2025-08-31-accounts

Ak BEDS, ESSEX & HERTS •VVMETHODIST DISTRICT The TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT and ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2025

BEDFOROSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICTofthe METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report Contents Page Trustees, Annual Report................ 3-14 Statement of Financial Activities............ 15 Balance Sheet............ 16 Cashflow statement............. 17 Notes to the Accounts................. 18-35 Declarations and Scrutiny.............. 36-37 Glossary of tenns CFB: Central Flnance Board of the Methodist Church manages a Common Deposit Fund and a series of pooled investment funds for Methodist entities in Great Britain and provides Investment advice lo those enlrties. Church: a group of members from fewer than 10 to more than 300 Clrcult: a group of Methodist Churches near ea¢h other, typi¢ally bethen 10 and 30 CMTF: Circuit Model Trust Fund Connexlon: The Methodist Church in GB which indudes the Head Office in London at Methodist Church House, all Methodist Districts. Circurts and Churches in Great Britain Dlstrlct: a group of contiguous Circuits, usually betsveen 15 and 30 DAF: Distri¢t Advance FurKI DPC- District Policy Commfftee FRS: Financial Reporting Standard HMRC.. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs MCF: Methodist Church Fund MMPS: Methodist Ministers, Pension Scheme PASLEMC: Pensions and Assurance Scheme for Lay Empl¢)yees of the Methodist Church SOFA: Statement of Financial Activities SORP: Statement of RecommerKled Practice TMCP: Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. the Custodian Trustee of all M8thodi$t Model Trust property. including Legacies. Endowments and Accumulated Funds

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DlStRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report Objectives and Activities The Bedfordshire. Essex and Hertfordshire Methodist District exists lo serve the ml$$ion of the Methodist Church of Great ￿llain. The District comwises 133 local Methodist chufches in these three COLtnlies, grouped into 11 urcurts that are served by a ministerial team of 41.92 {full-lime equivalent) kyesbyters and deacons. The District Synod is the prIn￿paI governance body of the Dislrid, comprising the ministers stationed in the District tAus a larger number of lay representalives appointed by the circuit8. There are a number of District officers appointed lo serve the work ol the Synod in particular ways. The vast majority are lay and ordained volunteers, who undertake Distriel responsibilities in addition to their other roles in the Church. The District officers are led by the District Chair, who is a presbyter appointed to s8rv8 the District full-lime. The Di5triGt employs one full-lime Safeguarding Officer, part-lime District Propety Officer. part-time District Finance Manager. full time Di81rKt ￿'ScIPleshiP Enab￿r and Iwo part-lime personal assistants to the District Chair. The District 8eTves the mission of the Methcmlist Churth by supporting the work of 118 clrculls and Ioc81 chur¢hes and by exercising overS￿ht over them. as specified under the Conslitut￿n8l Prnctice and Discipline of the Melhodisl Chts￿h of Grnal Bnlain. Principal Oistrict activities include the deployment of ministers. ministerial development. continuing training for probationer ministers, strategic financial grants lo circuits and local churches in 8UPPOrt of their mi88ion and ministy. and scrutiny of governance pro¢e$se$ In the circuits. The District Synod meets al least tswce in each yeaf to fulfil ils govemance and oversight responsibilities. As a registered charty. the Synryj lakes seriously ils responsibilities to the Charity Commissioners and adheres closety lo published guidance on public benefit. 2. Achlevam•nts and P•rfo￿anCe During the church year ended 31 August 2025. the District Synod. together with the District Policy Committee acllng as ils executive body. has continued lo discharge ils constitutional govemance responsibilitie$ in accordance wrth the Constilutinal PractKe and Disciplln& of the Methodist Church. In addilion, the District Policy Committee {DPCI has pursued specific objectives in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Trustees, Annual Report for 2023- 24. The District Synod met fvlice in representative session leomprising ministers and lay ¢ircuit represenlative$l during the year lo conduct essential business.. on 14 September 2024, hosted by the North 8edfordshire Circurt.. on 10 May 2025, hosted by the South Essex Circuit. The Synod met in presbyteral sesS￿n on 19 Marth 2025. hosted by the Colchester Circuit. The District Policy Committee met four times during the year. On 12 September 2024 and on 11 June 2025 the DPC met in person at the district office. On 13 Novemtrtf 2024 and 13 March 2025, the DPC met via video conference. This pattem of meetings reduces travel costs and carbon emissions in accordance with the district's environmental policy. A significant change in district staff occurred on 1 August 2025 through a transfer of employment. In accordance with the deusions of the Methodist Conference and following a Transfer of Undertakings {ProteGtion of Employment) ITUPE) process. the employment of

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report the district safeguarding officer transferred from the district lo the Connexional Council. The postholder now has the title of Regional Officei for Safeguarding and is aligned lo this district. The intention is that districts. circuits and local churches will benefit from standardised safeguardiThJ service across the Methodist Church as a whole. In addition lo the District Chairfs tsvo part-lime personal assistants based al the district offic8. the district employs a full-lime district dlscipleship enab￿[, a 0.6FTE district property officer and a district finance manager110 hours per week). Throughout the year. the district staff provided valuable support and gumlance to circuits and local chu￿he$ in their re8P8Ctive areas of work. A 3-year lease on the district office in Bishop's Stortford was renthl￿d in ju￿ 2025 effective until July 2028. The district office provides a suitable work base for the District Chair together wrth his personal assistants. The office is used for small meetings, indudlng the annual induction in September of ministers newly stationed in the dislrict. A dlstrict visit by the President of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Helen Cameron, in October 2024 included visits to Iwo circuits Isouth Bedfordshire and South Essex) to lead Sunday worship. The presKlent also contributed to leading a a form81ional study day for probationer presbyters and ministers in the first len years of ministry. The president visited the Lulon Airport Chaplaincy {financially $upported by th¢s distri¢t) and met with senlor airport execulNes. The District Policy Committee acting through lis grants Cornm￿ee adminislers the district grants budget to support the work of the district. circuits and local churches. The district has revised its grants policy to en¢ourage churehes lo undertake w(Kk lo make church premises more energy effi¢ient. The district funded three retreats for ministers during the year. In November 2024, ministers In the first ten years of ministry attended a retreat 8t the dioeesan house of retreat in Pleshey. In February 2025, probationer ministers attended a regional retreat al Launde Ab￿¢Y in Rutland. In May 2025, 8 group of ministers attended a retreat at the Royal Foundation of St Kathar1￿. Limehouse. All circubts have met their financial assessment during the year with the result that the dlstrict has not suffered an unexpected loss of incom&. The DPC keeps the district budget under review with the intention of finding ways gradualty lo reduce the deficit. The district re$eNe8 remain SLrfficienl to cover a budget deficit for Iwo to three years. 2.1 Plans for 2026-26 In addition to fulfilling its trustee responsibilities and discharging its govemance fvnctions, the District Synod with the District Policy Committee actiThJ as ils execLrtive intends lo.. 111 Arrange residential meelin9s for Circuit sU￿rintendents fv4ice during the year, and a residential retreat for ministers stationed in the district in the first 10 years of their ministry. (2) Arrange an induction day for those ministers (presbyters and deacon5) and probationers newly stationed in the district in 2025. {31 Investigate the provision of Human Resources support to circuits. 141 Further develop and extend rts grants policy to encourage circuits to invest in energy- saving schemes for local churthes and manses.

