## **Borders Mission Circuit (22/13) Managing Trustees Report** ## **1[st] September 2023 – 31[st] August 2024** ## **Governance.** The Borders Mission Circuit operates under the governance of the Methodist Conference. Conference is regulated by the Deed of Union 1932 and the Methodist Church Act 1976. ## **Registration with the Charity Commission.** The Borders Mission Circuit has been registered with the Charity Commission since 1[st] April 2014 with the number 1156488. ## **Circuit Mission Statement.** Our calling is to demonstrate to others that the love of God is for all people. We will seek to do this in the following ways: - As Circuit, Churches, and Individuals we will be intentional about both making and growing followers of Jesus. - As a Circuit we will promote Christian worship of God by making worship relevant and inclusive through the power of the Holy Spirit. - As a Circuit we will help churches to think and work collaboratively – have ‘porous boundaries’ – and make best use of the skills of lay and ordained ministries, developing a more flexible outlook. This will help avoid the spreading of resources too thinly and allow us to invest in areas of potential growth and distinct need. - As a Circuit we will encourage churches to transform communities by breaking down economic, geographical and spiritual boundaries / borders and challenge injustice. - As Circuit, Churches and Individuals we will ensure the safety of all people within our churches. - As Circuit, Churches and Individuals we will use our God-given resources for the furtherance of the Kingdom and God’s glory. - As a Circuit we will be prayerful in all things, giving God all thanks and glory through Jesus Christ in the communion of the Holy Spirit as we look for the coming Kingdom. - As a Circuit we will encourage churches to provide opportunities for continuous learning, through: Bible study, fellowship groups, prayer meetings, quiet days and retreats. We will promote growth in both social and personal spirituality. ## **Nature and purpose.** Standing Order 500 of the Constitutional Discipline and Practice of the Methodist Church states that the Circuit is the primary unit through which churches express their inter-connection in the Body of Christ for the purposes of mission, mutual encouragement and help. ## **Responsibilities.** The Circuit provides ministerial oversight and pastoral care to its 17 congregations through: - Providing a team of 3 presbyteral ministers and 2 Layworkers. - 6 supernumerary presbyters 3 of whom have preached and helped with other tasks. - Providing lay preachers to lead worship. - Allocating financial and other resources. - Providing advice through its lay officers. - Providing training and other special events. - Maintaining 3 circuit manses. ## **Organisation.** The Circuit is an umbrella organisation serving 17 congregations with 435 members and with an additional number on the community roll. One congregation is a Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Methodist and Church of England churches. The Circuit Meeting is responsible for the affairs of the Circuit and the development of Circuit policy. It exercises spiritual leadership and administrative efficiency and acts as a focal point for the working fellowship of the churches, overseeing their pastoral, training and evangelistic work. Currently 4 meetings are held each year when officers are appointed, accounts adopted, grant applications approved, reports on Circuit work received, good news from the churches is shared and the business of the Circuit taken forward. Between Circuit Meetings the Circuit Leadership Team is responsible for the affairs of the Circuit. It meets as required and consists of: Circuit Ministers: **Rev Robert Hurley, Rev Peter Taylor, Rev Simon Rose.** Circuit Stewards (who also hold responsibility for circuit finance): **Jill Renshaw, John Whitehead, Joan Spray** **Joanne Docherty, Margaret Lee, Melvyn Mee, Michael Render, Trevor Lee (Part year).** Circuit Administrators: **Amanda Hurley and Patrick Dawson** ## **Trustees.** The members of the Circuit Meeting act as trustees of the circuit property. There are currently 63 trustees being the Circuit Ministers, the Circuit Stewards, the Circuit office holders and stewards, treasurers and representatives of its constituent congregations. The Circuit administrator acted as secretary during this financial year. ## **Contact address.** Rev Robert Hurley 7 Chapel Close Blackwell Alfreton Derbyshire DE55 ## **Policies.** The Circuit currently has policies in place with regards to safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults, data protection and reserves. ## **Related parties.** The Circuit forms part of the Nottingham and Derby District of the Methodist Church and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The circuit comprises the following list of churches: |Alfreton Wesley|Birchwood|Clay Cross Central| |---|---|---| |Crich Wesley|Huthwaite|Kirkby - The Hill| |Kirkby - Trinity|Newton|Old Tupton| |Pinxton Town Street|Selston|Skegby| |Stonebroom|South Wingfield|Sutton New Cross| |Sutton St Johns|Swanwick|_Grassmoor (closed May 2024)_| ## **Outturn.