2025-08-31-accounts

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT

Registered Charity No 1143819

ANNUAL REPORT

|

AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

INDEX

	Page
Administrative information	1-2
Trustees’ Report	3-7
Independent Examiner's Report	8
Statement of Financial Activities	9
Balance Sheet	10
Statement of cash flows	11
NotestotheFinancialStatements	12-21

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES

Name Gordon Allen Jane Austin Lynette Brocklehurst Michael Brocklehurst Elaine Buckley-Hall Carole Burgess Norman Burgess Robert Burgess Ruth Dawson John Eaton Beryl Emery Elaine Harden Gordon Hardman Frederick Harrison lan Huddleston Harry Hunt Mylvia Hunt Brenda Jeffrey Barbara Johnson Mavis Lamb Rev John Palmer Muriel Stiles Martin Styan Elizabeth Thornley Phil Thornley Bryan Trevor Margaret Vaughan Sheila Wakefield Kimberley Wilcox Patricia Wilson

Appointed by: Emmanuel Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting Monton Glazebrook Circuit Meeting The Height Circuit Meeting Monton St Paul's Circuit Steward Emmanuel Emmanuel Wesley Local Preachers Glazebrook Glazebrook Circuit Steward The Height St Paul’s Ex-officio Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting St Paul’s Wesley Wesley The Height Local Preachers

41

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CIRCUIT LEADERSHIP TEAM and Circuit Stewards (all ofwhom[are][Trustees)]

Rev John Palmer Superintendent Minister Mrs J Austin Mrs C Burgess Mrs B Emery Mrs B Jeffrey Mr M Styan Mrs E Thornley Mr P Thornley

CIRCUIT MINUTE SECRETARY

Mrs Patricia Gondongwe

SUPERINTENDENT MINISTER'S MANSE

15 Sunflower Meadow Irlam Salford Manchester M44 6TD

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

Katherine France 18 Banbury Mews Swinton Manchester M27 9QZ

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

BANKERS

Peter Smith BA FCA DChA Peter Smith Accountancy Services Chartered Accountants 9 Polruan Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9NR Unity Trust Bank plc Four Brindleyplace Birmingham B1 2JB

INVESTMENT MANAGERS

Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4PE

REGISTERED CHARITY

1143819

2

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.

REPORTING FRAMEWORK

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice’ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019), referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition — October 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Charitable Objectives

The Circuit shares the same charitable objectives as the rest of the Methodist Church, which are set out as follows:

“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.”

Aims

The Circuit seeks to live out the calling of the Methodist Church, which is summarised thus:

“The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the Gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship and mission. Inspired by Our Calling, we aim:

• e to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love e to help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care e to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice e to make more followers of Jesus Christ”

Activities and Public Benefit

The Circuit encourages and supports the Churches within it in the provision of regular public acts of worship open to members ofthe Church and non-members alike; the provision of sacred space for prayer and contemplation; the teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups; pastoral work, including visiting the sick and bereaved; the promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services; the provision of youth clubs, senior citizens’ clubs, men’s meetings and women’s meetings etc with a Christian ethos; promoting the whole mission of the Church (and aiding social cohesion) through activities for older people, parents and toddlers and other specific needs groups; and supporting other charities in the UK and overseas financially and with prayer.

Contribution of Volunteers

The Circuit is heavily dependent upon, and extremely grateful for, the contribution of volunteers as it seeks to carry out its objectives. With the exception of the stipendiary Superintendent Minister, all members of the Circuit Leadership Team and all other Charity trustees are unpaid volunteers.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

The Circuit recognises that Church life is an ever-changing picture including the lack of numbers in worship in some churches. The need to fill the vital roles in each Church is in a delicate balance, the number of people able to take on roles has decreased. However, in some parts of the Circuit there is a sense of renewed vision and eager anticipation of moving forward into the future.

We are a one minister Circuit with no supernumeraries living in the Circuit. The Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) continues to meet online with our Superintendent Minister, Rev John Palmer, throughout the year and continues to plan and develop our ministry and mission as well as trying to address the concerns mentioned above. Our Minister continues to be supported by our Circuit Administrator Patricia Gondongwe, a local preacher in the Oldham Circuit, who also offers us occasional services which are both very welcomed and well received. Our Minister is supported in pastoral matters by our Lay Pastoral Assistant Gill Clayton as well as by the pastoral visitors within each church. Gill's work is much valued in the Circuit which includes support for church activities as well individuals with special pastoral needs. The Circuit is also supported exceptionally well by our Circuit Finance Officer Katherine France.

