**Circuit Accruals Accounts 2024-2025** 


## **THE METHODIST CHURCH** 

## **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2025** 

## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

**Registered Charity - Registration number 1133693** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
District No  / Circuit No    27/18<br>Ministers Rev'd T Perkins<br>Rev'd S McIvor<br>Circuit Stewards Mrs S Platt<br>Circuit Treasurer Mr E Tate<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




## **SKIPTON AND GRASSINGTON METHODIST CIRCUIT CONTENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025** 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Circuit information|1|
|Membership of the Circuit|2|
|Annual report of the Circuit|3 - 6|
|Statement of trustees' responsibilities|7|
|Statement of financial activities|8|
|Comparative statement of financial activities|9|
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the financial statements|11 - 16|
|Independent Examiner's report|17|
|Trustees' Declaration|17|
|Reserves policy|Appendix 1|





## **SKIPTON AND GRASSINGTON METHODIST CIRCUIT CIRCUIT INFORMATION YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2025** 

**Address:** St Andrews Church Hall Newmarket Street Skipton North Yorkshire BD23 2JE **Circuit Superintendent:** Rev'd T Perkins 

**Independent Examiner:** 

L R Brain FCA 4 Windermere Rise Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 4FH 

1 



## **Skipton and Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Membership of the Circuit Meeting – June 2026** 

The Circuit Ministers: Supernumerary Ministers: 

Rev. Tim Perkins Rev. Susan McIvor 

Rev. Peter Bedford Rev. Roger Fox 

Circuit Lay worker (Administrator): Circuit Stewards: Circuit Meeting Appointed: Circuit Officers: Circuit Treasurer Circuit Meeting Secretary Local Preachers’ Secretary LWPT Secretary Safeguarding Officer Synod Representatives District Policy Ctte Rep 

Edwin Tate Susanne Platt and vacancies Jean Bedford, David Charlton Edwin Tate Sharon Stow Vacancy Vacancy Jane Jolly Jane Jolly, Sharon Stow Rev. Tim Perkins 

Local Preacher Representatives (up to 7): 

Jane Jolly 

Representatives from the Churches: 

Church Steward Treasurer Other Representative Trinity St Andrew's Eileen Lloyd Martin Bendall Val Payne Bradley Pat Hearns David Stow Sally Essler Long Preston Annette Metcalf Barbara Thompson Grassington Jasmine Bray Jennifer Millard 

Changes since list in Accounts for Year Ended 31 August 2024: 

Rachel Coombes has resigned from Circuit Meeting (was Local Preachers’ and LWPT Secretary). Barbara Thompson has been appointed to Circuit Meeting as Representative for Long Preston. 

Jane Jolly and Sharon Stow have resigned from their roles as Circuit Stewards, and Eileen Lloyd has resigned from her role on CLT but all these remain Circuit Meeting members. 

2 




## 2024 – 2025 Annual Report of Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit [27/18] 

## **Administrative Information:** 

Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit is a registered charity (number 1133693) in the Yorkshire West Methodist District. 

Correspondence address: 

The Circuit Administrator (Edwin Tate) The Circuit Office St Andrew’s Church Hall Newmarket Street Skipton BD23 2JE Email: sgcircuit1@gmail.com Tel: 01756 796584 

Managing Trustees: Those named on page 2 as Members of the Circuit Meeting are the Managing Trustees of the Circuit. 

Number of Church Members in the Circuit: 154 Methodist/Joint Members + 13 URC totalling 167 (figures as reported for 1[st] November 2025). 

## **Aims and Organisation:** 

The Circuit Mission Statement, as approved by the Circuit Meeting on the 16[th] March 2022 is: 

## **WORSHIP** _‘The Church exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love’._ 

To have a variety of good quality worship across the circuit both within local churches and also gathered circuit events. 

To recognise the need for a balance of worship which includes contemporary worship but also values traditional styles. 

To continue the creativity experienced during COVID and value outdoor and online worship and be open to other new ways of worshipping. 

To continue to encourage and resource prayer both individually and on gathered occasions. 

## **SERVICE** _‘The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice.’_ 

To encourage individual churches to respond to local needs as well as the wider concerns of the world including the current climate crisis. 

To adopt a circuit wide project to enthuse and engage people. 

To focus on a circuit wide children’s/families/youth strategy and consider what resources we need to invest in this and how we can share ecumenically in what is already taking place. 

## **LEARNING AND CARING** _‘The Church exists to help people to grow and to learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.’_ 

To provide care for all age groups across the circuit and provide opportunities for those who are vulnerable to meet and be supported. 

