## **Circuit Annual report 2024-2025** ## **Introduction** ## **Activities during the year** - Each church continues to provide pastoral care to their members and others beyond the church family. - The Preachers and Leaders of Worship have met over the year. These meetings have involved business, fellowship and personal development. - The Circuit continues to deliver its training programme for Office holders and volunteers, including Safeguarding; EDI; Unconscious Bias; GDPR; Local Preachers & Worship Leaders study Days. - The Circuit Leadership Team have met throughout the year to discuss the vision for the circuit, to provide direction to the circuit and to deal with business between each Circuit Meeting. - Local Church stewards and Treasurers met to discuss the circuit assessments and finances. - The Circuit monthly “Circuit Services” included inviting special preachers and sharing lunch together. - • The Circuit continues to develop online services from Marlborough Road Church, between 40-60 people engage each week. We continue to receive good reports about how people who are unable to attend feel more “connected” with the church. The Circuit has helped provide IT equipment for local church use. - The Circuit encourages children & Young People to attend “3-Generate” – The national gathering of young people. - Middlton Cheney Church had been sold - It was noted that Rev Chris Gaynor had given notice to leave ST Francis LEP, conversations regarding his replacement with the CoE, URC churches were underway. ## **Aims and organisation** _“The Banbury Methodist Circuit encourages, enables and supports its churches to respond to God’s love in Christ in their communities, through worship, mission and service.”_ The Circuit invites and supports both lay volunteers and ordained ministers and enables them in their work. As a result, the Circuit provides spiritual and governance guidance to the Methodist congregations throughout the Banbury area. ## **Brief financial review of the year** - Circuit Policy Document - Work continues to update this “living” document as required to reflect the current structure and aspirations of the Circuit post covid. - Fixed Assets – We aim to dispose of land and buildings no longer required by the Circuit. Adderbury church had now closed and pending TMCP approval to be sold. The proceeds of sale are intended to support a Community Chaplain in the new housing in the village under the Methodist Connexional Mission strategy “New Places for New People” The Circuit continues to explore what this will look like with the Northampton Methodist District Mission Team. - The circuit reviewed and adjusted the way Assessments were allocated to each church. • The circuit continues draws on its reserves to help churches meet their assessments. ## **Income trends** Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. The rental income relates to the rental of a manse £10,000 ## **Expenditure trends** Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with The Methodist Conference approved increases amounting to £93,605.00 plus expenses. £33,252.00 of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion assessment, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. The other expenditure includes Manses repairs/costs, Mission outreach and Lay employees. Financial support of local churches finances. ## **Fund balances** As at 31 August 2025 the net current assets of the Circuit were £265,806 (– due to the sale of Middleton Cheney Church, and held in the Circuit Model Trust Fund*). The *Circuit Model Trust Fund derives from sales of chapels and manses and is restricted by the Conference. This restriction is an internal regulation though the fund can be used for a variety of purposes. The Circuit Leadership team has drawn up a set of ground rules, which have been accepted by the Circuit Meeting, to ensure grants made from the Circuit Model Trust Fund are used effectively for mission and capital works. Currently money is being held for refurbishment projects at Marlborough Road. Funds have been released to fund the Circuit Children & Families worker and Circuit Administrator. Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there remains 2 full time ordained staff and 1 Children & Families Worker, together with a Circuit Administrator with anticipated cost of living stipend/Salary increases combined with an increase in the assessment paid to the district such that on average a 5% assessment increase has been requested from the circuit churches. ## **Basis of preparation and legal framework** The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 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 **Full Name of Charity:** Banbury Methodist Circuit ## **Registration Charity Number:** 1135376 **Date of registration** 7[th] April 2010 (Previously exempted registration) **Main communication address:** 1 Waller Drive Banbury OX16 9NS The members of the Banbury Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the Local Church Managing Trustees. ## **Fully membership is shown as Appendix A to this report.