Charity Registratlon No.. 1129451 EAST ANGLIA DISTRICT OF THE METHODISTCHURCH Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2024 CONTENTS Tiue Page and Narne of the Charity Contents Legal and Administrative Details of Charity 3 The Report of the Trustees 4-8 Statement of Twstees, Responsibilitses Auditors, Report to the Trustees 1(k13 Statement of FinancÉal Activities 14 Balance sheet 15 Notes to the accounts 1&18 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Trustoes The Trustees are appolnted by the Representative Session of the East Anglia District Synod. The followng Trustees have served during the period covèred by this report: Dlstrlct Chalr R6vd. Julian M. Pursehouse Deputy District Chalr Revd. Andrew King Revd. James Èamber Secretary of Synod Mrs. Susan Eldridge Assistant Secretary of Synod Mr Chris Finbow District Group Coryordinators Mr. Richard Dean Revd. Andrew King R8vd. Deborah Caulk Representative to tho Methodist Councll Dlstrlct Treasurer Mr. Shaun Cushion Dlstrlct Mission Enabler Dr. Yasmln Finch Trust Address Chapel Field Road Methodist Church Chapel Field Road, Norwich, NR2 1SD Audltors McM)re Green Chartered Accounlanls & Registered Auditors 22 Fria[5 Stre0( Sudbury, C010 2AA Bankers Barclays Bank plc 1 Princes Street. Ipswich, IP1 1PB REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 31st August 2024.The financial statement have been prepared in accordance wilh the accounting policies set OLrt in note 1 to the accounts and comply the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities= St8tement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published November 2019. The Trust was regist8r8d on 7th May 2009 in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Particulars ofthe charty's Trustees and professional advisers are given on page 3. Structure, Governance and Management The charity is operated under thg r8gulations of the Methodist Church as ststed in The Constitutional Practice and Disciplin8 of the Methodist Church with advice from Officers of the Methodist Church. At all times the charity wll implement the decisions and policy directions of Ihe Annual Methodist Conference. Aim5. Objectives and Activitles The objectives of the East Anglia District are those as set out for the Methodist Church of Great Britain in the Deed of Union 1932 and the 1976 Methodist Church Act. The charitable objects are the purposes of the Methcmjist Church and these are the advancement of.. (al the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church., (b) any charttable purpose for the time being of any Connexional. district. circult, local or 0th8r organization of the Methodist Church- (c) any charitable purpose for the time baing 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 lo the Methodist Church. The Districl Synod has also agreed a policy for the District (adopted in April 2014). which states that= The East Anglia District aims to enable. encourage and enthuse the people of God. We seek to do this by cr8ating and sustaining hospitable Christian communities in which people can: come lo faith grow faith own their faith share their faith celebrate tsith REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) These objectives will be developed over th8 next tèn years through.. 1. Inspirational leadership in churches, Circuits and Ihe Districl that will lead to= sharing the love of Christ in word and aciion so that rnore people seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ increased attendanGe at worship increased commitment increased engagement wtth SynLMJ and other District events 2. The imaginative use of resources and buildings that priorilises innovation with the expectation that there wll be an increase in-. church misslon and outreach projects the enrichment of the life of the wid8r community new disciples building schemes ecumenical, community and World partnerships the development of churches as communities in which God is experienced 3. The development of District programmes that nuriure discipl8ship.18aming, mission and an understanding of our heritage. For example, Journey into Faith, Galeways to God?, material for use by small groups, etc. This will also include engagement wth Ihe Discipleship & Ministries Learning Nethrk. 4. The District Officers and District Stsff team providing good and relevant Services so that: District contacts are known District roles are understood churches and Circutts are able to access Ihe support and resourc8S they need 5. Effective nelworking and communicating across the District such that: people know where to tum for answers and support there is consistent. complete and relevarht information on the website electronio ￿mmUnIcation is the primary sourc8 of networking 6. Shared knowledge experience such that Y￿. build and share an effective knowledge base enable people to access the knowledge base and feed into it highlight and shara good practice exercise better care of our natural resources publicise th8 knowledge base through the District webstte. gr8P8vine and word of mouth support the District web administrator 7. Shared responsibility in meeting the requiremonts of the Methodist Church and statutory authorities such that all requirements are communicated, understood and met. All of the above is inlended to develop confidence in God Ihat, In tum. leads to: > the transfomiation of people and communities through