POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT
ACCRUALS ACCOUNTS 2024-25
For the year ended 31 August 2025
Part of the Southampton District (26/09)
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Introduction**
The Poole Bay Methodist Circuit was formed on 1[st] September 2014 from the joining together of the former Bournemouth and Poole & Swanage Circuits. The Circuit originally consisted of 12 Churches located in South Dorset spanning from Swanage to Southbourne, which operated under 9 Church Trustee bodies. With the closure of Wareham church in 2019 and Kinson & Lytchett Matravers churches in 2024, the Circuit now consists of 8 active Churches (exc. St Georges) which operate under 6 Trustee bodies.
## **Aims and Organisation**
The mission of the Circuit is to encourage, facilitate, enable and resource the local Churches to be a Christian discipleship movement within their local communities and in the power of the Holy Spirit to spread God’s message of love through action and word.
## **Review of the year**
## **Income trends**
Total income for the Circuit for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 of £377,410 compared with last year’s amount of £417,808, a decrease of £40,398. The reduction of income was due to lower legacy receipts of -£10,334, lower interest on deposits of -£22,422 and lower church assessments of - £16,747 offset by an increase in other income of £9,105.
Circuit income was primarily drawn from the Assessments of £206,960 paid by the Circuit Churches, was -£16,747 lower than last year’s amount of £223,707. Poole Methodists received an assessment subsidy of £34,376 (60%).
Rental income, which relates to the rental of unoccupied manses of £69,398, was £7,298 higher than the last year’s amount of £62,100.
Income received from Circuit bank balances held at Central Finance Board and TMCP of £76,458 was -£22,422 lower than last year’s receipts of £98,880 due to lower bank balances held by the Circuit and a reduction in interest rates (see note 12 – page 26).
## **Expenditure trends**
Total expenditure for the Circuit for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 of £581,061 compared to last year’s amount of £588,925 (exc. Property transactions), a decrease of -£7,864.
Total annual stipends & lay employee salary costs of £282,633 during the period were £18,868 higher than the previous year total costs of £263,765 due to annual increases to wages and an increase in Employers National insurance rates in April 2025. During the period there continued to be 5 full time Ministers and 1 part-time Minister.
During the year, the Circuit contributed a total of £122,655 (£102,969 previous year exc. voluntary pension contribution refund of £26,100) to the Southampton Methodist District, District Methodist
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
Advanced Fund and Methodist Church Fund, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church.
It was agreed at the Circuit Meeting held on 17th September 2024 the balance of the interest free loan to Poole Methodists of £64,000 was to be written off and the balance of the church’s 2023-24 Assessment of £41,194 was to be subsidised by the Circuit.
## **Sale of fixed assets**
There were no manse sales during the year. It was agreed to sell the Browning Avenue manse once vacated by the departing Superintendent at the Circuit Meeting held on 10[th] June 2025.
## **Purchase of fixed Assets**
There were no manse purchases during the year.
## **Church property matters**
The sale of Wareham Church has been ongoing since it was closed in August 2019, with no interested parties at the year end. Refer to contingent assets note in the accounts (page 19).
Lytchett Matravers Church & Kinson Church both closed in July/August 2024. During the year the Circuit received the Lytchett Matravers closing church funds of £2,305. Kinson Church closing church funds were transferred to Bournemouth Methodists.
Expenses incurred by the closed churches are covered by the Circuit. Total insurance costs of £13,343 and other costs relating to utilities & maintenance etc of £8,996 were incurred during the year.
It is the intention of the Trustees to sell both Kinson church and Lytchett Matravers church.
## **Fund balances**
As at 31[st] August 2025 the net current assets of the Circuit were £1,599,412 of which £1,424,234 were unrestricted (exc. designated funds), giving 33 months of cover for total expenditure at current expenditure levels.
## **Activities**
## **September 2024 to 31 August 2025**
During the period, Church life has been busy with various activities and events held by the churches i.e. Bible study sessions, Messy Church and Eco Church. ‘Daisy Chains' a group for children and families with special needs met during the school holidays.
The Circuit Youth Group is held at The Spire, Poole, it is a circuit wide group welcoming young people from across the churches. The group attended the 3Generate in October where young people explore what it means to take their next steps in living a Methodist way of life.
Same sex marriage licences for all the churches were applied for during August 2025.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
St Georges continues to be used by the Bournemouth Foodbank who help those in the community in need of their services. Faithworks Wessex continued to work out of Winton Church to support addiction and poverty for those people in Bournemouth, and Poole. Weekly worship services continue to be held at St George’s Chapel.
**Stationing -** The Circuit was delighted to be matched with a new minister for Bournemouth starting in September 2025.
After 13 years with Poole Bay Circuit, Rev’d Tony Cavanagh’s Superintendency finished in August 2025. From September 2025, the Superintendency will be shared by Rev’d Karen James and Rev’d Sarah Knebel.
A retired minister has continued to assist the ministry part-time and a lay pastor continues to give his time to help. Both roles providing invaluable support.
As per previous years, the Circuit has been able to finance two deacons to work with the local communities in Bournemouth and Poole, however, both deacons stationing finished in August 2025 with one transferring to another circuit and one retiring. There were no new deacons to replace the outgoing ones, so stationing is planned to start again in January 2026. After a break, the retiring deacon will rejoin later in 2025 and pick up some of the work on a part-time basis.
## **Plans for 2025/26**
The Trustees continue to recognise the need to regularly review the Circuit’s structure and resources with the aim to provide future stability for the Circuit and its Churches and the need to monitor the finances of its Churches which will affect the future income of the Circuit.
- Meeting in groups is vital to offer support and social contact.
- Be wise with resources – people, skills, money.
