The Church of Scotland Strachur and Strathlachlan Parish Church RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3 1st DECEMBER 2024 Congregation No: 201285 Charity No: SC 001767
nis Chariry Name: Strachur & Strathlachlan Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Cbarity Rcgistralion Number: SC001767 Congregation Reference No: 201285 Contact Address: Tigh na Criche Strachur Arg01 PA27 8BY Tru$t¢es: Kirk Session.. Congregational Board: NIA Principal Office-bearers= Minister. Session Clerk Clerk to the Board.. NIA Chwch Treasurer.. Independent Examiner: Bankers: Co-operative Ban P.0. Box 250. Delf House. Southway. Sk¢lnrrsdale WN8 6WT Page 2
tees. Annu cem er 24 Structure ov ent Governing Dotument The Chuwh is administered in accordance with the tern)s of the Deed of Constitution Iunitary Forn). Recrnitment gnd Appointment of Trustee5 Members of the Kirk Session/Congregational Board (the Session) are the charity trustees. The Session members are the elders of the church and ar¢ chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The minister. who is a member of the Kirk Session. is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. The Session shall appoint a Cluk who may or may not be a member of the Session but shall be a member of the congregation. The Session shall appoint a Treasurer who, if holding only that office, need not be a member of the Congrcgation. Both appointees shall hold office at the pleasure of the Session. Organisational Strncture The Session n]ay constitute con]mittees and shall specify their remit and duties and may specify any restriction or conditton on the committee which it considers appropriate. A committee may constitute sub-committees and shall specify their Temit and duti¢s and may sp¢cify any restriction or condition on the sub-committee which it considers appropriate. tiv tivitie Th¢ Chwcb of Scotlalld is Trinitsrian in doctrine, R¢forn]¢d in tradition and Presbyterian in policy. It exists to glortfy God and to work for the advancement of Christ's KiT]gdom throughout the world. As a national Church, it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministy. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond. Public worship is routinely conducted twice per week in two separate locations. Strachur Church building is made available to all members of the community for maTriages and funerals, as is the one at Strathlachlan. Strachur Church is nornially open during daylight houTS and is also made available (as requested) to outside organisations e.g. StrachuT History Society. However, due to the COVID pandemic both Church buildings were close(L unless being used for worship. The Guild meets regularly on a monthly basis at Stra¢hur Memorial Hall. during the winter season. The parish minister is available to all members of the community whether as individuals or in groups. Page 3
Trustees, Annual Report (cont) Year ended 31 st December 2024 A hievem nts an The Church interacts with a variety of other charities in a number of ways. Retiring collections are a regular feature. not just at times of specific life events, the proceeds of whtch are disbursed to deserving causes (Pg.12). Premises for storage purposes (manse outbuildings) continuc to be provided free of charge. In particular, material collected for the use of the Strachur Community Men's Shed charity is currently being stored in one area. The Church continues to offer pastoral ¢ar¢ as required with Strachur Church open daily to the community and visitors . A self-service food table, continues to be stocked and is available to all. As a linked clwge with Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich Parism costs are shared equally where appropriate e.g. community charge and Ministcrs expense8. Ivhilst the Minister remains domiciled at Strachur manse the linkage necessilates increased travel and provision of a system of pulpit supply. The cost of pulpit supply is initially borne by the