** Total assets currently stand at £721,871 ## **Income.** The Circuit derives its income chiefly through the Circuit assessment payments from local churches and the sale of property. ## **Reserves policy.** The Circuit reserves policy is appended to this report. ## **Independent examiner.** Ms Maria Seal Accounting Matters Limited, 17 Wellington Street Ripley Derbyshire DE5 3EH ## **Bank details.** Co-operative Bank Plc 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP ## **Review of activities September 2023 – August 2024.** Following the conversations with all Churches carried out by the Circuit Leadership Team during 2022, the draft 5-year Policy was circulated around the churches in the circuit. At the March 2024 Circuit Meeting the Policy was agreed for implementation. One of the objectives of the Plan was to develop a new Circuit Mission Plan. It was agreed that this work would begin in the new Connexional year (2024-2025), with the intention to present the Circuit Mission Plan at the March 2025 Circuit Meeting. The Plan would indicate the objectives the Circuit will adopt in pursuing its Mission. It was hoped that this would then be used to encourage each church to review and develop their own Mission Plans. The Churches continue to face challenges including high energy costs and reducing numbers attending. The Circuit has striven to continue helping churches financially and with administrative support. Despite these challenges, overall, churches continue to be good heart and looking towards their future ministry in each of their situations. Two Churches continue to offer online Zoom services each Sunday and one is developing its streaming service. For those unable to attend church the Weekly Worship Sheets continue to be distributed by post and email. The Methodist Church Policies on Safeguarding are being adhered to, with courses for Foundation Training and Advanced Safeguarding Training having been provided by both Circuit and District. EDI Training sessions continue to be offered for those in posts that require it. During this year the Circuit embarked upon the Stationing process for Superintendent Minister, Revd Robert Hurley who was in the 4[th] year of his five-year invitation. Revd Hurley expressed a wish to extend his invitation for a further five years. Following a period of consultation with the churches, the Circuit Invitations Committee recommended that an extension of five years be agreed. After much discussion and consultation with the members and congregation at Grassmoor Church, it was agreed that the church would Cease to Meet. A final celebration service was held in May 2024. The building was to be disposed of at the earliest opportunity. During the year the Circuit has carried out works to maintain and enhance the manses for which it has responsibility. Each manse is now in a state of good repair and the ministers are appreciative of the works done. The Circuit have financially and prayerfully supported Revd. Peter Taylor in his work within Retail Chaplaincy in Idlewells Centre, Sutton-in-Ashfield. As of July 2024 these monthly outreach sessions have been supported by Captain Wendy Brown, Sutton Salvation Army who has joined Peter in this work. Positive contacts have been made with the stores and with the centre manager. ## **Future Plans.** The Circuit Leadership Team will continue to develop the Circuit Mission Plan and look to it being adopted in the coming year. The Circuit identify the need for training in the areas of Safeguarding, EDI, Spirituality and Mission. It is hoped that in the coming year training can be delivered to enable our people to develop their own and the churches spiritual life. The areas of Safeguarding and EDI training will continue to be actioned in conjunction with Circuit and District Officers. **Approved by the Circuit Leadership Team on 23[rd] April 2025 and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Robert Hurley (Superintendent Minister of the Borders Mission Circuit).** ## **Revd Robert Hurley.** Superintendent Minister. _**All signatures and addresses have been removed under GDPR Regulations, a signed copy of the Report is retained at the Borders Mission Circuit Office.**_ Borders Misson Circuit Statement of Balances 31st August 2024 Current Assets Bank Alc's (Closing Balances) CFB TMCP Co-op Current Restricted funds (manses) Restricted funds (other) Cash in Hand 54,372.08 323,375.42 52,361.21 205,159.80 85,154.58 0.00 from sale of manse 720.423.09 Prepayments 2023124 (Uncleared Receipts) 1,448.25 Total Current Assets 721,871.34 Current Liabilities Accruals 2022123 (Uncleared Cheques) 0.00 Total Current Liabilities 721,871.34 Working Capital 721.871.34 Financed By Bank Alc's (Opening Balan￿s) Current Accruals from 2022123 CFB TMCP Restricted funds (manses) Cash in Hand 37,671.26 0.00 75.914.51 296.020.14 261.339.96 0.00 ProfiVLoss 50,925.47 721,871.34 Borders Mission Circuit Page I Statement of Balances as at 3110812024 Borders Misson Circuit Profit and Loss (all accounts) 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024 Income Bank Intefest Current Account CFB TMCP 1,874.12 28,052.62 29.926.74 Church Assessment 217,825.96 Grants & Gifts Re¢und•nt Churthès 55.932 (Kl Funds to be trartsferfed 85.154 58 Other Income Pension Contributions Sale of Wine her Income 6.513.50 70. 