## The Methodist Church Northampton Circuit 23/13
## ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
"The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission"
2024 - 2025
Registered Charity No 1135635
## **Introduction**
This is the Sixteenth annual report produced by the Northampton Methodist Circuit since its registration as a separate charity and aims to share a review of the activities of the Circuit during 2024 – 25 while also meeting all the legal requirements.
## **The Vision Statement**
The Northampton Methodist Circuit currently consists of two local ecumenical projects and the multi-site Northampton Methodist Church, seeking to be a discipleship movement shaped for mission.
Over the coming years we are intentional about continuing our Stepping Out programme in order to grow as a mission focused Circuit in serving our community. This means that all the resources we have, such as buildings, finances, people, structure and administration, need to be utilised and developed in such a way that they are outgoing and outward facing.
Mission is our key purpose. It is the sharing of the good news of God’s love incarnate, through Jesus Christ, in our witness to the community and the wider world.
We will seek to concentrate our prayers, resources, imagination and commitments on this priority, guided by God, to continue our journey together as a Circuit seeking to promote active growth and prioritising the five marks of mission.
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 1
## **Superintendent's letter of Greeting**
As the Superintendent Minister, it gives me great pleasure to present the 2024-25 annual report and accounts for the Northampton Methodist Circuit.
The Circuit formally consists of three church bodies:
- Northampton Methodist Church: A multi-site church with eight worshipping communities in and around Northampton and the neighbouring villages.
- The Emmanuel Group of Churches: A Local Ecumenical Partnership (Anglican, Methodist, and Baptist) meeting at three sites in and around Weston Favell, including the shopping centre site.
- Kingsthorpe Community Church: A newly formed Methodist-Baptist LEP, formally recognized in March 2025, meeting on the Baptist site.
Our "Stepping Out" programme remains central to our vision of being a discipleship movement shaped for mission. To further this, we recently ran a Holy Habits Course based on _Making More Disciples_ , which has helped us focus on nurturing new believers and growing in faith together. This complements our ongoing work, such as the monthly "One Voice" podcast and our stable attendance in circuit Bible study groups.
Our service to the community has been evident through support for local foodbanks and providing space for the Northampton Hope Centre’s winter shelter. I am also pleased to share that we are now registered as an EcoCircuit. We are actively encouraging all our constituent churches to register as Eco-Churches through the A Rocha movement as we strive to help safeguard the integrity of creation.
We are excited to announce that we have secured funding from the Northampton Methodist District for a Circuit Lay Mission Enabler. This role will focus on developing new and existing work with children, young people, and families. Recruitment will occur in the next connexional year. As we move forward, we continue to manage our resources intentionally, including the successful sale of the Queensgrove building and planned refurbishments at Harpole scheduled for September 2025 and a future redevelopment project at Park Grove’s Abington site, within Northampton Methodist Church. We remain committed to our journey together, seeking to encourage growth and prioritise the marks of mission in all we do.
## Yours faithfully,
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 2
Revd David Speirs Superintendent Minister
## **Operational review - A review of our 2024 - 2025 Mission Statement**
Our Circuit Mission statement is based on the Methodist Church commitment to Worship, Service, Evangelism, and Learning & caring. The highlighted statements are our overarching intent and the notes below show our activity during the year.
**WORSHIP,** which seeks to increase awareness of God's presence and celebrates God's love seeking to underpin everything we do in God-centred prayer
Regular worship continued to be resourced and offered at all our worshipping communities with the continued provision of circuit wide services once per quarter. Throughout the year we continued to offer weekly online worship through the Circuit website.
**SERVICE** seeking to be a good neighbour to people in need and challenge injustice.,
The year has seen the emergence of several targeted activities offering help and support into our local community specifically support of the various foodbanks and providing one of our Church buildings for use by the Northampton Hope Centre to provide storage so that its main site could be effectively used as an overnight shelter during the winter period. We have actively encouraged development of actions to encourage becoming a carbon neutral church through enrolment in the A Rocha eco church movement.
