## Stamford Methodist Church, Lincolnshire Annual report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2023 **Stamford Methodist Church** Registered Charity Number: 1182848 **CJS February 2024** **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Contents** ||Page| |---|---| |Trustees' Annual Report|1 to 7| |Independent Examiner's Report|8| |Comments on Methodist Standard Form of Accounts|9 to 10| |**Appended:**|| |Methodist Standard Form of Accounts|11 to 13| **CJS February 2024** **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** ## **Reference and administration details** **Charity name** : **Stamford Methodist Church** Also known as: Barn Hill Methodist Church **Registered charity number** : **1182848** Address: Stamford Methodist 11 Barn Hill Stamford Lincs PE9 2AE ## **Managing Trustees** The names of those who served as Managing Trustees in the year are as follows: Rev Andrew Hollins (Chair) Rev William Booker (assistant chair, minister within the circuit) Corinna Selby (Senior Church Steward) Anne Wiltshire (Church Steward) Anne Earle (Church Steward) Beth Hodgson (Church Steward) Stephen Husbands (Church Steward) Sally Ijioma (Church Steward) Vivienne Higgins (Church Steward) Charlotte Davis (Secretary to Church Council, Steward & Property Secretary)) Frances Coles (Treasurer) Eddie Adams (Assistant Treasurer) Moira Collins (Circuit Steward) Vivienne Higgins (Church Steward & Pastoral Secretary) Helen Little (Mission interest) Jan Hetherington (The Well) Audrey Hensman (Second Helpings) Sarah Atwell-King (Local Preacher) Pauline Jones (Mission Projects) Roger Ing (Mission Projects) Conan Lewis (Past Steward); Charlotte Davis (Church Safeguarding Officer & CC Secretary) Julia Husbands Chris Adams Margaret Hewerdine Janet Howitt Beryl Teasdale Clive Marshall Godfrey Jones Maz Roberts resigned February 2023 - 1 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ ## **Structure, governance and management** ## **Governing document** As part of the wider Methodist Church in Great Britain, the Charity's governing document is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976). Within the wider Methodist Connexion, Stamford Methodist Church is part of the Stamford Circuit, which in turn is itself part of the Northampton District of the Methodist Church. ## **Membership of the governing body** The governing body of the Charity is the Church Council, the members of which are the Managing Trustees. Certain officers are automatically Managing Trustees by virtue of their office. These are the minister, the secretary, the church stewards, the treasurer and the pastoral secretary. The other Managing Trustees are church representatives appointed to the Church Council at a general meeting of members of the church, normally held at least annually. Three committees report to the Church Council: - The Finance Committee oversees the churches finances, reporting to the Church Council at all meetings. - The Property Committee is responsible for day-to-day upkeep of the church building and overseeing the hire activities of the Church. - The Pastoral Committee is responsible for the pastoral care of the fellowship of the church Other groups reflecting the life and work of the church meet to discuss their work and write a report shared at Church Council meetings: - The Stewards - The Safeguarding Officer - The Mission Projects Group - Second Helpings – ‘feeding bellies not bins’ initiative - The Well – the church coffee shop & Fairtrade Shop - The Growth & Outreach Group As an employee of the Church, the Children’s and Families Work Enabler also submits a report. ## **Bodies entitled to appoint Trustees** The Stamford Circuit Meeting is entitled to appoint four Trustees to the Stamford Methodist Church Council, which comprise: - the Minister of Stamford Methodist Church; - the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit; - one other Minister from the Circuit; and - a Circuit Steward. - 2 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ ## **Objectives and activities** ## **Purposes** The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. It does this through: ## **Worship** The Church exists to increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love ## **Learning and Caring** The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care ## **Service** The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice ## **Evangelism** The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ Stamford Methodist Church seeks to apply this within the local environment of Stamford, Lincolnshire. As well as acting as a place of worship, Stamford Methodist Church also aims to use the building with which it is blessed, to offer space for hire to the local community. ## **Activities undertaken** The Charity undertakes a wide range of activities every year in line with its Christian purpose. These typically include but are not limited to: - Acting as a place of worship and providing a holy space for focus within the local community. - Offering pastoral care: to its members, to those visiting the Church and to the wider community. - Providing and maintaining the church building for both worship and community use. - Conducting religious ceremonies, including regular Sunday and occasional services as well as weddings and funerals on request. - Raising awareness of Christianity in our community. - 3 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ - Both providing the opportunity for external community action groups to hire the building and running some such groups directly - examples including Second Helpings, Twinkle Tots, Girls’ Brigade & JCBs, Messy Church, various fellowship groups & The Well. - Providing a hire venue for use by the community. - Being part of the Stamford Churches Together group with other local churches. - Maintaining links with the various user groups of its premises. - Serving as a base for Stamford Street Pastors. ## **Public benefit statement** The Managing Trustees oversee the activities of the Charity with due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The benefits of the Christian activities of the Stamford Methodist Church are considered to be: - Improved spiritual and mental wellbeing. - Pastoral care and support within the local community for families and those without families. - Friendship and fellowship amongst the congregation and others who visit regularly. - Fosters community involvement at all levels. - Care for the environment based on a responsibility for stewardship of God's creation. - Challenging trade injustice through the support of such causes as Fair Trade. - Bereavement support. - Availability for local ceremonies at key stages in life (weddings, funerals, baptisms). - Availability of a safe space. - Support through direct giving, fundraising and support for other local, national and international charities. - 4 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ The benefits of the community hire activities of the Church are considered to be: - Strengthening the local community through the availability of