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

From May - July 2025 John was on sabbatical. During this period the Circuit considered John's request for re-invitation for a further 5 years from August 2026. The very comprehensive process for Reinvitation set out by the Methodist Church was followed and the Circuit Meeting accepted the recommendation of the Circuit Invitation Committee to reinvite John at its meeting on 10 September 2025.

As well as the Circuit once again making a contribution to each church towards energy costs - this year £2500 per church - throughout the year the Circuit continued to make grants to support the churches with various projects all connected to making the churches more welcoming and supporting mission to their local communities. Including the energy grants these totalled £39,542 and are listed in Section 7 of the Notes.

As reported last year, following the difficulties encountered by schools built in the same era as The Height Church (just over 50 years ago) with RAAC being used for flat roofs the church trustees took the responsible decision to have the building surveyed. RAAC having subsequently been identified the church immediately closed in March 2024 Worship for most of the congregation moved to Emmanuel where they were warmly welcomed and made contributions there in stewarding and leading Local Arrangements. Some of The Height’s outreach work which were not dependent on the church building continued, namely the Prayer Tree which remained outside the church and continued to be filled by members of the community with their prayers taken each week to Emmanuel. Also continued was the very powerful Shawl Ministry particularly to those in special need facing difficult circumstances. Thanks to the original trustees who oversaw the original quality build and commissioned high grade RAAC to be used with at the time an expected life of 100 years, as well as the regular maintenance of the roof by a few church members there had been no deterioration in the concrete slabs making up the flat roof part of the building, specifically the concourse and corridor. Hence to ensure the continued safety of the building the structural engineer was able to recommenda cost effective solution involving installing steel beams across the skylights, the potentially most vulnerable part of the roof. And the cost of this was reasonable (£9811) and provided by a grant from the Circuit. The church was very fortunate to engage a local builder with RAAC experience who wished to support the church and installed the steel beams at cost. The work was signed off in December 2024 by the structural engineer and the church reopened in January 2025. This allowed the church's other outreach activities to restart as well as being able to offer once more good space at reasonable cost to many community groups. Outreach activities led by a team of dedicated church members include a Toddlers and Carers weekly group, a once a month Seniors’ lunch, a Listening Post (a twice weekly opportunity for members of the community to come to talk one to one with folk willing to listen and possibly offer advice or signpost to relevant support services) and a weekly Saturday Coffee morning which is also a time for one of the Listening Post opportunities. The Prayer Tree continues as does the powerful Shawl Ministry. Following the months of worship at Emmanuel when friendships developed between the two congregations it was decided to have more joint services. Generally on the second Sunday of the month the two congregations meet at The Height and on the fourth Sunday at Emmanuel. One exception to this was on 15 June - the third Sunday - when the two congregations celebrated significant anniversaries together at The Height. The Height celebrated 50 years since the first service in the building and Emmanuel celebrated 10 years. The service was led appropriately by Rev Ken Stokes, a ministerwho had served both congregations and in particular oversaw the building of Emmanuel. Many friends and ministers from The Height’'s past attended with several other friends and ministers sending cards and letters of greeting. These were incorporated in a large display of old photos and memorabilia from The Height’s past and a buffet lunch allowed for a lot of conversation and reminiscences. The church has good ecumenical links and joint activities include special services, a weekly series of lunchtime meetings for Lenten reflections and a shared Christmas card publicising the various Christmas services and activities taking place in the locality. The Height congregation continued to be involved during closure as well as after reopening.

The building of Emmanuel Church and Community Centre was difficult and the continuing upkeep of the building has been and continues to be challenging, However thanks to some generous legacies and the very dedicated service of some members at Emmanuel the building is probably in as good shape as it has ever been, together with the continued maintenance of the cleanliness of both the worship space and such a busy community centre. During the past year there has been an increase in the numbers in the congregation including a few families with young families. Two successful social events including supper were arranged with Height members invited. Weekly fellowship meetings were also held in July when some of the ‘Being with’ course was considered by a group of Emmanuel and Height members. Attendance was encouraging - up to 20 each week - and with the positive feedback received more sessions are planned. There are some weekly church led activities in the Community Centre. This includes the Wednesday coffee morning where refreshments are provided for the users of the food bank based at the church who also appreciate the opportunity to chat as well as to the young families’ group who book rooms. And a Craft Group meets weekly when refreshments are also offered. This attracts a good number of church goers and non church goers. A long standing and successful Boys Brigade unit is also led by church members. As well as church based activities the Community Centre provides a home to many much-needed community groups - as well as the Food Bank- for a variety of groups, many of which are for young people.

