## **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 2025
**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 2025**
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 at any time between January 2025 and the date this report was approved are:
Incumbent: Rev. William Briggs (left in August 2025, there is currently no incumbent in post) 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: Martin Horton Tina Powell-Wiffen (Reader) Lucy Smith Katie Smith Sharon Jacobs Alistair Smyth (elected to PCC in May 2025) Ben Widdows (elected to PCC in May 2025)
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 2025**
## **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**
Since 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. Our St. Stephen’s building in S3 is the home of our monastic house of prayer community.
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. In 2025, we secured a grant from Westhill Endowment to invest in the garden as a community space for all. In September, we hosted an open day in the garden which was well attended by people from the local area.
Links with local schools and Hampden View church have been maintained and strengthened. Activities in 2025 included hosting a Christmas assembly for Walkley Primary School and monthly visits to St Mary’s Primary School to deliver “Open the Book” sessions.
The continued use of the St Bart’s building as a church and community asset has necessitated significant capital investment over the year. A major project in 2025 was the installation of a new audio-visual (AV) system. We regularly have musicians leading worship on Sunday mornings and we also continue to stream our Sunday services live to the internet. This is to ensure that our gatherings are accessible to those not able to attend in person. Part of the cost of the AV system was funded by a grant from the Church of England Disability Project Parish Grants Scheme.
2
**The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2025**
The rest of this grant has been spent on sound proofing panels for the downstairs hall at St Bart’s and neurodiversity aids for children and youth. This follows from our hosting of a neurodiversity awareness event delivered by Urban Saints in February.
After receiving the A Rocha Eco Church bronze award in January 2025, the Eco Church working group has continued to meet regularly to make plans for moving towards the silver award. In the summer, we put on a series on Sunday services on a creation theme. This included activities such as making bird feeders and litter picking in the local area.
In October 2025, the church enjoyed a weekend away at the Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire. This was a formational time of fellowship, worship and teaching.
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. In October 2025, several of the core team participated in the 24/7 prayer conference in Germany. The House of Prayer continues to support prayer and worship on the streets of Sheffield and partner with student groups. We have also been involved in organising the citywide Seek First worship events in January and May. Although part of the Vine Sheffield in terms of governance and accountability, the House of Prayer is an increasingly self-sustaining 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 ringfenced in a restricted fund.
**Church Attendance & Meetings:** There were 51 parishioners on the Church Electoral Roll at the time of the last APCM (11 May 2025). At this meeting, those on the electoral roll voted on the appointment of PCC members for a period of one year. The full PCC met formally eight 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 2025**
The main change in 2025 was the departure of our oversight minister, Will Briggs, in August. We are currently in vacancy and in the process of developing our parish profile and job advert for a new oversight minister (again shared with St Timothy’s, Crookes). Tina Powell-Wiffin and Ben Widdows are the Vine’s parish representatives for this process.
The Focal Ministry team (Andy Bryce, Vicki Neath, Tina Powell-Wiffen, Paul Sheridan and Rachel Widdows) is providing leadership for the church during the period of vacancy, supported by the diocese.
**Personnel changes** : See above. We also welcomed two new members on to the PCC, namely Alistair Smyth and Ben Widdows.
## **Future Plans**
In 2026, we hope to appoint a new oversight minister to lead our focal ministry team into the next season in the life of our church. Meanwhile, we plan to make significant changes to the use of our St Stephen’s building, potentially involving a long term lease to another church to continue and enhance the worship and mission that takes place in the S3 half of the parish. These changes will also involve the House of Prayer moving out of St Stephen's building and no longer being under the governance of The Vine. This will allow the Vine to focus on the St Bart’s building and S6 half of the parish, where most of our mission and ministry currently resides.
3
**The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2025**
We will continue to support and develop our children, families, schools and youth work, and consolidate the use of our estate at St Bart’s as a valuable asset both for the church and the wider community. We hope that the Welcome Space ministry will thrive and grow, and we have plans to develop the garden into an accessible community space. We also have major plans for the building itself, including a project to insulate the worship area.
## **Financial Review**
We are pleased to note the ongoing stability in The Vine’s finances during 2025, despite a challenging climate. We recorded a surplus of £3,771 on the general fund. There was also a surplus of £4,840 on restricted funds and a larger deficit of £41,213 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.
## Income
The Vine received £142,254 in total during 2025, a decrease from £154,663 in 2024. The main contributors to this decrease were planned giving (down 5%), investment income (down 10%) and building hire (up 8%).
## Expenditure
We spent £174,856 in total in 2025, decreasing from £182,864 in 2024. Most of this expenditure came from general funds (£121,528) but we also spent significant amounts from designated funds (£48,458) and restricted funds (£4,870).
Building maintenance costs are still high but decreased by 12% compared to 2024. Much of this can be attributed to planned investment in the buildings covered by the designated building improvement fund. Energy costs have fallen significantly thanks to our first full year of generating our own electricity from the solar panels at the St Bart’s building.
Aside from building improvement, most other spending from Designated Funds was for children’s worker salary contributions and a contribution to our church weekend away.
## Net Position & Balance
The cash balances carried forward on 31 December 2025 for General Funds totalled £24,543, Restricted Funds £5,749 and Designated Funds £146,742, leading to an overall total of £177,034. The total market value of investments held on 31 December 2025 was £601,471, a decrease of 3% from 2024.
