## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1140056**
Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre
Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Trustees' Report 4 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts 8
Statement of Receipts and Payments 9
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10
Notes to the Accounts 11 to 15
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**CHARITY NUMBER** 1140056 **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 1st September 2023 **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 31st August 2024 **TRUSTEES AT 31 AUGUST 2024** REV. VIDA FODAY Appointed 01/09/24) REV. AYODEJI EMMANUEL OKEGBILE M (Chair) (Resigned 31/08/24) MR. OKIEMUTE AKPOGHENETA MR. ROBERT THOMAS SWAN CORBETT MRS. HAROLDA WILLIAMS-BABIN MRS. ESTHER OLAWUNMI FATOGUN MS. GERTIE BARKER MS. CAROLINE AKINYELE MR. DANIEL AGGREY MR. N. COTTERELL MR. L. FATOGUN MS I. WILSON (Resigned 5/11/23) MISS. CHRISTINA AKINYELE MRS. ANA BAKER (Appointed 5/11/23) MS. MATILDA CLELAND (Appointed 5/11/23) MRS. SEYE AINA (Appointed 5/11/23) MR. TERANCE ROGERS (Appointed 5/11/23) TREASURER MRS. E. FATOGUN SECRETARY MISS C BROWN MBE
The existing trustees appoint any new trustees following the provisions laid out in the Charity's governing instrument.
**GOVERNING INSTRUMENT** Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) **REGISTRATION DATE** 26 January 2011:Previously excepted registration
## **OBJECTS**
a) The purpose of the Charity is to advance the Christian faith in the Area of Benefit in accordance with the principles and practices of the Participating Churches. In achieving its purpose, the Charity will engage in a range of activities, either on its own or with others, including (but not restricted to): a) the celebration of public worship;
b) the teaching of the Christian faith;
c) mission and evangelism;
d) pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved;
e) the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including (but not restricted to) the elderly, the young and other groups with special needs; and
f) the support of other charities in the UK and overseas.
|**CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS**|1 Bassein Park Road|
|---|---|
||London|
||W12 9RN|
|**PRIMARY BANKERS**|Natwest Bank plc|
||Ealing B Branch|
||1 The Hall|
||Ealing|
||London|
||W5 2PL|
|**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**|Donna Leppitt|
||Independent Examiners Ltd|
||Unit 2|
||The Broadridge Business Centre|
||Delling Lane|
||Bosham|
||PO18 8NF|
3
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **TRUSTEE'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
The Church Council presents its report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **Reference and Administrative Information:**
Address: Corner of Askew Road and Bassein Park Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 9RN. Telephone: 020 8740 5193
Part of the Methodist Circuit of Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, London District and the Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church.
Askew Road Church is a registered Charity (number 1140056). Minister: Revd. Dr Deji Okegbile (until end August 2024)
**Church Council – Trustees** : Revd. Dr Deji Okegbile Chairman Miss C Brown MBE Secretary Mrs. E. Fatogun Treasurer Mr. D Aggrey Mrs. Seye Aina (from November 2023) Mrs. C Akinyele Miss C Akinyele Mr. O. Akpogheneta Mrs. H. Williams-Babin Mrs. A, Baker (from November 2023) Ms G. Barker Mrs. M. Cleland (from November 2023) Mr. T. Corbett Mr. N. Cotterell Mr. L Fatogun Mr. T. Rogers (from November 2023) Mrs. I. Wilson (until November 2023)
## **Structure, Governance and Management:**
Askew Road Church is a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) between the Methodist Church in Great Britain and the United Reformed Church, formed in 1972 by the joining of Askew Road Methodist Church and Shepherd’s Bush United Reformed Church (formerly Oaklands Congregational Church).
## **Appointment of the Church Council:**
The members of the Church Council are also charity trustees for the purposes of congregation to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected charity law. The members of the Church Council are elected by the members of the at the next Annual General Meeting. The Minister is the Chairman of the Church Council.
## **Objectives and Activities:**
Our mission is a worship of God through Jesus Christ by responding to His love, by teaching, preaching and prayer. Our aim is the spiritual revival of the Church as a whole and the spiritual growth of individuals within it through: Bible Study and prayer; Evangelism and witness; Engaging with our neighbours and the local community.
