OWEN HARRIS MEMORIAL GROUND CHARITY (Registered Charity Number 1013643)
Trustees Report and Financial Statements Years ending 31[st] January 2020 31[st] January 2021
Trustees’ Report Years Ended January 2020 & 2021
Public Beneft Statement
The Charity exists to:
Provide and maintain a recreation ground and community and social centre for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit, without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes and for other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
The ‘area of benefit’ is the Parish of Eastington, Gloucestershire.
Reference and Administrative Details
Constitution
The Owen Harris Memorial Ground Charity was formally registered in January 1992 under a joint scheme with The Eastington Village Hall, reference T 14(S)/92.
The Owen Harris Memorial Ground Charity is currently constituted under a scheme registered on 14[th] June 2006 by The Charity Commissioners for England and Wales under the power given in the Charities Act 1993. This scheme will govern the charity known as THE OWEN HARRIS MEMORIAL GROUND (1013643) at Eastington, Gloucestershire, reference N112(S).
Registered Charity Number
1013643
Registered Address
Eastington Community Centre, Owen Harris Memorial Ground c/o Mrs A McCann Snakey Lane Eastington Stonehouse Gloucestershire GL10 3AQ
Trustees
The current trustees in alphabetical order are:
Mr A R Cozens – Treasurer
Mr Graeme Dougan Mr W R Harris Mr J Morris – Chair of Trustees
Mr A Wills resigned in Spring 2020 Mr A Bomberg resigned in 2021
The elected trustees are elected or re-elected annually at the annual general meeting.
All Trustees are directed to the documents concerning the responsibilities of Trustees as published by the Charity Commission, particularly the ‘Essential Trustee’. The Trustees are aware of support available from the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) and avail themselves of their expertise as required.
Independent Examiner of Accounts
Nigel Souster FCA Dower Cottage Millend Eastington, GL10 3AT.
Banking
Lloyds PLC, 12 Rowcroft, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 3BD Coventry Building Society, High Street, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 2NG
Recruiting Trustees
There are vacancies for up to four more trustees. The Trustees are actively seeking further trustees for appointment at the next AGM.
Structure and Governance and Management
Governing document
The Owen Harris Memorial Ground Charity is governed in accordance with The Charity Commissioners Scheme, case reference 532912
Trustee Committee
The Trustee Committee should consist of four elected members together with three appointed members and up to two co-opted members.
Elected members are elected at the Annual General Meeting. The term of office for elected members will end at the annual general meeting following the date on which they came into office.
‘Members of the Committee’ are the Managing Trustees of the charity.
Every matter must be decided by majority decision of the members present and voting at a duly convened meeting of the committee. The Chairman of the meeting may cast a second or casting vote only if there is a tied vote.
The Trustee Committee hold at least two meetings per year and most of the trustees regularly attend the monthly Management Committee meetings.
Management Committee
The ‘Management Committee’ is responsible for the day to day running of the charity and is answerable to the Trustee Committee. Properly convened meetings are held bi-monthly and a proper record of its meetings are retained by the secretary or another suitable person appointed by the committee to do so.
The Management Committee comprises:
Mr M Cousins - Chair
Mrs A McCann - Secretary to the Management Committee Mr M Elliot Mr T Hawting – Centre Manager Ms J May – Bookings Clerk Mr B Ittyavirah – IT Mrs A Ittyavirah
During 2019 Vanessa resigned as booking clerk, and this role was simplified reallocated to Gill & Mark. Since new Committee Members have been recruited this role has now been taken by Jorja looking after one off users, and Anthea managing regular user bookings. Maintaining the bar on an occasional basis was proving difficult to staff, and Gill wished to resign the bar manager role. The bar was decommissioned and can be reinstated at a future date when demand and staff availability permit. Thanks to Vanessa and Gill for their contribution
The high level windows have been repaired and the surfacing of the driveway has continued. Sapling trees have been planted in one corner of the field by arrangement of Graeme Dougan with Eastington Primary School parents and pupils
Risk Management
The Committee actively review the major risks that the charity faces on a regular basis. The financial viability of the charity is the major risk and accounts are examined by the committee on a bi-monthly basis.
User Involvement
Please note, the Management Committee and Trustees operate an open invitation to users to attend the bi-monthly meetings to raise and discuss matters of mutual interest to ensure the safe and successful operation of community and sporting activities.
