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 Commen￿Ment 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.
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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 preferen￿S 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
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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 cOn￿rn. 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 ServI￿S 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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