Worship at Monton Church continues to be very well attended and a small Junior Church is appreciated by the young people. With the church being closest to the centre of the Circuit the fortnightly Circuit Sunday evening services are held there. The church is also used for special Circuit Services throughout the year and regularly hosts the Local Preachers Meeting. Moreover from time to time it is used by the District for training sessions for Safeguarding and EDI. There are regular outreach activities led by church members including a weekly well-established Toddlers Group and the Warm Space initiative when the hall is open for several hours on a Friday offering chat and refreshments. Occasional Coffee Mornings are held to raise money for specific causes eg.Christian Aid. The church has good ecumenical links with occasional joint services throughout the year and a shared Christmas card with the local Anglican Church which is delivered throughout the local neighbourhood. The church also offers space to community groups. Work has begun on making the building more welcoming and quotes have been obtained for some of the work identified, including new entrance doors, signage and notice boards with the intention of applying for grants to help with the costs.

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

As reported last year following the closures of both Patricroft and soon after Boundary Road churches most of these two congregations joined our Wesley Church. The amalgamation of the three congregations continues to be very successful. The regular joint services between Glazebrook, St Paul’s and Wesley strengthen the bonds between the three churches at the west end of the Circuit. As at The Height, St Paul’s Shawl Ministry continues to be a much-valued outreach ministry with shawls going as far afield as Ethiopia as well as to Salford Royal Hospital. Glazebrook has good links with the pre-school group that uses the premises and throughout the year short services are led in the church by Rev John Palmer with children, staff and parents supported by members of the congregation.

For a relatively small church Wesley has hada fairly busy calendar with such events as a Harvest Supper and Quiz Night with some attending from the local community as well as from St Paul's and Glazebrook. As well as the regular monthly Saturday Coffee Mornings It held a special and very busy Christmas Fair Coffee Morning with seasonal stalls as well as the usual refreshments from the kitchen, and a Christian Aid Coffee Morning. During Advent a Toy Service was held with gifts going to Wood Street Mission. It hosted an Evergreens’ concert and an Andante Concert. For the Easter Day service the cross made from two tree branches was transformed with flowers which was then left outside the church and received positive comments from local people. Activities with Churches Together included a Quiz Night, a series of lunchtime Lenten services and a Songs of Praise service at St Theresa's. All churches sent in their favourite hymns from which a final programme was put together. During the week some outside groups use the church and the Evergreens choir hold their weekly rehearsals there. Work parties during the year both for inside and outside jobs have been well supported. Extensive work on the flat roof took place in February.

Churches continue to lead LAs as filling the Preaching Plan continues to be a challenge although the increased numberofjoint services has helped. To assist churches with LAs as well as to support local preachers the Circuit continues to fund copies of Roots magazine and also provides a subscription for the Vine resources which include fully scripted services.

Most of our churches do hold regular Coffee Mornings which are well attended and much appreciated both within the churches and local community. For some people, particularly those who live alone, they are very much seen asa lifeline. They very much continue to be a very effective outreach activity.

The new North West District made up of the former Manchester and Stockport, Liverpool, Lancashire, Bolton & Rochdale and Cumbria Districts came into being on 1 September 2024. Some of us have now had opportunities during the year to get to know some ofthe officers who were unfamiliar previously.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The underlying Circuit Assessment income was £114.4k, which was 9.6% higher than the previous year. The difference between the underlying figure of £114.4k and the reported figure of £76.3k is rebates made to the Churches relating to prior years for the nonrecruitment of a second Lay Pastoral Assistant and higher Interest Receipts than budgeted.

Both Liebert Drive and Old River Close continue to be let to good tenants. The rent was increased for Liebert Drive in April 2025, with a further increase due in April 2026. The rent for Old River Close was aligned with market rates when the new tenants moved in in October 2024 and will be reviewed next year.

There has been no turnover in staff. The higher costs in 2024/25 versus 2023/24 reflect that there is nowa full time Lay Pastoral Assistant (versus the previous part time one), inflation and higher National Insurance costs for employers.

The Quinquennial costs include the inspection of 8 properties.

