2024-08-31-accounts

Stamford Methodist Circuit

23/15

’ Trustees Annual Report for year ended 31[st] August 2024

“The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.”

Registered Charity Number 1160930

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Introduction

I am pleased to be able to present the Annual Report and financial statements for the Stamford Methodist Circuit for the year ending 31[st] August 2024.

It is my strongly held belief that the churches of our circuit remain firm in faith and resolute in their determination to offer the Gospel message to the people of Rutland and South Lincolnshire.

Rev’d Rebecca Wright

Circuit Minister and Acting Superintendent Minister

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Achievements and Performance 2023-2024

1. Development of Circuit Vision

• In the year 2022-2023 the Circuit Meeting had started to reflect on our circuit vision. This was driven by the need to respond to our financial situation. However, we were determined to ensure that the decisions we made were grounded in us fulfilling our mission in our communities. This work continued into 2023-2024 and structural changes were implemented to achieve that vision.

As a circuit, we were and we continue to be mindful of:

• Being responsible for our churches as well as being accountable to the District and, in turn, the Connexion;

• Being sure of who it is we serve, both in terms of God and the churches and congregations we have locally;

• Assessing what we have and what we need by way of resources and where our strengths and weaknesses are;

• Acknowledging that we are part of a bigger picture in the Kingdom of God; and

• How we honour the fact that our churches are part of both our Circuit family, and their local communities, each seeking to be a unique and beautiful expression of a faith-filled Christian presence where they are.

The Circuit Meeting of 21[st] June 2023 unanimously agreed that we should hold the vision of growth in all areas of our work, including, but not limited to, the size of our congregations, the number of members in our churches, the discipleship of those connecting with our churches, the support we offer to our communities and financial growth for both churches and the circuit.

In our Circuit Meetings and Circuit Leadership Team Meetings throughout 20232024 we named the practical implications of fulfilling that vision, realising that in order to grow we needed to first make cuts, which would give the space for growth to begin.

At the same time we wanted to celebrate the churches, their gifts and what they give to their local communities. On 21[st] June 2024 the Circuit Leadership Team met with a member of the Northampton District Mission Team, under the theme ‘Soil, Seeds and Seasons,’ to reflect on the identities of each of the circuit churches and how to support each church in meeting its full potential. This theme was brought back to the Circuit Meeting and has guided us in our work for next year.

Circuit Vision remains the starting point for how we work as a circuit.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

2. Prayer and Worship

• We continue to support our Preachers, Worship Leaders and those in training through quarterly meetings and provision of resources.

• Bible Month is now a regular feature of our year in ministry. We took part in Bible Month for 2024, establishing a pattern of a training day for all local preachers to assist in their preparation, and participation of some local congregations through fellowship groups.

• We continue to participate in the ecumenical programme Thy Kingdom Come through our online reflections.

• Filling the circuit plan continues to be a challenge due to the number of Local Preachers and Supernumerary ministers who are no longer able to take appointments. During this year we instigated Local Worship, services led by the churches. This has led to an increase in the use of resources provided by the Methodist Church (e.g. Methodist Homes Association, All We Can). It has also led to an increase in different types of worship including Café Church, Fellowship Services, Favourite Hymns and Readings.

• We continued to offer daily online evening prayers and online Sunday Worship reaching those who are housebound as well as others around the country and across the world.

• We committed to hold one circuit service at the beginning of each quarter.

• We held our annual circuit service at Normanton Farm.

• Individual churches hold acts of worship supporting the needs of their community, examples include Messy Church, a dementia church, outdoor services, remembering services, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services and community carol services.

• Prayers from the circuit and the individual churches are submitted to the monthly circuit newsletter.

• Pastoral concerns are brought to each of the circuit meetings and time is spent in prayer over those concerns.

• New hymns have been created within the Circuit and used in some of our churches, one of these is now included online in Singing the Faith Plus.

The Circuit Leadership Team did commit to spending time in prayer and reflection at their monthly meetings as well as time on the governance requirements for the circuit. This has not yet been fully implemented and will be a focus for the next year.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

3. Discernment and Calling

• We seek to be a circuit which provides additional support for churches and individuals as they consider their calling. We are aware that this is something we need to develop further but during the reporting year the following took place:

• A speaker attended the Local Preachers and Worship Leaders meeting to talk about changes in the training programme for worship leaders and local preachers.

• 2 members of the circuit were elected by the District Synod to be representatives at the Methodist Conference.

• A circuit service was held on 3rd December to celebrate our local preachers, and several certificates were given in recognition of long service in the role.