To grow disciples and deepen faith using both in person and online study groups and learning opportunities. 

To encourage people to respond to their calling and to develop their gifts. 

3 



## **EVANGELISM** _‘The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ.’_ 

To make more disciples of Jesus. 

To be more creative in how we see church and not be limited by our buildings and traditions. To build on the connections we already have with those we encounter in our everyday lives. To be open to new ways of being church. 

This Mission Statement should be reviewed at least every three years. 

In 2024-25 we sought to put this Mission Statement into practice through: 

- a ministerial team of one part-time Superintendent (shared with another Circuit), one fulltime minister and a circuit administrator. 

- a Leadership Team of three circuit stewards and a further volunteer, the ministers and administrator who collectively guide the Circuit’s life and work. 

- further ministerial or lay officers with specific responsibilities who attend Circuit and, where applicable, District meetings. 

- a Circuit Property Group who manage the Circuit’s properties and give advice to churches. 

- assistance from the Circuit’s supernumerary ministers. 

## **Review of progress and achievements:** 

Just before the beginning of September 2024, the Circuit was delighted to welcome its new ordained staff team: Rev Tim Perkins as Circuit Superintendent, whom we share with Wharfedale and Aireborough Circuit, and Rev Susan McIvor as Circuit Minister. Throughout the year, Tim and Susan worked with the churches and the rest of CLT to discern the priorities and direction for this next chapter of the Circuit’s life. Relationships were quickly established and it was soon apparent that, despite the reduction in ministers, there were exciting opportunities for mission and outreach in all the churches in the Circuit. 

Particular areas of focus included the many expressions of community outreach at Long Preston, ideas for a heritage project at Grassington that would make the most of its setting and listed building, developing the existing drop-ins at Malham to engage more with the local community, and exploring the opportunities afforded by the Accessibility Project at Bradley and the property redevelopment at Trinity St Andrew’s. All these activities sought to make the best use of existing resources, supplemented where possible by grants from the Circuit, District and external bodies. 

All the while, worship took place throughout the year in our chapels and livestreamed online, and ministers and volunteers offered pastoral care and conducted services including funerals to support people in our communities. Outreach in schools, care homes and on Trinity St Andrew’s allotment supplemented the work in our church buildings. 

As the year progressed, gaps in provision also became apparent, and so plans began to be formed to appoint a Childrens, Youth and Families Worker and a Faith in Later Life Worker, which came to fruition after the year-end. These two new roles offer exciting opportunities for reaching out and communicating our faith to a wider demographic and many people with whom currently we have no contact. 

4 



During the year, the Circuit sold Hetton Methodist Church and the Grassington manse, and continued to work towards the sale of Embsay Methodist Church. Plans advanced to sell the Sawley Street property, which completed after the year-end. These property sales are already making available significant financial resources to support the Circuit’s plans for new staff and property projects. Projects focusing on energy efficiency measures towards Net Zero were also planned, including double glazing at Long Preston, which was installed after the year-end, and investigations towards solar panels at the Skipton manse. 

At the end of the year, the Circuit gave thanks to Jane Jolly and Sharon Stow, who had served for many years as Circuit Stewards, and to Eileen Lloyd who had served on Circuit Leadership Team. It was recognized that it was a major priority to try to find new Circuit Stewards as well as other volunteers to support the life and work of the Circuit. Another priority is to discern the best governance structure for the churches and the Circuit, recognizing its small size, and its links with Wharfedale and Aireborough Circuit. 

## **Financial Information:** 

The accounts show that total income for 2024-25 was £564,345 (£138,227 in 2023-24) and total expenditure £384,184 (2023-24 £212,772), leaving an overall surplus of £180,161 (deficit of £74,545 in 2023-24). However, these figures include income beyond the Circuit’s regular operation of £12,370 from Embsay, £500 from the Broughton Road lease, £60,000 profit on the sale of Hetton Methodist Church and £376,000 profits on the sale of the Grassington manse. On the expenditure side they include a £2,000 grant for Trinity St Andrew’s Community Worker, £1,425 Model Trust Fund levy, £362 Hetton costs, £7,811 Embsay costs, and sale costs and levies of: £45,828 for Hetton, £192,798 for Grassington manse, and £305 for the future sale of 20 Sawley Street. Excluding these sums results in a more realistic revenue budget deficit of £18,180 which was significantly less than the previous year (2023-24 £56,149) because of increased interest and church contributions combined with a reduced ordained staffing allocation. 

