ELGIN PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND (Formerly Elgin St Giles and St Columba’s South Church)
**Annual Report & Financial Statements For the Year ended 30 November 2024**
**Congregation No: 311915**
**Scottish Charity No: SC 015164**
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **Contents**
|Trustees annual report
Independent Auditors report to the Trustees
Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)
Statement of financial position
Statement of cash flows
Notes to the financial statements|Pages
3 - 7
8 - 10
11
12
13
14 - 23|
|---|---|
2
Elgin Parish Church of Scotland
Trustees, Annual Report
Year ended 30 November 2024
The trustees have pleasure in ptesenling Iheit rq)ort together with ihe fllwicial statements and the Independent
Examiner's Report for the year ended 30 N0veber 2024.
Refei'eknte alld Admillisti"ative Infoi"madon
Charity Name:
Elgin Parish Church of Scotland
chrIti. Reglstrallon Nnmber:
SC015164
retired. on sabbatical. Te51ed OT deceased during the year
Sesslon Clerk:
Church Ti'easurer:
AuditOl-5:
Mjllet AcCowitltS Ltd
Beyolld Aldgate Tower, 2 LellWI Sl. Lolldon El 8FA
Legal Adsor5.
Cockbunis, 82 Higli Strect, Elgin IV30 IDS
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. 209 Hig] Street, Elgm IV30 IDL
Virgin Molley, 151 High Strect. Elgill, tv30 IDS
BaDkei3:
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report Year ended 30 November 2024**
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2024.
## **Presbytery Restructuring of Congregations**
On 1[st] December 2023 the former congregations of Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South Church, and Birnie and Pluscarden Churches linked with Elgin High, were United to become Elgin Parish Church of Scotland.
This report and accounts represent the activities of Elgin Parish Church of Scotland for the year to 30[th] November 2024 with the comparative figures now restated for the former Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South Church only, so direct comparisons are not relevant. Adjustments for the change in accruals basis have been completed as required by the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Model Deed of Constitution.
## **Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**
Members of the Kirk Session are the charity trustees. The Kirk Session members are the elders of the church and are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills.
## **Organisational Structure**
Certain responsibilities are delegated to the Finance Committee and the Property Committee as appropriate. The Kirk Session met eight times this year and is responsible for all matters within the church.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on public benefit.
We are aware of the guidance on public benefit, and have taken it into account when exercising the charity's powers and duties.
Our charitable activities are designed to benefit the public by pursuing our stated charitable purposes. Where any private benefit may arise from these activities, it is incidental to the advancement of our charitable purposes and is not an end in itself. This is in accordance with the principles of OSCR.
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 Kirk Session has now made permanent the arrangement of having just one service each Sunday in Elgin Parish Church of Scotland. Communion was celebrated four times a year at the Sunday and at the midweek services. Special services were held on Christmas Eve. During Holy Week, a Communion Service is held on Maundy Thursday and a special service on Good Friday. There are two weekly Bible Study groups and there was also an additional eight week Bible Study course. There are two services held monthly at Anderson’s Care Home which is attended by about 10 residents. A monthly service is also held at The Grove and Spynie Care Homes, and the Ministry team also pay regular visits to both Abbeyside and Abbeyvale Care Homes.
The Ministry team hold a school assembly at West End Primary school bi-monthly. Regular Home Communions are done at the Care Homes and in the homes of parishioners.
Some of our office-bearers play a major part in the Christian Aid Committee for Elgin, and many of our congregation are involved in Christian Aid Week which raises large sums for Christian Aid. Our own congregation also provides support for the Church in Malawi, with a specific link to the community of Ekwendeni.
4
On a social level, there are weekly groups for badminton and for indoor bowling. A Men’s Group and Ladies Group also meet twice a month. In the past year the Parish continued a weekly Bible Study, a monthly Healing Service and a Parish Bereavement Service.
A major part of the youth work of the congregation is St. Giles’ Theatre Group, in which about a 150 young people take part. The group had a production of Bugsy Malone on stage in April 2024 and rehearsals have resumed for a 2025 production.
The parish is very much involved in community outreach and support and host “Kicks” and High Jinx Groups. The ministers of the parish are currently serving on the Board of Trustees of The General Anderson Trust Care Home. Many of our members are very active in community projects for example Rotary, Rotaract, Anderson’s Care Home and Moravia to name a few.
## **Strategic report**
The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.
