2023-08-31-accounts - Stratford On Avon Methodist Church

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ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

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STRATFORD ON AVON METHODIST CHURCH [incorporating Henley in Arden Methodist Church]

ANNUAL REPORT

and

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Receipts & Payments)

Year ending 31 AUGUST 2023

South Warwickshire Methodist Circuit 12/5 CHARITY REGISTRATION Number 1152323

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 1

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for year ended 31 August 2023

Introducton

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2023

Mission Statement

Our vision is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those around us and to provide a place of witness and worship for all people. Our aim is to have a dynamic, growing Church with warm fellowship and outreach where people of all ages and backgrounds can meet the Lord Jesus Christ and feel part of a caring Church family.

Review of the year

As from 1 Sept 2022 Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church became a church worshiping on two sites the members at Henley in Arden having voted previously to become part of Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church. During the past twelve months worship has continued at both churches with administration and finance now under the control of Stratford. Assimilation of Henley accounting has for the most part transferred to Stratford and this set of accounts includes the receipts and payments and reserves of both churches. The intention is that by August 2024 this process will be completed.

Also this is the last report and accounts under my stewardship as treasurer having retired on 31 Aug 2023 after 21 years in said office and having passed the baton to my successor Mr Phil Ledgard.

Income Trends

Church income is primarily drawn from Standing Orders, Sunday cash collections, Gift aid tax credit, Donations, Legacies, Gifts, and Fundraising from church groups and members 55%; and letting income paid by external users of the building 42%.

Following redevelopment of church in 2014 our green features have enabled us to export energy to the National Grid yielding over 2% of annual income.

COVID 19 had a severe impact on both the finances and outreach of the Charity. We still have not returned to our pre covid level of income from lettings, but this year has seen a welcome increase in both giving and lettings

Expenditure Trends

The major cost has been in relation to the annual assessment paid to the South Warwickshire Circuit. Our contribution this financial year represents 49% of annual income.

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 2

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Other significant expenditures include staff & administration costs of 9%, Maintenance & Cleaning of Church premises 21%, and Utilities & Insurance 19% of annual income. The energy crisis has created an additional cost of nearly £10,000 this past year.

Fund balances

The total liquid assets of the two churches amounted to £39,166 as at 31 Aug 2023

Plans for 2023/24

Deacon Jane Mills became minister at Stratford & Henley in Sept 2022 and our presbyter Rev. Sally Jones was appointed in July 2023. Two members from Henley were elected to Stratford’s church council. Our minister Jane has created outreach initiatives utilising our premises at both sites.

We hope that income from giving and letting will continue to increase replenishing our reserves depleted during the Covid restrictions

Trustee’s Annual Report on Finance and Governance

Basis of preparaton and legal framework

The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRSSE) 2015

Full Name of Charity: Stratord upon Avon Methodist Church

Registration Charity Number: 1152325

Date of Charity registration: 8 June 2013

Main communication address: c/o Treasurer, Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church Centre, Old Town, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BG

The members of the Church Council of Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of church office holders, Minister, Presbyter and representatives appointed by the church at the Annual General Meeting.

Names of trustees is noted on page 13 of this report.

Treasurer : Mr David Dumper replaced by Mr Phillip Ledgard as from 1 Sept 2023

David Dumper acted as the principal officer overseeing the daily financial management and accounting for the church during the past year.

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 3

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Independent examiner : Mark Whitehouse, 42 Lillington Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 5YZ Bankers

HSBC 13 Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6ET
HSBC Henley In Arden

Investment Bankers

Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, 9 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4PE
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JQ

Aims and Organisaton

The Charity provides services and events resulting in the provision of public Christian worship for all and provides a facility for local groups and organisations to use our premises for the purposes of a wider witness within Stratford-upon- Avon and Henley in Arden and surrounding area

The objectives of the Charity are set out in The Methodist Church Act 1976 and include the following - The advancement of

a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. 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

