2023-08-31-accounts - The Methodist Church - Manchester Circuit

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THE METHODIST CHURCH MANCHESTER CIRCUIT

ANNUAL REPORT

AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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Registered Charity No. 1135067

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT

CONTENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

INDEX
Charity information	1	3
t	4	9
Auditor s report	10	- 11
Statement of financial activities		12
Balance sheet		13
Statement of cash flows		14
Notes to the financial statements	15 27

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

TRUSTEES

+	Mary	Adamiak	East Didsbury MCC
	Suzan	Allen	Crumpsall MCC/Secretary
	Yvonne	Anderson Boyd	Manley Park MCC
	Papa	Andoh-Kweku	Withington MCC
	Graham	Ascroft	Moston MCC
	Janet	Bailey	Hope MCC
	Sandra	Bailey	Circuit Steward
	Erinma	Bell	Whalley Range MCC	to 31.08.2023
	Jackie	Blackmore	Moston MCC
	Joan	Booth	Edge Lane MCC	to 01.09.22
	Sharif	Bukuru	Methodist Centre MCC
	Pru	Cahill	Ex Officio	to 31.08.2023
*	Linda	Carroll	Edge Lane MCC
	Paula	Collins	Long St/Safeguarding
	Adrian	Curtis	Manley Park MCC
*	Sam	Dada	Clayton MCC
	Chris	Davis	Circuit Steward
+	Phil	Davis	Didsbury MCC
	Daphne	Dawson	Circuit Steward
	Angela	Doyle	Droylsden MCC	to 28.11.2023
	Andrew	Edwards	Circuit Steward	to 31.08.2024
	Chris	Evans	Clayton MCC
	Helen	Fielding	Withington MCC
	Fiona	Fulton	Levenshulme MCC
	Rob	Fullen	Crumpsall MCC	from 15.03.22
	Terence	Grant	Whalley Range MCC
	Janet	Green	LP Secretary	to 31.08.2023
+	Christine	Grime	Long St MCC
	Andrew Nicholas	Hallett	Didsbury MCC
	Janet	Hardware	Edge Lane MCC	to 01.09.22
	Janet	Hignett	Levenshulme MCC
	Catharine	Hughes	ex officio	from 01.09.2022
	Robert	Johnson	Edge Lane with Clayton MCC	from 01.01.23
	Jenny	Jones	ex officio	from 01.09.2023
	John	Kinsey	Levenshulme MCC
	Russell	Kirby	Manley Park MCC
	Lazare	Lufakalyo	Methodist Centre MCC	to 31.12.2022 (died)
	Eva	Manley	co-opted as District MWiB president
	Margaret	Morris	Manley Park MCC
	Elizabeth	Moyo	Moston MCC	to 17.09.22
	Nick	Palfreyman	Withington MCC
			LP Secretary	from 01.09.2023
	Abigail	Parr	Hope MCC
	Sylvia	Pennycooke	Whalley Range MCC
+	David	Pott	East Didsbury MCC
	Angela	Ralph	Circuit Steward
	Margaret	Ratchford	Long St MCC	to 01.09.22
	Sharon	Read	Ex Officio
	Audrey	Redshaw	Chorlton MCC
	Othniel	Reid	Whalley Range MCC	to 31.08.2023 (died)
	John	Roberts	Circuit Steward	to 01.04.2024 (died)

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

TRUSTEES (continued)

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Key MCC Methodist Church Council

