Northampton Methodist Church Charity No 1199372 Annual report and accounts 2023/2024 ## **Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 August 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Contents Page Number
Introduction by Superintendent Minister 2
Review of the year 3
Our plans for 2024/25 5
Mission statement 6
Governance Detail
Legal structure and arrangements 7
Structure, Governance and Management and Public Benefit test 9
Risk Management, Reserves Policy 10
Safeguarding 11
Financial statement preparation 12
Detailed Accounts 13
Notes on the Accounts 15
Independent examiners report 25
Appendix A Trustee details 27
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 1 ## **Welcome by the Superintendent of the Northampton Methodist Circuit and Minister with Pastoral Charge of Northampton Methodist Church** I am pleased to introduce the second annual report of the Northampton Methodist Church. This past year has been an opportunity for us to continue to develop as a church and begin to implement some of the changes proposed in the ‘Stepping Out’ report. Some key highlights of this year have been: - Hosting a 7-day-a-week winter night shelter for homeless people in Northampton, in partnership with the Northampton Hope Centre, which protected life and supported people at a time of need. - • The Church Council adopting the ‘Stepping Out’ proposals on mission and property that will enable Northampton Methodist Church not only to sustain its ministry but to hopefully grow and flourish in the years to come. - Facilitating conversations in the Queensgrove Worshipping Community and finalising the plans to merge with Park Avenue to form the new Park Grove Worshipping Community, inaugurated in July 2024. - • Establishing and embedding the single morning service at the Park Avenue Worshipping Community, that joined together the previously separated and parallel traditional and contemporary services, with music provided by our own inhouse music group and band. - Celebrating a number of significant church anniversaries including Astcote (150 years), Queensgrove (145 years), St Andrew’s (50 years). - Beginning the process to register some of our sites with the Rocha Eco-Church scheme, with the ambition to have all sites registered in the next connexional year, with the appointment of an NMC environment champion, and progressing to bronze award status. In all these things we continue to put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as our guide as we share the good news of the gospel in Northampton and beyond. Thank you for reading this report which I hope is informative and helpful. Reverend David J Speirs Email:david.speirs@methodist.org.uk Telephone: 01604 705642 Page. 2 ## **Review of the year** The first anniversary of the formation Northampton Methodist Church was celebrated at a combined act of worship held on the 10[th] September at which the Vice President of Conference preached expressing a clear challenge to be intentional in our mission actions and priorities. During the year a number of significant anniversaries were celebrated by our constituent worshipping communities including 150 years of worship at Astcote, 100 years at Towcester Road and 50 years at St Andrews. As a prelude to the Queensgrove congregation merging with Park Avenue a weekend of celebration was held reflecting 145 years of worship in the Queensgrove building. As of July 2024 the ParkGrove worshipping community was launched. The church council adopted the “Stepping out” proposals which set out plans for the future management of the building assets under the churchs’ care, including proposals for rationalisation. There was continued development of the church website https://northampton-methodist-church.org.uk which provided links to each worshipping community and provided a single presence for the church on the internet. During the year the trustee body meet on a regular basis both to facilitate growing together as a group along with moving forward on determining the missional aspirations of the church as set out later in this review. As a response to The Methodist Conference Statement “Hope in God’s Future” which provides an excellent theological basis for encouraging discipleship in the context of climate change, a number of our worshipping communities have enrolled for the A Rocha UK award scheme for churches in England and Wales “who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth” and were working towards obtaining the bronze award. It is pleasing to report the continued strength of the fellowship and