Charity Number: 1130195
## **KNUTSFORD METHODIST CHURCH**
**Report and financial statements For the year ended 31[st] August 2024**
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Reference and administrative information
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
## **Charity no.** 1130195
**Registered office and operational address** Princess St., Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6BY
**Trustees** Those who served during the year and up to the date of this report were:
Amanda Vickers Staff Anne Fearn From April 2024 Bryan Peak Treasurer Carol Bradley Carol Roberts From April 2024 Chris Barratt Chris Robertson Co-opted from October 2023 David Tomkins Dawn Freeman Dorothy Richards Senior Steward Elizabeth Hall Circuit representative Elizabeth Waters Gail Crawford Until April 2024 Gill Royle Hannah Hill Staff (from September 2024) Hugh Chapman Jackie Robertson Jackie Tomkins Jenny Bailey Joanne Taylor John Mills Linda Bowler Liz McGrath Staff Nigel Langham Peter Freeman Staff (until October 2024) Revd Alan Bradley Chair Revd Sincere Makunde From September 2023 Stuart Crawford Secretary (from October 2023) Vicky Royle Until April 2024 Will Waters
Also Trustees of Alderley Edge and Knutsford Methodist Circuit Bryan Peak Chris Barratt Dorothy Richards Elizabeth Hall Jenny Bailey Liz McGrath Revd Alan Bradley Revd Sincere Makunde
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Knutsford Methodist Church
Reference and administrative information
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
## **Personnel**
Revd Alan Bradley Minister and Superintendent of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit Revd Sincere Makunde Probationary Minister (from September 2023) Peter Freeman Children & Families Worker (until October 2024) Hannah Hill Circuit Children & Schools Worker (from September 2024) Liz McGrath Church and Community Pastoral Worker Amanda Vickers Administrator and Assistant Treasurer Sid Walker Caretaker (until May 2024) Adam Sheridan Maintenance Officer (from September 2024)
**Bankers** Royal Bank of Scotland plc **,** Drummond House, 1 Redheughs Avenue, Edinburgh EH12 9JN
Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, 9 Bonhill St, London EC2A 4PE
## **Independent Examiner**
Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA, Slade & Cooper Limited, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester, M4 6JG
**Website** www.kmc.org.uk
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Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2024.
Reference and administrative information set out previously form part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s constitution, and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.
## **Summary**
Knutsford Methodist Church ( **KMC** ) is a Christian church of some 250 members, embedded in the busy town of Knutsford. It opened its doors on Princess Street in 1864 (although was in the town many years prior to that) and, since then, has been a place of worship for the town, a place of welcome to all and a centre for support to the local community.
A registered charity, it is part of the Methodist Church in Britain and one of 5 churches and communities in its Alderley Edge & Knutsford Circuit. In turn this is now part of a newly created North West of England District
## **MISSION**
## _**‘To grow and share in the love of God’**_
Our vision is: _to be a caring community that God shapes and moulds to reflect the life of Jesus, to make a profound difference to the lives and wider community of the people in and around Knutsford._
At KMC we recognise that all of life is to be lived in response to God’s grace and love in Christ.
0ur mission is to extend the invitation to:
- Worship God
- Find Community
- Encounter Jesus
- Make a Difference
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Worshipping God**
Regular structured acts of worship comprised:
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Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
Our main all age Sunday service at 10 am, streamed online through the KMC YouTube channel.
A mid-week Communion.
Cameo held monthly.
Oasis also monthly.
Attendance at the Sunday morning service remained at an average of 100. Investment in livestreaming technology enables those who are shielding, finding it difficult to attend or living elsewhere to watch the service remotely (between 20 and 50 watch online either at the time or at a later date).
Significantly higher numbers attended the full range of services we offered at the major festivals of Easter and Christmas, including services for local uniformed organisations at Christmas.
We continued to offer a mix of traditional and contemporary music and, through our Ministers, visiting and local preachers, delivered Bible-based teaching, seeking to create spaces and opportunities where all ages can worship and pray together in ways that are inclusive, relevant and spiritually uplifting.
The mid- week lunchtime Communion service, an opportunity for those working in and visiting the town centre, was attended by 20 worshippers on average.
Much valued was Cameo, a monthly service of hymns, friendship and fellowship, aimed at senior citizens and those who find it difficult to attend our main service, with attendance in the range 25/35.
Oasis, a meditative service on Sunday evenings with prayers for healing and wholeness, had an average attendance of 20.
We continued to support our community by helping mark special life events: baptisms & dedications, funerals, marriages.
We offered a range of corporate prayer opportunities, including a new meeting prior to the main morning service.
In addition to our formal membership, there were many others who attended our services and events last year and see KMC as “their church”.
## **Finding community**
House groups provided the context for much pastoral care and personal growth. We currently have 11 groups with a membership in the region of 130, around half the overall church membership. They are open to anyone and attendees included some from other
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Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
churches or with no church background, who find this connection with KMC valuable and are welcomed and valued by the church in return.