**EVANGELISM,** which is a call to all people to Christian discipleship, growing in the Christian faith alongside others seeking the same, to talk about God and to serve God in the world
The One Voice Podcast is now being produced in conjunction with the District team each month and has remained a valuable means of sharing the Christian message. There has been a number of activities to encourage youth fellowship whilst the recruitment process commenced to employee a lay worker to support the on going development of work with children and families.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 3
**LEARNING and CARING,** which is equipping and resourcing people for mission and Christian relationships.
The circuit planned bible study groups have continued and attendance has remained stable. There has also been developments in provision of carers and toddlers groups along with encouraging levels of attendance of the various mid-week groups targeted at those over retirement age.
During the year the long-term working relationship between the Methodist and Baptist congregations in Kingsthorpe was formally recognised with formation of Kingsthorpe Community Church a Methodist Baptist LEP. The first stage in consolidation of Church buildings was completed with the successful sale to another Christian Church of the Queensgrove building.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 4
## **Review of and financial position of the Circuit**
## The following summary reflects the financial activities of the Circuit for the year, with the previous 3 years provided for comparison: -
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Income
Assessment contributions from circuit churches 230.3 225.1 228.4 221.0
Other income 5.6 3.8 7.4 148.8
Interest 1.1 6.4 10.1 15.2
Rental income 15.8 1.2 0.0 0.0
Total income 252.8 236.5 245.9 385.0
Expenditure
Ministerial Stipends 116.1 123.0 123.5 133.0
Lay Workers 19.4 24.5 26.5 28.6
Manse maintenance 11.1 21.0 12.0 5.8
Manse utility costs 19.7 18.3 20.0 15.6
Methodist Church Fund 33.5 24.6 30.9 36.7
District Assessment 6.6 5.6 8.8 9.6
Grants 5.5 2.0 0.0 10.5
Levy 8.9 6.5 101.8 189.2
Wootton running costs 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0
Depreciation 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Other Expenses 24.7 39.2 28.6 41.1
Total expenditure 251.6 265.0 352.4 470.4
Net incoming/ (outgoing) resources 1.2 (28.5) (106.5) (85.4)
Increase/ (Reduction) in manse valuation 0.0 217.6 0.0 0.0
Building transfers with NMC 0.0 (209.9) 0.0 350.0
Gain/ (Loss) on Investments 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Increase/ (Decrease ) in value of funds 1.2 (20.8) (106.5) 264.6
**----- End of picture text -----**
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 5
## **Income trends**
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. The 2024-25 contributions requested remained similar to those from the previous year.
Income from rentals has now ceased with the sale of the spare manse and the transfer of the Wootton building to the management of Northampton Methodist Church.
Other income during 2023-24 includes both grant income received from the District towards the production cost of the monthly One Voice podcast and the Circuit Administrators activity as District GDPR advisor along with the surplus generated by the sale of the Queensgrove Church building.
## **Expenditure trends**
All payroll costs have increased each financial year in line with conference approved increases, the drop in both manse maintenance and utility costs reflects the reduction in manses being overseen. The levy in both the last two years includes the connectional levy applied on property sales.
## **Fund balances**
As at 31 August 2025 the net current assets of the Circuit was £585k ( _2024 £322k)_ , as at the balance sheet date this was primarily being held in the Circuit Model Trust Fund.
A significant proportion of the increase resulted from the sale of Queensgrove Church building.
## **Plans for 2025/26**
Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there are remain three full time ordained staff along with usage of our local supernumerary team to provide both preaching and pastoral care support. It is anticipated that a lay worker in a mission enabler role will also be recruited during the year.
It is anticipated that schemes will be developed in line with our mission plans to refurbish a number of the circuit church buildings with work at Harpole scheduled to commence in September 2025. Sale of those identified as not required for future mission purposes while continuing to progress.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 6
## **Trustee's Annual Report on Finance and Governance**
## **Basis of preparation and legal framework**
The Charity's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 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 FRS102.
The Charity's report and accounts include all the separately established funds for which the Circuit has primary responsibility.
Full Name of Charity: Northampton Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1135635 Date of registration 22 April 2010 The circuit office is located at: Harpole Methodist Church School Lane Harpole Northampton NN4 4DR
The members of the Northampton 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.