appropriate parish and is tben normally reclaimed in 11 through the Presbytery/Augusts LaTllQllt bequesL however following the establisl)ment of a new Presbytery (CEI) and resuliant change in committee structures, reimbursement of travel exp¢nses was not included for this year. Clarity on this issue is being sought by the treasurer. In some cases. those involved in pulpit supply may decide to offer their remuneration to the parish rather than retain it. In addition to necessary maintenance. replacement of the circular stained glass window located in the west wall of Strachur Church was completed. This was made necessary followingF Storn) damage and w&$ enabled by a successful insurance claim. £450 was paid out from the Fabric Fund. Statistics Number on Roll at l&¢ January 2024 Removals during 2021: by Death by Certificate Otherwtse 88 Baptisms: Weddings.. Funerals: 86 Additions by resolution Number on Roll at 3 1st December 2024 87 The Supplementary Roll now numbers zero and there are no young people under the age of 17 years associated with the Congregation. Page 4
cial Rev Although congregational giving including tax reclaim¢d on Gift Aid was down slightly to £15,354 (£15.899). this was offset by incr¢ased investment incom¢ and a donation of £1,000 from a member of the congregation. No legacy funding was received this year but the General Fund remains healthy with a working balance of £10,125 {£10,557). As previously mentioned. full reimbursement of pulpit supply costs w&8 Ilot wgsiblc this year with £531 being retained by the Augusta Lamont Committee. Recovcry of this amount continues to be investigated by th¢ tr¢asur¢r. £3,200 (£2,067) was re1ved and it is expected that pulpit supply will increas¢ in 2025. A donation of £1,500 was made to the Fabric Fund by the Whi* Elephant Shop enabling replacement of Strdcbur Church front door. The fund remains in surplus. Two payments of £1,105 each were received from the Augusta Lamont Bequest into the Fdlth in Cowal Fund, this will allow for further development in 2025. A further £7.300 was also received as conttnued fimding of the Cowal Ari Project. This was augmented by £1,827 from th¢ Parish. representing 200/0 of the overall grant and allowing the project to continue for another year. It is expected that this grant will be repeated in February 2025. Overall expenditure during the year redu¢¢d to £34.202 (£35.512) including conttnuing payroll. marketing and associated costs of both the Cowal Art Project and the Faith in Cowal websile, run on behalf of the Presbitery. Cowal Art Project expenditure totalled £8,416 (£7.383) wilh the project b¢ing extended to include Lochgoilhead. Electricity supply costs continue to increase and are kept under regular review with changes to the supplier being made wben necessary. The Giving to Grow contribution along with Presbytery Dues were mel in full but it is ¢xpect¢d that these will rise appreciably next year, however the treasurer has requested recalculation of the G.t.G. contribution due to a possible ern)r. The General Fund experienced a budget surplus as expected although significantly less than forecast. due to lower income and higher costs than expected. This Siation is not exp¢cted to change throughout the coming year therefore a General Fund Budget deficit is forecast for 2025. Reserves Pollcy At year end the Church held unrestricted cash & endowment fimds totalling £44,928 {£43,260) including £25,000 (£15.000) which continues to be held on interest bearing deposit with the Church of Scotland Investors Trust. £10,000 was transferred from the CO-OP current account in order to secure further interest on liquid funds. The Church also held £12,358 (£16,378) of liquid restricted funds including £8.000 (£8,(K)O) on deposiL which have been provided for the purposes specified in Note 2. Beyond the liquid funds held are firther amouT]ts on Capital Account with the Church of Scotland General Trnstees. These are held for contingency purp)ses and are detailed in Appendix l attached to these accounts. The market value of the investments at year end was £212,600 (£196,688). Page 5
