THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Vale of Stour FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Wolverham ton & Shrewsbu Dlslrlct Circuit no 28105 Registered Charlty. Charlty Reglstratlon number 1145208 11 not a regislered charity HIS Majesty's R8V8nue and Customs Glft number Mlnister5'. Rev Alan CombÈs REV Micha&l Payne Circuit Sleivards.. iss Margaret Ki18 Mr Michael Sykes (Piopertyl Mr Sluari Ashmore (Financè) Mlss Jacqueline Hill T￿8$U[Br= Mr Stuart AshmDre Vale of Stour Methodlsl Circult Trustees, Annual Report Introduction The members of the Vale of Slour Melhodisl Circuit nitseling present lh8 accounts and Trustees, Annual Report for Ihe year lo 31 August 2025. Brief financlal review of the year Income trends Circuit income is primarily drawn from the a8sessmenl paid by the circuil churches. Expenditure trends Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved increases. 31 0/0 of axpendilure is the Circuil contribution lo the Dislricl and Connexion, of which a significant part Is used lo lund tho work ol Ihe wider Melhodisl Church. Fund balances As of 31 August 2025 the nel current assets of th8 Circuit were £697,584 glving11 in excess of 6 months, cover for expendilure. Is8e ReséNes Policy) There is an amount of£fj,009.90 held in a Youlh AccoLtnl and administered by Trustees. This fund will be transferred lo the Circuit's Funds in the financial year 2025126 and wll be ring-fenced for Youth Work wilhln the Val8 of Slour Circuit. Churches and Manses No manses were disposed of during the year- the former Briedey Hill manse conlinLJes lo be used in support of The Briedey Hill Project. The manses al Timbertree and Birch Coppice hav8 been retained and 8re currently generating rental income for the Circuit, Actlvltles and Outcomes 2024125 Some five years on from the unprecedented Covld-19 pandemic, life has returned lo 'business as usual, for the Gircuil's churchES, albeit they are still feeling Ihe lingertng effects of decreases in worshippers and irFcome streams as a result lallhough we have seen some churches return lo pre-pandemic levels of membership 8nd allendance. Indeed, some churches have brought in new regular worshippars, members and regular hirers of their premlses). Cost of Living pressures remain al the forefront of many, particularly Ihrough increased energy costs. Bul support of Immedlale congreg8lions and the wider communily rernain al the heart ol church outreach. Inde6d, we have seen two churches 'cease lo worship, _ Wesley and Providers￿ - which has impacted Circuit fInan￿S by way of reduced assessmenls. Whilsl approved sales will ullimalely generate addiliorbal income 2t some future point (likely 25126 financial year) this will be on a 'one off basis, so there needs lo be honosl eonversalions about hDW bast such funds can be inv6sled lo support th8 long-18m) future of Melhodism in the Vale ol Slour Circuil. The Circuil's 'Way Forward, programme has continued steadily during the y&ar wilh many posilive discussions as lo what the fLtture looks like for the 'cluslered' ohur¢hes', we now have the 'new' Slourbridge Melhodisl Church a single 'church' worshlpping from two siles (New Road arkd Gig Mill). Support for The Brierly Hill Project IBHPI, whose missior¢ is lo provide largeled life support and menloring for the people from lh8 Brierley Hill area and wider Dudley Borough has eonlinued through a re-purposlng of the former Brierly Hill manse as an operational base. Such a partnership serves lo slrenglhen the