## **Borders Mission Circuit (22/13) Managing Trustees Report** ## **1[st] September 2024 – 31[st] August 2025** ## **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 16 congregations through: - Providing a team of 3 presbyteral ministers and 2 Layworkers. - 5 supernumerary presbyters 2 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 16 congregations with 394 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, Joanne Docherty, Margaret Lee, Melvyn Mee, Michael Render, Jill Moakes.** Circuit Administrators: **Amanda Hurley and Patrick Dawson** ## **Trustees.** The members of the Circuit Meeting act as trustees of the circuit property. There are currently 55 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|| ## **Outturn.** Total assets currently stand at £645,731 ## **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 Jemma Levers 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 2024 – August 2025.** 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 of good heart and looking towards their future ministry in each of their situations. Two Churches continue to offer online Zoom services on a Sunday (Stonebroom and Sutton – St John’s and one offers a streaming service (Swanwick). 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. The Circuit Administrator (Amanda Hurley) took on the role of Circuit Safeguarding Officer. The Circuit have financially and prayerfully supported Revd. Peter Taylor in his work within Retail Chaplaincy in Idlewells Centre, Sutton-in-Ashfield. 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. During the year the Circuit has continued to carry 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. Preparation for the Stationing of a replacement for Revd Peter Taylor, who has decided not to seek re-invitation, began following the District meeting in May 2025 and will be concluded later in that year. A series of Quiet Days have been held to support the spiritual life of the Circuit. A visit to Epworth Rectory was made. The Circuit was granted the appointment of 2 lay authorised persons for presiding at Holy Communion to ensure adequate cover could be offered to the churches. Following the closure and disposal of the church at Selston, the fellowship continued to meet in the local Parish Rooms. However the fellowship decided to cease to meet on 31[st] August 2025 with members of the congregation moving to other churches within the Circuit or to other denominations within the community. Discussions around the future ministry at Skegby were begun. ## **Future Plans.** The Circuit Leadership Team will continue to monitor, review and amend the Circuit Mission Plan as required. The Circuit continues to review the need for training in the areas of Safeguarding, EDI, Spirituality and Mission. The areas of Safeguarding and EDI training will continue to be actioned in conjunction with Circuit and District Officers. A review of the New Cross LEP Constitution is planned to be undertaken in early 2026 in conjunction with the Anglican Diocese. **Approved by the Circuit Leadership Team on Wednesday 15[th] April 2026 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 Mlsson Clrcult Statement of Balances 31st August 2025 Current Assets Bank Alc's (Closing Balan￿s) CFB TMCP Coknop Current Restricted funds (manses) Restricted funds (other) Cash Hand 38,284.98 363.005.38 48.410.23 196,031.20 frorn sale of manse 0.00 645.731.79 Prepayments 2024125 (Undeared Receipts) 0.00 Total Current Assets 645,731.79 Current Liabillties Accruals 2024125 {Undeared Cheques) 108.56 Totsl Current Llabllltles 645,623.23 Worklng Capital 645,623.23 Flnanced By Bank Alc's (Opening Balances) Current Accruals from 2022123 CFB TMCP Restricted funds (manses) Restricted funds (other) Cash in Hand 52,361.21 1,448.25 54,372.08 323,375.42 205.159.80 85,154.58 ProfFVLoss -76,248.11 645.623.23 8orders Mission Circuit Pa8e I Statement of Balances as at 3110812025 Borders Misson Clrcuit Profrt and Loss (all accounts) 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025 Income Current A￿Otsnt CFB TMCP 1.162.92 27.646.06 28.￿.98 204.719.75 Grnnts A Glfts 122,966.70 Funds to be ￿NIerred Pénsion Contrib￿1 Sate of Wine Other Incom• 4.449.45 89.50 7,687.Ql 12.225.96 Total Incoffle 368,721.39 Expen5e5 52,rAo. Staff Stlpends 126,430.15 5tsft Exp•rMs 6.555.70 L•yWorktr ￿￿11¢5 39.153.20 1.076.42 OAM) Office Office Equipment Treasurer Expense5 Te￿Phone ￿ryternet Travevfrips Plan Priniiff4 3,622.08 2.184.44 350.¢)O 1.161.11 931.C 989. 9,297.63 8orders Mission Circuit Pa8e I Profit / Loss Account 2024125 Covnol Tax Insur*Ke Water Teleph0￿11nteInet 8.tX9.78 2.188.90 3,050.14 16.252.87 Il•p•lrs l M•hrt*na￿e 7 Chapel Close 3 GranBe Farn) Close 2 Bird'5 Lane 1.206.95 5.622.80 7.049 03 13,878.78 auinqtsennTral Irlspectbo Mtssion Ltxal Preache Gifts & Grant5 8znk Charys Sundiies FLtndsrepaid to South Wbrqfield Annual CMTF contribution Pension contrsbutso Loans to thurthes 7.1(Kl. I.