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← London District Of The Methodist Church

2025-08-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

District Accruals Accounts 2024-25

THE METHODIST CHURCH

STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS ACCRUALS BASIS

for the year ended 31 August 2025

London District London District 35
District no
Revd Matt Lunn(From 10/05/2025)
District Council Secretary
Ms Priyadarshini Rasanayagam
Presbyteral Synod Secretary
Revd Rosamund Hollingsworth(To 10/05/2025)
Revd Dr Jonathan Dean
Treasurer
Mrs Ama Ackah-Yensu
District Chairs
Synod Secretary
Mr John Logan
Revd Faith Nyota(From 01/09/2025)
Revd Dr Jongikaya Zihle(To 31/08/2025)
Registered Charity - Registration number
1134871
1134871
Revd Dr Jongikaya Zihle(To 31/08/2025)
Revd Dr Jonathan Dean
Revd Faith Nyota(From 01/09/2025)
Mr John Logan
Revd Rosamund Hollingsworth(To 10/05/2025)
Revd Matt Lunn(From 10/05/2025)
Ms Priyadarshini Rasanayagam
Mrs Ama Ackah-Yensu

Page 1, of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Objectives and Activities

1.1 Aims and organisation

The aims of the District are to advance the mission of the Church in the region, by providing opportunities for Circuits to work together and support each other, by offering them resources of finance, personnel and expertise which may not be available locally and by enabling them to engage with the wider society of the region as a whole and address its concerns. The District serves the Local Churches and Circuits and the Conference in the support, deployment and oversight of the various ministries of the Church and in programmes of training. Wherever possible the work of the District is carried out ecumenically.

The District Council constitutes the Leadership Team between meetings of the District Synod, with a Group of Officers acting as the managing trustees. The District Council set the policy for the District and delegate various tasks to sub-committees and officials to implement that policy and to report back.

London is one of the 23 districts of The Methodist Church in Britain. The London District of the Methodist Church comprises 32 circuits and just over 200 churches, together with various charitable projects and a number of educational institutions, including Southlands College (University of Roehampton) and Farrington’s School. We are a diverse group of people originating from many different cultures and communities who worship and witness together in urban, suburban and more rural areas.

The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the Gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

It does this through:

In all this, we are striving towards a vision of being a Growing, Inclusive, Evangelistic and Justice-Seeking Church.

The mission of The London District of the Methodist Church is to share the good news of Jesus Christ throughout Greater London and the surrounding areas, and thus to strive for the flourishing and fulness of life of both people and their communities.

Building on the firm foundations of District-wide resourcing and our collective gifts, we will seek to live out this mission through three ‘pillars’ of work and witness:

II. Reaching Out

III. Embracing God’s World

1.3 The District ways of working include:

Our ‘golden rules’ for how we will approach the implementation of our priorities, as follows:

h. Intentionally: Holding all that we do in all our gatherings and meetings (Council, Exec, DAF, Staff Priorities etc.) accountable to the strategy and its aims;

i. Safely: Ensuring that we create safer space for all our activity and hold to the highest standards of Safeguarding practice.

Page 2 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2 Review of progress and achievements

2.1 The London District Annual Report

The London District Annual Report is prepared and presented to the Representative session of the Autumn District Synod each year (from 2025: previously the Spring Synod). It gives full details of the activities of the Commissions and all the groups making up the Commissions and the core central resources. Please contact the District Office at the registered address for a copy of the Full Annual Report of Activities.

2.2 District Goals

The Autumn Synod of September 2025 adopted a new Strategy for Mission, which enshrines the following eight priorities for the life of the District for the coming five years under three over-arching ‘pillars’:

PILLAR: Seeking Growth

A. Deepening Discipleship for All

We will encourage and enable Methodist churches and communities in London to deepen their faith, nurture their discipleship and grow in their following of Jesus.

B. Developing Lay Ministries

We will support circuits and churches in learning and development opportunities for local preachers, worship leaders and other authorised forms of lay ministries, to promote engaging worship, effective ministry and pioneering initiatives.

C. Enabling Evangelism to make Every Church a Growing Church

We will work to enable and encourage all our members to speak of their faith to others, and every congregation to engage with its neighbours in life-giving and dynamic ways.

PILLAR: Reaching Out

D. Creating New Places for New People (NPNP)/Church at the Margins (CaM)

We will launch (a) District NPNP project(s), and encourage, enable, and support circuits across the London District to join the growing NPNP/ CaM movement by developing contextually-relevant new forms of church, with an emphasis on Church at the Margins projects.

E. Being a Justice-Seeking Church

We will offer resources to our churches in the work of listening carefully to our communities, engaging passionately with questions of justice, and working tirelessly for the Kingdom of God.

F. Welcoming Children and Young People

We will enable, equip and support circuits and churches in developing, maintaining and growing creative, welcoming children’s and young people ministries. We will foster and enable the leadership of young people in the District and its churches.

PILLAR: Embracing God’s World

G. Pursuing Action for Hope

We will pursue climate justice at the District level, and will support our circuits and churches in working towards a sustainable future through the Action for Hope strategy. This will involve both a review of the physical property stock and that of the churches’ culture towards sustainability.

H. Cherishing our Place in the World Church

We will cherish our place within the world church, and seek to deepen our connections with it. As part of this, we will nurture the work, and the wider District’s support, of our culture and language specific fellowship groups.

Page 3 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2.3 Achievements

Every church and circuit in the life of the District has been challenged and invited to respond locally to the District Mission Strategy in ways that are suitable to their own context. The District Team has been expanded and reshaped to ensure that there is more support and resource from the ‘centre’ in all these efforts. Included in this expansion has been: the recruitment of further administrative help to release time elsewhere for various areas of more focused work and to support our Safeguarding operation; and a Faith-Rooted Community Organiser and District New Places for New People Lead, both of whom will work to foster and engender relational ways of working, and patterns of church growth. We intentionally include stories of growth, outreach, change-making and justice-seeking across London Methodism at every session of the District Synod.

2.4 Plans for future years

The District Mission Strategy has now set the framework for our work and mission until 2030 and will remain our guiding framework for all we do; we will hold ourselves accountable to it and to one another. We continue to work with purpose and intention alongside Connexional officers of The Methodist Church in Britain and in particular with our aligned Regional Officer for Safeguarding (who knows the District well), and, for the purposes of formation for ministry of all types, our two aligned officers from the Learning Network, as well as their Regional Manager. We intend in the near future further to augment the District Team with a Digital Enabler and Net Zero Officer. Both roles will work across the District to resource and encourage and enable local churches.

