2020-08-31-accounts - Wimbledon Circuit (The Methodist Church)

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Annual Charity Commission report of the Wimbledon Circuit for the Year ending 31[st] August 2020

Introduction

Circuit life has, like everything else in recent months, been dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to (what would prove to be) the first national lockdown in March 2020, we thought we had understood what the pattern of life was going to look like for some time to come. We had moved to a model of four Circuit meetings per year, each taking one of the aspects of Our Calling[1] as a focus, hoping that this would lead to a renewed energy for this work within the lives of our local churches. With lockdown and the instruction to close our premises, our churches had to respond quickly – identifying priorities for the journey ahead. They did so by focusing on worship and people; exploring new ways of facilitating the former and caring for the latter. The road ahead will see us need to recover and reconstruct. It will be challenging, of course, but it could also be exciting.

We have stated before that, at any time of change, we have an opportunity to pause, reflect and ask some questions about who we are and what we are being called by God to be and do. We now need to do this with an even greater sense of urgency. As ever, whilst we continue to seek to discern God's hopes and dreams for us, so too do we continue to ensure that those resources that we have been blessed with —people, property and money — are well cared for and utilised for the building up of the body of Christ and for the furtherance of God's kingdom. The report that you are about to read focusses on these aspects of our life together as Wimbledon Circuit. I thank those who have shaped it and commend it to you.

Revd Paul Timmis

Aims and organisation

Our objective as a Circuit is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Wimbledon for the Methodist Church:

"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

1 https://www.methodist.org.uk/about-us/the-methodist-church/our-calling/

"The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.

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

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

Taking religious assemblies in local schools.

Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.

Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.

Our aims and objectives are perhaps best expressed by our Circuit Mission Statement:

The Wimbledon Circuit of the Methodist Church exists to advance the work of God and to foster the growth of its constituent churches by:

Supporting and encouraging the local churches in their ministry and mission
Deploying and sharing the varied human and material resources of the Circuit, particularly in areas of growth and special need
Facilitating and encouraging training and development within the Circuit, including training available from the District and elsewhere
Enabling issues of mutual concern to be shared and explored,

Brief financial review of the year

The year has seen major work to one of the manses within the circuit.

53 Chestnut Avenue after an electrical inspection required rewiring, repairs to the roof and an upgrade to the shower room.

Martin Way Methodist Church was forced to defer their August 2019 assessment payment which was paid during this year. This accounts for the surplus in this year’s Circuit Accounts.

Income trends

Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. Due to financial problems in some of the churches in the circuit, the amount of the assessments paid were reduced.

The rental income relates to the rental of the Poplar Road manse and a small amount of interest from money deposited with the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church.

Expenditure trends

Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved ` increases. 14% of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District annd Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church.

The other expenditure of approximately £44.6k in this year included £35.5k on expenditure relating to the manses and £6.3k on administration and insurance,

Fund balances

As at 31 August 2020 the net current assets of the Circuit were £57k, giving approximately 3.8 months cover for expenditure. Due to the exceptional expenditure on the manses in a previous year and ongoing Manse expenditure this year the fund balances are below that required by the reserves policy.

Plans for 2020/21

Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that circuit staffing level remains at 3 full time ordained staff with anticipated cost of living stipend increases. Only small changes in the assessment paid to the district. When the budget was set no significant expenditure had been identified on the manses so the assessment to be paid by the churches was reduced to £156k. £4k of the reduction was specifically to assist Martin Way Church.

Analysis of the Quinquennial inspections carried out on all the circuit manses during July 2019 has identified about £100k of work required to be implemented over the next 5 years. A review of the budget has been carried out to maximise the funds available for work on the manses without reducing the current reserves of the circuit or impacting finances of the Churches in the Circuit who have been impacted by the COVID19 pandemic.

Basis of preparation and legal framework

The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2019 have been prepared in accordance with The Charities SORP: Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (the FRSSE) (effective 1 January 2015).

Full Name of Charity: Wimbledon Circuit (The Methodist Church)

Registration Charity Number: 1134284

Date of registration 15 February 2010

Main communication address: The Wimbledon Circuit,

c/o Christ Church with St Philip Ruskin Drive Worcester Park Surrey KT4 8LG

The members of the Wimbledon Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.

Circuit Ministers and officers

Active Circuit Ministers Rev Paul Timmis Rev Emma Cusack (formerly Aikins) Deacon Dawn Canham Circuit Stewards Mrs Wendy Siemaszko Mr Tom Turner Mrs Valerie Ashcroft Mr Richard Charlton

Administrator: N/A

Name of treasurer acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year.

Mr Roy Newitt

Independent examiner Mr G Knapper A.C.I.I

105 Sandringham Road Worcester Park Surrey KT4 8UH

Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church

A full list of trustees is attached.

Aims and organisation

Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Wimbledon for the Methodist Church:

"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 organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike.

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

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

Taking religious assemblies in local schools.

Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.

Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.

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 along with the Local Preachers 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 London District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.

