JL Homelands Annual Report and Accounts 023 Charity Registration Number 1187674
HOMELANDS FREE CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Adrninlstratlve Informatlon Homelands Free Church is situated on the Homelands Estate, on the borders of Frinton and Watton. The church belongs to thè 8aptist tradition and 15 a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britaln. The correspondence address ig Homelonds Free Church Garden Road, Woft¢Mvon4hfrAluze, Esse& C014 85J. The Church. Elders and Deacons constitijte a charity registered, with the Charity Commission, as a CIO (Charitable Intorporated Organizationl and our registration number is 1187674. The Elders and Deacons Itrusteesl who have setved from l January 2023 until the date this report was approved are- Rev. Michael Bradshaw (copted for the inter-regnuml Mr. 8rlan Davis (Resigned 31 August 20231 Mrs. Carole Dean Mrs. Pat Jackson Mr. Eric Jones Mrs. Stella Lind IResi8ned l February 20241 Mr. Charles Mccarthv Mrs. Bonita Mcpherson Mr. John McPherson Mr. John Stacey Mrs. Pam Tuffnell (Resigned l Marth 2024 Mr. lan Vygus (appointed l January 20241 Mr. Arthur Wells-Garrett ITreasurerl Mr. Brian Wood (Secretary) Structure. governance, and management The trustees are appointed by the Church Meetlng as set out in the Constitution and rules. All Church attendee5 are encouraged to become members and thereby become eligible to vote and stand for election as trustees. ObJectl¥es and actlvltles Statements of objectives are set out in the governing document (Church Constitution). The trustees along with the minister have responsibility in promoting the whole mission of the Churchi pastoral, evangelistic, and social. The trustees also have maintenance responsibilities for the Church Building complex of Homelands Free Church, Garden Road. and the Church Manse. Achievement5 and perfomiance As on 31112123 there are 75 Members: 2 names were added duringthe year and 12 were removed eitherthrough death, resignation or because they moved away from the area. We continue to maintain the use of technology to contart and provide a hiBh level of support to attendees. We were able to provide a weekly service of Christian worship via YouTube, these In addition to our usijal services held each Sunday in the church building. These have remained on-line for folk to actess at any time that suits them. We provide a transport service using the church minibus to enable those who require it to travel to church on Sundays. Whilst we continue with our online presence, for those who have no access to the internet we continue to provide DVD recordin85 of the seNices that are delSvered dirert to their homes. These DVDS a returned for reuse and are proving a valuable resource. Revlew of the year The trustees met 10 times durlng the year for formal minuted meetin85, Wlth an average level of attendance of 80%. Formal church meetin85 resumed for the whole of 202316 meetings). Attendance was 36% of membershlp. Elections for trustees and officers took place In line with our constitution and were ratified by the AGM. Charity Resistration Numlxr 1187674
Following the departure of the minister (to assume a role withln the Central Baptlst A$50tiationl it became necessary to introduce some changes to the leadership team to enable the church to function normally. These included Brian Wood becoming Elder and co-optlng Mithael Bradshaw to the eldership for the duration of the inter-regnum. The second step was to appoint a 4-person committee to arrange speakers for Sunday services. Thi5 proved very successful. Speakers were mainly from within the membershlp with some guest speakers from the regional associatlon and like-minded churche5. A series on the1Sfe of David would be commented in the new year120241. 