The Methodist Church
Finchley Methodist Church
Circuit Number 35135
Registered Charity Number 1133907
TRUSTEES, REPORT ANDACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDING 31ST AUGUST 2024
REGISTERED CHURCH OFFICE
Finchley Methodist Church
227 Ballards Lane
Finchley
London
N3 1NB

TRUSTEES
Rev Ben Tsumasi (Deputy Chair)
Rev Martin Wellings (Superintendent Minister and Chair ex officio)
Christine Luvele
David French (Treasurer)
Dorothy Moir
Barbara Heatherington
Deborah Lynch-shyllon
Lindi Lewis
Henry Forde
Shaun Sanders (Resigned 31st August 2024)
Hannah Lynch Shyllon
Annu Varghese
Mary Campbell
Dr Sarada Vijeratnam
Tony Gossett
Dr Latha Thangari
Dr Rajan Vijeratnam
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
David Evans
38 Galley Lane,
Arkley,
Herts. ,
EN5 4AJ.
BANKERS
HSBC pic
333 Vauxhatl Bridge Road
London
SW1V 1EJ
Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church
9 Bonhill Street
London
EC2A4PE

TRUSTEES. REPORT
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024.
These have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
We're incredibly gratefvl to each person who contributes time, energy, prayer, or fInan￿S to the life of
Finchley Methodist Church. These figures are more than numbers- they represent lives touched, worship
rnade possible, and a community sustained.
As we look forward, we'll continue to steward these resources responsibly while seeking new opportunities
to grow our impact and strengthen our mission.
One significant change during the year was the appointment of Ben Tsumasi as minister, replacing Dr
Martin Wellings.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Finchley Methodist Church is a constituent Society of the Barnet and Queensbury Methodist Circuit, based
in the London Borough of Barnet.
The activities of the Church are governed by The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist
Church which incorporates the Methodist Church Act 1976. The governing body is the Church Council,
whose members are the ministers (presbyters and deacons) appointed to the Circuit by the Methodist
Conference, officers and representatives elected annually by the General Church Meeting, a Circuit
Steward and co-opted members.
The Superintendent Minister chairs the Church Council.
The Church Council meets a minimum of twice a year and agrees on the broad strategy and areas of
activity for the Church, including consideration of grant making investment, reserves and risk management
policies and performance. The more detailed management of the Church is entrusted to the Church
stewards, elected annually by the General Church Meeting, and responsible with the Minister in pastoral
charge for the day-to-day lrfe and work of the Church.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The principal objective of the Church is 'the advan￿ment of the Christian faith in accordance with the
doctrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church, (Section 4a Methodist Church Act 1976). This is
done for as many people as possible within the geographical area the Church serves. In addition. the
Methodist Church Act allovrfs for the advancement of other charitable purposes 'for the time being, of any
subsidiary unit of the Methodist Church. (Sections 4b -4d Methodist Church Act 1976)
Based on the above objectives, with due consideration of the Charities Commission guidance on public
benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on the charities for the advancement of religion, the Church
has the following aims:
The provision of Christian worship, spiritual development and pastoral care both to the members of
the Church and to the wider community in which it is located.

To raise funds so as to make grants to advance the Christian Faith, or for other charitable purposes
as for the time being the Church Council deems appropriate, both locally, nationally and
internationally.
To support the advancement of the Christian Faith through ecumenical liaison with other Christian
groups.
The majority of the aims fall within the charitable activity 'mission and ministry, (i.e. the overall advancement
of the Christian Faith) with a small amount of grant funding being for other charitable purposes.
In support of these aims The Methodist Church owns property in the form of church premises, and manses
for staff accommodation. The Custodian Trustees. who hold legal title to these properties are..
The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Central Buildings
Oldham Street
Manchester
M11JQ.
The Managing Trustees for church premises are the Church Council members of the local society.
Reserves policy
The Church Council has established a reserves policy that ensures that Finchley Methodist Church can
continue to support its commitments in the event of a downturn in the Church's income and can support its
more immediate obligations in the event of a delay in the receipt of committed funding. The policy also
addresses the Trustees, responsibility for the maintenance of extensive premises, most of which are more
than one hundred years old.
The Trustees have set a policy that reserves must not fall below six months operating costs. At 31"August
2024 the Trustees had no concerns about this.
Investment Policy
In common with other Methodist Circuits and Churches, funds not required for immediate use are deposited
with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 'CFB'. This produces a minimal level of return while
maintaining minimal risk and a high degree of liquidity.
This is reviewed annually.

