**Registered Charity Number 1072012 Company Registration Number 03627757 (England &Wales)** 

## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023** 



**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **CONTENTS** 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Legal and administrative information|1|
|Trustees' report|2 - 7|
|Independent examiner's report|8|
|Statement of Financial Activities|9|
|Balance sheet|10|
|Notes to the financial statements|11 - 20|





**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

|**_______________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**_______________________________________________________________________________________________________**|
|---|---|
|**Directors and Trustees**|The directors of the charitable company (”the charity”) are its trustees for the purpose of|
||charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. The|
||charitable company is managed by its trustees. The trustees serving during the year and since|
||the year end were as follows:|
||D N S Barnes|
||J P Brown<br>Resigned 10thMarch 2023|
||J O D Pearson|
||R D’Souza<br>Resigned 6thMarch 2024|
||S A Windsor-Richards|
||D C Stokes<br>Appointed 1stApril 2024|
|**Secretary**|S A Windsor-Richards|
|**Senior Pastor**|D S Barnes|
|**Registered Charity number**|1072012|
|**Company number**|03627757|
|**Working name**|Stevenage Vineyard|
|**Governing document**|Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 7 September 1998|
|**Objects per governing document**|I   The furtherance of religious or secular public education|
||II  The advancement of the Christian faith including missionary activities in the United|
||Kingdom and overseas and also including but not limited to the planting of new churches|
||and organizations of congregations|
||III  The relief of the poor and needy|
||IV  The relief of the sick and elderly|
||V   Such other charitable objects and for the benefit of such other charitable bodies and|
||institutions as the Committee shall in their absolute discretion see fit.|
|**Registered office**|Unit 1, The Orbital Centre, Cockerell Close, SG1 2NB.|
|**Vineyard Centre**|Unit 1, The Orbital Centre, Cockerell Close, SG1 2NB.|
|**Independent Examiner**|Mark Hjertzen, H W Associates Limited, Portmill House, Portmill Lane|
||Hitchin, Herts, SG5 1DJ|
|**Bankers**|Barclays Bank Plc|
||PO Box 2, 2 Town Square, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1BB|
||CAF Bank Ltd|
||25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ|
|**Solicitors**|David Barney & Company|
||Equity House, 31a Queensway, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 1DA|



1 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**__________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2023. 

Legal and administrative information set up on page 1 forms part of this report.  The financial statements comply with the current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities. 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Stevenage is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. Trustees are nominated by the chairman of trustees and where possible Trustees serve for a period of three years.  A board of trustees, currently comprising of 4 members, who meet three to four times a year, administers the charity. The senior pastor, manages the day-to-day operations of the charity. 

## **Objective of Stevenage Vineyard** 

To establish a genuine faith in people, with a love for God and to see that faith actively demonstrated in the community. 

## **Strategy of the Church** 

To create teams and leaders who pastor and lead people into a practical pursuit of our objectives. 

## **The Vision of Stevenage Vineyard** 

To create a church where the presence of Jesus is experienced in words and deeds. As a faith community we reach out to the broken, the sick and the struggling members of our society with hope and actions of faith. 

This can only be done: - 

1. As we become a strong worshipping church 

2. As we develop maturity and strength of character through the teaching and application of biblical truth 

3. As each person discovers who they are in God through spiritual discipline, learning by practice 

4. By creating a church full of servant-hearted people who want to impact their community through faith and actions; the sick, the lonely and struggling in our society. 

5. As every member discovers the gifts and talents God has given them. 

2 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**_____________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **Regular Activities** 

1. Congregational worship with a family atmosphere and personal ministry. 

2. Regular training events covering discipleship/praying for the sick/life skills and other subjects. 

3. Children’s expression of church in parallel with the adult version. 

4. Home groups and interest groups led by fully trained and pastorally equipped leaders; usually in homes. 

5. Focus groups, specific groups covering prayer, teaching, worship, music, women in ministry, young families. 

6. A bereavement support group open to the community throughout the year 

7. Seasonally focused events supporting vulnerable families with education, subsistence, working with locally placed educational pastoral teams and supportive organisations. 

8. Working alongside local charities and businesses in the area to specifically target and support the homeless, struggling families, the poor, the hungry, the disadvantaged. 

9. Actively financing other charities and providing them with assistance where possible, e.g., in money management, prayer for the sick, food donations and befriending. 

## **Alternative Activities** 

To develop and encourage relationships both in the Church and the community, regularly running a range of events such as quiz evenings, socials, walks, music events, craft evening and toddler groups etc. 

## **Overseas Projects** 

Supporting charities and NGO (Non-Governmental Organisations) overseas.  For over 10 years we have supported an NGO in Cambodia, called Care for Cambodia (CFC) that is similar to the aims and objectives of Stevenage Vineyard.  In the past we have sent ministry teams, provided finance and practical support. Up to 7.5% of the Church’s income annually is contributed to them. 

3 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

## **_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **Achievements and Performance during the 2022-23 Term** 

1. Sunday services continue to be livestreamed.  This is an effect of Covid and allows people to have a look at the church before they attend.  It also allows those further away or with disability greater access. Attendance is far more consistent with less peaks and troughs in terms of sickness and anxiety.  Many new people, including many families are visiting and deciding to remain in the church. 

2. The cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on the community and we have seen a significant usage of these services increase.  Initially there was a drop in donations but these have stabilized now and also been supported with grants given to support the work we do with vulnerable families.  A van has been obtained and has helped significantly in collecting donations.  We continue to see numbers increase and are now leasing a larger space for these activities supported by donations to the foodshed. 

3. Stevenage Bereavement Support Group has gained a large amount of traction and is seeing regular monthly attendance. Given the absence of these kind of services in the town it is widely supported by many businesses involved with grief and bereavement (ie, undertakers, funeral care, etc).  This is being coordinated centrally and being run by a team of trained volunteers. 

4. Compassion activities have been running smoothly.  The role of foodshed administrator is being job shared and also managed by Becky Speer 

5. The children’s work has been very effective in families staying and remaining in the church with a visible increase in child and family attendance.  This has meant we have had to re-visit our safeguarding procedures to ensure they are robust.  This continues to be reviewed. 

6. The Senior Pastor was able to take a sabbatical during the summer months.  Teams were put in place to allow this to happen, with staff, leadership team and trustees offering support to maintain church operations.  The church has been freer to have regular gathering events since the lifting of covid restrictions. 

7. We continue where possible to finance overseas activities and local needs, this year came to £16,382 (2022: £16,669). 

## **Plans for the future** 

The church has seen visible growth which is now beginning to put pressure on facilities to accommodate numbers.  The church would like to actively add trustees to the board that have transferrable skills to deal with a potential property purchase.  There remains pressure on compassion ministries to accommodate need.  The ideal solution is for one premises to accommodate all of these issues.  Costing remains an issue, but the church continues to add to its reserves as well as seeing an increase in giving. 

4 



**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

The Church has many volunteers including several who oversee various areas in the church including: 

- a) Small Groups 

- b) Prayer Ministry 

- c) Welcoming and Refreshments 

- d) Worship and Sound 

- e) Managing facilities 

The Church employs five staff: - 

- a) Youth and Children. 

- b) Lead Pastors incorporating Sunday morning management and public ministry and pastoral support 

- c) Office Management 

- d) Compassion Management 

- e) Foodshed Co-ordinating (shared role) 

Intermittent meetings occur in various venues in the course of the year, to cover: - 

- a) Trustees and charity management – 3 times a year. 

- b) Leadership of small groups and focus groups - up to 4 times per year. 

- c) Regular meetings for short-term issues and strategic topics. 

- d) Worship leaders – up to 3 times a year. 

- e) Regular attendance at the Vineyard National Conference 

## **Public benefit** 

The trustees acknowledge the requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes that are for the public benefit.  Details of activities for the public benefit are described in the above paragraphs.  The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake. 

5 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **Financial review** 

## **Reserves and Investment policies** 

## General Fund £138,473(2022: £164,413) 

This fund is available as a resource for new community initiatives, adding staff, short term property needs and as a resource for new volunteer initiatives. Once the initiative is approved as a financial request to the Trustees, it is budgeted for and funds are released from those reserves. For example, extended debt relief, overseas orphanage relief and anything that amounts to the relief of the poor in the community. The fund is available for any potential project that fulfils our charitable objectives. 

