COVENTRY AND NUNEATON METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Number: 5110 Registered Charity Number: 1134347 TRUSTEES'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 COVENTRY AND NUNEATON CIRCUIT TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Introduction The Coventy and Nuneaton Circuit currently includes 15 churches (of which three are Local Ecumenical Partnerships) in Coventry and the North of Warwickshire. The Circuit Meeting oversees the work of the Methodist Church in this area and seeks to respond to the needs of its churches and communities. Aims and organisation We affim that as the Methodist Church in the Coventy & Nuneaton Circuit we will encourage all God's people to". Love God with all their heart. mind, soul. and strength. . Reflect God's love in words and actions. As Methodists in this Circuit will live out our calling by: Supporting varied and quality worship. Helping to deepen discipleship. . Offering care and support. • Responding to the needs of others, at home and in the world. Challenging injustice. Helping people share their faith. Making more followers of Jesus Christ. Revlew of the year The Circuit has supported all 15 churches during the year by providing Ministers and Local Preachers to lead church services most Sundays. Several fundraising events were put on by churches throughout the Circuit to raise funds for the International Children's Trust, and a total of £840 was raised during the year. The Circuit was pleased to be able to continue to support Woodside Methodist Church with part funding for a Parish Nurse. The Nurse continues to have a positive impact at Woodside and the surrounding Gommunity. Income trends Circuit income is primarily drawn from the ass&ssment paid by the circuit churches. vlith £311 .829 raised during the year. The Circuit has many volunteers who assist with its effedive running. For example, stewards assist the leadership team with recruitment, others help to maintain the church manses. These services are not recognised in the accounts. Expenditure trends Ministerial stipends and allowances increased in line with conferen￿ approved rat8s. £72,636 of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. £38,044 of Circuit expenditure was taken from the Circuit Model Trust Fund for mission and growth projects around the Circuit. Page 2 of 28 Fund balances As at 31 August 2024 the net current assets of the Circuit were £0.8 million and total funds were £1.46 million. Total funds have decreased compared to the prior year due to the intentional use of reserves to fund specific projects and reducing the amounts churches needed to contribute towards Circuit costs. Plans for 2024125 We have an evangelical growth strategy that is being implemented over the next few years. The strategy consists of 7 streams each led by a Circuit Steward and small team: 1. Children, Youth and Family - to nurture children and Y￿th as disciples of Christ within the church family. 2. Discipleship through Learning and Caring - to inspire churches in their spiritual growth through small groups as a means of grace. 3. Evangelism and Church Planting - to work with churches as they practice principles of 'Church without Walls, and model church planting. 4. Justice, Compassion and Peace - to help provide food, shelter and clothing, offer safe space and comforting presence, listening ears and radi(21 advocacy to victims of social inequality. 5. Staffing and Staff we114)eing - to promote. safeguard and nurture the ongoing well-being of Circuit staff and employees in order to comply with all recruitment, employment and appraisal towar(Is sustainable growth in the Circuit. 6. Flnancing and Resourcing - to explore mission investment models toward the productive use of Circuit resources from which churches may draw inspiration from their vision growth projects. 7. Worship and Spirituality - to sustain a culture of worship vibrancy in the Circuit which appeals to members and visitors. Over the coming year the leadership team. ￿th the relevant approval of the Circuit Meeting, will undertake a review of the strategy and streams to ensure that it remains effective for the developing needs and resources of the Circuit. Page 3 of 28 Trustees. Annual Report of Finance and Governance Basis of preparation and legal framework The Charity's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Accounting & Reporting by Charities SORP FRS102 effective 1 January 2019. Full Name of Charity: Coventy and Nuneaton Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1134347 Date of registration 16th February 2010 Main communication address: Bedworth Methodist Church, Mill Street, Bedworth CV12 8JZ The members of the Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit Offi￿ holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. A list of Trustees is shown as Appendix A to this report. Circult Ministers and officer5 Active Circuit Ministers Rev Jill Marsh, Superintendent (started 1 September 2023) Rev Jane Braund (left 31 August 2024) Deacon Sheila Davtson (left 31 August 2024) Rev Doreen Koffie Williams Rev