Park View Community Centre Trustees. Report (Charity Number: 11488651 The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2024. Structure, governance and management Nature of governing document The charity is controlled by its governing document. a deed of trust. and constitutes a limited company,limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The Centre is organised and controlled by a Board of Directors which meets as and when required but at least 3 times a year. Recruitment and appointment of trustees Each Director (other than the Nominated Directors) shall retire from office at the conclusion of the fourth Annual Trustees Meeting following the commencement of his or her temi of office but shall then be eligible for reappointment. Induction and training of trustees The training and induction provided for new Directors depends on their existing experience. Where necessary, induction and training is provided on charity, legal and financial matters. All Directors are provided with copies of policies, procedures, minutes, accounts, budgets, plans and other documents that they will need to undertake their role as Directors. As there would usually only be one or new Directors in any year, inductions tend to be done infomially and tailored specifically to the individual(s}. Organisational structure The Directors meet regularly. Decisions at Directors, meetings are made by majority vote with the Chairman having the casting vote on split decisions. The Board of Directors comprise the key management personnel of the charity. No Direclors, remuneration was paid by the charity. Page 1
Objectlves and actlvlties Objects and aims The charity's objectives are for the benefit of the general public and in particular the inhabitants of Chester-le-street and its surrounding areas to promote, without discrimination of sex or political. religious or other opinions, by association with the local authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and provide facilitles in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the condilions of life for Ihe said inhabitants in particular by.. (a) utilising the facilities al Park View Academy, and other appropriate facilities within the area of benefit in the interests of social welfare for recrealion and leisure lime occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants., (b) encouraging the Cowoperation of the Academy and other organisations within the area of benefit to their mutual benefit., {cl co-operating with the Academy in relation to the maintenance, management and, where appropriate, development of facilities available for joint use at the Academy in furtherance of the above objects. Fundraislng disclosures The charily is required to report how il deals with fundraising from the public. The charity does not use a professional fundraiser or commercial participator to raise funds. Any monies raised directly from the public follows all guidelirles set out by the Charity Commission and UK law in every re$kCt. We respect the privacy and contact preferences of all public donors. Public benefit The charity's aims and achievements are set out within this report. The activities set out in this report have been undertaken to further the charivs charilable purposes for the public benefil. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Acl 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidan published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Going concern The Trustees have prepared forecasts that show that the Centre will not be able to continue as a going concern. The difficubl decision to close the Centre was agreed by Trustees. Achievements and perfonnance Despite the Centre's ongoing commitment to community engagement and the delivery of high- quality provision in areas such as sport and performing arts, the 2023-25 financlal years have been particularly challenging. The CentTe has slruggled to raise suffiaent revenue streams from community activities, particularly beyond its core sports and perforniing arts offerings. While these areas continue to show strength in both participation and impact, other activities have not generated the income required to cover operating costs. The rising costs of staffing, including casual roles, required to Page 2
ensure health, safety and legal compliance for all users have further compounded the financial strain. Moreover, the charity has been unable to secure the level of grant funding needed to maintain Park View Community Centre as a viable, ongoing concern. Although efforts have been made to attrad funding, compekn'tion has been high, and successful bids have been limited. The Centre's relian on a small team ,induding Trustees and the Centre Manager, means that the operational burden of running the Cèntre, generating incorne, and managing compliance requirements has placed unsustainable demands on their time. This has created a conflict bebNeen day-to-day management and the strategic time needed to drive fOard new income- generating initiatives. As a result of these issues, the Centre fell into arrears for the use of the premises and has been unable to recover sufficiently to avoid closure. The decision to cease operath'ons from 31 March 2025 was therefore taken with deep regret but in recognition of the Centre's unsustainable financial position. Despite these challenges, Ihe Centre was able to deliver some positive work in the community during the year. Notably, the Fun and Food grants enabled the provision of free, high-qualtty multi-sport activities for primary-aged children during holiday periods. including education around healthy lifestyles and food preparation. The Centre remains proud of the social impact it has had over the years and of the tireless efforts of ils small team of Trustees, staff and volunteers in trying to maintain provision in the face of growing financial pressures. The following grants have been received during the year. Durham County Council Fun and Food grant £2,040 Durham County Council Fun and Food giant £1,760 The Fun and Food grants enable the Community Centre to provide free sessions to primary school age children during the school holidays. Each day the children participate in multi-sports activities delivered by qualified sports coaches. As part of the sessions children learn about healthy food options and what was involved in preparing their lunch. Financial review The charity generated income of£108,18712023= £115,502) and expenditure of £127,630 (2023.. £116,698) resulting in a deficit of £19,44312023- £1,196). Policy on reserves The Centre is required to raise and maintain an income by way of grants, donations and charges for services to meet its immediate financial needs for facilities access, staffing, materials, equipment, the purchase of external services and to continue to build on its resetves in order to continue to provide for future capital and revenue needs. Page 3
