The Salisbury Methodist Circuit (Registered Charity no 1134362)
Trustees’ Report And
Financial Statements
For the year ending 31 August 2024
SALISBURY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Introduction
The Circuit, of 9 churches, (supporting 10 congregations) spans the land of the five rivers around the fine cathedral city of Salisbury . From the rugged beauty of Salisbury plain in the north, to the picturesque surroundings of the New Forest National Park in the south, we are blessed with the ever-present reminder of God’s power of creation.
The vision of the Salisbury Methodist Circuit is to know for ourselves and to share the Good News of God’s love in Jesus by encouraging and enabling the people and churches of the Circuit to serve their communities and the wider world. Our mission priority is to create bubbles of community that offer sanctuary, engagement, and faith encounter.
We will do this by:-
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Being an effective Christian presence in our communities and demonstrating a passion for our faith
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Offering inspiring, welcoming worship and other activities
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Creating an open, caring and supportive environment for all we can reach
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Recognising, respecting and encouraging the gifts of all
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Discerning, training, developing and sharing our gifts and skills across the Circuit
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Deepening our faith and growing in discipleship
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Communicating the good news enthusiastically in ways that make sense to people today
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Embracing new opportunities and reacting positively to change
Review of the year
In September 2023, we said farewell to Ian Hardy, Bob Taylor and Nigel Thorne who had given many years of faithful service as circuit stewards. We were very grateful to them all for their vision and leadership through some very challenging times for the circuit. As Ian had also been the circuit treasurer, we began a new way of working with the new team of circuit stewards supported by a salaried Circuit Bursar to carry out the day-to-day financial activities needed to ensure smooth running of the circuit. In December we also had to say farewell to Jackie Weddell, who stood down as a circuit steward, and we are grateful to her for supporting the new team as they got into their stride in their new roles.
As the new team has come to understand the breadth and extent of the roles they have taken on, we are thankful for the firm foundations created by the previous team. The continued enthusiasm of Revd. Dr Mark Cheetham as Superintendent Minister and Chair of Trustees, and the willingness of the supernumerary ministers who have retired into the circuit to serve the Circuit in part time roles, has enabled us to maintain momentum in renewing our vision and seeking fresh opportunities to be church and serve our communities. As the joining of churches from the former Yeovil and Blackmore Vale circuit was confirmed at the Southampton District April synod, we have enjoyed working with the Rev Denise Binks to begin their integration into the circuit.
Following the closure of the Fordingbridge society in November and the Winterslow society’s decision to close their building, we have been considering how to refocus our mission. During the year Danny Miller, the Southampton District Researcher, carried out a study and provided a report to the Circuit Meeting which explored the potential to re-establish a Methodist presence in the Fordingbridge area and the opportunities presented by the new housing developments and the significant military presence in the north of the circuit. This work has been used to inform decisions the Circuit Invitation Committee will be making for requests into this coming year’s stationing process. A proposal for developing lay pioneering work in Fordingbridge will be taken to the September Circuit meeting.
The Justice and Peace group’s work on issues of national and international significance has raised our awareness of the housing crisis facing many members of the community. The closure of the society at Fordingbridge and the Winterslow Society’s decision to move out of their church building has prompted the Circuit Leadership team to look at how the property assets in the circuit might be used to address the need for affordable housing in our communities. Work is beginning, with the support of the connexional property team, to explore opportunities to use our assets to address this significant challenge for society.
The Circuit Justice and Peace group, formed with representatives from several churches, has continued to prompt us to develop our engagement with world issues. Following the appointment of the Circuit ECO champion, a key focus has been the work on developing the ECO circuit and a well-supported ECO fair was held at Amesbury Methodist church. They have now achieved a Bronze Award to join Salisbury’s achievement of a Silver Award. Friends at Bemerton are working towards the Bronze level and we look forward to working with the congregations at Motcombe, Tisbury and Bell St. Shaftesbury to further develop this aspect of our life together.
In the Autumn we were delighted to send an enlarged group of young people from around the circuit to the 3Gen conference in Birmingham. Both the young people and their leaders found this an enriching experience and shared some of their insights in a circuit service on their return. An even larger group is hoping to attend in the autumn of 2024.
As we continue to focus on our mission priority of creating bubbles of community that offer sanctuary we are looking forward to establishing an Afghan hub at Amesbury Methodist church, building on the successful model of the Salisbury Ukrainian hub. Whilst looking outwards in this way we have also continued to care for our existing congregations, some of which are recognising that the burden of maintaining old buildings uses energy and resource that could be devoted to the mission of the church. Following the closure of Fordingbridge and Winterslow churches, we hope to sell these properties and release finance to support growth in the circuit. The work begun last year in the village of Quidhampton, which has no church in the village, has been adopted as a class of our Bemerton Church. One of our supernumerary ministers, who lives there, has convened a weekly prayer session in the village pub and begun to hold a monthly service of Holy Communion working with others in the village. The Circuit has welcomed and will support this new faith community and help it develop.
