NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
CHARITY NO. 1127637
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH “% rN REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
## CHARITY NO. 1127637
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## TRUSTEES
Rev E Walker Rev J Carter Revd DrS J Lindridge (Chair Retired 31st August2024) Mr D Brown Deacon G Morgan Rev J Sewell (Chair Appointed Ist September 2024) Mrs C Armstrong Mr C Horton ( District: Treasurer) Mr A Irvin Rev 5 Richardson (Appointed Ist September2024) Mr D A Stabler Rev J Porterpryde Rev E Lindridge Mrs M Graham Deacon T Hume Mrs S Gibbon (Retired 31st August 2024) Rev S Earl (Assistant Chair) Miss A Hderton Mrs S Waters Mrs K Bevan (Appointed 25th September 2023) Rev J Gill (Appointed Ist September 2023, retired 10 July 2024) Mr M Shaw R Beard ( Appointed Ist September 2024) L Barwick-Plant (Appointed Ist September 2024)
All trustees are deemed to be key management personnel of[the][charity]
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 246 Wingrove Road North Fenham Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9EJ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER RSM UK Tax and Accounting Limited Davidson House, Forbury Square Reading Berkshire RGI 3EU BANKERS Lloyds Bank Ple Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church North Shields Branch 9 Bonhill Street 69, Bedford Street London North Shields EC2A 4PE NE29 0OAU INVESTMENT MANAGERS Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes AND CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES — Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ SOLICITORS Sintons LLP The Cube Barrack Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6DB
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“5; —————e——NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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ee | Objectives and activities In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the District Synod (under the leadership of the District Trustees) which meets twice in cach year. has given careful consideration to the Charity Commissioners general guidance on public benefit and, in particular, to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing our objectives and conforms to the Charities Act 2011. The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements and independent examiners report of the District for the period Ist September 2023 to 31st August 2024, Newcastle upon Tyne District of the Methodist Church is a registered charity number 1127637.
Aims and Objectives The aim of the Neweastle upon Tyne District of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to work in partnership with others to fulfil our calling.
Thus the District will seek to support, encourage, challenge and equip Circuits, Local Churches and individuals to:a) underpin all activities with God-centred worship and prayer: b) promote a culture in the Church which is people-centred and flexible: c) make and nurture disciples who have confidence in speaking about their faith and in engaging in evangelism: d) engage in community development, acts of loving service and action for justice: and e) venture into fresh ways of being church,
The Methodist Conference further gave direction to every District to produce-a District Mission Plan to give focus to the above.
;
District Mission Plan 2022, reviewed annually "The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission." The purpose of the Newcastle upon Tyne Methodist District is "to resource local churches in fulfilling Our Calling" Through the District Mission Plan (DMP) the District aims to resource local churches to be more fruitful in: Worship Evangelism Small Group Discipleship It will seek to achieve this through: A process of reflecting back to Circuit Leadership Teams on the Mission (i.e, Growth or End of Life) Plans that local churches and circuits produce. Working with the established Evangelism and Justice Team to encourage and assist in supporting new places for new people. work in urban priority and rural areas and expressions ofjustice and mission across circuits, Working with the established Worship and Discipleship Team to help the District discern how we can support an improvement in the quality of both congregational and smali-group worship and discipleship and what resourcing is needed to help churches implement this. Working with Superintendent Ministers and Circuit Leadership Teams to seek the best way to support the development of small groups which promote faith development and church growth. A commitment from the District and Circuits to ensuring that ministers’ gifts and callings are not inhibited by being expected to fulfil lay roles e.g. safeguarding officer, property steward, treasurer etc.
In order to do this we will organise ourselves differently: The Synod as the policy-making body confirmed in September 2018 that our purpose as a District is “to resource local churches in fulfilling Our Calling"
The District Policy Committee as the Managing Trustees, continues to refine its polices in a way that resources the District Mission Plan and will review the plan annually. The DMP will be regularly updated with its implementations and achievements. The September 2018 Synod appointed a District Leadership Team from amongst the District Officers to ensure that the District fulfils its purpose. Synod appointed a District Community Engagement Enabler in September 2019 to further enhance its goals. In 2023 the DPC reviewed DMP alongside the needs and resources of the Circuits and Churches and as a result re-shaped and created three District roles.i)The District Evangelism Enabler became the new team leader for the Mother House.the Districts New Places for New People project.ii} A new Evangelism and Justice Enabler post and ili) a Property Support Officer who was appointed and subsequently resigned, (n all that we do we remeniber that God is with us, that we seek to serve God alone and make disciples of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2 Achievements and performance
The principle purpose ofthe District is to act as a supporting body between Circuils and the Connexion, The District does not seek and, in large measure, does not have direct contact with the public. The direct contact is by Churches and Circuits and it is these that the District supports in their desire to provide benefit to the public.
