2025-08-31-accounts - Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit

Registered Charity No. 1134891

Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

for the

Year ended 31 August 2025

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

INDEX

	Page
Charity information	1
Trustees’ report	2 - 6
Independent Auditor’s report	8 - 11
Circuit statement of financial activities	12 - 13
Circuit balance sheet	14
Circuit cash flow statement	15
Notes to the accounts	16 - 30
Appendix 1: List of trustees	31

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CHARITY INFORMATION

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS

THE CIRCUIT

The Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit was formed on 1 September 2024 resulting from the merger of Basingstoke and Reading Methodist Circuit and Kennet and Test Valley Circuit. The Circuit is a separate legal entity within The Methodist Church and is required under Charity law to prepare separate accounts.

The Circuit is a registered charity (England & Wales) number 1134891.

The Circuit comprises 25 local churches spread across western Berkshire and Northern Hampshire, including Andover, Basingstoke, Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Thatcham, Bradfield, Burghfield Common, Mortimer, Tadley, Silchester, and the surrounding areas. Several churches have local ecumenical partnerships with Anglican, Baptist, and/or United Reformed churches. The Circuit also includes the online ‘Church of the Living Stream’.

TRUSTEES The Circuit’s trustees are all members of the Circuit Meeting and are listed in Appendix 1.

EXECUTIVE AND LEADERSHIP FUNCTIONS

The Circuit Stewards (who are ex officio members of the Circuit Meeting) are responsible for ensuring that the decisions of the Circuit Meeting are executed. The following served as Circuit Stewards during the year:

Michael Parker (Senior Steward) Peter Boardley Donald Fraser Rosie Greenhalgh David Gunton Sarah Ross Terence Rowell

The Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) gives a longer-term vision to the Circuit's affairs and comprises a mix of stipendiary and lay members of the Circuit Meeting. The following, also members of the Circuit Meeting, served on CLT this year: Reverends Beukes (Chair and Superintendent Minister), Banks, Borgars, Fitchet, Kim, Simpson, and Watson; all the circuit stewards; and the Circuit Resources Co-ordinator.

CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES

The custodian trustees are the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes

CONTACTING THE CIRCUIT

The Circuit's principal office is 84 Queen's Road, Reading RG1 4BW, telephone 0118 958 1505. The Circuit's website is www.bhbcircuit.org.uk. Email: office@bhbcircuit.org.uk.

BANKERS The Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Methodist Church House 25 Tavistock Place London WC1H 9SF CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ AUDITORS Hazlewoods LLP Staverton Court Staverton Cheltenham GL51 0UX

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

1. Objectives and activities

The Circuit strives to proclaim and reflect the love of God as a justice-seeking Church. In doing this we shall place people before buildings, mission before maintenance, and God over church. We seek to enable our churches to develop their local mission with the skills and support of the Circuit Mission Groups and the provision of resources.

The Circuit's purpose is to provide resources to support ministry in local churches. The Circuit does this through the provision of ordained ministers and deacons, lay staff, and Circuit officers to support service and ministry from the Circuit's churches to their local communities. The Circuit also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of 19 manses and investment properties.

The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of the 22 Methodist Churches and 3 Local Ecumenical Partnerships in its geographical area. The Circuit is also directly involved with outreach work, with a particular emphasis on children and families, later life, schools, and support for food banks.

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)', when reviewing the Circuit's aims and objectives. The Circuit is pursuing its objectives through the following strategies by providing:

Staffing resources and other assistance to churches for ministry to their communities;
Grants for outreach activities and improvements to churches' premises that will facilitate access to ministry;
Training through study, mentoring, and examination for lay preachers and worship leaders;
Training and support in safeguarding awareness;
Opportunities for staff and members of church congregations to meet for fellowship, worship and learning; and
Care for those who have retired from full-time service in the Methodist Church.

2. Achievements and performance

The Circuit has continued to benefit from strong and effective ministerial and lay leadership. This is now focused through the Circuit Leadership Team, which comprises representatives from ordained staff, the circuit stewards, and support staff as noted on Page 1. CLT's brief is to take a more strategic view in leading the Circuit through a period of change and guiding the allocation of resources in the most effective direction.

Formation of the New Circuit

On 1 September 2024, the Basingstoke and Reading Methodist Circuit merged with Kennet and Test Valley Circuit to form the Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit. This merger, approved by Synod and Conference, brings together the strengths and resources of both circuits to better serve our communities and fulfil our shared mission.

Merger accounting has been applied to the formation of the new Circuit, which is explained further within the Accounting Policies section in Note 1 to the accounts on Page 16.

Worship and Spiritual Life : We continued to support the Worship at Home Initiative, resourcing it with new USB speakers to ensure accessibility for those unable to attend worship in person. Church of the Living Stream continues to reach a unique segment of people unable or uncomfortable attending church in person but are seeking an active worship space. Increasing pressure on the preaching plan continues to be concern.

Nurturing Faith and Discipleship : The Circuit Prayer Resource Group produced quarterly prayer resources distributed throughout the Circuit. Groups from across the Circuit met online monthly for bible study and to discuss current affairs and theological hot topics.

Later Years and Care Home Ministry: Recognizing the critical need for pastoral care among older people, the Circuit conducted an audit of ministry among older people, receiving responses from 13 churches.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Key achievements include :

Dementia Awareness: Discussions have begun on how to better recognize dementia worship provision. Some churches already have excellent dementia friendly worship.
Care Home Ministry: Regular visits and worship sessions happen in a number of care homes.
Anna Chaplaincy: This is being developed ecumenically, in Basingstoke and Thatcham, working alongside other denominations to support the people in later life. It is hoped the work will extend further in future.

Children, Young People, and Families : The Circuit has a growing number of young people across a number of the churches and has been actively growing the staff team. This group saw vibrant activity and new appointments:

3Generate Trip (Oct 2024): 37 children and young people attended the national event, with overwhelming feedback indicating a desire to return next year.
Circuit Youth Weekend (Mar 2025): Hosted at Emmanuel Methodist Church, Reading, this event welcomed 28 young people and took an active part in the Sunday worship.
Youth Hubs: A number of welcoming spaces for families and youth began within the year.
University of Reading: The Circuit deepened its links with the Chaplaincy through offering staff time and further financial support.

Eco-Church and Creation Care : The Eco Church Mission Group, held an Open Afternoon at Mortimer Methodist Church, our first Gold Eco Church Award holder. The event covered energy conservation, nature recovery, and the installation of swift boxes and hedgehog care.

Community Outreach and Justice-Seeking Mission : There are a number of important ministries where resources and support were directed toward tangible community needs:

Oakridge Food Hub: This hub has become a focal point for community gathering, where people share life experiences, request prayer, and support one another.
Reading Pantries: Two pantries started in Reading, as part of a partnership with another charity, offering the dignity of choice in food support to people in need.