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

CIRCUIT COUNCIL and

Circuit Stewards

Name	Appointment/cessation	Position
Revd Dr C Wickens		Superintendent Minister
Daphne Dawson		Chair and Senior Circuit Steward
Christine Davis		Secretary
Bernard Treves Brown		Treasurer
Yvonne Anderson Boyd
Sandra Bailey
Andrew Edwards
Ubongabasi Inyang	Resigned
John Roberts	Died 1/04/24
Susan Watters
Revd Sharon Read		Superintendency Team
Paula Collins		Staff Representative
Revd Joy Rulton		Staff Representative
CIRCUIT OFFICE	The Wesley Centre
	Royce Road
	Hulme
	Manchester M15 5BP
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS	Peter Smith Accountancy Services
	Chartered Accountants
	9 Polruan Road
	Chorlton-cum-Hardy
	Manchester M21 9NR
AUDITORS	Sumer Auditco Limited
	Gosforth Park Avenue
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	NE12 8EG
SOLICITORS	Anthony Collins Solicitors
	134 Edmund Street
	Birmingham B3 2ES
BANKERS	The Co-operative Bank
	PO Box 250
	Delf House
	Southway
	Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
	Unity Trust Bank Plc
	PO Box 7193
	Planetary Road
	Willenhall WV1 9DG
INVESTMENT MANAGERS	Central Finance Board of the Methodist	Church
	9 Bonhill Street
	London EC2A 4PE
REGISTERED CHARITY	1135067

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023.

REPORTING FRAMEWORK

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019), referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition October 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable Objectives

The Circuit shares the same charitable objectives as the rest of the Methodist Church, which are set out as follows:

hurch are and shall be deemed to have been since the date of Union the advancement of

(a) the Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church;

(b) any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Methodist Church;

(c) any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church;

(d) any purpose for the time being of any char

Aims

The Circuit seeks to live out the calling of the Methodist Church, which is summarised thus:

The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the Gospel of God s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship and mission. Inspired by Our Calling, we aim:

to help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care
to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
to make more followers of Jesus Christ

Activities and Public Benefit

The Circuit encourages and supports the Churches within it in the provision of regular public acts of worship open to members of the Church and non-members alike; the provision of sacred space for prayer and contemplation; the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups; pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved; the promotion of Christianity through the s meetings etc. with a Christian ethos; promoting the whole mission of the Church (and aiding social cohesion) through activities for older people, parents and toddlers and other specific needs groups; and supporting other charities in the UK and overseas financially and with prayer.

The aims, objectives and activities of the charity are reviewed annually, and achievements assessed. When reviewing the aims and objectives of the charity and in planning future activities, the Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Contribution of Volunteers

The Circuit is heavily dependent upon, and extremely grateful for, the contribution of volunteers as it seeks to carry out its objectives. With the exception of ordained members and the lay staff representative, all the other members of the Circuit Council are unpaid volunteers, and the vast majority of the Charity trustees are also volunteers.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Manchester Circuit, The Methodist Church: Achievements and Performance, 2022 - 2023

The work of the Manchester Circuit is shaped by the Calling and Priorities of the Methodist Church, and therefore it is appropriate to use these Priorities to shape this review of our activities over the Connexional year 2022 - 2023

Our Calling and Priorities are set out as follows:

ssion.

Inspired by Our Calling, we aim:

to help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care: learning and caring
to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice: service
to make more followers of Jesus Christ: evangelism

The past year has seen consolidation of the process of recovery from the pandemic. All churches are now offering a regular and varied range of public worship face-to-face, subject to ongoing risk assessment. New initiatives have included Bread Church at Withington Methodist Church, Bible study groups in various locations across the circuit and new support groups for older folk, often craft-based. Groups for children, young people and adults are gradually recovering, and many churches are finding that their facilities are increasingly in demand for use by a wide range of community groups. We also continue to respond to the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Churches still offer online activities via various platforms and paper copies of services are distributed to the housebound and those unable to access the technology.

The subsequent year has seen the merging of Clayton and Edge Lane Methodist Churches to form Edge Lane & Clayton, and Didsbury and East Didsbury to form United Didsbury. There are now 17 churches in the circuit.

The work of student chaplaincy out of St. House ended with a celebration of the 50 years of its life. The building (50% under the managing trusteeship of the Circuit) will now be sold, along with the land at Edenfield.

A Worship

Numbers attending face-to-face Sunday worship across the Circuit continue to build back, and many churches are welcoming new people to join worship. Across the circuit, 24 people have become members of our churches over the year. We have seven local preachers in training. There is an increasing number of mid-week services. The weekly circuit Sunday evening service continues to flourish via a video conferencing platform with about 40 participants each week. The circuit said goodbye to Deacon Pru Cahill and was delighted to welcome Deacon Jenny Jones to work principally at Central Hall Manchester.

