Bury Circuit Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31[st] August 2025
Introduction
This is the annual report from the Bury Circuit which covers mostly the Metropolitan Borough of Bury. The circuit consists of 14 Churches. We are a Circuit intent on being Biblically based and keen to share God’s love throughout the area. We seek to discern God’s mission in in our Circuit and work toward God’s plan.
Principle Aims
We are evangelically minded spreading God’s love to all and to be a discipleship movement focused on God’s mission in Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge that all are God’s children, and we seek to help Churches where we can. We want to serve our local communities in the name of Christ.
Review of the Year
-
confirmed as being £15,652.72. This amount is currently held in the TMCP account of the circuit
-
The church at Close continues as a separate entity in RadcliMe with the church at Living Waters still using the church, contributing to its upkeep.
-
The Pantries at Christ Church, Heaton Park, Bridge and Bolton Road continue, and Bolton Road has also seen a continuation of its work supporting the homeless in Bury by oMering them a warm space to sleep during the winter months.
-
The Circuit does continue to have a shortage of local preachers with more churches using Own Arrangement Services to meet worship needs.
-
Youth activities continue to take place across the Circuit.
-
Church membership overall continues to decline continuing the concern that ultimately, church closures could occur in the future.
Income Trends
Our income showed an overall 4% increase against last year and the largest income as usual was Assessments from Churches which accounted for 83% of the total income to the Circuit. Due to the decrease in interest rates over the year, Interest on both TMCP and CFB accounts showed a decrease against last year however rent increases on the let manses aided income, showing an increase of some 24%. We have made some savings over the year in relation to our routine oMice expenses, having found some costs
that were no longer needed such as a webhosting activity and other overall savings in our administration activities. The chart below shows the income at a glance:
----- Start of picture text -----
Grants Other Donations / Monetary
0% Investments
Income Legacies
Capital Receipts 0% 0% 1%
0%
Investment
Properties
16%
Church Assessments
83%
INCOME
----- End of picture text -----
Expenditure Trends
The largest expense for the circuit was Salaries and expenses related to staMing at a total of 65% of the total expenditure. As there has also been a lot of repairs & maintenance required on the circuit manses, this has shown a 43% increase against 2023_2024. However, this expenditure was slightly overtaken by the District Assessment which accounted for 18% of the total expenditure for the year. One final large expenditure for the circuit was the cost of our new accountants, who needed to do a full check of our accounts for the first time. I am assured this cost should reduce for the coming year’s accounts.
The chart below shows Expenditure at a glance
----- Start of picture text -----
Other Outgoings
1%
Office Expenses
1% Grants
Depreciation 1%
0%
District
Trust Levy Assessment &
1% Levy
18%
Property
Maintenance
13% Salaries & Mileage
65%
EXPENDITURE
----- End of picture text -----
Fund balances
Funds again needed to be transferred from the TMCP account, used for Circuit Reserves, to cover the cost of both salaries and the District Assessment as we were unable to recover the amounts needed from local churches without having a detrimental eMect on their own activities. As a result of cash movements, we now have a balance of £43,565 in the General Fund but a much-reduced fund value of £60,917 in the TMCP account. As £15,652 of the TMCP fund belongs to Seedfield, this leaves an actual fund of £45,264.20 and this will again, not cover 50% of the reserves required for the Circuit (that being six months’ salary & district assessments for the year).
Plans for 2025/26
A much tighter budget has been accepted for the 2025/26 year which unfortunately leaves no room for movement if the Circuit encounters any unexpected costs over the coming year.
Changes in the Circuit Structure have been proposed but will not take full eMect until September 2026. In the interim, as we were not matched with a new minister when Kathy Selby stepped down, we have benefited somewhat financially as we will eMectively ‘gain’ that salary. Even with this proviso, the budget prediction will be that we break even, should no contingency spending be required.
Churches will continue to cover their services with Own Arrangements due to a lack of local preachers.
At the end of the year, in August 2026, David Somerville will retire and we continue to pray that the stationing process brings good news, and we can continue to do Gods work.
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charities Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 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 (FRSSE) 2015.
Full Name of Charity: Bury Methodist Circuit Registration Number: 1134694 Date of Registration: 08/03/2010
Main Communication Address: Bury Circuit OMice, c/o 16 Branksome Avenue, Prestwich, M25 1AG
Members of the Bury Methodist Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit oMice holders, ministers, and representatives appointed by the local churches.
