REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER.. 1134343 Re rt of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year ended 31 Au ust 2025 for Poulton Methodlst Church CONTENTSOF THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS Forthe YearEnded 31" August 2025 PaEe Report of the Trustees Statement of Receipts and Payments statement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to the Accounts 6-16 Independent Examinerfs Report 17 Poulton Methodist Church Reportofthe Trustees Forthe yearending31AuEUSt2025 Poulton Methodist Church Annual Charity Commission Report Year ending 31" August 2025 The Poulton le Fylde Methodist Church Council is responsible for working alongside its minister, Rev Sarah Lamb, to promote the. Church's full mission, including its spiritual, pastoral, social. and ecumenicalwork. Our aims in Poulton-le-Fylde Methodist Church are that, as a church we will learn ol and proclaim the love of God through our worship and fellowship, nurturing disciples and making new followers- and through ouw work, witness and 8iving seNe God in furthering God's mission for those In our community and wider world. Worship and prayer The year commencing 1"5ep 2024 continued to bring both opportunities an(J challenges for Poulton Methodist Church. Membership numbers show a small incre35e, although many of our older rnembers are now unable to attend servios In person. The Church continued to stream all Sund ay 10.30 am usin8 improved tÈchnology lo enhance the quality and accessibility of online worship through YouTube.. These services continued io be positively receivod by members and non-members alike including the residents ol rwts Methodist Care Home%. In addition, a rnonthly midweek service continued, to be held wth regular services rotating aiound all churches in the North Fylde Circuit. This e.nables a 5harinÈ together with our Methodist friends and a strengthening of relationships belwepn the churches. Our Mcssy Church for f3milie.s with young children continued to Meet on the foLJrth Saturday of the month followed bv a family All Age Worship service the nexi day which involved a puppet show. Wc are reviewing the frequency of our Messy Church gathcrings and exploring new way5 to engage with young people as part of a part of 3 wider Circuit The church has dn active prayer group which confIdentially shares prayer requests wilh one another by email and meets twicc a month. The Flowor Ministry continue5 and is much appreciated by recipienis who arc unwell, hav* 105t a loved one or are experiencinR hard times. Spiritual and recreational fellowship groups Illumin8 our young people's group (School Year 6 and abc>vel a83in visited "3Generate~ at the NEC in October 2024 (the national children's and youth assembly of the Methodist Church) and continues to meet re.gularly on 5LSndav ieatitnes. Throughout Lent joint weekly meetings are held with friends from oth?r Poulton thurches through "Poulton Churches Together" The CAMEO group ceased to meet in thi5 year, but a new group called Golden Conneclton£ began weeklv meetings ollering Space to connect with others enjoying crafts, games, conve.rsation and outings. FOCUS continued to tnept, as did the Indoor Bowling and Badminton group5. Twice rnonthly. on Saturdays. walking group% take to the hills and fe115 Poulton Methodist Church Report of the Trustees Forthe year ending 31August 2025 Pastoral Care in the Church Each church mernbei ha5 a Pastoral visitor to provide 3 listening ear and support in tirne5 of need. This activity continues lo be 3 highly iippreciated and valuable èspect of our ChLJrch life. Our church in Ourcommunity Our Church buildings are busier than ever We support and host weekly Rainbow.5. Squirrels, 8eavers, Cub% and Scouts meetings. Three choir5 practice in our Sanctuary each week and community groups of all ages and backgrounds use our bLJildinBs e.g. The Blrickout Youth Theatre Group, Alzheimer's support group 'Singing for the Brain" Parkinsons LJK Exercise Group, Pilates. Photographic