Croydon Methodist Circuit
(Charity Registration No. 1129515)
Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Information | 2 |
| Trustees Annual Report including | |
| Reserves Policy | 3 – 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 13 – 22 |
| Independent Examiner’s report | 23 |
1
Croydon Methodist Circuit
(Charity Registration No. 1129515)
Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
Information
Superintendent Minister Principal Address
Bankers
Rev. Dr. Stephen Day
Circuit Office West Croydon Methodist Church 93 London Road Croydon CR0 2RF Barclays Bank plc
Independent Examiner
Paul Newton, JCS Accountants
Trustees (Year ended 31 August 2021) (* denotes resigned during that year)
Revd Nigel Cowgill Revd Dr Stephen Day Revd Soon Cheol Choi Revd Nadine Wilkinson Mr Bennie Harms Mrs Lindsey Macfarlane Mrs Juliet Smith Revd Pamela Clews Mr Robin Haslam Ms Dorothea Macauley Lady Margaret Griffiths Mr Robert Nisbeth Mrs Doreen Ridden Mrs Pauline Little Miss Jennie Hall Miss Fran Byard Mr Alan Mills Mr William Smart Mrs Linda White Mrs Margaret Widberg Mr David Fanshawe Mr Adrian Pickett Ms Constantia Pennie Mrs Denise Watson Mrs Collis Peart Mrs Rosemary Jones
Mrs Comfort Croffie Miss Rose Cummings Mr Adrian Howe Mr Kofi Asamoah-Twum Mr Hope Chitauro Miss Sukhvinder Kalsi Mr Lawrie Bannister Mr Tolulowaleyi Laval Mrs Caryl Rapps Mrs Susan Astington Mrs Daphne Jones Mr Paul Parkinson Mrs Gillian Haslam Miss Siân Williams Mr Paul Taylor Mr John Anstey Mr Hugh Roberts Mrs Linnett Desporte Mrs Gertrude Nartey Mrs Rohini Herat Mrs Ruth Tayler Mr David Tayler Mrs Elizabeth Smart Mrs Mary Bannister Mr Edward Handley
Mr Mike McCallum Mrs Alyson Stonehouse Mr Josef Hopeson-Sowah Mr Nicholas Kusah Mrs Ann Atkins Mrs Toyin Ogunyemi (Appointed 24 September 2020) Revd Dr Leslie Griffiths (Appointed 1 October 2020) Revd Jennifer Potter (Appointed 5 October 2020) Mr Andrew Thynne (Appointed 30 September 2020) Mrs Dunstana Davies (Appointed 6 October 2020) Mr Byron Asbruce (Appointed 10 October 2020) Mrs Adebukola Lawal (Appointed 10 October 2020) Mr Ola Ogunyemi (Appointed 10 October 2020) Mrs Sonia Smith (Appointed 20 October 2020) Miss Becky Chipere (Appointed 5 November 2020)
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021
Governing documents and objective
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the Union the advancement of:
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(a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church
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(b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any connexional, district, circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church
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(c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church
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(d) any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities the circuit has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular to its supplementary public interest guidance on advancing our objectives as set out above.
Mission Statement
Croydon Methodist Circuit draws on the Methodist Church in Britain’s vision as a “discipleship movement equipped for Mission” and works to priorities taken from “Our Calling” within our local context;
The circuit encourages members individually and each of the churches collectively to engage in local community activities, social outreach, ecumenical work and inter-faith contact and co-operation;
We encourage the development of richly diverse and inclusive communities of faith which allows the exploration of discipleship by all people – regardless of background and without discrimination;
We seek to provide to our communities an example of God-filled lives and to enable the people of our churches to respond to the generosity of God’s grace through worship and Christian service;
We seek to link together the people of our circuit churches so that they can be mutually supportive and encouraging, sharing in and learning from each other’s experience of Christian living.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021
Review of progress and achievements
As at the end of the financial year the Croydon Methodist Circuit had five staff members: three ministerial staff: Revd Dr Stephen Day, Revd Soon Cheol Choi and Rev. Nadine Wilkinson, together with Bennie Harms (Lay Pastor) and Juliet Smith (Circuit Administrator).