• Our Circuit Safeguarding Officer is working with the circuit and the church safeguarding officers to create role descriptions for every role in the church. This will aid people in making informed decisions when exploring their calling.

4. Service and caring

We celebrate the various ways in which our churches serve their communities through:

• Pastoral visiting

• Support for Ukrainian refugees including offering meeting places, providing homes and assistance with paperwork and forms

• Providing a location for a village post office

• Coffee Mornings

• Providing lunches

• Supporting foodbanks

• Toddler groups

• Work amongst young people

• Fellowship Groups

• Supporting the work of uniformed organisations

• Supporting an Alcoholics Anonymous group

• Generosity in hiring buildings out

• ‘Open the book’ programmes in schools

• Partnerships with other organisations e.g. Second Helpings in Stamford

• Choirs

• Warm Space

• And many others.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

The Circuit has actively supported an asylum candidate who is a member of one of our churches. Members have attended the Immigration Reporting Centre, conducted a letter writing campaign, raised money for legal fees, provided opportunities for the individual to tell their story and held an all-night prayer vigil.

The Circuit Meeting chose Water Aid as the circuit charity for the reporting year.

5. Communication

We currently:

• Have weekly staff meetings

• Have regular meetings with church treasurers and safeguarding officers.

• Have a website which is regularly updated

• Have an active social media presence

• Assign a circuit steward to each church council

• Circulate notices / information via senior church stewards

We aim to:

• Continue to improve our communication with churches

• Provide resources for Worship where we can

• Meet regularly with property stewards

• Dedicate some Circuit Leadership Team Meetings to focus on individual churches, giving those churches an opportunity to send questions and requests for prayer or help to the meeting.

• Support local churches in their mission and ministry

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

6. Resources

I. Staffing

Exploring our Circuit Vision throughout the year, the Circuit Meeting took the decision that cuts had to be made before new growth could begin. We explored this under the title “What makes a healthy Circuit?” As well as discussing this in Circuit Meetings, we held an open meeting for anyone from any of the churches to attend and to be part of the discussions.

It was recognised that all the circuit churches were valuable centres of mission each with their own strengths which clearly benefitted their communities. Where we could make changes was in staffing.

• Rev’d Ruth Charlesworth curtailed her appointment to the circuit; leaving in August 2024.

• Rev’d Bekkie Wright was due to enter the stationing process in September 2024 thereby leaving the circuit in August 2025. During the reporting year, Bekkie expressed a desire to extend her appointment, and this was explored by the Circuit Invitation Committee. The decision was that Bekkie’s appointment would be extended by 3 years.

• A supernumerary minister who was supporting the work of the circuit re-entered the stationing process during the year and left the circuit in August 2024.

• A student minister in the circuit also left in August 2024 to take up a probationer appointment in another circuit.

• We agreed that two Lay Worker roles would be created one for Pastoral and Discipleship and another for Discipleship and Evangelism. These would replace the existing Lay Worker roles from September 2024. During the reporting year the role descriptions were agreed along with how the new staffing team would work.

II. Office Holding Roles

• A new Circuit Meeting Secretary was appointed after a vacancy of some time.

• The funded position for our Online and Social Media Support also came to an end, but the role- holder offered to continue the work on a voluntary basis.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

7. Legal / Church Requirements

I. Safeguarding

• A number of Creating Safer Space Foundation module training courses have been held around the Circuit. Rev’d Andrew Hollins and the Circuit Safeguarding Officer have trained to lead the course.

• Our Circuit Safeguarding Officer has been instrumental in ensuring access for those who require the CSS Advanced module training. This included offering our circuit as a location for the training.

• Safeguarding audits were undertaken in all 9 circuit churches and for the circuit itself. The circuit audit has been reviewed on 3 occasions during the year.

• We use the safeguarding procedures effectively across the circuit, and ask for advice from the District Safeguarding Officer when needed.

• We review the Circuit Safeguarding Policy annually.

• We maintain a database of all safeguarding requirements.

• The Circuit Safeguarding Officer meets with the church safeguarding officers several times a year.

II. EDI

• During the year we were one of the circuits chosen to be on the Discrimination and Abuse Response Scheme (DARS) pilot.

• Rev’d Andrew Hollins and Rev’d Bekkie Wright led three EDI training courses around the circuit.

• Rev’d Bekkie Wright is a representative on the District EDI Committee and the Connexional JDS Committee.

III. GDPR

We continue to help churches with GDPR. A training session was held on 6[th] March 2024. Rev’d Bekkie Wright also met with individual churches to help them complete their returns.

