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2025-12-31-accounts

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Prior year
funds funds funds funds total funds
Note 2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 4 167,309 5,000 - 172,309 240,708
Income from charitable activities 5 23,329 0 - 23,329 15,511
Other trading activities 6 6,370 0 - 6,370 3,205
Investments 7 4,983 2,002 - 6,985 7,269
Other income 8 594 0 - 594 485
Total income 202,585 7,002 - 209,587 267,178
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 9 7,521 - - 7,521 6,379
Expenditure on charitable activities 10 259,470 - - 259,470 191,155
Otherexpenditure 11 1,558 - - 1,558 3,591
Total expenditure 268,549 - - 268,549 201,125
Netincome / (expenditure) resources before
transfer (65,964) 7,002 - (58,962) 66,053
Transfers
Transfers between funds 16 5,000 (5,000) - - -
Netincome / (expenditure) resources before
other recognised gains and losses (60,964) 2,002 - (58,962) 66,053
Other recognised gains / losses
Gains / (losses) on revaluation, fixed assets,
charity'sownuse - 2,610 556 3,166 3,461
Netmovementin funds (60,964) 4,612 556 (55,796) 69,514
Reconciliation offunds:
Total funds broughtforward 16 211,036 498,187 6,332 715,555 646,041
Totalfundscarriedforward 16 150,072 502,799 6,888 659,759 715,555

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2025

==> picture [510 x 344] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Total|funds|Prior|year|funds| |Note|2025|2024| |a| |Fixed|assets| |Tangible|fixed|assets|l4|404,610|404,610| |Investments|15|78,110|74,944| |482,720|479,554| |Current|assets| |Cash|at|bank|and|in|hand|232,533|294,311| |232,533|294,311| |Liabilities| |Creditors:|Amounts|falling|due|in|one|year|17|7,910|4,932| |7,910|4,932| |Net|current|assets|less|current|liabilities|224,623|289,379| |Total|assets|less|current|liabilities|707,343|768,933| |Liabilities| |Creditors:|Amounts|falling|due|after more|than|one|year|17|47,584|53,378| |47,584|53,378| |Total|net|assets|less|liabilities|659,759|715,555| |Represented by|Charity|Funds:| |Endowment|16|6,888|6,332| |Restricted|16|502,799|498,187| |Unrestricted|16|150,072|211,036| |Funds|of the|church|659,759|715,555|

----- End of picture text -----

The notes on pages 11 to 20 are an integral part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Select Vestry on 11" February 2026.

Reverend Sarfj Johnston, Rector

David Peacock Honorary Treasurer

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements

Year ended 31 December 2025

  1. General information

St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber registered as a charity with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 15 May 2024 (under the name ‘Newtownards/Comber/St. Mary/Down & Dromore/Church of Ireland’). Its principal place of business is The Square, Comber, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 SDU. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are the advancement of religion.

  1. Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation or uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

  2. a. Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 in accordance with the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK. and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis, which recognises transactions and events only when cash is received or paid.

The Select Vestry, as the Trustee body of St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber, has reviewed cashflow forecasts for the coming year and are satisfied that the Parish has resources to provide a reasonable expectation that it can continue to meet its financial obligations as they fall due for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, these financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Legacies are included within Income under either unrestricted or restricted funds according to the terms under which the donation is made and when the amount has been received. ‘

The Church Building and Graveyard are deemed to be Heritage assets as defined by the Charities SORP (FRS 102). These heritage assets are not included on the balance sheet as information on the cost or valuation is not available and

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

such information cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate with the benefit to the users of the accounts and to the parish.

The parochial hall, youth hall and Glebe Cottage were built prior to 1970. There are no reliable records of the cost of this construction and, as integral to the Church building and grounds, a valuation approach lacks sufficient reliability. As a result, these buildings are not recognised in the parish balance sheet. (Insurance values reconstruction at £2.52m (2024: £2.52m)).

The rectory is recognised at its original cost of acquisition.

Fixed asset investments comprise holdings in endowment and restricted funds bequeathed to the Parish, where the underlying assets comprise listed unit trusts and equity shares. These are stated at fair value at each year end date.

g. Financial Instruments

The Parish only holds financial assets and financial liabilities that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement amount.

h. Fund Structure

Funds are classified as either restricted funds, endowment funds or unrestricted funds. These classifications are defined as follows:

3. Critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainty

Estimates and judgments made in the process of preparing the financial statements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Select Vestry do not consider that there are any critical judgments made in applying the Parish’s accounting policies or that there are any critical accounting estimates or assumptions which may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

Analysis ofincome Analysis ofincome
4. Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Weekly envelopes /FWO&
collections 116,395 - - 116,395 114,744
Donations 5,231 - - 5,231 86,128
Legacies 6,000 - 6,000 10,000
Gift Aid Tax recovered 39,683 - 39,683 29,836
General grants provided by other
charities 5,000 - 5,000 -
167,309 5,000 - 172,309 240,708
5. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Fundraising 12,691 - - 12,691 10,296
Subscriptions - . . - -
Church hall lettings - charitable object 9,638 . - 9,638 4,965
Graveyard income 1,000 - . 1,000 250
23,329 - - 23,329 15,511
6. Other trading activities
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Rent from land or buildings 2,095 - - 2,095 2,105
Catering 4,275 ° ° 4,275 1,100
6,370 - - 6,370 3,205
7. Investment income
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Bank interest 4,080 686 - 4,766 4,704
Dividends 903 1,316 : 2,219 2,565
4,983 2,002 - 6,985 7,269

