Trustees’ Report on 2025
2025 was a big year in the life of Central Church.
made the decision to refurbish and let the old caretaker’s flat a�ached to the Church in order to bring in some rental income but also to stop unnecessary expenses being incurred such as the Council Tax. Work was completed in March and, a�er one poten�al tenant falling through, was eventually let in July.
The tenants in our manse at Quinta Road gave no�ce at the end of 2024 and, a�er a refresh cos�ng just over £2000, we were able to secure new tenants in February 2025 and to increase the rent to current market levels.
The Trustees also made the decision to invest in a card machine and this was installed in the summer and has been bringing in much needed dona�ons.
On the 3[rd] June we kicked off a 15 month period of celebra�ons for our Golden Anniversary. The founda�on stone of Central Church was laid by The Bishop of Exeter on the 3[rd] June 1975 and we started with an Anniversary Service. A�er a re-dedica�on of the stone by Bishop Mark Rylands, gree�ngs and prayers of support were conveyed by the Methodist District Chair, Reverend Dr. Daniel Hayle�, by the Moderator of The South West Province of the URC, Reverend David Downing, and the Methodist Deputy Regional Chair, the Reverend Kevin Hooke. All remarked on the contribu�on Central had made to many lives in both the community and beyond through its witness on the Hill during the past fi�y years. These thoughts were shared by Bishop Mark Rylands in his sermon that celebrated the local work that Central Church has done, together with other churches in Torquay. The role of the church as a place to care for the vulnerable was par�cularly highlighted. We are the Living Stones on which the Church is built.
To con�nue our celebra�ons, the planning group decided that there would be, if possible, an event each month and so in July we were honoured to have a visit from our MP Steve Darling with his Guide Dog Jenny. The 49[th] Anniversary of the actual opening was remembered on Sunday 7[th] September when the Moderator of the South West Province of he URC David Downing returned to lead worship. At the end of September we were thrilled to have a weekend visit from Paul Jones (formerly of Manfred Mann) and his wife Fiona who led many sessions about their faith.
In October Jonathan Oliverio and Elsa Lewis led an a�ernoon of Vintage Gospel singing and at the end of that month Barbara Gissinger arranged an a�ernoon with Julie Sissons and Hannah Spooner called “Those Were The Days”. All the anniversary events have been well supported and very enjoyable.
Unfortunately, on Sunday 19[th] October our gas boiler broke down with two different problems. Although we ini�ally planned to repair the boiler, albeit with a 4-5 week delivery �me on the parts, we were given the shock news 3 weeks into the wai�ng �me that the suppliers had made the parts obsolete. We were le� without heat for the rest of the Autumn and into the Winter.
As we look forward and trust in God’s guiding hand, we are looking into various hea�ng systems and considering going green par�cularly as both our parent bodies are hoping to hit net zero by 2030. As we end the year with our extra clothes for warmth, this is an ongoing situa�on which we hope will be resolved in 2026.
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Central Church Tor ua Chur¢h FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2025 Torba Clr¢ull CIrCu no 24108 R•9l$t•r•d Charlty. Charfjty R•gl$tiaWon numb•r 11 not a registered charily Her MajwatyJ Rev•nu• and Custorns Glft Ald number (The HMRC numbsf is Ul¥alont to a rogisiorod charity number in tarms of aVKlen¢è of Charitable slatus and may be u58d to give to donors or granl funders wshing to 588 ewdence of the organisalM's charitable status. methJ151 charities in EThJland and Wales that are not r8gister811 thaiitias arè ex(*pied ftom rogistraiK)n uThJer Stalu¢w Instrument 2014 No.2421 1144910 ZDC6927 Mini51er.' Rev Jeff Short Church Sl8ward$'. Thè Churth CINJnol Members Tre35urgr' Mi%5 Jdii NLiim3n Pl015 1c4S
