2025-08-31-accounts - Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1134142

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statement for the Year ended 31 August 2025

for

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Introduction

Welcome to the Trustees' Annual Report of the Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit which covers the year from 1[st] September 2024 to 31st August 2025, 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 Blackpool and South Fylde Circuit of the Methodist Church, encouraged by the strategy of the North West England District (NWED), seeks the transformation of lives and communities within the geographical area of Blackpool and 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 Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit has embraced our District's Strategy "Transforming Lives and Communities" and continues to support our nine 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 circuit has 3 presbyters and a part time Deacon. They work as 4 ministry teams with the support of a part-time layworker who is a befriender to Church Road and New Central.

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 Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31st August 2025 show a deficit of £38,837 on the General Fund, with £15,609 surplus in the Circuit Model Trust Fund, and £29,013 surplus Restricted Fund.

Circuit Income

Total income on the General Fund, Circuit Model Trust fund and Restricted Fund for the year to 31st August 2025 was £427,811. Circuit income is primarily drawn from the Assessment paid by the Circuit churches (£230,008) in 2024/25 and property rental (£36,321). The closed Mereside Church was sold in the year, which provided the Circuit with a capital receipt of £71,351 net of the applied CPF Levy.

Circuit Expenditure

Total expenditure on the General Fund, Circuit Model Trust fund and Restricted Fund for the year to 31st August 2025 was £444,313. The major expenditure was stipends, salaries and associated costs (41% of total expenditure) which increase each financial year in line with Conference approved rates. One additional minister was employed which is reflected in the increased costs of salaries.

Grants and donations expenditure largely relates to building repairs which were paid by the Circuit on behalf of South Shore Methodist Community Church in the year. This totalled £58,198.

The other significant expenditure in 2024/25 was the District Assessment on which we spent £84,990, 19% 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.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Fund balances

As at 31 August 2025 the net current assets of the Circuit were £108,318 on the General Fund and £435,067 on the Circuit Model Trust Fund. Restricted fund net assets relating to Wesley’s café was £29,013. Giving a total net current assets for the Circuit of £572,398.

Wesley’s café – restricted fund

In September 2024 Wesley’s café transferred ownership from Church Road Methodist Church to Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit, with £39,287 of café funds being transferred across. The income and expenditure of the café in the year is shown in the restricted fund column under ‘Internal Organisations’. A net loss of £10,274 was made in the year, leaving restricted funds for Wesley’s café of £29,013.

Grant-making Policy and Activities

The Circuit provides financial support to local churches within its jurisdiction to ensure the continued maintenance of church property and the advancement of mission-led projects. During the year, the Circuit awarded £59,198 in grants (2024: £17,000).

These grants are awarded based on applications submitted by local Church Councils and are reviewed by the Circuit Meeting. In the current period, the focus of our grant-making was on:

Property and Fabric: Assisting churches with essential building repairs and health and safety compliance.
Mission and Outreach: Supporting local initiatives that engage the wider community.

Detailed disclosure of these grants, including the recipient churches and the nature of the support, can be found in Note 6 to the accounts.

Plans for 2025/26

The Circuit continued to function with four ministry teams, 3 Presbyters and a part-time Deacon, the latter part-time employed by the North West England District. It is hoped to employ two Youth Workers in 2025 to support the growing youth work at the Kirkham and Layton Methodist Churches.

The Financial plan for 2025/26 produces a budget deficit of £40000 taking the gross balance on the General Fund at 31st August and then the following year by £90000

The newly formed North West England District was implemented on the 1st September 2024 and our District Number is now 1/2.

BLACKPOOL AND 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;

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

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

Main activities undertaken for the Public Benefit

The Blackpool and South Fylde Circuit supports the nine churches of the Circuit in carrying out their activities in their communities, in particular:

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 North West England 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 Layton Methodist Church

Fairhaven Methodist Church Lytham Methodist Church New Central Methodist Church

Kirkham Methodist Church Freckleton Methodist Church

South Shore Methodist Community Church

Key Objectives for 2025/26

(i) To act as a provider of resources for the Methodist Churches in Blackpool and 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 by employing two Youth and Family Workers for Kirkham and Layton churches

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

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

(v) To continue to encourage and support those who are called to be lay preachers and to manage their 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 Circuit structure with ministry teams, three presbyter (one completing probation July 2026), one part-time Deacon, one befriender lay-worker and in the new connexional year hopefully to employ two Youth/Youth and Family Workers.