## **Circuit Ministers and officers**
**Active Circuit Ministers** Rev David Spiers, Rev Samantha Gillard, Rev Ian Forsyth **Circuit Stewards** Dr Hellen Okello Ms Charmaine Wareham-Voyce Miss Pam Kirkland Mr Phil Leeson
**Circuit Treasurer** Mr Keith Brooks, **Administrator** : Miss Sarah Eason
Mr K Brooks acted as the principal officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Circuit during the year.
Independent examiner Miss C Haynes (ACA) 4 Delamere Road Northampton Investment Banker Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 7
## **Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Northampton 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 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. Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.
## **Public Benefitt**
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 conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers meeting, the Circuit Finance and Property Committee 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 District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The Circuit is a member of Shared Churches Northampton Ltd in relation to support of the Emmanuel Group of Churches.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 8
## **Risk Management**
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required.
There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded.
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.
## **Safeguarding**
It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.
Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people.
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 Northampton 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 Northampton 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.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 9
## **Reserves Policy**
The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 4 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.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 10
## **Annual Financial Statements**
## **Basis of preparation**
As treasurer I confirm that I have prepared the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit Meeting
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature of W K Brooks Date 23 January
Treasurer 2026
Name W K Brooks ACMA
Address 2a Stanfield Road
Duston
Northampton
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.**
I confirm that the Accounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on 23 January 2026 and were approved.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature of the Chair of the meeting Rev David Speirs 23 January 2026
Name of the Chair of Rev David Speirs
the meeting
Date 23 January 2026
___________________________________________________________________________
**----- End of picture text -----**
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 11
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2025**
|||**Unrestricted**
**funds**|
**Model**
**Trust Fund**|**Designated**
**Funds**|
**Restricted**
**Funds**|**Total 2024-**
**25**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|£|£|£|
|**Income and Endowments from:**|||||||
|Donations,legacies &grants||5,151||||5,151|
|Church assessments||220,954||||220,954|
|Lettings||0||||-|
|- Miscellaneous||||||-|
|Investments||409|14,761||19|15,189|
|Other||17|143,663|||143,680|
|**Total**||**226,531**|**158,424**|**-**|**19**|**384,974**|
||||||||
|**Expenditure on:**|||||||
||||||||
|Stipends,salaries,NIC & Pension costs|6|155,117||||155,117|
|District Assessment||9,592||||9,592|
|Methodist Church Fund||36,662||||36,662|
|Telephone & travel||8,550||||8,550|
|Insurance,utilities,etc||15,654||||15,654|
|Maintenance on manses||5,802||||5,802|
|Expenditure on other Circuitproperty||17,216||||17,216|
|Depreciation|9|250||||250|
|Other Expenditure||20,840|174,497||680|196,018|
|Grants and Donations||10,500||||10,500|
|Contributions to District Advance Fund|||15,066|||15,066|
|**Total**||**280,183**|**189,563**|**0**|**680**|**470,426**|
||||||||
|**Net income/(expenditure)**||**(53,652)**|**(31,139)**|**0**|**(661)**|**(85,452)**|
|**Building transfer from NMC**||**200,000**|**350,000**|||**550,000**|
|**Transfers between funds**||48,000|**(48,000)**|||**0**|
|||194,348|270,861|0|(661)|464,548|
|Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of fixed
assets||||||0|
|Gains/(Losses)on investment assets||||||0|
|Net investment in funds||**194,348**|**270,861**|**0**|**(661)**|**464,548**|
|Total funds brought forward||1,371,697|317,548|0|2,124|1,691,369|
|Total funds carried forward||**1,566,045**|**588,409**|**0**|**1,463**|**2,155,917**|
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 12
_Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for previous year ended 31 August 2024_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Model Designated Restricted Total 2023-
funds Trust Fund Funds Funds 24
£ £ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
Donations, legacies & grants 5,202 1,000 6,202
Church assessments 228,365 228,365
Lettings 0 -
- Miscellaneous -
Investments 1,068 8,971 20 10,059
Other 88 1,150 1,238
Total 234,723 10,121 - 1,020 245,864
Expenditure on:
Stipends, salaries, NIC & Pension costs 6 149,930 149,930
District Assessment 8,775 8,775
Methodist Church Fund 30,956 30,956
Telephone & travel 7,215 7,215
Insurance, utilities, etc 20,003 20,003
Maintenance on manses 12,013 12,013
Expenditure on other Circuit property 701 701
Depreciation 9 250 250
Other Expenditure 20,248 407 72 20,728
Grants and Donations 0
Contributions to District Advance Fund 101,813 101,813
Total 250,091 102,220 0 72 352,383
Net income/(expenditure) (15,368) (92,099) 0 948 (106,519)
Sale of 75 Kentstone Close (301,773) 301,773 0
Transfers between funds 35,000 (35,000) 0
(282,140) 174,674 0 948 (106,519)
Gains/(Losses) on revaluation of fixed
assets 0
Gains/(Losses) on investment assets 0
Net investment in funds (282,140) 174,674 0 948 (106,519)
Total funds brought forward 1,653,837 142,875 0 1,176 1,797,888
Total funds carried forward 1,371,697 317,549 0 2,124 1,691,369
**----- End of picture text -----**
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 13
## **Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025**
||**Notes**|**Unrestricted **
**£**|**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund**
**£**|**Designated**
**Funds**
**£**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**|**Totals this**
**year**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Tangible Fixed Assets**|||||||
|Land & Buildings||1,366,657||||1,366,657|
|Equipment||4,008||||4,008|
|Investmentproperties||200,000||||200,000|
|Investments|||||||
|**_Totalfixed assets_**||1,570,665||||1,570,665|
|**Current Assets**|||||||
|Debtors and Prepayments||10,912||||10,912|
|Other|||||||
|Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes deposits|||588,409|||588,409|
|Central Finance Board Deposits||8,695||||8,695|
|Cash at Bank and in hand||285|||1,463|1,748|
|**_Total current assets_**||19,892|588,409||1,463|609,764|
||||||||
|**Creditors and Accruals (due in under**
**1yr)**||4,512||||4,512|
||||||||
|**Net current assets(liabilities)**||15,380|588,409||1,463|605,252|
||||||||
|**_Total assets less current liabilities_**||1,586,045|588,409||1,463|2,175,917|
||||||||
|**Loans and creditors due after 1year**||20,000||||20,000|
|Provisions for liabilities and charges|||||||
||||||||
|**_Net assets_**||1,566,045|588,409||1,463|2,155,917|
|**Funds of the Circuit**|||||||
|Unrestricted funds||(612)||||(612)|
|Propertyreserve||1,566,657||||1,566,657|
|Circuit Model Trust Fund
(Unrestricted)|||588,409|||588,409|
|Designated funds|12||||||
|Restricted funds|12||||1,463|1,463|
|**_Total Funds_**||1,566,045|588,409||1,463|2,155,917|
||||||||
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 14
## _Comparative Balance Sheet for 31 August 2024_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Circuit Model Designated Restricted Totals this
Trust Fund Funds Funds year
£ £ £ £ £
Tangible Fixed Assets
Land & Buildings 1,366,657 1,366,657
Equipment 2,416 2,416
Investment properties
Investments
Total fixed assets 1,369,073 1,369,073
Current Assets
Debtors and Prepayments 11,397 11,397
Other
Trustees for Methodist Church
Purposes deposits 317,548 317,548
Central Finance Board Deposits 22,456 22,456
Cash at Bank and in hand 7,009 2,124 9,133
Total current assets 40,862 317,548 2,124 360,534
Creditors and Accruals (due in under
1 yr) 18,238 18,238
Net current assets (liabilities) 22,624 317,548 2,124 342,296
Total assets less current liabilities 1,391,697 317,548 2,124 1,711,369
Loans and creditors due after 1 year 20,000 20,000
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Net assets 1,371,697 317,548 2,124 1,691,369
Funds of the Circuit
Unrestricted funds 5,040 5,040
Property reserve 1,366,657 1,366,657
Circuit Model Trust Fund
(Unrestricted) 317,548 317,548
Designated funds 12
Restricted funds 12 2,124 2,124
Total Funds 1,371,697 317,548 2,124 1,691,369
Notes
**----- End of picture text -----**
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 15
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **1 Basis of accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2015 version of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102 – the Charities SORP (FRS102) and taking note of the Update Bulletin 2 issued in 2018.
