Leicester Trinity Circuit
ACCOUNTS
Year ended 31 August 2024
Registered Charity No. 1129943
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Introduction
This is the fifteenth annual report produced by the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit since its registration as a separate charity and aims to fully share a review of the activities of the circuit during 2023/4 while also meeting all the legal requirements for formal reporting.
Mission Statement
The Leicester Trinity Circuit aims to inspire and enable its people to love and serve God, made known to us in Christ, throughout churches and communities.
Circuit Steward’s Letter of Greeting
The connexional year began on 1st September 2023, with. The staff team of four full-time presbyters (Paula, Liam, Israel, and Frances), one Deacon (Sharon) and four part-time presbyters (Derek, Helen, Kate, and Ivan) had a wealth of experience and complementary talents, providing strength to the leadership of the life of the circuit.
Rev Frances Ballantyne was welcomed to the Circuit at the start of the year, as minister of 5 churches in the south of the Circuit. Rev Frances was diagnosed with a serious illness at the very beginning of her ministry with us. Her health deteriorated through the year and she died in June 2024. It is with great sadness that we reflect that Frances was not able to develop her ministry in our Circuit and that her time with us was so short. Our thoughts are with her husband, David.
Rev Helen White was appointed on a one year part-time post and provided invaluable service as the Circuit moved into Stationing for new ministers to start in September 2024 to replace the Superintendent, Rev Paula Hunt at the end of her term of office and Rev Israel Selvanayagam who was retiring. The Stationing process proved successful, with three new ministers appointed to start in September 2024: Rev Andrew Farrington, as the new Superintendent, Rev Kim Alexander, who moved to the Circuit from South Africa and Rev Christopher Andam, who moved to the Circuit from Ghana. The Circuit was also able to appoint Rev Ivan Bennett to a full time appointment, having
previously worked part time for the Circuit. Ministerial resources were therefore short in 2023/4, with sabbaticals further stretching resource.
Regular staff meetings provide the ministerial team with a time of fellowship and bonding as a team. It is in these meetings that they share stories of what is happening in their respective churches, encouraging each other through prayer and studying the scriptures. The circuit stewards, together with the presbyters, meet quarterly as the Circuit Leadership Team, continuing to explore our circuit mission.
Leicester Trinity Circuit is the largest circuit in the Northampton district. In the year beginning September 2023, there were 18 churches spanning a large area of Leicester and its neighbouring villages in the county.
The Circuit completed the sale of Harrison Road church in September 2023, this church having closed for worship in 2019. The proceeds of sale and levy paid are shown in these accounts. The decision was made to purchase a new manse for the incoming minister as a reallocation of churches between ministers meant there was a need for a manse in the south of the Circuit. The Circuit rented out two manses for much of 2023/4, these manses being empty awaiting new ministers. The Circuit continues to rent out the former manse on Victoria Park Road to students. Renting unused properties continues to provide a valuable support to the income of the Circuit. The decision was taken to put the Clumber Road manse up for sale once the retiring minister moved out in September 2024.
We invite you to pray for our circuit and those who have been elected to take leadership roles in different areas of our circuit, as we continue to support our churches and congregations.
Yours sincerely
Peter Holdridge
Circuit Steward Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit
Activities
The Circuit is the primary unit in Methodism, and the Leicester Trinity Circuit is comprised of 18 churches. Coordinating resources and acting as a forum, the circuit creatively explores Methodism’s ‘Our Calling’ through:
-
worship:
-
learning and caring
-
service
-
evangelism
in order to enable effective sharing in God’s mission.
-
The Leicester Trinity Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure that regular acts of worship take place at each of its churches (two of which are Local Ecumenical Partnerships) and at Aigburth Methodist Home. We bring together all the Churches within the Circuit for worship and fellowship at least once in each quarter
-
Church Safeguarding Officers attend a Circuit Safeguarding Forum twice a year and Safeguarding Training courses are arranged as required for new appointees and when updated sessions are made available.
-
The circuit is directly involved in chaplaincy work at the University of Leicester.
