## **METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER – 1147036**
## **CIRCUIT OFFICE MINEHEAD METHODIST CHURCH**
**7 THE AVENUE MINEHEAD SOMERSET TA24 5AY**
## **METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**CONTENTS**|**PAGE**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ Annual Report|1-6|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|7|
|Receipts & Payments Account|8-9|
|Statement of Assets & Liabili�es|10|
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
## **Structure, Governance & Management**
## **MANAGING TRUSTEEES**
During this period, the managing trustees have been changed according to a new cons�tu�on which considers the One Church set up. These changes were made on 1st October 2024. A copy of the cons�tu�on is available.
J Armin M Hill – from 1.10.24 C Hope L Barriball – from 1.10.24 M Nevell C Gill – from 1.10.24 H Sperring E Westlake – from 1.10.24 J Sperring A Branfield – from 1.10.24 G Tap M Jennings – from 1.10.24 S Rose – from 1.10.24 H Mounfield – from 1.10.24 A Robinson – from 1.10.24 T Hedgecock – from 1.10.24 C Longhurst – from 1.10.24 M Lintern – from 1.10.24 A Day – from 1.10.24
**CHURCH SECRETARY** J Armin **CHURCH TREASURER** J Armin **PRESBYTER IN PASTORAL CHARGE** Rev A Day **LAY PASTORAL AND COMMUNITY WORKER** P Williams **CHURCH STEWARDS** C Longhurst J Sperring C Wooldridge
For the one church, Circuit Stewards have responsibility for Churches and Circuit.
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS** A Smith & Co Ltd 4 Middle Street Taunton Somerset TA1 1SH
## **BANKERS**
TSB Bank PLC 19 The Parade Minehead Somerset TA24 5LU
1
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (con�nued )**
## **Structure, Governance & Management**
Acronyms used in this report are as follows: **WSC** – West Somerset Circuit **MCiWS** – Methodist Church in West Somerset **LA** – Local Arrangement **LPCW** – Lay Pastoral & Community Worker **WL** – Worship Leader
## **Leadership structure**
During this year a One Church Model has been more fully embraced, with the gradual amalgama�on of banking for the churches and the conversion of Alcombe’s charity status to encompass the whole Methodist Church in West Somerset.
These joint Church Council mee�ngs three �mes a year, include all presbyters; Supernumeraries; Circuit Lay Employees; Circuit Stewards; fully accredited Local Preachers and Circuit Officers; the Church Treasurer and representa�ves from the Churches.
## **Governing Document**
The Methodist Church in West Somerset in subject to a governing document dated 1932 and amended in March 2022.
## **Structure changes in year**
Methodist church in West Somerset was previously known as Alcombe Methodist Church. On 1[st] September 2024 the new name of Methodist Church in West Somerset was u�lised, when the churches of Minehead, Porlock, Watchet and Brendon Hill joined with the Alcombe church charity. Previous year financials have been pooled to show combined church adjusted compara�ves.
## **Objec�ves & Ac�vi�es**
Methodist Church in West Somerset (MCiWS) is part of the West Somerset Circuit (WSC), whose Mission Statement states:
_‘We are commi�ed to working together as a Circuit to enable personal growth and every church to be a place of welcome, love and acceptance in the name of Jesus Christ.’_
MCiWS and WSC are run according to the Cons�tu�onal Prac�ce and Discipline of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. (Registered Charity No. 1132208.)
2
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (con�nued )**
## **Objec�ves & Ac�vi�es**
## **Worship**
WSC produces in each quarter a plan for the worship in the churches across the whole circuit. Four Churches hold a public service of worship each Sunday morning at 10.30am and another has an evening service (a�ernoon in Winter).
Services of Holy Communion are held about once per month, in each church.
There are two accredited Worship Leaders, one at Alcombe, the other at Minehead church, available to assist visi�ng preachers leading the worship services and to assist the Church Stewards in the leading of any Local Arrangement services that are planned at the church.
Each church works with ecumenical partners, whenever appropriate.
Each church is available for Bap�sms, weddings and funerals, as required.
## **Pastoral Care**
Rev Andy Day, the WSC Superintendent Presbyter, has oversight of the pastoral care of Porlock, Alcombe and Watchet; Rev Chloe Kingdon has Minehead and Brendon Hill,
Day to day pastoral care of the church community is covered informally by natural groupings of those who meet regularly in various capaci�es during the week as well as at worship.