All our churches remain committed to maintaining their involvement in community outreach activities. The Covid-19 pandemic caused churches to be closed for some of the year or open in a limited way. The following indicates how regular community activities in the circuit churches were affected:
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Parchmore Methodist Church and Community Centre operated its Local Collection Point on a Tuesday and the Food Stop on a Wednesday to support local people experiencing food poverty .
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Norbury Methodist Church’s “Pop-in” community café was unable to operate.
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West Croydon Methodist Church’s provision for local homeless people continued throughout the year, although adapting to offer a take-away service from the church entrance and giving out food parcels for families.
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Shirley Methodist Church participates in the Croydon Churches’ Floating Shelter, providing overnight winter accommodation for local homeless people; however, this was unable to operate.
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Addington Methodist Church engages with three schools; assemblies took place online as did Christmas and Easter activities. The church resumed its coffee mornings outside while collecting for the Vine Food Bank in New Addington; this activity was advertised in the local community and led to good community engagement and support for the food bank. A barbecue in the summer of 2021 celebrated this enhanced local engagement.
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South Norwood Methodist Church’s partnership working with South Norwood and Woodside Community Association to provide lunches and activities for older people and those with learning difficulties was unable to take place. Reaching Higher, a charity based at South Norwood Methodist Church and which supports young people and their families continued to operate.
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Christ Church Methodist Church in Addiscombe was unable to operate its annual summer holiday club for children aged 5-11
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At Downsview Methodist Church, Upper Norwood, the Luncheon Club could not operate. However, several of the helpers were allocated several attendees and took responsibility for regularly phoning them. In addition, the leader regularly sent handwritten postcards to attendees as another way of keeping in touch. When the club reopened all the guests shared how grateful they were for these contacts as it lessened their sense of isolation.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report For the year ended 31 August 2021
The Downsview Players, an amateur dramatics group based at Downsview Methodist Church, were unable to stage performances but worked with the church to create opportunities outside the premises to engage with the community
Our churches run activities for children and young people, including Messy Church, café worship, youth clubs. Churches host and engage with uniformed organisations such as Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Brownies, Guides, Rangers, Beavers, Cub Scouts and Scouts. Due to Covid restrictions, with usual activities unable to take place, the children and young people connected with several churches were supported by the delivery of activity packs to their homes and some online events.
The circuit provides ministers and preachers to lead a weekly Sunday afternoon worship service at Hall Grange, a residential care home run by MHA. Several church members do voluntary work at Hall Grange. However Covid restrictions meant that this was not possible for much of the year.
Churches support local older people through engagement with local residential care homes, such as Acacia Care Centre in South Norwood, Freeman Court and Norbury Hall in Norbury, and the British Home in Streatham. Covid restrictions prohibited such engagement for much of the year,
The circuit equips lay volunteers by providing training and development opportunities to empower them to identify and use their gifts and skills to the glory of God. In this work we are guided by the Methodist Church in Britain’s statement “Our Calling”:
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The Church exists to increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love
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The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care
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The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
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The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ
The circuit provides initial training for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders as well as ongoing peer support for those accredited. Creating Safer Space safeguarding training is offered annually to those needing initial or refresher training.
The Circuit staff continue to work in partnership with local and national voluntary and statutory bodies. They engage ecumenically with Croydon Churches Forum as well as other local groups.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021
Plans for the future
The circuit has encouraged churches to reflect on current circumstances and embark on a process of imagining and updating their vision for the future. In considering opportunities and resources available it will facilitate the development of mission plans to direct local church activities and decision-making over the coming years.
At the same time it is hoped that churches’ work will begin to return to pre-pandemic levels to bring stability to local church finances and lead in turn to an improvement in the circuit’s financial position.
Risk Assessment
The Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) continues to review the regulatory framework in which the circuit operates and where the CLT finds areas of risk to the circuit, appropriate action is taken to minimise the risk.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. The Croydon Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Methodist Connexional Safeguarding policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches in support of this.
