CULCHETH METHODIST CHURCH Charity Number 1129901 Ellesmere Road, Warrington. WA3 48S TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT 1st SEPTEMBER 2023 to 31st AUGUST 2024 TE S WHO MANA ED THE CHARITY URING E YEAR Trustee Name Office(s) which relato to ox- offlclo membershlp Dats8 acted (If not for whole year) Name of body entitled to appoint trustso Ex Officio Rev Katharine Bland Presbyter and Chair Thomas M8rtin Circurt Steward resentative St*ward Ex-officio David Ogilvy Ex-officio Joyce Mccomb Stthvard Ex-officioort Ashley Hutchinson Church Meetin Janette HLrtchinson Secretsry of the Pastoral Committee Ex Officio Church Meeti Ex Officio Roddy Marr EIiz8beth Soehren Steward Daphne Eastbum Church Meeti Ex Officio Amy Driver Steward Christine Pathm8ra Julie Mainwaring Church Meetin Church Meetin Church Meetin Church Meetin Church Meeti Ex Officio Elizabeth Ann Marr Phil Harrison Joyce Daniels Susan Carol Sherratt Treasurer
ANO ADDRESSE F ADVI ER CONSULTED BY THE TR None ¢x)nsulted in the year RNANC AN PaANAGEME Descrlptlon of the charity's trusts; The governing d(Kument is the Deed of Union (1932) 8fKI Methodist Church Act (1976) and the charity is cnnstituted by Act of Parliament. Some trustees are ex-officio, up to 15 are appoinied by the existing trustees and up to 15 may b8 appnted by the General Church Meets'ng. The Circuit Meeting appoints a Circurt Steward to be an ex-officio member. Inductlon and Training for Tntstoes A range of guidancA produced by ts Charity Commission and the Methodist Connexion 18 issued to new trustees including the leaflet The Role of 8 Trustee in the Methodist Church. and they are offered the SUPFK)rt of the Meeting Secretsry. They also receive a copy of the previous year's audited accounts and key polices such as Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults. They can seek the advice of the Chair or Council Secretary at any time and have the professional resources of the nati¢y)al church to call upon. Stru¢turn. The Church is part of the Leigh and HirKlley Circuit vthich in tum is part of the Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District and is accountable to the Methodist Conference. In the new year (from September 2024) all Districts in the northwpst will be )mbIned into one; the North West England District. The Circurt structure is also under review. The Trustees of the Church work together in the Church CouncAI Nlthich has leadership and (Iversight of all aspects of the Church's work. The Council is chaired by the Prosbyter wilh pastoral charge of the church The Council appoinls a Treasurer to advise rt on financial matters and the members of the church. at Ihe annual General Church Meeting, appoint stewards. There are four stewards who are part of the te8m working with the presbyter for giving leadership and help over the full range of the church's ath'vities arKI to hold in unty variety of concerns that are ntsined within the whole ministry of the church. This team also includes the Treasurer and the Pastoral Secretsry. From time to time specffic responsibilities are delegated to the Stewards or other groups. The ten churches of the Circuit work dosely together within 'hubs' which regularly sh8re worship and fello%lp activrties. Increasingly hubs are looking lo see if they can share any roles. Culcheth, together with Glazebury Methodist Church. fomis the sjth Hub. Vthilst the t churches remain independent organisations the are regular joint leadership team meets'ngs which identify how the two churches can enhance their worship and missions by doser working and increase their fellowship. This year the churches have combined their nob'ce-sheets and worship in each building on amemats Sundays
Identfrficatlon and Management of Risks A major risk to the Churth is its Flnanclal Vlabllity. This is because we have a reducing membership so reliab regular giving is down and opportunities for fundraising have remained constrained by the availabilrty of volunteers lo manage them. While many in the congregation have given generously to compensate for this, financial prospects of the church remain limited and unpredictable. The Trustees have sought to redu expenditu with limited spend on non-essential matters and in the previous year deaning costs We reduced by the redundancy of two part ts'me deaning posts with the work being undertaken by VcAunteers. In this ye81 the churth has started to feel the impact of this congderable reducb'on in costs The key risk management actions during the year were the: continuation of the Èx)licy that major expenditure should be made without the authority of the treasurer with prior Council awareness and, rf