The Centre currently holds its financial resources in a charge free current account, providing immediate access for regular spending commitrnents and a number of investment accounts for its savings and investment needs. Regular reports on the status of these accounts are provided to the Board of Directors by the Finance Officer. Future revenue needs of the Association include an annual facilities access charge. payab5e to the Academy, ongoing staffing costs, maintenance, repairs and renewals, materials, services, rents, taxes, subscriptions, Sections expenses (Member Sections of the Association) and general overheads. At the year end reseeS were £12,677 {2023.' £32.120), a decrease of £19,443 in the year. Principal fundlng sources The principal sourGes of revenue funding during the period were.. Durham County Council., Self generated income from classes held and the hire of facslities. Key Managoment Personnel The board, who give their time freely, and trustees receive no remuneration in the year. have considered thal there is no Key Management Personnel (KMPI within the charity. Plans for future periods Following an in-depth review of the C8ntre's financial performance and sustainability, the Trustees have taken the difficult decision to formaSly close Park View Community Centre from 31 March 2025. This decision was not taken lighlly but refiecls the Centre's ongoing and increasing financial challenges, which have made continued operation untenable. Over the course of the 2023-present, the Centre experienced a decline in overall income, coupled with rising operational costs. Despite determined efforts by Trustees, staff and partners to secure additional grant funding and increase revenue through community activity. the Centre was unable to generate sufficient funds lo meet its financial obligations, including rental and facilities charges owed to Park View Academy. As a result, arrears accrued and financial projections indicated that future income would be unlikely to cover core costs without substantial and sustained externa5 support. Multiple options were explored to maintain the Centre's viability, including restructuring staffing, reducing operating hours, and exploring new funding opportunities. However, these measures were ultimately insufficient to guarantee long-term sustainability. Trustees were also mindful of the increasing workload and pressure placed on a small core team to maintain operations safely and complianuy within limited capacity, a situation that had become increasingly unsustainable. While the Centre will cease to operate in its current form, Trustees are committed to ensuiing an orderly and responsible wind-down. The closure will include clear communication with partners, hirers and community groups; a review of remaining commitments and liabilities,. and an effort to Page 4
honour outstanding obligations wherever possible. Trustees will also explore whether any elemenls of provision might continue under different models or partnerships in the future. The Board wishes to place on record its gratitude to the local community, volunteers, staff. and partner organisations who have supported the Centre over many years. While the decision to close is a sad one, the legacy of positive impact and community benefit delivered through Park View Community Centre remains something to be proud of. Statement of Trustees, Responslbllltles The trustees (who are also the directors of Park View Community Cenlre for the purposes of ompany lawl are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial slatemenls in accordan¢e with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and appliGable law and regulations. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of ils incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charrties SORP., make judgements and eslimates that are reasonable and prudent-, state whether appliGable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial stalements., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 21.03.25 and signed on its behalf by.. Dr W F Dennison Page 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Park View Communlty Centre (Charity Number: 1148865) I report to the trustees on my examination of Ihe accounts of Park View Community Centre for the year ended 31 August 2024. Responsibillties and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation ()f the accounls in aG¢ordance with the Charities Art 20111"the Act'i. You consider that the audit requirement of section 144{2) of the Act does not apply. It is my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Acl, follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ibl of the Act, and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examlnefs report My èxamination was carried out in accordan 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 the trustees concerning such matters. The prOdureS 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 examinefs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me rèasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordan with section 130 of the Act., and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply wilh the accounting requirements of the Act 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. Signed: Date: Relevant posltlon: Community Finance Volunteer I,S2f. Page 6
PARK VIEW COMMUNITY CENTRE (Registration number: 08174241) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024 Total 2024 Totsl 2023 Fixed Assets 19731 20198 Current Assets 12041 20848 Creditors: amounts falllng due within one year 1190951 189261 Net current assets (liabilities) 170541 11922 Total a55ets less current liablliites 12677 32120 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Total Net Assets {Ilabilities) 12677 32120 Resernies 12677 32120
PARK VIEW COMMUNITY CENTRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Income Charitable Activies Other Trading Activities 100708 7479 104472 11030 Total Income 108187 115502 Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities 150711 11237531 133951 11133031 Total Expenditure 11288241 11166981 Net Expenditure 1206371 111961 Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds brought forward 33314 33316 Total of Funds Carried Forward 12677 32120