Trustees Annual Report
Dates: 01[st] September 2021 to 31[st] August 2022
Charity Details
Charity Name: Northfield Methodist Church Charity Registration Number: 1129902 Charity Address: Chatham Road, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2PH
Trustees During the Year:
Rev Cleopas Sibanda (Appointed 1/9/2021)
Joyce Yates
Dr Laura-Stella Enonchong
Precious Nyagumbo (Appointed 1/7/2022)
Christine Graham
Colin Capell
Josie Cardall
Andrew Coldrick
Dianne Charles
Sheila Whitehouse
Pamela Banks
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of Charity’s trusts
Type of Governing Document: Deed of Union (1932) Methodist Church Act (1976) Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church.
How is the Charity Constituted: Northfield Methodist Church forms part of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, a registered charity (1132208). The Church Council members serve as Managing Trustees for the church under the Methodist Church Act 1976 and Standing Orders. The property is held on trust by the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP), who act as the custodian trustees.
Trustee Selection Methods:
Usually at Church Council Meeting or Annual General Church Meeting.
Objectives and Activities:
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
The purposes of Northfield Methodist Church are those set out for all Methodist churches in the Deed of Union (1932) , the Methodist Church Act 1976 , and the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church . In accordance with these governing documents, the church exists primarily for the advancement of the Christian faith through worship, prayer, teaching, pastoral care, evangelism, and the nurture of Christian discipleship. The charity also supports any charitable purpose undertaken by the Methodist Church, including the work of the local church, the Circuit, the District and the wider Connexion.
The governing documents further provide that the property and assets of the church are held on trust to be used in furtherance of, or incidental to, these purposes. This includes the use of church premises for community, educational, social, and missional activities that express the Methodist commitment to serving the wider public. All activities of Northfield Methodist Church are therefore carried out within the doctrinal standards, discipline, and organisational framework of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, ensuring that the church’s mission, teaching and service continue the historic Methodist witness to the Gospel.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
During the year, Northfield Methodist Church continued to pursue its charitable purposes and to provide clear public benefit through a wide range of worship, pastoral, and community activities. In all its work, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
A central part of the church’s mission is the provision of regular acts of worship, open to both members and non-members, enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to explore faith, find spiritual support, and participate in the Christian community. Alongside Sunday worship, the church offered opportunities for prayer, quiet reflection, Bible study, and fellowship, including small groups that support spiritual growth and nurture.
The church also provided activities for children, young people, their carers, and for older members of the community, all delivered within a Christian ethos that promotes care, dignity, and belonging. These activities contribute to social inclusion, emotional wellbeing, and intergenerational connection.
In promoting the wider mission of the Methodist Church, the congregation supported circuit and connexional initiatives, outreach work, and mission-focused events. The church’s commitment to practical Christian compassion was expressed through support for social projects and community initiatives, as well as through a small Benevolent Fund which offers timely assistance to individuals facing hardship.
To further serve the local community, the church made its premises available for a broad range of community activities, including regular orchestra rehearsals, dance classes, coffee mornings, and private bookings for family celebrations and life events. These activities ensure that the building remains a valued and accessible resource for the neighbourhood.
Through these combined acts of worship, service, hospitality, and outreach, Northfield Methodist Church continues to deliver meaningful public benefit and to embody its Christian mission within the local community.
Statement on Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when planning, reviewing, and carrying out the activities of Northfield Methodist Church. The trustees are satisfied that the church’s aims, activities, and use of resources during the year have continued to provide identifiable public benefit in accordance with its charitable purposes.
Achievements and Performance
During the year, Northfield Methodist Church made a significant and positive contribution to the wellbeing of its congregation and the wider community. Regular worship services, fellowship gatherings, and pastoral support continued to nurture the spiritual and emotional health of attendees, providing stability, comfort and encouragement. Small groups for prayer, reflection and Bible study strengthened personal faith and offered supportive relationships that reduce loneliness and promote resilience.
