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← Polmont Old Parish Church Of Scotland

2025-12-31-accounts

Polmont Old Parish Church Church of Scotland

Financial Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025

ACCRUED (SORP COMPLIANT) ACCOUNTS

Congregation No: 221369

Scottish Charity No: SC003421

www.polmontold.org.uk

1

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Report Year ended 31 December 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 11 and 12 and comply with the General Assembly Regulations for Congregational Finance, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and 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 effective from 1 January 2019.

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.

In addition to our regular weekly services of worship, Polmont Old aims to have an active programme of events designed to reach out to the wider parish with the intention of putting the church at the heart of our community and passing on God’s love to the people of Polmont. In our own way, we try to demonstrate the Five Marks of Mission which have been endorsed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland:

A typical week starts with a choir rehearsal before our Sunday morning worship. Kidzone (our Sunday morning group for children) share in the start of the worship service before leaving for their own activities in the Session House. After the service all are welcome to stay for a time of fellowship over tea, coffee and biscuits in the Fellowship Room. Regular services are also held in our local care homes (at Ivybank once a month and at St. Margaret's about every six weeks).

The Baby Group meets on Monday afternoons. The Boys Brigade Anchor Boys meet on Thursday evenings with the Junior and Company sections of the Brigade meeting on Friday evenings. A Bible study group meets fortnightly on Wednesday evenings, and our craft group (Twinspire Crafters) meets on Friday mornings. We also now have a “Chair Keep-Fit” class which meets around twice a month on Friday afternoons.

As well as our own organizations, other groups also use the church hall, providing support to all age groups from the young to our more senior citizens. These groups provide a broad range of activities including fitness classes, dance classes, martial arts, dog training and children's play groups. The Wednesday Club (affiliated to Age Scotland) meets on Wednesday afternoons in the church hall.

2

The Snowdrop Café is a community café which is a joint venture between Polmont Old Parish Church and Polmont Community Council. There is a choice of soups, also a choice of toasties and hot sausage rolls, plus a wide choice of home baking along with tea and coffee. Although this is a free café, donations are encouraged if possible. After deducting expenses, the donations received are passed on to local charities. Over £26,000 has been passed on in this way since the café was opened, including £8,510 in 2025. The café is open every Thursday from 1pm until 3pm, every week of the year. If you know of anyone that would benefit from good food, great company and just a place to chat, please let them know about the Snowdrop Café, where people who came as strangers have become good friends, and there is a lot of laughter.

As well as our weekly programme of events, we have regular annual events such as the Remembrance Sunday service, the Remembering service during Advent, and the Watchnight and Christmas Day services, which are valued and supported by our local community as well as our own membership.

We support a number of charities and other good causes with special collections spread across the year, including regular support for overseas mission work in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. A “MacMillan coffee morning” is organised each September, and this is well supported by the local community.

Achievements and Performance

During 2024 the Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale agreed a Mission Plan covering ministry posts and buildings across the Presbytery area. The Mission Plan is for the congregation of Polmont Old to unite with the congregations of Redding and Westquarter, and Laurieston, using the church building currently used by Redding and Westquarter as the worship centre. All three halls (Polmont Old, Redding and Westquarter, and Laurieston) are planned to remain open, allowing continued outreach into the local community across the Lower Braes.

As the Kirk Session of Polmont Old was uncomfortable with the way in which the Mission Plan had been prepared, we had submitted a request for the section affecting Polmont Old to be reviewed, however during 2025 we were advised that our request had not been approved.

The three Kirk Sessions voted (indicative votes) on the Mission Plan on 9 March 2026. Given the results of the indicative votes, the Presbytery Planning and Implementation team have advised that there will need to be a change to the agreed Mission Plan. At the time of writing (16 March 2026) we are waiting to hear from Presbytery about the next steps.

Although 2025 has been another year of uncertainty for the congregation, our services and activities (as described earlier) have continued throughout. Several funerals, including parish funerals, were held in the church. As shown in Note 17 to the Accounts, various collections were held to benefit other charities and good causes. Also, in line with our aim of passing on God’s love to the people of Polmont, the Kirk Session made a donation of £350 to our local primary school to support their pantomime trip, to help ensure that no child was “left out” because of difficult family circumstances. Following on from this the Kirk Session has decided that the retiring collections from the 2025 Watchnight and Christmas Day services (which together came to £169.21) will be sent to a local charity, Polmont Playgroup, who aim to advance the education and social development of pre-school children in the local community through play.