the presence of Ihe Holy Spirit > imaginative risk-taklng, wilh a commitment lo leam from failure > prayer support for new ventures REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) Achiovements and Porfomiance The East Anglia District has sought to advan￿ its aims and objectives during the year under review by continuing its lrfe of worship and mission within communities in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire and by providing support to local churches and Circutls. Particular highliqhts include: in partnership with thè nalional Methodist church. the recruilmont of a new District Chair, the Revd Helen Hollands who wll take up th8 positson on 1" September 2024. This role indudes a gorous training and indudion process during a shadowlng year. developing doser links with partner churches other parts of the world in consullation with the WCAG - in parlicular the District Is planning to welcome a delegation of rep￿sen￿tiveS from West Harare, this will be a return visit planned for 2025. ensuring that the theme of 'Becoming a Community of Wltness. continues to shape the way Y￿ understand church lrfe and mission across the East Anglia District. Fresh objectives were detemined for the year ahead and sljbtnitted to the DPC for agreemenL continuing to support the Circuits so that resources can be more effectively shared. local churches are 8ssisled and greater economies of scale realised. This has resulted in a more innovatlve and mixed approach to th8 nature ()f Disthct and Circuit staffing across the whole District. providing resources to Circuits and lo￿[ churches by enabling the deployment of appropriate ordained and lay staff and by making specific grants to support pieces of work that advance our charttable objects and District Policy. Throughout this year the District has shared in a mission initiative called Pray8r 23 which has sought to foster a greater awareness of the Significan￿ of prayer and has en￿uraged people to pray more regularly and Creatively. In addition the District is developing work In New Places for New People. imaginatively reflecting on the use of some premises where existing congregatlons have ceased to meet. ensuring that the Dlstrict is sufficiently resourced for its mission by reviewing the annual budgot and preparing a budgot for 2024-25. This includes the recognition that rising employment costs for District Staff need to be subsidisod by grants from the District Advance Fund. holding a numbe'r of special events and bespoke training opportunities. This work is undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in the LN Regional Team with whom we enjoy a g(x)d working relationship. This includes beswke training for ordained ministsrs through study days. This has included a special sgssion wtlh tho Superintendent Ministers around the value of Appreciative Inquiry. ensuring that we continue to develop the practrse of pastoral supervlslon across the whole District and rnaintain the effectlve rolkout of the District Implementation Plan for Supervision. ensuring our Safeguarding policies and practrce are robust and fit for purpose. working with our District Safeguardlng officer to ensur8 9￿d and effective safeguarding training. policies, DBS checks and safer recruitment are in Pla￿ across the District. Thls builds on the 8xcellent report from the National Safeguarding AudtL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) continuing to oversee the Ministy among the Deaf Community by working Revd. Anne Richardson on a voluntary basis. The District has agreed to pay expense5. mileage and provide a structure of management and accounlablllty. providlng a revised and updated Wélcome Pack for incoming ministers who are new to the East Anglia Distric engaging in wise and strategic refiection about the deployment of ordained ministy aGross the District at a time of acute shortage of ordained ministry in the wid8r Methodist Church of Great Britain. This continues to be a challenge through the Methodist PrO￿sS of st81ioning. providing regular & intentional line-management for all of our employed District Staff Team. Measures to ensure proper oversigm were put in place for circuits that were carying va(2ncies through Stationing. ensuring that officers of the District think strategically about the balance be￿een online & in presence meelings and make appropriate decisions about how we shall meet to do our work. building a cumure of Lay Testimony to increase confidence in fatth and disapleship. Flnancial review During the year the District received total income of £1,285,691, which is made up mainly from donations. assessment income and receipts from other circuits. The expenditure for the year amounted to £1,024,282. Induded within this was donations and grants made of £210,748. consisting of payrnents made to l(xal churches and arcuits, An overall gain was made in the year amounting to £273,751 after non-financial gains on revaluations of assets and investments. Risk Assessment and Management During the year under revtew, the Trust8es have maintained oversight of the major risks to whiGh the chartty is exposed, resulting in risk management strategies being itnplemented. Risks to which the organisation may be expos8d are identffied by the Trustees and kopt under r8gular review. Rèserves It is the policy of the charity to hold reserves in its unrestricted funds which have not yet