The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of The Vine Sheffield
(Known as “The Vine Sheffield”)
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
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 - 11 |
The Vine Sheffield Administrative information For the year ended 31 December 2024
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 2024 until the date this report was approved are:
Incumbent:
Rev. William Briggs
Lay Vice-Chair: David Smith Wardens: Paul Sheridan David Neath Treasurer Andrew Bryce
Representatives on Deanery Synod: Stephen Hill Paul Sheridan
PCC Secretary
Anne Kingstone
Elected members:
Vicki Neath until May 2024 Martin Horton Tina Powell-Wiffen Lucy Smith Katie Smith from May 2024 Sharon Jacobs from May 2024
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
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The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2024
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
ince 2022, The Vine Sheffield has existed within the Mission Area that is the Benefice of St. Timothy’s and The Vine Sheffield.
From a strategic point of view, our mission is focused around our two buildings in the S6 and S3 parts of our parish respectively. We continue to meet as a worshipping congregation within the context of the St. Bart’s community centre near the Langsett estate in S6 and continue to develop an emerging new monastic house of prayer community with a presence in St. Stephen’s in S3.
Sunday worship continues well at St. Bart’s, with active children’s work, youth work and a breadth of leadership and preaching ministry. Several small groups meet during the week either in the buildings or in people’s homes, A midweek “welcome space” outreach is thriving, providing lunch and social space for members of the local community. Work has continued to develop the garden at St Bart’s, and we have established regular gardening days to allow everyone in the congregation to get involved. Links with local schools and Hampden View church have been maintained and strengthened, and we again hosted Easter and Christmas assemblies for Walkley Primary School. In 2024, we organised three family events at St Bart’s which were very well attended by local parents and children. The continued use of the St Bart’s building as a church and community asset has necessitated significant capital investment over the year, both in terms of long overdue maintenance and improvements to the building with a particular focus on energy efficiency. We received a Community Low Carbon Grant to install solar panels on the roof. This project was completed in the summer and is already improving the efficiency of the building both in terms of energy costs and progress towards net zero. Other major investments include the reupholstering of all chairs in the building and the installation of new internal doors. In the latter part of the year, a working group put together a submission for an A Rocha Eco Church bronze award. This award was successfully attained in January 2025.
In S3, the House of Prayer holds daily rhythms of prayer and worship within St. Stephen’s and hosted several continuous prayer events over the course of the year. This included 10 Days of Prayer and Pilgrimage held at St Stephen’s in October 2024. In the same month, several of the core team participated in the 24/7 prayer conference in Rotterdam. The House of Prayer continues to support
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The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2024
prayer and worship on the streets of Sheffield and partner with student groups. Although part of the Vine Sheffield in terms of governance and accountability, the House of Prayer is an increasingly selfsustaining fresh expression. To reflect this, it is now possible to donate directly to the House of Prayer (with a donation station now installed at St Stephen’s) and all donations received are ring-fenced in a restricted fund.
Church Attendance & Meetings: There were 72 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll at the time of the last APCM (12 May 2024). 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.
Key changes during 2024
Following a process of appointment and preparation, the Focal Ministry team (Paul Sheridan, Andy Bryce, Rachel Widdows, Vicki Neath, and Tina Powell-Wiffen) was officially authorised in May 2024. This team is now working with Will Briggs, the incumbent, to provide leadership for the church, with specific focus on our expression at St Bart’s (S6). The early priorities for the focal ministers have included discerning a vision and direction for the church and allocating roles and responsibilities to ensure effective leadership for the various areas of ministry.
Personnel changes : None
Future Plans
With the focal ministers now entering their first full year in post, 2025 will continue to be a period of discernment and vision setting, as we explore how to grow as a welcoming and worshipful community within a diverse and challenging mission area. We will seek to build on our strengths in the areas of children, families, schools and youth work, as well as continuing to provide a safe space for adults recovering from ecclesiastical and spiritual trauma. Our estate at St Bart’s is a valuable asset both for the church and the wider community, and our plan is to develop this asset into a community hub suitable for a wide range of positive activities. To this end, we have specific plans to invest in our buildings and land in 2025, including a project to insulate the worship area and update the audiovisual system and continued maintenance and development of the garden and outdoor space. We are planning a weekend away for the whole congregation in October 2025, with the aim of fostering togetherness and shared vision among our membership.
