TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT St James Parlsh Church Clough NICC-1031111 I" January 2023 to 31" December 2023 TRUSTEES: Rev Adrian Halligan Ad Swan Rhonda Swan I Swan J Scott J Scott W Warnock N Warnock A Swan F Swan R Swan G Mccullough E Backus A Halligan MANAGEMENT: The Finances are managed by the Treasurer who reports back to the Trustees at Finance and Vestry meetings when necessary. Vestry members are elected each year at the Easter Vestry. CHARITY PURPOSE: The expression of the precepts of the Christian religion through engagement with the general public. and in particular with the disadvantaged. the sick. the elderly and the young is a public benefit. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need. The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and the giving and receiving of pastoral ministry, improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement, community cohesion and providing a bridge between diverse groups as well as improved educational outcomes through the Church's ministry of teaching. The beneficiaries are the general public, and the public valuation of the benefits can be evidenced through attendance at public worship, participation in Church governance and willingness to support through contributions the continuing witness of the Church. The wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian outreach. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. No Trustee receives remuneration. reward or other private benefit for carrying out their Trustee responsibility. The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include the provision of archive records, public enjoyment of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts such as church plate, furnishings and materials as well as an overall improved appreciation of longstanding Christian heritage. This is demonstrated through on-going provision of access to records and the use made Df these records in, for example, research and genealogy, through conservation efforts in respect of records, property and artefacts and the subsequent and continued requests for access and use of our materials by wider society. There is no harm arising from the purpose. The beneficiaries are the general public. No private benefit is received by trustees fulfilling their trustee responsibilities in respect of these records, buildings or artefacts, but in the course of conservation and to make these accessible to the public, the engagement of professional staff and Services is essential but incidental to the fulfilment of the purpose.
FINANCES: The freewill and loose offerings which are reported in the General Account for 2023 show an increase in income from that reported in 2022. Attendance is again up this year and this is reflected in the accounts. and again it must be noted that input to fund raising this year ha5 helped immensely. Our Freewill offerings still cover our outgoings on an annual basis and financially we are in a good position. The detail for all the accounts are published in full on the Charity Commission website. An independent examination of the accounts has been completed by Mrs L Hyndman and has reported no concerns. PUBUC BENEFIT: The charity Trustees have complied with their duties in line with the Commission's Public Benefit statutory guidance. Regular worship and reaching out into the community as well as other activities. have been carried out through the year to fulfil our statement of Public Benefit. In delivering against those benefits we reach out to new parishioners to regularly attend church services. Sunday School, at present is suspended until such times that here are sufficient children to merit it starting again.