Lincolnshire Methodist District Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2024 Objectives and Artivities Lincolnshire Methodist Distrirt (the Distrirtl exists to advance the mÈssion of the Methodist Church throughout the majority of the geographic county of Lincolnshire and the areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Ihereafter known as Lincolnshire) by providing support for the nine circuits in line with Connexional priorities. The District comprises around l(X) local Methodist churches meeting in around 110 buildings grouped into nine circuits seNed by a Tninisterial team of 18 ordained ministers plus a number of part time attive retired ministers. lay workers and many volunteers. The District is led by a full time Distrtct Chair working wrth a personal assistant, a safeguarding officer, synod secretary and district officer. In addition. a large number of voluntary officers, including a district steward. support the work of the District. The District Synod, which met twice during the year. sets the policy for the Distritt. serving as a link between the Methodist Conference and the Connexional team on the one hand and the circuits and local churches on the other. It has oversight of 311 DisLrict matters, forniulating and promoting policies, throLrgh its various officers and committees to assist the mission of the Church, to gr¥e inspiration to the leaders in the circuits and to ensure the interrelation of all aspects of the Church's life throughout the District. The day to day work of the Synod is carried out by the District Council who are the trustees of Lincolnshire Methodist District. As a registered chartty, the District takes seriously its responsibilities to the Charity Commissioners and adhere5 to their guidaTr￿ concerning public benefit in relation to charitable objectives. Achievements and PerforniaTrce The following activities took place during the year. New Chair of District, Rev Angela Long. was welcomed to her role at the end of AuEUSt 2023 at a celebration service held atside Door MetlK)dist Church in Grimsby. The Secretary of Conference, Rev Dr Jonathan Hustler. vrd5 in attendance along wwth civic and ecumenical guests. Also at Side Door Church. in September. a Connexional commissioning service was held for national Youth President, Tom Hart, WI￿ is from that circuit. The President and Vice-President of Conference attended. Rev Long welcomed three new ministers into the District in services held in September. A further two new ministers were identified in the stationing process in the autumn of 2023 ready for arrival in the District in September 2024. Two representative synods. two ministerial synods and a mini5terg gathering took place drawing together ministers and lay people from all the circuits to rattfy decisions and vote on important issues. The District arranged two retreats at Launde Abbey for all the active ministers. Another regional retreat wa5 held for probationer ministers. All ministers were supported by a process of Ministerial Development Review IMDRI arranged by the DistricL All ministers V￿re part of a scheme of supervision. A successful trdining day for all involved in the MinisterÉal Development Review proces5 was held in January. Young people from Lincoln and South Holland circutts were enabled to attend the national 3 Generate youth event in Birmingham in October. A children's and youth actNity day for leaders was held in November at St Giles Methodist Church. The Chair of District visited several of the fwe Church of EnglandlMethodi5t primary schools in the District. Some of these were also supported by a volunteer schools officer. A well-attended and informative training day for local preachers and worship leaders was hosted by the District LPWL group in April. During the spring the Chair of District undertook visits to each circuit asking what were their hopes and fears. The information gathered will feed into a pro￿55 of looking at how the District might want to re-shape to be effective in the coming years. Celebrations began in April to mark the 25th anniversary of the agricultural chartty "Lincolnshire Rural Support Network" of which the ministry of agricultural chaplain, Rev Canon Alan Robson is closely linked. An event was held at Epworth Old Rectory with invitations to the church and farming community. The agricultural chaplain has been able to support mariy farming families going through difficult times. The Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Chaplaincy was pleased to launch a bespoke training course for prospective chaplains. This started in October and was completed the following February. 8 participants took part and all were recommended to be chaplains. Some have been successfullv placed in GP surgeries and placements are still being sought for others. 8 other chaplains continued visiting 6 GP practices. On the hottest day of the year in July a joyful commissioning service for all the chaplains was held at Ruskington Methodist Church. The role of chaplaincy manager became a part time paid post during the year. The District Resourcing Mission Group met within the year to consider grant applications from churches, circuits and ecumenical group5. As well asgrants for property and personnel several grants to help provide "warm spaces" were provided. A new places for new people pilot projert was launched in the Barton. Brigg and Wolds Circuit and received the initial Connexional grant for this purpose. Meetings with circuit stewards and superintendent ministers took place to help share information and good practice. The District office relocated to Burton Road Methodist Church in Mav. In July a special District SeThice was held at Bailgate Methodist Church to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the ordination of women in the Methodist Church. An independent chair was appointed to the District Sa*eguardin8 Group on a consultancy basis from July. 122 people were trained on the Creating Safer Spaces Advanced safeguarding course either in person or online. The DSO also supported circuits by leading a foundation course. The District Safeguarding Officer arranged equality. diversity and inclusion training in most of the nine circuits. Over 300 people have now completed this course. The District Safeguarding Officer supported many churches and individuals in a variety of case work and with the development of policy and procedure. The District Synod Secretary retired after many years of faithful service and a process of recruitment took pla￿ to appoint a successor who started in July. The Connexional Learning Network appointed a new Learning and Development Officer aligned to Lincolnshire. A new Care of Supernumeraries group was set up to offer pastoral care to the 50 retired ministers in the District. A small environmental working group was launched to help the Distrirt work towards net-zero by 2030. The first task was to write a District Environmental Policy. 