2024-08-31-accounts

RYEDALE METHODIST CIRCUIT 29134 TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

RYEDALE METHODIST CIRCUIT ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 ADMINISTrATIVE INFORMATION Circuit Numbcr. 29,Q4 Clrcult Staff: Ordained.. Superintendent Minister Rev Peter Sheasby 7 Pinfold Garth, Malton, North Yorkshire, Y017 7XQ Minlsters: Rev Graham Ransom Lay.. Missional Lay Employee: Administration Assistant: Mrs Karen Pattison Mrs Ann Thomas Trustees: All members of the Circuit Meeting. A full list is available on request. Ms Kate Gibbs Dr Julia Branson Mr Steve Amold Mr John Foster Mr Richard Lukey Circuit Stewards: Independent Examiner: Ms S A Cutting STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Goveming Document Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976) Constituted Act of Parliament Selection of Trustees Appointed by local churches and existing trustees Ministers are automatically trustees Structure Part of the Yorkshire North and East District of the Methodist Church Accountable to the Methodist Conference Risks Considered by the Leadership Team Take professional advice when required Adopted Safeguarding Policy

08JECTIVES AND ACTMllE3 The Vision of Ryedala Methc￿ls( Cfirajil Is to Ixjild fell￿hIpS of c(Mnrnitted lolk)w8rs 01 Jesus Chrlsl, who will shor the Gospel, grow In faith arKJ dernnstrate Ihls Ihn)ugh k)viNJ s￿Vice In both the k)cnl communlty nnd the wkler world, This vision wll be w¢xked oul by: Increasing 8W8reness of G(xl'3 presenco and dedarinq Hi3 lovo In our doily Iivo3" Offering safe places for wcthip where every(Me Is made lo feel ￿lCome Bnd occepted: Provlding oppcytunities for spritual grDwth 8nd leaming; Providing tsme and space for church and community aclivitses: Showlng care and support for all: Sharlng tasks of ministy among both lay and ordained people; Working for justice and peace for all peoplo, and Regularly reviewing opportunities for mission, ministry and worship both within tho Molhodist Clrcuit and with others of faith. Objectlves: The purposes of the Methodlsl Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement ofr a) Thc Christian faith in ac￿)rdanCe the doctrinal standards and disciplinc of Thc Nqothodist Church. b) Any charitable purpose for the time belng of any Connexlonal, District, Circuit, local or other organisatlon 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. STRUCTURE AND DECISION MAKING The Circuit staff work as a team sharing responsibilities across the Circuit. Day-tO•day management decisions are taken by the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT). The CLT is composed of the Circuit Stewards and ordained stsff. The Circuit Meeting is the principal decision-making body responsible for the affairs of the Circuit and the development of circuit policy, although decision on specific matters is delogated to the CLT Ivhen required. It also acts as the focal point of the working fellowship of the churches in the Circuit, overseeing their pastoral, training and evangelistic work. It meets twice yearly, in the autumn and spring. CLT meets between Circuit Meetings to: 1. discuss the life and work of the Circuit 2. formulate recommendations for the Circuit Meeting carry out work on behalf of the Circuit Meeting, where appropriate. 4. to ensure the Circuit effectively uses its financial reSoUr￿S through: (i) agreeing proposals for the annual cir(￿lt budget in advan￿ of the Circuit Meeting (li) monitoring financial pr0￿dUreS. The CLT is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the manses and has the authority to approve emergency works to manses on behalf of the Circuit Meeting. All propety schemes within the Circuit are examined by the CLT who recommend an appropriate response to the Circuit Meeting. The CLT may seek clarification or modification of an application before making its recommendation to the Circuit Meeting. In addition to seeking approval, a church may seek financial support from the Circuit for urgent repairs or essential improvements. No limit is placed on this although requests have to be justified and the continuation of the church considered appropnate within the CircuiL For other projects (up to £5000) the CLT may recommend that the Circuit Meeting grant from the Circuit Model Trust Fund up to 15 % of the budgeted cost of the stheme (subject to funds being available) depending on how well the scheme fits the approval criteria. The CLT is also responsible for ensuring staffing levels are maintained at a workable level and may allocate funds for tho employment of lay staff to aeovoist with tho wiork of the church whcn deemod necessary.

