Bangor Parish Church
Annual report and financial statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
Charities Number: NIC 102615
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023
Contents References and administrative details ..................................................................................... 3 Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023 .......................................... 4 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................................................ 10 Balance Sheet ....................................................................................................................... 11 Accounts ................................................................................................................................ 12 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 ............................ 18
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References and administrative details
Charity Name:
Bangor Parish Church
Charity Registration Number: NIC 102615
Contact Address:
The Church Office 1, Castle Street Bangor BT20 4SU
Trustees / Principal Office-bearers
Clergy: Rector Nigel Parker Church Secretary Sharon Clarke Church Treasurer: Gary Warke Church Warden- Clergy: Felicity Atwell Church Warden - People: Terry McKee Vestry Member Mark Speers Glebe Warden Johnny Rowe Glebe Warden Ian Thompson Vestry Member Steven Wilson Vestry Member David Thompson Vestry Member Alasdair Pears Vestry Member John Neill Vestry Member Liz Baird Vestry Member Karen McConnell Vestry Member Paul Clarke Vestry Member Colin McAlister Vestry Member Paul Bryans
Independent Examiner
Richard Shields Adrian Hall & Co Chartered Accountant 100 Main Street Bangor BT20 4AG
Bankers
Danske Bank Donegall Square West Belfast BT1 6JS
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2023
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Bangor Parish Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of Bangor Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of Bangor Parish Church the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole, and offering support for those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, Bangor Parish Church has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of Bangor Parish Church.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
We continue to work for the good of all, with our core values shaping all we do. We have grouped our activities under those five core values, all of which provide numerous benefits to the public:
- Give Your All - We value an attitude of worship, which desires to serve, honour and glorify our Heavenly Father in every aspect of daily life. Giving glory to God is good for us. We cultivate generosity. Prayer, silence and singing are highly beneficial to our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being. Each Sunday of the year, we host two or three services, offering a variety of styles. We seek to promote musical excellence among people of all ages in both organ-led choral music and modern music. This includes weekly training of singers and musicians. In addition, many others of all ages are involved in leading our services through reading, delivering talks, leading prayer, welcoming, providing free refreshments and bellringing. We also provide a service by which people can access a recording of the talk delivered at the Sunday morning service via podcast or telephone service. We conduct funeral services and support bereaved families, as well as conducting marriage services with prior preparation sessions. During Holy Week we join with three other Bangor City centre churches for evening worship services.
2. Join The Family - We value a church community with a deep sense of love, support, and responsibility for one another. We cultivate unity . The lonely find belonging among us. Deep friendships are formed and care given. We host Life Groups, which involve 120 people meeting
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during the week. We host regular indoor refreshments, which encourages socialisation. A pastoral team has kept in touch with those feeling isolated, either in-person or by telephone.
3. Keep On Growing - We value an environment of growth in which disciples of Jesus Christ are striving to become increasingly like their Lord in character, word and action. We cultivate integrity. We actively encourage people to read, (the Bible, from our book library and generally), reflect on spiritual and ethical issues, and prayerfully live according to what is learned. In October, we continued an initiative called Immerse by which we read through the entire bible over the course of three years. People then met to discuss what they had read in a weekly Immerse Book Club. Education of children, young people and adults is central to all we do. The result is good citizenship, as people encourage each other to be thoughtful and kind neighbours.
4. Serve Each Other - We value being equipped to serve fellow members of the church with the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. We cultivate humility. There is a high level of volunteerism within the church. People continue to give generously of their time, money and energy in serving others in the Name of Jesus Christ. Some of the areas of service have already been mentioned, others include grounds maintenance, financial management, property maintenance, flower arranging, indoor bowls, Mothers’ Union, audio-visuals, social action ministries (Harbour) and hospitality. We offer guidance and training in all areas of service, which increases confidence and a sense of fulfilment in the person serving as well as enhancing the experience of those being served.
- Transform Your World - We value the call to reach out to people in need with the love and strength which God supplies. We cultivate authority. We run Harbour in the hall, which includes a Clothes Store, Food Ministry and Coffee Drop-in which provides clothes, food and refreshments free of charge to those in need of them. Christmas Services, both traditional and contemporary, were excellent outreach events as well as celebrations. On Sundays, we continued to collect foodstuffs for North Down Storehouse, which distributes food hampers to those in need in Ards and North Down. We continue to support those in need overseas, including our mission partners in Argentina. We hosted a week-long Holiday Club for children in August.
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Financial Review
Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year end 2023 can be signed off as a going concern
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees
Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry
All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18 and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, may register as members of the general vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for election to the select vestry. Meetings of the general vestry are held at least once a year. The Select Vestry is elected as part of this General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served
Pay and remuneration
The incumbent and curate receive a stipend, office and locomotory allowances in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland.
Organisational Structure
The select vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The select vestry consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish, any curate assistant (“the curate”), the churchwardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Annual General Vestry.
The select vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the parish. Select vestry members are responsible for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how parish funds are to be applied.
