## **Circuit Annual Report 1st September 2020 – 31 st August 2021**
## **Introduction**
Thank you for taking the time to read this report from the South Molton and Ringsash Methodist Circuit. We are a small Methodist Circuit comprising of 8 church societies meeting on Methodist premises, in a Village Hall and church buildings owned by other denominations. Working as a Church and in partnership with other denominations we attempt to give a distinctly Methodist ‘flavour’ to all that we do in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
Following the decision in 2020 of one of the Church Societies, Bishops Nympton to cease meeting and with the approval of the Circuit Meeting the Chapel is under offer.
Chulmleigh Methodist Church, having sold their Chapel some years ago and been worshipping in the Congregational Church have decided due to falling membership and an increasing age profile to close. This decision has been ratified by Circuit meeting, there is no property to dispose of.
## **Aims and organisation**
We work from a mission statement that says, ‘From a foundation of prayer, we seek to share the truth of the Bible with our communities and young people in humility, through fellowship and by working together’.
## **Our vision is:**
- To be inclusive and flexible, reaching beyond our boundaries.
- To develop spiritually and make use of God-given gifts wherever possible.
- To rely on God, simply helping people towards the Kingdom of Heaven, rather than being too concerned with increasing the numbers attending church for our own benefit.
**Our Purpose:** We intend to work towards this vision by focussing on …
Keeping the Word and Work of God alive, by putting Him first; holding relevant premises and facilities which encourage flexible ways of serving Him, where possible as a single worshipping community rather than two or more per village; and helping our worshipping communities to deepen in prayerfulness, and to develop their creativity in worship.
We employ one ordained minister stationed in the Circuit, a part time Community Worker and a part-time Circuit Administrator. The Circuit Leadership Team oversees the work and leadership of the Circuit and is accountable to the Circuit Meeting which it advises.
## **Covid restrictions:**
Due to government restrictions and recommendations which applied from March 2019 our Chapels have been required to close for worship and mission for much
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of the church year. The Circuit has used Zoom technology to enable members and others to share in worship services on a weekly basis via the internet. This arrangement will continue until restrictions are eased and allow normal activities to resume.
## **Brief financial review of the year**
The year has seen the Circuit work within its stated budget.
## **Income trends**
Circuit income is primarily drawn from the assessment paid by the circuit churches.
Other income includes the rental of a manse and donations. Capital receipts relate to the uplift in value of the Always End Methodist Hall following planning approval for conversion to a dwelling by the new owners.
## **Expenditure trends**
Stipend expenditure has increased each financial year in line with conference approved
Increases and salaries are increased in line with inflation and/or minimum living wage increases
Approximately 20% of expenditure is the Circuit contribution to the District and Connexion, of which a significant part is used to fund the work of the wider Methodist Church.
Other expenditure includes insurance and maintenance of Circuit held buildings which includes manses and redundant churches.
Fund balances
As at 31 August 2021 the net current assets of the Circuit were £333k, this includes approximately £248k which is restricted of which approximately £100k is ring-fenced, £80k for the Community Worker Project in the south of the Circuit and £20k provision for a loan to support Chittlehampton Chapel building renovation work. The unrestricted balance of £85k gives the Circuit approximately six months cover for expenditure, it should be noted that there will be some call on these reserves for work needed on the Circuit manses.
Plans for 2021/22
Circuit financial plans for the coming year have been prepared considering the following:
2
An increase in the assessment paid to the district and inflationary cost increases, this will lead to a small increase in the assessment paid by the circuit churches.
## **Basis of preparation and legal framework**
_The Charity’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 as applicable to the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102_
_Full Name of Charity: South Molton & Ringsash Methodist Circuit_
_Registration Charity Number: 168118_
_Date of registration: 7th July 2016_
## **Main communication address:**
The Circuit Administrator South Molton and Ringsash Methodist Circuit Circuit Office South Molton Methodist Church North Street, South Molton EX36 3AW
The members of the South Molton and Ringsash Methodist Circuit Meeting are the Charity Trustees, membership being made up of circuit office holders, ministers and representatives appointed by the local churches.
_Full membership is shown as Appendix A to this report._
"Circuit Ministers and officers”
Circuit Minister Rev Stuart Innalls Community worker Mrs. Rachael Taylor
3
Circuit Stewards Mr Martyn Short Mr David Peyton (Finance) Administrator: Mrs Anita Vellacott
Independent examiner Ian Huggett BSc FCA (ICAEW) 47 Boutport Street Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1SQ Investment Bankers Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church Trustees for Methodist Church purposes
## **Aims and organisation**
Charity objective is to act as a Resource provider within the area around South Molton for the Methodist Church:
"The purposes of the Methodist Church are and shall be deemed to have been since the Date of Union the advancement of:
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.
