Church of the Ascension, Cloughfern Parish 126 Doagb Road NeIowabbey, Co. Antrlln BT37 9QR (Charity No: NIC103261) Trustees, Annual Report Year Ended 31st December 2023 Tru8tee8 Between 1st January and 3 1st December 2023, the followin8 held a position of Truste¢: Rev Tim Close (Chair), Jennifer BOY Clare CampbelL Joanne Dickenson, David Garlanl Sandra Harvey, Christine Hunter. Billy Inw Tanya Kay. KeTry Mcllwaine, Alan McNi¢¢¢. Karyn McNiece. Elizabeth Mcwatters, Ir¢ne Orr. Caroline TaTes. Barbara Turkington and Gillian Webb. Objeellve4 and Artlvitles The principal objective of th¢ Church of the Ascension, Cloughfern Parish, is to support the advancement of the Christian faith by promotin& through its worK the whole mission of the church- pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. Fundamental to the PrnCtic delivery of Christianity is bein8 open to. and engaging with. Striety as a whole and offering support to those who need it. CIou8hfern Parish has custody of property and records pertaining to cultural and religious heritage, maintenantr of which is undertakeD by the Seleet V¢sty of the Church. Achievementy Perfonnance aDd Publlc Beneflt Church services, youth organisations, clubs, groups and social meetings have all resume and meeting norni&lly- but we continue to be vigilanL We reach out to our houseb)und parishioners through home visits by Cler and other volunteers who also provide transport to church services or social events. Inforniation and support is also available via telh0n4 our parish website, and our Facebook page. With the aid of a 8rant from Antrim and Newtowi)abbey Borough Council, we hosted a paty in May 2023 to ¢elebrate the King's Coronation. This event was open to all in the comn]unity and well attended. Everyone joined in the fun and games- as the saying goes 'the craic was mightyi, Even though the financial 4ueeze is making life difficulL our parishioners continued to provide the financial sUPPOrt to allow us to donate to international Charities such as the Samaritans, Purse, as well as charities speeific4lly for Libya (th¢ Bishop's Appeal for Libya and the Disasters Emergency Committee). We also supported local charities by donating to the Royal British Legion, SFIIN A WARE NI, Nl Hospice. SENAC, and Alzheimers Nl. We continue to give ongoing support our local foodbanK both with food items and monetary donations. Our Charity Shop opens two days a weeL and ntinUeS to be very popular and well SUPFM)rted Ix)th by parishioners and the wider community. It has been able to mak¢ charitsble donations to.. Pareatic Cancer. Cancer Research, St. Anne's Cathedral (including the Black Santa SItut). Nl Hospice and Alzheirner's NI, as well as providing a vitsl source of funds for our ChurclL During the year, our coffee morning supported the Disasters Emergency Committee, and Macmillan Cancer Care.
Financial Review The Parish began the year with a balance from 2022 for Cash in Hand and B8nk of £30,721.80. Total Receipts for 2023 came to £82,397.19, which was down by £4.780.17 on previous year. This was due to a redurtioll in donations probably as a result of th¢ financiaj pressures ort Iiousehojds. Total Resources Expended came to £100,256.73, a significant increase of £6364.83 on the figure for 2022. This was mainly due to the cost of electricity and gas for heating which double(L also replacing lights outside Church Halls (£4519.20). We have made small savings where we Could e.8.: general grounds maintenance. without affecting the overnll Health and Safety of users of the Church and Halls. At the end of 2023 the balance for Cash in Hand and at the Bank was £12901.72. Pay And Remuneration On th¢ Schedule of Approved stipends set by the General Synod of the Church of Irelan(L Minimum Approved stipend for 2023 is £33,900.00 per annum. Our Priest-inlbarge was appointed on th¢ understanding that he would work S days instead of the usual 6. and would th¢refore be paid prfrrnta. General SyTrod also give & guide value for Expenses of Office Allowance of £925.00 per annum and locorllotory allowances of £7000 per annum. The Parish contribution to the 'Cler8y Defined Contribution Pension Scbem¢' (including the "Per Cure" ¢lem¢nt of £4407.00) was £7797.00 for th¢ year 2023. MAllagement Members of the Select Vesty (who are also the Charity Trust¢es) are elected annualty at th¢ Easter Genernl Vestry. They are responsible for the day-ttrday management of the parisTr4 and for deciding on matters of genera] concern and importance, including how parish funds ar¢ to applied. The finances are managed by the Honorary Treasurer. who rewts to the Select Vesty at monthly meetings. Special meetings can be convened between scheduled da*s. if necessary. Records of meetings are kept by th¢ Honorary Secretary. ststem¢nt of Trusteej, Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting rordS that show and explain the Parish's transactions, and dilose. with re&sonable accuracy. at any time, the assets and liabilities of the Parish. They are also respK)nsible for preparin8 the Trustees, Repor¢ together with the Statement of Receipts and Payments, and Statement of Assets and Liabilities. in accordantt with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safegu8rdin8 the assets of the Parish. and hence for tsking reasonable • for the prevention and detectioll of fraud and other irregularities. Signed on bebalf of the Trustees: Truste¢ I: