Scotfish Charily Number SC0381i6 Dumfriies Free Church of Scotland Trustees, Report and Financial Statements or IhL Year Fndcd 311)eLLmber 2024 Contents Page Report of the Trustees Rcport of the Ind¢p¢ndent LxaTniner eceipts and Payments Account Statement of BalanLes Notes lo the financial Ststements 8-11
Durnfries Free Church of Scotland R¢port of th¢ Trust¢¢s The Trustees are pleased to Present ih¢ir report together with the financial stslemenls of the church for the year ended 31 tkcember 2024. Status of Charity and Governing Document Dutnfries Free Church of kotland is ¢stablish¢d by Constitution. It is a registered Scottish Charity (No. SC038156). Administrative Details Truslees A list of active Trustees durin8 2024 is provided in the Trustees, Report on Page 3. Address 20 G¢orgo Strc Durnfrirs DGI IEH Ilankers Virgiin Money UK plc 84- 86 High Street Dumfrics DG12BJ SoliLilors Blackaddcrs LLP l O Euclid Crescent Dundee DDI IAG Ind<pÉ'FY(lep71 F_TKirpiEner Jor 11 artcrcd Accountsnts 26 Lewis Stree¢ Stornoway. Isle of Lewis, HS12JF Aims and Affiliatio• Dumfrics Fr¢¢ Church of Scotland is a consresation of tlie Fr Church of S¢otland working towards the al3 t out bElow. It is il Ptt5byÈtiian church adhering its worship aTEd doctrin¢ to tlie position of thL Cliurch of Scotlad at thc R¢fonnation. Th¢ Frcc Church of Scotland has att explanalury duLument whi¢li #Kplains ihe origins of die Church and which gives lh¢ hisiorical baLkground tu the Church coming info being in 1843 and lists documents in which 18 embodied the consiitution of rhe Church. The document is ayailable on request from the Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Si., 'I'he Mound, Edinburgh, k.'141 2LS. The Fr¢e Church of Scotland currently over 100 congregations in Scoilan(L as well as one in London and four in North Amcric4 and sister Churches foundcd by mi70 WQTk in India. Peru and South Africa. The chUh also has a s¢ininary in Edinburgh for the training of miniaers and other Christian workers. 'fhe principal activiry of ihe Church is the conduct of public worship and associated matters in the context of local congregations. Dating from 184.3 but with its roots in the Refonnation, the Free Church of Scotland owes its distinctive title to its historical struggle to re7naill 'free' fvom statc intcrfcTEnee in its- intern&1 affairs. It has close and active relations with many other Refornied chur¢hes of Jesus Christ throughout the world and sthnds finnly in the Iradition whi¢h accepts th¢ Bible in its entirety as the Il'ord of God and, therefore, der1&S its
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland
Report tbe Trnslvs
lomis of teachingj Worshi ministry and 8overnm¢nt from it. The main emphasis of our worship is the
preaching of th¢ gospel - th¢ go(Kl news of a free and sovereign salvalion ihrough Jesus Christ 81one.
The Chur¢h building and the manse are the property of the congregation and are held in trust by ILKally
elected congregational thjsiees under the Church's Model Trust Deed.
Trnste and IleArers
The congregation is governcd and administered by elected offtce bearets (all volunieerg) and its Minister.
Thc Kirk Scssian, bein8 the Minisler and elected elders. has responsibility for spiritual oversighl hlIe the
DeaLons' Court, composed of Kirk Session members plus elected de*cons, ovetsees financial aiyl prop¢rty
iiiatters. Under Charity Law, the Ika¢ons' Court are deemcd to be the Trustees of the Congregation as
those with rcsponsibiltty for day to day management and ¢ontrol. This is distinet from thc rolc of
congrcgational trustees who are reswnsible only for holding property in trust rhe membors of the
Deacons, Court who served duriog the year were as follows..