2.1 Plans for future years Rev Angela Long has visited circuits and congregations listenin8 to hopes and fears which will help shape future policy beyond 2024. Synod received presentations from other circuits giving ideas of ways in which Districts/Circuits can be reorganised. These ideas continue to be discussed and will form the basis of proposals at the Spring Synod of 2025. Financial Review During the year the District received total income of £342,￿)5 {2022-2023: £309.4191 and sperrt E321.855 12022-2023= £237.780}. resulting in a surplus of £21,05012022-2023 surplus of £71,639) across all funds. Total reserve5 carried forward are £433.90312022-2023: £412,854) and, as a result. the unrestricted readilv available reserves total £82,425 12022-2023: £84.860) and restricted reserve5 totsl £41.852 12022- 2023-£65.2091 excluding the restricted District Advance Fund. The trustee5 of the District have every reason to believe that the Distrirt 15 a going concern. principally because Circuits continue to meet their assessments and the District has adequate reserves to cover any shortfall in anticipated income. There are no subsidiary undertakings. Trustee5 are very aware of the ncreasing pressure on circuit finances due to the c05t of living crisis and dimini5hinR church membership and recognise that the next few years could be extremely difficult for individuals. churches, circuits and the District 8iven that District income is a by-produrt of local giving. The District continues to hold one freehold property which is the Chairfs Manse in Lincoln. The District has the followin8 principal sources of income: Assessments on Circuits within the District Distribution from the Connexional Priority Fund to the District Advance Fund Levies on the Circuit Model Tmst Funds of Circuits within the District to the District Advance Fund Interest on funds invested These sums are used to administer the District and to provide grants to circuits, churches and Individua15 in the District 50 that they may embark on or continue with projects that fulfil the mission of the District. Methodlst Mlnlsters, Penslon Fund Trustees are aware that the Methodist Ministers. Pension Scheme is treated as a group defined benefit plan. The net defined benefit cost is recognised by the sponsoring entity, The Methodist Church in Great Britain, as there is no contractual agreement or stated policy for charging the net defined benefit cost to individual entities, such as the District. The District recognises a cost equal to it5 contributions payable for the period. Further details in respect of these pension arrangements are disclosed in the accounts of The Methodist Church in Great Britain. 3.1 Investment Policy and Perfomiance To comply with Methodist Standing Orders, monies for long terni investment are lodged with the Tru5tee5 for Methodist Church Purposes ITMCPI. TMCP acts as custodian tn￿ee for all real estate held by districts nd for all large lover £20kl bequests and for the proceeds of sale of any property formerly owned by districts. These sums are invested in unitised investments or held on deposit. The investment returns are close to tracking the movements in the FtSEI(Kl index. The deposit income mirrors the deposit rates available elsewhere. The DistrictTrustees' investment policy is aligned with that of the Central Finance Board ICFBI and TMCP because these organisations take into consideratKTrn the social, environmental and ethical considerations. both negatNely and posttively in establishing investment policy. Short term deposits are lodged directy with the CFB and attract rate5 of interest comparable to the rest of the market. There are no bench marks for the experted returns atTMCP and CFB. It is the Districvs policy to manage the cash and investment resources of the District so that a rate of retum on investment. both by way of dividend and capital appreciation. is obtained at least as good as market rnte considering the District's low appetite for risk. Due to increased interest rates during the past year the total return achieved on the fijnds invested with the CFB was between 4.96% and 5.4% AER with an average monthty rdte of 5.22% AER for the year. Reserves Policy This Reserves policy relates to the funds operated by the Trustees of the Lincolnshire Methodist District (the Distrittl- A bank current account is operated for the Distrirt expenses fund. and money not immediately required is placed on deposit with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ICFBI. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS Distrirt Advante Fund- Trust No.16017 This Fund is held with The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes in its Trustee Interest Fund. The use of the Fund is regulated by Standing Order ISO1963 of the Methodist Church, where its purposes are restricted to the support of personnel servin8 in the District or any of its circuits. for property schemes approved under SO 93 and where applicable SO 931, and forecumenical Wofk. The District has 3150 decided thatgrants should only be given if the relevant scheme is shown to be for. or to assist, mission work and is in accordance with its vision statement. The Fund is administered on behalf of Synod by the District Resourcin8 Mission Group, and derives its income from an annual levy on Circuit Model Trust Funds within the District, an annual allocatlon from the Connexional Priority Fund and interest on funds held awaitin8 distribution. Sufficient reserves are held to cover grants already awarded for payment in subsequent years in order to comply with Yhe Ststement of Recommended Practice" relative thereto. At 31 August 2024 the balance in hand was £247.542. an exce55 of E79,267 over contingent liabilities for grants promised for future years of £168.275. General District Ex Fund Thi5 Fund receives income from Circuit assessments and bank interest and is used for 8eneral expenses of the District. The aim of the Trustees is to hold sufficient readily available funds to cover at least two quarter5 expenditure12024-2025: approx. £65,1XK)) and redundancy costs. If it were necessary to make all employees redundant in 2025 payments of a minimum of approximately £7,SC(I would be due. The balance in hand at 31" August 2024 of £82.425 is therefore approximately EIO.IXKI more than ne￿SSary. enses DESIGNATED FUNDS Chairfs Manse Fund This fund. held on deposit wtth the Central Finance Board ICFBI. re￿iVeS transfers from the General Fund and interest on the funds deposited and is designed to meet except¢onal expenditure incurred on the Chairfs manse. The balance of £3,879 05 at 31" August 2023 was all spent in September 2023 whilst preparing the manse for the incoming Chair of District. Over the next five years a balance of £45,IXKI should be built up by designating amounts from the General fund in order to provide a replacement kitchen and other planned and routine maintenance upon the arrival of an incoming chair of Distrirt in years to come. Relocation Fund This fund, held on deposit with CFB, recerves transfer5 from the General Fund and interest on the funds deposited and is designed to accumulate funds towards the future cost of relocating a new Chair of District. The cost of the next relocation of a Distrtct Chair is unknown l￿Wever it is considered prudent to build up a fund of £3,(XKJ. Trainin New Ministers This fund, held on depostt with CFB vns used and closed during this financial year. RESTRI￿ED FUNDS District Benevolen￿ Fund This fund, which receives interest on funds held on deposit with CFB, is used to support active and supemuroerary ministers and widows at the discretion of the Chair of the District. There were no calls on the fund in 2023-2024. The balance is considered adequate and there are no plans to fundraise for an increase. Youth and Children's Bursa Fund The purpose of this fund. which receNes interest on funds held on deposit with CFB, is to assist financially'.- al individual leaders to attend a courses or conferen￿5 whKh will have some direct benefit to them and to their work amongst children and young people: bl individual young people to attend a course. conference. or special youth event. cl or by the provision of other resources, new and existing work amongst children and young people within the District. where little other support 15 available. It is not consldered necessary to fix a reserve. as the balance of £5.394 at 31 August 2024 is considered sufficient for the foreseeable futu￿. ricultural Cha lain This fund is specifically for the work of the Agricultural Chaplaincy and is held within a District CFB deposit account. The balance at 31 August 2024 was £7.788 and this will be used over the next few years alongside internal and external grants which will need to be sought to fund the annual costs of the agricultural chaplaincy. Lincolnshire Commun Healthcare Cha lain Funds within this reserve held with the CFB a￿ used to fund the WO￿ of the Uncolnshire Community Healthcare Chaplaincy. The balance on this fund on 31° August 2024 23,436. AttNe fundraising is now underniay in order to be able to implernent the plans outlined in the development plan for this chaplaincy. Eme en Welfare Fund Thi5 fund was created during 2020-2021 using a grant of £lO.