TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2024 TO 31 AUGUST 2025
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY NAME: LOWESTOFT AND EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1135624
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS: 27 MEADOW GARDENS, BECCLES, SUFFOLK, NR34 9PA TRUSTEES: THE NAMES OF THE MANAGING TRUSTEES ARE LISTED ON THE CHARITY COMMISSION WEBSITE OR ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CIRCUIT TREASURER
AIMS AND ORGANISATION
THE MAIN AIMS OF THE CIRCUIT POLICY ARE:
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TO COMMISSION AND CHALLENGE OUR CHURCHES TO GROW IN FAITH AND UNDERSTANDING OF GOD AND HIS PURPOSE AND TO MAKE NEW DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
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TO EXCEL IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, AWARENESS AND OUTREACH, AND TO SEE GROWTH ROOTED IN LOCAL CONGREGATIONS.
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TO CELEBRATE AND DEVELOP ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS.
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TO ENABLE EVERYONE, STAFF AND MEMBERS ALIKE, TO REALISE, USE AND STRETCH THEIR GOD-GIVEN GRACES AND SKILLS; AND IN PARTICULAR TO DEVELOP A TEAM APPROACH THAT WILL LIBERATE THE MINISTRY TO EXERCISE THEIR GIFTS ACROSS THE CIRCUIT, EVEN THOUGH THEY WILL RETAIN PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SPECIFIC CHURCHES.
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TO DRAW OUR CHURCHES CLOSER TOGETHER AS A CIRCUIT FAMILY, SO THAT WE CAN GIVE TRUE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO EACH OTHER.
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THE CIRCUIT LEADERSHIP TEAM, MEETING REGULARLY EXISTS TO ADVISE THE CIRCUIT MEETING ON MATTERS OF POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO SEE THAT THE DECISIONS OF THE CIRCUIT MEETING ARE IMPLEMENTED.
THE CIRCUIT NOW HAS SEVEN CHURCHES, AND TWO ADDITIONAL CHURCH PREMISES AND IS SERVED BY ONE FULL-TIME MINISTER.SUPPLEMENTED BY ACTIVE SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS AND LAY PREACHERS. THE CIRCUIT ALSO EMPLOYS A LAY WORKER ADMINISTRATOR.
THE CIRCUIT PRODUCES A QUARTERLY PREACHING PLAN TO ENSURE REGULAR ACTS OF WORSHIP TAKE PLACE AT EACH OF THE METHODIST/LEP CHURCHES. THEY ARE OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE WITHOUT CHARGE.
REVIEW OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
DISCUSSIONS HAVE CONTINUED ACROSS THE CIRCUIT TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHURCHES ARE NOT UNNECESSARILY BURDENED FINANCIALLY WHILE THE CIRCUIT CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARDS ESTABLISHING A BALANCED BUDGET. THE SUPERINTENDENT MINISTER CONTINUES TO EXPLORE FURTHER MISSION POSSIBILITIES AT ONE OF THE ADDITIONAL PREMISES, WORKING TOWARDS ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
CHURCH FINANCES STILL HAVE NOT RECOVERED POST-COVID, SO EFFORTS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE MADE TO PROMOTE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE CIRCUIT, SUPPORTED BY FUNDS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF PROPERTIES IN RECENT YEARS, 50% OF WHICH HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THIS PURPOSE. HOWEVER, WITH AGEING CONGREGATIONS THIS IS A CHALLENGE.
16/4/2026.
| LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL ACCOUNT | ||||||
| YEARS ENDING 31 AUGUST | ||||||
| ACTUAL | BUDGET | ACTUAL | BUDGET | ACTUAL | BUDGET | |
| year to | year to | year to | year to | year to | year to | |
| year to 31/08/2025 |
year to 31/08/2025 |
year to 31/08/24 |
year to 31/08/24 |
year to 31/08/23 |
year to 31/08/23 |
|
| Stipends | 34,210.00 | 33,505.00 | 59,133.51 | 60,565.00 | 57,270.40 | 56,341.00 |
| National Insurance | 4,255.34 | 3,673.00 | 6,021.83 | 6,376.00 | 5,763.53 | 5,740.00 |
| Pension Contributions | 6,220.00 | 9,013.00 | 14,838.56 | 16,292.00 | 14,582.04 | 16,621.00 |
| Additional staff | 0.00 | 25,000.00 | ||||
| TOTAL STIPEND COST | 44,685.34 | 71,191.00 | 79,993.90 | 83,233.00 | 77,615.97 | 78,702.00 |
| Ministers' Travel | 2,660.00 | 2,660.00 | 4,200.00 | 4,200.00 | 3,600.00 | 3,600.00 |
| Net Cost of LayEmployee | 5,621.12 | 6,000.00 | 5,729.12 | 6,200.00 | 5,210.88 | 6,000.00 |
| Relocation expenses | 720.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 423.17 | 2,500.00 |
| TOTAL STAFF COST | 53,686.46 | 79,851.00 | 89,923.02 | 93,633.00 | 86,850.02 | 90,802.00 |
| District Assessment | 25,827.00 | 25,827.00 | 27,338.00 | 27,338.00 | 29,396.00 | 29,396.00 |
| Supernumeries' PreachingFees | 4,686.30 | 5,000.00 | 4,147.05 | 4,000.00 | 3,981.95 | 3,800.00 |
| Local Preachers' Travel | 113.85 | 300.00 | 437.94 | 250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 |
| Circuit Stewards' Expenses | 0.00 | 200.00 | 0.00 | 200.00 | 0.00 | 200.00 |
| Telephone and Computing | 917.55 | 2,300.00 | 1,996.28 | 1,900.00 | 1,734.53 | 1,850.00 |
| Postages & Stationery | 3,453.54 | 1,750.00 | 1,639.85 | 1,750.00 | 1,435.22 | 1,750.00 |
| Quinquennial Inspections | 960.00 | 750.00 | 3,540.00 | 750.00 | 2,340.00 | 4,400.00 |
| Net Cost of Manses(See Below) | 22,294.47 | 17,181.00 | 9,817.92 | 12,331.00 | 12,608.48 | 13,931.00 |
| Loans & Grants to Churches | 5,799.50 | 15,000.00 | 312.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Mission | 26,880.94 | 80,000.00 | 18,874.81 | 400.00 | 2,079.28 | 400.00 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 4,412.71 | 1,000.00 | 3,218.71 | 1,000.00 | 664.15 | 1,000.00 |
| Connexional Funds | 150.00 | 1,500.00 | 150.00 | 1,500.00 | 150.00 | 2,000.00 |
| LPs Fund costs | 85.50 | 250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 148.50 | 250.00 |
| Invitations costs | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Carlton | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Corton Rdplanning | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Southwold(runningcosts) | 13,011.71 | 12,000.00 | 0.00 | 11,584.08 | 5,000.00 | |
| Southwold mission/Foodbank | 22,986.66 | 30,000.00 | 0.00 | 656.70 | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL COST | 185,266.19 | 272,909.00 | 161,395.58 | 145,302.00 | 153,628.91 | 155,029.00 |
| CFB and Bank Interest | -1,707.45 | -1,400.00 | -2,053.85 | -300.00 | -1,624.60 | -150.00 |
| CMTF Loans andgrants | -5,799.50 | -15,000.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Repaid loans to churches | -1,291.76 | -1,000.00 | -1,000.00 | -780.76 | 0.00 | |
| Donations and Miscellaneous | -390.00 | 0.00 | -345.00 | -757.18 | 0.00 | |
| Connexional Funds | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -1,500.00 | -150.00 | -2,000.00 |
| Licence/Rent of Southwold/misc | -9,622.90 | -12,000.00 | -13,758.34 | 0.00 | ||
| Southwold MTF mission trans | -16,527.80 | -15,000.00 | -656.70 | 0.00 | ||
| Districtgrant Southwold | -1,175.00 | -3,000.00 | 0.00 | -650.00 | -3,140.00 | |
| Transfer of funds Lps/Mission CFB | -85.50 | -250.00 | ||||
| Misc Southwold /F/Bank Mission | -494.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -1,708.72 | -650.00 | |
| CMTF Manse exp | -16,107.66 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| CMTF Withdrawal Mission | -21,105.91 | -80,000.00 | -18,822.86 | 0.00 | -519.06 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL NET COST | 110,808.21 | 145,109.00 | 139,023.87 | 142,852.00 | 130,533.55 | 152,229.00 |