Under the heading "Collaborative arrangements with connected charities" (3.3 below) there is information on how we obtained our finds. In this paragraph we show how they were spent. The money collected, or available for dispersal, was used as grants to support Churches and Circuits throughout the District with their work in their local communities and to subsidise the administrative costs of the District. The policy of the trustees on grant making is to ensure that all applications can demonstrate public benefit, pass a test of sustainability, show that there is commitment from the applicant organisation and show imagination and creativity as well as a perceived need for that for which the grant is being sought.
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
> . a REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
Cont...
## The grants were of several kinds, including:
|*
Grants for the adaption ofbuildings so that they could more easily meet the current and future needs of|
|---|
|Churches and help Churches provide services to the community|
|° Grants which supported part time or full time werkers attached to Circuits or Local Churches|
|* Grants foryoung people to attend conferences such as 3Gencrate|
|* Grants to individuals to help pay for the cost ofstudying.|
|Cireuits and Churches that have received grants from the District will show in their own Trustees’|
|Annual Reports (where these are required to be prepared) details of the outcome ofthe activities|
|undertaken as a result ofreceiving the grant.|
|Reflective Supervision for all ministers
in active work is continuing|
|Training for the leadership module for safeguarding continues across the District|
|The continuing effects ofthe pandemic are taking a significant toll upon the everyday mission and ministry|
|ofthe local churches. Each circuit has been affected and a number of the Churches in the District|
|have sought permission to close in the last year. It is likely that others will follow . Each|
|Circuit has reduced staffing accordingly, with permission ofthe District Policy Committee as per the|
|Standing Orders of the Methodist Church. Increasing use ofDistrict Officer's time has been used in support|
|ofthoseaffected.|
|2.1.|Plans for|future years|
|---|---|---|
||i|Encourage initiatives for mission in Circuits and Churches within the District|
||ii|Ensure that all those within the District that should attend the safeguarding Leadership Module do so|
||iii|Encourage attendance at 3Generate|
||iv|Ensure that any local issuesemanating from the Past Cases Review are dealt with sympathetically,|
|||fullyandtimeously|
## 3 Financial review
During the year the District received total income of £833K (2022/23 - £606K) and dispersed £753K (2022/23 - £319K). The resulting surplus was £8 1K (2022/23- £287K) and total reserves carried forward of £L089K (2022/23- £1008K)
The trustees of the District have every reason to believe that the District is a going concern, principally because Circuits continue to meet their assessment and the District has adequate reserves to cover a shortfall in anticipated income. There are no subsidiary undertakings. Trustees do not foresee any factors that will significantly affect the financial performance or posilion in the next year or two,
The District continues to hold the one frechold property being the Chair's Manse in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The District has the following principal sources of funds:
e Interest on investments
¢ Levies on the Circuit Model Trust Funds of Circuits within the District * Contributions from Connexional Advance & Property Fund * Assessments on Circuits within the District
These sums are used to administer the District and to provide grants to Circuits, Churches and individuals in the District so that they may embark on or continue with projects that fulfil the mission of the District by bringing more people to Christ or by providing facilities that might enable this to happen.
## 3.1 Investment Policy and Performance
To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long term investment are lodged with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP). TMCP acts as custodian trustee for all real estate held by
Districts and for all large (over E20K) bequests and for the proceeds ofsale ofany property formerly owned by the District. These sums are invested in unitised investments or held on deposit. The investment returns are close to tracking the movements in the FTSE100 index. The deposit income mirrors the deposit rates available elsewhere. Newcastle District trustees’ investment policy is aligned with that ofthe CFB and TMCP because these organisations take into consideration the social, environmental and ethical considerations, both negatively and positively. that make investments suitable for the Methodist Church.
Short term deposits are lodged directly with the Central Finance Board (CFB) and attract good rates of interest.
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH ' REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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There are no bench marks for the expected returns or appreciation on investments at TMCP and CFB. It is the District's policy to manage the cash and investment resources of the District so that a rate of return on investment - both by way ofdividend and capital appreciation - is obtained at least as good as market rate considering the District's low appetite for risk.
## 3.2 Reserves level and policy
It should be noted that the unrestricted reserves have funded the purchase cost af the manse £170k and, as a result, the unrestricted reserves readily available total is £75k
The District has a reserves policy covering all its unrestricted funds which is reviewed annually.
The minimum policy level ofthe readily available part of the General Fund is such as to pay for six months payroll costs and closing costs of staff redundancies, rent and other cosis on leased equipment. At 3lst August 2024 this sum amounted to £66k against actual reserves of £75k as stated above.
The reserves held ai the end of the year were as follows:
|Unrestricted Funds|£||
|---|---|---|
|General Fund||£245,010|
|Designated Funds|||
|Capital Fund||£342,263|
|Our Calling||£7,030|
|District Aid Fund||£108,122|
|Mission Together Pund||£30,130|
|International Fund||£20|
|||£487,565|
|Restricted Funds|||
|District Advance Fund||£266,750|
|Benevolence Fund||£2,605|
|NPNP Fund||£84,109|
|||£353.464|
|Endowment||£3,109|
|||£1,089, 148|
|‘otal Undesignated Funds Unrestricted Funds||£245,010|
|Less: Invested in the Manse||£169,840|
|Uncomumnittedreserves,readilyavailable||£75,170|
All funds are separately invested either with CFB or TMCP. No money is directly invested in property, securities or other forms of investments.
