Assembly Trustees Update August 2025

The Assembly Trustees met on Thursday 14 August for our normal monthly gathering. This month the agenda primarily looked at finance. Amongst other items we had updates on the financial position of the denomination, a presentation from CrossReach giving an update on their own position and a refresher training session from Jenny Simpson the General Treasurer on charity financial reporting.

Trustees serve for a period of 3 years after which they can be reappointed for a further 3 years so the maximum time any given Trustee can serve is 6 years. With regular changes amongst the Trustees it is important we receive regular training and induction.

Jenny's presentation comprehensively covered the accounting and reporting requirements under which the Church of Scotland operates, the various types of funds we hold, peculiarities of charity accounting, how we do our budgeting and so on. We are required to conform to FRS102 (FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland) and we report using Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice). Accountants will be familiar with these, to the rest of us they can be like speaking a different language.

Funds the Trustees are responsible for are categorised the same way as congregational funds. To anyone on a finance committee these categories will look very familiar.

When we come to the actual funds for which the Assembly Trustees are responsible, they are outlined below. These figures are from December 2024. This was a training presentation and was not using the most up to date figures which we had already looked at as part of the management accounts.

Functional fixed assets include things like the parts of 121 occupied by the Church, furniture and IT equipment whilst mixed motive and programme related investments covers such items as loans made by the Housing & Loan Fund and the loan the Unincorporated Entities have made to the Church of Scotland Trust.

If you are still with us, congratulations, because so far it has been a bit dry! The life of an Assembly Trustee includes keeping on top of the financial details. This is a big part of what the General Assembly has tasked us with.

The Trustees never forget that every number represented in the above table reflects peoples giving. We honour those who give to support the work of the Church through their offerings. Similarly, restricted funds often reflect a person who has left money to the Church in their will so the Church can keep resourcing their particular life's passion. All taken together, these are used to fulfil our calling to be Jesus' salt and light in the world.

On behalf of the Trustees a big thank you to everyone who continues to support the work of the Church so that we can keep making a difference in the world around us.

Rev Norman Smith

Administrative Trustee