REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1134395
Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statement for the Year ended 31 August 2025
for
The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
Haslam Financial Services Ltd
12 New Church Road, BOLTON BL1 5QP
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The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities ‘Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRSSE) 2015.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 1134395
Principal address
Harwood Methodist Church Longsight Bolton Lancashire BL2 3HX
Trustees
Mrs H Charlton acts as treasurer for the charitable trust.
The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees. A full list of trustees is included in the financial statements.
Independent Examiners
Haslam Financial Services Ltd., 12 New Church Road BOLTON BL1 5QP
Solicitors
The charity's solicitors are Blake Morgan, Seacourt Tower, West Way, Oxford.
Advisers
The charity's investment managers are TMCP, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ.
The following ministers acted throughout the year;
Rev S Hooks Rev R Kasema Rev C Pritchard
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
The charitable trust is constituted by the Deed of Union 1932, the Methodist Church Act 1976, is part of the Methodist Church of UK. The trustees listed have served throughout the year. Appointment of trustees is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. The Managing Trustees of Churches and the Circuit are empowered by our Standing Orders to appoint new trustees and to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an existing trustee. Circuit Managing Trustees have regular meetings where the Circuit’s main areas of activity and by extension the aims of the charity are discussed and agreed. The day to functioning of the circuit is governed by Standing Orders as set out in the Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. The charitable trust is registered with the Charity Commission.
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The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Managing Trustees review the major risks which the charity face and consider that there are none which would stop the charity from maintaining its objects. Assessments from individual churches have been agreed for the forthcoming year. It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a reasonable level to cover unforeseen expenses. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs for at least 6 months.
Ministerial stipends and lay employee salaries and associated costs increased by 16.6%, District Assessment increased by only £1,226. Office expenses were increased from £7,423 in 2024 to £8,674 in 2025. Other outgoings have decreased from £14,969 in 2024 to £3,503 in 2025.
Church assessments are increased by 0.2% (2025 - £272,349, 2024 - £271,587). Property costs are lower than the previous year (2025 - £27,616, 2024 - £37,628). Letting income from manses has increased by £6,650 year on year (Romney Chase is now rented, but rental costs of Hillside offset that somewhat).
The value of manse property has been included at the valuations supplied by Methodist Insurance as at 25[th] March 2025. There was an overall increase in fixed assets (excluding TMCP investments) of £554,570 (2024 - £51,616).
The result of the above is an increase in the net funds year on year of £666,865 (2024 – £348,731. The balance sheet includes debtors consisting of loans to Harwood (£25,000 - £20,000 paid off this year) and St Helens Road (now Connections) (£5,313). The total income and expenditure account for the year is detailed in the financial statements.
Funds available are sufficient to permit the trust to continue in operation in the medium term, given the agreed assessments of the individual churches and the Connexional nature of its governance. The trustees review the major risks which the charity faces and consider that there are none which would stop the charity from maintaining its objects.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
Safeguarding.
The Circuit is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. A major training programme has enabled all members needing updating training and those needing initial training to attend an appropriate session.
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The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Investment Powers
The Methodist Church Act 1976 authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the general and other funds of the charity, and such investments are presently held and shown within the financial statements at their current value.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives and aims of the Managing Trustees are to oversee and further the work of the Methodist Church. To this end, those activities which come within the oversight of the Managing Trustees are to provide ministerial oversight, manage circuit property including manses, contribute, as agreed, to District and Connexional assessments and be mindful of development opportunities for the Circuit. In order to do this the Managing Trustees, raise assessments on individual Methodist Churches in the Bolton area in accordance with Standing Orders. They may also make grants to individual churches for property, Ministry and Mission as permitted and governed by the Standing Orders. The Managing Trustees believe that these activities and the church resources are for the public benefit as, through its work the Managing Trustees enable pastoral ministry, spiritual engagement and contribute to community development in the Bolton Area. The Managing Trustees have noted the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The trust holds monies received from the sale of Church property as Restricted Funds. These funds are restricted by the Standing Orders for the purpose of property purchases, renovation or mission projects. The Trust also holds permanent endowment funds, the income from which is available for general purposes .
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
The Managing Trustees consider that the performance of the charity this year has been satisfactory. Stipends and Salaries have been covered, circuit property kept in reasonable repair and managed and external expenses covered. 5 employees continue to be supported by the circuit. Pastors continue to make a significant contribution to the work of the circuit. The Managing Trustees also funded the role of Circuit Administrator with a discrete Circuit Office located within one of the churches.
The trust would not be able to provide such service without the continued support of individual churches, the circuit superintendent, treasurer and other volunteer staff.