rffjuired. discussion of the need for the expenditure. detailed financi81 r8POfts'ng 8fKI projections to every Council M88ting reduction in non4ssents.al expendrture arKI the requirement that any non-rwtine expenditure over £50 should be discussed with the treasurer beforehand An increase in lettings fees to user groups The opening of a new bank ac(x)unt more appropnate to the church's needs and allowing online management. A further risk is Safeguardlng of young people and vulnerable adufts who are members or use the church's facilities. The controls to manage any risk to them include: Application of the statut¢yy procedures relaling to thurches for the Safeguarding of Children. Young People and Vulnerable Adults suth as Discbsure and Barring check8 Annual updating and audit of thè church's safeguarding policy using th8 model recommended by the Methodist Church. Following the Procedures and Practices laid down by the Methodist Church Mandatory trainirq sessions for those involved in %4Drk Imth children and vulnerable adults. Equality Diverw and Indusion awareness training for all role holders and truste88 Appointment of a safeguarding coordinator who h8s access to the tNstee8 and to advice from the Connexion's professional Safeguarding Officws. Mand8tory Safeguarding reporting to the trustees at every Council meeting Health arHI Safety (H&S) is a possible major area of risk for the church: Trustees, responsibilities are wide and extend to church members, worshippers and the many community groups which use the building. Risk management initlatives include,. The routine annual inspection of the building and safety arrangements which includes the input of the church's Safeguarding Offiw. A quinquennial building audit carTied out by an ifKlependent body which took place in this year The registration of the kitchen with Warringlon Bomgh Council and attendance by volunteers at a Food Safety course The requirement that the leaders of all Church events and initithves draw up a risk assessment for tr activity which also includes a safeguarding risk assessmenL
The safety and integrity of the property a wularfy monitored and any necessary remediawimprovernent V) is implemented. The Church is subject to the requirements of the General Oata Protectlon Regulatlons (GDPR). At the outset of the new pro2dures Council agreed a policy and procedures in line wth national Meth(xlist model and significant work was undertaken to ensure that the requirements of the Act are being met. Risk management indudes,. The trustees, commitment to an annual review of the operation of the policy which is monitored by Ihe District. Some minor shortcomings have been identFfied and will be addressed. Summary of the objects of the charlty set out in Fts governing document: The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement ot.- (8) The Christian farth in accordance wth the doctrinal stsndards and discipl1r of Th8 Methodist Church: (b) Any chantable purKM)se for the time being of any Connexional, Distric( Circuit, IcrAI or other organisation of The Meth(MJist Church: (c) Any ch8ritsble purpose for the lime being of any sletY or instrtution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. (d) Any purpose for the ts'me being of any charity being a charity 8ub&'diary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. ACTMTIE NDE TAK The thurth building is available for booking by communrty groups and for family parties etc. It is horne to a Tuesday Tots gathering (which is supported by church volunteers) and a preschcM)I (ABC) both of which are much appreciated by the local communFty. It also hosts Scouts. Guides, Brownies and a yoga group. Recent lettings indude to 8 regular baby ballet dass and to the University of the Third Age which is offen'ng an IT lrteracy course to the community. The church's pastoral support system and activities have induded rnembers of the local community not just church members. Outreach in our care home indudes craft work, gardening as well as leading worship. The community garden continues io be suoxssful as a source of,. great pleasure for our neightrK)urs and passers-by, leaming for the pr&school children and produce for the community espeaally those living in rets'rement apartments close to the church who do wt have a garden. The church's welcome area which is open to all when the buildir¥J is open is well used. Activities attended by many in the community indude" A fortnightly Meeting Point gathering with invited speakers. A fortnhl1Y musical appreciation session A Monday prayer group and coffee moming Saturday Moming Coffee gatherings whKh are open to and used by the wider community.
