2020-08-31-accounts

Trustees' Report			l to 6
Independent Examiner's		Report
Statement ofFinancial		Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial	Statements		lo to 18

		Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	Trustees' Annual Report	for the period	for the period
			Period start date				Period end date
			Day	Month Year			oay	Month Year
	From		01	09 2019		To	31	08 2020
~ s
					~	~		~ ~
		Charity		name	Stoke-on-Trent			North Methodist	Circuit
Other names charity is			known by					None
Registered	charity number			(ifany) 1134240
Charity's		principal	address 409 Ford		Green Road
				Norton
				Stoke on	Trent
				Postcode				ST68LX
Names ofthe	charity trustees			who manage the	charity
Trustee name	ioNce	Ifany)		Trustee name ioNce		ifany)		Trustee name	ioffice ifany)
Rev. C Ambler		(Chairman)		Mr KTurner				Mrs I Pope
Rev. K Kerchal				Mr JBClaydon				Mr P Plant
Rev.J Smith				Mrs S Bowyer				Mrs J Shaw
				Mrs P Turner				Mr N Holdcroft
Mr P Owen
Ms H Snashall				Mr R Blurton				Mrs A Stanyer
Mr I Websell				Mr TTideswell				Mr G Bennett
Mrs EScott				Mr D Floyd				Mr K Prosser
Mr H Bowyer				Mr E Hambleton
Mrs SCooke				Mrs L Lawton				Mrs L Bould
Mrs C Foster								Miss C Rowe
Mrs JSpeed				Mr D Broad				Mr JTildsley
Mrs LParker				Mr R Perry				Miss P Baker
Mrs K Roberts Mrs 0 Brooks				Mrs J Machin				Miss SRay
				Mrs D Williams				Mrs BWhiston
Mrs J Dolan				Miss G Deakin				Mr G Simcock
Mrs D Fenton				Mr P Meredith				Mr J Smith
Mr A Hickerman				Mrs I Sant				Mrs BWilson
Mr D Wright				Mrs BBarnes
Mrs A Flavell				Mrs M Rowley
Mrs D Boulton				Mrs M Joynson

			The purpose ofthe Methodist Church is and shall be deemed to have
			been since thc Date ofUnion the advancement of:
			a) The Christian faith in accordance with thc doctrinal standards and
			discipline ofThe Methodist Church;
Summary ofthe objects ofthe			b) Any charitable purpose for the time being ofany Connexional,
charity set out in its			District, Circuit. local or other organisaiion ofThe Methodist
governing document			Church;
			c)Any charitable purpose for the time being ofany society or
			institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
			d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity
			subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church.
			The Circuit had during 2019-20 11 churches, each ofwhich (until the
			pandemic) ran weekly services ofworship. These were open to all
			people, without charge. The Circuit also provided preachers for Sunday
			services at the Claybournc care home run by Methodist Homes for the
			Aged. In addition, the ministers ofthe Circuit undertook baptisms,
Summary ofthe main			weddings and funerals, both for Methodist members and any others who
activities undertaken	for	the	requested them.
public benefit in relation		to
these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard tothe guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)			Each ofthe churches ran or supported various activities, which taken together included fellowship and Bible Study groups, children's activities, a youth club, lunch clubs, and a foodbank, and fundraising for a variety of charities including Christian Aid, Action for Children, All We Can (tbe Methodist Relief and Development charity) and Methodist Homes for the Aged. In addition, the Circuit ran a winter Night Shelter in Burslem,
			which accommodated and provided meals through the winter months		for
			people who were sleeping rough. Many church members were involved
			as volunteers on site, or cooked and delivered meals.
			We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's
			uidance on ublic benefit.
Additional details of	objectives		and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:			The Circuit Model Trust Fund had abalance at the year end of August 2020ofF253,219.67 This I'und derives from sales ofchapels and menses and is restricted	by
~ policy on grantmaking;			the Conference. This restriction is an internal regulation though the fund
~ liroramme	rela	ed	can be used for a variety ofpurposes

