Oxford Methodist Circuit
Charity Number: 1134618
Trustees Annual Report
and
Accounts
for the period
1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020
1
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
Introduction
The Oxford Circuit serves the city of Oxford, its suburbs, and villages and market towns from Woodstock to Watlington. Public worship is offered in thirteen places, including Holy Family LEP in Blackbird Ley ~~s,~~ and St Mary’s Chalgrove. Staff and volunteers also lead worship in several residential homes in the area. Within the Circuit, eleven local Methodist Societies (churches) operate as centres of worship, outreach, fellowship and community service, each under the management of its own Church Council. The Circuit supports the local churches by providing ordained and salaried lay ministry, by training and deploying Local (lay) Preachers to lead Sunday worship, by giving grants for property and mission projects, by linking local churches to the wider life of the Methodist Church regionally and nationally, and by acting as a forum for strategic planning.
During 2019-20, the Circuit responded to the restrictions and risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic by offering both pre-recorded and “live” acts of worship online, complementing the initiatives of local churches to maintain their common life of worship, learning, caring, service and evangelism in radically changed circumstances. Meeting remotely, the Trustees approved grants to support building projects in Kidlington, Rose Hill and Watlington as well as mission and heritage work based at Wesley Memorial in the centre of Oxford.
Special online services were arranged in the summer to bid farewell and welcome to ministers moving to new roles. Rev Dr Martin Wellings takes with him the heart-felt best wishes of Oxford Methodists as he takes up the superintendency of the Finchley Circuit, having spent most of his academic and ministerial career in and around Oxford. At the same time, we welcome Rev Peter Powers as our superintendent minister and Rev Miriam Moul to a new dual role as minister based at Cowley Road and member of the chaplaincy team at Oxford Brookes University.
Purpose and Priorities
The Oxford Circuit’s Purpose[1] is to encourage and resource churches to be confident, creative, courageous and committed as they proclaim the love of God in worship, witness and service.
The Trustees and Circuit Leadership Team have been working to a set of priorities set out in the 2017-18 Annual Report. A summary of progress is provided here. A review of priorities will take place in the current year.
1 Methodist Standing Order 500 (1) defines the Nature and Purposes of a Circuit as follows: The Circuit is the primary unit in which Local Churches express and experience their interconnexion in the Body of Christ, for purposes of mission, mutual encouragement and help. It is in the Circuit that presbyters, deacons and probationers are stationed and local preachers are trained and admitted and exercise their calling. The purposes of the Circuit include the effective deployment of the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance, as they relate to the Methodist churches in the Circuit, to churches of other denominations and to participation in the life of the communities served by the Circuit, including local schools and colleges, and in ecumenical work in the area including, where appropriate, the support of ecumenical Housing Associations.
2
Oxford Methodist Circuit: Progress on Priorities 2019-2021
| Priorities for 2019-2021 | Progress to date | Next steps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Resourcing.We will support local churches to take forward the hopes and plans identified in the ‘Planning for Fruitfulness’ process by: |
||
| 1.1. Appropriately deploying and supporting the ordained ministers stationed in the Circuit to provide leadership and pastoral care, noting the need to review and reorganise stations ahead of the departures of current ministers. |
Profiles prepared and appointments successfully made to two roles, commencing September 2020: • Superintendent with pastoral charge of Wesley Memorial (Rev Peter Powers) • Methodist Chaplain at Oxford Brookes University with pastoral charge of Cowley Road (Rev Miriam Moul). Memorandum of Understanding agreed with Westminster College Oxford Trust to fund 50%. Major refurbishment of Westbury Crescent manse. |
Preparations underway for the retirement of Rev Stephen Maunder and Rev John Anderson in the summer of 2021. A profile for a probationer appointment has been accepted as suitable and will be considered for matching in January 2021. Review suitability (including environmental performance) of manses. Support all staff to take sufficient rest time and holidays. |
| 1.2. Recruiting and developing lay staff with complementary skills for specific roles or projects. |
• Rose Hill Community Chaplain appointed in 2019 with support from the District Advance Fund. • Circuit Administrator appointed (commencing November 2020). |
Former community worker role based at Lime Walk is vacant. Review potential lay appointment(s) to complement the new staff team. |
| 1.3. Providing funding for projects and initiatives that further the mission of the churches. |
Grants totalling £188,000 approved for: • Development of premises at Wesley Memorial and Kidlington; • Essential repairs at Rose Hill and Watlington; • Rainbow House parent and toddler drop-in; • Mission and Methodist heritage work; • Underground Story biblical literacy project. |
Support churches facing financial challenges, particularly lost income from premises, as a result of the pandemic. This could take the form of advice, cash flow assistance and, where appropriate, grants. Explore potential to release equity from replacement of manses to support further investment in mission over the coming years. |
| 1.4. Facilitating the exchange of advice, skills and volunteer time between churches. |
Annual meetings of property stewards and treasurers. Sharing experience of fund-raising. |
Circuit Administrator will have a key role as a hub for sharing expertise and experience around the Circuit. Circuit advisory group for Covid-19. Safeguarding training to be provided online. |
| 2. Belonging.We will build up a stronger sense of Circuit identity and of sharing in one mission together by: |
||
| 2.1. Sharing good news and successes, as well as struggles and needs, that we may rejoice together and support one another better. |
Circuit Stewards attending church councils. Poster format newsletter introduced. |
Circuit Administrator to support development and maintenance of the Circuit website and social media presence. Review website and hosting package with a view to meeting future needs. |
| 2.2. Organising events and initiatives that help to bring Methodists in the Circuit together for worship, mission or fellowship. |
“Zoom” services have provided a welcome opportunity to worship, give thanks and celebrate together. While not the same as meeting in person, it is notable that online gatherings – whether for worship, prayer, fellowship or business – have been well-attended and open to people who, for various reasons, could not otherwise have been present. |