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The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The statements must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the Circuit Meeting on and signed on its behalf by:
-
Secretary and Trustee
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The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit Appendix to the Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Managing Trustees 2024/25
| Mr | Graham | Ashford | Mr | Derek | Jones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs | Glennys | Astley | Rev | Robert | Kasema | |||||
| Mr | Mike | Bainbridge | Mrs | Hilda | Keenan | |||||
| Mrs | Fiona | Belli | Mr | Jef | Layer | |||||
| Mrs | Helen | Bolton | Mr | Howard | Masters | |||||
| Rev | Anne | Cash | Mr | Martn | Mercer | |||||
| Mrs | Helen | Charlton | Mis s |
Kirstn | Middleton | |||||
| Mr | Paul | Cohen | Mr | Jef | Millington | |||||
| Ms | A | Davies | Mr | Colin | Nelson | |||||
| Mr | Steven | Day | Mrs | Julie | Owen | |||||
| Mr | Peter | Firth | Mrs | Gillian | Plat | |||||
| Mrs | Kath | Glen | Rev | Christophe r |
Pritchard | |||||
| Mrs | Fiona | Gorton | Mrs | Mary | Riley | |||||
| Mr | Peter | Green | Mr | John | Skipworth | |||||
| Dr | John | Harbotle | Mrs | Anne | Slater | |||||
| Mr | Sharon | Harbotle | Mrs | Anne | Smith | |||||
| Mr | David | Hartley | Mr | Graham | Smith | |||||
| Mrs | Maureen | Hawkswort h |
Mrs | Helen | Stuart | |||||
| Mr | Michael | Hawkswort h |
Mrs | Pat | Taylor | |||||
| Mr | Doug | Hearn | Ms | Christne | Tickle | |||||
| Mr | Peter | Holland | Mr | Charles | Venables | |||||
| Rev | Sarah | Hooks | Mr | Frank | Worsley | |||||
| Mr | Brian | Jackson | ||||||||
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The Methodist Church - Bolton Circuit Notes to the Accounts
1 Basis of 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 Bolton Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical costs or transaction value unless otherwise stated 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 SORP2015 (applies to 2016-17 onwards)
These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with the FRS102 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(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 2025, 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 recogniton
Income is brought into account when there is entitlement and the amount is reliably measurable 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
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"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
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or Churches as appropriate. Instead the transactions are disclosed in the Notes to the Accounts as required by SORP (FRS102), module 19.12n In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time of volunteers is not recognised. If goods are donated, a value will be shown in the SOFA or Notes where the value is considered material.
The Methodist Church - Bolton Circuit Notes to the Accounts
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 agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment. When the grant is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.
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 August 2025 deemed values, being the insurance reinstatement according to Methodist Insurance as at February 2025. No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse buildings (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the year-end) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The property has been reviewed for impairment.
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 professional valuation and after taking into consideration the levy to be charged by the Connexion. Expenditure on such assets, if held for reinvestment of the proceeds, as the trustees determine, likely to enhance sale value is capitalised at the time 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
xiii (a) Investment Properties
From time to time the Circuit may hold residential property (formerly manses) which is surplus to its normal staffing requirements. Where this is the case and it is anticipated that the property is unlikely to be used as 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
xiii (b) Investments
The Circuit's investments are in monetary assets classified as basic financial instruments under FRS102 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 are shown in the SOFA.
xiv Debtors and Prepayments
Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid.
xv Creditors and Accruals
Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, or the amount advanced to the Circuit. Creditors include both sundry expenses and specifically the 1st quarter assessment received in August.
