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2023-08-31-accounts

Trustees of Poppleton Methodist Church present their Annual Report for year ended 31st August 2023

Charity Commission: Registered Number 1179142 Official address: The Green, Upper Poppleton, York YO26 6DP

The governing documents of the Methodist Church are the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976).

Section 4 Methodist Church Act 1976 states

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be Purposes deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of --

The Mission Statement of Poppleton Methodist Church - based on “Our Calling” from the Methodist Church

Pillar 1: Worship

Vision

Our worship will be appealing and relevant to all age groups and people will really want to join in.

Mission

  1. To enhance the worship experience by exploring various styles of worship.

  2. To be more modern and forward-looking and make services more relevant and related to daily living.

  3. To endeavour to have greater visibility of worship: if it looks interesting people will be more inclined to think it is interesting and come in. Strap line - “ Open the Church, see in, Come in”.

Pillar 2: Learning and Caring

Vision

Our Church experience is enriched through a variety of learning and caring opportunities that will allow us to grow in faith and share God’s love.

Mission

  1. To build on the range of groups that meet on a regular basis.

  2. To develop pastoral care, adopting a “Loving neighbour” approach, based on “ Visit and Ask and Watch ”.

  3. To aspire to be a Powerhouse of Learning, Caring, Mission, Prayer and Deepening Faith.

  4. To ensure our activities are truly inclusive.

Pillar 3: Service

Vision

Through our service to the community, we will make God’s love real to those around us.

Mission

  1. To address unsatisfied needs in the community using our gifts to develop our engagement with those around us.

  2. To use the redeveloped premises to offer additional options to the community enabling us to engage and build relationships with more people.

  3. To use the improved facilities to further develop our catering ministry.

Pillar 4: Evangelism

Vision

Our engagement with the community, and a varied programme of outreach, will encourage more people to explore the Christian Faith.

Mission

  1. To ensure we use the new facilities and our landmark location to make people feel comfortable coming on to the premises.

  2. To encourage a whole Church welcome and enthusiasm for families and children.

  3. To be more confident in sharing our faith.

  4. To show the community our faith by our actions.

  5. To communicate more effectively with the local community.

All this to be undergirded by a commitment to prayer and every-member ministry.

Page 1

The Administration of Poppleton Methodist Church

The Church is held on the 1976 Model Trust by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, and the Church Council act as Managing Trustees.

Managing Trustees at 31st August 2023

aging Trustees at 31st August 2023
Chairman Rev Elizabeth Cushion
Secretary Chris Boothman
Treasurer Steven Boothman[From 1stSeptember 2023, formerly John Morrison]
Pastoral Secretary Marilyn Ingle Representatives elected by the Church Meeting:
Church Stewards Chris Boothman Lyn Johnson
Moira Dacker Brian Latto
Wendy Heap Sue Lynn
Moira Howard Ruth Morrison
Sheila Latto(from 14 May 2023) John Perkin
John Middleton Sue Perkin
Frances Priestnall Alan Wright
Chris Scholtz Judith Wright
Christine Stephenson
Plus, Members elected by the Church Council
Jenny Cookson Mission Committee
Sue Cushing Coffee on the Green
Sheila Middleton Circuit Council Representative
Peter Scholtz RUACH
Ecumenical Rep Lynda Salmon(not aTrustee)

The Church Council appoints annually all Church Officers as determined from time to time by the Council whether on the nomination of a committee or otherwise; all such appointments being for the year commencing 1[st] May, apart from the Church Treasurer, whose appointment commences on 1[st] September. The Council will also appoint the committees of the Church, again, as from 1[st] May each year. Elected Church Council members are appointed by the Annual Church meeting at which all Church members are eligible to vote.

Minister’s Report

During the past year the church has continued its worship, fellowship and mission. We have held an Advent and Lent course, offered a service of remembering for those who have lost loved ones and celebrated baptisms and new people being received into church membership. The congregation continue to support each other pastorally. Joint services and events with the Anglican congregation continue, and it is hoped to develop these links further. I have recently been on sabbatical and I am very grateful to the stewards and Rev David Priestnall who have given oversight and leadership in those three months.

