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2024-12-31-accounts

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1128970 COMPANY REGISTRATION No: 06821266

1

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS)
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
CONTENTS
Page 3 Legal & Administrative Information.
Pages 4 to 5 Report of the Trustees.
Page 6 Statement of Financial Activities.
Page 7 Balance Sheet.
Pages 8 to 13 Notes to the Financial Statements.
Page 14 Independent Examiners Report on the Accounts.

2

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY NUMBER

1128970

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER

6821266

START OF FINANCIAL YEAR

1st January 2024

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR

31st December 2024

DIRECTORS THAT SERVED DURING THE YEAR TO 31ST DECEMBER 2024

C Stiven G Tainio R Hancock G Newholm A Grüneberg (resigned 19th February 2025) M Reynolds (resigned 2nd July 2024)

COMPANY SECRETARY

C Stiven

REGISTERED ADDRESS

Vine Evangelical Church Hitchen Hatch Lane Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3AT

GOVERNING INSTRUMENT

Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 17th February 2009.

PRIMARY BANKERS

CAF Bank

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF

3

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The Directors have pleasure in submitting their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Objects of the charity

The Company seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by being a church in the Sevenoaks area.

Governance

The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Directors who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.

Review of Activities

A church is not just a company or a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they lived. The leaders and members of Vine Evangelical Church (Sevenoaks) are committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles. We are not alone in this, but are one of many churches in the area, the country and all over the world that are re-discovering the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ. The vision is to see the people of Sevenoaks District come into this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord, Saviour and friend.

Although only incorporated as a company in 2009, Vine Evangelical Church (Sevenoaks) ("VEC") has inherited and carries on the rich tradition of the church community that has been meeting in its current premises for some 150 years. VEC regularly carries out and/or participates in activities with a view to achieving this vision, including weekly worship services with crèche and Sunday Club activities, youth club meetings and outings, mid-week home groups, men's and women's fellowship groups, Bible studies and teaching.

VEC’s activities during 2024 have broadly returned to the pre-COVID pattern, with the Tuesday morning mother and toddler group replaced by a ‘warm space’ drop-in centre. Physical meetings for worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship continue, and numbers are beginning to increase. We continue to offer online participation via Zoom, and sermons are published to YouTube.

During 2024 VEC continued to provide office space free of charge for the use of Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust (SAYT), and to make its premises available free of charge to the Sevenoaks Branch of Crosslight (formerly West Kent Debt Advice), and to the Sevenoaks Child Contact Centre. The two latter organisations are staffed by volunteers from local churches including VEC, and all of them provide services to the public free of charge. In addition, VEC serves as the registered office for Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees and makes its premises available free of charge for their meetings. SAYT and the Contact Centre kindly made voluntary donations in lieu of rent.

VEC continues to help support financially a small number of Commended Workers – members or former members of the church who are engaged in full time Christian ministry in the UK and/or abroad, and who rely on donations from a wide range of supporters, both individual and institutional, including VEC. Finally, VEC is pleased to be one of the local churches participating in the governance of Trinity School, a Christian free school in Sevenoaks that opened in September 2013, and our pastor is on the board of directors of its governing body.

Financial Review

Incoming resources for the year under review amounted to £103,638, an increase of £15,686 or nearly 18% over the previous year. Expenditure for the period at £128,636 was only 3.4% higher than the previous year. The resulting deficit of £24,998 represented a 31.4% improvement over the previous year’s deficit.

4

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Directors' Responsibilities

Charity law requires us as directors to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year. This requires us to

  1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

  2. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

  3. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts.

  4. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

We are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. The trustees are conscious of the fact that that recent deficits have eaten into reserves but continue to be confident that these are sufficient to meet fixed expenses for the 12 months from the signing of these accounts.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds should be maintained at a level equivalent to a minimum of six months’ expenditure, which would have amounted to £64,318 for the year under review. The directors consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. Unrestricted reserves at the end of the year were £90,664 which would cover approximately 8.5 months’ expenditure. The trustees do not consider that reserves at this level are excessive in view of the recent succession of annual deficits, and measures have been taken to restrain or reduce expenditure during 2025.

Approval

Approved by the Directors and signed on their behalf on 2025 by:

C D Stiven

5

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Incorporating income and expenditure account

Notes
Donations and Legacies
3a
Charitable Activities
3b
Trading Activities
3c
Investments
3d
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable Activities
4
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Total Funds Brought Forward
Transfer between funds
5
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
FROM:
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
64,129
16,161
625
80,915
70,625
-
-
-
-
-
17,781
-
-
17,781
15,571
4,942
-
-
4,942
1,756
86,852
16,161
625
103,638
87,952
105,143
22,880
613
128,636
124,369
105,143
22,880
613
128,636
124,369
(18,292)
(6,719)
12
(24,998)
(36,417)
30,439
85,000
223
115,662
152,079
(6,719)
6,719
-
-
-
5,429
85,000
235
90,664
115,662

Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements.

