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2024-08-31-accounts

THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Charities and Public Benefit Annual Report For the year ending 31[st] August 2024 The Lantern Methodist Church

Registered Charity Number - 1178284

The church forms part of the Wimbledon Circuit of the Methodist Church – Circuit Number 35/26.

Minister Deacon Dawn Canham Church Steward s Dawn Downes Wendy Siemaszko Juliette Jaeger Margaret Redway Angela Linton-Smith Church Treasurer Alan Brown

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1302) (issued October 2019).

The members of the Church Council are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of church office holders, Minister and representatives appointed by the church at the Annual General Meeting and are listed in appendix A of this document. Further information about the Church Council is provided on page 9.

Governing Documents

The Lantern Methodist Church is part of the Methodist Church and as such it’s governing documents are the sections pertaining to local churches within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church. A copy is available at - https://www.methodist.org.uk/for churches/governance/cpd/

Introduction & Executive Summary

Another exciting year at the Lantern Methodist Church as the charity has continued to develop new ways of worshiping and committing to hybrid gatherings through the use of various online social media.

Partnership is key to recovery and growth, it is in an ever-changing world at the core of our mission. The trustees of The Lantern Methodist Church would like to take this opportunity to underline that although in our financial statement it appears we have assets (buildings) which could realise if sold approx. £9,000,000 only a very small fraction of that sum would be available to The Lantern Methodist Church as all Methodist Churches are only managed by local trustees in a format of The Model Trust Fund. Any monies from the sale of Methodist Premises goes back to the Methodist Connexional accounts.

The Lantern Methodist Church in real terms has approx. £115,000 in unrestricted funds to manage and maintain our work across both Raynes Park and Wimbledon. The charity relies on donations, fundraising and rental of its premises.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Aims and Purposes

The charity’s objectives are contained within our: -

Vision and Mission Plan

We are called to live out the creative, inclusive, radical and transforming love of Jesus Christ.

We endeavour to do this through blending and partnering with our communities; celebrating what we have in common and respecting differences.

We are a diverse worshipping community with a contemporary programme of praise, reflection and learning which enables us to be transformed to reflect our values. Targets for 2020-2025.

We are in partnership with a thriving Christian arts centre. As a wider family we believe in the transforming power of the arts, gifted by the Holy Spirit. Targets for 2020-2025.

We commit to sharing with our local communities; safe spaces, opportunities and creative tools to explore, develop and deepen our experience as human beings. Targets for 2020-2025.

Following the calling of the Methodist Church we endeavour to become lifelong learners; seeking to live with differences and to hold one another in love. Targets for 2020-2025.

We believe all are truly welcome; reaching out to the margins of our communities, enabling social justice movements and discerning how we may serve all.

Targets for 2020-2025

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH

(of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

The purposes of the charity are: -

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;

How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit - Review of the year

The charity has continued to be a focal point in the local community and had an increasing number of people using the Church premises.

In addition to its regular activities the church held; prayer and praise for the 3rd age, ongoing pastoral support for the Lantern Arts Centre with pastoral team members present at all rehearsals and productions/events. The formation of a Project Group to assess the needs of the community in relation to the building and how with careful and thoughtful refurbishment of the entire Raynes Park site we may become a sustainable and welcoming community asset both physically and emotionally for many years to come. There have also been a number of successful fundraising events; for instance, our Christmas Celebration in partnership with Lantern Arts Centre (which includes performances, Christmas market, switch on of the outside Christmas tree and lights and foodie delights from our coffee house).

We also hosted the Merton Winter Night Shelter, in partnership with other local faith groups beginning in January for 7 weeks. Links have been maintained with those who stayed with us and support has been given.

The Lantern Hub is a community resource signposting people to not only the events and activities within the centre but also services and guidance in the broader Merton borough. People are encouraged to come in, socialise, learn new skills so as to alleviate isolation, loneliness and challenges related to mental health. This project is a collaboration with the Lantern Arts Centre, who were able to secure funding for human resources to manage the Hub.

Both sites provide facilities for community organisations to meet and provide social interaction in their local areas.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Financial Review

Income Trends

The charity’s income comes from: -

The giving of church members / congregation, either in the Sunday collections or regular giving by standing orders. During 23/24 the income from donations rose by 25%.