bible study groups across the worshipping communities. ## **Financial performance for the year** Income Page. 3 ## **Review of the year** General collection income including gift aid reclaims (£234k) was slightly lower than the previous year and specific donations was also slightly lower at (£12k). Of specific note the receipt of three legacies in the year totalling (£39k) with direction in each case as to the worshipping community that should benefit. Letting income in comparison saw an increase of fifteen percent to (£67k) reflecting the increase in groups seeking venues to meet. There was also an increase in investment income as a result of the increase in interest rates. There was a slight reduction in linked organisation income is primarily reflecting the transfer of the Queensgrove Boys Brigade to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Expenditure The main item of expenditure “The Circuit assessment” to fund the provision of ministry to the church was set at the same level as in 2022 – 23, the lower figure in the accounts reflecting the move away from quarterly advance payment to the Circuit. Building repairs were significantly increased reflecting need for considerable roof repair work, but again were generally kept to priority requirements only whilst the longer term challenges related to both backlog maintenance requirements and future improvements were determined. The most notable impact of inflation being on insurance premiums and utility costs where a number of contracts saw considerable tariff increases. Net movement in funds Overall the General Fund balance at the end of the financial year was (£138k), the churches free reserves equates to 4.5 months expenditure cover in line the reserves policy requirement. . Page. 4 ## **Futures plans** ## **Plans for 2024/25** Following initial adoption of the “Stepping out” proposals setting out future plans for the church buildings that the charity has oversight of, further work will be undertaken both to progress development of the individual constituent projects and disposal of property no longer required. To further the development of work with families and young people recruitment of a mission enabler will be progressed along with identification of any further lay support worker roles required. A number of significant anniversaries are again being celebrated during the year specifically the 100 years of worship at Park Avenue. Page. 5 ## **Mission statement** ## _**The table below shows the key action points identified in the churches mission plan**_ **Develop, support and encourage work with children and families.** Encouraging ongoing work Developing new initiatives **Making disciples of Jesus and deepening discipleship** Engaging with new people and sharing the Gospel Sharing and studying the word Hosting bible studies in welcoming venues **Develop, support, and encourage ongoing work with older people.** Effective pastoral support Providing opportunities for fellowship **Strengthening the ecumenical witness in the local community** Seeking to be activily involved with the local geographic “Churches together group” within which each worshipping community is situated **Engaging with and welcoming new residents within our communities** Seeking to learn from the Overstone pioneer worker experience to develop approaches to outreach in new build areas within the town. **Seeking to be an open and inclusive church** Being an intergenerational church Providing a variety of worship styles Feeding sharing, and eating together (breaking bread) Encouraging Godly creativity, crafting, and art. Creating space _for_ sanctuary and retreat Being a supportive and friendly church _for_ those with special needs. Page. 6 ## **Governance Arrangements** ## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard FRS102. The Charity’s report and accounts include all the separately established funds for which Northampton Methodist Church has taken on responsibility for following the formation of the merged church. Full Name of Charity: Northampton Methodist Church Registration Charity Number: 1199372 The principal office is at: Harpole Methodist Church School Lane Harpole Northampton NN7 4DR The members of the Northampton Methodist Church Council are the Charity Trustees and are listed in Appendix A. which is attached. The Church is part of the Northampton Methodist Circuit Mr Keith Brooks acted as the principal officer overseeing the overall financial management and accounting for the Charity. The accounting records and the day-to-day administration of the funds