been committed or éesignated for any particular purpose. The Trustees have set aside these reserves in order lo protect the future operations of the charity from the effects of any unfor8seen variations in its income as part of a policy of good financial prad1￿. The District Reserves Policy was reviewed during the year. The charity is requlred to maintain sufficient funds to cover 12 months of working capital. REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) Publlc Benefft The Trustees have revi8wed the activities of the past year in line with the Charity Commission guidance on public interest benefit. The aims and objecllves of the East Anglia Distrfct are wtthin those guidelines and are Interpreted by the District as providing specrfic benefit to those who are members of the Methodist Church wthin NorfolL Suffolk and Cambrtdgeshire. Governlng Body The Trustees are the Goveming B(Kty of the Trust. Recruitment and Trainlng of Trustees The Charity Trustees are apwinted to the roles id8ntified on page 3. for 8 designated peiiod. by the Representstive Session of the East Anglia Dlstrict Synod. The District Chair and Secretary of Synod offer Iralning to new Trustees on appointment in the fomi of personal induction. Organlsatlonal Management The management of the Trust Is the responsibllity of the Tmstees through the executiv8 responsibilities of the District Policy Committee. It is conducted through a Finan￿ and Property Committee, a Grants and Personnel Committee and three other Managomenl Committees. District employees a5SiSt in the Implementation of policies. Each Committee includes Trustees among its membership. as well as co-opted experts in relevant fields and representatives of the fifteen Circuits that make up the East Anglia District. The day to day administration of the District is the responsibility of the District Chair, the Secretary of Synod. the District Treasurer, and the District Property S8CTetary. Auditors We, the Trustees of the charity who held Offi￿ at the date of approval of these Financial statements as set out a￿ve each confim. so far as we are aware, that: th6re is no relevant audit information of which the charit￿S auditors are unaware.. and we have laken all the steps that we ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit infomation and to establish that the charivs auditors are aware of that infomialion. Revd. He￿n Hollands Trustee Mr Shaun Cushion Trustee Dale. 13)g } lg STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting practi￿), and that they show a true and fair view of the stste of the East Anglia Districvs affairs. In preparing these financial statements. th8 Trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting polides and then apply them conslstenlly observe th8 methods and principles in the Charities SORP make judgem&nts and estimates that are reasonable and prudent State whether applicable accounting stsndards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the finan¢ial slatements prepare the financial statements on the going o)ncem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the East Anglia Districl will continue in operation The trustèas arè r8sponsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable a￿uraCY at any time the financial position of the charity and to 8nable them to ensure that the rinancial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and Ihe provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguardiro the assets of the charrty and ta￿r￿j roasonablo steps for th8 prevention and det8ction of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financlal information included on the charity's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of financial statements. INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH EAST ANGLIA DISTRICT Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of The Methodist Church East Anglia District (the 'chartW) lor the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities. the balance sheet and the related notes lo the financial statements. induding a summary of signlflcant accountlng policies. Tho flnanclal reporting framework thal has been applied in thelr preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial R6POrting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Untted Kingdom Generally Accepted Ac(x)unting Pra￿1￿). In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 August 2024, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure. for Ihe year then 8nd6d; have been txoperly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Ac¢ounting Pra¢tice', and have been prepared in aG￿rdance with the requir8m8nts of the Chartlies Act 2011. Basis for opinion We conductsd our audlt in accordance with Intemational Standards on Audlting (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applic8ble law. Our responsibilities urKler those standards are further described in the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are indep8nd8nt of the charity in accordance wth the ethical requiremenls that are relevant to our audil of the financial statemenls in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard. and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance wtth these requirements. We believe that the audit evtdenc8 we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Concluslons relatlng to golng concern In auditing the financial