Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
which are broader than those of the
Discipleship and Ministries Learning
Network. From a financial perspective,
these subsidiary activities incur
costs and generate income for the
centres, and both currently present
broadly balanced budgets for these
non-Methodist funded activities. The
recommended expenditure outlined
above does not therefore anticipate
any subsidy from the Network’s funds
towards these subsidiary activities,
nor do the recommended funding
streams include a contribution from
these subsidiary activities towards
the Network’s costs. As overarching
medium-term operational and
financial strategies are developed for
the activities of both centres by the
Network’s governance structure, the
financial relationship between the
contribution made by these subsidiary
activities and the Network’s core
activities will necessarily be explored,
especially, for example, within the
context of the development of a
consolidated premises-management
strategy. However care will be taken
to ensure that the Network’s funds
do not, directly or indirectly, subsidise
subsidiary activities.
273 Both centres are currently supported
by generous donations from former
students and other supporters. The
governance structure of the Network
will wish to take care to ensure that
both centres are able to continue to
elicit the support of former students
and friends, and that supporters can
continue to see the impact which
their contribution can make to the
development and improvement of
cherished premises and activities. As
with other trusts and restricted funds
in its care, the Network’s governance
structure will ensure that the
intentions of supporters and donors
are respected.
Transitional and implementation
expenditure
274 An allocation of £300k towards
anticipated transitional costs during
2012/2013 is included within the
Connexional Central Services Budget
presented elsewhere in the Agenda.
In addition to Connexional Team
supporting staff costs, the Committee
anticipates further transitional and
implementation costs of £825k
spread over the 2013/2014 and
2014/2015 connexional years. It is
a key priority to ensure that those
currently following pathways, for
example as student ministers, can
complete those pathways during a
time of transition and change with
confidence and security, and with
full levels of support. It is also, as
noted above, a priority to ensure
that careful processes can be put
in place and supported for those
who hold posts which may be
affected by the implementation of
the recommendations. Furthermore,
it will be important to ensure that
partnerships and associations which
will cease during the implementation
of various recommendations
can be brought to an end in an
ordered and considerate manner.
These considerations lie behind
758 Conference Agenda 2012