## St James the Less
## Scottish Episcopal Church
## Bishopbriggs
# **Annual Report and Financial Statements**
**for the Year ended 30 June 2024**
Scottish Charity SC023292
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **For the year ended 30 June 2024**
The Vestry is pleased to present its annual report together with the financial statements and the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 30 June 2024.
## _**REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**_
**Charity Name**
St James the Less Scottish Episcopal Church, Bishopbriggs
**Scottish Charity Number** SC023292
**Church Office Address** Hilton Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 3EL
**Banking** The Bank of Scotland, 191 Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 2LS
**Insurance** Church building and contents are insured for £2,900,000 Rectory building is insured for £349,869 **Quinquennials** Church 29[th] November 2021 Rectory 29[th] November 2021
## **Independent Examiner**
**Current Trustees (Vestry members)**
**Other Trustees who served during the year**
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## _**STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**_
## **CONSTITUTION**
The charity is an unincorporated association. It is governed by its constitution which was adopted in 1998 and last revised in 2012. The church was granted charitable status on 1 January 1992.
## **STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE**
St James the Less Scottish Episcopal Church, Bishopbriggs is a church of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and a charge within the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway. The clergy, congregation and all officials thereof are subject to the Canons in force from time to time. It is governed by the Vestry. Episcopal oversight is exercised by the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway.
## **APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES**
The Rector is appointed by the Bishop following a vote and recommendation by the Vestry. The Rector’s Warden is appointed by the Rector. The Secretary and Treasurer are appointed by the Vestry. Other Vestry members are elected at the Annual General Meeting. Ministry Team members who are not otherwise members of Vestry are invited to meetings but have no voting rights.
## **VESTRY DUTIES**
It is the duty of the Vestry to manage the temporal affairs of the congregation with responsibility to keep the fabric and property of the church and other buildings in good order and to look after the finances of the church. Our guiding document is Canon 60 of the Scottish Episcopal Church:
## **CANON SIXTY - OF VESTRIES**
1. The Vestry shall co-operate with and generally assist the Rector in all matters relating to the spiritual welfare of the congregation and the mission of the whole Church, subject always to the canonical rights and duties of the clergy.
2. With the Rector the Vestry shall, unless the duty is placed under the Constitution of the charge on Church Wardens or others, have the care of the property and fabric of the Church including the parsonage house or houses, halls, offices and any other properties acquired in connection with the Church and gifts and bequests, unless otherwise directed, accruing to the Church for whatever purpose, and shall see to the safe custody, maintenance, insurance, use and administration of the same.
3. The Vestry shall make such reports on and compile such inventories of the matters committed to its charge as may be prescribed by resolution, and shall take whatever steps it considers necessary or which shall be required by the Bishop in Synod for the safe custody and preservation of such reports and inventories.
4. All such reports and inventories shall be made available to the Bishop when required, or to the Dean as provided in Canon 42, or by resolution thereunder, or to any Diocesan Official upon the Bishop's instruction.
## _**OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**_
## **CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES**
The church’s principal objective is the advancement of religion - specifically Christianity. This is primarily a spiritual purpose, carried out for the benefit of the public. Other elements of public benefit (such as social benefits in the community) are the result of and flow from our faith and follow from the spiritual outworking of our Christian beliefs. The church’s principal activities include public worship in Christian sacrament and prayer, Christian education and charitable work.
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## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
The church continued to provide regular public worship in Christian sacrament and prayer for the community, Christian education and charitable work.
The Church facilities were well used by community groups, including Tae Kwon Do, Bridge Clubs, Irish Dancing, a Slimming Club, Yoga and our Toddlers Group. Members of the church supported various external campaigns including continued support for Fairtrade; St James the Less is a Fairtrade Church and the regular Traidcraft stall was started again in the church.
St James Church run groups include the Mothers Union, which is an international Christian membership movement actively supporting families and communities, locally, nationally and internationally. Thankfully our MU meetings have recommenced in the Church building since March 2022, and there have been various lunches and trips during the year, including a trip on the Forth and Clyde Canal.
The church and individual members continued to support other charities for various causes, including Friends International, a Christian charity seeking to grow friendship and faith with international students in the UK & Ireland, The Trussell Trust and Christian Aid.
Work has been carried out on the Church Website to keep it up to date and informative, and there is a Church Diary online which details many of the activities. There are regular updates on the church Facebook page as well. The church continues to exercise a key role in the work of Bishopbriggs Churches Together.
During the year the Fabric Committee made sure any necessary repairs to the Church and Rectory were carried out promptly; regular inspections are made to the fabric of the buildings. Repairs and renovations continue to be carried out and gardening days have been held, weather permitting. The online and audio and visual equipment in church has been added to for the benefit of the church and community groups who use the premises.
Our Rector, , has been busy with Pastoral Care, Prayer Groups, Children’s activity events, and evening reflective services, and also continuing to build links within the community with the Youth at Bishopbriggs Academy, Bishopbriggs Churches Together, and visiting hall users. Dads and their Toddlers are welcomed to the church every month and there also is a Crafty Kids afternoon held.
