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2025-03-31-accounts

DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 March 2025

Charity Number SC008354

Admin Services

175 Countesswells Road Aberdeen AB15 7RA

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered charity name

Charity registration number

Danestone Congregational Church

$C008354

The trustees

The trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows:

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Independent examiner
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Bankers

Zmin Services 175 Countesswells Road Aberdeen AB15 7RA Bank of Scotland 79 Ellon Road Bridge of Don AB23 8BY TSB {Account closed in March 2025) PO Box 1006 BX4 7SB

Constitution and organisation The plan is for the Church to revisit the Constitution. The Church currently belongs to the Scottish Congregational Fellowship. Congregationalism is a form of Church govemment where each Church is independent in the management of its own affairs.

Charitable purposes

The principal charitable purpose is the advancement of religion.

Activitles and achievements

Danestone Congregational Church was established on Sunday 24" August 1986, This report covers the 39" year of Danestone Congregational Church, which continues to meet in its building in the Community Area, Fairview Street, Danestone, Aberdeen.

Danestone Congregational Church building and Manse title deeds are held by AC Morrison & Richards, and both are fully owned by Danestone Congregational Church. This year saw a smail roof repair done on the Church building, as well as a new cold water supply to the Church kitchen installed. The front garden also got a fantastic makeover.

Minis: continues as Minister andHR continues as Senior Pastor. The Church continued to pay almost a haif stipend to the Minister, who continues to be paid for 24 hours work per week for the Church. This year the Church did not receive any outside financial help to help pay for the part time stipend of its Minister.

ded to the Worship Team, retired| Woodside Congregational Church and of Kittybrewster Congregational Church for pulpit supply during the Minister's holidays and sick

eave. The Church continues to be a part Aberdeen Shared Team Ministry. During this year the Team was: Baimedie

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Danestone
Kittybrewster
Potterton
Woodside
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Northfield Cove

All Churches have continued to run as Independent Churches, but with a Shared Team Ministry. This year we continued with some of our jointevents, for example we shared in 5 Charity Shops and gathered together for a Mid Winter Meal in January 2025 at the Buckie Farm. A joint group also began meeting to look at social media around the Churches.

During the year the Ministers met together for encouragement, including a Scottish Congregational Fellowship Minister's Continued Professional Development Oay in Dundee and another in Perth. Mission is financed through our Mission Account (supported by all the Aberdeen Shared Team Ministry Churches, with donations from Weddings and Funerals.)

The Church is governed by ‘monthly’ meetings of its members.

Membership

Our active membership has increased to 24 and our total membership is at 60. During the year we welcomed 4 people into Church membership and a further 8 into regular attendance at the Church. Unfortunately, during the year we aise said goodbye to one of our Church members who returned to her home country of Tanzania, as weli as goodbye to a family who moved out of the area, and very sadly one of our new Church members very unexpectedly passed away.

Worship

We continue to have a Phone Service link up for those wishing to join us via telephone continuing the simultaneous Worship both in the Church and on the phone. The Phone Services links are used by those who are almost housebound, as well as those unable to attend in person for numerous reasons. On any Sunday when we do not have a Phone Service, Worship is emailed out to those who want it. Over the year, between face to face and Telephone Services we had over 40 people, including 9 children, Worship with us on Sundays, with a regular attendance of about 18 Worshipping in the Church and on the phone weekly. Our Christmas Eve Service once again saw members of the community in attendance.

This year we continued our monthly Services in Fairview House Nursing Home and Grandholm Care Home. These included Remembrance, Christmas, Communion and regular services. It is a joy to Worship God with the residents, family and staff.

During the year, in the name of the Church, our Minister conducted 0 Funerals, 0 Weddings and 0 Baptisms. We continued with our ongoing Pastoral Care, which this year was again done via the phone, text, email, coffees out and visits.

Grants

This year the Church received 2 Grants. A Community Festive Grant from Aberdeen City Council, funded our Festive Aftemoon Tea. A Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant from ACVO helped to fund our Warm Hub.

Fundraising

This year we continued with our fundraising activities — Fayres, Bingo Nights, Halloween Drive, Snowman Drive, as weil as Quiz Sheets. Sincere thanks are again recorded to Berriedale Funeral Home for sponsoring the teas at our Fayres by providing the home bakes and volunteers to help run the teas. We also joined with our sister Congregationa! Churches to run 5 Charity Shops throughoutthe year. Our fundraising / social events see a variety of Church and community members in attendance.