This year many of the groups followed an ‘Everyone an Evangelist’ course, studied the book of Genesis during ‘Bible month’ and then commenced a study of the book of Romans in autumn, linked to a preaching series. Groups are though free to select their own material.
For many, their house group is at the heart of what it means to belong to KMC, finding there a source of study and learning, fellowship and spiritual growth. Our ongoing objective is to grow the groups and we actively encourage those new to the church to join a group.
Monthly coffee mornings for the wider church have been organised by a number of the groups, with visitors very much welcome. The groups usually chose a charity as a focus, helping raise both awareness and funds.
We hosted an inspiring Zimbabwean fellowship weekend in summer, with a visit from the Dumisa men’s choir and members from the Northern region of the Zimbabwean Church.
‘Life groups’ included Monday Club (meeting monthly, open to ladies) and ‘Men’s breakfasts’, both of which are open to those not currently church members. Over the past year ‘Men’s Breakfasts’ has significantly expanded its range of activities to include regular walks in Tatton and meals in a local restaurant, as well as offering advice through a WhatsApp group on practical issues referred to it.
Renew Wellbeing Café provided a weekly drop-in space, “where it is okay not to be okay” and people can experience peace, welcome and friendship. We have received referrals from the local social prescriber for the town’s medical practices, seeking support for patients with mental health struggles.
We offered an extensive structure of pastoral support to the elderly, housebound, those in full time care and others in our community, including growing work and ministry within local care homes. Much of this work is directed by our Pastoral Worker who keeps in touch with those bereaved and sends greetings on significant anniversaries.
Bereavement care is indeed a vital part of our pastoral ministry. Much appreciated was the annual bereavement service when those who lost loved ones came to light candles in remembrance and hope.
A special highlight and initiative this year was the RHS Tatton Garden Show in July 2024, with KMC partnering with the national Methodist Church centrally, which sponsored a garden under the banner ‘This garden isn’t finished without you’. As well as offering a visible Christian presence at this busy and high profile show, the garden presented overlapping themes of diversity, environmental care and flourishing together in community.
It was an outstanding success, winning a RHS Gold Medal, Best Show Garden and the Environmental Innovation Award.
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
Perhaps more importantly, many people visited the garden and were engaged in conversation by a range of volunteers, including 30 from KMC. They were able to share their faith and help people notice that God is present and with them.
Now relocated to our neighbouring Mobberley Church, the garden will have sequestered by 2030 all the carbon used in its construction. It is offered as a wellbeing garden, as we work alongside Knutsford Medical Partnership to offer a calming and reflective space.
## **Encountering Jesus**
We believe all children and young people matter and they are valued and welcomed by KMC, encouraging their full participation in the life of the church. Our aims are to help them to grow in their love and worship of God, to nurture and enable all to learn about the way of faith in Jesus and to share the good news of God’s love with them.
Our ministries included KidZone on Sunday mornings alongside the main service, the much valued Open the Book presentations (Bible teaching through drama in local primary schools) and helping deliver the RE syllabus in schools. Especially popular was “Jolly Tots”, a weekly term time group where some 30 parents and carers with their pre-school children met informally in a safe environment. Through this, members, usually with no prior connection with KMC, can form new networks and relationships. With strong demand, we had to introduce a waiting list for a time as we reflected on the practicality of accommodating increased numbers.
In Autumn 2023 we launched a dedicated youth group “Rock Solid”, for those in school years 5-9, meeting fortnightly and which is steadily growing.
A church weekend was held in March 2024 with the theme “Imagining the Cross”; it was open to all, with a range of activities, including a faith supper, worship and teaching, workshops and a Songs of Praise evening.
The town continued to host a monthly Makers’ Market and we responded with an open doors policy, offering a warm welcome to those visiting through refreshments, conversation, a sanctuary, prayer as required and access to all its facilities.
We ran an Alpha course from September 2023, exploring the basics of the Christian faith, offered as a resource also to the Circuit and wider community and attended by a number of members of the Hope Central community who now meet at St Cross Church.
A comprehensive brochure detailing the church’s programmes and the activities taking place in the Community Centre, under the banner “A centre for the whole community” was prepared and distributed, especially to the residents of new housing developments in the town.
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Knutsford Methodist Church
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
## **Making a difference**
Our church and community centre is situated right in the heart of this lively market town, opening directly on to one of the town’s main shopping streets. The building has been extensively modified internally over the last 20 years to provide a flexible space for the church and wider community and has become a hub for a wide range of community groups, over 30 of which regularly use the building.
This is combined with it remaining at its heart a safe place, a warm space, a sacred space for reflection and prayer.
