## **Keats Community Library**
# **Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] December 2025**
## **Contents**
|Part A|Our Year in brief|Page 2|
|---|---|---|
|Part B|Objectives, Achievements and Impact|Page 3|
|Part C|2025 Financial Commentary
|Page 8|
|Part D|Conclusion|Page 10|
|Part E|Statutory Report and Financial Statements|Page 11|
**Keats Community Library** is a registered charity in England (number: 1146702) and a company limited by guarantee (07889559)
The address is: The Library, 10 Keats Grove, London NW3 2RR.
Phone: 020 7431 1266
Website: keatscommunitylibrary.org.uk
Email: keatscommunitylibrary@gmail.com
## **Keats Community Library**
## **Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] December 2025**
## **Our Year in brief**
**A** 2025 was in many years a typical year and fortunately a calm one without incidents of note _._
_We strive for objective measures of performance._ We choose two key measures, book activity from our library system and visitor numbers from counting device on the entrance.
**Book Movements** . 2025 saw book movements fall back to the level of 2023 after the record levels of 2024. Children’s loans were down by 13% while adults’ movements reduced by only 2%. While disappointing , 2025 is still the third best year since opening as a charity.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
60000
Keats Community Library: Book movements by year
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Grand Total 14815 35513 38721 36182 38352 42573 37494 44087 25196 22137 40588 44825 48030 43772
Adult Total 7104 20671 20477 19043 18241 21241 20128 21231 11403 9674 17658 17416 17697 17320
Child Total 2931 14842 18244 17039 20220 21331 17366 22856 13793 12463 22928 27407 30333 26443
**----- End of picture text -----**
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## **Keats Community Library**
**Visitor numbers** . All visitors to the building, whether they borrowed a book or just came to use the facilities, are measured using a people counter at the entrance. While far from a perfect method it provides an objective and consistent guide to the trends.
Average visitors each month were identical to last year at 6,388 (2024: 6,386) which remains at the important levels we seek.
The use of the Public Computers remains low compared to pre- pandemic; most visitors now bring their own laptop and use the free Wi-Fi. However, we have remained the only place in Hampstead to print forms or scan documents. And of course, we remain the free back up when the home equipment fails.
As reported last year, the main space is almost overwhelmed by demand for reading and studying. At times all the desks are full, even the settees are occupied and visitor perch on any bit of space! This is indicative of an increasing need for a warm safe space to be quiet. These visitors do not use the books or contribute financially but are part of the charity objects for the community.
## **Part B Objectives, Achievements and Impact**
Keats Community Library (“KCL” or “the Charity”) is a charity with its remit to run a library in Keats Grove, London NW3 2RR (“the Library”). Public Benefit is our over-ridding objective as shown by our services and activities described in this report all of which are open to the community.
The Board of Trustees (“the Trustees”) has set objectives for KCL.
## • **Lending Literary Resources:**
- **Books, including Large Print and Audio books** : We seek to keep our stock of some 25,000 current and in good condition with regular buying and many generous donations. New books are added by recommendation and by our book team
- **Lending DVDs** : We plan to remain the local source of DVDs (mainly classics) to borrow, while there is demand. The lack of charge makes borrowing attractive.
- **Encouraging people to use the Library:**
- **Visitors** come for many reasons, to study, to use a computer (whether our public computers or their own on our Wi-Fi network) as well as taking out or returning books or attending events.
- **Cards Issued:** At the end of May 2026 just over 12,000 (June 2025: 11,000) KCL Library Cards have been issued (for which a small one-off admin fee is payable) since opening in April 2012. These cards are unique to KCL.
- **Encouraging use by children:**
- School visits have been growing over time as schools have time to arrange these timeconsuming visits and we are now beyond the pre-Covid numbers of schools and classes regularly visiting the library. In 2025, we had more local school classes visiting the library regularly than in any other year.
- Rhyme Time is now offered twice a week and 2025 brought the addition of Happy Beats, another toddler music class, twice weekly.
- Ballet Story-time meets weekly for pre-schoolers and their caregivers.
- Chess classes are more popular than ever for our families.
- We run free children’s events throughout the year including magic shows, art activities, creative writing workshops and book readings
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## **Keats Community Library**
- Children’s books are in great demand and inevitably suffer more wear than adult stock. We continue to replace and add to the stock. A grant from Tesco, assisted the buying of Children’s Books.
- **Public access to the internet, computers, with printing and scanning.**
- We remain the only local source of public access to computers, free scanning and printing. The four public computers were replaced in 2025 to allow us to install Windows 11.
- Public Wi-Fi remains free to all was also upgraded with a new router and is well used.
- **Offering a quiet, safe place for study** :
- Use of the dedicated study tables, chairs and settees is now remarkably high at times, and frequently every space is occupied.
- **Community courses/activities:**
- The reading group meeting on the last Thursday of each month continues to grow albeit
- slowly.
- **Providing training and social activities for volunteers:**
- A cohort of about 50 volunteers, including the active Trustee Board, remains stable, with a few departures.