The organisation and resourcing of regular public acts of worship open to members of the church and non members alike.
The teaching of Christianity 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 services.
Provision of chaplaincy services to the local university and other institutions.
4
## **Public Benefit**
We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The governing document for the circuit is the Deed of Union (1932) and Methodist Church Act (1976)
Detailed governance arrangements are outlined within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church by order of the annual conference (CPD).
Day to day management of the circuit is undertaken by the Circuit Leadership team along with the Local Preachers meeting and the Circuit Property Team.
## **Trustee Training**
A range of guidance produced by Methodist Connexion to support the effective running of the circuit, specifically the leaflet ‘The Role of a Trustee in The Methodist Church’ is given to all new Circuit meeting members as induction to their role as trustees.
## **Related Parties**
The Circuit is part of the Plymouth and Exeter District and is also accountable to the Methodist Conference.
The following Methodist Churches are linked to the circuit: Ashreigney Methodist Church (meeting in Ashreigney village Hall), Brayford Methodist Church, Burrington Methodist Church, Chittlehampton Methodist Church, Kings Nympton Methodist Church, North Molton Methodist Church and South Molton Methodist Church. In addition, there is an informal arrangement whereby ministry is shared in St Paul’s Parish Church in Filleigh where there are Methodist members.
## **Risk Management**
The major risks have been identified and recorded by the Circuit Leadership Team with professional advice taken as required.
There is a regular annual review process undertaken and recorded.
Income and Expenditure is being monitored in total and is compared with the approved annual budget on a half yearly basis to detect trends as part of the risk management process to avoid unforeseen calls on reserves.
## **Safeguarding**
Every person has a value and dignity which comes directly from the creation of male and female in God’s own image and likeness. Christians see this potential as fulfilled by God’s re-creation of us in Christ. Among other things this implies a
5
duty to value all people as bearing the image of God and therefore to protect them from harm.
"Methodist Connexional practice outlines commitment to the following principles:
- the care and nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults
• the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults when they are vulnerable
• the establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is informed vigilance as to the dangers of abuse.
• We will carefully select and train all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles, including the use of criminal records disclosures and registration with the relevant vetting and barring schemes.
• We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
• We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in 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 church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• In all these principles we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice"
The South Molton and Ringsash Circuit commits itself to ensuring the implementation of Connexional Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance, and safe practice in the circuit and in the churches.
The South Molton and Ringsash 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 sum equivalent to 4-6 months average expenditure. This should be sufficient to meet any unforeseen item of major expenditure on manses and to be able to continue, in the short term,
6
funding planned activities in the event of any inability to raise the full Circuit Assessment from churches.
DA Peyton 03/05/2022
7
CIRCUIT RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
## THE METHODIST CHURCH STANDARD FORM OF ACCOUNTS
South Molton and Rin sash Methodist
Ctrcurt
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
PI mouth and Exeter District Circuit no 24/22
Registered Charity - Charity Registration number
1168118
If not a registered charity Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Gift Aid number
(The HMRC number is equivalent to a registered charity number in terms of evidence of chartable status and may be used to give to donors or grant funders wishing to see evidence of the organisation's charitable status. Methodist charities in England and Wales that are not registered charities are excepted from registration under Statutory Instrument 2014 No.242 ) Ministers.