- Repurposing of buildings which can be difficult to maintain and not always essential for worship.
- Working with others is the only way forward – Circuit, ecumenical partners, partners in mission.
- Become a hybrid church using Zoom, streamed services, recorded services and face to face worship to include everyone.
- Focus on the younger generation.
The safeguarding training requirements of individuals will continue to be monitored on a regular basis throughout 2025/26.
Wesley’s Café @ The Spire and the Welcome Inn Café @ Victoria Park were incorporated on 28[th] August 2025, to start trading from 1[st] September 2025 and 1[st] March 2026 respectively. ‘The Spire Management Group Trading Ltd’ at Poole Methodists and ‘Bournemouth Methodist Church Trading Ltd’ at Bournemouth Methodists are both a company limited by shares. The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes Board is the sole £1shareholder and holds the share as nominee and on trust for the unincorporated charities.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Basis of preparation and legal framework**
The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2025 have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 in accordance with the 2019 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).
_Full name of charity: Poole Bay Methodist Circuit_
_Registration Charity Number :1136518_
_Date of registration; 22[nd] June 2010_
_Main contact address: The Circuit Office, c/o Winton Methodist Church, Heron Court Road, Bournemouth, BH9 1DE._
_The members of the Poole Bay Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of Circuit office holders, Ministers and representatives appointed by the local Churches._
## **Circuit Ministers and Officers**
Active Circuit Ministers _Rev Tony Cavanagh (Superintendent)_
_Rev Karen James Deacon Suzie Viana Deacon Gill Judge Rev Chris Moreton_ Circuit Officers Mrs Christine Snape Mr Terry Fish Mr David Downing Miss Sarah Joy Dr Julian Tawn Dr Rebecca Thompson Mrs Sheila Slattery
## **Circuit Office Staff**
Michelle Dobson, Office Administrator Louise Tidd, Circuit Finance Administrator Kim Ashley, Church Finance Administrator (joined 1 March 2025) Karen Price, Property Administrator (left 31 May 2025)
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for the Methodist Church Purposes Auditor PKF Francis Clark
## **Circuit Trustees who served during the period 1 Sept 2024 to 31 August 2025 (with start and end dates, where applicable)**
**Ministers Elected Resigned** Rev Tony Cavanagh (Superintendent) 01.09.2015 31.08.2025 Deacon Suzie Viana 01.09.2015 31.08.2025 Rev Karen James 17.09.2019 Deacon Gill Judge 01.09.2020 31.08.2025 Rev Sarah Knebel 01.09.2024 **Circuit Stewards** Mr David Downing 05.12.2023 Miss Sarah Joy 13.09.2022 Dr Julian Tawn 03.12.2019 Dr Rebecca Thompson 11.06.2024 Mrs Sheila Slattery 17.09.2024 **Circuit Safeguarding Officer** Rev Karen James 10.04.2020 **Circuit Meeting Secretary** Mrs Christine Snape (Upton) 14.03.2017 **Local Preachers Secretary** Dr Terry Fish 15.09.2020 31.08.2025
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## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
|**Circuit Church Representatives**|**Elected**|**Resigned**|
|---|---|---|
|**Bournemouth**|||
|Mrs Lesley Fernand|17.10.2017|31.03.2025|
|Mr Tony Fernand|17.10.2017||
|Mr Alan McCoy|01.09.2015||
|Mrs Ros Murray|01.09.2015||
|Mrs Anita Hazell|23.05.2019||
|Mr Paul Thompson|14.02.2022||
|Mrs Elizabeth Graham|31.03.2025||
|**Broadstone**|||
|Mrs Edwina Gould|11.06.2019||
|Mrs Judith Hewins|01.09.2015||
|Mrs Sylvia Kingston|14.05.2023||
|**Poole**|||
|Ms Denise Gibbs|12.06.2018|01.09.2024|
|Mr Gerald Beddard|13.09.2022||
|Mr Eifron Hopper|26.10.2022||
|Mr Ron Balmer|17.09.2024||
|**Swanage**|||
|Mr Robert Taylor|01.09.2016||
|Mrs Annie Fellows|22.10.2020||
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
**Elected Resigned Upton** Mrs Katrin Harwood 01.09.2015 Mrs Sue McCormick 01.09.2016 Mrs Moira Thompson 02.05.2019 **Wool** Mr Christopher Melhuish 01.09.2015 Mrs Eileen Osgood 09.12.2015
## **Aims and Organisation**
Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around Bournemouth, Poole and Purbeck District 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.
## **Activities**
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.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
The large majority of the charity’s Trustees take on their responsibility on a voluntary basis. Trustees rely heavily on members of the Circuit Churches to volunteer for specific roles, such as Circuit Stewardships and Local Preachers Trainer.
## **Public Benefit**
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 with the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD) as last updated on 25 June 2024.
Day to day management of the Circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers Meeting and the Circuit Finance Group.
## **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” available to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their roles as Trustees.
All members of the Circuit Meeting are Trustees of the Poole Bay Methodist Circuit. The membership of the Circuit Meeting is prescribed in the Standing Orders of the Constitutional Practice and discipline of the Methodist Church. Under the Standing Orders all the Circuit’s Ministers and Circuit’s Stewards are ex officio members of the Circuit Meeting. The Poole Bay Methodist Circuit has further agreed that the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and Local Preacher’s secretary are also members and that if possible, each Church can provide 4 representatives, elected from those Churches.
The managing Trustees must operate within the guidelines of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church lays down how the Circuit should run, and the Methodist Church provides guidance on many of the policies required, such as Safeguarding, employment, recruitment etc.
The remuneration for the Circuit’s Ministers is set by Methodist Conference each year. Lay employee’s remuneration is discussed by the Circuit Finance Group and a recommendation is put forward to the managing Trustees with the annual budget. The Methodist Church supports the Living Wage Foundation.