The new work at Quidhampton is ecumenical and we firmly believe that this is key to maintaining a Christian witness in areas where facilities and opportunities for worship are scarce. We continue to value and support our congregations at Pitton, Sandleheath and Woodfalls where worship and all other church activities are planned ecumenically with the local Anglican churches.
As we end this year in our church life we are looking forward to churches in Shaftesbury, Tisbury and Motcombe joining us from September 2024 as the boundaries of local circuits are redrawn to reflect changing patterns of church and community life .
Financial Review
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. In view of the Covid lockdown from early 2020 and the financial impact this had on our church finances we reduced the sums requested form them and agreed to draw from reserves to make up the shortfall. The basis for calculating assessments has now returned to the pre−lockdown formula based on church income and attendance.
Our budget allowed for the receipt of rental income from the two manses which currently are not needed to house presbyters.
Stipends rise each financial year in line with conference approved increases. Our lay employees are paid not less than the ‘living wage’ and at a rate that is at least comparable with other salaries in the area for work of a similar nature.
In the 2023/2024 accounts :
92% of our income was provided by the local churches. 53% of expenditure was on pay and related costs
17% of expenditure was our contribution to the District, of which part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church
10% of expenditure was on property.
Fund balances
As at 31 August 2024 the net current assets of the Circuit’s general and designated fund were £228k, giving approximately a year’s cover for expenditure. This exceeds our reserves policy.
Plans for 2024/2025
Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there will be 2.5 full time ordained staff, with anticipated cost of living stipend increases, supported by a part time (0.25%) Lay Pastoral Assistant.
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 Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS)102
Full Name of Charity: Salisbury Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1134362 Date of registration: 17 February 2010
Main communication address: Salisbury Methodist Church, 26, St Edmunds Church Street, Salisbury, SP1 1EF
The members of the Salisbury Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
Active Circuit Ministers: Rev Dr Mark Cheetham
Rev Steve Hawkes Rev Anna Bishop (until January 2024) Rev Rosemary Fletcher
Stewards: Mrs Susan Holmes Mrs Jacqueline Weddell (until January 2024) Mrs Fiona Sherman Mrs Linda Hayman (from March 2024) Major Tim Casey (from May 2024)
Lay Employees: Mrs Sarah Taylor – Administrator Mrs Jacqueline Saunders – Lay Pastoral Assistant Mr. Graham Wilson – Circuit Bursar
Mrs Susan Holmes acted as the principal officer overseeing the day−to−day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year.
Independent examiner: Fawcetts Chartered Accountants, Windover House, St Ann’s Street, Salisbury SP1 2DR Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) Bankers: CAFBank Ltd Solicitors: Batt Broadbent Ltd
Salisbury Circuit Aims and organisation
Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Salisbury 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:
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a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
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b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
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c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
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d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church
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e) The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike.
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f) The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
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g) The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
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h) Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
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i) Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
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j) 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 Southampton District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit: Amesbury, Bemerton, Bourne Valley, Fordingbridge, Salisbury, Sandleheath, Shrewton, Winterslow (incorporating Pitton), Woodfalls.
Risk Management
Major risks have been identified and recorded by the Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required.
There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded.
Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on congregations
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−crea�on 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:
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the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
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the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
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the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where thereis informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
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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.
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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.
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We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
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We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
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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.
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In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
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The Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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 3 months’ average expenditure plus a manse maintenance reserve of £20,000 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.
Tasks for the year 2024/2025
Following the decision to incorporate three churches from the Yeovil and Blackmore Vale circuit (Motcombe, Shaftesbury and Tisbury) into the Salisbury circuit, an important focus in the coming year will be to develop an understanding of the needs, opportunities, skills and talents of the churches joining the circuit and to explore how to work together across the rest of the circuit to create an effective Christian presence in the community in the expanded area now covered by the circuit.
In addition
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The circuit leadership team recognises the importance of small groups in building effective relationships to disciple and further develop faith. Building on the experience of Covenant groups at SMC we will explore how this can be supported across the rural parts of the circuit as well as in the larger town and city churches.
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Work completed during 2024 by the District researcher identified the potential for a new expression of church in Fordingbridge following the closure of the church buildings and the dispersal of the worshipping community. Developing the proposed New People/ New Places outreach ideas into a real physical presence will be a significant area of work in the coming year. Identifying the nature of leadership and initiating mechanisms for engagement will be the focus of the first year of this plan.
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Developing our work in the north of the circuit in the areas of new housing, with Army families and the Afghan resettlement scheme will be another priority. Building on the work started in Amesbury we will explore the potential to establish a pioneer Deacon post to support this outreach to new people.
