Bangor Parish Church
Annual report and financial statements For the year ended 31[st] December 2024
Charities Number: NIC 102615
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024
Contents References and administrative details ..................................................................................... 3 Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 .......................................... 4 Independent Examiners report…………………………………………………………………….…8 Statement of Financial Activities .............................................................................................. 9 Balance Sheet ....................................................................................................................... 10 Accounts ................................................................................................................................ 11 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 ............................ 18
2
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 David Roycraft Church Treasurer: Gary Warke Church Warden- Clergy: Felicity Atwell Church Warden - People: Liz McAuley Vestry Member Sharon Clarke Glebe Warden Justin McAuley Glebe Warden Ian Thompson Vestry Member Terry McKee Vestry Member David Thompson Vestry Member Alasdair Pears Vestry Member John Neill Vestry Member Liz Baird Vestry Member Karen McConnell Vestry Member Peter 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
3
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2024
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Bangor Parish Church for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.
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. 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 Group Communities, which involve 120 people meeting during the week. We host regular indoor refreshments, which encourages
4
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. 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 and hospitality, as well as our social action ministry, Harbour. 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, Social Supermarket 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.
5
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 2024 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
6
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.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
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
-
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:
-
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s examiner is unaware; and
-
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: 10[th] June
2025
7
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 2024 which are set out on pages 9 to 22.
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:-
-
examine the financial statements under section 65 of the Charities Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission 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:
-
That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act;
-
That the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records;
-
That the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act;
-
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.
RICHARD C SHIELDS MA, FCA
ADRIAN HALL & CO
Chartered Accountants and Reporting Accountants
1[st] Foor, 100 Main Street, BANGOR, Co Down, BT20 4AG 18[th] June 2025
8
Statement of Financial Activities Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Statement of Financial Aclivilies For the period from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 nd• nd¥ nds to fun Donation8 a1 kgaues Incl ftcth char)1&4e acimi 330,847 4,187 20.678 1.627 351.525 5.814 9,510 InVeStn 5.206 400 2,930 Totsl inc(Mne 340.241 705 Raiyng furx EXpeIllu on chaiitth aclp&es 147 21,899 4.642 297.166 149 275,267 149 289,256 934 Totsl exwMlitur• Gains I on as 279,911 a046 301,958 294,714 Met iKomt l {exFendrt¥) tran•fef 60,987 491171 Gross transfers bel¥ fvfKIs. 77,000 (63.7841 3.784 (17.1) 80.784 180.784) 63,465 163,4651 G•ns w revalualion. assets, ch9 01 we 60,987 491171 TcAal fund• brought foThffd 714,319 1&154 730,473 681A01 Totsl knnd• Cared fi)rw•rd 791.461 730A73
Balance Sheet Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Balance Sheel detailed Asal 3111212024 aAat 31112r2023 Fixed assels 4010. LaNI aNI 450,OM.00 450,000.1)O T(rtal ed a•xts 45OWJJO 450wlXI Current assetsl 10,479.14 71,526.56 259,814.ZJ 1,700.53 388.15 91,274.35 175,353.80 15,188.03 39).73 5120. ResIal 5125.. Bank xcount 5126. Bel PJW bank xcount 5150. Pety cash Kcount 614.83 574.83 24.12 99.67 TcAal crrt a11 3441.56 282081A1 Llabllilles 6010.. creAI 3,045.92 2,407.66 6110 Lo5 outslar¥*w > 1 y TrAal Liabilitie• 92 2h07.66 Ilet A••et {¢kficitJ 791501.64 730,473.75 Resee$ Excess l (dthi) to da 61,027.89 730,473.75 49,071.7T 681,401.98 Z03'. G{1[e$l Ixed assets 7915)1.64 730h73.75 10