Financial Review

Total income in 2025 was around £88,680, compared with around £90,440 in 2024. Compared with the 2024 figure, the 2025 income has reduced by around 1.9%. 2025 expenses at around £106,280 were around 0.5% higher than in 2024. (The 2024 figure was around £105,790). However, the 2025 expenses included the “oneoff” cost of a new boiler which was installed in the manse. Without this, they would have been lower than the 2024 figure.

3

Congregational regular giving ("open plate" offerings plus giving via standing orders or weekly envelopes) fell from around £42,820 in 2024 to around £39,780 in 2025, decreasing by around 7%. However income arising from the activities in the church hall (around £21,260) rose by around 32% compared with 2024 (around £16,140). Other significant income sources are Gift Aid, interest on our holdings in the Church of Scotland Investors’ Trust Deposit Fund, use of the church building for weddings and funerals, and "one-off" donations.

During 2023 the congregation received a significant legacy (£182,807) as the Jimmy Reilly legacy trust sold the residential property which it had held on behalf of the congregation. The proceeds from the sale, after deducting marketing costs and legal expenses, were passed to the congregation as a restricted “fabric” fund, as required by the Church of Scotland. The trustees have continued to use this fund to cover the congregation's property expenses (for example heating and lighting, repairs and maintenance, buildings insurance and cleaning costs), for the time being. This large legacy means that the congregation's financial position in 2025 was reasonably comfortable, but the position is not sustainable in the medium to longer term.

Given the uncertainty over the Mission Plan position, and the fact that the restricted “fabric” fund was expected to be able to cover all property expenses during 2025, the only fundraising event organized during 2025 was the Christmas Fayre which raised around £830 for the Hall Fund. Assuming a union goes ahead, the trustees of the new united congregation will inherit the financial assets of the uniting congregations, and will be responsible for promoting Christian stewardship, encouraging members to review the level of their regular giving, and organising any fundraising required.

Investment Policy and Performance

Our endowment investments (£51,525 at December 2025) are held in the Church of Scotland Investors Trust’s Growth and Income Funds and provided an income of £1,120 in 2025 (£1,120 in 2024). Their value rose by £3,600 over the year (a rise of £3,884 in 2024). A breakdown between the endowment funds is shown in Note 16.

The Growth Fund seeks to provide investors with growth in capital value while distributing an element of income each year, and the Income Fund seeks to provide investors with a high and sustainable income and to protect the long-term nominal value of capital. At the time of writing (10 March 2026), information on the returns delivered by the funds over 2025 is not yet available. The Investors Trust has advised that during the 12-month period to 30 September 2025 the Growth Fund delivered a total return of 10.5% which was below the comparative index for the fund (14.5%). During the same 12-month period to 30 September 2024 the portion of the Income Fund which is managed by Royal London delivered a total return of 7.58%, outperforming its benchmark return of 3.70%. The portion of the Income Fund which is invested in the Savills Charities Property Fund delivered a total return of 7.2%, slightly higher than its benchmark return of 6.8%.

At 31 December 2025 we also held £208,952 in the Church of Scotland Investors Trust's Deposit Fund. Around £103,980 represented the remaining balance of the sale proceeds from the Jimmy Reilly legacy property. This portion is restricted for Fabric use as mentioned above.

The Deposit Fund is intended for short-term investment, ideally of no longer than eighteen months, and seeks to provide a competitive rate of interest whilst spreading risk and preserving nominal capital value. The Investors Trust has advised that the interest rates paid by the Deposit Fund during 2025 were as follows:

Quarter
3 months to 31 March 2025
3 months to 30 June 2025
3 months to 30 September 2025
3 months to 31 December 2025		 Annualised Interest Rate
4.52%
4.33%
4.09%
3.97%

4

The trustees consider the security and interest provided by the Deposit Fund meet our objective of obtaining a competitive rate of interest on this money in the short term. Assuming a union goes ahead, the trustees of the new united congregation will be responsible for determining their own investment policy.

