2023-08-31-accounts - West Norfolk Methodist Circuit

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Type of Governing document: DEED OF UNION (1932) AND METHODIST CHURCH ACT (1976)

Charity Consttuton: previously excepted charities - excepted charities were not required to register but are regulated by the Charity Commission. This is because they have been excepted from the requirement to register either by legislation or an order made by us. Churches and chapels of some Christian denominations; The Charities Act 2006 required excepted charities with an annual income over £100,000 to register with us.

Charity trustee selecton methods: Charity trustees for the West Norfolk Methodist Circuit are appointed as per the rules of the Methodist Church. They are a mixture of stationed ministers, volunteer elected stewards and volunteer representatives elected from individual constituent chapels within the Circuit.

Summary of the objectves of the charity: 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 THE DISCIPLINE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH;

(B) ANY CHARITABLE PURPOSES 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.

Summary of the main actvites undertaken for the public beneft:

What

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES - the West Norfolk Methodist Circuit has five Methodist Ministers (four Presbyters and one Deacon) of which three are full time and two are part time, plus an Anglican who is Authorised to serve, working in the Circuit and facilitates local chapels such that religious worship may be undertaken by any and all people wishing to do so. It also makes available its services for baptisms, weddings and funerals as well as providing pastoral care. Many volunteers within the Methodist Church are Lay Preachers who lead worship and many other volunteers take on a variety of roles to promote the religious ethos of the charity.

Who

THE GENERAL PUBLIC/MANKIND - any member of the community may attend any services and can seek help and/or support from members of the charity.

How

PROVIDES

SERVICES - regular local and Circuit wide religious services are provided within the Circuit on various days and at various times. Services are also held in Retirement Homes. Youth work is undertaken in the local area and Youth activities are organised and supported. A “Social Centre” in one of the church buildings is supported for the benefit of vulnerable people.

Summary of the main achievements of the charity in 2022-2023

Ordained

Ministers - the Circuit continued to financially support its full time stationed Ministers plus part time Ministers who enable the charitable objectives of the Circuit to be fulfilled amongst its members.

Circuit Policy – The circuit continued to act on the agreed policy which is reviewed annually and is on the agenda for a September meeting.

No major actvites were planned.

Growing in God – volunteers from the Circuit continued to support a number of local projects involving youth activities. Guiding, scouting and Boys’ Brigade activities were also enabled under the auspices of the Circuit and its chapels. Special event services were held, both on Sundays and midweek, both via Zoom and “in person”, in order to enable whole Circuit participation. Mid-week activities were organised in most churches to support their communities and held when possible to do so. North Lynn church has a Sharing Agreement in place and is seeking to become and LEP with the Church of England. The building was completed and re-named “The Beacon” with the opening ceremony due to be held in September.

Risks- The trustees review the risks to which the charity is exposed and take steps to mitigate those risks as appropriate. Safeguarding policy is kept up-to-date in accordance with new legislation.

Reserves policy – Our reserves policy relates to our General (Unrestricted) funds which are freely available to be used for any or all purposes of the Circuit. Our reserve policy is to hold up to 50% of annual expenditure in hand, including the Manses Fund, but is currently about 56% standing at £120633 with the annual expenditure being £214769. These reserve funds allow for fluctuations in receipts against set payments and act as contingency funds.

Circuit Model Trust Fund (Restricted Fund). This fund derives from the sale of chapels and manses and is restricted by the Methodist Conference. This restriction is an internal obligation although the fund may be used for a variety of purposes. The balance at the year-end was £80392. The previous balance for the North Lynn church has been handed over and spent.

The Charity Commission has previously agreed that it is appropriate for the trustees to set a policy for the management of this fund as set out below.

Money held in the Model Trust Fund will be held available to assist churches in carrying out schemes beyond their own resources in addition to funding the provision of Manses and Chapels and supporting the work of the Circuit. Schemes supported this year have been:- £6092 for Feltwell church disabled access and new heating system; £4436 for new boiler at Hunstanton church; £3734 to Clenchwarton church for updating electrics to current required standard; £7087 on Ministerial subsidy to support the work of the Circuit and £2591 to East Anglia Methodist District.

