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2024-12-31-accounts

Hope Church Sevenoaks

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024

Company registration number: 07867586

Charity registration number: 1145667

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

COMPANY INFORMATION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Directors / trustees Thomas Addy (appointed 15 April 2024)
Steven Collins
Ian Lettington
Adam Northcroft
Oluwafisayo Onagoruwa
Nigel Parrington
Key Staff Ian Lettington
Adam Northcroft
Governing Document Memorandum and Articles of Association dated November 2011
Company Registration Number 07867586
Charity Registration Number 1145667
Registered Office and The Mill Lane Centre
Principal Address Mill Lane
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN14 5AX
Independent Examiner Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship
1 Lamb's Passage
London
EC1Y 8AB
Bankers Barclays Bank PLC
Leicester
Leicestershire
LE87 2BB
Solicitors Knocker & Foskett
The Red House
50 High Street
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1JL
Contents Page
Company Information 1
Directors' Annual Report 2-5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Accounts 9-16
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives 17

Page 1

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees have the pleasure of presenting their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 to the accounts and comply with the charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)”.

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects for the public benefit are to advance the Christian faith, in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs, in Sevenoaks, and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or world as the Charity in general meetings may from time-to-time think fit and to fulfil such other purposes which are exclusively charitable according to law of England and Wales and are connected with charitable work of the Charity. This can be summarised as follows:

The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in planning the charity’s activities and the Charity Commissions Code of Governance in relation to its review and maintenance of its policies.

By its very nature the Christian Faith being rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ has a strong positive influence through the Church into society. It remains extremely wide and powerful in its influence. The Christian faith brings a clear sense of meaning and purpose to life. The Christian faith helps and gives support to 'the poor' in its widest definition. It supports the essential societal foundational institutions of marriage and family, both in the promotion of and the engagement with marriage and family according to God's outstanding wisdom. The Christian faith expressed through charity helps those entering into marriage and parenting through advice, marriage/parenting preparation, personal example and marriage and parenting classes. The principled moral fabric provided by the Christian faith ensures a society that cares, values justice, treats all human life with dignity and kindness.

Page 2

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS CONTINUED

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Chair’s report

We believed that 2024 would be a year of relationship building, teaching and growing the foundations of the church for its members. Our eldership team have been able to focus on teaching, studying and serving the church well and we have seen an increase in overall membership along with a growing excitement in seeing God at work in people’s lives. To support this, we have run Alpha courses, marriage courses, pre-marriage preparation courses for couples and hosted New Ground events for healing, women and leaders. This has been in addition to regular Sunday morning meetings, regular weekly prayer meetings and our local Connect Groups.

We have continued to develop our children’s and youth work and have seen increasing numbers on Sunday mornings. We have also seen a significant increase in the number of young adults joining the church and an increasingly vibrant group serving and volunteering all aspects of church life.

A particular highlight was our International Day in October which celebrated the wide diversity of people and nations represented in our church and provided a great opportunity to celebrate God’s global family. It reminds us that we are part of a wider family on a mission together to see God’s kingdom grow. As part of this, we continue to play an active part as part of the family of New Ground churches and continue to provide financial support to New Ground to support churches across Europe and Africa and direct financial support to work in Germany and Kenya.

Closer to home, we have continued to work with local organisations to support activities in our local community. The Sevenoaks Larder food bank continues to see significant demand for its services, supporting those in real need in the locality. We have been able to work alongside charities supporting the homeless and the elderly, as well as being able to host health visitor sessions with our local NHS services.

I was delighted that we were able to add to our board of trustees, and welcomed Thomas Addy during the year. As we pray for God’s work in our church and beyond, Thomas brings additional capacity and a real gift of faith to our board as we move forward. I am also grateful to all the staff who provide leadership, support energy, often beyond their normal responsibilities. I also want to recognise the wider church membership who serve and volunteer to create the vibrant and healthy church environment.

As trustees, we continue to review the needs of our members and local community in light of the ongoing economic and social challenges but also look ahead with excitement at how God can change people’s lives and provide hope and clarity. Through monitoring our reserves and use of resources, we continue to pray in faith for God’s provision for His work in Sevenoaks and beyond.