With the sales of both Boundary Road and Patricroft in April 2024 and, in August 2024, the return of the Pension Contribution made to Connexion in 2021, the Circuit started the year with higher bank balances than in previous years. This has resulted in higher amounts of Interest Receipts, Interest Charges and District Levy in 2024/25 versus previous years.

As in previous years, the Circuit made a grant of 2.5k to each of the 6 Churches in the Circuit towards rising utility bills. The Circuit also made other grants of £24.5k.

In 2025/26, the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) is expecting a number of grant applications from the churches.

Going forward, the Circuit currently has a healthy cash position. While there will undoubtedly be pressures on Church income and therefore Circuit assessments due to the cost of living pressures and other factors, these funds should allow the Circuit to support its Churches and the objectives of the Methodist Church.

Risk management

The Circuit Meeting continues to develop procedures for identifying and addressing the risks facing the charity. It has already enhanced its financial procedures and, in common with other Churches, has developed robust procedures for safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Principal Funding Sources

Contributions from the Churches by way of Circuit Assessment continue to be the main source of funding, accounting for 66% (2024: 66%; 2023: 77%) of normal unrestricted income. Rental income (from the former manses at Old River Close and Liebert Drive) accounted for 19% (2024: 20%; 2023: 20%) of normal unrestricted income.

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Investment Policy and Review

Money held in the Circuit Model Trust Fund (effectively the balance of previous sales of property) is kept as cash; the Circuit continues to be alert to the potential to achieve enhanced income by investing part of this Fund in either equity-based or fixed interest funds operated by the Methodist Central Finance Board, but the imperative to retain good levels of liquidity in recent years justified a more cautious approach. The situation is kept under regular review, but the likelihood of switching out of cash is considered sufficiently remote that the Model Trust Fund balance continues to be classified as a current (as opposed to longer-term) asset.

Reserves

The Circuit seeks to use all its assets for its charitable purposes, whilst continuing to secure and maintain the Circuit's financial viability. It seeks to set a balanced revenue budget, in order that the ongoing normal costs of ministry, mission and management are met from investment income, grants and donations, and Circuit Assessment. An ongoing programme of rationalisation of the Circuit's property portfolio was linked with the development of a medium term plan, which continues to seek to identify future requirements of management and ministry and to use part of the sale proceeds in supporting those requirements and developing more innovative schemes of mission and ministry.

In order to meet its ongoing financial obligations - including the payment of stipends and of District and Connexional assessments quarterly in advance - and to meet unforeseen circumstances, the Circuit needs to maintain sufficient free reserves. These reserves would enable the Circuit to maintain its mission and ministry in the short term if, for whatever reason, any individual Churches encounter difficulties in paying their assessments. Free reserves are defined as unrestricted reserves less the investment in tangible fixed assets. Having previously determined that free reserves should be equivalent to between 3 and 4 months of normal revenue operating costs, the impact of the pandemic on Church finances prompted the decision to hold an amount equivalent to 6 months of normal costs, equating to between £75,000 and £80,000. At the end of the year, the free reserves stood at circa £502k. The Circuit remains committed to utilising these to support the mission and ministry of the Church over the coming years.

Current Needs and Future Plans

Within the context of the calling of the Methodist Church (as set out above), the Circuit plans to:

• e continue to support and encourage each local congregation in mission and ministry; e establish and develop a training culture within the Circuit, encouraging lay preachers in their development, supporting probationers and facilitating the development of presbyters in training;

• e continue to review and actively manage the Circuit's investments in its financial and property resources, seeking to selectively release resources for mission, ministry and outreach;

• e — work through the Methodist Church stationing procedures to secure the appointment of new ministerial staff as vacancies are identified:

• e continue to work ecumenically, especially in supporting and developing established and new Local Ecumenical Partnerships and with particular focus on the Anglican-Methodist Covenant;

• e develop both at Circuit and local level medium term plans for strategic development

Going Concern

The Trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the Circuit and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund its activities for the foreseeable future. The Trustees are therefore of the view that the charity is a going concern.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Salford Methodist Circuit is part of the Methodist Church of Great Britain. The managing trustees operate within the Methodist Church Connexion and as such, their governing document is the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church. The document is available for inspection by appointment at 15 Sunflower Meadow, Irlam, Manchester M44 6TD.

Salford Methodist Circuit is registered as a separate charity, number 1143819.

