2022-08-31-accounts - Trinity Methodist Church.

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trinity Methodist Church Council Minutes for Thursday 13th October 2022

Present : - Rev Martin Keenan, Deacon Linda Kinchenton, Julian Rogers, Sally and Charles Reynolds, Margaret Oldham, Rosemary Roberts, Yvonne and Trevor Daniels, Val and Danny Howlett, Pat Wall, Edna Earl, Paul Gee, Joan Porter, Alan Stevens, Jane Spall, Rita Carter, Molly Jeffries, Jenny Watson, June Harmer, Carol Secret and Sonia Barker (Trevor Carter and David Jeffries attended as non-voting observers).

Apologies : Chloe Pearson, Val Woods, Jeanette and Robert Soanes and Janet Ramsden.

Opening Devotions: - Rev. Martin Keenan opened with a reading and prayer. The members of the council then all introduced themselves for the benefit of Deacon Linda Kinchenton.

Membership of the meeting : Julian read out the list (he can provide this if you need a copy).

Conflict of Interest: - nonrelevant to this meeting.

A.O.B. notification : items from Val Howlett, Deacon Linda, Sonia Barker. Margaret asked that an additional item to be added to the Agenda entitled Group Reports.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on the14th July 2022: - were agreed and signed.

Matters arising : - none

Future Events : - the Christmas planning meeting has taken place and the notes from it will be available soon.

The main events are as follows-

Saturday 3rd December. - Christmas coffee morning and raffle of hampers
Thursday 15th December - James Paget Hospital Choir concert and mince pies
Saturday 24th December - Christingle Service 4.00pm led by Rev. Martin Keenan.
Candlelight Service 11.15pm (preacher to be arranged).
Sunday 25th December - joint service at Corton (preacher to be arranged).
Sunday 1st January 2023.- service at Trinity (preacher to be arranged).

Charity Stockings this year in aid of - Parkinson’s, Samaritans/Talking Newspaper, Chemo bus and Sunflower Fellowship

Pastoral update : - There are no major changes to our set up since the last reports. The current visitors are me (Sally Reynolds), Trevor Phelps, Pat Wall, Rosie Roberts, Janet Ramsden, Ans Bates, Ann Amos and Joan Porter (who focuses on the welfare of the members of Trinity Ladies Group). Between us we have been visiting and/or keeping in contact via phone or correspondence with 12 people and keeping a check on another 7 households (a legacy of the extra folk we were allocated to keep in contact with during lockdown).

It was brought to our attention recently that the congregation didn’t necessarily know who the Pastoral Visitors are, should they need to pass on any information to them. There is a poster on the main noticeboard in the vestibule which lists the names of the Visitors and I have updated it recently with the names of the extra Visitors who have joined us. If anyone else feels they may like to explore becoming a Pastoral Visitor and

would like to find out more about what’s involved, then please speak to one of the Pastoral Group. As we always say - we all have a role to play in the pastoral care of each other, but any particular concerns or issues should be passed to one of the Pastoral Group or to the Minister and I must say that we have been very heartened to learn that Rev. Martin has visited so many people already and thank him for that. Sally

Reynolds

Steward’s Report:- We continue to meet monthly, usually the first Saturday of the month. It was a great pleasure to have Rev Martin join us at our last meeting. Sadly, we have said goodbye to Gill Wintle who has stepped down from Stewarding following her move to Wymondham. We thank her for all her contributions. (A thank-you card was sent to her.)

At the meeting we discuss matters around the church including, our church community, property, worship, events, and safeguarding.

We have decided to maintain zoom services until the end of the next plan period. We are also trying to focus on our 'dreams' for Trinity following the Methodist Church advice of 'dream, plan, act's. One of the themes that comes up is 'food'. We are thinking about what steps we could take to reintroduce something like the luncheon club. It is early days yet and no plans in place, but we would welcome offers and ideas from the wider congregation on what else we could do to make this happen or to do something else to build our church family.

A very generous donation from a member at Corton has been offered to help with lighting at the front of church. Julian Rogers

Finance Report :-

Bank Balance as at 12th October 2022

Current account £19,037.08 minus ring fenced monies -benevolent fund, key deposits, bequests and cafe monies, defibrillator spares, advertising (6,847.66) minus – outstanding cheques: Balance in current account: (true figure) £12,189.42 Business Reserve £58,807.57 The good news is that we continue to hold our own. Although offerings and bookings are still down since before the Pandemic we will be able to pay for the assessment in November from the current account with some left over for the monthly bills without delving into the Business reserve account just yet. The good news seems to be that we are getting a few more bookings which will make a big difference to our Income if it continues. Also, cafe is playing a big part in our Income. I do think that this will be the last quarter before we have to draw from our reserves.

