## **Circuit Annual Report 2023-2024** The Chester le Street Methodist Circuit consists of four Methodist Churches, as well as a plant project: Re:new, which meets in a local café in Chester le Street town centre. As a Circuit our key aims are expressed through the four categories of the Methodist Church’s “Our Calling” framework which are: Worship, Learning and Caring, Serving and Evangelism. As such we exist to: - Enable individuals and communities to participate in, and encounter God through acts of worship - Encourage people to explore the Christian life and faith, and grow in knowledge an understanding of God - Serve the needs of our local communities and demonstrate the love of God in practical ways - Share the Christian faith in word and deed ## **A Brief Financial Review of the Year** We have in general achieved our financial targets for the year. ## **Income** All churches have been able to maintain their assessments We have continued to receive rental income from the manse on Newcastle Road. ## **Expenditure** Salaries and stipends were increased in line with the Methodist Church policy and the living wage. 18% of unrestricted income was the Circuit Contribution to the work of the District and Connexion (19% of total costs). Other expenditure included stipends/salaries, manse maintenance, travel costs etc. ## **Plans for 2023-2024** Our financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that we maintain Circuit ministerial staff one half time superintendent, one Deacon and one Full time presbyter. ## **Basis of Preparation and Legal Framework** The charities annual report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] August 2024 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”. ## **Details** Full Name of Charity – Chester le Street Methodist Circuit Registered Charity Number – 1159362 Date of Registration – 25[th] November 2014 1. Main Contact Address – Circuit Office, Great Lumley Methodist Church, Front Street, Great Lumley, Durham, DH2 4JB The members of Chester le Street Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of our circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches. ## **Circuit Ministers and Officers** Rev Jenny Pryde Rev Anne Kilvington Deacon Linda Watkin ## **Circuit Stewards** Mr Brian Straughan Mr Fred Johnson Mrs Karen Heptinstall Mrs Kathy Bevan Brian Straughan acted as the treasurer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for the circuit during the year. ## **Independent Examiner** Jillian F Hindmarsh, FCA ## **Investments and Bank Accounts** Central Financial Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for the Methodist Church Purposes Barclays Bank ## **Aims and Organisation** Charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area around Chester le Street 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: - The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of the Methodist Church. - Any charitable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit, local or other organisations of the Methodist Church. - Any charitable purpose for the time being of any society or institution subsidiary or ancillary to the Methodist Church. Charitable objectives are delivered through the provision of activities and services, which include: - The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non-members alike. - Conducting baptisms, wedding and funerals on behalf of the Methodist Church. - The teaching of Christianity through sermons, courses and small groups. - The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. 2. - Provision of community space and support. - Offering opportunities for worship and faith exploration in local schools. - Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and services. - Provision of chaplaincy services. ## **Public Benefit** We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit. ## **Structure and Management** The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and the Methodist Church Act (1976). Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team along with the Local Preachers Meeting and the Circuit Finance and Property (part of CLT) and the Circuit Policy Committee (part of CLT). ## **Trustee Training** A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit – specifically the leaflet “The Role of a Trustee in the Methodist Church” is given to all new Circuit Meeting members as induction to their role as Trustees. ## **Related Parties** The Circuit is part of the Newcastle Upon Tyne Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The following Methodist Churches are linked to the Circuit: Birtley Chester le Street Great Lumley West Pelton ## **Risk Management** Any major risks identified will be recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team (none have been identified) and professional advice will be taken if required. Risk assessments are carried out for church buildings and for events organised by the Circuit. Income and expenditure are monitored in total and compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves. ## **Safeguarding** Every person has value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of people in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s recreation 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. 3. Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles: - The care and nurture 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 this 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 the 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, cooperating with the police and local authority 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 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 vulnerable adult. - In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice. The Chester le Street Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Chester le Street Methodist Church 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 promoting the welfare of children and adults who may be vulnerable. ## **Activities and Achievements** We have continued to provide regular services of Worship at the Churches within our Circuit, with a morning and evening service at Chester le Street and Great Lumley Methodist Churches, and morning services at West Pelton, Perkinsville, Birtley and Pelton Methodist Churches. At Birtley Methodist Church we run a weekly community lunch, craft group and we host Gateshead Foodbank on Wednesday mornings in our building. At Chester le Street Methodist Church we have increased our pastoral support working with a retired, Supernumerary Minister, with positive feedback from these visits being received from those who find it more difficult to get to church due to health issues. We have continued our work with local families during the school holidays Make Lunch activities. 