BLACKPOOL AND 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 six manses as three are rented 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 people 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 Blackpool and 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.
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.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

to carrying out risk assessments for circuit events involving children, young people or vulnerable adults as stated in our Policy Document agreed on September 2025, 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:
Risk assessment and suitability of the activity and the premises
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)
Numbers of children, young people or vulnerable adults involved
Transportation - following good practice guidelines.

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

Reserves Policy

The Methodist Church’s Reserves Policy Guidelines sets out considerations for circuits in managing any financial reserves they have. They highlight that The Charity Commission states that holding up to six months expenditure for reserves is appropriate. However, they advise that we take the following into account:

Likely income in future years
Likely expenditure in future years on the basis of planned activity
Any future needs or opportunities not likely to be met out of income.

Six months expenditure is approximately £200,000. Funds available totals £543,385.

We have excess reserves of £343,000 and the ways we have identified as reducing these are:

£100,000 ringfenced for SSMCC from the sale of Lindale Church
£45,000 ringfenced for a Circuit Administrator
£96,000 for Youth workers
£20,000 kept aside should the District contribution to staffing not materialise
We will identify ways we can use our reserves to help the other churches in our circuit.

BLACKPOOL AND 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 2024-2025 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

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

The members of the Blackpool and 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 Andrew Halstead (appointed 1[st] September 2022) Rev Michaela Barker ( probationer appointed 1[st] September 2024) Deacon Kim Gabbatiss (0.5) Circuit Lay workers Elizabeth Grierson (appointed 01/12/2023 – 01/12/2024) Bernice Smith (appointed 01/12/2023) Circuit Stewards Michael Steele Edwards Katharine Davies Melvyn Slater David Leach Sandra Waddington Mark John Walmsley

Circuit Safeguarding Officer Margaret Porter and Sandra Waddington (administration support temp)

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

Accountant and Independent Examiner

Arc Accountancy Solutions Limited 51 Laverton Road Lytham St. Annes FY8 1EN

Independent Examiner

James Wheelan FCCA James Wheelan Accountancy Limited Minshull House, 67 Wellington Road North Stockport SK4 2LP

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

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

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature of Date
Treasurer
Katharine A Davies 15/04/2026
Katharine A Davies (Apr 15, 2026 12:52:42 GMT+1)
Name Katharine Davies
Address
8, Royal Troon Court, Kirkham, Preston. PR4 2TF
----- End of picture text -----

Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.

I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on

and were approved.

Signature of the ild Chair of the meeting S.J.Wild (Apr 15, 2026 13:28:31 GMT+1) Name of the Chair of Rev Stuart Wild the meeting Date 15/04/2026

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Appendix A Circuit Meeting Membership as at 31[st] August 2025

MINISTERS

Circuit Ministers

Rev Stuart Wild Superintendent Rev Andrew Halstead Deacon Kim Gabbatiss Rev Michaela Barker

SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS

Rev Stephen Heath Rev Janet Pybon

CIRCUIT STEWARDS

Katharine Davies Melvyn Slater Sandra Waddington Mark John Walmsley

CIRCUIT MEETING SECRETARY

Sue Leach

CIRCUIT CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES

The Drive Methodist Church

Patricia Brown (till April 2025) (Michael Steel-Edwards (April 2025) Ray Brown Eileen Beedle

Church Road Methodist Church

Monica Bissett Catherine Irvine Jonathan Livesey

Fairhaven Methodist Church

Jo Hunt Roger Peace (till Feb 2025) Clare Harris

Lytham Methodist Church

William Douglas Martin Mike Bell Ann Hearne

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Freckleton Methodist Church

Kirkham Methodist Church

Layton Methodist Church

New Central Methodist Church

South Shore Methodist Community Church

David Banks (till May 25) Janet Klenk (May 2025) Jean Adam Laura Gill

Gillian Womersley Lucinda Baldwin Ian Womersley

Jo Walmsley Kathryn Pritchard

Trevor Mustoe Jackie Eltoft Julie Eltoft Res: Pat Mustoe

Jennifer Allcock Dorothy Chatterton Dawn Cheetham Pauline Scott

OTHER REPRESENTATIVES

MHA Local Preachers

Jennifer Breare Andrew Barratt

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Note 3 4 5	General Fund (Unrestricted) £	Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) £	Designated Funds (unrestricted) £	Restricted Funds £	Total 2024-25 £ 50 20,054 36,321 230,008 71,351 1,000 32,555 36,472 427,811	Total 2023-24 £ 0 26,182 31,789 215,019 - 1,250 31,324 - 305,564
	50

