# Swansea and Gower Methodist Circuit
## Charity No 1134882 Report of the Trustees For The Year Ended 31° August 2023
The Trustees submit their annual report and the independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2023.
## Legal and administrative information
The governing body of the Circuit is the annual conference of the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church Act 1976 gives the authority under which the Methodist Church acts. The constitutional practice and discipline of the Methodist Church governs the activities of the Circuit.
The Methodist Church is no longer excepted from the need to register as a charity and on 12 March 2010 the Circuit registered as a separate charity under the Charities Act 2006 and has been allocated the Registered Number 1134882.
## Superintendent Minister: Rev Howard Long
Circuit Address: Swansea and Gower Circuit Office, Mumbles Methodist Church, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4DH
## Organisational Structure
The Swansea and Gower Circuit is made up of eleven churches. These are - Pitton, Horton, Reynoldston, Murton, Mumbles, Uniting Church Sketty, Brunswick, Penlan, Wesley, Morriston, Clydach. There are approximately 455 members, numerous worshipping adherents and community ‘contacts’.
There are 8 members of staff. These are Rev Howard Long — Superintendent Minister, Rev Andrew Walker, Rev Andrew Pearce (Associate Minister — Anglican) Rev Michael Ellor Associate Minister — Anglican) Rev Betty McNiven (Associate Minister — Anglican) and Lay Workers — Huw Davies, Heather Davies and Louise Davies ( Circuit Admin)
Other office holders (voluntary) include
Circuit Stewards — Mrs Heather Coleman, Ken Allison, Mrs Grace Coleman (Treasurer), Mrs Lynne Taylor, Mrs Laura Honour, Mr Colin Everett and Circuit Meeting Secretary — Mrs Nancy Owens
The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Managing Trustees. During the year 2022/23 the following people served as members of the Circuit Meeting.
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## CIRCUIT MEETING MEMBERSHIP
## STAFF
Revd Howard Long Rev. Andrew Walker Rev Andrew Pearce — Associate Presbyter Rev Betty McNiven — Associate Presbyter Rev Michael Ellor — Associate Presbyter
LAY WORKERS Mr Huw Davies — Ogof Adullam Mrs Heather Davies — Ogof Adullam
## CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATOR
Mrs Louise Davies
SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS Rev. Pam Cram — Missions Secretary/MWiB Rev. Margaret Adams
## CIRCUIT ROLES
Mrs Nancy Owens — Circuit Meeting Secretary Mrs Grace Coleman — Circuit Treasurer Mrs Heather Coleman — Circuit Steward Mr Ken Allison — Circuit Steward (part year) Mrs Laura Honour — Circuit Steward (part year) Mrs Lynne Taylor — Circuit Steward Mr Colin Everett — Circuit Steward (part year) Mr Alan Cram — Local Preachers Secretary (part year) Mrs Win Hawkins Local Preachers Secretary (part year) Miss Janet Neilson — Art Serve Representative Mr Jeff Coleman — Circuit Archivist Mrs Pat Davies — Circuit Safeguarding Mrs Sandra Pengelly — Circuit MHA representative Mrs Gill Worrall — Circuit Action for Children representative Mr Andrew Phillips — Circuit Property Secretary Mr Keith Morris — Circuit Property
## CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES
Brunswick Kathleen Jones, Sybil Smith, Malcolm Grimley Clydach Marilyn Harry, Alan Cram (part year) HortonHildegarde Roberts, Peter Scott, Audrey Hinnells Morriston Eleanor Cuthill Mumbles Mark Puntan, David Boakes, Caroline Buckler, Geoff Maddock, Cynthia Mumford Murton Ruth Painter, Marjorie Probert Penlan Blodwen O’Connor Pitton Carolyn Jenkins (part year), Selina Taylor, Isobel Everett Reynoldston lan Campbell Sketty Jon Dyer, Sandra Cuthill, Les Want, Alan Jones Wesley Elaine Davies, Brinley Jones
## Mission and Purpose
The Circuit is constituted to advance the mission of the Methodist Church in the Swansea and Gower area by providing opportunities for churches to work together and support each other. It does this by offering resources and expertise which may not be available locally. The Circuit also services the local churches in the support, deployment and oversight of the various ministries of the Church, and in programmes of training.
