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← North Herts Methodist Circuit

2024-08-31-accounts

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

34/15 North Hertfordshire Circuit

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

and

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ended 31 AUGUST 2024

Charity registration number: 1133930

1

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024 Contents

Page
Administrative information 3
Trustees’ Report 4
Financial Report
Risk management 10
Trustees’ expenses 10
Trustees’ responsibilities 10
Financial review 11
Reserves policy 12
Financial Statements for year 2023-2024 14

2

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024 Administrative Information

Circuit Ministers

Rev Graham Claydon-Knights Rev Val Reid Rev Zdzisiu Hendzel Rev Emmanuel Onabanjo Rev Julian Blakemore Rev Melanie Crowley Chandrika Perera Rev Peter Orton Rev John Whittle Rev N Young Rev R Forrest Deacon Malcolm Knowles

(Joint-Superintendent from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023) (Joint-Superintendent from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023) Superintendent from 1 September 2023 Minister from 1 September 2023 (Sector Minister – Banking) (Anglican – Authorised Minister)

Supernumerary Minister Supernumerary Minister Supernumerary Minister Supernumerary Deacon

Circuit Stewards

Allison Ffinch Janet Tackley Gill Hughes Vic Evans Sara Crowley Sue Chastney

Joint Senior Steward Joint Senior Steward

Circuit Meeting Secretaries

Jasmine Hilfer

Circuit Administrator

Jasmine Hilfer Central Methodist Church Pixmore Way Letchworth Garden City Herts SG6 3TR

Custodian Trustees

(for Property and Investments) Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ

Circuit Web Site Address

www.nhmethodist.org.uk

Bankers Investment Adviser Independent Examiner Lloyds Bank PLC Central Finance Board of the Sandeep Shah FCCA Leadermans PO Box 1000 Methodist Church St Christopher’s House BX1 1LT 9 Bonhill Street Ridge Road London Letchworth Garden City, Herts EC2A SG6 1PT

3

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Trustees’ Report

Governance and Management

The Circuit is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church.

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of union the advancement of:

The Circuit is a group of local churches some of which are Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) with other denominations. Circuits combine to form about 30 districts in Great Britain. Although there is some autonomy, all Methodist organisations in Great Britain are governed by statutes determined by the Methodist Conference and which are published in the Constitution, Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church. Conference is the supreme body within the church: it delegates much of its authority to the Methodist Council. Both Conference and Council consist of lay and clerical members.

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the Circuit Meeting, held at least twice in each year, has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and, in particular, to its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing our objectives as set out above.

During the year the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) - the Circuit Ministerial Staff and Circuit Stewards - met every two months to review the life of the Circuit and to take forward the decisions of the Circuit Meeting.

The Trustees and members of the Circuit Meeting are one and the same. They are also Managing Trustees for the property (manses) in the Circuit and for the Circuit Investments. The Trustees have no responsibility for individual churches in the Circuit.

Activities

OUR MISSION IS: to show and share God’s love in Christ, that the community of faith may grow.

OUR POLICY : is to encourage and support the churches in the circuit to:

4

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024 Organisational Structure

Charity Registration

The North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit was registered as a charity (registration number 133930) in February 2010.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. Specifically:

Safeguarding

The Circuit follows the Connexional policy on safeguarding as detailed in Creating Safer Space. Each church has a safeguarding representative and there are two safeguarding officers in the circuit to ensure the adoption of safe practice amongst children and vulnerable adults.

5

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024 Trustees

The following people served as trustees of the Circuit during the year 2023-24.

