BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1147796
ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 August 2024
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:
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.
2022/23
Brookside Methodist Church
P1
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1147796
Achievements and Performance
Viruses and Infections
We no longer continue with formal precautions.
Worship
Morning Worship, Messy Church and Café Worship took place through the year, but the evening service has not resumed. United Services are being held with Dogsthorpe Methodist Church, making use of both buildings. A mid-week Communion service is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The Tuesday Fellowship meets twice a month for worship and a programme of interesting activities. The New Direction Bible Study Group meets weekly on Zoom and Crossways Bible Study Group meets twice a month at Brookside.
The Sunday Club meets on Sundays at 10.30am.
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 house-bound 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.
Weekly Notices and a monthly Newsletter are being 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 organised by the Church during the year were Craft and Chat, Brookside Men's and Ladies’ Group and a Well Being Coffee Morning.
Requests for prayer will be met by appropriate individuals or groups, or included in worship services.
2022/23
Brookside Methodist Church
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 choir, Slimming and Exercise Groups, a Sewing Group and music examination boards. The church is used as a Polling Station.
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.
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 has been 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.
2022/23
Brookside Methodist Church
P3
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1147796
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.
From August 2023 cleaning services were provided by our Pre-School staff.
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.
Financial Review
Treasurer’s Report to Church Council
These accounts are for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
Income
Income for this period amounted to £58,253.98 up from the previous years figure of £56,025.41. Offertory for the period amounted to £23,906.21 up from the previous years figure of £22,615.50. Lettings increased to £18,869.21 up from the previous years figure of £13,516.05. Brookside Pre-School donations to the church have now reduced to £2,160.00 per term from the £3,200.00 we used to receive. Gift Aid for the year amounted to £6,344.65 up from the previous years figure of £5,612.73.
Expenditure
Expenditure for this period, amounted to £50,739.66, down from the previous years figure of £55,340.35. Major items of expenditure during this period continue to be our payment to the circuit which increased this year by £3,000.00 to £34,818.12. The amount spent on repairs & maintenance of the property reduced significantly this year and came in at £5,035.86 down from last years figure of £12720.34. Major items of expenditure were £650.00 for fixing the church roof following the leak above the dias earlier this year and £851.00 outstanding payments in respect of the cleaning contract.
Church Roof Fund
The amount borrowed from circuit was £7,500.00. A repayment programme of £208.33 per month over 36 months was agreed. 13 payments of £208.33 remain leaving a balance of £2,708.29 outstanding. We currently have a balance of £2,939.22 on the Church Roof Fund Account a surplus of £230.93.
Church Funds
HSBC Current Account £ 10,578.46
CFB Deposit Account £ 42,143.88
Cash £
Total £ 52,722.34
2022/23
Brookside Methodist Church
P4
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1147796
Breakdown of Church Funds
General Fund £46,448.58, Caring £100.69, Benevolent Fund £426.01, Reserve & Property £123.30, Youth Club (including Unite) £961.23, Church Roof Fund £2,939.22, Ladies Powder Room £1,723.31
Charitable Work
Our payment to the Connexional Fund continues to be £2,000.00. The following amounts have been raised for charity during this period. Action for Children £184.39 and Christian Aid £457.70.
Budget 2024/2025
Given the income and expenditure figures for the last two years have been significantly higher than budgeted I have amended the budget for 2024/2025 to take these increases into account and have set a figure of £55,000.00 for both (ie, I expect us to breakeven this year). Just to confirm though that this figure does not include any expenditure that is likely to be incurred in the renovation of the ladies toilets.
Summary
Overall, a good year for the church with income exceeding expenditure by C£7500.00. This has left the church in a strong position to look at various capital expenditure projects that will go to improving the facilities that the church can offer.
We do though need to be vigilant with regards to the following
a) Whilst the amount received via the offertory has increased slightly this is mainly due to just two members of the congregation whose contribution now amounts to almost 30% of the total amount received.
b) The reliance on the donation we receive from pre-school, not only in cash terms but the increasing difficulty in getting people to join the Pre-School Committee. In addition to this they have now undertaken to clean our premises for us. This is worth about £10,000.00 to the church and the loss would affect us greatly.
c) The amount in time and effort that goes into ensuring that the letting of our property runs smoothly. Especially now as Slimming World provide in excess of £5,000.00 in rental fees.
George Barber
Church Treasurer
Pre-school finances (consolidated with the Church Accounts)
Funds held at 1 September 2022 were £53,886. The loss for the year was £9,930 with funds at 31 August 2023 being £43,956. Our required reserves were £29,000.
2022/23
Brookside Methodist Church
P5
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH Registered Charity Number: 1147796
Report on behalf of
To
Brookside Methodist Church Circuit Meeting
We submit our annual report in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Conference and the Charities SORP.
- (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 information as required by the Circuit/District/Connexion
(v) Our Report is attached overleaf
02/02/2024
P a g e | 6
Brookside Methodist Church
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH Registered Charity Number: 1147796
1. General Funds held at Y/E 31/8/24 £46,447 2 . Restricted Funds held Y/E 31/8/24 £6173 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 six months running costs. This amounts to about £25,500. 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 £49,119 last year.
Taking into account the age and increased use of the building the Trustees are discussing improvements to the facilities, and expect the cost of repairs and maintenance to continue to increase.
5. Policy for Restricted Funds
In the Church’s Restricted Funds, £44,664 is held by Internal Organisations and £43,956 of this is in the Pre-school account. The remaining restricted funds of £6,177 are made up from Property Reserve Fund, Caring and Benevolent Funds.
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
02/02/2024
P a g e | 7
Brookside Methodist Church
Registered Charity Number: 1147796
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH
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, 4 elected stewards, 15 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 twice during the year with an average attendance of 15.
Brookside has a number of committees dealing with particular aspects of the church's work. These are Pastoral, 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.
02/02/2024
P a g e | 8
Brookside Methodist Church
BROOKSIDE METHODIST CHURCH Registered Charity Number: 1147796
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
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) Mrs Cathy Ruffles (Pastoral Secretary) Mr David Whiting (Steward) Mr Joshua Miranda (Steward) Mrs Sue Grice (Steward) Mr George Barber (Treasurer and Steward) Mr Anthony Storey (Property Steward) Mr Paul Abel (Circuit Steward) Mrs Chris Hardman (Secretary) Mrs Angela Cummins Mr Pete Grice Mrs Lynn Gurney Mrs Claire Holden Mrs Sue Holmes Mr Alan Newcombe Mrs Maureen Newcombe Mrs Valerie Ostler Miss Joanna Parkin Mrs Liz Storey Mrs Elizabeth Thompson Mr Brian Thornton Mrs Madeline Whiting Mrs Anne Yeoman
Other Trustees who served during the year were: Mr Simon Thompson
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)
02/02/2024
P a g e | 9
Brookside Methodist Church
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