Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2023 The Trustees present the annual report for St Andrews Parish ChurclL Ardtrea for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principle function of St Andrews Parish Church is to support the advancement of Christian religion by promoting . through the work of St Andrews Parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to the engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help are fimdamental to the practice and benefits of Christianity. As a result of the activity and pursuit of the advancement of the CEll-istian Teligiory the St Andrew's Parish has custody of propety and records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religÈous heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry of St Andrew's Parish. Achievements, Perforniance and Public Benefit The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Con]mission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Financial Review Please see separate financial report. It is the policy of the Trustees to invest and reserve funds to gain the best possible return without putting them at risk. Our operating income and expenditure report shows a small deficit in 2023. A surplus is expected in 2024. Going Concern The Trustee's have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate fvnds in place to ensure the Parish can continue its'activities and the financial statements for the year ended 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity Chaper III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parished and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.
Recruitment and Appointment of Select Vestry (Trustees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of18 and are either resident within the Parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, may Tegister as members of the general vestry of the paristy allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the general vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vestry. A meeting of the general vestry is 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 tern]s may be served. Organisational Structure The Select Vestry is responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The Select Vestry consists of a member of the clergy serving in the parish, the church wardens, the glebe warden 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 any other members 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 funds are to be applied. The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by the members or the diocesan synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson or the church wardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry met four times during the year and the average attendance was 75 % . Complianee and Public Benefit The Parish has given careful consideration to the Charity Conlmission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Statement of Trnstees, Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with income of less than £250.000 requires trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with accuracy at the time the assets and liabilities of the Parish. 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. Signed on behalf of the trustees: .J RevDJBell 7 October 2024