Purpose and achievements

Hope Church upholds the aims and ethos of the Christian faith. This combines the outworking of the Christian faith for our members and in our society, along with specific work into communities we support both locally and further afield. This has included:

  1. Sunday worship and teaching – the church holds regular Sunday services and mid-week meetings for church members although anyone is welcome to attend.

  2. Connect Groups – regular times for church members to study and pray together.

  3. Alpha - a series of seminars and discussion groups for Christians and non-Christians, which includes meals and special days.

  4. Children’s work (0–11-year old’s) – a weekly extension of church for church member's children and visitors, including an online programme when we were unable to meet in person.

  5. Youth work (11–18-year old’s) – weekly and monthly meetings, bible studies and activities for young people designed to encourage them on their journey to faith and living a dynamic faith-filled life.

  6. Prayer - regular monthly prayer meetings, weekly Wednesday mornings and dedicated weeks of prayer throughout the year.

Page 3

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS CONTINUED

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

  1. Courses and Conferences – we have run or hosted a number of courses, seminars and conferences during the year. We have run or hosted courses and conferences for marriage, marriage preparation, healing, discipling and equipping. Our focus continues to be to support church members to grow in their faith and maturity.

  2. Support to the New Ground family of churches and overseas mission work – we continue to provide direct financial and prayer support to work in Kenya and Germany, and support more widely across Europe and Africa through our work with New Ground Churches (charity number 1121110) and New Frontiers International (charity number 1060001).

  3. Support to charities and organisations in the local community, including the Sevenoaks Larder, Porchlight, the NHS and others, who operate from our church building and with whom we continue to explore strong and long-lasting relations.

Plans for the future

Towards the end of 2024, the eldership team believed that God was challenging them and us to grow further and seek to ‘multiply’ in many areas. As trustees, we fully support this vision in support of our overall mission and look forward to 2025 with excitement and expectation. Areas of focus for the coming year and beyond include:

  1. Starting an additional service on Sunday afternoons during the middle of 2025

  2. Continuing to encourage and build our Connect Groups for more outreach into local communities

  3. Exploring additional community needs. Specifically, we have identified younger people’s therapies as an area where we believe we have vision and gifting to do more, and are starting work to develop a partnership or stand-alone charity in this area.

  4. Developing and strengthening the staffing to support future growth.

  5. Ongoing support for overseas mission and to explore new opportunities to further God’s kingdom on an international scale.

Financial review

The charity derives the majority of its income from voluntary donations and associated income tax recovery from gift aid donations. These donations are a combination of monthly and one off donations. The principal areas of expenditure are salaries and related staff costs and the running costs of the church premises.

During the year, there was a deficit of unrestricted income over expenditure of £36,723 (2023: deficit £68,883) and the charity’s unrestricted net assets decreased by that amount to £1,211,783. The charity’s unrestricted net current assets (which is a measure of the charity’s working capital) have decreased by £15,181 to £170,072. The in year unrestricted deficit reflects investment decisions taken by the trustees in line with its plan, to support future growth and its overall purpose. On restricted funds, there was a surplus of income over expenditure of £155 (2023: surplus £412) and the charity’s restricted net assets increased by that amount to £7,384.

Reserves Policy

The reserves policy requires the charity to maintain unrestricted undesignated cash at a level equivalent to at least three months unrestricted expenditure, being approximately £90,000. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities whilst consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The charity ended the year with unrestricted undesignated cash of £146,559 and the trustees are satisfied that the charity is complying with its reserves policy.

Risk Statement

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed at various trustees’ meetings and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Page 4

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS CONTINUED

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee governed by memorandum and articles of association. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who have served since the previous balance sheet date are named on page 1, ‘Company Information’. Trustees are appointed and removed by Members who are the Trustees of the church. Trustees may appoint new trustees however they must resign and be re-appointed at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Elders and existing trustees ensure that new trustees are aware of their legal obligations under charity law together with the operations of the charity.

The trustees have overall legal, financial and management responsibility and meet regularly throughout the year.

A largely separate ministry team comprising Elders and other lay-workers had overall responsibility for spiritual leadership and for the day to day running of the church.

The church is affiliated to New Ground Churches (Company Number 06281483), which is a group of churches across the UK and Europe related to the New Frontiers International family of churches (Company Number 02535392).

