## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
**Annual Report & Accounts for year ending 31st December 2025** Charity Number: SC008601 Congregational Number: **171133**
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## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2025**
The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland for the year ended 31st December 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in pages 13 and 14 and comply with the General Assembly Regulations for Congregational Finance, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
## **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 parish of Motherwell South extends to cover the south side of Motherwell, bordering both Hamilton, Wishaw and Larkhall. Motherwell South Parish Church (MSPC) is governed by a Unitary Constitution. The Vision Statement for the congregation is as follows:
## **Vision**
Motherwell South: reaching up reaching in reaching out
The vision cascades into a mission statement, focusing on key areas of the church’s ministry and mission.
## **Mission**
Motherwell South is a church where worshiping **Christ** is central to our life, shaping us, sustaining us and equipping us to **serve** . Numbers do matter to us, and Sunday morning worship is important. It should be alive and meaningful. We also see the importance of new expressions of worship.
This is a church that **cares** for all people. People who come here are **welcomed** , loved, and never judged. We’re not scared to pray for people and with people.
We will enable people to use the gifts they have in serving Jesus in this church. We will rely on the power of prayer to direct us and we will reach out in the name of Jesus to both the local and global community.
Every activity that the congregation undertakes is measured against a set of core objectives in order that our vision can be realised and that as a charity we make an impact in our local community and beyond in the furtherance of religion (Christian faith).
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## **Achievements and Performance**
In our endeavours to keep moving forward as a Church, the Trustees of Motherwell South Parish Church continue to reach out to the local community so that everyone knows Motherwell South is ‘their’ church as well as ‘our’ church, as well as “Christ’s Church”.
## **i. Faith and Worship**
The main service of worship takes place at 11am on Sunday mornings. This is an in-person service, although the same service is live streamed and heavy investment has been made in this technology to enhance the experience for those watching online. Technological developments within worship in 2025 included installation of audio in the chancel area to assist those leading worship to hear audio output; installation of spotlights to enhance large scale events; and purchase of technology to improve speed of moving our live stream visual from camera to laptop and vice versa.
Attendance on Sunday mornings ranges from 150 and 180 people in the sanctuary, with over 300 watching our live stream most weeks. Attendance encompasses a wide age range from 0 to 100.
Additional services of worship take place throughout the year. Once a month the sanctuary is opened for Quiet Day Worship, when people drop into the church for reflection – there are usually several stations carefully designed around the church to facilitate meditation and contemplation.
In 2025 we continued to host the annual Christmas Remembrance Service with local Funeral Director Dundas Fyfe. This continually exceeds expectations with over 140 attending, many of whom have no church connection, but who simply wish to mark the death of a loved one.
It should be noted that Motherwell South has a very good partnership with another local church who use the sanctuary and premises for their worship. This is an exceptionally unique circumstance, and one that we are very proud of, as it demonstrates the openness of the Trustees to be inclusive and supportive of other church groups. Momentum is a youth church that meets 6 times annually and which hosts 150 teenagers and young adults for worship.
In June 2025 32 people from Motherwell South travelled to France as part of a Cathedral Tour. We visited cathedrals throughout Normandy and had a wonderful time broadening horizons and creating friendships. Each day included a series of meditations and reflective questions, designed to help people engage with that day’s visit. Included in the itinerary were Rouen Cathedral, Chartres Cathedral, Monet’s Garden in Giverny, Mont St Michel, Honfleur and the Joan of Arc Centre.
Our online engagement remains exceptionally high. Most Sundays will have worship viewed by over 300 people. The level of engagement goes beyond observation with some pastoral links formed; some financial giving; and contributions via email or social media engagement. The hope is to appoint an online Elder in 2026 to engage more fruitfully with this cohort of our community. We held several “online” events to include and involve our online engagement, including the design of digital representations of key office bearers.
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Additionally we had advent readings every day during that season which were well received online and over 30 members of the congregation took our message to the community via Carol Singing just prior to Christmas.
## **ii. Caring**
Throughout the church year, special offerings of food or gifts are made, and these are given to local charities such as Reach Out, Christian Aid, Sense Scotland, Erskine and Women’s Aid. In addition, we hosted our annual Christmas Remembrance Service in partnership with Dundas Fyfe; and we hosted a fabulous fundraising Brunch in partnership with our Boys’ Brigade Company to help them with their Camp Trip to Aviemore. Other highlights include the now annual Hogmanay Party in the sanctuary with Highland Dancers, Piper and Ceilidh Band.