Signatures:

Revd R Roberts – Superintendent Minister …………………………………………………………………

Mrs S Johnson – Senior Circuit Steward ………………………………………………………………………

Part time Ministers ethable thechorit4ble obieLi¥esof theaYcuf(to trfv1 amongst6ts mernbers. Cjrtult Pdlry-TheCircuf( continued to att on the pollcy agreed inthe &ar2012113 and which Is revkwed/revi5ed annually. Dueto other pressure5th has TNrtyet been revle4ved but Is In hand. NoTnaiurth¥ltlesweYe ptsnned due to c105ure5 in aCcOrdan[th covirk19 le8islatK)n. Growln8lt)God.Volunteers from thetirtuitsupported a )umber Df local proi&ets INoMrgyouth attivkie> Guidin& Scoutins and Boys, Brigade artSvltles were also enabled under the ausplce5 of the ClrcuKathd its chapE15when itwaspo%lble to do 50. Lent strviceswere he mk4-weekvk Zoom to enablethe wlb)le clrcurfspartldpatlon. Similarly trossclrculi servlces were availabvra ZLX)m forHoty Week and aclrcuttser¥Kefor Eastersunday led bythe District Chair. Mld vEekactwitie5are organlsed in almostall churchesto support thecommunityand were held whpnever posslble. North Lynn Chr¢h Is seÈkln8 to become an LfPwith the AlItan Church. TheSharin8 h4reernerit is complete and plansfor improvements to the buildin8 are under discussion. Unfortunatethere have been deLIy5and newtenders are beSnE sought. AISK The trusree5 rylewthe risksthatthe charity i5exposed to on an ongolng b35Lsand take stepsto mltlgate those ri5k5 as appropriate. Our Reser¥es Policy rel4tes to our8eneral IUnre5trictedllunds whlch are freetyavailable to be used for anyorall of the purpose501tbp Circuit. Our Reserve Policy is to hold up to 50% of annual expendlture in hand, includin8 the Manses Fund, but i5currenttyaround 55% stonding at£120384 ¥vith the annual expenditure belng£214471. These Fe5erve furx4salbwforfluctuations in receipts a8atnstset paymentsand act a5 contin8enrylunds. Cl¥¢¥ltModel Trust Fund IRestrrcted Fundl. Thisfund derive5 from the sales of chapets and manses and is restricted bythe Methodisiconference. Thls restriction is an internal obligatlon 0hOUgh the fvnd tan be used fora ¥aety of purposes. The balance at the year end was £140325 with a fvrther £175230 held la a separate acc¢>unt forthe North Lynn Chutch. The CharityCommis5ion has aBreed th* it is approate for the trustee5 to set a polityforthe management ofthis fund and that poliry is set out k)w. Mofiey held in the ModelTrust Fund will be held avalL4ble toas515t ch¥rche5to carry out xhemes their own resourcesas well asfunding the provis Df Man5e5 and Chapels ènd supportinB the workofihe Urcuit. No schemes forwhich Model Trust Fund monies have been sought and ¥ven this year. Support of8eneralfunding in continuin¥the work of the Circuitwas atthe level of £S)17. $18natsre5: Revd. R. Roberts-superintendent Minisief Mr& S.Johnson- SènK>r rtuSteord

part time Ministers who enable the charitable objectives of the Circuit to be fulfilled amongst its members.

Circuit Policy - The Circuit continued to act on the policy agreed in the year 2012/13 and which is reviewed/revised annually. Due to other pressures this has not yet been reviewed but is in hand. No major actvites were planned due to closures in accordance with COVID-19 legislation. Growing in God - Volunteers from the Circuit supported a number of local projects involving youth activities. Guiding, Scouting and Boys' Brigade activities were also enabled under the auspices of the Circuit and its chapels when it was possible to do so. Lent

services were held mid-week via Zoom to enable the whole circuit’s participation. Similarly cross circuit services were available via Zoom for Holy Week and a circuit service for Easter Sunday led by the District Chair.

