## **Alderley Edge and Knutsford Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report and Circuit Reserves Policy** ## **2020-2021** ## **Introduction** Alderley Edge and Knutsford Methodist Circuit is situated in a rural area of North East Cheshire. Alderley Edge is the larger church in the east of the circuit, sheltering under the Edge, a natural sandstone ridge standing on the Cheshire plain. Knutsford, a thriving market town, is at the western end. Around the two centres, the circuit includes the village chapels of Mottram St Andrew, Mobberley, Snelson and Plumley. The Circuit is part of the Manchester and Stockport Methodist District ## **Circuit Aims and Objectives** The Charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area around Alderley Edge and Knutsford for the Methodist Church: The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of: - The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church - Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church - Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church - Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church Aims and objectives will be met by: - the organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike - the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups - the resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved - taking religious assemblies in local schools - promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services ## Financial Aims - To secure and sustain the Circuit’s viability and future - To give reassurances to the general public that the Circuit, which is a charity, intends to use all of the money coming into its care for the purposes of the charity ## **Circuit Mission Statement** Developing Our Calling through Whole Life Discipleship - In Worship – To grow deeper into God by underpinning everything we do with God-centred worship and prayer. - In Service – To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice. - In Learning and Caring – To help people grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care. - In Evangelism – To increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love . 1 ## **Circuit Mission Policy** Growing healthy Churches which are rooted in Christ ## **Financial Overview** This document includes all funds held by the Circuit Meeting as Charity Trustees. Our Reserves Policy relates to our general (unrestricted) funds which are freely available to be used for any or all of the purposes of the Circuit. Other funds are also included for the sake of clarity and openness and to show that the Circuit has a policy for the management of all of its money not simply those which are defined as reserves. ## Income Circuit income is drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches and is used to provide for: - the ministerial oversight and pastoral care of six local churches in the circuit - the support of a ministry team of three presbyteral ministers and three lay workers: Circuit Administrator; Children and Families Worker; Pioneer Pastor - the maintenance of the three Circuit manses ## Expenditure 2020/2021 - Stipend expenditure and salaries for Lay Workers increase each financial year in line with conference approved increases As at 31 August 2021, the Circuit Fund (unrestricted general fund) has a balance of £38,515 covering one and a half months’ expenditure. £1440 is assigned for the maintenance of Over Peover graveyard. Under Standing Orders, the Circuit must meet its financial obligations in relation to the support of its ministers and the maintenance of the manses. The total cost for the last financial year was £326,041. This included £50,000 taken from the CMTF for works carried out on the three manses. Our Reserves Policy is to hold approximately three months’ expenditure in hand. Circuit Model Trust Fund balance at the year end is £310,828. This fund derives from bequests, the sale of Over Peover chapel and land at Mobberley and is restricted by the Conference. Of this, £144,148, is assigned to Mobberley Methodist Church from the sale of their tennis court as agreed by the Circuit Meeting. These funds are not included in our general reserves as they are designated by the Circuit Meeting for special projects, however, they could be used should an urgent need arise to meet our financial obligations. The Charity Commission have agreed that it is appropriate for the trustees to set a policy for the management of the CMTF. That policy is that the funds held in the CMTF are to be used for general Circuit purposes: ministerial expenses, manse repairs and decoration, maintenance of the graveyard at Over Peover, promotion of the work of God in the Circuit. A Circuit Grants Committee, agreed at the Circuit Meeting and made up of members of that meeting, is now in place to assess requests for funding. During 2020/2021, £120,067 was withdrawn from the funds to meet approved requests. The annual CMTF contribution to Manchester and Stockport’s DAF amounted to £21,152. The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 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 ## **Trustees** 2 Appointment of Trustees As at August 2021, there were 36 members of the Circuit Meeting made up of: - Presbyteral Ministers - Circuit Stewards - Circuit Officers and from each church in the Circuit: - the Senior Church Steward - the Church Treasurer - representatives appointed by each Church Council Trustee Training The leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’, provided by Methodist Connexion, is given to all new Circuit meeting members as an induction to their role as trustees. Training was delivered in January 2021 by Rev R Hill. ## **Public Benefit** We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The governing document for the circuit 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 circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team. ## **Risk Management** The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **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. 