TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
St Comgall’s (Church of Ireland) Parish, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey
(NIC 103260, registered 14/09/15)
ADDRESS Coolderry Gardens, Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, BT37 9QH
MAIN CONTACT DETAILS - Revd Brian Lacey (Chair) St. Peter’s Rectory, 17 Waterloo Park, North Belfast BT15 5HX
TRUSTEES : Revd Brian Lacey, Mrs Margaret Long, Mr Robert Long, Mr Alan Jones, Mrs Anne Welsh, Mr William Glendinning, Mrs Kerry Whyte Fitzpatrick, Mr Tom Nelson, Ms Sandra Spro�, Mrs Denise Gilmore, Mr James McFarlane, Mr Michael Fell, Mrs Elizabeth Gartley, Mrs Laura Pierce.
FINANCES:
The Finances of St Comgall’s Parish are managed by the Honorary Treasurer who reports back to the Trustees at Select Vestry mee�ngs, held usually on the second Wednesday evening of each month, or in-between as necessary, and minutes are captured by the Hon Secretary. Select Vestry members are elected each year at the Annual Easter General Vestry. Public no�ce is given of this mee�ng in advance. The Rector (ac�ng as Chair of the Trustees) can appoint two individuals/Trustees to the Select Vestry to act as his/her (Rector’s) Churchwarden and Glebe warden.
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
also relies on benefit from Gi� Aid; and receives dona�ons from organisa�ons, anonymous donors, in memoriam gi�s, etc. Special envelope collec�ons are made to benefit chari�es throughout the year, and all dona�ons are allocated by commi�ee. Individual financial support through FWO contribu�ons increased slightly on the previous accoun�ng year. This is largely a reflec�on of an aging and generous church membership, and a return to normal collec�on of FWO resuming over �me following the li�ing of Covid restric�ons on the previous years. The parish are to be praised for con�nued charitable giving; and for maintaining good stewardship of resources without major grant aid, especially in the face of covid. Expenditure includes payment of visi�ng clergy costs and caretaker’s wages; contribu�ons to central Denomina�onal funds; general running costs (eg electric, gas, li� service); repairs and maintenance. The residen�al rectory property con�nues to be a means of external income (through a rolling tenancy agreement) which has proved to be a wise and prudent decision and is responsible for moving the overall finances in a more posi�ve direc�on, ensuring the parish is a going concern, and resul�ng in a posi�on of credit at £24,897.06 at year end. The end of year posi�on was posi�vely impacted due to the ongoing vacancy.
The exis�ng tenant has been resident in the Rectory since August 2021. All repairs are carried out as promptly as possible, as befits good prac�ce, and to ensure tenant sa�sfac�on and ongoing rental.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
The rent was secured at a monthly rate of £900.00. This value a�rac�vely compares to those for similar proper�es in the area, and a�er deduc�on of 8% property management fees payable to UPS estate agents at £72 plus VAT of £14.40, leaves the parish with a new net monthly income of £813.60. A propor�onal amount of this monthly income goes towards the payment of rates for the property normally £728.27pa. An addi�onal backdated payment for the sum of £3451.54 for Rates due to ineligibility for Rates relief during the years 2019 to 2023. Ground rent at £50.00pa. The total income from rectory rent for the property by the end of 2023 was £9,763.20.
PROPERTY
St Comgall’s church is an historic asset. It was previously listed as category B on the NI Buildings Database (ID 6524 - HB21/20/001) as a building of special architectural interest in Bradan ward, Newtownabbey as part of a thema�c survey of 20[th] century. In September 2017 the property was fully de-listed as it is no longer deemed a good enough example of modern design because of some internal changes, although it remains a building of interest above the common building stock. The Trustees and Caretaker con�nue to maintain it to the highest standard possible; and in their delibera�ons regarding modifica�on of the building take into account the advice, regula�ons and specific requirements of the Department for Communi�es (NI) Historic Buildings Council. Permissions are sought as necessary regarding any remedial works requiring special a�en�on from Connor Glebes & Architectural Commi�ee, Diocesan Council and Representa�ve Church Body (RCB) Property & Execu�ve Commi�ees, as prescribed (h�p://connor.anglican.org/support/building-and-property/).
The Building & Development account is used for refurbishment, repairs, pain�ng and upkeep of parish property and rectory, and as a reserve for unexpected repairs and future building projects. By year end Dec 2023 the Building account held £27,961.59. A further sub account is ear-marked for the ‘ Shaping our Future’ insula�on/refurbishment project and has a year-end balance of £60,836.86.
(Dunlop £4.52 and the REA £142.36) which is used to benefit rectory maintenance. The parish receives interest from The RCB Glebe Profit of £94.30. These are all made public in the printed annual audited accounts. The total combined figure received for the 2023 totalled £241.18.