Stephen Willey Rev Christine Crabtree (started 1 September 2024) Local Ecumenical Partnership Minister Rev Dr Allan Smith Circuit stewards Mr Andy Pinks (resigned 31 August 2024) Ms Karen Brooks Mr Peter Dipple Ms Perpetua Shaukaringwa Mr Tony Cashmore (appointed 1 September 2024) Mr Alastair Mcculloch (appointed 1 June 2024) Treasurer Administrator Mrs Jane Bennett Independent examiner Azets Audit Services 3Mc Middlemarch Business Park, Siskin Drive, Coventry. CV3 4FJ Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Page 4 of 28 Aims and organlsation The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been Sin￿ the Date of Union the advancement of". a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctiinal 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 In addition we: Organise and resource regular public acts of worship open to members and non-members of the church. Teach Christianity through semons. courses and small groups. Resource pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Take religious assemblies in local schools. Promote Christianity through the staging of events and servI￿s. Provide chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions. Public Benefit We confinn the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidan￿ 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 govemance 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, and Stream 6 Finance & Resourcing Team. 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 Bimiingham District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are related to the Circuit: Artey Balsall Common Coventry Central Hall Collycroft Meriden Nuneaton Ridge Lane Ryton Bedworth Earlsdon Radford & Holbrooks Woodside Ave The following Local Ecumenical Partnerships are related to the Circuit". Atherstone Fillongley Horeston Grange Method to appoint new Trustees When required, Churches within the Circuit put forward people to serve as Circuit Trustees. Trustees are expected to actively support and further the charitys work. Page 5 of 28 Risk Management The major risks have been identrfied and recorded by the Circuivs Stream 6 Finance & Resources Team with professional advice taken as required. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a regular basis to deteGt trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen Galls on reserves. Safeguarding Every person has a value and digntty 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 practi￿ outlines commitment to the following principles: the care and nurture of. and respectful pastoral ministy 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 lovlng 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 record disclosures through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 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 infomied 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 Coventry & Nuneaton 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 Coventry & Nuneaton 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 responsibilitie5 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 3 months, average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and l 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. Approved by the board of trustees on 26 February 2025 and signed on its behalf by Rev Jill Marsh. "JLkn Page 6 of 28 Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 August 2024 z Unrestrtcted Designated Réstricted Funds Funds Funds Total this Year Total Prior Year Fixed assets Tangible assets F01 F02 F05 653,145 653,145 Total r￿ed assets 10 653.145 653,145 653,145 653,145 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Current asset investments Total cuffent assets 13,711 133.906 1.660 669.562 15,371 806,569 14 16,894 849,104 3.101 147,616 671.222 3.101 821,940 865,998 Creditors= amounts falling due within one year 12 (16,240) (1.492) (17,732) (15.524) Net current assets/(liablliti"es) 131.376 671.222 1,609 804,208 850,474 Total assets 131,376 1,324,368 1,609 1,457,354 1,503,620 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Provisions for liabilities Total net assets or liabilities Funds ofthe Charity Endowment funds Restricted income funds Unrestrided funds Revaluation reserve 131,376 1.324.368 1.609 1.457,354 1,503,620 16 1,609 1,609 1.455.744 1,531 1,502,089 16 131,3T6 1,324.368 Total funds 131,376 1,324.368 1,609 1,457,354 1,503,620 Signed by one trustee on behalf of all the trustees Date: 2610212025 RevJlll Marsh Page 7 of 28 Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist Circuit {5110) Annual accounts for the period 11912023 to 311812024 Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) Charity No: 1134347 Endowme nt Funds Unrestricted Deslgnated Restricted Fund5 Funds Funds Total Funds Incomlng resources Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies harttable actlvllles (income) other trading acti￿￿e$ Investrnents 311,831 4,500 11,287 323,118 4.500 24,615 13,931 83 38.629 Separate material item of inGome Other Total Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising ftjnds Charitable activities