Page 4 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

3 Financial Review

The District's income and expenditure is detailed in the SOFA on page 10.

A copy of the accounts for the year accompany this report. The managing trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and consider that an audit is required.

The managing trustees have reviewed the amounts held in the various reserve accounts and, having regard to the commitments of the District to expand its activities and acquire appropriate equipment for its purposes, consider the reserves are adequate but not excessive.

The purposes of each individual fund under the control of the District is shown in note 18 of the notes to the accounts along with a summary of movements on each individual fund.

The general fund does not include the value of the two manses owned by the District. These are held in a separate fund for ease of management.

The London District continues to have the following principal sources of income:

3.1 Investment Policy

The investment of surplus funds is operated through the Central Finance Board (CFB) of the Methodist Church. CFB aims to provide a high quality investment service seeking above average returns for long term investors, whilst ensuring that the securities held by all its funds are in line with the ethical policy of the Methodist Church. The District has its funds in a deposit account with CFB. The Restricted Funds are managed by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP). These funds are also invested with CFB. The Trustees liaise with the Tower Hamlets Circuit on the use of the City Centre funds for the benefit of the Tower Hamlets Circuit.

3.2 Reserves policy and level

- General Funds (unrestricted)

The funds in the general fund at the end of the year are held as a reserve to cover for an irregular flow of expenditure. Historically, reserves equivalent to approximately six months' worth of expenditure were retained by the District. During the Covid-19 pandemic the District Council retained a lower level of reserves. The District Council is now rebuilding the level of reserves and going forward, expects to retain between three and six months' worth of annual expenditure.

- Designated Funds (unrestricted)

The designated funds are earmarked for those purposes detailed in Note 18 to the accounts.

- Restricted Funds

The restricted funds, as detailed in Note 18 to the accounts, are to be used exclusively for the purposes listed.

3.3 Collaborative arrangements with connected charities

The London District's main source of funding is the assessments obtained from each Circuit within the District. These assessments are generally based on the membership and staffing levels of the Circuits, and are used to defray most of the cost of administering the District.

Each year the District is allocated a sum by the London Mission Fund (LMF). This amount is made available to the District Advance Fund committee to meet applications for grants as they see fit. Any grants are paid directly from the LMF and are not paid into the District funds. The allocation for 2024/25 was £127,345.

The District also obtains from each Circuit with a reserve known as a Circuit Model Trust Fund (CMTF), a levy based on the size of the Circuits' CMTFs at the start of the connexional year (1st September). In the year this CMTF amount was £667,749.

The District receives quarterly from circuits within the district, each circuits' contribution to the Methodist Church Fund (MCF). These sums are collected as agent for the MCF and are passed to the MCF later in the same quarter. Funds received by the District as agent are not recognised as an asset in its financial statements because the funds are not within its control. No fee is earned in respect of this agency arrangement and the District incurs no cost through this arrangement.

Page 5 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

4 Trustees Responsibilities

For each financial year ending 31st August, the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the District's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees must:

The trustees are responsible for ensuring that sufficient accounting records are kept which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Methodist Church - London District and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law and Standing Orders of the Methodist Church.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the District and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

4.1 Risk Management

A Risk Register has been agreed by the District Council. The register documents the various risks considered by the Council to be facing the District, the potential impact of those risks and the likelihood of the issues happening. It is reviewed annually. The headings under which these risks are being categorised include:

Page 6 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5 Structure, governance and management

Structure

The London District is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. It was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 12th March 2010.

Circuits are the coordinating charities for local groups of churches; circuits pay the stipends of the ministers and employ lay staff to serve the churches in the circuit; most decisions are made at or ratified by the Circuit Meetings. A District is the coordinating charity for a group of contiguous circuits and makes its decisions at half yearly synods. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches.

5.2 Purpose of the District

The District is an expression, over a wider geographical area than a Circuit, of the Connexional character of the Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the union the advancement of:

The primary purpose of this District is to advance the mission of the church in London by:

The District serves the Local churches and Circuits and the Conference in the support, development and oversight of the various ministries of the church, and in programmes of training.

5.3 Governance

The District operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF to provide guidance on changes that could affect the District.

The members of the District Policy Committee (DPC), known in the London District as the District Council, are annually appointed by a vote of the Synod for a continuous term not normally exceeding six years. One of the chairs of the London District is ex officio chair of the District Council. When a position becomes vacant on the District Council, nominations are invited from ministers and lay members of Circuits within the District. The Chair of the District then shares with nominees what the roles involve. If they wish to be considered for a role, their names and reasoned statements are taken to the District Council and the District Synod for appointment. Members may be either ministers or lay people attending churches in the area covered by the District.

Page 7 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5.4 Responsibility of the District Council

i to formulate and promote policies which will advance the mission of the Church in the Circuits and Local Churches and, in particular, to supervise the use of resources of personnel, property and finance and to assist Local Churches and Circuits having exceptional problems

5.5 The London District Council

The London District meets between 3 and 5 times a year to deal with routine and exceptional matters. It seeks to think strategically about the work of the District and carry out administrative matters for the District between Synods. Its key functions have been:

5.6 Public Benefit Requirement

The trustees had due regard to the guidance published by the Charities Commission in compliance with its duties under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.

This guidance sets out two key principles:

  1. The organisation must have an identifiable benefit.

  2. The benefit must be to the public or a section of the public.

The church exists to:

The trustees consider that for these reasons the charity meets these public benefit requirements.

Page 8 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

6 Reference and Administration Details

For the purposes of Model Trusts under the Methodist Church Standing Order 966, the District trustees who served during the year as trustees of district property were:

Revd Dr Jongikaya Zihle (till 31st August 2025), Revd Dr Jonathan Dean, Ms Priya Rasanayagam, Revd Rosamund Hollingsworth, Revd Faith Nyota and Mrs Ama Ackah-Yensu.

6.8 Auditors

Trustees considered it prudent to periodically review / retender for the audit work where possible in line with the Methodist 6 year general guideline.

Approval

3/2/2026

The report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

…………………………………………….

