OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

2025-12-31-accounts

St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland

Annual report and financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2025

Charity Commission NI Number: NIC103119

1

St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland

Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Contents

Pages
References and administrative details 3
Trustees’ annual report 4 - 7
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees
8
Statement of financial activities 9
Statement of financial position 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 17

2

St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland

References and administrative details

Charity Name: St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland Charity Registration Number: NIC103119 Contact Address: 42 Church Street Ahoghill Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 2PA

Trustees

Dr Thomas Moody Mr George Coulter Mr Nigel McNeill Mrs Elaine McDonald Mr William Armstrong Mrs Anne Kee Mrs Rosemary Frayne Mr Alvin Donaghy Mr Philip Thomson Mr Stephen McCallion Mr William Shaw Mrs Anita McNeill Mrs Donna Ashcroft

Mrs Sonia McAllister Mr Bernard Frayne Mr Niall Campbell Rev Dennis Christie

The following trustees resigned during the year :-

Mr Raymond Rainey

Mrs Heather Rainey Mrs Eileen Shaw

Principal Office-bearers

Clergy Church Secretary Church Treasurer Church Warden - Clergy Church Warden - People

Rev Dennis Christie Mr Alvin Donaghy Mr William Armstrong Mrs Sonia McAllister Mr William Shaw

Independent Examiner

Steven Potter FCA Potter Finnegan Limited Chartered Accountants 27-28 The Courtyard Business Park 190 Galgorm Road Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 1HL

Bankers

Danske Bank Business Plus PO Box 183 Donegall Square West Belfast BT1 6JS

3

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025

The trustees present the annual report and accounts for the St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Objectives and Activities

The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of Christianity.

The principal function of St Colmanell’s is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting 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, St Colmanell’s 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 St Colmanell’s.

Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit

The church has achieved its objectives by the holding of regular religious services and also holding various youth and other activities for the benefit of the local community. The church holds regular public worship services on Sundays and worship services on Wednesdays and on other occasions associated with Christian festivals throughout the year.

Calendar year 2025 continued on from 2024 with normal based worship on a Sunday. ”Normal” services consisted of Sunday morning prayer worship with the fourth Sunday of the month being an all-age service with a more relaxed format. An evening service was also conducted once a month. Sunday morning attendance ranged from 80 to 130 attendees. Sunday School and Youth Fellowship were fully functioning on a Sunday morning.

Outside of the worship services, the church is normally engaged in several outreach programmes into the local community, through organisations such as the Knitting Club, the local accordion band and Ladies in Faith Together (LIFT). Church members continue to engage in outreach programmes by sending cards and/or newssheets at Easter and Christmas. The Church continued to engage with the local community by organising successful outreach activities such as the Summer Fete, the Easter Tea and provided financial support to those in need through the compassion fund. The Church also arranged a number of successful fundraising events through the year including a tractor run, a quiz night, a Christmas Party and a very successful Remembrance Exhibition. A team from the Church took part in the Belfast Marathon relay which raised money for the building fund.

Overseas support for the Diocese of Ibba in South Sudan continued with a substantial donation and, in collaboration with Portglenone Parish, the Church hosted a visit from the Bishop of Ibba Diocese. This has served to strengthen existing links with our African friends and continues into 2026 with financial support for the clergy of the Diocese.

The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.

Financial Review

The trustees consider that the unrestricted funds of the church have sufficient resources and assets available which are adequate to fulfil their obligations. A detailed analysis of parish income and expenditure is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

General giving has been reviewed by the Trustees, and it is recognised that whilst the level of giving as a free will offering has remained steady at approximately £5,600 per month, it has not kept pace with inflation and the general increases in the cost of goods and services. Income to general funds during 2025 was enhanced by the receipt of a generous legacy. However, freewill offering by envelope and by standing order remains the main source of income to the general account.

4

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

Expenditure during 2025 increased considerably mainly as a result of the aforementioned increased costs of goods and services. The replacement of essential IT equipment in the Church building also required significant capital spend.

In the second quarter of 2025, a concerted effort was made to encourage increased giving to the building fund, this resulted in a number of one-off donations, an increase to existing standing order amounts and a number of new standing orders. Income to the building fund from standing orders has increased from an average of £1,200 per month from January to June, to an average of over £2,500 per month from July to December 2025.

Envelope contributions to the building fund also saw a modest increase. In addition, £300,000 which had been transferred to an account with a more favourable interest rate, was returned to the building fund account with approximately £14,000 of interest. Overall, the building fund was significantly boosted by the combination of these activities.

There was minimal expenditure of £1,320 from the building fund account, this was for professional services provided during the year.