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the MEfHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report {5) Provide grants lo enable children and young people living in the district to participate in the 3Generale youth event to be held in October 2025. 16} Continue the regional conversation with the East Anglia District lo find ways of working together which will produce economies and lead to more effective ways of supporting circuits and loeal churches. (7) Begin the process of su¢¢ession planning for the appointment of a Districa Chair from 1 September 2027. Flnancial Review During the year the Dlstrict received total In¢cffi8 Ot £980k {2023-24: £712kl and dispersed £830k (202&24.' £498k). To the resulting Surplus was added net unrealised gains of £0.5k 1202&24'. £18k) on investments to produce a nel surplus of £150k12023-24'. a surplus of £231kl. Total funds carr￿d forward are £1,718k (2023-24.. £1.568k). It should be noted that the unreslricled reserves funded the purchase cost of the manse1£500k in 20061 which is now valued at £850k and, as a result. the unrestricted readily available reserves tolal £640k (2023-24.. £517k. on a like-for-like basis) after taking account of commf(ments to future instalments of grant. 11 should be noted that the reduction in net Surplus to £150k ¢ompared lo the previous year has been largety a result of adjustments upwards of short and long-temi grant ¢ommilments by £209k and unrealised gains of investments of £0.5k. During the year grants of £278k were awarded compared to £178k In 2023-24. The trustees of the District have every reason lo believe that the District is a going concern, principally because Circuits conlinue to meet their assessments. and th8 District has adequate r&s&rves to cover a shortfall in anticipated income. There are no subsldlary undertakings. The Dlslrlct contlnues lo hold the one freehold wopety being the Chall$ Manse in Btshop's Slortford. The Dlstrict has the following principal sour¢eg of fuThJs'. Interest on inv$stmenls Levies on the Circuit Model Trust Funds of Circuits wlhin the Di$lri¢t Assessments on Circuits ￿￿thin the District. Connecllonal Advance and Property Fund These sums are used to administer the District and lo provide grants lo Circuits. Churches and individuals in the District so that they may embark on or continue with projects that fulfil the mlssion of the District by bringing more people lo Christ or by providing facilities that might enable this to happen. Methodist Mlnlstèr8' Penslon Fund Trustees are aware that the Methodist Ministers, Pension Scheme is treated as a group defined benefit plan. The net defined benefft cost 1$ recognised by the sponsoring entity, The Melhodisl Church in Great Britsin. as there is no contractual agreement or slated policy for charging the net defined benefft cost to individual entities. su¢h as the District. The

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report District recognises a cost equal to tis contributions payable for the period. Further details in respect of these pension arrangements are disclosed in the accounts of The Methodist Church in Great Britain. 3.2 Inv08tment pollcy and perfomance To comply vthh Melhodisl Standing Orders, monies for long le￿ investment are lodged with the Trustee5 for Melhodisl Church Purposes (TMCP). TMCP acts as custodian trustee for all real estate held by Dislficts and for all large {individually over £20k} bequests and foi the proceeds of sale of any property fomerty i)wned by the DislrKI. These sums are invested in unilised investments or h81d on deposit. The caprtal returns are close lo tracking the movements in the FTSE100 index. The income miNors the deposit rates available elsewhere. Both the Centr81 Finance Board (CFB) and TMCP lake into consideration soGial, environmental, and ethical considerations. both negatively and positively. in establishing Investment policy. Short tam dep08its are lodged directly wilh the CFB and attract good rates of Interest. There are no benchmarks for the ex￿cled retums or appreciation on investments at TMCP and CFB. 11 is the District's policy to manage the cash and investment resources of the District so that a rate of retum on investment- both by way of divhdend and capital appreciallon - is obtained at least as goLwJ as market rate congidering the District'$ low appetite for r￿k. 3.3 Ras8Thes pollcy The Di$trlct has a reserve$ policy covering all 11$ unrestri¢led funds which is rav￿Wed annually. Although grants are made each year out of the District Advance Fund IDAF),11 1$ recognised that some grants will be paid by annual instalmenls and that there will be applications repealed in future years. The trustees seek lo ensure that thero is sufficient in the DAF lo meet these anticipated requests and show those sums payable In 2025-26 as a current liability and inslalmenls due after the following year as long-term liabilities in the Balance Sheet. Al the year end the unspent DAF balance des￿nated, tr￿t not committed, for future giant-making amounted to £450 The minimum level of the General Fund is such as lo pay for six months. budgeted expenditure for the followng year. At 31 August 2025 this sum amounted to £166k1202> 24.. £144k} and Unrestrided undesignaled reserves al £640k. The trustees are. however, mindful that future income from the Circuit M¢)del Trust Funds ICMTFsl is not secure and it is judged prudent to relain a buffer beyond the quantified need of £166k. Furthermore, some Circuits may find it difficult to meet their future assessments. AS in some previous years, rf the aggregate sum collected from the CMTFS is not all given oul as grants in the same year, Ihefe could be a return of levy to the Circuits. It 15 ahvays expected that the balance on the DAF wlll decrease, year on year even though this year il has substantially increased. The existence of substantial designated and undesignated reseNes al Di$tricl level should be considered by Circuits within the District when they consKler the need for their own reserves which we feel continue to be stretched in this current period. It should be noted that the District Assessments to Circuits have not increased over a number of years due partly to Some of these high reserves.

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report 3.4 The mlx of funds The reserves held al the end of the ear were as follows.. 2024-25 £k 202&24 £k UnrestrKt8d funds General Fund District Advance Fund Total unr8StrKted funds 450 290 Rock Trust 8 reslricled fund 179 175 District Disciple Enabber &Property Officer (a designated fund) Total funds 48 26 Total unreslricled funds Less.. Tied in freehold ro 850 851 Total readS1 avallable reserves 640 517 As a general policy Trustees have agreed to reduce the level of reserves gradually over th foreseeable future and lo do this either by awarding. in year, grants in excess of the amount of the levies from the CMTF$ and, possibly. by not increasing the circuit assessments by the amount necessary lo meet the budgeted costs and to maintain the reserves. This year as Ilke last year we have receNed more levies than anticipated. The Trustees will Gontinue lo monltor how this plays out in the future. All funds are separatety invested either with CFB or TMCP. No money rs directty invesled In property, 8ecurilie$ or other foms of investm8nl. The year-end financial position of the District is healthy in that ils resources are not only sufficient lo meet future known Ilabilits$ but also sufficknt for the District to carry out Its plans for the following year. 3.5 Purposes of the fund8 General Fund.. this prov￿eS a reseNe in case of major unforeseen expenditure in administering the District. District Advance Fund." this provides much-needed grants to assist Circuits, Churches and individuals as well as the District in its work. much of whiGh is with the wider communty. Rock Trust la restricted fvnd).. the tnJstees are able lo spend the income, and they do so every year. It provides financial help to young people in part of the Dlstrict and elsewhere who wish to attend residential events. Both the TMCP Ilong-tem investment) and Bank Funds (Current Asset) are under the control of the District Grants Committee. Benevolence Fund.. this is used lo provide srnall sums of money to ministers and lay people in the District where it is believed that a financi81 gift would help relieve stress, of whatever fom. The sums paij out in benevolence during the year exceeded sums received from

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE D1sfRI￿ ofthe METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report donor organisatiorbs specificalty for benevolence in the same period. When the restricted fund was fully dispersed. benevolence payments were made out of the general fund. Designated Fund-This is Ihe grant. which is wholly funded by DAF, for the employment of the District Discipleship Enabler. the District Property Officer and other designated expenditure. 3.6 Collaboratlvo arrangements wlth cOnn￿ted charlt108 On8 of the District's maln SOUTces offunding was the assessments obtained from each Circuit within the District based on the membership and staffing levels of the Circuit and this was used lo defray most of the cost of admini51ering the Dislricl. This suffl amounted to £125k {202&24.' £125k). Circuits were subsidised by £8k (2023-24.. £14k). This has been kept the sarne for the last four years mainly to reduce the District Reserves which were on the higher side and help stabilise Circuit and Church fInan￿S four years on from the covid period. EaGh year the District is allocated a sum by tho London Mission Fund ILMFI. In 2024-25 Ihl$ amounted to £56k12023-24.. £56kl which can be used to pay for or contrilyjle to the c08t of certain aGlivities within the District. Thi$ sum is now remitted lo the ￿'strICt. Grants were awarded to various projects around the Th'strict. The Dislri¢t also obtained from each Circuil with a rnser¥e, known 88 a Circuit Model Tru8t Fund ICMTFI, a levy based on the size of th8 Circuits, CMTFS at the start of the connexional year (01 September}. In 2024-25 this sum was £381k12023-24.. £245k) and was credited to the District Advance Fund IDAF). In addrtion lo this figure there were General Receipts of £239k and Connexional grants of £9k were receNéd during the year to bring the figure to £829k. Bequests of £31 k wero received during the year. The District hold$ no funds as custodian trustee. It does, however, quartedy receive from Clrcuits within the DislTicI the Circuits, contributions lo the Methodist Church Fund {MCFI. These sums are collected as agent for the MCF and are passed lo the MCF later in the same quarter. Funds received by the Districl as agent are not re¢ognised as inGome or as an asset in the financial statements because the funds are not within the District's control. No fee is earned in respect of this agen￿ arrangement, and the District in¢urs no cost through prov￿Ing this arrangement. Trustees, Responsibllities For ea¢h flnancial year ending on 31 August the Trustees affj required to prepare financial statements that give 8 true and fair view of the District's financial activrties during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year and to prepare an annual report for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees have.. selected surtable a¢counting policies and applied them consistentty using the accruals method made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent followed the applicable SORP and accounting standard. SORP{FRS102) as updated, including FRS102 adopted the going concem basis.