learning, leisure and social activities. - Availability of local cultural activities through concerts and other events hosted. - Availability of local therapeutic, wellbeing and health beneficial activities. - Support of other charities through availability of space for hire or hosting of fundraising events. - Encouragement of interaction between different community groups meeting within the same building. ## **Achievements and performance** Numbers of attendees has remained lower than pre-COVID, but the Pastoral Visitors have remained in contact with all members, and online services have continued to feature weekly. Several members have passed away and others remain too frail or ill to return to church. We have seen new people worshipping with us and look forward to seeing all that they bring to our fellowship as they worship with us. Hiring of the building has improved over the year as old hirers returned to normal practice and new hirers have joined. In September 2022 our new minister and Superintendent Minister joined us. The Rev Andrew Hollins began his appointment to the circuit with effect from 1[st] September 2022. We look forward to all that Rev Hollins will share with us and all that will be achieved during his time with us. In June 2022 the Church Council agreed that the church would offer to hold same sex marriages on it’s premises and Corinna Selby (Senior Church Steward) was tasked with applying for the licence. After several months the certificate finally arrived in February 2023. Lastly, at the end of August 2023 we said a fond farewell to Rev William Booker, our part-time minister. Rev Booker has retired, but will remain in the circuit as a Supernumerary Minister and we look forward to sharing in worship with him. ## **Financial review** The accounts for the year ending 31st August 2023 have been audited and were presented for approval by the Church Council and signing by Rev Andrew Hollins on 22 November 2023. The accounts for the year show a surplus position of £11,619, representing income of £116,293 offset by expenditure of £104,674. (In 2021/22 the Church made a loss of £13,908). The Church had been forecasting a deficit but generous one-off donations from members of the Church resulted in a surplus position. - 5 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ Income has reduced from last year, due to grants having been received for Church repairs in 21/22. Offerings and donations (including Gift aid) have reduced by £750 to £64,845. Lettings income and bank interest have both increased. Expenditure has reduced from last year, due mostly to repairs and maintenance which were £11,131 in 2022/23 compared to £51,975 in 2021/22. The largest item of expenditure at £50,000 is the Church assessment supporting the Circuit expenses including ministerial stipends and lay workers. The key items to mention for the budget 2023/24 are: - an increased Circuit assessment of £57,000 - an estimate for increased Utility charges from 1st January 2024, when the current fixed rate arrangement ends - the creation of a reserve for Boiler maintenance/repairs of £5,000 - a legacy of £9,655 has been received and is included in the deficit budget. Members of the congregation were informed about the financial situation soon after the Church Council meeting. Informing them also about a Gift/Open day planned for Saturday 13th April 2024. - 6 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Trustees' Annual Report** _(continued)_ The Trustees' Annual Report was signed by the Chair of Trustees on behalf of the Church Council at the meeting in February. The accompanying Methodist Standard Form of Accounts were presented to and approved by the Church Council in November 2023 **Rev Andrew Hollins** Chair of Trustees Date: **13 Feb 2024** - 7 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report** I report to the Managing Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Stamford Methodist Church (the "Charity") for the year ended 31 August 2023. As the Managing Trustees of the Charity, 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: **David Swann** Name of Independent Examiner: David William Swann Address: 39 Chatsworth Road Stamford Lincolnshire Date: **25 October 2023** - 8 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Accounting policies - Methodist Standard Form of Accounts** ## **Basis of accounts** On the following pages 11 to 13 are given the Methodist Standard Form of Accounts of Stamford Methodist Church for the year ended 31 August 2023, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. The accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis since income is below the threshold that allows this approach. ## **Accounting policies** In order to better aid the understanding of readers, the following accounting policies are stated which explain aspects of the standard form of accounts: ## **Core activities** The result for the year from core activities of the Charity, being the operation of the Church and it’s rooms, are given in sections A to C. ## **Charitable collections** Collections made for specific charities are accounted for separately in section D and are not therefore part of the funds of the Charity. ## **Internal organisations** Any internal organisations within the overall Charity that have separate funds are shown in section E. ## **Funds** In common with most charities, the funds held by Stamford Methodist Church fall into three categories: ## _**General unrestricted funds**_ General funds are unrestricted and can be used for any purpose in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Managing Trustees. ## _**Designated unrestricted funds**_ Designated funds are also unrestricted but have been allocated to a particular purpose by the Managing Trustees. ## _**Restricted funds**_ Restricted funds can only be used for particular purposes within the charitable objectives. Such restrictions may arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. All funds relating to internal organisations are deemed to be restricted funds - 9 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Accounting policies - Methodist Standard Form of Accounts** ## **Church site and building** In common with all Methodist Churches, the property is owned by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes ("TMCP"). Usage of the building by Stamford Methodist Church is for those purposes as permitted under the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. ## **Accompanying notes** Additional accompany notes are given voluntarily where it is felt these will add beneficial information to the reader of the accounts. - 10 - Stamford Meihodist Church Year ended 31 Augusi 2023 RE¢￿T* IM) P4VAIENTS ccou1￿8 TrIE I￿￿￿￿lsTcHUReH STANDARD FORU OF ACCOUNTS thu TrtE y￿ ENDED 31 Awusl 2CQJ 6rFt Ipj TIUmt￿r FIVKA VjY14i **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Accounting policies - Methodist Standard Form of Accounts** - 12 - **Stamford Methodist Church Year ended 31 August 2023** ## **Accounting policies - Methodist Standard Form of Accounts** - 13 -