Subsequently we have appointed Rev. Paul Welch to work at Hope and Edge Lane & Clayton and as a pioneer minister at Trinity Methodist Church. We hope that this appointment will reinforce the work and worship through fresh strategies for outreach.

B Learning and Caring

Although the proposed Listening Ear project failed to flourish, Ministers, Lay Workers and Pastoral secretaries from the churches have given excellent support to those in need and we continue to be grateful for their work and commitment. We find ourselves increasingly needing to respond to homelessness and hunger in the city, and most churches are actively involved with food banks. At the Wesley Centre, the circui community building in Hulme, we offer accommodation to the Manchester South Central foodbank among other charitable organisations. Face-to-face activities such as Bible study groups, coffee mornings, book clubs and film clubs meet on a regular basis and are supplemented by online activities organised by both local churches and the circuit. 2022/23 was the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the Manchester Circuit and was celebrated via a scheme of small grants for activities engaging the community such as play schemes, holiday clubs, community fun days and tea parties.

Children and young people s work is flourishing in various churches, often under the direction of carefully appointed paid lay workers and backed up by input on the various social media platforms. Such work is always well received ~~t~~ hanks to those involved in ensuring that both the work of the circuit and in local churches continues. Church members have supported the Baby Basket project at Moston and Befrienders. Safeguarding training has also been adapted for online use and is delivered both faceto-face and online by the in-house safeguarding team.

The Circuit environmental policy has enabled some churches to gain eco-awards under the A Rocha scheme and the property team are actively considering ways of reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings. A stewardship campaign is becoming part of our annual programme and churches are engaging with the need to give sustainably.

Subsequently we have developed further strategies and partnerships to support city folk in particular need, including Undies to provide adequate underwear for newly-arrived refugees in need.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

C Service

The Circuit continues actively to support lay workers whose appointments focus on social outreach and service, often through leading a group of volunteers. The Moston Baby Basket continues to respond to the needs of young families with a growing team of volunteers from across the circuit. At the Methodist Central Hall, continues to provide shoes and socks for the homeless, and is increasingly well-used, alongside the drop-in centre

The Wesley Centre, directly managed from within the Circuit, continues to be well-maintained following a quinquennial inspection, under the guidance of the management committee. We said goodbye to the warden as she moved on to a new post, and appointed an administrator, part of whose role is to support the management committee in ensuring the Centre is effectively run. The Centre is now fully occupied by a range of tenants, some commercial, some third-sector.

The Circuit decision to take on managing trusteeship of Trinity Methodist Church, Ancoats is beginning to bear fruit. Part of the building is now fully renovated and is beginning to be used by the community in this deprived area. The building is managed by an ecumenical team from the Circuit and the local area. The appointment of a minister to have responsibility for this church is a significant commitment to ministry in this area.

The C policy is to fund staffing for outreach work from its income from the sale of property. This has been supported in this last year by the sale of a manse. As further properties are sold we anticipate that we shall be able to reframe our offer of evangelism and missional outreach.

D Evangelism

Several churches have engaged in the Bags of Hope project, visiting house-to-house in their local neighbourhood, under the guidance of the deputy superintendent, whose role has a focus on mission and evangelism. Nexus is unable to operate currently but work is ongoing to revisit its strategies for evangelism in the future. However, Sanctus, a small but committed group, is still meeting and benefits from the regular support of one of the ministers. Under her guidance they have evolved an online style of worship called Liquid Church. Our broader online worship, website and the use of Facebook and Twitter are supported by the

community engagement officer. These platforms have attracted a number of people for whom church is not a familiar environment and we have been able to engage with them through these new ways of worshipping. Our ongoing commitment to social justice and support for those in need is in line with Connexional strategy and attracts people into our faith communities.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Overview

The Circuit had a surplus on unrestricted funds, after transfers for the year of c£2.1m (21/22 deficit of £85,850). However, this result was only achieved because of the transfer to the Circuit of the church property at Clayton, the surplus on the disposal of a manse and the surplus on revaluation of current assets. During the year the Circuit received sufficient assurances that land held in fixed assets with a nil value had been successful rezoned for housing. The Circuit had already resolved dispose of the site should this be achieved and it is now included in current asset investments.

