2025-08-31-accounts - Boston Methodist Circuit

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 0110912024 period Start dato To 3110812025 period end date Charlty nam•: Boston Methodisl Circuit Charity r•gi8tration number., 1135515 Objectiv8s and Activities SORP rOr¢n¢9 Para 1 17 Summary ofthe purposes of the charity as sel out in its governing document The Circuit is gov8rned by the Melhodisl Church Act 1976. the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. The purposes of the Methodist Church are, and shall be deemed to have been since Ihe dale of union, the advancement of.. a) the Christian faith in accordance wlth the doctrinal standards and the discipline of the Methodist Church, and b) any charitable purpose for th& tim8 being of any Connexional, Oistrict, Circuit, local or other organisation of the Melhodisl Church, and c) any charitable purpose for the time b8ing of any society or inslilulion or subsidiary or ancillary lo the Methodist Church. The Boslon Circuit is a group of local Methodist Churches. Across the UK, Methodist Circuits are grouped into Districts. The British Methodist Connexion, our national body, is made up of all the dislricls of Scotland, Wales and England, along with the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands andshetland Although there is some autonomy, all Methodist organisations in Great Britain are govemed by slalules dètermined by the Methodist Conferen and which are published in the Conslilulion, Practice and Discipline (CPDI of the Melhodisl Church. Summary ofthe main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit. in particular, the activities. project5 or Poro 1.17 llnd Our mission is lo be a visible expression of God's love and we live out in a local context the aspiration5 and principles of the Methodist Church nationally. hll s'.Ilwww.methodisl.or .ukl We committed to the worshi social, and

services identified in the accounts. outreach activities that currently exist, and seek fresh ways to extend them to serve the present age. Slalemenl confirming whelher the trustees have had regard lo the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Por8 1.18 In setting our objectives and planning our activrties, Circuit Trustees meet monthly, giving careful consideralion to the Charrty Commission's general guidance on publi benefit and, in particular, lo its supplementary public benefit guidance on advancing our objectives as sel out above. AddStlonal Informatlon (optSonal) You may choose to include further statements where relevanl about.. SORP reference By way of annual or one-off grants, Boslon Melhodisl Circuit supports churches, and other organisalions, within the Circuit by ontribuling lo the cost of specific projects, especially for mission, sometimes for as long as five years. The Circuit does not gener811y support the normal running costs of any church. 1.38 Policy on grant makSng Before committing to a grant, the Circull believes that il is prudent to ensure Ihal il has sufficiènt résourcos to pay for all inslalm8nts of the granl. NIA P•f• 1.38 Policy on social investment including program r8laled inv8Stmenl Volunteers help the charity to achieve its stated aclivrties through a variety of input. Par• 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers NIA Other

Achievements and Performance SORP refere0 Maintaining the worship, social and outreach activities of all our churches so that they serve the needs of the members in the present age. Summary of the main achievements oflh& charrty, identifying the difference the charity's work has made lo the circumslanc8s of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as 8 whole. Par8 120 Using our churches as hosprtable and welcoming spaces to promote social inclusion with an emphasis on those who a vulnerable in society. The chanty is wèll regarded across Boston and ils surrounding villages and intenlionalty builds relationships and works with social partners for the common good. Addltlonal Infomiatlon (optlonal) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about., The Circuit has.. maintained neighbouring Boslon continued to cTroperale with neighbouring circuits in project8 and mutual support continued ils 5UPPOrt for a wide range of outreach projects including major building redevelopment and generated new opportunities for youth work and community engagement. had regular consullalions for further planning and outreach. links churches with across Achiev6menls again81 objectives sel NIA Performance of fundraising activities against objeclNe5 sel Para 1.41 NIA Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 NIA Other