Build on what the experience of the pandemic has taught us about inclusion. |
| 2.3. Reviewing worship services across the Circuit to ensure a range of times and styles are offered. |
Working group set up. | Online worship will continue to be offered after church buildings reopen fully. |
| 2.4. Linking up those engaged in children’s and youth ministry for mutual support and learning. |
Children, Families and Outreach Worker role extended beyond Wesley Memorial with additional hours. Forums held for those working with children and young people around the Circuit to share experiences and ideas. |
Continue to seek most appropriate ways to support churches across the Circuit. |
| 3. Enabling.We will help people across the Circuit to respond to our calling ‘to serve the present age’ by: |
||
| 3.1. Enabling conversations around important issues in our Church and society – including mandated Connexional conversations about marriage and relationships, the Methodist-Anglican covenant, and ministry in the Methodist Church – helping people to ‘disagree well’. |
Facilitated and encouraged conversations in the Circuit on the report “God in Love Unites Us”. Consideration of this report has been deferred to the 2021 Methodist Conference. |
Develop Eco-Circuit plan alongside the Eco- Church initiatives of individual congregations. Explore ways to promote “A Methodist Way of Life”. |
| 3.2. Encouraging, supporting and training more people to become Local Preachers and Worship Leaders, and providing training for those leading worship by local arrangement. |
Small grants available for Local Preacher training. | Resourcing of worship by local arrangement being considered by working group for 2.3. |
| 3.3. Thinking together about how we can respond creatively to changes in our communities, especially new housing developments. |
Community Chaplain, Rose Hill, is involved with the National Estate Churches Network, Connexional Digital Church training and CTE New Housing Areas Hub. |
Promote relevant talks / events. Facilitate conversation between interested parties. |
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
Financial review
Income trends
Total income was slightly above the prior year at £308,115 (£297,227). Assessments paid by circuit churches, which make up the bulk of regular income, increased to £269,000 (£264,000). The accounts include restricted grant income of £5,700 (£885) from the District Advance Fund in support of the Rose Hill chaplaincy. Investment and rental income also increased modestly.
Expenditure trends
The three main categories of regular expenditure are: ministerial stipends and other employment costs, property maintenance, and contributions (assessments and levies) paid to the District and Connexion to support the wider work of the Methodist Church.
Total employment costs increased to £161,360 (£142,586), reflecting ordained and lay appointments made in the previous year.
Property expenditure of £82,908 was well above the £30,956 incurred in 2018-19 due to major refurbishment of a manse in preparation for the arrival of a new minister.
Amounts payable to the District and Connexion were broadly stable at £65,010 (£65,629).
The Circuit made grant commitments of £120,000 (£69,000), including: £50,000 towards redevelopment of Kidlington Methodist Church to make the premises more welcoming and energy-efficient, £50,000 towards essential roof repairs at Rose Hill and Watlington and £11,000 towards mission and heritage work, based at Wesley Memorial.
Total charitable expenditure was £449,766 (£325,647).
Fund balances
After taking into account unrealised losses on financial investments, total funds carried forward declined by £145,306 to £2,222,794.
Of this total, £1,842,642 is represented by the carrying value of five manse properties, £3,126 by a restricted fund for the upkeep of the churchyard adjacent to the former Headington Quarry Chapel and £100,500 by loans advanced to churches.
Excluding these items, net current assets were £276,652 (£419,692).
Plans for 2020/21 onwards
The budget for the current financial year anticipates a deficit in the unrestricted General Fund. Employment costs will increase with growth in the number of ordained and lay staff, partially offset by a fiveyear grant from the Westminster College Oxford Trust to fund chaplaincy work at Oxford Brookes University. Higher staff numbers will also trigger an increase in the Assessments payable to the District and Connexion, although this will be mitigated by a reduced levy on investments held in the Model Trust Fund.
Property expenditure is an area of uncertainty and will depend on choices made between refurbishment and replacement of manses.
Assessments paid by churches to the Circuit are budgeted to increase by 3% to £277,000. Mindful of the pressures faced by churches as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Leadership Team will continue to work with Treasurers and Trustees and offer appropriate support.
The Circuit intends to budget for a break-even result in the unrestricted General fund in 2021-22.
Over the past two years, the Trustees have pursued a policy of investing surplus funds (in excess of the Reserves Policy) in support of the Circuit’s charitable purposes and have committed grants worth £188,000. As at 31[st] August 2020, the surplus of unrestricted net assets (c£276,000) over the targeted reserves level (£159,000) stood at £117,000. A previously committed loan of £50,000 to the Wesley Memorial Open Doors project has yet to be drawn down. A further £36,000 has been set aside to cover the anticipated General Fund deficit and levy on the Model Trust Fund in the current year. “Free” reserves are therefore c£31,000.
5
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 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: Oxford Methodist Circuit
Charity Registration Number: 1134618
Date of registration: 3 March 2010 (previously excepted)
Main communication address: Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DH.
The members of the Oxford 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.
Circuit Ministers and officers active during the year
Active Circuit Ministers: Rev. John Anderson
Rev. Paul Carter Rev. Stephen Maunder Rev. Miriam Moul (from September 2020) Rev. Peter Powers (from September 2020) Rev. Martin Wellings (to August 2020)
Circuit Lay Workers: Mrs Elizabeth Hawkness-Smith Mrs Melanie McCulloch Mrs Clare Megarity (to February 2020)
Circuit Stewards: Mr Christopher Butler
Mrs Beverley Clack Mr Simeon Mitchell Mrs Bryony Thomas Mr John Winterbottom
Name of Treasurer who acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year: Christopher Butler Independent Examiner: Haines Watts, Sterling House, 19/23 High St., Kidlington, OX5 2DH Investment Bankers: Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Bankers: Barclays Bank, Leicester
Aims and organisation
Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider and co-ordinator within the area around Oxford for the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of:
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The Methodist Church;
b) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of The Methodist Church;
c) Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church;
d) Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church.