In the year under review:
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Owing to Covid restrictions, much of the face-to-face life and work of our churches was severely restricted with public worship, church-led and regular premise user’s activities closed. During this time, Safeguarding Officers ensured that where activities were taking place on Zoom, all necessary steps were taken to keep people safe and to check on people’s well-being
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As activities re-started, Safeguarding Officers agreed to review the agreements and documentation of all outside hirers of premises, including evidence of DBS checks and compliance with either their own organisational Safeguarding policy or that of the Croydon Methodist Circuit policy
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In early 2021, Revd Cameron Kirkwood agreed to take on the Joint role of Circuit Safeguarding Officer alongside Linda White until August 2022 or before if a lay person was appointed
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Safeguarding officers have since January 2021 taken part in quarterly Zoom meetings for support, setting of priorities, updating each other on actions taken as public worship and activities recommenced
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021
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All London district churches were required to complete a Safeguarding Audit of processes and practice and to recommend improvement where appropriate
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In June 2021 a written update report on Safeguarding across the circuit was submitted to the Circuit Meeting
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One of our Circuit Safeguarding Officers, Linda White has attended district safeguarding forums for practice sharing on safeguarding
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No new safeguarding concerns related to our activity required reporting to other agencies
In the year ahead:
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We will address any recommendations arising from the Audit findings report
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Encourage some safeguarding officers to undertake the London district training to ensure that Foundation training can be offered to local churches
The Croydon 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.
Financial Review
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice.
During the spring and summer of 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted church incomes such that certain churches were unable to meet assessment payments in full during the year. The Circuit Meeting responded to this situation by instituting a review of the circuit’s lay employees by an independent HR consultancy firm, which was presented to the Circuit Meeting in September 2020 to guide decisionmaking and which implemented the report’s recommendations including a reduction in the circuit’s lay staffing by one person resulting in the redundancy of the circuit’s Youth Development Officer, Lindsey Macfarlane. The circuit gives thanks for the service of the Youth Development Officer over many years.
Although the circuit suffered a reduction of resources in the year ended 31 August 2021 of £50,817 (2020: increase of £3,686), the action taken to reduce fixed expenditure is expected to enable future church assessment levels to be set which better match churches’ ability to pay. As a result of the deficit in the year, the circuit’s net current assets decreased from £244,186 at the beginning of the year to £193,369 at year end, of which £57,640 (2020: £104,135) represents general reserves.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has continued to impact the circuit’s income in the new financial year which began on 1[st] September 2021 with reductions in churches’ letting income limiting the ability of some churches to meet assessment payments in full. However, taking into account the positive impact of actions taken to reduce the circuit’s fixed expenditure and therefore future assessment levels, the Trustees have every reason to believe that the circuit is a going concern.
Reserves Policy
The reserves of the circuit are dependent on the extent that its ongoing costs can be funded from the assessment levied on the individual churches. The circuit seeks to operate its financial affairs each year on an ongoing basis. At the year end, the actual readily available general reserves represented 2.05 months (2020: 3.3) expenditure, slightly below the stated policy of general reserves of at least three months expenditure because of impact of the pandemic on churches’ ability to meet assessment payments. Although the circuit envisages a gradual improvement in general reserves as the effects of the pandemic reduce, the circuit’s resources do additionally include a balance of £135,729 on the Model Trust Fund which can be drawn upon to meet repair and maintenance of circuit property and so reduce reliance on the charity’s general funds in stressed circumstances. Accordingly the circuit is confident that for the foreseeable future circuit’s total reserves will remain at an adequate level.
Structure, governance and management
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and the 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).
The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of Presbyters in individual Circuits.
Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and appropriate Officers of the District for regional implementation.
The district passes control down to circuit level for local implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards via the medium of the Circuit Meeting.