Actvites of the Charity

Worshiping God through prayer, song and other acts of worship including the organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and nonmembers alike.
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
The charity supports Connexional & Mission work in the UK and Overseas including an active Overseas Sponsorship scheme, All We Can, Christian Aid, Action for Children, Methodist Homes for the Aged, and South Warwickshire Methodist circuit projects
Additional support is given to Stratford Churches Together, Stratford upon Avon Foodbank and Talking Newspapers for the Blind (Stratford)

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 4

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Public Beneft

We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

ECO Church

In 2003 this church began its Eco-Congregation programme and was given 3 awards over the next 15 years. In 2014 the premises were redeveloped with the aim of becoming more energy efficient and successfully reducing our carbon footprint. In summer 2019 we received the Gold Eco-Church award from A Rocha the first Methodist church in the UK to do so, and only the sixth church in the country of any denomination at that time. An active ECO group meets monthly.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document for the church is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976)

Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).

Day to day management of the church is undertaken by the Church trustees along with the Minister.

The Trustees are appointed at the AGM of the church.

Trustee Training

A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the church and the role of Trustees is given to the Church Trustees at various meetings

Related Partes

The Church regarding its financial year ending 31 Aug 2023 was part of the South Warwickshire Methodist Circuit itself a part of the Birmingham District, also accountable to the Methodist Conference.

The internal organisations linked to this church during this past year are Wesleys (mother & toddlers); Holiday at Home/Contact the Elderly; and Knit, Stitch & Natter.

Risk Management

The major risks have been identified and recorded by the trustees with professional advice taken as required. A regular review process is undertaken and recorded.

Income and Expenditure is monitored and compared with the approved annual budget by a Finance committee which meets quarterly as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves and identify opportunities to increase our reserves

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 5

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Safeguarding

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:

the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.

• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.

• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.

We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice

Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.

Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy for the Church is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 6 months’ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on the church building and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full expenses including the assessment payable to the Circuit. Unfortunately, the previous two years saw an erosion of our reserves due to Covid and only this year have we managed to balance income and expenditure. We now hold the equivalent of less than 4 months expenditure.

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 6

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2022/23 – STRATFORD UPON AVON METHODIST CHURCH

CHARITY Account	2023	2023	NOTES	2022	2022
Offertory and Tax Recoverable	43513		1, 3	43208
Interest and Investment Income	523			55
Lettings	42453		2	28067
Gifts, Donations, Legacies	2676			170
Grants & Fund Raising	9574		4	7200
Energy Export	2610		5	2383
Missc Income	37			741
Insurance Claims				5197
Mission	255		6	348
TOTAL RECEIPTS	101641			87369
Circuit Assessment		48666	7		41136
Repairs & Maintenance		12053	8		9381
Gas & Electricity		14960	9		5369
Insurance		3987	10		2960
Cleaning		8461	11		10536
Wesley Leader		432			3367
Organist Fees					75
Office		8772	12		8687
Audit Fee					990
Missc Expenditure		2208			2886
Insurance Claims					7129
Mission		355	6		1548
TOTAL PAYMENTS		99894			94064
NET SURPLUS/DEFICIT		1747	13		-6695
	101641	101641		87369	87369
GENERAL Account Reserve
Balance brought forward Sratford	24269			30964
Balance brought forward Henley	11070
Net Incoming Resources	1747		13	-6695
Balance carried forward	37086			24269

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 7

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

BALANCE SHEET - Stratord upon Avon Methodist Church at 31 August 2023

	2023	Notes	2022
CHURCH FUNDS
General Account	£37,086		£24,269
Internal Organisations	£2,080	14	£3,613
TOTAL of LIQUID FUNDS	£39,166		£27,882
Church Buildings & Contents – Stratford & Henley	£4,455,871	15	£3,400,775
TOTAL	£4,495,037		£3,428,657
REPRESENTED BY
HSBC Current Account Stratford	£1,423		£10,462
HSBC Current Account Henley	£1,701
HSBC Deposit Account Henley	£147
Cash in Hand	£5		£13
Internal Organisations	£2,080		£3,613
CFB Deposit Stratford	£32,370		£12,397
CFB Deposit Henley	£43
TMCP 8366	£1,397		£1,397
TOTAL of LIQUID FUNDS	£39,166		£27,882
Church Buildings & Contents – Stratford & Henley	£4,455,871		£3,400,775
TOTAL	£4,495,037		£3,428,657