Mission

The Church continues to have a vision for Mission at home and overseas. During the year we gave donations to: Poppy Scotland, Street Friends Aberdeen and Tearfund for their Myanmar Earthquake Appeal. At Harvest time we also had another collection of food and cash for the Portal Community Flat for the Tillydrone Food Bank.

Youth

The 35% Boys’ Brigade Company, the 36 Girls' Brigade Company and our Sunday School are all on hold for now.

Warm Hub

This year our Warm Hub group has continued to meet on a Wednesday afternocn in the Church, partly funded by a Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant from ACVO. This group is advertised in the community, and is for anyone to come along and enjoy some company midweek. This year, the Warm Hub saw a variety of over 30 Church members and non Church members in attendance. In December 2024 the Warm Hub had another Festive Aftemoon Tea, funded by a Grant from Aberdeen City Council's Community Festive Fund. A great time was had by all. We also had a few weeks of Digital Skills help from LEAD Scotiand.

Carol Singing In December we went Carol Singing at Grandholm Care Home, Persley Castle Nursing Home, and Fairview House Nursing Home. These evenings were enjoyed by the Church members, residents, staff and families alike.

Community

The Church continued to be used by various Community Groups each week. Unfortunately, October 2024 saw us lose one of our most frequent Hall users as they moved out of the Church into their own premises. However we have been Biessed with a few new Hall users too, and also helped provide a temporary home to some of the Danestone Community Centre users while the Community Centre underwent renovations.

The Church was used as the local Polling Station for the General Election on 4" July 2024.

Due to ptanned building works at the Danestone Community Centre the 2024 Danestone Gala was again cancelled.

In September 2024 we supported Berriedale Funeral Home with their 1* Cuppa and Cake event for receritly bereaved families. We look forward to continuing this support.

During the year the Church submitted official objections to 2 separate BESS installations — Persley Piggery objection to Aberdeen City Council and Persley Wastewater Treatment Plant objection to the Scottish Government.

Manse

The Manse continues to be occupied by the private tenants who moved in in August 2021. This year we replaced the bath, shower and radiator in the bathroom in the Manse.

Covid-19

in many ways the Church is still recovering from Covid-19 and it's various lockdowns. However with the continued dedication of our Church members and adherents we found new ways to be God's Church.

Financially the Church did well for its size (Accounts attached). Yet the Church is aware of its considerable commitments that require the support of everyone. Dedicated giving by the members is commendable.

Our Church continues to serve Christ and as we move forward in His Name, we must keep Faith in Him — it is central to all we do. We give thanks to God for that which He has given and in Faith we continue with our 40" year.

Reserves policy For the year to 31 March 2025, the Church made a surplus of £1,321.92 (2024: deficit of £3,312.82), which has been added to reserves brought forward, thus resulting in total reserve of £16,164.34 (2024: £14,842.42). The trustees believe this is an acceptable level to provide adequate reserves to support the current commitments and future work of the Church.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behaif

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

| report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

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 2006 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 report

My examination is carried aut in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts 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 view given by the accounts.

independent examiner's statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

have not been met, or

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, —_
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Independent Examiner Admin Services 175 Countesswells Road Aberdeen AB15 7RA

DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Section A Statement of Receipts and Payments

