2025-08-31-accounts - Culcheth Methodist Church

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CULCHETH METHODIST CHURCH Charity Number 1129901 Ellesmere Road, Warrington. WA3 4BS TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT 1st SEPTEMBER 2024 to 31[st] AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES WHO MANAGED THE CHARITY DURING THE YEAR

Trustee Name	Office(s) which relate to ex- officio membership	Name of body entitled to appoint trustee
Rev Wilfred Robinson	Superintendent Minister and Chair	Ex- Officio
Thomas Martin	Circuit Steward Representative	Ex-Officio
David Ogilvy	Steward	Ex-Officio
Joyce McComb	Steward	Ex-Officio
Ashley Hutchinson		Church Meeting
Janette Hutchinson	Secretary of the Pastoral Committee	Ex-Officio
Roddy Marr		Church Meeting
Elizabeth Soehren	Steward	Ex-Officio
Daphne Eastburn		Church Meeting
Amy Driver	Steward	Ex-Officio
Christine Pathmarajah		Church Meeting
Julie Mainwaring		Church Meeting
Elizabeth Ann Marr		Church Meeting
Phil Harrison		Church Meeting
Joyce Daniels		Church Meeting
Susan Carol Sherratt	Treasurer	Ex-Officio
Caroline Fillery	Steward	Ex-Officio
Jon Purcell	Church Council Secretary	Ex-Officio

NAME AND ADDRESSES OF ADVISERS CONSULTED BY THE TRUSTEES

None were consulted during the year

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Description of the charity’s trusts;

The governing document is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) and the charity is constituted by Act of Parliament. Some trustees are ex-officio, up to 15 are appointed by the existing trustees and up to 15 may be appointed by the General Church Meeting. The Circuit Meeting appoints a Circuit Steward to be an ex-officio member.

Induction and Training for Trustees

A range of guidance produced by the Charity Commission and the Methodist Connexion is issued to new trustees including the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church’ and they are offered the support of the Meeting Secretary. 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 national church to call upon.

Structure.

The Church is part of the Leigh and Hindley Circuit which in turn is part of the North West England District and is accountable to the annual Methodist Conference. It is likely that the current Circuit structure will be reviewed by the District in the near future.

The Trustees of the Church work together in the Church Council which has leadership and oversight of all aspects of the Church’s work and activities. The Council is chaired by the Presbyter (Minister) with pastoral charge of the church

The Council appoints a Treasurer to advise it on financial matters and the members of the church, at the annual General Church Meeting, appoint stewards. There are five stewards who are part of the team working with the Presbyter for giving leadership and help over the full range of the church’s activities and to hold in unity the variety of concerns that are contained within the whole ministry of the church. This team also includes the Treasurer and the Pastoral Secretary.

From time to time specific responsibilities are delegated to the Stewards or other groups.

The ten churches of the Circuit work closely together within “hubs” which regularly share worship and fellowship activities. Increasingly hubs are looking to see if they can share any roles. Culcheth, together with Glazebury Methodist Church, forms the South Hub. Whilst the two churches remain independent organisations there are regular joint leadership team meetings which identify how the two churches can enhance their worship and missions by closer working and increase their fellowship. This year the two churches have combined their notice-sheets and worship in each building on alternate Sundays

Identification and Management of Risks

A major risk to the Church is its Financial Viability . This is because we have a reducing and aging membership so reliable regular giving is down and opportunities for fundraising have remained constrained by the availability of volunteers to manage them. While many in the congregation have given generously to compensate for this, the financial prospects of the church remain limited and unpredictable.

The Trustees have sought to reduce expenditure with limited spend on non-essential matters and recently cleaning costs were reduced by the redundancy of two part time cleaning posts with the work now being undertaken by Volunteers. In this year the church has started to feel the impact of this considerable reduction in costs

The key risk management actions during the year were the;

continuation of the policy that no major expenditure should be made without the authority of the treasurer with prior Council awareness and, if required, discussion of the need for the expenditure.
detailed financial reporting and projections to every Council Meeting
reduction in non-essential expenditure and the requirement that any non-routine expenditure over £50 should be discussed with the treasurer beforehand
Increased lettings fees to user groups
The opening of a new bank account more appropriate to the church’s needs and allows online access and more detailed management of the account.

