## **Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit 23/02 Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31st August 2023** 

## **Governance** 

The Governing Body of the Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit and the Methodist Church is the Methodist Conference. The authority under which the Methodist Conference acts is given by The Methodist Church Act 1976. 

## **Registration with the Charity Commission** 

The Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit has been registered with the Charity Commission since 26 November 2009 with the number 1132995. 

## **Nature and Purpose** 

Standing Order 500 of The Constitution Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church states that the Circuit is the primary unit in which local churches express their interconnexion in the Body of Christ, for the purpose of mission, mutual encouragement and help. It is in the Circuit that presbyters, deacons and probationers are stationed and local preachers are trained and admitted and exercise their calling. The purposes of the Circuit include the effective deployment of the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance, as they relate to the Methodist churches in the Circuit, to churches of other denominations and to participate in the life of the communities served by the Circuit. This includes local schools and colleges and in ecumenical work in the area including, where appropriate, the support of ecumenical Housing Associations. 

## **Responsibilities** 

The Circuit Meeting is the principal meeting responsible for the affairs of the Circuit and the development of Circuit policy. It shall exercise that combination of spiritual leadership and administrative efficiency which will enable the Circuit to fulfil its purpose as set out in Standing Order 500, and shall act as the focal point of the working fellowship of the churches in the Circuit, overseeing their pastoral, training and evangelistic work. A further responsibility is to encourage leadership within the Circuit. 

## **Trustees** 

The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Managing Trustees for Circuit property. There is no minimum number of members and, in addition to the Circuit staff, the majority of the remaining members are appointed by the 9 churches in the Circuit.  The Circuit Stewards are appointed annually by the Circuit Meeting. 

The Circuit Leadership Team comprises the Circuit staff, Circuit Stewards, the Circuit Treasurer and the Circuit Property Secretary. 

## **Circuit Mission Statement** 

The churches constituting the Circuit support one another in responding to God's love in Christ by the proclamation of the Gospel through discipleship, worship and social action. 

## **Circuit Policy** 

Underpinning all that we do is God-centred worship and prayer. We seek to share God's love seen in Jesus Christ and invite others to respond to that same love. In support of this we actively seek opportunities to develop Christian discipleship and confidence in 



expressing our faith (e.g. by courses, quiet days, outreach initiatives and the use of technology). The Circuit Policy has been defined as follows: 

- 1) The Circuit is the primary unit in Methodism 

we will encourage Circuit identity and a sense of shared mission 

Circuit staff will be deployed in order to further the mission of the whole Circuit we will encourage churches to see the Circuit Assessment as missionary giving and not as an unwelcome imposition. 

- 2) Our two LEPs give us particular opportunities to work ecumenically and we are committed to these and we will look for further ecumenical opportunities, either formal or specific pieces of work. 

- 3) As a Circuit we will give priority to resourcing the four centres (the four towns). 

- 4) We will give priority to those places where major new housing developments are taking place. 

- 5) Our village churches will be supported as long as members in those churches wish to continue their work in those villages and new initiatives will be supported. 

If help is needed with specific tasks from members of other churches in the Circuit, this will be facilitated if possible. 

We will not commit large sums of money or large numbers of people to retain buildings in places where the life of a church is no longer sustainable. 

We will not resist requests to close if Church Councils seek permission. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The Circuit Meeting has agreed a reserves limit of £103,000 in total for five funds, namely, the general fund, manse maintenance fund, circuit development and training fund, removals and equipment fund and the chaplains. In total at 31st August 2023 the funds have a balance of £153,107 which includes £100,000 to pay for the deacon appointment for the next two years and work at the Didcot Manse. The Circuit Model Trust Fund, the Lee Donovan, Richard Cox and Brenda Izzard bequests have a balance of £221,138 and a reserves limit of £700,000. A further fund, the Circuit Ministry & Mission fund, currently with a balance of £19,340 and a reserve of £70,000, is for circuit mission initiatives. 

## **Financial review** 

The balance on the general fund is £131,059 against a budget of £107,231. This is because the balance includes £100,000 to pay for the work of the Deacon in the circuit for the next two years and work at the Didcot Manse. 

## **Circuit Treasurer** 

Gordon Skidmore became Circuit Treasurer from 1[st] September 2022. He was assured of the prayers and support of the Circuit and Geoffrey Maunder, who held this post for a number of years, was thanked for all his hard work. 

## **Review of Activities** 

The regular on-going work of the Circuit and the wider community continues to be greatly appreciated. 

The Circuit continues to give prayerful consideration as to how we function post Covid-19, making good use of technology to regularly Zoom services and hold both business and fellowship meetings. 



## **Childrey Methodist Chapel** 

During the year, Childrey Methodist Chapel became a class of Wantage Methodist Church due to changes in Methodist Policy regarding the minimum number of members needed to be a church. Sunday services continue to be held at Childrey on the 2[nd] and 4[th] Sundays of the month at 11:00am 

## **Community Chaplaincy** 

Our Community Chaplains continue to reach out into our communities and engage with the wider world in so many creative and innovative ways. Their presence is greatly appreciated and highly valued by the Circuit. 

