The Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church of Scotland Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024 Congregation No: 342010 Scottish Charity No: SC015501
BaDff Parish Church of &otland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Reference and Administrative Information Charity Name: Charfty Number. congregatTh Ref No: Contact Address: Facebook: Barfff Parish Church (Church of Scotlandl SCOl5501 342010 Trustees Mernbers of Kirk Sesslon Office Bearers Interim Moderator Session Clerk Actinl Treasurer Independent Examlner: 8ankers- Virgin Money, 161 Mld Street, Kelth. A655 58L Bank of Scotland. 90 High St, Elgin, Moray. IV30 IBJ
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2024 The trustees have the pleasure of presentlng the annual report and flnanclal accounts for Banff Parlsh Church for the year ended 31 December 2024.fjhe financial statements comply with the General Assembly Regulatlons for Congregational Finance, the Charities and Trustee Investment Iscotlandl Art 2005, the Charities Accounts Ikotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended). Structure, Governance, and Management Banff Parish Church is a registered charity, number SC015501, and is administered in accordan with the terms of the Deed of Constltution Iunltary Fomil and is subjert to the Acts and Regulatlons of the General Assembly of ihe Church of Scotland. Members of the Klrk Sesslon are the charlty trustees. The Klrk Sesslon members are the actlve elders of the Church and a chosen from those members of the Churth who are considered to have the appropriate spirltual gifts and skSlls. following the teaching of the Bible. The minister, who is a member of the Kirk Se55ion, is elected by the con- gregatlon and Inducted by Presbytery. The charge belng currently vacant, an Interim Moderator has been appointed by Presbytery and Is a member of Klrk Session ex officio. The Kirk Session has overslght of the whole life and serviee of the Church within its Parish,. responsibillty forthe splr- Itual and temporal overslght of the Congregation's affairs. Its spiritual responsibility Involves"leadership, nurturing the splrltuallty of the eongregation and its members, Carin8 for the spirltual welfare of the parlsh and parlshloners, encouraglng members to participate in the worshlp and Ilfe of the congregatlon. and prornoting rnission and evan- gelism In the parish" (James L. Weatherhead: The Constltutlon and Laws of the Churth of Scotlandl. The Kirk Session embraces both the letter and the splrlt of the Unltary Constitution in operating a structure that en- ables it to carry out its work flexibly and efficiently. Decision-making is largely delegated to a number of sub-groups: Leadership Group: Finance Group: Property Committee; Outreach Team (which subsumes the Chlldren and Farnily Worker Group); Pastoral Care Team; Fundraising Groups Safe8uardln8 Team- Halls Team. These 8roups meet as necessary, and report to the Kirk Sesslon, whlch meets quarterly. Urgent matters arlsing b tween Session are brought before the Leadership Group. Objectlves and Activities The Church of Scotland is Trinitsrian in dortrlne. Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom throughout the W0d. As a national Church. it acknowl- edges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinan¢es of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry. It cooperates with other Churches in various ecumenScal bodie5 In Scotland and beyond.
Banff Partsh Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2024 Achievements and Performance The Presbytery Mission Plan made oonsiderable progress In 2024. wlth broad consensus being reached on the prin- ciple of Unlon wlth our Grouping partner churches in Macduff and Whitehills- LFnderp5nned by a range of shared events during Holy Week and Advent. In counterpolnt. on Sunday 25 February. we held a final joint service with our fomier partner charge at xlng Edward as Its Turriff Grouping progressed towards Union, as the new Strathdeveron congregatlon. In consequence of which the King Edward Church is now closed. Our Church ¢ontlnues its vision to be a hub of the communlty and a beacon of Ilght where all can 8atherfor friend- ship, service and splrftsjal supporL welcomlng people of all ages and from all Church backgrounds or none. To thls end, our ¢hur¢h is open to members and visitors alike. for regular Sunday worship, normally at 11-C(Jam, and monthly servlces of worship continue to benefit residents at the Doocot View very-sheltered housing complex In Banff. Special services and worship events are held, including the annual Memorial Servlce, Harvest Thanksgiving and Remembrance Sunday Iln Collaboration wlth the wider BACAC Group). On Sunday 17 March we were pleased to host the Boys, Brfgade Banffshire 8attalion annual parade, welcoming Companies from Buckle and Turriff, as well as our own 1st Banff Cornpany. We were dellghted to welcome Banff Primary School back to Church, for thelr Easter and Christmas Setvices. Our suite of Halls hosts a range of commLsnlty actlvities, includlng our own Frlendship Group. Busy Hands Group and Tots & Teas. Our annual Coffee Mornings, Soup-and-sweet lunch, Book Sale and Thrift Shop ¢ontinue to be well supported in the ommunlty. We partlclpated In thls year's Doors Open Day. and were delighted to welcome a good number of visltors, showin8 an Interest in the bullding's eccleslastical, as well as archltectural herotage. Financial Review The financlal position of Banff Parish Church remained under cle scrutlny throughout 2024 due tt) ongoing chal- lenges with income generation and hlgh operatlonal costs. Recelpts and pawnents: Total receipts for the year were £74,018. up almost £20k on last year. Increase prlmarily driven by Insurance re- ceipts and accumulated funds drawn down from centrally held Revenue account. General donatlons accounted for £44.881, a 9% Increase on prior year. Expenditure totalled £74.994. with the most Significant Costs relatlng to stafflng and the "Giving to Grovf contribu- tlon. This is a reductton frvm prror year of crrca £9k. the biggest savlng belng on Glvlng to Grow contrlbtstion. In ad- dltion. the Kirk Session and Presbytery aged to temporarlly suspend "Glvlng to Gro payments in December 2024, due to cash flow concerns. Vacant property rellef for the manse was for a limited time only and so results In a higher ¢ost in 2024.
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2024 Achievements and Performance (continued) Flnancial Review (continued) The net deficit for the year was £976. Nots. however that this was achleved by il transferrfng £13,954 from the Rev- enue account held on behalf of Banff Parlsh Church by the Church of Scotland Trustees, built up over several years, ii) receiving an Insurance payout of tSr¢a £2.5l as well as Ili) deferring circa £3k of Givlng to Grow payments. Fund&. A review of the church's funds identified opportunities to reclasslfy Internally deslgnated funds, tidy up balances on restricted funds which had been fully drawn down, and clarify the status of historic endowments. This pe$S was supported by Presbytery and the Church ofScotl•nd Law Depertment Irnd aims to Improve both transparency •nd future fund usability. Note that the presentadon of endowment funds has been amended In Ilne wlth best practlce. Reseryes Pollcy. It Is the pollcy of the Trustees to hold reserves sufficient to malntain core mlnlstry and mlsslon functions in the event of financlal disruptions. The Klrk Session has agreed that the ehurch should aim to maintaln unrestricted reserves equivalent to at least four months of operating expendlture, as this would be enough to capture any Invoicing in arrears and any final costs. Based on 2024's expendlture, this equates to approxlmately £29. OLN). including any known liabilities relatlng to prior year. As at 31 December 2024, unrestricted reserves IGenerdl Fund) stood at É36.273, whlch Is adequate to support exist- Ing Immedbate needs In what is a transltlonal period. There is also £1.793 held in revenue account by Church of Scotland Trustees which could be readily drawn down. There also exist varfous restricted and endowment funds. The Trustees are taking actlve steps to Improve the flnancial posltlon followlng a slgnlflcant deficlt In 2023 and a deficit in 2024 offset largely by use of accumulated funds from Revenue account held on behalf of the church by Church of Scotland Trustees, as well as suspension of Givlng to Grow payments in this period of vacancy. StafFing and buildings costs are being reviewed, wlth the sale of the manse and a union wlth Whitehills and Macduff Church grouping Is under discussion,
Banff Parish ChuTch of Scodand Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31 December 2024 Achievements and Performance (continued) Financlal Revlew (contlnued) St The Church of Scotland General trustees also hold funds on behalf of Banff Parlsh Church, whlch are Ilsted In the Appendlx. These fund5 may be made avallable to the Congregatlon on appltallon to the 6eneral Trustees. As at 315t Decernber 24 Capitsl funds held on behalf of the congregation were £78,306 Imarket value £1,3221. Revenue funds were £1.793. The Investment oblectlves of the Trustees are to rnalntaln the value of the fvnds Invested to at least match the Infla- tlon rate applylng, while also giving a reasonable return on capltsl. The Trustees belleve the objectlve has been achleved gNen the long-term growth In Investment values, while al the same tlme aChVing income greatsr than that available through short term cash deposits. All prnperties are owned by Church of Scotland General Trustees for the use of the Congregatlon, namelv: Banff Durlng 2024, the Klrk Sesslon undertook a comprehenslve reeW of all congregatlonal funds to ensure accurate lassification in line with charity re8ulatlons. This included assessing the original terms of legacy and endowment funds, and the internal designation of certain reserves. Where necessary, support has been sought frorn the Church of otland Law Departrnentand Oscft to reorganise funds that no longer se thelr orlglnal purpose. The 2024 accounts reflect the most accurate tla5$1fi¢ations avall ble at the time of preparatlon, and further adjustrnents may follow In 2025 as the pro¢ess ¢oncludes. The Trustees are deeply grateful for the generoslty and commitment of members, volunteers, and dcnors through- out this challenging year.
