GREAT GRANSDEN READING ROOM Martha Sophla Webb Charity. Number 107TJ94 Annual Report for the Year January to December 2021 Presented to the AGM 22 February 2022 This is the annual report of the trustees of the above-named charity for the calendar year 2021 which is also its financial year forthe purpose of preparingfinal accounts. l. Governance The following individuals served as management trustees during this period: Anne Constantine Elected Lynne Taylor until 23.02.21 Elected Sally Adelman from 23.02.21 Elected Sue Meredith Elected Vikki Murphy Elected on 23.02.21. previously nominated by Barneys Club Ann Girling Nominated by the Gransdens HorticuFtural kniety Martin Davies Nominated by the Gronsdens Society Ralph Goodchild Nominated by Carry On Learning Emily Glover Nominated by the Gransdens Guides Irene Cooper Nominated by the Allotments Society Elaine Boyd Nominated by the Revellers Drama Society Peter King Nominated by Great Gransden Parish Council Sarah Bray Nominated by Barneys Club Stephanie Beaumont Co-opted *Ever8reens and the Royal British LegTon remaln nominated user groups but neither had a trustee during 2021. The custodian trustees for the premises (Readin8 Room building and garden) are the elected members of Great Gransden Parish Council. The charity is govemed by a Scheme that was adopted on 19 June 1953 and amended on 11 February 2020. This Scheme describes the purpose5 of the charity as"physical and mental troinNng t7nd recreation and5crial, morol ond intellertual development through the medium of reading and recreation rooms librory, lertures. clcjsses. recreotion5 and entertainments or otherwise a5 may be found expedientfor the benefrt of the Porish of Greot Gn7nsden and its immediote vicini￿. Trustees have hod regard to the guidance i￿ued bythe Charity Commission on public benefit. The Management Committee {the trustee51 met on 23 February. after the AGM, and on S October. Other matters were considered via email between meetings. An Events Group was formed to plan and trial new events run by trustees and other volunteers. This led to the launch of the Reading Room Popup Café in Ottober, which has been very successfvl and much valued by the local community. Key matters and decisions at the ordinary meetings we￿. COVID measures Future worf(s Fees Financial reports. policy and prO￿d￿reS Reading Room website and Fo￿bOOk Fumiture Queen's Jubilee 2. Usage Most regular users ofthe Reading Room have retumed followin8 the easin8 of COVID restrictions during 2021. Activities for children and young people were allowed to retum in April under regulations set out by government and national organisatKJns: these included Barneys After School Club and Guides. Village societies (Horticultural Society, Gransdens Society. Ladies Group) returned from September 2021 although some meetings were cancelled. Two groups have not returned: Evergreen5 h05 relocated to Little Gransden Village Hall because of its larger size,. and Carry On Learning has not yet resumed. Parish Council and other meetings also returned to the Reading Room in the second half of the year. The new cafe was open every Friday morning from I October until the Christmas break. A free celebration to welcome people back to the Reading Room after the easing of restrittions on outdi)or gatherings was held in the garden on 4 Juty. Jau and Pimms attracted 50 people to enjoy a summer afternoon wtth friends and nei8hbours with music provided by Jazz Workshop. 3. COVID Full closure was required in the first lockdown in 2020 and onty childcare actfvity allowed in subsequent lockdowns. The COVID risk assessment was updated during 2021 following thanges in government guidance. The procedures adopted were successful in keeping the Reading Room COVID-free. 4. Lettin85 Lettings income wa5 £4365 in 2021 compared to £4968.70 in 2020 and £9,236 in 2019. Lettings income continued to be afferted by Covid throughout 2021. Huntingdonshire District Council continued to provide compensation to village halls afferted by COVID restrictions during 2021. The Reading Room receNed £17,374 in 2021. Part of this wa5 a RESTART grant which funded the Jazz and Pimms event and the set-up costs for the café. Lettings fees were ￿vIeWed by the Committee in October and remain unchanged with the addition of a discretionary free period for new groups starting up. It was subsequently agreed that the Chair would have discretion to vary the hourty charge for charitsble events. 5. Financial Review The tharitys financial position forthe year is set out in the accompanying accounts. Reserves of £81.042 were held in a deposit account at the end of the financial year. These reseNes are intended for investment in the Reading Room property as aTKI when required for repair. maintenance or improvement of the facility- Sums held in the current account are for general operating expenses. 6. Premises Minor damage to guttering was repaired free of charge. A single quote has been received for the repair and painting of some w1nd0v￿ but further quotes are needed as the gable*nd fascias also need to be done. An inspection of ftre extinguisher5 ond blankets and PAT testing were carried out in the autumn. The Committee commissioned architetts to draw up initial ideas and drawings for a rear extension to the Reading Room. We are currently unable to accommodate more than 50-60 people and this is insufficient for many attivtties that we would like to see at the Reading Room. It is too small for any fitness or dance classes and villagers are travelling outside the village to access these. Covid has also reminded us of the Importan￿ of space and ventilation in social settings to redu the risk of infertions. Since the Reading Room was built the vilkge population has increased by approximately 50%. The Committee is ambitious that the Readin8 Ri)om be a vibrant hub for the vlllage providing a rarEe of actFvitie5 for all ages and interests. Trustees hope to consult with Great Gransden residents on draft extension plans in earty 2022. 7. Thank you Thank you to all Members of the Commlttee in 2021 for theirtime spent and work orF this much valued village facility. A particular thank you to Secretsry Sue Meredith, who is stsnding down after 7 years. Thank you atso to the Parish Council for its support. and all users for bringing life to the Reading Room during the year. DECiARATION The trustee5 declare that they have approved this Annual Rewrt. Signed on behalf of the cha 'Vs trustees Si8nature Full name Margaret e Constantine Position Chair Date 22 February 2022 Great Gransden Readlng Room . 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