Trustees. Annual Report (cont) Ycar ended 31 st December 2024 ntof T tees, Res onsi iti The members of the Kirk SessionlCongr¢gational Board must preparc fmancial statements which give su7clent detsil to enable an appreciation of the tran%actions of ihe Church during the financial year. The members ofthe Kirk Session/Congregational Board ar¢ r¢swnsible for keeping proper accounting records Whic on request, rnust reflect the fmancial position of the Church at that lime. This must be done to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Truslee Investment (Scotland) Aci 2005. th¢ Charitieg Accounts (Scotlalld) Regulations 2006 and the Regulations Anent Congregational Finance approved by the Cyeneral As.sembly of the Church of Sco¢land tn 2007. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets. of the Church and must lake reasonable st¢ps for th¢ prcvention andlor detection of fraud and other iegUlar1tlcs. Approved by the TnteeS and 5sgned on their behalf. Clerk to th¢ Kirk Session/Congregational Board Date Page 6
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Strachur & Strathlachlan Parish Church SC001767 I report on the accoullts of the charity for tbe year ended 31 st Dccember 2024 which are set out onpages 8 to 15. Respeclive responsibllities of trnstees and examiner The clwity's truste¢s are responsible for the prepdraiion of the arcvunts in accordance with the teiThs of the C,hariti¥% and Trublrc Invcyltncnl {SLotland) Act 2005 and the C'.harities Accounts {Scoiland} Regulations 2006. The charity tn]stees consider that the audil requirement of Regulation 10( I ) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is ]ny responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) {c) of thc Act and to state whcthci particular m&tt¢rs have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's statement An examination is carried out ill accordance wilh Regulation I l of the Charities Accounts (Scoiland) Regulations 2006. An tsxamindlion in¢lud¥s a rcview of the accounting records kcpt by the chIry and a comparison of the accounts prescntcd wtth those rccords. It alio includcs consid¢ration of any unusual iteTn% or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks ¢xplanations from the trustees LollLeminbT any 5ULh maltepti. The procedures undertaken do not provide all tbc evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently I do not exprcss an audit opinion on tlie vie. given by the accounts. Independent examiner's Statement Ill the course of my exaniliiati0 no matt¢r has ¢omc to my attention. wbich gives me Teasonablc cause to bclicv¢ that in any malcrial respccl the requirernent.s: to ke¢p a¢¢ounling records in accordance with Scction 44 (1){a) of thc 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and to preparc accounts which accord with the accountiiig records and ¢omply with Regulation 9 of Ihe 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met. or lo which, in my opinion. attenlion should bc drawn in Order to enable a proper understanding of the accouuts to bc rca¢l)cd. Nam¢ Address: Page 7
t hur & Strathlachlan Pari ts and Pa ments Account ear ende 31stDece er 2024 hch Unrestricted FuDds Restricted Endowrnent FuDd$ FndS 2024 Total Total 2024 2024 2024 21123 Recelpts Donations Note 18.582 779 2,214 (210) 18.582 ,194 5,534 1210) 18,199 835 4,825 Bwjk & Deposit interest lllYestm¢nt income Activities foE Ge]herating Funds Net fig. Legacies Reimburs¢d- Pulpit Supply & Cn'cl Tax The Guild 415 3,320 10,000 3.247 852 4.488 4.488 752 752 25,853 4,487 30,339 37,957 G1$. PresbyW_All¢viate Povety Augusts Lamont Cowal Art Project Augusta Lamollt Faith in Cowsl Project 2.600 7.300 2,210 9,510 7,31K) 2.210 9,510 2,600 Total Recelpts Unrutrlcted Funds 2024 Restiicted ElldowmeDt Funds 2024 Totsl 2024 Total 21123 2024 Payments Costs of generdting fvnds Charitable activities Fabric repairs & 8]ntenance (Xher paymeajts The Guild Note 19.588 2.770 1,797 45 9,122 881 21.385 2,815 9,122 881 22,695 3,485 8,489 843 Total Payments 34.202 Excess of Receipts over Payn¢Dts for the year before transfers 3.494 2.153 5,647 5,045 TraDsfers (1.827) 1,827 Excess of Recelpts over Payments for the year 1.667 3.980 5,647 5,045 Page 8