Locally, these purposes are worked out through:-
6
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and nonmembers alike;
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses, publications and small group discussion;
The resourcing of pastoral work by stipendiary, salaried and voluntary workers, including visiting the sick and bereaved;
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
Provision of chaplaincy services to the local universities 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 ( CPD ) by order of the annual Methodist Conference.
Managing trusteeship and overall governance responsibility rests with the Circuit Meeting, which meets at least twice a year.
Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Superintendent Minister, Circuit Stewards and Circuit Leadership Team, in partnership with other officers and committees as appropriate.
Trustee Training
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit is distributed to Trustees, including a paper circulated by the Northampton District: “Financial Governance and good practice for Church and Circuit Trustees”.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the Northampton District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are part of the circuit:-
Bladon; Cowley Road; Great Milton; Kennington; Kidlington; Lime Walk; Rose Hill; Tackley; Watlington; Wesley Memorial; Woodstock.
The Methodist congregation at Chalgrove has joined St Mary’s (Church of England) through a Declaration of Ecumenical Welcome.
There is also a Methodist involvement in the Church of the Holy Family, Blackbird Leys, a Local Ecumenical Partnership.
The Circuit is in receipt of a five-year grant from the Westminster College Oxford Trust Ltd, whose board is appointed by Conference to oversee the continuing relationship between the Methodist Church and Oxford Brookes University, following the merger between Westminster College and Oxford Brookes University in 1999.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of all people in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
-
the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
-
the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
-
the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
-
We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
7
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
-
We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
-
We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
- In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
The Oxford 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 Oxford 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.
Risk Management
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. The Circuit Leadership Team undertakes a regular annual review of risks, the findings of which are presented to the Circuit Meeting for approval. The table below is a summary of the most recent risk management review:
| management review: | |
|---|---|
| Risk | Mitigation |
| Failure to protect vulnerable people | Safeguarding policy, training and monitoring |
| Major unplanned property repairs | Quinquennial surveys; reserves policy |
| Continued decline in active church members and related income |
Strategic planning with churches; reserves policy |
| Insufficient volunteers to meet statutory requirements or mission objectives |
Employment of ordained and lay staff and of professional advisors |
Income and Expenditure are monitored and compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis (or more frequently) to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Reserves Policy
| Risk | Reserve Level | £ |
|---|---|---|
| Manse Repairs | £4,000pa x 5 manses x 2.5 years | £50,000 |
| Temporary care of church building | E.g. essential repairs / planning permission prior to sale |
£40,000 |
| Churches unable to sustain assessments |
3 months’ assessment income | £69,000 |
| Total | £159,000 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
| Name | Signature | Office | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Peter Powers | Chairman | 29 March 2021 | |
| Mr Christopher Butler | Trustee | 28 March 2021 |
8
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
Appendix A: Trustees of the Oxford Methodist Circuit during 2019-20 and to present.
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole period |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev Peter Powers | Chairman | From Sep 2020 | |
| Rev Dr Martin Wellings | Chairman | To Aug 2020 | |
| Rev Stephen Maunder | |||
| Rev Miriam Moul | From Sep 2020 | ||
| Rev Paul Carter | |||
| Rev John Anderson | |||
| Mr Simeon Mitchell | Circuit Steward | ||
| Mr John Winterbottom | Circuit Steward & Property Secretary |
||
| Mr Christopher Butler | Financial Steward | ||
| Mrs Bryony Thomas | Circuit Steward | To Sep 2020 | |
| Prof Beverley Clack | Circuit Steward | ||
| Mrs Mel McCulloch | |||
| Mrs Clare Megarity | To Feb 2020 | ||
| Mrs Elizabeth Hawkness- Smith |
|||
| Mr Malcolm Dodds | Wesley Memorial Methodist Church |
||
| Mr Derek Rawson | ditto | ||
| Mrs Mary Lines | ditto | ||
| Mrs Marilyn King | Kidlington Methodist Church | ||
| Mr Graham Kirby | ditto | ||
| Dr John Lenton | ditto | ||
| Mrs Sue Beuzeval | Woodstock Methodist Church | ||
| Mr David Jones | ditto | ||
| Mrs Patricia Clapton | Bladon Methodist Church | ||
| Mr Philip Rumsby | ditto | ||
| Mrs Alicia Rumsby | ditto | ||
| Mr Tim Bailey | Tackley Methodist Church | ||
| Mrs Vi Banbury | ditto | ||
| Mrs Barbara Russell | Lime Walk Methodist Church | ||
| Mrs Mary Ross | ditto | ||
| Mrs Bryony Thomas | ditto | ||
| Mr Jeremy Dawe | Rose Hill Methodist Church | ||
| Mr Jeremy Burgess | ditto | ||
| Miss Jackie Wright | ditto | ||
| Mr Brian Stepney | To Aug 2020 | Cowley Road Methodist Church |
9
Oxford Methodist Circuit Annual Report 2019-20
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole period |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr John Boylan | ditto | ||
| Mrs Jan Boylan | ditto | ||
| Prof. Joy Hendry | To Aug 2020 | ditto | |
| Mr Andrew Quigley | Kennington Methodist Church | ||