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The issue of homelessness and affordable housing has become an increasing concern in the circuit. Work will be
started to review the use of current circuit and church property and explore how redundant or under used land and buildings can be developed to address the housing issues. The circuit is working with the connexion property team to identify possible partnerships and options to make effective use of current circuit assets. Options for other churches in the circuit will be explored in subsequent years.
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The work of the current Outreach worker at Bemerton and in supporting the Café/ Church on the Green project will be reviewed with the view of consolidating this with the proposed role at Tisbury to develop a circuit based outreach worker.
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The work of the Peace and Justice group in developing the circuit and individual churches’ approach to climate justice remains an area for continued development. Supporting churches on their journey to attain appropriate levels in the A Rocha Eco Church accreditation scheme will be the focus of this year’s activity.
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Name of Circuit: Salisbury Circuit no:26/12
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024
Notes to General Circuit Model Designated Restricted Endowment Total
the Fund Trust Funds Funds Funds 2023-24
Accounts (Unrestricted (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted)
£ £ £ £ £ £
Income
1 Donations and Legacies 3 300,000 300,000
2 Income from monetary investments 1,139 9,324 10,463
3 Income from investment properties 3 30,112 30,112
4 Assessments on Churches 4 182,207 182,207
5 Capital Receipts
6 Draw down (TMCP) 827 827
7 Other Charitable Income 5
8 Total income 513,458 10,151 523,609
Expenditure
9 Grant and Donations 6 24,000 24,000
10 Salaries and associated costs 7 134,953 134,953
11 Property maintenance 8 24,533 24,533
12 Connexional Assessment & model 9 34,958 7,487 42,445
trust levy
13 District Assessment & Levy 9 6,622 6,622
14 Depreciation
15 Office Expenses 10 1,247 1,247
16 Other outgoings 11 18,304 18,304
17 Total charitable expenditure 220,617 31,487 252,104
18 Gains/ Losses on monetary
investment
19 Gains/ Losses on investment
properties
20 Net income/ (expenditure) 292,841 (21,336) 271,505
21 Transfers between funds 12 19,651 (19,651) 0
22 Other gains/ losses
23 Net movement in funds 312,492 (21,336) (19,651) 271,505
24 Total Funds brought forward 13 48,771 188,139 19,651 256,561
25 Total funds carried forward 361,263 166,803 0 528,066
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Name of Circuit: Salisbury|Circuit No :|26/12|
|Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024|
|General Fund|Circuit Model|Designated|Restricted|Endowment|Totals|Totals|
|(Unrestricted)|Trusts|Funds|Funds|Funds|2023/24|2022/23|
|Notes to the|(Unrestricted)|(Unrestricted)|
|Accounts|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Fixed Assets|
|Circuit Manses & Equipment|BS1|1,458,203|1,458,203|1,458,203|
|Investment properties|BS1|866,797|866,797|566,797|
|Investments|0|0|
|Po|—(—ts—— i|
|es|Total fixed assets|Gs RS|2,325,000|0|0|eS|0|es|0|2,325,000|2,025,000|
|Current Assets|
|Debtors|BS2|39,386|39,386|12,599|
|Investments with TMCP|BS3|166,803|166,803|188,139|
|Central Finance Board Deposits|BS3|9,729|9,729|59,829|
|Cash at bank and in hand|BS3|12,148|12,148|19,261|
|Total current assets|61,263|166,803|0|0|0|228,066|279,828|
|Current liabilities|
|Creditors (due in under 1 year)/ Salary|23,267|
|accrual|
|Grants payable within 2023-24|0|
|Total current liabilities|23,267|
|Net current assets/liabilities|61,263|166,803|228,066|256,561|
|Total assets less current liabilities|2,386,263|166,803|0|0|0|2,553,066|2,281,561|
|[ooTTC—TCCCCON|GS|Cd|CC|
|Long|term|liabilities|
|(due|after|more|than|one|year)|
|Grants payable after 2022-23|0|
|Loans to the Circuit|0|
|0|
|Net assets|2,386,263|166,803|0|0|0|2,553,066|2,281,561|
|Funds of the Circuit|
|General Fund (Unrestricted)|BS4|2,386,263|2,386,263|2,073,771|
|Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted)|BS4|166,803|166,803|188,139|
|Designated Funds (Unrestricted)|BS4|19,651|
|Total Unrestricted Funds|2,553,066|2,281,561|
|Restricted Funds|0|0|
|Endowment Funds|0|0|
|Total Funds|2,386,263|166,803|0|0|2,553,066|2,281,561|
|===|==|=|
|Signed|
|Circuit Finance|
|Steward|
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THE SALISBURY METHODIST CIRCUIT
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 2024 Notes £ Net cash flow from operating activities (a) (78,549) Cash flows from investing activities - Net cash flow from investing activities - Net increase in cash and cash equivalents (78,549) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2023 267,229 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2024 (b) 188,680 a) Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities 2024 £ Net income for the year as per the Statement of Financial Activities 271,505 (Increase) / Decrease in debtors (26,787) Increase/(Decrease) in creditors (23,267) Investment properties - closure of church societies (300,000) Net cash flow from operating activities (78,549) b) Cash and cash equivalents consists of: Cash at bank and in hand 188,680 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2024 188,680 |
2023 £ (114,721) - - |
|---|---|
| (114,721) 381,950 |
|
| 267,229 | |
| 2023 £ (104,888) (2,947) (6,886) - |
|
| (114,721) | |
| 267,229 | |
| 267,229 |
The charity has no borrowings or obligations under finance leases therefore a reconciliation of net debt has not been provided.
