## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED**
## **30 JUNE 2025**
**Company Registration Number 06952398 Charity Number 1130698**
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**Contents**|**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ Annual Report|**1 to 8**|
|Reference & Administrative Information|**9**|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|**10**|
|Statement of Financial Activities|**11**|
|Balance Sheet|**12**|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|**13 to 22**|
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2025.
## **Governing Document**
Severn Vineyard is a registered charity, charity number 1130698, incorporated on 14 July 2009, duly constituted by means of its Memorandum and Articles of Association and operating as a church.
## **Organisational Structure**
Severn Vineyard is a company limited by guarantee as well as a registered charity, in which the company directors also form the Board of Trustees. The day to day running of the Church is delegated to the employed Lead Pastors: Rev. O R Lynch and Rev. C Lynch both of whom are also Trustees. The liability of each Trustee in the event of a winding up is limited to £1.
## **Connected Charities**
Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland (“VCUKI")
VCUKI (registered charity number 1099748) was formed with the purpose of joining together churches that hold common values and practices. VCUKI helps, serves, and strengthens the churches by leading, training, resourcing, administering, and providing pastoral support to senior pastors.
## **Objectives & Activities**
The objectives of Severn Vineyard are:
1. The advancement of the Christian faith including the planting of new Vineyard churches;
2. The advancement of Christian education, through the production of talks, podcasts and Bible study materials;
3. The relief of sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provision of counselling, training in life skills and support in such parts of Bristol, the UK or the world as the Trustees from time to time may see fit;
4. The provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities with the objective of improving their conditions of life.
## **Achievements and Performance**
## **Performance against Objectives**
The level of performance against objectives is, in the main, a reflection of the activity of the members of Severn Vineyard who volunteer their time, energy and money freely because of their faith in God.
1
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **The advancement of the Christian faith including the planting of new Vineyard churches**
Recognising the unique contribution that the Christian faith makes to the emotional and spiritual health of individuals, families and communities, there has been significant investment in pathways, courses and content including
- Spiritual Retreats
- Modelling contemplative spirituality, including meditation and reflection
The result of this focus on emotional and spiritual health has been many stories of positive change in mental health and relationships amongst those who have participated.
## **The advancement of Christian education**
Anecdotal evidence suggests that repeated spiritual experiences of Jesus incrementally and radically transform the mind, body, and soul. A key part of this come through theological education. Christian theological education has been delivered in a variety of formats to children, teenagers, and adults, utilising digital platforms and in-person community gatherings.
The staff team plays a key role in leading and coordinating the Christian education of the whole church including a Children and Families Pastor, a Youth and Students Pastor, two Co-Lead Pastors and an Assistant Pastor, as well as a Business Manager and a Communications Manager.
The staff team has worked with volunteer teams to run weekly events for people of all ages including children, youth, families, students, and young adults. Some of this work is done in collaboration with other churches in the UK Vineyard movement and with third party organisations like Fusion. Our association with the Vineyard movement in the UK and Ireland is particularly central to our programme with National events such as "Dreaming the Impossible" (DTI) and "The Cause to Live For" - events and networks that connect youth and young adults.
The Vineyard national networks for Kids and Family Pastors, Youth and Students Pastors, Worship Pastors and Lead Pastors are especially helpful for equipping and networking. Severn Vineyard also contributes to the wider Vineyard movement by releasing the Lead Pastors to serve as Vineyard Area Leaders for the West Country and Wales providing oversight and support to seven other Vineyard churches in the area. Owen & Claire Lynch stepped down from this role during the financial year.
## **The relief of the poor and needy, and those who are aged or sick**
Recognising God's particular determination throughout the Bible to protect and care for the vulnerable and marginalised, Severn has continued to commit significant amounts of time, energy, and money to help the most vulnerable and marginalised in Bristol.
- **Food Poverty:** Severn Vineyard continued to run a foodbank in partnership with Field Vineyard Church and the South and East Bristol Foodbank (part of the Trussell Trust network) serving the BS4 area of South Bristol. In the twelve months to 30th June 2025 the foodbank fulfilled, the combined BS4 outlets fulfilled 1461 Referrals, providing 3 days of emergency food to a total of 2224 adults and 1360 children, an 11% increase in the number of people fed on the previous financial year. This was only possible through an extensive team of around 60 volunteers assisting in the preparation, delivery and distribution of the emergency food
2
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
parcels, contributing over 2500 hours of their time to help alleviate food poverty in Bristol.
