The Church of St Philip and St Paul with Wesley Scarisbrick New Road, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6QF
Annual Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2025
THE CHURCH OF ST PHILIP AND ST PAUL WITH WESLEY, SOUTHPORT ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Reference and Administrative Information
The Church of St Philip and St Paul with Wesley is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Charity registration number: 1155030 Official correspondence can be sent to:
St Philip and St Paul with Wesley, Scarisbrick New Road, Southport PR8 6QF.
The Joint Council (JC) arises from our Sharing Agreement on the building. In practice the meetings of the JC are very brief and deal with questions of policy regarding expenditure on management, exceptional expenditure, substantial capital expenditure on structural repairs or improvement of the church building. The Ecumenical Church Council (ECC) arises from being a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) and is the joint decision-making body for the church.
Those who served on the Ecumenical Church Council during 2025 until the date of approval of this report are:
Rev’d Patrick Evans (Superintendent Minister until August 2025) Rev’d Chris Humble (Minister and Superintendent Minister from September 2025) Mrs Margaret Harwood (Church Steward) Mr Barry Stewart (Church Steward from April 2025) Mr Peter Jones (Treasurer until April 2025 and from November 2025) Mrs Anne Stewart Mr Mike Swinnerton (Until April 2025) Mr Ray Flanagan (Circuit Steward) Mrs Janet Carver Mrs Bethan Matthews Mrs Valerie Jones (From April 2025) Mrs Beatrice McIntosh (From April 2025)
The following members of the Ecumenical Church Council also make up the PCC
Rev’d Rachel Bray (Vicar)) Miss Gail Rooke (Churchwarden) Mrs Christine Moyes (Churchwarden from April 2025) Miss Samantha Ramsay (Until April 2025) Mr Jeremy Hooper (Until April 2025) Mrs Helen Ball (Until April 2025) Mrs Carol Newman (Until April 2025) Mr Tony Allen Mrs Gill Moor Mrs Jo Taylor Mrs Christine Critchley (Until April 2025) Mrs Rosie Paterson (From April 2025) Mr Mark Paterson (From April 2025)
Reader: Mrs Christine Moyes. Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Bethan Matthews Bankers: Barclays Bank plc, 265-267 Lord Street, Southport PR8 2HF Independent Examiner: Mr David Bowler Architect: NJSR Chartered Architects, 57-59 Hoghton Street Southport PR9 0PG
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The day to day management control of the church is exercised by the Standing Committee which is made of up of the Vicar, the Methodist Minister, Churchwarden/s, Church Steward/s the Treasurer and the Church Council Secretary. It meets in the lead up to all Council meetings, helping to set the agendas and continue to develop vision. Church Council sub-groups covering different areas of church life, and on occasion special task groups, may meet during the year, carry out detailed work and reporting back to the council.
STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
The Methodist Church Council (MCC) is constituted according to the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church Standing Order 611. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure 1956. All Church members are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the church. Individual members of the church councils receive external training as and when deemed appropriate eg Safeguarding training.
Risk Assessments
The ECC undertakes an ongoing programme of risk assessments to identify their major risks. Procedures are being put in place to manage those risks and minimise their impact on the life of the church. Action in the main areas of risk is taken as follows.
(a) Financial Risk
An annual budget is prepared to ensure short term viability. Actual results compared with budget are reported to every church council meeting (approx. 7 times a year). Investments are only made in approved low risk funds approved for charity use. All assets are insured and levels are reviewed. Best practice is followed for cash handling.
(b) Compliance with Law and Regulation
A procedure for recording accidents is in place and Church Wardens and Church Stewards have been briefed in fire evacuation procedures. We seek to meet the requirements of Health and Safety legislation and the Equality Act 2010. We have a fire safety officer and have continued to carry out regular work in the building to further comply with issued guidance. We have reviewed and risk assessed our emergency procedures.
(c) Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection (Safeguarding Policy)
We are committed to following best practice with regard to safeguarding and child protection. Safeguarding is a standing item on our church council agenda. All church council members are required to undertake up to date safeguarding training. The Methodist Church’s annual Safeguarding Audit also ensures that our processes are rigorous and up to date.
(d) Operational Risk
Plans have been agreed with our Church School for services to be held in the school hall in the event of the main worship area of the church becoming unusable for a limited period. The use of the St Paul’s Hall would also be an option.
All formal risk assessments are recorded and filed, and reviewed annually.
