CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS Che$ter-l94treet C1Ul1 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 Newcastle upon Tyne District Clrcult no 20120 Registered Charity - Charity Registration number 1159362 If not a registered charity His Majesty's Revenue and Customs Glft Ald number {The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in tems of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give lo donors or grant funders wishing Io see evidence of the organisalion's charitable slatus. Methodist charities in England and Wales Ih8t are not registered charities are excepted from re9istralion under Statutory Inslrurnent 2014 No.2421 Ministers.. Deacon Linda Watkin Circuit Stewards.. Bnan slraug.han Frederick Johnson Karen Heptinstall Treasurer- Brian Slr8U han rcuit¥ andtr2025 1 ofs
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 Au9USt 2025 Chpster4e-Streel Clrcult Ciicuit resmctèd ModBI Trus¢ Rgstrfcted Fund5 Fund Funds Totals th18 year Totals last year SECTION A RECEIPTS Note a2 Ass8sStn8ntlShare 167,742 1e7,742 163,519 Capital rec8lPts Bank and CFB intertsst and Investment income 101,953 101,953 a4 4,3Q9 17.632 18,948 4,309 17,632 26,475 318,111 4,537 a5 Gr8nts other receipts 7.527 20.746 a7 TOTAL RECEIPTS 310,584 7,527 la81 188.802 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Skn'pends, salaries, NIC. Pension and travel costs 118,164 118.164 118.703 b3 Mans8 Costs 17,298 9,404 17,298 14,327 b4 Adminislralion Ètc 2.931 12,335 45,104 4,460 10,806 b5 District Assessmenl 45,104 32.500 b6 b7 Grants & donations Quinquenn1 Inpe¢tion costs 1.460 3,000 71x1 5.850 5,850 16,404 219,615 b8 Other paym8nt5 TOTAL PAYMENTS 16.404 2,195 b9 213,684 5,931 Ib91 179,231 SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a7-b9 96.900 1.596 98,496 9,571 c2 Total lunds brou ht forward fiom last ar 109,431 19.334 128,765 119,194 c3 Sub total c1+c2 206,331 20,930 227.261 128,765 c4 Translers and adjustments e7 TOTAL FUNDS AT ENO OF YEAR 1¢3*c41 206.331 20,930 227,261 Ic81 128.765 Ic61 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS thosg amounts should not bE Included in total recei tslpayments above) Balance brou ht lOard trom last gar d2 Offerin sIGifts - received for extemal o anisations d3 OfferingslGifts- passed to external oryanisalions BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 d4 ¢lrcull-r 8ndtr25 2of5
Chester4e-Street Cyll BUM%IAYOF LIR¢UIT ACCOUIITS%D INTEANJL ORGAMISAIIOM REPORItNGTO TkECIRCUff MEEWING SECTION E ple lolltywthe Cthdbn¢e Noiestoco mmary of CirGuit arLounls lor year 31 Awusl 2025 Iniem31 Orgsnigat1(s r6pDrtlng lolhe Clrcuit Meellng. Noi• Ihal the fund5 Qf an lrtemal Org3nl$8ton would nomlY be RestriGtwJ fUS unlèsa il be clpaAy 5hNn thai they1 be US f(Y any Moldl Thls Se¢1 mu51 be cDrnpte to 1¥9 al the gr05$ 1P]S and payrnenls IoLils ofthg Cli1. 11 gross InM& exc£8ds thrès of £250,0(M). tltAccwa15 1hOa Of¥19 A DIFFERENT FORM musl be used raport the (see Melhodlstwetygiel. Pase r9fer to the gwdan¢e ntsles rwarding trartsfers beiween the cul1 ¥d cOnled Clicuit OwRnisallow. INTERN ORGW4LAIIONS N6iRKdpt Pa mnt$ QponiThJ balofK%S Pb Clon bal8 Briiain 305 349 Connexlonal Funds 1.375 gjb IOtsI of IniÈtMI 01¥&05 fL5 1.680 1441 44 Clr¢ultaccoutts1101411 broUghtfoard frD pDy2-toiab e9 219,615 98.496 128.765 227261 HELD BYCIRCUIT 319,791 221,339 98,452 128,809 227,261 Coniifulon a5EparalÈ bri TOTLAECEIPYS th ioiais lorwa PAYMENTS SÉCT¥)N F 8TATeMewTOFASSEfs•D LIJBILMES OPENING 8ALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CIRCUtr-CASH FUIILIS HELD 0131 U#2025 Cash In BkeutAoll 18,490 39.979 osItA¢w CeNral Fhiance Bogtd 93.029 Me1$1 ctArth Puwosss e6.200 0thgrfur<lJ 10.072 $IJB TQTAL 128.765 227,261 Total Int¢mal Osirq balanca 10ts1gaWvÈl1è121 •12 TOTAL CASH FUDS HELO BYelReurr 128,809 227,261 ¢yl soN G At OTHER ASSETS uILrrIEs kn2D24 31 sl2D25 Endowm8nt& Larmj 8wl seemes T• Imrtnc val 1.864.095 Oth&rAss&ts Ltsan OtlwLip)Ilibg8 14 Inclu¢eOFw1h&CeraI NTrae8d (5 Ie01YcFB Furth BITntsieeYlorRleryJlScjreh Puw$ g1 anyotherinvestmenis Imi cash elfrTnwiolTMCP kntsltt(tiutsthil IÈ in linèfsl 3$
Name of Circult: Chaster-le-sfireet No. 20120 Declarations and Scrutiny I confirm that these Recdpt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2025 have b8en prepared from the records of the Cirojit and that they inctude all funds under the control of the Circuit meeling. Sign8ture of treasurer .......... 151 ¢1 Name and addres8 of treasuror: Brian JcYJathan Straughan. 27 Hauxlèy Drfve. Chester4e-Stre81. Co. Durham. DH2 3TE Pr•s•ntation to the Circult m8etlng I confirm tt)at the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025 wfjre presented to th8 cIr(tt meeting held on 24th September 2025. Signature of Ihe Chair of the meeting Narne of the Chair of the meeting Independent Examlner's Report to the Trusto8$ of the Chester-lewStr••t Methodlst Clrcuit Charlty Numbor 1159362 Rgsponslblllt1 and ba$ls of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Chester-ifrstreet Methodist Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 2 to 3. As the Circuifs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the I report in respect of my examination of the Circuifs accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and. in carrying out my examinatlon, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charlty Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. del8t8 or rircle as appropriate cweuit-r 0.2025 4015
Name of Circuit: Chester-le-street No. 21Y20 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 (other than that disclosed below.) which give me caus8 to b81ieve that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance wtth section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord wlth the accounting records. I have no COnmS and have come across no other matters in connection wtth the examination to whiGh attentson should be drawn in Ihis report in order to enable a proper understanéing of the accounts to be reached. I havelhave not" obtained indèpendent verification of all investrnents with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at tha Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are inéividually in excess of £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet dats. Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examlner Relevant professional qualificatlon of independent examiner Name of finn (where appropriate) Address ..Y.7... WAR K.WQ.4T.tr4 ..DR IVE, .c.14.EsfgR - LE- sfR£Er, ..GO ..DP4.RHtI.m.................. Post Code DH 2..>r.A ..2..7.1.5.12& Date delete or cirde as appropriate (1tr4Jil•r andts2025 5015
