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2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees of Poppleton Methodist Church present their Annual Report for year ended 31st August 2024

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 2024

aging Trustees at 31st August 2024
Chairman Rev Elizabeth Cushion
Secretary Chris Boothman
Treasurer Steven Boothman
Pastoral Secretary Marilyn Ingle Representatives elected by the Church Meeting:
Church Stewards Sandra Bailey Moira Howard
Marian Beck Lyn Johnson
Chris Boothman Brian Latto
Moira Dacker Sue Lynn
Wendy Heap Ruth Morrison
Sheila Latto John Perkin
John Middleton Sue Perkin
Chris Scholtz David Priestnall
Christine Stephenson Alan Wright
Judith Wright
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, celebrated baptisms and offered funeral and memorial services for those who have lost loved ones. The congregation continue to support each other pastorally and regular events such as craft group, Coffee on the Green and lunch club provide fellowship. Joint services and events with the Anglican congregation continue, and it is hoped to continue these links.

The RUACH project is going well and it is hoped that we will be able to start Phase 2 in the next couple of months.

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 through a course exploring the Christian faith, and we hope to produce a church Facebook page. Children’s craft sessions happen at village events and weekly during the summer holidays.

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: With Moira Howard and Frances Priestnall retiring from their stewarding duties at the AGM in May when Sandra Bailey and Marian Beck joined the team, stewards are now Number Ones – Sandra Bailey, Chris Boothman, John Middleton and Chris Scholtz, with Marian Beck, Moira Dacker, Wendy Heap and Sheila Latto as Number Two stewards. Christine Stephenson is taking a temporary break from stewarding duties while recovering from illness. We were grateful for and thank Revd David Priestnall and Revd David Archer for their help during our minister Elizabeth’s sabbatical during the early months of the year.

b) MISSION COMMITTEE: Committee members are involved with COTG, lunch club , fundraising group, craft group, flower distribution, Tuesday fellowship and Cameo. Usual Christmas activities included distribution of plants to elderly, lonely and bereaved in the village, gifts delivered to the local prison and a posada and trail of knitted sheep displayed in local businesses. Regular meetings are held with the Anglicans to discuss and provide activities for children and families, plus meetings with the After School Club, Under 5’s and Youth Club. We have taken part in Messy Church sessions in All Saints church hall and it is hoped that a room for parents and young children may soon be provided during Coffee on the Green sessions.

c) FUND RAISING for the Ruach development Phase 2 continues and during the year various church organised events including Christmas and Spring Fairs, Mothering Sunday and Strawberry teas, a choir concert and a murder mystery evening have been attended and enjoyed by church members and the wider community. We have also joined in with village activities such as Children’s Sports Day & the Annual Village Show raising a total in excess of £8,500 over the year.

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d) RUACH PROJECT: We continued to raise funds for phase 2 of Ruach – the reordering of the Chapel. The intention of phase 2 is to turn the Chapel into a flexible multi-use space suitable for both worship and community use. The intention is to change a building that is mainly used on Sundays for worship and occasional weddings and funerals to seven day a week use. This can be achieved if the fixed pews and sloping floor are removed and the level reduced to that the access is straight off the street without stairs or ramps. The electric tubular heaters will be replaced with under-floor heating powered by an air source heat pump and solar panels and a storage battery will also be installed. The insulation will be improved as will the Audio Visual equipment. At the 31[st] August 2024 the cost estimate of the project was £273,000 and the amount raised was £203,000.

e) PROPERTY STEWARD

Periodic maintenance throughout the premises is undertaken by members of the property team. This includes, Fire alarm testing, descaling and water treatment to the dishwashers and water boilers, replacing defective light bulbs, weed killing of paths, emptying the dehumidifier and ensuring the toilets and kitchens are cleaned and re stocked. Of note and more significant items over the last 12 months:

We had to replace the dishwasher/sanitiser in the old hall kitchen as it was shorting out and tripping the electrics. We were also fortunate to receive a grant towards the costs from York City Council. A complete re paint of the old Photocopier room (Tree House room) as it was looking tired. A volunteer kindly agreed to wash and repair the curtains in the room. We repurposed the electronic hand sanitisers, used during Covid, to dispense soap and they are in the toilets near the old hall. Completed a number of items identified in the Quinquennial report and cleaned all gutters and down pipes. Painted below the Dado rail in the lobby of the new hall and new hall itself as it needed a spruce up.