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisTricf of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy al any time the financial position of the District and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply vthh the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the District and ensuring their proper 8pplicalion under charity law, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention detection of fraud and other irregulafrties. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial infomialion included on the District's websile. Legtslation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financHI stalemenls and Irustees. reports may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. structure, Governance and Management The District is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church and was registered with the Charity Cornmission on 1 February 2010. 5.1 Structure Circuits are groups of Churches., Circuits pay the stipends of most ministers and may employ lay lunordainedl staff to serve the Churches in the Circuit,. most de¢isions are made al or ratified by the half ye8rty Circuil Meeting. A District is a group of conluuous Circuits and makes its decisions at the half yearly Synods. The Methodist COnfe￿nce meets once 8ach year and is the suprem& goveming body in the Church. Overall control ￿$1$ with the Methodist Conferenc8. The Connexional Office implements de¢i$ions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons Icollectfvety known as ministers) in individual Circuits within the District. Connexional decision$ S￿ pa$5ed lo the Chair of the Dlstrl¢t and the appropriate officers of the Di$tricl for implem8nlalion. The District passes control down to Circuit level for local implementation by the Sup8rintendenl Minister, ministerial staff and Circuit Stewards. and authority 1$ delegated to the Circuit Meeting for certain matters. The Circuit Meeting passes control d¢)wn to Church Councils for local impbemenlation by the presbyter, the Church Stewards and other officers. and authority is delegated to Church Councils as Managing Trustees. 5.2 Purpose of the Dlstrlcl The District is an expresslon, over a wider geographical area than any Circuit. of the Connexional character of the Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and sh811 be deemed to have been Sin￿ Ihe date of the union the advancement of.. the Christian faith in accordance with the do¢trinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisfRICT ofthe METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees. Annual Report any charitable purposes for the lime being of any Connexional, Cistrict. Circuit, local or other organisalion of the Melhodisl Church. arKI any charitable purpose for the ts'me being of any society or instiiution subsidiary or ancillary lo the Methodist Church. and any purpose for the time being of any charty being a charity subshjiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church. The primary purpose of this District is to advanc8 the mission of Ihe Church in Bedfordshire. Essex and Hertford$hire'. by providing opportunits'es for Circuits lo work together and support each other. and by offeiing to Circuits resources of finance, personnel arKI expertise. The District selves the Local Churches and Circuits and th& Conference in the support, deployment and oversight of the various ministries of the Church, and In programmes of ITaining. 5.3 Governance The District operates within a statutory frameworf( of regulation and seeks to ensure that It follows Methodist standing Orders. It relies on th8 Connexional Offi¢e at 25 Tavislock Place, London WC1H 9SF to provide guldance on tharyes that ￿lId affect the D18trict. The meM￿r$ of the Distri¢l Policy Committee (DPC} a￿ annually appointed by a vole of the Synod for a continuous term not nomially exceeding six years. The Chair of District 1$ ex offKio chair of the OPC. When a posrtion becomes va¢ant on the District Policy Committee, nominations are invited from ministers and lay members of Circui15 within the Di$liict. The Chair of the District then shares with nominees what the roles involve. If they wish to b8 considered for a role, their names and reasoned statements are taken to the District Policy Committee and the District Synod for appointment. Members may be either mlnlslers or lay people attending Churche5 in the area covefed by the District. The District Policy Committee nomially meets four limes each year and deals with routlne and exceptional matters. It oversees the WOTk of the Grants Committee, finance. property, the District office, the Dislri¢l manse, stationing of minister5. safeguarding. aulhorisalions lo preside al communion, and extensions to k)cal pfeacher Iraining. It also liaises with The Leaming Network. 5.4 Responslbllllles of the Dlstrlct Pollcy Commlttee lo formulate and promote policies whlch will advanee the mission of the Church in the Circuits and Local Churches and. in partj'cular, to supervise the use of resources of personnel, propety and finan¢e and to assist Local Churches and Circuits having exceptional problems to encourage inler-circuit and ecumenical co-operation to act in an executs've capacity in Matte￿ remitted to the Committee by the Synod to keep within its purview all District concerns not dealt with elsewhere to contribute and respond, as the case may be, to the development of Connexional F)olicies as reflected in the work of the conferen￿ and the Connexional Councll. and to carry out ils other responsibilities with any such development in mind iv io

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DIStRicf of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 Au8LlSt 2025 Trustees. Annual Report vi to be aware that the Sti￿nd of the Chair of the District is set- currently by reference to average wages and the change over a year in Ihe Consumer Prices Index - by the Methodist Conference as for all ministers within the Connexion constantly lo be aware of the public benefrt guKlance issued by the Charlty Commission. Reference and Admlnlstrative Details Namè ofthe charlty The Bedfordshlre, Esw and Hertfordshire District of the Mett)odlst Church sometimes 8bbrevi8ted to 'BEH Dlstrrf. 6.2 Charlty reglstratlon numbor 1133921. registered in England and Wales 6.3 Prlnclpal Office H17, Peek Business Centre Woodside, Dunmow Road Bishop's Slortford Hert$ CM23 5RG 01279 657 195 6.4 Chalr of the Dlstrlct Rev Dr David M Chapman from 1 Setrtember 2016. Reappointed 1 September 2022. 6.6 Secretary of the Synod Rev Zen8 Smllh appointed from 1 September 2022. 6.6 A8813tant Secretary of the Synod (Prgsbytoral Rev Caroline Weaver was appointed 01 September 2021. 6.7 Distrlct Treagurer No Replacement has yet been app)inted but Mr Nichodimus Kawadza was appointed the Dislri¢l Finance Officer on 1 September 2019 and later to District Finance Manager on 1 Aprll 2022 to l¢)ok after all the District's finance actniities. li

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report 6.8 Names of trustee8 The following served as trustees throughout part or all of the year 2024-25 or were trustees at the time of this report being aptffoved: Rev Dr David Chapman 8x offKio {Ch8ir. ex Olf￿). Ap￿inted 01 September 2018. Reappointed 01 Septembef 2022. Mr David Germany (Synod Elected Lay Member- Beds). Appointsd 01 September 2011. Rev Mark Hammond (Synod E￿¢ted Ministerial Memter- Hertsl. Appointed 01 September 2017. Rev Zena Smrth ex offici) (Synod Secretary). Appointed 01 September 2022. Mr Keith Norman (Lay Ststioning Represenlalive). Appointed 27 April 2013. Rev Tom Osbome (District Ecumenical OffKer- Essex). Appointed 01 September 2017 to 31 August 2025. Rev Rachael Hawkins {D¢puty Chair of txslrict). Appointed 01 Septemb8r 2022 to 31 August 2025. Rev Chrls Sandy (Synod Elected Ministerial Member- Beds). Appointed 18 September 2021. Mr Steve Walson {Dislrict Property Officer). Appointed 4 January 2022. Rev Christine Preece {Synod Elected Ministerial Member- Essex). Appointed 17 September 2022. Rev David Jebb (Oislrict Ecumenical Officer- Herts). Appointed 01 September 2022. Mr Stuart Walkin (Learning Nets¥ork Officef}. Appointed 15 March 2022. Rev Cassandra Howes (District Ecumenical Officer- B8d5}. ApFw)inled 01 September 2023. Mrs Angela Turner (District Discip￿ship Enablefl. Appointed 01 September 2023. Mr Steve RogeT$ (Secretary to DPCI. Appointed 01 September 2023. Mr Eric Smart Isynod Elected Lay Member- Essex). Appointed 16 September 2024. Mr Tony Trev&rs (Grants Secretary). Appointed 12 June 2024. Mr David Edney {Syn¢)d Elected Lay Member-Hertsl. Appointed 01 September 2024. Rev Dr Caroline w￿ken$ (Deputy District Chairl. Appointed 01 September 2025. Rev Moses Agyam (District Ecumenical Officer-Essexl. Appolnled 01 September 2025. Most Iruslees attended all meetings of the DPC lo which they were entitled to attend in the year and the attendance rate for all 18 Iruslees who served throughout the year and all four meetings of the DPC during the year was 75% (202&24'. 84%). The Managing Trustees for the District are members of the District Policy Committee. No trustee ¢laims exemptlon from dis¢losure ot his or her name here. 6.9 Chalr'8 PAS Miss Carol Griggs & Mrs Sarah Sulherland 12

