Staplehurst Free Church Reports and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 October 2022 Company number: 06725987 Charity number= 1127205 'AC5148)E•* 171W2023 COMPANIES HOUSE A21
118
REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATION INFORMATION Trustees T Hawgood R Laming Mrs K Minett G. Srnith Address of the principal office of the charity Stsplehurst Free Church Station Road Staplehurst Kent TN12 OQQ Independent Examinor Mr L.C. Seal FCCA FAIA Blain Pritchard 74 COle Road aidstone Kent ME15 6SL Treasurer Mr Roger Bashford Bankers National Westminster Bank plc Maid5tone Branch 3 Hh Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1XU
TRUSTEES REPORT The trustees are pleased to present their report together WTth finanal statements forthE y er)ded 31 October 2022. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Companies Act 20(b and tIE statem of Recom Pra(the"AcCnlIr¥j arml RepIng Charities. (SORP) effeclive from January 2015. STRUCTURE. MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE The charty is a company limited by guarantee, with a Mem(Yandum and Artides of Association as its goveming document. It was incorporated on 16th Ortober 2008. Previously Staplehurst Free Church, which began in the home of one of the founder members in 1969. was an unincorporated charity govemed by a Trust Deed. The Constitution of Staplehurst Free Church sets out the rules on how the organisation will operate on a day.tO-day basis. This d(Urnent sets purp(w. Statem of fath. vision, mission and goals. It also contains w0visnS regarding membership. the g0veman of the church through the leadership team (comprising eklers and deacons) and their appoinlment and responsibilities, the option to appoint a remunerated pastor, the conduct of church meetings and reference to role of trustees. In the event of a confiict betsveen the constitution and the Memorandum and Artides of Associab'on. then the Memorandum arKI Articles of Association have preference. After the unexpected and unplanned departure of the FTrViOUS pastor WIN) had caused si9nfficant unrest amongst the membership. the Interim Leadership Team Continued to successfully lead the Church. This team is made up of members wth snIfICant historic involvement in and expefien of Church life_ They also develOd a plan formalising their roles for a further two years using the processes defined in the organis'on's ConstrtutK)n. The Leadership Team ¢omprises.' Terence Hwwgood (Ekler) Bob Howse (Deacon) Mary Kate Henry Clive Jones (previous pastor) The members of the Charity may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is wli ling to act as a Trustee ether to fill a vacancy or as an addonal Trustee at a General Meets'ng in accordance wilh the Articles of Association. the Companies Act. - Bob Howse Teren Hawgood Roy LamirwJ Graham Smith Kathryn Mirtt The Leadership Team and the Trustees constar)Uy review various policEs of the church to ensure it uses best pradice across all acbvths. supported by having appropnate pokncies in pl induding but not limiied to the Equal Opportunities Policy artd Ethos Statement. Safeguarding P¢Jicy for Children and Vulnerable Adults. Pastoral Care Policy, Aptsble Behaviour Policy, Mission Funding Policy, Health & Safety Policy induding the Fo(Kl Hygiene Policy, Premises Secunty Policy and the Fire Safety Policy. [ring this reporting period work continued on
enhanang g0veMan arrangements including drafting amendments to the Constitution. the (levElopment of a Members arrfl Volunteers HandiK)ok. upd*'ng the Aptable Behaviour Policy and the appointment of an independent moderator should drffiGuttEs arise between the pastor, trustees, and other leadership. Risk assessments were also compiled for activities as required by Govemment guidelines for COV and are now being implemented for all activrties on a routine basis. CHARITABLE OWECTIVES & ACTNITIES The objects and goals of Staplehurst Free Church are set out in the MemorarKlum of Association and expanded in the Constitution, these being a vision being for a Spirit-filled church released into corporate praise and worship and to be an effective wrtness to the community. to serve some of the many and diverse needs of the cnMunY of StaplehuF5t and to be involved in the wider mission of the church overseas. The mission statement is summed up in the key statement- "Enabling everyone to know Jesus and grow in a personal relationship with Him.. We strive to monitor the needs of the community matching them to our resources and Klentfying opportuntiies for offering God's love to those in need. PUBLIC BENEFIT All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefrt from the charity. The trustees have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to Public Benefit guidance published by the Chartties Commission. In this financial year. emerging from the previous negative impacts of the Covid pandemic. our social. health and wellbeing aclNrties have absokrtely flouFished and expanded alor• our well- established faith-based support pr()Jrammes. The Church building is now in use every day of the week wth sessions across most momings. afterrK)ons and evenings which benefit many frequent attendees and users of the Church and the wider communty as follows Mondays- Debt Advice Centre. Men's Walking Group. Signing Group. SFC Choir Tuesdays- Friends T(Wher. Wnter Warn. Communty Fiidge. Home Groups (off site) VVednesdays- Prayer Meeting. Communty Fridge, Home Groups (off srte) Thursdays - FreeBees. Community Fridge. Mixed Badminton Fridays - Interest Group. Ladre5 8admmton. Worship Group Rehearsals Saturdays- Communrty Fridge. Leadership Meetings, Social Events Sundays- Church Services. Shanng Lunches and Social Events ((xcasional} Key develokwnents in the year have been as folI(p•. In person attendance at Church services continued to increase. Online broadcasting, nevly introduced because of Previous lockdown restrictions. has also been maintained. Thts is very much appreciated by those unable to attend ServIS due to health, work or other commiiments. A new 'Sgning Group. started. lIodICallY on Monday aftemLK>ns. These session help people develop their sign language skills in an informal and encouraging selting The Community Fridge was launthed as part of the Shepherd's Pantry portfolio, a food- insecurity community support pro9ramme started during the Covid pandemic. The main purpose of the Fndge is to redaim food from retailers and suppliers that woukl OtheiSe 90 to waste, or is surplus to their reqUirnents. and make this available to the general public at no cost. This is very helpful to pwle in finan(ial hardship This prqed has been very sucsSful with hwh footfall across the four days the Fr¢dge is open and wrth a newly formed team now comprising over 20 volunteers collecbng food, undertakirwJ sto¢k controj and welcoming and infonnally supporting visitcKs.