Financial Review
We are pleased to note the ongoing stability in The Vine’s finances during 2024, despite a challenging climate. We recorded a small deficit of £2,552 on the general fund, which was covered by reserves built up in previous years. There was also a small deficit of £689 on restricted funds and a larger deficit of £24,960 on designated funds, but these latter expenses were planned and expected, as we continue to use our legacy funds to further the mission of the church.
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The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2024
Income
The Vine received £154,663 in total during 2024, an increase from £130,108 in 2023. The main contributors to this increase were planned giving (up 15%) and grants (up 119% due to a large grant received for the installation of solar panels). Our income from building hire has reduced slightly.
Expenditure
We spent £182,864 in total in 2024, increasing from £149,333 in 2023. Most of this expenditure came from general funds (£131,161) but we also spent significant amounts from designated funds (£27,370) and restricted funds (£24,333).
Building maintenance costs increased by 130% compared to 2023, which can be attributed to the solar panels project (for which we received a grant) and planned investment in the buildings covered by the designated building improvement fund. Energy costs have stabilised thanks to moving on to cheaper energy tariffs in September 2024 and the ability to produce our own electricity from August 2024 onwards.
Aside from building improvement, most other spending from Designated Funds was for children’s worker salary contributions and outreach activities for children and families.
Net Position & Balance
The cash balances carried forward on 31 December 2024 for General Funds totalled £20,772, Restricted Funds £909 and Designated Funds £187,955, leading to an overall total of £209,636. The total market value of investments held on 31 December 2024 was £623,042, an increase of 2% from 2023.
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 reserves policy will be reviewed if circumstances significantly change.
The Vine’s year end general fund cash balance was £20,772. This does not meet our desired threshold. On 19 March 2024, the PCC agreed that funds from the Building Improvement Fund could be redesignated to general funds to cover expenses if necessary. This continues to be our policy.
Overall balances will continue to be monitored on a regular basis during 2024.
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The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2024
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 its 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).
The annual report and financial statements were approved by the PCC on 27 April 2025.
Signed on their behalf by
to he
Will Briggs (Incumbent)
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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 2024.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
29 Apr 2025
Sarah Lightfoot, FCA, DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH
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The Vine, Sheffield Receipts and payments For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 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 Other reimbursed expenses Investment income Transfer to income 4 Total receipts Payments from: Church activities Giving and donations Common Fund Payroll costs Children's worker contribution Ministry experience scheme Clergy and staff expenses House of Prayer 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 6 Flat costs Net receipts/(payments) Total cash funds brought forward Total cash funds carried forward |
General funds £ 65,235 297 437 15,323 - 13,142 6,500 465 128 37 - 30 27,015 128,609 9,998 46,116 15,541 2,699 - 1,254 - 1,681 1,943 31,075 10,498 8,691 845 820 131,161 (2,552) 23,324 20,772 |
Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - 10 - 2,400 - - 2,410 1,200 - - 5,390 800 - - 3,035 405 - 16,540 - - - 27,370 (24,960) 212,915 187,955 |
Restricted funds £ 1,493 3 1,411 - 19,820 - - - - 917 - - - 23,644 - - - - - 1,861 1,067 353 - 472 19,820 760 - - 24,333 (689) 1,598 909 |
Endowment funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - 27,015 (27,015) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2024 Total £ 66,728 300 1,848 15,323 19,820 13,142 6,500 465 138 954 2,400 27,045 - 154,663 11,198 46,116 15,541 8,089 800 3,115 1,067 5,069 2,348 31,547 46,858 9,451 845 820 182,864 (28,201) 237,837 209,636 |
