Darlington Vineyard Church
Trustee Report
April 2024 - March 2025
Registration Number - 1182008
Registered Office - Darlington Vineyard Church, Salt Yard, Darlington, DL3 7DX
Trustees:
Chairman - Philip Crosby Treasurer - Bethany Armstrong Secretary - Keith Morley Robert Stephens
Contents
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Aims and Objectives
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Review of Activities and Achievements
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Community
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Future Plans
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Our Finances
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Structure, Governance and Management
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Independent Examiners Statement
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Report of the trustees for the year ending 31 March 2025
The trustees of Darlington Vineyard Church, Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), present their annual report and independently examined accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Trust Deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Our Aims and Objectives
We aim, through Darlington Vineyard Church, to equip Christians in Darlington and beyond to live their life as the Bible calls us to. We aim to teach people how to be loving and generous neighbours to each other and our town and how to love Darlington. The objects of Darlington Vineyard Church are:
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To advance the Christian religion for the public benefit in accordance with the Statement of Faith in the Schedule hereto attached in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world through:
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The organisation and provision of Christian worship;
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The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for the Church, to enable it to fulfill its mission to the members of the Church, visitors to the Church and the local community and the wider community;
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The provision of facilities for Christian training and service;
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The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach;
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The provision of assistance to the wider Christian church in its ministries.
Review of Activities and Achievements
The organisation of Christian worship and Church Life
The year began in April 2024 with all our leaders gathering at the Vineyard Leaders Gathering (VLG) in Nottingham. This was a significant time of connection and vision for our leadership team.
In June 2024, a small team attended the Multiply Summit, also held at Trent Vineyard in Nottingham, to focus on church planting and growth.
During the same month, we were privileged to have Open Doors spend an evening with our Youth. This session was incredibly valuable, teaching our teenagers a lot about the persecuted church and broadening their perspective on the global faith community.
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In July 2024, we celebrated baptisms on the beach. This is always a highlight of our calendar, and it was a great day as we celebrated with people making their public declaration of faith. On this occasion there were six baptisms adding to those that we have done over the last 7 years totalling more than 40 people
From 27th July to 1st August 2024, our youth attended the Dreaming the Impossible (DTI) youth festival, accompanied by a small team of adults. They had an amazing time enjoying camping, sports, talks, and much more. As part of this, Darlington Vineyard provides a significant amount of team to support the event from team on Operations, PA and media to kids.
In August 2024, we took the church to Wydale Christian Retreat Centre near Scarborough for a weekend away. It was a time filled with worship, games, fun, and opportunities to walk in the countryside and eat together. It is always a formative time for the church, and everyone involved had a great time.
We were delighted to have two students start the Vineyard Leadership College for the first time in September 2024, which has been a great step for their self-development and leadership training.
In October 2024, we opened our newly refurbished craft room following a National Lottery grant. This grant allowed us to create a beautiful space to welcome our community into as well as being able to run courses for the Local Authorities Leaving Care department.
On 15th and 16th November 2024, our young adults attended "The Cause to Live For" at Trent Vineyard, a conference specifically for young adults. They came away changed, having experienced amazing worship, great teaching, and the opportunity to spend quality time with one another.
In December, the Church celebrated Christmas with a fun family service on 22nd December and a more traditional Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve. Both events were well attended and were true highlights of the year.
Throughout the year we held regular prayer and worship evenings, and our small groups continued to meet faithfully. Additionally, every Tuesday we held prayer meetings to anchor the church in prayer.
Darlington Vineyard Church, Salt Yard, Darlington, DL3 7DX | darlington.church | 01325 625 035
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Our Sunday mornings continue to grow as we see more and more new families joining us on a Sunday.
Community
Vineyard Cafe went from strength to strength this year. Our cafe manager has done a great job of creating community, improving the menu and working with multiple volunteers from the church.
Hope and Glory continues to be a place where our community love to come to give clothing another life. Many relationships have been built and hours of conversation have taken place with our volunteers and the community, showing the huge isolation and loneliness crisis we are in and the need for people to find places to connect.
Grow Baby and Tippy Toes continue to grow with many families now accessing the service. We have seen huge need met through refugees, asylum seekers, women's prison as well as many local people accessing the service.
Future Plans
Salt Yard is 17,500 square foot and has been a huge undertaking for us as a church. We plan to continue upgrading the building after years of neglect. In January 2025 we put in planning permission to restore all the exterior doors which if successful will be implemented in the summer of 2025.
Our Finances
The financial statements show net incoming resources for the year on Church activities of £341,811 (2024: £275,296 ).