Trustees name Appointed Office Appointing Body
Rev Zdzisiu Hendzel Sep-23 Joint Superintendent Minister Ex officio
Rev Val Reid Joint Superintendent Minister Ex officio
Rev Emmanuel Onabanjo Sep-23 Minister Ex officio
Rev Julian Blakemore Minister Ex officio
Rev Melanie Crowley Minister Ex officio
Rev Chandrika Perera Minister Ex officio
Rev John Whittle SupernumeraryMinister Ex officio
Deacon Malcolm Knowles SupernumeraryDeacon Ex officio
Circuit Meeting
Allison Ffinch Sep-19 Circuit Steward Circuit Stewards
Andrew Surry Sep-09 Church Representative St Faith's Joint PCC
Barbara Cook Sep-14 WorshipLeader Circuit Meeting
Bob Hamilton Oct-20 Church Representative SHSJ
Brian Burgess Sep-08 Church Representative Benington Church
Council
Cath Edmonds Sep-19 Church Representative Christchurch Church
Mtg
David Latter Sep-08 Local Preacher(Tutor) Local Preachers Mtg
Diane Graham Sep-13 Church Representative/Connex.
Funds		 Christchurch Church
Mtg
Georgina Offie Sep-18 Church Representative All Saints Joint PCC
Gill Francis Sep-18 Church Representative Baldock Church Mtg
Helen Hofton Sep-15 Church Representative Pirton Church
Council
Ian Brakenbury Sep-09 Church Representative Pirton Church
Council
J Alan Burrell Mar-16 Church Representative St Paul's Church
Council
Janet Tackley Mar-11 Circuit Steward/Church
Representative		 Pirton Church
Council
Jennifer Rogers Sep-10 SafeguardingAdvisor Circuit Meeting

6

Charity No. 1133930

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

JohnSharman Mar-08 Church Representative Central Church
Council
Jonathan Battarbee Sep-19 Church Representative Central Church
Council
Julie Mills Sep-20 Church Representative Christchurch Church
Mtg
June R Simpson Mar-08 Church Representative Stotfold Church
Council
Ken Sharpe Nov-16 Church Representative High St
Margaret Turner Mar-11 Church Representative Stotfold Church
Council
Nirmal Chopde Sep-19 Church Representative High St
Norman Kiddle Sep-15 Church Representative All Saints Joint PCC
Peter Davies Mar-11 Church Representative Benington Church
Council
Peter Dron Sep-08 Church Representative All Saints Joint PCC
Robert Driver Sep-20 Church Representative Baldock Church Mtg
RoyRobinson May-21 Church Representative Baldock Church Mtg
Sara Crowley Sept-22 Circuit Steward Circuit Meeting
Sue Chastney Sep-09 SafeguardingAdvisor Circuit Meeting
Valerie Triplow Sep-15 Church Representative Stotfold Church
Council
Victor Evans Sep-19 Circuit Steward Circuit Stewards
Vivien Storey Mar-08 Church Representative Central Church
Council

7

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Staff changes

Rev Zdzisiu Hendzel joined the Circuit in September 2023 as Superintendent. Rev Emmanuel Onabanjo also joined the Circuit in September 2023.

In March 2023, Jenny Wright retired as the Circuit Administrator, Jasmine Hilfer was successfully recruited to this position.

Review of Objectives set for the Year ended 31 August 2024

We were a member of staff short during the year 2022/23 due to the ongoing stationing issues within the Methodist Church.

The two Methodist ministers remaining in the Circuit acted as joint-superintendents. They focused on four key areas of Circuit life:

  1. Creating small groups of Circuit stewards/ministers/paid Circuit staff to take shared responsibility for tasks, so that no-one is on their own with big decisions.

  2. Building up and supporting the team of Circuit ministers (Methodist and Anglican) and Local Preachers.

  3. Ensuring that safeguarding good practice is shared and Circuit records are up to date.

  4. Ensuring that necessary property work on churches and manses is undertaken and properly recorded.

We have continued to provide support for the congregations of the two churches in the Circuit where worship has ceased. We are currently managing the sale of one of these churches and will also support the sale of another church where the congregation remains active.

Objectives set for the Year ended 31 August 2025

We have welcomed a new Superintendent Minister and a new MOCC (Ministers from Other Churches and Conferences) Minister in September 2023 and we look forward to working together.

We are planning a Circuit awayday in 2024 with the objective of creating a Circuit Vision Statement.

We will also look to provide support to our churches in discerning and following their mission.

We intend to review the policies and procedures in place and to update or establish policies as necessary.

We will seek to strengthen ecumenical co-operation with churches and organisations within our Circuit boundary.

Further ahead we will be welcoming a new minister into the Circuit following the planned sitting down of Rev Val Reid in August 2024.

