## **THE METHODIST CHURCH NORFOLK BROADS CIRCUIT** _Registered Charity No 1133008_ **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2025** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Trustees Norfolk Broads** The Trustees are appointed according to the constitution of the Methodist Church (see page 5). The following Trustees have served during the period covered by this report: (NB Names in _italics_ indicate individuals holding more than one appointment to the Circuit Meeting) Superintendent Minister: Revd Andrew King Acting Superintendent Minister: Revd Helen Hollands All Ministers/Probationer Ministers: Deacon Sheralee Devitt (to 31[st] August 2025) Revd Judith Bell (to 31[st] August 2025) Revd Donna Dodson Revd Katy Adams Circuit Employees Circuit Stewards: Mr Shaun Cushion (Lay Worker) Annette Lown (Circuit Administrator) _Gordon Smith Glenda Tooke_ Adrian Turner Andrew Moll Secretary of Circuit Meeting: Vacant Secretary of Local Preachers: _Sarah Small_ Elected Church Stewards: Bacon, Paul Blake, Michael Brady, Frances Cooke, Alan Cooke, Jean Cooper, Paul Croft, Alan Davis, Rosemary (Elected Church Treasurer) Draper, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Michael Green, Brenda Jones, Diana Milner, Ben Moll, Andrew Monsey, Brenda Monsey, Paul Moore, Alan Riches, Alan Riches, Gill Riches, Gillian Shreeve, Val Smith, Gordon Ward, Dorothy Westrup, Heather Elected Church Representatives Alexander, Tim Ashworth, Isobel Brown, Greta Davis, Rosemary Draper, Peter Eaden, Terri (3rd November 2023) Farnsworth, Sheila Gunton, Suzanne Haase, Toni Harding, Geoff Haynes, Elizabeth Holland, Ann Jones, Beryl Jones, Sandra (1st March 2024) Kirby, Nigel Wilfred (11th March 2025) Mackay, Jane Winifred Monsey, Linda Moy, Jean (1st September 2023) Palmer, Christopher Palmer, Colleen Peers, Linda Rohde, Karl-Hermann Martin (8th October 2024) Sayer, Andrew Small, Sarah Tuddenham, Malcolm Turner, Maureen Whitmill, Rosemary Wooltorton, Josephine ## **Trust Address** c/o 2 Bensley Close Acle NR13 3RD to 31[st] August 2025 then 26 Wentworth Green, Norwich NR4 6AE ## **Auditors Independent External Examiner** Fairhead Bradford Chartered Certified Accountant 5 Queen Street, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 2QP ## **Bankers** Barclays Bank plc 40-42 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1LX Lloyds Bank plc 1-2 King’s Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2BA ## **Norfolk Broads Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1133008** ## **Report of the Trustees, Year ending 31[st] August 2025** The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 31st August 2025 under the Charities Act 1993, together with the audited financial statements for the year. We confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Act, the Trust Deed and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2005. The Trust was registered on 1st February 2009 in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Particulars of the charity’s Trustees and professional advisers are given on pages 3 and 4. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The charity is operated under the regulations of the Methodist Church as stated in _The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church_ with advice from Officers of the Methodist Church. ## **Governing Body** The trustees are the Governing Body of the charity. The trustees are the members of the Circuit Meeting of the Norfolk Broads Circuit. The Chair of the trustees is the Superintendent minister. ## **Recruitment and Training of Trustees** The Charity Trustees are appointed to the roles identified on pages 3 and 4, for a designated period, either by direct election at the Circuit Meeting for Circuit Office Holders, or by individual Church Councils who elect their representatives to the Circuit Meeting. ## **Organisational Management** The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees. The work of the charity is conducted through the Circuit Leadership Team, the Circuit ministers and the employed staff. The day to day administration of the Circuit is the responsibility of the Superintendent Minister, the Secretary of the Circuit Meeting, the Circuit Treasurer, the Circuit Administrator and the Circuit Stewards. ## **Aims, Objectives and Activities** The objectives of the Norfolk Broads Circuit are those as set out for the Methodist Church of