North Harrow Methodist Church
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023
Governance
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As a Methodist Church in England, North Harrow Methodist Church comes under the auspices of the Methodist Church whose governing body is the Methodist Conference. The authority by which the Conference acts is laid out in the Methodist Church Act 1976.
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North Harrow Methodist Church is a registered charity number 1140257.
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North Harrow Methodist Church is part of the Harrow and Hillingdon Circuit in the London District.
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The Managing Trustees of North Harrow Methodist Church (NHMC) are the members of the Church Council. The composition is:
The Superintendent Minister of the Circuit and the ministers and ministerial probationers appointed to the Circuit.
Elected by the General Church Meeting to serve -
Church Stewards :
From May 2022
Marian Smith (6[th] year & Senior Steward from Sept 2018)
Church Council Secretary: Marian Smith & Graham Pearn Treasurer: Richard Reid appointed Treasurer (appointed Mar 2020) Pastoral Committee Secretary: Sara Lewis Mar 2017
Members elected by the Annual Meeting (to serve from Sept 2022) -
Jenny Briggs (2[nd] year) Karen Harrison (2[nd] year) Pauline Ingosi (2[nd] year) Graham Pearn (2[nd] year) Irene Taylor (5[th] year) Mike Donald (2[nd] year) Steven Taylor (2[nd] year)
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
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The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare, for each financial year, financial statements which give a true and fair record of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and the Statement of Recommended Practice 2005, Accounting and Reporting by Charities have been followed; and
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prepare the financial statements on the ‘going concern’ basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that activities will continue.
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The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the North Harrow Methodist Church Fund and which will enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church and the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for taking reasonable steps to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
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The Trustees consider these practices have been followed and their responsibilities properly discharged.
Annual Report
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The financial year for the purposes of accounting to the Methodist Church commences on 1 September.
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During the financial year 2022-23, the Church Council met four times, Two General Church Meetings open to all church members were held during the year to approve the Annual Report and accounts, a special meeting was held to approve appointments for the new church year and to elect Church Stewards. The Pastoral Committee met separately at regular intervals. The Church Council has oversight of those matters which concern Neighbourhood & Mission and the church family, there being no separate committees for that purpose.
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The Church Council also has overall responsibility for implementing the Safeguarding policies of the Methodist Church. In 2006, it appointed a Safeguarding Officer, who liaises with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer. The Church’s Safeguarding Policy is displayed at appropriate points around the premises.
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The Church Council is responsible for producing a report to the General Church Meeting.
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The following gives an indication of the work overseen or initiated by the Church Council during 2022-23.
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(1) every Sunday there is a service at 10.30 am which includes Holy Communion once a month. Usually on the third Sunday of each month there is a more informal service called ‘Come & See’. There is a Sunday evening monthly discussion group.
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A team of volunteers staffs the church office most weekday mornings throughout the year to maintain relationships with community groups that use the premises and to ensure that essential administration is kept up-to-date. We have continued to explore possibilities for midweek activities and services that might attract a wider range of people than just our own congregation.
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- It is the duty of North Harrow Methodist Church to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which seeks to protect individuals from the consequences of improperly obtained or processed data and to ensure that individuals are not put at risk or threatened by the misuse of data. NHMC utilises the Methodist Church in Great Britain privacy notice which can - - be viewed at (https://www.tmcp.org.uk/about/data protection/managing - - trustees privacy notice) or in the church office.
Full details of lawful bases, data collected, consent requirements, retention periods, etc. can be found on the NHMC Data Protection Statement which is reviewed annually and presented to the fellowship at the general Church Meeting.
The Church Council is committed to implementing not only the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010 but all feasible action to improve access to the activities of the church. The Church Council believes this is in line with the mission of the church as well as the legal requirements of the State.
- The membership of the church at the end of August 2022 stood at 55 and we continue to be encouraged by the number of regular adherents attending services.
Investment Policy
- The investment of surplus funds is operated via 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, while ensuring that the securities held by all its funds are in line with the ethical policy of the Methodist Church.
Financial Statements
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Key issues are:
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Income fell from £94,228 to £82,266 as a result of a legacy received in 2021/22 but an increase in income from licence fees helped the position., Offerings and tax recovered remained relatively stable.
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Expenditure fell slightly from £77,849 to £76,409. The Assessment that we are required to pay the Circuit remained almost unchanged at £41,554.
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The outcome is that for the 12 months to 31 August 2023 the available funds rose from £70,380 to £77,236.
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A number of legacies have been left to the church over a number of years to the value of £37,000.