Separate material Item of expense Other Total 6,900 347,846 6,900 373,147 25,218 83 357,289 62,120 419,413 357,289 62,120 419,413 Net incomel(axpendlture) before Investment gainsl(losses) (9,443) (36,901) 78 (46,266) Nel gainsI{lo￿8s} on investments Net incomel(expenditure) Transfers between funds (9,443) (12.000) {36,901) 12.000 78 (46,266) 16 Other recognlsed galnsl(losses): Galns arKI losses on rev8luatSon of fixed assets for the charity's own use other gainslllosses} Net movement in funds 21.443 24,901 78 46,266 Reconciliation of funds.. Total funds brought f￿ard 16 152,820 1.349,269 1,531 1,503,620 131.376 1 .324.368 1.609 1.457.354 Total funds carried forward Page 8 of 28 Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist Circuit {5110) Annual accounts for the period 11912022 to 311812023 Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) Prior Year Unrestricted Designated Restrided Endowme funds Funds funds nt funds Total funds Incoming resources Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitsble activlties Other trading activltl8S Investments Separate material item of Ino)me Other 302.862 504 303.366 12.714 9,101 48 21,863 Totsl Resources expended Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable aC￿￿tieS Separate material ¢tem ofewse Other 6.271 321.847 1.940 11.545 8,211 333,440 48 337,446 136,946 474,396 Totsl 337,446 136,946 474,396 Net incomel(expandlturo) before investment gainsl(losses) Nel gainslllosses) on Investments (15,599) 125,401) (140.956) Net incomel(expenditure) Transfers between funds Other recognised gainsl(losses): Gains and losses on rovaluation of fixed assets for thè charitys own use Other gainsl{lossos) Net movement in funds (15,599) (12,000) (125,401) 12,000 (140,956) 27,599 113,401 140,956 Reconciliation of funds.. Total fvnd% brought foryMr(f 180.418 1.462.670 1,487 1,644,575 Total funds camed forward 152,820 1,349.269 1,531 1,503,620 Page 9 of 28 Cash flow statement for the year ended 31 August 2024 This year Prior year Cash from operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating actsvities (81.164) (156,602) Cash flows from investing activities Dividends,interest and rents from investments Proceeds from the sale of property,plant and equipment Purchase of property,plant and equipment Purchase of intangible assets Proceeds from the sale of investments Purchase of investments Other 38.629 21.863 10 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 38,629 21,863 Cash flows from financing activities New borrowing Repayments of borrowing Net cash provided by (used in) financing activitles Change in cash and cash equivalents in the ￿portIng pertod Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period (42,535) (134,739} 849,104 983.843 806,569 849,104 14 This year Prior year Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operatin Net incomel(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per SOFA) Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortisation charges Profit on the sale of fixed assets Loss on the sale of fixed assets Gains on investments Dividends. interest and rents from investments Decreasel{increase) in stocks (increase)Idecrease in debtors increasel(decrease) in creditors aGtivities (46.266) (140,956} (38,629) (21,863) 11 12 1.523 2.208 8,962 (2,746) Net cash used in operating activitie5 (81,164) (156,602) Thi5 year Prior year Analysis of cash and cash equivalent Cash in hand Short term deposit (less than 3 month5) Total cash and cash equivalents 14 806,569 849,104 806,569 849,104 Page 10 of28 Notes to the accounts Note 1 Accounting Policies Basis of preparation and legal framework These accounts have been prepared under the historiGal cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.The accounts have been prepared in accordance with". 1. the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 effective 1 January 2019). 2. and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefft entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practi￿ for charittes applsryng FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has Sin￿ been withdrawn. Based on the monetsry assets and human resources available as at 31 August 2024, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concem. 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 goveming bodies except in extreme circumstances. For this reason. the accounts of the Churches wtthin the Circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements. Presentation. currency and rounding The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. Recognition of income These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: the charity becomes entitled to the resOur￿s. it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Offsetting There has been no offsetttng of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the general incoma recognition critoria are mot (5.10 to 5.12 FF Income {£) (£) Grants made Trustees Common Trustees Common Trustees (500) Coven Central Hall Meriden Methodist Church Balsall Common Methodist Church Collycroft Methodist Church Grants made (82.500) Grants made {500) Common Trustees Common Trustees Grants made (500) Grants made (5.584) Ear5sdon Mathodist Church Fillongley Methodist Church Circuit Churches see note 2 Bimiingham District Grants made (4,000) Trustees Common Trustees Grants rnade (2.500) Convnon Trustees Convmon Trustees (68,246) There was no provision for bad debts at the end of the period. No amounts written off during the period. Assessments for the running of the circuit and wtder Methodist Church 282.813 Assessment Page 26 of 28 Independent Examin•fs report Report to the trustees of Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist Circuit On accounts for the year ended 31-Aufr24 Charity no: 1134347 Set out on pages Respectiva responsibilities of The chariws trustees reg￿nSIble for th& pr@paration of the aceounls. The ehsrd¢8 trustees consider trustees and examinor that an audtl is not required for this year urmler section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed. The charitys gross income exceed8d £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examinatts)n by b&"ng a qualified member of ICAEW. 11026 It is my responsibility to: examine the a(￿unts under secbon 145 of the Charities Act. to fdlN the pr(t6dures laid doMTr in the general Directic￿S given by the Charsty Commission (under section 14515){b) of the Charits'es A(* and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of indèpèndent exarninef statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions gtven by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a ￿VIeW of the aC￿Unting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudos consideration of any unusual ttems or disclt)sures in the accounts. and seekiThJ explanatiorts from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procÈdures undertaken do not provide all the ev￿￿ent% that would be required in an audit, and (x)nsequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ttrue and fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the ststement below. Your attention drawn to the fact that the chartty has prepared the financial statements in accordance with AcC￿Jnting and Reporting by Charrlies preparing their accounts in accordance with tha Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Rowrting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulabons but has now been wilhdrawrk. l understand that this has been done in order for the financial ststements to promde a true and fair view in accordance with Generalty Accepted A(t>Junting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015. Independerrt axaminer's statement In connectpjn with my examinatton. no material matters have cx)me to my attention (othgr than that disclos8d bdow) whith gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in ac£ordance with section 130 of the Charities A¢t; or the accounts did not accord with the acGountin9 recx)rds," or the acc#)unts did rKIt compty with the applicable requirements conceming the form and wntent of a￿OUnts set out in the Charities {Accounts arnl ReF¥)rts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement Ihat the a￿)unt5 gNe a Irue and fairf view ￿1¢h is not a matter considere(l as part of an Ir￿ependent examinalion. I have come across no other matters in connection wth t￿￿ examination to whith attention should be drawn in this report in order to enabl pw urKlerstsrMJing of the accounts to be reached. Slgned: Date". Name". Robert Anderson FCA Rélavant professional qualification{s) or body {rf any): FCA Address: Azets Audit Services 3Mc Middlemarch Business Park. Siskin Drive, Baginton, Coventy. cv3 4FJ Page 27 of 28 endix A: Trustees Current Trustees: Name Rev Christine Crabtree (appointed 119120241 Alastair Mcculloch (appointed 11612024) Rev Jill Marsh (appoFnted IigJ2022) Joy Fine Michaela Allsopp Patricia Swift Judith Mudzamiri Kathleen Allton Perepetua Sakuringwa Name Mary Warr Kenneth Holmes Henning Kleine Marion Rixson Rosemary Clemo Dawn Maycock Tony Cashmore Doreen Hawthorne John Bennett rl Lynne Mckeown Irene Love Taedza Sigauke Karen Brooks BeverleyTaylor Rev Stephen Willey Gordon Hopkins Rev Doreen Koffie-williams Robert Bennett Tim Jefferies (appointed 119/2024) Pamela Reid Dumisani Moyo Ray Arnold Alison Lawn Deana Mawn Denise Huxley Christine Moore Brian Cartwright Richard Smith Val Gadsby Graham Hargreaves John Mcmahon William Holdforth Joyce Lea Sue Taylor Keith Drinkwater Vivien Kershaw Pam Hopkins {appointed 1112120241 The following served as trustees during the period but are no longer trustees at the date of approving the accounts: Thelma Moyo {resigned 3118/2024) Lois Talbot (resigned 31/8/2024) Trevor Gay (resigned 31/812024) Christopher Parnell {resigned 31/8/2024) Michael Hobbs (resigned 311812024) Andrew Pinks (resigned 31/8120241 Sheila Dawson (resigned 31/8/2024) Keith Aldridge (resigned 3/21251 Peter Dipple (resigned 31/8/2024) Gordon Smith {resigned 31/812024) Dora Cutter (resigned 311812024} Rev Jane Braund (resigned 31/8/2024) Heather Gill (resigned 3118/2024) Jean Marshall (resigned 3118/2024) Dorothy Holmes {resigned 31/8/2024) Page 28 of 28