We commit to building strong relationships with other Christian denominations and to supporting the work of the wider Church for peace, justice and engaging in dialogue with other faiths.
Current activities include regular Sunday morning worship at 11am every week including Sunday school; regular Bible study, and prayer meetings. Since March 2020 these have been held on zoom.
## **Achievements:**
We have a vibrant youth ministry.
The Church building is in use by other organizations and groups in our local community who need space for private celebrations and other functions.
We continue to support children in the UK by raising funds for Action for Children and needy people through Harvest gifts to the local food bank.
4
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **TRUSTEE'S REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **Work on the Church Building:**
Essential renewal, repairs and maintenance works were carried out on the building, amounting to £37,206. This included the renewal and installation of a new heating boiler to replace the old one that broke down during the previous winter.
## **Financial Review:**
The year to 31 August 2024 resulted in a deficit of £6,594. This is a loss that is largely due to the cost of £35,109 for the renewal and installation of a new heating boiler to replace the old one that broke down during the previous winter.
A grant of £25,000.00 was received from URC, a withdrawal from our investments, required for the procurement of the new boiler.
The income from lettings amounted to £26,085 as compared with £27,162 last year. This decrease has been mainly due to a drop in hiring by some of our frequent users, like Yoga and Pilates.
Offering and Collections has noticeably reduced from £15,438 last year to £14,990 this year, this can be attributed to a reduction in the contributions made by a small reduction in regular donations, mostly due to deaths of some elderly members.
We have throughout the year been able to maintain all our commitments, i.e., our contributions towards the URC Mission and Ministry fund and the Methodist Circuit Assessment contribution, which were reduced greatly to take into consideration of the impact of the lockdown and the huge energy prices on the Church finances.
Also, we have been able to cover all overheads, such as electricity, gas, etc.
Our energy bills slightly decreased whilst the increase in our running costs has been mainly due to the increase in Church Insurance premium, the purchase of new equipment, heaters, due to the breakdown of the main boiler and increase in the costs of catering and other church supplies.
## **Church Building:**
In accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission, the Church building is included in the accounts. The church building is valued this year by the insurer (Methodist Insurance) at £6,395,125. However, the church building is not a church asset. It is vested in the Methodist Circuit of Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham Trust. It is held for the benefit of Askew Road Church in accordance with the statutory trusts applicable to Methodist properties under the Methodist Acts. There is a Sharing Agreement with the United Reformed Church.
## **Investment Policy:**
Funds that are not required for the running of the Church are invested in a deposit account.
## **Unrestricted Funds**
The Church policy is to retain around six months’ expenditure as “free reserve” to meet future shortfalls in income or unexpected expenses. The balance on the Deposit/Business Reserve account as of 31 August 2024 (£10,974) represents three months of budgeted expenditure for the year ending 31 August 2024. However, with expected reductions in our expenditure for 2025 it is expected that the balance at the end of the next financial year will meet the target.
## **Payments to Trustees:**
None of the Trustees or persons connected with them received any remuneration, or any other benefits from the Church or any connected organisation because of their office during the year ended 31st August 2024. In addition, no material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.
## **Responsibilities of the Church Council:**
The Church Council is required to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the church as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including receipts & payments, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the Church Council should follow best practice and: financial statements, the Church Council should follow best practice and:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the church will continue on that basis.
5
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **TRUSTEE'S REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **Responsibilities of the Church Council (continued):**
The Church Council is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the church and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the parent churches and hence of the Charities Commission. The Church Council is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church. The Church Council (the Trustees) have every confidence that the charity will meet its financial obligations become due.
This report and financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Connection in Great Britain and United Reformed Church Basis of Union Acts 1972, 1981 and 2000. Except where stated they conform to the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005).
## **Going Concern**
The Church Council (the Trustees) have every confidence that the charity will meet its financial obligations when they become due.
## **Public Benefit:**
The Church Council (the Trustees) confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission General Guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
## **Independent Examiner:**
Donna Leppitt of Independent Examiners Ltd was appointed as the church’s Independent Examiner for the current year.
