2023-08-31-accounts

Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

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ASHBURTON
TEIGNBRIDGE
METHODIST
CIRCUIT
Annual
Report
2022/23
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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Teignbridge Methodist Circuit – 2022/23

The Teignbridge Methodist Circuit comprises twelve Church Council, of which Ashburton and Buckfast/leigh cover include more than one location, arranged in four sections as follows:

• Moorland: Ashburton, Bovey Tracey and Ipplepen Methodist Churches

• Newton Abbot: The Avenue Church (Methodist with United Reformed) and Shaldon Road Methodist Church.

• Coastal: Bishopsteignton, Dawlish, Shaldon and Teignmouth Methodist Churches.

• Buckfastleigh: Buckfast/leigh, South Brent and Totnes Methodist Churches

Circuit Leadership Team:

Paid ministers (ordained and lay), with pastoral responsibility/charge

 Rev. Kevin Hooke

 Rev. Gill Daniel

• Rev. Verity Phillips

• Ms. Sharon Hurlow

Circuit Stewards

 Mr. John Harrison

 Mr. Andrew Parsons

• Ms Carol Hughes

• Rev Paul Weir

Circuit Pastoral Worker: Mrs Sharon Canning

Circuit Administrator: Ms Kay Fice

Supernumerary Ministers: In total there are six supernumerary (retired) ministers in the Teignbridge Methodist Circuit, four of whom regularly preach in the circuit's churches.

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Trustees —2022/23

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Maria Alsop
Peter Leigh Alsop
Denys Bament
Marianne Barrett Rogers
Michael Barrett Rogers
Sheila Margaret
Bendall
Appointed 21/03/2023
Malcolm John Benton
Anne Berridge
Jennifer Bonner
Christian Canning
Sharon Canning
Vincent Canning
Gill Daniel
Rosemarie Dungey
Jill Elliott
Kay Fice
Jean Francis
Robert George Francis
Monica Gfeller-Harwood
Selwyn Green
Gillian Hardy
Stephen John Harris
John
Harrison
Appointed 20/06/2023
Wendy Hartley
Jane Holmes
Kevin Peter Hooke
Carol Hughes
Sharon Ann Hurlow
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Alan Johnston
Duncan Knight
Stephen Paul Major
Agnes McFeat
Alexander Wright McFeat
Carol Ann Morgan
Andrew Russell Parsons
Verity Phillips
Nicola Quaintance
Rosemary
Quin
Appointed 01/09/2022
Alison Frances
Rowe
Appointed 21/03/2023
Margaret Dawn Renshaw
Jean Sabine
Andrew David Sinden
Edward Stephenson
Patricia Stephenson
Michael Strickland
Patsy Tidball
Margaret Vosper
Serena Walcot
John Walton
Paul Weir
Anne-Marie Whiting
Frederick William Woodland
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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Objectives and Activities

We understand that we are not engaging in our mission, but rather participating in God’s mission to all people, in partnership with others and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We also understand that mission is all that we are sent to do by Christ. It includes not only evangelism but also service to our communities, pursuit of social justice and concern for the environment. We are to be signs of and sharers in the Kingdom of God and its values.

We understand that we live with the tensions of being both an inherited church and a 'discipleship movement shaped for mission' and that we need to work creatively with the opportunities and challenges this brings.

As a Circuit we believe that it is therefore our responsibility:

• To manage our resources strategically and prayerfully, to maximise their effectiveness;

• To support the churches in fulfilling their own mission strategies and objectives.