| Mr Barrie Edwards | Great Milton Methodist Church |
||
| Mr Phil Crockett | Watlington Methodist Church | ||
| Mrs Kathleen Gomm | ditto | ||
| Mrs Judy Crockett | ditto | ||
| Mr Trevor Wadcock | Secretary, Property Committee |
To Aug 2020 | |
| Dr Simon Blainey | Local Preachers Secretary | ||
| Mrs Joanna Tulloch | Local Preachers | ||
| Mr Paul Spray | Ditto | ||
| Mrs Alison Matthews | Safeguarding Officer | ||
| Mrs Emma Huber | Action for Children | ||
| Mrs Ann Leck |
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | Custodian Trustees |
10
Circuit Accruals Accounts 2019-2020
THE METHODIST CHURCH
ACCOUNTS (ACCRUALS BASIS) for the year ended 31 August 2020
| Registered Charity - Registration number Oxford Circuit |
Registered Charity - Registration number Oxford Circuit |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1134618 | ||
| District No / Circuit No |
23/01 | |
| Ministers Circuit Stewards Circuit Treasurer |
||
| Rev Peter Powers | ||
| Rev Stephen Maunder | ||
| Rev Paul Carter | ||
| Rev John Anderson | ||
| Rev Miriam Moul | ||
| Mr Christopher Butler | ||
| Mrs BeverleyClack | ||
| Mr Simeon Mitchell | ||
| Mr John Winterbottom | ||
| Mr Christopher Butler |
Name of Circuit
Oxford
Circuit No
23/01
| Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2020 Notes to the accounts General Fund (Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) Designated Funds (unrestricted) Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2019-20 £ £ £ £ £ £ Income 1 Donations and legacies 375 375 2 Income from monetary investments 873 3,862 4,735 3 Income from investment properties 0 4 Assessments on Churches 3 269,000 269,000 5 Capital Receipts 0 6 Grants received 5,700 5,700 7 Other charitable income 4 28,305 28,305 8Total income 298,553 3,862 - 5,700 - 308,115 Expenditure 9 Grants and donations 6 3,000 117,000 120,000 10 Salaries and associated costs 8 155,660 5,700 161,360 11 Property maintenance 9 82,768 140 82,908 12 Connexional assessment 10 35,718 35,718 13 District Assessment & Levy 10 8,157 21,135 29,292 14 Depreciation 0 15 Office expenses 11 5,506 5,506 16 Other outgoings 12 14,184 798 14,982 17Total charitable expenditure 304,993 138,933 0 5,840 0 449,766 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 3,655 - -3,655 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 20Net income/(expenditure) -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 21 Transfers between funds 0 22 Other gains/(losses) 23Net movement in funds -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 24 Total funds brought forward 2,025,361 339,473 3,266 2,368,100 25 Total funds carried forward 2,018,921 200,747 - 3,126 - 2,222,794 |
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2020 Notes to the accounts General Fund (Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) Designated Funds (unrestricted) Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2019-20 £ £ £ £ £ £ Income 1 Donations and legacies 375 375 2 Income from monetary investments 873 3,862 4,735 3 Income from investment properties 0 4 Assessments on Churches 3 269,000 269,000 5 Capital Receipts 0 6 Grants received 5,700 5,700 7 Other charitable income 4 28,305 28,305 8Total income 298,553 3,862 - 5,700 - 308,115 Expenditure 9 Grants and donations 6 3,000 117,000 120,000 10 Salaries and associated costs 8 155,660 5,700 161,360 11 Property maintenance 9 82,768 140 82,908 12 Connexional assessment 10 35,718 35,718 13 District Assessment & Levy 10 8,157 21,135 29,292 14 Depreciation 0 15 Office expenses 11 5,506 5,506 16 Other outgoings 12 14,184 798 14,982 17Total charitable expenditure 304,993 138,933 0 5,840 0 449,766 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 3,655 - -3,655 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 20Net income/(expenditure) -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 21 Transfers between funds 0 22 Other gains/(losses) 23Net movement in funds -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 24 Total funds brought forward 2,025,361 339,473 3,266 2,368,100 25 Total funds carried forward 2,018,921 200,747 - 3,126 - 2,222,794 |
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2020 Notes to the accounts General Fund (Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) Designated Funds (unrestricted) Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2019-20 £ £ £ £ £ £ Income 1 Donations and legacies 375 375 2 Income from monetary investments 873 3,862 4,735 3 Income from investment properties 0 4 Assessments on Churches 3 269,000 269,000 5 Capital Receipts 0 6 Grants received 5,700 5,700 7 Other charitable income 4 28,305 28,305 8Total income 298,553 3,862 - 5,700 - 308,115 Expenditure 9 Grants and donations 6 3,000 117,000 120,000 10 Salaries and associated costs 8 155,660 5,700 161,360 11 Property maintenance 9 82,768 140 82,908 12 Connexional assessment 10 35,718 35,718 13 District Assessment & Levy 10 8,157 21,135 29,292 14 Depreciation 0 15 Office expenses 11 5,506 5,506 16 Other outgoings 12 14,184 798 14,982 17Total charitable expenditure 304,993 138,933 0 5,840 0 449,766 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 3,655 - -3,655 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 20Net income/(expenditure) -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 21 Transfers between funds 0 22 Other gains/(losses) 23Net movement in funds -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 24 Total funds brought forward 2,025,361 339,473 3,266 2,368,100 25 Total funds carried forward 2,018,921 200,747 - 3,126 - 2,222,794 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 269,000 269,000 0 5,700 5,700 28,305 28,305 298,553 3,862 - 5,700 - 308,115 |
|
| 4 | ||
| 3,000 117,000 120,000 155,660 5,700 161,360 82,768 140 82,908 35,718 35,718 8,157 21,135 29,292 0 5,506 5,506 14,184 798 14,982 304,993 138,933 0 5,840 0 449,766 3,655 - -3,655 -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 0 |
||
| 6 | ||
| 8 | ||
| 9 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 12 | ||
| -6,440 -138,726 0 -140 0 -145,306 |
||
| 2,025,361 339,473 3,266 2,368,100 2,018,921 200,747 - 3,126 - 2,222,794 |
