Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY **----- Start of picture text -----**
ASHBURTON
TEIGNBRIDGE
METHODIST
CIRCUIT
Annual
Report
2023/24
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1 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY ## _**Teignbridge Methodist Circuit – 2023/24**_ The Teignbridge Methodist Circuit comprises twelve Church Councils, of which Ashburton covers more than one location. The Churches are arranged in four sections as follows: - **Moorland:** Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfast and South Brent Methodist Churches - **Newton Abbot:** The Avenue Church (Methodist with United Reformed) and Shaldon Road Methodist Church. - **Coastal:** Bishopsteignton, Dawlish, Shaldon and Teignmouth Methodist Churches. - **Totnes:** Ipplepen and Totnes Methodist Churches ## **Circuit Leadership Team:** Paid ministers (ordained and lay), with pastoral responsibility/charge during 2023-24 - Rev. Kevin Hooke  Ms Sharon Hurlow - Rev. Gill Daniel  Ms. Sara Crouch, Local Lay Pastor (in Training) 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. 2 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY ## Trustees —2023/24 'Trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows' **----- Start of picture text -----**
Maria Alsop
Denys Bament
Marianne Barrett Rogers
Michael Barrett Rogers
Helen
Bell
Appointed 1/9/2024
Sheila Margaret Bendall
Malcolm John Benton
Anne Berridge
Jane
Billing
Appointed 1/3/2025
Jennifer Bonner
Christian Canning
Sharon Canning
Vincent Canning
Sara
Crouch
Appointed 1/9/2024
Gill Daniel
Rosemarie Dungey
Jill Elliott
Kay Fice
Jean Francis
Ann
Golpin
Appointed 1/4/2024
Gillian Hardy
Stephen John Harris
John Harrison
Jane Holmes
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Kevin Peter Hooke
Sharon Ann Hurlow
Alan Johnston
Duncan Knight
Stephen Paul Major
Agnes McFeat
Alexander Wright McFeat
Carol Ann Morgan
Andrew Russell Parsons
Arthur
Pengelly
Appointed 1/9/2024
Nicola Quaintance
Rosemary Quin
Jean Sabine
Andrew David Sinden
Edward Stephenson
Tricia Stephenson
Patsy Tidball
Margaret Vosper
Serena Walcot
John Walton
Paul Weir
Anne-Marie Whiting
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3 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 4 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY ## Achievements and Performance —2023/24 During the year 2023-24 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit continued to provide ministerial leadership to its churches. it gave a significant grant as a partner in the ROC project at Dawlish and one smaller donation to support Ivybridge YFC. During the course of the year Buckfastleigh 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 financial support the Church and mission at Buckfast Chapel. The Circuit Leadership Team looked at the accounts of the individual churches over the winter of 2023-24, which confirmed that although the Circuit was maintaining a balanced budget, this was putting an increasing pressure on local Church finances. The Circuit meeting decided 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. In addition, the Circuit entered the stationing process for a part-time minister for the Coastal Section from September 2024, recognising that in the long term this would help alleviate the financial pressures, and was successfully matched with Rev. Helen Bell. 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 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 5 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY 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 2023/24 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 seek to support those churches as they develop projects for which capital reserve money has been earmarked —such as the building works 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. ## Designated Funds The proceeds of the Sale of Scoriton Church building and Buckfastleigh Church building have been passed to the Circuit. As the Methodist Church at Buckfastleigh did not close these funds are included in the Circuit accounts as being designated funds for the use of Buckfastleigh church. Buckfastleigh Methodist Church is now referred to as Buckfast Methodist Church. A designated column has been added into the SOFA and Balance Sheet. ## Reserves Policy Our Reserves Policy is to maintain a General Fund value sufficient: - To hold a reserve for the maintenance of our team of presbyteral ministers of - £90,800 to pay for the stipends of two such presbyters, including on-costs. - To hold a reserve for our property maintenance of £ 50,000 for the four manses and a fifth residential property owned by the Circuit. - We hold a reserve of 50% to cover other running costs, which in the year to 31[st] August 2024 amounted to £ 57,900 The reserves at year end were set at £ 198,700 Kevin P. Hooke, Superintendent Minister 15[th] June 2025 6 No2412J To 1021.23 >Z4 DMitlonsanttlo8ad Incornefrommonelarylnwutinon Incomefromin¥e51rneTht ptCPErDe5 A58essrnent5wChy￿￿e5 14 10.330 &1 26.598 212A15 10,170 230,659 29) 212A15 Repay￿￿1 lSm7 7n 3.777 Si*cfSrrtrtonch￿T(h 5i*ofBwkfa511wshl*lWblthJrth Mis¢ollanÈ¢uS In¢tyY* Tolal In[￿¢ 70,5 162.921 JJJ 42.PlQ PropoityeNpon1•5 CNn•xwillund5& W￿￿111U%tthtODAF D15tTI(IAs>E53rnMt& Lww TFACP LÈY Qttl¢È*xynws 41.319 6J75 13.164 53. 