Water damage appeared on the South wall in the church. After seeking advice from Circuit, we approached a local stone mason for a quote and advice on the remedy. However, whilst he was on site he identified a crack in the Apex stone at the very top of the Church roof. This was an urgent item and will be remedied as soon as possible. The sound system failed in the chapel. We procured a portable replacement pending the reordering of the chapel which may result in a completely new system being installed.

f) COFFEE ON THE GREEN continues to run successfully staffed by a willing band of volunteers from both church and village community, offering a welcoming and friendly environment where customers can meet, chat and enjoy delicious refreshments. Although footfall decreased over the winter months, gross takings are averaging £275/session on Mondays and £375/session on Tuesdays. One-off events during the year included providing a Christmas afternoon tea for the Craft Group members and catering following the funeral of a past regular customer.

The monthly charity coffee morning continues to be very popular and charities supported include York against Cancer, McMillan Nurses, Crohn’s & Cystic Fibrosis, Oxfam, UNICEF and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Craft sessions were held each Monday during school holidays with the offer of a free child’s meal for each adult meal purchased.

With Tuesday Fellowship moving to Friday afternoons, Coffee on the Green will be open every Monday and Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm and we look forward to being able to offer an extended service to our customers.

G) TUESDAY FELLOWSHIP : Going well with good attendances and a range of speakers. Following the annual strawberry tea in July 2024 the group will recommence in September 2024 as Friday Fellowship, meeting monthly on the second Friday of each month.

h) ECO CHURCH: Monthly refill stall is well supported and a monthly children’s clothes swap has started at Popp and Play sessions held on our premises. Work continues towards achieving the Silver Award.

i) CAMEO : Come And Meet Each Other is a monthly group meeting in a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere which attracts approximately 35 members from the church and wider village community. During the year members have enjoyed talks on a variety of subjects, plus a musical evening and a meal out together.

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 continues to support this charity with an annual amount and throughout the year by donating the proceeds of the Christmas post-delivery and an annual breakfast and barbecue.

Financial Report

1. General Unrestricted Church Receipts and Payments

Receipts

Total income is up by around £5,800 (5.4%) 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. However, Standing orders, Offerings, Gift Aid and the Small Cash Donations scheme recovery have decreased by £3,600 (6.5%). This decrease is due, in the main, to some generous contributors having been lost.

The new hall completed it’s second year of rental income. Overall income from rentals including from the Under 5s has increased - the overall letting income is up by nearly £7,000 (28%). Coffee on the Green annual receipts are consistent with 2023 at £19,000, but this is offset by higher expenses of £8,700 (2023: £6,000) and ongoing hall running expenditure.

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Payments

Total expenses were £95,111, against which recovery of £5,000 overpayment of previous pension contributions to Connexion, has been set. Total expenses are therefore up by £1,000, some 1% (2023: £94,000).

The circuit assessment was increased by 11% to just over £54,600 for the year. Our regular donations of £2,350 to Methodist charities has continued in 2024. Other costs for 2024 of £12,200 are broadly comparable with 2023, but within this heading there are some increases and other decreases.

Within the Utilities line (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) the electricity expense for 2024 was £9,700 (2023: £14,000). After many ongoing discussions with the energy provider, our electricity costs incurred post installation of new electric meters was brought up to date in 2023, giving rise to a higher charge. It will take another year of so to full understand the church’s true cost of power. The cost of insurance and licences for 2024 of £3,500 is comparable to 2023.

Unrestricted Fund Balances at Year End

The final figures for the year show a surplus of income over expenditure of £22,958 for church activities , not including RUACH, which in the present situation continues to be positive.

The balance on the General Unrestricted Fund at the year-end is recorded as £123,525 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 unrestricted funds to RUACH Funds – no such transfers have been made in 2024 or 2023.

Since the Fund commenced 7 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 2024 and includes the total amount paid in respect of Phase 1 of this programme. During 2024, grants of £42,000 were received, including £40,000 from Methodist Insurance.

Now that Phase 1 is complete, the balance of £107,414 (2023: £32,465) is carried forward towards Phases 2 & 3.