(xx) from the District Advance Fund. The purpose of the fund is to be able to respond quickly and flexibly. via churches. to situation5 of emergency need in the community- The balance ot 31" August 2024 wès £3.131 following return of the balance into the District Advance Fund. Youth Activities Fund This fund was used during the year and closed. New Places for New Peo le NPNP This restricted fund was created following reteipt of a grant of £IO,fJXI from Connexion which was allocated to the Barton. Brigg and Wolds Circuit during 202312024. A small balance remain5 in order to keep the fund open for further deposits in the future. There is no Deed to set a reserve. Summa We have considered the District Mission Policy and have decided that we have sufficient reseryes in hand. Should our reserves fall below expectations we would firstly seek to reduce expenditure and, failing that. would seek to increase income from other sources to restore the reseples to an acceptsble level. This Reserves Policy was adopted by the District Trustees on 14 January 2025. 3.3 Collaborative arrangements with connected charitie5 The District's main source of funding was the assessments obtained from each Circuit wthin the District. Assessments are determined annually by the District in consultatton with circuits. Offers are made by each circuit in order to meet the financial requirernents of the District. This sum amounted to £119,00212022- 2023.. £120,091). The District also obtained from each Circuwt with a reserve. known as a Circuit Model Trust Fund ICMTFI, a levy baseLI on the size of the Circutys CMTF at the sLIrt of the Connexional year Ilst September). In 2023- 2024 this sum was £70,836 12022-2023: £78,832} and was credited to the Distritt Advance Fund. Connexional contribution from the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund and Mission in Britain fund of £80,94212022-2023= £43,106) was also recetved into the District Advance Fund for distribution via grants. The Distritt hold5 no funds a5 Custodian trustee. It does. however, receNe each quarter from Circuits within the District the Circuits. contributions to the Methodist Church Fund {MCFI. These sums are collerted as agent for the MCF and are passed to the MCF later in the same quarter. Funds re￿iVed by the District as agent are not recognised as income or as an asset in the financial statements because the funds are not within its control. No fee is eamed in respect of this agency arrdngement and the District incurs no cost through this arrangement. Trnstees Resporsibilities For each financial year ending on 31 August the Trustees are required to prepa￿ financial statements that give a true and fair view of the Distrirfs financial activtties during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparin8 these financial statements, the trustees have- selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistentty using the accruals method made judgements and estimates thèt are reasonable and prudent followed applicable accountin8 Standards including the FRSSE prepared the financial statements on the going contem basis prepared accounts to comply with the Chartties SORP 2019 The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wtth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Distrirt and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the District and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the rnaintenan￿ and integrity of the corpordte and financial information included on the Districys webslte. Legislation in the Untted Kingdom goveminE the preparation and dissemination of financial ststements may dtffer from legislation in other jurisdictions. 4.1 Risk The District is largety risk averse, bLrt. especialty in makinggrants to churches. circuits and ecumenical projects embarking on new and imaginative initiatives. the District Is prepared to underwrite considered risks. There ha5 been a continual reduction in the availability of ordained ministers to seNe in circutt5 and this, along with the reduction in the numberof lay people available to serve 35 office holders is a cause for concern for the whole Distiict. Several circuits are also known to be struggling financially and this could pose a risk for the District if those circuits are not able to contribute to the running costs of the District via the assessment. Other risks include reputational risks. operational risks such as failure of tt systems and risks arising from safeguarding cases. Steps taken to mitigate against such risks include relevant trainin8, engagement of a professional IT company, review of policies and procedures and purchase of insurance. Discussions are underway with a view to re- shaping of the District and/or Circuits in order to address some of the vulnerabilities. The risk register was reviewed in February 2023. Structure, Governante and Management The District is an unincorporated association and is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church and was registered with the Charity Commissioners on 9th February 2010. 5.1 Structure Cirtuits are the coordinating charities for local groups of churches. Circuits pay the stipends of the ministers and employ lay staff to serve the churches in the circuit. Most decisions are made at or ratified by the half yearly circuit meeting. A district IS the coordinating charity for a group of contiguous circuits and makes its decisions at the half yearly synods. The Methodist Conference meets once each year as the governing body for all Methodist churches. Overall control rests with the Methodist Conference. The Connexional office implements decision5 made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) in individual circuits within the District. Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the Distrlct and the appropriate officers of the Di5trlct for implementation. The District looks to the circuits for implementation of Distrirt policy and Connexional initiatives with authority delegated to the circult meeting for certain matters. The circuit meeting looks to church councils for local implementatlon by the presbyter, the church Stewards, and other officers, and authority is delegated to church councils as managing trustees. 5.2 Purpose of the Dlstrict The District is an expression, over a wider geographical area than any circuit, of the Connexional character of the church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the union the advancement of- the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and any charitable purposes for the time being of any Connexional, district, circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church, and any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church, and any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary of the Methodist Church. The primary purpose of this District is to advance the mission of the church in Lincolnshire= By providing support for circuits in matters of mission, administration or ministry By offering to circuits resources of finance Igrantsl, personnel and expertise By facilitating District-wide initiatives Isuch as chaplainciesl, events, worship and training opportunities. 