In the next year we intend to develop our work in this area, ensuring there is a Data Champion in each Church and that the Data-Mapping is completed for the churches and the circuit.

IV. Property

With the change in staffing due to take effect in September 2024 the Circuit Meeting made decisions on the best locations for the ministers to live and how to ensure that the manses gave the best financial returns for the circuit. The legal and practical work was undertaken to prepare one manse for letting.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

V. Finances

• During the year we worked with TMCP to identify the uses for restricted funds. The Circuit Meeting agreed to apply to derestrict some of the funds, with the commitment to use them carefully and well.

• We have kept a watchful eye on balances and sought to transfer funds from reserves as and when needed using the correct mandates

• We held two meetings with church treasurers which have been very well received.

• We have increased our circuit lay staff salaries in line with the connexional agreed increase for ministerial stipends.

Our financial statements accounts and reserves policy are attached on pages 17 to 21 of this report.

We are aware that we have been running at a significant deficit for a number of years, but over the past few years have focussed on decreasing that deficit with the aim of having a break even balance on 1[st] September 2026. The changes we have made over the reported year have set us in good stead to meet that aim.

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Objectives, Aims and Purposes of the Stamford Methodist Circuit

In setting our objectives and planning our activities, the Circuit Meeting has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. This guidance sets out two key principles:

• The organisation must have an identifiable benefit.

• The benefit must be to the public or a section of the public.

These principles are met within the registered aims and objectives of the Methodist Church in Great Britain (‘The Methodist Church’ or ‘The Church’) to which we adhere.

The aim of the Methodist Church in Great Britain is to fulfil its calling, which is to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

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 subsidiary 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

To this end we use the Circuit’s resources to:

• Increase awareness of God's presence and celebrate God's love;

• Help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care;

• Be a good neighbour to people in need and challenge injustice; and

• Make more followers of Christ.

We exercise these missional objectives in the areas of Rutland and South Lincolnshire, particularly focussing on the towns or villages of The Deepings, Thurlby, Bourne, Stamford, Ryhall, Ketton, Empingham, Oakham and Uppingham.

The trustees consider that for these reasons the charity meets the public benefit requirements.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Circuit Mission & Policy Statement

In partnership with other Christians, the nine churches of the Stamford Circuit exist to:

• Spread the Good News of the life changing love of God as seen in Jesus Christ and experienced through the Holy Spirit

• Enable individuals and groups to grow in faith and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ

• Demonstrate God’s love for all people

• Encourage and support each other in seeking and fulfilling the will of God

We work together towards the above aims as follows:

Worship

• To offer our best to God in heartfelt praise, honest reflection and prayerful concern

• Offering various styles and emerging patterns of worship to meet a range of spiritual needs and, so far as is possible, relevant to the society in which we live.

• On-going training of preachers and worship leaders, and encouraging people to respond to the call of God

Nurture

• Supporting and training all who work with children and young people.

• Offering appropriate Bible study, fellowship groups, prayer groups and study courses.

• Encourage folk to consider becoming a part of God’s community, the Church.

Pastoral Care

• Maintaining and developing effective pastoral care networks for people of all ages within and beyond the Church.

• Emphasising the importance of our circuit family in mutual care and support

• Providing safe space for all.

Sharing the Good News of Christ

• Inviting those involved in church and community groups to meet Jesus Christ and grow in Christian faith.

• Creating opportunities and enabling our people to share faith in relevant ways.

• Creating opportunities to offer children Christian faith through holiday clubs, weeknight activities and schools work.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Service

Both at home and in the world context:

• Prayerfully and intentionally supporting those who work out their faith in secular employment or voluntary work.

• Meeting people’s needs as God calls us, wherever

• Possible and appropriate, with other agencies.

• Enacting social justice and supporting the World Church.

• Supporting and standing with the poor and the marginalised.

Safeguarding statement

It is the Methodist Church’s intention to value every human being as part of God’s creation and the whole people of God. At the heart of the Methodist community is a deep sense of the place of welcome, hospitality and openness, which demonstrates the nature of God’s grace and love for all.

Our church communities are called to be places where the transformational love of God is embodied and life in all its fullness is a gift, which is offered to all people. Safeguarding is about the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. https://stamfordmethodistcircuit.org/safeguarding/

We encourage participation in all that we do by each congregation, both locally and circuit wide .

