li .Hl Ministry Area Annual Report-2025
Contents Page 1 . Independent Examiner's Report 2. Trustees Annual Report 3. Statement of Financial Activities 4. Statement of Financial Position 10 5. Notes to the Accounts 11- 17
INDEPENDE.YT EXANIINF.R'S RF.PORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF I¥IERTHYR TYDFIL D¥llNISTRI' AREA Independent examiTh¢r'5 report to the trustees of Merthyr Tydfil lIn}$trY Are I report to the ch8riry tru$t¢es on rny examination of the accounts of Merthyr Tydfil Ministy Ar¢a for th¢ year ¢nded 31 December 2025. Respollsibi]ities and basis of report As the chariry twsiees of the Trust you are responsible for rhe preparation of the accounts in accordan¢¢ with the requireinents of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act'l. I report in respeci of my ¢xamit]ation of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in ¢arrying out my examinaiion I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 14515}Ibl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement Sinc¢ your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner Tnust be a TneTnber of a listed body. l Can confim that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Englalld and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have complet¢d my examinaiioll. I Collfirni that no material matters have come to my attention in co[etti0 with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material r¢spe¢t'. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Tst as reqllired by Section 130 of the Act., or Ihe accounts do llot accord with those records.. or Ihe 8ccounts do not comply with the applicable requir¢ments Concerning the forn) and content of accounts Set out in ihe Charitics (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 oth¢r than any requirement that the accounts give a trne and fair view which is llot a Matter considered as pan of an independent examination. I have no concerns and hav¢ ¢ome across no other matters in connection with thc ¢xaminaiion to which attention should be drawij in this repon 2n order to enable a proper undersiallding of the accounts to be reached. Richard l Kn The InstiNte e ACA FCCA Chart¢red Accountants in England and Wales Baker Knoyle Chartered Accountants Orbit Business Centre Merthyr Tydfil CF48 IDL 96/oslth.. Pag¢ 3
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 The trustees preseni their report ivith th¢ financial statemenls of the charity for the year ended 31 December 20?5. Tlie tnistees have adopted the proi'isions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to ihariiie5 preparing their accounts in acLordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS I O? l (effectik'e l January 2019}. OBJECTIVESAND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims The aim of the charity is the promotion of the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenkcal, especially w'ithin the context of our parish boiindaries. Significant activities for the public benefit The Ministry Area Council (MACI is committed to enabling as many people as possible to attend worship and other actlVLties at oiir church. Seeking to enable people of all backgrounds and demographics io become part of our parish cotnmullity. To enable each church to do this mosi effectively, we have assembled local groups io oversee each church to enable them to tailoi what they do for tlieir unique communities. Our services of worship promote and build Christian faith within the community through prayer, rnusic. scripture, teaching, and communion. When planning our actii'ities foi the yeai, the clergy and the MAC have considered the Commission's guidance on piiblic benefit and, in particiilar, the specific guidance on charities for the adi'ancemeni of religion. In particular. we try to enable ordinary peoplt to liwe out their faith as part of our parish community through.. Worship and prayer; learning about rhe Gospel. and dcvcloping their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish. Missionary and outreach work. Building a strong and welcoming conununity To faciliiale this work, it is important that we maintain the fabric of our buildings, which are of significant interest to our communities and irnportant for our worship and mission. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Worship wlness We have continued to offer weekly opportunities for public worship at 7 of our churches throughout 2025. along with 3 mid-week services, one in the north, centrc. and south of the parish. Attendance has declined across mosi of our churches, but where we have changed to a less fonnal venue, or created a more informal style of worship we are seeing Llear growth. Indicating this is an area to develop in the future.