If it had not been for these items the Circuit would have had a deficit on unrestricted funds of c£75k, which was less than the budgeted figure.

The Circuit is expecting to benefit from future property receipts but is working hard to move to a position where reserves are only used to fund mission focussed expenditure and to ensure that church buildings, manses and other properties are fit for the 21[st] century.

In setting future budgets, the Circuity has identified expenditure which is core but highly desirable to further the Kingdom of God and which can be funded from future property sales. This funding of costs along with a continued review of other costs would mean that the Circuit could move to covering revenue expenditure out of current income and break its dependency on property sales to meet revenue costs. In the meanwhile, it remains dependent on drawing on free reserves.

Designated funds remain in place to cover property projects where the expenditure is expected to be incurred within the next one to two years. The Circuit has created a new designated fund to provide for future major repairs to the Wesley Centre to which 80% of the surplus from the Centre is added each year.

Wesley Ltd

The subsidiary company has not traded during this or the previous year, and therefore consolidated accounts have not been prepared.

Risk management

The Circuit Meeting continues to develop procedures for identifying and addressing the risks facing the charity. It has already enhanced its financial procedures and, in common with other Churches, has developed robust procedures for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Principal Funding Sources

Contributions from the Churches by way of Circuit Assessment continue to be the main source of funding, accounting for 31% (2022: 58%) of income, down on the previous year as a percentage due to receipts in respect of properties.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

Investment Policy and Review

The Circuit continues to actively review its investments in the light of immediate cash flow requirements and medium- to long-term rust Fund (representing past proceeds of sales of property) is invested via funds managed by the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church. As the Circuit expects to draw on the majority of these funds within the next five years, the decision was taken (following consultation with our CFB Relationship Manager) to hold all these in cash and subsequently the investments were disposed of during the year.

The Endowment funds are held in a mixture of CFB managed units and cash.

Other balances are held in

Reserves

inancial

viability. It seeks to set a balanced revenue budget, in order that the ongoing normal costs of ministry, mission and management are met from investment income, grants and donations, and Circuit Assessment. In previous years, a programme of sales of surplus properties allowed the development of a medium-term plan which sought to identify future requirements of management and ministry and to use part of the sale proceeds in supporting those requirements and developing more innovative schemes of mission and ministry. This thinking .

Unrestricted Funds

In order to meet its ongoing financial obligations including the payment of stipends and of District and Connexional assessments quarterly in advance and to meet unforeseen circumstances, the Circuit needs to maintain sufficient free reserves. These reserves would enable the Circuit to maintain its mission and ministry in the short term if, for whatever reason, third party grants were to be withdrawn or individual Churches encounter difficulties in paying their assessments.

Free reserves are defined as unrestricted reserves less the investment in tangible fixed assets, loans to local churches, designated funds, and grant commitments. On the recommendation of Circuit Council, the Circuit Meeting has determined that free reserves should be equivalent to between 3 and 6 months of normal operating costs; this would equate to between £135,000 and £270,000.

As at 31 August 2023, the level of free reserves stood at c£2,853k, but there is a commitment to use c£125k to balance 23/24 budget. There is the potential to need a further £125k over the following two years, assuming that assessments levels are able to increase. Taking all these factors into account would leave free reserves at c£285k.

The Circuit is looking at how the proceeds of sale from current asset investments (the majority of which will not be realised until 2026 or later) can be best be invested in building the Kingdom and thereby respond to the pressure to find resources to support new initiatives for church planting and support areas of mission.

The reserves policy will remain under review.

Going Concern

The Trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the Circuit and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund its activities for the foreseeable future. The Trustees are therefore of the view that the charity is a going concern.