The notes form part of these financial statements
The Salisbury Methodist Circuit
Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2024
1. Basis of accounting and accounting policies
i Accounting Standard
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).
ii Public benefit entity
The Salisbury Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless stated otherwise in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.
iii Basis
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year. The accruals basis has been used and trustees present accounts that show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.
iv Content
The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £Sterling rounded to the nearest pound,
v FRS102 SORP 2015
These accounts are compliant with FRS 102 and with the FRS 102 SORP 2015. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable charity law in England this being the Charities Act 2011 and SI 2008/629 (Charities Accounting and Reporting Regulations) and, pending the making of replacement Regulations specific to SORP 2015 in accordance with Reg.8(4)(d) of SI 2008/629, the charity trustees have departed from the requirements of Reg.(8)(5) by following SORP (FRS102) instead of SORP 2005 to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view in the circumstances.
vi Going concern
Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2024, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concern.
vii 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.
viii Income recognition
Income is brought into the account when there is entitlement and amount is reliably measured once it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will be forthcoming.
Individual amounts categorised as Other Income in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material.
The Circuit acts as agent in two matters:
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the collection from churches and payment over of their contributions to various Funds controlled and administered by the Methodist Church – “Connexional Funds”
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the administration (application, collection and disbursement) of grants requested by Churches within the Circuit from, but not limited to, the District and Connexion
In all these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because they are the income of either the Connexion or Churches as appropriate. Instead the transactions are disclosed in the Notes to the Accounts as required by SORP(FRS102), module 19.12
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the time of volunteers is not recognised. Further information on this matter is provided in the Trustees’ Annual Report. If goods are donated, a value will be shown in the SOFA or Notes where the value is considered material.
ix
Expenditure
This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, where the amount is reliably measurable and it is considered more likely than not that there will be an outflow of economic benefit.
x
Grants
Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of the agreement to make a grant without performance conditions or as and when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment if it is subject to performance conditions. When the grant to be accrued is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years, discounted to net present value where the difference is material, is treated as a provision for future commitments in the balance sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years in accordance with the originally agreed terms. In cases where the grant has been charged to one fund but for ease of payment has been transferred to another fund any future payment provision is applied to the fund from which the grant will ultimately be paid.
xi VAT
Since the Circuit is not VAT registered all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.
xii Tangible fixed assets
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £250.
The freehold and /or long leasehold residential property is shown in the accounts at deemed historical cost representing each property’s gross carrying value as at 1 September 2015, being that property’s insurance reinstatement value as assessed by the representative of Methodist Insurance plc in 2010 and subsequently adjusted up to and including 31 August 2015 or, if acquired after that date, at its insurance reinstatement value at the date of acquisition. No depreciation is provided because the trustees consider the current residual value of the property in its present condition to be not less than its historical cost and, in the absence of any evidence of impairment, any depreciation provision for the buildings component of the property would be immaterial.
From time to time the Circuit may be required to assume responsibility for Church premises following closure and cessation of worship. This results in the Circuit becoming Managing Trustees for the property. At that time the property is recognised as an asset at its anticipated net sale price as determined by a professional valuation and after taking into account the levy to be charged by the Connexion. Any expenditure on such assets, if held for reinvestment of the proceeds, as the trustees determine, that is likely to enhance sale value is capitalised at the time the expenditure is incurred. Where the proceeds are intended to be spent on activities, the property is included in current assets at the lower of cost and realisable value.
The Circuit has made use of the deemed cost option on transitioning to FRS 102, as outlined above.
xiii(a ) Monetary investments
The Circuit’s investments are in monetary assets classified as being financial instruments under FRS 102 and are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gains arising on investments at the end of the year are shown in the SOFA and in Note 20 below.
xiii(b ) Investment Property
From time to time the Circuit may hold residential property (formerly manses) which is surplus to its current staffing requirements. Where this is the case and it is anticipated that the property is unlikely to be used a manse within a period of two years, the property is classified as Investment Property (whether let out or not) and any lets are at market rates unless there is a compelling reason not to do so in furtherance of the Circuit’s charitable objectives. Any such cases are specified in Note 3 below
xiv Receivables and Payables: Bank and Cash (Basic Financial instruments)
Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid. Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply, or the amount advanced to theCircuit. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit fund balances are shown at their realisable values.
xv Loans as Basic Financial Instruments
Where concessionary loans (i.e free of interest) are made to the Circuit to further its charitable purposes, and are repaid after more than one year, they are initially recognised as the amount paid, with the carrying value adjusted in subsequent years to reflect payment and any accrued interest, adjusted for any impairment, if necessary.
