Scottish Charity No. SC004779 Congregation number: 0100094
St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023
St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 3 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 5 |
| Statement of Balances | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 – 9 |
St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees are pleased to present their final report together with the financial statements of the church for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Reference and administrative information
Charity name Saint Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh Scottish Charity Number SC004779 Congregation Number 0100094 Church address
OSCR contact address
Bankers Bank of Scotland 153 Portobello High Street Edinburgh EH15 1AG
Constitution and governance
St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh (‘the Church’) is administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Constitution (Unitary Form). Under our Unitary Structure, the Kirk Session is responsible for both the spiritual and financial oversight of the Church. This is carried out by six teams: Worship, Service, Outreach, Christian Education, Fellowship, Stewardship and Finance Group.
The members of the Kirk Session 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 the moderator of the Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. The Kirk Session is responsible for the recruitment, appointment, induction and training of new trustees, when required.
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St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
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.
Our mission statement is:
We are a friendly, forward looking and inclusive congregation of all ages who believe we are called to love and serve God in this place. St Margaret’s unanimously voted in favour to depart from the tradition of the Church of Scotland and welcomes all Gods people to lead and take part in worship.
Our aims are:
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To continue to grow in faith as a congregation, providing opportunities for worship, celebration, education, support and nurture for all.
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To witness in our community and shared life about Gods love in a non-judgmental and caring way.
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To serve those needs of our local community that we can most effectively meet and work in partnership with other community organisations such as local schools, the Ripple Project, Craigentinny Castle Community Centre and Craigentinny/Meadowbank Community Council.
Activities and achievements
Our congregation continues to maintain attendance at around 50 regulars at worship each Sunday. Since our links with Leith St Andrews, Pilrig St Pauls our monthly joint services have around 70 in attendance.
We continue to the make progress to unite the three congregation. The Steering group with membership from the three churches has been set up with the remit and governance agreed and approved by all three churches with the primary decision-making bodies remaining the individual Kirk Sessions. We continue holding a number of social gatherings bringing together the three congregations.
Our Youth and Family Worker continues to work jointly with the other churches. We also continue to have fruitful connections into Craigentinny Primary School through our Youth and Family Worker. She visits there on a regular basis and has had opportunities not only to serve, but also to bring Christian teaching into the school. The whole school attended both Easter and Christmas Assemblies.
Meet, Eat and Play continues to thrive, this has been helped by funding from The Ripple project.
Our Foodbank on a Wednesday morning continues to be well used as families struggle with heating or eating during these difficult times.
For our Church groups:
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The Guild continues to meet on a regular basis. There are 25 members in total and they continue to find fellowship and stimulation through a series of speakers and topics.
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The Craft Group have had another successful year. Our prolific crafters contributed a significant sum to church funds through the Christmas Fair alone for which we are all sincerely grateful.
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The Tuesday book club continues to meet and provide fellowship for those who attend.
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The Thursday Club activities provide an opportunity for some of our members to come together for fellowship.
Future plans
Our focus this year continues to be the implementation of the Presbytery Plan and moving forward in faith to build a united church presence in our part of Edinburgh. As the only firm date in the calendar is December 2024 which is the date set for closure of Leith St Andrews, it was agreed by all congregations to aim to unite by October 2024 at the latest so that everything, including finances, could be sorted before the end of December 2024.
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St Margaret’s Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
Financial review
Results for the year
Our main sources of unrestricted income are weekly offerings and the gift aid claimed on them.
The Receipts and Payments Account on page 5 shows a deficit this year of £15,529 (2022: surplus of £2,999). Our total funds at the end of the year are £5,346 (2022: £20,875). with our General Fund in deficit at the yearend, we are seeking to liquidate some of our investments in 2024 to improve our cash position.