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Revd. Julie King Minister North Harrow Methodist Church
Peter Harrison Treasurer (at the time this report was produced)
PJH 18 May 2023
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North Harrow Methodist Church
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA Report) for year ending 31[st] August 2023 Standard Form of Accounts - Receipts & Payments
| North Harrow Methodist Church | North Harrow Methodist Church | North Harrow Methodist Church | North Harrow Methodist Church | North Harrow Methodist Church | North Harrow Methodist Church |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Financial Activities(SOFA Report) foryear ending 31st August 2023 | |||||
| Standard Form of Accounts - Receipts & Payments | |||||
| **Unrestricted ** | Unrestricted | Restricted Fund |
Total Funds |
Total Funds |
|
| General Fund and Legacies & Special Donations Fund |
Designated Funds |
2022/23 | 2021/22 | ||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| Oferings & Tax Recoverable | 31,953.50 | 944.77 | 8.00 | 32,906.27 | 30,886.68 |
| Interest | 1,264.28 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,264.28 | 182.81 |
| Lettings | 47,137.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 47,137.25 | 35,442.50 |
| Other Income | 958.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 958.17 | 27,716.27 |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES |
81,313.20 | 944.77 | 8.00 | 82,265.97 | 94,228.26 |
| RESOURCES USED | |||||
| Circuit | 41,554.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 41,554.00 | 41,854.00 |
| Donations | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Utilities & Insurance | 14,561.24 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 14,561.24 | 14,301.91 |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 9,335.41 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 9,335.41 | 6,862.94 |
| Other Payments | 9,785.98 | 1172.50 | 0.00 | 10,958.48 | 14,829.66 |
| TOTAL RESOURCES USED | 75,236.63 | 1,172.50 | 0.00 | 76,409.13 | 77,848.51 |
| BALANCE INCOMING/OUTGOING RESOURCES FOR YEAR |
6,076.57 | -227.73 | 8.00 | 5,856.84 | 16,379.75 |
| TRANSFERS | 646.88 | 353.12 | £0.00 | 1,000.00 | 0.00 |
| NET SURPLUS/DEFICIT | 6,723.45 | 125.39 | 8.00 | 6,856.84 | 16,379.75 |
| TOTAL FUND B/FWD | 69,135.60 | 285.57 | 958.43 | 70,379.60 | 53,999.85 |
| TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR |
75,859.05 | 410.96 | 966.43 | 77,236.44 | 70,379.60 |
Harrow & Hillingdon Circuit of The Methodist Church North Harrow Methodist Church CURRENT ASSETS (broken down to show individual funds)
| Harrow & Hillingdon Circuit of The Methodist Church | Harrow & Hillingdon Circuit of The Methodist Church | Harrow & Hillingdon Circuit of The Methodist Church |
|---|---|---|
| North Harrow Methodist Church | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS(broken down to show individual funds) | ||
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS | 2022/23 | 2021/22 |
| General Fund | 37,899.93 | 31,888.65 |
| Legacies and Special Donations Fund | 38,149.12 | 37,246.95 |
| Net Lettings Deposits | 200.00 | 0.00 |
| Net Collections for Other Organisations | -10.00 | 0.00 |
| Unrestricted Funds Total(excl rows 8 and 9) | 75,859.05 | 69,135.60 |
| Designated Funds | ||
| Mission Action Plan Fund | 410.96 | 285.57 |
| Unrestricted Designated Funds Total | 410.96 | 285.57 |
| COMBINED TOTAL – UNRESTRICTED FUNDS | 76,270.01 | 69,421.17 |
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | ||
| Benevolence Fund | 966.43 | 958.43 |
| Restricted Funds Total | 966.43 | 958.43 |
| COMBINED TOTAL – UNRESTRICTED & RESTRICTED FUNDS | 77,236.44 | 70,379.60 |
| OTHER DESIGNATED FUNDS – INTERNAL CHURCH GROUPS | ||
| Badminton Club | 1,129.65 | 545.65 |
| Flower Fund | 188.29 | 139.29 |
| NORMADS | 1,375.86 | 450.98 |
| Stroke Group | 3,448.06 | 4,017.76 |
| YoungChurch | 3,988.46 | 3,842.89 |
| Combined Designated Church Groups Total | 10,130.32 | 8,996.57 |
| ALL FUNDS TOTAL | 87,366.76 | 79,376.17 |
| NORTH HARROW METHODIST CHURCH: BALANCE SHEET | ||
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 Aug 2023 | ||
| Funds | ||
| CHURCH FUNDS | 77,236 | |
| General Fund | 37,710 | |
| Benevolence Fund | 966 | |
| Legacies and Special Donations Fund | 38,149 | |
| Mission Action Plan Fund | 411 | |
| MONEY HELD FOR OTHERS | 190 | |
| Collections for other organisations(still to bepaid) | -10 | |
| Lettings Deposits(still to be returned) | 200 | |
| OTHER CHURCH GROUP FUNDS | 10,130 | |
| Badminton Club | 1,130 | |
| Flower Fund | 188 | |
| NORMADS | 1,376 | |
| Stroke Group | 3,448 | |
| Young Church | 3,988 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS HELD | 87,557 | |
| SUMMARY OF HOW FUNDS ARE HELD | ||
| Current Assets | ||
| Charites Aid Foundaton | 50,773 | |
| North Harrow | 44,629 | |
| NORMADS | 1,376 | |
| Stroke Group | 3,448 | |
| Badminton Club | 1,130 | |
| Collections for other organisations(still to bepaid) | -10 | |
| Lettings Deposits | 200 | |
| Central Finance Board | 904 | |
| Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | 31,703 | |
| Other Bank Accounts/Cash of Church Groups | 4,177 | |
| Flower Fund | 188 | |
| YoungChurch | 3,988 | |
| TOTAL CHURCH ASSETS | 87,367 | |
| MONEY HELD FOR OTHERS | 190 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS HELD | 87,557 |
| Flower Fund | 188 | |
|---|---|---|
| YoungChurch | 3,988 | |
| TOTAL CHURCH ASSETS | 87,367 | |
| MONEY HELD FOR OTHERS | 190 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS HELD | 87,557 |
Name ofchurch........................................................ .......................... No............. Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my exarninalion. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below'l which give me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accountin9 records were not kept in accordance wilh saction 130 of the A¢l.' or the accounts do not accord wth the accounting records. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which allenlion should be drawn in this report in order lo enoble a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Ihav ave blained independent verification of all inv8Stments with the Trustees for Methodist Churc urposes or held in other trusts. bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Melhodisl Church which are individually In excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds} at ttte balance sheet dale. Signature of Independent examlner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriatel Address Jiyw GL•5 Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate Ghurches RKeipts and Paynts 202J 5of5