St Bees Village Hall Management Committee
Chair’s report for year 2024
The year 2024 started well for the village hall. The work to improve the insulation at the back of the hall, funded by a Lottery Community Spaces Grant was proceeding well albeit a bit behind schedule due to some unexpected roof work that needed to be done. We were fortunate to receive further funding from the Cumberland Community Investment Fund to top up this grant which allowed us to complete the planned work. In addition to this we applied for and received £4,400 from the Robin Rigg Community Fund to improve the facilities in the hall for people with disabilities that are often hidden. With this money we installed a hearing loop, LED lights throughout the building, improved signage, a large clock and chairs with arms for customers who have difficulty getting up from a chair unaided.
Unfortunately, in April the ceiling of the ladies toilets unexpectedly collapsed, leaving a gaping hole. As far as we could see the roof rafters were rotten and the recent heavy rainstorms had been the final straw. Our insurance company were not inclined to make any contribution to the repair of the roof, considering it a result of poor maintenance and the lack of any ventilation in the roof space. We were fortunate to receive a grant of approximately £10K towards the repair but our bid for £20K from the Lottery for All Fund was not successful. We were told that we could revise and resubmit out application and this was planned for the new year.
Changes in Committee members and roles
Jon Mellor stood down from his position as chair and as per the constitution a new chair,Vikki Ford Powell, was elected at the first meeting committee meeting of the year. Committee members L Rutherford, W Mellor and H Hemm also stood down from the committee. Ann Nunnerley took on the role of correspondence secretary and Ruth Edgar took on the role of minutes secretary. Ken Ford Powel remained as treasurer
New members Kath and Lyn Smith Jackson joined the committee early in the new year. Sadly ill health and other issues meant that they decided to leave in the autumn of that year. We would like to thank them for their contribution to the committee during their time as members.
Eileen Lithgow joined the Committee in the Spring of 2024 and quickly set about organising events for fund raising purposes. We would like to thank Eileen for all her hard work in this area which has helped greatly to improve the status of our bank balance. Our fundraising events included a Burns Supper, a Magic Lantern show, a Wine and Cheese event, a very amusing show to commemorate the D-Day Landings based on television show ‘ Hello Hello’ and later in the year an afternoon tea party with a performance of our resident choir the ‘ Hodgetts singers’
We were also fortunate to have hosted 4 subsidised shows from the Arts out West touring programme : 2 in the spring season and 2 in the second. This is a wonderful opportunity for local people to see high quality performances at a very reasonable rate. However in 2025 the funding model of Arts out West is changing had we will only be able to have 1 show each season. Our income has not yet reached the level that we can host the shows without a subsidy.
Hires and Hall usage:
The use of the hall is gradually growing. Our fundraising events are bringing in more people and new people. We continue with the staple hires such as the Step by Step Dance Class, the Over Sixties, and the various exercise classes and children’s parties, but our real challenge is to increase the number of hires that we have during the day time.
Maintenance:
A big old hall such as the village hall requires constant maintenance this year we carried out the EICR 5 Year electric inspection and made the necessary improvements, and we commissioned a drone survey to examine the state of the roof. More roof work will have to be carried out next year. As well as applying for a grant to improve the front of the hall
Masonic Lease
Just at the moment when we thought that the lease of the upstairs room was ready to be signed, we heard from the masons’ solicitors that there were some problems with the lease and that the masons’ solicitors needed further information. Naturally this was disappointing for us because we had been waiting for this lease to be agreed for some year.
Resolving this issue would now have to wait until the new year.
On behalf of the Chair and Committee
Claire Hale 27/6/25
St Bees Village Hall Management Committee Charity 1059041 Treasurers Report foryearending 31 December2024 The accounts forthe financialyear 1 January2024 to 31 December2024 have been reconciled using the previous treasurer's files. spreadsheets and bank statements. The opening bank account balance on 1 January 2024 was £4377.81. The closing bank balance on 31 December2024was £12689.19. Included in that figure was a liability of £4051 .20 and restricted funds of £1895.20, leaving a working capital of £6742.79. An income and expenditure breakdown on a separate sheet forms part of this report. The accounts have been independently examined. Funds note; The only asset is a 50 year lease dated 19 May 2020 relating to the premises 8t 2 Finkle Street, St Bees, Cumbria, CA27 OBN. Rent £10 perannum. Once the accounts have been accepted bythe trustees, the figures will be submitted tothe Charitycommission. Ann Nunnerley Treasurer
St Bees Willage Hall Management Commitee Income and expenditure forthe year ended 31 December 2024 Income Hire 3692.50 Eventsftickets 2448.84 Events/raffles 337.00 Grants 35041.61 Donations 3170.00 Rent 1310.00 Interest & fundraising 70.13 Misc. 42.20 Tot8l Income 46112.28 Expenditure Gas 1712.98 Electric 1045.18 Water 708.19 Insurance 1216.92 TV licence & Internet 1028.19 Misc 159.57 Pre Planning App 319.00 Repairs 359.00 Cleaning & refunds 67.99 Building improvements 29838.95 Maintenance 1344.93 Total Expenditure 37800.90 Cash in bank at 1 January2024 4377.81 Cash in bank at31 December 2024 12689.19
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