We continue weekly worship in Church, on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube. Our prayer circles are phoning, texting and using WhatsApp to keep in touch with people within our church and wider community on a regular basis. Our prayer group and Bible study meets regularly on Zoom. Vestry meetings are now being held on a regular basis in the Church. We have Zoom breakout rooms where those confined to home can meet together after church each Sunday and we also meet together for coffee after the Service in Church.
## _**FINANCIAL REVIEW**_
## **Principal sources of funds**
The church’s principal income comes from congregational giving, under Gift Aid where appropriate, and donations from community involvement.
During the current year, the Church of St James the Less was very fortunate to become a beneficiary of the will of one of our congregation, . The amount received was £148,895.85. was a member of St James for over twenty years and enjoyed the many events held over the years. Unfortunately, had no surviving relatives and very generously split her bequest between St James the Less and one other charity.
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## **General Income**
Compared to last year:
- Standing order income decreased by 2.4%.
- Freewill offerings increased by 6.2%.
- Other committed giving was decreased during the year ending 2023 by 33.1%.
- Open plate was up by 18.4%.
- Gift Aid tax recovery increased by 8.4% (12 claims in 2023, 12 claims in 2024).
- Overall the collections decreased by 4.08% and were about the same percentage below budget.
- Other income increased in 2023-24 due to the Bequest from Mrs Janine McHarg and the Hall income increased by 6.6%.
## **General Expenditure**
Costs were up, finishing 20% more than last year and 20% over budget.
## **Designated Funds**
There has been no expenditure from fundraising in this financial year.
## **Restricted Funds**
There was no movement in Restricted Funds, and the balance is £0.
## **Review**
The end-of-year deficit of (£4823) is made up as follows:
- General Fund – (£4823)
- The deficit this year is mostly due to the amount paid for the stipend and utilities increasing very substantially and with remedial work to the church being necessary in the future, a tight rein on finances will be necessary.
## **STATEMENT OF RISK**
The Vestry keeps under review the major risks (amongst which are loss of building and loss of reputation) to which the church is exposed. It regularly reviews procedures to mitigate the risks identified. A risk register is maintained.
## **RESERVES POLICY**
The Vestry is content that the current level of reserves is sufficient for the coming year but other avenues of income from the Church facilities will need to be considered. It has adopted a policy of trying to maintain a level of unrestricted reserves such that, in the event of a significant drop in income, the church would be able to maintain its current level of activities for a reasonable period until replacement funding is obtained. It will then be the intention of the Church to replace these funds when possible.
## _**PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS**_
The Vestry plans are continuing to fully utilise church facilities for both church and community use now that most of the restrictions imposed by the Scottish Government and the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway have been lifted. The Diocese wishes Episcopalian Churches to be Net Zero and plans are being made in this regard for the next few years with the help of grants. The Vestry will also be responsible for the utilisation of the bequest received from a member of the congregation which was received during the year.
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## _**STATEMENT OF VESTRY MEMBERS’ RESPONSIBILITES**_
The members of the Vestry are required to prepare proper financial statements for each financial year showing the church’s receipts and payments, including its surplus or deficit for that period.
The members of the Vestry are responsible for ensuring that proper accounting records are kept which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **On behalf of the Vestry**
**Date**
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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ST JAMES THE LESS SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BISHOPBRIGGS**
I have examined, without carrying out an audit, the accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024 set out on pages 8-12.
## **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 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s statement**
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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 the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) 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 Accounts Regulations (as amended), and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations (as amended)
have not been met, or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **Date:**
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## **STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024**
|**Note**
**Receipts**
7
Collections
Other receipts
Reserved Designated
Reserved Restricted
**Totals**
**Payments**
8
Charitable activities
Reserved Designated
Reserved Restricted
**Totals**
**Surplus / (Deficit) for the year**
Transfers between funds
**Surplus/(Deficit) for the year**|Un
restricted
Fund
**£**
45,372
184,808
-
-
230,180
235,003
-
-
235,003
(4,823)
125,000
**(4,823**|Restrict
ed
Fund
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**45,372**
**184,681**
**-**
**-**
**230,180**
**235,003**
**-**
**235,003**
**(4,823)**
**125,000**
**(4,823)**|Total
2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**£**
55.596
21,606
-
**-**|
|||||**77,202**|
|||||79,206
**-**|
|||||79.206|
|||||(2.004)
**-**|
|||||(2.004)|
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## **STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 30 JUNE 2024**
|**Note**
**Funds Reconciliation**
Cash at Bank and In Hand 30.06.23
Surplus/(Deficit) for year
Transfer
**Cash at Bank and In Hand 30.06.24**
**Bank and Cash Balances**
Bank Balances
Bank of Scotland
Cambridge & Counties
Cash Balances held
Petty cash
**Total**
**Reserves**
9
Unrestricted fund
Restricted fund
**Total**
**Liabilities (Unrestricted Fund)**
HMRC
There were no contingent liabilities.|Unrestricted
Fund
**£**
35,179
(4,823)
125,000
155,356|Restricted
Fund
**£**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**35,179**
(4,823)
125,000
**155,356**
**1800**
**153486**
**70**
**155356**
**-**
**155,356**
**1562**
**-**
**1562**|Total
2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||£
35,179|
|||||35,179|
||||||
|||||35,179|
|||||35,179
-|
|||||35,179|
|||||1545|
|||||1545|
||||||
**These financial statements were approved by the members of Vestry on August 2024**
**and signed on their behalf by:**
## **1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
The accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance
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with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
All income is accounted for at time of receipt. All expenditure is accounted for at time of payment. There are no endowment funds.
