Staplehurst Free Church Reports and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 October 2024 Company number: 06725987 Charity number: 1127205
REFERENCE AND ADMINSTRATION INFORMATION Trusteos T Hawgood R Howse R Laming Mrs K Minett G. Smith Address of the principal office of the charlty Stap18hurst Fr88 Church Stalion Road Staplehurst Kent TN12 OQQ Indepondent Examlner Mr L.C. Seal FCCA FAIA Blain Pritchard 74 College Road Maidstono Kent ME15 6SL Treasurer Mrs Carol Skov Bankers National Westminster Bank plc Maidstone Branch 3 High Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1XU
TRUSTEES REPORT Th8 trust885 arg pleased lo present their report together with the financial statements for th8 year ended 31 October 2024. The financial statements comply with Current statutory requirem8nts, th8 Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Rècommended Practice "Accounting and R6POrting by Charitias" (SORP) effectlve from January 2015. CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES Our Memorandum and Articles of Association state the following oblectivo: To advance the Christlan Faith in accordance with the Slaternent of Beliefs and in Slapl8hurst, Kent and in such other parts of the Unlted Kingdom or the World as the Trustoas may from tlme to time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusiv6ly charitable aGcording to th8 law of England and Wales and are conn8c18d to the charitable work of the Charity. Relleving sickness, hardship and promoting and preserving good health by the provision of funds, goods and servicas of any kind, including the provlsion of counsalling and support in Staplehurst, Kent and other such parts of tha United Kingdom or the Wortd as the TNslees from lime to tim8 may think fit. SUMMARY OF THE CHARITY'S MAIN ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS To further thè abov6 objects and vislon, the charilyls main activities and achievem8ntS W8r8 as follows: In 2024 we celebrated 55 years as a community church for Staplehurst. Our social, health and wellbelng activities have continued to expand alongsid8 our usual falth- based seNices and m8atings. Th6 building ConnueS to be in use every day of the week, with multiple sessions each day, as follows., - Mondays - Debt Advice Cgnlre, Men's Walklng Group, SFC Choir. Tuesdays- Friends Together, Wam Hub, Community Fridgè, Home Groups (off 8lte}. Wednesdays-Pray8r M88ting. Community Fridgo, Homa Groups (on sile}, AA Me8ting' Thursdays - FreeBees, Communily Fridge, Mixed Badminton. Fridays- Pastoral Car8 Mèèting, Interest Group, Ladies Badminton. Youth24, Worship Group R8hearsals. Salurdays - Community Fridge, Family Fun, and ad hoc Social Ev8nis• Sundays- Church SeTvices, Sharing Lunches and Social Events (occasional) Key developments in the year hav6 beon as follows: In person attendance at Church services continuad to increasè with 110 r8gular attend888 and several new families attending. Online broadcasting has also been maintain8d with ov8r 2000 vi8ws in the y8ar. We also cglebrated 8 baptisms in the year. The Community Fridg8 has seen almost 6,000 visits in 2024 a 26Yo increase driven by the continued cost-of-living crisis. This initiative Is part of the Shepherd's Pantry portfollo a food-insecurity community support programme which started during the Covid pandemic lo reclaim food from retailers and suppliers that would oth8rwis8 go to waste or Is surplus to their requirements. This is then made available to the public, particularly those In financlal hardship al no cost. The Fridg8 is open at varying times over 4 days a week with over 20 volunteers in the team co118Ctlng food, underlaking stock control and welcoming and informally supporting vlsitors. Other building users are invited to make use of the Community Fridge on othar days. Our busl8St month of the y8ar was August which we believe is related to the school holidays. The WinlerW8lcom8 Spac8 became the Warm welco Hub opening up our premis8S to local p8opI8 and to provided warmth, company and refreshments. During the coldest months freo hot soup and rolls were also provided, Up to 40 people are served each week.The FreeBees support sessions
for new parents continue to be popular. Two age-appropriate groups operate on Thursday mornings and aflemoons with a walling list in plac8 for the morning session. Places are freed up as parents rètum to work or chlldr8n start att8nding nursery, so over lime we are able to provide support to many famllles who b6nèflt from lh8 help and encouragement given by Ihe sessions hosts and other parents with shared experiences. At any onetime we have had up to 66 children registerad wilh us. In Ihe autumn w6 concluded our training programme the 'Emmaus Project, helping us plan and deliver a coordinated programm6 of community engag6m8nt events. In tho last year we have held a free barn dance, a free quiz night, a Santas Grotto, a summer music evont and an Annivèrsary c818bratSon. Furth8r events ar8 plann8d for the comSng year. Also, in the Autumn w8 launchèd Youth24, an interactiv8 fun evening for young people of secondary h0o1 age. Sessions run on the second and fourlh Fridays during term lime. Following his succéssful first year with us our Church Leader, Peter Brook has increased his hours and will now work four days perweek in the coming year. In late June we had solar panels and back up batteries fittad thanks to a generous grant from Maidstone Borough Council. This has helped reducé our electricity bills and reduced our carbon emissions and expect th8 System to start gen8raling passive income in the summer months In planning the activities, the trustees have applied the guidance on public bénefit issuad by th& Charfty Commission. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Tho charity is a company limitad by guarant68, Wlth a Mèmorandum and Articles of Association as its goveming document. It was incorporated on 16th October 2008. Prevlously Staplehurst Free Church, which began in the home of one of the founder members in 1969. was an unincorporated charity governed by a Trust Deed. The Constitution of Slaplehurst Free Church sets out the rules on how tho organisalion will oporate on a day-tOaY basis. This document sets out the purpose, statement offailh, vision, mission and goals. It al80 Contains provisions regarding memb8rship, th8 govemance ofthe church through the leadership l8am and their appointment and responsibilities, the option to appoint a remunerated pastor, the Conduct of Church meetings and reference to the role of trustees. In the event of a conflicl between the constitution and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, then the Memorandum and Articles of Association have preference. The Leadership Team take principal responsibility for Ihe day to day running of the church and overse8ing ils numgrous volunteer led actlvities. Succession planning for Ihe Leadership Team had been a prioTlty for the previous year. Several of those previously acting had been doing so for many years and wished to transition out of leadership but in a managed way that did not leave the church leader-lèss. Since slgnlficant difficulties were previously experienced after recruiting someone comp18tely unknown to the Church. a strategy wa8 adopted lo openly approach a cohort of people who have some previous knowledge or involvement in Church life. Since our financial situatlon would likely only enable any n8w church leader to be appointed on a part-time basis, this approach also provided scope for those with difforent skills and other sourc8s of income to express Interost. there would b6 flexibility to scope a rolg rathèr than It b6 prèscribed and potentially exclude good candidates. Various expressions of interest were received and after a Selection and consultation proc8ss, Peter Brook, a long-standlng Chri8tian who had joined the Church within the last two y8ars, was nomlnated to the membership to be the new remunerated ChUh leader and he ctxnmenced Ihis role on th8 1st DeGemb8r 2023. Previous mombers of Ihe Leadership Team, Clive Jones and Bob Howse, stood down from leadershlp at the same Ilme. The Leadership team therefore continues to be made up of membèrs with significant historic involvemènt In and exporienc& of Christian and Church life and comprises: Peter Brook {Church leader). Ter8nc8 Hawgood (S8nior Eld8r). Mary Howse (Assistant Leader). Kate Henry {Assistant Leader) Addilionally, the members of the Charity may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing
to act as a Trustee either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Trustee at a General Meellng in aordanCe with the Articles of Association. Trustees are also reappointed, if desired, on a rotational basis in the order in which they were appointed as also defined in the Articles. As at the date of this report the followlng aré the charity's trustees and directors for the purposes of the Companies Act.. - Bob Hows8. Tér8nc8 Hawgood. Roy Lamlng. Graham Smith. Kathryn Minett Th8 Leadership Ta8m and the Trust8es ensure th8 various policles of the church are reviewed annually to ensur8 it uses bast practlce across all activities. Policies in plac8 include but are not limitèd to the Equal Opportunllles Policy and Ethos Statement, Safeguarding Pollcy for Children and Vulnerable Adulls, Pastoral Care Pollcy, Acceptable Behaviour Policy, Mlssion Funding Policy, H8alth & Saf8ly Policy Including the Food Hyglene Policy, Premisés Security Policy and the Fire Safety Policy. A new a Members and Volunteers Handbook was also comple16d this y@ar. FINANCIAL REVIEW Our financial position remains robust. Around 600A of income comers from the regular monthly giving, mostly by standing order. from our generous members and regular attendees. The remaining income is madè up from other grants, onè-off donations towards the work of the church, donations for participation in church activity group s88sions, Ihe gift ald rebate and other ad-ho income. We also had a one-time grant from Maidstone Borough Council of £45,000 for a solar panel System which will Contribute greatly to our financlal sustainability in the long term. Our expenditure for the year was in line wlth expectations and the bank balanc6 remains health with sufficient res6tv6s lo meet short tèrm n8eds If incom8 signiflcanlly dropp8d, We antlcipaÉe being abl8 to incr8as8 th8 pastor's working hours to four days p&r w89k in the wming year. On6 of the comerstone activities of the Church is providing financial support for a variety of third- party charitablé organisations and we ar6 pleased to be able to r6port we have sustained thls activity through the continuous generous donations of our members and regular attend60S. FUNDS IN DEFICIT None INVESTMENTS POLICY Nona RESERVES POLICY Of the cash in hand at the bank at year end, £15.000 of this is ringfenced as reseNes which covers 3 months of fixed expenditure which the trusteos consider to be adequate.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES UNDER CHARITY LAW Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial Statemen18 for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity al the year end and of its income and exp8ndlture durlng the y8ar. In preparing Ihese flnancial stalemants, tha Iruste8s are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommandgd practlC8 have baen follow8d' subject to any material departuras disclos8d and explained in th8 financial statem8nts,' and pr&par6 lh8 financlal statem8nts on a golng ¢onc8rn basis unl8SS it is inappropria18 to presume that th8 charily wlll Gontlnu8 in business. The trustees are required to keep proper accounting records whlch disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial stalements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable Steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularitles. Signature This r as approved by the trustees, and Is signed on their behalf by: R Laming Data,..,....