CURRENT NEEDS AND FUTURE PLANS

The Circuit continues to develop its forward planning and to assess its future capital funding needs. Within the context of the calling of the Methodist Church (as set out above) the Circuit aims to:

support and encourage each local congregation in mission and ministry;
continue to develop appropriate responses to the pandemic;
build on the process of the circuit review and its outcomes. The circuit is moving forward on the basis of a strategy developed in response to the vision and recommendations emerging from that process.
strengthen the training culture within the Circuit, encouraging lay preachers and worship leaders in their development, supporting probationers and facilitating the development of student Ministers and presbyters in training;
review and actively manage the Circuit s investments in its financial and property resources, seeking to selectively release resources for mission, ministry and outreach;
work through the Methodist Church stationing procedures to secure the appointment of new ministerial staff as required. At the end of this Connexional year two presbyterial appointments come to an end, with the proposed appointment of a probationer minister for three of the churches and a lay pastor for the other appointment.
work ecumenically, especially in supporting and developing established and new Local Ecumenical Partnerships and with particular focus on the Anglican-Methodist Covenant.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

Continue to develop the mission project based at Trinity Church, Ancoats.
Complete the sale of current asset investments
Having purchased a new manse in 22/23, continue to improve the property portfolio.

STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Manchester Circuit is part of the Methodist Church of Great Britain and is registered as a charity with number 1135067.

Connected charities

The Churches forming the Circuit are themselves charities and, as they are responsible for their own financial affairs, they are not reported in these statements. The Circuit is also associated with Nexus CCS, a separately registered charity.

A ppointment of Trustees

All ministers, presbyterial and diaconal, stationed in the Circuit by the Conference or who are residing for the purposes of the Stations of the Methodist Church in the Circuit and who are in the active work (that is not retired), are ex-officio members of the Circuit Meeting (the Trustee Body). Other ministers who reside in the Circuit in accordance with the standing orders of the Church (including those who are retired) may choose to be members of the Circuit meeting, and if they have done so they are shown in the list of trustees as ex-officio.

The following are ex officio members of the Circuit Meeting:

Circuit Stewards appointed by the Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting Secretary appointed by the Circuit Meeting Representatives to District Synod appointed by the Circuit Meeting Local Preachers Secretary

Each Church is represented by a Church Steward, the Church Treasurer and representatives appointed by the Church Council in relation to the number of Church members (one representative for every 50 members).

The Circuit Meeting has the power to co-opt other members and has co-opted those members of the Council who are not otherwise members of the Circuit Meeting, some of the lay workers in the Circuit and a representative of the Finance Group.

As at 31 August 2023 (excluding those whose term of office ended on that day) there were 63 members of the Circuit Meeting (2022: 60).

Trustee recruitment, induction and training

As outlined above, the appointment of the majority of the members of the Circuit Meeting is outside the control of the Meeting. In appointing the Council and other officers, the Meeting has regard to the balance of skills and gifts that are needed to further the work of the Church. New members of the Council are inducted by the Council with the support of the Superintendency team.

Organisation

The Circuit Meeting meets four times a year. The Circuit Council, appointed by the Circuit Meeting, is responsible for acting on behalf of the Circuit Meeting at other times. The Council meets at least six times per year. The Circuit Meeting retains responsibility for setting the mission priorities of the Circuit, the overall strategy to deliver those priorities, the invitation of ministers, the oversight of local churches, the admission of people to the office of Local Preacher, and decisions on formal explorations of calls to ministry and candidates for the ordained ministry.

The Council is assisted in the task of financial oversight by the Circuit Finance Group.

The Methodist Church appoints a minister to be the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit, whose duties are set out in the Standing Orders of the Church. The Circuit has established a Superintendency Team to assist the Superintendent Minister and to provide leadership and cohesion within the Circuit.

Pay and Remuneration

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT ORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements 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 in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities

ON BEHALF OF CIRCUIT MEETING

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REV DR C WICKENS - SUPERINTENDENT MINISTER

Date:

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

TO THE MEMBERS OF CIRCUIT MEETING OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Methodist Church August 2023 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 affairs as at 31 August 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, 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 Charities Act 2011.

Basis for opinion

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 statement 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, of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, 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 fin

disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

TO THE MEMBERS OF CIRCUIT MEETING OF THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

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, is detailed below.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the sector in which it operates, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

standards and Charity Act 2011, Employment and Pension legislation.

s for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the charity and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include compliance with charitable objectives, public benefit, fundraising regulations, safeguarding, data protection and health and safety legislation.

