Pagelof5 EAST CUMBRIA METHODIST CIRCUIT Registered Charity No. 1133928 The Charity Was first stered on 1 Febmary 2010 as Pennth Methodist Circuit (previously Excepted Registration) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS For the year ended 31 August 2024 Legal and Administrative Information: Communication Address Penrith Methodist Church, Wordsworth Street, Panrith, Cumbria, CA117QY Mlnlstern Rev Tim Cooke (Joint Superintsndent) Rev David Milner (Joint Superintendent) Circuit Stawards Mr Chris Hulme MrJohn Slee Miss Kathleen Williamson Circuit Treasurer Mr Allan R Armstrong Circuit Secretary Mrs Sarah Mulheron-summers Administrator Mrs Sarah Mulheron-summers Independent Examiner Mr Paul Mills Bankers 1) Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church (CFB) 2) Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP)
Page2of5 Introduction The following pages are designed to give the reader an overview of the purposes of the Charity, of how it conducts itself, of those who were involved in the Charity and draws attention to what has occurred during the past year. These pages are an introduction to and should be read in conjunction with the detalled financial reports contained later on in the document. Aim8 and Objectives The primary aim and objective of the Charity is to act as a resource provider for The Methodist Church within the area around East Cumbria. Our Mission Statement is: 'Working in partnership to encourage and enable God's people to discover God's presence as we grow daily in our faith, building God's kingdom and sharing God's love in practical ways,. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of: a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church., b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit local or other Organisation of The Methodist Church; c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or Institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church., d) Any purpose for the time being of any Charty subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church. The Objectives are carried out through the following activities: Provide leadership ministry and support to the five Churches which make up the Penrith Circuit enabling them to fulfil their purpose within their local community and beyond. The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the Church or non-members alike. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Taking religious assemblies in local schools. Promotion of Christianity by both leading and supporting local initiatives, events and services. Accounting Stsndard The Charity's annual report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practi 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102). Public Benefit In carrying out all its activities, the Trustees of the Charity had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
Page3of5 Structure, Governance and Management The goveming document for the Circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and the Methodist Church Act (1976}. Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of The Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team which includes the Treasurer and Property Steward, along with the Local Preachers meeting. The Circuit is part of the Cumbria District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches make up the Penrith Circuit.. the Cottage Wood Centre, Penrith, Skelton and Stainton together with St Patricks Patterdale which is a Local Ecumenical Partnership with the Church of England. .Consolidation The Circuit has denominational regulatory oversight in SPect the Churches within the Circuit but has no legal or operational control of those Churches and their governing bodies except in extreme circumstances. For this reason, the financial statements of Churches within the Circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements. Financial Review Following the successful merger of Kirkoswald and Alston Moor Methodist Circuit and Penrith Methodist Circuit the combined figures are as follows. Circuit income totalled £349,386 which includes an exceptional item of £97,314 representing the sale of Renwick Methodist Chapel, less an amount retained by the Methodist Church centrally. The remaining income is primarily drawn from the Assessment paid by Circuit churches and rental income. Expenditure totalled £258,871 of which £154,287 arises from the cost of Ministry within the Circuit and £27,085 was sent to the Methodist Cumbria District and the Connexion to support their wider Ministry. In addition, Grants totalling £15,000 was made to help with Outreach within the Circuit. Fund Balances As at 31 August 2024 the Circuit held net current assets of £594,452 of which £99,012 is unrestricted. The Model Trust Fund stands at £349,927. There is a restricted fund for the sole use of Penrith Methodist Church which stands at £145,513. All expenditure from the Model Trust Fund held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes requires the specific authorisation of the Circuit (Trustees) meeting. The William Stirzaker Endovfflent as at the 311812024 stands at £215,882 from which the interest can be used for Chapel building repairs across the East Cumbria Methodist Circuit. Circuit Financial Plans for 2022123 Based on the monetary assets and human resources available as at 31 August 2024 the Trustees believe these are sufficient to meet plans for 2024125 and as such the Circuit is regarded as a going concern. Risk Management Risks identified are reviewed by the Circuit Leadership Team and brought to the attention of the quarterly meeting of Trustees with appropriate action taken. Income and expenditure are monitored and compared with the annual budget monthly as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on Reserves.
