2025-08-31-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 2025

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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 2024 until the date this Report was approved are:

Minister Rev’d Sharon Thraves Church Secretary Dr A Andrews Church Treasurer Mr D Evans Church Stewards Mrs D Jefferson Mr E Chatburn Mr G Poole Mrs C Poole Mr D Roscoe Mr J Jefferson 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/North West England 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 or Mission Group 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 the need arises. 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. 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/North West England 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 declined slightly in the year as the continuing impact of general cost pressures affected the congregation and organisations using the premises. However, the outturn for the year showed a surplus on general funds of £36,171 following a reduction in the local church assessment. After a transfer to support the work of Churches Together In Bamber Bridge we ended the year with general reserves of £62,112..

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 still generated from external users of the facilities and this has remained broadly as in the previous year.

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 £18,750 to £37,500 ). At 31 August 2024 free reserves stood at £62,112. While the reserves at the end of the period were in excess of this the trustees 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 for one year. The additional reserves may be utilised once the assessment returns to a normal level. 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.

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 26 February 2026

GHURGH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 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 equivalenl to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used lo 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 expted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 1129810 Minister.. REVEREND SHARON THRAVES Church Stewards: ERIC CHATBURN JOHN JEFFERSON CAROL POOLE GRAHAM POOLE DONALD ROSCOE Treasurer- DAVID EVANS BBMC chUrch-reIpts-and-paYMents-202s_NOrMal 1 of5

BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST ACCOUNTS FOR T14E YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Church Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Totals thls Funds Funds ear Totals last ear SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offerinos and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 43,809 112 43.921 50,808 a3 940 44 983 775 a4 Lettin 17,461 10,722 72,932 17,461 10,722 73,087 17,664 15,388 84,636 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS a6 156 la71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 24.320 1,615 24,320 1,615 10,026 52.473 1.500 6,329 b3 Donations b4 Repairs and Maintenance Ulililies (lnsuran5, watèr cha es healin hlin 6.721 3,305 b5 1.366 73 1,439 6,863 b6 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 2.738 36.761 100 2,838 40.238 2,354 69,519 b8 3,477 Ib9 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS c1 a6-b8 36,171 3,322 32,849 15.116 Total funds brought forward from last year 25,999 6,903 32,902 Ic61 17.786 c3 Sub total Ic1 +c21 62,170 3,581 65,751 32.902 c4 Transfers and adjuslmenls 57 57 c7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 62,112 3,638 65.751 Ic81 32,902 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Ithese amounts arg not to be included In total receiptslpa ments fi ures above} dl Balance brou hl forward from last ear d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for external or anisalions d3 OfferingslGifts passed lo external organisations d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1+d2-d31 2of5 BBMC Church-frEcipts-and-paymcni>2025 Norniol

BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL SECTION E Please followthe Guldance Notes to com Summ8ry ol Ihe Church accounts forthe yearended 31 August 2025 alld Inlemal Organisaiions reporbr4 10 ihe Churth Cour¢i11Church Meeling Noie that Ihefundsof 3n Internal OrganisalK?n would noTTnally be R251Dcled funds unless iiuuld e81 shovm th81 theycould be used for any Methodisl purpose. This Seciion musl be completed to airive ai ihe gross Income and exrndilureioL415 01 Ihe Church. Ilgro$s Income eXedStheAcCtuals threshold. then IhtAcuuals rnetw ar£Onting AND A DIFFERENT FORM mu51 be used lo rept the accounis15ee Melhodi$iweDsiiei. please referio Ihe ouldance noies reaardiw wansfer5 betsveen the Distrlci and conneGIEd Dislri¢i Oroanisalions. INTERNAL OROAN13AnONa NetReceip Pa menL• Opening bolpnce ents uDtrnenia Cl¢Dg baluncea t3 e4 c6 e7 Sth ioial ol Inlemal OroÈni#alions lunds ¢8 e12 Church accounts (totals brought foTh¥ar¢l from payq ?- ¢ota15 colutnnl cg 73,DB7 40.236 32,849 32.902 65,751 8Y CHURCH 73,087 40.238 32,84> 32,902 65,761 Contsnue on a 5¢parate Sheet il necessary and bring tha totals loAvard TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTION F STATEMENT ETS ANO LIABILlnES OPENIN¢ BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELO ¥t 31 Au ust 2025 Cash In hand 30 33 8ènk Current Account 14.684 28.6 Bank De siIAccounl CertiBI Finance Board 17.109 38,240 Trustee5 forMelhodi$i Church P Ol*r lund$ SUB TOTAL- church accounts T¢Lg1 funds held by Inlernal Organaln5 lihe clowDg balance tol¥1 Irom 8b>vel le121 65,751 (¢81 TOTAL GASH FUNDS HeLts BY CHURCH 32,902 65.751 SECTION G Al 1 Septembw 2024 Al 31 AugU512025 OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Invesirnents Indud8 EndtrAmien Land & Bufldi See notes re Insurance v81ue 1 420 691 OtherA55ets Loan - slTh amouniout$t8ndin ear end f4 Indude only Fund5 held at Central Finarte Board IS Indude only Fund5 held 81 TruslEe$fty Meihodisl Church Purposes l any Dlher Invesimenls (r1 Ihecash element ol TMCP 515 accounts Ihits is indud8d In Ilrf5 3015

Name of Church . Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature oftre2surer . Date............ Name and address of treasurer DAVID EVANS 1 Edward Street, Bamber Bnridge, Preston Post Code PR5 6FB Presentation to the Church trustees I confirm that the annual rèport and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented to the meetinq of the Church trustees held on 26 February 2026 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair ofthe meeting Rev S Thraves Date . Independent Examiner'3 Report to the Trustees of the BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST Church Charity Number 1129810 Responsibilitiès 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 2025 set out on pages 1 to3. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'Ihe Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under seclion 145 of Ihe Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. delet8 or circle as appropriate B8MC Churth.receipts.8n&paym2nts.2026 NLYM 4of5

Name of Church BAMBER BRIDGE METHODIST No 21111 Indgpgndont Examiner's St2t@m@nt 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 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 cOnrnS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in ord8r 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 Naffte of independenl examiner M•L4se Relevant profegsional qLialification of independent examiner sc. fwAf Name of firm (where appropriate) CtsJ< Address lo M4141 Ptrt Post Code js Date 9.06.ts>z6 delete or circle as appropriate BBMC Church-receipts-and-paymenls-2025 Normal 5of5