Dated : 17[th] June 2025

Rev’d Rebecca Wright

Circuit Minister and Acting Superintendent Minister

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Structure

Trustee body

The Circuit Meeting of Stamford Methodist Circuit is the trustee body of the Circuit. Its constitution and membership is governed by the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church, Volume 2, Book 3, Part 5. (CPD). Membership is drawn from the local churches of the circuit and other representative bodies. List of trustees serving at the time of signing is found on pages 22 and 23 of this report.

The Circuit consists of the following churches

Bourne	Abbey Road, Bourne	PE10 9EF
Minister: Rev’d	Bekkie Wright
Deepings	Church Street, Deeping St James	PE6 8HF
Minister: Rev’d	Bekkie Wright
Empingham	Main Street, Empingham	LE15 8PR
Minister: Rev’d	Bekkie Wright
Ketton	Bull Lane, Ketton	PE9 3TB
Minister: Rev’d	Andrew Hollins
Oakham	Northgate, Oakham	LE15 6FH
Minister: Rev’d	Andrew Hollins
Ryhall	Mill Lane, Ryhall	PE9 4HF
Minister: Rev’d	Bekkie Wright
Stamford	11 Barn Hill, Stamford	PE9 2AE
Minister: Rev’d	Andrew Hollins
Thurlby	High Street, Thurlby	PE10 0ED
Minister: Rev’d	Bekkie Wright
Uppingham	Orange Street, Uppingham	LE15 9SQ
Minister: Rev’d	Andrew Hollins

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Other Assets

The Circuit owns three manses

2 Coggles Causeway, Bourne PE10 9LN

11 Jackson Way, Stamford PE9 1FG

• 2 Wensum Close, Oakham LE15 6FU

The Circuit Ministry Team

At the date of signing of this report, the circuit ministry team was made up as follows:

Chair of the Northampton Methodist District:

Rev’d Dr Sonia Hicks

Superintendent Minister:

Rev’d Andrew Hollins

Other Ministers stationed in the Circuit:

Rev’d Bekkie Wright

Lay member of the Ministry Team:

Mr Philip Jones (Pastoral and Discipleship)

Circuit Leadership Team (CLT)

The CLT is made up of the Circuit Ministry Team, the Circuit Stewards and the Circuit Safeguarding Officer plus other co-opted people from time to time.

The CLT meet to consider, discuss and pray for the mission and ministry of the circuit. The CLT meets at least 6 times per year.

Circuit Stewards

The Circuit Stewards are responsible, with the Superintendent and the ministers and probationers appointed to the Circuit, for the spiritual and material well-being of the Circuit, and for upholding and acting upon the decisions of the Circuit Meeting.

The Circuit Stewards serving in the year and at the date of the signing of this report were as follows:

• Moyra Collins

• Sarah Atwell-King

• Barry Streets (Finance)

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Circuit Safeguarding Officer (CSO)

The Circuit Safeguarding Officer (CSO) is responsible for promoting the safety and well-being of all children and vulnerable adults within the circuit, acting as a point of reference and providing guidance on safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate training and DBS checks are undertaken.

The CSO serving in the year and at the date of signing this report was as follows:

• Charlotte Davis

Meetings which support the work and conduct the circuit

Local Preachers & Worship Leaders Meeting

The Local Preachers’ Meeting is responsible for oversight of all local preachers and each local preacher is accountable to the meeting. It is a quarterly meeting of all preachers (lay and ordained) and worship leaders within the circuit. It also exercises a function to enable continuing development, support and encouragement of all those involved with these ministries.

There is an annual service of Holy Communion held in each Connexional Year during which the Preachers and Worship Leaders renew their commitment to their calling.

Circuit Online Ministry team

The team is made up of preachers and volunteers who enable, prepare and lead online acts of worship and prayer throughout the year.

Circuit Worship Planning

The Circuit Services are arranged to offer preaching and worship which relates to the life, mission and ministry of the wider circuit.

An ad-hoc group meets, as required, to plan the Quarterly Circuit Services along with members of the Circuit Ministry Team.

Church Treasurers’ Meeting

Church treasurers meet with the ministers and circuit stewards twice a year to consider the apportionment of the annual circuit assessment and other financial matters.

Church Safeguarding Officers meeting

Church safeguarding offices meet twice a year with the Circuit Safeguarding Officer and the ministers to review and implement safeguarding arrangements, as well as to support one another in their work.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Property Advisory Group (PAG)

The Property Advisory Group is a small working group who oversee matters to do with circuit properties (chapels and manses).

Social Justice Forum

This meeting is an ad hoc gathering which currently aims to meet twice a year. It is open for anyone to attend who has an interest in addressing issues of social justice and current affairs from a Christian perspective.

