## **United Stockport Circuit Trustees’ Annual Report for year ending 31[st] August 2021** ## **Introduction** Welcome to our Trustees’ Annual Report, where we will set out our achievements and plans for the future, as well as updating interested parties on a number of other important issues, such as finance, safeguarding and the public benefit we provide. On September 1[st] 2020 the United Stockport Circuit joined with the Romiley Circuit, continuing under the name of the United Stockport Circuit. During 2020/21 the Pandemic continued to shape many of our activities. Three churches ceased to worship, Trinity, St. Johns and Christ Church Reddish and plans commenced to dispose of the property assets and transfer financial assets to the Circuit, which by default became the managing trustees. Revd Katie Smith joined the ordained staff team and the Circuit Meeting agreed a new strategy for ways of working and agreed to give delegated authority to the Circuit Leadership Team for governance matters in between Circuit Meetings. Tiviot Dale Church continued to be used as a COVID-19 test centre, with plans developing for the use of the church and the development of town centre ministry in Stockport post-pandemic. ## **Aims and organisation** The circuit's mission statement is: _The United Stockport Circuit seeks to encourage and support local churches and communities so that people of all ages may become followers of Jesus Christ, grow in faith and deepen discipleship._ _The United Stockport Circuit believes in celebrating the love of God and the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice which Jesus made, by sharing the good news of the gospel with the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit._ _We seek renewal and growth recognising the importance of worship, prayer, bible study, fellowship and caring as vital ingredients for that growth._ We are an active, creative and dynamic Circuit that reaches out to all, sharing the Love of God through **Our Calling** , the Methodist Church’s statement of its purpose. The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission. The Church exists to: - Increase the awareness of God’s presence and celebrate God’s love (Worship) - Help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care (Learning and - Caring) - Be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice (Service) - Make more followers of Jesus Christ (Evangelism (Our Calling Conference Report 2000) The Following Strategy and Vision was agreed at the Circuit Meeting in September 2020. As a Circuit we are committed to identifying those areas where we can support local churches by gathering and sharing expertise across the circuit. We are also committed to developing a pattern of work, worship and mission in the name of the Circuit. In pursuit of these commitments we will emphasise two particular strands of vital work: - A Good Governance - B Public Witness ## _**A Good Governance**_ We are committed to operating within all relevant Methodist and Charity legislation to ensure an excellent standard of safety and wellbeing for our people (members, employees, adherents and users) financial management and oversight of our land/buildings. The purposes of the Circuit are expressed in SO 500 to “ _include the effective employment of the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance, as they relate to the Methodist churches in the Circuit, to churches of other denominations and to participation in the life of communities served by the Circuit..._ ” The responsibilities of the Circuit Meeting are found in SO 515. It is to be “ _responsible for the affairs of the Circuit and the development of circuit policy [and] it shall exercise that combination of spiritual leadership and administrative efficiency which will enable [it] to fulfil its purposes as set out in [SO 500]..._ ” In considering how the newly constituted Circuit Meeting of the United Stockport Circuit (“USC”) can best exercise that combination of spiritual leadership and administrative efficiently after 1 September 2020, the working groups from the existing USC and from the Romiley Circuit propose that: 1. Day to day responsibility for governance will be delegated by the Circuit Meeting to the Circuit Leadership Team (Ministers and Circuit Stewards); and 2. Work will be progressed and supported through sub-groups, specifically Finance, Property, Safeguarding, Tiviot Dale Management, Local Preachers: see the table below. In making those proposals the working groups recognise that governance is the ultimate responsibility of the Circuit Meeting, the members of which are the Managing Trustees of the Circuit’s property and finance. To allow the Circuit Meeting to effectively manage the Circuit’s affairs, in conjunction with the CLT: - a. The Circuit Meeting will meet twice a year to engage with its Managing Trustee business; - b. The Circuit Meeting will receive reports from the Circuit Sub-Groups, and will have general oversight of the Sub-Groups where those Sub-Groups do not report directly to the Circuit Meeting; - c. The delegation of its powers by the Circuit Meeting will be subject to certain limits, for example as to the limit of expenditure which may be authorised by the CLT without the express approval of the Circuit Meeting. ## _**B Public Witness**_ We are committed to being an outward looking Circuit. In pursuit of this commitment it is proposed to establish (initially) three Task Groups with the following remits: ## **1) Communications, Social Media and Campaigns** - Raising Social media profile for the Circuit - Offering support in “ways of doing church” e.g. online - Supporting task groups and local churches in campaigns, advertising, promotion of social