8ible studies on the transformlng power of the Holy Spirit WOLtld also commence within house groups at the same time. Various meetings were introduced on Sunday evenings to include Blble Readings from Keswick, Prayer and pralse and topic led lettures. Following on from the week of prayer, in January, prayer meetings were re-established on Sunday mornings prior to the seryice and additional mid-week meetings Scheduled for different times and days of the week to facilitate attendance for all members. The church continues to provide office space on weekday mornings for Frlnton Christian Community Care as part of our commitment to the wider community. Remedial works were highlighted and completed durin8 the yeor. These Included repairs at the manse and within the main church building. When we are aware of a new minister decoration will take place within the manse readying It for occupation. Inspection visits are made several times a week to monitor the building. The safety inspection of the church elettric5 revealed the present consumer unf(5 did not comply with up-to-date regulations. All consumer unlts were replaced141 and now meet the regulatory reguirement5. The Community Lunch team and 'Frlendshlp Fridays, are now firmly established providing a safe and welcoming environment within the community. They also provide support for such things as use of technology and 'repalr Fridays, where advice can be sought for a wide variety of situations. On the run up to Christmas a short talk on the missionary work in Taiwan was 8iven and received very warmly We maintalned a strong commitment to being an environmentally aware church striving to become a carbon neutral organization. This has been recognized by the local authority who have agreed to fund the resurfaclngthe are3 dedScated to our recycling hub. We also use the area to store salt on behalf of the local aythority for use by local traders should there be snow or ice outside their premises. Our carbon footPTint was mitigated by'carbon Offsetting., Hobby Pop-ln and Line Dancing have now settled back and are growing in numbers. Jazzercise and keep-fft have also run a full program wlthin the bulldlng. The moving of Chatterbox, the group for under 5's and their carers, Into the worship area has seen its numbers grow with the leaders providing support for both youngsters and carers. The 2nd Frinton Girl Guides, IGuides, Ranger5. 8rownie5, and Rainbow sections) continue to use the premises for their weekly activities. The muslc group Free Jazz have been using the premises for rehearsals and were able to give a concert, in the church. This was well attended and Introduced a number of folks to the church. Mission and social giving during the year amounted to £13,450 spread between 8MS World MlssSon1£7501, Home Mlssion 1£3,8501, Tear Fund l£l,0001, Spurgeon's Childcare I£IOOOI this included gifts trom 2023, Missionary Aviation Fellowship1£7501, FEBA1£7501, Opon Door$1£5001, Frinton mis5ion1£3CK)I, Lupeni Orphanage1£4,3701, Other causes1£1801. The extra money given over that raised, was made up by the trustees using recovered income tax and monies from the General Fund to support the external organizations. The total for the Mission and S¢xial Giving was in excess of IO% of unrestricted reIptS. Charity Resistralion Number 1187674
