## **HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP** (Formerly High Peak Methodist Circuit) Charity Registration No. 1159245 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT For the year ended 31 August 2023 ## **Introduction** The Trustees present their Annual Report for the year ended 31 August 2023. 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 has been developed which builds on these statements. ## **Review of the Year.** 2022/23 was a difficult year, as the new Partnership continued to establish new ways of working together. This was not helped by the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, which required creative initiatives to enable the Partnership to continue to meet the missional objectives. Financially a deficit on activities of £48582 was incurred, which reduced the Partnership’s reserves to £173451, which leaves the Partnership well placed to face the on-going pandemic problems and to consider initiatives to further missional activities. ## **Fund balances** As at August 31[st] , 2023, the net current assets of the Partnership were £173,451. ## **Plans for 2023/24** 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 2022 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting 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 Diane Farrow Glyn Rowlands Rev Keith Sandow Ken Gibson Susan Shirley John Anfield Jean Greenhalgh Ian Saunders Peter Allen Rev David Harrison Richard Silson Margaret Askey Peter Helps Ron Sinclair Clare Beswick Donna Hodgson Samuel Smith Karen Birchenough Arthur Huntstone Kerensa Stocker Sheila Booth Moira Huntstone Ian Stubbs Philip Botham Peter Johnson Hazel Thompson Margery Chatterton Wendy Jones Audery Thornhill Claire Crook Terence Lomas Albert Warrington Philip Deacon Anne Mayo Jennifer Wheeldon Michael Doughty Wendy Mellor Charles Winterbottom Briony Evans Julie Murdy Mrs Joyce Clayton retired during the year, after many faithful years of service. She has not yet been replaced. ## **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 - Michael Doughty, Diane Farrow, Peter Johnson, Richard Silson, Hazel Thompson and Clare Beswick. ## **Aims and Organisation** The Charity’s objective is to act as a resource provider within the High Peak area around Buxton, Chapel-en-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 Leadership 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 recent 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 reserves at the end of the financial year stood at £173,451. However, this figure will reduce significantly in 2023/24 as the Partnership will incur significant and exceptional items of expenditure. This will result in the reserves being less than 12 months expenditure Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees Signature Dated Full Name Samuel Smith Position Partnership Treasurer **HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP 1159245** ## **Receipts and payments accounts** **CC16a** **For the period** Period start date Period end date **To from** 01.09.21 31.08.22 ## **Section A Receipts and payments** |**Section A Receipts and payments**||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |**A1 Receipts**
Assessments/Share
**145,642**
Bank, CFB and TMCP Interest
**1,034**
Other receipts
**1,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**147,676**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total receipts_ 147,676**
**A3 Payments**
**90,913**
Manse costs
**8,190**
Administration etc
**34,090**
District Assessment
**28,336**
Grants and Donations
**43,148**
Otherpayments
**142,156**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ 346,833**
**-**
**-**
**_Sub total_ -**
**_Total payments_ 346,833**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_ - 199,157**
**A5 Transfers between funds**
**-**
**A6 Cash funds last year end**
**421,190**
**_Cash funds this year end_ 222,033**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to the nearest £**
**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for AR)_
**A2 Asset and investment sales,**
**(see table).**
Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel
costs
**A4 Asset and investment**
**purchases, (see table)**|**to the nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Restricted**
**funds**|**to the nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**|**Total funds**
**to the nearest £**
**145,642**
**1,034**
**1,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**147,676**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**147,676**
**90,913**
**8,190**
**34,090**
**28,336**
**43,148**
**142,156**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**346,833**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**346,833**
**- 199,157**
**-**
**421,190**
**222,033**|**Last year**
**to the nearest £**| |||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**145,642**|**145,779**| ||||**1,034**|**1,055**| ||||**1,000**|**1,719**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**147,676**|**148,553**| |||**-**
**-**
**-**||| ||||**-**|**388,700**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**388,700**| |||||| |||**-**|**147,676**|**537,253**| |||||| |||**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**90,913**|**89,831**| ||||**8,190**|**20,988**| ||||**34,090**|**21,597**| ||||**28,336**|**32,472**| ||||**43,148**|**120,986**| ||||**142,156**|**157,243**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**-**|**-**| ||||**346,833**|**443,117**| |||||| |||**-**
**-**
**-**|**-**|| ||||**-**|| ||||**-**|**-**| |||||| |||**-**|**346,833**|**443,117**| |||||| ||**-**|**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**- 199,157**|**94,136**| ||**-**||**-**|**-**| ||**-**||**421,190**|**327,054**| ||**-**||**222,033**|**421,190**| ## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period** |**Categories**
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees|**Details**
Bank Balance
Central Finance Board
Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
Manses at Buxton and Whaley Bridge
**Details**
Signature
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))|**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**40,183**
**-**
**41,134**
**-**
**140,716**
**-**
**222,033**
**-**
OK
OK
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Cost (optional)**
Unrestricted
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
Rev T K Sandow
S D Smith (Treasurer)
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**|**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| |---|---|---|---| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||OK| ||||**to nearest £**
**Endowment**
**funds**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**Current value**
**(optional)**| ||||**951,725**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**-**| ||||**When due**
**(optional)**| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||Date of
approval| |||Rev T K Sandow|| |||S D Smith (Treasurer)|| Name of Circuit .. HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP No 19.04 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that th8se Receipl and Paymenl based accounts for the year to 31 August 2022 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they indude all fvnds under the control of the Circuit meetina. Signature of treasurer . (J? Name and address of treasurer ...... SAMUEL SMITH 18 HOCKERLEY AVENUE WHALEY BRIDGE. HIGH PEAK, DERBYSHIRE SK23 7RT Presentstlon to the Clrcult meetlng I confifm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2022 werelwilktiè" presented to the Circuit meeting held on ....... 23rd 2022 Slgnature of the Chair of the meetlng Name of the Chair of Ihe meeting Date.. Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP Charlty Number . 1159245 Responsibilltl•s and basss of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2022 sel out on pages1 to 3. As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out rny examination, I have followed all the applicable Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the ACL . delete or circle as appropriate 2015 CirryJit R *xl P 4otS Name of Circuit .. HIGH PEAK PARTNERSHIP No 19.04 Independent Examinerfs Statement I have completed my examination. I confirn 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 that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do nol accord with the accounb'ng records. I have no COn￿rnS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not" obtalned independent veiificatlon of all Investments with the Trustees for Iaethodist Church Purposes or hekl in other trusts. bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of £10,OLK) (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date. Signature of Independenl examiner Name of independent examiner .. AUDREY THORNHILL Relevant professional qualification of indeperthnt eXaMi￿r FCII Name of finn (where appropriate) Address 4 Goyf ROAD. WHALEY BRIDGE. HIGH PEA1( DERBYSHIRE Post Code . SK23 70F Date ...¢.. 3.rd ..(h.w.oh.....x2 3 delete or circle as appropriate Sep-22 2015 CIr￿￿t R or#1 PJJS 5cI5