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2024 Statement of Trustees, responsibillties The nwrnbers of the Klrk Sesslon must prepare financial statements whlch glve sufflclent detall In order to enable a sufficient appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The rnembers of the Kirk Session are responslble for keeplng proper accountlng records whlch, on request, must reflect the flnanclal positlon of the Church at that time. This must be done to ensure that the financial ststements comply with the Charities and Trus- tee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005. the Charities kcounts Iscotlandl Regulations 2006. and the Regulations Anent Congregational Flnance approved by the Gen•ral Assemblyof the Church of S¢otland In 27. Thèy are also respon- sible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and musttske aSonable steps for the prevention and/or detection of fraud or other regularle$. Approved by the Trustees and slgned on thelr behalf. Session Clerk Date: 31$* I 02,-
Banff Pazi8h ChwckA of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31" December 2024 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) I reporton the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December2024 whtch are set on pages 9 to 16 Respective Ye5ponsibllltles of trustees and examlner The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan wlth the Charities and Trus- tee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charlties Accounts (Scotland) Regulatsons 2006. The charitytrustees consider that the audit requlrements of Regufation Icrfl) Idl of the Accounts Regulallons do not apply. It is my responsibility under section 441111 c) of theAct and to 5tste whether PaMcular matter5 have come to my attentlon. Basls of IndependEnt Examinerfs statement My ey2mination is cartied out in accordan with Regulation 11 of the Charities Acwunts {Scotlandl fteg¢Jlations 2(K)6. An emInation indudes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of tle ac- counts presented wtih those retords. It a150 Includes consmleration of any unusual Items or disclosures in the ac~ counts and seek5 explanations from the trustees conming any such matter& The procedures undertaken do not provide all the ewdence that would be requiied in an audit and consequentty I do not express an audrt opinion on the view 8rwen by the Kcounts. In the course of my examlnation. no matter has come to my attention Which g¥¥es me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the reqUireTrnt5: To keep accountin8 records in accordance viith Sertion 44(11 {al of the 25 Act aThJ Regulatlons 4 of the 21x16 Attounts Re8ulations, and To prepare Accounts which accord with the accountlng records and comply Regulation 9 of t 2LIJ6 Acco Regulations have not been met, or To which. in my oplnlon, attention should be dravm in order to enable a proper understsndlrE of the Ar-
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2024 Receipts and Payments Account Unrn$tri¢d R•8irtet•d Endowm•nl Fund• Fund• Fund• T¢il TJtyi 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Note DonatK>n$ Legaaes Act$ for G•n•rdtin9 Fund8 Bank and deposit interest Inv¢8tnnt incomè 44,881 500 44.881 500 41,225 1,575 5,356 85 5.421 73 5.421 73 32 27 1,341 1.341 1.400 52,275 3,353 13,954 2,671 1,765 74.018 1.207 49.448 3.169 50,907 3,353 13,954 2.671 1,765 72.650 27 Rentsl of p•Se9 Inwff¢ FromTN••$ oth8r rocelpts Vddmgs and Funera 1.480 54,097 27 Cost of generats.ng fullds Charftabk• 8¢tNtho8 Govomaft¢o #oNtl 122 122 145 74,268 604 74,872 83.853 74.390 804 74,994 83,998 Exc•ss of recéipts OV•f paymbnts for th• yo•r. bafor• trnnsl•ts 0,740) 37.974 31.234 (577) 8.633 137.2101 1.341 1.3411 761 Q9.9011 Tran8le x¢•88 ol r•¢•1 ¢)v•r m•n 9761 29,9011 Note: Other receipts conslst mainly of insurance receipts in respert of storm damage.