RISK MANAGEMENT The Truste83 ha￿ exwnined the rn8kff Strateg￿ aThJ OPff8bcThI nsks 18cry Ihe C*￿11 and havo eslablishod lh• necessary systems to manaae (y M￿gate t1￿ risks. In partujlar. insurance a)ver is In place Ihe finances of Ihe arB kept under revie•V the Circuil has adcpted Ihe Methodist Church SafeguarrlirrfJ Policy and ensured Ot Is rollod o(It lo Iho chiirches; appointed a Clr(xJit Safeguarding CO￿rdinatcr. apprDwlate Disdosure and Barring Servlce (DBS) chocks Dre made and there are regular audits of Safeguardlng prBcllces a(xoss the Clrcult and All Its churchos, Public Benefrt We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the Chanty Commisslon's guldance on public benefiL Ryedale Methodlst Clrcuit (2rries out a range of actlvltles In pursuance of Its mlsslon. The Trustees conslder that these actsvities, summarised below, provKle benefit to those who a￿ members of Ihe Circuil through the local Methodist churches and the wider community. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Reli ious Activities Acts of worship and pastoral carp The Circuit prodU￿S a quarterty, or bi monthly, preaching plan to ensure regular acts of worship take place at each of the Methodist churches and Local Ecumenical Partnerships under its remit. These are open to all people, without chargo. Tho Milnlstors havo pastoral care for thoso churches. Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals The Circuit staff conducted baptisms, weddings and funerals at each of the churches in the Circuit. These services are available at the discretion of the person with pastoral charge. No charge is made for baptisms. A modest set fee is usually charged for weddings and funerals. Work with Childrcn, Youth, and Familios in the local Community The Circuit supports the work done in the local churches to create and strengthen relationships and help people along their life's journey ensure people feel welcome arid get a positive experience of Church life encourage people to start and continue a joumey into faith. Wc aim to makc these scrvices available to evcryone. Peo le and ert Presbyters, Deacons and Local Preachers The Circuit spiritually and financially supported the above named Presbyters throughout the year (or for the period shown); a number of acb've Local Preachers and several Supemumerary Ministers took services and preached in the Circuit's churches during the ycar. Lay Employees The Circuit funded: A part time Lay Employee A part-time Administrator Property management The Circuit maintained two manses throughout the year. Unused manses are rented out until required for new ministers. The properties were only accounted for as manses whilst occupied by ministers. Four further former manses were commercially let. One redundant church was sold during the year and two closed church buildings were transferred to the Circuit. Voluntcors A substantial part of Ihe Circuit's ministry is accomplished by volunteers. All the Circuit Stewards and the other members of the Circuit Meeting, except for the Ministers and paid lay employees, are volunteers. All the local preachers are volunteers.

FINANCIAL REVIEW The Accounts for the year ending 31￿ August 2024 and the St8tement of Assets 8nd Li8bilitlos 89 at 31￿ August 2024 are contained in Appendix 1. These show a net deficit (gross Income less expenditure) of £(25,362) in Ihe year, with totsl cash funds of £518,889 at the end of Ihe year. Thls net surplus figure was mainly attrlbutable to the refund of the Penslon contributlon made In a prevlous year of £95.533 and soft loans aq￿ed for two Churches £175K Unrestricted fvnds achieved a deficit of £176K. The principal funding sources for the year to 3111 August 2024 are the Assessments received from the churches within the Circuit and propety ￿ntaI. The principal expenditure is the salary costs of the ministers and lay employees of Ihe Circuit. The Rftsarves pollcy Is contalned In Appendix 2, The Trustees have established a pollcy whereby the unrestricted funds held In the General Reserve should be sufficient to cover six months of general running costs. At 3181 August 2024, the level of reserves was £191,366, with net current liabilities deducted (but not including loans) and annual expected expenditure is £368K (induding possible grants to churches to help with essential repairs). This approach to reserves Is considered prudent and current balances, although hlgher than required, are consldered beneficial in the current uncertaln economic climate and will enable the Circult to help local churches where consldered beneficlal. Th8 Trustees have also established a policy whereby the Circuit Model Trust Fund should b8 maintained at a level sufficient to fvnd an anticipated level of propety projects plus the budgeted transfers to general funds over a five year horizon, after allowing for inflows from propety sales. At 31sI August 2024, the balan￿ of the CMTF (excluding the restricted funds) is £372,258. The CMTF is currently in a position which exceeds the requirements of the policy. This reserves policy will be reviewed regularly. Overall, the Trustees consider the financial position to be satisfactory. Approved on 27th March 2024 and slgned on behalf of the Circuit by: Re erend Andy L ndley Superintendent Minister