At 31st August 2025, the Circuit’s unrestricted cash reserves (ignoring fixed / investment property assets, endowments and restricted funds but including designated funds from Embsay) stood at £636,103 (2024: £205,700). The principal cause of this major increase was the sale of the Grassington manse and Hetton Methodist Church. 

The revenue deficit was much lower than it has been in recent years owing principally to the staffing reduction but it is forecast to increase, for example because of inflation and the significant plans for new lay staff. Combined with the Circuit’s plans to maintain and improve its properties, e.g. for energy efficiency, and to support church mission projects, it is clear that these reserves will be much in demand to provide essential funds. Further property sales will continue to bring in additional reserves, and so the Circuit can be confident of its present financial viability. We remain deeply grateful for the faithful giving of church members that provides essential revenue for Circuit activities to build and grow the Kingdom. At the same time, we recognize that the age profile and declining membership in many churches will make us increasingly dependent on property proceeds, but that there is only a finite number of properties left to sell. The situation is being carefully monitored to ensure the right balance between spending and saving. 

The Reserves Policy is appended as part of this report. 

## **Risk assessment:** 

The major risks to which the Circuit is exposed have been reviewed and systems have been developed to mitigate those risks. Procedures are in place to minimise internal risks and these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the Circuit. 

## **Trustees’ responsibilities:** 

The trustees have reviewed and accepted the statement of trustees’ responsibilities on page 7 of the accounts. 

## **Public benefit:** 

In deciding what activities the Circuit should undertake, the trustees have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. 

5 



## **Fundraising:** 

The Circuit’s principal funding comes from property sale proceeds and the shares given by its churches, supplemented by rental income, grants, interest and some sundries. The Circuit raises only a very small proportion of its income directly from members of the public, for example via the donate options on the Circuit’s website. No complaints about the Circuit’s fundraising activities have been received. 

## **Approved by the trustees in June 2026** 

## **Rev'd T. Perkins** 

**Mr E. Tate** 

6 



## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities** 

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK GAAP). 

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the circuit’s financial activities during the year and of its position at the end of the year. 

In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies  and apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the circuit will continue in operation. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the circuit and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the circuit and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

On behalf of the association 

Rev'd T. Perkins Trustee 

7 



## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Circuit number 27/18** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2025** 

|**Notes to**<br>**the**<br>**accounts**<br>**Income**<br>1   Offerings<br>2   Donations<br>4<br>3   Gift Aid<br>4   Interest and investment income<br>6<br>5   Income from investment properties<br>6<br>5a Capital receipts from sale of assets<br>6   Internal organisations<br>7   Other charitable income<br>5<br>8**Total income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>9   Circuit assessment or share<br>10 Grants and donations<br>14<br>11 Property Maintenance<br>11, 12<br>12 Property insurance, utilities etc<br>11, 12<br>13 Depreciation<br>14 Office expenses<br>10<br>15 Other expenditure<br>9, 13<br>16 Internal organisations<br>17**Total charitable expenditure**<br>18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments<br>19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties<br>20**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>21 Transfers between funds<br>22 Other gains/(losses)<br>23**Net movement in funds**<br>24 Total funds brought forward<br>**25 Total funds carried forward**|<br> <br>**General Fund**<br>**(Unrestricted)**<br>**Circuit Model**<br>**Trust**<br>**(Unrestricted)**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**(unrestricted)**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**Total**<br>**2024-25**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>92,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**92,000**<br>3,308<br>-<br>4,870<br>134<br>-<br>**8,312**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>6,467<br>10,877<br>1,699<br>-<br>-<br>**19,043**<br>1,352<br>-<br>7,500<br>-<br>-<br>**8,852**<br>(250,000)<br>686,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**436,000**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>138<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**138**<br>**(146,735)**<br>**696,877**<br>**14,069**<br>**134**<br>**-**<br>**564,345**<br>26,800<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**26,800**<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**2,000**<br>5,193<br>-<br>2,700<br>-<br>-<br>**7,893**<br>8,230<br>21,742<br>5,111<br>-<br>-<br>**35,083**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>3,402<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**3,402**<br>89,643<br>218,987<br>-<br>376<br>-<br>**309,006**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**135,268**<br>**240,729**<br>**7,811**<br>**376**<br>**-**<br>**384,184**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**(282,003)**<br>**456,148**<br>**6,258**<br>**(242)**<br>**-**<br>**180,161**<br>42,000<br>(32,000)<br>(10,000)<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**(240,003)**<br>**424,148**<br>**(3,742)**<br>**(242)**<br>**-**<br>**180,161**<br>1,150,794<br>45,442<br>41,464<br>278,432<br>8,374<br>**1,524,506**<br>**910,791**<br>**469,590**<br>**37,722**<br>**278,190**<br>**8,374**<br>**1,704,667**|
|---|---|