## **Discipleship, Nurture and Learning**
Discipleship, Nurture and Learning at the churches covers a wide range of ac�vi�es, which include…
- A regular pa�ern of worship, including rites of passage: bap�sms, weddings and funerals, in addi�on to hos�ng Circuit services
- Hos�ng of an Annual ecumenical holiday club for children aged 5-11
- Church events for fellowship, fun and fundraising
- Appropriate training for volunteer workers with children and young people
- Safeguarding training is available for all those required to a�end
- Other training and sharing opportuni�es make use of the projec�on facili�es
- Special worship occasions
- meal, an interes�ng talk and an opportunity for fellowship
- A fortnightly ‘Bright Hour’ fellowship; monthly Thursday Circle & Tuesday Club.
- Bible studies, eg regularly at Watchet, plus elsewhere for Advent, Lent etc.
- Registra�on at Fair Trade and Eco Church at some churches.
3
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (con�nued )**
## **Objec�ves & Ac�vi�es**
## **Evangelism and Outreach**
MCiWS is commi�ed to support, encourage and challenge the members of the church in their life and mission. Evangelism and outreach is about having a Chris�an presence in the local community; being salt and light in the local area. This involves making connec�ons with the various groups who use the building and moving outside the church building to make connec�ons with the local community. Charitable agencies supported include: Ac�on for Children, MHA, All We Can, West Somerset Food Cupboard, Quantock Food Cupboard, Exmoor Youth Project.
Ongoing community outreach includes our Super and our Lay Worker as School Governors at the Community Church School, also running Open the Book and an annual Journey to Bethlehem, Chris�an Escape rooms for Church and community occasions.
Our buildings serve as a venue for a wide variety of Church and community events.
join us for conversa�on, light lunches and simple ac�vi�es. These Spaces offer opportuni�es for new friendships.
## **Safeguarding**
Chloe Kingdon (name changed in November 2024) is the Church Safeguarding Coordinator who liaises between MCiWS and WSC on ma�ers rela�ng to safeguarding and keeps the Church Council up to date with any changes in legisla�on and procedures. Each church holds a copy of the current WSC Safeguarding Policy document. The Church Council has adopted the Methodist safeguarding policy and reviews this policy annually. WSC runs the Crea�ng Safer Space Founda�on Module as and when required, so that all those who need to a�end this training from MCiWS are able to do so.
## **Communica�ons**
WSC produces a Circuit magazine, ‘The Messenger’, published ten �mes per year. This magazine is a showcase for events around the circuit. Two churches produce a weekly no�ce sheet to help disseminate informa�on and to aid communica�on, which is circulated electronically and by paper copies. The church stewards have an important role in making sure that communica�on happens amongst the church community throughout MCiWS.
During the year WSC has upgraded its website to h�ps://www.westsomersetmethodists.org.uk. Chaz Hardiman is the webmaster.
4
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (con�nued )**
## **Objec�ves & Ac�vi�es**
## **Property**
Property is overseen by a small team with people at each church building taking the lead to feedback to CLT and Circuit Mee�ng where appropriate.
## **Finance**
Jean Armin is the MCiWS treasurer. Jean is responsible for overseeing the correct procedures and accoun�ng rela�ng to MCiWS church finances. Bookkeeping is now undertaken by James Price who is
## **Achievements & Performance**
## **Main achievements of the year**
- The churches which are able to let out their halls for par�es, rehearsals and other mee�ngs have seen a return to pre-pandemic levels of use and income.
- under review. (Closed in May 2025.)
- The Tuesday Warm Space at Alcombe is welcoming increasing numbers of ‘guests’ and a new venture at Minehead is becoming established.
- The Toddlers Group is proving very successful, now running at Minehead on Mondays, Williton on Wednesdays, Alcombe on Fridays and plans are underway for a new group at Porlock on Tuesdays.
- Chris�an Escape rooms for Church and community occasions have engaged the local community with the Bible in a meaningful way and is being requested for wider use.
## **Progress of Aims and Objec�ves for MCiWS during the period 01.09.24 – 31.08.25**
- To meet the needs of the lonely and disadvantaged in our community.
-
- To con�nue to hold a meet in various ways for fellowship and support.
- To a�end safeguarding training, including both founda�on and advanced sessions, wherever required
## **Financial Review**
The merging of the churches will provide improved financial performance and stability.
MCWS has no current reserves level set as it has no commi�ed projects, or ongoing commitments, and instead budgets to spend all its annual income on its and its circuits ac�vi�es
5
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (con�nued )**
##
published by the charity commission in exercising their responsibili�es.
## **Declara�on**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signed – ……………………………………
Full Name – Rev Andy Day
Posi�on – Superintendent Minister
Date – 23[rd] April 2026
6
**METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **Independent Examiners Report**
I report to the trustees of Methodist Church in West Somerset on accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 2 to 13.
