REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1140223
Trustees' Report and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
for
ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
SKS Bailey Group Limited 2 Heap Bridge Bury BL9 7HR
ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1to4 | ||
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| NotestotheFinancialStatements | 8 | to | 10 |
ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
Trustees' Report
for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2023.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Principal objectives and policies
The purpose of The Methodist Church is as laid down in the 1932 Deed of Union. They are 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 Circuits mission is based upon the Methodist Churches Vision Document “Our Calling” — with 4 themes as follows:
Worship — increasing awareness of God's presence and celebration of God's love.
Learning and Caring — Growing and learning through mutual support and care.
Service — To be a good neighbour and challenge injustice.
Evangelism — Make more followers of Jesus Christ
The Circuit and its churches seek to be a Spiritual influence in the community and a visible expression of God's inclusive love. We aim to achieve this by encouraging, through the churches in our Circuit, acts of worship, social, and outreach activities that currently exist, but also to seek new ways to extend to others the fellowship of the Church Family. 3 ministers are currently stationed to the Circuit and together with Local Preachers, worship leaders and retired minister's work with the 11 local Churches to hold regular Acts of Worship. The Circuit produces a quarterly preaching plan to ensure that regular acts of worship take place as required in each of the 9 Methodist Churches and in our 2 Local Ecumenical Partnership Churches. These services are open to all people without charge. The ministers also work with the churches to support outreach and mission into the local communities working mainly with young and older people through youth clubs, lunch clubs, craft clubs, care home visits, school assemblies at various community schools and at our Methodist/Anglican Primary School, where one of our ministers is Chaplain and Governor. The Circuit website is active, and each one of our 11 churches are linked into it.
In their management and governance of the charity the Trustees have had regard to its objects and to the Guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
The Circuit makes grants to Circuit churches of up to 1/3rd of the cost for repairs and maintenance to the property or to support outreach into the community.
Investment policies are as set out in the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church. The circuit does not have programme related investments. All investments are via the Trustees for Methodist Purposes or the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church and income is used as prescribed by the investment trusts.
All lay members of the Circuit board of Trustees are volunteers who give their services freely, attending a minimum of 3 circuit meetings together with various subcommittees. An estimate of 400 to 450 hours per annum.
ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Circuit Review — In January 2023 there was a Circuit Vision Day to discuss the best way to move forward as a circuit with Mission in mind. The meeting included representatives from all of the churches and of different ages. The meeting was used to identify aspiration characteristics for the circuit moving into the future. The Circuit Leadership team have had discussions to work out ways to embed these characteristics. This is still work in progress as the circuit dynamics progress. Numbers of attendees have remained constant. The Circuit continues in its development of new ways of being church, sustaining the principles of our charity, since the pandemic we have continued to offer virtual meetings and meeting in person to support diversity, sustaining our community work, with some of our buildings being used for food banks, charity shops and cafes.
Safeguarding - The Circuit continues to follow the Connexional Policy on Safeguarding. Each church has a safeguarding representative and the circuit administrator employed since October 2022 is the safeguarding officer in the Circuit to ensure the adoption of safe practice amongst children and vulnerable adults. Church representatives will continue to receive training and refresher training.
Ministerial Invitations — On 1st September 2022 the circuit welcomed a new presbyter and a new deacon to replace the two presbyters who left at the end of August. Local Preachers— There have been no changes in the number of local preachers this year.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society. Para 1.20 The appointment of ministers and the support of Local Preachers has ensured continuity to the Circuit and its churches. Continued training in safeguarding ensures that best practice can be assured in caring for vulnerable people in our congregations and in our mission outreach. Grant giving has enabled churches to take forward their vision for the future by making necessary improvements to their buildings to make them fit for purpose.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves Policy
General Fund:
To hold a maximum of approx. six month's budgeted general fund expenditure costs. 2024/25 budgeted expenditure is £225,112 therefore six months is £112,556.