February saw Wendy Moorin officially commissioned as an Anna Chaplain along with her dog Tilly whose presence in the care homes Wendy visits is a focal point for conversation and encounter. 

## **God in love unites us** 

During the year, All Saints, Trinity, Wallingford, Wantage, Didcot and Grove churches voted in favour of allowing same sex marriages to take pace in their buildings. 

## **The Future and sustainability** 

As of 1[st] November 2022, the membership figure for the Circuit was 471. This figure continues to affect both our Circuit and Connexional decisions about future staffing. 

A Circuit Meeting Plus #1 event was held at All Saints Methodist Church on 4[th] March 2023 to begin a consultation process with as wide a constituency as possible as we look towards September 2025 when the Circuit will move to having two, rather than three Presbyters. 

This was well attended and the District Mission Enabler Matt Forsyth was able to share some ideas with those present. 

Whilst this first event focussed on how to manage the preaching and the number of worship centres in the Circuit, future gatherings would be looking at other issues in due course 

## **Staffing** 

During this year, the Circuit (through the work of the Circuit Stewards and the Circuit Invitation Committee) was involved in the re-invitation/stationing process for a Presbyter and a Deacon. This process started in May of 2022, with the outcomes brought to the September 2022 Circuit Meeting. 

The Circuit Stewards and Circuit Invitation Committee were thanked for all their hard work and diligence. 

It was noted that the Revd Jocelyn Bennett would be leaving the Circuit in August 2023. The Circuit, would therefore, be involved in stationing for 2023 for a Presbyter. The Circuit Meeting delegated permission to the CiC to offer an invitation on their behalf, with the Revd Bruce Thompson being stationed to the Circuit from 1[st] September 2023. 

Deacon Selina Nibett’s appointment was extended for a further 2 years until August 2025. 



## **Local Preachers.** 

Our thanks to our Local Preachers, Worship leaders, who so faithfully serve the churches in our Circuit week by week as they lead worship and preach God’s word. 

As has become our custom, the Advent Devotional Booklet was very well received across the Circuit and beyond. 

The Circuit Meeting remembered with a sense of thanksgiving the life of Linda “Joy Gee”. 

Certificates celebrating 60 years of being Local Preachers were presented to both Barbara Kershaw and Marlene Chalkley at a special Circuit Picnic and celebratory service held at Milton Methodist Church in June. 

## **Safeguarding** 

The Circuit Safeguarding Policy was unanimously agreed. 

## **GDPR** 

The GDPR report on behalf of the circuit and the GDPR report on behalf of the Community Chaplains were unanimously agreed. 

## **EDI** 

Equality, diversity, inclusion is an important element of the life and work of the Methodist Church with the necessary training being offered both on-line and face to face for those who need it. 

It is also a reminder to the Churches and Circuit to ask the question “Who is missing and who is not here?” 

## **Circuit Leadership Team** 

The members of the Circuit Leadership Team as of 31st August 2023 are set out below: Revd Keith Underhill (Superintendent) 

Revd Jocelyn Bennett Revd Ian Griffiths Anne Matthews (Circuit Steward) Deacon Selina Nisbett Mary Hancock (Circuit Property Secretary) Carolyn Roche Senior Circuit Steward Gordon Skidmore (Treasurer) Geoffrey Maunder 

## **Additional Information** 

For the purposes of Section 41 of the Statement of Recommended Practice we give the following information: 

The Superintendent Minister’s address: 14 Haywards Close, Wantage, Oxon. OX12 7AT 

Principal address of the Methodist Church: 25 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SF Bankers: HSBC Bank plc, 24 Market Square, Witney OX28 6BG 



Investment Advisors & deposit account: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, 9 Bonhill Street, London, EC2R 4PE 

Independent Examiner: Cooper Parry Advisory Limited, 3 Danebrook Court, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1LQ 

## **Trustees** 

The following served as Trustees of the Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit from 1st September 2022 - 31st August 2023: 

D. Adams, J Anderson, A. Barber, C. Bartlett, J, Bennett, R. Bett, K. Blake, M. Blake, P. Burns, S.Butler, I. Byron H. Carter, G.J. Caudle, J. Caudle, M. Chalkley, P.L. Cook, R. Coward T. Coward, M. Cox, A. Dixon, A. Fear, H. Gant, I Griffiths, T. Griffiths, J.A. Grunwald, M. Hancock, C. Hawkes, P. Hemmings, C. Hill, G. Ifill,S. Ifill, B.E. Kershaw, T. Kyffin, A. Lowe, A. Matthews,  G. Maunder, M.P. Maunder, S. Nisbett, N. Oastler, A. Phillips, C. Phillips, E. Rennie, C. Roche, S. Scrivener, B. Sexton, J.G. Skidmore, G. Skidmore, K. Smith, I. Sturt, K. Underhill, H. Weston, P.R. Williams, E. Wood 