Over the next few months we will need to pay out approx. £6,000 - £3,000 for Insurance and Licence, Gas annual service is usually around £1,250, £1,200 utilities, audit fees etc. and on top of that heating. As we have said on many occasions everybody needs to be aware of the heating and lights and turn off when not in use, and also be aware that we are on a water meter. The figures are shown on the statements already given out.

We now have the new dishwasher which was needed mainly for the cafe. I did manage to get a grant of £500 towards it from the Councillors. I am hoping to get grants to enable us to have new cafe flooring early next year. The quote is for £3,040 and I am waiting on trustees to meet for one grant application from The Lord Belstead Charitable trust. I will approach the Councillors early in 2023 before they get a chance to spend their budgets and hopefully we may get the whole amount covered. The Playgroup numbers are still low. The staff wages were increased to living wage last April as demanded by Methodist District who did give us a grant to help plug the gap

between minimum & living wage. As they are insisting that we maintain the living wage which will be £10.90 an increase of £1 next year, it is going to make a huge difference to the wage bill when the more senior staff have to have their wages increased accordingly. I have applied for a grant from the District again to plug the gap but unfortunately it will still increase the wage bill significantly, something that we really cannot afford. So as our finances stand at the moment we still need to keep our spending to a minimum, especially heating, lighting and water.

A big thank you for all who help to make this possible in such difficult times.

Val Howlett (Church

Treasurer)

The charities finance schedule was agreed, passed and signed by Rev. Martin Keenan for the Church Council .

Gift aid has increased a lot. The secret of extracting individual’s gift aid details from the Dona machine will be sorted in time for next April. Thanks were given to the Treasurer for all her hard work.

Property Report :- The committee continues to meet via zoom and my thanks to members for their continued support in helping to look after the fabric of the church. As well as myself, members are Val and Danny Howlett, Alan Amos, Paul Gee, Rev Robert Soanes and Martin and the meeting secretary is Trevor Phelps. Each meeting follows a standard agenda format which allows members to raise any concerns that they have been made aware of as well as receiving standard reports on matters such as finance, any accidents or incidents which might have occurred and ensuring compliance with relevant statutory issues such as ensuring safety inspections and services of equipment is carried out.

As will have been noted from the treasurers report a major focus of attention continues the be the revenues and expenses associated with running Trinity. We have re-established a programme of holding working parties to help. These will take place bi-monthly on the second Saturday of the relevant month and advance notice will be given of the next date via the weekly newsletter as appropriate.

I have also had to complete the necessary returns with respect to the condition of the property. This is done via a tick box check list and requires approval from this meeting for it to be forwarded initially to circuit and then onwards to Manchester. Martin has the completed form.

There are no major projects ongoing at the moment but when the weather improves some things flagged up in the Quinquennial report will be addressed. The heating and lighting costs are part of a fixed deal until 2023.

The annual property report was signed and approved by the Church Council. A survey has also been done re recycling and environmental issues for circuit >district information.

Playgroup:-

Local authority funding does not cover the cost per child. Funding is based on census days so even if new children join, they will not be included in the funding until the next census date.

The children and staff have had big successes in the Lowestoft in Bloom competition, being awarded several certificates in various categories and the trophy for the best overall Preschool setting. Congratulations are due to all the staff and children. Thanks also to the committee that support the playgroup. Charles Reynolds.

Café :- This operates with a rota of teams of volunteers to whom thanks are due. Extra volunteers are welcome. There is a loyal set of customers but also sometimes visitors from Amber Lodge and individuals who might be passing. A meeting will take place soon to establish the processes for reviewing prices etc.

Safeguarding : - The Safeguarding Group which comprises Carol Secret, Trevor Phelps, Yvonne Daniels and Jenny Watson meet via Zoom. I am pleased to report that at this point in time we have not had any safeguarding issues and also most people are up to date with their Safeguarding training. We have 1 steward whose is due to update their Foundation Training, by November. It may be possible to get a group together, as some more are due by July 2023, and we could use the Church system to do this online. Carol will update her advanced training. If Val Woods resumes her role as a worship leader she will need to update her DBS check.

I have updated the Safeguarding poster and copies of these will be displayed around the premises.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that a full risk assessment needs to be carried out before any new activity takes place. I have now produced basic risk assessments for Trinity Singers, Short Tennis, Trinity Ladies Group and the Cafe. These have been given to the group leaders for them to add or remove any relevant points.

We have been asked by the Methodist Church to recognise Safeguarding Sunday on 20th November. The preacher for that day will be asked to make reference to this. The purpose is to raise awareness of Safeguarding among our congregation. We have also been asked to display a LOVE OR ABUSE poster in the Church and also stickers to be displayed in the toilets.