Connected Charities

The Churches forming the Circuit are themselves charities and, as they are responsible for their own financial affairs, they are not reported in these statements.

Appointment of Trustees

All ministers, presbyteral and diaconal, stationed in the Circuit by the Conference or deemed to be resident in the Circuit are members of the Circuit Meeting.

The following are ex officio members of the Circuit Meeting:

Circuit Stewards appointed by the Circuit Meeting Circuit Meeting Secretary appointed by the Circuit Meeting Representatives to District Synod appointed by the Circuit Meeting Local Preachers Secretary appointed by the Local Preachers’ Meeting

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Each Church is represented by a Church Steward, the Church Treasurer and representatives appointed by the Church Council in relation to the number of Church members (one representative for every 50 members). The Circuit Meeting has the power to co-opt other members as necessary. As at 31 August 2025 there were 30 members of the Circuit Meeting.

Trustee recruitment, induction and training

As outlined above, the appointment of the majority of the members of the Circuit Meeting is outside the control of the Meeting. In appointing the Circuit Leadership Team and other officers, the Meeting has regard to the balance of skills and gifts that are needed to further the work of the Church. New members of the Leadership Team are inducted by the Leadership Team.

Organisation

The Circuit Meeting is convened twice a year. The Circuit Leadership Team, appointed by the Circuit Meeting, is responsible for acting on behalf of the Circuit Meeting at other times. The Leadership Team meets at least six times per year. The Circuit Meeting retains responsibility for setting the mission priorities of the Circuit, the overall strategy to deliver those priorities, the invitation of ministers, the oversight of local churches, the admission of people to the office of Local Preacher, and decisions on formal explorations of calls to ministry and candidates for the ordained ministry.

The Leadership Team is assisted in the task of financial oversight by the Circuit Finance Officer.

The Methodist Church appoints a minister to be the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit, whose duties are set out in the Standing Orders of the Church.

Pay and Remuneration

Stipends and allowances for presbyters and deacons (collectively ministers) are set annually by the Methodist Conference, and the Circuit is responsible for meeting those costs for all ministers appointed by the Conference to the Circuit. Fuller disclosure is contained in Note 20 to the accounts.

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Circuit Meeting to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Circuit Meeting has:

• selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently - made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - stated whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements - prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis

The Circuit Meeting is responsible for keeping 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 applicable regulations. It is also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

ON BEHALF OF CIRCUIT MEETING

VA knC/ VE “P| . REV JOHN PALMER - TRUSTEE Date /0 {26

7

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

| report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 21.

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’),

| 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 | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

| understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. | confirm that| am qualified to undertake the examination because | a member of the ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies.

| have completed my examination. | confirm that no giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

| confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

2. 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.

| 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.

Peter Smith BA FCA DChA

For and on behalf of:

Peter Smith Accountancy Services Chartered Accountants

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	Endowment	Total	Total
		Funds	Funds	Funds	2025	2024
		£	£	£	£	£
Incoming resources from generated	funds:
Donations	2	76,281	-	-	76,281	104,366
Rental income	3	33,500	-	-	33,500	31,520
Investment income - bank interest	4	24,145	-	-	24,145	17,096
Other income (funds transferred in)	5	-		-	-	4,412
TOTAL INCOME		133,926	-	-	133,926	157,394
EXPENDITURE
Costs ofgenerating funds	6	3,924	-	-	3,924	3,964
Expenditure on charitable activities	7	218,434	-	-	218,434	102,035
TOTAL EXPENDITURE		222,358	-	-	222,358	105,999
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
BEFORETRANSFERS	8	(88,432)	-	-	(88,432)	51,395
OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS & (LOSSES)
Realised gain on sale ofcurrent investment asset		-	-	-	:	96,632
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS	14	(88,432)	-	-	(88,432)	148,027
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT
FORWARD	14	1,208,679	2,879	672	1,212,229	1,064,203
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED
FORWARD	14	1,120,246	2,879	672	1,123,797	1,212,229

The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

9

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025

	Notes	2025	2025	2024	2024
		£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets	10		617,655		623,845
Investments	11		672		672
			618,327		624,517
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors	12	11,798		11,601
Cash at Bankand in Hand		522,644		607,597
		534,442		619,198
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due in one year	13	28,972		31,485
NET CURRENT ASSETS/ (LIABILITIES)			505,470		587,713
NET ASSETS			1,123,797		1,212,230
FUNDS
Unrestricted	14		1,120,246		1,208,679
Restricted	14		2,879		2,879
Endowment	14		672		672
TOTALFUNDS			1,123,797		1,212,229

