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

**_____________________________________________________________________** 

## **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 

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 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 

2 



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; 

3 



- ❖ 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 

4 



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 chU￿h 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 ex￿d$ 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
balan￿S
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.re￿P￿￿YYm£￿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-re￿Ipt$-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
C￿01￿ Lort
Post Code
LAI I£U
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
A￿J.24
BBMC Church-receipts-and-payments-2024
5of5

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 chU￿h 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 ex￿d$ 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
balan￿S
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.re￿P￿￿YYm£￿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-re￿Ipt$-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
C￿01￿ Lort
Post Code
LAI I£U
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
A￿J.24
BBMC Church-receipts-and-payments-2024
5of5