Revd Dr Jonathan Dean District Chair

Page 9 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes General
Fund
(Unrestricted)
£		 Designated
Funds
(Unrestricted)
£		 District
Advance Fund
(Designated)
£
Other Funds
(Restricted)
£		 Endowment
Funds
£		 Total
2024-25
£


















Total
2023-24
£
Incoming Resources
1 Donations & Legacies - - - 288 - 288 483
2 Charitable activities - - - - - - -
3 Interest and Investment Income 2 23,760
9
103,680
110,783
2,390
240,622		 243,424
4 Other income 3.1 110 41,779
17,696		 270
-
59,855		 50,291
5 Assessment on Circuits 3.3 315,811 - - - - 315,811 242,873
6 Contributions from Circuit Model Trust
Funds		 - - 667,749 - - 667,749 438,049
7 Connexional Advance & Property Fund - - 152,052 - - 152,052 167,682
8 Contribution to cost of chair 4.1 99,268 - - - - 99,268 97,709
9 Capital Receipts 3.2 - - - - - - 978,332
10 Grants (including tfrs from DAF &
General Fund)		 4.2 - 163,829 - 719,604 - 883,433 61,645
11 Manse Rent Received - - - - - - -
12 Total Incoming Resources 438,949
205,617
941,177
830,945
2,390
2,419,078		 2,280,488
Resources Expended
13 Grants and Donations committed in year 5.1 50,279 1,708,494
914,561		 - 2,673,334 684,882
14 Salaries and associated costs 6 294,701
89,006		 - 7,917 - 391,624 340,392
15 Property (incl Ins., C tax, utilities etc) 7 38,850 1,655 - - - 40,505 96,961
16 Office Expenses (Admin., tel. travel etc.) 18,611 2,336 - 2,518 - 23,465 33,344
17 Synods, committees, Conference, etc 9,738 - - - - 9,738 9,900
18 Depreciation 9 1,139
19,100		 - - - 20,239 20,583
19 Training 8 1,028 - - - 1,028 1,697
20 Other Expenditure 8 14,219 4,570 6,021 10,122 253 35,185 32,962
21 Capital levy 3.2 - - - - - 367,333
22 Audit and Accountancy fees 20 10,884 - - - - 10,884 10,566
23 Manse loan interest - - - - - - -
24 Capital Expended - - - - - - -
25 Total Resources Expended 389,170
166,946
1,714,515
935,118
253
3,206,002		 1,598,620
26 Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources 49,779 38,671 (773,338) (104,173) 2,137 (786,924) 681,868
27 Transfers between funds (26,716) 26,716 - - -
28 Sub Total 23,063 65,387 (773,338) (104,173) 2,137 (786,924) 681,868
29 Realised gains/(losses) on disposal of
Investments		 10 - - - 8,643
-		 8,643 44,618
30 Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation
ofproperties		 9 - - - -
31 Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation
of investments		 10 - - - (23,322) (622) (23,944) (9,416)
32 Net investment in funds 23,063 65,387 (773,338) (118,852) 1,515 (802,225) 717,070
33 Total funds brought forward from last
year		 132,886 1,780,110 1,026,818
2,730,868
78,588
5,749,270		 5,032,200
34 Total funds carried forward at end of
year		 155,949
1,845,497
253,480
2,612,016
80,103
4,947,045		 5,749,270
Balance still to be paid
For information only: Money received and passed on to External Organisations
Balance brought forward from last year
Offerings/Gifts - received for External Organisations
Offerings/Gifts - passed to External Organisations		 -
-
-
-
- -
- -
- -
- -

The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx,

Page 10, of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
Notes
General Fund
(Unrestricted)
Designated
Funds
(Unrestricted)
District
Advance Fund
(Designated)
Other Funds
(Restricted)
Endowment
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Tangible Fixed Assets
~~
Manse and otherproperty
9
209
1,628,357
-
-
-
1,628,566
1,648,805
Investmentproperties
- -
-
- - -
-
Investments with TMCP
10
- - -
1,003,998
50,444
1,054,442
1,430,453
Total fixed assets
209
1,628,357
-
1,003,998
50,444
2,683,008
3,079,258
Current Assets
Debtors and Prepayments
11
34,885
-
6,748- -
41,633
25,813
Loans bythe District
11
- - 27,000 - -
27,000
40,000
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes - Interest Accounts
12
-
202
1,603,436
1,525,304
29,659
3,158,601
3,203,325
Central Finance Board Deposits
13
-
216,938
-
410,319
-
627,257
160,902
Cash at Bank and in hand
13
136,075
- - - -
136,075
139,521
Total current assets
170,960
217,140
1,637,184
1,935,623
29,659
3,990,566
3,569,561
~~ae~~
~~==~~
Current Liabilities
Creditors (due in under 1 year)
14
15,220
-
- - -
15,220
25,833
Grants Payable within 1 year
5
-
-
723,745 258,412 -
982,157
659,864
Total current liabilities
15,220
-
723,745 258,412 -
997,377
685,697
Net current assets
155,740 217,140
913,439
1,677,211
29,659
2,993,189
2,883,864
~~——~~
Total assets less current liabilities
155,949
1,845,497
913,439
2,681,209
80,103
5,676,197
5,963,122
Long term liabilities
(due after more than oneyear)
Grants Payable after 1 year
5
- - 659,959 69,193 - 729,152
213,852
Loans to the District
- - - - - -
-
Other liabilities due after 1 year
- - - - - -
-
Net assets
155,949
1,845,497
253,480
2,612,016
80,103
4,947,045
5,749,270
Funds of the District
18
General Fund(Unrestricted)
155,949
155,949
132,886
Projects(Designated)
1,845,497
1,845,497
1,780,110
District Advance Fund
(Designated)
253,480
253,480
1,026,818
Total Unrestricted funds
2,254,926
2,939,814
Other Funds(Restricted)
2,612,016
2,612,016
2,730,868
Endowment Funds
80,103
80,103
78,588
Total Funds
155,949
1,845,497
253,480
2,612,016
80,103
4,947,045
5,749,270
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Notes on following pages form part of these accounts.
~~EE~~
~~=~~
~~S======~~
Approved by the managing trustees on and signed on their behalf by:
3/2/2026

…………………………………………….

