2023-12-31-accounts - Appleton Independent Methodist Church

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Appleton Independent Methodist Church

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which have been prepared in following the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 1A) (effective 2 February 2016), applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011. The church was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 7[th] April 2022 and all the assets, liabilities and activities of the unincorporated charity known as Appleton Independent Methodist Church were transferred into it on 1[st] January 2023. The trustees have prepared the accounts on the receipts and payments basis.

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name

Appleton Independent Methodist Church known as AIM Church

Charity Number 1198556

Charity Trustees

Peter Gleave Leader Anthony Scott Leader Patricia McDowell Dorothy Price

Appointed 07 April 2022 Appointed 07 April 2022 Appointed 07 April 2022 Appointed 25 February 2023

Address

C/O Mr P M Gleave 41 Weybridge Close Appleton Warrington WA4 5LZ

Bankers

Lloyds Bank Horsemarket Street Warrington WA1 1TP

Independent Examiner

Eric Southwick BA(Hons) FCA FCIE DChA The Bungalow Earl Street Seaham Co Durham SR7 0DH

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Structure and Organisation

Objects

The purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith.

Public Benefit

The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit reporting in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. The remainder of this report illustrates the activities undertaken to support the public benefit requirement.

Organisation

The Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which was registered with the Charity Commission on 7[th] April 2022. The assets, liabilities and operations of the unincorporated charity known as Appleton Independent Methodist Church were transferred to it on 1[st] January 2023. The Church operates according to its constitution with the trustees meeting regularly to consider the progress of the church, to consider its future direction and activities and to manage the church.

Organisational Structure

The church is led by the Leadership Team, detailed above, which meets monthly to consider the work of the Church. The Leadership Team is appointed annually from amongst the members of the Church by the members of the Church at their Annual Meeting.

Risk Assessment

The Leadership Team does not believe that the Church is subject to any substantial risks and has taken steps to mitigate those risks that it has identified. The Church takes very seriously its responsibilities to protect children and vulnerable adults making checks on workers and operating appropriate policies and procedures. Financial controls are operated to ensure that the assets of the Church are safeguarded.

Achievements and Performance

Review of the Period

At the end of 2023 we can once again look back and reflect on the blessings we have received and give God all the thanks and praise for His continued goodness toward AIM Church. As a church we have experienced many of the fellowship suffering the pain from illness and sadly the loss of those who served the church for many years. However, we have always held onto to God’s promises in His word that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

In the 2[nd] year of Peter Gleave’s employment as Pastor / Church Planter, God’s continued love and strength, have been shown through the pastoral care we have received both in the fellowship and the wider community. The ministry has been a key part of the role the Pastor / Church Planter giving structure, teaching, and indepth study of God’s word throughout both Sunday Worship and our bible studies at Homegroup. The book of Joshua gave great insight on how God’s people need to put their faith and trust in Him and Him alone, and our key verse Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled gave us focus throughout the whole book.

A further grant application for the position of Pastor / Church Planter has been submitted to the Independent Methodist Connexion for 2024.

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Review of the Period (Continued)

Although we lost one of our long-standing members in 2023 we have also received 3 new members which is a great blessing.

We have continued to hold meetings quarterly as trustees to ensure the charity meets our obligations and we were blessed by the appointment of an additional trustee in February 2023. The trustees have continued to support and monitor Peter Gleave’s position as Pastor / Church Planter, holding quarterly review meetings and weekly prayer meetings which have been a great privilege to be part of enabling us to share in the blessings of God’s work in AIM Church.

The Bereavement Journey, a course to help those who have suffered the pain of loss and grief commenced in April 2023. People enrolled from within the church and from outside finding information about the course from the AIM Church website. The course dealt with many issues, and these were greatly appreciated by all those who attended.

The Coffee Morning (“Coffee AiM”) has continued to be a central part of our work within the community of Appleton. Those who attend regularly comment that this is the highlight of their week. We are so thankful that God has protected this valuable work and those attending have really appreciated having the opportunity to meet together. Sadly, we have suffered the loss of some who attended, but we thank God for the opportunity to give support to those who were bereaved. One of the great blessings is the opportunity for those who serve at Coffee AIM is the chat we have before the work commences and the opportunity to pray for those in need at that particular time. This has given us great encouragement and a sense of God’s peace that He is with us.

Our Homegroup has been one of prayer and fellowship with our Bible Studies focusing on our planned preaching especially the Joshua series with the opportunity for more in-depth study of His word and being able to ask and clarify God’s word. The Homegroup has grown substantially throughout 2023 with those attending wanting to share fellowship, prayer and study of God’s word which is a great encouragement, and we give God all the thanks for this growth.

We have held monthly members or leaders’ meetings in person or online. A weekly prayer meeting has been held by the leadership for discussion and prayer. We have prayed, visited, and encouraged each other throughout the year.

