BELVEDERE COMMUNITY FORUM LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of the TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Charlty reglstratlon number 1116584 Company reglstratlon: 09058625 Independent Examlner.. Sadler Davies Trading as: Finsbury Robinson Ltd Top Floor, West Hill House, Dartford, Kent DA12EU
Belvedere Community Forum Ltd Trustees, Annual Re ort for the erlod from 1st A ril 2024 to 31st March 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee number: 09058625 Charity number: 1116584 Registered Office: Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close, Belvedere, Kent DA17 6AA 8ankers: Natwest Bank, Broadway Bexleyheath DA6 8DT Accountant5: Sadler Davies, Tradin8 as: Fin5bury Robinson Ltd, Top Floor, West Hill House, Dartford. Kent DAI 2EU Directors and trustees.. The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law, includes post Balance Sheet changes. Steve Maplesden Councillor Sally Hinklev David Johnson Councillor Daniel Francls Chair- Appointed 2. April 2024 nd Treasurer- Appointed 2 April 2024 Resi8ned 24, January 2025 The councillors are from the London Borough of Bexley and have decla red their interest in any contracts concernln8 the London Borough of Bexley with Belvedere Community Forum Ltd and refrain from voting on such contracts. Trustees are selected for their experience and skills relevant to the tasks required of the Board at each stage. Each new Trustee 15 briefed about the project and periodic appraisals are undertaken of the Trustees, skills and experience. The Trustees meet periodically to affect the management of the charity's affalrs. Governln Docu ent The Belvedere Community Forum was re8lstered as a charity on l November 2006. It was Incorporated on 27 October 2014, becoming a charitable company limited by guarantee. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which determines the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the charity being wound up the liability in respect of the guarantee 15 limited to £1 per director. Ob'ectlves actlvlties and ublic benellt. The Belvedere Community Forum gives the community a voice to access deci5ion-making processes that affect them. In addltion, the charity campaigns to support the regeneration of the Belvedere area and organises a number of community activities in order to promote community cohesion in the area. The charity manages the Belvedere Community Centre, having signed a 25 year operating lease with Bexley Council in 2014. A5 part of this lease the Charity 15 responsible for capital works to the centre, whilst the roof and boiler remain the responsibility of the Council. Achlevements and erforniance: Re ort of the Chalr of Trustees Steve Ma lesden Our Board During 202312024 sadly bade farewell to our longstanding Trustee, MP Daneil Francis. Daniel was an out5tandin8 Servant to both the Belveder Community Forum and the Community Ceritre for over 20 years. Daniel's dedication and vision were instrumental in shaping the Belvedere Communlty Forum and ensuring that the Belvedere Cornmunity Centre remained a vibrant hub. During his tenure, the Centre grew to offer a wide range of activitie5 and service5, from educational workshops and youth programs to health and wellbeing initiatives, supporting thousands of local residents. His commitment to fostering community
spirit and inclusivity has left a lasting legacy, and we are deeply grateful for the positive impart he has made on Belvedere. During the year we also sought new trustees to join the Board. Local resident Harold Deigh was nominated to join the Board but did not formally join the Board because of our imminent financial challenges. In January 2025 the Board took the incredibly hard decision of surrendering the lease and the running of the Belvedere Community Centre. You can read more about how we came to this decision below, but the key points are that over the last few years, rising costs, building maintenance expenses and a low number of people using the centre have made it financially unsustainable to run the community centre. This was an incredibly difficult decision for the board to make. And while it was a hard one, as our financial accounts will show. it is a decision that we took at the right time and has meant that the charity has been able to meet all of its costs and remained solvent. Wlthout the Beedere Community Centre to run, the Board felt that the Impact of the Belvedere Community Forum is so dlminished that the charity no longer needed to function. And so on 27 March the Board agreed to cease tradin8 as a charity and to dissolve the organlsatlon. Windln8 UP the charlty and surrendering the lease and handing the Community Centre back to the council has been an arduous process. On a personal note, I want to extend my deepest thanks to my generous trustee colleagues who have worked hard to ensure that all of our local Suppliers and debtor5 are paid, the wonderful employees who work at the centre receive their redundancy entitlements, and most of all that the Community Centre continues to remain open to the public. On that note, I'd also like to extend a special thank you to the officer5 at Bexley Council and the wonderful CEO of Age UK Bexley who have ensured that the Belvedere Community Centre continues to run in our absence and that our vlbrant and wonderful community continues to have access to this wonderful civic asset. Belvedere Community Centre While the running of the Community Centre was challenging, we still had a number of highlight5 from April 2024 until January 2025. This included we also welcoming a number of new group5 to the Centre: Quad roller skating classes Life Drawing Session5 Children's Dance Class 2 new Sunday Churches Irish Dancing Belvedere Concert Band. The Centre also continued to provide an incredlbly important space for local people and buslnesses throughout 2024125. We provided spaces for.. Physical activity such as badminton, karate, and dancing for over 50s and young people too Social services, such as contart sessions for Bexley. Lambeth and Bromley Councils Education, such as Emmanuel's Tuition, Narinderfs Tuition and piano tuition Older people, such as Knitting circles, Befriending Groups and Dementia support through Age UK Younger people, such 35 After School Club and Messy Play for Tots, Younger people with disabilities, such a5 Bexley SNAP Environmental activities. such as our Gardening Club We were very pleased to see our Community Fridge continue to operate, providing much needed food to people who need it and as well as being effective way to reduce local food waste. We are particularly indebted to our local Asda Community Champion for 5UPPOrting our fridge by donating food and by volunteering.