Circuit
Accruals Accounts
2022-2023
THE METHODIST CHURCH
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
(ACCRUALS BASIS)
for the year ended 31 August 2023
Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
Registered Charity- Registration number
1132995
District No I Circuit No
2312
Ministers
Rev Ktsilh Undeihill
Rev lan Griff iths
Rev Joeel n Bennett
Rev Selina Nisbett
Clr¢ull Stewards
Mrs Carol n Boche
Mr G8ollre Maunder
Dr Anne Mallhews
Mr John Gordon Skidtnoie
Circuit Treasurer
Mr John Gordon Skidrvore

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
Circuit No
2312
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023
Clrcult PAodel Dtrslgnated
Note¥ to the General Fund
Trust
Funds
Restricted Endowment Total 2OT2.
a¢¢ounlS
IUnre5trictedl IUnre5trictedl lunre5tri£ledl Funds
Funds
23
Income
1 Donations and ￿g8(￿È$
2 Incorne frotn monetary investmen15
3 Incoffle from inveslmenl properties
4 Assessmenls on Churches
5 CapilaS A8c8ipIs
6 Granis received
7 Other chariiable income
8 Total InBorn
195
5.202
196
14960
8.613
145
189,956
189.956
19S,353
8,613
145
204.111
Expenditure
9 Granls and donation5
10 Salaries and 2SSOCi3tÈd ￿$19
11 Property maintenance
12 Connexional assessment & mthjel Irusi levy
13 District Asses5rnenl & Levy
14 Deprecration
15 Ottice expenses
16 Other oulgoings
17 Total charitable 8xpendltur8
18 Gainslllos5esl on monetary investrnents
19 Gai￿￿11055e5) on invesltnent properties
20 Nèt Incom￿(6xpendIlUral
21 Transfers between fund5
22 Other gain51llosse51
23 Net movement In tund
24 Total fund5 broughtforward
25 Total funds carrled forward
7.500
164.546
25,875
58,174
10.599
164,546
25￿75
38.989
WJ.285
815
12.686
24,415
14,552
298,161
24,415
14,565
319,175
21,W1
-102,W8
ioo.o
-12,500
100.000
132
-115,176
.2,808
1,334,430
1,331,622
-112,500
285,817
173.317
132
4.513
4,645
.113,176
1.624.760
1,509.584

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
CircLJit No
2312
Statement of Financial Activilies (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2022
Notes to
Clreu5t Model Oeslgnated
the
General Fund
Trust
Funds
accounts liJnre$trl¢tedl (Uttresirl￿edl lunrestrlciedl
Restrlcted &)dowment
Funds
Funds
Toial
2021.22
Income
1 Donaiions and legaoes
2 Income Irom monetary inv8slments
3 Income from iTrvestFnent propert18S
4 Assessments on Churches
5 Capital Receipts
6 Grants received
7 Other ¢haritable income
8 Totsl income
420
709
420
2,330
1,598
23
185.328
185,328
186.457
1.598
23
188,078
Expenditure
9 Grants arKf donations
10 Salaries and associatod cosis
11 Property maintenanc&
12 Connexional assessment & mcKlel Iwsl levy
13 District Assessm8nt & L8Vy
14 Dèpreciaiion
15 Office expenses
16 Other outgoi￿5
17 Total charitable 8xp8ndituro
18 Gaillslllos8851 on monelary Inve51m8nl8
19 Gainslllossgsl on inv&sim&nl properties
20 Net Incomellexpendltur81
21 Transfeis between funds
22 Other gainslllosse81
23 Net movement In funds
24 Total fund5 brought forward
25 Total funds carrled forward
1,148
157.629
7,101
55,449
10,497
3,500
24.802
9,199
269,325
7,500
10
157,629
7.101
56,462
28.029
3.500
24,802
9.199
295.370
11761
999
17,532
14
28,031
176
14
42068
40.323
.24,609
40.000
-107,468
323
42545
1.376,975
1,334,430
-314
4,827
4,513
-107,468
f,732 228
1.624,760
350.426
2BS,617