- Our volunteers remain reliable sharing a love of books and an amazing scope of knowledge and expertise relevant to the Library.
- **Providing workplace experience for young people:**
- We offer volunteer slots to youngsters for community service such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme or Scouts, and qualification-related placements for local secondary schools.
- Our apprentice programme continues for 30 hours a week; the latest apprentice joined in September 2023 and remained in post in 2025 being promoted to Librarian
- **Cultural events of the highest quality, which are affordable and accessible to all:**
- We ran 16 events in 2025 (2024:17) including the Hampstead Summer Festival, the Garden Party and the Play. Speakers included Prof Brian Boucher, Dan Carrier, Bee Rowlett, Prof Philippe Sands KC, and Susan Hampshire, and we also ran our ever popular Quiz night in December.
- We are indebted to the speakers who are so generous in sharing their time with us, and we remain open to ideas to expand our range of activities.
## **Thanks are due to all our volunteers for constantly expanding and improving our services. One of the rewards of being a volunteer is receiving comments from Library users on the helpful and friendly service.**
## **Book stock**
We remain determined to do what is needed to keep our stock relevant and in good condition.
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## **Keats Community Library**
That includes ensuring we have the latest publications, such as the Women’s Prize for Fiction (formerly Costa) and Booker Prize long-list, and popular non-fiction books such as the T S Eliot and Samuel Johnson Prize winners, as promptly as possible. Readers extend the range by recommending titles for purchase, most of which we will buy within a week at most, thanks to Daunts Books excellent service.
Children’s books are heavily used and need constant replacement. Most books, and all the paperback children’s books, are covered with film which adds to the time and cost of cataloguing books. We received a grant from Tesco to buy children’s books which has improved the stock.
We are most grateful to our many supporters who continue to donate excellent quality books for us to take into stock. As we love books, we strive to waste nothing: Donated books can be taken onto the shelves as needed, sold on our ‘For sale’ shelves or at our twice-yearly book sales, or sent to an agent in return for a commission. Book Donations, alongside supportive suppliers, allow us to add far more books than our modest budget alone would cover.
We recycle books which are either in poor condition or have not been borrowed for four or more years. Heavily read books and Classics are replaced as needed. We have removed the large print section as readership was negligible and it was too expensive to buy large print books to keep the section topical. In any event, access to audio books online and in KCL are more commonly used.
## **DVDS**
The Library continues to offer an extensive range of DVDs for children and adults. We are now the last source for the local community to borrow films.
However, with the decline in the DVD market both in issues and users, acquisition of films approved for “rental” is ever more limited and expensive. We no longer buy or accept donations of DVDs. We maintain the lending service for those in the community who are unable to stream or download films. The adult selection is focussed principally on classic films of all eras. It remains free to use.
## **Children’s Library (“CL”)**
Jana Harrison, a Trustee, is responsible for the Children’s Library. Visits by local schools, (free of charge), ceased in March 2020 and picked up again on an ad hoc basis in autumn 2021. Despite an initial reduction in school visits we have continued our school outreach and have developed new relationships with local schools while maintaining current ones. By the end of 2025 we had more local schools and classes visiting the library regularly than before the pandemic.
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## **Keats Community Library**
We continue to develop and expand our relationships with the local schools and are looking forward to welcoming even more schools and classes to the Library.
Our Licence Agreement with the City of London Corporation allows us to share the Nightingale Room, where we lay out the dedicated space for children. We have only Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays exclusively for the Children’s Library. The City of London Corporation kindly allows us to use the room on other days when they do not need it. This has been working well, although we cannot advertise these _ex-gratia_ hours or use them for regular school visits or planned Children’s Library activities for which schools need to schedule.
Over 80 primary schoolchildren visit the Children’s Library each week with their class during the school term, and many of their families subsequently join the Library. While there is considerable demand for library visits from our local schools and our outreach has been highly successful, we have been limited in the hours we can offer to local schools due to our licence agreement.
## **We continue to increase our budget to buy more children’s books – children’s books wear out, get lost or damaged and, of course, we need to have new additions of** _**must have**_ **series all the time.**
During 2025 we continued to build up our children’s activities. We are again offering our Rhyme Time sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings, Happy Beats music sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Ballet Story Time session on Wednesday afternoon, Children’s Book Club and Children’s Chess Classes on Saturday. We also offer regular events for children such as poetry workshops, magic shows and art classes. The summer Garden Party (part of the Hampstead Summer Festival) was very well attended and much enjoyed by parents and children.
## **Summer Reading Challenge**
In 2025, we continued our more tailored version (rather than the formal approach) using our own stickers and book displays. It was more fun and accessible to the children while being easier for our team to manage.
## **Community Activities**
## **Reading Group**
Our monthly Thursday early evening reading group, ably run by Joan Bruggen, now has a coterie of regulars.
## **Computers and technology**
Public Access Computers/Internet: The public computers are a key part of our community offering. Demand is noticeably lower than pre-Covid and as a result, access is more open. The Library also offers Wi-Fi without charge or time limit.
