2025-08-31-accounts - North Cumbria Methodist Circuit

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NORTH CUMBRIA METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31st AUGUST 2025

Introduction

The Trustees are pleased to present the Annual Report of The Trustees of the North Cumbria Methodist Circuit (hereinafter referred to as “The Circuit” ) for the year ending 31st August 2025. The Circuit continues to grow and develop together as we work towards a single circuit. The new Circuit Mission and Vision Plan was agreed.

The Charity chosen by the Circuit for this year was “Cumbria Agricultural Chaplaincy.”

The new North West England District, of which Cumbria is now a part, launched with an event at Victoria Hall, Bolton

Staffing

Reverend Phil Jackson began his 4 year reinvitation. He remains CoSuperintendent and is still based in Wigton, Cornerstone churches.

Reverend David Newlove remains Co-Superintendent but also began his new post as Mission Area Lead for the Cumbrian Mission Area. He has been working half time in Circuit and half time as Mission Area Lead from September 2024. Subject to Synod and Connexional agreement to a Single Cumbria Circuit in September 2025 David will become Superintendent for the new Single Cumbria Circuit and no longer have pastoral charge of any churches.

Reverend Tokunbo Asogbon remains in Borders Methodist Church,Brampton but has requested to enter stationing in September 2026.

Deacon Mark, Mission Enabler, came to the end of his role in Cumbria and moved to Barnsley.

Reverend Nigel Rogers joined us in August to take over the churches for which David Newlove previously had pastoral charge,

Stationing:

Reverend Tokunbo Asogbon remains in Borders Methodist Church,Brampton but has requested to enter stationing in September 2026.

NEW APPOINTMENTS:

Circuit Stewards : Alan Fearon, Selby Harrison, Rita Yeowart

Circuit Meeting Secretary : Vicky Logan

Financial Steward: George Denholm

Safeguarding: Margaret Drury

Circuit Property Officer: Vacant (Duties divided between CLT & Manse Secretary)

Circuit Manses Secretary: Christine Kelly

Circuit Invitation Committee:

Circuit Ministers, Circuit Stewards, Circuit Meeting Secretary. 2 people per hub:

Borders: Millie McKey, Dorothy Lamb.

Solway: Christine Kelly, Lynne Graham.

Cornerstone: Margaret Ferriby, Betty Jagger. City: Clare Driffield, John Huggon.

SYNOD REPS:

Lay Workers: Janice Gray, Jennie Crawley Lay Reps to Synod: Rita Yeowart, Clare Driffield, George Denholm.

CIRCUIT SAFEGUARDING ADMINISTRATOR. Vicky Logan

CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER. Malcolm Uppard.

CIRCUIT ARCHIVIST: Vacant.

MANSES COMMITTEE: CLT plus Manse Secretary.

TO NOTE:

SECRETARY to LOCAL PREACHERS Chris Mitchelson TUTOR to LOCAL PREACHERS Hazel Edmundson PRESIDENT METHODIST WOMEN IN BRITAIN Pat Staley SECRETARY METHODIST WOMEN IN BRITAIN Margery Little

TREASURER to METHODIST WOMEN IN BRITAIN Moira Muse

The Leadership Team.

The leadership team consists of the Presbyters, Deacon and four Circuit Stewards who represent all Hubs.

Much work has been undertaken to develop the Hubs even further. In Carlisle there is now one Carlisle Methodist Church on three sites, Wigton Road, Upperby and Newtown/ Refresh.

Solway Methodists: Dalston, Monkhill, Thurstonfield, Port Carlisle, four churches who join together for some events.

Cornerstones, incorporating Wigton, Caldbeck, Abbeytown, Silloth, Aspatria.

Borders Methodist Church on three sites, Brampton, Gilsland, Longtown at present with Wetheral due to become a member 1st September 2024.

The Mission Enabler has continued his work with Estate Ministry and Children and Families work. On-line and Zoom meetings continued as well as Bible studies, Lent meetings, Prayer workshops, fellowship groups and training programmes.

Aims and organisation .

The Governing Document of the Charity is the Deed of Union of the Methodist Church 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976. The purposes of the Methodist Church are, and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union, the advancement of:

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

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

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

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

There are now 13 places of worship in the area covered by the Circuit and they are all open to anyone who may wish to visit them without any charge.

The Circuit continues with a quarterly preaching plan to ensure that regular acts of worship take place at all the churches and chapels in its geographical area and that the following activities take place to further the objectives set out above:-

The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
Provision of chaplaincy services where appropriate.