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisfRICT of the MEfH0015f CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees. Annual Report 6.10 Bankers HSBC plc Town Centre Dane Street Stevenage Herts SG1 1BY Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PE Lloyds Bank Victoria Branch PO Box 1000 BX1 ILT 6.11 Invèstment managern and eustodlan trustees Tru$lee$ for M&lh¢JJi8t Church Pwposes Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ 6.12 Independent Examlner appointed 16 September 2014 ViTrcenl Chartd￿r FCA FCCA of Moore Green, Chartwed Accountsnts 22 Friar$ Street Sudbury Suffolk C010 2AA Approvals The Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements We￿ approved by the Districl Policy Committee on MRil4r2026 and were. for infomiation. presented to the Synod on 2026. If) Hp JL Rev Dr David M Chapman ($wJnod) Rev Zena Smith {signed) Of>4J+- Rev Dr David M Chapman Chair of the Dlstricl Rev Zena Smith Synod Seuetary Date.. 5MalcT2É Date: 13

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICTofthe m￿HODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Trustees, Annual Report Financial Statsments The Financial Statements comprise.. the Statem8nl of Financial Athities for the year ended 31 August 2025 {page 15) the Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025 (page 161 the Cashllow Statement a8 8131 August 2025 (page 17) the Notes to the Accounts (page$ 18 to 35). 14

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisfRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025 Advan¢• Fund loth• Total 2024.20 Total 2023.24 In¢onb• •thd EndoTh•rbts trom: l Doniiionl and IqgacloB 2 Incorno Irom Imi•Blm4nl 8.403 .127 1.810 57,217 In¢oM• trom ¢hwltabl•actl¥lll•• Ass888m8nis L)drcLIIB 11&727 116.727 110.801 Fmm c￿￿￿￿1 MLbJd TrLI Fth 829.071 6.392 635,483 49,634 388,205 Conlrfbulkmto cwt olltr•Ch 49,634 61.778 81.742 81.742 1.064 (Xhei IrKarr• 984 1,602 9 Totsi Incom• 1741 M740 97•.790 711.9711 10 (k)natkrn 187.051 io.th) flJ3.059 152.445 11 sal01￿$ and a81r￿al•j ￿18. CMIT 229.131 229.131 240.062 12 Propeny IY Offic6 exprt•• 14 Syno￿. ccfflm8￿. Ccrf8r•n(• J5 Qlher 0￿0￿r 42.223 43.422 521 14,199 16,479 io 14. 14.055 14.020 11 23.948 3.701 27,649 31.993 16 fot•l •xp•rMIttuv• 14•00 •Jo,Jii 490,422 17 N•t uthr•all￿d on ¢uir•ntM••t• N•t unr••llMd on 17 In￿•￿18￿1 12 457 17,792 18 N•t InMm• -144UI Jlb4167 141.932 231,340 19 Tronil•M f￿M DAF 13 20 YrinBlor• luhd• 13 1111.&12 21 Pl•t mo¥•m•nt Irb lund 110.1fj7 149,932 2J1,340 A￿0￿ClI11thjtt olfund*'. 22 Totol fund& 1.078.184 289.815 24.549 175.195 1.587,743 1.338,398 23 Totsl Iwd• ¢•thqd lorw•rd 441972 47.•07 179AfO f.717.670 15

BEDFoft￿HlRK ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRÈ DSTRicfrfthe MEfHOiMST(IIiIRCH Year ended 31 Augu5t2025 Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025 T7 Fd Fund 8aOAJ7 15 1.147JlJ6 1ml 1.449.357 1.071.186 1.X7J13 18$ 141JJ b Cih4tt4r 1(712 •7hQ 477 10 T)W¢ry•MWllh• 1473• Im•.1 17VfO fn.I 4P7 17Wtr 1.717m IW.7 S.3.1

BEDFORDSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisfRicf of the MEfHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Cashflow Statement as at 31 August 2025 statement of Cashfiows 2024 14Q•J7 Ca8hIlo￿ Irom Invmllng acllvlllm: IntoroBts fmm ID¥Utm•nt8 N•t thb)¥•m•n¢ In t••h and •4ulw4•rt• 126 194104 C•tsh & wulv4•rt• •1 bqgknnlng oly•¥ ¢nh & ￿•h •q￿¥1*￿tr •tth••nO•fy• Inv•Btm•thl• 1,077.186 ¢￿h •t 17

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the MEfHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Ba8ls of Accounting and Accountlng Pollcles Accounting standard The financial statements have been wepared in accordance wlh SORP(FRS102) as updated. being the current version of Accounting and Reporting by chanI￿s.. Slalemgnt of Recommended PractKe. See also v Accounrfng fram0w0￿. below. Public benefit entity The Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire (8EH) Dlstrict mtets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilrties are initially recognised al historical cost or transaction value unless olheThvise stated in th8 reI8vant accountiThJ polw note(s) below. 8asl8 These accounts have been prepared on the baws of historical cost except that investments are shown al their market value al the end of the year. The accruals basis has been used and Iruslees present accounts that show a true and fair vth¥ of tha Di$tri¢t's financial position and aclivilies. Content The financial infoimalion presented is relevant. reliab￿. compar8ble and complete. Where eslimales are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £Slerting, rounded to the nearest pound. Rounding difference$ Should be Ignored. Where the content of this year's accounts is different from that of the previous year. the comparative year's numbers have been adiusled and restated to be in the same fomiat and on the same basis. Accountlng framework The financial statements have been prepared under the Chariti85 Act 2011 in accordance with the 2014 version of Accounting 8nd ReportM>g by Ch8nlies.' Stat8m8nt of Recommended PractKe [SORP(FRS102)J as amended, with the adoption of Section 1A of Financial Reporting Standard 102. in re￿aCement for the SORP'$ 2005 version specrfied in Its related 2008 Regulations and in accoTdance with the'lTue and fair override, provision contained therein. Golng concern To the best of their knowledge and belief the trustees confinn that there are no material uncertainties that would call into question the District's financial viability for al least 12 months from the date of appioval of these a¢CO￿ts. Consolldatlon The District oversees the work of ministers (wesbyters and deacons) and lay workers in Churches and Circuits within the Dislnct but has no power to control Circuits or Churches, ministers or lay workers except in extreme circumstances, none of which applied In the year. For this feason, the financial statements of Churches and Circuits wf(hin the District are not consolidated into these financial slatements. Income iecognttlon Income is brought into account when it rs more11(ety than not that the economic benefit of the income will be forthcoming. No attempt is made to measure the value of services donated by volunteers. Details of how the contribution to the cost of the District Chair has been determined appears in Note 4. A similar figure appears in the Expenditure at Note 7. 18