Page4ofS Particular attention is being paid to the consequences of the Covid pandemic and decisions taken at the Methodist Conference, on the Churches for which the Circuit has responsibility. This being in terms of compliance, the impact on Church activities, financial stability and on the membership. Reserves Policy General Funds The Reserves Policy takes into account that income is reiVed quarterly whilst most expenditure occurs on a monthly basis. The Circuit retains in reserve a sum equivalent to 6 months average expenditure from unrestricted funds. Assessment Reimbursement £65,000 to Circuit Chapels - one off incentive for 202415 to facilitate additional mission outreach. £65858 towards an ecumenical Pioneer Minister 50150 joint funded with Anglicans over 3 years within East of Eden Mission Community (EEMC) from proceeds received from sale of Ainstable chapel. £75,000 towards Shared Ministry with Anglicans who are hoping to redevelop All Saints Church Renwick into an ecumenical community hub (our contribution from proceeds of sale of Renwick Chapel), sharing agreement will be required. This should enable the Circuit to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure and enable it to continue funding the work of the Circuit in the short term if the Churches making up the Circuit were unable to meet their full annual contribution known as their Assessment Restricted Funds £145,513 is ring-fenced in a separate account with TMCP for the sole use of Penrith Methodist Church arising from the sale of their Youth and Community building no longer fit for purpose pending reinvestment in similar activity in the main Church building. The long-term effect of COVID, and decisions taken by the Methodist Church in recent years, together with the rate of inflation have impacted heavily on the Church finances and these funds are now having to be used to carry out essential repairs and renewals and as a reseple against the background of budgeting deficits. Safeguarding Pollcy Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God's own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God's re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect The Circuit has adopted the Methodist Connexional Safeguarding Policy, and commits to ensure its implementation, together with relevant government legislation, guidance, and safe practice, in the Circuit and in our Churches. The Circuit has a Safeguarding Officer who is also a Trustee and provides support, advice, and training for lay and ordained people designed to ensure that people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. Appropriate records are in place and kept up to date. Trustees and Trustee Training The members of the Penrith Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees. These include the Circuit Ministers Supemumerary Ministers, Circuit office holders and representatives appointed by the Churches which make up the Circuit. There is a range of training and guidance material provided by the Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit. A general training course has been provided in the past and a copy of the "The role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church" and the "Charity Trustee Welcome Pack" published by the Charities Commission is brought to the attention of, and made available to. all Trustees.
Page5 of5 Responsibilities of the Managing Trustees Penrith Methodist Circuit is held on the Model Trust Deed of the Methodist Church and therefore the custodian Trustees of the Circuit are the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. Under the Methodist Church Act 1976 the members of the Circuit Meeting serve as Managing Trustees and as such fulfil the obligations laid upon them by Charity law. This requires the managing Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the financial state of affairs of the Circuit including any surpluses and balance carried for¥vard into a new financial year. In preparing these financial statements the Managing Trustees are required to adopt appropriate accounting policies as described in the Notes to the Accounts, and apply them consistently, obseNe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP, making judgements and estimates that are both prudent and reasonable. The Management Trustees must also prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Circuit will continue to operate. The