| Total Assessments | 115,254.54 | 122,462.00 | 119,623.34 | 122,462.00 | 116,925.62 | 114,451.00 |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) | 4,446.33 | -22,647.00 | -19,400.53 | -20,390.00 | -13,607.93 | -37,778.00 |
| CMTF Withdrawal | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 0.00 | 20,000.00 | 30,000.00 | 45,000.00 |
| BALANCE B/F 1 SEPT | 71,257.86 | 71,257.86 | 90,658.39 | 90,658.39 | 74,266.32 | 74,266.32 |
| BALANCE C/F 31 AUG | 80,704.19 | 58,610.86 | 71,257.86 | 90,268.39 | 90,658.39 | 81,488.32 |
| ~~-----------------------------------------------------~~ | ||||||
| MANSES ACCOUNT | ||||||
| Repairs & Renewals : | ||||||
| Ashburnham Way, Lowestoft | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 885.44 | 500.00 |
| Corton Road, Lowestoft | 1,161.72 | 5,000.00 | 338.55 | 2,500.00 | 2,668.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Beccles | 16,510.42 | 5,000.00 | 1,787.00 | 2,500.00 | 2,490.20 | 3,500.00 |
| 17,672.14 | 10,000.00 | 2,125.55 | 5,000.00 | 6,043.64 | 6,500.00 | |
| Council Tax | 2,182.99 | 4,400.00 | 4,163.20 | 3,850.00 | 4,933.67 | 3,500.00 |
| Quinquennial Inspections | 0.00 | 0.00 | 420.00 | 700.00 | 0.00 | 600.00 |
| Insurance | 1,454.90 | 1,500.00 | 1,367.86 | 1,200.00 | 1,930.49 | 1,800.00 |
| Water& Sewerage | 625.55 | 1,200.00 | 1,654.31 | 1,200.00 | 623.00 | 1,400.00 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 780.11 | 200.00 | 206.00 | 500.00 | 1.29 | 250.00 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 22,715.69 | 17,300.00 | 9,936.92 | 12,450.00 | 13,532.09 | 14,050.00 |
| Deduct : Sub-station Rent | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 |
| Refunds re above payments | 302.22 | 804.61 | ||||
| NET COST | 22,294.47 | 17,181.00 | 9,817.92 | 12,331.00 | 12,608.48 | 13,931.00 |
| LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 | LOWESTOFT & EAST SUFFOLK METHODIST CIRCUIT Circuit Meet Sept 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL ACCOUNT | ||||||
| YEARS ENDING 31 AUGUST | ||||||
| ACTUAL | BUDGET | ACTUAL | BUDGET | ACTUAL | BUDGET | |
| year to | year to | year to | year to | year to | year to | |
| year to 31/08/2025 |
year to 31/08/2025 |
year to 31/08/24 |
year to 31/08/24 |
year to 31/08/23 |
year to 31/08/23 |
|
| Stipends | 34,210.00 | 33,505.00 | 59,133.51 | 60,565.00 | 57,270.40 | 56,341.00 |
| National Insurance | 4,255.34 | 3,673.00 | 6,021.83 | 6,376.00 | 5,763.53 | 5,740.00 |
| Pension Contributions | 6,220.00 | 9,013.00 | 14,838.56 | 16,292.00 | 14,582.04 | 16,621.00 |
| Additional staff | 0.00 | 25,000.00 | ||||
| TOTAL STIPEND COST | 44,685.34 | 71,191.00 | 79,993.90 | 83,233.00 | 77,615.97 | 78,702.00 |
| Ministers' Travel | 2,660.00 | 2,660.00 | 4,200.00 | 4,200.00 | 3,600.00 | 3,600.00 |
| Net Cost of LayEmployee | 5,621.12 | 6,000.00 | 5,729.12 | 6,200.00 | 5,210.88 | 6,000.00 |
| Relocation expenses | 720.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 423.17 | 2,500.00 |
| TOTAL STAFF COST | 53,686.46 | 79,851.00 | 89,923.02 | 93,633.00 | 86,850.02 | 90,802.00 |
| District Assessment | 25,827.00 | 25,827.00 | 27,338.00 | 27,338.00 | 29,396.00 | 29,396.00 |
| Supernumeries' PreachingFees | 4,686.30 | 5,000.00 | 4,147.05 | 4,000.00 | 3,981.95 | 3,800.00 |
| Local Preachers' Travel | 113.85 | 300.00 | 437.94 | 250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 |
| Circuit Stewards' Expenses | 0.00 | 200.00 | 0.00 | 200.00 | 0.00 | 200.00 |
| Telephone and Computing | 917.55 | 2,300.00 | 1,996.28 | 1,900.00 | 1,734.53 | 1,850.00 |
| Postages & Stationery | 3,453.54 | 1,750.00 | 1,639.85 | 1,750.00 | 1,435.22 | 1,750.00 |
| Quinquennial Inspections | 960.00 | 750.00 | 3,540.00 | 750.00 | 2,340.00 | 4,400.00 |
| Net Cost of Manses(See Below) | 22,294.47 | 17,181.00 | 9,817.92 | 12,331.00 | 12,608.48 | 13,931.00 |