	1,724	18,330
	36,321
	230,008

		71,351


				1,000


	32,555

				36,472
	300,658	89,681	0	37,472
6 7					59,198 182,165 38,280 84,990 0 0 28,774 4,160 46,746 444,313	17,000 147,893 51,514 85,708 0 0 31,770 8,155 - 342,040
	58,198			1,000

	182,165
	38,280

	62,281	22,709




	27,411	1,363

	4,160

				46,746
	372,495	24,072	0	47,746
					(16,502)	(36,476)
	(71,837)	65,609	0	(10,274)
10					0 67,189 50,687	0 0 (36,476)

	67,189
	(4,648)	65,609	0	(10,274)
11	50,000	(50,000)			0 (84,189) 39,287 5,785	0 0 0 (36,476)

	(84,189)


				39,287
	(38,837)	15,609	0	29,013
	85,743 2,590,000 2,675,743	419,458 419,458	0 0 0	0 0 0	505,201 2,590,000 3,095,201	541,677 2,590,000 3,131,677
	2,636,906	435,067	0	29,013	3,100,986	3,095,201

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Fixed Assets	Note	General Fund (Unrestricted) £	Circuit Model Trusts (Unrestricted) £	Restricted Funds £	Totals 2025 £	Totals 2024 £

Circuit Manses & Equipment	12	1,258,000			1,258,000	1,258,000
Investment Properties (manses rented out and church buildings)	13	1,315,000			1,315,000	1,332,000
*Total fixed assets*		2,573,000			2,573,000	2,590,000
Current Assets
Debtors	14	16,780			16,780	13,764
Loans bythe Circuit
Investments with TMCP			435,067		435,067	419,458
Central Finance Board Deposits		61,455			61,455	68,563
Cash at Bank and in hand		30,083		29,013	59,096	62,318
*Total current assets*		108,318	435,067	29,013	572,398	564,103
Current liabilities
Creditors(due in under 1year)	15	44,412			44,412	58,902
Grantspayable
*Total current liabilities*		44,412			44,412	58,902
*Net current assets/liabilities*		63,906	435,067	29,013	527,986	505,201
					2,636,906 3,100,986 0 0 3,100,986	3,095,201
*Total assets less current* *liabilities*		2,636,906	435,067	29,013	3,100,986

Long term liabilities (due after more than oneyear)
Grantspayable					0	0
Loans to the Circuit					0	0

*Net assets*		2,636,906	435,067	29,013	3,100,986	3,095,201
Funds of the Circuit
General Fund(Unrestricted)		2,636,906			2,636,906	2,675,743
Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted)			435,067		435,067	419,458
Designated Funds(Unrestricted)
*Total Unrestricted Funds*					3,071,973	3,095,201
Restricted Funds				29,013	29,013	0
Endowment Funds
*Total Funds*	16	2,636,906	435,067	29,013	3,100,986	3,095,201

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

	2025	2024
Statement of cash flows	£	£
Cash from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities	(86,126)	(35,966)
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends and interest from investments	20,054	26,182
Proceeds from the sale of tangible fixed assets	71,351	-
Net cash provided by investing activities	91,405	26,182
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year	5,279	(9,784)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	550,339	560,123
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	555,618	550,339

	2025	2024
Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities	£	£
Net (loss)/income for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities)	5,785	(36,476)
Adjustments for:
Dividends and interests from investments	(20,054)	(26,182)
(Gains)/losses on property revaluations and disposals	(67,189)	-
Reclassification of property funds	84,189	-
Capital receipts	(71,351)	-
(Increase)/decrease in debtors	(3,016)	12,003
(Decrease)/increase in creditors	(14,490)	14,689
Total cash generated from operating activities	(86,126)	(35,966)
	2025	2024
Analysis of cash and cash equivalent	£	£
Cash at bank	59,096	62,318
Central Finance Board Deposits	61,455	68,563
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes deposits	435,067	419,458
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period	555,618	550,339