are supported by the Financial steward in each worshipping community. The advisors and administrators used by the Charity during 2023/24 were: Bankers Lloyds Bank 2 George Row, Northampton Natwest Bank The Drapery, Northampton HSBC Bank Abington St, Northampton Barclays Bank Wellingborough Road, Northampton Page. 7 ## **Governance Arrangements** Solicitors Anthony Collins Solicitors 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham B3 2ES Independent examiner Miss C Haynes (ACA) 4 Delamere Road Northampton Investment Managers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes . Page. 8 ## **Governance Arrangements** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** Northampton Methodist Church is the registered charity for all of the Methodist worshipping communities within Northampton and the surrounding area. It provides both worship, fellowship and pastoral care from its various buildings within the town. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of: a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church; b) Any charitable purpose 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; d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. ## Public Benefit We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Page. 9 ## **Governance Arrangements** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The governing document for the Church is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the Church is undertaken by the Church Council along with the Church Leadership team and the Finance and Property Committee . Each worshipping community also has a local teams structure organising and co ordinating the work in that location.. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Church is used including the leaflet 'The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church' has been shared with each church council members to support induction to their role as trustees. Ongoing further training is also provided using trustee training material provided by the charity commission. ## **Risk Management** The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Finance and Property Committee with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken of all buildings and reported to the Church Council. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a quarterly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Reserves Policy** The Reserves Policy for the Church is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 4 months' average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on properties and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to maintain regular giving and other income of the various worshipping communities. Page. 10 ## **Governance Arrangements** ## **Safeguarding** _Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God's own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God's re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm._ Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: - the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults - the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable - the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. - We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. - We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation. - We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. - We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. - We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. - In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice Page. 11 ## **Financial Statement preparation** ## **Basis of preparation** As treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 from the consolidated records provided by each Worshipping community and that they include all funds under the control of the Church Council. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature of W K Brooks Date 18 March 2025
Treasurer
Name W K Brooks ACMA
Address 2a Stanfield Road
Duston
Northampton
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Presentation to the Church Council for approval.** I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Church Council Meeting on 18 March 2025 and were approved. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature of the Chair of the meeting Rev David Speirs 18 March 2025
Name of the Chair of Rev David Speirs
the meeting
Date 18 March 2025