The select vestry usually meets on a monthly basis except July and August. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry meet 9 times during the year and the average attendance was 90%.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in the Northern Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have prepared the financial
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statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the United Kingdom (accounting standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK , including Charities SORP (FRS 102) “ Accounting and Reporting by 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) “and promulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the United Kingdom and United Kingdom Law) Under that law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and of the statement of financial activities of the charity for that period.
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In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and identify the standards in question, subject to any material departures being disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Parish will continue as a going concern.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Parish and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provision of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement as to disclosure to our examiner
In so far as the trustees are aware at the timing of approving our trustees’ annual report:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s examiner is unaware; and
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the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s examiner is aware of that information.
Independent Examiner
The examiner, Neil Robinson has retired and Richard Shields of Adrian Hall & Co has been appointed and a resolution concerning his reappointment will be proposed at the Annual Easter Vestry Meeting.
On Behalf of the Trustees Nigel Parker, Incumbent Gary Warke, Treasurer Dated: 28[th] May
2024
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE CHARITY TRUSTEES OF BANGOR PARISH CHURCH
I am reporting on the financial statements of BANGOR PARISH CHURCH for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 9 to 21.
Respective responsibilities of Charity Trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:-
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examine the financial statements under section 65 of the Charities Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission
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for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act; ● state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
I have examined your charity financial statements as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act;
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That the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records;
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That the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act;
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That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
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RICHARD C SHIELDS MA, FCA
ADRIAN HALL & CO
Chartered Accountants and Reporting Accountants 1[st] Foor, 100 Main Street, BANGOR, Co Down, BT20 4AG 30 May 2024
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Balance Sheet Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Balance Sheel detailed Asal 31112M)23 at 31M212022 Fixed assets 4010. Lxrfl •KI 450.000.00 450,000.00 Totsl Fixed aets 45OIKK).00 450W.00 Currenl assels 5110 Cath at ba. trent &c¢x#)t 91,274.35 175.353.80 15,18803 39) 73 88,608.17 128,358.80 13,715.53 313 00 5120 Restora1 bank accounl 5125 Bvknj Ckl) Bank account 5126". Bel RAWS bk e(nI $74.83 397.1S 99.67 T(Aal CuThent a••ets 282WI.41 231,401.98 Llabllrties 6010 SI crethto 6110 Loam outslarthg > 1 year 2,407.66 Z04 Acc(rtvts Payatrle 2A07.66 Ilet A•Mt lthkitj 730h73.75 681,401.98 Reserves Exceys I IdefKrt) to date 49.071.77 681,401.98 5,968.84 675,433.14 730h73.75 681,401.98 Represented by Funds Unrestrthl 538,965 56 175.353.80 16.154.39 538,616 39 128,353.80 14,426.79 730N73.75 68IN01.98
Accounts General Account Bany Parish Church . 102615 selec 01 Januxy 2023 to 31 December 2023 Fro 01 Jarnry 2•23 01 Jxwy 2022 To 31 De¢•thr 2013 31 De¢•thf 2022 GeThefal . General fund luStric1¢d Fund OonJkn JrKI Irox2e% 29.162 1J.I 10510 199.089 11.110 61 C41 •J lax INII 45.1Jfj Glll s,i(K> 1,Ifrf> JIO.D22 20Y 150 3.010 120 2Q s,xo 2,S21 Pffh1t th) al 319.001 273.889 41) sie Fees 46. 370 102 10.829 9.&51 17.140 72.L 10213 10 19514 73,745 6.132 210 6.872
Fro •1 jaary 2021 01 juY 21r22 To 31 De•thr Xi23 31 21112 aTrd pJwEr h2atiTr4 6,147 14,2 12,]42 2,511 1,4t15 57J Chllreh dEanibJ Chllrch dDJyab 731 123 Hal rEp 1,4& 2,571 2,144 I,5 Hal 1,712 J78 RJ 1,571 Cr9E5 I r# Vpkeey ulurcKnE 1TrSLran£E LEoal1tt25 hymn arnd Pllrclwse rwship 2Tr3 9,101 5,d77 U3 2,a42 3,82a 8,(65 GrfL Oikr Gfft Parish ' (tyth P1ri5h .Yruth Parish hAlullS 3,023 4,415 £,56 2,970 tr Softwx 1,11 1,768 a lye¥J 37 ToWE¥rnfjLltttre 24Q.SOI 2S9.$4Q Per oxwrdi CILYW ¥KI IraiTriro 934 34 ?J? 255.194 tjl ITh¢ mi Exttrd'tsxe Orowhl Imrd 10,7 2,617 536,d16 MJ,46 T•t81 carrtt0ert D*8n 13
Restoration Bangor Patlsh Church - NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected pèriod: 01 January 2023 10 31 Decembei 2023 From 01 January 2023 To 31 DeCeffi 2023 01 January 2022 31 Decernber 2022 owtio. Restoration Fund (Restricted) Fund 1,300 325 ft aml tax reco1. (Nll 252 1472 1.625 1,472 1,625 Bmughl Ic#warf balar 13,715 ,18 12,090 14
Property Bangoi Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 From 01 January 20ZJ 01 January 2022 To 31 Decefflber 2023 31 DeCern 2022 Property . Property Develowent (Deswnaled) Fund Oon"ons and gac*s eewests & Legx 20.826 VAT Reknd 3,201 6,063 3.201 6063 6,201 26,890 Expenditure CM4rch repa¥s and maintenanc• 19.206 34,731 13,800 19,206 48,531 19,2 48,531 11 100,000 50,000 Oughl f(yward tsa1¢¢ Tr$kn t¢g(trtyn) 128,358 15
