Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2023 Period start date to 31 December 2023 Period end date
Charity name: Linton Road Free Church
Charity registration number: 1194688
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the charity is for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in Kent and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Charity Trustees may from time to time decide. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The charity (church) provides the following services and activities: - Regular worship services to which all are welcome. Regular group meetings with prayer and Bible studies Carrying outreach work both in the UK and abroad to include but not limited to- Providing gifts to “Friends of Helper” for children in Tanzania, providing education for local children and family support; Supporting the work of Starfish Malawi in caring and educating street children and those in poverty in Malawi; Supporting Viva, in Uganda, an international Christian children’s charity passionate about releasing children from poverty and abuse. Coffee Stop – Once a month for fellowship, everyone welcome. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees of the charity have had regards to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in regard to the activities of the Charity. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | Not Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not Applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The primary contribution has been made by Sandra Parsons the Treasurer and Trustee, and Andrew and Ann Parfitt, church leader and Deacon respectively. In June 2023, Andrew Parfitt was called home, and Garry Shoebrook seamlessly took the position of Interim Ministry Leader. He has led the church faithfully, adhering to Andrew’s hopes and plans for the church, and ministers to the fellowship once a month at the present time. We have several visiting speakers, which contribute highly to the worship services which we provide each week. The numbers attending is increasing and our finances reflect this. In addition, volunteers assist in the running of the charity and in the regular church services, prayer meetings and Bible studies. We also have times of gathering for meals and fellowship. We also have a Fire Officer, Malcolm Thwaites, and with others help to maintain and upkeep the property. |
| Other | Communion is led by various members of the fellowship besides the minister. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The numbers attending have increased since Andrew Parfitt became Pastor and Garry Shoebrook joined the ministry team. Since Andrew’s passing, no-one has left the fellowship which is a great comfort to our Interim ministry leader. The church has benefitted from their commitment, and other visiting speakers in the teaching ministry of the church. Our services are also supported by the presence of worship leaders, which adds an area of interest in the methods of worship, and which most of the |
fellowship are used to. This has led to an improvement in the wellbeing of members and attendees at the church with good times of fellowship, worship friendship and pastoral care. Contact with those away from the church through illness is mainly through Nicky Shoebrook, and those prevented from attending church are visited weekly by Sandy and Nicky. We keep in touch with each other, and assist where possible with all manner of issues. Sandy provides cd’s of the services for those unable to attend. We are very much a small family, and our church focus is Prayer, Care and the Word.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity falls under the £500,000 turnover for detailed financial accounting being a requirement. The financial position has improved so that the balance in hand as at 31 December 2023 was £14,901.29. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are held to enable unforeseen payments and bills to be paid and to pay for maintenance of the church building. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £6,552.04. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
|---|---|---|
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None, as with our new leader the church is now stable again, and we are always using opportunities to advertise our presence, and encourage members of the public living locally around us to attend, by posting fliers and notices through letterboxes. We are making plans for our Bi-Centennial Celebration in April 2025. Garry is very committed to the church, and the need for the Word of God to be preached. He also has the support of Elders from other churches, who advise and encourage him in his mission to keep this church going forward for many years to come. He is a blessing to this church, and his vision for our future standing in the wider community. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The principal source of funds is through members and attendees giving through bank accounts on a regular basis and freewill offerings at church services. Of course, as a charity, we now claim Gift Aid where possible from HMRC, which adds to our fiscal situation. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Not applicable |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The number of members over the age of 70 shows that this church is serving a need within the community, for worship within a quieter setting than most family churches. With the addition of the younger Ministry Partner and his wife, the church is aiming to expand and develop. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Constitution of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The existing Trustees elect volunteers who must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the Statement of Faith. We now have 4 Trustees of which 2 have been re-elected for a further three-year term. The other two to re-new their position in 2025 and 2026. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
