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← The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of The Vine Sheffield

2023-12-31-accounts

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The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of The Vine Sheffield

(Known as “The Vine Sheffield”)

Annual Report and Financial Statements for year ended 31 December 2023

Registered Charity Number 1171476

The Vine Sheffield Contents

Page
Administrative information 1
Annual Report 2 – 5
Independent examiner’s report 6
Receipts and payments account 7
Statement of assets and liabilities 8
Notes to the accounts 9 - 12

The Vine Sheffield Administrative information For the year ended 31 December 2023

St. Stephen’s Church Building is situated on Fawcett Street in Netherthorpe, Sheffield S3 7PL. St Bartholomew’s Church Building is situated on Primrose Hill, Sheffield S6 2UW. It is part of the Diocese of Sheffield within the Church of England. The correspondence address is The Vine Sheffield, St Bartholomew's Building, Primrose Hill, Sheffield S6 2UW

PCC members who have served from January 2023 until the date this report was approved are:

Incumbent: Rev. William Briggs
Curate: Amy Hole Until July 2023
Lay Vice-Chair: David Smith
Wardens: Paul Sheridan
Andrew Bryce (warden until 14 May 2023)
David Neath (warden from 14 May 2023)
Treasurer Jonathan Smith (until 14 May 2023)
Andrew Bryce (treasurer from 14 May 2023)
Representatives on Deanery Synod: Stephen Hill
Paul Sheridan
PCC Secretary Stephen Hill (Secretary until 14 May 2023)
Anne Kingstone From 14 May 2023
Elected members:
Vicki Neath
Martin Horton
Claire Law Until 14 May 2023
Tina Powell-Wiffen
Alan Harrison Until 14 May 2023
Lucy Smith From 14 May 2023

The PCC’s bankers are The Royal Bank of Scotland and CAF.

The Independent Examiner is: Sarah Lightfoot, FCA DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street, Sheffield, S6 2HH

1

The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2023

Objectives and activities

The objective of the PCC is promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

The Vine Sheffield is an Anglican Church and Ecclesiastical Parish in the areas of Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe, and the Langsett Estate in Sheffield.

Our purpose statement is:

“As an open and prayerful community, it is our desire to know and encounter God’s love in deeper ways and to grow in our response to that love. Challenging each other to become more like Christ and through living out the values of the Kingdom of God we will look to create and develop a network of loving relationships where people can be transformed by encountering Jesus. And we will seek to serve our neighbour, prayerfully expecting God to be at work by following God’s lead.”

When planning our activities for the year, the incumbent and the PCC have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

Review of the year

2023 has been the first full year in which the parish has existed within the Mission Area that is the Benefice of St. Timothy’s and The Vine Sheffield.

From a strategic point of view, the ongoing pursuit of mission in both the S6 and S3 areas of our parish has continued within the broad shape that emerged post-covid: a worshipping congregation within the context of the St. Bart’s community centre near the Langsett estate in S6; an emerging new monastic house of prayer community with a presence in St. Stephen’s in S3.

This strategy has been consolidated; Sunday worship continued on well at St. Bart’s, with active children’s work, a breadth of leadership and preaching ministry. A midweek “welcome space” outreach has continued as well as activities within the Garden. Links with local schools and Hampden View church have been maintained and strengthened. The revitalization of the building as a community centre has required consideration of long overdue maintenance and improvements to the building with a particular focus on energy efficiency.

In S3 the House of Prayer core community settled into a rhythm of prayer and worship within St. Stephen’s and three local homes. 2023 was marked by increasing connections and the opportunity to offer provision of resource to others, including Wadsley, Parson Cross, Buxton, Penistone, and Beverley. The substance, however, was local, especially with respect to student groups and a prayerful presence on the streets. The House of Prayer community continues to be a place of hospitality for a diversity of neighbours, from a range of backgrounds, including those who have experienced ecclesiastical trauma. Significantly, throughout 2023, this ministry entered into a process with the 24/7 Prayer movement and was embraced into the 24/7 Communities Network in October 2023.

Church Attendance & Meetings: There were 72 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll at the time of the last APCM (14 May 2023). The full PCC met formally 7 times during the year. Standing committee met between meetings and minutes of their deliberations were received by the full PCC and discussed where necessary.