## **2 Funds**
The funds held constitute: General Funds held for any purpose of the Circuit which are Unrestricted. The Circuit Model Trust Fund has wide purposes defined in Standing Orders and is categorised as unrestricted. Restricted funds which are held for a narrower purpose . There are no Endowment funds. Details of each material fund are disclosed in the final note to these accounts. Any funds may be represented by more than just cash.
## **3 Accounting policies**
## **Basis**
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historical cost except that investments are shown at their market value at the end of the year and land and buildings at deemed current value. Accruals accounting principles have been adopted as far as practical to show a true and fair view of the Circuit's financial position and activities.
## **Incoming Resources**
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the Circuit becomes entitled to the resources, and the trustees are reasonably certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Resources Expended**
This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognised as soon as an outflow of economic benefit is considered more likely than not under the legal or constructive obligation committing the Circuit to pay out resources.
## **Grants**
Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds are recognised in full at the time of agreement or when the Circuit accepts that there is a legal or operational obligation to make the payment.
## **VAT**
Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.
## **Tangible fixed assets for use by the Circuit**
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. The freehold property is shown in the accounts at estimated 2023 values, of which the land component is deemed to be £200,000. No depreciation is provided on the buildings because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse buildings (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the yearend) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The properties have been reviewed for impairment.
## **Investment Properties**
Investment properties – In the 2025 accounts Wootton Trinity is deemed to not be required for the long term purposes of the charity and is included as an investment property following its transfer from Northampton Methodist Church at the point of decision to sell.
## **Investments**
Investments are valued in the balance sheet at market value at the year end. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable and any gains or losses on revaluation at the year end are shown in the SOFA.
## **Debtors and Prepayments**
The prepayment included in the accounts is in respect of ministerial stipends paid in August due on 1[st] September..
## **Creditors**
Creditors include both sundry expenses and specifically the 1st quarter assessment received in August.
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 16
## **4 Payment to Trustees**
There were no payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement with the Circuit Meeting, this excludes stipends.
|Trustee expenses
Number of Trustees
Total amount|**2024/25**
7
£7,890|**2023/24**|
|---|---|---|
||7|7|
||£7,890|£7,667|
Expense payments primarily relate to reimbursement for travel and computing costs
## **5 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts**
2024/25 2023/24 £ £ Independent examiner's or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts Nil Nil Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor Nil Nil
## **6 Paid employees**
**Staff Costs paid during the year were:** Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind Employer’s National Insurance costs Pension costs Apprenticeship levy Total staff costs **Average number of employees in the year were:**
|**Staff Costs paid during the year were:**
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
Employer’s National Insurance costs
Pension costs
Apprenticeship levy
Total staff costs
**Average number of employees in the year were:**
**al Commitments and Contingent Liabilities**
At the 31st August 2025 there are capital commitments.
No Contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2025.|2024/25
£
121,395
12,987
20,089
646
155,117
4
£50,000|2023/24|
|---|---|---|
|||£|
|||113,825|
|||10,700|
|||24,828|
|||577|
|||149930|
||||
|||4|
|||£0|
## **7 Capital Commitments and Contingent Liabilities**
## **8 For information only Money received and passed on to External Organisations**
|**Balance brought forward from last year**
Offerings/Gifts - received for External Organisations
Offerings/Gifts - passed to External Organisations
**Balance carried forward**|2024/25||2023/24
£
0
0
0|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|||
|||||
||0|||
||0|||
||0|||
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 17
## **9 Tangible Fixed Assets**
## **Cost or valuation**
|**Cost or valuation**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Land**
**£**|**Manses**
**£**|**Other**
**buildings**
**£**|**Fixtures,**
**fittings**
**and**
**equipment**
**£**|**Payments**
**on account**
**and assets**
**under**
**constructio**
**n**
**£**|**Total**
**£**|
|Balance brought forward|160,000|1,206,657||5,511||1,372,168|
|Additions||||1,842||1,842|
|Revaluations (+/-)|||||||
|Disposals (-)|||( 350,000)|||**(350,000)**|
|Transfers*(+/-)|40000||510000|||**550,000**|
|Balance carried forward|200,000|1,206,657|160,000|7,353||1,574,010|
## **Accumulated depreciation**
|Balance brought forward||||3,095||3,095|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Depreciation charge for
year (-)||||250||250|
|Revaluations (+/-)|||||||
|Disposals (-)|||||||
|Transfers*(+/-)|||||||
|Balance carried forward||||3,345||3,345|
|**Net book value**|||||||
|Brought forward|200,000|1,206,657||2,416||1,369,073|
|Carried forward|200,000|
1,206,657|
160,000|4,008||1,570,665|
## **Sale of Queensgrove Church building**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
£ £
Sale proceeds 510,000
Less building valuation 350,000
160,000
Cost of sale
Agents fees 12,660
Legal costs 3,300
Sundry other costs 377
16,337
Profit on sale 143,663
**----- End of picture text -----**
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 18
Of the sale proceeds the levy taken for wider Methodist purposes was £173,465 on this transaction, this is refundable on receiving approval for the proposed Park Grove modernisation project.
## **10 Investment assets**
The Circuit has no common investment fund holdings
## **11 Loans**
The Circuit currently has a loan from the District of £20,000 in respect of initial funding related to the redevelopment of the Kingsthorpe Church This has been treated as a long term creditor.
## **12 Analysis of restricted and designated funds**
|**Restricted**
**Fund Name**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Incoming**
**Resources**|**Resources**
**Expended**|**Transfers**|**Closing**
**Balance**|**Purpose of the**
**fund**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Restricted fund**|||||||
|Benevolent
Fund|2,124|19|680||1,463|Support for
individuals in
specific need|
|_2023/24_|
_1,176_|_1,020_|_72_||_2,124_||
||||||||
|**Designated funds**|||||||
|Development
Fund|0|0|0||0|Available for
funding outreach
and development
work|
|_2023/24_|_0_|_0_|_0_||_0_||
||||||||
||||||||
|Totals
_2022/23_|2,124|19|680||1,463||
||_1,176_|_1,020_|_72_||_2,124_||
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 19
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Northampton Circuit**
This Report is on the Circuit Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025and Is carried out under Sections 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner**
As Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrued accounts and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales.
It is my responsibility to:
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
- Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission . An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act ; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
- accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or .
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
- of the accounts to be reached.
- (3) I have not obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist
- Church Purposes ("TMCP") or held in other Trusts, Bank balances and Funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church ("CFB"), which are individually in excess of £10,000 at the balance sheet date.
Name Miss C Haynes ACA
Qualification reference ACA ICAEW 7945127
Address 4 Delamere Road Northampton NN4 8QG Date 11 May 2026
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 20
Appendix A
## CIRCUIT MEETING MEMBERSHIP
MINISTERS
Rev David Speirs Rev Dr Samantha Gillard Rev Ian Forsyth
CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATOR
Miss Sarah Eason
CIRCUIT STEWARDS Miss Pam Kirkland Dr Hellen Okello Ms Charmaine Wareham-Voyce Mr Philip Leeson
CIRCUIT TREASURER
Mr Keith Brooks
Circuit Safeguarding Co-ordinator Mrs Jenny Brooks
CIRCUIT CHURCH REPRESENTATIVES
NORTHAMPTON METHODIST CHURCH
Mrs Pat Oliver Mrs Kate Stretton Mr Paul Deakin Mrs Fran Perry
EMMANUEL GROUP
Mrs Maureen Timms
KINGSTHORPE COMMUNITY CHURCH Mr Trevor Clarke Mr Duncan Bolton
Northampton Methodist Circuit Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
Page 21