The RUACH project strongly continues. It was agreed to change Phases 2 and 3 round, with the worship area being the next focus. Applying for grants and fundraising events are in progress, with thanks to the committee and all involved.

In August 2023 Bill Topping left for ministry training as a Deacon. He is very much missed, both for his work in many aspects of church life and for his friendly and positive personality. We wish Bill every success in his future ministry,

The church mission continues through outreach to the community, and the church is a presence at several village events. Coffee on the Green is thriving, offering welcome and support alongside delicious food. Recently a group has formed to think about outreach to children and young people, and more contact has been made with groups using the church premises. A children’s craft session has been offered at a couple of village events, which is hoped to be continued, with the potential of offering something similar at Coffee on the Green.

It has been a privilege to work with this church for the past year and I look forward to where God is taking us next.

a) STEWARDS REPORT

The present team of 9, contact and liaise with preachers and prepare the church for weekly worship. They also act as a link between the Minister and congregation, helping with funerals and other special services as necessary. During the year all stewards have undergone EDI training and updated their safeguarding training and DBS checks.

b) MISSION COMMITTEE

Outreach activity continues with weekly flower distribution, creative activities for children during special events on our premises, painting and craft group, Christmas shoeboxes, Christmas plants for elderly, housebound, recently bereaved and ill villagers, Christmas toiletries parcels to the local prison. Messy Church sessions have been held in conjunction with the Anglican Church.

c) FUND RAISING

Events during the year include Coronation Spring Fair, Children’s Sports Day teas, Concerts, Strawberry tea, Village show refreshments, and a Murder Mystery Evening - all raising funds for our RUACH building project. A Christmas Tree Festival was a major event raising almost £3,000.

Page 2

d) RUACH PROJECT

Phase 2 - the revamp of the chapel is now formally underway. In summary main changes are: removal of pews to be replaced with chairs, solid floor at street level to provide a level access with no steps, underfloor heating powered by air source heat pump. The pulpit and the chancel area will be unchanged to retain the original character of the chapel. Grant applications are ongoing and fundraising continues. The total cost is expected to be approximately £250,000.

e) PROPERTY STEWARD

Routine property maintenance is carried out on a regular basis by a team of church members. During the year the stage has been removed from the old hall, the old hall and side room have been painted. Accoustic panels have been fitted in the new hall, new shelving has been built in the Yellow room and a new hob fitted in the kitchen.

f) COFFEE ON THE GREEN

Coffee on the Green continues to open every Monday and Tuesday with increased numbers of customers of varying ages who enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and full menu. Many customers are staying longer and purchasing more thereby increasing the revenue generated substantially.

The Monday session has become more popular and the team of volunteers has increased to cope with the demand. A visit from Environmental Health is imminent and paperwork has been updated to comply with all regulations. New methods of working ensure that food is prepared in a safe environment for the protection of all our customers.

In conjunction with the Fund Raising committee events have included Coronation Spring Fair, Children’s Sports Day teas, Strawberry Tea, Village show refreshments and the very successful Christmas Tree Festival. We have regular groups meeting in the cafe on a monthly basis and will also provide full afternoon teas on request. A volunteer team of church members and many from the wider village community generously and willingly provide cakes, scones, soup and service with a smile. On the last Saturday of each month we host a charity coffee morning which is always well supported by the village and wider local community. Through the year we have supported Parkinsons, Crohns and Cystic Fibrosis, UNICEF, Oxfam, Food Bank Yorkshire Air Ambulance, and other local charities.

g) ECO CHURCH

The use of ethical cleaning products and bamboo toilet paper on our premises, plus the continuing success of the refill stall offering eco-friendly cleaning and washing products have contributed towards enabling us to apply for the bronze award on our journey to become an Eco Church.

h) TUESDAY FELLOWSHIP

The membership of approximately 30 meet fortnightly from September to July, enjoying guest speakers, fellowship, chat and tea.

i) CAMEO

Come And Meet Each Other is a monthly group meeting in a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere which attracts approx 35 members from the church and wider village community. Members have enjoyed a games evening, musical entertainment and talks on a variety of subjects.

j) EBOR COURT SERVICES

Services at the local care home are held monthly and led on alternate months by a team of preachers and musicians from our church.

k) ALL WE CAN

The church supports this charity with an annual amount and throughout the year by donating the proceeds of the Christmas post delivery and annual barbecue.

