**MID-LINCOLNSHIRE METHODIST CIRCUIT** ## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** ## **For the year ended 31[ST ] AUGUST 2023** ## **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 2023 ## **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 8 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 2023, the assessments totalled £78,050(2022: £102,995). 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 £81898(2022; £110,091). Other costs include the contributions to the District, and to the Methodist Church Fund £22,800(2022: £32,969) 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 £375,544 (2022: £108,697), compared with total expenditure for the year of £236,803 (2022: £167,195). ## **Plans for 2023/2024** 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. There will be no Ministerial cover from September 2024. The sale of the Old Bolingbroke Chapel will bring further financial security for the Circuit. Conversations with surrounding Circuits to provide pastoral and Ministerial cover once the Superintendent Minister and Deacon leave in August 2024. ## **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 recreation 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: 84 Curtis Drive, Coningsby, Lincolnshire, LN4 4DU (Until 1[st] August 2024) 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 Gordon Davis (Superintendent) Deacon Jane Paine ## **Circuit Stewards** Mrs Julie Close-Mitchell Mr Ian Brown Mrs Kate O’Flynn Mrs Pauline Brown – Treasurer Mrs Pauline Brown acted as the principal 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. Gordon Davis Deacon Jane Paine Marion Ambrose Lynne Mowbray Lawrie Lambert Julie Close-Mitchell Susan Johnson Bunty Martn 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 Jacquie Walton Irene Heap Mo Fricke Anne Keene David Turner Wendy Turner Eileen Kelsey Rev. Geoff Boxer Rev. Cecil Mundy Rev. David Lawton ## **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 Spilsby UMC at Coningsby Woodhall Spa Wragby (Bardney and Bardney Dairies – Class of Wragby) CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Mid Lincolnshlre Methodist Circuit Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 Lincolnshire Dlstrict Clrcult no 17 1 04 Reglstered Charlty - Charlty Reglstration number If not a registered charity Her Mal&sty's Revenug and Custom5 Gift Ald number (The HMRC number is equivalanl lo a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable stslus and may be used lo give lo donors or grant funders wishing to see 8vidence of the organisalion's charitable slalus. Melhodisl charities in England and Wales that are not registered ch8rilies are excepted from regislralion under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.2421 Ministers.. Rev Gordon Davi8.(Sup.èrinlendenll.. Jane Paine (Deaconl_..--..----....--..-..--. c1￿UL1 Stewards.. Julie Closg-milchell lan Brown Pauline Brown Treasurer.. Pauline Brown rruit-r and *2023 Inal 1of5 Mid InGo nshire Methodist Clrcuit 20ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 Clrcult re5trl¢ted Model Trust Restrlcied Fynd8 Fund Funds Totals th1¥ year Totals la¥t yoar SECTION A RECEIPTS Note a2 A55essmenUShare 78,050 78,050 404,311 102.995 404,311 Bank and CFB in18r8St and Inveslm&nl income 3.820 1.176 6.239 8,000 7,050 503,650 1,482 8,000 2,704 Grants 8,000 7,050 a6 Ollier re￿IP￿ YOTAL RECEIPTS a7 94,343 408.131 1,176 l#BI 118.181 SEGTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Slipcnds. $alarle$. NIC. Pension and Iravol cos 81,898 7,751 110,091 b3 M4nse Co$is b4 Administration elc 8,730 22,800 1,218 88 .034 b5 District Assessment 22.800 32.969 b8 b7 Grants & don8tions 4,000 b8 Other p8ym8ntS TOTAL PAYMENTS 8.358 103.982 112,320 7,397 167,196 