xvi Transaction to FRS 102
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Other than as shown in the SOFA for the reclassification of expenditure between categories, no restatement of items, nor of the 1 September 2025 funds value, nor of the published net income for the year to 31 August 2025, has been required in making the transition to FRS 102. The transition date as defined by FRS102 was 1 September 2016
Statement of Financial Activities for year ended 31 August 2025
| Income and Endowments | General | Circuit Model Trust | Designated | Designated | Designated | Designated | Designated | Designated | Totals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| Donatons and legacies | |||||||||
| Income from MonetaryInvestments | 30,985 | 39,356 | |||||||
| Income from Investment Property | 41,729 | 34,579 | |||||||
| Income from charitable actvites | |||||||||
| Assessments on churches | 272,349 | 271,587 | |||||||
| Capital receipts | 141,561 | 359,364 | |||||||
| Grants | |||||||||
| Other Charitable actvites | |||||||||
Total from charitable actvites |
486,624 | 0 | 704,886 | ||||||
| Other charitable income | |||||||||
| Total charitable income | 486,624 | 0 | 704,886 | ||||||
| Other income | |||||||||
| Total Income and endowments | 486,624 | 0 | 704,886 | ||||||
| Expenditure | |||||||||
| Expenditure on charitable actvites | |||||||||
Grants and donatons |
4,000 | 4,000 | |||||||
| Salaries and associated costs | 251,150 | 251,150 | 215,312 | ||||||
| Property | 27,616 | 27,616 | 37,628 | ||||||
| Ofces expenses | 6,544 | 147 | 1,983 | 8,674 | 7,423 | ||||
| District Assessment and levy | 54,490 | 54,490 | 53,264 | ||||||
| Other Outgoings | 3,503 | 51,452 | 54,955 | 137,401 | |||||
| Total charitable expenditure | 347,303 | 51,452 | 14 7 |
1,983 | 400,885 | 451,028 | |||
| Net income b4 investgains/losses | 139,321 | -51,452 | 1,971 | 14,661 | 104,501 | 253,858 | |||
| Netgain/loss on monetaryinvest | 14 | 7,780 | 7,794 | 43,257 | |||||
| Net gain/loss on property disp/reval | 554,570 | 554,570 | 51,616 | ||||||
| Net in/out resources before transfer | 693,905 | -51,452 | 1,971 | 22,441 | 666,865 | 348,731 | |||
| Transfers between funds | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Reclassifcaton of funds | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Othergains/losses | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Net Movement in funds | 693,905 | -51,452 | 1,971 | 22,441 | 666,865 | 348,731 | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Less: Future instalments ofgrant | 0 | 0 |
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1,9 Total Funds carried forward 693,905 -51,452 71 22,441 666,865 348,731
The Methodist Church - Bolton Circuit Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
| Fixed assets | General | Circuit Model Trust | Designated | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | Totals 2025 | Totals 2025 | Totals 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Circuit Manses and Equipment | 504,295 | 504,295 | 782,269 | ||||||
| Investmentpropertes | 2,013,467 | 2,013,46 7 |
1,180,923 | ||||||
| Investments | |||||||||
| Total fxed assets | 2,517,762 | 0 | 2,517,76 2 |
1,963,192 | |||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||
| Debtors | 15,172 | 96 | 15,268 | 20,176 | |||||
| Loans bythe Circuit | 30,113 | 30,113 | 50,113 | ||||||
| Trustees for Methodist Ch Purposes | 513,877 | 45,268 | 620,085 | 1,179,23 0 |
1,059,560 | ||||
| Central Finance Board Deposit | 116,794 | 116,79 4 |
142,199 | ||||||
| Methodist chapel Aid | 75,000 | 75,000 | 75,000 | ||||||
| Cash at Bank | 80,81 1 |
80,811 | 38,311 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 831,767 | 45,364 | 620,085 | 1,497,21 6 |
1,385,359 | ||||
| 2,000 | |||||||||
| Creditors(in under oneyear) | 1,814 | 186 | 2,000 | 2,438 | |||||
| Net current liabilites | 1,814 | 0 | 0 | 186 | 0 | 2,000 | 0 | ||
| Total assets, less current liabilites | 3,347,715 | 0 | 0 | 45,178 | 620,085 | 4,012,97 8 |
3,346,113 | ||
| Creditors and Accruals including any loans (due afer more than 1year) |
0 | ||||||||
| Grant instalments due afer 2017/8 | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Net current assets |
3,347,715 | 0 | 0 | 45,178 | 620,085 | 4,012,97 8 |
3,346,113 | ||
| Funds of the Circuit | 0 | 3,347,71 5 |
|||||||
| General Fund(Unrestricted) | 3,347,715 | ||||||||
| Circuit Model Fund(Unrestricted) | 0 | ||||||||
| Designated Funds(Unrestricted) | 0 | ||||||||
| Total Unrestricted Funds | 3,347,71 5 |
2,691,132 |
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| 45,178 | 45,178 | 44,890 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 620,085 | 620,085 | 610,091 | ||||||
| 3,347,715 | 0 | 0 | 45,178 | 620,085 | 4,012,97 8 |
3,346,113 |
2. Detailed Analysis of Individual Fund Movements
| Unrestricted Funds | Unrestricted Funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Income | Expend | Trans | Invest | Closing | ||
| Various Bequests | 5331 | 36,551 | 1,711 | 1,711 | Trustee Int Fund | 36,551 | |
| Circuit MTF | 7415 | 367,708 | 162, 266 |
52,6 47 |
Trustee Int Fund | 477,327 | |
| 404,259 | 163,977 | 54,358 | 513,878 | ||||
| Restricted Funds | |||||||
| Circuit MTF | 7415 A |
Trustee Int Fund | 0 | ||||
| D Smith Memorial | 17607 | 311 | 15 | 1 | Capital with restrict | 325 | |
