**MID-LINCOLNSHIRE METHODIST CIRCUIT** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** **For the year ended 31[ST ] AUGUST 2022** ## **Introduction** The Trustees are pleased to present the Annual Report of the Trustees of the Mid-Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit (hereinafter referred to as “The Circuit”) for the year ended 31st August 2022 ## **Aims and organisation** The Governing Document of the Charity is the Deed of Union of the Methodist Church 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976. 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 There are 11 places of worship in the area covered by the Circuit and they are all open to anyone who may wish to visit them without any charge. The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure that regular acts of worship take place at all the churches and chapels in its geographical area and that the following activities take place to further the objectives set out above:- 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 where appropriate. ## **Public Benefit** The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Brief financial review of the year** The main source of income in this and every year is the assessment paid by the churches within the Circuit area. In the year to 31[st ] August 2022, the assessments totalled £102,995(2021: £81,102). A District Mission Grant of £8,000 per annum is received for a Deacon. The main expenditure relates to the stipends of presbyters, together with related employment costs, including the provision of manses, and the reimbursement of travelling and other costs, totalling £110,091(2021; £112,062). Other costs include the contributions to the District, and to the Methodist Church Fund £32,969(2021: £28,110) Stipends have increased annually in line with conference approved percentages and lay employees are paid, in accordance with Methodist Standing Orders, no less than the hourly rates set by the Living Wage Foundation. As of 31 August 2022 the net current, unrestricted, assets of the Circuit were £108,697 (2021: £160,711), compared with total expenditure for the year of £167,195 (2021: £160,460). ## **Plans for 2022/2023** Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there will be a change in the staffing levels of ministers, reducing to two ministers with anticipated cost of living stipend increases combined with an increase in the assessments paid to the District and Connexion. Further sale of the Chapel at Scamblesby and the proposed closure and sale of Old Bolingbroke Chapel will bring further financial security for the Circuit. ## **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 (comprising the ministers and Circuit Stewards) and the Local Preachers meeting. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance is produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Circuit, including the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’. ## **Related Parties** The Circuit is part of the Lincolnshire District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. 8 Churches are linked to the Circuit and are listed in Appendix B to this Report. ## **Risk Management** Major risks, both physical and financial, are identified and recorded and professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Safeguarding** 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: 1. the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults 2. the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable 3. the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. 4. The Circuit 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. 5. The Circuit 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. 6. The Circuit will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. 