Hall letting income: mainly from external users of the building, plus donations from church organisations and members of the congregation for use of the halls complex has reduced by 17% in 23/24.

Rental income from two church owned flats which are part of the Wimbledon Church complex increased by 12% during the 23/24 year.

The church’s unrestricted income for the year is 9% lower in the 23/24 year, the main reduction being the reduced letting income from Wimbledon. The total income is 5% higher than 2023/24 due to a £25,000 grant from the District Advance Fund for the building project.

Expenditure trends

A major cost is in relation to the assessment paid to the Wimbledon Circuit, this amounts to 11% of our total cost this year. The Circuit assessment which is calculated on the number of members remained largely consistent with the previous year.

There has been a rise in electricity costs due to rising energy prices, an increase in staff costs of 19% and a rise in maintenance cost of 15% due to the site requiring more upkeep.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Trustees’ Annual Report on Finance and Governance

Basis of preparation and legal framework

These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with the SORP 2019 (FRS 102).

Full Name of Charity / Church: The Lantern Methodist Church of Wimbledon and Raynes Park Registration Charity Number: 1178284 Date of registration (if registered as a Charity) 8th May 2018 Main communication address The Lantern Methodist Church, Tolverne Road London SW20 8RA

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

Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.

Treasurer: Mr Alan Brown

Independent Examiners: -

Matthew Hunt ℅ Digivolve Accountants Delta House, Bridge Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1UA.

Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church

Trustees for Methodist Church purposes

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH

(of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Main Activities of the Charity

The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.

The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. The resourcing of pastoral work, which includes visiting the sick and bereaved. Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.

Encouraging links with the local community through providing a community centre for a range of community activities

The Lantern Methodist Church is a Methodist Church within the Wimbledon Circuit and serves the people of Wimbledon and Raynes Park.

Deacon Dawn Canham has ministerial responsibility for the Lantern Methodist Church and is supported in this by the other ministers within the Wimbledon Circuit.

As part of our mission, we continue to encourage links with the church, and our halls and facilities, to enable us to reach out to the local community and respond to their needs. Particularly, we reach out to those who may be less confident about their place in the community and their relationship with the church.

The Lantern Church is a friendly and welcoming church and uses a Café style of worship. The friendship and fellowship within the church is very highly valued by its congregation and we are committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our church community.

As a church community, we have continued to support many activities in the local community and our thanks go to all those who have supported all the initiatives, activities and events that take place in our church and in the halls.

The Lantern Church has a close relationship with the Lantern Arts Centre which is based at the Raynes Park site. The Lantern Arts Centre, which was an offshoot of the church, focuses on the promotion of the Christian faith through Drama and other arts. The art centre runs activities for the young through to the old.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Achievements and Performance

Worship and Prayer

The Lantern Church provides a range of services. The church is normally laid out in a café style with chairs around round tables. The services usually involve interaction with the congregation for part of the services. Communion services are held when a member of the clergy team in the circuit is available to take the service. Prayer meetings are held on a weekly basis.

Sunday Services

A weekly Sunday Morning service is held at 10.30am at the Raynes Park site and a monthly service is held in the afternoon at Bradbury Court retirement complex, meeting the needs of those unable to leave their homes. A weekly service is also held at our Wimbledon site.

The Church and Church Halls

The premises are managed by our centre manager Steve Rees which includes not only income generation through lettings but also maintenance and upgrading of the buildings where required. We are also working closely with the Lantern Arts Centre on an ambitious reimagining of the grade 2 listed Raynes Park site.

What's on For Adults

A wide range of activities for adults take place at the Lantern Methodist Church each week, from social and support group (e.g. Weekly AA meetings and a fellowship group for the retired), through our partnership with the Lantern Arts Centre we offer film and book clubs, fitness and dance, amateur dramatics, prayer meetings and quiet/safe spaces. We also provide rooms on a daily and weekly basis for a foreign language church to meet. Our aim is to provide well maintained and well managed church premises for the local community to use for a diverse range of activities throughout the week and at the weekends. We provide facilities for groups from the church and in the local community, local charities and commercial organisations in order to develop our joint church into a true community church.