- We have also continued to partner with St. Barnabas in Knowle West to run our face-to-face outlet, where clients can come and collect their food parcels, but also have the opportunity for signposting to wider support through our financial inclusion team.
- To help meet the continued rise in the number of people facing food poverty in the area, and the additional demands that this places on the running of the outlets and the increased need for food to fulfil the referrals, we have appointed a foodbank project assistant to work alongside the foodbank coordinator for one day a week. Part of this role is to increase connections with the wider BS4 community to help raise the support needed to sustain the work of the foodbank outlets.
- **Vulnerable Families:** Severn Vineyard has worked in partnership with Home for Good to provide Foster Carers with a support group and families associated with Severn continue to serve as foster carers.
- **Homelessness:** Severn Vineyard Soup Run teams have continued to provide food, hot drinks, and toiletries alongside a listening ear to homeless people twice a month, serving up to forty people a night.
- **Debt advocacy and support:**
- In partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Severn Vineyard provides debt advocacy and support to people in the BS3, BS4, BS13, BS14 postcode areas of Bristol. In the twelve months to 30th June 2025 38 people have been helped by this service – 9 clients are now debt free, having been relieved of nearly £200,000 worth of debt. This service is run in partnership with several churches in south Bristol who provide befrienders to walk with the clients through their journey to becoming debt free.
Severn Vineyard continued to provide life skills training courses in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP). Three money coaching courses were held across South Bristol. Attendees were made up of existing clients and some entirely new to CAP services. Each attendee came away with a personalised electronic budgeting tool with support on how to use it, update it over time and most importantly how to ensure it is balanced. The course helped attendees set realistic and achievable savings goals as well as a self-screening tool for recognising when debt was
becoming unmanageable, at which point Money Coaches were available and on hand to discuss avenues of support.
- **Refugees and Asylum Seekers:**
Severn Vineyard has also partnered with Bristol City Council to run a weekly Refugee Welcome Hub. This was initially set up to welcome and help integrate Ukrainian refugees into the city of Bristol, but has expanded to include refugees of other countries, including Syria. This project is funded by Bristol City Council and provides a place where refugees can learn English whilst meeting others in a similar situation. This stopped in April 2025 as those involved gained employment and moved on from basic classes.
3
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **The provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities with the objective of improving their conditions of life.**
Recognising that no community exists in isolation, Severn has sought to catalyse community groups within local neighbourhoods and among people with similar interests. These groups have helped to counter the inherent loneliness experienced in the city, strengthen neighbourhoods, and bring together people whose differences could have kept them apart.
Severn Vineyard staff and volunteers have worked together to gather and connect people with activities and events, including monthly sharing breakfast “all-ins,” walks, a curry night, and a craft night, “Light parties” (as an alternative to Halloween), summer picnics and shared lunches after Sunday morning services. During the Summer break, groups of people met in homes on a Sunday, rather than meeting at the central venue as well as gathering for picnics and walks.
Severn has a pastoral support network to respond to the pastoral needs of members of the church community who are struggling with personal challenges.
As well as community groups, our staff organise teams of volunteers that support the infrastructure of Severn Vineyard. Whilst these teams are essential for the operation of the church, they are also a primary way to provide a forum for friendship to flourish.
In planning church activities, the trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance relating to activities for the public benefit.
## **Financial review**
The finances of Severn Vineyard during 2024 - 2025 show that the trustees have focused expenditure on the four main objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds include funds received for the ongoing building campaign and the Refugee Welcome Hub.
In addition, restricted donations totalling £110,241 were received in 2024/25 for the ongoing work of the South Bristol CAP Centre and BS4 Foodbank Outlet from a variety personal donors, churches and denominational bodies. In addition, grants were awarded from the Willats Trust, the Nisbet Trust, BrisDoc, Feeding Bristol, Blakemore Foundation, Groundworks, Burgess Salmon Trust, the National Benevolent Fund, the Bristol Diocese, and the Bristol Archdeaconry Charity, as well as some local churches and schools.