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31 St December 2024 Statement of Balances Unl••trlctod lIrI¢d End0•M Funds Fund¥ Funds Toill Tol1 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 rtandth lanc Bank and deposlt baLanS bff (4,400) 40,006 4,407 40,013 89,200 Mewmènt In yoar. Ex¢•66 of rIlpt6 Qwr paynvJnt¢ for wjar Movemoni In amunts hald furThlrd Part$ Bank and d8postt bances rJf 37,e48 P8.8241 19831 399 (9781 19831 38,054 P9 901) 714 33,248 4.407 40,013 Mat•rt•l ow•da¥ •131.12.24 Gmno to Gnw ContrtJulKJn to Church ol Scotrand Man60 Councl T4X -offoty pYop•rty adjv8tmnt Energy bll for 2023. pald 2025 ArNJunt$ ¢oll&ctod for Thhd Partles 8tIH lo be pa Alal•rf•l•mounf duo •* •tJi.12.24 3.IS3 608 3.1S3 508 2,181 823 823 530 530 5,014 1,513 3,694 4.484 530 Note I: Glvlnq to Grown Contrlbution was suspended by Presbytery in December 2024. Note 2: Energy bill was a final invoice from prevK)us suppller, whlch was mlssed and was pald In 2025. The atcounts were approved by the Kirk Ses$n on 31 July 2025 Forand on behallof the Kirksegsian io
Banff Parish Cburcb of Scotland Banff Parlsh Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2024 Notes to the Accounts: 1. Trustee Remunerallon artd Related Party TransacUon& Durlng theyear ho Is a member of ihe Klrk Sesslon recelved £3,099.36 Inei of PAYE tax) for provldln8 hls setvice5 as Church Organist. ho is a member of the Klrk Session recelved an hon rarium of £ICQ for acting a5 Free Wlll Offerlng Convenor. Except as stated above, no trustee or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest In any contract or transaclion entered into bythe charity during the year. 2. Movement In Funds. J•nth•ry 2024 U•Mmb•r P•ymoth• Inv••trn•Thts 2024 R•G•Ip Dasunold F4brfc Fuhd L•gA¢$ Fund G8nornl Fun P,748 12.952 18.625 9.914 350 3.313 13.452 15.070 55.525 B4A78 37.824 37.974 Si.8XB ft•$trl¢tsO Furl Manse FuAd Fh)rFund Guthj Fun OrganN)paalFuTrJ Or8an&ChoirFund Speclai nwpD3e5Fund ChllL#ienandFaNilyWorker Fd PastoralWoikEr Fund Sp¢clai FojectsFunO Grant AppllcaiiofjFund ChalrsFur Church BldInR&fbF11d RevDrBruce Fund CoalFund lohThW&ii Be(we5t Maigarei Aobertson'sEx&utry Cruik5hank&Watl Le¢Y ¢ttlvasBequest Evelyn Shieltl Ne[ris{Fntr nllayclub 521 388 43 952 27 70 489 222 1.Z85 12,OB1 S.8T61 25,090 625 27 35S 11,2351 5.676 Pb.590} 4.963 {4.8631 2.118 645 395 613 38 2,154 513 22 217 694 217 733
Banff Parish Chur¢h of Scotland Banff Parlsh Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2024 Notes to Accounts 2. Movemwt In Funds Icondnued}: At31s1 Gan(losslon Decembgr Insknents 2024 At ISIrAry 2024 Rec9 PasThgrts Trnnsl•rs Endvrnert Funds Incom• Fund•: Floweffiund 857 01 14061 (201 (27) 1221 81 938 Fabric Fund 26,457 309 2,495 29 110 28,952 338 1.276 3.464 Churth of 8Golnd Gulkl Organ and Choir Tnjst Funds Growth Funds: General Fund Fobiic Fvnd 20 1.16fj 3.166 27 22 2.872 7.40g e90 Iisoi 16131 1381 (Tl 1391 11.3411 26 2.898 7,477 697 613 28 68 Goal Funds GUI) group Sunday School 3fj2 365 712 39 1,341 719 44.000 47.12A 74017 74 Pupose of Re5tr1rted Funds." Guild Fund.. Income recewed from Investments held by the Church of Scotland General Trustees Organ Appeal Fund: The Trustee5 have raised funds for future repairs to the organ. Organ & Cholr Fund.. Income received frorn investments held by the Church of Scotland General TnJst•es GrantAppllcation Fund.. The Trustees received a donation for external costs incurred In a55embling applications for capital grants. Income from th und and the Chlvas Bequest is to be used for the purchase of bibles. Income from ds are to be used to provide coal for the