Circuit's charliable rolè (through ils churches) of acting as a resource provider for the Malhodist Church in the local area. Plans for 2025126 Circuit financial plans for the cAiming year have been prepared or¢ the basis of a continuing two-minisler CSrcuil, logelher wilh appropriate support from Ihs Lay Team and Supernumerles. Accordingly, a gross operating budget of £346,702 has been assessed on the circuit churches. However, Ihe Circuil has actively chosen lo invest irb two key lay roles from ils reserves. meaning a net operating budget of £272,202 has been approved. We remain alive lo the ¢osl-of-living pressures facing the Circuit's churches 8nd congregations and so, in light of Ihe closure of Wesley and Providence, have similarly red￿￿d Ihe financial call on the remaining churches Ivia assessment). For 2025126 this is sel al £210,000. The Circuit Leadershlp Team has openly encouragad individual churches lo discuss Iheir own future plan5 wlh the Circuit Leadership Team where they feel the impact of the pandemic has had significant impact on Iheir wellbeing and spiritual life and such conversations continue as an integral part ol the 'Way Forward, progr8mme. 2025126 also sees a new Superinlendenl Minister- Rev. J8m Hawkins - follo￿ng th8 '8111ing down, of Ihe previous incumbent - Rev. Alan Combes bul we will remain a two-minisler Circuit for Ih8 financi31 ye2r. Basls of preparation and legal framework The Charity's annual report and accounts for the year endeci 31 August 2025 have been prepared Irb accordan￿ wilh Iha Charities Act 2011 and the Charities- Stalemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS} 102. Full Name of ChaTily.' Vale of Slour Melhoclisl Circuit Regislrallon Charity Number.. 1145208 Dale of regislralion.. 22 December 2011 Main communi¢alion address.. Circuit Office. New Road Melhodisl Church, New R02d, Slourbridge, DY8 1PA The members of the Val& of Slour Melhodlst Cir¢uil meeting are the Charity TruslÈÈs, membership belng made up of circuit office holders, ministers and represenlalives appointed by the local churches. Full membership is shown in the charlly s entry on the Charily Commission website. Circuit Minlslers and officers Acllve Circuit Mlnislers Rev Alan Combes Isuperinlendenll Rev Michael Payne Circuit Lay Worker Mrs Claire Biggs (Children & Families Worker) - resigned 3￿* November 2024 Mission and New Communities Enablar Mr Luke Denley (from 1* February 2025) Financial Adminislralor Ms Carole Bennett (P￿) Circuit Local Lay Pastor Mr Martyn Filsak Circuit Sl8wards Mrs Elaine Panchal lappoinled 151 Seplenib8r 20241 Miss Jacqueline Hill Islepped down 31 August 2025) Rev. Andrew Sankey18ppoinled 151 June 20251 Mrs Jill Martin Mr8 Lyn Andrews lappoinled 1 $1 September 20241 Mrs Jayne Coms (Circuit Safeguarding offi￿rI Mr Stuart Ashmore (Finance) Mr Mike Sykes (Property) Mr Roderic Worthinglon (Circuit Way Forward Review) Circuit Adminislralor Mrs Elaine Panchal Treasurer Mr Stuart Ashmore ACbAI Independent ex8mln&r David Wright FCA, DJH Halesowen Limited, Church Court, Slourbridge Road. Halesowen, Wesl Midlands 563 3TT Inveslmenl Bankers Central Finance Board of the Melhodisl Church Trustees for Melhodisl Church purposes HSBC Bank plc Aims and organlsatlon Charity objeclive is lo act as a resource provider within the area around Vale of Slour Circuit for the Melhodisl Church.. The purposes of the Melhodisl Church aro and shall be deemed lo have been since the Date of Unton Ihe adv8ncemenl of.. a) The Christian failh in accordance