~	~
Summary ofthe main achievements ofthe charity during the year			In September 2019,the Circuit opened a ncw church —'Norton Community Church' —in a I'ormer community centre on the Norton estate, This had resulted from the amalgamation ofNorton Green and
			Norton StJohn's Methodist Churches, and the sale oftheir two buildings,
			A great deal ofwork was put into refurbishing the community centre to
			make a pleasant and flexible worship space with up-to-date community
			facilities.
			In September 2019,the Circuit also began the process ofseeking a new
			Superintendent Minister to replace Revd Christopher Ambler in
			September 2020. The appointment was listed by the District as a 'critical
			appointment', because ofthe nature ofthe area and the work ofthe Night
			Shcltcr. This meant that the Methodist Church was committed to filling
			it. In November 2019,it was agreed that Revd Jennifer Dyer, the then
			Superintendent ofDerby Circuit, would be the new appointee.
			Thc Circuit also reviewed and updated the Circuit Policy document. This
			is done annually to reflect the current structure and aspirations ofthc
			Circuit.
			The Night Shelter operated as usual through December to March to
			provide dormitory-style accommodation three nights a week for those
			sleeping rough. During this time, a review ofthe operation ofthe Night
			Shelter was conducted by Revd Will Morrey, a former President ofthe
			Methodist Conference. Resulting from this, the Circuit entered into a
			partnership agreement with Swan Bank Church in Burslem (the owner of
			the premises) to rcgulatc their working together. Another agrcemcnt was
			entered into with the charity 'Brighter Futures', which would have led to
			the Night Shelter operating seven nights aweek, had the pandemic not
			intervened.
			The second half ofthe year ofcourse proved very different fmm the first.
			The government required the closure ofall church services from 22"4
			March 2020,because ofCovid-19. Ministers and others in the churches
			worked hard to keep in touch with people by telephone and regular
			mailings, When it became possible in the summer for some gatherings	to
			resume, subject to social distancing and other safeguards, a few outdoor
			gatherings were cautiously held. Although it became legal to hold church
			services from the beginning ofJuly, the Circuit's churches decided to aim
			for September, because ofthe vulnerability ofmany ofour church
			members, and because ofthe measures that needed to be put in place
			before churches could open. Online services began, via 'Zoom', for those
			that could access them.
			The Night Shelter also had to close for accommodation. From the
			summer, the volunteers instead began cooking and delivering meals to
			those rough sleeping and in emergency hotel accommodation, first once a
			week and then twice.
			Sadly, during the summer it proved necessary to make the Children's
			Worker redundant, most ofthe projects she was involved in having come
			to a natural end owin to the volunteers movin awa or sufferin a

	~ ~					~ ~ ~ ~ r
						deterioration in health. The Circuit had been working on developing		s
						differently configured post, but this plan was put on hold	when lockdown
						came.
						By the end of August 2020, several ofthe churches were	preparing to re-
						open for worship in September. The Night Shelter was continuing to
						provide tskeaway meals and waiting to see whether they	would be
						allowed to provide accommodation through the coming winter months,
Briefstatement charity's policy		ofthe on reserves				The Reserves Policy lor the Stoke on Trent (North) Circuit is to hold sum equivalent to at least 3 months' average expenditure. This should		s be
						sufficient to meet any unforcscen item ofmajor expenditure on menses
						and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding	planned
						activities in the event ofthe closure ofa large church or	an inability to
						raise thc full Circuit Assessment from churches
						lt is necessary to hold sufficient working capital to enable the quarterly
						payment ofstipends snd business expenses for I Full time Circuit
						Superintendent Minister, 2 Pull-Time Ministers, I Part-time Children's
						Worker and a part time Circuit Administrator; snd our contribution to the
						District.
Details ofany funds in deficit				materially		There are none.
Further financial		review details				(Optional information)
You may choose to additional information, relevant about:			include where			Our chief source offunds is the assessment paid by the deriving from giving from our church members.	churches,
~	the charity's principal sources offunds (including any fundraising);					Our chief expenditure is on the stipends ofthe ministers Circuit Administrator and Children's Worker, all engaged key objectives.	and salary ofthe in meeting our
~	how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;					Funds not needed for day to day activities are invested with Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or the Central Finance Board, under the oversight ofthe Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment.
~	investment policy			and
	objectives including				any
	ethical investment			policy
	adopted.
						~ ~ e ~ ~ ~
						~. . . ~

	Signature(s)
	Full name(s)	Revd Jennifer Margaret		Dyer	Francesca Gravano
Position	(eg Secretary, Chafr, erc)	Chair (Superintendent	Minister)		Circuit Administrator
	Date	3 2L

				Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
				Funds	Funds	2020
			Note
Income and Endovvmcnts		I'rom:
Donations and Legacies				24,158		24,158
Charitable Activities				14,558		14,558
Other Trading Activities				369,692		369,692
Investment Income				11,578		11,578
Other income
Totnl Income				419,986		419,986
Espcnditure on:
Raising Funds				43,385		43,385
Charitable Activities				254,903		254,903
Total Expcnditurc				298,288		298,288
Nct Income				121,698		121,698
Net Movcmcnt in Funds				121,698		121,698
Reconciliation ofFunds
Total Funds brought	fonvard			1,590,127	10,529	1,600,656
Total Funds carried	I'ortvard			1,711,825	10,529	1,722,354

					2020
				Note	f
Fined Assets
Tangible Assets					544,155
Current Assets
Debtors					11,143
Cash at bank	and	in hand			1,IG8,407
					1,179,550
Creditors: Amounts			falling due &vithin onc year		1,35i
Nct Current	Assets				1,178,199
i%et Assets					1,722,354
Funds ofthe	Charity
Rcstrictc&l Income Funds
Restricted Funds					10,529
Unrestricted	Income		Funds
Unrestricted	Funds				1,711,825
Total Funds				17	1,722,354

2 Income	from donnti	ons	and lcgacics
				Unrestricted
				Funds	Total
				General	Funds
					f
Donations	and legacies
Legacies				24,158	24,158
Total for	2020			24,158	24,158
3 Income	from charitnble		activities
				Unrestricted
				Funds	Total
				General	Funds
				f
Income from charitable		activities		14,558	14,558
Total for	2020			14,558	14,558
4 Income	from other	trading activities
				Unrestricted
				Funds	Total
				General	Funds
					f
Other Income from other trading activities				369,692	369,692
Total for	2020			369,692	369,692

				Unrestricted
				Funds	Total
				General	Funds
					f
Income from	dividends:
Dividends	receivable		from group undertakings	4,974	4,974
Interest receivable		and	similar income:
Interest receivable		on	loans to related parties	6,604	6,604
Total for 2020				11,578	11,578

7 Expend	iture on raisi	ng funds
			Unrestricted
			Funds	Total
			Genernl	Funds
Investment	management	costs
Property	repairs		43,385	43,385
Total for	2020		43,385	43,385

					Unrestricted
					Funds	Total
					Genernl	Funds
					f	8
Allocated support		costs			138,662	138,662
Governance	costs				116,241	116,241
Total for 2020					254,903	254,903
9 Analysis	ofgovernance			and support costs
					Unrestricted
					Funds	Total
					Gcncral	Funds
						8
Legal Fees					1,863	1,863
Depreciation					121	121
Other governance		costs			252,919	252,919
Total for 2020					254,903	254,903
10 Nct incoming/outgoing				resources
					Unrestricted
					Funds	Total
					General	Funds
Net incoming/outgoing			resources for the year include
Depreciation	offixed assets				121	121
Total for 2020					121	121

13 Tangible Fixed Assets
	Land and
	Buildings	Total
		f
Cost
At I September 2019	544,397	544,397
At 31 August 2020	544,397	544,397
Depreciation
Charge for the year	121		121
At 31 August 2020	242		242
Nct Book Value
At 31 August 2020	544,155	544,	155
At I Septcunber 2019	544,276	544,276

14 Debtors
	2020
	f
Trade Debtors	11,143
15 Cash and cash equivalents
	2020
	f
Cash on hand	8
Cash at bank	1,168,399
	1,168,407

16Creditor	s:amounts falling	duc ivitbin one year
					2020
Trade creditors					1,351
17 Funds
		Balance			Balance
		at I			nt 31
		Scptcntber	Incoming	Resources	August
		2019	Rcsourecs	Expended	2020
				E
Unrestricted	funds
General		1,590,127	419,986	298,288	1,711,825
Restricted	funds	10,529			10,529
Total		1,600,656	419,986	298,288	1,722,354

			Total
		Unrestricted	Funds at
		Funds	31-Aug
		General	2020
		f
Tangible	Fixed Assets	544,155	544,155
Current	Assets	1,179,550	1,179,550
Current	Liabilities	1,351	1,351
Total Net Assets		1,725,056	1,725,056