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert throughout the audit.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and the Trustees as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence and legal costs incurred; review of Trustee meeting minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).

website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/

auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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and Reports) not accept or ort, or for

the opinions we have formed.

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Mr Stephen Slater (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Sumer Auditco Limited

Date:

Statutory Auditor Unit 2 Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8EG

Sumer Auditco Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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The notes on pages 15 to 27 form part of these financial statements.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT BALANCE SHEET AS AT AUGUST 31 2023

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The notes on pages 15 to 27 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on:

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to

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 historic cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments (as set out below) through the statement of financial activities; in accordance with the 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 (FRS102) effective January 1 2019 (second edition October 2019); and FRS102. The results of the wholly owned subsidiary have been consolidated on a line by line basis.

. This departure has involved following 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) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.

The accounts are prepared in £ sterling, the functional currency of the charity and its subsidiary company.

Donated goods

Individual donated goods of a consumable nature valued under £500 such as harvest festival produce are not shown in these financial statements. Those over this amount or of a capital nature are recorded.

Income

Total Incoming Resources 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
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

Investment income

Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable, and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities other than where grants are deferred to match the income to expenditure over the life of the project.

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 Circuit Meeting, or the Superintendency team or Council under delegated authority for awards of less than £6,000.

On some occasions the Circuit Meeting will be asked to indicate whether it would approve a property development or building of a new church when the project is still at a development stage and other partners are still being consulted. The Circuit Meeting usually indicates that it would support the investment of the proceeds of sale of any related properties and how much it would be prepared to give in addition. Such amounts are not considered to be binding obligations on the Circuit until such time as a formal scheme is brought forward and approved by the Circuit Meeting.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

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.

Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds

Charitable activities

including those associated with fundraising activities, managing investments and commercial trading by the subsidiary company.

costs of undertaking the work of the charity.

The charity is not registered for VAT and cannot recover any input tax charged. Costs are stated inclusive of VAT where charged.

Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions which assist the work of the charity either by supporting the delivery of charitable activities or by supporting the generation of funds. They include back office functions, staff costs and professional fees. The basis of allocations is set out in note 9.

Fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets are shown at cost to the Circuit, with the exception of the manses and other property assets. These have been replacement scheme for the assets, as permitted under the SoRP, when assets not previously in the balance sheet are capitalised. 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:

Freehold buildings	-	1% per annum from later of the date of acquisition or 1/09/14
Leasehold properties	-	1% per annum from later of the date of acquisition or 1/09/14
Furniture and fittings	-	25% per annum on cost
Computer equipment	-	33% per annum on cost

Freehold land is not depreciated. Fixed asset disposal proceeds are reported net of any levy payable to the CAPF.

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent these are applied to its charitable objects.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Investments, gains and losses

Fixed asset investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recorded at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The SoFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and on disposals throughout the year.

Gains and losses on investments are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between sale proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the opening carrying value or cost, if acquired during the year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated on the difference between opening and closing fair values.

Certain investments are held and incorporated in the Balance Sheet that are restricted to specific projects. These are disclosed in note 14.

Current asset investments

Current asset investments, including properties held for sale, are valued at their expected net sale value, after taking account of selling costs and levies charged by the Methodist Church GB. The Charity relies on the professional valuations as required by the Charities Act in determining sale values of properties.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

Financial instruments

The charity has only basic financial instruments which are initially recorded at cost, and with the exception of investments (as set out above) subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Pension contributions

The Circuit participates in the following 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, and for the year under review the employer contributions were 26.9% (2020: 26.9%) of stipend.

The MMPS is a multi-employer 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 SoFA in the period in which they are payable.

The Circuit operates a defined contribution pensi contribution of 6% matched by contributions of 2%, in accordance with the standing orders of the Methodist Church.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

12 STAFF INFORMATION

STAFF INFORMATION
Staff costs Stipends and salaries Apprenticeship levy Pension contributions - Methodist Ministers Scheme MMPF reserve Pension contributions - other Employer's NI contributions	2023 £ 212,692 1,037 36,218 - 466 13,486 263,899	2022 £ 208,680 1,136 45,113 25,000 1,494 16,177
		297,600

No staff member was paid more than £60,000 p.a. in either year.

b Key management personnel

The key management of the charity comprise the trustees, which includes the ordained members of staff who are ex-officio members of the Circuit Meeting but do not receive any payment specifically for acting as trustees.