___________________________________________________________________________
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page. 12 ## **Statement of Financial Activities** ||**Note ref**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Unrestricted funds**|**Restricted Funds**|**Restricted Funds**|**Endowment Funds**|**Endowment Funds**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**2022/23**|**2023/24**|**2022/23**|**2023/24**|**2022/23**|**2023/24**|**2022/23**|**2023/24**| |||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |**Income and Endowments from:**|8||||||||| |Collections and tax credit||241,276|231,810|1,986|1,917|||243,262|233,727| |Donations &grants||21,524|11,962|-|-|||21,524|11,962| |Legacies||-|-|-|38,972|||-|38,972| |Fund raising||10,308|12,430|-|-|||10,308|12,430| |Lettings||58,724|66,756|-|-|||58,724|66,756| |Investments||2,958|4,394|145|145|2,310|3,843|5,413|8,383| |Other||11,488|4,893|-|-|||11,488|4,893| |Internal organisations receipts|||-|62,694|58,587|||62,694|58,587| |**Total**||**346,278**|**332,244**|**64,825**|**99,622**|**2,310**|**3,843**|**413,413**|**435,709**| |**Expenditure on:**|9||||||||| |Salaries,NIC & Pension costs|6|12,087|12,748||-|||12,087|12,748| |Circuit Assessment||218,285|204,717||-|||218,285|204,717| |Repairs and maintenance||24,006|34,031||5,330|||24,006|39,361| |Insurance||24,002|25,426||-|||24,002|25,426| |Depreciation|11|-|-||-|||-|-| |Utilities||34,426|49,528||-|||34,426|49,528| |Internal organisations||-|-|54,932|56,630|||54,932|56,630| |Grants and Donations||2,132|1,722|4,242|2,119|||6,374|3,841| |Other expenditure||31,409|33,796||-|207|207|31,616|34,003| |**Total**||**346,347**|**361,968**|**59,174**|**64,079**|**207**|**207**|**405,728**|**426,254**| ||||||||||| |**Net income/(expenditure)**||**(69)**|**(29,724)**|**5,651**|**35,543**|**2,103**|**3,636**|**7,685**|**9,455**| |**Transfers between funds**||7,860|9,479|(5,757)|(5,844)|(2,103)|(3,636)|**0**|0
-| |**Recognition of buildings **||2,850,000|-||0||0|2,850,000|-| |Gains/(Losses)on investment assets||||202
-|352|(6)|95|(6)|447| |**Net movement in funds**||**2,857,791**|**(20,245)**|**(308)**|**30,051**|**(6)**|**95**|**2,857,477**|**9,902**| |**Reconciliation of funds:**|||||||||| |Total funds brought forward||178,842|3,036,633|84,619|84,311|72,636|72,630|336,097|3,193,574| |**Total funds carried forward**||**3,036,633**|**3,016,388**|**84,311**|**114,362**|**72,630**|**72,725**|**3,193,574**|**3,203,475**| Page. 13 ## **Balance Sheet** |||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Restricted**|**Endowments**|**Endowments**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Note ref**|**31-Aug-23**|**31-Aug-24**|**31-Aug-23**|**31-Aug-24**|**31-Aug-23**|**31-Aug-24**|**31-Aug-23**|**31-Aug-24**| |**Tangible Fixed Assets**||**£**|||£||**£**||**£**| |Land & Buildings|12|2,850,000|2,850,000|||||2,850,000|2,850,000| |Equipment|12|5,109|5,109|||||5,109|5,109| |Investmentproperties|12||||||||| |Investments|13|||||72,630|72,725|72,630|72,725| |**_Total fixed assets_**||2,855,109|2,855,109||-|72,630|72,725|2,927,739|2,927,834| |**Current Assets**|||||||||| |Stock|||||||||| |Debtors and Prepayments|14||||||||| |Cash at Bank and in hand|15|108,922|108,085|78,928|100,266|||187,850|208,351| |Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes deposits||10,810||4,701|5,052|||15,511|5,052| |Central Finance Board Deposits||74,524|73,210||8,352|||74,524|81,562| |BuildingSocietydeposits||4014
4,130||682|692|||4,696|4,822| |**_Total current assets_**
||198,270
185,425
84,311|||114,362|282,581
299,787|||| |~~**Creditors and Accruals (due in**~~
**under 1yr)**|16|16,746|24,146|||||16,746|24,146| |**Net current assets(liabilities)**||181,524|161,279|84,311|114,362|||265,835|275,641| |**_Total assets less current_**
**_liabilities_**||3,036,633|3,016,388|84,311|114,362|72,630|72,725|3,193,574|3,203,475| ||||||||||| |**Loans and creditors due after 1**
**year**|||||||||| |Provisions
for
liabilities
and
charges|16||||||||| |**_Net assets_**||3,036,633|3,016,388|84,311|114,362|72,630|72,725|3,193,574|3,203,475| |**Funds of the Church**
17|||||||||| |General fund||156,658|137,796|||||156,658|137,796| |Designated funds||29,975|28,592|||||29,975|28,592| |Popertyreserve||2,850,000|2,850,000|||||2,850,000|2,850,000| |Restricted funds||||84,311|114,362|||84,311|114,362| |
Endowment funds||||||72,620|72,725|72,620|72,725| |~~Page~~. 14