7. The Circuit will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. 8. The Circuit 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. 9. In all these principles the Circuit will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice The 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 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. ## **Reserves Policy** The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold approximately six month’s 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 the failure of churches to meet their quarterly assessment liabilities in full. ## **Legal and Administrative** The Circuit’s financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2018 have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis permitted for charities whose gross income does not exceed £250,000. Full Name of Charity: Mid-Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit Registration Charity Number: 1136058 Date of registration: 21[st ] May 2010 Main communication address: Riversmeet, Cagthorpe, Horncastle, Lincs., LN9 2DZ (Until 31[st] August 2022) The members of the Circuit meeting are the Managing Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches shown in Appendix A to this Report ## **Circuit Ministers and officers** Active Circuit Ministers Rev Susan Wilkins (Superintendent) Rev Gordon Davis Deacon Jane Paine ## **Circuit Stewards** Mrs Julie Close-Mitchell Mr Lawrie Lambert Mr Ian Brown Mrs Pauline Brown – Treasurer Mrs Pauline Brown acted as the principle officer overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Circuit during the year. ## **A full list of Trustees is** Helen **Clough** Ian **Brown** Rev. Susan **Wilkins** – Superintendent Minister Rev. Gordon **Davis** Deacon Jane **Paine** Marion **Ambrose** Lynne **Mowbray** Lawrie **Lambert** Julie **Close-Mitchell** Susan **Johnson** Bunty **Martin** Josephine **Towle** Ann **Loveley** Bronwyn **Wallis** Keith **Stephenson** Margaret **Wikeley** David **Wikeley** Pauline **Brown** Les **Robinson** Ivan **Clough** Carol **Clough** Sue **MacFall** Kate **O’Flynn** Jacque **Walton** Irene **Heap** Mo **Fricke** Anne **Keene** David **Turner** Wendy **Turner** Eileen **Kelsey** Lydia **Strawson** Rev. Geoff **Boxer** Rev. Cecil **Mundy** ## **APPENDIX A** LIST OF TRUSTEES ## **Independent Examiner** Tristran Russell BA Hons FCCA c/o Dexter & Sharpe Chartered Accountants Rollestone House, Bridge Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HZ ## **Investment Bankers** Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes HSBC, Market Place, Horncastle ## **APPENDIX B** **LIST OF CHURCHES IN THE CIRCUIT** Halton Holegate Horncastle Raithby Scamblesby Spilsby UMC at Coningsby (Old Bolingbroke -Class of UMC) Woodhall Spa Wragby (Bardney and Bardney Dairies – Class of Wragby) CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS IAld Un¢okn•hlrn Mdhodl•t FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Dlstrlct lrtult 11W058 11 not A regmtsfed chty H•r R•¥wu• and GIftA•d nw¥*•r (The HMRC Nmt•r is a r•¥stw8d clwfty Thumber in Iwm¥ of ethGe ol thori14JlE 3talvs nd may ￿ use¢J to we to grnnl fvndew5*ishry to see •Ythnc8 ofthé or9Anisattii'$ ¢horfl•bl• status MelhodHt ¢h￿r￿￿ in England and Wa*s thai arè 1•gWor¢d ch#11t￿ are excepted from r#gistfalKJn undw St*uiory 2014 No.242 1 Min￿l•r8.. J8no P•"ne Juh• Clowmrtehl PAUtine Bro 20ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 31 AVGvsf 20 C*¢ult 8EeYIOII 14 Fw Fwds RECEIPTS Assessmen￿0 102.995 1Q1995 81.102 •3 149.301 CFB • 2.707 as OIM¢i mC471tyS TOTAL RECEIPTS 2.704 2.704 2,502 113.913 243.612 SECTION PAYMENTS Sbpendy, NL P•1*￿ • tra¥dcoits 110.091 9.011 7.204 27.764 110M91 9.011 112. b3 9.641 .341 J2,969 28.110 Gwits & ¢JDnknn b7 Other 7.397 7.397 