REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1134270
Report of the Trustees for the Year ended 31 August 2025
for
United Stockport Circuit
1
United Stockport Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities ‘Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2015' as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRSSE).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1134270
Principal address
United Stockport Circuit Circuit Office Tiviot Dale Methodist Church Tiviot Dale Stockport SK1 1TA
Trustees
The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees. A full list of trustees is at Annex A to this report.
Accountant and Auditor
McKellens Limited Chartered Accountants 11 Riverview The Embankment Business Park Vale Road Heaton Mersey Stockport SK4 3GN
Advisers
The charity's investment managers are:
The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ. The Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, 9 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4PE
The following ministers acted throughout the year:
Rev. Michael Aspinall Rev. Catherine Bird (Superintendent). Appointment curtailed 4[th] January 2025. Rev. Philip Dew Rev. Dr. Raj Patta Rev. Dr. Katharine Smith (Superintendent from 4[th] January 2025). Deacon Janet Amey Deacon Judith Laycock
2
United Stockport Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
The charitable trust, constituted by the Deed of Union 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976, is part of the Methodist Church of UK. The trustees listed have served throughout the year. Appointment of trustees is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. The Managing Trustees of Churches and the Circuit are empowered by our Standing Orders to appoint new trustees and to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an existing trustee.
Circuit Managing Trustees have regular meetings where the Circuit’s main areas of activity and by extension the aims of the charity are discussed and agreed. The day to day functioning of the circuit is governed by Standing Orders as set out in the Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. The charitable trust is registered with the Charity Commission.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
The key message is that ‘normal’ Circuit expenditure is significantly higher than ‘normal’ Circuit income. The numbers presented in this overview provide an indication of the financial position of the circuit..
The Circuit has continued to employ two part-time lay employees as Circuit Administration Manager and Circuit Property Administrator.
The manse at Mile End Lane has been occupied by tenants since October 2023.
The total income and expenditure account for the year is detailed in the financial statements. The total assessment levied on the churches was £293,600. The Circuit made an operating loss in the year of £220,465 including drawing down £64,180 from reserves as planned to cover the costs of the Town Centre Project (including the ministry costs) and the Hong Kong Fellowship. The General Fund had an operating loss of £41,754 which can be simply thought of as the loss that the circuit has made excluding special projects and the district levy. The circuit are holding significant cash reserves which are subject to the model trust levy. The total levy was £259,505 which was offset by interest on the reserves of £146,174.
The Circuit Superintendent curtailed their appointment on the 4[th] January 2025 which resulted in a reduction in the stipends, expenses and council tax paid by the circuit of approximately £30,000. The financial position was also helped by a reduction in the pension contributions to MMPS following the conference decision to reduce the contribution rate.
The total value of manse and church property managed by the Circuit remained unchanged from 2023/24 (£2,959,051).
The circuit has commitments of £380,307 to fund the remaining two years of the commitment to the town centre ministry, the commitment (over the coming three years) to the Hong Kong Fellowship, the grant fund, the
3
United Stockport Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Windlehurst Layworker and a manse maintenance fund.
Reserves policy
The Managing Trustees have reviewed the major risks which the charity faces and consider that there are none which would stop the charity from maintaining its objectives. Assessments from individual churches have been agreed for the forthcoming year. It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a reasonable level to cover unforeseen expenses. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs for at least 6 months.
Funds available are sufficient to permit the trust to continue in operation in the medium term, given the agreed assessments of the individual churches and the Connexional nature of its governance. The trustees review the major risks which the charity faces and consider that there are none which would stop the charity from maintaining its objectives. Support from individual churches has been promised for the forthcoming year.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
4
United Stockport Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Safeguarding
The Circuit is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance, and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
Investment Powers
The Methodist Church Act 1976 authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the general and other funds of the charity, and such investments are presently held and shown within the financial statements at their current value.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives and aims of the Managing Trustees are to oversee and further the work of the Methodist Church. To this end, those activities which come within the oversight of the Managing Trustees are to provide ministerial oversight, manage circuit property including manses, contribute, as agreed, to District and Connexional assessments and be mindful of development opportunities for the Circuit. In order to do this the Managing Trustees, raise assessments on individual Methodist Churches in the United Stockport area in accordance with Standing Orders. They may also make grants to individual churches for property, Ministry and Mission as permitted and governed by the Standing Orders. The Managing Trustees believe that these activities and the church resources are for the public benefit as, through its work the Managing Trustees enable pastoral ministry, spiritual engagement and contribute to community development in the United Stockport area. The Managing Trustees have noted the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
The United Stockport Circuit continues to oversee a wide range of mission related activities, mostly undertaken by the member churches throughout the borough of Stockport.