6
ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)
TRUSTEE'S REPORT (Continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
Tnthes. RespOnbIlItIeS
The charTt Act 2011 reqtr the trustees to prepare fhanclal stat*n£nts for each flnancÈal year whkh preswts a true and falr
the state otaffaSr$ 4$ the Charity and d the svrplus of the Charity that ptYKKI. In prepwing th05e fmancKAI Statements
tthe tru5tee5 are r4uired to..
l) Sekt suttknje &countlng and appw them ¢ths&ttht.
IT) Make judgements and e5timate5 th& are rea$ and prt.
iii) Prepare financh statemt$ the gdng £onceFTr basi5 Un55 it Is knappr¢yriate to presume that thetrust w11 I contlnue Mi
eXrce.
The Trustees are respsib keephg propel acctyJnt419 rttords, whb di%tkse reasOnab(urY at any time the
fjnancbl p(6kk)n dthe Charlty. They are a150 responsib safeguardlng the assets the Charlty and hence for taklng reasonable
stq)5 for the prevenrkn and detE¢tkn £rf fraud and othw irreguLBritles.
l approve the attached stattsnent ¢F fman£S *tiv5 and baLince she£t and uffifirrn that I have rne a¥ab* am iTrfffmatlon
ecessary for r(s preparbtkm.
Apprtwed by the Tiustees ...
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Svjned theAr iFehaYby Twst*...
Ited NaFne'.
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
Report to the trustees/ members of Askew Road Church (Methodist/United Reformed) on the accounts for the year ended 31st August 2024.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
- It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
## have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Donna Leppitt Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF Date: 12th March 2025
8
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**Notes**
**RECEIPTS**
Donations & Legacies
**3a**
Investment Income
**3b**
Charitable Activities
**3c**
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Costs of Charitable Activities
**4**
**NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
**TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Aug-24**
**31-Aug-23**
£
£
**£**
**£**
68,984
-
-
68,984
48,234
354
-
-
354
155
840
-
-
840
118|
|---|---|
||**70,177**
**-**
**-**
**70,177**
**48,508**|
||76,771
-
-
76,771
44,145|
||**76,771**
**-**
**-**
**76,771**
**44,145**|
|||
||**(6,594)**
**-**
**-**
**(6,594)**
**4,363**|
||-
-
-
-
-|
||**(6,594)**
**-**
**-**
**(6,594)**
**4,363**|
||15,995
-
1,110
17,105
12,742|
||**9,400**
**-**
**1,110**
**10,510**
**17,105**|
All of the Charity's operations are classed as continuing operations.
The notes form part of these financial statements, found on pages:11 to 15
9
ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODISTIUNITED REFORMED)
STATEMEIIT OF ASSETS AND LIABILfYiES
FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
Unrestrtteo
Fund
Restr*ted
Fund
Total
Total
31-Au*24 31-Autr23
Notes
Cash Funds:
Bank Current Wc
Deo05it accounVBusine5s Re5erwe
rotal Cyryert ASSOts
14641
14641
1708)
NET ASSETS
Represented by."
General Funds
Rtrted Funds
DesvJnated Fund5
9.400
9,400
15,995
1,1 io
1,1 io
I,Ito
io
A**ets retslned torthe Chartty's own use:
Gfft Ald and Tax rOab
Investments at m8rk& value
COIF Dep Funds
2.216
91,534
22.723
2.216
91,534
22.723
1,341
88,997
39,879
IA
472
130 217
LIABILJnES
Indepdent Examkner& Fee
948
948
900
thartty law require5 theTrustes ro p¥ep¥e statE$ for e&h year whth compty ¥Ytth the
rEgulatK)n5 set wt In the ChalieS Act 2011. The Tru5tee5 have ekted to takeadvantage d the piiY4i5Km5 th*
appty to small char5 and have pwared a Recthpt5 and Paymt$ Account and Statement af Assets L&ibltks
hkh are set Ixjt M p•)es:_
li to15
Appr(wed by the Trust*% ...
Sv4n cn the behayby Trust...
c'/LJrr4 IA tr( AQY
io
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.
## **Basis of preparation:**
The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, and they meet the appropriate legal requirements.