Principal funding has come from donations made by members of the church. A significant proportion of the donations have been made under the Gift Aid scheme, whereby HM Revenue & Customs returns the tax paid on those donations to Severn Vineyard. Note 3 to the accounts details how the expenditure in the period has supported the church's key objectives.
Unrestricted income for the year was £170,410 and unrestricted expenditure was £183,050 resulting in a deficit on unrestricted funds for the year of £12,640. All funds income for the year was £284,236 and all funds expenditure was £252,877.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
New Trustees are nominated by other Trustees during Trustees' meetings. Open discussions are conducted within the meetings regarding the candidates' suitability for the role, commitment to Severn
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**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
Vineyard, and cross referenced to the skills gaps on the Trustee Board. Potential candidates are approached by one of the Lead Pastors and/or the Chair of Trustees, and the candidate is asked to prayerfully consider whether they might serve the Church in this way. Once the candidate confirms they would be happy to undertake this responsibility, they are invited to a Trustees' meeting and appointed as a Trustee. One of the Trustees will meet with them to go through the Trustee job description, as well as assign them a particular function/department.
## **Remuneration of Key Management Personnel**
Remuneration for key management personnel is guided by a pay spine document developed by a former Trustee of Severn, in line with Vineyard UK pay guidelines. A remuneration committee meets to review the salary and package for the Lead Pastors. The Lead Pastors are responsible for the setting of the remuneration of the staff team in line with policy agreed with the Trustees.
## **Investment Powers and Policy**
The constitution of Severn Vineyard authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the funds of the Charity. Cash balances are currently held with several banks to protect the charity from undue exposure to a single institution.
## **Reserves Policy**
Severn Vineyard aims to maintain reserves in order to cover short term fluctuations in income and expenditure. The charity actively maximises its liquidity by submitting frequent claims for gift aid and close management of cash flow.
## **Maintenance:**
The Trustees aim to review, on a half-annual basis, the level of reserves held. At present they consider an absolute minimum level of £25,000 (based on redundancy costs of staff) necessary to cover outstanding contractual expenditure should the charity be unable to continue. However, the ideal minimum amount for reserves would be 3 months of expenditure, which is £41,000.
The current free reserves ensure that the charity can cover all contractual expenditure. Free reserves at the year-end are £41,259, which is within the target range.
## **Review of Reserves Policy:**
The Trustees aim to review whether the Policy itself remains appropriate at least once per year.
## **Risk Management**
The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. They include:
5
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
- a) an annual budget approved by the Trustees;
- b) regular consideration by the Trustees of financial reports;
- c) delegation of authority and segregation of duties;
- d) identification and management of risks.
The Trustees aim to review the main risks facing the church, and the controls over key financial systems, on a regular basis. The trustees are of the opinion that adequate systems and resources are in place to mitigate any significant matters arising from operational and business risks. The Trustees are pleased to confirm that the internal financial controls, in particular, conform to guidelines issued by the Charity Commission.
## **Change of policy**
The board of Trustees had considered for several months a proposed change of policy, before involving the staff, community group leaders and team leaders of Severn. This change of policy is in relation to two pastoral guidelines requested of us as a Vineyard Church by the association of Vineyard Churches in the UK:
1. Please do not preside over same-sex unions (whether civil partnerships or marriages).
2. Please do not appoint anyone in a sexual relationship outside of a heterosexual marriage to a position of leadership.
In May 2025, the Trustee Board wrote to all those involved with Severn Vineyard Church to ask them to express their opinion, thoughts and concerns on removing the above-mentioned pastoral guidelines.
At a Trustees meeting on 23rd June 2025, the trustees discussed the comments made in the feedback as well as several detailed emails from members of the congregation. In light of that feedback and given that 86% of respondents indicated that they intend to remain as members of Severn, regardless of whether they agree or disagree with the policy changes, the trustees voted unanimously to proceed with the proposed change of policy.
As a consequence of the agreed policy change to disregard the Vineyard Pastoral Guidelines relating to same sex couples, Owen and Claire Lynch entered into several months of discussions with Vineyard Churches to understand the implications of Severn Vineyard disregarding these guidelines. It became clear that Severn Vineyard would need to leave the Vineyard Church and therefore return the licence to use the Vineyard trademark.