Mid week activities are organised in almost all churches to support the community and were held whenever possible.

North Lynn Church is seeking to become an LEP with the Anglican Church. The Sharing Agreement is complete and plans for improvements to the building are under discussion. Unfortunately there have been delays and new tenders are being sought.

RISK

The trustees review the risks that the charity is exposed to on an ongoing basis and take steps to mitigate those risks as appropriate.

Reserves Policy -

Our Reserves Policy relates to our general (Unrestricted) funds which are freely available to be used for any or all of the purposes of the Circuit.

Our Reserve Policy is to hold up to 50% of annual expenditure in hand, including the Manses Fund, but is currently around 55% standing at £120384 with the annual expenditure being £214471. These reserve funds allow for fluctuations in receipts against set payments and act as contingency funds. Circuit Model Trust Fund (Restricted Fund). This fund derives from the sales of chapels and manses and is restricted by the Methodist Conference. This restriction is an internal obligation although the fund can be used for a variety of purposes. The balance at the year end was £140325 with a further £175230 held in a separate account for the North Lynn Church.

The Charity Commission has agreed that it is appropriate for the trustees to set a policy for the management of this fund and that policy is set out below.

Money held in the Model Trust Fund will be held available to assist churches to carry out schemes beyond their own resources as well as funding the provision of Manses and Chapels and supporting the work of the Circuit. No schemes for which Model Trust Fund monies have been sought and given this year. Support of general funding in continuing the work of the Circuit was at the level of £5017.

Signatures:

Revd. R. Roberts - Superintendent Minister

Mrs. S. Johnson - Senior Circuit Steward

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CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS WEST NORFOLK FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 EAST ANGLIA DlstrSct CSrcuSt no 14120 R•g1$toy Ch¥rity- Ch•rity Rggistration number 1136177 not a regislered charfty Her MaJe¥ty'$ Revenue and CuBtom8 GfftAkl nuwnbgr (The HMRC number IS equivalent to a registered chanty number in leims of evidence of ¢haiitable slattss and fflay t used to give to donots or grant lunders wBhing 10 see evenoI the orgarmsalion's chaiitabl ststus. fvlèthDdist charities in England and Walp5thal are notrBgistsied ¢harilie¥ are excepted fro registratn under siaiulory Instrument 2014 No.242 1 Minl$iers'. Re¥. Roktsrt Rob Rev. Paul CTit£*.. Re¥. Rl¢hman N¢ube Rev. Jacqueline Goddaid Pexon Ljnne Tong8...................__.........._.--.-.-. Circuit stewards MRS. S. JOHNSON MR. R WEBB MRS. R. VYSE MR O SCOTNEY SLDENT Treasur6r'. Mr&Mr50&LDent Mf. 2223CLIFFVI R widpsEW$lNk

20ACWUlItS F(XiYHÉ YEAII ENDED31 Avgust2023 YIEST NORFOLK circuit tiVIt Ty{ Totdllth SECTTON A Fd Fund RECEIPTS No 82 A¥se55merushBre 180.808 18¢.U08 184,SOS 1181 rowirts Barkè(Q CF6 Inierti8nd Investheni a4 4.389 2799 419 ab Grwts 26.860 26,fj60 221,275 a7 TOTAL RECEIPTS 218.0S 2.199 d19 219.242 SECTfoN PAYMENTS blipt.-dS. 111¥ NIG. Pen3lODad tia¥ei cttts 02 128.187 OJ Manse Costs 19.298 19.198 b4 Admjni.'¢liW et¢ 290 42.ly ots DisiriciA5sernWt 4¢.425 44,425 Qrafflts 8 ¢%)ro1or4 14,2ts2 16,86) 4,$16 147 r pdymenis TOTAL PAYMENTS 14 425 14.425 298.63) 29G24 09 23$.$71 2.B81 .178 368,$20 SECTK)N C NET RECpr$IpylNTS FOR THE YEAR 182) 159,769} 149,278 TDLql ruSb.. from Idst 141b 82 168 314.4 CO,, 483.&Y ¢3 b tot41 ¢1+¢2 132.W1 IM.701 2A09 314.406 Trans¥•n% gno od 34ty 12'.34Ql TQTII FUNDS AT END OF YEAR I¢3¢41 161.260 92 2AOg 237.OSI 314.406 SECnON D FC>R INFORMATION ONLY.. MONeY Re¢EIVEDAND PASSEO ON TO exTEftNALORGANISATIONS these 4mounts $houM in¢lud8d in I rqcei ayMe4ts alw) d2 sIGifts r9¢èlV9dfDrextttal o anisalons d3 d4 BALANCE STILL TO BE PMD .22DCL*FVI

