2024-08-31-accounts - Mid Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit

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MID-LINCOLNSHIRE METHODIST CIRCUIT

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT

For the year ended 31[ST] AUGUST 2024

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 2024. On 31[st] August 2024, Rev Gordon Davis and Deacon Jane Paine retired as ministers. From 1[st] September 2024 there were no ministers stationed in the circuit and Rev Graham Miles and Rev Richard Mottershead shared the responsibilities for pastoral care in the circuit.

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 9 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 assessments paid by the churches within the Circuit area. In the year to 31[st] August 2024, the assessments totalled £41,750 (2023: £78,050). A District Mission Grant of £8,000 per annum was received for a Deacon, which has now ceased. 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 £86,710 (2023; £89,649). Other costs include the contributions to the District, and to the Methodist Church Fund £27,555 (2023: £22,800) 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 2024, the net current, unrestricted, assets of the Circuit were £473,853 (2023: £375,544), compared with total expenditure for the year of £217,613 (2023: £236,803).

Plans for 2024/2025

Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that the reduction in staffing changes have occurred. There is no Ministerial cover from September 2024. The sale of the Old Bolingbroke Chapel was completed before the end of August 2024. The year will see the future of the circuit decided in the absence of stationing of ministers.

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. 9 Churches are linked to the Circuit and are listed in Appendix A 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:

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.
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.
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.
The Circuit will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
The Circuit will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
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.
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 2024 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: 13 Woodland View, Spilsby, Lincs, PE23 5GD

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 B 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.

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. Bankers: HSBC, Market Place, Horncastle

APPENDIX A LIST OF CHURCHES IN THE CIRCUIT

Halton Holegate Horncastle Raithby Spilsby UMC at Coningsby Woodhall Spa Wragby Bardney (Class of Wragby) Bardney Dairies (Class of Wragby)

APPENDIX B LIST OF TRUSTEES

Rev. Gordon Davis to 31/8/24 Deacon Jane Paine to 31/8/24 Helen Clough Circuit Meeting Secretary Ian Brown Circuit Steward Pauline Brown Circuit Steward Julie Close-Mitchell Circuit Steward Kate O’Flynn Circuit Steward Marion Ambrose Lynne Mowbray Lawrie Lambert Susan Johnson Bunty Martin Josephine Towle Bronwyn Wallis Keith Stephenson Margaret Wikeley David Wikeley Ivan Clough Carol Clough Sue MacFall Jacqui Walton Irene Heap Mo Fricke to 31/8/24 Anne Keene David Turner to 31/8/24 Wendy Turner Eileen Kelsey Rev. Geoff Boxer Supernumerary Rev. Cecil Mundy Supernumerary Rev. David Lawton Supernumerary

From 1/9/24 Rev Graham Miles Rev Richard Mottershead

CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Mid Lincolnshire Methodist Circuit Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Lincolnshire District Circuit no 17 1 04 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in tems of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Ministers-. Jane Paine .(Deaconl......-....-......--...-...-.....-...-.....-........ Circuit Stewards: Julie Close-mitchell lan Brown Pauline Brown Kate O'Fly.nn Treasurer.. Pauline Brown Iull-r and p-2024 final 1of5

Mid Linco ns Clrcult et st ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Circuit Un- c1ult rgstrlcted Model Trust Restricted Funtts Fund Funds Totals th1$ year Totsls last year SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note a2 Assessmenushare 41.750 41,750 235,977 78,050 404,311 a3 ital receipts Bank and CFB interest arKJ Investment income 235.977 4.492 8.000 11.289 65,531 12,896 1.518 18,906 8.(KID 11.289 315,922 6,239 8,000 7.050 503,650 a5 Grants a6 Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS a7 248,873 1,518 la81 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS stipends, salaries. NIC, Pension and travel costs 81,211 81.211 5,499 14,447 27,555 81,898 7,751 8.034 22.800 4,000 b3 Manse Costs 5.499 Administration etc 34 14.328 85 b5 Distrsct Assessment 27.555 Grants & donations b7 b8 other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 18,510 70.391 84.719 88,901 217,613 112,320 b9 132,809 85 Ib9) 236,8Q3 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7-b9) (67,278 164,154 1.433 98,309 266,847 Total funds brou ht forward from last ear 82.968 292.576 375.544 108.697 Sub total (c1+c2 15.690 456,730 473.853 375,544 Transfers and ad-ustments 101,433 (100,0001 (1,4331 c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (c3+c41 117,123 356.730 473,853 (c8) 375.544 {¢6) SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be included in total recei tslpayments above) Balance brou ht forward trom last d1 ear d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for extemal o anisations OfferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 d3 d4 circuit4 2nd p-2024 final 2ofS