## **Related Parties**
The Circuit is part of the Southampton District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Circuit:- Broadstone, Kinson (closed), Lytchett Matravers (closed), Poole Town, St George’s, Swanage, Trinity, Upton, Victoria Park, Winton and Wool.
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## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
The four Churches of St George’s, Trinity, Victoria Park and Winton, operate under one governance structure of the Bournemouth Methodists.
Please refer to the following notes to the accounts: 17. Related Parties Transactions on page 28.
## **Risk Management**
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Office Team and have been reviewed by the Circuit’s Trustees.
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 to detect trends as part of the Circuit’s risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
## **Environmental or External factors**
## **Pandemic**
Government safeguarding and other guidelines would be followed by the Circuit. Assistance in the form of grants for loss of income may be available to the churches within the Circuit.
## **Other external factors**
Changes to government policy which may result in a negative impact to the charity i.e. change of regulations, law, taxation. To address this risk the Trustees ensure they remain up to date with changes in legislation and engage professional advisors where appropriate.
## **Governance Risks**
The Trustees may lack relevant skills or commitment. The Circuit may find it difficult to fill these roles. To address this risk the Methodist Church of Great Britain provides guidance for managing trustees on its website and via the Constitutional Practice & Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church.
## **Operational Risks**
Employment issues such as the ability to recruit or retain key staff. To address this risk the Methodist Church of Great Britain provides recruitment advice via its Safer Recruitment guidelines.
Business continuity issues such as the occurrence of incidents that limit the Circuit office’s ability to operate as normal. To mitigate these risks the office has surplus IT equipment, up to date antivirus protection is used, storage is mainly server based and office data regularly backed up to a hard drive.
## **Financial Risks**
Loss of assessment income from churches resulting from a fall in church membership numbers and/or the ability to fill key Trustees roles. Also, the loss of income from the closure of a church. To mitigate this the Trustee may consider the option to repurpose a church building for the use of another charitable organisation. The Circuit reserves are monitored by the Trustees. Church Treasurers monitor Church finances and make savings where possible.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Control Risk**
Risk of budgets being inaccurate. To address this risk actual costs are measured against budgeted costs by the Financial Administrator bi-annually or more regularly if required.
## **Inherent Risks**
Identifying probable and possible risks the Circuit may face. To address these risks the Methodist Church publish newsletters on its website. Regular office zoom meetings are held to discuss and agree the best course of action to take to reduce risks.
## **Compliance Risks**
Potential non-compliance with legislation. To mitigate this risk by following up to date guidance issued by the Methodist Church and the Charities Commission.
## **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
- 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
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## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
The Poole Bay Methodist Circuit is committed to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy; government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Churches. The Poole Bay 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 in its General Fund a minimum sum equivalent to 6 month’s budgeted expenditure i.e. £268,761 (25/26 budget), in line with the Methodist Church of Great Britain and as recommended by the Southampton District.
The Trustees consider this sufficient to meet any unforeseen time of major expenditure in the short term and for funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise in the short term and for funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from Churches. The net current assets in the general fund balance at 31[st] August 2025 were £1,028,685.
During the period other funds also held and not included in unrestricted free reserves are:
## Property Fund
A property fund of £5,338,000 has been established, equivalent to the value of the Circuit manses held within fixed assets. The manses were valued at market value as at 31[st] August 2025 (see note 10. Page 24).
## Circuit Model Trust
Circuit Model Trust monies are unrestricted and can be used for a variety of purposes. The Trust is held by the Trustees for the Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. Closing Balances at 31[st] August 2025 of £395,549.
## Designated Funds
Designated funds are part of the unrestricted funds which the trustees have earmarked for a particular project or use, without restricting or committing the funds legally. The designation may be cancelled by the trustees if they later decide that the charity should not proceed or continue with the project for which the funds were designated.
The Circuit holds designated funds to be held to cover the costs for Education & Youth, Equipment, Mission & Outreach, Training, Ministers, Lay Employees and Manse repairs.
The closing balance of designated funds as at 31[st] August 2025 was £171,874.
## Rev Robert Ferguson Trust
The Rev Robert Ferguson Trust is a restricted fund. It is a legacy left to the Circuit for the support of retired Methodist Ministers. The closing balance was £2,346.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## Food Bank
The Food Bank monies were donated by the Church members for the specific funding of the Food Banks, this fund was closed during 2024. The closing balance was £9 cash float to be used to purchase goods for Bournemouth Foodbank.
## Benevolent
The Benevolent Fund is a donation from the family of a past member to be used at the discretion of the Superintendent Minister, for those in need. The balance was £0.
## Ford Trust
An Endowment Fund bequeathed to the Circuit or it’s Churches that have since closed. The use of the interest is unrestricted. The Market Value at 31[st] August 2025 was £949.
## Wareham Bequest
A fixed interest fund bequeathed to Wareham Church and transferred to the Circuit on closure of the Church. The use of the fund is unrestricted and both capital and interest can be withdrawn. The Market Value of the investment at 31[st] August 2025 was £222.
The Circuit Model Trust and designated funds are part of the unrestricted funds which the Trustees retain for circuit activities, without restricting and committing the funds legally.
## **Trustee Responsibilities**
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales required the Trustees of Poole Bay Methodist to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS102);
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Standing Orders of the Methodist Church and the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
In so far as the Trustees are aware:
- There is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; _and_
- The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
The charity seeks to comply with the requirements of UK legislation, the Charity Commission and the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church in all areas of its dealings.
We understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting period beginning on or after 1[st] January 2019.