## **Achievements and Performance**
There were two Baptisms during the year and four young families joined the church. Sadly, the ministry team did around 71 funerals over the past 12 months and provided the necessary pastoral support to families in the parish during their time of grief. The Sunday School has twelve regular attendees, with the older children receiving bible lessons. The Sunday School preformed a Nativity play both in December 2023 and December 2024 as we returned to a normal Christmas programme.
The Union on 1[st] December 2023 continues to be a success with approximately 160 weekly worshippers, many of whom attend the post-service fellowship in the hall also and the various splinter groups, for example, Lunch Club, Drop in Teas and Café Church.
Outreach to the five local primary and two secondary schools continues with donations of, sadly, much needed cereal bar and breakfast cereals. Our community development officers continue their presence in developing community links for the local youth in conjunction with other local Christian denominations, Street Pastors and School Pastors. In our promotion of our Christian practice, we have a chaplain pastorally looking after 150 teenagers in our theatre group.
Although the UK Home Office relocated some asylum seekers previously housed at the Eight Acres Hotel in Elgin to other accommodation within its asylum estate, a total of 68 people were supported by the local community including Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Ministry team and congregation by providing pastoral care and donations of personal care items and warm clothing.
With the closure of Birnie Kirk in November 2023, our friends from the Roman Catholic Church contacted Elgin Parish Church of Scotland regarding a joint venture at Birnie Kirk, an ideal setting and opportunity as part of our ecumenical partnership in connection with the Church of Scotland’s and the Roman Catholic Church’s St Margaret’s Declaration.
The Personal Ordinariate of _Our Lady of Walsingham in Scotland_ have made a bid to keep Birnie Kirk in regular use and have been holding ecumenical mid-week Evensong and monthly Mass on the first Saturday of the month. These services have been well attended by multiple faiths followed by some refreshments and fellowship in the Kirk Hall.
Fundraising through coffee mornings, appeals and retiral offerings by our Office Bearers and wider congregation have benefited not only Christian Aid and Ekwendeni as mentioned previously but also, Moray Food Plus, Street Pastors, Anderson’s Care Home and further afield with the recent collection of 77 filled boxes and cash donation of over £300, to the Blythswood Shoebox appeal for countries in Eastern Europe.
As we move into 2025 and the first anniversary of Elgin Parish Church of Scotland, a fund-raising quiz-night was organised and joint ecumenical Christmas services with both Pluscarden Abbey and the Scottish Ordinariates. Looking ahead, the planning of a Burns’ Supper is underway. A busy first year for the Parish with strong connections within the local area and Christian faiths working in partnership to serve the local community.
5
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report (Cont’d) Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **Financial Review**
Receipts in 2024 were significantly higher at £960,791 when compared to 2023 but only after receipt of £20,000 from the Consolidated Fabric Fund Revenue account (see appendix) held in Edinburgh and the receipt of £750,056 of funds from Uniting congregations (see note 5). Following the Union, the comparative values relate to the former Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South church only so direct comparisons are not relevant. Adjustments for the change in accruals basis have been completed as required by the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Additional clerical and property maintenance resource was required by the combined charges, and energy costs were also significantly higher.
Overall, we report a Surplus of £737,211 in the past year.
Just before the year end the former Elgin High Church manse at Daisy Bank, Forteath Avenue, Elgin has been sold with the proceeds invested in Church of Scotland Investors Trust Growth Fund units.
## **Investment Policy and Performance**
Elgin Parish Church of Scotland has taken advantage of the expertise delivered by the Church of Scotland Investors Trust and placed surplus funds in their Growth Fund Units and Income Fund Units. Short term cash deposits are also placed in the Investors Trust Deposit funds. The Trustees receive reports on the performance of the funds and decide if they believe any alternative approach should be adopted. At this time, they are satisfied with the performance of these Funds.
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees are aware of potential risks when involved with youth groups and individuals considered to be at risk. There is an active Safeguarding group monitoring these matters. Financial risks are minimised with regular reporting to Trustees. The Property committee do regular visits to the various properties owned by the Congregation and have a programme of works aimed at maintaining the buildings in good order.
## **Reserves Policy**
The charity trustees have considered the reserves required and have taken into account their current and future liabilities. It is the Trustees’ policy to hold reserves of approximately twelve months expenditure including designated funds. At the year end the Church held unrestricted funds of £1,691,859, Restricted funds of £63,354 and Endowment funds of £1,504. A significant proportion of the unrestricted funds are represented by Church buildings. The Trustees believe the liquid reserves are appropriate at this time as various Capital projects may be considered in the coming year.
