2023-08-31-accounts - Wigan Methodist Circuit

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1138103

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statement for the Year ended 31 August 2023

for

Wigan Methodist Circuit

Wigan Methodist Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities ‘Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 2015 ' as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015).

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number 1138103

Principal address

Wigan Methodist Circuit Circuit Office Spencer Road Whitley Wigan WN1 2QR

Trustees

The members of the Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees. A full list of trustees is included in the financial statements.

Accountant and Independent Examiner

Arc Accountancy Solutions Limited 51 Laverton Road Lytham St. Annes FY8 1EN

Advisers

The charity's investment managers are TMCP, Central Buildings, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1JQ.

The following ministers acted throughout the year:

Rev S Swithenbank Rev J Hilton Deacon Kathy Lamb Rev R Towle Deacon Clare Purfit

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

The charitable trust is constituted by the Deed of Union 1932, the Methodist Church Act 1976, is part of the Methodist Church of UK. The trustees listed have served throughout the year. Appointment of trustees is governed by the Methodist Church Act 1976. The Managing Trustees of Churches and the Circuit are empowered by our Standing Orders to appoint new trustees and to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an existing trustee. Circuit Managing Trustees have regular meetings where the Circuit’s main areas of activity and by extension the aims of the charity are discussed and agreed. The day to functioning of the circuit is governed by Standing Orders as set out in the Constitution, Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church. The charitable trust is registered with the Charity Commission.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The Managing Trustees review the major risks which the charity face and consider that there are none which would stop the charity from maintaining its objects. Assessments from individual churches have been agreed for the forthcoming year. It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a reasonable level to cover unforeseen expenses. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs for at least 6-month.

Ministerial stipends remained at the same level. One Presbyteral Minister moved on and was replaced by a Diaconal Minister. One part-time lay employee finished during the year and we continue, via grants and donations received, to support three who work with local churches in the circuit and community. The manse at Upholland Road is now being leased and produces a regular monthly income, as does the former manse at Spencer Road.

Total assessment levied on the churches was £166,570. The overall net decrease in Circuit funds for the year was £494,008. The total income and expenditure account for the year is detailed in the financial statements. The total value of manse and church property decreased in the year by £382,491 mainly due to a loss of £582,491 bringing the properties in line with fair value, offset by an increase of £200,000 from the addition of Blackrod church.

The coronavirus pandemic which began in March 2020 continues to reduce income from lettings and the need to support individual churches is likely to continue into the next financial year.

The trustees consider that the funds available are sufficient to permit the trust to continue in operation in the medium term, given the agreed assessments of the individual churches and the Connexional nature of its governance.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

Safeguarding

The Circuit is committed to ensuring the implementation of the Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. A training programme has enabled all members needing updating training and those needing initial training to attend an appropriate session.

Investment Powers

The Methodist Church Act 1976 authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the general and other funds of the charity, and such investments are presently held and shown within the financial statements at their current value.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objectives and aims of the Managing Trustees are to oversee and further the work of the Methodist Church. To this end, those activities which come within the oversight of the Managing Trustees are to provide ministerial oversight, manage circuit property including manses, contribute, as agreed, to District and Connexional assessments and be mindful of development opportunities for the Circuit. In order to do this the Managing Trustees, raise assessments on individual Methodist Churches in the Wigan area in accordance with Standing Orders. They may also make grants to individual churches for property, Ministry and Mission as permitted and governed by the Standing Orders. The Managing Trustees believe that these activities and the church resources are for the public benefit as, through its work the Managing Trustees enable pastoral ministry, spiritual engagement and contribute to community development in the Wigan Area. The Managing Trustees have noted the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

The Wigan Circuit seeks to be a close union of its individual churches. Everyone connected with a church should expect to feel that they are an important part of the church family and be supported. Through our common faith in Christ we seek, in prayerful action, to share and spread the love of Jesus throughout the local and wider community. We have met several times as a circuit both for mission and social events to bring us together. Prayer and bible study groups, lent and advent groups and other mission training groups are held throughout the circuit. Several churches now have regular “Messy Church”.