FIXED ASSETS
The church building, associated contents and rectory are vested in the Diocese
of Glasgow and Galloway. They are not therefore included in these accounts.
- **2 EXPLANATION OF FUNDS**
The various funds are held for the following purposes:
Unrestricted funds: general funds to support the work of the church Restricted funds: money given specifically for the purpose stated Away Giving and Special Collections are accounted for in Note 10
## **3 TAXATION**
The church is a registered charity as defined by The Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, Section 506. Accordingly, no liability to taxation arises as the results for the year and previous years fall within the exemptions from taxation contained in the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, Section 505.
The charity is not registered for VAT and therefore all figures contained in the accounts are inclusive of VAT.
## **4 EMPLOYEES**
Rev Paul Watson, Rector, full-time (on a stipendiary basis) from 26 Aug 2017
## **5 VESTRY MEMBERS' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES**
The following remuneration was paid to Vestry Members or persons connected with a Vestry Member:
The Rector received stipend and pension contributions in accordance with the SEC approved stipendiary amounts: £31,777 plus pension contributions £10,238 (2023 £28,954 and Pension £9,361). As is customary, the Rector occupies the Rectory on a rent-free basis. The related Council Tax, telephone and internet bills are paid by the Church.
No other Vestry Members or connected persons received any remuneration in the year or the previous year.
The costs incurred by the Rector and other Vestry Members or connected persons on suitable training, education and missionary activities are included in Payments in Note 8. In the year ended 30 June 2024, the total amount was Nil.
The church's insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for its trustees.
## **6 GOVERNANCE COSTS**
The Independent Examiner waived his fee in 2023 (2022: £0.00).
Standing Orders
37690 38333
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## **7 RECEIPTS**
## **Collections**
|||**Collections**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||FWO envelopes|4640|4370|
||||Other committed giving|2770|4290|
||||Open plate|272|230|
||||Gift Aid Tax|9078|8373|
|||||54450|55596|
|||**Other Receipts**|Hall donations|15994|15236|
|||**Unrestricted**|Interest|4822|532|
||||Stipend Grant|1650|3300|
||||Quinquennial|-|500|
||||Calendars|-|505|
||||Misc.|153264|1533|
|||||230180|77202|
|||**Reserved**||||
|||**Designated**||-|-|
|||**Reserved**||||
|||**Restricted**||-|-|
|||**Total Receipts**||230180|77202|
|||**INTEREST**||||
|||Total interest received and included in receipts above||has been allocated to funds as follows:||
||||General|4822|532|
|||||4822|532|
||**8**|**PAYMENTS**||||
|||**Charitable activities: unrestricted**||**2024 £**|**2023 £**|
|||**Ministry**|Stipend, Nat Ins and pension|42015|38314|
||||Travel expenses|225|-|
||||Cont min education|-|-|
|||**Rectory**|Building insurance|460|441|
||||Council tax|3015|2405|
||||Telephone|400|360|
||||Maintenance|24330|944|
|||**Church**|Heating and lighting|8620|10213|
||||AV Project|-|-|
||||Insurance|2296|2675|
||||Maintenance|6150|3780|
||||Cleaner|4927|3101|
|||**Diocese**|Quota|7589|7368|
|||**Mission**|Outreach|2349|2391|
||||Youth Ministry|298|350|
||||Pastoral care|354|85|
|||**Worship**|Musicians|1945|2798|
||||Worship|2154|1042|
|||**Administration**|Phone and internet|1646|780|
||||Office supplies|727|537|
||||Photocopier maintenance|301|162|
||||Miscellaneous|125202|1460|
|||||235003|79206|
|||**Reserved Designated**||||
||||AV Project|-|-|
|||**Reserved Restricted**||-|-|
|||**Total**||||
|||**Payments**||235003|79206|
|**9**|**RESERVES**|||||
Open Receipts Payments Transfers Closing
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|**Unrestricted**
**General**
**Designated**
**Church/Audio/Visual**
**Fund**
**Hospitality**
**Restricted**|Balance
£
35179
**-**
-
**-**
35179|£
230180
-
-
-
230180|£
235003
-
-
-
235003|Surplus/
Deficit
£
(4,823)
-
-
-
(4,823)|£
125,000
-
-
-
-
125,000-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **10 Away Giving**
The following amounts were distributed last year, and do not form part of the church accounts. No amounts were distributed during 2023/24.
||**2022/2023**|
|---|---|
||**£**|
|Bishop’s Lent Appeal|320|
|Harvest Appeal||
|Sri Lanka Appeal||
|Christian Aid|730|
|St Paul’s Church|1232|
|Sri Lanka Children|678|
**2960**
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