Revd Dr Jonathan Dean District Chair

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx,

Page 11, of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

Cash flows from operating activities: Total Funds
£		 Prior year funds
£
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
statement of financial activities)		 (802,225) 717,070
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 20,239 20,583
(Gains)/losses on investments and fixed asset revaluation 23,944 9,416
Dividends, Interest and rents from investments (240,622) (243,424)
Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets (8,643) (44,618)
(Increase)/decrease in stocks - -
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (2,820) (20,283)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 826,980 55,950
Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities (183,147) 494,694
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 240,622 243,424
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment - -
Purchase of property, plant and equipment - (630)
Proceeds from sale of investments 360,710 1,020,323
Purchase of investments - (1,020,323)
Net cashprovided by (used in) investing activities 601,332 242,794
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of borrowing - -
Cash inflowsfrom newborrowing - -
Receiptofendowment - -
Net cashprovided by (used in) financing activities - -
Change in Cash and Cash equivalents in the reporting period 418,185 737,488
Cash and Cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period		 3,503,748 2,766,260
Change in Cash and Cash equivalents due to exchange rate
movements		 - -
Cash and Cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 3,921,933 3,503,748
Cash in hand (at bank,- HSBC,CFB, TMCP)
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
Overdraft repayable on demand
3,921,933 3,503,748
- -
- -
Total cash and equivalents 3,921,933 3,503,748

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx,

Page 12, of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 Accounting framework and accounting policies

i Accounting framework

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

ii Basis

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments and land and buildings are shown at their market value at the end of the year, and grants committed, but not paid are provided on the accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the District’s financial position and activities.

iii Content

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.

iv FRS102 SORP 2019

To ensure a closer compliance with the FRS102 2019 a further policy change has been made to the treatment of undrawn grants from the District Advance Fund, (DAF).

These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with the FRS102 SORP 2019.

v

Going concern

The District has reported net outgoing resources for the year ended 31 August 2025 with a deficit occurring for designated and restricted funds. In arriving at their conclusion for going concern, the Trustees have given due consideration to budgets prepared including reasonable estimates of upcoming income and expenses. At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the District has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

vi Consolidation

The District oversees the work of ministers and lay workers in Churches and Circuits within the District, but does not have control over those Circuits or Churches, ministers or lay workers except in accordance with standing orders of the Methodist Church 1932 Act, none of which were applicable. For this reason, the financial statements of the Churches and Circuits within the District are not consolidated into these financial statements.

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Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

vii

Income recognition

Income is brought into account when it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will accrue to the District. No attempt is made to measure the value of services donated by volunteers. Details of how the contribution to the cost of the District Chair has been determined appears in Note 4.1. A similar figure appears in the Expenditure at Note 6.

Individual amounts categorised as Other income in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material.

The District acts as agent in the following matters:

  1. the collection of quarterly assessments from circuits which are paid to the Methodist Church Fund

  2. the payment of expenses of delegates from the District to the Methodist Conference

  3. the cost of ministerial health checks recovered from Circuits.

In all these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because there is no obligation on the District to make up any shortfall in assessments from Circuits. Sums received as Circuit assessments cannot be recognised as income in the District as they are the income of the MCF.

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time of volunteers is not recognised.

viii Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the District to pay out resources.

ix Grants

From 2016-17 all grants committed to a specific project will be included as grant liabilities. The exceptions being grants which are older than 6 years and are unlikely to be drawn down from the DAF and funds earmarked for potential grants, e.g. to facilitate an emergency response. These undrawn grants may be cancelled by the DAF committee and the funds released back to available funds for reallocation. Until these grants are agreed as cancelled, the funds will be are treated as Contingent Liabilities.

x VAT

Since the District is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.

xi Tangible fixed assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,500. The freehold properties are shown in the accounts at market valuation at the end of the financial year. The building value has been depreciated over a period of 50 years.

Page 14 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

xii Investments

The investments of the District are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gains arising on investments at the end of the year are shown in the SOFA and in Note 18.

xiii Debtors and creditors; bank and cash

Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the District or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply, or amount advanced to the District. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit account balances are shown at the realisable values.

xiv Loans

Where concessionary loans ( i.e., free of interest) are made to (or received by) the District to further its charitable purposes, and are repayable after more than one year, they are initially recognised at the amount paid [or received], with the carrying value adjusted in subsequent years to reflect repayments and any accrued interest, adjusted for any impairment, if necessary.

Where there is objective evidence of impairment, an immediate impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Subsequent reversals of an impairment loss that objectively relate to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, are recognised immediately in the Statement of Financial Activities.

xv Methodist Church Fund

The District acts as agent for the Methodist Church Fund (MCF) by collecting its assessments on Circuits and does not, therefore, include the assessments in the SOFA. If a Circuit is late in paying its MCF assessment to the District but such sum is received before the quarterly transfer to the MCF, the amount paid late will be shown as a debtor in the District’s accounts.

xvi Ministers' manse costs

The District is required to provide accommodation for each Minister and his / her family. The District bears the cost of repairs, maintenance, building insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These costs are not shown separately as benefits-in-kind for Ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of the Ministers.

Page 15 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2 Interest & Investment Income

The market valuations for Trusts holding not cash investments have been provided by TMCP.

Other funds are held on deposit at CFB or in the current accounts at CAF or HSBC.

2.1
2.2		 Interest Received
Fund Type		 Held at 2024-25
General Fund
U
Manse Fund
D
District Advance fund
D
Pastoral & Benevolent Fund
R
Tower Hamlets - Trustee A/C
R
Jean Richardson Endowment
E		 CFB
TMCP
TMCP
CFB
TMCP
TMCP		 23,760
9
103,679
156
55,568
1,328
Dividend Income Received
Fund Type		 Held at 2024-25
Tower Hamlets - Trustee account
R
Jean Richardson Endowment
E		 TMCP
TMCP		 55,059
1,063
Total Interest & Investment Income

3.1 Other income

The District does not undertake fundraising.

Contributions are received from organisations and individuals towards various activities organised by, with or through the District e.g. conferences, training, chaplaincy etc. Those contributions in the year consisted of :

Towards Chaplaincy (City University)
Mission in Britain
Other income
Other income
District Advance Fund		 Fund Type 2024-25 2023-24
D
D
G
R		 £
41,779
17,696
110
270		 £
33,390
16,811
90
-
59,855 50,291
- -
59,855 50,291

3.2 Capital receipts

During 2024, Tower Hamlets Circuit sold former manse, 2A Stepney Green. Proceeds of sale amounted to £978,332, out of which a levy of £367,333 has been paid for the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund to support mission around the Connexion. The money to purchase the manse had originally come from the East End Mission Fund and so the sales proceeds have been lodged in Trust 20520.