At the Town Centre premises, known as Tiviot Dale, a welcome is given to a community café that provides a meal and social space for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and otherwise disadvantaged. Around the circuit the staff continue to offer wide ranging input of a pastoral and practical nature to the churches to support good governance and mission outreach. The churches host bible study and fellowship groups; parent and toddler groups; a welcome space for asylum seekers housed in a local hotel; an activity group for adults with learning disabilities; dementia cafes; film clubs; craft spaces and a wide variety of other activities. Most church buildings are used to host a wide range of community organisations who benefit from good quality and affordable space.
The circuit works closely within the North West England District of the Methodist Church, and within the structures of the national Methodist Church, benefitting from training, ministry and governance resources.
The circuit continued to promote environmental issues in line with the comprehensive eco policy.
A lot of the work in the circuit is done on a voluntary basis and includes that of Circuit and church officers, Local Preachers and Worship Leaders, members, and secretaries of all the church committees and those assisting in running children’s work etc. Ministerial and lay staff members, along with volunteers within the church, continue to undergo Safeguarding training. The connexion have introduced EDI (Equality, Diversion & Inclusion) Training and this is being rolled out to the relevant officers, with plans to enable in-person as well as online engagement with this material.
5
United Stockport Circuit Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Transforming Church and Communities have been retained to manage day-to-day circuit finances, and the current account has been transferred to CAF bank. These changes have enabled much more effective monitoring of the circuit finances.
From a financial perspective, the Managing Trustees consider that the performance of the charity this year has been satisfactory given work in previous years to identify and understand the deficit. The sale of properties and the repayment from the pension fund have resulted in a cash fund that provides a reserve against future deficits as well as ensuring that planned activities are covered. Stipends and salaries have been covered, Circuit property managed and kept in reasonable repair, and external expenses (including the District assessment) covered. The trustees recognise that this reserve is subject to a district levy and whilst enabling continuing operations in the short term, it is finite and day-to-day expenses continue to significantly outstrip operating income. As such the trustees continue to be engaged in a programme of reviewing the life of the circuit and the level of ministry and other employment to work towards a position that is sustainable in the long term.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing this 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, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The statements must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the Circuit Meeting on 9[th] July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Rev Jan Tate, Superintendent Minister (from 1/9/25)
6
Appendix A
Managing Trustees 2024/25
The trustees are the members of the Circuit Meeting as set out below as at 31 August 2025:
| Circuit Staff | Rev. Catherine Bird (Superintendent until 4/1/25), Rev. Philip Dew, Rev. Dr. Raj Patta, Rev. Dr. Katharine Smith (Superintendent from 4/1/25), Deacon Janet Amey, Deacon Judith Laycock. |
|---|---|
| Circuit Stewards | JayneQuinn,Richard Goodall,Anne Goodall,Michael Aspinall,BeverleyWheeler |
| Sec. of Circuit mtg | |
| Sec. of Preachers’ meeting |
Liz Delafield |
| Circuit Treasurer | Jason Smith |
| Additional member of Finance Team |
Martyn Bennett |
| Rep of Margins Task group |
Joanne Roy |
| Circuit Safeguarding | Hugh McLaughlin |
| EDI Officer | Michael Ball |
| Davenport | Judith Mottram,Eddie Partington,Colin Lewis |
| Dialstone Lane | Alison and Peter Lewis, Jane Hollins, Dave Bryant |
| Edgeley | PennyOllerenshaw,Margaret Foley |