Circuit Advanced Fund:
a. In order to support the mission and outreach of the 11 Circuit Churches the Circuit needs the support of three ministers. It is agreed that any short fall in annual income could be supported by up to 60% of the cost of one minister. b. Grants to Churches of up to 1/3 of any application for Minor property works or community outreach projects.
c. Reserves for any major repair to manses on ministerial exchanges.
d. District Levies top sliced based on Connexional policy — 2022/23 was £ 100,818.
In the 2022/23 accounts: -
a. 79.30% of the Circuits income was provided by the local Churches.
b. 71.21% of income was spent on ministerial and lay worker pay and related travel and manse costs. c. 15.9% of income received represented our contribution to the District, and the wider Methodist Connexion.
d. The remainder covers costs of local preachers’ expenses, grants to Churches and general administration.
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ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
All investments are under the governance of the Trustees for Methodist purposes and therefore covered by their investment policy.
The principal risks to the charity are declining church attendance and inflationary costs, plus the national shortage of presbyters. These risks are reviewed annually with representatives from the local churches.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Rochdale and Littleborough Methodist Circuit is governed by Circuit of the Methodist Church, Methodist Church Act (1976), Deed of Union (1932) and the Model Trust Deeds of the Methodist Church.
How is the charity constituted: Act of Parliament
Trustee Selection Methods: Appointed by the local Churches and existing trustees. Ministers are automatically trustees.
Churches in the circuit are members of the Churches together Ecumenical partnerships
Range of guidance produced by Methodist connection. Leaflet The role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church’ available for all trustees.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number 1140223
Registered office 8 Wuerdle Farm Way Rochdale Lancashire OL16 2RY
Trustees Alan Wild (resigned 01/09/22) Andrew Hardwick Anna Malnut (appointed 01/09/22) Beryl Tattersall Cath Varley (appointed 01/09/21) Colin Wass David Harding (resigned 01/09/22) David Kerr David Wheatley Diane Halstead (resigned 01/09/22) Diane Hardwick (appointed 01/09/21) Dilys Pearson Duncan Cooper (resigned 01/09/22) Eileen Hopkinson (resigned 01/09/22) Glennis Crossley Graham Booth Graham Thompson (resigned 01/09/22) Helen Neilsen Jackie White Jacqueline Whitaker Janice Hicks ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
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Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Trustees Janet Bower Janice Knot Jean Spencer Jill Hamnett Jillian Copley Jean Burrows Joan Tattersall John Carson John Dafforne Joyce Sanger Ken Peden (appointed 01/09/21) Kenneth Griffin Leonie O’Donoghue Les Birkett Margaret Browning (appointed 01/09/21) Marjorie Davies (resigned 01/09/22) Mike Bennion Nancy Frankland Neil Helliwell Nigel Eves (appointed 01/09/21) Pauline Mackay Peter Sanger Rev Andrew Halstead (resigned 01/09/22) Rev Carl Howarth (appointed 01/09/21) Rev Helen Johnson (resigned 01/09/22) Rev John Malnut (appointed 01/09/22) Rev Marcianne Uwimana (appointed 01/09/22) Rev Lawrence Copley Rev Ruth Jackson Ruth Tunnicliffe Simba Gomwe Stephanie Peden Stephen Ashworth Steven Tunnicliffe Susan Downing Susan Yates (resigned 01/09/22) Sylvia Wild Valerie Tomkinson (resigned 01/09/22) Vivienne Collinson
Treasurer Cath Varley
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 14th March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
R Jackson
Rev Ruth Jackson- Superintendent Minister
Mrs Cath Varley- Treasure
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Rochdale and Littleborough Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31st August 2023 as set out on pages6 to 7.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
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”).
The charity's trustees consider an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the 2011 Act, and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility as independent examiner to:
~ examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
~ follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and
~ to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiners Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the Directions given by the Charity commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination for the year ended 31st August 2023.
| can 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 accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act or
~ the accounts do not accord with the accounting records to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
| 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.