A further risk is Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are members or use the church’s facilities. The controls to manage any risk to them include:

Application of the statutory procedures relating to churches for the Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults such as Disclosure and Barring checks
Annual updating and audit of the church's safeguarding policy using the model recommended by the Methodist Church.
Following the Procedures and Practices laid down by the Methodist Church
Mandatory training sessions for those involved in work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion awareness training for all role holders and trustees
Appointment of a safeguarding coordinator who has access to the trustees and to advice from the District and Connexion's professional Safeguarding Officers.
Mandatory Safeguarding reporting to the trustees at every Council meeting

Health and 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 initiatives include;

The routine annual inspection of the building and safety arrangements which includes the input of the church’s Safeguarding Officer.
A quinquennial building audit carried out by an independent body which took place the previous year
The registration of the kitchen with Warrington Borough Council and attendance by volunteers at a Food Safety course
The requirement that the leaders of all Church events and initiatives draw up a risk assessment for their activity which also includes a safeguarding risk assessment.

Replacement of faulty Fire doors

The Church is subject to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). At the initiation of the new procedures Council agreed a policy and procedures in line with national Methodist model and significant work was undertaken to ensure that the requirements of the Act are being met. Risk management includes;

The trustees’ commitment to an annual review of the operation of the policy which is monitored by the District and the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of:-

(a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
(b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
(c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
(d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church.

SUMMARY OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN RELATION TO THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS.

The church building is available for booking by community groups and for family parties etc. It is home to a Tuesday Tots gathering (which is supported by church volunteers) and a preschool Nursery both of which are much appreciated by the local community. It also hosts Scouts, Guides, Brownies and a yoga group. Recent lettings have been to the University of the Third Age offering an IT literacy course to the community and to a Baby Ballet class.
The church’s pastoral support system and activities have included members of the local community not just church members. Outreach in our local care home includes craft work, gardening as well as leading worship.
The community garden continues to be successful as a source of; great pleasure for our neighbours and passers-by, our Uniformed Organisations participate in the upkeep, learning is provided for the pre-school children and produce is available for the community especially those living in retirement apartments close to the church who do not have a garden.
The church’s welcome area which is open to all when the building is open is well used. Activities attended by many in the community include;
A monthly Meeting Point gathering with invited speakers,
A Monday prayer group and coffee morning
Saturday Morning Coffee gatherings and seasonal ‘Soup Meals’ which are open to and used by the wider community.
Being used as a gathering place by families whose children attend events and the nursery in the church.

The church and its community, continues to support the local Food Bank, the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Appeal, Christian Aid week and Warrington Youth For Christ.
The church is open to all for weddings, funerals and baptisms as, of course, is its worship and fellowship activities. Special services such as those for Mother’s Day, an annual Memorial Service, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and the Carol Service are all well attended and appreciated by the wider community
The church is the place of refuge for Twiss Green Primary School and hosts their annual carol service
The church’s Hearts & Hands craft Group is also open to everyone with some nonchurch young people attending.
As in all Methodist Churches office holders have started to undertake mandatory awareness training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) matters in a bid to make our community work and worship activities more affirming and supportive of all.
In response to a request from the church the Parish Council has provided funding to assist in the relocation of the defibrillator (funded by the Scouts) to an outside wall to make it available to the whole community not just users of the building
The church hosts various local groups for the village 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.

Despite the challenges of reducing membership and funds the trustees confirm and demonstrate through these activities that they have taken account of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Accounts were approved at the Council’s meeting on 28[th] October 2025 together with the Reserves Policy. These are appended.

LEGAL OBLIGATION

The Trustees confirm that they are aware of their obligations with regard to the reporting of critical incidents and that there have been no such incidents to report.

