**Circuit** 

**Accruals Accounts** 


**THE METHODIST CHURCH** 


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                                          (ACCRUALS BASIS)<br>SOUTH FYLDE  Circuit<br>Registered Charity - Registration number<br>1134142<br>District No / Circuit No 21/14<br>             Ministers<br>Rev Stuart Wild (superintendent)<br>Rev Louise Makin<br>Deacon Kim Gabbitass (0.5)<br>Circuit Stewards<br>Michael Steele-Edwards<br>Katharine Davies<br>Circuit Treasurer<br>Katharine Davies<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




**SOUTH FYLDE Circuit TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022** 

## **Introduction** 

Welcome to the Trustees' Annual Report of the South Fylde Methodist Circuit which covers the year to 31st August 2022, a year in which a lot of change has taken place and progress has been made with many of our key objectives. 

## **Aims of the organisation** 

The South Fylde Circuit of the Methodist Church, encouraged by the strategy of the Lancashire Methodist District, seeks the transformation of lives and communities within the geographical area of South Fylde. This will be enabled by offering good quality worship in a variety of styles, exploring fresh expressions of Church and remaining faithful to appropriate traditional expressions, engaging in community outreach projects, supporting the development of children, young people and families. Spirituality for older people and in the revitalisation of work. Within this broad vision, each Church in the Circuit is called to make disciples, to encourage people in their faith, to serve their communities and to focus upon their strengths and their distinct expression of community. 

## **Review of the year** 

The South Fylde Methodist Circuit has embraced our District's Strategy "Transforming Lives and Communities" and continues to support our six local Churches in moving forward. 

We have made good progress with our work with children, young people and families, with developing a community focus across the Circuit, with developing new forms of worship and teaching. 

The new structure based on two ministry teams each consisting of a presbyter/part-time Lay-worker and presbyter/Deacon has worked well. 

We have continued to undertake training of Local Preachers. 

Circuit staff and qualified volunteers continue to provide training for all Church members working with children and vulnerable adults. We ensure that all staff, lay officers and volunteers who are required to undertake safeguarding training have received the training. 

The accounts of the South Fylde Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31st August 2022 show a defecit of £55,000 on the General Fund. This is £10000 worse than the budgeted deficit of £44,000.This is due to lack of property rental and manse repairs on Knowles Road being higher than expected 

## **Circuit Income** 

Total income on the General Fund for the year to 31st August 2021 was £177,039. Circuit income is primarily drawn from the Assessment paid by the Circuit churches (£145,000 in 2020/21) and property rental (£25,857). 

## **Circuit Expenditure** 

Total expenditure on the General Fund for the year to 31st August 2022 was £237 687. The major expenditure was stipends, salaries and associated costs (56% of total expenditure) which increase each financial year in line with Conference approved rates. 

The other significant expenditure in 2021/22 was the District Assessment on which we spent £35,988, 15% of our expenditure. This is the Circuit's contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. 

## **Fund balances** 

As at 31 August 2022 the net current assets of the Circuit were £78,040 on the General Fund and £8,105 on the Circuit Model Trust Fund. 



## **Plans for 2022/23** 

This year Rev'd Louise Makin joined us on 1st September 2021.  The Circuit continues to function with two ministry teams, each comprising of a Presbyter and part-time Lay-worker/Deacon, the latter both employed by the Lancashire Methodist District but charged to the Circuit. Next year we will be merging with Blackpool to become the Blackpool and South Fylde Circuit. Unfortunately, Rv'd Makin decided to curtail at the end of August 2023, which means we will have to go into stationing in 2022/2023. 

The Financial plan for 2022/23 produces a budget surplus of £12,000  taking  the gross balance on the General Fund at 31st August 2022 to £116 100, but the longer term plan shows that this will rise to £129,000 by the end of 2022/23, before reducing the following year to !140,000. This demonstrates that we shall still be able to hold £60,000 in reserve, ie three months' expenditure as required by our Reserves Policy. 

## **SOUTH  FYLDE METHODIST CIRCUIT** 

## **AIMS AND ORGANISATION** 

## **Purposes 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: 

a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church; 

b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. Local or other organisation of The Methodist Church; 

c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church; 

d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church 

The South Fylde Circuit supports the six churches of the Circuit in carrying out their activities in their communities, in 

the provision of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike; the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups; the provision of sacred space (a building) for prayer and contemplation; 

the resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved; 

the promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services; 

the provision of chaplaincy services to schools, care homes and other institutions; 

the provision of social activities with a focus on particular age groups which are open to everyone; 

the provision of space and facilities for a range of community activities. 

## **Public Benefit** 

We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

The governing document for the Circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) 

Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). 



Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Superintendent along with the Circuit Stewards and the Circuit Leadership Team. 

## **Trustee Training** 

A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit, specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit Meeting members as induction to their role as trustees. 

## **Related Parties** 

The Circuit is part of the Lancashire District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. 