For Sunday worship Church Christchurch, Pant St Tydfil's, MerthJT Tydfil St David's, Merthyr Tydfil St NIary's & The Holy Innocents. Nlerthyr Vale St John's TrOedh1W Christ Church, Memhyr Tydfil 2024 13.7 21.9 29.1 10.6 23 28 10 13 34.2 Mid-week Services Christchurch. Pant St David's. Merthyr Tydfil Si Mary's & The Holy Inno¢ents. Merthyr Ilale 15.1 13 (Please note we are in the process of digitalising allthe data so this year's report should proi'ide more accurate figures.) PrayeT meetings are run weekly within one of our churches forthe communities served by the MA and for the whole world. We have continued to provide services marking key moments in people's lives. such as christenings, weddings, and fvnerals. Overall. these are decreasing. although we are still seeing signifLcant numbers. We are also providing opportunities for remembering those who have been loved and lost, and marking the joyful things in life, such as pets through animal services, and Chn'stmas through carol berviLes, and all aged gatherings. These novel services seem to be well attended, attracting primarily those from outside the church. We have Continued to make provision for dis¢ipleship through ongoing teaching and the running of the 'Bible Course,. Our church biiildings are of gr¢ai interest to the communities and provide us with a base to work out from for worship and mission into the communities we serve. We have worked io keep them in a safe condition. Howei'er. we are finding this lo be increasingly unsustainable, with some of our buildings requiring significant investment. Supporting and engaging with local community The 'St David's Baby Bank,, provides essential bupplies for low-income families with children up to 3 years. This has built connections with the local authority and social services and has provided for IOO'S of families so far. We continue supporting local schools ihrough leading assemblies, workshops, and supporting thcir governance. Supporting communiiy groups, Brownies. Ihe, Air Training Corps,, Weight Watchers. and other Chrisiian congregaiions. through the use of our faeililies or volunteers. We have continued supporting community groups such as the 'Food Bank,, and the Mendicants thiough donations of supplies an(Vor money. We have introduced a free counselling service offered by a qualified counsellor out of Christ
Church for those who approach the church for help. struggling with their mental health. this has offered a small number of people significant support, with some beneficiaries having received over 100 hours of free counsellin8. We also continue to host civic eN'enls such as the mayor's induction and Remembrance Sunday, which sees IOO'S of people attending. Siippoi'fing ilie glol?al ini.ssioii of the eliiireh. As part of our mission, we also support worldwide n]issions and have made donations lo 'Compassion International,, and the 'lntemational Mission to Jewish People, mission awareness service was held, showeasing global rnission organisalions, introducing people to the organisations and giving infonnaiion on how to support them. Comniunity biiilding actzvitles Community is an important part of our life together as Christians and for our mission. To help us with this we ran garden partieslafternoon teas at different locations, a weekly knitter- natter group, a weekly crafts group, weekly coffee dTOP-ins, and an Agape feast for all our church communities. Fuiid raisiiig Christmas & summer FayTes, afternoon Tea, concerts. and a Quiz provided opportunities to raise funds to support our work. Prep(7ring a 14'it).'foniJftrd Aware thai we are not engaging the community as well a8 ive used to, and the increased pressures caused by finances and a volunteer shortage, we have recognised thc need to adjust how we operate. foi this reason. significant time has been spent this year discussing and planning a new way forward for us as a charity to enable us ro beiier achieve our charitable aims, Ihcse collver5ations and planning will continue into nexi year. Volunteers All groups are run by volunteers, and they provide many backup services and engagements with the local community. We had an estimated 56 volunteers. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position During the year. MMA receiN'ed a total income of £367,747. Of this £202.996 relaled to unrestricted income and £164,751 of restricted income. Primary sources of income included Planned Giving and donations, totaling £124,274. gift aid totaling £29,309, gtanls totaling £166.562, fundraising activities totaling £18,598. wedding and funeral fees etc of £22,106, dividends/investment income of £2,138 and othcr income of £4.760.