2

The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2023

Key changes during 2023

From an organizational point of view, much of this year has been dominated by discussions regarding ministry leadership, particularly with regard to congregational life at St. Bart’s. This was coordinated discussion with the Parish of St. Timothy’s Crookes. A joint working group established in 2022 presented a recommendation to the PCCs and APCMs that a Focal Ministry form of leadership be pursued. The PCCs of both parishes agreed to these recommendations at the first post-APCM meetings.

Subsequently, the parishes embarked on a process throughout the summer months of “listening, praying, encouraging” with the aim of discerning and nominating members to be appointed as Focal Ministers, forming a Focal Ministry Team. After conversations with the vicar, a list of six names was presented to the PCC for consideration, all of which were approved for nomination by the PCC. One person subsequently withdrew after further personal discernment.

Therefore a team of five people was ready to be the Focal Ministry Team for the Vine by the end of 2023 - Paul Sheridan, Andy Bryce, Rachel Widdows, Vicki Neath, and Tina Powell-Wiffen. They will be led through a Getting Ready process in early 2024 before formal appointment by the Bishop.

Personnel changes : A change of treasurer occurred with Jon Smith handing on the post to Andy Bryce. We welcomed a new warden, Dave Neath, alongside Paul Sheridan.

Future Plans

With the establishment of Focal Ministry reaching a milestone it is expected that changes to governance, administration and management will be something to explore in 2024, in collaboration with St. Timothy’s for which Joint Standing Committee meetings are being planned.

Consideration of the cost of our buildings will be important, especially with the impact of new energy contracts being realized. The Standing Committee of PCC are taking the lead on this and considering a number of factors, including implementing energy conservation works, increasing donation and monetization streams for the House of Prayer, and our reliance upon hirers and related partnerships including with St. Philip’s church in the St. Stephen’s building, as well as entertaining other possibilities.

The S6 and S3 dual-pronged strategic plan remains in place. The Focal Ministry Team and HOP core team will continue to review and consolidate the vision for these. As the HOP ministry matures, it will be accounted for as a separate cost centre within the accounts with a view towards establishing and monitoring its sustainability.

Financial Review

We are pleased to note the ongoing stability in The Vine’s finances during 2023. Whilst the pressure of inflation, alongside the need to spend more on our buildings was notable, we achieved a general fund near break even position (£784 deficit) across the year. This was a much lower deficit than we had anticipated. Designated and restricted funds saw higher losses (contributing to a net loss of £18,441), but these expenses were planned and expected.

3

The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2023

Income

The Vine received £130,108 in total during 2023, an increase from £115,342 in 2022. The main contributors to this increase were investment income (up 45.3%) and a small increase in income from building hire, including a rent increase for the church flat. Planned giving reduced slightly from 2022 levels (3.5%), but this is not a significant cause for concern due to fluctuation of donors and amounts given over time. We also received an unrestricted grant from the diocese to help cover rising energy costs and a restricted grant from Sheffield City Council to help fund our Warm Space at St Stephen’s.

Expenditure

£149,333 was spent to provide Christian ministry at the Vine PCC, of which £127,358 was from General Funds, £18,576 from Designated Funds and £3,399 was from restricted funds.

Running costs increased significantly over 2023, largely due to the increases associated with increasing energy costs and the need for maintenance on the buildings. There was a large increase in heating, lighting and insurance (67%). This increase was expected due to renegotiated tariffs from September 2023 onwards. Our most expensive tariffs were locked in for a only a year so we expect our energy costs to start falling towards the end of 2024. Expenditure on building maintenance also more than doubled since the previous year, much of which was spent from our designated building improvement fund.

Aside from building improvement, most other spending from Designated Funds was for children’s worker salary contributions. We have now set up a restricted fund for House of Prayer with most of the spending from that fund accounted for by clergy and staff costs and heating costs.

Net Position & Balance

The cash balances carried forward on 31 December 2023 for General Funds totalled £23,324, Restricted Funds £1,598 and Designated Funds £212,915, leading to an overall total of £237,837. The total market value of investments held on 31 December 2023 was £607,947, an increase of 9% from 2022.