From the funds raised by Line Danclng and Hobby Pop-ln, £400 was included in the Lupeni gifts, £200 to the shoe box appea15 and £410 to the Syrian Earthquake appeal. The planned giving through envelopes and standing orders is approximately 90% of the monthly Biving. There was a legaLy gratefully received durin8 the period, from the estate of Jean Samue151£13,152.311 The Central Baptist Region donated £2500 to Cover costs for allowing Andrew and family to remain In the manse, after his resignation. for slx weeks. The balance is donations from groups using the hall to help with gas and electricity costs. Flnanclal revlew Total receipts on 6eneral and designated unrestrlcted funds were £97,36212022 £96,634) are detalled in the financial statement5. There were no Minister's employment costs, however. costs forvisiting speakers were £400. The employment costs for the Minister for 2022 were £37,138. There were minimal pension costs due to the removal of the pension deficit costs from Au8USt. IThe costs for 2022, £6,629.) There was a surplus of receipts over payments in the general fund of £70,46312022 £32,810). After transferring £22,759 to deficit fund5 Ito cover deficits and projected expenditure) and adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginnin8 of the year, balances carried forward on 31 December for unre5trirted funds totalled £83.92312022 £36,219). Penslons The Church is a partitipating employer in the Bapt15t Pension Scheme 1.the Scheme.), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other partlcipating employers. Whilst there is no minister at Homelands we are in a 'Period of Grace, from the requirements of the pension scheme. As there 15 no deficit from Homelands this is a technical requlrement wlth no immediate consequences for the Church. We are unable to extend the The Period of Grace, beyond 2023, therefore the church ha5 applied to the trustees of the pension fund to place the church In a 'Deferred Debt Arrangement'_ a legal deed signed by both the Pension Trustee and the Church Trustees which allows the Church to continue participating in the scheme without a member and without incurring the administrative cost of leaving the fund I£IO(XJI. St is our intention on appointing a new minster that they should be made aware of and invited to join the scheme. Reserve< poll¢v It is the trustees, policy to maintain a balance on general unrestricted funds lif possible), which equates to approximately three months, unrestricted payments, to cover emergency sitvations that may arise from time to time. The balance of £83,92312022 £36,2191 in the unrestricted general funds represents, approximately, 123% of target. The trustees will continue to monitor balances. Although the balances appear high, as we plan for growth under 8 new ministerl51, we look forwar(I, wlth God's guidance, to excitin8 times. It Is our pollcy to invest fund balances in deposit accounts to enstsre the safety and accesslblllty of church funds. a150 the short-term nature of the funds (less than 5 yearsl. To this end we have opened 12-month savings bonds with the Baptist Union as the first step to bullding a reserve fund. The current balance in the reserve bond5 is £11,225. Approved by the trustees of Homelands Free Church on S March 2024 and signed on their behalf by: Sl8ned Church Secretsry. Date Brlan W ctkirity Reg"stration Number 1187674
Financial Statement for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 R•eelpts Unrestrict•d Ggneral D8Signat•d £ 60.593 17 1,404.80 Restricted EndowTnent Tot81 2023 60,593.17 1,404.80 5,144.77 13.20 11,e67.52 Totsl 2022 58,131.9S 54.43 4,705.20 63.95 11,278.50 s and Gift Aid Ile85 recovered tax) Interest Donations IMi$sion8ry & Others) Carbon Offset HMRC Irecov•r•d tax) Building Fund Building Bricks Community Lunch Garden Maintsnan Chat'N' Pla Mess Church CarnplRom MG2 Chatterbox Friendship FrKla Brick Yard Xtrame Brick Yard Lina Dancin Discretiona Flowar Fund Triang18 