## 3.3 Collaborative arrangements with connected charities
The District's main source of funding is the assessments obtained from each Circuit within the District based on the membership and staffing levels of the Circuit and this was used to defray most of the cost of administering the District. The sum amounted to £108,444 (2022/2023 £96,192).
The District obtained from each Circuit with a reserve. known as a Circuit Model Trust Fund (CMTP), a levy based on the size ofthe Circuits' CMTFs at the start of the connexional year (1st September). In 2023/24 this sum was £116,585 and was credited to the District Advance Fund. The District also obtained an allocation from the Connexional Advance and Property Fund of £301,563. This fund is obtained from a levy on all property sales of Methodist property.
The District helds no funds as custodian Trustee. It does, however, quarterly receive from Circuits
within the District the Circuits’ contributions to the Methodist Church Fund (MCF). These sums are colleeted us agent for the MCV and are passed to the MCF later in the same quarter, Funds received by the District as agent are not recognised as.an asset in the financial statements because the funds are not within its control. No fee is earned in respect of this agency arrangement and the District incurs no cost through this arrangement.
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> . «[TT] NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## 4 Trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the United Kingdom Accounting standards.
For each financial year ending on 31st August the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the District's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees must:
* select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently using the accruals method e make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent * follow applicable accounting standards
- prepare accounts to comply with the Charities SORP
* follow UK Accounting Standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements * prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the District will continue in business
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the District and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets ofthe District and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the District's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in otherjurisdictions.
Training in the responsibilities of trustees is offered to all new trustees soon afier their appointment.
4.1 Risk
The District is largely risk averse but, especially in making grants to entities embarking on new and imaginative initiatives. the District is prepared to underwrite considered risks.
Districts do not need their own risk register because what is covered in the Connexional Risk Review will be the same for the District .The District notes that the latest review was undertaken by The Methodist Couneil at its January 2021 meeting. The review was updated in the light of Covid-19 and other wider risks. The Connexional risk review can be viewed at counc_jan-2{_me21-4-risk-management-policy.pd{(methodist.org.uk)
## 4.2 Safeguarding
The District reviews its Safeguarding Policy annually and is guided by the Regional Safeguarding Officer, who serves both the Newcastle upon Tyne and Darlington Districts. There is detailed guidance on the Connexional website for Ministers and Lay Persons. All Lay Persons, whether paid or voluntary are recruited via the "safer recruilment process": all ministers and Lay Persons are provided with training. The District including all circuits,churches and projects cooperated with requests from the Connexion, including providing information for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The report was published in 2022.
## 5 Structure, governance and management
The District is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church and was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 21st January 2009. The Trustees are appointed from within the District as and when the need arises and appointments are approved by District Synod.
5.1 Structure Circuits are the coordinating charities for local groups of Churches; Circuits pay the stipends of the ministers and employ lay staff to serve the Churches in the Circuit; most decisions are made at or ratified by the half yearly Circuit Meeting. A District is the coordinating charity for a group of contiguous Circuits and makes its decisions at half yearly synods. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the supreme denaminational body for all Methodist Churches.
1. Overall regulatory authority rests with the Methodist Conference.
2. The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible lor the stationing ofpresbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual Circuits within the District.
3. Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and the appropriate officers of the District for implementation.
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## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## aoe
- 3.1 Structure continued
4. The District passes regulatory control down to Circuit level for local implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards, and authority is delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters.
5. The Circuit Meeting passes regulatory control down to Church Councils for local implementation by the presbyter. the Church Stewards. and other officers, and this regulatory authority is then
exercised by Church Councils as Managing Trustees of their Charity.
## 5.2 Purpose of the District The District is an expression, over a wider geographical area than any Circuit, of the Connexional character of the Church.
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the union the advancement of:
- a. the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and
- b. any charitable purposes for the time being of any Connexional, District Circuit, Local or other organisation of the Methodist Church, and
- ¢. any charitable purpose for the time being ofany society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church, and
- d. any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church.
The primary purpose ofthis District is to advance the mission of the Church in Northumberland Tyne & Wear and the Northern part of County Durham.
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¢ by providing opportunities for Circuits to work together and support each other
- ° by offering to Circuits resources of finance, personnel and expertise.
The District serves the Local Churches and Cireuits and the Conference in the support. deployment and oversight of the various ministries of the Church, and in programmes of training.
5.3 Governance The District operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist Standing Orders. It relies on the Connexional Office at 25 Tavistock Place, London, WCIH 9SP to provide guidance on changes that could affect the District.