The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the Circuit Meeting and authorised for issue on:

And signed on their behalf by: S) / ) 4 Gi 77

REV JOHN PALMER - TRUSTEE

10

THE METHODIST CHURCH - THE SALFORD CIRCUIT STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

		2025	2024
	Notes	£	£
Cash used in operating activities	19	(109,097)	35,864
Cashflows frominvesting activities
Interest and dividends		24,145	17,096
Proceeds ofsale of investments		-	373,032
Purchase of investments		-	(10)
Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		24,145	390,118
Cashflows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowing		z	-
Cash used in financing activities		-	-
Increase/(decrease) in cash & cash equivalents in	the year	(84,953)	425,981
Cash and cash equivalents broughtforward		607,597	181,616
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward		522,644	607,597
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash at bank and in hand		522,644	607,597
		522,644	607,597

The notes on pages 12 to 21 form part of[these][financial][statements.]

11

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items, which are considered material in relation to the charity’s financial statements.

Scope of the financial statements

The financial statements relate solely to Salford Methodist Circuit.

Basis of preparation

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of !reland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.

Income

Total Incoming Resources as shown in the Statement of Financial Activities represents the net amounts from all sources.

Income is recognised in the accounting period in which it is receivable, except in the following circumstances, when the income is deferred and included in creditors:

• e The income relates to a future accounting period e A sales invoice has been raised ahead of the work being carried out and the charity is not contractually entitled to the income until the work has been done

• e Not all the terms and conditions of the grant have been met, including the incurring of expenditure and the grant conditions are such that unspent grant must be refunded.

Income includes grants in respect of revenue and capital items.

Income recognition

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. The following applies to particular types of income:

Grants, whether of a capital or revenue nature, are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met and it is probable that the income will be received.

General donations from individuals and other bodies (not being of the nature ofa grant) are recognised when receivable.

Church Assessments are recognised in the period for which they have been given and any advance payments are deferred in line with the policy below.

Deferred income

Income is only deferred and included in creditors when:

• e The income relates to a future accounting period e A sales invoice has been raised ahead of the work being carried out and there is no contractual entitlement to the income until the work has been done

• e Not all the terms and conditions of the grant have been met, including the incurring of expenditure and the grant conditions are such that unspent grant must be refunded

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds

including those associated with fundraising activities and investment management cost.

Charitable activities costs of undertaking the work of the charity.

The charity is not registered for VAT and cannot recover any input tax charged. Costs are stated inclusive of VAT were charged.

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SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Taxation

Salford Methodist Circuit is exempt from Corporation Tax by reason of its charitable status. Income tax suffered on deeds of covenant and gift aid or investment income is reclaimed in full.

Fixed assets and depreciation

The Circuit has capitalised the freehold and long leasehold properties for which it acts as the Managing Trustees at the Trustees’ valuation in 2009 or at subsequent purchase price. Depreciation has been provided since the year ending 31 August 2015 on the long leasehold properties at the rate of 1% of the Trustees’ valuation per annum, and at the rate of 0.67% per annum on the freehold property.

Single assets purchases, not forming part of a related serious of transactions, costing less than £300 are not capitalised, but are written off as a revenue expense in the year of acquisition. Depreciation, on assets other than the long leasehold property, is provided to write off the cost less the estimated residual value of tangible fixed assets by equal instalments over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Property Improvements - 10% per annum on cost Furniture and fittings - 25% per annum on cost

Investments, gains and losses

Fixed asset investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recorded at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The SoFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and on disposals throughout the year.

Gains and losses on are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between sale proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the opening carrying value or cost, if acquired during the year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated on the difference between opening and closing fair values.

Financial instruments

The charity has only basic financial instruments which are initially recorded at cost, and with the exception of investments (as set out above) subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Methodist Ministers’ Pension Fund

The Circuit is a member of the Connexional pension scheme (MMPS) which covers presbyters and deacons of the Methodist Church. The contribution rates are set each year by the Methodist Conference, and for the year under review the employer contributions were 20.0% of stipend (2026: 26.9%).