Although we serve a mainly affluent area, there are pockets of deprivation, including real food poverty. KMC members continued to play their part in addressing these needs, offering their individual gifts and support to 2 local charities: ‘Hope Central’ (a Christian charity operating a busy food bank, debt counselling through CAP and other services) and ‘The Welcome’ (a busy community centre). We have inherited the role of the former Welcome Methodist Church in ministering to the social and spiritual needs of the people of the Longridge and Shaw Heath areas of Knutsford and continue to evaluate how we might best deliver this.
“Friendship Café” is offered weekly as a place where those with dementia are cared for and recognised as a valued part of the community and where carers find mutual support and encouragement. It provides a variety of appropriate activities, including singing, exercises, reminiscence, crafts and trips out. Transport is provided if needed. This has proved a much appreciated and valued social outreach
KMC and its members support other organisations and charities addressing social and faith issues which align with our own objectives, by facilitating fundraising collections for them and by direct grants.
Organisations supported last year, whether financially, in practical help or through raising awareness, included:
- Hope Central (a food bank, also offering debt counselling through Christians against Poverty and other services in Knutsford and NE Cheshire).
- Tearfund (partnering with churches in the world’s poorest countries to tackle poverty and injustice).
- Wood Street Mission (improving the life chances of children and families living in poverty in the Manchester area).
- All We Can (Methodist international development and relief organisation).
- Methodist Women in Britain (its mission summarised as “For women, for justice, for Christ”).
- Action for Children (protecting and supporting children and young people).
- East Cheshire Hospice.
- JMA (enabling children to learn about and support the mission of the Methodist Church).
- Mission in Britain (Methodist Charity helping people in our communities and beyond).
- Crisis (UK homeless charity).
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
- Oasis Gorton (helping people in the community in critical and difficult situations to rebuild and re-engage).
We have signed up to be a “Welcome Church”, joining an organisation which encourages churches to welcome and support refugees and asylum seekers. A number of church members have for some time been helping with English classes for refugees and supporting them in other ways.
We continued the process of becoming an Eco Church, moving us towards a more environmentally sensitive way of living with a reduced carbon footprint, under the guidance of a Social Responsibility Team. This year we obtained the Bronze Award and are now working towards the Silver. As a visible reminder of our responsibility of stewardship of God’s creation, we have created and nurtured a small Eco church garden.
We relinquished stewardship of Zac’s Kingdom Community ( **Zac’s** ), a pioneering initiative we launched 5 years ago in the nearby town of Northwich, at the end of August 2023, but were only able to distribute its residual funds in the financial year under report.
The Community will continue its valuable work, renamed Hope Community Church and now under the oversight of Hoole Baptist Church.
Members of KMC continued to give generously to many local, national and international causes, financially and through service. A prime example was Hope Through Action, which helps young people in South Africa develop their potential, with a number of church members appointed as trustees. The church supports and encourages all its members in these personal commitments.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
At the consolidated level we recorded a fall in income of £61k compared with the previous year and an operating deficit of £26k but these results were distorted by the situation with Zac’s. Breaking down the results into their constituent parts gives a more complete picture:
## _**Restricted funds:**_
## **(Zac’s Kingdom Community, The Friendship Café & Benevolent Fund) Closing net assets £6k**
The main feature was passing over the residual funds of Zac’s, amounting to £12k, to the successor Hope Community Church and to the Northwich Methodist Circuit, in the proportions represented by the previous giving by Zac’s members and Methodist Church grants respectively.
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Knutsford Methodist Church
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
## _**Designated funds:**_ **(The Welcome) Closing net assets £34k**
The previous donation of £5k pa from the Circuit to the Welcome Charity, which passed through these funds, has now ceased. Financial activity was therefore very modest and year-end funds grew slightly.
We continue to consider how to best use the accumulated funds to further our ministry to the Longridge community.
## _**Unrestricted funds:**_
## **(Core Knutsford operations) Closing net assets £130k Operating deficit 2023/24 £13k**
Key to our forward planning is committed giving by church members and this was virtually unchanged on the previous year. Other forms of giving are important but less predictable and, including them, there was a fall of £20k year on year. Our other main source of income, rents from letting out rooms, however remained strong and well above budget.
Expenditure grew by £20k year on year. The main increase was in our largest item of expenditure, the Circuit Assessment (from £120k to £143k) whilst overall premises expenditure of £52k included significant repairs. The latter were in our medium term plan but had to be brought forward. They included replastering the East Wall of the Sanctuary (supported by a 50% insurance contribution) and repointing flagstones outside church which had become a hazard. All work required from the last Quinquennial Property Inspection has now been completed or is on track.
Other costs were held overall within budget.
The deficit on our core operations was a significant adverse swing on the previous year but expected and budgeted. We had benefitted in 2022/23 from a subsidy from Circuit reserves holding down the Assessment. The deficit was comfortably absorbed by the unrestricted reserves we held.
Future finance plans:
We have committed £45k over 4 years from September 2024 (in addition to substantial contributions from Circuit and District) to the new full time Circuit Children and Schools Worker.
