Stour Valley Vineyard Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Suite 1 & 2 Sudbury Business Centre Chilton Industrial Estate Milner Road Sudbury CO10 2XG GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution for a charitable incorporated organisation from 27 August 2020. CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1131617 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR J Taylor MANAGING THE CHARITY K Taylor R Woodman I Copeman (resigned 31st March 2025) C Vernon H Forth M Buckland (appointed 31st March 2025) BANKERS CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB INDEX Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 8 - 9 Notes to the Accounts
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Trustee Report on 2024 Accounts
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objects of the charity
In summary, the principal objects of the charity (as set out in the governing document) are:
(a) to advance the Christian faith
(b) to further Christian education
(c) to relieve sickness and financial hardship
The Church seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by reaching out with God's love; Sunday services; prayer ministry; pastoral groups; youth and children's ministries; prayer for the sick within and without the church; providing financial and practical help, food and support to those in need; ministry training; life-skills and personal development; biblical studies; in the Stour Valley area.
Our vision is to be a people who seek to encounter the presence of the living God and be transformed by that encounter. Our mission is to grow vibrant Christian communities in the Stour Valley Area, to bring healing and hope in Jesus’ name.
Governance:
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Organisation. In planning activities, the trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Review of Activities
Church Life:
The church is steadily growing and we continue to have baptisms each year. The church body is made up of all age groups, and has seen particular growth in the area of young adults and young families this past year. There are multiple Sunday teams that operate each week in order to support the Sunday meeting. These teams include set up team, venue management, welcome team, café team, worship team, kids team and youth team. We have weekly HOME groups that meet- these groups promote the benefit of fellowship, spiritual growth and friendship. The Little Wonders toddler group that is run for the community each week is growing and young mums are finding it incredibly helpful in supporting their well-being.
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Storehouse Foodbank:
Storehouse continues to bless the community by providing food for those in crisis and sign posting individuals to the many support services offered in Sudbury. The foodbank is operated on an emergency referral-only basis with two “drop-in” sessions per week at set times for assessments and collection of food parcels. There is a team of experienced volunteers both from the Church and from the community who help each week. Funding received for Storehouse in 2024 included grants from Suffolk Community Foundation through Private Fund – JA, Suffolk Giving Grant Making Programme, Food & Drink Fund and Maurken Fund.
Finances and Reserves
During the year income decreased by £3,006 to £143,239, and expenditure increased by £15,955 to £159,871. As a result, the charity has reported a loss of £16,632 (2023: surplus £2,329) and the cash held by the charity decreased by £16,632, to £71,897. This comprised unrestricted cash of £39,106 and cash of £32,791 held for restricted purposes (mainly for Storehouse).
Reserves Policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to unrestricted cash equivalent to 3 to 6 months of general fund expenses in the charity’s designated contingency fund and in unrestricted general funds. This would equate holding cash of somewhere between £22,000 to £44,000 in these funds. The trustees are satisfied that this level of reserves would be sufficient to allow the charity to continue to operate smoothly should income fall, or expenditure increase, unexpectedly. At the year-end the charity held cash of £32,379 in these funds and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Risk Statement
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
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Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Ruth Woodman
Jul 23, 2025 ……………………………………………….. Ruth Woodman (Jul 23, 2025 22:37:31 GMT+1) ……………………………………………….. R Woodman – Trustee Date
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Stour Valley Vineyard Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 6 to 9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Lisa Darby
Lisa Darby (Jul 28, 2025 11:50:37 GMT+1)
Lisa Darby FCA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jul 28, 2025
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STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Income receipts Donations and grants including gift aid Income from charitable activities Bank interest Capital and similar receipts Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 6 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Sale of fixed assets |
General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 71,439 8,751 6,837 - 751 - 79,027 8,751 - 2,000 79,027 10,751 88,129 - - 9,350 88,129 9,350 (9,102) 1,401 - - (9,102) 1,401 16,142 30,665 7,040 32,066 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 52,730 - 731 53,461 - 53,461 62,392 - 62,392 (8,931) - (8,931) 41,722 32,791 |
2024 £ 132,920 6,837 1,482 141,239 2,000 143,239 150,521 9,350 159,871 (16,632) - (16,632) 88,529 71,897 |
2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 71,439 6,837 751 79,027 - 79,027 88,129 - 88,129 (9,102) - (9,102) 16,142 7,040 |
|||||
| 143,517 1,861 866 |
|||||
| 146,245 | |||||
| - | |||||
| 146,245 | |||||
| 135,145 8,771 |
|||||
| 143,915 | |||||
| 2,329 - |
|||||
| 2,329 86,200 |
|||||
| 88,529 |
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of these accounts.
