## **ORTH YORKSHIRE DALES METHODIST CIRCUIT** ## Trustees Annual Reports and Accounts Year ended: 31 August 2021. ## **Introduction:** Formed in September 2010, NYDC is part of the Darlington Methodist District, within the Methodist Church of Great Britain; and encompasses 12 worshipping congregations, 11* chapels and 10** church councils with a total membership of 286. This is made up of the following: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Melmerby 12 members Richmond 114 members
Carlton 6 members Scorton 13 members
West Burton 15 members Brompton-on-Swale 18 members
Leyburn 47 members Gunnerside 15 members
Gayle/Marsett/Bainbridge 34 members Hunton 12 members
**----- End of picture text -----**
(Marsett a class of Gayle with a building and Bainbridge a class of Gayle without a building who meet at Sycamore Hall) *Harmby chapel voted to cease to meet and close on 22nd August 2021. **Marsett voted to become a class of Gayle on 31[st] August 2021. The Circuit is set in some 375 square miles of the beautiful countryside of Swaledale and Wensleydale: not forgetting Coverdale, Bishopdale, Raydale and Arkengarthdale. The Superintendent is Rev Melanie Reed. Her colleagues are Rev Julia Reid, Rachel Pinkney, the Schools and Families Worker, and Julie Greenslade, the Circuit Administrative Assistant. The 12 worshipping congregations differ in size and location and some offer activities every day of the week, others are less busy. There are regular Circuit Services throughout the year when communities are encouraged to meet together at one church, or location within the circuit and further details can be found on our website www.nydalesmeth.org.uk Ongoing Covid restrictions have continued to impact on the activities within the Circuit with a gradual, albeit, stop-start, return to regular worship under constantly reviewed risk assessments over the past year. The Circuit has continued to make use of technology ensuring that there has been an uninterrupted schedule of Sunday reflections available on its YouTube channel as well as using Zoom for face-to-face worship and committee meetings where appropriate. By the end of August 2021, all worshipping congregations were able to access face-to-face worship with the exemption of Bainbridge at Sycamore Hall, where restrictions remained in place. The Circuit also has pastoral responsibility for the Methodist Schools in Reeth and Gunnerside and Richmond. ## **Aims and Organisation:** ## **Mission Statement** ## _**Our mission…**_ is to grow the church, both in quality and quantity, so that all the people of the North Yorkshire Dales, and beyond, may encounter the love of God. ## _**Our aim…**_ _to walk with Jesus, to witness to others, to worship the Lord._ _**Our vision…**_ is for a God-led, Spirit-filled church serving and ministering to individuals, families and the community. The Circuit encourages and supports chapel communities to build each other up, in their local area group, encouraging growth of Christian discipleship, ministry and mission; through shared Bible studies and prayer groups, mutual witness and worship to the wider communities in which they are placed, through sharing special services, local celebrations and events and outreach projects. The principal purpose being to: -  Create opportunities to regularly share in fellowship in their locality, and across the wider Circuit.  Be encouraged to serve, witness & care for the local communities in which they live & work. -  Develop strong pastoral links with fellow Methodists across the community in their local area, as well as in the wider Circuit, in order to create a larger supportive community from several smaller fellowships. ## **Brief financial review of the year:** The budgeted expenditure at the beginning of the year was £133,843.00. Actual expenditure was £128,985, ie 96% of the budget was spent. Several cost centres were underspent, including travel costs for ministers, local and visiting preachers and the administrative assistant. Conversely, postage expenses increased proportionately. An additional cost was incurred due to the decision to carry out legionella testing at each chapel in the Circuit. The budgeted income was £133,843.00. Actual income fell short, ie 93% received. Income from chapel assessments was much lower due to a further chapel closure and an agreed assessment break for another