**Charity registration number: SC010964 Congregation number: 392232**
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
**CONGREGATIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
https://invergordonchurchofscotland.org/
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|1|
|Trustees' annual report|2 - 4|
|Independent examiner's report|5|
|Receipts and payments account|6|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|7|
|Notes to the financial statements|8 - 11|
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Trustees (Kirk session):**|Mr W Anderson|
|---|---|
|**Trustees (Deacon's Court):**|Mr I Armstrong
Mrs H Armstrong
Mrs M Day
Me I Flett
Mr C Gordon
Mr A Luke
Rev I MacLeay
Mr J McAlpine
Mr J Mackay
Mr C Macleod
Mr W Gill|
|**Minister:**|Mrs H Gill
Mrs J McAlpine
Mrs E Murdoch
Mrs M Pitts
Rev B Macleod|
|**Treasurer:**|Mrs J Gordon
- Until September 2024|
|**Session clerk:**|Mrs M Day|
|**Charity Number:**|SC010964|
|**Congregation Number:**|392232|
|**Charity Address:**|123 Gordon Terrace
- Until September 2024|
|**Independent Examiners:**|Invergordon
IV18 0BY
Lifestyles Accountancy Limited
39 Kirklees Road
Southport
PR8 4RB|
|**Bankers:**|Royal Bank of Scotland|
||53 High Street|
||Alness|
||IV17 0SH|
Page 1 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the receipts and payments basis.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the deed of Constriction.
## **Recruitment and appointment of the trustees**
Members of the Kirk session and the Deacons court 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 Deacons court is appointed from within the congregation and members of the congregation are invited to nominate individuals, who are believed to have the skills and commitment to contribute to the management affairs of the church, to become members of the Deacons court. Court members are then appointed at the stated annual meeting and serve for a period of three years, after which they must seek re-election at the next stated annual meeting.
## **Organisational structure**
The Deacons court is chaired by the minister and meets four times a year. Certain responsibilities are delegated to the finance committee and the property committee as appropriate. The Kirk session, which meets six times a year, is responsible for spiritual affairs within the church.
## **Risk management**
The church maintains an ongoing risk management process with periodic reviews to ensure the safety and security of all members and visitors. Building inspections, financial controls, and appropriate insurance coverage are also in place. These are reviewed regularly at Deacons Court meetings.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objects of the charity**
The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in policy. 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 church locally offers to all the opportunity to gather for worship (2 services per Sunday), prayer meetings and bible study. Various youth organisations hold activities catering for all ages. Our hall etc is available to organisations and this is offered to maintain and expand our contact within and outwith the community.
Page 2 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
**TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Review and summary of the year**
The congregation continues to be active in all areas of church life. As well as the Sunday morning and evening services, there are regular events catering for all ages. Several outreach events, particularly focussed towards children and youth, have been the focus of our outreach activities during 2024. The well-established ministry to seafarers continues, with the busiest time being during the summer season when cruise liners visit the port.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Principal funding sources**
The principal sources of funding for the charity continue to be donations received from individuals through the freewill offering scheme, open plate collections and gift aid donations.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees are of the opinion that ideally, in order to be able to offer a commitment of continuity of activity reserves of no less than 3 months anticipated future expenditure should be held at any one point in time plus an additional sum for unplanned maintenance. The trustees calculate this to be £18,000 and £20,000 respectively, totalling £38,000.
In the year to 31 December 2024 the amount available in free, unrestricted reserves was £72,076 (2023 - £61,597). The trustees give thanks that the church was in this position at the end of 2024 and able to exceed the reserves policy. As the church moves forward the trustees will contiunue to monitor the trusts financial position and look to raise further income so that the work can continue to grow.
## **Financial review of the year**
Throughout the year the church received total income of £86,832 (2023 - £97,649) and spent a total of £71,324 (2023 - £71,742). At the end of the year the church had net receipts of £15,508 (2023 - £25,907).
## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS**
## **General plans**
We are a church in the heart of Invergordon and our vision is to know Jesus and to make Him known in our town and beyond. Through worship, prayer and Christ-like living we try to be a welcoming, caring fellowship for all age groups of this community, committed to faithfully communicating the life-changing love of God.
Page 3 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES**
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 give 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:
- a. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- b. observe the methods and principals in the applicable Charities SORP;
- c. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- d. state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- e. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charity Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Regulations Anent Congregational Finance approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2007and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
This report was approved by the trustees on 10 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
……………………………… **Mrs M Day - Session Clerk**
Approved and signed on behalf of the Kirk Session/Deacons Court on 11 March 2025 by:
……………………………… **Mrs M Day - Session Clerk**
Page 4 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
We report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements 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 our responsibility to:
- (i) examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act; and
- (ii) to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's statement**
Our examination is carried out 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, 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 we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In the course of our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
- a) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
- to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met; or
- b) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
**Daniel Styles FCA (Independent examiner) for and on behalf of Lifestyles Accountancy Limited 39 Kirklees Road Southport PR8 4RB**
**Dated:** 14 March 2025
Page 5 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**cash funds cash funds cash funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**RECEIPTS**
Voluntary receipts:
Donations and gifts
**2**
72,942
7,689
80,631
Fundraising
**2**
4,957
-
4,957
Investment receipts:
**3**
1,244
-
1,244
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
79,143
7,689
**86,832**
**PAYMENTS**
Charitable activities
**4**
68,664
2,660
71,324
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
68,664
2,660
**71,324**
10,479
5,029
**15,508**
Cash funds at 1 January 2024
61,597
53,482
115,079
Cash funds at 31 December 2024
72,076
58,511
**130,587**
**NET RECEIPTS**|**Total**
**cash funds**
**2023**
**£**
89,410
7,294
945
**97,649**
71,742
**71,742**
**25,907**
89,172
**115,079**|
|---|---|
The notes on pages 8 - 11 form part of these financial statements.
