## **Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit** ## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020** **Introduction** This is the Annual Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31 August 2020 for Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist Circuit which is a Circuit made up of 15 churches located in North Yorkshire and consisting of 2 sections centred around Ripon and Boroughbridge, Masham and Bedale. **Aims and organisation** In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Circuit Meeting, under the leadership of the Superintendent and th e Circuit Leadership Team, meet regularly throughout the year and have endeavoured to ensure that in advancing our objectives they conform to the Charities Act 2011 and are in line with Charity Commissioners’ general guidance. Our mission is to resource church and community, enabling them to carry out the vision to be an effective and visible Christian presence in our area. We aim to achieve this by encouraging, throughout the Circuit and its churches, the worship, social and outreach activities that currently exist and by seeking new ways to extend to others the fellowship of the Church family. ## **Review of the year** Along with the rest of the world, this year has been an extremely difficult one due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. It has thrown up enormous challenges with the closure of our premises and the cessation of in-person worship for a large part of the year. We have adapted to home working and remote worship both online and in paper format. Our Circuit staff have risen to the challenge by upskilling in the use of technology and in ensuring that our Christian outreach programmes have continued wherever possible. In particular the regular monthly recorded services distributed to all of the care homes within our circuit have been extremely well received and a very welcome continued Christian presence in care homes where the implications and ravages of Covid-19 have been so keenly felt. Prior to lockdown we had developed 2 new Messy Church projects run on a regular basis by our Circuit Enabler in conjunction with ecumenical local partners. During lockdown staff members have been involved in recording Open the Book presentations for local schools as well as recorded collective worship for local schools. We have been in a fortunate financial position which has enable us to support projects for refugees and asylum seekers both locally and wider across Yorkshire and Humberside. The work of engaging with the communities served by all the local churches has been ongoing. The accounts have been prepared under the accounts basis adopting standard accounting procedures using a tolerance of 0.75% of turnover for any accruals basis adjustments. In our case that is £1755 for any single item, i.e. telephone, council tax etc as none of our bills would amounts to this figure, no accruals adjustments have been made. No end of year debtors and creditors exist. During the year the Circuit received £577,917 including disposal of capital assets (18-19 £306,113) and dispersed £423,812 (18-19 £429,264). During the year we sold one of our unused manses at Bedale and a parcel of land previously owned by Leeming Church, following the church closure. The trustees of the Circuit have every reason to believe that the Circuit is a going concern, principally because Churches continue to meet their assessments and the Circuit has adequate reserves to cover any unexpected shortfall in income. There was one subsidiary undertaking. The provision of a thorough professional deep clean of all our premises and the provision of all necessary PPE equipment and sanitiser to enable our premises to reopen safely during the Covid-19 crisis. This was funded from the uplift in the final sale price of the parcel of land which far exceeded our initial expectations and valuation. Trustees do not foresee any facts that will significantly affect the financial performance or position in the next year or two other than financial assistance needed by our churches should the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown continue indefinitely. Spending against budget remains on or below target. In the coming year it is intended to sell the Masham Manse which is no longer required due to the reduction in our ministerial staffing. The 2 village chapels which closed last year will also be placed on to the market once planning permission has been given, to enable us to maximise their worth. ## **Income trends** Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. The rental income in the year relates to the rental of one manse which is currently not required for a Minister. ## **Expenditure trends** Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved increases, as has lay worker salaries per agreement by Circuit Meeting. 