Name of Circuit
Oxford
Circuit No
23/01
Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2019
| 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 charitable income 8 Total income Expenditure 9 Grants and donations 10 Salaries and associated costs 11 Property maintenance 12 Connexional assessment 13 District Assessment & Levy 14 Depreciation 15 Office expenses 16 Other outgoings 17 Total charitable expenditure 18 Gains/(losses) on monetary investments 19 Gains/(losses) on investment properties 20 Net income/(expenditure) 21 Transfers between funds 22 Other gains/(losses) 23 Net movement in funds 24 Total funds brought forward 25 Total funds carried forward |
Notes to the accounts |
General Fund (Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) Designated Funds (unrestricted) Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total 2018-19 £ £ £ £ £ £ 500 500 566 3,415 3,980 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 264,000 264,000 0 855 855 27,680 212 27,892 292,746 3,415 - 1,067 - 297,227 |
|
| 4 | ||
| 5 | ||
| 4,000 65,000 69,000 141,731 855 142,586 30,826 130 30,956 35,472 35,472 7,030 23,127 30,157 0 8,415 8,415 8,211 850 9,061 235,685 88,977 0 985 0 325,647 12 12 57,061 -85,550 0 82 0 -28,408 0 |
||
| 7 | ||
| 8 | ||
| 9 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 10 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 12 | ||
| 13 | ||
| 57,061 -85,550 0 82 0 -28,408 |
||
| 1,968,301 425,023 3,184 2,396,508 2,025,362 339,473 - 3,266 - 2,368,100 |
Name of Circuit
Circuit No 23/01
Oxford
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020
| Fixed Assets | Notes to the Accounts |
General Fund (Unrestricted ) £ |
Circuit Model Trusts (Unrestricted) £ |
Designated Funds (Unrestricted) £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
Endowment Funds £ |
Totals 2020 £ |
Totals 2019 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Manses & Equipment | 13 | 1,842,642 | 1,842,642 | 1,842,642 | |||||
| Investmentproperties | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Investments | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Total fixed assets | 1,842,642 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,842,642 | 1,842,642 | ||
| Current Assets | |||||||||
| Debtors | 14 | 13,105 | 855 | 13,960 | 11,581 | ||||
| Loans bythe Circuit | 7 | 100,500 | 100,500 | 102,500 | |||||
| Investments with TMCP | 323,947 | 323,947 | 398,473 | ||||||
| Central Finance Board Deposits | 5 | 130,394 | 3,126 | 133,520 | 146,071 | ||||
| Cash at Bank and in hand | 6,239 | 24,145 | 30,384 | 4,184 | |||||
| Total current assets | 250,238 | 323,947 | 0 | 28,126 | 0 | 602,311 | 662,809 | ||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||
| Creditors(due in under 1year) | 15 | 73,959 | 25,000 | 98,959 | 75,351 | ||||
| Grantspayable within 2020-21 | 16 | 120,200 | 120,200 | 62,000 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 73,959 | 120,200 | 0 | 25,000 | 0 | 219,159 | 137,351 | ||
| Net current assets/liabilities | 176,279 | 203,747 | 0 | 3,126 | 0 | 383,152 | 525,458 | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities |
2,018,921 | 203,747 | 0 | 3,126 | 0 | 2,225,794 | 2,368,100 | ||
| Long term liabilities (due after more than one year) |
|||||||||
| Grantspayable after 2020-21 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 0 | ||||||
| Loans to the Circuit | 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Net assets | 2,018,921 | 200,747 | 0 | 3,126 | 0 | 2,222,794 | 2,368,100 | ||
| Funds of the Circuit | |||||||||
| General Fund(Unrestricted) | 2,018,921 | 3,126 | 2,018,921 | 2,025,361 | |||||
| Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted) |
200,747 | 200,747 | 339,473 | ||||||
| Designated Funds(Unrestricted) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Total Unrestricted Funds | 2,219,668 | 2,364,834 | |||||||
| Restricted Funds | 3,126 | 3,126 | 3,266 | ||||||
| Endowment Funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Total Funds | 2,018,921 | 200,747 | 0 | 3,126 | 0 | 2,222,794 | 2,368,100 |
Signed
Circuit Treasurer
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
1. Basis of accounting and accounting policies.
1.1 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 with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).
1.2 Public Benefit entity
The Oxford 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 otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.
1.3 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 the trustees present accounts that show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.
1.4 Content
The financial information presented is relevant, reliable 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.
1.5 FRS102 (SORP2015)
These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with the FRS102 SORP2015. 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 SORP2015 in accordance with Reg.8(4)(d) of SI 2008/629, the charity trustees have departed from the requirement of Reg.8(5) by following SORP(FRS102) instead of SORP 2005 to the extent necessary to give a true and fair view of the circumstances.
1.6 Going concern
Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2020, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concern
1.7 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 the Churches within the Circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements.
1.8 Income recognition
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 in the Notes if they are considered material.
The Circuit acts as agent in the administration (application, collection and disbursement) of grants requested by Churches within the Circuit from, but not limited to, the District and Connexion. In these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because they are the income of the Churches.
In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102), 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.
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 1 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
1.9 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.