**_Total Funds_**||3,036,633|3,016,388|84,311|114,362|72,620|72,725|3,193,564|3,203,475| ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **1 Basis of accounting** The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2015 version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102 – the Charities SORP (FRS102) and taking note of the Update Bulletins 1 and 2. ## **2 Funds** The funds held constitute: a General Fund held for any purpose of the Church which is Unrestricted, this fund being created at the point of consolidation of the constituent church societies and a property fund which representing the current assessed value of the church properties. There are a number of Designated funds which are being held for specific purposes which technically are part of the General fund but retain the specific purpose identification they had at 31 August 2022. There are a number of Restricted funds which include the internal organisations of the church which are formally also under the direct control of the church council, There is one Endowment fund that the income from it can be used for the upkeep of the Kingsley Park building. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash. Details of all funds is given in note 17. ## **3 Accounting policies Basis** These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that the church buildings are included at assessed valuation agreed by the trustees based on professional surveyor advice. ## **Incoming Resources** Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Church becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. ## **Resources Expended** This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Church to pay out resources. Utility costs are recognised at the point of invoicing. ## **VAT** VAT incurred on the cost of purchases for the running of the church is charged as a cost of operation,. Page. 15 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **Tangible fixed assets for use by the Church** Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. At the point of formation all fixed assets within each building were considered to be fully depreciated. New items of equipment purchased during the year have been treated as additions on a case by case basis. The freehold property is shown in the accounts at assessed values, of which the land component is deemed to be £1,000,000. No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the buildings (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the year-end) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The properties will be periodically reviewed for impairment. ## **Investments** Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the SOFA. ## **Debtors and Prepayments** Debtors are only recognised when an amount can be specifically recognised. ## **Creditors** Creditors are only recognised when they relate to a specific service or supply of goods. No attempt has been made to quantify utility supplies not invoiced. ## **Realised gains and losses** All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and opening carrying value (purchase date if later). Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the market value at the year end and opening carrying value (or purchase date if later). ## **4 Payments to trustees** There were no payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Church **.** ## **5 Fees for audit of the accounts** There was no fee charged for the audit of these accounts. Page. 16 **Notes on the accounts** ## **6 Paid employees** Staff Costs paid during the year were: ||2022/23|2023/24| |---|---|---| ||£|£| |Gross wages|12,087|12,748| |Employer’s NIcosts||| |Pension costs||| |Total staff costs|12,087|12,748| |||2
0.5| |No of employees|2|2| |Average number of full-time
equivalent employees in the
year were:|0.5|0.5| ## **7 Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities** At the 31st August 2024 there are capital commitments of nil. There were no contingent liabilities identified at 31st August 2024 . Page. 17 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **8. Analysis of Unrestricted income by Worshipping community general funds and designated funds** |Current year 2023 - 24|Current year 2023 - 24|Astcote|Gt Billing|Harpole|Kingsley|Kingsthrp|Park Ave|Queensgrove|Roade|St
Andrews|Towcester
Road|
Church
Fund|Designated
funds|