Events We also held a long list of community events and activities aimed at young people, families and older people of Belvedere. Highlights included: Easter hunt and fun day School Holiday fun Summer fair Family Cookery sessions Community BBQ Community inflatable fun day Halloweern Partv Christiiias Market Community Xmas meal The decision to surrender the lease and return the management of the Community Centre to the Council In January 2025 it became clear that due to revenue and funding challenges and rising costs it was flnancially unsustainable to contlnue to run the Community Centre and that we needed to immediatelv surrender the lease of the Centre and its management back to the council while the BCF continued to have limited cash reserves. We did this to ensure that the charity remained solvent and we didn't let any of our suppliers or employees down in the process. Revenue and fundlng challenges The past year has continued to present sl8nlficant challenges for the Belvedere Community Centre. While we are fortunate to have a loyal group of regular hirers and have seen encouraging growth in casual bookings for children's parties over the last 18 months, overall usage remains well below pre-COVID levels. Attracting new users ha5 proven difficult. and this ha5 had a direct irnpact on our financial sustainability. The Centre's operations are almost entirely funded through hire revenue. Unfortunately, current hire rates do not cover the full cost of running and maintaining the buildin& particularly in the face of rising energy and staffing costs. Despite effort5 ta increase hire charges, these have not kept pace with escalating energy costs, especially for our large Sports hall. Inefficient use of the Centre such as periods with only one or two hlrers further compounds these1055es. Securing additional funding ha5 been a challen8e, largely due to limited staff capacity to prepare applications, We have also105t valuable partnerships, such as Three Rivers, which previously supported both the Centre and our charitable objectlves, Runnlngcosts and malntenance challen8es Our staffing costs remain our most significant expense, and while we balance full-time employees Wlth bank staff to manage demand, this continues to strain resources. Maintaining the building is time- con5Ltming and c05tly and hire income does not extend to essential site improvements. In 2024, we were required to install a new heating system at a cost of over £10,000 an expense not covered by our lease. Other pressing maintenance issues, including fire escape improvements and solar panel repairs, remain unresolved due to lack of funds. Our Communlty I would like to thank all the member5 of the Board and staff who have worked extremely hard as well a5 our Treasurer (Cllr Hinkleyl, out outgoing Secretary (Cllr Francis) and replacement Secretary (Dave Johnson). Special thanks should also go to Gina Williamson who has continued to keep our f inancial affairs in order and offer us wise financial advice. This help has proved invaluable in ensuring that the centre minimised expenditure. We are a150 pleased with the excellent support that we continue to receive from Cory Environmental who have provided the necessary fvnding for the Forum to operate and pay for our minute taker.
Financial Review The expenditure of the charity exceeded income resulting in a deficit of £50,536.58 12024 deficit £43,465.56). Funds held at the end of the financial year include £2,880.98 (2024, £51,417.56) of unrestrirted reserves. Risk Review The Trustees have carried out an assessment of the risks facing the charity and have established the procedures for minimising risks associated with running the community activities and the Community Centre. Trustees, re5 onslbilities The trustees are required under the Charities Art 2011 to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements givin8 a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and: (al Select sultable accountin8 policies and apply them consistently. Make suitable judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable accounting standards of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charlty will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keepin8 accounting record5, which enable them to disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity, and for en5urin8 that they comply with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. (c) Id) Signed on behalf of the charitls trustees: Steve Maple5den Chair of Trustees Date: 20 Jc2n 26
BELVEDERE COMMUNITh FORUM LTD STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABIUTIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 Note Unrestricted RestrlGtgd 2024125 2024125 Total 2024125 Totsl 2023124 TNJibl• Flx•d Ass•ts Current As8et8 Monetary Ass•ts Cash B8nk 8ectyJnts D8btor8 Total current assets £2,(K16.25 £2,006.25 2,503.21 3,279.15 3,279.15 28.181.73 25,041.60 53,223.33 3,279.15 3.279.15 Li8blitse$- amcwnl$ falling dua wTthin 1 wr 2,404.42 2,404.42 2,308.98 Current A•••ts1Q Currftt Llabllltlè* £874.73 £874.73 £50,914.35 Total ABs•ts 1•50 Curr•nt Lloblllll £2.880.98 £2,8BO.98 £53,417.$6 FUNDS Unr8slricted- G8n8r81 R88lric18d 2,880.9B 2,880.98 51,417.56 2,000.00 £2.880.98 £0.00 £2,880.98 £53,417.56 Slgngd by Steve M8ple6den Date..