1.10 Grants
Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of 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.
1.11 VAT
Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expense to which it refers.
1.12 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 these accounts at deemed historical cost representing each property’s gross carrying value as at 1 September 2015, being that property’s insurance reinstatement value 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 new sale price as determined by a professional valuation and after taking into consideration 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 it 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.
1.13 Monetary investments
The Circuit’s investments are in monetary assets classified as basic financial instruments under FRS102 and are held by the Trustees for Methodist 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.
Investment Property
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 five years, the property is classified as an Investment Property (whether let 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 would be specified in a later Note.
1.14 Bank and Receivables and Payables; 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 at the amount advanced to the Circuit. Subsequently creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 2 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
expected to be paid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit fund balances are shown at their realisable values.
1.15 Loans as Basic Financial Instruments
Where concessionary loans (i.e. at below market rates of interest) are made to (or received by) the Circuit to further its charitable purposes, and are repayable after more than one year, they are initially recognised at the amount paid (or received), with the carrying value adjusted in subsequent years to reflect repayments 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 SOFA. Subsequent reversals of impairment loss that objectively relate to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognised, are recognised immediately in the SOFA.
Where loans require the calculation of discounted cash flow valuation, this will also be recognised.
1.16 Methodist Connexional Funds
The Methodist Connexion raises assessments against Circuits and these are paid quarterly to their Districts. The Circuit raises assessments against Churches in the Circuit. The District quarterly remits to The Methodist Church Fund most of the sum received from the Circuits, retaining a small sum to meet its own costs. The Circuit may act as agent for ad hoc collections for various funds controlled and administered by The Methodist Church. Any such collections will be detailed in a later note.
1.17 Funds
The trustees have adopted a policy for all unrestricted reserves which is attached as a separate document.
1.18 Endowment funds
Where the Circuit holds money that may not be spent and must be retained (as capital) to generate an income the money or assets to be retained are classified as an Endowment Fund. The capital will be shown in the balance sheet in the column for endowment funds. The income may be restricted or unrestricted depending on the terms of the endowment.
1.19 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 hands of ministers.
2. Glossary of terms
CFB : The 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. All trustees are members of the Methodist Church.
CLT (Circuit Leadership Team) : A group (comprising mostly, but not exclusively) of Circuit trustees responsible for the day to day administration and policy formulation of the Circuit. Generally the CLT comprises the Ministers stationed within the Circuit and the Circuit Stewards.
CMTF : Circuit Model Trust Fund.
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 3 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
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.
MCH : Methodist Church House (Finance Section).
MMPS : Methodist Ministers’ pension Scheme.
PASLEMC : Pensions and Assurance Scheme for Lay Employees of the Methodist Church.
Pensions Trust : The Pensions Trust, the organisation through which the Circuit arranges a pension scheme for its Lay Employees.
Presbyters : Probationer or Ordained Methodist Ministers who have pastoral and administrative responsibility for the Churches in 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. Assessments on churches
The Circuit is comprised of 11 churches and each is assessed for a contribution to meet the overall net cost of the Circuit. The Circuit aims to cover all of its net core costs from the assessments. An Assessment on Churches is determined annually by a formula which takes into account the relative number of members and average adult attendees in each church, and its relative income (after deduction of certain actual and notional expenses). Assessments on churches are received quarterly or monthly in advance and are treated as prepayments on a receivable basis. If any church has not paid its assessment by the due date the sum in question is also treated as a creditor. The churches concerned and the assessments for the years 2019-20 and 2018-19 were:
| Church | 2019-20 | 2018-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Bladon | 5,055 | 5,525 |
| Cowley Road | 14,182 | 13,327 |
| Great Milton | 6,852 | 5,698 |
| Kennington | 10,690 | 10,080 |
| Kidlington | 28,144 | 26,174 |
| Lime Walk | 32,802 | 35,208 |
| Rose Hill | 12,126 | 10,774 |
| Tackley | 9,297 | 8,803 |
| Watlington | 14,052 | 12,627 |
| Wesley Memorial | 112,486 | 114,703 |
| Woodstock | 23,314 | 21,080 |
| Circuit totals | 269,000 | 264,000 |
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 4 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
4. Other charitable income (unrestricted)
This income consists principally of rent received from manses temporarily let.
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rents received | 28,280 | 27,639 |
| Misc. | 25 | 41 |
| Total | 28,305 | 27,680 |
5. Restricted and endowment funds
The Circuit has a restricted fund for the upkeep of the Churchyard adjacent to the former Headington Quarry Chapel. Income was £0 (£212) and expenditure £140 (£130). Grant funding and any other income received for a specified purpose is also treated as restricted. The Circuit has no endowment funds.
6. Grants and donations
| Grants made or committed | 2019-20 | 2018-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Wesley Memorial (Open Doors) | 50,000 | |
| University of Durham (Underground Story - biblical literacy project) |
15,000 | |
| Kidlington (Transformation) | 50,000 | |
| Rose Hill (Roof) | 25,000 | |
| Watlington (Roof) | 25,000 | |
| Wesley Memorial Mission & Heritage | 11,000 | |
| Wesley Memorial - Rainbow House | 9,000 | 3,000 |
| Small grants | 1,000 | |
| Total | 120,000 | 69,000 |
Of the £15,000 grant towards the Underground Story project, £9,000 is included in current liabilities and is contingent on the project team securing sufficient funds for this second phase of the project.
7. Loan advances
| Loan Advances | 2019-20 | 2018-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Bladon | 100,500 | 100,500 |
| Watlington | 0 | 2,000 |
| Total | 100,500 | 102,500 |
In 2018-19, a loan of £50,000 was approved for the Wesley Memorial Open Doors project which has yet to be drawn down.
