**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 2024** **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 2024**_ **_______________________________________________________________________________________________________** |**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 O D Pearson| ||R D’Souza
Resigned 6thMarch 2024| ||S A Windsor-Richards| ||D C Stokes
Appointed 6thMarch 2024| ||O Sangosanya
Appointed 8thJuly 2024| ||A Stewart-Darling
Appointed 8thJuly 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 2024**_ **__________________________________________________________________________________________________** The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. 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 2024**_ **_____________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **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 2024**_ **_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **Achievements and Performance during the 2023-24 Term** **1. Sunday Services and Church Life** Our Sunday services have continued to be a place of worship, community, and growth. The church continues to grow steadily, with an increase in attendance, especially among families. Livestreams remain a popular resource, reaching those who are unable to attend in person. This year, we’ve also begun offering transport for local refugees who have expressed a desire to join us on Sundays, enabling more people to be part of our church community. **2. Giving and Growth** As our church has grown, so too has the generosity of our community. We’ve seen a significant increase in financial donations, a reflection of both our growth and the increasing trust in the work we’re doing. Our compassion work remains in high demand, and we’re grateful to be able to respond to that need. Work also continues on refurbishing the FoodShed and BabyShed areas to improve both access and functionality. **3. Compassion Projects** Our compassion work has continued to run smoothly, providing essential support through BabyShed, FoodShed, Stevenage Bereavement Support Group (SBSG), and more. This year BabyShed received extra publicity thanks to Heart FM, who generously offered airtime to help raise awareness and support. BabyShed has also received support from GSK, who have volunteered days to support the refurbishment. Stevenage Community Trust have also been a support during the refurbishment period. FoodShed continues to collaborate with St Peters Church, Stevenage to offer another drop in during the week. Over 15,000 bags of food were given away during the year, all provided by donations from the local community and businesses. Fresh food from Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Flamingo and Allied Bakers remain a vital addition. We continue to provide support to the refugees living in local hotels with English support sessions, homework clubs and essential baby equipment. ToyShed continued this year gaining momentum within the community, receiving donations of brand-new toys from many local businesses including Autolus, Sodexo, and Stevenage Borough Football club. This year we were able to provide bags of gifts to over 500 children at Christmas. SBSG continues to serve people in our town and surrounding area with a warm and safe space to process loss. A faithful group of attendees come each month, and there’s growing demand for this to happen more frequently—a sign of both its value and the need it meets in our community. ## **4. Children’s Work and Safeguarding** Children’s work continues to thrive. A new group for children in year 7+ has been developed based on the growing numbers of teenagers - an encouraging sign of more young families joining us. We’ve also welcomed a new volunteer into the safeguarding officer role. With extensive experience in this area, they are reviewing our already strong safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure we remain compliant and vigilant as our church grows. ## **5. Staffing** There have been changes to our staff team during the year. A new Church Administrator role was created, which has in turn freed up capacity for our Office & Compassion Manager to spend more time supporting Foodshed staff and volunteers, in turn a new Foodshed administrator has been hired to replace staff that left during the year. ## **6. Trustees, Governance and Facilities** Our trustee board has seen the appointment of three new trustees this year, while one stepped down. Governance remains strong, with ongoing reviews of our policies and procedures. The search for a permanent church property is still ongoing. Although we’ve looked at several potential sites, none have yet proved to be the right fit or timing. We continue to prayerfully explore all opportunities as and when they arise. We continue where possible to finance overseas activities and local needs; this year came to £18,575 (2023: £16,382). 