The membership of the Circuit Meeting is laid down in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. Together the members of the Circuit Meeting are the Managing Trustees of the Circuit.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31 August 2021
Trustees
Owing to the number of individual churches in the circuit and the fact that the majority of the Circuit Meeting members are those elected by individual churches, it is clear that the make-up of the meeting is subject to frequent change. There were 56 trustees as at 30 June 2021 (2020: 60). A list of trustees is provided on page 2.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the London District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Circuit:-
Addington Methodist Church Christ Church Methodist, Addiscombe Downsview Methodist Church Norbury Methodist Church Parchmore Methodist Church Shirley Methodist Church, Croydon South Norwood Methodist Church West Croydon Methodist Church
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year.
In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply these consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts;
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Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31 August 2021
The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Croydon Methodist Circuit and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Circuit and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
So far as each of the trustees is aware, there is no relevant information that has not been disclosed to the independent examiner and each of the trustees believes that all steps have been taken that ought to have been taken to make him aware of any relevant information.
Approvals
The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the Trustees on 7 August 2022 and signed on their behalf by:
Rev Dr. Stephen Day Superintendent Minister and Chair of Trustees
Robin Haslam Trustee
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Circuit No: 35/41
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2021
| Note Income Donations 3 Charitable activities Assessments on churches 5 Grants receivable 6 Letting income 4 Total from charitable activities Other Income from Monetary Investments Total income Expenditure Expenditure on activities Grants and donations payable 7 Salaries and associated costs 8 Property 9 District Assessment & Levy 10 Other outgoings 11 Total charitable expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before investment gains/ losses Gains or Losses on property revaluations Net (expenditure)/income before transfers Transfers between funds 21 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2020 - 21 2019-20 General Fund Model Trust Total General Fund Model Trust Total £ £ £ £ £ £ 0 0 0 259,954 259,954 301,020 301,020 0 0 0 26,400 26,400 26,400 26,400 |
|---|---|
| 286,354 286,354 327,420 327,420 |
|
| 109 461 570 421 1,284 1,705 |
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| 286,463 461 286,924 327,841 1,284 329,125 |
|
| 9,410 9,410 9,410 9,410 184,816 184,816 181,709 181,709 46,096 46,096 53,706 53,706 65,324 4,783 70,107 65,484 5,639 71,123 27,312 27,312 9,491 9,491 |
|
| 332,958 4,783 337,741 319,800 5,639 325,439 |
|
| (46,495) (4,322) (50,817) 8,041 (4,355) 3,686 0 0 |
|
| (46,495) (4,322) (50,817) 8,041 (4,355) 3,686 0 0 12,144 (12,144) 0 |
|
| (46,495) (4,322) (50,817) 20,155 (16.469) 3,686 |
|
| 2,266,983 140,051 2,407,034 2,246,828 156,520 2,403,348 |
|
| 2,220,488 135,729 2,356,217 2,266,983 140,051 2,407,034 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All funds are unrestricted. All activities relate to continuing operations.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Circuit No: 35/41
| Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2021 Note Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 14 Total fixed assets Current Assets Debtors (including £0 (2020:£7,000) due in more than one year) 15 Investments with TMCP 16 Central Finance Board Deposits 17 Cash at Bank and in hand 17 Total current assets Current Liabilities Creditors (due in under 1 year) 18 Total current liabilities Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Long Term Liabilities (due after more than one year) 19 Net assets Funds of the Circuit General Fund (Unrestricted) 20.1 Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted) 20.2 Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds |
General Fund: Unrestricted Circuit Model Trust: Unrestricted Restricted Funds Totals 2021 Totals 2020 £ £ £ £ £ 2,162,848 2,162,848 2,162,848 |
|---|---|
| 2,162,848 2,162,848 2,162,848 |
|
| 10,209 10,209 22,917 135,729 135,729 140,051 66,294 66,294 105,789 38,005 38,005 34,928 |
|
| 114,508 135,729 250,237 303,685 |
|
| 56,868 56,868 59,499 |
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| 56,868 56,868 59,499 |
|
| 57,640 135,729 193,369 244,186 |
|
| 2,220,488 135,729 2,356,217 2,407,034 0 0 |
|
| 2,220,488 135,729 0 2,356,217 2,407,034 |
|
| 2,220,488 2,220,488 2,266,983 135,729 135,729 140,051 2,220,488 135,729 2,356,217 2,407,034 0 0 |
|
| 2,220,488 135,729 0 2,356,217 2,407,034 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 7 August 2022 and were signed on their behalf by:
Rev Dr. Stephen Day Superintendent Minister and Chair of Trustees
Robin Haslam Trustee
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2021
1. Basis of accounting and accounting policies
i Basis of preparation of financial statements
- The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102), Financial Reporting Standard 102 and the Charities Act 2011.
