## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period 01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023 Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Methodist Circuit** ## **Objectves and actvites** The purposes of the Methodist Church are the advancement of: - a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and 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. ## **The mission statement of TDSS Circuit is** ‘To be Pilgrim People – on a journey: honouring God, sharing our faith, respecting and helping all.’ Our circuit priorities: worked out through the Circuit Meeting and the Circuit Leadership Team are: - God-centred worship and prayer - Action to help where there is need - Developing confidence to share our faith with others - Encouraging fresh ways of being church - Care, respect, inclusion and love for all - Belief that we have a future The Circuit acts as an umbrella body for the 7 Methodist Churches, which fall within the Circuit’s area. The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of those 7 churches. These are open to all people without charge. ## **Achievements and Performance.** The trustees have taken note of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular their guidance on charities for the advancement of religion, when planning their activities. The actions taken by the circuit meet the requirement for there to be an identifiable public benefit or benefits and that such benefit is to the public or a section of the public. During the 2022/23 financial year the Circuit has used its funds raised from the churches in the following ways: - Our ministers together with local preachers provide regular Sunday worship in our churches. Such services are freely available to their local communities and every effort is made to make the experience of worship welcoming and meaningful to visitors. - The Circuit encourages its churches to regularly review their position in their communities, and envision new ways of engaging and connecting with new people. - The Circuit has provided courses for those requiring Safeguarding training, and has ensured that DBS checks have been completed for those whose voluntary posts require them. The Circuit has adopted and regularly reviews its Safeguarding Policy - covering both children and vulnerable adults - and has ensured that each church regularly reviews its own Policy. - The Circuit continues to support local churches in their work with young people. - The Circuit has carried out its oversight of the churches through 4 meetings of the Circuit - There is a regular review process carried out by the Leadership Team to ensure that the Charity is fulfilling its objectives. - Risks to the Circuit are considered by the Circuit Leadership Team (*see below) who oversee the day to day running of the charity and report to the full meeting of Trustees. Professional advice is taken as required. - A Church and Community worker is employed by one of the churches, to manage the lettings of the building, to engage with the local community, and to support the minister in the day to day life of the church. - An Administrator is employed by the Circuit to assist the churches in their publicity, to respond to requests from the District, and to support the Staff team and CLT. - The Circuit continues to prioritise the commitments of Our Calling and A Methodist Way of Life as it encourages its members to grow in discipleship and share God’s love in their contexts. - The Circuit supports its churches in Circuit accreditations, including recognition as a Real Living Wage Employer, developing its work with Citizens Somerset, and working towards application as an EcoCircuit. - The Circuit continues to work, as one of the Founder member institutions of Citizens Somerset, to support the campaigns and actions of the local chapter, and more members are engaged in the three action groups. ## **Financial review** During the year the Circuit received total receipts of £138,602 (year end 2022 £135,241.00) and dispersed £160,538 (year end 2022 £144,478.00) The trustees of the Circuit have oversight of the finances held, and the assessments required from the churches. Each church continues to meet their assessment. The Circuit currently holds 5 freehold properties, 2 being used to house the Ministers of the Circuit and 3 being rented out to supplement the income produced by assessment. Expenses