Accounts General Account Bany Parish CIM•rch . 102615 01 JaThMry 2024 01 January 2023 Genqfal . Geral fund IUM•5tsictsd) FuTrd i¥J le0•2• 27.434 Q6 1.032.t 199.812 2A 17.057 50 4.6(Q.lJ 16.9C6 14 SJ.721.41 1.IXI( 34.OS3 L 10.940 90 199.089 $1 1.791.24 11.11071 J2Y.715.77 31a022. 72 b.2>P.02 3.11329 835 &01075 2.045 41 laT.JI a50. 10 e73 Xl 3244 621 12 2.XlO 91 2 QJO.00 329.820.66 319.008.94 5Tr10 2.523 77521 2S2 17 lJt231 26] 81 Sime Fee I29 430&03 5J.1545• 1.3&5.71 4617T 9.446 42 10.242 Xl.078 C¢1 81.8O9.SS 52$3 IAI 2DJ 15 5.702.29 50.057 12 10211 10.848 19,944 n.745 X962. a.iJ2ei 21eCrfJ 7.039 12,342 C 2.511 41 274.45 10.644 t 1.951
From To 01 January 2024 J1 Decwrtw 2024 01 January 2023 31 Decwnber 23 Chureh cleanry Church decoralic Hal and maintenar Hal lJht aThJ p Ham hekn 832.06 329.58 4,488.17 2,662.43 1,339 fA) 382.97 1,754.30 1.408.39 186.$6 9,746.94 109.26 1,405.31 573.82 1,463.11 2,969 29 1,712 00 376.07 1,672.70 1,832.56 wat chan$ I ralts Upkeep of9rndS rarte 9,101.04 Legd fees 5,677.70 Purchase ¥>15h1p and th boLs 4.049.01 2,493.79 1.889. 4,893.XJ 2,484.64 41.50 8,429.04 920.76 6,027.49 1,56242 1,935.13 81.50 2,842 51 3,828.98 Vnit from Sata Team 3,023.83 360.10 Outreach 9,563.44 2,970 68 2,562 30 57.08 272,7.21 249,861.98 149.92 934.16 149 92 934 16 Total eXlture 276,951.54 255,194.Tl 141 163.465 001 538,616.39 538,965. tal(tr(wn) Brought loa 163.784 98) 538.965.56 528,049.70
Restoration Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipis and payments Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From 01 January 2024 To 31 Decem 2024 01 January 2023 31 DeCefflt 2023 RosioraUo- Restorallon Fund (Reslricled) Fund Oth"On5 and *gacies Stand¥wJ ¢xdern 2,810.1)0 702.50 1,220.00 3.512 7,472 50 3.512.50 1,472.50 Transfers I(tr(In} (17,000.¢X)I 15,16795 13,715.45 13
Property Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From 01 January 2024 To 31 Deceffi 2024 01 January 2023 31 Decembef 2023 Property . Property Develowent (Designaled) Fund Inc(xne and en(k)Mnent• Donats"ons and begacs Donalions 3.000.00 9.131.85 9, 131.85 3,(x.{ VAT RelwKI 3.201.00 3,201.1XJ 1,288.58 1.28858 10,420A3 6,201.(Xb 2.960 00 19,206 00 19.2¢A ( 2.W Total expenthture 2,960.LKI 19,206.(KI Brought b Transfen I{frOm> Tijtal carried forward balance 175,353.80 7T.0.00 259,814.23 128.3S3.80 s0.0).00 5.353. 14
Missions Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From 01 January 2024 To 31 Decem 2024 01 January 20TJ 31 December 2023 Mission - Mission Fund (Restricted) Fund Donalmis and legaoes 465.00 7,622.79 4,89153 47162 2,458.75 15,909 69 4.624.10 5,240.00 payments oUgh stripe 1,756.47 11,965.57 11,965.57 15,909.69 Expenditure I5,5.1K1 i5,X?.( 19,375.00 I9,375.? 15,5.() 19,375. lryward balwce Tr 10 $51 3,784 10.24) 3,465 00 15
Pantry and Harbour Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected petiod: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From 01 January 2024 To 31 Deceffi 2024 01 January 2023 31 December 2023 Panty - Panty (Restrfrcledl Fund Donation5 aThJ kgac Donabw 5,2W.00 s,2.c Inc kn Panty 605.00 6,205. Expendilure 5,522.15 J,522.15 5,522.15 Brought Iixwanl bIlte Totsl CWTied ftxw•rd b•l•nce 16
Bells Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected petiod: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From To 01 January 2024 31 Decefflbef 2024 01 January 2023 31 December 2023 Bell _ Bell Ringers (Restricted) Fund 441 44f Total Income and endov 326 441 Exwidilure 263 263 Total expendbthre 326 263 574 574 397 74
Bowls Bangor Parish Church _ NIC 102615 Receipts and payments Selected period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 From 01 January 2024 To 31 Deceirtjw 2024 01 January 2023 31 Decembef 2023 Bowlino _ Bowlino Club Fund (Restrictedl Fund 812 695 812 695 812 Expendilure Ilamiry 147 185 147 185 Totsl expenthth 697 735 ught ftxward bal¢¢ 313 3g¥i 18
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024
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.
19
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: -
-
Church Building
-
Parish Centre
-
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.
20
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.
21
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Scripture Union | 1250 | 1800 |
| DEC Turkey | 4200 | |
| Evangelical Alliance | 300 | 300 |
| Summer Madness | 500 | 500 |
| Storehouse | 1000 | 1000 |
| Hope 365 | 800 | |
| Open Doors | 3000 | 2050 |
| Frontiers | 500 | 500 |
| Tear Fund | 2000 | 5025 |
| S A M S | 5200 | 3200 |
| Bangor CAP | 1750 | |
| 15500 | 19375 |
22