2023-08-31-accounts

THE METHODIST CHURCH - PURLEY CIRCUIT TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 01/09/2022 TO 31/08/2023

Charity Name

The Purley Circuit of the Methodist Church

Registered Charity Number 1134261

Introduction

The Purley Circuit of the Methodist Church (Purley Methodist Circuit) is largely a suburban circuit on the southern outer edge of the Greater London area, lying mainly in the London Borough of Croydon and Tandridge District in Surrey. The Circuit is mostly built up, extending from South Croydon with urban characteristics, through outer London suburbia to Surrey commuter territory, but including also areas of greenbelt. The area covered is largely affluent, though there are significant pockets of deprivation.

The calling of the Purley Methodist Circuit is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. It does this through worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism.

Mission Policy

The Purley Methodist Circuit exists to:

• share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action

• encourage people into a closer relationship with and deeper understanding of God

• serve the communities within its geographical area

• enable the Circuit churches to flourish and to carry out their mission

• safeguard and protect all at risk – vulnerable children, young people and adults

These purposes will be met by:

• strongly encouraging each church to set itself a strategy to fulfil these purposes, and to report progress in fulfilling their strategy annually to the Circuit Meeting

• using and developing a diverse mix of people, lay and ordained, paid and unpaid, as directed by the Circuit Meeting, in support of these strategies

• using the physical and financial resources of the Circuit in support of the strategies

• working collectively together as a team, to support one another and make best use of skills and knowledge

• building relationships with other Circuits and with churches of other denominations to share resources and to facilitate mission and service

At present the Circuit will:

• encourage the churches to seek vocations to the roles of Local Preacher and Worship Leader, and offer appropriate training to those who come forward

• ensure that each church has a recognised person as chief person giving pastoral care, and that that person is enabled to have sufficient time available to support that church

• seek to ensure that there are reasonably frequent opportunities for the churches to come together, for worship, for joint study and for social contact

• seek to ensure that young people are encouraged to meet with other young people from around the Circuit

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Objectives and activities

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of Union the advancement of:

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

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

• c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any 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 Purley Methodist Circuit had two Methodist ministers: Revd Dr Stephen Day, the Superintendent Minister, and Revd Sang Wook Han. Revd Martin Knight is a United Reformed Church (URC) minister giving 25% of his time to the South Croydon United Church, a Local Ecumenical Partnership (LEP) with the URC, and the remaining time is devoted to another local URC congregation. The Circuit’s activities are supported by a part-time Administrator, Mrs Linda Lucking.

There were three supernumerary ministers in the Circuit: Revd Ermal Kirby, Revd Jenni Kirby and Revd Stephen Mares.

The Revd Dr Stephen Day’s appointment as Superintendent of the Purley Methodist Circuit was for this year only. The Circuit is grateful for Revd Dr Stephen Day’s ministry in the Purley Circuit and prays God’s blessing upon his continuing ministry.

The Revd Graham Claydon-Knights was appointed the Superintendent of the Purley Methodist Circuit for five years from 1 September 2023.

The Purley Methodist Circuit comprised 195 members in six churches, including the LEP: The churches are located as follows:

Caterham Methodist Church: Coulsdon Road, Caterham, CR3 5NJ Coulsdon Methodist Church: 83, Brighton Road, Coulsdon, CR5 2BE Sanderstead Methodist Church: Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, CR2 9EF South Croydon United Church: Aberdeen Road, Croydon, CR0 1EQ Warlingham Methodist Church: Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9LE Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church: Whitethorn Avenue, Coulsdon, CR5 2PP

Hurst Green Methodist Church is in the process of sale. Meanwhile, to ensure good care of this Circuit asset, weekly meetings are held in the building and monthly services are included in the preaching plan.

The main activities of the Circuit in relation to its objectives are:

• The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to all people without charge

• The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups

• The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved

• The promotion of Christianity through the staging of events, services and assemblies at local schools

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The Purley Methodist Circuit gives leadership, encouragement and support to its churches as they offer a Christian witness in their locality and develop their individual callings. The staff aim to work as a team and will give significant attention to enabling the mission of the Circuit – primarily through local church initiatives, recognising the gifts of laity, developing and supporting them, appreciating that ultimately laity will do much of the reaching out. We are supporting youth work and children’s work in two areas and encouraging closer working between groups of churches. We have a number of Local Preachers and Worship Leaders. The Circuit offers shared activities to supplement what each church is able to offer, such as shared evening worship, groups studying theology, youth activities etc. It encourages the spiritual life of local churches and urges them to engage with the local communities in service and evangelism. Ordained and lay staff are valued and one Circuit Steward has special responsibility for their pastoral care.

We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and performance

• a) The Circuit has continued to encourage the local churches to offer meetings for prayer and Bible study and to find suitable ways to engage with their local communities in service and evangelism while recognising that the pattern of such activities will differ from church to church. Many of these activities resumed face to face and some churches continued to enable people to participate in worship via Zoom. Some meetings take place via Zoom to enable greater participation.