Resourcing Mission : The group exists to consider requests for support, both financial and personnel, from churches undertaking missional activities in their local communities. In 2024-25, the group supported the following ventures:

Full-time outreach worker in Basingstoke and a part-time pastoral assistant in Basingstoke
Strategic planning for mission in local Churches
New USB speakers for Worship at Home initiative
Support for chaplaincy work at University of Reading
Resourcing Junior Church work in Andover
An additional food pantry at Emmanuel, Reading

3. Financial review

The attached Statement of Financial Affairs (SOFA) summarises the Circuit's income and expenditure for the year, supplemented by the Cash Flow statement and the Notes to the Financial Statements. The Balance Sheet shows the Circuit's assets, liabilities, and reserves.

The net expenditure for the year was £200,819 before investment gains (2024: £216,797).

After recognising gains on investment properties, other investments and freehold property of £1,120,551 (2024: £297,673), net income for the year was £919,732 (2024: £80,876).

The Balance Sheet summarises the Circuit’s assets, liabilities, and funds. Net assets (and thus aggregate funds) at 31[st] August 2025 were £13,530,391 (2024: £12,610,659).

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Financial review (continued)

The Circuit’s net assets are held in either endowment, restricted or unrestricted funds. A full analysis of the individual funds, and the objectives for which income and/or capital may be applied, is provided in Notes 20 to 22 in these financial statements. These funds may be summarised as follows:

to 22 in these financial statements. These funds may be summarised as follows:
Endowment funds The income from these funds is applied to ministry within the Circuit but the capital is not available for use Restricted funds Available for financing capital schemes - Arthur Newbery Trust Available for funding revenue expenditure as specified by donors Unrestricted (general and designated) funds Manse capital fund (equivalent to the value of manse and investment properties) Circuit Model Trust Funds, for financing churches’ property and mission schemes through grants Funds available for financing Circuit occasional expenditure: Circuit development fund, for training and mission projects Youth work fund Funds for financing Circuit annual operating expenditure General funds, for all purposes Manse maintenance fund, for repairs, maintenance and refurbishment Total funds	£ 217,918 19,022	£ 448,834 236,940 11,845,000 554,315 46,862 398,440
	30,882 15,980
	253,371 145,069

		13,530,391

4. Reserves policies

The Circuit is required to have policies regarding the level of reserves to be held in respect of funds for financing Circuit's annual operating expenditure. Policies are not required in respect of other funds since these are not held primarily for revenue purposes and there are restrictions on how the funds may be used.

The Circuit's annual operating expenditure includes the cost of ministerial and lay staff, provision of manses, travel and administrative expenses, and contributions to the Methodist Southampton District and Methodist Church Connexional funds. This expenditure is funded by assessments on the Circuit's local churches, investment income, rents on manses not currently needed to house ministers, and contributions from the Model Trust Fund.

Assessments on churches were calculated as part of the Circuit's annual budget process. The merged Circuit will need to develop and agree a unified procedure for setting assessments.

The Circuit's reserves policies are to maintain at least:

A general fund balance of £150,000, sufficient to cover three months' running costs; and
A manse maintenance fund balance of at least £50,000, sufficient for emergency or unexpected repairs to manses. At the end of the financial year, both reserves exceeded the minimum threshold set by the policy, primarily due to the transfer of assets and funds following the merger of the two circuits. The Trustees intend to reassess reserve levels post-merger in subsequent years.

For the purpose of enabling the merger, the Circuit allowed the constituent parts to budget and define assessments according to their traditional pattern. This practice and the calculation methods were reconsidered during the year 2024-25 to create a new and equitable pattern form the 2025-26 year. The Circuit's budget reflects the impact of anticipated changes in staffing levels, the maintenance needs of its residential property portfolio, and any amounts to be drawn from reserves to support the planned expenditure. After consultation with local church Treasurers, the Circuit Meeting approves the budget and assessments, and the amounts to be carried forward in reserves.

The trustees consider the Circuit to be a going concern.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

5. Investment policies

In accordance with the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church, the Circuit's investments are managed on its behalf by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP), Central Buildings, Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ. TMCP acts as custodian trustee for all properties held by Circuits, for all large bequests (i.e. over £20,000), and for the proceeds of the sale of any property where the Circuit was managing trustee. These sums are unitised investments or held on deposit.

Short term deposits are lodged with the Central Finance Board (CFB) of the Methodist Church.

The Circuit's investment policies are aligned with those of TMCP and the CFB because these organisations take into consideration the social, environmental and ethical issues, both negatively and positively, that make investments suitable for the Methodist Church.

6. Pay and remuneration policies

Ministers are stationed in the Circuit by the Methodist Conference. Ministers’ remuneration is set nationally by the Methodist Church. Ministers are members of the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme. Contribution rates are set nationally by the Methodist Church.

Lay employees are directly employed by the Circuit. Lay employee remuneration is based on the Methodist Church’s guidance for the setting of pay rates for lay employees. Lay employee pay rates are in excess of the National Living Wage. The Circuit offers a pension scheme to its lay employees. The Circuit matches lay employee contributions up to 10% of salary. The minimum employer contribution rate is 6%. No member of staff is paid in excess of £60,000 per annum.

Information on the payment of expenses to trustees and remuneration of key management personnel is disclosed in the notes to the Circuit’s accounts.

7. Structure and governance

The Circuit was established in accordance with the constitution of The Methodist Church. Its organisation is structured around three Circuit Meetings each year. The Circuit also holds gatherings to which members of all churches are invited for worship, discussion, prayer and activities.

The members of the Circuit Meeting are the trustees of the Circuit. The Circuit Meeting comprises the Circuit staff and officers, and representatives from each church in the Circuit and the local preachers' meeting. Each church council and the local preachers' meeting elect representatives to the Circuit Meeting annually. The Circuit officers are appointed annually by Circuit Meeting.

When appointed, trustees are asked to complete a related party questionnaire and, at the start of each Circuit Meeting, to declare any new conflicts of interest.

Circuit Trustees are not specifically trained or inducted. They are drawn from the local church trustees. Local Churches can cater induction as needed by individual trustees.

The Circuit Meeting is supported by separate six-weekly meetings of ordained staff, circuit stewards, and the Circuit Leadership Team to conduct day-to-day business and consider matters to be brought to the attention of the Circuit Meeting. The Circuit Leadership Team's responsibilities include circuit strategy and vision, resource planning, and oversight of probationers and candidates. The Mission Groups enable individuals to use their gifts in specific mission and ministry areas for the benefit of all local churches in the Circuit.

8. Administrative details

These details are provided on page 1 to these financial statements.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

9. Principal risks and uncertainties

The major risks to which the Circuit is exposed have been identified by the Circuit Meeting and are listed below. A major risk is defined as one that, if realised could fundamentally affect the way in which the Circuit operates or achieves its outcomes in the next one to three years.

