Charity registration number: 1132972
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 16 |
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Registration Number 1132972 Principal Office C/o 15 Pendle Fields Fence Burnley Lancashire BB12 9HN Independent Examiner KM 1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG Bankers Virgin Money 25 Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1HX
Page 1
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Trustees' Report
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The Circuit shares the same charitable objectives as the rest of the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of – (a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the 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.
Staffing
The Circuit staffing in the financial year under review was as follows:
Ordained staffing: Superintendent: Rev Rick Ormrod, with Presbyters Rev Tony Graff and Rev Adrian Perry.
Lay Pastors: Mr Chrisvin Edbarg Johnson Kirubakara Pandian (full time) which ended in August 2025.and was a full time appointment.
Administrator: Claire Slack
Circuit Leadership Team
The Circuit, comprising fourteen churches in the wider Burnley and Pendle area, is overseen by a leadership team comprising of the Superintendent, Presbyters and Lay Pastors; Stewards, Treasurer and Lay Workers as invited.
Mission Statement
The staff and stewards team continued to use the mission statement 'Sharing God's grace in word and action' following up four priorities:
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A. Growing disciples of Jesus Christ.
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B. Outreach to our town and neighbourhoods.
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C. Alongside those in greatest spiritual and material need
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D. Resourcing work among children, young people and families.
These continue to be our priorities.
Public benefit
The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in carrying out the activities of the charity.
Page 2
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Trustees' Report (continued)
The Circuit Year
The Circuit maintained its online presence with a weekly Zoom service continuing and new videos on the YouTube Channel. The Circuit website is also regularly updated.
Methodist Primary Schools at Hapton, Wellfield (both joint with the Church of England) and Wheatley Lane continue to require substantial staff input on their governing bodies and in frequent assemblies and classroom work. There is tangible benefit to our Circuit from these links.
The Circuit continues to recognise the need to have satisfactory accommodation for its ministers. Two manses surplus to requirements have been sold in the year.
Financial review
Policy on reserves
The Trustees have reviewed the Charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by The Charity Commission and have agreed to hold a general reserve in respect of unrestricted funds in the region of at least £60,000 over and above those reserves represented by unrestricted fixed assets and the Circuit Model Trust fund. The general reserve at the year end stands at £101,386 which is in excess of the agreed reserve. Excess funds are held for the future development of the charity.
Principal funding sources
The Circuit's primary funding source is income from churches by way of the annual assessment. The amounts levied on churches is reviewed from year to year.
Structure, governance and management
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
Each of the Churches within the Circuit are eligible to appoint members of the Circuit Meeting; other members are appointed to fulfil specific roles. Members bring with them expertise and experience from the wider church and no specific programme of induction or training is currently in place for the majority of trustees, although the Methodist Church does provide occasional courses and handbooks for specific roles.
Trustees include those called to Ministry both stipendiary and lay.
At any one point in time there are over eighty potential members of the Circuit Meeting who fulfil the role of Trustees. A complete list is available from the Circuit Office.
Trustee remuneration
The lay pastors and stipendiary ministers are paid employees of the charity, Their remuneration is not as a Trustee. Their benefits include stipend, pension and housing.
Major risks and management of those risks
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the Charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reviews to be carried out so that necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 8 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Page 3
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Trustees' Report (continued)
......................................... Reverend R Ormrod Trustee
Page 4
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit 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 Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit'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
Since Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit'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 I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
......................................
Mark Heaton FCCA FCIE
1st Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
8 December 2025
Page 5
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Investment income 4 Other inc profit on sale of manses 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Gains/losses on investment assets Net income/(expenditure) Gross transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 16 |
Unrestricted funds £ - 252,842 21,844 78,962 353,648 (336,448) (336,448) 53 17,253 1,040 18,293 1,539,956 1,558,249 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - 152 152 (1,040) (888) 3,360 2,472 |
Total 2025 £ - 252,842 21,844 78,962 353,648 (336,448) (336,448) 205 17,405 - 17,405 1,543,316 1,560,721 |
Unrestricted funds £ 5,797 260,598 16,971 16,448 299,814 (302,113) (302,113) 454 (1,845) 7,414 5,569 1,534,387 1,539,956 |
Endowment funds £ - - 60 - 60 (60) (60) 155 155 (7,414) (7,259) 10,619 3,360 |
Total 2024 £ 5,797 260,598 17,031 16,448 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 299,874 | ||||||
| (302,173) | ||||||
| (302,173) | ||||||
| 609 | ||||||
| (1,690) - |
||||||
| (1,690) 1,545,006 |
||||||
| 1,543,316 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 16.