Page 6 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**CASH FUNDS**
Cash at bank
**6 & 7**
72,076
58,511
130,587
72,076
58,511
130,587
**OTHER MONETARY ASSETS**
Gift aid tax to reclaim
2,143
-
2,143
2,143
-
2,143
**LIABILITIES**
Trade creditors
1,997
-
1,997
Independent examination fee accrual
100
-
100
2,097
-
2,097|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
115,079
115,079
2,728
2,728
-
-
-|
|---|---|
Approved and signed on behalf of the PCC on 11 March 2025 by:
……………………………… **Mrs M Day - Session Clerk**
The notes on pages 8 - 11 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **a Basis of preparation**
These financial statements have been prepared under the receipts and payments basis.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest whole £.
## **b Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **c Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have been designated for specific purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements where relevant.
## **d Receipts**
All receipts are included in the statement of receipts and payments when the charity receives the money rather than when it is legally entitled to the income. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
## **e Payments**
All expenditure is accounted for when costs are paid by the charity and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Page 8 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **2 VOLUNTARY RECEIPTS**
|**Donations and gifts:**
Door collections and offerings
Freewill offering scheme
Gift aid donations
Income tax recovered
Annual gift day
Other donations
Funerals
Grants received
Liner visitors
Project 2000+
Ark project
Youth
Life and work
**Fundraising:**
Fundraising
Hall hire
Seafarer centre|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**cash funds cash funds cash funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
11,264
-
**11,264**
12,949
-
**12,949**
14,363
-
**14,363**
8,665
-
**8,665**
5,781
-
**5,781**
6,295
-
**6,295**
1,175
-
**1,175**
-
-
**-**
8,949
-
**8,949**
-
4,590
**4,590**
-
3,099
**3,099**
3,238
-
**3,238**
263
-
**263**
72,942
7,689
**80,631**
4,912
-
**4,912**
45
-
**45**
-
-
**-**
4,957
-
**4,957**
77,899
7,689
**85,588**|**Total**
**cash funds**
**2023**
**£**
11,112
6,744
21,638
7,974
5,938
5,854
-
7,000
11,021
8,683
3,225
-
221
89,410
4,279
1,015
2,000
7,294
**96,704**|
|---|---|---|
## **3 INVESTMENT RECEIPTS**
|Bank interest received|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**Total**
**cash funds cash funds cash funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,244
-
**1,244**
1,244
-
**1,244**|**Total**
**cash funds**
**2023**
**£**
945
**945**|
|---|---|---|
Page 9 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **4 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**Ministry costs:**
Giving to Grow contributions
Pulpit supply
Presbytery fees
Ministry expenses
Youth work
Grants and donations made
Life and work costs
Project 2000+ costs
Ark project costs
Community events
**Property costs:**
Repairs and maintenance
Heating and lighting
Council tax
Insurance
**Support costs:**
Computer costs
Telephone
Equipment
Printing, postage and stationery
Travel
Other costs|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**cash funds**
**cash funds**
**cash funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
35,747
-
**35,747**
2,234
-
**2,234**
389
-
**389**
-
-
**-**
3,496
-
**3,496**
502
-
**502**
263
-
**263**
-
2,180
**2,180**
-
480
**480**
-
-
**-**
42,631
2,660
**45,291**
7,617
-
**7,617**
5,878
-
**5,878**
3,698
-
**3,698**
2,990
-
**2,990**
20,183
-
**20,183**
1,619
-
**1,619**
367
-
**367**
-
-
**-**
721
-
**721**
1,200
-
**1,200**
1,943
-
**1,943**
5,850
-
**5,850**
68,664
2,660
**71,324**|**Total**
**cash funds**
**2023**
**£**
28,260
784
(26)
550
4,002
600
221
-
-
441
34,832
13,180
2,634
4,301
2,739
22,854
1,974
844
8,203
783
-
2,252
14,056
**71,742**|
|---|---|---|
## **5 EMPLOYEES**
All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend fund which bears the costs of all minister’s stipends and employer’s contribution for national insurance, pension and housing loan fund. Minister’s 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 £31,642 and the maximum stipend (after 5 years) £38,884.
Page 10 of 11
## **INVERGORDON CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **6 RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|Project 2000+
Ark|**Balance at**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**1 Jan 24**
**Resources**
**Expended**
**£**
**£**
**£**
32,243
4,590
(2,180)
21,239
3,099
(480)
53,482
7,689
(2,660)|**Balance at**
**31 Dec 24**
**£**
**34,653**
**23,858**
**58,511**|
|---|---|---|
The funds described above represent funding received for specific projects which are being used over the course of time.
## **7 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
|General funds|**Balance at**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**1 Jan**
**Resources**
**Expended**
**£**
**£**
**£**
61,597
79,143
(68,664)|**Balance at**
**31 Dec**
**£**
**72,076**|
|---|---|---|
## **8 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
There were no known disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
Page 11 of 11