Unrestricted
Funds RestrictedFunds Total Funds
Manse
Receipts Ref GeneralFund Fund BoysBrigade Brigade Mission Fund 2025 2024
Donations 11,744.21 - - 547.90 12,292.11 8,475.00
Grants C6 3,102.00 - - 3,102.00 203.55
Receiptsfromfundraising activities 6,541.27 - . 6,541.27 4,571.85
Rentsfrom land& buildings Ccé 19,587.00 - - 19,587.00 17,761.92
Receipts fromothercharitableactivities C6 - - - 146.28 146.28 134.06
OtherReceipts C6 1,703.63 1,703.63 -
Total Receipts 42,678.11
-
-
694.18
43,372.29
31,146.33
eel
Payments
Expensesforfundraising activities C7 586.48 586.48 314.25
Payments relatingdirectly tocharitableactivites C7 38,304.45 - - 374.74 38,679,19 31,436.96
GrantsandDonations C7 1,770.30 - 129.40 1,899.70 2,092.99
Governance costs C7 885.00 - - - 885,00 615.00
TotalPayments 41,546.23
-
-
504.14
42,050.37
34,459.20
OE
LT
TR,
Netreceipts/(payments) "T3188
a aap
000. 0.00
a
190.04
a
1,321.92
a
I
(3,312.82)
IT ae ET
Transfers to/(from}funds cB 229.86 (1,182.71) . 952.85 - -
Surplus/{deficit} foryear 1,361.74 {1,182.71} 0.00 1,142.89 1,321.92 {3,312.82}
Total fundsbrought forward Bi 4,222.01 1,182.71 549.94 8,887.76 14,842.42 18,155.24
Closingbalanceatyearend 5,583.75
0.00
549.94
10,030.65
16,164.34
14,842.42
el

DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Section|B Statement of Balances| |B1) Cash Funds|Unrestricted|Funds|Restricted|Funds|Total|Funds| |General|Manse|Boys|Mission| |Fund|Fund|Brigade|Fund|2025|2024| |Bank|Balances|at|31/03/2024|4,222.01|1,182.71|549.94|8,887.76|14,842.42|18,155.24| |Surplus/(deficit) shown on|Section A|1,361.74|1,182.71)|0.00|1,142.89|1,321.92|(3,312.82)| |neph| |Bank Balances at 31/03/2025|5,583.75|-|549.94|16,030.65|16,164.34|14,842.42|

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B2) Property

On 8 October 2019 Danestone Congregationai Church received the title deeds for the church building for no monetary consideration. The building is currently insured to the sum of £1,204,596 and the title deeds are held by AC Morrison and Richards.

in November 2020 Danestone Congregational Church cleared the outstanding liability on the Manse mortgage. In December 2020 title deeds were received for the Manse building, 62 Siains Circle. The property is currently Insured to the sum of £427,407 and the titte deeds are held by AC Morrisan and Richards. Approved by the trustees end signedon thelr behalf.

DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Section C Notes to the Accounts

C1) Basis for Accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts & Payments basis and in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as arnended).

€2) Nature and purpose of Funds

Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustee in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Restricted funds are subject to specific restrictions imposed by donors or by the purpose of the fund.

At present the Church operates an unrestricted General fund for the day-to-day church activities. The Manse fund is 3 designated fund, which are monies specifically set aside from the General fund for the repayments of mortgage loan.

Also the following restricted funds with purpose for each of them outline below:-

Boys Brigade fund funds collected are used for the purpose of running the Boys’ Brigade.

Mission fund

funds collected are used for the purpose of doing mission and charitable work.

C3}Trustee remuneration

Below is remuneration paid during the year to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee.

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |Trustee}| |Gross Salary|22,448.20|20,788.09| |Pension|2,387.16|746.49| |24,835.36|21,534.58| |C4} Trustee expenses| |Below|are expenses|paid|to any|charity trustee during the|year.| |Yvonne Towler|RevACowie|Rev A|Robertson| |2025|2025|2025| |Fundraising|expenses|-|-|536.43| |Church/Pastoral|expenses|16.68|2804.02| |Mission expenses|107.28|108.79| |Manse|expenses|-|-|‘| |16.68|107,28|3499.29| |C5) Transactions with|trustees|and|connected|persons| |There was no reimbursement of expenses to persons connected to a|trustee.| |2025| |Name|Nature|of|relationship|Nature of transaction|

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Trustee}
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0.00
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DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Section C Notes to the Accounts

C6) Analysis ofReceipts Ref 2025 2024
Donations
Collections&open plate D1 6,540.83 4,228.56
Boys Brigade fees D2 ~ -
Appealsforothercharities D3 51.00 78.00
Donations (includingministerfees forservices) D4 1,958.07 3,019.46
Gift Aid claims D5 2,628.25 1,148.98
SCF - pension contributions D6 1,113.96 -
12,292.11 8,475.00
Grants
Totalgrantincome 07 3,102.00 203.55
Receiptsfrom fundraising activities
Gala events D8 - -
Fayres, Spreebook, Bunnydrive etc BS) 6,055.85 3,909.61
Charityshop D10 485.42 662.24
6,541.27 4,571.85
Rent from land and buildings
Hire ofpremises D11 11,627.00 10,201.92
Manse R&R funds D1i2 - -
RentofManse D1i3 7,960.00 7,560.00
19,587.00 17,761.92
Receiptsfrom othercharitable activities
Bank Interest refund Di4 -
Expense repayments from otherchurches D15 146.28 134,06
146.28 134.06
Other Receipts
Legacy D16 1,703.63
1,703.63 -
TotalReceipts D1? 43,372.29 31,146.38

DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Section C Notes to the Accounts

C7} Analysis of Payments

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Expenses for fundraising activities| |Gala|day expenses| |Beetle|Drives|expenses| |Bingo|expenses| |Fayres| |Payments|relating to charitable|activities| |Minister's|salary| |Minister's|pension| |Minister's|NIC| |Cleaner's|salary| |Rent| |Manse factoring fees| |Manse|Insurance &|repairs|expenses| |Heat &|Light| |Cleaning expenses| |Other Church|expenses|

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |Donations| |Donations|to|sister|Churches| |Payment of collections for|other|charities| |Miscellaneous|donations| |Governance|Costs| |Lega!|costs/fees| |Independent|examination|fees| |Total payments|

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C8} Transfers to/(from) funds Transfer to funds Transfer from funds Tota! transfers to/ (from) funds

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Ref 2025 2024
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El
E2 61.30 -
E3 302.62 197.39
E4 222.56 116.86
586.48 314.25
E5 19,704.91 18,299.14
E6 2,387.16 746.49
E7 2,743.29 2,488.95
E8
£9 245.00 245.00
E10 1,158.34 1,387.20
E11 3,468.64 409.08
E12 2,864.50 1,356.20
E13 18.26 31.17
E14 6,089.09 6,473.73
38,679.19 31,436.96
E15 420.30 673.49
E16 349.006 78.00
E17 1,130.40 1,341.50
1,899.70 2,092.99
£18
E19 885.00 615.00
885.00 615.00
E20 42,050.37 34,459.20
D118 5,618.13 (1,518.10)
E21 (5,618.13) 1,518.10
- -
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DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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Section D - Additional anatysts for receipts
Breakdown of unrestricted and restricted funds
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds
General Manse Boys
RECEIPTS account Account Brigade Mission Account 2025 2024
Donations
B1 —s Callection & open piate 6,043.93 496.90 6,540.83 4,228.56
D2 Boys Brigade fees :
- . . - - .
03 Appeals for other charities
Poppy Scotland 51.00 51.00 31.00
Local - .
Tearfund - 47.00
- - - §1.00 51.00 78.00
D4 —_— Donations (including minister's fees for services) 1,958.07 1,958.07 3,019.46
DS Gift aid claims 2,628.25 2,628.25 1,148.98
D6 SCF Pension contributions 1,413.96 1,113,596 -
ie11,744.21 - - 547.90 12,292.11 8,475.00
D7 Grants .
ACVO MHW8 Fund 2,850.00 2,350.00 -
Aberdeen City Council 252.00 252.00 203.55
3,102.00 - ~ - 3,102.00 203.55
Receipts from fundraising activities
D8 = Gala events - -
DS —s Fayres, spreebook, bunny drives etc
Walk & Talk 60.00 60,00 -
Warm Hub Donations 336.06 336.06 27130
Bingo 1,173.50 1,173.50 729.10
Amazon Europe Core - 21.79
Beetle/Snowman etc drive 1,157.20 1,257.20 108.00
Christmas fayre 883,84 883.84 470.15
Autumn fayre 554.88 554.88 361.00
Spring fayre 774.64 774.64 902.27
Summer fayre 467.73 467.73 375.00
Quiz 89.00 89.00 26.00
Other fundraising 559.00 559.00 645.00
6,055.85 - - - 6,055.85 3,909.61
D10 = Charity shop 485.42 485.42 662.24
aa
6,541.27 - 5 - 6,541.27 4,571.85
Rents from land & buildings
B11 Hire of premises 11,627.00 11,627.00 10,201.92
B12) Manse R&A funds -
013 Rent of Manse 7,560.00 7,960.00 7,560.00
19,587.00 - - - 19,587.00 17,761.92
i her charitghi iviti