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Hope Church Sevenoaks for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approval

This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by

Steven P Collins Steven P Collins (Jul 4, 2025 11:58 GMT+1) Steven Collins Date: Jul 4, 2025

Steven Collins Chair of Trustees

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 7 to 17 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 9 and 10.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Archie McDowall

Archie McDowall (Jul 8, 2025 14:32 GMT+1)

Archie McDowall BA CA Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jul 8, 2025

Page 6

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Interest receivable
5
Total income and endowments
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
14
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
304,374
20,284
1,461
326,119
362,842
362,842
(36,723)
-
(36,723)
1,248,506
1,211,783		 Restricted
Funds
£
6,075
-
-
6,075
5,920
5,920
155
-
155
7,229
7,384		 Total
Funds
2024
£
310,449
20,284
1,461
332,194
368,762
368,762
(36,568)
-
(36,568)
1,255,735
1,219,167		 Total
Funds
2023
£
262,246
38,309
31
300,586
369,057
369,057
(68,471)
-
(68,471)
1,324,206
1,255,735

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on page 9-17 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
8
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
10
CREDITORS: Amounts falling
due within one year
11
Net current assets / (liabilities)
TOTAL NET ASSETS
FUND BALANCES
14
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Designated funds
Restricted Funds		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,041,711
23,365
163,204
186,569
16,497
170,072
1,211,783
1,193,343
18,440
1,211,783
-
1,211,783		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
13,384
13,384
6,000		 Total
Funds
2024
£
1,041,711
23,365
176,588
199,953
22,497
177,456
1,219,167
1,193,343
18,440
1,211,783
7,384
1,219,167		 Total
Funds
2023
£
1,063,253
33,054
179,204
212,258
19,776
7,384 192,482
7,384
-
-
-
7,384
7,384
1,255,735
1,222,998
25,508
1,248,506
7,229
1,255,735

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.

The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities for:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:

Ian Lettington (Jul 8, 2025 09:44 GMT+1)Ian Lettington Jul 8, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Ian Lettington, Trustee Date Company number: 07867586 Charity number: 1145667

The notes on page 9-17 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Statutory Information

The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.

2 Accounting Policies

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.

The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.

a) Going concern

The trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

b) Income

Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.

Income from donations and legacies includes recoverable gift aid, which is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that had not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.

Income from charitable activities represents income from events and courses organised by the church and from letting the church building for activities that benefit the local community.

The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.

c) Expenditure

Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.

Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.

d) Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

Page 9

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

e) Tangible fixed assets

Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £500 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:

Land and buildings Land, which was valued on 30 April 2012 at £400,000, is not depreciated. Buildings are depreciated over 50 years after taking account of the building's residual value. Equipment Over 3 to 7 years

The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

f) Retirement benefits

The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to this scheme are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of this scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.

g) Taxation

The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.

h) Financial instruments

The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

i) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement

The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.

j) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

ln preparing financial statements certain judgements, estimates and assumptions have to be made that affect the depreciation charged in these financial statements. The annual depreciation charge for property, plant and equipment is sensitive to changes in the estimates for useful economic life and residual value. These estimates are reassessed annually and, when necessary, adjusted to reflect current circumstances.

3 Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
Income from charitable activities
Book sales
Letting of facilities
Events
Courses
Other income
Contributions from another church towards cost of
providing aid to Ukraine / Poland		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
304,374
Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
7,955
8,812
1,774
-
1,743
20,284		 Restricted
Funds
£
6,075
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
310,449
Total
2024
£
-
7,955
8,812
1,774
-
1,743
20,284		 Total
2023
£
262,246
Total
2023
£
480
7,390
10,168
1,230
16,588
2,453
38,309

4 Income from charitable activities

Page 10

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5 Investment income

Bank interest
6
Charitable expenditure
6a
Costs incurred directly on specific activities
Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Premises costs
Church events and other ministry expenses
Children and youth work
Evangelism
Mission to Ukraine
Leaders expenses and training
Music expenses
Gifts for visiting speakers
Insurance
Grants payable (note 6c)
6b
Costs incurred on support & administration
Governance costs
Fee for examining the accounts
Staff costs
Administrative expenses
Total expenditure		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
178,783
24,185
38,958
7,956
12,764
332
-
3,195
2,217
750
4,093
273,233
38,582
311,815
1,980
20,399
28,648
51,027
362,842		 Restricted
Funds
£
1,887
-
-
649
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,536
2,907
5,443
-
-
477
477
5,920		 Total
2024
£
1,461
Total
2024
£
180,670
24,185
38,958
8,605
12,764
332
-
3,195
2,217
750
4,093
275,769
41,489
317,258
1,980
20,399
29,125
51,504
368,762		 Total
2023
£
31
Total
2023
£
170,190
24,771
29,716
24,043
12,286
114
5,138
3,855
1,736
1,450
4,930
278,229
52,434
330,663
1,800
16,138
20,456
38,394
369,057

