## **The Parish Church of St. Luke, Sevenoaks**
## **Registered Charity number 1127331**
## **Annual Report**
## **and**
## **Financial Statements**
## **of the**
## **Parochial Church Council**
## **for the year ended 31[st] December 2025**
**Team Vicar:** Reverend Anne Bourne St. Luke’s House 30 Eardley Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1XT
## **Banks:**
Santander UK plc BBAM, Brindle Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 4GB
Nat West 67 High Street, Sevenoaks, TN13 1LA
## _**Independent Examiner:**_
James MB Wright 36 Granville Road Sevenoaks TN13 1EY
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Administrative Information**
St. Luke’s church is situated in Eardley Road, Sevenoaks. It is part of the Diocese of Rochester within the Church of England.
St. Luke’s Church is registered with the Charity Commission as a charity, registered number 1127331
## **Objectives**
St. Luke’s PCC has the responsibility for co-operating with the Team Vicar, the Reverend Anne Bourne, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelical, social and ecumenical. It also has maintenance responsibilities for the Church Centre complex of St. Luke’s.
## **Public Benefit**
The PCC is committed to enabling as many people as possible to worship at our church and to become part of our parish community. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live in our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament.
When planning our activities for the year, the Team Vicar and the PCC have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
Worship and prayer; learning about the Gospel; and developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus.
Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish.
Missionary and outreach work.
## **PCC Membership**
Members of the PCC are either ex officio or elected by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) in accordance with the Church Representation Rules.
During the year, the following served as members of the PCC
Team Vicar: Rev. Anne Bourne (Chairman) Reader: Mr L. Pearce Churchwardens: Mr P. Fleming Mr I. Bourne Deanery Synod Representatives: Mr P. Fleming Mr L. Pearce Other Members: Mrs A Blakeley Mrs A.Clark Mrs M. Croft Mr N. Donaldson Mrs E Peters Ms. J Picton-Bentley In attendance: Mrs R. Ward (Safeguarding Officer) Hon. Treasurer: Mr A. Adams Hon. Secretary: Mr I. Funnell
2
**PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **PCC Committees**
The PCC operates through a number of committees which meet between the full meetings of the PCC. Individual committee reports, which state the objectives of each committee, are set out in a separate document.
## **Standing Committee**
This is the only committee required by law. It has the power to transact the business of the PCC between its meetings, subject to any directions given by the Council.
## **Finance Committee**
Oversees the general financial dimensions of the work of St. Luke’s by monitoring income and expenditure, budgeting, maintaining appropriate financial controls and co-ordinating the annual review of the Christian Stewardship of money through planned giving.
## **Fabric Committee**
During the past year we have continued with annual maintenance routines to ensure that the grounds and facilities of St Luke’s are kept in good working order for the benefit of ourselves and our facility hirers.
Projects and works completed over the past year have been:
- Redecoration of all toilets, together with the installation of new taps, sinks, men’s urinal, and hand towel dispensers.
- Installation of a new church hall dishwasher with water softener system, together with a new sink/draining unit with multi-functional taps/rinse sprayer.
- New kitchen fridge.
- Redecoration of the white main hall wall.
- Exterior re-staining and painting of the North and South porch doors.
- Replacement of 18 high level light bulbs within the church.
- Servicing of the main internal church door closure mechanism.
Projects that are ongoing:
- Investigation work is required to establish the cause of current water ingress within the church above the main entrance door.
- Investigation by a structural engineer is still sought to review the movement cracks above the office door.
- Replanting of the memorial flower bed outside church.
Other Items to note:
- We have transferred the servicing responsibilities of the hall heaters and hall/church boilers to T D Geer Limited, of Sevenoaks, for improved customer service.
- Plans previously submitted to the DAC for a new handrail for the lectern have now been put on hold due to differing opinions of materials to be used.
3
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Church Attendance and Electoral Roll**
Attendance: The average number of communicants at normal Sunday services is 66 in 2025 (2024 - 61).
Some 36 children and young people attended Junior Church, Papa Youth and TOTS during the year, with an average of 12 per week attending Sunday services in 2025 (2024 - 12).
On Easter Day there were 140 communicants, (2024 - 122). At Christmas there were 290 communicants (2024 - 233) with 97 taking communion.
In 2025 we had 3 Baptisms (2024 - 1), no Weddings (2024 - 0) and 4 Funerals held in church (2024 - 3)
Electoral Roll: At March 2025 there were 137 persons on the Electoral Roll, of whom 12 lived within the Parish.
The worshipping community at the end of 2025 is 162 (2024 – 145). These are congregation members who are regular attendees, those who can no longer attend Sunday services but take communion at home or are on the electoral roll for our parish.
