OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← South Devon Circuit Of The Methodist Church

2024-08-31-accounts

The Methodist Church Standard form of Accounts and Trustees Annual Report (Circuit Receipts and Payments)

South Devon Methodist Circuit For the Year ended 31 August 2024

Ministers

Revd. Daniel Haylett (to 31 August 2024) Revd. Kevin Hooke (from 1[st] September 2024) Mrs. Rachel Mitchell

Circuit Stewards

Mr. Robert Hamblin Mrs. Susan Morgan

Treasurer

Mrs. Rachel Mitchell

Circuit number 24/10

Part of the Plymouth & Exeter Methodist District Charity Registration number 1132517

Charity number:1132517

South Devon Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report

for the year ended 31st August 2024

Objectives and Activities

The calling of our churches and Circuit is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. We understand that we are not engaging in our mission but participating in God's mission to all people, in partnership with others and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We do this through:

Worship and Learning

This year we have continued to support the churches in the Circuit and those who worship with them. Alongside our “in person” services we have continued to provide home worship sheets for those unable to join us for worship. We hope that this will enable everyone to still feel part of our church family.

As well as our usual Sunday and Home Worship services, other opportunities we now offer to help ourselves and others encounter God include:

In addition, we offered reflections and teaching on the first half of Genesis throughout June, using our own “Bible Month” resources as the basis of our worship over a six week period.

1

Charity number:1132517

Caring for One Another

We have continued to distribute pastoral letters by post and email monthly this year. These continue to be well received and our thanks go to our Lay Minister (Rachel Mitchell), other ministers and Local Preachers for all the care, thought and prayer that has gone into preparing them.

We also take every opportunity to care for each other. However, with aging congregations and fewer people, the care we can offer is limited. So, we do what we can and are ready to be signposts to other sources of help when we are not able to offer all that is needed.

As part of our caring for one another and those around us, we continue to support our volunteers and ask that they are suitably checked and trained in Safeguarding. We recognise the importance of ensuring we are all aware of our responsibilities to keep everyone safe (including our volunteers) and to ensure our volunteers know where to seek further advice, if the need arises.

All our active local preachers and others in our leadership teams renewed their Advanced Safeguarding training in June 2024, when we were pleased to host a district safeguarding course.

Other Activities that benefit our communities

We have done all we are able to support our churches and encourage them to offer what they can to their communities. We have also continued to work with groups who regularly use our buildings, to enable them to continue their activities safely. These activities include:

Achievements and Performance

We have regularly provided people to lead worship in all our churches and continued to be part of the district initiative which shares responsibility for Home Worship Sheets. We also continue to encourage the stewards in our churches to take responsibility for some acts of worship during the year, giving thanks for the way many people have been encouraged through them. Our thanks also go to our local preachers (accredited and in training) who have offered their time and skills so generously.

In September 2023 we chose “The Leprosy Mission” as our charity for 2024. We have taken time to learn about all they do and encouraged our members to pray for them. A mixture of fundraising and donations from churches and a circuit donation have meant that, by 31 August 2024, we had sent them £4068 to support their life-changing work. A further £1551 has been raised since the end of August, making the total raised £5619. We give thanks for all they do to help some of the most forgotten people of our world today.

We have continued to think about how we can better connect with the people on the edges of our worshipping communities and started to think more intentionally about our connections with the wider Methodist church family too. We recognised that, as a very small circuit, and having recently said goodbye to some key voluntary personnel, we may may need to work more closely with one or more neighbouring circuits if we are to offer our churches the support they need.

2

Charity number:1132517

Alongside this, our superintendent minister, Revd. Dan Haylett (who is also our district chair) confirmed he would not be able to continue in his circuit role after the end of August 2024. After due consideration the Circuit leadership were pleased to invite Revd. Kevin Hooke to replace him as our superintendent minister from September 2024. Kevin is already the superintendent minister for the Teignbridge circuit and will continue in that role, alongside being our superintendent.

To better support our churches, the circuit leadership have also decided to explore how these two circuits can work more closely with each other and whether a merger might be of value to both circuits. This will be one of the major considerations for the circuit leadership in the year to come.

There have been no other changes to the circuit staffing, or their responsibilities. By covering many of the administrative tasks of the churches and circuit, our paid staff continue to focus on freeing up time for our churches and members to care for one another and those around them, in Jesus’ name.

Our special thanks go to everyone who has continued to give time, prayer, and financial support to the circuit, especially those who have continued whilst also battling their own health issues. We hope and pray that 2024/5 will bring more stability on both an individual basis and as a circuit, allowing us all to move forward into the future with confidence and hope.

Financial Review

The accounts of the Circuit are prepared on a receipts and payments basis.

Receipts for the year totaled £82,031 (2023:81,059). This includes:

Payments for the year totaled £81,427 (2023: £64,355). A very significant part of this increase relates to the delayed payment of grants and donations to our circuit charity, resulting in two years charity fundraising and donations being accounted for in 2024. There were also significant increases in salary costs and property costs. Included are:

Overall, this year there was a surplus of £604 (2023: £16,704).

We have now released all our small historic restricted funds and paid the capital to the beneficiaries identified, which include Kingsbridge Methodist Church and the Methodist World Mission Fund.