poor of Banff Income from pquest Is for the use of the Mlnlster Income fro xecutry and is forthe general use of the Church Income from the emorlal fund is to be used for the young people of the Church Income from the Sunday Club Fund is to be used for the Sunday School All othertunds shown as restriited have been closed as part of a revlew by Presbytery. PuYpos• ) Endowment FundL' These are self evident from the titles, or from descrlptlon of equivalent restricted fund. held on the Church's behalf by the chUh of Scotland, th interest belng recewed then transferred to the equlvalent restrirted or unrestricted fund. 12
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2024 Notes to Accounts 3. Analys1$ ol Recelpts Unr••trl¢t•d R•strlcknd Endowm•nt Funds Fund• Funds Totsi Totsl 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 1. An•ly¥l• of Oon•llon8 Non GWI Ald dona¢t•n 0) Gfft AMJ [k*natn$ Tax RècoverBd on Grfi don8tk)n8 OrdiThary Offerings (open pkit81 Other offering5, donatw)n5 4,240 25,186 7.728 4,280 3.447 44.881 5,151 25.129 6,330 3,139 1.476 41,225 25,186 7,728 4,280 3,447 44,881 13
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2024 Notes to Accounts Unre- strlcted Funds Endow. mgnt Fund8 Restrlctsd Funds 4. AnYS of Payments Total 2024 Total 2024 2024 2024 2023 Cost ofswernting WFO & Gift Envelopes 122 122 145 122 145 Charftable Actlvltles Giwng lo Grow Allocati Presby18ry Dues Ministerfs Expenses Manse Counal Tax Other Manse clists Pulpit Supply Staffing Costs Fabric Repairs & MaintenanL%, {ino prof fees) H8at and light InsuranGe Organ & MU¢ linG payment to organists) Tete, Printing, Stationery & Postsge Honoraria IT EqUipMt Cost of Mission, Lic•nces and Other Expenses 14.793 14,793 1,684 425 32,136 502 425 4,082 310 3,115 31,484 2,012 2,684 5,299 215 2,9 1r 4,731 24,776 5,172 7.920 5.282 4,731 24,776 5,172 7.920 5.282 2,880 1C(J 579 579 Gov•mance costs Independont Examiners Fee Total 74,39J 74.994 83,998 14
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 318t December 2023 Notes to Accounts 5. Mlnlsterf Stlpend All Church of Scotland congregatlons contribute to the National Stipend Fund which bears the ¢osts of all minlsters, stlpend5 and employees contributlons for national insurance, pension and housing and loan fund. Mlnisters, sti- pends are paid in accordance wlth the national stipend scale. whlch Is related to years of servlce. For the year under review the mlnimum stlpend was £31,642 and the maxlmum stlpend lin the fifth and subsequent years) £38,884. 6. Fabrk Spend Routine maintenance and repair5 expendrture is drawn from Fabr1¢ Fund. MaJor repalr or Improvement pro- grarnmes are likely to be funded frorn a mlx of grants, funds drdwn down from monles held on the Church's behalf by the General Trustees, and fundralsing artivltles. & Collecdons for Thlrd Partles Collectlon• For Thlrd Parti 2024 2023 Earl Haig Fund Children's Hospices auoss S¢ottand (CHASI DEC Earthquake Raised in year 238 241 132 341 238 714 Funds are generally remitted to charltle5 in the following year- however, in 2024 £1.221 was paid out -£582 from 2023 and £639 from earlier years. 15
Banff Parish Church of Scotland Banff Parish Church (Church of Scotland) Trustees Annual Report for Year Ended 31st December 2024 APPENDIX FUNDS HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CONGREGATION BY THE CHURCH OF SCOTALND GENERAI TRUSTEES CONSOLIDATED FABRIC FUND 2024 2023 CAPITAL ACCOUNT Credit balances held at 31 December at cost 78 3C6 78 308 Market value of balances at 31 December 10J 322 97 038 REVENUE ACCOUNT Balance at 31 December 1793 11338 16