Park View Community Centre Trustees. Report (Charlty Number: 1148865) 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 2025. Structure, govemance and management Nature of govemlng document The charity is controlled by its governing documenl, a deed of trusl, and constitutes a limited company,limrted by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The Centre is organi5ed and controlled by a Board of Directors which meets as and when required but at least 3 times a year. Recruilment and appolntment of trustees Each Director lolher than the Nominated Directors) shall retire from office at the conclusion of the fourth Annual Trustees Meeting following the CommenMent of his or her term of office but shall then be eligible for reappointment. Induction and tralning of trustees The training and induction provided for new Diredors depends on their existing experien. 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 two new Directors in any year, inductions tend to be done informally and tailored specifically to the individual{s). Organisational structure The Directors meet regularly. Decisions at Directors, meetings are made by majorrty vote with the Chaiman having the casting vole on split deasions. The Board of Directors comprise the key management personnel of the charity. No Directors, remuneration was paid by the charity. Page 1
Objectives and activities Objects and aims The charity's objectives are for the benefit of the general public and in particular the inhabitants of Chester-le-streel and its surrounding areas lo 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 facililies in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants in particular by= (al utilising the facilities at Park View Academy, and other appropriate facilities within the area of benefit in the inlerests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants., (bl encouraging the co-operation of the Academy and other organisations within the area of benefit to their mutual benefrt., {cl co-operating with the Academy in relation lo the maintenance, management and, where appropriale, development of facilities available forjoint use at the Academy in furtherance of the above objecls. Fundraising disclosures The charity 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 guidelines set out by the Charity Commission and UK law in every respect. We respect Ihe privacy and contact preferenS of all public donors. Publlc 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 charity's charitable purposes for the public benefit. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 201110 have due regard to the public benefit guidan published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Going concern The Trustees havé prepared forècasts Ihat show thal the Centre wlll not be able to continue as a going concern. The difficult decision to close Ihe Centre was agreed by Trustees. Achievements and perfonnance Despite the Centre's ongoing commitment to community engagem8nt and the delivery of high- quality provision in areas such as sport and performing arts, the 2023-25 financial years have been particularly challenging. The Centre has struggled to raise sufficient revenue streams from community activities, particularly beyond its core sports and performing arts offerings. While these areas continue to show strength in both participation and impact, other activities have not generated the income required lo 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 cOnrn. Although efforts have been made to attract funding, competition has been high, and successful bids have been limited. The Centre's reliance on a small team, including Trustees and Ihe Centre Manager, means that the operational burden of running the Centre, generating income, and managing compliance requirements has placed un5UStainable demands on their lime. This has created a conflict between day-to-day management and the strategic time needed to drive forward new income generaling 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 operab.ons from 31 March 2025 was therefore taken with deep regret but in recognition of the Centre's unsustainable financial position. Despite these challenges, the 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-quality multi-sport activities for prirnary-aged children during holiday periods, including education around healthy lifestyles and food preparation. The Centre remains proud of the social impact il has had over the years and of the tireless efforts of its small team of Trustees, staff and volunteers in trying to maintain provision in the face of growing financial pressures. Financial review The charity generated income of £71,93912024.' £108,187) and expenditure of £82,917 (2024: £127,630) resulting in a deficit of £10,978 (2024.. Deficit of £19,443}. Policy on reserves The Centre is required lo raise and maintain an income by way of grants, donations and charges for ServIS to meet its immediate financial needs for facilities access, staffing. materials, equipment, the purchase of exiemal services and to continue to build on ils reserves in order lo continue to provide for future capital and revenue needs. The Centre currently holds its financial resources in a charge free current account, providing immediate access for regular spending commitments 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, payable to the Academy, ongoing staffing costs, maintenance, repairs and renewals, materials, services, rents, taxes, subscriptions, Sections expenses (Member Sections of the Associab'on} and general overheads. Page 3
Principal funding sources The principal sources of revenue funding during the period were.. Durham County Council., Self genera*ed income from classes held and the hire of facilities. Key Management Personnel The board, who give their time freely, and trustees receive no remuneration in the year, have considered that there is no Key Management Personnel {KMP} within the charity. Plans for future perlods Following an in-depth review of the Centre's financial perforrnan and sustainability, the Trustees have taken the difficult decision to formally close Park View Community Centre from 31 March 2025. This decision was not taken lightly but reflects 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 wrth 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 to 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 external support. Multiple options were explored lo maintain the Centre's viability. inGluding restructuring staffing. reducing operating hours, and exploring new funding opportunities. However, these measures were ultimately insufficient to guarantee long-tem sustainability. Trustees were also mindful of the increasing workload and pressure placed on a small core team to maintain operations safely and compliantly 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 ensuring an orderly and responsible wind-down. The closure will include clear communication with partners, hirers and community groups,. a review of remaining commrtments and liabilities,. and an effort to honour outstanding obligations wherever possible. Trustees will also explore whether any elements 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. Page 4
statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The trustees (who are also the directors of Park View Community Centre for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law Ihe trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of Ihe charitable company and of its 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 Charities SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., stale whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., 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 Ihat 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 Ihat the financial slatements comply wilh 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 05.09.25 and signed on its behalf by.. Dr W F Dennison Page 5
Independent Examlner's Report to the Trustees of Park View Community Centre (Charity Number: 1148865} I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Park View Community Centre for the year ended 31 August 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 20111 the Act.). You consider that the audit requirement of section 144{2} of the Act does nol apply.11 is my responsibility to. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act, follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515){b) of the Act. and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charty 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 matt8rs. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden 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 examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance wilh section 130 of the Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with Ihe accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act have been met. Signed: Relevant position: Community Finance Volunleer Date: 08.10.25 Page 6
PARK VIEW COMMUNITY CENTRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 Totsl 2024 Totsl 2023 Incomt Charitable Artivies Other Trading Activitie5 71593 346 100708 7479 Totsl Income 71939 108187 Expenditure on.. Raising Fund5 Charitable Activities 150711 11237531 82917 Total Expenditure 82917 11288241 Net Expenditure 154856 1206371 Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds brought forward 12677 33314 Total of Funds Carried Forward 1699 12677
PARK VIEW COMMUNITY CENTRE (Registration number: 08174241) Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2024 Total 2024 Total 2023 Fixed Assets 1699 19731 Current Assets 12041 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 1190951 Net current assets Iliabilitie51 170541 Total assets less current liabiliites 1699 12677 Creditors: amounts falllng due after more than one year Total Net Assets Iliabilitie51 1699 12677 Reserves 1699 12677