The other trustees do not receive any remuneration for their services.

The total remuneration benefits of the key management are: Stipends 224,524 257,083

As explained in note 27, certain other Circuit employees are also members of the Circuit Meeting but their remuneration is not included above as their membership of the Circuit Meeting is not part of their duties as employees, but rather they have been appointed by the churches of which they are members as representatives.

c Average staff numbers

The average number of members of staff of the charity was as follows:-

Ordained staff (office holders not employees) Lay employees	2023 Average number 6.0 6.0 12.0	2022 Average number 7.0 6.0
		13.0

d Additional pension contribution

In 2021/22 the Circuit responded to an appeal by the Methodist Conference for all parts of the Connexion to make voluntary contributions to the Methodist Ministers' Pension Fund reserve. It made a contribution of £25,000 in that year (22/23 - £nil).

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Freehold land & buildings Cost £ As at September 1 2022 1,864,935 Disposals (200,000) As at August 31 2023 1,664,935 Depreciation As at September 1 2022 62,920 Charge for the year 10,995 Disposals (9,333) As at August 31 2023 64,582 Net book value As at August 31 2023 1,600,353 As at August 31 2022 1,802,015 The net book value of equipment held on finance leases was £nil (2022 - £581).	Long leasehold properties £ 572,000 - 572,000 40,180 5,720 - 45,900 526,100 531,820	Fixtures Fittings & Equipment £ 19,012 - 19,012 18,431 581 - 19,012 - 581	Total £ 2,455,947 (200,000) 2,255,947 121,531 17,296 (9,333) 129,494 2,126,453 2,334,416

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS Market value brought forward Income re-invested Additions at cost Disposals at carrying value Net gain/(loss) on revaluation Market value carried forward *Investments at fair value comprise:* CFB Managed funds Cash held within investment portfolio Unrestricted funds 2023 2022 £ £ Market value brought forward 169,919 51,554 Income & gains re-invested 12,789 42 Additions at cost 497,678 391,887 Disposals/withdrawals at carrying value (100,846) (273,564) Net gain/(loss) on revaluation - - Market value carried forward 579,540 169,919 CFB Managed funds - - Cash held within investment portfolio 579,540 169,919 579,540 169,919	2023 £ 293,977 13,548 497,678 (100,846) (7,094) 697,263 90,975 606,288 697,263 Restricted funds 2023 2022 £ £ 6,924 6,911 202 13 - - - - - -	2023 £ 293,977 13,548 497,678 (100,846) (7,094)	2022 £ 188,777 90 391,887 (273,564) (13,213) 293,977 98,069 195,908 293,977 Endowment funds 2023 2022 £ £ 117,134 130,312 557 35 - - - - (7,094) (13,213) 110,597 117,134 90,975 98,069 19,622 19,065 110,597 117,134	2022 £ 188,777 90 391,887 (273,564) (13,213)
		697,263		293,977
		90,975 606,288		98,069 195,908
				293,977
169,919 - 169,919	7,126 - 7,126	6,924 - 69,824	110,597 90,975 19,622	117,134
				98,069 19,065
169,919	7,126	69,824	110,597	117,134

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

18 STATEMENT OF FUNDS

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

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THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

23 RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASHFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) before transfers Add back depreciation on fixed assets Deduct property transferred to Circuit Deduct/(add) unrealised gains/(losses) on investments Deduct interest income shown in investing activities Deduct profit/add back losses on disposals of FA Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities	2023 £ 2,094,602 17,296 (195,000) (1,672,906) (27,179) - (67,318) 761 150,256	2022 £ (99,265) 17,648 - 6,326 (6,397) - (20,623) 3,108
		(99,203)

24 NET MOVEMENT IN DEBT

Cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and in hand Debt Finance lease obligations Cash and cash equivalents net of debt	At 31/8/22 299,655 1,060 298,595	cashflows (43,116) (838)	finance lease repaid - -	other non cash - -	at 31/08/23 256,539 222 256,317

There were no: acquisitions or disposals of subsidiaries; foreign exchange movements; or market value changes in the period.