| Hazel Grove | JayneQuinn,Ian Chesters,Judith Adshead |
| Heaton Mersey | CathyFaulkner,Hazel White Sue Ainsworth, |
| Heaton Moor | Sue Jones,Deborah Symmons,Sharon Heginbotham |
| Marple | Phil Le Sueur,PhilipSingleton,Meryl Blackburn |
| Romiley | John Owens,Jennifer Crutchley,Richard Goodall |
| **The Ridge ** | Peter Johnson,Bob Ollerenshaw,Viki Packman |
| Windlehurst | Bernie Rowlands,Graham Clarke,Helen Stocks |
| Woodley | John Purves,Lynne Styles,Elaine Cleary |
7
Name of Circuit
United Stockport Circuit
Circuit No 1_38
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Notes to | Circuit Model | Designated | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| the | General Fund | Trust | Funds | Restricted | Endowment | Total | |
| accounts | (Unrestricted) |
(Unrestricted) | (unrestricted) | Funds | Funds | 2024-25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income | |||||||
| 1 Donations and legacies | 996 | 20 | 1,116 | 2,133 | |||
| 2 Income from monetary investments | 3,744 | 146,174 | 562 | 150,480 | |||
| 3a Income from investment properties | 13,800 | 13,800 | |||||
| 3b Income from fixed asset properties | 63,673 | 63,673 | |||||
| 4 Assessments on Churches | 293,600 | 293,600 | |||||
| 5 Capital Receipts | 0 | ||||||
| 6 Grants received | 14,180 | 14,180 | |||||
| 7 Other charitable income | 482 | 482 | |||||
| 7a Service | 656 | 656 | |||||
| 7b Sponsorship | 0 | 778 | 778 | ||||
| 8Total income | 376,950 | 146,174 | 20 | 16,636 | - | 539,780 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||
| 9 Grants and donations | 6 | 7,000 | 7,000 | ||||
| 10 Salaries and associated costs | 184,620 | 42,404 | 6,136 | 233,160 | |||
| 11 Property maintenance | 111,252 | 15,889 | 127,141 | ||||
| 12 Connexional assessment & model trust levy | 259,505 | 259,505 | |||||
| 13 District Assessment & Levy | 76,197 | 76,197 | |||||
| 14 Depreciation | 0 | ||||||
| 15 Office expenses | 4,855 | 4,855 | |||||
| 16 Other outgoings | 41,780 | 5,449 | 5,158 | 52,387 | |||
| 17Total charitable expenditure | 418,704 | 259,505 | 70,742 | 11,294 | 0 | 760,245 | |
| 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments | 0 | ||||||
| 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties | |||||||
| 20Net income/(expenditure) | -41,754 | -113,331 | -70,722 | 5,342 | 0 | -220,465 | |
| 21 Transfers between funds | 281,434 | 296,000 - |
8,810 | 5,756 | 0 | ||
| 22 Other gains/(losses) | 189 | 189 | |||||
| 23Net movement in funds | 239,869 | -409,331 | -61,912 | 11,098 | 0 | -220,276 | |
| 24 Total funds brought forward | 2,609,936 | 3,428,181 | 442,219 | 11,742 | 6,492,078 | ||
| 25 Total funds carried forward | 2,849,805 | 3,018,850 | 380,307 | 22,840 | - | 6,271,802 |
Name of Circuit
Circuit No 1_38
United Stockport Circuit
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024
| Notes to | Notes to | Circuit Model | Designated | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| the | General Fund | Trust | Funds | Restricted | Endowment | Total | |
| accounts | (Unrestricted) |
(Unrestricted) | (unrestricted) | Funds | Funds | 2023-24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income | |||||||
| 1 Donations and legacies | 5,160 | 2,461 | 7,620 | ||||
| 2 Income from monetary investments | 4,256 | 58,326 | 617 | 63,199 | |||
| 3a Income from investment properties | 8,100 | 8,100 | |||||
| 3b Income from fixed asset properties | 64,675 | 64,675 | |||||
| 4 Assessments on Churches | 279,619 | 279,619 | |||||
| 5 Capital Receipts | 0 | ||||||
| 6 Grants received | 12,000 | 12,000 | |||||
| 7 Other charitable income | 13,201 | 98,101 | 111,302 | ||||
| 7a Service | 4,506 | 4,506 | |||||
| 7b Sponsorship | 1,953 | 1,953 | |||||
| 8Total income | 379,517 | 156,427 | 2,461 | 14,570 | - | 552,975 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||
| 9 Grants and donations | 2,497 | 601 | 75 | 3,173 | |||
| 10 Salaries and associated costs | 249,453 | 38,825 | 6,791 | 295,069 | |||
| 11 Property maintenance | 98,614 | 8,511 | 107,125 | ||||
| 12 Connexional assessment & model trust levy | 1,903,444 | 1,903,444 | |||||
| 13 District Assessment & Levy | 72,068 | 72,068 | |||||
| 14 Depreciation | 0 | ||||||