Bookstall Mini 8us Hobby Pop-in Misc. & Legacws 5.144.77 13.20 £ 11.667.52 1,5.04 1,955.04 1,108.01 500.00 5(M).00 6,346.11 514.24 505.20 514.24 505.20 615.74 763.84 38.23 Hobby Popin Fund 1,617.38 1,617.38 1,586.98 1.000 00 40.00 40.03 348.50 97.15 25,715.24 £ 111,861.84 £ 21,702.18 £ 95,367.87 21.702.18 106,707.50 1,995.04 8,344.79 Paym•nts Unrostrictod General Designa Rtrted End0wmt Total 2023 13,602.57 1.563.84 1,820.63 3.102.57 304.96 13,450.00 rot•l 2022 16.793.11 37,548.17 Churd) Admin. & Maintsnance Minis Communi Lunch Miscallaneous Outrèach Donatr'ons Missiona Carbon Off58t Manse £ 13,602.57 1,563.84 1.820.63 3 102.57 1,949.44 902.00 10 872.50 281.84 5,177.25 2.885.02 519.60 144.00 & Others £ 13,450.IJ) 6,330.50 7,994.43 1.802.76 195.00 Fund Prot$ Garden Maintenan Mess Church Chat'N' P Cam om MG2 Chatteloox Frièndshi Discretiona Flower Fund Brick Yard Xtrerne Brick Yard Trian le 8ookstall Line Dancin Hobb Po Carbon Offs8t Minibus Hobb Po Total 7.994.43 1,802.76 195.00 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 6.683.61 447.12 447.12 94.80 1,01353 332.75 Frida Fund 116.40 580.00 1,330.00 23 24 1.701.36 1,701.36 1880.27 £ 24 904.44 £ 13 514.18 £ 15321.92 89 019.83 Net Recei Pa ments Transfers Betsveen Fund8 Balance brou ht forward 8olan¢g Carri Forward £ 70.463.23 -£22,759.84 £ 36.219 88 £ 83,923.07 -£ 11,519.14 £ 14,653.55 6,977.13 8 106.29 5,443.61 6,672.77 61 966.96 22 832.01 41663.29 93,630.26 16631.28 41,663.29 3.134.41 NUMW 1187674 Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023 Bank and other Cash balances Repres•nlirg 8alances on tha ftsll¢Jwrp AOUnts Unrestrlet8d General Desi £ 83,923.07 Restrithd En(l)wmant rotal 2023 83.923.07 To¢al 2022 36,219.68 Genera1 Fund Fund Buildin Brick$l Pro Communi Lunch Cart)on Offsat Garden Maintenanc• Birthda Schem8 Ilission Mess Church Ch8t'N' Pla Cam IRorn MG2 Chattert)ox Friendshi Hobb Discretiona Flower Fun Brid( Yard Xtrerne Bridr Yard Trian Bookstall Hobb Po Mini Bu$ Re Mini 8ua 134.41 134.41 13.20 13.20 198.94 215.69 712.50 72.22 1,039.41 841.49 1765.12 215.69 71250 72.22 1.039.41 841.49 1,765.12 215.69 212.50 72.22 972.29 431.09 1,477.74 1.276.36 115.00 103.94 191.29 Frida in l Line Danan Fund 11500 103.94 191.29 50.00 176,55 115.00 103 94 191.29 50.00 176.55 3.000.00 176.SS lacement Total £ 83923.07 t 3134.41 £ 6572.77 £ Not&$ 0.25 41663.29 Non Monotary Ats•ts Held for Church's Use he church is th& ténafiaal owner Isubièct to relevant trusts) of thg following asset¥, the al titl& to which is held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd.. 25 Church Prem¢58s at Garden Rd. Walton*on.Naz8 Ilnsurance Valuel" 1,732,5(K) 1,650,000 19 Blaine Drive, Frinton. 449,113 423.892 Church Contents Iln6urance Valuel 120,612 117.099 Mini Bus 12.4e6 13,851 LSabllltl•s'. Short Term HMRC IneJJm& Tax and Natn81 In$ur8nL¥ lJanu8ry P&ym&nti 1,1$1.84 1.397.68 Lon Te No Long t8mi liability None None "ty Regthati 1187674 Page S
Notsl {11 ea ofAw)untè. ThueacoJLs have boen ¢n è receApts•nd in arurd4th S42131 ChNrib•S 19934mBndod 2¢KKI 2ry23 2022 2023 20 ChurthAdmln. & Molntènan prtntin Stauon PoBt& Phone ckanin Ubliti8# B•nk Cha Insurance Travelli Trainin £ 1 4$9. £ 2,Z80.39 E 4,730.se £ 4,880.9S E 4,734.7e £ 3.754.37 110) 8rk 1 e02.76 £ 1,e02.76 £ 510.80 519.60 Tolèl t 2.351.30 E 2126.28 148.eo E 730.15 10.W E 2,21800 170 fAI E 090.99 £ 13.602 57 £ 18,793.11 111) GgrdBn Mthonr Garden Cos Tc441 195.W £ 195.00 £ 144.00 144.00 Toi•l CrnftlM¥al•1AdYe T¢r81 Sb .Tax&NI Ponon ChLrrch Preathers £ 1 15184 £30,509.13 12.M £ 6,62904 40D.00 £ 410.00 £ 1.56384 £ 37.548.17 12a Chal'n, Fl Annual Ex ndibjto T¢i•l Commun Lunch 1131 caMR0 CanT Hul T¢t•l f 1620.e3 t 1.3rK).34 Totyi 8,883.61 £ 1.620.63 £ 1.3W.34 1141 MG2 MG2 Total Annual Subs BUGB Annual Subg EA ookstall Co Fact Cotertn Com Wlne m5n1b HI Tctsi 459 00 £ 411.80 125.00 £ .00 241.2$ £ 885.28 £ 845.17 75.00 £ 75.00 £ 1 507.04 £ 727.67 1151 Ch¥tsthx Chattort)X Totsl 447.12 £ 1 013 $3 447.12 £ 1.013 $3 1161 Fri•rthhy Frida 94.eo £ 94.80 £ 332.75 332.75 E 3,102.57 £ 1,949.44 Toi81 117101s(rfiowry Fu Annwl Ex 304.gs £ W2.00 304 98 £ F02.00 Toiol 2023 2022 Rald Ralged {181 FILw4erFun knnml Ex ODnatitinÈ Atad Offbri e d Sch•m4 FEBA TEAR Fund MAF Lu &Others re £ 158.