St Columba’s Parish Church, Ballynascreen
Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Charities Number: NIC 104701
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Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
Contents
References and administrative details of the Charity
Trustees’ report
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
Receipts and payments account
Statement of assets and liabilities
Notes to the financial statements
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References and administrative details
Charity Name: St Columba’s Parish Church, Ballynascreen
Charity Registration Number: NIC 104701 Contact Address: The Rectory 12 Rectory Road Tobermore Magherafelt BT45 5QP
Trustees
Rev Rosie Diffin Mr James Henderson Mrs Margaret Henderson Ms Margaret Johnston Ms Ann McKeown Ms Kathleen McKeown Ms Mary McKeown Mr David Wallace (resigned Nov. 2024) Mrs Lucinda Hughes Mr Thomas Hughes Mr John Andrews (Sen.) Mr John Andrews (Jun.) Mrs Violet Andrews Mr Stanley Hepburn Mr Andrew Hepburn
Principal Office-bearers
Clergy: Honorary Secretary: Honorary Treasurer: Rector’s Church Warden: People’s Church Wardens:
Rev. Rosie Diffin Ms Margaret Johnston Ms Kathleen McKeown Vacant Mr Stanley Hepburn
Independent Examiner
W McGillian & Co. Ltd 5 Tobermore Road Draperstown Magherafelt BT45 7AG
Principal Bankers
Ulster Bank 20 Broad Street Magherafelt BT45 6JR
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Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for St Columba’s Parish Church, Ballynascreen, Draperstown for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion.
The principal function of St Columba’s Parish Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of St Columba’s Parish Church, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, 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 Columba’s Parish Church 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 Columba’s Parish Church.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
As a church we provide a weekly service of Morning Prayer and a once per month service of Holy Communion. We also provide for baptisms, weddings, funerals and pastoral support.
Our Child Protection Policy is in accordance with the Safeguarding Trust policies of the Church of Ireland.
As a parish we are active in raising funds and supporting the work of mission societies. We have mission partners whom we directly support as a parish.
Financial Review
Financial reports are reviewed throughout the year and a review on completion of the annual accounts.
Total receipts for the year (£20,299) were greater than total payments (£19,301) increasing the total cash funds held by £998. Net assets at the year-end were £416,551 (31/12/2024)
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 2024 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 (Trustees)
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, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for 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.
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Pay and Remuneration
The Rector is not paid directly by the Parish. A monthly assessment is paid to the Diocese which comprises Stipend, Locomotory Allowance, Employer’s National Insurance and Employers Clergy Pension Contributions.
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, the Church Wardens and generally not more than twelve other members elected at the General Vestry.
The Select Vestry is chaired by the Incumbent. 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 Incumbent. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Chairperson, the Secretary or the Church Wardens.
Compliance with Public Benefit
St Columba’s Parish Church has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Parish’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. There continues to be no private gain to any individual member.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the 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 the 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 reasonable accuracy at any 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
Ms Kathleen McKeown Treasurer ______ Rev. Rosie Diffin Rector ____ Date: _______
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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of St Columba’s Parish Church, Ballynascreen
I report on the accounts of St Columba’s Parish Church, Ballynascreen for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 13
.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity’s Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity Trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
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That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