3 - 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 The Alderley Edge and Knutsford Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Alderley Edge and Knutsford Methodist Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. November 2021 4 Circuit Accruals Accounts 2020-2021 THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2021 Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit Reglstered Charlty - Roglslrntlon number 1127258 District No 119119 MinlsteTS Rev Alan Bradley Rev Susan Swres Rev J Scott Manning Circuit Stewardg Mrs E Hall Mr P Thompson Mrs R Peak Mr R Applewhite Mr P 81and Circult Treasurer Mrs C Fleming Name of Cir(>J￿ Aldertey Edge and KnutSfC￿d Circjjrt No.. 19M9 Statement of Financial Activities ISOFAI for the year ended 31 August 2021 GenBrnl Funtt Funth FurH16 Yotsl 20N1 Incom• 37 274.853 Z14 44.875 319.7651 8 Tolal 321.725 Expendi￿re 193,234 TJ,041 193234 73.041 41. 7.514 7A14 147. 468.162 141121 141ix I 17 TrAal ¢h•rii41th ex￿ndM￿ 316.041 20 Nrtiwyn&le¥wnditur•) 61 .140.1611 om .1*,437 2Z Otherg¥insllkJSSe51 4.2761 1.342.791 1.336.515 -140.161 450.989 31OM28 24Totsi fvnds broughtfotwatd 1.793,780 Name ofCir¢uit.. Alde¥le E￿e and Kn￿8f0rd Clreult No.. 1gM9 Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2021 Gvngrnl Fu IUrtrnitrfct•dl cir¢ult Mtsdol Truits End￿￿n￿￿t Fund8 Totsl 2019120 Fund Funds 2020121 Attounts 1.300.CKQ Debir Loans by￿¢￿￿1 InYe$tmwrts¥%ffthTMCP 310,82B 31.868 18.444 359.140 31. 16.444 4•J12 34.821 20.8 CaGh at 8ank¥￿In hA 310.117 n1 etEthDrs (the in L￿er1 year) 11.797 11.797 12.920 J47 1,330J15 711 1,647.34J 1.m.780 lJJ4SIS 310.117 1ts47.343 1,793,780 Fuhd* Df lh• cireuii 1.￿515 I.￿.$1$ IW.791 45D.S89 1.793. 1A3SI1S 310,117 1.￿7.343 1.793.780 Tcir¢uit Treasurer Name of Circuit". Alderley Edge and Knutsford No: 19119 Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signature of treasurer . CJFkn. Date. OLI., l Name and address of treasurer Mrs Carol Fleming 11 Rowley Way, Knutsford, Cheshire Post Code WA16 9AU Presentation to the Circuit meeting I confim that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 WSF&lwill be" presented to the Circuit meeting held on 15 March 2022 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Alan Bradley Date. ol .]........ ZOLI Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit Charity Number 1125258 Responsibillties and basls of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Name of Circuit: Alderley Edge and Knutsford No: 19119 Independent Examiner's Statement trhe Circuit's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of . I::.F...4. CkA4ffA4..W.. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act" or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements con￿MIng the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination Delefe if not applicable ie all R&P accounts the trustees, annual report is not consistent with the accounts Delete if not applicable ie all R&P accounts. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not" obtsined independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner A.o.mJ9 Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate September 2021 Name of Circuit: Alderley Edge and Knutsford No. 19119 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signature of treasurer cJrkn. rao¢a i. Name and address of treasurer Mrs Carol Fleming 11 Rowley Way, Knutsford, Cheshire Post Code WA16 9AU Prosentation to the Clrcuit meetlng I Confi￿ that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 WW•￿111 be" presented to the Circuit meeting held on 15 March 2022 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev Alan Bradley Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit Charlty Number 1125258 Re8pon8lbllltie8 and ba818 of rnport I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Alderley Edge and Knutsford Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages to As the Circuit's trustees, 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 Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Name of Circuit: Alderley Edge and Knutsford No.. 19119 Independent Examiner'8 Statement he Circuit's gross income ex￿eded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of . I: .F.. .*S. CkAffvgd..(W¥JA.. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting rewrds were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent exaniination Delete if not applicable ie all R&P accounfs the trustees, annual report is not consistent with the accounts Delete if not appliGable ie all R&P aGcounts. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in eX￿sS of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner A.o.mJ9 Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code /R16..fQÉ Date delete or circle as appropriate September 2021