Summary of Activities
a) Bringing together all the Churches within the Circuit for worship and fellowship.
b) Safeguarding Training courses have taken place.
c) The Circuit continues to maintain Ecumenical links encouraging opportunities for joint worship, study, mission and social action.
d) The use of the spare Manse set up as a Student House continues to be a success.
e) The Circuit maintains efficient use of human and financial resources to maximise mission in the local areas and maintain a healthy Circuit.
f) Training for Local Preachers and Worship Leaders.
Income trends
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. The increase in total assessment was 2% compared to the previous year and was allocated between churches in accordance with the established formula. The rental income relates to the former manse on Victoria Park Road, Leicester, which is currently let to students and two other manses which were empty awaiting new ministers who moved in in August 2024. The increase in interest rates led to an increase in income from this source.
Expenditure trends
Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved increases. The Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church, amounts to 16.2% of unrestricted expenditure. The other expenditure includes regular maintenance work on the various manses. Substantial work was carried out at the Brooksby Close manse, where long-standing problems needed to be resolved and above normal expenditure was incurred at other manses. It was agreed by Circuit to take the manse costs in excess of budget from the CMTF.
Loans and Grants to Churches in the Circuit
Details of loans and grants to churches are shown in notes 13 and 17. New loans were made to Uppingham Road to assist with cash flow for major work relating to the heating system and to Mayflower for various maintenance items. The Circuit supported those churches that had major repair items at their buildings by contributing a percentage of the cost. The Circuit also agreed to pay for the cost of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) surveys for those churches that identified that they were at risk of having RAAC in their buildings. It was to the relief of all that no church found RAAC in their premises. Requests for grants and loans are considered by the Circuit Finance & Property Committee who make recommendations to Circuit Meeting.
Fund balances
As at 31 August 2024 the net current assets on the Unrestricted Fund (excluding the Circuit Model Trust Fund) of the Circuit were £227,697, giving 5.7 months cover for expenditure. This is in line with the Reserves Policy of 4 months.
Plans for 2024/25
Circuit financial plans for the coming year were prepared on the basis that there would be six full time and two half time ordained staff with anticipated cost of living stipend increases. The Circuit agreed that half the costs of the Deacon would be taken from reserves in 2024/5 and one third of the costs of Rev Ivan Bennett be taken from reserves. The remaining total expenditure meant that the total assessment would increase by 2% subject to a cap for those churches for whom this would have meant an increase in their payment of more than 10%.
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRSSE) 2015
Full Name of Charity: Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit
Registration Charity Number: 1129943
Date of registration: 2nd June 2009
Main communication address: Circuit Office, Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS.
The members of the Leicester Trinity Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.
Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
Circuit Ministers and Officers during the year 2023/24 were as follows:
Active Circuit Ministers
Rev. Frances Ballantyne (died 5 June 2024) Rev. Ivan Bennett Rev Kate Cook (retired 31 August 2024) Rev. Liam Dacre-Davis Deacon Sharon Dilley Rev. Paula Hunt (Superintendent Minister, moved Circuit 31 August 2024) Rev Derek McLean Rev. Israel Selvanayagam (retired 31 August 2024) Rev. Helen White (moved Circuit 31 August 2024)
Circuit Stewards
Charles Hilton (until 12 June 2024) Peter Holdridge Pedzisai Katsande Julie Manning Joy Pick (until 12 June 2024) Howard Smith (from 12 June 2024)
Circuit Administrator, Laurie Rowell
Peter Holdridge was the Circuit Steward overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Circuit.
Independent Examiner: David Briscoe, 11 De Montfort Road, Hinckley, LE10 1LQ.
Bankers: The Co-Operative Bank plc.
Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
Aims and organisation
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
c) Any charitable purpose for the time being 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 to The Methodist Church
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike. The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Taking religious assemblies in local schools. Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.
Public Benefit
We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Methodist Church is open to all.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by
order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers and Worship leaders Meeting and the Circuit Stewards Meeting.