Strachur trathl hlan P UDffstricted Re5tr1¢ted EndoyrnrtI FMTrds Futtd$ Total Total 21124 2(124 2024 2024 2023 Note Bank & Deposit Balances Bank & Church of Scotland Ini'e5tors TnLSt Deposit Ba]ances at 1st Jan 2024 43,260 16,378 59,639 54,594 Movement in vear Ix¢¢ss ofRc¢¢ipL8 nvcr Paym¢nL8 for ihe y¢ar inclUdg rran5fers 1.667 3.980 5,647 5.045 Bat]k & Church of Scotland Investors Tr8t D¢rx)sit Balan¢cs * 31 st tkc 2024 44,928 20,358 65.286 59.639 Investment5 Market V81ue at 31st Dec 2024 Chureh of Scotland Income Fund 31,3(XJ 24.404 55.703 31.3 181,31K) 212.600 31,017 165,671 196,688 Church of Scot]and GTowth Fund 156,897 156.897 TotAI Fund$ iooffiji 177255 277W6 256J27 Assets Cjift Aid Re•Vabl¢ Llabilitles J87 The accounts were approved by the Kirk Session and Financial Board on 2Y I O# / For and on behalf of tbe Kirk Session and Financial Board Session Clcrk Treasurer Page 9
hur nt of B hlan es Notes to the Accounts l. Trnstee Remunergtlon and Related Party Trnnsactions During the year the Minister receivd reimbursem¢nt of telq)hoDe and broadband expenses totalling £472.45 plus Council Tax in respect of the Manse amounting to £2,392.69 (shared equally with linked parish - Lochgoilhcad & Kilmorich). Th¢ Treasurer received £1,107.95 in respect of Pulpii Supply fees and travel expenses as a Reader. 2. Movements In Funds At 14t J*n At31"D Unrestricted funds 2024 Recelpts Paymettts TraDsfers 2024 Balances at Bank Crtneral Fund Resetve Fund 10.557 11.687 5,377 639 20,751 1,871 3,103 128 19.356 {1,827} (10,0001 10.125 3.5S9 5.710 534 Fabric Fund Benevoltnt Fund 2.770 233 28.260 25,853 22,358 (11.8271 19,928 Balan¢es At Ch. of Sc. Investors Trust Dep't Fund General Fund 10.(KN) 5,000 43.260 10.IM)O 15,(I)O 44.928 Reserve Fund 10,0 {1.827) 25,853 22.358 At J" Jan At 311t De¢ Restricted funds 2024 Reeelpts Payments Transfers 2024 Balance at Bank Crdwfi)rd Bequest Fund Faith in Cowal Fund Guild Fw Cowal Art Project 4,238 2,557 603 3.735 2.210 752 1.841 706 6,132 4,062 474 1,691 12.358 881 981 7.31K) 13.997 8,416 11,844 1.827 1,827 8,378 Bydlances At Ch. of Sc. Investors Trust Dep't Fund Crnwford Bequest Fund 8,000 16,378 8,000 20,358 13.997 11,844 1827 Total funds 59,639 39.849 34,202 65,286 Purposes of Unrestrficted Funds: Page 10
Genernl Fund: Reserve Fund.. Fabric Fund: Benevolent Fund: Funds s¢t &5ide for genetal PuOS&s. Funds set aside io be dTawo down if and when r¢quired. Funds Set aside for the IntenanCe of ChuTch property. Fund8 set aside for disbut%ement to individuals in case of ne¢d. Purposes of Restricted Funds: Crawford Bequest Ful.. Faith in COW Fund Guild Fund Cowal Art Project Established for the upkeep of fabric ai Strathlachlan thurch. Established for the employment of worker and to develop pilgTirnage. Funts to maintsin operatiot) of th¢ Church Guild. Funds to maintaiD operation of the Art ProjecL Notes to the Accounts (cont'd) UDrestrleted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Fund8 Total Total 2024 21124 2024 2024 21123 3. Analysis of Donations WFO Scheme (non Gift Aid) Gift Aid Donations Ordinary Offerings (Open Plate) Othet Offetings. Donalions etc ReCOved on Gifi Aid Donations 4.312 6,326 4.516 2.827 4.312 6,326 4.516 2.827 4.749 7.171 2.433 3,005 840 Wedding & Funernl Donations An2Rysis of Payments 4. Chxrltable activities Giving to Grow all0]Qn Presbytery dues Voluntary Additional Stipelld Minister's expenses Ministerial Assistanc¢ Pulpii supply Counctl Tax 8.947 245 8.947 245 7,921 363 472 472 424 233 233 4.542 2,067 2.336 1,018 2,545 134 3.527 2.393 1,180 1,758 165 3527 2.393 1,697 2,658 165 Heal and light InsLtrance 517 899 Life & Work Magazine (Net} Organ & music Printing, siationery and postage Other expenses 360 360 720 720 35 35 38 275 20 295 588 Notes to the Accounts (cont'd) 5. Other payments Faith in Cowal Project COW Art Project Pcht of assets Pllrch&se of investments 706 706 I.I06 7J83 8,416 8.416 6. Mlnl$ter'$ Stfipend Pagell
All Church of Scotland congregations contribut¢ to the National Stipend Fund which bears the costs of all ministers, stipends and employer's contributions for national insurance. pension and housin8 and loan fund. Ministers, stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale, which is related to year8 of service. For the year und¢T review the minimum stipend was £31,642 and the maximum (in the 5tb and subsequent years of scrvice) was £38,884. 7. Collections for Third Parties 2024 2023 Christian Aid Shel*r (Scotlalld) Crossreacb Cos Nkhoma Mission Save the Children Al Sbarooq Blind School 323 406 152 59 220 115 132 240 810 837 In addition to the above Tetiring collections at church services the surn of £1,646.19 was collected during this yeavs Christian Aid Week in Stra¢hur and surrounding districts. Page 12
APPENDIX I BY THE OT GENERAL IKDE ER2 ITAL A 2024 2023 Cost of tnvesknents held 107 562 107 562 Market value of investments held 196688 ket Val (at time of puhaS¢) (made up ofj 2024 2023 nr Reserve Fund: 2,028 unils, Church ofscotland Investors Tn&st Income Fund 19.902 22,430 22,227 2,925 units, Church ofscoiland InlOrS Tnut Growth Fund 8,900 18,662 17,053 28,802 41.091 39.280 Fabric Fund: 802 units, Church ofscoiland Investors Trust Income Fund 9,993 8,870 8,790 900 units, Church ofSco¢landlnvestors Tn&st Growth Fund 4.995 5.742 5,247 14,988 14,612 14.037 Total value of unrestricted Capital Funds 43,790 55,703 53,317 estric unds Crawford Bequest Fund: 24,592 units. Church ofscotland Investors Tnut Growth Fund 63.772 156.897 143,371 107 562 196688 Page 13
APPENDIX I (eont'd) LD NBE NGRE ENE TEE AT EMBER 2 24 co 2024 2023 unds Church of Scotland Investors Twst Deposit Fund: General Fund i 0,000 10,000 Reserve Fund 15,000 5,000 25.IX)O 15,000 Church of Scotland Investo Trust Deposit Fund: Crawford Bequ¢st Fund Totsl value of Revenue Account 8,000 8.000 Page 14
APPENDIX 2 NBEH PERATIVE BANK- LMERS AS EMBER 2024 erativ Bank- Accou *585 2024 2023 Unrestrkcted Funds: General Fund 10,125 3,559 5.710 534 10,557 11,687 5,377 639 Reserve Fund Fabric Fund Benevolent Fund 19,928 28.260 Restricted Funds: Crawford B¢quest Fund Faith in Cowal Fund 6,132 4.062 474 4.238 2,557 603 Guild Fund Cowal Art Project 1,691 12,358 981 8.378 Total value of Funds held at Bank £32 286 £36 639 Page 15
Budget chur Ch f S GENERAL FUND BUDGET BUDGET ACTUAL BUDGET INCOME Offerings". WFO Off¢rings Gift Aid Donations OTdinary Off¢rings (Open Plate) Other Offerings, Donations etc Gift Aid & GASDS Tax Recovered 2025 2024 2024 4.500 6,500 1,500 2,500 4,312 6,326 1.888 2.827 15,354 4.000 6,000 600 2,500 Other Ordinary General Income.. Wedding and Funeral Donations Deposit FundlBank Interest Activities for generating funds Net fig. as from 01101123 Legacies Reimbursements - Pulpit Supply. Council Tax 500 500 1,500 600 519 (210) 21)0 100 1.800 5,000 3,750 10,850 23.950 5,000 7,500 4.488 5,397 I Inco 20.751 EXPENDITURE National Ministy and Mission & Wider Work: Giving to Grow Presbytery Dues 2025 2024 2024 12.266 368 8947 245 9,192 7,921 363 8,284 Local Staffmg Costs: Minister's T¢l¢phone and Other Expenses Pulpit Supply 100 4.000 4,100 472 3,527 3999 400 2,500 2,9(X) Building Costs: Manse Council Tax Heat and Light Insurance of Church and Manse (General and Rentokil) Maint¢nance of Equipment 2.500 1,500 2.393 1,180 1,758 360 5,691 2,500 2,000 1.500 500 6.500 400 6,400 Local Congregational Purposes: Printing, Stationery, Photocopying, Software. etc Miscellaneo5 Expenses 50 4(K) 450 35 439 474 460 466 Total in 23,584 Ll.11li4 19,356 18,150 SURPLUS (DEFICIT) FOR YEAR Page 16