WIMBLEDON CIRCUIT
(THE METHODIST CHURCH)
Charity number: 1134284
Annual Charity Commission report for the Year ending 31st August 2025
Introduction
In this introduction last year, I signalled that the churches in the Wimbledon Methodist Circuit had agreed to embark upon a Circuit Review, a process will see the Circuit work to produce a Circuit Mission Plan.
The first stage for each local church was to conduct a community audit during the summer/early autumn of 2024. This they duly did, obtaining data relating to the wider communities in which they take their place and serve, and holding a series of 1-1 conversations with some key people in those communities. The aim of this audit was to help each church community to better understand its context and to see what additional steps it could take to meet the needs of those in their geographical location - the hope being that such an exercise would help each church to identify both opportunities to share something of God’s love with those around them and some priorities for the coming months and years. Each church produced a report of its findings that was then passed to a member of the Methodist Learning Network for analysis which the Circuit Leadership Team reflected upon with representatives from the churches. The commitment for the coming year is that this work will continue with a view to shaping a Circuit Strategy for Mission that will help us to be the churches and Circuit that God would have us be.
We have previously reported that all three of our Methodist-only churches – Lantern, Martin Way and Stoneleigh – had successfully registered their premises for same-sex marriages. We can now add that Christ Church with St Philip, Worcester Park (An Anglican-Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership) has as well.
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
"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:
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Supporting and encouraging the local churches in their ministry and mission
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Deploying and sharing the varied human and material resources of the Circuit, particularly in areas of growth and special need
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Facilitating and encouraging training and development within the Circuit, including training available from the District and elsewhere
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Enabling issues of mutual concern to be shared and explored,
Brief financial review of the year
The major expenditure of the Circuit is the payroll of Ministers and costs associated with the upkeep of the Manses. The main works carried out were the completion of external redecoration and external repairs on a manse, replacement Bathroom and external repairs at another. Tree work was required at another. This has covered most of the urgent items identified in the quinquennial inspections carried out in 2024.
The 2024/2024 accounts were in deficit by £503 though this was reduced by the late payment of the August assessment by a church in the previous year. The actual deficit would have been £7.5k
Income trends
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. This was increased by £16,000. This increase was constrained by the impact of Cost-of-Living increases on the income and expenditure of churches within the circuit.
The rental income relates to the rental of the Poplar Road manse and 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 and is 58.9% of the Circuit Expenditure. 15% of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the London District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church
The other expenditure of approximately £56.5k in this year included £49.5k on expenditure relating to the manses and £4.9k on administration. Two £1k grants were made to two churches in support of Mission Enabling projects,
Fund balances
As of 31 August 2025, the net current assets of the Circuit were £81.1k, giving approximately 4.3 months cover for expenditure. The fund balances are below required by the reserves policy.
Plans for 2025/26
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. Changes in the way the assessment paid to the district is calculated has resulted in a further £5k increase. The Circuit Assessment paid by the Churches in the Circuit will remain at £190k.
Analysis of the Quinquennial inspections carried out on all the circuit manses during summer 2024 has identified about £100k of work required to be implemented over the next 5 years. £25k of the work has been identified as being required in 2025/26. A review of the budget has been carried out to maximise the funds available for work on the manses. The Circuit reserves will be reduced further on a temporary basis to reduce the impact on the finances of the Churches in the Circuit who have
been impacted by Cost-of-Living increases. This will see the Circuit Reserves drop to 3 months cover of expenditure. The rental income from one manse is planned to be increased.
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 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.
Fully membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
Circuit Ministers and officers
Active Circuit Ministers Rev Paul Timmis Rev Emma Cusack Deacon Dawn Canham Circuit Stewards Mrs Wendy Siemaszko Mr Chris Meineck Mr Richard Charlton Mrs Denise Gould Administrator: Mr Richard Charlton
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
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 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.