## **Review of the Year**
In January we learnt that Jean Picton-Bentley had resigned as choir leader and that Alex Clark had kindly agreed to take her place. For the second half of the meeting Archdeacon Nick took the chair while we discussed the future of the West Sevenoaks team. It had been clear for a long time that St Mary’s, Riverhead were determined to leave; as both we and St Mary’s, Kippington are firmly attached to our own vicarages, it seemed to be best to dissolve the team and go it alone. The Archdeacon said he would convey our views to the Bishop.
In March Alex presented her meticulously prepared proposals for the introduction of choral scholarships, which were met with universal approval bordering on euphoria.
In May we learnt that Ian Bourne will chair a revived fabric committee; Nick Donaldson agreed to join him. We ratified a policy of dogs attending services, namely that well behaved dogs were welcome. This confirmed the status quo – Skippy was relieved, but the tsunami of canine visitors feared by some did not materialise.
In July the handrail (on the lectern) affair was finally put to bed. Rochester was being so awkward, and the current practice seemed to be working well, so it was decided to abandon all attempts to get a faculty for a handrail on the lectern.
In September we discussed and accepted draft proposals for the dissolution of the West Sevenoaks team. It was agreed to accept a quote for a new dishwasher and water softener in the kitchen. We learnt that John Mills would step down after many years of faithfully looking after the church garden. In future the work will be done by ad hoc working parties.
In November we agreed to purchase a card reader to facilitate casual giving, especially at special services like funerals and weddings. Ros Ward read a prepared report on our church culture suggesting that we could be more welcoming. It was decided that in the spring the cross in the garden would be replaced in memory of John Mills.
The dates of meetings for 2026 were agreed and are as follows:
Monday, 12[th] January Tuesday, 17[th] March Sunday, 3[rd] May (APCM) Tuesday, 26[th] May Monday, 13[th] July Tuesday, 22[nd] September Tuesday, 10[th] November
4
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Financial Review**
Total incoming resources on ordinary unrestricted funds were £116,931 and are detailed in the financial statements.
£117,215 was expended to provide the Christian Ministry from St Luke’s Church, including mission and ministry support to the Diocese.
The net result for the year was a deficit of £284 which has decreased the balance brought forward at the beginning of the year, and the balance carried forward at 31[st] December 2025 for unrestricted funds totalled £562,007.
No related party transactions have taken place during the year.
## **Safeguarding**
The Parochial Church Council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and adults).
## **Risk Management**
During the year we continued the on-going programme of identifying major risks which impact the work of the church in the Parish. This includes a child protection policy, a safeguarding culture report, a review of insurance and financial procedures for the handling of cash and the investment of surplus funds.
**Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 17[th] March 2026 and signed on their behalf by Rev. Anne Bourne (PCC Chairman).**
5
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE PCC OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 15.
## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner**
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
- Commissioners section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
## **Independent Examiner’s Statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
- to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
James MB Wright 36 Granville Road Sevenoaks TN13 1EY
6
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **for the year ended 31 December 2025**
|Note:
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Voluntary income
2
Activities for generating funds
2
Increase/(decrease) from
investments
2
**TOTAL INCOMING**
**RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Church activities
3
Church management and
administration
3
**TOTAL RESOURCES**
**EXPENDED**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
Balances brought forward
1 January 2025
14
Balances carried forward
31 December 2025
14|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Fund
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
88,147
10,392
98,539
96,824
29,860
-
29,860
29,089
(1,076)
-
(1,076)
25,680|
|---|---|
||116,931
10,392
127,323
151,593|
||100,843
4,911
105,754
100,553
16,372
-
16,372
16,870|
||117,215
4,911
122,126
117,423|
||(284)
5,481
5,197
34,170
562,291
-
562,291
528.121|
||562,007
5,481
567,488
562,291|
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
7
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Investment
10
Equipment
10
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors and prepayments
11
Cash at Bank and in hand
Cash on deposit with Diocese
Cash on deposit with CCLA
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
Creditors and accruals
12
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**LONG TERM LIABILITIES &**
**PROVISIONS**
Quinquennial Repairs
13
Hall & kitchen equipment replacement
6
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**PARISH FUNDS**
Unrestricted
14
Restricted
14|2025
£
2024
£
459,856
465,287
2,370
3,554|
|---|---|
||462,226
468,841|
||8,652
6,415
24,430
21,564
1,001
94,381
732
90,295|
||128,464
119,006|
|||
||1,646
876|
|||
||126,818
118,130
589,044
586,971|
||21,490
18,872
66
5,808|
||21,556
24,680|
||**567,488**
**562,291**|
||562,007
562,291
5,481
0|
||**567,488**
**562,291**|
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
**Approved by the Parochial Church Council on 17[th] March 2026 and signed on their behalf by Rev. Anne Bourne (PCC Chairman).**
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## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
1. The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention as modified by the inclusion of fixed assets and investments at market value on an accruals basis and accord with the Charities Act 1993 and 2011 and the Church Accounting Regulations.
