## **The Church of Scotland** ## **Partick Victoria Park Parish Church** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT ACCOUNTS** **For period ended 31[st] December 2024** **Congregation No: 161071** **Scottish Charity Number: SC008315** ## **Reference and Administrative Information** The Trustees are pleased to present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024. Charity Name: Partick Victoria Park Church of Scotland Charity Registration Number: SC008315 Congregation Reference No: 161071 Contact address: 259 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G11 6AB ## **Trustees** ## _**Minister**_ ## **Principal Trustees** Minister Session Clerk: Treasurer: ## **Independent Examiner** ## **Principal Bankers** Royal Bank of Scotland, Glasgow Byres Road Branch, 339 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QP 2 ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Governing Document** The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Church of Scotland’s Unitary Deed of Constitution. ## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees** 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 a member of the Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery. ## **Organisational Structure** The Kirk Session which meets approximately 6 times a year, is responsible for all affairs within the church under the Unitary Constitution. Certain responsibilities are delegated to specific Committees as appropriate including Finance and Property. ## **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. The year 2024 was a time of great celebration in the church as we celebrated 200 years of worship on the present site. We had a family lunch and Ceilidh and a special service led by the . Ten Elders were presented with certificates to acknowledge 30 years or more of dedicated service. In addition to acts of worship each Sunday at 11.00am, approximately 100 in attendance and 6.30pm with approximately 20 in attendance, we also have a mid-week act of worship and fellowship on a Wednesday with approximately 12 in attendance. We continue to develop our online presence with the Sunday morning services now being live streamed on our dedicated YouTube channel. Many of our stay-at-home members, and those who watch from various places in the world, appreciate this opportunity to worship and to remain a part of the life and worship of the church. Weekly prayer meetings and ad-hoc Bible Study groups add to our Christian commitment. In 2024 we commenced a new course exploring Christian faith and life called “Being With”. There is a Crèche and Young Church, which also meet on a Sunday morning. A Brownies and Rainbows youth organisation meets on a Thursday evening. The Sunday Community café serves a simple meal to approximately 40 people per week. Broken Voices continues with approximately 12 members. Broken Voices have also formed a self-help group supporting one another’s pastoral needs. The Baby and Toddler group and a Community Choir are both greatly supported and appreciated by the community. Many other groups from the community use the premises, including two Gaelic Choirs, AA, Al Anon, Gamblers Anonymous in person and on Zoom, Slimming World, monthly Gaelic singing group and many Christian and secular groups looking for a meeting space. 3 We are also members of the wider West End Youth Group called ‘The Wheel Trust’ and have an ongoing connection with Glasgow Street Pastors and CAP [Christians Against Poverty]. In the McColl Halls, we now have a fully functioning Korean Church of Glasgow. In terms of the charity’s short term and long term aims, we seek to bring the ordinances of the Christian religion to the Parish that we are called to serve. We seek to work locally within the various Christian and secular community activities. We seek to continue to work alongside and with Partick Housing Association and The Annexe Community. The local Greggs support us with free bakery products for the Sunday café. One of the key principles of the church is to help and support the most disadvantaged and poorest members of society. We aim to achieve this by continuing to provide free meals, and a welcoming non-judgemental space. Our Balshagray Centre building hosts various organisations, Rainbows, Brownies, Girl Guides, Glasgow Chamber Orchestra, a children’s ballet class and an adult exercise class. The Balshagray Centre has a number of building issues, especially dry rot which has led the Trustees to seek the sale of the building. The Trustees believe that they are fulfilling their short term aims, as well as building a solid foundation for long-term sustainability. ## **Achievements and Performance** 2024 was a year of building together as the new congregation continued to get to know one another and build on the best of both our histories. The church continued to open on a Sunday evening to feed the homeless and those in need within our community