The forum offers all attendees the opportunity to share their issues and concerns for conversation, debate and prayer. It is the express intention of each gathering that we will agree on practical ways of addressing the issues raised.

Circuit Social Group

An ad-hoc working group to discuss and plan for various social events across the circuit and for the circuit.

Circuit Invitation Committee (CIC)

• The Superintendent Minister: Andrew Hollins (or nominated deputy)

• One other Presbyter stationed in the circuit

• Two Circuit Stewards

• One representative (e.g. Church Steward) of each church in the appointment being considered.

The CIC exists, providing it has received devolved permission to do so, to enact the Circuit Meeting’s decisions regarding ministerial invitations and consultations.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Financial statements

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024	STAMFORD	STAMFORD		Circuit
				Un - restricted Funds	Circuit Model Trust Fund	Restricted Funds	Totals this year		Totals last year
	SECTION A
a1	RECEIPTS		Note	£	£	£	£		£
a2	Assessment/Share			189,653			189,653		196,336
a3	Capital receipts
a4	Bank and CFB interest and Investment income			4,093	3,651	1,585	9,329		7,933
a5	Grants
a6	Other receipts			2,110			2,110		8,519
a7	TOTAL RECEIPTS			195,856	3,651	1,585	**201,092 **	(a8)	212,788
	SECTION B
b1	PAYMENTS
b2	Stipends, salaries, NIC, Pension and travel costs			183,658			183,658		206,029
b3	Manse Costs			19,942			19,942		12,276
b4	Administration etc			3,058			3,058		6,269
b5	District Assessment			60,328	1,842		62,170		59,011
b6	Grants&donations
b7
b8	Otherpayments			3,327	209	84	3,620		1,857
b9	TOTAL PAYMENTS			270,313	2,051	84	**272,448 **	(b9)	285,442
	SECTION C
c1	NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR		(a7-b9)	(74,457)	1,600	1,501	(71,356)		(72,654)
c2	Total funds brought forward from last		year	125,621	73,667	29,334	228,622	(c6)	306,214
c3	Sub total		(c1+c2)	51,164	75,267	30,835	157,266		233,560
c4	Transfers and adjustments			12,015	(5,546)	(6,469)		(c7)	(4,938)
c5	TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR		(c3+c4)	63,179	69,721	24,366	**157,266 **	(c8)	228,622
	SECTION D
d	FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
	(these amounts should not be included in total receipts/payments above)
d1	Balance brought forward from lastyear						271
d2	Offerings/Gifts - received for external organisations						2,654		1,386
d3	Offerings/Gifts -passed to external organisations						1,028		1,115
d4	BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID(d1 + d2 - d3)						1,897		271

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

											STAMFORD	STAMFORD	STAMFORD	STAMFORD	Circuit
	SUMMARY OF CIRCUIT AC	CO	UNTS AND INTERNAL ORGANISATION REPORTING TO THE C								IRCUIT MEETING
	SECTION E	Pl	ease follow the Guidance Notes to complete this page
	Summary of the Circuit accou an Internal Organisation wou section must be completed to then the Accruals method of guidance notes regarding tra		nts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisations reporting to the ld normally be Restricted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be arrive at the gross receipts and payments totals of the Circuit. If gross income exc accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see M nsfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisations.										Circuit Meeting. Note th used for any Methodist eeds the Accruals thres ethodist website). Plea		at the funds of purpose. This hold of £250,000, se refer to the
	INTERNAL ORGANISATIONS		Receipts		Payments			Net Receipts/ Payments			Adjustments		Opening balances		Closing balances
e1
e2
e3
e4
e5
e6
e7
e8	Sub total of Internal Organisations funds													(e11)		(e12)
e9	Circuit accounts (totals brought forward from page 2 - totals column)		**201,092 **	(a8)	**272,448 **	(b9)		(71,356)				(c7)	**228,622 **	(c6)	**157,266 **	(c8)
e10	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT		201,092		272,448			(71,356)					**228,622 **	(x)	**157,266 **	(y)
	Continue on a separate sheet if necessary and bring the totals forward		TOTAL RECEIPTS		TOTAL PAYMENTS
	SECTION F
	STATEMENT OF ASSETS	AN	D LIABILITIES
	CIRCUIT- CASH FUNDS H	EL	D at 31 August 2024										OPENING BALANCES		CLOSING BALANCES
f1	Cash in hand												NIL		NIL
f2	Bank Current Account												10,998		4,651
f3	Bank Deposit Account												NIL		NIL
f4	Central Finance Board												39,249		56,188
f5	Trustees for Methodist Churc	h	Purposes										178,375		96,427
f6	Other funds												NIL
f7	SUB TOTAL												**228,622 **	(c6)	**157,266 **	(c8)
f8	Total funds held by Internal Organisations (the closingbalance totals above) (e12)													(e11)	NIL	(e12)
f9	TOTAL CASH FUNDS HEL	D BY CIRCUIT											**228,622 **	(x)	157,266	(y)
	SECTION G												At		At
	OTHER ASSETS and LIABI	LITIES											1 September 2023		31 August 2024
g1	Investments (include Endowments)												6714		7134
g2	Land and Buildings (see notes re Insurance value)												1,340,839		1,789,594
g3	Other Assets
g4	Loan(s)-show amount outstanding at year end
g5	Other Liabilities
	f4 Include only Funds held at the Central Finance Bo				ard
	f5 Include only CFB Funds held at Trustees for Metho				dist Church Purposes
	g1 Include any other investments (not the cash eleme				nt of TMCP trust accoun			ts this is inserted in lin			e f5)