In this accoun�ng period, the charge for hall bookings was maintained at the very reasonable and compe��ve rate of £40/2hr in order to facilitate and indeed ac�vely encourage access to the church/hall facili�es for members of a community which sta�s�cally shows high levels of unemployment and/or low income.
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
St Comgall’s had applied for funding from the Department for Communi�es (Community Halls Fund) in Dec 2016, but this grant aid was oversubscribed and affected by the wider NI poli�cal situa�on. At the date of this report, the applica�on s�ll remains ac�ve, pending considera�on in the next round of awards, whenever (and indeed if) that may occur.
A grant was applied for and successfully obtained by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council. £1,000 was received to celebrate the Kings Corona�on. A special service of thanksgiving was held, light
refreshments were provided a�er the service and all a�endees received a special badge to commemorate the event.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
In December 2023, St. Comgall’s received a grant of £500 towards a Seniors Christmas event. The event was held on Saturday 16[th] December, with over 30 a�endees, we provided a�ernoon tea and fun fes�vi�es included a table quiz and carol singing. A fun a�ernoon of friendship and fellowship was enjoyed by all in a�endance
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT:
St Comgall’s, Rathcoole is a parish of the Church of Ireland and as such adheres to the Cons�tu�on of the Church of Ireland (1988) available for consulta�on online at h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/about/the-cons�tu�on/the-cons�tu�on-in-full Other Codes of Good Prac�ce adopted by the Charity include CoI Safeguarding Trust for Ministry with Children (2007) available online at: h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/parishresources/317/safeguarding-trustnorthern-ireland-full. Training rela�ng to Sec�on 1.6 Vulnerable adults was accessed in 2015 by Trustees serving as a ST Panel for the parish and updated training on all Safeguarding, and the Inclusion of Offenders in Public Worship was undertaken in 2019.
(h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/news/5835/vulnerable-adultsawareness-training) Updates to Safeguarding training for all volunteers was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid19 lockdowns. Some sessions were held via Zoom but many of our leaders do not have access to this mode of communica�on. We hope to hold in person training for all organisa�on leaders as soon as this is possible under covid restric�ons. A further Code in rela�on to Dignity in Church Life (2015) was adopted by the Parish in Dec 2016 and is available online at :
h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/333/dignity-inchurch-life-charter (All links valid as viewed Oct 1[st] 2018). Guidelines for Equality, and Financial Management & Good Prac�ce were also adopted at the same mee�ng.
In 2018 representa�ves from both the Select and General Vestry a�ended Fire & Safety Training organised by St Comgall’s Parish and a comprehensive Risk Assessment of the premises was carried out.
GDPR records con�nue to be maintained and updated as per the CoI policies. See h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/501/general-data-protec�on-regula�on-gdpr
Covid policies and protocols produced by Church of Ireland were adapted to the local parish situa�on and risk assessments were carried out on both church and halls. All these were adopted by the Select Vestry in 2020. These con�nued to be updated, amended and implemented for all services and ac�vi�es (both indoors and outdoors) as guidelines changed. See
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- h�ps://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/654/covid19 guidance forparishes
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
PURPOSES:
1) The main purpose of St Comgall’s parish is the advancement of the Chris�an religion through engagement with the general public, and in par�cular with the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young. This can be measured and evidenced through increased social integra�on and pastoral care delivered at the point of need.
2) The parish also seeks to advance the Chris�an religion through the public enjoyment of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts (such as church plate, furnishings and archival records) as well as encouraging an overall improved apprecia�on of longstanding Chris�an heritage. This is achieved through educa�on in rela�on to Bible, theology, church history and culture; through regular maintenance & upkeep of all parish property; through the conserva�on of important artefacts; and through the safe-keeping and provision (on request) of copies of archival documents for personal research, legal, and genealogical purposes. Public access is facilitated outside normal service �mes & parish organiza�ons’ normal opera�on hours through considera�on by the Select Vestry/Trustees of con�nual requests for the use of our facili�es and resources by individuals, community groups and members of the wider society (eg for public mee�ngs, social celebra�ons).
NON MALFEASANCE
from the various parish ac�vi�es is pre-empted as much as possible and mi�gated by the adop�on of good prac�ce guidelines and the provision of relevant training (eg first aid, food & hygiene, and health and safety training); by the introduc�on of accident/emergency incident repor�ng procedures; through the invita�on of topical speakers to different organisa�on mee�ngs; by regular rou�ne maintenance and inspec�ons of all property, equipment and resources; and by holding regular fire & other risk assessments, and prac�sing emergency evacua�on drill procedures.
of any records. Addi�onally, on occasions, the engagement of professional staff, and services are essen�al in providing security and public access, but these are incidental to the fulfilment of the purpose.