Total costs for the year w¢r¢ £405,981. Of this, £140.000 is related to the Parish Share to the Diocese. For the year to 3 1st December 2025, the Charity incurred a net deficit of £38.234 before gains and losses on investments. RESERVES POLICY The charity does not have a formal reserves policy. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by ils governing document, a deed of ttust and Lonstitutes an unincoworated charity. The Constitution of the charity was adopted on 22né June 2023. The Ministry Area is an unineorporated charity, registered in England & Walcs with the Charity Commission. The Ministy Area is an atllaIganti0n of local churches as part of the Diocese of Llandaff of the Province of the Church Wales. li is a Christian Church conipi'i.fing ¢he]ormer poi'i,shes of.. Troedyrhiw merth Vale, mellh Tydfil Christ Church. Dowlais and Penydarrell. Mellhyr Tydfil St. David's & Abercanllaid. The Merihyr Ministry Area is governed by a Ministry Area Council (MAC) consisting of 14 Trustees. both Lay and Clerical. The MAC is supported by sub-committees which deal with.. Mission; Children and Young People: Finance: Fundraising; Buildings,. Pastoral Mailers; and Fellowship. Recruitment and appointment of new trustees Ttuslees are appointed on a voluntary basis to the Ministry Area Committee {MACI. Lay Trustees are appointed by vote of members of the electoral roll at the Annual Vestry Meeting, or co-opted by the MAC at subsequent meetings. The clergy who are licenced with the cure-of-soul to the Ministy Area by the Bishop, are ex officio members. Throughout the year we continued to develop the safeguard. extendino training to subcommirtee members. and the wider volunteer pool. Towards the end of the year, several policies were proposed. However, it was felt that these were inadequate and needed to be reThorked. In the interim, we have continued to follow the standard policies of the CIW, in places, extending this to include policies ivhich had been accepted by the former parisELes that constituted this ministry area. these include.. Complaints handling Complainis policy and procedures Confliciing interests Internal risk management policy and procedures Risk management Safeguarding policy and procedures S¢ifCgrdln¥ vulnerable beneficiaries Serious Incident reporting policy and procedures Social media policy and procedures
Truste¢ conflicts of interest poliiy and procedures Trustee expenses policy and procedures Volunteer management In the final months of the year. we became GDPR registered and 2¢cept¢d a new GDPR poli¢y. At the end of the year, the Ministry area leader stood down with no formal replacement set to lake over. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVEDETAILS Ch8rily Name.. MERTHYR TYDFIL MINISTRY AREA Registered Cliarity numbep" 1203686 Cliai-ih, Principle lddi-e.ss.' Mandian House Brondeg Heolgerrig Mertbyr Tydfil CF481TW lndepencl6.nt Lx-umEn¢r.' R.1 Knoyle ACA FCCA Baker Knoyle Chartered Accountants Orbit Business Centre Merthyt Tydfil CF48 IDL Ti-Iisli)eJ Matthew Jones (Lay Chair) Mar¢-Ashton Walford {Ministry Area Leader) Caroline Owen (Clergy) Stephen Barnes (Clergy) Elaine Fisher (Peoples. Warden) Doiothy Evans {Rector's Warden) Jillian Davies {Secretry} Roger Morgan (Safeguarding Officer) Lynnette Green Clive Jones Barbara Edwards Carole Jones Susan Morris- appointed 18" May 2025 Huw Willian]s NoK-Triistee member.s ofthe MAC Ken Lewis Signed on behalf ol all the Trustees, Maihew Jones Chairperson Rev Marc-Ashton Walford Ministry Area Lead Dated.... 3M/b5
Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area | statement of Financial Activities for the Year to 31st December, 2025 Note Unre51ricled futsd5 iie5tricted fund3 Prior year fujbdg Tot4)I fund$ Incoming resource5 Intome artd ¢ndowmtrt¢g from.. Donations and legaties 163.933 320,145 2Z,106 18,598 2.138 4,760 367,747 163.730 ?4.650 27.910 18.598 Investments Olher Income 817 18.768 237.234 Tolol 202,996 164.751 Resources expended Kxptrtdi¢urt on: 95 104.009 140.000 62 157 265.824 140,000 S¶te maierialiiem of expense Other Expenditure To101 129.644 9.104 258,861 244104 161877 405,981 Net In¢omtl(txp¢nditurtl before inve$tmeot g*ln$l{lo$$e$) N¢t gaill5,'IlosSt51 jni'estsnents Net in¢om&f(expenditure} ExtrxordiDarv it¢D15 Transfers betet (unds {41.1081 36.$ 2,874 6.18i 9,057 13&2341 121,6271 {40,7431 131,6861 121,6271 14591 459 Other recogDi5ed gaill5111055esI- Gains and losses on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity's own us¢ Other 8ain&'llossL%I Nel movemeni infvnd5 {41.21121 9,516 {31,6861 121.62D Reconci]iation of funds: Total tunds broughr fopli3rd 4Wtrr¢edfvrwqrd 207.934 166,732 75.275 84,791 283,209 251.522 304.836 283,209 Page 9
Merthyr Tydfil Ministry Area | statement of Financial Position as at 31st December, 2025 Noles Unrestricted Restricted Total this funds funds Total IA51 year yeAr Fixed o$sets Tan¥ible ass¢t5 Investments 18,485 18,485 61,667 61,667 80,152 80,152 89,233 89233 TotalfLredussets CurreDt 4ssets Oth¢r Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 28,977 147.807 176,785 28.977 170,931 199,908 12.647 199.557 212,204 23,124 Creditors: amount5 falling due within one year io 28.538 28,538 18,228 Ne¢ currÉrtttsssÉts/i7i&biliiies) 148247 23,124 171,370 193,976 Toi&lossds less curre#1 li4bilities 16@732 84,791 251J22 283,209 Creditors: amounts falling due after on¢ year Toialner tsssets or tittbiliries 16A732 84,791 251,522 283209 Funds of th¢ Charity U[eStri01¢d tund5 Reskntied funds ilevaluation reserve 166,732 166.731 84.791 207.934 75,275 84.791 Toi4lfunds 166,732 84,791 251,522 283,209 Signed on behalf of #ll tbe tru$t¢es Matthew Jones £(1 IS /ZJZ6 Chairper50n Signaiure Dale Rev Marc-Ashtoiie Walfoid Ministry Area Leader Signcitur Date Page 10
