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2024-12-31-accounts

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Scottish Charity Number SC016650

Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2024

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Contents of the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2024

Index

Pages
Report of the Trustees 1 – 17
Report of the Auditors 18 – 20
Statement of Financial Activities 21
Balance Sheet 22
Cash Flow Statement 23
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 24
Notes to the Financial Statements 25 – 42

The Bishops. Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Tnist Reporl of Ihe Tru51ee5 For the year ended 31 DeCe￿ber 2024 The trustees presenttheir report with the firwLaal statements ofthe cFLarity forthe yearended 31 December ?0? The trustees have adopted tho provisions ofAccountin8 and R￿ortin8 by Charities.. Statement ot Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparin8 their accounts in accordance with the Fxnancial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (eitective l Januw 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVtllES Objeclives and aims CNET wa5 tounded xn 1968 as the trust body supportin8 the work (rf the BKshop5' Conterence of Scotland. The Tnlstees are the Roman Catholic Bishops ot Scotland who are appointed in accordance with the provisions ot the Code ofCanonLaw. The objectives Ot the Trust are to promote, e5tab]isM develop. expand. corLtribute to, SUPPOrt and xnaintain £a(i]ities, pryects, schemes and institutions of all kinds havin8 a rel1￿0￿s, educational or charitable purpose a5 understood by and itL keepin8 with the aims and objective5 Ot the Roman Catholic ChurdL There are several separate tund5 WithitL the Trust. whidL come under the juri5(li(tion and 0￿￿erShiP ol The Bishops. Conterence ot Scotland. Restrncturing of the Bi$hops' Conference of Scotland and Episcopal Responsibilities At the plenary ￿eetin8 oi BCOS at the Royal Scots College in Salamanca, Spaxn, &ptell￿er 4024 the Bishops o& Scotland to a reStr￿ctUring of the o£tices and a8encies 0£ the BishoF Conferenie. The followin8 ihan8es We￿ made.. The Vision of BCOS: F￿th seeking understandxng in the light of the Joy of the GosFeL The Mission of BCOS: Walkin8 tO8ether in faith. with the lay people. der8y and reli8iOUS Ot Scotland, we embrace and share the Joy of the Go5￿[ and the vxsion of the Catho]ic Church. There are 6 areas of Jnission aclivLly: 11 Proclaimin8 the Good News ot Jesus Christ ?) Promotin8 resFeCt and care forhunian Ixte 3) Supporting lay vocations 41 Orderin8 Sacred Litur8y and Worship 51 For￿1￿ tor Ministsy 6) Nurturins Catholic Heritase and Culture. 11 PrOc1￿mIng the Good New5 of ]e8lls Chri81 Evan￿liSation and Missio Synodality Committee. Episcopal Responsibility.. Ecumenism and Interreligiou5 Dialo811e. Joint comm￿S1on for Doctrine, Scottisli Churches Forutn Epk5copoI Re5pon5ibilit!". Cox]urrittee for Interre]i8iOUg Diaioyie. Episcopal Responsibility EducatioKL Scottish CathoIic Education So￿1c@. SPRED. Teacher Education and DevelopttTrent. Episcopal ReSPOn5￿Illty'. Public Aftairs. Scottish Catholic Media OEtice. Episcopal ResponsLI)ility': Catholic Parliatnentary Oi'l ii-P. Scottish Churthes Committee Mi55io ScotLand Page I

The Bishops. Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Tnist Report of the Trustees Icont'dl For the year ended 31 December 2024 Objectives and Activities Icont'd) 21 Pronioting respect and care for hllfflan life Care tor Creation Office Lite Issues Day for ti£e, Be8intLin8 of Life 15sue5. End ot Life Care. Bishops. Joint Bioethkcs Committee E￿COPal Rwonsibility.. Justice and Peace Justice and Peace Scotland. hligrants anil Retiigees Episcopal Re5ponsibility'. Pastoral and Sooal Care Scottish Catholic Safe8uarding Standard5 Agency. Safesuarding &andard5 (ttL God's Imasel Prison Chaplaincy Hospital Chaplaincy, Wotlil Da}? tor tliè Poor, SVP STELLA MARIS IApostleshiFI ot the Seal 31 Supporting lay vocations Con5e(Yated life. Joint Commi55ion of Bi5hop5 and Reli8iOUs xn Scotland Episcopal Reswibility.. Marriage and Family Ottice Lay Faithtul Adult Catedle￿S, Catholic Youth Service, CathoIic Assoaations, New Movements Episcopal Re5ponsibilit!'. Scottish Catholic Tribunal Ottice Episcopal Responsibility". 41 Ordering Sacred litllrgy and Worship LitU￿V Cornmi55iory CoM￿lttee tor Liturgical Music titurgical Calendar, National Pilgrimage, Devoti0X￿ Practices and Initiatives Episcopal Resp)nsibiiity'. 51 Forniing for Mxnistry Priesthood and Pernianent Diaconate Seminaries, Priests tor ScotlanLI, COMI￿Ssion tor Pernianent Diaconate Onsoing Fonnation for Minxstry Ep35copal Resp¢)nsibiiity: 61 Nurhllyng Catholic HerAtage and Cthture Heritage and Culture Heritage Commtssion, Scottish Catho]ic Heritage Collections Trns¢ Scottish Catholic Museu Mana8ement Committee &"ottish Catholic Archives Archives Mana8etfLent. Preservation and Storage, Data Protection Episcopal ReS￿n￿blIity'. Page 2

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

The Conference looks forward to transferring and consolidating its offices and agencies in 2026 according to the revised structures as it relocates to a new office Glasgow.

Charitable activities

It was noted in the 2021 Accounts that a possible new office location had been identified in the East End of Glasgow. However, another property to buy has now been identified in Glasgow, the Martyrs’ School building and it is anticipated that the sale will be completed by the end of 2025. Work is ongoing to ensure that the interior of the property is appropriately designed to our requirements, particularly for the Archive and the SCHCT museum.

As previously noted, the intention is to relocate all of the Commissions (aside from the Tribunal for the time being), the Archive & also the museum of the Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust, formerly based in Blairs, Aberdeen.

Much of the work of the Commissions/Agencies is ongoing however some specific activities and events within 2024 are worth highlighting.