The Trustees approved this report on 3[rd] March 2026. The report was signed on their behalf by
Karen James and Sarah Knebel
Joint Superintendents and Chairs of the Circuit Meeting
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## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2025**
|**Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year**|**ended 31 August 2025**|
|---|---|
|**Notes to the**
**accounts**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Legacies & Donations
4
Income from monetary investments
5
Assessments on Churches
6
Other Charitable Income
7
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Donations
8
Salaries, NIC & Pension costs
9
Property maintenance & other costs
Expenditure on sale of property
10
Loss on disposal of fixed asset
10
Office expenses
Telephone and Travel
Insurance, Utilities etc.
District Assessment & Levy
Methodist Church Fund
Contributions to District Advance Fund
Professional fees
9
Other outgoings
Write off - balance of Poole Methodists Loan
17
**Total charitable expenditure**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**(Unrestricted)**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2024-25**
**Total**
**2023-24**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
20,976
690
21,666
32,000
47,871
28,478
65
44
76,458
98,880
206,960
206,960
223,707
72,326
-
72,326
63,221
**348,133**
**28,478**
**690**
**65**
**44**
**377,410**
**417,808**
-
-
-
30,250
153,140
129,493
282,633
263,765
11,117
61,113
72,230
71,932
-
-
-
6,063
-
-
-
155,287
3,050
1,457
4,507
2,528
12,476
4,088
16,564
16,936
40,063
7,605
47,668
30,206
8,160
6,156
14,316
12,396
43,080
32,508
75,588
39,396
32,751
32,751
25,077
17,578
-
17,578
12,549
5,232
1,993
9,531
467
3
17,226
19,890
-
-
64,000
**293,896**
**34,744**
**251,951**
**467**
**3**
**581,061**
**750,275**|
|**Net expenditure**
**Transfers between funds**
15
**Other recognised gains/losses:**
Losses/Gains on revaluation of investments
11
Losses on revaluation of fixed assets
10
**Net movement in funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**54,237**
**-6,266**
**-251,261**
**-402**
**41**
**-203,651**
**-332,467**
**-23,754**
**-211,359**
**235,019**
**94**
**-**
-
-
-5
-5
10
-480,500
-
-480,500
-180,000
**-450,022**
**-217,625**
**-16,242**
**-308**
**41**
**-684,156**
**-512,457**
6,816,929
613,174
188,116
2,663
908
7,621,790
8,134,247
**6,366,907**
**395,549**
**171,874**
**2,355**
**949**
**6,937,634**
**7,621,790**|
* 2024 SOFA is shown in the notes to the accounts on page 21.
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## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
Circuit Model Designated
General Fund Trust Funds Restricted Endowment
(Unrestricted) (Unrestricted) (Unrestricted) Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Land & Buildings 10 5,338,000 5,338,000 5,818,500
Investments Funds 11 222 222 227
Total fixed assets 5,338,222 0 0 0 0 5,338,222 5,818,727
Current Assets
Debtors and Prepayments 12 14,680 - 14,680 52,926
Loan by the Circuit to Poole Methodists 0 0 0
Cash at Bank and in hand 18,264 - 928 19,192 30,338
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes -
Deposit Fund 60,919 395,549 - 1,427 949 458,844 622,921
Central Finance Board Deposits 950,749 174,769 1,125,518 1,140,705
Total current assets 1,044,612 395,549 174,769 2,355 949 1,618,234 1,846,890
Current Liabilities
Creditors and Accruals (due in under 1 yr) 13 15,927 - 2,895 18,822 23,827
Total current liabilities 15,927 0 2,895 0 0 18,822 23,827
Net current assets 1,028,685 395,549 171,874 2,355 949 1,599,412 1,823,063
Total assets less current liabilities 6,366,907 395,549 171,874 2,355 949 6,937,634 7,641,790
Loans and creditors due after 1 year
Grants payable after 24-25 13 0 0 20,000
Net assets 8 6,366,907 395,549 171,874 2,355 949 6,937,634 7,621,790
Funds of the Circuit 15
Unrestricted funds 6,366,907 395,549 171,874 6,934,330 7,618,219
Restricted funds 2,355 2,355 2,663
Endowment funds 949 949 908
Total Funds 6,366,907 395,549 171,874 2,355 949 6,937,634 7,621,790
Notes to the accounts
**----- End of picture text -----**
16
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Poole Bay Circuit**
||||
|---|---|---|
|**Poole Bay Circuit**
**Statement of cashflow**
Note
Cash flow from operating activities
16
Interest received
Net cash flow from operating activities
Cash flow from investing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 01/09
Cash and cash equivalents at 31/08
Cash at bank and in hand
Short term deposits
Cash and cash equivalents at 31/08|**Circuit No **
**2025**
£
-266,868
76,458
-190,410
0
-190,410
1,793,964
1,603,554
1,144,710
458,844
1,603,554|**26 09**
**2024**
£
-354,777
98,880|
|||-255,897|
|||412,500|
|||156,603
1,637,361|
|||1,793,964|
|||1,171,043
622,921|
|||1,793,964|
17
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Notes to the Accounts**
## **Accounting framework and accounting policies**
## **1. Basis of accounting**
Poole Bay Methodist Circuit is a registered charity, registration number 1136518, registered in the United Kingdom. The address of the charity is given in the trustees’ report on page 5 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are described in the Trustees Annual Report.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
## **2. Public benefit entity**
The Poole Bay Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognized at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes below.
## **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, on the accruals basis to show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In the opinion of the Trustees, with proactively managing cash-flow the charity has sufficient working capital to continue to meet its financial obligations and pay its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future and therefore the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves held for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **Content**
The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. The accounts are expressed in £Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.
## **FRS102 SORP2019**
These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with FRS102 SORP 2019.