Financial Report

1. General Unrestricted Church Receipts and Payments

Receipts

Total income is up by around £19,000 (21%) on the previous year. On behalf of Church Council, thank you to all who give to the Church so generously both in time, prayers and financial giving. Resulting from this, Standing orders, Offerings, Gift Aid and the Small Cash Donations scheme recovery have increased by £7,500 (15%).

As we have started using the new hall in a full year rental income from rentals including from the Under 5s has increased - the overall letting income is up by nearly £7,000 (36%). Coffee on the Green annual receipts are also up to £19,000, but this is offset by expenses of £6,000 and ongoing running expenditure of the Halls.

Page 3

Payments

Total expenses were up considerably, to some £94,000, some 14% (2022: £83,000). This is in the main due to an increase of £14,000 in Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting). As reported last year, after many discussions with the energy provider, at 31[st] August 2022 there was no up to date information on our electricity costs incurred or contract post installation of new electric meters on 10[th] May & 8[th] July – giving rise to an undercharge of the total annual cost in 2022. This has been brought up to date in 2023, hence the increased electric expenditure of £13,000. The cost of insurance also rose in 2023 by £1,000.

The circuit assessment was increased by 3.7% to just over £49,000 for the year. Our regular donations of £2,350 to Methodist charities resumed in 2022 and has continued in 2023. Other costs for 2023 are comparable with 2022, although a decrease of £5,000 has been seen between the two years as in 2022, we gave £5,000 to Connexion to help with their Pension fund deficit (2023: nil).

Unrestricted Fund Balances at Year End

The final figures for the year show a surplus of income over expenditure of £13,047 for church activities, not including RUACH, which in the present situation is very positive.

The balance on the General Unrestricted Fund at the year-end is recorded as £100,567 and we are pleased that our unrestricted reserves are beginning to re-build to cover normal payments for the Church’s activities as well as potential support for future RUACH Phases.

2. RUACH (Restricted) Fund

The RUACH Building Project Restricted Fund holds dedicated monies for the project and is in addition to monies held in the Unrestricted Fund which might be allocated to support this specific project. During the year ended 31[st] August 2022 it was agreed to transfer £236,414 from the general unrestricted fund to the restricted RUACH Fund – no such transfers have been made in 2023.

Since the Fund commenced 6 years ago, a wide variety of fundraising activities have been held, individual generous donations made, gift aid recovered and grants from third parties received. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken part in the wide ranging activities. The following summarises the current position on 31 August 2023 and includes the total amount paid in respect of Phase 1 of this programme.

Now that Phase 1 of the project is complete, the balance of £32,466 is carried forward towards Phases 2 & 3.

RUACH RESTRICTED FUNDS MAKEUP
Donations Fund Raising & Gift Aid
Grants Received
Interest
Total Receipts
Transferred from General Unrestricted Funds
Total Payments
Net Movement
Fund Balance B/Fwd
FUND BALANCE C/FWD		 Totals to
31:8:23
199,813
249,850
2,765
452,428
236,414
-656,376
32,466
0
32,466

3. RUACH Project

Phase 1 of our RUACH building project, to build a new church hall, has been completed. We are now fully operational, and the facility is greatly appreciated by church members as well as other users from Poppleton and nearby. All Phase 1 fees have been paid. It has been agreed to change the order of the next Phases: Phase 2 will now involve the chapel refurbishment (levelling the floor and removal of pews and better insulation and heating). Phase 3 will then be the revamping of the old hall. It was felt this would allow continuity of premises use during the work, as well as being preferred by the church going members.

The Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts on pages 1 to 7 were approved by the Trustees on 17th June 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

REVd ELIZABETH CUSHION

STEVEN BOOTHMAN

___ _______

Revd Elizabeth Cushion (Chairman of Trustees and of Church Council) and Steven Boothman (Treasurer)

Page 4

POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

RECEIPTS RECEIPTS £
£
55,880
1,063
2,083
606
25,455
0
23,856
29,676
107,275
31,346
49,048
0
2,350
0
10,770
0
19,004
0
13,056
17,397
94,228
17,397
13,047
13,948
87,520
18,517
100,567
32,466
100,567
32,466
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 £
£
55,880
1,063
2,083
606
25,455
0
23,856
29,676
107,275
31,346
49,048
0
2,350
0
10,770
0
19,004
0
13,056
17,397
94,228
17,397
13,047
13,948
87,520
18,517
100,567
32,466
100,567
32,466
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 £
56,943
2,689
25,455
53,533
138,621
49,048
2,350
10,770
19,004
30,453
111,626
26,995
106,037
133,032
0
133,032
Totals:
2023		 Totals:
2022
£ £ £
Offerings andTax recovered 55,880 1,063 51,751
Bankand CFB interest andInvestmentincome 2,083 606 345
Lettings 25,455 0 18,489
Other receipts 23,856 29,676 126,830
TOTAL RECEIPTS 107,275 31,346 197,414
PAYMENTS
CircuitAssessment orShare 49,048 0 47,296
Donations 2,350 0 2,350
Repairs andMaintenance 10,770 0 9,419
Utilities (Insurances,watercharges,heating &lighting) 19,004 0 5,060
Otherpayments 13,056 17,397 390,907
TOTAL PAYMENTS 94,228 17,397 455,032
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 13,047 13,948 (257,617)
Total funds broughtforwardfrom last year 87,520 18,517 363,655
Sub total 100,567 32,466 106,037
Transfers and adjustments 0
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 100,567 32,466 133,032 106,037
Totals:
2023
Totals:
2022
0
0
3,052
4,426
(3,052)
(4,426)
0
0
Offerings/Gifts- receivedforexternalorganisations
Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations
Balance still to bepaid
Charity & Mission Funds:
A number of Church activities give rise to funds being donated for specific designated charities and missionary
funds, which are paid over directly to those organisations. Such receipts and payments are not included
elsewhere in these financial statements. The following summarises this activity.
Balance broughtforwardfrom last year		 Totals:
2023
Totals:
2022
0
0
3,052
4,426
(3,052)
(4,426)
0
0
Offerings/Gifts- receivedforexternalorganisations
Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations
Balance still to bepaid
Charity & Mission Funds:
A number of Church activities give rise to funds being donated for specific designated charities and missionary
funds, which are paid over directly to those organisations. Such receipts and payments are not included
elsewhere in these financial statements. The following summarises this activity.
Balance broughtforwardfrom last year
Balance broughtforwardfrom last year 0
Offerings/Gifts- receivedforexternalorganisations 4,426
Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations (4,426)
Balance still to bepaid 0

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

T OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES T OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES T OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
Cash in hand
Bank Current Account
Bank Deposit Account
Central Finance Board
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Other funds		 Closing Balances
31st Aug 2023
40
14,498
31,671
83,502
0
3,322
133,033		 Opening Balances
1st Sept 2022
40
13,504
31,198
58,004
0
3,292
106,037
Represented by:
Unrestricted Funds
100,567
Restricted Funds
32,466		 87,520
18,517

The value of land and buildings forming the Methodist Chapel and Church Hall are not included in these financial statements as they are included in the financial statements of York Methodist Circuit Charity No. 1134381. They are however insured for the sum of £2,506,066 (2022: £2,250,000). Additional specialist insurance was taken out for the RUACH works.