Page 16 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

3.3 Assessment from Circuits

All Circuits (see list given below in this note) have paid their assessments to the District and to the MCF. An assessment on Circuits is annually determined by Districts by reference to the number of staff in the Circuits and the number of Church members but may also take into account a Circuit’s ability to pay. Circuits in the District are as follows:

Circuit No
Circuit Name
35/01
City Road
35/02
West London Mission
35/03
Westminster
35/04
Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham
35/05
Battersea and Wandle Valley
35/06
Lambeth (merged with Clapham 2022-23)
35/07
Southwark & Deptford
35/09
Tower Hamlets
35/10
Hackney & Stoke Newington
35/11
Islington and Camden Mission
35/12
LM - North West
35/13
Harlesden
35/14
Notting Hill
35/20
Newham
35/22
New River
35/23
Wembley
35/24
Ealing Trinity
35/25
Richmond & Hounslow
35/26
Wimbledon
35/28
Blackheath & Crystal Palace
35/30
Lesnes Abbey
35/31
Barking, Dagenham & Ilford
35/32
Romford
35/33
Forest
35/34
Enfield
35/35
Barnet & Queensbury
35/36
Harrow & Hillingdon
35/37
Teddington
35/38
Kingston upon Thames
35/39
Sutton
35/40
Purley
35/41
Croydon
35/42
Bromley
35/43
Orpington & Chislehurst		 2024-25 2023-24
62,748
56,612
64,944
52,828
43,892
44,464
34,112
27,664
61,848
59,792
71,452
77,676
97,564
101,556
28,644
22,576
41,656
44,568
27,640
21,744
34,776
31,868
21,268
19,496
15,984
12,028
40,368
36,152
88,396
94,080
40,620
34,084
60,356
50,000
37,500
37,964
33,480
26,604
57,608
47,740
43,328
47,701
56,020
54,332
65,840
53,692
85,872
82,636
81,756
79,780
60,988
49,532
118,988
105,860
31,736
30,868
39,452
35,556
75,748
61,832
29,400
26,564
74,304
65,608
36,584
29,448
45,820
49,192
1,810,692
1,672,097
Assessments From Circuits
1,672,097

Contribution to Methodist Church Fund (MCF)

In addition to the assessments on the Circuits to help defray the costs of running the District, the District acted as agent for the Methodist Church Fund which levied assessments on the Circuits in this District all of which were collected or shown as debtors at the end of the year and paid over to the MCF in the year. No balance was held at the end of the year; no fee is received for this service which is performed at nearly nil cost to the District. These sums collected for and remitted to the MCF do not appear elsewhere in these financial statements.

Total Methodist Church Fund assessments levied on circuits in the year
Assessment of Circuits towards London District Expenses		 2024-25 2023-24
1,494,881 1,429,224
315,811 242,873

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London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

4.1 Cost of Chair and trustees

The Chair of District chairs meetings of the District Policy Committee (DPC). The members of the DPC are the trustees of the District. The stipend, employer’s NIC and employer’s pension contributions of the Chair of District are paid by the Methodist Connexion. The Chair’s other costs are met mostly by the District.

Since the stipend-related costs above are borne by the Connexion, they appear both in the Income of the District and the Expenditure of the District .

It should be noted that the District Chairs are required to occupy the District manses. Two manses are provided and maintained by the London District alone. The third manse is owned by the London Committee fund and the cost of maintenance is shared between the London District and the London Committee. The value of the council tax and water charges paid for a minister by the District is not included as HMRC does not regard this as a taxable benefit to the minister.

No accrual is made for the Chair's entitlement to a sabbatical as his / her functions are undertaken by other District Chairs or delegated persons at minimal extra cost to the District.

Payment to Trustees

It is District policy to offer to reimburse members of the District Council and others involved in the administration of District affairs for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties. The Chair of the District undertakes the primary executive role within the District. Apart from the Chair of District no member of the District Council was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the District. Travelling and administration costs were reimbursed during the year totalling £3,451 (2024 - £4,606).. None of the trustees is an employee of the District.

4.2 Grants to Direct District Projects / Funds

Grants to Direct District Projects / Funds
2024-25 2023-24
The Annual budget allows for a contribution from the general fund to the
Benevolent fund. This is not treated as a transfer but agrant.		 - -

The District Advance Fund committee awarded grants to the following projects managed directly by the District. The following grants were awarded in the year. These are not treated as transfers, but as external payments. Being reflected in DAF payments and in the individual fund income as Grants Income received.

Project
DAF Grants Paid to District Accounts		 2024-25 2023-24
(D) District Chaplaincy grant
(D) District Youth Work grant
(D) District Property Officer grant
(D) ADSO grant
(D) HIV Chaplaincy grant
(D) Warm Space grant
(D) CDiM grant
(R) Mission Support Staff grant		 7,500
10,000
34,000
42,329
58,000
12,000
-
139,068		 7,000
-
-
38,645
6,000
-
10,000
-
Project
Other Grants Paid to District Accounts
(R) NPNP grant
(R) LMF grant		 10,000
570,536		 -
-
Total 883,433 61,645

Page 18 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5.1 Grants, donations and related Support costs

The accounts show all grants committed to date and likely to be paid, analysed as liabilities either due in one year or after one year. Only DAF commitments made in the year are shown in expenses for the year. These are shown below. A breakdown of forward Grants committed is shown in section 5.2.

2024-25 2023-24
Unrestricted:
DAF Payments
- Committed in year and paid in current year
- Committed in year for payment in future years
- Unspent grant refunded (3 Projects)
Church at the Margins paid in current year
- Reclaimed grant-2023 paid in 2024
Emergency Rapid Response Fund
CDiM Grant
3 Generate Coaches
District Youth Enablement
Warm Space Grant
HIV Chaplaincy
Other grant
Sub total
Restricted:
- Pastoral and Benevolent
- City Centre Tower Hamlets Trust to Tower Hamlets Circuit
- Inter Circuit Support
LMF Payments
- LMF Grant Ministry paid in current year
- LMF Grant General paid in current year
- Committed in year for payment in future years
Sub total
Total
Church at the Margins committed in year for payment in future
years		 £
762,392
885,168
(25,000)
26,238
59,696
-
-
2,373
9,206
-
10,700
28,000
1,758,773
-
1,758,773
2,832
466,770
16,203
65,151
36,000
327,605
914,561		 £
102,291
507,084
(182,500)
-
-
8,000
600
1,937
3,700
-
-
28,000
469,112
3,655
472,767
4,850
200,365
6,900
-
-
-
212,115
2,673,334 684,882

Page 19 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5.2 Grants committed but not paid

DAF Future Commitments

Grants from the District Advanced Fund are usually paid when documentary evidence is received that the project is going ahead, e.g. a contract for the worker for a mission project. Grant payments for second and subsequent years are paid when acceptable reports are received indicating that the funds are being spent in line with the grant application and that the project is continuing.