Our links with Reach Out have continued. Reach Out aims to provide food and friendship for those who are homeless or who are facing challenging circumstances in their lives. Guests are served a 2 course meal every Wednesday with 15-40 attending. We help to resource this by providing provisions through our Harvest Thanksgiving service and a Christmas Gift Service.
Minister and Elders continue to phone and visit people, and due to the additional strain on many, MSPC’s link with external counselling agents has sadly been utilised on several occasions this past year.
We have observed great commitment by some of our Elders who not only provide pastoral visitation to people in the parish, but who additionally drive people to hospital appointments, take the elderly out for day trips, and care for those living locally who have the greatest needs.
In addition, our commitment to grieving families is supported by our Elders who assist with all the fine details of the funeral from flowers, to liaising with Funeral Directors. The support offered by these Elders is greatly valued by the bereaved.
Alison Tyrrell completed her funeral training in 2025 and is now able to conduct funeral visits and participate, with Alan, in funerals. She is exceptionally able at this and provides an added dimension to our pastoral care. There will be scope for others to do similar training especially in the likelihood that our parish size increases to include Muirhouse.
Upon the anniversary of a bereavement, MSPC sends a card to the family/next of kin – 90 people received a card in the past 12 months.
The church also leads its monthly worship service at the local Retirement Housing Complex. We go there at the personal invitation of residents and do so as friends. Regulated roles are solely designated to worship leaders – namely our Minister Alan and Anne McCrum. The residents provide a supper – it is an excellent example of outreach, pastoral care and worship within the heart of the community.
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2025 saw a decrease in funerals in comparison to 2024.
The chart below shows that 7 deaths of church members in 2025 represents a significant impact on the congregational roll of Motherwell South.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Funerals
60
50
40
41
30 41
28 29 16
20 23 20 3 18
15
10 13 13 16
4 7 5 9 9 8 7
0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
members parish
**----- End of picture text -----**
Music and song in worship is enhanced greatly by our Music Director and Choir.
The Prayer Group continues to meet online, and three House Groups for study and discussion also meet. One group meets out with the parish on a weekly basis, and another group meet in the church on a Friday morning. The third group began meeting in September 2025 as a result of external consultancy which we undertook and identified the need to develop in key areas of the spiritual life of the congregation. The resultant house group meets in the Manse fortnightly with 15 people attending.
## **iii. Serving**
It is the belief of all within the Kirk Session that the church exists to offer the community somewhere to encounter God, to worship, to gather and grow closer as a community. Throughout 2025, footfall within the church halls remains extensive with almost 100% capacity in evenings, and significant use during the day also.
Church organisations such as Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, and Brownies, Men’s Club, Guild, Youngish Women’s Group, Cinema Club, Chix with Sticks, Carpet Bowling, Masterchef, Tots of Fun and the Walking Group have been attentive in bringing in new members.
Our flower ministry continues to be recognised as vitally important with people receiving flowers from the congregation on a weekly basis - this has brought great delight to the recipients thereof. Likewise, a team of bakers deliver freshly baked goods around the parish, often incorporating a doorstep visit – again bringing great support to those who are alone, bereaved or vulnerable.
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Our Tuesday café remains so vibrant each week, and is a hub for conversation, care and friendship. Margaret Flynn and her team do a fabulous job of running this, and they received commendation in 2025 from the Scottish Parliament for their excellence in community service. The team were delighted to attend the Parliament in recognition of their endeavours.
Our Minister serves as Chaplain to Firpark Secondary School and visits the school regularly. The level of engagement between school and church is strong and in the past few months we have witnessed an increase in engagement with Knowetop Primary School.
Our children’s ministry is focused on Lighthouse, Klimb and Crawl. Much of this takes place on a Sunday morning, but we also offer Lighthouse Wednesday, an After School Club, which operates for 6 weeks or so in each of the school terms.
Mindful of our involvement within the wider work of the Church of Scotland nationally and internationally, our Presbytery elder David Macrae attended the annual meeting of the Church of Scotland’s highest Court, the General Assembly, in May 2025. David found this to be informative and whilst much of the discussion focused on re-engineering of the Church during challenging economic conditions, David was also heartened to hear discussion on the Church’s ministry through Crossreach and through innovative fresh expressions of church.
