**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<br>Deposit Account<br>Total|�19,752.82<br>�78,000.00|
|---|---|
||<br>�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 cOnn￿tIon 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 cOn￿mS 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 cOn￿M
(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 MC*4Th
TOTAL TO DATE
ACTUAL BUDG￿ ACTUAL BLK)GET VARWICE
GENERAL
Op•nlng
7.1fj1.7T
18.910.9)
Ih73.96
89.570.
3.96
EXp￿dIt￿l•
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
EX￿dItUr0
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 s5￿￿4
.75ts2
8S339A4
12.512.
RESOURCES
31 Dx 2025
Cr￿p 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•5*rNI Clorlty 1178
Totsl to L)•t•
Am￿YS1s
Offerfrys
Bonk Interast
Tax RefiJnds l(>ft
Th￿k 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.￿0￿0
90*96
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 s￿ak¥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).(
C￿an￿g
V4nxè
FIEC Dr￿9
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
A￿￿1¥
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
Rd*f
Totsl
1.iJY).(KI
51&n
7.51&00
83Sth00
22YJ.CLI
7AXI
8250.Tr)
750.
1JthIKI 23SO
7￿￿0 •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
EyTrl*tiJre
,473.9B
89,570.(KI
77.975.
89,570.TrJ
11,594.02
97.5WJ 95,O•US 1l497.90
Ml••lonaryo￿ITh4 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