In addition to the fees payable for the preparation and examination of the 2024 accounts, the charity paid £993 (2023: £926) to Stewardship for payroll bureau and consultancy services.

6c
Grants payable
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants to assist those in poverty or in crisis
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants to assist those in poverty or in crisis
Grants to assist those in poverty or in crisis - Ukraine
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
New Ground Churches
Compassion UK
Small grants to other institutions		 Institutions
£
28,032
1,850
29,882
Institutions
£
27,400
1,360
-
28,760		 Individuals
£
10,910
697
11,607
Individuals
£
9,721
645
13,308
23,674
2024
£
28,032
1,850
-
29,882		 2024
£
38,943
2,547
41,490
2023
£
37,121
2,005
13,308
52,434
2023
£
27,400
1,320
40
28,760

Page 11

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration

ysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration
Gross wages and salaries
Social security
Pension costs		 2024
£
182,716
13,137
5,216
201,069		 2023
£
169,672
11,947
4,709
186,328

Most of the charity's activities are carried out be volunteers. The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024
Number
5
1
6		 2023
Number
4
1
5

No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.

The charity's key management comprise the trustees and the key staff named on the Company Information page. Total employment benefits payable to key management for the year were as follows:

Employer
Wages &
pension
salaries
contributions
54,320
1,630
59,941
1,798
following amounts were payable in the previous year:
Employer
Wages &
pension
salaries
contributions
Adam Northcroft, who is a trustee
52,737
1,582
Ian Lettington, who is a trustee
58,195
1,746		 2024
£
55,950
61,739
117,689
2023
£
54,319
59,941
114,260

The following amounts were payable in the previous year:

Both Adam Northcroft and Ian Lettington were employed to serve as church leaders. They received the above payments for serving in those capacities, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

Page 12

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Land and
buildings
£
1,250,000
-
1,250,000
198,333
17,000
215,333
1,034,667
1,051,667		 Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
£
158,088
2,643
160,731
146,502
7,185
153,687
7,044
11,586		 Total
2024
£
1,408,088
2,643
1,410,731
344,835
24,185
369,020
1,041,711
1,063,253

Land and buildings comprises a freehold property transferred from Sevenoaks Town Church charitable trust (STC) to Hope Church Sevenoaks (HCS) on 30 April 2012 when HCS commenced its activities. The market value at that date was estimated by the trustees to be £1,250,000.

9 Debtors

Falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Tax recoverable
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
10
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank with immediate access
11
Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals
Deferred income
12
Deferred income
Within one year
After one year
The income deferred at the period end will be released to income over the following periods:
Amount released to income
Balance at the beginning of the reporting period
Balance at the end of the reporting period
Deferred income comprises the following:
Amount deferred in year		 2024
£
1,156
13,296
4,426
4,487
23,365
2024
£
176,588
2024
£
6,917
6,381
1,219
1,980
6,000
22,497
2024
£
-
-
6,000
6,000
6,000
-
6,000		 2023
£
620
16,242
4,658
11,534
33,054
2023
£
179,204
2023
£
11,853
4,658
937
2,328
-
19,776
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Deferred income represents monies received in advance for restricted fund NEXT training course to 31.8.25.

Page 13

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13 Pension commitments

During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £5,216 (2023: £4,709) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. At the balance sheet date pension contributions totalling £1,219 (2023: £937) were owed.