Reserves Policy

It is PCC policy to maintain a balance on general funds to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time. This is a minimum of £24,000 based on three months of expected expenditure of general funds.

The cash balance on general funds as at 31 December 2023 was £23,324.

The PCC will review the reserves policy during 2024.

4

The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2023

Structure, governance and management

The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC registered with the Charity Commission on 6 February 2017, as it's income exceeded £100,000. The Charity number is 1171476.

The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. All Church attendees are encouraged to register on the Electoral Roll and stand for election to the PCC.

New PCC members receive appropriate training and induction, drawing on Diocesan courses where necessary.

The PCC meets on average every two months. Operational issues between PCC meetings are considered by Standing Committee (which consists of the Vicar, Wardens, Treasurer, and one/two other PCC members).

April 14, 2024 The annual report and financial statements were approved by the PCC on ___

Signed on their behalf by

Will Briggs (Incumbent)

5

Independent Examiner’s report to the PCC Members of The Vine Sheffield

I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of The Vine Sheffield (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the PCC members of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 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 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 respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Signed: ____ Sarah Lightfoot, FCA, DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH

Date: ____ 9 May 2024

6

The Vine, Sheffield Receipts and payments For the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Receipts from:
Donations
Planned giving
Collections at services
Other giving
Gift aid recovered
Grants
Church activities
Building hire
Church flat rental
PCC fees
Other
St Tim's shared expenses
Investment income
Transfer to income
4
Total receipts
Payments from:
Church activities
Giving and donations
Common Fund
Payroll costs
6
Children's worker contribution
Clergy and staff expenses
Mission and evangelism
Mutual Blessings - activity costs
Other mission and evangelism costs
Church and centre running costs
Upkeep of services
Heating, lighting and insurance
Building maintenance costs
Other running costs
Governance costs
7
Flat costs
Net receipts/(payments)
Transfers
7
Net movement in funds
Total cash funds brought forward
Total cash funds carried forward		 General
funds
£
57,763
686
1,010
14,016
7,300
14,246
5,200
108
250
-
27
25,152
125,758
9,755
46,116
16,270
1,050
2,613
-
2,283
1,972
30,266
8,528
6,339
714
1,452
127,358
(1,600)
816
(784)
24,108
23,324		 Designated
funds
£
-
-
200
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
200
250
-
-
5,753
-
-
362
-
-
11,885
326
-
-
18,576
(18,376)
(847)
(19,223)
232,138
212,915		 Restricted
funds
£
80
-
430
-
1,743
-
-
-
-
1,897
-
-
4,150
-
-
-
-
1,400
-
9
237
480
-
1,273
-
-
3,399
751
31
782
816
1,598		 Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
25,152
(25,152)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2023
Total
£
57,843
686
1,640
14,016
9,043
14,246
5,200
108
250
1,897
25,179
-
130,108
10,005
46,116
16,270
6,803
4,013
-
2,654
2,209
30,746
20,413
7,938
714
1,452
149,333
(19,225)
-
(19,225)
257,062
237,837		 2022
Total
£
59,938
478
978
14,813
-
13,597
4,200
959
625
2,426
17,328
-
115,342
12,612
46,116
14,924
3,477
3,702
5,000
1,579
2,688
18,430
9,800
8,696
660
5,889
133,573
(18,231)
-
(18,231)
275,293
257,062

7

The Vine, Sheffield

Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2023

Cash funds
Bank current accounts
Deposit account
Total cash funds
Investment assets
CCLA investment fund - accumulated funds
CCLA investment fund - income shares
Total investment assets
Debtors
Gift Aid claim
Building hire income
Flat rental income
Total debtors
Liabilities
Clergy and staff expenses
Other running costs
Payroll costs
Independent examination fee
Total liabilities		 General
funds
£
8,697
14,627
23,324
-
-
-
2,473
1,245
233
3,951
-
-
439
810
9,151		 Designated
funds
£
-
212,915
212,915
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Restricted
funds
£
1,598
-
1,598
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
325
-
-
325		 Endowment
funds
£
-
-
-
31,751
576,196
607,947
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2023
£
10,295
227,542
237,837
31,751
576,196
607,947
2,473
1,245
233
3,951
-
325
439
810
9,476		 Total
2022
£
10,270
246,792
257,062
29,369
526,252
555,621
2,544
550
181
3,275
101
-
188
714
7,553

Approved by the PCC on _______ and signed on their behalf by:April 14, 2024

Will Briggs (Incumbent)

8

The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2023

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The account are prepared in line with the Charity Commission guidance on "Receipts and payments" accounts and the Church Accounting Regulations 2016.