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## **Keats Community Library**
Printing income was down at £2,429 (2024: £2,792) but covered its costs, after rental charges and ever-increasing paper costs. We purchased a new printer to allow better access to our visitors using Wi-Fi and as a backup. KCL is the only place in the local area for public access printing from the internet, and in colour. Prices are in line with Camden Libraries.
Our library system, Heritage, is hosted on the internet and is a key part of our daily operation. We chose the best available system in 2012 and it has proved reliable and easy for volunteers to use day to day. It provides an extensive range of management features.
Jonathan Nakouzi is the Trustee who continues to take on IT responsibility for us and, with his team, worked hard to keep us running,
## **Intern/ Apprentice**
KCL has run a successful apprenticeship programme for more than ten years with one apprentice in post at a time. The apprentice provides KCL with vital continuity across volunteer shifts and helps us to provide a more consistent service to our visitors. It also offers a training opportunity for a young person in our community.
In 2023 we transitioned to a specialist library and archiving course in place of the generalist customer service course we had previously offered. The apprentice has an opportunity to learn a skill set while working in a full-time customer facing function. In addition to on and off-the-job experience, the apprentice completes a range of written assignments under the supervision of a specialist trainer. Previous apprentices have gone on to work in publishing, customer service and into further library and information management training.
During the 2025/2026 year we extended the contract with our existing apprentice beyond the completion of her course, and she will now remain with us until September 2026.
## **Relationships with other parties**
**Other Libraries:** We keep in touch with other libraries in Camden that were transferred to community use. Each has a different model so detailed comparisons are not meaningful **.** KCL is unusual in a) having only limited use of the building for which it pays significant sums and hence a greater burden of fundraising and b) unlike our neighbours in Belsize Park and Primrose Hill, KCL lacks the support that could come from being part of a larger charity.
**Public Bodies:** We continue to contact many other bodies who champion reading but find access limited from those, such as the Arts Council of England and the Reading Agency who still differentiate between community libraries such as ours, and council run “public libraries”.
**Camden Council:** We receive no funding towards our running costs from the Council. Excellent regular contact is maintained at Councillor level and with Camden officers.
**City of London Corporation and Keats House:** Personal Relationships have continued to thrive at all levels and KCL is treated very much as part of their community team.
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## **Keats Community Library**
KCL is the Licensee under a “licence to occupy”, which is an arrangement where the landlord retains control over use of the premises and remains responsible for building management, maintenance, insurance, utilities and cleaning. The Library’s licence does not guarantee unlimited access to the premises, as would be usual under a conventional lease.
KCL has 42 hours of access in the main rooms and 25 hours in the Nightingale Room which is used as the Children’s Library, plus use on Thursday evenings. Other hours are by agreement and involve hourly charges.
The landlord is Keats House, a registered charity of which the City of London Corporation is the sole Trustee. We are now working under the 5-year licence executed in November 2024 expiring on the 31[st of] March 2029. Given the substantial costs connected with the management of the listed building in which the Library is housed, the Trustees consider that the Library receives fair value for the licence fee.
The increased base cost is one reason that we need to rely more on volunteers than other libraries and have to work harder to raise money from the community by donation and from events.
## **Part C 2025 Financial Commentary**
## **1. Introduction**
In 2025 KCL ended with a surplus (after investment losses and gains) of £27,514 (2024: £58,414). This was achieved despite costs increasing marginally to £75,290 (2024: £75,208).
This demonstrates the challenge we face as costs increase steadily but income is unpredictable; we rely on one-off events when celebrities and speakers are available. In 2025 we had three large local donations totalling £37,000 one of which paid for our new cabinets in the Children’s Library and contributed to the cost of the Apprentice. Without these and a 30% increase in Event Income, the surplus would have been modest.
Our biggest single expense is the licence fee for the use of the library building cost £37,968 (2024: £36,769) an increase of almost 3.3%. This fee is linked to inflation (CPI based) but was rebased with the new licence. The licence fee makes our base costs higher than those of most local community libraries. It is one reason that we need to rely on volunteers and must raise money from the community by donation and from events. Our second largest expense is the apprentice, costing £20,133 (2024: £16,964). This increase is partly due to promotion to Librarian.
Grant funding remains problematic for libraries as funders are keen to finance a new specific “project” with added socially worthwhile outcomes, and do not generally support on-going expenses. We do not qualify easily on the typical social criteria for grants as the area is not considered deprived despite having several exceptionally large socially owned estates nearby.
In 2017, the Library invested £75,000 from its reserves in two property unit trusts to attempt to diversify and augment the then feeble income from bank deposits. After suffering in the pandemic, the funds balance increased in 2025 by £925 to £64,972 at year end. However, they have paid reliable dividends which in 2025 were £3,482 (2024: £3,667). Overall, the choice of these funds was justified.
Higher interest rates and bigger balances on deposit increased interest income to £9,610 (2024: £9,519). This will decline should rates reduce.
