BLACKHEATH AND CRYSTAL PALACE CIRCUIT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH REGISTERED CHARITY No. 1137991 ANNUAL REPORT for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024 Introduction I am pleased to be able to present the Annual Report for our Methodist Circuit, and trust that you will find the contents to be of interest. It is my strongly held belief that the churches of our circuit remain fimi in faith and resolute in their detennination to ot.fer the Gospel message to the people of South London. Revd Richard Grocoll, Superintendent Minister The registered address for correspondence is: Circuit Administrator. Blackheath & Crystal Palace Circuit Office, Bumt Asli Methodist Church Hall, Burnt Ash Hill, London, SE12 OQD The trustees who serve the charity are those specifically appointed to positions within the circiiit, those who represent each of the nine church communities, plus ministers of religFion who reside within the circuit or who have served within the Methodist Church and who have retired to live in the area. Aims and organisation The registered objectives of the Charity 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 The charity > mission statement states that: The Blackheath and Crystal Palace Circuit promotes Methodism and Christian communities by actively Empoivering? Supporting? Resourcing and Encouraging its member churches to inerease awareness of God's saving grace through Christ and His ei'erlasting love. The Charity's approach to achieving that mission is by: Providing the best possible resources to enable Christian worship, witness and service in each ot our nine Church communities. Organising and resourcing regyular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-mcmbcrs alike. The teaching of Christianity througvh sem]ons: courses and small groups. Encouragying training and preparation for all aspects of church life. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Exercising Christian ministry througThout the Lommunity without discrimination. Mutually encouraging and supporting the ministry of the whole people of God. Fostering the Connexional spirit of Methodism within the Circuit and beyond. Nurturingy ecumenical and other faith relationships. Public Benefit We continn the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benetit. Structure, Governance and Management The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (19J2) and Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed gyovcrnance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). The practical management of the charity is undertaken by a Circuit Leadership Team coniprising the ministers of religion: who are each appointed initiall), for five years - but who may stay for longer. the circuit stewards who are appointed each year by the Circuit Meeting and the Circuit Treasur¢r who is also appointed annually. Co-opted members include the Circuit Safeguardingy Officer and the Circuit Manses Officer. The circuit was successful in satisfying all of its key responsibilities, i.e. in the provision of ministers, co-ordinating the preaching plan, maintaining the manses, monitoring the governance of each of the nine churches: as well as supporting and encourag7ing each cliurch n their mission of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. The circuit has been r¢presented at District Synod. Trustee Training A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit, specificallv the leatlet 'The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church, is available to all new Circuit meeting members via the Circuit website, as induction to their role as trustees. The handbook ' Role of a Circuit Steward, has been made available to all Circuit Stewards. Related Partles The Circuit is part of the London District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit Ancrlcy Methodist Church Burnt Ash Methodist Church Eltham Park Meihodist Church Forest Hill Methodist Church Hither Green Methodist Church Lewisham Methodist Church Sunfields Methodist Church Upper Norwood Methodist Church Wesley Hall Methodist Church Risk Management The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Finance and Propety Committee with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular annual r¢view process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budgset on a half y¢arly basis to detcct trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. Safeguarding Every person has a value and dignity which comes directl), 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 imagye of God and therefore to protect them froni harm. Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: the care and nurtur¢ 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 inforn]ed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. We will carefull! select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in linc with Sater Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes. W¢ will r¢spond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been hamied. 