Heald Green Village Hall
Community Association
Annual Report For the Year to 31 March 2025
Heald Green Village Hall, Outwood Road, Heald Green, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 3LU
(Charity Number 1057143)
Officers of Heald Green Village Hall Community Association
Trustees
Mr D Aldridge Mrs Anne Swinglehurst Mr Alan Swinglehurst Mrs Olwyn Howarth
Management Committee
Chairman Mrs Anne Swinglehurst Vice ChairwomenMrs Muriel Johnstone Secretary Mr Alan Swinglehurst Treasurer Mrs Beryl A Connor
Members
Mr & Mrs D Aldridge Mr & Mrs E Aston Mrs O Howarth Mrs M Johnstone Mr and Mrs A Swinglehurst Mrs B Bunting Mr Peter Metcalfe
- Employees (Part time)
Treasurer Mrs Beryl Connor Booking Secretary Ms June O'Neill Weekend cleaner Mrs Linda Heslop Caretaker Mr Jim Heslop
Independent Examiner of Accounts
Mr Alan R Hampson, FACPA Hampson & Company Accountants & Taxation Advisors 35 Hall Pool Drive St Johns Wood Offerton Stockport SK2 5ED
Introduction
The Heald Green Village Hall Community Association was formed in April 1996 to manage The Heald Green Village Hall as a community asset under a memorandum of understanding between Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (the owners of the Village Hall premises) and the Association's Trustees. The Council has responsibility for the fabric of the premises whereas in all other respects the Association has the freedom to manage the operation of the Hall.
This report covers the financial year ending 31 March 2025. It lists the Association's Trustees, provides a statement as to the governance of the Association, states the objectives of the Association and outlines the function of a management committee that oversees the day-to-day operation of the Hall on behalf of the Trustees. Also, the report provides a financial review, gives details of achievements in the year and lists projected improvements to the ambience of the Hall.
Objective of the Association
The objective of the Association is to provide a first class venue for the activities of local community groups and for family social functions and General/Local Elections as a Polling Station. Additionally, when not otherwise required for use by the local community the premises are hired out to out-of-area, commercial and non-commercial groups. There is a wide spread of activity in the Hall ranging from group meetings, community activity, dog training classes and social events, crafts, numerous dancing classes.
Governance
Law that is applicable to charities requires that Trustees prepare statements each financial year that give a true and fair view of the Charity's financial activities in the year under report and its financial position at year end. Accordingly, the Trustees:
Select an appropriate accounting policy and monitor its application and provide a statement as to whether or not required accounting standards have been met. The Association uses ' Quickbooks ' software for its accounts and, being a 'small charity', its year-end accounts are independently examined.
Prepare a financial statement on the assumption that the Charity will continue to operate.
Make prudent judgements that ensure solvency within a framework of realising a level of income that generates sufficient capital for improvements in the ambience of the Hall. Income is derived solely from hire fees, the level of which is set by the Trustees - a tiered system that gives incentive to local community users, with discounted rates for Charity.
Safeguard the assets of the Association.
Set a 'reserves' policy that at all times maintains minimum unreserved funds to meet 6 months of operations.
The Association does not undertake fundraising activity. 1.
Management of the Hall
A management committee, chaired by one of the Committee members, oversees day-to-day management of the Hall. The committee, comprising 11 volunteers from the local community, meets 11 times a year. The Trustees are indebted to the altruism of this small group of volunteers who undertake weekend 'duty manager' duties.
Additionally, Mr Alan Hampson was appointed to be Examiner of the Association’s Accounts in April 2010 and was voted to continue.
The fabric of the Hall is maintained by Stockport MBC (Community Services Division). The Council provide staff for weekday cleaning of the premises and pays the cost of heating and lighting the Hall - 50% of these costs is then invoiced to and paid by the Association. In all other respects the Trustees have responsibility under the Memorandum of Understanding with the Council.
The Association has four part-time, paid employees:
Treasurer.
