## **HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP** (Formerly High Peak Methodist Circuit) Charity Registration No. 1159245 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT For the year ended 31 August 2021 ## **Introduction** The Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2021. The Partnership was established on September 1[st] 2019 when the former three Methodist Circuits – High Peak Methodist Circuit, Buxton Methodist Circuit and Whaley Bridge Uniting Partnership – were combined to form the High Peak Partnership. It was resolved that this new Partnership should take over the established High Peak Methodist circuit Charity registration (no.1159245). ## **Aims and Organisation.** The mission of the High Peak Partnership is to bless the communities they serve. This is done through creative and meaningful worship, study, pastoral care and creative arts. A Partnership Mission Plan is being developed which will build on these statements. ## **Review of the Year.** 2020/2021 was a difficult year, as the new Partnership established new ways of working together. This was not helped by the COVID pandemic, which required creative initiatives to enable the Partnership to continue to meet the missional objectives. Financially a small deficit on activities was incurred but this was dramatically offset by the proceeds of the sale of one of the former Circuit Manses, leaving the Partnership funds well placed to face the ongoing pandemic problems and to consider initiatives to further missional activities. ## **Fund balances** As at August 31[st] , 2021, the net current assets of the Partnership were £421,190. ## **Plans for 2021/22** It is possible that there may be further closures of one or more of the smaller churches which are finding it increasingly difficult to continue meeting. The Trustees will wish to continue developing a strong Partnership identity throughout the High Peak area and are committed to strengthening ways of working. ## **Basis of preparation of the Accounts** The Charity’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2021 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Report Standard (FRS) 102. The Charity’s full name is The High Peak Partnership The Charity Registered number is 1159245 (the former High Peak Methodist Circuit number) The main communication address (Partnership office) The High Peak Partnership Buxton Methodist church Chapel Street Buxton SK17 6HX Tel: 07912 144022 The members of the High Peak partnership meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of office holders, Ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. The organisation structure comprises a full Partnership meeting, together with a Leadership Team, a Property Team and a Finance Team, which meet as required and report to the Partnership meeting. ## The Trustees are as follows :- Rev Andrew Parker Jackie Goddard Susan Shirley Rev Keith Sandow Jean Greenhalgh Richard Silson John Anfield Rev David Harrison Ron Sinclair Peter Allen Peter Helps Samuel Smith Margaret Askey Donna Hodgson Kerensa Stocker Karen Birchenough Arthur Huntstone Ian Stubbs Sheila Booth Moira Huntstone Hazel Thompson Philip Botham Peter Johnson Audery Thornhill Margery Chatterton Wendy Jones Albert Warrington Claire Crook Terence Lomas Jennifer Wheeldon Philip Deacon Anne Mayo Charles Winterbottom Michael Doughty Wendy Mellor Briony Evans Julie Murdy Joyce Clayton Diane Farrow Glyn Rowlands Ken Gibson Ian Saunders ## **Partnership Ministers and Officers** Partnership Ministers – Rev Keith Sandow and Rev Andrew Parker Partnership Treasurer - Samuel Smith Partnership Administrators - Claire Losel and Catherine Sims Partnership Stewards - Joyce Clatyon, Michael Doughty, Diane Farrow, Peter Johnson, Richard Silson and Hazel Thompson ## **Aims and Organisation** The Charity’s objective is to act as a resource provider within the High Peak area around Buxton, Chapelen-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge for the Methodist Church. 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 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 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. The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike. The teaching 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 Christianity through the staging of events and services Provision of Chaplaincy services to appropriate local institutions. ## **Public Benefit** It is confirmed that the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commision’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The governing document for the Partnership is the Deed of Union (1932) and the Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline (CPD) of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference. Day to day management of the Partnership is undertaken by the Partnership Leader Team along with the Local Preachers’ Meeting, the Partnership Finance and Property Committees, and the Partnership Policy Committee. ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by the Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the Partnership, specifically the leaflet “The Role of the Trustee in the Methodist Church” is given to all new Partnership members as their introduction to the role of Trustees, as well as attendance on a locally developed training course delivered in-house. ## **Related Parties** The Partnership is part of the Manchester and Stockport District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Partnership :- Buxton Harpur Hill Chapel-en-le-Frith Hayfield – St. John’s Disley Hollinsclough Dove Holes Low Leighton Earl Sterndale Monyash Fernilee Whaley Bridge Uniting Church* Flagg *Whaley Bridge Uniting Church is a local Ecumenical Partnership including the Baptists, United Reformed and Methodist churches. ## **Risk management** The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Partnership Finance and Property committees, with professional advice taken as required. There is a regular review process undertaken and recorded. Income and Expenditure is monitored monthly and is being compared with the approved annual budget on a regular basis, to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Safeguarding** ‘Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.’ Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: - The care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults - The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable. - The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse. - We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of Criminal Records Disclosures and registration with the relevant Vetting and Barring schemes - We will respond without delay to every complaint made, which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed co-operating with the Police and Local Authorities in any investigation. - We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care. We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. - We will seek to offer pastoral care and support including supervision and referral to the proper authorities to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or adult. - In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice. - The HPP commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, Government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the Partnership and Churches. HPP commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and in promoting the safeguarding of children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable. ## **Reserves Policy** In normal circumstance, the Reserves Policy for the Partnership would be to hold a minimum of 6 months average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen items of major expenditure on manses and / or to be able to continue in the short term, funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full assessment from Churches. However, given the Covid 19 pandemic, we are experiencing abnormal circumstances, and the Trustees have agreed to hold at least 12 months average expenditure until circumstances return to normal. This will be regularly reviewed. The sale proceeds received from the disposal of Kettleshulme Methodist Church (2020) and the former Manse in Chapel-en-le-Frith (2021) significantly boosted the Partnership’s reserves, which at the end of the financial year stood at £421190. However, this figure will reduce significantly in 2021/22 as the Partnership will incur significant and exceptionalitems of expenditure. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees Signature Dated Full Name Samuel Smith Position Partnership Treasurer **CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS** # **THE METHODIST CHURCH** # **STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS** ## **HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP** Circuit **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021** |**District**
MANCHESTER AND STOCKPORT|**Circuit no**|19 04| |---|---|---| |**Registered Charity - Charity Registration number**||| ||1159245|| ## If not a registered charity **Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number** (The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242 ) Ministers: Rev Andrew Parker Rev Keith Sandow Circuit Stewards: Joyce Clayton Michael Doughty Diane Farrow Peter Johnson Richard Silson Hazel Thompson Treasurer: Samuel Smith 20 ~~15 Circuit R and P.xls 1 of 1~~ Name of Circuit .. P& Parts 19-Apr Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Re￿W* and Payiwit based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have b*n prepared from the rec(xts of ts Circutt and that they indude all funds under the control of the Circurt meetina. Signature of treasurer . ..SDSmth Name arbd athlress of treasurer ...... .. Post Code.............SK23 7RT Prns•ntallon to the Clrcult meellng I confinn that the annual rep(xl and aCc￿nts for the year ended 31 August 2021 wereA¥il*" presented to the Circuit meeting held on ... ... Signature of the Chair of the meebng . Name ofthe Chairofthe meeting ..e£.v., f K s￿d0￿1.................. Date.. Independent Examinevs Report to the Trustees of tho HIGH PEAK CIRCUIT Charlty Numbor . 1159245 Responslbllftles and basls of report I report to Ihe Irustees on my examination of the accounts of ￿ Hyh Peak Partnership Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages ... . As the Circuifs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a(X0rd￿ wilh the requirements of the Charib'es Act 2011 ('the Acf). I report in res￿ of my examination of the Circuifs accounts Carried out under seclion 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examination. I have folky*ed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the ACL ' delete or circle as appropriate a315(knIR￿P￿ 41rf5 Name of Circuit .. HIGH PEAK PAIM4E￿IP Clrcult 1SiM Independent Examinefs Statement I have completed my exam1r￿l10n. I confim) that no mat￿la1 fflatters have come to my attention in connection wilh the examination (other than that disclosed beknv? byhich give me cause to believe that in. any material respecL the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ wilh section 130 of the ACL or the accounts do not accord with the accounting re(x>rts. I have no concerns and have come across no other Matte￿ in connection with the examinab'on to which attention should be dra￿ in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Tntslees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finan￿ Board of the Meth(xdisl Church whth are individualty in excess of £10,000 (ten thousarKI pM)unds) at the balance sheet dale. Signalure of irKlependent examiner Name of independent examiner .. AUDREY THORNHILL Relevant professional qualif￿atIon of IrKIepeTh￿ examiner .... FCII Name offimi (where appropriate) ............................. ................................................... Address 4 Go￿ ROAD. WHALEf BRIDGE HIGH PEAK . DERBYSHIRE POST CODE SK23 7DF Date ..l.kn...t4£WLV4Abo/...a..0. 31.. ' delete or cirde as appropfiate 2015 R 4wwJ Pjjs 5¢45