Managing Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that at any time disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Circuit. Such records must enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Church (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The Managing Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Circuit and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Trustees in office as at 31 August 2024 Rev Gillian Belford Mr Morgan Tebb-Roger Mrs TraY Cooke Mrs Alison Birkett Mrs Diane Grey Mrs Sylvia Dufton Mrs Jan Blackshaw Mrs Jennifer Jackson Mr Ray Wager Mrs Judith James Mr Shane McNicol Mrs Kath Davidson Mrs Lois Morton Mr Soonu Verghese Mr John Wilson Rev Alan Gawthrop Mr Dean Lawson Dr Peter Bowes Mrs Hazel Bowes Mrs Sheila Mallinson Mr Robert Toppin Mr Brian Armstrong Mr Andrew Holiday Mrs Joan Wager Mrs Joyce Cordingly Mr Steve Clements Mrs Jean Parker Mrs Ruth Combellack Mrs Sylvia Campbell Mr Terry Cousin Signed: Dated: LL[ Zo Joint Superintendent Minister
RESERVES POLICY Report on behalf of East Cumbria Methodist Cirojit rchurch Counciv Circuit MeetinglDlSetj Cirlt Meetin rcircuit Me8tlnglDtstrict) We subnit our 8nnual report in accordance with the (Sii) We have agreed a ReseNes Pollvi vthich is requlrements (rf the Meth(]di5t Conference and the set out overleaf and is recorded in the Charfty Comrrisslon guid8nc8 In CC19. trustees, nlnutes and our Annual Report (l) The truBtees have 8statlShed thelr mission alms taking into account all of the resources avalable in tenrffj of ople, woperty and ney (N> We recognlse the n8ed to be accountable as charity trust895 for all the monay whlch comes into our hands and V•ill provlde further infomiation rffjuir8d the ClruJltlDt5trlcVConnexlon (li) MIs8ion Inillattveslprojeots have been cc*ted or 08tlmat88 madg of projected futurg LX)5ts whlch take into accourrt the needs of the buildlngs and the r8quir8menis of the Qulrquermlal Inspection Reportls (v) Our ReFK)rt Is attathed overfeaf ' please delete as apwopriate To be completed by Receiving Body The North West District "Circuit MeetinglDistriGt received the RESERVES POLICY of East Cumbria Methodist Circuit "Church CouncillCircur< MeetlnglDistricl Policy accepted and acknothdedoemant sent to the trustees YES IN Poliw noted and the following enqulries madé of the irustees Responses received and any further action laken 'CircuiUDistrict Signalures . Please delete as a Dats............ riate
RESERVES POUCY of East Cumbria methodlst Circuit rchurch CounciiE]ICircult MeetingXJDlstri . General Funds held at YIE 31108124 £349926 Restricted Funds held £145513 Endowmènt Funds held £215882 Reserves pollcy for General Funds 50% of Annual Outgoing £150,000 Assessment Reimbursement £65,000 to Clrcult Chapels - ono off Incentive for 202415 to facllltata additional mlsslon outreach £65858 tovmrds an ecumenlcal Plonaer Ministar 50150 Jolnt funded wlth Anglicans over 3 year5 within East of Edon Mlssion Community (EEMC) from proceed6 reGeived from sale of Ainstable chapel £75.000 towards Shared Minlstry with Anglicans who arn hoping to r•devalop All Salnts Church Renwlck Into an ecumenlcal communlty hub (our contribution from proceeds of sale of RenvAck Chapel), sharing agemont will rnquirnd. 5. Polic for Restrictsd Funds £145,513 Is ring-fenced in a separate a¢Gount with TMCP for the sole use of Penrlth Methodlst Church arising from the sale of their Youth and Communlty buSldlng no longar rrt for purpose panding rninvestment In slmilar aGtivity in the main Church bulldlng. The long tsrni effect of COVID, and declslons taken by the Methodist Church In racént years, togath•r wlth the rate ol infiation have Impacted heavlly on th• Church finances and these funds arn now havlng to be used to cary out e550ntial rnpalrs and renewals and as a rnserve again8t the background of budgetlng déflclts. Terms 'relating to Endowment Funds held £215,882 is ring.fenced in a separate TMCP account The interEst accrued is for the sole use of ECMC Chapel rBpairs and maintenance and Is paid directly Into thè MTF SerVe AccounL On the 1" Sept 2025 this will need to be chang•d so that this InterBst can be used across the whole of Curnbria as ECMC will no longer exist. This RoserS Policy has been approved by Clrcuit Moeting rchurch Council Icircuit Meeting IDistri Treasurer Trustee Full name Allan R Amstrong Full Name Signature Siqnaturtr -1 I ILL. LJ
