## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
All members of the Brookside Church Council are Trustees of the Charity.
## **Aims and purposes**
Brookside Church Council is responsible, in co-operation with the other churches of the Peterborough Circuit, for advancing the Christian faith in Peterborough City in accordance with the approved governing document issued by the Methodist Conference.
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of – (a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church; (b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, district, circuit or local or other organisation of the Methodist Church; (c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church; (d) any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Brookside Church Council is committed to the provision of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike; the provision of a sacred space for prayer and contemplation; the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups; pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved; promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services; the provision of youth clubs and adult groups with a Christian ethos; supporting other charities in the UK and overseas financially and with prayer.
In planning our activities for the year Brookside Church Council has considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit, including the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. We aim to provide opportunities for everyone who wishes to learn about the Christian faith and to live out their faith through:
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P1
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
Worship and prayer, learning about the Gospel and developing faith in Jesus Christ Provision of pastoral care for church members and non-members Opportunities for fellowship
Mission and outreach work
To enable this work and expand our contacts with the wider community we continue to maintain and improve the fabric and facilities of the Brookside Church building.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Corona Virus**
During the year regular activities were gradually resumed, appropriate risk assessments having been made. Social distancing remained in place in the Sanctuary, hand sanitising and masks were available, but otherwise visitors were not required to undertake special measures.
## **Worship**
Morning Worship, Messy Church and Café Worship took place through the year, but the evening service was not resumed.
## **Pastoral Care**
Pastoral care of church members and contacts is undertaken by volunteers who meet regularly for mutual support. To enhance this work a member has been commissioned as Pastoral Assistant to the Minister, responding to requests for visits to the long-term sick and housebound and to those in extra need, doing hospital visits, taking Home Communion and having a prayer ministry. Two members have been commissioned for Bereavement Support and Baptism Support.
Requests for prayer will be met by appropriate individuals or groups, or included in worship services.
From March 2020 a weekly Newsletter was circulated to members and friends.
## **Fellowship**
Refreshments are served after each morning service to enable the congregation to meet informally.
A programme of activities, open to all, to promote fellowship is organised throughout the year. These include lunches and evening activities. Groups such as Craft and Chat, Brookside Men's
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P2
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH Registered Charity Number: 1147796**
## **Mission and**
## **Outreach**
## **Pre-School**
Brookside Church Council runs a pre-school, which is open 30 hours weekly, 8.30am to 2.30pm. It is managed by a Committee of elected Church Council members and has a graduate manager and qualified staff. The pre-school has the use of the main hall, two classrooms and a large, secure outdoor space, plus toilet and kitchen facilities.
## **Youth work**
The Boys Brigade meets regularly in the church building. They are managed by members of the church. Girlguiding provides Rainbows, Brownies and Guides weekly in term time.
## **Adults**
In addition to the groups and activities described under **Worship and Fellowship,** the premises are regularly used by groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, art groups, a Sewing Group and music examination boards. The church is used as a Polling Station.
## **Home and Overseas Missions and Christian Aid**
These are supported by members' regular donations. An effort is made annually to raise money for Christian Aid, although the age of members has meant a reluctant abandonment of house-to-house collection. Money is raised for Action for Children particularly at Christmas time.
## **The homeless**
A group of ladies continues to provide cakes for the homeless on a fortnightly rota.
## **Church Website, answerphone and email**
The church website is maintained on a weekly basis. It includes information about our beliefs and history, our Sunday services, our weekly calendar, organisations and activities, and special events. It also provides a useful link for those wishing to make enquiries or bookings. Our email and answerphone are checked daily by our Bookings Secretary and passed to the appropriate person for action.
## **The Circuit**
Two members of Brookside Church Council represent the Church at the Peterborough Circuit Meeting, which links Brookside to the wider Methodist Connexion. A Circuit Steward is appointed to Brookside Church Council.
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P3
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **PE4 Church Partnership**
We are working with other churches in the PE4 area to share prayer, worship and outreach.
## **Brookside Church Buildings**
Maintenance of the substantial premises is the responsibility of a Property Committee of the Church Council. We are indebted to a small team of volunteers who undertake maintenance jobs to the building and outdoor space.