The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit:-

Christ Church with St Philip LEP (Worcester Park)

Martin Way Methodist Church

The Lantern Methodist Church of Wimbledon & Raynes Park Stoneleigh Methodist Church Ruxley Church (LEP)

Risk Management

The Circuit Leadership team takes reports at its meetings on the state of all property for which the circuit acts as managing trustees and also reviews the financial report provided by the Circuit

Treasurer. The quarterly circuit meeting also receives reports from the Circuit Property Secretary. If major risks have been identified they are recorded by the in the Circuit Leadership team notes and the Circuit Meeting Minutes. Professional advice is taken as required.

The Methodist online reporting schedules are completed to record the state of the property and financial returns.

Income and Expenditure is being monitored at the quarterly Circuit Meeting where progress against the approved annual budget is reviewed. The treasurer provides a report along which includes details of any anticipated deviation from the budget.

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 Wimbledon 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 Wimbledon 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.

CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Wimbledon Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 London District Circuit no 35126 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1134284 If not a registered charity Her Majestrfs Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equtvalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or granl funders wishing to see eviden of the organisation's charitable stalus. Methodist Gharities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Minister3- Rev Paul Timmis Rev Emma Cusack t)eacon Dawn Canhaffl Circuit Stewards: Richard Charlton Chris Meineck Wendy_siemaszko Tom Tumer Valerie Ashcroft Treasurer: Ro Newitt 2015 ckeun R anll 1015

20ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 bledon Circuit fcurt Totsls last SECTION A Furyls FUNI Fund5 a1 RECEIPTS a2 Assessmentlshare 165.235 165.235 157.518 a3 a4 Capital receipts Bank and CFB interest and Investment incom8 12 361 294 a5 Grants 23,048 a6 Other riPtS TOTAL RECEIPTS 26,858 26.858 a7 192.442 12 192.454 la8} 180.860 SECTION b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC, Penshjn arKI travel costs 110,118 110,118 3S.$06 fj.325 107,735 43,865 7,509 25,659 b3 Manse Costs Administralion etc b5 District Assessment 24,884 Grants & donations b7 other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 2.69) 179.523 2.203 b9 179.$61 Ib9) 186.971 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSTrAYAIENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7-b9} 11919 12.893 Total furHls brou ht forward from last ear 54.154 54,154 Ic61 60,265 Sub total Ic1+c2) 67,073 {261 67.047 54.154 Transfers and ad'ustments Icn TOTAL FUNDS AT EIIO OF YEAR I4} 67.073 (261 67.047 Ic81 S4,154 {c61 SECnON D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS thèsè amounts should not includtd in total YeeÈi d1 Balance brou ht forwafd from last ar d2 OfferingslGifts - reiVed for extemal OfferingslGrfis- passed to external organisations BALANCE snLL TO BE PAID dl+d2-d3 anisalions d3 2015 Clthtfl ano p.yjs 2frf5

TO SECrnN E the Gu(darKo NoiAS Sumtllary Dflhe CIrtaCntgtrts w etKJwJ 31 Itrt&rW feJtOtr Cj1t kleetiNJ WB Ihthefvndsofan IDtemal Or98nk%thnkI be Restta fur rt¢xJ be ckarfy j1 be US ts any M&thUdl PUfW Thts mLLSt L¥JtnWed ioprne at tr gtDS5 reLwpts arnj payrwts CitExxL Wgrr88 ex¢ thr$8W of50,000, then th8 lhoxJ of3ccnI AND A DtFFEREP4T FORM rrnstte Ld 10 rÈFxxt thB {see )rAte) Pb88e rtstoth¢ gixdanr4 e7 Organn)n$nd$ Crrvit•ccounts ItIA15 page 2-tcrtak columlll 191454 t791 11893 $4,154 eEI Io HELDBYCIRcLvr 192.4S4 1U93 67,047 (y corknue asepa heel rf nxesEaryaM thet<rtasfow4 TQTALRECEPTS TOTAL PAyNTs SE¢TION F NTOF A5SETS%DLL4BLnES OPENING CLOSING CIRCUVf.CASH FUIIDS HELDJI Cash 2.095 Ban ACt 63,203 1,392 1.367 SUB TOTAL 54.154 67.047 Toi81 fvnd6 h4d by Irrt¢tn4 tOaVe) le121 e12 TOTAL CASH FUND5 HELD BYcRcurr 67.047 2J19 Ltsrwj and OthwLbOgS M 1nd0Furth walthecerF1 fs 1nd0ncFB Fu# tc1xMCh prS

Name of Circuit . No... ss/2 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Reipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2020 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the CirGUIt meetino. Signature of taSurer . Name and address of treasurer . .Mr R C Newitt. 21 Sandringham Road,............. ..Worcester Park, Surrey... ........................................ Post Code...KT4 8XW Presentation to the Circuit meeting I confirm that the annual report and accounls for Ihe year ended 31 August 2020 welwill be. presented to the Circuit meeting held on Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting I CIA41 Date . Il Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit Charity Number... Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examinats'on of the accounts of the ... Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2020 set out on pages . Ito ..3. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan 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 Charitv Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate 2015 Cwtuit R and P.xL5

Name of Circuit . Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act" or the accounts do not accord wth the accounting records. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the exarnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the ar£ounts to be reached. I havelhave not" obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts. bank balanS and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in eXsS of £10.000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner <APP- Relevant professional qualrfication of independent examiner .C.LL Name of finn (where appropriate) Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate Sep-20 2015 Ur(XJn R aTrJ PJLS 5(rf5