## Ministry Fund £Nil (2022: £Nil) 

The Stevenage Vineyard actively supports other charities with similar values and goals. This fund devotes finance to projects that do not benefit the Charity financially. To that end we put aside at least 10% of our unrestricted general income to achieve this goal. For most years outgoings are in excess of 10%, but very occasionally it is less than 10%, which means we carry it forward as a reserve for the following financial year. 

## SDMA (Stevenage Debt and Money Advice) £ Nil (2022: £1,148) 

This fund is a restricted financial reserve created from donations received to be spent on supporting those within the community living with debt. The SMDA Centre closed in July 2023 and any funds left at this date have been transferred to another restricted fund with donor approval. 

## Foodshed £ 25,223 (2022: £34,463) 

This fund is a restricted financial reserve created from donations received to be spent on our compassion work within the community where we offer support to the homeless, struggling families, the poor, and the disadvantaged. 

## Pastoral Support £ Nil (2022: £Nil) 

This fund is a restricted financial reserve created from donations received to be spent for a specific purpose. These donations arise from members wishing to support a certain individual or institute in the church or community and Stevenage Vineyard acts as the facilitator between donor and reciprocate. Stevenage Vineyard ensures money donated to this fund is used for the purpose it was intended for. 

## Property Fund £ 135,993 (2022: £125,546) 

This fund is a restricted financial reserve devoted solely to the Charity’s future building needs. It is there primarily to fund initial deposits, to renovate buildings whether purchased or leased and on-going dilapidation, restructuring and maintenance costs.  We review this fund continually in the light of local leasing or purchase property opportunities. 

The trustees believe that the current reserves provide adequate contingency for the ongoing increase of spending that we anticipate in 2023-2024.  This arises from maintaining salaries, staffing levels, leasing rates and on-going initiatives such as the Debt Centre. 

6 



VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE
TRUSTEES, REPORT {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YE4R ENDED30SEPTEMBER 2¢123
The Trustees do llot believe that Stevenage Vineyard is subje¢t to any substhntial risks beyond the liabililie5 disclosed in the
financial 5tatemeTrts. It holds employers. liability insurance atMI publie indemnity insurance. A risk 185essment policy and risk
8sses5Tnent register have been prepared are Teviewed on a regular b&8iS.
Ateourtt*nts
A resolution will be propose4 * the AGM that Mark Hj¢rtttn of HW Associates Limited be re4ppoint&l as Independent
Examiner forthe ¢nsuing y¢4r.
St*temeDt of Trnstees, RwKJD$ibili¢ies
C¢)mpany And chartty law requtres the tru5tee5 to prepar¢ fina￿la1 sthtcrnents that give a tru¢ and fair view tsf the statt ofaffairs
of the charity at th¢ ¢nd of the finaTkciai ycar and of its surplus ord¢fi¢it forthe financial ye4r. In doing so th¢ rwstees are wuired
select suitsble ￿QU￿ting p)li¢ies and then appty thern coDsis*ndy.
Ob5¢rve the methods znd Pri￿1p1¢S in the Chariiies SORP:
rnake judg¢m¢nts and estimates are reasonable gnd pn¥lenL
state whether applicable UK A¢￿￿nI1￿8 Stslhderds have been follow>1 subject to any ¢kpartures di%l0sed and
¢xplained in the fitsancial sthtonettts: and
prepare the financial statements on the going ¢onc¢m basis unless it Is IngppTopriat¢ to presume thot the charity will
eontinu¢ in opemion.
The tr￿51￿5 are responsible for keeping proper accouTth8 re￿r￿S whicb disclose with ye￿nable at any time the
rinan¢ia] pY)sition ofthc charity and whidt enable them io ensure that the financial 51ai¢ments compty with the Companies ALt
2006. The trustees are also re$￿￿StbEt for safe8uarding the assets of the chartty and for their proper appli¢atji)n as requir￿ by
charity law. and hence for t8ktn8 re&son8ble step5 for th¢ preverttion and dd¢dion of fraud and Other irregu1￿ltieS.
Th¢ above repon has been pre￿ed in accordance ￿7th the provisions appli¢abl¢ to companie5 ent¥tled to the small compani¢s'
exernptitsn and with the Statement of Recommended Practice {SORPI: A￿OUnting and Reportillg by Chariiies.
Approved by the trustees al￿ sI￿d on their behaEf by..
S A Windsor-Rich#rds
Se¢rttsry #nd Dirtttor
Date 26th June 2024