Society, Alctshol Support Group e.tc.. Our Coffee Shop, "Coffee Plu5" has continued to thrive. The warmth of thp. welcome has encouraged new people to become voluntee15 and others to join Dur Church. Our Methodist Church Chdrity Shop in Chapel Street provides a retail outlet for local chdrities and voluntary organisations to rent the premises weekly to raise much-needed funds, however, we have struggled this year with a decline in bookings, and $0 we are prayerfully considering the use of the premises for mission going forward. The Wider Church Poulton ChurchesTogether 3Ctivitie5 continued e5peci41Ily through joint acts of worship and study meetings during Leni. We 3re part of Yhe North Fylde Circuit of the Methodist Chuich~ along with another four churches, ILighthouse Community Church at Knott End ha5 ceased to worship) we continue to hold regular jDint circuit service5 as detailed above. We aSI shared 3 minisrers and a Children'5 2fTrd Families Lay Worker, until the retiretHent of Rp.v Will Hunter in July 2025, so now operate with 2 ministers and I lay worker. Engagement with and support of mission in the wider world and local and national charities Numerou5 tharities, Socally Iifinccnt House, Comfort CAFE, Blackpool Children's Clothing Fund) nationally (Action lor Children) and internationally IThe Leprosy Mission, All Wè Can, Open Doors, Barnab35 Aid and Christian Aid) have been genLrously supported finBntially. Safeguarding and GDPR The Church remained committed to safeguarding and dir ta protection responsibilities Ihroughout the ye3r. Appropriate 53feguirding training and certification requirement5 were maintainpd under the oversight of the designated safe8u3rding le3d. Compliance with GDPR requirement5 wa5 also maintained to ensure the secure handling and management of personal data. Looking fopAtard Rev Will Hunter retired in July 202J when Rev Sarah Lamb became the Minister at Poulton Methodist Church. alongsidc Servin￿ Pilling 3nd Cleveleys Park. We continue to actively spek ways to evolve and be relevant in our community whilst staying loyal to our fund3ment31 calling. We engage ne￿letter5, P05ter5 and di£irally via our Facebook p3ge, website plu5 local social media le.g. Poulton Chat), with further outreach via our new YouTube channel. Poulton Methodist Church Reportofthe Trustees Forthe yearending 31AuEUSt 2025 Our biggest challenges remain maintaining our children's activities. increasing the involvement of fatTrilies in our church life and bringing more people to faith each year to grow our worshipping congregalion and membership. Inevitably unle55 we do 50 our numbers will Slowly decline. Financlal Review The financi31 statements for the year show a dccrease in total income of £286,219, from £441,807 in the previous year to £155,588. This reduction wa5 primarily due to a 5ignilic3nt decrease in legacies received. which fell from £33 1,347 to £20.OOLI. Expenditure remained at a high level as the Church continued to invest in its property and infrastructure. During the year, Ihe Church Council approved project expenditure totalling £81.27E>, representing an increase of £15,713 cornpared with the prg.vious year. This expenditure relaied mainly to further roof and property repair5. together with the installation of a new partitioned network and improved WiFi. Unrestricted legacyfunds received in pieviousyear5 have enabled the Church to supportthis additional cxpenditvre and have helped maintain a resilient financial p051tion at rhe end ol the financial year. The Church's Finance and Property Cornmittee continues to monitor the Church'5 financial position closely, including Ihe anticipated need for further roof repairs over the next 12 rnonths. The Committee actively manages the irnplementation of a rolling five-yoar budget to support effective financial planning and sustainability. The Church complies wilh the MethodisL Church's capital reserve5 policy. It remains the Church's policy tts invest funds with the Trustees for Meihodist Purposes ITMCPI