ii Public benefit entity
The Croydon Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. It is an unincorporated trust with principal office at West Croydon Methodist Church, 93 London Road, Croydon CR0 2RF.
iii Basis
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.
iv Content
The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £ Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.
v
Going concern
The charity has a reasonable expectation that there are adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no material uncertainties affecting this expectation. It has therefore continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
vi. Funds
General unrestricted funds represent funds which are expendable at the discretion of the Circuit in the furtherance of the objects of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Such funds may be held to finance both working and capital investment.
vii
Consolidation
The Circuit oversees the work of ministers and lay workers in Churches within the Circuit but does not have control over those Churches, ministers or lay workers except in extreme circumstances, none of which were applicable. For this reason, the financial statements of the Churches within the Circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements.
viii Income recognition
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Donations are accounted for gross when received.
Rental income is accounted for on an accruals basis.
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time of volunteers is not recognised. Further information on this matter is provided in the Trustees’ Annual Report.
ix Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2021
x Grants
Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of the agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. When the grant is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision being released for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.
xi VAT
Irrecoverable input VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expense was incurred.
xii Tangible fixed assets
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,500. The freehold property is shown in the accounts at deemed historical cost representing each property’s gross carrying value at 1 September 2015, being that property’s insurance reinstatement value, as notified by Methodist Insurance plc at the previous renewal date. The value of the land element of the property is deemed to be one third of the total carrying value, based on research undertaken by Savills.co.uk. Further information can be found on their website. If acquired after that date and/or where freehold property has subsequently been extended, the cost of acquisition and/or extension is taken. No depreciation is provided because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the properties in their present condition is not less than its historical cost, and, in the absence of any evidence of impairment, any depreciation provision for the buildings component of the properties would be immaterial.
xiii Receivables and Payables; Bank and Cash
Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply, or amount advanced to the Circuit. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit account balances are shown at their realisable values.
xiv Methodist Connexional Funds
The Methodist Church Connexion raises assessments against Circuits and these are paid quarterly to their Districts. The Circuits raise assessments against Churches in the Circuit. The District remits to The Methodist Church Fund quarterly most of the sums received from Circuits. A small sum is retained by the District to meet its own costs.
xv Ministers’ manse costs
The Circuit is required to provide accommodation for each minister in the Circuit and their families and this is seen as a benefit to the Circuit. Ministers are expected to occupy the manse provided for them. The Circuit bears the cost of repairs, maintenance, buildings insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These figures are not separately disclosed as benefits in kind for ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of ministers.
xvi Investment properties
No property is currently deemed to not be held for the long term purposes of the charity.
xvii Financial instruments
The Charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2021
2. Glossary of terms
CFB: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church manages a Common Deposit Fund and a series of pooled investment funds for Methodist entities in Great Britain and provides investment advice to those entities
Church: a group of members from fewer than 10 to more than 300
Circuit: a group of Methodist Churches near each other, typically between 10 and 30
Circuit Meeting: The Trustees of the Circuit, most of whom are appointed by their local Churches and others by virtue of a role they undertake for the Circuit and/or their local Churches.