Old Coach House, Kirkoswald, Penrith, Cumbri4 CAIO I DQ (H) 01768 898891 (M) 0770 932 8501 Email.. millsy303030@yaboo.co.uk AIlan R Arnistrong East Cumbria Methodist Circuit TreasutEr & Propety Steward 36 Foster Street Penrith CAI17PA 28 March 2025 Dear Allan, EAST CUMBRL4 MITHODIST CHURCH (ECMC) ACCOUNTS TO 31 AITGUST 2024 l am writing to confirn] I have now completed my independent exainination of the aforementioned annual counts, and that I am happy to sign the Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the ECMC, I should emphsise that I have not conducted a full audit of the accounts. The scope of my examinatton has been as tollows.. - To ensure the accounts accord with the accounting records. - To ensure the accounting records agree wtth the accounts for the previous year. and reconcile with bank statements and statements from the Trustees For Methodist Church Purposes; - To ensure payments and receipts have been properly recorded. In undertakn'ng this work I have given due Tegard to the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. I note that your gross income after the deduction of proceeds from the sale of investments OT red assets is below the threshold of £250.000 for aCCn based accounts. which means the receipts and payments fonn of accounts is appropriate. I understand from you that further mergers may take place in the future, and I suggest that the effects of tlll's on the level of gross income are monitore& and whether or not it takes any combined stsucture over the threshold for accrual based audited aoUnts. The results of my examination have resulted in a number of small r¢¢lassifications of other payrnents and receipts and the rectification of a few flljal transactions not included in the banL" reconciliat10n. all of which you and T have ensured are now cOeCt. The production and independent examinatson of the 2024 accounts also highlighted errors in the signed off 2023 accounts, namely the incorrect analysis of "Totsl funds at the end of year between the categories Unrestricted" Circuit Model Trust" and "Restricted" These errors have been corrected in the 2024 accounts through the restatement of the analysi5 of "Total funds brought forward from last year It would be helpful for tUre examinations if tbe accounting records spreadsheets and supporting receipts were cross referenced in nwnerical sequence, and if bank statements for each bank were filed sepaTately, and preferably without other documents filed inbetween statement pages. These changes would make it somewhat easier for the Examiner to undertake the review work.. Yours sincerely. Paul Mills
CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS East Cumbria Methodlst C1Ult Clrcuil FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Cumbria Dlstrkt Clrcuft no 0909 Regl8terod Charfty - Charity Reghtratlon number 1133928 If a registered charity HIS Revenue and Custom$ Glft Ald nurnber (rhe HMRC number is equFvalent to a regi8t8r8d charity number in temis of evidence of charftable status and may be used to give to donors or granl funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are rKJt registered charilies are exGepted from registration under Slatutory Instrumenl 2014 No.242) Ministers: Rev Tim Cooke Rev David Milner Clrcult Stewards". Kathleen Williamson John Sle8 Chris Hulme Treasurer.. Allan R Amistron
Accourirs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 East Cumbrfa Methodist Circutt Un- Clrcuit restricted Model Restricted Totsls thls Funds Fund Funds Totals ." SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Asses8mentlShare 128.873 128.873 97,314 136,852 65,967 a3 Ca ital recei Bank and CFB interest and Investrnenl income 97,314 4,680 5,695 64.407 203,655 15,637 7,489 27,806 5,695 89,698 349,386 24.151 4.730 84.022 Grants Other TeThpts TOTAL RECEIPTS 25,291 138,242 a7 7,489 (a8) 315.722 SECTION 8 b1 b2 PAYMENTS stipends, 8alarl88, NIC, Pension and travel costs 154.287 25.051 9,370 27,085 3,292 109.036 Manse Costs 25.951 10,240 27,085 18,292 24,552 Administravon otc 476 10,217 b5 District Assessment 44,289 48,460 b6 b7 Grants & donatlons Exp Reimbursemerts from Stainton &PMC 15,Q)O 36.105 79,388 352,047 b8 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 8,045 226.030 16,971 32,447 23.016 258,871 b9 Ibg SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYME14TS FOR THE YEAR c1 a79 375 7,096 90.615 36,326 Total fvnds brou ht forward from last 121,386 244.132 138,418 503,936 540,259 Sub total cl+c2 99,011 349.927 145,513 594,451 503.934 Transfers and ad ustrnents TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+c4) 99,012 349,927 146,613 594,452 (G8 603.936 {G6 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO ExfERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts Should not be Included In tolal recel tslpayments abovg) Balance brou ht fomard from18st ear d1 d2 Offerin sIGifts - received foT extemal o anisations OfferingslGtfts- passed to external organisatrons BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID dl+d2-d3 d3 8FoAA 2024 1 Df1