Justice & Peace

Highlights of 2024

Justice & Peace Scotland continued to flourish in 2024 through a variety of initiatives and activities. The recruitment of a Campaigns and Communications Coordinator in May meant that we returned to a full staff team. Both team members worked independently on agreed remit areas and in partnership on larger-scale projects and advocacy actions to significantly raise the profile of Justice & Peace Scotland in 2024 through hosting engaging events, visiting parishes and schools, growing our online presence, participating in a broad range of campaigns, and joining in collaborative working with other agencies.

Peace and Non-Violence

In April we hosted “Hope For Peace for Gaza: A Conversation With ” to mark the visit of the parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza to Scotland. Around 200 guests attended a talk and Q&A in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall followed by mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral concelebrated by Archbishop Nolan alongside Bishop Toal, Bishop Dougan, and a number of clergy. The events were also attended by religious and ecumenical representatives from around the country.

J&P Scotland led on the coordination of an Ecumenical Christian Peace Witness Vigil at Faslane Naval Base in August. Readings, prayer and reflection were led by , the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the Scottish Episcopal Bishop of Brechin. The Vigil was attended by over forty supporters from across Scotland.

Care For Creation and Climate Justice

In collaboration with the Care of Creation Office and SCIAF, we facilitated the first Season of Creation Conference in St Margaret’s, Stirling, in September. The all-day event provided an opportunity for agencies to showcase how they put Care of Creation work and Laudato Si principles into practice and encourage attendees to begin to plan how they can do similar in their dioceses and parishes. The Conference was attended by representatives from all eight Scottish dioceses.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities (cont’d)

– Justice and Peace (continued)

At the beginning of November, we hosted a COP29 Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral, again in partnership with the Care of Creation Office and SCIAF. The mass was attended by supporters from across the country and around sixty school pupils. In addition, J&PS coordinated press and social media updates for the Bishops’ statement on Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation and a Just Transition, released to mark COP29, which resulted in significant coverage across national media.

Social Justice and Poverty

Our Fair Work in Social Care Campaign in collaboration with the Church of Scotland continued and in September representatives from both organisations met with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to advocate for fair work and fair pay in the social care sector.

As members of the Poverty Alliance, we identified their campaign to introduce a Minimum Income Guarantee in Scotland as an initiative to promote among J&P Scotland supporters in 2024, however we have since learned that the journey towards a MIG is a “long game” endeavour and that the Poverty Alliance will advise member organisations when the time is right for public engagement and advocacy.

Refugees, Migration, and People Seeking Asylum

Throughout the year we resolutely campaigned alongside fellow members of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees (SFAR) in support of the Scottish Government’s plans to extend the concessionary bus travel scheme to include people seeking asylum. A particular highlight in this regard was in December when we co-authored a parliamentary briefing alongside the Church of Scotland which called on MSPs not to pit vulnerable groups against one another for political gain and sought to remind them in the approach to Christmas that the Holy Family were once refugees. The briefing was directly quoted by seven MSPs during a debate on the topic and the accompanying press release received national media coverage.

Catholic Social Teaching

J&PS visited fourteen schools across five dioceses to host workshops and assemblies on justice and peace issues, Laudato Si Schools Scotland, and Catholic Social Teaching. We continued working with two parishes in the Diocese of Motherwell on the pilot and development of our Justice & Peace Scotland Caritas Parish Project which aims to train volunteers to work alongside Caritas students to facilitate a series of in-parish activities on a given justice and peace issue, following a Learn – Pray – Act model, providing a means for the young people to meaningfully fulfil the “parish hours” element of their Caritas Award.

An unplanned development was our involvement in co-designing and co-facilitating the Caritas Formation Programme, a new joint initiative of J&P Scotland, the Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue, Pax Christi Scotland, and the Xaverians. The CFP is a two-day residential conference for schools at Conforti House, aimed at their Caritas Award cohort, and includes workshops on leadership, Catholic Social Teaching, and opportunities to engage with the activities of the host organisations and their role in the mission of the Church. We launched the CFP over two consecutive weeks in September with two schools attending each pilot and approximately eighty pupils engaged overall.

In October we developed a three-part CST Parish Workshop Series on the following topics: “Human Dignity as the Foundation of CST”, “Striving for the Common Good and the Principles of CST” and “See - Judge - Act: Responding to Injustices as a Follower of Christ.” The series aims to engage parishes with J&P Scotland by

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities (cont’d)

Justice and Peace – (continued)

exploring CST in depth. A successful pilot took place in St Anthony’s and St Mark’s in Rutherglen where an average of fifteen attendees joined each input, notably the majority of audience members came along consistently for workshops one, two, and three.

Communications and Branding

We sought to increase public engagement with J&PS by improving and modernising our online presence and our website. To achieve this, we worked with branding company Algiz to create a new logo and brand kit for use on digital platforms and print media. Additionally, we have endeavoured to post online content more consistently, resulting in a 63.2% percent increase in audience reach across social media and a 23.1% increase in online followers. Although we hoped to have a new website ready to launch by the end of 2024, this work is ongoing as the brand development took a considerable amount of time between the summer and the end of the year. We did launch a new quarterly newsletter, however, which gives updates to the J&P Scotland network on our work and how they can get involved as well as providing opportunities for partner agencies and supporters to contribute blogs and reflections on justice and peace issues.

Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES)

In 2024 SCES continued their work with the guidance of Archbishop Nolan, Bishop President for Education. SCES continued working to the agreed Strategic Plan. This governs the work undertaken by the SCES staff. All matters relating to the current and proposed workstreams of SCES are discussed, and when appropriate, ratified by the Executive Board. In addition, the Director of SCES prepares and presents a formal report to the Bishops’ Conference on a regular basis. We believe that the formal processes in place have ensured that SCES continues to serve the BCOS in a manner which reflects their high expectations and ensures that all Bishops are able to shape the work of SCES.

Since August, SCES staffing has been reduced to 1.6 FTE members of staff, as the Education Adviser moved to a new post. SCES has managed to ensure that all major commitments have been met in this period, however, some standing working groups have not been convened as there has been reduced capacity. SCES staff continue to follow the guidance from the General Secretary in regard to flexible working, with staff working collaboratively with the Director of SCES to agree working time agreements and patterns of home working.

We believe that the scope and reach of the work of SCES is of benefit to the Catholic Education community, to the associated Catholic agencies that we work in partnership with and to wider Scottish Education.

The work of this agency, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, is of public benefit as it demonstrates the Church’s contribution to the common good of the Scottish education system.

