Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall
Trustees Report and Accounts For the year ending 31st November 2025
Charity Registration No. 1025468
Introduction
This report has been prepared by the Management Committee and Trustees of Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall The information provided relates to the period 1st December 2024 to 31st November 2025
The purpose of the charity as set out in its governing document are as follows;
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Charitable purposes and fund raising
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Health and fitness
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Amateur Sports
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Education and training
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Recreation
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Meetings
The village hall consists of two adjoining buildings. The first constructed in 1936 with the second added in 2000 with assistance from the governments Millenium funding
Summary of Activities
Yoga, Pilates, Social Dance Table tennis, Badminton, Short mat bowls Sewing instruction, Cubs/Scouts, Dog training Horticulture education and shows, Whist, Cheerleaders Family parties and gatherings Parish Council meetings, MP open days, Polling station The St George’s day breakfast, Quiz
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The hall benefits from off street parking to the
front, side and rear of the buildings
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Benefits to the local community
The Village Hall is available to the residents of Ramsden Bellhouse and the surrounding area for bookings in line with its intended purpose
The use of the hall is diverse and caters for all age groups. The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit
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The hall benefits from off street parking to the
front, side and rear of the buildings
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Grants and Investments
No grants are provided. This is not within the scope of the charity
Investments are restricted to maintenance of the buildings and grounds. The Hall and it’s Sections hold charitable events that are then donated to a charity selected at the AGM
The hall is entirely run and managed by volunteers. They either undertake tasks or manage the subcontracting of larger activities as required The total amount raised for charity since 1952 is £100,213 Beneficiaries include: Foodbanks, Charms therapy centre, Hearing help Essex, MIND, Dementia unit, St Luke’s Hospice, Essex Air Ambulance, Help for Heroes, Motor Neurone Society, MacMillan Cancer Support, Leukaemia research, London Kidney Patients, Burned child club, Hearing dogs for the deaf, Little havens hospice, Essex cancer scanner, Multiple Sclerosis
Achievements and Performance
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1134 bookings, an increase of 15% from the previous year
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Regular bookings by 18 different groups with activities for babies, toddlers, children, adults and the elderly, giving opportunities for physical activity and strengthening community links
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£1024 donated to the annual village hall charity choice, Southend Hospital Cancer charity
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Two community events, a quiz and St George’s Day Breakfast, giving the local community the opportunity to support the hall
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St George’s Day Breakfast
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Achievements and
Performance
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A refresh of the hall’s website and use of the on-line booking system has simplified the booking process
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Policy changes regarding bouncy castles widen the hall’s appeal
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Use of social media raised awareness of the hall’s facilities
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These factors resulted in an increase in bookings
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This increase together with fund raising meant that the financial reserves increased by £4,000 alongside planned facility improvements including decorating projects and heating modernisation, resulting in lower gas usage
ramsdenbellhouse.uk
Financial Review
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The policy for holding reserves is to work towards a reserve which is equivalent to 6 months expenses / outgoings
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The reserve target has been met at £18,000. All cash is held within a bank account
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The future of the charity as a going concern is secure, with no significant risks identified
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All the funds received are from rental fees and charitable events and the financial position is looking very positive
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There are no employees
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There are no Investments
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Improvement projects are only undertaken when there are sufficient funds to cover the cost and maintain the reserve
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The committee continue to investigate external funding sources such as grants
front, side and rear of the buildings The Old Hall after its floor refurbishment
Structure, Governance and Management
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The governing document is the constitution established in September 1947
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The charity is managed by 4 or 5 Trustees who oversee a committee who run the day-to-day activities
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A number of regular user groups, ‘Sections’ who assist with running the hall and support fund raising activities, are also represented on the committee
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A small number of public members are appointed to the committee at the AGM
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New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees
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The committee officers are elected at the AGM
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There is a close working relationship with the Parish Council
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The hall has RCCE membership
The committee Room
available for meetings, training and small group exercise classes
Reference and Administrative details
Trustee information:
• There are no corporate trustees, no trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity
Dates acted if not for Trustee name Office (if any) whole year William Simpson Acting Chairman May 2024 Richard Wellborne Deputy Chairman September 2025 Ernest Skinner St Mary’s Church Long Standing Pauline Greenan Public member September 2025 Carol Wraight Treasurer May 2024 James Ward Chairman Retired July 2025
• The charity’s principle address is: The Community Centre, Ramsden Bellhouse, Church Road, CM11 1RH
Registered Charity number:-1025468
• Contact email:- ramsdenbellhousevh@gmail.com • Website address:- ramsdenbellhouse.uk
The Village Hall provides access to a Defibrillator and Bleed kit
Financial Information and Accounts
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The financial elements of the village hall are managed by the Treasurer, with statements of the financial position being presented at the regular committee meetings
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The accounts were presented to the AGM which took place on the 25th January 2026
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An inspection of the accounts has been undertaken and found to be in order. A number of recommendations were suggested and these are already being implemented
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- The bank account is managed by three members of the committee. Payments require dual authorisation
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The financial approach adopted is Receipts and Payments
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An asset register is maintained by the committee
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• During the year there has been a move to minimise cash transactions and this is progressing well
Summary Aeeounts RAMSDEN BELLHOUSE VILLAGE HALL ACCOUNTS 1st December 2024 to 30th November 2025 Openlng Balances Current Account Business Premium ,498.7 .000. 15,49 acunt5 .75 ota Recel Ex enses Rental Income Private Rentol Events Charity 8owls Insumnce Fl - Idnet 8ordoys Apology 8onus Interest 28,122.50 8,857.05 885.95 902.83 Repairs/Maintenance Cleoning Subscriptions Elertricity/Gas Rotes Waste (IIIXN bin) Water Insurance Equlpftnt Audit Digitol Sundrie5 11,933.69 7,040.00 291.00 7,724.79 436.80 110.25 3,092.88 2,130.66 2,657.88 260.00 219.82 58.42 759.(X) 150.IJ) 126.80 39,954.13 35,956.19 Closlng Balances 005ing Bank Balance Cuffent Account 8usiness Premium ,496. 16,000.IXI ,496. Surplus in the yeor Opening Balonce Totol all accounts 3,997.94 15,498.75 19,4 .69
Independent Inspection External Financlal Review of Ramsden Bellhouse Villa Re istered Charit No. 1025468 e Hall th DeclaratS0n: I have completed a thorough examination of the financial records for the Ramsden Bellhouse Village Hall (Registered Charity No. 10254681 for the period ending 30th November 2025. 1 confirm that all submitted documentation is consistent with the bank statements for both the Community and Business Premium accounts. Following the implementation of earlier recommendations for improved record-keepin& l am satisf led that these accounts represent a true and fair view of the charity's financial position. Flnal Posltlon: Communlty Account: £3.496.69 Buslness Premlum Account: £16.CMJO.CK) Total Cash Assets: £19,496.69 This review does not constitute a formal audit but reflects a thorough examination of the financial data made available to me. I remain available to support any follow.up actions or provide f urther clarification as needed. Si8ned: BBS BOOKKEEPING SERVICES Tarnya Brannon AATQB Date: 11.05.2026 BBS Bookkeeping & Accounting Serviee8 0 1878 022435 bb in bb8-accounling.com Supporting your financial clarity from Tiptree, Ey8ex ProfeysJonaJMemlxbT of the AsyoeJ8tion ofAeeountJng Tet'hmiI (A4f)