14 Funds

During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:

Designated Funds
Building fund
Savings
General Unrestricted Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Ben Salter fund
Help fund
Webbs fund
New Ground churches fund
NEXT fund
Ukraine fund
Aggregate of funds		 Opening
balance
2024
£
1,251
24,257
25,508
1,222,998
1,248,506
-
5,923
385
-
-
921
7,229
1,255,735		 Incoming
resources
2024
£
-
-
-
326,119
326,119
200
1,250
625
1,000
3,000
-
6,075
332,194		 Outgoing
resources
2024
£
-
(4,425)
(4,425)
(358,417)
(362,842)
(200)
(913)
(1,010)
(1,000)
(2,797)
-
(5,920)
(368,762)		 Transfers
in the year
2024
£
-
(2,643)
(2,643)
2,643
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Closing
balance
2024
£
1,251
17,189
18,440
1,193,343
1,211,783
-
6,260
-
-
203
921
7,384
1,219,167

Analysis of net assets by fund

The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:

Fixed assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities		 General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
1,039,916
1,795
23,365
-
146,559
16,645
(16,497)
-
1,193,343
18,440
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
13,384
(6,000)
7,384		 2024
£
1,041,711
23,365
176,588
(22,497)
1,219,167

Page 14

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

14 Funds continued

In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:

Designated Funds
Building fund
Savings
General Unrestricted Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Help fund
Webbs fund
Sevenoaks Larder fund
Ukraine fund
Aggregate of funds		 Opening
balance
2023
£
1,251
28,805
30,056
1,287,333
1,317,389
6,537
240
40
-
6,817
1,324,206		 Incoming
resources
2023
£
-
-
-
279,722
279,722
31
1,466
-
19,367
20,864
300,586		 Outgoing
resources
2023
£
-
(4,548)
(4,548)
(344,057)
(348,605)
(645)
(1,321)
(40)
(18,446)
(20,452)
(369,057)		 Transfers
in the year
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Closing
balance
2023
£
1,251
24,257
25,508
1,222,998
1,248,506
5,923
385
-
921
7,229
1,255,735

Analysis of net assets by fund

In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:

Fixed assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities		 General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
1,057,456
5,797
24,328
-
152,619
19,711
(11,405)
-
1,222,998
25,508
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
-
8,726
6,874
(8,371)
7,229		 2023
£
1,063,253
33,054
179,204
(19,776)
1,255,735

Designated funds

Building fund: these funds were set aside by the trustees for the purpose of maintaining and improving the building.

Savings fund: these funds have been set aside by the trustees for various infrastructure projects.

Restricted funds

The Help fund represents donations received to help those in poverty or in crisis.

The Ben Salter fund represents donations received to support a mission trip to South Africa.

The New Ground churches fund represents donations received for this network of churches.

The NEXT fund represents monies received to attend the NEXT development year training programme for young people run by the church.

The Webbs fund represents donations received to support the work done by missionaries.

The Sevenoaks Larder fund represents donations received to help support a foodbank.

The Ukraine fund represents income received to help those affected by the war in Ukraine. It has largely been used to help cover the cost of delivering aid to Ukraine and Poland and to make grants to Catalyst to support their work amongst those affected by the war.

Page 15

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

15 Transactions with related parties During the year the charity:

Except as disclosed in note 5 'Analysis of staff costs', there have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.

16 Members

Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £10.

Page 16

HOPE CHURCH SEVENOAKS

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Interest receivable
5
Total income and endowments
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities:
6
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
14
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14		 General
Designated
2024
2024
£
£
304,374
-
20,284
-
1,461
-
326,119
-
358,417
4,425
358,417
4,425
(32,298)
(4,425)
2,643
(2,643)
(29,655)
(7,068)
1,222,998
25,508
1,193,343
18,440
Unrestricted funds		 Restricted
2024
£
6,075
-
-
6,075
5,920
5,920
155
-
155
7,229
7,384		 Total
2024
£
310,449
20,284
1,461
332,194
368,762
368,762
(36,568)
-
(36,568)
1,255,735
1,219,167		 General
Designated
2023
2023
£
£
257,970
-
21,721
-
31
-
279,722
-
344,057
4,548
344,057
4,548
(64,335)
(4,548)
-
-
(64,335)
(4,548)
1,287,333
30,056
1,222,998
25,508
Unrestricted funds		 Restricted
2023
£
4,276
16,588
-
20,864
20,452
20,452
412
-
412
6,817
7,229		 Total
2023
£
262,246
38,309
31
300,586
369,057
369,057
(68,471)
-
(68,471)
1,324,206
1,255,735

Page 17