## Priorities for the Methodist Church
In partnership with others wherever possible, the Methodist Church will concentrate its prayers, resources, imagination and commitments on this priority:
To proclaim and affirm its conviction of God's love in Christ, for us and for all the world; and renew confidence in God's presence and action in the world and in the Church
As ways towards realising this priority, the Methodist Church will give particular attention to the following:
- e Underpinning everything we do with God-centred worship and prayer
- e Supporting community development and action for justice, especially among the most deprived and poor in Britain and worldwide
- e Developing confidence in evangelism and in the capacity to speak of God and faith in ways that make sense to all involved
- e Encouraging fresh ways of being Church
- e Nurturing a culture in the Church which is people-centred and flexible
## Swansea and Gower Circuit Policy
As a Circuit we affirm the Priorities of the Methodist Church and seek to:
- e Express the Gospel through worship, word and action in ways that will speak to the needs and culture of the people around us.
- e Nurture Christian understanding and lifestyle through fellowship groups, study groups and prayer groups in the Churches.
- e Encourage growth in church membership through worship and evangelism, mission and pastoral care.
- e Support existing chaplaincies and develop other chaplaincy work wherever possible.
- e Work in partnership with other churches wherever possible in order for us to share in God’s mission more effectively.
- e Play a full part in the work of the Methodist Church in Wales while being inspired and challenged as part of the worldwide Church of Christ.
- e Besensitive to environmental issues and be good stewards of our natural resources.
## Review of the Year
Staffing: It was not possible to appoint a new minister through the Methodist stationing system for this year and so the work of Uniting Church Sketty, Clydach and the University Chaplaincy was covered by existing staff (Rev Andrew Pearce) and Supernumerary ministers ( Rev Linda Woollacott, Rev Noel Davies and Rev John Atkinson). A circuit administrator was appointed (Louise Davies). During the year it was agreed through the stationing system that Rev Louise Gough would be appointed to serve in the circuit from September 2023.
Circuit Leadership Team: The CLT is made up of all staff ( lay and ordained) and 4 circuit stewards Heather Coleman (UCS) Ken Allison ( Mumbles) Grace Coleman (Morriston) Lynne Taylor ( Pitton) and Laura Honour (UCS).
During the year Ken Allison and Laura Honour stepped down and were replaced by Colin Everett (Pitton).
Local Preachers: The Local Preachers met regularly online for mutual support, continuing development and LP/WL business. Alan Cram stepped down as LP/WL secretary and was replaced by Win Hawkins. Quentin Hawkins was presented with a certificate recognising 25 years as a Local preacher
Bible Month: The circuit supported Bible Month in June concentrating on the New Testament book of Revelation.
Ogof Adullam Drop-in Centre: The project re-opened in Penlan with many guests attending on three days a week. The project is overseen by a circuit management committee.
Men’s Shed: The Men’s Shed was officially opened. Swansea Council leaders, members of the community and many friends from the circuit attended the Open Day
Penlan: Penlan Church Council (made up of trustees from other churches) continued to oversee the property and mission of the church.
Safeguarding: Training sessions continued throughout the circuit. The Annual Safeguarding Policy for the circuit was agreed.
Property: The Wesley Building Scheme was ongoing. The sale of the Morriston chapel was completed. Discussions at Murton regarding the consolidating the work in the hall and the chapel on one site were ongoing. The work on Sketty manse was ongoing. A number of Quinquennial reports were completed throughout the year.
Eco Grants: The circuit continued to offer grants to support churches as they work to become more environmentally friendly.
Circuit Strategy: A document detailing circuit strategy for the next five years was presented by the Circuit Leadership Team and distributed to the churches for discussion and action.
Wales Methodist Synod. The circuit was fully represented at all Synod meetings that took place throughout the year including the annual Synod (Sept 2022), Ministerial Synod ( March 2023) and the Synod Policy Committee ( Online). The Superintendent Minister chaired the Synod Schemes and Grants committee which met online three times during the year.
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In the course of the year the Swansea and Gower Circuit has:
- e Prepared the preaching plan and organised acts of worship both online and in person
- e Arranged four Circuit Meetings dealing with business relating to the Circuit and to formulate plans for the future including agreeing the budget and church assessments for the financial year 2023/24
- e Completed an annual GDPR and Safeguarding audit
- e Arranged EDI Training for all Staff and Office Holders.