To do so we will:

• Conduct periodic Circuit Reviews to determine the greatest opportunities for growth and outreach

• Maintain appropriate levels of ordained and lay staffing, seeking grant funding as necessary, and deploying them in line with the identified opportunities for growth

• Maintain a balanced Circuit Budget

• Develop appropriate strategic ecumenical partnerships at Circuit level

• Foster Circuit identity and cohesion through Circuit Services and the sharing of information

• Work in partnership with neighbouring Circuits to use resources and expertise efficiently and effectively

• Encourage and support differing expressions of worship alongside traditional forms

• Group churches in ways which encourage the most effective partnerships between them for mission

• Encourage churches to work closely with their own ecumenical partners

• Provide Circuit opportunities for growth in discipleship and missional understanding

• Develop and maintain relationships with other services and organisations serving the wellbeing of our communities

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Achievements and Performance —2022/23

During the year 2022-23 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit continued to provide ministerial leadership to its churches, as well as supporting those which were struggling to pay their Circuit assessment in full. In addition it gave two significant grants: one to become a partner in the ROC project at Dawlish and one to enable adaptations to the premises at the Avenue. A smaller grant was made to support Ivybridge YFC.

During the course of the year Scoriton Chapel was sold, and in line with Circuit policy, the monies from it were allocated to the continuing mission of its Church Council and will be used to provide much needed disabled access to Buckfast Chapel. It is hoped that Buckfastleigh Church will be sold in the coming year, with the windfall also to be committed to local mission.

The Circuit Leadership Team looked at the accounts of the individual churches over the winter of 2022-23, which confirmed that although the Circuit was maintaining a balanced budget, this was putting an increasing pressure on local Church finances. The Circuit meeting, however, decided not to cut staffing immediately, but to request that each church also review its own mission statement for submission during the course of the year, so that the Circuit’s own strategy for mission, and the use of its resources, could be made more effective.

There was news of a significant staff change later in the year, with Rev Verity Phillips being withdrawn from the Circuit by Conference, to take effect from August 2023. This prompted an urgent reassessment of the shaping of ministry by the Circuit Leadership Team, supported by a Circuit prayer day held at Buckfast. One of the outcomes was that the Circuit sought to employ a part-time Local Lay Pastor from September 2023, to work in Ipplepen and Totnes. The Circuit Leadership Team then looked to bring further proposals about ministerial staffing to the Circuit Meeting in Autumn 2023.

During the year, the Circuit maintained the weekly Sunday Zoom service, which has become embedded as part of the Circuit’s life and witness, enabling a number of people to attend worship at times when they cannot get to a church building. It also maintained its Circuit plan, allocating Local Arrangement services as equitably as possible across the churches (recognising that some already take responsibility for parts of their worshipping life), and encouraging the skills of local church members in organising and taking part in Local Arrangements. The Circuit is also encouraged by the positive and developing ecumenical connections in many places, but particularly at Ashburton, (where the Methodist and Anglican Churches continue to support both a family mission development worker and an admin/IT post) and at Bishopsteignton and Ipplepen (where there is shared worship with the Anglicans at least monthly) .

The Circuit has also managed its properties, both those used for Manses and one that is rented out. It continues to use the revenue from the latter to support its ongoing activities. The Circuit continued to take seriously its responsibilities in safeguarding and GDPR matters and to support its Churches to do the same. The Circuit continues to review its Safeguarding policy annually in line with the changing requirements and guidance of the Methodist

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Church, engages in an annual Safeguarding audit, and supports its local Churches in several ways:

• providing templates for their own policies,

• overseeing DBS and training records,

• offering templates for role descriptions,

• the availability of the Circuit Safeguarding Officer for advice.

In line with Methodist requirements, all those leading worship on the Circuit plan (worship leaders and preachers) have undertaken advanced safeguarding training (either through the Methodist Church or at an equivalent level in the case of some of our regular visitors from our partner denominations).

Public Benefit

Throughout the year 2022/23 the Trustees of the Teignbridge Methodist Circuit have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and have acted accordingly. They are committed to continue to do so in the future.

Plans for the Future

The Circuit will need to embed its new team of Circuit Stewards and Staff. It will seek to support those churches as they develop projects for which capital reserve money has been earmarked —such as the building works at the Avenue and at Buckfast Chapel. A new Presbyter will join the Circuit next year focusing on the life of the Church in our Coastal Section. It will continue with its missional planning for the future and will review with the Churches the assessment levels in the light of changing memberships and circumstances. It will continue to encourage Churches to engage with their local communities and keep an overview of the needs of the area.