Subsequent to the year end, we received a significant legacy of £79k from the estate of a former church member (and with a further sum to come) . Although this is unrestricted, we do not intend at this stage to simply merge it in with our existing funds but identify the funds separately, whilst we consider how best to invest this generous gift in our mission and ministry.
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Knutsford Methodist Church
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
## **Reserves policy**
Reserves are held to cushion us from the primary risks of falls in giving income and unexpected property repair costs (as covered more fully later).
The trustees’ policy is to hold between 3 and 6 months’ budgeted operating expenditure in unrestricted liquid reserves (defined as net current assets and excluding designated funds).
At the year-end we held unrestricted reserves of £130k, equating to 6 months of routine expenditure, at the top end of our policy range. Reserves are primarily invested with the Central Board of Finance of the Methodist Church.
## **GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP**
KMC’s governing documents are the Methodist Church Act 1976 and the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church. Its Council has authority over all the church’s ministry and met on 3 occasions during the year, supported by various committees. Members of the Council are the Managing Trustees of the charity but have no beneficial interest.
Appointment to Council is primarily by election by the church members at the annual General Church Meeting (serving for a maximum period of 6 years), together with a number of ex-officio members. During the year 12 trustees were also trustees of the Circuit, which is responsible inter alia for ministers’ stipends and housing, funding these by raising assessments on its constituent churches.
Trustees are supported in their understanding of the role and responsibilities, in particular on first appointment, using guidance issued by the Methodist Church nationally. Any conflicts of interest are properly declared in Council meetings in line with our formal policy.
Chairing the Council is Revd Alan Bradley, in his role as Superintendent of the Circuit with particular responsibility for KMC. In September 2024 Alan was appointed as one of the Deputy Chairs in the new North West of England District and Mission Area Lead in the Manchester region for a 3 year term. We wish him every success in this exciting and demanding post which he will share on a 50/50 basis with his continuing role as Circuit Superintendent.
We also extend our best wishes to Revd Neal Stanton, leader of the former Zac’s Kingdom Community and to Jo Wallwork, his administrative support as they develop the new Hope Community Church.
We were particularly delighted to welcome Revd Sincere Makunde at the beginning of this September as Probationary Minister to support Alan, particularly at KMC and Plumley. An inspiring service was held at KMC, led by the District Chair and supported by many of Sincere’s friends and colleagues who had travelled considerable distances to be present.
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
Peter Freeman retired as Children’s and Schools Worker in October 2024 after 10 years of leadership in this key role and the Trustees express their deep thanks for his service. He will continue to support KMC and the Circuit as a local Preacher and in other ways. We welcome as his replacement Hannah Hill, who started her Circuit-based ministry in this post at the beginning of September.
Working with the Ministers are elected Church Stewards, drawn from lay members of the church, split between a Leadership team (elected at the Annual Church Meeting), focused on the overall direction and management of the church and a Worship team resourcing services and events.
Members of staff are authorised by CPD to be members of the Council but take no part in any discussion on the terms of their employment. Administrative staff are employed directly by KMC whilst other staff (defined as ‘lay workers’) are employed by the Circuit, with their costs charged directly to KMC or indirectly via the assessment process, depending on their role.
We record our thanks to Sid Walker, who retired as caretaker in May 2024, for his 11 years of service in this busy role. We were delighted to welcome his successor, Adam Sheridan at the beginning of September, with a reshaped and retitled maintenance role.
We continue to be blessed by our team of gifted and committed paid members of staff.
## **Risk management**
The trustees recognise that it is neither possible nor appropriate to seek to eliminate risk entirely. Risk-taking is inherent within the task of communicating and living out the Gospel and we are prepared to embrace risks which aim to advance KMC’s core purposes, whilst minimising those that might have a negative impact.
Flowing from this the trustees have approved a range of policies, reviewed regularly.
In particular the trustees take their responsibility for safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and the Safeguarding Officer is a trustee and reports to each meeting of the Council. Our comprehensive policy, compliant with national guidelines, is audited and adopted annually and includes the provision for regular training of staff and volunteers.
The Methodist Church has adopted a “Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity” as a justice seeking church working towards inclusion and we have fully embraced this. A Domestic Abuse Charter issued by the Methodist Church was also adopted.
Users of the building are required to undertake risk assessments and an updated Health & Safety policy was adopted during the year.
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Knutsford Methodist Church
Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
KMC complies with the General Data Protection Regulations, adopting the standard Data Protection and Privacy policies developed by the Methodist Church.
Insurable risks are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy.
Financial risks lie in 2 main areas:
Over 85% of our income is represented by the voluntary giving of church members, which is clearly a strength. However individual circumstances will vary over time and we are very conscious of the increasing age of our membership.
To mitigate this, we periodically issue appeals to members to maintain their giving in real terms, whilst we seek to grow the membership, especially through programmes designed to attract younger families.
