SC OOHKTIS
St Columba’sae Scottish Episcopalfr 85 Church~ Aubery Crescent, Largs, KA30 8PR Scottish Registered Chanty No. SC004796 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS — YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Bankers: Royal Bank of Scotland Stockbrokers: Baillie Gifford (through the SEC Unit Trust Pool)
Introduction
he Vestry is pleased to present the annual report and accounts for St Columba's for the year ended 31* August 2025. They present a summary of our financial activities during the year and give an overview of the general activities which have taken place in the life of our church in the past year.
Constitution, Structure, Governance and Management
St Columba’s is an unincorporated association, governed by a constitution, which was incorporated in 2010 and was updated in 2025. It was revised to bring it up to date with current regulatory requirements and following approval by the Bishop, it wil Ibe registered with OSCR. As a member congregation of the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway in the Scottish Episcopal Church, it is also governed by the Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The management team of the church is known as the Vestry and is represented at the Diocesan Synod by the Rector and Lay Representative; who play a full part in the election ofa new Bishop to replace the previous one, who had retired. For the purposes ofcharities law, the members ofthe Vestry are the Charity Trustees of the Church, and the charitable purpose is the Advancement of Religion. The Rector is appointed by the Vestry and the Bishop of the Diocege. Our Rector retired early due to ill health and the Vestry is currently engaged in the search ahd appointment of his replacement. Che Constitution requires: that the Vestry shall ensure that the needs of the whole church in regard to Mission work at home and overseas and the other objects of the General Synod may receive the interést and support of the Congregation; that the Vestry shall generally assist the Rector (subject always to His or her canonical rights and duties) in every way in their power in all matters affecting the spiritual welfare of the Congregation; and that they shall be bound to keep the buildings and properties in repair and insured against fire and other risks. The Vestry is also obliged to comply with the Child Protection and Protection of Vulnerable Adults policies of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and all other statutory and regulatory provisions. Apart from the Rector, members are elected by the Congregation in an annual meeting, some in specific roles which include ex-officio membership of the Vestry, and some by direct election on a rotational basis. The Rector’s Warden is appointed by the Rector. The Rector himselfis appointed by the Vestty and the Bishop of the Diocese. [he Vestry held an away day in February, when new Vestry members learnt about their roles and responsibilities, and the whole Vestry planned and prioritised for the year ahead. The Vestry Secretary
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regularly updates other members of the Vestry on relevant changes in legislation and best practice relating to charities. The Vestry meets about six times a year, with extra meetings when needed. St Columba's is supported by the Diocese and the Province through the pastoral oversight of the Bishop and central support functions. The church is represented at Diocesan Synod by the Rector and the Lay Representative. As a member of the SEC, St Columba’s has an obligation to contribute to the costs of the Diocese and the Province through payment of an annual ‘quota’. This amount is based on the relative level of income of the church in comparison with that of other churches in the Diocese and Province.
Activities and Achievements
eeWholeness and Compline.introducedThey are Sunday@5becoming services.popular with They new werepeople Taizé,trying Lectio Divina,out our church Healingfor andthe first time and enjoyed by those who appreciate some quiet time. The normal services are at 8am and 11am on Sundays and 10am on Wednesday. A new pastoral team has had training and await their PVG to start visiting. We circulate a weekly list of people to pray for by email as well as the readings. We joined with Largs and District Churches Together for our Walk of Witness on Good Friday. Our church is active with the local Christian Aid group.
We have continued to host our usual 4 car boot sales and these remain popular events with many vendors returning time and time again as well as welcoming new ones. In early July we hosted 30 primary 1-7 children for our ‘Seaside Saints’ adventure summer holiday club where the life and times of Jonah were studied.
Property
This has been an interesting year where the main property issue came about during the big storm in January, when the church hall roof was partially blown off allowing water into the building. Prompt action was taken to temporarily stop water ingress using polythene sheeting which was held down using “ wooden battens. However, there was a considerable time delay in getting clearance to allow proper repairs to be carried out. During this time, further water damage occurred after the polythene sheeting was damaged in subsequent storms. Our insurance company has now authorized repair work to be carried out on the church hall to repair all damage. This work commenced in mid-August when the internal ceilings were removed. Scaffolding was erected around the hall a week later to allow safe access to replace the roof covering. Once that has been achieved, the hall will have the internal walls plaster removed and then left for several weeks to dry out. Once the hall has dried out, the internal repairs will commence and are expected to continue until the end of 2025. All items not damaged from the hall are currently being stored in the minister’s office building.
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During the repairs, it was decided to update the hall toilets, wiring and other modernization jobs, along with replacing the felt roof on the remainder of the church hall.