Mrs J Roach A.C.A Independent Examiner SKS Bailey Group Limited 2 Heap Bridge Bury BL9 7HR
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ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | TotalFunds | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| RECEIPTS | |||||
| Assessment on Churches | 171,628 | - | - | 171,628 | 185,058 |
| Bank & Trust Interest | 2,431 | - | - | 2,431 | 925 |
| Donations to Circuit Funds | 280 | - | - | 280 | 1,523 |
| Rental Income | 4,500 | - | - | 4,500 | 8,064 |
| Other income | 12,159 | - | - | 12,159 | 8,598 |
| Transfer from Trust (for Churches Grant) | - | - | - | - | 16,642 |
| Investment Income | 1,578 | 527 | 837 | 2,942 | 373 |
| Collection for External Organisations | 492 | - | - | 492 | - |
| Total Receipts | 193,068 | 527 | 837 | 194,432 | 221,183 |
| PAYMENTS | |||||
| Ministers Salaries/NI/Pensions | 114,300 | - | - | 114,300 | 109,452 |
| Ministers Travel Expenses | 3,356 | - | - | 3,356 | 3,162 |
| Ministers Office Expenses | 3,573 | - | - | 3,573 | 3,210 |
| Lay Worker Salaries & Expenses |
9,424 | - | - | 9,424 | 9,792 |
| Manses Repairs & Maintenance | 15,257 | - | - | 15,257 | 31,227 |
| Manses Council Tax, Water & Insurance | 15,174 | - | - | 15,174 | 11,360 |
| Property Inspections | 3,912 | - | - | 3,912 | - |
| CircuitAdmin Costs | 5,502 | - | - | 5,502 | 10,923 |
| Visiting Preachers Allowance | 615 | - | - | 615 | 887 |
| District Assessment | 35,704 | - | - | 35,704 | 33,844 |
| Sundry Donations | 300 | - | - | 300 | 3,440 |
| Collections to External Organisations | 492 | - | - | 492 | 250 |
| Accountancy Fee | 1,800 | - | - | 1,800 | 860 |
| Investment Charges | 1,310 | 48 | 80 | 1,438 | 901 |
| CMTF Charges | 100,818 | - | - | 100,818 | 1,630 |
| Dream Team | - | - | - | - | 2,317 |
| Closing Churches Expenses | 5,444 | - | - | 5,444 | 112 |
| Grants to Churches | 2,523 | - | - | 2,523 | 16,642 |
| New Loan to churches | 3,880 | - | - | 3,880 | - |
| Professional fee | 4,956 | - | - | 4,956 | - |
| Total Payments | 328,340 | 48 | 80 | 328,468 | 240,009 |
| NETINCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (135,272) | 479 | 757 | (134,036) | (18,826) |
| Other recognised/ unrecognised | |||||
| gains/ (losses) | |||||
| Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation | - | - | - | - | 140,252 |
| of manses | |||||
| Unrealised gains/(losses) on investment | - | (226) | (1,020) | (1,246) | (1,326) |
| assets | |||||
| Realised Gains / (losses) on sale of | 7,000 | - | - | 7,000 | - |
| manses | Oe | ||||
| Surplus/(deficit) forthe year | (128,272) | 253 | (263) | (128,282) | 120,100 |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 1,514,832 | 17,252 | 28,043 | 1,560,127 | 1,440,027 |
| TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD | 1,386,560 | 17,505 | 27,780 | 1,431,845 | 1,560,127 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
‘Page | 6
ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
Balance Sheet 31 August 2023
| Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Funds | Total Funds | ||
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Premises | 5 | 1,080,000 | 1,390,000 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 7 | 10,079 | 9,507 |
| ShortTerm Investments | 6 | 280,912 | 92,332 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 86,854 | 96,463 | |
| 377,845 | 198302 | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
| Creditors | 8 | (26,000) | (28,175) |
| TOTALASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
351,845 | 170,127 | |
| NETASSETS | 1,431,845 | 1,560,127 | |
| FUNDS | 9 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 1,386,560 | 1,514,832 | |
| Restricted funds | 17,505 | 17,252 | |
| Endowment funds | 27,780 | 28,043 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 1,431,845 | 1,560,127 |
TOTAL FUNDS
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on the 1#é) Merch 2¢and signed on their behalf:
Rev Ruth Jackson- Superintendent Minister
Mrs Cath Varley- Treasure
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ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the organisation during the financial year. In this context “cash” includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.