with the doGtrinal standards and discipline of The Melhodisl Church., bl Any charitable purpose for the lime being of any Connexional, Districl. Circuit. local or olher organisalion ol The Methodist Church., cl Any charitable purpose for the lime being of any society or inslilulion SLJbsidiary or ancillary to The Melhodisl Church.. d) Any purpose for the lime being of any charity being a charity subsldiary or ancillary lo The Melhodisl Church The organisaliork and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open lo members of the church and non members alSke. The leaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. Taking religious assemblies in local Schools. Promotion of Chrsslianity through the slaging of even18 and sérvices. Provision of chaplaincy setvices lo tho locol univ8rsity and other inslilulions. Publlc Benefit We confirm the Iruslees have had regard lo the Charity Commission's guidance on p￿blIC benefit. Structure, Governance and Management The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union {19321 and Melhodisl Church Act (19761 Detailed govemance arrangements are oullined within the Conslilulional Practice and Discipline ol the Melhodisl Church by order of th8 annual conference (CPDI. Day lo day management ol the oircuil is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership leam together with the Local Preachers meeting, the Circuit Finan￿ and Property Con)millee and the Circuit Policy Commlllee. Trustee Tralnlng A range of guidancè prodU￿d by Malhodisl Connexion lo support the effective running of the cirGuII, speafically the leallel 'The Role of a Truslea in The Melhodisl Churoh, is given lo all new Circuit meellng members as induction lo their role as Iruslees. Related Parties The Clrcuil is part of Ihe Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District and is also accountable lo the Melhodisl Conference. The following Melhodisl Churches are linked lo the drcull.. AmblecoleWords16y, Birch Coppi￿, Brierley Hill, Dudley Wood, Gig Mill. Kingswinford, Kinver, New Road, Overend Mission, Providence, United Church Lye, Wesley, Wollaston, Risk Managemènt The majof risks have been identified and recorded by tha CircLJiI Finan￿ and Property Comniillee professional advice takèn as required. Form31 Covid-19 risk assessmanls are no longer required in ac￿)rdance with Govemment guidelines bul churches remain mindful of gooKI practice regarding v8nlilal8d spaces and good personal hygiene. Th8r8 is a regular annual process review Ljndertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is monitored in lolal and is compared wlh the approved arbfbual budget on a n)onlhly basis lo delecl Irends as part of the risk management process to avoid unfor@seen calls on reserves. Safeguarding Every person has a valub and dignSly which comes directly ffom the creation of male and female in God's owrb image and likeness. Christians bee this potential as fulfilled by God's re-creation ol us in Christ. Among olher things this implies a duty lo value all peopl& as bearing the image of God and Iherefore lo protect them from harm. Melhodisl Connexional praclice oullines ￿mmI[￿ent lo th8 following prinuples.. the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, yourng people and adults the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable the establishing of safe, caring commur¢ilies which promde a loving environnienl where there is informed vigilance as lo the dangers of abuse. We will carefully select and train all those