Trustee Training
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the Northampton District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit:
Birstall, Bishop Street, Blaby, Christchurch LEP, Cosby, Countesthorpe, Edgehill Road, Great Glen, Houghton-on-theHill, Mayflower, Nativity LEP, Oadby, Rothley, South Wigston, Syston, Uppingham Road, Wesley Hall and Wigston Magna.
Risk Management
The Leicester Trinity 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. The Trustees have examined the major strategic business and operational risks which the Charity faces, and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to monitor these risks.
Income and Expenditure is regularly monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
• the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
• We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
The Leicester Trinity Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
The Leicester Trinity 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.
Reserves Policy
The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold in the cash balances of the Unrestricted Fund a minimum sum equivalent to four months’ average unrestricted expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches.
Leicester Trinity Circuit Registered Charity No. 1129943
Trustees during the year ended 31 August 2024 (it will be noted that some people qualify as trustees under both a Church and Circuit role).
MINISTERS
Rev. Frances Ballantyne (died 5 June 2024) Rev. Ivan Bennett Rev. Kate Cook Rev. Liam Dacre-Davis Deacon Sharon Dilley Rev. Paula Hunt * Rev. Derek McLean Rev. Israel Selvanayagam * Rev. Helen White *
SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS
Rev. Tony Pick Rev. Gordon Webb
CIRCUIT STEWARDS
Charles Hilton * Peter Holdridge Pedzisai Katsande Julie Manning Joy Pick *
Howard Smith **
OTHER OFFICERS
Richard Cawthorn (Local Preachers & Worship Leaders Secretary) Michael Elliott (Safeguarding Officer) Mary Gill (Methodist Women in Britain representative) Jo Kay (Local Preachers representative) Howard Smith (Action for Children) Jennifer Weston (Secretary of Circuit Meeting)
CIRCUIT CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES
BIRSTALL
Mary Downs Joan Pearson Andrew Webster Sue Wheeler
BISHOP STREET
Martin Briers Margaret Byron * Mary Gill Tony Moore
BLABY
Sandra Amey Ann Lowther Jean Thornton
CHRISTCHURCH LEP
Andrew Curry Jennifer Whillis ** Chris Whitford Lawrence Whittaker
COSBY
Pauline Bott Val Kenning Claire Orton
COUNTESTHORPE
Ruth Findley Barry Hillyard Peter Holdridge
EDGEHILL ROAD
Brian Pearson Stephen Thompson
Laurane Webbe
GREAT GLEN
June Murray Rev. Gordon Webb
HOUGHTON-ON-THE-HILL
Neil Crutchley Sheila Hearn ** Mary Moore ** Jackie Ward * Terry Ward *
MAYFLOWER
Elizabeth Dunn Graham Tomkinson Ros Vernon
NATIVITY LEP
Patricia Ewen Chris Garner Peter Sercombe
OADBY
Barbara Bell David Frost Suzanne Kelly * Diane Price Howard Smith Barry Wilford *
ROTHLEY
Christine Hall Carole Jordan Sue Wainwright
SOUTH WIGSTON
Mary Bryceland Margaret Edwards ** Trevor Mildred
SYSTON
Sheila McGowan Trevor Solway Alan Talbot Ray Young *
UPPINGHAM ROAD
Michael Holt Eunice Koroma Julie Manning
WESLEY HALL
Cashita Charles Ornette Maynard * Peter Weston Jenny de Young *
WIGSTON MAGNA
Ian Chapman Jenny Gilbert Peter Wilson
- Resigned/Deceased during the year ** From part way through the year
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024
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Total Total
2023 - 2024 2022 - 23
£ £ £ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
- -
Donations plus gift aid and legacies
Charitable activities - -
Assessments to churches 4 419,418 419,418 418,805
Other 550 235 785 -
- -
Other trading activities
- -
- Lettings
- Hub Café - - -
Investments 6 53,950 22,681 124 76,755 37,060
- - - -
Other - CPF levy refund
Total 473,918 22,681 359 - 496,958 455,865
Expenditure on:
Stipends, NIC & Pension costs 12 271,566 271,566 251,261
Lay salaries, NIC & Pension costs 12 15,317 15,317 24,733
