FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity Number: SC 03 09 03
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| CONTENTS | Page |
|---|---|
| Deacons’ Court Report | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 |
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION DEACONS’ COURT REPORT
The Deacons’ Court presents its report with the financial statements of the Congregation for the year ended 31 December 2024.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Edinburgh Congregation (‘Congregation’) is a congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (‘Church’). The Congregation’s principal address is 63 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9NU. The Congregation is registered as a charity in Scotland, with charity number SC 03 09 03.
The organisation and government of the Church are based on the Presbyterian system. The constitution of the Church is identified in the Deed of Separation dated 14 August 1893. The Deacons' Court is responsible for administering the temporal affairs of the Congregation, including the maintenance of its finances. Deacons are appointed by the Kirk Session, following election by the members of the Congregation in full communion. The members of the Deacons’ Court are the Charity Trustees.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Church’s purpose is that of the worldwide Christian church: to seek the advancement of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in the salvation of sinners through the gospel. The Congregation provides gospel ordinances and pastoral care in the city of Edinburgh.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
During the year, the Congregation met regularly for public worship and carried out other activities in pursuit of the above stated aim. Any member of the public is welcome to attend the services which are maintained in the church building.
We again acknowledge with thankfulness that the Lord has maintained His Cause among us throughout another year and remain deeply conscious that we must look to the Lord to provide for all of our spiritual and temporal needs as a Congregation. It is our prayer and desire that the Word of God, which has been and continues to be declared from week to week, would be blessed to those who hear and read it so that the saving grace of God would be well known in our midst, for the glory of God and the good of souls in our Congregation and City.
“O God of hosts, we thee beseech, return now unto thine; Look down from heav'n in love, behold, and visit this thy vine: This vineyard, which thine own right hand, hath planted us among; And that same branch, which for thyself, thou hast made to be strong.” (Psalm 80.14-15)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The financial statements for the year are set out in pages 5 to 11. During 2024 there was a net decrease in funds of £(7,680) and total reserves, including balances on restricted funds, amounted to £1,023,235 at the end of the year. This includes the book value of the Congregation’s property assets - the church building and the manse - of £598,267.
Following, the return of possession of the manse at Frogston Grove to the Congregation in 2022 and its subsequent sale in 2023 the Property Fund has net current assets of £315,333. The Deacons’ Court has agreed to the principle of increasing the Congregation’s share of the manse at 35b Barnton Avenue West and is now seeking to take this forward in practice.
In 2024 collections and donations increased slightly and reserves in the General Fund ended the year at £109,635. This Fund is used to fund general congregational expenditure, including the running and on-going maintenance of the church building and manse. The Fund also may need to provide cash support to the Property Fund to cover repair costs, which given the nature of the church building have from time to time been significant. The Deacons’ Court is thankful the fund has reserves sufficient to give reasonable confidence that the work of the Congregation will not be curtailed by lack of funding in the short to medium term.
The members of the Deacons’ Court acknowledge their thankfulness that the Lord has maintained His Cause among us throughout another year and given people in the Congregation both a mind and the means to contribute to the funds.
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DEACONS’ COURT RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Congregation will continue in operational existence.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the provisions of the Church’s governing documents. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Congregation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Deacons’ Court and signed on its behalf
19 June 2025
FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHLRCH OF SCOTLA]¥D EDThTITRGH CONGREGATION INI)EPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRI"STEES OF THE FREE PRESBYTERLIN CHLTRCH OF scoTLAh EDThTURGH CONGREGATION I report on the financial statemellts of the Con8tewation for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out o pa8es 5 to 11. Respectii'e respOnb]litieS of trllstees exAmKneT The charitys ttuslees are Iesponsible foI the pIePatIon of the aecoullts in accordaace witb the tern]5 of the Charities alld Tntee Ini"estnient (Seotland) Act 2005 alld the Clwities Accounts (Scodalld) Resulations 2(X)6 (as aniended). The charitys lIslee$ consider that the audit requirement of Re8ulation 10(1) (a) to {cl of the Accounts Resulations does llot apply. It Is niy respon5ibihty to examine the accounts as required lllld Section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state ether partlcular