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRI￿ of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Individual amounts calegorised as Otherincoma In the SOFA will be shown separately If they are considered material. The District acts as agent in three matters.. the collection of quarterly 85sessmeTrts from circuits which are paid to the MCF. the payment of expenses of delegates from the District to the Methodist Confefence. These items are shown in the accounls-see Note 5. the collection taken at the Spring Synod on behalf of the Methodist Ministers. Children's Relief Assouation. In all these matters the transactions are not refiected in the SOFA because, in acting as agent for the MCF. there is no obl￿atrOn on the District to make up any shortfall in assessments from Circuits. Sums received as Circuit assessments cannot, therefore, be recognised as income in the District as they are th8 income of the MCF, not of the Di51ricl. The value of lime donat￿1 by volunteers is not rer>)gnlsed. Furth8r infomialion on this matter is provided In the Trustees. Annual Report. Ix Expendlture Thls Is recognised when incurred, regardless of th& date of paym8nl. Liabilities are r8¢ognised as soon as there is a regal or conslruclNe obligation committing the District lo pay out resources and that paym8nt becomes probable. Unlll then, any material contingent liabilllies are noted. Grants Grants are made annually even when an applKaion is for a re¢urnnt grant over more than one year. A satisfactory report of subslan¢e from the individu81 or grantee body on the previous yeals actwilies and outcomes is critically reviewed by the Grants Committee and 18 necessary lo trigger payment of any further instalmenl. Grants that are payable in the futu and were committed at 31 August 2025 are shown on tha Balance Sheet eilhef as a CLtrrent liability {where the grants are payable by 31 August 20261 or in Long Term Liabilities (rf payable after 31 August 2028). xl VAT Since the Dl$trl¢t is not VAT ieglstered. expenditure Is InclusNe of VAT where charged by the supplier. Tanglble flxed assets These are capitali5ed if they can be used for more than one year. and individually cost al least £1000. For the current year the propety 1$ Shown at ils revalued amount. No depreciation is provided because the trustees consider the residual value of the man$& building is not less than cost and the depre¢iation would be immaterlal. The property has been reviewed for impairment and none is provided. Fumlture and Fittings has been dewe￿ated at 20% on a straight-line basis. Investments The investments are in monetary assets aThl are held by the Trustees for Meth¢xlist Church Purposes ITMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gainsllosse$ arising on investments at the end of the year are shown as inCC￿e/expenditUre in the SOFA and in Note 22 below. 19

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTrICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts xlv Debtors and Creditors. Ban1( and Cash Debtors afe slated al the amounts owed to the District or prepaid by the District. Creditors are initially recognised al settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit lemis apply, or at the amount advanced to the District. Subsequently. creditors that are current liabilities are measured al the cash or other consKleration expected lo be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit account balances are shown al the realisable values. xv Loans Vvhere concessionary loans {i.e. free of inleresll are made to lor received by) the Dislficl to further its charitable purwses. and are repayable after more than one year, they are inrtially re¢ognised at the amount paid lor received), wth the carrying value adjusted in subsequent years to reflect repayments and any awued interest, adjusted for any impairment. if neces$ary. Where there Is objective evidence of impaimient. an immediate impalrm&nt loss 1$ recognised in the SOFA. Subsequent reversals of an impaimient loss that objectivèly relate lo an event occurfing after the impairment loss was iècognised. are fecognksed immediately in the SOFA. xvl Methodlst Church Fund The District acts as agent for the Methodist Church Fund IMCFI by collecting its assessments on Circuits and does not. therefore. include the assessments in the SOFA. If CircuS1 is late in paying ils MCF assessment to the District but such sum 1$ received before the quarterly transfer to the MCF. the amount pakJ late will be shown as a debtor in the Dlslricl's accounts. xyll Funds The Iruslee$ have adopted a policy for all unrestricted reserves which is that, over the medium term. there should be a gradual diminution in the balance in each fund. Thi8 includes all unreslri¢led reserves Ilhe Genefal Fund and DAFI bul not the restricted funds t*ing The Rock Trust Fund and Benevolen￿ Fund. There Is no Endowment Fund. xvlll Chalr's manse costs The District is required to provide resldential accommodation for Ihe Chair and hls famity. The District bears the cost of repairs, maintenanee. buiklings insurance, Council Tax and water charges for the Chair. Note 8 below di9¢108e8 the aggregate cost to the DislrKt of these elements. Assessments on Clrcu5ts The DislTi¢t is made up of the following Circuits.. North Bedfordshirè Souih Bedfordshiiè Cokhester Tendring Cholmsford Southend and L•igh South Essex Herts and Essex Border Circuit St Albans and Wawn Vvèst Hertfordshirè and Borders N(x1h Hertfordshirè 344 34 34-10 34-11 34-12 34-13 34-14 34-15 20

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTrICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts All Circuits paid their assessments to the District and to the MCF during the year. An assessment on Circuits is annualty determined by Districts by reference to the number of staff (both stipendiary and lay workers involved in mission) in the Circuits and the numbef of Church members bul may also take into account a Circuit's ability to pay. Contrfbutions to the Methodist Church Fund (MCF) In addition lo the assessments on the Circuits lo help defray the costs of running the Dislrlct. the District acted as agent for the Melhodisl Church Fund which levied assessments on the Circuits in this District tolalling £559k12023-24.' £526kl all of which were collected and paid over to the MCF in the year. No balance was held al the end of the year.. no fee is received for this setvice which is performed at nearly nil cost lo the Dislrbct. These sums collècted for and remitted to the MCF do not ap￿81 8188where in th8se finandal statements. Cost of Chalr and Trustees The Chalr of District chairs meetings of the tlistrict Policy Commfftee IDPC). The members of the DPC Are the trustees of the District. The stipend. em￿0ye¢S NIC and employer's penslon contributions of the Chair of District are pahd by the Methodl8t Connexion. Th& Chalr's other costs are met mostly by the District. 2024-25 2023-24 sti end of Chalr of Dlslrict. Rev Dr David Cha er's Nation81 Insurance Conlribulion$ Em eT'S ension eontribulions District Chair Allowance Com in Misl Allow Once off Grant Cash cost aid b the Connexlon Chair's ex enses Totsl ¢08t man 31,020 4,448 6,204 39,105 4,063 8.415 207 se• SOF Since the stipend-related costs al>ove {i.e.. £49,634.. 2023-24.. £51,778) are borne by the Connexion, they appear both in the Income of the District and the Expenditure of the District {See Note T). The aggregate expenses of the Chaitrs accommodation were £6.837 {See te 8) making the total cost of his emoluments £56.47112023-24'. £58.786). The Chair of District is the sole paid key management person and 1$ SUPK)Orted by members of the DPC. No accrual ig made for the Chairfs entitlement to 8 sabbatical as he V￿uld contlnue to be paid during his sabbatical and there would be little additional cost incurred by those taking on the Chails respon￿bIlItIeS in the short temi. 21

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE D15fRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Payments to trustees 11 is District policy to offer to reimburse members of the District Policy Committee and others involved in the administration of Disltict affairs for expenditure properly incurred in cairying out their duties. The Chair of the District undertakes the primary execulive role within the District. Apart from the Chair of District. the District Property OffKer and District Discipleship Enabler no member of the District Policy Committee was in receipt of any payment for woik undertaken on behalf of the District, although certain tTavelling aTrJ adminislrallon costs V￿re reimbursed whenever thi5 was requested. Two members of the trustees are employees of the Distrlct. The total amount paid to them was £54,363 Travel expenses have been reimbursed to some 5 (2023-24.. seven) trustees Imembers of the District Policy Committee {DPC)I who, in aggregate, have received the cost of travel incurred in attending meetings of the DPC and this amounted to £26812023-24.' £398). Donatlons and Other Income The Dlstrid doe$ nol undertake fundraising for Its own purp08es. other than a8 noted below. a Donatlonl 2024-25 202&24 Ministers Benevolent Fund 1CN) 100 District Benevo￿nI Fund 912 Ministers Training Fund Total 1S0 1,162 100 Each year the District Synod invites donations from the members of SyncKI for the Methodist Ministers, Children's Relief Association. The amount donated and paid over in the year was £012023-24'. £0). b Oth•r Income [£984 {2023-24: £1,693lJ In the SOFA Includes: 2024-25 2023-24 From MCF for costs of de￿gateS from BEH attending the annual Methodist Conference Probatloners Retreat Refund 1.241 452 Total 1.693 22

