Church Receipts and Payments Accounts 2022-23
THE METHODIST CHURCH
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2023
CHURCH ROAD METHODIST Church
Registered Charity - Registration number (if applicable)
1134109
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Circuit No 21/14
Minister Rev Louise Makin
Church Stewards Janette Farley
Ben Derbyshire
Catherine Irving
William Ellison
Church Treasurer
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Introductic Aims of the Review of i
CHURCH ROAD METHODIST CHURCH
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
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Welcome to the 13th Trustees' Annual Report of Church Road Methodist Church which covers the year to 31st August 2023, a year in which Church activity and attendance has begun to move towards pre Covid levels
We are a Church with a renewed vision that is working and we are optimistic about the future, after exploiting opportunities to expand the use of the premises for community projects and and progress with the Wesley Cafe and Wesley Larder community projects.
e organisation
At Church Road we have adopted the strategic aim of making disciples and transforming lives and communities with the priority to become a sustainable Church by:
a) Reversing the trend of declining congregations experienced in recent years and developing growth in membership and numbers attending worship through relevant worship and pastoral support to all.
b) Developing Community Ministry that combines the transforming love of God with the needs of our community, working within and without the building, while maintaining a high level of work with families and young people with a focus on faith development as well as social interaction.
c) Developing a high quality, sustainable and comfortable suite of premises which will meet current and anticipated needs of the Church in fulfilling its mission and ministry for the next chapter of its life.
d) Increasing the profile of the Church and developing good working relationships with individuals, agencies and authorities who share our aim.
the year 2022/23.
The pastoral ministry and worship has been continued in person. The church has been fully open for worship and the provision of food through the Wesley's Larder and cafe have been extended. Community use of the premises is gradually increasing.
Income trends
Total income for the year to 31st August 2023 was £120,744, compared to £81,185 reported for the previous year. An increase of 48% year on year (£39,559). This is largely due to a gift aid payment received in the year of £26,522 and an increase in Wesleys cafe donations and grants by £21,011 (2023 total Wesleys cafe income being £38,462 compared to the comparative 2022 figure of £17,451). This has been offset by a reduction in legacies of £10,000 (£10,000 received in 2022).
Offerings have remained relatively consistent, showing a 3% increase of £1,103 (£38,859 received in 2023).
Expenditure trends
Total expenditure has increased by £56,139 (66%) to £141,332 for the year to 31st August 2023. This is due to the following:
'- Circuit Assessments showing an increase of £14,973 in the year (to £39,184). This is due to only 3 payments of £8,017 recorded in the 2022 accounts, whereas 2023 accounts show 4 payments of £9,756. One of these four payments in the 22/23 year related to Q4 21/22, and therefore Q4 22/23 circuit assessment payment of £9,756 is outstanding as at 31st August 2023 (see section G on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities);
'- There was audio sound equipment expenditure totalling c£15,000 in the year;
'- Gas and electric increased by c£12,600 in the year (to £20,310);
'- A cooker was purchased in the year for just under £7,000; and
'- Wesleys cafe expenses increased by c£5,000.
Fund balances
As at 31 August 2023, the net current assets of the Church were £2,950 on the General Fund, giving less than one month of cover for expenditure, and £57,467 on the Legacies Fund which incorporates the "Various Bequests Model Trust Fund" (£52,509) and the "Bernard Leather Gift in Memorial" (£4,958) plus sums in the restricted Welsey cafe Fund, Church Project Fund, Youth Fund, Benevolence Fund and Internal Organisations, as follows:-
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total £ £ £ General Fund 2,950 2,950 Legacies Fund 52,509 4,958 1,000 57,467 Wesley Café Fund 25,815 25,815 Church Project Fund 516 516 Benevolence Fund 908 908 Youth Fund 1,198 1,198 Internal organisations 726 726 55,459 34,166 1,000 90,625
Plans for 2023/24
Seek a new fuel supplier to maximise value for money.
Change church accounts to a bank that will better support the church's needs, including online banking. Review the conributions due from Wesley's café towards fuel costs and, if approprate, adjust in order to align their contribution with fuel consumption and associated costs.
Maximise the benefits from the new sound system.and progress with the Wesley Cafe and Wesley Larder community projects.the demand on property expenditure, to ensure the most essential needs are met first, ie those that best support our aims and objectives.
CHURCH ROAD METHODIST Church
Trustees' Annual Report on Finance and Governance
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011, using Receipts and Payments method.
Full Name of Charity / Church: Church Road Methodist Church
Registration Charity Number: 1134109
Date of registration: 5th February 2010
Main communication address: Church Road Methodist Church, Church Road, St Annes-on-Sea, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. FY8.3NQ
The members of the Church Road Methodist Church Council are the Charity Trustees , membership being made up of the Minister, Church office holders, Committee representatives and representatives appointed by the Church at the Annual General Meeting.
Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
Treasurer: Mrs Karen Holt
Independent Examiner: Leanne Nield ACA
Arc Accountancy Solutions Limited
51 laverton Road, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1EN
Investment Banker: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Banker: Natwest Bank PLC
CHURCH ROAD METHODIST Church
AIMS AND ORGANISATION
Key objectives for 2022/23
(ii) To work with the various groups in the Church to maintain the wide range of activities.