At the end of the year, our total cash funds amounted to £161,237 (2023: £160,633).

Reserves

The Reserves Policy indicates that the Circuit should hold the equivalent of at least six months expenditure (£40,714). Alongside this we also hold a Property Reserve for major works to buildings of £50,000; a Redundancy Reserve of £8,790; a Property Maintenance Fund of £9,580 and a Mission Reserve of £5,000 (so

3

Charity number:1132517

that we can fulfil our current commitments). This indicates we should maintain reserves of approximately £114K.

At the year end, the Trustees were aware that our current unrestricted reserves were in excess of the Reserves Policy by approximately £47K and are continuing to review how to best use the funds we hold, whilst continuing to operate within the aims of the Circuit. One way in which we will be using some of these funds is to cover the future costs of our new superintendency arrangement. In 2024/5 this will be in the region of £5000.

Plans for the Future

We continue to consider how we, as a Circuit, can best celebrate God in our communities and respond to the needs we see, both locally and further afield. By making best use of the resources we have, we aim to enable our churches, and the people connected with them, to thrive and grow closer to God.

Overall, we hope that we will continue to offer our distinctive “Methodist” Christianity in Chillington, Kingsbridge and Hope Cove, recognising that this may mean we need to collaborate with others.

We move forward in faith.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Circuit is led by the Circuit Leadership Team which is made up of ministerial and lay members, supported by our part-time Administrator. During 2023/24 the ministerial staff were:

Alongside the ministerial staff, the Circuit is reliant on church members who have voluntarily taken on significant roles within the leadership of the Circuit. Special thanks are expressed to Mr. Robert Hamblin and Mrs. Susan Morgan for their ongoing involvement as Circuit Stewards and our Circuit Meeting Secretary Mrs. Helen Hibbard, who are all valued members of our Circuit Leadership Team. Grateful thanks also go to Mrs. Elizabeth Paisley who represents Chillington.

The Leadership Team is answerable to the Circuit Meeting.

The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Officers and Trustees of the Circuit. In performing their duties, the Officers and Trustees keep in mind their responsibility to demonstrate ‘public benefit’, as defined by the Charities Act 2011.

New Trustees are appointed from within the membership and staff of the Circuit. In making each appointment, care is taken to ensure that any new Trustee have the skills and experience needed to fulfil the responsibilities of their role and safer recruiting procedures are followed.

Please see the following section for details of our Trustees.

Reference and Administration

The name of the Charity South Devon Methodist Circuit
Charity registration number 1132517
Principal Office 100 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 1AW
Superintendent Ministers Revd. Daniel Haylett (to 31 August 2024)
Revd. Kevin Hooke (from 1stSeptember 2024)

4

Charity number:1132517

Lay Minister Mrs. Rachel Mitchell Circuit Meeting Secretary * (see below) Circuit Administrator Mrs. Fiona Van Es Circuit Safeguarding officer Mrs. Carole Knights (to 31 August 2024) * Circuit Property Manager Mr. Roy Mitchell

Roles annotated * are now fulfilled by our Circuit Administrator, with help from our Circuit Leadership Team and the support of church safeguarding officers.

Names of Trustees: Mr. Robert Hamblin Revd. Daniel Haylett (resigned 31 August 2024) Revd. Kevin Hooke (appointed 1[st] September 2024) Mrs. Erica Jordan Mrs. Sandra Litchfield Mrs. Rachel Mitchell Mr. Roy Mitchell (appointed 1[st] September 2024) Mr. David Monk Mr. David Morgan Mrs. Susan Morgan Mrs. Elizabeth Paisley Mr. John Sargeant (resigned 31 August 2024) Mrs. Sally Sargeant Mrs. Barbara Welcomme Mrs. Greta Wills

Treasurer - In 2021 Mrs. Rachel Mitchell, our Lay Minister, and an existing Trustee, temporarily took over the financial management of the Circuit in 2021. From September 2024 this has been recognised in Rachel’s remuneration. Due to her other roles, Rachel does not consider it appropriate for her to be a signatory on the Circuit bank accounts. The Trustees have agreed this arrangement.

Approval

This report was approved by the Trustees on the date below and is signed on their behalf by:

K Hooke RJ Hamblin

Revd. Kevin Hooke Mr. Robert Hamblin Superintendent Minister Circuit Steward Date: 13[th] March 2025

5

Charity number:1132517

South Devon Methodist Circuit

Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31 August 2024

RECEIPTS
Note
Assessments
Capital receipts
Rental Property income
Other receipts
1
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
2
Manse Costs
Administration and Office costs
3
Worship and Discipleship
Grants and donations
4
Other payments
4
TOTAL PAYMENTS
Total funds brought forward from last year
Sub total
Transfers and adjustments
Ubrealised gain (loss) on investments
TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR
District Assessment
Property costs
Bank and CFB interest and
Investment income
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR
Ministerial Staff Costs		 £
£
£
£
22,000
22,000
3,095
4,199
7,294
50,780
50,780
156
1,801
1,957
76,031
4,199
1,801
82,031
38,446
38,446
6,372
6,372
14,036
227
14,263
1,667
1,667
4,980
1,988
3,768
10,736
9,943
9,943
75,444
2,215
3,768
81,427
587
1,984
(1,967)
604
79,133
79,533
1,967
160,633
79,720
81,517
-
161,237
79,720
81,517 -
161,237
Totals this
year
Restricted
Funds
General
Funds
(unrestricted)
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
(unrestricted)		 £
22,510
3,561
52,740
2,248
Totals last
year
81,059
36,058
5,222
11,355
1,177
2,227
7,220
1,096
64,355
16,704
144,120
160,824
(191)
160,633