## **Income recognition**
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. Assessment income received from Churches is also included on this basis. No attempt is made to measure the value of services donated by volunteers.
18
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **Expenditure**
This is recognized when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, that results in the payment being unavoidable. Liabilities are recognized 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.
## **Donations**
Donations made by the Circuit 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. When the donation is recurrent over more than one year the balance payable in future years is treated as a provision for future commitments in the Balance Sheet against the appropriate fund, the provision being released in future years as instalments are paid in accordance with the originally agreed terms.
## **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**
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £1,000.
The freehold property is shown in the accounts at the current market values. All properties are owned by the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The Circuit Trustees are the Managing Trustees. In adherence to Methodist regulations, each property is surveyed by a qualified surveyor every five years and property inspections are carried out by the Circuit. The results of these surveys form the basis of the planning and budgeting for remedial works along with regulatory requirements such as boiler inspections and electrical testing.
During 2019/20 there was an accounting policy change to the method used to value the manse properties from insurance valuation to the use of market values. The market values are reviewed annually to reflect the current market.
## **Contingent Assets**
Wareham Church was closed in June 2019. The Church was put up for sale on the open market, an offer was accepted during 2020 pending planning permission which was declined in December 2023 and the offer was withdrawn. A further offer was accepted during 2025 which has subsequently been withdrawn. Wareham Church has been disclosed in the accounts as a contingent asset due to uncertainty of the sale of the church building, current volatility on the property market and ability to quantify the capital amount to be received in the future by the Circuit. The church is currently on the open market for £325,000. In December 2025, the Surveyor has recommended selling the church at auction.
Kinson Church and Lytchett Matravers Church were both closed in July/August 2024. It is the intention of the Trustees that these churches are to be put up for sale on the open market. These churches have been included as a contingent asset as at 31[st] August 2025.
Kinson Church was initially valued at around £1M in May 2025, however, due to questions on what could be done with the building & land and an unstable development market Thornes, the Circuit’s designated Surveyors have reassessed the situation and revised the market value to £600,000 in December 2025.
Lytchett Matravers Church is still to be valued by a designated adviser/surveyor; however, it is a cobb building which may restrict redevelopment and the ability to secure a mortgage on.
19
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
Under Standing Order 970, the CPF levy (Connexional Priority Fund) shall be charged on all capital money arising from a sale. The amount of levy chargeable is nil on the first £20,000, 20% on any excess over £20,000 up to £100,000 and 40% on any excess over £100,000 (Standing Order 972).
## **Investment Properties**
Investment properties – no property is currently deemed to not be held for the long-term purposes of the charity.
## **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**
Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid. The liquid funds of bank balances and deposit account balances are shown at realisable values.
## **Creditors**
Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after trade discounts, where normal credit terms apply or amount advanced to the Circuit. Subsequently, creditors that are current liabilities are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid.
## **Loans**
Concessionary loans include those receivable from/ made to third parties which are interest free or below market rates and are made to advance charitable purposes. All loans are measured at cost, less impairment.
## **Pensions**
Most ordained presbyters and deacons are members of the Methodist Ministers’ Pension Scheme (MMPS). This is a defined benefit scheme. The Supreme Court held in 2014 that Methodist ministers are not employees of the Church. For simplicity, however, when dealing with National Insurance contributions and pension contributions, the terms ‘employer’ and ‘employee’ are used as they would be in an employing body. Lay employees, however, are contractually employees and have the option of joining The Pensions Trust. This is a defined contribution scheme. The Connexion accounts for MMPS and shows the figures in the annual Methodist Church of Great Britain accounts.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the Trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the group.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
20
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
**Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2024**
||**Notes to the**|**accounts**|**General Fund**
**(Unrestricted)**|**Circuit Model**
**Trust**
**(Unrestricted)**|**Designated**
**Funds**
**(Unrestricted)**|**Restricted**
**Funds**|**Endowment**
**Funds**|**Total**
**2023-24**|**Total**
**2022-23**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income and Endowments from:**||||||||||
|Donations and legacies||4|32,000|||||32,000|-|
|Income from monetary investments||5|53,256|45,508||70|46|98,880|52,309|
|Assessments on Churches||6|223,707|||||223,707|329,864|
|Other Charitable Income||7|62,469|||752||63,221|55,794|
|**Total income**|||**371,432**|**45,508**|**-**|**822**|**46**|**417,808**|**437,967**|
|**Expenditure on:**||||||||||
|Donations||8|250||30,000|||30,250|37,273|
|Salaries, NIC & Pension costs||9|146,478||117,287|||263,765|251,991|
|Property maintenance & other costs|||11,706||60,226|||71,932|47,143|
|Expenditure on sale of property|10||-|6,063||||6,063|6,732|
|Loss on disposal of fixed asset|10||-|155,287||||155,287|-|
|Office expenses|||2,528|||||2,528|2,498|
|Telephone and Travel|||12,934||4,002|||16,936|17,468|
