## **THE METHODIST CHURCH CENTRAL NORFOLK CIRCUIT** _Registered Charity No 1134271_ # **Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2023** 1 ## **CONTENTS** |Title Page and Name of the Charity 1| |---| |Contents 2| |Legal and Administrative Details of Charity 3-4| |The Report of the Trustees 5-7| |Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 8| |Financial Statements
9-15| 2 ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **Trust Address** 5 Cromwell Close, Swaffham, PE37 7TT. ## **Auditors Independent External Examiner** Arden Kendall Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 20 High Street, Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AE ## **Bankers** Barclays Bank plc 34 Market Place, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2AS Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 9 Bonhill Street, London, EC2A 4PE 3 ## **Trustees of Central Norfolk** The Trustees are appointed according to the constitution of the Methodist Church (see page 5). The following Trustees have served during the period covered by this report: Superintendent Minister: Revd Jacqueline Horton Ministers: Revd Anne Richardson, Deacon Jen Woodfin, Revd Rosemary Wakelin Circuit Stewards: Pippa Cook, Aileen Fox, Jill Skinner, Geraldine Allen Circuit Treasurer: Lewis Pearson Circuit Meeting Secretary: Pippa Cook **Additional Trustees for the period 1[st] September 2022 – 31st August 2023** |**Trustee**|**Dates (if not full**
**year)**|**Trustee**|**Dates (if not full**
**year)**|**Trustee**|**Dates (if not full**
**year)**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |John Hull||WendyHull||Ann Pope|| |Samantha Parfitt||Ruth Southerland||Olwyn Brough|| |Peter Gwatkin||Sylvia Meredith||JackyWoor|| |David Yarham||Hazel Yarham||Ann Morgan|| |Roger Fulcher||Beryl Ewin||David Ewin|| |Pat Hall||Michael Coleman||Pauline Baldry|| |Heather Parle||Anne Richmond||Marion Perryman|| |Joselyn Bunting||TonyYaxley||TonyHey|| |Stephen Lynn||Veronica Little||Sheila Lynn|| |Andrew Durrant||Fred Garner||Martin Neave|| |Maggie Blundell||Diana Pengelley||Geraldine Allen|| |SallyMartin||Avril Temple||Barbara Slattery|| |Margaret Pomery||Helen Dye||Elizabeth Lodge|| |Anne Pope||Malcolm Cook||Glyn Constantine|| |Jo Trick||Sarah Rodgers||Elsie Warby|| |David Davies|Resigned 31/8/23|Bryan Plumbly|Resigned 31/8/23|Jean Nield|Resigned 31/8/23| |Ailsa Warburton||Joyce Gathercole|||| |Thelma Davey||Pat Hall|||| ||||||| ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** 4 The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 31st August 2023 under the Charities Act 1993, together with the audited financial statements for the year. We confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Act, the Trust Deed and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2005. The Trust was registered on 12th February 2010 in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Particulars of the charity’s trustees and professional advisers are given on pages 3 and 4. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The charity is operated under the regulations of the Methodist Church as stated in _The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church_ with advice from Officers of the Methodist Church. ## **Governing Body** The Trustees are the Governing Body of the Trust. ## **Recruitment of Trustees** The Charity Trustees are appointed to the roles identified on page 4, for a designated period, either by direct election at the Circuit Meeting for Circuit Office Holders, or by individual Church Councils who elect their representatives to the Circuit Meeting. ## **Organisational Management** The management of the Trust is the responsibility of the Trustees. It is conducted through the Circuit Leadership Team and Circuit meetings. Circuit Staff assist in the implementation of policies. The day-to-day administration of the Circuit is the responsibility of the Superintendent Minister and the Circuit Stewards. ## **Aims, Objectives and Activities** The objectives of the Central Norfolk Circuit are those as set out for the Methodist Church of Great Britain in the Deed of Union 1932 and the 1976 Methodist Church Act. The charitable objects are the purposes of the Methodist Church and these are the advancement of: - (a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church; - (b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, district, circuit, local or other organization 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. 