## **iv. Future Planning**
The Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale approved its Mission Plan in April 2024, thus complying with the General Assembly 2021 instruction to reduce the number of ministries in the Church of Scotland. The Kirk Session conducted a due diligence process to evaluate how the proposals will affect the ministry of Motherwell South, and throughout much of 2025 there have been discussions within our own Kirk Session, and with representatives from Motherwell: St Margaret’s about a Basis of Union. Voting from both congregations was scheduled to take place on 18[th] January 2026. If the union with St Margaret’s takes place, it will double the population of our parish with implications for the workload of our minister and the possibility of having to look after two sets of buildings, at least in the short term.
## **v. Stewardship**
Stewardship incorporates fundraising, giving of time, talents and money, and prudence in expenditure. Fundraising has been exceptional in 2025 with events such as our Christmas Fayre raising over £4,000 – a remarkable achievement. These fundraising initiatives have incorporated
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social activities too, such as the Hogmanay Ceilidh which provided an opportunity for people to celebrate the new year with one another inside Motherwell South Parish Church.
Expenditure continues to be monitored with prudence from all office bearers, and a prioritising of essential outgoings. We remain vigilant to increased expenditure through energy costs, Presbytery dues and the Giving for Growth calculations. Likewise, any proposed restructure for the church in the Mission Planning process will require a viable and sustainable business case prior to decisions being finalised.
In short, the church is well positioned financially, with reserves and levels of giving that are above projections. The Financial Report that follows will expand upon this.
## **vi. Welcoming**
The Trustees strive to ensure Motherwell South is a welcoming and inclusive church where all can feel at home.
We welcome people of any gender, ethnicity, race, age, sexuality, nationality, cultural or political opinion. We welcome newborn babies and are proud that some of our people are over 100 years old. We welcome ordinary people, extraordinary people, and everyone in between. We welcome people who want to know God, people who want to help others, and people who just want a break from the world outside. We welcome beginners who aren’t sure, old hands who know the score and tentative enquirers who would like to look and see. We welcome people of our faith, any faith and no faith.
## **vii. Keystone Project**
As detailed in the Trustees’ Report for 2024, the Trustees hoped that 2025 would see Phase 2 of our Keystone Project realised. Following lengthy discussions with the Presbytery of Forth Valley and Clydesdale, work commenced in July 2025 and was completed on schedule in December 2025.
This phase involved extensive reconstruction and redesign of the old building — specifically the area between the Unity Hall and the Sports Hall. The new layout provides Motherwell South with a space that is warm, welcoming, compliant with disability standards, and much better suited to the modernday needs of our congregation and community.
The Trustees record particular thanks to John Maddock for his exceptional attention to detail while overseeing much of this work on behalf of the congregation. He was ably supported by the Keystone and Property Teams and dedicated volunteers who staffed the area during lets to ensure building users were monitored and supported while construction was in progress.
John Maddock Session Clerk
Aileen Hannah Alastair Black Deputy Session Clerk Deputy Session Clerk
Alan Gibson Minister
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## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Financial Review**
As mentioned in the Trustees report, the numbers attending worship on a Sunday morning are steady, which is reflected in the level of giving. In addition, the congregation have continued to ensure that they fulfil their financial commitment to the church, whether they are attending on a Sunday morning or not. More than 50% of the offerings received are by standing order ensuring a regular income, independent of actual Sunday morning attendance. Although the numbers attending worship have remained steady, overall, our offerings were still almost £2,000 better than budget. We continue to receive a number of oneoff donations from our on-line worshippers.
Halls lets have remained a significant source of income. The budget was reduced to £20,000 because of the anticipated impact of the building works but the income for the year was £24,274 which was only £2,654 less than last year.
Despite interest rates falling we received over £22,350 in interest from the Church of Scotland’s Investors’ Trust.
Overall, for the year, the total income in the General Fund was £6,500 better than budgeted.
On the opposite side of the income statement, our expenditure was £3,600 lower than budgeted. There were savings fuel costs and equipment. The surplus income from some of our social events is put into a restricted fund for Children’s ministry, therefore costs that were previously met from the General Fund are now met from the Chilldren’s Ministry Fund. The increased costs were mainly in Fabric Repairs and maintenance, cleaning, and secretarial support, the latter of which was not budgeted for.
