The Church of Scotland
Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church of Scotland, Stenhousemuir
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS For the Year Ended
31[st] December 2024
Congregation No: 221373 Charity No: SC002263
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name: Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church Charity Registration Number: SC002263 Congregation Reference No: 221373 Contact Address:
Trustees
==> picture [486 x 379] intentionally omitted <==
Bankers
Virgin Money 1 Bank Street Falkirk FK1 1NB
2
Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Model Deed of Constitution.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Members of the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board are the charity trustees. The Kirk Session members are the elders of the church and are 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 Congregational Board is appointed from within the congregation and members of the congregation are invited to nominate individuals who are believed to have the skills and commitment to contribute to the management affairs of the Church, to become members of the Board. Board Members are then appointed at the Stated Annual Meeting and serve for a period of three years after which they must seek re-election at the next Stated Annual Meeting.
Organisational Structure
The Congregational Board is chaired by the minister and meets four times in a year. The Board is responsible for overseeing the financial and property affairs within the church and designates authority to appointed subcommittees as deemed appropriate. The Kirk Session which meets ten times a year is responsible for spiritual affairs within the church.
Objectives and Activities
The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom 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 ministry. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond.
The church holds weekly services for worship and Holy Communion is celebrated six times a year. The church also holds services for Baptisms, Marriages and Funeral Services. The church is used by Larbert High School and Carron Primary School for religious services and this involves mid-term and end of term services. The church also hosts the High School Christmas Carol Concert.
The church also hosts a Remembrance Day Service attended by the affiliated youth organisations and a Christingle Service was once again held as well as the traditional Watch Night and Christmas Day Morning Services. The church continued to host the Easter Holy Week services.
The church and its facilities also hosted the following groups / activities during the year:- Ladies Group, Girl Guides (two companies – different nights), Brownies, Rainbows, Yoga Class, Dance Class, Fund raising events e.g. jumble sales / quiz nights / winter fayre, coffee morning in aid of Strathcarron Hospice Snowdrop Appeal.
3
Trustees’ Annual Report (cont) Year ended 31 December 2024
Achievements and Performance
This was another difficult year for the Church once the news of closure was announced in line with the ‘Presbytery Plan’.
In the interim we have continued to be very ably supported by Interim Moderator who’s knowledge and personable approach have been invaluable in guiding the Session and the Congregational Board. Services were continued to be taken by locu Our thanks to both.
At this time it is expected that the Stenhouse and Carron Paish Church shall join with Larbert East, Larbert West and Airth Parish Churches in the Larbert Tryst Church of Scotland. This is expected to happen on 1[st] May 2025.
Financial Review
The Church’s recorded a loss for the year to 31[st] December 2024. The accounts show the overall loss to be £17,138. This is a significant deficit but all financial commitments for the year to 31[st] December 2024 were met.
This financial position of the Church continues to remain satisfactory due to continuing legacy from the estate of Mrs Eleanor Rule designated for the upkeep of Stenhouse and Carron Church Buildings and Grounds and Activities.
Freewill and other offerings were down against the previous year by £2,938 and this also reflected a reduction on tax reclaimed.
Expenses were also significantly more than the previous year by £12,304. This is due to increased costs of Heat and Light partly due to increased charges but also the Manse was unoccupied and hence related costs were paid from Church Funds. This resulted in £2,392 higher charges.
Similarly repairs and maintenance costs were higher and again maintenance and repair costs for the Manse were paid from Church Funds.
The donations from Kidney Kids of £8,400 continues to be an important source of revenue for the church and their presence continues to offer the softer benefits of enhanced day to day security of the building and also the positive effects on the fabric of the building.
Reserves Policy
It is the Trustees’ policy to hold reserves of approximately six months expenditure including designated funds. In the current climate this is impossible to achieve and cashflow is managed on a monthly basis. The Trustees continue to review ways of reducing costs and increasing contributions however the opportunities for significant reductions are unlikely.
4
Trustees’ Annual Report (cont) Year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The members of the Kirk Session / Congregational Board must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The members of the Kirk Session / Congregational Board are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request, must reflect the financial position of the Church at that time. This must be done to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Regulations Anent Congregational Finance approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2007. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and must take reasonable steps for the prevention and/or detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,
==> picture [192 x 75] intentionally omitted <==
Session Clerk
Date:- 29[th] January 2025
5
Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church SC 002263
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
6
Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church Receipts and Payments Account Year ended 31 December 2024
| Receipts Note Donations 3 Legacies Activities for Generating Funds Bank & Deposit interest Investment income Rental of premises Sale of assets Sale of investments Grants Receipts from General Trustees Other Receipts Total Receipts Payments 4 Costs of generating funds Charitable activities Governance costs Other Costs Total Payments Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year before transfers Transfers Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 41,246 3,385 16 333 44,980 8,970 967 54,917 496 71,559 72,055 (17,138) 17,138 0 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ (17,138) (17,138) |
Endowment Funds 2024 £ |
Total Total 2024 2023 £ £ 41,246 44,184 3,385 3,630 16 20 333 289 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44,980 48,123 8,970 8,400 967 825 |
||||
| 54,917 57,348 |
||||
| 496 543 71,559 59,207 |
||||
| 72,055 59,750 |
||||
| (17,138) (2,402) |
||||
| (17,138) (2,402) |
7
Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church Statement of Balances
At 31 December 2024
| At 31 December 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank & Deposit Balances | |||||
| Bank & deposit balances brought forward | 6,437 | 55,008 | 342 | 61,787 | 64,189 |
| Movement in year: | |||||
| Excess of Receipts over Payment for the | |||||
| year | (17,138) | (17,138) | (2,402) | ||
| Bank & deposit balances carried forward | 6,437 | 37,870 | 342 | 44,649 | 61,787 |
| Investments at market value | |||||
| (cost £ 1800) | 1,800 |
1,800 | 1,800 | ||
| Assets | 6,437 | 39,670 | 342 | 46,449 | 63,587 |
| Represented by:- | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Investments at Cost | |||||
| Church of Scotland Growth Fund | 1,100 | 1,100 | |||
| Church of Scotland Deposit Fund | 700 | 700 | |||
| Short Term Deposits | |||||
| Clydesdale Bank Investment Account | 2,665 | 2,665 | |||
| National Savings Bank | 342 | 342 | |||
| Clydesdale Bank Cashflow Account | 2,696 | 2,696 | |||
| Bank Current Account | |||||
| Clydesdale Current Account | 38,946 | 56,084 | |||
| Cash | |||||
| 46,449 | 63,587 |
NB The Church has a loan from The Church of Scotland towards the purchase of a new manse. The current outstanding value of the loan as at 31[st] December 2024 is £8,200 .
