**Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Annual Report of the Church Council For the year ended 31 August 2022** ## **_____________________________________________________________________** ## **Administrative Information** Bamber Bridge Methodist Church is situated in the centre of Bamber Bridge in the Preston Ribble Methodist. The circuit is part of the Lancashire District. The correspondence address is The Methodist Church, Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6ED. The Church was a charity excepted from registration with The Charity Commission (SI 2002 no. 1598), however, following the implementation of the Charities Act 2006 the church became a separately registered charity on 22 May 2009 with registration number 1129810. Church Council Members who have served from 1[st] September 2021 until the date this Report was approved are: Minister THE Rev’d Karen LeMouton Church Secretary Dr A Andrews Church Treasurer Mr D Evans Senior Steward Mrs D Jefferson Church Stewards Mr D Roscoe Mrs C Billington Mrs S Livesey Mrs S Toman Mr G Poole Mr J Jefferson Mrs C Poole Worship Leaders Mrs K Roscoe Property & Finance reps Mr R Clapham Mr M Perry Pastoral Committee Mrs L Trafford Ms M Yates Elected Members Mrs D Johnson Mr J Wilson to December 2022 Mrs A Boothroyd Mrs L Morgan Mrs W Yates Mrs L Young Mrs J Laycock To 31/8/21 Mr L Bosman Safeguarding Mr J Jefferson Cradle Roll Secretary Mrs C Perry Thursday Fellowship Mrs P Bertram representative Circuit Representative Mrs G Ferris 1 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The method of appointment of Church Council Members is set out in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. Any Church Member is entitled to offer themselves for election to the Church Council at the Annual Church Meeting which is usually held in May of each year. Whilst there is at present no formal training other than in Safeguarding for the members of the Church Council those who have served on the Council for a number of years aid newcomers in understanding the procedures. To serve on the Church Council the individual has to be a member of the Methodist Church and the process of church membership includes consideration of the distinctive nature of Methodism. All significant decisions relating to Church life require the agreement of the Church Council while the Minister of the Church has day-to-day responsibility for the pastoral life of the Church. As part of the Preston Ribble Circuit, the Lancashire District and the wider Methodist Connexion the Church locally is bound by the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church and therefore adheres to nationally agreed policies. ## **Objectives and Activities** The Church Council has the responsibility of co-operating with the minister of the Church in promoting whole the Mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The trustees organise the activities of the wider mission of the Church with consideration of the wider public benefit to the community at large by the provision of first-rate community facilities and the opportunities that these afford. These objectives are usually satisfied by offering varied forms of worship with 2 services each Sunday (either locally or at Circuit/District level) or through remote online offerings organised at a District level. There is also locally a fortnightly lunch-time service on a Thursday. The premises provide facilities for worship and other community-based activities to operate in comfortable surroundings. Additional services and study groups are held at other appropriate times of the year as need arises and in the year under review as local and national restrictions allowed. Our aim is to provide fellowship in various ways through a Thursday Fellowship (affiliated to Methodist Women in Britain), house fellowships, Kurios (previously known as Sunday School), an evening fellowship known as Lighthouse for younger children and Youth for secondary school aged children. The worship group under the direction of Kath Roscoe enhances the life and witness of the Church. Some of these activities have struggled to re-establish themselves after the pandemic. The outreach of the church has been enhanced by the establishment of a Wellness Community Cafe open on a Wednesday and Thursday morning to provide fellowship and support to the wider community and offer links to Cuerden Church School. The minister of the Church has also shared responsibility for the pastoral oversight of the joint Methodist/Church of