Taken overall, the General Fund’s surplus for 2025 was budgeted at £10,200. The actual surplus recorded is £19,100. To record a surplus at all in another demanding year, when costs are rising, never mind a surplus of this magnitude, is a huge and significant achievement which underlines the generosity and faithfulness of the entire congregation and the continuing hard work of those who help with fund-raising. Thank you all!
The Trustees report also mentioned that Phase 2 of the Keystone Project was mainly completed in 2025. Although not all final invoices have been received or paid yet, it is anticipated that this will come in under or around budget. This has been had huge undertaking with an overall cost of £461,000.
The generosity of the congregation continues to ensure that the church meets its financial obligations, and the efforts of all members are greatly appreciated. The Finance Team meets regularly to ensure all expenditure is authorised and controlled.
Our Ministry and Mission contributions are remitted monthly by standing order to Church of Scotland headquarters and are fully paid for 2025. To comply with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), these accounts are prepared on a Fully Accrued basis, meaning that all income and expenditure shown relates to the financial year rather than what was paid or received in the financial year. The figures also include the income and expenditure of the church organisations shown in note 15.
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## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report (cont.) Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Risk Management**
For a number of years, we have stated that our main financial risk is the potential loss of income, which can change at any time, and that we must react promptly to any reduction in income. The pandemic was certainly unforeseen, and we did react promptly, which is reflected in our accounts. We will continue to respond promptly to any further changes in circumstances and hopefully minimise the impact.
As with most churches we rely on a large team of volunteers to run the church, many of whom now fall into the older age bracket. We continue to attract young families, as reported in the Trustees Report, hopefully in the longer term they will become volunteers and ultimately office bearers of the church.
## **Reserves Policy**
The reserves fall into three categories:
## **General Fund**
To meet any contingencies associated with the day-to-day running of congregational affairs, the current policy of the Kirk session is to have 6 months’ expenditure in reserve in the General Fund. This currently stands at £80,493 (2024 £61,404). This is more than 6 months expenditure but as there is a proposed union with St Margarets and we don’t know what financial impact that will have, the decision was made by the Kirk Session that it was prudent to leave this year’s surplus within the General Fund.
## **Restricted and Designated Funds**
The church holds £193,661 (2024 £514,989) of restricted funds and £51,712 (2024 £51,242) of designated funds which are provided for the purposes specified in Note 15.
## **Building and Development Fund (incl. the Sports and Unity Hall Fund)**
Included within the Restricted reserves is the building and development fund. The balance is currently £114,512 (2024 £437,959). Made up of the Building and Development Fund and the Sports and Unity Hall fund.
## **Going Concern**
The Trustees have satisfied themselves that the charity will continue in existence for a period of at least 12 months. As stated above there is a policy to have a reserve equivalent to 6 months General Fund Expenditure. There are also other reserves of over £250,000, consisting mainly of the Building and Development fund which includes the balance to be paid for Phase 2 and upgrade of our sports and unity halls.
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## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report (cont.) Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The congregation is a registered charity, number SC008601 and is administered in accordance with the terms of the Unitary Constitution and is subject to the Acts and Regulations of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Current serving members of the Kirk Session are the charity trustees. This excludes 7 Kirk Session members who were retired during 2025. 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. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the Finance Team and Property Team as appropriate. The Kirk Session, which meets 10 times a year, is responsible for spiritual affairs and temporal matters within the church.
## **Reference and Administration Information**
## **Trustees**
Kirk Session: Christine Barnstaple, Alastair Black, Heather Black , Margaret Calder, Susan Clements, Barbara Craig, Bill Craig, Pam Crockett, Jane Cuthbertson, Dianne Frew, Stuart Graham, Ruth Gray, Aileen Hannah, Linda Hannah, Hugh Hannah, Tom Hannah, Audrey Hird, Marlyn Inglis, Graeme Irvine, Elaine Johnstone, Jennifer Lewis, David Macrae, Jennifer Macrae, Jean Maddock, John Maddock, Agnes Magowan, Lesley Miller, Neil Mitchell, Anne McCrum, Elaine MacKinnon, Anne MacMillan, Robin McCunn, Kay McKenzie, Drew McAnally, Lynn McLeod, Getta McMillan, Ann Price, Robert Price, Craig Scott, Moyra Scott, Craig Sheridan, Ishbel Sheridan, Janice Slamin, Alison Tyrell, Anne Walker, Nicola Watt, May Weir, Margaret Wightman, Elizabeth Wilson.