6

Charity number:1132517

South Devon Methodist Circuit

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 August 2024

General
Funds
(unrestricted)
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
(unrestricted)
Restricted
Funds
£
£
£
SUMMARY OF CIRCUIT CASH AND INVESTMENT FUNDS HELD
Cash at Bank
13,260
66,460
81,517
79,720
81,517
Total Funds held by internal organisations
Total as at 31 August 2024
79,720
81,517
Total as at 31 August 2023
79,133
79,533
1,967
Central Finance Board
Cash balance
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes - Cash balances
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes - Investment funds		 Total this
year
£
13,260
66,460
81,517
161,237
0
161,237
160,633		 Total last
year
£
26,315
54,785
79,533
160,633
0
160,633
144,120

The summary of Circuit Funds as at the end of 31st August 2024 is as reported to the Circuit Meeting. Included within general funds are £11,327 designated funds (2023: £8227) which have been set aside for specific purposes. There were no Internal Organisation Funds to report in 2023 or 2024. If there had been any Internal Organisation Funds these would be restricted Funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose.

7

Charity number'.1132517 South Devon MetlK)dist Circuit Notes to the Accounts forthe Year ended 31 August 2024 Circuit Vodel General Fund5 Iwrestrictedl Trust FuTrJ lunrestrictedl De$￿ated Restricted Totals this ds ar Tota15 L75t year I OTHER RECEIPTS Church Contribution to phone costs Donations towards costs of HWS Charity Fundraising (from churches) 126 126 140 2.108 2.248 1.801 1,801 1.801 1.957 156 The tharity fundraising and loan repayement5 are not. by their nature, income of the Circuit. 2 MINISTERL4L STAFF COSTS Salary lind housing allowan￿) Employers Nl and Apprenticeship Ministers Pension Travel, Trainin8 & Retreat C05t5 HMRC creditor BIF HMRC ueditor C/F 31.331 3,217 31.331 3,217 29,054 2,941 1,743 2.344 1.407 11,4311 36,058 2.061 1.431 11,4741 38,446 2,061 1,431 11,4741 38,446 3 ADMINISTRATION AND CIRCUIT OFFICE COSTS Administration staff costs HMRC creditor BIF HMRC creditor CIF Off ice utilities and phone Adfflinistration and stationery Professional fees and Insurance Advertising and website Other sundry expenses 10,192 20 10.192 20 8,22S 1251 1.038 692 1251 1.038 692 1201 l.C(J8 623 1.760 120 239 227 1.987 120 239 764 loo 655 14,036 227 14.263 11,355 4 GRANTS, DONATIONS & OTHER PAYMENTS District Levy ICMTFI Circuit Cha rity- Donation Circuit Charity- Church Fundraisin8 Other Grants and Donations Restricted fund - transfer to beneficiary 1.988 1,988 4,2C(I 3,768 1.987 2.20) 3,768 240 5&J 220 1,096 2,760 1.988 2220 3.768 10.736 3,323 The donations to our Circuit tharitie5 indude both the money raised and donated in 2023 for Devon Air ambulance Itotal value £39671 and £4(X)I which we have sent to The Leprosy Mission durin8 this fin3 noal year. The £240 shown as paid in 2023 was the balan￿ held at the be8innin8 of that year for our previous tharity, the Hospital in Berhampur. 5 RESTRICTED FUNDS Charity Fundraising Restricted Funds at TMCP and CFB 1.967 1,967

Charity number:1132517

South Devon Methodist Circuit Declarations

Treasurer

I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.

Signature of treasurer: RA Mitchell

Name Mrs. R A Mitchell Address Kingfishers, Mill Court, Frogmore, Kingsbridge. TQ7 2PB

Date: 13th March 2025

Presentation to the Circuit meeting

I confirm that the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented to and approved by the Circuit Meeting held on 13th March 2025.

Signature of the Chair of the meeting: Kevin Hooke

Name of the Chair of the meeting: Revd. Kevin Hooke Address: 135 Churchfields Drive, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot. TQ13 9QZ Date: 13th March 2025

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the South Devon Circuit

This report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2024

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustees consider that audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility, as independent examiner to:

9

Charity number:1132517

Name of Circuit: South Devon Methodist Circuit No: 24/10

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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 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.

D J Cotton

Signature of independent examiner ……………………………………………………………………..……….

Name of independent examiner: Mr. David John Cotton

Address: Morgan Accountants Ltd, Duke Court, Bridge Street, Kingsbridge. TQ7 1HX

Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner: FCA

Date: 16/4/25

10