- e Arranged meetings of the Ogof Adullam Management Team
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- e Arranged 2 meetings of the Circuit Mission Committee
- e Arranged 6 meetings of the Circuit Leadership Team to discuss the life of the Circuit
- e Each minister received regular supervision
- e Arranged 4 meetings of the Local Preachers and Worship Leaders as well as various study sessions
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## SWANSEA & GOWER METHODIST CIRCUIT
## Statement of Financial Activities
## for the year ended 31 August 2023
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|General|Fund|Circuit|Model|Restricted|Endowment|Totals|This|Previous|
|(Unrestricted)|Trust|Fund|Funds|Funds|Year|Year Totals|
|(Unrestricted)|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Incoming|Resources|
|Assessment|or Share|196,268|196,268|196,580|
|Capital|Receipts|
|Interest and|Investment|Income|639|7,947|8,586|1,255|
|Grants|4,000|4,000|4,000|
|Profit on Sale of Buildings|21,660|21,660|62,000|
|Other Income|8,000|0|8,000|29,887|
|Total|Incoming Resources|230,567|7,947|0|0|238,514|293,722|
|Stipends,|Salaries,|NIC &|Pension|costs|88,095|88,095|110,026|
|District Assessment|37,988|37,988|4,963|
|Methodist|Church|Fund|4,909|4,909|38,373|
|Telephone &|Travel|4,567|4,567|3,549|
|Insurance,|Utilities|etc|17,383|17,383|12,540|
|Maintenance on|Manses|16,549|16,549|5,549|
|Other|Expenditure|31,472|31,472|17,129|
|Grants & Donations|0|24,622|24,622|55,745|
|Professional|Fees|0|2,470|2,470|0|
|CPF|Levy|0|20,578|20,578|32,858|
|Contributions|to|District Advance Funds|0|0|0|
|Total|Resources|Expended|200,963|47,670|0|0|248,633|280,732|
|Net Incoming|Resources|29,604|-39,723|0|0|-10,119|12,990|
|TotalFunds Funds transfer Brought Forward|730,347-81,660|225,49381,660|942,850|
|Total|Funds|Carried|Forward|at Year End|678,291|267,430|0|0|-10,119|955,840|
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## SWANSEA & GOWER METHODIST CIRCUIT
## Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2023
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|General|Fund|Circuit|Model|Restricted|Endowment|Totals This|Previous|
|(Unrestricted)|Trust|Fund|Funds|Funds|Year|Year Totals|
|(Unrestricted)|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Tangible|Fixed|Assets|
|Manses|580,979|580,979|640,979|
|Total|Fixed|Assets|580,979|0|0|0|580,979|640,979|
|Current|Assets|
|Debtors|and|Prepayments|11,808|0|11,808|6,401|
|Central|Finance|Board|and|Trustees|for|Methodist|Purposes|Deposit|18,114|267,430|285,544|242,998|
|Cash|at|Bank and|in|Hand|83,138|756|83,894|84,500|
|Total|Current|Assets|113,060|267,430|756|0|381,246|333,899|
|Creditors and Accruals (due in under 1 year)|15,748|756|16,504|19,038|
|Net Current Assets|(Liabilities)|97,312|267,430|0|0|364,742|314,861|
|Total Assets less Current Liabilities|678,291|267,430|0|0|945,721|955,840|
|Loans|and|creditors due|after|1|year|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Net Assets|678,291|267,430|0|0|945,721|955,840|
|Provision for liabilities and charges|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|Funds|of the|Circuit|
|GeneralCircuit|Model Fund (Unrestricted)Trust|Fund|(Unrestricted)|678,291|267,430|“|678,291267,430|730,347225,493|
|Total Funds|678,291|267,430|0|0|945,721|955,840|
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— To be Approved by the Swansea & Gower Circuit on genere RO”in \Dba signed on their behalf
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Rev. Howard Long . i ?
Registered Charity No. 1134882
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Grace Coleman
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## Independent Examiner's Report
## to the trustees of Swansea & Gower Methodist Circuit (Charity Number 1134882)
I report on the circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023.
## Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
* examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## Basis of Independent Examiners’ 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 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 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.
## Signed: { ew) ‘ Name: CARL WEST Relevant professional qualification or Body: ‘\ Cc A Address: [4 WALTER RoA) So ANSEn
## ‘ Date: lo [os1oLy