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 - 4,013 584 2,070 2,209 30,746 20,413 7,938 714 1,452 149,333 (19,225) 257,062 237,837 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Vine, Sheffield
Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2024
| General | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash funds | ||||||
| Bank current accounts | 15,191 | - | 909 | - | 16,100 | 10,295 |
| Deposit account | 5,581 | 187,955 | - | - | 193,536 | 227,542 |
| Total cash funds | 20,772 | 187,955 | 909 | - | 209,636 | 237,837 |
| Investment assets CCLA investment fund - accumulated funds CCLA investment fund - income shares |
- - |
- - |
- - |
33,658 589,384 |
33,658 589,384 |
31,751 576,196 |
| Total investment assets | - | - | - | 623,042 | 623,042 | 607,947 |
| Debtors Gift Aid claim Building hire income Flat rental income Other reimbursed expenses - received in advance |
2,430 775 284 - |
- - - 1,600 |
- - - - |
- - - - |
2,430 775 284 1,600 |
2,473 1,245 233 - |
| Total debtors | 3,489 | 1,600 | - | - | 5,089 | 3,951 |
| Liabilities Clergy and staff expenses Other running costs Payroll costs Independent examination fee |
39 26 73 897 |
- - - - |
51 - - - |
- - - - |
90 26 73 897 |
325 325 439 810 |
| Total liabilities | 1,035 | - | 51 | - | 1,086 | 1,899 |
Approved by the PCC on 27 April 2025.
Signed on their behalf by:
i 4
Will Briggs (Incumbent)
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The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2024
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.
2 Designated funds
| Advancing Kingdom purposes The Vine Building Improvement Fund St Barts fabric fund Vicars discretionary fund Childrens' worker Ministry experience scheme |
Cash funds brought forward £ 32,968 164,701 721 3,031 11,494 - 212,915 |
Income £ 10 - - - - 2,400 2,410 |
Expenditure £ (4,440) (16,540) - (200) (5,390) (800) (27,370) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - |
Cash funds carried forward £ 28,538 148,161 721 2,831 6,104 1,600 187,955 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.
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.
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The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2024
2 Designated funds - continued
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.
Ministry experience scheme
The Diocese have funded the ministry experience scheme in advance. The funds are shown in a designated fund, so the receipt in advance is ring-fenced.
3 Restricted funds
| St Tim's shared expenses House of Prayer Warm Spaces Energy efficiency |
Cash funds brought forward £ - 773 825 - 1,598 |
Income £ 917 2,907 - 19,820 23,644 |
Expenditure £ (1,292) (2,396) (825) (19,820) (24,333) |
Transfers £ - - - - - |
Cash funds carried forward £ (375) 1,284 - - 909 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.
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.
Energy efficiency
We received two energy efficiency grants in 2024: a £19,720 grant for solar panels and a £100 grant for LED lights. These grants were spent in full.
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.
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The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2024
4 Endowment funds and total return investment - continued
| 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/ (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 £ - 384,644 384,644 27,015 15,095 42,110 (27,015) 15,095 - 399,739 399,739 |
Total £ 223,303 384,644 607,947 27,015 15,095 42,110 (27,015) 15,095 223,303 399,739 623,042 |
|---|---|---|---|
5 Related party transactions
PCC members and senior staff, and their close relatives donated £29,484 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 £3,115 (2023: £4,013) 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 £954 (2023: £1,897) was made from St Timothy's church during the year.
Included in the above clergy and staff costs £649 (2023: £1,288) was paid for the vicarage and curate water bills.
Other related party transactions were:
-
Transfer of Appropriate Sustainable Technology and Expertise (Taste), for whom Andrew Bryce is a Trustee, received a donation of £3,333. Andrew Bryce is a PCC member.
-
Martin Horton, a PCC member, and his wife Eva received mission support of £3,332 via Wycliffe Bible Translators.
-
●Martin Horton received an additional £500 gift from the Advancing Kingdom Fund.
-
●Some trustees and their families also received discounted room hire, at the rates available to all church members.
6 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 |
2024 £ 845 324 |
2023 £ 714 270 |
|---|---|---|
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