Being used as a gathering place by farnilies whose children attend events and the nursery in the church. The church and its eommunty. continues lo support extemal tharities such as the local Food Bank, the Salvab'on Amiy Christmas Toy Appeal. Christian Aid week, All We Can. Warrington Youth for Christ and ActM)n for Children. The Leadership Team is consKlering how the church might in¢yease this charitsble gNirvJ. The church is open to all for N%eddings, funerals and baptisms as. of course, is its worship and fellowship activities. Unifomed organisation take part in special services such as those for Mothering Sunday and the HaNest Festival. An annual Memorial Service and the Carol Service are well attended and appreciated by th8 der community The church is the plwx of refuge for Twiss Green Primary School and hosts their annual carol semce The church's Hearts & Hands cAaft Group is 8180 open to 8v6ryone with some non- church young peopb attending. As in all Methodist Churches office holders have started to undertake mandatory awareness training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) matters in 8 bid to make our community work and worship activities more affimiing and supportive of all. In response to 8 request from the church the Parish Council has provided funding to assist in Ihe relocAtion of the defibrillator (funded by the Scouts) to an outside wall to make rt available to thle (x)mmunity not just U8er8 of the buikling The church hosts various local groups for the villages. annual Christmas Fair The Council is actively seeking ways, in accord with the Charity's objectives. to utilise currently uncommitted funds raised for youth work now that it is unable to continue to fund a youth worker whose role extended into the local community and High School Despite the challenges of reducing membership and funds the trustees confirm and demonstrate through these 8Cts'vities that they have had reg8rd to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. CIAL R The Accounts were 8pwoved by Ihe Trustees on 10th January 2025 together with the Reserves Policy. These are appended. GAL BLI The Twstees confimi that they are aware of their obligatfrons with regard to the reporting of critical incidents and that there have been no sh incKlents. SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CHARITYS TRUSTEES: Roverond Katharfne Bland Date 29th January 2025
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS AccouKrs THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS CULCHETH FOR THE YEAR ENDED Chur¢h 31 August 2024 Lol h and Hlndl Ctscu Clreuft 06107 1129901 If not a registored thanty HI• M4••ty• R•v•nu• and Cu•tomA Glft Ald numb•r ITh8 HMRC numbor is equlvalont to a r•gwter•d tharty nunber in temm ol of (ortsble •tstU8 and may u88d to to dorrf)rn (Y want luth vrishiTra to see eviden of thè organl8atlon'8 Charit&ts 8tatLk8. Phthodist dritieS in ErvJlwKI and Wales that are r1 rtyi8tered ¢an11 •ro from rty1strn1i under Stalthy Irffjtrument 2014 No.242) Mlnl•tw. Revd Katharine Bland Chuff*) St•ward¥.' David Ogilvy Ainy Driver Elizabeth Soehren Joyce Mccomb Carol Sherratt CMC kndaril F¢)M 23 24 1ofS
CULCHETH l••t Fund• RECEIPTS Bank arml CF8 interest 774 a5 9,188 74474 TOTAL RECEIPTS 1.124 327 SEcnop4 8 b1 PAYIAIEP b3 Donations Re utilities I1nBUrar, wat•r bs 7A36 b7 1.510 1110 2,414 66.176 TOTAL PAYMEpirs 75246 7SO SECTION C IIEf AECEIPTSIPAYII6YT8 TLal frmrd frtyn st y•Jr Sub total cl+¢2 150 Trnrrftsrs and c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 68.721 53.100 SECTION D d1 788 575 57 ALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1+d2-d3) 2of5 CMC8thdFcrfwA23 24
CULCHEfH Cwhknhw 31 *wt2tr24