Rev S. Innalls
## Circuit Stewards.
Mr M. Short
Mr D. Peyton
Treasurer:
Mr D Pe ton
lot 5
P xls
2015 Circuit R
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||ou|o|
onan
ngsas|
onan
ngsas|
onan
ngsas|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|ACCOUNTS
FOR
THE||
YEAR|||||
ENDED||||||||
31|||
AUGUST||||
2021|||||||||Mothodist||||Circuit||||
|||||||||||||||||||||||||Circuit|||||||||||||||
|SECTION
A|||||||||||||||||||||rogtrictod
Modol
Trust
Funds
Fund||||||||Rostrictod
Funds||||Totals
this
yoar||Totals
last
year||||
|RECEIPTS|||||||||||||||||||Noto||||||||||||||||||||
|Assessment/Share|||||||||||||||||||||||90||||||||||90
118||94|
B
57|||
|Ca
Mtal
rece
ts||||||||||||||||||||||||8||
405|||||||8,405||122
743||||
|a4
Bank
and
CFB
Interest||||
and|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|Investment
Income|||||||||||||||||||||||36|||827|||||||862||2
172||||
|as
Grants|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||,626||1
626||1
763||||
|a6
Other
receipts|||||||||||||||||||||||26,226||||||||||26,226||20
302||||
|a7
TOTAL
RECEIPTS||||||||||||||||||||||116,379||9,232|||||||1,626||127,237|(a8)|241,837||||
|SECTION
B|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|PAYMENTS|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|Stipends,
salanes,
b2
travel
costs||NIC,||||Pension|||||||
and||||||||||38,129||||||||||38,129||37,235||||
|b3
Manse
Costs|||||||||||||||||||||||19,598||||||||||19,598||19612||||
|b4
Administration
etc|||||||||||||||||||||||6,959|13,089|||||||||20,048||40||
404||
|`b5`
Dtstnct
Assessment|||||||||||||||||||||||22,579||||||||||22,579||28.130||||
|Grants
&
donations|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||1||
500||
|b7
Youth
ad)|||||||||||||||||||||||,200||||||||||1
,200||4.509||||
|b8
Other
payments|||||||||||||||||||||||15,103|||||||15,393|||30,496||26||
023||
|b9
TOTAL
PAYMENTS|||||||||||||||||||||||103,568|13,089||||||15,393|||132,050|
(b9)|157,413||||
|SECTION
C|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|NET
RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS
FOR|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|cl
THE
YEAR|||||||||||||||||||(a7-b9)||||12,811||3,857|||||13,767|||4,813)||84,424||||
|c2
Total
funds
brou||ht
forward
from|||||||||||||
last||||ear||||57,314|261|||,781|||18,677|||337,772|
c6|253,348||||
|c4
Transfers
and
ad||
ustments|||||||||||||||||||||35,000|35,000)|||||||||||||||
|c5
TOTAL
FUNDS
AT|||
END|||||
OF||
YEAR|||||||||(c3+C4)||||105,125|222,924|||||||4,910||332,959|(c8)|337,772|||(c6)|
|SECTION
D|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|FOR
INFORMATION
ONLY:|||||||||||
MONEY
RECEIVED
AND
PASSED||||||||||||||
ON|||
TO||EXTERNAL|||
ORGANISATIONS||||||
|d
these
amounts||should||||||not|||
be|||
included|||||||in
total||
recei
ts/payments||||||
above)||||||||||
|dl
Balance
brou
ht|
forward
from
last|||||||||||||||
ear|||||||||||||||||||||||
|d2
Offerin
s/Gifts
-||received|||||||
for
external
or|||||||||||anisauons|||||||||||||||||||
|d3
Offenngs/Glfts
-
passed|||||||to
external||||||||||organisations||||||||||||||||||||||
|BALANCE
STILL
TO|||||
BE||||
PAID|||||dl|||
+d2|||
-|
d3||||||||||||||||||
## ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
20ts
2015 Circuit R and P
ou o n an ngsas
Mothodist
## OF
## ACCOUNTS
## ORGAN'SAVON
JO CIRCUIT
SECTION E Please follow the Guidance Notes to com lete this a e Summary of the Circuit accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021 and Intemal Organisattons reporting to the Circuit Meeting Note that the funds of an Internal Organvsatton would normally be Restncted funds unless it could be clearly shown that they could be used for any Methodist purpose This section must be completed to arnve at the gross receipts and payments totals ot the Circuit. If gross income exceeds the Accruals threshold of €250.000, then the Accruals method of accounting AND A DIFFERENT FORM must be used to report the accounts (see Methodjst website) Please refer to the guidance notes regarding transfers between the Circuit and connected Circuit Organisatvons.
||INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS|INTERNAL
ORGANISATIONS||||||Receipts|Receipts|Receipts|Receipts||||Payments|Net
Receipts/
Payments|Net
Receipts/
Payments|Net
Receipts/
Payments|Net
Receipts/
Payments|Adjustments|Opening
balances|||c|batances|batances||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Youth|||||||11||067|||||19,855|||8,788|||9.522||||734|||
||Choir||||||||||||||||||||2,555||||2.555|||
||Sub
total
ot
Intemal|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||Orgamsauons
funds||||||||11
,067||||||19.855|||(8.788)|||12,077|
(ell)|||3,289
(e12)|||
||Circuit
accounts
(totals|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||brought
forward
from|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|e9|
page
2
-
totals
column)|||||||127,237||||||
(a8)|`132,050`
`(b9)`|(4,813)|||||337,772|(c6)|||332,959|||
|elO
HELD
BY
CIRCUIT||||||||138,304|||||||151,905||(13,601)||||349,849|(x)|||336,248||
(y)|
||Conbnue
on
a
separate|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||sheet
If
necessary
and
bring||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||the
totals
forward||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||SECTION
F||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||STATEMENT
OF
ASSETS|||AND||
LIABILITIES||||||||||||||OPENING||||CLOSING|||
|||CIRCUIT
-CASH
FUNDS
HELD|||||
at
31||
Au|||ust|
2021||||||||BALANCES||||BALANCES|||
|||Cash
in
