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 COl￿e Road
aidstone
Kent
ME15 6SL
Treasurer
Mr Roger Bashford
Bankers
National Westminster Bank plc
Maid5tone Branch
3 H￿h Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XU

TRUSTEES REPORT
The trustees are pleased to present their report together WTth finan￿al 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"AcC￿nlIr¥j arml Rep￿Ing
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 w0vis￿nS 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 s￿nIfICant historic involvement in and expefien
of Church life_ They also develO￿d 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 add￿onal 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 Mir*tt
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, A￿ptsble 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 A￿ptable 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 c￿nMun￿Y 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 ServI￿S 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 Othe￿iSe 90
to waste, or is surplus to their reqUi￿rnents. 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
suc￿sSful 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 Y￿14 attended and received.
The FreeBees support seSSi￿S 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 ala1vit￿5.
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 Con￿rn 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 CoMpan￿S 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 eI￿ltyle 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 explanat￿nS 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 requI￿rneDts 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 p￿paring 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¢
D￿at￿￿6
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 state￿￿ts 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 T￿￿ee$ ￿ 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 aCC￿￿tIr￿j 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 CoMmiss￿n 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 he*JHy 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 eX￿ndItUre 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 c*egories 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 aL*ivities. Given that there are no
teenager-specific activit*s 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 restriL*ions
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 PaSt￿S
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*k￿rSt.
Anatysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses
2022
2021
Salaries and w
so￿al 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 Sup￿￿1 to the charity (2021.. £nil).
Rèlated Party Transactbons
There have been no related party transactions in the year (2021.. £nil).
13