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## **Keats Community Library**
## **2 Operations Income**
Day to day activities and charges normally provide a steady and relatively predictable stream of funds. Our coffee and tea price remains at £1 being unchanged since 2012. We sell books, DVDs, cards, postcards (which were donated) and so on. Income from issuing library cards is steady at £1,650 (2024: £1,605); we currently only levy a £5 charge for each household, once on joining, or when cards are lost.
Books Sales were £17,601 (2024: £18,360) as the largest operational income. Books are always on sale in the Library, in addition to two one-day Book Sales each year.
Our regular Children’s Activities are extremely popular. The costs associated with these activities are largely covered by the donations made by attendees, helped by the reduced rates of our instructors. Our Children’s Events (also very popular) are usually free to attend with the individuals running these events generously giving their time free of charge.
We have continued with our policy of charging for books which are very late or simply lost. This has helped greatly reduce the number of lost books. The volume of overdue books remains manageable fell dramatically with a £600 increase in fines paid over 2024. Some councils, including Camden, take the view that any reason to reduce the reluctance to read is justified. We have found that there is an increased respect for books, particularly by families, without reducing readership.
## **3 Donations**
Overall donations including Gift Aid received in 2025 were £32,190 (2024: £57,326). Gift Aid remains helpful in increasing the value of individual donations and we encourage all donors to consider completing the simple form. We are incredibly grateful for our new and loyal supporters who stayed with us. Many comment how important the library is to them and the community and that they are happy to help. Our ratings on Google continue to improve.
## **4 Sponsors**
We have been truly fortunate in receiving help from sponsors.
**Osbornes Law,** a Camden and Hampstead firm of solicitors have been loyal and amazing supporters of our events in the Library. Their support has transformed our event options and allows KCL to keep ticket prices low despite inflationary pressures.
**Walfinch,** a local care provider, has joined as a regular supporter, financially and in providing practical help.
## **5 Hampstead Summer Festival (“HSF”)**
KCL has a well-established relationship with the HSF. Indeed 2025 was the 13[th] year in which KCL was a beneficiary of funds raised by the HSF. In 2025 in addition to the Big Fair on Heath Street, the HSF ran events in the lovely grounds of Keats House – The Art Fair and the Family Garden Party and also hosted a professional Drama Group for the fifth year, with four open-air family-friendly performances of a dramatisation of Vanity Fair. Attendance to all the performances was terrific. We are deeply grateful to Keats House for allowing us to use the beautiful garden, adding greatly to the attractiveness of these events.
The HSF raised £13,533 net of costs for the Library (2024: £10,865).
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## **Keats Community Library**
**We are most grateful for the Festival team’s dedicated demanding work for the community and look forward to future Festivals.**
## **Part D Conclusion**
As we say every year, this is so much a community undertaking that it is inappropriate to single out people to thank, in addition to the sponsors and local businesses who have been so supportive.
On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to record here the deep debt of gratitude owed to the many volunteers, each of whom made an important contribution to the community and its Library.
Steven Bobasch Chair of Trustees
## **Trustees and their Responsibilities:**
- Steven Bobasch Chair
- • Simon Brumfit Apprentice Manager • Kate Burge Volunteer Recruitment and Co-ordination • Andi Dollia Treasurer
- Jana Harrison Operations & Children’s Library
- • Vicky Joel Events, Book Buying & Corporate Sponsorship • Jonathan Nakouzi Information Technology
- Nigel Steward[1] Company Secretary (died 22[nd] November 2025)
## **Patrons:**
- David Baddiel
- Lord Bragg
- Simon Callow
- Dame Margaret Drabble
- Sir Alan Hollinghurst
- Anthony Horowitz
- Jeremy Karpel
- Sir Andrew Motion
- Deborah Moggach
- Sir Michael Palin
- Sue Perkins
- • Dame Janet Suzman
1 Nigel Steward was part of the original team of Trustees which set up the charity and then ran the library from 2012. He was Company Secretary for many years and provided invaluable advice from his extensive legal experience as a City Solicitor. Nigel, with his many local connections also help plug KCL into the local community and other organisations such as the Heath and Hampstead Society where he was a Trustee. He will be missed as a colleague, friend and good neighbour, always willing to share a glass of wine or an anecdote.
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## **Keats Community Library**
The Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2025 For Keats Community Library
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|12|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|17|
|Statement of Financial Activities|18|
|Balance Sheet|19|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|20|
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## **Keats Community Library**
## REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2025
The Trustees of the Keats Community Library (“the Charity”), who are also directors of the Company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in September 2015 by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014.
## **REFERENCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
The Charity is known as Keats Community Library. The Trustees consider that the Charity is a “small charity” under the rules of the Charity Commission of England and Wales.
