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 Endo*Th•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 TrL*I 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
T*7
F*d
Fund
8aOAJ7
15
1.147JlJ6
1m*l 1.449.357
1.071.186
1.X7J13
18$
141JJ
b C*ih4tt4r
1(712
•7hQ
47*7
10
T*)W¢*ry•MWllh•
1473•
Im•.1
17VfO
fn.I
4P*7 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. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Signed:<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Date:<br>09.03.2026<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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

37