**TOTAL**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||||||||||| |**RECEIPTS**||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |Offerings||6,913|4,804|5,283|17,994|18,520|55,650|24,263|9,894|30,983|13,396|2,931|0|190,631| |Donations|||165||6,665||200|1,060|960|410|1,395|907|200|11,962| |Gift aid received||1,906||1,187|4,171|4,049|12,724|8,060||6,110|2,440|531|0|41,179| |Investment income|||230||218|556|1,605|331|221|433|116|1|683|4,394| |Lettings||1,479|1,714|4,141|5,680||16,126|4,997|12,562|8,617|5,009|6,431|0|66,756| |Fundraisingactivity||942|42|684|4,738|48|81||1,917|1,377|2,501||100|12,430| |Other receipts||1,184||3,140|55||300|214|||||0|4,893| |Groupdonations|||||3,636||1,392|-555||1,307|2,944||755|9,480| |**TOTAL**||12,424|6,955|14,435|43,157|23,174|88,078|38,369|25,555|49,237|27,802|10,801|1,738|341,724| |Previousyear 2022 - 23||||||||||||||| |**RECEIPTS**||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |_Offerings_||_7,035_|_4,245_|_5,177_|_18,602_|_19,351_|_55,477_|_25,696_|_10,223_|_26,538_|_13,487_|_2,055_|_0_|_187,886_| |_Donations_||_286_|_121_|_122_|_6,017_||_283_|_839_|_382_|_260_|_1,821_|_16_|_1000_|_11,147_| |_Gift aid received_||_1,967_|_1,533_|_1,290_|_4,782_|_8,605_|_15,172_|_5,857_|_2,433_|_8,522_|_3,227_||_0_|_53,388_| |_Investment income_||_0_|_147_||_211_|_251_|_1,023_|_364_|_142_|_278_|_42_|_1_|_499_|_2,958_| |_Lettings_||_979_|_1,080_|_5,469_|_3,247_||_17,954_|_3,535_|_7,894_|_8,224_|_4,046_|_6,296_|_0_|_58,724_| |_Fundraising activity_||_0_|_293_|_254_|_5,843_|_90_|_3,870_|_1,727_|_1,715_|_2,635_|_2,417_||_1842_|_20,685_| |_Other receipts_||_239_|_164_||_150_||_300_|_218_||_416_||_10,000_|_0_|_11,488_| |_Group donations_|||||_2,103_|_185_|_2,457_|_0_||_502_|_2,614_||_0_|_7,860_| |**_TOTAL_**||_10,506_|_7,583_|_12,312_|_40,955_|_28,482_|_96,534_|_38,237_|_22,789_|_47,375_|_27,654_|_18,368_|_3,341_|_354,136_| |||||||||||||||| The £10,000 other receipts in the NMC core column is the initial start up grant from the Circuit connected with the transfer in of the Wootton Trinity building Page. 18 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **9. Analysis of Unrestricted expenditure by Worshipping community general funds and designated funds** |Current year 2023 - 24|Current year 2023 - 24|Astcote|Gt Billing|Harpole|Kingsley|Kingsthrp|Park Ave|Queensgrove|Roade|St
Andrews|Towcester
Road|
Church
Fund|Designated
funds|
**TOTAL**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||||||||||| |**PAYMENTS**||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |Circuit Assessment||||||||||||204,717||204,717| |Donations||165|135|255|||25||457|60|25||600|1,722| |Repairs||942|206|2,250|6,266|120|2,678|2,832|5,354|4,892|4,955|1,016|2520|34,031| |Cleaning||50|63|||||2,070|879|3,158|3,352|2,370|0|11,942| |Insurance||613|427|485|6,223|1,154|5,612|4,249|2,447|1,629|1,769|819|0|25,426| |Utilities||2,920|876|3,362|7,385||11,214|4,099|4,718|6,998|2,116|5,840|0|49,528| |Worshipcosts||1,031|194|784|2,613|370|1,434|737||932|396|368|0|8,859| |Salaries|||||||12,748||||||0|12,748| |Otherpayments||554|78|214|665|218|4,531|1,737|126|2,452|2,380|41|0|12,996| |Total||6,275|1,979|7,350|23,152|1,861|38,243|15,724|13,981|20,121|14,993|215,171|3,120|361,968| |Previous year 2022 - 23||||||||||||||| |||||||||||||||| |**PAYMENTS**||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |_Circuit Assessment_||||||||||||_218,286_||_218,286_| |_Donations_||_338_|_276_|_68_|||_25_|_0_|_240_|_60_|_25_|_1,100_||_2,132_| |_Repairs_||_1,369_|_404_|_912_|_2,864_|_1,096_|_8,827_|_1,640_|_5,788_|_4,339_|_1,027_|_850_||_29,115_| |_Cleaning_|||_25_||||_534_|_1,706_|_1,146_|_3,037_|_3,110_|_2,462_||_12,019_| |_Insurance_||_599_|_417_|_471_|_5,577_|_1,098_|_5,327_|_4,088_|_2,390_|_1,590_|_1,642_|_802_||_24,002_| |_Utilities_||_1,476_|_1,196_|_1,275_|_5,465_||_7,720_|_3,007_|_3,991_|_5,393_|_1,961_|_2,941_||_34,426_| |_Worship costs_||_226_|_105_|_375_|_2,693_|_848_|_1,185_|_683_|_127_|_725_|_377_|||_7,345_| |_Salaries_|||||||_12,087_|||||||_12,087_| |_Otherpayments_||_477_||_238_|_371_|_239_|_6,960_|_764_||_1,579_|_173_|_1,214_|_30_|_12,045_| |_Less capitalised spending_||||||||||||_-5,109_||_-5,109_| |_Total_||_4,485_|_2,423_|_3,339_|_16,970_|_3,281_|_42,665_|_11,888_|_13,682_|_16,723_|_8,315_|_222,546_|_30_|_346,348_| Page. 19 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **10. Transfers between funds** The income generated by TMCP holdings is transferred to the General fund net of the related administration charge. All other transfers relate to either payments for building usage or alternatively support with start up costs for a new project or initiative. ## **11. Depreciation** There was no depreciation calculated on the new assets purchased as they both occurred in the final quarter of the year. ## **12.Operational Fixed Assets & Land and Buildings** |||Valuation
at 31
August 2022|2022 -23
additions|Valuation at
31 August
2023|2023 -24
additions|Valuation at
31 August
2024|Accum
Dep'n
August 22|Dep'n
2022-23|Dep'n
2023-24|Revalution
Aug 2024|NBV 31