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Financial Policies

Stamford Circuit Reserves Policy

This document includes all funds held by the Circuit Meeting as charity trustees. Our Reserves Policy relates to our general (unrestricted) funds which are freely available to be used for any or all of the purposes of the Circuit.

Other funds are also included for the sake of clarity and openness and to show that the Circuit has a policy for the management of all of its money not simply those which are defined as reserves.

1. General Policy

The Circuit’s reserves in hand should never fall below 6 months of the annual assessment. Aims

Our aim is twofold:

• To secure and sustain the Circuit’s viability and future.

• To give reassurance to the general public that the Circuit intends to use all of the money coming into its care for the purposes of the charity.

2. Mission Policy

The Circuit’s Mission Policy is set out on pages 11 to 13 of this report and was approved by the Circuit Meeting (as the charity trustees) on 28th November 2012.

It provides for

• The ministerial oversight and pastoral care of the nine local churches in the Circuit.

• The support of a ministry team of: -

• two full time ministers

• two part time Lay Workers

  • at the time of signing one of these roles is unfilled

• one part time Circuit Administrator

• The maintenance of the three Circuit manses, one of which is under short term rental

3. Financial Plans

• The Circuit Assessment is reviewed annually and seeks to cover the budgeted costs of Section 1 above. It is based on contributions of each church towards the total cost. Any shortfall is found from the Circuit Model Trust Fund by agreement of the Circuit Meeting.

• The Circuit Assessment will also aim to provide for property maintenance to maintain the three manses.

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Unrestricted Funds

Under Standing Orders the Circuit must meet its financial obligations in relation to the maintenance of the manses. The total cost for the last financial year was £19,942 (FY23 12,276).

Balance @ 31/8/24 £132,900 (FY23 £199,288)

Restricted Funds

The circuit has three restricted funds; the Model Trust Fund (formerly Circuit Advance Fund), Manse Maintenance Fund and Ministerial Assistance Fund.

Model Trust Fund

This fund derives from the sale of chapels and manses and its use is restricted by Conference. This restriction is an internal regulation though the fund can be used for a variety of purposes.

Balance @ 31/8/24 £69,721 (FY23 £73,667)

Manse Maintenance Fund

This fund is designated towards maintaining the manses.

Balance @ 31/8/24 £28 (FY23 £6,181)

Ministerial Assistance Fund

This fund is for minister’s support.

Balance @ 31/8/24 £7,988 (FY23 £7,599)

Endowment Funds

Three endowment funds are held, all of which are bequests. These are held by TMCP custodian trustees.

The income from these funds (net of admin charges) is treated as unrestricted income for the circuit and can be spent for any circuit purposes. The capital value of the bequests therefore remains constant, subject to valuations. The circuit policy is to maintain these bequests in line with the perceived donor’s wishes.