chapel. Income from the two rented properties was reduced due costly repairs and maintenance. The budget shortfall was funded from the Sewell’s Trust sale of Wesley Cottage, the proceeds of which have been transferred to the Circuit. Stipend expenditure has increased in each financial year in line with conference approved increases. Over 29K of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church. Other Circuit expenditure includes ongoing maintenance and insurance of empty chapel buildings. The lay appointment of a Circuit Schools and Families worker (20 Hours a week) was made in September 2017, which is budgeted and paid for through a district grant and Circuit Model Trust Funds (MTF). As at 31[st] August 2021 the nett assets of the Circuit were as follows: General Account: £253,536 of which £162,861 (sale transfer of Wesley Cottage) to be used to fund Circuit mission, including budget deficit. £50,066 is ring-fenced for other projects. Circuit MTF: £52,819. ## Plans for the coming year 2021 / 2022 Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there remain two full time ordained staff with the anticipated cost of living stipend increases, and a part-time self-employed administrator whose hourly rate increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Average Weekly Earnings Index recommendations, and always above the recommended Living Wage rates. Where possible, other costs have been kept to a minimum. The CLT have agreed that chapel assessments will remain at the 2019/20 level due to loss of income throughout the pandemic, with the budget shortfall to be made up from Circuit reserves. The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year end 31[st] August 2021 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 **The Full name of Charity:** The North Yorkshire Dales Methodist Circuit ## **Registered Charity Number:** 1143259 **Date of Registration:** 5[th] August 2011 **Main communication address:** Dove Cottage, Moor Road, Leyburn, N Yorks. DL8 5DH The members of the North Yorkshire Dales 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 Melanie Reed (Superintendent) Rev Julia Reid Circuit Lay Workers: Mrs Rachel Pinkney Circuit Stewards: Mrs Angie Bailey Mr Graham Di Duca Mrs Elizabeth Haythornthwaite Mrs Michelle Stonley Administrator: Mrs Julie Greenslade _(Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report)_ ## **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 within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Management of the Circuit is the responsibility of the Circuit Meeting who meet four times per year. Day to day management is exercised through the Circuit Leadership team on behalf of the Circuit Meeting along with the Local Preachers meeting and the Circuit Finance and Property Committee. The Circuit is part of the Darlington District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. ## **Risk Management:** Income and expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **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 ## **Aims and organisations:** The charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area of the North Yorkshire Dales 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 the 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. ## **Achievements and performance:** ## Ministry Outside of Covid, regular services are held in Sycamore Hall, Bainbridge, the local residential home where many of the members are Christian. These services are open to all residents of all Christian denominations or none. Methodist-led services are regularly held in the Anglican churches of St Margaret’s, Hawes and St Oswald’s, Askrigg. During the year the Circuit accepted a request to cease to worship and close from Harmby chapel, with their final service held on 22[nd] August 2021. As a Circuit we continue to challenge ourselves by declaring that our Mission is to grow the church, both in quality and quantity, so that all the people of the North Yorkshire Dales and beyond may encounter the love of God. Reducing membership figures indicate that this is a real challenge. We remember our promise to maintain the life of worship and service that the children among us may grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The work of the Schools and Families worker is a key part of this mission and outreach. The Circuit has continued a process of exploring its “Vision for the Future” of the Circuit, attempting to imagine what the Circuit may look like in five to ten years and so determining what is to be done now to prepare for that future. As a part of that process, and in accordance with the Methodist Conference report ‘Reaffirming Our Calling: Oversight and Trusteeship’ (2020), the Circuit continues to actively review its structure. Paragraph. 2.1 of the report states – _‘The following recommendations are brought in response to the concerns which are often expressed about the lack of volunteers willing and able to take on trusteeship and other roles essential to the functioning of churches and Circuits, alongside the growth in the tasks required of them. The focus for this work has been therefore to remove duplication of effort, alleviate anxiety about the future (particularly in smaller churches) and provide a way forward that enables churches and Circuits to concentrate on their missional task.’_ Part of this process has seen Marsett become a class of Gayle, forming one church council, as well as Brompton-on-Swale and Scorton working closer together with the possibility of becoming one church council in the future. The Methodist Conference 2021 voted that the minimum number that constitutes a church be raised to 12 posing some questions and requiring future action. The Circuit is host to two Methodist Primary Schools, one each at Richmond and Gunnerside. The school at Gunnerside is currently in Federated Governance with the slightly larger primary school at Reeth. There are three Circuit appointed Governors on the governing body of Richmond Methodist school and Rev Julia Reid is the Chaplain. There are two Circuit appointed Governors on the governing body of Reeth and Gunnerside School and Rev Melanie Reed holds the role of Chaplain. Both schools have continued to have regular Christian based assemblies provided through the Circuit, which have largely been weekly recorded acts of collective worship, with face-to-face sessions as the restrictions have allowed. During term time some occasional services have been held in Gunnerside chapel with both pupils and parents in attendance. Time is spent with all year groups at Reeth and Gunnerside which enables the children to lead their own whole school assemblies during the school year. At Richmond school there have been attempts at new initiatives like Messy Church which although hampered by Covid are still an aim. At the end of the school year, the Circuit provides Year 6 pupils in both Methodist schools with Youth Bibles, as the children leave to move up to a Senior School. As noted much of this work has needed to be carried out remotely. ## Outreach work _King's Club_ : Due to the Covid restrictions this week-long, face-to-face, Christian themed holiday club, usually run during the first week of August, whereby children aged 11+ are bussed from across the Dales to the central locations of Low Mill Outdoor Centre and Askrigg School, could not happen in the usual format. Instead, building on last year’s initiative, free family activity boxes were put together and posted out to families who had not chosen to opt out. 70 boxes around the theme of ‘God’s world’ were put together containing things like a kit to make a nest box and seed bomb, a family game to play, Fairtrade goodies etc. Feedback was good. _Individual chapels –_ Covid has meant that outreach initiatives have been significantly disrupted. Although some fellowship groups and Bible studies did continue online. ## Property: _Chapels:_ At the end of the year (31[st] August 2021) there were 11 chapels in use in the North Yorkshire Dales Circuit: Brompton on Swale; Carlton in Coverdale; Gayle; Gunnerside; Hunton; Leyburn; Marsett; Melmerby; Richmond; Scorton; and West Burton and whilst the responsibility for the maintenance of these properties lies with the trustees of each church, the Circuit is responsible for arranging quinquennial inspections. Satisfactory independent inspections were undertaken of two chapels during the year, Hunton, and Scorton, with individual reports presented to the Church Property Stewards and the Circuit Property Committee. This year there has been a total of 6 empty chapels in the Circuit, Barden, Bainbridge, Ravensworth, Aysgarth, Harmby and Middleham, all the responsibility of the Circuit Meeting through an appointed