| Development Fund | 19341 | 3,741 | 175 | 175 | Trustee Int Fund | 3,741 | |
| Surplus Assessmt | 19103 | 41,158 | 1,928 | 1928 | 44 | Trustee Int Fund | 41,202 |
| 45,210 | 2,118 | 2,104 | 44 | 45,268 | |||
| Endowment | |||||||
| Taton Trust | 7237 | 1,000 | 47 | 3 | -44 | Trustee Int Fund | 1,000 |
| W Tatersall | 22539 | 110,462 | 2,762 | 359 | CFB Mgd Mixed | 112,865 | |
| Circuit Assess Trust | 10801 | 43,591 | 1,831 | 2,163 | Trustee Int Fund | 43,259 | |
| & CFB Mgd Mixed | |||||||
| Leigh Bramwell | 12601 | 455,037 | 20,115 | 12,193 | Trustee Int Fund | 462,959 | |
| &CFB Mgd Equity | |||||||
| 610,090 | 24,755 | 14,718 | -44 | 620, 083 |
3. Total ministerial Costs
Lay Employment Costs
| 102,14 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries | 9 | |||
| Stpends | 92,547 | NI | 9,847 | |
| NI | 8,597 | Pension | 3,277 | |
| Pension contributon | 25,286 | Travel | 2,537 | |
| Telephone | 1,587 | Telephone | 1,120 |
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| Post and statonery | 134 | Ofce rent | 0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | 4,293 | Ofceprint,statonery | 286 | |
| Total | 132,444 | Total | 119,21 6 |
| 4 Payment to Trustees | This Year |
Last Year |
|---|---|---|
| Payments made to trustees for additonal services provided to the Circuit byagreement with the Circuit Meetng |
0 | 0 |
| Number of trustees who were paid expenses | 0 | 0 |
| Nature of the expenses | 0 | 0 |
| There were no trustees' remuneraton or other benefts for the year ended 31 August 2024 or the year ended 31 August 2025 |
||
| Total amount paid | 0 | 0 |
| 5. Fees for examinaton or audit of the accounts | £ | £ |
| Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reportng on the accounts |
1400 | 1400 |
| Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor |
0 | 0 |
| Total | 1400 | 1400 |
| 6. Tangible Fixed Assets |
Freehold Property |
Leasehold Property |
F&F/Motor Vehicles |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost/valuaton at 1stSeptember 2024 |
842,785 | 1,120,407 | 19,828 | 1,983,020 |
| Disposals | ||||
| Additons | ||||
| Revaluatons | 238,072 | 316,498 | 554,570 | |
| At 31st August 2025 | 1,080,857 | 1,436,905 | 19,828 | 2,537,590 |
| Depreciaton: | 20% SL | |||
| At 1stSeptember 2024 | 19,828 | 19,828 | ||
| Charge on year | ||||
| At August 31st2025 | 19,828 | 19,828 |
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| Net book values | ||||
| At August 31st2025 | 1,080,857 | 1,436,905 | 0 | 2,517,762 |
| At August 31st2024 | 842,785 | 1,120,407 | 0 | 1,963,192 |
Report of the Independent Examiners to the Trustees of The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
We have examined the financial statements of The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008) (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice applicable to Smaller Entities).
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under Section 154 of that Act. Our independent examination work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for our independent examination work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiners.
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees Responsibilities set out in their report, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view.
We have been appointed as independent examiner under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under Section 154 of that Act.
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board's Ethical Standards for Auditors.
Scope of the audit of the financial statements
An inspection involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the charity's circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the trustees; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the Report of the Trustees to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the independent examination. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies, we consider the implications for our report.
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Opinion on financial statements
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Report of the Independent Examiners to the Trustees of The Methodist Church Bolton Circuit
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
• to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act.
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
There has been a positive net movement in funds during the year of £666,865 (2024 – £348,731), leading to an increase in the balance sheet value (ie. total funds) to £4,012,978 (2024 - £3,346,113). This increase mainly is due to sale of Edgworth Methodist Church (after the CMTF levy deducted), the increase in valuation of properties owned (£554,570) and the increase in the valuation TMCP investments (£7,794). Without those movements, net funds would have been decreased by £2,261. Therefore, the finances of the circuit appear to be in a healthy position as at the date of these accounts.
Maters on which we are required to report by excepton
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Haslam Financial Services Ltd
Company:
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12 New Church Road, BOLTON BL1 5QP
Signature : Date: 26[th] February 2026
Name: Peter Haslam ACCA CIMA
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