8 



**Circuit number 27/18** 

## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024 (comparative year)** 

|**Notes to**<br>**the**<br>**accounts**<br>**Income**<br>1   Offerings<br>2   Donations<br>4<br>3   Gift Aid<br>4   Interest and investment income<br>6<br>5   Income from investment properties<br>6<br>5a Capital receipts from sale of assets<br>6   Internal organisations<br>7   Other charitable income<br>5<br>8**Total income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>9   Circuit assessment or share<br>10 Grants and donations<br>14<br>11 Property Maintenance<br>11, 12<br>12 Insurance,utilities etc<br>11, 12<br>13 Depreciation<br>14 Office expenses<br>10<br>15 Other expenditure<br>8, 9, 13<br>16 Internal organisations<br>17**Total charitable expenditure**<br>18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments<br>19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties<br>20**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>21 Transfers between funds<br>22 Other gains/(losses)<br>23**Net movement in funds**<br>24 Total funds brought forward<br>**25 Total funds carried forward**|<br> <br>**General Fund**<br>**(Unrestricted)**<br>**Circuit Model**<br>**Trust**<br>**(Unrestricted)**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**(unrestricted)**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**Total**<br>**2022-23**<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>£<br>87,910<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**87,910**<br>15,996<br>-<br>5,835<br>1,020<br>-<br>**22,851**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>8,474<br>5,064<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**13,538**<br>7,552<br>-<br>6,056<br>-<br>-<br>**13,608**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>320<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**320**<br>**120,252**<br>**5,064**<br>**11,891**<br>**1,020**<br>-<br>**138,227**<br>25,536<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**25,536**<br>27,500<br>(5,000)<br>-<br>1,320<br>-<br>**23,820**<br>19,389<br>-<br>3,008<br>-<br>-<br>**22,397**<br>13,418<br>-<br>4,861<br>-<br>-<br>**18,279**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>3,070<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**3,070**<br>114,602<br>2,446<br>-<br>2,622<br>-<br>**119,670**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>**203,515**<br>**(2,554)**<br>7,869<br>**3,942**<br>-<br>**212,772**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**(83,263)**<br>**7,618**<br>**4,022**<br>**(2,922)**<br>**-**<br>**(74,545)**<br>64,697<br>(29,697)<br>(35,000)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**(18,566)**<br>**(22,079)**<br>**(30,978)**<br>**(2,922)**<br>**-**<br>**(74,545)**<br>1,169,360<br>67,521<br>72,442<br>281,354<br>8,374<br>1,599,051<br>**1,150,794**<br>**45,442**<br>**41,464**<br>**278,432**<br>**8,374**<br>**1,524,506**|
|---|---|



9 



**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

**Circuit number 27/18** 

## **Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
GN<br>Circuit Model  Designated<br>Notes  General Fund  Trusts  Funds  Restricted  Endowment  Totals      Totals<br>to the  (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted) Funds  Funds 2024/25 2023/24<br>Accounts £ £ £ £ £ £ £<br>Fixed Assets<br>Circuit building and other property 15 407,000 - - 277,771 - 684,771 834,771 R<br>Investment properties 16 375,000 - - - - 375,000 475,000 R<br>Investments 16 - - - - 8,374 8,374 8,374<br>Total fixed assets 782,000 - - 277,771 8,374 1,068,145 1,318,145<br>Current Assets<br>Debtors and prepayments 17 7,046 - - - - 7,046 9,104 S<br>Loans by the Circuit 17 - - - - - - -<br>Investments with TMCP - 469,590 26,562 - - 496,152 80,419<br>Central Finance Board Deposits 162,121 - - - - 162,121 151,923 T<br>Cash at Bank and in hand 33,191 - 11,160 419 - 44,770 32,307<br>Total current assets 202,358 469,590 37,722 419 - 710,089 273,753<br>Current liabilities<br>Creditors (due in under 1 year) 18 48,567 - - - - 48,567 17,392 U<br>Grants payable within 2025-26 - - - - - - - V<br>Total current liabilities 48,567 - - - - 48,567 17,392<br>Net current assets/liabilities 153,791 469,590 37,722 419 - 661,522 256,361<br>Total assets less current liabilities<br>935,791 469,590 37,722 278,190 8,374 1,729,667 1,574,506<br>Long term liabilities<br>(due after more than one year)<br>Grants payable after more than one year 18 25,000 - - - - 25,000 50,000 V<br>Loans to the Circuit - - - - - - -<br>Net assets 910,791 469,590 37,722 278,190 8,374 1,704,667 1,524,506 W<br>Funds of the Circuit<br>General Fund (Unrestricted) 910,791 910,791 1,150,794<br>Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted) 469,590 469,590 45,442 W<br>Designated Funds (Unrestricted) 37,722 37,722 41,464<br>Total Unrestricted Funds 1,418,103 1,237,700<br>Restricted Funds 278,190 278,190 278,432<br>Endowment Funds 8,374 8,374 8,374<br>Total Funds 910,791 469,590 37,722 278,190 8,374 1,704,667 1,524,506<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**Signed** 