Declarations and Scnrtiny I confimi th& th83e Recryt 8rxl Psynt bat&1 Clnts for th8 to 31 AL¥USt 2024 hav8 baon Church tnwtoe8. SnatUr9 oftroo•urnr........ . .z hiRS S C CLOSE .. Po•tCod•. kJA¥ OPQ l eonfim trt the r•wl aTrJ ae¢¢yJnts for th• yow •rKlod 31 Ajt 2024 wr•MIII be. sn•tur• of th• Ch•¥ oftt ... N•m• of tho Chair of tho ft8lwig ........ &MJ75 Ind•p•nd•nt Ex•nIn• R•port to th• Tru•t•M of th• Culch•th Al8thotht Chur¢h Ch•rlty Numlr. 1129901 RMpon•lbllld•8 and l)Ml• ol r•wrt Church for the year 31 AwJugt 21r24 get ¢xrt on page8 .1 kn .¥. As the Church's lJugtOO9. YOU CharTrtie8 Ad 2011 {Yho Art}. Charrty Commi8on under 88cli 145(5Xb> of tP• A ' ddete tx drde os approprw 4dS
Name ofchurch......................... ....... +J¢C 11 XqqJ 107 Independ•nt Examlnof8 Slat•m•nt I have completed my examination. l (aJ)firm that no material matters have come to my attention beIve that in. any material respect: a¢¢¢)untM)g reu)td8 Thre not kept in a[danC¥ wth 8ectK)n 130 of the Ac( Of trE ants do not actord the ac(x>unting rgc(Yd8. I have no concemg arhl have come aLYoss no tknr mattenb in connection with the examinats'on to which attentK)n sh(Id be drawn in fewt in cffder to en a proper understsrKling of th• 14•wwha¥ not" obtsithj irKleperKlent verificalTh of all inVffitints vith the Trustees for lethodi8t Church Purposes or held in other twsts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finan Board of the Meth(xllst Churth whith are irnJr¥Klually in exc•s8 of £10.000 (ten thousarKI pound8) at the tsalan sheel date. sThature ofindependentwmlner .................... . ............................................ ....... Name of irthendent exIner .. Reknnt prof888itinal qualifikn1 ol W0P0n oxaminor . B C fvjl Nameof fimi (wPre appropnate) ............ .. .... . Address ..7: Do£v• .....<..... ' ddete or Iirde as appropriate CMC Stsndwd Forms 23 24 5ofS
RESERVES POLICY Raport on b•hall rchurch cnclu Clreuit Mg•llnW•trfct) h Hmd M••lInl•lrfct) submrt our annual r¢port in ldnce wth I fequirements uf th• Moll11 ConfwwKx and lh• Charlty Comm188lon gukl•nco In CC19. 111 Iru8tws th•tr mi4sb)n aims laklrKJ 10 ac¢ount all of the f•yJwre• ava•blO p•rW•, {w) haw •ar••J a R•wv•8 Poly whKh t8 ovort•&f and kn rixdt•J in the (pi) Wo rwni&ti th• n••J to bg (XnIb rto our arrfl WIN prowdo fijrther ag 111 Inits•kn b• e£t•d or 8sb"mates modo L pl(1¢¢ lutUTe which tsk• t0 0nt the n••d• of th• bulhJ$8 and th• T•qur•rrwt6 rl th• QuinquennJ&l In8pKkn RewV• (vl R•pDrt li To be comploted by Receiving Body 'cYrt rera¥•l thè RESERVES POLICY cl YES INO Pollcy Tr)ted and the folkxiffj made of the In16&1 'Clr¢vlllDl•trict Slgnats
Culcheth Methodl8t Church Councll (fhufch Councl Clrcull Me•tlng G•n•ral Fund• hebj 4t YE 31A)&24 RMtrl¢t•d Furth hobj nat•d Furth hekl £17 131 RM•rvM poky tor G•n•rnl Funds T Rbye Pollcy i• n••dod to m•lntsln c••hlhMllwwlKUt th• y•ar and un•xp•ctsd expendhur• hod th• church hw• to con•ld•r clo•urn Tho Prmchool group whlch operatss th• pr•ml••s arn •Xpwl•In9 Ilnandal dbllculllos and If tMy to do•• thls would hw• a blg Impact on the chwch's Incomo. Th• R•Mrvts 6h¢)uld rmln at £31000. 5. Polk for t)081 and RMtrlcl•d Fund• Any grants v•celv•d for 4>eclfic puryx•s wlll only b• uted for th08e purposes. Yo•Jth Wort( Furbd IDe8lgnat•d) I1 at ot the year was £15.409. ThsoJ$8lM abl IN)w to be8t uts'lise these fiJrKls is Church Cwnc41 as a Youth Worker is no lthjer employed. Pro1 Gr4nt (R••trkt•d and DMlgnat•d) Th? Iwwj •t th• end ol Augu 2024 wa• £1,950. Thls indudes fijnds for the commun G¥deft. A ndest amount is 8180 hekl for tr B•nwol•w Fund This Reserves PolKy be¢n •pwtyrtd rchurch Coun¢ rt IA8&'tng Treasurer Full na Mrs Susan Carol Sherri Ful Name &gnaturn