Minister: Rev A W Gibson
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# **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report (cont.) Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Principal Office-bearers**
Minister: Rev. A W Gibson Session Clerk: John Maddock Church Treasurer: Elaine Johnstone ACMA, CGMA
## **Principal Office**
11 Gavin St. Motherwell Charity No: SC008601
## **Independent Examiner**
Watson & Company, Chartered Accountants, Oakfield House, 378 Brandon St, Motherwell ML1 1XA
## **Bankers**
Bank of Scotland, 32 Brandon Parade South, Motherwell
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements**
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the method and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence.
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Mothenmell South Parish Church of Scotland
Trustees, Annual Report (cont.)
Year ended 31 December 2025
The tnjstees are responsible for keeping proper accounting reojrds whith disclose wlth reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial pjsition of the tharity and to enable them to ensure that the
finanaal statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investrnent (Scotland) Act 2005 and
the aritieS Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). are aSso responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the chanty and hen for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon
and detection of fraud and other Irregularities.
The IJiL$t5 are responsible for the MaInt£nan and integrlty of the charlty and financial
infonnation on the congregation s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the
preparation and dis*minatlon of financial ststements may differ from legislation in other
jurisdictions.
Approved by the Trust arKI signed on their behalf,
iJlt(xddaL~
John Maddock
Sesslon Clerk
Date: 17th March, 2026
Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Mothenmell
South Parish Church of Scotland
I re)rt on the accounts of the arity for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on
pages 14 to 20.
Respective respon51bllities of trustees and examinpl
The charitfs trustees are respx)nsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the
tems of the Charities and Trustee5 Investment (Scouand) Act 2005 and the Charitie5 Accounts
(Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
The tharivs trust consider that the audtt reQuirnent of Regulation 10(1) (a) to (c) of the
Accounts Regulation does not apply. It is my re5ponsibilty to examine the accounts as required
••
under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether partKlllar matters have come to my
attentlon.
Basis of independent examinerfs ststement
My examination is carried out in accordance wtth Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts
(Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An eKdmination includes a review of the accountlng
records kept by the tharty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records, It
also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks
explanations from the trustees conMIng any such matters. The procedure£ undertakn do not
provide all the eviden that would be required in an audi¢ and consequenty I do not express an
audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent &xaminerfs ststement
In the course of my examination, no matter has mme to my attention
which gives me reasonable c3U* to believe that in any material respett the requirements:
to keep accountiThJ records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and
Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended), arKI
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation
8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulatiors (as amended) have not been me¢ or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be dravm in order to enabie a proper understandlng
of the accounts to be reached.
Signed
Gary Mi
lar FCCA
Watson & Company
Date
## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
## **S�ment gf Bnancial Activlti�**
|**S�ment g Bnancal Acivlti�**|**S�ment g Bnancal Acivlti�**|**S�ment g Bnancal Acivlti�**|**S�ment g Bnancal Acivlti�**|**S�ment g Bnancal Acivlti�**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Year ended D-cmgr 20i�**
**Note Unrestricd**-
**Endomet**
**Unrric**
**RsrictEndowmet**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**'unds**
Totl
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Ttal**
**2025**
**2025**
**202**
**25**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**224**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Ineming and endowment fom:**
**Dnaons & lgacis**
**1**
105,731
47,752
**153,483**
107,121
63,688
170,809
**Chrtble ac es**
**2**
125
**7,545**
**7,670**
8,75
8r70S
**Otr Trding ac**
3
**24,274**
**24,274**
**26r928**
26,98