Financial Review Review cf the charity, financial position at the end of the period Para 121 For the year ended 31. August 2025 the Circuit prepared feceipls and payments accounts. They are not a consolidation of the accounts of churches in the Circuit. The Circuit budget is prepared by first anticipating the expenditure for. the forthcoming year and then delennining how that sum will be raised. About 860/0 oflhe unrestricted income for the year 2024-2025 came from the individual churches within the Circuit. Standing Orders require the Circuit lo pay the District Assessment b8fore any olh8r commitments and then to pay the 51ipends and support costs, including the provision of 8 manse, telephone and travel expenses, for ministers Stationed in the Circuit. The Circurf( also employs a part- time administrator. The cost of these commitments in the yèar lo 31" August 2025 was £127,998. In addition Ih8re were other costs lolalling £45,409. including the costs of selling a former chapel. Reserves not tied up in fixed assets were approximately £177k at the year end. Al no lime during the year was the Circurt insolvent either in terms of ils assets or in terms of its ability to pay ils debts as they became due. All funds are unreslricled with the exception of the Lees Legacy restricted funds of £698, funds held for a third party of £258 and an endowment fund of £4,863. There is also a deficit in reslricted funds held by the Circuit for the Kirton Family Worker of £1,145 which is lo be reimbursed by the church. The income from the Lees Legacy fL4nd is administered by the Lees Legacy Committee which is appointed by the Circuit Meeting and serves as a b8nevolent fund for those in need. Staternent explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 122 The Circuit seeks to use 115 financial resources wisely and to predict future needs for capital expenditure on churches, manses and projects. Capitsl Assets The proceeds of sale of the premises of any Methodist Church or manse within the Circurt is generally credited to the Circuil. There is, however. a substantial levy paid to the Connexion (the Methodist Church in Great Brilainl so not all the proceeds are ceived b the Circuit. Durin the ear one

former chapel was sold. The Circurt has two manses. Exlstlng Commltmgnts The Circuit has not committed lo any grants out of it5 ReseNes. Annual Costs The Circuit believes that it should ensure that it has reserves sufficient lo cover the stipends of ils Presbyters for the full ensuing year but not to meet any redundancy pay should this be payable. Al 31 August 2025, this sum is estimated al £47,500. A part time Circuit Administrator 15 employed by th& circuit, with an associated annual cost of £19,500. Olher costs of the Circuit 8re estimated * £40,000 for a full year. The C1Ul1 deems it prudent to hold sufficient lo cover these costs for six months, i.e £20,000. The lolal of these projected costs is £87.000. Current reserves are able lo meet this expenditure. Amount of reserves held Pir• 1.2 Approx £177,000 Reasons for holding zero reserves Oetails of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a golng concern Par& 1.22 NIA P*f8 1.24 NIA Par• 1.23 NIA Additlonal Infomatlon (optlonall You ma choose lo include further stalèmenls where relevant about.. The principle source of funds is what the charrty asks of its churches, each of which pays a number of shares, Gurrenlty £250 each lo meet annual expenditurè. The charity's principal sources of fund5 (including any fundraising) P•rB 147 It 18 8XP8Cted that this income will cover expenditure for the currenl and next year. NIA Investment policy and objectives including any social investment pollcy adopted Parn 1.46 Through ils Trustees, risks faced by the Circuit have been considered. Where appropriate, risks have been covered by insurance. Securit and safe of our A description of the principal risks facin the chari P8r8 1.46

churches is largely for individual churches to delemiine 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 havè considered thè resilience of churches and the risk that they will not meet their assessments. The Circuit operates within a statutory framework of regulation and seeks lo ensure that it follows Methodist glanding orders. 11 relies on the Connexional Office to provide guidance on changes that could affect the NIA Other

