Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit (Registered Charity No. 1135135)
ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23
Introduction by the Superintendent Minister, the Rev. Darren Garfield
I warmly invite you to read our Annual Report. It contains much work which reflects the Our Calling document and the Priorities of the Methodist Church, around worship, learning and caring, service and evangelism. We continue to remind ourselves that we underpin everything we do in God-centred worship and prayer, speak about faith, look at how we can ‘do’ and ‘be’ Church in fresh ways and nurture a people-centred (and God-centred!) culture.
All we do is in consultation with each other. Our circuit is not a separate entity, but a group of disciples, a team, who share resources and look at how we can be the ‘Church’ in the community. This of course includes the important work we do in our schools. We are grateful for the ministerial team, including our supernumeraries, who serve with such care and dedication. We appreciate those committed and faithful lay people, church and circuit stewards, elders, local preachers, treasurers, property officers, Sunday school teachers and the many, of all ages, who make up our church congregations, who offer prayer, support, and encouragement. I am thankful for the guidance and wisdom they bring.
As we look to the future, with all the changes and developments that inevitably come with the passage of time, the words written by Joseph Hart back in the 18[th] century ring true even today:
This, this is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable friend, whose love is as great as his power, and neither knows measure nor end:
'Tis Jesus, the first and the last, whose Spirit shall guide us safe home; we'll praise him for all that is past, and trust him for all that's to come. Joseph Hart (1712–1767)
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Aims and Organisation
The charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the Farnworth & Worsley area for the Methodist Church.
The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union (1932) the advancement of:
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and 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 charity being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The Methodist Church
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike.
The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups.
The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services.
Activities
The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of the eight churches in the Circuit’s geographical area. These are led by the Circuit’s ordained ministers, including a supernumerary presbyter and Deacon, local preachers or visiting ministers from other Circuits and denominations.
All the Circuit’s ministers are involved in community work, including community cohesion and inter-faith groups and Churches Together groups relevant to the Circuit’s various geographical areas.
Ministers are involved in schools work, including leading assemblies and being governors/chaplains. There are two Methodist primary schools located in the Circuit with which the Circuit has close links.
We employ a part-time Circuit Administrator who manages the Circuit’s administration, including the website and electronic newsletters as well as keeping minutes of meetings.
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October 2022 a mixed group of circuit members attended Farnworth and Worsley Circuit Weekend with the theme Journeying On. 29 adults and 8 children enjoyed the hospitality of the Glendower Hotel in Lytham St Anne’s and explored how they would journey on towards the future and what this may look like. The weekend included worship, discussion session, food and fun for all.
Public Benefit
We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Financial
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the Circuit churches, totalling £183289 out of a total income of £204329. £13317 of the total came in the form of additional funding from the Methodist Connexion channelled through the Bolton & Rochdale District. This was to compensate the Circuit for time spent by the Superintendent as Deputy Chair of the District and superintendent of the Bolton Mission (two days per week in total). This money was used to fund pastoral work by a supernumerary Deacon, the balance being carried forward into 2023/24 to fund additional administrative support and to enhance a similar sum due in that year.
Proposed assessments figures are prepared in consultation with the treasurers of the Circuit churches prior to approval by the Circuit Meeting.
Expenditure comprised principally stipends and expenses for the three Circuit staff (two Presbyters and a Deacon) and their accommodation and running costs, together with the salary and expenses of the art-time administrator.
£37368 (20%) of the total expenditure or £186599 was the Circuit’s contribution to the District ad Connexion, which helps fund the work of the wider Methodist Church.
Expenditure of stipends increases annually in in line with changes approved by the Methodist Conference. Other budget elements are adjusted to take account of anticipated expenditure needs and costs increases.
Overall, there was a surplus of £17730 overall in the year, compared with a deficit of £1173 in 2021/22. The surplus largely arises due to the unspent element of the Connexional funding mentioned earlier and the retirement of our Deacon a couple of months before the year end, leading to some unused budget for stipends.
Balances, including Restricted Funds, totalled £141758 at year end. The Circuit’s policy is to hold a minimum of six months normal expenditure in reserve to meet any unforeseen items of necessary expenditure or the inability to raise the full assessment from the churches.
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Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of all in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
• The care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
- The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
• We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
The Farnworth & Worsley Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
The Farnworth & Worsley Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable.
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Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976).
Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the activities of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers meeting and property and finance meetings with representatives of the Circuit churches.
The Circuit is part of the Bolton & Rochdale Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The following churches are linked to the Circuit:-
Boothstown Methodist Church Christ Church, Little Lever (Methodist URC/LEP) Kearsley Mount Methodist Church St. Catherine’s, Highfield (Anglican/Methodist LEP) Trinity Church, Farnworth Walkden Methodist Church Wharton & Clegg’s Lane Church and Community Centre, Little Hulton (Methodist/URC LEP)
Worsley Road North Methodist Church, Walkden
Basis of preparation and legal framework
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102. Accounts are submitted using the Methodist Church’s Standard Form of Accounts.