Missions Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 From 01 January 2023 To 31 2023 01 January 2022 31 Decembef 2022 Mission - Mission Fund (Restricted) Fund Donallons and *gacges 4,891 471 payThS tt¥ouO1 strlpe Gift ad tax e0ve. (Nl) Donations kn specik pury>( 126 iJ.999 11,510 15,909 11,510 19,375 16,310 19,375 16,310 19,375 16,310 Translern NfrrAn) 16
Bells Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 From To 01 January 2023 31 2023 01 January 2022 31 Decefflb 2022 Bell _ Bell Rinoers {Reslricled) Fund 441 441 441 Expendilure 263 397
Bowls Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and paymenls Selected peiiod: 01 January 2023 to 31 Decembei 2023 Frorn 01 January 2023 To 31 Decwntw 2023 01 January 2022 31 Decembv 2022 Bowllna - Bowllng Club Fund (Restrlcted) Fund 812 812 812 665 Expenditure 185 11J6 18) 106 735 PAoughl Icrfward bal1 313 18
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by 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).
The Parish meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost and transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
b) Preparation of accounts on a going concern basis
The Parish generally meets its day to day working capital requirements from its annual income. The Trustees 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. Therefore, these financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis
c) Income
Plate Collections, Weekly Envelopes are accounted for on a cash receipts basis as the amount is collected.
Income from government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
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 can be quantified with reasonable certainty. Donations and gifts in kind are brought into the accounts at their fair value to the Parish.
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d) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
e) Tangible assets
The assets of the Parish comprise: -
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Church Building
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Parish Centre
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Glebe House
The Church Building is deemed to be a Heritage asset as defined by the Charities SORP (FRS102).
These Heritage assets are not included on the balance sheet as information on the cost or valuation is not available and such information cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate with the benefit to the users of the accounts and to the parish.
The Parish Centre was built in 1905. There are no reliable records of the cost of this acquisition and valuation approach for such a building lacks sufficient reliability. As a result, this building is not recognised in the parish balance sheet.
The Glebe House is recognised at cost, being the estimated fair value of the property at £450,000. No depreciation has been provided on the glebe house as the current estimated residual value is not less than its carrying value and the remaining useful life currently exceeds 50 years.
f) Investments
Fixed asset investments comprising investment properties, investments in equities and investment in RCB/CIT Unit Trusts are initially recorded at cost and are then subsequently stated at fair value at each balance sheet date. Investments in unquoted investments are recorded at cost and are assessed annually for impairment. Unrealised gains and losses represent the difference between the fair value at the beginning and end of the financial year or, if purchased in the year, the difference between cost and fair value at the end of the year. Realised gains and losses represent the difference between the proceeds on disposal and the fair value at the start of the year or cost if purchased in the year. Both realised and unrealised gains and losses in investments are reported within “Net Gains / (Losses) on Investments” within the Statement of Financial Activities.
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g) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within Creditors Amounts falling due within 1 year.
h) Financial instruments
The Parish only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction price and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
i) Funds
Funds are classified as either restricted funds or unrestricted funds, defined as follows.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific requirements as to their use which may be declared by the donor or with their authority or created through legal processes, but still within the wider objects of the Parish.
Endowment funds are funds which have been given on the condition that the original capital sum is not reduced, but the income there from is used for the purpose defined in accordance with the objects of the Parish.
Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. If parts of the unrestricted funds are earmarked at the discretion of the trustees for a purpose, they are designated as a separate fund. This designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the trustees’ discretion to apply the fund.
2. 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 Trustees 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.
3. Taxation
Bangor Parish Church is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities.
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4. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel
There are no employees in receipt of employee benefits in excess of £60,000
5 . Payments made to Missions
| 5.Payments made to | Missions | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Scripture Union | 1800 | 1250 |
| DEC Turkey |
4200 | |
| DEC Ukraine | 3300 | |
| Evangelical Alliance |
300 | 300 |
| Summer Madness |
500 | 500 |
| Storehouse | 1000 | 1000 |
| Hope 365 | 800 | |
| Salvation Army Christmas | 100 | |
| Open Doors |
2050 | 500 |
| Samaritans Purse | 440 | |
| Frontiers | 500 | 500 |
| Tear Fund | 5025 | 4100 |
| S A M S | 3200 | 2820 |
| Bangor CAP | 1500 | |
| 19375 | 16310 |
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