•

The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission!s guidance on public benefit.

Brief financial review of the year

The main source of income in this and every year is the assessment paid by the churches within the Circuit area. In the year to 31st August 2025, the assessments totalled £179,900.

Grants:

The Circuit received grant funding of £16,000 from the Connexion in respect of the employment of our Mission Enabler. £15,000 from the District, setting up costs for the new circuit £3,000 from District towards employment costs of Children and Families Worker

Total grants: £34,000.

Expenditure re Stipends etc

The main expenditure relates to the stipends of presbyters and the salaries of lay employees, together with related employment costs, including the provision of manses to presbyters and the reimbursement of travelling and other costs, totalling £211,422. Stipends have increased annually in line with conference approved percentages and lay employees are paid, in accordance with Methodist Standing Orders, no less than the hourly rates set by the Living Wage Foundation.

Other costs include the contribution to the District £57,155 Manse costs include: £4,546 for new windows at Brampton manse. £5,850 for drive and patio repairs at Wigton Manse.

At 31st August 2025 the net current, unrestricted, assets of the Circuit were £400,824 compared with total expenditure for the year of £358,864 .

Plans for the 2025/2026 Circuit finances for the coming year have been prepared on the basis of changes in our current staffing figures, with anticipated cost of living stipend and pay increases combined with an increase in the assessments paid to the District and Connexion but with a knowledge of how costs will be affected with the move into the Single Cumbria Circuit at the end of this year.

Levels of assessments requested from the churches in the Circuit have been discussed with all churches as some churches were still unable to meet the level of assessments requested by the Circuit.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document for the Circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976). De- tailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team comprising the presbyters , deacon and circuit stewards.

Trustee Training :

A range of guidance is produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit, including the leaflet !The Role of a Trustee in " The Methodist Church .

Related Partners

The Circuit is now part of the North West England District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. 13 Churches are linked to the Circuit and are listed in Appendix A to this Report. From September 1st 2024 the District will be part of North West Methodist District incorporating Cumbria, Bolton and Rochdale, Lancashire and Liverpool in a single district.

From September 1st 2025 a single Cumbria Circuit will be formed combining the currant 9 circuits across the District.

Risk Management

Major risks, both physical and financial, are identified and recorded and professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.

Safeguarding

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

This year a Safeguarding audit was carried out and extra training sessions organised.

There was also EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) training for those who had not already done it.

Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:

The care and nurture, 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.
The Circuit will 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.
The Circuit will 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.
The Circuit will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
The Circuit will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
The Circuit will 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 the Circuit will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

The Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.

The Safeguarding Policy for the Circuit was renewed and signed and distributed to all churches as was an accident book.

Reserves Policy

The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold approximately two quarter$ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of the failure of churches to meet their quarterly assessment liabilities in full.

Legal and Administrative

The Circuit#s financial statement for the year ended 31 August 2025 has been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2014 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 for Smaller EnIIes(FRSEE) applicable in the UK (effective from 1st January 2015)

– the Charities SORP – in replacement for the SORP#s 2005 version specified in its related 2008 Regulations and in accordance with the %true and fair override” provision contained therein.

Full Name of Charity: North Cumbria Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1134232 Date of registration 2014 Main communication address: 42, Kirkland Fold , Wigton. CA7 9LL The members of the Circuit meeting are the Managing Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.

A full list of Trustees is shown in Appendix B to this Report. Circuit Ministers

Active Circuit Ministers : Rev David Newlove, Rev Phil Jackson, Rev Tokunbo Asogbon, Deacon Mark Atwood

Circuit Stewards

Mr George Denholm - Steward with financial responsibility and Primary User for access to on-line banking.

Mr Alan Fearon

Mr Selby Harrison Mrs Rita Yeowart Administrator and Circuit Meeting Secretary : Miss Vicky Logan

Saints and Co accountants were to be used for Circuit accounts. Independent examiner Mr Malcolm Uppard, 1 Green Lane, Houghton, Carlisle. CA3 0NT. Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Bankers H.S.B.C. 29 English Street, Carlisle. CA3 8JX.

APENDIX A.

LIST OF CHURCHES IN THE NORTH CUMBRIA CIRCUIT

Cornerstones :

Aspatria, Abbeytown, Wigton, Caldbeck. Silloth Church was sold - the members now meet as a house group. Caldbeck was valued last year.

Solway Churches:

Dalston, Monkhill, Thurstonfield. Thursby Chapel sold June 2024.