4 ## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ **_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **Plans for the future** The church continues to experience steady growth, which brings ongoing challenges in terms of space and resources. The need for a permanent building remains a key priority, particularly as a way to bring together our Sunday services, compassion ministries, and midweek activities under one roof. Although cost remains a challenge, we continue to grow our reserves and are encouraged by the increase in giving this year. Towards the end of the 2023-2024 year, our Senior Pastor announced he would be undergoing a heart transplant, which took place after the year-end. We are thankful to report that he is recovering well, although he remains off for the time being. The leadership team has stepped up admirably during this time, sharing key responsibilities and ensuring continuity across all areas of church life. Additional support has also been brought in when needed, including guest speakers for Sundays. 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 2024**_ **_____________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **Financial review** ## **Reserves and Investment policies** ## General Fund £143,663 (2023: £138,473) 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 (2023: £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 (2023: £NIL) 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 £23,690 (2023: £25,223) 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 (2023: £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 £168,528 (2023: £135,993) 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 2024-2025. This arises from maintaining salaries, staffing levels, and leasing rates. 6 VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR EIVDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2U24 Risk assessment The Trustees do not believe that Stevenage Vineyard is subject to any substantial risks beyond the liabilitie5 disclosed in the financial statements. It holds employers, liability insurance and public indeinnity insurance. A risk assessnient policy and risk assessment register have been prepared and are reviewed on a regular basis. Aeeountants A resolulion will be proposed at the AGM that Mark Hjertzen ot. HW Associates Limit¢d b¢ re-appointed as Independent Examiner for the ensuing year. StAtement of Trustees, Responslbllltle5 Company and charity law requir¢ the trusiees to prepare financial stalenieiits that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year. In doingy so the trustees are required to.. select suitable ac¢ountinb policies and then apply them consistently. Observe the Inethods and principles in the Charities SORP: make judgements and eslimales ihal are reasonable und prudent. state whether applicable UK Accountin&, Standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and prepare the financial statements on the goin&y Concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume ihat the charity will continue in operation, The Irustees are responsible for keeping proper a¢counlingi records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Lharity and whi¢h ellc1ble theiii lo eiisLire that Ihe tinanLial staiemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguardingi the assets of Ihe charity and for their proper application a5 required by harity law. and hence for laking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Tlie above report has been prepa￿d in accordance with the provisions applicable lo companies enliiled to the small coiiipanies, exemption and with the Stalemenl of Recommended Practi¢¢ (SORPI.. Accountinb? and Reporting by Choriti¢s. Approved igned their behalf by: S A Windsor-Richards Secr¢tary and Director Date: 26, June 2025 VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAiJDITED Accoifff4TS OF VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE I report lo the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Vineyard Chtistian F¢llowship of Stevenage (the Charity) for the year eaded 30 September 2024. which are set out on pages 9 to 20. This report is made solely to the Charitsble company's ttustees. as a body. in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and the charitable company's t￿￿te¢S as a body in ac¢ordan¢e with section 154 of the Charities A¢t 2011. My Indep￿dent ¢xaminer's work been undertaken so that I might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and forno otherpurpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyon¢ oth¢r than the clwitable company, the clwitable ¢otnpany's tnembers as a body alld the cbaritsble company's trustees as a body for my independent examiner's worL for this report, or for the opillions I have forn￿¢1 Re$ponsiblllrfes alld basls ol report As the charity's trnstees of Vineyard ChTisti2n Fellowship of Stevenage (and also its directors for the PUTposes of company law) you are responsible for the prcparation of the accounts in acwrdanc¢ with the requirements of the Cornpallies Act 2006 Ithe 2006 Act}. Havlng Satisfied myself that the accounts of the cbarity are not required to be audited Ullder Part 16 of tbe 2006 Act and are ell￿ble for independent examination, I report in respect of myexaminatiollof yout ¢lthrity's ￿Oll￿ts as cattied out under section 145 of th¢ Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In ca￿1n8 Out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Cbarity Conmiission under sectton 145(5Xb) of the 2011 ACL Independent exanthier's statemeDt I have completed my exaMi￿tIon. I conf]Trn that no matters have come to my ati¢ntion in CODnectioll witb th¢ exaJllination giving me cause to believ¢ that in any material respect- accounting records w¢re not kept in rwecl of the