Congregation Number 191265 Charity Number SC 002458
The Church of Scotland
Netherlorn (Church of Scotland)
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS**
1st January 2023- 31st December 2023
## Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st December 2023
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
Charity Name: Netherlorn (Church of Scotland) Charity Registration
Number:SC 002458
Congregation Reference Number: 191265
Contact Address: Treasurer
## **Trustees**
## Kirk Session
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st ] December 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2005.
## **Principal Office-bearers**
Independent Examiner
Ainsley Smith & Co, 21 Argyll Square, Oban PA34 4AT
Bankers: Bank of Scotland, Station Square, Oban, Argyll PA34 4LL
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Unitary Constitution.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
Members of the Kirk Session are the charity Trustees. The Kirk Session members are 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 is a member of the Kirk Session and is elected by the congregation and inducted by the Presbytery.
## **Organisational Structure**
The Kirk Session meets at least four times a year and is normally chaired by the Minister. It is responsible for the oversight of spiritual, financial and practical matters within the congregation.
## **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. Specifically, we have welcomed closer worship with St John's Episcopal Church., joining together once a month. We have a committed worship team who meet regularly to plan worship across Netherlorn. We endeavour to hold hybrid meetings to avoid unnecessary miles and travel. We have two Elders who are trained in leading funerals.
On 1[st] January 2023 the union of Netherlorn came into effect. On 13[th] November 2023, the linkage with Colonsay and Oronsay came into effect with the Ordination and Induction o
The purpose of the congregation is rooted in mission. The Congregation seeks at all times to be of service to the local community and visitors by providing personal support, encouragement and comfort during times of illness, bereavement and personal tragedies; and maintaining the church buildings so as to provide a meeting place for worship, weddings, funerals and other special family or community events. The congregation also organises public events in village halls and on hilltops to promote local and Christian culture, heritage, and tradition.
There are two services each week across Netherlorn: Kilbrandon and Kilchattan alternate weeks, as do Kilmelford and Craignish. Occasional services are held at Kilninver, for example, an Advent Communion and summer celebration. We endeavour to have united services when travel logistics allow.
Worship at Craignish is held in the Village Hall and follows a Café Style Church format. This has inspired the offering of coffee and tea before worship elsewhere.
Messy Church provides a place of worship for those who maybe don't feel comfortable with 'church style worship' and attracts families. We hold Messy Church in Seil village Hall, sometimes as stand-alone on a Saturday or as our regular diet of worship on a Sunday. Provision of a warm space, all age worship and a hot meal is really important to the Messy Church team, who are a mix of elders and members of the congregation. We hope to increase the regularity of Messy Church. It is advertised widely throughout the community and congregation.
XPlorers (a children’s group with crafts, bible story, games, and snack) meets once a month in Kilmelford village hall, and occasionally in the church. In March, the children will be taking part in the children’s service of the World Day of Prayer.
Safeguarding of vulnerable groups is uppermost in all worship and events, and all Elders have either completed or are undergoing Safeguarding training as have all helpers for groups. Similarly, PVGs for people involved in work in this area are either completed or in the process of being so. The Safeguarding co-ordinator and panel are well established, meeting as required throughout the year and providing help and support.
Reports from the Safeguarding committee are prepared and presented to the Kirk Session at each Kirk Session meeting.
Members of the congregation continue to support the work of 'Seed for Life Feed for life', who’s focus has now moved to education and the support of students to attend University.
The Church Office continues to produce a two monthly newsletter 'The Link', which is distributed widely throughout the congregation. Our publicity officer assists in the promotion of Netherlorn through our website, social media presence and noticeboards as well as covering our licensing commitments.
Netherlorn continues to support fair trade. Fair trade goods have been on sale in Luing stores pre COVID and this has continued. They will be more regular stalls after such services on Luing and we continue to use fairtrade items for refreshments at gatherings. Fair trade Easter eggs all purchased for the local school and Messy Easter Trail helping Towards telling the Easter story.
The congregation continues to foster close links between the church and the wider community, in all villages and areas across Netherlorn.
## **Achievements and Performance**
- a) All age worship is encouraged across the congregation.
- b) Three members of the congregation are fully accredited Godly Play leaders and regularly lead Godly Play within Easdale School (which serves Seil and Luing) We are keen to develop this wider, with a discovery day.
- c) In 2023 an Easter Trail was held in An Cala Garden on Seil, and was a huge success, we plan to repeat this in 2024.
- d) Longest night service was led by Rev Trudi Newton in advent this year, a hybrid service which was very well received. This is planned to be repeated in 2024.
## **Financial Review**
Due to difficulties changing the name of the account, it was not possible to amalgamate the accounts of all the congregations at the start of the calendar year.
The total weekly offerings and donations received and deposited in the Netherlorn account in 2023 was £17,979 to this can be added £3,680 from the Kilmelford account prior to amalgamation giving a total of £21,659. This was an increase on 2022 (£14,724) representing the additional contributions of Kilbrandon, Kilninver and Craignish congregations. The average monthly income taking these into account is approximately £2,543. The average monthly expenses are approximately £2,864, resulting in a deficit of approximately £321 per month. This is due in large part to the refurbishment of the manse at a cost of £14,507 as of 31[st] December 2023. £8,784 of these costs have already been drawn down from central funds and it is anticipated that most/all of the remaining costs will also be drawn down. If the cost of the manse refurbishment is factored out the result is a monthly surplus of approximately £888.