The accounts were approved by the Kirk Session and Financial Board on 29[th] January 2025
For and on behalf of the Kirk Session and Financial Board
Stenhouse and Carron Parish Church
8
Notes to the Accounts
1 Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions
No trustee received any reimbursement of expenses during the year. The only trustee to receive any remuneration during the year wa who received £3,300 for his position of Church Officer.
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.
2 Movements in Funds
| Unrestricted funds General Fund Fabric Fund Organ Fund Restricted funds Eleanor Rule Fund Poor Fund Kirk Session Bible Fund Augmentation of Stipend Fund Endowment funds Bill Fleming Memorial Fund Total funds Purposes of Designated Funds |
At 1 January 2024 £ (7,204) 13,277 364 6,437 50,302 4,635 1,271 600 56,808 342 342 63,587 |
Receipts £ 54,917 54,917 54,917 |
Payments £ 72,055 72,055 72,055 |
At 31 December Transfers 2024 £ £ 17,138 (7,204) 13,277 364 17,138 6,437 (17,138) 33,164 4,635 1,271 600 (17,138) 39,670 342 342 46,449 |
At 31 December Transfers 2024 £ £ 17,138 (7,204) 13,277 364 17,138 6,437 (17,138) 33,164 4,635 1,271 600 (17,138) 39,670 342 342 46,449 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,437 | |||||
| 33,164 4,635 1,271 600 |
|||||
| 39,670 | |||||
| 342 | |||||
| 342 | |||||
| 46,449 | |||||
Fabric Fund: The Trustees have set aside funds for the maintenance of the Church property. Eleanor Rule Fund: The Trustees have received funds for the upkeep and maintenance of Church buildings, grounds and activities.
Organ Fund: The Trustees have set aside funds for the necessary repairs to the Church organ.
Manse Fund: The Trustees have set aside a fund available for donations to assist in paying the Manse Loan.
Poor Fund:- This is a fund set up to allow funds to be given in needy cases at the minister's discretion
Bible Fund:- This is a fund funded by contributions from Kirk Session members to supply bibles.
Augmentation of Stipend Fund:- This is a fund set up to hold the investment in Stipend
9
| 3 Analysis of Donations WFO Scheme (non Gift Aid) Gift Aid Donations Tax Recovered on Gift Aid Donations Ordinary Offerings (Open Plate) Other Offerings, Donations etc |
Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds 2024 2024 £ £ 1,035 29,783 7,877 2,541 10 41,246 |
Endowment Funds 2024 £ |
Total 2024 £ 1,035 29,783 7,877 2,541 10 41,246 |
Total 2023 £ 1,759 32,127 8,138 1,910 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44,184 |
| 4 Analysis of Payments Costs of generating funds Offering envelopes Charitable activities Ministries & Mission allocation Presbytery dues Voluntary Additional Stipend Minister’s expenses Ministerial Assistance Pulpit supply Other staffing costs Fabric repairs & maintenance Council Tax Heat and light Insurance Other building costs Church office expenses Organ & music Printing, stationery and postage Other expenses Governance costs Independent examiner’s fees Other payments Purchase of assets Purchase of investments |
496 496 17,127 852 1,428 13,604 10,500 3,579 11,091 6.063 6,456 469 390 71,559 |
543 543 17,127 852 1,428 13,604 10,500 3,579 11,091 6,063 6,456 469 390 71,559 |
543 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 543 | ||||
| 20,125 842 2,388 2,362 10,920 2,332 8,699 5,872 4,449 709 509 |
||||
| 59,207 | ||||
10
5 Minister’s Stipend
All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend Fund which bears the costs of all ministers' stipends and employer's contributions for national insurance, pension and housing and loan fund. Ministers' stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale, which is related to years of service. For the year under review the minimum stipend was £31,642 and the maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years) £38,884.
| 6. Collections for Third Parties Poppy Scotland McMillan Nurses Strathcarron Hospice |
2024 2023 £ £ 201 151 270 240 141 |
|---|---|
| 711 292 |
11
APPENDIX
FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES
| CAPITAL ACCOUNT Credit Balances held at 31 December at cost Market Value of Balances at 31 December REVENUE ACCOUNT Credit Balance at 31 December TEMPORARY ACCOUNT Credit Balance at 31 December |
2024 2023 £ £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
|---|---|
12