Our churches serve the local community through coffee mornings, luncheon clubs, toddlers, friendship groups, family support groups, craft groups and book clubs all reaching out into the community. We have strong links with the two Methodist/Anglican Schools in our circuit. The town Centre church works with the homeless and offers a food bank which is strongly supported by all the other circuit churches. Many church buildings are used on a regular basis for community activities by outside agencies including Action for Children, Age Concern, Healthy Living and are also home for many scout and guide association groups. Many of these groups are slowly returning to normal numbers following the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. However, we continue to offer prayer spaces and warm places for anyone, and are supporting local schools and families with food parcels and pastoral care as appropriate.

A lot of the work in the circuit is done on a voluntary basis and includes that of Circuit and church officers, commissioned Lay Persons, Local Preachers and Worship Leaders, members and secretaries of all the church committees and those assisting in running children’s work etc. Ministerial and lay staff members, along with volunteers within the church, continue to undergo Safeguarding training. The appointment of the Transforming Church and Communities organisation to manage day to day circuit finances, the appointment of an accountant and the transfer of the current account to Unity Trust Bank with subsequent online facilities has improved the circuit’s ability to monitor our financial activities more effectively.

From a financial perspective, the Managing Trustees consider that the performance of the charity this year has been satisfactory. Despite the losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, Stipends and Salaries have been covered, circuit property managed and kept in reasonable repair and external expenses covered. Sale of two underused properties is intended in the next financial year. The proceeds of which will be used to help recovery and encourage growth in existing churches.

Both the Circuit and individual Churches are continuing to review the links within their communities and we have two diaconal ministers assisting with developing this work, alongside the other staff.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The statements must give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

Approved by order of the Circuit Meeting on 12/03/2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Rev. Shaun Swithenbank

Wigan Methodist Circuit Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

Appendix

Managing Trustees 2022/23

The trustees are the members of the Circuit Meeting as set out below as at 31 August 2023:

Circuit Staff	Revd Shaun Swithenbank; Revd Richard Towle; Deacon Kathy Lamb; Deacon Clare Purfit;Mrs Elaine Meehan;Mr Jim Whelan
Circuit Stewards	Mrs Margaret Sowerby;Mrs Olwen Calland;Mr John Hughes;Mrs Ruth Ade-Hall
Sec. of Circuit mtg	ActingSec Mrs Elaine Meehan
Sec. of Preachers’ meeting	Mr Ken Vernon
Circuit Treasurer	Vacant(Circuit staff cover)
Circuit Property Sec	VACANT(Circuit staff cover)
World Mission Fund	Vacant
MHA	Mrs Susan Foster
Action for Children	Mrs Carol Littler
Circuit Safeguarding	Mrs Agnes Houghton
	Treasurer; Steward + 2 reps from Church Councils
Aspull	Mr James Porter;Mr Richard Baker;Mr Allen Howarth;Mrs Agnes Houghton
Bispham	Mrs Rosalind Smith;Mrs Jill Prosser;Mr Alan Roby;Dr David Lythgoe
Blackrod	CLOSED
Clowes	Mrs Marjorie Johnson;Mrs Kathleen Lord;Mrs Margaret Wright;Mr David Lord
Crooke	Mrs Ruth Chapman;Mr Brian Seed;Mrs Vivienne Fletcher;Mr Stephen Tebbit
Goose Green	Dr John Rylance;Mr John Selley;Mrs Gill Harrison;Mr John Hughes
Ince	Mr GaryCalland;Mrs Olwen Calland;Mr Paul Johnson;Mrs TraceyWaterworth
Orrell Post	Mr Eric Ashcroft;Mr Keith Kynaston;Mrs Anne Finch;Mrs Elaine Waterworth
Queen’s Hall	Mr Sam Ocran;Mrs Margaret Parker;Miss Ruth Russell;Mrs Trish Green
Shevington	Mrs Elaine Ashcroft;Mr TonyBostock;Mrs Evelyn Barrow;Mrs Sue Roberts
Spencer Road	Mr Brian Kelly;Mr Bryan Shepherd;Mrs MaryLloyd;Mrs Carol Littler