	Risk	Evaluation	Commentary
A	Churches cannot afford to pay their assessments. This would affect the ability of the Circuit to fund ordained and support staffing.	Moderate	The Circuit takes into account church income when setting assessments on churches. Churches are also consulted on affordability.
B	The Circuit cannot maintain residential properties to appropriate standards.	Low	Surveyors carry out inspections every five years to assist planning repairs and maintenance. There is sufficient in the Model Trust Fund for works needed in the medium term.
C	The Circuit is unable to fill stations with presbyters, deacons or lay staff where appropriate.	Moderate	There is a Connexional shortage of presbyters, and sometimes vacancies cannot be filled immediately.
D	The Circuit is unable to attract circuit stewards and other office holders with appropriate skills and expertise.	Moderate	The Circuit is heavily dependent on such individuals and the time that they commit to the Circuit's life and work. At present most posts are filled.
E	Churches are unable to attract office holders with sufficient time, skills and expertise to enable them to continue operating.	Moderate	If churches cease to operate, the Circuit may need to become managing trustee for the site and may need to adjust to lower income.
F	Integration of merged circuits.	Moderate	The new Circuit formed in September 2024 requires ongoing work to integrate governance, finance, and mission structures.

10. Further information

If further information is required on the Circuit's life and witness, please first contact the Circuit office at office@bhbcircuit.org.uk or telephone 0118 958 1505.

11. Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the Charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue on that basis.

The Circuit Meeting are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 200. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.

As far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity’s auditors are unaware, and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

The Circuit’s auditors, Hazlewoods LLP, were appointed in 2025 following an open tender process.

13/5/2026

Signed on behalf of the Circuit Meeting on ……………………………………………………

…………………………………………………… Rev Martin Beukes Chair of Meeting

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the Charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

Prior year opening balances

As part of the merger on 1 September 2024, the assets and liabilities of Kennet and Test Valley Methodist Circuit were transferred to Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit at their carrying values as at the date of the merger. The comparative figures and opening balances relating to Kennet and Test Valley Methodist Circuit were not subject to audit.

Basis for opinion

We have been appointed as auditors under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept by the Charity, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 15, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards of Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Charity financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the Charity. We determined that the most significant laws and regulations included UK GAAP, the Charities SORP FRS 102, Charities Act 2011 and The Methodist Church Act 1976;

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

We assessed the susceptibility of the Charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates and identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual characteristics.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also planned and performed audit procedures including:

Gaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework and considering the risk of any acts which may be contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.
Obtaining an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Charity’s internal control.
Evaluation of the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
Making inquiries with management including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud.
Testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness and evaluating the rationale of any significant transactions outside the normal course of the Charity’s activities.
Evaluation of the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Conclusion on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Charity to cease to continue as a going concern.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations or through collusion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity’s Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

…………………………….

Felicity Sang (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of:

Hazlewoods LLP Statutory Auditors Staverton Court Staverton Cheltenham, GL51 0UX

21/5/2026 Date……………………….

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Note INCOME Donations and legacies 2 Charitable income Assessments on churches Other income 4 Investments Lettings income Investment income and interest 3 Total income EXPENDITURE Charitable expenditure Stipends, salaries and costs 5 Assessments and levies 6 Property running costs 7 Grants and donations 10 Administration and travel 8 Other outgoings 9 Raising funds Investment management costs Total expenditure Net (expenditure) / income before realised & unrealised gains Revaluation of freehold property 14 Investment properties 15 Other investments 16 Net (expenditure) / income before transfers Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds at 31 August 2025	Unrestricted funds General Funds 2025 £ Designated Funds 2025 £ Restricted Funds 2025 £ Endowment Funds 2025 £ Total Funds 2025 £ - 12,304 - - 12,304 - 31,790 - - 31,790 550,484 - - - 550,484 30,091 10,000 48 - 40,139 - 226,378 - - 226,378 26,562 23,412 4,356 5,871 60,201
	607,137 303,884 4,404 5,871 921,296
	524,841 - - - 524,841 153,093 166,134 - - 319,227 360 114,700 - - 115,060 6,027 26,773 - - 32,800 59,728 10,260 1,066 756 71,810 33,129 22,948 - - 56,077 - 749 - 1,551 2,300
	777,178 341,564 1,066 2,307 1,122,115
	(170,041) (37,680) 3,338 3,564 (200,819) - 165,000 - - 165,000 - 949,773 - - 949,773 - - 320 5,458 5,778
	(170,041) 1,077,093 3,658 9,022 919,732 134,000 (134,000) - - -
	(36,041) 943,093 3,658 9,022 919,732 289,412 11,648,153 233,282 439,812 12,610,659
	253,371 12,591,246 236,940 448,834 13,530,391

The notes on pages 16 to 30 form part of these accounts.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT CIRCUIT PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Note INCOME Charitable income Assessments on churches Other income 4 Investments Lettings income Investment income and interest 3 Total income EXPENDITURE Charitable expenditure Stipends, salaries and costs 5 Assessments and levies 6 Property running costs 7 Grants and donations 10 Administration and travel 8 Other outgoings 9 Raising funds Investment management costs Total expenditure Net (expenditure) / income before realised & unrealised gains Revaluation of freehold property Investment properties Other investments 16 Net (expenditure) / income before transfers Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds at 31 August 2024	Unrestricted funds General Funds 2024 £ Designated Funds 2024 £ Restricted Funds 2024 £ Endowment Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2024 £ - - - - - 534,361 - - - 534,361 20,895 10,630 48 - 31,573 - 192,340 - - 192,340 35,538 14,931 4,347 2,239 57,055
	590,794 217,901 4,395 2,239 815,329
	467,453 - - - 467,453 158,808 10,146 - - 168,954 - 185,544 - - 185,544 12,734 49,454 - - 62,188 44,573 - - - 44,573 24,258 73,856 2,309 - 100,423 775 486 96 1,634 2,991
	708,601 319,486 2,405 1,634 1,032,126
	(117,807) (101,585) 1,990 605 (216,797) - 5,000 - - 5,000 - 247,324 - 16,585 263,909 - - 12,440 16,324 28,764
	(117,807) 150,739 14,430 33,514 80,876 54,513 (54,662) 149 - -
	(63,294) 96,077 14,579 33,514 80,876 352,706 11,552,076 218,703 406,298 12,529,783
	289,412 11,648,153 233,282 439,812 12,610,659

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT CIRCUIT BALANCE SHEET AT 31 AUGUST 2025

2025 £ 37,528 399,075 79,262	2024 £ 52,445 475,148 78,085	2024 £ 4,875,000 6,291,000 918,695
		12,084,695 525,964
515,865 (63,990)	605,678 (79,714)

		12,610,659
		439,812 233,282 11,937,565
		12,610,659

The notes on pages 16 to 30 form part of these accounts.

