LINWOOD PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
Annual Report & Financial Statements
For the year ended
31 DECEMBER 2023
Congregation Reference Number: 140755
TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT & RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
CONTENTS
| Trustees’ Annual Report .............................................................................................................. | 3 - 6 |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner’s Report .................................................................................................. | 7 |
| Statement of Receipts & Payments ............................................................................................. | 8 |
| Statement of Balances................................................................................................................. | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements ............................................................................................... | 10 - 13 |
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TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OECEMBER 2023 The trustees are pleased to present their rem and final statements together th the independent oxaminar's rokxjrt for tha yw 31 Decembar 2023. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS Charty Name P2h Chwch Cl Scottand Charty Nun SC020972 Congregatlonal Ref. Nuthr 140755 Prlncwl dresS Current Trustees Prlncl)al OTre Bearers Vxant V•'nist Cbrk Chwch Troaswer Bankers Bank of ScolwKI 36 Flgh Stro8t Jc4)nstty PA5 &4L In(*pendent Exanner
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
Linwood Parish Church is an Unincorporated association with the charity number, SC020972. It received its charitable status on the 14th June 1939. The congregation is administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Constitution (Unitary Form).
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Members of the Kirk Session are the Charity Trustees. Kirk Session members are the elders of the church and are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The Minister, who is a member of the Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and inducted by Presbytery.
Organisational Structure
The Kirk Session is responsible for the spiritual and temporal (including financial) affairs within the congregation. Kirk Session meets regularly for ordinary business. Ad hoc meetings are called as circumstances require.
OBJECTS & ACTIVITIES
Charitable Purposes
Linwood Parish Church was established with the following Charitable Purposes:
- The advancement of religion.
Activities
The Church of Scotland is Trinitarian in doctrine, Reformed in tradition and Presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world. As a national Church, it acknowledges a distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland through a territorial ministry. It co-operates with other Churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond. In Linwood Parish Church a Public Service of worship is conducted at 10.30am each Sunday. Additional services are held at Christmas time and Easter.
Regular Weekday Congregation Activities until lockdown, included
For adults: Weekly Prayer Group
No church organisations or non-Church affiliated organisations have used the halls since lockdown in 2020.
ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE
Congregation Statistics as at 31st December 2023
Total Baptisms: 0 Weddings: 0 Funerals: 7 Members added: 0 Members removed: by death: 7 Otherwise: 1 Roll as at 31st December 2023: 120
Sunday Worship at 10.30am had a regular attendance of around 30 each week.
Services have continued since reopening after the second COVID lockdown. Thank you should be recorded to the dedicated team of volunteer cleaners working on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning to ensure the safety of all who use our building.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
After the retiral of our Minister, , Ordained Local Ministers (OLM) has conducted all church services. When unavailable, we use Readers or Worship Leaders (of which there are two in our Church).
As in previous years, the congregation was given the opportunity to contribute to a donation for Christian Aid, the Lodging House Mission and Erskine Homes and for responded generously.
Due to the retiral of our Minister, Chaplaincy work at the local schools has not been carried out in person. The Session Clerk, a Worship Leader still helps with services at Mosswood Care Home on a monthly basis. This is carried out with the from Linwood Baptist Church.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
Income of £26,022 (2022: £33,508) was received and the primary source of income continues to be the regular offerings from the Kirk members, who are encouraged where possible, to make offerings under the Gift Aid Scheme.
Expenditure totalling £29,549 (2022: £40,671) were made carrying out the charitable activities and the upkeep of the church and manse. Due to having a vacancy for a minister, we received a discount for the Ministry and the mission.
At the end of the financial year, the charity had a deficit balance of £3,527.
Reserves Policy
The charity’s reserves at the end of the financial year were £5,217. It is the Charity Trustees’ policy to hold General Fund reserves of approximately six months expenditure. The policy for Designated Funds, primarily the Fabric Fund, is to hold reserves approximately enough to cover annual Insurance premiums.” The Charity Trustees have not met their targets, but care will be needed in the year ahead to ensure sufficient funds in place.
Future Plans
Linwood Parish Church is forming a union with Elderslie Parish Church, and the Church will wind up at some point in the near future.
For accounting purposes, the bank accounts of both congregations will remain open for a short period after the date of the union. This will allow standing orders, gift aid claims and other direct receipts and payments to be received and paid and the administrative change requirements to take place.
The Charity Trustees will contact the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR for consent to dissolve the charity. Once this has been received, they will then begin the process of winding up the charity and donating their remaining assets to Elderslie Parish Church.