6

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS)

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
2
Current Assets
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
6
Total Current Assets
8
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETSless current liabilities
NET ASSETS
Funds of the Charity
5
General Funds
Designated Funds
Restricted Funds
Total Funds
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
Unrestricted
Restricted
31-Dec-24
31-Dec-23
Funds
Funds
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
266
-
266
523
3,689
-
3,689
3,451
87,554
235
87,789
112,708
91,243
235
91,478
116,159
1,080
-
1,080
1,020
90,163
235
90,398
115,139
90,429
235
90,664
115,662
90,429
235
90,664
115,662
5,429
-
5,429
30,439
85,000
-
85,000
85,000
-
235
235
223
90,429
235
90,664
115,662

For the year ending 31st December 2023 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

Approved by the Directors on …………………………………….…… and

Signed on their behalf by ………………………………………..., C Stiven, Director

7

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis of accounting in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice - "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP 2019). The accounts have been prepared on an ongoing concern basis. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

Advantage has been taken of Section 396(5) of The Companies Act 2006 to allow the format of the financial statements to be adapted to reflect the special nature of the charity's operation and in order to comply with the requirements of the

The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement.

Changes in Accounting Policies and Previous Accounts

There has been no change to the accounting policies (variation rules and methods of accounting) since last year.

Preparation of accounts on a going concern basis

Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The Trustees are of the view that the level of reserves will support the charity going forward.

Income

Recognition of Income

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Income with Related Expenditure

Where income has a related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

Grants and Donations

Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts

Income from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA in the same financial period as the gift to which they relate.

Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants

This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.

Gifts in Kind

Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable.

Donated Services and Facilities

These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.

Volunteer Help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees' annual report.

Government Grants

The charity did not receive any government grants during the financial year.

8

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Expenditure

Liability Recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources

Governance Costs

Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the Trustees' meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Funds

Unrestricted Funds

These funds can be used for the general objectives of the charity as set out in the trustees report. The movements of the unrestricted funds are given in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Designated Funds

Designated funds are funds that the Trustees have reserved for specific purposes. Although these are in principle unrestricted funds, these funds may only be expended on the specific purpose designated by the Trustees.

Restricted Funds

These funds are where the donor has specified a purpose for the donation made. These restrictions often arise as a result of the regular appeals for special offerings made for specific purposes.

Assets and Liabilities

Fixed Assets

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.

Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives charged to the SOFA. The rates applied per annum are as follows:

Equipment Between 15% and 33%
Land & Building 2%
2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Church Motor Equipment &
Building Vehicles Fittings TOTAL
Title No:
362530
£ £ £ £
Cost 01-Jan-24 2,000 - 32,383 34,383
Additions - - - -
Cost at 31-Dec-24 2,000 - 32,383 34,383
Depreciation 01-Jan-24 2,000 - 31,860 33,860
Charge - - 257 257
Depreciation at 31-Dec-24 2,000 - 32,117 34,117
Net Book Value 31-Dec-24 - - 266 266
Net Book Value 31-Dec-23 - - 523 523

The Church property was transferred to the ownership of Vine Evangelical Church (Sevenoaks) in July 2012 by the previous owners of Vine Hall Trust at depreciated historic cost. The property was originally acquired in 1971 for £2,000, resulting in depreciation over the subsequent 49 years of £1,960 with the final charge being made in 2020. The building insurance value provided by the Insurer at 31st January 2024 was £1,979,908 and at 31st January 2025 was £2,098,703.

9

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
3. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
FROM:
a) Donations and Legacies
Gift Aid Donations
Legacies
Non Gift Aid Donations
Tax Reclaimed
b) Charitable Activities
Other Charitable Activities
c) Trading Activities
Premises Hire
d) Investments
Bank Interest
4. EXPENDITURE ON:
b) Charitable Activities
Direct Charitable Costs
Staff Costs
9
Commended Workers
VEC Fellowship Events(Note: 2021: refunds)
Youth Ministry
Professional Services
Ministry Expenses
Outreach and Mission
Grants Payable
Social Care
Support & Administration
Administrative Expenses
Utilities
Insurance
Depreciation
Property & Equipment
Building Works
Governance Costs
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
TOTAL
TOTAL
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
£
46,335
11,672
460
58,467
50,666
-
-
-
-
-
6,221
1,568
50
7,839
7,280
11,572
2,922
115
14,609
12,679
64,129
16,161
625
80,915
70,625
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
17,781
-
-
17,781
15,571
17,781
-
-
17,781
15,571
4,942
-
-
4,942
1,756
4,942
-
-
4,942
1,756
74,718
-
-
74,718
70,461
-
15,960
-
15,960
15,360
-
-
-
-
184
156
-
-
156
897
1,400
-
-
1,400
877
4,831
-
-
4,831
5,410
-
6,920
-
6,920
6,311
-
-
613
613
2,802
-
-
-
-
400
3,458
-
-
3,458
2,976
6,871
-
-
6,871
9,006
1,552
-
-
1,552
1,385
257
-
-
257
257
10,820
-
-
10,820
6,973
-
-
-
-
-
1,080
-
-
1,080
1,070
105,143
22,880
613
128,636
124,369