The Trustees are encouraged to have regard to the guidance for Trustees published by the Charity Commission and courses available for their ongoing training. Sandy Parsons and Nicky Shoebrook are going to follow the Charity Commission webinars, as they become available, in particular for Trustees, Financial government, and managing Media risks. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The church is an independent Free Church and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | It has an established relationship with the Staplehurst Free Church for mutual support and 2 of our Trustees are members of the Staplehurst Free Church. We partner Holy Trinity Church, Coxheath in the Annual World Day of Prayer service, and host the programme alternate years. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Linton Road Free Church |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1194688 |
| Charity’s principal address | 157 Linton Road, Loose, Maidstone, Kent ME15 0AL |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra Rose Parsons |
Treasurer/Administrator | Trustees of Linton Road Free Church |
||
| Terence Robert Hawgood |
Chairman | Ditto | ||
| Clive Jones | Ditto | |||
| Nicky Shoebrook | Safeguarding and Policies officer |
From 30/03/23 | Ditto | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this fall within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Linton Road Free Church - HSBC Bank Annual Accounts 2023 SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS General Fund 2023 P/Cash 2022 Bank balance at 01/0112023 Income 2023 Total Assets for 2023 £11,175.96 £1.12 £4,677.03 £44,982.84 £29,648.29 Expenditure 2023 £30,081.55 £18,472.33 Bank Balance at 31/12/2023 £14.901.29 £1.12 £11,175.96 Business Money Manager A/C 2023 2022 Bank balance at 01/0112023 Income 2023 Total assets for 2023 £1,501.62 £500.00 £6,652.04 £1,501.62 Expenditure 2023 Balance at 31/12/2023 £100. £6,552.04 £1.501.62 ANALYSIS INCOME In dark red - Gasds General Donations from Coffee Stop Donatlons from cards Donations for meal Gasds offerings (Bag) Gift Aid (Electronic and hand) Other Income HMRC Donation from P Ledger Donation from M Gladwin Donation from GNFE (Gideons) Donation for new door Donations General EDF Refund Gas EDF Refund Elec Test Bmm a/c Total General 2023 2022 £285.03 £219.80 £22.00 £6,155,70 £16,512.00 £6,687.65 £250.00 £50.00 £245.00 £1,512.00 £133.87 £4,148.93 £11,816.00 £7,920.16 £780.00 £1,390.05 357.65 0.00 £33,786.88 £24,798.96
Mlssions MCWS Total Missions £20.00 £20.00 £172 £172.30 Outreach £0.00 £0.00 Total Income Gain/Loss £33,806.88 £8,835.62 £24,971.26 £19,160.95 EXPENDITURE General Advert - Flnd a Church Account Charges Catering/Commodities CCLI Fee5 & Licences DBS checks/Membership EE Broadband EA Membership Garage Rent Insurances Ministry Gifts Sponsorship Stationery Tfr to Bmmm Account utilities/Elec/gas/water Wix Website costs 2023 £22.00 £132.63 £1,185.89 £377.30 £181.75 £217.28 £90.00 £705.78 £1,006.06 £1,575.00 £80.00 £147.05 £5,100.00 £5,588.16 £172. £16,581.58 2022 £22.00 £96.07 £367.66 £351.89 £218.25 £192.64 £571.11 £928.27 £585.00 £58.21 £1,000.00 £4,174.50 72.6 £8.738.28 Fellowship Various love gifts to fellowship £734.09 690.58 Miscellaneous Rock Salt Wilko (Bunting) 8.99 £1 £28.26 Mlsslons Total Missions (See page 3) £4,910.00 £2,720.00 Outreach Christmas fliers/Invite/Cards £66.01 £6.84 Property Assets Various small purchases New front door £603.69 £1 12. £2.115.69 £429.00 .27 £1,675.27
Maintenance Big Mow (Garden) County Fire Check Domestic Services Gas Alliance (Ga5 service) Mike Oliver (Hydroboil) £720.00 £76.20 £920.00 £185.00 £720.00 £64.10 £840.00 £170.00 £72. £1,866.10 £1.981.20 Repairs James Bashford (Elec) A Hopper (Refurbishment) Avalo (Pc) Big Mow (Fence panel) Front elevation Refurblshment Front door repair £165.00 £60.00 £ioo.00 £3,510.00 £3,692.98 £2,747.00 Petty Cash Payments NIL NIL Total Expendlture GaSn/Loss £30.081.55 £11,609.22 £18,472.33 MISSION FUNDS INCOME MCWS £20.00 £172.30 EXPENDrruRE British Red Cross Christians Against Poverty Crisis at Christmas Church Army Family Trust Friends of Helper Good News for Everyone MADM Maidstone CWS Maidstone Street Pastors Miriam Friday (Africa) Premier Radio Salvation Army Starfish Malawi Tearfund Turkey Tearfund Ukraine Total Missions £ioo.00 £250.00 £300.00 £250.00 £120.00 £500.00 £250.00 £250.00 £750.00 £60.00 £250.00 £550.00 £250.00 £250.00 £250.00 £650.00 £750.00 £500.00 £ioo.00 £500.00 £7 £2,720.00 £4.910.00 Cornpiled by Sandy Parsons Treasurer 3010312024
Linton Road Free Church HSBC ACCOUNTS SUMMARY 2023 GENERAL FUND Petty Cash Balance at 01/0112023 Bank Balance at 01/0112023 £1.12 Totsl Balance at 01/0112023 £11.177.08 Income from 2023 £33 Total Assets for 2023 £44,983.96 Expenditure for 2023- ex bank £30,081.55 ex Cash £30,081.55 Balance as at 31/1212023 Bank Balance as at 3111212023 £13574.34 Petty Cash as at 3111212023 Total Balance as at 3111212023 £13575.46 December Income Bank in January 2024 Balance as at 3111212023 Business Money Manager Account Balance as at 01/0112023 £1,501.62 Income for 2023 £6.652.04 Expenditure for 2023 Balance as at 31/1212023