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTrICt of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Grants and Donations and Rolated Support Costs Grants and donations of£649,059 were mad8 during the year (2023-24.. £152,445 in yearl. 202425 2023-24 From General Fund Benevolence Other In year grants Refund Increase in Ikgbililies Rock Trust 208 419 1,485 183,226 15.0001 208 From DAF 278.429 487,051 208.622 From Restricted Funds Ffom Designated Funds Warm Spaces Grants 14.￿0 Chur¢h Energy effici8ncy 1,800 15,8tM) 15,000 Total 503 069 The sum of the grants paid in the year through the DAF was £278,42912023-24.' £178,226). Adjusting for in¢rease in grant Provision of £208.622 gives us a total figure of £487,051 shown above. Expendlture on Charltsble actlvltles through the Dlstrlct Advanca Fund This fund receives fomulaicalty detemiined ¢onlributions from the Circuit Model Trust Funds held by Circuits within the Dlstrlct and redistributes the monios lo grantees in the Dislri¢l through relevant grants as assessed by the Dislrid Grants Committ8e. During the year tho following grants were m￿1￿.. 2024-25 202&24 2024-25 2023.24 To Church88 Grants 158,792 39.051 For 132.933 16,283 To Clr¢uhs Grants 85.345 27.639 For MinistJy 134.292 11X,576 To Instftukns 244. 137 66,690 Grants 34.292 Retums 112.936 15,OC4JI 107,936 To others 11.204 55.367 34.292 To indThiidu818 Grants Total 178.226 178.226 23

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE Di¥fRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts The income of the fund was £795.740 {2023-24.' £411.746) duriThJ the year. The charge to the SOFA is the sum paid in grants during the year1£278,429',1202>24.. £178.22611 add to the uplift in the aggregate liabilities (current and bng lemi) for future instalments of grant [£208,616 {2023-24.. £42.685)I to £487.045 {2023-24-. £493.224). Out of the net amount of £146.(KIO (202&24'. £82.OCKI) received. £106,862 was used centrally within the District. t￿rIng the year circurf( assessme￿ were subsidised by £8,282 12023-24.. £14.212) The Grants Committee is awa￿ thal granl appllcations must demonstrate public benefit. The support costs for granl-funding to third parties afe insignificant (principally because the secretary of the Grants Committee is a volunteer and undertakes the vast majofity of this work) and a￿ not separately di$¢losed. Salarl•8 and Assoclated Costs Gross salarles pald during the year V￿re for two full lime and four part lim8 staff (2023-24.. six) were as follow$: 2024-25 2023-24 Grosg Em lo er's National Insurance Conlributs'ons Employerfs pension ¢onlributions lo defined contribution schemes and death in service benefit15 staff members) Total co¥ts of 6 {2023-24: 714xpart tlme&2xfull tlme •tsff Cost of Chair See Nolg TPT OC Life Assurance renliceshi levies Totsl ataff costs 145 382 14.372 14.998 8,854 27,466 178,472 187,220 51,778 244 820 240,062 49,634 193 832 229,131 Total weekly contracted hours for 4 part tim& staff and two full time staff12024.' SIX) 148 148 No employee received employee benefits that tolalled more than £60,000. There 1$ no accrual for holiday pay as il is immaterial: the holiday year ends on 31 August. All staff are paid at or above the living wage. District Offi¢ers were as follows.. One full lime safeguarding officer Two part lime secretarial staff One part lime financial manager One part time Property officer and One full lime discipleship enabler. 24

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Penslons Most ordained presbyters and deacons are members of the Methodist Minlsters, Pension Scheme {MMPS}. This is a defined benefft scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 thal Methodist ministers (which lemi includes presbyters arKI deacons) are not employees of the Church. For simplicity. however. when dealing wf(h National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions, the tenns 'employerf and 'employee' are used as they would be in an employing body. On the other hand, lay employees are contraclualty employees and have the option of joining the Royal London Scheme for Lay Employees of the Mélhodisl Church. This is a delined contribution scheme. Those of our employees who contribute lo penslon schemes ¢ontribute to schemes not administered on behalf of the Melhodisl Church. The BEH DistriGt has received from The Pension$ Regulator an acknowledgement of declaration of Compliance in connection with the automat￿ enrolm8nt dutie$. The Connexion accounts for both Methodist pension gchemes and shows the figuos in the annual Melhodisl Church in Great Britain accounts. The MMPS in deficit the prevlous years is now In surplus. Property Costs 2024-25 202&24 District office, rent and services Chair's manse Total 35.386 6.837 42.223 36.414 7,008 43.422 Office Expenses (General fund) and TMCP charye8 2024-25 202>24 Printin osla Tele hone Insurance Safeguardirs Inde end&nt examination Other costs TMCP Cha es Total charged to General Fund TMCP chargeslpayments to Rock Trust Trustees for distrbbution Totsl e and stallone 1,606 1.380 1,576 3.491 448 11.146 357 14.478 3.053 2,IJ01 14,199 16,479 Included in the other costs of £2.324 are cleaning costs of £568, website management costs of £942, printer and Microsoft subscriptions of £208 and the rest on miscellaneous expenditure. 25

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the MEfHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 10 Synods, Committees, Conference 2024-25 202&24 S nods& Commfftee$ The Melhodisl Conference ex enses reimbursed Chair's travel Oislricl Polic Total 3.519 3.575 1.241 8.460 1.092 14,055 7.691 1,513 14,020 Comm￿ee. as Cha 11 Other Outgoing8 2024-25 2023-24 Trainin Other costs De recialion District ex enses Distnct Wellbein 3,377 15,985 657 11,674 5,932 23.947 657 2.165 ex 22,118 Deslgnated Fund Warm Spaces Grant refund Restrlcted Fund Payment lo Rock Tru$l trustees Total 3,702 27,649 4,875 31,993 Included in the other costs of £2.307 are expenses for accounting software expenses (£1801, Finance ¢osts {£433}, District Discipleship expenses1£8721, Property Officer eX￿rtse8 {£6751, District expenses of £11,674 relate mosty to Venue hire for Iraininglrelreat cos18 of £9.215 and District Supervlsion session expgnse$1£1.4401. regionalisation expenses (£633) and the rest on miscellaneous distrid expgn5es. 12 Investment Management During the year. the DistTiCt paKI £7.20312023-24: £7.233) to TMCP. the gJstodian8 of the District'$ investment$ (District Advance Fund, the Rock Trust and part of the General Fund). The sum of £7.203 was levied at 0.2% on the value of the funds at the end of the previous year and is shown as partly alloeated lo the DAF1£2.5321, Rock funds {£4,2231 and General Fund (£4481.. £3,053 as Office expenses and £3,702 as Other Outgoing expenses in the SOFA. (See Note 9 above.) The sum of £2351202>24.' £9,156} represents a nel unrealised gain on the invested fvnds of The Rock Trust. More information can be found in Note 21 Restrict8d Fund. There was an unrealised gain of £2221202&24-£8,636) on part of the General Fund. The gross unfealised gains on investments of £457 (2023-24.. -£17.792). 26

BEDFORSHIRE, E￿Ex and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 13 Transfers between Funds The transfer belween funds shown on the SOFA represents sums that were transferred from one fund to another under the direction of the trustees. During the year £146.OtKJ was transferred from the District Advance Fund to the Designated Fund lo fund the following.. training grants. district discipleship enabler. district property officer. safeguarding and administrative assistan￿, wellbeing arKI regionalisation budgets. Also included in the above amount are funding grants for warm spaces {£20,0001 and energy efficiency audit (£10,000). Of the £146,000. an amount of £106.862 (2023-24: £82.IXIOl wa$ adually transferred from the Designated Fund to the Gener81 Fund lo pay for the districts $laff salaries & expenses, tr8ining payments, dislrica wellbeing and regionalisation expenditure. 14 Tanglble Fixed Assets The value of the District m8n8e. 1 Friars Wood. Bishop's Stortford. is believed to be considerably greater than 11$ historical cost in 2006 shown in the accounts. The Trustees considered il prudent lo show the property at ils current market value of £850k, and a revaluation reserve has been created within the general fund to account for the increase in value from ¢ost amounting lo £350k. As the property has been revalued no depTrciation is requlred. Depreciation of Furnilufe and Fittings is 20% on straight line basis. Cost Revaluation Deprecl ation Land Buildings Plant and machinery Total Cost or valuatlon Property Furniture & Fittin 180.OCN) 300.000 20.000 850 000 3.286 Total 180.000 3(NJ,000 20.000 503,286 350,OCN) 3.286 850,000 15 Investments with Trustees for Methodlst Church Purposes The funds that support part of the General Fund. the District Advance Fund and The Rock Trust are held by TMCP in the Trustees. Interest Fund or the Managed Mixed Fund on which interest and dividends are credited to the accounts. These are regarded as medium- and long-lerm investments and a￿ shown on the Balance Sheet as Fixed assets. TMCP is the Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property and is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees (in BEH, the DPC) who are responsible for the day to day management of the property. TMCP ensures that. through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply charrty law and Methodist law and polity as determined by Ihe Methodist Conference. 27

