All of you are Christ's body and each one is part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
| Text size: +/-Announcements
Recent Announcements
Land Registry
[August 2010]
The project of logging the registered Title Information Document has progressed and presently there are 19 Districts already registered and 5 Districts in the process. TMCP are ensuring that as many Methodist Model Trust properties as is possible are registered. A considerable number of individual Circuits have also approached TMCP and asked to be registered in advance of being invited to do so under the District arrangements. We have agreed to this in every case.
TMCP have prepared a very helpful “Fact Sheet” explaining the registration procedure and answering several frequently asked questions. The “Fact Sheet” has been sent to all Managing Trustees and Solicitors who enquire about the project.
Based on the progress so far, we anticipate that the majority of the project will have been completed by the end of 2010. It was recognised that the deadline for the collection of deeds for first registration of Methodist properties is the 31st August 2010. However, with the success and progress of the scheme, the Land Registry have extended the date for dealing with any requisitions or issues raised with the registrations until the end of the financial year, March 2011. This will ensure that as many Methodist Model Trust properties as is possible are registered correctly.
Model Trust Funds / Annual Statements
[August 2010]
Following on from the success of last year’s mailing (92% were successfully sent by email) all statements will be sent in future this way, although we understand there will be some exceptions. As last year a dedicated team has been appointed to see the process through to the end including handling feedback.
For those of you who are fixing meetings in September, if all runs smoothly, the annual statements should be with you by the 14th September 2010. We work very hard each year to close our ledgers and produce the figures as quickly as possible after the end of the Connexional Year but we have to wait for reports and valuations from other parties who are closing their year ends and this impacts on how soon TMCP can start the mailing process.
District Consent – TMCP working alongside the Connexion
[August 2010]
As you are probably aware the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes (TMCP) is a body of Trustees established by the Methodist Church Act 1939 and the Methodist Church Act 1976 to be the legal owner of all Methodist “Model Trust” property in Great Britain.
TMCP does not get involved in the daily management of properties such as manses or chapels and does not comment on policy decisions as this is not within TMCP’s remit. However it does have a duty to ensure that Managing Trustees have acted in compliance with Charity, Trust and Methodist Church law.
During the development and rollout of the Consents Process, TMCP has been involved in regular discussions with our colleagues in the Resourcing Mission Office in Manchester, the Connexional Team and representatives from around the Connexion. The TMCP team has also been invited to be party to a number of working groups to discuss issues arising. TMCP is extremely grateful that it has been included to this extent, however it recognises the continuing need to help Managing Trustees through any of the key processes which involve the finance and legal sections of TMCP. TMCP shall be reviewing its in-house systems to establish ways in which it can work in partnership with all parties to help with the smooth running of any of our processes.
TMCP at Methodist Conference 2010
[Friday 25th June 2010]
TMCP Legal Team Update
[Wednesday 2nd June 2010]
We are currently undergoing a regrading and restructuring exercise within our legal section primarily driven by changes necessitated as a result of the Solicitors Regulation Authority requirements.
In addition to that, we are reassessing our requirements within the legal section pro tem.
During the first stage of this process, we have regraded both Kate Cocking and Helen Veitch (Helen Veitch appointed on a fixed term contract to 31st August 2011). Kate and Helen are both qualified Solicitors and the regrading reflects this.
We would like to congratulate Kate and Helen on their achievement.
Emailing Statements
[Friday 11th September 2009]
The annual statements for the Connexional year ending 31st August 2009, have now been emailed to all Superintendents, or nominated representatives. Please can all church treasurers note that your Superintendent Minister will be forwarding these statements on to you in due course.
The statements have been sent, as last year, by PDF file. If you are unable to open the PDF file to access the emailed statements, you will need to download and install the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is available free from www.adobe.com.
Thank you for your continuing assistance in this process, we do appreciate your involvement.
Previous Announcements
Previous Announcements have included:
New Staff,
The Death of Neville Johnson,
TMCP Christmas Cards,
Effect of Present Credit Crisis,
Added Value - Land Registry,
Approvals and Consents,
Emailing Statements for Year Ending 31st August 2008,
Capital Endowments,
Data Protection Act
New Staff
[Monday 8th June 2009]
As an interim measure following the sad death of our Chief Legal Officer, Neville Johnson, we are introducing one or two additional legal specialists. We hope, over the course of the next few months, to redefine the shape of the future legal team.
TMCP are pleased therefore to welcome Jatinder Kandola who is a qualified solicitor with 5 years post qualification experience. She studied at the University of Sheffield where she gained her Law Degree and completed the Legal Practice course. She then completed her training contract with Eversheds LLP in Newcastle upon Tyne and specialises in commercial property law.
Jatinder was born and raised in the North East of England where her family still live. She enjoys reading fictional novels and has recently taken up photography as a hobby.
Jatinder will primarily be responsible for several areas of legal work including leases of church property. We are pleased to have Jatinder in the team and very much look forward to working with her.
The Death of Neville Johnson
[Monday 30th March 2009]
It is with tremendous sadness that we are writing to inform you that Neville Johnson, our Chief Legal Officer, has passed away.