13/5/2026

The financial statements were approved by the Circuit Meeting and authorised for issue on ………………… and signed on their behalf by:

…………………………….

Rev Martin Beukes Chair of Meeting

Michael Parker Senior Circuit Steward

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT CIRCUIT CASH FLOW STATEMENT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Note CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES 25 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITES Dividends, interest and rents from investments Proceeds from sale of property Purchase of investments Investment sale proceeds Cash provided by investing activities Increase in cash and cash equivalents in year Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 25 Total cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 25	2025 £ (488,205) 286,579 435,773 - - 722,352 234,147 903,859 1,138,006	2024 £ (394,809)
		249,395 168,000 (800) 2,648
		419,243
		24,434 879,425
		903,859

The notes on pages 16 to 30 form part of these accounts.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Circuit’s financial statements.

Scope of the financial statements

The financial statements relate to the work of the Circuit, in all aspects.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with: applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards; the Charity Commission ‘Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The functional currency of the Circuit is pound sterling (£).

Merger accounting

The results of Kennet and Test Valley Methodist Circuit acquired by way of a merger during the year are included in the Statement of Financial Activities under the merger accounting method. The results and cashflows of the merging entities have been brought into the group financial statements from the beginning of the financial year in which the merger occurred and the comparatives restated by including the Statement of Financial Activities for the merging entities for the previous reporting period and their Balance Sheet. Any merger expenses are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities at the effective date of the merger.

Going concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast a significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

In making the current year’s assessment the trustees have taken into account cash reserves and available unrestricted funds at the point of approving the financial statements, and reviewed forecasts of income and expenditure over a 5-year period.

There are inherent uncertainties regarding the forecasts, such as the performance of the UK economy and the levels of future incoming resources. However, the Charity continues to receive assessments from and be supported by the Circuit’s churches and the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity will have adequate resources to continue in operation for at least 12 months from approval of these financial statements.

Consequently, the trustees have concluded that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual statements.

Judgements and estimation uncertainty

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The trustees have made judgements and estimates in respect of: the fair value of tangible fixed assets; asset depreciation rates and the recoverability of debtor balances in preparing these financial statements.

Land and buildings

The carrying values of land and buildings within tangible fixed assets and investment properties have been reviewed by the trustees, based on a professional valuation for accounts purposes at the balance sheet date.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Income

Income as shown in the Statement of Financial Activities represents the net amounts from all sources.

Income is recognised in the accounting period in which it is receivable, except in the following circumstances, when the income is deferred and included in creditors:

The income relates to a future accounting period;
A sales invoice has been raised ahead of the work being carried out and the charity is not contractually entitled to the income until the work has been done; and
Not all the terms and conditions of the grant have been met, including the incurring of expenditure and the grant conditions are such that unspent grant must be refunded.

Assessments

Assessments received from the churches in the Circuit are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities, recognised in the financial year to which those assessments relate.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are included as income in the Statement of Financial Activities. Where there are performance related conditions attached to any grants and donations, the income is deferred to the point at which those conditions are met.

Church sale proceeds

As required under Methodist Standing Orders, when a chapel is sold, sale proceeds (less costs and the Connexional Property Fund levy) are generally due to the Circuit. Such proceeds are recognised as charitable income in the year they are received.

Investment income

Investment income comprises bank interest and realised gains and losses on investment property disposals. It is included in the Statement of Financial Activities in the accounting period on a receivable basis.

Expenditure

Costs are defined as follows:

Raising funds Includes those costs associated with attracting voluntary income and in applying for new funding and sponsorship.

Charitable activities The costs of delivering the charitable activities and the costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity and including fees for external scrutiny of the accounts and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

All costs are allocated between expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of resources. Costs directly relating to a particular activity are allocated directly and other costs (support costs) are allocated on an appropriate basis to reflect the usage of resources.

Grants to local churches

Grants to local churches for property schemes and other purposes are accounted for as liabilities when they receive formal approval by the Trustees.

Other grants payable

Grants awarded to other charitable bodies are accounted for as liabilities in the year in which the award is made. Multi-period grants are accounted for in full in the year awarded where there is a binding commitment to make the future payments.

Ministers’ manse costs

The Circuit is required to provide accommodation for each minister and their families, and ministers are expected to occupy them. The Circuit bears the cost of repairs and maintenance, premises insurance, council tax and water charges. These are not regarded as benefits in kind by HM Revenue & Customs.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Staff costs

The ministers are paid stipends at rates set by the Methodist Conference. The lay employees are paid salaries at rates set by the Circuit.

Pension contributions

Methodist Ministers Pension Fund:

The Circuit is a member of the connexional pension scheme (MMPS) which covers presbyters and deacons of the Methodist Church. The contribution rates are set each year by the Methodist Conference. The MMPS is a multiemployer scheme and, in accordance with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, the Circuit accounts for those contributions as if it were a defined contribution scheme. It has done so because it is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities on a consistent and reasonable basis. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activity in the period in which they are payable.

Circuit Pension Scheme:

The Circuit contributes to a defined contribution scheme for its lay staff and makes employer contributions.

Connexional donations – acting as an agent

The Circuit acts as agent in collecting from churches and then paying over their contributions to various Methodist Connexional funds and other external organisations. These transactions are therefore not reflected in the SOFA but are disclosed in the Notes to the Accounts, as required by the SORP (FRS 102), module 19.12.

VAT

The Circuit is not VAT-registered, so expenditure is stated inclusive of VAT where applicable.

Leased assets

In respect of leases that are operating leases, the annual rentals are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Taxation

The Charity is a registered charity and is entitled to claim annual exemption from UK corporation tax to the extent that income and gains are applicable and applied to charitable purposes only. Income tax suffered on deeds of covenant and gift aid or investment income is reclaimed in full.

Fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets relating to land and buildings are shown at their revalued amount. Other fixed assets are recognised at cost to the Charity. Assets costing less than £1,000 are written off as revenue expenditure in the year of acquisition.

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost or valuation less the estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets by equal instalments over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Manses

nil

No depreciation is provided on freehold buildings, because of the estimated high residual value and the consequent immateriality of any depreciation charge. Freehold land is not depreciated. Fixed asset disposal proceeds are reported net of any levy payable to the Connexional Property Fund.

Investment properties

Investment properties are initially recognised at cost and subsequently at fair value at the reporting date. Depreciation is not provided on investment property.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Investments

Investments are included at market value at the Balance Sheet date. The investments are in monetary assets. Except for the Briggs Trust funds which are managed by Lloyds Bank, the Circuit’s investment assets are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those as provided by Lloyds Bank and TMCP as at the year-end.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are recognised at the invoiced cost prepaid.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account and balances held by third parties of behalf of the charity.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Circuit has an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Circuit will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees.