A 150 year old building can produce unexpected repair and maintenance costs – or they may be planned but have to be brought forward (as occurred this year).
In mitigation we are required to commission a formal and very thorough professional inspection every 5 years. From this we schedule required maintenance, according to its urgency. With major items of expenditure or where there would be real pressure on our operating budgets, we have the option of issuing a specific appeal to our members for additional donations. This has been very successful when undertaken in recent years.
Although our largest item of expenditure - the annual Assessment - is decided at Circuit level and we could face increases beyond what we consider to be reasonable, we see this as more a theoretical risk. We have a very full representation on Circuit decision-making bodies and, as part of the budget setting process, discuss and agree with other churches in the Circuit what should be an equitable distribution between us of Circuit costs.
## **Plans for the future**
We will continue to offer a wide range of services and styles of worship, open to new ideas to help individuals of all ages and backgrounds to worship God in meaningful ways. A Worship Workshop in January will help us maintain a fresh approach.
Additionally a newly formed group will look specifically at how we can be more inclusive and undertake an equality impact assessment for worship.
Another group will prayerfully seek to discern how we can faithfully use the generous legacy we have recently received, together with the funds designated as “The Welcome” and make recommendations for discussion by Council.
We plan to run an Alpha course in January 2025, coinciding with the national relaunch of the Alpha youth programme.
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Trustees’ Annual Report
## for the year ended 31[st] August 2024
A ‘Church Weekend’ will be held in March 2025 with a range of activities on offer.
Under the leadership of the new full time Circuit Children’s and Schools worker, we will seek to expand all our existing ministries to children, both within and outside the church environment.
Succession planning remains an ongoing challenge but we will seek to develop a more structured and proactive approach.
**The trustees have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission and consider they have complied with the “public benefit requirement” as defined by the Charities Act 2011 in the year ended 31st August 2024 and that our range of programmes will continue to deliver this in the current year.**
## **Acknowledgements**
The trustees acknowledge the direction, leadership and example of all who ministered to us during the last year: Alan and Sincere, visiting ministers, worship leaders and authorised Local Preachers.
We pay tribute to the professionalism and commitment of our staff team.
We also acknowledge the contribution of our many volunteers, without which the mission and ministry of the church could not be sustained.
Reverend Alan Bradley Minister Date: 27/02/2025
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## Independent examiner’s report
## to the trustees of
## Knutsford Methodist Church
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2024 which are set out on pages 15 to 30.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’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 charity’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.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA
Slade & Cooper Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Manchester, M4 6JG Date: 06/03/2025
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Statement of Financial Activities
## for the year ended 31 August 2024
|Unrestricted
funds
Note
£
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
3
194,846
Charitable activities
4
-
5
33,766
Investments
6
6,477
Other Income
7
3,585
**Total income**
**238,674**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
8
251,722
**Total expenditure**
**251,722**
12
**(13,048)**
Transfer between funds
-
**Net movement in funds for the year**
**(13,048)**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
3,057,369
**Total funds carried forward**
**3,044,321**
Other trading activities
**Net income/(expenditure) for**
**the year**|Restricted
funds
£
1,328
-
-
182
-
**1,510**
15,012
**15,012**
**(13,502)**
-
**(13,502)**
19,318
**5,816**|Total funds
2024
£
196,174
-
33,766
6,659
3,585
**240,184**
266,734
**266,734**
**(26,550)**
-
**(26,550)**
3,076,687
**3,050,137**|_Total funds_
_2023_
_£_
_225,618_
33,500
_33,609_
_4,568_
_4,260_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**_301,555_**|
||||_303,573_|
||||**_303,573_**|
||||**_(2,018)_**
_-_|
||||**_(2,018)_**
_3,078,705_|
||||**_3,076,687_**|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
15
## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Balance Sheet
## as at 31 August 2024
|Note
£
£
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
15
2,880,271
**Total fixed assets**
**2,880,271**
**Current assets**
Debtors
16
33,471
Cash at bank and in hand
17
140,505
**Total current assets**
**173,976**
**Liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
18
(4,110)
**Net current assets**
**169,866**
**Net assets**
**3,050,137**
**Funds of the charity:**
Restricted income funds
19
5,816
Unrestricted income funds
20
3,044,321
**Total charity funds**
**3,050,137**
2024|_£_
_£_
_2,884,998_
**_2,884,998_**
_30,048_
_168,276_
**_198,324_**
_(6,635)_
**_191,689_**
**_3,076,687_**
_19,318_
_3,057,369_
**_3,076,687_**
_2023_|_£_
_£_
_2,884,998_
**_2,884,998_**
_30,048_
_168,276_
**_198,324_**
_(6,635)_
**_191,689_**
**_3,076,687_**
_19,318_
_3,057,369_
**_3,076,687_**
_2023_|
|---|---|---|
|||**_2,884,998_**
**_191,689_**|
|||**_3,076,687_**|
|||_19,318_
_3,057,369_|
|||**_3,076,687_**|
The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of these accounts.
