Joint parish councils, accounts, 2012

Gross operating profit for joint parish councils was about NOK 175 million in 2012. This is about NOK 21 million or 10.7 per cent less than the previous year. Operating revenues amounted to NOK 4.2 billion in 2012 about NOK 300 000 more than in 2011. Operating expenses were NOK 4 billion in 2012.

Municipality grants constitutes 59 per cent of gross revenues

Municipal grants and transfers represent the most important revenue for the joint parish councils. In 2012, the municipalities transferred more than NOK 2.4 billion to joint parish councils compared to NOK 2.3 billion in 2011. The municipal grants constituted to 59 per cent of the total gross revenues.

Transfers from the central government decreased from the previous year. In 2012 the transfers amounted to NOK 267 million against NOK 272 million in 2011.

Revenues from transfers and grants that also comprise VAT refunds increased by NOK 178 million from 2011 to 2012 and made up 21 per cent of the total gross revenues in 2012. Revenues from user payments, fees and rent increased by NOK 21 million from 2011 to 2012 and constituted 8 per cent of the total gross revenues.

Churches cost more

In 2012, the gross expenses for the churches were about NOK 1.4 million; an increase of around NOK 27 million from 2011. Most of the church expenses are used to cover payroll expenses, build new churches and maintenance.

Payroll expenses for the joint parishes have increased steadily in recent years. The payroll expenses in 2012 amounted to NOK 2.5 billion; an increase of about NOK 166 million from the previous year. The payroll expenses constituted 62 per cent of the total operating expenses.

Decline in investment expenses

In 2012, investments in buildings and equipment amounted to NOK 570 million; a decrease of about NOK 66 million from the previous year. Investment expenses to the churches amounted to NOK 359 million or 63 per cent of the total investment expenses. About 75 per cent of the total investment expenses were financed by transfers and contributions. Acquisition of new loans increased from NOK 102 million in 2011 to NOK 144 million in 2012.

Close to NOK 1 billion in long term liabilities

In 2012 long-term liabilities amounted to NOK 790 million against NOK 662 million in 2011, an increase of about NOK 128 million. Current liabilities decreased by NOK 4 million in the same period. The joint parish council administered equities of about NOK 10 billion in 2012, an increase of around 6.3 per cent from the previous year.