The Appleton Cross Church Building Project has been fairly quiet throughout 2023 with no significant movement during the year. We have kept communication lines open with Homes England, Warrington Borough Council and Appleton Parish Council throughout the year, which we will continue in 2024. Prayer meetings have still been our focus as we seek God’s guidance and blessing upon this project. In terms of actually planting a church, Christmas was a great opportunity to knock on doors within the area and give people personal invitations to our Community Carols and other services at Appleton Parish Hall. We had a very positive responsive with a small number enjoying, Carols, Hot Chocolate, Mince Pies and sweets. This has been good for getting to know people in Appleton Cross and starting to build relationships. We are aware that this is a long-term project, and we will continue to reach out and plans to do so are being worked on how we do this going forward.

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Review of the Period (Continued)

We continue to update our website to promote our work and make us accessible to people beyond those who already attend the church. We have continued to use our church WhatsApp group which has enabled us to communicate and uphold in prayer those in need and therefore support each other. As a result of some of the prayer requests, new people are attending our Sunday service.

We have also had the opportunity to give financial support to missionaries and many other charities and we still have a close bond with Barnabus in Manchester.

In June, we hosted the King’s Coronation afternoon tea, which was attended by people from both the Church and the community. We have held 2 Progressive Meals where we are treated to 3 different courses at 3 different venues.

We supported 3 members of the church prayerfully, practically, and financially who felt called to go to Gambia with Amor Europe they went to supply innovative water filter systems, train the recipients in its correct use, and raise awareness of hygiene, and sanitation.

The group felt truly blessed and humbled by the experience and some have already signed up to return in 2024.

The year ended with our advent series services which provided a great opportunity for outreach and we welcomed over 20 new people who joined the celebrations which included 2 rather unusual “Instant Nativities.” We held a Christmas Party for the Coffee Morning and went Carol Singing at Appleton Cross. The Church also collected 31 Christmas Shoe boxes which were sent overseas.

In summary, we have been blessed and used by God! God has brought us closer together as a church community and has been with us throughout. He has entrusted His work to us, and we have been privileged to be part of it. God has accomplished much both in us, and through us, and we give Him all the praise and glory!

Financial Review

At 31[st] December 2023 the charity had funds totalling £23,798.12 available for the trustees to use at their discretion having raised £81,177.55, including funds from the unincorporated charity of £25,375.76 during the year and spent £57,379.43.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the Trustees to hold reserves which provide for the ongoing work of the charity whilst retaining financial stability and the potential to respond to new opportunities. At the 31 December 2023 the reserves held were £23,798.12 available for the trustees to use at their discretion, the trustees consider this level to be adequate.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period, which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently:
make judgments and estimates that are prudent and reasonable:
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Responsibilities of the Trustees (continued)

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in existence.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Peter Gleave

Anthony Scott

Patricia McDowell

Dorothy Price

Date: 20[th] February 2024

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Independent examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Appleton Independent Methodist Church

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 7 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an 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 matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 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.

Eric Southwick BA (Hons) FCA FCIE DChA Date: 20[th] February 2024

The Bungalow Earl Street Seaham Co Durham SR7 0DH

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31[st] December 2023

		2023
Receipts Freewill Offerings Regular Donations and Standing Orders Other Donations Grants Gift Aid Repayments Conference Received from unicorporated charity *Total Receipts* Payments Ministry Coffee AIM / AIM + Conference Church Running Costs Pastor / Church Planter Donations Appleton Cross *Total Payments* Net Receipts / (Payments) Funds b/fwd 1 January Funds c/fwd 31 December	£ 3,236.50 15,375.00 4,537.00 29,000.00 3,503.29 150.00 25,375.76
	81,177.55
	1,250.00 3,832.19 630.00 10,565.29 32,055.27 6,755.00 2,291.68
	57,379.43
	23,798.12 -
	23,798.12

The notes on page 9 part of these financial statements.

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31[st] December 2023

2023 £ Monetary Assets Bank current account 23,798.12 Current Liabilities Independent Examiner's fees 300.00

The financial statements on pages 7 to 9 were approved on 20[th] February 2024.

Anthony Scott

The notes on page 9 part of these financial statements.

Appleton Independent Methodist Church Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023

Notes to the accounts

1 Accounting policies

In preparing the accounts the following accounting policies have been complied with:
a) The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 1A) (effective 2 February 2016), applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.
b) Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
c) Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity receives the income.
d) Expenditure is recognised on a payments basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

2 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes.

3 Trustee and employee information

a) Trustee information
One trustee received remuneration of £29,234.99 during the year.
b) Employee Information

The church had one employee in the year.

Employee Information The church had one employee in the year.
Wages and salaries Pension costs		2023 £
	29,234.99 869.05
	30,104.04

4 Related Party Transactions

There are no related party transactions, other than the one disclosed in note 3 above, which require disclosure.