What's on For Children and young people

In partnership with the Lantern Arts Centre, we engage with our young people through the various theatre groups which run weekly - helping to make links between faith and the world, offering a safe space in which to explore difficult subjects and also to have fun. Through the Hub we offer a weekly play zone for young children and their carers, an enabled space to meet other carers, an opportunity for the children to learn and play and also an opportunity for the charity members to interact with the community and provide intergenerational interactions.

Through a diverse programme enabled by the Lantern Arts Centre the church community is actively encouraged to offer and enable the wide variety on offer.

At our Wimbledon site we have partnered with St John the Divine on the High Path estate, which is an area of social deprivation to provide a new toddler group, messy church and are working towards setting up a summer holiday club alongside the local primary school.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Pastoral Care

There is a small team chaired by the Minister and enabled by a pastoral secretary that coordinates all the pastoral visits, and cares for both the church/arts centre and community. Weekly bible study is enabled through our Raynes Park site, and we share in quarterly family meals within the main body of the church, and this is extended to all who call the Lantern home (Hub staff, Arts Centre and costume store). Our weekly prayer group is attended by a wide, diverse group from both the church and community as it is becoming known as a safe space, with a listening heart for all. Church members and attendees are actively encouraged to see pastoral care as a whole life experience not limited to church space but extended into every area of their lives.

Mission and Evangelism

The Minister is currently being enabled by the wider Methodist Church to research and promote healthy evangelism and to mission in its widest sense. This has seen the participation by the congregation in surveys to take the temperature of feeling to mission and evangelism, to envision growth and to seek to meet new people in new places, moving beyond the post-christendom position and into the 21st Century enabling a Christ-Centred space for all.

Future Plans

When planning our activities for the year, we consider the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our church community through:

To facilitate and support this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of the church and halls buildings of The Lantern Methodist Church. The Raynes Park site, a grade 2 listed building which is about 111 years old needs refurbishment in order that it can support the work of the church in the local area. Our Building Project has continued to explore the way in which the site can be developed in a way that conserves the character of the building.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Structure, Governance and Management

The Lantern Methodist Church operates under the Constitution and Practice of the Methodist Church.

Church Council (CC)

The purpose of the Church Council (CC) with our minister, Deacon Dawn Canham, is to promote the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical, in the local neighbourhood. The Church Council is the church’s governing body. Membership of the CC should therefore be taken seriously as it carries responsibility for financial and legal decisions made on behalf of the church. The CC appoints committees that have the authority to act within pre-defined areas of responsibility; supports the work of all such committees and receives their reports, making decisions on any matter of principle that may arise.

The CC membership includes the clergy, the Church Stewards, the CC Secretary, Church Treasurer, Convenors of Church Committees, Circuit Steward and 6 or more Ordinary Members. Ordinary Members are elected at the AGM to serve for a term of 3 years and can then be re-elected to serve a maximum of 6 years. Office holders are also elected annually, to serve a maximum of 6 years.

During the past year, the CC has overseen the work of the various Church Committees, giving approval as necessary. Church finances continue to be a matter of concern - see Finance report for more details. Other church business dealt with over the year includes: -

The requirement for the church to produce an annual report to the Charities Commission to update them on our activities throughout the year, which also allows us to apply for a refund of tax under the ‘Gift Aid’ scheme.

Training of Trustees: Newly appointed trustees are supplied with a booklet of their responsibilities and denominational training sessions are supplied for treasurers.

Wimbledon Methodist Church Circuit

The Lantern Methodist Church is part of the Wimbledon Methodist Church Circuit. This is a group of five local churches served by a team of three ministers. Each has a pastoral charge of one or more churches and will preach and lead worship in different local churches in the Circuit, along with Local Preachers.

Risk Management

The major risks have been identified and are monitored by the Trustees on an ongoing basis with professional advice taken as required.

Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Safeguarding

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of humans 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 policies outline commitment to the following principles:

The Lantern Methodist Church commits itself to ensuring the implementation of the Safeguarding Policies of our parent church; government legislation; guidance and safe practice within its church.