Where there is objective evidence of impairment, an immediate impairment loss is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. Subsequent reversals of an impairment loss that objectively relate to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, are recognised immediately in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Where loans require the calculation of a discounted cash flow valuation, this will be so marked.
xvi Methodist Connexional Funds
The Methodist Church Connexion raises assessments against the Circuits and these are paid quarterly to their Districts. The Circuit raises assessments against the Churches in the Circuit. The District quarterly remits to the Methodist Church Fund most of the sum received from the Circuits. A small sum is retained by the District to meet its own costs. The Circuit may act as agent for ad hoc collections for various funds administered by The Methodist Church. These are detailed in Note 11 below.
xvii Funds
The trustees have adopted a policy for all unrestricted reserves.
xviii Ministers’ manse costs
The Circuit is required to provide accommodation for each minister in the Circuit and their families 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, maintenance, buildings insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These figures are not separately disclosed as benefits−in−kind for ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hand of the ministers.
2 Glossary of terms.
CFB: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church manages a Common Deposit Fund and a series of pooled investment funds for Methodist entities in Great Britain and provides investment advice to those entities.
Church: A group of members from fewer than 10 to more than 300
Circuit: A group of Methodist Churches near each other, typically between 10 and 30.
Circuit Meeting: The trustees of the Circuit, most of whom are appointed by their local Churches and others by virtue of a role they undertake for the Circuit and/or their local Churches.
CLT (Circuit Leadership Team): A group (comprising mostly but not exclusively) of Circuit Trustees responsible for the day to day administration and policy formation of the Circuit. Generally, the CLT comprises the Presbyters and Deacons stationed within the Circuit and the Circuit Stewards.
CMTF: Circuit Model Trust Fund
Connexion: The Methodist Church in Great Britain which includes the Head Office at Methodist Church House, all Methodist Districts, Circuits and Churches in Great Britain.
Connexional Funds: The Designated and/or Restricted Funds held and administered by the Connexion in furtherance of its charitable and mission objectives.
District: A group of contiguous Circuits, usually between 15 and 30.
DAF: District Advance Fund.
FRS: Financial Reporting Standard
HMRC: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Lay employees: Personnel employed by the Circuit on generally accepted commercial employment terms.
MMPS: Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme.
Pensions Trust: The Pensions Trust, the organisation through which the Circuit arranges a pension scheme for its Lay Employees.
Presbyters (including Superintendent): Probationer or Ordained Ministers and/or Deacons who have pastoral and administrative responsibility for the Churches within the Circuit.
SOFA: Statement of Financial Activities.
SORP : Statement of Recommended Practice.
TMCP: Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes, the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds.
3 Income from Donations and Investment Property (SOFA 1 & 3)
The fixed assets of the former Winterslow and Fordingbridge societies have been transferred to the circuit for disposal. The buildings have been valued at £150K each. This amounts to a total of £300k added to the fixed assets of the circuit.
The trustees have determined that the properties at 7 Normandy Way, Fordingbridge and 76A Countess Road, Amesbury are unlikely to be returned to use as manses in the foreseeable future and have therefore classified the same as Investment Properties. Letting income of £30.1k is shown net of fees.
4 Assessments on Churches (SOFA 4)
The Circuit comprises of 9 churches and each is assessed for a contribution to meet the overall net costs of the Circuit. In making its assessment account is taken of the voluntary giving received by each church and the average attendance at Sunday services. The initial assessment is then moderated to take account of local circumstances. The Circuit aims to cover all its net core costs from the Assessment.
5 Grants received (SOFA 7)
No grants were received during this period.
6 Grants and Donations (SOFA 9)
The Grants listed below were made during the year –
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Grantee 2024 2024 Purpose
General Fund Circuit Model Trust
£ £
Salisbury Methodist 9,000 Assist with employment of lay
Church family/outreach worker
Bemerton Methodist 9,000 Assist with employment of lay outreach
Church worker
Amesbury Methodist 6,000 Funding to repair stonework
Church
Totals 24,000
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7 Stipends, Salaries and Associated Costs (SOFA 10)
Stipends were paid to 4 Presbyters (3.15 fte) and s alaries were paid to 3 part time lay employee s. The costs associated with this employment amounted to £
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2024 2023
General Fund
Ministers £ £
Stipends 78,303 88,592
National Insurance Contributions 6,514 7,304
Apprenticeship Levy 378 410
Pension Fund Contributions 17,537 19,558
Telephone & Broadband 2,663 3,066
Computer allowance 776
Travelling 5,923 6,015
Assistance with manse energy costs 0 3,000
Sub Total 112,094 127,945
Lay Employees
Salaries 21,709 11,153
National Insurance Contributions * 153
Apprentice Levy 80 60
Pension Fund Contributions 0 384
Travelling 1070 1,028
SubTotal 22,859 12,778
Total Stipends, salaries & related costs 134,953 140,723
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- Lay Staff NI contributions are included in the Church recharge figure above
No employees received employee benefits of more than £60,000. There is no accrual for holiday pay as it is immaterial. All staff are paid at or above the living wage.