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That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
Date
for and on behalf of W McGillian & Co. Ltd Financial Accountants
5 Tobermore Road Draperstown Co Londonderry BT45 7AG
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| Receipts and Payments Account for the year | Receipts and Payments Account for the year | Receipts and Payments Account for the year | ended 31 December 2024 | ended 31 December 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total | ||
| Note | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations |
2 | 15,966 | 884 | 16,850 | 20,698 | |
| Other Receipt | 3 | 200 | - |
200 | 953 | |
| Rental of Land | 700 | - |
- |
700 | 700 | |
| RCB Grant | - | - | - | |||
| Bank Interest | 644 | 161 | - |
805 | 633 | |
| Grave Fee | 50 | - |
- |
50 | - | |
| Investment Income | 9 | 1,694 | - |
1,694 | 1,576 | |
| Total Receipts | 19,254 | 1,045 | - |
20,299 | 24,560 | |
| Payments | ||||||
| Diocesan Assessment | 10,852 | 10,852 | 11,138 | |||
| Running Costs | 4 | 841 | - | - |
841 | 1,683 |
| Rectory Costs | 5 | 800 | - | - |
800 | 1.065 |
| Maintenance Costs | 6 | 1.312 | - |
1,312 | 6,171 | |
| Charitable Donations | 7 | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 890 | |
| Administration Costs | 8 | 3,828 | - | - |
3,828 | 3,278 |
| Support of A & J Quill | - | 240 | 240 | - | ||
| Support of C Holmes | 173 | 173 | - | |||
| Choir/payment | 100 | - |
100 | 240 | ||
| Bishop’s Appeal | 70 | 70 | 264 | |||
| Bank Charges | 85 | - |
- | 85 | 82 | |
| Total Payments | 17,818 | 1,483 |
- | 19,301 | 25,061 | |
| Surplus/Deficit of Receipts | and1,436 | (438) | - |
998 | (501) |
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Ms Kathleen McKeown _______ Trustee
Rev Rosie Diffin _______ Rector
Date:
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 December 2024
| Notes Cash Funds Bank Accounts Cash on Hand Total Cash Funds 10/11 Investment Assets 12 Investments in RCB Unit Trusts Investments in CIT Unit Trusts NFU Mutual Mixed Portfolio Total Investment Assets Assets retained for the Parish’s own use Fixtures & Fittings Church Plantation (small area of land beside church) Total Assets retained for the Parish’s own use 13 Total Assets The funds of the parish Endowment funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total charity funds 14 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Endowment Funds Total Total 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 £ £ £ 46,622 12,662 - 59,284 58,286 - 35 - 35 35 |
|---|---|
| 46,622 12,697 - 59,319 58,321 |
|
| - - 263,974 263,974 246755 - - 12,382 12,382 11,294 55,918 - - 55,918 52,732 |
|
| 55,918 - 276,356 332,274 310,781 |
|
| 5,000 - - 5,000 5,000 20,000 - - 20,000 20,000 |
|
| 25,000 - - 25,000 25,000 |
|
| 127,540 12,697 276,314 416,593 394,102 |
|
| 276,356 276,356 258,049 127,540 127,540 123,401 12,697 12,697 12,652 |
|
| 127,540 12,697 276,356 416,593 394,102 |
Signed on Behalf of the Trustees
Ms Kathleen McKeown ____ Trustee Rev Rosie Diffin ____ Rector
Date:
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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
1. Accounting policies
Set out below are the principal accounting policies which have been adopted in the compilation of the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
- (a) Receipts and Payments Account
All items of income and expenditure included within the Receipts and Payments Account have been accounted for on a cash receipts basis.
(b) Statement of Assets and Liabilities
(i) Assets retained for the Parish’s own use
The assets of the Parish, retained for its own use comprise:-
-
Church Buildings
-
Small piece of land known as the Church Plantation
-
Fixtures and fittings
The two Church Buildings are deemed to be Heritage assets as defined by the Charities SORP (FRS102). These Heritage assets are not included in the statement of assets and liabilities 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.
Fixtures and Fittings in the churches are recognised at an estimate valuation provided by the Trustees.
The Church Plantation has limited use to the Parish and is valued accordingly by the Trustees. The Mid Ulster Council uses part of it as a children’s play area and pays an annual rent for its use.
ii) Investments
Fixed asset investments comprising investment in RCB/CIT Unit Trusts as well as in NFU Mutual are stated at fair value at each year end date. Investments in unquoted investments are recorded at cost and are assessed annually for impairment.
iii) Endowment Funds
Endowment funds are funds, the capital of which must be retained either permanently or at the congregation’s discretion: the income derived from the endowment is to be used either as restricted or unrestricted income funds depending upon the purpose for which the endowment was established in the first place.