VINEYARD CHRJSTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVEryAGE
INDEPENDENT EXA MINER'S REPORT TO THE TRI'STEES ON THE
I'NAIIDITED ACCOL.YTS OF VIYEYARD CHRISTIA.Y FELLOWSHIP OF STEVETriAGE
I rewrt to the th2Tity Ort my examination of the 8ccfjunts of Vineyard Christiatt Fello￿h1V of Sieven2ge (the Charity)
forthe yearended 30 S¢pt¢mb¢r 2023. thich set out on pag¢s 9 to 20.
This report is made solely to ihe chariiabl¢ company's I￿￿ees. as a body. in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the
Cgfftpanies Act 2006 the ch3titable company'5 tTllStees as & kndy in accordi￿ce with 5e¢tion 154 ofthe ChaTitits Act 2011.
My indefftnt examin¢r's wot* has ￿tn undertaken so that I might slate to ilJ¢ chariiabl¢ cOMp￿Y'S uvste¢s those mau¢rs I
am required to state to them inart irtdependent examitter's reptsrt and forno other p￿￿O$e. To rhe flllle￿ exleni petynitted b>. law.
T do llot ac¢ept or as5ull￿ r¢sporJsibility lo anyon¢ oth¢T than th¢ ¢hwitabl¢ wmpany. th¢ ¢haritabl¢ ¢9￿panY'S rn¢mb¢r5 a5 S
body and th¢ charitsbl¢ compw'5 In)s￿$ as 8 body for my ind¢p¢ndenl examiner's work, for this reporu or for th¢ opinTons I
have fornjed.
Responsibilities and basis of ￿port
As the ctwity'5 trLLStee5 of Vincyotd Chtistian FBIIowship of St¢VCTMgc land a150 115 directors forthc purp05eg DCrotnP8llLy law)
you are responsible forthe prepaAtion ofthe ac£ounts iD atcordante with theTequlrements ofthe Comp8xies Att2006 lthe 2006
Act).
Having stttisf*d myself that the accounts of the charity are not Tequired to be &udited under Part 16 of the 2006 Att and are
vli8iblc fviind¢p¢nd¢ut¢xatninaiiort. I report in r¢spcctoFmy exattunation ofyout¢iwity'sa¢couTrtS as ¢arri¢dout und¢r$¢ciion
145 of theCh2rities Att2011 Ithe 2011 Acti. Tn C2Trying out tny examintstion I have follolsedthe Directionsgiven by the Charity
CoTnmission under section 14S(SMb} of thE 2011 Aci.
Independent examittcr's ststriiitnt
I hav¢ ¢ompl¢l¢d ffty ¢xatnination. I confirmthal w matters hav¢ cornc to rny attention in conncclionw1ththeexamit￿ÈiOTr giving
me ca￿¢ ￿ b¢li¢v¢ ihgt sn any mat¢rial r¢5P¢¢i-
ccountln8 records were not kept iti respect of the charity 3s required by section 386 of the 2006 AtL or
the ac¢ounts do nol accord with those records: or
the accDunts' do Ml comply with IhE accouTrlin8 rEquireTnen15 of section 396 0l.ihc 20(￿ Act othci Ihatt any rcquiRYnEnt
th&t the 2¢¢ounts give a tnte and fair view whi¢h is not a matter c4)nsidered as part of art iDdeT*rtdeftt exatnination,. or
the acwuThts hive Thol be¢n prepared in accordance with the methods and principle5 of the StateJTheDt of Recomm¢Thded
Practice fur accounting and r¢portitsg by ¢harili¢s appIl￿ble ￿ chariti¢s pr¢paring iheir a¢¢ounts in a¢cordanc¢ with the
Fillancial Rewrtfftg Sttsndard applicable in the UK Lnd Republic of Lrel#nd IFRS 1021.
I have xo concems 8md have come across no oiher matters in connection wilh ihe eX￿nination to which air¢ntion should
drawn in this report in otderto ett&ble a proper Unde￿landIng of the accounts 10 be rellched.
M_L Wylr
Mark Hjertzen BA FCA
H W. A5$0¢iXtes Limited
Chartered Aeeounthots
26ih Jun¢ 2024
Ponmill Ilou
Porknill L￿ne
Hitchin
Hens
SG5 1DJ

## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**__________________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

|||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**<br>**Ministry**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Funds**|**Fund**|**Funds**|**2023**|**2022**|
||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|||||||**Note 20**|
|**Income from:**|||||||
|Donations|**2**|128,417|-|25,280|153,697|169,767|
|Use of facilities||-|-|-|||
|Fundraising events|**2**|-|-|-|||
|Grants||-|-|9,884|9,884|7,145|
|Other Income|**2**|30|-|-|30|417|
|Investment income|||||||
|– interest receivable|**2**|1,042|-|-|1,042|167|
|||──────|──────|─────|─────|─────|
|**Total**||129,489|-|35,164|164,653|177,496|
|||──────|──────|─────|─────|─────|
|**Expenditure on:**|||||||
|Staff costs and expenses|**3**|72,327  -||12,483|84,810|73,832|
|Premises costs|**4**|51,826|-|7,390|59,216|48,978|
|Other worship and outreach costs|**5**|8,878|-|9,419|18,297|10,682|
|Stevenage Money & Debt Advice|**6**|1,308|-|-|1,308|2,003|
|Donations outside the church|**7**|-|15,464|334|15,798|18,895|
|Administration|**8**|9,620|-|479|10,099|9,186|
|Governance costs|**9**|1,006|-|-|1,006|1,010|
|||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`|
|**Total**||144,965|15,464|30,105|190,534|164,586|
|||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`|
|**Net income/(expenditure)**|**10**|(15,476)|(15,464)|5,059|(25,881)|12,910|
|Transfers between funds||(10,464)|15,464|(5,000)|-|-|
|||`───────`|`───────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`|
|**Net movement in funds**||(25,940)|-|59|(25,881)|12,910|
|Total funds brought forward||164,413|-|161,157|325,570|312,660|
|||`──────────────`||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|
|**Total funds carried forward**||138,473|-|161,216|299,689|325,570|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|`══════`|`══════`|`══════`|



The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognized in the year. 

All income and expenditure derive from ongoing activities. 

9 



VINEYARJ) CHRISTIAN FELIL)WSHIP OF STEVENAGE
BALANCE SHEET
ASA T30 SEPTEMBER 2023
2023
21ll2
Not¢4
FIXED ASSETS
Intsngible assets
Tan8ibl¢ assets
13
14
641
6.593
290
5.930
7234
6220
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Is
65221
246J84
35.301
296.779
Cash at bank and in hand
311.605
332.080
CREDITORS: arno￿ falling due
within one year
16
(19.150)
(12,7301
NET CURRENT ASSETS
291455
319J50
TOTAL ￿ETs LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
299.689
325J70
FUNDS
Unrestriaed Funds
Crtneral
Desi￿ MiDiStiy FUTMI
138,473
164.413
138.473
161216
164,413
161.157
Restricted FuDds
22
T(YfAL FUNDS
17
299,689
325.570
The ¢haritsble company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement containe41 in se¢tion 477 of the
Companies Act 2006. for the year cnd¢d 30 September 2023. No member of the wmpany has deposited a notice.
pursuant to section 476, requiring an audli of these accounts.
The trustees acknowledge theirrespoDSibilities forensuringthatth¢ company keeps accounting records which cornply
wtth ￿CtiOn 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a twe and fair view of the state of affahr5 of the
company a8 at th¢ ¢nd of th¢ financial year and of its incoming r¢source5 and application of resources. including its
income and ex￿nditure, for the financuil year in accordance with the requirements of sectlons 394 and 395 alld whirh
otherwise comply with the requirernents of the Companies Act 2006 relaiing to accounts. so far as applicable to the
These accounts have been prepared in a¢COrd￿re with the provisions applicable w COM￿]]¢5 subject to the small
ompanies, regime.
Th¢ finan¢ia] stht¢m¢n15 were approv￿ by the trusrees and authoTised for issue on 26 June 2024 and are sigtted on
its behalf by..
D N S B•rDes
Trustee
S A WindsorryRitb%rds
Company RegL8tradott No 3627757
io

**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**__________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **1.1 Company status and information** 

Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Stevenage is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 1, The Orbital Centre, Cockerell Close, SG1 2NB. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member. 

## **1.2 Basis of preparation** 

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these accounts are rounded to the nearest £. 