The Lantern Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people which will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Reserves Policy

This reserves policy covers all church funds held by the Lantern Methodist Church.

At 31st August 2024 the Church held unrestricted funds of £9,444,195 (2023 £9,373,130) of which £9,328,620 (2023 £9,258,727) represented the value of the Church Property leaving net unrestricted funds of £115,575 (2023 £114,403).

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

The Church aims to hold Current Assets in reserve of at least 50% of the budgeted expenditure for the following year. Expenditure in 2024/25 is expected to be between £150,000 and £200,000, so the current level of unrestricted funds is as per the church’s target.

Trustees Responsibilities Statement

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Statute law requires the Trustees to prepare the Financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period under review. In preparing those Financial Statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

For and on behalf of the Trustees

Signed

Date: 10.06.2025

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Notes to
the
accounts
Income
1 Offerings
4
2 Donations
5
3 Gift aid
6
4 Interest and investment income
7
5 Internal organisations
8
6 Other charitable income
9
7Total income
Expenditure
8 Circuit assessment or share
25
9 Grants and donations
10
10 Property maintenance
11
11 Insurance, utilities etc.
12
12 Depreciation
13
13 Office expenses
14
14 Other expenditure
15
15 Internal organisations
8
16Total charitable expenditure
17 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments
18 Gains/(losses) on investment properties
19 Net income/(expenditure)
20 Transfers between funds
21 Other gains/(losses)
13
22Net movement in funds
23 Total funds brought forward
24 Total funds carried forward
General Fund
(Unrestricted)
Designated
Funds
(unrestricted)
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total
2022/23
£
£
£
£
£
19,496
19,496
4,728
4,728
0
0
1,644
1,644
5,833
5,833
179,014
179,014
210,715
0
0
0
210,715
23,707
23,707
578
578
44,854
44,854
48,583
48,563
675
675
5,543
5,543
50,272
50,272
3,600
3,600
177,792
0
0
0
**177,792 **
(640)
(640)
0
0
32,283
0
0
0
32,283
0
0
(371,848)
(371,848)
(339,565)
0
0
0
(339,565)
9,712,695
0
0
0
9,712,695
9,373,130
0
0
0
9,373,130

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024

Notes to
the
accounts
Income
1 Offerings
4
2 Donations
5
3 Gift aid
6
4 Interest and investment income
7
5 Internal organisations
8
6 Other charitable income
9
7Total income
Expenditure
8 Circuit assessment or share
25
9 Grants and donations
10
10 Property maintenance
11
11 Insurance, utilities etc.
12
13 Office expenses
14
14 Other expenditure
15
15 Internal organisations
8
16Total charitable expenditure
17 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments
18 Gains/(losses) on investment properties
19 Net income/(expenditure)
20 Transfers between funds
21 Other gains/(losses)
13
22Net movement in funds
23 Total funds brought forward
24 Total funds carried forward
General Fund
(Unrestricted)
Designated
Funds
(unrestricted)
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total
2023/24
£
£
£
£
£
24,071
24,071
3,984
1,612
5,596
136
136
6,842
6,842
158,826
25,000
183,826
193,859
0
26,612
0
220,471
22,900
22,900
667
667
51,798
51,798
55,221
55,221
6,044
6,044
58,511
20,932
79,443
4,843
4,843
199,984
0
20,932
0
220,916
2,317
2,317
0
0
(3,808)
0
5,680
0
1,872
0
0
69,193
69,193
65,385
0
5,680
0
71,065
9,373,130
0
0
0
9,373,130
9,438,515
0
5,680
0
9,444,195