| Loans & Grants to Churches | 5,799.50 | 15,000.00 | 312.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Mission | 26,880.94 | 80,000.00 | 18,874.81 | 400.00 | 2,079.28 | 400.00 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 4,412.71 | 1,000.00 | 3,218.71 | 1,000.00 | 664.15 | 1,000.00 |
| Connexional Funds | 150.00 | 1,500.00 | 150.00 | 1,500.00 | 150.00 | 2,000.00 |
| LPs Fund costs | 85.50 | 250.00 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 148.50 | 250.00 |
| Invitations costs | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Carlton | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Corton Rdplanning | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Southwold(runningcosts) | 13,011.71 | 12,000.00 | 0.00 | 11,584.08 | 5,000.00 | |
| Southwold mission/Foodbank | 22,986.66 | 30,000.00 | 0.00 | 656.70 | 0.00 | |
| TOTAL COST | 185,266.19 | 272,909.00 | 161,395.58 | 145,302.00 | 153,628.91 | 155,029.00 |
| CFB and Bank Interest | -1,707.45 | -1,400.00 | -2,053.85 | -300.00 | -1,624.60 | -150.00 |
| CMTF Loans andgrants | -5,799.50 | -15,000.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Repaid loans to churches | -1,291.76 | -1,000.00 | -1,000.00 | -780.76 | 0.00 | |
| Donations and Miscellaneous | -390.00 | 0.00 | -345.00 | -757.18 | 0.00 | |
| Connexional Funds | -150.00 | -150.00 | -150.00 | -1,500.00 | -150.00 | -2,000.00 |
| Licence/Rent of Southwold/misc | -9,622.90 | -12,000.00 | -13,758.34 | 0.00 | ||
| Southwold MTF mission trans | -16,527.80 | -15,000.00 | -656.70 | 0.00 | ||
| Districtgrant Southwold | -1,175.00 | -3,000.00 | 0.00 | -650.00 | -3,140.00 | |
| Transfer of funds Lps/Mission CFB | -85.50 | -250.00 | ||||
| Misc Southwold /F/Bank Mission | -494.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -1,708.72 | -650.00 | |
| CMTF Manse exp | -16,107.66 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| CMTF Withdrawal Mission | -21,105.91 | -80,000.00 | -18,822.86 | 0.00 | -519.06 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL NET COST | 110,808.21 | 145,109.00 | 139,023.87 | 142,852.00 | 130,533.55 | 152,229.00 |
| Total Assessments | 115,254.54 | 122,462.00 | 119,623.34 | 122,462.00 | 116,925.62 | 114,451.00 |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) | 4,446.33 | -22,647.00 | -19,400.53 | -20,390.00 | -13,607.93 | -37,778.00 |
| CMTF Withdrawal | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 | 0.00 | 20,000.00 | 30,000.00 | 45,000.00 |
| BALANCE B/F 1 SEPT | 71,257.86 | 71,257.86 | 90,658.39 | 90,658.39 | 74,266.32 | 74,266.32 |
| BALANCE C/F 31 AUG | 80,704.19 | 58,610.86 | 71,257.86 | 90,268.39 | 90,658.39 | 81,488.32 |
| ~~-----------------------------------------------------~~ | ||||||
| MANSES ACCOUNT | ||||||
| Repairs & Renewals : | ||||||
| Ashburnham Way, Lowestoft | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 885.44 | 500.00 |
| Corton Road, Lowestoft | 1,161.72 | 5,000.00 | 338.55 | 2,500.00 | 2,668.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Beccles | 16,510.42 | 5,000.00 | 1,787.00 | 2,500.00 | 2,490.20 | 3,500.00 |
| 17,672.14 | 10,000.00 | 2,125.55 | 5,000.00 | 6,043.64 | 6,500.00 | |
| Council Tax | 2,182.99 | 4,400.00 | 4,163.20 | 3,850.00 | 4,933.67 | 3,500.00 |
| Quinquennial Inspections | 0.00 | 0.00 | 420.00 | 700.00 | 0.00 | 600.00 |
| Insurance | 1,454.90 | 1,500.00 | 1,367.86 | 1,200.00 | 1,930.49 | 1,800.00 |
| Water& Sewerage | 625.55 | 1,200.00 | 1,654.31 | 1,200.00 | 623.00 | 1,400.00 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 780.11 | 200.00 | 206.00 | 500.00 | 1.29 | 250.00 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 22,715.69 | 17,300.00 | 9,936.92 | 12,450.00 | 13,532.09 | 14,050.00 |
| Deduct : Sub-station Rent | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 | 119.00 |
| Refunds re above payments | 302.22 | 804.61 | ||||
| NET COST | 22,294.47 | 17,181.00 | 9,817.92 | 12,331.00 | 12,608.48 | 13,931.00 |