and the Methodist CentrBI Finance 8oaid ICFBI. Signed on behalf of the Church Council by Rev Sarah Ldrnb IPresb¥terl and Keith Blea2ard (Church Treasurerl. Date IPre5byterl Mr Keith Bleazard Oate 0£ Ichurih Trea5urerl Poulton Methodist Church Report of the Trustees Forthe yearending31August 2025 Trustees, Annual Reporton Finance and Governance Basis of preparation and legal framework The Charity'sAnnual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared underthe CharitEs Art 2011, using Receipts and Payments method. Full Name of Ch3rity / Church.. Poulton Methodist Church Registration Charity Number.. 1134343 Date of registration.. 16th Febru?ry 2010 Main communication addre5S-. The Methodist Church, Queensway Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashiro, FY6 75T The members of the Poulton Methodist Church Council are the Charity Trustees, membership is made up of the Minister, Church office holders, Committee representatives and representatives appointed by the Church at itr AnnualGeneral Meeting. Full membership on 31" August 2025 is shown as Appendix A to this report. Independent examiner: Leanne Nield ACA, Arc Accountancy Solutions Limited, 51 Laverton Road, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, FY8 IEN Public 8enefit The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty Ljnder the Charities Art 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benef it. Strutture, Govemance and Management The governing document for the church 15 the Deed of Union119321 and the Methodist Church Att119761. Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodsf Church by order of the annual Conference ICPDI. Day-to-day management of the church 15 undertaken by the Minister, Church Stewards and Church Officers. The Trustee5 are appointed at the Church Annual Church G eneral Meeting. Poulton Methodist Church Reportofthe Trustees Forthe yearending31August2025 endixA Poulton Methodist Church Church Council Membershi as at 31st Au ust 2025 Ministers Youth Worker Revsarah Lamb Jess Mangn311 Church Stewards Irene Burtonwood Helene Stephens Ralph Whittingham Gary whittle janice Whittle Secretaries to the Council Janet Walsh Wes Walsh Church Treasurer Keith Bleazard General Church Representatives (elected by the Annual General church Meeting) Carol Cardwell Margaret Clark50n Brenda Kirkham Sue Seddon Bob Shaddick Sue Shaddick Mal Shaw Sue Shaw Sarah Stone Carolsykes Appointed Representative5 lappointed by the Church Council) Barbara Banes Jonathon Fail Eileen Gee May Ghandi Adeene Hammond Graham Kay Jenifer Pearson Gill Rhode5 David Sutcliffe Alan Sykes Poulton Methodist Church Statement of Recei tsandPa ments forthe YearEnded 31Au st 2025 Unrestrltted Unrestricted designated Fut Endw. ment Restricted Total RESTATED Notes Funds Funds Fund5 2D25 2024. RECEIPT5 Offerings Gift Aid frvrn subsidiary Gift Aid Tax -£4,058 13,439 54.058 53.050 19 11,548 331,148 8,318 31,104 1.283 ,1339 3,417 441.801 DonatiotTrS 8nd legacies Interest and Investment income Income. from property lettings 22,5SI 14,972 0,701 SCK) 23.051 17.442 40,720 1,172 1,057 4,649 155,588 2.449 19 1,172 other charitable receipt5 Collections received fur Éxiern81 organi5ations TOTAL RECEIPTS 1.057 4.649 151,427 1,693 19 2,449 PAYMENTS Ciicuit assessrnent or share Grants and donations 56,250 56,250 loo 55,OQO 50D Property maintenance 116.983 21,066 12,681 7,531 J,193 596 118,772 21,066 13,(K)6 3,835 1.170 5.4?.4 219,623 54,871 18,686 12,036 3.359 1.812 2.702 148.966 Office expenses Other exrp.nditure 325 115 L,189 1,170 Coll&.ctions p6Ssed on to eKtÈrnal or%anisatlOn5 TOTAL PAVMENTS 5,424 715,035 ?.,478 1.785 325 NET OF RECEIPTSIIPAYMENTSI 163,6081 17851 11,7661 2.124 164.035 292.841 Ullrealised ghin5lllossesl on monetary investments Transfer betwèen funds 157 157 6,119 15.18 786 1,341 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 162A221 17851 14251 154 163.8781 298.960 Reccbnciliation of funds.. Restated Cash and ￿nk balances at 15L Septemt)er 2024. Cash and bank trala￿e5 at 31st