7.794.75 14.378 25 Total Income 403,217.53 Expense5 Dlstrirt Assessment 48,656.IXI Staff Stlpends 123.562.75 Staff Expense5 7,161.94 Lay Worker Salarfes 31,597.28 Worker Expenses 932.45 Supernun*rary Expenses 2(Kl. Administratbon Expense5 Office Office Equipment Treasurer Expense5 Telephone /internet Plan Printin8 4.319.44 1.829.61 349.98 1.029 69 1.341. 8,869.72 Borders Mission CifCUIt Page I Profit l Loss Account 2023124 Manses Council Tax Insurance Water Telephonelinternet 7.740.43 1.388.94 1.750.72 2.761.23 13,641.32 Repairs l Maintenance 7 Chapel Close 3 Grange Farm aose 2 Bird's Lane 34.640.53 6.468.40 14.509.99 55,618.92 Ex15tlnB Churches Redundant Churthès 15.170.98 other Expenses Quinquennial Inspections Local Preachers Web Site Gift5 & Grants Bank Charges Sundries Annual CMTF coniribution Loans to churches I,iio.c¥J 158.91 I,IcxJ. 1.588.48 772.30 33.052.01 9.0￿.00 46,880.70 Total Expenditure Proflt / Loss 352,292.06 50,925.47 Proflt l Loss (excluding Sale of Redundant Churches/Manses) -34,229.11 Borders Mission Circuit Page 2 Pmfit / L05s Account 2023124 Name of Circuit . No.. Declarations and Scrutiny I confimi that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2024 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meeting. Signature of treasurer . Date.. .ql1213.w....... Name and address of Ireasurer Presentation to the Circuit meeting l Confim) that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Y￿r￿lI1 Signature of the Chair of the meeling Name of the Chair of the meeting Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit 1156488 Charity Number .............. Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the . Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages to As the Circuit's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordane￿ wth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act'i. I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){b) of the Act. delete or cirde as appropriate 4crfS Name of Circuit Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which give me cause to believe th; 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 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 accour to be reached. I ￿￿elhave not. 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 .IPlfrk:It7...46/4.£ Relevant professional qualificats'on of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) ALio.an.i.i.M.C...L,I.4TFEQS .LTn................. Address !.l.....Wi'£LL.IN.Ci.n.lJ... £i.oEéT.,..£I.Q.LE.W..................................... Post Code Date 10:..0.).. 20? s- delete or circle as appropriate rcut-r aThd￿2024 5ofS RESERVES POLICY Roport on behalf of Borders Mission ('Church Councill Circuit MeetinglDlstrlct) Notts & Derb District I'circuit MaetinglDistrict) We submit OUT annual report in ac￿rdanCe the Iii) We have ￿r8ed a Reserves Policy which is requirements of the Methodist confe￿nce and the sel out ovedeaf and is recorded in the Charity Commission guidance in CC19. trustees. minutes and ￿r Annual Repxirt The trustees have established their mission (fv) We rÈ¢ognise the need lo be accountable as aims taking into account all of the reswrces charity trustees for all the rrH)ney which comes available in temB of pecwe. propffj ar¥J into our hands and will provKle furth8r money nfC￿7alI0n as reqUIr￿j by CircuitiDiSlrictlC￿neX10n (li) Mission initialtveslprojects have been costed or eslimates made of proiecled future costs which take into account tho needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Rewrtls Iv) OLK RepcKi is attached overleaf ' please delete as appropriate To be completed by Receiving Body The "Circuit Meetin￿DIStrict received the RESERVES POLICY of 'Church Counciucircuit meets'n￿DIstrict Policy accepted and acknovledgement sent to the trustees YES INO Policy noted and the following enquiries made of the trustees Responses received and any further actK)n taken 'ClrcultlDlstrlct Slgnature5 Please delete as Date............ le RESERVES POLICY of Borders Mission Circuit {'Church Counciiolcircuit MeetingOlDistri¢tE]) General Funds held at YIE 3110812024 £430109 Restricted Funds held £290314 Endowment Funds held £0 Reserves policy for Gonoral Funds £50,000 Money set aside for church projects annually £125,000 Money drawn down from TMCP annually over 5 years £170.000 Short tenn working capital based on 6 months expenses £75,000 Money drawn down from TMCP to help with church assessments £10.109 Clrcuit mission based actlvlties (eg retreat & qulet days, fellowship days, etc) 5. Polic £85.155 £205.160 for Restrfcted Fund3 To be sent on to the Church in the Circuit where the property was sold Funds to be used for the continued maintenance and capltal expendlture on repairslupdating of Circuit manses Terms relating to Endowfnent Funds held NIA This Reserves Policy has been approved by Borders Mlsslon Clrcult ('Church Counciiolcircuit MeetingOiDistrict Treasurer Trustee Full name Full Name Signature s￿nature