Risk Management

As the Mission Plan was for the congregation of Polmont Old to unite with the congregations of Redding and Westquarter, and the congregation of Laurieston, we considered the risks which face all three congregations, not just those facing Polmont Old. We believe the main risks are as follows:

Reserves Policy

The charity trustees have considered the reserves required and have taken into account their current and future liabilities. In normal circumstances it is the trustees’ policy to hold reserves (including designated funds) of approximately three months' expenditure.

At 31 December 2025 the congregation held unrestricted funds of £108,180 of which £55,565 had been designated for the fabric fund. The level of unrestricted funds represents around twelve months' expenditure. The church also held £108,409 of restricted funds which have been provided for the purposes specified in Note 16.

Assuming a union goes ahead, the trustees of the new united congregation will be responsible for determining their own reserves policy.

Structure, Governance and Management

The congregation is a registered charity, number SC003421, and is administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Constitution (Unitary Form). It is subject to the Acts and Regulations of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Members of the Kirk Session, which normally meets monthly, 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, was elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the Finance Committee and the Property Committee as appropriate.

5

Reference and Administrative Information

Trustees / Kirk Session members

Janet Anderson, Norman Black, Evelyn Dryburgh, Lorna Farquhar, Elizabeth Glen, Jean Glen, Marion Hunter, Munro McKie, Ian McLean, Jacqueline Milne, Georgina Philp, Nancy Rule, Doug Sheehan, Margaret Slater, David Syson, Roddy Taylor, Deborah Van Welie, James Wilson, Margaret Wotherspoon.

Principal Office-bearers

Minister: The Rev. Deborah van Welie. Session Clerk: Ian W. McLean. Church Treasurer: Lorna Farquhar.

Principal Office

Polmont Old Parish Church Hall Main Street Polmont FK2 0PT

Charity No: SC003421

Independent Examiner

David C. Yates, EQ Accountants Ltd Unit 4B, Gateway Business Park Beancross Road Grangemouth FK3 8WX

Bankers

Bank of Scotland 138/140 High Street Falkirk FK1 1NR

6

Trustees’ Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information on the congregation’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,

Ian McLean, Session Clerk

Ian W. McLean (signed)

Date: 22 March 2026

7

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Polmont Old Parish Church Year ended 31 December 2025

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 9 to 22.

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 (as amended).

The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (a) to (c) 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 (as amended). 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.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended), and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended) have not been met, or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name: David C. Yates

Professional Qualification/Professional Body: C.A. (ICAS)

Address: EQ Accountants Ltd Unit 4B Gateway Business Park Beancross Road Grangemouth FK3 8WX

Date: 27 March 2026

Signature: D C Yates (signed)

8

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 December 2025
Note
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
1
Charitable activities
2
Other trading activities
3
Investments
4
Other
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
6
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Other
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
before gains and losses on
investments
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between Funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
53,135
1,992
19,663

4,703
314
79,806
85
70,550
70,635
9,171
9,171
5,900
15,071
93,110
108,180		 Restricted
Funds
2025
£
240
834
1,700
6,104
8,878
35,649
35,649
(26,771)
(26,771)
(5,900)
(32,671)
141,080
108,409		 Endowment
Funds
2025
£
0
0
0
3,600
3,600
3,600
47,925
51,525		 Total
2025
£
53,375
2,826
21,363
10,807
314
88,684
85
106,199
106,284
(17,600)
3,600
(14,000)
0
(14,000)
282,114
268,114		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
£
55,831
1,970
15,216
4,702
2,448
80,167
79
73,564
73,643
6,524
6,524
8,350
14,874
78,236
93,110		 Restricted
Funds
2024
£
545
0
1,070
8,654
10,269
32,147
32,147
(21,878)
(21,878)
(8,350)
(30,228)
171,307
141,080		 Endowment
Funds
2024
£
0
0
0
3,884
3,884
3,884
44,041
47,925		 Total
2024
£
56,376
1,970
16,286
13,356
2,448
90,436
79
105,711
105,790
(15,354)
3,884
(11,470)
(11,470)
293,584
282,114