8

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Churches in the Circuit

All Saints Church Pin Green Stevenage Herts (LEP with Church of England) Arlesey Methodist Church Beds Baldock Methodist Church Herts Benington Methodist Church Central Methodist Church Letchworth Garden City Herts Christchurch Hitchin Herts (LEP with United Reformed Church) High Street Methodist Church Stevenage Herts Norton Methodist Church, Letchworth Garden City Herts Pirton Methodist Church Herts St Faith’s Church Hitchin Herts (LEP with Church of England) St Hugh & St John Church, Chells Stevenage Herts (LEP with Church of England) St Paul’s Methodist Church Broadwater Stevenage Herts Stotfold Methodist Church Beds Trinity Church Knebworth Herts (LEP* with United Reformed Church)

*LEP = Local Ecumenical Partnership

9

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Financial Report Risk Management

Through its CLT risks faced by the Circuit have been considered. Where appropriate, risks have been transferred by paying insurers to take the risks. Security and safety of our churches is largely for those churches to determine and to mitigate following advice from Circuit Officers.

All churches and manses are the subject of quinquennial inspections and the reports on each are reviewed by the circuit as well as the local trustees. Action is taken to reduce the risks of injury to all who have a legitimate purpose to be on those premises.

We have considered the resilience of churches and the risk that they will not meet their quarterly financial assessments. We judge that there are sufficient resources to cover any probable shortfall in the following year.

The Circuit operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks to ensure that it follows Methodist standing orders. It relies on the Methodist Council to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Circuit.

Trustees’ Expenses

Members of the Circuit Meeting received neither payment nor reimbursement of their expenses in connection with their function as trustees. The only expenses paid were to the staff of the Circuit in connection with fulfilling their roles.

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees have:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Circuit and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Circuit and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Trustees have a right to advise the independent examiner of their concerns but none has done so. CLT concludes, therefore, that there are no issues to be advised to the independent examiner.

Following advice from Connexion the Trustees have produced a Health and Safety policy for the Circuit that will be regularly reviewed.

10

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Financial Review

The Circuit’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with:

The Circuit prepares accruals accounts, but do not consolidate accounts of Circuit churches.

The Circuit budget is prepared by first anticipating the expenditure for the forthcoming year and then determining how that sum will be raised. Around 75% of the income (excluding St Pauls items, see below) for the year came from the individual churches within the circuit, with a total of £199,214 being received (2023: £181,552). The Circuit is grateful for the individual churches continuing to meet their assessment during the year.

In 2023-24 the Circuit experienced an unrestricted deficit of £452,424 (2023: surplus £467,892). The closure and subsequent sale of St Paul’s Stevenage generated £451,500 of this deficit (2022-23: £471,549 of surplus).

The Circuit Model Trust Fund finished the year with a surplus of £258,587 (2023: deficit £28,756). The surplus of St Pauls proceeds less levy charge of £286,142 goes into CMTF. In most years, the Fund returns a deficit, because the amounts taken by the Circuit and District are greater than the income generated by investments. The Circuit may benefit indirectly from this as the District uses these funds to award grants.

The Circuit makes a number of grants each year. These are for projects which are part funded by the Bedfordshire Essex and Hertfordshire District. The District part of the funding is paid directly to the church concerned and does not pass through the Circuit accounts. The Circuit usually matches the amount received from the District. In 2023-24 a total of £14,822 grants were awarded (2022-23 £24,145), with a further £25,240 committed over the next 2 years.

The expenditure during the year on manses was written off and not capitalised (as it generally represented expenditure of a maintenance nature rather than significant capital enhancement). During the year two manses were let commercially for the full year, the Trustees are keen to be responsible landlords.

At 31 August 2024, the total value of manses held is £1,709,562 (2023: £1,709,562).

Reserves not tied up in fixed assets show a surplus at the year end of £34,707 (2023: £37,131). This is primarily due to the cash balances transferred to the Circuit on the closure of St Pauls and also the continuing reduction of the balance owed to Trinity Church which is included in Other Creditors

At no time during the year was the Circuit insolvent either in terms of its assets or in terms of its ability to pay its debts as they became due. All funds are unrestricted.

11

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Reserves Policy

Background

The Circuit seeks to use its financial resources wisely and to predict future needs for capital expenditure on churches, manses and projects. Many of our churches are local ecumenical projects (LEPs) where two or more denominations work together, often sharing the same premises and usually worshipping together.

Grant Support

By way of annual or one-off grant, North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit supports several churches within the Circuit by contributing to the cost of specific projects, especially for mission, sometimes for as long as five years. The Circuit does not generally support the normal running costs of any church.