• b) The Circuit has continued to offer events which supplement what each local church is able to do by seeking to ensure that there are reasonably frequent opportunities for the churches to come together, for worship, for joint study and for social contact. Circuit services continued to take place monthly at Hurst Green Methodist Church.

• c) “The Way Forward” is a Circuit initiative facilitated by Revd Ermal Kirby in which churches were encouraged to consider their situation post-Covid and look to the future. This initiative is ongoing .

• d) The Circuit has continued to encourage the local churches to reach out and engage with children, young people and families. This work is particularly focused on Sanderstead and Warlingham Methodist churches. Alongside teams of committed volunteers, these two churches each employ a family worker and Warlingham Methodist Church also employs a youth worker. Warlingham Methodist Church is recognised as having a particularly effective ministry among children, young people and families and the Circuit is committed to learn from their approach (although not necessarily with the same target group).

• e) The Circuit has sought to ensure that young people are encouraged to meet with other young people from around the Circuit. Warlingham Methodist Church holds a monthly locally arranged youth service called “Ignite”, which all the young people in the Circuit are encouraged to attend.

• f) The Circuit has encouraged the spiritual development of church members by encouraging the churches to seek vocations to the roles of Local Preacher and Worship Leader, and offering appropriate training to those who come forward and making best use of the talents of members doing local arrangement services.

• g) The Circuit has continued to support and encourage the local churches in their ministry and mission.

• h) The Circuit has continued to ensure that each church has a recognised person responsible for pastoral oversight. This person works in conjunction with a team of volunteers to

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communicate and engage with those connected with their church to offer appropriate pastoral care, although the means by which this is done varies between churches.

• i) The Circuit has continued to ensure the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Circuit and in the churches. To ensure that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place in the Circuit each church has a designated Safeguarding Officer and their work is supported by the Circuit Safeguarding Officer.

• j) Each church is being strongly encouraged and supported to develop a particular focus in improving links to their local community and attracting new church members. The following explains significant aspects of churches’ engagement with their local community:

• i. Caterham Methodist Church is regularly used by a nursery school and a trampolining and gymnastics club. There is a small Junior Church. The church’s main outreach is a monthly coffee morning, well supported by the local community.

• ii. Coulsdon Methodist Church has house groups, a small Junior Church, a weekly “Open Church” with coffee and prayers, a seasonal Bible study group (which has replaced the monthly Bible study), and a toddler group. The minister has recently started a Maths group for school children. The extensive premises are widely used by the local community.

• iii. Sanderstead Methodist Church is regularly used by a local pre-school. A Bible study and prayer group meets monthly. A part-time family worker is employed, leading Junior Church, two thriving toddler groups (meeting weekly) supported by church volunteers and Brownies. A coffee club meets twice monthly for members of the congregation and the local community. The church has links with a local primary school, hosting visits and invitations to occasional services. Supports local and international charities including “Their Voice” for displaced people and the Douglas Murray home for the elderly in South Africa.

• iv. South Croydon United Church has extended its work in the community during the year. In autumn 2022 a new venture “Open Door” was launched. It provides a warm space and breakfast for an hour on Tuesday mornings during term time and has attracted some parents from the primary school next door as well as members of the community. The church has continued its work with the school. Children have visited the church for lessons and for their carol concerts as well as providing artwork for major Christian festivals, which has been displayed in the church. The Jack & Jill Club, which provides musical entertainment once a week for the retired, has continued. The church has again supported the charities Hestia and Croydon Night Watch, with the school joining it in providing food for the latter.

• v. Warlingham Methodist Church has both children and young people each Sunday in the congregation and two part-time Youth/Family workers. The congregation is focused on mission through families and youth work. It runs two weekly community youth clubs and a toddler group and on Sundays provides both Kids Church and Youth Church. It also runs annual outreach events, e.g. fireworks and a summer holiday club. It provides a monthly daytime film club and weekly Bible study groups. Alpha, Christianity & Life Explored courses have been run in recent years and are planned. A monthly contemporary worship service, “Ignite”, is run on Saturday evenings. It also has a monthly prayer meeting.

• vi. Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church runs a monthly coffee morning and lunch. The lunch has over 15 coming regularly. This initiative is supported by Sutton Council.

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National Childbirth Trust use the premises regularly as does the local knit and natter group. There are links with the Parish church and other Coulsdon churches.

• k) The Circuit has encouraged churches to respond to climate change as an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation.

Plans for the future

• a) Stationing process for one minister.

• b) Planning to mitigate the staffing shortfall as a minister is moving on from May 2024.

• c) Planning to use the recently acquired financial resources in support of the Circuit Mission Policy.

• d) Holding regular “Way Forward” mornings with representatives from across the Circuit.