## **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 income and expenditure 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.
6
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Trustees’ Annual Report (Cont’d) Year ended 30 November 2024**
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and 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 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for 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 on the congregation’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
## **Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,**
**Session Clerk** Date: 27[th] Aug 2025
**Minister** Date: 27[th] Aug 2025
7
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ELGIN PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Elgin Parish Church of Scotland (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 30 November 2024 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flow and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 30 November 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the Year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
8
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion **:**
- the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
- proper accounting records have not been kept; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 6 within the trustees report, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Other matter**
We draw to your attention that the comparative period financial statements were unaudited as the company was previously below the audit threshold.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
1. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
2. we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with trustees and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
3. we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charity, including taxation and charities legislation.
9
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
4. we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
5. identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
1. making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
2. considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
1. performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
2. tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
3. assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
4. investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
1. agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
2. reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
3. enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.[ 5]
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Date 28 August 2025
Millet Accountants Ltd (Statutory Auditor) Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Millet Accountants Ltd is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 Beyond Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, Aldgate, London E1 8FA
10
Elgin Parish Church of Scotland
Statement of Financial
Actii'iti¢5
Resmied
LMt711dii
Lllre51rirtcd
Flld5
2023
Res14Tied
Ln4Tixdii
Restrifled
Funds
202J
Rt$1471eJ
Residied
Year elldcd 30 November 2024
Note
Ullrc5tiirted
Funds
2024
Rc5tricted
Fllnds
2024
FndS
2024
Total
2024
FndS
2023
Total
2023
Income and fd0ments frntD:
Donations and legacies
Cliariiablt actLI'iII¢s
Othcr tsadiDg actiNities
InTreslJ]Rnts
135.807
3.050
33.842
17.786
135,807
3,050
33.842
18.036
87.665
2.500
27.270
7.202
87.665
6,023
27.270
7.202
3,523
250
723.154
45.398
770,050
960,791
Total Intome
913.639
45.648
124.037
3,523
128,160
Expend]l OD:
Raisillg fimds
Chgsiiable acti3'itits
948
245.010
948
256,209
11.199
104.449
104,449
Tot9] eXpendire
245.958
11.199
257.157
104.449
104.449
Nel 5ntoJnellexpendlture) before
667.681
34.449
703.634
20.188
23.711
Net gaillsIOosses) investments
33.577
33,577
1,138
1,138
Net llltomelleipeDdlture)
701.258
34.449
737211
21.326
24.849
INel moiement In funds
701.258
34.449
737211
21.326
Rcrollci]iation orruDds.'
Total Funds btougbt foThv8rd
990.601
28.905
1.019.5(KS
969.275
25382
994.657
Totsl funds Caled fonvgrd
1691.859
03.354
1.756,717
990.(rf>1
28.905
1,019.506
Elgin Parish Church of Scotland
Balance Sheet
At 30 November 2024
Restated
[TDxlldltÈd
30 01, 2023
30 Nov 2024
Notè
Flxed Assets:
Tallble assets
Investwents
Total Flxed Assels
864.000
354.827
1,218.827
714.(K)O
io
215.425
929,42.S
Cllri'ent Assets
DebtOTS
Cash at bank and in hand
li
10.038
545.764
10.770
83.541
Total CuiTCUt Assets
555.802
94,311
Curi'enl Llabllltles
Crethtors and ac(nu5 falling due
within one year
ct Cui-i'ellt A55CtS
12
17.912
537.890
4,230
90.081
Total Assets Less Cw'i'ent Llabllltles
1756,717
1.019 506
Net Assets
1.756.717
1.019..506
Funds of tbe rknai'ity.:
Endowment Fullds
1,504
Restricted tncome Funds
Unrestsicted Funds
63.354
1,691.859
28.905
990.601
Total rhaiity fullds
15
1,756,717
1.019,506
These fmancial statements were approved by the board of trnsiees and authorised for issue on
and are Sied on behalf of the board by..