by offering them a free hot meal, refreshments, bakery products and second-hand clothing. Approximately 40 people attend. The members of the congregation support this by giving financially, as well as giving of their time and talents. The Café is also supported by local businesses: Deoch & Dorus Public House, and Greggs bakery. This venture is staffed by volunteers from within the church membership, as well as members of the wider Partick community and from the recovery community. Our Sunday morning service is online or via live steaming service on YouTube. The Easter offering for the Lodging House Mission resulted in over 200 Easter Eggs being supplied via them to distribute to the needy in Glasgow. Our September Harvest Offering for the Lodging House Mission was a mixture of pre-packed groceries or a financial offering. We also fundraised for various missional priorities such as Compassion UK where we support 3 children, a Health Centre in Burundi, a Ukrainian church in Odessa, to help fund a summer club for children in this war-torn nation. Our various coffee mornings have raised funds for Christian Aid, Glasgow Pregnancy Choices and Macmillan Cancer Support. The church grounds are maintained by a small dedicated group of church members. The charity has leased the old building, known as the McColl Halls, to the Glasgow Korean Church who are now in year 8 of a 10-year lease, previously completing a 5-year lease. Many general building repairs were made to keep the Sanctuary and halls in good order with no significant spend. The Manse also had various minor repairs attended to and some rooms decorated. A new conservatory roof was installed, which allows the room to be used in the winter as well as being much cooler in the summer. The back patio and pathway were replaced with drainage added to prevent further flooding. The manse is well maintained and kept in good order. The Minister conducted 7 funerals and 1 adult baptism, and we welcomed 6 new members. 4 The church continues to look at various ways of increasing its presence on various social media and online platforms. We have also been working locally with our cluster churches Scotstoun Parish Church and Whiteinch Parish Church. We have held joint Bible studies. We aim to strengthen our partnership in the years to come. ## **Financial Review** ## **Receipts** Total receipts increased only slightly (by £1,000) from 2023. Significant points to note (in comparison with 2023) A legacy of >£20,000 was received, and grants of >£20,000 (£18,000 relating to Garden Church). Donations increased from £61,000 to £93,000, mainly due to: - a Gift Aid claim (>£15,000) - an increase in the Manse Fund (up £20,000) On the other hand, Other Receipts were significantly less than in 2023 (when over £70,000 was received due to the union with Balshagray Victoria Park). ## **Payments** Total payments increased by £80,000 from 2023. Significant points to note (in comparison with 2023) There was a significant increase in Giving to Grow (£15,000) and increases also in presbytery dues and planned salary costs. Manse council tax and other expenses increased significantly by £17,000. Fabric repairs and maintenance increased significantly by £14,000, mainly relating to the Balshagray Centre (former Balshagray Victoria Park building), with increases also in heat and light, insurance and church office expenses. Other expenses increased by £48,000 mainly due to restricted fund payments associated with Garden Church (£14,000), manse improvements (£20,000) and new chairs (£11,000). ## **Bank and deposit balances** The resulting excess of payments over receipts of £106,000 has caused these balances to fall to £98,000. ## **Investments** Investment market value at yearend 2024 was a very healthy £990,000 (up by >£80,000 from 2023). ## **Reserves Policy** The charity trustees have considered the reserves required and have taken into account their current and future liabilities. It is the Trustees' policy to hold cash reserves of approximately 6 to 12 months’ expenditure including designated funds. At the end of 2024 the following reserves were held, totalling £98,000: Unrestricted funds - £65,000 (as described in Note 2), comprising - £ 4,000 designated for Fabric 5 - £43,000 in General Fund (in bank) - £18,000 in Investment Deposit Fund (with COSIT) Restricted funds - £17,000 (as described in Note 2) Endowment funds - £16,000 (as described in Note 2) Investments - £990,000 (at market value) Funds held by CofS General Trustees on behalf of the congregation - £55,000 in Capital Account (market value) - £ 3,000 in Revenue Account ## **Assets** In addition, there are the following assets from which finances could be raised. Balshagray Centre (former Balshagray Victoria Park Church), probably able to realise c. £300,000 Former Balshagray Victoria Park manse, valued at c. £800,000 (no immediate plans to sell) The Trustees are aware of the need to replace the furnishings in the Sanctuary, main hall and various other rooms, and may use the additional reserves for this purpose. The Trustees have made the decision to invest in people by offering various positions of employment to advance the mission of the church. ## **Trustees' Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements** The Trustees must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The Trustees 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 (as amended) and the Regulations Anent Congregational Finance approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2016. 