TOTAL PAYIIENTS 111,467 117.f9S SE¢Tr)4 C IIET RE¢EIPWAYIAEIITS FOII THE YEAR c1 *7 IJ.1S2 Tot•1 149.783 180,711 S¥b tatal ¢1*¢ 10&197 TrarAl•r>wd •Y Ifb,7( YQTAL FLINDS AT EIID C* YEAR 19.074 J9,823 101.197 110.711 SECTIOII D FOR IIIFORIIATrON ONLY.. RECEiveD APID PASSEO OPI TO EXTEIINALI)RGANISATICIIS di d3 ffenD￿lIs. paBs&d to ÈKtml ￿9￿￿5￿1 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID dl+d2-d3 ?Lé5 17 117.t•b io• fOYXNi¢*VT TOT PAIIIE 341 It41.278 9).124 110,711 6Y4t Ssl N8rn•ofCirr¥il.............................................. Declaratlons and Scrutiny prewed frcffi rntffils Cira¥t Jrvj Ihat hthJ• al luTrJg LWKIBr Iho dtho C[￿j11 L)ats.. l. i• X.•Y4..... .(4. >L Fwnknj loth8 Cw¢uilm••UryJlwklrn................. Slgn¥iure cl m•uliwvJ: .............................................................................. Indop•nd•nt Examinorfs Report lo tho Tfusto08 of the . Clrcuh Ch*lty Numb•r. l13k.(js.Y V.S'. Ciniii for the s*ar 8rMJed 31 Augwt 2022 ¢￿1 on pa98s .1. tos.. As th• CIr￿lt5 twstO05. >*)u aro rnSF4xs*l• f¢* th? W•Parntk￿ ol th• &x￿nIS in CO th• Charit*s Ac4 20111th• Acl,). l rnp￿t in r•¥pecl of my oxaffinwion cl Ihg Q"rr4J*'s actcrtirws (xried oul undor S•(1k￿ 145 ¢llhg ki •r*J. ¢Krt my exanHnalion, I hav• al a￿.¢*4• by lh• Charity y matodal Chur¢h PwFthes ¢y Iwkl in other tr￿ts. b¥lartss ar￿ fvmd5 ai lh& C•thl Fhanco L4the .. Post Codfy s w2 ./*.¥.3.......... Seplembw 2022 CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS IAld Un¢okn•hlrn Mdhodl•t FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Dlstrlct lrtult 11W058 11 not A regmtsfed chty H•r R•¥wu• and GIftA•d nw¥*•r (The HMRC Nmt•r is a r•¥stw8d clwfty Thumber in Iwm¥ of ethGe ol thori14JlE 3talvs nd may ￿ use¢J to we to grnnl fvndew5*ishry to see •Ythnc8 ofthé or9Anisattii'$ ¢horfl•bl• status MelhodHt ¢h￿r￿￿ in England and Wa*s thai arè 1•gWor¢d ch#11t￿ are excepted from r#gistfalKJn undw St*uiory 2014 No.242 1 Min￿l•r8.. J8no P•"ne Juh• Clowmrtehl PAUtine Bro 20ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 31 AVGvsf 20 C*¢ult 8EeYIOII 14 Fw Fwds RECEIPTS Assessmen￿0 102.995 1Q1995 81.102 •3 149.301 CFB • 2.707 as OIM¢i mC471tyS TOTAL RECEIPTS 2.704 2.704 2,502 113.913 243.612 SECTION PAYMENTS Sbpendy, NL P•1*￿ • tra¥dcoits 110.091 9.011 7.204 27.764 110M91 9.011 112. b3 9.641 .341 J2,969 28.110 Gwits & ¢JDnknn b7 Other 7.397 7.397 TOTAL PAYIIENTS 111,467 117.f9S SE¢Tr)4 C IIET RE¢EIPWAYIAEIITS FOII THE YEAR c1 *7 IJ.1S2 Tot•1 149.783 180,711 S¥b tatal ¢1*¢ 10&197 TrarAl•r>wd •Y Ifb,7( YQTAL FLINDS AT EIID C* YEAR 19.074 J9,823 101.197 110.711 SECTIOII D FOR IIIFORIIATrON ONLY.. RECEiveD APID PASSEO OPI TO EXTEIINALI)RGANISATICIIS di d3 ffenD￿lIs. paBs&d to ÈKtml ￿9￿￿5￿1 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID dl+d2-d3 ?Lé5 17 117.t•b io• fOYXNi¢*VT TOT PAIIIE 341 It41.278 9).124 110,711 6Y4t Ssl N8rn•ofCirr¥il.............................................. Declaratlons and Scrutiny prewed frcffi rntffils Cira¥t Jrvj Ihat hthJ• al luTrJg LWKIBr Iho dtho C[￿j11 L)ats.. l. i• X.•Y4..... .(4. >L Fwnknj loth8 Cw¢uilm••UryJlwklrn................. Slgn¥iure cl m•uliwvJ: .............................................................................. Indop•nd•nt Examinorfs Report lo tho Tfusto08 of the . Clrcuh Ch*lty Numb•r. l13k.(js.Y V.S'. Ciniii for the s*ar 8rMJed 31 Augwt 2022 ¢￿1 on pa98s .1. tos.. As th• CIr￿lt5 twstO05. >*)u aro rnSF4xs*l• f¢* th? W•Parntk￿ ol th• &x￿nIS in CO th• Charit*s Ac4 20111th• Acl,). l rnp￿t in r•¥pecl of my oxaffinwion cl Ihg Q"rr4J*'s actcrtirws (xried oul undor S•(1k￿ 145 ¢llhg ki •r*J. ¢Krt my exanHnalion, I hav• al a￿.¢*4• by lh• Charity y matodal Chur¢h PwFthes ¢y Iwkl in other tr￿ts. b¥lartss ar￿ fvmd5 ai lh& C•thl Fhanco L4the .. Post Codfy s w2 ./*.¥.3.......... Seplembw 2022