Session Cleik
-4urN O?f
TreuTer
12
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland At 30 November 2024 Statement of Cash flows**
|Net income/(expenditure) per statement of Financial
Activities
**Cash flows from operating activities**
_Adjusted for_
Addition of fixed assets
Addition of investments
Disposal of fixed assets
Interest received
Dividends received
Net gains on investments
Decrease / (Increase) in Debtors
Increase in Creditors
Net cash provided by operations
**Statement of Cash Flows**
**For the year ended 30 November 2024**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash generated from operating activities
Net Cash provided by operating activities
**Cash flows from Investing activities**
Interest received
Dividends received
Net cash used in investing activities
**Cashflow for the period**
**Change in Cash and Cash equivalents in reporting**
**period**
**Opening Cash and Cash equivalents at the beginning of**
**the reporting period**
**Closing Cash and Cash equivalents at the end of the**
**reporting period**
Represented by:
Cash on Deposit
Bank Current Accounts
**Closing cash and cash equivalents**|**30 Nov 2024**
737,211
(450,000)
(105,825)
300,000
(7,431)
(10,605)
(33,577)
732
13,682
444,187
444,187
444,187
7,431
10,605
18,036
462,223
462,223
83,541
545,674
168,949
376,815
545,764|**Restated**
**Unaudited**
**30 Nov 2023**
24,849
-
-
-
(302)
(6,900)
(1,138)
(10,770)
4,230|
|---|---|---|
|||9,969|
|||9,969|
|||9,969|
|||302
6,900|
|||7,202|
||||
|||17,171|
|||17,171
66,370|
|||83,541|
|||30,000
53,541|
|||83,541|
13
**Elgin Parish Church Of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **General Information**
The charity is a public benefit entity registered in Scotland. The address of the registered office is Williamson Hall, Duff Avenue, Elgin IV30 1QS.
## **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) effective from 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).
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional and presentation currency of the entity.
## **Change in accounting basis**
The charity has transitioned from preparing its financial statements on a receipts and payments basis to a fully accruals basis, effective 1[st] December 2023.
On 1st December 2023 the former congregations of Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South Church, and Birnie and Pluscarden Churches linked with Elgin High, were United to become Elgin Parish Church of Scotland.
This report and accounts represent the activities of Elgin Parish Church of Scotland for the year to 30th November 2024, with the comparative figures now restated for the United congregations. Following the Union, the comparative values relate to the former Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South church only so direct comparisons are not relevant. Adjustments for the change in accruals basis have been completed as required by the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **Acquisition accounting**
The union of Elgin St Giles & St Columba’s South Church, Birnie and Pluscarden Churches and Elgin High, to become Elgin Parish Church of Scotland, has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the provisions set out within section 19 of FRS 102. Assets have been measured at their fair value (there were no liabilities on union). See note 17 for further details.
## **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.
## **Going concern**
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the ability of the charity to continue for the foreseeable future, and therefore has adopted the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
## **Useful economic life of tangible assets**
The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic life and residual value of the assets. The useful economic life and residual value of the assets are assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See _**Accounting policies: Fixed Assets**_ for the depreciation policy and see note 9 for the carrying amount of the assets.
## **Recognition of income**
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.
14
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Year ended 30 November 2024**
## **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 objectives certain tangible fixed assets, including Elgin St Giles’ Church, and the manse at 18 Reidhaven Street, Elgin, 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 payment is made. Following the Union other assets were transferred to the new Elgin Parish Church of Scotland congregation including the following: Elgin High Church and Hall, the Elgin High Church Manse, Daisy Bank, 5 Forteath Avenue, Elgin, Birnie Church, Birnie Church Hall, Pluscarden Church, and Birnie & Pluscarden Church Manse. All surplus assets are to be disposed of when agreed with the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland and the Presbytery of the North East and Northern Isles.
All tangible fixed assets costing in excess of £5,000 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 original value, less residual value, of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives:
Buildings No depreciation charged Fixtures & fittings 5 years straight line
## **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 or, if purchased in the year, the difference between cost and market value at the end of the 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**
Elgin 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 expended therefore include irrecoverable input VAT.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at The Royal Bank of Scotland, Virgin Money, Scottish Widows bank and on deposit with the Church of Scotland Investors Trust.
