Joint parish councils, accounts, 2008

The joint parish councils’ operating accounts for 2008 were good. Gross operating profit before depreciation was NOK 105 million, or 3.3 per cent of operating revenues. Total operating revenues increased by 8 per cent from 2007 to 2008, while the increase in total operating expenses was 9.3 per cent.

Lower net operating profit

Operating revenues increased by NOK 234 million to NOK 3 161 million from 2007 to 2008.  Subventions given by local and county municipalities account for 61 per cent of the total operating revenues. Income from transfers and refunds was almost 19 per cent. Revenues originating from sales, fees, rents and other operating revenues represented 7 per cent. The distribution of income has not changed significantly since 2004.

Operating expenses increased by NOK 261 million, and amounted to NOK 3 055 million in 2008.  Payroll expenses are the single most important item of the expenses and constitute 62 per cent of the operating expenses. Payroll expenses and expenses for goods and services accounted for 88 per cent of the operating expenses.

Net operating profit was NOK 113 million in 2008; NOK 27 million lower than in 2007.

Depreciation has no effect for the joint parish councils’ result, but amounted to NOK 118 million in 2008; NOK 2 million more than in 2007.

A total of 39 per cent of operating expenses were related to churches, whereas cemeteries represented 17 per cent, and administration 28 per cent. The remaining 16 per cent relates to other activities connected to the churches.

Increase in investments

Investments in tangible fixed assets amounted to NOK 541 million in 2008; NOK 125 million more than in 2007. Almost 88 per cent of the total investments were financed by funds, grants and financial contributions, while new loans amounted to12 per cent, or NOK 68 million.

In total, 68 per cent of the investments were related to churches and 25 per cent to cemeteries.

Balance sheet

Total assets administered by the joint parish councils in 2008 amounted to NOK 6 335¹ million; an increase of 13¹ per cent compared to 2007. The increase in total assets since 2004 has been NOK 1 500¹ million.

Long-term liabilities in 2008 represented 4.8 per cent of total assets; an increase of NOK 90 million compared to 2007.

Tables:

• Table 1 Financial statement
• Table 2 Balance Sheet (Corrected 23 July 2009)
• Table 3 Total operating expenses by purpose
• Table 4 Total investment by purpose