Pension:
Most ordained presbyters are members of the Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme (MPPS). This is a defined benefit scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 that Methodist Ministers (which term includes presbyters and deacons) are not employees of the Church. For simplicity, however, when dealing with National Insurance Contributions and pension contributions the terms ‘employer’ and ‘employee’ are used as they would be in an employing body. The Connexion accounts for the MPPS and shows the figures in the annual Methodist Church in Great Britain accounts. The MPPS is in deficit but a plan for removal of the deficit has been proposed and is being implemented.
Lay Employees are contractually employees and have the option of joining a pension scheme which the Circuit has arranged with TPT Retirement Solutions (formerly The Pensions Trust). This is a defined contribution scheme and Circuit contributes as employer to this scheme.
7a Cost of Superintendent, Presbyters and Trustees.
The Superintendent of the Circuit, the other Presbyters and the remaining members of the CLT are considered as Key Management Personnel. The Superintendent chairs meetings of the CLT and Circuit Meetings. The members of the Circuit Meeting are the trustees of the Circuit. The stipends, employer’s NIC and employer’s pension contributions and other expenses of the Presbyters of the Circuit are paid by the Circuit.
The manses are provided by the Circuit and the Circuit maintains the property. The value of the Council Tax and water charges paid by the Circuit are not disclosed here as HMRC does not regard this as a benefit−in−kind in the hands of the minister.
Payments to Trustees
It is generally not Circuit policy to reimburse non−presbyteral members of the CLT, Circuit Meeting and others involved in the administration of Circuit affairs for expenditure properly incurred in carrying out their duties although certain travelling and administration costs may be reimbursed in relation to specific projects.
The travel costs of Presbyters who attend CLT and Circuit Meetings is included within their overall travel expenses (see note 9) and is not separately determined.
8 Property Expenses. (SOFA 11)
The Circuit is Managing Trustee for 4 manses, 2 of which are occupied by ministers stationed in the Circuit and 2 are let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies. They are also responsible for the two redundant church properties at Fordingbridge and Winterslow. The Circuit is responsible for insurance of the properties and, with the exception of the let manses, Council Tax and water charges.
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Manse Council Water Insurance Maintenance 2024 2023
Tax Total
1 Sycamore Drive 3,282 658 835 4,775 5,410
9 New Zealand Ave 3,437 543 2,975 6,955 5,852
76a Countess Road 5,692 5,692 19,160
7 Normandy Way 961 961 5,030
Unallocated 4,847 1,303 6,150 2,997
Totals 6,719 1,201 4,847 11,766 24,533 38,449
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Unallocated costs for maintenance relate to the redundant church properties taken on by the circuit during this financial year.
9 Connexional and District Assessment and Levy (SOFA 12,13 & 16)
The District Assessment is calculated relative to the staffing (Presbyter and Mission staff only) of all Circuits in the Southampton District. This amounted to £41.6k broken down as £35K for the Connexion and £6.6K for the District. Levy on the Circuit Model Trust fund is taken directly from the funds at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) and is made up of a Circuit/ District payment of £6948 and an administration charge of £539
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General CMTF 2024 2023
Total
District Expenses 6,622 6,622 6,220
Methodist Church 34,958 34,958 35,768
Fund
Levy on CMTF 7,487 7,487 9,104
Totals 41,580 7,487 49,067 51,092
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10 Office & Administration costs (SOFA 15)
Costs include those incurred by presbyters in respect of their home offices and those of other circuit office holders, this amounted to £6.9k.
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General CMTF 2024 2023
£ £ Total
£
Publications, including Conference 677 677 336
Minutes
Postage 72 72 239
Stationery 438 438 1,082
Bank charges 60 60 66
Total 1,247 1,247 2,849
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11 Other outgoings (SOFA 16)
Costs include one-off payments for activities to support outreach activities, closure of churches and other permitted activities of the charity.
General Fund
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Outgoings General CMT 2024 Total 2023
Preaching Fees 517 517 1,275
Church Closure 1,101 1,101 0
Misc 6,996 6,996 2,039
Quinquennial 2,970 2,970
Youth 6,650 6,650
Training 70 70
Total 18,304 18,304 3,314
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Designated funds
It has been decided that since certain historical designated funds - Manses maintenance (which has its own SOFA note), Café on the Green and Youth work are all budgeted for and reported separately in the Circuit Accounts and are not Restricted Funds, that the practice of preparing separate designated schedules is no longer necessary and that all the associated transactions will take place via our General Fund.