Financial Review

The Circuit’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Financial position at the end of the reporting period

As at 31 August 2023, the net current assets of the Circuit were £496,978 (2022: £65,904) of which £34,368 (2022: £42,668) was held as a General Fund reserve, £6,695 (2022: £13,474) was held as a designated Manse Maintenance Fund reserve, £450 (2022: £450) was held as a designated Benevolence Fund, £455,465 (2022: £9,312) was held in a Circuit Model Trust Fund and nil (2022: £ nil) was held in a Restricted Fund. Of this, £4,634 (2022: £4,700) was held in a Central Finance Board Managed Model Trust Fund. The amounts for 2022/23 include (on an accruals basis) the net proceeds of £446,331 for the sale of the Selcroft Road manse for which contracts of sale had been exchanged in 2022/23 (with completion in September 2023).

The Circuit Model Trust Fund derives its income from sales of chapels and manses, and the application of the fund is restricted by the Methodist Conference. However, this restriction is an internal regulation, and the fund can be used for a variety of purposes, subject to approval from the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.

In the year ended 31 August 2023, no transfer was made from the Circuit Model Trust Fund (2022: £5,000 towards the Methodist Pension Reserve Fund).

Statement of the Circuit’s Policy on Reserves

The Circuit holds reserves in order to secure the viability of its future mission. The Reserves Policy takes into account the Circuit’s mission policy, and likely levels of future income and expenditure, based on planned activity. The Reserves Policy is reviewed annually by the Circuit Meeting.

The Reserves Policy of the Purley Circuit has been to hold a General Fund reserve equivalent to 3 months’ normal expenditure, excluding expenditure on manses, and in addition a Manse Maintenance Fund reserve to allow for the fluctuation in manse expenditure from year to year.

The General Fund reserve is not sufficient to meet the policy as at 31 August 2023. That being anticipated, the Circuit Trustees, in approving the Reserve Policy on 29 March 2023, noted that the anticipated sale of the Selcroft Road manse (and eventually Hurst Green Methodist Church) would provide the capacity to restore compliance with the Reserves Policy.

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It is anticipated that the Circuit Trustees will, at their earliest opportunity, review and, if necessary, revise the Reserve Policy and in so doing will authorise any transfer of funds from the Model Trust Fund to the General Fund deemed necessary to ensure that the Reserve Policy is projected to be met at 31 August 2024.

The Manse Maintenance Fund reserve will, similarly, need to be reviewed to ensure that it is deemed sufficient to meet likely maintenance expenditure. Expenditure in 2022/23 (£20,780) has significantly exceeded the budgeted amount (£14,000) transferred from the General Fund, largely because of unforeseen expenses incurred at Cranleigh Gardens. The next quinquennial survey (which will be for Woodhatch Spinney) is scheduled in September 2024 which may result in substantial maintenance expenditure.

The Benevolence Fund is applied at the discretion of the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit Leadership Team and is designated for the relief of poverty and distress. During the year, an appeal for funds to increase its resources specifically to assist persons with difficulties paying energy bills. Despite some prompting from the Circuit Leadership Team, no such need could be identified. So, the amounts received were returned to the donors.

The Circuit Model Trust Fund is applied to support the mission and development of the Circuit and its individual churches. The sale of the Selcroft Road manse (contracted within the financial year and completing in September 2023) and of Hurst Green Methodist Church (now anticipated in the first months of 2024) will replenish the Fund balance substantially. That will be more than sufficient to restore the General Fund to the level required by the Reserve Policy.

The Circuit presently has no Restricted Funds.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

As at 31 August 2023, no funds were in deficit.

Information on income and expenditure

In the year ended 31 August 2023, 85% (£113,268) of the Circuit’s income (other than capital receipts) was derived from assessments paid by each of the individual churches in the Circuit, and 13% (£17,544) was rental income from the letting of one manse. Total income was £132,677 (not including capital receipts and net income on the Circuit’s Model Trust Fund.) (The corresponding figures for the year ending 31 August 2022 were 71% (£113,268) and 16% (£24,666) and £158,433 respectively.)

Following the decision, on 23 September 2020, of the Church Council of Hurst Green Methodist Church to seek permission to discontinue weekly public services and subsequent approvals by the Circuit and by the District Synod, Circuit trustees became the trustees of the church and buildings. In consequence, a Capital Receipt of £900,000 was recognised as of 31 August 2022, based on the advice of our Surveyor, Bruton Knowles.

A committee comprising the Superintendent (ex officio), the Treasurer and Mr. Curtis Juman was tasked by the Circuit with negotiating a sale of the Church and its surrounding land.

A price of £700,000 has been agreed with Tandridge District Council and approved by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, subject to contract. Completion of the sale is expected in the first months of 2024.

In August 2023, contracts for the sale of the Selcroft Road manse were exchanged in the amount of £720,000. After the sale expenses of £16,115 and the payment of a Connexional Levy of £257,554 (37% of net proceeds) to the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, the Circuit received a net amount of £446,331 into its Model Trust Funds.