The main source of income for the Church is people’s regular giving who attend the Church. The trustees are continuing their strategy of ensuring all net incoming resources are invested in advancing the Christian faith.
Reserves and Financial Health
As part of the effective stewardship of our finances, the trustees regularly meet to review finances and budgets with a monthly cash flow analysis.
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Although the trustees do not wish to see a buildup of reserves as we want all our money to further the Christian faith and to see people’s lives transformed, we recognise the need to have some free reserves available to assist with cash flow purposes.
To this end we aim to have free reserves of approximately 3 months expenditure available should it be needed. Based upon the last few years activity that amount would be approximately £75,000 (2024: £68,000 ); the level of free reserves is currently £19,278 (2024: £10,842 ) but once the level is reached, the trustees wish for any excess to be used in the work of extending the Christian faith. The recommended reserve level is under regular review.
Structure, Governance And Management
The trustees who govern the charity are responsible for the overall management and control of Darlington Vineyard Church and meet regularly throughout the year..
The work of implementing their policies is carried out by the Senior Leadership team of the Church. The Senior Leadership team meets on a monthly basis to ensure the direction of operations.
All trustees give their time freely and no remuneration or expenses were paid in the year. Philip Crosby, Chairman of Trustees is paid full time for his position as Senior Pastor.
Darlington Vineyard Church Trustees and Leadership
Trustee Name / Board of Trustees
Philip Crosby (From February 2019 ongoing) Bethany Armstrong (From February 2019 ongoing) Keith Morley (From December 2019 ongoing) Robert Stephens (From February 2023 ongoing)
Senior Pastors
Lisa Crosby Philip Crosby
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Professional Advisers
Accountant and Independent Examiner Martyn Burt Adventus Accounting Solutions 10 Walnut Lane, Laceby, Grimsby, DN37 7BY
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adventus accounting solutions Supporting Charitable Organisations
27 January 2026
Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of Darlington Vineyard Church
I report on the accounts for the period ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on the pages following.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
adventusaccounting@btinternet.com 07523 622979 www.adventusaccounting.wixsite.com/website
Independent Examiner’s statement
Since the gross income for the year exceeds the amount provided in section 143(3) of the Act, I confirm that as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants I am qualified to act as an Independent Examiner under the provisions of that section of the Act and that my qualifications are set out as below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been
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met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Yours sincerely
Martyn Burt
B.Sc.(Hons), ACMA, CGMA
adventus accounting solutions 10 Walnut Lane Laceby Grimsby DN37 7BY
e-mail: martyn.burt@btinternet.com or adventusaccounting@btinternet.com Telephone: 07523 6229679
adventusaccounting@btinternet.com 07523 622979 www.adventusaccounting.wixsite.com/website
DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The charity is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)).
ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets for use by charity
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts- in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt.
Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalized cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows:
| Land | Nil |
|---|---|
| Equipment, Fixtures & Fittings | 5 years |
| Computers and IT equipment | 3 years |
No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of any properties is not less than their carrying value and as the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years, any depreciation charges would be immaterial.
An impairment review is carried out at each year-end and any resultant loss identified is included as expenditure for the year.
Investments
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at the trustees’ best estimate of market value.
Short term deposits
These are the cash held on deposit either with the bank or another deposit taking institution.
INCOME
Income is recognised for any item when the charity has a legal entitlement to receiving that income. Any income not received at year end is accrued in the accounts accordingly as a debtor at the value of the actual amount to be received for that accounting period, or a fair estimate if the actual amount cannot be accurately determined.
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure is recognised for any expense when there is a liability to pay. Any expenditure not paid at year end is accrued as a creditor at the actual amount that should be paid out for that accounting period, or a fair estimate if the actual amount cannot be accurately determined.
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds
These represent the remaining income funds of the charity that are available for spending on the general purposes of the charity, including amounts designated by the trustees either for fixed assets for its own use or for use on a particular project and which are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report.
Restricted Funds
These are income funds that must be spent on the purposes for which the funds have been given and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
Endowment Funds
These are restricted funds that must be retained as trust capital either permanently or subject to a discretionary power to spend capital as income, and where the use of any income or other benefit derived from the capital may be restricted or unrestricted. Full details of all their restrictions are shown in the notes to the accounts.
DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Note Income and endowments Voluntary income 2 Activities for generating funds 3 Investment income Total income Expenditure Church Activities 4 Raising Funds 5 Staffing, Admin & Other Overhead Costs 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 14 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 14 Total funds carried forward 14 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 177,130 114,681 - 291,811 78,396 78,186 139,355 295,937 (4,126) 12,562 8,436 8,436 10,842 19,278 |
Restricted Funds £ 50,000 - - 50,000 6,139 - - 6,139 43,861 (12,562) 31,299 31,299 - 31,299 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 227,130 114,681 - 341,811 84,535 78,186 139,355 302,076 39,735 - 39,735 39,735 10,842 50,577 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 167,485 107,811 - 275,296 65,377 79,496 129,559 274,432 864 - 864 864 9,978 10,842 |
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.
DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 Current Assets Hope and Glory and Cafe Stock Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets / (liabilities) Net assets Funds Unrestricted Funds General Funds 13/14 Restricted Funds 13/14 Total funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 3,045 8,250 2,864 22,385 33,499 (17,267) 16,232 19,278 19,278 19,278 - 19,278 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 50,000 (18,701) 31,299 - 31,299 31,299 - - 31,299 31,299 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 3,045 8,250 52,864 3,684 64,798 (17,267) 47,531 50,577 19,278 19,278 31,299 50,577 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ - 8,250 4,455 8,013 20,718 (9,876) 10,842 10,842 10,842 10,842 - 10,842 |
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The financial statements were approved by the trustees on ….......................and were signed on its behalf by: 28 January 2026
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[name] [name]
The notes on the following pages form part of these accounts.
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DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2 Voluntary income Donated Goods Grants Retreat Income 3 Activities for Generating Funds Café Sales Hope and Glory Sales Expenditure 4 Church Activities: Charitable giving Away Giving - Overseas Compassion Vineyard UK&I Church Services and Pastoral Support Saltyard Equipping/Maintenance Saltyard Rent/Utilities Sunday Set Up PA Kit Small Group/Prayer Snacks Rev Well Room Hire and Costs Childrens Ministry General Church Expenses Peaced Together Toddler group Baby Basics CAP Resources Total Church Activities Gift Aid Regular Donations One off Gifts Sunday Offerings Misc Income - Refunds/Equipment Sales |
Unrestricted Funds £ 90,352 30,868 24,833 5,087 2,781 - 20,230 2,979 177,130 Unrestricted Funds £ 103,348 11,333 114,681 Unrestricted Funds £ 1,693 4,200 5,924 37,841 3,287 1,626 137 - 4,296 17,392 - 2,000 - - 78,396 |
Restricted Funds £ - 50,000 - - - - - 50,000 Restricted Funds £ - - - Restricted Funds £ - - 4,758 - - - - - - - - - 1,381 - 6,139 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 90,352 80,868 24,833 5,087 2,781 - 20,230 2,979 - 227,130 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 103,348 11,333 - 114,681 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 1,693 4,200 10,682 37,841 3,287 1,626 137 - 4,296 17,392 - 2,000 1,381 - 84,535 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 87,900 27,535 26,796 2,416 1,438 8,000 13,400 167,485 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 90,352 17,459 107,811 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 596 4,452 13,943 17,669 4,724 3,998 7 - 3,587 16,253 148 484 624 66,485 |
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DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Expenditure (continued) 5 Raising Funds: Café Costs Rent & Utilities Maintenance Kitchen Equipment Equipment/Non Food Craft Renovation/Equipping Café Direct Costs Café Stock Tea/Coffee/Consumables Hope and Glory Costs Rent Hope and Glory Utilities Hope and Glory Shop Expenses Hope and Glory Stock Total Raising Funds 6 Staffing, Admin & Other Overhead Costs: Employment and Personnel Costs Salaries, Employers NI and Pension Costs Accommodation Transport Local Staff Development Administration & Overhead Costs Utilities Rates Insurance Bank Charges IT Equipment Equipment Depreciation Licenses Stationery Postage Telephone & Internet Office and Computer Equipment Cleaning/R&M Comms/ Marketing Miscellaneous/General Admin Accountancy/IE fee Motor Vehicle Costs Total Staffing, Admin & Other Overhead Costs Total Expenditure |
Unrestricted Funds £ 16,418 879 - 2,061 1,941 1,375 39,967 17 10,800 4,643 85 - 78,186 122,494 - 2,395 3,935 - - 1,028 44 734 1,478 - 392 5 1,970 1,346 205 1,517 - 1,782 30 139,355 295,937 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6,139 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 16,418 879 - 2,061 1,941 1,375 39,967 17 10,800 4,643 85 - 78,186 122,494 - 2,395 3,935 - - 1,028 44 734 1,478 - 392 5 1,970 1,346 205 1,517 - 1,782 30 139,355 302,076 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 18,922 1,599 - 2,063 1,523 35,847 180 12,800 1,621 775 4,166 79,496 113,204 - 1,867 2,564 615 1,879 1,206 44 930 763 71 519 27 1,592 921 287 1,237 - 1,826 - 129,552 275,533 |
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DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
8 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and remuneration of trustees
| Staff Costs Wages and Salaries Employers National Insurance - Pension Scheme Costs - - Average No of Employees (FTE) |
Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 116,261 3,940 2,293 122,494 5.1 |
Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 107,924 3,092 2,188 113,204 4.2 |
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At the beginning of the period there were 2 personnel directly employed as full-time Senior Leaders, Phil and Lisa Crosby. 2 full-time staff were engaged in the running of the cafe, and 2 part-time staff in the cafe and church. Total number of personnel engaged in the year as FTE was 5.1 (2024: 4.2) although some staff were on maternity leave during the period. Other than these persons, all of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers. No one earned more than £60,000 in the period.