Merthyr Tydffl Mlttlytry Ar Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year to 319t December, 2025 sthtrdbtlDW PP'.bxbl¢ th th¢b%and R¢pubi¢ofIttts#d(FRS 102) (Ethtsye l 2019 Th2 PnCIRtpOrttt wJk4bk tsitt¢ orhlRs 102k withtbc Cknitte&Att11. ¢bJity¢O]tyrt¢ Apthb¢tfitttty byFRS 1tr2. ChUbYareVte&the RepreseDttmbodyofth¢ WAk11t(dd1tiy ofthtMinistyArea. IlovubkchrCk IJ IA Malbrw ttschur1LyiuoS fDtitiodbtho rEr.. Grw doDatlox5 Ti¥ refl•lm¥ ind Any 01frAidEun¢OWcd dDnthll Li wwrderdto be[rtort1tB1&. tteday th¢san¢fip4t*g th4 dottotor
VoiwiteErb Ins7(115E[poUbthJthv soFA7thvmllXwiCCbtsttIklIIt¢rli[S.IQ to 5.127R5102 SORP)and gJvbk]L&daJ iTWJDtlleillthe ¢¢4fftonu¢bercfits willb¢ r¢wEd1D3ettprtBod thparoLty Iftr¢¢bi8E UDbrEeryl B8knThlv. accotea for00.4cCrb ba$b ¢ut1¢l¢d1ty th¢¢arfg¢ry. th¢yh4v&been No Cr¢dit¢r¥ Pr•vA%IMsforllbllld¢s f¢PQ¢¢W8 2.3 As¥ets nx¢rfiisetsfw 4ytby¢hArky TrA3e are capitali%EdifthEywbpused l¢tIlt£1,iW. Th¢&pr¢¢tioArdJ a1 J[¢ dw¢IMrttsil21. DÉbthrA Tht th14$ llk¥¢&tsJ*tttswbithiihoMs itssthwow y&Y. uKludcco Pw12
1.1 othètrAt¢(Ith¥pO]kk tAi*d for?aTti¢tyiarrt5&I¢iedp4V. Flttd knsets muble art fo[vththuDTrb&biè¢OrtiUnb&9 6xiSts. faey 001 recognEdnthll shnofFullC.. Positiollrr W tkor£vLEXerdIeOthrcB1ludmBcoj7[EDtsl, Ch alld BE7 13
LryA¢l¢J 123,741 Z9.309 3.162 533 124274 29 166J6Z 120,019 3&917 163.4th) 15 73• Ch&ritsbieArthkiE# Dioc{5lLVbts 22,106 II106 22,106 24,656 24,656 Othtt Tr•dlos knUYt&i Fund rdlsit 1&593 18,5Y8 27,910 4.76 .Jsa 17fA> 2JJSg 18,768 138 1138 367.747 2,170 Z,17Q lJ21 817 I.y$l Tkn YE4r Lty¢T Totvj Rèislngfvnds 45 62 157 Ch•t4bltietMIi Exceptio.6peffid(e Qenera1Pa1lweftse5 W4g4s m01ntrnancecJrthÉS MalntenAnce Naintenance DIS(e5 1th.050 L72A97 15.835 4,671 18,005 ) 51.036 1275 IOJ76 14•05 4,671 41,130 1478 614514 1•.65È 10,6S8 10,S76 5,997 550 N15&h)r...HDmeor Oth£rMlntsiry5uppor Parochl E)pensesoICU4 nancÈca%ty 1284 550 1.049 1.144 i•D 14147 3.1 400 117 SEPkrtte •&tertslilÈ]ttfèxpewe DI8an5 140,rt0 140.000 141,00fy 140,oortr 129.644 119,644 129,644 119,644 Olber otherExpendlre 9,1 9,AQl 9.1 9,1fj4 25&t6X 4,1 ,981 L475 5 PghlEy Sl 9tlltrcts SA]thEY gDdWageJ Ymr LL*tYÈ 671 sociplwwityros 4,071 3,600 52 bckntlrttheyMr T¥B Y4wr tyekt PA8e 14
$purtc(fy 5yr 15QO LVr P4Jl6hA¢th 2AIWJ L5 24DO 2.40 Ctsh& elth 7.1 Fknlknseiinvllm Caw()vluP*bE1n8DfPr RqvakntioD rJ,6r 6.548 IOJ12 73th04 80,152 8 D¢b¢fjn & Pr¢pww•ts tsiftAA tyable ThLs Yw 12,647 11447 376 2&977 OthErDEbto]S 12 Ymr ShDrttllnlldEp03itg C albkInon I70.931 19,557 17fy,931 19,557 ThbYÈkT Iyea yur Cbi%tCknttdLCy&tthfA.14AKfrotyStDa 11447 7.091 7P91 7JQO 2.5 2838 P48 15