Designated funds are held for purposes agreed by the Circuit Meeting. Where the Circuit has agreed to use its reserves to meet revenue costs, or to meet future capital costs, it has designated the funds within unrestricted reserves. It also makes provision in this way when it has indicated its support for a local church building scheme, but no actual liability has yet been created.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Endowment funds represent gifts that are held as capital to generate income that is available for either restricted or unrestricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Financial instruments

Financial instruments are classified and accounted for according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as financial assets or financial liabilities. All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Financial instruments (continued)

Assets, other than those measured at fair value, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss as described below. Where indicators exist for a decrease in impairment loss, and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the prior impairment loss is tested to determine reversal. An impairment loss is reversed on an individual impaired financial asset to the extent that the revised recoverable value does not lead to a revised carrying amount higher than the carrying value had no impairment been recognised.

2 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Contributions towards 3Generate costs	General funds £ - -	Designated funds £ 12,304 12,304	Restricted funds £ - -	Endowment funds £ - -	Total 2025 £ 12,304 12,304	Total 2024 £ -
						-

3 INTEREST AND INVESTMENT INCOME

General funds £ 20,193 6,369	Designated funds £ - 23,412	Restricted funds £ - 4,356	Endowment funds £ - 5,871	Total 2024 £ 33,924 23,131
26,562	23,412	4,356	5,871	57,055
General funds £ - - 6,638 - - 12,597 10,856 30,091				Total 2024 £ 10,164 5,403 8,087 3,000 - 4,919 -
				31,573

4 OTHER INCOME

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

5 STAFF COSTS

STAFF COSTS
Stipends and salaries National insurance Pension contributions Apprenticeship levy Relocation expenses	2025 £ 418,712 41,170 62,427 1,992 - 524,841	2024 £ 366,522 30,745 68,467 1,314 405
		467,453

The ministers are stationed in the Circuit by the Methodist Conference and are paid stipends at rates agreed by the Conference. The lay employees are employees of the Circuit and are paid salaries at rates set by the Circuit. The pay costs of both the ministers and lay employees are reflected in the accounts. The remuneration of those members of staff in senior management positions (i.e. on the Circuit Leadership Team) were £298,681 (2024: 206,644); and the full cost including employer pension and National Insurance contributions was £382,597 (2024: 273,142). The Superintendent was also paid the Methodist Conference standard Superintendent's allowance of £3,102.

Salaries and pension contributions are in line with guidance provided by the Methodist Church

The number of staff during the year	Number 2025 17	Number 2024 14

No members of staff received emoluments amounting over £60,000 in the year.

During the year, no trustee received any remuneration for the role of trustee.

6 ASSESSMENTS AND LEVIES

District assessment Methodist Church Fund Contributions to District Advance Fund United Reformed Church assessments CPF Levy	General funds £ 24,062 127,042 - 1,989 - 153,093	Designated funds £ - - 9,467 - 156,667 166,134	Restricted funds £ - - - - - -	Endowment funds £ - - - - - -	Total 2025 £ 24,062 127,042 9,467 1,989 156,667 319,227	Total 2024 £ 24,595 130,121 10,146 4,092 -
						168,954

All the support costs incurred by the charity are included in the above note and have been allocated to charitable activities as other activities are incidental to the running of the charity.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

7 MANSE AND OTHER PROPERTY RUNNING COSTS

Insurance and utilities Rent payable Repairs and maintenance	General funds £ - - 360 360	Designated funds £ 47,654 8,036 59,010 114,700	Restricted funds £ - - - -	Endowment funds £ - - - -	Total 2025 £ 47,654 8,036 59,370 115,060	Total 2024 £ 70,675 5,850 109,019
						185,544

8 ADMINISTRATION AND TRAVEL

Telephone costs Admin expenses Publications Circuit office rent Travel expenses	General funds £ 4,813 29,220 121 - 25,574 59,728	Designated funds £ 6,356 255 - 3,600 49 10,260	Restricted funds £ - 1,066 - - - 1,066	Endowment funds £ - 756 - - - 756	Total 2025 £ 11,169 31,297 121 3,600 25,623 71,810	Total 2024 £ 10,023 8,957 2,740 3,600 19,253
						44,573

9 OTHER OUTGOINGS

Audit fees Professional fees Property management Other expenditure	General funds £ 11,000 - - 22,129 33,129	Designated funds £ - - 15,703 7,245 22,948	Restricted funds £ - - - - -	Endowment funds £ - - - - -	Total 2025 £ 11,000 - 15,703 29,374 56,077	Total 2024 £ 9,276 71,031 20,116
						100,423

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

10 GRANTS AND DONATIONS

The following grants were agreed and/or paid during the year and charged to the funds concerned. Associated support costs are insignificant and have not been disclosed separately.

General funds (unrestricted) Reading University Chaplaincy Churches Together in Berkshire Citizens UK Funds from Trinity Basingstoke transferred to St Andrews Burghfield Comon Church project lapsed Hungerford architectural drawings University of Reading Chaplaincy Grant for mission works 3rdReading BB grant Support work of CMM Bible Reading fellowship Designated finds (unrestricted) Burghfield Comon Church project lapsed Christ Church Woodley Emmanuel Methodist Church St Andrew’s roof repairs Whitchurch roof repairs Newbury garden project Small grants paid to churches Total grants and donations	Paid £ - - - - 3,627 - 1,500 500 250 150 6,027 3,973 3,000 3,000 16,800 - - - 26,773 32,800	Accrued or (released) £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total 2025 £ - - - - 3,627 - 1,500 500 250 150 6,027 3,973 3,000 3,000 16,800 - - - 26,773 32,800	Total 2024 £ (500) 3,000 12,544 (1,500) (1,770) 960 - - - -
				12,734
				- - - - 30,000 15,000 4,454
				49,454

				62,188

11 VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS

The Circuit is heavily reliant on volunteers who contribute their skills and time in the furtherance of the work of the Circuit. Principally this contribution is by serving as circuit and manse stewards and serving on groups that plan circuit events and meetings, support the Circuit's safeguarding work and the Circuit's Strategic Executive Group. No attempt has been made by the Trustees to value the non-monetary contributions made by volunteers in monetary terms.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

12 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES

Several of the Circuit staff are also trustees of the Circuit. The ministers are paid stipends and travel expenses at the rates agreed annually by the Methodist Conference. The lay employees who are Trustees are paid in line with the principles of the Methodist Church's policy for payment of lay employees. The ministers Rev'ds Simpson, Jenkins, Beukes, Jeongsook Kim, Banks, Watson and Deacon Maria Howard received stipends totalling £302,657 (2024 - £165,847); and the lay employees Mary Ludlow, Lee Frost, Peter Frank, Marion Young and Martin Borgars received salary payments of £79,940 (£62,823); the total was thus £382,597 (2024: £228,670).

