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 (co￿pted 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 re￿IptS.
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$sion8ry & Others)
Carbon Offset
HMRC Irecov•r•d tax)
Building Fund
Building Bricks
Community Lunch
Garden Maintsnan
Chat'N' Pla
Mess Church
CarnplRom
MG2
Chatterbox
Friendship FrKla
Brick Yard Xtrame
Brick Yard
Lina Dancin
Discretiona
Flowar Fund
Triang18 Bookstall
Mini 8us
Hobby Pop-in
Misc. & Legacws
5.144.77
13.20
£ 11.667.52
1,￿5.04
1,955.04
1,108.01
500.00
5(M).00
6,346.11
514.24
505.20
514.24
505.20
615.74
763.84
38.23
Hobby Popin
Fund
1,617.38
1,617.38
1,586.98
1.000 00
40.00
40.03
348.50
97.15
25,715.24
£ 111,861.84
£ 21,702.18
£ 95,367.87
21.702.18
106,707.50
1,995.04
8,344.79
Paym•nts
Unrostrictod
General
Designa
R￿tr￿ted
End0wm￿t
Total
2023
13,602.57
1.563.84
1,820.63
3.102.57
304.96
13,450.00
rot•l
2022
16.793.11
37,548.17
Churd) Admin. & Maintsnance
Minis
Communi
Lunch
Miscallaneous
Outrèach
Donatr'ons
Missiona
Carbon Off58t
Manse
£ 13,602.57
1,563.84
1.820.63
3 102.57
1,949.44
902.00
10 872.50
281.84
5,177.25
2.885.02
519.60
144.00
& Others
£ 13,450.IJ)
6,330.50
7,994.43
1.802.76
195.00
Fund
Prot￿$
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 A￿OUnts
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 Nat￿n81 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.
ThueacoJL￿s have boen ¢n è receApts•nd in arurd*4th 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$9.￿ £ 2,Z80.39
E 4,730.se £ 4,880.9S
E 4,734.7e £ 3.754.37
110) 8rk
1 e02.76 £
1,e02.76 £
510.80
519.60
Tolèl
t 2.351.30 E 2126.28
148.eo E 730.15
10.W E 2,21800
170 fAI E 090.99
£ 13.602 57 £ 18,793.11
111) GgrdBn Mthonr*
Garden Cos
Tc441
195.W £
195.00 £
144.00
144.00
Toi•l
CrnftlM¥al•1AdYe￿
T¢r81
Sb
.Tax&NI
Pon*on
ChLrrch
Preathers
£ 1 15184 £30,509.13
12.M £ 6,62904
40D.00 £ 410.00
£ 1.56384 £ 37.548.17
12a
Chal'n, Fl
Annual Ex ndibjto
T¢i•l
Commun
Lunch
1131 caM￿R0￿
CanT
Hul
T¢t•l
f 1620.e3 t 1.3rK).34
Totyi
8,883.61
£ 1.620.63 £ 1.3W.34
1141 MG2
MG2
Total
Annual Subs BUGB
Annual Subg EA
ookstall
Co
Fact
Cotertn
Com Wlne
m5n1b￿ HI
Tctsi
459 00 £ 411.80
125.00 £
.00
241.2$ £
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
Ral￿d 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 B￿r￿ Xtreme
AnnL41
nlo
Ne9tA
on5 Childr*r•
OtherCaug09
Home mI￿r
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 £
$44.17 £ 956.00
580.oo
£ 1,3¥0.CQ £ 580.1
ManBe
cO￿nt￿l T•x
486.77 £ 2.387.57
544.17 £ 956.00
799.50 £
424.4S
£ 4 500.00 £ 1 40B.22
£ 6,33050 £ 5,177.25
MlnlbuB
T&¥ & InauFane•
F￿1 & Oil
I IS1.04 £ 1 048.Q2
340.& £
348 27
210.W £
485.98
1.701.X £ 1,e80.27
Inyurarto
Maintsnancfr
Toial
Totsi
Bulkl Fund
if9 & R&n*4Ag
Logn Repeymant
£ 7 Ok4.43 £ 2 8¥.02
Ho
P4ym8nts
Towi
Gv8nd T•tsi
£ OY.740.14 É 8•,019A3
The iec¢unts and ytatsments of awts o
are as App
th
bilrf¢*$ $0t out on pages 44 mLg1*1g toth6 ye8r endlng 31 De(*mbt 2023
S9nod
Ch¥rty*gstr&ts wYi*r1187674
PAgg 6

Independent ExamIne￿3 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 responsI￿lity to:
examlne the acuunts under sectlon 145 of Ihe 2011 Act).
to follow the Pr￿*UreS 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 aC￿untIng 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