Wigan Methodist Circuit Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

Income 1 Donations and legacies 2 Income from monetary investments 3 Income from investment properties 4 Assessments on Churches 5 Capital Receipts & Levy refund 6 Grants received 7 Other charitable income 8Total income Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities: 9 Grants and donations 10 Stipends, salaries, NIC and pension costs 11 Property maintenance 12 District Assessment & Levy 13 Purchase of property 14 Depreciation 15 Office, administration and travel expenses 16 Other outgoings 17Total charitable expenditure 18 Net income before investment losses/gains 19 Losses/gains on monetary investments 20 (Losses)/Gains on investment properties 21 Net income/(expenditure) before transfers 22 Transfers between funds 23 Reclassification of funds 24 Other gains/(losses) 25 Net movement in funds 26 Transfer of balances from Blackrod Church 26 Funds brought forward 27 Property funds brought forward 28 Total Funds brought forward 29 Total funds carried forward	Note 2 14 14	General Fund (Unrestricted) Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted) Designated Funds (unrestricted) Restricted Funds Total 2022-23 Total 2021-22 £ £ £ £ £ £ 328 328 586 54 6,575 5 6,634 1,424 27,700 5,300 33,000 26,427 166,570 166,570 205,957 - 212,337 200 8,250 1,540 9,990 10,000 6,162 7,615 13,777 18,767 201,014 6,575 13,550 9,160 230,299 475,498
	3 7 6	58 58 5,882 163,958 13,292 177,250 176,243 36,565 46,132 82,697 59,018 55,981 11,206 67,187 78,449 0 276,975 0 0 15,868 758 16,626 19,878 604 604 2,504 273,034 11,964 46,132 13,292 344,422 618,949
		(72,020) (5,389) (32,582) (4,132) (114,123) (143,451)
	8	(112) (112) (176) (582,491) (582,491) 191,918 (654,511) (5,501) (32,582) (4,132) (696,726) 48,291
	10	105,000 (105,000) 0 0 0 92,975 0 0 (549,511) (110,501) (32,582) (4,132) (696,726) 141,266
		200,000 2,718 202,718 (11,921) 266,086 18,831 26,982 299,978 443,605 2,871,407 2,871,407 2,586,514 2,859,486 266,086 18,831 26,982 3,171,385 3,030,119
		2,509,975 155,585 (11,033) 22,850 2,677,377 3,171,385

Wigan Methodist Circuit

Balance Sheet

for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

Fixed Assets	Note	General Fund (Unrestricted) £	Circuit Model Trusts (Unrestricted) £	Designated Funds (Unrestricted) £	Restricted Funds £	Totals 2023 £

Circuit Manses & Equipment	10	1,297,449				1,297,449
Investment Properties (church buildings)	11	565,000				565,000
Investment Properties (manses rented out)	11	626,467				626,467
*Total fixed assets*		2,488,916	0	0	0	2,488,916
Current Assets
Debtors	12	24,142		1,543		25,685
Loans by the Circuit
Investments with TMCP		1,244	155,585		165	156,994
Central Finance Board Deposits		464				464
Cash at Bank and in hand		1,175		(12,576)	22,685	11,284
*Total current assets*		27,025	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	194,427
Current liabilities
Creditors (due in under 1 year)	13	5,966				5,966
Grants payable within 2020-21						0
*Total current liabilities*		5,966				5,966
*Net current assets/liabilities*		21,059	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	188,461

*Total assets less current* *liabilities*		2,509,975	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	2,677,377

Long term liabilities (due after more than oneyear)
Grants payable after 2019-19
Loans to the Circuit

*Net assets*		2,509,975	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	2,677,377
Funds of the Circuit
General Fund (Unrestricted)		2,509,975				2,590,975
Circuit Model Trust Fund (Unrestricted)			155,585			155,585
Designated Funds (Unrestricted)				(11,033)		(11,033)
*Total Unrestricted Funds*						2,654,527
Restricted Funds					22,850	22,850
Endowment Funds
*Total Funds*	14	2,509,975	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	2,677,377

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

1 Basis of accounting policies

i Accounting standard

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 (FRS 102) (effective from 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).