## **Registered Company number**
07889559 (England and Wales)
**Registered Charity number** 1146702
## **Registered office**
Keats Grove, London NW3 2RR
## **Honorary President**
Lee Montague
|**Trustees**|**appointed:**|
|---|---|
|Steven Bobasch (Chair)|19/01/2012|
|Simon Brumfit|01/04/2017|
|Kate Burge|07/06/2022|
|Andi Dollia (Treasurer)|10/07/2018|
|Jana Harrison|29/01/2013|
|Victoria Joel|19/01/2012|
|Jonathan Nakouzi|19/01/2012|
|Nigel Steward (Secretary)|21/12/2011 (died 22/11/2025)|
## **Independent Examiner**
Crina Vesel, ACCA 99 Brent Lane, Dartford, Kent DA1 1QT
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank, 28, Hampstead High Street, London NW3 1QB
12
## **Keats Community Library**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Constitution**
Keats Community Library (“the Charity”) is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act 2006. It is also a registered charity. The Directors of the Company are also charity trustees as defined by section 97 of the Charities Act 1993. In this document they are referred to as Trustees.
Directors of the Charity are also Members of the company as are some former directors. Directors are appointed by the board by being co-opted and then confirmed at the next General Meeting of Members. The policy of the Board of Directors is to appoint people as directors who have a skill or interest to offer for which they take responsibility.
The Charity is governed by the terms of its Memorandum of Association and its Articles of Association.
## **Management**
The Trustees have not delegated their powers to any one Trustee or other person, although from time to time in accordance with the Articles they delegate their powers to a sub-committee of more than one Trustee. The Trustees manage the day-to-day affairs of the Charity; there is no executive management. The Trustees meet regularly and take note of the acts of individual Trustees on behalf of the Company. The Trustees as individuals take on certain aspects of management of the Charity as set out in the Annual Report. The Charity does not employ any staff directly.
The Charity uses a company controlled by a Trustee to employ its apprentice, now a Librarian. The company makes no charge for this service.
## **Risk and Internal Controls**
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the company is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage exposure to the risks. The key types of risk to which the charity is exposed, along with the principal processes in place to manage and mitigate the risks, are briefly described below:
The Trustees have identified three main areas of risk:
1. **Risk of Personnel** : Heavy reliance on volunteers for all aspects of operation. Ageing of volunteers. **Mitigation** : The organisation derives its strength from the quality and dedication of volunteers, many of whom have been in post since the Charity was established. We receive regular offers from potential new volunteers of all ages. Our volunteer manager interviews the applicants and maintains a list of appropriate new volunteers who can be inducted when a vacancy arises. In addition, the Apprentice, now Librarian, ensures that there is a regular presence in the Library and that the requirement for volunteers is generally limited to one per shift on most days.
2. **Risk of fraud and internal control failure** . Our work involves the handling of cash and donations. We may be subject to fraud.
**Mitigation:** The principal internal controls, which apply to staff and volunteers, including segregation of duties and cash management controls including double signature etc., are set out in the office manual. As far as feasible all aspects of operation are checked by others. Our volunteers are subject to Criminal Records checks if likely to be unsupervised. The modest amount of cash in the Library is counted at the beginning and end of every day and wherever possible by different people. Cash is banked separately by a Trustee not involved in counting the money. Bank payments require signature by two Trustees.
3. **Safeguarding risk** . The Library welcomes many children and vulnerable adults. A safeguarding concern may arise.
**Mitigation:** All volunteers who are likely to have unsupervised access to children must be subject to an 13
## **Keats Community Library**
appropriate Criminal Record Check before commencing work. Children are not permitted to be left in the library unaccompanied by an adult. School groups are supervised by appropriate numbers of staff from their school.
**4. Funding Risks:** the Charity is reliant on grants and donations of various kinds. **Mitigation** : Many members of the community generously give regular donations which with income from Library operations provide a steady income. The Trustees seek to increase these to provide greater certainty of income.
As institutional grants are difficult to obtain for running costs, the Trustees focus on self-funding by offering events, many with celebrities, arrange book sales and generally seek to increase revenue. Despite all the challenges of 2025, there was still a surplus due to one-off donations.
The level of reserves would allow the Library to continue for several years even if there are deficits. The Trustees maintain contacts with a range of grant providers and potential donors to understand their requirements and to try to develop future funding.
4. **Security of Tenure:** KCL operates under a 5-year license granted by The City of London Corporation (the “Licensor”) which is also the Trustee of Keats House. The Licence expires on 31[st] March 2029.
**Mitigation:** Previous renewals of the Licence have all been agreed long after the relevant expiry.
The uncertainty over longer term tenure is one reason the Charity maintains significant reserves to enable:
- relocation to an alternative venue at a potentially higher rent as well as the cost of establishing and fitting out the new location or
- If this is not possible, the winding up of the Charity.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and activities**
The object of the Charity (as stated in the Articles) is the promotion of education, by way of providing education in the form of literary activity and learning through the facilities of a community centre based around a library. The activities include charitable services provided either without charge or for reasonable and proper remuneration which support this object. These charitable services are designed to respond to the various and changing needs of the community and are not limited by the Charity’s constitution.
The Charity main activity is the running of a single library in Keats Grove for the benefit of the broader community. The library has separate rooms for children and adults and allows the borrowing of books and DVDs, access to journals, study area, public access computers and Wi-Fi and a printing and photocopying service.