events etc ## **2) Becoming an ecologically and environmentally sustainable Circuit** - Encouraging local churches and the Circuit overall to be ecologically and environmentally sustainable - To encourage members to practise ecological and environmental sustainability ## 3) **Being a church of the margins** . - Work with the elderly/those living with dementia - Work with those experiencing exclusion (homeless, refugees, LGBT+, BAME community for example) - Work with children, younger people, and those of working age ## **Brief financial review of the year** ## Income Trends The income from the church assessments were affected by the residual affects of Covid-19. To meet this short fall a withdrawal from Circuit reserves, this was an unexpected expense. There was an increase income from the reserves that were transferred for the Romilly merger . ## Expenditure trends Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved increases. Due to the pandemic and the planned closures of the worship churches at Trinty and St Johns there were some additional costs that hadn’t been budgeted for. This resulted in a withdrawal from reserves to meet the shortfall. Fund As at 31 August 2021 the net current assets of the Circuit were £ 289,7015 giving approximately 24 months cover for expenditure. ## **Plans for 2021/22** Much will depend on the extent to which society and church are able to open up following on from the pandemic. The Circuit will continue to offer support to local churches as they map their futures and it is intended to commence a wider piece of work relating to Circuit strategy and viability. A focus will be on developing town centre ministry with the possibility of seeking a new ordained member of staff to work in that area of the circuit. The proposed sales of St. Johns and Trinity Churches will bring additional income into the circuit to allow this to happen. Plans are in place to welcome a new property manager to oversee the premises at Tiviot Dale and assist with the disposal of Trinity and St. Johns. Pandemic permitting, a full programme of worship and mission activities are planned across the circuit. Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there remains 5 full time ordained staff with anticipated cost of living stipend increases combined with an increase in the assessment paid to the district. ## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard(FRS) 102 Full Name of Charity: United Stockport Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1134270. Main communication address Tiviot Dale Methodist Church, Tiviot Dale, Stockport SK1 1TA The members of the United Stockport Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report. Active Circuit Ministers Rev Catherine Bird Rev Raj Patta. Rev Lindsay Kemp Rev. Katie Smith Deacon .Annette Sharp Circuit Stewards Mrs Mrs. Viki Packman Mrs. Jayne Quinn Mrs Susan Beatty Mr Frank Dean Mr Dave Bryant Mrs Sharon Heginbotham Mr. Barry Shillito Administrator: Mrs Christine Hufton Name of treasurer acting as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year. Mrs. Sharon Heginbotham Independent examiner: Alan Brekin, ACA. 10 Prospect Place, Bury BL9 8EX. Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Bankers : CO-OP Bank Skelmersdale ## **Aims and organisation** The Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around the Greater Manchester Borough of Stockport for the Methodist Church. 1)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; 2) The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike. 3) The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. 4) The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. 5) Taking religious assemblies in local schools. 6) Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. 7) Provision of chaplaincy services where required. ## **Public Benefit** We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** "The governing document for the circuit is 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). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team, who hold delegated authority from the Circuit Meeting, along with the Local Preachers meeting, both reporting to the Circuit Meeting. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit , specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees. ## **Related Parties** The Circuit is part of the Manchester and Stockport District of the Methodist Church and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit: Windlehurst Methodist Church Hazel Grove Methodist Church Dialstone Lane Methodist Church Davenport Methodist Church Trinity Methodist Church (ceased to worship) St. John’s Methodist Church (ceased to worship) Christ Church, Reddish Methodist Church, (ceased to worship) Tiviot Dale Methodist Church Heaton Moor Methodist Church Heaton Mersey Methodist Church Edgeley Methodist Church Woodley Methodist Church Romiley Methodist Church Marple Methodist Church (including Jubilee) The Ridge Methodist Church ## **Any other specific organisations with specific linkage.** None ## **Risk Management** The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Safeguarding** Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm. Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: • the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults - the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable - the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. • 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 disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. • We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation. - 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. • We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult. - In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice The United Stockport Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The United Stockport Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. ## **Reserves Policy** The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 6 months’ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches. Nam• ol Clrcult UNITED STOCKPORT CIRCUIT Clrcult No 19102 Statement of Financlal Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2021 Note8 to the Clr¢uf(Mod*l &¢eo¥nt Fund Trust {UnreJtri*dl (Unrestricted) Rutrlthd FundB Totsi 202QQ1 CFB End¢)WnWht Funds Income 1 0analiDns and legacies 2 |nrDmèfrom monetary invégtmènts J [D￿mP[roM inve5trMnt propBrtk*S 4 A659*5mènts on Churchg Layworkors Gas& El8rlriC 7 Other + Romiley 8 Totsl iiWJme 1,4 61 30.805 323.070 78.354 25.493 S1,134 510,353 1.438 61 30.805 323,070 74354 25N95 279,6B3 738.902 42.664 42.664 185. 185,8BS Expenditure 9 GraDts3nddtsTrAt￿n5 10 Sakfies and 3¥￿￿￿13ted co 11 Property Th￿￿t￿anC4 Ltyworkers 13 DistriclA55essmBnt & Le Gas & Electnc 15 oificeexpense5 16 Otheroutgoings 17 TètAI ch#iitabhexp*ndlturè 18Gainsl(lossesl on monetary Inve51rnents 19 G8insl(lossesl on Inv￿mÈnI pFopertie5 20 Net ineomellexpeDdi¢vrel 21 Ti8rBfèts bèts4*en funds 22 Uhergain51llttses) + 3 Ilat 23 N*t rnov4mÈnt Sn fund¥ 24Tofal fvnd5brOughtforward Z5Tptal fvhdscaNledforw3rd 2.122 183.972 56.188 116,278 79,948 22,725 S.359 66.910 535,502 374 3￿.￿8 13, 1122 181972 56,188 116,27• 89,053 22.725 5.359 68,910 W,607 761 38.358 233.414 9.105 9,105 318 58 33,877 185.943 871,644 85.227 1,549,347 34,574 871,644 1,10S,058 1,791.957 2,897,015 33,677 232.110 265,987 185.943 10,5 10.511 164943 Unlted Stockport Clrcult Clrcutt Mo 1911 Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2021 Clr¢uttllDthI F￿n￿ 201W&) Flx¢dA56 Equ**ll 2,￿248 2.3* 1.419.246 Tof411Wasspts 135),2 Dthors Lo4ny 281.9 165.943 59.3n 292.451 185345 59.375 SJY.78Y Fwn(*ewnJOepa* CÉ¥*atB£nk8nd ￿ haThl B4￿23 1Q.$11 Cumrtlr4NIN*É Credrtgr5 (due In l yee GraThis pavaN&vni￿￿2o1e.l9 IQ511 341n1 1897,015 1,791.967 Lon8term Ilabillties dueafter more ihan one Gran18payable aftEr￿18-19 Loon$w IhgCittUit Netassit 10,511 U97MI5 1.791.*57 FundsolthBClrcu GwoiFwhY Ch￿1 MDddTws1 F￿￿ IUnies*b O•yJllnJtsiFw*slUnrestrde 2.886.9 2￿86￿￿ 1.549.347 232.110 1,7alA57 Tot•lFunrfs 2,885,604 10.$11 2m7.ols 1.791,¥57 Sfjgned CircuiiTrea5urer Mrs Sharon Hegln￿thaM To be completed by Circults wlth total income and endowments o* more than £500,000 Name of Circuit United Stockport Circuit Circuit No 19102 Cash flow rtatement for the year ended 31 August 2021 2021 2020 Statement of cash tlows Nots Cash from operatinB activities Net cash used in opetsting activities 225,922 115.521 Cash flows from imiestlng actlvltles Dividends,intere5t and rents from inve5tment5 Proteeds Irom the sale of property,plant and equipment PLtrchase of property,plant and equipment Purchase of intanglble assets Proceeds from the sale of iTrve5tmentS Purchase of investments Other -30,866 -8,946 Net cash provlded by investing actlvltles -30.866 -8,946 Cash flow5 from flnanclng artlvitie5 New borrowing Repayments of borrowing Net cash used In financing arthvities Changè In cash and cash equivalent5 in the reportlng period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equNalents at the end of the reportlm# perlod 195,056 342,711 537,767 106,575 236,136 342.711 2021 2020 Recontillatlon of net Income to net cash flow from operattng artivitles Net income for the reportiri8 period l as per statement of financial activitlesl Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortisation charges Profit on the sale of fixed a55et5 Loss on the sale of fixed assets Gains on investments Dlvldends. Interest and rents from investments Decreasellincreasel in Stocks lincreaselldecrease in debtors increaselldecreasel sn creditors 195,056 106,575 30.866 8,946 Net cash used in operatyn8 3Cti¥ities 225,922 115.521 2021 2020 Analysls of cash and cash equivalent Cash in hand Short term deposit Iless than 3 months) Totsl cash and osh equlvalents 59,373 478.394 537,767 84,523 258,188 342,711 Name of Circuit . UNITED STOCKPORT CIRCUIT............. No...19 02........ Declarations and Scrutiny I confim that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 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 ...MRS SHARON HEGINBOTHAM 8 Chinley Close Heaton Moor Stockport SK4 4ER Presentatbon to the Circuit meeting I confim that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting . .REV'D CATHY BIRD............Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the .UNITED STOCKPORT Circuit Charity Number 1134270.............. Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the UNITED STOCKPORT... Circuit for the year ended 31 Augusl 2021 set out on pages . to 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. delete or Circle as appropriate Name of Circuit . UNITED STOCKPORT CIRCUIT....... No...19 02........ Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 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 aa16Joc2 Name and address of treasurer ... MRS SHARON HEGINBOTHAM 8 Chinley Close Heaton Moor Stockport SK4 4ER Presentation to the Circuit meeting I confirm thal the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting . .REV'D CATHY BIRD..-.........Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the .UNITED STOCKPORT Circuit Charity Number 1134270.........-.... Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the UNITED STOCKPORT... Circutt for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages . 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 ACY). 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. delete or circle as appropriate