George Waddey Bequest – this is a Permanent Endowment and therefore only the income can be spent. Due to the size of the bequest, the circuit has the option of releasing these funds for general circuit use with the approval of the circuit meeting and in line with the Charity Commission guidelines. This bequest dates from circa 1900. Value @ 31/8/24 £866 (FY23 £870)

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

G Marsh Bequest – this is an unconditional bequest, and the capital can be used for any Methodist purpose at the discretion of the circuit

Value @ 31/8/24 £7,322 (FY23 £6,956)

B Sims Bequest –The money was endowed to the Circuit to be managed by TMCP. Value @ 31/8/24 £1,177 (FY23 £1,122)

Approval

Approved by Trustees on 17[th] June 2025

Rev’d Rebecca Wright

Circuit Minister and Acting Superintendent Minister

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Trustees serving at the time of signing the report

Trustee Name	Office	Name of body entitled to appoint Trustee
Rev’d Andrew Hollins	Superintendent	Conference of the Methodist Church
Rev’d Rebecca Helen Wright	Presbyter	Conference of the Methodist Church
Mr Philip Delwyn Vaughan Jones	Lay Worker: Pastoral & Discipleship	By virtue of employment
Mr Barry Charles Streets	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Moyra Collins	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Sarah Atwell-King	Circuit Steward	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Charlotte Davis	Circuit Safeguarding Officer	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Nina Jane Rawlins	Circuit Meeting Secretary	Circuit Meeting
Dr Anthony Law	Local Preachers Meeting Secretary	Local Preachers Meeting
Miss Margaret Louise Stones	Connexional Funds Secretary	Circuit Meeting
Ms Jean Suff	Property Advisor Group	Circuit Meeting
Dr Kenneth Morris Stewart	Property Advisor Group	Circuit Meeting
Ms Olive Ruzvidzo	Synod Member	Circuit Meeting
Mrs Georgina Finn	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mr Jonathan Francis Batstone	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mr Geoffrey Allan Heathcote	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mrs Nadine Denise Mackie	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mr Iain James Cameron	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mrs Francis Coles	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mrs Eileen Ray	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Dr David Cappitt	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office

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Stamford Methodist Circuit Trustee Annual Report for Year ending 31[st] August 2024

Dr Christopher Howard Sworn	Church Treasurer	By virtue of office
Mrs Elizabeth Clare Hodgson	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mrs Vivienne Jean Higgins	Church Council Rep	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Janet Elizabeth Hetherington	Church Council Rep	Stamford Church Council
Mrs Audrey Hensman	Church Council Rep	Stamford Church Council
Mr Edward Leslie Wilks	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mr Graham Stapleton	Church Council Rep	Oakham Church Council
Mr Stephen Matthew Fallow	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mrs Elizabeth Ann Heathcote	Church Council Rep	Ketton Church Council
Mr Ian Ray	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mrs Yvonne Trevor	Church Council Rep	Empingham Church Council
Mr John Victor Bassill	Church Council Rep	Uppingham Church Council
Mrs Ellen Whiffin	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mr Roger Anthony Macey	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mr Peter David Wright	Church Council Rep	Bourne Church Council
Mr Christopher James Pursehouse	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mrs Hazel Batstone	Church Council Rep	Deeping Church Council
Mrs Anne Grimes	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mr Christopher Barber	Church Council Rep	Thurlby Church Council
Mrs Sandra Wadkins	Church Steward	By virtue of office
Mrs Margaret Cameron	Church Council Rep	Ryhall Church Council

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CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS STAMFORD CircuFt FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 NORTHAMPTON Distrfct Clrcuit no 23115 Reglstèred Charlty - Charlty Reglstrntlon number 1160930 If not a registered charity HIS Majestys Revènue and Customs Glft Ald number (The HMRC number is equivalent to 8 registered charity number In terms of evidence of charitable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing lo see evidence of the organisation's charitsble ststus. Methodist charities in England and Wale5 that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242) Ministers: REV. ANDREW HOLLINS REV. RUTH CHARLESWORTH REV. REBECCA WRIGHT Circuit stewards: MRS. MOYRA COLLINS MRS. SARAH ATWELL KING MR. BARRY STREETS Treasurer: BARRY STREETS (#r¢uit4 andJ>2024 lof1

JCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2024 STAMFORD Gi￿Ult Un- Circuit restrtcted Model Trust Restricted Funds Fund Funds Totals thls year Totals last SECTION A a1 RECEIPTS Assessmenvshare 189 653 189,653 196,336 Ca ital recei Bank and CFB interest and Investment income 3,651 1,585 7,933 Grants a6 other receipts TOTAL RECEIPTS 2,110 2.110 201,092 8,519 195,856 3.651 1,585 (a8) 212,788 SECTION B b1 b2 PAYMENTS Slipends, salaries, NIC. Pension and travel costs 183,658 183 658 206,029 12,276 6,269 b3 Manse Costs 19,942 3,058 Administration etc b5 District Asséssment 60,328 Grants & donations b7 b8 Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS 3,327 270,313 84 3.620 1,857 285,442 b9 2,051 84 272.448 (b9) SECTION C NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR a7-b9 74,457 1.600 72.654 Total funds brou ht forward from last ear 125,621 73,667 29,334 228,622 306,214 Sub total c1+c2 30,835 157 266 233,560 Transfers and ad'ustments 5,546 6,469 c7 4.938 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR (e3+¢4) 63,179 69,721 24,366 137,266 Ic8) 228,822 SECTION D FOR INFORMATION ONLY: MONEY RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS those amounts should not be included in total recei aymènts above) ht forward from last d1 BaSance brou 271 d2 Off8rin sIGifts received for extemal or OfferinaslGifts - passed to extemal organisations BALANCE STILL TO BE PAID d1+d2-d3 anisations 2,654 1,028 1,386 1,115 271 d3 d4 1,89 rojit-r andJ.2024 1 of 1

STAMFORD Ckcu su ethl SECTION E Summary ofthe C1￿ult a¢￿Unts for the year ended 31 August 2024 and Internal Organisatiorts repo￿ng to the c[r￿lt Meeting. Not¢ thatthe fvnds of an Inl¢md Organmtson WO￿ normal￿ b8 ResthGtsd fvnds unless it Gould be dearly shown Ihatlhty could be ￿ed for Melhoiw purpose. ThB sectson must be CDmpletsd to arrive at the gross Yeceipts and payments tot0Ls otth8 Cir¢uL If gross exceeds the A¢ttuaL5 thrashold of £250,000. then the Accru method of awunbng ANO A DIFFERENT FORM mtBt be used to report the accounis (sèe Mèthodtst website). Please Tefèr to the guidance notss T8gaTding trarsfeTS betsveen the Circurt and eonnectsd Circuit organ￿ali0r￿. Net Re￿p Otxnl baLgrtt8 ORGAMSATIONS ¢5 •7 ubtt)ts Orynladonslundb Clr¢utt xcounts itola I￿O￿ght knwlrd from pwp2-tolals¢olubM) ¢7 201.092 272A48 71,386 228,622 2n 71.356 ¢10 HELD BY CIRQUIT ConUnu•en a 8¢F•aig •heot Wnecwry8TrJ tdTVJ I￿t01a￿ for%4YJrd 201,092 TOTAL PAYMENTS TOTAL RECEIPTS secnoN F OPENING BALANCES CLOSING BALANCES CIRCUIT-CASH FUNDS HELD ￿ 31 u•12024 NIL NIL C••h In Pank Curr•nl A¢￿￿rtI NIL NIL Bank 39 249 56 188 C•ntr•l Flnm 8c•rd 178,375 96.427 Tru￿111 Ic Ctrwr¢h P NIL 228,822 157,286 {c81 SUB TOTAL T(rtal lunds hdd W Intwml QrgiN8aUw taIapcet(rt8￿aIrnI le12) •11 NIL •12 228,622 1 $7,266 TOTAL CASH FUNDS HELD BY CIRCUIT SECTION a mber2tr23 31 2024 OTHER ASSETS and UABILMES 6714 7134 1789 594 L8rKi arvj Bul •ee IrwJrnrK . 8kn¥arrwnt eArt6t￿￿1 ot 14 orty F￿d& lwld attt C•ntral FlnaTKe eoard IS In¢lLth CF8 Fund5 at TnNls for V*thodot Church PLffpc8e8 g1 anyother In¥e¥tments {TrJttr ¢•sh elÈmgnt ofTMCP IfL￿t ￿irtst￿S Nb I[￿ f51

4ame of Circuit . SiAMFDK21 NoZ.s/.! 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 . Name and address of treasurer....... .. Bary Streets 91, Millfield Road, Morton, Bourne. Post Code..........PE10 ONU Presentatlon to tha Clrcult meetlng I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 werelwA*' presented to the Circuit meeting held on 2oz Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting . .Rev Andrew Hollins.......... Date . Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the STAMFORD Circuit Charlty Number 1160930 Responsibilltles and basls of report I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the STAMFORD Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 2 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 carying 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 circult4 and_p2024 1of1

4ame of Circuit STAMFORD No 23115 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 belo￿) 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 concems 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 understsnding of the accounts to be reached. I haveltwuet. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balan￿S and funds at the Central Finance 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 .Jan Simmonds Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner . CIMA (reti￿d) Name of firm (where appropriate) Address .13 Perth Road, Stsmford, Lincs Post Code .PE9 2TX Date . 26 November 2024 delete or circle as appropriate circu(t-r and￿2024 1ofl