England School (Cuerden Church School) which operates from adjoining premises. The Minister also acts in conjunction with the other clergy in the village to foster Christian beliefs. The Church Council has maintenance responsibilities for the Church buildings together with a wider responsibility through the Preston Ribble Circuit and the Lancashire District. The church aims to provide a public benefit by providing opportunities for all within the community to access both the premises and the opportunities for worship, learning and mission afforded by the church both as a place and a people. ## **Committees** The Church Council meets generally three times a year. There are 2 main Committees which meet between the full meetings of the Church Council; these are Finance and Property, and Pastoral. Other groups reporting to the Church Council are established as the need arises. ## **Financial Review** This proved to be another difficult year as the effects of the pandemic continued to be felt with some organisations slow to start up again, some members finding it difficult to return to the life of the church and the ageing of the congregation. Use by outside groups has restarted resulting in some increase in 2 income but general income remains subdued.. The outturn for the year showed a deficit on general funds of £4,824 leaving reserves of £24,931. The challenges of managing the varying requirements of the multi-user building with our partners in the venture, Cuerden Church School and Cuerden Nursery are met reasonably well. Although The Upper Room could be generally available opportunities were limited because of restrictions to use this facility for either church activities or community use In addition the wider use of the buildings through extended coffee mornings, luncheon club and other occasional users such as Skylark Community Choir, Foster Carers Group, Pre-School Learning Alliance, ME Support Group, Alanon and AA, together with others as they arise continues to enhance the service to the community and we hope that these groups will be able to return in the future along with new users as suited to the premises. In building this facility we committed to a wide community use of the building and aim to maintain the wider public use of the property in the future. ## **Reserves Policy** The Church Council has adopted a policy that they will endeavour to hold in reserve on general account a sum (not invested in fixed assets) equivalent to between three and six months routine expenditure (approximately £20,000 to £35,000). At 31 August 2022 free reserves stood at £24,931. The Church Council aims to maintain reserves at the current level in order to maintain the premises in the best possible condition. The quality of the premises is important in continuing to provide comfortable and welcoming facilities. Reserves are also required to meet the challenges of modern society. As the building is in use 7 days a week throughout the year it is planned to maintain a level of reserves where a planned maintenance programme is possible with a rolling programme of redecoration and replacement of the furnishings and equipment to keep pace with the changing needs of the community. ## **Risk policy** The major risks to which the charity has been exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. The Church Council continues to keep all its risk policies under review and procedures are in place to improve the management of the risks as appropriate to the size and nature of the organisation. Particular attention is to be placed on Health & Safety, Safe from Harm (Child and vulnerable adults safeguarding) and Fire Hazards and written policies are updated to reflect the changed circumstances as guidance is received. ## **Investment policy** Temporarily surplus funds have been placed on deposit with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church in order to obtain the best investment return whilst retaining access to the funds as required to meet the ongoing commitments of the church to fulfil its role in the community. The general policy is to utilise suitable funds within the portfolio of the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church for a secure investment return. ## **Summary** Church Membership stands at approximately 120 active members. The church is now reviewing its position to move forward and meet the further challenges of the 21[st] century. ## **Responsibilities of the Church Council as Managing Trustees** 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 Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and: v Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 3 - v Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - v State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - v Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the Charity and ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The financial statements are prepared using the format prescribed by the Methodist Church in the Standard Form of Accounts and comply with the Charities SORP. ## **Independent Examiners** CWR served as independent examiners for the year. Signed on behalf of the Church Council Rev Karen Le Mouton Minister Dated 20 June 2023 …………………. 4 CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2022 PRESTON RIBBLE Circuit Circult no. 21111 Reglstered Charity - Charty Reglstratlon number 1129810 If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid nutnber he HMRC nurnber is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of ¢harttable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see 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.. REVEREND KAREN LE MOUTON Church Stewards.. MRD D JEFFERSON MRS C BILLINGTON MR J JEFFERSON MRS S LIVÈSEY MRS C POOLE MR G POOLE MR D ROSCOE MS S TOMAN Treasurer: MR D G EVANS Church R and P 2015. 1 of5 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Total8 thls Funds Funds ear Total¥ la¥t year SECTION A 81 RECEIPTS Not8 a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 51.825 340 62.165 40,732 a3 44 38 Lettin 8.383 a5 Olh8r r8cel Is TOTAL RECEIPTS 68,522 340 68,862 {a71 50,672 SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Clrcull A85essment or Sharo 63,400 30 b3 Donallon8 30 b4 Re alrs and Malnlenance Ulililies Ilnsurances. water charges, healin hlin 8,121 ,121 bs 9,208 b6 b7 other ments TOTAL PAYMENTS b8 73.346 30 73.378 Ib91 60,726 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FORT YEAR e1 36.b8 310 Total funds brought forw8rd from last year c2 c8 Sub total ¢1+c2 27,118 31,632 Tran$fers and ad'uslmenls ¢7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 24,931 2,187 27.118 Ic8) 31,632 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (those arnounts are not to be ineludod In total rocelptslpayments fl ur•s above) d1 Balance brou hl forward from last ear d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for extemal o anlsations d3 Offerin sIGIfts assed to exiernal o anisatlons d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1 +d2-d3 Church R End P 2015.xls 2of5 BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Ghur¢h MPJIARY OF CHURCH AccoupifsAND INTE SECTON E Pl&￿B fol Summaryof the Church accolintsfor the year￿ded 31 Au9us12D22 and Inlèmal Org*TrispbDThsr8portifigtolhe Church Councivchurth Meeting. Note ih8tlhefLTnd9 f8n Inlèmèl 019￿￿3￿On would norm￿lY bè R&51rict8d funds unlpBS itcovld b&cleatiy shLVfft lha1they￿U￿I be us¢4 forany Methodist puw. This s￿￿On musi M￿￿t￿j ltsanlvè èllhe gross ineomtand Bxpqnd￿r8fOtsls afthgchurch. Wgroy8 Incorne￿ed5Ihe￿G￿￿S ihr¢9hold, th¢n IhgAcC￿j meth(wJ of untiny ￿4D ADWFEREf4T FORM mustbe u58d to [Bp[rtlh8￿n]sI68e MethLryJi8twebwlel. Plea9e refer to th&g￿l￿anc¢ notes regarding traTr5fersbet￿n fh@ Distrittl and (￿neCted DislriclCYg8niSabuTh8. INTÉRNAL OFIGANISATIONS Nat Re￿ip*s{ mBnt8 Op2ninq bB1anc£E R¢¢¥ Pa Etmwts b￿anCeS ¢7 ub tota Intern ani8&￿¢Th$fu￿s e11 elz GhuTch at¢ourts Itot•l8 broughtlDrwErdfrom pog 2-totaTs columnl a7 Ib9} I￿14 1¢7) elo BY CHURCH 4￿14 tinJe ￿ 8 $epar*¥heet If n*Ltrssatyand bring the IDt¥i$ YorAL RecEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTrON F ATEMENT OF AssEfs A OPENir4 BAiAN¢E¥ CLOSIWG BALANGES cFtURCH- CASH FUNDS HÈLD at31 A ust 2122 Cash In hand 73 Bank Ou￿￿tA(￿O￿[￿ 20.909 B&nk DÈ osiip£eouni f4 centr￿ Flnan¢e Bo¥¢ 1Q.fjSQ Truslees fur MBihryJistChur¢h Pu Olherfunds SU8TOTAL- Chur¢h Accounts 31,632 {¢DI 27,118 (c8} Totsl fitrhd8 held by Inlerpkl rhg8fii#Ii￿3 Itho dosjng batgrhtè tot81 trom above e12 812 TOTALCASH FUNDS HELD BYCHURCH SECTION G 1 8epthber2021 31 Au9v$12022 OTrIER ASSETS amd L￿BI￿rIES indude LÈnd & Bulldings re Insuran¢8 Y￿Ue OtherA$88t8 Logn - shuw ￿ts￿RdIn targnd Qiher Li8billlle5 f4 *¢lud8 only Funds hdd atihpCErrtr4 FInen￿B08rd f5 knclude (Jnly Funds hdd alTn￿￿e5 foTM*hDdi*tChurch Purw 01 any clhw {not tho ¥em¢nlof TMCP IruBtE attount5thi818 in4ud4d In Ilna15 1Q15ch￿￿kR&fAP.X 3tir5 Name of Church BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST CHURCH GHARITY NUMBER 1q29810 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 Augu512022 have been pTep¥red from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Slgnature of treasurer Name and addre88 of treasurer DAVID EVANS 1 EDWARD STREET, BAMBER BRIDGE, PRESTON PR5 6FB Presentatlon to th• Church tru•tso• I confirm that the annual report and 8rLounts for the year en prèsented to the meeting of thg Church INstae8 held on ed 31 Augu8t 2022 wereAvllkkn' Slgnatura of the Chalr of the rnooling Name ofthe Chair of the meetlng REV'D KAREN LE MOUTON Date ........ Indep•ndent ExamIne￿9 Report to tha Trustees of tho Bamber Bridge Methodlst Church Charlty Numb•r 1129810 Respon81bilitlè8 and bagls of report I rèport lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the 8amber Bridge Methodlsl Church for the year ended 31 Augu$l 2022 sel out on pages 2 to 3 As the Church's tru8tees, you are responsible for the preparation of the a¢¢ounts in acGordance with the requlrements of the Charhles Act 2011 I'the Act'}. I report in respect ol my examination of th8 Church's accounls carried out under Section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicabl& Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51(bl of Ihe Act. delete or clrcle as appropriale 2Q1S¢hwcfr R Jnd P.￿9 4of5 Name of Church - Bamber Brldge Methodtst Church Charfty Number 1129810 Independent Examlner's Ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in ¢onn8Ction with the examination {other than that disc105ed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respeGt- the accountlng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. Ithe [the I have no concerns and have Come aeross no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I hav8lhave not" obtained independent verification of all investmenls with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of th8 Methodlst Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of Independent examlner Name of independent examlner Relevant professional qualification of independent examlner Gc. Name of flrm (where appropriate) Address LQ L/Pr7..1. ... Post Code LAL I£L! Date l. /-LJia delete or circle as approprlate Sep-22 2015 clKJrth R and P.￿& Sof5 Name of Church BAM8ER BRIDGE METHODIST CHURCH HARITY NUPJJBER 1129810 Declarations and Scrutiny l eonfimi that these Re￿Ipt and Paymerrt based accounts for the year to 31 August 2022 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they indude all fvnds under Ihe control of the Church trustees. Signature of Ireasurer ........ Name and address of treasurer DAVID EVANS 1 EDWARD STREET, BAMBER BRIDGE, PRESTON PR5 6FB Presentatlon to the Church trustees I conflnn that the annual rewt and accounts for Ihe year en 31 August 2022 wereA¥ilkk" presented to the meeting of the Church Irustees held on .......G!&).... SwJnatur8 ofthe Chair ofthe meeting Name ofthe Chairofthe meeting REVD KAREN LE MOUTON Dats.......... .... ........ Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the Bamber Brfdge Methodist Church Charlty Numb•r 1129810 Responslbilitigs and basis of report I report to the trustees on my exarnin8tion of the accounts of the Bamber Bridge Methodi* Church for the year ended 31 August 2022 set out on pages 2 to 3 As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a￿￿dan￿ wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe I report in respect of my examina￿n ofthe Church's accounts carried out under seditin 145 of the Act and, in Ca￿￿9 OLrt my exarnination. I have followed all the applicable DIrectior￿ gNen by the Charity Commission under section 145{5llb) of the Act. . delete or circle as appropriate 2915 ¢hurch Fl ￿ p.xIB 4ofS Name of Church - Bamber Brldge Methodist Church Charity Number 1129810 Independent Examlnerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed bek)w-) whith give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: Ihe accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Ac( or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. [the [the I have no cOn￿mS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thrs report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. havelhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and fvnds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individualty in excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheel date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professtonal qualification of independent exarniner GC. Name of firm (where appropriate) CLJQ Address Post Code LA L 11 LJ Date delete or clrcEe as approprtate Sep-22 2DI5 churf* R arvj P.>ts 5d5