hand||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||Bank
Current
Account|||||||||||||||||||39,715||||45,462|||
|||Bank
Depostt
Account|||||||||||||||||||19.354||||5,616|||
|€4||Central
Finance
Board|||||||||||||||||||16,922||||58.956|||
|||Trustees
for
Methodist
Church||||
Purposes|||||||||||||||261781||||222.925|||
|f6||Other
funds||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|||SUB
TOTAL|||||||||||||||||||337,772|(c6)|||332,959|||
|||Total
funds
held
by
Internal
balance
totals
above)
(el
2)|||
Organisations||||||(the||closing||||||||12,077
(ell)||||3.289|||
|||TOTAL
CASH
FUNDS
HELD
BY||||||
CIRCUIT|||||||||||||349,849||||336,248|||
|||SECTION
G|||||||||||||||||||At||||At|||
|||OTHER
ASSETS
and
LIABILITIES|||||||||||||||||||1
September
2020||||2021|||
|||investments
(Include
Endovnents||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|"||Land
and
Buddin
s
(see|notes|||
re||Insurance||||
value|||||||||296.503||||1.296.503|||
|||Otner
Assets||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|4||Loan(s
•
show
arnqont
outs||||||at|ar|||
end||||||||||||||||
|3||Other||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- f/ Inc:iude only funds held at the Central Finance Board
15 Inaude onhy CC B funds hdd at Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
91 Include ony oth« investments (not th0 cash element ot T MCP trust accounts thiO i' inserted in Iino tS)
2015 Crun R ana P..ss
Name of Circuit .. south Molton and Ringsash Methodist . No 168118
## Declarations and Scrutiny
I confirm that these Receipt and Payment based accounts for the year to 31 August 2021 have been prepared from the records of the Circuit and that they include all funds under the control of the Circuit meettnq
Signature of treasurer
Name and address of treasurer
Date 70
252-Post Code
## Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confirm that the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021
presented to the Circuit meeting held on
Signature of the Chair of the meeting Name of the Chair of the meeting Lév Date (031b
## Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
## South Molton and Ringsash Methodist Circuit
Charity Number 1168118
## Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 set out on pages J. to As the Circuit's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act,
delete or Circle as appropriate
2015 Circu,t R and P xls
Name of Circuit ... South Molton and Ringsash Methodist. No. 4168118
## 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 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 concerns and have come across no other matters in connection With the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
See/have not* obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes or held in other trusts, bank balances and funds at the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church which are individually in excess of E 10,000 (ten thousand pounds) at the balance sheet date
Signature of independent examiner Name of independent examiner Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner
Name of firm (where appropriate) /. 0 y. j. STAG-ST Address 47 ST&PZ-c Post Code Date )022..,-
delete or circle as appropriate
201b R and P
Name of Circuit . South Molton and Riiigsash Melhodi•l No 1188118
Declarations and Scrutiny
I confimi thal these Receipi and Pèymenl based gccounli for tho year lo 31 Augusl 2021 h•v• bwi
prepared from the records of Ihe Circuil and Ihal they Include all funds under tho control ol lh8 Cifcu
meetino
Signature ol treasurer ... .....
Date
Name and address of taSUr
Post Code.
Presentation to the Circuit meeting
I confimi that the annual report and accounls for the year ended 31 August 2021 werelwA
presented lo the Circuit meeting held on .
2/63./2D2z
Signature of the Chair of the meeting
Name of the Chair of the meeting
Date
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the
South Molton and Ringsash Methodist Circuit
Chartty Number 1168118
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the
Circuit for the year ended 31 August 2021 sel out on pages l.. to
As the Circuit's Iruslees. you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements ol the Charrtws
Acl 2011 I'the Act'i.
I report In respect of my examination of the Circuit's accounts carried out undèr saclion 145 01 lh• Act
and. In carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicabl• Directions gih*n by the Chaiity
Commission under 6edion 14515)Ibl ol the Act.
delets or circle as appropriate
201S
4olb
Name of Circuit South Mollon and Ringsa8h Melhodisl No 1188118
Indepondont Examln•r'• Stat•m•nt
I havè compleled my examinalion I confirm Ihal no material mattery have corn• lo rni attention In
connection wlh the examination
) which give me cause to beIve
th81 In, any material respecl
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with geclion 130 01 the Act. or
Ihe accounls do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concems and h8ve rne across no other matters In connection wth the examination to
*hich attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding ol the
accounts lo be reached.
I I8ve not. obtained independent verification of all investments with the Trustees for Methodtsl
Church Purposes or held in other trusts. bank balances 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
Relevant professional qualification of independent examiner
Name of firm (where appropriate)
Address
Post Code
Date
delete or circle as appropriate
2016 CItOA R WKI P
bulo