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024

Fixed Assets Notes to the
Accounts		 3 Totals 2024
£
9,328,331
0
0
9,328,330
4,337
8,197
59,670
9,951
40,918
123,073		 Totals 2024
£
9,328,331
0
0
9,328,330
4,337
8,197
59,670
9,951
40,918
123,073
General Fund
(Unrestricted)
£		 Designated
Funds
(Unrestricted)
£		 Restricted
Funds
£		 Endowment
Funds
£		 Totals 2024
£		 Totals 2023
£
Church building and
other property		 13 9,328,331 9,328,331 9,258,855
Other Assets 13 0 0 0
Investments 0 0
Total fixed assets 9,328,330 0 0 0 9,328,330 9,258,854
Current Assets
Debtors and
prepayments		 21 4,337 4,337 6,897
Internal Organisations 8 8,197 8,197 6,197
Investments with
TMCP		 20 59,670 59,670 57,353
Central Finance Board
Deposits		 21 9,951 9,951 4,415
Cash at Bank and in
hand		 21 35,238 5,680 40,918 43,821
Total current assets 117,393 0 5,680 0 123,073 118,683
Current liabilities
Creditors (due in under
1 year)		 22 4,065 4,065 4,064
Tenant Deposits 22 2,800 2,800 0
External Charity 22 343 343 343
Total current
liabilities		 7,208 0 0 0 7,208 4,407
Net current
assets/liabilities		 110,185 0 0 0 115,865 114,276
Total assets less
current liabilities		 9,438,515 0 5,680 0 9,444,195 9,373,130
Long term liabilities
(due after more than
oneyear)
Grants payable after
2018-19		 0 0
Loans to the Church 0 0
Net assets 26 9,438,515 0 5,680 0 9,444,195 9,373,130
Funds of the Church 9,438,515
0
9,438,515
5,680
0
9,444,195
General Fund
(Unrestricted)		 26 9,438,515 9,438,515 9,373,130
Designated Funds
(Unrestricted)		 0 0 0
Total Unrestricted
Funds		 9,438,515 9,373,130
Restricted Funds 5,680 5,680 0
Endowment Funds 0 0 0
Total Funds 9,438,515 0 5,680 0 9,444,195 9,373,130

3

The notes on pages 16 to 24 form part of these accounts.

Charity and Public Benefit Annual Report approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Church Treasurer :

Chair of Church Council

Date 10.06.2025

Date 10.06.2025

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Notes to the Accounts

1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis in accordance with SORP 2019 (FRS102), being the current version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice.

2. Funds

The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the Church which are Unrestricted. Restricted funds which are held for a narrower purpose including those for internal organisations.

3. Accounting policies

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that property, land values and investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year (where it has not been possible to determine the historical costs), on an accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the Church’s financial position and activities.

Income

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Church becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Rents will be recorded when they are due / hiring event occurs.

Donated goods for onward transmission to other charities (chiefly food and clothing / bedding for a homeless charity) are passed immediately to that charity and are not included in the statement of financial activities as no benefit accrues to the charity.

The charity has not received any goods for use by the charity itself.

The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements.

No services have been donated that would normally have been purchased.

Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Church to pay out resources.

Grants

Grants made by the Church from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Church accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. When the grant is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.

VAT

The Church deregistered for VAT in summer 2020 due to the income of the Lantern Coffee House (an Internal Organisation) dropping to zero and hence below the threshold for de-registering. Prior to de-registration the VAT liability was calculated on a composite rate basis agreed with HMRC. The church’s income apart, with the exception of the Lantern Coffee House income, is exempt from VAT. All input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.

Fixed assets

The freehold property was subject to re-valuation in 2019 by David Ambrose MRICS of Bramptons Chartered Surveyors & Valuers. Use of the Nationwide – All Property Index to calculate the valuation at 31/8/2024. See Note 13.

Investment Properties

No separate Investment Properties are owned by the charity. The flats at the Wimbledon Methodist Church site are an integral part of the Church Building and the valuation of the flats is included within the valuation of the church.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Investments

Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year-end are shown in the SOFA. Currently no investments are held.

Debtors and Prepayments

Debtors include outstanding lettings invoices, credits from Utility companies, and Gift Aid claims made in subsequent years.

Creditors

Creditors include out-standings relating to utilities, telephones, etc. and receipts in advance for the next financial year.