Some of the members of the Circuit may have receive payments from the Circuit in their capacity as manse or property stewards where they have either carried out maintenance work at manses rather than employing a contractor or incurred expenses connected with their role. Other members of the Circuit meeting may be employed as a contractor in connection with their trade or business. These amounted to £nil during the year (2024: £nil).

Expenses paid to members of the Circuit Meeting were as follows: Travel expenses Pulpit supply costs Office equipment and furniture Manse expenses reimbursed Administration and other ministry expenses reimbursed Number of trustees who were paid expenses	2025 £ 18,496 4,205 1,537 1,863 4,094 30,195 21	2024 £ 10,112 6,175 1,813 11,214 3,776
		33,090

		27

Expenses paid to members of the Circuit Meeting were as follows:

13 PENSIONS

The ministers belong to the Methodist Ministers' Pension Scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme. The Circuit paid a contribution of 24.9% of stipend to the scheme in recent years. It is not possible to identify the Circuit's share of assets and liabilities. The results of the latest completed valuation as at 31 August 2024, and the previous interim valuation as at 31 August 2023, both assuming that the Scheme continues into the future, were as follows:

	2024	2023
	£’M	£’M
Target level assets	374.1	362.1
Actual value of assets	411.7	395.8
Surplus in assets	37.6	33.7
Funding level	110.05%	109.30%

The most recent valuation was undertaken as at 31 August 2023 and shows a funding surplus. Circuits had been paying total contributions at 24.9% of stipend remuneration, but this rate reduced to 20.0% from 1 September 2024.

The Circuit belongs to a multi-employer defined contribution pension scheme operated by The Pensions Trust which is offered to lay employees. The Circuit matches their contributions to the scheme up to 10% of pay. In line with FRS102 28.38, there is no contractual agreement and therefore the cost recognised is equal to the contributions payable for the period.

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

14 TANGIBLE ASSETS

Valuation As at 1 September 2024 Revaluation change Transfer to investment properties As at 31 August 2025 Depreciation As at 1 September 2024 Provision for the year As at 31 August 2025 Net Book Value As at 31 August 2025 As at 31 August 2024	Land £ 1,634,000 46,000 - 1,680,000 - - - 1,680,000 1,634,000	Buildings £ 3,241,000 119,000 (750,000) 2,610,000 - - - 2,610,000 3,241,000	Total £ 4,875,000 165,000 (750,000)
			4,290,000
			- -
			-
			4,290,000
			4,875,000

The manses were revalued by the trustees at 31 August 2025, following a professional valuation for accounts purposes as at that date by Haslams, Chartered Surveyors. The historical value of land and buildings, if they had not been revalued, was £2,491,824 (2024: £2,495,324).

15 INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Valuation As at 1 September 2024 Transfer from tangible assets Revaluation change Disposals Gain on disposal As at 31 August 2025	Land and buildings total £ 6,291,000 750,000 884,000 (435,773) 65,773
	7,555,000

The investment properties were revalued by the trustees at 31 August 2025, following a professional valuation for accounts purposes as at that date by Haslams, Chartered Surveyors. The historical value of land and buildings, if they had not been revalued, was £3,811,280 (2024: £3,807,780).

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

16 INVESTMENTS

Balance at 1 September 2024 Additions Disposals Unrealised gains Cash held Balance at 31 August 2025 Analysis of investment Investments listed on a recognised Stock Exchange or held in common investment funds, unit trusts or other collective investment schemes Other investments Circuit Model Trust and TMCP cash holdings 17 DEBTORS Sundry debtors Funds being transferred from Trinity Church Basingstoke after closure Stipends paid in advance Prepayments and accrued income 18 CREDITORS Assessment for September paid in advance Other creditors Accruals		2025 £ 568,069 - - 5,778 573,847 659,669 1,233,516 573,847 105,354 554,315 1,233,516 2025 £ 284 2,513 23,382 11,349 37,528 2025 £ 43,684 - 20,306 63,990		2024 £ 541,153 800 (2,648) 28,764
				568,069 350,626
				918,695
				568,069 100,204 250,422
				918,695
				2024 £ 5,858 - 24,795 21,792
				52,445
				2024 £ 45,106 15,125 19,483 79,714

Docusign Envelope ID: 4FC95340-A8EF-831B-8297-C8DD838DA7D4

BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

19 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS Fixed assets £ Investment property £ Other investments £ Funds, year ended 31 August 2025 Endowment funds - - 448,834 Restricted funds - - 230,366 Unrestricted 4,290,000 7,555,000 554,316 4,290,000 7,555,000 1,233,516 Funds, year ended 31 August 2024 Endowment funds - - 439,812 Restricted funds - - 228,461 Unrestricted funds 4,875,000 6,291,000 250,422 4,875,000 6,291,000 918,695 20 ENDOWMENT FUNDS Opening balances £ Net income/ (expenditure) £ Movement in year ended 31 August 2025 Arthur Newbery Trust 5446 (Trustees Inv Fund: TIF) 361 - Arthur Newbry Trust 4345 (TIF) 33,212 1,476 Arthur Newbery Trust 4763 (Methodist Managed Mixed Funds & TIF) 97,554 - Arthur Newbery Trust 5447 (TIF) 337 - Arthur Newbery Trust 3669 (TIF) 10,348 460 Arthur Newbery Trust 5747 (TIF) 90,847 - Royle Trust 11199 99,579 - AJ Briggs Trust (managed by Lloyds Bank Private Banking) 107,574 1,628 439,812 3,564 Movement in year ended 31 August 2024 Arthur Newbery Trust 5446 (Trustees Inv Fund: TIF) 361 - Arthur Newbry Trust 4345 (TIF) 31,595 1,617 Arthur Newbery Trust 4763 (Methodist Managed Mixed Funds & TIF) 90,557 - Arthur Newbery Trust 5447 (TIF) 337 - Arthur Newbery Trust 3669 (TIF) 9,844 504 Arthur Newbery Trust 5747 (TIF) 83,419 - Royle Trust 11199 90,422 - AJ Briggs Trust (managed by Lloyds Bank Private Banking) 99,763 (1,571) 406,298 605	Other investments £ 448,834 230,366 554,316		Current Assets (net) £ - 6,574 445,301 451,875 - 4,821 521,143 525,964 Investment gains £ - - 180 - - 694 1,220 3,364 5,458 - - 6,997 - - 7,428 9,157 9,327 32,909	Total £ 448,834 236,940 12,844,617
	1,233,516			13,530,391
	439,812 228,461 250,422			439,812 233,282 11,937,565
	918,695			12,610,659
				Closing balances £ 361 34,688 97,734 337 10,808 91,541 100,799 112,566
				448,834
				361 33,212 97,554 337 10,348 90,847 99,579 107,574
				439,812

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

20 ENDOWMENT FUNDS (continued)

Purpose of endowment funds

The investment income generated by funds 5446, 4763, 3669 and 5747 is used to fund the Circuit’s day to day running costs.