The Charity also organises many events all open to the public based on literacy, theatre and music. These events are intended to provide the community with access to high quality speakers and performers at modest cost. These events also provide part of the source of funding for the Charity. In addition, the Charity offers activities aimed specifically at children, such as Rhyme Time and Chess Classes.
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
The Charity has kept open a much-valued local resource for the benefit of the community. It provides a library environment for reading study, play and other activities for 42 hours every week. There is no comparable facility in the area. It has issued some 12,000 library cards and replaced over 16,000 books from purchases and donations.
In 2025, there were 15 evening events (2024:17) organised by the KCL in addition to those being part of the
14
## **Keats Community Library**
Hampstead Summer Festival. There is typically one evening event a month for adults with a broad range from comedy to music to plays and, of course, literary evenings.
Also, there are special events for children such as a garden party, puppets and magic shows, creative writing courses, art classes, family concerts, visits by prominent children’s authors and the Summer Reading Challenge. In addition, the weekly programmes for children of twice weekly Rhyme Time, Story Time and Chess classes continue. The Charity has now been able to re-offer the programme of inviting local primary schools some of whom bring multiple classes.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial Results**
The Charity spent £75,290 (2024: £75,208) on its charitable objects during the year. Expenditure on these charitable activities was offset by related incoming resources of £54,999 (2024: £60,493). The deficit on charitable activities thus amounted to £20,291 (2024: a deficit of £14,715). The Charity generated income of £33,788 (2024: £60,304), excluding investment interest. Fundraising activities in this reporting period were conducted by Trustees and volunteers who are not remunerated. As a result, in this period there were no identifiable costs of generating voluntary income. Net incoming resources for the year amounted to £26,589 (2024: £58,775). After adjustment for unrealised investment gains and losses, the surplus on ongoing activities amounted to £27,514 (2024: £58,414). The Trustees are grateful to all those who have contributed in any way to the achievement of these results.
## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees have examined the Charity’s requirements for free reserves, i.e. those funds which are not invested in fixed assets, nor designated for specific purposes nor otherwise committed.
In making their assessment, Trustees have taken into consideration that at the date of approval of these statements the Charity does not have commitments to employees, although this position may change. As a result, at present the unavoidable costs of cessation, should cessation become necessary, relate to fulfilment of conditions under the Licence with the City of London, leasing and similar agreements which are not material.
In addition, the Charity has plans to replace or refurbish the library’s fixtures and fittings in coming years. The Directors do not consider it prudent to commit to such expenditure until a Licence of suitable term is in place.
Last, the surplus in 2025 was achieved thanks to two large donations of totalling £32,000, both one-off events. The reducing level of underlying donations provides concern that such surpluses may not continue.
The Trustees consider the cash reserve position at year-end to be adequate to meet these purposes as well as to manage the winding up of the Charity should this be necessary. All reserves held are unrestricted and available for furtherance of the objects of the Charity.
## **FORMAT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
The company is a registered charity, and so achievements cannot be measured by normal commercial criteria. Accordingly, the Trustees consider it would be inappropriate to present the financial statements in either of the formats set out in the Companies Act 2006. Therefore, as permitted by the Companies Act, to reflect the special nature of the company's activities, the Trustees are of the opinion that it would be more appropriate to present a Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) rather than a Profit and Loss Account. Under the requirements of the guideline on Accounting and Reporting by Charities, the Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed.
15
## **Keats Community Library**
They are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate its exposure to major risks. These procedures will be reviewed annually to ensure that they still meet the needs of the Charity.
## **Going Concern**
The Trustees are mindful of their obligations to ensure that the Charity is a going concern in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In view of the substantial reserves, mainly in cash, and the limited liabilities, the Trustees are satisfied that the Charity is a going concern.
**ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD** signed on 17 June 2026.
S. Bobasch – Trustee
A. Dollia - Trustee
16
## **Keats Community Library**
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF KEATS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2025 set out on pages 18 to 25.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The Trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The 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 required.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- 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
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of the independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 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 statements below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and which are consistent with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Crina Vesel, ACCA 99 Brent Lane Dartford Kent DA1 1QT
Date: 17 June 2026
17
## **Keats Community Library**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
|
Notes
**INCOME**
**Incoming resources from generated funds**
Donations and legacies
2
Investment income
3
**Incoming resources from charitable**
**activities**
4
General
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**5,6**
**Expenditure on Raising Funds**
**Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
**Total resources expended**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**
**GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:**
**Total funds brought forward**
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|**2025**
**2024**
**Unrestricted funds**
**£**
**£**
**33,788**
**60,304**
**13,092**
**13,186**
**54,999**
**60,493**
**101,879**
**133,983**
- -
**75,290**
**75,208**
**75,290**
**75,208**
**26,589**
**58,775**
**925**
**(361)**
**27,514**
**58,414**
**486,612**
**428,198**
**514,126**
**486,612**|
|---|---|
18
## **Keats Community Library**
|**BALANCE SHEET**
**AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025**
Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible Assets
Investments
7
8
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
10
**(**
**_**
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**_**
**NET ASSETS**
**_**
**FUNDS**
11
Unrestricted Funds
**_**
**TOTAL FUNDS**
|**2025**
**2024**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**64,972**
**64,972**
**-**
**64,047**
**64,047**
**-**
**-**
**470,787**
**425,505**
**470,787**
**425,505**
**21,633)**
**(2,940)**
**______**
**_______**
**449,154**
**422,565**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**|**2025**
**2024**
**Unrestricted Funds**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**64,972**
**64,972**
**-**
**64,047**
**64,047**
**-**
**-**
**470,787**
**425,505**
**470,787**
**425,505**
**21,633)**
**(2,940)**
**______**
**_______**
**449,154**
**422,565**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**
**______**
**_______**
**514,126**
**486,612**|**2024**
**£**
**-**
**64,047**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||
**64,047**|
|||
**425,505**
**(2,940)**
**_______**
**422,565**
**_______**
**486,612**
**_______**
**486,612**
**_______**
**486,612**
**_______**
**486,612**||
For the year ending 31[st] December 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 17 June 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
S. Bobasch – Trustee
A. Dollia - Trustee
19
## **Keats Community Library**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the Charity qualifies as a small charitable company.
