2023-12-31-annual-report

The Church of Ireland Greyabbey & Kircubbin Parish.

End of Year Financial Statements

Year ending 31/12/2023

Charity No: NIC102617

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Charity Name: Newtownards / Greyabbey & Kircubbin with Ballyphilip & Ardquin/ St Saviours Greyabbey, Holytrinity Kircubbin Down & Dromore, Church of Ireland.

Charity No: NIC 102617

Contact Address Mrs Wendy Young 26 Cooks Cove Newtownards BT22 2ST Trustees Amanda Blackmore Jillian Martin Dennis Brooks Noel Cornick Robin Holliday David McIlhatton Barry Armstrong Edna Doyle William Montgomery Joyce Willis Rev Cannon Gill Withers George Young Glenn Fisher

Principal Office Bearers Clergy Rev Cannon G Withers Parish Secretary Wendy Young Parish Treasurer Glenn Fisher Church Warden Clergy H.T. George Young S.S. Dennis Brooks Church Warden People Vacant S.S. Joyce Willis Independent Examiner Kathy Carlile Newtownards BT22 2SE Bankers Ulster Bank Ltd, 22 Frances Street, Newtownards BT23 2DP

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Trustees Annual Report- Year ended 31 December 2023

1.Objectives and Activities

The charitable purpose of the church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Greyabbey & Kircubbin Parish is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of St Saviours and Holy Trinity Churches the whole mission of the Church, pastoral evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open and engaging with society as a whole and offering support to those needing help, are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity.

As a result of this activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the Greyabbey & Kircubbin Parish has custody of the 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 the Greyabbey & Kircubbin Parish.

2. Public worship.

Holy Trinity and St Saviours came together for joint services during the year. In addition united services were also held with the Parish of Ballyphillip and Ardquin.

3. Social engagement.

Participated in the governance of local schools and provided facilities for local clubs, societies and cultural activities e.g Brownies, Pilates class, painting class, yoga and various fund raising by local charities.

Supported Eggshell Cambodia, in providing protection and bringing hope to children living in extreme poverty.

Made donations to Tear Fund, Air Ambulance NI, RLNI and Gateway and Salvation Army.

4. 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 ended 2021 can be signed off as going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management.

Governing, Document and Constitution of the Charity.

Chapter 111 of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organizations, The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.

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Recruitment and Appointment of the Select Vestry (Trustees).

All members of the Church of Ireland, 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 of the select vestry.

Meetings of the select 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 of the Parish stipend is paid directly by the Parish and the incumbent receives a stipend of £36,309.00 in accordance with figures approved by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. The incumbent also receives an office allowance of £800.00 and a locomotory allowance of £7000.00.

Organizational 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 servicing in the parish, the church wardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelves other members of the general vestry elected at the 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 how parish funds are to be applied.

The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members or the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the church wardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry met on ten occasions with average attendance running at 75%.

Compliance with 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.

Reserves Policy:

Due to the age and construction of St. Saviours Church, Holy Trinity and the Rectory within the Parish, the trustees believe it is prudent to establish a maintenance fund that will cover necessary repairs and remedial works to the buildings and grounds in the future.

Allowance has been made to cover the ongoing stipend due to the incumbent clergy.

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Statement of Trustees Responsibilities.

Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair state of the affairs of the charity and its financial activities for the period. In preparing these financial statements, we the trustees are required to:

• Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

• Prepare the financial statements on the ongoing concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the charity will continue in operational existence.

We the trustees are responsible for the keeping of proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 & 2013. We are also responsible for the safeguarding of the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report dated: 21 October 2024

Approved by the Trustees and singed on their behalf.

Glenn Fisher

Honorary Treasurer.

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