CMTF: Circuit Model Trust Fund
Connexion: The Methodist Church in GB which includes the Head Office at Methodist Church House, all Methodist Districts, Circuits and Churches in Great Britain
District: a group of contiguous Circuits, usually between 15 and 30
FRS: Financial Reporting Standard
HMRC: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
MCF: Methodist Church Fund
SOFA: Statement of Financial Activities
SORP: Statement of Recommended Practice
TMCP: Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds
3. Income from donations
| Donations | General CMTF Restricted Total 2020 |
|---|---|
| 0 0 0 |
4. Income from other trading activities
Letting income has been received in respect of the following properties:-
| 12, Pollards Hill East Total |
General CMTF Restricted Total 2020 26,400 26,400 26,400 |
|---|---|
| 26,400 26,400 26,400 |
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2021
5. Assessments on Churches
The Circuit comprises 8 churches and each is assessed for a contribution to meet the overall net costs of the Circuit. An Assessment on Churches is determined annually by the Circuit using a formulaic method which takes into account the relative number of members in each church and its relative income.
| Addington Christ Church Downsview Norbury Parchmore Shirley South Norwood West Croydon Total |
General CMTF Restricted Total 2020 24,284 24,284 28,648 38,411 38,411 41,268 44,492 44,492 44,736 6,600 6,600 18,652 27,563 27,563 32,610 56,580 56,580 65,796 33,024 33,024 31,708 29,000 29,000 37,602 |
|---|---|
| 259,954 259,954 301,020 |
The churches are considered to be related parties of the circuit.
6. Grants receivable
No grants were received in 2021 or 2020.
7. Grants and donations payable
Total grants of £9,410 (2020: £9,410) were made from the General Fund to Parchmore Methodist Church (a related party of the circuit) towards community work.
8. Salaries and associated costs
Stipends were paid to 3 presbyters in the year (2020: 3 presbyters), and salaries paid to 3 lay workers (2020: 3 lay workers). The salaries are paid by the Connexion but funded by the Circuit.
The superintendent minister of the circuit, the other presbyters, the lay employees and the circuit stewards and treasurer make up the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) and are considered as key management personnel. The superintendent chairs meetings of the CLT and circuit meetings. The members of the circuit meeting are the trustees of the circuit.
The Presbyters of the circuit undertake the primary executive roles within the circuit. Apart from the three presbyters and the lay employees, who are trustees by virtue of their position, no member of the circuit meeting or CLT was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the circuit although certain travelling and administration costs were incurred in relation to specific projects.
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Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
Key management personnel and total staff costs related to the presbyters and lay employees and were as follows:
| Gross stipends and salaries Employer's National Insurance contributions Employer's pension contributions to defined benefit and contribution schemes Travel expenses Total key management personnel costs Fees paid to supernumerary ministers Telephone and other expenses Computers for Ministry Ministers training Removal expenses Total salaries and associated costs |
2020 – 21 2019 – 20 £ £ 139,352 136,247 12,786 12,119 23,626 23,421 1,042 2,767 |
|---|---|
| 176,806 174,554 1,450 755 3,053 3,227 507 495 0 495 3,000 2,183 |
|
| 184,816 181,709 |
Included in key management personnel costs above are salary and employment-related expenses related to the three non-presbyteral staff by category as follows:
| Gross salaries Employer’s National insurance Pension contributions Travel expenses |
Mission Administration Total 2019 - 20 Lay pastor Youth development 24,916 19,266* 16,045 60,227 57,968 2,228 720 999 3,947 4,572 1,404 568 963 2,935 3,671 636 9 9 654 1,376 |
|---|---|
| 29,184 20,563 18,016 67,763 67,587 |
- Includes redundancy payment made during the year
No employees received employee benefits that totalled more than £60,000. There is no accrual for holiday pay as it is immaterial; the holiday year ends on 31 August. All staff are paid at or above the living wage. The travel costs of Presbyters who attended CLT and circuit meetings is included within their overall travel expenses and is not separately determined.
Pensions
Most ordained presbyters and deacons are members of the Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme (MMPS). This is a defined benefit scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 that Methodist ministers (which term includes presbyters and deacons) are not employees of the Church. For simplicity, however, when dealing with National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions, the terms ‘employer’ and ‘employee’ are used as they would be in an employing body.
On the other hand lay employees are contractually employees and have the option of joining a scheme which the Circuit has arranged with The Pensions Trust. This is a defined contribution scheme and the Circuit contributes as employer to this scheme.
