**Trustees Annual Report** ## **For the year ended 31 August 2021** ## **Introduction** The Charity is constituted according to the approved governing document issued by the Methodist Conference. Trustees are appointed by the Churches in the Circuit, voted by Circuit Meeting and by virtue of position held, e.g. Ministers. ## **Aims and organisation** The aim of the charity is the advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church. ## _**Mission Statement: We are the Christian people of the Torridge Methodist Circuit, working**_ ## _**to deepen our love of God through worship, service and nurturing new disciples of Jesus Christ.**_ The Circuit has ten thousand pounds (£10,000) set aside for Mission activities. On production of a completed application form, prepared by the leadership team, individual churches may access an amount for their mission. Local churches are able to contribute to the mission fund as and when they are able, or desire. ## **Review of the year** Activities undertaken – Normally, the ministers of the Circuit provide religious services, baptisms, weddings, and funerals for the benefit of the public together with general appropriate counselling. Covid 19 restrictions are still limiting hospital, sick and pastoral visiting. However, the Covid situation has improved and this has enabled some face to face meeting to take place. The regular monthly prayer meetings are still being conducted via Zoom. Holy Communion has now become possible. Some meetings, such as Church Councils and Circuit Meetings, are now being conducted face to face and also on Zoom which allows members to choose how they attend. Weekly services are published in the monthly newsletter which is emailed to those who have email (only 45% of the members have access to internet) and posted to the rest. ## **Income trends** Circuit income is mainly derived from the assessments paid by each of the churches. Each year a new budget is agreed, and assessments are then reviewed. Because of the reduced number of services income is still down; however, an increasing number of members are now paying by direct debit or cheque, and this has improved the situation. Rental income is received from two properties within the Circuit. Interest is received from TMCP trust funds. Page **1** of **4** ## **Expenditure trends** Stipends rise each financial year in line with Conference approved increases. A sum of £28,520 is the Circuit’s contribution to the District and Connexional fund, a significant part of which is used for the work of the wider Methodist Church. To assist the churches to meet their assessment costs it was agreed to pay the sum of £15,000 from reserves. ## **Funds held as a custodian** Circuit Model Trust Fund Unrestricted £271,399 Trust Funds Restricted £110,054 ## **Plans for the future** Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there continues to be two full time ordained staff, one full-time Pastoral worker and one part-time Families worker. It also anticipates cost of living stipend increases combined with an increase in the assessment paid to the district. A study/training time will be started on a monthly basis to encourage those who lead worship. Subjects covered include using PowerPoint, encouraging mission and service and sharing resources. ## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 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 (FRS) 102. Full Name of Charity: _The Torridge Methodist Circuit_ ## Registration Charity Number: _1132638_ Date of registration ……………………... Main communication address: _Webbery Cross Cottage, Webbery, Bideford, EX39 4PU_ The members of the Torridge Methodist Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. Page **2** of **4** ## **Circuit Ministers and Officers** Active Circuit Ministers _Rev Robert Blackhall – Superintendent Minister Rev Andrew Vidamour_ Lay Pastoral Worker _Mr Frank Watson_ Circuit Stewards _Mrs Rose Peard Mrs Elsie Potter Mrs Beryl Oke Mrs Hilda Harris Mrs Jenny Thurston Mr Dave Watson Administrator Mrs Sarah Richards_ Name of treasurer acting as the principal officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year. _Mrs Elsie Potter_ Independent examiner: _Revd Graham Thompson 18 Velwell Road Exeter EX4 4LE_ Investment Bankers _Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes_ Current Account _NatWest_ **Reserves Policy** The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 4 months’ average 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. ## **Risk Management** The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is monitored and compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis. This is done to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Page **3** of **4** ## **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 Torridge 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 Torridge Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure everyone is clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. All officers in the churches and in the Circuit must attend a training course as soon as they are appointed. Page **4** of **4** Tnrrid e IIf thoclilt C'ircuil IYCOIIE .4ND EXPENDITITRE ACCOUNT Fnr thf icar ended .Ilst.4u 20211 IN('I)11[_ 884 81)()7 Rs0(111 I r&inslir% Ir<)m CirLiiiI 11()del Trii%l Fund I-.XPI--NDI I I;RI-' IjTii%ILriai S1ipLiid -, 4()79 841 I'irLuiI I'a%li)riil Il"orkL T ].'%'[' ('iriUlI .SiJll- Po'nsi()n %ihLmi' 874 44x8 , F..KpLnsL'S C i)sl 694 7VI li} Cjfdl Li ard NlaiiiliiiLIIILL I IlLt) Viiiiiiiu¥iiniiil IIi%pLiti()ns Nl ab IE ID Ouwwu 11! Iiilli Iiillii 1111 11111 11111 11111 11111 111111 1111 1111 11 11 1111111 i ¥> o v• 00 (ry fo C* (0 47J 10 3111 £115 UJCLua O IL) ¢1 fo a) Cl p (4 Name of Circuit Torridge No. 2W23 Declarations and Scrutiny I confim that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 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 .... IQ f()(cfLLa Name and address of treasurer Mrs Elsie Potter ..Webbery Cross Cottage. Webbery. Bideford, Devon................ Post Code EX39 4PU Presentation to the Circuit meeting I confimi that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 werelwill be. presented to the Circuit meeting held on 10th March 2022 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev'd Robert Blackhall Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the ..SEE SEPARATE SHEET.............. Charity Number ..--..--.-.... Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examTnation of the accounts of the .. . Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages . to. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the P￿paratIon of the accounts in accordan￿ 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 carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. . delete or circle as appropriate Independent Examiner's Re￿rt to the Trllstees of Torridge Methodist Circuit I ryrt to the Tn￿ on D7y examination of the a£counts of the Torridge Circuit (the Trust) for the year ended 31st August 2021 Responsibilities and basis of report As the Clwity Trustees of the Trust you are reS￿nSIble for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the cF￿[ItieS Act 2011 ('th¢ Act.). I report in respect of my examinthon of the Trust's accounts carried under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in canying out my examinthon I have followed all the applicable Direclions given by the Clwity ConJn)ission und¢T ￿tion 145(5Xb) of the ACL IDdepeDdent examiner's statement I have completed my ¢xaminatson. I CODfirni that no material matteT5 have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to t￿lIeVe that in any mat¢rial r¢spc¢t: . accounting records were kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the ACL. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records" or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Cl)arities (Ac£ounts and Rqx)rts) Regulations 2(Ki8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a and fair view which is not a matter eA)nsidered as part of an indeFKndent examinthon. I have no concerns and have come acro&s no other matters in connection with the eXamI￿tion to which aticntion should be dtawn in this reFK)rt in order to enable a prow understanding of the a¢counts to be reached. Signed: Name: Revd. Canon Grabam Thompson Address: 18 Velwell Road Exeter EX4 4LE Date: 14th January 2022 ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Torridge Methodist Circuit** I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Torridge Circuit (the Trust) for the year ended 31st August 2021 ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the Charity Trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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. ## **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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust 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 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. 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. ## **Signed:** **Name:** Revd. Canon Graham Thompson **Address:** 18 Velwell Road Exeter EX4 4LE **Date:** 14th January 2022