2. The statements report on all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the PCC is responsible.
3. Consecrated and beneficial property is excluded from the statements by S.96(2)c of the Charities Act 1993. No value is placed on moveable church furnishings held by the Churchwardens on special trust for the PCC and which require a faculty for disposal as the PCC considers these to be inalienable property.
4. The Taylor Memorial Hall is not included as an asset. The PCC considers that the Hall has no separate market value, as part of the structure of the church it is unsaleable.
- Hall operating expenses do not include any allocation of costs such as quinquennial, mission and ministry support offer, stipend or other administrative overheads.
5. It is the policy of the church not to capitalise any expenditure on additions because they have negligible resale value.
6. Legacies received for the general purpose of the church are included as incoming resources.
7. Gift aid donations are reported in the year in which they are received, but any associated Income Tax refund is calculated and brought in as being receivable in the future.
8. The Church aims to have sufficient funds available to be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable circumstances and to avoid any immediate negative impact on its activities. It is therefore the intention to retain the equivalent of at least twelve months net operating costs.
9
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
|Note
**2. INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Voluntary income**
Planned Giving:
Donations
Tax recoverable
4
Special collections including
Charity of the Month
14
Ordinary collections excluding
Charity of the Month
Other donations & sundry income
Legacies
**Activities for generating funds**
Fees
Church Hall lettings
6
Crossway parish magazine
Events and functions
7
**Income from investments**
Dividends and interest
5
Gain/(loss) on revaluation
10
**Total incoming resources**|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
65,778
5,536
71,314
65,661
15,547
1,283
16,830
15,962
**-**
3,573
3,573
4,699
3,094
3,728
-
-
-
-
3,094
3,728
-
2,750
2,752
5,000|
|---|---|
||88,147
10,392
98,539
96,824|
||649
-
649
1,462
28,401
-
28,401
26,654
371
-
371
329
439
-
439
644|
||29,860
-
29,860
29,089|
||4,355
-
4,355
3,081
(5,431)
-
(5,431)
22,599|
||(1,076)
-
(1,076)
25,680|
|||
||116,931
10,392
127,323
151,593|
10
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
|Note
**3. RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Church Activities**
Committed Giving
16
Special collections including Charity
of the Month
16
Mission & Ministry Support
Other ministry costs
Church running & maintenance
8
Church improvements
Church hall running costs
9
6 & 8
Insurance
Vicarage
Choral Scholarships, choir &
organists
Quinquennial fund
8 & 15
13
**Church Management and**
**administration**
Secretarial and office
8
Printing and stationery
Depreciation
10
**Total resources expended**|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
7,500
-
7,500
8,500
-
3,573
3,573
4,699
53,000
-
53,000
48,000
2,410
-
2,410
2,964
11,891
-
11,891
10,472
-
10,306
-
-
-
10,306
-
11,282
3,808
-
3,808
3,672
4,316
-
4,316
3,618
1,612
6,000
1,338
-
2,950
6,000
1,346
6,000|
|---|---|
||100,843
4,911
105,754
100,553|
||13,898
-
13,898
13,745
1,289
-
1,289
1,940
1,185
-
1,185
1,185|
||16,372
-
16,372
16,870|
|||
||117,215
4,911
122,126
117,423|
11
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
**4. Tax recoverable.** This represents the amounts of Income Tax reclaimable in respect of the Gift aid Income for the year.
**5. Investment income** includes £240 (2024 £258) from the Kippington Church Charity. The CBF Investment Fund is held by the Rochester Diocesan Board of Finance as the custodian trustees. The PCC has the responsibility over the investment. At 31 December 2025 the market value was £8,302 (2024 - £8,648).
**6. Church hall lettings.** The gross receipts were £28,401 (2024 - £26,654) and the operating expenses were £10,306 (2024 - £11.282). The operating expenses includes £2,000 (2024 - £1,000) by way of a provision for the replacement of hall and kitchen equipment. The total provision now stands at £66 (2024 - £5,808).
## **7. Events and Functions**
|
Ride and Stride
Concerts
|2025
2024
£
£
Unrestricted Funds
274
498
165 146
439 644|2024|
|---|---|---|
## **8. Staff costs**
During the year the PCC paid for the services of secretarial assistance, church and hall cleaners and organists (all part time) but none of these attracted social security costs.
The total expenditure in 2025 amounted to £21,201 (2024 £20,783) and amounts are included within the church running and maintenance, secretarial and office, church hall running costs, and choral scholarships, choir and organists.