Reserves Policy

Our Reserves Policy is to hold at least six month's expenditure in hand:

• We hold a reserve for the maintenance of our team of presbyteral ministers of £80,000 to pay for the stipends of two such presbyters, including on-costs.

• We hold a reserve for our property maintenance programme of £ 50,000 to maintain each of the four manses and a fifth residential property owned by the Circuit.

• We hold a reserve of 50% of our other costs, which in the year to 31[st] August 2023 amounted to £ 45,920

As at 31[st] August the funds available in the General Fund were £259,657 against a reserve policy requirement of £ 175,920

Kevin P. Hooke, Superintendent Minister 15'" March 2024

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Tei8nbridy Methodist Qwcuit Owity NumbEr 1134246 Address.. The A¥enue Ch￿￿h. Th• A¥enue. IlewtonAbboL Oevon. TQ12 ZOY T•l4nbrhli• Methodht ami Clrtuit Nts24128 Statement ol Flnanci•l A¢thitiVs1SOFAI fort￿V••r￿dQ￿ JI Aw5t 2023 Gener41 FvTrd Modd R•5trk iUnr•stwt•dl Trust Funds (Unn￿lItt•d￿ Tot•1 k021-23 Total 2011-12 Doh4tlons and It¢•¢les Incomelrom moThetary lTr¥estments Incomefrom Invtstmtnt pr•Mrtis A55e5srnent5 Qn thurche5 Relund on purchase of 4 J•Eks Ck75e Grifit5 recelved Other charitable Income Sile of Scoriton Chwch MIKell•n¢oys In¢om• Tot•1 Inwm¢ 1.664 15.945 10.170 230.659 549 706 2.SS7 9,880 231.072 10.170 230.699 29) 4.014 4.014 ISS.487 77.128 706 )33.312 250.189 Exp•ndl¢ur• Grants and donitlons S•laries and •sso(i•t¢d c￿ts Propertv expenses Connexionèl lunds & mtl trusi le¥v DlSlri¢t Asstssm•ht & 7MCP Levy Ollitt expensts Orher outioln¢5 Independent Examlner's Fee T¢tal charitable expenditur¢ Galnslllosse51 on monetary Inve5tmenrs Galnslllossesl on lTrveStment proptrts Ntl Ih¢omelltxoÈndrturtl Tran5fer5 tse￿eeTh lunds Other 84in511los5e51 Net rno¥ement In fund5 42.710 17S.297 24.891 3.950 44.426 42.740 175.297 23.891 10.349 44.426 10,116 5.403 6.057 6W 119.679 6J.8SO IS9.408 45.736 23.2$8 45,089 399 10.116 507 4.896 6.857 5.180 301,657 341.961 25.1)X) 122.1701 29,1 38.643 15,0fy) .106 706 122.1701 60.ic* 706 3B.643 Total funds brou8ht forward Total funds carried lorward 1.610.522 1.588.352 177.978 2MIX4 21.194 12.9 1,810.694 1.819.337 1.884.466 1.810.694

John Harrison

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Telgnbrldge Methodist Circuit Charity number 1134246

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Teignbridge Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31"August 2023, as set out on pages 9—13.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act").

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• (1) Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

• (2) The accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Clare Lillington FMAAT Raddon Station Hill Chudleigh Newton Abbot TQ13 OEE

Dated: 30[th] May 2024

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Circuit No 24/28

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st August 2023

1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2015 version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102—the Charities SORP (FRS102) (2019).

2 Funds

The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the Circuit which are Unrestricted; the Circuit Model Trust Fund, which has wide purposes defined in Standing Orders and is categorised as Unrestricted and Restricted Funds which are held for a narrower purpose. There are no Endowment Funds.

3 Accounting policies

Basis

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at fair value at the end of the year, on the accruals basis, to show a true and fair view of the Circuit's financial position and activities. The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Incoming Resources

Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Circuit becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Resources Expended

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 Circuit to pay out resources

Grants

Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make payment.

