St Serf’s Church of Scotland
Tullibody
Church Trustees’ Report
and
Church Accounts
For the year ending 31 December 2024
Scottish Charity Number:
SCO05918
Congregation Reference Number: 231436
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Charity Name
St Serf’s Church of Scotland, Tullibody
Charity Reference Number SCO05918
Congregational Reference Number 231436
Contact Address
Trustees
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Banker
Royal Bank of Scotland Stirling Branch Unit 22/23 Thistles Goosecroft Road STIRLING FK8 2EA
Structure, Governance and Management
Objectives and Activities
The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in Policy. It exists to glorify and 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 in Scotland through a territorial ministry. It co-operates with other Churches and various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond.
Governing Document
The Church is administered in accordance with the model Deed of Constitution.
Organisational Structure
The Kirk Session, which meets a minimum of five times a year, is responsible for the spiritual affairs within the Church. The Congregation Board, chaired by a member of the Congregation Board, is elected by the members and meets a minimum of five times a year. Certain representatives are elected to the Finance Committee and Property Committee, as appropriate.
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 Congregation who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The Minister, who is a member of the Kirk Session, is elected by the Congregation and inducted by Presbytery. The Congregational Board is appointed from within the congregation and 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. 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.
Achievements and Performance
We, the trustees, list below the various activities of individual organisations within the Church.
A wide range of Church activities are undertaken, and are strongly supported, with some continuing to be held online for the convenience of members’ no longer able to attend church in person regularly. Since our minister retired in April 2024 we have made concerted, and successful, efforts to maintain a full programme of worship, social and fund-raising events. This includes the following:
Sunday morning and evening Worship, and Midweek service (online) Sunday School Church of Scotland Guild Prayer Meeting and Bible Study (online)
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Choir (morning services) Praise Band (evening services) Soup & Roll Lunches Coffee morning and sale of work Singing for Memories Pensioners’ Christmas lunches (in conjunction with Singing for Memories) Tiny Tots Community Social Club Craft Group Along with SU Scotland, we run the SU group in Banchory Primary School, Tullibody. We also have the children from the primary schools come for the Easter Journey and end-ofterm services at Easter and Christmas, and some also join in at the Singing for Memories sessions.
We hold monthly services in the local care home and sing carols for them at Christmas. We have a strong worship group to help lead worship and invest in the congregation’s resilience.
Attendance at Sunday services remains steady with events such as baptisms and visiting speakers attracting large numbers.
Holy Communion is celebrated four times a year at the morning services. It is also celebrated monthly at the evening services (also Maundy Thursday) and occasionally during online midweek services.
The World Day of Prayer is hosted alternate years in our Church and St Bernadette’s RC Church.
Joint Christmas Carol Services / Holy Week service are hosted in alternate years in our Church and St. Bernadette’s RC Church.
Membership and Key Posts
Total membership 246 on the Communion Roll at 31 December 2024.
No new members joined the congregation in 2024.
Six members of the congregation died in 2024, one member resigned and ten moved away or were found to have moved away without forwarding addresses.
was reappointed as Presbytery Elder on 11 April 2024 to serve until 30 June 2025.
was inducted as Minister to the charge on 11 March 2025.
Risk Management
The Charity Trustees have in place, a comprehensive 'Risk Management Plan' which encompasses: Risks associated with Statutory, Obligatory and Cyclical Health and Safety requirements.
Generic Health and Safety Risk Assessments.
Non-Health and Safety Risk Assessments including: Safeguarding, Data Protection, Church Finances and Business Continuity.
Accident and Incident Procedures.
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Other Responsibilities
The members of the Kirk Session / Congregational Board must prepare statements in sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year.
The members of the Kirk Session and Congregation 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 the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Regulation Anent Congregational Finance approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2017.
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.
Financial Review
The principal sources of income were from weekly offerings, fund raising and tax returns from the Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations scheme.
Fund raising by members of the Congregation is still a major source of income supplementing monies raised through offerings at various services throughout the year.
Reserve Policy
It is the policy of the Trustees to hold reserves in the bank account general and unrestricted funds to cover about three months' expenditure. At the year-end Church held:
| Unrestricted Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Account Unrestricted Funds | £1,276 | |
| General Account Unrestricted Funds | £29,080 | |
| £30,356 | ||
| Restricted Funds | ||
| Endowment Funds: Marshall Bequest | £5,959 | |
| Other Restricted Funds | 7,656 | |
| £13,615 | ||
| Designated Funds | ||
| Designated Funds held and expended by Church Organisations | £2,782 | |
| Total Funds Held | £46,753 |
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
Joint Session Clerk
Joint Session Clerk Date: 27 March 2025
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of St Serf’s Parish Church of Scotland: SC 005918
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 13.