Waniaoe & Abingdon Circut
¢i￿Ul1 Nts
2312
Balance Sheet as al 31 August 2023
GèneRI Fund
IUnrè$tri¢tÈdl
Circurt
Trusts
Iunrestricledl
DEsign4ts
Funds
IUnrè%triClÈdl
RÈstii¢1od
Fund¥
EndowNnt
Fund$
Totsi$
2021r22
2UZW23
Notès loth
Atetsuflts
xed A5Eels
Cl￿￿1[ Kqan595 & Equiprnpnl
1,118.000
1.116,WO
1.116.0ts)
INv8slmoM8
2.514
2,514
T¢tsl
1.116.th)
1.11&514
1,118,626
CurrgNA55fy1$
Debtors
LuaTr8bylhp Cirevil
InYe51mpnt5 wi1hTMCP
Centlw Fillance 8oatcl Dekw15
Cash a1 Ba￿k in la
ToralcurwentBS90ts
13.526
13,526
12.589
43.175
184.656
41 368
282.723
t70.B03
4.&15
21B.623
1B4,656
41,366
45e,171
329.852
)89.O¥J
44.4tr2
575,666
17000$
4,645
69,532
Gianlspay&DIE v.thin X23-4
Tof&lcurrenl lifjbililiesr
67.101
215,622
7,101
291.070
69.532
5U6,134
170W3
4,645
1,331,fj22
17&317
4,fy15
1,509,584
1,524,7fj0
LoTrg terrn 114biiirie5
Idue after more than one yearl
Gralllspayabre after 2023-24
NetJssets
1.331,622
173,31T
4,645
1,509,584
1,£24,760
Fund¥ol the Clvcult
G8Tr8ral Fund IUfire8Mct8dl
1.331.622
1,334,430
28S,817
173.317
5ignated F￿ndS IUni&siticiedl
1.504.939
4.645
1ffi20247
4.513
Reslricled
4,615
Endowmoni Fu￿￿
rotalFunds
1.331,622
173,317
4,645
1,509,584
1,624,760
Signed
Circuit Treasurer

Wantage & Abingdon Cirtuit
Cir￿lt
Notes to the Accounts
1 8a515 of accounting
The financial 513temenis have been prepared under the Charities SORP FRS 102'Accouniing3nd Repo￿1￿8 by Chariiies.. Statement of
Recommended Practice ISORPI applicable io charities preparing their accounts In accordance with the Financi31 Reporting Standard applicable in
th? UK and R@publicOf Ir@land IFRS 1021 leffective from I january 20151- Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting St&ndard
8pplicable in ihe UK and Republicol Ireland, 3nd theCharitiesACI 2011.
2 FurKEs
The fund5 held constitute.. General Funds held lor any purpose of ihe Ciycuii which are Unrestricted. The Circuit Model Trust Fund has wide
purposes defined in StÈndingOrders and is cate8ori5ed a5 unrestricted. There is one Restricted fund which 15 3 I￿qUestIO be used forthe upkeep
of Southmoor 8raveyard. T￿re are no Endowrnent fvnds. Therè are no material fund5. Any fund5 may be represented bymoreth3n just cash.
3 Accounting policies
Basls
Thèse accounts have t*en preparedon the basls of historical cost except thai investments afe shown at their market value ai the end of the year,
on the accruals basis io show a true and fair view of Ihe Circuit's fin8n¢i81 position and activifies
Income Recognition
Incotne is included in the StalemeDt of Vinancibl Activitie5 ISOFAI when rhe Circuit becornes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are
reasonably cer131n they will recelve the resouros.. and the monetary value can be m@asu￿d with sumicient reliability.
Resources Expended
reco8nised a5 $00Tr as an outFlow of economic benefit Is considered more likelythan not under ihe legal orconstructive obligation committing the
Circuit to pay out resources.
Grants
Grants made by rhe Circuit from its own f￿r￿SaFe recognised in full at the timeof agreement or when the Circuiiac￿pts thai there is a legal or
operational obligation io make ihe payment. When ihe grant 15 returreni Over more ihan one year the balance payab￿ in future years is tieaied as
a provision for future commitmen15 in the BaLin￿ Sheei against the appropriate fund. the provk5ion being released in futuie years as instalment5
re paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.
VAT
sin￿lhe(Ir(Uit is not VATregistered. 311 input VAT is tharÈed with the expenses to which it refers.
Tangible flxed assets for use by the ClrcuSt
These are Capitalised If Iheycan be used foi more than ¢neye3r. and irdividuèlly cott at least El.((K).
Thefreehold property IS Shown In Ihe accounis ar 2016 deerrtd values of which the land component is deemed to be £372,000. No depreciation
is provided on the buildin8 because the iru5tee5 consider the currellt residual lair value of the manse buildin85 lon the assumption that it had
reached the end of it5 Useful e￿￿ornI[ life bythe year-endl to be not le55than it5 curreni value. Any depreciation would not be material. The
property has been ￿¥￿e￿ for impalrment.
Investment Properties
Investment properiies- llo property 15 curreniiy deemed to not be held for the long term wrp05esof the charlty.
Investments
Invp5tment5 are valued in thè bèlènce sheet at market ￿lue atthe year end. Investment incolne is included in theaccount5when recewable and
any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end arè shown in thÈSOFA.
Debtors and Prepayments
Debtors relate 10 the payment of theSeptember stipend in August.
Creditors
Creditor5 nclude both sundry eXp￿￿Se5 and 5PEuficallythe 1st q￿arter asse55rnent received in Au8USt.