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025
8. Other income
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Other 594 . . 594 485
594 - - 594 485
Analysis ofexpenditure
9. Raising funds
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Interest charge on loan 2,941 . . 2,941 3,733
Fund raising costs 4,580 . - 4,580 2,646
7,521 - - 7,521 6,379
10. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Wages and salaries 95,537 - - 95,537 90,111
Diocesan assessment 15,099 - - 15,099 15,461
Organist fee 8,325 - - 8,325 7,875
Repairs& maintenance - General 16,493 - - 16,493 3,698
Repairs & maintenance—Renovation - -
works 19 90,468 90,468 32,502
Rates& water charges 2,024 . - 2,024 1,781
Heat, light& power 9,991 . - 9,991 9,847
Telephone, broadband and IT software 1,929 . - 1,929 2,180
Insurance 5,070 - - 5,070 4,918
Health and safety costs 4,808 . - 4,808 2,719
Car Park security keys 1,146 - - 1,146 -
Professional fees— Renovation Works 19 2,880 - . 2,880 14,238
Charitable donations 18 3,095 - - 3,095 2,124
Printing, postage and stationery 238 - - 238 636
Upkeep ofgrounds and graveyard 628 - . 628 639
Office& Other equipment 217 - . 217 752
Other expenses 1,522 - ~ 1,522 1,674
259,470 - - 259,470 191,155

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

11. Other costs
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Bank fees and charges 380 - - 380 406
Equipment repairs& renewals - ~ . - 1,959
Independent examiner’s report 300 - - 300 300
Payroll administration services 468 - - 468 708
Sundry expenses 410 : - 410 218
1,558 - - 1,558 3,591
  1. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Employees

Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Clergy Stipend and Allowances 48,224 47,499
Clergy pension contributions 5,970 5,853
Staffsalaries 36,079 34,317
Lay salaries —pastoral support services 2,262 -
Staffpension contributions 200 175
Sexton office allowance 200 300
Visiting& reliefclergy 760 518
Social security costs 1,842 1,449
95,537 90,111

The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of a head count, was as follows:

2025 2024
Ministerial staff 1 1
Administration 2
ee oe

There are no employees in receipt of benefits in excess of £60,000.

13. Key Management and Trustees

Key management are deemed to comprise the Trustees and who represent the Select Vestry. No trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber, during the year.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

The Reverend Sam Johnston received the following remuneration as approved by the General Synod and implemented by the Select Vestry of St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber:

Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Stipend 40,444 39,651
Locomotory expenses 7,000 7,000
Expenses allowance 800 800
Pensioncontribution(includinginsureddeathinservicebenefit) 5,970 5,853

The parish did not pay any expenses relating to the running costs of the Rectory occupied by the Rector.

14. Tangible Fixed Assets

Land &
Buildings Total
£ £
Cost
At 1 January 2025 404,610 404,610
Additions - -
Disposals - -
At 31 December 2025 404,610 404,610
Fixed Asset Investments
Fund to Current Current
which the value value
asset
Details belongs 2025 2024
£ £
Units held in the Northern Ireland Central Investment
Fund for Charities (managed fund) Investment 6,888 6,332
Gwen
Gracey
Johnston
Memorial
Investmentportfolio(managed fund) Trust 71,222 68,612
78,110 74,944
  1. Fixed Asset Investments

The Department for Communities hold units in the Northern Ireland Central Investment Fund for Charities as trustee for four, historic, donations/bequests under which dividends thereon are paid to St Mary’s Parish Church for disbursement by Select Vestry to local charitable causes. St Mary’s Parish Church is not entitled to seek the capital from these donations/bequests.

The investment portfolio represents the capital account of the Gwen Gracey Johnston Memorial Trust and comprises holdings in listed bonds and equities that are managed by an independent specialist service provider. St Mary’s Parish Church is entitled to seek the capital from this bequest, in accordance with the objectives of the Trust Deed.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

16. Funds of the Parish

Funds of thethe Parish
Gains
At Jan Incoming Outgoing and
2025 resources resources Transfers Losses 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £
Endowment funds
Investment fund 6,332 - - 556 6,888
6,332 - - - 556 6,888
Restricted funds
Gwen GraceyJohnston
Memorial TrustFund - capital 68,612 - - - 2,610 71,222
Gwen Gracey Johnston
Memorial TrustFund - income 10,781 1,806 - - - 12,587
Gwen Gracey Johnston
Memorial TrustFund 79,393 1,806 - - 2,610 83,809
Development Fund - 5,000 (5,000)
Mona Grey Legacy Fund 13,911 192 - - - 14,103
RectoryFund 404,610 - - - - 404,610
Youth Fund 273 4 - - - 277
498,187 7,002 - (5,000) 2,610 502,799
Unrestricted funds
General Fund 72,723 159,393 (170,922) 15,444 - 76,638
Designated funds:
DevelopmentFund 136,911 41,646 (94,465) (11,845) - 72,247
Charities Fund 1,147 1,546 (3,132) 1,401 - 962
Rector’s Discretionary Fund 255 - (30) - - 225
211,036 202,585 (268,549) 5,000 150,072
Totalfunds 715,555 209,587 (268,549) - 3,166 659,759

