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.