Reserves
The Trustees’ aim is to have the equivalent of nine month’s funding as reserves. Currently we have £2,420 of unrestricted cash reserves and unrestricted investments of £89,828 which clearly meets this policy.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf:
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Session Clerk Dated: 23 June 2024
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St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh Repgrt of the Independent Examiner forthe yearended 31 December 2023 I rèport on the a¢¢ounts of the Church for the year ended 31 De¢ember 2023 which are set out on pages 5t09. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charivs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustae Investment Iscotlandl Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 21)06 las amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10111 Idl of tha Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 4411) Icl of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs statoment My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2(KJ6 las 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 includas consideration of any unusual item5 or disc105ures in the accounts and Seeks explanation5 from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not èxpréss an audit opinion on the vièw given by the accounts. Independènt examlnerfs statemènt In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention l. which givès me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 4411) lal of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations las amended), and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations las amandedl have not been met, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Direttor 11 Emgath Road Bo'ne55 EH519DP Cornerstone Accounting Ltd Chartered Accountants Dat8.' 26 June 2024 Pa8e 4
St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Receipts Gift aid donations Gift aid recovered WFO scheme Open plate Other donations Grants Legacies Fundraising income Weddings and funerals Hall and garage rental income Investment Income Receipt from the General Trustees Other income Total receipts Payments Donation envelopes Factoring costs Ministry and Mission contribution Presbytery dues Minister's expenses Pulpit supply Staff costs Ministry costs Fabric repairs and maintenance Council tax Utilities Insurance Licenses Church office expenses Printing, stationery and postage Donations Accounting costs Independent examination Other expenses Total payments Surplus/(deficit) for the year before transfers Transfers Surplus/(deficit) for the year after transfers Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ 23,449 - 4,286 2,900 2,688 500 - 3,832 - 19,501 1,844 - 201 59,201 - 636 27,072 658 960 100 9,786 576 198 2,846 11,804 4,177 583 5,587 2,148 - 475 700 - 68,306 (9,105) (12,794) (21,899) 24,319 2,420 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - 877 2,418 - - - - 61 7,588 - 10,944 - - - - - - 7,209 1,209 7,877 - - - - - - 576 - - 497 17,368 (6,424) 12,794 6,370 (3,444) 2,926 |
2023 Total £ 23,449 - 4,286 2,900 3,565 2,918 - 3,832 - 19,501 1,905 7,588 201 70,145 - 636 27,072 658 960 100 16,995 1,785 8,075 2,846 11,804 4,177 583 5,587 2,148 576 475 700 497 85,674 (15,529) - (15,529) 20,875 5,346 |
Unrestricted funds £ 23,286 6,769 5,032 2,324 2,786 349 3,269 6,045 150 17,594 1,646 - 820 70,070 178 - 26,889 1,197 1,237 60 10,819 413 - 2,615 7,002 - 374 4,703 415 - - 300 738 56,940 13,130 86 13,216 11,103 24,319 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - 1,826 1,000 - - - - - 6,798 - 9,624 - - - - - - 7,209 808 5,960 - - 4,003 116 - - 594 - - 1,065 19,755 (10,131) (86) (10,217) 6,773 (3,444) |
2022 Total £ 23,286 6,769 5,032 2,324 4,612 1,349 3,269 6,045 150 17,594 1,646 6,798 820 79,694 178 - 26,889 1,197 1,237 60 18,028 1,221 5,960 2,615 7,002 4,003 490 4,703 415 594 - 300 1,803 76,695 2,999 - 2,999 17,876 20,875 |
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The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these financial statements.
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St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh Statement of Balances A5at 31 December 2023 2023 Restrlcted funds 2022 Unrestricted Restricted fund funds Unrestrlcted fund Total Total Bank and cash balances: Opening balance at I january Surpluslldeficttl for the yeai 24.319 121.8991 13.4441 6,370 20.875 115,5291 11.103 13.216 6.773 110.2171 17.876 2.999 Closing balance at 31 December 2,420 2.926 5.346 24.319 13.4441 20.875 Represented by: Unrestricted general funds Unrestricted designated funds Restricted funds 11.3311 3.751 2,926 20,568 3.751 13,4441 5,346 20,875 Statement of assets Investment5 at market value ICOSIT Growth Fund units, cost Gift aid due 89.828 2.437 92.265 83.203 2.257 85.460 4,742 4,742 7(K) 7(K) 94.570 2.437 97.007 83.903 2.257 86,160 Statement of liabilitie5 laries due Independent Examiner fee 790 790 600 600 5(K) S(K> 1.390 1.390 500 5(K) The financial statements on pages 5 to 9 were approved by the Kirk Session on 23 June 2024 and signed on their Session Clerk Page 6
St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
1. Accounting policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. All voluntary income, income from tax recoveries on Gift Aid and bank interest is accounted for when received. Expenditure is recognised when paid.