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at cost value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. The charity has taken advantage of the concession available to smaller charities in the Statement of Recommended Practice which permits the analysis of incoming resources and resources expended by natural categories rather than by activity. 

## **1.3 Going concern** 

The trustees are confident that the charity is able to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future and that the accounts should be prepared on a going concern basis. 

## **1.4 Income** 

## Donations 

Donations represent the total offerings received at worship services and church events or direct to the bank account during the year, including any associated Gift Aid reclaims. 

## Interest receivable 

Interest receivable is included in the financial statements on an accruals basis. 

## Donated services and facilities 

Donated services and facilities are included in the Statement of Financial Activities where the benefit is reasonably quantifiable and measurable. 

## Grant income 

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. 

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable . A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability. 

## **1.5 Expenditure** 

## Liability recognition 

Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered. 

## Governance costs 

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. 

11 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

_**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **1.6 Intangible fixed assets and amortisation** 

Intangible fixed assets are capitalised and is being amortised over its useful life of 10 years 

## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation** 

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £150 are capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset, on a straight-line basis, over its expected useful life, as follows: Church equipment 3 years 

## **1.8 Fund Accounting** 

_Unrestricted funds_ These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. 

_Designated funds_ These are unrestricted funds which have been earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. It is the church’s policy and practice to set aside at least 10% of its incoming resources into a designated Ministry Fund to donate outside the church at the trustees’ discretion. Any balance carried forward on this fund represents income so earmarked which has not yet been paid out. 

_Restricted funds_ These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. 

The Property restricted fund relates to donations received towards the cost of the Charity’s future building needs. Primarily to fund initial deposits, and the costs involved in repairing and renovating buildings, whether purchased or leased. Trustees ensure that money donated is held for stated purpose. 

The Foodshed restricted fund relates to donations and grants received towards the cost of providing support to the homeless, struggling families, the poor, and the disadvantaged through our compassion work within the community. Trustees ensure that money donated is used for stated purpose. 

The Stevenage Money & Debt Advice (SMDA) restricted fund relates to donations received towards the cost of running the debt centre. The SMDA centre closed in July 2023 and any funds left at this date have been transferred to another restricted fund with donor approval. 

The Pastoral support fund relates to donations received to be spent for a specific purpose. These donations arise from members wishing to support a certain individual or institute in the church or community and Stevenage Vineyard acts as the facilitator between donor and reciprocate. Stevenage Vineyard ensures money donated to this fund is used for the purpose it was intended for. 

## **1.9 Retirement benefits** 

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 

## **1.10 Leases** 

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to expenditure on a straight line basis. 

## **1.11 Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 

12 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

|**2**|**Incoming resources - Donations**||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Unrestricted funds|104,842|106,692|
||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Property fund|9,774|9,558|
||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Foodshed fund|15,022|25,056|
||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted SMDA fund|150|525|
||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Pastoral support fund|334|3,222|
||Gift Aid reclaims||23,575|24,714|
||||`───────`|`───────`|
||||153,697|169,767|
||||`═══════`|`═══════`|
||**Other income**||||
||Grants||9,884|7,145|
||Miscellaneous receipts||30|417|
||Fundraising events||-|-|
||Interest receivable||1,042|167|
||||`───────`|`───────`|
||||10,956|7,729|
||||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**3**|**Staff costs and expenses**||||
||Salaries, including NI||79,754|70,181|
||Other Staff costs||1,500|-|
||Travel,  accommodation and subsistence||3,555|1,329|
||Accountancy services||2,080|2,322|
||||`───────`|`───────`|
||||86,889|73,832|
||||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**4**|**Premises costs**||||
||Building hire, rental and service charges||48,141|43,691|
||Heat, light and insurance||4,855|3,987|
||Other||1,748|1,300|
||||`───────`|`───────`|
||||54,744|48,978|
||||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**5**|**Other worship and outreach costs**||||
||Membership and subscriptions||848|725|
||Music equipment, books and CD’s||81|69|
||Social and youth events||131|(308)|
||Catering food and drink||4,024|2,340|
||Conferences and training||1,779|1,662|
||Compassion vehicle running costs||1,305|-|
||Other||10,129|6,194|
||||`───────`|`───────`|
||||18,297|10,682|
||||`═══════`|`═══════`|



