Charity Registration No. 102902
PARISH OF COLERAINE
CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 1-2 |
| Trustees’ report | 3-5 |
| Statement ofTrustees' responsibilities | 6-7 |
| Independent examiner's report | 8 |
| Statement offinancial activities | 9-10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Notestothefinancialstatements | 12-24 |
PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Charity information
St. Patrick's is situated in Church Street in the centre of Coleraine while St Andrew's is located in Hazeldene Drive close to the heart of the Ballysally Estate.
The correspondence address for both churches is the Parish Office, St Andrew's, Hazeldene Drive, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 2HJ. Tel: 028 7034 4213. Email: admin@stpats.co.uk.
The Parish is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland as COLERAINE/Coleraine/St.Patrick/Connor/Church of Ireland - NIC102902.
Further information about St Patrick’s & St Andrew's is available on the Parish website http:/Awww.stpats.co.uk.
Independent examiner Dr R| Peters Gallagher, OBE, FCA 32 Lodge Road Coleraine BT52 1NB Bankers Danske Bank 22 The Diamond Coleraine Co. Londonderry BT52 1DE Solicitors Martin King French & Ingram LLP 52 Catherine Street Limavady BT49 9DB
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
| Membership | ||
|---|---|---|
| The 2024-2025 membership ofSelectVestrywas as follows: | ||
| Ex-Officio | The Rev RogerCooke | Rector |
| Elected | Gillian Anderson | |
| Alan Bennett | ||
| Scott Brown | ||
| Claire Holmes | ||
| John Wisener | ||
| Alice McAlary | ||
| Jacquie Todd | ||
| Jenny McGeehan | ||
| Barry Mitchell | ||
| Patricia McWhirter | ||
| Vanessa Waddell | ||
| Alan Robinson | ||
| John Wisener | Hon. Secretary | |
| Alan Robinson | Hon. Treasurer | |
| Nominated | James McDowell | Rector’s Church Warden |
| Ronald Ferguson | People’s Church Warden | |
| Patricia Taylor | Glebe Warden | |
| BillyWaddell | Glebe Warden | |
| Co-opted | Bridie Leese | Chapel Warden |
| Lexie Hynds | Chapel Warden | |
| Inattendance | TheRevBrianHarper | Chairperson |
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Introduction
The Select Vestry presents their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Parish of Coleraine for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Parish's constitution, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and “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) (effective 1 January 2015)”
Objectives and activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of the Parish of Coleraine is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of St Patrick’s and St Andrew's, 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, the Parish of Coleraine has custody of property and of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage of Coleraine. Maintenance of these is undertaken by the Select Vestry of St Patrick’s and St Andrew’s.
Achievements and performance
As a parish, St Patrick’s and St Andrew's, seeks to be ‘at the heart of the community with the community on our heart’. In order to fulfil this vision the Parish & Community Audit carried out in 2014 identified a number of key aims and purposes. These form the framework for the parish's vision, aim and purposes:
A. To work for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
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B. To be a church that prays.
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C. To be evangelistic and ‘grow’ disciples.
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D. To develop both the church as a family and its links with the community it serves.
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E. To fulfil its civic role.
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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.
Financial review
Strategy
The Trustees’ financial strategy is based on achieving a sustainable financial position whereby expenditure and income are broadly in balance and on ensuring that financial planning is based on the core principles of transparency and accountability.
Overview
In 2024 a net deficit of £150,580 was recorded, which included gains on investments of £55,618. In 2025 a net surplus of £140,426 was recorded which included gains on investments of £87,487. The increase in net income from 2024 to 2025 is due to an increase in donations and legacies per Note 3.
Investments
The Parish has investments with the Representative Church Body (RCB) and the Church of Ireland Trustees (CIT). £300,000 from the Uprichard bequest has been invested in a portfolio managed by True Potential Investments LLP. The Parish also has three houses which are held as long-term investments. The sale of the Parish Halls was completed in March 2017. The sale proceeds are held jointly by the RCB & Diocesan Board of Education.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees believe that unrestricted funds that have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level at least equivalent to between three and six months expenditure. Maintaining Reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in income, they will be able to continue the parish’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of Reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
Going concern
The Trustees receive monthly financial briefings on income and expenditure plus quarterly reports on the parish investments. They are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Parish can continue its activities and that the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 can be signed off as a ‘going concern’.
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Governance, management and structure
Governance
The principal document for the governance of the Parish is Chapter lil of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, which governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees. Diocesan Regulations are also issued periodically: these interpret some aspects of the Constitution where that responsibility has been delegated by the General Synod to diocesan councils and synods.
The other major factor in parish governance is civil law — particularly health & safety, child protection legislation and employment and management procedures for lay staff.
Structure
All members of the Church of lreland who are over the age of 18, are either resident within the Parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months and subscribe to the funds of the parish 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 Vesiry. 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.
Management
The Select Vesiry normally meets monthly with the Rev. Brian Harper, Rural Dean, in the Chair, in the absence of the Rector. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2025 the Select Vestry met eight times, all chaired by the Rural Dean. The average attendance was fifteen.
The primary responsibility of the Select Vestry is to ensure that the ministry and witness of the Parish is maintained, developed and safeguarded both legally and financially. it has specific responsibility for the administration of the Parish finances and the care of the buildings both internally and externally (the ‘three Fs’ — Finance, Fabric & Furnishings). It is also the legal employer for all lay staff and has responsibility for health and safety, insurance and the care of all the Parish’s assets.
The Select Vestry delegates responsibility for various aspects of its work to sub-committees, which report back to the Vestry with their recommendations.
The Trustees’ report was approved by the Select Vestry.
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VASae
John Wisener
Dated: loft,
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G Rebsrqwin A Robinson Dated: Mf | Rl.
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Select Vestry is responsible for preparing the Select Vestry’s Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The flaw applicable to charities in the Northern Ireland requires the Select Vestry to prepare financiai statements for each financial year. Under that law the Select Vestry have prepared the financial 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 Select Vestry 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 Select Vestry is 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 Select Vestry is 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) 2015 and the provision of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. They are aiso responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Select Vestry to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Parish and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Parish for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Select Vestry are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures 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 charity will continue in operation.
The Select Vestry are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
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PARISH OF COLERAINE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK & CHURCH OF ST ANDREW STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES‘ RESPONSIBILITIES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Statement as to disclosure to our Examiner
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In so far as the Select Vesiry is aware at the timing of approving their annual report:
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¢ there is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s Auditor is unaware; and « the Select Vestry have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Parish’s Independent Examiner is aware of that information.
Independent Examiners
Dr R | Peters Gallagher OBE, of Moore (NI) LLP, has indicated her willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their reappointment will be proposed at the Annual Easter Vestry Meeting.
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