## **Taxation**
The Charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. It is also exempt from VAT. VAT incurred on purchased goods and services is therefore unrecoverable and is included in expenditure under the cost heading to which it relates.
## **Income**
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. As a result, commitments to donate and to sponsor are usually accounted for on a cash received basis. In the case of donations eligible for Gift Aid, the amounts receivable from HMRC will in principle be accounted for in the year which the relevant donations are recognised (if appropriate, as accrued income). Items donated, principally books and other library materials, are recognised at their selling price if sold.
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure is accounted for on cash basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. At the year end, Trustees will take a view on any material items of expenditure to decide on their treatment with regards to accruals and prepayments.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Assets are recognised in the balance sheet to the extent that the cost exceeds the de minimis threshold of £1000 per acquisition.
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Plant and machinery 20% on cost Office Equipment including computers 20% on cost
## **Investments**
Since 2017 the Charity holds a part of its reserves in the form of units in Property Trust Funds. These are recognised at Market Value derived from the mid-market rates quoted by each fund at year-end.
20
## **Keats Community Library**
## **Stocks**
The initial stock of library books as well as certain depreciated computer equipment was gifted to the Charity by the London Borough of Camden at the time of set-up. There is no historical cost associated with these assets. Subsequent purchases of library stock are expensed in the year in which they occur. As a result the stock of books is not reflected in the balance sheet. Subsequent acquisitions of computer equipment are capitalised to the extent that they conform to the Charity’s accounting policy with regard to tangible fixed assets.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds may be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds may only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. At the present time the Charity has no restricted funds.
## **Charitable Activities**
Charitable activities are those activities which are included in the objects of the association as set out in the Company’s Articles of Association (and summarised in the Report of the Trustees).
## **Events**
Events fall within the object of the Charity of providing cultural support to the community, and are hence treated as charitable activities, even though they may incidentally generate a surplus and/or attract sponsorship.
## **Sponsorship**
Sponsorship receipts take several forms, including sponsorship in kind, reductions in amounts invoiced, and cash sponsorship of specific events. All sponsorship is treated as Incoming Revenue from Charitable Activities. Cash value of sponsorship in kind is accounted for where information is available.
## **Balance Sheet Review**
A balance sheet review is carried out annually to ensure that the individual assets and liabilities of the Charity as recorded in the financial statements are identified and known to Trustees.
## **Principal Assets not recorded in the Balance Sheet**
Traditionally, the principal assets of a public library are the library building and the book collection. In the Charity’s case, from a financial accounting standpoint it is proper not to reflect these assets in the Balance Sheet. Both are nevertheless tangible assets in the stewardship of the Charity and the Trustees take appropriate steps to protect them, including a rolling inventory and active management of the book collection (book protection, disposals, sales and purchases) and monitoring of the effectiveness of the building services provided by the landlord under the terms of the licence to occupy.
## **Roundings**
All figures presented in the Financial Statements are rounded to the nearest pound sterling. As a result, certain subtotals and totals may not correspond exactly to the sum of the constituent figures as stated.
21
## **Keats Community Library**
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|**DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**|||
|---|---|---|
|Grants
Donations including Gift Aid|**2025**
**£**
**1,125**
**32,663**
**33,788**|**2024**
**£**
**-**
**60,304**|
|||**60,304**|
Registration: Individuals using the Charity’s facilities are invited both to register and to donate. Registration fees are accounted for under charitable activities (v. Note 4).
Sponsorship: The Charity’s accounting policy is to include sponsorship in Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities (v. Note 1).
Grants: these are distinguished from donations to the extent that the donors are conventionally described as grantors. Where grants are received in the form of a rebate on services provided, these are not accounted for separately.