District Assessment 15,078 1,646 16,724 11,763
Methodist Church Fund 11 62,648 - 62,648 63,263
Telephone & travel 18,436 18,436 15,846
Insurance, utilities, etc 25,369 25,369 27,875
Maintenance on manses 35,000 51,620 86,620 64,839
Expenditure on other Circuit property 12,376 12,376 5,113
- -
Depreciation
-
Other Expenditure 10,510 (8) 10,502 12,660
Grants and Donations 13 12,637 - - 12,637 8,329
Hub Café 131 131 193
Contributions to District Advance Fund - - -
-
479,068 53,266 (8) 532,326 485,875
Net income/(expenditure) (5,150) (30,585) 367 - (35,368) (30,010)
Other recognised gains / (losses):
- - -
Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of fixed
Other - Profit on sale of property 8 - 405,416 405,416 415,786
-
Gains/(Losses) on investment assets 1,219 1,219 (486)
Transfers between funds - - - - - -
Net movement in funds (5,150) 376,050 367 0 371,267 385,290
Reconciliation of funds:
-
Total funds brought forward 2,855,483 102,803 2,193 2,960,479 2,575,189
Total funds carried forward 2,850,333 478,853 2,560 - 3,331,746 2,960,479
Notes to the accounts Unrestricted funds CMTF (Unrestricted) Restricted Funds Endowment Funds
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Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024
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Unrestricted Circuit Model Restricted Endowment Total Total
Trust Fund Funds 2023-2024 2022-2023
(Unrestricted)
£ £ £ £ £ £
Tangible Fixed Assets
Notes
Land & Buildings 14 2,272,446 2,272,446 2,272,446
Equipment 0 -
Investment properties 14 350,190 350,190 350,190
Investments 15 - 23,916 23,916 22,698
- -
Total fixed assets 2,622,636 23,916 2,646,552 2,645,334
Current Assets
Debtors and Prepayments 16 20,939 0 20,939 30,649
Loans by the Circuit 17 51,758 51,758 45,108
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes deposits 67,060 403,179 470,239 43,188
Central Finance Board Deposits 187,669 2,560 190,229 245,871
Cash at Bank and in hand 13,508 0 13,508 16,147
Total current assets 289,176 454,937 2,560 0 746,673 380,963
Creditors and Accruals (due in under
1 yr) 18 61,479 61,479 65,818
-
Net current assets (liabilities) 227,697 454,937 2,560 685,194 315,145
Total assets less current liabilities 2,850,333 478,853 2,560 - 3,331,746 2,960,479
Loans and creditors due after 1 year
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Net assets 2,850,333 478,853 2,560 - 3,331,746 2,960,479
Funds of the Circuit
Unrestricted funds 19 2,850,333 2,850,333 2,855,483
Circuit Model Trust Fund
(Unrestricted) 19 478,853 478,853 102,803
Restricted funds 19 2,560 2,560 2,193
Endowment funds - -
Total Funds 2,850,333 478,853 2,560 0 3,331,746 2,960,479 371,267
2855483 102803 2193 2,960,479
2413316 115294 6886 2428252
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Notes to the Accounts
1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2015 version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102 – the Charities SORP (FRS102) and taking note of the Update Bulletin 2 issued in 2018.
2 Funds The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the Circuit which are Unrestricted. The Circuit Model Trust Fund has wide purposes defined in Standing Orders and is categorised as unrestricted. Restricted funds which are held for a narrower purpose . There are no Endowment funds. Details of each material fund are disclosed in the note 19 to these accounts. Any fund may be represented by more than just cash. 3 Accounting policies
Basis
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year and manses and investment properties are held at their value at 31 August 2018. The accruals basis has been used to show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.
Income Recognition
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Circuit becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Resources Expended
This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Circuit to pay out resources. Grants Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. VAT
Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.
