2023-08-31-accounts

services	identified	identified	identified	in the	in the		social, and outreach activities that	social, and outreach activities that	currently
accounts.							exist, and seek fresh ways to extend them
							to serve the present age.
Statement			confirming			Para 1.18	In setting our	objectives and planning our
whether	the trustees				have		activities, Circuit Trustees meet		monthly,
had regard			to the	guidance			giving careful	consideration to the	Charity
issued by		the Charity					Commission's	general guidance on public
Cornrnission			on public				benefit and,	in particular,	to its
benefit							supplementary	public benefit guidance on
							advancing our	objectives as set out	above.
Additional		information			(optional)
You ma	choose to			include		further statements	where relevant	about:
						SORP reference
							By way of annual or one-off grants,		Boston
						Para 1.38	Methodist Circuit supports churches, and
Policy on		grant making					other organisations, within the Circuit by
							contributing to the cost of specific		projects,
							especially for	mission, sometimes	for as
							long as five	years. The Circuit does not
							generally support the normal running costs
							ofany church.
							Before committing to a grant, the Circuit
							believes that	it is prudent to ensure that it
							has sufficient	resources to pay	for all
							instalments of	the grant.
							N/A
						Para 1.38
Policy on		social investment
including		program		related
investment
							Volunteers help the charity to achieve its
						Para 1.38	stated activities through a variety of input.
Contribution			made	by
volunteers
							N/A
Other

Achieve	men	ts	and Per	formance
				SORP reference
					Maintaining the worship, social and
					outreach activities	of all our	churches so
					that they serve the	needs ofthe members
Summary ofthe main achievements ofthe charity,				Para 1.20	fn the present age.
identifying	the	difference the			Using our churches	as hospitable and
charity's	work	has made to			welcoming spaces	to promote social
the circumstances			of its		inclusion with an emphasis		on those who
beneficiaries and			any wider		are vulnerable in society.
benefits to society as a
whole.					The charity is well	regarded	across Boston
					and its surrounding	villages	and
					intentionally builds	relationships and works
					with social partners	for the	common good.

Additional		information	information	(optional)	(optional)
You ma	choose to include further statements					where	relevant about
						The	Circuit has:
							maintained			its		links			with
Achievements			against		Para 1.41		neighbouring			churches				across
objectives		set					Boston
							has completed			the refurbishment					of
							the chapel		in Kirton
							continues		to		co-operate				with
							neighbouring		circuits			in	outreach
							projects	including			Heckington			Show
							continued		its	support		for		a	wide
							range of	outreach			projects
							has held	3 Circuit			consultations				for
							mission	planning		purposes
						N/A
Performance offundraising activities against objectives					Para 1.41
set
						N/A
Investment		performance			Para 1.41
against objectives
						N/A
Other

Financial Review	Financial Review	Financial Review	Financial Review
Review ofthe charity's				Para 1.21	For the year ended 31"August 2023 the
financial position ofthe period		at	the end		Circuit prepared receipts and payments accounts. They are not a consolidation of
					the accounts ofchurches in the Circuit.
					The Circuit budget is prepared by first
					anticipating the expenditure for the
					forthcoming year and then determining how
					that sum will be raised.
					About 92% ofthe income for the year 2022-
					2023 came from the individual churches
					within the Circuit.
					Standing Orders require the Circuit to pay
					the District Assessment before any other
					commitments and then to pay the stipends
					and support costs, including the provision
					ofa manse, telephone and travel
					expenses, for ministers stationed in the
					Circuit. The Circuit also employs a part-
					tirne administrator. The cost ofthese
					commitments in the year to31"August
					2023 was 6138,135. In addition there were
					other costs totalling E5,862.
					The Circuit is committed to purchasing a
					manse at a cost off135,000, which will
					leave less than 250,000 in Reserves. It will
					therefore be necessary for the Circuit to
					consider means whereby it can raise funds
					from Churches to retain sufficient funds in
					hand to meet its commitments.
					Reserves not tied up in fixed assets were
					approximately f217k at the year end but f135khas been designated forthe purchase
					of a second manse. At no time during the
					year was the Circuit insolvent either in terms
					of its assets or in terms of its ability to pay its
					debts as they became due. All funds are
					unrestricted with the exception of the Lees
					Legacy restricted funds of E1,011 and
					endowment fund of E4,867, plus funds held
					by the Circuit for the Kirton Family Worker.
					The income from the Lees Legacy fund is
					administered by the Lees Legacy
					Committee which is appointed by the Circuit
					Meeting and serves as a benevolent fund for
					those in need.
Statement	explaining		the	Para 1.22	The Circuit seeks to use its financial
policy for	holding	reserves			resources wisely and to predict future needs
stating why they		are	held		for capital expenditure on churches, manses
					and projects.