August Z025 37Jf.817 3,333 7,635 93,283 480.128 181.168 313M55 2,548 7,210 93.437 416,250 480,128 ' Seè note 20forprior yeur odjustment Poulton Methodist Church Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the Year Ended 31 Av U5t 2025 Church cash and investment funds held at 31" August 2025 Unrestricted Unre5trirted- designèted Funds RestrictÈd Endowment Total Totsl Funds Funds Fund5 2025 2024 Notes Cash and invertment funds TMCP Investments Imanaged Fundsl Investments and loan5 by the Church TMCP Investments (Deposit Account) Central Finance L103rd Deposits Furness Building Society Accouni CAF Bank 93,437 93,437 7,970 93,283 7,970 268,457 298,038 16,409 15,746 330 322 14 7.970 263,711 16,409 4.746 330 3,335 3,335 16,440 2,289 45,310 Lloyds Bank Unity 8ank Cash and current accoun groups Cash collection5 pending banking Cash float 19.759 2,163 2,464 24.386 various 385 385 499 1,071 470 1,071 470 231 Total tash aTrd investment fund5 313,055 2,548 7210 93.437 416250 480,128 The following tsble surnmari5es 518nilicant non-cash a55ets and liabilities held by Ihe church at the year-end. These figures are provided for information io give 3 complo.te picture of the church'5 financial position and, in accordance with Receipts and Payrnents reporting, are expanded upon in the 2ccornpanying Notes 11, 12. and 13. Other church assets znd liabilities held at 31st August 2025 Unrestrl£t Unrestrtrted- designated FurMIs Restricted ErKltA¥ment Funds Funds T(tsl 2025 Tirtal Fur 2024 Notes Other monetary assets Functional fixed assets See note See note See 11 note 11 Prepayments Circuit assessment paid in advance 12 15,000 15,000 16,639 Total monetary asseis 15,000 IS￿00 I6￿39 Liabilf(iÈs 13 2.20D 2,200 5,012 Total liabilities due at the year end 2,200 Th¢ Charity is entitled to e¥emption from audit under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011. The trustees have opted for an independent examination instead ol an audit. No member has required the charity to obtain an audit under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. The financidl statement5 are approved on behalf of all the Church Council by.. 2.200 5.012 SiEnature Name .... Church Council Position ￿LE￿JU /.0&. l&CJe6............................... Date The attached note5 on p38& 7 to 13 form part of these accounts Poulton Methodist Church Notes to the accounts forthe Year Ended 31Au st 2025 Accounting policies Basis of accounting These accounts have been prep3red on a receipts and payments ba.%is, in accordance wilh ihe Charity Commission's guid&nce for receipts and payments accounts ICC16dl, and are not required to comply with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021. Prior year account% were preparp.d on the accruals basis givon the income exceeded the £250,000 accrua15 ba515 threshold. A prior year 3dju5tment has been made for the transition from accruals to rece.ipts and payments basis. See detai15 in note 20. Fund accounting General fund General fund5 are unrestricied funds which are available lor use èt the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the gene ral objective5 01 the charity and which have not been designated for othpr purposes. Designated fund5 These funds 3re Set aside by the Trustees out of unrestricted gener31 funds for specific purposes or projects. Restrirted funds These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purpose5. Restrictions df15e when Specified by the donor or b y the 5pecilii terms of the 3ppeal under which thp funds are raised. The restrictions are binding upon the Trustee5 of the char ity. Permanent Endowment Theie are fund5 where the. capital must be retained permanently by the Trustee5,' the income arising from the investment of the capiial m3y be used for th& general purposes of the church or lor a specific restricted purpose as dictated by the origin al donor. Income All income is included in the accounts on a receipts b35is. Gifts donated loi resale are included as income when they are 501 d. Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf ol the Poulton Methodist Church. Planned giving receivable under Gift Ald 15 rp.cognised only when receivcd. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donation5 is recognised when the income 15 recognised. Rental income from the letting of church premises 15 recognised when the rental is r*ceived. Grènts and Icgacies to the Poulton Methodist Church are accounted for once received. Funds raised by fete., garden party and similar ove.nts 3re accounted for gross. No amount5 ère Included in the financial statements donated by volunte.ers. Expenditure All expenditure 15 accountpd for when paid and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where cosl¥ cannot be directly attributed to particular hp.2ds they have been allocated lo activiiies on a basis consistent with use ol the resources Poulton Methodist Church Notes to the account5 forthe Year Ended 31Au USt 2025 Value added tax VAT 15 not recoverable by the Charity and a5 such is included in the relevanl iosts. Donations and legacies Unrestricted general Permanent Endowment 2025 Dèsignated 20Z5 Restricted 2025 Total 2024 2025 2025 Le acie5 Donations roof renewal fund Donation5 - other Total 20,000 20,000 500 2,550 23x151 331,347 soo 2,551 22.551 ??5 331,772 500 Income from Property Lettings Unrestrirted general Restritted 2025 2025 2024 2025 PlavEroup Chapel Stre@t office rents Coffee Sho to cleanin IiEht, heat and power Other5 Total All property letting Income in the prior year w35 unrestricted. 7.200 3,351 6,000 24,150 7,200 3,351 6.000 24,169 4,000 2.750 5,40D 18,954 19 19 Collections received and passed on to external organisations 2025 2024 Armounis brought forward 60 Money raised for external organi53tions 2,417 Money paid out to external organisation5 12.7021 Mone outstandin to a to external organisations 775 Money paid out to exiernal organisations illcludes £72J in respect of harvest 8Tving from 2023/24 and £750 from harvest giving in 2024125, both to 'AII We Can,. The remaining £3,949 was spread across numerous different chdrilie5. 775 4,649 15.424 Church donations paid 2025 2024 2025 donations pald General Fund Churche& Together 2024 donations General Fund PMC Connexion31 Fund5 Winceni House Total aid loo 400 loo 500 Total loo io Poulton Methodist Church Notes tothe accounts forthe Year Ended 31Au ust 2025 Property maintenance Unrestricted Designated 2025 Restrided 2025 2025 2025 2024. Routine maintenan￿ & Compli3n CleaTrin Routine repairs, ienewals, and compliance testing Specialist maintenance IOrÉan, ACU, A vl Sub-totol.. Routine costs 21,855 10,434 21.855 10,434 19,700 11,847 3.418 596 4,014 35,707 596 36,303 31,547 Major Property & Infrastrurture Pro ct5 WiFi & Network transformation Coff&e shop Irontage Rear of building works linc. roof rep2irsl Re-rendering & exlerior decor3tion Porch repair and replacement Other improvemenis lincl benches, ACUI Sub-totul.- Mojor Piojerts 9.057 9,057 9,000 6.444 7,880 32,500 9,357 17,497 12.865 32,500 9,357 17,497 14,058 1,193 81.276 1,193 82.469 23.324 Total rt enditure * S& note20Aor prior year odjvrtment ro ex 116.983 1,193 596 118.772 54171 Office related expenditure Unrestrirt Designated 202S Restrirted 2025 Endowment 2025 2025 2025 2024 Printing. Link. Wi-fi & communicotions IT rÈlated c05t5 83nk charge5 role5sional fees 1,904 1,904 2,143 968 1.189 7,020 1,600 12,681 968 1,514 7,020 1,600 13,006 1,278 514 6,501 1,500 12X)36 325 IE fee Total 325 Other expenditure Unrestricted 2025 De516nated 2025 Restricted 2025 Endowment 2025 202S 2024 3ni5t & organ maintenance Worshi related ex en5es Various mi5CElldn*OUS sundiie5 Youth work- 3Gen expen5e5. rants 498 1,033 322 600 103 2.065 278 643 746 2,180 378 115 loo Youth work - Messy church net costs & books for school 85 446 531 905 Total 115 li Poulton Methodist Church Note5 to the accounts forthe Year Ended 31Au st 2025 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts 2025 2024 Independent examiner's or auditors, fees for reporting on the accounts other fees leg.. advice,