Clrcult Annual Re rt 2024-2025 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 ntre. As a Circuit our key aims are expressed through the four categories of the Methodisl Church's "Our Calling. framework which are: Worship, Leaming 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 lrfe and faith, and grow in knowledge and 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 Brlef Flnancial Reviaw 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 Neweastle Road. Expenditure Salaries and stipends were increased in line wilh the Methodist Church policy and the living wage. The total amounl of the Circuit's contribution to the work to the work of the District and Connexion was as follows: District Assessment Levy deducted from church sale proceeds £45,104 £15 753 £60 857 Other expendtture included stipendslsalaries, manse maintenance. travel costs etc. Plan5 for 2024-2025 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. Basls of Preparation and Legal Framework The charities annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025 have been prepared in accordan 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 - 251h November 2014 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 Circult Stewards Mr Brian Straughan Mr Fred Johnson Mrs Kan Heptinstsll Mr Colin Whisker Mrs Kathy Bevan has stepped down from being a circuit steward as she is now a student deacon. Brian Straughan acted as the treasurer overseeing the day-to-day financial management and accounting for Ihe circuit during the year. Independent Examiner Jill Hindmarsh Investments and Bank Accounts Central Financial Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for the Methodist Church Purposes Barclays Bank Alms and Or anlsatlon Charity objective is to act as a resource provider within the area around Chester-le- Streel 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 MetlK)dist 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 Sourc1ng of regular public acls of VrShIp open to members of the church and non-members alike. Conducting baptisms. weddings and funerals on behalf of the Methodist Church. The leaching of Christianity through semions, courses and small groups. The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved. 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 servIs. Public Benefit We confirm thal the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Structure and Managomant The goveming documenl 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 ofthe Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD). Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) along with the Local Preachers Meeting and the Circuit Finance and Property (part of CLT) and the Circuit Policy Committee (past of CLT). Trustee Trainlng 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 Partles The Circuit is part of the Newcastle Upon Tyne Methodist District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference. The followlng Methodist Churches are linked to the Circutt: Birtley Chester-le-street Greal Lumley West Pelton
Risk Management Any major risks identified wlll be recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team (none have been identified) and professional advice will be taken rf required. Risk assessments are carried out for church buildings and for events organised by Ihe 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 prOsS 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 dLrty 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 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 selectand 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 bcal authortty in any investigation. We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse developing with them an appropriate ministry of infonned 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 auihorities 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 Ch8Ster-le-Slreet Methodist Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, govemment legislation. guidan and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches. The Chester-le-street Methodist Church commits itself to the provision of stjpport, advice and training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about Iheir 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 moming and evening Servi at Chester-le-street and Great Lumley Methodist Churches. and moming seniices at West Pelton and Birtley 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 continued our work with local families during the school holidays Make Lunch activities. At Great Lumley Methodist Church, we run a regular community larder as part of a food waste reduction scheme with local supemarkets providiro the produ. we also host a weekly community lunch. Our schoolwork has resumed with a Christmas and Easter journey being hosted at Great Lumley ar Birtley Churches. with school children attending in groups. At West Pelton Meth)dist Church. we host a weekly Bible Study and coffee moming. Reserves Pollcy 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 andlor be able to continue in the short-temi funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full circuit assessment from churches. The Circuit Funds Document is attached. Mission Plan As part of our missson plan, moving fomard we will be merging with Ihe East Durham Methodist Circuit from September 2026. This will allow us to share staff and resources and better serve our communities. As part of this merger our Circuit name will change from 'Chester-le-Street Methodist Circuit, to 'Hope Circuiv.