on manses and let properties has been high this year. At the time of this report, one of the previously let properties has been put up for sale and we are moving towards a successful outcome. Proceeds from this sale will support Circuit reserves for the next few years. The Circuit has the following principal sources of funds: - Assessments on Churches within the Circuit - Interest on investments - Rents paid for the additional properties owned and rented out. These sums are used primarily to cover the various expenses of the Circuit budget, including the ministers’ stipends. ## **Reserves Policy** - The Reserves Policy for the Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Circuit is to hold liquid assets equivalent to 6 months' average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and to be able to continue in the short term funding planned activities in the event of the closure of a large church or an inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches. - It is necessary to hold sufficient working capital to enable the quarterly payment of stipends and business expenses for 2 paid ministers, to fund any lay workers, and to cover our contribution to the District and the Connexion. - Details of funds materially in deficit. There are none. **Structure governance and management** **Description of the charity's trusts** Type of governing document Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) How the charity is constituted Act of Parliament Trustee selection methods Appointed by local churches and existing trustees. Ministers are automatically trustees Additional governance issues None Induction/Training A range of guidance is produced by Methodist Connexion. Leaflet 'The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church' is given to each trustee. Structure Part of the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District. Accountable to the Methodist Conference. Related Parties None **Reference and administraton details** Charity Name Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Methodist Circuit. Registered Charity Number 1133126. Charity's Principal Address 36 Craig Lea, Taunton, TA2 7SY (Superintendent’s home address) Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the charity. The Charity Trustees are the members of the Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Circuit Meeting. This comprised during the year of this report. |*Rev Deborah Kirk|*Peter Thomas| |---|---| |*Rev Annie Deche|*Carol Stowe| |*Richard Sillet|*Ian Rossiter| |Michelle Noble|Joanne Pinguenet| |Francis Lewis|Chris Downing| |Marlene Burnell|*Elaine Dew| |Gillian Flick|Janet Sillet| |Merlyn Brown|RoyCrouch| |Sue Parker|*Jane Allin| |Margaret Walters|Barbara Poole| |Valerie Pearson|Kevin Boseley| |John Haines|*Joanne Rossiter| |Graham Dickinson|Rev AnthonyHuxtable| |Christopher Mitchell|Rev Robin Hut| |---|---| |Lynda Kazer|Rev TonyCox| |David Clitheroe|Rev Michael Parsons| |Anne Jordan|Elaine Banks| |Hazel Jordan|Denise Eggington| |Glenys Allinson|Diana Atkinson| * indicates a member of the Circuit Leadership Team, who as a group manage the Circuit between full Circuit Meetings. Custodian trustees Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Manchester ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees |Full name(s)|Deborah Mary Kirk|Natalie Knight| |---|---|---| |Positon|Superintendent Minister|Circuit Secretary| |Date|06.06.24|| Appended to this report is the Statement of Financial Activity for the year concerned together with the Balance Sheet at year end. CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS T*IINTON DEANE AND SOUTH SEDGEMOOR CIr￿rt FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 PLYMOUTH AND EXETER Dlsirfct Clrtult no 24115 Rq9l•twqd Charlty- Charlty R•qlAtr*lon numbgr 1133126 If WKSI 8 Wi61ered charity Hor Majostys Rg¥oN¥t Custorns Glft Ald numb•r IThe HMRC number is equivalem to a regstered charity number in leMs ol e¥￿enCe of charitalle status and may be to gNe lo ¢Jonors Of grant f￿lJerS *ishing to see evkjence of the organiSats"C￿.s ch¥itsble status. Methodist ch8rits.es in ENjIa￿ and Wa￿$ thai are nol wistered chant*s we exeepbj from fegistrth.on under StabJtory Instrument ￿14 No.2421 Ministers.. Rev Deb(￿h Kyk Rev knnie Deche Stew8rds.' Carol Sto lan Rossiler El￿ne Dew Treasurer.. Peter Thomas 8FA2022.23.kn￿-ctTpI 1 at5 AUNTON EAND SEDGEMOOR 2WCOUNTS FOR ThE