## **9. Church improvements**
During 2025 nothing was expended on improvements (2024 - £0).
12
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **10. Fixed Assets**
## **Investment**
During 2011 14,456.47 shares were purchased in the CBF Church of England Investment Fund – Accumulation shares with CCLA Investment Management Limited at a cost of £250,000. During 2013 2,121.76 shares were sold raising £50,000 and during 2016, 1,573.26 shares were sold, also raising £50,000. During 2017, 1,379.82 shares were sold raising £50,000 and during 2020, 1,074.08 shares were sold raising another £50,000 and during 2022 894.06 shares were sold also raising £50,000. As at 31 December 2025 the value of the investment was £459,856 (2024 £465,287), resulting in an unrealised loss of £5,431 (2024 gain £22,599).
## **Equipment**
During 2023 a new photocopier was purchased for £5,924 and is being depreciated over a five year period.
## **11. Debtors and prepayments**
|Utilities
Fees
Tax Recoverable
Insurance
Church Hall
Choral Scholarships|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
500
234
-
234
-
2,266
1,283
3,549
1,777
3,993
-
3,993
3,808
-
-
-
330
-
876
876
-|
|---|---|
||6,493
2,159
8,652
6,415|
## **12. Creditors and accruals**
|Fees payable to Diocese
Events and Functions
Utilities|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
Total Funds
2024
£
£
£
£
326
-
326
756
320
-
320
120
1,000
-
1,000
-|
|---|---|
||1,646
-
1,646
876|
## **13. Quinquennial Fund** .
A fund is built up over a five-year period to provide for the costs of repairs required following the Diocese’s Quinquennial inspection.
As at 31[st] December 2025 the total provision relating to the 2018/22 inspection was £3,490. During 2025 £3,382 was expended and work continues into 2026. A provision of £6,000 was made during 2025 representing the third year for the 2023/27 quinquennial and the provision for the next quinquennial is £18,000.
As at 31[st] December 2025 the total provision is £21,490.
13
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
|**14. FUNDS**
Note
**Unrestricted fund movements:**
Balances b/fwd 1 January 2025
Incoming resources
2
Resources expended
3
Balances c/fwd 31 December 2025
**Restricted fund movements:**
Special collections including Charity
of the Month
Incoming resources
2
Resources expended
3
Choral Scholarships
Balance b/fwd 1 January 2025
Incoming resources
2 & 15
Resources expended
3 & 15
Balance c/fwd 31 December 2025
Total funds balances c/fwd
31 December 2025
**15. Choral Scholarships**
Note
**Incoming resources:**
In memory of Lyndall Hacker
In memory of Ian Flemming
In memory of John Mills
Other donations
Tax receivable
14|(
|
|---|---|
14
## **PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LUKE, SEVENOAKS**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 (continued)**
## **15. Choral Scholarships (continued)**
|||2025|2025|2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Note|£||£||
|**Resources expended:**||||||
|Scholars’ Honorariums|||734||-|
|Vocal Coaching|||390||-|
|Hymn Books|||214||-|
||14|1,338|||-|
A choral scholarship scheme was set up by the choir director during 2025 to reaffirm and develop the longstanding musical tradition at St Luke’s, Sevenoaks.
Choral scholars are expected to sing on the first and third Sunday of each month (excluding school summer holidays) and other annual festival services as agreed.
Choral scholars receive an honorarium and termly professional vocal coaching sessions.
|**16 OUTSIDE GIVING**
**Home Giving**
Alzheimer’s Society
Dorothy Parrot Memorial Trust
Fare Share
Friends of Kent Churches
Phab
Porchlight
Prison Fellowship
Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust
St. Augustine’s, Slade Green
The Children’s Society
Universities & Colleges
Christian Fellowship
**Overseas Giving**
Amos Trust
Church Mission Society
Myanmar Earthquake Appeal;
New Life Nyambene
Sevenoaks Kenya Educational Trust
Zimbabwe, All Saints, Marondera|**Committed**
**Giving**
£
**Special**
**Collections**
£
**Direct**
**Giving**
£
**Total**
£
-
106
-
106
500
269
20
789
500
83
20
603
-
547
-
547
-
105
-
105
500
636
75
1,211
500
216
-
716
500
130
15
645
1,000
39
50
1,089
-
299
-
299
500
167
-
667
500
145
150
795
1,000
42
-
1,042
-
-
105
105
500
110
-
610
500
145
-
645
1,000
534
-
1,534|
|---|---|
||7,500
3,573
435
11,508|
**The amounts given were £7,500 by way of committed giving, £3,573 from special collections including Charity of the Month and £435 directly. Total giving amounted to £11,508 (2024 £14,796).**
15