Purpose of restricted funds Mona Grey Legacy Fund For the benefit of the youth in the Church and to promote youth work, through worship Gwen Gracey Johnston Memorial To further the ministry in the parish

Gwen Gracey Johnston Memorial To further the ministry in the parish Trust Fund Rectory Fund To fund the purchase of a new rectory Youth Fund For youth related projects in the Parish

Purpose of unrestricted, including designated, funds General Fund For the Development Fund For any

For the day to day running of the Church

For any major renovation or repairs necessary for the upkeep of the Church and property

Charities Fund

For the segregation of charity collections pending disbursement to the relevant charitable body

Rector’s Discretionary Fund The Rector’s discretionary fund (previously known as the Parish Emergency Fund) is available to provide support / immediate help to parishioners

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

17. Creditors

2025 2025 2024
£ £
Amounts falling due in one year:
Refundable deposits for security keys issued to access the church’s
private car parking facilities 2,450 -
Bank loan (note) 5,460 4,932
7,910 4,932
Amounts falling due aftermore than one year:
Bank loan (note) 47,584 53,378
55,494 58,310
On 19November2008 StMary’s Parish Church, Comber raised a bank loan of£250,000 to partfund themajor
building works comprising the South Transept. Repayments commenced on 31 December 2008 and will continue
until 30 November 2033. The loan is unsecured and carries interest at 1% over base rate.
The bank loan is recorded within the parish’s DevelopmentFund.
Collections for Third Parties
2025 2024
£ £
‘Our Daily Bread’ Ministry 274 -
Leprosy Mission 373 694
TheNET, Comber 560 489
St John's Ambulance - 180
McDermott Cancer Unit, Ulster
Hospital - 311
Royal British Legion 240 -
Bishop’s Appeal (Maridt) 1,400 450
Bishop’sMinistryFund 248 -

On 19 November 2008 St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber raised a bank loan of £250,000 to part fund the major building works comprising the South Transept. Repayments commenced on 31 December 2008 and will continue until 30 November 2033. The loan is unsecured and carries interest at 1% over base rate.

The bank loan is recorded within the parish’s Development Fund.

18. Collections for Third Parties

The collections for third parties were lodged to the Charities Fund and disbursed on approval by the Select Vestry.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

19. Renovation Works

The following expenditure has been incurred to date on Renovation Works for the Bell Tower repair scheme, including architectural and other professional services:

2025 2024 2023
Nature ofthe expenditure incurred: £ £ £
Professional fees:
e Specialist architectural services:
-
Condition Report for the Bell Tower
5,622
-
Listed Building Consent from the Historic Environment
Division for the repair scheme to the Bell Tower 900
-
Technical specification document for the Bell Tower repair
scheme and tender process 12,758 -
-
Site visits, inspections, and certification that the standard of
remedial work meets the Specification for Repairs 2,880 - -
e Contract documentation (JCT Minor Works) for the Bell Tower
repair scheme 400 -
e Technical support on grant application work 1,080 2,520
2,880 14,238 9,042
Repair Scheme Labour& Materials:
e Erection ofsafety netting around the Bell Tower 2,976 -
e Labour& materials 66,320 13,707 -
e Refurbishment ofthe louvrewindows 1,600 814 -
e Fencing and barriers aroundwork site 2,175 167 -
e Erection and maintenance ofscaffolding 7,260 14,400 -
e Restoration ofClock face & hands 3,870 -
e Lead work to Cornice 5,460 -
e Lightning protection 3,293 -
e Secondary Bell Support 95 -
e Refurbish circular window frame 395 -
e Electrical safety work 215 -
e Health & Safety signage 223 -
90,468 32,502 -
93,348 46,740 9,042
Funded by:
e Benefact Trust grant award - 4,250 -
e National Churches Trust grant award 5,000 - -
e Own resources (from donations and fundraising initiatives) 88,348 42,490 9,042
93,348 46,740 9,042

The claim against the Representative Church Body’s ‘Fabric & Development Fund’ award of a grant towards the costs of the Repair Scheme will be made on completion of the project in 2026.

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St. Mary’s Parish Church, Comber Charity Number: NIC 102535

Notes to the financial statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2025

  1. Taxation

St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities.

  1. Retirement benefit schemes

St Mary’s Parish Church, Comber operates a defined contribution scheme, the Church of Ireland Clergy Pension Fund, for the Rector and other qualifying staff are enrolled into the government’s National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) workplace pension scheme. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the parish in independently administered funds.

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