SCES continues to be a strong voice for Catholic schools, Catholic parents and Catholic teachers. Through the purposeful partnerships with Scottish Government, Her Majesty’s Inspectors and Education Scotland, we believe we are best placed to ensure that the views and interests of the Catholic Church in Scotland is heard on educational matters. The inclusion of SCES in many national working groups is a testimony to the high regard with which this agency is held.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities (cont’d)

SCES - continued

SCES has formal structures in place with the Catholic Head Teacher Associations of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, the National RE Advisers and the Catholic Education Services in England, Wales and Ireland. Through these structures SCES is able to react to concerns, meet the needs of our Catholic community and work in collaboration with other key stakeholders of Catholic Education. In addition, SCES is a member of the European Committee for Catholic Education (CEEC) and the Global Committee for Catholic Education (OIEC).

The main workstreams for SCES during 2024 have been:

  1. Implementation of SCES priorities and action plan

  2. Convening of National Catholic Education Forum

  3. Continuation of Laudato Si Schools Scotland/Laudato Si Action Platform

  4. Engagement with Scottish Government and Local Authorities

  5. International collaboration

  6. Introduction of 9 working groups focussing on curriculum development, using a synodal approach to these work streams

  7. Introduction of new approach to school evaluation

Summary:

With the guidance of the Chair of the SCES Executive Board, an iterative and dynamic approach to setting and meeting priorities has been established. The Board are instrumental in ensuring that the priorities reflect the needs of the Catholic Education Community, and that SCES have the capacity to achieve these priorities.

Scottish Catholic Archives

There follows an overview of our work during 2024 –

1. Enquiries

We receive enquires from a number of areas –

2. NALCC (Networking Archives and Libraries in the Catholic Church)

There will hopefully be a future meeting in 2025 as these have been postponed since the pandemic. The partners do require support since there has been an IT systems update, and where appropriate we have been revised catalogues that we hold.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE - Charitable activities (cont’d)

Scottish Catholic Archives – continued

3. Access to the Collection

Researchers can access the collection via the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh in their search room.

4. University of Aberdeen – Historical Collection Survey

There has been a survey carried out over four areas –

The survey took place in May/June 2024 and a due diligence visit was made on 3rd June to establish how the survey was progressing.

5. Accessions 2024 –

We acquired a number of new materials during the year, for example –

6. Cataloguing

Whilst the collection is in storage work has concentrated on cataloguing priorities.

Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue

Alongside the Xaverian Community in Scotland the Commission joined with other Catholic organisations to deliver a formation programme at the Conforti Institute, that supports students in their Caritas year. Following on from this course between October and November our staff along with a representative from the Shia Muslim community in Scotland visited schools to deliver a workshop on the links between our communities and to focus on the Human Fraternity Document and how they can use it as a foundation for interreligious dialogue and activity in their school community.

We hosted a conference on ‘Human Fraternity’ at the University of Glasgow which focused on Islamic education and interfaith dialogue.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE - Charitable activities (cont’d)

Catholic Parliamentary Office (CPO)

2024 Highlights

The Director attended regular meetings of the Care Not Killing (CNK) Steering Group to coordinate a response to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament and the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the UK Parliament. The response included meetings with MSPs and MPs and helping to organise events. The Director also worked closely with the Marriage, Family and Life Commission to inform Catholic parishes and the laity and encourage engagement with parliamentarians on both Bills.

The Director worked closely with Being Catholic TV who produced ‘Do No Harm’, a documentary outlining the dangers of legalising assisted suicide and which featured, among others,

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE - Charitable activities (cont’d)

Catholic Parliamentary Office (CPO) - continued

Scottish Catholic Media Office (SCMO)

The Catholic Media Office has closed pending re-organisation and strategic planning. The former site of the Media Office (Glasgow) has been sold. has initiated a working group to set-up a new social media and communication office.

Care of Creation Office (COC)

Liturgy Commission

A new lectionary came into use in Catholic parishes in Scotland from Advent 2024, the beginning of the Holy Year. noted that “The Scottish bishops, in collaboration with the bishops of England and Wales, have chosen the English Standard Version Catholic Edition (ESVCE) to ensure ‘the treasures of the Bible can be opened up more lavishly for the faithful at the table of God’s word’”. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 51).

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd)

For the year ended 31 December 2024

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE - Charitable activities (cont’d)

Marriage, Family and Life Office

The Commission is developing a national Marriage Preparation Course, including support for newly married couples as they start a family. This follows the guidance of Pope Francis’ document “Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life” which encourages couples to undergo marriage preparation over a period of at least six months, ahead of a lifetime of marriage.

Our quarterly newsletter and more information can be found at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

In 2024, the income of the trust from all sources was £1,578,541. The main sources are levies on dioceses authorised by the Bishops and parish collections agreed by the Bishops, providing financial support to Commissions and Agencies of the Bishops’ Conference. Money is collected by each diocese and forwarded to CNET along with the levies.

Parish collections authorised by the Bishops for the purposes of the Commissions and Agencies which are received by the Bishops’ Conference are:

Other income is mainly derived from donations for materials provided by Commissions (e.g., magazines/posters/conferences etc).

The levies requested are based on the budgeted expenditure for each Commission/Agency in the forthcoming year.

Our property in Edinburgh (Columba House) that housed our Archives had become unfit for purpose and alternative arrangements had been investigated for several years. As noted in this year’s report we are in the process of purchasing a building in Glasgow suitable for not only all of the Bishops’ Conference’s Commissions and Agencies but also the Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust which includes a museum. Hence, we sold the property during 2023 and moved out in October. The contents have been moved to a site in Addiewell.

During 2024 we sold the office space in central Glasgow which was the former location of our Media Office. The property was sold for £115,000 and this resulted in a gain of £106,000.

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The Bishops. Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Tnist Reporl of Ihe Truslees Iconl'dl For the year ended 31 DeCe￿ber 2024 FINANCIAL REVIEW- Financial position Iconyd) The following shows a breakdown of actual expenditure for eath coll￿￿5510￿1AgenCy. Commission/Agency Expenditure 7Y. 18% 2% 6% io% L Ily. l3% 21% Bishops, Conference 18% Daylor Life 2% Archive5 6% General Secretariat Il% HeritagelCCDu/cYs/Litur8yI5Dc Care/Marriage 3% i SCES 21 Cornrnunications 10% Tribunal 8% J&P 5% Parliamentary Office 7% PFS 3% Pefmanent Diaconate 3% . Sapin/Rome 3% The tollowiThg show5 a breakdown of athial expendi￿re by cost category. Expenditure by Cost Category otfice Exp5 & Telephone 1% ther 6% Conf & Meetings 7% i.r. 4% Donations 7% -salary 50Yo Maintce 1% Professional 10% Trovel 2% Prop & Utility 8% Salary 50% Prop & Utility 8 Travel 2% Printing & P05tase 4% Profe55ional 10% Maintce 1% Donations 7% l.T. 4% Conf & Meetings 7% Office Exps & Telephone 1% w Other 6% Pdge 11

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW (cont’d)

Financial position (cont’d)

As in previous years, the donations primarily relate to payments to other organisations such as Pontifical Scots College, Rome and other appropriate donations are made from the ‘Day for Life’ fund.