This meant that Severn Vineyard would cease to be part of the Vineyard Churches association. The Articles of Association are being amended to reflect these changes. Severn Vineyard Bristol will be renamed Severn Church Bristol and will be an independent church once the formal departure from Vineyard Churches has been completed.
6
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Plans for future periods**
In line with the charitable objectives, Severn Vineyard will continue to contribute to the spiritual, cultural, and social wellbeing of the residents of Bristol and the surrounding area. Whilst Severn Vineyard will no longer be a Vineyard church, its plans and purposes will remain very similar to previous years.
Plans for the next year include:
- a) Moving the church from being associated to Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland to becoming an independent church, including changing the name of the charity to Severn Church Bristol.
- b) Strengthening the sense of connectedness within the community of people who are associated with the church in Bristol
- c) Continuing to create and provide fresh, engaging, and sustainable pathways for spiritual and emotional health for a diverse mix of children, youth, students, and adults.
- d) Serving the city through services that relieve poverty and loneliness.
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**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
The trustees (who are also directors of Severn Vineyard for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report (incorporating the strategic report and directors’ report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure,
of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **Approval of Accounts**
The accounts were approved on behalf of the Trustees on …………………… by:
Greg Nixon Owen Lynch Trustee/Director Trustee/Director
8
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Company number**
06952398
## **Charity number**
1130698
## **Trustees**
The Trustees (who are directors for the purpose of company law) who have served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
G A Nixon Rev O R Lynch Rev C Lynch P M Howells N Gazzard B Likulunga
## **Secretary**
P M Howells
## **Registered Office**
Totterdown Methodist Church 7 Bushy Park Bristol BS4 2EG
## **Independent Examiner**
Joshua Kingston BSc FCA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
9
**SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors 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 of the Company are not required to be audited 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**
Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
Joshua Kingston BSc FCA Burton Sweet Limited The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
Date………………………..
10
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including income and expenditure account)**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**Notes**
**Income from:**
Donations and grants
**2**
Investments
Charitable activities - events
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
**3**
**Total expenditure**
**4**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds brought forward**
**12**
**Total funds carried forward**
**12**
**Net income / (expenditure)**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
163,637
4,043
2,730
170,410
1,903
181,147
183,050
(12,640)
2,349
(10,291)
53,424
43,133|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
110,241
3,585
-
113,826
-
69,827
69,827
43,999
(2,349)
41,650
380,320
421,970|**Total funds**
**2025**
**£**
273,878
7,628
2,730
284,236
1,903
250,974
252,877
31,359
-
31,359
433,744
465,103|**Total funds**
**2024**
**£**
284,410
8,381
338
293,129
5,000
320,906
325,906
(32,777)
-
(32,777)
466,521
433,744|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.
All of the activities of the company are classed as continuing.
The comparative Statement of Financial Activities is shown in note 6.
**The notes on pages 13 to 22 form part of these financial statements**
11
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AT 30 JUNE 2025**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
**7**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**8**
Cash at bank
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
**9**
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity**
Restricted funds
**13**
Unrestricted funds
**13**|**2025**
**£**
121
10,124
472,545
482,669
(17,687)
464,982
465,103
421,970
43,133
465,103|**2024**
**£**
983
10,339
435,934
446,273
(13,512)
432,761
433,744
380,320
53,424
433,744|
|---|---|---|
For the year ending 30 June 2025 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 of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011. 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 responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.
These financial statements were approved by the trustees on……................................... and are signed on their behalf by:
Greg Nixon Owen Lynch Trustee Trustee
## **Company registration number 06952398**
**The notes on pages 13 to 22 form part of these financial statements**
12
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## a) **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention (except where otherwise stated in the accounting policy note) and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.
The charity is a public benefit entity as defined under FRS102.
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, despite the significant uncertainty being caused by the national cost of living crisis. Whilst the Trustees expect there to be a significant impact on the charity's operations and reserves in the coming months and years, the charity has sufficient reserves to be able to meet these challenges.
## b) **Income**
Income from donations is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:
I. When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods;
II. When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.
## c) **Expenditure**
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that activity inclusive of VAT. Support costs and costs that cannot be directly attributed have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resource.
Costs of charitable activities comprise the expenditure associated with achieving the charitable objectives and activities of Severn Vineyard.
Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs are included within support costs.
Expenditure is allocated to a particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories based on use of the particular resource.