|Insurance, Utilities etc.|||27,010||3,196|||30,206|34,889|
|District Assessment & Levy|||7,332||5,064|||12,396|12,156|
|Methodist Church Fund|||12,624||26,772|||39,396|60,192|
|Contributions to District Advance Fund||||25,077||||25,077|37,059|
|Professional fees||9|10,834|1,715||||12,549|8,994|
|Other outgoings|||6,094|1,447|8,162|4,185|2|19,890|10,132|
|Write off - balance of Poole Methodists Loan|16||64,000|||||64,000|-|
|**Total charitable expenditure**|||**301,790**|**189,589**|**254,709**|**4,185**|**2**|**750,275**|**526,527**|
|**Net expenditure**|||**69,642**|**-144,081**|**-254,709**|**-3,363**|**44**|**-332,467**|**-88,560**|
|**Transfers between funds**|15||**-458,959**|**255,326**|**203,633**|**-**|**-**|-|-|
|**Other recognised gains/losses:**||||||||||
|Gains/Losses on revaluation of investments|11||10|||||10|-17|
|Losses on revaluation of fixed assets|10||-180,000|-||||-180,000|-456,000|
|**Net movement in funds**|||**-569,307**|**111,245**|**-51,076**|**-3,363**|**44**|**-512,457**|**-544,577**|
|Total funds brought forward|||7,384,484|501,929|239,192|6,026|2,616|8,134,247|8,678,824|
|Prior period adjustment to funds b/fwd||11|1,752||||-1,752|-|-|
|**Total funds carried forward**|||**6,816,929**|**613,174**|**188,116**|**2,663**|**908**|**7,621,790 **|**8,134,247**|
21
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
|**4. Donations and legacies**
Donation - Youth
District Grant - God Squad
Irene G. Darlington Bequest
**Total**
**5. Income from monetary investments**
Central Finance Board CFB
TMCP
CAF
**Total**
**6. Assessments on Churches**
Bournemouth Methodists
Broadstone
Kinson (closed)
Lytchett Matravers (closed)
Poole
Swanage
Upton
Wool|**Unrestricted**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund Restricted**
**Endowment**
**2025**
**Total**
**2024**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
£
£
500
500
0
190
190
0
20,976
20,976
32,000|
|---|---|
||**21,666**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**21,666**
**32,000**
**Unrestricted**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund Restricted**
**Endowment**
**2025**
**Total**
**2024**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
£
£
46,345
46,345
52,703
1,470
28,478
65
44
30,057
46,018
56
56
159|
||**47,871**
**28,478**
**65**
**44**
**76,458**
**98,880**
**Unrestricted**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund Restricted**
**Endowment**
**2025**
**Total**
**2024**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
£
£
86,936
86,936
85,268
48,028
48,028
47,106
0
0
22,131
0
0
6,066
22,917
22,917
15,000
26,679
26,679
26,166
16,591
16,591
16,273
5,809
5,809
5,697|
|**Total**
**206,960**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**206,960**
**223,707**
Note: Bournemouth Methodists include: St George's, Trinity, Victoria Park and Winton churches.
**7. Other Charitable Income**
**Unrestricted**
**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund Restricted**
**Endowment**
**2025**
**Total**
**2024**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
£
£
Lettings (Fernside Road)
19,275
19,275
18,600
Lettings (Headswell Avenue)
19,350
19,350
18,600
Lettings (St Lukes Road to 4 July 2025)
19,973
19,973
24,000
Lettings (Cherry Hill Grove from August
2024)
10,800
10,800
900
Lytchett Matravers Church closure
2,305
2,305
0
Other
623
623
1,121||
|**Total**
**72,326**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**72,326**
**63,221**||
22
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Circuit Model 2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Trust Fund
8 Donations and Grants Total Total
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donation to Southampton District - leaving gift
for Chair 0 0 250
Grant to Welcome Inn Café @ Victoria Park,
Bournemouth Methodists 0 0 30,000
Total 0 0 0 0 0 30,250
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Staff Costs paid during the year were:**
Gross wages, salaries and benefits in kind
Employer’s National Insurance costs
Pension costs
Administration costs inc. apprenticeships levy
**Total staff costs**
Stipends
Stipends - housing/living allowance
**Total (Inc. stipends)**
**9. Salaries & Associated Costs**|**2025**
**Total**
£|**2025**
**Total**
£|**2024**
**Total**
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||43,149||34,511|
||2,771||1,076|
||2,020||2,050|
||1,880||1,483|
||**49,820**||**39,120**|
||228,342||220,614|
||4,471||4,031|
||**282,633**||**263,765**|
Stipend salaries relate to the employees of the central Methodist and costs are recharged to Poole Bay Circuit. No employees earn in excess of £60,000.
|**Average number of lay employees employed during the year were:**
Average Full Time Equivalent (FTE) number of lay employees employed during the year were:
**Average number of Ministers stationed during the year were:**
Average Full Time Equivalent (FTE) number of Ministers|3||3|
|---|---|---|---|
||1.4||1.0|
||6||6|
||5.5||5.5|
## **Payment to Trustees**
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit by agreement with the Circuit Meeting. Trustees are also authorised to purchase items for the Church's use and were reimbursed the cost of those items.
## Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Nature of the expenses : Mileage, Telephone, business Expenses incurred by Ministers and Stewards and the cost of small tokens to Circuit Stewards and Ministers. Also, reimbursement of allowable expenses relating to the manses.
## **Total amount paid**
## **Professional Fees**
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts Other professional fees (legal & other fees on purchase/sale of church/manse) Other professional fees (eg: legal fees)
**Total Fees**
||**This year**|**This year**|**Last year**|
|---|---|---|---|
|£|14,185||15,244|
|||||
||8||6|
|||||
|£
£
£
£
£||||
||14,185||15,244|
|||||
||10,448||9,450|
||50||1,715|
||7,080||1,384|
||**17,578**||**12,549**|
23
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **10. Tangible Fixed Assets**
Cost or valuation
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Other non investment
Manses land and buildings Total
£ £ £
Balance brought forward 5,818,500 0 5,818,500
Additions 0
Revaluations (+/-) -480,500 -480,500
Disposals (-) 0
Transfers * (+/-) 0
Balance carried forward 5,338,000 0 5,338,000
Net book value
Brought forward 5,818,500 0 5,818,500
Carried forward 5,338,000 0 5,338,000
**----- End of picture text -----**
The Manse properties have been revalued at Market Value on 31st August 2025 based on Zoopla estimates as at 20th January 2026 (17 September 2025 valuations updated).
