ST RONAN'S CHURCH COLEBROOKE TRUSTEES, AINNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 The trustees present thc annual report and financial statements for St Ronan's Church for the year ended 31 December 2023. Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of St Ronan's Church is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting, through the work of tlie Parish the whole mission of the Churcli, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Beinq open to and engaging wAtlI society as a whole and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian rcligion, the Parish has custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and maintenance of which is undertaken by the Select Vestry of the Parish. Achievements, Performance and Public Benefit The Parish holds public worship at a variety of services each week throughout the church year - Holy Communion, Morning Prayer, Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. There are services focusing on Advent, Christmas, LenL Easter, Harvest etc. The purpose of our charitable fundraising is not only for our own costs, but also for a variety of necds (see attached donations). This is a tangible demonstration of our mission and outreach. At all times we keep in mind our Safe Guarding Trust policy, Heath and Safety requirements and regulations. 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. Financial Review For the financial year ended 31 December 2023, there was an overall deficit of £(1,975), which incorporatcd a deficit under unrestricted funds of £(4,109), a surplus in restricted funds of £2,114 and a surplus of £20 under endowment funds. 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 tlie financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document and Constitulion of Ilie Charity Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisation. The Select Vestry members are the Charity Trustees.
ST RONAN'S CHURCH COLEBROOKE TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Recruitment andAppoinlmenl of tlie Sel£cÉ Yeslry (Truslees) All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18, 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 clection to the Select Vestry. The Select Vestry will hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vesty members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served. Organisational Siruclure The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Parish. The Select Vestry consists of members of the clergy serving in the Parish, any Curate Assistant, tlie Churchwardens, the Glebe Wardens and generally not more than twelve other members of tlie General Vestry elected at the General Vestry. The Select Vestry is chaired by the incumbent or other member of the clergy officiating in the Parish. Select Vesty 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 members or by the Diocesan Synod. Special meetings may be convened at any time by the Chairperson or the Churchwardens. In 2023 the Select Vestry met 7 times during the year and the average attendance was 69 %. Sialemenl of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Truste¢s' Report and the financial statemcnts in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northem Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for cach financial year. Under that law the trustees have prepared the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in the United Kingdom (accounting stsndards issued by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK, including Charities SORP (FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and protnulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the United Kingdom and United Kingdom Law). Under that law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of tlie affairs of the charity and of the statement of financial activities of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting standards and identify the standards in question, subject to any material departures being disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and
ST RONAN'S CHURCH COLEBROOKE TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriatc to presume that tlie Parish will Continue as a going concern. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to sliow and explain the Parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Parish and enable them to ensure that the financial statemei)ts comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Reoulations (Northem Ireland) 2015 and the provision of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. 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. Statement as to disclosure to our Independent Examiner In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving out trustees, annual report.. there is no relevant information of which the charity's examiiier is unaware. and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant Information and to establish that the charity's examiner is aware of that information. Independent Examiner Thc Independent Examiner, Hassard Mcclements Limited have indicated their willingness to continue in office, and a resolution concerning tlieir reappointment will be proposed at the Annual Easter Vestry Meeting. Signed on Behalf of the Trustees Rev Canon John Mcclenag Mr Derek Johnston Date.. l07Lfr.