PORTSMOUTH METHODIST CHURCH
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ending
31 AUGUST 2025
1 Objectives and activities
In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Church Council meets at least three times in each year and ensures that careful consideration is given to the Charity Commissioners’ general guidance on public benefit and, in particular, to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing our objectives and conforms to the Charities Act 2011.
Our Mission is to follow the calling of the Methodist Church, to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. We do this by pursuing the mission of God through worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism.
This is done for as many people as possible within the geographical area the Church serves by providing Christian worship, spiritual development, and pastoral care both to church members and to the wider communities in which they are located.
The Church supports the advancement of the Christian Faith through ecumenical liaison with other Christian groups especially within the Portsmouth One Body Group.
2 Achievements and performance
The focus of the church is on Mission and Outreach with regular Christian Sunday Worship as well as Bible Study Groups and Fellowship Groups including an Under Fives Group, Coffee Mornings, a Lunch Club, Social Groups and a Zimbabwe Fellowship. The Church also supports Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade groups. Both the leaders are members of the Church Council.
The Church also encourages the use of its premises by other faiths and the wider community. Users include Phoenix Players, The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Victory Chapel International, the Lithuanian Community of the South Coast, Guides, Choirs, the Women’s Institute and other occasional users.
We are using social media and online platforms to expand our Christian Witness.
We continue to concentrate Worship at Albert Road and utilise Eastney in Highland Road for Community activities with the view to building up our congregation in one place.
2.1 Plans for future years
To continue to focus on mission activity that will lead new people into faith and so grow the number of Christians and to work with the Methodist Church on its evangelical programme. We now have an established Sunday School. We continue to make the best use of our buildings and support local initiatives.
3 Financial position
During the year, the Church received total income of £92,544 and dispersed £105,098. Total assets carried forward were £117,898.
The trustees of the Church have every reason to believe that the Church is a going concern. There are no subsidiary undertakings. Trustees acknowledge that recovering the finances after the Covid pandemic is still a challenge especially to reduce the use of reserves.
The Church has the following sources of funds: regular donations from members and adherents, interest on investments and income from lettings.
This income is used to fulfil the mission of the Church to bring more people to Christ and by providing facilities to enable this to happen.
3.1 Staff.
The church does not employ any staff directly. Presbyters, Deacons and Lay workers are employed by the East Solent and Downs Circuit and allocated to specific churches. The church also benefits from access to the new post of Anna Chaplain, ministering to older people. Portsmouth Methodist Church pays an assessment to the Circuit as its contribution to these costs.
3.2 Investment Policy and Performance
To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long term investment are lodged with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP). TMCP acts as custodian trustee for all large (over £20,000) bequests. These sums are invested in unitised investments or held on deposit. The investment returns are close to tracking the movements in the FTSE100 index. The deposit income mirrors the deposit rates available elsewhere. Portsmouth Methodist Church trustees’ investment policy is aligned with that of the CFB and TMCP because these organisations take into consideration the social, environmental and ethical considerations, both negatively and positively, that make investments suitable for the Methodist Church.
Short term deposits are lodged directly with the Central Finance Board (CFB).
It is the Church’s policy to manage the cash and investment resources of the Church so that a rate of return on investment – both by way of dividend and capital appreciation – is obtained at least as good as market rate considering the Church’s low appetite for risk.
The Church also uses the CAF Bank which is aimed at the Charitable Sector and pays interest on ordinary accounts.
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 these restricted funds can be re-allocated to make up any shortfall in the general fund.
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 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.
CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH
STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
PORTSMOUTH METHODIST
Church
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
Sunday, August 31, 2025
East Solent and Downs Methodist Circuit Circuit no. 26/07
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
1178715
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242)
Minister:
Revd Ray Goddess Church Stewards:
Theo DeGraft Eshun Laraine Adamson Denise Foster Shirely Haynes Fran Jenkins
Treasurer: Alan Haynes
81b2cdd4-fead-4c2f-ace3-d9da561ac289.xls
1 of 5
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Church
PORTSMOUTH METHODIST
| SECTION A | Unrestricted Funds TMCP Funds |
Unrestricted Funds TMCP Funds |
Totals this year |
Totals this year |
Totals last year |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| a1 | RECEIPTS | Note | |||||||
| a2 | Offerings andTax recovered | 38,038 | 38,038 | 43,558 | |||||
| a3 | Bank and CFB interest and Investment income |
372 | 3,893 | 4,265 | 5,161 | ||||
| a4 | Lettings | 29,187 | 29,187 | 34,974 | |||||
| a5 | Other receipts | 21,054 | 21,054 | 18,500 | |||||
| a6 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 88,651 | 3,893 | **92,544 ** | (a7) | 102,193 | |||
| SECTION B | |||||||||
| b1 | PAYMENTS | ||||||||
| b2 | CircuitAssessment orShare | 34,276 | 34,276 | 69,391 | |||||
| b3 | Donations | 7,782 | 7,782 | 8,021 | |||||
| b4 | Repairs andMaintenance | 37,559 | 37,559 | 21,940 | |||||
| b5 | Utilities (Insurances, water charges,heating& lighting) |
21,796 | 21,796 | 21,655 | |||||
| b6 | |||||||||
| b7 | Otherpayments | 3,418 | 267 | 3,685 | 3,076 | ||||
| b8 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 104,831 | 267 | **105,098 ** | (b9) | 124,083 | |||
| (12,554) | |||||||||
| SECTION C | |||||||||
| c1 | NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a6-b8) |
(16,180) | 3,626 | (12,554) | (21,890) | ||||
| c2 | Total funds brought forward from last year |
48,205 | 85,182 | **133,387 ** | (c6) | 155,121 | |||
| c3 | (c1+c2) Sub total |
32,025 | 88,808 | 120,833 | 133,231 | ||||
| c4 | Transfers and adjustments | 11,652 | (14,587) | **(2,935) ** | (c7) | 156 | |||
| c5 | TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) |
43,677 | 74,221 | **117,898 ** | (c8) | 133,387 | (c6) |
| SECTION D | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d | £ (these amounts are not to be included in total receipts/payments figures above) FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS |
£ |
|||
| d1 | Balance broughtforwardfrom last year | 10 | 76 | ||
| d2 | Offerings/Gifts- receivedforexternalorganisations | 342 | 359 | ||
| d3 | Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations | 190 | 425 | ||
| d4 | BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1+d2-d3) | 162 | 10 |
2 of 5
81b2cdd4-fead-4c2f-ace3-d9da561ac289.xls
PORTSMOUTH METHODIST
Church
SUMMARY OF CHURCH ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Church accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Church Council/Church Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross income and expenditure totals of the Church. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the District and connected District Organisations.
| INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS |
Receipts | Payments | Net Receipts/ Payments |
Adjustments | Opening balances |
Closingbalances | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e1 | ||||||||||||||
| e2 | ||||||||||||||
| e3 | ||||||||||||||
| e4 | ||||||||||||||
| e5 | ||||||||||||||
| e6 | ||||||||||||||
| e7 | ||||||||||||||
| e8 | Sub total of Internal Organisations funds |
(e11) | (e12) | |||||||||||
| e9 | Church accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column) |
**92,544 ** | (a7) | **105,098 ** | (b9) | (12,554) | **(2,935) ** | (c7) | **133,387 ** | (c6) | 117,898 | (c8) | ||
| e10 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH |
92,544 | 105,098 | (12,554) | (2,935) | 133,387 | (x) | 117,898 | (y) | |||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS |
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2025 Cash in hand Bank Current Accounts Central FinanceBoardDepositAccount SUB TOTAL - Church accounts TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH TMCP 10257 - EndowmentFund TMCP 18038 TMCP 22407 Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) |
OPENING BALANCES 33,049 15,156 3,088 9,127 72,967 133,387 (c6) (e11) 133,387 (x) |
CLOSING BALANCES |
||||
| f1 | Cash in hand | |||||
| f2 | Bank Current Accounts | 40,469 | ||||
| f3 | Central FinanceBoardDepositAccount | 3,209 | ||||
| f4 | TMCP 10257 - EndowmentFund | Moved | ||||
| f5 | TMCP 18038 | 9,532 | ||||
| f6 | TMCP 22407 | 64,688 | ||||
| f7 | SUB TOTAL - Church accounts | 117,898 | (c8) | |||
| f8 | Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance total from above) (e12) |
(e12) | ||||
| f9 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CHURCH | 117,898 | (y) | |||
| SECTION G OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES |
At 1 September 2024 |
At 31 August 2025 3,093 |
||||
| g1 | Investments (includeEndowments) | 3,088 | 3,093 | |||
| g2 | Land & Buildings (see notes re Insurance value) | |||||
| g3 | Other Assets | |||||
| g4 | Loan(s)-showamount outstanding at yearend | |||||
| g5 | Other Liabilities |
f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trusts accounts this is included in line f5
3 of 5
81b2cdd4-fead-4c2f-ace3-d9da561ac289.xls
Name of Church PORTSMOUTH METHODIST CHURCH No 1178715
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Church and that they include all funds under the control of the Church trustees.