## **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.
## **Creditors**
Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
15
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements**
|**For the year ended 30 November 2024**
**1.**
**Donations and Legacies**
Offerings
Tax recovered on Gift Aid
**2.**
**Income from charitable activities**
Weddings and Funerals
Church Organisations - Donations
**3.**
**Income from other trading activities**
Rent Received from Property
Rent Received from Hall Lets
**4.**
**Investment Income**
Dividends received
Deposit interest
**5.**
**Other Income**
Receipts from General Trustees
Transfer of Union Balance (note 17)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
111,034
24,773
135,807
1,798
1,252
3,050
9,006
24,836
33,842
10,605
7,181
17,786
20,000
703,154
723,154|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
250
250
-
45,398
45,398|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,504
1,504|**Total**
**2024**
£
111,034
24,773
135,807
1,798
1,252
3,050
9,006
24,836
33,842
10,605
7,431
18,036
20,000
750,056
770,056|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
63,772
23,893
87,665
900
1,600
2,500
8,798
18,472
27,270
6,900
302
7,202
-
-
-|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
-
-
-
-
3,523
3,523
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Total**
**2023**
£
63,772
23,893|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||87,665|
|||||||||900
5,123|
|||||||||6,023|
|||||||||8,798
18,472|
|||||||||27,270|
|||||||||6,900
302|
|||||||||7,202|
|||||||||-
-|
|||||||||-|
16
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements**
|**For the year ended 30 November 2024**
**6.**
**Analysis of Expenditure**
Raising Funds
Offering Envelopes
Charitable Activities
Giving to Grow Allocation
Presbytery Dues
Voluntary Additional Stipend
Minister’s Expenses
Ministerial Assistance
Pulpit Supply
Other salary costs
Fabric Repairs & Maintenance
Council Tax
Other Building Costs
Church Office Expenses
Organ & Music
Other Expenses
Auditors renumeration
**Total**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
948
948
98,337
5,556
-
5,563
5,154
-
46,498
26,765
4,344
31,764
6,185
-
9,144
5,700
245,010
245,958|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,261
-
6,477
-
366
1,095
**-**
11,199
11,199|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**2024**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-|**Total**
**2024**
£
948
948
98,337
5,556
-
5,563
5,154
-
46,498
30,026
4,344
38,241
6,185
366
10,239
5,700
256,209
257,157|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
-
-
48,575
1,378
-
2,001
300
570
8,431
12,248
3,909
17,794
3,808
-
5,435
104,449
104,449|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Endowment**
**Funds**
**2023**
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**Total**
**2023**
£
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||||-|
|||||||||48,575
1,378
-
2,001
300
570
8,431
12,248
3,909
17,794
3,808
-
5,435|
|||||||||104,449|
|||||||||104,449|
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.
17
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Notes forming part of the financial statements**
|**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland**
**Notes forming part of the financial statements**|||
|---|---|---|
|**for the year ended 30 November 2024**
**7.**
**Staff costs and numbers**
Salaries and wages
Total|**2024**
**£**
46,498
46,498|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**2023**
**£**
8,431|
|||8,431|
The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was as follows:
|||**_Restated_**|
|---|---|---|
|||**_Unaudited_**|
||**2024**|**2023**|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Full time equivalent employees|1.5|0.7|
No employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 in 2023 or 2024.
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 £31,642 and the maximum stipend (in the fifth and subsequent years) £38,884.
## **8. Trustee Remuneration and Related Party Transactions**
The Church’s insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for all its trustees.
During the year to 30 November 2024 expenses amounting to £4,090 were reimbursed for travel expenses to two members of the ministry team (2023: £1,562 - one member for travel expenses) and council tax costs of £3,696 were paid in respect of our congregational manse for one member (2023: £3,605 council tax costs – one member).
During the year to 30 November 2024 five trustees who are members of the Kirk Session received salaries for providing services for Ministerial support and Premises maintenance (2023: 2 trustees in respect of premises maintenance).
||Year to
30/11/24
3,394.25
1,237.00
7,031.40
1,520.00
6,600.00
19,782.65|Year to
30/11/23
2,618.75
800.50
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|
||||
|Totals|||
|||3419.25|
No salary or expenses were paid to any other Trustee.
There were no other related party transactions.