13 



**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**2022**|
|**6**|**Stevenage Money and Debt Advice support**|||
||Partnership contribution|-|996|
||Expenses|1,308|1,007|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||1,308|2,003|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**7**|**Donations outside the church**|||
||Gifts/grants to institutions|15,648|18,695|
||Gifts/grants to individuals|150|200|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||15,798|18,895|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**8**|**Administration**|||
||Telephone, email and website costs|561|882|
||Printing, postage and stationery|932|1,927|
||Office and computer equipment expenses and support|2,523|1,917|
||Depreciation charges|5,561|4,002|
||Other|522|458|
|||──────|──────|
|||10,099|9,186|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**9**|**Governance Costs**|||
||Independent examination|1,006|1,010|
||Trustee meeting expenses|-|-|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||1,006|1,010|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|



14 



**VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**____________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

|||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**10**|**Net income/expenditure**|**£**|**£**|
||This is stated after charging:|||
||Depreciation|5,561|4,002|
||Pension contributions to defined contribution schemes|1,441|1,179|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||7,002|5,181|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|
||Independent examiner’s remuneration for:|||
||Independent examination|1,006|1,010|
||Other accountancy services|293|166|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||1,299|1,176|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|
|**11**|**Staff costs and numbers**|**£**|**£**|
||Gross wages and salaries|77,670|66,335|
||Employer’s National Insurance Contributions|643|667|
||Pension contributions|1,441|1,179|
|||`───────`|`───────`|
|||79,754|70,181|
|||`═══════`|`═══════`|



On a monthly average basis there were 5 (2022: 5) employees during the year. 

No employee had employment benefits in excess of £60,000 (2022: Nil) 

The total employment benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £52,040 (2022: £50,760) 

## **12 Trustee remuneration and expenses** 

As permitted by the company’s Memorandum of Association, during the year Mr D N S Barnes received a salary in his capacity as Senior Pastor and also served as a director and trustee.  His remuneration during the year ended 30 September 2023 comprised of salary £45,758 (2022: £44,468) and pension contributions of £1,186 (2022: £1,147). 

No other trustee received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses. 

15 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

|**13**|**Intangible fixed assets**||
|---|---|---|
|||**Website**|
|||**i**<br>**£**|
||**Cost**||
||At 1 October 2022|290|
||Additions|675|
|||`───────`|
||At 30 September 2023|965|
|||`───────`|
||**Amortisation**||
||At 1 October 2022|-|
||Charge for the year|324|
|||`───────`|
||At 30 September 2023|**324**|
|||`───────`|
||**Net book value**||
||At 30 September 2023|641|
|||`═══════`|
||At 30 September 2022|290|
|||`═══════`|
|**14**|**Tangible fixed assets**||
|||**Church**|
|||**equipment**|
|||**£**|
||**Cost**||
||At 1 October 2022|16,322|
||Additions|5,900|
||Disposals|-|
|||`───────`|
||At 30 September 2023|22,222|
|||`───────`|
||**Depreciation**||
||At 1 October 2022|10,392|
||Charge for the year|5,237|
||Eliminated on disposal|-|
|||──────|
||At 30 September 2023|15,629|
|||`───────`|
||**Net book value**||
||At 30 September 2023|6,593|
|||`═══════`|
||At 30 September 2022|5,930|
|||`═══════`|



16 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **15 Debtors** 

|**Debtors**|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Other debtors|59,302|32,427|
|Prepayments and accrued income|5,919|2.874|
||`───────`|`───────`|
||65,221|35,301|
||`═══════`|`═══════`|



## **16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

|Other Creditors|2,364|512|
|---|---|---|
|Accruals|15,678|11,207|
|Taxation and social security|1,108|1,011|
||`───────`|`───────`|
||19,150|12,730|
||`═══════`|`═══════`|



## **17 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**|**Restricted**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**fund**|**fund**|**Fund**|**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Tangible fixed assets|7,234|-|-|7,234|
|Debtors|65,221|-|-|65,221|
|Cash at bank and in hand|85,168|-|161,216|246,384|
|Creditors: amounts falling due within|||||
|one year|(19,150)|-|-|(19,150)|
|||──────|||
||───────||───────|──────|
||138,473|-|161,216|299,689|
||`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`|
||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**|**Restricted**|**2022**|
||**fund**|**fund**|**Fund**|**Total**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Tangible fixed assets|6,220|-|-|6,220|
|Debtors|35,301|-|-|35,301|
|Cash at bank and in hand|135,622|-|161,157|296,779|
|Creditors:|(12,730)|-|-|(12,730)|
|||──────||──────|
||───────||──────||
||164,413|-|161,157|325,570|
||═══════|══════|═══════|══════|



17 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**___________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **18 Related parties** 

Mr D N S Barnes, a trustee is also a trustee of Care for Cambodia, a charity to which £10,000 was donated during the year (2022: £10,000). 