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In the year ended 31 August 2023, Charitable Expenditure (excluding the cost of selling Selcroft Road) was £147,989 of which 35% (£52,051) of expenditure was on pay and related costs, 17% (£25,806) was on the maintenance of property, 9% (£14,048) was on other property costs, and 18% (£26,021) was the Circuit’s contribution to the District and Connexion to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church, including a levy on the Circuit Model Trust Fund. (The corresponding figures for 2022 were Charitable Expenditure of £180,786 of which 46% (£85,310) on pay and related costs, 15% (£26,587) on the maintenance of property, 7% (£12,459) on other property costs, and 14% (£26,047) contribution to the District and Connexion, in each case not including a donation of £5,000 made from the Circuit’s Model Trust Fund to the Connexional Pension Fund.)

In 2022/23 the Circuit’s effective operating deficit was £15,312 (2021/22 £ 22,535) and an operating deficit is projected for 2023/24 also. The Circuit is expected to remain solvent for 2023/24 and 2024/25 but the Circuit Trustees will need to agree a plan to eliminate the deficit in the longer term.

Investment policy and objectives

Through 2022/23 the Investment Policy of the Circuit has been, firstly, to maintain in aggregate cash balances at the Circuit’s current account with HSBC and at the Central Finance Board Deposit Account an amount sufficient to maintain the Reserve Policy. The Circuit’s investments in the Model Trust Funds have been maintained to meet unexpected costs. Property assets are held either to generate income to support the ongoing expenses of the Circuit (Bromford Close) or to provide manses for the Circuit’s ministers.

Structure, governance and management

Purley Methodist Circuit is part of the London Methodist District and is accountable to the annual Methodist Conference.

The charity is constituted by an Act of Parliament. The governing documents for the Circuit are the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976).

Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).

The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of Presbyters in individual Circuits.

Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the District and appropriate Officers of the District for regional implementation.

The District passes the control down to Circuit level for local implementation by the Superintendent Minister, ministerial staff, Circuit Stewards and Circuit Treasurer (Circuit Leadership Team) via the medium of the Circuit Meeting. Day-to-day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team who oversee the day-to-day running of the charity and report to the full meeting of trustees.

The membership of the Circuit Meeting is laid down in the Constitutional Practices and Discipline of the Methodist Church.

The Managing Trustees normally meet twice a year, in September and March. The Trustees consist of Circuit office holders (appointed by the existing Trustees), Ministers (appointed by the Methodist Conference) and representatives appointed by the local Methodist churches.

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Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Purley Methodist Circuit and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Circuit and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Trustee training

In March 2023 Trustee training was offered over two evening sessions via Zoom during the week and also face to face on a Saturday at Coulsdon Methodist Church. Further face-to-face training was offered on a Saturday in June at Whitethorn Methodist Church. The training was delivered by the London District Learning Network.

A range of guidance is produced by the Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit. In particular, the leaflet “The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church” is given to each trustee and trustees are asked to read the information provided online by The Methodist Church for Managing Trustees.

Risk Management

Major risks are considered by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. A regular review process is carried out by the Leadership Team to ensure that the Charity is fulfilling its objectives.

Safeguarding Statement of Safeguarding Principles

It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.

Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.

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Principles

Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will:

• promote the welfare of children, young people and adults

• work to prevent abuse from occurring

• seek to protect and respond well to those that have been abused.

We are committed to:

• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults

• safeguarding and protecting all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable

• establishing safe, caring communities, which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.

We 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 checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We will respond without delay to every safeguarding concern, which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed, working in partnership with the police and social services in any investigation.

We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.

We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.

Working with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer, we will support risk assessment of those who present a safeguarding risk within a church environment. We will ensure appropriate pastoral care is offered and measures are taken to address identified risks including referral to statutory agencies, suspension and the use of safeguarding contracts.

In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.

The Purley Circuit commits itself to:

1. RESPOND without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, whether in the Church or in another context. It commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust. It commits itself to providing informed pastoral care to those in need, including the supervision of those who have committed criminal offences.

2. IMPLEMENT the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Guidance, government legislation and guidance to achieve safe practice in the Circuit and in the churches.

3. 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.

4. AFFIRM and give thanks for the work of those who are workers with children and vulnerable adults and acknowledge the shared responsibility of us all for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults on our premises.

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Reference and administrative details

Charity Name The Purley Circuit of the Methodist Church Registered Charity Number 1134261 Charity’s Principal Address Sanderstead Methodist Church, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, South Croydon, CR2 9EF Charity’s bankers HSBC UK Independent Examiner Mr R J E Bamford

The Charity Trustees are the members of the Purley Circuit Meeting. This comprised during the year of this report:

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Revd. Dr. Stephen Day *	Chair and Superintendent Minister		Methodist Conference
Revd. Sang Wook Han*			Methodist Conference
Revd. Martin Knight *			Methodist Conference/Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church
Revd. Stephen Mares*			Methodist Conference
Revd. Ermal Kirby*			Methodist Conference
Revd. Nigel Cowgill			Methodist Conference
Dr. Robert Baston *	Circuit Treasurer		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting
Mr Rod Bavin			Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church
Mr Brian Brooks	Secretary of Local Preachers’ Meeting		Local Preachers’ Meeting
Mrs Elaine Burrows			Coulsdon Methodist Church Council
Mrs Maureen Cebreiro			Coulsdon Methodist Church Council
Mrs Eleanor Day *	Circuit Steward Methodist Homes for the Aged Circuit Officer Church representative		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting South Croydon United Church Meeting
Mrs Marjorie Dear			Sanderstead Methodist Church Council
Mrs Christina Dench			Warlingham Methodist Church Council
Mr Peter Gammie			Warlingham Methodist Church Council