BENEFICIARIES
in the Greater Newtownabbey and Rathcoole parish areas. Being open to, educa�ng, and engaging with society as a whole, and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the prac�cal delivery of the tenets of Chris�anity. The wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Chris�an outreach. The parish does not func�on for the private benefit of individuals except if incidental to its main purposes (eg a speaker invited to an individual organisa�on may have benefi�ed by the sale of his/her work, or this could have resulted in an increased profile for them). No Trustee receives remunera�on, reward or other private benefit for carrying out their responsibility in rela�on to the main purpose of the parish ie the advancement of the Chris�an religion. No personal private benefit is received either by Trustees fulfilling their responsibili�es in respect of access to records, buildings or artefacts, but reasonable fees/dona�ons are received by the Charity itself to cover essen�al expenses incurred for events in the premises.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
PUBLIC BENEFIT
of public worship; the giving and receiving of pastoral ministry; increased socializa�on for isolated members of the community; greater physical ac�vity and community cohesion (Community Bowling Club; BB; Girl Guides, Brownies & Rainbows); improved educa�onal outcomes (individual schools projects/surveys, invited guest speakers); be�er understanding of the values rela�ng to civic engagement (ROC Befriending Scheme; Christmas Fair); access to specialist support groups, and the facilitated networking and working together of diverse groups using the premises
Delivery of any material (parish magazines, service sheets, essen�al resources, children’s ac�vity packs) The delivery of Church magazines was supported by a small dedicated group of individuals.
IMPACT / EVALUATION OF BENEFIT
surveys, including an analysis of a�endance at public worship and organisa�onal membership trends. Informa�on gathered by these means was addi�onally supplemented by so� data gathered through 1-1 conversa�ons. By year end (2023) membership of St Comgall’s was represented by 186 households (corresponding to 391 individuals); and had an average weekly a�endance at Sunday morning services of 44 individuals. This a�endance figure is reflec�ve of an aging congrega�on, but also reflects the commitment of members to con�nue ‘normal’ ac�vi�es when possible.
Ad hoc anecdotal feedback and post-event comments received from members of the public following their personal experience of receiving the ministries of St Comgall’s have always been extremely posi�ve (eg following family bap�sms, weddings and funerals; or a�er social gatherings and uniformed organiza�on events) Direct apprecia�on is regularly given to parish visitors and clergy in rela�on to pastoral care offered to their family rela�ons, (or the individual themselves) whilst in hospitals, private nursing homes, at the point of emergency or crisis, whilst recupera�ng, or long term housebound at home.
Funerals and ministry to the bereaved
Funerals remained consistent in 2023.
Numbers a�ending the in-person service for Lost Loved ones remained consistent. The reading of the memorial lists, the interac�ve symbolism, the opportunity for silence, the use of both secular and sacred music, and the reflec�ve nature of this service was appreciated by all in a�endance.
Provision of worship (in person and online) and the use of social media pla�orms
A special service was held to celebrate the Kings’ corona�on, all a�endees were provided with a badge as a keepsake to mark the occasion. A light lunch was provided a�er the service. The service was a�ended by 56 individuals.
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (2023)
Christmas morning worship was a�ended by 27 individuals. A evening Carol service was also held and was a�ended by 26 individuals.
The use of social media, in the form of the parish Facebook page, became the central way of dissemina�ng informa�on to church members and the wider public alike. Many posts were known to have been ‘shared on’ to an even wider audience. Posts included mo�va�onal and inspira�onal quota�ons, fun memes, prayers and Scriptures as well as updates on covid lockdowns, tes�ng & self care informa�on, and any changes to restric�on guidelines or school opening. The linked use of Messenger established in previous years facilitated easy and non-threatening direct communica�on with the general public and many queries, concerns and personal prayer requests were received by this means.
OBLIGATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY
In se�ng the objec�ves and in planning all ac�vi�es for the year the Trustees of St Comgall’s Parish have had due regard to the Commission’s public benefit statutory guidance and repor�ng requirements set out in regula�ons 32-34 of the accoun�ng and repor�ng regula�ons and issued by the Commission under sec�on 4(b) of the Chari�es Act.
OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES/ACHIEVEMENTS (Sec�on 32 (2) (b))
Kidz Church
This organisa�on met most Sundays between January & June, and September to December with 12 children enrolled. There con�nues to be 2 adult members who lead the weekly ac�vi�es.
Bowling Club
The Bowling Club met weekly throughout the year with 10 members a�ending regularly. Whilst compe��ve matches did not resume, the club did manage to hold several friendly matches.
11[th] Newtownabbey Company Boys’ Brigade
Company mee�ngs took place on a weekly basis throughout the year. There were 3 Leaders and average of 8 boys in a�endance throughout the year. Boys enjoyed a visit from “Wee Crawlies” and a trip out 10 pin bowling.
127[th] Belfast company, Guides, Brownies and Rainbow Guides
All sec�ons met weekly throughout the year. All sec�ons enjoyed celebra�ons for the Kings Corona�on.