THE PARISH OF ENNISKILLEN
ST. MACARTIN'S CATHEDRAL E￿NIS￿LLEN
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for The Parisli of Enniskillen, St. Macartin's Cathedral
for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of the Christian faith.
The parish objectives are encapsulated in its vision statement which is "St. Macartin's at The Heart of the
Community, Strengthening Commitment, Outreach, Worship and Christian Love"
The principal function of
St. Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen is to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promotin
through the work of the parish, the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical,
being open to engaging with society as a whole.
All activities undertaken fiffther the charity's purpose for th¢ Public Benefit.
As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the parish has custody of
property and of records, materials and art¢facts of significance to the cultural and religious heritage and
maintenance of which is undertaken by the select vestry of tlie parish.
Achievements and Performance
St. Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen, has a clear Anglican identity and during the year 2023 it held 189
services of divine worship of Holy Communion, Morning and Evening Prayer. In addition, Harvest
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are celebrated as well as comTnemoration of significant historical events.
In 2023 the parish held 20 burials, 9 baptisms, 5 weddings and 23 confirn]ations. Pastoral support to
parishioners was provided through the ministy of the Dean and Diocesan Pastoral Assistant.
Public beneftt in St. Macartin's Cathedral Enniskillen in addition to divine worship is achieved through a wide
variety of activities that take place throughout the year in the Cathedral Hall. The groups which meet cater for
all ages and a wide variety of interests. The parish supports those in need with its outreach mission both at
home and abroad.
St. Macartin's Cathedral. Enniskillen has a strong musical and choral tradition with a large Cathedral choir
contributing to the worshiping life of the parish and diocese. The parish provides ministry to young people
in Sunday Lights, Sunday Lights Cafe, Messy Church, and a Confirniation class a5 well and its Rainbows,
Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.
The Mothers, Union provides a meeting opportunity for the women of the parish. The Bowling Club provides
recreation for interested members of the parish and the community. Community outreach is provided to the
elderly through the Tuesday Club and to younger members through the Parenting and Wellness Group.
Three Trustees serve on the Boards of Governors of local schools. In addition the clergy lead assemblies in
local schools.
The parish enjoys very good community relations with all its neiohbouring churches and has a particularly
strong link with the local Roman Catholic parish of St. Michael's, Enniskillen and its clergy.
St. Macartin's Cathedral, Enniskillen adheres to Safeguarding Trust Regulations, Data Protection Laws and
the Church of Ireland Child Protection Policy.
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Public BenefIt ststement
The expression of the precepts of the Christian religion through the engatrement with the general public, and
in particular with the disadvantaged. the sick, the elderly and the young is a public benefit. This can be
measured and evidenced through increased social integration and pastoral care delivered at the point of need.
The direct benefit of participation in Church life includes the enjoyment of public worship and the giving and
receiving of pastoral ministy, improved understanding of the values relating to civic engagement community
cohesion and providin8 a bridge between diverse groups as well as improved educational outcomes through
the Church's ministry of teaching. The beneficiaries are the general public, and the public valuation of the
benefits can be evidenced through attendance at publio worship, participation in Church governance and
willingness to suppor¢ through contributions, the continuin(y witness of the Church. The wider benefit to the
public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian outreach. Any private benefit arising out
of the fulfilllment of our Christian ministy or to lay staff is essential to the fulfIllment of the puryose of the
advancement of religion. No Trustee receives remuneration. reward or other private benefit for carrying out
their Trustee responsibility.
The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include the provision of archive reports, public enjoyment of
cultural and historic buildings and artefacts such as the church plate, furnishings and materials as well as an
overall improved appreciation of longstanding Christian heritage. This is demonstrated through on-going
proviston of access to records and the use made of these records in, for example, research and genealogy,
through conservation efforts in respect of records. property and artefacts and the subsequent and continued
requests for a￿esS and use of our materials by wider society. Th¢re is DO harni arising from the Pu￿Ose. The
beneficiaries arc the general public. No private benefIt is received by trustees ￿lfIllIng their trustee
responsibilities in respect of these records, buildings or artefacts, but in the course of conservation and to make
these accessible to the public, the engagement of professional staff and services is essential but incidental to
the ￿lfIl]ment of the purpose.
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 achiev¢ the Parish's
objectives as well as providing public benefit in the year ended 31 December 2023.
The Trustees of the parish confiTm that they have complied with their duty under section 4(b) of the Charities
Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on
public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has infornied the activities of the charity in the year
ended 31 December 2023.
Financial Review
The Trustees are satisfied that St. Macartin's Cathedral. Enniskillen, remains in a sound financial position at
the year end. The results for the year are set out on page 7 of the accounts.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees do not have a fornial reserves policy" however, they must ensure that the church has sufficient
resources. It is considered good practice to seek to build fInancial reserves which will enable the church to
meet future commitments or unforeseen expenses without a negative impact on the ability to deliver services
in the manner planned. By holding reserves. the church will be able to absorb setbacks and take advantage of
change and opportunity as well as demonstrate a plan for viability beyond the immediate futyre and provide
reliable services over the longer tenn.
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 end 31
December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Documenl and Constilulion oflhe Charity
Chapter III of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. The
Select Vesty members are the Charity Trustees
Recruitment andAppointmeftt ofselecg Veslry
All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of 18, contribute a minimum of £50 per annum,
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 Vesty of the parish, allowing
them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vesty.
Meetintrs of the General Vesty are held at least once a year. The Select Vesty is elected as part of this General
Vesty meeting. The Select Vesty WAII hold tlieir positions for a period of one year. Select Vesty members
may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of tenns whtch may be served.
Pay and remuneration
The Rector and Dean, the Curate and the Pastoral Assistant each receive a stipend in accordance with figures
approved by the Clogher Diocese and the General Synod of'the Church of Ireland and details of office and
locomotory allowance.
OrganisaÉional Structure
The Select Vestry is responsible for the day-to-day manaLFement of the parish. In 2023 the Select Vesty
consists of the member of the clergy serving in the parish. the church wardens, the glebe wardens and fourteen
other members of the General Vestry elected at the General Vestry meeting.
The Select Vesty is chaired by the Incumbent or other member 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 Vesty meets monthly except in January, July and August. Special meetings may be convened at
any time by the chairperson or the churchwardens. In 2023 the Select Vesty met 8 times during the year.
The average attendance was 800/0.
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Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in the Northern Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for
each fInancial year. Under that law the trustees have prepared the financial statements in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in the United Kingdom (accounting standards 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 promulgated 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 the 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 judgments 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 fInan¢ial statements. and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to PTesume that the
Parish will continue as a going concern.
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 financial position of the Parish and enable
them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act Oqorthern Ireland) 2008, the Charity
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the provision of the Constitution of thc
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 disc105ure to our independent examiner
In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees, annual report:
th¢re is no relevant infomiation of which the independent examiner is unaware. and
the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant
inforn]ation and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that inforn]ation.
Independent Examiner
The independent eKaTniner, Hassard Mcclements Limited have indicated their willingness to continue in
office, and a resolution concerning their reappointment will be proposed at the Annual Easter Vestry
Meeting.
On Behalf of the Trustee
Ve
Chair
Kenneth R J Hall
Mrs E Hope
err
Honorary Treasurer
Samuel B Morrow
Honorary Secretary
tb
Date: 4 March 2024
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