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.
The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) 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
An examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of 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 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
-
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 Accounts Regulations, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 22 September 2025
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tullibody Receipts and Payments Account Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Donations as per Note 3 Bank & deposit interest Other receipts Fabric Fundraising events Hall Hire Funerals & Weddings Investors Trust Growth Fund Dividends Organisations Gen Congreg Purposes (Marshall) Total Receipts Payments as per note 4 Cost of Generating Funds Independent Examiner’s Fee Charitable Activities Organisations Total Payments Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year Transfers General Fund Flower Fund Sunday School Craft Class Guild Tiny Tots Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 Restricted Funds 2024 Endowment Funds 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 (restated) 54,219 54,219 53,524 495 495 146 2,415 2,415 1,928 914 914 126 |
|---|---|
| 57,129 914 0 58,043 55,724 |
|
| 4,464 4,464 4,149 810 810 708 1,880 1,880 2,930 162 162 146 |
|
| 64,445 914 0 65,359 63,657 |
|
| 7,230 7,230 3,568 359 359 454 |
|
| 7,589 7,589 4,022 |
|
| 72,034 914 0 72,948 67,679 |
|
| 163 163 156 0 0 61,833 34 61,867 56,551 |
|
| 61,996 34 62,030 56,707 |
|
| 6,969 6,969 3,216 |
|
| 68,965 34 0 68,999 59,923 |
|
| 3,069 880 0 3,949 7,756 1,890 1,890 (1,090) (1,090) (500) (500) (300) (300) |
|
| 3,069 880 0 3,949 7,756 |
Organisations’ payments here includes internal transfer of £1,890 between organisations’ accounts and St Serf’s account
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tullibody Statement of Balances 31 December 2024
| Bank & Deposit Balances brought forward (Restated) Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year Bank & Deposit balances carried forward Investments at Market Value The following investments are held with the Church of Scotland Investors Trust Growth Fund - 1200 units Cost £600 Assets Gift Aid Recoverable Giving to Grow Refund Total Due Liabilities Independent Examiner’s Fee |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Restricted Funds 2024 £ Endowment Fund 2024 £ Total 2024 £ Total 2023 £ 30,069 6,776 5,959 42,804 35,048 3,069 880 0 3,949 7,756 |
|---|---|
| 33,138 7,656 5,959 46,753 42,804 |
|
| 7,656 0 0 7,656 6,696 |
|
| 611 611 543 0 0 1,001 |
|
| 611 611 1,544 0 0 0 0 0 |
The Accounts were approved by the Kirk Session and Financial Board on 27 March 2025
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tulibody Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2024
1
Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions
During the year one Trustee received reimbursement of expenses totaling £1,972 for travelling expenses, telephone and Council Tax.
In addition trustees noted below received payments for provision of services during the year:
| £ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | who is Relief Church Officer and | a member of Kirk Session | ||||
| 2,232 | who Is Church Hall cleaner and a member of Kirk | Session | ||||
| 1,745 | who Is Church Officer and a member of Kirk Session | |||||
| 60 | who Is second Relief Church Officer and a member of Kirk | |||||
| Session | ||||||
| 4,069 | ||||||
| No Trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal Interest in | any contract or transaction entered into by the | |||||
| charity during the year. | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| Movements in Funds | At 1 Jan | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | Totals at | 31 Dec |
| 2024 | 2024 | |||||
| (Restated | ||||||
| ) | ||||||
| £ | £ |
£ |
£ | |||
| Endowment | ||||||
| Marshall Bequest Capital | 5,959 | 5,959 | ||||
| Restricted Funds | ||||||
| Fabric Fund | 914 | 914 | ||||
| Church Gates (Girl Guides) | 438 | 438 | ||||
| Microphone & Monitors Fund | 241 | 241 | ||||
| Christmas Lunches | 56 | 56 | ||||
| Children’s Fund (was Way Ahead) | 5,569 | 5,569 | ||||
| Mitchell Flowers | 472 | 34 | 438 | |||
| 6,776 | 914 | 34 | 0 | 7,656 | ||
| Designated Funds | ||||||
| Flower Fund | 358 | 1,678 | 1,655 | 381 | ||
| Sunday School | 155 | 20 | 92 | 83 | ||
| Craft Club | 22 | 1,070 | (1,090) | 2 | ||
| Guild | 1,095 | 2,806 | 2,367 | (500) | 1,034 | |
| Tiny Tots | 891 | 1,656 | 965 | (300) | 1,282 | |
| 2,521 | 7,230 | 5,079 | (1,890) | 2,782 | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | ||||||
| General Congregational Purposes | 917 | 359 | 1,276 | |||