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 8

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Internal Organisatons reportng to Church Council Year End 2023

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 9

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

	Opening	Receipts	Payments	Closing
	Balance			Balances
Wesleys	2135	1065	-1120	2080
Holiday At Home	733		-733	0
Knit, Sttch & Nater	745	820	-1565	0
Total	3613	1885	-3418	2080

Balances held in HSBC Current Account at 31 Aug 2023

Wesleys	2080.46
Total	2080.46

External Organisatons for Year End 2023

	Opening	Receipts	Payments	Closing
	Balance			Balances
Arden Forest Eco		1267.00	-1267.00	0
Long Lartn Angel Tree		150.00	-150.00	0
Christan Aid		160.50	-160.50	0
MHA		172.03	-172.03	0
Acton For Children		875.55	-875.55	0
SWC leaving gifs		44.40	-44.40	0
Total		2669.48	-2669.48	0

NOTES to the ACCOUNTS

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 10

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Our regular giving at Stratford increased by 15% following an appeal to members in 2022. Our thanks to the hard work put in by Graham Collins (Gift Aid Secretary) in obtaining our tax recovery.
Letting income reflects the return from hirers. This is split £34,252 Stratford and £8,101 Henley
Giving in previous year included £6,600 raised by a Gift Day in Stratford in 2021
This total includes Bazaar £1,643; Beetle Drive £144; Christmas Card £535; Brunch £1,349; Wesleys £1,000; Knit Stitch & Natter £1565; Holiday at Home £733; Books & Cards £1402; Grant £1,000 for Henley from Warwickshire County Council for community refrigerator.
Electricity sold to the grid is split Solar Panels £1,925 and Ground Source Heat Pump £685
Mission is no longer a separate account within the South Warwickshire Methodist Circuit so each individual church is now responsible for collection and payment of Mission funds. Expenditure last year – Heart of England Forest £1,267; Action for Children £876; Christian Aid £161; MHA £172; Angel Tree (Long Lartin) £150; A Rocha International £100; Overseas Sponsorship (Tax rebate) £255
Our Circuit assessment for 2022/2023 was split Stratford £42,642 & Henley £6,024
General maintenance split Stratford £9,135 & Henley £3,021
Stratford’s Gas & Electric contract is with Good Energy Ltd. Gas £6,862; Electricity £4,488. However, if we deduct the income from Energy Export (see note 5) the net cost of gas & electric is only £8,740. Henley only use electricity current contract with Octopus Energy and their costs were £4,342. This is more than double that paid the previous year and energy cost has become a major element of expenditure.
Insurance split Stratford £3,255 & Henley £731
Cleaning of the Stratford premises is contracted to Goldhill Contracting Ltd with separate contract with Unit Sales Ltd for janitorial supplies. We have not yet been billed for the final two months of the year by Goldhill so these figures are understated by more than £1,000. The total also includes £570 for Henley.
Office expenditure is split as follows - salary £6,445; photocopying £987; telephone/Wi-Fi £931, office expenses £410.
General account shows an operating surplus of £1,747. Our reserve has also increased to £39,166 due to the transfer from Henley of their reserve.

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 11

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

An Internal Organisation is defined by Connexion as being a group or organisation formed or set up by the Church Council. This money comes under the control of the Church Council, though it will sometimes be held in a separate bank account and be the responsibility of a different treasurer. These groups have their own officers appointed by the Church Council. Stratford Methodist Church acts as banker for some of these organisations as detailed on page 9. These monies are included in our reserves, and they belong to the Church not the internal organisation.
The building asset value of our two churches is calculated from the insurance reinstatement cost (inclusive of organ) less 15% architects fees and removal of debris costs plus Contents. However, the current SORP rules applying to these accounts mandate that we now include the market value of our freehold land, which I calculated in 2016 to be £400,000 for Stratford but have not calculated a figure for Henley. The Methodist Connexion is the ultimate owner of all church buildings and land but the trustees are deemed responsible for the upkeep of said premises whilst in their custody.