D14 = Bank interest refund -
DiS Expense repayments from other churches 146.28 146.28 134.06
~ - - 146.28 146.28 134.06
Other Receipts
Di6 Legacy 1,703.63 1,703.63
D17 Total Receipts 42,678.11 - - 694.18 43,372.29 31,146.38
018 Transfer to funds
Transfer - General account 665.28 1,604.86 2,270.14 4,092.10
Transfer - Manse account 1,000.00 847.99 1,847.99 426.00
Transfer - Mission account 1,500.00 1,500.00 -
Total transfers to funds 2,500.00 665.28 - 2,452.85 5,618.13 1,518.10
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DANESTONE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Section|E|- Additional|analysis|for payments| |Breakdown|of|unrestricted|and|restricted|funds| |Unrestricted|funds.|Restricted|funds|Total Funds| |General|Manse|Boys|Mission| |PAYMENTS|account|Account|Brigade|Account|2025|2024| |Expenses for fundraising|activities| |£1|Gala|day|expenses|-|-|~| |£2|Beetle|Drives|61.30|61.306|-| |E3|Bingo expenses|302.62|302.62|197.39| |E4|Fayres|222.56|222.56|116.86| |586.48|>|-|*|586.48|314,25| |Payments|relating to charitable|activities| |ES|Minister's|salary|19,704,914|19,704.91|18,299.14| |E6|=|Minister's pension|2,387.16|2,387.16|746.49| |E7|=|Minister's|NIC|2,743.29|2,743.29|2,488.95| |ES|=|Cleaner's salary|-|.| |E9|Rent|245.00|245.00|245.00| |E10|Manse factoring fees|1,158.34|1,158.34|1,387.20| |£11|Manse|Insurance & repairs expenses|3,468.64|3,468.64|409.08| |E12|Heat &|Light|2,864.50|2,864.50|1,356.20| |E13|Cleaning expenses|18.26|18.26|31.17| |32,590.10|-|-|-|32,590.10|24,963.23| |E14|Other Church expenses|772.04|107.28|879.32|1,046.60| |Church/pastora!l|expenses|2,944.97|§8.39|3,003.36|3,482.40| |Affiliation|fees|220,00|220.00|335.00| |Licences|235.00|235.00|$4.00| |Advert,|printing,|stationery,|postage|209.07|209.07|187.69| |Congregational & general|insurance|1,542.34|1,542.34|1,338.04| |5,714.35|-|-|374.74|6,089.09|6,473.73| |38,304.45|-|-|374.74|38,679.19|31,436.96| |Donations| |£15|Donations|to|sister Churches| |Woodside Congregational|Church|70.06|70.06|83.89| |Potterton|Congregational|Church|70.00|70.00|88.89| |Klttybrewster|Congregationat Church|70.06|70.06|88.89| |Balmedie|Congregational Church|70.06|70,06|229.04| |Northfield|Congregational|Church|70.06|70,06|88.89| |Cove Congregational|Church|70.06|70.06|88.89| |420.30|-|-|-|420.30|673.49| |E16|Payment|of|collections for|other|charities| |Local (Food|banks and Street|Friends)|220.00|220.00|-| |Tearfund|$0.00|50.00|47.00| |Poppy Scotland|79.00|79.00|31.00| |270.00|-|-|79.00|349.00|78.00| |E17|Miscellaneous|donations| |Charitable donation|1,080.00|50.40|1,130.40|1,260.00| |Mental|Health|Aberdeen|-|81.50| |1,080.00|-|-|50.40|1,130.40|1,341.50| |1,770.30|-|-|129.40|1,899.70|2,092.99| |Governance|costs| |£18|Legal|costs/fees| |£19|Independent examination|fees|885.00|885.00|615.00| |$85.00|-|-|-|885.00|615.00| |E20|Total|payments|41,546.23|-|-|504.14|42,050.37|34,459.20| |£21|Transfer from|funds| |Transfer - Manse account|665.28|665.28|665.28| |Transfer - Mission account|1,604.86|847.99|2,452.85|426.82| |Transfer|-|Boys|Brigade|account|-|-| |Transfer - General|account|1,000.00|4,500.00|2,500.00|426.00| |Tota? transfers from funds|2,270.14|1,847.99|>|1,500.00|5,618.13|1,518.10|

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