The United Reformed Church The Methodist Church Trinity (Methodist/United Reformed) Church 90 Hodford Road, Golders Green, London, NWII 8EG Charity N. 1155990 TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended.. 31 AUGUST 2023 Contents Page Trustees, Report Declarations Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet io Notes to the Accounts 11-19 The Trustees of Trinity Imethodist / United Reformed) Church (Trinity'l present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2023. l. Objectlves and artivities As a single congregation Local Ecumenical Partnership, Trinity's objective is to advance the Christian faith in the community, in accordance with the practices of the Methodist and United Reformed Church I'URC'I denominations. The Trustee5 takes their responsibilities to the Charity Commission seriously and follow their guidelines concerning public benefit in relatiOTJ to charitable objectives. To this end we bear witness to God's love for his people in Golders Green, either independently, or together with other churches and faith communities. To achieve our objective, Trinity engages in a range of activities, including worshiping God through prayer, song and other act5 of worship. It also organises and resources regular public act5 of worship that are open to Trinity's members and non-members alike and promotes the teaching of the Christian faith through sermons, courses and small groups as well as staging other events and services. Other activities include mission and evangelism, pastoral work includin8 VlSltin8 the sick and bereaved, provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including but not restricted to the elderly, the youn8 and other groups with special needs. Trinity also provides chaplaincy services to local care homes and other institutions as appropriate as well as supporting other charities in the UK and overseas. Whenever possible, Trinity supports both inter-denominational and inter-faith work engaging in dialogue to promote harmony and understanding between diverse groups in our Golders Green community. 2. Achlevements and Performance During 2022-23 the regular pattern of Sunday worship and other occasional activities has been maintained. The church has been fortunate to have a very gifted organist, whose skills enhance our worship, and members whose facility with technology enables our services to be streamed to people unable to attend in person. The pastoral team has continued to offer care to the church community, which includes a signif icant proportion of people who have not returned to on-site activities since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Filipino Fellowship has continued to meet each Sunday afternoon, and to offer musical contributions to morning worship once each month. The minister is an active participant in Churches Together in Golders Green and District. As well as hosting a variety of community events, it was good to welcome a group from Wessex Garden Primary School to visit the church and to learn about our faith and activities. 3.1 Flnanclal Performance for the year The improvement in financial performance sinte the end of the Covid 19 pandemlc contlnued with Trinity'5 surplus of £25,954 significantly above last year's £5,225. The results were explained by markedly increased income coupled with slightly lower expenses. Income I£101,3041 was 18% above last year 12022.. £85,9531,. boosted by higher inflows from trading activities1£81,8341 which were up 27% on the prior year12022'. £64,204) underpinned by hall renta151£60,4391 which improved by 39%12022: £43,5101. Expenditure for the year1£75,3501 decreased by 7%12022: £80,728) as lower office expenses1£14,158: 2022: £22,409), mainly utilities, were only partially offset by higher building maintenance within the property costs category12023: E26,248- 2022.. £21,582). Total reserves balances stood at £5,652,047 12022.. £5,626,093.) comprising unrestricted reserves of £5,637,33712022'. 5,612,333.1 and restricted funds of £14,71012022'. £13,760). The unrestricted funds were classified into liquid assets of £127, 155 12022: £96,459.) of which £43,461 were free reserves 12022.. £12,765) and £83,694 designated for building repairs. Total property assets £5,52 1,73112022: £5,529,036) had unrestricted and restricted components of £5,510,18212022'. £5,515,8741 and £11,54912022'. £13,162) respectively. 'Resiated to reflect the reclassiflcatlon of 3 provlslon bè1ance to a deslgnated fund. 3.2 Reserves policy Trinity has a free reserves policy based on ensuring that unrestricted funds cover six to nine month's expenditure. This was met as free reserves of £43,461 12022: £12,7651 were estimated to provide coverage of about 6.3 months. 3.3 Going Concern To the best of their knowledge and belief, the Trustees confirm that there are no material uncertainties that would call into question Trinity's financial viability for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these accounts. 3.4 Rlsks and Uncertainties With the consolidation in Trlnity's financial position, there are early signs that some of the risks and uncertainties surrounding income are abating, with receipts from hall and room letting in particular exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Church attendance on the other hand is yet to fully recover and as a result, offertory takings may remain depressed for some time and adversely impact income. On the expenditure side, it is noteworthy that Costs were contained within last Veals level and with recent easlng in the inflation rate, the risk of significant cost overruns may be receding. However, whilst rates remain comparatively high, this will pose on8oin8 challenges for cost containment in major components of expenditure. 