## **Hale Village Hall Trustees Annual Report for the period From 1[st] January, 2024 to 31st of December, 2024** ## **Charity Name: Hale Village Hall,** ## **Charity Registration Number: 1014055** ## **1. Objectives and Activities** To manage and administer the affairs of Hale Village Hall to provide a safe and secure environment as a center of for community, social, cultural and recreational activities and to foster community well-being, social trust, cohesion and a sense of belonging amongst all residents. ## **Our aim is:** - **i.** To provide a welcoming and vibrant community hub for community events that stimulates community engagement and lively social interaction for the wellbeing of the community and alleviates problems with physical and mental health issues caused by isolation and loneliness. - **ii.** To promote community diversity, equality and inclusion and foster a sense of belonging and community spirit amongst residents. - **iii.** To provide a first class, well equipped venue that takes advantage of the adjacent park to encourage active, healthier lifestyles for all ages, by offering facilities for indoor and outdoor sports, fitness classes for all ages, toddlers, development and encouragement participation in community life and arts and culture. - **iv.** To promote and organise social and fundraising events for the benefit of the charity and to support events that create a strong sense of community pride and identity by providing access to a wide range of interests. Hale Village Hall is a new but traditional village hall used by the community for social gatherings, functions, activities, meetings, private parties and fundraising events, including the annual village events such as Family Christmas party and an Easter egg Hunt. The community has a long standing vested interest in the hall, owing to its considerable history and its proven significance for our rural village life. The charity manages the Village Hall’s affairs to provide a safe and secure environment for community, social, cultural and recreational activities for the 2000 plus residents of this rural village in Halton. It engages with and communicates to all sections of the community promoting events and activities that meet their needs, and to attract diversity and inclusiveness of use ## **2. Achievements and Performance** . The Village Hall is a crucial meeting point for the community. It remains a focal point that is crucial for a community which sometimes needs moral support, compassion and a local place to go for affordable entertainment and a range of activities, the regular and long running knitting bowls keep fit, ballroom dancing and ladies group classes have been the mainstay of the community and the fundraising activities since the village hall charity was originally established, And they also remain so. The charity is installing a new website in 2025 for its strong management disciplines and events such as dances, bowls, evenings, Lunch Club, Ladies group, knitting club and live events featuring local artists have encouraged social trust, cohesion and the sense of belonging. Annual gatherings such as the annual senior citizens “Mingle and Jingle” event, the Halloween, Christmas and Easter children's events and assorted Qiz Nights, talent nights and Royal British Legion events help to address the cost of living crisis and can attract up to 175 family members and attendees at a time. Activities such as those above, can have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of the community, bringing people together and the inclusion of any newcomers. ## **3. Renovation Project** A major renovation project was undertaken during 2024 and the building is now in a good state of repair. It was resolved to audit the condition of the Village Hall on an annual basis to allow early detection of any remedial work required. Estimates will be invited for any future work and the formal process will be followed to decide upon a preferred supplier for carrying out the work. Discussions to agree the project priorities, the scope of work, the budget and timings will need to take place and the Clerk will authorise the work. Fund raising activities, donations and assistance from volunteers of the community will ensure that work can be completed on time and within budget. As part of the ongoing improvement package the Village Hall had the two side walls sound proofed using wood effect acoustic panels at a reasonable cost of £1496.00. A new oven & hob were purchased to upgrade the kitchen facilities and an additional air fryer now supports the offering for hirers ## **4. Financial Review** The Charity Commission accounting period is 1[st] January 2024 until 31[st] December 2024 During this period a number of issues were noted: - i. A contribution of £31,000 by Hale Parish Council for Village Hall support was required to reinstate the reduced support in 2023. It meant that a subsequent increase in the Parish Council’s Precept request was required to accommodate the additional requisite. - ii. The historical gas bill which the Trustee had agreed to pay was finally paid within the period of twelve months. ## **5. Structure, Governance and Management** The Charity setup comprises the First Schedule to the Conveyance and Trust Deed dated 6[th] March 1974 as amended by resolution of Hale Parish Council as de facto sole charity trustee taken on 4[th] February 2020, in accordance with s280 of the Charities Act 2011 and approved by the Charity Commission on 17[th] March 2020, and by resolution of Hale Parish Council as sole trustee taken on **30[th] May 2022** - i. **Bookings** - The re-employment of a previous bookings officer has substantially improved usage of all facilities and it is noted that the projected budget figures have been exceeded this year. ## **6. Reference and Administrative Details** **Charity Name: Hale Village Hall Charity Registered Charity Number: 1014055 Charity’s Principle Address: Hale Village Hall 53 High Street Hale Village L24 4AE** ## **7. Trustee Name & Officers (If Any)** **Sole Trustee: Hale Parish Council** ## **8. Declarations** **The Trustee declares that it has approved the Trustee’s Report above** **Signed on behalf of the Trustee: Signature:** ee **Full Name: Brian Hargreaves Position: Clerk and RFO Date: 18/9/2025** Charity No. 1014055 HALE VILLAGE HALL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Gibson Schofield Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Report to the trustees of Hale Village Hall On accounts for the year ended 31 De￿mber 2024 Charity no 1014055 Set out on pages Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5Xb) of the Charities Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with general Directions given examiner's statement 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 con￿mIng any such matters. The prO￿dureS 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set oul in the statement below. Independent In conneclion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the requirements= to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or 2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be draw￿ in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2￿0912025 Claire Schofield Gibson Schofield Ltd Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Untt 5 Enterprise Greenhouse Salisbury Street St Helens WA10 1FY Hale Villa e Hall Profit and Loss Account For the ear ended 31 st December 2024 3111212024 3111212023 Income Donations Room hire 31,000 29,209 60,209 3,000 22.125 25,125 Expenditure Bank charges Salaries Repairs and renewals Supplies Maintenance contract Internevwebsite Water Licences Electricity and gas Rates Miscellaneous Subscriptions Refunds 71 30.057 3.577 4.294 743 1.225 72 22.056 887 1.700 258 667 665 504 10.735 76 674 9.395 81 129 305 10 159 116 51,104 37,895 NET PROFITILOSS 9.105 12,770 HALE VILLAGE HALL Reconciliation of Movornent In Bank Accounts For the ar ended 31st December 2024 Op¢nlng balan¢os al 1st January 2024 Current Account 6,241.53 6,241.53 Income forthe year 60,208.57 Expenditure forthe year 51,103.65 9.104.92 15.346.45 Closing balances at 31st December 2024 Current Account 15.346.45 15.346.45 In accordance V￿th the engagement letter dated 20th January 2025. 1 approve the financial infomation b*thich comprises the receipts and payments ￿OUnt and the reconciliation of movement in bank accounts. I acknowledge my responsibilty for the financial inf0m￿tiOn and for providing Gibson Schofield Ltd all infomiauon and explanations necessary for its compl1ati￿. Trustee Date Report to the trustees of Hale Village Hall On accounts for the year ended 31 De￿mber 2024 Charity no 1014055 Set out on pages Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5Xb) of the Charities Act. and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordan￿ with general Directions given examiner's statement 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 con￿mIng any such matters. The prO￿dureS 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 fairf view and the report is limited to those matters set oul in the statement below. Independent In conneclion with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect. the requirements= to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met: or 2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be draw￿ in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 2￿0912025 Claire Schofield Gibson Schofield Ltd Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body Chartered Certified Accountants Address: Untt 5 Enterprise Greenhouse Salisbury Street St Helens WA10 1FY