(￿.C 1.143.78 25.553.54 1.994.49 1.574.45 85.154.58 37.276.74 3.363.87 I￿,264.75 Total Expendlture Profft / Loss 444.969.50 -76,248.11 Profft / Loss (exdudln8 fvnds transferred) 8,906.47 Name of Circuit ... No.. Declarations and Scrutiny I confirn that these accruals-based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all ftjnds under the control of the Circuit meets'ng. J. Docherty Signature of treasurer ... .. Date.. Name and address of treasurer . Postcode.................. Prosentation to the Clrcult meetlng I confirn that the annual report and accounts for presented to the Circuit meeting held on: ..1 Il12 ear ended 31 August 2025 wereA*irfbe Signature of the Chair of the meeting: oatTriT Name ofthe Chair ofthe meeting: ................... - L( (LLC Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Circuit 1156488 Charlty Number........... Responsibilities and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the . r4is%iotr4 Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages . to As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparats'on of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities AGt 2011 (Ihe Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuifs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examination, I have follovrfed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate Name of Circuit . Independent Examlnerf8 Statement [The Circuit's gross income exceeded £250,CKIO and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member o l. Delete [ ] rfnot applicable. I have completed my examinats'on. I confinn that no rnaterial matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinaknon (other than that disclosed bdow.) which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounb'ng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act., or the accounts do not accord with the accounts'ng records.. or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi artd content of accounts set out in the Charitr'es (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf wew, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination Delele if not applicable i.e. all R&P accounts the trustees, annual report is not consistent with the accounts Delete if not applic8ble i.e. all R&P acGounts. 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 accounts to be reached. I ha¥ethave not. obtained independent verificab'on of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balan￿$ and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balan￿ sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner. Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner. Name of fim (where appropriate).. Address.. Post Code.. Date: delets or circle as appropriate RESERVES POLICY Report on behalf of Borders Mission Clrcult Meeting To Notts & Derb District {'Circult MeetinglDistrlct) We submit our annual report in accordance with the {iii) have agreed a Reserves Policy which is requirements of the Methodist Conference and the set out overleaf and is recorded in the Charity Commission guidance in CC19. trustees. minutes and our Annual Report The trustees have established their mission (iv) recognise the need to be accountable as aims laking into account all of the resources charty trustees for all the money which comes available in temis of people. propety and into our hands and will provide further money Information as required by the CirGuIUDistriGVConnexion {ii) Mission initiativeslprojects have been costed or estsmates made of projected futu￿ costs which take into account the needs of the buildings and the requirements of the Quinquennial Inspection Reportls {v} Our Report is attached overfeaf . please detete as appropriate To be completed by Receiving Body The 'Circuit MeetinglDistrict received the RESERVES POLICY of 'Church Councillcircuit MeetintyDistrict Policy accepted and acknowledgement sent to the trustees YES INO Policy noted and the following enquiries made of the trustees Responses received and any further action taken 'ClrculUDl8trlct Slgnature8 Please delete as a Dato............ riate RESERVES POLICY of Borders Mission Circuit I"Church CouncllE]IClrcult Meeting IDistrlct General Funds held at YIE 31108125 £449,592 Restrlcted Funds held sale of manse £196,031 Endowmont Funds held Reserves polley for G•n•ral Funds £50,000 Money set aside for church projects annually £125,000 Money drawn down from TMCP annually over S years £180,000 Short temi working capital basad on 6 months expons•s £75,000 Money drawn down frorn TMCP to help wlth church a8$essmonts £19,592 Clr¢ult mlsslon based actlvltles (eg rntroat & qulet days, fellowjhlp days, etc) 5. Polic £150,000 £46,031 for Restricted Funds Restricted for Mlsslonal projects Restricted for the contlnued maintonan¢e and capltal ¢xpendltur• on repalrslupdatlng of Clrcult manses Temis relating to Endowment Funds hald NIA This Reserves Policy has been approved by Borders Mlsslon Clrcull ("Church Council Circuit Meeting IDistri Treasurer Trustee Full name Full Name cA￿L Signature Signature