** "Circuit Ministers and officers” **Active Circuit Ministers** Rev David Alderman Rev Philip Robinson **Circuit Lay Staff** Mrs Cate Vokes (Children & Families Worker) **Administrator:** Ms Clare Taylor **Circuit Meeting Secretary:** Mrs Janet Jones **Circuit Stewards** Mr David Miles Mrs Hazel Stagg Mrs Mary Tanner acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year: **Independent examiner** Joanna Watson CIMA Vandyplank House, 9 High Street, Long Buckby, Northants, NN6 7RE **Investment Bankers:** Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes **General Banking:** Barclays Bank (Banbury Branch) **Aims and organisation** Charity objective is to act as a Resource Provider within the area around Banbury for the Methodist Church: The purposes of the Methodist Church 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 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 Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of the 10 Methodist Churches and one Local Ecumenical Partnership in its geographical area. These are open to all people, without charge. The Circuit is directly involved with plans to provide a chaplaincy service in Banbury town centre. 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, through “Turn the page”. Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. “Messy Church” operates monthly at Marlborough Road and Hinton and continues to grow. ## **Public Benefit** We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **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 Methodist conference (CPD). - Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers meeting and the Circuit Policy Committee. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees. ## **Related Parties** The Circuit is part of the Northampton Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit: Chacombe Marlborough Road Cropredy Easington St. Francis (LEP) Greatworth The Fairway Hinton Shipston on Stour Hornton Wiggington ## **Organisations with specific linkage.** _Banbury Christians Together_ – Membership fees are paid by the circuit rather than by individual churches, supporting the following ecumenical projects: - Banbury Chaplaincy - Banbury Street Pastors - Banbury Food Bank - Warm Spaces, including Banbury Larder ## **Risk Management** Risks are identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded, the circuit has introduced a “risk matrix” Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. However the circuit continues to draw down on reserves to ensure that local assessments are reasonable for each church. Adopted the Methodist Church Safeguarding Policy and is ensuring it compliance across the churches. No safeguarding contracts were in place during the past year. The circuit is aware of an ongoing police investigation in one of the villages where the local church is involved in by association, but there is no risk to congregations or reputation. The District Safeguarding Officer is aware and offered advice. The circuit office ensured GDPR compliance across the Circuit conforming to the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes requirements. Circuit Policies are now posted on the Banbury Circuit Website (www. banburycircuit.org.uk) and are regularly updated. ## **Reserves Policy** _The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 6 months’ average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches._ The circuit assessment is reviewed annually and is currently based on membership figures within the local churches. The budget for the 2023/24 financial year has been set at £181,350k. Therefore the Circuit aims to hold approx. £91k. The reason for this is threefold:- **(i)** The Circuit needs around one month’s average expenditure in reserve as working capital to cover normal running costs. **(ii)** The circuit is dependent upon local churches to pay their assessment each quarter. In the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches the reserves funds will ensure that that District/Connexional assessment, stipends, salaries and other commitments are met as they fall due. **(iii)** To ensure the circuit can meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses or other circuit managed property. In addition, currently the Circuit is also holding (unrestricted funds) monies for mission, outreach and redevelopment projects across the circuit. ## **Safeguarding Policy:** _Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation 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 Banbury Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of The Methodist Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Banbury 