RESERVES POLICY of STRATFORD ON AVON METHODIST CHURCH

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 12

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

It is important to ensure sufficient reserves are available to enable the Church to achieve its aims of mission, but on the other hand, holding too much money in reserve can promote criticism and may well cause searching questions to be asked as to whether this Church as a charity is hoarding cash. As Trustees our reserves policy is based on a realistic assessment of our needs present and future. The following formula was adopted by Church Council at its October 2005 meeting.

Reserves are deemed to be those moneys, which are held in trust by the Church Council, but excluding Endowment Funds. This includes our Bank & CFB accounts plus all Model Trust Bequests, and Redevelopment monies held by our custodian trustees ‘Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes,’ which are not restricted.
[Minimum] Reserves should not fall below the equivalent of six months routine expenditure.

[Maximum] Reserves should not exceed the equivalent of six months routine expenditure plus the estimated shortfall between income and expenditure budgeted for the next three financial years plus amounts set aside to be spent in respect of building and development projects as declared under that section of the current schedule A.

The Reserves of Stratford on Avon Methodist Church on 31 August 2023 amounted to £39,166. No endowment or restricted funds are held. This figure includes £2,080 belonging to Internal Organisations.

Minimum Reserve as per formula is £50,000 see note
Maximum Reserve as per formula is £100,000 [50,000 + 50,000 operating loss and capital expenditure during next three years]

Note to Reserves Policy

Minimum reserve is calculated by taking 50% of Charity account expenditure which for 2023 amounted to £99,893 excluding internal organisations.

Our reserves will be further depleted unless we regularly increase giving and letting income. Our current reserve is less than 80% of minimum required by said policy.

TRUSTEES of STRATFORD ON AVON METHODIST CHURCH

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 13

ACCOUNTS for the Year End 31 August 2023

Registered Charity Number: 1152323

22 Trustees as of 1 September 2023

Rev. Sally Jones Chairperson Deacon Jane Mills Church minister Phil Ledgard Treasurer David Dumper Secretary Brenda Birnie Church Representative Margaret Blakemore Henley Representative Sheila Brown Circuit Representative Graham Collins Resources Secretary Alan Cumming Church Representative Rev. James Dobson Church Steward Gillian Edwards Church Representative Stephen Farmery Property Steward Janet Grant Church Steward Evelyn Ho Church Representative Lim Ho Church Representative Michael Ledgard Church Representative David Loader Church Representative Janet Mee Church Representative Malcolm Smith Church Representative Andrew Steele Henley Representative Susan Rimmer Church Representative Elizabeth Walker Church Representative

Prepared by David Dumper, Church Treasurer – September 2023 14

CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Stratft>rd u n Avon Methodlst Church FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 South Warwickshire Clrcult Circuit no. 5112 Roglsterod Charlty - Charlty Roglstratlon number If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Reven and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in tenns of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisalion's charitable status. Methodist charrties in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 1152323 Minister. Deacon Jane Mills Church Stewards.. Rev. James Dobson Janet Grant Treasurer.. David Dumper R AO P a¢¢ount 2023 1of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023 Strarford upon Avon Methodist Church Unrestsicted Rtricted Ttsta thi• Fund¥ Fund Totals last year SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Notg a2 Offerin s and Tax recovered Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 523 523 55 Lettin 42,4S3 15,152 101,641 42.453 15,152 101.641 a5 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 16,039 87,369 a6 la71 SECTION b1 PAYMENTS b2 Circuit Assessment or Share 48,666 4B,666 b3 Donations Re airs and Maintenance Ulililies Ilnsuran¢es, water char es. healin hlin b5 830 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 20,229 99,894 20,229 99,894 27,259 94,064 b8 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ¢1 a6-b8 1.747 Total funds brought foMard from last year 24 269 c6 c3 Sub total c1+c2 Transfers and ad. uslmenls c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 1¢3+e41 26.016 26.016 Ic81 24,269 Ic6 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Ithe8e amounts are not to b• Included In total recol ments fi Urns 8bov• d1 Balance brou hl fomard from last d2 Offerin sIGifts- received for extemal o nisats)ns d3 OfferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisations 2,669 d4 8ALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1+d2-d31 2of5 K-O pCount 2023