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Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 (continued) 2. Donations
| Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 7,498 - 7,498 900 - 900 - 884 884 2,220 2,220 751 751 3,397 - 3,397 1,200 - 1,200 15,966 884 16,850 200 200 200- - 200 491 - 491 96 - 96 162 - 162 92 - 92 - - - 841- 841 322 - 322 236 - 236 242 - 242 800 - 800 150 - 150 136 - 136 1,026 - 1,026 1,312 - 1,312 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 1,000 1,000 221 - 221 1,972 - 1,972 432 - 432 246 - 246 178 - 178 148 - 148 431 - 431 200-200 3,828 - 3,828 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 7,498 - 7,498 900 - 900 - 884 884 2,220 2,220 751 751 3,397 - 3,397 1,200 - 1,200 15,966 884 16,850 200 200 200- - 200 491 - 491 96 - 96 162 - 162 92 - 92 - - - 841- 841 322 - 322 236 - 236 242 - 242 800 - 800 150 - 150 136 - 136 1,026 - 1,026 1,312 - 1,312 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 1,000 1,000 221 - 221 1,972 - 1,972 432 - 432 246 - 246 178 - 178 148 - 148 431 - 431 200-200 3,828 - 3,828 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 7,498 - 7,498 900 - 900 - 884 884 2,220 2,220 751 751 3,397 - 3,397 1,200 - 1,200 15,966 884 16,850 200 200 200- - 200 491 - 491 96 - 96 162 - 162 92 - 92 - - - 841- 841 322 - 322 236 - 236 242 - 242 800 - 800 150 - 150 136 - 136 1,026 - 1,026 1,312 - 1,312 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 2024 2024 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 200 200 - 1,000 1,000 221 - 221 1,972 - 1,972 432 - 432 246 - 246 178 - 178 148 - 148 431 - 431 200-200 3,828 - 3,828 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Freewill Envelopes Annual Sustentations Mission Focus Loose Collections Carol Service Collection Gift Aid-Small Donations and Planned giving Miscellaneous Donations TOTALS 3. Other Receipts Compensation: Ulster Bank TOTALS 4. Church Running Costs Church oil Electricity Water Rates Visiting Speakers Service of Fire Extinguishers TOTALS 5. Rectory Costs Heating Oil Electricity Telephone TOTALS 6. Maintenance Costs Church Repairs: Gutters Servicing of Boiler Grass Cutting TOTALS 7. Charitable Donations CMJ Ireland CMS Ireland Crosslinks SAMS Faith Mission TOTALS 8. Administration Costs Expenses of Office Insurance Audit Fee Copyright Licence Gift Aid Administration Fee Printing of Church Envelopes Purchase of Microphone Kilcronaghan Connect Outing TOTALS |
|||
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9. Investment Income
| 9. Investment Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RCB COI Trustees | 232 | - | 232 |
| RCB Unit Trusts | 1,462 | - | 1,462 |
| TOTALS | 1,694 | - | 1,694. |
| 10. Total Cash Funds |
Unrestricted | Restricted | |
| Bank Current Account | 46,622 | 874 | |
| Organ Repair Fund | - | 2,976 | |
| St Anne’s Business Reserve |
8,812 | ||
| Total Bank | 46,622 | 12.662 | |
| Cash Accounts | - | 35 | |
| 46,622 | 12,697 |
11. Movement in Funds
| At 1 Jan | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | At 31 Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Resources | Resources | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Charities | 990 | 884 | 1,000 | - | 874 |
| Organ Repair Fund | 2,940 | 36 | - | - | 2,976 |
| St Anne’s Fund | 8,721 | 125 | - | 8,846 | |
| Total restricted | 12,651 | 1,045 | 1,000 | 12,696 | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General Fund | 45,669 | 19,253 | 18,301 | - | 46,621 |
| 45,669 | 19,253 | 18,301 | - | 46,621 | |
| Total funds | 58,321 | 20,298 | 19,301 | - | 59,319 |
Purposes of Restricted Funds
Charities Fund – Monies for donations to charitable and missionary organizations
Organ Repair Fund – a fund to provide the maintenance of the church organ
St Anne’s Fund – a fund for the running and repair of St Anne’s
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12. Investment Assets
| Opening value at 1 Jan 2024 Changes in valuation Closing value at 31 Dec 2024 |
NFU Mutual Mixed Portfolio £ 52,731.76 +3,186.69 55,918.45 |
CIT Unit Trusts £ 11,294.04 +1.088.18 12,382.22 |
RCB Unit Trusts £ 246,755.32 +17,218.41 263,973.73 |
Total £ 310,781.12 +21,493.28 332,274.40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
13. Assets retained for the Parish's own use
| Opening cost at 1 Jan 2023 Additions Closing cost at 31 Dec 2023 |
Fixtures & Fittings Plantation Land Total £ £ £ 5,000 20,000 25,000 - - - |
|---|---|
| 5,000 20,000 25,000 |
14. Reconciliation of Charity Funds Balance b/f at 1 Jan 2024 394,102 Add Surplus for 2024 998 395,100 Increase in Value of Investments 21,493 Balance b/f at 31 Dec. 2024 416,593
15. Transactions with the Trustees
The parish paid expenses of £800 relating to the running costs of the Rectory which is occupied by the Rector. 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
16. Governance Costs
Governance costs of £432 were incurred during the year which relates to fees paid to the independent examiner. Governance costs are included within Administration costs in the Receipts and Payments Accounts.
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