staternents, we have concluded that the Trustees, use of the going COn￿M basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial.statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have perfrjnned, we have not identified any material uncertalntles relating tp th6 events or condttions that. indNidually or colleclively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concem for a period of at least twelve months from wh6n the financial statements are authorised for use. Our responsibilities and the responsibiltlies of the Trustees wth respeGt to Ihe going cOn￿M are described In the relevant sections of this report. INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH EAST ANGLIA DISTRICT (continued) other Inforniation The trustees are responsible for the oth8r informalion. The other information comprlses the infomiation included In the trustees, annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report ther80n. Our opinion on thè financial statements d(w not cover the other infomiation and, except to the extent otherwise explic￿lY stated in our report. we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibilty Is to read the other inforTnation and. in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsislent with the financial statements. or our knowledge obtained in th8 audit or otherwise appears to be matertglly misstated. If we Identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatem8nts. we are required to detarmine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we h'ave performed. we conclud8 that there is a matsrial misstatement of this other infomiation. we are requlred to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this r8gard. Matters on whlch we are required to report by exceptlon We have nothing to reporl in respect of the following matters in rèlation to which the Chariti8S {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you rf, in our opinion: the informatlon given in the financial statements ￿ inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees'.reFK)rt: or sufficient accounting rècords have not been kept: or the financtal ststements are not in agreement with Ihe accounling records; or we have not received all the infomation and explanations we requir8 for our audit. Rasponsibilities of trusteés As explained mor8 fulty in the trustees. responsibilities statement set out on page 9, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the truste85 determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial ststements that are free from material misstatement. whether due to fraud or error. In preparin9 the financial ststemenls. the trustees are responsible for assessing the charivs abilty to continue as a gojng con￿rn, disctosing, as appIl￿ble, matters related to going concem and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or t9 cgasp operations, or have no reallsti¢ altemative but to do so. INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH EAST ANGLIA DISTRICT (continued) Auditorfs responslbllllies for the audlt of tha flnanclal statomont8 We have been appointe(l as audltor under sectk)n 144 of the Charttles Act 2011 and report in accordance wtth the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. Our objectives ar8 to obtain reasonable assuran￿ about whether the financial statements as whole are free from material misstatement. whether due to fraud or error, and to Issue an auditorfs report thal includes our opinion. Reasonable assuran￿ is a high level of assurance bui is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordanc8 Wlth ISAS {UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it axists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if. Indi￿dUallY or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence tha economlc decisions of users tak8n on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, ouuined above. to detect material misstatemonts in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregulariti8s. induding fraud, is d8tailed below. In identifying and assessing risks of matèrial misstatement in respect of irregulariti8s. including fraud and non-complian￿ wtlh laws and regulations. our procedures included obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the entity and the s8Ctor in which they operate. We detemiinod that the most significant laws and regulations were the Charities Act 2011 and general UK laws relating to religious public interest bodi8S. We assessed and conduded that the entlty's kay are8 was in relatlon to di￿roSUre of transactions by type of fund to ensure restricted income was Ir&aled as such. Specific audit tests were undertaken to raview this and ensure trans8Ctrons were correcuy allocated. We assessed the Su￿p￿'bl11ty of the entity's financlal statements to material misstatement. including how fraud might occur. Audit prO￿dureS by the engagement team included identfying and assessing th8 design effectivaness of wntrols management has in place to prevent and detect fraud: understanding how those charged wtth govemance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriat6 Irffluen￿ over the financial reporting process: challenging assumption5 and judgements made by management in ils significant accounting estimates- identifying and testing unusual value entries. in particular any entries posted with unusual account comblnadons,. and assessing the extent of compliance with the releiiant laws and •• regulations. The size of the entlty and value of transactions indicated a low level of material risk. Because of lh8 inherent limitstions of an audit, there is a risk thet we will not delect all irregularitles, Indudinè those leading to a material mlsstatement in the finandal statements or non- Complian￿ with regulation. This risk increases the more thal compliance With a law or regulation is removed from thè events and transacllons refiected in the financial statements, as we wll b8 less likely to become aware of Instances of non**4**