20.8% of revenue expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. ## **Fund balances** As at 31 August 2020 the net current assets of the Circuit were £2,008,403 including restricted and designated funds. Our reserve policy is to maintain at least 6 months of expected annual expenditure as reserve, the reason for the excess is explained in our reserve policy document. ## **Plans for 2020/21** This year the circuit will see changes in ministerial staff with a new Superintended Minister Revd. Gareth Baron and a new presbyter the Revd. Ian Pruden taking up appointments. Further changes include the evolving lay employee role of the community link enabler into a Local Pastor role. This evolvement was identified with the lay employee during a circuit resourcing review carried out by the Circuit leadership team. The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought both new challenges and opportunities which have influence plans for the year. The circuit is committed to providing accessible worship at home resources and providing good pastoral care for its membership and adherents. Also, the circuit will explore developing a new local pastor position to better meet present ministerial needs and further the potential growth in the ministry and witness of the circuit through the local church which is being identified. Such plans are all part of the Ministerial oversight to review policies, mainly the circuit mission policy to gain a clear vision ahead. **Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit** **Trustee’s Annual Report on Finance and Governance** ## **Trustee s Annual Report on Finance and Governance** ## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015. **Full Name of Charity** : Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist Circuit **Registration Charity Number** : 113379 **Date of registration** : 27 January 2010 **Main communication address** : Circuit Office, Allhallowgate Methodist Church Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG The members of the Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. Fully membership is shown as Appendix A to this report. ## **Circuit Ministers and officers** **Active Circuit Ministers** : Rev G Baron Rev I Pruden Deacon N Perrott **Circuit Lay Workers** : Mrs P Smith Miss D Gaskill Mrs C Clowes **Circuit Stewards** : Mrs K Emms Mrs M Scollay Miss M Smith Mr R Jennings **Support Manager** : Mrs P Smith **Administrative Manager** : Miss D Gaskill Diane Gaskill acted as the principal officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year. ## **Independent examiner** : R Stride & Co LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) Accountants, Rear of Eastville Terrace Ripon Road Harrogate North Yorkshire HG1 3HJ **Investment Bankers** : Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes **Bankers:** CAF Bank Ltd HSBC plc Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 25 Kings Hill Avenue 34 Westgate 9 Bonhill Street Kings Hill Ripon London West Malling HG4 2BL EC2A 4PE ME19 4JQ **Investment Managers and Custodian Trustees** : Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester, M1 1JQ **Ripon and Lower Dale Circuit Aims and organisation** Ch it bj ti i t t R P id ithi th d Ri d L D l M th di t Ci it f th M th di t Ch h Charity objective is to act as a Resource Provider within the area around Ripon and Lower Dales Methodist Circuit for the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of: a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and 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 organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike. The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Taking religious assemblies in local schools. Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. Provision of chaplaincy services to the local community including National Trust and Police and other institutions. The Circuit has also been approached to increase our chaplaincy serviced to include Ripon Racecourse. ## **Public Benefit** We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Structure, Governance and Management The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team along with the Local Preachers meeting. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees. ## **Related Parties** The Circuit is part of the Yorkshire North and East Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference of Great Britain. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit Allhallowgate, Bishop Monkton, Boroughbridge, Harrogate Road, Dallowgill, Ellington, Grewelthorpe, Kirkby Malzeard, Masham, Sawley, Snape, West Tanfield, Bedale, Carthorpe, and Finghall. **Any other specific organisations with specific linkage** . None. ## **Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit** ## **Risk Management** Any major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Safeguarding** Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: - the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults - the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable - the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to thedangers of abuse. - We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. - We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation. - We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. - We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. • In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice The Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. ## **Reserves Policy** The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 6 months’ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and/or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches. ## **Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit Appendix A CIRCUIT MEETING MEMBERSHIP MINISTERS** Rev Gareth Baron - Superintendent Rev Ian Pruden Deacon Nigel Perrott ## **MINISTERS IN OTHER APPOINTMENTS** ## **SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS** Rev David Emison Rev Barry Lumley Rev Keith Phipps **SECRETARY** Mrs E Teasdale **LAYWORKERS** Mrs P Smith Miss D Gaskill Mrs C Clowes **CIRCUIT STEWARDS** Mrs K Emms Mrs M Scollay Miss M Smith Mr R Jennings ## **Circuit Local Preachers & Worship Leaders representatives** Mr L Baynes Mrs E Hogerzeil Mrs J Goodall **Circuit Safeguarding Co-ordinator** Mrs K Emms ## **CIRCUIT CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES** ## **Churches:** ## **Allhallowgate** Senior Steward Bryan George Treasurer John Ensoll Church Rep Robin Jennings Named Substitute Elisabeth Hogerzeil ## **Bedale & DMC** Steward Clare Dalton Treasurer Kathy Lowrie Church reps Sharon Holmes ## **Bishop Monkton** Senior Steward Angela Archbold Treasurer Tim Abel Church rep David Arundell ## **Boroughbridge** Senior Steward Julie Smith Treasurer Lyn Allen ## **Carthorpe** Senior Steward Joan Fothergill Treasurer Brian Fothergill Named Substitute Andrew Ashford ## **Dallowgill** Steward Geoff Lobley Treasurer Brian Davies ## **Ellington** Steward Mark Greensit Treasurer Robert Greensit ## **Finghall** Senior Steward Alan Davies Treasurer Cynthia Davies ## **Grewelthorpe (LEP** ) Jean Stelling Pauline Broadwith ## **Harrogate Road** Senior Steward Treasurer Roger Taylor Church Reps Pippa Cowie ## **Kirkby Malzeard** Steward Ruth Thomas Steward Ruth Thomas Treasurer Ruth Verity ## **Masham** Treasurer Steve Laugher Church Rep Pauline Staton ## **Sawley** Steward Joyce Spensley Treasure Janet Watson ## **Snape** Leadership Team John Duck Treasurer Janet Pentelow Church Rep Joy Abel ## **West Tanfield** Steward Simon Abel Treasurer Elizabeth Elvie **Circuit Accruals Accounts 2019-20** 29/24 ## **THE METHODIST CHURCH** ## **TEMPLATE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020** **Ri on and Lower Dales Circuit p Registered Charity - Registration number 1133792 29 24 nn / nn** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Ministers Rev Dr P A Malham
Rev G Baron
Rev H Bell
Deacon N Perrott
Circuit Stewards Karen Emms
Margaret Smith
Maureen Scollay
Robin Jennings
Circuit Treasurer Diane Gaskill
**----- End of picture text -----**
Name of Circuit Circuit No 29/24 ## Ripon and Lower Dales ## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2020** |**Income**
1 Donations and legacies
2 Income from monetary investments
3 Income from investment properties
4 Assessments on Churches
5 Capital Receipts
6 Grants received
7 Other charitable income
8**Total income**
**Expenditure**
9 Grants and donations
10 Salaries and associated costs
11 Property maintenance
12 Connexional assessment & model trust levy
13 District Assessment & Levy
14 Depreciation
15 Office expenses
16 Other outgoings
17**Total charitable expenditure**
18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments
19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties
20**Net income/(expenditure)**
21 Transfers between funds
22 Other gains/(losses)
23**Net movement in funds**
24 Total funds brought forward
**25 Total funds carried forward**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**(unrestricte**
**d)**
**Restrict**
**ed**
**Funds**
**Endowm**
**ent**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2019-20**
£
£
£
£
£
£
898
801
2
837
**2,538**
12,125
**12,125**
206,560
**206,560**
343,050
**343,050**
13,644
**13,644**
**233,227**
**343,851**
**-**
**2**
**837**
**577,917**| |---|---| ||10,064
**10,064**
174,647
**174,647**
18,231
**18,231**
39,855
**39,855**
8,749
304
**9,053**
**0**
5,843
24
**5,867**
47,266
118,829
**166,095**
**304,655**
**119,157**
**0**
**0**
**0**
**423,812**| ||0
71,924
71,924
**-71,428**
**296,618**
**0**
**2**
**837**
**226,029**
2,994
-
343,050
-
850
-
-346,894
5,033
2
-
10,543
-
-5,512
**-74,422**
**-41,399**
**0**
**0**
**-10,556**
**-126,377**| ||171,195
576
15,197
46,693
233,661
**96,773**
**230,508**
**-**
**14,980**
**36,149**
**378,410**| Name of Circuit Ripon and Lower Dales **Circuit No 29/24** ## **Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020** |**Fixed Assets**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**Circuit**
**Model**
**Trusts**
**(Unrestri**
**cted)**
£|**Designat**
**ed**
**Funds**
**(Unrestri**
**cted)**
£|**Restrict**
**ed**
**Funds**
£|**Endowm**
**ent**
**Funds**
£|**Totals**
**2019/20**
£|