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, Signed Session Clerk Date: 23[rd] March 2024 6 **Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Partick Victoria Park Church of Scotland, Glasgow** Charity Registration Number: SC008315 Congregation Reference No: 161071 I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 15 ## **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 [as amended]. 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** My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 [as 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 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 [as amended], and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations [as amended] 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. **X X X X X** Signed – Name: Address: Date – 23[rd] March 2025 7 Statement of Balan¢es At 31 December 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Bank and Depojit Balan¢es Bank and deposit balances brought fDrw3rd 155.745 32,87S 15,812 204,432 231,608 Movement in year: Excess of Receipt5 over Payments 19),8021 115,6111 1106,4121 127,1761 Bank and deposit balances carried forward 64,943 17,264 15,812 98,020 2C4,412 Invp5tfflellt5 at market value Ic05t . £xx,xxxl 853.007 137,208 990,215 9CS,559 Manse Multi Media Equipment Other EquipmenL Gift Aid Receivable 273,439 273.439 281.971 273.439 273,439 281,971 Ministrie5 & Mission Contributions 3,082 The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 2310312025 and signed on their behalf by.. Receipts and Payments Account forthe year endad 31 December 2024 Unrestrlrted Restrlrted Endowmertt Funds Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Reteipts Donation5 Le8acies Activities for GeneratinE Fund5 Bank & Deposit InterÈst Investment Income Hall lets Rental of Premises Grants Drawn down from General Trustees Fund5 transferred from BVP on unio other Receipts 72,779 22,118 20,641 93,420 22.118 61,064 5.000 6,195 17,146 12,270 12,566 6,195 17,146 12,270 12.566 20,280 5,725 17,210 13,422 11,720 1,757 20,280 70,442 82 3,196 3,278 143,156 44,116 187,272 186,340 Assets and InvestmÈnts Sale of fixed assets Sale of Inve5tmentS Total Rettipt5 143,156 44,116 187,272 186,340 Payments Cost of Generating Funds Charitable Activities Governance Costs 235,379 5(WJ 57,805 293,184 500 213,016 500 235,879 57,805 293,684 213,516 Assets & Investments Total Payments 235,879 57,805 293,684 213,516 Extess of RetÈipts over Payments lor the year before transfers Trangfer5 192,7241 1,922 113,6891 11,9221 1106,4121 127.1761 Ex¢ess of Reteipts over Payments 190,8021 115,6111 1105,4121 127,1761 Notes forming part of the accounts for th• yèar ènd•d 31 D•eomb•r 2024 l Basls of Accountlng These accounts have bÈÈn prepared on the Receipts & Payments b3$1$ in atcordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment15cotlandl Act 2005. The Chariiies Account$1Scor13ndl ReBulation$ 2(K16 las amended) and the Regulations anent Congregational Finance approved by rhe General Assemblyof rhe Church of s¢￿18nd in 2016. 2 Movement In Funds Atljan At 31 Dec 20Z4 Rettipts Payments Translers 20Z4 Unrestrictedfvnds Investment Deposit Fund Designated Fabric Fund General Fund 103,359 4,501 47,885 17,146 1102,9591 17,546 4.501 42.897 126.010 1235.8791 104,881 155,745 143,156 1235,8791 1,922 64,943 Restrirtedfvrtds 1,922 11,9221 Garden Church Compa55ion UK Manse Lenten Study Group Sunday Cafe Toddler Group Korean Facilities Broken Voices Warm WelcomeThur5day PVP New Chair5 Organ Fund Balshagray Church summer books Advent Study Books 17,500 113,8791 3,621 I,￿8 5,225 1,008 24,285 225 2,268 i￿) 2,420 820 119,8801 3,169 257 2,602 1,780 590 10,701 15,2771 160 357 15,0221 11,7331 17281 110,7011 47 287 149 3,501 3.196 3,196 220 12201 11401 140 32,875 44,116 157,8051 11,9221 17,264 Endowmentfvnds Reginald We115 Ida Shearer 10,094 5,718 10,094 5,718 15,812 15,812 TolalFuKd5 204,432 187,272 1293,6841 98,020 Purposeof Unrestrlcted Funds General Fund- Thisfund maybe used atthe disiretion Df theTrustee5 in thefurthErancE of the objective5 of the charity Purposeof Restricted Funds Lenten Study Group- study guides purchased and re-sold to participants Sundaycafé donatlOn5 reieived 5pecificallyfor this ministry io Not85 forming part of the accounts for thè yaar •nd•d 31 Dèe8mb8r 2024 Toddler Group- Donation5 