ethodist C4
/r6 Moorl8
Charlty Reglstration Number 1161615
rcuit
11124
Staffordshire Moorlands Methodist Circuit
Financial Statements for the
Year to 31 August 2024

Staffordshlre Moorlands Methodist arcuit
Financial Statements for the Year to 31 August 2024
Contents
Page
Trustees Report
Independent Examlner5 Report
Approval by Treasurer and thair
Statement of Financlal Activities 2024
Statement of Financlal Artivlties 2023
Balance Sheet
10
11
12-14
Notes to the Flnanclal Statements

Staffordshire Moorlands Methodist Clrcuit
Trustees Annual report
Introduction and aims
'The Staffordshire Moorlands Methodist Circuit is committed to constantly seekn'ng
opportunities to transform people's lives through an active and living farth in Jesus Chrisv,.
The reality of our day-to-day witness is eVIden￿d in self-goveming Methodist Churches and
one Ecumenical Partnership between the Methodist Church and the Unrted Refonned
Church. In communty life together in market towns, rural villages and semi-urban settings
we seek to live out our faith, supporting and encouraging each other in outreach, mission
and evangelism.
The past year has for many of our churches seen partnership working within local
communities to bring about opportunities for mutual support in many areas of shared life.
Local Trustees have been grappling with the questions of how and where reSoUr￿S are best
used, and what specific needs are around us.
In a time of ever scarcer ￿sOurceS we have tried to be imaginative in working with other
organisations, finding common ground and supporting each other where we can.
Brief financlal revlew of the year
The financial offering of individual churthes to our Circuit budget is supplemented in our
commrtment to investing in people by a regular arKI planned withdrawal from what have
been significant reserves. However. during this year we have seen the departure of tsvo
chIld￿n and families workers and two pastoral worf(ers as people have left us and not been
repla￿d. In addition we have taken the decision as a circuit to reduced our level of ordained
staff from 3 to 2 (from September 1st 2024) At the end of this year that team comprises 1
children and family's worker, 1 administrator, 2 ordained Ministers. This continues to be a
signrficant invesbnent, but the Circuit remains committed to this level of church and
communty engagement and is grateful for the gifts and graces our staff offer.
Income and expenditure were broadly in line with our mission statement and policy, we
continued to invest from reserves to fund our staffing costs of £190,756. Our net movement
on funds is £263.497 for the year. Our carried forward funds a￿ £2.199,773 - we anticipate
these fvnds will be required to fund working capital needs as well as being available for
investment to local churches for mission projects.
The level of reserves is under constant review by the Circuit Treasurer and Leadership
Team.
The work of ministy in the circuit is a partnership between lay and ordained, paid and
volunteer workers. and we offer our grateful thanks to each one. We are especially thankful
for the continued work and witness of our Local p￿aChers. some of whom are no longer
leading worship week by week but are supportive in prayer, alongside the signrficant support
provided by our supemumerary ministers.

Income trends
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches. We have
seen first hand the struggles of local congregations to maintain their giving in the light of the
economic srtuation and the falling numbers of attendees. We are grateful for the continued
commitment to that disceming.
Our income from local churches this year was £175.009 - supplemented by income on
invested funds of £46,591 and Capital re￿Ipts of £79.222.
Expenditure trends
Stipend expenditure has increased eath finanGial year in line with the Methodist Conference
approved increases.
160A of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District annd Connexion, of which a
significant part is used to fvnd the work of the wider Methodist Church.
We anticipate further income in the year to August 2025 in respect of other Methodist
Churches approved for sale.
The balance on Circuit Model Trust Fund balance amounted to £608,555 which was held on
deposit with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
Plans for 202412025
Circurt financial plans for the coming year have been prepared on the basis that there will be
2 full time ordained staff with anticipated cost of living stipend increases combined with the
assessment paid to the district.
The basis for fulfilling our financial commitments remains a pledge system for individual
churches. This system will need to be reviewed rf it continues to fall short of the budget
required, in the longer tenn.
We continue to review our calling in the light of the restriGtions faced by society at large. the
age profile of our congregations and likely resources going forward. We will be aiming to
work more closely together as local congregations over the coming years.
It in anticipated that although the size of the circuit may diminish in te￿S of numbers of
churGhes, our commitment to working more dosely together will in fact mean that we have
greater capacity for outreach in towns and villages than has b￿n the case for a number of
years.
We are actively seeking partnerships with groups which foster flourishing within soaety.