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OECEMBER 202S Contral Chur¢h Tor ua Churth UnrMtrl¢l•d R••trk Fund TWIS th Tol l• SECnON A 31 RECEIPTS Olferi S 8rKI Tax re<%>vwed 8ank and CFB Interest and Investrrnni k)¢ 49.572 1.468 51.OlQ 52,109 83 2.873 4.386 44.249 39.973 139.648 1.887 37.086 15.933 107.018 Lethn 44.249 39.973 135.507 otherfeceits TOTL RECEIPTS 4.141 SECnQN b1 PAYMENT5 b2 Circuit Assessnnl or Share 35.716 35,716 34,358 b3 1.286 RepaiTS and Mainienance Ulilibes IlnsuiaKes. Wdier ¢h8r h&¥ 22.688 1.970 24,658 14,9S4 b5 23.089 23.089 33.348 b7 Othei pay7nents TOTL PAYMENTS 33.57S 116,354 33,S75 118.324 32.215 115.838 1.970 Ib91 sECON C 14ET REeÉipNpAYMENT$ 19.153 2.171 21.324 8.823 Total lunJ$ broughlfoNrtd frém last ar 8.823 41.470 69.255 110.72S 119.548 Sub iotsl ¢14¢2 60.623 71.426 132,049 110,725 Translers and ad usthents c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 1¢3+¢41 60.623 71.426 132.049 110.725 (¢61 SECTrON D FOR INFORMAnON ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISAnONS thes• amount w• not to b• Includ•d In total r•c•l r•J abov• d1 8alarttr brvj ht l+JTh*ard Ir(Th ar d2 Offeri sIGrfls. ieceived forexternrl nisathS 373 299 OfferiwslGrflS - p8s68d ts &thin81 373 BALANCE STrLL TO BE PWD Id1+d2-d31 P2O19J 2c15
Cwli Churth T secTIOME yo ITERtL 12G 7.493 110.725 152.049 6Y¢HUft¢H 141255 111.FSD 118.027 lJ9.542 PAY&T5 SECTIOMF ¢Lr>s•io CHURCH.CAIHFUNDS HELD JI 1.016 32UI 110.725 132.049 1.4SJ TtsfL¢A8HFVtIDsMELD BYCHUR¢H 118.027 159.542 SEcTla l Jbwy 27.481
Name ol Church CENTRAL CHURCH TORQUAY Declarations and Scrutiny I confiim that these Reipt and Payment based ac¢ounls lor the year lo 31 December 2025 have been prepared from the Tecords of the Church and Ihal they include all funds under the control of ltte Church trustees. Signaturè of treasurer .. Name and addres5 of treasurer- Jan Newman 21 Ce¢ilia Road. Paignton.......... Post Code TQ3 1BD Presentstlon to the Church trustees l nfirrn that the annual report and accounts for th to the meeting of the Church Iruslees held on ear ended 31 December 2025 were presented Siqnalure of the Chair of meeting Name of the Chair of the meekn.ng .Dale. Its- 14.laZJJ Independent Examingr's Report to tho Trustees of the CENTRAL CHLJRCH TORQUAY Charity Number 1144910 R8$ponBibilities and basi¥ of report I report to the tftjslees on my examination of the accounts of Cenlral Church for the year ended 31 December 2025 sel out on pages 1 to 3. As the Church's trustee$, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe A¢l'). I report in rospect of my exafflinalion of the Church's accounts carrled out under section 145 ot the Aet aThY, in carry1ng out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Dire¢b"ons gNen by the Charity Commis8ion under section 145lSllbl ol the Aci. 4r*5
, Name of Church CENTRAL CHURCH TORQUAY Independent EJtamlnèr'$ Ststernent I have completed my examination. I confirm thai no material matters have come to my attention in eonnection with the examina110n lolhei Ihan that disclosed below'l which give me cause to believe that in, any malerial respect: the aOntIng record5 were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act.. or the accounts do not accoid wilh the 8¢countinq records. I have no coi)cefns and have come across no other matters in connection with Ihe examlnation to which attention shoLild be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havemave not" obtsined independent verffication of all inveslmants with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balanS and funcis al the Central Finan Board of the Methodist Church which ale individually in excess of £10,DOO (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet dale. Signature of Inaependent exarlliner Name of indendent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner FRIC Name of fifm Iwhere appropriate) Address Post Code TQI 3T Date 04 Qo?A
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Central Church Tor ua Chur¢h FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2025 Torba Clr¢ull CIrCu no 24108 R•9l$t•r•d Charlty. Charfjty R•gl$tiaWon numb•r 11 not a registered charily Her MajwatyJ Rev•nu• and Custorns Glft Ald number (The HMRC numbsf is Ul¥alont to a rogisiorod charity number in tarms of aVKlen¢è of Charitable slatus and may be u58d to give to donors or granl funders wshing to 588 ewdence of the organisalM's charitable status. methJ151 charities in EThJland and Wales that are not r8gister811 thaiitias arè ex(*pied ftom rogistraiK)n uThJer Stalu¢w Instrument 2014 No.2421 1144910 ZDC6927 Mini51er.' Rev Jeff Short Church Sl8ward$'. Thè Churth CINJnol Members Tre35urgr' Mi%5 Jdii NLiim3n Pl015 1c4S