| 15 Office expenses | 10,814 | 10,814 | |||||
| 15a Other outgoings | 4,340 | 4,340 | |||||
| 16 Other outgoings | 59,329 | 43,771 | 10,078 | 14,641 | 127,819 | ||
| 17Total charitable expenditure | 492,776 | 1,947,816 | 61,829 | 21,432 | 0 | 2,523,852 | |
| 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments | 299,598 | 299,598 | |||||
| 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties | 2,099,815 | 2,099,815 | |||||
| 20Net income/(expenditure) | -113,259 | 608,024 | -59,369 | -6,862 | 0 | 428,536 | |
| 21 Transfers between funds | 2,847,759 - |
2,796,124 | 51,628 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 22 Other gains/(losses) | 1,450,826 - |
-1,450,826 | |||||
| 23Net movement in funds | -4,411,844 | 3,404,148 | -7,740 | -6,855 | 0 | -1,022,291 | |
| 24 Total funds brought forward | 7,021,780 | 24,033 | 449,959 | 18,597 | 7,514,369 | ||
| 25 Total funds carried forward | 2,609,936 | 3,428,181 | 442,219 | 11,742 | - | 6,492,078 |
United Stockport Circuit
Name of Circuit
Circuit No 1_38
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
GN
General Fund Circuit Model Designated Restricted Endowment Totals Totals
(Unrestricted) Trusts Funds Funds Funds 2024/25 2023/24
Notes to the (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted)
Accounts £ £ £ £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Circuit Manses & Equipment 11 2,794,051 2,794,051 2,794,051 R
Investment properties 12 165,000 165,000 165,000 R
Investments 0
Total fixed assets 2,959,051 0 0 0 0 2,959,051 2,959,051
Current Assets
Debtors 13 48,417 398 48,815 63,695 S
Loans by the Circuit 0
Investments with TMCP 3,018,850 12,325 3,031,175 3,439,923
Central Finance Board Deposits 211,849 211,849 40,793 T
Cash at Bank and in hand -134,268 168,060 10,515 44,307 70,318
Total current assets -85,851 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 0 3,336,146 3,614,729
Current liabilities
Creditors (due in under 1 year) 14 23,395 23,395 81,702 U
Grants payable within one year 0 V
Total current liabilities 23,395 0 0 0 0 23,395 81,702
Net current assets/liabilities -109,246 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 0 3,312,751 3,533,027
Total assets less current liabilities 2,849,805 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 0 6,271,802 6,492,078
Long term liabilities
(due after more than one year)
Grants payable after one year 0 V
Loans to the Circuit 0
0
Net assets 2,849,805 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 0 6,271,802 6,492,078 W
Funds of the Circuit
General Fund (Unrestricted) 16 2,849,805 2,849,805 2,609,936
Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted) 16 3,018,850 3,018,850 3,428,181 W
Designated Funds (Unrestricted) 16 380,307 380,307 442,219
Total Unrestricted Funds 6,248,962 6,480,336
Restricted Funds 16 22,840 22,840 11,742
Endowment Funds 16 0 0
Total Funds 2,849,805 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 0 6,271,802 6,492,078
----- End of picture text -----
Signed
Jason Smith
Digitally signed by Jason Smith Date: 2026.07.08 21:52:04 +01'00'
Circuit Treasurer
United Stockport Circuit
Circuit No
1_38
To be completed by Circuits with total income and endowments of more than £500,000
Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 August 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Statement of cash flows Note £ £
Cash from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities -35,752 -1,811,389
Cash flows from investing activities
Dividends,interest and rents from investments -227,952 -135,974
Proceeds from the sale of property,plant and equipment 5,518,417
Purchase of property,plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Proceeds from the sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Other
Net cash provided by investing activities -227,952 5,382,443
Cash flows from financing activities
New borrowing
Repayments of borrowing -262,500
Net cash used in financing activities 0 262,500
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period -263,704 3,308,554
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 3,551,034 242,480
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 3,287,330 3,551,034
2025 2024
Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities £ £
Net income for the reporting period ( as per statement of financial activities) -220,465 -1,022,291
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation charges
Profit on the sale of fixed assets -299,598
Loss on the sale of fixed assets
Profit on the sale of investment properties -2,099,816
Gains on investments 189
Impairment of investment property 1,450,975
Dividends, interest and rents from investments 227,952 135,974
Decrease/(increase) in stocks 0
(increase)/decrease in debtors 14,880 -32,144
increase/(decrease) in creditors -58,307 55,511
Net cash used in operating activities -35,752 -1,811,389
2025 2024
Analysis of cash and cash equivalent £ £
Cash in hand 44,307 70,318
Short term deposit (less than 3 months) 3,243,024 3,480,716
Total cash and cash equivalents 3,287,330 3,551,034
----- End of picture text -----
United Stockport Circuit Year ended 31 August 2025
Circuit No 1_38
Notes to the Accounts
1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 as modified by the requirements of the Methodist Church.
2 Funds
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the Circuit. The Circuit Model Trust Fund has wide purposes defined in Standing Orders and is categorised as unrestricted.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. Details of each material fund are disclosed in the final note to these accounts. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash.
There are no Endowment funds.
3 Accounting policies
Basis
The United Stockport Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to the accounts.
Consolidation
The Circuit has denominational regulatory oversight in respect of the work of the Churches within the Circuit but has no legal or operational control of those Churches and their governing bodies except in extreme circumstances. For this reason, the financial statements of Churches within the circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements.
Going concern
Despite ongoing deficits, the charity has substantial reserves and high levels of assets. The trustees are confident that the charity can continue to operate for a number of years.
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.
Where gifts in kind are received, these are included in donations. During the year, minsters declined to accept preaching fees of £996 (2023/24: £390). In 2023/24 one of the organisations renting rooms at Tiviot Dale Methodist Church paid for work on those rooms at a cost of £4,206. Both of these have been recognised as gifts in kind.
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.
VAT
Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.
United Stockport Circuit Year ended 31 August 2025
Circuit No 1_38
Notes to the Accounts
3 Accounting policies continued…
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.
Pensions
The accounts include costs relating to pension contributions for the year of £26,598 (2024: £46,834) on behalf of employees. Two schemes were contributed to: payments of £3,659 (2024: £5,182) to a defined contribution scheme for layworkers and £22,939 (2024: £41,651) to the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme (MMPS), a defined benefit scheme for ministers.
For the defined contribution scheme, the charity has no liability beyond making its contributions and paying across the deductions for the employee's contributions.
The MMPS should be accounted for as a group plan as all the participating employers, namely the circuits and Council, are under the common control of the Conference. Because it is part of a multi-employer scheme and the information specific to this charity is not available, the payments have also been accounted for as a defined contribution scheme in accordance with the Charities SORP.
Ministers' manse costs
The Circuit is required to provide accomodations for each Minister in the Circuit and their familites and this is seen as a benefit to the Circuit. Ministers are expected to occupy the manse provided for them. The Circuit bears the cost of repairs, maintainence, buildings insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These figures are not separately disclosed as benedits in kind for ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of ministers.
