STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE
CHARITY NUMBER 1072551
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Charity Number 1072251
Correspondence Address
Maureen Greaves, Pampas, Great Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1LL
Trustees
The following Trustees have served during the year, unless indicated otherwise:
Steven Horner, Chair
Maureen Greaves (retired 31 March 2024) Jacci Ellen Churchman (retired 21 April 2023) Hilary Plant (appointed 21 April 2023) Richard John Plant (retired 21 April 2023) Judith Dawn Spatchett Rosemary Conibeer (appointed 9 February 2024)
Professional Advisors
Legal Advisors – Pulham & Co, Market Place, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1AG Bankers –
HSBC, 20 High Street, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1DB COIF Charities Fund, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London. EC4V 4ET Independent Examiners –
Ensors Accountants LLP, Blyth House, Rendham Road, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1WA
Statement of Trustee’ responsibilities
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts which give a true & fair view of the state of affairs of the charity. In preparing those financial accounts, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies
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Make reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed; subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial accounts;
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with the Charities Act 1993. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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History, Objectives and Activities of the Trust
The charity was registered in November 1998. The purpose of this was to raise funds and build a new community centre to replace the existing hall which was run by a separate charity. This was built in the 1920’s and was no longer viable. Funds were successfully raised; land was leased from Stratford St Andrew Parish Council and the hall was built. The new hall was officially opened in March 1998. Surrounding land of 5.2 acres was purchased for amenity purposes. An extension to the hall was added, largely from self-generated funds.
Management and Governance Arrangements
The Trust Deed provides for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 8 trustees. Were there a requirement for new trustees, these would be identified and appointed by the remaining trustees. The chair of trustees is responsible for the induction of any new trustee which involves awareness of a trustee’s responsibilities, the governing document, administrative procedures, the history and philosophical approach of the charity. A new trustee would receive copies of the previous year’s annual report and accounts and a copy of the Charity Commission leaflet ‘The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know’. The existing trustees have held office for over 10 years.
The trustees annually review the risks that the charity faces. To date these have mainly related to the management and the running of the community centre.
There are also minor areas of risk relating to employing staff which have been covered by proper procedures and insurance.
Achievements and Performance of the Trust
The Trustees were aware of the continued need to maintain a stable reserve of funds, but, at the same time, to reach a balance to ensure the excellent presentation and upkeep of the Centre was preserved. The Centre was kept in good order and maintenance was carried out as and when required.
The Trustees continued to carry out their duties regarding the management and finances of the Centre. Insurance, electricity, internet and domestic oil Contracts were monitored to achieve best prices.
The lounge bar and games room were re-decorated and lounge chairs replaced
Financial Review, Investment Policy and Reserves
Overheads are reviewed on a regular basis. Bank balances are constantly reviewed, and funds transferred as necessary.
Reserves are maintained to fund loan repayments and any unforeseen capital expenditure. When the building was first erected a loan was taken at very favourable terms over a twenty-five-year period and funds are maintained to make twelve monthly repayments of this.
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Future Plans
It is intended to replace the ceiling lighting to the main hall with modern, LED fittings, and to consider replacing outdated external security lights.
The Trustees must replace two retiring trustees and the expected retirement of the Chairman. These trustees were appointed 25 years ago who recognised the need for new Trustees to develop and maintain the reputation of the Riverside Centre.
The Trustees are aware of the continued need to maintain a stable reserve of funds, but, at the same time, to reach a balance to ensure the excellent presentation and upkeep of the Centre is preserved. This is largely achievable due to good management and the fund raising activities of the Riverside Centre Social Club.
Independent Examiner
The trustees intend to reappoint the existing independent examiner for the following year to 31[st] December 2024.