Tangible fixed assets for use by the Circuit
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £500. The freehold properties are shown in the accounts at the 31 August 2018 market value , of which the land component is deemed to be £224,085. No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse buildings (on the assumption that it had not reached the end of its useful economic life by the year-end) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The properties have been reviewed for impairment. Investment Properties
Investment properties - no property is currently deemed to not be held for the long term purposes of the charity. Investment property is valued on the same basis as non investment properties.
Investments
Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the SOFA.
Connexional Property Fund levies
The levy taken by the Methodist Connection on the sale of property is accounted for as an expense on the basis that the return of this levy to the Circuit is conditional on making an eligible purchase of property within the required time period and this can not be judged as significantly likely if not made in the same financial year.
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Assessments paid by Churches
2024 2023
£ £
Birstall 37,154 38,916
Bishop Street 30,048 29,305
Blaby 16,425 15,026
Christchurch 35,621 41,722
Cosby 13,473 12,248
Countesthorpe 13,447 14,107
Edgehill Road 5,183 4,712
Great Glen 16,027 15,201
Harrison Road 9,250 0
Houghton 5,237 4,761
Mayflower 17,066 20,430
Nativity 8,711 7,919
Oadby 55,106 53,786
Rothley 5,494 5,359
South Wigston 23,855 24,229
Syston 36,580 38,835
Uppingham Road 20,488 18,625
Wesley Hall 23,575 26,017
Wigston Magna 46,678 47,607
Total 419,418 418,805
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4 Assessments paid by Churches
The assessment is allocated between churches according to a formula based on the income and reserves of each church and the membership and Sunday attendance at each church.
Harrison Road church closed for worship in 2019 and the building was sold in 203. There were funds remaining in the church bank account at that time, which were used to pay part of the assessment that had been due in 2019.
5 Hub Café
The Hub Café is a Circuit project providing a Café on the premises of Syston Methodist Church. The Circuit provided initial funding of £50,000 for this project in 2016. The Café closed at the start of the pandemic and has not yet reopened, so it did not trade in 2023/24.
6 Investment income
| Investment income | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Circuit Model Trust Fund |
Restricted |
2024 Total |
2023 Total |
||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Central Finance Board | ||||||
| Interest | 11,786 | 124 | 11,910 | 7,717 | ||
| Rental income | 42,164 | - | - | 42,164 | 27,273 | |
| TMCP Dividend and | ||||||
| Interest | - | 22,681 | 0 |
22,681 | 2,070 | |
| Total | 53,950 | 22,681 | 124 | 76,755 | 37,060 |
The former manse at Victoria Park Road is being let on commercial terms to students to provide rental income to support the charitable work of the Circuit. Two other manses in the Circuit were empty in the year pending the arrival of new ministers and these properties were also let.
7 CPF Levy Refund
| Connexional Property Fund - refund | 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ - - |
|---|---|
When the Circuit sells property a proportion of the sales value is taken by the Methodist Connexional Property Fund as a levy. If the Circuit makes an equivalent purchase of property within the required time period then this levy is refunded. No such transactions have occurred in the last two years.
8 Profit on Sale of Property
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2023 24 2022 23
£ £ £
Sale price of the property 640,000 640,000 662,200
Cost of sale
Other expenses of sale 600 600 1,160
Legal fees 3,306 3,306 6,797
Net proceeds of sale 636,094 654,243
Book value of property - -
Net profit on sale 636,094 654,243
CPF (Connexional Priority Fund) Levy 230,678 238,457
Profit on sale net of CPF levy 405,416 415,786
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Harrison Road church was sold on 5th September 2023, the church having closed for worship in 2020. Claremont Street church was sold on 10th March 2023, the church having also closed for worship in 2020. The CPF levy was taken from the sale proceeds by TMCP in accordance with Methodist practice. This sum would theoretically be repayable to the Circuit should a qualifying project be accepted by TMCP within the timescale required. This is not considered likely.
9 Payment to Trustees
The Trustees who are also Presbyteral or Diaconal Ministers of the Circuit were paid stipends in line with the Methodist Church scale (as shown in note 12) and were also reimbursed their expenses incurred in connection with their work. There were no payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit.