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE D15fRI￿ of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 15.1 Holdings at 31 August 2025 (2024 General DAF Rock Total Fund Trustees Interest Fund Managed Mixed Fund Total 20,553 1.147.858 779 079 32.720 1.201.131 829,387 248,226 247 769 1,449,357 1,077.166 120,485 120,263 141.038 137 851 127,741 127,506 160,461 160.226 1,147,868 779.079 16 Debtors and Prepayments All sums shown as Debtors on the General Fund al 1 September 2024 were received during the following year. All sums paid in advance at 1 September 2024 (with the exception of rent deposrtl were for activities or Se￿iceS related to 2024-25 and were charged lo the SOFA in that year. It is expected that payments in advance at 31 August 2025 will be expensed in 2025-26. 2024-25 2023-24 Trade debtorn Pre ments Insurance 129+61 District Office rent District service char es Retreat de osits 1,232+925 Totsl ments Peek deposit-new District Offices Benevolence funds donation accrual August 25 Safeguarding salary over 1 848+277 East An lia Methodist District Totsl debtors 29) 2,188 2,188 560 2,157 6.095 6.31XI 2,010 4.488 8.300 456 2.125 633 14,153 11.244 17 Central Flnance Board ICFB) Deposlts and Cash at Bank The District has two current accounts one at HSBC pk and the other at Lloyds bank, both authorised institutions. The sum held on these accounts is immediatety available. In addition, the District has a deposil account at CFB. a common deposrt fund. Interest is earned on this account and is credited monthly,. the sums deposrted Can be withdrawn wilhoul notice and withoul10ss of interest. The District has no other financial instrument8. These sums are viewed as being liquid and ao Show￿ 0$ Current assets on the Balance Sheet. 28

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICTofthe METHODISTCHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 18 Credltors 2024-25 2023-24 Credltorn Independent examination Salaries and Wages MCF-Safe uardin Manse ex erises Po$ta nntin Tek hone Synodslcommittees Travel- DC District Disci leshi Office ax enses Su Tvision fees British Gas-Districl Offices-Eleclrici Pro rt Officer ex Trainin Cleanirs District Flnance Offlcer ex nses District Chair advance retreat de Total trade credltorn AccrualslProvlslon Ecumenical rant Taxation and Social Securi Threadneedle credit Total credltors 1,300 1,200 386 242 61 80 98 636 765 86 295 71 51 93 187 785 65 193 240 55 Enab￿1 ex nses 137 95 168 5,000 90 30+138 osits 452 760 18,079 4$2 760 10,866 11 Is expected that all 8ums a¢crued at 31 August 2025 wlll be paKI during the year to 31 August 2028. 19 Grant Commltments Expendlture on charltable actlvltles: Dlstrld Advance Fund Some grants are payable in annual instalments. The District expects to receiv8 a report of the outcomes of the fiTsI lor subsequent) year's activities funded by the grant. Future instalm8nls are shown as Current liabilitie$ lif payatAe wrthin one year of 31 August 2025) and as Lontrterm liabilities (where due after one yearl. The followlng anatyses are available.. 2024-25 2023-24 End of year commitments to pay one off grants or the first instalment in a future ear 681.846 384.724 29

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Anticipated second or subsequent instalments where the first instalment was aid in 2024-25 or earlier Total antlclpated commltment at 31 August 202S 20.000 701,846 108.500 493.224 Grants payable by year 2024-25 202&26 2026-27 2024-25 2023-24 384,724 63,500 45.000 554,553 93.313 37.987 10.660 5,333 701.846 2027-28 2028-29 2029-30 493.224 701.846 493,224 Total antlclpated commltmenl at31Au ust 2026 701.846 493,224 After recognising the liabilili8s for future grants payable through the DAF, there is a sum of £449,972 availa￿e for future grants. In the follo%wng year and subsequent years, further sums a￿ expected to be credited lo the DAF from the CMTF levies of those yeaTS. The award of a grant by Ihe Dl$lrl¢t does nol ueate a contractual relatlon$hlp. No individual or institution received grants of such a magnrtude that they should b8 Separately reported. 20 Unrestrfcted Funds 20.1 General Fund- balance £1.040.406 at 31 August 202612024: £1,078.184) The purpose of tha fund is for use at the discretion of the tru$tees in the furtherance of the general objecliveg of the District and which have not been deS￿nated for other purposes. About 82% of this fund is held as a freehold propety, the District manse for the Chalr of District which is based on ils revalued amount of £850k (2023". Revalu&J £850k) included In the geneTal funds balance above. 20.2 Dl8trfct Advance Fund- balantfj £449,972 at 31 August 2026 {2024: £289,815) The purpose of the fund is lo receive monies from investments and to pay grants by annual instalments on applications made. £3,960 of this balance was an TMCP overpayment for 202&24 year. 21.1 Restricted Funds - balance £179,410 at 31 August 2025 (2024: £175.195) These Rock Trust funds are made up of TMCP investments and the Bank funds both managed ty the District Grants committee. The funds at 31 August 2025 were.. 2024-25 2023-24 TMCP Held Funds 160,461 160,226 30

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRI￿ofthe M￿HODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts Bank Held Funds 18.949 14,969 Total 179,410 175.195 The Rock Trust, a restricted fund, exists to support residential and other activities undertaken by young people who currenlty live in the former London NE District of the Methodist Church. All the fund's assets are managed by TMCP and the nel income (after charges) is paid direct to the administrators of the Rock Tru$l. Grants are awarded by the trustees of the Rock Trust. being the trustees of the DkslriGt. Rock Tru81 Funds held by TMCP Movements during the year were as follows.. 2024-25 202>24 Market value at 01 Se eM￿r 2024 Investment income received during the year Net unrealised gain {loss) on the value of investments al the year end Grants paid during the year TMCP adminislralion char Market value at 31 Au ust 2026 160.226 4.222 151069 5.308 235 3.701 -521 9,156 4.875 430 This is made up as follows.. CFB Mana ed Mixed Fund TNslees' Interest Fund Totsl 127 741 32,720 32.720 160 226 Market valuations have been provided by TMCP. b Rock Trust Funds held at the Bank These were brought under the Control of the District Grant$ Committee during 2022-23 whlch again ¢an only be used for the costs of young p80ple attending residential events. Movement during the year were as follows.. 2024-25 202&24 nin balance at 01 Se tember 2024 Investment income received during the year Total income 9,956 5.073 15.029 3,980 18,949 Grants paid during the year Bank administration charge Balan¢e at 31 Au ust 2026 -60 31