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
Circuit
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
4. Donations and leBacies
Unrèstricted
Clrcuit Model
Trust Fund
Restrirted
£000
£000
Donations
Legacies
Total
5. Charltable actlvities-
other
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
Unrestricted
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
Restricted
£000
£000
Charitable activitie5- Other I
Charitable activities- Other 2
Charitable activitie5 - Other 3
Total
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
6. Other tradlng actlvitSes
Unrestricted
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
Restrict*d
£000
£000
Lettings (Propèrty namÈl - I
Lettings (Property nèmel 2
Lettings (property namel- 3
Lettings (Property namel- 4
Miscellaneous I
Miscellaneous 2
Miscellaneous 3
Miscellaneous 4
Total
Clrcuit Model
Trust Fund
2023
Toial
2022
Total
£ofy)
7. Investment income
Unrestrlcted
Restricted
£(M)o
£fy)o
Central Finance Board
Rental income
Other
Total
14
14

Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
8. Payment to Trustees
Thi5 year
Last year
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement wlth
the Circuit Meeting
Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Nature of the expeNse5
Expense payments primarily relate to reimbursement for travel and computing costs
Total amount paid
9. Fees for examination or audit of the a¢¢ounts
Independent examinerfs or auditors. fees for reporting on the accounts
2,280
2,280
Other fees leg.. advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor
10. Paid employees
Staff Costs paid durlng thè year wère-
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
123.891
118,675
Employer's National Insurance costs
10,980
10,509
Pension costs
29,675
28,445
Total staff costs
164,546
157,629
Average number of staff employed during the year
were:
There are no employees who received total employèe benefits (excluding employer pension
costs) of more than £60,￿0.

Niii
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
Hili

Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
12 Investments
The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund and the Manses Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees
Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium
and long term investments.
TMCP 1% ihe legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies,
Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees
who are responsible for the dèv to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through
providing guidance and acting under their direction. the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and
Methodist law and polity as determined by the Methodist Conference.
Analysis of investment movemènts
Thls year
P￿¥ year
lrnvestments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange
2,514
2,626
Investments held in ctsmmon inve5trnent fund5,
Securitie5 not listed on a reco8nised Stock Exchange
Other investments
Total
2,514
2,626
Change in investmènt values
Carrying Imarketl value at beginning of year
2,626
2,802
Add.. additions to investments at cost
Less.. disposals at carrying value
Net gain/l10551 on revaluation
-112
-176
Carrying Imarketl value at end of year
2514
2626

Wanta8e & Abingdon
arcult
13. Analysls of current assets
This year
Last year
DÈbtor5 and prepayments
Pre paid stipends
13,526
12.589
Accrued income
Other debtor5
Total debtors and prepayments
13.526
12.589
Analy5l5 of cash at bank
Bank balance held in HSBC
41,366
44,402
Bank balance held in (Narne of bank)
Bank balance held in (Name of bank)
Total Cash and Bank
41,366
44.402
14. Anaty5is of current liabilities and long terni creditors
Trade Creditors
Cct Giro holdin& Received assessment ladvancel. audit provision.expenses
outstanding
67.101
69,532
Total Current Llabllltles
67,101
69,532
15. Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilltles
At the 31 st August 2023 the Circuit had no capital commitments.
At the 31 st August 2023 the Cireuit had Contingent liabilities that amounted to..
110.000
107,500

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
DECLARATIONS
Treasurer
I conlirm that these accrual based ac¢oLJnls lor the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared from
the records ol the CireLJit and that they inolude all funds under the control of the Gircuit MeetirKJ.
Signature ol Tr8asuior
Date
Name ol Treasurer
Address
72 ￿oF-,
kl 4A)rAt¢?£
gx IZ 4EX
Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.
l Confirm that the annual rpport and accounts for Ihe year ended 31 Aug 2023 were
presented to the Gircu1t Meeting at Its meeting on
and were approved.
Signature of the Chair of
the Fneeting
Name ol the Chair ol the
meets'ng
Rev. Kelth Underhlll
Date
24
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees ot the
Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
I report to the circuit Iruslees on the examinaiion of Waniage & Abinodon Gircuit A￿Ount$ for th& year
ended 31° August 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report:
As the circuit's Iiuslees you are responsible lor the preparation ol the accounts in accordan¢e with thts
requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 I'the Aet'l.
I report in respect ol my examination ol the Circuiys accounts Carried out under section 145 of the Act and
in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515llbl ol the Act.

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
DECLARATIONS
Independent Examlner's &atement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come
to rny attention in connecb.on with the exarllination giving me cause to believe that in any
material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect ol the Circuit as required by section 130
of the Act., or
the aeeounts do not a¢cord with those records.. or
the accounts do Not comply wth the applicable requirernents concerning the lom
and ¢onl8nt 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 ol an independent examination.
l confirm that there are no other matters lo which your attention should be drawn to enable
a proper understanding ol the accounts lo be reached.
Name of indgp&ndeni
examiner
George Style
Signature of
independent examiner
Relevant Professional qualification of inde
endent exarniner
ACA- Chartered Accountant
Name ol lirrn (where appro
riale
Coo
er Parr
Adviso
Limited
Address
3 Danebrook Court, Langford Lane, Kidliwton, Oxford. OX5 ILQ.
Date