Approved by the trustees on 27/ 02/ 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Reverend Alan Bradley (Minister)
David Tomkins (Trustee)
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## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Statement of Cash Flows
## for the year ending 31 August 2024
|Note
2024
£
**Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities**
22
**(34,430)**
_Cash flows from investing activities:_
Interest
6,659
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
-
**Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities**
**6,659**
(27,771)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
168,276
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**
**140,505**
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents in the year|_2023_
_£_
**_3,780_**|
|---|---|
||_4,568_
_-_|
||**_4,568_**|
||_8,348_
_159,928_|
||**_168,276_**|
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Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024
## **1 Accounting policies**
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
## **a Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), second edition - October 2019 (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The charity, Knutsford Methodist Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
## **b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
No key judgments were made by the trustees which have a significant effect on the accounts.
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
## **c Income**
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met and when it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **d Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
## **e Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
18
Knutsford Methodist Church
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **f Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
- Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.
## **g Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:
Freehold building Based on insurance valuation and not depreciat Office fixtures and fittings 10 years Equipment 3 years
## **h Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **i Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **j Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **k Funds held as agent**
As the charity has no control over the funds which they received as an agent, they do not form any part of the balance sheet or statement of financial activities. The movement of the funds is presented in the note only.
19
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **l Pensions**
Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution workplace pension scheme. The charity’s contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 13. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.
## **2 Legal status of the charity**
The charity is an unincorporated charity, registered as a charity in England & Wales.
## **3 Income from donations and offerings**
|Offerings
Donations
Gift Aid
**Total**
_Offerings_
_Donations_
_Gift Aid_
**_Total_**
**Income from charitable activities**
Grant Income
**Total**
**_Previous reporting period_**
_Total by fund 31 August 2023_|Unrestricted
£
138,101
24,420
32,325
194,846
_Unrestricted_
_£_
_145,065_
_36,232_
_33,394_
_214,691_
Unrestricted
£
-
-
_-_|Restricted
£
-
1,328
-
1,328
_Restricted_
_£_
_4,605_
_5,101_
_1,221_
_10,927_
Restricted
£
-
-
_33,500_|Total 2024
£
138,101
25,748
32,325
196,174
_Total 2023_
_£_
_149,670_
_41,333_
_34,615_
_225,618_
Total 2024
£
-
-
_33,500_|_Total 2023_
_£_
_33,500_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_33,500_|
||||||
## **4 Income from charitable activities**
20
## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **5 Income from other trading activities**
|Lettings Income
Refreshments
Other fees
**Total**
_Lettings Income_
_Refreshments_
_Other fees_
**_Total_**
**6**
**Investment income**
Income from bank deposits
_Total by fund 31 August 2023_
**_Previous reporting period_**|Unrestricted
£
32,309
67
1,390
33,766
_Unrestricted_
_£_
_32,398_
_151_
_1,060_
_33,609_
Unrestricted
£
6,477
6,477
_3,962_|Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
_Restricted_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
Restricted
£
182
182
606|2024
£
32,309
67
1,390
33,766
_Total 2023_
_£_
_32,398_
_151_
_1,060_
_33,609_
Total 2024
£
6,659
6,659
_4,568_|_Total 2023_
_£_
_4,568_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_4,568_|
||||||
All of the charity's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts.
## **7 Other Income**
|Other Income
_Total by fund 31 August 2023_|Unrestricted
£
3,585
3,585
_4,260_|Restricted
£
-
-
_-_|2024
£
3,585
3,585
_4,260_|_2023_
_£_
_4,260_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_4,260_|
||||||
21
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **8 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
|Staff costs (see note 13)
Circuit Assessment
Premises Costs
Depreciation
Administration costs
Grants Payable (see note 10)
Governance costs (see note 9)
Restricted expenditure
Unrestricted expenditure|Total 2024
£
34,232
143,000
51,850
4,727
28,825
2,000
2,100
266,734
2024
£
15,012
251,722
266,734|_Total 2023_
_£_
_94,916_
_120,000_
_39,987_
_4,758_
_32,098_
_9,810_
_2,004_|
|---|---|---|
|||_303,573_|
|||_2023_
_£_
_71,819_
_231,754_|
|||_303,573_|
## **9 Analysis of governance costs**
|Accountancy services (incl. VAT)|2024
£
2,100
2,100|_2023_
_£_
_2,004_|
|---|---|---|
|||_2,004_|
22
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **10 Grant making activities**
|**Name of institution**
Methodist Church World Mission
Methodist Church Mission in Britain
Methodist Church Property Fund
Support Fund for Presbyters/Deacons
Leaders of Worship/Preachers Trust
The Welcome Charity|2024
£
1,000
500
-
250
250
-
2,000|_2023_
_£_
_1,500_
_1,500_
_1,000_
_560_
_250_
_5,000_|
|---|---|---|
|||_9,810_|
All grants have been made to institutions to provide further resources to their mission and ministry.