## 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.
4
**The Vine Sheffield Annual Report For the year ended 31 December 2025**
The Vine’s year end general fund cash balance was £24,543. However, adjusted for debtors due and liabilities payable at the year end (mostly related to the timing of payments), the adjusted balance is £19,988, which is below 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 2026.
## **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 14 April 2026.
Signed on their behalf by
David Smith
David Smith Vice-chair
5
## **Independent Examiner’s report to the PCC Members (trustees) of The Vine Sheffield (“the Charity”)**
I report to the PCC members on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **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.
Sarah Lightfoot, FCA, DChA 21 April 2026 Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH
6
## **The Vine, Sheffield Receipts and payments**
**For the year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Notes**
**Receipts from:**
Donations
Planned giving
Other giving
Gift aid recovered
Grants
Church activities
Building hire
Church flat rental
PCC fees
Weekend away
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**
**£**
63,222
2,259
14,948
-
14,244
6,075
112
-
76
-
-
76
24,287
**125,299**
6,665
44,000
15,913
5,186
-
1,256
-
1,295
1,671
22,683
11,099
9,832
897
1,031
**121,528**
3,771
20,772
**24,543**|**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,245
-
-
-
-
-
**7,245**
550
-
-
3,479
1,600
-
-
14,743
-
-
28,086
-
-
-
**48,458**
(41,213)
187,955
**146,742**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
300
1,101
-
7,448
-
-
-
-
-
861
-
-
-
**9,710**
515
-
-
-
-
446
394
861
43
-
1,918
693
-
-
**4,870**
4,840
909
**5,749**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
24,287
(24,287)
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
**-**|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
63,522
3,360
14,948
7,448
14,244
6,075
112
7,245
76
861
-
24,363
-
**142,254**
7,730
44,000
15,913
8,665
1,600
1,702
394
16,899
1,714
22,683
41,103
10,525
897
1,031
**174,856**
(32,602)
209,636
**177,034**|2024
Total
£
66,728
2,148
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7
## **The Vine, Sheffield**
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2025**
|**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
Other reimbursed expenses - received in advance
**Total debtors**
**Liabilities**
Common fund
Giving and donations
Clergy and staff expenses
Other running costs
Payroll costs
Independent examination fee
Flat costs
**Total liabilities**|**General**
**funds**
**£**
20,189
4,354
**24,543**
-
-
**-**
2,479
1,000
575
-
**4,054**
4,000
3,333
-
26
272
921
57
**8,609**|**Designated**
**funds**
**£**
404
146,338
**146,742**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
5,749
-
**5,749**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
306
-
-
-
-
-
**306**|**Endowment**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
**-**
35,649
565,822
**601,471**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
26,342
150,692
**177,034**
35,649
565,822
**601,471**
2,479
1,000
575
-
**4,054**
4,000
3,639
-
26
272
921
57
**8,915**|Total
2024
£
16,100
193,536
**209,636**
33,658
589,384
**623,042**
2,430
775
284
1,600
5,089
-
-
90
26
73
897
-
**1,086**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Approved by the PCC on 14 April 2026.
Signed on their behalf by: David Smith
David Smith Vice-chair
8
**The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **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.
## **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
Church weekend away|**Cash funds**
**brought**
**forward**
**£**
28,538
148,161
721
2,831
6,104
1,600
-
**187,955**|**Income**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
7,245
**7,245**|**Expenditure**
**£**
(250)
(28,086)
-
(300)
(3,479)
(1,600)
(14,743)
**(48,458)**|**Transfers**
**£**
(7,498)
-
-
-
-
-
7,498
**-**|**Cash funds**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
20,790
120,075
721
2,531
2,625
-
-
**146,742**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **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.
This year it was mainly used to support the Church Weekend Away (represented by the transfer).
## **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 2025**
## **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.
## **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.
## **Church weekend away**
The income received for the weekend away and all costs have been allocated to this designated fund. The transfer of £7,498 from Advancing Kingdom purposes represents the church's contribution to this activity.
## **3 Restricted funds**
|St Tim's shared expenses
House of Prayer
Accessibility grant
Garden grant
Leaving gift
Collections on behalf of others|**Cash funds**
**brought**
**forward**
**£**
(375)
1,284
-
-
-
-
**909**|**Income**
**£**
861
432
4,973
2,475
224
745
**9,710**|**Expenditure**
**£**
(1,130)
(519)
(2,253)
(229)
(224)
(515)
**(4,870)**|**Transfers**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
**-**|**Cash funds**
**carried**
**forward**
**£**
(644)
1,197
2,720
2,246
-
230
**5,749**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **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.
## **Accessibility grant**
This grant was received from the Diocese in August 2025 to pay for a suite of measures aimed at improving accessibility at the church.
## **Garden grant**
This grant was received from Westhill in September 2025 to support the development of the garden at St Bart’s.
10
**The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **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/ (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**
**£**
-
399,739
399,739
24,287
(21,571)
2,716
(24,287)
(21,571)
-
378,168
**378,168**|**Total**
**£**
223,303
399,739
623,042
24,287
(21,571)
2,716
(24,287)
(21,571)
223,303
378,168
**601,471**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **5 Related party transactions**
PCC members and senior staff, and their close relatives donated £44,371 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 £1,702 (2024: £3,115) 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 £861 (2024: £954) was made from St Timothy's church during the year.
Included in the above clergy and staff costs £856 (2024: £649) 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 £3,055. 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.
11
**The Vine, Sheffield Notes to the financial statements - continued For the year ended 31 December 2025**
## **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|**2025**
**£**
897
396|2024
£
845
324|
|---|---|---|
12