RISK MANAGEMENT
The Church Council regularly reviews and assesses the risks that affect the wellbeing of the Church and its
finances. Action is taken to mitigate risks where appropriate. The main financial risks identified are as
follows:
Loss of income from property lettings
Unexpected property repairs to churches resulting in an inability to pay circuit Assessment
The Church Council considers that the current level of reserves is sufficient to meet any unplanned
expenditure in the event of the above and when planning the budget for future years,
TRUSTEES
The members of the Church Council are appointed in accordance with the Standing Orders of the
Methodist Church. The trustees on page 2 are those who served during the reporting year or were serving
at the date the accounts were signed.
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Church,
specifically the leaflet 'The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church, is given to all new Church Council
members as induction to their role as trustees.
The Trustees are also committed to ensuring that the Connexional Safeguarding Policy
is implemented in accordance with government legislation, to provide a safe environment for young people
and vulnerable adults.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ACCOUNTS
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true
and fair view of the state of affairs of Finchley Methodist Church and of the results for that period. In
preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the fi'nancial statements.
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
Circuit will continue to function., and
comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice on accounting and
reporting by charities issued in 2015.
The trustees are ￿sponsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church. They are also responsible for safeguarding the
assets of the Church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and
other irregularities. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the above requirements and
responsibilities.

Independent Examiners Report 2023-2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31" August 2024 that are set
out below.
Responsibilities and basis of opinion
As the trustees of the Charity, 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 Trustees accounts carried out under Section 14S of The Act and
in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given to me by the Charity
Commission under section 145(3Mb) of The Act.
Independent Examiners Statement
I have completed my examination and confirm that no material matters have come to
my attention in connection with the examination that give cause to believe that in any
material respect of..
1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section
130 of The Act.
2. The accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which
attention needs to be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Evans
Date: 28th February 2025

Declarations and Scrutiny
I can confirm that these receipts and payments based accounts for the year to 31"August 2024 have been
prepared from the records of the church and that they include ail funds under the control of the church
trustees.
Signature of Treasurer.
th
28 February 2025
David French
Presentation to the Trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented lo the
meeting of the Trustees held on 13th April 2025
Signature of the Superintendent Minister
27th June 2025
Reverend Martin Wellings

Overview: Financial Summary
At the end of the financial year, our total funds stood at £468k, up from £455k the year before. This reflects
the church's ongoing financial stability, thanks to your support and our collective efforts to manage income
and expenditure wisely.
This represents over three years expenditure.
The Trustees recognise that the church estate is old and the large reserves may be required for
refurbishment or modernisation.
Income & Expenditure
Finchley Methodlst Church
Income & ExpendltureAccount
Year Endlng31stAugust2024
Year Endlng 31st
August 2024
Yeai Endlng31st
August 2023
Donatlofis
Interesl Receivable
Lettiftgs
Rents
Total Income
23,278
21,224
36,856
55,980
137,338
26,502
13,547
35.177
51,290
126,516
S3larie5
CiTcuiI Charge
Independent Examlnation
Bank Charges
Bookeeping Fees
Repairs and Maintenance
Cleaning
Estate Agents Fees
Insurance
IT Support &Telephone
Other Expenses
Payioll Fees
Utilities
Tolal Expenditure
14.891
47,120
950
459
8,772
7.048
6,6
7.711
7,281
4,356
4,483
300
13,596
13.939
45,998
800
462
2.960
10,822
5,040
7,356
7.786
3,096
9,834
300
13,010
121.403
Net Income
13,675
5,113
Donations were down on the previous year but tend to fluctuate from year to year.

Most of our lettings income is now derived from repeat business, with ad-hoc income reducing over time.
We are grateful to those organisations who continue to use our facilities and will assess the viability of
continuing with the current ad-hoc lettings model.
The increase in interest re￿1vable reflects the higher interest rates over the period.
The increase in bookkeeping fees was mainly due to the catch up in costs. During the year, we changed
our bookkeeping provider.
Repairs and Maintenan￿ costs fluctuate from year to year depending on what is required. However, these
remain relatively modest.
Balance Sheet
Flnehiey Methodlst Chureh
BaLan¢eSheel foryear Ending 31st AuguM 2024
31slAugust
ItsIAugust
CurrentAssets
Current Accounts
Deposit Accounts
Totsl Bank & Cash
51,488
432,792
484,279
79,197
411,￿8
491,105
Oebtors
Totsl CuffentAssets
484,279
491.105
TotalAssets
484,279
491,105
cyr￿n1 LlablUlle$
Accruals
Total Uabllltles
16,000
16,000
36.500
36,500
Total NetAssets
468,279
Funds Analysls
Unrestricted Funds
Resrrlcted- Benevolance Fund
Total Funds
465.801
2,478
468,279
452,127
2,478
Movemenl
13,676
Fund Breakdown
Unrestricted Funds: £466k
Restricted Benevolence Fund.. £2k
These figures show that nearly all of our funds are available for general church use, with a small portion
ring-fen￿d for charitable support and giving.
Year-End Movement
The net increase in total funds during the year was around £14,000. This positive movement highlights both
strong income from lettings and control of expenditure.