During 2025, the Parish achieved their target of distributing at least 10% of free will offering to Charitable causes across the local and wider community. Distribution to charitable causes will continue at the same level in 2026.

The trustees allocate income specifically designated for building projects to a buildings fund. This is held to provide funds for future building projects as the need arises. Funds are currently being accumulated to assist with the intended future construction of a new Parish Centre. Full planning approval has been granted for the new Parish Centre and enabling works have been completed.

The project to build the new Parish Centre took on a greater urgency during 2025. The inflationary increase in the cost of materials and professional services have resulted in a need to review the plans to explore all options with affordability being the primary consideration. In order to demonstrate stewardship and governance, a sub-committee was formed to focus on the Parish Centre Project and report back to the trustees.

In December 2025 a tender process was initiated for the building of the new Parish Centre. A number of contractors submitted competitive applications. The select vestry are in the process of choosing the preferred contractor. Work is planned to commence during 2026 with completion by end December 2026.

It should be noted as the buildings fund is not a wholly restricted fund, it has been agreed that, if required, funds can be moved to support all costs of the church.

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 31 December 2025 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. This allows them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for

5

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

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 stipend of the Incumbent of the Parish is paid directly by the Parish 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 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 meets at times fixed by the members or by the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2025 the Select Vestry had 9 face to face meetings and an Easter Vestry. The average attendance was more than 75%. There were also a number of ad hoc meetings of the select vestry where urgent decisions were required.

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 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:

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) 2015 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.

6

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)

Statement as to disclosure to our Examiners

In so far as the trustees are aware at the timing of approving our trustees’ annual report:

Independent Examiners

The independent examiner, Steven Potter, has indicated his willingness to continue in office, and a resolution concerning his reappointment will be proposed at the Annual Easter Vestry Meeting.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees -

7

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland

I report on the accounts of St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 17.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 65(2) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrual accounts, and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. An examination includes a review of the accounting records held by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2008

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2008

Have not been met, or

  1. to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Steven Potter FCA Potter Finnegan Limited Chartered Accountants

27-28 The Courtyard Business Park 190 Galgorm Road Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 1HL

Date: - 28 March 2026

8

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
Note 2025 2025 2025 2025 2024
Income £ £ £ £ £
Donations & legacies 3 109,496 54,532 164,028 107,526
Other trading activities 4 2,646 17,240 19,886 17,835
Investments 5 1,229 19,135 20,364 3,251
Charitable activities 6 1,228 1,228 2,339
Other income 13,629 13,629 11,928
Total Income 128,228 90,907 219,135 142,876
Expenditure on:
Generating funds 7 3,502 3,502 10,512
Charitable activities 7 105,940 105,940 111,935
Other
Total Expenditure 109,442 109,442 122,447
Net Income/ (Expenditure) before 18,786 90,907 109,693 20,429
transfers
Transfers between funds (2,800) 2,800 - -
Net Income/ (Expenditure) before other 15,986 93,707 109,693 20,429
recognised gains and losses
Gain/(Loss) on investments
Net movement in funds 15,986 93,707 109,693 20,429
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 47,205 859,058 906,263 885,834
Total funds carried forward 63,191 952,765 1,015,956 906,263

9

Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2025

Note 2025 2024
Fixed Assets £ £
Tangible Fixed Assets 10 477,590 478,434
Investment Properties
Investments
Total fixed assets 477,590 478,434
Current Assets
Debtors 11 25,868 20,344
Cash and cash equivalents 515,528 410,340
Total current assets 541,396 430,684
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year 12 (3,030) (2,855)
Total creditors (3,030) (2,855)
Net Current Assets 538,364 427,829
Total net Assets 13 1,015,956 906,263
The funds of the parish
Unrestricted funds 14 63,191 47,205
General funds
Designated funds
Total unrestricted funds 63,191 47,205
Restricted Funds 14 952,765 859,58
Endowment Funds
Total charity funds 1,015,956 906,263

The notes on pages 11 to 17 are an integral part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees at a meeting of the Select Vestry on 28 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

10

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

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 have obtained and reviewed cash flow forecasts for the coming year and based on these 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 and Graveyard income are accounted for on a cash receipts basis as the amount is collected.

Income arising from the rental of the Church Hall facilities to third parties is recognised when the parish has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

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.

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.

11

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

e) Tangible assets

The assets of the Parish comprise: -

The Church Building and Graveyard are deemed to be Heritage assets 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 Church Hall was built in the 1950’s. There are no reliable records of the cost of this construction 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 year end. 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.

Fixtures and Fittings are recognised at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over a period of 10 years. The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. The effect of any change is accounted for prospectively.