The MMPS is a multi-employer scheme, and in accordance with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, the Circuit accounts for those contributions as if it were a defined contribution scheme. It has done so because it is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities on a consistent and reasonable basis. Contributions are charged to the SoFA in the period in which they are payable.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

13

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

			2025				2024
		Unrestricted	Restricted		Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
2	DONATIONS	£	£		£	£	£	£
	Church assessments	76,281		-	76,281	104,366	-	104,366
	Donations	-		-	-	-	-	-
		76,281		-	76,281	104,366	-	104,366
3	OTHER TRADING INCOME
	Rental income	33,500		-	33,500	31,520	-	31,520
		33,500		-	33,500	31,520	-	31,520
4	INVESTMENT INCOME
	Income from fixed asset investments	19,882		-	19,882	13,717	12	13,729
	Bank interest	4,262		-	4,262	3,367	-	3,367
		24,145		-	24,145	17,084	127,096
5	FUNDS TRANSFERRED IN
	From closure of Boundary Road	-		-	-	4,412	-	4,412
		-		-	-	4,412	-	4,412
6	COSTS OF GENERATING FUNDS
	Agents fees re rental income	3,924		-	3,924	3,964	-	3,964
		3,924		-	3,924	3,964	-	3,964

14

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

		Unrestricted	Restricted		Total	Unrestricted	Restricted			Total
7	CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE	£	£		£	£	£			£
	Direct costs
	Stipends, salaries & expenses	89,081		-	89,081	74,178		-		74,178
	Grants to Circuit Churches	39,542		-	39,542	13,985		-		13,985
	Grants to others bodies	-		-	-	(53,685)		-		(53,685)
	Manse costs (including depreciation)	15,489		-	15,489	21,849		-		21,849
	District & Connexional assessments	25,937		-	25,937	24,532		-		24,532
	District Advance Fund lew	26,762		-	26,762	1,939		-		1,939
	Support costs & governance
	Office, communications & other costs	3,052		-	3,052	10,432		-		10,432
	Interest and charges	1,670		-	1,670	339		-		339
	Accountancy & legal fees	16,900		-	16,900	8,467		-		8,467
		218,434		-	218,434	102,035		-		102,035
	Grants to Circuit Churches are analysed	as:
	All Churches in Salford Circuit - towards energy costs				15,000					12,000
	Monton Methodist Church - hall refurbishment				6,731					-
	The Height Methodist Church- flat roof/skylights				9,811					1,115
	The Height Methodist Church - towards waterproofing asphalt		roof		5,000					-
	Emmanuel Church LEP - towards craft and	chat group			3,000					-
	Emmanuel Church LEP - towards signage				=					870
					39,542					13,985
	Grants to other bodies are analysed as:
	Methodist Church Pension Reserve Fund (refund)				-					(53,785)
	Other				-					100
					-				-	53,685

15

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

8	NET INCOMING RESOURCES AFTER TRANSFERS	2025	2024
	This is stated after charging/(crediting):	£	£
	Accountant/Independent examiner's fees
	Report	700	700
	Depreciation	6,190	6,190
9	STAFF INFORMATION	2025	2024
		£	£
a	Staff costs
	Stipends and salaries	70,529	56,002
	Employer's Pension contributions	6,743	8,316
	Employer's NI contributions	6,059	4,057
		83,331	68,375

No staff member was paid more than £60,000 p.a. in either year.

b Key management personnel

The key management of the charity comprise the trustees, which includes the ordained members of staff who are ex officiomembers of the Circuit Meeting but do not receive any payment specifically for acting as trustees. The other trustees do not receive any remuneration for their services.

	The other trustees do not receive any remuneration for theirtheir services.
		£	£
	The total remuneration benefits ofthe key management
	Stipends	44,317	43,130
c	Average staffnumbers
	The average number ofmembers of staffwas as follows:-
		2025	2024
		Average	Average
		number	number
	Ordained staff(office holders not employees)	1	1
	Layemployees	2	2
		seem	2