4.
Breakdown of Giving
Standing Orders
Envelopes & Loose Cash
Total
5.
Donations
General Funds
Donations
(Restricted – Chair Fund)		 Year Ending
31/08/2024
18,330
5,741
24,071
3,984
1,612
5,596		 Year Ending
31/08/2023
17,676
1,820
19,496
4,728
4,728
  1. Gift Aid

The amount per year based on which tax year the donations were made are as follows: -

Gift Aid
7.
Interest and investment income
CFB - Deposit Account interest
TMCP - Trust Fund Interest
Total
Increase / (Decrease) in TMCP investment
value is shown in row 17:		 0
45
91
136
2,317		 0
153
1491
1,644
(640)

.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

8

Internal Organisations

There are two internal organisations – The Hub (previously called The Lantern Coffee House) and the Flower Fund.

Opening Profit / Closing
Balance
Income		 Expenditure (Loss) Balance
01/09/2023 31/08/2024
Lantern Coffee House 6,037
6,842
4,842		 2,000 8,037
Flower Fund 160
0
0		 0 160
Totals from Internal Organisation Accounts 6,197
6,842
4,842		 2,000 8.197
Year Ending Year Ending
9 Other Charitable Income 31/08/2024 31/08/2023
Premises Hire 119,381 143,076
Costume Store (Joint venture with the Lantern Arts Centre)
Included in Premises Hire for 21/22 0 0
Lantern Arts Centre - Contribution for use of premises
Included in Premises Hire for 21/22 0 0
Church Flats (Rent) 36,764 32,990
Refund of shared property costs from Wesley Court flats 0 0
Fund raising 0 0
Fund raising for Lantern Coffee relaunch 0 0
Restricted – Lantern Project 25,000 0
Miscellaneous Income 2,681 2,948
Totals 183,826 179,014
10 Grants & Donations
Care for Uganda (Child Sponsorship) 162 108
Methodist Housing 505 470
Tear Fund donation 0 0
Connexional Funds 0 0
Totals 667 578
11 Property Maintenance
Cleaning 11,825 9,915
Maintenance 30,845 26,429
Lift Maintenance 2,011 2,393
Flats 2,384 2,182
Flats - Council Tax 4,733 4,935
Totals 51,798 44,854
12 Insurance, utilities etc.
Insurance 12,139 11,523
Gas 8,206 8,586
Electricity 29,177 24,776
Water 4,339 2,643
Waste Collection 1,360 1,035
Totals 55,221 48,563

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

13 Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Land Value - No depreciation has been included. 31/8/2019 Valuation £3m 31/8/2020 index change 4.37837% ----- £3,131,351 31/8/2021 index change 4.18479% ------ £3,262,391 31/8/2022 index change 6.99999% ------ £3,480,971 31/8/2023 index change -3.78% ---------- £3,349,422 31/8/2024 index change - 2.01% ------------ £3,416,856

Buildings – 31/8/2019 Valuation £5.586,000 31/8/2020 index change 4.37837% ----- £5.830,576 31/8/2021 index change 4.18479% ------ £5,953,081 31/8/2022 index change 6.99999% ------ £6,351,937 31/8/2023 index change -3.78% ---------- £6,111,670 31/8/2024 index change 2.01% ------------ £6,234,776

Increase in fixed Asset valuation in year ending 31/8/2024 ------- £190,572

Increase in church property & land valuation recorded as “Other gains / losses”

Building Depreciation (2%) --------- £323,013

Net 31/8/2024 Building Valuation ----- £5,911,763

Property Fixed Assets 31/8/2024 ------------- £9,328,619

All other items - Only single items and they will be depreciated over 5 years. Depreciation will be applied in the year of purchase.