Now only those grants which have not been taken up in the last 6 years are treated as Contingent liabilites. It is possible that they will not be taken up and will be released back to the funds for reallocation.

DAF Future Commitments 24-25 Accounts -
DAF
Commitments		 23-24 Accounts -
DAF
Commitments
Year Grants to bepaid 31/08/2025 31/08/2024
24-25
25-26
26-27
27-28
28-29
29-30
LMF Future Commitments
25-26
26-27
27-28
Contingent Liabilities
(Grants identified as less likely to be taken up)		 -
723,745
556,725
80,167
3,067
20,000
258,412
60,193
9,000
-		 659,864
148,177
50,675
15,000
-
-
-
-
Total future commitments 1,711,309 873,716
DAF Fund EOY
253,480
1,026,818
Salaries and associated costs
2024-25
£
Gross salaries paid to 5 full time and 3 part time employees were as follows:		 2024-25 2023-24
£ £
Refund from pension fund
Employer's pension contribution to defined contribution scheme
Total cost for staff members
Cost of 2 District Chairs
Total staff costs
Gross pay
Employer's National Insurance contribution		 245,982
27,434
18,940
292,356
-
99,268		 227,040
22,102
20,681
269,823
(27,140)
97,709
391,624 340,392

6 Salaries and associated costs

No employees received employee benefits that totalled more than £60,000. There is no accrual for holiday pay as it is immaterial; the holiday year ends on 31 December. All staff are paid at or above the London living wage.

Two of the full time employees were engaged exclusively in safeguarding matters. The District Stipend costs also includes a Chaplaincy. The main focus for the Chaplaincy is City University, which funds the majority of the work.

Two part time employees provided administration assistance at the District office. One full time employee dedicates part of the week to administration assistance.

Page 20 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Pensions

Most ordained presbyters and deacons are members of the Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme (MMPS). This is a defined benefit scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 that Methodist ministers (which term includes presbyters and deacons) are not employees of the Church. For simplicity, however, when dealing with National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions, the terms ‘employer’ and ‘employee’ are used as they would be in an employing body.

Following a recovery plan for the MMPS deficit, the scheme is now in a secure position and was able to refund the voluntary contribution with interest.

Lay employees are contractually employees and have the option of joining The Pensions Trust. Those contributing to the penion scheme contribute 6% of gross salary and the London District contributes the same amount of 6% of gross salary.

7 Property costs 2024-25 2023-24
£ £
Manse repairs and redecoration
Manse refurbishment
District office, rent and services
Manse and office Insurance, utilities etc		 23,367
2,932
12,694
1,512		 23,367
2,549
13,093
57,952
Total 40,505
 96,961

8 Other Expenditure

Other Expenditure
2024-25 2023-24
Professional fees
Ecumenical grants
Investment management
Training and resources
Removal costs
Meeting facilities
Total
Miscellaneous office expenses
Miscellaneous expenses		 £
1,463
3,914
15,057
1,028
5,764
-
5,493
3,494		 £
1,750
3,734
10,750
1,697
3,887
6,936
3,060
2,845
36,213
 34,659

Page 21 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

9 Manse and other property

At the start of the financial year the District owned two manses freehold at Brunswick Quay and Oakington Avenue. The historical cost and subsequent revaluation are as follows:

The Brunswick Quay manse was independently valued in September 2016 by - P L W Morgan, of Morgans chartered Surveyors, 28 Sundridge Avenue Bromley BR1 2PX. Using evidence from the sale of comparable local properties updated in accord with the Land Registry House Price index for the London Borough of Southwark, Mr Morgan considered the open market value to be £955,000 including land value of £400,000. The trustees consider this to be a fair value at 31 August 2025 considering current market conditions.

The Oakington Avenue manse was valued in April 2014 by Jeremy Taylor of Wenlock & Taylor Ltd, 97 Chamberlayne Road London NW10 3NN. The total property was valued at £850,000, the reinstatment cost £350,000, the Land value £500,000. Considering the advertised prices of equivalent properties in the local area a reasonably conservative value for the property by the trustees at 31 August 2025 would be £900,000.

Total Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost or valuation Land
Buildings Total Land &
Buildings
£
£
£		 Land
Buildings Total Land &
Buildings
£
£
£
Equipment
& IT
Furniture
Total Equipment
& Furniture
£
£
£
Equipment
& IT
Furniture
Total Equipment
& Furniture
£
£
£		 Total Assets
£
Balance at31st Aug 2024 900,000 955,000 1,855,000 18,861 4,748 23,609 1,878,609
Additions in the year
Revaluations in the year
Less: disposals in year
Transfers between categories
Balance at31st Aug 2025		 - -
-
-
-
-
- -		 -
-
-
-		 - -
-
-
-
-
- -		 -
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
900,000 955,000 1,855,000 18,861 4,748 23,609 1,878,609
Accumulated depreciation
Changes
Balance at31st Aug 2024
Depreciation charge for the year
Revaluations in the year
Less: disposals in year
Balance at31st Aug 2025		 £
£
- 207,543
- 19,100
-
-
-
-		 £
207,543
19,100
-
-		 £
£
17,513 4,748
1,139
-
-
-
-
-		 £
22,261
1,139
-
-		 £
229,804
20,239
-
-
- 226,643 226,643 18,652 4,748 23,400 250,043
NB: Years over which value is depreciated
50
3
3
Net Value
Balance at31st Aug 2024
Balance at31st Aug 2025		 £
£
900,000 747,457		 £
1,647,457		 £
£
1,348
-		 £
1,348		 £
1,648,805
900,000 728,357 1,628,357 209
-		 209 1,628,566

10 Investments

Valuation at 1 September 2024
Disposals
Purchases
Valuation changes
Valuation at 31 August 2025		 2024-25 2023-24
1,430,453
1,395,251
(352,067)
(975,705)
-
1,020,323
(23,944)
(9,416)
1,054,442
1,430,453

Page 22 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

11 Debtors and prepayments

Debtors 2024-25 2023-24
£ £
Chaplaincyincome owed 11,592 574
Total
Prepayments and accrued income		 11,592 574
CRB Subscription
Christian Conference Trust - deposit on Supers residential 2025
Deposits paid re 3 Generate 25-26
Christian Conference Trust - deposit on Supers residential 2026
Assesment Qtr/4-Harlesden
Chaplaincy services QE Nov25
Paid in advance re retreat 25-26
Stipends/lay employee payable
Other sundry debtors
Loan paid to Harlesden MC for repairs (Repayable in 1 year)
Total
Other debtors due > 1 year
Loan paid to Harlesden MC for repairs (Repayable in 2 years)
Total
Stipend		 3,427
410
-
2,035
8,200
-
7,000
1,872
349
6,748
27,000		 3,354
410
1,800
-
-
4,712
7,000
-
-
7,963
-
57,041 25,239
- 40,000
- 40,000
Total (net) 68,633 65,813

12 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

The funds that support the District Advance Fund, and Manse Reserve Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium and long term investments.