RUACH RESTRICTED FUNDS MAKEUP (CUMULATIVE)
Totals to
31:8:24
Donations Fund Raising & Gift Aid 233,012
Grants Received 291,850
Interest 4,298
Total Receipts 529,160
Transferred from Unrestricted Funds (2022) 236,414
Total Payments (Phase 1) -658,160
Net Movement 107,414
Fund Balance B/Fwd 0
FUND BALANCE C/FWD 107,414

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. Phase 2 involves 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 18[th] June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Signed: ELIZABETH CUSHION

Signed: PETER SCHOLTZ

_____ ____

Revd Elizabeth Cushion (Chairman of Trustees and of Church Council) and Peter Scholtz (Trustee)

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

RECEIPTS £
£
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 £
£
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds		 £
52,714
6,433
32,528
98,127
189,802
54,636
2,350
10,851
15,112
8,947
91,896
97,906
133,032
230,939
0
230,939
Totals:
2024		 Totals:
2023
£ £ £ £
Offerings andTax recovered 52,236 478 52,714 56,943
Bankand CFB interest andInvestmentincome 4,900 1,533 6,433 2,689
Lettings 32,528 0 32,528 25,455
Other receipts 23,405 74,722 98,127 53,533
TOTAL RECEIPTS 113,069 76,733 189,802 138,621
PAYMENTS
CircuitAssessment orShare 54,636 0 49,048
Donations 2,350 0 2,350
Repairs andMaintenance 10,851 0 10,770
Utilities (Insurances, water charges, heating & lighting) 15,112 0 19,004
Otherpayments 7,163 1,784 30,453
TOTAL PAYMENTS 90,111 1,784 111,626
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 22,958 74,949 26,995
Total funds broughtforwardfrom last year 100,567 32,465 106,037
Sub total 123,525 107,414 133,032
Transfers and adjustments 0
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR 123,525 107,414 230,939 133,032
Totals:
2024
Totals:
2023
0
0
1,566
3,052
(1,566)
(3,052)
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:
2024
Totals:
2023
0
0
1,566
3,052
(1,566)
(3,052)
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 3,052
Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations (3,052)
Balance still to bepaid 0

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

ENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ENT 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 2024
40
21,961
38,058
167,468
0
3,412
230,939		 Opening Balances
1st Sept 2023
40
14,498
31,671
83,502
0
3,322
133,033
Represented by:
Unrestricted Funds
123,525
Restricted Funds
107,414		 100,567
32,466

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 £2,581,246 (2023: 2,506,066). Additional specialist insurance is taken out for the RUACH works.

3 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

TEMENT 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 2023
Transfer from General Fund to RUACH Fund
Balances c/fwd 31st August 2024		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Totals:
Totals:
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
52,236
33,200
85,436
87,320
0
42,000
42,000
300
32,528
0
32,528
25,456
4,900
1,533
6,433
2,689
23,405
0
23,405
22,856
113,069
76,733
189,802
138,621
-90,111
-1,784
-91,895
-111,626
22,958
74,949
97,907
26,995
100,567
32,465
133,032
106,037
0
0
0
0
123,525
107,414
230,939
133,032

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
Sep2023		 Closing
balances 31st
Aug 2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
Drama Group 2,018 (6,661) (4,643) 5,803 1,161
Tuesday/Friday Fellowship 1,040 (496) 543 250 793
Cameo 432 (562) (130) 190 60
200 (200) 0 0 0
Internal Organisations funds 3,690 (7,919) (4,230) 6,243 2,014

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2024

5. NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2024

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 2024 is £0.

5.2. RESERVE POLICIES

For Unrestricted General Funds:

General Funds for non-RUACH expenses are above 50% of our normal annual expenditure. In addition to meeting our normal expenses, 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 our RUACH Building Project, with no minimum reserve.

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POPPLETON METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2024

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

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts of Poppleton Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2024, 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 in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, as amended by the Charities Act 2022 ('the Charities Act'). They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act and that an Independent Examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

i) examine the Trustees’ Annual Report and 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 and other information kept by the Charity and a comparison of the Trustees’ Annual Report and 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 Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts to be reached.

Signed: ANDREW GL WORDIE

Andrew GL Wordie RD BSc FCA

Independent Examiner 12 Easthorpe Drive Nether Poppleton York YO26 6NS

18th June 2025

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