Appendix – A
Membership of the Circuit Meetng at 3 ~~1~~ st August 2025
| Circuit Staff | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Paul Timmis | Rev Emma Cusack | Deacon Dawn Canham | |||||||||
| Circuit Meeting Secretary | |||||||||||
| Dawn Downes | |||||||||||
| Circuit Stewards | |||||||||||
| Richard Charlton | Denise | Gould Caroline Johnson |
Chris Meineck | ||||||||
| Wendy Siemaszko | |||||||||||
| Circuit Treasurer | |||||||||||
| Roy Newitt | |||||||||||
| Circuit Property Secretary | |||||||||||
| David Pickett | |||||||||||
| Local Preachers’ Meeting | |||||||||||
| Vacancy(secretary) | Valerie Ashcroft | ||||||||||
| Circuit Safeguarding Officers | |||||||||||
| Brenda Cannon. | Angela Linton-Smith | ||||||||||
| Christ Church with St Philip | |||||||||||
| Anne Maddocks (steward) | Chris Peaker (treasurer) | ||||||||||
| Gwenda Carpenter | (elected rep) | Pam Slater (elected | rep) | Alison Charlton (elected rep) | |||||||
| Stoneleigh | |||||||||||
| Vivienne Ridgway | (steward) | Denise Gould (treasurer) | |||||||||
| Marion Baker (elected rep) | Catherine Draper (elected rep) | Pat Petley (elected rep) | |||||||||
| Ruxley | |||||||||||
| Sue Grasby (steward) | Vacancy (elected rep) | Chris Meineck (treasurer) | |||||||||
| Jacky Panter (elected rep) | Paula Bridger (elected rep) | ||||||||||
| Martin Way | |||||||||||
| Tony Loft (steward) | Tim Johnson (treasurer) | ||||||||||
| Alison Morgan | (elected rep) | Vacancy(elected rep) | Vacancy(elected rep) | ||||||||
| Lantern | |||||||||||
| Margaret Redway | (steward) | Alan Brown (treasurer) | Lorna Giraud (elected rep) | ||||||||
| Juliette Jaeger | (elected rep) | Vacancy(elected rep) |
CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Wimbledon Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
| District London Registered Charity - Charity Registration number |
Circuit no 35/26 1134284 |
|---|---|
If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242 )
Ministers: Rev Paul Timmis Rev Emma Cusack Deacon Dawn Canham
Circuit Stewards: Richard Charlton Chris Meineck Wendy Siemaszko Denise Gould Caroline Johnson Treasurer:
Roy Newitt
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ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 Wimbledon Circuit
Un - Circuit
restricted Model Trust Restricted Totals this Totals last
SECTION A Funds Fund Funds year year
a1 RECEIPTS Note £ £ £ £ £
a2 Assessment/Share 196,835 196,835 171,170
a3 Capital receipts
a4 Bank and CFB interest and
Investment income
2,510 57 2,567 4,096
a5 Grants
a6 Other receipts 23,950 23,950 22,200
a7 TOTAL RECEIPTS 223,295 57 223,352 (a8) 197,466
SECTION B
b1 PAYMENTS
b2 Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and
travel costs 131,888 131,888 128,837
b3 Manse Costs 49,550 49,550 42,986
b4 Administration etc 4,908 38 4,946 4,769
b5 District Assessment 33,480 33,480 26,604
b6 Grants & donations 2,000 2,000 2,000
b7
b8 Other payments 1,991 1,991 8,029
b9 TOTAL PAYMENTS 223,817 38 223,855 (b9) 213,225
SECTION C
NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR
THE YEAR
c1 (a7-b9) (522) 19 (503) (15,759)
c2 Total funds brought forward from last year 80,243 1,340 81,583 (c6) 97,342
c3 Sub total (c1+c2) 79,721 1,359 81,080 81,583
c4 Transfers and adjustments 1 1 (c7)
c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) 79,721 1,360 81,081 (c8) 81,583 (c6)
SECTION D
FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
d (these amounts should not be included in total receipts/payments above)
d1 Balance brought forward from last year
d2 Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations
d3 Offerings/Gifts - passed to external organisations
d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 + d2 - d3)
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Circuit
Wimbledon
SUMMARY OF CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATION REPORTING TO THE CIRCUIT MEETING
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of £250,000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations.
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INTERNAL Net Receipts/ Opening
ORGANISATIONS Receipts Payments Payments Adjustments balances Closing balances
e1
e2
e3
e4
e5
e6
e7
Sub total of Internal
e8 Organisations funds (e11) (e12)
Circuit accounts (totals
brought forward from
e9 page 2 - totals column) 223,352 (a8) 223,855 (b9) (503) 1 (c7) 81,583 (c6) 81,081 (c8)
TOTAL CASH FUNDS
e10 HELD BY CIRCUIT 223,352 223,855 (503) 1 81,583 (x) 81,081 (y)
Continue on a separate TOTAL
sheet if necessary and bring TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS
the totals forward
SECTION F
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
OPENING CLOSING
CIRCUIT - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2025 BALANCES BALANCES
f1 Cash in hand
f2 Bank Current Account 7,439 2,931
f3 Bank Deposit Account
f4 Central Finance Board 72,804 76,790
f5 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 1,340 1,360
f6 Other funds
f7 SUB TOTAL 81,583 (c6) 81,081 (c8)
Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the
f8 closing balance totals above) (e12) (e11) (e12)
f9 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT 81,583 (x) 81,081 (y)
SECTION G At At
OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES 1 September 2024 31 August 2025
g1 Investments (include Endowments)
g2 Land and Buildings (see notes re Insurance value) 2,160,783 2,771,171
g3 Other Assets
g4 Loan(s) - show amount outstanding at year end
g5 Other Liabilities
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f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only CFB Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trust accounts this is inserted in line f5)
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Name of Circuit ……………Wimbledon……………………………………………… No…35/26..
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 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 …………… signed ………………………………………… Date…10/09/2025
Name and address of treasurer …………Roy Newitt………………………………………………………………
21 Sandringham Road, Worcester Park, Surrey Post Code KT4 8XW
Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were/ ~~will be*~~
presented to the Circuit meeting held on …… 3rd December 2025………..
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ………………… signed …………………………………………………
Name of the Chair of the meeting ……Rev Paul Timmis…………………… Date ……3/12/25………………
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
……………Wimbledon ……… Circuit
Charity Number ………….. 1134284
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Wimbledon Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 1 to 3. 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.
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Name of Circuit ………Wimbledon…………………………… No …35/26……….
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below*) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I have/have not* obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner …………………(signed 5/11/25)………………………………….
Name of independent examiner …………Mr J. G. Knapper……………………………………………….
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner …………A. C. I. I. ………
Name of firm (where appropriate) ………………………………………………………………………
Address …………105 Sandringham Road, ………………………………………
…………Worcester Park, Surrey ……………………………………….. Post Code …KT4 8UH………
Date …………5/11/2025………………………………
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