Circuit
Accruals Accounts
2022-2023
THE METHODIST CHURCH
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
(ACCRUALS BASIS)
for the year ended 31 August 2023
Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
Registered Charity- Registration number
1132995
District No I Circuit No
2312
Ministers
Rev Ktsilh Undeihill
Rev lan Griff iths
Rev Joeel n Bennett
Rev Selina Nisbett
Clr¢ull Stewards
Mrs Carol n Boche
Mr G8ollre Maunder
Dr Anne Mallhews
Mr John Gordon Skidtnoie
Circuit Treasurer
Mr John Gordon Skidrvore

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
Circuit No
2312
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023
Clrcult PAodel Dtrslgnated
Note¥ to the General Fund
Trust
Funds
Restricted Endowment Total 2OT2.
a¢¢ounlS
IUnre5trictedl IUnre5trictedl lunre5tri£ledl Funds
Funds
23
Income
1 Donations and ￿g8(￿È$
2 Incorne frotn monetary investmen15
3 Incoffle from inveslmenl properties
4 Assessmenls on Churches
5 CapilaS A8c8ipIs
6 Granis received
7 Other chariiable income
8 Total InBorn
195
5.202
196
14960
8.613
145
189,956
189.956
19S,353
8,613
145
204.111
Expenditure
9 Granls and donation5
10 Salaries and 2SSOCi3tÈd ￿$19
11 Property maintenance
12 Connexional assessment & mthjel Irusi levy
13 District Asses5rnenl & Levy
14 Deprecration
15 Ottice expenses
16 Other oulgoings
17 Total charitable 8xpendltur8
18 Gainslllos5esl on monetary investrnents
19 Gai￿￿11055e5) on invesltnent properties
20 Nèt Incom￿(6xpendIlUral
21 Transfers between fund5
22 Other gain51llosse51
23 Net movement In tund
24 Total fund5 broughtforward
25 Total funds carrled forward
7.500
164.546
25,875
58,174
10.599
164,546
25￿75
38.989
WJ.285
815
12.686
24,415
14,552
298,161
24,415
14,565
319,175
21,W1
-102,W8
ioo.o
-12,500
100.000
132
-115,176
.2,808
1,334,430
1,331,622
-112,500
285,817
173.317
132
4.513
4,645
.113,176
1.624.760
1,509.584

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
CircLJit No
2312
Statement of Financial Activilies (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2022
Notes to
Clreu5t Model Oeslgnated
the
General Fund
Trust
Funds
accounts liJnre$trl¢tedl (Uttresirl￿edl lunrestrlciedl
Restrlcted &)dowment
Funds
Funds
Toial
2021.22
Income
1 Donaiions and legaoes
2 Income Irom monetary inv8slments
3 Income from iTrvestFnent propert18S
4 Assessments on Churches
5 Capital Receipts
6 Grants received
7 Other ¢haritable income
8 Totsl income
420
709
420
2,330
1,598
23
185.328
185,328
186.457
1.598
23
188,078
Expenditure
9 Grants arKf donations
10 Salaries and associatod cosis
11 Property maintenanc&
12 Connexional assessment & mcKlel Iwsl levy
13 District Assessm8nt & L8Vy
14 Dèpreciaiion
15 Office expenses
16 Other outgoi￿5
17 Total charitable 8xp8ndituro
18 Gaillslllos8851 on monelary Inve51m8nl8
19 Gainslllossgsl on inv&sim&nl properties
20 Net Incomellexpendltur81
21 Transfeis between funds
22 Other gainslllosse81
23 Net movement In funds
24 Total fund5 brought forward
25 Total funds carrled forward
1,148
157.629
7,101
55,449
10,497
3,500
24.802
9,199
269,325
7,500
10
157,629
7.101
56,462
28.029
3.500
24,802
9.199
295.370
11761
999
17,532
14
28,031
176
14
42068
40.323
.24,609
40.000
-107,468
323
42545
1.376,975
1,334,430
-314
4,827
4,513
-107,468
f,732 228
1.624,760
350.426
2BS,617