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objective of the church and its councils in formal Church of England terms is “to cooperate with the minister in promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical” (PCC Powers measure 1956). In Methodist Standing Orders it is the local church that exercises the whole ministry of Christ where it is and it is the church council itself which “has authority and oversight over the whole area of the ministry of the church”. In our experience as an LEP, these different ways of stating our objective are complementary. When planning our objectives for the year, the church council gives consideration to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of religion.
The church’s four key values continue to be: Worship, Belong, Grow and Serve. Our 2025 Verse for the year was “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV. We reflected on this at many points during the year.
Our priorities in 2025 were:
Growing in discipleship
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Encouraging the place of prayer in the life of individuals and the church.
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A new team-based approach to planning and leading All-age worship.
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Launching a new worshipping community for children from 0-Year 2 and their families.
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Running the START course for the whole church in Lent
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Reviewing and renewing our small group model.
Growing in number
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A number of initiatives to make our welcome the best it can be to newcomers.
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Start a new monthly coffee morning for the local community.
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Review how we deliver pastoral care.
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Hold a Welcome lunch/tea for those who have joined the church in the last few years.
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Have a coordinated programme of social events and fundraising activities
Factors relevant to the achievement of our stated objectives.
We said goodbye to Rev’d Patrick Evans as our Methodist Minister at PPW. He continues as Minister within the Circuit at Ainsdale Methodist Church, Lord Street West United Church and Russell Road Methodist Church. In September we welcomed Rev’d Chris Humble as our new Methodist Minister and Circuit Superintendent.
Our church now has a full complement of Church Wardens and Church Stewards. As per our Constitution, we have a six year rule in place for length of service on the church council. A change to our constitution was proposed to enable those who hold statutory offices to continue on Council beyond six years. In line with Methodist practice, it was proposed that they then can be elected on an annual basis as long as having more than g 75% of a ballot vote. The Council agreed this is principle. A Special Congregational Meeting was held on 2[nd] November 2025. The amendment to the constitution was voted on and agreed almost unanimously. Following this & a subsequent ballot vote at the following council meeting, Peter Jones was unanimously voted in for another year on Council as Treasurer. Liverpool Diocese invited all the Deaneries to take part in Fit for Mission – a
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Diocesan Initiative which seeks to address the widely acknowledged issues across the church. After fully engaging with the process, the council voted not to enter the next steps of Fit for Mission.
A number of new initiatives started this year. Our All-age worship was reimagined and a new teambased approach model set up to plan monthly intergenerational service. The number of children and families attending has increased and the number of people of all ages involved in these services has grown significantly. Play Church for the 0-7’s was launched on the first Saturday of each month in October and a creative and committed team is growing in confidence.
We held a weekly START course during Lent which was very well attended. We reviewed our small group format (previously Lyfe) and Connect was launched in the autumn. Readings from Sunday and questions from the Preacher of the day are used for each session. The groups are gradually embedding. A monthly ‘Warm Welcome’ coffee morning was launched as a community outreach. There have been speakers from time to time, and it is well attended. A very successful Family Fun Day took place in May. With great leadership and imagination, it was a great event, very well attended and attracted many people from the local community and from local businesses. Rachel and Dominic Bray hosted a Welcome event in May for all those new to the church since June 2021. Sue Evans became our Eco Church representative. In July we hosted the G:force Gospel Choir as a fundraiser, which was enjoyed by all.
Achievements and performance including review of charitable achievements against objectives
The following section highlights areas of activity and performance
Methodist Membership and the Electoral Roll
At 31st December 2025, there were 67 members on the Methodist membership roll ( 2024 – 70 ) 37 Joint members ( 2024 - 37 ) and 30 Methodist members ( 2024 - 33 ). 1 Methodist member had died and 2 member have transferred their membership.
The Electoral was created from scratch in 2025 as happens every 6 years. The Roll for 2024-25 stood at 91 people. As at 20.04.25 when the roll closed, it stood at 74 people. 18 people are new to the Electoral Roll this year.
WORSHIP AND CHURCH LIFE
In 2025, average attendance at Church Worship has been 61 adults and 6 children ( 2024 - 60 adults, 5 children ). For a 10.30 Baptism service we had an attendance of 78 adults and 13 children ( 2024 – 93 adults, 12 children ). For a 10.30 Intergenerational Service we had and average of 85 Adults and 20 children. During the year we had 15 infant baptisms and 7 Adult Baptisms ( 2024 – 14 and 2 ). In 2024, there were 10 Baptism services on a Sunday outside of the 10.30 service ( 2024 – 9 ) and 7 on another day of the week ( 2024 -1 ). We had 4 full immersion Baptisms and 2 Thanksgivings for newborns. A monthly midweek Communion service is held monthly with an average attendance of 14 people. We also host a monthly 9am Circuit Communion service.