**Invetenl**
**4**
**6,122**
16,228
22,350
**5,842**
**21,064**
**iG,926**
Oer
**5**
**Totl Income**
13 252
71525
207777
139,l
93,477
233,368
**Expenditure on:**
6
Raiing tnes
351
351
**34**
**3 **
**Chartable acvts**
123,473
392,753
**516,226**
**133,869**
9,37
**143,506**
**Othr**
**Toll expnditure**
**123,824**
**392,753**
**516,577**
**134,213**
~~**9,637**~~**�**
~~**13**~~**�**~~**0**~~
**Net [fu,:ome/(expendltr<) befr gains**
12,428
**(321,228)**
(308,739)
**51678**
**B3,840**
**89,518**
**and J on invement**
**Net galns(!ose) on lr nt**
**Net fncme/(expenditur)**
**12,428**
(321,228)
(8,799)
5,678
**83,840**
**891518**
**Tnsfer be n fnds**
100
(100)
250
250
**Other ree**O**gains/(lo )
**Net movement in fnds**
12,528
(321,328)
(308,799)
**S,428**
84,090
89,518
**Rncliaton of funds:**
**Totl fnds brought frrd**
124,114
514,98
1,434
640,537
**118,68**
430.99
**1,434**
551,019
**Totl Fnds crrie frr**
136,62
193,661
**1**~~**,**~~**434**
331,737
**1i4,114**
514,99
1,34
640,537|||||
|||**123,824**
**392,753**
**516,577**
12,428
**(321,228)**
(308,739)
**12,428**
(321,228)
(8,799)
100
(100)
12,528
(321,328)
(308,799)
124,114
514,98
1,434
640,537
||**134,213**
~~**9,637**~~**�**
~~**13**~~**�**~~**0**~~
**51678**
**B3,840**
**89,518**
5,678
**83,840**
**891518**
250
250
**S,428**
84,090
89,518
**118,68**
430.99
**1,434**
551,019
**1i4,114**
514,99
1,34
640,537|
|||
136,62|
193,661
**1**~~**,**~~**434**
331,737||
## **Balans;� Sheet**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
�at31 D�m�i:iois
2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets 9
Investments 10
Total Fixed Assets
Current As ts
Debtors and prepayments 11 9,322 12,444
!lank and Caslt 102,782 46,146
Investors Trust 224 1 29 588,043
Total Current Ass:i:rl:s 336,343 646,633
Liabilities
Credrtors falling due within one year 12 4 606 6095
NetCutrentAssets 331 737 640,537
Creditors falling due after more than one year
NetAs ets: 331,737 640 537
The funds cf the charity 15
Endowment funds 1,434 1,434
Resttlct!!d funds 193,661 514,989
Total Funds Unrestricted income funds 136,642 331737 124,114 640,537
accounts were approved by tlle trustees on 17/3/2026 and signed on their behalf by:
session Oerk
I V /d , Treasurer
**----- End of picture text -----**
**14**
## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Accounting Policies**
The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently in the current and preceding year in dealing with items which are considered material to the accounts, are set out below.
## **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) amended 1 January 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
## **Fund accounting**
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.
Endowment funds are funds which have been given on the condition that the original capital sum is not reduced, but the income there from is used for the purpose defined in accordance with the 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.
## **Incoming resources**
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
15
## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland Accounting Policies (cont.)**
## **Donated services and facilities**
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) the general volunteer time of congregation members is not recognised.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised as expenditure in the period of receipt.
## **Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
## **Recognition and allocation of expenditure**
Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure.
## **Fixed Assets**
The charity has the right to occupy and use for its charitable objects certain tangible assets, including the Church, halls and manse, vested in the Church of Scotland General Trustees. No consideration is payable for the use of these assets. 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 liability arises.
The policy has been adopted that all tangible assets costing in excess of £5,000 and having a value to the charity greater than one year, other than those acquired for specific purposes, are capitalised. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis to write off the cost of initial value, less residual value, of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives: Fixtures, fittings and office equipment 5 years
## **Investments**
Fixed asset investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealised gains and losses represent the difference between the market value at the beginning and end of the financial year. Realised gains and losses represent the difference between the proceeds on disposal and the market value at the start of the year or cost if purchased in the year.
## **Taxation**
Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland 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 therefore include irrecoverable input VAT.