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Mrs Jill Gradon			Warlingham Methodist Church Council
Mrs Gwenda Hand	Hurst Green Methodist Church representative		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting
Mrs M Isted-Osborn			South Croydon United Church Meeting
Mr Curtis Juman	Local Preacher representative		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting
Mrs Heather Juman			Warlingham Methodist Church Council
Miss Doris Nicholls			Caterham Methodist Church Council
Mr Enock Nyongesa			Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church Council
Mrs Pamela Osborne			Coulsdon Methodist Church Council
Mr David Poore			Caterham Methodist Church Council
Mrs Helen Rankin	Secretary of the Circuit Meeting		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting
Mrs Jeanne Revnell	Methodist Women in Britain Circuit representative		Purley Circuit Methodist Women in Britain Meeting
Miss Susan Stevens			Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church
Mr Eddie Taylor			Sanderstead Methodist Church Council
Mrs Ann Wagstaff *	Circuit Steward Circuit Safeguarding Officer Church representative		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting South Croydon United Church Meeting
Mr A B Wallbank			Sanderstead Methodist Church Council
Mrs T E Wallbank *	Synod Representative Church Representative		Trustees of the Purley Circuit Meeting Sanderstead Methodist Church Council
Mrs Doreen Wright			South Croydon United Church Meeting

Changes to Trustee appointments from 1 September 2023:

Trustee name	Office (if any)		Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Revd. Graham Claydon- Knights *	Chair and Superintendent Minister	Appointed 01/09/23	Methodist Conference

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Revd. Dr. Stephen Day *	Chair and Superintendent Minister	Resigned 31/08/23	Methodist Conference
Mr Rod Bavin		Resigned 31/08/23	Whitethorn Avenue Methodist Church

• = Member of the Circuit Leadership Team

From 1 September 2023, Dr Robert Baston was appointed as a Circuit Steward and Revd. Ermal Kirby, Revd. Stephen Mares and Mrs Eleanor Day are no longer members of the Circuit Leadership Team.

Custodian trustees

The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Manchester are custodian trustees holding title to property belonging to the Circuit.

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

No funds are held by the Circuit as custodian trustees on behalf of others.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Revd. Graham Claydon-Knights Position Chair Superintendent Minister

Mrs Helen Rankin

Secretary

Date

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Circuit No 35/40

Purley Circuit

Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023

Notes to the accounts Income Donations and legacies Income from monetaryinvestments Income from investmentproperties Assessments on churches Capital receipts Grants received Rental income Other charitable income Transfer from Hurst Green accounts Total income Expenditure Grants and donations Salaries and associated costs 7 Ministers' expenses Insurance,utilities etc Propertymaintenance Connex'l assessment & model trust levy District assessment & connectional levy 12 Depreciation Office expenses Other outgoings 12 Total charitable expenditure Gains/(losses)on monetaryinvestments Gains/(losses)on investmentproperties 12 Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 12 Othergains/(losses) Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	General Funds (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust Funds (Unrestricted)	Restricted Funds	Total 2022-23
	£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies	-	-	-	-
Income from monetaryinvestments	1,865	255	-	2,119
Income from investmentproperties	-	-	-	-
Assessments on churches	113,268	-	-	113,268
Capital receipts	-	-	-	-
Grants received	-	-	-	-
Rental income	17,544	-	-	17,544
Other charitable income	-	-	-	-
Transfer from Hurst Green accounts	-	-	-	-
Total income	132,677	255	-	132,931
Expenditure
Grants and donations	-	-	-	-
Salaries and associated costs	52,051	-	-	52,051
Ministers' expenses	2,880	-	-	2,880
Insurance,utilities etc	14,048	-	-	14,048
Propertymaintenance	25,806	-	-	25,806
Connex'l assessment & model trust levy	22,567	233	-	22,800
District assessment & connectional levy	3,221	257,554	-	260,775
Depreciation	-	-	-	-
Office expenses	2,169	-	-	2,169
Other outgoings	25,015	16,115	-	41,131
Total charitable expenditure	147,756	273,902	-	421,658
Gains/(losses)on monetaryinvestments		(200)		(200)
Gains/(losses)on investmentproperties	(30,000)			(30,000)
Net income/(expenditure)	(45,079)	(273,847)	-	(318,926)
Transfers between funds	(720,000)	720,000		-
Othergains/(losses)				-
Net movement in funds	(765,079)	446,153	-	(318,926)
Total funds brought forward	2,736,592	9,312	-	2,745,904
Total funds carried forward	1,971,513	455,465	-	2,426,978

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Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2023