25 PROPERTIES RENTED OUT

Chatterton Hey (house and gardens)

Chatterton Hey house and gardens are rented to the Langley Hall Trust on a twenty five year lease that expires in September 2027. Although this is a market rent, the Circuit believes that the arrangement is in furtherance of its chartable objectives.

Rent due one year 33,410 Rent due 2 5 years 100,230

The net book value include in freehold properties at the year end was £68,716.

The Wesley Centre

The Circuit owns and operates the Wesley Centre in Hulme which provides a base for the Circuit office. In order to cover the costs of the property the Circuit rents offices and other space on tenancies at will to other charities, communities and business.

Manses

When manses are not currently occupied by a minister but the Circuit believes that they will be required in the future then they are let on assured short hold tenancies of no more than 12months at a time.

During the year the income was £13,437.

The Manchester and Stockport Methodist District was unable to fund the capital purchase of a manse, and in order to assist it the Circuit acquired a manse for it and agreed a below market rent of £6,000 pa. The arrangement was terminated at 31/12/24.

Trinity Ancotes

The Circuit acts as at managing trustees of the former church in Ancoats, which is being used to deliver a range of community and mission projects. During the year the only rental income was from casual hires.

THE METHODIST CHURCH - MANCHESTER CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31 2023

27 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Ministers

Stipends and allowances for presbyters and deacons (collectively ministers) are set annually by the Methodist Conference, and the Circuit is responsible for meeting those costs for all ministers appointed by the Conference to the Circuit. Details of stipends paid to ministers who are members of the Circuit meeting are as follows. The following received the basic stipend (£26,928; 2022: £25,524): Deacon Pru Cahill, Revd C Hughes (22/23 only), Revd Krystyna Kwarciak (21/22 only), Rev Sharon Read, Revd. Joy Rulton, Revd. Ken Stokes, Revd. Caroline Wickens.

And the following minister received half stipend in 2021/22: Revd Sue Williams.

All of whom, except for Revd Sue Williams,

In addition, the Revd Ian Rutherford, who is the City Centre Minister and receives his stipend from the Manchester and Stockport District, is provided with accommodation as part of the partnership arrangement with the District.

£2,692 (2022: £2,582) was paid to

Revd Caroline Wickens in 2022/23 and 2021/22.

Other ministers who are resident in the Circuit, for the purposes of the Methodist stations and are not retired, but not in Circuit appointments or without appointment are also members of the Circuit Meeting but do not receive payment or accommodation from the Circuit, except for preaching fees and expenses.

Lay employees

The following members of the Circuit Meeting were also employees of the Circuit and were in receipt of salaries for the work they undertook in the capacities indicated. Liz Stuart took no part in the decision to re-employer her. Neither person received payment for acting as trustees. The amounts paid as salary were as follows:

Position	2023 £	2022 £
Circuit Administrator to January 2023	5,472	13,229
Lay employee (not employed in 21/22)	5,915	0

Other payments

Andrew Slim, a member of the Circuit meeting has provided property advice services through his limited company Andrew Slim Limited, in the ordinary course of business. He took no part in the decision to appoint his company and it was engaged on normal commercial terms. Payments in the 2022/23 amounted to £5,389 (2022: £3,833).

Wesley Limited

The subsidiary company did not trade in either this or the previous year.

Methodist Chapel Aid Limited

Andrew Slim, a member of the Circuit Meeting, was a non-executive director of Methodist Chapel Aid Limited throughout the year. As at 31 August 2023, Methodist Chapel Aid Limited held funds on behalf of the Circuit totalling £14,243 (31/08/22 - £14,196).

Peter Smith Accountancy Services

Peter Smith (a trustee) trading as Peter Smith Accountancy Services was appointed to provide professional accountancy and advice services beyond those normally expected of a trustee. Fees for 21/22 were budgeted at £2,500, (which were included in accruals) and the actual fees charged and paid were £2,100. An accrual in respect of work on the 22/23 is included in these accounts for £2,200.