A particular achievement this year was the church’s sustained care for members who continue to feel the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Several individuals who suffered profound losses during Covid – including bereavements, financial difficulties and emotional trauma – found renewed hope, companionship and spiritual reassurance through the ongoing pastoral support, prayerful community, and compassionate presence of the church. This ministry has been a vital source of healing and restoration.
The church’s activities for children, young people, carers and older members fostered social inclusion, confidence and intergenerational connection, delivered in a Christian ethos that emphasises dignity, encouragement and belonging. Through mission initiatives, charitable giving and the operation of a small Benevolent Fund, the church was able to respond to practical needs and support individuals and families facing hardship.
The church premises continued to function as a valued community hub, hosting orchestra rehearsals, dance classes, coffee mornings and private family celebrations. These activities provide accessible space for social, cultural and educational engagement, enriching community life and strengthening local relationships.
Together, these achievements demonstrate the church’s ongoing commitment to spiritual growth, compassionate care, and community service, bringing meaningful benefits to individuals and contributing to the wellbeing of the wider society.
Financial Review
Review of the Charity’s Financial Position at the End of the Period
At the end of the financial year, the charity held total funds of £49,168, an increase from £38,396 in the previous year. This improvement reflects higher income from offerings (£27,874), room hire (£22,728), and investment income, alongside overall controlled expenditure. The church maintained no outstanding liabilities at year-end, and all financial obligations were met in full. The financial position therefore remains stable, supported by prudent management of income and expenditure and good stewardship of resources.
Statement Explaining the Policy for Holding Reserves
The trustees aim to hold reserves to ensure that Northfield Methodist Church can continue to operate effectively, meet unexpected costs, and maintain financial stability during fluctuations in income. Reserves also ensure that worship, pastoral care, and community activities can continue uninterrupted, even in periods of reduced giving or increased expenditure. This is in line with the church’s responsibility to act prudently and to safeguard the continuation of its charitable mission.
Reserves Held
-
General Fund (Unrestricted): £44,358
-
Restricted Funds: £4,810
-
Total Reserves: £49,168
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
No funds were in deficit at the year end. Both the General Fund and the restricted funds held positive balances (General Fund £44,358; Restricted £4,810)
Explanation of Any Uncertainties About the Charity Continuing as a Going Concern
There are no identified uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The accounts show a year-end surplus of £11,477, strong cash balances, no liabilities, and steady income streams from offerings and room hire. These factors indicate that the charity is financially stable and well-positioned to continue its activities in the coming year.
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees at Northfield Methodist Church
B.Jangan
Boaz Jangan (Treasurer)
Northfeld Methodist Church
Registered Charity No. 1129902
Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2022
Molly Langston MAAT
Kings Norton
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustee Information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 - 8 |
1
Charity Information For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
Trustees
Operating Address
Bankers
Rev Cleopas Sibanda (Appointed 1/9/2021) Sheila Addison (Appointed 1/9/2024) Dr Boaz Beoluf Jangan (Appointed 1/1/2023) Kathryn Collman (1/9/2022) Precious Nyagumbo (1/7/2022) Joyce Yates Dr Laura-Stella Enonchong Christine Graham Colin Capell Josie Cardall Andrew Coldrick Dianne Charles Sheila Whitehouse Pamela Banks Northfield Methodist Church Chatham Road Northfield Birmingham B31 2PH Lloyds Bank
Examiner
Reg. Charity No.
Molly Langston MAAT 20 Marbury Close Kings Norton Birmingham B38 8YX 1129902
2
Independent Examiners Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2022.
