CHARITY REFERENCE NUMBER - SC012371
ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Annual Report and Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
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ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Charity Reference Number SCO12371
CHARITY TRUSTEES - Members of the Vestry
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
BANKERS
Bank of Scotland 426 Morningside Road EDINBURGH EH10 5QF
CHURCH ADDRESS
St Fillan's Church 4-6 Buckstone Drive EDINBURGH EH10 6PD
PRINCIPAL OFFICE
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ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
REPORT OF THE VESTRY Year Ended 30 September 2024
The members of the Vestry present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024
Structure and Governance
In terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, the Vestry reports to the congregation as follows:
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St Fillan's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, is a registered Scottish Charity (SCO12371).
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It is a member of the Diocese of Edinburgh of the Scottish Episcopal Church and is in full communion with the Anglican Church.
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The superior authority is the Bishop of Edinburgh
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All of its affairs are governed by the Vestry.
Appointment of Vestry Members
Vestry members are elected or appointed by Annual General Meeting established by constitution and under Canon Law of the Scottish Episcopal Church. There is no formal induction programme, but new members are invited to Diocesan awareness Sessions
Ongoing guidance is given to ensure that Vestry members are familiar with the Church's values, aims and responsibilities as the designated trustees of a charity.
Administrative Structure
It is the duty of the Vestry to manage the temporal affairs of the congregation with responsibility to keep the fabric and property of the Church and other buildings in good working order and to look after the finances of the church.
Statement of Risk
The Vestry keeps under review the major risks to which the Church is exposed and has established procedures to mitigate any risks identified.
Charitable Objectives and Activities
The Church's principal activities include public worship in sacrament and prayer; Christian education, charitable work and fund raising for local, national and international needs, social meetings, predominantly of the youth, the elderly and many community groups of all ages. We have committed to achieving a net zero carbon footprint by 2030
Volunteers
The Vestry is grateful for the time freely given by a large number of volunteers, without whom many of the activities would be unable to operate.
Achievements and Performance
Under the guidance and positive leadership of our Priest in charge, St Fillans has increased its engagement with our local community and increasingly fostered outreach as well as engaging congregational involvement in a range of activities. Our progress towards carbon neutral by 2030 is well advanced and the involvement of members of the Congregation in expediting this with185 hours of voluntary labour to support the lottery funded award is a testimony to the enthusiasm generated by receipt of this financial award.
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Financial Review
This year has been a very positive year – despite a deficit in the current account, the total assets of the Church showed an increase in value of £5428. This was the first full financial year of incumbency and we saw some very positive initiatives.
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An application to the Lottery resulted in a grant of some £10,000 augmented by a very generous donation, to upgrade aspects of the Church Property. This enabled cavity wall insulation to be installed in the main church building; a doubling of the thickness of the roof insulation, the redecoration of the Church interior and the installation of Bicycle racks to encourage alternative modes of travel.
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A joint letter from the Priest and Treasurer resulted in a very positive increase in the level of giving ameliorating the loss of income from the passing of members of the Congregation.
St Fillans' funds are invested in 3 accounts:- a current business account with the Bank of Scotland, an interest bearing account and funds invested in a Unit Trust Pool operated by the Scottish Episcopal Church. The interest bearing account was a Virgin Money Charity Account, but at the beginning of the financial year this was closed and a better and more accessible account was opened for 9 months with the Bank of Scotland. A deficit of £8343 was recorded against the Bank of Scotland accounts, but the Unit Trust Pool performed very well meaning that the overall assets increased by £5428.
St Fillans members are excellent at supporting external charities through initiatives brought to their attention and I trust this will continue.
Looking to next year, we live in uncertain times financially as well as in other aspects. The value of the Unit Trust Pool may vary considerably. A 90 day notice interest bearing account has been opened with the Bank of Scotland and will be monitored for performance. The vestry will also seek further external funding to improve the church facilities.
Plans for Future Periods
The Vestry will continue its range of present activities in the foreseeable future.
Reserves
The Vestry has adopted a policy of trying to maintain a level of unrestricted reserves such that, in the event of a significant drop in income, the Church would be able to maintain its current level of activities for a reasonable period until replacement funding is obtained.
Statement of the Vestry Members' Responsibilities
The members of the Vestry must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The members of the Vestry are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request, must reflect the current 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 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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.