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1 Basis of accounting policies

i Accounting standard

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

ii Public benefit entity

The Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical costs or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.

iii Basis

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments and fixed asset properties are shown at their market value at the end of the year. The accruals basis has been used and trustees present accounts that show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.

iv Content

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research, and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £ Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound

v FRS102 SORP2015

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable charity law in England this being the Charities Act 2011, The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 SI 2008/629 and Accounting and Reporting by charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

vi Going concern

Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2025, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concern.

vii Consolidation

The Circuit has denominational regulatory oversight in respect of the work of 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.

viii Income recognition

Income is brought into account when there is entitlement and the amount is reliably measurable once it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will be forthcoming.

Individual amounts categorised as Other income in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material.

The Circuit acts as agent in two matters:

the collection from Churches and payment over of their contributions to various funds controlled and administered by The Methodist Church - "Connexional Funds"
the administration (application, collection and disbursement) of grants requested by Churches within the Circuit from, but not limited to, the District and Connexion. In all these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because they are the income of either the Connexion or Churches as appropriate. Instead, the transactions are disclosed in the Notes to the Accounts as required by SORP (FRS102), module 19.12n.

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time of volunteers is not recognised. If goods are donated, a value will be shown in the SOFA or Notes where the value is considered material.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

ix Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, where the amount is reliably measurable and it is considered more likely than not that there will be an outflow of economic benefit.

x 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.

xi VAT

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

xii Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The trustees have made judgements and estimates in respect of: the fair value of investment properties shown at fair value. The trustees have determined that any differences arising between actual amounts realised upon sale and fair value estimates will have no impact on the Circuit’s ability to continue as a going concern.

xiii Change in accounting policy and valuation estimates

During the year, the Circuit changed its accounting policy for functional land and buildings (manses occupied by ministers) from the revaluation model to the cost model. As permitted by FRS 102, the Circuit has elected to treat the carrying value of these assets as at 31 August 2023 as their deemed cost. This change has been made to provide a more stable and proportionate representation of the Circuit’s operational assets. There is no impact on the total funds brought forward, and prior year figures have not been restated as the transition uses the carrying amount as the initial cost.

xiv Tangible fixed assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £500.

The Circuit has elected to treat the carrying value of functional land and buildings (occupied manses) as at 31[st] August 2023 as deemed cost, as permitted by FRS 102. These assets are not subsequently revalued. No depreciation is provided as the Trustees consider the residual value to be at least equal to the carrying value. The residual value is based on the high land value and the Circuit’s policy of regular maintenance. The assets are reviewed annually for impairment.

xv (a) Investment Properties

From time to time the Circuit may hold residential property (formerly manses) which is surplus to its normal staffing requirements. When the intention is to hold the property for capital appreciation or its rental income, the property is classified as investment property and carried at fair value. The fair value of the manses and closed church buildings includes the land on which they are built, and their internal contents. The trustees determine fair value by reference to market evidence of local property prices. Revaluation gains or losses are recognised through the Statement of Financial Activities.

Churches which are closed are transferred into the care of the Circuit from the Methodist Church and are valued at a deemed cost based on the valuation of an external valuer.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

xv (b) Investments

The Circuit's investments are in monetary assets classified as basic financial instruments under FRS102 and are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gains arising on investments are shown in the SOFA.

xvi Debtors and Prepayments

Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid.

xvii Creditors and Accruals

Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, or the amount advanced to the Circuit. Creditors include both sundry expenses and specifically the 1st quarter assessment received in August.

xviii Ministers’ manse costs

The Circuit is required to provide accommodation for each minister in the Circuit and their families and this is seen as a benefit to the Circuit. Ministers are expected to occupy the manse provided for them. The Circuit bears the cost of repairs, maintenance, buildings insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These figures are not separately disclosed as benefits-in-kind for ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of ministers.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

2. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities forming part of previous year’s accounts