Circuit Property Committee. By the end of August 2021, all except Harmby (only closing Aug 21), were being actively marketed for sale with offers being received and accepted for Bainbridge, Middleham, Ravensworth and Barden. Aysgarth, being in the North Yorkshire Dales National Park was required to be advertised for a period of 6 months for Community Use. All sales will be completed as soon as possible to ensure much needed funds come into the Circuit. _Manses_ : At the start of the year the Circuit had four manses, two of which were occupied by Ministers of the Circuit. The former manse in Leyburn and the former manse at Catterick Garrison are let to tenants through the same agent. The annual gas safety checks were completed on manses where required. All manses are in good condition. The Circuit had previously had responsibility for a small domestic property, Wesley Cottage, on behalf of The Sewell’s Trust, a registered charity, which was rented out on a commercial basis. During the year this property was sold and The Sewell’s Trust given approval to start the process of being wound with all assets being transferred to the Circuit. ## Burial Grounds There are burial grounds at Hawes, Low Row, Hurst, Arkengarthdale and an additional within the grounds of Gunnerside Chapel. All grounds are well maintained. ## **Financial review:** The Reserves Policy for the North Yorkshire Dales Circuit is to hold a sum equivalent to 6 months average expenditure in the General account. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and/or to be able to continue, in the short term, funding of planned activities in the event of the closure of a church or an inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment requirement from the individual churches. The Circuit does hold sufficient working capital in its General account to enable the monthly payment of stipends and work-related expenses for the two full-time presbyters and its contribution to the District. The money made available for the Catterick Garrison project is now ring-fenced within the General account, under the Circuit Schools and Families funding. 1. **General** Funds held at Y/E 31/08/2021 £253,536 MTF= £52,819 2. **Restricted** Funds held “ £14,613 3. **Endowment** Funds held “ £ 28,961 4. **Reserves policy for General Funds** **An amount of the general funds - £50,066 is held as ring-fenced funds, having been taken from the Circuit MTF for specific purposes. The transfer of £162,861 from the Sewell’s Trust following the sale of Wesley Cottage has boosted the general funds and will be used to fund Circuit mission, the Circuit budget deficit and other Circuit expenditure previously drawn from the Circuit MTF.** **The budget for 2020/21 was £133,843 and that for 2021/22 is £139,365, therefore the reserves held remain above the minimum 50% expenditure suggested by the Charities Commission as adequate.** **The Circuit Leadership Team welcomes applications for the remaining monies which further the Mission Vision of the Circuit.** The Circuit Finance Team consisting of Mrs Katherine Brightman, Mrs Angie Bailey, Mrs Elizabeth Haythornthwaite and Mrs Michelle Stonley, has acted as the principal body overseeing the day to day financial management and accounting for the Circuit during the year. Independent examiner – Mrs Sue Brunskill ## Investment Bankers:- Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes HSBC info etc – Current Account: HSBC, 23 Market Place, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4QQ ## **Section G – Other information:** ## None ## **Section G – Declaration:** The Trustees declare that they have approved this Trustees’ Report. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees: |_Signature(s)_|M Reed|_GR Di Duca_| |---|---|---| |_Full name(s)_|Rev Melanie Reed|Mr Graham Di Duca| |_Position e.g. Chair, Secretary,_|Chair (Superintendent Minister)|Circuit Steward| Date: … 2022. ## Appendix A Chair of District: Rev Richard Andrew (Darlington) Circuit Superintendent: Rev Melanie Reed Circuit Minister: Rev Julia Reid Rev Jennifer Edmondson (Supernumerary) Rev Kathleen Bowe (Supernumerary) Deacon Elizabeth Timmins (Supernumerary) Rev David Wood (Supernumerary) Rev Kathleen Wood (Supernumerary) Rev Phil Clarke (Supernumerary) Circuit Finance Team: Mrs Katherine Brightman, Mrs Angie Bailey, Mrs Elizabeth Haythornthwaite, Mrs Michelle