## **Responsibili�es and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the prepara�on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chari�es Act 2011 ('the Act')
I report in respect of my examina�on of the Trust’s accounts carried out under sec�on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examina�on, I have followed the applicable Direc�ons given by the Charity Commission under sec�on 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
than that disclosed below *) in connec�on with the examina�on which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accoun�ng records were not kept in accordance with sec�on 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accoun�ng records
I have no concerns and have come across no other ma�ers in connec�on with the examina�on to which a�en�on should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed - ……………………….
Date - 24[th] April 2026
Name - Anthony Smith FCMA
Weston Super mare BS22 6AA
7
## **METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET**
## RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
|**RECEIPTS**
_Offerings_
Offerings
Gift aid
Donations
_Bank Interest_
CFB Interest
TMCP Investment
_Lettings_
_Other Income_
Little Fishes Toddler group Income
Electicity Solar rebate
Warm Space grant
Bright hour collection
Coffee Morning collection
Holiday Club Income
Legacies
VAT reclaim on Building work
Insurance claim
Little Fishes Donation
Minehead Garden collection
Plant Sales
Funeral Fees
Xmas Tree festival
Card Sales
Open the book collections
Summertime stall sales
Gift Collection
Circuit share of costs
Alcombe Friendship centre
External Organisations collections
_Asset & Investment sales_
Realised Gains/(losses) on Investments
**Total Receipts**
Unrealised Gains/(losses) on Investments|Unrestricted
Funds
£
52,989
4,174
887
58,050
4,814
34,337
39,151
21,458
1,137
3,155
750
97
881
199
12,370
5,653
3,700
-
-
45
321
250
436
321
80
-
10,617
2,128
6,662
48,800
(3,143)
-
(3,143)
**164,316**|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,000
275
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,275
-
**1,275**|**Total Funds**
**2025**
£
52,989
4,174
887
58,050
4,814
34,337
39,151
21,458
1,137
3,155
750
97
881
199
12,370
5,653
3,700
1,000
275
45
321
250
436
321
80
-
10,617
2,128
6,662
50,075
(3,143)
-
(3,143)
**165,591**|**Prior Year**
**2024**
£
53,842
15,716
4,270
73,828
6,367
32,041
38,408
23,383
1,337
2,851
-
95
621
-
1,000
-
8,693
-
-
58
-
566
641
-
85
73
2,238
2,980
6,514
27,752
607
391,188
391,795
**555,166**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
8
## **METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET**
## RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
|**PAYMENTS**
_Circuit Assessment_
_Donation_
_Repairs_
_Utilities_
Light, Heat & water
Insurance
_Wages_
_Other Expenditure_
Phone
Transport
Stationery
Gardens
Cleaner
Bank/Investment Charges
Kitchen exp
Accountancy & bookkeeping fee
Secretarial fees
Subscriptions
Little Fishes Costs
Sundry
Projector
Bossington church expenditure
Roadwater Church expenditure
External Organisation donations
**Total Payments**
Net of Receipts/Payments
Cash Funds at 1st September 2024
Cash Funds at 31st August 2025|Unrestricted
Funds
£
145,375
2,699
30,642
16,861
10,214
27,075
22,546
1,619
7,559
1,339
1,568
3,886
3,379
3,673
1,397
2,012
1,200
1,264
3,351
-
-
-
5,907
38,152
**266,489**
(102,173)
726,740
624,567|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
275
**275**
1,000
-
1,000|**Total Funds**
**2025**
£
145,375
2,699
30,642
16,861
10,214
27,075
22,546
1,619
7,559
1,339
1,843
3,886
3,379
3,673
1,397
2,012
1,200
1,264
3,351
-
-
-
5,907
38,427
**266,764**
(101,173)
726,740
625,567|**Prior Year**
**2024**
£
109,750
1,327
72,120
15,998
9,443
25,441
31,667
1,317
2,426
904
229
2,517
2,981
4,945
2,683
2,314
1,217
1,534
4,986
11,022
2,491
6,279
7,758