$0 £ É 200.OD t E 200.00 750.W E SOO.00 30.00 £ È 1000W £ 10.00 £ 750.00 £ 500.OD £4,779.77 £4.142.09 t 4370W £ 3,990.00 1191 Br Xtreme AnnL41 nlo Ne9tA on5 Childrr• OtherCaug09 Home mIr 8MS FINton MM8lon Pa¥t4r¥ na 1201 BrKkyard AnnLwI tx ndiwro £ 145.00 £ 131.10 t 1,OOOiKI £ 180.w e 70.OD £ 680 OU t 955.00 E 38SOOJ £ 3YO.OQ 2.91 E 75000 £ SOO.00 300.00 £ 275.00 112.50 £ S.144.77 £ 4,705.20 £ 13.450.00 £ 10.672.50 1211 Tnawiè 9(Ks Annuol E iturè ToiAI 11640 116.40 (221 Lin• DanlHoW Annuol Totsi 13.20 £ $44.17 £ 956.00 580.oo £ 1,3¥0.CQ £ 580.1 ManBe cOntl T•x 486.77 £ 2.387.57 544.17 £ 956.00 799.50 £ 424.4S £ 4 500.00 £ 1 40B.22 £ 6,33050 £ 5,177.25 MlnlbuB T&¥ & InauFane• F1 & Oil I IS1.04 £ 1 048.Q2 340.& £ 348 27 210.W £ 485.98 1.701.X £ 1,e80.27 Inyurarto Maintsnancfr Toial Totsi Bulkl Fund if9 & R&n4Ag Logn Repeymant £ 7 Ok4.43 £ 2 8¥.02 Ho P4ym8nts Towi Gv8nd T•tsi £ OY.740.14 É 8•,019A3 The iec¢unts and ytatsments of awts o are as App th bilrf¢$ $0t out on pages 44 mLg11g toth6 ye8r endlng 31 De(mbt 2023 S9nod Ch¥rtygstr&ts wYi*r1187674 PAgg 6
Independent ExamIne3 Rewt to the Trustees of Homel8nd8 Free Church. I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2023 , whlch are set txrt on pages 4 to Re8pective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The church'8 trustees are responsible for the pr8paratlon of the accounts. The church's trustees conslder that an audit is not required for this year under sectk>n 144(2) of the Charrties Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination Is needed. It Is my responsIlity to: examlne the acuunts under sectlon 145 of Ihe 2011 Act). to follow the PrUreS laid down in the er81 Dlrectlon8 given by Ihe Charlty Commission (under sectlon 145{5){b) of the 2011 ALt): and to State bthether patticJJlar matters have carne to my attentlon. Basis of independent examinerf8 report My examination was carried out In accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissron. An examlnation includes a revlew of the accountlng records kept by the charty and a comparison of the accounts pre$ted wlth those records. It also Include$ conslderatlon of any unu$u81 ttems or dl8closure8 in the accounts, and seeklng explanations from you as trustees cA)ncerning any such matt8r8. Th8 procedures undertaken do not prov5de all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and falr vlew, and the report is hmlted to those matters set out In the statement below. Indep¢rKlent examineT'S Statement In conneciion with my examlnation, no mattar has com8 to my attention 1. whlch glves me reasonable cause to belleve that In any materfal respect trle requlrements to keep aCuntIng records In accordance wlth secllon 130 of th8 2011 Act. and to prepare acwunts wh1¢ acc4)rd wlth the acc¢)untlng record8 arKI compty wlth the 2011 Ad have not been mèt,, or 2. to whlch, in my opinion. att8ntK)n should be dtswn in order to enable a proper understanding of Ihe accounts to be reached. (Name) eA4-1[Date> zg1712 (Relevant profe86lonal qua16fication or body 4f requlred a8 above) (Address) Colchester Business Centre 1 George Williams Way Colchester C012JS Tel: 01206 760428