BELVEDERE COMMUNITY FORUM LTD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 nrestrlcted nds Gen TOTAL FUNDS 2Q24L25 unds 31 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary Income & Grants Charltsble Activities Income from investments 4a 4b 4c 4.151.37 58,673.40 57.87 62.882.64 4,151.37 58.673.40 57.87 62.882.64 5,025.64 72,949.41 447.49 78,422.54 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Charliable Activities Other Expenditure 112.898.26 520.96 113,419.22 112.898.26 520.96 113,419.22 121.156.60 731.50 121,888.10 5b TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING I ( OUTGOING ) RESOURCES BEFORE TRANSFERS 150.536.58) {50,536.581 (43,465.56} ADDITIONS TO & RELEASES FROM FUNDS 2,000.00 12,000.001 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 148,536.581 12,000.001 150.536.58} {43.465.561 TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD 51,417.56 2,000.00 53.417.S6 96,883.12 FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT END OF YEAR £2,880.98 i£o.001 £2,880.98 £53.417.56
BELVEDERE COMMUNITY FORUM LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 Accountlng Pollcles Accountlng Convention la Tho finanGh11 •lalcrncnLv havo bcon prcparod undcr tho hiolorical co pt Convent and in accord8neè with the Charities Slatement of Recomrnended Practice ISORP FRS10212015 and the Charities Act 2011. An independent examlnation is reqUId under the Charities Act 2011. AbriLaed financial statements have been filed th Companies House in accordance with the special provisH)n5 of the Comp8nies Act 2006 r8laUng to smallar companles. No audlt Is requlred under exernptbn S 477 of the Companles Act 2006. Ex8fflPtlon has been tak8n Irom preparir¥J a cashlbw on the grounds that the company qUalifS as a srnall company. 1b Tanglbl• Flx•d As8•ts D8preci8tk)n is provid8d at th& fc4lLwrflng annual rot¢$ in order lo wrllo ¢)ff ¢a¢h a$$el ov&r Its 8sllm8t8d useful lff&. C8ntre equipment - 20¢k réducing bolan¢e. Penslon Cost• 1c Belveder¢ Communlty Fowm Ltd ha$ offer•d thé NEST ponsion plan lor 011 •llglbl¢ mploye&s. The staging d4ts for •ultrenrolm¢nt wa$ August 2017. Fund •ccountlng Unrgstrlcted funds Arè 8V8118bl8 for u8• Ot th• dlser•llon of Iha trust809 Sn lurth•r8nc8 of the general oblecttv¢$ of the ¢h8rty. R951riclgd funds are SubltOd to r&Strtions on Ih8lr 8XP8ndilure imposed by th• donor. 1d TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Offlee Equlpm•nt Cost Addltlon 9.139.93 9.139.93 9 139.93 9 139.93 ACCUMated DepreciaOn 1st Aprll 2024 Ch8rg8 for y88r 6,636.72 496.96 7 133.68 6.014.76 621.96 8 636.72 NET 800K VALUE 31st M8reh 2025 2 503.21 LIABILITIES FALLING DUE WITHIN 1 YEAR Net wage6 HMRC and Pansion Accrued exp8r8es 197.20 215.78 1.896.00 2 308.98 752.42 E2 404.42 INCOMING RESOURCES Unreslricted General Rèstrictad Funds TOTAL FUNDS 2024125 202312 Voluntary Income and Grants Don81ions and legacles Gronl In¢¢m¢ 108.50 4,042.87 108.50 4,042.87 5,025.64 4 151.37 4151.37 5.025.64 4b Charltsble Adlvltles Rent ofoffice spac¢ Rent of rooms and h811 Café Income General fundralslng Other Income 7,789.55 46.165.55 1.661.00 57.00 3.000.30 7,789.55 46,165.55 1,861.00 57.00 3,000.30 17,984.50 47,761.84 6,644.57 558.50 58.673.40 58 673.40 72,949.41 4c Income from Investment Bank int8r88t 57.87 57.87 57.87 57.87 447.49 447.49 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES £62,882.64 £0.00 £62,882.64 £78,422.54
BELVEDERE COMMUNrrY FORUM LTD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 RESOURCES EXPENDED restrict d General astrlel•d Funds TOTAL FUNDS 202312 02 SH Expendlture on ¢h•rltable actlvltles Peab)dyTrusl- Threè RJVBTS Project W8ges P8nslon8 Calè Eypen8 8usinass and Water Rat•$ Ughl 8nd Heal SBcurity& Flr6 Ajarm Cleanlng and wa810 Repthrs and Malnt8nan¢¥ Insurance Po&iagelStJtkneryl Conwrnobles T¢lephonallntsmet ¢wputer & IT Aceountgn¢y Cemp8ni88 HOUS Flllni Foe Payrcll f888 MOlg exp8nsas Inc ralfo$hm•nts Staff frdnlng Sundryexp8na86 Lagpl and Prolession81 Fa88 1,318.70 60.577.14 89).99 914.10 3.644.82 10,685.59 1.230.