The notes on pages 8 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
(Registration number: 1132972) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Investments 13 Current assets Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Net assets Funds of the charity: Endowment funds Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted Funds Total funds 16 |
2025 £ 901,639 557,698 1,459,337 18,912 85,187 104,099 (2,715) 101,384 1,560,721 2,472 1,558,249 1,560,721 |
2024 £ 1,351,639 100,419 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,452,058 | ||
| 7,255 87,042 |
||
| 94,297 (3,039) |
||
| 91,258 | ||
| 1,543,316 | ||
| 3,360 1,539,956 |
||
| 1,543,316 |
The financial statements on pages 6 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 8 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Reverend R Ormrod Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1 Accounting policies
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including independent examination, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Page 8
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Pensions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.
Page 9
Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Grant income 3 Income from charitable activities Church Assessments 4 Investment income Interest and dividends 5 Other income Profit on sale of manses Rental income Employment Allowance Other income |
Unrestricted funds General £ 252,842 252,842 Unrestricted funds General £ 21,844 Unrestricted funds General £ 66,572 - 5,457 6,933 78,962 |
Total 2025 £ - - Total 2025 £ 252,842 252,842 Total 2025 £ 21,844 Total 2025 £ 66,572 - 5,457 6,933 78,962 |
Total 2024 £ 5,797 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,797 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 260,598 |
|||
| 260,598 | |||
| Total 2024 £ 17,031 |
|||
| Total 2024 £ - 7,226 6,334 2,888 |
|||
| 16,448 |
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
6 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note Charitable activities Staff costs 9 Governance costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 148,086 186,682 1,680 336,448 |
Total 2025 £ 148,086 186,682 1,680 336,448 |
Total 2024 £ 92,815 207,358 2,000 302,173 |
|---|---|---|---|
7 Analysis of governance and support costs
| Independent examiner fees | Unrestricted funds General £ 1,680 1,680 |
Total 2025 £ 1,680 1,680 |
Total 2024 £ 2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 |
8 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year in their role as trustees. However as noted in the trustees report certain trustees are paid employees of the charity.
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
9 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 £ 153,184 14,886 18,612 186,682 |
2024 £ 171,686 15,411 20,261 |
|---|---|---|
| 207,358 |
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| Charitable activities No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year 10 Independent examiner's remuneration Examination of the financial statements |
2025 No 5 2025 £ 1,680 |
2024 No 7 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 2,000 |
11 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
| 12 Tangible fixed assets Cost At 1 September 2024 Disposals At 31 August 2025 Depreciation At 31 August 2025 Net book value At 31 August 2025 At 31 August 2024 13 Fixed asset investments Other investments Other investments Cost or Valuation At 1 September 2024 Revaluation Additions Disposals At 31 August 2025 Net book value At 31 August 2025 At 31 August 2024 |
Listed investments £ 8,635 206 - (1,039) 7,802 7,802 8,635 |
Manses £ 1,351,639 (450,000) 901,639 - 901,639 1,351,639 2025 £ 557,698 Unlisted investments £ 549,897 - (1) - 549,896 549,896 549,897 |
Total £ 1,351,639 (450,000) 901,639 - 901,639 1,351,639 2024 £ 100,419 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total £ 558,532 206 (1) (1,039) 557,698 557,698 558,532 |
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
| 14 Debtors Prepayments Other debtors 15 Creditors Other creditors Accruals |
2025 £ 10,912 8,000 18,912 2025 £ 715 2,000 2,715 |
2024 £ 6,876 379 |
|---|---|---|
| 7,255 | ||
| 2024 £ - 3,039 |
||
| 3,039 |
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
16 Funds
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Circuit Model Trust Fund Manses Endowment funds Various endowment funds held with TMCP Total funds Unrestricted funds General Fund Circuit Model Trust Fund Manses Endowment funds Various endowment funds held with TMCP Total funds |
Balance at 1 September 2024 £ 90,498 97,819 1,351,639 1,539,956 3,360 1,543,316 Balance at 1 September 2023 £ 78,728 442,645 1,013,014 1,534,387 10,619 1,545,006 |
Balance at 1 September 2024 £ 90,498 97,819 1,351,639 1,539,956 3,360 1,543,316 Balance at 1 September 2023 £ 78,728 442,645 1,013,014 1,534,387 10,619 1,545,006 |
Incoming resources £ 268,223 85,425 - 353,648 - 353,648 |
Resources expended £ (291,076) (45,372) - (336,448) - (336,448) |
Transfers £ 33,741 417,299 (450,000) 1,040 (1,040) - |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Burnley & Pendle Methodist Circuit
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 (continued)
17 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 17 Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ 901,639 555,225 104,099 (2,715) 1,558,248 Unrestricted funds General £ 1,351,639 97,059 94,297 (3,039) 1,539,956 |
Endowment funds - 2,473 - - 2,473 Endowment funds - 3,360 - - 3,360 |
Total funds 2025 £ 901,639 557,698 104,099 (2,715) |
| 1,560,721 | |||
| Total funds 2024 £ 1,351,639 100,419 94,297 (3,039) |
|||
| 1,543,316 |
Page 16