Note 2 3 4	General Fund (Unrestricted) £	Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) £	Designated Funds (unrestricted) £	Restricted Funds £	Total 2023-24 £ 0 26,182 31,789 215,019 - 1,250 31,324 305,564	Total 2022-23 £ 0 12,890 23,947 229,914 339,042 15,955 30,720 652,468


	4,319	21,863
	31,789
	215,019



	500			750


	31,324

	282,951	21,863	0	750
5					17,000 147,893 51,514 85,708 0 0 31,770 8,155 342,040	50,506 179,144 50,595 40,178 0 0 20,948 2,829 344,200
	17,000

	147,893
	51,514
	60,881	24,827





	28,220	1,276		2,274

	8,155

	313,663	26,103	0	2,274
	(30,712)	(4,240)	0	(1,524)	(36,476)	308,268
8					0 0 (36,476)	0 695,000 1,003,268

	(30,712)	(4,240)	0	(1,524)
	25,477	(24,000)		(1,477)	0 0 0 (36,476)	0 0 0 1,003,268




	(5,235)	(28,240)	0	(3,001)
	90,978 2,590,000 2,680,978	447,698 447,698	0 0 0	3,001 0 3,001	541,677 2,590,000 3,131,677	233,409 1,895,000 2,128,409
	2,675,743	419,458	0	0	3,095,201	3,131,677

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

3. Capital Receipts

One property was sold during the year. Capital receipts related to the sale of the closed Mereside Methodist church (net £71,350). All sales of Methodist property are subject to a levy by the Connexion calculated on a sliding scale based on the gross sale price. The figure is shown net of this CPF Levy.

	Total	Total
	2024-25	2023-24
	£	£
Gross sale(Mereside Church)	84,189	-
CPF Levyon Mereside Church sale	(12,838)	-
Total	71,351	-

4. Grants received

	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2024/25 £	2023/24 £
Districtgrants received	-	1,000	1,000	1,250
Total	-	1,000	1,000	1,250

Grants received – prior year

Grants received –prioryear
	Unrestricted funds £	Restricted funds £	2023/24 £	2022/23 £
Districtgrants received	500	750	1,250	-
Othergrants received for Wesley’s cafe	-	-	-	15,955
Total	500	750	1,250	15,955

5. Other charitable income

5. Other charitable income
	Unrestricted funds 2024/25 £	2023/24 £
District recharges re. Layworkers	25,034	21,412
Miscellaneous income	7,521	9,912
Total	32,555	31,324

All charitable income received in the prior year was unrestricted funds.

6. Grants and donations paid

The following grants were made to institutions during the year:

Name of Institution	Purpose of Grant	Unrestricted 2024/25 £	Restricted 2024/25 £	Total 2024/25 £
Freckleton MC	Capitalgrant to cover buildingrepairs	4,000	-	4,000
New Central Church(Layton MC)	Purchase of a television for notices	1,302	1,000	2,302
South Shore Methodist Community Centre	Capital grant to cover building repairs (Forward project)	52,896	-	52,896
Total		58,198	1,000	59,198

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

6. Grants and donations paid (continued)

The following grants were made to institutions during the prior year:

Name of Institution	Purpose of Grant	Unrestricted 2024/25 £	Restricted 2024/25 £	Total 2024/25 £
New Central Church (Layton MC)	Capital grant to cover building repairs (Forward project)	17,000	-	17,000
Total		17,000	-	17,000

No support costs were allocated to grant-making activities in either year.

7. Staff Costs

Staff Costs paid during the year were: Stipends,salaries and benefits in kind Social securitycosts Pension costs Apprenticeshiplevy Total staff costs	Ministers & deacon (trustees)	Lay staff	2024/25	2023/24
	£	£	£	£
	128,039	14,004	142,043	114,437
	13,797	793	14,590	9,470
	24,816		24,816	23,435
	640	75	715	551
	167,292	14,872	182,164	147,893

Expenses (Travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred in the normalcourse ofemployment)	9,377	1,093	10,470	8,836

Average number of full-time equivalent employees in theyear were:	4	1.3	5.3	6

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

Wages and salary costs includes £nil in respect of redundancy payments in 2025 (2024: £nil).