55,603
**295,909**
259,257
467,483
726,740|
|---|---|---|---|---|
10
## **METHODIST CHURCH IN WEST SOMERSET**
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AT 31 AUGUST 2025
|Cash Funds
Cash held at Bank
Cash on hand
CFB Account
TMCP Investment cash|Unrestricted
Funds
£
37,462
559
72,045
514,500
624,567|Restricted
Funds
£
1,000
-
-
-
1,000|**Total Funds**
**2025**
£
38,462
559
72,045
514,500
625,567|**Prior Year**
**2024**
£
56,982
264
140,468
529,026|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||726,740|
TMCP Investment held £ 444,844
10
## **Methodist Church in West Somerset**
Simple statement of financial activities for Year ended 31 August 2025
|Church ID
**INCOME**
_Offerings_
Offerings
Gift aid
Donations
_Bank Interest_
Bank Interest
CFB Interest
TMCP Investment
_Lettings_
_Other Income_
_Little Fishes Income_
**EXPENSES**
_Circuit Assessment_
_Donation_
_Repairs_
_Utilities_
Light, Heat & water
Insurance
_Wages_
_Other Expenditure_
Phone
Transport
Stationery
Gardener
Cleaner
Bank/Investment Charges
Kitchen exp
Bookkeeping fee
Secretarial fees
Subscriptions
Little Fishes Costs
Sundry
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)
_External Organisations_
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)**
BWFD FUND
CFWD FUND
**ASSETS**
TMCP
CFB
_Unrealised Gains/(losses) on Investments_
Bank
Cash||Alcombe
30238
14,344.22
597.48
-
14,941.70
-
1,932.23
27,148.23
29,080.46
3,739.00
16,192.70
284.17
(3,158.39)
61,079.64
83,875.00
100.00
3,000.81
2,192.66
1,429.69
3,622.35
17,225.51
868.00
5,407.60
33.87
390.00
57.90
2,825.62
3,219.12
1,243.40
-
302.40
284.17
622.00
15,254.08
123,077.75
(61,998.11)
157.25
(157.25)
( 0.00 )
**(61,998.11)**
878,609.65
816,611.54
(15,709.45)
179.63
806,806.74
25,334.62
816,611.54|Minehead
30243
13,080.05
1,701.17
16.42
14,797.64
-
617.93
7,085.81
7,703.74
11,070.90
12,990.11
284.16
14.70
46,861.25
45,750.00
481.25
17,776.83
8,293.86
3,319.75
11,613.61
5,321.01
750.80
2,151.20
490.66
1,353.22
1,689.47
545.80
318.23
88.00
2,011.98
254.40
411.66
1,731.97
11,797.39
92,740.09
(45,878.84)
607.50
(607.50)
0.00
**(45,878.84)**
196,246.75
150,367.91
(205.76)
246.76
150,055.88
271.03
150,367.91|Watchet
30233
16,642.85
89.83
870.70
17,603.38
-
2,045.11
16.79
2,061.90
5,143.00
13,081.19
284.16
-
38,173.63
10,625.00
1,768.00
6,447.53
5,312.02
2,579.33
7,891.35
-
-
-
813.99
39.44
1,112.89
1.14
83.32
65.50
-
395.72
284.17
934.53
3,730.70
30,462.58
7,711.05
5,497.32
(4,742.93)
-
**8,465.44**
61,768.63
70,234.07
30,239.77
(0.01)
367.55
39,626.76
70,234.07|Porlock
Williton
30239
372513
5,887.89
-
292.90
-
-
-
6,180.79
-
-
-
61.54
42.12
80.48
5.90
142.02
48.02
1,407.00
-
111.00
-
284.16
-
0.75
-
8,125.72
48.02
2,500.00
500.00
-
25.00
2,116.10
-
1,062.82
-
2,429.35
-
3,492.17
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
60.00
-
1,025.76
-
6.21
-
52.45
-
-
-
-
-
247.00
-
284.15
-
22.04
-
1,697.61
-
9,805.88
525.00
(1,680.16)
(476.98)
299.44
-
(299.44)
-
-
-
**(1,680.16)**
**(476.98)**
12,288.22
15,230.37
10,608.06
14,753.39
8,178.48
13,968.64
46.01
-
1,985.93
127.79
397.64
656.96
10,608.06
14,753.39|Brendon Hill
Total
30236
3,034.23
52,989.24
1,492.73
4,174.11
-
887.12
4,526.96
58,050.47
-
-
114.63
4,813.56
-
34,337.21
114.63
39,150.77
-
21,359.90
-
42,375.00
-
1,136.65
-
-
(3,142.94)
4,641.59
158,929.85
2,125.00
145,375.00
325.00
2,699.25
1,300.60
30,641.87
-
16,861.36
455.58
10,213.70
455.58
27,075.06
-
22,546.52
-
-
1,618.80
-
7,558.80
-
1,338.52
-
1,842.66
-
3,886.02
-
3,378.77
-
3,673.12
-
1,396.90
-
2,011.98
-
1,199.52
-
1,264.15
40.00
3,350.54
40.00
32,519.78
4,246.18
260,857.48
395.41
(101,927.63)
100.00
6,661.51
(100.00)
(5,907.12)
-
( 0.00 )
**395.41**
**(101,173.24)**
7,440.27
1,171,583.89
7,835.68
1,070,410.65
1,990.50
38,462.18
87.00
559.39
-
959,343.89
5,758.18
72,045.19
7,835.68
1,070,410.65|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|