matter5 have come to my attentio Ba5 of independent examiller's iyport My exaltIon was carried oul in accordallce with Regulation I l of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) RegulatioThs 2006. An eXa]nlI0 illcludes a Ieview of the accounting records kept by tbe c]kngfLty alld a cowan50n of the aCColts presented witb those recoids. It also includes Conside110 of ullusual itell]s or th"sclosures ill the accoullts. alld seekg eXpla[tIOnS from you as tru5tee5 collcerning auy such I]]att$. The procedures ulldertaken do llot proNide all the "IdenCe that OUld be required in an audit. alld con5equentfy I do not express an audit Oplluon oll the gii.en by the accoutLIs. IlldepeDdeDt examiner S 51atemellt tll the coiuse of illy exaLation. llo lltter has come to my attaitioii.. (l) which gives me reasollable caiise to belieN'e that ID material icspect. the requirements.. to keep accolltititl8 records in accordaxice with Sectioii 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Re8ulation 4 of th¢ 2(X)6 Acco115 Re8ulations,' atid to prepare aceoullts whLch accord with the accolllltill8 records alld comply witb ReBulation 8 of the 2(X)6 Accoullts Regulations llot been met,. or (2) to whiclL ill my Opinio attention should be drall in order to enable a propw ullderstandills of the accollt to be reached. 19 Julle 2025 IIPIOY ED B Y PRESB YI EII IIAIE L. If 5111E
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds |
|
| Notes | £ £ £ £ £ £ |
| Income from: | |
| Collections & donations 2 |
42,391 35,811 78,202 42,210 35,330 77,540 |
| Grant income | - - - - - - |
| Total donations | 42,391 35,811 78,202 42,210 35,330 77,540 |
| Charitable activities 3 |
297 - 297 239 - 239 |
| Investments - interest income | 236 6,509 6,745 31 4,443 4,474 |
| Other 4 |
- - - - 22,329 22,329 |
| Total income | 42,924 42,320 85,244 42,480 62,102 104,582 |
| Expenditure on: | |
| Charitable activities 5 |
36,930 55,994 92,924 31,523 60,550 92,073 |
| Total expenditure | 36,930 55,994 92,924 31,523 60,550 92,073 |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 5,994 (13,674) (7,680) 10,957 1,552 12,509 |
| Transfers between funds | (7,177) 7,177 - (6,137) 6,137 - |
| Net movement in funds | (1,183) (6,497) (7,680) 4,820 7,689 12,509 |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |
| Total funds brought forward 8 |
110,818 920,097 1,030,915 105,998 912,408 1,018,406 |
| Total funds carried forward | 109,635 913,600 1,023,235 110,818 920,097 1,030,915 |
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2024
| FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BALANCE SHEET As at 31 December 2024 |
OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION |
|---|---|
| 2024 2023 |
|
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds |
|
| Notes | £ £ £ £ £ £ |
| Fixed assets: | |
| Tangible fixed assets 7 |
- 598,267 598,267 - 611,273 611,273 |
| Total fixed assets | - 598,267 598,267 - 611,273 611,273 |
| Current assets: | |
| Debtors | 13,105 - 13,105 842 - 842 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 97,308 315,333 412,641 110,632 308,824 419,456 |
| Total current assets | 110,413 315,333 425,746 111,474 308,824 420,298 |
| Liabilities: | |
| Other creditors: due within oneyear |
(778) - (778) (656) - (656) |
| Total creditors: due within oneyear |
(778) - (778) (656) - (656) |
| Net current assets | 109,635 315,333 424,968 110,818 308,824 419,642 |
| Total assets less current liabilities |
109,635 913,600 1,023,235 110,818 920,097 1,030,915 |
| Total net assets | 109,635 913,600 1,023,235 110,818 920,097 1,030,915 |
| The funds of the Congregation: | |
| Unrestricted funds | 109,635 - 109,635 110,818 - 110,818 |
| Restricted funds | - 913,600 913,600 - 920,097 920,097 |
| Total Congregation funds 8 |
109,635 913,600 1,023,235 110,818 920,097 1,030,915 |
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
Approved by the Deacons’ Court on 19 June 2025.
ongregational Treasurer)
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements of the Congregation, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with:
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The Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'
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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)'
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The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
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The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended)
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated.
The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Congregation’s ability to continue as a going concern.
(b) Recognition of income
Income is recognised once the Congregation has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
(c) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as the liability is incurred.
(d) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of tangible fixed assets includes the purchase cost and major refurbishment work. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset less estimated residual value over its estimated useful life.
- Property - 2% per year on a straight line basis
(e) Current assets and liabilities
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts.
Property held for sale is measured at market value. Any gain arising on revaluation of property at the point of being classified as held for sale is recognised and shown in a revaluation reserve within the relevant fund that owns the property.
Cash at bank and in hand includes the value of bank accounts with notice periods of less than three months.
Creditors are measured as the amounts payable.