				Capital Assets
				The proceeds ofsale ofthe premises ofany
				Methodist Church or manse within the
				Circuit is generally credited to the Circuit.
				There is, however, a substantial levy paid to
				the Connexion (the Methodist Church in
				Great Britain) so not all the proceeds are
				received by the Circuit. During the year none
				have been sold. The Circuit has one manse
				but it will be seeking to purchase another
				one in the near future.
				Existing Commitments
				The Circuit has committed the following
				grants out of its Reserves:
				~ RoadHog Youth Mission: E1,000 as
				a one off grant payable in May 2024.
				Annual Costs
				The Circuit believes that it should ensure
				that it has reserves sufficient to cover the
				stipends of its Presbyters for the full ensuing
				year but not to meet any redundancy pay
				should this be payable. At 31 August 2023,
				this sum is estimated at 242,000.A part time
				Circuit Administrator is employed by the
				circuit, with an associated annual cost of
				F15,000.
				Other costs of the Circuit are estimated at
				F47,000 for a full year. The Circuit deems it
				prudent to hold sufficient to cover these
				costs for six months, i.e.F24,000. The total
				of these projected costs is f81,000. After
				deducting the commitment to purchase the
				manse which is currently being rented,
				current reserves are able to meet this
				expenditure.
				The Circuit recognises its responsibility to
				provide adequate accommodation for its
				staff. A decision was made to rent a property
				in the town to house a Presbyter from 1
				September 2018.To assist in cash flow the
				decision was taken to buy a property to
				house the Presbyter and this will be
				achieved with the purchase of a suitable
				property, but for a variety of reasons the
				completion of the purchase has been
				delayed. It is hoped it will be achieved during the year ended 31"August 2024.
Amount of reserves	held		Para 1.22	Approx 680,000
Reasons for holding	zero		Para 1.22	N/A
reserves
Details of fund materially		in	Para 1.24	N/A
deficit

Explanation	Explanation		ofany	ofany				Para 1.23	N/A
uncertainties			about the
charity continuing					as a	going
concern
Additional		information				(opttonal)
You ma	choose to				include		further statements		where relevant about
									The principle source of funds is what the
									charity asks of its churches, each of which
The charity's principal sources offunds (including								Para 1.47	pays a number of shares, currently f250 each to meet annual expenditure.
any fundraising)
									Offers for the last year were insufficient to
									meet the whole of the expenditure incurred
									by the Circuit and Reserves were reduced
									as a result. We anticipate that in the budget
									for 2023/2024 offers will cover expenditure.
									N/A
Investment objectives		policy and including any						Para 1.46
social investment				policy
adopted
									Through its Trustees, disks faced by the
									Circuit have been considered. Where
A description risks facing			ofthe principal the charity					Para 1.46	appropriate, risks have been covered by insurance. Security and safety of our
									churches is largely for individual churches to
									determine and to mitigate following advice
									from Trustees.
									All churches and manses are the subject of
									quinquennial building inspections and the
									reports on each are reviewed by the Circuit
									as well as the local Trustees. Action is taken
									to reduce the risks of injury to all who have
									a legitimate purpose on those premises.
									We have considered the resilience of
									churches and the risk that they will not meet
									their assessments.
									The Circuit operates within a statutory
									framework ofregulation and seeks toensure
									that it follows Methodist standing orders. It
									relies on the Connexional Office to provide
									guidance on changes that could affect the
									Circuit.
									N/A
Other

Structure,	Structure,		Governa	Governa	nce	and Manag	ement
Description			of charity's				N/A
trusts:
Type of governing document						Para125	The Methodist Church Act 1976,the Deed
(trust deed,			royal charter)				of Union and the Model Trust Deeds ofthe
							Methodist Church
How is the		charity				Para 1.25	Circuits are the co-ordinating charities for
constituted?							local groups of churches governed by the
(e.g unincorporated association, CIO)							Methodist Church Act 1976,the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds ofthe
							Methodist Church.
Trustee	selection methods					Para 1.25	Church Councils safely recruit Trustees,
including	details of any						according to Methodist Church recruitment
constitutional				provisions	e.g,		policies, to serve on the Circuit Meeting,
election	to	post or name			of
any person			or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees
Additional		information			(optional)
You ma	choose to include further statements						where relevant about
							A range of guidance is provided by the
							Methodist Connexion to support the
Policies adopted	and for		procedures the induction			Para 1.51	effective running ofthe Circuit and training opportunities are offered at Circuit and
and training				oftrustees			District levels eg Safeguarding, GDPR, EDI.
							1) Overall control rests with the Methodist
							Conference.
The charity's organisational structure and any wider						Para 1.51	2) The Connexional Office implements decisions made by Conference and is
network	with			which the			also responsible for the stationing of
charity works							Presbyters in individual Circuits.
							3) Connexional decisions are passed to the
							Chair of the District and the appropriate
							Officers of the District for regional
							implementation.
							4) The Districts communicate to Circuits for
							local implementation by the
							Superintendent Presbyter, Presbyteral
							Staff and Circuit Stewards who are the
							Circuit's Managing Trustees. Policy
							decisions are taken at the Circuit
							Meeting.
							5) The Circuit Meeting communicates to
							Church Councils for local Church
							implementation by the Presbyter, the
							Church Stewards and other officers.
							Authority is delegated to Church
							Councils acting as Managing Trustees.
							6) The Methodist Connexional year runs
							from 1 September to 31 August.