APPENDIX 1: ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Unmtrlct•d Funds Clrtuh Mod•l rrust Fund Totil thls y•ar Totol laNt yoar Othor Fundg RECOPTS AssessmenVsh8re 159973 159 973 161465 Capital receipts 92,413 02,413 r9,491 Interest and inv8Stmenl Income 10,130 13,235 23,365 18,026 Grants 288,288 Other receipts 42,548 96,023 138.571 43,319 Total r•celpts 212,651 201,671 414,322 570,589 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC, pension and travel costs 127,678 127,678 102,748 Manse costs 10,333 10,333 8,456 Administration etc 1,736 612 5,256 District assessment 31,216 31,216 34,684 Grants Loans and donations 197,298 197,298 309,272 Other payments 20,403 50.408 70.811 39,005 Total payments 388,664 51,408 439,684 499,421 Net recelpts and payments Total funds brought forward from last year (176,013) 150,651 (25,362) 71,168 319,930 213,533 10,304 543,767 472,599 Transfers and adjuslments (9,652) 8,074 2,062 484 ,Total fvnds at end of year 134,265 372,258 12,366- 518,889 543,768

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024 Op•nlng balanc•g Cloglng balanc•s CASH FUNDS HELD Bank current accounl 57,407 53,325 Centfdl Flnance Board deposit a￿Unt 263.685 80,941 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 222.676 384,624 Other fvnds Total cash funds held by clrcult 543,768 518,890 OTHER ASSEfs AND LIABIUTIES Investments 11,194 11,194 Land and buildings 2,069,300 2,069,300 Olher assets 8,266 9,200 Loans 84,810 175,910 Other liabilities 40,706 40,706

APPENDIX 2: RESERVES POLICY Our Reserves Policy relates to our genw81 (unTrstricted) which are freety available to be used lor any or 81101 the purposes of the CircuiL Other funds are also Induded for the sake of darfty and (¥>enness and to show that th8 Clrcult has a pollcy for the management of all of its money not smply those which a￿ defined as reserves. Alms To secure and sustain the Clrcuit's vlabllity and future. To rcassurD thc gcncral public that tho Circuit which Is a charity, Intonds to uso all of tho monoy comlng Into its care for the purposes of the charity. Three Step Process In line with Connexional guidance, we undertake a three step process In setting reserves policy: set out our mission aims ii. decide what financial plans will be ne￿SSary to achieve those aims detemiine the appropriate level of reserves required to meet our financial plans. (1) Mission Policy The Circuit's Mission Policy is set out in a separate document developed during the merger process. Essentially, it provides for (a) The ministerial oversight and pastoral care of up to twenty local churches in the Circuit. (b) The support of a ministry team of two presbyteral Ministers (1 at 31st Aug 2024), several supernumerary ministers and two lay employees (one plus an Administrator currently). (c) The rna1ntenan￿ of the two Circuit manses, four former manses that are currently let out commercially, and any closed chapels that are in the prO￿sS of being sold. (2) Flnanclal Plans Each year, the required levels of expenditure and income are reviewed and a Circuit budget is produced. This covers: the total level of expenditure required by the Circuit to meet the costs of 1 (a), (b) and (c) above expected income from the let properties reqLiirement for contributions to the Circuit from indivldiial chapels appropriate level of transfer from Circuit Model Trust Fund (budgeted at £10,000 for 2023124) as a general amount help meet Circuit needs plus exceptional transfers where necessary to fund the Circuit's financial help for Churches. We make provislon for our propety maintenance programme by designating an amount per annum for each manse to maintain the propertles, and an amount per annLim to fund a program of perlodic propety Inspections for all the Clrcult properties including quinquennial reports for Circuit churches.