A very important part of this Church Council meeting is to accept the updated Safeguarding Policy. A copy has been sent out with the minutes and agenda. The main changes are on the first page. our original policy mentioned men and women. This is now gender neutral. There is also a more detailed paragraph about vulnerability. A further addition is a paragraph specifying the different types of abuse, the effects on the people concerned and how we as a Church deals with this. Other changes are to the dates, making them relevant to the current year.

I would like to finish by thanking the Safeguarding Team for all the support and work they do to keep us safe, and to remind us all that Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone, so any concerns or observations you might have please let us know. Carol Secret

G.D.P.R . : There are no issues. Everyone has a responsibility to follow the rules and use any data they may have only for the purpose they have it. The policy is displayed on the notice board opposite the toilets, and it will be reviewed in February.

Ladies Group : - We started back with our Ladies Group in September 2021 after Covid, changing our meetings to the afternoons 2pm. to 3.30pm the first Tuesday in the month.

After a worrying start in September with 30 members including the speakers in the small hall, I asked the Church if we could use the large hall for our meetings in order to give everyone a chance to social distance. We are very grateful to the Church for allowing us to do this.

We have had a variety of speakers all willing to come and talk to us and now speakers are offering to come and give talks, which is very good.

We have 45 members on our books with usually 27 attending each month.

After our September A.G.M. we were able to give the Church a donation of £400 to help with the costs.

We look forward to being able to continue with our meetings and are always grateful to the Committee for all their hard work.

A special mention to Alan Cutting for setting up and clearing away after our meetings. Joan

Porter

Connexion/Circuit/District matters : - the trusteeship of Southwold Methodist Church will be handed over to District. Rev. Martin has had contact with various people from other denominations and organisations and various options for its use are being suggested. A children's area for families of both locals and visitors would be lovely. The local Beach Mission group hope to restart in 2023 and have made contact.

Vacancies : - Bookings Administrator - no volunteers have come forward so far. Yvonne Daniels is carrying on for now and thanks to her were expressed. There have been a few new bookings enquiries, including two from NHS linked groups which may come to fruition.

Any Other Business :- 3 items

Deacon Linda explained the Worship Workshop she will be running for people considering becoming Worship Leaders (several members from Trinity are interested), and some current Worship Leaders are in need of a refresher, and also local preachers. Those new trainees will need a Tutor and a Mentor. Julian is willing. Perhaps Jeanette might be too.

Benevolent Fund - this contains £703.49. The treasurer had been contacted re an appeal for Ukrainian children, so wondered if some could be given to it. Deacon Linda pointed out that churches are not meant to keep large amounts held over from one year to the next in this fund so Rev. Martin decided that £500 should be given to the appeal.

Eco churches- Sonia Barker explained that the Methodist Church is signed up to this initiative which is in response to the climate emergency. Churches are encouraged to work towards bronze, silver and gold awards in various categories e.g. Worship and Teaching, Management of the Building and Management of the land. Some churches in S. Lowestoft are already working towards their bronze award. Deacon Linda pointed out that all Methodist Churches have been challenged to attain the silver award. Julian and Sonia will investigate this further.

Date of Next Meeting :- Thursday 16th February 2023 at 7.00pm

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS THE METHODIST CHURCH ACCOUNTS STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2022 Church Reglstered Charlty. Charlty Reglstratlon number If not a registered charlty Her Majesty's Rovenue and Customs Glft Aid number (The HMRC number Is equivalent to a registered charlly number In terms of evidence of charitable slatU8 and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wi8hing to see eviden of the organisalion's charitable status. Methodlst charlties in England and Wales that are not reglstered charilles are excepted from reglstratlon under Stalutory Instrument 2014 No.242) l4-11 Circult no Mlnister.. Church Stewards.. Treasurer.. cJ*tyvhR¥ P2022th18 1of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 SECTION A Unre8trlctod R+5trlct¢d Totalg Ihls Fund5 Funds ear Total$ last ar a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Offe¥in s arkl Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income Lettings other r6ceipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 21fg1 %s-?I JL6L 83 Ye>£1 713 {a71 bsi&8 SECTION B PAYMENTS Clrcutt Assessment or Sh8r8 Donations JYISL Re airs and Malnltsnance Ulililies (InsunceS, water cha es healin hlin Li 21 46b 3LJ'SI 7gs Zl b S'3G Other payTnenls TOTAL PAYMENTS 4y70 ¥63 Ib3F S¥L88 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR TH YE a6-b8 L [9-1 Il ) Total funds brought forward from 185t year c6 Sub totsl c1+¢2) 1738 Transfers and ad'ustments {c71 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) ii& Ic8) {c61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATfoNS Ihese wnount$ are not to be Included In totsl recelptsl ayments flgures above Balance brou ht forward trom last ar Offerin slGifl8- received for external anisalions OfferingslGifts - passed lo &xtemal organisallons Ibr>l ljtsl 3ALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d31 Cluweh R and P 2022.$ 2of5