The Connexion accounts for the MMPS in the annual Methodist Church in Great Britain accounts. The MMPS is in deficit but a plan for removal of the deficit has been proposed and is being implemented. Details of the deficit on this scheme can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts of The Methodist Church at www.methodist.org.uk
17
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
9. Property costs
The circuit is Managing Trustee for 7 manses, 6 of which were occupied during the year by presbyters or lay staff serving in the Circuit. One manse, Pollards Hill East, is let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. With the exception of the let manse, the Circuit is responsible for the payment of Council Tax, Utilities, Water Charges, Insurance and maintenance. In addition the Circuit pays a contribution towards the operational costs of the Circuit Office and periodic professional survey fees for the manses and churches in the Circuit. All costs are paid from the General Fund.
| Maintenance - Barnfield Avenue Norbury Avenue The Manse, Huntingfield Pollards Hill East Sefton Road Southern Avenue Letting agents’ fees Council Tax Water charges Insurance Survey fees Total |
2020 – 21 2019 – 20 £ £ 1,337 981 823 13,757 4,420 972 1,429 174 2,800 3,058 10,771 10,564 3,960 3,960 11,848 12,249 1,690 1,686 5,740 5,525 1,278 780 |
|---|---|
| 46,096 53,706 |
10.
District Assessment & Levy
The District Assessment is calculated relative to the proportion of church members and staffing (presbyters and mission staff only) of all Circuits in the London District. 25% of the overall cost is calculated using relative staffing proportions and 75% is calculated using relative membership proportions.
The Levy is calculated on a sliding scale percentage of the Circuit’s CMTF account balance as at 31 August of the accounting year.
| Methodist Church Fund (MCF) District Expenses Levy on CMTF funds Total ther outgoings Preaching and Worship: Circuit plan and directory Other costs: Circuit office Resources Payroll admin cost Subscriptions Miscellaneous Total |
General CMTF Restricted Total 2020 57,166 57,166 53,854 8,158 8,158 11,630 4,783 4,783 5,639 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 65,324 4,783 70,107 71,123 |
||
| General CMTF Restricted Total 2020 195 195 375 1,399 1,399 1,636 2,903 2,903 2,228 480 480 480 397 397 356 21,938 21,938 4,416 |
||
| 27,312 27,312 9,491 |
11. Other outgoings
18
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
12. Payments to trustees
The Circuit does not make payments to trustees other than as disclosed in note 8 above.
13. Governance costs
A fee of £1,176 (2020: £1,140) was charged by the Independent Examiner for the examination of the Circuit’s accounts and accounting records.
14. Circuit manses and equipment
The Circuit Manses are all freehold properties and their value is shown as the deemed historical cost representing each property’s carrying value at 1 September 2015 or acquisition value if purchased after that date (see Note 1 (xii). The cost of extensions to freehold properties since 1 September 2015, or acquisition date if later, are capitalised.
Office equipment consists of one computer in the Circuit Office
14.1 Cost or valuation
| Cost or valuation Balance brought forward at 1 September, at cost Additions in the year Revaluations in the year _Less:_Disposals in the year Gain on sale Balance carried forward |
Office Land Buildings Equipment Total £ £ £ £ 704,100 1,458,748 1,336 2,164,184 |
|---|---|
| 704,100 1,458,748 1,336 2,164,184 |
14.2 Accumulated depreciation
| Accumulated depreciation Balance brought forward at 1 September Depreciation charge for the year Balance carried forward et book value Brought forward Balance carried forward |
Office Land Buildings Equipment Total £ £ £ £ 1,336 1,336 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 1,336 1,336 |
|
| Office Land Buildings Equipment Total £ £ £ £ 704,100 1,458,748 0 2,162,848 |
|
| 704,100 1,458,748 0 2,162,848 |
14.3 Net book value
19
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
15. Debtors and prepayments
Circuit assessment debtors are measured on the basis of the amount expected to be recovered within twelve months. Debtors refer to the General Fund.
| Trade debtors Circuit assessments (net of provisions of £40,383 (2020: £11,350)) Loan to Parchmore Methodist Church (a related party) Prepayments and accrued income Total (net) |
2020 – 21 2019 – 20 £ £ 0 0 0 13,000 10,209 9,917 |
|---|---|
| 10,209 22,917 |
16. Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium and long term investments.
TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference.
17. Central Finance Board (CFB) and Cash at Bank
The Circuit has a current accounts at Barclays Bank plc, an authorised institution. The sums held on those accounts are immediately available. In addition the Circuit has a deposit accounts at CFB, a common deposit fund. Interest is earned on these accounts and credited monthly; the sums deposited can be withdrawn without notice and without loss of interest. These sums are viewed as being liquid.
18. Creditors and accrued expenses
Creditors and accrued expenses refer to the General Fund
| Creditors and accruals Trade Creditors Accruals and deferred income Total Maturity analysis of basic financial instruments Trade creditors Trade Creditors Accruals Total |
2021 2020 £ £ 0 0 56,868 59,499 56,868 59,499 Accrued at Accrual made Accrued at 01-Sep-20 Paid in year in year 31-Aug-21 0 0 0 0 59,499 (59,499) 56,868 56,868 |
|---|---|
| 59,499 (59,499) 56,868 56,868 |
It is expected that all sums accrued at 31 August 2021 will be paid during the year to 31 August 2022.
20
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2021
19. Long Term Liabilities
The Circuit has no long term liabilities as at 31 August 2021 (2020: £Nil)
20. Unrestricted Funds
20.1 General Fund – balance £2,220,488 at 31 August 2021 (2020: £2,266,983)
The purpose of the fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Circuit and which have not been designated for other purposes. About 97% of this fund is held as freehold properties. During the year £9,410 was paid out as grants and donations from the General Fund.
20.2 Circuit Model Trust Fund – balance £135,729 at 31 August 2021 (2020: £140,051)
The purpose of the fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Circuit. Its main source of income is the contributions from the sale of manses in the Circuit.
Although this is technically an Unrestricted Fund under the control of the Circuit Meeting, prior approval is still required from the District to utilise these funds. Methodist Standing Orders 930, 913 and 917(2) are applicable.
21. Summary of movements on significant individual funds
| Fund General Fund Circuit Model Trust Fund Total Funds Fund General Fund Circuit Model Trust Fund Total Funds |
Balance at Balance at 01-Sep-20 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Aug-21 £ £ £ £ £ 2,266,983 286,463 (332,958) 0 2,220,488 140,051 461 (4,783) 0 135,729 |
|---|---|
| 2,407,034 286,924 (337,741) 0 2,356,217 |
|
| Balance at Balance at 01-Sep-19 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Aug-20 £ £ £ £ £ 2,246,828 327,841 (319,800) 12,114 2,266,983 156,520 1,284 (5,639) (12,114) 140,051 |
|
| 2,403,348 329,125 (325,439) 0 2,407,034 |
Transfers from the Circuit Model Trust Fund were to facilitate major repairs to circuit manses.
22. Volunteer contributions
Every entity (Connexion, District, Circuit, Church) within the Methodist Church in GB is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills, time and money in the furtherance of the work of the Church. Principally this contribution is by serving on committees of the Circuit that deal with mission, manses, finance, policy, grants, training, development. We are grateful to all of them for their help and commitment.
21
Croydon Methodist Circuit
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2021
23. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities
There were no capital commitments at the year end (2020: £nil). The circuit had contingent liabilities of £7,000 at the year end (2020: £7,000) representing grants awarded subject to conditions which had not yet been met at that date.
24. Lease Commitments
The Circuit has contracts or obligations for the following:-
There are short term obligations for telephones and ancillary equipment at the Circuit Office. The total annual cost in not considered material.
22
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Croydon Methodist Circuit l pOrt to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Croydon Methodist Circuit (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages 1110 22. Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity's Iruslees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'lhe Acl'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Church's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dire¢lion$ gnien by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examlnevs statement Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have Come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respeel.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form an¢J conlenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Aceounls and Report) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which 15 not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach Paul Newton FCA Jacob Cavenagh & Skeet 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SM12SW Date.. 8 August 2022 23