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STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Prepayments and other debtors Grant due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year Other creditors Independent examiner's fee for preparing and examining the accounts Payroll related creditors |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 7,040 32,066 7,040 32,066 - - 320 - - - 320 - 904 - 696 - 558 - 2,158 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 32,791 32,791 50 800 5,000 5,850 - 696 - 696 |
2024 £ 71,897 71,897 50 1,120 5,000 6,170 904 1,392 558 2,854 |
2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 7,040 7,040 - 320 - 320 904 696 558 2,158 |
|||||
| 88,529 | |||||
| 88,529 | |||||
| 746 1,120 - |
|||||
| 1,866 | |||||
| 600 1,320 615 |
|||||
| 2,535 |
D Assets retained for charity's own use
| Air-conditioning units Portacabin Equipment & fittings Equipment & fittings |
Fund to which asset belongs Restricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted |
Cost £ 10,050 12,474 7,325 850 30,699 |
Current Value £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - - 2,555 - |
|||
| 2,555 |
The current values of the charity's assets have been estimated by the trustees.
E Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Ruth Woodman
Ruth Woodman (Jul 23, 2025 22:37:31 GMT+1) -------------------------------------------R Woodman Jul 23, 2025 Date: ______
The notes on pages 8 to 9 form part of these accounts.
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STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| General Designated funds funds £ £ 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Direct expenditure on activities Advertising 180 - Equipment 468 - Other ministry costs 4,596 - Events 7,097 - Other Storehouse expenses: Items purchased for distribution - - Consumables - - Repairs, maintenance and cleaning 437 - Staff costs 60,503 - Training and conferences 2,388 - Venue hire 9,345 - 85,013 - Support costs Independent examiner's fee 660 - Insurance 493 - Office costs 1,266 - Phone and internet 696 - 3,116 - 88,129 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 233 163 242 - 1,397 1,059 519 46,769 145 9,944 60,471 660 493 201 567 1,921 62,392 |
Total 2024 £ 413 631 4,838 7,097 1,397 1,059 956 107,272 2,533 19,289 145,484 1,320 986 1,467 1,263 5,037 150,521 |
Total 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 599 2,671 6,301 - 6,909 1,396 2,284 97,007 3,212 9,510 |
|||
| 129,890 1,260 939 1,619 1,437 |
|||
| 5,255 | |||
| 135,145 |
| 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Other charities - Open Doors - Great Lakes Outreach - Universities & Colleges Christian Fellowship - Home for Good (National) - Suffolk Transforming Futures ( Home for Good) - Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland - Relief of poverty and hardship - - |
- 1,200 1,000 500 - 1,200 5,200 250 9,350 |
- - - - - - - - - |
- 1,200 1,000 500 - 1,200 5,200 250 9,350 |
1,950 1,200 - 600 600 4,421 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,771 |
4 Transactions with related parties
Mr & Mrs Taylor serve as church pastors and received employment benefits totalling £39,617 (2023: £38,172) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
5 Non-monetary resources
During the year the charity was donated food and other items with an estimated value of £86,000 (2023: £94,000) for distribution by the charity's Storehouse Foodbank to those in need.
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STOUR VALLEY VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6 Movement on designated funds and restricted funds
| vement on designated funds and restricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building fund Designated Building fund Restricted Contingency fund Designated Storehouse fund Restricted Tithe fund Designated Total for all designated funds Total for all restricted funds |
Balance at 31 Dec 2023 £ 3,154 736 3,890 25,339 40,986 2,172 |
Receipts £ 2,730 724 3,454 - 52,737 8,021 |
Payments £ - - - - (62,392) (9,350) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - |
Balance at 31 Dec 2024 £ 5,884 1,460 |
| 7,343 25,339 31,331 843 |
|||||
| 30,665 41,722 |
10,751 53,461 |
9,350 - (62,392) |
- - |
32,066 32,791 |
Designated funds
i) The Contingency fund represents funds set aside to help cover unexpected variances in income and expenditure.
ii) The Building fund represents funds set aside by the trustees to provide or improve facilities used by the charity. iii) The Tithe fund represents funds set aside by the trustees to help fund grant giving to other charities and individuals.
Restricted funds
i) The Storehouse fund was created from donations and grants received to help fund the Storehouse compassion ministry of Stour Valley Vineyard Church including the Storehouse foodbank, aiming to help local families and individuals in crisis. At the year end the carried forward balance on this fund includes a contingency of £9,000 to help ensure that Storehouse could continue to operate smoothly should income and / or expenditure vary adversely.
ii) The Building fund was created from donations received which were restricted to help provide or improve facilities used by the charity.
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