3 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

TATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Incoming Resources
Voluntary income
Grants received
Activities for generating funds
Income from investments
Church activities
Total Incoming Resources
Total Resources Expended - Church Activities
Net Movement in Funds
Balances b/fwd 1st September 2022
Transfer from General Fund to RUACH Fund
Balances c/fwd 31st August 2023		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Totals:
Totals
Funds
Funds
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
56,880
30,440
87,320
72,479
0
300
300
85,000
25,456
0
25,456
18,489
2,083
606
2,689
345
22,856
0
22,856
21,101
107,275
31,346
138,621
197,414
-94,228
-17,397
-111,626
-455,032
13,047
13,949
26,995
-257,618
87,520
18,517
106,037
363,655
0
0
0
0
100,567
32,466
133,032
106,037

4 INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTING TO THE CHURCH COUNCIL

There are a number of organisations that are linked to Poppleton Methodist Chuch and make reports to the Church Council. The accounts for these organisations are held separately from the Accounts of Poppleton Methodist Church and are not included in Accounting Tables 1, 2 or 3 above. Where money is paid over to Poppleton Methodist Church these amounts are included in Payments in Table 4 below and as Receipts in Table 1. Results of these organisations are however reported in the Annual Financial Return to the Methodist Circuit and are noted here for completeness only.

INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Net Receipts/
(Payments)		 Adjustments Opening
balances 1st
Sep2022		 Closing
balances 31st
Aug 2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Drama Group (See Note Below) 2,211 (2,860) (650) 753 5,700 5,804
Tuesday Fellowship 1,015 (1,347) (332) 582 250
Cameo 536 (506) 30 160 190
Internal Organisations funds 3,761 (4,713) (952) 6,443 6,244

Drama Group Note: The restricted access to the bank account and its information has been resolved during 2023. The adjustment of £753 has substantiated the overall position of the Drama Group at 31 Aug 2023.

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2023

5. NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2023

5.1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The Accounts of Poppleton Methodist Church ('PMC') have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, The Methodist Church Act 1976 and principles in 'The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church', using the Receipts & Payments basis. Receipts and Payments include income as received and expenditure when irrevocably paid. The Accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which PMC is responsible in law. They don't include accounts of Internal Organisations (Table 4) nor those of informal gatherings of Church members.

Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the General Funds which are not subject to any special restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of PMC. These may include funds potentially designated for a particular purpose by PMC eg, the RUACH Project.

Restricted funds represent a) income from trusts or endowments which may be expended only on those restricted objects provided in the terms of the trust or bequest, and b) donations or grants received for a specific object or invited by PMC for a specific object. The funds may only be expended on the specific object for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. The Trustees do not always invest separately for each fund. Where there is no separate investment, interest is apportioned to individual funds on an average balance basis.

Restricted funds entirely comprise the RUACH Building Project. In addition, funds raised specifically for designated charities or missionary work (as per section 1) are segregated and paid over directly to the charity or mission. There are no endowment funds.

Fixed assets

The value of the land and buildings forming the Methodist Chapel and Church Hall are not included in these financial statements as they are included in the financial statements of York Methodist Circuit Charity No.1134381.

Fixtures and fittings as well as enhancements to the buildings forming the Methodist Church and Church Hall are fully expensed in the year the invoices are settled.

Cash Assets

Cash is held in banks, with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church and in a deposit account with Methodist Chapel Aid Ltd.

In addition, certain legacies received by PMC are affected by Section 15(2) of the Methodist Church Act 1976. These monies are held in trust for the benefit of PMC, under the direction of the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. These trust monies are interest bearing and subject to administration charges. The balance at 31st August 2023 is £0.

5.2. RESERVE POLICIES

For Unrestricted General Funds:

General Funds for non-RUACH expenses are above 50% of our normal annual expenditure. This allows some flexibility when the decision is made to start the next phase (2) of our RUACH building project and may allow an earlier start if church council approve the use of these funds.

For Restricted Funds:

The Restricted Fund represents our savings for the next phase (2) of RUACH Building Project, with no minimum reserve (Phase 1’s final balance being paid in early September 2022).

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2023

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Poppleton Methodist Church ('PMC')

I report on the Accounts contained within the Trustees' Annual Report of Poppleton Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2023, set out on pages 1 to 7.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner

The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an Independent Examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

i) examine the Accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.

ii) follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and

iii) state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission.

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the Accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts and the Trustees' Annual Report and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:

1) Which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; or to prepare Accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act, have not been met; or

2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.

ANDREW GL WORDIE

Andrew GL Wordie RD BSc FCA

Independent Examiner 12 Easthorpe Drive Nether Poppleton York YO26 6NS

17[th] June 2024

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