8. Stipends, salaries and associated costs
The Circuit paid 4 ministers (one part-time) in both 2019-20 and 2018-19, plus small amounts to supernumerary ministers who undertook preaching appointments.
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 5 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stipends | 87,396 | 81,333 |
| Allowances | 859 | 450 |
| N.I. | 7,890 | 7,467 |
| Pension contribution | 20,056 | 19,504 |
| Preaching fees | 500 | 1025 |
| Total | 116,701 | 109,779 |
The Circuit began the year with three part-time lay employees and ended the year with two:
-
Children, Families and Outreach Worker based at Wesley Memorial;
-
Community Chaplain based at Rose Hill, part-funded by the Northampton District.
A part-time Circuit Administrator has been appointed who will start in November 2020.
| Salaries | 36,186 | 23,638 |
|---|---|---|
| N.I. | 1,999 | 1,601 |
| Pension contribution | 2,187 | 1,418 |
| Total | 40,372 | 26,657 |
Travel expenses were incurred primarily by ordained and lay staff.
| Travel expenses | 4,287 | 6,150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Salaries and associated costs | 161,360 | 142,586 |
The ministers and lay employees are members of the Circuit Meeting.
9. Property costs
These costs were incurred on maintenance and running costs of five manses, either occupied by presbyters or temporarily let. The Circuit also pays for the quinquennial inspections of its constituent churches. Major refurbishment work was carried out on the manse at Westbury Crescent in preparation for occupation by a minister.
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied manses | 69,928 | 21,332 |
| Let manses | 10,446 | 8,928 |
| Church expenditure, incl. quinquennials | 2,394 | 566 |
| Total | 82,768 | 30,826 |
Note 9a. Costs of Ministers and Trustees
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 Ministers of the Circuit are paid by the Circuit (administered by MCH). The lay employees are employed by the Circuit (administered by MCH).
The manses are provided by the Circuit and the Circuit maintains the property. The values of Council Tax and water charges paid by the Circuit (included in the table above) are not separately disclosed here as HMRC does not regard this as benefit in kind in the hands of the minister.
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 6 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
Apart from the above no trustees receive payment for the duties that they undertake on behalf of the Circuit. Members of the CLT are reimbursed for some travel expenses and for small items of expenditure properly incurred in furthering the smooth working of the Circuit.
10. District and Connexional Assessments & Levies
The District and Connexional Assessments (Northampton District) are calculated using a formula that takes account of the relative numbers of ministers in the Circuit, liquid funds and unrestricted reserves of the member churches. These assessments are assigned here to the General Fund. There are also District and Connexional Levies on the CMTF (see Note 17 below).
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Connexional Assessment | 35,718 | 35,472 |
| District Assessment | 8,157 | 7,030 |
| District Levy on Model Trust Fund | 21,135 | 23,127 |
11. Office expenses
| 2019-20 | 2018-19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution to Wesley Memorial for Circuit Office | 2,085 | 4,170 |
| Stationary, phone (net of contributions for personal use), postage, copying, etc. |
3,421 | 4,245 |
| Total | 5,506 | 8,415 |
12. Miscellaneous expenditure and other outgoings
| 2019-20 General |
2019-20 CMTF |
2018-19 General |
2018-19 CMTF |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden maintenance | 3,432 | 3,235 | ||
| Relocation, removal expenses of ministers | 4,859 | 297 | ||
| Fees of Independent Examiner | 1,740 | 1,740 | ||
| Conference minutes, Circuit preaching plans and similar |
772 | 849 | ||
| Website maintenance | 481 | 144 | ||
| Payroll charge, incl. Apprenticeship levy | 1,074 | 1061 | ||
| Other unallocated expenditures | 1,662 | 641 | ||
| TMCP admin charge | 0 | 798 | 0 | 850 |
| Training, recruitment | 164 | 244 | ||
| Total | 14,184 | 798 | 8,211 | 850 |
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 7 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
13. Fixed assets
Fixed assets comprise five manses and the Quarry Churchyard and are unchanged.
| Manse | £ |
|---|---|
| Ramsay Road | 361,167 |
| Upland Park Road | 457,615 |
| Oxford Road, Kidlington | 312,946 |
| Westbury Crescent | 380,037 |
| Watlington | 330,876 |
| Quarry Churchyard | 1 |
| Total | 1,842,642 |
14. Debtors & advance payments
| Item | £ |
|---|---|
| Advance payment of stipends | 12,724 |
| Accrue District Grant for Rose Hill chaplaincy | 855 |
| Other | 381 |
| Total | 13,960 |
15. Creditors due within one year
| Item | 2019-20 General |
2019-20 Restricted |
2018-19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Quarter assessments received in advance from churches |
63,929 | 61,422 | |
| Grant received in advance | 25,000 | 4,845 | |
| Employment costs | 501 | 770 | |
| Property costs | 3,578 | 3,939 | |
| Other | 5,951 | 4,375 | |
| Total | 73,959 | 25,000 | 75,351 |
The restricted grant of £25,000 is the first of five equal annual instalments towards the cost of providing a part-time ordained member of the chaplaincy team at Oxford Brookes University.