wilh any responslbility within the Church. in line with Safer Recruilmenl principles, including the use of crimiiial records dlsclosures and registration wilh the relevant velling and barring schemes. We will respond wiihoul delay lo evéry complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may havè been harmed, cooper81ing with the police and local authority in any invesligalion. We will seek lo work with anyone who has suffered abuse. devek)ping wllh them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. We will seek lo challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone In a position of Irusl. We will seek lo offer pastoral ￿re and sijpport, including supervision and referral lo the propel authorities, lo any member ol our church community known lo have offended againsl a child, young person or vulnerable adult. In all these principles we will follow legislation. guidanc8 and recognised good practi The Vale of Slour Circuit commits itself lo ensuring the implemenlalion of Connexional Safeguarding Policy., government legislation, guidance and safe pracllce in the circLtil and in the churches. The Vale of Slour Circuit con)mils itself lo the provision ol support, advi￿ and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear 8nd confidenl about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vtjlnerable. Reserves Pollcy The Reserves Policy for the Clrcuil is lo hold a minimum sum equivalent lo 6 months, average expenditure. This should be sufficient lo meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and l or lo bè able lo continue, in the short lemi, funding planned activities in the event of any inability lo ralse the full Circuit Assessment from church88. Nème ol Circult Vale of Stour Circuit No 319 statement of Flnanclal Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31 August 2025 Mole$lo CIr¢￿Il Model Deslsnalèd Ihp en?ral Fund Trust Funds occounl$ IUnr&slfitlid> Iunrèstdcledl lunrèstrlclèd R¢slrlcled Erndowmfrnt Tots1 Fund* Fund$ 2024- 25 Income I DDnallon5 lepacl8S 2 Incom(* fiom r￿￿lary Inv6Slfflon ) Incom& fiom knvtslrninl propsrhès 4 AgsÈsymenls ChJi¢htss 5 Cèpllal Recelpts 1.255 32,280 932 34A41 213,638 21X,IJ$ 7 Olh8r ch9111ab￿ Incomg B Tvtal Income 27,710 242,563 2T.770 275.755 32,260 932 Exp8ndilure 9 Grbnis ar￿ donJtkn)tys 10 Salèrtèg as$otlalBd c05t8 11 Prop9rtyffl￿￿1en0nce 12 Conne￿0￿￿4 asse55mÈnl & modèl trust 13 DLslrfclAs5e5smènl & L￿Y 74 DèpiÈcblh)o 15 off￿ tsxp•nsg$ 16 Olh&r(4rf9OlnPS 17 Total Eharllable *x￿n￿[luTe 18 ¢alnsllh)5sesl on monèlary Inv4s￿￿•ThIS 19 Galnsllloss&sl Dn Inveslmènl wopert￿¥ 20 Nèl lneomèllèxpon￿ItU18l 21 Translérs lunds 22 Olh$rg*ii￿l1p?$seSI 23 tlet movement In lundB 24 Totèl fufjds bFoU8htfotward 25 TotA1 lundscar11￿ fo￿11￿ 6.320 194.282 40,447 6,320 194,282 40,447 8&4 46,626 12,OS7 39,731 )56,331 12.057 43,133 4O6,Y59 9,231 49.857 177 171 .113,760 116.r .17.597 11&498 761 1.502 .130,604 1,2)2 1.416,260 ,417.492 431,1195 755,907 624.812 -741 18.491 17,7ts0 .IJQ,604 2,190,e58 2.060,054 Name of Circuit ValÈ ol stour cl1¢u￿ No 2BIDS statement of Flnancial Acllvlties ISOFAI for the year ended 31 August 2024 CSrcull DeS19n￿t¢d th GenBEal Fund Trus1 FU￿￿$ 2ccounls {UnroslrklÈdl IUnY6slrictgdl lunre51rtcl• Rèsirlclod Éndowmqnl Fdnds Funds Tc*lal 2023.24 10,0 1.06T 10.OOD 3$,902 2 Incomè nioDel8ry Invesknenis a InconiB inve51meni propeiuès 4 AssossrneDls on Churches 5 Capilal Recelp15 6 Granls receive 7 Ollierchdnlable iii¢omo 8 Y¢lal In¢omÈ 37,784 1,052 285,496 19,762 265,406 19,762 15.60J 