16

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

10 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

10	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS						Long
						Freehold land	leasehold
						& buildings	Properties	Total
						£	£	£
	Cost
	As atSeptember 1 2024					200,000	485,745	685,745
	As atAugust 31 2025					200,000	485,745	685,745
	Depreciation
	As atSeptember 1 2024					13,330	48,570	61,900
	Charge for theyear					1,333	4,857	6,190
	As atAugust 31 2025					14,663	53,427	68,090
	Net book value
	As atAugust 31 2025					185,337	432,318	617,655
	As atAugust31 2024					186,670	437,175	623,845
11	FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS					2025		2024
						£		£
	Marketvalue broughtforward					672		662
	Income distributed					-		10
	Marketvalue carried forward					672		672
	Investments at fair value comprise:
	Cash held within investment portfolio					672		662
						672		662
		Unrestricted	funds		Restricted funds		Endowment	funds
		2025	2024		2025	2024	2025	2024
		£	£		£	£	£	£
	Marketvalue brought forward	-		-	-	-	672	662
	Income distributed	-		-	-	-	-	10
	Additions at cost	-		-	-	-	-	=
	Disposals at carrying value	-		-	-	-	-	-
	Reclassification as Current Assets	-		-	2		-	-
	Net gain/(loss) on revaluation	-		-	-	:	-	-
	Marketvaluecarriedforward	-		-	-	-	672	672

17

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

		2025	2024
12	DEBTORS	£	£
	Prepayments & other debtors	11,798	11,601
		11,798	11,601
		2025	2024
13	CREDITORS falling due within one year	£	£
	Assessments in advance	22,216	24,291
	Other creditors	5,000	5,000
	Creditors & accruals	1,756	2,195
		28,972	31,485

Assessments brought forward were released in the year. The amounts relating to subsequent accounting periods are deferred in line with the accounting policy.

Funds in trust are monies collected by Circuit Churches	Funds in trust are monies collected by Circuit Churches	for Methodist funds and not remitted at the	for Methodist funds and not remitted at the	for Methodist funds and not remitted at the	year	end. They
are analysed as follows:	World		Total	World			Total
	Mission	other	2025	Mission		other	2024
	£	£	£	£		£	£
Brought forward	-	-	-		-	-	-
Received in the year	200	650	850	404		580	984
Paid over	(200)	(650)	(850)	(404)		(580)	(984)
Carriedforward	-	-	:		-	-	-

18

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

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19

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

15 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Fund|balances|at August|31|2025|are|represented|by:-|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment| |Funds|Funds|Funds|Total| |£|£|£|£| |Tangible|fixed|assets|617,655|-|-|617,655| |Fixed|asset|investments|0|-|672|672| |Net|current|assets|502,591|2,879|-|505,470| |1,120,246|2,879|672|1,123,797| |Fund|balances|at August|31|2024|are|represented|by:-| |Tangible|fixed|assets|623,845|-|-|623,845| |Fixed|asset|investments|0|-|672|672| |Net|current|assets|584,834|2,879|-|587,713| |1,208,679|2,879|672|1,212,230| |16|FINANCIAL|INSTRUMENTS| |The|carrying|amounts|for|each|category|of financial|instrument| |is|as|follows:|2025|2024| |£|£| |Financial|assets| |that|are|investments|measured|at|fair|value|672|672| |that|are|debt|instruments|measured|at|amortised|cost|534,442|619,198| |Financial|liabilities| |measured|at amortised|cost|(28,972)|(31,485)|

----- End of picture text -----

Financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise: cash at bank and in hand; income receivable and other debtors; and prepayments. Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost comprise: trade creditors; other taxes and social security; accruals; and deferred income.

17 TAXATION

The Circuit is a registered charity and is entitled to claim annual exemption from UK corporation tax.

18 CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were no capital commitments authorised and contacted for at the end of the year (2024 ENil).

19 RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASHFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Net|income/(expenditure)|before|transfers|(88,432)|148,027| |Deduct/(add)|gains/(losses)|on|sale|of|investments|-|(96,632)| |Add|back|depreciation|on|fixed|assets|6,190|6,190| |Deduct|interest|income|shown|in|investing|activities|(24,145)|(17,096)| |Decrease/(increase)|in|debtors|(197)|5,266| |Increase/(decrease)|in|creditors|(2,513)|(9,892)| |Net|cash|generated|from/(used|in)|operating|activities|(109,097)|35,864|

----- End of picture text -----

20

SALFORD METHODIST CIRCUIT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

20 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Stipends and allowances for presbyters and deacons (collectively known as ministers) are set out annually by the Methodist Conference, and the Circuit is responsible for meeting those costs for all Ministers appointed annually by the Conference to serve the Circuit.

The Rev J Palmer Minister received the basic stipend £31,020 (2023/24 - £29,040) , the Conexionally agreed additional Superintendent's allowance of £3,102 (2023/24 - £2,904), the computer allowance £207 (2023/24 - £194) and was provided with living accommodation in 2024/25 and 2023/24.

21