5.3 Governan The District operates within a statutoryframeworkof regulation and seeksto ensure that it follows Methodist standing orders. It relies on the Connexional offi￿ at 25 Tavistock Place. London. WCIH 9SF to provide guidance on changes that could affect the Distritt. The members of the district F)oIiLry committee Iknovm in this District as Distritt Council) are appointed as trustees annually by a vote of the synod for a continuous tern? not nomally ex￿edIng six years. The Chair of District is ex-officio Chair of the District Council. Nomination5 to fill vacant P05ttion5 are brought to synod for approval. Trustees rnay be either ministers or lay people attending churches in the area covered by the District. There were six trustee meetings (District Council). held either by Zoom or in person in 2023-2024. The group's remit includes the oversight of the work of the District Resourcing Mission Group. finance. property, safeguarding, authorisations to preside at communion. chaplaincy projects. sabbaticals, manses, lav employment, district youth and children's work and appointments. It also links with the Eastern Region of the Methodist Church Leaming Network: one of the Learning Network's officers attends meetings of the District Council. 5.4 Responsibility of the District Counal The responsibility of the District Council is: to formulate and promote policies which will advano the mission of the Church in the circuits and local churches and, in particular. to supervise the use of resource5 of personnel, property and finance and to assist local churches and circuits havin8 exceptional problems to encourage inter-circuit and ecumenical co-operation to art in an executNe capacity in matters remitted to the council by the synod to keep within its purview all District concerns not dealt with elsewhere to contribute and respond, as the case may be. to the development of Connexional policies as reflected in the work of the Conference and the Methodist Council. and to carry out its other responsibilities with any such development in mind to be aware that the stipend of the Chair of the District is set by the Methodist Conference with all expenses met by the District constantly to be aware of the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission Reference and Admini5tratlve Detalls 6.1 Name of the Charity Lincolnshire Methodist District 6.2 Charity Registration Number 1134228, Registered in England and Wales 6.3 Principal Office Methodist District Office c/0 Burton Road Methodistchurch 175 Burton Road Lincoln LNI 3LW 6.4 Chair of the Distrfrt Rev Angela J Long 6.5 Secretary of the Synod {Representrtive) Mrs Sue Brumpton until 31.7.24 followed by Mrsjoan Smithson from 1.7.24 6.6 Secretary of the Synod IPresbyteral) Rev Susan Chambers 6.7 Distrirt Treasurer Vacancy 6.8 Chairfs PA and Distrirt Officer Mrs Alison Godfrey 6.9 Independent Examiner Keith May Accountancy Seryices Ltd 6.10 Bookkeeper5: Forrester Boyd, Grimsby 6.11 Names of Trustees The following served as trustees throughout part or 311 of the year 2023-2024 or were trustees at the time of this report being approved: Rev Angela Long (Chair} Mr Paul Boucher Mrs Sue Brumpton Iresigned 31.7.241 Mr Richard Melling lappointed 15.2.24) Mrs Sally-Ann Robinson Rev Luke Smith Mrs Joan Smithson lappointed 1.7.241 Rev Neil Vickers {appointed 2.5.24} 6.11 Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue King5 Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PE 6.12 Investment Managers and Custodian Trustees Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Central Buildin85 Oldham Street Manchester Ml IJQ Approvals The Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements were approved by the District Council on 14 January 2025 and will be reported to the Synod on 5 April 2025. Signed on behalf of the District Council. as authorised Rev Angela Lon8 District Chair Date- L ?[31L Mrs Sally-Ann Robinson Trustee Date: 5 4. 202S io **District Accruals Accounts 2023-24** ## **THE METHODIST CHURCH** ## **STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS ACCRUALS BASIS for the year ended 31 August 2024** **LINCOLNSHIRE District District no 17 1134228** ## **Registered Charity - Registration number** **District Chair Rev Angela Long, Chair of District Synod Secretary Mrs Joan Smithson** **Treasurer** Name of District **LINCOLNSHIRE** District No **17** ## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024** ## **District** ||**District**| |---|---| |**Notes to**
**the**
**accounts**
**Income from**
1 Donations and legacies
2 Connexional Advance & Priority Fund
3 Income from investments
**Income from charitable activities**
4 Assessments on circuits
2
5 From Circuit Model Trust Funds
6 Contribution to the cost of the Chair
3
7 Other charitable activities
8 Income from other trading activities
9 Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
9 Grants and donations
5
10 Salaries and associated costs
6
11 Cost of the Chair
3
12 Property Maintenance
7
13 Office expenses
8
14 Synods, committees and retreats
9
15 Training
16 Professional fees
17 Other outgoings
10
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure) before**
**gains and losses on investments**
18 Net gains/(losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
19 Transfers between funds
20 Other gains/(losses)
**Net movement in funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|

**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Advance**
**Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**(unrestricted)**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2023-24**
£
£
£
£
£
1,248
**1,248**
80,942
**80,942**
4,369
13,548
122
2,764
**20,803**
119,002
**119,002**
70,836
**70,836**
47,866
**47,866**
2,208
**2,208**
**0**
**0**
**173,445**
**165,326**
**122**
**4,012**
**342,905**| ||2,622
93,259
**95,881**
95,331
5,429
**100,760**
53,375
**53,375**
29,760
**29,760**
8,359
474
**8,833**
8,862
**8,862**
492
4,165
**4,657**
5,804
**5,804**
13,924
**13,924**
**204,605**
**93,733**
**0**
**23,518**
**321,855**| ||**-31,160**
**71,593**
**122**
**-19,506**
**21,050**
**0**
**-31,160**
**71,593**
**122**
**-19,506**
**21,050**
35,065
-24,750
-6,463
-3,851
**1**
**0**
**3,905**
**46,843**
**-6,341**
**-23,357**
**21,050**
306,716
32,423
8,505
65,209
**412,854**
**310,621**
**79,267**
**2,164**
**41,852**
**433,903**| Name of District **LINCOLNSHIRE** District No **17** ## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023** ## **District** ||**District**| |---|---| |**Notes to**
**the**
**accounts**
**Income from**
1 Donations and legacies
2 Connexional Advance & Property Fund
3 Income from investments
**Income from charitable activities**
4 Assessments on circuits
2
5 From Circuit Model Trust Funds
6 Contribution to the cost of the Chair
3
7 Other charitable activities
8 Income from other trading activities
9 Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
9 Grants and donations
5
10 Salaries and associated costs
6
11 Cost of the Chair
3
12 Property Maintenance
7
13 Office expenses
8
14 Synods, committees, Conference
9
15 Training
16 Professional fees
17 Other outgoings
10
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure) before**
**gains and losses on investments**
18 Net gains/(losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
19 Transfers between funds
20 Other gains/(losses)
**Net movement in funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|
**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Advance**
**Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**(unrestricted)**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2022-23**
£
£
£
£
£
19
300
**319**
43,106
**43,106**
2,817
6,706
263
1,562
**11,348**
120,091
**120,091**
78,832
**78,832**
45,724
**45,724**
10,000
**10,000**
**0**
**0**
**168,650**
**128,644**
**263**
**11,862**
**309,419**| ||2,089
51,289
**53,378**
69,353
**69,353**
49,025
**49,025**
16,797
**16,797**
23,874
419
**24,293**
14,538
**14,538**
1,091
1,425
**2,516**
4,212
**4,212**
3,668
**3,668**
**180,979**
**51,708**
**0**
**5,093**
**237,780**| ||**-12,329**
**76,936**
**263**
**6,769**
**71,639**
**0**
**-12,329**
**76,936**
**263**
**6,769**
**71,639**
31,432
-53,000
4,299
17,269
**0**
**0**
**19,103**
**23,936**
**4,562**
**24,038**
**71,639**
287,613
8,487
3,943
41,171
