Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman Church of Scotland
Annual Report & Financial Statements For the Year ended 31° December 2024
Congregation No: 352071 Scottish Charity No: SC004853
Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31* December 2024
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements and the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31** December 2024.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name: Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman Parish Church Charity Registration Number SC004853 Congregation Reference No: 352071 — a
Virgin Money 151 High Street Elgin, 1V30 1DS
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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 Congregational Board comprises 22 elders together with others appointed from within the congregation. 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 responsible for financial and property matters, and is chaired by the minister. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the Finance Committee and the Property Committee as appropriate. The Kirk Session 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 acknowledgesa 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 is the parish church for the communities of Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman. Weekly Sunday morning all-age worship is conducted in the three church buildings on a rota basis. An outdoor all-age Forest Church meets monthly across different locations. The Men’s Group meet regularly through autumn and winter. Joint services are held with Hopeman Baptist Church yeanly, including community services for Hopeman Gala and Remembrance. The Assistant Minister and OLM offer chaplaincy in Hopeman Primary School and Lossiemouth High School, facilitating the chaplaincy teams at both schools. Members of the congregation are active in community organisations. Weekly Social Hubs are offered in Spynie Kirk and Hopeman Kirk Hall to support those facing isolation or cost of living concerns, and a weekly Toddler Group meets in school termtime in Spynie Kirk. The congregation is building stronger working relationships with Lossiemouth Church of Scotland, including sharing the ministry of an Assistant Minister and an Ordained Local Minister both serving across the congregations in the Lossiemouth area.
Social media is used to keep the local community informed, along with church notice boards and information in community bulletins. Information about services and other events is distributed quarterly by email and post to the congregation's members and adherents to maintain connections and offer support.
Achievements and Performance
The Congregation (a union of three former congregations in 1979) continues to be active in all aspects of church life. Each building serves a different community, one being town orientated, one farming and lastly seafaring. The congregation is an Eco-Congregation, taking action to care for creation.
Trustees’ Annual Report (cont) Year ended 31 December 2024
Members of the congregation continue to support each other and are involved in formal and informal community support. The Minister, her colleagues, and Elders continue to offer funerals and pastoral support, in a range of circumstances.
Financial Review
Receipts in 2024 were slightly lower than 2023, with income from offerings almost £2,000 lower and Tax recovered on Gift Aided donations, which relate mostly to 2023 giving, almost £700 less. Income from the use of premises declined as no grant funding was received for the running costs of Social Hubs but Fund Raising generated an extra £2,500 of income in 2024 and returns on bank deposits reflect the higher interest rates now being paid. Expenditure in 2024 shows a £1,846 decrease in the Giving to Grow allocation, partly due to reassessment on the departure of our Minister, but Presbytery Dues increased by almost £700. Energy costs increased almost 50% to £9,558 and repair costs also show a £2,600 increase, mainly due to replacement of the Manse central heating boiler. Other costs all reporting nominal movements compared with last year.
It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain cash reserves of approximately 6 months expenditure and an additional £30,000 in case of unexpected repairs to properties.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The members of the 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 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,
Date: 11" February 2025
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Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
Report to the Trustees of Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman Registered charity number SC004853
On the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31** December 2024 Set out on pages 5 to 9
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) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) (“the 2006 Regulations”). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 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 2006 Regulations. 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, | do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
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: * to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations have not been met, or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 11" February 2025
Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman Church of Scotland SC004853
| Statement ofFinancial Activities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearended31stDecember 2024 | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Notes | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Receipts | |||||
| Incoming Resources from Generated Funds | |||||
| Voluntary income | 1 | 33,869 | 33,869 | 36,486 | |
| Activities forgenerating funds | 2 | 3,530 | 3,530 | 4,561 | |
| Income from Investments | 3 | 3,587 | 3,587 | 2,853 | |
| Incoming Resources from charitable activities | 4 | 3,436 | 699 | 4,135 | §,404 |
| Transfer from Church ofScotland Investors Trust | 0 | 0 | - | ||
| Church Guild Income | - | - | - | ||
| Total Receipts | 44,422 | 699 | 45,121 | 49,304 | |
| Payments | |||||
| Costs ofgenerating funds | § | 256 | 256 | 256 | |
| Charitable activities | 6 | §2,071 | 3,112 | §5,183 | 55,021 |
| Church Guild expenditure | - | 419 | 419 | - | |
| Total Payments | §2,327 | 3,531 | §5858 | 55,277 | |
| Surplus / (Deficit) for Year | (7,905) | (2,832) | (10,737) | (5,973) | |
| Transfers between funds | 0 | 0.00 | : | ||
| Surplus / (Deficit) forYear |
(7,905) | (2,832) | (10,737) | (5,973) | |
| Statement of Balances | |||||
| As at31" December 2024 | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Funds Reconciliation | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bank depositsat31December2023 | 68,391 | 19,884 | 88,275 | 94,248 | |
| Surplus / (Deficit) for Year |
(7,905) | (2,832) | (10,737) | (5,973) | |
| Bank deposits at 31 December2024 | 60,486 | 17,052 | 77,538 | 88,275 | |
| Bank Balances | |||||
| BankCurrentAccount | 9,786 | 7,052 | 16,838 | 17,580 | |
| Church ofScotland Investors Trust Cash deposits | $0,700 | 10,000 | 60,700 | 70,695 | |
| 60,486 | 17,052 | 77,538 | 88,275 | ||
| Other Assets (Unrestricted fund) | |||||
| Fixtures & Fittings (estimated value) | 4,000 | 4,000 | |||
| GiftAidduetobereceived | 4,500 | 5,000 |
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees and Congregational Board on 11" February 2025
For and on behalfof the Congregational Board
Clerk to the CongregationalIn BoardABSONTIA / SESSION CORRE Congregational Treasurer
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Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman Church of Scotland $C004853
Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (as amended) and the Guidance for The Church of Scotland.