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
Employer’s National Insurance costs
Pension costs
Total staff costs
**Staff Costs paid during the year were:**
Average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year were 6 (2023 - 6)|**2024**
**2023**
£5,400
£3,750| |---|---| ||**2024**
**2023**
£109,501
80,991
£4,686
4,686
£2,573
1,583| ||£116,760
£87,260| ||| |**5**|**Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities**|**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---|---| ||At the year end capital commitments on District Advance Fund amounted to:|£391,780
|£193,063| ||Contingent liabilities amounted to:|£Nil|£Nil| ||Payment of grants for subsequent years are included even though they remain subject to a satisfactory progress report.||| ## **6 Tangible Fixed Assets** |Freehold Manse - Valuation B/fwd
Revaluation in year
Freehold Manse - Valuation C/fwd|**2024**
**2023**
£725,000
£725,000
£0
£0| |---|---| ||**£725,000**
**£725,000**| The trustees consider it is prudent to show the property at its current market value of £725k although a new valuaiton will be undertaken in the following year. ## **7 Investment Assets** |**Restricted Funds**
District Advance Fund
Fund for Mission
Benevolent Fund
Connexional Training Fund
New Places for New People (NPNP)
The purpose of the fund is to start new Christian communities
Investments held by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
The purpose of the fund is to make benevolent payments at the discretion of the District Chair
The purpose of the fund is to provide a pilot taining scheme
The purpose of the fund is to receive monies received on sale of properties and other capital sources
The purpose of the fund is to facilitate Mission, Training, Youth Work and all forms of Christian Evangelism
and to make payments for capital projects and mission as provided in CPD and sanctioned by Connexion|Value at
Addition
Disposal
Gain/(loss)
on
investments
Value at
01.09.22
31.08.23
£162,033
£0
£0
(5,903)
£156,130
Value at
Addition
Disposal
Gain/(loss)
on
investments
Value at
01.09.23
31.08.24
£156,130
£108,199
(40,010)
12,342
£236,661
Opening
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Closing
Balance
Resources
Expended
Balance
£
£
£
£
£
566,836
354,096
165,898
0
755,034
131,282
144,275
35,490
0
240,067
9,057
3,256
4,335
0
7,978
3,195
0
0
0
3,195
0
10,000
600
0
9,400| |---|---| ||710,370
511,627
206,323
0
1,015,674| - **8 Restricted Funds** ## **The East Anglia District of the Methodist Church** ## **Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024** ## **9 Unrestricted Funds** |General Fund
Removals Fund
Manse Fund
Youth and Children's Work Fund
The purpose of this fund is to facilitate Youth Work
Travel Fund
The purpose of this fund is to reimburse Presbyters and Deacons travel expenses from monies received from Ci
Treasurer's Bureau
The purpose of this fund is to cover the expenses of the Treasurer's Bureau
**10**
**Revaluation Reserve**
Reserves b/fwd
Movement in year
Reserves c/fwd
The revaluation reserve relates to the Freehold of the Manse.
**11**
**Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Restricted Income Funds:**
District Advance Fund
Fund for Mission
Benevolent Fund
Connexional Training Fund
NPNP
**Unrestricted Income Funds:**
Removal Expenses Fund
Manse Reserve Fund
General Fund
Revaluation Fund
Designated - Youth & childrens work Fund
Travel Fund
Treasurer's Bureau Fund
The purpose of this fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives
of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
The purpose of this fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in assisting with the costs of relocating
ministers and employees within the district circuit.
The purpose of this fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees on the fabric of the manses within the
district towards their maintenance and general upkeep.|Opening
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Closing
Balance
Resources
Expended
Balance
£
£
£
£
£
558,328
702,423
708,499
-9,000
543,252
3,013
0
6,890
500
-3,377
-3,994
0
7,382
8,500
-2,876
1,971
103
0
0
2,074
25,157
80,134
90,737
0
14,554
rcuits
1,663
3,746
4,451
0
958
586,138
786,406
817,959
0
554,585
**2024**
**2023**
£280,000
£280,000
£0
£0
£280,000
£280,000
**Fixed**
**Net current**
**2024**
**2023**
**Assets**
**Investments**
**assets**
**Total**
**Total**
755,034
755,034
566,836
236,661
3,406
240,067
131,282
7,978
7,978
9,057
3,195
3,195
3,195
9,400
9,400
0
**0**
**236,661**
**779,013**
**1,015,674**
**710,370**
-3,377
-3,377
3,013
-2,876
-2,876
-3,994
445,000
0
98,252
543,252
558,328
280,000
280,000
280,000
2,074
2,074
1,971
14,554
14,554
25,157
958
958
1,663| |---|---| ||**725,000**
**0**
**109,585**
**834,585**
**866,138**| ||**725,000**
**236,661**
**888,598**
**1,850,259 1,576,508**|