Balfron Church of Scotland Trustees, Report and RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 December 2023 Congregation No: 2311390 Charity No: SC 005335
Reference and Administrative Information Charity Name: Balfron Church of Scotland Charity Regi8trdtion Number.. SC.005_335 Congregation R¢f¢rencc No.. 2311390 Contact Address: Trustees Principal Office-bear¢rs Banken Bank of Scotland Milngavie Stsiion Road Branch PQ Box 1000 BX2 ILB 2023
Trustees, Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2023 Structure, Governgnce and Management Governing Document The Church is adrninistcred in accordance '1th the temis of the Deed of Cot1¢UtiOn. The Constitution was changed fmm a Nlodel Constitution to a Unitary Constitution as requircd undcr ihc Prc5byl¢ry Plan for Category "A" Churchcs. The Kirk Session passed thc rnove to a Unitary Conslilutiun on Wcdnesday 19 October and the Congregation voied on the change on 4 Deceniber ?0?? The result of the i'ote was ?8 for th¢ move Ld O a¥&inst. The move to a Unilary Constitution was passed by the Ptesbylery ot Stirling on 7 December 2022 and Ih¢n sent to the Law Department of the Church of Scotland and passed by them and the church now opgrates under a Unitary Conslitulion. Recrnitment and Appointment of Truslees Members of the Kirk Session are the charity trnstees. "I"he Kirk Session members are the elders of the church and chosen from those members of Ihe church who are considered lo have the appropriat¢ gifts and skills. The rnlnister. who is a member of the Kirk Session. is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. Organisational Structure The Kirk Session. which meets six times a year. is responsibl¢ for all affairs within the church. The va&qncy of minister and recruitment freeze within the Church of Scotland has allowed the long temi engagement of an Ordained Local Ministcr whose non-stipendiary (unpaid) part-tim¢ ministy of Word and SaLrnl'nt has. &illowed services lo conLinuL' in Lonj uniliiln ii.'jili ilLiasii)n<tl Ministerial and Reiider supply.. Thc Church has bencfited from the Teachings from as th¢ ll1n OLM cover for 2023 and Pulpil Supply has filled the gaps. Objectives and Activities Th¢ Church of Scoiland is TrinitaTian in doctrine, Refomied in lIlI10n and Presbyterian in polity. It ¢xistS to glorify God and to work tor the advancement of Christ's Kingdom throughout the world. As a national Church, it acknowledgcs a distinctive call and duty io bring the ordindnces of religion to the people in every parish of 8Loildnd througjh a territori411 ministry. It Lo-operate&4 with vthcr Chuivhes in various ¢Lumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond. 'th¢r¢ is a fflvri)in¥ sic¢ ci'cry Sunday at I1.15am. Communion is cclcbratcd on the fir8t Sunday of eh month in mah, June, September and Dccemt¢r. SpeLidl b¢rvicYs are held on Good Friday and on the first Sunday in October is the 14arvest 'fhkuthsgivin8. There are Christmas Watch-nighi and Christmas Ihy services. Due to the vacancy the frequency of Communion now varies dependant on Pulpit Supply. A Lunch Cliib is held every Thiirsday except dilring Ihe slimmer rnonths both in person and a weekly deliv¢ry s¢rvic¢ to mcmirrs of the community who cannot attend in person. ActLVlties for younger m¢mtErs of the ¢ongreTration are beingJ supplied on an ad hoc basis by membcrs of the congregation during the service although a fomul plan is expected in 2024 Ihe need is sporadiL. 2023
Tru$tee8' Annual Report (cont'd) Year ended 31 December 2023 Achievements and Performance Attendance at Sunda5, sen'ices hag declined to 30-40. At the clo£e of ei'ery, Sundav gen'ice the members and visitors arc mad¢ wclcomc in thc church room5 for tea. coffcc. biscuits and chat which h&$ teconvcned aticr COVID-19 gUlationS W¢ lilled. During the Lockdown the Worship T¢arn wilh the help of oiher voluntc¢rs, including thc Urganist and Praisc Eland continu¢ lo proviJL' ()LLd410.ncil relii'f. diiL ti) the vacancv with a regular Ordained Local Minister {OLM) Supply being given bN' The Pastoral c.are CTTOUP while they are llow able to visii rnembers in their homLS, have also worked hard to maintain conlaci ihrough telephone La115 and emdils. This includes th¢ work of the Bereavement Visitor who Continued scnding cards lo bcrcavcd (amilics on thc first annAcr5ary of thcir bcr¢avcmcnt. Link with Fintry Church of Scotland Ralfron ChLirch nf gcoilAnd is linL'ed w'i;h Fintry, ChLirch a,, scotland in the neighbouring i'illsge nf Fintr)". 