recived in 5UPPOrt of thi5 ministry Korean Facilities their portion of energ¥ c05tS Used and refunded backto the church Broken v0ice5- Donation5 and grant5 received specifically foir thi5 mlnlstry New Chair5- rEfund frDm 2023 due to breach of contract £9,561 and donatlOll5 relieved for new (hair5 Warm WelcomeThur5day- grant5 and donations in relation to thi5 ministry Sumrner Book5 SutnTner reading material purchased and re-sold to the congregation Advent Study Books- Advent books purchèsed and re-501d to the conÈreÈatio Boiler Fund- To pay for m8intenènte in former BVP Church now used for PVP church Manse Fund to be used for upgrading. maintenance ènd all bills in relation to the Manse Garden Church- Grants. donations and spend in relation to thls specif5c minlstry Com￿$$[0D UK- Donatlons recelved in SUPPOrt of our sponsorship of 3 children via Compassion UK Organ Fund- sale of BVP organ and funds set aslde for maintenance erc for PVP Clavinova BalshaEray Church- Money received from Head Office re BVP Church for mainienance etc. until buildlng Is sold Purpose opf Endliwment Funds Re8lnald Wells- This fund Is to be used for general purposes, the capital element of which must be preserved Ida Shearer-This is a fabricfund to be used for church repairs, the capital element of which must be prerserved li Notès fom)Ing part of thé aeeounts for the yèar •nd&d 31 Dec•mber 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Funds Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 Totsl 2024 Total 2025 3 Analysls of Donatlons WFO Scheme (non Gift Aid) Gift Aid Donations Tax Recovered on Gift Aid Dons. Ordlnary Offerings (Open platel other OfferinÉs, Donarions, Grants 4,615 40.315 17.499 9.112 1,238 4,615 40.315 17.499 9.112 21.879 35.350 1.776 12.276 11.662 20,641 72,779 20,641 93,420 61,064 4 Analysis of Payments Costol6ertemtsrtolvrtds Investment Manager'5 Fee5 ONerin8envelope5 ChorftobleArtlvttles Giving to Grow Presbytery Dues Mini5ter'5 expenses 72,733 8,145 1,837 1,491 3,818 51,837 45,733 72,733 ,145 1,837 1,491 3,818 51,837 45,733 57,650 1,948 1,287 685 21,370 42,247 31,539 Manse Council tax and Other Expenses (Xher Salary Costs Fabric repairs & maintenance ki.11 Heat and light Insurance Church Office Expenses & Gifts Cleaning and other property costs Printlne, Stationery & Postage other expenses 21,435 9,906 6.034 2.726 3.650 6,036 21,435 9,906 6.034 2.726 3.650 63.841 18,440 8.712 4.485 3.074 5.603 15.976 57,805 235,379 57,8D5 293,184 213,016 6o¥eman¢eC05ts Independent Examlner's Fee 5(N) 5QY) OtherPoyments Purchase of Investments Purchase of Fixed Assets Multi Media Equipment Other Equipment Total 235,879 57,805 293,684 213,516 12 Not•s formlng part of t￿ aceounts for thè year ènded 31 D•cèmb•r 2024 S Trustee Remuneratx•n and Related PartyTransa(tions Durin8 theye￿one trustee eEeived £3.L20 for Pr￿nding her Ser￿ceS £5 admSnistrator during the year. Arnounts expended In respecf of the mini51erfs travellin8 expense&EI,837, rnan5e council ta manse telephone as per note 4 No trustee or person related tr* a trustee had ary personal Interest in anycontract ortransaction entered into by the ¢harity during the year. MSnlstols StI￿nd All Chur¢h ol Scorllnd coweEations contributeto the N31ional Stipend Fund which bears the costs of all ministers. stipends and emplover's contributions for national insurance. pension and housin¢ ènd loan fund. Stipends are paid in èccordance wr(h the notional stipend scale. which Is related to yeats of servitr. For the year under review. the rninirnurD 5tipeDd wa5 f 31.642 the 5tipeDd lin thE Pifih and 5ub5equent yEar51 as £38.884. 7 Investments MaTket Value 3t lJ3n Gainllio551 Mawket Purrhawi DlspDw?Ii Rwalu4tl(xi 31D ZUZ4 20Z4 COSIT Grovrth Fund COSIT Income Fund 896.473 9,086 84.573 83 981.046 9,169 5.559 84,656 990,215 Held In we5peitre 1,096 9,083 io 72.818 1.106 851,￿1 General Fund 780,179 72.828 853,￿] RESt￿rIed FUNJS Manse Fund D B Chnslie L19.550 5.830 Ll.273 550 130,828 125,380 11,828 137.208 None 5.55Y 84,656 Y￿,115 13 Notes formlng part of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 8 Fixed Assets Other Muhl-medla Bulldltw Equlpmet)t orher Equlpmet Manse Total Bcy)k Valut at 1 Jan 2024 Purthas8d during year Disposals during year DeprecialK)n for year 281,971 281,971 18,5321 18,5321 6th)k Value at 31 Dec 2024 273.439 273.439 9 Collectlorbs forThlrd Partles 2024 2023 Chrislk3n Aid Lodging House Mission Compassion UK Cup of Cool Water Starter Pack5 Govan Glgsgow Pregnancy Choi M8¢millan ¢8ncer Support Ukraine Appeal 5( 2,425 960 625 235 625 1,185 1,077 770 5(Kl 715 5,870 3,747 14 Year ended 31 December 2024 Appendix FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES 2024 2023 CAPITAL ACCOUNT Credit Balances held at 31 December at cost 37,544 37,544 Market Value of Balances at 31 December 54.961 52,363 REVENUE ACCOUNT Credit Balance at 31 December 2.733 800 TEMPORARY ACCOUNT Debit Balance at 31 Oecember 14.6961 15