## **3. INVESTMENT INCOME**
|**3.**|**INVESTMENT INCOME**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Deposit account and property fund interest|**13,092**|**13,186**|
|**4.**|**INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Revenue from Cultural Events|**25,787**|**30,984**|
||Revenue from Library Operations|**29,212**|**29,509**|
|||**54,999**|**60,493**|
|**5.**|**EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Events Expenditure|**521**|**3,696**|
||Books and General Purchases|**2,060**|**1,725**|
||Licence to Occupy and space-related charges|**38,700**|**37,319**|
||Professional and contractor fees|**22,208**|**18,703**|
||Other Overheads|**11,801**|**13,765**|
|||**75,290**|**75,208**|
||**Depreciation**|||
||Resources expended are stated after charging:|||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
||Depreciation - owned assets|**- **|**-**|
22
## **Keats Community Library**
## **Trustees’ Remuneration and Benefits**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st December 2025 (2024: nil). Other library costs incurred directly by Trustees are accounted for by cost element.
## **6. STAFF COSTS**
|**STAFF COSTS**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and salaries|**-**|-|
||**2025**|**2024**|
|Average monthly number of employees|**-**|-|
During the year an amount of £20,133 (2024: £16,964) was incurred as a result of contracts entered into with companies offering the service of apprentices.
## **7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
## **8.**
|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**||
|---|---|
||**Plant and machinery etc.**|
||**£**|
|**COST**||
|At 1stJanuary 2025|**16,763**|
|Additions|**0**|
|Retirements|**0**|
|**At 31st December 2025**|**16,763**|
|**DEPRECIATION**||
|At 1st January 2025|**16,763**|
|Charge for year|**0**|
|Retirements|**0**|
|**At 31st December 2025**|**16,763**|
|**NET BOOK VALUE**||
|At 1stJanuary 2025|**0**|
|**At 31st December 2025**|**0**|
|**INVESTMENTS**||
|PROPERTY TRUST FUNDS||
||**£**|
|Market Value Brought Forward at 1stJanuary 2025|**64,047**|
|Additions at Cost|**0**|
|Disposals at Proceeds Value|**0**|
|Realised Gain (Loss) on Disposals|**0**|
|Unrealised Gain (Loss) on Investments|**925**|
|**Market Value at 31st December 2025**|**64,972**|
23
## **Keats Community Library**
## **9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
|**9.**|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Prepayments and advances on account||**0**|**0**|
||Accrued Income||**0**|**0**|
||Other debtors||**0**|**0**|
||||**0**|**0**|
|**10.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**||||
||||**2025**|**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Taxation and social security||**-**|**-**|
||Other creditors and accruals||**21,633**|
**2,940**|
||||**21,633**|
**2,940**|
|**11.**|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**||||
||||**Net**||
||||**movement**||
|||**At 1/1/25**|**in funds**|**At31/12/25**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**Unrestricted funds**||||
||General fund|**486,612**|**27,514**|**514,126**|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|**486,612**|**27,514**|**514,126**|
||Net movements in funds included in the above are as follows:||||
|||**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Movement**|
|||**resources**|**expended**|**in funds**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**Unrestricted funds**||||
||General fund|**101,879**|**(74,365)**|
**27,514**|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|**101,879**|**(74,365)**|
**27,514**|
The movement in funds as stated above includes an unrealised gain of £925 (2024- loss of £361) on Investments.
## **12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There are no related party disclosures.
## **13. PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT CONTROL**
Under regulations which came into force from 6[th] April 2016, companies are required by law to identify People with Significant Control. The Charity, as a Company limited by Guarantee, is within the scope of this legislation and complies with its recording requirements. There are currently no People (whether individuals or a Relevant Legal Entity under the terms of the legislation) who have Significant
24
## **Keats Community Library**
Control over the Charity. In particular, the Charity has more than four Members.
## **14. OPERATING LEASES**
The Charity entered in a new operating lease for its photocopier for 5 years July 2023 at the same fixed cost of £480 per annum to which a charge is added based on each copy made. A new machine was provided. In 2025, the copy charge amounted to £493 (2024: £651) and covers all supplies except paper. The annual obligations for the Photocopier are under £1,000.
## **15. GENERAL VOLUNTEERS**
The role of volunteers is critical to the operation of the Charity. The numbers vary as people move in and out of the area or enter into other commitments. The Charity has a roster of approximately 50 volunteers (including the Trustees) many of whom have been generously helping the Charity since its opening in 2012.
## **16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS**
As stated in the Report, a company controlled by a Trustee provided employment and payment services in respect of the Apprentice without charge or benefit.
Trustees’ expenses, which were immaterial, were not accounted for separately from the expenses of volunteers and contractors.
The Trustees also made donations in kind, such as providing stamps, stationary and supplies to the library as well as their time without charge. None of these donations in kind are considered to be of significant value to merit separate reporting.
Donations by Trustees (as appointed at 31[st] December 2025): Nil
## **17. TRUSTEE INDEMNITY INSURANCE**
The Trustees take out an annual insurance policy for certain risks of operating the library including public liability and employment. Included in the policy is indemnity cover for the Trustees as Directors of a limited company. The overall premium does not identify any specific premium for the part of the policy providing these directors indemnity cover but the Trustees are advised that it amounts to under £200 a year.
25