## **11 Funds received as agent**
|**Name of Party**
Action for Children
All we can harvest
Christian Aid
East Cheshire hospice
Easter offering
Friendship café
Hope Central
JMA
Knutsford in Bloom
May Day committee
Mission in Britain
World mission
**Total**|**Balance held**
**at 1**
**September**
**2023**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Amounts**
**received**
20
40
-
92
-
-
277
76
554
100
11
257
1,427|**Amounts**
**paid out**
(20)
(40)
-
-
-
-
(277)
(76)
(554)
(100)
-
(257)
(1,324)|**Balance**
**held at 31**
**August**
**2024**
-
-
-
92
-
-
-
-
-
-
11
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||103|
23
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## _**Previous reporting period**_
|_Balance at 1_
_September_
_2022_
_Action for Children_
_-_
_Christian Aid_
_-_
_East Cheshire hospice_
_-_
_Easter offering_
_-_
_Friendship café_
_-_
_Hope Central_
_-_
_JMA_
_-_
**_Total_**
_-_
**12**
**Net income for the year**
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation
IE's remuneration - accountancy fees (excl. VAT)
Independent examiner's fees (excl. VAT)
**13**
**Staff costs**
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
Redundancy
**_Name of Party_**
Costs of Layworkers and Pioneer
Pastor, Zac’s House|**_Amounts_**
**_received_**
_321_
_14_
_578_
_8_
_96_
_846_
_62_
_1,925_
2024
£
4,727
1,260
490
2024
£
24,674
942
-
8,616
34,232|**_Amounts_**
**_paid out_**
_(321)_
_(14)_
_(578)_
_(8)_
_(96)_
_(846)_
_(62)_
_(1,925)_
_2023_
_£_
4,758
1,190
480
_2023_
_£_
_33,680_
_1,613_
_668_
_58,955_
_94,916_|_Balance at_
_31 August_
_2023_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_-_|
|||||
No employee has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: Nil).
The average number of staff employed during the period was 2 (2023: 4).
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £15,486 (2023: £20,758).
24
Knutsford Methodist Church
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **14 Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions**
Amanda Vickers, a trustee who is also an employee (2023: Amanda Vickers and Jo Wallwork), received total remuneration of £12,170 in the year (2023: £20,758).
No (2023:2) members of the council received travel and subsistence expenses during the year of £Nil (2023:£1,952).
Aggregate donations without conditions from related parties were £36,686 (2023: £36,205).
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year (2023: nil).
The following trustees also served as trustees of the Alderley Edge & Knutsford Methodist Circuit (Charity number: 1127258):
Revd Alan Bradley Elizabeth Hall Bryan Peak Jenny Bailey Chris Barratt Liz McGrath Dorothy Richards Revd Sincere Makunde
The costs of the Circuit, which essentially comprise the District Assessment, Ministers’ Stipends and associated employment costs and the costs of the Manses they occupy are allocated between the various churches in the Circuit, linked to their respective membership figures. This is referred to as the Circuit Assessment and for KMC in 2023/24 was £143,000 (2022/23 was £120,000).
The Circuit Budget and the associated Assessments are determined by the trustees of the Circuit, which include representation from each church in the Circuit and currently exceed 30 in number.
The 8 KMC trustees take part in the decision making process of the Circuit but are not in a position to exert a disproportionate influence on its decisions.
## **Staff Remuneration**
Members of staff are authorised by CPD to be members of the Council.
Their remuneration is set by the Church Council through its consideration and approval of annual budgets with any annual increase usually following national guidelines issued for the remuneration of ministers and lay workers.
Members of staff do not take part in any discussions or vote in Council meetings on the terms and conditions of their employment.