Notes to the accounts Fixed Assets Circuit manses & equipment 12 Investmentproperties 12 Investments 13 Total fixed assets Current Assets Debtors andprepayments 8 Loans bythe Circuit Investments with TMCP 13 Central Finance Board deposits Other deposits Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Current liabilities Creditors(due in under oneyear) 9 Grantspayable within oneyear Total current liabilities Net current assets/liabilities Total assets less current liabilities Long term liabilities (due after more than oneyear) Grantspayable after oneyear Other long-term liabilities Total long-term liabilities Net assets Funds of the Circuit General Funds(Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust Funds(Unrestricted) Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds	General Funds (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust Funds (Unrestricted	Restricted Funds	Totals at 31 August 2023
	£	£	£
	1,230,000			1,230,000
	700,000			700,000
		4,634		4,634
	1,930,000	4,634	0	1,934,634
	7,201			7,201
				0
		450,831		450,831
	37,854			37,854
				0
	7,517			7,517
	52,572	450,831	0	503,403
	11,059			11,059
				0
	11,059	0	0	11,059
	41,513	450,831	0	492,344
	1,971,513	455,465	0	2,426,978
				0
				0
	0	0	0	0
	1,971,513	455,465	0	2,426,978
General Funds(Unrestricted)	1,971,513			1,971,513
Circuit Model Trust Funds(Unrestricted)		455,465		455,465
Total Unrestricted Funds				2,426,978
Restricted Funds			0	0
Total Funds	1,971,513	455,465	0	2,426,978

Signed by

Dr R J Baston Circuit Treasurer

Rev[d] Graham Claydon-Knights Chair of Circuit Meeting

Date

Date

F-2

Purley Circuit

Notes to the Accounts

1 Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

2 Funds

The funds held constitute: a General Expenditure Fund held for any purpose of the Circuit and a number of Designated Funds held for specific purposes determined by the Circuit, all of 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. The Circuit has no Endowment Funds. Details of each material fund are disclosed in the final note to these accounts. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash.

3 Accounting policies

Basis

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market 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.

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 the payment.

VAT

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

Tangible fixed assets for use by the Circuit

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. The freehold property is shown in the accounts at 2015 deemed values, of which the land component is deemed to be £415,000 following the sale of the Selcroft Road Manse. No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse buildings (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the year-end) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The properties are reviewed quinquennially and appropriate repairs effected so no impairments are recognised.

Investment properties

Investment properties – Hurst Green Church continues to be held for sale as an investment property with a sale to Tandridge District Council expected in early 2024. Contracts for the sale of the Selcroft Road manse were exchanged in August 2023

Investments

Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year-end are shown in the SOFA.

Debtors and prepayments

Debtors and prepayments include the payment of the September stipend in August and other sundry debtors and prepayments.

F-3

Creditors

Creditors include assessments received in August for the following month, rental income received in advance and sundry accrued expenses.

4 Comparative figures for the previous year

4.1 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2022

Income	General Funds (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust Funds (Unrestricted)	Restricted Funds	Total 2021-22
	£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies				-
Income from monetaryinvestments	203	92		295
Income from investmentproperties				-
Assessments on churches	113,268			113,268
Capital receipts	900,000			900,000
Grants received				-
Rental income	24,666			24,666
Other charitable income	15,490			15,490
Transfer from Hurst Green accounts	4,806			4,806
Total income	1,058,433	92	-	1,058,525
Expenditure
Grants and donations		5,000		5,000
Salaries and associated costs	85,310			85,310
Ministers' expenses	5,495			5,495
Insurance,utilities etc	12,459			12,459
Propertymaintenance	26,587			26,587
Connex'l assessment & model trust levy	22,249	629		22,878
District assessment & levy	3,175			3,175
Depreciation				-
Office expenses	1,056			1,056
Other outgoings	23,826			23,826
Total charitable expenditure	180,157	5,629	-	185,786
Gains/(losses)on monetaryinvestments		(315)		(315)
Gains/(losses)on investmentproperties				-
Net income/(expenditure)	878,276	(5,852)	-	872,424
Transfers between funds	10,000	(10,000)		-
Othergains/(losses)				-
Net movement in funds	888,276	(15,852)	-	872,424
Total funds brought forward	1,848,316	25,164	-	1,873,480
Total funds carried forward	2,736,592	9,312	-	2,745,904