With an energy crisis emerging towards the end of the financial year potentially causing financial hardshtp for many peo*. Ixeparations for the settirvJ up of a senes the Wrrter Wam Rooms were well advanced. Thts is a collaboratsve venture. coordinated by the Parish Council. facilitating several communty organisalions induding SFC to open up their premises to local people arKI providing wannth and refreshments if they are having financial drfficutty in rnaintaining heat in their own homes. A themed church service and communty lunch we organised to c£lebrate the Queen's Jubilee and these were well attended. A multi-day 'Walk Through the Bible. educational event was organised in September arKI very Y14 attended and received. The FreeBees support seSSiS for new parents has become increasingly popular such that groups now OFerate on Thursday momings and aftemoons and a waiting list is having to operate.. pla$ do get freed up as parents retum to work so over time we are able to Frfovide supwl to many who benefit from and encourapment given by the sessions hosts and other parents with shared exper1enr. Opportunities for Volunteering now extends to people outside the Church membership. As our projects and inrtiatNes have expanded. we recognised limiting volunteering to our own membership was limrting impaca. irttrth the increased profile of our work across the community. were also beirKJ regularly approached with people offering their time to get involved so this is now happening in several of our programmes of wor Plans for a training programme called the 'Emmaus Project. were well advanced by the end of the Financial Year with a new coordinated programme of communrty engagement events being the thrust of the work expected to take plac£ over the next two year. Through grant funding and donations covering the cost of materials, extensive work was done on our communrty garden space to the rear of the Church induding instsllation of new chiklren's play area and fenring. The first Member and Volunteer Handbook was created with the primary purpose of 9Ning a better insight in to the history and lrfe of the Church for new attendees. One of the cornerstone activities of the Church is providing financial support for a variety of third- party charitable organisation and we are pleased to be able to report we have sustained this activity through the conts"nuous generous donkn'ons of our rnembers and regular attendees. Thes8 financial gifts are channelled through our Missionary FurMd- for details see Note 2 under the heading "Projects. in the Notes to the financial statements. Speaking opportunities were also provided to representats.ves of some of these organisations which stimulated additional donations. In addrtion. the Church once again supported arKI acted as a °dropping off point. for shoeboxes filled with toys as part of Samaritan Purse's Operation Chiislmas Child Appeal. Rent-free offi space and funding 8upN)rt was also wovrded to Staplehurst's Debt Advi Centre. FUTURE PLANS The Church continues to very active. sustainable and vtsant with a r-ful1-Year of ala1vit5. events and servi$ having taken place which were previously hindered by COVKI pandemic restrictions. The focus for the coming year is building on many successes and delivering those projects for which planning has tsken pla. Plans indude". Launthing and delivery of the Emmaus Proieca. Continuing to seryice the mortgage arKI interest free loan detts. the latter of which is targeted to ie paid off within three years. Continuing to maximise use of the thurch wemises for our own a¢bvitses and for the benef of the wider community. Develop an Operations HarKlbook and review and enhance the Staff Handbook. Continuing to consKler and develop succession plans for the current Leadership Team who may wish to retire from or redu their responsibilities in the next year or two.