The following Methodist Churches are part of the Circuit:- 

The Drive Methodist Church                   Church Road Methodist Church 

Fairhaven Methodist Church                   Lytham Methodist Church Kirkham Methodist Church                      Freckleton Methodist Church 

## **Key Objectives for 2022/23** 

(i)   To act as a provider of resources for the Methodist Churches in Blackpool and the South Fylde, in particular financial, human and training resources and resources to encourage spiritual development. 

(ii)  To exercise ministerial oversight and pastoral care of the local Churches in the Circuit and to support the ministry team. 

(iii)  To further advance the support of practical work with children, young people and families across the Circuit. 

(iv)  To encourage faith development amongst the people of the Circuit. 

(v) To continue to encourage and support those who are called to be lay preachers and to manage thir training programmes; 

(vi) To seek to ensure full compliance across the Circuit with Methodist Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, including training for staff and volunteers. 

(vii) To seek to ensure successful implementation of the new Circuit  structure with two ministry teams, each comprising one presbyter and one lay-worker. 

## **SOUTH FYLDE METHODIST CIRCUIT** 

## **Risk Management** 

The major risks are associated with our Churches and they have been identified and recorded by the Church Officers with professional advice taken as required. The key risk area for the Circuit is around the four manses and we review risks in conjunction with the occupying ministers. 

Each Church undertakes a regular annual review process and records the outcome. 

Income and Expenditure is monitored against the approved annual budget on a quarterly basis to identify trends and problem areas as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Significant abnormal expenditure is authorised by the Circuit Meeting. 

## **Safeguarding** 

Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. 

Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: 



• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults 

• the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable 

•the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. 

• We carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. 

• We respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation. 

• We seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. 

• We seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. 

• We seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. 

• In all these principles we follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice 

The South Fylde Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Circuit and in the churches. 

The South Fylde Methodist Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. 

The South Fylde Circuit commits itself to carrying out risk assessments for circuit events involving children, young people or vulnerable adults as stated in our Policy Document agreed on 15/10/2020, namely: 

Circuit events are to be notified to the District Safeguarding Officer prior to these being agreed to ensure that all permissions, risk assessments and good practice guidelines are in place. 

All those involved in leading and running the event must be aware of the procedure. 

The event should have been planned effectively and attention given to the following issues: 

1. Risk assessment and suitability of the activity and the premises 

2. The appointment of a team to take charge of the event, including safeguarding and first aid personnel (particular health or ability needs should be taken into account) 

3. Numbers of children, young people or vulnerable adults involved 

4. Transportation - following good practice guidelines. 

This information is to be sent to the District Safeguarding Officer for approval PRIOR to the event being agreed. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The Circuit Reserves Policy is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to three months’ average expenditure. This is currently £60,000 and should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches. 

At 31st August 2022, the General Fund held £116100, gross,, including £50,000 designated as the Circuit Development Fund, so we held £40,000 in excess of the target reserve. 



At 31st August 2022, the Circuit held a balance of £8105 on the Circuit Model Trust Fund. This Fund derives from sales of chapels and manses. 

Our reserves policy for the management of this Fund is as follows:- 

£5,000 available for property and/or mission projects in the future. 

£3,000 available for general Circuit purposes, largely manse repairs and maintenance. 

## **SOUTH FYLDE METHODIST CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] AUGUST 2022** 

||General|Trust|Total|Year end 31stAug   2021|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||fund|Fund|||
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**<br>|£|£|£|£|
|Assessments<br>|140016||140016|145001|
|Connexional and District Grants|8998||8998|0|
|Interest and investment income|481|14|495|195|
|Property rental|17033||17033|25847|
|Covid recovery fund|0||0|5750|
|Fundraising||0|||
|Collection|148||148||
|Income for Kim|13620||13620||
|3 Generate|1889||1889||
|Insurance|220||220||
|Stationary|125||125||
|Church Road|208||208||
|Total Incoming Resources|182738|14|182753|177039|
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED**|||||
|Ministers’ Stipends|112939||112939|91944|
|Ministers’ Travel|5461||5461|3250|
|Ministers’ Telephone and internet|2106||2106|2300|
|Pulpit Supply|560||560|897|
|Lay workers’ cost|12493||12493|11982|
|(telephone/internet/travel)|||||
|District Assessment/Levy|||||
|Printing & Stationery, zoom|1487||1487|1559|
|Church internet|1482||1482|136|
|Training and Education|174||174|132|
|Mission and Evangelism|3489||3489|1699|
|Sundries|707||707|218|
|**Manse Expenditure**|||||
|Council Tax|4392||4392|4163|
|Water Charges|1322||1322|992|
|Repairs and maintenance|24434||24434|21310|
|Insurance|2986||2986|2887|
|Quinquennial|1100||1100|0|
|Preston Ribble for Stuart’s Manse|2400||2400|2400|
|Advertising|||0|550|
|Covid practical fund|4628||4628|192|
|Fundraising|246||246||
|Removal expenses|||0|2275|
|District training fund|148||148||