331.934 15,609 370.769 37,784 1,092 Expenditure U GraDls don3Uons 10 $31arfes and assoclalerl to$ 11 PropBrtyinalnlenaThee IZ cOnnexh)￿l8£s2Ss￿IÈo1 & modèl tyU$I18 13 Oislricl Assesgnienl & L$vy 14 Depiecpalion 15 Otriee expenses 16 Olheroulwlw5 2,318 199,535 22,224 3,318 f99.535 22,224 63.514 41.810 2D,947 320,048 128 128 72.834 369.TO5 18 Gainslllos$è$l on nitsnB13ry Investhenls fj9 Gsin3lllo$sB61 Dn invPS1rnenl propÈrtiES 20 Ng1 In¢omellèxp?ndllurel 21 Ttansfers be￿leen 22 Olhergaln&'lkbssesl 23 Nel Thovement In fund$ 24Total ftsnds biou8lit forwar 25 lot31 lund$ cafiied lorward 11,B86 *,000 524 1,024 19.0001 20,886 ,39Jf,374 1,416,260 924 1.124 2.1U9,633 2,190.65e 776.692 755,907 NFnVJ pfCII¢u Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025 ral F￿rtd DeSty￿alld Furrtfs Rèi1rttted Fur￿5 2021125 2•?*24 ￿1htr CIKLYI 113rses¢ 1,YG6,5 12A88 1Y. 12,. 6JO.CQ2 1r,7$0 ctrttr￿FlnaW8llSr&bÈpO5￿s Cosh 44.6T9 33.834 33.YJ& 504,SIT 23. TulalEvrTrntff55ets 2P.5S9 27,6B9 .37g 21￿E? 50,912 693.534 17,7SO 2.190.655 duÈ*ltèrmoiÈthan ¢ft Ihtass¢1s 2.190,65E QeTrEralF￿ 1fv18,26J 755.ED7 F￿dI IUnio>thrlp41 2,04?.JD4 R￿5￿(4￿d FunOs 624￿12 1.190,65È Slofte CirGuII T NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS I.BASIS OF ACCOUNTING Thè nDancial statementg havo been pr@P3rÈd under the Charltl&s Act 2011 in ac¢ord8ntE with the 2014 vèr£lon ol 2, FUNDS hcld for a narrtsiver purpose. There arÈ llD Énrjowment funds. Details oleacli mai*rlal fund are distlosed Sn ihp final note lo Ihcso accounts. Any fund5 niay be fepre5ented by morè thaTrju5t cash. 3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis-ThesÈ accounts have boen piepared on th￿ basis DI hlslorital cost excepi that Investmtnt$ are Shovin il Iheli markel value at IhE end olthe yèèr, on theaccruals basis to shDIV 3 live and falrvlew ol the Clrcuit's f1Tr2ncial PDSitiDnand Incomlng Fe ol Ihe F￿nd Any PUFPOS¢ Fund Name 8abn¢e 275 -277 Beques1 part9 ofCPD voluffle 2 For the JDhn R Wrlght 14519 692 15164 Arthur Pearson 1428 68 1492 140 112 preTrchers Fund Surpltss New R93d Atcounl 1203 26 -1225 ol tho contro TOTALS 18491 932 171 -1502 17750 COMPARATIVEANALYSIS OF RESTRICTEDAND DESIGNATED FUNDS 2023-24 OptnSng 8alance 275 IncomlTrg Resources 15 Resoyrces ex ended ltsnsfers Purpose or Ihe Fund Any PurpDse Fund Name 15 275 BequÉsi 9volumÈ2 For thÈ maiTrienance John R Wrlght 13812 746 39 14519 Arthur Pearson ileoue5t 8arry 8luTrt 1359 73 1428 976 157 67 J066 preachers FuTrd Suiplus Noiv Road Account 1145 61 1203 of the contre TOTALS 17567 1052 128 18491 14 Name of Clrcuit= VALE OF STOUR No.. 281Q5 Declaratlons and Scrutiny I cnnfim Ihal Ihese 8c(xuals.based acctunts for (he yearto 31 A￿U$l 202S have been prepared from he r&￿rdS of the Ck¢uil and that they InC￿￿e 811 funds under Ihe ￿ntrol of Ihe Circuit meetir4J. Signalure of Ireasuffr. Dal8 .28th January 2026 N8m8 Address Stuart Ashmw ACMI 4 Southern Close. Kingswnford OY6 8HS Pres£ntatioThlothB Ctr¢ullmattkng I (xinfi￿n that the annual rewrt 8fKI ¥¢c4)un(s forlhe year ended 31 Au9usI 2025 wer8 presenled lo Ihe Cifcvil meellng hèkl on Signature of tho Chalr of Ihe rnee1￿ Name oflh8 Chair ofihe me&ling'. I , Q 14n Ljk i￿5 Dalef . J.?o?_ 15 Independeht Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Valo of Slour Methodist ClrcLIII iethlo th9cfla￿tytrUSIees w nvJexamknBb(nOfY￿ arJ)unbOlthBV￿eOfs1￿ra￿itfor théyeareiided31 Auwl 202d ualiepDrt, ￿ Slalernenlof Aciith165, th98￿￿￿e. SI)È￿ Ihg)knles lo Iheknvnls. 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