'Ministy Expenses, ar¢ shar¢d ther¢ appropriate, with the expenses of the monse, situated in Balfron, sl)arcd equatly. Joini Sunday s¢rviccs arc hcld in July, firstly in fintry and then in tjalfron. Ther¢ is an annual meeiing of ihe Se&8ion Clerks and Fabri¢ Conv¢nors of boih churches. Financial Review As statcd last year the accounting treatmcnts comply with the standard laid down by Cos and OSCR, the ¢harity re¥ulator in scot1¢. Following a discussion with the Cos in Edinburgh, the accounts of the associated organisations are no longer Included in the Chwch accounts. The OrganitiOnS have produced aLcounls, which are available to their members. The main detcrioration was in offcrings subject to 'gift-aid', whcre don&tion8 reflected the loss of a fcw donois and th¢ chaJJgcd tdxatiun p03ition vf oihcrs. Simil¢irly. lax Wdb r¢covered fiom HMRC but a Claim iiyjll be made in earl)i ?0?4 due to a change in lechnology required. Donations for use of the hall and th¢ church de¢lincd in the post LOVID period. Reg<uding P&tyinentS, &8 adopted four years ¢l¥(), Fiiitry Church'8 contributioiis tci 'shared c()%ts' have l)een allocated. as dcduetions, to these costs. Once more an appeal to the Presbytery. reduced our conlribution to Ministries and Mission, and PrcsbyL)ry dues. The rnanse vacancy has led to rentsl through Glyde Properties revenue directly to a Revenue Alc held un behalt" of the Congregalion by the Church ot- Scotland General Trustees. This ReN'enue Alc can be drawn on to covcr fabriclmaintenance of expcnditurc tktails of this furyd can be found at the end of the Accounts.
Trustees. Annual Report (eont'd) Year ended 31 December 2023 Re%erveA Policy Although there is no official r¢s¢rvc policy as such, and in the current year no specific ev¢nt3 have bccn hcld to create a rcserve for expenditure on the Church's fabri¢. After succe55fullv financing the repair of the church roof and stonework and subsequently a complete re-decorauon of the interior it seems appropriate io llave a more modest unofficial 'fabric' fund. Lurrently, Ihis aniounts to approximately £IO.000. Ime Church of Scotland Investors 'frust in Edinburgh holds. on bchalf ol. Balfron Church. some 20.575 Church of Scotland Cirowth Fund units with a Cuent value of £1 19,952 and a Ilequest Fund of value £9693. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The meMrS of the Kirk Session are the Trustees, musl prepare financial statements w'hich give sufficient dctail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of Balfron Chuwh during the financial year. The '[ rustees are regponsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request. must reflect the financial position of the Church at that lime. This must b¢ done to ¢nsur¢ thai th¢ financial ¥tatement¥ cornply with th¢ Charilics and Tnte¢ Investment (Scotland} Act 2005. th¢ Chariti¢s Accounts (S¢otland) Rcgulations 2006 d ihe Regulaiions Anent Congregational FinanLe approved by ihe General Assembly of the ChurL'h of Scotland in 2007. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and musi take reasonable steps for Ihe prevention andlor deteLlion of fraud other Irregulties. rov¢d b thc Trustc¢s and stgned on their behalf. . Session.Clerk Date 1710212024 2023
Balfron Church of Scotland SC005335 Independent Examiner's Rert to tbe Trustees of Balfron Church of S¢otland I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are sel out on pages 7 to 12. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the tenns ot'thc Charilies and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scoiland) Regulations 2006. Thc chaTity" trtlee8 con5idcr that thc audit rcquircrnent of Rcgulalion l 011) (d) of th¢ Accounls Regulations does Iiot apply. It is my rcsponsibility to ex111nC tli¢ accoutit5 required widcr scctioii 44(1) (c) of tlic Act and to state whaher any particular rnatte have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's Statement My e¥aminalion is carried i)ut in accordance wtth Regulation I l of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examinalioD includes a review of the accounttng records kept by the charily and a comparison of thc accounts present¢d wtth thosc rccords. It also includes consideration of any unusual items ur disLIvsur¢s in th¢ ILuUnt5 und becks eXpl1£*liVI}S f1]1 th¢ truslLLs ¢unL¢niing any sucli Jnallers. The procedures uiideriaken do iiol provide all the Lvidence that would be required in an audit. and eongequenily I do not express an audit opinion on th¢ view given bj the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In the cOue of my examination. no matter has come to rny attention which gives me reasonable cause to bclicvc that in any matcrial rcspcct thc rcquircmcntS: a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulation& and b) to prepare accounts 'hICh accord ivith the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts RegulatiDns have not been met. or 2. to which, in my Opinio attcntion should be drawn to enable a proper understsnding of accounts to Dat¢: 17102/2024 2023