## d) **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds 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.
Designated funds form part of unrestricted funds and have been identified as being for particular purposes by the Trustees. They are not restricted and can be transferred to general funds at any time at the discretion of the Trustees.
13
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## e) **Fixed assets**
Depreciation is calculated so as to write-off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of the asset as follows:
Computer and office equipment 3 years straight line Motor Vehicles 4 years straight line PA equipment 4 years straight line
Assets are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.
## f) **Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## g) **Cash at bank in hand**
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## h) **Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## i) **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity contributes to defined contribution pension schemes. Contributions payable to the charity's pension schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **2 Donations and grants**
|Donations from church members
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants received|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
134,104
29,533
-
163,637|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
66,747
549
42,945
110,241|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
200,851
30,082
42,945
273,878|
|---|---|---|---|
Donations of £16,590 (2024: £20,500) were received from trustees and other related parties during the year.
During the year, the charity received government grants of £24,995 (2024: £54,037).
The charity receives gifts in kind from generous donors. These include clothes, toys and baby equipment etc which are then distributed to those in need via The Storehouse. The Storehouse ceased operating during the year, so no additional gifts were received during the current year.
14
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**2**
**Donations and grants (continued)**
**Prior year**
Donations from church members
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants received
Gifts in kind
**3**
**Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
Grants and gifts (see below)
Direct costs:
Staff costs
Other staff costs
Sunday services and events
Car parking
Hospitality and refreshments
Travelling expenses
Support costs (see below)
**Support costs**
Premises costs
Rent, rates and utilities
Small equipment and repairs
Depreciation
Insurance
Office costs
Stationery, telephone and IT
Sundry costs
Contributions to VCUK
Governance
Trustees' expenses
Accountancy
Independent examiner's fee|**Christian**
**Faith**
**£**
1,485
41,585
7,343
2,287
1,687
2,911
405
20,952
78,655
**Christian**
**Faith**
**£**
11,802
78
375
210
1,693
767
4,306
4
856
861
20,952|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
157,147
34,352
7,626
-
199,125
**Education**
**£**
1,000
47,975
6,903
2,424
1,724
2,769
389
20,495
83,679
**Education**
**£**
12,042
78
375
199
1,186
878
4,091
4
810
832
20,495|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
23,985
-
57,561
3,739
85,285
**Alleviating**
**hardship**
**£**
3,227
39,379
7,552
1,350
-
21,159
16
15,957
88,640
**Alleviating**
**hardship**
**£**
11,639
800
112
306
278
298
-
-
1,247
1,277
15,957|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
181,132
34,352
65,187
3,739
284,410
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
5,712
128,939
21,798
6,061
3,411
26,839
810
57,404
250,974
**Total**
**2025**
**£**
35,483
956
862
715
3,157
1,943
8,397
8
2,913
2,970
57,404|
|---|---|---|---|---|
15
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **3 Expenditure on Charitable Activities (continued)**
|**Prior year**
Grants and gifts (see below)
Direct costs:
Staff costs
Other staff costs
Volunteer thanks
Sunday services and events
Car parking
Hospitality and refreshments
Travelling expenses
Support costs (see below)
**Support costs**
Premises costs
Rent, rates and utilities
Small equipment and repairs
Depreciation
Insurance
Office costs
Stationery, telephone and IT
Sundry costs
Contributions to VCUK
Governance
Trustees' expenses
Accountancy
Independent examiner's fee|**Christian**
**Faith**
**£**
11,030
42,931
8,801
8
1,737
2,644
3,758
530
29,901
101,340
**Christian**
**Faith**
**£**
20,723
512
914
263
1,460
1,155
3,398
2
682
792
29,901|**Education**
**£**
10,394
43,303
5,659
-
1,888
2,491
3,187
398
29,152
96,472
**Education**
**£**
20,190
123
914
249
715
2,240
3,310
15
646
750
29,152|**Alleviating**
**hardship**
**£**
16,910