F-4

4.2 Balance sheet as at 31 August 2022

Fixed Assets	General Funds (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust Funds (Unrestricted	Restricted Funds	Totals at 31 August 2022
	£	£	£
Circuit manses & equipment	1,780,000			1,780,000
Investmentproperties	900,000			900,000
Investments		4,700		4,700
Total fixed assets	2,680,000	4,700	0	2,684,700
Current Assets
Debtors andprepayments	5,418			5,418
Loans bythe Circuit				0
Investments with TMCP		4,613		4,613
Central Finance Board deposits	50,483			50,483
Other deposits				0
Cash at bank and in hand	11,472			11,472
Total current assets	67,373	4,613	0	71,986
Current liabilities
Creditors(due in under oneyear)	10,781			10,781
Grantspayable within oneyear				0
Total current liabilities	10,781	0	0	10,781
Net current assets/liabilities	56,592	4,613	0	61,204
Total assets less current liabilities	2,736,592	9,312	0	2,745,904
Long term liabilities (due after more than oneyear)
Grantspayable after oneyear				0
Other long-term liabilities				0
Total long-term liabilities	0	0	0	0
Net assets	2,736,592	9,312	0	2,745,904
Funds of the Circuit
General Funds(Unrestricted)	2,736,592			2,736,592
Circuit Model Trust Funds(Unrestricted) Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds		9,312		9,312
Total Unrestricted Funds				2,745,904
Restricted Funds			0	0
Total Funds	2,736,592	9,312	0	2,745,904

F-5

5 Payments to trustees

ments to trustees
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement with the Circuit Meeting £ Number of trustees who were paid expenses Total amount of expenses paid to trustees £	2022/23 0 2022/23 5 21,202	2021/22
		0
		2021/22
	5	6
	21,202	11,401

Expense payments primarily relate to reimbursement for travel and other costs. The Treasurer was reimbursed £20,507 against his personal direct payment of expenses incurred by the Circuit. The Independent Examiner has verified that each payment so made was duly authorised by two of the Circuit’s bank account signatories and appropriate records thereof are held by the Circuit.

6 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts

Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts £ Other fees (e.g.: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor £ 7 Paid employees Staff Costs paid during the year were: Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind £ Employer’s National Insurance costs £ Pension costs £ Apprenticeship levy £ Total staff costs1 £ Average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year2: 8 Analysis of debtors and prepayments Stipends and associated costs paid in advance £ Other debtors and prepayments £ Total debtors and prepayments £ 9 Analysis of creditors (due in under one year) Assessments received in advance £ Rental payments received in advance £ Accrued costs £ Total creditors (due in under one year) £	2022/23 0 0 2022/23 41,908 2,689 7,244 211 52,051 1.2 2023 6,901 300 7,201 2023 9,439 1,338 282 11,059	2021/22
		0
		0
		2021/22
		65,764
		5,391
		13,894
		333
		85,310
		2
		2022
		3,458
		1,960
		5,418
		2022
	9,439	9,439
	1,338	1,050
	282	292
	11,059	10,781

1 Up to rounding.

2 Full time: Rev. Sang Wook Han; one-sixth time: Rev. Ermal Kirby.

F-6

10 Loans

The Circuit currently has no loans.

11 Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

At 31 August 2023 there were no capital commitments (2022: nil). No contingent liabilities were identified at 31 August 2023 (2022: nil).

12 Tangible Fixed Assets

12.1 Current Valuation

The following table displays the disposition of the Circuit’s properties over the course of the financial year, recording the effect of (a) the disposal of the Selcroft Road manse, contracts of sale being exchanged on 9[th] August 2023; and (b) negotiation with Tandridge District Council on the sale of Hurst Green Methodist Church (expected to complete in the first quarter of 2024).

	Land £	Manses £	Other buildings £	Fixtures, fittings and equipment £	Payments on account and assets under construction £	Total £
Balance brought forward		1,780,000	900,000			1,780,000
Additions
Revaluations (+/-)		170,000	(200,000)
Disposals (-)		(720,000)
Transfers*(+/-)
Balance carried forward		1,226,444	700,000			1,926,444
Accumulated depreciation
Balance brought forward		0				0
Depreciation charge for year (-)
Revaluations (+/-)
Disposals (-)
Transfers*(+/-)
Balance carried forward		0				0
Net book value
Brought forward		1,780,000				1,780,000
Carried forward		1,230,000	700,000			1,926,444

F-7

12.2 Sale of Selcroft Road

Until considered for sale, the manses have been held at their historic book value (as at 31[st] August 2015) as follows:

Property	£
22, Woodhatch Spinney	360,000
19, Selcroft Road	550,000
11, Cranleigh Gardens	410,000
1, Bromford Close	460,000
Total	1,780,000

Selcroft Road was sold for £720,000. This has been accounted for (a) by recognising Selcroft Road as an investment property held for sale; (b) recording a revaluation gain of £170,000; transferring the property at its sale price to the Circuit’s Model Trust (interest) Fund for immediate disposal; (d) recognising in the Model Trust Fund the payment of (i) sales expenses (£16,115) and (ii) the levy (£257,554) to the Connexional Priority Fund required by Standing Order 972 of the Methodist Church.

The sale of Selcroft Road reduces the book valuation of the remaining manse estate to £1,230,000.

12.3 Anticipated sale of Hurst Green Methodist Church

Continued negotiations to effect a sale of the Hurst Green Methodist Church have progressed and it is now anticipated that the Church will be sold for £700,000. This necessitates a revaluation adjustment downwards of £200,000 from the existing valuation.