ii Public benefit entity

The Wigan Methodist Circuit meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical costs or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) below.

iii 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. The accruals basis has been used and trustees present accounts that show a true and fair view of the Circuit’s financial position and activities.

iv Content

The financial information presented is relevant, reliable, comparable and complete. Where estimates are used these are based on experience, research, and judgement. The accounts are expressed in £ Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound.

v FRS102 SORP2015

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable charity law in England this being the Charities Act 2011, The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 SI 2008/629 and Accounting and Reporting by charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

vi Going concern

Based on the monetary assets and human resources available at 31 August 2023, the trustees believe that the Circuit is a going concern.

vii Consolidation

The Circuit has denominational regulatory oversight in respect of the work of the Churches within the Circuit but has no legal or operational control of those Churches and their governing bodies except in extreme circumstances. For this reason, the financial statements of Churches within the Circuit are not consolidated into these financial statements.

viii Income recognition

Income is brought into account when there is entitlement and the amount is reliably measurable once it is more likely than not that the economic benefit of the income will be forthcoming.

Individual amounts categorised as Other income in the SOFA will be shown separately if they are considered material.

The Circuit acts as agent in two matters:

the collection from Churches and payment over of their contributions to various funds controlled and administered by The Methodist Church
"Connexional Funds"
the administration (application, collection and disbursement) of grants requested by Churches within the Circuit from, but not limited to, the District and Connexion. In all these matters the transactions are not reflected in the SOFA because they are the income of either the Connexion or Churches as appropriate. Instead, the transactions are disclosed in the Notes to the Accounts as required by SORP (FRS102), module 19.12n.

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the time of volunteers is not recognised. If goods are donated, a value will be shown in the SOFA or Notes where the value is considered material.

ix Expenditure

This is recognised when a liability is incurred, or a constructive obligation arises, where the amount is reliably measurable and it is considered more likely than not that there will be an outflow of economic benefit.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

x Grants

Grants made by the Circuit from its own funds 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 grant 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.

xi VAT

Since the Circuit is not VAT registered, all input VAT is charged with the expenses to which it refers.

xii Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

The trustees have made judgements and estimates in respect of: the fair value of tangible assets, and investment properties shown at fair value. The trustees have determined that any differences arising between actual amounts realised upon sale and fair value estimates will have no impact on the Circuit’s ability to continue as a going concern.

xiii Tangible fixed assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and individually cost at least £250.

The freehold and/or long leasehold residential property is shown in the accounts at 2023 values based on the sums insured except where a sale is anticipated in the near future where realisable value is used. The Circuit Meeting has estimated the residential properties current value based on insurance values and taking account of the fact that cover will be based on demolition and reinstating the current building and not the original cost less accumulated depreciation. The land component is not recognised in these figures. No depreciation is provided on the residential properties because the trustees consider the current residual fair value of the manse buildings (on the assumption that it had reached the end of its useful economic life by the year-end) to be not less than its current value. Any depreciation would not be material. The residential properties have been reviewed for impairment.

xiv (a) Investment Properties

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is measured using the fair value model and stated at its fair value at the reporting end date. The surplus or deficit on revaluation is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

From time to time the Circuit may hold residential property (formerly manses) which is surplus to its normal staffing requirements. When the intention is to hold the property for capital appreciation or its rental income, the property is classified as investment property and carried at fair value.

Churches which are closed are transferred into the care of the Circuit from the Methodist Church and are valued at a deemed cost based on the valuation of an external valuer.

xiv (b) Investments

The Circuit's investments are in monetary assets classified as basic financial instruments under FRS102 and are held by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) as custodian trustees. The valuations, at market value, are those provided by TMCP. The unrealised gains arising on investments are shown in the SOFA.

xv Debtors and Prepayments

Debtors are stated at the amounts owed to the Circuit or prepaid.

xvi Creditors and Accruals

Creditors are initially recognised at settlement amount after any trade discounts, or the amount advanced to the Circuit. Creditors include both sundry expenses and specifically the 1st quarter assessment received in August.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

xvii Ministers’ manse costs

The Circuit is required to provide accommodation for each minister in the Circuit and their families and this is seen as a benefit to the Circuit. Ministers are expected to occupy the manse provided for them. The Circuit bears the cost of repairs, maintenance, buildings insurance, Council Tax and water charges. These figures are not separately disclosed as benefits-in-kind for ministers as HMRC does not seek to tax these receipts in the hands of minsters.