9

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland

Balance Sheet at 31 December 2025

Fixed Assets:
Tangible assets
Investments
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Total Current Assets
Liabilities
Creditors falling due within one year
Net Current Assets
Creditors falling due after more
than one year
Net Assets
The funds of the charity:
Endowment funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 Note
9
10
11
12
16
16		 Total
Funds
2025
51,525
51,525
810
217,980
218,789
2,200
216,589
268,114
51,525
108,409
108,180
268,114		 Prior
Year
2024
47,925
47,925
1,322
236,783
238,105
3,916
234,189
282,114
47,925
141,080
93,110
282,114

The accounts were approved by the trustees on 16 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Ian W. McLean (signed) Session Clerk Lorna M. Farquhar (signed) Treasurer

10

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 31 December 2025

Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently in the current and preceding year in dealing with items which are considered material to the accounts, are set out below.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS102) effective from 1 January 2019 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).

Fund accounting

Funds are classified as either restricted funds or unrestricted funds, defined as follows.

Restricted funds are funds subject to specific requirements as to their use which may be declared by the donor or with their authority or created through legal processes, but still within the wider objects of the charity.

Endowment funds are funds which have been given on the condition that the original capital sum is not reduced, but the income therefrom is used for the purpose defined in accordance with the objects of the charity.

Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. If parts of the unrestricted funds are earmarked at the discretion of the trustees for a particular purpose, they are designated as a separate fund. This designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the trustees’ discretion to apply the fund.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the ability of the charity to continue for the foreseeable future, and therefore have adopted the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) the general volunteer time of congregation members is not recognised.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised as expenditure in the period of receipt.

11

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 31 December 2025

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the financial institution.

Recognition and allocation of expenditure

Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure.

Fixed Assets

The charity has the right to occupy and use for its charitable objects certain tangible fixed assets, including the Church and manse, vested in the Church of Scotland General Trustees. No consideration is payable for the use of these assets. Expenditure incurred on the repair and maintenance of these assets is charged as resources expended in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which the liability arises.

The only tangible property asset owned by the charity is the hall, which is vested in the Minister and Kirk Session as Trustees for the congregation. The original cost of this hall is unknown and it is very difficult to arrive at a value on a current use basis and so no value is assigned to it in these financial statements.

All tangible fixed assets costing in excess of £10,000 having a value to the charity greater than one year, other than those acquired for specific purposes, are capitalised. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis to write off the cost or initial value, less residual value, of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives:

Fixtures, fittings and office equipment Motor vehicles

twenty years five years

Investments

Fixed asset investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealised gains and losses represent the difference between the market value at the beginning and end of the financial year or, if purchased in the year, the difference between cost and market value at the end of the year. Realised gains and losses represent the difference between the proceeds on disposal and the market value at the start of the year or cost if purchased in the year.

Taxation

Polmont Old Parish Church is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities. The charity is not registered for VAT and resources expended therefore include irrecoverable input VAT.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at the bank and with the Church of Scotland Investors Trust.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.

Creditors

Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

12

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland

Notes forming part of the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2025
1
Donations and Legacies
Offerings
Tax recovered on Gift Aid
Legacies
2
Income from charitable activities
Weddings and funerals
Coffee mornings etc.
Concerts
3
Income from trading activities
Hall lets
Sales of cards, jam and pens
4
Investment income
Dividends received
Deposit interest
5
Other income
LPOW VAT grants
Insurance claim
Dishwasher refund
Life and Work surplus
Miscellaneous income		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
43,149
9,986
53,135
1,992
1,992
19,564
99
19,663
916
3,787
4,703
228
72
14
314		 Restricted
Funds
2025
£
240
240
834
834
1,700
1,700
204
5,900
6,104		 Total
2025
£
43,389
9,986
53,375
1,992
834
2,826
21,264
99
21,363
1,120
9,686
10,807
228
72
14
314		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
£
45,594
10,237		 Restricted
Funds
2024
£
545		 Total
2024
£
46,139
10,237
55,831 545 56,376
1,970
1,970
15,070
145
15,216
916
3,786
4,702
469
1,413
42
524
2,448		 1,970
1,970
1,070 16,140
145
1,070 16,286
204
8,450		 1,120
12,236
8,654 13,356
469
1,413
42
524
2,448