47,863
12,109
-
2,733
-
18,608
488
24,383
123,094
**Alleviating**
**hardship**
**£**
16,156
1,237
274
384
351
320
3,507
3
994
1,157
24,383|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
38,334
134,097
26,569
8
6,358
5,135
25,553
1,416
83,436
320,906
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
57,069
1,872
2,102
896
2,526
3,715
10,215
20
2,322
2,699
83,436|
|---|---|---|---|---|
16
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **3 Expenditure on Charitable Activities (continued)**
|**Grants and gifts**
Grants and gifts made to organisations:
Bridges for Communities
Fusion
Lighthouse Vineyard
Casa de Esparanza - Mexico
Grants and gifts made to individuals
**4**
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**
Stated after charging:
Depreciation
Independent examiner's fee
- current year - independent examination
- accounts preparation
Trustees' expenses - 1 trustee reimbursed for travel expenses (2024: 3 trustees
reimbursed for travel and subsistence costs, refreshments and stationery)|**2025**
**£**
3,000
745
-
-
1,967
5,712
**2025**
**£**
862
8
1,290
1,680|**2024**
**£**
-
-
30,000
3,000
5,334
38,334
**2024**
**£**
2,102
800
1,020
1,530|
|---|---|---|
## **5 Staff costs and numbers**
|The aggregate payroll costs were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions|**2025**
**£**
122,527
2,664
5,651
130,842|**2024**
**£**
129,330
3,935
5,832
139,097|
|---|---|---|
17
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **5 Staff costs and numbers (continued)**
The number of staff employed are as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|Pastoral and administration|10|10|
**----- End of picture text -----**
Most staff work part-time hours, the full-time equivalent is 3.5 (2024: 3.5). No employee was paid more than £60,000 in 2025 or 2024.
The Trustees consider the key management personnel for the charity to be themselves, and Liz Nixon, the church operations manager. Rev. Owen Lynch and Rev Claire Lynch, who are joint lead pastors of the church, are also Trustees of the charity.
Total benefits paid to key management personnel during the year were £76,810 (2024: £74,710), including employer's national insurance and pension contributions.
## **6 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total funds|
|Funds|Funds|2024|
|£|£|£|
|Income from:|
|Donations and grants|199,125|85,285|284,410|
|Investments|1|8,380|8,381|
|Charitable activities - events|338|-|338|
|Total income|199,464|93,665|293,129|
|Expenditure on:|
|-|
|Fundraising|5,000|5,000|
|Charitable activities|186,204|134,702|320,906|
|Total expenditure|191,204|134,702|325,906|
|Net (expenditure)/income and net movement in funds|8,260|(41,037)|(32,777)|
|Total funds brought forward|45,164|421,357|466,521|
|Total funds carried forward|53,424|380,320|433,744|
**----- End of picture text -----**
18
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **7 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Equipment**
**Cost**
**£**
At 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025
5,027
**Depreciation**
At 1 July 2024
5,027
Charge for the year
-
At 30 June 2025
5,027
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2025
-
At 30 June 2024
-
**8**
**Debtors**
Gift Aid receivable
Other debtors
Prepayments
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals
Pension creditor|**PA**
**equipment**
**£**
22,051
22,051
-
22,051
-
-|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
8,113
7,130
862
7,992
121
983
**2025**
**£**
7,072
1,570
1,482
10,124
**2025**
**£**
8,913
1,198
6,717
859
17,687|**Total**
**£**
35,191
34,208
862
35,070
121
983
**2024**
**£**
7,650
1,376
1,313
10,339
**2024**
**£**
5,881
1,199
5,593
839
13,512|
|---|---|---|---|
19
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **10 Related parties and trustee transactions**
During the year, the Charity made payments as follows, all permitted by the Charity's Memorandum of Association:
|Rev Owen Lynch
Rev Claire Lynch
Prior year
Rev Owen Lynch
Rev Claire Lynch|**£**
25,722
25,722
51,444
**£**
26,356
26,356
52,712
**Remuneration**
**Remuneration**|**£**
1,132
1,132
2,264
**£**
1,107
1,107
2,214
**Pension**
**Contributions**
**Pension**
**Contributions**|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
26,854
26,854
53,708
**2024**
**Total**
**£**
27,463
27,463
54,926
|
|---|---|---|---|
Remuneration includes employer's national insurance contributions.
Both Rev Owen Lynch and Rev Claire Lynch are trustees of the charity, and are therefore key management personnel. The remuneration for Rev Owen Lynch and Rev Claire Lynch above is in connection to their roles as lead pastors.