Circuit Ministers and OLicers for 2024 – 2025
Active Circuit Ministers Rev. Jeremy Hackett Deacon Michelle Brocklehurst Rev. David Somerville Rev. Blayze White Rev. Sally Thornton (part time) Circuit Lay Workers Thomas King (paid) Circuit Stewards Sue Grant Brian Sharples Lindsay Sweeney Administrator Emma
management and accounting for the year.
Independent Examiner Cowgills, 4[th] Floor, 5B The Parklands, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 4SD
Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Purposes and Organisation
The purposes of the Methodist Church are, and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the Union, the advancement of:
-
The Christian Faith, in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church.
-
Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local, or any other organization of the Methodist Church.
-
Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution, subsidiary, or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
-
Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place in the 14 Methodist sites and one local Ecumenical Partnership within its boundaries. These are open to the public without charge. It also practices regular midweek worship at the local Methodist Home for the Aged. Pastoral work is, however, sill resourced as is the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses, and small groups on-line or in person. Religious assemblies are held in schools.
The charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area of Bury for the Methodist Church.
public benefit.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing documents for the Circuit are the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed governance arrangements are outlined in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD).
Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team, along with the Local Preachers Meeting and Circuit Treasurers Committee.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the Northwest District and is accountable to the Methodist Conference.
Risk Management
Leadership Team. These are regularly reviewed. Income and expenditure are monitored in total and are compared with the approved annual budget at regular intervals to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation 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.
-
The careful selection and training of 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.
-
Response, without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, and co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
-
To seek to work with anyone who has suMered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
-
To seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
-
To seek to oMer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral in the proper authorities.
-
In all these principles we will follow the appropriate legislation.
The Bury Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy. It commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
Reserves Policy
The recommended reserves policy of six months operating costs is not possible and has not been met this year. Reserves are severely depleted not just in the circuit but across all churches within.
Signed and dated:
Rev Jeremy Hackett Lindsay Sweeney Emma (Superintendent) (Treasurer) (Secretary)
Name of Clrcult Bury Clr(aJll No 1011071 Ststsm•nt of Flnanclal Actlvlll•s {SOFA> for th• y•ar ond•d 31 August 2025 MDt• tr D#lgMt•d Gen•ral FWKI Truot iikn¥trlGt•rfJ likn¥tri¢tsd) tsm•t•d) ReS¢t•d Endowrn•nt Tot•1 202445 Incom• 4,250 63,649 326,828 4 Assfjssme Cl¥Jch68 S C¥xta R8c•pts 6 Grants rKvA¥•d 10 8 T•t•l In¢om• 391792 4320 396,115 Expendltur• 9 Grants 10 assW0t costs 11 PrOFty mantan¥• 12 asse5srTt & rTh>Jol knvy 13 Dtrt Ass8ssm8nl & L8Vy 14 15 OffK6 exoS 16 Otlwwtg( 17 Total ch•rltabl• •xp•ndltuf• 18 Garnllths8sl cffi ITt iN•5tm8nts 19 GalIk>S&s} nv8stmMI 20 IncoM1•XP•nd[tUr•l 21 T(lIf$ bèhv•8n fw)d8 22 Olhw gar6llbss8sl 23 N•t mov•rn•nt In funds 24 Total fundsbrought for4¥¥d 25 Tot•1 fw¥ts urrl•d ltywrd 281,159 S6,7 281,159 $6,997 10 S.35 435,096 431248 13 524,666 .564,122 .524,666 403.648 11 6,394 -517 728 3,059,337 541,609 6,394 -5S7254 2.443 3.162.226 2,446 4604,972 1Q),446 fj0,917
Bury Circuit Trustees Annual Report
For the year ended 31[st] August 2025
Introduction
This is the annual report from the Bury Circuit which covers mostly the Metropolitan Borough of Bury. The circuit consists of 14 Churches. We are a Circuit intent on being Biblically based and keen to share God’s love throughout the area. We seek to discern God’s mission in in our Circuit and work toward God’s plan.
Principle Aims
We are evangelically minded spreading God’s love to all and to be a discipleship movement focused on God’s mission in Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge that all are God’s children, and we seek to help Churches where we can. We want to serve our local communities in the name of Christ.
Review of the Year
-
confirmed as being £15,652.72. This amount is currently held in the TMCP account of the circuit
-
The church at Close continues as a separate entity in RadcliMe with the church at Living Waters still using the church, contributing to its upkeep.
-
The Pantries at Christ Church, Heaton Park, Bridge and Bolton Road continue, and Bolton Road has also seen a continuation of its work supporting the homeless in Bury by oMering them a warm space to sleep during the winter months.