Aug 2024| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Operational land & buildings|||£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|£| |Astcote||0|0|50,000|0|50,000|0|0|0|0|50,000| |Gt Billing||0|0|50,000|0|50,000|0|0|0|0|50,000| |Harpole||0|0|50,000|0|50,000|0|0|0|0|50,000| |Park Avenue||0|0|600,000|0|600,000|0|0|0|0|600,000| |Kingsley||0|0|350,000|0|350,000|0|0|0|0|350,000| |Kingsthorpe||0|0|200,000|0|200,000|0|0|0|0|200,000| |Queensgrove||0|0|350,000|0|350,000|0|0|0|0|350,000| |Roade||0|0|250,000|0|250,000|0|0|0|0|250,000| |St Andrews||0|0|400,000|0|400,000|0|0|0|0|400,000| |Towcester Road||0|0|350,000|0|350,000|0|0|0|0|350,000| |Wootton||0|0|200,000|0|200,000|0|0|0|0|200,000| |||0|0|2,850,000|0|2,850,000|0|0|0|0|2,850,000| ||||||||||||| |Fixtures & fittings||0||200,000|5,109|205,109|200,000|0|0|0|5,109| ||||||||||||| Page. 20 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **13. Investments** The M E Gregory endowment is invested primarily in the TMCP Trustee Interest Fund along with a small holding of Lloyds Bank Group shares. ## **14. Analysis of current assets Debtors under 1 year** There were no debtors identified at the end of the financial year. l ## **15. Analysis of cash at bank and in hand** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at 31 Balance at 31
Aug 2023 Aug 2024
£ £
Balance with Barclays bank 22417 48384
Balance with Co-op bank 3184 4628
Balance with HSBC bank 41294 29212
Balance with Lloyds bank 28924 42591
Balance with NatWest bank 17409 13313
Balance with Santander plc 2956 4013
Cash 1984 281
Linked groups fund holdings 69682 65928
187850 208350
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page. 21 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **16. Analysis of current liabilities and long-term creditors** |Trade Creditors
Other Creditors Northampton Circuit
Other Creditors Connexional Funds|**As at 31**
**Aug-23**
**£**
0
15,646
1,100
16,746|**As at 31**
**Aug-24**
**£**
1,500
22,646
0| |---|---|---| |||24,146| The trade creditor reflects estimated non billed electricity costs for Astcote during 2024. Other creditors represent sums owed at the year end by the charity to related parties, the Northampton Circuit in respect of assessment due but not paid until September 2024. There are no identified long term creditors. Page. 22 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## **17. Analysis of movements of all funds under the oversite of the NMC Church Council by category for the past two years** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at Balance at Balance at
31st August Income Expenditure Transfers 31st August Income Expenditure Transfers 31st August Fund purpose
2022 2023 2024
Unrestricted Funds
General Fund 152,176 342,939 346,317 7,860 156,658 331,260 358,848 8,725 137,795 General purposes of NMC
Property reserve 0 0 0 2,850,000 2,850,000 0 0 0 2,850,000 Property reserve
Designated Funds
NMC Youth Fund 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 555 555 To support future work in Kingsthorpe
Kingsthorpe futures 24,331 437 30 0 24,738 653 600 200 24,991 To support future work in Kingsthorpe
Kingsley project (roof) 2,334 2,903 0 0 5,237 330 2,520 0 3,047 To be used for maintenance of Kingsley building
Total unrestricted 178,841 346,279 346,347 2,857,860 3,036,633 332,243 361,968 9,480 3,016,388
Endowment Funds
Kingsley Gregery legacy 72,626 2,310 213 (2,103) 72,620 3,938 207 (3,636) 72,715 Interest to be used for maintenance of Kingsley buildiing
Total 72,626 2,310 213 (2,103) 72,620 3,938 207 (3,636) 72,715
Restricted Funds
Benevolent fund 2,530 1,236 1,482 175 2,459 1,255 1,224 36 2,526 For relief of identified hardship or need
Astcote charity collection 274 336 330 0 280 302 460 0 122 Holding fund for collections for other charities
Harpole legacy 0 0 0 0 0 13,972 3,073 0 10,899 Legacy received for use at Harpole chapel
Kingsthorpe charity collection 817 373 817 0 373 360 360 (72) 301 Holding fund for collections for other charities
Kingsthorpe youth fund 868 42 110 0 800 0 62 36 774 Support of youth work at Kingsthorpe worshipping community
Park Avenue Drop in centre 3,595 0 0 0 3,595 0 0 0 3,595 Dormant fund
Park Avenue Trade craft 239 0 0 0 239 0 0 0 239 Dormant fund
Park Avenue Security camara 1,150 0 0 0 1,150 0 0 0 1,150 Dormant fund
Park Avenue outreach 1,073 0 1,073 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dormant fund
Park Avenue Development fund 1,063 0 417 0 646 25,000 2,257 0 23,389 To be used for future work at Park Avenue
Park Avenue Unconditional gift 4,752 140 216 (126) 4,550 489 13 (125) 4,901 To be used for future work at Park Avenue
Park Avenue Bennett bequest 150 5 0 (5) 150 8 0 (8) 150