Several lay professional persons are employed within the Commissions to provide expertise in appropriate areas hence salary costs are the major category of expenditure incurred.

Principal funding sources

CNET is dependent upon diocesan levies for its income, which are agreed annually by the Bishops (and reviewed by the members of the Episcopal Finance Committee).

Investment policy and objectives

The charity holds funds on deposit at the bank and in investments. The trustees seek to maintain an ethical investment policy through a process of making judgments about the products, services and corporate practices as well as their financial efficacy. A new ethical policy document was approved this year.

Reserves policy

The charity has significant free unrestricted reserves. This level is continually reviewed to ensure that there are adequate free reserves to meet continuing charitable commitments and operational activities. It is also felt that this level enables us to deal with any major contingency that might arise. In addition, Restricted Reserves are held for various projects, see note 19.

The charity has both unrestricted and restricted reserves and the Trustees review budgets and management accounts on a regular basis to monitor the activity of the charity and the utilisation of incoming resources. On this basis the Trustees consider the charity to be a going concern and financial statements are accordingly prepared on the going concern basis. There are no known, material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Going concern

The trustees are in agreement that they have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no known material uncertainties, and it is therefore appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Risk Assessment

The Trustees assess the risks to which the charity is exposed, particularly those relating to organisational structure, operational areas and finances, by identifying and ranking risks in terms of their potential impact and likelihood. The Trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, ensuring that controls exist over finance systems and examining the organisational structure and operational areas of the charity they are developing appropriate strategies, and are establishing effective systems to mitigate these risks.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

FUTURE PLANS

Justice & Peace

This year we aim to build on the success of 2024 by upscaling much of the initiatives of the previous twelve months. August marks the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki so we therefore plan to significantly increase attendance at 2025’s Ecumenical Christian Peace Witness Vigil at Faslane through joint promotions and potentially hosting a “lead in” event in conjunction with the Church of Scotland. After positive feedback from schools who participated in the Caritas Formation Programme, an increase in available dates for 2025 has been confirmed at Conforti House and the Programme will be offered nationally to schools over five separate weeks in June, August and September. The J&PS Caritas Parish Project for this year’s students will end in Feb 2025 and feedback meetings will be held with participating parishes to plan the next steps in its’ development, and the CST Parish Workshop Series will be advertised nationally. The ten-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si occurs in May, and we intend to celebrate with an event hosted by ourselves, the Care of Creation Office and SCIAF to build on the success of this year’s collaborations. Finally, we will continue to develop communications and engagement by launching a new website and utilising a new mailing list provider.

Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES)

Focus for 2025

Achieving SCES strategic priorities and action plan (including)

Scottish Catholic Archives

2025 Future Plans

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

FUTURE PLANS (cont’d)

Catholic Parliamentary Office (CPO)

2025 Future Events

Catholic Media Office

A new office of social media and communications will be set-up later this year.

Royal Scots College, Spain

The Rector has indicated that it is open to extending the financial support given by the College to related aspects of the BCoS work, particularly the formation of seminarians and the care of the Church’s Archives.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

The charity is an unincorporated association constituted by the Statutes of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, approved on 29th November 2003 at the Congregation for Bishops in Rome, in accordance with the Motu Proprio Apostolos Suos of Pope John Paul II, 21st May 1998 and the Observations of the Congregation for Bishops, 21st September 2002, and governed by the provisions of the Code of Canon Law (1983). In order to support their charitable aims when working together the Roman Catholic Archbishops and Bishops of Scotland, known since 1986 as the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, established a declaration of Trust as from 4th April 1968, under the title of the Catholic National Endowment Trust (CNET). The Bishops' Conference of Scotland (CNET) is a recognised Scottish charity and as such is not subject to UK income tax.

Trustees and decision making

The trustees of the charity are the Diocesan Bishops of Scotland.

Organisational structure

The Trust is administered by the General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference who is appointed by the Trustees.

To ensure that there is close financial scrutiny of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland’s Accounts the Finance Officer provides regular updates to the Bishops at their meetings and also to the Diocesan Finance Officers at their Episcopal Finance Committee meetings. The Bishops’ Conference budget, which specifies the income to be received from the Dioceses to meet the anticipated expenditure for the coming year, is agreed by the Bishops’ at their end of year meeting. However, prior to this the Episcopal Finance Committee review in detail the budget and raise any issues before making recommendations to the Bishops and seeking their approval. There are regular monthly reports distributed to each Commission which details their expenditure to ensure that they remain within their budgeted expenditure.

Induction and training of new trustees

In order to properly discharge their duties, Trustees are provided with an induction which details the structure and objectives of the Trust and sets out what their responsibilities are as Bishops in the Roman Catholic Church. There is also an induction course given by the Holy See in Rome. Additional training is provided wherever necessary and there are six meetings of the Bishops' Conference per year with further meetings of the Standing Committee of the Conference which consists of the President, Vice-President, Episcopal Secretary and the General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland. The Bishops are advised in the administration of the Trust by the Episcopal Finance Committee which is composed of both clerics and lay people who have a responsibility and expertise in the governance and financial management of the Church.

Key management remuneration

The key management personnel of the charity consist of the trustees and the General Secretary.