-
The Circuit does continue to have a shortage of local preachers with more churches using Own Arrangement Services to meet worship needs.
-
Youth activities continue to take place across the Circuit.
-
Church membership overall continues to decline continuing the concern that ultimately, church closures could occur in the future.
Income Trends
Our income showed an overall 4% increase against last year and the largest income as usual was Assessments from Churches which accounted for 83% of the total income to the Circuit. Due to the decrease in interest rates over the year, Interest on both TMCP and CFB accounts showed a decrease against last year however rent increases on the let manses aided income, showing an increase of some 24%. We have made some savings over the year in relation to our routine oMice expenses, having found some costs
that were no longer needed such as a webhosting activity and other overall savings in our administration activities. The chart below shows the income at a glance:
----- Start of picture text -----
Grants Other Donations / Monetary
0% Investments
Income Legacies
Capital Receipts 0% 0% 1%
0%
Investment
Properties
16%
Church Assessments
83%
INCOME
----- End of picture text -----
Expenditure Trends
The largest expense for the circuit was Salaries and expenses related to staMing at a total of 65% of the total expenditure. As there has also been a lot of repairs & maintenance required on the circuit manses, this has shown a 43% increase against 2023_2024. However, this expenditure was slightly overtaken by the District Assessment which accounted for 18% of the total expenditure for the year. One final large expenditure for the circuit was the cost of our new accountants, who needed to do a full check of our accounts for the first time. I am assured this cost should reduce for the coming year’s accounts.
The chart below shows Expenditure at a glance
----- Start of picture text -----
Other Outgoings
1%
Office Expenses
1% Grants
Depreciation 1%
0%
District
Trust Levy Assessment &
1% Levy
18%
Property
Maintenance
13% Salaries & Mileage
65%
EXPENDITURE
----- End of picture text -----
Fund balances
Funds again needed to be transferred from the TMCP account, used for Circuit Reserves, to cover the cost of both salaries and the District Assessment as we were unable to recover the amounts needed from local churches without having a detrimental eMect on their own activities. As a result of cash movements, we now have a balance of £43,565 in the General Fund but a much-reduced fund value of £60,917 in the TMCP account. As £15,652 of the TMCP fund belongs to Seedfield, this leaves an actual fund of £45,264.20 and this will again, not cover 50% of the reserves required for the Circuit (that being six months’ salary & district assessments for the year).
Plans for 2025/26
A much tighter budget has been accepted for the 2025/26 year which unfortunately leaves no room for movement if the Circuit encounters any unexpected costs over the coming year.
Changes in the Circuit Structure have been proposed but will not take full eMect until September 2026. In the interim, as we were not matched with a new minister when Kathy Selby stepped down, we have benefited somewhat financially as we will eMectively ‘gain’ that salary. Even with this proviso, the budget prediction will be that we break even, should no contingency spending be required.
Churches will continue to cover their services with Own Arrangements due to a lack of local preachers.
At the end of the year, in August 2026, David Somerville will retire and we continue to pray that the stationing process brings good news, and we can continue to do Gods work.
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charities Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 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 (FRSSE) 2015.
Full Name of Charity: Bury Methodist Circuit Registration Number: 1134694 Date of Registration: 08/03/2010
Main Communication Address: Bury Circuit OMice, c/o 16 Branksome Avenue, Prestwich, M25 1AG
Members of the Bury Methodist Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit oMice holders, ministers, and representatives appointed by the local churches.
Circuit Ministers and OLicers for 2024 – 2025
Active Circuit Ministers Rev. Jeremy Hackett Deacon Michelle Brocklehurst Rev. David Somerville Rev. Blayze White Rev. Sally Thornton (part time) Circuit Lay Workers Thomas King (paid) Circuit Stewards Sue Grant Brian Sharples Lindsay Sweeney Administrator Emma
management and accounting for the year.
Independent Examiner Cowgills, 4[th] Floor, 5B The Parklands, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 4SD
Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
Purposes and Organisation
The purposes of the Methodist Church are, and shall be deemed to have been since the date of the Union, the advancement of:
-
The Christian Faith, in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church.
-
Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local, or any other organization of the Methodist Church.
-
Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution, subsidiary, or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
-
Any purpose for the time being of any charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church.
The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place in the 14 Methodist sites and one local Ecumenical Partnership within its boundaries. These are open to the public without charge. It also practices regular midweek worship at the local Methodist Home for the Aged. Pastoral work is, however, sill resourced as is the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses, and small groups on-line or in person. Religious assemblies are held in schools.
The charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area of Bury for the Methodist Church.
public benefit.
Structure, Governance and Management
The governing documents for the Circuit are the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed governance arrangements are outlined in the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD).
Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team, along with the Local Preachers Meeting and Circuit Treasurers Committee.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the Northwest District and is accountable to the Methodist Conference.
Risk Management
Leadership Team. These are regularly reviewed. Income and expenditure are monitored in total and are compared with the approved annual budget at regular intervals to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation 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.
-
The careful selection and training of 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.
-
Response, without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, and co-operating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
-
To seek to work with anyone who has suMered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
-
To seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
-
To seek to oMer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral in the proper authorities.
-
In all these principles we will follow the appropriate legislation.
The Bury Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy. It commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
Reserves Policy
The recommended reserves policy of six months operating costs is not possible and has not been met this year. Reserves are severely depleted not just in the circuit but across all churches within.
Signed and dated:
Rev Jeremy Hackett Lindsay Sweeney Emma (Superintendent) (Treasurer) (Secretary)
Name of Circuit Bury Circuit No 1011071 Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) forthe year ended 31 August 2025 Clrcuit Model Designated Trust Funds (Unr88lrf¢tydi lunro$tri¢todl General Fund lilnre$tri¢tedl Reslricted Funds Endowrnent Funds Noto8 to lh• a¢¢ounts Total 202445 Income 1 Donatitins and 9a¢S 2 Income from mnÈtary investments 3 Intome from invÈstmÈnt propÈrtiÈs 4 A%sÈssmÈnts on Chur¢hes S Capital RecÈipls 6 Grants recewed 7 Other Charitab in¢ome 8 Total incom8 929 63.649 326.828 3.320 4,249 63,649 326,828 1.000 385 392.791 1,000 3B7 396.113 10 3.320 Expenditure 9 Grants and donatL)ns 10 SakrEs and associated costs 11 ProkErty maintenance 12 cOnnexnal assessment & model trust kvy 13 District A8sessnEnl & Levy 14 Depreciation 15 Office expenses 16 Other outgoi8 17 Total Chaiiiable expenditure 18 Gainsllbsses) on Tnonetsry investtnent5 19 Gainsllbsses) on invesltnent propertE5 20 Net Incomellexpendlturel 21 Transfers belween funds 22 Olher gainsllbsses) 23 Net movement In funds 24Total fiJnd5 broughtforward 25 Total lut¥Js carrled forward 4.584 281.159 56.997 281,159 $6,997 2,522 79,388 2.522 326 79.062 5.086 5.358 432,246 S,086 5,358 435,095 -40.000 -524.666 -603.647 40.000 6.394 10 2,849 140.0001 13 1524.6661 1564.1211 40.000 6.391 517.727 3,059,337 2,541,610 139,5291 Debt(KslCreditors 100,446 60,917 2,443 2,445 3.162.226 2,604,973
Name ofCircurt- Bury No 06108 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the recofds of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signature of treasurer Date 18th December 2025 Name and address of treasurer: Lindsay Sweeney,. 2 First Avenue, Tottlngton. BURY, BL8 3JA Prgsontation to the C5rcult mgollng I confim that the annual report and a¢Unts for the year ended 31 August 2025 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on.. 18th December 2025 Signature of the Chair of the meeting: Name of the Chair of the meeting: Jeremy Hackett Date 18th December 2025 Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustoes of the Bury Circuit Charlty Number 1134694 Respon8ibiliti•s and basis of report I report to the tN5tees on my examinalion of the accounts of the Bury Circuil for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 1 to 2. 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 Charty Commtssion under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate
Name of Circuit Bury c1urt No 06108 Independent Examlner's Stat•ment The Circurt's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualffied to undertake the examination by being a qualif member ofACCA. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connectlon with the examination (other than that disclosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan with sectlon 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with the accounb'ng records; or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view, which is not a matter considered a8 part of an independent examination Delete if not applicable i.e. all R&P accounts the trustees. annual report is not consistent with the accounts Delete if not applicable l.e. 811 R&P accounts. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsndSng of the accounts to be reached. I Iave not. obtained Independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Meth(yJlst Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually In excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balan sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examlner: Daniel Smith Relevant professional qualification of independent examlner: FCCA Name of firm (where appropriate): Cowgills Address: Fourth Floor; Unrt 5B, The Parklands, Lostock. Bolton Post Code: BL6 4SD Date: 23 June 2026 . delete or circle as appropriate