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DisfRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts The Benevolence Fund which is now accounted for through the General Fund $lands at £1,457{2024'. £1,565) - provijes financial support to ministers and lay people in the District in need of support. The Benevolence receipts and payments were processed through the General Fund. (See page 15 on Donats'ons income and Note 6 above on payments.) 21.2 Deslgn•lgd Fund Deslgnated Fund- balance £47.887 at 31 August 2026.12024: £24,549) This is made up as follows- District Disci leshi Enabler District Pfoperty Officer1£4.oc(1+£6.5001 Training Fund Warm Spaces grants Energy efficiency audit Total 2024-25 2023-24 20.549 10,500 2.638 20.549 4.000 8.200 Th6s8 are designated funds Teceived from Distnct Grants Team for the employment of the District Discipleship Enabler and the employm8nt of the District Property Officer. There are al80 funds received for waim spaces. energy efficiency and Iralning grants. 22 Fund Movements 22.1 Summary of fund movèments 2024.25 Restated Balance at 01-S•p-24 Nole 1 Chango In Llablllt18*1 Gains Fund Balan￿ al 31-Aug-2025 (Note 21 EX￿1￿￿rtur$ Tran81or8 General District A¢Jv8ncè See Notè 1 bèlow Total unrestrlctod Rock Trust Desi nated Funds Total restrlcted Totsl Funds 1,078.184 175,848 -320.710 1(6,862 222 1,040,4C6 289,815 795,740 489.583 .146.000 449,972 1,490.3T8 179,410 47,887 227,297 1.717.675 1.307,999 175,195 24,549 199,744 1,567,743 971.588 8,202 410,293 4.222 -15.8LK) -20,022 30,316 49.138 222 235 39,138 39,138 8,202 235 457 Note 1 The DAF balances brought for¥Yard at the t￿gInnIng of th8 year aTrY carried forward al the end of th8 year are after providing for future grants. The liability for future grants at 31 August 2025 was £701.846 being an increase of £208.616 over the provision brought forward. Note 2 The amount of £175.848 excludes £222 of nel unrealised gains.. the amount of £8,202 excludes £235 of net unrealised gains,. the amount of £1,125.790 excludes £457 of net unrealised gains. 32

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRI￿ of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 22.2 Summary of fund movements 2023-24 Restslod Bala￿￿ at 01-Sep23 Note 1 Change In LIabllltl￿I G8ins Fund Eyndkure TranBfers Balance at 31Aug-2024 (Note 21 General DislrKt Advance See Note 1 below Total unTeStrld8d Ro¢k Trust D8Si naled Funds Total restrtc¢ Total Fund$ 1.115.599 177.774 .335.825 112,C 1,078.184 15.181 411.746 -137.112 289,815 1.130,780 151.(￿9 54,549 206.618 1,336.398 589.520 20.455 102,000 122,455 711,975 472.937 -5.485 112,000 8.656 9,156 1,367.999 175.195 24,549 199.744 1,687,743 -112.CK)O -112,000 -25.485 J8.422 9.156 17,792 Nol8 1 The DAF balance5 brought forward at the beginning of the year and carried forward at the end of the year are after providing for future grants. The liabilty for future grants at 31 August 2024 was £493,224 being a decrease of £42,685 over the provision brought forward. Not6 2 The amount of £177,774 excludes £8,656 of nel unrealised gains.. the amount of £20,455 excludes £9,1￿ of Mt unrealised gains.. the amount of £711.975 excludes £17,792 of net unrealised gains. 23 Analy818 of Net Assets among Funds Fund balances at 31 August 2025 are represented by: Unrestricted genwal and designated funds Restricted funds Total fund$ Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investsments Current assets Current liabilities Payables due after one ear Total 850.00 1,288,896 119.294 (572,6321 850.000 1,449.357 138.243 {572,632) {147,293) 180.461 18.949 {147.293} 1,638.265 179,410 1,717.676 Related Partles None of the District tmstees made donations direct lo the District dLbring the year or in the preceding year. All of the District trustees are members of one or another Church and Circuit within the District and may be tnjstees in their Churches andlor Circuits. Related parties in¢lude the Methodist Connexion, Circuits and Churches within the District. other Methodist Districts in Great Britain. the Methodist Ministers, Children's Fund. CFB and 33

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRicf of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts TMCP. except as reported in Note 5. All of these entities have their own trustees or directors. The following table shows the receipts from and payments to related partles during 2024-25. 2024-25 Receipts 2024-25 Payments 2023-24 Receipts 2023-24 Payments Names of Connected Organisations Donee.. Melhodisl Church Fund Donee.. TMCP Donor.. Northampton District MethLNJist Church Donor.. Methodist Church Connexion Donor.. Circuits within BEH lassessments> Donor.. Circuits wrthin BEH Ilevies} Donor.. Churches wilhin BEH Donor.. Circuits within BEH 1558.945) 1525,819) 14.290) 9.290 20,451 30,8CKI 675.672 81,742 100 636,620 91,064 100 20.451 Informatlon aLKJLrt payments to trustees appears n Note 4.1. 25 Volunteer Contrlbutlons Every entity {Connexion, District, Circuit, Church} within the Methodi$l Church in GB is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills, time and money In the furtherance of the work of the Church. Al the BEH District the prineip81 contribution is by serving on commillees of the District that deal with mission. manses, finance, policy, grants. training, developmont, Safeguarding. We are grateful lo all of Ih8m for their help and commitment. No attempt ha$ been made by thls Dlstrict to value the noTrffl0r￿tary contribution$ to the DislriGI in monetary tenns. 26 Capital Commitments and Contlngent Liabilities There were no c8lXtal commiknents or contingent liabiliti85 al the y6ar4nd {202>24'. NIII. 27 Lea8e Commitments The District has contracts or obligations for the following- New Offi¢e accommodation rent currentty stands al £30.000 inclusive of Val. Thls Is due for review in May 2025. The 6-year lease signed in 2022 has a break clause in 2025. The District not exercise its break in 2025. and the rent continues for Ihe remainder of the lease. In addition, there are short lemi otAigations as follo￿= Reprographic equipment at the District office c.£781month Telephones at the District office and the District manse c.£2081month Security 818rm system at the manse c.£281month Membership of the Friars Wood Residents. Association c.£601month The total liability of these is not considered mat￿la1. 34

BEDFORSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRI￿ of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Notes to the Accounts 28 Independent Examlner An accrual has been made for the fee of the independent examiner in the sum of £1,300 ft)r the year (2023-24.. £1.200). The charge in the SOFA represents the provision for this year's fee. No additional service5 have been sought frcmn or wovided by the independent examinèr during the year. 29 Reconciliation of net cash provided byl (used by) operating actlvltles 2026 2024 Net expenditure for the reporting period Depreciation charges Interest and inveslmenl income received (Increaselldecr&ase in debtors Increasel{decreasel In ¢redilors Increa$el{decreasel In short- and long-temi grants payab18 149.932 657 (64,3401 12,9081 2.223 208.621 294.180 231,345 657 {57,217) 5.253 3,583 142,6841 140.937 35

BEDFORDSHIRE. ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DlSfRICTofthe METHODISTCHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025 Declaration and Scrutiny I confirm that these accruakbased ac￿Unts for the year ended 31 August 2025 have been prepaied from the records of the District and that they indude all fvnds under the control of the District P cy Committee. being the trustees of the District. Slgned.. Dale: Nichodimus Kawadza. Distnct Finan￿ Manager Presentatlon to the Distrlct Pollcy Commltteo for approval I confirm that the Trustees Annual Report, th6 Statement of Flnancial Activities. the Balance Sheet and the Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 V•pre presented lo the Di$tri¢l Policy Committee at ts meeting on 4 2026. S￿ned.. O_a Dale: s Ic7 1 Rev Dr David M Chapman, Chair of Distri Independent examlnerfs report to the Trustees of the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire Distrlct of the Methodlst Church for the year ended 31 August 2025 The trustees are responsible for ensuring that the annual report and accounts present a true and fair view of the DislTicI's income and expendrture for the year and of the assets and liabilities at the balan¢e sheet date. The trustees consrtler that an audit is not necessary for this year under s144 of the Charities Ad 2011 {the Charities Acl) and that an independent examination 1$ needed. 11 is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under $145 of the Charities Act. follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under s145{5){bl of the Charitie$ Act. arKI slate whether parkncular matters have come to ffly attention. Basis of independent examiner's report My examination was carrsed out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounllng records kept by the District and a comparison of the accounts presented with those recofds. It also includes consideration of any unusual items. in nature or scale, OT disclosure in the accounts seeking explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a true and fair view. My report 1$ limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 36

BEDFORSHIRE, ESSEX and HERTFORDSHIRE DISTRICT of the METHODIST CHURCH Year ended 31 August 2025

Declaration and Scrutiny

Independent examiner's statement

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; or

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 1rue 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.

I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.

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Signed:
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Date:
09.03.2026
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Vincent Chandler FCA FCCA Independent examiner Moore Green 22 Friars Street Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2AA

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