Fire and Safety checks have been undertaken during the year and action required has been carried out. For security it is necessary to keep the premises locked even while in use (except during Sunday worship), but a bell is provided to give access. Times of our activities are advertised. When the building is not in use a locked barrier to the car park is used as an additional security measure. Users of the building are provided with keys to the main doors and the barrier and are responsible for securing the building when they leave.
We employed a local company to provide cleaning services
Plans were made and money raised to enable the flat roof to be repaired.
## **Risks**
Risks are discussed by Brookside Church Council. Professional advice is taken as required. Progress is regularly reviewed.
The Church Council has a Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy, and a training schedule is in place. DBS checks are carried out as required. This work is co-ordinated by a Safe-Guarding Officer.
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P4
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **Financial Review**
## Treasurer’s Report to Church Council 12[th] October 2022
These accounts are for the period 1[st] September 2021 to 31[st] August 2022
## **Income**
Income for this period amounted to £52,718.58
An increase in our income was seen in all our four main income streams: with Offertory £22,300.00 against a budget of £20,000.00; lettings income increasing to £12,2000.00 against a budget of £10,000.00; donations increasing to £12,300.00 against a budget of £10,000.00; and Gift Aid increasing to £5,000.00 against a budget of £4,000.00
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure for this period amounted to £48,494.87 against a budgeted figure of £48,900.00 Reduced expenditure on property repairs being offset by increased energy bills. Our major item of expenditure continues to be our payment to circuit of £31,818.12
## **Church funds**
HSBC Current account £56,342.08 CFB Deposit account £31,656.85 Cash £16.18 **Total £88,015.11**
## **Breakdown of church funds**
General fund £38,187.05, Caring fund £650.88, Benevolent Fund £426.01, Reserve & Property £123.30, Youth Club (including Unite) £1,440.81, Church Roof Fund £47,247.00. This compares to total church funds as at 31[st] August 2021 at £65,060.83.
## **Charitable work**
Our payment to the Connexional Fund has increased to £2,000.00 as agreed in our meeting of the 28[th] March 2022. An amount of £149.50 was raised for Action for Children and an amount of £252.00 was raised for All We Can
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P5
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **Church Roof Fund**
As at 31[st] August 2022 the amount raised stands at £42,247.00 against a figure of £14,505.19 as at 1[st] September 2021. The increase of £33,000.00 has come from £10,000.00 National Lottery Grant, £5,000.00 donation from Brookside Pre-School, £6,000.00 transfer from our Property Reserve, £7,500.00 from our General Fund and the remaining £4,500.00 from various fund-raising events and donations.
The total cost of the project including VAT came to £59,085.67. The shortfall has been made up by a grant from circuit of £5,000.00, and an interest-free loan from circuit of £7,500.00 repayable over 36 months at £208.33 per month.
## **Summary**
Whilst on the face of it the church finances appear stable, there are areas of concern that we need to be aware of:
- a) Continued reduction in the amount received via the offertory, especially as nearly 50% of the amount received comes from eight elderly members of the congregation.
- b) The reliance on the £9,600.00 donation we receive from Pre-school, not only in cash terms but the increasing difficulty in getting people to join the Pre-school Management Committee.
- c) The amount of time and effort that goes into ensuring that the letting of our property runs smoothly.
- d) A new commitment of £208.33 per month over three years.
- e) Future demands on our funds from property related issues.
## **Pre-school finances (consolidated with the Church Accounts)**
Funds held at 1 September 2021 were £52,127.85. Due to lower numbers of children, a small loss of £1,399.82 was sustained during the year, funds at 31 August 2022 being £50,728.03.