25
## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **15 Fixed assets: tangible assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 September 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 September 2023
Charge for the year
**Net book value**
**16**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**17**
**Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and on hand
At 31 August 2024
At 31 August 2024
At 31 August 2024
_At 31 August 2023_|Building
2,870,187
2,870,187
-
-
-
2,870,187
_2,870,187_|Furniture
£
31,031
31,031
17,844
3,103
20,947
10,084
_13,187_
2024
£
2,751
12,414
18,306
33,471
2024
£
140,505
140,505|Equipment
£
8,355
8,355
6,731
1,624
8,355
-
_1,624_
_2023_
_£_
_-_
_12,453_
_17,595_
_30,048_
_2023_
_£_
_168,276_
_168,276_|Total
£
2,909,573|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,909,573|
|||||24,575
4,727|
|||||29,302|
|||||2,880,271|
|||||_2,884,998_|
||||||
26
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **18 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Accruals
Taxation and social security costs
**Analysis of movements in restricted funds**
Balance at 1
September
2023
Income
£
£
12,424
182
Friendship Café
5,015
1,228
Benevolent Fund
1,879
100
Total
19,318
1,510
_Balance at 1_
_September_
_2022_
_Income_
_£_
_£_
_40,151_
_40,432_
_Friendship Café_
_3,652_
_4,601_
_Benevolent Fund_
_2,301_
_-_
_Total_
_46,104_
_45,033_
Northwich Initiative
(Zac's House)
_Northwich Initiative_
_(Zac's House)_
**_Previous reporting_**
**_period_**|2024
£
4,015
95
4,110
Expenditure
£
(12,606)
(2,306)
(100)
(15,012)
_Expenditure_
_£_
_(68,159)_
_(3,238)_
_(422)_
_(71,819)_|_2023_
_£_
_6,471_
_164_
_6,635_
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
_Transfers_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_|Balance at
31 August
2024
£
-
3,937
1,879|
|---|---|---|---|
||||5,816|
||||_Balance at_
_31 August_
_2023_
_£_
_12,424_
_5,015_
_1,879_|
||||_19,318_|
## **19 Analysis of movements in restricted funds**
The transfer in to Zac's House is in respect of an internal grant given from KMC to Zac's.
## **Name of Fund**
Benevolent Fund (Internal Organisation) Zac's House Friendship Café
## **Description**
Payments are made to alleviate crisis situations faced by individuals, both members and non-members of the church, who have a demonstrated need.
Zac's House is a church plant in Northwich, Cheshire. Regular meetings run by the church for dementia sufferers and their primary carers.
27
Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **20 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds**
|The Welcome Church
General fund
_The Welcome_
**_Previous reporting_**
**_period_**
_General fund_|Balance at 1
September
2023
£
3,026,475
30,894
3,057,369
_Balance at 1_
_September_
_2022_
_£_
_3,004,498_
_28,103_
_3,032,601_
|Income
£
235,286
3,388
238,674
_Income_
_£_
_248,731_
_7,791_
_256,522_|Expenditure
£
(251,722)
-
(251,722)
_Expenditure_
_£_
_(226,754)_
_(5,000)_
_(231,754)_|Transfers
£
-
-
-
_Transfers_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_|As at 31
August
2024
£
3,010,039
34,282|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||3,044,321|
||||||_As at 31_
_August_
_2023_
_£_
_3,026,475_
_30,894_|
||||||_3,057,369_|
## **Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund**
General fund The free reserves after allowing for all designated funds and restricted funds The Welcome Church Included in Trustees Report.
## **21 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
_Tangible fixed assets_
_Other net current assets/(liabilities)_
_Total_
**_Previous reporting_**
**_period_**|General
fund
£
2,880,271
129,768
3,010,039
_General_
_fund_
_£_
_2,884,998_
_141,477_
_3,026,475_|Designated
funds
£
-
34,282
34,282
_Designated_
_funds_
_£_
_-_
_30,894_
_30,894_|Restricted
funds
£
-
5,816
5,816
_Restricted_
_funds_
_£_
_-_
_19,318_
_19,318_|Total
£
2,880,271
169,866|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||3,050,137|
|||||_Total_
_£_
_2,884,998_
_191,689_|
|||||_3,076,687_|
28
## Knutsford Methodist Church
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
## **22 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**
||2024|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||£|_£_|
|**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**|(26,550)|_(2,018)_|
|**Adjustments for:**|||
|Depreciation charge|4,727|_4,758_|
|Dividends, interest and rents from investments|(6,659)|_(4,568)_|
|Decrease/(increase) in debtors|(3,423)|_1,239_|
|Increase/(decrease) in creditors|(2,525)|_4,369_|
|**Net cash provided by/(used in) operating**|(34,430)|_3,780_|
|**activities**|||
29
## Knutsford Methodist Church
## Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 (continued)
**23** Prior year Statement of Financial Activities
|**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other
Investments
Other Income
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
Transfer between funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
**Net movement in funds for**
**the year**
**Net income/(expenditure) for**
**the year**|Unrestricted
funds
£
214,691
-
33,609
3,962
4,260
**256,522**
231,754
**231,754**
**24,768**
-
**24,768**
3,032,601
**3,057,369**
|Restricted
funds
£
10,927
33,500
-
606
-
**45,033**
71,819
**71,819**
**(26,786)**
-
**(26,786)**
46,104
**19,318**|Total funds
2023
£
225,618
33,500
33,609
4,568
4,260
**301,555**
303,573
**303,573**
**(2,018)**
-
**(2,018)**
3,078,705
**3,076,687**|_Total funds_
_2022_
_£_
_220,066_
27,500
_30,029_
_540_
_5,415_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**_283,550_**|
|||||_331,548_|
|||||**_331,548_**|
|||||**_(47,998)_**
_-_|
|||||**_(47,998)_**
_3,126,703_|
|||||**_3,078,705_**|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
30