Registered Charity No. 1148971
Registered Company No. 07776923
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY (Company Limited by Guarantee)
Report and Accounts
31 March 2025
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Company information | 1 |
| Trustee's Report | 2 |
| Statement of director/ trustees responsibilities | 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Movements in Accumulated Funds | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the accounts | 10 |
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Legal and Administrative information
| Directors &Trustees | Philip Bromberg |
|---|---|
| Charles Rudd | |
| Howard Melvyn Hacker | |
| Linda Rosemary Green | |
| Kaushik Bhatticharya (appointed 2 September 2025) | |
| Secretary | Charles Rudd |
| Charity Number | Number: 1148971 |
| Company Number | Number: 07776923 |
| Registered Office | Preston Community Library |
| Henry Cooper House | |
| 160 Carlton Avenue East, | |
| Wembley | |
| HA9 8PL | |
| Independent Examiner | Paul Lorber |
| 17 Stapenhill Road | |
| Wembley HA0 3JF | |
| Bankers | Metro Bank |
| Harrow Branch | |
| HA1 1AS |
Page 1
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees, who are also directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. Their responsibilities include all the responsibilities of directors under the Companies Acts and of trustees under the Charities Act.
The Charity had a successful year raising new funds and developing its activities. There are sufficient funds to continue to pursue its objectives as a going concern.
Name, registered office and constitution of the charity
The full name of the charity is Preston Community Library.
The legal registration details are :-
Date of incorporation 14th September 2012 Company Registration Number 7776923 Charity Registration Number 1148971 The Registered Office is 9 Ravenscroft Avenue Wembley, HA9 9TJ Email: prestoncommunitylibrary@gmail.com
Objectives and Activities of the Charity
A summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its governing document.
To advance the education of the public by running a library. To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Brent and the surrounding area the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
The charity's aims including the changes or differences it seeks to make through its activities
Access is provided to books and study space and computers for children, young people and adults with the aim of providing life long learning opportunities to enable everyone to develop their individual potential through a range of services, events andactivities, with opportunities for self- expression, skill development and extending their knowledge attitude and experience.
Page 2
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
The Charity works in partnership with others to promote the love of books and reading.
Strategic Plan
The charity aims to support, extend and improve a wide range of services, facilities, and opportunities to encourage children and adults to read more and to develop their potential.
Alongside this, the charity continues to participate in local activities and initiatives that contribute to positive cohesion of local neighbourhoods and communities.
The charity considers the needs and interests of members of the local community in developing new activities to ensure as wide ranging participation from the diverse local population.
The trustees monitor and evaluate the work of the charity, against local and national standards in order to ensure that the maximum support and benefits are offered to individuals and groups in the community, that all relevant legislation is met, and guidelines are adhered to. This includes all safeguarding, health and safety, and other mandatory and advisory policies.
The charity also liaises with other relevant and interested parties to work where possible in partnership and for the mutual benefit of all concerned.
The charity aims to provide interesting volunteering opportunities for local people.
Public Benefit
In setting our objectives and planning future activities the Trustees gave careful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidelines on public benefit. The Charity looks to promote our our library and the value of reading and all the related activities for the benefit of local people living and working in the area close to Preston Community Library. Our objective is to help improve the wellbeing and quality of life of local people.
An explanation of the charity's main objectives for the year.
The charity operates a community library and undertakes a variety of activities from its library premises in Preston. It also undertakes book related activities including showing films, history talks,classes, celebrations and provision of public accessible art.
All our projects offer safe and stimulating environments for people of all ages encouraging them to participate and develop by trying something new.
An explanation of the charity's strategies for achieving its stated objectives.
The stated objectives are achieved by working in partnership with local people and other community organisations providing similar facilities.
Page 3
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
Details of significant activities (including its main programmes, projects, or services provided that contribute to the achievement of the stated objectives.
During the year we closed our temporary premises at Ashley Gardens and moved the library back to our new permanent home in Carlton Avenue East.
