6J1 87.420 87,951 contin on a eep8r8te sheet If neCesry bDrKJlhe 1018ls foNrard TOTAL PAYMENTS TOTAL RECEIPTS SECTION F l)PfMING CLOSING ALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HÉLO •t 31 $12019 Cash In hand Bank Current Ar1 88nv D• 11 Accoufil 42 347 CenlrJi Finan 808rd Trus8$ forMelhodl81 Churth P 147 Other furhd6 SUB TOTAL. Church •ttount• Total fuDd8 neld by Internal Organis8bcm balance total from abMI1•121 2,924 TOTAL GASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 87.420 87,961 At 31 AlIst2021 SECTION G QTHER ASSETS LIABILMES Inv8glment8 1 127 926 Land & Buildi 8ee Th)te$ r¢ In5u[ar va OiherAgseis Loan . show amountoutstand. othèr babilthes f4 Include onty FurKlS hetd atts Central Finan &Jartl IS IrKILMtsrmly Funds ndd alTTvsiÈÈS I Metrthi4 chl Pwx>ses gl kndude anyother iTrve$tmÈnts IrvJttrtcash een10fThCP trts in kne15 2Ql5(jUthR1P

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DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council Signature of Treasurer Dale 7* Name Graham Titt•rington Address 24 Haydock Close. Allon. Hants. GU34 2TL Presentatlon to the"Church Council for approval. I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Church Council on and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting R•v P Slmpkins Date Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of the Church Atton Methodlst This Report is on the Church Accounts foi the year ended 31 August 2021 Respectlve responslblllties of Trustees and Examlner The charity's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charitys trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charitses Act 2011 (the Charities ktl and that an independent examination is needed. 11 i¥ my responsibility lo.. Examine Ihg aeeounts under Section 145 of the ChantS A£t to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145{5}Ibl of the Charities Aetl. and to stste whether particular matters have come to my attent)n. 2015 church R arnl P8 4ofS

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examination was earried out In accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the ac¢ountsng records kepl by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consKleratbon of any unusual item5 or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanation5 from the trustees conceming any such matters. The pr(Kedures 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independ8nt Examiner's Statsment In connection with my examinabon, no matter has come to my attention {other than that disclosed belo).. which gives me reasonable Cause to believe that in any material respect the fequirements". . to keep accounting records in accordance with Sl0n 130 of the Charities Act.. . to prepare accounts which accord with the a¢¢ounts'ng r6¢ords and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charitses Act have not been met". or to which, in my opinion, attention shoukl be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of th8 accounts lo be reached. 121 ' Pleas6 d&let8 the wonls in th8 brackets rfthey do not apply appropriate 131 I havelhave not. obtsined independent venfication of all inveslmeftts with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes I'TMCP") or held in other Trusts. Bank balances and Funds al the Central Finance Board of the Melhodisl Church I'CFB"), which are individually in excess of £10,Cw)O (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. ' Please cile as appropriat8 Name Mr Jacob George Signature Relevant Professional qualification or bod I c P*1 Address 74 CLO3t Dale 2015 ¢hurch R ond P.8 5015

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