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.
Properties are shown in the accounts at cost or, when cost is not known, at 'Deemed Cost'. Guidance issued by the Methodist Church in October 2019 "Accounting for Tangible Fixed Assets" states that Deemed Cost is the insured value at 1st September 2015. The land component is not given as a separate amount.
No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the buildings (on the assumption that they had reached the end of their useful economic lives by the year-end) to be not less than the current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The properties have been reviewed for impairment.
Investment Properties
From time to time the Circuit may be required to assume responsibility for Church premises following closure and cessation of worship this resulting in the Circuit becoming Managing Trustees for the property. This property is included in the accounts as investment property until the future of the property is determined or the property is sold. Properties are included at the lower of cost and realisable value. When cost is not known, properties are included at 'Deemed Cost' using the same principles for calculating Deemed Cost as noted in the Tangible Fixed Assets accounting policy above. Investment properties are reviewed for impairment.
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.
United Stockport Circuit Year ended 31 August 2025
Circuit No 1_38
Notes to the Accounts
4 Payment to Trustees and related party transactions
There were no payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement with the Circuit Meeting. This excludes stipends.
| Trustee expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
| Number of Trustees | 8 | 12 |
| Total amount | £11,020 | £14,824 |
Expense payments primarily relate to reimbursement for travel, circuit administration costs, property costs and costs associated with the Sponsorship Scheme.
The Circuit has engaged the bookkeeping services of 'Transforming Churches and Communities ("TCC")', a charity piloted by the Methodist Church of Great Britain and formed as a new independent organisation. C Bird, a trustee of the Circuit, was also a trustee of TCC until January 2025. During 2024/25, fees of £8,000 were payable to TCC (2023/24 £7,500).
C Bird is also a trustee of the Manchester and Stockport District, to whom the district assessment is payable each year. The Manchester and Stockport District made a contribution of £13,201 during 2023/24 to the charity in respect of time committed by C Bird to her work with the District.
All Ministers remunerated by the Circuit are also Trustees by virtue of their role. Each year the Connexional Allowances Committee determines the annual stipend for Ministers and in 2024/25 the standard stipend was £31,020 (2023/24: £29,040).
5 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
| Fees for examination or audit of the accounts | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts | 4,000 | 3,900 |
| Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the auditor |
NIL | NIL |
6 Grants
During the year the following grants were paid:
| Dialstone Lane Methodist Church Davenport Methodist Church Windlehurst Methodist Church The Ridge Methodist Church |
2024/25 £ 4,000 1,000 2,000 7,000 |
2023/24 £ 420 75 495 |
|---|---|---|
Payments to other Methodist organisations, such as the North West England District and The Methodist Connexion are not included in these amounts.
- 7 Paid employees
| 2024/25 £ 183,600 £ 18,133 Pension costs £ 27,255 Total staff costs £ 228,988 Ministers 5 Lay staff 4 9 Average number of employees in the year were: Staff Costs paid during the year were: Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind Employer’s National Insurance costs |
2023/24 226,907 20,996 47,166 295,069 6 4 10 |
|---|---|
United Stockport Circuit Year ended 31 August 2025
Circuit No 1_38
Notes to the Accounts
7 Paid employees (continued)
The salaries of lay staff who are employed by churches are paid by The Methodist Church centrally. This cost is then charged to the Circuit and recharged to the churches. Because of this, these costs have been excluded from staff costs and the corresponding income also excluded. These employees are excluded from the employee numbers above.
No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more.
8 Pensions
The accounts include costs relating to pension contributions for the year of £26,598 (2024: £46,834) on behalf of employees. Two schemes were contributed to: payments of £4,316 (2024: £5,182) to a defined contribution scheme for layworkers and £22,939 (2024: £41,651) to the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme (MMPS), a defined benefit scheme for ministers.
At the last triennial valuation 31 August 2023, the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme was in surplus by £33.7m. At the previous triennial valuation at 31 August 2020, the scheme had been in deficit and The Methodist Council agreed a recovery plan and long term funding objective for the Scheme in April 2022. In light of the surplus revealed at the latest valuation, a recovery plan is not required.