Structure, GovernanGe and Management Description of chaTty's IfUSts'. Type of goveming document {Irusl deed, royal charter) NIA Pari 125 The Melhodisl Church Acl 1976. the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church How is the charity constituted? {e.g unincorporaled association, CIO) Pgra 125 Circuits are the c4>ordinating charities for l¢)Gal groups of churches governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976, the Deed of Union and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. Truslee selection methods including delails of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to posl or name of any person or body entitled lo appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 Church Councils safely recruit Trustees, according to Methodist Church recruitment policies. to sèThe on the Circuit Meeting. Addltlonal Inforniatlon loptlonal) You may choose to include further 8lalem8nt8 whére relevant about.. A range of guidance 18 provided by Ihe Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit and training opportunities ar8 off&red at Circuit and District levels eg Safeguarding, GDPR, EDI. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of Iruslees P•r• 1.51 11 Overall control r88ts with th& Melhodisl Conference. 21 The Connexional offi implements decisions made by Conference and is also responsible for the stationing of Presbyters in individual Circuits. 31 Connexional decisions are passed to the Chair of the Dislricl and the appropriate Officers of the District for regional implementation. 4) The Districts communicate to c1ul1$ for local implernentation by the Superintendent Presbyter, Presbyteral Staff and CirGuil Stewards who are the Circuit's Managing Trustees. Policy decisions a taken at the Circurt Meeting. 5) The Circuit Meeting communicates to Church Counci15 for local Church implemenlalion by the Presbyter, the Church Stewards and other officers. Authority is delegated to Church Councils acting as Managing Trustees. 6) The Melhodisl Connexional year runs from 1 September lo 31 August. The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Pwri 1.51

Charlty Reglstratlon The Boslon Methodist Circuit was registered as a charity (registration number 11355151 in April 2010. The trustees eonfimi 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. NIA Relationship with any relaled partl85 Para 1.51 The Circuit and each individual church have adopted and abide by all Connexional and District saleguafding policies in relation to children and adults who may be vulnerable. These include policies regarding Safer Recruilmenl, Risk Assessments and Responding Well, when there are concerns. Trained Safeguarding Offir$ ensurè compliance, deliver training, and champicn safèguarding in all the circuit and its churches. W& 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 lo church and circuit officers évery four years. including advanced training for Presbylers, lay prea¢hers and others in a leadefship role. Notè on Safeguarding

Roference and Administrativ8 dètsils Chari name Other name the cha uses Registered charity number Charity's pnncipal address Boston Circuit 17122 1135515 Centenary Methodist Church Red Lion Street Boston PE216NY

Namos of tho charity trustees who manage the charity Nam• of r80 (or body) entlued to appolnt trust8e111 Trustse name offi {If any) Dat•s act•d Ff not for whole year Rev. Dr Val Ogden Rev. Julie Doddrell Superintendent Supemumerary Pr8sbyt8r R8v. Marie Greenwood Supemumerary Presbyt8r Miss H Darley Local Church Pastor Mrs S Lymer Local Church Pastor Mrs Cock Manse Steward Mrs D Bamden Circuit Steward Mr S Birkett Circuit Steward Mrs J Burgess Mrs A Burrell Circuit steward Circuit Steward 10 To 2410612025 MrG Carter Circuit Steward 12 Mr R Champion Mr J Cooper Mrs J Criddle Circuit Steward Circuit steward Circuit Steward To 2510312025 13 14 15 Mr P Crlddl8 Circuit steward 16 Mrs A Forinton Circuit steward 17 Mr J Hewitt Circult Steward 18 Mrs J Jessop Clrcuit Steward 19 Mr M J95SOP Circuit Steward 20 Mrs J Kent Circuil Steward 21 Mr D Laing Mr S Maddy Mrs C Meeds Mrs R Peacock Circuit steward Circuit Steward Circuit Steward Circuit steward Circuit steward 22 23 24 To 2410612025 To 1711012024 25 Mr G Sharp

26 Mr B Stock Circuit Steward From 2710512025 27 Mr M Teasdale Mrs L Thom Circuit steward Circuit Steward 28 29 Mr J Wright Circuit Steward From 2710512025 orate trustees- names of the directors at the date the re Dir•¢tor n•m• ortwasa roved NIA Name of trustees holding title to propety belonglng to the charity Tru•t•• nam• D•t•• xtod ie not lor whol• ar NIA

Funds hald as custodian trustees on behalf of others DescriptK)n of the assets NIA held in this capacity Name arnl objects of the charty on whose behalfthe assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects NIA Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets NIA AddStlonal Informatlon {optlonal) Names and addre•8e8 of advlsern IOpt5onal Inforniatlonl Type of Name Addrexs advljer Name of chlef executlve or name• of 80nlor staff mernbern {Optlonal Inforniatlon) Exemption8 from disclosure Reason for non-d1108Ure of k ersonnel details Other o tional information

Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charity's es 81gnature(s) Full narne(sl Posltlon leg Secretary* Chalr. otc) £ArtND Date CJS

CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Boston Clreuil FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 Llncolnshire Dlstrict Clrcult no 17122 R&gistor•d Charity- Charlty Reglstratlon numbèr 1135515 If nol a registered charity HIS M•J•sty'¥ R•vgnu6 and Customs Glft Ald number (The HMRC number18 equlvalenl lo a registered ¢harlty numb&r in temi8 of evidence of charitable 51alus and may be used lo give lo donor8 or oranl funders wishing lo see evidence of the or9anisalion's charllabl6 slalus. Melhodisl charities In England and Wales that ar& not iegl$lefed charities are excepted from regislrallon under S18tulory Instrument 2014 No.2421 Mlnister8'. Rev Dr Vo1,OA(jen Circuit Stewards.. J Criddle, J Kenl, D Barnden. P Criddle J Coop.er: A Forinton: M Teasdale S Ly.mer. L Thorn: G Carter, 8 Stock S Birkel! G Sharp.: J BurAess: S Cock: S Mad.*..-....-.---......-..---.......-.......-.,............ Tteasurer: P Criddle Bos Ciicuil SFOA 31 Auou812025 DRAFTv1.0 1of5

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 Auyust 2026 Boston Ir¢ull Ir¢ult rostrlctod Modol Trust RtrICIa Fund TDtaLs thls TotolB l••t year SECTION A RECEIPTS Nol• a2 Asses$m&nVSh&re 94.750 94,760 91.284 96.187 a3 Ca Ital recei Bank and CFB iiileresl and Inve81m8ni Incorne 81.284 fj68 7,217 7,885 11.466 a5 Gran15 Dlher rerTr.ipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 14,974 198.893 81 810 87 110,392 18,502 169.463 SEQTION e b1 b2 PAYMEf4T8 Slipends. $alafle&. NIC, PenBion and 94,569 6.707 79.168 b3 MaDse Cosi8 5.707 9.817 b4 Admin151falioD tric 4.779 455 5.253 8.400 b5 DislriEI AÉsegsmenl 26.000 28.000 33.120 b6 b7 Gianls & donali?n6 P8nsion Re8eive Paynienl Fund 1,000 30.000 31,000 1.000 127,nOO 132,949 237,464 b8 Dlher p4ymenls roTAL PAYMENTS 10.899 10,899 173,407 b9 115.B42 JO.455 27.111 Ib9 BECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR rHE YeAR cl a7-b9 5.4SO 58.047 27,111 26,486 67.991 ToiAI funds broLJ hi lorwaid from last 139872 149.362 c6 217,353 SLib total c1+¢2 17,821 197.919 5,450 174,84 149,362 c4 rran$l&is and ad uslmen13 21.306 24.494 c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR l¢J+c41 3.686 173.426 11,1451 176.966 149.362 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS th980 amounts ohould not lll¢lud•d tot41 r•¢•l tslpaym•n¢s abo) alA Tce broLI lil fofvlard Iiom Issi 258 25 d2 Feceived for 8xleinal or d3 OlleTing¥lGi11g- P9&52d lo exiernal or9on153lions BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID c11+d2.d3 d4 258 J$ton clVil5F0J1 Au¢usl202J DRAFT vl O