**341,215**
**306,716**
**32,423**
**8,505**
**65,209**
**412,854**| Name of District **17** District No ## **LINCOLNSHIRE** ## **Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024** |**Fixed Assets**|**Notes to the**
**Accounts**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**District**
**Advance Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**Designated**
**Funds**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**Restricted**
**Funds**
£|**Total**
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||| |Tangible fixed assets|11|230,360||||230,360| |Investmentproperties||||||0| |Investments||||||0| |**_Total fixed assets_**||**230,360**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**230,360**| |**Current Assets**||||||| |Debtors|12|14,018||||14,018| |Loans bythe District||||||0| |Trustee Investment Fund with TMCP|13||247,542|||247,542| |Central Finance Board Deposits|14|67,254||2,164|41,852|111,269| |Cash at Bank and in hand|14|3,499||||3,499| |**_Total current assets_**||**84,771**|**247,542**|**2,164**|**41,852**|**376,328**| |**Current liabilities**||||||| |Creditors (due in under 1 year)|15|4,511||||4,511| |Grantspayable in 2024-25|||152,275|||152,275| |**_Total current liabilities_**||**4,511**|**152,275**|**0**|**0**|**156,786**| |**_Net current assets/liabilities_**||**80,260**|**95,267**|**2,164**|**41,852**|**219,543**| |||||||| |**_Total assets less current liabilities_**||**310,621**|**95,267**|**2,164**|**41,852**|**449,903**| |||||||| |**Long term liabilities**
**(due after more than oneyear)**||||||| |Grantspayable in 2025-26 and beyond|||16,000|||**16,000**| |Loans to the District||||||**0**| |||||||**0**| |**_Net assets_**||**310,621**|**79,267**|**2,164**|**41,852**|**433,903**| |**Funds of the District**||||||| |General Fund(Unrestricted)|16|310,621||||310,621| |District Advance Fund (Unrestricted)|||79,267|||79,267| |Designated Funds(Unrestricted)|16|||2,164||2,164| |**_Total Unrestricted Funds_**||||||**392,051**| |Restricted Funds|17||||**41,852**|41,852| |**_Total Funds_**||**310,621**|**79,267**|**2,164**|**41,852**|433,903| Signed District Treasurer Name of District District No **17** ## **LINCOLNSHIRE** ## **Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2023** |**Fixed Assets**|**Notes to the**
**Accounts**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**District**
**Advance Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**Designated**
**Funds**
**(Unrestricted)**
£|**Restricted**
**Funds**
£|**Total**
£|**Total**
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||| |Tangible fixed assets|11|230,360||||230,360|| |Investmentproperties||||||0|| |Investments||||||0|| |**_Total fixed assets_**||**230,360**|**0**|**0**|**0**|**230,360**|| |**Current Assets**|||||||| |Debtors|12|6,688||||6,688|| |Loans bythe District||||||0|| |Trustee Investment Fund with TMCP|13||166,237|||166,237|| |Central Finance Board Deposits|14|70,921||8,505|65,209|144,636|| |Cash at Bank and in hand|14|2,477||||2,477|| |**_Total current assets_**||**80,087**|**166,237**|**8,505**|**65,209**|**320,039**|| |**Current liabilities**|||||||| |Creditors (due in under 1 year)|15|3,731||||3,731|| |Grantspayable in 2023-24|||120,814|||120,814|| |**_Total current liabilities_**||**3,731**|**120,814**|**0**|**0**|**124,545**|| |**_Net current assets/liabilities_**||**76,355**|**45,423**|**8,505**|**65,209**|**195,493**|| |||||||**425,854**
**13,000**
**0**
**0**
**412,854**
306,716
32,423
8,505
**347,645**
65,209
412,854|| |**_Total assets less current liabilities_**||**306,716**|**45,423**|**8,505**|**65,209**|**425,854**|| ||||||||| |**Long term liabilities**
**(due after more than oneyear)**|||||||| |Grantspayable in 2024-25 and beyond|||13,000|||**13,000**|| |Loans to the District||||||**0**|| |||||||**0**|| |**_Net assets_**||**306,716**|**32,423**|**8,505**|**65,209**|**412,854**|| |**Funds of the District**|||||||| |General Fund(Unrestricted)|16|306,716||||306,716|| |District Advance Fund (Unrestricted)|||32,423|||32,423|| |Designated Funds(Unrestricted)|16|||8,505||8,505|| |**_Total Unrestricted Funds_**||||||**347,645**|| |Restricted Funds|17||||**65,209**|65,209|| |**_Total Funds_**||**306,716**|**32,423**|**8,505**|**65,209**|412,854|| Signed District Treasurer **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **1 Accounting framework and accounting policies i Accounting framework** The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2019 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 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2019) – (the Charities SORP (FRS 102). ## **ii Public benefit entity** The Lincolnshire District (hereinafter referred to as "District") meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost 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 on the accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the District’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 Going concern** Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2024, the trustees believe that the District is a going concern. **vi FRS102 SORP2019** These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with the FRS102 SORP 2019. **vii Consolidation** The District oversees the work of ministers and lay workers in churches and circuits within the District but does not have control over those churches or circuits, ministers or lay workers except in extreme circumstances, none of which were applicable. For this reason, the financial statements of the churches and circuits within the District are not consolidated into these financial statements. **viii Income recognition** Income is brought into account when it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will accrue to the District. No attempt is made to measure the value of services donated by volunteers. Details of how the contribution to the cost of the Chair of District has been determined appears in Note 3. A similar figure appears in the Expenditure section of the SOFA. - Individual amounts categorised as _Other income_ in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material. The District acts as agent in these matters: 1. the collection of quarterly assessments from circuits which are paid to the Methodist Church Fund (MCF) 2. the payment of expenses of delegates from the District to the Methodist Conference In all these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because there is no obligation on the District to make up any shortfall in assessments from Circuits. Sums received as Circuit assessments cannot be recognised as income in the District as they are the income of the MCF. In accordance with the Charities SORP, the time of volunteers is not recognised. **ix Expenditure** This 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 District to pay out resources. **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ **x Grants** Grants are recognised in full when the award is made once the District accepts that there is a legal or constructive obligation to make the payment and that such payment is probable. **xi VAT** Since the District is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers. **xii Tangible fixed assets** These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,000. The freehold property is shown in the accounts at cost in 2011, of which the land component is deemed to be £90,000. No depreciation is provided on the building because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse building (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the year -end) to be not less than its cost to date. The property has been reviewed for impairment. ## **xiii Debtors and creditors; bank and cash** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the District or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount
after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply, or amount advanced to the District. Subsequently creditors
that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank
balances and deposit account balances are shown at the realisable values.