…………………….. Steven Horner Chair
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 7.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. 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:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
The examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENTS
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
M HEWITSON ENSORS ACCOUNTANTS LLP BLYTH HOUSE SAXMUNDHAM IP17 1WA
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Voluntary Income Government Grants Income from Investments Community Centre Activities Miscellaneous Income Total Income EXPENDITURE ON: Fundraising & Trading Costs Community Centre Costs Other Expenditure Total Resources Expended NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Balance brought forward BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD |
All unrestricted funds 2023 2022 £ £ 16,683 15,055 - - 647 157 26,824 17,307 2,669 1,945 |
|---|---|
| 46,823 24,464 |
|
| - - 39,796 47,004 2,990 2,071 |
|
| 42,786 49,075 |
|
| 4,037 (14,610) 231,875 246,485 |
|
| 235,912 231,875 |
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Tangible Assets Fixed Assets 2 Current Assets Prepayments Debtors Cash at bank & in hand Creditors (due within 5 years) Community Centre Costs Public Works Loans Net Current Assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors (due in over 5 years) 5 Reserves General Fund Brought Forward Surplus for the year |
2023 £ £ 222,949 - 1,142 20,217 21,359 107 8,289 8,396 12,963 235,912 - 235,912 231,875 4.037 235,912 |
2022 £ £ 229,860 - - 16,731 16,731 4,189 8,422 12,611 4,120 233,980 2,105 231,875 246,485 (14,610) 231,875 |
2022 £ £ 229,860 - - 16,731 16,731 4,189 8,422 12,611 4,120 233,980 2,105 231,875 246,485 (14,610) 231,875 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21,359 | 16,731 | ||
| 107 8,289 |
4,189 8,422 |
||
| 8,396 | 12,611 | ||
| 233,980 2,105 |
|||
| 231,875 | |||
| 246,485 (14,610) |
|||
| 231,875 |
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP 102 a restatement of comparative items was needed. No restatements were required.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Land – not depreciated Buildings – 2.5% reducing balance Equipment – 7.5% reducing balance Playground Equipment – 7.5% reducing balance
2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST At 1 January 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2023 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2023 Charge for the year On disposal At 31 December 2023 NET BOOK VALUE At 1 January 2023 At 31 December 2023 |
Land Buildings Equipment Playground Equipment TOTAL £ £ £ £ £ 20,356 335,261 63,376 32,085 451,078 - - 1,903 - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 20,356 335,261 65,279 32,085 452,982 |
|
| - 171,856 35,359 14,002 221,217 - 4,116 2,557 2,142 - - - - - - |
|
| - 175,972 37,916 16,144 230,032 |
|
| 20,356 163,405 28,016 18,083 229,860 |
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| 20,356 159,289 27,363 16,941 222,949 |
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
3. EMPLOYEES
Number of Employees
During the year the number of employees paid by the charity (on a full time equivalent basis) was:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Management | - | - |
| Fundraising | - | - |
| Charitable Work | - | - |
| Remuneration of Employees | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Management | - | - |
| Fundraising | - | - |
| Charitable Work | - | - |
4. FUNDING FOR BUILDING
Grants received in 1998 amounted to £85,000 from the National Lottery Charities Board Community Fund. Also £31,490 in 2003 from the sale of the “Old Hut”.
5. LONG TERM LOANS
These consist of Public Works Loans via the Parish Council.
| Public Works Loans – due within 5 years Public Works Loans – due after 5 years |
2023 2022 £ £ 8,289 8,422 - 2,105 |
|---|---|
| 8,289 10,527 |
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STRATFORD ST ANDREW & FARNHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE DETAILED INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Income Voluntary Income: Riverside Social Club Donations Government Grants ESDC Grants Activities for Generating Funds Fundraising Income Trading Income: Hall Lettings Vending Machine Investment Income: Interest Received Miscellaneous Income: E-on Receipts – Solar Panels Grants Total Income Expenditure Direct charitable re Riverside Centre Booking Clerk Energy Insurance Cleaning Telephone Water rates Repairs Refuse Collection Licenses Playground Inspection Grounds Depreciation Stationery Governance Costs Sundry Expenses Professional Fees Bookkeeping Fees Loan Interest Bank charges Total Expenditure Excess of Income over Expenditure |
2023 £ £ 16,206 477 16,683 - - - - 26,824 - 26,824 647 1,974 695 2,669 46,823 6,264 7,879 1,602 2,416 726 160 8,039 877 884 107 1,431 8,815 596 39,796 1,144 714 562 480 90 2,990 42,786 4,037 |
2022 £ £ 14,500 555 15,055 - - - - 16,949 358 17,307 157 1,945 - 1,945 34,464 6,264 6,380 2,068 2,570 1,444 176 15,354 1,406 831 101 1,265 8,886 259 47,004 352 648 405 582 84 2,071 49,075 (14,610) |
2022 £ £ 14,500 555 15,055 - - - - 16,949 358 17,307 157 1,945 - 1,945 34,464 6,264 6,380 2,068 2,570 1,444 176 15,354 1,406 831 101 1,265 8,886 259 47,004 352 648 405 582 84 2,071 49,075 (14,610) |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| 26,824 - |
16,949 358 |
||
| 1,974 695 |
1,945 - |
||
| 6,264 7,879 1,602 2,416 726 160 8,039 877 884 107 1,431 8,815 596 |
6,264 6,380 2,068 2,570 1,444 176 15,354 1,406 831 101 1,265 8,886 259 |
||
| 34,464 | |||
47,004 2,071 |
|||
| 1,144 714 562 480 90 |
352 648 405 582 84 |
||
| 49,075 | |||
| (14,610) |
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