Respec�ve responsibili�es of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the prepara�on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chari�es Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examina�on of the Trust’s accounts carried out under sec�on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examina�on, I have followed the applicable Direc�ons given by the Charity Commission under sec�on 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examina�on includes a review of the accoun�ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considera�on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explana�ons from the trustees concerning any such ma�ers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examina�on, no ma�er has come to my a�en�on which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accoun�ng records were not kept in accordance with sec�on 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accoun�ng records
I have no concerns and have come across no other ma�ers in connec�on with the examina�on to which a�en�on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: 11/12/2025 Molly Langston
MAAT AAT Licensed Accountant
20 Marbury Close, B38 8YX
3
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
| Receipts O�erings and tax recovered Room Hire Investment income receipts Other Receipts Payments Circuit Assessment/Share Donations Repairs and Maintenance Utilities Thursday Fellowship Junior Church Printing Other Transfer between funds Net Receipts/Payments Balance brought forward as at 1st September 2021 Balance carried forward at 31stAugust 2022 |
2022 2021 Restricted Funds General Funds Total for year Total for year £ £ £ £ - 27,874 27,874 24,079 - 22,728 22,728 6,282 20 116 136 52 - 50 50 4,805 |
|---|---|
| 20 50,768 50,788 35,218 |
|
| - 20,000 20,000 20,799 - 453 453 220 - 10,885 10,885 12,204 - 3,692 3,692 5216 - 502 502 630 - 27 27 112 - 3,131 3,131 - - 1,326 1,326 826 |
|
| - 40,016 40,016 40,007 |
|
| (3,705) 3,705 - - |
|
| (3,685) 14,457 10,772 (4789) 8,495 29,901 38,396 43,184 4,810 44,358 49,168 38,396 |
4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
| CURRENT ASSETS Current Asset Investments CFB Cash at Bank and in Hand TSB – Main TSB – Thursday Fellowship TSB – Junior Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Cash – Thursday Fellowship Representing Balances on the following Accounts: Unrestricted and Designated Funds: General Fund Restricted Funds: Legacy Fund Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes TOTAL FUNDS Non-Monetary Assets: |
2022 20,912 1,130 369 - 6 44,358 4810 - |
26,751 22,417 49,168 49,168 |
2021 8764 191 396 3705 3 29901 4,790 3705 |
25337 13,059 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,396 | ||||
| 38,396 | ||||
Property - Purchase price £3,231,184
LIABILITIES
There are no outstanding liabilities.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on: 21 October 2025
Signed on their behalf by: Cleopas Sibanda
Position: Chairperson Date: 09/12/25
5
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
1) Accounting Policies
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis.
2) Trading
The Church has not had a trading activity in pursuit of its charitable objects.
3) Status
(number 1129902.)
4) Donations made
| NCP Action for Children Action Aid (from Thursday Fellowship) School in Bethlehem (from Thursday Fellowship) Ukraine Appeal (from Thursday Fellowship) If Kara Bakery (from Thursday Fellowship) Fistula Hospital (from Thursday Fellowship) Church news (from Thursday Fellowship) Food Bank (from Thursday Fellowship) Kings Norton Hand Bells (from Thursday Fellowship) St Mary’s Hospice (from Thursday Fellowship) |
2022 210 243 30 40 100 50 65 55 40 40 80 953 |
|---|---|
5) Restricted Funds
The balances on restricted funds consisted of the following funds:
| Legacies Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes |
Opening Balance Income Expense Transfer Closing Balance 4790 20 4810 3705 3705 - 8495 20 3705 4810 |
|---|---|
6) Trustees Remuneration and Expenses
None of the Trustees were remunerated. No trustees (or members of their family) were reimbursed for expenses incurred by them.
6
Northfeld Methodist Church
Registered Charity No. 1129902
Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2022
Molly Langston MAAT
Kings Norton
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustee Information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 - 8 |
1
Charity Information For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
Trustees
Operating Address
Bankers
Rev Cleopas Sibanda (Appointed 1/9/2021) Sheila Addison (Appointed 1/9/2024) Dr Boaz Beoluf Jangan (Appointed 1/1/2023) Kathryn Collman (1/9/2022) Precious Nyagumbo (1/7/2022) Joyce Yates Dr Laura-Stella Enonchong Christine Graham Colin Capell Josie Cardall Andrew Coldrick Dianne Charles Sheila Whitehouse Pamela Banks Northfield Methodist Church Chatham Road Northfield Birmingham B31 2PH Lloyds Bank
Examiner
Reg. Charity No.