Before committing to a grant, the Circuit believes that it is prudent to ensure that it has sufficient resources to pay for all instalments of the grant. This is because the Circuit’s annual income and expenditure budget does not normally seek to make a surplus. There is, therefore, no intended annual increase in the reserves.

Priority given to projects which:

Capital Assets

The proceeds of sale of the premises of any Methodist Church or manse within the Circuit is generally credited to the Circuit. There is, however, a substantial levy paid to the Connexion (the Methodist Church in GB) so not all of the proceeds are received by the Circuit. This levy is then used by the Connexion to fund other innovative property and mission focussed schemes all over the country.

Funding of the Circuit’s costs

This is achieved by making an assessment on each church within the Circuit. If any church were to close, that church’s assessment would not be paid to the Circuit. The Circuit’s costs – principally the stipends of the ministers – would continue and there may be a need to draw on reserves to meet the shortfall in income.

Existing Commitments

As at 31 August 2024 the Circuit has committed £25,240 in grants out of its funds.

Annual costs

At the Circuit meeting in March 2023, a change to the Circuit’s Reserves Policy was approved. The new Reserves Policy is to hold reserves to cover:

At 31 August 2024, the total of these costs is estimated to be £146k and current reserves (including fixed assets) exceed that amount.

12

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Taxation

It is the view of the trustees that none of the activities of the Circuit during the year should attract taxation. Where VAT has been incurred, none has been, or will be, recovered and costs are shown gross of relevant VAT.

Finance Officer

I confirm that these accrual based accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit Meeting.

Signature of Finance Officer

Name of Finance Officer

Mr Alistair Jenkins

Address

14 Shiels Drive BRISTOL BS32 8EA

Approvals

The Trustees' Report and the Financial Statements have been ratified by the Circuit Leadership Team Meeting. The financial statements have been approved on behalf of the Circuit by:

13

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

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

Notes to
the
accounts
Income
1 Donations and legacies
2 Income from monetary investments
4
3 Income from investment properties
5
4 Assessments on Churches
17
5 Grants received
6
6 Other charitable income
7 Deficit on disposal of St Pauls
7
8 Total income
9 Expenditure
10 Grants and donations
11 Salaries and associated costs
10
12 Property maintenance
13 Model trust levy
14 District Assessment & Levy
15 Depreciation
16 Office expenses
17 Other outgoings
18 Total charitable expenditure
19
20 Net income/(expenditure)
21 Transfers between funds
22 Other gains/(losses)
23 Net movement in funds
24 Total funds brought forward
25 Total funds carried forward
Gains/(losses) on monetary investments

General
Fund
Circuit
Model Trust
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
1,146
9,024
10,170
6,972
36,467
-
36,467
43,424
199,214
-
199,214
181,552
0
-
0
10,768
18,201
-
18,201
1,515
-451,500
286,142
-165,358
471,549
-196,472
295,166
98,694
715,780
14,822
-
14,822
24,145
138,105
-
138,105
89,034
32,511
-
32,511
53,698
-
24,653
24,653
5,902
45,690
-
45,690
44,996
-
-
-
-
32,391
479
32,870
27,125
4,108
-
4,108
2,858.00
267,627
25,132
292,759
247,758
-
228
228
(130)
(464,099)
270,262
(193,837)
467,892
11,674
(11,674)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-452,425
258,588
(193,837)
467,892
2,196,693
162,138
2,358,831
1,890,939
1,744,268
420,726
2,164,994
2,358,831

14

Charity No. 1133930

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Balance sheet as at 31 August 2024 Balance sheet as at 31 August 2024
Notes to
the
Accounts
General Fund
(Unrestricted)		 Circuit Model
Trusts
(Unrestricted)		 Total
2024		 Total
2023
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Circuit Manses & Equipment 11 1,709,562 1,709,562 1,709,562
Church 11 0 0 450,000
Investments 12 420,725 420,725 162,138
Totalfixed assets 1,709,562 420,725 2,130,287 2,321,700
Current Assets
Debtors 13 4,689 1.00 4,690 1,613
Central Finance Board Deposits 17,466 - 17,466 36,267
Cash at Bank and in hand 37,901 - 37,901 40,951
Total current assets 60,056 1.00 60,057 78,831
Current liabilities
Creditors(due in under 1year) 14 240 - 240 15,462
Grantspayable 25,110 - 25,110 26,238
Total current liabilities 25,350 - 25,350 41,700
Net current assets/liabilities 34,706 - 34,706 37,131
Long term liabilities
Creditors(due in more than 1year) - - 0
Total assets less total liabilities 1,744,268 420,726 2,164,994 2,358,831
Net Assets 1,744,268 420,726 2,164,994 2,358,831
Funds of the Circuit
General Fund(Unrestricted) 1,722,719 1,722,719 2,175,144
General Fund St Pauls(Unrestricted) 21,549 21,549 21,549
Circuit Model Trust Fund(Unrestricted) 420,726 420,726 162,138
Designated Funds(Unrestricted) - -
-		 -
Total Unrestricted Funds 1,744,268 420,726 2,164,994 2,358,831
Restricted Funds - -
-		 -
Total Funds 1,744,268 420,726 2,164,994 2,358,831