FINANCIAL REVIEW Cash at hand in the bank account at 31a October 2022 was £22.997. An arnount within this of £10.000 is ringfenced as reserves which covers 6 months of fixed experMJrture which the trustees consider to be adequate. The remainder is available for projects and acts'vities as needed. The Buildin Pro All income to Ihe buikling fund was priontised tmrds the monthly mortgage payments and repayment of interest free loans resulting from the complete redevelopment of the Church site Gulminating wtth the opening of the new l)uilding in December 2012. The target is to repay all interest free loans by the end of October 2024 and an action plan is in hand to achieve this. (See Note6 3 and 4 of the N¢)tes to the fmancial Statem). Trust¢•s' ro8 slblllties Cojnpany law requires the trustees to wepare fin¢1* ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair wew of the state of affair5 of the charity at the year end and of its income and expenditure during the year. In weparing financial statements, the trustees are required to.. seled suitable accounting policies and appty them consistently.. • make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent: • state whether applicabk a(uunlw andardS and sLgtements of rec¥xnmended PTa(Xice have been followed • subj.ect to any material departures disdosed and explained in the financial statements; prepare the financial statements on a going Conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the chanty will continue in business. The trustees are required to keep proper accountrng records which disdose wilh reasonable accuracy at any time Ihe financial posrtion of the chanty and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the thanty and for takn.ng reasonable steps for the prevenbon arKI detection of fraud and other irregularities. Appr by the marfaging trustees and signed on their behalf by R Laming J,lor
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Slapkhurst Free Church I report on the financial statements of Staplehurst Free Church for the year ended 31 October 2022. which are set out on pages 8 to 13. Respective responsibililies of trustees and examiner The trustees (who are also the diredors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the Fyeparation of the finaThial Stateme in acc¢xdance with the requirements of the CoMpanS Act 2006 (Ihe 2CK6 Ad,). Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 20( Ad and are eIltyle for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (t1 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under sedion 145(b) of the 2011 Ad. This report, induding my statement. has been prepared for and only for the charity's trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the chanty's trustees those matters I am required to stste to them in an independent examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permrtted by law. I do not a¢p1 or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charrty and the charty's trustees as a body for my examinatwi work. for this report, or for the statements I have made. Basis of independent examiners report My examinats'on was carried out in accordan wrth the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented WTth those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the financial statements arKI seekirvJ explanatnS from you as trustees concernin9 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the financial statements present a Yrue and fair view and the POrt is limited to those matters set out in the statement bell. Independent examinerfs statement In connection wrth my examinatron, which is cornplete. no matter5 have c¢yne to my attention which give me reasonable cause to telieve that in any Material resFect: accounting records were not kept in resFeCt of Staplehurst Free Church in accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Art., or the financial statements do not accord with those records". or the financial statements do not Gomtyy with the accounting requIrneDts of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requiremert that the financtal statements give a and fairf view which is not a matler consKlered as part of an independent examination,. or the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principaL8 of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities lapplicable to thartiies pparing their accounts in accordance Y•1h the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Rewblic of Ireland {FRS 102)]. I have no concems arKI have cc¥ne across no ottw matters in connection wilh the examination to which, in my opinion, attents'on should te drawn in order to enable a proper understanding pf Ihe financial statements to te reached. Signed: Mr L. C. Seal FCCA FAIA Blain Prttchard. Chartered Certffied Accountants 74 College Road. MaKlstone, Kent ME15 6SL Date..
staplehurst Frne Church Statemont of financial activilles for tho yearended 31 Oclober 2022 General Atssionary Building Fund Fund T¢)tal Total 2022 2021 Incom¢ Dat6 41.863 16.403 25.205 67.955 64,481 16.844 10,485 33 Sundry income Bank Interest 241 Inlaryl Rev¢n4* 12.971 12.971 13.289 Totsl income 71.237 25.438 97.803 88.258 Expendituro Events Projects Sundry eypenses Profeswonal and legal fees Salèrits and wages Inland Revenu• 11.171 138 11.171 13.529 35.584 18.1rA) 11.226 12.082 10. 9.679 89 5.651 10. 5.575 76 76 Depreciati"on 25.2( 25.2CIg 25,2C Total expendilu 51.731 11,3( 30.783 93.823 78.687 Pltrt ineomellexpenditiffe) 19. -10.181 9.571 Trnnsfern bpl%won furKIs -21.377 9.625 11.752 Net incomellèxpendlthre) fter transfers -1,871 6.407 9.571 Balance broughl at 1 November 31.341 839,046 871.(fj7 861. carried forward at 31 Q¢tob8r 29.470 845.453 875.047 871,C67