2. Capital Receipts

No property was sold during 2022-23. Prior year capital receipts relate to the sale of the closed Wesley Billinge church (net £133,215). All sales of Methodist property are subject to a levy by the Connexion calculated on a sliding scale based on the gross sale price. The figure is shown net of this CPF Levy. In the prior year there was also a CPF Levy refund relating to the previous sale of the Greenways manse (£79,122).

3. Staff Costs

Staff Costs paid during the year were: £ Stipends, salaries and benefits in kind Social security costs Pension costs Apprenticeship levy Total staff costs	Ministers (trustees)	Lay staff	2022/23	2021/22
	£	£	£	£
	111,109	24,795	135,904	135,654
	10,683	658	11,341	11,188
	28,975	340	29,315	28,723
	560	129	689	678
	151,327	25,923	177,250	176,243

Expenses (Travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred in the normal course of employment)	4,069	0	4,069	8,276

Average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year were:	4.0	1.9	5.9	5.9

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

Wages and salary costs includes £nil in respect of redundancy payments in 2023 (2022: £nil).

4. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

4. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
	2022/23 £	2021/22 £
Payments made to trustees for additional services provided to the Circuit byagreement with the Circuit Meeting	0	0
Number of trustees who werepaid expenses relatingto trustee duties	0	0
Total amountpaid	0	0
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2023 or the year ended 31 August 2022 other than thatpaid to ministers and laystaff in the normal course of their duties and disclosed above.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

5. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts

5. Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
	2022/23 £	2021/22 £
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts	1,850	350
Other fees (eg: advice, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor	-	1,450
Total	1,850	1,800

6. Other outgoings

	2022/23 £	2021/22 £
Impairment of trade debtors	-	1,715
Other outgoings	604	789
Total	604	2,504

7. Property Purchased

No property was purchased during 2022-23. During 2021-22, 25 Bolton Road manse was purchased for a total of £275,000, plus legal costs totalling £1,975.

8. Property Disposals/Revaluations

The net gains or losses are detailed below. During the year and in accordance with note 1.xiii (Tangible fixed assets) the residential properties have been revalued to fair value determined by the trustees.

Worsley, Trinity and Blackrod are closed churches that have a carrying value based on the professional valuation performed by Lambert Smith Hampton in July 2023.

Details	2021-22 Carrying Value	Sale	2022-23 Carrying Value/Revaluation	Gain/(loss)
	£	£	£	£
WorsleyMesnes – unrealised	772,806		155,000	(617,806)
Trinity– unrealised	200,000		210,000	10,000
Highfield Drive – unrealised	411,186		416,588	5,402
Masefield Ave – unrealised	284,159		287,591	3,432
Upholland Road – unrealised	237,861		241,406	3,545
Bolton Road – unrealised	277,713		281,852	4,139
Wigan Road – unrealised	307,560		311,418	3,858
Spencer Road - unrealised	380,122		385,061	4,939
Total	2,871,407	-	2,288,916	(582,491)
Blackrod - unrealised	-		200,000	200,000
Total including acquired closed church (Blackrod)	2,871,407		2,488,916	(382,491)

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

9. Reclassification of Funds

Circuit property is always carried in the General Fund but upon sale the net proceeds are processed through the Circuit Model Trust Fund. This requires an adjustment and any such sales or purchases during the year are reflected at the gross price of sale or purchase. No property was sold or purchased during 2022-23 hence no current year reclassification of funds required. Total prior year reclassification of funds required was £92,975.

10. Fixed Assets

Manses occupied by ministers £	Manses not occupied by ministers £	Total £

1,280,618	380,122	1,660,740

16,831		16,831
		0
	(380,122)	(380,122)
1,297,449	0	1,297,449

0	0	0
		0
		0
		0
		0
0	0	0

1,280,618	380,122	1,660,740
1,297,449	0	1,297,449

The fair value of the manses includes the land on which they are built, and their internal contents.