On behalf of the Association the Treasurer manages the Accounts on the computer using Quickbooks, maintaining the Bank Accounts and Deposits, ensuring invoices are paid and making payments to suppliers. Producing end of year Accounts, ensuring the Annual Returns of both the Charity Commission and Inland Revenue are accurate and complete. During any improvement programmes we undertake she becomes heavily involved with the costing and quotation process ensuring that “best value” is achieved on behalf of the Committee and assists with security matters when called upon. Ensures all hygiene and cleaning products are ordered, monitors and submits cleaners hours to ensure accurate charges, She encourages our close working relationship and communication with both Stockport Council and Robertsons Building Contractors.
Booking Secretary .
On behalf of the Management Committee the Booking Secretary manages requests for hire, prepares invoices, issues booking agreement forms and produces the weekly programme of hire.
Part time Cleaner .
Covers cleaning of the Hall at weekends one day weekly.
Part time Caretaker.
Covers weekday evening locking of security doors, ensuring property is without problems and checking lighting is switched off as necessary.
Fire Security/Intruder Alarm
The building is now monitored with weekly checks on fire extinguishers by one of Stockport Council’s Caretakers from the Town Hall.
2.
Users of the Hall
Twenty six groups are 'regular users' of the Hall and they cover a wide range of activities. For example:
Flight Club meetings Line Dancing Medal Society Falls Prevention Contact bridge Probex/Gents and Ladies Probex Dog Training Club Art classes Flower arranging Tailoring Group Tango Dance Groups Heald Green Hub (drop in centre) Zumba Classes Keep fit Class/Clinical Pilates Signpost for Carers Craft Classes/DIY Sewing Classes Ballroom Dancing Saxaphone Groups Bridge Club Tai Chi Salsasize Dancing U3A Group Meetings Yoga/Clinical Pilates classes
The popularity of “well-being” groups continues to increase, the Clinical Pilates, Tai Chi and Falls Prevention classes are very well subscribed in addition to an increase in dance classes ie; Salsasize, Argentine Tango, Ballroom and Line Dancing. We continue to support the NHS Diabetic meetings, Signport for Carers, Heald Green Annual Festival, and Orchestra practices are frequent users of the main hall. Additionally we have recently taken on a Choir Group, Childrens Dancing/Ballet lessons and Education Lessons for younger children. In conclusion we have an
extensive range of User Groups from a variety of residents of the area. Unfortunately due to lack of volunteers we have still not had the capacity to reinstate Childrens Parties but hope this may change in the future.
Friends of Heald Green Village Hall
Our Christmas Carol Concert which is organised by the Friends of the Heald Green Community Hall has always been popular with local residents and have welcomed its return. Our next Concert is organised for December 2025. Proceeds from these events are used to fund replacement of Hall equipment and re-decoration. The Friends account is embedded in the Association's accounts.
Financial Review
The Association's 'audited' accounts for the year to 31 March 2025 were approved at the Annual General Meeting on 17th June 2025. A copy of the Balance Sheet and Statement of the Independent Examiner are appended to this Annual Report; the Accounts are indicative of a financially sound Charity. Gas and Electricity are still proving to be expensive but with strenuous efforts the results of this year closed with a healthy profit of £7,649 over expenditure which was pleasing compared to last year’s results. This figure is inclusive of the £10,000 Postcode Lottery donation. The Associations Accounts accorded with Charity Commission rules.
The Trustees “Reserves” policy is to hold sufficient funds to meet 6 months operations and to upgrade facilities as identified below under the heading Projected Improvements. At our year end, sufficient funding was in place to match our current projections.
3.
Achievements
We still continue to attract large numbers of local residents to be involved in social activities. We have been fortunate enough to gain many new groups which are proving very popular and we hope this will continue, the majority of which cover “well-being” which are beneficial to all age groups in the area. We continue to hold the Friday Hub meeting during term time which encourages residents to call in for a friendly coffee and cake and gentle activity. As mentioned above we have gained three new groups, a popular local choir and two new groups for younger children, one group teaching Ballet and another group teaching education for children. It is our policy to ensure all our groups connected with children are covered by organisers who hold a CRB. We would reaffirm that it is still our aim to further encourage local residents to become active members of the Committee and continue to encourage
volunteers to assist in the running of the Hall although this is proving harder each year to gain new volunteers.