53.560 44,416 4LIg3 .955 5A0¥ J4.J79 lnd•p•nd•ntE￿NN1'1F •)1.761 319.679 (4Y.9111 JOYJ17 61A91 IT.FTd $19) ,SJ4 )È,641 Ttinif•15 betW￿￿￿Tr 17Q 104n61 Tor•1 T¢LII lurf>Urde4 ltyw*¢ l.W.J37 1.819.694 1849 337 John Harrison 8 ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Teignbridge 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 31st August 2024, as set out on pages 7 – 13. ## **Responsibilities and basis of the report** 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** 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). I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - The accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and - Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of these accounts to be reached. ## **Clare Lillington FMAAT** Raddon Station Hill Chudleigh Newton Abbot TQ13 0EE Dated: 12th June 2025 9 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. 10 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY |**4 Donations & Legacies**
**2024**
**_2023_**
Donations including gift aid
140
_1,414_
Gift for repairs to Church
0
_0_
Collection
0
_0_
Gift Aid Received
0
_250_
**140**
_1,664_
**5 Income from investment properties**
**2024**
**_2023_**
4 Jacks Close
15,348
_0_
46 Kingsdown Crescent
9,950
_9,600_
Ilsington Graveyard
1,300
_570_
**26,598**
_10,170_
**6 Other charitable income**
**2024**
**_2023_**
Publications
17
_64_
Connexional Funds
3,760
_3,950_
**3,777**
_4,014_
**7 Grants & Donations**
**2024**
**_2023_**
ROC Dawlish Project
12,000
_12000_
Buckfastleigh Methodist Church
30,869
_30000_
Plymouth & Exeter District benevolent fund
140
_140_
Ivybridge Youth For Christ
1,000
_600_
**44,009**
_42,740_
**8 Paid employees**
**2024**
**_2023_**
Staff costs incurred during the year were:
Gross salaries and benefits in kind - Ministers
75,024
_113,745_
- Other people
77,895
_49,951_
Travelling Expenses
9,192
_11,601_
**162,111**
_175,297_
No employee was paid at a rate of more than £ 60,000 per annum
**2024**
**_2023_**
Average number of full time equivalent employees
4.7
_5_||**2024**
**_2023_**
140
_1,414_
0
_0_
0
_0_
0
_250_| |---|---|---| |||**140**
_1,664_| |||**2024**
**_2023_**
15,348
_0_
9,950
_9,600_
1,300
_570_| |||**26,598**
_10,170_| |||**2024**
**_2023_**
17
_64_
3,760
_3,950_| |||**3,777**
_4,014_| |||**2024**
**_2023_**
12,000
_12000_
30,869
_30000_
140
_140_
1,000
_600_| |||**44,009**
_42,740_| |||**2024**
**_2023_**

75,024
_113,745_
77,895
_49,951_
9,192
_11,601_| |||**162,111**
_175,297_| 11 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
Stationing
Apprentice levy
**12 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost**
**Manses**
35 Valley Close
135 Churchfields Drive
12 Moorlands Close
4 Jacks Close
**13 Investment Property**
Dawlish||**2024**
**_2023_**
1,763
_1,785_
9,287
_8,838_
25,773
_7,887_
4,228
_3,920_
0
_0_
0
_0_
1,269
_1,460_
**42,319**
_23,891_
**2024**
**_2023_**
3,031
_2,936_
584
_584_
182
_895.5_
480
_480_
679
_507.24_
**4,955**
_5,403_
**2024**
**_2023_**
2,114
_2575_
1,249
_1237_
907
_695_
720
_450_
1,304
_1474_
7,438
_0_
648
_637_
**14,379**
_7,068_
**31/08/2023**
**Add/Disp**
**_31/08/2024_**
130,000
_130,000_
325,000
_325,000_
75,000
_75,000_
478,296
_478,296_
1,008,296
_1,008,296_
**Fair Value**
**31/8/2023**
**Revaluation**
**_Fair Value_**
**_31/8/2024_**
325,000
0
_346,750_
325,000
0
_346,750_| |---|---|---| ||**Fair Value**
**31/8/2022**|| ||300,000|| ||300,000|| 12 Teignbridge Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1134246 The Avenue Church, The Avenue, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2BY ## **14 Restricted Funds** The only restricted Fund is the Corbyn Fund |**14 Restricted Funds**
The only restricted Fund|is the Corbyn Fund|||| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**As at**|**Interest**|**Funds**|**As at**| ||**31/08/2023**|**Allocated**|**Expended**|**31/08/2024**| |Corbyn Fund|22,900|811|9,400|14,311| ## **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 reimburse expenditure incurred on behalf of the circuit |Supernumerary fees
Travel
Other|**2024**
**2024**
**Number of**
**£**
**Trustees**
1,014
4
9,624
8
4,503
4
15,141|**2023**
**_2023_**| |---|---|---| |||**_Number of_**| |||**£**
**_Trustees_**| |||1250
_3_| |||14,234
_10_| |||772
_5_| |||16,256| ## **16 Transfers** A column was added to the SOFA this year to show designated funds for Buckfast Methodist Church. At the end of 2022-23 designated funds were included in the balance sheet. The Funds designated for Buckfast that the beginning of the year were £ 61491. A transfer between the TMCP unrestricted and TMCP designated columns in the SOFA has been included. ## **17 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) ## **18 Fees for Examination of Accounts** ||**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---| |Examiners Fees|600|600| 13