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The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Trustees (cont'd) For the year ended 31 December 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

SC016650

Principal address

General Secretariat Bishops' Conference of Scotland 64 Aitken Street Airdrie Lanarkshire ML6 6LT

Trustees

General Secretary

Independent auditors

Anderson Anderson & Brown Audit LLP Statutory Auditors Chartered Accountants 133 Finnieston Street Glasgow G3 8HB

Bankers

Bank of Scotland 40 South Bridge Street Airdrie ML6 6JA

Brokers

Brewin Dolphin Level 8 Cadworks 41 West Campbell Street Glasgow G2 6SE

Page 16

The Bishops. Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Tnist Reporl of Ihe Truslees Iconl'dl For the year ended 31 DeCe￿ber 2024 Statement of Tntstee8 Responsibilities The tmstees are responsible for preparin8 the Report of the Trustees and the finanoal statements In accordance with applicable law and Urllted Kinsdom Accountins Standards (United Kingdom Generally A£cepted Accountins Practice), includin8 Finanaal Re￿rtIng Standard 102 'The Fxnanoal Rewhns Standard appIicable in the UK and Republic ot Ireland" The law applK£able to charities in Scotland. the Charities and Trustee InveSt￿ent Iscotliindl Act 2005. Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Resulations ?O(kn and the wvisions of the charity's conststtLtion requires the trustees to prepare linanaal 5tatement5 tor each tinancial year whidi give a trne and Eair view ot the State ot attair5 Ot the charity and ofthe inc0￿J￿8 resources and application of resources, including the xncome and exper￿lture, of the ¢harity for that period. In preparin8 those finanaal 5tatetnents, the trustees are required to select suitable accountin8 poliaes and then apply them consistently: observe the methods and principles in the CILarity SORP,. make wdsements and estimates that are reasonable and prndent,. State whether app]icable UK Accounting Standards IFRS 10*1 have been followed. subiect to any material d¥artures disdosed and explained in the finanLial statements; prepare the &Ar￿nCiaL 5taternent5 1)n the soing concern basi5 unle55 It is inappropriate to pre5ll￿e that the tharity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible fi)r keeping proFor accountin8 records whith disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the tinancial p051tion OE the charity and to etlable them to en5UTe that the tinanaal statements cotnply with the Charities and Trustee Investtnent (Scotland) Act ?￿5, the Clwities Accotmts (Scotland) Regulations ?006 and the proirysions ot the tharity's constitution. They are also responsible tor sa£e8uardin8 the assets of the charity and hence for takxng reasonable steps tor the prevention and detection ot traud and other irresularitses. Statement as to Disclosure of Intorfflation to Auditors Each 0£ the persons who are Trustees at the tijne when this T￿￿tÈes, Reprt is approved has confirmed that.. so far as that Trustee xs aware, there is no relevant audit inforxnation of which the d￿lty,5 auditors are that Trustee has taken all the steps that OlL8ht to have been taken as a Trustee in order to ￿ aware of any relei'ant audit infonnation and to estab]ish that the charity's auditors are aware of that infonnatio Atsditors A re501ution to appoint AAB Audit & Accountancy Limited as auditor 0£ the charity will be proposed at the next Seneral meotin8. Approved by order of the members of the board ot Trustees and sisned on their behalt by.. Date.. 2S- Pdge 17

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement, the Notes to the Cash Flow Statement and the 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 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

In our opinion the financial statements:

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 Auditors 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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' 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.

Page 18

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust (continued)

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees Responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which 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.

Our 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 Auditors' 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.

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:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charity operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Charity SORP.

We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities including fraud to be:

Page 19

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Report of the Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Trustees of The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust (continued)

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 Auditors' 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 its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Anderson Anderson & Brown Audit LLP Statutory Auditors Chartered Accountants Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 133 Finnieston Street Glasgow G3 8HB

Date:[26 September 2025]

Page 20

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Statement of Financial Activities

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
Bishops’ Conference
5
Investment income
4
Other income
4
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Bishops’ Conference
6
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE
NET GAINS/(LOSSES) ON
INVESTMENTS
Net gains/(losses) on investments
13
Net gains/(losses) on
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
18
Other recognised gains / losses
Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit
schemes
20
Gain/(losses) on disposal of fixed assets
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Unrestricted
funds
£
52,317
800,715
111,495
128,948
1,093,475
899,872
899,872
193,603
126,497
320,100
-
320,100
(6,202)
-
313,898
4,025,237
4,339,135		 Restricted
funds
£
93,676
391,390
-
-
485,066
541,345
541,345
(56,279)
54,625
(1,654)
-
(1,654)
-
(456)
(2,110)
1,800,202
1,798,092		 Total
2024
£
145,993
1,192,105
111,495
128,948
1,578,541
1,441,217
1,441,217
137,324
181,122
318,446
-
318,446
(6,202)
(456)
311,788
5,825,439
6,137,227		 Total
2023
£
1,241,531
1,138,359
120,962
1,144,901
3,645,753
1,442,903
1,442,903
2,202,850
165,528
2,368,378
-
2,368,378
6
-
2,368,384
3,457,055
5,825,439

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Balance Sheet

As at 31 December 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 12 47,898 47,898 67,026
Investments 13 4,818,462 462 3,658,034
4,866,360 4,866,360
3,725,060
Current assets
Debtors 14 371,871 371,871 424,348
Bank 1,024,481 481 1,843,398
1,396,352 1,396,352 2,267,746
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15 (119,004) (163,938)
Net current assets 1,277,348 348
2,103,808
6,143,708 708
5,828,868
Pension liability 20 (6,481) (3,429)
6,137,227 227
5,825,439
Represented by:
Unrestricted funds:
General fund 18 4,345,616 4,345,616
4,019,666
Pension reserve 18 (6,481) (6,481)
(3,429)
Designated funds 18 - -
9,000
Restricted funds 18 1,798,092 092
1,800,202
6,137,227 227
5,825,439

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Date:

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Page 22

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Cash Flow Statement

For the Year ended 31 December 2024

Cashflow
Notes
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash generated from operation
1
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Sale of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of investment
Sale of investment
Interest received
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period		 2024
£
40,165
40,165
(3,398)
115,000
(1,167,996)
188,690
8,622
(859,082)
(818,917)
1,843,398
1,024,481		 2023
£
997,583
997,583
(1,880)
1,121,000
(1,647,740)
712,313
5,312
189,005
1,186,588
656,810
1,843,398

Page 23

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

For the Year ended 31 December 2024

1. Reconciliation of net income to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
(Gain)/Loss on disposal of assets
Unrealised (gain)/loss on investments
Realised (gain)/loss on investments
Interest received
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
Increase/(Decrease) in creditors
Difference between pension charge and cash contributions
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		 2024
£
318,446
13,070
(106,000)

(174,016)
(7,106)
(8,622)
52,477
(44,934)
(3,150)
40,165		 2023
£
2,368,378
17,276
(1,118,550)
(174,060)
8,532
(5,312)
(45,342)
(50,326)
(3,013)
997,583

Page 24

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024

1) General information

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity (Charity Number SC016650) and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

The principal address of the charity is General Secretariat, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, 64 Aitken Street, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ML6 6LT.