For most of the year we ran the library in Ashley Gardens with restricted opening hours, due to issues with the site. We started or contined on several crucial projects, completing the cataloguin of over 6000 books. Design for the new space and the fit out continued over the period and finished by December. We moved to our new premises on 10th January. We continued to work on arrangement of the space, training and planning our services until the end of the financial year.
The financial position of the charity is secure and existing activities are well supported by our volunteers and those taking part.
Future Developments
The Trustees will continue to seek additional funding from other sources to sustain and expand the activities of the community library & related activities. We moved into or new permanent building after 31 March 2025 which will help us to develop our objectives.
Structure, Governance and Management
Nature of the Governing Document and constitution of the charity
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is therefore governed by a memorandum and articles of association. The directors of the company are also trustees of the charity. Eligibility for membership of the charity, and membership of the board of trustees is governed by the memorandum and articles of association. There are no restrictions in the governing document on the operation of the charity or on its investment powers , other than those imposed by general charity law.
The organisational structure of the charity and how decisions are made.
Trustees' of the charity meet on a regular basis and agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the charity, including consideration of investment, reserves and risk management policies and performance. Trustees are assisted by a working committee to organise day-to-day activities.
Volunteers of the charity have delegated authority to carry out day to day work within policies and direction agreed by the trustees.
Membership of a wider network
The charity works in partnership with other community libraries in Brent and has ongoing relationship with Brent Council's library service.
The major risks to which the charity is exposed and reviews and systems to mitigate risks
The trustees identify the major risks to which the charity is exposed each financial year when preparing and updating a strategic plan, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity. The trustees then review any major risks which have been identified, and establish systems to mitigate those risks. The charity is satisfied that the systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to the major risks which have been so identified and reviewed.
Page 4
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
Financial Review
The financial results for the period are set out on pages 8 to 9.
Investment and Management Powers
These are vested in the Trustees' and are governed by the memorandum and articles of association of the charity.
Reserves
The Trustees have examined the charitable company's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation and are satisfied that the level of current reserves are sufficient to give the charity a secure future and meet its future obligations.
Transactions and Financial position
The financial statements are set out on pages 8 to 14. The financial statements have been prepared implementing the 2005 Revision of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales (effective April 2005) and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). As stated in the introduction to this report, the trustees consider the financial performance by the charity during the year to have been satisfactory.
The Statement of Financial Activities show net surplus resources for the year of a revenue nature of £17,961 (2024 surplus of £4,383) .
The total reserves at the year end of £84.058 which are well above the charity's current annual level of expenditure.
Specific changes in fixed assets
There were no specific changes to the fixed assets during the year.
Share Capital
The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital.
The Directors and Trustees of the Charity during the Year Ending 31st March 2025
All the directors of the company are also trustees of the charity, and there are no other trustees. All of the trustees who served during the year are named on page 1.
The board has the power to appoint additional trustees as it considers fit to do so.
The directors are members of the company.
Page 5
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Charity at the date the report and financial statements were approved were:-
Philip Bromberg Charles Rudd Howard Melvyn Hacker
Linda Green Kaushik Bhatticharya Bankers and Independent Examiner
These are stated on page 1.
Directors and Trustees Responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Charity Law and the Companies Acts require the Board to prepare financial statements for each financial
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
-observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
-
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
-
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed , subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The trustees are also responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Directors and Trustees' Responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the auditors in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
Method of preparation of accounts
The trustees, in their capacity as directors, state that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Independent Examiner
Mr Paul Lorber was appointed as Independent Examiner by the Board of Directors on 31 March 2022. A resolution proposing Mr Paul Lorber be re-appointed as Independent Examiner of the charity will be put to the Annual General Meeting.
Approval
Approved by the board of Directors and Trustees on 20 December 2025 and signed on its behalf:
Philip Bromberg - Director & Trustee
Page 6
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Independent Examiner's'report to the Trustees of Preston Community Library
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
As trustees of the charity, the members of the company are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts. They 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 needed.