16
## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**1 Donations and Legacies**
Offerings
Tax recovered on Gift Aid
Grants, Fundraising & pledges for developm't
Other
**2 Income from charitable activities**
Weddings and Funerals
Summer & Christmas Fete
Concerts
**3 Income from other trading activities**
Rent received
**4 Investment income**
Dividends received
Deposit interest
**5 Other Income**
**6 Analysis of Expenditure**
Raising Funds
Investment Manager's Fees
Offering Envelopes
Charitable Activities
Ministries & Mission Contributions
Presbytery dues
Voluntary Additional Stipend
Minister and Locum's Expenses
Ministerial Assistance
Secretarial Support
Pulpit Supply
Other salary costs
Fabric Repairs & Maintenance
Council Tax
Other Building Costs
Church Office Expenses
Organ & Music
Development of new buildings
Other Expenses
Total|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
83,952
18,057
-
3,722|**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted Endowment**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
2,831
-
86,783
83,741
2,534
-
86,275
6,427
-
24,484
18,721
2,647
-
21,368
36,641
-
36,641
-
33,851
-
33,851
1,853
-
5,575
4,659
24,656
-
29,315|
|---|---|---|
||105,731|47,752
-
153,483
107,121
63,688
-
170,809|
||125
-
-|-
-
125
-
-
-
-
7,545
-
7,545
-
8,705
-
8,705
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
||125|7,545
-
7,670
-
8,705
-
8,705|
||24,274|-
-
24,274
26,928
-
-
26,928|
||24,274|-
-
24,274
26,928
-
-
26,928|
||-
6,122|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,228
-
22,350
5,842
21,084
-
26,926|
||6,122|16,228
-
22,350
5,842
21,084
-
26,926|
||-|-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
||-|-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|||**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Total**
**2025**
**2025**
**2025**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
351
-
351
344
-
344
351
-
351
344
-
344
60,187
-
60,187
56,510
-
56,510
1,969
-
1,969
1,773
-
1,773
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,484
-
4,484
3,652
-
3,652
-
-
-
-
-
-
655
-
655
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
-
100
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,098
-
19,098
34,257
-
34,257
3,811
-
3,811
3,499
-
3,499
19,692
-
19,692
19,248
-
19,248
2,479
-
2,479
2,205
-
2,205
5,601
-
5,601
4,586
-
4,586
-
385,738
385,738
-
-
-
5,497
7,015
12,512
8,039
9,637
17,676
123,473
392,753
516,226
133,869
9,637
143,506|
Support costs have not been separately identified as the trustees consider there is only one charitable activity. Therefore support costs relate wholly to that activity and have not been separately identified. It is acknowledged that an element of Repairs and Maintenance, and Other Building Costs, could be attributed to Other Trading Activities - Rent Received, however it is not possible to accurately measure these.
17
**Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **7 Staff Costs and numbers**
|Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Total
The average number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of a
Ministerial support
Administration
Music Staff
Premises maintenance|**2025**
**£**
6,196
60
6,256
head count, was as follows:
**Number**
-
1
1
-
2|**2024**
**£**
4,305
-|
|---|---|---|
|||4,305|
|||**Number**
-
-
1
-|
|||1|
No employee had benefits in excess of £50,000 (2024 nil)
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 £32,433 and the maximum stipend in 5th and subsequent years of service £39,856
## **8 Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions**
Rev A Gibson received expenses of £8,294 (2024 £7,151) relating to travel, telephone, council tax and computer equipment. Nicola McKenzie (organist) received remuneration of £5,541 (2024 £4,651) and is related to trustees. Ewan Cunningham (secretarial support) received remuneration of £655 (2024 nil) and is related to trustees. During the year a total of £33,146 (2024 £35,462) was donated to the congregation by trustees.
## **9 Tangible Fixed Assets**
Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland was a union of South Dalziel Church and Manse Road Church on the 1st January 2007. Both congregations operated the Receipts and Payments method of accounting and as such did not capitalise any assets. There were no assets purchased during 2025 that should be capitalised.
## **10 Investments**
The church holds no investments other than instant access current and deposit bank accounts.
|**11 Debtors & Pre-payments**
Interest due
Gift Aid Tax Refund Due
Rent due
**12 Creditors**
Life and Work
Donations held
Accruals
HMRC
**13 Analysis of Net assets Among Funds**
Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
**Net assets at 31 Dec 2025**|**General**
**Designated**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
89,535
51,713
(4,606)
-|**2025**
**£**
3,093
4,614
1,615
9,322
70
765
3,169
602
4,606
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**£**
**£**
-
-
-
-
193,661
1,434
-
-|**2024**
**£**
6,983
4,303
1,158|
|---|---|---|---|
||||12,444|
||||169
-
5,366
561|
||||6,096|
||||**Total**
**£**
-
-
336,343
(4,606)|
||84,929
51,713|193,661
1,434|331,737|
## **14 Volunteers**
In common with all congregations of the Church of Scotland the congregation benefits from the contribution made by volunteers who give their time and talents willingly for the benefit of the church. The areas of congregational life which rely on the contribution of volunteers are many and varied and much of the activity would be unable to continue were it not for the commitment shown.