INCOMING RESOURCES
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income. It is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
RESOURCES EXPENDED
All expenses are allocated or apportioned to applicable expenditure headings. Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount for the obligation can be measured reliably.
PREMISES
Market value of premises, along with any realised gains/(losses), are shown at year end.
INVESTMENTS
Unlisted equity investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently measured at fair value. If fair value cannot be reliably measured, assets are measured at cost less impairment.
Listed investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in income or expenditure.
- TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2023 nor for the year ended 31 August 2022.
TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2023 nor for the year ended 31 August 2022.
- STAFF COSTS
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
- INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION FEES
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||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|Fees|payable|to|the|independent|examiner|for:|
|Independent|examination|of the|financial|statements|1,800|860|
|1,800|860|
|5.|TANGIBLE|FIXED|ASSETS|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|
|Market|value|at|1st|September 2022|1,390,000|1,249,748|
|Disposal|(310,000)|-|
|Realised|gain/(loss)|in|revaluation|of|-|140,252|
|manses|
|Market value|at|31st August|2023|1,080,000|1,390,000|
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ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| 6. | INVESTMENTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash or cash | Listed | |||||
| equivalents | investments | Total | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Cost or valuation | ||||||
| At 1 September2022 |
47,037 | 45,295 | 92,332 | |||
| Additions | 312,044 | - | 312,044 | |||
| Disposals | (122,758) | - | (122,758) | |||
| Fair value movements | 268 | (974) | (706) | |||
| Transfers | = | - | - | |||
| Other movements | - | - | - | |||
| At 31 August 2023 | 236,591 | 44,321 | 280,912 | |||
| Impairment | ||||||
| At 1 September 2022 and 31 August | - | - | - | |||
| 2023 | ||||||
| a | ||||||
| Carrying amount | ||||||
| At 31 August 2023 | 236,591 | 44,321 | 280,912 | |||
| At 31 August 2022 | 47,037 | 45,295 | 92,332 | |||
| 7. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE | YEAR | ||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Debtors | 10,079 | 9,057 | ||||
| 10,079 | 9,057 | |||||
| 8. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Accruals and Deferred Income | 26,000 | 28,175 | ||||
| 26,000 | 28,175 | |||||
| 9. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||||
| Net | ||||||
| movement | At | |||||
| At | 01.9.22 | in | funds | 31.8.23 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Unrestricted fund | 1,514,832 | (128,272) | 1,386,560 | |||
| Restricted fund | 17,252 | 253 | 17,505 | |||
| Endowmentfund | 28,043 | (263) | 27,780 | |||
| 1,560,127 | (128,282) | 1,431,845 | ||||
| TOTALFUNDS | 1,560,127 | (128,282) | 1,431,845 |
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ROCHDALE AND LITTLEBOROUGH METHODIST CIRCUIT Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | 215,008 | (350,280) | 7,000 | (128,272) |
| Restricted funds | 527 | (48) | (226) | 253 |
| Endowment funds | 837 | (80) | (1,020) | (263) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 216,372 | (350,408) | 5,754 | (128,282) |
| Comparatives for movement in funds | ||||
| Net | Transfers | |||
| movement | between | At | ||
| At 1.9.21 | in funds | funds | 31.8.22 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | 1,392,765 | 122,067 | - | 1,514,832 |
| Restricted funds | 17,669 | (417) | - | 17,252 |
| Endowment funds | 29,593 | (1,550) | - | 28,043 |
| 1,440,027 | (120,100) | - | 1,560,127 | |
| TOTALFUNDS | 1,440,027 | (120,100) | - | 1,560,127 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | 221,109 | (239,294) | 140,252 | 122,067 |
| Restricted funds | 59 | (135) | (341) | (417) |
| Endowment funds | 15 | (580) | (985) | (1,550) |
| TOTALFUNDS | 221,183 | (240,009) | 138,926 | 120,100 |
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