VAT

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

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

4 Donations & Legacies Donations including gift aid Gift for repairs to Church Collection Gift Aid Claimed From HMRC 5 Income from investment properties 46 Kingsdown Crescent Ilsington Graveyard 6 Other charitable income Publications Connexional Funds Money return from Methodist Guild Holidays 7 Grants & Donations ROC Dawlish Project Ipplepen Church renewal for the “Hub” Buckfastleigh Chapel Lintels Shaldon Church Oriel Window Benovelent Fund donation by Rev Hooke The Avenue Church - Disabled Toilet Project Plymouth & Exeter District benevolent fund Ivybridge Youth For Christ bus Bude & Holsworthy market Chaplain 8 Paid employees Staff costs incurred during the year were: Gross salaries and benefits in kind - Ministers - Others Travelling Expenses	2023 2022 1,414 1,540 0.00 0 0.00 0 250 0
	1,664 4,540
	2023 2022 9,600 8,078 570 630
	10,170 8,708
	2023 2022 64 300 3,950 4,540 0 281
	4,014 5,121
	2023 2022 12,000 12000 0 45000 0 1020 0 4000 0 100 30,000 0 140 130 600 600 0 1,000
	42,740 63,850
	2023 2022 113,745 109,498 49,951 45,237 11,601 6,427
	175,297 161,162

No employee was paid at a rate of more than £ 60,000 per annum

	2023	2022
Average number of full time equivalent employees	5	6

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

9 Property Expenses Water rates Council Tax Manses Insurance Building surveys Church repairs Let properties 10 Office Expenses Telephone Printing Publications Wages charges TMCP Charges 11 Other outgoings Supernumerary fees Non Employee travel expenses Training Ilsington graveyard Miscellaneous Corbyn fund Apprentice levy Scoriton Church Sale Expenditure 12 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost Manses 35 Valley Close 135 Churchfields Drive 12 Moorlands Close 4 Jacks Close

2023 2022 1,785 1,527 8,838 8,639 7,887 27,623 3,920 3,555 0 2,125 0 0 1,460 963 23,891 44,432 2023 2022 2,936 2,864 584 584 896 867 480 0 507 1044 5,403 5,359 2023 2022 2,575 1825 1,237 695 330 450 540 1,474 1,680 0 0 637 616 0 316 7,068 5,307 31/08/2022 Add/Disp 31/08/2023 130,000 130,000 325,000 325,000 75,000 75,000 478,296 478,296 1,008,296 1,008,296

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Teignbridge Methodist Circuit

Charity Number 1134246

The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY

13 Investment Property Investments Dawlish	Fair Value 31/8/2021 Fair Value 31/8/2022 Revaluation Fair Value 31/8/2023 275,000 300,000 325,000 275,000 300,000 0 325,000

14 Restricted Funds

The only restricted fund is the Corbyn Fund.

	As at	Interest	Funds	As at
	31/08/2022	allocated	expended	31/08/2023
Corbyn Fund	26,121	706	0	26,827

15 Payments to Trustees

All of the paid employees are also trustees. There are 3 Presbyters, 1 lay minister, 1 lay pastoral assistant (part time), and 1 administrator (part time) whose cost is shared with a Circuit Church. Some supernumerary Ministers are also trustees who receive fees for taking services. No trustee is paid for services rendered in the capacity of a trustee. Expenses payments are made to trustees to re-imburse expenditure incurred on behalf of the circuit.

Supernumerary fees Travel Other	2023 2023 Number of £ Trustees 1,250 3 14,234 10 772 5 16,256	2022 2022
		Number of
		£ Trustees
		1825 1
		6,427 9
		1,680 9
		9,932

16 Capital commitments and contingent liabilities

Capital commitments and contingent liabilities
At 31st August 2023 there are no capital commitments.	(Nil)
No contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2023.	(Nil)

17 Fees for Examination of Accounts

17 Fees for Examination of Accounts
	2023	2022
Fees for accountancy or examination.	600	600

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