Waniaoe & Abingdon Circut
¢i￿Ul1 Nts
2312
Balance Sheet as al 31 August 2023
GèneRI Fund
IUnrè$tri¢tÈdl
Circurt
Trusts
Iunrestricledl
DEsign4ts
Funds
IUnrè%triClÈdl
RÈstii¢1od
Fund¥
EndowNnt
Fund$
Totsi$
2021r22
2UZW23
Notès loth
Atetsuflts
xed A5Eels
Cl￿￿1[ Kqan595 & Equiprnpnl
1,118.000
1.116,WO
1.116.0ts)
INv8slmoM8
2.514
2,514
T¢tsl
1.116.th)
1.11&514
1,118,626
CurrgNA55fy1$
Debtors
LuaTr8bylhp Cirevil
InYe51mpnt5 wi1hTMCP
Centlw Fillance 8oatcl Dekw15
Cash a1 Ba￿k in la
ToralcurwentBS90ts
13.526
13,526
12.589
43.175
184.656
41 368
282.723
t70.B03
4.&15
21B.623
1B4,656
41,366
45e,171
329.852
)89.O¥J
44.4tr2
575,666
17000$
4,645
69,532
Gianlspay&DIE v.thin X23-4
Tof&lcurrenl lifjbililiesr
67.101
215,622
7,101
291.070
69.532
5U6,134
170W3
4,645
1,331,fj22
17&317
4,fy15
1,509,584
1,524,7fj0
LoTrg terrn 114biiirie5
Idue after more than one yearl
Gralllspayabre after 2023-24
NetJssets
1.331,622
173,31T
4,645
1,509,584
1,£24,760
Fund¥ol the Clvcult
G8Tr8ral Fund IUfire8Mct8dl
1.331.622
1,334,430
28S,817
173.317
5ignated F￿ndS IUni&siticiedl
1.504.939
4.645
1ffi20247
4.513
Reslricled
4,615
Endowmoni Fu￿￿
rotalFunds
1.331,622
173,317
4,645
1,509,584
1,624,760
Signed
Circuit Treasurer

Wantage & Abingdon Cirtuit
Cir￿lt
Notes to the Accounts
1 8a515 of accounting
The financial 513temenis have been prepared under the Charities SORP FRS 102'Accouniing3nd Repo￿1￿8 by Chariiies.. Statement of
Recommended Practice ISORPI applicable io charities preparing their accounts In accordance with the Financi31 Reporting Standard applicable in
th? UK and R@publicOf Ir@land IFRS 1021 leffective from I january 20151- Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting St&ndard
8pplicable in ihe UK and Republicol Ireland, 3nd theCharitiesACI 2011.
2 FurKEs
The fund5 held constitute.. General Funds held lor any purpose of ihe Ciycuii which are Unrestricted. The Circuit Model Trust Fund has wide
purposes defined in StÈndingOrders and is cate8ori5ed a5 unrestricted. There is one Restricted fund which 15 3 I￿qUestIO be used forthe upkeep
of Southmoor 8raveyard. T￿re are no Endowrnent fvnds. Therè are no material fund5. Any fund5 may be represented bymoreth3n just cash.
3 Accounting policies
Basls
Thèse accounts have t*en preparedon the basls of historical cost except thai investments afe shown at their market value ai the end of the year,
on the accruals basis io show a true and fair view of Ihe Circuit's fin8n¢i81 position and activifies
Income Recognition
Incotne is included in the StalemeDt of Vinancibl Activitie5 ISOFAI when rhe Circuit becornes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are
reasonably cer131n they will recelve the resouros.. and the monetary value can be m@asu￿d with sumicient reliability.
Resources Expended
reco8nised a5 $00Tr as an outFlow of economic benefit Is considered more likelythan not under ihe legal orconstructive obligation committing the
Circuit to pay out resources.
Grants
Grants made by rhe Circuit from its own f￿r￿SaFe recognised in full at the timeof agreement or when the Circuiiac￿pts thai there is a legal or
operational obligation io make ihe payment. When ihe grant 15 returreni Over more ihan one year the balance payab￿ in future years is tieaied as
a provision for future commitmen15 in the BaLin￿ Sheei against the appropriate fund. the provk5ion being released in futuie years as instalment5
re paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.
VAT
sin￿lhe(Ir(Uit is not VATregistered. 311 input VAT is tharÈed with the expenses to which it refers.
Tangible flxed assets for use by the ClrcuSt
These are Capitalised If Iheycan be used foi more than ¢neye3r. and irdividuèlly cott at least El.((K).
Thefreehold property IS Shown In Ihe accounis ar 2016 deerrtd values of which the land component is deemed to be £372,000. No depreciation
is provided on the buildin8 because the iru5tee5 consider the currellt residual lair value of the manse buildin85 lon the assumption that it had
reached the end of it5 Useful e￿￿ornI[ life bythe year-endl to be not le55than it5 curreni value. Any depreciation would not be material. The
property has been ￿¥￿e￿ for impalrment.
Investment Properties
Investment properiies- llo property 15 curreniiy deemed to not be held for the long term wrp05esof the charlty.
Investments
Invp5tment5 are valued in thè bèlènce sheet at market ￿lue atthe year end. Investment incolne is included in theaccount5when recewable and
any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end arè shown in thÈSOFA.
Debtors and Prepayments
Debtors relate 10 the payment of theSeptember stipend in August.
Creditors
Creditor5 nclude both sundry eXp￿￿Se5 and 5PEuficallythe 1st q￿arter asse55rnent received in Au8USt.

