2024-08-31-accounts - Bamber Bridge Methodist Church

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Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Annual Report of the Church Council For the year ended 31 August 2024

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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 2023 until the date this Report was approved are:

Minister Rev’d Sharon Thraves Church Secretary Dr A Andrews Church Treasurer Mr D Evans Senior Steward Mrs D Jefferson Church Stewards Mr D Roscoe Mr E Chatburn Mr G Poole Mr J Jefferson Mrs C Poole Worship Leader Mrs K Roscoe Property & Finance reps Mr R Clapham Mr M Perry Pastoral Committee Mrs L Trafford Elected Members Mrs D Johnson Mrs A Boothroyd Mrs W Yates Safeguarding Mr J Jefferson Cradle Roll Secretary Mrs C Perry Circuit Representative Mrs Wendy Bennet

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 1 locally held service generally each Sunday with occasional Circuit services. 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 increased in the year as organisations and gradually recommenced after the impact of the Cocvd-19 pandemic eased . The outturn for the year showed a surplus on general funds of £11,601 leaving reserves of £25,999 after a transfer to support the work of Churches Together In Bamber Bridge.

This increase in reserves has eased the challenges of managing the varying requirements of the multiuser building with our partners in the venture, Cuerden Church School and Cuerden Nursery. Significant additional income is generated from external users of the facilities and this has seen a further

increase in the year under review with continued 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 £17,000 to £34,000 ). At 31 August 2024 free reserves stood at £25,999. The trustees aim to maintain reserves around this level and are grateful for the decision of the Preston Ribble Circuit to reduce assessments across the circuit by 50% from the formula calculation to support the local mission of the various churches in the Circuit. Should additional income be required then there is a history of sacrificial giving to fund additional activity.

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. During the year a grant of £5,000 was received from Soth Ribble Borough Council to fund refurbishment of the kitchen facilities at the church and the majority of this expenditure was only incurred after the end of the year resulting in a restricted fund of £3,320 being held at 31 August 2024.

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 100 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.

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 18 June 2025

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 PRESTON RIBBLE Circuit Circuit no. 21111 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number 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. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) 1129810 Minister: REVEREND SHARON THRAVES Church Stewards: DESLEY JEFFERSON JOHN JEFFERSON CAROL POOLE GRAHAM POOLE ERIC CHATBURN DONALD ROSCOE Treasurer.. DAVID EVANS BBMC Church-receipts-and-payments-2024 1 of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Totals this Funds Funds year Totals last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 50,664 144 50,808 42,184 724 51 775 316 a4 Lettin 17,664 10,388 79,440 17,664 15,388 84,635 11,957 6,187 60,644 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 5,000 5,195 (a7) SECTION B b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 52,473 1,500 52,473 1,500 6,329 52,950 b3 Donations 1,500 6,540 b4 Re airs and Maintenance Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 4.649 1,680 b5 6,790 73 6,863 6,305 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 2,354 67,766 2,354 69,519 2,681 69,976 b8 1.753 (b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a6-b8 11,674 3,442 15.116 (9,332) Total funds brought forward from last year c2 14,398 3,388 17.786 c6 27,118 c3 Sub total c1+c2 26,072 6,830 32,902 17,786 Transfers and ad'ustments 73 73 c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 25,999 6,903 32,902 (c8) 17,786 (c6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included in total receiptslpayments figures above) d1 Balance brou ht forward from last ear d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for external or anisations d3 OfferingslGifts passed to external organisations d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3) 2of5 BBMC Church-receipts-and-payments-2024

BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING T CHC NCIL SECTION E Please follow the Guldance Notes to com lote thi5 Summary gf the chUh accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Inlemal Organisations reporting to the Church CoundYChurch Meeting. Ni)te that the fund5 of an Intemal Organisalion would nom)ally be Re5tri¢¢ed funds unless it could be dearfy shown that Ihey ojuld be used for any Methodist purpose. This sectson must be completed to arrive at Ihe gros5 inurne and expenditu totals of the Church. Ir gross income exd$ the Accruals Ihreshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM musl be used to reportthe accounts (see Meth¢)dist website). Please referto Ihe guidance notes regarding transfets behveen Ihe Di51rict and connected District Organisatrons. INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Net Recèipt Pa ments Opening balances Pa ments Ad'ustrnents Closin balanS e5 Sub total of Intemal anisations funds e12 Church accounts (totals brought forward from page 2- totals columnl 84,635 la71 69.519 Ib91 15.116 Ic71 17.786 Ic61 32.902 Ic81 elo BY CHURCH B4.635 69.519 15,116 17,786 32.902 ly) Continue on a separate sheet if ne$Sary and bring the totals forward TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTION F ATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILtTIES OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2024 Cash in hand 57 30 Bank CurrentAccount 8.840 14.684 Bank De ositArmunt f4 Central Finanee Btsard 7.861 17,109 Trustees for Methodisl Church Purposes 1,028 1,079 otherfunds SUB TOTAL- Church accounts 17,786 Ic61 32.902 Ic81 Total funds held by In¢emal Or9anisatrons (the closing balance total from above) le121 le111 le121 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHUR¢H 17.786 Ixl 32.902 SECTION G At 1 September 2023 At 31 August 2024 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Inve$trnents include Endowments Land & Buildin see notes re Insurance value 1 384 684 1420 691 OtherAssets Loan - show arnovnloutstarydin at rend Other Llabllities 14 Include only Funds held at the Central Finan Board 15 Include only Funds held alTrustees for Methodist Church Purposes g1 Include any other investments Inotthe cA5h elernent of TMCP trusts accgunl$ this is induded in line f5 BBMC Chur£h.rePYYm£ll.2O24 3ofS

Name of Church Bamber Bridge Methodist No21111 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 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 . Date.......................... Name and address of treasurer David Evans l Edward Street, Bamber Bridge, Preston Post Code PRS 6FB Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 will be presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on 18 June 2025 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date.... Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Bamber Bridge Methodist Church Charity Number 1129810 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Bamber Bridge Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages to As the Church's trustees, 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate BBMC ChUrch-reIpt$-and-paYMents-2O24 4of5

Name of Church Bamber Bridge Methodist No 21111 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 accordance 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. I havelhave 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 Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Gfc. FMAAr Name of firm (where appropriate) Address C01 Lort Post Code LAI I£U Date delete or circle as appropriate AJ.24 BBMC Church-receipts-and-payments-2024 5of5