HERNE BAY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 64 Sunn�hill Road, Herne Ba�, Kent, CT6 8LU ���.hbefc.org.uk Registered Charit� Number 1178886
T����ee� A���a� Re���� ��� ��e �ea� e�ded 31[��] Dece�be� 2025
T���� I�����a����
| ���� I�����a���� | |
|---|---|
| Na�e: | Herne Ba� Evangelical Free Church. Within the Trust Deed governing the Church |
| premises it is called �The Mission Hall� 64 Sunn�hill Road, Herne Ba�, Kent. CT6 8LU. | |
| Re�����a����: | The church obtained registration as a charit� �ith the Charit� Commission on 21stJune |
| 2018, number 1178886. | |
| G��e����� | Propert� Trust Deed dated 8thAugust 1932; Church Constitution and Handbook both |
| D�c��e��a����: | adopted b� Members on 22ndJanuar� 2018. |
| T����ee�: | S C Buss (Pastor), D P Ed�ards (Acting Trustee), D G Wallis (Elder). |
| Ba��: | The Co-operative Bank plc. P.O. Bo� 101, 1 Balloon Street, Manchester, M60 4EP |
| I�de�e�de�� | Mr R Hutton (Bookkeeper and former Treasurer of Westover Evangelical Free Church). |
| E�a���e�: | |
| Re����: | This Trustees� report complies �ith the Charit� Commission�s public benefit guidance |
| �hich the Trustees adhere to �hen e�ercising an� po�ers or duties to �hich the guidance | |
| is relevant. | |
| C�a���ab�e ������e�: | the advancement of the Christian faith, in accordance �ith the Basis of Faith, primaril� but |
| not e�clusivel�, �ithin Herne Ba�, Kent and the surrounding neighbourhood; | |
| and such other charitable purposes, as agreed b� the members, including, but not limited | |
| to: relieving need, hardship and sickness, advancing education and providing communit� | |
| facilities, provided that all such purposes are pursued in alignment �ith the Church's | |
| Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements, as outlined and updated in the Church | |
| Handbook |
S�a��
We are grateful to God that our Pastor Mr Simon Buss continues his ministr�. Mrs Lauren Laughton �as appointed as Church Administrator on 1 September 2025.
V�����ee� C���c� O���ce��
Mr David Wallis continues as Elder, and Mr David Ed�ards as an Acting Trustee. Miss Doroth� Dave�, Mrs Susan Peeling and Mr Philip Sha� continue as Deacons.
Me�be�����
The Church Membership at the end of the �ear �as 25. Members met regularl� during the �ear, at four Quarterl� Business Meetings, and one Annual General Meeting.
Ac������e�
All of the follo�ing meetings are open to the general public and �e�ve been delighted to �elcome people of all ages and life situations over this �ear. Here is an overvie�:
S��da� Se���ce� are held at 10:30am and 6.00pm. These meetings include pra�er, Bible readings, singing and a sermon from the Bible. We strive to ensure that the content is accessible to all. The average �eekl� attendance (calculated b� head count) throughout 2025 �as 39 Adults plus 9 Children at the morning service and 21 Adults at the evening service.
The S��da� C��b , �hich is run during the morning service, is for children in school �ears R to 10. A team of DBS certified teachers and helpers provide differentiated learning through Bible stud�, songs, games and craft. The �oung people enjo� the opportunit� to share their ne�s, voice questions and have livel� discussions. It �as regularl� attended b� an average of 9 children and joined b� others from visiting families.
We hold a �eekl� P�a�e� Mee���� a�d B�b�e S��d� on Wednesda�s at 7:30pm. Estimated average attendance: 20 adults.
The L����e F��� bab� a�d ��dd�e� ����� continued �eekl� during school terms and remains popular �ith parents, grandparents, carers and their little ones. This group is open to the �hole communit� and �e�ve had encouraging feedback from those �ho attend. The morning includes an e�tended pla�time, concluding �ith singing and a Bible stor�.
Another communit� event, our �C���ee a�d Ca�e� ������� , provides a friendl� space to chat and enjo� a board game or jigsa�, �ith a brief Christian �thought for the da��. Attendance �as consistentl� around 20 adults. From April 2025 �e increased the frequenc� from monthl� to bimonthl�.
An annual H���da� B�b�e C��b for primar� school age children �as held in Februar� half term for three da�s and �as �ell attended and enjo�ed. It includes games, crafts, group activities and singing, centred around a Bible theme.
O����e ��e�e�ce
The church �ebsite continues to be hosted b� Hubb Digital Ltd. During 2025 it attracted 4367 more page requests than the previous �ear �hich increased the average monthl� total to 8785.