2) Accounting policies

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of investments which are included at market value.

Going concern

The trustees are in agreement that they have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. There are no known material uncertainties, and it is therefore appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Income

Income from the various Dioceses of Scotland, donations and gifts and other income in furtherance of the Charity's objectives is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. Expenditure is inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered, as the charity is not registered for VAT with HM Revenue and Customs.

Charitable activities costs include costs directly related to the cost of delivering the services of the charity and include support costs incurred in support of the direct costs.

Page 25

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 December 2024

2) Accounting policies (continued)

Support costs are costs attributable to the management of the charity and its financial affairs.

Governance costs, a category within support costs, are costs attributable to compliance with statutory requirements.

Taxation

No liability to taxation arises as The Bishops' Conference is a recognised charity in Scotland and is accordingly exempt from taxation on income which is applied for charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

All capital expenditure on fixed assets is capitalised.

Depreciation of fixed assets is calculated to write off the cost or valuation less any residual value over their estimated useful lives as follows: -

Property improvements - 20% reducing balance Office equipment - 25% straight line Furniture and fittings - 20% reducing balance; 5% straight line

Fixed assets investments

Investments are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their market value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market value. The Statement of Financial Activities includes net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.

Realised gains and losses

All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

Unrestricted funds

These funds include a fund which represents the accumulated surplus on general funds and is available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the general charitable objectives.

They also include funds which have been designated to cover the charity’s property fixed assets.

Restricted funds

These are funds that can only be used for the particular restricted purpose - as specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular purposes.

Page 26

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024

2) Accounting policies (continued)

Pensions costs

The charity does not operate a pension scheme. Payments are made to the independent pension schemes of most employees; in addition for two employees, payments are made to two defined benefit contribution schemes of which these employees were eligible. In respect of the Pensions Trust scheme the charity has accounted for agreed deficit reduction payments as below. For the second scheme all contributions are charged to expenditure as made, as it is not possible to quantify from the multiemployer schemes any liability.

The charity participates in The Pensions Trust – The Growth Plan Pension Scheme. From January 2014 in accordance with FRS 102 where the scheme is in deficit and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost. Refer to Note 21 for details on the accounting of the employee benefit obligations.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Debtors

Other Debtors and accrued income are recognised at the settlement amount due with appropriate allowances for any irrecoverable amounts when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash and bank accounts with a short term of maturity, being twelve months or less, from opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors

Other creditors and accrued expenses are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Other creditors and accrued expenses are recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.

Termination benefits

Termination benefits are recognised when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminating the employment of one or more employees before the normal retirement date or providing termination benefits as a result of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy. A liability and related expense is recognised at the earlier of when the charity can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits and when it recognises related restructuring costs. Termination benefits are measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

Page 27

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

3)
Donations and legacies
Donations
Donations
Day for Life
Bishopric of the Forces
Scots College Spain
Scots College Rome
Catholic Insurance Services
St Francis Xavier
Tribunal
Missio
Misc Donations
4)
Investment and Other income
Gain on sale of property
Other Income - Miscellaneous
Dividends received
Bank interest received		 2024
£
145,993

2024
£
38,537
1,500
46,942
4,540

40,000
-
1,237
10,000
3,237
145,993

2024
£
106,000

22,948
102,873
8,622
240,443		 2023
£
1,241,531
2023
£
47,022
1,500
12,518
1,154,230
20,000
2,000
796
-
3,465
1,241,531
2023
£
1,118,550
26,351
115,650
5,312
1,265,863

Page 28

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

5) Income from charitable activities

Income from charitable activities
Activity
Pro rata income
Bishops’ Conference
Magazine subscriptions
Bishops’ Conference
Publications
Bishops’ Conference
Conferences / In service courses
Bishops’ Conference
Other Agency/Commission income
Bishops’ Conference
Royalty Income
Bishops’ Conference
NALCC income
Bishops’ Conference
St Andrews and Edinburgh
Glasgow
Motherwell
Dunkeld
Argyll and The Isles
Aberdeen
Galloway
Paisley		 2024
£
928,590
55,719
18,492
85,155
56,919
37,149
10,081
1,192,105
2024
£
153,171
234,540
231,297
81,368
10,860
43,112
37,605
136,637
928,590		 2023
£
916,161
55,705
18,512
79,544
60,166
224
8,047
1,138,359
2023
£
152,026
217,677
247,107
87,419
15,848
35,002
33,611
127,471
916,161

6) Charitable activities costs

Charitable activities costs
Bishops’ Conference Direct
costs
(see note 7)
£
1,319,044
1,319,044		 Support
costs
(see note 8)
£
122,173
122,173		 Total
£
1,441,217
1,441,217

Page 29

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

7) Direct costs of charitable activities

Staff costs
Property and utility costs
Travel costs
Printing and postage costs
Advisory and professional fees
Repairs and maintenance
Donations
Day for Life Donations
IT costs
Conference and meeting costs
Office expenses and telephone
Other overheads
-
Subscriptions
-
Preservation
-
Diaconate/PFS retreats & training
-
Relocation/Transport
-
General
Depreciation
Interest on pension scheme liabilities		 2024
£
12,076
6,294
43,595
612
18,559
2024

£
612,565
110,926
32,425
56,836
133,808
9,148
78,773
26,500
53,715
100,978
9,067





81,136
13,070
97
2023
£











12,518
9,553
49,216
37,846
27,870
2023

£
570,483
97,811
38,016
73,774
86,967
9,058
80,792
67,000
47,827
90,394
10,100





137,003
17,276
234




1,319,044 1,326,735

8) Support Costs

Bishops’ Conference Management
£

70,165		 Governance
£
52,008		 2024
£
2023
£
122,173
116,168

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

Management costs

Staff costs
Governance costs
Staff costs
Auditors’ remuneration		 2024
£
70,165
70,165
2024
£
36,008
16,000
52,008		 2023
£

67,808

67,808
2023
£

34,008

14,352

48,360

Governance costs

Page 30

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

9) Trustees’ remuneration and benefits

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees’ expenses

During the year the Trustees received reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenditure amounting to £10,407 (2023 - £11,988).