(3) Reserves Pollcy The Clrcuit Genernl Fund Under StanditvJ Orders the Circuil must meet its financial obligations In relation lo the SUPPOrt of its minlsters and Ihe malntenance of the manses. The totsl budgeted expenditure for the next fin8nc181 year (Includlng p18nnod contribut1(￿s to the Manse Fund and the Property Inspedion Fund) is &£118,247. A further allowance of £20,000 Is in'duded for polential qrants to churchcs. Our ReseNes Policy is to hold al least six mcffith's expenditure in hand. On 31n8r24, the balance was c..£330,613(exduding loans of £175.910) so it rep￿sented nearfy one yearfs expenditure. Thls Is above our pollcy but is consldered txudent In the ajrrent Un￿rtaIn financial dimate. Clrcult Model Trust Fund Thls fund derlves from sales of chap81s and manses. Histoilc211y, the us8 of Ihl.s fund ha.s befin r8Strlctftd to .8P8dfic purposes by the Conference, but more re￿ntlY Circuits have been given the ability to use thelr CMTF as they see fit. Our policy is to use the fund to provide support to the General Fund to further the work of the Circuit (budgeted at £10,000 in 20231234 and to provide specific support for propety related expenditure in individual chapels, through ad- hoc contributions to slgnlficant projects. The Circuit also uses this fund through an Initiative to provlde 15 % of small propety schemes. The call upon CMTF rcservcs is increased in current financxally difficult timcs to covcr larger cxceptional grant. made where financial difficulties are experienced by spectfic churches. Our Reserves Policy is to hold sufficient in the CMTF to cover projected expenditure, over a 5 year horizon, after allowing for anticipated proceeds from property sales - this expenditure comprising: Continuing support for the General Fund (budgeted at £10,000 for 2023124) Specific allowance for significant projects already committed to or anticipated Contributions of £30,000 per annum to future significant projects and repairs A running cost of £5,000 per annum from the "15 % scheme" This would suggest a requirement of £225,000 plus the cost of specific projects less proceeds from sales of closed chapels (net of levies and fees). The actual balance in CMTF at 31108124 was £372,258 but this is considered prudcnt. Restrlcted Funds These funds comprise trusts managed by Trustees for Methodist Churth Purposes (TMCP), where either the funds are committed to a specific project or the income is available for general use but the capital cannot generally be accessed. Restrictions for the latter case funds are in line with the wishes of the benefactors. These funds amounted to just over £10,000 as at 31108124. Holdings of just over £1,100 are held within the Circuit bank account but had previously been held in a segregated savings account and is being treated as restricted until any requirements relating to its provenance can be confirmed.

APPENDIX 3: Lrnt crf Tnnlees @311 Awl 2024 Rol• CM Sècrnlary (rTh Voltro) Mr3 R A Superinten￿nI R•wJ P•l•f Sh￿$bY Presbyter R8vd Grnh8m Ransom SupernurrErnry Revd Petef Clark Supemunwary ReKI Jane Pickeflrrfj Supemumerary Revd Mlchael Wllllams Minister Resident in Circuit Revd Dr Penny Worth Minister Resident in Circuit Revd Mark Haynes Lay Employee Mrs Karen Pattison Circuit Steward Dr Julia Branson Circuit Steward Kate Glbbs Clrcult Steward Mr Steve Amold Circuit Steward Mr John Foster Circuit Steward Mr Richard Lukey Synod Rep Mr Robert Rayner Circuit Steward FinancelEbberston Treasurer Mr Philip Evans Circuit Property Rep Mike Leng Local Preachers Rep Mrs Rachel Prest Allerston Steward Howard Parr Allerston Treasurer Mary Kemp Ebberston Representative Helen Leng Ebberston Steward Mike Peck Helmsley Representative Andrew Leckenby Helmsley Steward Les Helm Helmsley Treasurer Christine Wright 10

Kath Hal A￿lTrY ￿j1•s3 KMS Sknvanj Janel Bnywn KMS Treasurer Sluafl Bnmn L8avenlng Stow&d Slevo Langt( Leavening Treasurer Nancy Spencer Malton Rep Paul Ernberley Malton Stewanj Ann Lonsdale Malton T￿aSU￿r Roger Hadr￿Id Norton Bethel Rep￿Sentative Jonathan Plercy Norton Bethel Steward Veronica Piercy Norton Bethel TreaSU￿r Margaret Graham Norton Trinity Representstive John Hubery Norton Trinity Steward Sue Holmes Norton Trinity Treasurer Suzanne West Pickering Representative Pam Sellers Pickering Steward Ruth Hall Pickering Treasurer Martin Redgard Rievaulx Steward Edward Garbutt Rievaulx Treasurer Sheila Foster Scagglethorpe Rep Janet Smith Scagglethorpe Steward Paul Douthwaite Scagglethorpe Treasurer Nancy Wilson Sinnington Steward David Scaling Slingsby Represenlative Stephen Prest Slingsby Steward Audrey Foster

i• Mwy Hcog•rth Name of Circuit Ryedale Methodist Circuit No 29124 12

Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. l (J)nfirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disdosed below.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached. I have obtained independent verification of all investments with 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 £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Ms S A Cutting Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner AAT Address 33 South Road, Dodsworth, Bamsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3LG Date 13