(iii) To continue to review our mission activities and to develop realistic plans for the future, taking account of the needs of our local community, our human and financial resources, and different ways of working in a post-Covid environment.
(iv) To plan, with Blackpool and the South Fylde Circuit, for a smooth transition when our Minister leaves at the en
(v) To continue to welcome, guide and inspire our children and young people, helping them to grow in faith. To provide activities appropriate to their needs across the five age groups which range from under 3's to 14+.
(vi) To seek to ensure full compliance with Methodist Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, including training for staff and volunteers.
Purposes of the Methodist Church
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of:
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church
Main Activities undertaken for the Public Benefit
Working together with the Blackpool & South Fylde Methodist Circuit, Church Road Methodist Church carries out a range of activities in the community , in particular:the provision of regular acts of worship open to Church members and non-members alike; the provision of sacred space (a building) for prayer and contemplation;
the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups;
the resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved; the promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services;
the provision of social activities with a focus on particular age groups which are open to all; the provision of space and facilities for a range of community activities.
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document for the church is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976)
Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual Conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the church is undertaken by the Minister, Church Stewards and Church Officers.
The Trustees are appointed at the Church AGM.
Trustee Training
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Church and "The Role of Trustees" is given to the Church Trustees at various meetings.
Related Parties
The Church is part of the Blackpool & South Fylde Methodist Circuit which is part of the Lancashire Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The Church works with the other nine Churches in the Blackpool & South Fylde Methodist Circuit and with the Circuit Officers and staff.
The internal organisations linked to this church are:Church Road Methodist Fellowship Group Church Road Methodist Church Flower Fund Church Road Methodist Church "Movement to Music" Group Bumblebees parent and toddler Group Wesley's Larder and cafe
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CHURCH ROAD METHODIST Church
Risk Management
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Trustees with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded.
Income and Expenditure is monitored against the approved annual budget on a quarterly basis to identify trends and problem areas as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Significant abnormal expenditure is considered by the Resources Committee and authorised by the Church Council before any contractual commitment is made. Quarterly reports are reviewed by the Church Council.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
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the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
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the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
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the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed
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vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
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We carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer
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Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
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We respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
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We seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of
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informed pastoral care.
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We seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
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We seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
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In all these principles we follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
The Church Road Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Circuit and in the churches.
The Church Road Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
Reserves Policy
The Reserves Policy for the Church General Fund is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to six months’ average expenditure, ie around £70,000 based on our actual expenditure for 2022/23. At 31st August 2022, the Church held around £3,000 in the General Fund, ie £67,000 in deficit of the target reserve. One-off large items of expenditure during 2022/23 that have drawn down on available general funds have been the audit sound equipment and unexpectedly high electric charges (which will be significantly reduced during 23/24). However, the trustees of the charity are aware that this level of funds is significantly lower than it should be, and discussions are in place how this general fund balance can be raised. There are unrestricted legacy funds of £52,509 that can be used to support the ongoing mission objectives of the church and any future unplanned/unavoidable building work that may arise.
The Church also holds £4,958 in the Bernard Leather Gift in memorial fund which was established to support youth work in the Church. However, we can only withdraw and use the interest received on this investment, so we intend to explore how this can be released for the development of our work in this area.
There is an additional fund restricted for youth work. This holds £1,198 in, and is accessible to spend on youth work at any time.
The Church holds £908 in the Benevolent Fund.
There is a restricted fund for church projects, such as the defibrillator and cooker replacement project. The cooker replacement project had £6,671 granted for it from both Blackpool Citizen Advice Bureau (£4,000) and South Fylde Methodist Circuit (£2,671). This project has been completed during 2022/23, with the cooker costing a total of £6,884. A transfer of £213 was made from general funds to cover this shortfall. There is a carried forward balance of £561 in this restricted church projects but it has bee fund.
There is also a restricted fund for Wesley café and pantry. Funds are raised through grants and donations via the local community for the provision of meals and food to be povided to the local community. The closing fund balance as at 31st August 2023 for this project is £25,815
Jn agreed this can be used for other projects.
Church Road Methodist Church
Appendix A
CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP as at 31st August 2023
MINISTER
Revd Louise Makin
CHURCH STEWARDS Janette Farley Ben Derbyshire Bill Ellison Catherine Irvine SECRETARY TO THE COUNCIL Anita Bullock CHURCH TREASURER Karen Holt COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES Pastoral Mission Judith Smith Elaine Watts JKids (Sunday School) Rebekah Derbyshire Safeguarding Co-ordinator Resources Dilys Currie Mike Bennett Church Life Linda Butcher
REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED BY THE GENERAL CHURCH MEETING
1 Valerie Ball
2 Monica Bissett 3 Colin Hird 4 Sadie Bridge 5 Bill Ellison
6 Shirley Grundon
7 Irene Harrison
8 Jonathan Irving 9 Barbara Knowles
10 Anne Mayes 11 John Mayes 12 Catherine Peak
13 Rosemary Wells
14 Elaine Westmacott-Sturdy
15 Elizabeth Hicks