Tangible assets are derecognised on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected. On disposal, the difference between the new disposal proceeds and the carrying amount is recognised in the statement of financial activities and included in ‘Other operating (losses)/gains’.

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.

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.

12

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

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 particular 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.

13

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

3 Donations and legacies

Weekly envelopes / FWO
Tax recovered on donations
Legacies
Donations
Grants
4
Other trading activities
Pre-loved clothing sale
Ibba fundraising
Variety concert and quiz
Summer fete
Remembrance exhibition
General fundraising
5
Investments
Deposit interest
Bank interest
6 Charitable activities
Graveyard income
General fundraising
Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
68,800
15,176
23,000
2,520
109,496
2,009
637
2,646
1,166
63
1,229
455
773
1,228
Restricted
Funds
2025
£
43,532
8,660
2,340
54,532
610
2,772
13,091
767
17,240
19,135
19,135
Endowment
Funds
2025
£
Total
2025
£
112,332
23,836
23,000
4,860
164,028
-
2,009
610
2,772
13,091
1,404
19,886
1,166
19,198
20,364
455
773
1,228
Total
2024
£
83,987
18,467
-
5,072
107,526
1,113
7,741
3,320
3,393
-
2,368
17,835
1,088
2,163
3,251
2,125
214
2,339

14

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

7
Analysis of Expenditure
Generating Funds
Fundraising costs
Ibba fundraising
Other
Charitable Activities
Wages and salaries
Diocesan costs
Church running costs
Glebe costs
Charitable donations
Administration costs
Total expenditure
Total Expenditure
Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
1,049
787
1,666
3,502
49,360
20,671
12,105
7,202
5,754
10,848
105,940
109,442
Restricted
Funds
2025
£
Endowment
Funds
2025
£
Total
2025
£
1,049
787
1,666
3,502
49,360
20,671
12,105
7,202
5,754
10,848
105,940
109,442
Total
2024
£
8,674
1,838
10,512
50,580
19,121
13,534
13,160
5,255
10,285
111,935
122,447

Governance costs are included within administration costs above.

8 Taxation

St Colmanell’s Church of Ireland is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities.

9 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

Employees

Salaries and wages
National insurance costs
Total
2025
£
49,360
49,360
2024
£
50,580
50,580

The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of a head count, was as follows:

Ministerial support
Music staff
Premises maintenance
2025
Number
1
0
0
1
2024
Number
1
0
0
1

15

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

There are no employees in receipt of employee benefits in excess of £60,000.

Key Management and Trustees

Key management are deemed to comprise the Trustees. The parish paid expenses of £2,488 relating to the running costs of the Glebe House which is occupied by the rector. No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the year other than the Rector. The stipend and other expenses paid to the Rector totalled £49,220 (2024 - £48,429).

No trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At beginning of the year
Additions
Disposals
At end of the year
Depreciation
At beginning of the year
Depreciation
Disposals
At end of the year
Net book value at beginning of the year
Net book value at end of the year
11 Debtors
Sundry debtors
Other debtors
12 Creditors Amounts Due within 1 Year
Accruals and other creditors
Buildings
£
462,347
1,320
463,667
462,347
463,667
Equipment
£
111,120
779
111,899
95,033
2,943
97,976
16,087
13,923
2025
£
25,866
25,866
2025
£
3,030
3,030
Equipment
£
111,120
779
111,899
95,033
2,943
97,976
16,087
13,923
2025
£
25,866
25,866
2025
£
3,030
3,030
Total
£
573,468
2,099
575,566
95,033
2,943
97,976
478,434
477,590





2024
£
20,344
20,344
2024
£
2,855
2,855
25,866
2025
£
3,030
3,030

16

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

13 Analysis of Net Assets Among Funds

Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Net assets at 31 Dec 2025
General
£
13,923
52,296
(3,030)
63,189
Designated
£
Restricted
£
463,667
489,100
952,767
Endowment
£
Total
£
477,590
541,396
(3,030)
1,015,956

14 Funds of the Parish

Endowment funds
Restricted funds
Buildings Fund
Unrestricted funds
General Fund
Total funds
At 1 Jan
2025
£
859,058
859,058
47,205
47,205
906,263
Income
£
90,907
90,907
128,228
128,228
219,135
Expenditure
£
(109,442)
(109,442)
(109,442)
Transfers
£
2,800
2,800
(2,800)
(2,800)
-
At 31 Dec
2025
£
952,765
952,765
63,191
63,191
1,015,956

Purposes of Restricted Funds

− Buildings Fund: This ring fences funds for future building projects within the Parish which are necessary to support the church’s worship and outreach program.

17