10

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS - CURRENT PERIOD

CURRENT PERIOD
Balance
Balance
01-Jan-24
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-24
£
£
£
£
£
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 30,439
86,852
(105,143)
(6,719)
5,429
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Emergency Maintenance Fund 25,000
-
-
-
25,000
Building Works Fund -
-
-
-
-
Mission Fund -
-
-
-
-
Other Mission Fund -
16,161
(22,880)
6,719
0
Future Ministry Support Fund 60,000
-
-
-
60,000
85,000
16,161
(22,880)
6,719
85,000
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Hardship Fund 261
587
(613)
-
235
Mission Support (38)
38
-
-
223
625
(613)
-
235
TOTALS 115,662
103,638
(128,636)
-
90,664
5. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS - PREVIOUS PERIOD
PREVIOUS PERIOD
Balance
Balance
01-Jan-23
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
31-Dec-23
£
£
£
£
£
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 67,218
70,696
(99,496)
7,979
-
30,439
DESIGNATED FUNDS
Emergency Maintenance Fund 25,000
-
-
-
25,000
Other Mission Fund - 139

14,231
(22,071)
7,979
-
Future Ministry Support Fund 60,000
-
-
-
60,000
84,861
14,231
(22,071)
7,979
85,000
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Hardship Fund -
1,913
(1,652)
-
261
Mission Support -
1,112
(1,150)
-
38
-
-
3,025
(2,802)
-
223
TOTALS 152,079
87,952
(124,369)
-
115,662

11

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS)

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

6. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

6. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Fund Fund 31-Dec-24 31-Dec-23
£ £ £ £
Current Account 4,296 235 4,531 3,366
Deposit Account 9,218 - 9,218 8,934
Flagstone Account 74,040 - 74,040 100,408
87,554 235 87,789 112,708
7. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
Accrued Income: Gift Aid tax Unrestricted
Funds
£
3,689
Restricted
Funds
£
-
Total
31-Dec-24
£
3,689
Total
31-Dec-23
£
3,151
Security Deposit - - - -
Staff Loan - - - 300
3,689 - 3,689 3,451
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Independent Examiners Fees Unrestricted
Fund
£
1,080
Restricted
Fund
£
-
Total
31-Dec-24
£
1,080
Total
31-Dec-23
£
1,020
1,080 - 1,080 1,020

9. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

The charity operates a PAYE scheme, as detailed below:
Gross Salaries
Employer's National Insurance Costs
Employer's Pension Contributions
Employer's Allowance
Other Staff Costs (Rent and Rates as part of remuneration package)
Employees were engaged in the following activities:
Activities in furtherance of organisation's objects
2024
2023
£
£
69,485
64,736
6,940
6,423
3,474
3,325
(5,181)
(6,423)
2,400
74,718
70,461
2024
2023
TOTAL
TOTAL
1.5
1.5

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The key management personnel of the charity are considered to be the Trustees. No Trustees received remuneration.

In the 2023 financial year the Church Pastor was provided with manse accommodation as a part of their remuneration package and in accordance with a formal tenancy agreement. As the landlord, the Church paid the rent, council tax, water and sewerage charges totalling £2,400 relating to the Manse in 2023 (2022: £26,459). The manse accommodation agreement was terminated in February 2023 and the rental deposit returned to the charity.

12

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS) (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10. DIRECTORS AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES

One director is also a director of Sevenoaks Christian Counselling Service, to whom the church made donations during the year totalling £2,520 (2023: £2,916). This is also included in Outreach & Mission in Note 4.

A second director and his spouse are employees (but not directors) of ReachAcross (UK), to whom the church made donations during the year totalling £7,980 (2023: £7,680) which is included in Commended Workers in Note 4.

Other than this, no payments were made to directors or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a director or any person connected with them.

During the year, directors and related persons made donations to the charity totalling £21,540 (2023: £21,229). There were no conditions attached to these donations.

11. RISK ASSESSMENT

The directors actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The directors have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.

12. RESERVES POLICY

The directors have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The directors aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The directors will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.

13. PUBLIC BENEFIT

The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the report of the directors. The directors confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

13

VINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH (SEVENOAKS)

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Vine Evangelical Church (Sevenoaks) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT

As the charity’s trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:

• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

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.

Nils de Freese CGMA Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF Date:9/5/2025

14