Key Management Personnel

The Key Management Personnel of the Circuit are the Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team, which includes the three Ministers and one Deacon. The total employee benefits (including stipends, employer national insurance, and employer pension contributions) of the Key Management Personnel were £167,292 (2024: £123,796).

8. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

8. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
	2024/25 £	2023/24 £
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement with the Circuit Meeting	-	1,000
Number of trustees who werepaid expenses relatingto trustee duties	0	1
Total amountpaid	-	1,000
Other than those expenses paid to ministers and lay staff in the normal course of their duties and disclosed above there were no other trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 or year ended 31 August 2024. In the year ending 31st August 2024 there was £1,000 paid out to the treasurer to cover administrative costs relating to treasury services provided to Wesley’s café.

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

9. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts

9. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
	2024/25 £	2023/24 £
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts	700	1,400
Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor	-	-
Total	700	1,400

10. Property Disposals/Revaluations

The net gains or losses are detailed below. During the year and in accordance with note 1.xv (a) (Investment Properties) the residential properties held for investment and closed churches have been revalued to fair value determined by the trustees.

Details	2023/24 Carrying Value	Sale	2024-25 Fair Value	Gain/(loss)
	£	£	£	£
Mereside church	100,000	(84,189)	-	(15,811)
Bromley– unrealised	367,000		399,000	32,000
The Serpentine – unrealised	507,000		519,000	12,000
Holgate – unrealised	358,000		397,000	39,000
Total	1,332,000	(84,189)	1,315,000	67,189

11. Reclassification of Funds

Circuit property is always carried in the General Fund but upon sale the net proceeds are processed through the Circuit Model Trust Fund. This requires an adjustment and any such sales during the year are reflected below at the gross sale price. No property was sold in the prior year.

General Fund (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted)	Restricted Funds	Total 2024-25	Total 2023-24
£	£	£	£	£
(84,189)			(84,189)	-
(84,189)	-	-	(84,189)	-

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

12. Fixed Assets

Manses occupied by ministers £ Deemed cost Balance brought forward Additions Revaluations (+/-) Disposals (-) Transfers * (+/-) Balance carried forward Accumulated depreciation Balance brought forward Depreciation charge for year (-) Revaluations (+/-) Disposals (-) Transfers (+/-) Balance carried forward Brought forward Carried forward 1,258,000 1,258,000 0 0 Net bookvalue* 1,258,000 1,258,000	Manses occupied by ministers £	Total £

	1,258,000	1,258,000




	1,258,000	1,258,000

	0	0
		0
		0
		0
		0
	0	0

	1,258,000	1,258,000
	1,258,000	1,258,000

Functional properties (manses occupied by ministers) are now held at deemed cost following a change in accounting policy (see Note 1 xiii & xiv).

13. Investment Properties

Manses (held as investment properties) £	Church buildings (held as investment properties) £	Total £

1,232,000	100,000	1,332,000

83,000		83,000
	(100,000)	(100,000)

1,315,000	-	1,315,000

1,232,000	100,000	1,332,000
1,315,000	-	1,315,000

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

14. Analysis of debtors

Due within one year	2024/25 £	2023/24 £
Trade debtors	-	-
Prepayments	16,780	13,764
Total	16,780	13,764

15. Analysis of creditors

Amounts failing due within one year	2024/25 £	2023/24 £
Other creditors	1,900	1,400
Prepaid Assessments	42,512	57,502
Total	44,412	58,902

16. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements

Movement in the current year

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers & Reclassification	Gain/(losses)	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund

General	2,675,743	300,658	(372,495)	(34,189)	67,189	2,636,906	The general purposes of the Circuit
Model Trust Fund	419,458	89,681	(24,072)	(50,000)	-	435,067	Support for the mission of the Circuit
Totals	3,095,201	390,339	(396,567)	(84,189)	67,189	3,071,973

Restricted Funds

Restricted Fund Name	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund
Wesley café	36,472	(46,746)	39,287	29,013	Outreach café providing meals and food to the local community. See note 16.
District grant	1,000	(1,000)	-	0	Grant received from the District to be passed on to New Central Church.
Totals	37,472	(47,746)	39,287	29,013

16. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements (continued)

Movement in the previous year

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers & Reclassification	Gain/(losses)	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund

General	2,680,978	282,951	(313,663)	25,477	-	2,675,743	The general purposes of the Circuit
Model Trust Fund	447,698	21,863	(26,103)	(24,000)	-	419,458	Support for the mission of the Circuit
Totals	3,128,676	304,814	(339,766)	1,477	-	3,095,201

Restricted Funds

Restricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund
Wesley Grant	3,001	750	(2,274)	(1,477)	0	Grant given for the Wesley’s café outreach. Transfer made to unrestricted funds in the yearto coveradministrationofthe grant.
Totals	3,001	750	(2,274)	(1,477)	0

17. Wesley café – restricted fund

Wesley’s café is an outreach café run out of a church within the Blackpool and Fylde Circuit, Church Road Methodist Church. The café had previously been accounted for as part of the church accounts, but upon review the trustees concluded that due to control predominantly lying with the Circuit trustees, the café funds were transferred from the church to the Circuit in September 2024. The transfer of £39,287 is the closing funds of the café at 31[st] August 2024.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the income and expenditure of Wesley’s café during the accounting year. In the year £3,000 of grant income was received and restricted solely for the purpose of food provisions. This was spent within the year.

	General café purposes	Restricted café purposes (food provisions)	Total funds
Income	£	£	£
Donations	20,692	-	20,692
Grants – unrestricted	12,780	-	12,780
Grants – restricted(for foodprovisions)	-	3,000	3,000
Total income	33,472	3,000	36,472
Expenditure	£	£	£
Food supplies	21,132	3,000	24,132
Other café costs	13,545	-	13,545
Buildingrepairs/grant to church	2,715	-	2,715
Rent,rates &gas	6,354	-	6,354
Total expenditure	43,746	3,000	46,746

18. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 August 2025 are represented by:

Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

	General Fund (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted)	Designated Funds (unrestricted)	Restricted Funds	Total 2024/25
	£	£	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	2,573,000				2,573,000
Current assets	108,318	435,067		29,013	572,398
Current liabilities	(44,412)				(44,412)
Total	2,636,906	435,067		29,013	3,100,986

19. Related party transactions

During the year the Circuit received assessment income totalling £230,008 (2024: £215,019) from the various churches within the Circuit.

The Circuit received a District grant of £1,000 to be passed on to New Central Church (2024: £nil).

The Circuit incurred assessment costs of £84,990 (2024: £85,708) payable to the District.

The Circuit received salary reimbursements from the District totalling £25,034 (2024: £21,412).

The Circuit paid salary charges to the District totalling £nil (2024: £24,097).

The Circuit paid grants to churches within the Circuit totalling £59,198 (2024: £17,000).

Report of the Independent Examiner To the Trustees of Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Blackpool and South Fylde Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 which are set out on pages 11 – 24.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Charity’s trustees you are responsible 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

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 which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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 ‘true 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.

James Wheelan FCCA James Wheelan Accountancy Limited Minshull House, 67 Wellington Road North Stockport SK4 2LP Date: ...[1] ....[6] ....[/] ...[0] ....[4] .....[/] ..[2] ....[0] .....[2] ....[6] ......

Blackpool and South Fylde Trustee report 2025 final

Final Audit Report 2026-04-15

Created: 2026-04-15 By: Leanne Nield (leanne@arc-accountancy.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAA6RwmIjgoh-AS70gd_ke1UnWIqtuiZeE

"Blackpool and South Fylde Trustee report 2025 final" History

Document created by Leanne Nield (leanne@arc-accountancy.co.uk)

2026-04-15 - 8:52:03 AM GMT

Document emailed to katharinedavies1248@gmail.com for signature

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Agreement completed.

2026-04-15 - 12:28:31 PM GMT

Blackpool and South Fylde Trustee report 2025 final - signed by trustees

Final Audit Report 2026-04-16

Created: 2026-04-15 By: Leanne Nield (leanne@arc-accountancy.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAnzD_2VggNpCAZEM00uyiaKWnoqC0qmwF

"Blackpool and South Fylde Trustee report 2025 final - signed by trustees" History

Document created by Leanne Nield (leanne@arc-accountancy.co.uk)

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Document e-signed by James Wheelan (james@wheelanaccountancy.co.uk)

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Agreement completed.

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