Staplehurst Free Church Balance sheet at 31 October 2022 Genwal PJJi55ionary Building Fund Fund Fund Totsl 2022 Total 2021 Flxed assets Buikling Cost I260.4 1.2PAI.41N) 1,260,4LY) Depreciation for the year Accumulated depreualion .25.208 -25,208 .25,2C -227.611 -227,611 -202.4 Net building value 1.7,581 1.CIJ7.581 1.032.7 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 22.873 124 22.997 26,117 Oeblors Gift Aid recoverable 7.749 7.749 Llabilities: amounts falling due within on• year Accruals Holiday pay accruals Loans Mortga9e 1,152 1.160 53.333 53.333 80,1KKI Net current a$setsllliabilities) 29.470 124 -58281 -28.687 -52.928 Long-temi Llabllltles Mortgage -103,847 -103.847 -1C*.795 Net assets 29.470 124 845.453 875.047 871.(7 Funds.. General Fund Missionary Fund Youth Fund Building Fund House party Fund 29.470 29.470 124 31.341 679 124 845.453 845.453 839.0¢7 Total funds 29.470 124 845.453 875.047 871,7
The Tfustees consider that the chanty is entitied to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 20CO {Yhe Acri and members have not qUired the charity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordano with section 476 of the Act. The Twstees acknowlettge their respongbilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and lor preparing financial statets whth give a ITue and fa view ofthe state of affairs of the ¢hanty as at 31 October 2022 and of its surplus for the year then ended in xordano with the requirements of section 396 of the Act and which otheTh¥ise conwy wrth the requiren*nts of the Companies Acl 2006 relating to the financbal statements so far as applicable lo the charity. Approved by the ing Tee$ and signeil on their behalf by Date..... Roy Laming 10
Staplehurst Free Church Notss to the financial ststements for the year ended 31 October 2022 Accounting policies Basis of accounting The financial statements have been wepared under the historical cost convention and in aCxOrdan with applicable United Kingdom aCCtIrj standards and the Companies A 2006. In preparing the financial statements the trust follows test practice as laid down in the Statement of RecommerKled Practice 'Accounting and Reports'ng by Charities". issued by the Charity CoMmissn effecbve from January 2015 Income Donations and interest received are accourrted for in tr ye in which the trust is entitled to receive them. Expenditure All expenditure accounted for on an acfxuals basis and, tn accordan wrth the requirement of the SORP. and has been ClasSrf urKler heJHy that aggregate all costs related to that category. In accordance with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities" all eXndItUre has been classified under standard headings - [the charity has taken advantage of concessions provided by SORP and prepared headings to surt the charity as opposed to by actsvrty cegories which YxJld apply to larger charities suty'ected to an auditj. Depreciation on the buildin9 is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 50 years. Funds The general fund is available for use at the discrelK)n of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charty Designated funds are unrestricted funds eannarked by Trustees for particular purposes. Details of designated funds are as follows.. Missionary furKI- used for the suprM)rt of missionaries overseas and in ts UK and Gharitieslmission organwtions as approved by Leadership Team. Youth fund - previous used to subsKlise youth aLivities. Given that there are no teenager-specific activits at present it was decided that this fund should be dosed and the small residue Iransferred into the general fund to support other acttvtties. Restricted funds are funts which are to be used in a(zor(lance with speofic restriLions imposed by the donor. Details of restn'cted furKJs are as foll(Yws: Building fund - SFecifitslly for the repayment of the loans taken out to cA>mplete the construction of the church building. 11
Projects Total 2022 Total 2021 Bamabus Fund Communty Centre for Debt Affvice- Stapkhurst Compassion UK Emmanuel Press UK Falconer Trust Famity Trust GideonslGood News for Everyone Hope Lebedyn Maidstone Street PaStS 200 100 300 100 500 1.300 1,200 500 609 1,300 250 200 F-11 Open Doors Orphaids UK Project Ecuador Release Intemational Samaritan's Purse SASRA Share Jesus Intemational Smethurst Ministries Tearfund Torch Trust Walk Through the Bible Others 632 1.182 1,195 500 1,000 200 500 200 500 2.400 1.130 600 138 1,100 1.180 600 13 Loans Loans totalling £311,000 have been made by Church members since March 2012. Over Ihe past year £26.667 has been repaid using funds from the buikling fund. The balance of £53.333 has been requested by the lender to be repaid within 2 years and an action plan is in harKI to fulfil this. Mortgage A loan of £150.000 was completed on 3 April 2012 from the Childs Chartiable Trust at the rate of 5.5% (variable) repayable over 25 years payable by monthly instalments of capital and interest of £876.89 the first payment havirKJ been made on 1 June 2012. The loan is secured on the land arKI buildir¥J at Station Road. Sta*krSt. Anatysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses 2022 2021 Salaries and w soal secu Pension costs es costs 10 095.74 75.90 856.64 9 679.49 87.72 822.74 12
No employees had employee beneffts in excess of £60.(L)0 (2021." £nili. The administrator role continued to be filled on a part time basis throughout the year. The charity trustees were not paid or received any other beneffts in the year for undertaking this voluntary role (2021.. £nil). Any exrenses incurred vftre reimbursed in the same way as with other churth members. No chanty trustee recewed payment for professional or other sep4ices Sup1 to the charity (2021.. £nil). Rèlated Party Transactbons There have been no related party transactions in the year (2021.. £nil). 13