The investment income generated by funds 4345, 5447 and 3669 is held in the fund.

The income generated by the Royle Trust 11199 is paid to the Royle Trust income fund within restricted funds.

The income generated by the A J Briggs Trust is used to fund ministry.

21 RESTRICTED FUNDS

Movement in year ended 31 August 2025 Arthur Newbery Trust Benevolence Fund Edith Bailey Bequest Trinity Church Development Fund Royle Trust Income Fund The Forge Fund Movement in year ended 31 August 2024 Arthur Newbery Trust Benevolence Fund Edith Bailey Bequest Trinity Church Development Fund Royle Trust Income Fund The Forge Fund	Opening balances £ 216,543 3,562 11,773 145 1,133 126 233,282 202,948 3,562 11,200 - 932 61 218,703	Net income/ (expenditure) £ ,1,055 - 523 7 1,705 48 3,338 1,155 - 573 8 201 53 1,736	Investment gains £ 320 - - - - - 320 12,440 - - - - - 12,440	Transfers £ - - - - - - - - - - 137 - 12 149	Closing balances £ 217,918 3,562 12,296 152 2,838 174
					236,940
					216,543 3,562 11,773 145 1,133 126
					233,282

Purpose of restricted funds

The Arthur Newbery Trust is available to fund capital schemes.

The Benevolence Fund is held by the Circuit to support individuals in need.

The Edith Bailey Bequest is to be used to support individuals in need.

The Trinity Church Development Fund is for the development of Trinity Church.

The Royle Trust Income Fund is for the maintenance of an investment property at 1 Grassmead, Thatcham.

The Forge Fund is held on behalf of residents of The Forge collectively for maintenance and repair of road leading to an investment property at 5 The Forge, Hungerford.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

22 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Movement in year ended 31 August 2025 General fund Designated funds Manse Maintenance fund Manses capital (value) Youth work fund Circuit development fund (training, outreach, small projects) Kentwood Fund (grants for building projects) Circuit Model Trust Fund Movement in year ended 31 August 2024 General fund Designated funds Manse Maintenance fund Manses capital (value) Youth work fund Circuit development fund (training, outreach, small projects) Kentwood Fund (grants for building projects) Circuit Model Trust Fund	Opening balances £ 289,412 55,825 11,054,566 1,051 30,882 9,973 495,856 11,937,565 352,706 61,855 11,119,000 - 32,336 9,973 328,912 11,904,782	Net income/ (expenditure) £ (170,041) 89,244 31,790 14,929 - (9,973) (163,670) (207,721) (117,807) (59,020) - 1,051 (1,454) - (42,162) (219,392)	Investment gains £ - - 1,114,773 - - - - 1,114,773 - - 252,324 - - - - 252,324	Transfers £ 134,000 - (356,129) - - - 222,129 - 54,513 52,990 (316,758) - - - 209,106 (149)	Closing balances £ 253,371 145,069 11,845,000 15,980 30,882 - 554,315
					12,844,617
					289,412 55,825 11,054,566 1,051 30,882 9,973 495,856
					11,937,565

Purpose of designated funds

The purpose of each designated fund is shown within the Financial Review section of the Trustees’ Report on Page 4.

23 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

The transfers between funds represent amounts drawn down by authorisation of the Circuit Meeting.

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

24 AGENCY COLLECTIONS AND PAYMENTS

The Circuit acted as agent in either the collection or facilitation of the monies tabulated below. None of these collections were for related parties, as defined in Note 1, and do not appear elsewhere in these accounts.

Receipts £ Methodist Connexional Funds Methodist Church Fund 6,800 Funds for: - Property 210 - Mission in Britain 880 - World Missions 1,153 Methodist Homes 345 Leaders of Worship Preachers Trust 40 All We Can 5,270 MMHS 75 Support for Presbyters and Deacons 235 15,008 25 RECONCILIATION OF NET (OUTGOING)/ INCOME RESOURCES TO NET OPERATIONS 2025 £ Net movement in funds 919,732 Realised and unrealised gains - Freehold properties (165,000) - Investment properties (949,773) - Other investments (5,778) Investment income and rent from investments (286,579) Decrease in debtors 14,917 Decrease in creditors (15,724) Net cash used in operating activities (488,205) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents CFB deposits 399,075 Cash at bank and in hand 79,262 Investment cash 659,669 1,138,006	Receipts £ Methodist Connexional Funds Methodist Church Fund 6,800 Funds for: - Property 210 - Mission in Britain 880 - World Missions 1,153 Methodist Homes 345 Leaders of Worship Preachers Trust 40 All We Can 5,270 MMHS 75 Support for Presbyters and Deacons 235 15,008 25 RECONCILIATION OF NET (OUTGOING)/ INCOME RESOURCES TO NET OPERATIONS 2025 £ Net movement in funds 919,732 Realised and unrealised gains - Freehold properties (165,000) - Investment properties (949,773) - Other investments (5,778) Investment income and rent from investments (286,579) Decrease in debtors 14,917 Decrease in creditors (15,724) Net cash used in operating activities (488,205) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents CFB deposits 399,075 Cash at bank and in hand 79,262 Investment cash 659,669 1,138,006	Receipts £ Methodist Connexional Funds Methodist Church Fund 6,800 Funds for: - Property 210 - Mission in Britain 880 - World Missions 1,153 Methodist Homes 345 Leaders of Worship Preachers Trust 40 All We Can 5,270 MMHS 75 Support for Presbyters and Deacons 235 15,008 25 RECONCILIATION OF NET (OUTGOING)/ INCOME RESOURCES TO NET OPERATIONS 2025 £ Net movement in funds 919,732 Realised and unrealised gains - Freehold properties (165,000) - Investment properties (949,773) - Other investments (5,778) Investment income and rent from investments (286,579) Decrease in debtors 14,917 Decrease in creditors (15,724) Net cash used in operating activities (488,205) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents CFB deposits 399,075 Cash at bank and in hand 79,262 Investment cash 659,669 1,138,006	Payments £ 6,800 210 880 1,153 345 40 5,270 75 235 15,008 CASH INFLOWS FROM 2024 £ 80,876 (5,000) (263,909) (28,764) (249,395) 80,258 (8,875) (394,809) 475,148 78,085 350,626 903,859
		(488,205)
		399,075 79,262 659,669 1,138,006

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BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE BORDERS METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