Molly Langston MAAT 20 Marbury Close Kings Norton Birmingham B38 8YX 1129902
2
Independent Examiners Report For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2022.
Respec�ve responsibili�es of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the prepara�on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chari�es Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examina�on of the Trust’s accounts carried out under sec�on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examina�on, I have followed the applicable Direc�ons given by the Charity Commission under sec�on 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examina�on includes a review of the accoun�ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considera�on of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explana�ons from the trustees concerning any such ma�ers. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examina�on, no ma�er has come to my a�en�on which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accoun�ng records were not kept in accordance with sec�on 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accoun�ng records
I have no concerns and have come across no other ma�ers in connec�on with the examina�on to which a�en�on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: 11/12/2025 Molly Langston
MAAT AAT Licensed Accountant
20 Marbury Close, B38 8YX
3
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
| Receipts O�erings and tax recovered Room Hire Investment income receipts Other Receipts Payments Circuit Assessment/Share Donations Repairs and Maintenance Utilities Thursday Fellowship Junior Church Printing Other Transfer between funds Net Receipts/Payments Balance brought forward as at 1st September 2021 Balance carried forward at 31stAugust 2022 |
2022 2021 Restricted Funds General Funds Total for year Total for year £ £ £ £ - 27,874 27,874 24,079 - 22,728 22,728 6,282 20 116 136 52 - 50 50 4,805 |
|---|---|
| 20 50,768 50,788 35,218 |
|
| - 20,000 20,000 20,799 - 453 453 220 - 10,885 10,885 12,204 - 3,692 3,692 5216 - 502 502 630 - 27 27 112 - 3,131 3,131 - - 1,326 1,326 826 |
|
| - 40,016 40,016 40,007 |
|
| (3,705) 3,705 - - |
|
| (3,685) 14,457 10,772 (4789) 8,495 29,901 38,396 43,184 4,810 44,358 49,168 38,396 |
4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
| CURRENT ASSETS Current Asset Investments CFB Cash at Bank and in Hand TSB – Main TSB – Thursday Fellowship TSB – Junior Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Cash – Thursday Fellowship Representing Balances on the following Accounts: Unrestricted and Designated Funds: General Fund Restricted Funds: Legacy Fund Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes TOTAL FUNDS Non-Monetary Assets: |
2022 20,912 1,130 369 - 6 44,358 4810 - |
26,751 22,417 49,168 49,168 |
2021 8764 191 396 3705 3 29901 4,790 3705 |
25337 13,059 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,396 | ||||
| 38,396 | ||||
Property - Purchase price £3,231,184
LIABILITIES
There are no outstanding liabilities.
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on: 21 October 2025
Signed on their behalf by: Cleopas Sibanda
Position: Chairperson Date: 09/12/25
5
Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31[st] August 2022
1) Accounting Policies
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis.
2) Trading
The Church has not had a trading activity in pursuit of its charitable objects.
3) Status
(number 1129902.)
4) Donations made
| NCP Action for Children Action Aid (from Thursday Fellowship) School in Bethlehem (from Thursday Fellowship) Ukraine Appeal (from Thursday Fellowship) If Kara Bakery (from Thursday Fellowship) Fistula Hospital (from Thursday Fellowship) Church news (from Thursday Fellowship) Food Bank (from Thursday Fellowship) Kings Norton Hand Bells (from Thursday Fellowship) St Mary’s Hospice (from Thursday Fellowship) |
2022 210 243 30 40 100 50 65 55 40 40 80 953 |
|---|---|
5) Restricted Funds
The balances on restricted funds consisted of the following funds:
| Legacies Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes |
Opening Balance Income Expense Transfer Closing Balance 4790 20 4810 3705 3705 - 8495 20 3705 4810 |
|---|---|
6) Trustees Remuneration and Expenses
None of the Trustees were remunerated. No trustees (or members of their family) were reimbursed for expenses incurred by them.
6