Maintenance of the building has always been fully met by the continued loyalty of all Committee members. We recently had new ramps built to provide easy access to people with challenged mobility and we contributed towards the cost.
We were overwhelmed to receive £10,000 from the Postcode Lottery with the proviso that this money was spent within a period of 18 months, we are pleased to report that has been achieved £3,000 was spent on refurbishing the dance floor in the main hall, £3,880 on the Ladies Washroom and a further £2,200 has been spent on 80 new chairs for the main hall and £1,000 used towards new access ramps for users with mobility issues, with the remainder being put towards our high gas bill. We are extremely grateful to the Postcode Lottery for such a generous donation to our Community building.
Projected Improvements
The Management Committee identified the following project work for 2025/26 and beyond :
Main Hall Floor refurbished £3,000 (*as above)
The project to upgrade the ladies washroom facilities £3,880 (*recently completed)
Ongoing General decorating to ensure standards maintained £1,000 Ongoing we commenced replacing Conference Chairs expense so far £2,200(*)
Review of Practices and Procedures
A review of practices and procedures was initiated late in the reporting year, the aim of which is to ensure that the Association meets its legal obligations and that practices and procedures mirror best practice. Areas under review are:
Equal Opportunities Fire Evacuation practices and procedures Health & Safety Data Protection Customer Service Disciplinary and grievance
A review was completed and revised procedures were put in place by 17th June 2025
4.
Conclusion
In accordance with its Charter, the Association has continued to provide an excellent community facility that has been well utilised. A committee of eleven, dedicated volunteers effectively managed the Hall on behalf of the Trustees and their unstinting support was seminal to the continued success of the enterprise. The Association's Accounts indicate a financially sound Charity, there being sufficient funds to cover projected improvements.
Mrs Anne Swinglehurst Chairperson of the Hall Committee On behalf of the Trustees 27[th] September 2025
Attachments:
Independent Examiner's Report on Accounts for the Year Ending 31 March 2025. Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025
5.
Notes to the Accounts
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Heald Green Village Hall association
I report on the Accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out in the pages of the attached documentation.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Examiner
As the Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts; you consider that the Audit requirement of Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (as amended by later legislation) - The Act - does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the procedures specified in General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under Section 43(7)(b) of The Act , whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the Independent Examiner’s Report
My examinations were carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the account 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 you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an Audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my Examinations no matter has 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 41 of
The Act
To prepare accounts which accord with Accounting Records and to comply with
the Accounting Requirements of The Act .
have not been met.
(2) Which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to obtain a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.
Original signed by
Mr Alan R Hampson FACPA Hampson & Company 35 Hall Pool Drive St Johns Wood Offerton Stockport SK2 5ED
6.
Notes to Accounts for Year to 31st March 2025
1. The Charity is treated for accounting purposes as a “small” charity in accordance with paragraph 3 of SORP.
2. Tangible fixed assets:-
| Cost At start of year Add acquisitons Less disposals Value at cost Depreciaton At start of year Disposal adjustment Depreciaton in year Valuaton Valuaton at start of year Additons less disposals Depreciaton in year Current value |
31 Mar 25 (£) 26,411 890 0 27,301 25,971 - 310 26,281 440 890 - 310 1,020 |
31 Mar 24 (£) 26,411 0 0 26,411 25,860 - 111 25,971 551 0 - 111 440 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
3. Ex-grata payments. – none
4. Restricted Funds. The Association does not have “restricted” funds
7.
| Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 ASSETS 2025 Fixed Assets £ Furniture & Fixtures 219 Ofce Equipment 801 Total Fixed Assets 1020 Other Assets Prepayments 337 Total Other Assets 337 Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable (debtors) 1299 Total Accounts Receivable 1299 Current savings Associaton Current Account 93,703 Friends Current Account 10,079 Total 103,782 Total Current Asset Total Assets Less Current Liabilites Accruals 2,525 Hire Deposits - Total Other Current Liabilites 2,525 Total Current Liabilites NET ASSETS Equity Funds at start of period 96,264 Excess of income over expenditure 7,649 103,913 |
£ 1020 337 105,081 |
|---|---|
| 106,438 2,525 103,913 |
|