Due to increasing numbers, we held 2 Christingle services on Christmas Eve. 389 people came to one of the services, including more families with links to our school.
There were 2 weddings in 2025. ( 2024 – 0 ).
We held 6 Funerals in Church, ( 2024 – 5 ) 1 memorial service ( 2024 – 1 ) and 4 Services at Southport Crematorium ( 2023 – 3 ).
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Pastoral care
The pastoral care task continues to be enormous and there are no easy answers. We produce a monthly newsletter for everyone on our community roll plus others who have requested it. It includes a letter from one of the clergy and details of upcoming services and events as well as information about regular groups in the life of the church. Our new Connect groups have continued to support one another in different ways. Links with local nursing and care homes have continued. Our Friends Together group for those who have been bereaved is very much appreciated by all who attend. The Christmas meal in December was once again a highlight. Home Communion is taken out by a small team of people to some who can’t get to church. So much wonderful pastoral care is quietly done by so many of the church community. The church was open on the first anniversary of the events of 29 July 2024. Radio Merseyside did their breakfast show from our building and grounds. It was a poignant day for our church and for our community.
Youth and children’s work .
In addition to the new initiatives with PlayChurch and the development of inter-generational worship, there are a number of ways we regularly engage with children and young people. Our Wednesday afternoon Tiddlers and Toddlers group continues to thrive, led by a dedicated team. Our links with the Amber Family houses and the parents and children they support in our locality have grown and are a blessing. Our Trekkerz group for the 3-11’s continues under the leadership of a committed team and is very much valued by both the children and their families. We are looking at recruiting a new leader in 2026 to join the team.
Our Choco-Church initiative before school on Thursday mornings, providing hot chocolate and pastries for our school-children, has gone from strength to strength and we can see how much more comfortable children and their families are in the church building. This was especially evident at this year’s Christingle services where many more school families came and the church full to capacity. The new ‘Choco-Church Does’ team headed up an event during Lent and we are considering how we might take this forward.
The Sunday@6 group for the 11+’s has grown and is made of up of young people from PPW, and the wider Circuit. A group of young people went to the Methodist Youth Assembly 3Generate at the NEC in Birmingham in October and was enjoyed by both the young people and the team of leaders. We hope to take a group again in 2026.
Our Girls Brigade has a committed team of leaders and the number of girls attending has increased over the year. Our Guiding groups also continue to thrive and we are always delighted when some of them attend the monthly intergenerational services.
Church-School Partnership
Our foundation governors do an excellent job at supporting the school, and the Chair of Governors is a member of our Church. Rachel leads school assemblies both in school and in church, takes part in lessons from time to time to support the RE curriculum as well as the end of term services. The excellent Prayer buddies initiative continues to be a source of mutual blessing. A member of the church also takes part in Sweaty Church and others attend the termly Family-Church event. Church and school collaborated well on the creative Experience Advent initiative which was enjoyed by all who took part, including not only school children and staff, but a significant number of parents and carers whose children brought them into church and talked them through what they had experienced. School has set up an after school Bible Club for Reception and Year 1 which some members of the church support. Church members continue to come into the school and listen to
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the children read. We continue to honour the outstanding commitment and work of all our governors, the school’s senior leadership team and all the staff of our school.
CHURCH PROPERTY.
Internal:
The boilers, fire alarms and extinguishers, gas appliances and lift were all serviced this year. Permission was given for a new replacement projector to enhance our worship, and this was installed in December. The lounge carpet was cleaned. Work is needed for the lighting within the nave and chancel. Estimates for this work are being sought. Repairs were carried out on the flooring in the upstairs hall following water damage following a storm.
Plans are still in place to improve our storage throughout the building and declutter wherever possible. We are so grateful to all who help maintain our building and to those who offer to help when specific tasks need doing.
External:
The Diocesan Buildings adviser followed up the Quinquennial with prioritizing stonework repairs as and when funds were available.
Permission was given to replace the security cameras round the church. This work should take place in January 2026. Remedial work was carried out on the chancel roof. We are considering options to make the car park safer. We also aspire to improve access into the South Transept which is used for funerals and weddings in particular. A ramp would greatly enhance the entrance and make it safer for all. Our Architect and the Circuit Buildings Officer are being consulted about the best way to approach this. The committed gardening team have continued to maintain the flowerbeds and lawn making the grounds a pleasant space for our local community.
FINANCE
Performance of Investments
The deposit account held at the Methodist Central Finance Board earned interest of £562 – equivalent to 3.9 %. The year end balance on the account was £14,885.