As there are currently lots of grants available for net zero projects, the Vestry decided to have the south main roof of the church hall strengthened to allow the fitting of solar PV panels during the hall repairs. Solar panels-and battery units will be installed later this year in order to reduce our carbon footprint. Electricity produced will be stored in the batteries and will hopefully power both the hall and the church building, with any excess power being sold to the national grid. In May, it was decided to refurbish the remembrance garden. It is hoped that this task will be completed mid-October 2025 by working parties. It has involved removing large trees and shrubs along with weeds plus associated roots. Replacement planting is taking place as the flower beds progress, using some originalbetween theshrubs flowerand bed andplants along car park haswith a variety been completedof new slow along with growing new vegetation. kerb stones.The Itsmall is hopedgrass thatarea 3 slabs can be laid just inside the flower bed mid-way along the garden so that we can put a2 seater bench on the slabs so that visitors can enjoy that space. We still have funding available to continue laying new gravel on the car park and this will continue once the remembrance garden work has been completed. This will improve our "Kerb Appeal" from the
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road. The disabled walkway hand railings outside the church building have been replaced with new railings which have been double galvanised to reduce corrosion.
The video and sound system in the church is continuously evolving, and new parts are being added to it as time permits. Eventually, we will be able to stream all events in the building online. We have also installed Internet and WiFi now to the Church building, church hall and rectory using a 5G cellular router with sim card. With the addition of internet, all the church properties have had VOIP phones installed, and all vestry members have been given access to VOIP connection numbers for their phones. We now have a NAS Drive Server for storing all files and documents relating to the church and this is accessible by all vestry members to update information relating to their particular roles. This means that all information is stored centrally and kept up to date. The NAS also hasa calendar system which allows things such as Hall user bookings, church services, events to be viewed by all vestry members and automatically sends email alerts for things like fire extinguisher testing certification renewals etc to be sent. It is hoped that parts of this calendar can be fed to the new church website for easy updates to everyone visiting the website in due course. Work has commenced on minor repairs to the Rectory so that it is ready for our next minister’s arrival in the future. A new large plastic shed has been purchased for the Rectory garden with money from the insurance company after the other shed was destroyed in a storm. This has still to be erected. -
Work continues to carry out outstanding jobs which were highlighted at the last Quinquennial. These should be completed prior to the next Quinquennial in 2028.
Finance
As reported above, our properties suffered from the effects of Storm Eowyn in January. Since then, we have been very busy submitting quotes for the various repairs, some of which remain ongoing. In addition, our insurance company appointed a Surveyor to oversee the extensive repairs to the church hall. We are working closely with him and a local builder to ensure the hall is properly restored and improvements made where necessary. Due to the hall damage, we hadto close the hall to our regular community groups, but we hope to entice them back once the hall is fully functional again. We have received a number of grants during the year and these are detailed in the accounts, for whi¢h we are most grateful, and this has reduced the need to dip into our reserves, so far. In addition, we received a very generous legacy from the Late Kenneth Hinshalwood, which enabled us to add to otr investment holding with the SEC’s Unit Trust Pool as outlined in the accounts. We have continued to take advantage of the UK Government’s various Gift Aid schemes and recovered nearly £9,800. The present form of accounts blurs the distinction between what is income and what is capital. Under the old system of an Income and Expenditure account, the surplus for the year would have been shown as a deficit, made good bya transfer from the Balance Sheet (Capital Account). However, to show a surplus for the year when in fact our annual income does not meet annual expenditure gives a distorted view of the actual position and we should continue to be aware of it. Donations In supporting the needs of the whole church, the Vestry operates a policy of donating a total of 20% of ' net fundraising efforts, split equally between two different charities annually as reported in the accounts. In addition to taking Special Collections and paying Quota to the Diocese to support the wider work of the church; other beneficiaries during the year included the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal, Aberlour Child Care Trust and Christian Aid.
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InvestmentsMoney which is not needed to fund day to day expenditure is invested in the Scottish Episcopal Church Unit Trust Pool with holdings complying w ith the Province’s ethical investment policy. Details of our holding are in the accounts.
ReservesThe Statement of Balances shows a total value of £229,393.83 an increase of some 26% from last year, due mainly to the legacy left » iii and an increase in the value of our portfolio.
Conclusion The members of the Vestry would like to thank all those who contribute their time, energy and money so generously, to ensure the continuation and development of St Columba’s as a centre of worship and a focus for the community. We endeavour to control our costs and this effort must be maintained so that we can continue to benefit from a vibrant church for many years to come. ~~ ae
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Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
Report to the trustees/members of — St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Largs Registered charity number S$C004796 On the charity’s accounts for the 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 period Set out on pages 6 and onwards Respective responsibilites of The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the trustees and examiner accounts in accordance with the trems of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations do 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 My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of statement 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 audjt and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the actounts. Independent examiner’s statement —_ In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 ofthe 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met.