The members of the District Policy Committee (DPC) are annually appointed by a vote of the Synod lor a continuous term not normally exceeding six years. The Chair of District is ex officio chair of the DPC. When a position becomes vacant on the District Policy Committee, noniinations are invited from ministers and lay members ofCircuits within the District. The Chair ofthe District then shares with nominees what the roles involve. If they wish to be considered for a role, their names are taken to ihe District Policy Committee and the District Synod for appointment. Members may be either ministers or lay people atlending Churches in the area covered by the District. Trustees are all members of the Methodist Church and through experience are aware of the workings of the charity.
The District Policy Committee normally meets four times per year and deals with routine and exceptional matters. It oversees the work of the Evangelism and Justice, Worship and Discipleship teams and Finance and Property Executive, Stationing Advisory group and Probationers committee.
;
- 5.4 Responsibilities of the District Policy Committee i to formulate and promote policies which will advance the mission of the Church in the Circuits and Local Churches and, in particular, to supervise the use of resources ofpersonnel, property and finance and to assist Local Churches and Circuits having exceptional problems.
- ii to encourage inter-Circuit and ecumenical co-operation iii to act in an executive capacity in matters remitted to the Committee by the Synod iv to keep within its purview alf District concerns not dealt with elsewhere v to contribute and respond, as the case may be, to the development of Connexional policies as reflected in the work of the Conference and the Methodist Council, and to carry out its other responsibilities with any such development in mind
- vi to be aware that the stipend of the Chair of the District is set - currently by reference to the change over a year in the Consumer Price Index - using a formula that was agreed by the Methodist Conference for all ministers within the Connexion.
- vii constantly to be aware ofthe public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
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## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST. AUGUST 2024
## 6.1 Trustees
The following served as Trustees throughout part or all of the year 2023/24 or were trustees at the time of this report being approved:
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||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Mr A|Irvin|Rev E Walker|
|Revd DrS|J Lindridge|(Chair Retired|31st August 2024)|Rev|J|Porterpryde|
|Rev|J|Sewell|(Chair Appointed|1st|September 2024)|Mrs|S|Waters|
|Rev|J|Carter|Mr C Horton|(District Treasurer)|
|Mrs C Armstrong|Rev S|Earl (Assistant Chair)|
|Mr D A|Stabler|Rev|§ Richardson|( Appointed|1st September 2024)|
|Rev E Lindridge|Mr D Brown|
|Deacon|T Hume|Miss|A|Ilderton|
|Deacon G Morgan|Mrs|S|Gibbon|(Retired|31st August|2024)|
|Mrs M Graham|Rev-J|Gill|(Appointed|1st September 2023|,|
|R Beard|(Appointed|1st|September 2024)|retired|10"|July 2024)|
|Mrs K Bevan|(Appointed|25th|September 2023)|Mr M|Shaw|
|L Barwick-Plant|(Appointed|Ist|September 2024)|
**----- End of picture text -----**
In November 2023 Rev Dr Stephen J Lindridge gave notice to the District that he was stepping down as Chair from 31st August 2024. The District then began the process of appointing a new Chair to commence appointment on 1st September 2024. Following Methodist Standing Orders this process culminated in confirmation by Conference in June 2024 of the appointment of Rev Jonathan Sewell as the new Chair.
6.2 Salaries of District employees are reviewed by the Property and Finance Executive and confirmed by the subsequent District Policy Committee.
6.3 A resolution to reappoint RSM UK Tax and Accounting Limited as.independent examiners will be put to the trustees and the Synod.
## Approvals
The Trustees' Report and the Financial Statements were approved by the District Policy Committee on
Signed on behalf of the DPC, as authorised:
Jonathan Sewell ( signed) a4 eee District Chair Date: S/e(25
Christopher Horton (signed) Caf A — District Treasurer Date: Solas
## Kerry Gallagher
## 11/06/25
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## NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Totals|
|Notes|Unrestricted|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|Totals|Previous|
|Fund|Funds|Funds|Funds|This|Year|Year|
|££|
|Income|and|Endowments|||
|Charitable|activities|da|108.444|-|418.148|-|526.592|395.213|
|Investments-interest|4,875|20.949|59.575|87|85,486|44.568|
|Donations|and|legacies-donations|6,000|22,400|71,288|-|99.688|27,030|
|Other|Charitable|Income|4b|19.1|50,998|31.477|-|121,586|139.207|
|Total|Income|138,430|94,347|600,488|87|833,352|606,018|
|Charitable|Activities|||
|Salaries|&|Associated|Costs|dc&6|77.168|53.702|84.361|-|215,231|154.586|
|Manse|Costs|de|19.420|-|-|-|19.420|38.341|||
|Administration|Ac|22.217|-|-|-|22.217|22,680|
|Grants &|Donations|4e|-|-|457,859|-|457,859|94,956|
|Other|Expenditure|de|8,556|13,311|16,099|8|37,974|8,539|
|Total|expenditure|{27.361|67,013|558,319|8|752,701|319,102|
|Net|Income/(Expenditure)|11,069|27,334|42,169|79|80,65|||286,916|
|Transfers|Between|Funds|(13,537)|(20)|13,636|(79)|-|-|
|Sub|Total|(2.468)|27,314|55.805|-|80.651|286.916|
|Other|gains|/(losses)|-|-|-|233|223|(128)|
|Net|Movement|in|Funds|(2,468)|27,314|55,805|223|80,874|286.788|
|Reconciliation|of Funds|
|Total|funds|brought|forward|;|
|from|Last|Year|247,498|460,231|297,659|2,886|—|$,008.274|721486|
|Total|Funds|Carried|Forward|
|at End|of Year|245,030|487,545|353,464|3,109|=|1.089,148|1,008,274|
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
Allincome and expenditure is derived from continuing activities.
