Joint parish councils, accounts, 2011

Gross operating profit for joint parish councils in 2011 was about NOK 196 million. This was an increase of about NOK 56 million or an increase of 40 per cent from the previous year. Operating revenues amounted to just about NOK 3.9 billion in 2011 compared to NOK 3.6 billion in 2010. This was an increase of about NOK 212 million. Operating expenses were NOK 3.7 billion in 2011 compared to NOK 3.5 the previous year; an increase of around NOK 156 million.

The net operating profit amounted to NOK 174 million in 2011. This was an increase of about NOK 51 million or 41.5 per cent compared to the previous year. The improvement is due to an increase in the gross operating profit. The net result of financial income and expenses amounted to around NOK 22 million due to higher financial expenses than financial revenues. The financial expenses comprise interest rates, instalment payments and payment of loans and purchases of shares, whereas the financial revenues comprise interest incomes, dividends and instalments payments from borrowed loans and revenues from sales of shares.

Increase in grants from the municipalities¹

Municipal grants and transfers represent the most important revenue for the joint parish councils. In 2011, the municipalities transferred more than just about NOK 2.4 billion to joint parish councils compared to NOK 2.1 billion in 2010. The municipal grants constituted 61 per cent of the total gross revenues. Grants from central government amounted to NOK 271 million and constituted 7 per cent of the total gross revenues. Grants from other joint parish councils and parishes declined from NOK 17 million in 2010 to NOK 10 million in 2011 and constituted around 0.3 per cent of the total gross revenues.

Revenues from transfers and grants that also comprise VAT refunds declined by NOK 18 million from 2010 to 2011 and made up 18 per cent of the total gross revenues in 2011. Revenues from user payments, fees and rent increased by NOK 27 million from 2010 to 2011 and constituted 8 per cent of the total gross revenues. Other transfers, gifts and contributions increased from NOK 67 million in 2010 to NOK 72 million in 2011 and made up around 2 per cent of the total gross revenues.

Increase in payroll expenses

Payroll expenses for the joint parishes have increased steadily in recent years. The payroll expenses in 2011 amounted to NOK 2.3 billion; an increase of about NOK 119 million from the previous year. The payroll expenses constituted 63 per cent of the total operating expenses, whereas expenses for the purchase of goods and services made up 25 per cent of the total gross expenses. The other expense items have maintained around the same level as 2010.

In 2011, the gross expenses for the churches was about NOK 1.4 million; an increase of around NOK 2 million from 2010. Most of the church expenses have been used to cover payroll expenses, build new churches and maintenance. In 2011, expenses for church administration, cemeteries and other church activities have slightly increased by about NOK 1 billion; NOK 613 and NOK 668 million respectively.

Decline in use of loans for investment purposes

In 2011, investments to buildings and equipment amounted to NOK 630¹ million; a decrease of about NOK 56¹ million from the previous year. Investment expenses to the churches amounted to NOK 414¹ million or 66¹ per cent of the total investment expenses. About 84¹ per cent of the total investment expenses were financed by transfers and contributions. Acquisition of new loans declined from NOK 152 million in 2010 to NOK 102 million in 2011; a decline of about NOK 50 million.

Higher equities

The joint parish council administered equities of about NOK 9.4 billion in 2011. This represented an increase of around 12 per cent from 2010. The equities have increased by NOK 3.8 billion since the year 2007. Long-term liabilities increased by about NOK 132 million and current liabilities increased by NOK 29 million from 2010.

Tables:

• Table 1 Financial statement
• Table 2 Balance sheet
• Table 3 Total operating expenses, by purpose
• Table 4 Total investments, by purpose