xiv Methodist Church Fund (MCF)
**----- End of picture text -----**
The District acts as agent for the MCF by collecting its assessments on Circuits and does not, therefore, include the assessments in the SOFA. If a Circuit is late in paying its MCF assessment to the District but such sum is received before the quarterly transfer to the MCF, the amount paid late will be shown as a debtor in the District’s accounts. **xv Manse costs** The District is required to provide accommodation for the Chair of District and family. The District bears the cost of repairs, maintenance, building insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These costs are not shown separately as benefits-in-kind for the Chair as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of the Chair. In addition, since February 2017, the District has made a contribution towards the cost of the Manse occupied by the part-time Chaplain, which is provided by the Lincoln Circuit with which the appointment is shared. ## **2 Assessment on Circuits** All Circuits (see list given below in this note) paid their assessments to the District and to the MCF during the year. An assessment on Circuits is determined annually by the District by reference to offers made by each Circuit towards meeting the financial requirements of the District. The District was made up of the following Circuits: Circuit No Circuit Name 17/1 Epworth, Scunthorpe and Gainsborough 17/2 Lincoln 17/4 Mid Lincolnshire 17/5 Grimsby and Cleethorpes 17/6 East Lincolnshire 17/11 Barton, Brigg and Wolds 17/12 Sleaford 17/15 South Holland 17/22 Boston ## **Contribution to Methodist Church Fund (MCF)** In addition to the assessments on the Circuits to help defray the costs of running the District, the District acted as agent for the MCF which levied assessments on the Circuits in this District totalling £289,779 (2022-23: £274,655) all of which were collected and paid over to the MCF in the year. No balance was held at the end of the year; no fee is received for this service which is performed at nearly nil cost to the District. These sums collected for and remitted to the MCF do not appear elsewhere in these financial statements. **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **3 Cost of Chair and trustees** The Chair of District chairs meetings of the District Council (DC). The members of the DC are the trustees of the District. The stipend, employer’s NIC and employer’s pension contributions of the Chair of District are paid by the Methodist Connexion. The Chair’s other costs are met mostly by the District. |Stipend to Chair
Employer's National Insurance Contribution
Employer's pension contribution to the defined benefit scheme
Other costs
Cash cost paid by the Connexion (see, SOFA, line 6)
Chair's expenses
**Total cost**|2023-24|2022-23| |---|---|---| ||£
36,300
3,754
7,812
-|£
34,836
3,644
7,244
-| ||47,866
5,509|45,724
3,301| ||**53,375**|**49,025**| Since the stipend-related costs above ( _i.e.£47,866_ ; 2022-23 £45,724) are borne by the Connexion, they appear both in the Income of the District (see SOFA line 6) and the Expenditure of the District (see SOFA line 11). It should be noted that the Chair is required to occupy the District manse. The manse is provided by the District and the District maintains the property. The costs of maintaining the manse for the year were £20,556 (2022-23 £7,146) - see Note 7 below. The Chair of District is the sole paid key management person but is supported by members of the DC. No accrual is made for the Chair’s entitlement to a sabbatical as his functions are undertaken by the Assistant Chairs at minimal extra cost to the District. ## **Payment to Trustees** It is District policy to offer to reimburse members of the District Council (DC) and others involved in the administration of District affairs for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties. The Chair of District undertakes the primar y executive role within the District. Apart from the Chair of District and the lay Secretary of Synod, no member of the DC was in receipt of any payment for work undertaken on behalf of the District, although certain travelling and administration costs were reimbursed whenever this was requested. Other than the lay Secretary of Synod, none of the trustees are an employee of the District. Trustees claimed £488.40 in expenses during the year. (2022-23: No trustees claimed any expenses.) ## **4 Other income** A direct request to churches to host coffee mornings to raise funds for the healthcare chaplaincy resulted in donations of £1249 during the year ended 31 August 2024. ## **5 Grants, donations and related Support costs** Grants and donations totalling £118,008 were awarded during the year (2022-23: £104,289) as shown below: |Unrestricted:
- From General Fund
- From Youth Activities Fund
- From DAF
- To Ecumenical and New Communities
**_Sub total_**
Restricted:
- From Emergency Welfare Fund
- From Youth Bursary
- From Benevolence Fund
- From Agricultural Chaplaincy Fund
**_Sub total_**
**Total**|2023-24|2022-23| |---|---|---| ||£
118,008
-|£
104,289
-| ||**118,008**|**104,289**| |||| ||**_-_**|**_-_**| |||| ||**118,008**|**104,289**| Details of grants paid by the District during the year were reported to the District Council. **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **5 Grants, donations and related Support costs (cont'd…..)** _**Expenditure on charitable activities through the District Advance Fund**_ This fund receives formulaically determined contributions from the Circuit Model Trust Funds held by Circuits within the District, an annual grant from the Connexional Priority Fund and a Mission in Britain Fund and redistributes the monies to grantees in the District through relevant grant applications as assessed by the District Resourcing Mission Group. During the year the following grants were awarded: |**2023-24**||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Given to**
Churches
Circuits
..................
_Sub total_
Individuals
_Sub total_
Ecumenical
District
**Total**|**Amount in £**
11,953
24,000||**Analysis of amounts**
**given by type of**
**work**
Projects
Ministry
General|**Amount in £**
19,000
35,000
64,008| ||35,953
-|||| ||35,953
5,000
-
87,055|||| ||**118,008**|||**118,008**| |**2022-23**||||| |**Given to**
Churches
Circuits
..................