Great Britain in the Deed of Union 1932 and the 1976 Methodist Church Act. The charitable objects are the purposes of the Methodist Church and these are 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 organization of the Methodist Church; (c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church; (d) any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church. ## **The Norfolk Broads Methodist Circuit 14/10 Mission Statement** TO FURTHER THE VISION AND PURPOSE OF THE NORFOLK BROADS CIRCUIT _**OUR VISION:** God’s will for us is for us is not to be stuck, but to be lifted up to God’s glory and drawn closer to God and closer to each other in loving service and fellowship._ _**OUR PURPOSE:** To offer God’s invitation to our world and our church to be drawn closer to God and closer to one another in acts of loving kindness._ _(Matthew 22 vs 34-40)_ ## **Achievements and Performance** The Norfolk Broads Circuit has sought to advance its aims and objectives during the year under review by continuing its life of worship and mission within communities in The Norfolk Broads Circuit and by providing support to local churches. Particular highlights include:  Continuing to support the Churches so that resources can be more effectively shared,  Providing resources to local churches by enabling the deployment of appropriate ordained and lay staff and by making specific grants in order to support pieces of work that advance our charitable objects and Circuit Policy.  Ensuring that the Circuit is sufficiently resourced for its mission by reviewing the annual budget and preparing a budget for 2025-26. This includes the recognition that rising costs for Circuit Staff plus maintenance of Circuit Properties. A decision was taken this year to reduce ministerial staff by one.  Ensuring that all those who have contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults undertake an appropriate training course - the Foundation or Advanced Module.  Holding of training events as and when appropriate, working with the Methodist Church Learning Network.  Supervision programme is held for all ministers (lay and ordained) in a pastoral role.  Continuing to offer particular support (personnel, skills, finance) to agreed projects around the Circuit.  The Circuit Administrator Mrs Annette Lown helps the Methodist Circuit fulfil its Administrative functions. Mrs Lown resigned from most of her responsibilities, effective after the end of this year so recruitment began for her replacement.  At Magdalen Way Methodist Church, the Rev Donna Dodson remains as an Associate Presbyter  The Circuit continued with weekly zoom / on-line worship and were able to provide worship at home sheets and YouTube videos of the services.  A decision was taken by the circuit trustees to sell two Church buildings at Gorleston and in Great Yarmouth.  The Revd Judith Bell served in the circuit until the 31[st ] August 2025 as a probationer minister. She was ordained in July 2025 and moved to a new post in Kings Lynn. Deacon Sheralee Devitt moved on from the circuit to another post in August 2025. Arrangements were made for ministry after the Revd Judith Bell and Deacon Sheralee Devitt left the circuit replacing one of these appointments. The Revd Andrew King stepped down from being Superintendent minister of the circuit during this year and the Chair of District, the Revd Helen Hollands became the Acting Superintendent minister. ## **Financial Review** The net movement in funds for the year decreased by £29,183. The Trustees are pleased to report that there were no special items relating to income or expenditure during the year. Details of this can be viewed under Circuit Model Trust Fund (unrestricted) funds reported in the SOFA for year ended 31 August 2025 The Trustees continue to keep all financial policies under review. ## **Investment Policy** In accordance with the Trust documentation, the Trustees have the power to invest in such stocks, shares, investments and property as they consider appropriate. The Trustees have used this power to invest in the funds of the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. In common with many other investment funds, the valuation of the funds showed a modest increase over the year. The Trustees continue to monitor the funds of the Circuit to enable clear and prudent policy decisions on expenditure. ## **Risk Assessment and Management** During the