Stratford u n Avon Methodist church SECTION E Summaty ol ihe Cnurthxounts forlhe yeaT erbJeAI 31 Au9uSt 2023 kntynai ch9)atYB Chw£h crhur N(rteth•ithtrfund$of an htsTnal 0r9an15abx¥Ad normaty bo Ras10 unw rt ¢J>JkJ t trHttrwc<•JbJ t• any Th seGtM mwt te ANDA DIFFERENT FORM musi t lt0 repxitywJDts1seel4Elxh51YAbsikn} Pleam rtsl betssyen Tr•th¢t nd connxted 016bl¢t OrywiJatsots• INTERPIAL 0RGAP418ATNS ¢b¥ W• ss t2 at Hum• 33 733 Knlt sth¢h & 14thr 745 ¢7 Isabons fuThJb 3418 •11 ¢hur¢ •ccouM• (tot brougm lo1d Iroffl p•9• i- ¢ot•ls eoltsmn} 101,141 {b•) 1.747 BY CHURCH IOJ.628 IOJ.312 11.070 39.166 Conbnwon a ftyr• sh••1 Il W¥¥•rya brlng tot81s lorw8r¢ TQTAL RECEIPTS TQTAL PAYIIENTS SE¢TIOI4 F OPEP4WG BALANCES CLOSINO BALANce8 CHURCH. FlD8 HELOAt JI A 202) 13 g•nK CurF•nt£etyJM 8•nk 147 f4 C•mral Fln•rto 804rd Trv•l••$ lor ¢>1111 CtAth Pu 1.397 IrIund¥ SUB TOTAL- Chur¢th a¢e•urt ¢8 Total fun0$ Oy organW l)Ni¢k• b•i8wtOtsl Imm Ib0} 1•121 e12 TOTAL CASH FLINDS HELD BY CHURCH SECTION O Ai 31 jguIl 2023 QTHERA88ETS and UIBILmE$ Inw&BbThIS LaThY & Buihthn 4270 158 Other 185 713 OIW Lk9tl$ M onty lJ at iheCwtr81 Finm eLrd fs Cknde onty Fwd$ ai Trusteesfor meltChJr¢h PurrKées g1 I1Je 8nyothwinvesknnts InDtthe¢8sh elemttclWP trLryts IKCClty y¢y il 3ofS

Name of Stratford on Avon Methodlst Church Declarations and Scrutiny I confinn that these Receipt and Payment based xcounts for th8 to 31 August 2023 have béen prepared from the records of tr Church and that they Incl all funds under the control of thè Church trustees. SlgnatuTr of treasurer ..... *. .£¢ Name and addressoftreasurer............... . QF2 Pro8entatlon to the Church tru•to8• I conllrm that the annual reFort and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 to the meeting of the Church trustees hekl on ..... . ' wesented Q<.-r Slgn8tuTe of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chalr of the meetlng Independent Examln8rf8 Report to tho Tru8te•s of the Stratford on Avon Methodlst Church Chadty NUrnr .. 1152323 Re•pon8lblllUe• and ba•1• ol r•port I report to the trustees on my examinalion of the accounts of the ....... . Church for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on page5 .1. to S.. As the Church's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the aeK¢Junts in nce with the requiremenls of the Charities Act 2011 {Yhe ACV). I report in respect of my examinatK)n of the Church's nts carried out under liOn 145 of Ihe Act and. in carrying out my examination, I have folkywed all the applicable Dir&tions given by the Chanty Commission under section 145{5)Ib) of the Act. ' delete or circle as appropriate 4ofS

Name of Church .. Stratford on Avon Methodist Church 12.5 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. l tsxlhave not" obtsined independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finan Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualificakn'on of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code CAgZ ry7. Date Iq delete or circle as appropriate FCM R•¥ Y-YJ R no P account 2023 5of5