City Methodist Churches: Newtown, Wigton Road, Upperby.

Border Churches: Brampton, Gilsland, Wetheral Longtown Methodist Church meet in Community centre.

Port Carlisle ( Circuit resource centre)

Port Carlisle (Now renamed Port Carlisle Community Chapel) and is run by a management committee of volunteers.

MANSES:

Charlton Way(Crindledyke, Carlisle), Grange Drive,Carlisle.

Kirkland Meadows, Wigton. Manor Gardens, Brampton.

The Manses have still needed quite a lot of work this year. Because of the formation of a Single Cumbrian Circuit in September 2025, the future of the Manses will be decided in 2026.

Celebrations and Goodbyes.

Celebration Weekend :

On the 12th July a Farewell Gathering/ Cumberland Event was held to give thanks for Reverand David Newlove and Deacon Mark’s ministry amongst us.

On 13th July a Celebration and Farewell Service was held to give thanks for the North Cumbria circuit and those who had worked so hard during as part of it.

On 31st August 2025 the Cumbria Circuit was launched and celebrated and our new ministers were all welcomed.

August 31st 2025 marks the end of North Cumbria Methodist Circuit.

APPENDIX B

List of Trustees up to 31st August 2025

Role	Church	First Name	Surname
Church Rep	Brampton	Di	Armstrong
Minister	Circuit	Tokunbo	Asogbon
Deacon	Circuit	Mark	Attwood
Church Steward	CMC, Upperby	Jean	Baron
Church Treasurer	Longtown		Batey
		Christine

Supernumerary	Circuit	Paul	Beard
LP Meeting rep	Brampton	Wendy	Beard
Church Treasurer	Monkhill	Harold	Bowron
Church Steward	Monkhill	Kathleen	Bowron
Church Treasurer	CMC,	Mary	Caddle
	Wigton Road
C&F worker	Cornerstone	Jennie	Crawley
Finance Steward	Circuit	George	Denholm
Church Rep	Cornerstone	Rosalind	Denholm
Church Steward	CMC, Re:Fresh	Clare	Driffield
Safeguarding	Circuit	Margaret	Drury
Circuit Steward	Circuit	Alan	Fearon


Hub Steward	Cornerstone	Margaret	Ferriby
Supernumeracy	Circuit	Joan	Gooding
Church Steward	Monkhill	Lynne	Graham
Hub Steward	CMC, Wigton Road	Janice	Gray
Supernumeracy	Circuit	Gilbert	Hall

Supernumeracy	Circuit	Colin	Harbach
Hub Steward	Cornerstone	Steve	Harding
Hub Steward	CMC Upperby	Betty	Harrison
Circuit Steward	Circuit	Selby	Harrison
Hub Treasurer	Cornerstone	Abigail	Hartshorne - Bell
Supernumeracy	Circuit	Margaret	Jackson
Superintendent	Circuit	Phil	Jackson
Church Treasurer	Brampton	Linda	Johnson
Church Steward	CMC, Newtown	Ken	Holmes
Church Rep	Thurstonfield	Archie	Kelly
Manse Secretary	Circuit	Christin e	Kelly
Hub Steward	Upperby	Jennifer	Kendall
Supernumeracy	Circuit	Ruth	Kershaw

Hub Steward	CMC Wigton	Susan	Kidd
	Road
Church Steward	Longtown	Dorothy	Lamb
M.W.i.B. Rep	Dalston	Margery	Little
Church Steward	Dalston	William	Little
LP Meeting Rep	Dalston	Margery	Mallinson
Church Treasurer	CMC Upperby	Leo	Mann
Church Steward	Wetheral	Millie	McKey
Church Rep	Monkhill	Glynis	Milburn
Supernumeracy	Circuit	John	Millard
LP&WL Secretary	Circuit	Chris	Mitchelson
Superintendent	Circuit	David	Newlove
Church Treasurer	Dalston	John	Oldman
Church Steward	Dalston	Ann	Oldman
LP Meeting Rep		Mary	Pattinson
	Thurstonfield

Church Steward		Nathan	Pattinson
	Thurstonfield

Hub Steward	Cornerstone	Janet	Porterhouse
Hub Steward	CMC, Newtown	Marion	Proudfoot