Deaeons, Court
Interini M
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Report of tbe TrStee& Tlie re8ular Wednesday Drop-fft ¢oniinues. with the suppurt of a Bethany Chrisiian TNSI suIKrvisor. With some of the children iic>w being older, it was necessary to chan8¢ the fomiat of Fi1 Steps (a carers and toddlers group) io Seeds & Sapllng3 (ages S and underl, wilh more gtructure &nd Bible tcaching. ItTn¢cts on thc scco)nd Saturday morning of each month. it is advertised in Faceb(vL and li would bc ¢n¢oiiragirtg il. lo¥al pL'ople attend. A Carnl Service was held in the Lower Hall in DeMber. Refreshments were servLuI afterwards. The actICe of enjoying together th¢ (K¢8sionai congregational MLal, following the rnorning service. continues. Witli the pra¢ti¢al help of th¢ Open Air Mission. OF¢n air preaching on the High Strett was undertakcn on a tew occasions during the y¢ar. Additionally, a monthly Christian Literlrufe table started in November. Detailcd R¢p(Yts w¢r¢ submitted to the Presbyt¢ry im December as a Plde to a Presbytcry Oversight Visit (POV} ii) 2025. The resry)nse ot Presbytery will replace any respons¢ from the Pre$bcry Strat¢gy Cominittee, folloiving a meeting in I'ebruary 2022. We thankful for Malln Judd Gordon Ltd, of Stornow&y undertaking the responsibility of the Indepcndent Examiner. In relation to eongregation*l funding: Giving to the General Fund inLr¢ased a littl¥ in 2024, thc majority of th¢ illcre1 beiEkg accounted for by extemal donors; there is continued thankfulness for this ¢ncourdgement and help. The minimum remittance required from the Mission Board is the Administration Lw which varies accordin8 to income levels. The Den5' Court has established two funds to make provision for potential future ministry, namely, a De5ignatcd Ministry l.'und and additionally a Restricted Ministy Fund for income reslricted by donors for this pUse. In January 2025 roof repairs atthc manse, involving the removal of two chimneys, were ullden&ken at a cost of £3228. An Lslimai¢ of £6.758 has been a¢cept¢d for roof repairs ai the church building. Re5erYe$ and Results for the Year 'l-hcre was & sUlUS of £8,00 l on the CJen¢Tal Fund. This wa5 trattsferrcd to the Unrestricted Designated Ministry Fund. 'I'he jear ended with balanceq on the fabric Fund and General Fund being £28.730 and £16,098, respectively. The ljnrestricted Desig])ated Ministry fund and Restt'icted Ministry Fund had a ¢ombin¢d balance of £46.928. The truslees are satisfied with ihe level of reserves relained by the chariiy? being in total £99 044 {2023.. £72,006). Dated-. 8 Jiily 2095
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Rcport of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees orlhÈyéar ended 31 Denber 2024 I report on the ac¢ounls of the church for the year ended 31 December 2024 which atE set outonpages6to 11. Respective responsibilities of trustees exrdminer The charity's tsusfres are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts in accordance wAth thL ternis of the Charities and Trustce Inve5ttncnt (Scotland) Act 2005 and thc Charities Accounts (Scotland) kcgulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit tEquir¢ment of R¢gulation l O( l) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my tEsponsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (¢) of the Act and lo state whether pwticular matters have ¢ome to my attenlion. Basis of independent exgniiDer $ Ststement My examinativn is catried oul in a¢cordanLe with Regulation I l of the Chariiies Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An cxamination includcs a rcyicw of thL accounting rccords kept by the cl)arity and a comparison of the accounis presenred with ihose re¢ords. It also includes coTrsideration of any unusual ilems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matter5. "fhe pmcedures undertaken do not provid¢ all the evidenccthatwould be required in an audit, and consequently I do notexpres5 an audit upinion on the view given by the accounts. Independeffti W,xaminer8? Ststement In the Course of my examinatio no rnatt¢r has come to my attention - which gives me reasonabl¢ caus¢ io lI¢ve ihat in )Y mai¢ro1 respe¢i ihe r¢quirenienis: to keep accounting records in accordancc with Sec1ion 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 20(16 Accounts Regulations, aThJ to prepare accounts wknich aecord with the a¢couniing records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or 2. to which, undcrstan wrh in order to enable # proF¢r Signed.. Name Qualification Address Mann Judd Gordon Ltd Chartered A¢counlants and Registered Auditors 26 Lewis Street Stornowav Isle of Lewis IISI 2JF . July 2025