These unaudited financial statements have been subject to independent examination. See report on page 2.
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_ NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
Charity number 1127637
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## BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST AUGUST 2024
||Notes|Totals|Totals|
|---|---|---|---|
|||This Year|Previous|
||||Year|
|||£|£|
|Fixed Assets|7|169,840|169,840|
|Current Assets||||
|Debtors& Prepayments|8|2TATA|183,735|
|Cash atBank||1,595,579|1,302,659|
|Total Current Assets||1,622,753|1,486,394|
|Creditors|9|291,410|380,982|
|NetCurrent Assets||1,331,343|1,105,412|
|Total Assets less||||
|Net CurrentLiabilities||1,501,183|1,275,252|
|Creditors: amounts due||||
|after oneyear||412.035|266,978|
|NetAssets||1,089,148|1,008,274|
|Funds ofthe District||||
|General Fund (Unrestricted)||245,030|247,498|
|Designated Funds|12|487,545|460,231|
|Restricted
Funds|11|353,464|297,659|
|EndowmentFunds|10|3,109|2,886|
|TotalFunds||1,089,148|1,008,274|
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The financial statements on pages 3 - 14 were approved by the board oftrusteeson 3 / G /q Ly and signed on its behalf by:
Jonathan Sewell fod Christopher Horton otp eo
## Trustees
These unaudited financial statements have been subject to independent examination. See report on page 2.
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## NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
## CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
|||2024|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|
|Reconciliations ofmovements in funds||||
||Net movement in funds|80,874|286,788|
||(Increase)/decrease in debtors|156,561|(166,569)|
||(Decrease)/increase in creditors|$5,485|(89,162)|
|Cash flows|from operating activities|292,920|31,057|
|Increase in|cash and equivalents|292.920|31,057|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning||||
|of the year||1,302,659|1,271,602|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the end||||
|oftheyear||1,595,579|1,302,659|
These unaudited financial statements have been subject to independent examination. See report on page 2
's)
. NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
1 Accounting policies
## Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 ofIreland (FRS102) (effective | January 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic offreland (FRS 102).
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying the FRS {02 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the regulation but which has since been withdrawn.
The address of the District's registered office and principal place of business is 246 Wingrove Road North, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9EJ.
Newcastle upon. Tyne District of the Methodist Church meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The accounts are prepared in sterling. which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
## Going concern
Financial Reporting Standard 102 requires, if appropriate, the District's financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. which means that the District is able to operate for the foreseeable future on the basis of known and reasonable projected resources. After reviewing financial and other information available, the Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties in respect of the District's ability to continue as a going concern. Newcastle upon Tyne District of the Methodist Church has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They continue to believe the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate in preparing the annual financial statements.
## 2 Fund accounting
The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the District which are Unrestricted, Designated Funds and Restricted Funds which are held for a narrower purpose and Endowment Funds which represent gifts, the capital normally being unavailable for spending, and the income from which is either Restricted or Unrestricted. Details of each material fund are disclosed in notes 10-13 to these accounts.
## Income
Income is recognised in the period in which the District is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the District has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income ts to be expended in a future period.
Voluntary income received by way ofdonations and gifts to the District is included in full in the statement of financial activities when received. Intangible income is not included unless it represents goods or services which would have otherwise been purchased.
7
. « NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## Accounting policies continued
## Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred or a constructive obligation arises that result in the payment being unavoidable. Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity.
## Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## Liabilities and provision
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result ofa past event. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the District anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding ofthe discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
## Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is not charged on freehold buildings as under normal circumstances the residual values are considered to be greater than cost. However. the carrying values of freehold buildings are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Assets having an initial cost of £1,000 or less are written offon acquisition.
## Financial instruments
Financial instruments are classified and accounted for, according to the substance ofthe contractual arrangement as either financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets ofthe District after deducting all ofits liabilities. The District has elected to apply the provisions of Section [f "Basic Financial Instruments" and Section 12 “Other Financial Instruments Issues" of FRS 102, in full to all ofits financial instruments.