Ea6t Cumbrfa Metho(IlstClr¢uEt Cktu SECTION E lÈtsth Summary of the cl11 8co)unts fortheyew ond8d 31 AWUBt 2D24 and Intsrnal Org8ni%8tsons roPorAg lo the Clrt Meebrto. Note Ihal Ibe func5s ofan Iniern81 0sganls#n would normdy bp Rag1rfcted tjnds unless rt 10 be de4rfy shown thatth8y coukt bg for arty Mothodk purp. Thk sectK)n mu8tt• Comeled lo arriv&al gros? recelpts arrfl payments lo150f IhB Clrvjil It8H)56 Irwne èxcetstheAc¢nJal$threshold of£250.oao. Ihen AccrL$818 melhod ofacuJunbng AND A DIFFERENT FORM mug1 used to reportthg awoun1515e8 MethoJlstwewi¥I. P85 rafèrto Ihe guldan¢e nol8$regardlng transfern th8 Circuit and OnEcted ¢ir¢urt Organisats& TERW NEI Récd m8nls Ad ¢1 iots(of Int•maf Org•n16&tsnolundi 10111 ¢rult•Kounts broughtft4rwArd from pty• 1.tvt• Golumnl 268.871 90.515 HELD BYCIRCUIT 34YM16 288A71 9Q,S15 ntinu• on * TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYIIENTS Ih•lol•lsforthnJ SECIKIN F OPENING BALANCES CLOSING CRCUIT.CASH FLINDS TrIELD •131 Au rt2024 CA•h In tsnd k CurlAOnt C•nbxl 88.379 TnJthJlorMhcthatChurth Pu 249.674 349.927 Oth•rluTrJ• 138,418 145.513 TOTAL 603.933 594.452 Tot•1 lunth by lrttwnAI Orythn8 (th• do bdnLlthbov•l1•121 è11 TOTAL CASH FUND8 HELD BYCIRCI $03,933 $94,4S2 SECYIONG OThERASSET8iDd LL4IILrne8 W12tr24 ud¢ Endrymne 197799 215882 Lar1 and nut•• r• Inuurnnr• ¥au• 3 130432 oth8rAS . ¥lThrnuntgutstqndln f4 Inthde¢Mty Funds W glthe Fmr BeaTd 15 Ihj00nty CFB Fundth hehl OiTNeesforMothcdM Churrh Pwp(H gl In¢Jd•wy¢)th8r1n%*tlma (nattheh elqm•rtolTrlCPlnNIKiwrrtsthirylD In80rt•l lTrknelS1 Irf1
Name of Circuit East Cumbria Methodist Circuit No 1133928 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these ReIpt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they indude all funds under the control of the Circuit meetina. Signature of treasurer ........ 27.4.2g Name and address of treasurer Allan Rlchard Amstrong 36 Fost8r Street, Penrith Post Code CA117PA Presentation to the Clrcult meetlng .[ confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 will be presented to the Circuit meeting held on . 271312025 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the East Cumbria Mthodlst Circult Charlty Number 1133928 Responsibllltles and basls of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Cumbria Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 1 to 5. As the Circuit's trustees. you are iesponsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuifs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Direction8 given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. . delete or circle as appropriate SFOA Aug 2024 1 of I
.4ame of Circuit East Cumbria Methodist Circuit No 1133928 Independent Examlnerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination other than that disclosed belovp which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems and have come across no othér 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 reaGhed. I have not obtained independent verifiGation of all invesknents 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 individualty in excess of £10,(X)O (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner //A4 Name of independent examiner ... Mr Paul A Mi118 Relevant professional qualification of independent examin8r .. (Retired). Name of finn (where appropriats) . . WA Addre8S ..Old Coach House, Kirkoswald Penrith. Cumbrfa Post Code CA10 1 DQ Date . 281312025 The production and indépendent examination of the 2024 accounts al80 highligtrted errors in the signed of 2023 accounts, nametyth8 incorrect an81y8is of Yotsllund3 Bt th8 end ofthe year" between the categorles 'Unrestricted' "Clrcuit ModglTrusf ond"Restrlctsd". These errors have been corr8cted In the 2024 accounts through the re8tatsmentofthe analysis ot Yotslfund8 bFOU8htfoM8rd from lastyea'. 6F0A¥ 2024 1 of1