YIESTIILFOLK FCR seeFIOFIE thFGLI ngw¥?r.'.nQLTr A UIFFE?ÉTr41 Fo wi".art TERN4L OpEni Y2.¢01un 2x275 77.3S51 HELDByRCU(r 1176 77.35S TQTALRECYPTS TOTAL SECnCéIF TtsFA5SETSANDUA8ILÈ OPENIIIG eAN(*s CLOSING ÈPIANCES CLg¢uif. ¢A¥HFLVID5HELD4t31 2&21 eTruglFIDHn 14Od38 Bft TOT•L 314.408 237.W1 rDTALCASIIFiWID5M¥LD JYCIRCLIT 3144QS $ECI1 G QTmKRAYSETSAndLL4llLIks eEAl eare

Name ol Cwcuit ... Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Receipt and Payrnent based accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 have been piepaied from records of the Circuit and that they Include all fund$ under the ¢ontrol of the Ciieuit meeting. S¥n3ture of treasurer. Name and addres5 of treasurer ..... ..E#.+f É,-.7.. .k l L aitt -LA.{L kfr. f PostC(Je................ Pr88entstlon to the Circull meetlng I confirrn that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2023 WehlF. presEnted to the Circuit meeting hekl on .i..3. 7-&c_¥ Synature of Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date 13 .1,. Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustee8 of the Clrcuit Charlty Numbar.............. Responsibilities and basis of report I report lo the twstees on my examination of the accounts of Ihe . Circuit lor the year ended 31 August 2023 sel out on pages 110 3 As Circuit's trustees. you are responslble for the preparation of Ihe a¢counis In accordan with Ihe requirements of Ihe Charitieg Act 2011 I'lhe Act'i I report in respect of rny examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under secbon 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examination, I have followed all Ihé aw>lcablg Dirèthons given by tkt Charity Commi$$ion under section 14515llbl of the Act. delet2 or circle as appropnale C4223CLIFF VI R dPStsl*d $1

Name of Cycuit ..... 1lePtnde( Examiner's Statement I have completed my examinatlon I confrrm thai no makfial mailers have come lo my 8ttention in tonnection wth the examination lott)erthan that disclosed below'l which give me Cause lo believe that In, any material resped.. Ihe accounti record5 were not kept in accordance with 58Ction 130 of the Act, or e a¢nts do not ac¢ord wilh the accounting records. I have no IncernS and have come 8cro8s no other matters in connection with thè examinabon 10 which attention should be drawn in thi5 repcyt In order to enable a pioper unJerstanuwg of the accounts to be reac. ¥h8Yelhave notr obtained ind&pendentverificA'on of all invesknefits bmth the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts. bank balan5 an¢J funds at Ihe Central Finano Board of the Methodist Church which are individually In excess of £1Ctr,OC Ilen thousand pwndsl at the balante sheet date. SnatUre ol independent exatniner Name of independent examirEr LJ fffolib Relevant professional qualifieathon of Iependent exarnir A.tsM.A. G.6.M.A. Name or rirm (where appropriatel Address Post Ctsje d818te or circl8 8$ apwopriate F¢F•wI6 .222J-LifFW R PSchEd B vIestMlk