Mid Lincolnshire M8thodlst Circuit Clrcuit su MARY OF CIRCUIT ACC UNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATION REPORTING TO THE CIRCUIT MEEfiNG SECTION E Plpase ftsllowthe Guidance Nctes to ¢¢m lete ihls Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Intemal Organisations rewrbng to the Circuit Meeting. Note that the funds of an Intern21 Owanisation would nomalty be Restricted funds unless it could be deaty shThn that they Ul be used for any methIst putpose. This section musl be completed to arrtwe 81 the gross eIptS and payrnents 1018ls of the Cireuil If gross in(x)mB exceeds the AILrnals threshold of £250,000. then the Accxuals [nethc of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM rnust be used to report the 8¢2ts(See Meth(x1ist Webtel. Please referto the guidance notes regarding transfets between the Circuit and connected Circuil Organisats"¢)ns. INTERNAL ORGANATIONs Nei Receiptsl rnents Opening balaDces ReceTpts Ad ustEn2nts Closin balances e2 Sub total of 5nlemal OrganisalioTrs funds le121 Clrcuitaccounts Itotsls broughtfonwdrd from pagp 2-tofals column) ¢9 315,922 la81 217.613 Ib9 98,309 Ic7 375,544 473.853 1¢81 ¢10 HELD BY CIRCUIT 315.922 217,613 98,309 378,S44 473,853 Continue on a separate sheet nesSary and brfng the l018ls fotward TQTAL PAYMENTS TOTAL RECEIPTS 5ECTK)N F STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LBIL[[lEs OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CIR¢urr- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au st2024 Cash in hand Bank Current Accounl 12,926 16.459 Bank De ositAccounl 472 472 f4 Centsal Finance Board 58,788 rtusteps formelhodlsl Churth Putposes 303,358 368,053 otherfunds SUB TOTAL 375,544 Ic61 473.853 IG81 Tolal fvnd5 he by Iniem81 Organisab"oDs1lhÈ ¢bsHig balance lolals abavel1È121 e12 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRcurr 375,544 473,853 SECTION G At OTHER ASSETS and LIAlL lEs I Sepiethr2 31 u5t 2024 lllvesltnents include Endowmen15 70557 72615 L8nd 8nd Bulk11 $88 notes re Insuran(x value 479,688 479 688 OlherA5sels Loa -show amount out5tandift at ear end Other abIlItteS 480 551.211 375,544 926.755 480 553,289 473.853 1,027.122 f4 Include only Funds held 3tthe Centsxl Finance Board Cash Funds 15 Include only CFB Funds held al Trustees for Method¥st Chutth P4Jrposes TOW Fund5 91 Include Hny other Yesnts Inol the 5h eMent05Tmcp trust aL£wnts this t5 lll IBie f51 CFit.r anty2D24 frngl

Name of Circuit . Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meetinq, Signature of treasurer ...... Date...4 .IL,.%)>L+.. Name and address of treasurer ....... Presentstion to the Circuit meeting I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024)¥9rÉlwill be" presented to the Circuit meeting held on .7/J Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit Charity Number.............. Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the . Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages . I to 3. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sects.on 145(5)(b) of the Act delete or circle as appropriate eir¢uft-r andJk2024 fnal 4of5

Name of Circuit Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accountinq 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 connection 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. JuobtaIned independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist I havelh Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualifscation of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate circuit-r 8nd_p2024 final 5of5