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CHARITY’S TRUSTEES:

Wilfred Robinson

Reverend Wilfred Robinson

Chair

Dated: 11[th] June 2026

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS CULCHETH Church Frig TLJf YEAR fNJDfD 31 August 2025 Lei h and Hindle Circuit Circuit no. 06107 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number p 4q3jestyff's RevAfj"e and 1129901 I WI i Cu3toms Gift Aid number IThe HMRC number is equivalent lo a registered charily number in terms of evidence of charilable status and mav be used to aive to donors or orant funders wighinq to see evidence of the organisalion's charitable slalus Methodist charities In England and Wales that are not registered Ghanties are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrumep.+ 2014 Nc 2491 Minister. Revd Katharine Bland Church Stewards". David Ogilvy Amy Driver Elizabeth %oehren Jo>ice Mccomb Laroiine Fiilery-Brown Treasurer-. Carol Shcrratt chUrCh-reiptS-and-paYMents-202s_N0rMal 1015

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 CULCHETH Church Up.restricted Restrlcted Fun(Is Funds Totals thls year Totsl% la8t yèar SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note 5 and Tax recob'crcd Bank and CFB interest an Iriv¥>tment income 44,095 44,n94 ao ?? 1,056 14,493 6,116 82,327 a4 Lettinas 20,892 8,749 74.134 20,892 8,749 74,906 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS a6 772 {a71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit L"e0. n+ t*r Qh?r 43.786 43,786 42.807 b3 Donations 600 450 300 b4 Re airs and Mainlenan¢e Uliilties Ilnsurances, water charges. heating & lights.ngl Cleanin 6.827 6,827 9,535 b5 10.388 10,388 12,087 4D 7,435 b7 Oiner payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 2,001 63.642 2.001 64.092 b8 450 Ib9 76,756 SECTION C RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS rvR InE TEAR a6-b81 10,814 5,571 Tntjl fiinrl¢ hrniight fnnrd from sl year c2 58,058 663 58,721 c61 53,150 Sub total l¢l+c21 68.550 985 69,535 58,721 Transfers and ad uslmenls c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 68,550 985 69,535 Ic81 58.721 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these amounts are not to be included in totsl receipt8lpayments figures d1 Balance brou ht forward from last ear Offerin sIGrfts - received foT fjxlernal o anisations 1,036 768 nffp.rinaslGrftS - Dassed lo external oroanisations 1,036 768

CULCHETH ¢hurch SUM FCHU INTERIIAL O GANI THE CH RCH COUMCIL the Guldaore Nolp¢ tn rnm Summaryofthe Chorch XCWhtstslh¢ yèar enoed 31 Awusl ?.0?.S and IntÈmai or9an1sanS repNffig tDthe Churth ne1VChUrch MBetrDg Noto I81 tuf$ of an Internal Organisatson wOuJ rL¢ymally be Rosttthj fn$ unless rf coukj be deaFty ¥hw.thalth rnuld be used fN any Meththisl puwe. Ttti¥ mu¥t b8 CLtyetra toarnvt aEtrE 9ross Incorneano eXDen0rtv t¢isl¥d the cnurch li gross Inciwne excee05 trA(njaL% inrespKWO. men eA¢val5 meinoo or ac(XJunino O A tXFFERENT FORM nltsst be trJRWrtthe¥xtyJnts { W•t>wiel Pkne relerb)IhegUNJ0 [Wt¥j IhÈ DMtrK 8nd conntj DistwtOrgaDrs&lth¥ INTERNAL OROAN18AmON8 PaYts boLgnt•s Cl baiancfrs ¢2 t5 e7 SUD totsl Df Intem?I anisatons fun05 e12 CMrch accourthi Itota broh1 loThvard frLVll P•y8 2-totsh columnl T4,¢ {a71 84,092 Ib91 10A14 Ic71 5B,721 69,535 tlfj BY CHURCH 74,906 64,092 10.814 $8,721 69,635 Clin9 OD a 3ep3r8te 8ni TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS è)18b lordro SEcON F YATEAIENTOF ASSETS QPENINn BALAN¢ES ri n8iNr. CHURCH- CASH FUNDS HELD •t 31 Au urt 20ZS BALANCES Cash In hana Bank c1 39,64C 39 701 Bank ItActs)unt f4 ¢¥#r81 FwAntè Bowl 29,834 Tslee5 trUthodchutth P c>tnerfvryY$ SIJB TOTAL-Chu¥ch accour 58,721 9,1135 Totsl fund$ by Inièmal Oryanisatson5 {thOUO bat¢trI trom abDv81 le121 TOTAL c$ FUFéDS HELD BY CHURCH $8,721 69,538 SECTION G At SwLiibei &024 Al I AuguSi 202 OTHER ASSETS •nd LIABIUTIES Lar & BUdI seetKrtes rethsufanctval 2 724 801 2 724 801 i(Tr•iJ . (MILarli