12 Designated funds (SOFA 21)
Following the change to employing a Circuit bursar and Finance Steward from the previous Circuit Treasurer arrangements, the use of designated funds has ceased. The carried forward balance of £19,651 has been transferred into the General Fund.
13 Brought forward payment (SOFA 24)
This has been adjusted from the previous year total to reconcile with the actual starting balance on the TMCP account of £188,966 on September 1[st] 2023.
BS1 Manses and Other properties.
Buildings comprise 2 manses and 2 investment properties. The circuit’s role as managing trustees for closed churches means from time to time fixed assets from closed societies are transferred to the circuit when those societies accounts are closed. During the year two closed church societies (Fordingbridge and Winterslow) transferred their fixed assets to the circuit. This resulted in a £300k increase to the investment properties over the figures stated in FY23/4. It is intended that those transferred fixed assets will be disposed of in the coming financial year. The valuations for the transferred church buildings are those made by the estate agents handling the sales.
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Residential Manses Investment 2024
Land Property Total
£ £ £ £
Balance brought forward 935,003 523,200 566,797 2,025,000
Adjustment (+)
Revaluations (+/-)
Disposals (-)
Transfers (+/-) 300,000 300,000
Balance carried forward 935,003 523,200 866,797 2,325,000
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Net Book Value
| Brought forward 01/09/2024 | 935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
935,003 523,200 566,797 0 0 2,025,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carried forward 31/08/2024 | 1,235,000 | 523,200 | 566,797 | 0 | 0 | 2,325,000 |
BS2 Debtors & Prepayments
It is expected that all sums shown as debtors at 1 September 2024 will be received during the following year.
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General Designated 2024 Total 2023
Debtors 26,422 26,422 0
Pre-payments
Stipends, Pension NI 12,964 12,964 10,289
Other prepayments 2,310
Totals 39,386 39,386 12,599
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The debtor relates to an outstanding invoice for a quarterly assessment payment from Salisbury Methodist Church of £26422.
BS3&4 Description of Funds
Monetary balances held at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church and at CAFBank Ltd are all available on demand and without loss of interest. Following the change to employing a Circuit Bursar and Finance Steward from the previous Circuit Treasurer arrangements, it was felt the practice of preparing separate designated schedules is no longer necessary and that all the associated transactions will take place via our General Fund. Consequently, the use of designated funds has ceased.
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General Designated 2024 2023
Total
Central Finance Board 9,729 9,729 59,829
CAFBank Ltd 11,118 11,118 18,231
Cash in Hand 30 30 30
Hamptons Int 1,000 1,000 1,000
Totals 21,877 21,877 79,090
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Unrestricted Funds
| Unrestricted Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Balance at 31 Aug 2024 | 2023 | |
| General Fund | 2,386,263 | 2,073,771 |
The purpose of the fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Circuit and which have not been designated for other purposes. About 99% of this fund is held as freehold property being manses for the ministers and investment property and, from time to time, redundant chapels in the Circuit. Grants made during the year are shown at paragraph 6. The Circuit Meeting is aware that grant applications must demonstrate public benefit and this is true for this fund.
| Balance at 31 Aug 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Model Trust Fund | 166,803 | 188,139 |
The purpose of the fund is for use at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Circuit. Its main source of income is formulaically determined contributions from the sale of manses and church buildings in the Circuit.
Although this is technically an Unrestricted Fund under the control of the Circuit Meeting, prior approval is still required from the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes to utilise these funds. Methodist Standing Orders 930, 931 and 917(2) are applicable.
There are no restricted or endowment funds .
Related Parties
Related parties include the Methodist Connexion, The Southampton District and Churches within the Circuit, CFB and TMCP. All financial transactions with these related parties are reported in these accounts.
Agency Collection and Payments
The Circuit has acted as agent in either collection or facilitation of the monies for Methodist charities in previous years. Previously the sums sent to the Circuit by churches were remitted direct to the organisations or funds shown and do not appear elsewhere in these accounts. Following changes to banking arrangements churches now pay monies directly to charities and do not use the circuit for payments.
Independent Examiner
The Independent Examiner examined the Circuit Accounts at their standard professional fees of £800 + VAT and provided no additional services to the Circuit during the year.
