3.3 Reserves level and policy
The Church has a reserves policy covering all its unrestricted funds which is reviewed annually. Our Reserves Policy is to hold at least six month’s expenditure in hand; .Some of the restricted funds can be re-allocated to make up any shortfall.
4 Trustees’ responsibilities
For each financial year ending on 31st August the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Church’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees must: • select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently • make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent • follow applicable accounting standards • prepare accounts to comply with the Charities SORP
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Church and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
4.1 Risk
The Church is largely risk averse. Risks are managed by being aware of them, quantifying their impact not only in cost terms but in possible reputational or structural damage, minimising them by not taking them or by setting up control systems that report any significant change in the risk. The three significant risks that have been identified are: 1. Failure to meet the Circuit Assessment. This is managed by giving careful attention to balancing income and expenditure. 2. The Church‘s main source of funding is from donations and lettings and there is a risk that either or both might fall. This risk is managed by holding sufficient reserves and continually monitoring expenditure against budget. 3. Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Church’s policy is to adhere to the Methodist Church’s policy on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults and to require both centres to comply with the Methodist Church’s Safeguarding policy. Regular safeguarding training is accessed from the Circuit to support the Church in complying with this policy.
5 Structure, governance, and management
The Church is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church and was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 11 June 2018.
5.1 Structure
The Church is the co-ordinating charity for the two local centres based in Eastney and Southsea. The Church is part of the East Downs and Solent Circuit which is the co-ordinating charity for local groups of churches, some of which are registered as independent charities and the balance of which are excepted charities. The Circuit is part of the Southampton District which is the co-ordinating charity for a group of contiguous Circuits. District decisions are made at the half yearly synod to which the Circuit appoints both lay and ordained representatives. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denominational body for all Methodist Churches.
- Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference. 2. The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits. 3. Connexional decisions are passed via Districts to Circuits for local implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters. 5. The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the presbyter, the Church Stewards, and other officers, and this regulatory authority is then exercised by Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their charity.
5.2 Purpose of the Church
The Church is an expression within Portsea Island, Portsmouth of the Connexional character of the Methodist Church.
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the union the advancement of:
a. the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, b . any charitable purposes 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 and d. any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church.
The primary purpose of this Church is to advance the mission of the Church in Portsmouth
5.3 Governance
The Church operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Tavistock Road, London WC1H 9SF to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Circuit.
The Church Council meets at least three times each year and is the decision-making body for the Church. Membership of the Church Council is made up of Presbyters
Supernumerary Ministers and Deacons who are allocated to the Church by the Circuit, representatives from each Centre and Forum Groups chosen annually by the church, Circuit Stewards who are appointed annually to ensure that all areas of the Church’s work is appropriately represented.
There are specific groups within the Church that focus on Mission and Outreach, Worship and Spirituality, Pastoral and Property and Finance who report to and are accountable to the Church Council. They also formulate policies and proposals that will advance the Mission of the Church and bring to the Church Council for approval.
6 Reference and Administrative Details
6.1 Name of the charity
Portsmouth Methodist Church.
6.2 Charity registration number
1178715, registered in England and Wales
6.3 Principal Office
c/o Trinity Methodist Church, Albert Road, Southsea. PO4 0LX. Telephone 023-92 85-1900
6.4 Church Presbyter
Reverend Ray Goddess
6.5 Church Treasurer
Mr Alan Haynes
6.6 Names of Trustees
The following served as trustees throughout part or all of the year 2023-2024 or were trustees at the time of this report being approved:
Mrs L Adamson, Mrs R Ashman, Mr T De-Graft Estun, Mrs D Foster, Mr A Haynes, Mrs S Haynes, Mrs F Jenkins, Reverend R Goddess, Mr S Pomeroy, Mr A Riley.Mrs Christine Snelling, Catherine Burt, Mr Alex Bearne, Mrs Anne Downham , Mr Matthew Thomas and Ms Crook-Kent
No trustee claims exemption from disclosure of his or her name here.
Name of Church Portsmouth Methodist Church No 1178715 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirni that tha$8 Receipt and Payment based accounts for thè year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Chur¢h and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees. Signature'of treasurer .. Dat8... 3L Nompand oftreasurer,,......,............ Post Code. PresenLillon to tho Church Inistees I confirm that the annual report and accounts fo psented to the meetina of the Church tru the year ended 31 August 2024 werelwill be. held on Signature of the Ghair of the meeting Name ofthe Chair of the meets.ng hl....... Independent Examiner's Roport to the Trusto88 of the Portsmouth Methodist Church Charity Numbor 1178715 Re8pon•ibllities and ba818 of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Portsmouth Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 2 to 4. As the Church's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie3 Act 2011 (Ihe Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in earrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of th8 Act. delete or circle as appropriate Portsmth churchrtrapts-arVpawxtr2o24.¥Js 4of5
Name of Church Portsmouth Methodist Church No 1178715 Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed belo) which give me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records yre not kept in aGrdan with section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no GonmS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which 2ttontion ghould be drawn in thig réport in order to enable a Proper understanding of the aGGounts to be reached. I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methcmjist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balanS and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church whiGh are individually in excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevgnt professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) A(Idres3 Post Code ..fo.Ic> .IAQ Date delete or GirGle as appropriate Port8moulh church-receipls-and-payments-2024.xls 5of5