Narne of Church...............Culehèth 06107 Declarations and Scrutiny 5 CA)D.firm that thes6 Receipt and Payment 8rrniints fnr thp. veaT lo 31 Auaust 2025 havA hAAn prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurèr . Jr< iO.I Name and address of treasurer . Presentation to the Church trustee5 I confirm that the annual report and accounts lor the year ended 31 August 2025 werelwill be" presented to the meeting of the C...-. + Signature of the Cliair of the meetin Name ofthe Chair of the meebng Date oydL Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the METtr4 LJ l)1 S-. ..Church Iilqqal Charfty Number..... Responsibilities and Iiasis of pOrt I report to the tnjslees on my examination of the accounts of the . 4tsy rAtsOIS fhurch Inr Ihp vgAr g.ndp.d .71 Aiiniiql ?n?4 *p.t nijt r>n paops I tn ti As the Church's trustees. vou are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢cordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act I report in resp8ct of my examination of the Church's acco1$ carried out under seth'on 145 of the Act ar.d, i.- -3rr1i.:- oJt T" ex-., ,, by the Charty Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act.

Name of Church . Culcheth 06107 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 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 Droper understandina of the accounts to be reached. I l%filhave 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 MethGdis :,c, a",e individually in excess of £1n noo i•dn •hAJi pou.ryds) at balance sheet date. W1W Sigi)attsie of indépéndént examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualrfication of independent examiner CA.. Name of firm (where appropriate) Address ..Cv.¥&L4 tsTrl.. Date delete or circle as appropriate

RESERVES POLICY Report on behalf ol Culcheth I"Church Council) Lei h and Hindle (*Cire.iJit Meèting! We 5ubrnil our annual report In accordance with the Tequirements ot the Metno(Jist Conference and the Chanly Commission guidance In CC19. {1) The trustees have established their misSn aims taking Into account 311 of thp resourrps available in terms of people. propety and .opey {iiil We have agreed a Reserves Policy which Is Sei oui overieai ants Is recoraed in the trustees, minutes and our Annual Repgrt {wl We recognise the need to be accountable as chartty Iru51ees for all the ryTropshy whi¢.h Into our hands and will provide rther Infnrmatinn AS required by the Cir¢urYDistricVConnexion {ii) Mission nItIatiVes1proJeCtS have been costed or estimates made of projected future costs which lake into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements ot the Quinquennial Inspection Reporvs Iv) Our Rep)rt Is attached ov8rfeaf ' please deIe as appropriate i To be completed by Receiving Body The jl i¥IFeiifi5iuiStrik•& lee1Ved the RESERVÉS POLICY of 'Church Councillcircuit MeetinglDistrict Policy accepted and acknowledgement sent to ihe trustees YES INO Policy noted and the followinq enquiries made of the trustees Responses received and any further action taken 'CircuitlDi3tri¢t Si9fJatut'V¥i Plèa58 ddete as a Date............ ro nate

RESERVES POLICY of I Culcheth Methodist Church I'church Coijncil . Iclrcult MeetingThlDistrictD) TrJ¢nc."a! fi held at VIE 31108125 £52 160 Restrlcted Funds heid £17 376 Endowment Punds neld Reserves policy for General ruiiu¥ Reserves are needed to maintain cashflow throughout the year and cover risk. Our risks are ABC i income and Quinquennial repairs. ABC are still adapting to their financial situation and if they were to close. thiq wniild havp. A bia Impact on the church's income. There are stlll repairs to be undertaken I from the 2024 Quinquennial report, but the main risk is the roof on the hall which could require r•nl•Tr•m•nt . any time In view of its age General funds held cover 82% of next yearfs forecast expenditure. 5. Polic for Restricted Funds Any grdiiis i¥itsivéd for specific purposes will only be used fortose purposes. Property Grant Fund Tne rund al the end of August 2025 was £1,720. This inclLtdes funds for the Community Garden. Youth Work Fund The fund at the end of the year was £15,656. Church Councsl should consider how I best to make use of these funds, which are growing with interest. Temis relating to Endowment Funds held This ReseNes Policy has en approved by i S I"Church Council Icircuit MeetingFIiDistri Treasurer Tru¢tee ame SL*san Carol Sherratt Signature Signatur