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Staplehurst Froe Church I report on the financial stat8ments of Staplehurst Fr66 Church for the year ended 31 October 2024. which are sel out on pages 8 10 12, Respective responslb¢litles of trustees and examlner The trustees (who arg also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for th8 preparation of the financlal statoments in accordance with th8 roquiremenls of the Companies Act 20061'the 2006 Act,). Having satisfied myself that the financial stat8m6nts of the charity are nol r8quir8d to be audited under Part 16 of th6 2006 Act and are eliglbl8 for independent examlnation, I report in respect of my examlnallon of the charity's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Chadtles Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed the DIrtionS given by th8 Charity Commission under section 145{bl ofthe 2011 Act. This report, inGluding my statement, has beon prepared for and only for the charity's trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's truslees those matters I am requir6d to state to them in an ind8P8nd8nl examinefs report and for no other purpose. To th8 fullest extent pormitled by law. I do nol accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than th8 charity and the Charity's trustees as a body for my exarninatlon work, for this report, or for the statements I have made. Basis of Independent examlner's report My axamination was carrled out in accordance with the gen8ral Dir8Ctions given by trie Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of Ihe accounllng records kept by the charity and a comparison of tha financial statements presenled wllh Ihose records. It also includès consideration of any unusual It8ms or disclosures in the financial stalements and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undortaken do nol provld8 all tha evidence that would bo required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to wh8ther the financial statements present a 'lrue and falr vlew. and the report is limited to thos8 matters set out in the statement below. Independenl examlnerfs statement In conneclion with my examination, which is complete, no matters have com8 to my attention which glve me reasonable Cause to bèlieve that in any material respect.. accounling records were not kept in resp8Ct of Staplehurst Free Church In accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Act,. or the ljnancial stat8ments d) not accord with th08e records., or the financial Statements do not comply with the accountlng requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any raquirèmenl that the financial statements giv8 a 'true and fair, Vi8w which is not a matter consld8red as part of an independant examination; or th8 financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principals of the Statèmènt of Recommended Practlce for accounting and r8porting by charitles lapplicable to charlties preparing their accounts in accordanc8 Wlth the Financlal Reporting Standard applicabl& in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. I have no concerns and hav8 com8 acros8 no Other matters in connection with the examination to which, in my opinlon, attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper underslanding of the finanolal slatements to be raached. Signed: Mr L. C. Seal FCCA FAIA Blain Pritchard, Charterod Certified Accountants 74 College Road, Maidstono, Kent ME15 6SL Date..