**Circuit Treasurer Date** 

10 



**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 

## **1. Basis of accounting and accounting policies** 

- i **Accounting standard** 

   - The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of  Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). 

- ii **Public benefit entity** 

The Circuit is a public benefit entity under the definition in FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below. 

iii **Basis** 

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year, on the accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities. 

- iv **Content** 

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £ Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound. 

## v **Going concern** 

Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2025, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concern. 

## **2. Fixed assets** 

- Tangible fixed assets (excluding investments) are functional assets used for charitable purposes and are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. 

## **Investment properties** 

Investment properties are included at market value, estimated by reference to the insurance value where no other valuation is available. 

## **Investments** 

Investments are included in the Financial Statements at their market value at the balance sheet date and the gain or loss is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## **Depreciation** 

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of assets, over their useful economic life. 

Freehold property is not depreciated since the site land values are expected to be greater than the cumulative cost of the properties. 

## **Income** 

Offers are recorded when they are received or when their receipt is probable and are recorded gross of any tax recoverable. Where the received offers are related to a later period, the amount has been deferred and is included in creditors. 

Reprographic and telephone recharge income is accounted for when the invoice has been issued. 

Dividends from investments are accounted for when receivable. 

Bank interest is accounted for when receivable. 

## **Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis when a liability is incurred or a constructive obligation arises that results in the payment being probable. 

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term. 

## **3. Fund accounting** 

General funds are available for any purpose of the Methodist Circuit. Designated funds are general funds earmarked by the Circuit's stewards for a particular purpose. Restricted funds are funds which can only be applied for a particular purpose as specified by the donor. Endowment fund capital must be maintained, and any income on this capital is unrestricted. 

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**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
General  Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  Endowment<br>2025  2024<br>Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Funds<br>4. Donations, grants and legacies Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £ £<br>District grants - - - - - - 7,977<br>Hetton donations and legacies - - - - - - 4,694<br>Donations and sundry income 25 - 4,870 - 4,895 6,855<br>Malham project grants and donations 3,283 - - 134 - 3,417 3,325<br>Total 3,308 - 4,870 134 - 8,312 22,851<br>General  Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  Endowment<br>2025  2024<br>Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Funds<br>5. Charitable activities - other Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £ £<br>Charitable activities - Reprographics 138 - - - - 138 320<br>Charitable activities - Circuit services - - - - - - -<br>Total 138 - - - - 138 320<br>General  Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  Endowment<br>2025  2024<br>Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Funds<br>6. Investment income Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £ £<br>Rental income 1,352 - 7,500 - - 8,852 13,608<br>- -<br>Interest/dividends 6,467 10,877 1,699 19,043 13,538<br>Total 7,819 10,877 9,199 - - 27,895 27,146<br>7. Payment to Trustees 2025  2024<br>Total Total<br>Number of trustees who were paid expenses                 3              4<br>Nature of the expenses<br>Trustees only received reimbursement for  travel and other costs incurred for the Circuit, and small sums for preaching fees.<br>Total amount paid 2,754 4,091<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