Receipts & payments account

Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the organisation during the financial year. In this context "cash" includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.

Funds

General funds are donations and other income receivable or generated for the objects of the organisation without further specified purpose.

Designated funds are set aside at the discretion of the PCC.

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor.

Endowment funds arise from specific gifts left to the church and are held as investments. The endowment funds are managed on a total return basis - see note 4 for further details.

Advancing Kingdom purposes
The Vine Building Improvement Fund
St Barts fabric fund
Vicars discretionary fund
Temporary pastoral fund
House of Prayer
Childrens' worker		 Cash funds
brought
forward
£
33,330
176,586
721
2,956
451
847
17,247
232,138		 Income
£
-
-
-
200
-
-
-
200		 Expenditure
£
(362)
(11,885)
-
(576)
-
-
(5,753)
(18,576)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
451
(451)
(847)
-
(847)		 Cash funds
carried
forward
£
32,968
164,701
721
3,031
-
-
11,494
212,915

Advancing Kingdom purposes

While monies still exist in the Fund, it will be spent on advancing Kingdom purposes within the Parish, with an unanimous decision from PCC on what to spend it on. Advanced Kingdom purposes could include spending it on the buildings, in line with discussions within the PCC about how the buildings can be used to advance kingdom purposes.

The Vine Building Improvement Fund

As part of the PCC's move to a total return approach to their investments, £200,000 had originally been designated towards the planned major building work at St Bart's. The PCC reallocated £20,724 towards the Children's worker designated fund in 2022. Various planned work was spent from this fund during the year.

St Barts fabric fund

This fund originally arose on designation by the PCC, and can be spent on maintenance to the fabric of St Bart's buildings. The PCC agreed to use the St Bart's Fabric Fund money towards a feasibility study and architects brief for redeveloping St Bart's building. Money has also been spent on architects’ drawings.

9

The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2023

2 Designated funds - continued

Vicars discretionary fund

These funds have arisen on the consolidation of the St George's church charities and other charities, previously under the auspices of the Netherthorpe Parish Trustees, now under The Vine PCC. The St George's Church Charities are to be used for the relief of sickness or need in the former ecclesiastical parishes of St George and St Stephens. The PCC have decided that the funds continue to be used within the charitable purposes, for the discretionary use of the vicar, or to contribute towards church-led projects which benefit the sick and/or needy. Unusually, a £200 donation was received in the year for this fund - as it was fully spent in the year, no separate restricted fund has been set up for this purpose. £451 has been transferred from the Temporary pastoral fund - see below.

Temporary pastoral fund

The Temporary Pastoral Fund was created in 2020 in response to any financial need arising from parishioners, or others, as a result of Covid-19. The Standing Committee have decided to close the Temporary Pastoral Fund and move all funds into the Vicar’s Discretionary Fund.

House of Prayer

The "House of Prayer" fund is to facilitate a place of holistic prayer and worship, grounded in the legacy and location of St. Stephen's within The Vine Sheffield. As this activity is now established, and specific donations are being received, this activity is treated as restricted fund from 1 January 2023 - the balance at this date of £847 has been transferred to restricted funds,

Childrens' worker

A children’s worker was employed by St Tims in 2022. This post was designed to work between St Tims and The Vine. Employment sits with St Tims, who cross charge The Vine for their time. Agreement was made in March 2022 to set up a fund for this post by reallocating £20,724 from the building improvement fund twards the salary and associated employment costs, to be spent down over 5 years.