18
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2024**
## **9. Tangible Fixed Assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 December 2023
Additions
Additions from Union
Disposals
At 30 November 2024
**Accumulated Depreciation**
At 1 December 2023
Charge for year
Eliminated on Disposals
At 30 November 2024
**Net Book Value**
At 30 November 2024
At 30 November 2023|**Freehold**
**Land &**
**Buildings**
718,398
-
450,000
(300,000)
868,398
4,398
-
-
4,398
864,000
714,000|**Fixtures &**
**Fittings**
234,318
-
-
234,318
234,318
-
-
234,318
-
-|**Total**
952,716
-
450,000
(300,000)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,102,716|
||||238,716
-
-|
||||238,716|
||||864,000|
||||714,000|
19
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland**
## **Notes forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2024**
|**10.**
**Investments**
Market value at 30 November 2023
Transfers at date of union market value
Unrealised gain / (loss) on investments
Market value at 30 November 2024
Investments at cost
The following investments are held
(Market Value):
Growth Fund units – 22,084 units
Growth Fund units – 18,697 units
Income Fund Units – 8,499 units
**11.**
**Debtors**
Gift Aid Tax Refund Due
Other (detail where material)
**12.**
**Creditors**
Creditors
Accruals
Social security and other taxes
**13.**
**Analysis of Net Assets Among Funds**
Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
**Net assets at 30 Nov 2024**
Fixed Assets
Investments
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
**Net assets at 30 Nov 2023**|**General**
**£**
864,000
352,523
493,248
(17,912)
1,691,859
**General**
**£**
714,000
215,425
65,406
(4,230)
990,601|**Designated**
**£**
-
-
-
-||**2024**
**£**
215,425
105,825
33,577
354,827
210,965
141,338
119,660
93,829
354,827
**2024**
**£**
6,325
3,714
10,038
**2024**
**£**
5,555
11,172
1,185
17,912
**Restricted**
**£**
-
2,304
61,050
-
63,354
**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
28,905
-
28,905|**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**2023**
**£**
214,287
-
1,138
215,425
167,856
124,995
0
90,429
215,425
**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**2023**
**£**
6,214
4,556
10,770
**_Restated_**
**_Unaudited_**
**2023**
**£**
1,793
2,123
313
4,230
**Endowment**
**£**
-
-
1,504
-
1,504
**Endowment**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
**Total**
**£**
14,000
354,827
555,802
(17,912)|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||
||||||||
||||||||
||||||||
||||||||
||||
||||
|||-||||1,756,717|
|||**Designated**
**£**
-
-
-
-||||**Total**
**£**
714,000
215,425
94,311
(4,230)|
|||-||||1,019,506|
20
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Notes forming part of the financial statements**
## **for the year ended 30 November 2024**
## **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.
||||**_Restated_**|**_Restated_**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**15.**|**Movements in Funds**||**At 1 Dec**||||||**At 30 Nov**||
|||||**2023**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**||**2024**||
|||||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|||**£**|
||**Endowment funds**||||||||||
||Unrestricted funds|||-|1,504|-||-||1,504|
|||||-|1,504|-||-||1,504|
||**Restricted funds**||||||||||
||Birnie/Pluscarden Fabric|||-|5,879|5,879||-||-|
||Birnie/Pluscarden Organ|||-|2,721|-||-||2,721|
||Birnie/Pluscarden Fabric|||-|3,859|3,859||-||-|
||Birnie Graveyard Fund|||-|763|-||-||763|
||Sunday School – Capital|||-|8,490|-||-||8,490|
||Sunday School offerings|||-|232|-||-||232|
||Youth - Carital|||-|5,000|-||-||5,000|
||Youth Income|||-|788|707||-||81|
||Music & Praise|||-|4,220|366||-||3,854|
||Disabled Access facilities|||-|13,696|-||-||13,696|
||Lunch Club|||1,775|-|(15)||-||1,790|
||St Giles Theatre Group|||27,130|-|403||||26,727|
|||||28,905|45,648|11,199||-||63,354|
||**Unrestricted funds**||||||||||
||McArthur Bequest|||-|15,000|-||-||15,000|
||Harry Guines’s Estate|||-|12,821|-||-||12,821|
||C Anderson Legacy|||-|11,778|-||-||11,778|
||Bonthrone Fund|||-|10,000|-||-||10,000|
||General Funds|||990,601|848,018|245,958||-|1,642,260||
|||||990,601|897,617|245,958||-|1,691,859||
||||||||||||
||**Total funds**|||1,019,506|944,769|257,157||-|1,756,717||
|||**_Restated_**|||||||**_Restated_**||
|||**_Unaudited_**|||||||**_Unaudited_**||
|||**At**|**1**|**Dec**|||||**At 30**|**Nov**|
|||**2022**|||**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Transfers**||**2023**||
|||**£**|||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||
||**Restricted funds**||||||||||
||Lunch Club|||1,466|9,969|9,660||-||1,775|
||St Giles Theatre Group|||23,916|46,046|42,832||-||27,130|
|||||25,382|56,015|52,492||-||28,905|
||**Unrestricted funds**||||||||||
||General Fund|||969,275|125,775|104,449||-||990,601|
|||||969,275|125,775|104,449||-||990,601|
||||||||||||
||**Total funds**|||994,657|181,790|156,941||-|1,019,506||
21
**Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Notes forming part of the financial statements**
**for the year ended 30 November 2024**
## Purposes of Endowment Funds
Income from the Endowment Fund is available for unrestricted purposes.