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities
The members of the Kirk Session must prepare financial statements which give sufficient detail to enable an appreciation of the transactions of the Church during the financial year. The members of the Kirk Session are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which, on request, must reflect the financial position of the Church at that time. This must be done to ensure the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustees Investments (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Regulations Anent Congregational Finance approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2007. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Church and must take reasonable steps for the prevention and / or detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
APPROVAL
This report was approved by the trustees on 4 March 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Linwood Parish Church of Scotland
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 ("the 2005 Act") and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) ("the 2006 Regulations"). The trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation (10)(1)(d) of the 2006 Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section (44)(1)(c) of the 2005 Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter came to my attention:-
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Regulations, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Receipts Offerings Fund Raising and Donations Other Income Payments Charitable Activities Governance Costs Independent Examination Trustee Expenses Net movement in funds Transfers between funds Surplus/(Deficit) for year |
Note | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 6 7 9 |
£ £ £ £ 24,701 - 24,701 31,295 471 850 1,321 2,213 - - - - |
|
| 25,172 850 26,022 33,508 |
||
| 26,997 2,052 29,049 40,171 500 - 500 500 - - - - |
||
| 27,497 2,052 29,549 40,671 |
||
| (2,325) (1,202) (3,527) (7,163) 30 (30) - - |
||
| (2,295) (1,232) (3,527) (7,163) |
The Notes on pages 10 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.
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STATEMENT OF BALANCES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Funds Reconciliation Balance as at 01 January 2023 Surplus/(Deficit) for year Balance as at 31 December 2023 Bank & Cash Balances Cash at Bank Cash in Hand Liabilities Independent Examination |
Note | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ 7,912 1,232 9,144 16,306 (2,295) (1,232) (3,527) (7,163) |
||
| 5,617 - 5,617 9,143 |
||
| 5,617 5,617 9,098 - 45 |
||
| 5,617 - 5,617 9,143 |
||
| 400 - 400 500 |
||
| 400 - 400 500 |
The Notes on pages 10 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts.
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 4 March 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. Basis of Preparation
-
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts & payments basis in accordance with:
-
(a) The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
-
(b) The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
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There have been no changes to the basis of preparation or to the previous year’s accounts.
2. Fund Accounting
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(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
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(b) Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the trustees have set aside for particular purposes. The designation is administrative only and does not restrict the trustees’ ability to apply the funds.
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(c) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
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(d) The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 10.
3. Taxation
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(a) The charity is not liable to income tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
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(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
4. Trustee Renumeration and Related Parties Transactions
No remuneration was paid to trustees or any persons connected with them during the year (2022: £3,938).
5. Analysis of Offerings
| Offerings Gift Aid Tax Open Plate |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ 18,160 - 18,160 23,225.00 3,967 - 3,967 3,677.00 2,574 - 2,574 4,393.00 |
|
| 24,701 - 24,701 31,295 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
6. Fundraising and Donations
| Collection For Others Other Donations Funerals Fabric Fund table top, boxes, etc |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ - 850 850 1,031 221 - 221 610 250 - 250 190 - - - 382 |
|
| 471 850 1,321 2,213 |
7. Payments relating to Charitable Activities
| Church Cleaning Collections remitted (see note 9) Fabric Repairs & Maintenance Utilities Insurance Manse Council Tax & Expenses Ministries & Mission allocation Office Expenses Organist Fees Other Expenses Pulpit Supply The Guild Refund of Hall Hire Travel |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ - - - 214 - 1,186 1,186 696 3,106 - 3,106 8,700 3,989 - 3,989 1,756 2,072 2,072 2,244 2,879 - 2,879 3,592 9,959 - 9,959 17,758 412 - 412 339 165 - 165 325 321 321 19 4,080 - 4,080 2,350 - 866 866 50 - - - 1,500 14 - 14 628 |
|
| 26,997 2,052 29,049 40,171 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
8. Collection for Others
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Christian Aid | - | 254 | 254 | 222 |
| The Lodging House Mission | - | 410 | 410 | 474 |
| Erskine Hospital | - | 522 | 522 | - |
| - | 1,186 | 1,186 | 696 |
9. Movement of Funds
| Unrestricted Funds General Fund Designated Funds Fabric Fund Total Unresticted Funds Restricted Funds The Guild Collection for Others Total Funds |
As at As at 31/12/2022 Receipts Payments Transfers31/12/2023 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ £ 7,647 24,951 (25,425) (1,970) 5,203 |
|
| - - 265 221 (2,072) 2,000 414 |
|
| 7,912 25,172 (27,497) 30 5,617 |
|
| 866 - (866) - - 366 850 (1,186) (30) - |
|
| 1,232 850 (2,052) (30) - |
|
| 9,144 26,022 (29,549) - 5,617 |
10. Purpose of Funds Unrestricted Funds General Fund
Unrestricted funding that can be expended at the discretion of the Charity Trustees in furtherance of the objects of the church.
Designated Funds
Fabric Fund
Funding designated for ongoing repairs and maintenance of Church and Manse.
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Restricted Funds
The Guild Restricted funds to be expended for Guild purposes. Collection for Other Restricted funds collected to donate to other charities.
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