During the year, the church made a grant of £3,000 to Bridges for Communities, a charity of which Rev Owen Lynch is Chair of trustees.
There were no related party transactions during either the current or the prior year apart from those mentioned elsewhere in the accounts.
## **11 Company limited by guarantee**
The Company is limited by guarantee and as such has no issued share capital. In the event of the company being wound up the liability of the members is limited £1 each.
20
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**12 Movement in funds**
**Restricted funds**
Church planting
New Premises
CAP Debt Centre
West Country and Wales area
Foodbank
Ukraine hub
Hardship fund
Storehouse
**Unrestricted funds**
Designated fund - New Premises
General reserves|**£**
45
361,321
5,192
1,919
9,116
4
18
2,705
380,320
1,725
51,699
433,744
**At 1 July**
**2024**|**Income**
**£**
-
6,910
28,812
1,500
71,609
4,995
-
-
113,826
4,041
166,369
284,236
|**Expenditure**
**£**
-
(1,667)
(20,039)
(893)
(42,416)
(4,456)
-
(356)
(69,827)
(4,013)
(179,037)
(252,877)|**Transfer**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,349)
(2,349)
-
2,349
-|**£**
45
366,564
13,965
2,526
38,309
543
18
-
421,970
1,753
41,380
465,103
**At 30 June**
**2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
**Church planting -** Funds received from Vineyard (UK) to facilitate church planting in the local region. **New Premises** - Donations received to contribute towards provision of new church premises. **CAP Debt centre** - Funds received to work with clients in South Bristol that are struggling with debt, by offering free debt advice and help with negotiating affordable repayments to creditors.
**West Country and Wales area** - Income received towards senior pastors' expenses incurred as part of regional oversight.
**Foodbank** - Funds received to cover the costs of a food bank in partnership with Bristol Vineyard and the Trussell Trust **.**
**Christmas hampers** - Funds were received to give Christmas hampers to clients of Community Services. The funds were transferred to the Foodbank Fund as the charity became aware that the funds could no longer be spent in this way. Donors' permission was sought before the transfer was made.
**Ukraine hub** - Funds to welcome and help integrate Ukrainian refugees into the city of Bristol, but has expanded to include refugees of other countries, including Syria.
**Hardship fund** - Funds received to help relieve the hardship of vulnerable families.
**Storehouse** - Funds received to help relieve the hardship by giving clothes, toys and baby equipment etc.
**New Premises designated fund** - The trustees have set aside funds to realise the church's vision for new premises.
21
## **SEVERN VINEYARD**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **12 Movement in funds (continued)**
|**Prior year**
**Restricted funds**
Church planting
New Premises
CAP Debt Centre
West Country and Wales area
Foodbank
Christmas hampers
Ukraine hub
Hardship fund
Storehouse
**Unrestricted funds**
Designated fund - New Premises
General reserves|**£**
45
399,229
-
3,443
10,764
2,975
4,884
17
-
421,357
1,725
43,439
466,521
**At 1 July**
**2023**|**Income**
**£**
-
11,706
17,588
-
18,839
-
-
38,290
7,242
93,665
-
199,464
293,129
|**Expenditure**
**£**
-
(49,614)
(12,396)
(1,524)
(23,462)
-
(4,880)
(38,289)
(4,537)
(134,702)
-
(191,204)
(325,906)|**Transfer**
**£**
-
-
-
-
2,975
(2,975)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**£**
45
361,321
5,192
1,919
9,116
-
4
18
2,705
380,320
1,725
51,699
433,744
**At 30 June**
**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **13 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Restricted funds**
**Unrestricted funds:**
Designated funds
General funds
Free reserves of the charity at 30 June 2025 were £41,259.
**Prior year**
**Restricted funds**
**Unrestricted funds:**
Designated funds
General funds|**£**
-
-
121
121
**£**
-
-
983
983
**Tangible fixed**
**assets**
**Tangible fixed**
**assets**|**£**
421,970
1,753
41,259
464,982
**£**
380,320
1,725
50,716
432,761
**Other net**
**assets**
**Other net**
**assets**|**£**
421,970
1,753
41,380
465,103
**£**
380,320
1,725
51,699
433,744
**At 30 June**
**2024**
**At 30 June**
**2025**|
|---|---|---|---|
Free reserves of the charity at 30 June 2024 were £50,716.
22