The amount of expenses reimbursed to Ministers during the year were
| 2024 | 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |
| £ | £ | |
| 10,537 | 12,518 |
10 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
Fees paid in respect of the Independent Examination amounted to £288 (2023: £288).
11 Methodist Church Fund
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted | 62,648 | 63,263 | |
| Total | 62,648 | 63,263 |
The unrestricted amount is the annual contribution to Methodist Church Funds.
- 12 Stipends, salaries, NIC & Pension costs
Staff Costs paid during the year were:
| Stipends, salaries, NIC & Pension costs Staff Costs paid during the year were: |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 |
|
| Ministerial Stipends | Total | Total |
| £ | £ | |
| Stipends | 200,667 | 187,033 |
| Employer’s National Insurance | 16,973 | 16,171 |
| Apprenticeship levy | 1,479 | 933 |
| Pension costs | 52,447 | 47,124 |
| Total staff costs | 271,566 | 251,261 |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lay employees | Total | Total | ||
| £ | £ | |||
| Gross wages | 14,457 | 22,568 | ||
| Employer’s National Insurance costs | 169 | 609 | ||
| Apprenticeship levy | 72 | 202 | ||
| Pension costs | 619 | 1,354 | ||
| Total staff costs | 15,317 | 24,733 |
The Salaries, Stipends, NIC and Pension Costs item relates to four full time presbyters (one of whom passed away in June 2024), two part time presbyters, one full time deacon, one supernumerary minister employed part-time and one Anglican priest employed part-time until June when they were employed full time. The lay employee amounts relate to, one part time lay worker and one part time pastoral worker.
Average number of ministerial and lay staff employed during the year were:
11 11
13 Grants and Donations
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2024 2023
Total Total
Unrestricted £ £
University of Leicester Chaplaincy 1,500 1,250
Circuit Model Trust Fund
Birstall Methodist Church 664 -
Bishop Street Methodist Church 930 -
Blaby Methodist Church - 275
Christchurch Methodist Church 826 -
Cosby Methodist Church 570 -
Great Glen Methodist Church 402 -
Mayflower Methodist Church 850 -
Oadby Methodist Church 1,367 300
South Wigston Methodist Church 685 -
Syston Methodist Church 500 -
Uppingham Road Methodist Church 3,658 -
Wesley Hall Methodist Church 685 6,504
12,637 8,329
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14 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or valuation
| Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or valuation |
|||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | fixed | ||||||||||||||||
| assets | Payments on | ||||||||||||||||
| including | Fixtures, | account | and | ||||||||||||||
| Investment | motor | fittings | and | assets under | |||||||||||||
| Residential Land | Other | Land | Manses | Properties | vehicles | equipment | construction | Total | |||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Balance brought | |||||||||||||||||
| forward | 224,085 | - | 2,048,361 | 350,190 | - | - | - | 2,622,636 | |||||||||
| Additions | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Revaluations (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Disposals (-) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
| Transfers * (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Balance carried | |||||||||||||||||
| forward | 224,085 | - | 2,048,361 | 350,190 | - | - | - | 2,622,636 | |||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance brought | |||||||||||||||||
| forward | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Depreciation charge | |||||||||||||||||
| for year (-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Revaluations (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Disposals (-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Transfers* (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Balance carried | |||||||||||||||||
| forward | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| Net book value | |||||||||||||||||
| Brought forward | 224,085 | - | 2,048,361 | 350,190 | - | - | - | 2,622,636 | |||||||||
| Carried forward | 224,085 | - | 2,048,361 | 350,190 | - | - | - | 2,622,636 |
The investment property is in Victoria Park Road, Leicester, which is a former manse that is rented out to University students. The other manses are in Brooksby Close, Oadby, Clumber Road, Leicester, Gartree Road, Leicester, Laverstock Road, Wigston, Saville Road, Blaby, Exeter Close, Syston and The Crossways, Birstall.
The manse at Gartree Road was let in April 2023 on a 12 month lease, pending the arrival of a new minister in 2024 and the manse at Exeter Close was let in September 2024 on a 6 month lease, also pending its use on the arrival of a new minister in September 2024. Ministers moved into both properties in August 2024, so both continue to be classed as manses rather than investment properties.