12 



**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
8. Fees for examination of the accounts 2025  2024<br>Total Total<br>£ £<br>Independent examiner’s fees  for reporting on the  1,025 975<br>Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy<br>services) paid to the independent<br>examiner or auditor                 -                      -<br>9. Stipends, salaries and other staff costs 2025  2024<br>Total Total<br>Staff costs paid during the year  £ £<br>were:<br>Stipends        41,526            60,361<br>Ministers' National Insurance & apprentice levy           4,669              6,605<br>Ministers' superannuation          8,065            16,296<br>Ministers' expenses          2,304              3,857<br>Stationing and removal costs             600              2,623<br>Employee gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind         16,195            13,840<br>Employer’s National Insurance costs & apprentice levy           1,358                 724<br>Employer's pension costs             972                 830<br>Preacher costs             424                   -<br>Supernumery costs             715              1,149<br>Total staff costs 76,828 106,285<br>Average number of staff (inlcuding ministers) employed during<br>the year were: 3 3<br>Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  2025  2024<br>10. Circuit office costs General Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £<br>Telephone 1,593 - - -             185  238<br>Postage and stationery 100 - - -             100  557<br>Photocopying costs 1,116 - - -          1,116  1,761<br>Insurance 481 - - -             481  271<br>Sundry office costs 112 - - -             112  243<br>Total 3,402 - - - 1,994 3,070<br>Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  2025  2024<br>11. Manse running costs General Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £<br>Council tax 4,717 - - -          4,717  7,183<br>Water rates and utilities 913 - - -             913  845<br>Telephone - - - -          1,408  1,750<br>Contribution to Wharfedale & Aireborough<br>manse 2,038 - - -           2,038  -<br>Insurance 1,217 - - -          1,217  1,245<br>Sale costs 130 10,446 - -        10,576  50<br>Repairs and maintenance 1,870 - - -          1,870  14,631<br>Total 10,885 10,446 - - 22,739 25,704<br>Circuit Model  Designated  Restricted  2025  2024<br>12. Investment property running costs General Fund Trust Fund  Funds Funds Total Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £<br>Rental property repairs and maintenance 90 - 1,800 -          1,890  2,403<br>Rental property insurance 78 - 2,031 -          2,109  3,389<br>Rental property utilities and council tax 87 - 2,580 -          2,667  3,717<br>Rental property management costs 3,233 - 900 -          4,133  5,363<br>Sale costs -               950 11,296 500 -        10,846  100<br>Total 2,538 11,296 7,811 - 21,645 14,972<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


13 



## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 

|**13. Other outgoings**<br>Investment management costs<br>CMTF contribution<br>CPF levy<br>Accountancy fees<br>Quinquennial inspection fees<br>Malham costs<br>Malham garden costs<br>Bank charges<br>Sundry expenses<br>**Total**<br>**14. Grants and donations paid**<br>Trinity - Joel<br>Trinity - redevelopment project<br>Collections received and passed on<br>Bradley Methodist Church - 3Generate<br>Coniston Hostel<br>Pension fund donation refunded<br>**Total**|**General Fund**<br>**Circuit Model**<br>**Trust Fund**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**Total**<br>2024<br>Total<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>£<br>142<br>148<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**290**<br>396<br>-<br>1,136<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**1,136**<br>2,196<br>-<br>217,703<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**217,703**<br>-<br>1,025<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**1,025**<br>975<br>1,732<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**1,732**<br>4,301<br>9,477<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**9,477**<br>5,201<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>376<br>-<br>**376**<br>32<br>60<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**60**<br>60<br>379<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**379**<br>224<br>**12,815**<br>**218,987**<br>**-**<br>**376**<br>**-**<br>**232,178**<br>13,385<br>**General Fund**<br>**Circuit Model**<br>**Trust Fund**<br>**Designated**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**2025**<br>**Total**<br>2024<br>Total<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>£<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**2,000**<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>25,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>1,020<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>300<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>500<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**-**<br>(5,000)<br>**2,000**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**2,000**<br>**23,820**|
|---|---|



## **15.   Tangible Fixed Assets** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Other fixed<br>assets<br>including  Fixtures,<br>Residential  Other  motor  fittings and<br>Cost or valuation land  Other land  Manses buildings vehicles equipment Total<br>£ £ £ £ £ £ £<br>Balance brought forward 557,000 277,771 834,771<br>Additions<br>Revaluations (+/-)<br>Disposals (-) 150,000 150,000<br>Transfers * (+/-)<br>Balance carried forward 407,000 277,771 684,771<br>Accumulated depreciation<br>Balance brought forward<br>Depreciation charge for year (-)<br>Revaluations (+/-)<br>Disposals (-)<br>Transfers* (+/-)<br>Balance carried forward<br>Net book value<br>Brought forward 557,000 277,771 834,771<br>Carried forward 407,000 277,771 684,771<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


There is now 1 manse owned by the Circuit (1 sold in the year).  The other property is Malham Chapel which has now been refurbished for mission to visitors, worship by local church and community use. 

14 



**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 

## **16. 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 is the 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 day 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 policy as determined by the Methodist Conference. 

