TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
The Trustees present the annual report and statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Clabby Parish Church for the year ended 31 December 2022.
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Clabby Parish Church is to support the advancement of Christian religion by promoting, through the work of Clabby Parish Church 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 and 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, the Clabby Parish Church has custody of property and records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry of Clabby Parish Church.
Achievements, Performance and Public Benefits
We have a service of Holy Communion of the first Sunday of the month and a Family Service on the third Sunday of the month. There are special services during the year e.g. Confirmation, Harvest Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. Pastoral care is provided for parishioners and those in the wider community. Sunday School takes place in the Church Hall during Morning Service.
A range of activities are provided by Clabby Parish either by the church directly or through various church organisations e.g. Sunday School and Mothers Union. Other groups regularly hire the Parish Hall for Indoor Bowls, Mothers and Toddlers and Scouts.
We have a monthly magazine that is distributed throughout the Clogher Diocese and this helps keep everyone up to date with events in our Church and other churches in the area. The Parish has a well organised group who provide funeral teas and refreshments after special services. They also provide refreshments at fundraising and Musical events. Proceeds from these fund raising events went to general church funds.
The Trustees have put in place policies to protect anyone partaking in church activities and have implemented the Church of Ireland Safeguarding Trust Policy.
The parish 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.
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 statement for the year ended 31 December 2022 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 in 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.
Diocesan Assessment
The Diocesan Assessment is £26,534
Organisational Structure
The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. The Select Vestry consists of the members of the clergy serving in the parish, the church wardens, the glebe wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Easter vestry meeting.
The Select Vestry is chaired by the incumbent or 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 parish funds are to be applied.
The Select Vestry meets at times fixed by members or the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the chairperson of the church wardens. In 2022 the Select Vestry met 7 times during the year and the average attendance was 85%.
Compliance with Public Benefit
The Parish 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.
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 laws 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
Rector 24[rd] April 2023