## **19 Financial commitments** 

At 30 September 2023 the charity was committed to making the following payments under non-cancellable operating leases: 

||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Within one year|32,861|18,456|
|Within one and two years|-|-|
||`───────`|`───────`|
||32.861|18,456|
||`═══════`|`══════`|



## **20 Volunteers** 

The charity benefits from the unpaid time of around 120 volunteers who assist with its many activities. Areas of volunteer involvement include set-up and other preparations for services and events, serving of refreshments, Prayer Ministry, Worship Team, Sunday School and Youth work, and Food Shed. 

18 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

**________________________________________________________________________________________________________** 

## **21 Statement of Financial Activities** 

## **The comparative figures for the year ended 30 September 2022 are shown below:** 

||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**<br>**Ministry**|**Restricted**<br>**Property**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**|**Fund**|**Fund**|**2021**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income from:**|||||
|Donations|131,406|-|38,361|169,767|
|Use of facilities|-|-|-|-|
|Fundraising events|-|-|-|-|
|Grants|-|-|7,145|7,145|
|Other Income|417|-|-|417|
|Investment income – interest receivable|167||-|167|
||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|
|**Total**|131,990|-|45,506|177,496|
||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|
|**Expenditure on:**|||||
|Staff costs and expenses|63,857|-|9,975|73,832|
|Premises costs|47,219|-|1,759|48,978|
|Other worship and outreach costs|7,468|-|3,214|10,682|
|Stevenage Money & Debt Advice|-|996|90|2,003|
|Donations outside the church|6,616|15,673|3,222|18,895|
|Administration|1,010|-|2,570|9,186|
|Governance costs||-|-|1,010|
||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|
|**Total**|127,087|16,669|20,830|164,586|
||`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|`──────`|
|**Net income/(expenditure)**|4,903|(16,669)|24,676|12,910|
|Transfers between funds|(16,669)|16,669|-|-|
||`───────`|`───────`|`───────`|`──────`|
|**Net movement in funds**|11,766|-|24,676|12,910|
|Total funds brought forward|176,179|-|136,481|312,660|
|||`───────`|||
||`───────`||`──────`|`──────`|
|**Total funds carried forward**|164,413|-|161,157|325,570|
||`═══════`|`═══════`|`══════`|`══════`|



19 



## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023**_ 

## **22 Restricted funds** 

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes: 

|Property Fund<br>Foodshed Fund<br>Stevenage Money & Debt Advice Fund<br>Pastoral Support|**Balance at**<br>**1 October**<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>125,546<br>34,463<br>1,148<br>161,157|**Movement in funds**<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>9,774<br>-<br>24,906<br>(29,771)<br>150<br>-<br> <br>334<br>(334)<br>35,164<br>(30,105)|**Transfers**<br>**Balance at 30**<br>**September 2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>673<br>135,993<br>(4,376)<br>25,223<br>(1,297)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>161,216|**Transfers**<br>**Balance at 30**<br>**September 2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>673<br>135,993<br>(4,376)<br>25,223<br>(1,297)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>161,216|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||161,216|



|Property Fund<br>Foodshed Fund<br>Stevenage Money & Debt Advice Fund<br>Pastoral Support|**Balance at**<br>**1 October**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>115,988<br>19,780<br>713<br>136,481|**Movement in funds**<br>**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>9,558<br>-<br>32,201<br>(17,518)<br>525<br>(90)<br>3,222<br>(3,222)<br>45,5065<br>(20,830)|**Transfers**<br>**Balance at 30**<br>**September 2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>125,546<br>-<br>34,463<br>-<br>1,148<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>161,157|**Transfers**<br>**Balance at 30**<br>**September 2022**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>125,546<br>-<br>34,463<br>-<br>1,148<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>161,157|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||161,157|



20