COMMUNITY CHURCH SHEPPEY
ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ending 31/12/25
Broadway, Sheerness, Kent ME12 1TP
Registered Charity Number 1197108 HMRC Reference 061000119478
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Community Church Sheppey
Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2025
CONTENTS
| Report of the Trustees | Page 2 |
|---|---|
| Report of the Independent Examiner | Page 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account and Balance Sheet | Page 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | Page 6 |
| Schedule of Payments | Page 7 |
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– COMMUNITY CHURCH SHEPPEY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES For the year ended 31 December 2025
TRUSTEES Miss Sue Johnson Mr Phil Martin Mr James Bancroft Mr Mark Nelson
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The Trustees report a surplus of receipts over payments of £5,547.56. Community Church Sheppey continues to be committed to “advancing the Christian religion by declaring Christ and promoting Christian commitment and discipleship.”
The church was formed in 1986 as The Island Christian Fellowship and met in a hired hall in Queenborough on the Isle of Sheppey. The name later changed to Community Church Sheppey and the church moved into leased accommodation in Sheerness. In 2009, Community Church bought the ex-Methodist church building in the Broadway in Sheerness which has been home for the congregation since then.
The church was led by Paul Norris for over 35 years, ably assisted by his wife, Ann. Community Church Sheppey is indebted to them for the dedication, time and effort that they gave to the church over many years. Paul retired from being the Pastor and a trustee of the church in 2023. In the 2023 Annual Report of the charity in its previous entity (1040881), it stated that Paul had resigned, whereas the report should simply have said that Paul had retired. The Trustees would like to apologise for this mistake.
This year the Charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which entailed a change of Charity number from 1040881 but no change in purpose. This is the first annual report of that new corporate entity which took over the assets of the previous charitable entity on 31[st] May 2025 whilst keeping the same name. A new bank account was set up but the old one was kept open until early 2026 to enable receipt of the tax refund and to allow time for regular donors to make arrangements to transfer their giving to the new account.
The congregation of Community Church Sheppey continues to meet regularly every week to worship, study the Bible and proclaim the gospel under the leadership team of elders and deacons. Many in the congregation contribute to the service though serving as hospitality stewards, musicians, singers, preachers, technical support, cleaners, administrators, running groups and activities, children’s helpers and welcoming others into the church. The weekly children’s Sunday School takes place during the service. In this meeting the leaders seek to explain the gospel of Jesus to children up to the age of 12 through videos, discussion, song, games and other activities. We are particularly delighted to have a growing creche of babies and toddlers on a Sunday.
The mid-week meetings take place in homes and in the church building. We study the Bible and spend time praying together. Every so often, the congregation comes together at this time of the week to eat together and to worship and pray.
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Once a month, we hold a church café for church members and the public. This has been growing in popularity and provides a chance for new people to get to know existing attenders and, for those seeking to attend church, a chance to find out about us. Prayer meetings are also held weekly on a Saturday.
On top of the weekly church services, the church benefits the public in a number of specific areas. In partnership with Seashell’s Children Centre, we have provided the venue for their HAF (Holiday Activities and |Food) programme for children during the Summer holidays and for their Community Cookery and Communication sessions. We have also given a home to the Charity CXK to run programmes in Sheerness which support local young people to get into employment.
The church has continued its services to those struggling with financial difficulties through its partnership with Christians Against Poverty. A member of Community Church Sheppey is the Debt Centre Manager for the Swale Debt Centre which offers free advice and help for local people who are struggling with debt.
Our craft group is thriving with over 30 people meeting weekly for friendship and craft activities. This provides a safe, warm space for a growing number of people who are seeking companionship and social interaction. There is some prayer and consideration of some aspect of the Christian gospel at each meeting.
The church once again played host to a local group, called Care4Christmas. They were able to support hundreds of local families by providing food and companionship at Christmas as well as giving out food parcels, presents and help with heating costs. Many of the congregation of Community Church are heavily involved in this. Well over 100 Christmas meals were served over Christmas Day and Boxing Day by Care4Christmas at Community Church Sheppey.