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Statement of Recei ts and Pa ments (or year ended 31 D¢¢ember 2024 Funds Restritted Unrestricted General Designated Total 2024 Total 2023 Notts Recei ts Con ational Gift Aid Tax recovered Church Door Collections GASD S¢heme Donations t)OnationlCme- Mis%ion ljivestment income Rent Ma Sund 7.167 14.837 4.717 6,098 lJ82 5,137 6.276 20 lJ98 6,462 130 1,464 070 3.000 80 152 50 135 55 40 loo ine income income 48 26 20 Total Recei 20,804 2,382 13,902 37,088 33.749 Pg menls ChurilublE aclivlties Retnittances- Cenir¢il Funds Minist¢r s ex enses lknl il s Buildin ex enses ChurchlMan5e insurance Church- en Manse- ener Council tax- rnanse Re ir5 & renewals Mission l.icens¢s'. h Gran15i£ilt5 Adv¢rtisin l)r¢sb t¢ Sund ex G(*veriiance £osts' Trust¢e indemni in5uranc¢ Inde endent F.xaminer 1.40¥ 576 4,161 152 1,560 576 4.161 4800 1,709 515 1,296 170 515 12 4.016 IJ2 . 3,050 904 193 $30 00 400 419 mnslwcbsitc 140 250 63 597 63 S97 465 dues nses Total Pa ellts 232 17,051 17.677 lusl Deficit for 8.001 1.634 13,670 Tr#n$fer Surplus l(Deficit) for ye#r after transfer 6,367 13,670 20,037 16,072
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Statement of Balances 4t 31 Deeernber 2024 Funds Unrestricted R¢s¢ricted Total 2024 Totsl 2&23 r4otes Cash Funds Bank banCeS at start of jesr 60.342 11.665 72.1107 55,935 Surplus l(D¢ficit) on Recei Is & Pa ments Statement 6.367 13,670 20,(J37 16,072 Bank balaDttS at end of ear 66.709 25 35 92.044 72,1107 Other Assets Church buildin Tax r¢claim due Prepaym¢nt$ and sums due 635 267 9)2 495 1,130 267 lJ86 1.264 192,650 Totsl 190,49S 191 J97 Liibilit1¢5 LrediioTS and defred incorne 113 530 The financial st&ements were approved by the Trustees on 8 July 2025 BJJd We signed on their b¢half by.. The notes foThn part ofth&4e financial statements.
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Iyotes to the Financial Ststementsfor ikn>year ended 31 December 2024 l. Aceoulltin% Policies (i) Accounting Convention Thc financial ateMentS have been prep&red under the historic cost convention, and in attord&ncc with the Charities Accounls (Scoiland) Regulations 2006. (li) Basis of financial statemcnts The finaiicial slalcments have been prepared on a receipts and paymcnis. basis. (iii) Fixed Ass¢ts Details of the assets held are shown in note I I to the accounts. No depreciation has bccn applied as dcprcciation is a non-cash itcin and thcrefore should not be included tn the receipts and puymcnts acLoullf. (iv) VAT The congregation is not registered for VAT and expeiiditure includes VA T wh¢re appIlbLe. (v) Explanation of Funds Unre$trieted funds comprise income received for th¢ objects of the church without furth¢r specified purpose and are available as gcneral funds. De$i%ll•t¢d funds r¢psent unr¢stri¢t¢d funds N,hi¢h have bcen ¢amiarked by the Trustees for particular purposes. In addition to the Fabric Fund. the Deacons, Court established rccently a Ministry Trund. Restrictcd funds comprise income which has been received for the objects of the church and specified for a restrithed purpose within these objects by the donor. 2. Gift Aid Small Dongtions (GASD) Sebeme HMRC launLhed this scheme from 6 April 2013, whereby tax is claimed back on small cash donations {with a maximutn of £8,000 from 6 April 2016) which ar¢ not coversj by gift aid declarations, provided ccrtain condi150ns are mel. 3. Investment Income £152 Il'as received froTn the Dalzell Bequest, admini%tered b}, Ihe Church of Scotlalld; it is money d¢signated for the Sustentation Fund, and therefore is classified under Restrieied Funds. Interest eamed on the Term t)eposit (sec Note 8) is allocated to ihe Fabric Fund. 4. Remittall¢e to Central Funds The remittance due in 2024 relales to the Administration Levy of £1,560. 5. Transaction$ witb Tru8¢ees Ther¢ w¢re no transactions with the Trustees, apart from reimbursing expenditure in¢urr¢d on behalf of tlie congrcgation. Trustce Indcmnity lllsurancc is included in the premium charged by the Insuran¢¢ Co, bui no longer identifi¢s it separalely. During lh¢ year £576 cxpenses were paid to the nterim Moderatur (2023 - nil). 6. Mission Mission expenses total £1,320. of which £571 r¢lal¢s to the weekly Drop-in.