$4 8,915.e8 22.531.51 3,116.30 1.154.42 717.57 2.[1.72 1.660.00 13.00 496.50 99.00 726.02 375.00 48.00 59,392.96 820.73 o. 3,509.05 30,950.03 2,880.69 292.66 1,868.78 841.70 2.657.19 720.00 1.761.52 1.854.00 8.00 1.225.20 59,392.98 820.73 900.00 3,509.05 JO,950.03 2,880.69 292.6S 1.666.78 641.70 2,657.19 720.QQ 1,761.52 1,e54.00 8.00 1225.2 1,770.7S 1,847.00 112 898.26 1,770.7S 1,847.00 112.898.26 121.156.80 5b Othor exp•ndlture Depred8llon Bank charge5 406. 24.DJ 498.96 24.00 621.98 109.54 620.96 520.96 n1.50 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED £113,419.22 £0.00 £113.419,22 £121.988.10 There are no roslrlcled fund& hald bythB ChBrfty. romun8ralion was pald and no expen80& %v8r8 r8lmbJr58d to Tru8t••8 th• flnanclol yo8r. Thare w8r& no rBl8ied party IranBBcllons for tha •rd¢l 31 Morch 2025. Subslquenl to the year-end, the charfjty's lesse for the Belvedere Community ctre w88 tèrmlnai8d on 28th FBbruBry2026. Management ol the eénlr• waB Irdll5ferr8d to Ago UK Be0Y on 131 Mllr¢h 2025 to malntaln ccfflmunlty 86rvlc88. The Trustees are cMItted to •n ordorfy w5ndlng-up prec888. Any re881 8$6e, followlna th• &•ttlom•nl of 811 oul818ndlng lthbilllies, wlll transferr•d to ¢kner lecal charllgble ¢rg•nl$•iknrA wllh sirnilar obl8ci8. 8n8Urtnp ihal the Fc¢um'i lJ•¢y ¢onYnuoB lo b8n8fl1 the cthmrnunity.
BELVEDERE COMMUNITY FORUM LTD INDEPENDENT EK4MINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 NL4RCH 2025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERIS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BELVEDERE ComlUN[Ty FORUM LTD This report on the fin8ncial stateD)ents of the BELVEDERE COMMUNITY FORUM LTD for th¢ year ended 31 March 2025, which are set on pages 5 to 8 is in respect of an examination carried out in aecordance with sl45 of the Chatities Act 2011 (the Act). Regpectlve responsffibllities of the trustees and the examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's tnteeS consider that An audit is not required for this year under section 144(2} of Ihc Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) or under Regulation 10(I)(d) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) R¢8ul81ions 2(K16 (the 21KJ6 Ac¢ourtts Re8ulation$) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examinc ihe accounts under section 145 of the Charitie8 Act 2011 aud section 44(1)(c) of tFLe Charities and Trustee Tnvestment {8cotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) lo follow th¢ proLedurcs laid down in the ¥enerul Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. and to state whether parti¢ular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's report Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Dircctions giv by the Charity Commissioners. The examination includes a rcviLw of th¥ arcounling ie¢ords kep( by the charity and a comparison of the &ccuunls presented wiikn thos¢ recoTds. It also itjcludes CODsideralion ofany unusual items or disclosures in th¢ a¢¢ounts and seeking cxplanations from you as tru5tec8 rollLerning any such matters. Thc procedures unrkrtaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not cxpress an audil opinion oll thc view given by the accounts. Independent examltter's stAtement In Lonnection wilh our examination. no matter hus come to our attention.. (l ) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requircmenls.. to kccp accounting reLords in accordancc with section 130 of the Act,. and to prepare financial statements which accord with the a¢¢ounting r¢cords and comply with th¢ requirements of the Act.. huve not been met. or lo which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proF¢r understanding of the accounts to be reached,. or which ¥ives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material resp¢¢t the accounting rules of the ¢harity's constitution have not been met. Gemma L Fogarty FCA Sidler Davies Trading 4$: Fin$bMry Robinson Ltd Top Floor, Wes¢ Hlll Hous Dartford, Kent DAI 2EU Date: 2211212025