| (Marshall Bequest Revenue) | ||||||
| General Fund | 26,631 | 64,445 | 63,886 | 1,890 | 29,080 | |
| 27,548 | 64,804 | 63,886 | 0 | 30,356 | ||
| Total Funds | 42,804 | 72,948 | 68,999 | 0 | 46,753 |
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tulibody Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2024
Purpose of endowment fund
| Marshall Bequest | Held in general reserve, the interest being used for general fund |
|---|---|
| Restricted accounts | |
| Church Gates (Girl Guides) | Held in general reserve, being used for maintaining Church gates |
| Theology & Divinity Fund | Held in general reserve, being used to support study and worship activities |
| Fabric Fund | Held in Deposit account, being used for fabric work required |
| Church Choir | Held in Deposit account being used for the provision of choral music |
| Christmas Lunches | Held in Deposit account, being used for the provision of Christmas lunches |
| for Pensioners within the community | |
| Way ahead Club | Held in general reserve to be used only for the use of children in the |
| community. | |
| Mitchell Plants | Held in general reserve, being used to provide plants for a memorial to a |
| former Property Convener | |
| Microphone and Monitor | Held in general reserve to be used for audio-visual equipment |
| Accounts held by Treasurers of organizations as detailed | |
| Flower Fund | For the provision of flowers in Church |
| Sunday school | This provides children with bible teaching and fun |
| Guild | This provides prayer opportunities, companionship and fundraising for |
| projects supported by the Church. This is open to both men and women | |
| Craft Group | This group provides opportunities for creativity |
| Tiny Tots | This provided playscheme facilities for young children |
| Afternoon Club | This provides a weekly Friday afternoon Club |
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tulibody Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2024
3 Analysis of Donations
| Gift Aid Donations Free Will Offerings (non GA)/Open Plate Tax Recovered on Gift Aid (GADS) Other Donations |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 Restricted Funds 2024 Endowment Funds 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 £ £ £ £ 22,129 22,129 22,537 20,147 20,147 20,492 9,240 9,240 8,297 2,703 2,703 2,198 |
|---|---|
| 54,219 54,219 53,524 |
| 4 Analysis of Payments Offering Envelopes Assets Expenditure Giving to Grow Insurance Council Tax Energy Bills SSE/EON Telephone Repairs & Maintenance /General Exps Bank Charges Trustee Wages Legal & Presbytery Fees Licence Organist Supply Pulpit Supply Postage & Stationery Travelling Expenses Restricted Flower Expenditure Other Payments (Third Party) Total of Payments Organisations Independent Examiner Fee TOTAL PAYMENTS |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 Restricted Funds 2024 Endowment Funds 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 163 163 156 |
|---|---|
| 163 163 156 |
|
| 1,764 1,764 1,933 |
|
| 1,764 1,764 1,933 |
|
| 26,589 26,589 30,522 3,497 3,497 3,093 1,019 1,019 2,982 2,675 2,675 2,989 180 180 540 9,286 9,286 3,152 35 35 20 8,232 8,232 7,965 1,052 1,052 814 0 0 0 0 5,693 5,693 440 422 422 329 810 810 1,287 34 34 31 579 579 464 |
|
| 60,069 34 60,103 54,618 |
|
| 61,996 34 62,030 56,707 |
|
| 6,969 6,969 3,216 0 0 0 |
|
| 68,965 34 68,999 59,923 |
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St Serf’s Church of Scotland Tulibody Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2024
5 Minister’s Stipend
AII Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend Fund which bears the cost of all ministers’ stipend and employer’s contributions for national insurance, pension and housing loan fund. Ministers’ Stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale, which is related to years of service. For the year under the minimum stipend was £31,642 and the maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years) £38,884.
6 Collections for Third Party
| Collection made and distributed during the year | £ |
|---|---|
| Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (retiring offering) | £230.49 |
| Blythswood Care (collection by the Guild) | £80.00 |
| Japanese Garden (collection by the Guild) | £30.00 |
| Lodging House Mission (collection by the Guild) | £75.00 |
| Strathcarron Hospice (collection by the Guild) | £70.00 |
| CHAS (Holy Week) | £294.87 |
| CHAS | £60.00 |
| Total | £840.36 |
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APPENDIX
FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES
| 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 |
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 |
2023 £ 72,217 72,217 6,505 |
72,217 72,217 2,932 |
|---|---|---|---|
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