18
**Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Notes forming part of the financial statements**
**for the year ended 31 December 2025**||
|---|---|
|**15 Movement in Funds**
**Endowment Funds**
Special Legacy
Special Emergency Fund
**Restricted funds**
Mary Russell Memorial
Benevolent Fund
Guild
Youngish Women's Group
Younger than Youngish Women's Group
Men's Club
Sunday School
Leisure Club
Tots
Panto
Development Donation
Youth Ministry Fund
Worship
Coffee Morning
Presbytery Grant
Building & Development Fund
Sports and Unity Hall
**Unrestricted funds**
Fabric Fund
Social Fund
Organ Fund
Legacies
General Fund
**Total funds**|**At 1 January**
**Incoming**
**Outgoing**
**At 31 Dec**
**2025**
**Resources**
**Resources**
**Transfers**
**2025**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
884
-
-
-
884
550
-
-
-
550|
||1,434
-
-
-
1,434|
||2,209
100
-
-
2,309
1,079
48
20
-
1,107
616
2,191
2,147
-
660
878
937
850
-
965
-
245
105
-
140
271
171
153
(100)
189
412
-
-
-
412
240
623
223
(200)
440
518
873
668
-
723
378
-
-
-
378
67,040
3,022
-
-
70,062
2,955
419
1,610
-
1,764
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,084
805
(10,279)
-
434
-
434
-
-
430,678
51,484
385,738
10,479
106,903
7,281
328
-
-
7,609|
||514,989
71,525
392,753
(100)
193,661|
||49,240
2,085
3,240
-
48,085
1,908
1,856
231
-
3,533
94
-
-
-
94
11,468
487
7,518
-
4,437
61,404
131,824
112,835
100
80,493|
||124,114
136,252
123,824
100
136,642|
|||
||640,537
207,777
516,577
-
331,737|
## Purposes of Endowment Funds
Special Legacy Special Emergency Fund
Income from both bequests is to be used for the general purposes of the church.
## Purposes of Restricted Funds
Mary Russell Memorial Trust Benevolent Fund Women's Guild Youngish Women's Group Men's Club Sunday School Building & Development Fund Youth Ministry Fund Panto Streaming & AV Development Donation Worship Coffee Morning Presbytery Grant Sports and Unity Hall Leisure Club Tots
To be used for the young people of the church. To benefit the needy in the church.
These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them. These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them. These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them. These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them. The Trustees have set aside funds for refurbished church buildings. The Trustees have set aside funds for youth ministry work. These funds are held for the purpose of the pantomime. These funds are for streaming equipment. These funds are for church development purposes. These funds were gifted for the use of the Worship team. The Trustees have set aside funds for new and refurbished church buildings. This grant is to be used for Youth work.
The Trustees have set aside funds for the refurbishment of these halls. These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them. These funds are all restricted to use by the organisation which holds them.
## Purposes of Designated Funds
Fabric Fund Organ Fund Social Fund
The Trustees have set aside funds for the maintenance of the church property. The Trustees have set aside funds for music resources for use in worship. The Trustees have set aside funds for social events.
19
## **Motherwell South Parish Church of Scotland**
|**2025**
**16 Collections for Third Parties**
**£**
Christian Aid
4,000
Erskine Hospital
482
IREF UK
Macmillan
1,130
Moderator's Challenge - Let Your Little Light Shine
Women's Aid
1,525
Sense Scotland
291
CrossReach
291
7,719
**APPENDIX**
**FUND HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION**
**BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES**
**CAPITAL ACCOUNT**
**2025**
**£**
Credit Balances held on deposit at 31 December
-
**REVENUE ACCOUNT**
**2025**
**£**
Credit Balances held on deposit at 31 December|**2024**
**£**
3,713
593
518
1,045
600
1,620|
|---|---|
||8,089|
||**2024**
**£**
-|
||**2024**
**£**|
20