The St Paul’s Educational Trust, a Permanent Endowment account held at the CCLA (Churches, Charities and Local Authorities Investment Management Ltd), earned interest of £3,722 (equivalent to 4.5%).The interest received in 2025, has been added back to the fund and we are committed to restoring the fund to £100,000 (currently approx. £85,976) by the year 2060 as per the agreement with the Charity Commission. At some point in the future we still hope to seek advice on exploring the possibility of releasing capital from the fund.
The year end balance on the account was £85,976.
Financial Review
General Account : The projected shortfall on the general of £10,600 did not materialise. The final figure was an excess of expenses over income of only £1,000. This is a result of an increase in giving and an increase in receipts from lettings, funerals and fund raising events. Some expenses were considerably lower than expected – Utilities, Parish Share, Assessment.
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Restricted Funds Account : Income to this account must be used for the purpose for which it was given. Grants received into the General Account for mission purposes such as Toddler Group, Welcome In, Choco Church and Friends Together were transferred to the restricted Account.
Building for Our Future Account: This account is funded by the rental income from the church flat (48A Hampton Road, above the school). The income is designated for the flat maintenance, church grounds maintenance and building repairs and maintenance. Designated funds can be redesignated for other purposes. The annual income from the flat is £6,300, however £3000 of this income is transferred to the general account (£250 per month) to support general running costs. Flat maintenance was higher than usual due to the need to replace the boiler.
Reserves Policy. We have, in the past, aspired to hold reserves of £20,000. However our current financial situation and some upcoming repairs and projects may necessitate a revision of this policy.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:
Arising from the LYCIG programme which we have engaged with since 2023, our priorities for 2026 centre around its 2 key areas:
Growing in discipleship
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Embed the new Connect groups into the life of the Church encouraging more people to join them.
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Continue to develop inter-generational worship & seek ways to encourage children and families to explore faith.
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To develop and grow PlayChurch through all the missional links we already have.
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Hold a Confirmation Service in Spring 2026.
Growing in number
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Publicise more widely the missional activities of the church in the local community.
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Help those of all ages who start coming to PPW to explore their gifts and find their place to belong in the life of the church.
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Work with the new Circuit Children’s & Families Worker and the Youth Worker to explore how we engage ever better with children and young people.
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ECUMENICAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF St Philip & St Paul with Wesley GENERAL FUND Receipts and Payments at 31 December 2025
| Income Giving and donations Tax Eefficient planned Giving Income Tax recovered Other planned giving Plate collections and other giving Donations Other trading activities Lettings Fundraising (net) Weddings & Funerals (net) Flat Rent (part) Charitable activities Special collections Grants Legacy Other Income Other income Total Receipts EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Parish Share and Circuit Assessment Clergy Expenses & Resources Mission and relief agencies Utilities Insurance Maintenance and cleaning Assigned Fees Equipment Tech & WiFi Collections Distributed Trans to restricted Donations Made Admin & stationery Upkeep of services Governance Sundries Travel Total payments Excess of expenditure over income Balance b/f at 1 January 2025 Balance c/f at 31 December 2025 |
26,663 8,503 2,141 11,533 48,839 4,545 4,545 10,311 2,630 2,378 2,750 18,069 2,487 6,035 8,522 523 523 1,382 1,382 81,880 46,812 968 140 7,176 6,345 11,430 202 0 540 1,973 3,411 1,243 355 126 525 1,635 0 82,879 -1,000 26,612 25,612 2025 |
28,534 9,754 1,047 12,780 52,115 3,077 3,077 9,600 1,193 1,484 2,900 15,178 1,978 4,680 6,658 26,250 26,250 1,237 1,237 104,514 54,814 958 892 12,035 6,194 8,291 673 550 515 695 0 1,572 140 363 567 1,661 25 89,946 14,568 12,044 26,612 2024 |
|---|---|---|
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ECUMENICAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF St Philip & St Paul with Wesley BFOF - Flat & Grounds Maintenance A/C at 31 December 2025