9 Capital Receipts
There were no capital receipts during 2024/25 or 2023/24.
10 Other gains/(losses)
Other gains/(losses) relates to an impairment in value that has been recognised in respect of Tiviot Dale Church during 2023/24.
11 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or valuation
----- Start of picture text -----
Payments on
Fixtures,
account and
Churches Manses Other buildings fittings and assets under Total
equipment construction
£ £ £ £ £ £
Balance brought forward 510,000 2,284,051 - - - 2,794,051
Additions - -
-
Revaluations (+/-)
-
Impairment (-)
-
Disposals (-)
-
Transfers (+/-)
Balance carried forward 510,000 2,284,051 - - - 2,794,051
----- End of picture text -----
Accumulated depreciation
| Balance brought forward | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation charge for year (- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| ) | ||||||
| Revaluations (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Disposals (-) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Transfers (+/-) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Balance carried forward | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Net book value | ||||||
| Brought forward | 510,000 | 2,284,051 | - | - | - | 2,794,051 |
| Carried forward | 510,000 | 2,284,051 | - | - | - | 2,794,051 |
The church included as a tangible fixed asset in the Circuit's accounts is Tiviot Dale Methodist Church in Stockport.
Also included in tangible fixed assets are 7 manses (2024: 7). Two of the manses are leashold buildings and the remainder are freehold buildings. The Deemed Cost of leasehold property at the year end is £638,783 (2024: £638,783).
United Stockport Circuit
Circuit No 1_38
Year ended 31 August 2025
Notes to the Accounts
12 Investment assets
----- Start of picture text -----
Payments on
Fixtures,
account and
Churches Manses Other buildings fittings and assets under Total
equipment construction
£ £ £ £ £ £
Balance brought forward 165,000 - - - 165,000
Additions -
-
Revaluations (+/-)
-
Impairment (-)
-
Disposals (-)
-
Transfers (+/-)
Balance carried forward 165,000 - - - - 165,000
----- End of picture text -----
The church included as investment assets in the Circuit's accounts include 1 church at the year end (2024: 1) being Jubilee Church, Marple. This church came under the managing trusteeship of the Circuit on 13 June 2023. An impairment to the Deemed Cost of this church was recognised in the 2022/23 accounts in light of a valuation undertaken during 2023/24.
13 Debtors and Prepayments
| 2024/25 £ 18,164 £ 19,652 £ 10,999 Total debtors £ 48,815 14 2024/25 £ ( 2,255 ) £ 25,650 Total creditors £ 23,395 Accruals Debtors (church assessments and recharges) Stipends paid in advance by churches Other prepayments and accrued income Creditors Creditors |
2023/24 27,520 17,370 18,806 63,695 2023/24 64,333 17,368 81,702 |
|---|---|
15 Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
At the 31st August 2025 there are no capital commitments and no contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2025.