16. Grants payable
| Grant payable | < 1 year | > 1 year |
|---|---|---|
| Wesley Memorial (Open Doors) | 50,000 | |
| University of Durham (Underground Story) | 9,000 | |
| Kidlington (Transformation) | 50,000 | |
| Watlington (Roof) | 8,200 | |
| Wesley Memorial - Rainbow House | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Total | 120,200 | 3,000 |
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 8 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
The Oxford Methodist Circuit – Notes to the accounts for the year ending 31 August 2020
17. Related parties
None of the Circuit Trustees made donations direct to the Circuit during the year or in the previous year. All the Circuit Trustees are members of the Methodist Church (and hence related to the Circuit, District and Connexion); almost all are Trustees of one or more of the Churches in the Circuit, and a small number may also be Trustees of other Connexional bodies. Such related parties identified as donors to, or recipients from, the Circuit in the year 2019-20, and the amounts involved (excluding loans) are:
| Connected organisation | From Circuit | Received by Circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Methodist Church Fund (see Note 10) | 35,718 | |
| Northampton District (Note 10) | 29,292 | 5,700 |
| Circuit Churches (Notes 3, 6, 11) | 122,085 | 269,000 |
| Westminster College Oxford Trust (Note 15) | 25,000 | |
| Totals | 187,095 | 299,700 |
No other material related party transactions were identified by the trustees.
18. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities
In addition to the grants payable itemised in Note 16, a loan of £50,000 has been approved to the Wesley Memorial Open Doors project.
Of the £15,000 grant towards the Underground Story project, £9,000 is included in current liabilities and is contingent on the project team securing sufficient funds for this second phase of the project.
In October 2020, the Trustees approved a sum of up to £5,000 to be provided to Rose Hill to cover repairs required due to water ingress.
2020 Notes to the Accounts Page 9 of 9 19/04/2021 19:45
RESERVES POLICY
Report on behalf of
Oxford Circuit Meeting
(*Church Council/ Circuit Meeting/District)
To
Northampton District
(*Circuit Meeting/District)
We submit our annual report in accordance with the requirements of the Methodist Conference and the Charity Commission guidance in CC19.
-
(I) The trustees have established their mission aims taking into account all of the resources available in terms of people, property and money
-
(ii) Mission initiatives/projects have been costed or estimates made of projected future costs which take into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Report/s
-
(iii) We have agreed a Reserves Policy which is set out overleaf and is recorded in the trustees’ minutes and our Annual Report
-
(iv) We recognise the need to be accountable as charity trustees for all the money which comes into our hands and will provide further information as required by the Circuit/District/Connexion
-
(v) Our Report is attached overleaf
-
please delete as appropriate
----- Start of picture text -----
To be completed by Receiving Body
The
Circuit Meeting/District received the RESERVES POLICY of
Church Council/Circuit Meeting/District
Policy accepted and acknowledgement sent to the trustees YES /NO
Policy noted and the following enquiries made of the trustees
Responses received and any further action taken
Circuit/District
Signatures ……………………………………. ……………………………………. Date…………
Please delete as appropriate
----- End of picture text -----
RESERVES POLICY of
Oxford Circuit Meeting 23/01
(*Church Council /Circuit Meeting /District )
| 1. GeneralFunds held at Y/E 31/08/2020 |
£276,526 |
|---|---|
| 2. RestrictedFunds held “ |
£3,126 |
| 3. EndowmentFunds held “ |
£ |
4. Reserves policy for General Funds
General Funds noted above are unrestricted net current assets, excluding loans to churches.
The Trustees consider it reasonable and prudent to maintain unrestricted reserves to mitigate the following risks (current £ values in brackets): manse repairs (£50,000); temporary care of church building (£40,000); churches unable to sustain assessments (£69,000). Target unrestricted reserve level is therefore £159,000.
A previously committed loan of £50,000 to the Wesley Memorial Open Doors project has yet to be drawn down. A further £36,000 has been set aside to cover the anticipated General Fund deficit and levy on the Model Trust Fund in the current year. “Free” reserves are therefore considered to be £31,000.
- Policy for Restricted Funds The Circuit has a Restricted Fund for the upkeep of the Churchyard adjacent to the former Headington Quarry Chapel: £3.126 (£3,266).
The Circuit is in receipt of restricted grant funding from the Northampton District over two years towards the cost of the Rose Hill Chaplain appointment. This is recognised as income progressively over the period of employment. At 31 August 2020, this was represented by a debtor of £855.
The Circuit is also in receipt of restricted grant funding from Westminster College Oxford Trust over five years towards the cost of providing an ordained member of the chaplaincy team at Oxford Brookes University. At 31 August 2020, this was represented by a creditor of £25,000.
6. Terms relating to Endowment Funds held
This Reserves Policy has been approved by
Circuit Meeting
(*Church Council /Circuit Meeting /District )
Treasurer Trustee Full name Christopher Butler Full Name Rev Peter Powers Signature Signature
Name of Circuit …Oxford………………………………………………………… No…23/01……..
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2020 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.
28/03/2021
Signature of treasurer ……………………………………………………… Date……………………..
Name and address of treasurer: Christopher Butler, Hill House, Bridge Street, Islip, Kidlington
…………………………………………………………………………………. Post Code OX5 2TD
Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 were 16/03/2021 presented to the Circuit meeting held on ……………..
Signature of the Chair of the meeting …………………………………………………………………… Rev. Peter E. Powers 29/03/2021 Name of the Chair of the meeting …………………………………………… Date ……………………
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Oxford Methodist ……………………..…………………….. Circuit
1134618 Charity Number …………..
Responsibilities and basis of report
Oxford Methodist
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the …………………………………. Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2020 set out on pages … to …. 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.
- delete or circle as appropriate
Nameof Circuit. .Oxford..................................................................... No. .23101...... Indopondent Examiner's Statement The Circult's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the ACCA. I have completed my examination. l 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 accordan 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 (Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other mallers 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. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner ..ACCA..................... Name of firm :Haines Watts Oxford LLP Address: 19123 Sterling House, High Street, Kidlington, Oxford Post Code: OX5 2DH Date 2010412021