Opening Balance 18481.66 Income Flat Rent (part) 3550.00 Total 3550.00 Expenditure Flat Maintenance 150.00 Grounds maintenance 356.88 New Equipment (Projector) 2364.60 Major Electrical Work 3511.35 Total 6382.83 Excess of expenditure over income -2832.83 Closing Balance 15648.83
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ECUMENICAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF St Philip & St Paul with Wesley RESTRICTED FUNDS A/C at 31 December 2025
| Opening Balance 1st Jan 2025 | 6,619 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Benevolence Fund | 19 | |
| Bible Notes | 201 | |
| Flower Fund | ||
| Aassigned Fees | 927 | |
| Mission Grants | 914 | |
| Security Grant | 1,121 | |
| Youth Work Grant | 400 | |
| SASWT | 270 | |
| Special Collections | ||
| Chocco Church | 180 | |
| Youth Work | 50 | |
| Expenditure | 4,082 | |
| Benevolence Fund | 435 | |
| Bible Notes | 201 | |
| SASWT | 348 | |
| Special collection Distrib | ||
| Assigned Fees | 440 | |
| Miscellaneous | 47 | |
| Mission | 1,485 | |
| Flower Fund | 32 | |
| Sunday Club | 111 | |
| New Equipment -security | 1,250 | |
| Youth Work | 329 4,678 Closing Balance 31st Dec 2025 |
6,023 |
Closing Balance 31st Dec 2025
Balances held in Restricted Funds Account (Barclays)
| Benevolence Fund Bible Notes Christian Aid Church Weekend Flower Fund Choco Church Special Collections Youth Work Sunday Club Assigned Fees SASWT Kintsugi Sound System Security system Misc Exp Mission Kintsugi |
1,586 34 130 635 57 480 74 68 676 487 271 100 -1,245 -130 -47 2,746 100 |
|---|---|
6,023
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| ECUMENICAL | CHURCH COUNCIL OF | CHURCH COUNCIL OF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Philip & St Paul with Wesley | |||
| Methodist Central | Finance Board Deposit A/c | ||
| as at 31 | December 2025 | ||
| Opening balance 01/01/25 | 14,323 | ||
| Interest received in 2025 | 562 | ||
| Closing Balance 31/12/25 | 14,886 | ||
| This account comprises : | |||
| Building Designated | |||
| Balance 01/01/25 | 11,051 | ||
| Interest | 434 | ||
| Balance 31/12/25 | 11,485 | ||
| Sunday Club Restricted | |||
| Balance 01/01/25 | 1,632 | ||
| Interest | 64 | ||
| Balance 31/12/25 | 1,696 | ||
| Youth Work Restricted | |||
| Balance 01/01/25 | 1,640 | ||
| Interest | 64 | ||
| Balance 31/12/25 | 1,704 | ||
| Total | 14,886 |
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£CUMENICAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF st Philip & St Paul with Wesley STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND IIABILMES Cash Funds 2025 25,612 15.649 6.023 14,886 85,976 2024 26.612 18.482 6.619 14.323 82,254 Barclays General Actount Bar¢lays Bullding For Our Future Account Bartlèys Restrlcted Funds Account Methodist CF8 Attount CCLA Account held by Diocese Totsl current Ind deposlt accwnts 148.147 148,291 This figure represents: Unrostrlcted Funds General Fund Building and Ground5 Designated 25,612 27,134 26,612 29,533 52,746 56,145 Restrlrted Funds Benevolence Fund Blble Notes Christlan Ald Church week?(1 Flower Fund Choco Church Special Collectlons Youth Work Sunday Cb A$snd Fees SAswr Klntsugl Sound System Securlty system Mlsc Exp Mission Kintsugi 1,586 74 89 2,IX)2 130 635 57 480 74 1.773 2,372 2,419 1,587 130 3,718 271 Irj) -1,245 -130 .47 2,746 l(M) 635 349 ILX) -1,245 TOTAL 9A24 85.976 TOTAL 9A92 82,254 82,254 Permanent Endowment 148.146 148,291 Signed on 2613126 b Rev chel B Rev Christopher Humble p12 ones
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Se¢tlon A Independent Examlnor's Report Report to the trusteos Church of St Philip and St Paul with Wesley On accounts for the year ended 31. December 2025 Charlty no Ilf any) 1155030 Sel out on pag•8 I report to the Irustees on my examinatlon of the 8w)unl$ of the above charity I"Ihe Trusl'l for the year ended 3111W2025 Rospon•lbllltlo8 and ba81s of roport As the chaiity's Iru8tee$. you are responsible for the preparatlon of the accounts in accordance Wlth the requiTrments of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrylng out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Dlreclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the Act. Indapendont oxamlnerfs statemont I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters *ave come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any materi81 re$pecl.' the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the account4ng records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fom and conlenl of a¢counl$ Sel out in the Charilles (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have o)ncems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in r lo enable a proper understanding of the accounls to be reached. Slgnod: Dato: 9" March 2026 Nam•: David Charte$ Bowler Rolovant professlonal quallflcallonlsl or body Ilf any): I.F.A. - FPC Financial Services. ACCI Address: 88 Greendale Rd, Port Sunlight, CH62 4XD IER Oct 2018