It is my responsibility to
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
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 the management committee concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention
-
which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Paul Lorber Independent Examiner
17 Stapenhill Road Wembley HA0 3JF
Date : 19/12/2025
Page 7
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
Notes
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Incoming Resources | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Incoming Resources from Charitable | |||||||
| activities | |||||||
| Donations inc. Gift Aid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Donations Received in cash 2(a) Donations received in kind 2(b) Other Incoming Resources Miscellaneous Income 3 Interest Receivable on Bank Deposit Total Income Resources Expended Direct Charitable Activity Costs 4 Other Expenditure Management and Administration Expense 6 Governance Costs 7 Total Resources Expended Net Movement of Funds Transfer between Funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total Funds at 31 March 2025 |
17,714 0 0 200 0 8,536 0 1,318 0 0 17,714 10,054 0 9,573 0 0 0 234 0 9,807 17,714 247 -47 47 47 66,050 17,714 66,344 |
17,714 0 200 200 8,536 10,979 1,318 1,150 0 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 27,768 12,329 9,573 7,733 0 0 234 213 |
||
| 9,807 7,946 |
||
| 17,961 4,383 0 0 66,097 61,714 |
||
| 84,058 66,097 |
All the charity's operations are classed as continuing. Movements on reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above.
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form an integral part of these accounts
Page 8
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 8 Current Assets Debtors 9 Cash at Bank and in Hand |
2025 £ - 3,404 86,655 90,059 |
2024 £ - 3,167 65,075 |
|---|---|---|
| 68,242 |
| Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within twelve months 10 Net Current Assets Provisions for liabilities and charges 11 Net assets Funds : Unrestricted Funds 12 Restricted Funds 12 Total Charity Funds |
(6,000) 84,059 - 84,059 66,345 17,714 84,059 |
(2,145) |
|---|---|---|
| 66,097 - |
||
| 66,097 | ||
| 66,050 47 |
||
| 66,097 |
The directors are satisfied that the charitable company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
Members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Approved by the board of Directors and Trustees on 20 December 2025 and signed on its behalf:
Philip Bromberg Director and Trustee
The notes on pages 10 to 14 form an intergral part of these accounts
Page 9
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
1. Accounting Policies
a) Accounting Bases
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and all other applicable accounting standards, as modified by the 2005 Revision of the Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting issued by the Charity Commissioners for England & Wales, effective April 2005. The accounts have been drawn up in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act.
The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement.
b) Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared, on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of freehold land and buildings and fixed asset investments.
The charity is dependent on its ability to generate income from donations, grants and rental contributions and as a consequence the going concern basis is also dependent on its ability to continue to generate income from these sources..
c) Incoming Resources
All income from grants, donations, subscriptions are shown in the accounts in the period in which they are receivable. All income from fund raising activities is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fundraising costs.
d) Investment Income
Bank Interest received is included on an accrued basis
e) Resources Expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accrual basis., inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered.
Expenditure which is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity, they have been apportioned across the cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources.
f) Fundraising Costs
Fundraising expenditure comprises costs incurred in inducing people and organisations to contribute financially to the charity's work. This includes the cost of advertising for donations and the staging of special fundraising events.