## **Fund Accounting**
Funds held by the charity are either:
## **1. Unrestricted funds**
These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charity's objectives, at the discretion of the trustees.
## **2. Restricted funds**
These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.
## **3. Designated funds**
These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific purposes or projects.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
11
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**2. INCOMING RESOURCES**
Note
**Total Income**
**c) Activities for Generating Funds**
Fund raising
**b) Investment Income**
Interest Received
**a) Donations & Legacies**
**d) Income from church activities**
Offerings and Donations
Gift Aid GADS tax repayments
Circuit Refund re: Manse
Lettings
Refund
Grant - URC|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Aug-24**
**31-Aug-23**
£
£
**£**
**£**
14,990
-
-
14,990
15,438
2,037
-
-
2,037
2,992
772
-
-
772
740
26,085
-
-
26,085
27,162
-
-
-
-
1,902
25,000
-
-
25,000
-|
|---|---|
||**68,984**
**-**
**-**
**68,984**
**48,234**|
||354
-
-
354
155|
||**354**
**-**
**-**
**354**
**155**|
||840
-
-
840
118|
||**840**
**-**
**-**
**840**
**118**|
||**70,177**
**-**
**-**
**70,177**
**48,508**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
12
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
|**3. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Note
**Total Resources used**
Insurance for Manse
**Governance costs:-**
Independent Examiner's Fees
Church running costs:-
Maintenance of Ministry (URC)
Benevolent Giving/Action for Children
Purchase of Equipment/Furnishings
Licences, Music & Website
Cleaning
Church supplies & catering
**Charitable Activities:-**
Deposit Refund
Youth activities and Sunday School
Maintenance of church buildings
Insurance
Water Rates/ Refuse
Telephone
Circuit Assessment ( Methodist)
Gas & Electricity|Unrestricted
Restricted
Designated
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**31-Aug-24**
**31-Aug-23**
£
£
**£**
**£**
1,256
-
-
1,256
1,532
9,330
-
-
9,330
9,331
15,236
-
-
15,236
15,398
6,041
-
-
6,041
5,595
1,258
-
-
1,258
1,366
1,636
-
-
1,636
1,555
240
-
-
240
-
244
-
-
244
233
550
-
-
550
-
1,468
-
-
1,468
764
78
-
-
78
79
37,206
-
-
37,206
6,560
-
-
-
-
153
551
-
-
551
118
778
-
-
778
740
900
-
-
900
720
-|
|---|---|
||**76,771**
**-**
**-**
**76,771**
**44,145**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
13
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **4. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
The Charity held no Restricted Funds during this or the previous financial period.
## **5. DESIGNATED FUNDS**
## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
|**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
**Total General Funds**
Total Designated Funds
General Funds
Benevolence
Gospel Choir & Evangelsim
**Total General Funds**
General Funds
Total Designated Funds
Benevolence
Gospel Choir & Evangelsim
Methodist Circuit Refund|**Balance**
Unrealised
**Balance**
**01-Sep-23**
Income
Expenditure
Gain/Loss
Transfer
**31-Aug-24**
£
£
£
£
£
£
110
-
-
-
-
110
1,000
-
-
-
-
1,000|
|---|---|
||1,110
-
-
-
-
1,110
15,995
70,177
(76,771)
-
-
9,400|
||**17,105**
**70,177**
**(76,771)**
**-**
**-**
**10,510**|
||**Balance**
Unrealised
**01-Sep-22**
Income
Expenditure
Gain/Loss
Transfer
**31-Aug-23**
£
£
£
£
£
10
118
(118)
-
100
110
1,000
-
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
-|
||1,010
118
(118)
-
100
1,110
11,732
48,389
(44,027)
-
(100)
15,995|
||**12,742**
**48,508**
**(44,145)**
**-**
**-**
**17,105**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
14
## **ASKEW ROAD CHURCH (METHODIST/UNITED REFORMED)**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024**
## **6. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS**
The Charity employed no members of staff during this or the previous financial period.
## **7. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES**
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.
2022/23 - None)
## **8. RISK ASSESSMENT**
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **9. RESERVES POLICY**
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
## **10. PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The Charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
15