12.3 Gain/(loss) on investment properties.

As a result of these property disposition the Circuit has recorded a net loss on investment properties of £30,000 as follows:

	£
Gain on disposal of Selcroft Road	170,000
Loss on Revaluation of Hurst Green	(200,000)
Net gain/(loss)	(30,000)

12.4 Other Outgoings

In additional to the disposal charges arising from the sale of Selcroft Road, expenses totalling £25,015 were incurred as follows:

F-8

	£
Payments to the United Reform Church	9,963
Preaching Fees	1,275
Relocation expenses (Rev. Claydon-Knights)	3,708
Miscellaneous Costs (principally cost sharing with the Croydon Circuit for Rev. Day (acting Superintendent for 2022/23 and costs incurred preparatory to the sale of Hurst Green Church)	10,069
Total	25,015

13 Investment assets

The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund are held by TMCP, mainly in the Trustees Interest Fund, on which interest is credited each month, with a smaller amount held in CFB Managed Mixed Fund units, as analysed below. These are regarded as medium- and long-term investments.

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 polity as determined by the Methodist Conference.

Analysis of investments Investments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange £ Investments held in common investment funds3 £ Securities not listed on a recognised Stock Exchange £ Trustees Interest Fund (see note below)4 £ Total investments £ Change in common investment fund valuations Carrying (market) value at start of year £ Plus: additions to investments at cost £ Less: disposals at carrying value £ Net gain/(loss) on revaluation £ Carrying (market) value at end of year £	2023 4,634 450,831 455,465 2022/23 4,700 (200) 4,500	2022
		4,700
		4,613
		9,312
		2021/22
	4,700	5,015
	(200)	(315)
	4,500	4,700

An amount of £446,331 (being the net proceeds to the Circuit of the sale of the Selcroft Road manse, after sale expenses of £16,115 and a transfer to the Connexional Fund (CPF) of £257,554) was credited to the Circuit Trustees Interest Fund in September 2023, on the completion of the sale. This is recognised in the table above because exchange of contracts for the sale occurred in the 2022/23 financial year.

3 Recognised as an Investment under Fixed Assets

4 Recognised as an Investment with TMCP under Current Assets

F-9

14 Summary of fund movements

14.1 Summary of fund movements for the year ended 31 August 2023

Fund Name	Opening Balance	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	Gains/ (losses)	Closing Balance
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted Funds
General Expenditure Fund	42,668	132,677	126,976	(14,000)		34,368
Manse Maintenance Fund	13,474		20,780	14,000		6,695
Benevolence Fund	450					450
Circuit Model Trust Fund	9,312	446,612	259	-	(200)	455,465
Total Unrestricted Funds (excluding land and buildings)	65,904	579,289	148,015	-	**(200) **	496,978

There were no endowment funds and no restricted funds in the year ending 31 August 2023.

The Manse Maintenance Fund is designated by the Circuit for repairs to and maintenance of manses. The Benevolence Fund is designated by the Circuit for financial support for those in poverty or distress.

During the year £14,000 was transferred from the General Expenditure Fund to the Manse Maintenance Fund for repairs and maintenance.

14.2 Comparative figures for the year ended 31 August 2022

Fund Name	Opening Balance	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	Gains/ (losses)	Closing Balance
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted Funds
General Expenditure Fund	51,305	153,626	153,570	-8,694		42,668
Manse Maintenance Fund	16,561		26,587	23,500		13,474
Benevolence Fund	450					450
Circuit Model Trust Fund	25,164	164	701	-15,000	-315	9,312
Total Unrestricted Funds (excluding land and buildings)	93,481	153,790	180,857	-194	-315	65,904
Restricted Funds
Covid-19 Grants for Circuit Fund						0
Total Restricted Funds	0	0	0	0	0	0

There were no endowment funds and no restricted funds in the year ending 31 August 2022.

F-10

During the year £13,500 was transferred from the General Expenditure Fund to the Manse Maintenance Fund for repairs and maintenance, £10,000 from the Model Trust Fund to the Manse Maintenance Fund and £5,000 from the Model Trust Fund to the Methodist Pension Reserve Fund. In addition, £4,806 was transferred to the General Expenditure fund upon the closure of the accounts of Hurst Green Church.

F-11

Declarations and Scrutiny

I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.

Signature of treasurer Date

Name and address of treasurer:

Dr R J Baston 57 Westhall Road, Warlingham, CR6 9BG

F-12

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the

Purley Circuit

Charity Number 1134261

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Purley Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages F-1 to F-11. As the Circuit’s 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 Circuit’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 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Name of Circuit Purley Circuit No 35/40

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 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; or

• the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of 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 a matter considered as part of an independent examination

• the trustees’ annual report is not consistent with the accounts .

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.

I have obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.

Signature of independent examiner ………………………………………………………………….

Name of independent examiner R J E Bamford Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ICAEW Name of firm (where appropriate) N/a Address 9 Peter Avenue, Oxted RH8 9LG

F-13

Date ………………………………………

Presentation to the Circuit meeting

I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on: …………………………………………………………..

Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting: Rev[d] Graham Claydon-Knights

Date

F-14