## **Analysis of investment movements** 

|**Total**<br>**Name**<br>**Type**<br>Miss A Tattersall bequest<br>Trustees interest fund<br>Surplus trusts fund<br>Trustees interest fund<br>Mr B T Ackroyd gift<br>Trustees interest fund<br>Various gifts<br>Trustees interest fund<br>**Investment properties**<br>20 Sawley Street<br>Embsay Chapel<br>Hetton Chapel<br>**Total**<br>Carrying (market) value at beginning of year<br>Add: additions to investments at cost<br>Less: disposals at carrying value<br>Net gain/(loss) on revaluation/disposal<br>Carrying (market) value at end of year<br>Broughton Road<br>**Change in investment values**<br>Investments held with Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes<br>Investment properties|**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>(see below)<br>8,374<br>8,374<br>375,000<br>475,000<br>383,374<br>483,374<br>483,374<br>483,374<br>-<br>-<br>(100,000)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>383,374<br>483,374<br>**Opening**<br>**value**<br>**Mvmt in**<br>**value**<br>**Disposal of**<br>**funds**<br>**Closing**<br>**market value**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>3,314<br>-<br>-<br>3,314<br>794<br>-<br>-<br>794<br>2,016<br>-<br>-<br>2,016<br>2,250<br>-<br>-<br>2,250<br>8,374<br>-<br>-<br>8,374<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>25,000<br>25,000<br>100,000<br>100,000<br>250,000<br>250,000<br>-<br>100,000<br>375,000<br>475,000|
|---|---|



15 



**Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

## **Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025** 

|**17**<br>**18. Creditors and Accruals**<br>Grants Payable<br>**Debtors and Prepayments**<br>Prepayments<br>Accrued Income<br>**Total Current Liabilities**<br>Accruals<br>Deferred Income<br>**Other Creditors due in over 1 year - grants payable**<br>**Total Debtors and Prepayments**|**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>6,350<br>8,217<br>696<br>887<br>7,046<br>9,104<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,874<br>1,657<br>21,693<br>15,735<br>25,000<br>-<br>48,567<br>17,392<br>25,000<br>50,000|
|---|---|



## **19. Future Commitments** 

£5,000 committed to support Trinity St Andrew's Community Link Co-ordinator for a further 2 years. 

If Malham were to cease community use and be sold, the grant from the Connexional Property Fund (£90,000) would need to be repaid. 

## **20. Analysis of assets by fund** 

|Fixed assets<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Long term liabilities|**Unrestricted**<br>**Designated**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**Funds**<br>**Funds**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>782,000<br>-<br>277,771<br>8,374<br>671,948<br>37,722<br>419<br>-<br>(48,567)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(25,000)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,380,381<br>37,722<br>278,190<br>8,374|**Total**<br>**£**<br>1,068,145<br>710,089<br>(48,567)<br>(25,000)<br>1,704,667|
|---|---|---|



## Unrestricted funds 

The general fund can be used in any way as long as expenditure falls within the objects of the Circuit. 

The Circuit Model Trust Fund (CMTF) is unrestricted and can be used in the same way as the general fund. 

## Restricted funds 

The donations for the Malham fund are to be spent on the Malham Chapel property. 

## Designated funds 

Designated funds are funds set aside for the Embsay property. 

## Endowment funds 

These are small permanent endowment funds held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes and from which income received is expendable for any appropriate Circuit purposes. 

## Fund analysis 

|**Unrestricted funds:**<br>General fund<br>CMTF fund<br>Embsay funds<br>**Restricted funds:**<br>Malham fund<br>Malham garden fund<br>Children and Youth fund<br>**Endowment funds**|**Balance**<br>**Balance**<br>**Brought**<br>**Carried**<br>**Forward**<br>**Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>**Transfers**<br>**Forward**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,150,794<br>(146,735)<br>(135,268)<br>42,000<br>910,791<br>45,442<br>696,877<br>(240,729)<br>(32,000)<br>469,590<br>41,464<br>14,069<br>(7,811)<br>(10,000)<br>37,722<br>277,771<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>277,771<br>242<br>134<br>(376)<br>-<br>-<br>419<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>419<br>8,374<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>8,374<br>1,524,506<br>564,345<br>(384,184)<br>-<br>1,704,667|
|---|---|



16 



## **Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit DECLARATIONS** 

## **Treasurer** 

I confirm that these accrual based accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 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 Date Name of Treasurer Address 

## **Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.** 

I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented to the Circuit Meeting at its meeting on 

and were approved. 