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 infonned 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 carc 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. We will seek to strongvly encourag7¢ considcration for, and training in. principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised gFood practice The Blackheath & Crystal Palace 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 Blackheath & Crystal Palace Circuit commits itself to the provision of support. advice and trainingy tor lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in saf¢guarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. Brief financial review of the year Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment of £255,791 paid in full by the Circuit churches. Expenditure Expenditure in the year was £270,970. 61.3 /0 Of cxpcnditure was on stipends. travel costs. etc. 17.6 % was the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. The other ¢xpenditur¢, 21.1 %, includes administration and manse costs. Fund balanLes As at 31 August 2024. the net current assets of the Circuit (includings the Circuit Model Trust Fund) were £164,673 compared to £179,852 at the start of the year. Although there as been a reduction in Fund Balances, sufficient reserves are held to cover day-to-day expenditure, unexpected maintenance costs and to provide funding for any proj¢cts required to meet the Circuit's Mission Statement. Plansfor 2024/25 Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there are four full time ordained staff and one part administration staff with anticipated cost of living stRpend increases. Ba,fiS ofpreparation and legalframework Although the Charitv's gross income was more than £250,000 in the year to 31 August 2024, Receipts and Payments reporting has been used rather than Accruals as forecasted rev¢nuc for the next two years is anticipated to be less than £250k. This is primarily because of a planned reduction in ministerial numbers from I September 2025, with the resultant reduction in circuit assessm¢nt. Full Name of Charity: Blackheath & Crystal Palace Circuit Regyistration Charity Number: 1137991 Date of registration: I Septembcr ?012 Main communication address: The Circuit Administrator, Burnt Ash MethodÈst Church Hall, Burnt Ash Hill, London, SEI 2 OQD The members of the Blackheath & Crystal Palace Methodist Circuit meetingi are the Charity Trustees, m¢mbership beinLF made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by thc local churches. Fully membership is shown as Appendix A to this report. Active Circuit Ministers Rev Richard Grocott Rev Charles ILunga Rev Craig Gaffney Rev William Davis Dr Gany Young (Senior) Mrs Margaret Boreham Mrs Helena Green Mr Samual Newlove-Agbonlahor Dr Linda Ryan (from I l April 2024) Mrs Jessica Matumika-Limba ex ofticio Circuit Stewards Administrator: Dr Linda Ryan Name of the circuit steward who acted as the principal officer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year (treasurer) was Mrs Jessica Matumika-Limba. Independent ¢xamin¢r Investment Bankers Mr David West, 67 H¢athwood Gardens, London, SE7 8ET Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes Barclays Current bank accounts Reserves Policy As at 31 August 2024, the circuit had the following cash reserves: Bal¢inces at 31 Aug 2024 £ 12.832 £ 97,999 £ 5J,742 Bank accounts (General Fund) CFB account (General Fund): Circuit Model Trust Fund: In addition. investments valued at £25,206 were held in the Circuit Model Trust Fund, so that the total funds available to the Circuit were approximately £189,879 The Circuit holds the following sums as designated reserves: l. District Assessment Reserve {£60.000), belng the equivalent of one year's assessment payable bv the Circuit to the London District. 2. Cash Flow Reserve (£70,000) being an operational reserve covering approximately 42 % of normal annual cash flow of about £166,000. other than the Dislrict Assessment, provided for above. Manse Repair Reserve (£60,000) to cover unforeseen expenditure above the regyular prog7rammc of work so as to ensure the proper and adequate provision of ministerial housing. The Circuit considers this level of total reserves of £190,000, to be appropriate for its current needs. It is the expectation that the combined value of the General Fund and Circuit Model Trust Fund of £189,879 will r¢ducc gradually in future. Declaration The trustees declare that they have understood all of the requirements associated with the submission of the annual return and all of the statements contained within it. and the infom]ation provided in the relevant parts of the annual return is correct and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief and has been brought to the attention of the charity trustees who have each individually verified this and given their infomied express consent to this submission with full knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the contents of the privacy notice. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signatures: Rev. Richard Grocott (Chairn]an) Mr. Jessica Matumika-Limba (Treasurer) Date: 27 rebfua" 025 APPENDIX A Names of the trustees who managed the charity in the year I September 2023 to 31 August 2024.. Rev. Richard Grocott Rev. William Davis Mrs Clair¢ Pcnnycard Mrs Margaret Boreham Mr Graham Sparkes Mrs Marian Young Dr. Linda Ryan Mrs Barbara Charlick Mrs Marion Thompson Mrs Brenda Renshaw Mrs Saira Bonhan-croft Ms Bernadetta Banda Mrs Alecia Austin Ms Cynthia Davis Mrs Judith Crane-St.Hill Mrs Margaret Price Miss Sandra Clifton Mrs Evelyn Richards Mrs Hilary Waterhouse Mrs Comtort Oppong Mrs Helena Green Mr Alfred Macauley-James Mrs Gify Quartey Miss Loma White Ms Vick), Hayt"ord Mrs Rosie Dada Rev. Craig Gaffney Rev Charles ILunga Dr Garry Young Mr. Milton Boothe Mr Andrew Tredinnick Miss Ruth Potter Mrs Esme Russell-mitra Mr Samuel Newlove-AgbonlahoF Ms Brenda Onatade Mr. Gerald Hardy Mrs Jessica Matumika Limba Mr. Winston Fraser Mr Graham Green Mr Andrew Gibbs Mr Kwesi Eshun Mrs Jean Taylor Ms Sandra Floy Mrs Valerie Tredinnick Mrs Mary Sparkes Mrs Sibon&7ile Mnguni Mr Sylvester Oppong Mr Chris Watkins Ms Eunice Millett Mrs Jeannette Warren Mr Robert Munro CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Blackheath & C tsl Palace Circuit Circuit FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 London District Clrcuit no 35128 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1137991 If not a regISte￿d charity His Majestys Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in tenns 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: Rev Rcichard Grocott Rev William Davis Rev Charles Ilunoa Rec Crai9..Gaffney......................._............-................................................................ Circuit SteMFrds: Dr GarRy..Youn9........................-...........-......-.-.......................................................... Mrs mar9.aret Boreham Mrs Helena Green Treasurer. Mrs Jessica Matumika Limba ¢ircuit4 andJ)-2024 1of4 ea rysta Circuit ace ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 Circuit Clrcuft re8trid•d Model Trust R•strfcted Funds Fund Funds Totals this year Totals last year SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Note Assessmenvshare 250,000 250,000 235,750 Ca ital recei Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 4.184 1.345 5.529 5.841 Grants Other re￿ip1S TOTAL RECEIPTS 262 262 800 a7 254.446 1,345 255,791 {a8) 242,391 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs 166,109 36,244 14,920 47,740 2,000 166,109 36,244 14.920 155,330 29,432 31,297 48,264 2.000 b3 Manse Costs Administration etc b5 District Assessment 47,740 2,000 b6 b7 Grants & donations b8 other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 3,957 3.957 270,970 2,816 b9 270.970 {b9) 269,139 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 a7￿9 16.524 15,179 26,748 Total funds brou ht forward from last ear 127,456 52.396 179,852 206,600 c3 Sub total cl+c2 110,932 53,741 164,673 179,852 Transfers and ad'ustments c7 c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR {c3+c4) 110,932 53,741 164,673 Ic8> 179,852 Ic6) In an SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be Included In total rocoi tslpayments above) Balance brou ht foNRrd from last d1 ear d2 Offerin slGifts - received for extemal o anisations OfferingslGtfts - passed to external organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 d3 d4 iTcuit-T gndTr2024 2of4 Blackh•ath & C tal Pl1•￿ Clr¢uEt ClreuSt SUM cuTh￿coUNT8 NJ40 G TO THE C￿CU￿ IIEETING SECTION E the Guld4nc• N Summary of th8 Circuit a￿Unts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Iniemal Or98nlsations rewtNJ b) lJ)o QrLJJrt M88ting. that the fiJnd8 of an Intsmd Organisation nom￿1￿ be R8$trI￿ funds u￿889 rt be d8arly shwi that Ilw ¢>xAd ￿ used forany M8thodist purpose. Th￿ section must be ccfnpleied to arrive at I1￿ grtsss receipts and payThnts totaL8 ofthe Cirr¥rt. If9ross in(￿rne exteeds lh8 Accruals threshoNI of £250,000, then the Acrxu8ls method of acmJnting AND A DIFFERENT FORM rn￿1 be used to ac*)JJnts1$00 Methodist websit81. Hease r8f8r to th8 guidance nots$ regarding transfers beiween th8 Ciruiiand rA￿n&￿vaj C¥uJrt Organisabon5. INTERNAL ORGANLUTIOIIS baL8nC8$ Ck)sin b3kincts Sub total of Intsm81 Organiytk?n$ fund5 1•111 Clrcult a￿lunt• (tows b￿Ught fDrwar%l from pago 2-tolals ¢0￿M￿l 255.791 270￿70 15.179 e7 179.852 Icsl 164,673 c8 ¢lO HELO BYCRCU 255,791 270J70 15.179 179 852 Ixl 164.673 Conlnue on a separats TOT*L RECEIPTS TOT•L PAYMENTS the tolaL4 forvArd SEcT￿N F TATEMENT OF ASSETSMID OPENING BALANCES CL051NG BALANCES CIRciJrr. FUND8 HELD •t31 Au u8t2024 Cash in hand 100 100 8ank CUrrentArth￿t Bank Actr￿nt f4 C8nlrdl FinBn¢% BoBrd 121798 97.999 Trust99$ for MelhodistChur¢h Pu 52.397 53,742 Otherfunds SUB TOTPL 179.852 Ic61 164,673 IG81 Totsl fvThJs held by 1ntsrTr￿ &yJnwtK￿s{the th5ing baLryn￿ totsts atThel1812 e11 of2 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD ay cn¢urr 179.852 Ixl 164,673 SECTION G OTHER ￿SETs LIABIUTES 2023 31 ￿ u$1 2024 25,206 Land and Bu1￿. 