Item
Purchased		 Price Depreciation Depreciation
Round Tables & Storage Racks (For Church Use)
17/05/2019		 3108
622		 From 2018/19 to 2023/24
Office Equipment 15/03/2022 265
51		 From 2021/22
Office Computers 19/03/2024 283
57		 From 2023/24 to 2027/28
Balance of Tangible Assets at 31/8/2023 159
Depreciation 731
Balance of Tangible Assets at 31/8/2023 0
14 Office Expenses 31/08/2024 31/08/2023
Telephones 1,049 957
Stationery 3 235
Photocopier 1,487 1,262
IT Costs 682 933
Misc Office 2,295 2,156
Advertising 528 0
Total 6,044 5,543
Year Ending Year Ending
15 Other Charitable Expenditure (see note) 31/08/2024 31/08/2023
Fund Raising Expenses 413 257
Pension Contributions (Includes Lantern Coffee House Staff) 1,565 1,298
Tax & NI Contributions (Includes Lantern Coffee House Staff) 112 83
Church Employee Salaries 23,039 20,025
Centre Manage (Sub-contract) 29,420 24,000
Payroll Charges 1,382 902
Miscellaneous Expenses 471 648
Lantern Coffee House – VAT 0 0
Less LCH transfers 0 0
Lantern Coffee House Support / Equipment Purchases 0 0
Lantern Coffee House – Fund raised transfer to Internal Organisation &
Expenses incurred in Church accounts (£74) 0 0
Worship Costs 1,132 749
Lantern Project 0 0
Wesley Court Shared Costs 0 0
Legal Costs 17 1,350
Charges for Card Machine used for donations 0 0
Payments to External Charities of Collections taken on their behalf 0 0
Restricted – Lantern Project 20,932 0
Property & Land Valuation 0 0
Audit / Independent Examination 960 960
Total 79,443 50,272

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

16. Payment to Trustees
Payments made to trustees for
additional services provided to the
Church by agreement with the Church
Council Meeting
£		 This year
0		 Last year
0 0

Note: - The Methodist Minister are not direct employees of the charity. They are paid by the Methodist Connexion. The charity makes contributions to the Wimbledon Circuit (Circuit Assessment) which among other things funds their stipends.

Number of trustees who
were paid expenses
Nature of the expenses
All payments were against receipts: -		 0
Total amount paid
£
17. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees
for reporting on the accounts
£
Other fees (e.g.: advice, accountancy
services) paid to the independent
examiner or auditor
£
18a. Paid employees (Directly Employed by the Church)
Staff Costs paid during
the year were:
Gross wages, salaries
and benefits in kind
£
Employer’s National
Insurance costs
(Impact of Statutory Sick
Pay on Employer NIC
rebate has not been
included here)
£
Pension costs
£
Total staff costs
£
Average number of staff employed
during the year were:		 0
2

No Employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

19. Report on Pension Scheme

The Lantern Methodist Church uses TPT Retirement Solutions to provide a pension scheme for it’s employees (both those directly employed and those employed by the Lantern Coffee House an internal organisation). Information on the scheme performance is available is available on the TPT Retirement Solutions website – www.tpt.org.uk

The church offers a Defined Contribution Scheme (The Flexible Retirement Plan) to its employees.

In line with Methodist Church policy the pension scheme is based on a 6% contribution both by the employees and employer.

20. Investments

The investments that support the various funds are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium- and long-term investments.

TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day-to-day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference.

Analysis of investment movements

This Year Last Year Change in investment values

Value at beginningofyear 57,353 57,607
Add: Additions 0 0
Less: Withdrawals(Includinginterestpaid) 0 1,745
Add: Interest less administration 2,317 1,491
Value at end ofyear 59,670 57,353

TMCP currently hold legacy funds as shown on the Balance Sheet (Page 14) of this report.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

This Last
year year
£ £
0 0
4,337 6,897
4,337 6,897
This This Last
21. Analysis of current assets
Debtors and prepayments
Prepayments (Credits) – Gift Aid / Utility Credit /
Other debtors (including lettings & rent)
Total debtors and prepayments
Analysis of cash at bank
Cash in hand
Bank balance held in HSBC Account
Bank balance held in Barclays (Lantern Centre
Account)
Bank balance held in Barclays (Salaries Account)
Bank balance held in Barclays (Church Account)
Deposit Account balance Central Finance Board of
the Methodist Church (Trustees Account)
Deposit Account balance Central Finance Board of
the Methodist Church (Revenue Reserve Account)
Trustees For Methodist Church Purposes
(Trust Funds relating to Legacies) Non-Restricted
Total Cash and Bank
Debtors & Pre-payments
Internal Organisations
Total Current Assets
22. Analysis of current liabilities
Trade Creditors
Other Creditors
Less Money held for External Charities & Deposits
held
Total Current Liabilities		 year
£
0
4,337
4,337		 year
£
0 0
4,337 6,897
4,337 6,897
0 0
748

748
37,378 38,309
1,777 (21)
1,015 4,785
6,747 1,211
3,204 3,204
59,670 57,353
110,539 105,589
4,337 6,897
8,197 6,197
123,073 118_,_683
0
4,065
3,143
7,208
0 0
4,065 4,064
3,143 343
7,208 4,407

23. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

At the 31st August 2024 the Church has no capital commitments.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

No Contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2024.