fAi1?7 Chuich SECTION E ow nc Sufflm8ryollh&Church accounis for Ih8yearénded 31 Augu$1 2022 kn18mal Oty8nl$)Vons rvparNwto th¢ chUh Coun¢iYChur¢h Meelrw. Nolethatthèfvnds ¢1 QrganlB?Uon bwubj normal Roslrfded unlesA coum bB cleartyshwm Ih¥t theycould usgd forBnyMethodl¥l Pu¢p. Ihts secuonrnusl b rMpleted 10 rfv& atlhègro8s Fnwne and eXPd11Ure iotals Chtsirh. I1966 Incomts 0xc£ed$ IhoAs£Eus trreBhdJ. heAL¥Mhod0fCDufiIlg ANDA DIFFERENT FORMmug1 bp used toRportlheaEcouDts Ise8 Alatho91 Webtal. pSe rthrto th8gukl£Mts noi•8 regag Iran¥fets bthpen the Dk¢riGtand nl£d Dlslrttl O nLÈiion5. IlffERNAL ORGANI$AYI¢YIS Net Rwptsl èthts onits u$iments bplances Clwl baL7ncBs (rlty31 lolyl 78-1 OJ alsa18 furEds Church aÈ¢ovTht6 Itokl brou9htlorw&rdfrom 2. 101016 Col¥mnl 12 Jg18 Ic7 BYCHURCH YFZIL Cistsi) (¢8 C(Mllnue 8gopBfBIo ¥hg81 IlnBcessary8nd brfng th9 lot foThwd ILrJ GL roTAL REceipY$ 70TAL PAYMElfTS ¥E¢TION F CHURCH-CASH FUPIDS HÈLDat JI ust 2022 C8 OPENING LW4CEO LOSN ALA14CE¥ BBrltthrre 17Lfty 2g6 enko 911AccuJM 125Y? C8ntr¥l FInanc&84 rDJ51eÈg forMèU)DdWChureh P herfvods 97,11 Is-& SUB TOTAL-Ghu¥ch •roount TdaT fvnd$ keld byln1ery OrganLtrtlong Uhedoslhg banCe ab le12 Jjo 7y¥¥G S"77& ICSI roTAL CASH FVND8 HELD BY CHURCH J¥Y87 110 6 Ix) (yl Section G OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES 1 September 2021 31 AuBvst 2022 Inv&simonlB fiTrL4uda EndoMwon161 Land & auLklings l$eon¢te5 re IrrsufdnC• OlhwA85ets 75 b(l LoaTrl¥l- ShownDt cwt6tsrÈ(¥w Bl 5g¥end Olhfjr Llsbllbi 5 M Indude ontyFund¥hoNI 81 Iha C¥ntrd FlnaTreaBoard IS 1thdei¥VFu¢J5 hdo at Trus1995 for Church Putpoges gl Indude£nyother Inot the ¢?sh el10fTMCp InbaCLts th&ls rfidd th ¥neiF

Name of Church . Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm Ihat these Receipt and Payment based accounts for Éhe year to 31 August 2022 have been prepared from tha records of the Church and that they includ8 all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature of treasurer ... Date......... Name and address of trèasurer .. Post Code..tJ.Q 3-.4..qklfr , Presentation to the Church trustoes I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year end8d 31 Augusl 2022 wer6lwi%&' present8d to the meeting of the Church trustees held on l a.. Signatur8 of the Chair of the meeting: ........ Nam8 of th8 Chalr of the meatlng: ,... Date . Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the C ItT ..Church Responslbilitles and basls of report I report to the trustees on my examinatlon of the accounts of thè 7A141 T7 *? ¥7¥uUI).I Church for the year ended 31 August 2022 set out on pages ? to 3 As the Church'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 r6spe¢t of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of th$ Act and, In carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate

No.J.i.l.w%-l! Indepondent Examlner's Statement I have completed my examlnation. I conftmi that no material matters have come to my attention in conn8ction with the examinatlon (oth in, any material respect: whS¢h giv8 m& cause to bolieve that the accountlng records were not kept hi accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not ac¢ord th th& accountlng records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneclron with the examination to whlch reached. attention should be drawn in this report In order to enable a proper understandtng of the accounts lo be I l]a¥8ffiave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodi81 Church Purposes or held in other trusts. bank balances and funds al Ihe Central Finance Board of the sh8at dat8. Methodl8t Church which are individually In excess of £10.000 (ten thousend pounds) at tho balanc8 Slgnature of Independent 8xamlner Name of Independent examlner JYbV44 ISLI >4 Relevant professional qualifi¢ation Df independent examiner N8me of fwm (where appropriate) Address J.* Sf Date 2£ Post Code . delete or clr¢le a8 appropdate September 2022