15

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Notes to the accounts

1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2015 version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 - the Charities SORP – in replacement for the SORP’s 2005 version specified in its related 2008 Regulations and in accordance with the ‘true and fair override’ provision contained therein.

2. Funds

The funds held constitute:

Restricted funds are funds which are held for a narrower purpose. The Circuit does not hold any restricted or endowment funds. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash.

3. Accounting policies

Basis

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

Incoming resources

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Circuit becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Circuit to pay out resources.

Grants

Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. When the grant is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.

VAT

Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.

Tangible fixed assets for use by the circuit

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost, or a reasonable value on receipt. We do not regard the value as being less than the cost, have carried out an impairment review and decided no depreciation is necessary.

16

Charity No. 1133930

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Investment property

In addition to the manses, the circuit owns one house which it holds as an investment property. Since the value of all manses, including this investment property, is frozen at £1,349,962, the value attributed to the newly defined ‘investment property’ is pro rata to the insured values of the total real estate.

Investments

Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the SOFA.

Debtors and prepayments

Debtors are amounts owed to the Circuit. Prepayments include payments made by the Circuit for services yet to be received. This includes the payment in August of the September Stipends which are debited at the end of August.

Creditors

Creditors include both sundry expenses and also any amounts received by Circuit in advance of when income is actually due.

4. Investment income
Lloyds Interest
Circuit Model Trust Fund income
Lettings income
6. Grants received
Bedfordshire Essex and
Hertfordshire District
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Grant
Total
Total
5. Other trading activities		 Unrestricted
Circuit
Model
Trust Fund
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
1,146
-
1,146
1,172
-
9,024
9,024
5,800
1,146
9,024
10,170
6,972
Unrestricted
Circuit
Model
Trust Fund
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
36,467
-
36,467
43,424
Unrestricted
Circuit
Model
Trust Fund
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
0
0
10,768
-
-
-
0
-
0
10,768

7. Deficit on disposal of St Pauls Church Stevenage

St Paul’s Stevenage was disposed of during the year and upon sale realised proceeds of £ 436,903 less District Levy of £150,761, fees of £1,500 and loss on disposal of £13,097.

This is split between a deficit in unrestricted of £451,500 and a surplus in CMTF of £268,142.

17

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Notes to the accounts (continued)

8. Payment to Trustees
Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Total amount paid
No trustees undertook additional services on behalf of the Circuit.
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts
10. Paid employees
Staff Costs paid during the year were:
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
Employer’s National Insurance costs
Pension costs
Total staff costs
Average number of staff employed during the year were:
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided
Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent
examiner or auditor
9. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts		 2024
2023
£
£
NIL
NIL
4
4
6,474
5,385
2024
2023
£
£
750
624
NIL
NIL
2024
2023
£
£
103,499
67,698
10,117
6,157
24,489
15,179
138,105
89,034
4
4

11. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets comprise manses at deemed cost of £1,709,562 (2023: £1,709,562). This does not include St Pauls Church Stevenage (disposed of during the year - Note 7).

We do not regard the value as being less than cost and hence no depreciation is necessary.

18

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Notes to the accounts (continued)

12. Investments

The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium and long term investments.

TMCP is the Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property and is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensures that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and polity as determined by the Methodist Conference.