Full Name of Charity: Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit
Registration Charity Number: 1135135
Date of registration: 24 March 2010
Main communication address: 16 Arkholme, Worsley, Manchester M28 1ZJ
The members of the Farnworth & Worsley Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.
Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.
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Circuit Ministers and officers
Active Circuit Ministers Rev Darren Garfield Rev Sarah Knebel Deacon Debbie Harkness (to June 2023) Circuit Stewards Helen Bolton Peter Irwin Gillian Dascombe Ian Lord Administrator: Ruth Dawson (from October 2022)
Name of treasurer acted as the principal officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year: Ian Lord Independent examiner: Keith Higson FCA Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Day-to-day banking Royal Bank of Scotland
Appendix A
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Names of Trustees of the Charity
| Rev Darren Garfield | Superintendent Minister |
|---|---|
| Rev Sarah Knebel | Presbyter Minister |
| Rev Neville Markham | Chaplain Bolton Royal |
| Deacon Debbie Harkness | Deacon |
| Rev Pat Brown | Supernumerary Minister |
| Helen Bolton | Circuit Steward / Synod Rep |
| Gill Dascombe | Circuit Steward |
| Peter Irwin | Circuit Steward / Property Steward |
| Ian Lord | Circuit Steward / Circuit Treasurer |
| Graham Bone | Local Preachers Secretary |
| Alan Nuttall | Local Preachers Rep |
| Joan Marshall | Circuit Rep to Connexion Funds |
| Lee O’Neill | JMA Secretary |
| Rosemary Young | MWiB Rep |
| Joe Sate | Boothstown MC Church Steward |
| Wynn Nuttall | Christ Church Elder |
| Alan Hartley | Christ Church Treasurer |
| Dorothy Holland | Christ Church Rep |
| Sheila Briggs | KMMC Steward |
| Wendy Witts | KMMC Rep |
| Andrew Gibbons | St Catherine’s Church Steward / Treasurer |
| Joy Fairbrother | St Catherine’s Rep |
| Christine Hotchkiss | Trinity MC Treasurer |
| David Coucill | Trinity MC Rep |
| Lorraine Price | Walkden MC Steward |
| Margaret O’Neill | Walkden MC Treasurer |
| Anne Bennett | Walkden MC Rep |
| Val Hancox | Walkden MC Rep |
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| Keith Mann | W&CL Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Joan Adams | W&CL Steward |
| Margaret Rothwell | W&CL Rep |
| Susan Taylor | Worsley Road North Steward |
| Anne Bradley | Worsley Road North Rep |
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CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
Farnworth & Worsley
Circuit
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023
Bolton & Rochdale District Circuit no 6/3
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
1135135
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242 )
Ministers:
Rev. Darren Garfield Rev. Sarah Knebel
Circuit Stewards:
Helen Bolton Peter Irwin Gillian Dascombe Ian Lord
Treasurer:
Ian Lord
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20ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023
Circuit
Farnworth & Worsley
| Circuit | Circuit | Circuit | £ 178,561 326 1,752 180,639 114,536 13,724 11,923 35,420 1,444 4,765 181,811 (1,173) 125,201 124,028 Totals last year |
£ 178,561 326 1,752 180,639 114,536 13,724 11,923 35,420 1,444 4,765 181,811 (1,173) 125,201 124,028 Totals last year |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SECTION A | £ £ £ Restricted Funds Un - restricted Funds Model Trust Fund |
£ 183,289 2,486 13,318 5,236 Totals this year |
£ Totals last year |
|||||||
| a1 | RECEIPTS | Note | ||||||||
| a2 | Assessment/Share | 183,289 | 183,289 | 178,561 | ||||||
| a3 | Capital receipts | |||||||||
| a4 | Bank and CFB interest and Investment income |
1,947 | 539 | 2,486 | 326 | |||||
| a5 | Grants | 13,318 | 13,318 | |||||||
| a6 | Other receipts | 4,340 | 896 | 5,236 | 1,752 | |||||
| a7 | TOTAL RECEIPTS | 202,894 | 539 | 896 | **204,329 ** | (a8) | 180,639 | |||
| SECTION B | 113,202 16,035 10,512 37,368 806 8,676 |
|||||||||
| b1 | PAYMENTS | |||||||||
| b2 | Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs |
113,202 | 113,202 | 114,536 | ||||||
| b3 | Manse Costs | 16,035 | 16,035 | 13,724 | ||||||
| b4 | Administration etc | 10,512 | 10,512 | 11,923 | ||||||
| b5 | District Assessment | 37,368 | 37,368 | 35,420 | ||||||
| b6 | Grants & donations | 806 | 806 | 1,444 | ||||||
| b7 | ||||||||||
| b8 | Otherpayments | 8,018 | 480 | 179 | 8,676 | 4,765 | ||||
| b9 | TOTAL PAYMENTS | 185,941 | 480 | 179 | **186,599 ** | (b9) | 181,811 | |||
| 17,730 | ||||||||||
| SECTION C | ||||||||||
| c1 | NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR |
(a7-b9) | 16,952 | 60 | 718 | 17,730 | ||||
| c2 | Total funds brought forward from lastyear | 96,669 | 17,219 | 10,140 | 124,028 | (c6) | 125,201 | |||
| 141,758 | ||||||||||
| c3 | Sub total (c1+c2) |
113,621 | 17,279 | 10,857 | 141,758 | |||||
| c4 | Transfers and adjustments | (c7) | ||||||||
| c5 | TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c4) |
113,621 | 17,279 | 10,857 | **141,758 ** | (c8) | **124,028 ** | (c6) |
| SECTION D | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| d | FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 + d2 - d3) Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations Balance brought forward from lastyear (these amounts should not be included intotal receipts/payments above) |
ORGANISATIONS | ||
| d1 | Balance brought forward from lastyear | |||
| d2 | Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations | |||
| d3 | Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations | |||
| d4 | BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID (d1 + d2 - d3) |
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Farnworth & Worsley
Circuit
SUMMARY OF CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATION REPORTING TO THE CIRCUIT ME ~~ETING~~
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of £250,000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations.
| SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | SECTION E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 and Internal Organisations reporting to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Internal Organisation would normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose. This section must be completed to arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of £250,000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodist website). Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations. |
|||||||||
| INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS |
Net Receipts/ Payments |
Adjustments | Opening balances |
Closingbalances | |||||
| e1 | |||||||||
| e2 | |||||||||
| e3 | |||||||||
| e4 | |||||||||
| e5 | |||||||||
| e6 | |||||||||
| e7 | |||||||||
| e8 | Sub total of Internal Organisations funds |
(e11) | (e12) | ||||||
| e9 | Circuit accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column) |
17,730 | (c7) | 124,028 | (c6) | 141,758 | (c8) | ||
| e10 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT |
17,730 | **124,028 ** | (x) | **141,758 ** | (y) | |||
| SECTION F |
SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
SECTION F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRCUIT - CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 August 2023 | OPENING BALANCES |
CLOSING BALANCES |
||||
| f1 | Cash in hand | |||||
| f2 | BankCurrentAccount | 37,682 | 62,653 | |||
| f3 | Bank DepositAccount | |||||
| f4 | Central FinanceBoard | 20,525 | 11,802 | |||
| f5 | Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes | 65,821 | 67,302 | |||
| f6 | Other funds | |||||
| f7 | SUB TOTAL | **124,028 ** | (c6) | 141,758 | (c8) | |
| f8 | Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closing balance totals above) (e12) |
(e11) | (e12) | |||
| f9 | TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT | **124,028 ** | (x) | 141,758 | (y) | |
| SECTION G | At | At | ||||
| OTHER ASSETS and LIABILITIES Loan(s)-showamount outstanding at yearend Land andBuildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) Other Assets Other Liabilities Investments (includeEndowments) |
1 September 2022 827,593 |
31 August 2023 1,021,850 |
||||
| g1 | Investments (includeEndowments) | |||||
| g2 | Land andBuildings (seenotesreInsurancevalue) | 827,593 | 1,021,850 | |||
| g3 | Other Assets | |||||
| g4 | Loan(s)-showamount outstanding at yearend | |||||
| g5 | Other Liabilities |
f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Board
f5 Include only CFB Funds held at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes g1 Include any other investments (not the cash element of TMCP trust accounts this is inserted in line f5)
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Name of Circuit ……Farnworth & Worsley……… No…6/3.
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting.
Signature of treasurer …………I.C.Lord……………………… Date…19.3.24..
Name and address of treasurer ………Ian Lord,
…………………………………………………………………………………. Post Code… ……………
Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 were/ ~~will be*~~
presented to the Circuit meeting held on 19th March 2024
Signature of the Chair of the meeting ……D.Garfield……………………………………
Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev. Darren Garfield Date ……19.3.24
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the
Farnworth & Worsley Circuit
Charity Number 1135135
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Farnworth & Worsley Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages 1 to 3. As the Circuit’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
- delete or circle as appropriate
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Name of Circuit ……Farnworth & Worsley…… No …6/3.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ~~(other than that disclosed below*)~~ which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
I ~~have/~~ have not* obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date.
Signature of independent examiner ……K.Higson……………………………………….
Name of independent examiner ……Keith Higson FCA……………………….
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner …ICAEW FCA……………
Name of firm (where appropriate) ………………………………………………………………………
Address …… …
……………………………………………………………………………….. Post Code
Date ……31 May 2024………
- delete or circle as appropriate
Form reviewed May 23
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