## **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** **1 |** P a g e **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 **2 |** P a g e **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. **3 |** P a g e **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. **4 |** P a g e **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. **5 |** P a g e **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 **6 |** P a g e **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. **7 |** P a g e **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. **8 |** P a g e **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. ## **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 **9 |** P a g e **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. **10 |** P a g e **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. **11 |** P a g e **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 **12 |** P a g e **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|| **13 |** P a g e **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) **14 |** P a g e **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. **15 |** P a g e **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. **16 |** P a g e **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| ||||||||||| ||||||||||| **17 |** P a g e ## **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
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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
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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)|||||| **18 |** P a g e **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. **19 |** P a g e **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) **20 |** P a g e **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 **21 |** P a g e **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| **22 |** P a g e ## **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| **23 |** P a g e 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 Wnec*wry8TrJ 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 TnNl*s 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