YEAR ENDED 31 Auousl 2023 Clr¢ult ClroJbl trlci•d Ilodd Tru￿ RHtrf¢t•d FundB Fund FuThd8 TrA•ls th Toiabs last SECTION A RECEIPTS A55essrnentlShare 108.874 108,874 1￿.427 Ital rec Bank aTh1 CFB Inlerest aTr Inveslment Incorne 1.295 2347 261 Granls Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 27.481 27,481 29.553 a7 137.65Q 952 138,602 135.241 SECnON 8 b1 b2 PAYMENTS SbpEnd$. saW*8. NIC. Pen$th travel fX)sIs 86.422 86,422 b3 Mar￿e Cc615 27.45) 15.435 Admlrwstralon etc 7.494 2863 bs DiSt￿l A8sessment 27.853 30.038 Grants & don8t11￿$ 6.5(K) 6,500 b7 Otl*r p8 TOTAL PAYMENTS enls 4.659 158 4,817 11.247 b9 160.378 158 160,538 144.478 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a7*9 794 Totsi funds b ht fixward lyrm 1&8t 60.146 98 41.457 101 701 110.938 Sub lotal c1+c2 98 Trartsfers and ad ustments 20.823 20.727 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c41 58.241 21,524 79,765 (¢81 101,701 ¢¢61 SECTION D FOR INFORAIATrON ONLY: MONEY RECEPIED *J4D PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGI￿lSA￿aNs th85• an￿￿nIS should not b• Includod In total r•c•l slpaym•nts *•0￿) Balawe br hl frThard fr(￿ L8sI dl d2 fferin sIGrfts . rer*Na for extemal or ntsat'ons d3 fferingslGrfts- pagsed to exiemal (ryanisatMJ15 BALANCE STLL TO BE P￿0 d1+d2-d3 Acuwls SFA2O22.?3.￿.CLTPI 2c45 DE4IE SOUTh 8EDOE¥ 8UMM•*YOF CRCVN A¢COLV4T8AND*ifERIiIL0RG￿lSATW)m REPORTINOTO TMECY¢CUITIAEET*IQ SÈCn¢N E ofts Circuit4cc￿￿lS yut•nd8d 31 ￿￿￿t202) Ini0￿1 OrJ4niuSrAle rer￿￿￿5 ID M8aling. Nr•ththotts RÉsthct•d be thatthBycwld bb rAJPOM. Thls On dNryAc(Jualy rfJr¢￿untin￿ VIDADIFFERE￿ FI%IM mual ￿ ulled lorwith•KcL¥Jnts pl￿•r•*￿￿ INTERM* ORQAII￿1TIOmg b lotd c4 Imorn 2.lolth c(4￿￿1 ELOBY URCU 101.701 tlrn￿È tsn a y￿rA1 TOTAL RECE￿$ TOT•L PAYMENTS trwTr lowr SECTK*I F OPEIII CES 41234 21.191 B TOT•L 101.TOI ,715 TOT￿¢15￿FvNOS11EL[*￿y ryRCUIT IlJ1.701 SECnQW O L&ndwd I.￿.635 f4 Ix*yJp(r*FLwtstrA•Jaltr*C•MN Flnm Name of cl￿11 Taunton Deane and South Sethjemoor No 24115 Declaratlons and Scrutlny I confirm that these Recelpl and PayTnent based accounls for tha year to 31 August 2023 have been rKepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the conlr(A of the Circuit nN8ellng, Signature of treasurer Pete (JThomfj& Date 26110r23 Nam and address of treasurer Peter Thomay.... 8 Irwell Gr8en, TAUNTON, Somarset............................... Post CodeTA12TA pr&￿ntatIOn to th• Clrcult mèetlng I confirni that the annual rep)rt and accounts for the year ermyed 31 August 2023 were esented to the Clrcull me8tlng hdd t￿ &10123 Signature of the Chalr of thè mteling Name of the Chair of th8 m6ebng Deb)rah Kirk Date XX 110123 Independent Examlnor's Report to the Trustee$ of the Taunton Deane and South Sedgemoor Charlty Numb•r 1133126 Responslblllllg9 and ba813 of report I rewt lo the trustees on my examinats.on of the accounts of the Taunton Dtra￿ and South Sedgemoor Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2023 sel out on pages 2 10 5. As the Circuifs trustees, Y￿ are responsible for the Prepara￿on ol the accounts In acLordance Ihe requirements of the Charib'es Act 20111'the Act'i. I report in rnspect of my examinat6on ol the Circuft's accounts carried out uThJer section 145 of the Act and. in carrwng out my examination, I have f(Alcrwed all the applicable Directions gNen by the cP￿rity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the Acl_ •LeomtssFA202243.fflNI.CLTp4 Name of CircuitTaunton Deane and South Sedgemoor No 24115 Independent Exaffliner's Siatemenl I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have corne to rny attention in connection with the examination (other than Ihat disc105ed below.) which give rne cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records V4Ere not kept in accordance with seclion 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord wrth the accounts'ng records. I hav& no concems and have come across no other matters in connecb'on with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other Irusls, bank balances and funds al the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ￿lch are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Dav4(L11(u￿￿ Name of independent examiner DavKI HavA(ings Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner C Math Name of firm (where appropn'atel Address 5 Hither Acre ILMINSTER. Somerset Post Ccxje TA19 9DA Date 4110123 May- SFA2022-23-fvd. CLT p4 Sot5