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or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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— Rae Date: September 2025
Name:
Address:
u) Glas
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St Columba's Scottish Episcopal Church, Largs
Scottish Registered Charity no. SC004796 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for year ended 31 August 2025
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|2023-2024|2024-2025|2024|- 2025|
|Receipts:|Last year|Budget|Actual|
|Donations|received:|Notes|
|Standing Orders|31519.96|30000|32924.98|
|FWO|Envelopes|3671.15|4800|3646|
|Ordinary|Offerings|1482.02|1500|1806.66|
|Gifts|a|7312.26|6000|3388.18|
|Bequests|2|0|0|72196.3|
|Hall donations|3|13123.75|12000|11150|
|Fund|raising|4|10487.95|9000|6073.39|
|Grants/Refunds|5|3850|0|27874.38|
|Tax recovered|on|Gift Aid|16497.7|7200|9768.23|
|Special collections|12|1001.65|0|1946.37|
|Social donations|14|1340.64|1200|1249.3|
|Receipts from|investments other than|land|and|buildings:|
|Bank|interest|314.78|300|592.35|
|Income|from|investments|15|4946.88|4200|6385.5|
|Proceeds from|sale|of|investments:|15|30000|0|0|
|Total Receipts:|125548.74|76200|179001.64|
|Payments|relating to charitable|activities:|
|Assessments|8171.6|7800|8864.4|
|Donations|6|2000|0|1080|
|Music|7|4870.07|4200|6324.55|
|Property|expenses|8|65532.78|32640|58438|
|Rector|9|43398.44|42000|39896.96|
|Sundries|10|4453.08|3600|9690.14|
|Expensesfor|fund|raising|11|480.2|600|578.53|
|activities|
|Special|collections|12|1181.65|0|1946.37|
|Social expenditure|14|900.51|900|1316.08|
|Purchase|of|investments:|45|0|0|40000|
|Total Payments:|130988.33|91740|168135.03|
|Surplus/Deficit for year:|-5439.59|-15540|10866.61|
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|Notes:|2023-2024|2UL4-2Uce|
|1|Gifts etc received|7088.63|3388.18|5|Grants/Refunds|3850|27874.38|
|Christenings + Funerals|300|0|(G) Benefact Trust - Church glass doors|1750|0|
|Christmas donations|259.84|210|(G) Diocese|-|Quinquennial|Survey|500|ft)|
|Flower Fund + sale of candles|0|157.12|(G) Diocese - Transitional Stipend Grant|600|0|
|Donation from BT Group for new pole|0|168|(G) Kelburn Windfarm Trust|0|2000|
|Take up of Ecclesiastical insurance policy|0|130|(G) Radio Clyde|- Summer Holiday Club|500|1000|
|Gravel project|3155.73|200|(G) Tesco - Summer Holiday Club|500|0|
|Homemount House-|collection|0)|11|(G) Province|- church glass doors|4000|
|Hire of church furniture/equipment|0|125|(G) Benefact Trust - hall loos|1900|
|Rectory grass cutting|220|320|(R) Diocese|- overpayment of quota|818.9|
|RJ McLeod (grounds)|200|0|(R) Ecclesiastical|- temp hall repairs|2248|
|Sale of church inner doors|140|0|(R) Ecclesiastical|- Rectory roof repairs|550|
|Sale of produce + kneeler|0|160|(R) Ecclesiastical|- Church roof repairs|1240|
|Sale|of|wooden pews|835.63|i)|(R) Polygon|- electricity usage In church|43.01|
|Sale of church lamp shades + desk|0|110|(R) Ecclesiastical|- Rectory shed + skips|1573.98|
|Sale of Jane McCance paintings|0|123.98|(R) Refund of VAT on church glass doors|1474.6|
|Stipend refund|0|95.34|(R) Ecclesiastical|- garage roof repairs|2150|
|Summer Mission Camp|242.3|165|(R) Ecclesiastical|[-][marquee]|for|holiday club|1944|
|VAT Refund|354.7|0|(R)|Ecclesiastical|- gents loo ceiling in hall|1903.31|
|Wooden|altar table|1124.99|1300|(R) Ecclesiastical - church stained glass windows|4813.2|
|Misc|255.44|112.74|(R)|Province - overpayment of Rector's pension|215.38|
|N|2 Bequests|Kenneth|Hinshalwood|0|72196.3|6 Donations|Includem|21|000|1080|
|;|The|Daisy|Project|1000|
|3|Hall donations|13123.75|11150|Survivors of Bereavement by Sulcide|540|