The Tower Hamlets City Centre Trust consists of a small number of investment funds plus a Trustees fund. These are regarded as medium and long term investments. Interest and Dividends received less TMCP administration fees are paid to The Tower Hamlets Circuit as a grant towards their mission projects work.

TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference.

13 Central Finance Board (CFB) and cash at bank

The District has an account at the CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), to facilitate online banking with dual authorisation. CAF is an authorised institution. The sums held on the account is immediately available.

In addition, the District has two common deposit accounts at CFB. Interest is earned on these CFB accounts and credited monthly; the sums deposited can be withdrawn without notice and without loss of interest. These sums are viewed as being liquid.

Page 23 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

14 Creditors and accrued expenses

Creditors and accrued expenses
Creditors: 2024-25 2023-24
£ £
Accountancy fees
Accounts payable
Total of creditors and accrued expenses
Total creditors
Accruals:
Deferred income for grants
Deferred income for activity next year
Total accruals
Audit fees
Expenses reimbursement		 -
8,628
2,256
4,336		 -
8,376
2,190
15,267
15,220 25,833
-
-		 -
-
- -
15,220 25,833

Maturity analysis of basic financial instruments

Accrued at 1st Sep
2024
£		 Used in year
£		 Accruals made this
year
£
Accrued at 31 Aug
2025
£
Expenses reimbursement
Audit fees
Accountancy fees
Accounts payable
Total costs		 -
8,376
2,190
15,267		 -
8,376
2,190
22,096		 -
8,628
2,256
11,165		 -
8,628
2,256
4,336
25,833 32,662 22,049 15,220

It is expected that all sums accrued at 31 August 2025 would be paid during the year to 31 August 2026.

Page 24 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

15 Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

15
Capital commitments and contingent liabilities
15.1
Capital commitments at end of year amounted to:
15.2
Contingent liabilities amounted to:
For Further information See Note 5 DAF commitments		 2024-25 2023-24
- -
2024-25 2023-24
- -

16 Volunteer contributions

Every entity (Connexion, District, Circuit, Church) within the Methodist Church in GB is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills, time and money in the furtherance of the work of the Church. For the London District directly this contribution is generally by serving on committees of the District that deal with mission, manses, finance, policy, grants, training, development, but there are many others who assist with the preparation and running of District events, e.g. the Spring and Autumn synods. We are grateful to all of them for their help and commitment.

17 Lease commitments

The District had the following material lease commitments at the end of August:

Leased facility Review Period Payment Period Annual Payment Commitment
Office Rental & service charge (through WCH)
Printer / copier
Telephone / broadband (through WCH)
Franking Machine		 Annual
May-26
Annual
Sep-26		 quarterly
quarterly
quarterly
quarterly		 23,367
1,426
216
144		 23,367
1,426
216
144

Page 25 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

18 District funds (Unrestricted, Restricted and Endowment)

The London District of the Methodist Church maintains a number of separate funds. The purpose, type, movement and state as at the end of year is documented below:

The funds held constitute: Unrestricted General Funds held for any purpose of the District, Designated funds allocated for a specific purpose, Restricted funds which are held for a narrower purpose and Endowment funds which represent gifts, the capital normally being unavailable for spending, and the income from which is either Restricted or Unrestricted. Details of each material fund are disclosed in the notes below.

18.1 Fund Purpose & Type

18.1.1
18.1.2		 Fund Name
Type		 Fund Name
Type		 Purpose of the Fund
Unrestricted Funds (U)
General Fund U For use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objectives of the
District. This excludes funds which have been designated for a specific purpose. (see
designated funds below)
Designated Funds (D) For specific purposes but not restricted by document or deed to that purpose alone.
District Advance Fund D1 To support the funding of projects in the London District
Manse Property Fund D2 The freehold properties used as manses for the District Chairs.
Manse Refurbishment
Fund		 D3 For major manse maintenance work and refurbishment. This fund resulted from a
surplus of funds following the purchase and sale of manses.
District Training D4 To support District organised training activities.
District Youth Enablement D5 To give young people opportunities to “Get Connected” with God and their churches.
London District Chaplaincy D6 To support the District Chaplaincy work, over and above the City University
Chaplaincy.
Growing London Leaders D7 To equip lay leaders from across the London District as leaders in their church, work
and communitycontexts.
District Focus D8 District Wide Focus project started 2017.
CSS Advance Level
Training		 D9 Admin support and delivery of the the Safeguarding Creating Safer Space Advanced
Level Module training
Media & Interfaith Project D10 To provide Media training and support Interfaith discussion
New Community Church
Project		 D11 To support new community church
CDiM D12 To assist ministers in Continuous Development and training in their ministry
ADSO D13 Assistant District Safeguarding Officer to support the continuing Safeguarding work of
the District
CRM project D14 The selection, customisation,implementation and ongoing costs of a new CRM
database & events system for the District.
Warm Spaces D15 To support Churches with requirement to open as a warm space in response to the
increase in cost of living.
Emergency Rapid
Response funds		 D16 To help the District meet needs arising from an emergency
HIV Chaplaincy D17 To support the work of a HIV Chaplain
District Property Officer D18 To pay for extra days for the Property Development Officer which enables the support
of Circuits and local Churches Property Projects
Removal fund (new) D19 To pay for the cost of moving New District Chair into Manse or moving offices

Page 26 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

18.1.3
18.1.4		 Restricted Funds (R )
London District Pastoral &
Benevolent Fund		 R1 To help meet the exceptional needs of presbyters and deacons and District lay
employees and their dependents within the London District that cannot be met at a
local church or Circuit level alone, by providing a resource from which confidential
payments can be made at the discretion of the Trustees.
Tower Hamlets - Sale-
Land StepneyEast End		 R2 Continuing the work of God in Tower Hamlets
Worship & Local Preacher
Resources Centre		 R3 To develop local preachers and worship leaders
London Regional Network
(incl deferred Income)		 R7 To support the work of the London Regional team
Inter Circuit Support R8 To provide support to circuits who are struggling financially
NPNP (new) R9 New Places for New People - connextional initiative (funding) to encourage new
missionprojects
LMF (new) R10 London mission fund - monies from London Mission Committee for grants awarded for
missionalproject. PreviouslyLMC held the funds.
Mission Support Staff (new) R11 To fund new staff who support Circuits and Churches in their Mission and aligned to
the new district Missionplan.
Endowment Funds (E )
Jean Richardson Bursary
Fund		 E To provide assistance to Churches and Circuits, from the former London North West
District, in promoting exchange visits between young people from the former District
and overseas youth organisations.

18.2 Fund Balances and Movements

18.2.1
18.2.2		 Fund Name Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Incoming
Resources		 Resources
Expended		 Gains/
(losses) on
revaluation		 Transfers Closing
Balance
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund (excluding
manse fund)		 U 132,886 438,949 (389,170) - (26,716) 155,949
Designated Funds
London District Advance
Fund		 D1 1,026,818 941,177 (1,714,515) - 253,480
ManseValueFund D2 1,647,458 - (19,100) - - 1,628,358
Manse Refurbishment
Fund		 D3 24,219 9 (1,512) - 18,716 41,432
District Training Personnel
& Facilities		 D4 10,941 - (1,660) - 9,281
District Youth Enablement D5 12,219 10,000 (9,206) - - 13,013
London District Chaplaincy D6 3,723 49,280 (43,314) - - 9,689
Growing London Leaders D7 - - -
 - -
District Focus D8 10,962 - -
 - - 10,962
CSS Advance Level
Training		 D9 4,848 - (572) - - 4,276

Page 27 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

18.2.3
18.2.4		 Fund Name Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Incoming
Resources		 Resources
Expended		 Gains/
(losses) on
revaluation		 Transfers Closing
Balance
£ £ £ £ £ £
Media and Interfaith
Project		 D10 - - - -
New Community Church
Project		 D11 6,762 - - 6,762
CDiM D12 11,181 - (2,373) - - 8,808
ADSO D13 15,514 42,328 (30,688) - 27,154
CRM Project D14 5,655 (1,760) - - 3,895
Warm Spaces D15 - 12,000 (10,700) - 1,300
Emergency Response
funds		 D16 28,021 -
 - 28,021
HIV Chaplaincy D17 - 58,000 (28,000) - - 30,000
District Property Officer D18 (1,393) 34,000 (18,061) 14,546
Removal fund (new) D19 8,000 8,000
Total Designated
(excluding DAF)		 1,780,110 205,617 (166,946) - 26,716 1,845,497
Total Unrestricted &
Designated		 2,939,814 1,585,743 (2,270,631) - - 2,254,926
Restricted Funds
London District Pastoral &
Benevolent Fund		 R1 11,338 714 (2,833) - 9,219
Tower Hamlets - Sale-
Land Stepney East End
Mss		 R2 2,702,428 110,627 (475,553) (14,679) - 2,322,823
London Regional Network
(incl defferred Income)		 R7 302 - (67) - - 235
InterCircuitSupport R8 16,800 (16,203) - - 597
NPNP(new) R9 10,000 (1,272) 8,728
LMF(new) R10 - 570,536 (428,756) 141,780
Mission Support Staff (new) R11 - 139,068 (10,434) 128,634
Total Restricted Funds 2,730,868 830,945 (935,118) (14,679) - 2,612,016
Endowment Fund
Jean Richardson Bursary E 78,588 2,390 (253) (622) - 80,103
Total Funds
5,749,270 2,419,078 (3,206,002) (15,301) - 4,947,045

Page 28 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

19 Connected organisations and related parties

Connected organisations include the Methodist Connexion, Circuits and Churches within the District, other Methodist Districts in Great Britain, CFB and TMCP, except as reported in Note 3. All of these entities have their own trustees or directors and autonomous administration such that the London District has no significant influence over any of them, nor they over the London District. They are, therefore, not considered related parties.

Name of Connected Organisations Receipts Payments Adjustments
£ £ £
Donee: Methodist Church Fund
Donor: Circuits within the London District
(assessments on Circuits)
Total
Donor / Donee: Circuits within the London District
(levies / grants)
Donor / Donee: Churches within the London
District (grants)		 -

1,810,692
285,896
-
 (1,494,881)
-
(165,507)
(747,103)		 -
315,811
120,389
(747,103)
2,096,588 (2,407,491) (310,903)

There were no related party transactions.

20 Auditor

Auditor
An accrual has been made for the accountancy fee of the auditor.
An accrual has been made for the fee of the auditor.		 2024-25 2023-24
8,628
2,256		 8,376
2,190
10,884 10,566

Page 29 of 34

London District of M C Accounts 31 August 2025 - FINAL.xlsx

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

DECLARATIONS

Treasurer

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the District and that they include all funds under the control of the District Council.

Signature of Treasurer Date 10/2/2026 Name Mrs Ama Ackah-Yensu ~~[Sd~~ Address 61 Haydons Road, WIMBLEDON, SW19 1HQ

Presentation to the District Council for approval.

I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the District Council on 20 January 2026 and were approved.

Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the Revd Dr Jonathan Dean meeting ~~or~~ Date 3/2/2026 ~~Pd~~

Page 30 of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of London District of the Methodist Church (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;

Basis of opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Page 31 of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report , other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 6, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 32 of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

+The susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement caused by fraud or other irregularities were assessed with the following procedures: �

Potential fraud risks that had been identified throughout the planning and commencement of the audit were communicated to the audit team.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/library/standards-codes-policy/audit-assurance-and-ethics/auditorsresponsibilities-for-the-audit/. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Page 33 of 34

Docusign Envelope ID: E3D052EC-1236-4C43-8D2C-40768E997219

THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - LONDON DISTRICT

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills Chartered Accountants

& Statutory Auditor

Suite D, The Business Centre Faringdon Avenue Romford, Essex, RM3 8EN

Date:

10/2/2026

Clay Ratnage Strevens & Hills is eligible to act as auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 34 of 34