(f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds represent unrestricted funds which have been earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS
| 2. COLLECTIONS AND DONATIONS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds Total funds |
| £ | £ £ £ |
£ £ |
| Analysis of collections & donations by type | ||
| Door collections 9,671 |
1,685 11,356 12,669 |
1,584 14,253 |
| Other donations 2,260 |
- 2,260 340 |
- 340 |
| Standing orders 21,436 |
23,953 45,389 19,812 |
23,275 43,087 |
| CAF & other payroll giving 2,858 |
3,999 6,857 3,255 |
4,445 7,700 |
| Gift Aid tax reclaimed 4,166 |
6,174 10,340 4,134 |
6,026 10,160 |
| GASDS reclaimed 2,000 |
- 2,000 2,000 |
- 2,000 |
| Total collections and donations 42,391 |
35,811 78,202 42,210 |
35,330 77,540 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Analysis of Restricted funds by Special Collections Fund | £ | £ |
| Sustentation Fund | 20,830 | 20,384 |
| Home Mission Fund | 692 | 611 |
| Jewish & Foreign Missions Fund | 3,987 | 4,020 |
| College & Library Fund | 3,737 | 3,806 |
| Bookroom Fund | 414 | 319 |
| General Building Fund | 426 | 341 |
| Overseas Fund | 613 | 591 |
| Outreach Fund | 2,471 | 2,719 |
| Eastern Europe Fund | 2,641 | 2,539 |
| Total Restricted funds | 35,811 | 35,330 |
The unrestricted funds collections total above includes £4,785 (2023: £2,260) collected, and then remitted to, the Trinitarian Bible Society.
3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| 2024 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds |
|
| £ £ £ £ £ £ |
|
| Charitable activities | |
| Sale of magazines | 297 - 297 239 - 239 |
| Total charitable activities | 297 - 297 239 - 239 |
4. OTHER INCOME
Other income in 2023 consisted of a £22,329 gain on the disposal of the manse at 6 Frogston Grove which was classified as Property held for sale at 31 December 2022.
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
| 2024 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds |
|
| £ £ £ £ £ £ |
|
| Charitable expenditure | |
| Remitted to General Treasurer | - 42,988 42,988 - 41,467 41,467 |
| Remitted to other congregations of the Church |
2,300 - 2,300 - - - |
| Remitted to Trinitarian Bible Society | 4,785 - 4,785 2,260 - 2,260 |
| Total remittances | 7,085 42,988 50,073 2,260 41,467 43,727 |
| Utilities | 4,448 - 4,448 4,000 - 4,000 |
| Other expenses | 2,209 - 2,209 671 - 671 |
| Buildingrepairs | - - - - - - |
| Maintenance of church | 6,657 - 6,657 4,671 - 4,671 |
| Council tax | 4,616 - 4,616 4,497 - 4,497 |
| Utilities | 3,321 - 3,321 4,187 - 4,187 |
| Other expenses | - - - - - - |
| Other repairs and improvements | - - - 550 - 550 |
| Maintenance of Barnton manse | 7,937 - 7,937 9,234 - **9,234 ** |
| Utilities | - - - - 548 548 |
| Other expenses | - - - - 110 110 |
| Other repairs and improvements | - - - - 5,420 5,420 |
| Frogston Grove manse costs | - - - - 6,078 6,078 |
| Supplement to Minister’s salary & employers NIC |
3,414 - 3,414 3,414 - 3,414 |
| Manse communion expense allowance | 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 - 1,000 |
| Communion pulpit supply & travel | 716 - 716 856 - 856 |
| Other pulpit supply travel | 155 - 155 408 - 408 |
| Car allowance to Minister & employers NIC | 4,780 - 4,780 4,780 - 4,780 |
| Insurance | 2,439 - 2,439 2,264 - 2,264 |
| Purchases of magazines | 622 - 622 496 - 496 |
| Leaflets & calendars | 853 - 853 633 - 633 |
| Otherpayments | 475 - 475 630 - 630 |
| Other expenditure | 14,454 - 14,454 14,481 - **14,481 ** |
| Governance costs | |
| Share of Presbytery expenses | 700 - 700 700 - 700 |
| Kirk Session travel expenses reclaimed | 97 - 97 177 - 177 |
| Totalgovernance costs | 797 - 797 877 - 877 |
| Depreciation | - 13,006 13,006 - 13,005 13,005 |
| Total depreciation | - 13,006 13,006 - 13,005 13,005 |
| Total charitable expenditure | 36,930 55,994 92,924 31,523 60,550 92,073 |
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES
Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
The trustees do not receive remuneration for services as trustees.
Congregations throughout the Church contribute to the Sustentation Fund of the Church from which the Minister receives a stipend. During 2024 in addition to the stipend a supplement of £3,000 was paid to
received £4,321 as reimbursement of manse related expenses, the largest element of which related to utility expenses. In addition council tax of £4,616 was paid for the manse. No congregational car is provided for the Minister but in 2024 the Congregation provided a car allowance of £4,200 to the
During the year travel expenses totalling £157 were reimbursed to three trustees.
