Trustees Report for the Saltash Circuit Reporting period of 1st September 2023 - 31st August 2024
1.0 Introduction
Saltash circuit is a registered charity operating within the Cornwall District of the Methodist Church. Its mission is:
“To witness to God’s love and saving grace in Jesus Christ ac8vely and crea8vely from within the dis8nc8ve tradi8ons and priori8es of the Methodist Church.”
The Saltash comprises of 7 churches located within Saltash and the surrounding villages. These churches are Saltash Wesley, Burraton, St Germans, Cra?hole, Blunt, Bealbury and St Ive.
The Saltash circuit is funded through the annual circuit assessment paid by each church based on an agreed funding formula. The Circuit assessment is used by the circuit in the fulfilment of the circuit’s mission through the payment of sDpends to ministers staDoned in the circuit, payment of lay workers and the associated costs of ministerial and lay work such as travel and training.
The financial accounts of the Saltash circuit have been prepared by the circuit treasurer and have been reviewed at the Circuit meeDng (Trustees) where authority was given to the Superintendent minister, Rev. Jonathan Budd to sign the accounts for this period.
The accounts have been independently verified by Sarah Gay of ATC Advisors.
2.0 Objectives and Activities
The Saltash circuit undertakes the mission included in section 1.0 by
…following Our Calling1 to worship, learn, serve, care and evangelise, and welcome partnership in these things,
…suppor8ng, assis8ng and encouraging the socieDes and local expressions of church within the Circuit in that same work as shaped by their own contexts2, and
…seeking , conDnually, God’s renewing in this, our shared life and work
1 DefiniDon of Our Calling is elsewhere.
2 while remaining in step with the prioriDes of the Circuit, and the wider Methodist Connexion.
3.0 Achievements and Performance
This year has been a year of preparation within the Saltash circuit for the merger of 3 circuits commencing on the 1st September 2024. Liskeard & Looe circuit and the Callington & Gunnislake circuit will merge together to form the South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit.
These preparations have included the formation of a planning group comprised of the circuit leadership teams from all 3 circuits and has included the completion of the stationing process within the Methodist Church which has resulted in the proposed stationing of 3 (equivalent of 2 Full Time ministers) additional ministers within the new circuit.
The Saltash circuit continues to support the planting of a new church in the nearby village of Landrake church. During the year the circuit meeting agreed to provide funding, should it be required by the Landrake management group for a period of 3 years while the church is established and attempts to become self sufficient financially.
4.0 Financial Review
The Saltash Circuit reported an annual deficit of £11,455. This was lower than the previous financial period’s deficit.
Income increased from £87,843 in the last Financial period to £105,777 which was primarily due to the provision of funds from the Liskeard & Looe Circuit and the Callington & Gunnislake circuit to fund relocation expenses incurred in this financial period as ministers moved to their new appointments.
Expenditure rose from £104, 418 in the previous financial year to £117,232. An increase of £12,814 primarily due to the reason provided for the increase in income.
The Saltash circuit will undergo a change of name with the Charity Commission to become the South East Cornwall Methodist circuit from the 1st September with the assets and liabilities of the Liskeard & Looe circuit and the Callington & Gunnislake circuit transferring to this charity under the merger. Notification of the merger will be provided to the Charity commission.
The Saltash circuit has a number of legacy buildings under its stewardship following the decisions taken by individual churches to either cease to meet or vacate their building. These church buildings are located in the villages of Landulph, Downderry and St Ive. Significant expenditure on insurance and utilities are required whilst the future of the building is decided and any enabling work to sell the buildings is undertaken.
5.0 Structure, Governance, and Management
The Saltash circuit is led by a circuit leadership team comprising of:
Rev Jonathan Budd - Superintendent Minister Mr Julian Langston - Sent circuit steward Mr Richard Couch - Treasurer Mr Keith Mutton - Circuit Steward Mrs Linda Eastlake - Circuit Steward Mrs Helen Burke - Circuit Steward
The Saltash circuit leadership team is responsible for the financial stewardship and other governance requirements relating to property and safeguarding however the Circuit meeting comprising of the trustees listed on the Charity Commission website are responsible for key decisions relating to the circuit.
Circuit meetings are held 3 times per year and are chaired by the Superintendent Minister with a circuit meeting secretary responsible for the recording of circuit minutes. The Circuit meeting minutes are approved at each circuit meeting and entered as a matter of formal record of resolutions passed by the circuit meeting.
6.0 Reserves Policy
The Saltash circuit operates a reserves policy of holding at least 3 months operating costs across its various accounts.
The Saltash circuit holds reserves in the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes of £36,197. This level has remained unchanged in the year with no grants made to churches within the circuit.
The impending merger will see the aggregation of TMCP reserves and other funds and it is forecasted that the next financial year will see a large volume of one-off costs incurred in the establishment of the new South East Cornwall Methodist Circuit as there will be a requirement to purchase manses for incoming ministers to the newly formed circuit. These are seen as non repetitive costs in future years.
The circuit planes to continue with the disposal of the 3 churches in Landulph, Downderry and St Ive which should see an injection of funds into the charity over the next 1-2 years dependent on the timeline of asset disposal.
7.0 Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees of the Saltash Circuit met on June 11th 2025 and approved the financial accounts and authorised Rev’d Jonathan Budd to sign the accounts on behalf of the trustees.
The accounts were independently verified by Sarah Gay of ATC Advisors, Launceston.
A copy of the financial accounts are available through the Charity Commission website.