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Notes to the Financial St4tementsfor iheyear ended 31 D¢L'emhcir 2024 7. Gr#Dts/Gifts During the year gifts were made from ih¢ Unr¢strictcd fund, as follows.. 2024 2023 Lo¢hgilphead Free Church of Scotland - building fund Open Air Mission Formcr Interim Modcrator- book token MAF to top up the coll¢etions 100 150 100 30 130 250 8. Cash at Bank Virgin Money - Current Ale 12 month Term Deposit Alc, paying 4.500/0 interest, maturing 011 24.02.2025 55,731 9. UDrestricted Funds- MovetDeDt Balan¢e at 01.01.24 Incoming resources Resourc¢s expended Transf¢r. Balance at 31.12.?4 G¢ncral frund 16,098 Designaied funds= Ministrv 13.880 Fabric 30 364 Total Unr¢stri¢t¢d Funds 60 42 20,804 (12,803) (8,001) 8.IM)I 16,098 21,881 Expl¢rnalion oJFupzd.% Tli¥ Ge*rlFill1deneompaSseS all income and expcnditurc relatinglo the primary focus of the activities of the charity, oth¢r than thvs¢ f()r which in¥orr)¢ is r¢strict¢d. The Ministry Fundwas established by the t)eacons' Court on 19, January 2023 to set aside tunds in the hop¢ thal within a couple of years it may be possible to call a minister or arrange Resident Supply lor &n initial period of thrcc ycars. ThL Fabric Fuiid represents the money set aside by the Deacons. Court for the fabric of the buildingbs and the repayment of loans in respect of property- Rental income and interest rec¢ivcd ar¢ ¢reditcd to the Fund.
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Note$ to the Finaneial Ststements for 117eyear ended 31 Decepnber 2024 10. Restricted Funds - Movement Balance at 01.01.24 EnLomiftg resourLes Resources exp¢nded Balance at 31.12.24 Restt'ictcd Ministry Fund Da17¢11 H¢qu¢st Fund Ben¢volenl Fund Drop-in (for presents) 11,487 13,560 152 110 80 25,047 (152) 178 288 80 232 665 25 35 Ixplanation ofJ,unds The Manie Ft4ndrelates to the prop¢rty. The present manse was pur¢has¢d from thc proceeds of the sale of the fonner manse (£120,000) and a donation. Consequently. the manse fund is made up of a Designated (Unrestricted) Fund of £120,000 and a RestriLted Fund of £70.000. The Dalzell B¥q11¥51 Fund represents mon¢y given towards th¢ sustcntation fund of ihe congregalion. 'll)¢ main Dalzell Bequest fund is held by th¢ Church of Swtland which ttdminist¢t3 it to its various ¢onstituciit parts. ThLI Benevole1 is for the purpo.qe of providing financial #ssistanLe at thc discretion of ihe D¢acons' Court. It is funded mainly from retiring offerings following pariaking of the Li)rd's %upper. Th(, Restricted ivini.slrv Fund was established by the Deacons. Court on 30, March 2023 for income restricted by the donor for the piirposes of fiinding MTnislry, including Resident Supply and weckly Supply expenditure. 11. Fixed Assrt$ 'rh¢ ¢ongr¢&yation owns Ihe ¢hurch building at 20 G¢orge Str¢et and the manse at 48 Averill Cres¢iml DCJ2 7RY. and the title dee(15 are held in tertns of the Ini)del trust deed of the Free Church of Scotland. Thc salc, and us¢ of pruc£x'ds of sal¢. r¢quir¢s th¢ auihorisation of Ihc (icncral Assembly of the l.ree Church of Scotland. 'I'he manse was purchased in October 201 l at a price of £190,000. The church buildin? has i)ot b¢¢n valued In view of the limitcd markct available and is not included in the Siatement of Baldnces. The church building is insured for £1,798.126 and the manse for £340,702. 10
Dumfries Free Church of Scotland Iyotes to the Finaneial Stat¢m¢ntsfoT iheyear endLd 31 December 2024 12. Fabrit Fulld- Analytrii$ of P¥ywent5 2023 2024 168 840 Church - Fixed el¢drical systcm- 5 year check Reinstatemeni Cost (fur Insuranve) assessment Structural survey for POV (both buildings) Roof paIrS Lighting renewal (upstairs) - Joinery repairs Plutnbing repairs Heating maintenance Replacement of smokelheat monitors Fire equipment inaintenance Sundry 576 970 1,140 169 331 138 340 59 33 64 150 63 16 Manse WClshow¢r room- extractor fan & new electric heater PnIng treehedge$ Plumbing repairs Ji)inery r¢puirs Heating maintenance 15¢rvirc d¢lay¢d by contraaoruJ)til 20241 156 - Sundry 588 180 113 420 464 88 972 Tota15