## **Berkeley Books – Annual Report and Accounts** ## **For the year ended 31 March 2024** ## **Registered Charity 1149718 Company Number - 07840781** ## **Introduction** Berkeley Books has now been supplying library and community services since November 2011 when it was taken over by the Community in order to prevent closure by Gloucestershire County Council. The purpose continues to ensure the existence of a modern library service in Berkeley, and to allow the continuing development and range of community services offered in line with local and community needs. As noted in the report last year the current building is beyond economic repair. Following a sustained and successful fundraising programme the majority of the funds to build a new library and community hub have been secured. Work is planned to commence in the next few months on the first phase of the project. Completion of this first phase is expected in May/June 2025. ## **Management Berkeley Books** The management structure consists of the following: - a. There are currently four Trustees who ensure that all relevant regulations are met; set the policies and procedures for the long term where appropriate and are responsible for governance. One of whom is a District Councillor, and the other three are retired professionals. - b. A committee that handles the tactical decisions: management of Berkeley Books including low level fundraising and reports to the Trustee Board. - c. A paid Manager who reports to a Trustee and attends the trustees’ meetings. - d. A number of volunteers (currently 12) who issue books assist with various activities, including housekeeping, grounds maintenance and cleaning. ## **Activities** The number of community activities offered has grown over time in line with changing and ongoing local and community requirements, these include: - a. Job Club – CV writing, Practice interviews, how to find jobs etc - b. Well Being – Book prescription Service, Outpost for local nursery, partnership with local Medical Centre, Pop up Vaccination Centre, NHS medical health Check Centre. - c. Young People – Summer Reading Challenge, Reading Badges for Brownies, Rainbows and Cubs, story competition for Scouts, D of E etc. - d. Information Technology – computer club for elderly and the nervous novice, free use of computers and Family History software, online banking, job seeking, use of copiers etc. - e. Activities – craft club, gardening club, art club, poetry club, crochet club, book club, historical society, WI book reading club and a film club. ## **Financial** Berkeley Books continues to be financially self-sustaining, running fundraising events alongside a grant from Gloucestershire County Council to fund the operational activity of the library. With the advent of the new building, it is hoped that income streams will increase from lettings of the new bright and modern meeting places that this new build will provide. The new library building and community hub will cost in the region of £600k and fundraising from various sources has secured nearly 90% of what is required allowing work to start. Grants application and appeals are in place to secure funds for the balance. ## **Summary** The financial year 2023/24 has been one of hard work by the trustees, committee and volunteers to ensure the library stays open and the new build happens. This is now coming to fruition and the coming year should see all of the hard work and planning turn into reality, providing the town of Berkeley with a well-deserved new facility. ## _John Stanton_ **Chairman – Berkeley Books** **30/11/24** Berkeley Books Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Tumover 3,099 2,808 Cost of sales (1,501) (259) Gross profft 1,598 2,549 AdministratNe expenses Other operating income (33,731) 38.175 (17.581) 60,874 Operating profit 6.042 45.842 Intcrcst receivablc 5.977 2.158 Proflt before tsxation 12.019 48.000 Tax on profit Profit for the financial year 12.019 48.000 Berkeley Books Registered number: Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 07840781 Notes 202 2023 Fixed assets Tangible assets 16.778 890 Current assets SLvLK> Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 3.200 9.413 162.528 175,141 500 167,766 171.266 Credltors: amounts falling due within one year (142) (148) Net current assets 171.124 174.993 Net assets 187.902 175.883 Capltal and reserves Profit and 1055 account 187.902 175,883 Sharnholdèrfs funds 187.902 175,883 The director is sabsfied that the company is entsued to exemption from the requirement to obtain an auuil ui IU¢i ￿LiVi• 477 uf Uie CuiiiydilieS AL"I 2000. The member has not required the company to obtsin an audrt in accordance with section 476 of the The director ackn(Ntrlges his responsibilities for eomptying wrth the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparabon of accounts. The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special prowsions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The profit and loss account has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. Mr E Camper Director Approved by the board on 3 October 2024 Berkeley Books Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 March 2024 Thi5 schedule does not ft)nn part of the statutory accounts 2024 2023 Sales Sales 3.099 2,808 Cost of sales Purcha•e Decreaselincrease in stocks 200 (725) 259 1.501 Admlnlstrdtlve expenses Employee costs: Wages and salar￿S Stsff training and welfare 9,751 304 10,055 8,883 63 Premises costs: Rates Light and heat Cleaning 126 3.058 263 3,447 74 1.822 238 2,134 General administrative expenses: Telephone and intemet Stats"onery aiid priiiiiiig Bank charges Insurance Software Repairs and maintenan Depreciats'on 490 431 1,514 85 1.418 110 2.021 297 5,445 1.029 125 4,558 7,026 Legal and professional costs: A¢eeuntancy fee) Consultancy fees Other legal and professional 1,020 12.100 83 13.203 900 1,056 33.731 17,581 Other operating income Grant Donations Fund-raising 30,299 53,737 1,330 38,175 1.193 60,874 | CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examinerfs report on the FOR ￿LAND AND WALES | accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs RepcKt Report Lu tho trustees Berkeley Books Vn acGounts lor the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no lrfany 1149718 Set out on pages I I report to the Irustees on my examinats.on of the accounts of the above charity (tr Trust") for year ended 3110312024 ResponslbllltSe8 and basis of report As the charty's trustees, you are responsible fof the preparation of the accounts in accordance with thp. re￿￿1reM•ntr of the CharTtio6 Act 2011 ('the A(#l, ft r¢port in r¢Jpetst uf li iy VAdl Iiiiwiivii uf Tru￿.3 accourns cameo OLrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in ¢arying out my examination, I have followed all the apFAicable Direcbons given by th6 Charrty Commission urKler se(*ion 14515)(b) of the Acl. Indopondont I havo cornplotod my ¢xomtnalion. l Gonfim) th41 tiu iii•l¥i idl Illi*Uw¥b lii*Ve examiner's statsment come to my attentsc￿ in connecbon with the examination which gives me cause to bel*ve that in, any matenal respeQ.' the accountirHJ records ￿￿e not kept in accordance wilh section 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts dMI not with the aceouftting r•cords: or the accounts did r￿t comply wrth the applicable requiremenls concerning Ihe fom) and content of accounts set OLrt in the Charities (ACU￿[11¥ eiiNJ Reports) Regulallons 2(X)8 other man any requirement that the account5 give a Irue and fair v*w which Js r￿t a matter Cor￿Idered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which atterrtion should be drawn in this report in oraer io enatJ* a proper undersla￿lng of accounts to be reached. Signed: 2qlii12 Nam•: s_ R•lovant prof￿101￿1 qualifirationls) or body 111 any): Address: IER Oct 2018