St Andrews craft group 0 0 0 386 386 0 0 0 386 Funds held for St Andrews craft group
Internal Groups 68,108 62,694 54,933 (6,187) 69,682 58,588 56,629 (5,711) 65,930 See next table
Total 84,619 64,826 59,378 (5,757) 84,310 99,974 64,078 (5,844) 114,362
Total 336,086 413415 405938 2850000 3,193,563 436155 426253 0 3,203,465
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page. 23 ## **Notes on the accounts** ## Details for all internal groups shown as total line on previous table **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance at Balance at Balance at
31st August Income Expenditure Transfers 31st August Income Expenditure Transfers 31st August Fund purpose
2022 2023 2024
Internal group funds
Harpole BB 1530 0 547 0 983 0 0 0 983 Dormont residual balance
Kingsthorpe GB 5030 5276 5562 0 4744 4828 5423 0 4149 Children and youth work Girls Brigade
Kingsthorpe catering 594 562 450 (185) 521 597 435 0 683 Catering group linked to Kingsthorpe
Kingsthorpe Badmington 262 887 825 0 324 953 722 (200) 355 Sport group
Kingsley Junior Church 865 0 100 0 765 0 237 0 528 Children and youth work
Kingsley GB 3358 1672 1983 0 3047 1365 1979 0 2433 Children and youth work Girls Brigade
Kingsley BB 14038 1358 617 0 14779 1354 532 0 15601 Children and youth work Boys Brigade
Park Avenue Toddlers group 154 206 111 (200) 49 284 42 (130) 161 Under 5's group
Park Avenue Youth Group 174 0 0 0 174 0 174 0 0 Dormont residual balance
Park Avenue Choir 82 0 50 0 32 0 32 0 0 Dormont residual balance
Park Avenue 15 club 41 300 185 (125) 31 312 165 (130) 48 Fellowship group
Park Avenue Womens fellowship 1519 2441 1383 (1,000) 1577 2099 1048 (1,000) 1628 Fellowship group
Park Avenue Netw ork 1950 17685 15488 (1,000) 3147 19361 18703 0 3805 Fellowship group
Park Avenue BB 619 1000 1262 0 357 1832 1865 0 324 Children and youth work Boys Brigade
Queensgrove Tuesday ladies 1062 1022 899 0 1185 1060 1025 0 1220 Fellowship group
Queensgrove Mens Group 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dormont residual balance
Queensgrove BB 5739 6452 7129 0 5062 5062 0 0 Children and youth work Boys Brigade
St Andrew s BB 21792 12979 11299 0 23472 13983 13380 0 24075 Children and youth work Boys Brigade
St Andrew s Tuesday club 265 1437 783 (477) 442 1520 618 (932) 412 Fellowship group
St Andrew s craft 567 500 21 (586) 460 375 400 (375) 60 Craft based fellowship group
Tow cester Rd BB 5595 5602 5258 (800) 5139 5573 3857 (800) 6055 Children and youth work Boys Brigade
Tow cester Rd Bow ls 2047 2128 707 (1,000) 2468 2030 780 (1,000) 2718 Sport group
Tow cester Rd Knit and Natter 825 1187 274 (814) 924 1062 150 (1,144) 692 Craft based fellowship group
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
Total 68108 62694 54933 (6,187) 69682 58588 56629 (5,711) 65930
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page. 24 ## **Independent Examiners Report** This Report is on the Northampton Methodist Church Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2024 and Is carried out under Sections 145 of the Charities Act 2011. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** As Trustees, you 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 and that an independent examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrued accounts and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales. It is my responsibility to: 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 any 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: Page. 25 ## **Independent Examiners Report** - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act ; and - 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. - (3) I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist - Church Purposes ("TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ("CFB"), which are individually in excess of £10,000 at the balance sheet date. Name Miss C Haynes ACA 1 March 2025 Qualification reference ACA ICAEW 7945127 Address 4 Delamere Road Northampton NN4 8QG Page. 26 ## **Appendix A Membership of Church Council** CHAIR Rev David Speirs SECRETARY Miss Sarah Eason MINISTERS Rev Dr Samantha Gillard Rev Ian Forsyth STEWARDS Mr Trevor Clarke ( until Aug 2024) Mrs Pat Oliver Mrs. Hilary MacCallum (until Aug 2024) Ms Linda Caines Ms Rachel Pell Mrs Fran Perry Mrs Kate Stretton Mrs Hilary Walden Ms Charmaine Wareham Voyce REPRESENTATIVES Mr Keith Brooks Mrs Jenny Brooks Miss Pam Kirkland Dr Hellen Okello Ms Elizabeth Hale (Until May 2024) Mr Phillip Leeson Miss Laura Ferris Mr Paul Deakin Mrs Jenny Richardson (From July 2024) Page. 27