United Stockport Circuit Year ended 31 August 2025
Circuit No 1_38
Notes to the Accounts
16 Analysis of restricted and designated funds 2024/25
----- Start of picture text -----
Opening Incoming Resources Other Closing
Fund Name Transfers
Balance Resources Expended gains/(losses) Balance
Unrestricted funds
General Fund 2,609,936 376,950 -418,704 189 281,434 2,849,805
Circuit Model Trust 3,428,181 146,174 -259,505 -296,000 3,018,850
Unrestricted designated
funds
USC Mission fund 149,925 -7,000 - 10,000 132,925
Stockport town centre ministry 235,475 20 -58,424 177,071
Hong Kong Fellowship 29,435 -4,182 25,253
USC Sponsorship Scheme 5,756 0 - 5,756 0
Windlehurst layworker -1,136 10,000 8,864
Manse maintenance fund 21,628 14,566 36,194
Designated 442,219 20 -70,742 - 8,810 380,307
Total unrestricted 6,480,337 523,144 -748,951 189 - 5,756 6,248,964
Restricted Funds
Funds held by TMCP 11,742 562 -38 12,266
Stockport town centre ministry 0 120 -120 0
Hong Kong Fellowship 0 5,996 -5,996 0
USC Sponsorship Scheme 0 7,458 -4,004 5,156 8,610
District grant - W'hurst laywkr 0 2,500 -1,136 1,364
Key deposits 0 600 600
Total restricted 11,742 16,636 -11,294 - 5,756 22,840
Total funds 6,492,078 539,780 -760,245 189 - 6,271,802
----- End of picture text -----
| Comparative analysis of restricted | Comparative analysis of restricted | and designated | and designated | funds 2023/24 | funds 2023/24 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | Opening Balance |
Incoming Resources |
Resources Expended |
Other gains/(losses) |
Transfers | Closing Balance |
|||||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||||||
| General Fund | 7,021,780 | 379,517 | -492,776 | -1,450,826 | -2,847,758 | 2,609,936 | |||||
| Circuit Model Trust | 24,033 | 2,555,841 | -1,947,816 | 2,796,124 | 3,428,181 | ||||||
| Unrestricted designated | |||||||||||
| funds | |||||||||||
| USC Mission Grant Fund | 150,000 | -75 | 149,925 | ||||||||
| Stockport town centre ministry | 290,959 | 598 | -56,082 | 235,475 | |||||||
| USC Sponsorship Scheme | 9,000 | -3,244 | 5,756 | ||||||||
| Manse maintenance fund | 21,628 | 21,628 | |||||||||
| Hong Kong Fellowship | 1,863 | - 2,428 | 30,000 | 29,435 | |||||||
| Designated | 449,959 | 2,461 | -61,829 | - | 51,628 |
442,219 | |||||
| Total unrestricted | 7,495,771 | 2,937,818 | -2,502,421 | - 1,450,826 | -6 |
6,480,337 | |||||
| Restricted Funds | |||||||||||
| Funds held by TMCP | 11,151 | 617 | -31 | 6 | 11,742 | ||||||
| Stockport town centre ministry | 1,000 | -1,000 | 0 | ||||||||
| USC Sponsorship Scheme | 7,446 | 1,954 | -9,400 | 0 | |||||||
| Hong Kong Fellowship | 11,000 | -11,000 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total restricted | 18,597 | 14,571 | -21,431 | - | 6 | 11,742 | |||||
| Total funds | 7,514,368 | 2,952,389 | -2,523,852 | - 1,450,826 | - | 6,492,078 |
United Stockport Circuit
Circuit No 1_38
Year ended 31 August 2025
Notes to the Accounts
16 Analysis of restricted and designated funds (cont) 2024/25
USC Mission Fund is towards mission development across the circuit.
In 2022/23 a new designated fund was established for the Stockport Town Centre ministry. This provides funding for a deacon and other costs.
The Hong Kong Fellowship was established in 2023 and is supported by the Circuit and Caleb funding.
The USC Sponsorship Scheme is supporting a refugee family.
A grant has been received from the District to fund a layworker at Windlehurst Methodist Church.
In 2023/24 a new designated fund was established for the maintenance of manses.
17 Analysis of net assets between funds
----- Start of picture text -----
Circuit Model Designated
General Fund Restricted
31-Dec-25 Trust Funds Total
(Unrestricted) Funds
(Unrestricted) (unrestricted)
Tangible fixed assets 2,794,051 2,794,051
Fixed asset investments 165,000 165,000
Current assets -85,851 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 3,336,146
Current liabilities -23,395 -23,395
Long term liabilities 0
Total net assets 2,849,805 3,018,850 380,307 22,840 6,271,802
Circuit Model Designated
General Fund Restricted
31-Dec-24 Trust Funds Total
(Unrestricted) Funds
(Unrestricted) (unrestricted)
Tangible fixed assets 2,794,051 2,794,051
Fixed asset investments 165,000 165,000
Current assets -267,413 3,428,181 442,219 11,742 3,614,729
Current liabilities -81,702 -81,702
Long term liabilities 0
Total net assets 2,609,936 3,428,181 442,219 11,742 6,492,078
----- End of picture text -----