Basls of preparation and legal frame4vork
The Charity's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been
prepared in accordance with the Charities Ad 2011 and the Charities: Statement of
Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard(FRS) 102
Full Name of Charity:
Staffordshire Moorlands Methodist Circuit
Registration Charity Number 1161615
Date of registration:
11 May 2015
Main communication address Tean Methodist Church, Gorsty Hill Road, Tean
StaffordshireST10 4EQ
The members of the Staffordshire Moorlands Methodist Circuit meeting are the Charity
Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives
appointed by the local churches.
Circuit Ministers and officers (at August 31st 2024 or serving during the year)
Active Circuit Ministers
Rev Julie Hassall (Superintendent)
Rev Richard Pope
Rev Eleanor Smith
Circuit Lay Workers
Mr Mark Hatcher
Miss Abigail Ratcliffe
Mr Jonathon Newbould
Mrs Margaret Parkjnson
Ms Rachel Moore
Circuit Meeting Secretary
Circuit Stewards
Mrs Heather Bates
Mrs Jane RatclFffe (Senior)
Mr Philip Mann
Dr Lynne Bradbury
Mr David Wheeldon
Mrs Janette Barber
Administrator".
Mr Robin McDuall aded as the principal officer overaeeing the day-to-day financial
management and accounting for the circuit during the year.

Independent examiner
Mr Oliver Newey ACA, Dove Cottage, Route de Cobo,
Castel, Guemsey, Channel Islands, GY5 7HD
Uoyds Bank plG
Bankers
Investment Bankers
Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church
Trustees for Methodist Church purposes
Aims and organisation
Chartty objective is to act as a Resour￿ provider within the area around Leek and Cheadle,
Staffordshire for the Methodist Church:
'The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the
Date of Union the advan￿ment ot.
a) The Christian faith in accordance with the doctrinal standards and discipline of The
Methodist Church;
b) Any charrtable purpose for the time being of any Connexional, District, Circuit. local or
other organisation of The Methodist Church-.
G) 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 tharty being a charity subsidiary or ancillary to The
Methodist Church
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the
church and non members alike.
The teaching of Christianty through sermons. courses and small groups.
The resourcing of pastoral work including visiting the sick and bereaved.
Taking religious assemblies in local schools.
Promotion of Christianity through the staging of events and servI￿s.
Provision of chaplaincy services to the local universty and other institutions
Public Ben•fft
We Gonfitm the trustees have had regaru to the Chan"ty commission's guidan￿ on public
benefit.

Structure, Governance and Management
The goveming document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church
Act {1976)
Detailed governan￿ arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and
Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Cirojit LeadeTship team along
with the Local Preachers meeting, the Circuit Finance and Property Committee and the
Circuit Policy Committee.
Trustee Training
A range of guidan￿ produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of
the circuit, specifiGally the leaflet 'The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church, is given to
all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees.
Related Parties
The Circuit is part of the Chester and Stoke on Trent District and is also accountsble to the
Methodist Conference.
The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit as at 31.8.2024
Boundary. Wellspring {Cheadle and Tean). Endon. Ipstones, Onecote, Rudyard, St Andrews
Cheddleton, Waterhouses and Wetley Rocks.
Trinity Church in Leek, which is a Methodist & URC Local Ecumenical Partnership, is also
part of this circurt.
Risk Management
The major risks have b￿n identffied and recorded by the Circuit Finance and Property
Committee with professional advice taken as required.
There is a regular annual review FKoce&s undertaken and recorded.
Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved
annual budget on a half yearfy basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process
to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
Safeguarding
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and
female in God's own image and likene8s. Christians see this potential as fuffiiied by God's
re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a duty to value all people as
bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.

Methodist Connexional practi￿ outlines commitment to the following principles:
• the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all thildren, young people
and adults
. the safeguarding and protection of all thildren, young people and adults when they are
vulnerable
. the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where
there is informed Vigilan￿ as to the dangers of abuse.
. We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibilty within the Church, in line
with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and
gistration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
We will respond wrthout delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child
or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in
any investigation.
• We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an
appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
. We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the
proper authorities, to any member of our Ghurch community known to have offended against
a child, young person or vulnerable adulL
In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice
The StaffordshI￿ Moorlands Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of
Connexional Safeguarding Policy; govemment legislation. guidance and safe practi￿ in the
circuit and in the Churches.
The Staffordshire Moorlands Circuit commits itself to the provision of support, advice and
training for lay and ordained people that will ensure people are clear and confident about
their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
adults who may be vulnerable.
Reserves Policy
The Reserves Policy for the Circuit is to hold a minimum sum equivalent to 12 months,
average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen rtem of rnajor
expenditure on manses and l or to be able to continue. in the short tern. fvnding planned
activttie3 in the event of any inabiltty to raise the full Glrcuit Assessment from churches.
Rev Julie Hassall
Superintendent Minister

31 Au9USt 2024, {￿t on page8 10 iu 14.
the apFAKable
rectkM8 given tythe ￿lder 1445Xb) ofthe 2011 A
oftho Atr, or
Olrffi FCA
(6 7GF