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P6
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **RESERVES POLICY**
## **Report on behalf of**
Brookside Methodist Church
**To**
Circuit Meeting
We submit our annual report in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Conference and the Charities SORP.
information as required by the Circuit/District/Connexion
(v) Our Report is attached overleaf
- (I) The trustees have established their mission aims taking into account all of the resources available in terms of people, property and money
- (ii) Mission initiatives/projects have been costed or estimates made of projected future costs which take into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Report/s
- (iii) We have agreed a Reserves Policy which is set out overleaf and is recorded in the trustees’ minutes and our Annual Report
- (iv) We recognise the need to be accountable as charity trustees for all the money which comes into our hands and will provide further
Brookside Methodist Church
2021/22
P7
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
## Registered Charity Number: 1147796
**General** Funds held at Y/E 31/8/22 **£38,187.05**
2. **Restricted** Funds held Y/E 31/8/22 **£100,616.03** 3. **Endowment** Funds held “ **£0**
- **4.. Reserves policy for General Funds**
**It is the policy of the Church to hold in the General Fund the equivalent of at least four months running costs. This equates to about £16,000.**
**The General Fund is non-allocated money for the day to day running of the church. The Fund is supported by regular lettings and donations amounting to £24,500 last year.**
5. **Policy for Restricted Funds**
**In the Church’s Restricted Funds, £52,168.84 is held by Internal Organisations and £50,728.03 of this is in the Pre-school account. The remaining restricted funds of £48,447.19 are made up from Property Reserve Fund, Caring and Benevolent Funds and the Church Roof Fund (£47,24.00)**
6. **Terms relating to Endowment Funds held**
This Reserves Policy has been approved by Brookside Methodist Church Council
(*Church Council /Circuit Meeting /District )
Treasurer Trustee George Barber
Brookside Methodist Church 8 2021/22
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
## **Structure, governance and management**
The governing documents are the Deed of Union 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976.
The charity is constituted as a Trust. It is a Charity required to be registered with the Charity Commissioner. Registered Charity Number 1147796.
Trustees (all members of the Church Council) are Ex Officio, elected by Church members, or appointed by the Church Council.
**Brookside Church Council** for the year covered by this Report consisted of the Ministers, Treasurer appointed by the Council, 3 elected stewards, 17 elected general representatives, and one representative from Peterborough Circuit Meeting.
A range of guidance is provided by the Methodist Conference. The leaflet “The Role of a Trustee” is given to each Trustee.
The Church Council members are responsible for making decisions on all administrative and financial matters relating to the Church premises and work. The full Church Council met 3 times during the year with an average attendance of 18.
Brookside has a number of committees dealing with particular aspects of the church's work. These are Pastoral, Family, Finance, Property, Worship, Pre-School, and Events.
These are all responsible to the Brookside Church Council and report regularly to the full Church Council, where matters are discussed and approved as appropriate. Between meetings the Minister and the Stewards have the authority to make urgent decisions when necessary.
Following the advice of the legal department of the Methodist Church we are complying with the Data Protection Act 2018.
The main part of our church activities is undertaken by lay persons (volunteers).
## **Administrative information**
Brookside Church is in Gunthorpe Road, Peterborough. It is part of the Peterborough Circuit and accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The correspondence address is: Brookside Methodist Church, Gunthorpe Road, Peterborough, PE4 7TG. The Church telephone message service is: 01733 328192
The email address is: contactbrookside@gmail.com The website address is: www.brooksidemc.org.uk
Brookside Methodist Church 9 2021/22
## **BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH**
## Registered Charity Number: 1147796
Trustees (Church Council members) serving at the date of this report are:
Rev Janet Titterton (Minister and Chair) Rev Dr Langley Makrell-Hey (Circuit Minister) Mr David Whiting (Steward) Mr George Barber (Treasurer) Mrs Cathy Ruffles (Steward) Mrs Elizabeth Thompson (Steward) Mr Anthony Storey (Property Steward) Mrs Chris Bowra Mr Pete Grice Mrs Sue Grice Mrs Lynn Gurney Mrs Chris Hardman Mrs Claire Holden Mrs Sue Holmes Mrs Sue Keeney Mrs Janet Murphy Mr Alan Newcombe Mrs Maureen Newcombe Mrs Valerie Ostler Miss Joanna Parkin Mrs Liz Storey Mr Simon Thompson Mrs Madeline Whiting Mrs Anne Yeoman
Other Trustees who served during the year were: Mr Alan Southcott
Approved by the Stewards on behalf of Brookside Church Council on and signed on their behalf by:
Rev Janet Titterton (Chair)
Chris Hardman (Church Secretary)
Brookside Methodist Church 10 2021/22
#
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