Purposes of Restricted Funds
Birnie/Pluscarden Fabric Birnie/Pluscarden Organ Birnie Churchyard Fund Sunday School – Capital Sunday School offerings Youth - Carital Youth Income Music & Praise
Disabled Access facilities Lunch Club St Giles Theatre Group
Costs associated with the Birnie/Pluscarden Properties
Costs associated with the Birnie/Pluscarden Organs
Costs associated with the Birnie Churchyard
To be used to provide income for appropriate purposes involving the Sunday School
To be used to support good causes as chosen by the Sunday School
To be used to provide income for appropriate purposes involving youth of the Church
To be used for appropriate purposes involving youth of the Church
To be used for new hymn books, aids to singing and organ maintenance This fund is for the costs associated with providing facilities for the disabled under the terms of current legislation.
To assist with the weekly Elgin Parish Church of Scotland lunch club.
Funds to facilitate the operation of the Youth Theatre group within the Congregation
## **16. Collections for Third Parties**
|**Collections for Third Parties**
Christian Aid
Step by Step in Moray
Laich of Moray Trust Bus
Embrace the Middle East
Elgin Street Pastors
Eco Congregations
Church of Scotland HIV Programme
Mission for Fishermen
Ekwendeni
Moray School Bank
Crossreach
Moray Womans Aid
PoppyScotland
Blythswood Care
Scottish Bible Society
Moray Food Plus
Shelter Box
Stroke Awareness
Andersons Care Home|**2024**
**£**
500
200
100
31
215
336
1,487
68
259
214
400
400
213
312
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
4,735|**2023**
**£**
1,209
-
200
-
-
-
379
-
204
-
-
-
432
-
100
242
460
212
155|
|---|---|---|
|||3,593|
|**16.**|**Effect of change in accounting policy on financial statements**|**2024**||**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**||**£**|
||Christian Aid||500|1,209|
||Step by Step in Moray||200|-|
||Laich of Moray Trust Bus||100|200|
22
## **Elgin Parish Church of Scotland Notes forming part of the financial statements For the year end 30 November 2024**
## **17. Acquisition note**
Upon the union of the churches, the following assets were acquired, stated at their fair value.
|CoS Investors Trust. Investments received.
Growth Fund Units
CoS. Deposit Funds. (Ex Elgin High)
CoS. Deposit Funds. (Ex Birnie)
Elgin High Bank accounts (Virgin Money)
Birnie & Pluscarden Bank Accounts (Virgin Money)
Daisybank Manse
Elgin High Church & Hall|Book Value
Fair Value
£105,825
£105,825
£104,856
£104,856
£28,361
£28,361
£29,362
£29,362
£31,652
£31,652
£300,000
£300,000
£150,000
£150,000
**£750,056**
**£750,056**|
|---|---|
## **18. Effect of change of accounting basis on financial statements**
||**2023**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||**Before Restatement**|**After Restatement**|
|Income|£117,390|£128,160|
|Expenditure|£100,219|£104,449|
|Debtors|-|£10,770|
|Creditors|-|£4,230|
**There were no other effects on the financial statements due to the change of accounting basis.**
## **19. Off balance Sheet Arrangements**
## **FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL TRUSTEES**
|**CAPITAL ACCOUNT**
Credit Balances held at 30 November at cost
Market Value of Balances at 30 November
**REVENUE ACCOUNT**
Credit Balance at 30 November
**TEMPORARY ACCOUNT**
Credit Balance at 30 November|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
42,353
-
57,578
-
87,416
-
-
-|
|---|---|
_Notes_
> _1. The above funds were transferred to Elgin Parish Church of Scotland at the date of the Union. During the year to 30 November 2024 £20,000 was withdrawn from the Revenue account noted above._
23