Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2023 To 31/03/2024 Charity name: The Potteries Vineyard Church
Charity registration number: 1200283
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objects of the CIO are: 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: ● The organisation and provision of Christian worship; ● The provision of such facilities and services as are appropriate for the Church, to enable it to fulfil its mission to the members of the Church, visitors to the Church and the local community and the wider community; ● The provision of facilities for Christian training and service; ● The support and provision of Christian evangelism and outreach; ● The provision of assistance to the wider Christian church in its ministries. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The start-up phase of the church continued on from the work done in 2022 and early 2023. Weekly life groups, and monthly Sunday services continued to be hosted in Jonny & Libby’s home until May 2023. At this point an additional weekly life group was hosted in the home of volunteers from the church, and led by other volunteers. The numbers attending Sunday services became too big for a home setting so services moved to rented venues, first in the bar and hall of Powerleague Stoke from June-August 2023, then in the theatre space of Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy from September 2023 onward. When moving to the Academy Sunday services began to take place twice a |
| month. From January 2023 this also included the provision of separate activities for children and their carers for part of the gathering. The church’s first monthly outreach, a Lego Club (Brick Club) continued to meet in a local cafe, and an additional outreach, an Arts and Craft club (True Colours) began meeting in November 2023 inarentedmeetingroom. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All activities have been organised and delivered by volunteers. For most this has involved a regular commitment of volunteer time once or more per month and volunteers have used a wide range of skills including hospitality, music, catering, artistic, public speaking,welcome andmore. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | This year the church has successfully gathered a growing number of people, with 15-18 people regularly attending gatherings for worship, discipleship and Christian community in March 2023, increasing to an average of 25-30 people by March 2024. Brick Club and True Colours have created opportunities for evangelism and outreach, with a number of those attending being from outside the church community. The church has also provided opportunities to serve the wider community by collecting donated items and gathering to fill ‘Bags of Kindness’ at Christmas 2023. These were donated to women who had experienced domestic abuse, via another local charity, ‘Whispers of Hope’. The church was also given a donation of 396 advent calendars which were then given out to local children through schools, other charities, and community groups. In March 2023 the church hosted a stall at the local carnival known as the ‘Pig Walk’ offering free activities including the chance to build something with Lego, a free-to-play tombola, and art activities. In December 2023 and in March 2024 the church organised outreach events hosted at a local pub which included times of singing, food |
and drink, and the opportunity to think about faith at Christmas and Easter. These were very well received by those attending and the team at the pub. All outreach activities have been offered free of charge to the local community and offered opportunities to have fun, build social connections, and explore spirituality and faith. The church also began running a series of teaching and preaching workshops in September 2023 offering people the opportunity to develop their public speaking gifts and knowledge and understanding of the Bible, and a team known as ‘The Engine Room’ was formed in January 2024 offering volunteers the chance to lead others and organise teams and events within the church community.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
The charity opened a bank account with Lloyds bank in September 2023 and began accepting financial donations. Members of the church began donating regularly and the church also received a one-off donation from another Vineyard church wishing to support church-planting. The church has been very successful in raising funds through donation and income has exceeded expenditure, allowing for the purchase of equipment and renting of venues needed for activities and services. |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The charity opened a bank account with Lloyds bank in September 2023 and began accepting financial donations. Members of the church began donating regularly and the church also received a one-off donation from another Vineyard church wishing to support church-planting. The church has been very successful in raising funds through donation and income has exceeded expenditure, allowing for the purchase of equipment and renting of venues needed for activities and services. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity’s income exceeded it’s expenditure, with a total surplus of £14366.26 After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and they expect to adopt the going concern basis in the next financial period. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity intends to hold an amount equal to the average expenditure for 3 calendar months in reserve, so that any planned payments can still be made in event of a reduction in income. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | The charity has not formally held reserves over this financial year but has had a significant financial surplus throughout the financial year with income being almost double expenditure. With this reserve informally built up, the charity intends to hold reserves equivalent to 3 months expenditure for the coming financial year. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity’s principal source of funds is donation from private persons who consider themselves members of the church, and some outside supporters. |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The charity’s governing document is a trust deed, prepared with support from Trust Advice. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The Potteries Vineyard Church is a CIO. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | A new trustee may be appointed by a resolution of the Trustees passed at a meeting of Trustees at which there is a majority of the Trustees present and such resolution shall be recorded in the minutes and signed by the new Trustee and by the chairman of the meeting and such records shall be conclusive evidence of his / her appointment. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 |
The day-to-day management of the church and activities are delegated to our Senior Pastors, Jonny & Libby James, who are also trustees. The Potteries Vineyard Church is a member of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland, (Charity No. 1099748) which functions as a resource for similar churches. In particular, they provide significant resources, training and pastoral oversight. Membership also allows Jonny & Libby to be licensed accredited pastors who have a right to use the trademarked “Vineyard” name. The association provides pastoral care for the Senior Pastors and family, and an external reference concerning church affairs and doctrine. The Potteries Vineyard Church will grant 5% of its annual unrestricted income to Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland each year. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Potteries Vineyard Church |
|---|---|
Other name the charity uses |
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| Registered charity number | 1200283 |
Charity’s principal address |
8 Spratslade Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 4DZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth James | Chair | |
| Jonathan James | ||
| Ruth Jeffery | ||
| Claire Bankole |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature E A James
Full Name Elizabeth Amy James
Position Chair
Date 30/01/2024
The Potteries Vineyard Church
Profit and Loss
April 2023 - March 2024
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| One off gift | 3,130.00 |
| Regular Giving | 26,135.00 |
| Total Income | £29,265.00 |
| Expenses | |
| Bank Service Charges | 1.99 |
| Equipment and Storage | 2,262.83 |
| Events | 3,310.00 |
| Licences and Insurance | 764.21 |
| Ministries | 286.42 |
| Office and Admin | 1,918.04 |
| Outreach | 44.80 |
| Staff Costs | 0.00 |
| Training | 244.00 |
| Total Staff Costs | 244.00 |
| Sundays | 5,284.47 |
| Worship Expenses | 781.98 |
| Total Expenses | £14,898.74 |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | £14,366.26 |
| NET INCOME | £14,366.26 |
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Accrual Basis Wednesday 15 January 2025 03:21 pm GMT+00:00
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages Responsibilities and basis of report |
Charity Name The Potteries Vineyard Church |
Charity Name The Potteries Vineyard Church |
Charity Name The Potteries Vineyard Church |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31stMarch 2024 | Charity no (if any) |
1200283 | |
| 1&2. QB Profit and Loss (Period: 1stApril - 31stMarch 2024) and QB Balance Sheet (As at 31stMarch 2024) |
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| I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended31 / 03 / 2024. As the charity's trustees, 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 Trust’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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
Date: | 15 / 01 / 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Mitchell | |||
| CIMA cert BA | |||
| 8 Harcourt Drive, Earley, Reading, RG6 5TJ |
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