Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

59. Memorials to the Conference
papers MC/11/20 and MC/11/45 which
considered the significant impact that
any wider interpretation of replacements
projects would have on the Connexional
Priority Fund (CPF).
The Conference of 2011 accepted
memorials M24 and M25, the
consequence of which was to change
the interpretation of Standing Order 973
to allow for the proceeds of multiple
dispositions to be included in a single
replacement project without attracting
the CPF Levy. The effect of the new
interpretation on the CPF has yet to be
ascertained given that the new guidelines
issued by the Connexional Grants
Committee only applied from 1 September
2011.
The Conference reminds the Circuit that
the CPF does not only contribute to the
Pension Reserve Fund, but money raised
from the CPF levy is also redistributed
annually to District Advance Funds for
the support of mission and ministry, for
major connexional programmes, and for
grants provided by the Connexional Grants
Committee.
Given the concerns raised in paper
MC/11/45 on a widening of the
interpretation of Standing Order 973,
and the actual effect on the CPF still
being unknown, the Conference does
not consider it appropriate to extend
the definition of replacement project
under Standing Order 973 to include the
application of proceeds of sale for any new
mission project. The Conference therefore
declines the memorial.
M18 District levy on funds allocated for
replacement schemes
The North East Somerset and Bath
(7/13) Circuit Meeting (Present: 53.
Voting: unanimous) requests that the
Conference exempts moneys held in a
Circuit Advance Fund from the proceeds
of sale where a replacement scheme has
been agreed or is planned, from the annual
levy on such Advance Funds, enabling the
planning of such replacement schemes
to be undertaken with more certainty and
reducing administrative burdens at Circuit
and District level.
Reply
The Conference thanks the North East
Somerset and Bath Circuit Meeting for this
memorial. It notes that Standing Order
955(6)(b) already provides an exemption
from this levy to District Advance Funds for
“money raised by any appeal specifically
for the acquisition of land or erection or
alteration of any building”. However, it
accepts that any proceeds from property
sales that are to be designated as
replacement projects would not qualify for
this exemption and refers the matter to the
Law and Polity Committee to be reviewed
for report back to the Conference of 2013.
M19 Funding for VentureFX
The Newcastle upon Tyne District Synod
(R) (Present: 157. Voting: 92 for, 39
against) gives thanks to God for new and
encouraging signs being seen through
hundreds of grass root fresh expressions
and the early stages of the 13 VentureFX
projects within the Methodist Church. The
782 Conference Agenda 2012