			Charity Registration
			The Boston Methodist Circuit was registered
			as a charity (registration number 1135515)
			in April 2010.
			The trustees confirm that they have
			complied with the duty under the Charities
			Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity
			Commission's general guidance on public
			benefit.
			N/A
Relationship	with any	Para 1.51
related parties
			The Circuit and each individual church have
Note on Safeguarding			adopted and abide by all Connexional and
			District safeguarding policies in relation to
			children and adults who may be vulnerable.
			These include policies regarding Safer
			Recruitment, Risk Assessments and
			Responding Well, when there are concerns.
			Trained Safeguarding Officers ensure
			compliance, deliver training, and champion
			safeguarding in all the circuit and its
			churches. We follow Connexional guidelines
			on obtaining DBS checks where these are
			necessary, and ensure they are renewed
			every five years. In line with Connexional
			policy, Safeguarding training at an
			appropriate level is delivered to church and
			circuit officers every four years, including
			advanced training for Presbyters, lay
			preachers and others in a leadership role.

Charit	name			Boston Circuit	Boston Circuit	17/22
Other name the charit			uses
Re istered charit		number		1135515
Charity's	principal	address		Centenary	Methodist		Church
				Red Lion Street
				Boston
				PE21 6NY

me	s ofthe charity trustees	who manage the	charity
	Trustee name	Office (ifany)			Dates acted ifnot for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if
						an
	Rev. Dr Val Ogden	Co-Superintendent/Presbyter		(to
		31/07/2023)
		Superintendent	from 01/08/2023
	Rev. Ann Lett	Co-Superintendent/Presbyter			01/09/2022 to
					31/07/2023
	Rev. Julie Doddrell	Supernumerary	Presbyter
	Rev. Marie Greenwood	Supernumerary	Presbyter
	Rev. Maurice Perry	Supernumerary	Presbyter
	Miss J Boatwright	Senior Steward			01/09/2022 to
					30/05/2023
	Miss H Darley	Local Church Pastor
	Mrs S Lymer	Local Church Pastor
	Ms G Cooper	Circuit Meeting	Secretary		01/09/2022 to
					31/08/2023
	Mr SCock	Manse Steward
	Mrs D Barnden	Circuit Steward
	Mr S Birkett	Circuit Steward
3	Miss J Boatwright	Senior Steward			01/09/2022 to 30/05/2023
14	Mrs J Burgess	Circuit Steward			From 30/05/2023
	Mrs A Burrell	Circuit Steward
	Mr G Carter	Circuit Steward
	Mr J Cooper	Circuit Steward			From
					30/05/2023
	Mrs J Griddle	Circuit Steward
	Mr P Griddle	Circuit Steward
	Mrs J Dixon	Circuit Steward			01/09/2022 to
					30/05/2023
	Mrs Y Dow	Circuit Steward			01/09/2022 to
					31/08/2023

	Mrs A Forinton	Circuit Steward
23	Mrs E Garnham	Circuit Steward	01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023
24	Mr R Haresign	Circuit Steward	01/09/2022 to 30/05/2023
	Mr J Hewitt	Circuit Steward
	Mrs "Jessop	Circuit Steward
	Mr M Jessop	Circuit Steward
	Mrs J Kent	Circuit Steward	From
			30/05/2023
2g	o ang	Circuit Steward	From 30/05/2023
30	Mrs C Lidgett	Circuit Steward —Finance	01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023
31	Mr G Lilley	Circuit Steward	From 30/05/2023
32	Mr S Maddy	Circuit Steward	From 30/05/2023
33	Mrs C Meeds	Circuit Steward	From 30/05/2023
34	Mrs R Peacock	Circuit Steward	From 30/05/2023
	Mr G Sharp	Circuit Steward
	Mrs LThorn	Circuit Steward

Cor orate trustees —names ofthe directors at the date the re ort was a	roved
Director name
N/A

Trustee	name	Dates	acted	ifnot	for	whole	ear
N/A

Funds held as custodian	Funds held as custodian	trustees	on behalf ofothers
Description ofthe assets		N/A
held in this capacity
Name and objects ofthe		N/A
charity on whose behalf	the
assets are held and how	this
falls within the custodian
charity's objects
Details of arrangements	for	N/A
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity's own
assets

Names an	d addresses ofadv	isers (Optional information)
Type of	Name	Address
adviser
Name of	chief executive or names ofsenior staff members		(Optional	information)