/
All of the charities financial assets and financial liabilities qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement vale.
fe)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH a NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
*
## Accounting policies continued
## 3 Investments
Investments are stated at market value less any provision for permanent diminution in value.
## Gains/(losses) on investments
Realised and unrealised capital gains and losses on investments are dealt with in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they arise, based on the brought forward valuations or cost of subsequent additions.
## Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless these costs are required to be capitalised as an intangible or tangible fixed asset.
Employees are only entitled to carry forward unused holiday entitlement in exceptional circumstances, and only by agreement with management. The cost of any unused entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are required.
## Pension scheme
The charity operates a multi-employer pension scheme for its lay employees. The scheme contributions are recognised as expenditure in the period to which they relate as there is insufficient information available to use defined benefit accounting. Ordained staff are members of the Methodist Ministers Pension Fund.
Where applicable a liability is recognised for contributions arising from an agreement with the multi-employer plan that determines how the charity will fund a deficit. Contributions are discounted , at a rate according to FRS102, when they are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months ofthe period end. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.
The contributions payable by the charity charged to income and expenditure amounts to £19,809 (2022/23- £16,596)
## Agency arrangements
The district acts as an agent in the collection and payment of Methodist Church Fund. Related payments received from the Circuits are paid over to the Connexion and excluded from the statement of financial activities and are shown separately in note 19.
## Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectation of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances,
## Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The District makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition. seldom equal the related actual results.
,
## Critical areas ofjudgement
In categorising leases as finance leases or operating leases, management makes judgements as to whether significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the District as lessee, or the lessee, where the District is a lessor.
## Support from volunteers
Groups of volunteers suport the work of the charity.the irustees are enormously grateful for all the hard work they do. Placing a monetary value on the contributions of the volunteers presents significant difficulties. With the lack ofamarket comparator price for volunteers, it is impractical for their contribution to be measured reliably for accounting purposes. Given the absence ofa reliable measurement basis, the contribution ofgeneral volunteers has not been included as income in the charity's accounts.
yg
“| NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
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:
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
|da.|Income from Charitable Activities|Income from Charitable Activities|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted||Designated|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Total|
|||Fund||Funds|Funds|Funds|2024|2023|
|||£||£|£|£|£|£|
||Assessment||||||||
||on circuits|108.444||-|-|-|108.444|96.192|
||From Circuit Model||||||||
||Trust Funds||-|-|116,585|-|116.585|76,239|
||Connexional Advance||||||||
||& Priority Fund||-|-|301,563|-|301.563|222,782|
|||108,444||-|418,148|-|526,592|395,213|
||The income from charitable activities was||£526,592 (2023- £395,213) ofwhich £108,444 was||||unrestricted||
||(2023- £96,192) and £41,8148 was restricted|||(2023- £299,021)|||||
|4b,|OtherIncome|Un-Restricted||Designated|Restricted|Endowment|Total|Total|
|||Fund||Funds|Funds|Funds|2024|2023|
|||£||£|£|£|£|£|
||GrantsReceived||-|50,998|51,477|-|102,475|133,361|
||SundryIncome|1O,b11||-|-|-|19.111|5.846|
||Theotherincomefunding|Ott
was£121,586(2023-||50,998
(2023-£139,207)ofwhich|51477
which£19,111was|-
wasunrestricted|121,586
(2023-£139,207)|139,207|
The other income funding was £121,586 (2023- £139,207) of which £19,111 was unrestricted (2023- £139,207) and £50,998 was designated (2023- £30,000) and £51,477 was restricted (2023-£39,861)
## de. Expenditure
|Expenditure||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Staffcosts|Direct costs|Support Costs|Total2024|Total 2023|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|Salaries and associated costs|215,231|-|-|215.231|154,586|
|Manse costs|-|-|19,420|19,420|38.341|
|Administration|-|-|22.217|22.217|22.680|
|Grants and donations|-|457,859|-|457.859|94,956|
|Other expenditure|-|-|37,974|37.974|8,539|
||215,231|457,859|79.611|752,701|319,102|
Expenditure for the year was £752,701 (2023- £319,102) of which £558,319 (2023- £144,749) was restricted, £127,361 (2023- £132,634) was unrestricted. £67,013 (2023- £41,710) was designated and £8 (2023- £9) was endowment.