If the Manse properties had continue to be revalued on 31st August 2025 based on the insurance valuations of £5,063,817 provided by Methodist Insurance in October 2025 the total valuation would have been £274,183 lower than by using market values.
|**Disposal of fixed assets**|**Unrestricted**|**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund **|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**2025**
**Total**|**2024**
**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Disposal of Wimborne Road manse *||0|||0|0|
|Disposal of York Road manse **||0|||0|0|
|**Total**|0|0|0|0|**0**|0|
* There was no profit/loss on disposal on the sale of Wimborne Road manse reported in the YE23-24 accounts, the market valuation was held at sale price of £450,000 per previous year's balance sheet.
** There was no profit/loss on disposal on the sale of York Road manse reported in the YE24-25 accounts, the market valuation was held at sale price of £455,000 per previous year's balance sheet.
|**Loss on disposal of fixed assets**
**Unrestricted**|**Circuit Model**
**Trust Fund **|**Restricted**|**Endowment**|**2025**
**Total**|**2024**
**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|TMCP Levy on sale of property - York Road *|0|||0|155,287|
|Selling costs i.e. estate agents fees, ACS fees|0|||0|6,063|
|**Total**
0|0|0|0|**0**|**161,350**|
* Connexional Priority Fund levy was applied to sale of York Road manse as it was not a replacement project.
24
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **11. Investments**
The funds that support the Circuit Model Trust Fund and the Manses Fund are held by TMCP in Trustees Interest Funds on which interest is credited to the accounts each month. These are regarded as medium and long term investments.
TMCP is the legal owner and Custodian Trustee of all Methodist Model Trust property, including Legacies, Endowments and Accumulated Funds. Trust property is held for and on behalf of local Managing Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of trust property. TMCP ensure that, through providing guidance and acting under their direction, the Managing Trustees comply with Charity Law and Methodist Law and policy as determined by the Methodist Conference.
## **Analysis of investment movements**
|**Analysis of investment movements**|**Analysis of investment movements**|**Analysis of investment movements**|
|---|---|---|
|**This year**
**Previous year**
**£**
**£**|||
|CFB investment fund - Managed Fixed Interest|**222**|**227**|
|**Change in investment values**
**£**
**£**|||
|**Net:** (loss)/gain on revaluation
**Carrying (market) value at end ofyear**
Carrying (market)value at beginningofyear|227
-5
**222**|217
10
**227**|
25
POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **12. Analysis of current assets**
|**Debtors and prepayments**
Other church debtors - church wages
Other debtors
**Total debtors and prepayments**
**Analysis of cash at bank**
Bank balance held in CAF Current Account
Bank balance held in CFB Ops and Reserves
Bank balance held in TMCP Funds - Poole Bay
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - Poole Bay Reserves
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - Robert Ferguson Trust
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - Various Bequests
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - Fords' Trusts
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - Legacy Wareham
Bank balance held in TMCP Fund - E D Clarke
Cash held - Foodbank
Sundry Creditors
Creditors - Church
Creditors - Other Church re: Foodbank
Creditors - Welcome Inn Café @ Victoria Park - 24/25 Grant
Long term creditors - Welcome Inn Café @ Victoria Park - 25/26 & 26/27 Grant *
**Total Creditor and Accruals**
**12. Analysis of current assets**
Accrued income - bequest
Prepayments
**Total Cash and Bank**
**13. Analysis of current liabilities and long term creditors**|**This year**
**£**
13,097
976
0
607
**14,680**
19,184
1,125,518
333,063
62,486
1,427
55,030
949
28
5,861
8
**1,603,554**|**This year**
**£**
13,097
976
0
607
**14,680**
19,184
1,125,518
333,063
62,486
1,427
55,030
949
28
5,861
8
**1,603,554**|**Last year**
**£**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||18,888|
||||32,000|
||||1,677|
||||361|
||||**52,926**|
|||||
||||30,266|
||||1,140,705|
||||553,348|
||||59,826|
||||1,366|
||||1,842|
||||908|
||||19|
||||5,612|
||||72|
||||**1,793,964**|
|||||
||15,863||13,050|
||2,959||0|
||0||777|
||0||10,000|
||0||20,000|
||**18,822**||**43,827**|
* Long term creditor - £20k payment was b/fwd so all remaining grant was paid during 24-25
## **14. Capital commitments and contingent liabilities**
At the 31st August 2025 the Circuit has no capital commitments. No Contingent liabilities were identified at 31st August 2025.