24. Restricted Funds

No Restricted **Funds are currently held by the charity. ** **Funds are currently held by the charity. ** **Funds are currently held by the charity. ** **Funds are currently held by the charity. ** **Funds are currently held by the charity. ** **Funds are currently held by the charity. **
Fund Name Opening
Balance		 Income Expenditure Transfers
Revaluation
gains/losses		 Closing
Balance
Chair Fund 0 1,612 0 0 0 1,612
Lantern
Project		 0 25,000 20,932 0 0 4,068
Totals 0 26,612 20,932 0 0 5,680

Internal Organisation funds are excluded from this analysis.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

25. Related Party Transactions

This year This year This year This year This year This year
Name of related party Relationship Description
of
transaction		 Income
from
related
party
during
the
year		 Paymen
ts to
related
party
during
the year		 Loans to
/ (from)
related
party
during
the year		 Amounts
owed by /
(to)
related
party as on
31-Aug-
2024
£ £ £ £
Wimbledon Methodist
Church Circuit		 Charity is part of
the Circuit		 Circuit
Assessment		 22,900
Total 0 22,900 0 0
Last year
Name of related party Relationship Description
of
transaction		 Income
from
related
party
during
the
year		 Paymen
ts to
related
party
during
the year		 Loans to
/ (from)
related
party
during
the year		 Amounts
owed by /
(to)
related
party as on
31-Aug-
2023
£ £ £ £
Wimbledon Methodist
Church Circuit		 Charity is part of
the Circuit		 Circuit
Assessment		 23,707
Total 0 23,707 0 0

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

26 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Balance at Income Balance at
1 September (incl. gains) Expenditure Transfers 31 August
2023 (incl. losses) 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 9,373,130 386,748 321,363 0 9,438,515
Restricted funds 0 26,612 20,932 0 5,680
Total Funds 9,373,130 413,360 342,295 0 9,444,195

The comparative figures for the previous year are shown below -

Balance at Income Balance at
1 September (incl. gains) Expenditure Transfers 31 August
2022 (incl. losses) 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 9,712,695 210,715 550,280 0 9,373,130
Restricted funds 0 0 0 0
Total Funds 9,712,695 210,715 550,280 0 9,373,130

Currently the church does not hold any Restricted funds.

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

The Lantern Methodist Church (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

DECLARATIONS

Treasurer

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council

----- Start of picture text -----
10.06.2025
Signature of Treasurer Date
Name
Alan Brown
Address
53 Richmond Road, SW20 0QD
----- End of picture text -----

Presentation to the Church Council Meeting for approval.

I confirm that the Accounts were, or will be presented to the Church Council Meeting on

and were approved.

Signature of the Chair of the meeting

Name of the Chair of the Deacon Dawn Canham meeting Date 10.06.2025

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Lantern Methodist Church (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2024 which are set out on pages 12 to 25.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (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 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed

Matthew Hunt Digivolve Accountants Delta House Bridge Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1UA

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THE LANTERN METHODIST CHURCH (of Raynes Park and Wimbledon)

Appendix A ----- Church Council as elected at the AGM 08.09.2024

The CC is a body corporate and a charity accepted for registration with the Charity Commission. The CC members that have served until the date of this report was approved are:

Ex Officio members

Chair: Deacon Dawn Canham Treasurer: Alan Brown CC Secretary: Wendy Siemaszko Church Stewards: Dawn Downes Juliette Jaeger Margaret Redway Angela Linton-Smith (Safeguarding Officer)

Elected members:

Lorna Giraud Rosemary Evans Sue Fuller Mike Fuller Anita Brown Alan Brown Humphrey Jaeger Stephen Hall Dave King Darren Harmston-Gething

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