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OECEMBER 202S Contral Chur¢h Tor ua Churth UnrMtrl¢l•d R••trk Fund TWIS th Tol l• SECnON A 31 RECEIPTS Olferi S 8rKI Tax re<%>vwed 8ank and CFB Interest and Investrrnni k)¢ 49.572 1.468 51.OlQ 52,109 83 2.873 4.386 44.249 39.973 139.648 1.887 37.086 15.933 107.018 Lethn 44.249 39.973 135.507 otherfeceits TOTL RECEIPTS 4.141 SECnQN b1 PAYMENT5 b2 Circuit Assessnnl or Share 35.716 35,716 34,358 b3 1.286 RepaiTS and Mainienance Ulilibes IlnsuiaKes. Wdier ¢h8r h&¥ 22.688 1.970 24,658 14,9S4 b5 23.089 23.089 33.348 b7 Othei pay7nents TOTL PAYMENTS 33.57S 116,354 33,S75 118.324 32.215 115.838 1.970 Ib91 sECON C 14ET REeÉipNpAYMENT$ 19.153 2.171 21.324 8.823 Total lunJ$ broughlfoNrtd frém last ar 8.823 41.470 69.255 110.72S 119.548 Sub iotsl ¢14¢2 60.623 71.426 132,049 110,725 Translers and ad usthents c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 1¢3+¢41 60.623 71.426 132.049 110.725 (¢61 SECTrON D FOR INFORMAnON ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISAnONS thes• amount w• not to b• Includ•d In total r•c•l r•J abov• d1 8alarttr brvj ht l+JTh*ard Ir(Th ar d2 Offeri sIGrfls. ieceived forexternrl nisathS 373 299 OfferiwslGrflS - p8s68d ts &thin81 373 BALANCE STrLL TO BE PWD Id1+d2-d31 P2O19J 2c15
Cwli Churth T secTIOME yo ITERtL 12G 7.493 110.725 152.049 6Y¢HUft¢H 141255 111.FSD 118.027 lJ9.542 PAY&T5 SECTIOMF ¢Lr>s•io CHURCH.CAIHFUNDS HELD JI 1.016 32UI 110.725 132.049 1.4SJ TtsfL¢A8HFVtIDsMELD BYCHUR¢H 118.027 159.542 SEcTla l Jbwy 27.481
Name ol Church CENTRAL CHURCH TORQUAY Declarations and Scrutiny I confiim that these Reipt and Payment based ac¢ounls lor the year lo 31 December 2025 have been prepared from the Tecords of the Church and Ihal they include all funds under the control of ltte Church trustees. Signaturè of treasurer .. Name and addres5 of treasurer- Jan Newman 21 Ce¢ilia Road. Paignton.......... Post Code TQ3 1BD Presentstlon to the Church trustees l nfirrn that the annual report and accounts for th to the meeting of the Church Iruslees held on ear ended 31 December 2025 were presented Siqnalure of the Chair of meeting Name of the Chair of the meekn.ng .Dale. Its- 14.laZJJ Independent Examingr's Report to tho Trustees of the CENTRAL CHLJRCH TORQUAY Charity Number 1144910 R8$ponBibilities and basi¥ of report I report to the tftjslees on my examination of the accounts of Cenlral Church for the year ended 31 December 2025 sel out on pages 1 to 3. As the Church's trustee$, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe A¢l'). I report in rospect of my exafflinalion of the Church's accounts carrled out under section 145 ot the Aet aThY, in carry1ng out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Dire¢b"ons gNen by the Charity Commis8ion under section 145lSllbl ol the Aci. 4r*5
, Name of Church CENTRAL CHURCH TORQUAY Independent EJtamlnèr'$ Ststernent I have completed my examination. I confirm thai no material matters have come to my attention in eonnection with the examina110n lolhei Ihan that disclosed below'l which give me cause to believe that in, any malerial respect: the aOntIng record5 were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act.. or the accounts do not accoid wilh the 8¢countinq records. I have no coi)cefns and have come across no other matters in connection with Ihe examlnation to which attention shoLild be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havemave not" obtsined independent verffication of all inveslmants with the Trustees for Melhodisl Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balanS and funcis al the Central Finan Board of the Methodist Church which ale individually in excess of £10,DOO (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet dale. Signature of Inaependent exarlliner Name of indendent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner FRIC Name of fifm Iwhere appropriate) Address Post Code TQI 3T Date 04 Qo?A