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. CIRCiNT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACC¢)UNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS BANBURY CIRcurr FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 NORTHAMPTON METHODIST DISTRICT CIRCUIT NO 23105 REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1135376 Ir nL* a rwst*Ed H•r M4h8ty* Rw•nu• Ind Cuth• Gfft Ad numb•r HMRC numbBr 15 8quw8lwrt to a re*ed charity r￿rnL￿ in teThrB of ￿￿ence of clwitat4e slabJs may be to give lo (knn(xs cf g￿t lund&Y6 wthing 10 See 8vh1￿ce crf th8 cryar*5atbJn'5 chwitatlB statu8. MeWist ch¥itio$ in and Wo19$ th81 ore reg¢&tornJ Chart￿ ￿¢￿¥tOd registraticn uTrJBr Statutory IrstrumBrrt 2014 No.2421 Ministers: Rev David Alderman Rev Ph51 Robinson Circuil Slewards: Mary Tanner David Miles Hazel Slagg TreaSU￿r. Miss Mary Tanner ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 a•￿•1 Clredl Mod•l R•*l*d Fund8 SECTION A Tot*h Ih Totsi• lth Fwd• A1 RECEIPTS Aooe86ment or Shw• 123 193 12&1•3 Cwal Re¢•lpt• 161.979 1.42• Other r•r•lpts Sdgs Al TOTAL RECEIPTS J1&911 14?.• SECTION 81 PAYMENTS Stlpondi, & ¢¢•¢• 3.146 &141 14707 Iplx¥Wllr￿Il 21.gd5 21•14 Dl¥lTlct ￿*8¥•Men¢ 42.307 41J17 250 2bO 1&721 87 Dlstrlct A¢fvwKe Fund I.JD2 20211 .110 2U21 7￿S4 TOTAL PAYMENTS 21•.1JJ 23•234 J13.IDI SECTION C NET RECEIPTStPAYAIEMTS FOR THE Y 1$4.2T3 Tth*l funth brought forward from ltst 21J.lOJ 551.2S5 Sub tat&l IG1•c• J77.371 IW11J Tr•nth •nd ￿J1￿¢M?￿lI TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR IcJ•¢41 577.37fj SECTION D FOR INFORhiATION OIILY: PIONEY RECEIVED JJID PASSÉD ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS Ithow ohould be IncI￿led kn lotsl recalp￿payry￿rtl alm>￿) Balinc• brt*Wt from l*it OfferingslGills . recelved foi external orgwlEatloThB OIF•rlngAIGhft¥- ￿l••d to fjxf•rnRI d1 585 sas BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID Id1 + d2- d31 DECLARATIONS Tr•asur•r l Cofjflrm thai I have prepared the accounts the ￿terd$ olthe Clfcuft and that they Sndude al funds uTh1*r the control of the Circuil s￿nature olTreasurer Da 1610912025 Name Miss Mary T8nner Addres5 16 Gu8rdian Court. Duke Streei, 88nbury. Oxon. OX16 4NL Presentation to the 'Circuit Meeting for approval. I cenflrm Ihai the Aecounts have been presenigj 10 the Circuil Meebng on and w8r8 8ppro¥ed. Son8ture of the Ch81r of the meeting Name ol the Chair of Ihe meeb.ng Date Indepèndent Examlnor's Report to the Trustees of the Banbury Method5st C5rcult ClrcuSt This Report ￿ on ts Circurt Accounts for the year en￿d 31 Augusl 2025 R•Sp•et1￿ r•sponsibiliti•s ol Trust*￿ and Examin•r The charilvs trustees are responsi￿e for the prepardl*)n of the accounts. The charilV5 Iruslees consider that an audll is not required for this yÈ8r undÈr se￿10n 144 of Ihe Ch8rilies Act 2011 Chanties Acii 8nd Ih8l 8n indepe￿ent examlnalbjn is n88ded. It Is my reSponsi￿1￿Y to." Examkne the ￿UnIS ￿¥1￿r SeaK*n 145 ofU* Ch8riVes Act lo follow the prOCedL￿ down 11 the ueneral Dlrect¥)ns gfven by the Charfty Commissh)n lurthr S8Cth)n 14515Xbl of the Charities Act), and to slat8 thelher p8￿cU￿r mattars h8ve cuna to my atlenllon. B•il* ol 1ffid•￿nd•A1 ExamlA•r'• R*p￿t My èxanwnaiion wa8 carriad (wjt In accordancè ¥￿th g•n8r81 Dlr8clKJns giv8n by lh• Charlty CornrnlS8￿1). An exaftNnallon fficludès a ol the accounmg rec¢yds kèpi by thè chaniy and a compaThson ol lh8 accounts pr8s8nled wilh Ihose records. 11 also kncludos Con￿d•ra￿On of any unusual it6ms or disclosuros In Ihe accounts. and swking explanaiw)ns from thè IrLLslws concefnlng any such matièrs. Thé proc8dur•s und8fiak8n th* not I￿vId6 all lh• evid0n￿ that would be roquved ￿ an audlc and conseqL*enUy no opin¢￿ is given as to vthether the accounls presenl a and falr. and the report Is lirnrt8d to those mattws sel ￿1 in th8 staternonl bebLYW. Ind•p•nd•nt Examln•rf8 Stat•m•nt In cor418cu.on my axAminat￿. NJ mall•r has c0fi￿ to my attenthjn .' vthlch 9￿8 rn• r•ason•blo (au￿ to bolleve th81 m#ten•l te8pe¢t Iho ￿uirem￿nts. . 10 k•ép &C￿nb"n9 récords in accudanc• ￿1h s8ctitin 130 of thé Charrtlés Act., . ￿ pr8paM acccwjnts ￿1c￿ accord ￿th th8 accountlng I￿0￿8 and comply Wilh acU￿n￿.n9 r￿Ulf•￿￿nls ol th8 Chantl8s Aci ha￿ Th)t b8•n m8t: or 121 to vthich. In my oplnlon, att8ntbJn b8 dra*m Yb ord4r io 8nabl8 a wopar urthrsiandlng of th• •¢¢ounts 10 bo r•athod. ' Pl8ase dthT&l& th8 words In th• lYack&ls rfth8y rt) nolath *9PWWriai8 131 I ha￿ ￿t. oblain8d iThJ8pèrbJ•nt v8rlficatbCffl of all i￿￿51n￿ntS tho Trust••s for ￿th(w￿￿t Chwth Purpos8s I'TMCIYI or hdd kn othw Trusts. Bank balancos and FuThJs at tho Cenlral Flnance Board of tho Melhodlst Church I'CF8'1, ar8 Indivthally in 8xc8ss of £10.000 It8n thotssand pounds) ai th& t1*ar￿a sheol dalo. ' Pl8ase as apwopriat8 Nam Joanna Watson Swwatw• R•l•vant Pr0f￿SbonaI ualiflcation Of bod CIMA Addr8ss Vandyplank House. 9 H￿h SIr￿t. Long Buckby. Northanls. NN6 TRE Dat• 12th Jantsary 2026 Xlls P 1011