No 17122. 8oJton 9fCTIONE SiirlliTldry of I1 Ciicuil arur}IS lui IIIQ VLiar Qilded Jl AugUS12Q29 Inieinai 0[9aU$ ryilKw Ciicuil Meolln9 NOlal thefunds01 n Inlemhi OigbiiiYy1iO LiId norn11¥bp. Re3111ed lunds uDlei¥ 11 cou bE cletsdy shLwi thst Ihoy could bfyu5Ed forany m811$t puwe. seeiiQll niusi complelÈd 10 11 Iiivè al tn8 grDS5 receipis ond pBymenis loials ol Ihe Clicuil 11 InrMe Èxceed5 IhèAccwais IhTe5hdd nt £25n.000 ihen IhoACCluais fjioihod DI 3tt0unungAf40 A DIFFERENT FORPA be lu ie.POII Ihe acEount5 IsÈe Methcls1 b511Q) piÈase fofer lo Ilio 9lnce lliAes regatdiny 113nslp.rs the Gircuil and coniiecleu Lircuil OiuaniEali(NlS INTERNAL ORGANI119NY NLII Recwpl$l Adjustnwnl Optnin cwnll bae5 IIIEfflII btOUOhl trom p44• 2-10lal crlumnl b9 c7 148.362 17S 96S HELD 8Y CIRCUIT 198,593 liJ.40r 149 J62 175 905 IOTAL REGEIPTÉ TOIL PAYMENTS ECTION F OPENINQ ALAt4CES ¢LCS$INg ALAJ4CEg ¢Rcutr.tASHUNM MELDthi 31 Au und5 ho C•th 1 hd Accoiinl 1.249 tAccDunl 651 Ctrrtirth PiifpoB• 1JY.872 173,1120 Oth•1 lundi 2.fs94 898 8UB TQTAL 1dg.362 175.865 oAin¥ bok¢v lOtU ob¢¥tl l(121 TOTl4L CASH FUND5 HELD 8Y CIRCUIT 149,J62 17598$ 8ZCTION O OTFIER A58E76 and LIABILITIE8 Mtos Te In%ir4iiGq vakje 370 994 OlhqrAivJl OWArnULinl uu15tsDdi r4 hq¥ Bl cEn1F1WK0 ts Irycludèty CFB Fundl hebj Trus9>10( 1&1¥l¢burcPl34eS WFT w1 JqtS

Name of Clrcult........ .8o$ton..,.....,........ No...17r22.. Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that the8e Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 Augusl 2025 hav• been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they Sndude all funds under the control of the Clrcuit meeilna. Slgnature oftrea8urnr................... Date......05112r2025 Name arKI addre88 of treasurer .. .Pets Crlddle. 3 Sprfnghurnt Road. Shlpley............ . Post Code...BD18 3DN.,. Pr•••nlatlon lo th• Clr¢ult m••tlng l Conflm that the amual r•port and accounts for the ye r ended 31 Augu8t 2025 ware111 pre$entsd to the CirGult meetlng held on .. Signatt4re of the Chalr of11)e meeln io( Name of tt)• Chalr of th• m••tlng Ind•pondent Examlnoes Report to tho Trust•e• of th• . Clrcult 113SS1 Charfty Numb•r............. RMpon•lblllllM and bA•l• ol r•port I report to Iru8t888 on my exarninatlon of the a¢couni8 of Ihe ...... Clrcuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on page8 ... to As the Circult's tru8tee8, YOU are rnsponslblo for the preparation of the accounts in accordance vlth the requlrements of the Charitses Act 2011 {'the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of Ihe Circult's accounts carrfed out undor sactlon 145 of the Act and. In CayIng out my examinab'on. I hava followed all Ihe appllcable Dliectlons glven by th6 Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ' delete or e4rde 88 approprfate Both ar18F4ll *wt2(Q6DRAFfv1 4018

Name ofCircuit............Boston....................... No...17r22.. Indopgndont examlnor's 8tat•m•nt I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirm that no materfal matters have come to my attention In connection wlth the ex8minatlon ( ) whlch give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accountlng records were not kept In accordance wlth section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord wlth the accountlng records. I have no concem8 and have come across no other matters in connectlon wtth the examination to vthlch attentlon should be drawn In th18 report in order to enabl• a proper urKl6rstanding of Iho ac¢ounts to be rnach8d. I havelhave nor obtslned IrKlependent verlfication of all Investrnents wlth the Trustaes Method18t Church Purpo88s or held In other trusts, bank balance8 and fund8 at the Central Flnance Board of the MettK)dist Church vthlch are Indlvldually In excess of £10,000 {ten thou8and pound8) at the balance shaet data. Slgnature of Indepandent examlner Name ol Ind•p•ndant •xarrilMr R•l•vant prof•Mional qualthcatlon of Independent examlner A£"thl CCfA4 Name of flm (vther8 approprfate) ...... ¢.! 3SJ delete or clrcle 98 apwopdats