26
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **15. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements Unrestricted Funds**
|**Unrestricted Funds**||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fund Name**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**|**Revaluation**
**gains/losses**|**Closing**
**Balance**|**Purpose of the fund**|
|General|958,730|325,686|-293,872|-23,754||966,790|General Mission|
|Wareham|19|8||||27|General Mission|
|Eva Doris Clark|5,611|268|-18|||5,861|From Corfe Mullen - general mission|
|Various Bequests|33,842|22,171|-6|||56,007|For general purposes|
|Property|5,818,500||||-480,500|5,338,000|Provision of Manses for Minister use|
|Poole Bay Model Trust Fund|613,174|28,478|-34,744|-211,359||395,549|Mission|
|Education & Youth Fund (designated)|3,651|690|-1,944|||2,397|Education & Youth - God Squad|
|Equipment (designated)|5,502||-1,457|250||4,295|Provision of Equipment|
|Mission & Outreach (designated)|20,167||-36|||20,131|Various mission & outreach projects|
|Ministers removal (designated)|-6,458||-6,846|13,304||0|To assist ministers when moving|
|Deacons Fund (designated)|17,059||-122,278|123,175||17,956|To cover future Deacons costs|
|Lay Employee Fund (designated)|45,577||-57,991|62,290||49,876|To cover Lay employee costs|
|Manse Repairs (designated)|101,144||-61,113|36,000||76,031|To cover manse repair costs|
|Training (designated)|1,474||-286|||1,188|Training|
|Totals|**7,617,992**|**377,301**|**-580,591**|**-94**|**-480,500**|**6,934,108**||
|**Restricted Funds**||||||||
|**Fund Name**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**|
**Closing**
**Balance**|**Purpose of the fund**||
|Rev. Robert Ferguson Trust|2,285|65|-4||2,346|To support retired Ministers||
|Int. Org. Food Bank|72|0|-63||9|Internal Org.provide food to those inpoverty||
|Benevolent|306||-400|94|0|Superintendents discretion for those in need||
|Totals|**2,663**|**65**|**-467**|**94**|**2,355**|||
|**Endowment Fund**||||||||
|**Fund Name**|**Opening**
**Balance**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Closing**
**Balance**||||
|Fords Trust - Endowment|**908**|44|-3|**949**||||
|**Investment Fund**||||||||
|**Fund Name**|**How the Capital**
**is invested**|**Opening**
**Value**|27
**Current Value**|**Revaluation**|**What was income used for**|||
|Wareham Bequests -unrestricted CFB
Mngd Fixed Interest investment fund|Trustee for
Methodist Purposes|227|222|-5|added/deducted to fund value||27|
||**Totals**|**227**|**222**|**-5**||||
## POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **16. Reconcilation of net income & expenditure to net cash flow from operating activities**
|Net Movement in funds per SOFA
Interest receivable
Revaluation of tangible fixed assets
Losses/(gains) on investments
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
(Decrease) / increase in creditors
Net cash outflow from operating activities|2025||2024
£
-512,457
-98,880
180,000
-10
53,165
23,405|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|||
||-684,156
-76,458
480,500
5
38,246
-25,005|||
||-266,868||-354,777|
These accounts are compliant with FRS102 and with FRS102 SORP 2019.
## **17. Related party transactions**
## **This year**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Description of Repayment due Amount Loan write Amounts owed
Name of related party Relationship transaction date B/Fwd off by related party
on 31-Aug-2025
£ £ £
Poole Methodists Circuit Church Non-secured loan written off 64,000 64,000 0
Total 64,000 64,000 0
**----- End of picture text -----**
## Other:
A total amount of £490 was paid to 3 outgoing Ministers in recognition of their contribution to the Circuit Ministry.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Last year
Description of Repayment due Amount Loan write Amounts owed
Name of related party Relationship transaction date B/Fwd off by related party
on 31-Aug-2024
£ £ £
Poole Methodists * Circuit Church Non-secured loan written off 64,000 0 64,000
Total 64,000 0 64,000
**----- End of picture text -----**
* Circuit Trustees agreed to write off the remaining balance of the interest free loan to Poole Methodists of £64,000 at the Circuit Meeting held on 17th September 2024.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## **DECLARATIONS**
## **Financial Representative**
I can confirm that I have prepared the accounts from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit Meeting.
## **Signature of the Financial Representative** Louise Tidd
Date: 16 February 2026
**Name** Louise Tidd
**Address** Poole Bay Methodist Circuit The Circuit Office C/o Winton Methodist Church Heron Court Road Bournemouth BH9 1DE
## **Presentation to the Circuit Meeting for approval.**
I confirm that the accounts have been presented to the Circuit Meeting on the 3[rd] March 2026 and were approved.
## **Signatures of the Joint Chairs of the meeting**
## **Name of the Joint Chairs at the meeting**
**Date**
Rev’d K James & Rev’d S Knebel 3rd March 2026
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Poole Bay Methodist Circuit
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Poole Bay Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including FRS 102 ‘‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’’.
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its results for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the financial statements.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Poole Bay Methodist Circuit
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on page 13, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
As part of our audit planning we obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that is applicable to the Charity. We gained an understanding of the Charity and the sector in which the Charity operates as part of this assessment to identify the key laws and regulations affecting the Charity. As part of this, we reviewed the Methodist Church website for an indication of any regulations in place and discussed these with the relevant individuals responsible for compliance. The key regulations we identified were Charity legislation, health and safety regulations and employment law. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities Act 2011 and Charities SORP - FRS 102.
We discussed with management how the compliance with these laws and regulations is monitored and discussed policies and procedures in place. We also identified the individuals who have responsibility for ensuring that the Charity complies with laws and regulations and deals with reporting any issues if they arise. As part of our planning procedures, we assessed the risk of any non-compliance with laws and regulations on the Charity’s ability to continue trading and the risk of material misstatement to the accounts.
Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved the following:
- Enquiries of management and trustees regarding their knowledge of any non-compliance with laws and regulations that could affect the financial statements. As part of these enquiries we also discussed with management whether there have been any known instances, allegations or suspicions of fraud.
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POOLE BAY METHODIST CIRCUIT ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
## Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Poole Bay Methodist Circuit
- Reviewed filings with the Charity Commission and whether there were any serious incident reports made during the year.
- Discussed with management if any health and safety incidents have been recorded during the year.
- Reviewed legal and professional costs to identify any possible non-compliance or legal costs in respect of noncompliance.
- Reviewed Board minutes.
- Audited the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness.
- Audited the risk of fraud in revenue recognition, including verification of church assessments to board papers and circuit church accounts filed with the Charity Commission.
- Reviewed estimates and judgements made in the accounts for any indication of bias.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate omissions, collusion, forgery, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are also less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Trustees those matters we are required to state to Trustees in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its Trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## Francis Clark LLP
Francis Clark LLP, Statutory Auditor Towngate House 2-8 Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2PW
Date:
_Francis Clark LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006._
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