_Institutions_
Individuals
_Sub total_
Ecumenical
District
**Total**|**Amount in £**
4,289
2,000||**Analysis of amounts**
**given by type of**
**k**
Projects
Ministry
General|**Amount in £**
3,000
-
42,000
65,289| ||6,289|||| ||6,289
35,000
63,000|||| ||**104,289**|||**104,289**| The income of the fund was £164,852 (2022-23: £128,225) (net of costs) during the year. The total paid out in grants was £83,547 (2021-22: £108,966). A full list of grants will be presented to the April Synod. The Resourcing Mission Group is aware that grant applications must demonstrate public benefit. ## **6 Salaries and associated costs** Gross salaries paid to 4 (2022-23: 4) part time employees were as follows: |Total weekly contractual hours of 4 (2022-23: 4 ) part time
employees
**Total cost for 4 (2022-23: 4) part time employees**
Gross pay
Employer's National Insurance contribution
Employer's pension contribution to defined contribution scheme|2023-24
£
86,095
8,321
6,344|2022-23
£
58,100
5,346
5,907| |---|---|---| ||**100,760**|**69,353**| ||96|89| |No employees received employee benefits that totalled more than £60,000. There is no accrual for holiday pay as it is
immaterial. All employees are paid at or above the Living Wage. One of the part time employees was engaged as
Secretary to Synod, another provided secretarial and administrative assistance to the District and to the Chair and acted
as District Officer and the third is a Chaplain, whose ministerial appointment is shared with Lincoln Circuit. The fourth is
the District Safeguarding Officer.||| No employees received employee benefits that totalled more than £60,000. There is no accrual for holiday pay as it is immaterial. All employees are paid at or above the Living Wage. One of the part time employees was engaged as Secretary to Synod, another provided secretarial and administrative assistance to the District and to the Chair and acted as District Officer and the third is a Chaplain, whose ministerial appointment is shared with Lincoln Circuit. The fourth is the District Safeguarding Officer. **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **6 Salaries and associated costs (cont'd……..) Pensions** Most ordained presbyters and deacons are members of the Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme (MMPS). This is a defined benefit scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 that Methodist ministers (which term includes presbyters and deacons) are not employees of the Church. For simplicity, however, when dealing with National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions, the terms ‘employer’ and ‘employee’ are used as they would be in an employing body. On the other hand lay employees are contractually employees. Two part time employees were given, and turned down, the opportunity to join a defined contribution workplace pension scheme to which the District and the employee would contribute. The other part-time employee is a member of that scheme. The Chaplain is a member of the Methodist Ministers' Pension Scheme. The Connexion accounts for both the MMPS and the Pension and Assurance Scheme for Lay Employees of the Methodist Church (PASLEMC) and shows the figures in the annual Methodist Church in Great Britain accounts. The MMPS is in deficit but a plan for removal of the deficit has been proposed and is being implemented. Details of the deficits on these schemes can be found in the Annual Report and Accounts of The Methodist Church at www.methodist.org.uk . ## **7 Property costs** |Contribution to Chaplain's manse
District office, rent and services
Chair's manse
**Total**|2023-24
£
1,704
7,500
20,556|2022-23
£
1,862
7,788
7,146| |---|---|---| ||**29,760**|**16,797**| ## **8 Office expenses** |Telephone
Insurance
Safeguarding
Publicity
Computers and support
Other
Other - Designated Funds
Printing, postage and stationery
**Total charged to General Fund**
TMCP charges - District Advance Fund
**Total**|2023-24
£
930
231
616
3,480
552
2,322
228|2022-23
£
1,093
174
227
20,298
-
1,593
489| |---|---|---| ||**8,359**
474|**23,874**
419| ||**8,833**|**24,293**| None of the remaining individual amounts (aggregated as 'Other' above) is considered material and therefore none is listed separately. ## **9 Synods, Committees, Conference** |Conference
Committees
Synods
Training/Retreats
**Total**|2023-24
£
1,478
72
2,301
5,011|2022-23
£
1,314
2,602
4,913| |---|---|---| ||**8,862**|**14,538**| ## **10 Other outgoings** |Agricultural Chaplain expenses, including travel
**Total**
Provision for bad debts
Youth Work
Paid from LCHC grants|2023-24
£
5,367
3,820|2022-23
£
5,710
40| |---|---|---| ||**9,187**
4,737|**5,750**
3,628| ||**13,924**|**9,378**| **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **11 Manse and other property** The value of the District manse is greater than its historical cost in 2011 shown in the accounts. There is no depreciation on the manse as the Trustees believe that the current residual market value of the building is greater than the carrying value of that part of the asset’s cost to date. Land Buildings Total £ £ £ **Cost or valuation** Balance brought forward at 1 September, at cost 90,000 140,360 230,360 Additions in the year Revaluations in the year _Less:_ Disposals in the year Transfers between categories **Balance carried forward at 90,000 140,360 230,360 31 August** ## **12 Debtors and prepayments** All sums shown as Debtors at 31 Aug 2023 were received during the current year. All sums paid in advance at 31 Aug 2024 were for activities, (principally deposits for retreats, subscriptions and council tax). It is expected that payments in advance at 31 August 2024 will be expensed in 2024 -25. ## Debtors were made up as follows: **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023-24 2022-23
£ £
Trade debtors
Circuit assessments received late -
10,262 179
Minister's removal costs to be reimbursed by Connexion
10,262 179
Prepayments and accrued income
3,756 6,509
Payments in advance
3,756 6,509
Other debtors
- -
Total 14,018 6,688
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **13 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP)** The funds that support the District Advance Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds, which is a cash deposit fund on which interest is credited to the account each month. TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with charity law and Methodist law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference. ## **14 Central Finance Board (CFB) and cash at bank** The District has one current account at CAF Bank Ltd., an authorised institution. The sums held in that account are immediately available. In addition the District has 9 (2022-23: 11) deposit accounts at CFB, a common deposit fund. These accounts are one General Fund, 1 (2022-23: 3) Designated Funds and 7 (2022-23: 7) Restricted Funds. Interest is earned on these accounts and credited monthly; the sums deposited can be withdrawn without notice and without loss of interest. These sums are viewed as being liquid. **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ||**_FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31_**|**_AUGUST 2024_**|**_AUGUST 2024_**| |---|---|---|---| |**15 **|**Creditors and accrued expenses**||| ||PAYE, NI and Pensions contributions
Accountancy fees
_Total accruals_
**Total of creditors and accrued expenses**
Unpaid invoices
Subscriptions
Other
_Total creditors_
**Accruals:**
**Creditors:**
Expenses reimbursement|2023-24
£
-
1,324
-
-|2022-23
£
-
1,225
-
-| |||_1,324_|_1,225_| |||13
-
3,200
_3,187_|13
-
2,520
_2,507_| |||**4,511**|**3,731**| |||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Maturity analysis of b**|**asic financial instruments**|||| |Expenses
Unpaid Invoices
Subscriptions
Other
Accruals
Employers NIC
PAYE and pension
**Total costs**|Accrued at 1st Sep
2023
£
-
1,225
-
2,520
-
- 13|Paid this year
£
1,225
-
2,520|Accruals made this
year
£
-
1,324
-
-
3,200
-|Accrued at the end of 31 Aug
2024
£
1,324
-
3,200
-