13

Polmont Old Parish Church of Scotland

Notes forming part of the financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2025
6
Analysis of Expenditure
Raising Funds
Fundraising expenses
Offering Envelopes
Charitable Activities
Ministries & Mission Allocation
Presbytery Dues
Heat and Light
Minister's Expenses
Cleaning/Laundry
Pulpit Supply
Other salary costs
Fabric Repairs & Maintenance
Council Tax/Water Rates
Insurance
Church Office Expenses
Organ & Music
Professional Fees
Other expenses
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
85
85

41,411
1,247
(823)
1,471
1,651
12,142
1,166
3,233
1,351
2,663
(266)
1,047
4,256
70,550
70,635		 Restricted
Funds
2025
£
9,824
600
6,387
11,395
5,086
1,500
857
35,649
35,649		 Total
2025
£
85
85
41,411
1,247
9,001
1,471
2,251
18,529
12,561
3,233
6,437
2,663
1,234
1,047
5,113
106,199
106,284		 Unrestricted
Funds
2024
£
79
79
46,729
1,403
(664)
1,967
908
13,673
601
2,242
1,231
2,213
90
1,062
2,119
73,564
73,643		 Restricted
Funds
2024
£
10,706
2,724
6,093
6,464
4,629
720
810
32,147
32,147		 Total
2024
£
79
79
46,729
1,403
10,042
1,967
3,631
19,766
7,065
2,242
5,859
2,213
810
1,062
2,921
105,711
105,790

Support costs have not been separately identified as the trustees consider there is only one charitable activity. Therefore support costs relate wholly to that activity and have not been separately identified.

14

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

otes forming part of the financial statements
r the year ended 31 December 2025
7
Staff costs and numbers
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Total		 2025
£
18,529
-
18,529		 2024
£
19,766
-
19,766

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:

Ministerial support
Administration
Premises maintenance		 2025
Number
-
1
2
3		 2024
Number
-
1
2
3

The cost of self-employed locum organists is included in the “salaries and wages” figures above.

No employee had employee benefits in excess of £50,000 in either 2024 or 2025.

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 2025 the minimum stipend was £32,433 and the maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years of service) £39,856.

8 Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions

During 2025 one trustee received reimbursement of expenses incurred totalling £1,471, and Council Tax of £2,493 was paid in relation to the manse.

No trustee or person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.

During the year a total of £10,570 was donated to the congregation by trustees (£10,437 in 2024).

15

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

9 Tangible Fixed Assets

Buildings
Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2025
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for year
Eliminated on Disposals
At 31 December 2025
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2025
Buildings
Cost
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
Eliminated on Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2024
10
Investments
Market value at start of period
Unrealised gain / (loss) on investments
Market value at end of period
Investments at cost
The following investments are held:
Church of Scotland Investors
Trust -
Growth Fund (Alexander Legacy and Manson Memorial)
Income Fund (Dunlop Trust, Dick and Boyd Bequests)		 Office
Equipment
Office
Equipment
2025
£
47,925
3,600
51,525
17,641
48,222
3,303		 Total
Total
2024
£
44,041
3,884
47,925
17,641
44,717
3,207

16

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

11
Debtors
Gift Aid Tax Refund Due
Listed Places of Worship VAT Refund Due
12
Creditors
Accruals
Other		 2025
£
810
810
2025
£
2,200
-
2,200		 2024
£
904
418
1,322
2024
£
3,916
-
3,916

13 Analysis of Net Assets Among Funds

Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Net assets at 31 Dec 2025
Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Net assets at 31 Dec 2024		 General
£
54,816
(2,200)
52,615
General
£
41,461
(3,916)
37,545		 Designated
£
55,565
55,565
Designated
£
55,565
55,565		 Restricted
£
108,409
108,409
Restricted
£
141,080
141,080		 Endowment
£
51,525
51,525
Endowment
£
47,925
47,925		 Total
£
51,525
218,789
(2,200)
268,114
Total
£
47,925
238,105
(3,916)
282,114

14 Volunteers

In common with all congregations of the Church of Scotland the congregation benefits from the contribution made by volunteers who give their time and talents willingly for the benefit of the Church. The areas of congregational life which rely on the contribution of volunteers are many and varied and much of the activity would be unable to continue were it not for the commitment shown.