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

11. Investment Properties

Manses (held as investment properties) £	Church buildings (held as investment properties) £	Total £

237,861	972,806	1,210,667
	200,000	200,000
8,484	(607,806)	(599,322)
		0
380,122		380,122
626,467	565,000	1,191,467

237,861	972,806	1,210,667
626,467	565,000	1,191,467

The fair value of the manses and church buildings includes the land on which they are built, and their internal contents.

The three closed churches (Worsley, Trinity and Blackrod) have a fair value based on the professional valuation performed by Lambert Smith Hampton in July 2023.

The fair value of the manses held for earning rentals are determine by the trustees, based on insurance valuations, taking into account site clearance costs.

12. Analysis of debtors

Due within one year	2022/23 £	2021/22 £
Trade debtors	8,000	9,527
Prepayments	17,685	2,992
Total	25,685	12,519

13. Analysis of creditors

Amounts failing due within one year	2022/23 £	2021/22 £
Trade Creditors	275	5,745
Other Creditors	2,222	1,800
Prepaid Assessments	3,469	1,669
Total	5,966	9,214

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

14. Detailed analysis of individual fund movements

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers & Reclassification	Gain/(losses)	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund

General	2,859,486	201,014	(273,034)	305,000	(582,491)	2,509,975	The general purposes of the Circuit
Model Trust Fund	266,086	6,575	(11,964)	(105,000)	(112)	155,585	Support for the mission of the Circuit
Designated - Closed Churches	18,831	5,300	(37,882)	2,718		(11,033)	Designated for the maintenance of closed churches prior to repurposing or sale
Designated - Manse maintenance	-	8,250	(8,250)			-	Designated for the maintenance of occupied manses
Totals	3,144,403	221,139	(331,130)	202,718	(582,603)	2,654,527

Restricted Funds

Restricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund
Aspull School	160	5	0	165	Support for Aspull School
Childrens & Youth Work	26,822	9,155	(13,292)	22,685	Available for funding outreach and development work focussed on children and youth
Totals	26,982	9,160	(13,292)	22,850

Prior year comparatives for detailed analysis of individual fund movements

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Transfers & Reclassification	Gain/(losses)	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund

General	2,616,106	230,710	(292,223)	112,975	191,918	2,859,486	The general purposes of the Circuit
Model Trust Fund	372,785	213,749	(300,272)	(20,000)	(176)	266,086	Support for the mission of the Circuit
Designated - Closed Churches	22,066	5,300	(8,535)			18,831	Designated for the maintenance of closed churches prior to repurposing or sale
Totals	3,010,957	449,759	(601,030)	92,975	191,742	3,144,403

Wigan Methodist Circuit Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 31 August 2023

Prior year comparatives for detailed analysis of individual fund movements (continued)

Restricted Funds

Restricted Fund Name	Opening Balance	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Closing Balance	Purpose of the fund
Aspull School	159	1	0	160	Support for Aspull School
Childrens & Youth Work	18,650	25,738	(17,566)	26,822	Available for funding outreach and development work focussed on children and youth
Totals	18,809	25,739	(17,566)	26,982

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 August 2023 are represented by:

	General Fund (Unrestricted)	Circuit Model Trust (Unrestricted)	Designated Funds (unrestricted)	Restricted Funds	Total 2022-23
	£	£	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	2,488,916				2,488,916
Current assets	27,025	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	194,427
Current liabilities	(5,966)				(5,966)
Total	2,509,975	155,585	(11,033)	22,850	2,677,377

16. Related party transactions

During the year the Circuit received assessment income totalling £166,570 (2022: £205,957) from the various churches within the Circuit.

The Circuit also incurred assessment costs of £67,187 (2022: £78,449) payable to the District.

Report of the Independent Examiners To the Trustees of Wigan Methodist Circuit

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Wigan Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31[st] August 2023 which are set out on pages 7 – 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Charity’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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.