|Grants and donations are|2024|2023|
|---|---|---|
|made up as follows:|£457,259|£94,956|
|Breakdown ofgrants paid areshown|at note20 on page 14||
|Support costs are|2024|2023|
|madeupasfollows:|£79.611|£69,560|
During the year expenses were reimbursed to trustees ofthe charity totalling £8,920 (2023: £10.043)
10
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“4 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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:
## 5s Trustees
None of the trustees, or persons connected with them, received any remuneration or other benefits from the District or any connected organisation as a result of their office during the year ended 31st August 2024 (2023 Enil). Trustees are allowed to reclaim certain expenses incurred as a result of them fulfilling their duties. The amount claimed during the year ended 3 {st August 2024 was:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|Number|of|trustees|who|were|paid|expenses|7|7|
|Reimbursement|of expenses|
|Total|reimbusement|of expenses|£8,920|£10,043|
|6|=|Staff|costs and|the|cost of key management|personnel|
|The|aggregate|payroll|costs|during|the|year were:|
|2024|2023|
|£|£|
|Wages|and|Salaries|160,748|113,509|
|Social|Security|Costs|10,967|6.992|
|Other|Pension|Costs|19,809|16,596|
|191,524|137,097|
|No|employee|earned|in|excess|of £60,000|during|the|year|(2023:|nil)|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## Particulars of employees:
The average number of staff employed by the District during the financial year amounted to:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|No|No|
|Total|9|9|
**----- End of picture text -----**
Key management personnel No salaries as employee benefits are paid to the key management personnel for the year (2023: nil)
## Net outgoing resources
Net oulgoing resources are stated afier charging:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|£|£|
|Staff pension|contributions|19,809|16,596|
|Independent|examiners|fee|4,260|3,264|
|7|‘Tangible|fixed|assets|Freehold|
|Buildings|
|£|
|Cost|
|Ist|September|2023|&|31st|August|2024|175,516|
|Depreciation|
|Ist|September|2023|&|3st|August|2024|5.676|
|Net|book|value|
|31st|August 2023|&|31st|August|2024|169,840|
|All|tangible|fixed|assets|are|held|for|charitable|purposes.|
**----- End of picture text -----**
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“y NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
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## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## 8 Debtors
|8|Debtors|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||2024||2023|
||||||||£||£|
||Prepayments andaccruedincome
Loan to Circuit repayable within twelve months||||||27.174|-|83,735
100,000|
||||||||27,174
OO||183.735|
|9|Creditors:||||||2024||2023|
||||||||£||£|
||Accruals and deferred income
Duewithintwelvemonths||||||291.410||380,982|
||Creditors due over twelve months||||||412,035
703,445||266,978
647,960|
||||||||Be|||
|10)|Endowmentfunds
Balance
Incoming
TSeptember —Resources|||Charitable
Activites||Transfers|Outgoing
Resources||Balance
31 August|
||2024
Permanent endowments:|2023
£|£|£||£|£||2024
£|
||The W H Scott|||||||||
||Memorial Trust|2,886|302||-|(79)||-|3,109|
||Balance||Incoming|Charitable||Transfers|Outgoing||Balance|
||Ist|September|Resources|Activities|||Resources||31st August|
||2023|2022|||||||2023|
|||£|£|£||£|£||£|
||Permanent endowments|||||||||
||The WH Scott|||||||||
||MemorialTrust|3,014|89||-|(80)|(137)||2,886|
The W H Scott Memorial Trust was established in 1924 for the benefit of Wesleyan Methodist Ministers Widows. This was subsequently amended due to the lack ofbeneficiaries and the income only is now paid to the District Benevolent Fund. The fund is represented by investments.
|
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12
| NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
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## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## tl Restricted funds
||Balance|||Investment||Balance|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024|1 September|||Gains||31 August|
||2023|Income|Expenditure|(Losses)|Transfers|2024|
|District Advance Fund|247.846|475,324|(456,420)|-|-|266.750|
|Benevolent Fund|3.073|-|(547)|-|79|2.605|
|Education and Youth Fund|-|-|(3.308)|-|3,308|-|
|Training Fund|-|-|(10.249)|-|10,249|-|
|NPNP Fund|46,740|125,164|(87,795)|-|-|84,£09|
||297,659|600,488|(558,319)|-|13,636|353,464|
||Balance|||Investment||Balance|
|2023|1 September|||Gains||31 August|
||2022|Income|[Expenditure|(Losses)|Transfers|2023|
|District Advance Fund|2,692|326,447|(81.293)|-|-|247,846|
|Benevolent Fund|2.628|415|(30)|-|80|3,073|
|MSM Fund|12,939|137|-|-|(13.076)|-|
|NPNP Fund|12.710|40,818|(47.864)|-|41,076|46,740|
|Training Fund|-|615|(11,310)|-|10,695|-|
|Education& Youth|-|-|(4,232)||4.232|-|
||30,969|368,432|(144,749)|-|43,007|297,659|
|Designated funds|||||||
||Balance|||Investment||Balance|
|2024|1 September|||Gains||31 August|
||2023|Income|Expenditure|(Losses)|Transfers|2024|
|Capital Fund|326.268|16.448|(443)|-|-|342,263|
|International Fund|20|-|-|-|(20)|-|
|Our Calling|-|73,398|(66.368)||-|7,030|
|District Aid Fund|103.621|4.501|-|-|-|108,122|
|Mission Together Fund|30,322|-|(192)|-|-|30,130|
|Total Designated Funds|460,231|94.347|(67,013)|-|(20)|487,545|
||Balance|||Investment||Balance|
|2023|1 September|||Gains||31 August|
||2022|Income|— Expenditure|(Losses)|Transfers|2023|
|Capital Fund|312.485|35.493|(509)|-|(21,201)|326,268|
|Our Calling|-|20,000|(44,201)|-|21.201|-|
|International Fund|20|-|-|-|-|20|
|District Aid Fund|100,585|3,036|-|-|-|103.621|
|Mission Together Fund|19,322|11,000|-|-|-|30,322|
|TotalDesignatedfunds|432,412|69,529|(41,710)|-|-|460,231|
## 12 Designated funds
is
“ NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
:
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## 12 Designated funds (continued)
The income funds of the charity include designated funds, which has been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific purposes:
The Capital Fund is a fund to which all members and circuits have subscribed. Historically investment income only will be used for “people” based projects and any funding granted will be on a pump-priming basis however Synod agreed that capital may now be used. Several grants have been made. The fund is represented by bank balances and is fully subscribed to.