17

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

16 Movements in Funds

Endowment funds
Alexander Legacy
Manson Memorial
Dunlop Trust, Dick and
Boyd Bequests
Restricted funds
Sunday School teaching
materials
Pastoral Committee use
Historic legacies
Flower Fund
Youth Fund
Hall Fund
Energy Costs Fund
Restricted Fabric Fund
Unrestricted funds
Designated Fabric Fund
General Fund
Total funds		 At 1
January
2025
43,288
1,429
3,207
47,925
485
802
1,589
229
183
0
0
137,792
141,080
55,565
37,545
93,110
282,114		 Income
3,392
112
96
3,600
30
174
40
1,034
1,700
5,900
8,878
79,806
79,806
92,284		 Expenditure
84
44
11
1,700
33,810
35,649
70,635
70,635
106,284		 Transfers
(5,900)
(5,900)
5,900
5,900
0		 At 31
December
2025
46,681
1,541
3,303
51,525
515
892
1,589
225
172
1,034
0
103,982
108,409
55,565
52,615
108,180
268,114

18

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Movements in Funds (continued)

Endowment funds
Alexander Legacy
Manson Memorial
Dunlop Trust, Dick and
Boyd Bequests
Restricted funds
Special collections
(CHAS)
Sunday School teaching
materials
Pastoral Committee use
Historic legacies
Flower Fund
Youth Fund
Energy Costs Fund
Restricted Fabric Fund
Unrestricted funds
Designated Fabric Fund
General Fund
Total funds		 At 1
January
2024
£
39,557
1,306
3,178
40,911
134
455
815
1,589
82
174
0
168,059
171,307
55,565
22,671
78,236
293,584		 Income
£
3,732
123
29
3,130
30
174
245
300
1,070
8,450
10,269
80,167
80,167
94,320		 Expenditure
£
134
187
98
391
1,070
30,266
32,147
73,643
73,643
105,790		 Transfers
£
100
(8,450)
(8,350)
8,350
8,350
0		 At 31 December
2024
£
43,288
1,429
3,207
44,041
0
485
802
1,589
229
183
0
137,792
141,080
55,565
37,545
93,110
282,114

19

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

Purposes of
Endowment Funds
Alexander Legacy Held in Growth Fund. Income to be added to the General Fund
Manson Memorial Held in Growth Fund. Income to be used for Sunday School teaching materials
Dunlop Trust, Dick
Bequest and Boyd Held in Income Fund. Income to be used as directed by the Pastoral Committee
Bequest
Purposes of Restricted
Funds
Special collections At the end of 2023 the retiring collection from the Watchnight Service had not yet been sent to
Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). This was sent in January 2024.
Sunday School Sunday School teaching materials (accrued income from the Manson Memorial fund).
teaching materials
To be used as directed by the Pastoral Committee (accrued income from the Dunlop Trust, Dick
Pastoral Committee use Bequest and Boyd Bequest).
Youth Fund Youth work expenses.
Flower Fund Church flowers.
Fabric Proceeds from the sale of the Jimmy Reilly legacy property.
Energy costs Donations specifically to be used for church or church hall energy costs.
Hall Fund Fundraising and donations specifically for hall use.
Purposes of Designated
Funds
The Trustees have set aside funds for the maintenance of the church property and in anticipation
Fabric Fund of making a contribution if a grant is applied for to repair the church.

20

Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025

17
Collections for Third Parties
Mission Abroad (Bangladesh and Zimbabwe)
Falkirk Food Bank
Compassion UK
Erskine
Sight Scotland Veterans (formerly Scottish
War Blinded
Macmillan Cancer Support
Christian Aid
CrossReach /St. Margaret's House		 2025
£
417
110
6
141
1,027
282
159
2,142		 2024
£
120
100
303
1,242
172
438
2,374

The congregation also provides gifts of food for the Falkirk Foodbank which helps those in need in our local area, as well as supporting the annual Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal which aims to bring happiness to those in need in a number of countries across Europe and Asia, combining the Christian message with practical help.

The Kirk Session has decided that the retiring collections from the 2025 Watchnight and Christmas Day services (which together came to £169.21) will be sent to a local charity, Polmont Playgroup, who aim to advance the education and social development of pre-school children in the local community through play. This donation had not been sent by 31 December 2025 so is not included in the table above.

21

APPENDIX

FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES

2025 2024 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 ---

22