4. At Great Lumley Methodist Church, we run a regular community larder as part of a food waste reduction scheme with local supermarkets providing the produce, we also host a weekly community lunch. Our schoolwork has resumed with a Christmas and Easter journey being hosted at Great Lumley and Birtley Churches, with school children attending in groups. At Perkinsville Methodist Church we host a weekly coffee morning as well as local community groups. At West Pelton Methodist Church, we host a weekly Bible Study and coffee morning. ## **Reserves Policy** The reserves policy for the circuit is to hold a minimum sum of equivalent to 4 months average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and/or be able to continue in the short-term funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full circuit assessment from churches. The Circuit Funds Document is attached. 5. CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Chester-le-street Methodist Circult FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Newcastle upon Tyne Dlstrlct Circult no 20120 Registerod Charlty - Charity Registration number 1159362 If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Ald 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 eviden￿ of the organisation's charitsble status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that a￿ not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Ministers.. Reverend Jenny Porterpryde Reverend Anne Kilvington Deacon Linda Watkin Circuit Stewards- Brian Straughan Frederick Johnson Kathy Bevan Keren Heptinstall Treasurer: Brian Straughan 2019 Circuit R and P xls 1 of I ester- ree Clrcuit ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Clr¢ult restricted Model Trust Restricted Funds Fund Funds Total$ thls year Totals last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note Assessmenushar 183,519 163,619 162,353 Capital receipts Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 4,537 4,537 2,364 Grants Other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 14,953 183.009 5,793 20.746 14,950 a7 5,793 188,802 la8 179,667 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs 118,703 14,327 118,703 80,210 b3 Manse Costs 14,327 10,806 32,500 700 19,575 b4 Administration etc 4,181 6,625 9,325 30,860 b5 District Assessment 32,500 b6 b7 Grants & donations 700 700 b8 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 1,695 172,106 500 2,195 179,231 451 b9 7,125 141,121 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR (a7-b9) 10,903 11,332) 9,571 38.546 Total funds brought forward from last year 98,528 20,666 119,194 80,649 c3 Sub total Ic1+c2) 109,431 19,334 128,765 119,194 Transfers and adjustments c5 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR {c3+c4 109,431 19,334 128,765 119,194 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVEDAND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS these amounts should not be included in total recel Ipayments above) d1 Balance brought forward from last year fferingslGifts - received for extemal organisations fferingslGifts - passed to extemal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID {d1 + d2 - d3) d2 d3 2015 Circuit R and P.xls 1 of1 INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS omen In Net R￿Ipts1 Payments Opening balan Rer£ipts PayThents Adjustrnents Closing balan Britain 185 185 Connexional Funds 4.966 4,966 &151 5.151 ¢I￿UltamoUnts 188,802 179,231 9,571 9,571 119,194 128,765 193,953 184,382 119.194 128.765 Conlnue on a separate sheet if ne￿SSary and brfng the totsls fO￿ard TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL PAYMENTS SECTION F TATEMENT F ASSETS AND UABILITIES OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CIRCUIT- CASH FUNDS HELD at 31 Au ust 2024 Cash in hand Bank Current A￿nI 27,039 18,491 Bank Depts￿t Aectyjnt Central F1Thar￿ Board 77,190 100.203 Trustees for Methodist Church Purpose5 Otherfijnds 14,965 10.072 SUB TOTAL 119,194 128,765 Totsl lunds held by Intemal Org8ni8abons lth? ¢bwng balaTh￿ totsls above) le121 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT 119,194 128.765 SECTION G OTHER ASSETS and UABILITIES 1 Septémber 2023 31 August2024 Investments lindude Endovjmentsl Land and Buildirgs (see notes re Insurance value) OtherA8sets 8.823 3,733 Loanlsl- show arn￿nt outstanding at year end Other Liabilities f4 Irdude onty Funds held at th& Contral Finan¢è Board f5 I[￿Ud& onty CFB Funds held at Trusteesfor Methodist Churth Purposes 91 I￿Ude any other investments Imt the cash elernent of YMCP trust accounts this 1$ insèrted Sn Ilne f51 19CkcJii R aid PAS Name of Circuit Chester-le-street. No 20120 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm 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... Name and address of treasurer ... ... ... Brian Straughan Presentation to the Circuit meeting I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 were presented to the Circuit meeting held on 12th September 2024 Signature of the Chair of the meeting rp Pcrt A AiNE i(1 iv JnJ6ToO Name of the Chair of the meeting Rev. Jenny Porterpryde. Date ..ty+.ddfie.aL)25 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Chester-le-street Methodist Circuit Charity Number 1159362 Responslblllties and basis of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Chester-le-street Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 3 to 5. 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 my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. delete or circle as appropriate 2019 Circuit R and P 1 of1 Name of Circuit: Chester-le-street No 20120. Independent Examlner's Statsment I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 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 COn￿rnS 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. 114a¥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 Finan￿ 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 J.I.LLI.fiNI...F...AINDmAR.S.H......... Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address .l.I...WR.RK.W.O.2771...D.RJ.V£, .C14E.&T6.R.-..L&.- *fR£ET: ..C.Q.DMRHAm............ Post Code ..251.6.12Q25... DH2 3TH Date delete or circle as appropriate 2019 Circuit R and P.xks 1of1 Name of Circuit: Chester-le-street No 20120. Independent Examiner's Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination fet which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ 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 accounts to be reached. 114a¥8lhave 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 eX￿sS of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balan￿ sheet date. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner J.Ik.kJ.fjNI...f...kliNDmA RS.H.. Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner Name of firm (where appropriate) Address .l.I...WR.RK.W.O.m...DRJ.V£, .CIIE.GTK.R.-. L£.- STA)£ET: ..C.O..DMRH.A.m...... ..2¥16]2Q.25...........,... Post Code DH23TH Date delete or circle as appropriate 2019 Circuit R and P.xL8 1 of1