LRLI 2024 Chairmans report to Trustees at AGM
Chairman's report to the AGM on 12th March 2024
2023 has been a productive year with many highlights worth mentioning:
This year saw the first phase of the Institute renovations completed and within budget, including new windows, doors, roof and roof insulation. We're currently in the middle of an interim redecoration of the main hall walls.
The next phase of building works is mapped out, and fundraising activities are under way. Apart from the progression of further grant applications, the introduction of the new monthly “100 Club” lottery draws has made a huge difference to our income to help fund the ongoing building renovation work.
We currently estimate that we will need to raise around a further £50k to complete the Phase 2 renovation [including the replacement of the large bore Central Heating pipework, the insulation and dry lining of the walls, and the refurbishment of the main toilet facilities]. We are currently planning to break the Phase 2 work into smaller projects to enable us to raise funds on a per project basis. In these circumstances, we do not expect any Phase 2 work to start until Autumn at the earliest.
There has been an increase in use of the hall including 3 Craft Fairs, 2 Film nights, Domino Drives, weekly badminton, 4 x parties and functions as well as the new Rural Arts Hearts and Crafts meetings being held twice every month that have started in February 2024. These provide a social and skills benefit for the community along with rental income for the hall. There have also been more independent parties booked this year as people are noticing the hall is once again "open for business!”.
We have been looking at ways to increase usage of the hall still further, including canvassing local people's opinions on what type of events they would like to see us host in the Institute.
It will be the 150th anniversary of the original founding of the Low Row & Feetham Literary Institute and Reading Room organisation in 2024, and it is planned to have a celebratory event and historic exhibition in the Institute over the weekend of the 6/7th July. Several original historic posters for village events have recently been framed and installed on the walls of the main hall together with an original copy of the 1843 parish tithe plan.
We are hoping to create a dedicated website to make it easier for the community to find out what is going on at the hall. This should also make the booking process easier. We are hoping to launch this in 2024, and we are considering the possibility of installing a notice board outside the hall, listing all events and contact details.
Overall the last year has been very positive with the renovations and increased use and we look forward to continuing with the same momentum and enthusiasm from all concerned into the coming year.
Neil Jackson Chairman
LOW ROW & FEfHAM LITERARY INSTITUTE srATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 1.2.23131.1.24 5fARTING BALANCES AS AT 1.2.23 Current Account £27,390.61 12 MAR 2024 Business Premium Account £1,55L47 Cheques/Cash in hand £160.00 £29,102.08 Add Income foryear £36,567.58 £65,669.66 Les5 Expenditure for year £64,574.12 £1.095.54 CLOSING BALANCES AS AT 31.1.24 Current Account £1,095.54
LOW ROW & FEEfHAM UTERARY INsfiTUTE BALA SHEET OF INCOME & EXPENDftURE 1123131.1.24 Y/E Jan 2023 Y/EJan 2024 '1 All Lets £1245.00 £741.00 Reeth Rural Radio Fundraising £2264.41 £5655.85 RDC Elettion £200.00 Donation5 for Generator Fund £1095.00 General Donations £2169.00 £2501.00 Grants £1400.00 £27009.1)0 Northern Powergrid {Stomi Arwen - comp. For loss of elec) Bank Interest £280.C £1.50 £16.73 MTSC £ioo.00 TOTAL INCOME FOR YEAR £8654.91 £36567.58 LF INoakn& Ioc) CUJ£ INJ UMf¥FI gINJ & C tyJ5nA-,
EXPENTURE. Y/E Jan 2023 YIE Jan 2024 Electricity £466.82 £1048.77 Water £6&80 £40.75 Insurance £778.48 £840.81 Oil £371.70 Electrical Test £288.00 Electrical Repairs £342.00 New Elettric Lighting £299.88 Plumbing Repaifs Boiler Repairs/Setvi £151.14 PUrChaseeW windows £2640.00 £8872.00 Deposit for new windows/dooTS £2000.IX) Bullding Repairs £1080.00 New Roof £51360.00 Cleaning products etc £27.47 Pest Control £83.00 Purchase Generator £839.00 Purchase Film Equipment £200.00 Account with Fllm Licencing Body £150.00 £104.40 Payment to 100 club winners £565.00 Coronation Event Expenses £325.94 Misc Expenditure £1019.79 £278.26 TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR £9667.89 £6457Q12 PROFIT
C¥Vrt(y LOW ROW & FETHAM LITERARY INSTITUTE srATEMEMf OF ACCOUNTS 12.23131.1.24 srARTING BALANCES AS AT 12.23 RE 12 MAR 2024 Current Account £27,390.61 Business Premium Account £1551.47 Cheques/Cash tn hand £160.00 £29,102.08 Add Income for year £36,567.58 £65,669.66 Less Expendlture for year £64.574.12 £1,095.54 CLOSING BALANCES AS AT 31.1.24 current Account £1,095.54 .P.L4-