Roots for Church Road                                 208                                                           208 **Grants** 0 Kirkham                                                      10000                                                       10000 Freckleton                                                    5500                                                         5500 Church road                                               2671                                                          2671 Admin TMCP                                                                                                                                               409 **Total Resources Expended** 237687 237687              185501 **Excess of income over Expenditure** -54948                                                       -54934                 -8462 Total Funds brought forward             171048                                                      171048              179511 **Total funds carried forward 116100                                                     116114              171048.33 Balance sheet at 31[st] August 2022 General                                Model           Total                31[st] August 21 Fund                                  Trust TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS                           £                                            £                     £                       £** Circuit Manses                                             1135000                              0                     1135000          1135000 Trusts for Methodist Church Purposes                                                  8105                    8105                 8091 **CURRENT ASSETS & LIABILITIES** 

## **SOUTH FYLDE METHODIST CIRCUIT** 

## **Trustee’s Annual Report on Finance and Governance** 

## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** 

The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard(FRS) 102. 

Registration Charity Number:         1134142 

Date of registration       5th February 2010 

Main communication address 

8, Royal Troon Court, Kirkham, Preston PR4 2TF 

The members of the South Fylde Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of Circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. 

Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report. 

Circuit ministers and officers 

Active circuit ministers          Rev Stuart Wild 

Rev Luoise Makin 

Deacon Kim Gabbatiss 

Circuit Lay workers                 Judith Smith 



Circuit Stewards                     Michael Steele Edwards 

Katharine Davies 

Circuit Safeguarding Officer Margaret Porter 

Katharine Davies acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Circuit during the year. 

## **SOUTH FYLDE Circuit DECLARATIONS** 

## **Treasurer** 

I confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit Meeting 


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Signature of  Date  15th Oct<br>Katharine A Davies<br>Treasurer  2020<br>Name  Katharine Davies<br>Address<br>8, Royal Troon Court, Kirkham, Preston. PR4 2TF<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.** 

I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on 13th Sept 2022 

and were approved. 

Signature of the Stuart Wild Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of **Rev Stuart Wild** the meeting Date 13th September 2022 ___________________________________________________________________________ 

## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the** 

**Circuit South Fylde Methodist**[[st]] 2022 

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

## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** 

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011(the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

David Yaxley 

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. 

## **SOUTH FYLDE Circuit** 

## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any 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 to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

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: 

• to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act. 

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 

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. 

|Name<br>David Yaxley<br>Signature<br>David Yaxley<br>Relevant Professional qualification or<br>body<br>Address<br>6, Beechfield Avenue,<br>Wrea Green,<br>Preston.<br>Date<br>20th October 2022|Name<br>David Yaxley<br>Signature<br>David Yaxley<br>Relevant Professional qualification or<br>body<br>Address<br>6, Beechfield Avenue,<br>Wrea Green,<br>Preston.<br>Date<br>20th October 2022|Name<br>David Yaxley<br>Signature<br>David Yaxley<br>Relevant Professional qualification or<br>body<br>Address<br>6, Beechfield Avenue,<br>Wrea Green,<br>Preston.<br>Date<br>20th October 2022|
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||6, Beechfield Avenue,<br>Wrea Green,<br>Preston.||
||20th October 2022||
||20th October 2022||





## **SOUTH FYLDE METHODIST CIRCUIT** 

## **CIRCUIT MEETING MEMBERSHIP as at 31st August 2021** 

## **MINISTERS** 

Circuit Ministers Rev Stuart Wild Superintendent Rev Louise Makin Deacon Kim Gabbatiss Rev Tony Davies 

l 

HMP Chaplain, Kirkham 

## **SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS** 

Rev Alan Clark Rev Malcolm Maymand Rev Joan Edwell 

## **CIRCUIT STEWARDS** 

Michael Steele-Edwards Katharine Davies 

## **CIRCUIT MEETING SECRETARY** 

Jean Adam 

## **CIRCUIT CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES** 

The Drive Methodist Church 

Joan Steele Edwards Peter Plant Eileen Beedle Alec Sugden 

Church Road Methodist Church 

Janette Farley Andrew Whitely Catherine Peak[Colin Hird ] Ben Darbyshire Monica Bissett 

Fairhaven Methodist Church 

Patricia Hirst Barry Brelsford Neil Lowe[Clare Harris ] 

Lytham Methodist Church 

Freckleton Methodist Church 

Melvyn Slater Mike Bell Ann Bullick Ann Hearne Margaret Porter Janet Klenk Laura Gill Joyce Shaw Wendy Daniels 

Kirkham Methodist Church 

Ian Womersley 



David Yaxley Gillian Womersley 

## **OTHER REPRESENTATIVES** 

MHA Jennifer Breare Overseas Missions Treasurer Richmond Neale Local Preachers Andrew Barratt 