Funds
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. 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,
Receipts
All donations and gifts are included within receipts under either unrestricted or restricted funds according to the terms under which the donation is made and when the amount is received by the charity. Donations and gifts in kind are brought into the accounts at their market value to the charity when received.
Payments
Expenditure is recognised on a payments basis as and when the liability is paid. Expenditure jis normally paid within the month in which it was incurred.
Tangible fixed assets
The charity has the right to occupy and use for its charitable objects certain tangible fixed assets, including the manse at Duffus, Elgin, IV30 5QP, vested in the Church of Scotland General Trustees. No consideration is payable for the use of this asset. 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 payment is made.
Taxation
Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman 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.
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Notes forming part of the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| 1. | Voluntary Income | |||||
| Offerings | 27,243 | 27,243 | 29,192 | |||
| Tax recovered on Gift Aided Donations | 6.626 | 6,626 | 7,294 | |||
| Legacies | - | 0 | - | |||
| 33,869 | . | 33,869 | 36,486 | |||
| 2. | Activities for Generating Funds | |||||
| Regular Fund Raising events | 2,004 | 2,577 | 74 | |||
| Use ofChurch Premises | 953 | 953 | 4.487 | |||
| Church Organisations | - | 0 | - | |||
| 3,530 | - | 3,530 | 4,561 | |||
| 3. | UK Investment Income |
|||||
| Bank Interest | 3,587 | 3,587 | 2.853 | |||
| 3,587 | - | 3,587 | 2,853 | |||
| 4. | Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities | |||||
| Weddings & Funerals | 1,750 | 1,750 | 1,780 | |||
| Special Fundraising | 772 | 772 | 2,609 | |||
| Other | 914 | 699 | 1,613 | 1,015 | ||
| 3,436 | 699 | 4,135 | 5.404 | |||
| 5. | Fundraising Costs Expended | |||||
| Offenng envelopes | 256 | 256 | 256 | |||
| 256 ——— |
- | 256 | 256 | |||
| 6. | Analysis ofResourcesExpended | |||||
| Giving to Grow Allocation | 23,825 | 23,825 | 25,671 | |||
| Presbytery Dues | 1,363 | 1,363 | 686 | |||
| 25,188 | - | 25,188 | 26,357 | |||
| Ministry Expenses | 1,577 | 1.577 | 2,590 | |||
| Pulpit Supply | 67 | 67 | - | |||
| Other Salary Costs | 2,835 | 2,835 | 3,127 | |||
| Fabnc Repairs&Maintenance | 6,125 | 781 | 6,906 | 4,334 | ||
| Spynie Car park costs | 0 | 0 | - | |||
| Council Tax | 1,611 | 1,611 | 2,648 | |||
| Insurance costs | 4,635 | 4,635 | 4.488 | |||
| Energy Costs | tet | 2,331 | 9.558 | 6:212 | ||
| Church Office Expenses | 662 | 662 | Lk 12 | |||
| Other Expenses | 2.144 | - | 2,144 | 4,153 | ||
| 52,071 | ey | be | 55,183 | 55,021 |
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Notes forming part of the Financial Statements (Cont’d) For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | Staff costs & numbers | ||
| Salaries & wages | 2,835 | 3,127 | |
| Social Secunty Costs | - | - | |
| 2,835 | 3,127 |
The average number of employees dunng the year, calculated on the basis ofa headcount, was as follows
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |||
| Music | Staff | 3 | 3 | |
| 3 | 3 |
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 5" and subsequent years £38,884.
8. Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions
During the year 2024 expenses amounting to £1,577 were reimbursed to the minister and council tax costs of £1,611 were paid in respect of our congregational manse.
The Church's insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for all its trustees.
During the year one trustee received £652 in respect of Organists fees.
No other trustees received any reimbursement of expenses or any remuneration.
9. Independent Examination
No payment was made in 2024 or 2023 to the Independent Examiner for his examination.
10. Restricted Funds
The Board agreed that the Duffus bequest funds should be restricted to Capital spending on building (including architect's fees), building repairs, equipment, grass cutting and maintenance of grounds, electricity bills and heating oil, all in relation to the Duffus church building.
The Board agreed that the Spynie bequest funds should be restricted to capital spending on building (including architect's fees), building repairs, equipment, all in relation to the Spynie church building.
The Designated Benevolent Fund is managed by a small committee appointed by the Kirk Session.
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements (Cont’d) For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Restncted | Designated Funds | As at 31 12°23 | Movements | As at 311224 | As at 311224 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In 2024 | |||||
| The Hannah | Legacy | 9.465 | (2,986) | 6.479 | |
| The Gillan Legacy | 10.000 | (126 | 9.874 | ||
| Benevolent | Fund | 0 | 699 | 699 | |
| Guild Funds | 419 | (419) | 5 | 0 |
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