**Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Annual Report of the Church Council For the year ended 31 August 2023** **_____________________________________________________________________** ## **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 2022 until the date this Report was approved are: |Minister|Rev’d Karen Le Mouton to 31|| |---|---|---| ||August 2023|| ||Rev’d Sharon Thraves from 1|| ||September 2023|| |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|Ms M Yates| |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|| ||Mrs A Boothroyd|| ||Mrs W Yates|| |Safeguarding|Me J Jefferson|| |Cradle Roll Secretary|Mrs C Perry|| |Circuit Representative|Mrs G Ferris to 31/8/23|Mrs Wendy Bennet from 1/9/23| 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. Our aim is to provide fellowship in various ways mainly through the Wellness Café which operates on a Wednesday and Thursday morning, an evening fellowship known as Lighthouse for younger children and Youth for secondary school aged children. 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 and operates as the managing trustee body. Additional support is provided through special interest groups as the need arises focusing on Finance and property and pastoral aspects of Church life. A leadership team consisting of the Church Stewards and other representatives meets to add direction to the activities of the church between meetings of the church council Other groups reporting to the Church Council are established as the need arises. ## **Financial Review** The income of the church has struggled to return to pre-Covid levels as organisations and activities have only gradually recommenced. The outturn for the year showed a deficit on general funds of £10,460 leaving reserves of £14,398 after a transfer to support the work of Churches Together In Bamber Bridge. Despite the decline in reserves 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. Significant additional income is generated from external users of the facilities and this 2 has seen an increase in the year under review with further improvements following the year end and wider community based use. ## **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 £15,000 to £30,000 ). At 31 August 2023 free reserves stood at £14,398. The trustees aim to replenish reserves in the coming year should activity enable this and to fund additional activity by way of grant applications and specific appeals. 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: - Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - 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 - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in operation. 3 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 Sharon Thraves Minister Dated 5 June 2024 4 CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 Preston Ribble Circuit Circuit no. 21111 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1129810 If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number {The HMRC nurnber is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Melhodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242J Minister: Reverend Karen Le Mouton to 31 Au ust 2023 then Reverend Sharon Thraves from 1 Se tember 2023 Church Stewards.. Mrs D Jefferson Mr D Roscoe Mrs C Billington Mr J Jefferson Mrs C Poole Mr G Poole is M Yates Ms S Toman Mrs S Livesey Treasurer.. Mr D Evans BBMC churches-reeeipts-and-payments-2023 1of5 ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church Unrestrlcted Rèstrieted Totsls thls Funds Funds year Totals last year SECTION A 31 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest ancl Investment income 42,011 173 42,184 52,165 a3 288 28 316 44 a4 Lettin 11,957 11,957 6,187 60,644 8.383 8,270 68,862 85 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 5,187 59,443 1,000 1,201 86 la71 SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 52,950 52,950 53,400 b3 Donations 1,500 1,500 30 b4 Re airs and Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsuran¢es, water charges, healing & li hlin 6,540 6,540 8,121 b5 6,232 73 6,305 9,208 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 2,681 69.903 2,681 69,976 2,617 73.376 73 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a6-b8 10.460 1,128 9.332 4,514 Total funds brought forward from last year 24,931 2,187 27,118 c6 31,632 Sub total c1+c2 14,471 3,315 17,786 27,118 Transfers and ad'uslments 173 73 c7 CS TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 14,398 3.388 17,786 Ic81 27,118 {c61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included In total recelptslpaymgnts figures above) d1 Balance brou hl forward from last ear d2 Offerin sIGifts- received for exlemal or anisalions d3 OfferingslGifts passed lo external organisalions d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 +d2-d31 2of5 BBMC churChe5-Truipts-and-￿yMÈnts-2o2j BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNT5 AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING 10 T ¢HUR¢ CIL SECTION E Pl¢k$g follow thè Gvldance Notes th corn lete thls Sumn)8ryoI the Church accouDls lorlhe yearended 31 Augus12Q23 and Iniemal Owani$abon¥ reporting Iolhe Church Counullchurch Mee￿￿. Note thai tho (unas ol an 1Th￿rnal Organisatson would noFmally b¥ Resin￿￿ lun0$ vniess Il COU￿ be elearly shown that theye￿￿ be used for any MBlhod151 wtpos8. Thi$ seciion must ty completed lo atn¥e atlh&gr4$$ in¢we and expenditure ioiaL* of ihe Church. Ilgross Income exceed5 IheAccruals IF￿Sh￿￿, th9nlhoA¢¢ru81$ rn￿h0d olaecountin9 ANO A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to repDrtlhe aGcounts (see MeihOdi$iw8b$iiei. plèase reier to the gui¢an¢e note5 regardlng Iranslers èetsvetrn lThe DlstdL* and connec￿d Dislrid Oiganisatsons. INTERNAL otIOANISATIONS Nel fte￿ip mtrnts Qpeni balances Recei DIS Ad"usiments b818n¢es ub t0ts1 of Intfm31 ani$alh)ns funds e12 Church accounts (totals brought forward from paga 2-totals columnl 60,644 69,976 27,118 (¢8 BY CHURCH 60,644 69,976 27,115 17,786 ¢oniinue OD a sepat3le $bts81 il necessary and bring th? totals to￿Vard TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS sEc￿ON F STATE ETS AND LIABILITIES OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 A u#t 2023 C¥sh in hand 57 B8nk CurreniAccounl Bank De siIAGcounl Ceniral Finartt 80814 18.384 7.861 Trustee¥ for Meihothgl Chuich Purposes 1.028 Olherfunds SUB TOTAL- Church accounts Total funds he￿ by Intetnal Organisaiions lthecb$ing ba1aDrp10181 Irom abtsvel le12) 27,118 c6 17.786 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH 27.118 Ix) 17.786 SECMON G Al 1 Sepiember 2022 Al 31 Awus12023 OTrIER ASSETS and LIA8IUmES InVeSt￿ts irtlude Endowrnenis Land & Bul￿1n see n￿￿$ r6 In$urancg value 1384 684 OtherAsse15 Loan - show amovni ouisiandln earend Other LIab￿lbe5 f41n￿￿e0nty Funts held 81 Ihe Central FinanGe 8Dard 15 Indude onty Fun&s heid alTruslee5 forMeihtyJistChurch Purposes 91 Include any0t￿r Investments Inut ihts elemenlol TMCP Iwsis accoun15 thi$is Indud8d In Ilna IS 3ofS Name of Church Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Charity No 1129810 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounls for the year lo 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer . Dale.................. Name and address oftreasurer David Evans 1 Edward Street, Bamber Bridge, Preston Post Code PR5 6FB Presentstion to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 Augusl 2023 will be presented lo the meeting of the Church trustees held on 5 June 2024 Signalure of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Sharon Thraves Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Charlty Number 1129810 Responsibllities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Bamber Bridge Melhodisl Church for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages 2 to 3. As Ihe Church's Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all Ihe applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate BBMC churches-re￿lpt>￿￿d-p3Yrnenl￿2o2J 4ofS Name of Church Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Charity No 1129810 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. l &a¥elhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner G-RA H/t*-K KLkn-J ￿ ￿￿d-p3Yrnenl￿2o2J 4ofS Name of Church Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Charity No 1129810 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. l &a¥elhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner G-RA H/t*-K KLkn-J ￿