By accounting convention, Churches are not included in Circuit accounts, albeit that the Circuit does receive the proceeds of sale, subject to the levy taken by Connexion.
15 Investments
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| TMCP | Managed | Mixed | Fund | 23,916 | 22,698 | |
| Total | 23,916 | 22,698 |
This is a Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) investment fund valued at market value at the year end.
16 Debtors and Prepayments
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2024 2023
Total Total
£ £
Stipends paid monthly in advance 19,037 20,983
Prepayments 1,902 9,666
Total 20,939 30,649
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Stipends are paid monthly in advance and so there is a prepayment of September's stipend, which was paid in August. Prepayments relate to maintenance contracts paid in advance.
17 Loans
Details of the outstanding interest free loans made to Circuit Churches are:-
| Detailed analysis for 20 Birstall Bishop Street Mayflower Rothley Syston Uppingham Road Total Loans Outstanding Last |
New Loans This Year Balance Carried Forward £51,758 22-2023: Loan Outstanding Last Year New Loans This Year Balance Carried Forward £ £ 21,800 16,400 13,000 13,000 - 1,650 5,144 4,544 382 382 4,782 15,782 45,108 51,758 Repayments This Year £ £ - 5,400 Year Repayments This Year £45,108 13,800 £7,150 - 600 - - 1,800 150 - - 12,000 1,000 13,800 7,150 |
|---|---|
- 18 Creditors due in less than one year
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2024 2023
Total Total
£ £
Church Assessments received in advance 34,449 34,181
Other creditors 5,383 14,712
Connexional Funds 21,647 16,925
Total 61,479 65,818
Church assessments are collected monthly in advance and so there is deferred income of September's assessments
received in August.
Other creditors comprise the reimbursement of expenses due to Ministers for the final quarter of the year and other
invoices due for the year but not paid until after the year end.
Detailed analysis of individual fund movements 2023 - 2024
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted Fund Opening Balance £ Income £ Expenditure £ Transfers Gains / Closing Purpose of the fund
Name £ (losses) £ Balance £
General 2,855,483 473,918 479,068 - - 2,850,333 [General purposes]
Circuit Model Trust 102,803 22,681 53,266 - 406,635 478,853 [General purposes]
Totals 2,958,286 496,599 532,334 - 406,635 3,329,186
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19 Detailed analysis of individual fund movements 2023 - 2024
Money was designated for manse repairs in previous years and transferred to a TMCP (Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes) bank account for this purpose. A significant amount of work was carried out in the year at two of the manses to bring them back to a good state of repair. It was agreed by Circuit Meeting that the excess total cost over over budget for the year would be taken from this fund and £51,620 was so charged.
The net proceeds of sale on Harrison Road church was added to the TMCP account in the year.
Restricted Funds
| Restricted Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Fund Name Circuit Youth Fund Circuit Mission Fund Circuit Training Fund Manse Removal Fund Charging points Circuit Support Fund |
Opening Balance £ Income £ Expenditure £ Transfers £ 2,436 124 - - 208 - 208 - (533) - (533) - - 235 235 - 82 - 82 - - - - - |
Closing Balance £ 2,560 - - -Manse Removal Fund - - 2,560 Purpose of the fund Circuit Youth Work Circuit Mission Work Circuit Training Financial support for Circuit |
| Totals | 2,193 359 (8) - |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Leicester Trinity Circuit Charity Number 1129943 Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the account5 of the Leicester Trinity Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 11 to 18. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Name of Circuit Leicester Trinity Circuit No 2317 Independent Examiner's Statement The Circuit's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Chartered Institutes of Management Accountants. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connettion with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act: or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination the trustees, annual report is not consistent with the accounts. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 {ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of Independent Examiner....... Name of independent examiner: D J Briscoe ACMA Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner CIMA Name of firm: AIMS Accountants For Business Address 2024 11 De Montfort Road, Hinckley, LEIO ILQ.