Staplehurst Free Church Statement of financlal activitios for th• y•ar •nded 31 October 2024 Gén•ral Mlssionary Bulldlng Fund Fund Fund Total Total Notè 2024 2023 Incomè Donatlons and Leg8cIg8 131,407 724 2,810 134,941 162,292 Charitable aclvilles 820 829 829 430 Inve8tmgnt8 Olhgr 1.055 1.055 Total incom• 133.292 724 2,810 136.826 163.543 Expenditure Chatable tIVleS 152.156 2,566 15,712 167.868 105,676 2,566 3,310 Goveman¢& ¢osts TotAI •xpondltur• 154.722 15,712 170,434 108,986 Net incomellèxp•ndllur•} bgfore transfers Tr4nsl•rs baknoen lund -21,430 -14,988 2,810 -33.607 54,556 -17,921 17,921 Met ineomèll•xpondltur•l after trsfOr$ -39,350 2,933 2,810 -33.607 54,556 Balanee brought fonvard at 1 NOVemr 44.287 211 885.105 929,e03 875,047 Balan¢e ¢arr5ed forwwd at 31 October 4.937 3.144 887,915 895.996 929,603
Staplehurst Free Church Balance Sheet at 31 October 2024 G•n•ral Missionary Bulldlng Fund Fund Fund Tot Total 2024 2023 Note Flxed assets Building cost 1,260,400 1,260,400 1,260,40 DepreGlation for the year Accumulated depreciation -25,208 -25,208 -25,208 -278,027 -278,027 -252.819 Net bullding value gS7.165 957.165 982,373 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 5.018 3.144 23,409 31.570 45.436 Debtors Gift Aid re¢ov6r8blo 6,604 6.604 6.4 Liabilities: amounts falllng due wfthin one year Accruals Holiday pay accruals Loan8 Mortgage 6.685 6,685 1,217 5.467 5,467 5.467 Net current assetsl(Ilabllltles) 4.937 3,144 17,942 26,023 45,356 Long-term Llabllltles Mortgage 87,192 87,192 98,127 Net assets 4,937 3,144 887.915 895,998 929,602 Funds.. Goneral Fund Missionary Fund Youth Fund Building Fund Hous8 party Fund 4,937 4.937 3.144 44.287 211 3,144 887.9rf5 887.915 885.105 Total funds 4,937 3.144 887,915 895,996 929,e03
The Trustees consider that the charity is fynlitled lo exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of Section 477 of the Compani8$ Act 20061"Th6 Act'l and memb8rs have not requlred th8 oharily lo obtain an audit for the year in qu8slion in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The Trustees acknowledg& thèir responsibili118s for ensuring that th& charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the stal& of affairs of the Charity as al 31 October 2024 and of its deficit for the year th8n ended in accordance with the requir8m8nls of section 396 of the Act and whlch otharwlse comply with the requiremants of the Companies Act 2006 relating to th8 financial statements so far as applicable to the charlty. Approvd b ilh Mangging Trustees on and signed on their behalf by Roy Laming 10
Staplehurst Frèe Church Notès to the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024 Accountlng pollcles Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared under the hlstorlcal cost eonvenlSon and In accordan with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards and thè Compani6s Act 2006. In preparing the financial statements the trust follows best practlC6 as laid down in Ihe Statement of Recommended Practice "Accountlng and Reporting by Charities" issued by the Charity Commission effective from January 2015. Income Donations and interest receNed are accounted for in th8 year in which the trust is 8ntit18d to receive thèm. Expenditure All oxpenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and, in accordance with the requirement of the SORP, and has been classbfi&d und&r headings that aggregate all costs r61ated to that category. In accordanc& wilh th8 requirement8 of the Statement of Recommended Practice °Accounting and R8POrtlng by Charities. all expenditure has been classified under Standard headings- Ithe charity has taken advantage of concessions provided by SORP and prepared headings lo suit the charity as opposed to by activity categories which would apply to larger charities subject8d to an auditl. D8preaiation on th8 buildlng Is depreciated on a straight-line basis over 50 year8. Funds The general fund is available for us8 at th8 dlscr81ion of the trusleps in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes. Details of designated funds are as follows: Missionary fund- used for th6 support of missionaries overseas and in the UK and charili8slmission organisations as approv8d by th8 Leadership Team. Re8trioted funds are funds which are to be used In accordance wlth spociflc réstrlctlons imposed by the donor. Details of restrict6d funds ar8 as follows: Building fund - specifically for the repayment of tha loans taken out to complete lh8 construction of the church building.
Donatlons During the year the total aggregated donations made by the charity by lh8 Irust88s was £14,235. There were no conditions attached to the donations (2023: £10,320). Loans Loans tolalling £311.000 have been made by Church members since March 2012. Over the past year £53,333 has been repaid from a donation. The balance of £53,333 has been repaid within 2 years as r8quested by the lend8r. Mortgage A108n of £150.000 wa8 completed on 3 April 2012 from the Childs Charitable Trust at the rate of 5.5% (variable) r8payable over 25 years payable by monthly instalments of capital and Interest of £876.89 th8 first payment having been made on 1 June 2012. The loan is secured on the land and building at Station Road, Slaplehurst. Analysis of staff costs, truslee remuneratlon and expenses 2024 2023 Salarles and wa 8S Social securit costs P8nslon costs 32,506.99 877.98 1,834.20 11,035.55 139.14 348.48 No employees had 8mploy88 ben8frts in 8XC8ss of £60,000 (2023.. £nili. The administrator role continued to be filled on a part lim8 basis throughout the whole year. The charlty trustees were not paid or received any other benefits in the year for undertaking this voluntary role (2023.. £nill- Any expenses incurred ware rgimbursed in the samo way as with other church members. No charity trustee received payment for professional or oth8r services supplied to the charity (2023,. £nil). Related Party Transactions There have been no relaled party transactions in the year (2023: £nil). 12