charity &8 required by section 386 of the 2006 Act. or Ibe accounts do not accord with ihose records. OT the a¢¢ounts do not comply with the accounting iequit¢r(Lents of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that Ihe accounts give a trueand fair Mew whicb is not a matter considered as part of an illdependent examination; or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and Principles of the Statement of Reconnnended Practice for accounting and reporting by chaTities app]icabl¢ to cLwAtics preparing their accoullts tn accordance wilh th¢ Finaneial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irelalld (FRS 102). I have no concerns and have come acTOSS no other matters in connection with the examination to whi¢b attention should be dravm in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of th¢ accounts io be reached. Mark Hjertzen BA FCA H W Associates Limited Chartered Accountants 2Q June 2025 Portmill House Portmill Lane Hitcbin Herts SG5 IDJ ## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ **__________________________________________________________________________________________________________** |||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**
**Ministry**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||**Funds**|**Fund**|**Funds**|**2024**|**2023**| ||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |||||||**Note 20**| |**Income from:**||||||| |Donations|**2**|165,230|-|60,721|225,951|153,697| |Use of facilities||-|-|-|-|-| |Fundraising events|**2**|-|-|-|-|-| |Grants||-|-|29,500|29,500|9,884| |Other Income|**2**|-|-|-|-|30| |Investment income||||||| |– interest receivable|**2**|3,482|-|-|3,482|1,042| |||──────|──────|─────|─────|─────| |**Total**||168,712|-|90,221|258,933|164.653| |||──────|──────|─────|─────|─────| |**Expenditure on:**||||||| |Staff costs and expenses|**3**|74,566|-|16,449|91,015|84,810| |Premises costs|**4**|49,721|-|29,595|79,316|59,216| |Other worship and outreach costs|**5**|10,757|-|11,229|21,986|18,297| |Stevenage Money & Debt Advice|**6**|386|-|-|386|1,308| |Donations outside the church|**7**|-|18,575|1,593|20,168|15,798| |Administration|**8**|8,522|-|353|8,875|10,099| |Governance costs|**9**|996|-|-|996|1,006| |||`──────`|
`──────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`| |**Total**||144,948|18,575|59,219|222,742|190,534| |||`──────`|
`──────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`| |**Net income/(expenditure)**|**10**|23,764|(18,575)|31,002|36,192|(25,881)| |Transfers between funds||(18,575)|18,575|-|-|-| |||`───────`|
`───────`|`──────`|`─────`|`─────`| |**Net movement in funds**||5,190|-|31,002|36,192|(25,881)| |Total funds brought forward||138,473|-|161,216|299,689|325,570| |||`───────`|`───────`|`──────`|`──────`|`──────`| |**Total funds carried forward**||143,663|-|192,218|335,881|299,689| |||`═══════`|
`═══════`|`══════`|`══════`|`══════`| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognized in the year. All income and expenditure derive from ongoing activities. 9 VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE BALANCE SHEET ASA T30 SEPTEMBER 2024 2024 2023 Notes FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets Tangible assets 13 14 317 7.174 641 6.593 7,491 7,234 CURRENT ASSL7,￿) Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 103.328 241.098 65,221 246.184 344,426 311.605 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 16 116.0361 119,150) NET CURRENT ASSETS 328,390 292.455 'I'O'I'AL ASSE"I'S LLSS CIIRRbN'I' LIABILITILS 335,881 299,689 FUNDS Unreslricled Funds General Designated Ministry Fund 143.663 138,473 143.663 192.218 138,473 161.216 Restricted Funds 22 TOTAL FUIYDS 17 335,881 299,689 'I'he charitable company is entitled to the exemption trom the audit requirement contained in seciion 477 ot. the Companies Aci 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2024. No member of the company has deposited a notice. pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts. The trustees (icknowledbje their responsibi lities for ensuringi ihat the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparingy accounls which gTive a true and fair view of the slale of affairs of the coinpany as at the end ot. the financial year and ot its incoining resources and application of resoiirces, including 115 income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance wilh the requireinent5 of sections 394 and 395 and which othenyise comply with the requirement5 of the Companies Act 2006 relatingF to accounts, so far as applicable to the cornpany. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies, r¢¥ime. The financial state its behalf Iwer y the trustees and authorised for issue on 26, June 2025 and are signed on S A Windsor-Richards Trustee Company Registration No 3627757 10 **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ **__________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **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 2024**_ **___________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **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 2024**_ **___________________________________________________________________________________________________** |**2**|**Incoming resources - Donations**||**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||**£**|**£**| ||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Unrestricted funds|134,483|104,842| ||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Property fund|32,535|9,774| ||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Foodshed fund|26,328|15,022| ||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted SMDA fund|-|150| ||Donations, gifts and offerings –|Restricted Pastoral support fund|1,858|334| ||Gift Aid reclaims||30,747|23,575| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||225,951|153,697| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| ||**Other income**|||| ||Grants||29,500|9,984| ||Miscellaneous receipts||-|30| ||Fundraising events||-|-| ||Interest receivable||3,482|1,042| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||32,982|10,956| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**3**|**Staff costs and expenses**|||| ||Salaries, including NI||87,494|79,754| ||Other Staff costs||-|1,500| ||Travel, accommodation and subsistence||1,468|3,556| ||Accountancy services||2,053|-| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||91,015|84,810| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**4**|**Premises costs**|||| ||Building hire, rental and service charges||69,096|48,141| ||Heat, light and insurance||9,907|9,327| ||Other||313|1,748| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||79,316|59,216| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**5**|**Other worship and outreach costs**|||| ||Membership and subscriptions||895|848| ||Music equipment, books and CD’s||291|81| ||Social and youth events||499|131| ||Catering food and drink||5,469|4,024| ||Conferences and training||1,502|1,779| ||Compassion vehicle running costs||821|1,305| ||Other||12.509|10,129| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||21,986|18,297| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| 13 **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ |**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**___________________________________________________________________________________________________**| |---|---|---|---| |||**2024**|**2023**| |**6**|**Stevenage Money and Debt Advice support**||| ||Partnership contribution|-|-| ||Expenses|386|1,308| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||386|1,308| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**7**|**Donations outside the church**||| ||Gifts/grants to institutions|20,168|15,648| ||Gifts/grants to individuals|-|150| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||20,168|15,798| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**8**|**Administration**||| ||Telephone, email and website costs|287|561| ||Printing, postage and stationery|1,470|932| ||Office and computer equipment expenses and support|2,328|2,523| ||Depreciation charges|3,501|5,561| ||Other|1,289|522| |||──────|──────| |||8,875|10,099| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**9**|**Governance Costs**||| ||Independent examination|996|1,006| ||Trustee meeting expenses|-|-| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||996|1,006| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| 14 **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ |**____________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**____________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**____________________________________________________________________________________________________**|**____________________________________________________________________________________________________**| |---|---|---|---| |||**2024**|**2023**| |**10**|**Net income/expenditure**|**£**|**£**| ||This is stated after charging:||| ||Depreciation|3,501|5,561| ||Pension contributions to defined contribution schemes|1,593|1,441| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||5,094|7,002| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| ||Independent examiner’s remuneration for:||| ||Independent examination|996|1,006| ||Other accountancy services|253|293| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||1,249|1,299| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**11**|**Staff costs and numbers**|**£**|**£**| ||Gross wages and salaries|84,743|77,670| ||Employer’s National Insurance Contributions|1,158|643| ||Pension contributions|1,593|1,441| |||`───────`|`───────`| |||87,494|79,754| |||`═══════`|`═══════`| On a monthly average basis there were 5 (2023: 5) employees during the year. No employee had employment benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: Nil) The total employment benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £54,007 (2023: £52,040) ## **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 2024 comprised of salary £47,477 (2023: £45,758) and pension contributions of £1,234 (2023: £1,186). 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 2024**_ **___________________________________________________________________________________________________** |**13**|**Intangible fixed assets**|| |---|---|---| |||**Website**| |||**i**