Stonley Circuit Meeting Secretary: Mrs Julie Greenslade Circuit Administrative Assistant: Mrs Julie Greenslade Circuit Steward: Mrs Angie Bailey Circuit Steward: Mr Graham Di Duca Circuit Steward: Mrs Elizabeth Haythornthwaite Circuit Steward: Mrs Michelle Stonley Local Preacher’s Secretary: Mrs Christine Lamb Local Preachers’ Rep: Mrs Ruth Poultney Evangelism Task Group Co-ordinator: _Vacancy_ Connexional Funds Treasurer: Mrs Angie Bailey Education and Youth Secretary: _vacancy_ Youth Reps: _vacancy_ World Missions Secretary: Mrs Ruth Poultney World Missions Treasurer: Mrs Ruth Poultney MWIB Secretary/ Treasurer: Mrs Julia Coe JMA Secretary/ Treasurer: Mrs Janet Pringle Schools & Families Worker: Mrs Rachel Pinkney Health & Safety Advisor: Mrs Julie Greenslade Safeguarding Officer: Mrs Julie Greenslade Mission in Britain Secretary: Mrs Eunice Page Action for Children Secretary/Treasurer: Mrs Julie Pledge Methodist Homes Sec/Treasurer: Mrs Ann Wight District Policy Committee Rep: Rev Melanie Reed (Superintendent) ## Church Representatives _Brompton on Swale:_ Mrs Kate Peebles; Mrs Katherine Brightman; Mrs Angela Redhead _Carlton:_ Mr Howard Thomas; Mr Trevor Smith _Gayle:_ Mr Allen Dinsdale; Mr Ian Woolley _Gunnerside:_ Mrs Eleanor Cherry; Mrs Jackie McCartney _Hunton:_ Mrs Beverley Mace; Mrs Helen Hughes; Mr Peter Latham _Leyburn:_ Mr Jonathan Sparey; Mrs Elizabeth Sparey, Mrs Wendy Grannan, Mrs Marjorie Iveson _Marsett:_ Mrs Jane Sowerby; Mrs Heather Sowerby, Mrs Mary Sowerby _Melmerby:_ Mrs Margaret Simpson; Mrs Janet Harker _Richmond:_ Mr Martin Ash; Mrs Sheila Pedley; Mrs Margaret Andrews, Mrs Joan Jackson _Scorton:_ Mrs Angela Heywood; Mrs Barbara Robinson; Mrs Tricia Kirby _West Burton:_ Mr Rowland Dent; Mr Peter Haythornthwaite 20Accoupifs FOR THE YE￿ ENDED 31 AIIGUST 3)21 Clrcull SECTIOII A Fw a1 REC&P 104,278 32,859 k aThJ CFB interest 122 YJ1 5,137 67,044 61,021 217.398 1225 2211ll11 a7 TOTAL RECEIPTS 270,339 SECTIOII B b1 PAYUENTS StyThJs. salarns. NIC, Pensh)n 75,299 11.833 75.544 36.091 b3 Mansè Costs 14A42 Administratym eic 14.649 246 13,860 29.112 31 Grarts & 16. 15.8S3 74,033 b7 16. 5.573 22,137 17,103 25.e65 41.814 bg TOTAL PAYIAENTS 172.119 240.752 Ib9 270.131 SEC71014 C RECEIPTSPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR c1 47-b9 170 5.792 from last 81711 55.fy)7 233.721 239.514 cl $1819 TOTAL FiINDS AT EMD OF YEAR 1¢3+c4 163.536 52M19 14.61 320.968 (£81 233,721 (¢81 SECTIOM D FOR IIIFOIIPAATIOM OIILY: IKINEY RECEIVED AND PASSED OPI TO EXTERIIAL ORGAIIISATIONS •m¢)unts st#wld not btr In¢lud•d in *)tsl d1 nil d2 nil BALANCE STILL TO BE P¥llD d1+d2-d3 2Q15 P.%ts 'sc￿ 716 ez JC 24n e7 t7AJO 14.S67 8724 14 251.151 L￿N$ 52.819 14.fj13 24721 17 430 251,151 29751.39 28￿1.¢ 593 Name ofCircuit....d.kk.i H ..%oA., Post CLmJe..1)￿!l. .Trtrl Prosentatlon to th• Clrcult meoting I confinn that the annu* re￿ and accounts the star erthd 31 A￿st 2021 werehMlk&o' presented to the Cirwt meetirwJ Tr￿ld on .9 lj.ll ? I Signature of the Chair of the meeting KCKV, Name ofthe Chair ofthe meeting ........ Independent Examinerfs Rewt lo the Tn￿te80 of the . Circuit 114_425") Rosponsibllllles and basls of re￿rt I report to the trustees on my examinati￿ of the accounts of Ihe J ,errf V.-RA ¥HI. E" DAL£.5 Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set (Mjt ￿ pages ... As the Cirojit's Iruslees, you are responsible for the prepaTab'on of the accounts in acccwdarK% wilh the reqillrements of the charib.es Act 2011 ('the Ad). I report in respect of my examinats.￿ of the Cir￿￿,$ accounts carried (Mjt under sethn 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examinatton. I have foll0v￿1 all Ihe applicable Direth'ons given by the Charity Commission under sedion 145(5Xb) of the Act ' delete or arde as appropnate 15 Ctru&t R anO P.￿¥ loft Name ofclrcuit.....￿oLT[4 4{knFlI£F.....W¥.kE.S.......................... .. No. 1.3.Ll.q.. Independent Examinerfs Ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ( ") which give me cause to believe that in, any material respecL the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with 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 urKlerstanding of the accounts to be reached. I kavelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 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.(K)o (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Su54t4 EEuhlS