During 2025 a ne� Instagram account �as created, and regular posts of Church activities of general interest to the communit� �ere made on local Facebook pages.
Sa�e��a�d���
Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS) carr� out all DBS checks of responsible persons and 25 of these currentl� hold enhanced DBS certificates. CSS continue to provide advice as and �hen needed.
The Church�s Safeguarding Polic� is revie�ed annuall� and updated �here necessar�. Our DBS certificate-holders receive annual in-house training in this Polic�. Additionall�, on 25th Januar� 2025 �e held a training event for some volunteers/staff entitled �Mental Health A�areness Training�, run b� Christian Safeguarding Services. Personnel from Hamilton Road Evangelical Church and Emmanuel Church Canterbur� also attended.
F��a�ce�
A cop� of our �ear end accounts is included at the end of this report. We �ish to record our thanks to God for His continued faithfulness to us.
As at 31[st] December 2025 the Church�s monetar� assets �ere:
| Cash cheque Account Deposit Account Total |
�19,752.82 �78,000.00 |
|---|---|
�97,752.82 |
The Church�s other significant assets include a ke�board, piano, audio s�stem, chairs, communion table, portable baptister�, kitchen appliances, children�s to�s/equipment and books. No individual item e�ceeds �5,000.
The Church has t�o properties: the buildings on the church site at 64 Sunn�hill Road, and a house in the local area (hereafter: �the Manse�). Their estimated current market values are:
| Church | �1,562,856 |
|---|---|
| Manse | � 576,007 |
The Church Officers regularl� revie� both capital and monthl� income and e�penditure reports. We hold a minimum of circa �40,000 as an operating reserve. The Trustees are not Custodian Trustees of an� funds that come �ithin the remit of this Trust.
Average monthl� General Fund totals during the �ear �ere:
Income � 7,539.50 E�penditure � 6,498.00
Ten percent of undesignated income �as donated to four Christian organisations engaged in gospel ministr� in the UK and overseas.
B� God�s grace the Church�s Members and Congregation also made private donations totalling �1000 to�ards the cost of printing a ne� translation of Mark�s Gospel for distribution in South East Asia.
P�e���e�
Maintenance of the church buildings included the completion of the 2024 project to upgrade all light fittings to more energ�-efficient LEDs. The first phase of installing ne� audio and visual equipment �as completed in the church auditorium and both rear halls during 2025.
The Hampton Nurser� School continued to use part of the church premises for five mornings a �eek during school terms, adhering to the conditions set out in the licence of use.
Another part of the church premises �as used for the home education of a child �ith special educational needs.
The Manse continued to be let via a local managing agent.
Re����ab�e �a��e��
There �ere no serious incidents or other matters that needed to be reported to the Charit� Commission in the �ear 2024/2025.
Dec�a�a����
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Mr Simon Buss (Pastor / Trustee)
Dated 15th April 2026
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Raport to the tru8taes He&trJe Foei- Cl4uecJi On accounts for the year ondgd Charity no (If any) li YeegL Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trusfl forthe year 8nded 311121 ? tszs As the chartlls trustees, you a responsible for th6 preparation of the 8cwunts in accordanc8 With the requirements of the Chartti8s Act 2011 ('the Act"). Rosponslbllltles and basls Df report I report in respeci of my examination of the Trusfs accounts catrfed out under section 145 of th8 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions glven by the Charity Commlsslon under section 145(5)(bl of the Act. Independent examiner's statomfrnt I have completed my examinalion. I confimi that no material matters have Come to my attention in cOnntIon with the examination (&1prep alt140) wfiich gives me cause to believe that in, any material resp6ct.' the accounting re¢ords wero not k8pt in accordance wTrth section 130 of the Chartties Acl,. or the acwunts did nol accord with the accounting records.. or Ihe accounts did not comply with the appli¢able requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charittes (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independènt examination. I have no cOnmS and have me across no other matters in Connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a woper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brack8ts if they do not appty. 51gngd: Date.. ltr- - Ngmè: QCE £Lr U.i4 Trtsi Relevant professlonal quaiificatlon{s) or body IER Oct 2018
(If any): Address: 1*2 Sez¥c•tsJ Crio Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of cOnM (see CC32, Independent examination ol charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief details of any items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018
HERNE BAY EVANGEUCAL FREE CHURCH Regthred Clwity 1178086 Summary of Account for mLmth end8d: DEC 2tr25 ThIS MC4Th TOTAL TO DATE ACTUAL BUDG ACTUAL BLK)GET VARWICE GENERAL Op•nlng 7.1fj1.7T 18.910.9) Ih73.96 89.570. 3.96 EXpdItl• 6.937.57 11.621.iXI 77.975. 89.570.Tr) 11,594.02 Cl¢)¥lng 8•l•n¢ MISSIONPAY Op•nlng Baanc• 1,OS121 Incom• 51&78 1,.c(l 7515.( 8.2.1)0 .735.lYJ EXdItUr0 1.XXI.LX) 22•.(x} 8,250. 750.0) Clo•lng Bd4n¢• 15.rKI FUNDS G•Tal 97.582 8S,W.85 97,S92.83 85.W.85 12.497.98 MissKJn8ry 15.DJ 11YJ.LKJ 1(Xl.fXI 1LXI.Tr) 1CKI.00 Total 97,75U2 s54 .75ts2 8S339A4 12.512. RESOURCES 31 Dx 2025 Crp Bank 19.752 78.Al.( Totsl •7.732A2 Tt*al ¥M•k• tod•t•: 12 Totsl Av•rng• W•oklr. Totsl 14oththly. 1.739 7A89.50 1.4#9.54 6,498.(K) 1.041.