|Baby Sensory Group|1045|0|Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis|540|
|Coastal Calm|Colle|0|240|
|Dance Class|7518.75|6630|7|Music|4870.07|6324.55|
|Empower Me|380|340|Choir expenses + RSCM M'ship|249.4|137|
|;|Music/licence|purchases|376.17|494.56|
|Haylie|House|100|100|
|Largs Gaelic Choir|1440|1320|Organ/pianos|700|1812.99|
|Largs Players|140|0|Organist|3544.5|36880|
|OIR Groups|1320|940|
|Private|Parties|340|110|8|Property expenses|65532.78|58438|
|Puppy classes|640|480|Church|- heat & ight|11769.44|8810.99|
|Sound|Bath|0|120|Church|- maintenance|22258.87|16902.27|
|||The Daisy Project|50|0|Grounds|7527.78|3573.59|
|Yoga classes|0|750|‘|Halt|15663.29|17835.67|
|Misc|150|120|Insurance|- see Note 13|3650.31|‘4103.05|
|Rectory|4663.09|7212.43|
|4|Fund|raising|9949.84|6073.39|.|
|z|Car Boot Sales|8901.84|4724.45|R|9|Rector|2|A3398.44|39896.96|
|Cash box|8.17|6.59|BT Group|- mobile|425.34|0|
|Gaelic Choir Concert|710|0|HMRC|5779.68|5476.57|
|Lavendar Farm visit|329.83|0|Locum|415.9|860.4|
|LAOS Concert|i)|795.81|SEC Pension Fund|10365.84|7931.58|
|eee|26411.68|25628.41|
|Murder|Mystery|5|eae|
|Quiz Night|:|538.11|0|
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|10|Sundries|4453.08|9690.14|
|Altar|requisites|1067.99|2719.24|
|Mission|&|Outreach|47.2|1148.21|
|Office|2665.39|3129.86|
|Summer|Holiday Club|672.5|2692.83|
|11|Expenses|for|fundraising|activities|480.2|578.53|
|Car|Boot|Sales|480.2|378.53|
|LAOS|Concert|0|200|
|2023-2024|2024-2025|
|12|Special|Collections|1181.65|1946.37|
|Aberlour|Trust|187.6|251.24|
|Bishop's|Lenten Appeal|444|140|
|Christian Ald|186.72|269.14|
|Includem|153.5|0|
|Mission|to|Seafarers|0|147.48|
|Mothers’|Union|9.83|0|
|Rector's|leaving|gift|0)|1138.51|
|Bishop|Kevin's|retiral fund|200|0|
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13 Insurance
There is no legal requirement to showeither the cost or[the][value][of][the] property, but itis insured as follows: Church - buildings and contents - £10,970,000 Hall - buildings and contents - £3,660,000 Rectory - building and contents of common parts - £540,000 14 Social Fund 440.18 anda Donations 1340.64 1249.3 Expenditure 900.51 1316.08
Payments to Trustees We are required to provide details of payments made to Trustees (ie Vestry members} and thelr spouses, except where this Is purely a reimbursement for a purchase made on behalf of the church. The only such payments made were to the Rector- see Note 9. 15 Investments as at 30 June 2025: Market Dividends Holding Security Value 6450 SEC Unit Trust Pool (UTP) 204405.02 6385.5 As at 30 Jun 24 154755.17 4946.88 Transactions: : Nov-24 Purchase of 1308 SEC UTP units 40000
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|St Columba's|Scottish|Episcopal|Church,|Largs|
|Statement|of Balances|as|at 31 August 2025|
|31stAug 2024|31stAug 2025|
|Bank|accounts:|
|Total|balances|at start|of|year:|19561.81|14122.22|
|Balances|at|end|of year|
|RBS|Business|a/c|3438.51|1435.26|
|less|uncleared|cheques|2106.81|1097.53|
|RBS|Instant Access Deposit a/c|12790.52|24651.1|
|Total balances|at end|of year:|14122.22|24988.83|
|Surplus/(Deficit)|for|the|year:|5439.59|10866.61|
|Investments|
|Market|value|at|beginning|of year|168542|154755|
|Additions|at|cost|0|40000|
|Disposal|proceeds|30000|0|
|Unrealised|gain/loss|in|year|2067|9650|
|Market|value|at end|of year|154755|204405|
|Total|Reserves:|168877.22|229393.83|
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(7,0)
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Approved by the Vestry: 2\ -..-. September 2025
Signed= Hon. Treasurer
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