Name of Circuit.. Salisbury Circuit No- 26112 Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2023 Notes to Circuit Model Designatsd the General Fund Trust Funds accounts (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted) (unrestricted) Restricted EndoTrhryrpnt Funds Funds Total 2022-23 Income 1 Donations and legacies 2 Income from monetary investments 3 Income from investment properties 4 Assessments on Churches 5 Capital Receipts 6 Grants received 7 Other Charitab income 8 Total incowe 622 622 8,697 23,350 130,581 5,833 16,518 130.581 6.832 5,000 1,580 169.830 1,495 8.949 155.048 5.833 Expenditure 9 Grants and donations 10 Salaries and associated costs 11 Property maintenance 12 Connexional assessment & m(xJel trust levy 13 District Assessment & Levy 14 Depreciation 15 Office expenses 16 Other outgoings 17 Totsl charitsble expenditure 18 Gainslllossesl on monetary investrnents 19 Gainslllossesl on investment properbes 20 Net incon*llexpenditure) 21 Transfers beeen funds 22 Other gainslllosses) 23 Net vet in funds 24 Totsl funds brought forward 25 Total funds carried fonvard 2,125 140.723 9.4 35.768 6.220 28,( 30,125 140,723 44,853 35,768 15,324 35,453 9.104 10 11 2.188 2.135 198.$59 2,849 5,076 274.718 2,941 38.394 37.765 43.511 10.C((S - -31.932 12,OC¥J -29.445 22,0 -104.888 -53,511 102.282 48.771 43,932 232.071 188.139 -104.888 361.449 256.561 27,0 19,651
No 26/12
Name of Circuit: Salisbury
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.
Signature of Circuit Finance Steward Date 5[th] June 2025
Name and address of Circuit Finance Steward: Mrs Susan Holmes, 7 Bishops Mead, Laverstock, Salisbury SP1 1RU
Presentation to the Circuit Meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented to the Circuit Meeting held on 12[th] June 2025.
Signature of the Chair of the meeting:
Name of the Chair of the meeting: Rev. Dr. Mark Cheetham Date 12[th] June 20025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Salisbury Methodist Circuit
Charity number: 1134362
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Salisbury Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and the related notes.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
-
The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balance 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. Nicholas Jones (FCCA) Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants | Fawcetts LLP Chartered Accountants Windover House St Ann Street Salisbury SP1 2DR
24 June 2025 Date: …………………………….
Appendix A
Salisbury Methodist Circuit Meeting Membership for the year-ended 31 August 2024 (including members appointed after year-end):
| after year-end): | |
|---|---|
| Ministers: | Revd, Dr Mark Cheetham (chair) |
| Revd. Steve Hawkes | |
| SupernumeraryMinisters: | Revd. Cecil King |
| Revd. Christopher Jones | |
| Revd. Margaret Jones | |
| Revd. Rosemary Fletcher | |
| Revd. Philip Richter | |
| Revd. Rosemary Richter | |
| Revd. Judie Davies | |
| Revd. Jane Taylor | |
| Revd. Stephen Maunder | |
| Revd. Derek Chapman | |
| Revd. Dr Philip Luscombe | |
| Revd. Dr Peter Ensor | |
| Revd. Denise Binks (appointed 1 September 2024) | |
| Lay Pastoral Assistant | Mrs Jacqueline Saunders |
| Circuit Stewards: | Mrs Susan Holmes (Finance) |
| Mrs Fiona Sherman | |
| Mrs Linda Hayman | |
| Major Tim Casey | |
| Manse Secretary: | Mr Robert Taylor |
| Circuit Local Preachers & | |
| Worship Leaders representatives: | Mrs Valerie Liversidge |
| Mr Bernard Robert Mr | |
| Malcolm Spencer | |
| Circuit Appointed: | Mrs Grace E Chick (Methodist Women in Britain) Mrs |
| Diana Noble (Safeguarding Officer) | |
| Mr Nicholas Rutt (Circuit website manager) | |
| Mr Jim Gillings (ECO champion) | |
| Circuit Church Representatives: | |
| Amesbury: | Mrs Lauren Newton |
| Mrs Gillian Cook | |
| Mr Derek Fisher | |
| Bemerton: | Mrs Janet Hardy |
| Mrs Moira Burton | |
| Mr Ian Hardy | |
| Bourne Valley: | Mrs Joy Davey |
| Mrs Lynne Spring | |
| Pitton: | Mrs Sarah Sankey |
| Salisbury: | Mr David Booth |
| Mrs Carolyn ClarkeMr | |
| Paul Butler | |
| Mrs Beverley Turner |
| Sandleheath: | Mr Melvyn Clark (Resigned March 2024) |
|---|---|
| Mr Andrew Ledger (From March 2024) | |
| Mrs Sue Ledger | |
| Mrs Sylvia Charlesworth | |
| Shaftesbury (from 1 September 2024): | Ms Dorothy Jones |
| Ms Jo Bathurst | |
| Shrewton: | Mrs Lilian M Foynes |
| Mrs Dianne Robinson | |
| Tisbury (from 1 September 2024): | Ms Christine Fordham |
| Ms Joy Aylen | |
| Woodfalls: | Mr Graham Tanner |
| Mrs Anita Tanner | |
| Winterslow: |
Mr Duncan Moody (resigned July 2024) |
| Mr Ivan Moody (resigned July 2024) |