3 Restricted funds

Note
Mutual Blessings
9
St Tim's shared expenses
House of Prayer
Warm Spaces		 Cash funds
brought
forward
£
816
-
-
-
816		 Income
£
-
1,897
510
1,743
4,150		 Expenditure
£
-
(1,897)
(584)
(918)
(3,399)		 Transfers
£
(816)
-
847
-
31		 Cash funds
carried
forward
£
-
-
773
825
1,598

Mutual Blessings

The Mutual Blessings grants are to be spent on promoting, training and enabling equipping churches to undertake Godly Play within their own setting and for Godly Play to be taken more into schools and elderly care settings. Following discussion with Kathryn Lord in 2020, it was decided that The Vine would no longer oversee the work of Mutual Blessings. Funders have been consulted regarding the remaining money in each Restricted fund, and the funds were transferred to appropriate recipients to

St Tim's shared expenses

Joint activities with St Timothy's Crookes are currently to cover shared clergy and curate expenses. The contribution from St Tim's is considered to be a grant, in accordance with the PCC accountability guidance.

10

The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2023

3 Restricted funds - continued

House of Prayer

The "House of Prayer" fund is to facilitate a place of holistic prayer and worship, grounded in the legacy and location of St. Stephen's within The Vine Sheffield. As this activity is now established, and specific donations are being received, this activity is treated as restricted fund from 1 January 2023 - the balance at this date of £847 has been transferred from designated funds, including the £300 PCC contribution used to set up this activity.

Warm Spaces

Sheffield City Council LAC Committee funding towards providing a warm space at the St Stephen’s building. This was spent on food and drink, publicity materials and a contribution to heating costs.

4 Endowment funds and total return investment

In March 2016, the PCC adopted a Total Return basis to the majority of their endowments, using the 1996 valuation. This sets the baseline value of the gift component of the endowment to which any subsequent gifts of endowment are added. The difference between the total of endowment funds as at the 1996 valuation and the value of the gift component represented the opening balance of unapplied total return.

The power of total return permits the PCC to invest permanently endowed funds to maximise total return and to apply an appropriate portion of the unapplied total return to income each year. Until the power is exercised to transfer a portion of unapplied total return to income, the unapplied total return remains invested as part of the permanent endowment.

The power allows the trustees to decide in each year how much of the unapplied total return is transferred to income funds and so available for expenditure. The dividend and investment income return has been applied to the general fund, to assist with ongoing maintenance work, as agreed by the PCC.

Opening value of endowment:
Gift component of permanent endowment:
Unapplied total return
Movement in year:
Investment return: dividends and interest
Investment return: realised and unrealised gains and (losses)
Unapplied total return allocated to general fund income in the year
Net movement in reporting period
Closing value of endowment:
Gift component of permanent endowment:
Unapplied total return
Market value of investments
The investment fund an application of total return to permanent
endowment funds:		 Endowment
£
223,303
-
223,303
-
-
-
-
-
223,303
-
223,303		 Unapplied
total return
£
-
332,318
332,318
25,152
52,326
77,478
(25,152)
52,326
-
384,644
384,644		 Total
£
223,303
332,318
555,621
25,152
52,326
77,478
(25,152)
52,326
223,303
384,644
607,947

11

The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2023

5 Related party transactions

PCC members and senior staff, and their close relatives donated £25,250 in addition to any amounts given within the collection, during the year.

PCC members received no remuneration for their role as trustees during the year. Clergy, curate and staff expenses of £4,013 (2022: £3,702) comprise primarily costs to allow the clergy and staff to fulfil their roles, for example telephone recharges and hospitality contributions. Reimbursement of expenses amounting to £1,897 (2022: £2,426) was made from St Timothy's church during the year.

Included in the above clergy and staff costs £1,288 (2022: £561) was paid for the vicarage and curate water bills.

Other related party transactions were:

6 Payroll costs

Payroll costs
Average 2023 2022
no. of staff £ £
Salary and pension costs
Administration and cleaning 2 16,270 14,924
Payroll costs
Average
no. of staff
Salary and pension costs
Administration and cleaning
2		 2023
£
16,270		 2022
£
14,924
Fees paid to the independent examiner's organisation
Independent examination fee (re previous year)
Other fees paid to the independent examiner's organisation during the year:
Subscription		 2023
£
714
270		 2022
£
660
-

12