Other related party transactions
The trustees, and other related parties, may make donations to the Congregation like other members of the Congregation and the Church. Some methods of donation, such as Door collections, are anonymous and are therefore not traceable to any individual.
Trustees or other related parties may make donations to the Funds of the Congregation that are identifiable, including through the Gift Aid scheme. The aggregate amount of such donations (including Gift Aid reclaimed) in 2024 was £17,921. These donations were not subject to conditions that require disclosure.
Apart from the transactions detailed above there were no related party transactions that require disclosure.
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Church Manses Total |
|
|---|---|
| £ £ £ |
|
| Cost: | |
| At beginning of year | 480,290 170,000 650,290 |
| Additions | - - - |
| At end ofyear | 480,290 170,000 650,290 |
| Cumulative depreciation | |
| At beginning of year | (28,817) (10,200) (39,017) |
| Depreciation charge foryear | (9,606) (3,400) (13,006) |
| At end ofyear | (38,423) (13,600) (52,023) |
| Net book value at beginningofyear | 451,473 159,800 611,273 |
| Net book value at end of year | 441,867 156,400 598,267 |
The Church at 63 Gilmore Place consists of the costs of purchase and major refurbishment work.
The Manse consists of the Congregation’s contribution to the purchase of 35b Barnton Avenue West. 35b Barnton Avenue West is legally owned by the central funds of the Church but an agreement exists for the Congregation to recover its proportionate share of the disposal proceeds in the event of the sale of the property.
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FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND EDINBURGH CONGREGATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS
| Balance at 1 Jan 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains / (losses) Net movement in year Balance at 31 Dec 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ £ £ £ |
||
| Unrestricted funds: General Tape |
||
| 110,818 42,924 (36,930) (7,177) - (1,183) 109,635 |
||
| - - - - - - - |
||
| Total unrestricted funds | 110,818 42,924 (36,930) (7,177) - (1,183) 109,635 |
|
| Restricted income funds: | ||
| Property Special Collections |
920,097 6,509 (13,006) - - (6,497) 913,600 |
|
| - 35,811 (42,988) 7,177 - - - |
||
| Total restricted funds | 920,097 42,320 (55,994) 7,177 - (6,497) 913,600 |
|
| Total funds | 1,030,915 85,244 (92,924) - - (7,680) 1,023,235 |
|
| Balance at 1 Jan 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains / (losses) Net movement in year Balance at 31 Dec 2023 |
||
| £ £ £ £ £ £ £ |
||
| Unrestricted funds: General Tape |
||
| 105,998 42,470 (31,523) (6,127) - 4,820 110,818 |
||
| - 10 - (10) - - - |
||
| Total unrestricted funds | 105,998 42,480 (31,523) (6,137) - 4,820 110,818 |
|
| Restricted income funds: | ||
| Property Special Collections |
912,408 26,772 (19,083) - - 7,689 920,097 |
|
| - 35,330 (41,467) 6,137 - - - |
||
| Total restricted funds | 912,408 62,102 (60,550) 6,137 - 7,689 920,097 |
|
| Total funds | 1,018,406 104,582 (92,073) - - 12,509 1,030,915 |
Explanation of funds
Unrestricted funds
General Fund – General donations to congregational funds are recorded in the General Fund of the Congregation which is used for general congregational expenditure, including expenditure on the running and on-going maintenance of the church building and manses. If the Deacons’ Court considers it appropriate or necessary the General Fund can be used to assist the other funds of the Congregation including the Property Fund.
Tape Fund - Sermons are recorded and copies are made available for sale or lending and made available on a website set up for the purpose of sharing the sermons.
Restricted funds
Property Fund – Amounts relating to the purchase, sale and major refurbishment or repair of the Congregation’s property assets are recorded in the Property Fund.
Special Collections Fund - Collections and donations received for specified central funds of the Church are recognised in the Special Collections Fund, and are remitted to the General Treasurer of the Church. In 2024 collections and donations in this fund amounted to £35,811 (2023: £35,330). As in previous years the Deacons' Court increased the amount remitted to the Sustentation Fund of the Church, which funds the payment of ministers’ salaries, to cover the minister's stipend. Accordingly, a transfer of £7,177 (2023: £6,137) was made from the General Fund to make up the difference between the stipend of £28,007 (2023: £26,521) and the amount collected for the Sustentation Fund of £20,830 (2023: £20,384). Total amounts remitted to the General Treasurer therefore amounted to £42,988 (2023: £41,467).