Signature of the Chair of the meeting 

Name of the Chair of the meeting 

Date 

## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the accounts of the Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the Skipton & Grassington Methodist Circuit accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2025. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the trustees of the Charity 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 Charity’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 the Charity’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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. 

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. 

## **L R Brain FCA** 

Dated: 

Chartered Accountant 4 Windermere Rise Brighouse West Yorkshire HD6 4FH 

17 



## **Appendix 1** 

## **RESERVES POLICY** 

## **Report on behalf of** 

Skipton and Grassington Circuit Meeting 

## **To** 

## Yorkshire West District 

We submit our annual report in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Conference and the Charity Commission guidance in CC19. 

- We submit our annual report in accordance with the (iii) We have agreed a Reserves Policy which is set requirements of the Methodist Conference and the out overleaf and is recorded in the trustees’ Charity Commission guidance in CC19. minutes and our Annual Report (I)     The trustees have established their mission aims (iv) We recognise the need to be accountable as taking into account all of the resources available in charity trustees for all the money which comes into our hands and will provide further 

- terms of people, property and money information as required by the Ci it/Di t i t/C i 

- (ii)     Mission initiatives/projects have been costed or estimates made of projected future costs which take (v) Our Report is attached overleaf into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Report/s * please delete as appropriate 

## To be completed by Receiving Body 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
The<br>*Circuit  Meeting/District received the RESERVES POLICY of<br>*Church Council/Circuit Meeting/District<br>Policy accepted and acknowledgement sent to the trustees  YES/NO<br>Policy noted and the following enquiries made of the trustees<br>Responses received and any further action taken<br>*Circuit/District<br>Signatures ……………………………… ……………………………………. Date…………<br>* Please delete as appropriate<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




**RESERVES POLICY** of 

## **Skipton and Grassington Circuit Meeting** 

|1.|**General**Funds held at Y/E 31/08/2025|£636,103|(1,418,103 less 782,000|
|---|---|---|---|
||||property)|
|||||
|2.|**Restricted**Funds held        “|£419<br>|(278,190 less 277,771|
||||property)|
|||||
|3.|**Endowment**Funds held       “|£8,374||



## 4. **Reserves policy for General Funds** 

Of the £636,103 General Funds (non-property) £37,722 were designated separately, having come from Embsay Methodist Church’s closure. These are being applied to the ongoing Embsay property costs while we await its sale and towards the costs of ministry from which the former members can benefit. 

- For the remaining £598,381 the following purposes were identified: **•** £89,787 to provide 6 months’ running costs (based on forecast revenue expenditure for 2025-26) to mitigate unexpected shortfalls in income, emergencies and cash flow variations. 

- £80,000 Manse Fund for maintenance and repair and energy efficiency / net zero measures including an allowance of £50,000 for replacing roof and installing solar panels at the Skipton manse, enabling the Circuit to support the Methodist Church’s net zero goals. 

- **•** £35,000 Church Mission Fund, to allow for grants for church projects. For example, £2,000 and £3,000 have been approved for TSA’s Community Link Co-ordinator in 2025-26 and 2026-27, and a grant for Grassington’s Heritage Project anticipated to be around £14,000. 

- £85,000 towards the Model Trust Fund (MTF) levy (not included in the Circuit’s revenue deficit) which contributes to the wider mission of the Methodist Church. E.g. the levy in September 2025 was £27,784 and is budgeted to be £28,000 in September 2026, and £25,000 in 2027. 

- £308,594 Circuit Mission Fund to enable mission activity by funding the Circuit’s revenue deficit. For example, the combined revenue deficits to 31st August 2029 (4 years from the end of the accounting period), less the £70,000 that would come from the above Manse Fund, is £364,839 – greater than the reserves, showing that the Circuit will need further sales proceeds. But nearly half of this deficit results from the two new missional lay employee posts, which is the best example to demonstrate that these reserves are being used to fund exciting new outreach work. 

1 

## 5. **Policy for Restricted Funds** 

£419 are funds drawn down from two former TMCP Trusts to support work with children and youth across the Circuit. 

## 6. **Terms relating to Endowment Funds held** 

The remaining endowment funds are held by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Circuit will seek to follow TMCP’s Consultation Process to determine if the capital may be accessed to better fulfil the Trusts’ purposes. 

|This Reserves Policy has been approved by<br>Signature<br>Full name<br>Treasurer|Trustee<br>Full name<br>**Skipton and Grassington Circuit Meeting**<br>Signature|
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