5 **The Central Norfolk Methodist Circuit 14/15** ## **Mission Statement** ## _**Aim:**_ **Our mission is to live and share the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ** ## _**Objectives:**_ We are therefore committed to: ## **1. Connecting the Circuit as One:** - To Enrich Worship. - To provide a joyful and relevant Christian presence in our communities. - To respond to the Holy Spirit and to be open for change and hope for the future. - To be effective in communication. **2. Working in partnership,** wherever possible, with other churches, faith and community groups; and to support the Church’s wider mission. **3. Support all our activities in prayer** , by encouraging words and practical actions. **4. Nurturing** mutual support and pastoral care, enhanced by Christian education and training for all ages. **5. Develop Circuit Teams** that use peoples’ gifts, skills and abilities that can be shared in these areas: - Worship, - Learning and Caring, - Mission and Evangelism, - Under 19s and - Finance and Property. To be reviewed as required. Each church is urged to explore what this means for them, involving all members of the church community. ## **Achievements and Performance** The Central Norfolk Methodist Circuit has successfully continued its activities for another year. We have seen the closure of two of our small chapels but twenty-one churches continue with regular services, other activities and service in their respective communities. One of our larger churches, Holt Methodist Church, has an ongoing major building project for which funding applications are taking place. Once completed, the restored building will have an important place architecturally as well as in a Methodist trail of heritage sites. The potential for welcoming the community into the building will be greatly increased. The largest church in our Circuit, Swaffham Methodist Church, continues to develop its activities as well as continuing to engage with new people and with the local community. The Circuit supports both large and small churches with the organisational support of a dedicated Administrator, the work of four members of staff, and the energy and time given by dozens of volunteers across a wide geographical area. The Staff Team is changing this year with the retirement of our Superintendent and also of the Deacon who has worked with her. A new Superintendent will be in place for the Autumn but the Deacon will not be replaced as we seek to cut costs for budgeting reasons. The sale of two properties that are no longer needed has given us a welcome capital boost. Careful thought and planning is being given to the best use of this new money. We have had two wider District services in two of our Circuit churches recently. A special service was held for our probationer Staff member who is shortly to be ordained, and an anniversary service celebrating the oldest Methodist Church in East Anglia (still open) also took place. The last named, Walsingham Methodist 6 Church, is opened regularly as a Heritage Methodist Church and is also visited each year by several school parties as part of their religious education programme. Also relating to Heritage, the East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre in the village of Wighton (near Walsingham) is having a second successful season as it celebrates, and promotes, the richness of over 200 years of Methodism in the East Anglia District. ## **Financial Review** The Trustees report a net loss of income of £69,913 (2022: £30,477) before net investment gains of £279,284 (2022: £452,412). The expenditure was largely in line with Budget as the running costs for the Circuit were underwritten by transfers from Reserves. The Trustees continue to keep all financial policies under review. ## **Investment Policy** In accordance with the Trust documentation, the Trustees have the power to invest in such stocks, shares, investments and property as they consider appropriate. The Trustees have used this power to invest in the funds of the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. In common with many other investment funds, the valuation of the funds showed a modest increase over the year. The Trustees continue to monitor the funds of the Circuit to enable clear and prudent policy decisions on expenditure. ## **Risk Assessment and Management** During the year under review, the Trustees have maintained oversight of the major risks to which the charity is exposed, resulting in risk management strategies being implemented. Risks to which the organisation may be exposed are identified by the Trustees and kept under regular review. ## **Reserves** It is the policy of the charity to hold reserves in its unrestricted funds which have not yet been committed or designated for any particular purpose. The Trustees have set aside these reserves in order to protect the future operations of the charity from the effects of any unforeseen variations in its income as part of a policy of good financial practice. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees have reviewed the activities of the past year in line with the Charity Commission guidance on public interest benefit. The aims and objectives of the Central Norfolk Circuit are within those guidelines and are interpreted by the District as providing specific benefit to those who are members of the Methodist Church ## **Future Plans** In addition to an ongoing commitment to provide effective resources for the members and local churches, within the Central Norfolk Circuit, the Trustees are committed to: - Ensure the appointment and deployment of ordained ministry throughout the Circuit. - Provide support for those who have oversight of safeguarding procedures for children, young people and vulnerable adults. - Develop partnerships with other churches. ## **Auditors** A resolution proposing that Arden Kendall Limited be re-appointed as the independent external examiner of the charity will be put to the Circuit Meeting. 7 ## **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)**
**Position (eg Secretary,**
**Chair, etc)**
**Date**||Aileen Fox| |---|---|---| ||Rev Jacqui Horton|Mrs Aileen Fox| ||
Superintendent|Circuit Treasurer| ||24thJune 2024|| ||24thJune 2024|| ## **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), and that they show a true and fair view of the state of the Central Norfolk Circuits affairs. 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. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Central Norfolk Circuit will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Central Norfolk Circuit and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and 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. In so far as the Trustees are aware: - There is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware. - The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 8 The Central Norfolk Methodist Circuit (Ch*ty Registratiw numb•r', 1134271) Flnanclal Statements For the year ended 31 August 2023 Fufyd *￿ITIuli Fwd• X*124J 2142 1.122 1.122 J.•11 >7•3 24X 11945 1719&5 IU4S 27.061 97J•i 12 14 157 ITM•i knsW• 3Jl1 Elp•r￿￿￿T? 1.47 191899 i¢x* I￿7• 1*)J 181ng 3.764 44J22 4017 3S7 JIA416 214 .J 2NJ71 d21. 371201 20•.371 791216 2W 3609141 2.075V26 1S.J?61 1X.S25 2.71J io N•me of Cl￿th. Th• C•ntral Norfolk Il•thodlst Clff Cycutt No: 1411S Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2023 Lthrn•trb¢* C*ull T¢ty F￿d Fund• Fundl 2023 Tr¥• C¥ct* Uar15e5 & 2.826 516 843 953 2 826 516 84) 95 114221 X71U•O 2.1169)5 1 269 6t4 1192 ¥esttr¢n J,•TOM• 114.121 Oeb1ty5 2.312 11.049 14.049 818J8 942 .738 79 1)1 ca￿ ¥ 8•r* h•r 5109 1q•.g50 11.04• 2.*7 Qedittys IOLe thyef I 4 121 5.215 4.911 93A23 11,096 IfjX7J5 3.711,MS 121,14• 3,17U12 3.611.141 J.T51.W 121.14• 1191 3.87U12 3,••J,141 Genet# ILk¥rtit(*d) 3.751.$6S 3.751565 3.S>J,l¥)9 121.119 121.149 IX.525 D•wwJ IUvt•*¢i 12 3.871714 2W7 3,6U4J4 R•￿￿*d Fwos 12 3991 3.7$1.861 2.991 3,171.512 JA6*141 Siwed Clrcult Treasurer li N¢)t•4 to th• A¢¢ounts 18ul• ol •¢¢ounllng •wJ Rewttt)o $1otMxni ol Pi•(t£e ISORPI 10 ui•*•• )anrg ywxc￿l1Is ￿th FRS102- ts Ch¥d*s SORP IFRS102)•x1 Wir4 th• Lwa a￿*1￿ I 2018. 2 Funds J Ac¢ounllng polhckns 8•sls LWI*s Incomlng Exppndod Grants VAT Tanglbl• fixed a•¥•t• for by th• Clfcu TW¥J￿￿ fiyod a$5•ts we c•ptsw rfth¢y cw •¥J 81 l•asl ti,¢ rn•n* Ion It4 •swnptw tIW * ￿ rethd fv etsy us•ILd &f¢ y*¥41￿ lob• Inv•slment PrO￿rtI¢9 Inv••lm•nt• D•btors •nd Pr•p•ym•nl• Cr•dltor• 12 4 P•ymenl lo TnMI••8 Tw¥*e expen8•$ 2021n2 £10, 140 6 F••s lor •xamlnalk>n or aydil dth• •¢counts 2Q2r23 2021122 IrthFw¢Jwl eX￿￿e1$ ty audrtis. lees frxiepm LY* tr* act￿nts Other te￿{•9 •J¥4x. p*1 io ¥* ￿*Pol￿1•nl exan*ior (¥ •wJior 120 120 714 $70 I P•ld •rnploy• Sl•ll Co•ts p•ld dwlA9 th• y••r w•fft: Grom w•o•1. •¥•rws b•h•fiM Ih 2022Q3 2021r22 74? 1,463 Tow st&ff costs Av•rdo• fiwnbwollu114kn• •wfv•hnl •nplpyw• In th• y•w ¥Mr•'. 7 C•pltal Co•• ol th• lund 2.713 2.807 Fcf UFaeep d latbj of ltymei Rockl•nds MC FWJ Il••lrKi•d 2.71J 2.1x17 ""C(¥npwalI￿ anatysis of rnslrtted funds 2021-2022 R•8lrtd•d Op•nlng Fund 8alan¢• comlng R•wur¢ R•sow¢ TrnMl•r• Closlr B•lan¢• PurpM• ol ￿nrt 2.701 12 2.713 F+y vpkeep ￿ ￿nts oi Ro¢*thnds IAC Fwrfl RM¢rK*d 2.701 12 2,713 18.284 (16 3431 Cth YN•I Diwe¢iGwry gf•nl• 18.284 {16 3431 13 Analy818 ol Endowm•nt lund• 2022r23 EndOhYn￿l N•m• Ro¢kland8 M8¢hodBt Churth (MC) Ik￿ tho upilal is vN•¥t•d TMCP Tru•l•••' Irlèr•8t Fund Thè ￿rr•nI of ca*1 E3.0(Ki.00 Annual Incom• £95.19 TCMP admln chaw• (£8.55) Transfer lo CFB AI¢ (£90.07) at the wa$ used lor Upkeep of Rocklards graveyard The leas4￿8 ts Ihe transfers beN¥een fuThds *ere as fdlows Trnnsfers fof plicab.￿ ol intere¥l to Specif￿ purposes, payn*nts ol appro¥•d 9r•nts lo indiv*Juals or churches as provthd lor in lerm5 of bequesl, trusl detsjs elc. 15