Assembly Trustees Update – February 2026

The Assembly Trustees had no scheduled Ordinary Meeting in January. However, the Trustees met for a Strategy Day alongside the Senior Leadership Team, building on the work begun during a similar session held in late 2025. For both the Trustees and the wider Church, it remains essential that our shared vision – where we hope to get to and what we hope to see – stays at the centre of our spiritual discernment and practical work. Flowing from this is the necessary question: ‘what then do we need to do' to ensure the vision becomes more than an aspiration.

The Trustees continue to identify the enabling of Mission across the Church of Scotland, and the Growing of the Church's work in enabling Faith, as our core priorities. Our strategy and our decisions follow from these objectives. We aim to provide a sustainable model of resources for this mission and to reduce the obstacles created by unwieldy structures that can divert energy from the Church's core work and slow progress in supporting God's mission through our shared life. The proposed vision, strategy and priorities will be presented to the General Assembly in 2026 for approval as part of the Trustees report.

In addition to the Strategy Day, a group of Trustees met again with representatives of our presbyteries during a New Directions Day. This work has been invaluable as Trustees, Presbyteries, Faith Action Programme Leadership Team (FAPLT) Conveners and the Senior Leadership Team seek to coordinate our thinking and our systems so that we work together towards the same missional ends. These meetings help to build a foundation of open communication and transparency. Put simply, they allow for better "joined‑up thinking" on matters that bridge our work across National, Regional, and Local Mission.

The February meeting of the Assembly Trustees was understandably shaped by the work required in preparation for the General Assembly in May. The Report and Deliverance to the Assembly was reviewed in draft form. It brings together the various strands of our work since May 2025 and sets out the intended direction of travel for the period ahead.

We also received updates on the Report and Deliverance concerning the selection of a Lead Academic Provider. Work is progressing between FAPLT and Trinity College (University of Glasgow) towards a fully costed, detailed proposal. The Trustees also reviewed the Legacies of Slavery Report, which will be an important statement presented to the General Assembly in 2026.

The Management Accounts continue to indicate that 2025 will show a better‑than‑budgeted outcome. Significant attention has been given to our financial sustainability, as requested by the General Assembly. The Trustees wish to acknowledge the hard work of our Finance Team in this regard. As is always the case when financial papers appear positive, the Team reminds us that fluctuations remain possible and that continued oversight and scrutiny are essential in safeguarding the Church's finances. Detailed financial information will be available in due course when the Assembly papers are published in May.

The 2025 budget projected a £6.06m deficit, but the year ended with a £1.207m operating surplus. This improvement is welcome but largely driven by one‑off or unpredictable income, such as legacies and strong investment returns and by difficult but necessary cost‑control measures. These gains cannot be assumed in future years, so the surplus should not be seen as evidence that our financial challenges are resolved. Continued discipline in spending and a focus on growth remain essential. Overall, the result gives cautious optimism: we are moving in the right direction, but ongoing vigilance and prudent stewardship are still required.

Regarding finance, the Trustees were asked to approve a further transfer of funds to our commercial holdings in Israel. This was approved in principle and will be paid only as needed.

As we conclude this update, the Trustees are pleased to report that succession planning is well underway as we prepare to recruit new Trustees to fill vacancies arising in May.