Change in investment values
Property proceeds net of Levy / costs
Transfers in/(out)
Prepayments
Other debtors
Total debtors and prepayments
14. Analysis of current liabilities
Accruals
Other creditors
Grants payable
Total Current Liabilities
Debtors and prepayments
Investments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange
Investments held in common investment funds
Carrying (market) value at beginning of year
13. Analysis of current assets
Net gain/(loss) on revaluation
Carrying (market) value at end of year
Add:additions to investments at cost
Less:disposals at carrying value		 2024
2023
£
£
3,169 2,941
417,556 159,197
420,725 162,138
2024
2023
£
£
162,138 190,894
9,024 5,800
286,142
(25,132)
(6,467)
227
(130)
(11,674)
(27,959)
420,725 162,138
2024
2023
£
£
1,569 1,613
3,120 -
4,689 1,613
2024
2023
£
£
240 9,946
- 5,516
240 15,462
25,110 26,238
25,350 41,700

15. Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

At the 31 August 2024, the Circuit has no capital commitments. No Contingent liabilities were identified at 31 August 2024.

19

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

16. Related Party Transactions

2024

16. Related Party Transactions
2024
Name of related party Relationship Description
of
transaction		 Income from
related party
during year		 Payments
to related
party
during
theyear

Amounts
owed by /(to)
related party
as on 31-Aug-
2024
£ £ £
Bedford, Essex and Hertfordshire District District Assessment (45,690)
All Saints Church, Pin Green Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment 5,148
(330)
Arlesey Methodist Church, Beds Circuit Church Assessment -
Baldock Methodist Church, Herts Circuit Church Assessment 4,667 (254)
Benington Methodist Church, Circuit Church Assessment 2,269
(1,500)		 (1,500)
Central Methodist Church, Letchworth Circuit Church Assessment 60,429
(3,120)
Christchurch, Hitchin Herts Circuit Church Assessment 68,589 (15,211)
High Street Methodist Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 25,170
(7,400)		 (7,400)
Norton Methodist Church, Letchworth Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 7,683
Pirton Methodist Church, Herts Circuit Church Assessment 4,904
St Hugh and St John Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment 6,103
St Faith's Church, Hitchin Herts Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 3,474 (745)
St Paul's Methodist Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment -
Stotfold Methodist Church, Beds Circuit Church Assessment 5,676
Trinity Church, Knebworth Herts Circuit Church Assessment 5,102
(2,472)
Total 199,214 (60,512) (25,110)

20

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Financial statements for year ended 31 August 2024

Notes to the accounts (continued)

17. Related Party Transactions

2023

17. Related Party Transactions
2023
Name of related party Relationship Description
of
transaction		 Income from
related party
during year		 Payments
to related
party
during the
year		 Amounts
owed by /(to)
related party
as on 31-Aug-
2023
£ £ £
Bedford, Essex and Hertfordshire District District Assessment 44,996
All Saints Church, Pin Green Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment 4,680
Arlesey Methodist Church, Beds Circuit Church Assessment -
Baldock Methodist Church, Herts Circuit Church Assessment 7,932 (11,754)
Benington Methodist Church, Circuit Church Assessment 2,004
Central Methodist Church, Letchworth Circuit Church Assessment 53,232
Christchurch, Hitchin Herts Circuit Church Assessment 60,420 (15,211)
High Street Methodist Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 21,924
Norton Methodist Church, Letchworth Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 6,768
Pirton Methodist Church, Herts Circuit Church Assessment 4,320
St Hugh and St John Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment 5,376
St Faith's Church, Hitchin Herts Circuit Church Assessment
/(grant)		 5,398 (745)
St Paul's Methodist Church, Stevenage Circuit Church Assessment -
Stotfold Methodist Church, Beds Circuit Church Assessment 5,004
Trinity Church, Knebworth Herts Circuit Church Assessment 4,494 1,472
Total 181,552 (26,238)

21

North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit

Charity No. 1133930

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of North Hertfordshire Methodist Circuit.

This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2024.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Circuit's trustees are responsible for ensuring that the annual report and accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 present a true and fair view of the Circuit's income and expenditure for the year and of its assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date. The trustees consider that an audit is not necessary for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;

to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities act; and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

have not been met, or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

(3) 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.

Name of independent Sandeep Shah examiner Signature of independent examiner Sop

Relevant Professional qualification of independent examiner

FCCA ~~Po~~ ropriate)opriate)riate)ate) ~~PT~~ Leadermans St Christopher’s House Ridge Road Letchworth Garden City SG6 1PT

Name of firm (where appropriate)opriate)riate)ate)

Address

Date 25/04/2025 ~~|~~

22