Pension scheme contributions were commenced in the year for all staff, and are being paid into the government National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme. The employer (DVC) contributes 3% of salary and the staff member contributes 5%.
For Related Party Transactions see Note 12
DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 9 Tangible Fixed Assets Cost Brought Forward Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Accumulated depreciation Brought Forward Charge for the year Disposals At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 10 Debtors Gift Aid Other Debtors Prepayments Total Debtors 11 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year Payroll, HMRC and Pensions Accounting Fees & Independent Examiner Miscellaneous Creditors |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 3,835 4,523 - 8,358 3,835 1,478 - 5,313 3,045 - Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 2,864 50,000 - 52,864 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2025 £ 16,188 880 199 17,267 |
Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 3,835 - - 3,835 3,072 763 - 3,835 - 763 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 4,155 300 - 4,455 Total Funds Year Ending 31/03/2024 £ 8,364 840 672 9,876 |
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DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity:
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a) received donations totalling £67,884 (2024: £28,919) from related parties (which includes trustees and anyone closely connected to them).
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b) No expenses were paid to, or for, the trustees in the period (reimbursements for expenses incurred when acting as agent for the charity or incurred when undertaking employment duties not connected with serving as a trustee are not included in this disclosure).
During the year the charity also made the following payments to, or for, related parties:
Phil Crosby received payments of £26,520 in the year (2024: £27,040) in the period in respect of his engagement as joint Senior Leader Lisa Crosby (as spouse to Phil Crosby) received payments of £27,040 in the year (2024: £26,520) in respect of her engagement as joint Senior Leader
13 Funds
CAP and Life Skills : comprise grants given from the Cinnamon Network towards Baby Basics (giving support to new mothers who may be struggling to make ends meet) and towards CAP, Christians Against Poverty (giving life skills to people in respect of money management, budgeting and general living principles)
Building Scheme : money given towards the purchase, development and equipping of the Saltyard building.
14 Summary of Fund Movements
| Current Year Balance B/Fwd 01/04/24 Incoming Resources Resources Expended Transfers Between Funds Balance C/Fwd 31/03/25 Prior Year Comparatives Balance B/Fwd 01/04/23 Incoming Resources Resources Expended Transfers Between Funds Balance C/Fwd 31/03/24 |
General Fund £ 10,842 291,811 (295,937) 12,562 19,278 General Fund £ 10,723 275,296 (274,432) (745) 10,842 |
Restricted CAP & Life Skills £ - - (1,381) 1,381 - Restricted CAP & Life Skills £ 363 - (1,108) 745 - |
Restricted Building Scheme £ - 50,000 (4,758) (13,943) 31,299 Restricted Building Scheme £ - - - - - |
Total £ 10,842 341,811 (302,076) - 50,577 Total £ 11,086 275,296 (275,540) - 10,842 |
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DARLINGTON VINEYARD CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Summary of Assets by Fund Current Year Fixed Assets Debtors Cash/Current Assets Creditors/Liabilities Net Assets/Funds 31/03/24 Prior Year Comparatives Fixed Assets Debtors Cash/Current Assets Creditors/Liabilities Net Assets/Funds 31/03/23 Free Unrestricted Reserves |
Restricted CAP General Fund Life Skills £ £ 3,045 - 2,864 - 30,635 - (17,267) - 19,278 - Restricted CAP General Fund Life Skills £ £ - - 4,455 - 16,263 - (9,876) - 10,842 - 19,278 (prior year = 10,842) |
Restricted Building Scheme £ - 50,000 (18,701) - 31,299 Restricted Building Scheme £ - - - - - |
Total £ 3,045 52,864 11,934 17,267 - 50,577 Total £ - 4,455 16,263 (9,876) 10,842 |
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