Neville was a wonderful colleague and worked tirelessly for TMCP and on behalf of the Connexion for over 20 years. He died of pancreatic cancer after a very swift period of illness and he will be dearly missed.
The family have asked for donations rather than flowers but have yet to decide on the charities to which donations can be made.
With kindest regards Anne
Anne Hughes-Holmes – Chief Executive
On behalf of the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
TMCP Christmas Cards
[Wednesday 17th December 2008]
This year instead of sending Christmas cards, TMCP is making a donation to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice. We wish all a very blessed and peaceful Christmas season.
Effect of Present Credit Crisis
[Thursday 20th November 2008]
We have spoken to Bill Seddon, the Chief Executive of the Central Finance Board (CFB) about the current financial crisis and his response has been as reassuring as possible in the circumstances.
As we all know, there is never certainty in financial markets. CFB operates codes of practice which ensures that funds are conservatively managed with good oversight by Executives. Council members meet every month (apart from August), and as significant members of the community they oversee overall operations. In addition to this there is a daily internal review.
Equity Funds are as well diversified as possible, investment is primarily in traditional funds, with specifically no hedge funds.
The performance of equitable funds are closely in line with the market as a whole, hopefully a little better.
CFB have the same approach to bond portfolios and they manage a particularly conservative portfolio in triple and double A bonds. In respect of desposits, again the portfolio is well diversified.
However, the current climate does show the vacillating nature of investments and indeed the market place. At present all that the management of CFB can provide is the reassurance that they have the internal systems in place to ensure constant monitoring of the situation and conservative investment management. They are always happy to speak to individuals directly about any concerns they may have.
Added Value - Land Registry
[Thursday 20th November 2008]
Following completion of a pilot scheme TMCP is now in discussion with both the Land Registry and the Districts to consider the most appropriate timeline for rolling out the registration process, in order that the administrative burden is not too great. TMCP is mindful of other pressures such as charity registration, and we will work with the Districts to ensure the process puts as little strain on trustees as possible.
We are striving to ensure that wherever possible TMCP communicates any relevant and useful information across the Connexion. We are currently looking at the best way of cascading information and developments will take place following further talks with our colleagues within the Connexional Team.
Approvals and Consents
[Thursday 20th November 2008]
Under the current ‘Approvals’ scheme
TMCP performs its work in collaboration with the Methodist Council, through close liaison with the Connexional Team, which under Standing Orders gives approval for transactions, including sales, purchases and leases.
In future, under the ‘Consents’ scheme
Over the next year, the rolling out of the ‘Consents System’ will result in Districts providing consent to schemes rather than approval being given by the Methodist Council.
The web-based system will have triggers built into it to ensure that, where necessary, managing trustees are reminded that in some circumstances it would be good practice to refer to either TMCP or specialist Connexional officers. In some instances referral will be mandatory. TMCP is working with the Connexion to ensure that full guidance notes are available to assist managing trustees and their advisers. In addition, we are assisting with the initial development and testing of the system to ensure that the end product meets all needs. In order that we perform our full role as custodian trustee, it is important that, although the process is simplified, certain key stages remain in place.
Despite changes in systems, there will still be the need for close working links, on a day to day basis, with Connexional staff. We value greatly our relationship with our colleagues both here in Central Buildings, Manchester and in Methodist Church House, London.
Emailing Statements
[Friday 12th September 2008]
The annual statements for the Connexional year ending 31st August 2008, have now been successfully emailed to all Superintendents, or nominated representatives.
Each year we are inundated with queries from treasurers who need to know when they will receive their statements. In order that they may perform their duties, we would ask that the statements are passed onto them as soon as possible.
It is our aim, in due course, to provide remote computer access to statements and this is something we are working on with the target to deliver by 2010.
Capital Endowments
TMCP is working to help release capital from permanent endowments. The Charities Act 2006 has made many amendments to the 1993 Act.
For endowments where annual income does not exceed £50, and for 99% of endowments where annual income is less than £1,000, capital may be released without formal application to the Charity Commission.
For endowments with an annual income which exceeds £1,000, it will be necessary in all cases to make a formal application to the Charity Commission.
In all, TMCP could potentially help unlock £16 million. Please do not hesitate to contact our legal section if you have any queries on this matter. They will be happy to help.
Data Protection Act 1998
Action by the Board has saved the Church £230,000!!
The Board was able to reach agreement with the Information Commissioner that notification by the Board annually could cover all Churches, Circuits and Districts whose information processing and records fell within the scope of the Board's notification. The booklet Managing Trustees and the Data Protection Act 1998 was forwarded to all Ministers setting out the scope of the Board's notification. As from October 2001 manual records were included within the scope of the Data Protection Act.
The Board's one notification and agreement with the Commissioner saves each Church, Circuit and District from applying separately and saves the worthwhile sum of about £230,000.
The previous scheme has been discontinued and no registration fee is now payable to the Board. The Board will continue to monitor the scheme and a revised booklet is in preparation to assist Churches with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