In March 2020 the building and field were closed to all users due to the Covid19 Pandemic. Some users came back in June with Playgroup and other users later. Covid19 guidelines and protocols were followed, and a grant for the loss of income was well received.
While the building was closed the opportunity to redecorate the main hall was taken as well as ongoing maintenance issues being dealt with.
At the 2020 rent review it was agreed to largely maintain current user charges to attract/retain regular use of the hall, other rooms and the playing field.
During 2020, with lettings income reduced by half there has been stricter control of expenditure. The Management Committee & Trustees kept in contact by email for meetings. Later in the year the hall was again restricted to Playgroup, and restrictions continued into 2021
Thanks are due to Gill Glover as Centre Manager and the rest of the Finance/Management for continuing the operation and maintaining the building during the difficulties of 2020/2021
The organisation has maintained its financial balance during the past two years at a similar level as pre Covid, and is therefore well placed for renewal in the future.
The committee welcomes input from regular and occasional users of the facilities as to how we can continue to improve the site for the enjoyment of those in the area of benefit. All users of the site and centre are encouraged to attend the quarterly Management Committee meetings to this end. We are always keen to welcome new members to the management committee and trustees. Anyone wishing to contribute to the running or improving of the centre will be very welcome.
OHMGC will continue to maintain and improve the centre and to work to attract new regular and occasional users.
John Morris Chair of Trustees
OWEN HARRIS MEMORIAL GROUND CHARITY Charity number 1013643
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2021
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
| 2020 2021 |
||
|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS | Charitable activities | Unrestricted Unrestricted Fund Fund £ £ |
| Lettings Field |
2,633 2,159 |
|
| Pavillion Voluntary receipts |
25,428 12,025 |
|
| Donations & grants | 3,364 10,553 |
|
| Activities for generating funds | ||
| Bar sales and hire | 16,407 1,906 |
|
| Repayable loans | ||
| C Bullock Trust | 0 0 |
|
| Loan repayment | ||
| Stroud Football Club | 0 0 |
|
| Investment income | ||
| Deposit income | 110 190 |
|
| Total receipts | 47,942 26,833 |
|
| PAYMENTS | Charitable activities | |
| Building maintenance | 17,961 4,689 |
|
| Field maintenance | 1,314 2,030 |
|
| Insurance | 1,092 1,098 |
|
| Water | 344 313 |
|
| Electricity | 1,893 54 |
|
| Kerosene/gas | 1,087 1,465 |
|
| Cleaning | 3,396 2,327 |
|
| Alarms, health & safety | 1,982 1,730 |
|
| Licences, office & other | 5,607 6,025 |
|
| Total | 34,676 19,731 |
|
| Activities for generating funds | ||
| Bar purchases | 6,525 832 |
|
| Staff | 3,852 517 |
|
| Total | 10,377 1,349 |
|
| Other payments | ||
| Building additions | 0 2,735 |
|
| Equipment additions | 0 825 |
|
| Donations | 0 0 |
|
| Loan repayment | 1,500 1,500 |
|
| Total payments | 46,553 26,140 |
|
| SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) RECEIPTS LESS PAYMENTS | 1,389 693 |
|
| CASH AT BANK & IN HAND at 1 February 2020 | 21,383 22,772 |
|
| CASH AT BANK & IN HAND at 31 January 2021 | 22,772 23,465 |
|
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
| At 31 December: | 2020 2021 |
|
| CASH FUNDS | Bank current account | Unrestricted Unrestricted Fund Fund £ £ 11,621 12,416 |
| Deposit account | 10,859 11,049 |
|
| Cash in hand | 292 0 |
|
| Total | 22,772 23,465 |
|
| OTHER MONETARY ASSETS | ||
| Loan to Stroud Football Club | 0 0 |
|
| Bar stock | 893 0 |
|
| 893 0 |
||
| ASSETS FOR CHARITABLE USE | ||
| Community Centre | 599,040 601,775 |
|
| Equipment | 14,421 15,246 |
|
| Total | 613,461 617,021 |
|
| LIABILITIES | Loan from C Bullock Trust | 1,500 0 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE OWEN HARRIS MEMORIAL GROUND CHARITY
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 January 2021 which are set out on the attached page.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
The charity’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
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5) of the 2011 Act; and
-
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 any unusual items or disclosures in the account, and seeking explanations from the Members concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention:
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
-
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Nigel Souster Eastington, GL10 3AT
29 November 2021