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
Circuit
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
4. Donations and leBacies
Unrèstricted
Clrcuit Model
Trust Fund
Restrirted
£000
£000
Donations
Legacies
Total
5. Charltable actlvities-
other
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
Unrestricted
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
Restricted
£000
£000
Charitable activitie5- Other I
Charitable activities- Other 2
Charitable activitie5 - Other 3
Total
2023
Total
£000
2022
Total
£000
6. Other tradlng actlvitSes
Unrestricted
Circuit Model
Trust Fund
Restrict*d
£000
£000
Lettings (Propèrty namÈl - I
Lettings (Property nèmel 2
Lettings (property namel- 3
Lettings (Property namel- 4
Miscellaneous I
Miscellaneous 2
Miscellaneous 3
Miscellaneous 4
Total
Clrcuit Model
Trust Fund
2023
Toial
2022
Total
£ofy)
7. Investment income
Unrestrlcted
Restricted
£(M)o
£fy)o
Central Finance Board
Rental income
Other
Total
14
14

Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
8. Payment to Trustees
Thi5 year
Last year
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement wlth
the Circuit Meeting
Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Nature of the expeNse5
Expense payments primarily relate to reimbursement for travel and computing costs
Total amount paid
9. Fees for examination or audit of the a¢¢ounts
Independent examinerfs or auditors. fees for reporting on the accounts
2,280
2,280
Other fees leg.. advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor
10. Paid employees
Staff Costs paid durlng thè year wère-
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
123.891
118,675
Employer's National Insurance costs
10,980
10,509
Pension costs
29,675
28,445
Total staff costs
164,546
157,629
Average number of staff employed during the year
were:
There are no employees who received total employèe benefits (excluding employer pension
costs) of more than £60,￿0.

Niii
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
Hili

Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
12 Investments
The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund and the Manses Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees
Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium
and long term investments.
TMCP 1% ihe legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies,
Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees
who are responsible for the dèv to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through
providing guidance and acting under their direction. the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and
Methodist law and polity as determined by the Methodist Conference.
Analysis of investment movemènts
Thls year
P￿¥ year
lrnvestments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange
2,514
2,626
Investments held in ctsmmon inve5trnent fund5,
Securitie5 not listed on a reco8nised Stock Exchange
Other investments
Total
2,514
2,626
Change in investmènt values
Carrying Imarketl value at beginning of year
2,626
2,802
Add.. additions to investments at cost
Less.. disposals at carrying value
Net gain/l10551 on revaluation
-112
-176
Carrying Imarketl value at end of year
2514
2626

Wanta8e & Abingdon
arcult
13. Analysls of current assets
This year
Last year
DÈbtor5 and prepayments
Pre paid stipends
13,526
12.589
Accrued income
Other debtor5
Total debtors and prepayments
13.526
12.589
Analy5l5 of cash at bank
Bank balance held in HSBC
41,366
44,402
Bank balance held in (Narne of bank)
Bank balance held in (Name of bank)
Total Cash and Bank
41,366
44.402
14. Anaty5is of current liabilities and long terni creditors
Trade Creditors
Cct Giro holdin& Received assessment ladvancel. audit provision.expenses
outstanding
67.101
69,532
Total Current Llabllltles
67,101
69,532
15. Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilltles
At the 31 st August 2023 the Circuit had no capital commitments.
At the 31 st August 2023 the Cireuit had Contingent liabilities that amounted to..
110.000
107,500

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
DECLARATIONS
Treasurer
I conlirm that these accrual based ac¢oLJnls lor the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared from
the records ol the CireLJit and that they inolude all funds under the control of the Gircuit MeetirKJ.
Signature ol Tr8asuior
Date
Name ol Treasurer
Address
72 ￿oF-,
kl 4A)rAt¢?£
gx IZ 4EX
Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.
l Confirm that the annual rpport and accounts for Ihe year ended 31 Aug 2023 were
presented to the Gircu1t Meeting at Its meeting on
and were approved.
Signature of the Chair of
the Fneeting
Name ol the Chair ol the
meets'ng
Rev. Kelth Underhlll
Date
24
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees ot the
Wantage & Abingdon
Circuit
I report to the circuit Iruslees on the examinaiion of Waniage & Abinodon Gircuit A￿Ount$ for th& year
ended 31° August 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report:
As the circuit's Iiuslees you are responsible lor the preparation ol the accounts in accordan¢e with thts
requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 I'the Aet'l.
I report in respect ol my examination ol the Circuiys accounts Carried out under section 145 of the Act and
in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515llbl ol the Act.

Wantage & Abingdon Circuit
DECLARATIONS
Independent Examlner's &atement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come
to rny attention in connecb.on with the exarllination giving me cause to believe that in any
material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect ol the Circuit as required by section 130
of the Act., or
the aeeounts do not a¢cord with those records.. or
the accounts do Not comply wth the applicable requirernents concerning the lom
and ¢onl8nt 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 ol an independent examination.
l confirm that there are no other matters lo which your attention should be drawn to enable
a proper understanding ol the accounts lo be reached.
Name of indgp&ndeni
examiner
George Style
Signature of
independent examiner
Relevant Professional qualification of inde
endent exarniner
ACA- Chartered Accountant
Name ol lirrn (where appro
riale
Coo
er Parr
Adviso
Limited
Address
3 Danebrook Court, Langford Lane, Kidliwton, Oxford. OX5 ILQ.
Date