Receipts and payments account
For the purpose of the receipts and payments account, funds are defined as follows:
Unrestricted funds comprise grants and other income received for the objects of the church without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds which have been received for the objects of the church and have been ringfenced for a specific purpose by the Trustees.
Restricted funds comprise income which has been received for the objects of the church and specified for a restricted purpose within these objects by the donor.
2. Funds analysis
| Unrestricted funds General fund Designated community projects fund Designated young people's projects fund Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fabric fund Children and family nurture fund Friends of Restalrig fund Local good causes fund Guild fund Flower fund Eat Meet Play fund Hall lights fund Total restricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 01.01.23 £ 20,568 2,931 820 24,319 (6,254) 945 338 382 547 290 308 - (3,444) 20,875 |
Receipts £ 59,201 - - 59,201 7,588 - 81 - 790 67 1,320 1,098 10,944 70,145 |
Payments £ (68,306) - - (68,306) (13,617) (100) - - (576) (497) (1,109) (1,469) (17,368) (85,674) |
Transfers £ (12,794) - - (12,794) 12,283 - - - - 140 - 371 12,794 - |
Balance at 31.12.23 £ (1,331) 2,931 820 2,420 - 845 419 382 761 - 519 - 2,926 5,346 |
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For an explanation of funds, see overleaf.
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St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
2. Funds analysis (continued)
Explanation of funds
The General Fund represents funds relating to the primary focus activities of the Church, other than those for which funding is restricted.
The Designated community projects fund represents a legacy received in the year with the Trustees have designated to be used for community projects.
The Designated young people's projects fund represents funds received from the Good News team (our Sunday School) to be used for the benefit of young people in our community.
The Fabric fund represents funds held to support the upkeep of our buildings.
The Children and Family Nurture fund is allocated towards projects to encourage young families to attend church.
The Friends of Restalrig fund represents funds received for the beautification of the Church.
The Local good causes fund represents funds for ongoing specific donations decided annually.
The Guild fund represents funds held by the Church Guild.
The Flower fund represents funds held for the provision of flowers in the Church.
The Eat Meet Play fund represents funds held for the provision of the Eat Meet Play group.
The Hall lights fund represents funds received through grants and donations for the replacement of our hall lights.
3. Investments
| Unrestricted fund £ COSIT Growth Fund units Unit value: £5.83 (2022: £5.40) Margaret Watson legacy 13,187 units, cost £51,429 76,880 Martin Guthrie legacy 1,780 units, cost £5,001 10,377 Winifred Smith legacy 369 units, cost £2,114 2,151 General purposes 72 units, cost £412 420 Friends of Restalrig 418 units, cost £2,395 - 89,828 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - 2,437 2,437 |
2023 Total £ 76,880 10,377 2,151 420 2,437 92,265 |
2022 Total £ 71,210 9,612 1,992 389 2,257 85,460 |
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St Margaret's Church of Scotland: Edinburgh
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 December 2023
4. Funds held on behalf of the congregation by the Church of Scotland General Trustees
| Consolidated Fabric Fund Capital account: 40,081 units, cost £52,608.24 (2022: before gain on rebalancing £51,439) Unit value at 31 December 2022: £1.54 Growth fund: 6,308 units, cost £19,988 Unit value at 31 December £5.83 Income fund: 1,712 units, cost £14,791 Unit value at 31 December £10.96 Deposit fund Revenue account: Balance at 31 December |
2023 Total £ - 36,776 18,764 17,828 3,839 77,207 |
2022 Total £ 61,725 - - - 2,694 64,419 |
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5. Transactions with Trustees and related parties
During the year, Trustee benefitted from the payment of Council Tax of £2,846 (2022: £2,615) and travel expenses of £960 (2022: £1,237). No other trustees or related parties received any remuneration or expenses from the Church.
6. Minister's stipend
All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend fund which bears the costs of all Ministers' stipends, related salary costsand contributions to the housing and loan fund. Ministers' stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale which is related to years of service. For 2022, the minimum stipend was £30,135 and maximum in the 5th and subsequent years of service of £37,032.
7. Donated goods and services
The Church relies heavily on the contribution of significant volunteer time for the delivery of its programme of activities. This has not been quantified for the purposes of these accounts.
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