The Cuba Fund is a fund begun by donations to a sponsored walk and used to fund close links between the District and that country. It has been renamed "International Fund."
The District Aid Fund has been set up to make loans to aid completion of projects.
The Mission Together Fund is receiving donations to fund the District Wide Mission.
The Our Calling Fund is a grant from Connexion to fund the work of Deacon T Hume in her work as District Community Engagement Enabler. It was resolved to fund any deficit from the District Capital Fund.
## 13. Restricted funds
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trusts to be applied for specific purposes:
The Benevolent Fund represents funds designated for benevolent purposes as laid down. by Standing Order 527(2). The income of the fund includes transfers from W H Scott Memorial Trust. The fund.is represented by cash and bank balances.
|
The District Advance Fund is a fund set up and administered under the standing orders of the Methodist Church. It receives income from Circuit Model Trust Funds within the District together with an allocation from Connexional Advance & Property Fund for property and people based projects to further the work ofthis charity in the Newcastle District. Surplus funds are held with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
Training Fund receives donations from Circuits and makes donations to lay and ordained members of churches undertaking training.
The Connexional Strategy New Places New People known as NPNP are projects focused on forming new Christian communities for those not yet part of'an existing church . NPNP's are the most effective means of connecting new people. new people groups and new residents to Christian exploration and community.
The Education and Youth Fund is used to support work with children and young people particularly the costs oftravel to 3Generate.
14
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## 14 Charitable commitments
‘
At 31st August 2024 there were no commitments which are to be funded out of the District Capita! Fund (2023 -£nil) .
## 15. Ultimate controlling party
The ultimate controlling party of the District is considered. to be the Annual Conference of the Methodist Church.
## 16 Related parties
The related parties of the District are twelve Circuits. their Chapels and Manses. which are all based in the North-East of England. They are contactable via the principal address of the Charity. Funds are transferred on a quarterly basis.
No related party transactions took place during the current or previous year.
## 17 Analysis of net assets between funds
||Un-Restricted|Designated|Restricted|[Endowment|Total|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024|Fund|Funds|Funds|Funds|2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|169,840|-|-|-|169,840|
|Current assets|86.110|487,545|1,045,989|3.109|1.622.753|
|Creditors under 12 months|(10,920)|-|(280,490)|-|(291,410)|
|Creditors over 12 months|-|-|(412,035)|-|(442,035)|
||245,030|487,545|353.464|3,109|1,089,148|
||Un-Restricted|Designated|= Restricted|Endowment|Total|
|2023|Fund|Funds|Funds|Funds|2023|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|169,840|-|-|-|169.840|
|Current assets|83,735|480,231|919,542|2,886|1,486,394|
|Creditors under 12 months|(6.077)|(20,000)|(354,905)|-|(380.982)|
|Creditors over 12 months|-|-|(266,978)|-|(266.978)|
||247,498|460,231|297,659|2,886|1,008,274|
15
0
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE DISTRICT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH
:
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## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
## 18 Taxation
The District is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or Section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the District.
## 19 Amounts disbursed as agent
|19|Amounts disbursed as agent|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||2024|2023|
|||£|£|
||Methodist Church Fund assessments received|563.356|543,807|
||Methodis( Church Fund assessments paid|363,356|343,807|
|20|Grantsanddonations|2024|2023|
||Institutions|£|£|
||Haltwhistle Youth Worker
EastDurhamCircuit|(6,047)
-|-
1,000|
||SunderlandSamba
Blackhill Building|20,000
(50,000)|-
-|
||Mother Flouse /District Evangelism Enabler
BedeCircuit
ChineseChurch
Sheildfield Project|141,584
60,000
15,000
219,817|-
-
25,000
-|
||Ponteland Methodist Church|30,000|-|
||North West Durham|-|30,000|
||Recovery Church|30,000|3.363|
||Grants Repaid|(9,000)|-|
||Small Grants|2.650|-|
||Individuals forTraining all under£1000|454.004
547|79,363
11,310|
||Education and Youth|3,308|4,283|
|||457,859|94,956|
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