**Totals**
**2018/19**
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||| |Circuit Manses & Equipment||||||1,300,746|1,536,872| |Investmentproperties|||||329,247||364,247| |Investments||||||0|| |**_Total fixed assets_**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0 **|**1,629,993**|**1,901,119**| |**Current Assets**|||||||| |Debtors||||||0|| |Loans bythe Circuit||||||0|| |Investments with TMCP||241,926||386|39,325|281,637|62,466| |Central Finance Board Deposits|76,218|||||76,218|147,804| |Cash at Bank and in hand|20,555|||||20,555|23,391| |**_Total current assets_**|**96,773**|**241,926**|**0**|**386**|**39,325**|**378,410**|**233,661**| |**Current liabilities**|||||||| |Creditors (due in under 1 year)||||||0|| |Grantspayable within 2018-19||||||0|| |**_Total current liabilities_**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**0**| |**_Net current assets/liabilities_**|**96,773**|**241,926**|**0**|**386**|**39,325**|**378,410**|**233,661**| ||||||||| |**_Total assets less current liabilities_**|**96,773**|**241,926**|**0**|**386**|**39,325 **|**2,008,403**|**2,134,780**| ||||||||| |**Long term liabilities (due after**
**more than one year)**|||||||| |Grantspayable after 2018-19||||||**0**|| |Loans to the Circuit||||||**0**|| |||||||**0**|| |**_Net assets_**|**96,773**|**241,926**|**0**|**386**|**39,325 **|**2,008,403**|**2,134,780**| |**Funds of the Circuit**|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |General Fund(Unrestricted)|96,773|241,926
0
**386**
**39,325**||||96,773|171,195| |Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted)||241,926||||241,926|12,199| |Designated Funds(Unrestricted)|||0|||0|0| |**_Total Unrestricted Funds_**||||||**338,699**|**183,394**| |Restricted Funds||||**386**||386|**386**| |Endowment Funds|||||**39,325**|39,325|**49,881**| |**_Total Funds_**|**96,773**|**241,926**|**0**|**386**|**0**|**378,410**|**233,661**| ||Signed
D R Gaskill||||||| Diane Gaskill Circuit Treasurer of artuit...RlpM and Lrywef DalEs._............._._......... No...29124........ Declaratlons and Scrutlny I conftrm thatthese accrual$￿8Sed accountsfor theyearto 31 August 2020 have been prepared from the records of the Circult andthat they Indude311 funds underthe control of the tifcuitrneetiTr& 54onatyre ofveawrer................... Name and address of treasurer...Olane GasWII. Clrcult office. ￿lhalloWe8te Methodtst Chufth. Victoria Avenue, Rlpon......._...._.............................................._................................. Posi Cc￿e...HG4 ILG......... I confirm thatthe annual rern￿￿ atcourtsfortheyeareTrded 31 Au8U5t 2020weFelwlll be presented tothe Orcultmeelln8 held on 3 March 2021.... .. ....... ofthe Chalrofthe meetin8 . Narne ofthe thalr ofthe rneetin8.' RevGareth Baron...._......... Date....... 2021 Ind•p•NI￿ Ex•mTMrf$ R•portioth•TntyMes ofthe pon and LO￿D￿l•S0￿CUlt Ch•rlty Numb•r 1133792. I reportto tt)e tsustees my*Jmination of theaEa)untsof the Ripon and Lower Dale&...._... Orcult for theyear ended 31 Au8USt 2020 set outen pa8es I to 5 Asthe QrcuiYstrustee5, YQU are responslble for the preparation of the ¥¢counts in accordèncewith the requirements of the (harltles Att2011 l*he Arfl. I report In respett of myexamin8tlon of the CSrcuiV5 accounts carried out under sectton 145 of theAtt and, In caryifi8OUtmy examinati¢Jn. I have fctlowed all the applicabl¢ Direction5 by the CharltyCcffim1$51on under sertlon 14515llbl of theAtt * d￿@t￿Ord￿Cle as aooroorlatÈ Name of Circult...Ripon and Lower Dale5........-...... It￿•P•￿d•￿6M1rt4Mrfs Stst•m•nt The CiTCUtV5 8TOS5 Income exceeded £250￿m￿j and l am qualffied to undertake the examlnatl( by belriB a quallfied member of I have completed my exarnillation. I confirm that no materlal matters have Come to mv attention in connectiofi with the examlnaboTr (other than that dlsdosed below'l which wve me cause kn belleve that In. anymaterial respett". l. the accountlngrecords were not kept In accordance wlth section 130 of the ACL. or 2. the atcounts do not accord with the accoUn￿nI records- or 3. the accounts do not comply wlth the appllcable requlrements concefnlngthe fDrm and content of accountsset out the Charltles IA££ounts and Reports) Re8ulation$ 2¢Th other than any requlrementthat the accounts 8lve a'trve artd falrf view, which is not a matter consldered as part ol an Independent examina¥ort 4. the trustees. annual report Is not conslstent with the aCC￿nts I have no concernsand have come across no ¢)ther matters in C¢)nnection wlth the examlnatlon 10 whlrh attwitson should be drawn in th15 report In order to enable a proper understsndln8of the accountsto be reached. I havelhave nor obtslned IndepewKlentverfficatbon of all Investrnents ¥rtth the Trustees for Methodlst Chur£b Purposes or held In other trusty bank balances and funds at the Central Finance 8oard of the Methodist Church are Indlvldually In excess of £IOlm {ten thousand pounds) atthe balance sheet d Slznatrjre of Independentexamlner Name of 1nde￿ndent*XaM1fter Robln Stride...................-........................................................._. Relevant professlonal quallficaoon of Independent examiner FMAAT................._.......................... Name of Ilrm It￿re approprlatel ...R Strlde & Co....................................._....................................... AddressThe Old Coath House. Rear of Eastvllle Terrace. Rlpon Road. Harro8ate, North Yorkshire Post Code ...HGI 3HJ............... delete or drcle as approprlate