- 13| ||**3,731**|**3,744**|**4,524**|**4,511**| All sums accrued at 31 Aug 2023 were paid during the year to 31 Aug 2024 and it is expected that all sums accrued at 31 Aug 2024 will be paid during the year to 31 Aug 2025. ## **16 Unrestricted Funds** ## **16.1 General Fund** ## **Balance of £310,621 at 31 Aug 2024 (2023: £306,716)** The purpose of the fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the District and which have not been designated for other purposes. About 75% of this fund is held as a freehold property, the District manse for the Chair of District. During the year £2,507 (2022-23: £2,089) was paid out as a subscription to Churches Together in All Lincolnshire. ## **16.2 Other Designated Funds** ## **Balance of £2,164 at 31 Aug 2024 (2023: £8,505)** These funds are to serve specific purposes but are not restricted by any document or deed to that purpose alone. These funds comprise: The Manse Fund - balance £nil (2023: £3,879) - is available to meet major repairs and renovations to the District manse. The Chair's Removal Costs Fund - balance £2,164 (2023: £4,447) - is accumulating funds to meet the future removal costs on a change in Chair of District. The Training new Ministers Fund - balance £nil (2023: £179) - is held to meet costs of the training of new Ministers. This fund was closed during the year **THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**_ ## **17 Restricted Funds** ## **Balance of £41,852 at 31 Aug 2024 (2023: £65,209)** The Benevolence Fund – balance £2,004 (2023: £1,904) - provides financial support to active and supernumerary ministers in the District at the discretion of the Chair of District. The Youth and Children's Bursary Fund – balance £5,394 (2023: £6,740) - is used to assist financially: 1. individual leaders to attend a courses or conference which will have some direct benefit to them and to their work amongst children and young people; 2. individual young people to attend a course, conference, or special youth event. 3. or by the provision of other resources, new and existing work amongst children and young people within the District, where little other support is available. Agricultural Chaplaincy - balance £7,789 (2023: £8,972) - is to support the work of the Agricultural Chaplain. Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Chaplaincy - balance £23,435 (2022: £27,070) - is to support the work of the Lincolnshire Community Healthcare Chaplaincy scheme. Emergency Welfare Fund - balance £3,131 (2023: £8,833) - The purpose of this fund is to be able to respond quickly and flexibly, via churches, to situations of emergency need in the community. Youth Activities fund - balance £61 (2023: £1,558) - is earmarked to support youth group in attending future "3 Gen" Conferences. New Places for New People - £37 (2023: £10,132) - a grant was received from the Connexion and is to be used to support the exploration of a District New Places for New People project. ## **18 Connected organisations and related parties** All of the District trustees are members of one or another Church and Circuit within the District and may be trustees in their Churches and/or Circuits. Connected organisations include the Methodist Connexion, Circuits and Churches within the District, other Methodist Districts in Great Britain, the Methodist Ministers’ Children’s Relief Association, CFB and TMCP. All of these entities have their own trustees or directors and autonomous administration such that the District has no significant influence over any of them, nor they over the District. They are, therefore, not considered related parties. |**Total 2023-24**
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District -
To Methodist Church Fund
Grant from Connexional Priority Fund
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District
(Levy on Circuit Model Trust Funds)
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District
(for District Expenses Fund)
To Churches within the Lincolnshire District
(grants)
From Methodist Church Fund for New Places
for New People
Name of Connected Organisations|Receipts
£
289,779
80,942
70,836
119,002
-

|Payments
£
289,779
35,953|Adjustments
£| |---|---|---|---| ||**560,559**|**325,732**|**-**| ||||| |Name of Connected Organisations
**Total 2022-23**
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District -
To Methodist Church Fund
Grant from Connexional Priority Fund
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District
(Levy on Circuit Model Trust Funds)
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District
(for District Expenses Fund)
From Circuits within the Lincolnshire District
(contributions to cost of Retreats)
To Churches within the Lincolnshire District
(grants)
From Methodist Church Fund for New Places
for New People|Receipts
£
274,655
43,106
78,832
120,091
-
10,000

|Payments
£
274,655
6,289|Adjustments
£| ||**526,684**|**280,944**|**-**| There were no related party transactions. ## **19 Volunteer contributions** Every entity (Connexion, District, Circuit, Church) within the Methodist Church is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills, time and money in the furtherance of the work of the Church. Principally volunteer contributions to the District are by chaplains and by those serving on committees of the District that deal with mission, manses, finance, policy, grants, training, development and safeguarding. The District is grateful to all volunteers for their help and commitment. ## **20 Capital commitments and contingent liabilities** There were no capital commitments or contingent liabilities at the year end (2022 -23: nil). THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT DECLARATIONS- cont'd Basls of Independent Examlngrfs R9POrt My examinal¢on Nfds carried out in accordan￿ wf(h 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 with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items. in nat￿re or scale, or disclosures in the accounts. seeking explanations from the trustees cOn￿mIng Such matters. The pr￿d￿reS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audtt and, consequent￿, no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a true and fair view. My report 15 limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. l eonfim that no material matters have come to my atter¢tion in connection w((h the examination I which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance wih section 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord wf(h the accounting records., or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirerrent5 conceining the fom and conlenl of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gsve a 'tiue and fairf view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.. or the trustees, annual report is nol ¢on$istent with Ihe accounts I have no concems and have come across no other matters in eonneclion wlh the examination to which attention shouhd be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper underslanding of the accounts to be reached. I Iiavelhave not" obtained independent verrfication of all investments %wlh th8 Trustees fr)r Methodist Chufch Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodi51 Church al the balance sheet dale. ' Plesse delete as appll)priale Narr Keith May Signature Relevant Professional qualification of examiner ACMA CGMA Name offim {where appropriatel Keith May Accountingservices Ltd Address Aura Business Centre. Heath Road, Skegness PE25 3SJ THE METHODIST CHURCH - LINCOLNSHIRE DISTRICT DECLARATIONS Treasurer I confirm that these accrual based accoun15 for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the District and that they include all funds under the control of the District Council. Signature ol Treasurer Name of Treasurer Address Presentation to the District Councll for approval. I confim that the annLtal rep)rt and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented to the District Council at its meeting on and were approved. Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev. Angela Long Date Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the LINCOLNSHIRE DistrSct Charity No. 1134228 Responsibilltles and basls of Report I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Lincoln5hife District for the year ended 31 August 2024. As the Distriel's trustees, you are responsible fr)r Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'lhe ACYI. I report in respect of my examination of the District'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 1451Sllbl of the Act