10) Staff Costs

Staff Costs
Wages and salaries
Termination costs
Social security costs
Other pension costs
FRS 102 pension adjustment		 2024
£
547,133
66,567
51,408
56,877
(3,247)
718,738		 2023
£
570,585
-
48,872
56,089
(3,247)
672,299

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Administrative
Employees receiving gross salaries in the following range:
£60,001 to £70,000
£80,001 to £90,000
£100,000 to £110,000		 2024
2023
25
25
2024
2023
1
1
1
1
1
-

The key management personnel of the charity consist of the trustees and the general secretary. The total benefits of the key management personnel in the year were £9,343 (2023 - £8,898).

Page 31

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

11) Comparatives for the statement of financial activities

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Bishops’ Conference
Investment income
Other income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Bishops’ Conference
Other Expenditure
Total
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE NET
GAINS/(LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Net gains/(losses) on investments
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
Other recognised gains / losses
Actuarial gains / losses on defined benefit scheme
Gain/(losses) on disposal of fixed assets
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
24,826
740,589
80,227
1,133,878
1,979,520
962,262
-
962,262
1,017,258
114,950
1,132,208
-
1,132,208
6
-
1,132,214
2,893,023
4,025,237		 Restricted
funds
2023
£
1,216,705
397,770
40,735
11,023
1,666,233
480,641
-
480,641
1,185,592
50,578
1,236,170
-
1,236,170
-
-
1,236,170
564,032
1,800,202		 Total
funds
2023
£
1,241,531
1,138,359
120,962
1,144,901
3,645,753
1,442,903
-
1,442,903
2,202,850
165,528
2,368,378
-
2,368,378
6
-
2,368,384
3,457,055
5,825,439

Page 32

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

12) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Freehold
property
£
9,000
-
(9,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,000		 Improvements
to property
£

132,344

-
(1,740)

130,604

89,091

8,559

(1,284)

96,366

34,238

43,253		 Fixtures
& fittings
£

21,514

977
-

22,491

11,541

1,440
-

12,981

9,510

9,973		 Office
Equipment
£

101,960

2,421

(38,216)

66,165

97,160

3,071

(38,216)

62,015

4,150

4,800		 Total
£

264,818

3,398
(48,956)

219,260

197,792

13,070
(39,500)

171,362

47,898

67,026

13) Fixed asset investments

Market value:
At 1 January 2024
Disposals
Purchases
Revaluations
At 31 December 2024		 2024
£
3,658,034

(188,690)

1,167,996

181,122
4,818,462
 2023
£
2,557,079
(712,313)
1,647,740
165,528
3,658,034

Page 33

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

14) Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year

Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
Other debtors
Accrued income
Prepayments		 2024
£
155,702
186,299
29,870
371,871		 2023
£

300,034

97,830

26,484

424,348

Included in ‘Other debtors’ are amounts totaling £0 (2023: £0) which are due greater than one year.

15) Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accrued expenses		 2024
£
63,703
55,301
119,004		 2023
£

100,788

63,150

163,938

16) Operating lease commitments

The following operating lease payments are committed to be paid:

Within one year
Between one and five years		 2024
£
56,000
56,000
112,000		 2023
£

50,750

20,000

70,750

Page 34

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

17) Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Pension liability		 General
fund &
Pension
reserve
£
46,082
3,706,197
704,305
(110,968)
(6,481)
4,339,135		 Designated
funds
£

-

-

-

-
-

-		 Restricted
funds
£

1,816

1,112,265

692,047

(8,036)

-

1,798,092		 2024
Total
funds
£

47,898
4,818,462
1,396,352

(119,004)

(6,481)
6,137,227		 2023
Total
funds
£

67,026
3,658,034
2,267,746
(163,938)
(3,429)
5,825,439

Comparatives for analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Pension liability		 General fund
& Pension
reserve
£
56,986
2,601,497
1,523,477
(162,294)
(3,429)
4,016,237		 Designated
funds
£

9,000

-

-

-
-

9,000		 Restricted
funds
£

1,040

1,056,537

744,269

(1,644)

-

1,800,202		 2023
Total
funds
£

67,026
3,658,034
2,267,746

(163,938)

(3,429)
5,825,439

Page 35

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

18) Movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Pension reserve
Designated funds:
Fixed Assets - Property
Restricted funds
Scottish Catholic Education Service
Catholic Media Office
Justice and Peace
Day for Life
Holy See Pro Rata
Public Inquiry
Historical Review
Pontifical Scots College Rome
Scots College Spain
Total funds		 At 1/1/24
£
4,019,666
(3,429)
9,000
4,025,237
19,704
137,030
34,070
78,058
-
71,771
77,272
1,360,152
22,145
1,800,202
5,825,439		 Net
movement in
funds
£
210,950
(3,052)
106,000
313,898
18,453
18,169
(3,043)
10,985
-
(53,760)
-
(38,362)
45,448
(2,110)
311,788		 Transfers
between
funds
£
115,000
-
(115,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31/12/24
£
4,345,616
(6,481)
-
4,339,135
38,157
155,199
31,027
89,043
-
18,011
77,272
1,321,790
67,593
1,798,092
6,137,227

Page 36

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

18) Movement in funds (cont’d)

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Pension reserve
Designated funds:
Fixed Assets - Property
Restricted funds
Scottish Catholic Education Service
Catholic Media Office
Justice and Peace
Day for Life
Holy See Pro Rata
Public Inquiry
Historical Review
Pontifical Scots College Rome
Scots College Spain
Total funds		 Incoming
resources
£
987,475
-
106,000
1,093,475
199,900
113,903
72,907
38,537
10,000
-
-
2,878
46,941
485,066
1,578,541		 Resources
expended
£

(903,022)

3,150

-
(899,872)

(181,447)

(149,903)

(75,950)

(27,552)

(10,000)

(53,760)

-

(41,240)

(1,493)

(541,345)

(1,441,217)		 Gains and
losses
£
126,497
(6,202)
-
120,295
-
54,169
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
54,169
174,464		 Movement
in funds
£
210,950
(3,052)
106,000
313,898
18,453
18,169
(3,043)
10,985
-
(53,760)
-
(38,362)
45,448
(2,110)
311,788

Page 37

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

18) Movement in funds (cont’d)

Designated funds

The designated funds represented the cost of the properties occupied by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland. Both properties have now been sold. The property previously used by our Media Office cost £9,000 (sold July 2024) and as noted in our 2022 accounts our second property which was occupied by Scottish Catholic Archives (costing £2,450) was sold and vacated at the end of October 2023.

Restricted funds

The Scottish Catholic Education Service sets national policy on all educational matters on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Scotland.

The Catholic Media Office sets out the mission of the church through the various modern means of communication.