5gB nolos ro kn8ur8fK* va 2 200 000 other AssetS-AmrAJnts due re Fue81 H -show 8mountout51and al othef L￿l*ll*S 14 Indude onty Funds ha￿ 8tlh8 Central Bowd IS Indude On￿ CFB Funds hekl atTEustee8fOrM8th￿I￿1chUtth ￿J￿*e1 g1 In¢hJde anyoth8flwtss1r￿Trts Inclthe cashd￿￿otTkfp 1rWt￿jnts1￿ knelS1 3d5 Name of Circuit . Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Re￿Ipt and Pa￿nent 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.. JesS!Ca ...M.qtU..rYLkrfi.................................. Name and address of treasurer ... Post Code. Presentation to the Circuit meetlng I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were/￿31￿be. presented to the Circuit meeting held on .. 97.'..F£btL'CkY au25 Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Date . .&7.J?125 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the PrtL¥!C£... Circuit Charity Number IL37.qq.I Responsibilities and basls 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 . to 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 section 145(5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate circutt-r and￿2024 4of4 Name of Circuit . ..3.5JLp Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confimi 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 accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ viith section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concems 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. I havel Church ave not" obtained independent verification of all investments viith the Trustees for Methodist urposes 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 qualification of independent examiner Name of (where appropriate) Address ¢9 INJ Post Code Date delete or circle as appropriate drcuit-r andJ)-2￿24 5ofS Circuit Accounts The Circuit Accounts are completed pending independent examination as per the attachment. Though the circuit revenue reached the threshold of £250k, receipts and payments reporting has been used and not accruals, for the mere fact that the forecasted revenue for the next two years will be less than £250k due to the reduction in the number of ministers as per circuit structuring which will also result in reduction in the circuit assessment. As per Charity Commission, we can only change to accruals reporting if we are expecting higher revenues for the foreseeable periods and not only one period. The accounts for 2023124 shows a deficit £15,637. The standard form of accounts has a figure of (£16,524), for some unknown reasons during the year the payroll bureau were paying the property manager for Upper Norwood from the circuit accounts. After I rectrified this Upper Norwood later refunded the money to the circuit account and the balance of £887 was paid after 31 August so it will be reflecting in the 2024125 accounts. 1 No major repairs were done in the manses and the repairs costed £16,373 2 Water, telephone and council tax costed £19,871 3 Circuit administration costs were £14,920 General Fund & Circuit Model Trust Fund As of 31 August 2024, deposits and cash totalled £164.673, as per the draft accounts for the year. There was also a CFB investment held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes valued at £25,206, which Is unrestricted. The Total Funds available to the circuit were therefore £164,673 + £25.206 = £189,879 At the year end, the unrestricted General Fund, including the CFB investment, the Circuit Model Trust Fund stood at £164,673 and the investment was £25,206 Level of reserves General Fund reserve levels are listed below which amount to £189,879 and are ideal for the smooth operations of the circuit. The resenies have been designated as per below.. District Assessment Reserve (£60,000) The Circuit has an obligation to meet the annual District assessment. For 2024125 the assessment is £57,608. Due to the increment in the District assessment from last year I have had to revise the reserve policy. Cash Flow Reserve {£70,000) To ensure the circuit to meet the obligation of remitting ministers, stipends it is ideal to set aside funds for this purpose. An operational reserve, of approximately 42 % of the Minsters Stipends. Nlc. pension and other expenses ensures the smooth running of circuit operations. Stipends constitute 80 % of circuit costs. This reserve has been reviewed in this year. Manse Repair and other Ad hoc Reserve (£60,000) To meet the requirements of the quinquennial reports. the manses are supposed to be maintained at a ￿rtain standard. Repairs to the manses are done regularly as and when need be, hence, the need to have funds at disposal. This has worked well in past and continues to do so at present Periodic Review of the Policy It will be ideal to review the reserve policy in the coming year due to circuit restructuring happening in 2024126 Jessica Matumika, 20 January 2024