Church Re Lon town Pauline Robson p g

Church Rep	Longtown	Pauline	Robson
Church Steward	Brampton	Nancy	Simpson
Hub Steward	CMC Wigton	Pat	Staley
	Road
Hub Rep	CMC Upperby	Ian	Stewart
Church Rep	Gilsland	Evelynne	Whatmough
Church Secretary	Gilsland	Melvyn	Whatmough
Church Treasurer	CMC, Re:Fresh	Stuart	Wilkinson
Hub Rep	CMC Wigton	Moira	Wilson
	Road
Church Steward	Dalston	Janet	Wright
Circuit Steward	Circuit	Rita	Yeowart

Signed on behalf of the Circuit by

..............................................(signed) Rev David Newlove Superintendent Minister ..............................................(signed)

George Denholm Circuit Treasurer

CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS North Cumbria Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 North West England District Circuit no 13 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1134232 If not a registered charity His Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number IThe HMRC number is equFvatent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to gNe to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charttable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Inslnjment 2014 No.242) Ministers- Rev. Davtd Newlove Rev. Phil Jackson Rev. Tokunbo Deacon Mark At1K*j Cirujit Stewards.. Alaft Feartsn Selb Harrison Rits Yeowart Treasurer.. Denholm NCMC SFA2025

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 Augwt 2025 Morth Cumlwia Circult Un- Circult Tots5s last SECTION A Fund FuwbJ5 a1 RECEIPTS a2 A55e5smenVShare 179. 179.90D 174,186 83 a4 Ca ttal T1 Bank and CFB interest and Investment incx)me 217.(JX) 217.1)00 121,045 1.808 13.701 1S.509 10,588 a5 Grants 31,0 34.000 15.224 45,500 24,789 a6 Other ieLipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 8,261 a7 219,672 230.700 11.261 461.633 la8) 376.108 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC. Pension and travel costs 145,878 18.609 164.487 198,841 b3 Manse Costs 31,725 31.725 37,887 Administration etc 14.577 633 15.210 25.758 b5 District Assessment 49,922 7.233 57,15S 43,725 Grants & donations 5,000 b7 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 27.487 62.8(K) 90.287 b9 269,589 70,665 18,609 358.864 Ib91 345.615 SEGTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7 49.917 160.03S 17.3491 102.769 30.493 Total fund5 brou ht forward from kst ear 88.599 169,875 262,308 231.816 Sub total c1+c2 38,682 329.910 13.515 365,077 262,309 Transfets and ad'ustments 16.OW) TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4 47.682 313.910 365,077 (¢81 262.309 (¢61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be included In totst recei payments above) dl Balance bfou ht fon¥ard f¥om last ear 3,913 d2 Offerin 51Grfts - re(Neil for extem31 anisations d3 OfferingslGffts- passed to exlemal organisatv)n5 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 + d2- d3 7.419 NCMC SFA22& 1d1

an ITrteFnal Oryani8atvMYJuhl LE Restsictal rt (xxthl t rJty thhnlhattry ¢oJ be forarty NlaiiKK#5t purtose. Thi% INTERIIAL ORGANISATIC4S e7 gJb lotal cl lniettl e¥ cirtuitaccounts Itoi rAg• 2.tOtsts colurnnl 451,633 101769 261308 {c61 365.077 HELD BYCIRClltt 461.633 1Q1769 262.308 365.077 TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYIIEFirs secnoN F STATEIIEIIT OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BAL4ACES CIRCUtr. FUIIDS HELD at31 f4 Centr81 41.136 169.875 313,910 SUB TOTAL 262.308 {c61 3,077 cIu5¥KJ Ip121 TOTALCASH FUNDS HELDBYC4RCUtT 261308 SECTrOII G At 31A 33371 35747 2.089,849 2 131274 L&*knlit SFA

Name of Circuit... Nlyth cUmla Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they indude all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signature of treasurer............ Name arKI address oftreasurer..G &oLQ-.£ bé .tro. fv4...................................... ...( &TuO............. Post CcwJe...£.A..7..1& Presentation to the Circuit meeting 5 confinn that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were111 be. presented to the Circuit meeting held on ....... Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting .. Date........................ Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the North Cumbria Methodist Circuit Charity Number .. 1134232 Responsibilities and basis of report I reporttothetrustees on my examination ofthe accounts ofthe... ....................... ... Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages ... As the CirGuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examinats.on of the Circuifs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sethon 145(5)(b) of the ACL delete or circle as appropriate C SFA 2025

Name of Circuit ... North Cumbria Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connecb.on with the examination { which give me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act" or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection wth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I have¥4.. obtsined independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finan Board of the Methodist Church whiGh are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of fimi (where appropriate) Address Post Code Date 20%S- delete or orcle as appropriate NCMC SFA 2025