Justice and Peace Commission represents social justice and human rights at both national and international levels.

The Day for Life has been established by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland as an annual event in response to a request from Pope John Paul II, who wanted to encourage the Catholic Community throughout the world to reflect on the profundity of Catholic teaching about the dignity of the human person from conception until natural death, and to offer the opportunity to provide practical assistance to groups and organizations which work to uphold the person's dignity in a way which brings to everyone an appreciation of the compassion of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Church. The Day for Life is celebrated each year on the 31st May, Feast of Visitation, and a collection is taken up at Masses on the Sunday which follows the feast.

It is a requirement of Canon Law 1271 that each Diocese makes a discretionary contribution towards the costs of the Holy See, according to its own financial circumstances. The Scottish Dioceses agreed that this figure would be remitted through the Bishops' Conference CNET 1 account and it is charged to the Dioceses in the usual way.

Public Inquiry - SCAI - Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. The Inquiry was established in 2015 to look at abuse of under 18-year olds in residential settings, children’s homes, boarding schools up to December 2014 and dating back 100 years. Originally intended to run for 4 years, its remit was extended in 2018; it will report to Scottish Ministers “as soon as reasonably practicable”. The Bishops’ Conference is no longer an active participant in the Inquiry.

Historical Review of Case Files is one of three initiatives announced in the autumn of 2013 by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland to review all clergy case files from 1947 - 2005. As part of this review there was an initiative to establish a National Counselling Service and in October 2015 ‘Raphael: Opening doors to Healing’ was launched during the National Parish Safeguarding Coordinators Conference. There is a Service Level Agreement with Health In Mind – an external provider of counselling and psychotherapy and a range of modalities is being offered including the option of telephone and face to face appointments. Although the Inquiry continues, the locus of the Conference in further proceedings is remote and it awaits the final summary of the interim summaries.

Page 38

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

18) Movement in funds (cont’d)

Pontifical Scots College Rome

In 2023 the College gifted an investment portfolio in addition to the other donations to BCoS. This is to be held as a restricted fund for the benefit of future seminarians.

Royal Scots College, Spain

The College in Spain also donated funds to BCoS to be held as a restricted fund for the benefit of future seminarians.

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Pension reserve
Designated funds:
Fixed Assets - Property
Restricted funds
Scottish Catholic Education Service
Catholic Media Office
Justice and Peace
Day for Life
Holy See Pro Rata
Public Inquiry
Historical Review
Pontifical Scots College, Rome
Scots College, Spain
Total funds		 At 1/1/23
£
2,888,021
(6,448)
11,450
2,893,023
14,321
116,926
26,416
98,036
-
71,771
77,272
159,290
564,032
3,457,055		 Net
movement in
funds
£
10,645
3,019
1,118,550
1,132,214
5,383
20,104
7,654
(19,978)
-
-
-
1,200,862
22,145
1,236,170
2,368,384		 Transfers
between
funds
£
1,121,000
-
(1,121,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31/12/23
£
4,019,666
(3,429)
9,000
4,025,237
19,704
137,030
34,070
78,058
-
71,771
77,272
1,360,152
22,145
1,800,202
5,825,439

Page 39

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

18) Movement in funds (cont’d)

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds:
General fund
Pension reserve
Designated funds:
Fixed Assets - Property
Restricted funds
Scottish Catholic Education Service
Catholic Media Office
Justice and Peace
Day for Life
Holy See Pro Rata
Public Inquiry
Historical Review
Pontifical Scots College Rome
Scots College Spain
Total funds		 Incoming
resources
£
860,970
-
1,118,550
1,979,520
203,837
125,306
63,713
47,022
10,000
-
-
1,192,814
23,541
1,666,233
3,645,753		 Resources
expended
£
(965,275)
3,013
-
(962,262)
(198,454)
(108,463)
(56,059)
(67,000)
(10,000)
-
-
(39,269)
(1,396)
(480,641)
(1,442,903)		 Gains and
losses
£
114,950
6
-
114,956
-
3,261
-
-
-
-
-
47,317
-
50,578
165,534		 Movement
in funds
£
10,645
3,019
1,118,550
1,132,214
5,383
20,104
7,654
(19,978)
-
-
-
1,200,862
22,145
1,236,170
2,368,384

Page 40

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

19) Related party disclosures

The related party transactions in the year were the expenses reimbursed to trustees as detailed at note 10.

20) Employee Benefit Obligations

The charity does not operate a pension scheme. Payments are made to the independent pension schemes of most employees; in addition for two employees, payments are made to two defined benefit contribution schemes of which these employees were eligible. In respect of the Pensions Trust scheme the charity has accounted for agreed deficit reduction payment as below. For the second scheme all contributions are charged to expenditure as made as it is not possible to quantify from the multi-employer schemes any liability.

The charity participates in the Pensions Trust Scheme (scheme), a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 521 non-associated participating employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the charity to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore, it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.

The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.

The scheme is classified as a 'last man standing arrangement'. Therefore, the charity is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.

A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out at 30 September 2023. This valuation showed assets of £514.9m, liabilities of £531.0m and a deficit of £16.1m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Deficit contributions From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028:

£2,100,000 per annum

Unless a concession has been agreed with the Trustee the term to 31 January 2028 applies.

Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2020. This valuation showed assets of £800.3m, liabilities of £831.9m and a deficit of £31.6m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the Trustee has asked the participating employers to pay additional contributions to the scheme as follows:

Page 41

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year ended 31 December 2024 (Cont'd)

20) Employee Benefit Obligations (cont’d)

From 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2025: £3,312,000 per nnum

The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the Series 1 and Series 2 scheme liabilities.

Where the scheme is in deficit and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the charity recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.

Present values of provision
2024
£
Present value of provision
6,481
Reconciliation of opening and closing provisions
Provision at start of period
Interest expense
Deficit contribution paid
Remeasurements - change in assumptions
Remeasurements – amendments to contribution schedule
Provision at end of period
Income and expenditure impact
Interest expense
Remeasurements - change in assumptions
Remeasurements – amendments to contribution schedule
Assumptions
2024
%
Rate of discount
4.90		 2023
£
3,429
2024
£
3,429
97
(3,247)
40
6,162
6,481
2024
£
97
40
6,162
2023
%
5.31		 2022
£
6,448

2023

£

6,448

234

(3,247)

(6)

-

3,429

2023

£

234
(6)
-
2022
%
4.96

The discount rates shown above are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

Page 42