On behalf of the Vestry
Signed
Priest in Charge November 2024
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT to the VESTRY of ST FILLAN's CHURCH
for the YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 9
Respective Responsibilities of Vestry Members and Examiner
The Church's Vestry members are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The Church's members of the Vestry consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(l)(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. 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 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
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signature and date
Signed
15[th] November 2024
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ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Receipts and Payments Account for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
RECEIPTS
| Notes | 2023- 24 | 2022 - 23 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,2 | £ | £ |
| Donations | ||
| Regular Giving | 20451 | 20750 |
| 3 Open Plate |
564 | 229 |
| 4 Tax Reclaimed on donations (Gift Aid) |
5512 | 5544 |
| Legacy | 1000 | 500 |
| 27527 | 27023 | |
| Other | ||
| Bank Interest | 764 | 101 |
| 5 SECUTP units Interest |
2970 | 2748 |
| Hall Donations | 20737 | 25137 |
| 6 Grants |
12044 | 1440 |
| Autumn Fair | 845 | 0 |
| 7 Receipts from Other Charitable Activities |
3067 | 929 |
| 40427 | 30355 | |
| Total Receipts | 67954 | 57378 |
PAYMENTS
| PAYMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Notes | ||
| Ministry Costs | 45297 | 28492 4316 306 17839 201 523 40 659 52376 31886 |
| Quota | 4310 | |
| 8 Trustee Expenses |
260 | |
| 9 Property Expenses |
24746 | |
| Administration Expenses | 854 | |
| Garden Expenses | 500 | |
| Altar Expenses | 111 | |
| Other Expenditure | 219 | |
| Total Payments | 76297 | |
| 2 Surplus (Deficit) for the year |
-8343 |
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ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
STATEMENT OF BALANCES
as at 30 September 2024
Bank Balances & Unit Trust Pool Investment
| £ | |
|---|---|
| HBOS close 30 September 2023 |
41182 |
| close 30 September 2024 |
58265 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | 17083 |
| Virgin Charity Account close 30 September 2023 |
25425 |
| Virgin Charity Account close 30 September 2024 |
0 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | (25425) |
| SECUTP units value 30 September 2023 |
90376 |
| value 30 September 2024 |
104146 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | 13770 |
| Total Assets 30 September 2023 |
146691 |
| 30 September 2024 | 162411 |
| Surplus/(deficit) | 5428 |
Approved by the Vestry on 21[st] November 2024 and signed on their behalf
Honorary Treasurer
Vestry Chair
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ST FILLAN's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
NOTES TO ACCOUNTS
Year Ended 30 September 2024
1. Property
The Church, hall and Rectory are not shown in the Statement of Balances as the Vestry believes that it is not possible to put a market value on them. The valuation of these buildings for insurance is Main Hall - £688080; Small Hall - £61817; and Rectory - £245962
2. Income and Expenditure
The receipts and payments statement does not include transfers between the two bank accounts, nor temporary floats for fund raising activities.
At the direction of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Receipts and Payments schedule does not include amounts raised for specific charities including the Gift Aid passed on . The Charitable Fund Raising section (note 6 below) gives details for each such charity. The Bank Balances do include these amounts and the growth of investments.
3. Open Plate
The term Open plate here refers to funds donated at Church services and similar support donations. HMI uses a wider definition for any voluntary donations which can attract Gift Aid
4. Gift Aid Reclaimed
The total shown here is the Gift Aid claimed on donations to St Fillans. It does not include Gift Aid claimed and passed on to other Charities. Total claimed was £5958 of which £446 was passed on.
5. SECUTP Units
St Fillans holds a reserve in the Scottish Episcopal Church Unit Trust Pool. This Trust Pool was set up for funds of the General Synod, Dioceses and individual congregations of the Church to enable them to be managed professionally and ethically. Interest is included but growth in value of the units is not included as this is not income that has been realised. The accounts show the valuation of these units as of 30[th] September 2024. The value of these units has shown growth over the years although like all such investments, they are subject to stock market fluctuations but have accrued in value this year. More details can be found at
http://www.scotland.anglican.org/vestry-resources/general-information/unit-trust-pool/
6. Grants
The following grants were received:-
National Lottery £10000 for upgrade of Church interior, cavity wall insulation, roof space insulation and the installation of bike racks
Hoare Trust £595 for a Priests Cope Stipend Supplement Edinburgh Diocese £1380
ECL grant for rectory from Diocese
7. Receipts from other charitable activities
Includes income such as donations for tea/coffee, funerals, flowers, the “Piggy” etc
8. Trustee Expenses
None of the Vestry members received remuneration in respect of their position as Vestry members. Travelling Expenses of the Incumbent £260
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9. Property Expenses
| 2023-24 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2022-23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Heat and Light | 6755 | 6631 | ||
| Church Maintenance | 2197 | 2941 | ||
| All Property Repairs | 10281 | 5671 | ||
| Rectory Repairs and Renovation | 0 | 3636 | ||
| Rectory Council Tax | 4346 | 1639 | ||
| Insurance | 1011 | 956 | ||
| Garden Expenses | 500 | 523 |
This note shows the major items of expenditure (but not all). Rectory Repairs are a subset of All property repairs
10. Charitable Fund Raising 2023– 24
| Event/Beneficiary | Net Amount donated £ |
|---|---|
| St Salvador Food Bank | 237 |
| Rainforest Saver | 533 |
| Bishop's Lent Appeal | 306 |
| Chest Heart and Stroke | 224 |
| MACS | 800 |
These totals include Gift Aid claimed where appropriate to a total value of £446
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