Recei ts and Pa Account Year ended 31 December 2023 ments Unresirieted Endowment Funds Tota Tot*1 2022 2023 2023 2023 Recei Donaiions l.egacies A¢tivilies For Ci¢n¢rating Puiids Bank & Deposit Interesi Invesiment Income NoÉe 37,404 0.00 37,404 iO.219 2,545 39.949 2,145 207 341 341 2,886 40,190 2,145 207 2.327 Rental of Premises Other Receipts Total Recei 42.301 341 ment5 Cost of Generating l.unds Chariwbl¢ A1VItieS Governance Costs 43.366 43,366 4S,460 Total ments 43.366 43.366 45.460 Excess of R¢¢¢ipls over Pavments for the Year Before Traiisfers -1,065 341 -724 11,6iO Transfers E.x¢ess of Receipts over Pavments for the Year -1,065 i41 -724 1.630
Balfron Church Statement of Balances At 31 Deccmber 2023 Unrestricted funds Endowment funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Note Bank & De osit Balan5 Bank & Deposii Balances Brought Forward 18,763 28,115 39,745 Movement in year: Excc55 of RcccÉpts Ovcr PayrncTrt5 For Th¢ Y¢ar -1.065 -724 11,630 Bank & Deposit Balances caled Forward 17.698 9.693 Investment$ at Market Value (Cosi £ 82,954) 1199.52 AsseL8 Liabilities The accounts wer¢ approved bv the Kirk Session and Financial Board on Date". 1710212024 n behaifofthe Kirk Sessioll and Financial Board 2023
Balfrun Chureh of SLotl#lld Notes to Ihc AccDunt5 l. Tru%tet Remuiierti4)n gnd Related Party Transgetions No trustee receii'ed reimbursement of expenses. In addillo r¢c¢ived £2.472 and re¢¢iv¢d L2,1168 t-or proi'idino tIiL il" %vl'N iLtyS LliurLh Ollicer and Organibl, rL.bl)LLIIi L Ii.. receivcd £700 for cleaning 5crvices. ecinin¥J seri'icu received £262.io ceived £87..50 tor Cleaning Services. rcceived £1.050 (iniiigJ sL'Th'lLes and or 2. Moi'ements in Funds At31 Dec 2023 At l January 2023 Receipts Paymenls Transfers Unrestriicd fund5 Generdl Fund 18,763 42,301 43,366 17.698 Endowment funds Bequest Fund 9,352 341 9.693 Total funds 28,115 43,366 27,391 3. Ye4r• end balanee at hank Of thc tpalancc of £17.697 at 31 Do¢cmbcr Ih¢rc arc no outstandiii- 10t5 from the Church of SLoIl(a G¢neral Trusl¢¢s. ose.q nf F.ndowment Fiinds There is no restriction on the us¢ of income generated by the Bequest Fund. Ddfron 202J
Balfron Church of Seotland Notes to the Accounts colltyd. Unrestricted Funds 2023 Endowmenl Funds 2023 Total Total 2023 2022 4. Analysis of Donations WFO Scheme (Non-Gift Aid) Gift Aid Dtsnaiions 1,641 19.014 16.109 16.109 Tax Recovered on Gift Aid Dona¢ions Ordinary Offerings (Open Plate) Other Offerings, Donations etc 16,313 4,982 37.404 16.313 4,982 37.404 3.737 5,827 30,219 5. Analysis of Payments Costs of generating funds Offering Envelopes Charitable activities Ministhes & Mission Allation 15697 15697 11,392 Presbytery Dues 666 666 425 Minister's Expenses 800 464 Pulpit Supply 1007 1007 867 Other Staffmg Cosis 8191 8191 7.875 Fabric Repairs & Maintenance 9946 9946 Council T& Heat and Light 3267 3267 ,576 Insurdnce 2712 2712 2,291 Organ & Music 151 151 58 Printing, stationery and pistsge 21 21 51 Loan Interest 285 20.176 Other Expense5 908 908 43,366 43.366 45.460 Governance costs Independent examiner's f¢¢s fron 2023 io
Balfron Church of Scotland Notes to the Accounts cont'd. 6. Minister's Stipend All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend Pund which bears th¢ Costs of all minisl¢rs' slipends 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 relaled to years of service. For the year under review Lhc minimum stipend was £30,135 and ihe maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years) £37,032 2023 2022 7. Collections for Third Parties Strathcorron Hospi¢¢ Christian Aid Sigrid (Minister leaving colle¢tion) Payment to Ukrdine Appeal (Cos) Lady Haig Poppy 337 440 37 658 337 BOn 2023
APPENDIX I FUNDS HELD ON BFHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES 2023 2022 CAPITAL ACCOUNT Credii Balances held at 31 December at cost 129,646 120,457 Market Value of Balances at 31 December 2023 119.952 111.105 REVENUE ACCOUNT Credit Balance at 31 December 2023 2.110 2,110 REVFNUE ACCOUNT 50 Consol FabriL Fund- Rev Credit Balance at 31 December (50% held on behalf of Finty Kirk) Credit Balance at 31 December Items now split 9,824 11,195 2023 12