**£**| ||**Cost**|| ||At 1 October 2023|965| ||Additions|-| |||`───────`| ||At 30 September 2024|965| |||`───────`| ||**Amortisation**|| ||At 1 October 2023|324| ||Charge for the year|324| |||`───────`| ||At 30 September 2024|648| |||`───────`| ||**Net book value**|| ||At 30 September 2024|317| |||`═══════`| ||At 30 September 2023|641| |||`═══════`| |**14**|**Tangible fixed assets**|| |||**Church**| |||**equipment**| |||**£**| ||**Cost**|| ||At 1 October 2024|22,222| ||Additions|3,755| ||Disposals|-| |||`───────`| ||At 30 September 2023|25,977| |||`───────`| ||**Depreciation**|| ||At 1 October 20223|15,629| ||Charge for the year|3,174| ||Eliminated on disposal|-| |||──────| ||At 30 September 2024|15,629| |||`───────`| ||**Net book value**|| ||At 30 September 2024|7,174| |||`═══════`| ||At 30 September 2023|6,593| |||`═══════`| 16 ## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ **___________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **15 Debtors** |**Debtors**|||**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||**£**|**£**| |Other debtors|||92,625|59,302| |Prepayments and accrued income|||9,703|5,919| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||103,328|65,221| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||||| |Other Creditors|||321|2,364| |Accruals|||14,443|15.678| |Taxation and social security|||1,272|1,108| ||||`───────`|`───────`| ||||16,036|19,150| ||||`═══════`|`═══════`| |**Analysis of Net Assets between Funds**||||| ||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**|**Restricted**|**2024**| ||**fund**|**fund**|**Fund**|**Total**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |Tangible fixed assets|7,491|-|-|7,491| |Debtors|103,328|-|-|103,328| |Cash at bank and in hand|48,880|-|192,218|241,098| |Creditors: amounts falling due within||||| |one year|(16,036)|-|-|(16,036)| |||──────||| ||───────||───────|──────| ||143,663|-|192,218|335,881| ||`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`| ||**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:|(19,150)|-|-|(19,150)| |||──────||──────| ||───────||──────|| ||138,473|**-**|161,216|299,689| ||═══════|══════|═══════|══════| ## **16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** ## **17 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds** 17 ## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ **___________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **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 (2023: £10,000). ## **19 Financial commitments** At 30 September 2024 the charity was committed to making the following payments under non-cancellable operating leases: ||**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---| ||**£**|**£**| |Within one year|49,291|32,861| |Within one and two years|32,861|-| ||`───────`|`───────`| ||82,152|32,861| ||`═══════`|`══════`| ## **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 2024**_ **________________________________________________________________________________________________________** ## **21 Statement of Financial Activities** ## **The comparative figures for the year ended 30 September 2023 are shown below:** ||**Unrestricted**|**Designated**
**Ministry**|**Restricted**
**Property**|**Total**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds**|**Fund**|**Fund**|**2023**| ||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**| |**Income from:**||||| |Donations|128,417|-|25,280|153,697| |Use of facilities|-|-|-|-| |Fundraising events|-|-|-|-| |Grants|-|-|9,884|9,884| |Other Income|30|-|-|30| |Investment income – interest receivable|1,042|-|-|1,042| ||──────|──────|─────|─────| |**Total**|129,489|-|35,164|164,653| ||──────|──────|─────|─────| |**Expenditure on:**||||| |Staff costs and expenses|72,327|-|12,483|84,810| |Premises costs|51,826|-|7,390|59,216| |Other worship and outreach costs|8,878|-|9,419|18,297| |Stevenage Money & Debt Advice|1,308|-|-|1,308| |Donations outside the church|-|15,464|334|15,798| |Administration|9,620|-|479|10,099| |Governance costs|1,006|-|-|1,006| ||──────|──────|──────|─────| |**Total**|144,965|15,464|30,105|190,534| ||──────|──────|──────|─────| |**Net income/(expenditure)**|(15,476)|(15,464)|5,059|(25,881)| |Transfers between funds|(10,464)|15,464|(5,000)|-| ||──────|──────|──────|─────| |**Net movement in funds**|(25,940)|-|59|(25,881)| |Total funds brought forward|164,413|-|161,157|325,570| ||──────|──────|──────|─────| |**Total funds carried forward**|138,473|-|161,216|299,689| ||`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`|`═══════`| 19 ## **VINEYARD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF STEVENAGE** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** ## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024**_ ## **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
Foodshed Fund
Pastoral Support
Property Fund
Foodshed Fund
Stevenage Money & Debt Advice Fund
Pastoral Support|**Balance at**
**1 October**
**2023**
**£**
135,993
25,223
-
161,216
**Balance at**
**1 October**
**2022**
**£**
125,546
34,463
1,148
161,157|**Movement in funds**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
**£**
32,535
-
55,828
(57,361)
1,858
(1,858)
90,221
(59,219)

**Movement in funds**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
**£**
9,774
-
24,906
(29,771)
150
-
334
(334)
35,1645
(30,105)|**Transfers**
**30**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**Transfers**
**30**
**£**
673
(4.376)
(1,297)
-
(5,000)|**Balance at**
**September**
**2024**
**£**
168,528
23,690
-| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||192,218| |||||**Balance at**
**September**
**2023**
**£**
135,993
25,223
-
-| |||||161,216| 20