b9 131,537 105,178 88 230.803 Ib91 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7.b9 37,194 302,953 I,OB8 266,847 52,014 Tol81 fund5 biou ht forward from last 88r 69,074 108,697 160,711 Sub total ¢1+¢2 3t.880 342,576 375,S44 106697 ¢4 Traiisfer5 and ad'u51ments 51,088 50,000 1,088 ¢5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic3+t41 82,968 292,576 575.544 Ic81 108,097 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY.. MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts Should not bo included In total recei ayrngnts ¥bov•l Balan¢8 bro hl forward from18St eai d2 Offerin sIGIfts received for external o an188tion8 d3 Offering81GIft5- P858ed to oxiernal Organisat￿n8 BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 d4 oruit4 Indtr2023fiftBI 2015 Mld Llncolnshlre Methodist Clr¢y StsIAMAR¥OF CIRCUIT ACCOUM7S ANDINTERPIAL oRGANISA￿1)N REPORTING Tf>THE CIR SEe￿ON t oto& iocD SuriiiTiaiyolllie fjircuil ac￿￿￿t5 fDr Ihe year¢nd4rt 31 AUGU8t 2023&nd IntemBI 0￿￿￿18￿110n¥ rBporting lotho Circuit Meellng. ￿￿teth￿t￿•￿lldS of an Internal Orgallisalion natrn8llybe Re￿¢1￿0 tunas ulll8És rtcould be clearly 5hOwntiiat CO￿1￿ b9 U59dlorany ￿Aeth￿ISt purpose Tni5 seGtlon wnipl¢tga fv omwa atth8 grosBraceipts and PAymèntstotal$ oftho ¢tr￿lI Kg105% inwme exceeds IneACUua& thrèshold of£250.000. thEn the A¢¢ru815 méthod of accounting AND A DIFFFRF.NT FQRM musl b• usod lorepDrt the 2CCUUTrt514ee MElhthJW *tbs&¢}. Ploa$e reterto thE noles regaid￿0 transfers beb¥¢en Ih¢CMit end cunnecled CwEuit 0rll6nts￿1ions. INTERNAL ORGAN15AThONS IWRtttsiysI Pa Rec• u11m￿l ¢7 ruughl 2J6,8OJ 266,847 108,697 375.544 HELD BYCIRCUIT 6,647 108 697 TOTAL RECEIPTS roTAL PAYIIENTS $k¢TION F OPEN1NG aALANCES CLOSING BALANCES C4RCUIT.CASH FUNDS HEI.n DI 51 Au t 202) &hi 467 472 Ilu•t•gqfCf K•ArthJitCtrwthP 80.124 3,358 SUD TOTAL 108,697 376.S44 roTALCASN FUPIOS HELO BY CIRCUIT 108,697 5ECfOPIG OTMER A5$ÉYS and￿￿LInEs lQ2J 71888 7D557 Land andBuil Iwr￿￿V*IUe 479 888 Lo ar 480 480 SS1.211 375,514 9X,i f4 allh&C•ntr41 finBntt B￿rd T￿￿e8￿h Fur IW7 3￿f Ndme of Circuit .rto.- LI￿<•6￿J￿1￿.... Declarations and Scrutiny I confirrn that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been prepared from the records of the Circuil and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meetinq. Signatura of treasur8r Nam8 and address oftreasurer .. etrU%i.￿th..... . . Post Code..hr4i%.b£x. Presentation to the Clrcult meeting l confirm that the annual r8POrt and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 werel¥diiLbe' pr8senled to the Circuit meeting held on . l. i.l..X•.wl Signature of th8 Chair of the meeting Name ofthe Chalr oftha meetlng Date Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit Charity Number............. Respon8ibilitle$ and bagls of report I report to the trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2023 set out on pages I to ).. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carrled out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate d￿ft-r ¥dts2D23 fina 4alS Name of Circuit Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in ¢onnection with the examinalion (other than that disclosed belo￿) which give me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connecllon with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelJauortr obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Melhodisl Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (len thousand pounds) at Ihe b81ance sheet date. Signature of ind8pendent examlnar Name of independent 8xaminer Rélevant professlonal quallfleatlon of Independent 8xamlner Namé of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code Dat8 delete or circle as appropriate Fomi Tevlw M8*23 t¥rEurt-r $nd p-20rJ f￿al 5af5