APPENDIX 1: LIST OF MANAGING TRUSTEES 2024/25

The managing trustees, who are all members of the Circuit Meeting are as follows:

The following, as members of the Circuit Meeting, are registered with the Charity Commission as managing trustees:

Stuart James	Armstrong	John Paul	Banks
Jennifer Mary	Bartter	Helen	Batterby
Martin Pieter	Beukes	Andrew John	Billington
Peter Howard	Boardley	Martin Keith	Borgars
Rachel Jane	Borgars	Brenda	Caborn
Keith Vaughan	Cable	Jacqueline Anne	Case
Raymond William	Chalk	David Edwin	Cliffe
Kim Suzanne	Crawley	Stuart Mills	Daughters
Tracy Jane	Davis	Jennifer Susan	Dowding
Kathleen Ann	Eaves	Christopher	Evans
Andrew David	Fitchet	Kenneth Adjei	Fordjour
Peter Jonathan	Frank	Donald Kaye	Fraser
Karen Anne	Frost	Martin John	Goodwin
Joan Rosemary	Greenhalgh	David Michael	Gunton
Pamela Dawn	Guy	Alan James	Harland
Charmian	Harrison	Margaret Ann Marina	Hayes
Linda Irene May	Hoe	Andrew John	House
Alison Margaret	Hutchins	David Glyn	Jenkins
Patricia Mary	Jose	Richard John	Kelly
Helen	Khan	Michael Albert	Kimber
Patricia Dorothy	Kinchington	Linda Ann	Langridge
Gillian Mary	Lawson	Tirivashe	Manhera
Grace	Mercer	Ruth Katherine	Midcalf
Joanne Lesley	Murray	Michael Thomas	Parker
Ian Stuart	Pollard	Gillian Margaret	Porter
Sarah Joy	Ross	Terence John	Rowell
Jonathan	Salmon	Lesley Jean	Skeavington
Jonathan Leslie	Skeet	Claire Frances	Simpson
Jeanette Louise	Smith	Michael David	Smith
Heather Elaine	Symons	Georgina Valentina	Tagoe
Ruth Mabel	Taylor	Christine Mabel	Thomas
Christine Merryl	Vallis	M Helen	Watson
Christina Ann	Westcombe	Sarah Jane	Whithorn

The members of the Circuit Meeting (as managing trustees) have pleasure in presenting their annual report and the audited accounts for the year.

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Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit Circuit Office 84 Queens Road Reading RG1 4BW office@bhbcircuit.org.uk Telephone: 07519 190040 www.bhbcircuit.org.uk

Hazlewoods LLP Staverton Court Cheltenham GL51 0UX

Dear Sirs

Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit (‘The Charity’) – Audit for the year ended 31 August 2025

We confirm to the best of our knowledge and belief, having made such inquiries as we considered necessary for the purpose of appropriately informing ourselves, the following representations given to you in connection with your audit of the Charity's financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 for the purposes of expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Charity at 31 August 2025 and of the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees, as set out in the terms of the audit engagement letter dated 20 November 2025, for the true and fair presentation of the Charity’s financial statements, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, which are free from material misstatement, including omissions. All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your audit and all the transactions undertaken by the Charity have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records. All other records and related information, including minutes of all management and shareholders' meetings, have been made available to you. We have given you unrestricted access to persons within the Charity in order to obtain audit evidence and have provided any additional information that you have requested for the purposes of your audit.

Contingencies

We confirm that all known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered have been disclosed to you and accounted for and disclosed in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Laws and regulations

We confirm that we have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations which provide the legal framework within which the Charity conducts its business and which are central to the Charity’s ability to conduct its business, together with the actual or contingent consequences which may arise therefrom.

Fraud

We acknowledge our responsibility for the design and implementation of internal controls to prevent and detect fraud. We confirm we have disclosed to you the results of our assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud. We confirm

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we have disclosed to you all information concerning fraud or suspected fraud that we are aware of and that affects the Charity and involves management, employees who have significant roles in internal control or others where the fraud could have a material impact on the financial statements. We also confirm that we have disclosed to you all information in relation to allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud, affecting the Charity’s financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, regulators or others.

Transactions with trustees

The Charity has, at no time during the year, entered into any arrangement, transaction or agreement to provide credit facilities including loans, quasi-loans, credit transactions, mutually beneficial arrangements, or guarantees or security for the foregoing or assumed or assigned any such rights or liabilities for any trustees or their connected persons except as permitted by the Charities Act 2011.

Related parties

We have disclosed to you the identity of the Charity’s related parties and all the related party relationships and transactions of which we are aware. All such transactions and balances with related parties (including trustees) have been appropriately accounted for and have, where material and appropriate for the presentation of a true and fair view, been disclosed in the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Accounting estimates

We confirm that any significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value, are reasonable.

Classification of properties

We confirm that properties held are correctly classified as either Freehold Properties or Investment Properties.

Ownership of properties

We confirm that all properties shown in the financial year are owned by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP), with the Circuit as Managing Trustees.

Historical cost of properties

We confirm that the historical cost disclosures for freehold property and investment property, as shown in the notes to the financial statements, are accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief.

Post balance sheet events

There have been no events since the balance sheet date, to the date of approval of the financial statements, which necessitate revision of the figures included in the financial statements or inclusion of a note thereto in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Going concern

To the best of our knowledge there is nothing to indicate that the Charity will not continue as a going concern in the foreseeable future. The period to which we have paid particular attention in assessing the appropriateness of the going concern basis is not less than twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

Uncorrected misstatements

We confirm that, in our opinion, the effects of uncorrected misstatements identified during your audit procedures are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements as a whole. A list of the uncorrected misstatements is set out in our Presentation of Audit Findings Report.

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Completeness of cash transactions

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge all cash receipts, including non-gift aid donations, in the year are recorded in the financial statements.

Restricted and unrestricted income

We confirm that we believe income is appropriately classified between restricted income and unrestricted income.

Restricted and unrestricted reserves

We confirm that we believe reserves are appropriately classified between restricted funds and unrestricted funds.

Merger accounting

We confirm that all of the criteria for merger accounting, as detailed by the Charities SORP, have been met in the merger of the Kennet and Test Valley Methodist Circuit with the Berkshire and Hampshire Borders Methodist Circuit.

Disclosure of information

We acknowledge our legal responsibilities regarding disclosure of information to you as auditors and confirm that:

so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which you as auditors are unaware; and
the Treasurer, in regular reporting to the Circuit Executive and the Circuit Assembly, has made known to the trustees any relevant audit information, and to establish that you, as auditors, are aware of that information.

Effective date of this letter

The effective date of this letter is the same date the financial statements were approved by the Board as shown in those financial statements.

Yours faithfully On behalf of the trustees

……………………..