Treasurer
l ¢onfinn that Ihese ac(¥ual based a(wunts forthe year ended 31 August 2024 have tsen
prepared from ts records of ts i?￿lt that Ihy mGIHle all finL8 undar th8 contrd of
Circuit Meeting.
Robin McDudl
21 Lorien C108e. LeeK Staffordshlre ST13 8NY
29th March 2025
l eonfrm that the annual rewt attourts for ts year •nded 31 August 2024 were
presented to the Circuit Pleetlng at its me* on 21# K4arth 2024 and vftre approved.
Rov Julio H￿1¥ (Chair)
29lh Marth 2025

Incom•
174(
79222
8 Totsl IKOM
ExPendI￿rn
41
10 Sa18thes aTrJ as3oc•8W 4
n3
n3
141
YITDtslfundsWtfow•d
11947n

Staffonlshire Moorfands MettKJJist Circu
1161615
sta￿M￿tt of Flnanclal Actsvlti•6 {SOFA} for tho y￿r •xlod 31 Au9u•t 2023
202243
Incomo
7T9
27,4
100.034
393A19
8 Totsl Incorn•
Expendlturè
9 Gran18 8nd d￿tionS
10 $8law *F*J ass¢uakna c•41¥
11 Property mairter￿Ce
12 Conneyion8E asses¥￿ & MO￿ tr￿t
13 OL8ts1rt A58essm*rt & L
f4 Depr8datlon
414144
1Xa41
19V41
31.3
49,522
8.11x1
18 Other outgotros
17 Total Charttats￿ •yndknr•
8.905
49.688
20 Net Incomel(pxpgndlkn)
.14Q105
221,916
22 OU*r 9￿￿0£$$e5)
23 Not mov•mgnt In fI￿dI
24T*Xal fvnds ￿9￿ght foThYanl
25 T•la1f￿￿rrf￿lf￿¥Mll1
91,312
313.228
f.623.IH8
1.938.276
lJ9WO
1W7,5n
230.1n

Staffordshir8 Moorlands Methodist Circuit
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024
1161615
General Fund Clrcuft Model Endoiiinent Tot* 2024
(Unrestricted) Trusts
Fund8
Totals
2023
Accounts
Circuit Manses & Equipment
Investment properties
Investments
1.364851
1.365.857
1,068,037
1A65.857
0 1.366.857
1,068,037
Current A880ts
Debtors
Loans by th8 Cireuit
Investments ￿ryth TMCP
Centrat Finance Boa￿1
Deposit8
Cash at Bank arKI in harKI
Total curivnt ass
Current IEabllltles
Creditors (due in under 1 year)
Grants payable wrythin 2019-20
Total cunBnt Ilabllllle
CUn￿t as*liabllAles
783,791
273312
27.018
T13.212
27,018
908.785
142,533
33.215
959,539
4332
49,313
34332
¥332
4453
49,313
910.226
Total assrts less cuffent
liabllllies
1.631.755
0 2,240.310
1.978.263
Long term Ilabilities
(due after more than one
Year)
Grants payable after 2022-23
Loans to ts Circuit
40.S37
41,987
Natas￿ts
1,591.218
608,555
0 2,199,773
1,936,276
Funds ol th• Clrcult
General Fun(1 (Unrestrtcted)
Circuit Model Tru* Fund
{Restricted)
Designated Fund8 (Unr8tstrictedl
1.591.218
1.591.218
1.152,485
783.791
l199,n3
1,936,276
Tolal Funds
1,591,218
608,555
0 2,199,773 1,936,276

ThefiDanciai Ststementskntbetswew￿UndertheOWTtt￿Art2011 Tnacxvrknwlththe 2014ver610tt of
thzoi
2 Funds
3 Accounttngpollcles
value atthe end oftheyear. ontbeaca7Jalsb8SiS toknatrueandfalrviewof the cIr￿lesS￿anC1al posltion and
VAT
n￿the ￿ra￿￿￿tYATtt8L3tttrfall1￿PUtTATI$£knvdVjI1btheex￿￿tovA￿thft
Tangible fixed for￿bY￿e (Jra
Thefreeho]dprnpertyL%showuintheaoi)UDts atthel1ksll￿Y0l￿ Ilo deprethatsoj Ls Drnvided on thebuildings
Investments
Debtors alld Prepayments
12

Totsl amount
2023124
2022123
750
750
500
6 Pald employees
2023124
150
2022123
15a663
10.995
11778
190.7S6
2023
24
2022
23
loo
250
350
100

9 Tanglble Flzed A&*s
equlpment Totsl
Balattobroughtforward
L06&037
1.068037
Additions/(Disywts)
Revaluattorks (+/_)
297.782
297.7￿2
136W9
I365￿19
10 Inveslment assets
BfJUn￿ba1* We are (wrenltyholdlng£40537 onbebalfof Tean Methodi%t Church
14