**Note to accounts. No figures are available for 2022 as Netherlorn Congregation only came into existence on the 1[st] of January 2023.**
**It should also be noted that the new united congregation of Netherlorn utilises what was the current bank account held for the former Kilbrandon and Kilchattan Church. Accordingly, the funds held on that account were not formally transferred by that church at the time of the union. Funds were transferred following union by Craignish, Kilninver and Kilmelford churches. The sum at credit for Kilbrandon and Kilchattan and duly then held for Netherlorn as of 1st January 2023 was £23,364.**
## **Reserves Policy**
It is the Trustees' policy to hold reserves of approximately £6000. This represents approximately two months’ expenditure.
## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities**
The members of the Kirk Session 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 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) 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 by
**Date 27[th] March 2024**
## Netherlorn (Church of Scotland)
## **Receipts and Payments Accounts At 31st December 2023**
|**Notes**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**Receipts**|**Notes**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
**Receipts**|
|---|---|
|Voluntary Income
17,979
Annexe restricted funds
Central Fabric Fund
8,784
Legacies
0
Activities generating
funds
762
Misc
1,976
Investment income
939
Transfer of accounts
from Craignish and
Kilmelford
41,423
transfer of funds held by
Kilbrandon and
Kilchattan
23,364
Receipts from charitable
activities
0
95,227|17,979
N/A
56,317
56,317
8,784
N/A
0
N/A
762
N/A
2494
N/A
819
N/A
41,424
64,787
0
N/A
56,317
151,554
N/A|
|**Notes**
**Payments**
Cost of generating funds
Charitable activities
Repair of Manse
Misc
Total payments
**Transfers**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2023**
**2022**
351
2,290
2,290
N/A
16,578
16,578
N/A
14,507
14,507
637
637
N/A|
|---|---|
||32,073
2,290
34,363
N/A|
|**Net receipts/(payments)**|**63,154**
**54,027**
**117,181**
**N/A**|
## **Netherlorn (Church of Scotland) Statement of Balances**
## **At 31 December 2023**
|**Bank and Deposit**
**Balances**
Bank and Deposit
balances
**Movement in Year**
Surplus/(deficit)
**Bank Balances c/f**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
23,364
N/A
**39,790**
54,027
N/A|
|---|---|
||**63,154**
**54,027**
**117,181**
**N/A**|
The accounts were approved by the Kirk Session on **27[th] March 2024**
For and on behalf of the Kirk Session
## **Kilbrandon and Kilchattan Parish Church Notes to the accounts**
## **1. Trustee remuneration and expenses**
During the year no trustees received reimbursement of expenses with the exception of the property convener in the sum of £93.
## **2 Movement** in **Funds**
||**As at**||||**As at**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**January**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**Transfers**|**December**|
||**2023**||||**2023**|
||**General**
**Funds**
0|95,227|32,073||63,154|
||**Restricted**
**Funds**|56,317|2,290||54,027|
||**Total Funds**|**151, 544**|**34,363**||**117,181**|
|**.**||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2023**|**2022**|
|**3**|**Analysis of Voluntary Income**|||||
|||**Funds**|**Funds**|**Total**|**Total**|
|||£|£|£|£|
||Freewill&Open Plate|6,723||6,723|N/A|
||Gift Aided|9,388|56,317|9,388|N/A|
||Donations/Legacies|1,868.19||58,185|N/A|
||Gift aidtaxrefund|||||
||**Total**|17,979|56,317|74,296|N/A|
||**Activities for Generating Funds**|||||
||KirkOffice|||||
||Ethical Trade|462||462|N/A|
||Sale of tea towels|300||300||
||**Total**|762||762|N/A|
The restricted funds consist of cash deposits held in the Netherlorn current account, which are to be used for the construction of an annexe at the Kilmelford worship space.
|**4. Analysis of payments**
**Cost of Generating Funds**
Ethical trade
**Charitable Activities**
Ministry&Mission
Contributions
Minister's Expenses
Presbytery Dues
Pulpit Supply
Ministry Expenses
Youth Activities
Internet
Fabric Repairs
Heat and Light
Insurance
License Fee
Sundry|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**2022**
**Total**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
351
351
N/A|
|---|---|
||351
351
N/A|
||-
N/A
818
818
-
845
845
N/A
2,270
2,270
-
3,545
3,545
N/A
187
187
N/A
478
478
N/A
14,652
14,652
N/A
4,140
4,140
N/A
4,150
4,150
N/A
N/A
637
637
N/A|
||31,722
31,722
N/A|
## **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. As of 2023 the minimum stipend was £30,135 and the maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years) £37,032.
**APPENDIX**
## **FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY**
## **THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES**
||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
|**INCOME FUND**|£5,173.1||
|Value at 31stDecember||N/A|
|**GROWTH FUND**|£10,132.54||
|Value at 31stDecember||N/A|
|**CONSOLIDATED FABRIC FUND**
Balance at 31stDecember|£79,945.42|N/A|
|**TEMPORARY FUNDS**
Balance at 31stDecember|-£2,551.59|N/A|
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