Signature of treasurer ……………………………………………………… Date……………………..
Name and address of treasurer ………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………. Post Code………………
Presentation to the Church trustees
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were/will be* presented to the meeting of the Church trustees held on ……………..
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ……………………………………………………………………
Name of the Chair of the meeting …………………………………………… Date ……………………
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Portsmouth Methodist Church
Charity Number 1178715
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Portsmouth Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 2 to 3. As the Church’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 Church’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
- delete or circle as appropriate
4 of 5
81b2cdd4-fead-4c2f-ace3-d9da561ac289.xls
Name of Church PORTSMOUTH METHODIST CHURCH No 1178715
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 (other than that disclosed below*) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I have/have not* obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner ………………………………………………………………….
Name of independent examiner Nigel Cox
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner None
Name of firm (where appropriate) ………………………………………………………………………
Address 39 Holly Grove, Fareham
Post Code PO16 7UP
Date …………………………………………
- delete or circle as appropriate
81b2cdd4-fead-4c2f-ace3-d9da561ac289.xls
5 of 5
| Receipts | **General Funds ** | **Designated Funds ** | **TMCP Funds ** | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offerings | 38,037.60 | 38,037.60 | ||
| Interest | 372.49 | 3,892.53 | 4,265.02 | |
| Lettings | 29,187.13 | 29,187.13 | ||
| Other | 20,171.56 | 882.85 | 21,054.41 | |
| Total | 87,768.78 | 882.85 | 3,892.53 | 92,544.16 |
| Payments | ||||
| Assessment | 34,276.00 | 34,276.00 | ||
| Donations | 7,782.00 | 7,782.00 | ||
| Repairs | 37,558.76 | 37,558.76 | ||
| Utilities | 21,795.54 | 21,795.54 | ||
| Other | 2,918.51 | 500.00 | 266.80 | 3,685.31 |
| Total | 104,330.81 | 500.00 | 266.80 | 105,097.61 |
| Net receipts/payments | -16,562.03 | 382.85 | 3,625.73 | -12,553.45 |
| Transfers | 11,500.00 | -11,500.00 | 0.00 | |
| Adjustments | 152.21 | -3,087.69 | -2,935.48 | |
| Net receipts/payments | -4,909.82 | 382.85 | -10,961.96 | -15,488.93 |
| Balances b/f | -5,348.09 | 53,553.19 | 85,181.75 | 133,386.85 |
| Balances c/f | -10,257.91 | 53,936.04 | 74,219.79 | 117,897.92 |
| Bank balances: | 1-Sep-24 | 31-Aug-25 | ||
| CAF Bank | 17,005.53 | 26,760.05 | ||
| Eastney | 369.34 | 2,216.23 | ||
| Trinity | 15,674.24 | 11,492.88 | ||
| Total current | 33,049.11 | 40,469.16 | ||
| CFB Deposit | 15,155.99 | 3,208.97 | ||
| Total General + | Designated Funds | 48,205.10 | 43,678.13 | |
| Designated Funds: | ||||
| Building Fund | 47,446.69 | TMCP accounts: | ||
| Benevolent Fund | 2,432.56 | TMCP 10257 | 3,087.69 | Endowment fund |
| Organ Fund | 2,440.48 | TMCP 18038 | 9,126.62 | 9,532.30 |
| Open Church Fund | 968.49 | TMCP 22407 | 72,967.44 | 64,687.49 |
| Trinity Tots Fund | 264.97 | Total TMCP Funds | 85,181.75 | 74,219.79 |
| 53,553.19 | ||||
| Total funds | 133,386.85 | 117,897.92 |
Name of Church PORTSMOUTH METHODIST CHURCH No 1178715 Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. l confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in Gonnection with the examination other than that disclosed below which give me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance viith section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. the Lloyds bank account and The Nat West bank should have b&n closed when Portsmouth Methodist Church was formed. The previous societs'es no longer exist th@ policy holder for the insurance policy is named as the Trustees for Eastney Methodist Church, who no longer exist. I nav@ no concerns and have cotne across no other matters in Gonnection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in eXsS of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Nigel Cox Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner None Name of fim (where appropriate) Address 39 Holty Grove, Far8ham Post Code P018 7UP Date 1 st April 2026 Portsmoulh Church-sofa ie 5of5