Blll¢e& broutht for%vard Inclne ExpenditUTE TrxnJferJ tarrled turrEnl reporting PtrlDd GeDeril Fuud5 J¢[aL Fund-Chnl Chur(b, Pa1 Genoral FUlld-I sals ehurchand DowLfj Gcnrral Fund- l)ow1&15 Parochi&l Church CDuncil GcnrTal Chvr¢h, Gertertl Furtd- MerthytTydfil-ielltrall Oencral Fund- 5& Pclcralld Paul'5 CknwchaDd Hall Gcncral Fulld- Si Da, MrrtbTydfil fJcnrrnl FunQ- Sijukn B&piL%I. Tr0edyW Gerternl FuAé- 51 Mary rd Holy Merthyrve tiencrdl Fund- $11'ydfil, mcrthTydfil IknrI5 P4rgrhl Church Counril No: St David's- Fund 5t JohLt- Restornlionfi rrthiTTyfilCknst Church-tkcONOn Futwj St Daiid'5 Chvrch-Buildin8 & contlrtgerttS knd 51 Jokn Baptist. TroedyTbiw-RcstordtioD Fulld General- SubtDtwl 25.074 3.497 33.630 25.046 305 45.573 -393 726 35.958 3.785 -9.737 41.726 -22.087 459 2.929 6.02 -670 2.998 23.500 44,596 46.153 -5.021 b70 -2.998 -2J.500 207,934 2fj163I -241,704 365 l57J41 Dts4nttd FllDds DOwla Parocmal Cburcbcouucd ND._ Fncnd5 Of St Tydfil Si Dad.5-0[ Fulld SiJohn- Restorarion fund 6.028 6.072 300 -2.4DD 2.400 2.99 D¢slgnpt¢d-SvbtotÈl J65 -Z,40V 9,391 Uares¢TiCted F•Trd5 To¢wl R¢Cols p lo55 the¢1#t-ts1 to MFA team iiesfrlcted Build8 Project Fund- St Dawd, McrthJTTydfil Church ChDw- St DVId. mcmhTydfi1 cotF Sl Tydfib W¢ll% TrLL%lTrlts. 4443 ethst LhUrchOeCtott0r¥allFnd SulldavS¢hDDI FDthllon. S5 PdrtaDd P.$ Clwtth Hall SSF.Youth W(wk Fund- MctthJTT)dfil Ccnttal R¢strl¢ttd FutsdiTtstil 207,934 202,996 459 365 -2.478 6.545 6.545 -16.464 459 536 75.275 459 84.791 TOTAL FUNDS 283,209 367,747 (,981) Z51,522 BaLnres br¢uEht Charfty IDtornt Exptndlliire B*laMtS ¢Arried fonvRrd 1055e5 Prior YeRr reporllnE PETiDd Unrestrltt¢d DwIlS Parth11 ChuTch Ctwnril No.- fJCllfTal Fd- Chnst Churih. Partl (ienerJl Fd- All SalI Lhurch and Hall. Dowlai GEnerdl Fund- Do¥¥1 Patocknal Cbutchcouucil G£noral FuDd- Ckn8t Cbutcb. Gcorgclow GcncTrl Futhd- M¢ffhyT Tydfil Gt#¢ral FuLO- Ss Ptletthl P3ul'$ church and Hall. Aber¢id Ooncrdl Furhd- St I)Evid. McrthyrTydfil Gcncral Fund- St John Bapnst, TrocdyThi G¢[1 Fund- Si Mary and Holy MctthyrVe Grnthl Fynd- St Tydfil. MÈrthyTTyd&l Sl D&NKI. MertbTYdfil Restoration- StJokn Baptt. Trnedh1W MrffhyrT)l Chri51 ChurchlDrrot4tioD Fvndl Sl navLd'.4 ChurrhlBuildLn¥& Coiil1ngeNc1e% Fund) Si John Bapiist.TrotdsThiw (Rcstoration Fund) 6.028 19.700 29.072 48.927 39.852 138.4841 50.295 l.963 10,922 22,207 .R90 46.310 524 1,774 16.405 9.719 Z.9Z9 (h701 2.998 2J.SfY) 9.288 23.5fY) 7,lJ9 1256a84} 20Y.934 Pagc 16
DjIdkngPMtFllrA1.s¢ Rer7rT5rt6l (1477) 12.4771 SSA84 55.414 CoIF_StTfi& We]]8TntstNo. 4H3IQ.5tTydQMTylffl 0545 15A9 6,545 15.724 SdaY s¢knolFoutthtion.&p¥<FAFBchLb1r1l1lL Abctcallaid 77.658 Bh77) 75,275 103J•9 roTALFUND$ 237 Tr 1025 T•t411024 FrAcdA¥igts 18, IL8247 61,067 89,233 È4.790 Z63209 iHbll, Stjknpl StJohttBay&. &HotyJTmtuts&StTykEL D¢slqllatedFw Fu• iAcprojecL RutorI. StJohll BaT¢TIu BuldlEPMltttFd.8tlNOvyTYdffi R¢StriCt&4 t0¢9 trbwkn8wlwcostsaEStDuthChr COIF StTydOts Wets TruIty 4443 . sfPetrraxryfS C)4 sSF:YL¢F.M¢rtTYdffi Culr•i ehurch Chdr. s*D4, MertbyYTydtii Fhd 5dup lo¢ii¢l tor chth¢h¢xpellw siDa[r ChrbtChvr¢hGt4rgetm OryDFw Fr1 orstTYlI 13 RpbtEd PsrtiwDl¥rlwutt8 14 Gltts InKthd P•4e 17