4. Strurture, governance and management Trinity was established by the amalgamation of Golders Green Methodist Church and St Ninian's URC on 30 September 1979. As a Local Ecumenical Partnership ILEPI, it is governed by its constitution adopted on 7 July 2013 and is part of the Barnet & Queensbury Methodist Circuit IBQMCI and Thames North Synod ITN51 of the URC. The Church registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 3 March 2014. The titles to Trinity's buildings are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes ITMCPI as Custodian Trustees. The Church Building is held on Trust for the benefit of Trinity whose Trustees are the Managing Trustees. However, the beneficial ownership of the Manse is shared between BQMC and Trinity in the ratio of 75'A and 25'A respectively with BQMC acting as the Managing Trustees. The management of Trinity's buildin8s is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. Elected Trustees are appolnted at the Annual Congregational Meeting IACMI and serve for an initlal term of three years after which they are eligible for re-election. Ex officio Trustees include the minister of the LEP who act as chair, the Superintendent Minister of BQMC and the Moderator of TNS. In addition, the Trustees can also at any time appoint a maximum of two Co-opted Trustees who serve until the following ACM. The Minister is appointed on a rotational basis (normally every 5 years) using the denomination specific process of the Methodist or United Reformed churches. The current minister, appointed on I September 2021, is from the Methodist denomination. The Trustees are also members of Trinity's Church Council, membership of which comprise office holders, the Minister, other ex officio members and representatives appointed by Trinity's members at the ACM. Trinity operates within a statutory framework of regulation and Seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist St3nding Orders. Trustee meetin8S are held at least once a quarter and they report to Congregational Meetings at least once a year. Trinitv is supported by a part-time administrator Ithe post is currently vacantl and a dedicated group of lay volunteers. 5. Reference and Administrative Details 5.1 Name of the charlty Trinity IMethodist/United Reformed) Church, Golders Green 5.2 Charity registration number 1155990, re8lStered in England and Wales 5.3 Princlpal Offlce Trinity Church 90 Hodford Road London NWII 8EG 5.4 Treasurer Mrs Charlotte Silwizya 5.5 Names of Trustees The following served a5 Trustees throughout part or all of the year 2022-23 or were Trustees at the time of this report bein8 approved.. Rev'd Dr Martin Wellings (Chairl Mr Ivan Bonnett Mr Eric Brown Mrs Elaine Brown Ms Mary Brown (appointed 4 June 20231 Mr Bitru5 Danboyl Ms MinnyGilles Ms Encarnacion Manalili Mrs Janet Morrison Ms Theodora Matey Mrs Charlotte Silwizya (Treasurer) Mr5 Georgina Siriboe Ms Helen Tanedo Mr5 Monina Quin No trustee claims exemption from disclosure of his or her name here. 5.6 Bankers HSBC plc The Peak 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road Victoria London SWIV IEJ Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PE 5.7 Investment Managers and Custodian Trustees Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester Ml IJQ 5.8 Independent Examiner Andrew Thomas ACA Nyman Libson Paul LLP 124 Finchley Road London NW3 5JS Approvals The Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements were presented to the Trustees Meeting and approved by the Trustees on 12 May 2024 and will be presented to the members at the Annual Congregational Meeting onxjune 2024. Signed on behalf of the Trustees bv: Si8ned: _. l.LU Signed.. Rev'd Dr Martin Wellin8S Chair of Trustees 1214 LJll', Charlotte Silwizya Treasurer P051tion: Position: Date.. Date: DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that the accounts and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of Trinity and that they include all funds under the control of the Trustees. Signed.. Date.. Charlo te Silwizya Name of Treasurer: Charlotte Silwizya Address: 90 Hodford Road Golders Green London NWII 8EG Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Trlnlty IMethodist/Unlted Reformed) Church, Golders Green (the 'charity'l. I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023. This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reportsl Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken 50 that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report. Responslbilltle5 and Ba515 of Report Trustees, responsibilities As the Trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the 2011 Act'l. The Trustees are responslble for safeguarding the assets of Trinity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Trinity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees have.. followed applicable accounting standards, including the Charities SORP FRS11021 selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently using the accruals method made judgements and estimates that are considered reasonable and prudent prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis. The trustees consider that an audit is not necessary for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Independent Examlner's responslbllltles I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14Sl5llbl of the 2011 Act. Independent Examlner's Statement I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 8ivin8 me cause to believe that in any material respect: l. accountln8 records were not kept In respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concernlng the form and content of accounts set out In the Charlties (Accounts and Reports) Re8ulations 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come acros5 no other matters In connectlon wlth the examination to which attention should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of the account5 to be reached. Andrew Thomas ACA N)'nikiii L.ih%()n P