year under review, the Trustees have maintained oversight of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, resulting in risk management strategies being implemented. Risks to which the organisation may be exposed are identified by the Trustees and kept under regular review. ## **Reserves** It is the policy of the charity to hold reserves in its unrestricted funds which have not yet been committed or designated for any particular purpose. The Trustees have set aside these reserves to protect the future operations of the charity from the effects of any unforeseen variations in its income as part of a policy of good financial practice. The Circuit Reserves Policy was reviewed during the year. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees have reviewed the activities of the past year in line with the Charity Commission guidance on public interest benefit. The aims and objectives of the Norfolk Broads Circuit are within those guidelines and are interpreted by the East Anglia Methodist District as providing specific benefit to those who are members of the Methodist Church and their local communities. ## **Future Plans** In addition to an ongoing commitment to provide effective resources for the members, local churches and within the Norfolk Broads Circuit, the Trustees are committed to:  Further development of the Circuit Mission Policy which will be reviewed in the year 1[st] September 2025 to 31[st] August 2026.  Ensure the appointment and deployment of lay and ordained ministry throughout the Circuit.  To continue to employ a Circuit Administrator and make arrangements for their employment during 2025/6. To employ a Circuit Property Officer to assist with property sales, maintenance of manses and general upkeep for church properties.  Provide support and training for those who have oversight of safeguarding procedures for children, young people and vulnerable adults.  Continue to develop partnerships with other churches and charities, both for shared understanding and for social provision/outreach from our church communities. ## **Auditors** A resolution proposing that Fairhead Bradford Chartered Certified Accountants be reappointed as the independent external examiner of the charity will be put to the Annual General Meeting. ## **Revd. Helen Hollands, Acting Superintendent and Chair of the East Anglia Methodist District. Trustee** **Mrs Glenda Tooke Trustee** Ii£ceiprs PAYMENT8 •£COUNTS THE MEfHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Cwjll FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 rnp*•bon uftd•rSlabth Ing1n￿ 2014 M)242) L7) Isiol• Z3 >f S str ECTION D ry13 313 $ThL TO 8E P* 245 TQT 2830 21741 Iq40 ?%UiUU 113.6 Io••• wi Declarations and Scrutiny l a)nfrfm IMI these P8￿mitbaSed accounts ft)rlhoww b 31 W 2025 ha* bwn ing. PT•••ntatlon to th• cli￿1¢ sTh•tlng Name ollhe Chw(Ilhem8efjng ................ Independent E Inées Report thfr Tru8tO88 of the . Clrcult Cirait fr* the parended 31 A￿U81 2025 set out on paoos ... 2011 the A£r). .. As Ihe CiraAfs tsustOeS. 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Ii£ceiprs PAYMENT8 •£COUNTS THE MEfHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Cwjll FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 rnp*•bon uftd•rSlabth Ing1n￿ 2014 M)242) L7) Isiol• Z3 >f S str ECTION D ry13 313 $ThL TO 8E P* 245 TQT 2830 21741 Iq40 ?%UiUU 113.6 Io••• wi Declarations and Scrutiny l a)nfrfm IMI these P8￿mitbaSed accounts ft)rlhoww b 31 W 2025 ha* bwn ing. PT•••ntatlon to th• cli￿1¢ sTh•tlng Name ollhe Chw(Ilhem8efjng ................ Independent E Inées Report thfr Tru8tO88 of the . Clrcult Cirait fr* the parended 31 A￿U81 2025 set out on paoos ... 2011 the A£r). .. As Ihe CiraAfs tsustOeS. Cornmlssffi ￿der sedion 145(SXbj of Name of Cirtsjit in, 8ny rnaierial rnspetr. the ￿%)unting were nd kepl in xtudance *ith xaion 130 of the Aca: or vknich attertiui #hThAd b6 dfwn in this teyt in ￿dertO enth a under**￿[¥j of the accounts n(f olthned inde[￿￿*￿ v•ificdion d dl inveslrnents vAlh the TnJst&s for Melhodi81 Church Purposes or W in cAhgr trusts. b8nk bdances lunds Centrd Finan(x B0￿d cl the . Matlxxlst Churth T*thith are indi￿dUdlY in •xceM af £10.(Th {kn th¢ws*)d pounds) at the bglanoe Nameof l￿dent ex￿Iner ............. Namooffim? {kn apwopri*) ......... ........ Cais Q-. y￿......................,............................................... PNtCode FJ £3C 5 P 23, 7£? £e4.