Page 10
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
1. Accounting Policies continued
g)Taxation
As a registered charity, the company is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income
and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the company ,
and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities
h) Governance Costs
Governance costs includes those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the including cost of running the charity, renting and running office premises, staff salaries for administrative staff, legal fees, accountancy and audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
i) Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided on the tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of the asset over its expected useful life, at the following rates :
Furniture & Office Equipment 25% on reducing straight line basis Computer Equipment 33.33% on reducing straight line basis
2. Grants & Donations Received in
| 2. Grants & Donations Received in 2(a) received in cash Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre Donation Mayor's Donation Brent Heritage Project 2(a) received in kind Paul Lorber - Independent Examination PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025 3. Miscellaneous Income Quiz Nights & other events donations Yoga, Esol and other classes donations Film activity donations Printing & Book sales donations Gift Aid relating to previous years Gift Aid due for year ended 31 March 2025 Room Hire Other donations 4. Resources Expended Note Direct Charitable Activity Costs Film Expenditure & License Defibrillator Books Heritage Project Operating Expenses 5 5. Operating Expenses |
Restricted Unrestricted £ £ 8,000 0 9,714 0 0 0 17,714 0 0 200 |
2025 2024 Total £ £ 8,000 - 9,714 - 0 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 17,714 - |
||
| 200 200 |
||
| 0 200 |
200 200 |
|
| Restricted Unrestricted £ £ 0 435 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 9,121 0 9,573 Restricted Unrestricted £ £ Page 11 |
2025 2024 £ £ 2,903 4,485 1,731 1,863 732 1,576 140 81 - 33 1,387 2,017 1,600 860 43 64 |
|
| 8,536 10,979 |
||
| 2025 2024 £ £ 435 448 0 629 17 332 0 0 9,121 6,324 |
||
| 9,573 7,733 |
||
| 2025 2024 £ £ |
| Rent 0 0 Catalogue bar codes 0 95 Electricity 0 4,000 Water Charges 0 0 Event refreshments 0 58 Printing & Copier hire & stationery 0 1,296 Equipment replacements 0 1,095 Repairs 0 130 WIFI, phone, website & internet & Zoom 0 737 TV License 0 170 Three Rings volunteer system 0 129 DBS checks 0 0 Cleaning 0 872 Other expenses 0 262 Christmas Tree 0 0 Insurance 0 276 0 9,121 6. Management and Administration Costs These include the general running costs of the charity Accountancy Bank Charges Depreciation 7. Governance Costs Companies House Independent Examination |
0 0 95 302 4,000 2,070 0 0 58 0 1,296 1,334 1,095 0 130 0 737 516 170 159 129 104 0 0 872 998 262 600 0 0 276 241 |
|---|---|
| 9,121 6,324 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 0 0 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 34 13 200 200 |
|
| 234 213 |
Page 12
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
8. Fixed Assets
As at 31 March 2025 the Charity did not own any fixed assets of material value.
| 9. Debtors United Trust interest due Gift Aid due for year to 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025 10. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within twelve months Grants received in advance Utility costs |
2025 2024 £ £ - 1,150 3,404 2,017 |
|---|---|
| 3,404 3,167 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ - - 6,000 2,000 |
| Mayor's event 11. Provision for liabilities and charges Reserve for Premises Reinstatement 12. Analysis of net assets between funds Tangible fixed assets Currents assets Creditor: falling due within one year Creditor: falling due after more than one year Net Assets at 31 March 2025 |
Restricted Unrestricted £ £ 0 0 17,714 72,345 - (6,000) - - 17,714 66,345 |
- 145 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,000 2,145 |
||
| 2025 2024 £ £ 0 0 |
||
| 2025 2024 £ £ 0 0 90,059 68,242 (6,000) (2,145) - - |
||
| 84,059 66,097 |
Page 13
PRESTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2025
| 13. Movement in funds Restricted Special Projects Newspapers Donation Total restricted funds Unrestricted General Funds Total unrestricted funds Total Funds |
2024 Incoming Resources £ £ 47 9,714 0 8,000 47 17,714 66,050 10,054 66,050 10,054 66,097 27,768 |
Outgoing Resources Transfers between Funds 2025 £ £ - -47 9,714 - 8,000 |
|---|---|---|
| - -47 17,714 |
||
| (9,807) 47 66,345 |
||
| (9,807) 47 66,345 |
||
| (9,807) 0 84,059 |
Purpose of Restricted Funds
The restricted funds will be utilised against specified activities for which the grant was provided for.
The Unrestricted reserves at the year end of £66,345 will be utilised for the purposes of the operating expenses, improvements to premises and purchase of additional equipment.
14. Trustees Donations, Remuneration and Expenses
During the period the charity entered into following transactions with members of the trustees:
a) Payments made:
No members of the trustees received fees or expenses in the year. The total amount of £ Nil (2024: £NIL) was paid in the period in respect of fees and expenses.
15. Share Capital
The Charity is incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 and is limited by guarantee, each member having undertaken to contribute such amounts not exceeding one pound as may be required in the event of the company being wound up whilst he or she is still a member or within year thereafter.
16. Winding up or dissolution of the charity
If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remain any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.
Page 14