Our overseas ministry in Uganda continues and support is offered to churches, schools and orphanages. Members and friends of Community Church sponsor 40 children, providing them with meals and education. We also regularly send the money to pay teacher’s wages, and extra projects for the upkeep of two schools. Money is also sent at Christmas to enable Christmas events for disadvantaged children, meals for the poorest families in the surrounding villages, and food and bedding for elderly people in poor communities. A variety of members of the congregation have visited Uganda over the years, with at least one member travelling there almost every year.
Shoeboxes full of gifts were collected for Samaritan’s Purse to distribute to children across the world. We were also able to make donations to Carmel Ministries in India (providing food and education for children from slum areas), Chosen People Ministries, Open Doors and the Beach Team who all visited us during the year.
RISK REVIEW
The Trustees have implemented a risk management strategy which comprises an annual review of the risks which the charity may face, the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should any of those risks materialize. Community Church Sheppey is committed to safeguarding.
RESERVES POLICY
The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted reserves held by the charity should be about 12 months of expenditure (which equates to about £40,000) plus £60,000 for several other areas of expenditure due as highlighted by the structural survey including replacing the roof on the back hall.
This report was approved by the Trustees on …………………….. (Date) and signed on their behalf.………………………………….
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF COMMUNITY CHURCH SHEPPEY
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Roy M Holland BSc(Econ) FCA For and on behalf of Holland Harper LLP 26 High Street Battle TN33 0EA
Date
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Community Church Sheppey Receipts and Payments Account for the period ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Receipts | ||
| Donations | 3,030.91 | 0.00 |
| Small Gift aided donations | 484.00 | 0.00 |
| Gift Aided Donations 14,159.31 |
0.00 | |
| Uganda Donations |
6,408.09 | 0.00 |
| Collections for special causes | 585.00 | 0.00 |
| Collection for India | 810.00 | 0.00 |
| Building Fund | 436.00 | 0.00 |
| 25,913.31 | 0.00 | |
| Less Payments | 20,365.75 | 0.00 |
| Surplus for the year | 5,547.56 | 0.00 |
| BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 | ||
| 2025 | 2024 |
|
| £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets- transferred from old entity | ||
| Freehold land and buildings at cost | 150,635.00 | 00.00 |
| Current assets | ||
| Cash at bank |
111,642.50 | |
| Cash in hand | 900.45 | 0.00 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 263,177.95 | 0.00 |
| NET ASSETS | 263,177.95 | 0.00 |
| FINANCED BY: | ||
| GENERAL FUND | ||
| As at transfer of assets | 150,635.00 | 0.00 |
| Transferred from old charity account | 106,995.39 | 0.00 |
| Add surplus for year as above | 5,547.56 | 0.00 |
| 263,177.95 | 0.00 | |
| = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = | ||
| The above accounts and the notes and other information shown on pages 5 to 7 for | ||
| the year ended 31 December 2025 are approved by the Trustees. |
Signed by 2 trustees on ………………..
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COMMUNITY CHURCH SHEPPEY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ending 31December 2025
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With the exception of the freehold land and buildings, these accounts have been prepared on a “receipts and payments” basis, in accordance with Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.
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Community Church Sheppey also owns furniture, fixtures and equipment with an insured value of £65,000.
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STAFF COSTS
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There were no staff costs this year.
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| Payments | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Catering | 43.47 | 0.00 |
| Copyright, Legal and Professional |
1,511.00 | 0.00 |
| Insurance | 1337.13 | 0.00 |
| EA, FIEC, conference, training |
2,193.00 | 0.00 |
| Love Gifts | 161.89 | 0.00 |
| Gifts for specific causes |
750.00 | 0.00 |
| India | 1,000.00 | 0.00 |
| Office and publicity | 121.23 | 0.00 |
| Refurbishment of premises & equipment |
2,264.96 | 0.00 |
| Services/Utilities | 3,408.79 | 0.00 |
| Uganda | 7,305.97 | 0.00 |
| Youth and Children’s work |
268.31 | 0.00 |
| Totals | 20,365.75 | 0.00 |