HER UY EVAI4GELIC FREE CHURCH DEC 2025 Rv•5rNI Clorlty 1178 Totsl to L)•t• AmYS1s Offerfrys Bonk Interast Tax RefiJnds l(>ft Thk OfferirMJs Nursery Srj Manse Rwt SuTrJri8s Totsl 4..03 4.130.(KI 66.328AJ S3.() 1,W8.65 12OJ.(¥J O.L 12.935.(Kl 12.896.43 108.65 -12,935.CQ 0.00 0.00 283.88 11935.C .Tr) 1.3r2.74 6.L.) 16.288.88 550. 90.47190 6.(#XI. 16,005. o. 1.345.1 7.1)91.77 i8.00 9096 2,228.PJ) 2.2%.LYJ 1.480.C#] 27.540.fy) 17,760.(•J 27.545.IX) 17,7eii.crfJ 724.r 1.530.C 3,810.tKI 1.8LX. 2W.57 670.1]0 "ng sak¥s Fees 81 min Salary & (herhtads Outreath F4Jt4th)tyWet6rt0 9) 3.74920 1.535 48.15 135.99 196.86 205.57 75.n 125.crfj El 155.tyj 325. 110.thj 1.408.48 2292A) 1293.99 1.828.47 8,21722 337.95 1.49ZC(I 2,() lJ1ZC 2,(0).D) 14.830.tXJ 436.c•J 1.510.tX 3,345.) 1.UKJ. 303.40 18.Ql 171.53 6.612.78 98.05 113.40 5.08 Malnt8narr 1.30424 69.51 8520 o.oj s.(ts).( Cang V4nxè FIEC Dr9 KGP DoTh8lb 120.¢0 2.359.92 Fess 1.109%) 1,031.65 1.388.14 461.09 425.C#J 154.05 497.79 77J7U8 1,720.C#) 1ThJ. 1.795.tyJ 610.70 130. Saftyuardlng & Wdtsre 98.91 425. 270. 850. 89,570.00 A1¥ 115.95 352.21 11AX02 11M21JIO Fund In¢orTh•: 518.n o.lxi 7.369. 145.40 7,145.t 105.C 1,CQJ.C(I 224.60 40.40 -1,tsJO.00 0.00 -735 Bank Inlvnst Tax Refunds I¢XAkJl Rdf Totsl 1.iJY).(KI 51&n 7.51&00 83Sth00 22YJ.CLI 7AXI 8250.Tr) 750. 1JthIKI 23SO 70 •250.110 1.lJ37.56 1.41723 1.1M90 7,ts2&30 7.18% 252.33 293.28 1.070.00 &20% 12.5V 6.87% 97A2&63 T.1.77 18.910.50 6.937.57 11.621.(XJ 97J82A3 KI)14 OA) Ino)me EyTrltiJre ,473.9B 89,570.(KI 77.975. 89,570.TrJ 11,594.02 97.5WJ 95,O•US 1l497.90 Ml••lonaryoITh4 BthrK• Inccffje ExporxllDJre Ml••lonary Clwkni B X99 8250.LK) 8250.(KI 518.78 7.515.tKI 7,gXI.C(I .735.OD 750.OD 1&00 97.S8183 19.75102 ¢oOpS•vlThJK 78mO.00 D•#lgnal•d Fund IQO.OD •7.75182 T(14 17.75182