Ackworth Community Library
Charity number 1152172
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Ackworth Community Library
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 2 to 4 |
| Examiner's report | 5 |
| Receipts and payments account | 6 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | 8 to 9 |
Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO
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Ackworth Community Library
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2025
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates Sharon Pickering Chair Wendy Bell Geoff Robinson Harry Malkin Emily Coburn-Hall Resigned 18 March 2025 Matthew Lister Charity number 1152172 Registered in England and Wales Registered and principal address Bankers Parish Council Community Centre CAF Bank Ltd Bell Lane 25 Kings Hill Avenue Ackworth West Malling Pontefract Kent WF7 7JH ME19 4JQ
Independent examiner
Katy Sargeant
West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) foundation formed on 23 May 2013 and is governed by a constitution as amended on 6 December 2017.
Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees
The trustees of the charity are appointed by the members at the AGM.
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Ackworth Community Library
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities
The charity's objects
To advance education of the public in the Parish of Ackworth in West Yorkshire and its environs, by the running and management of a community library for the benefit of the said residents.
To promote for the benefit of the residents of Ackworth and its environs 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 life of the said inhabitants.
The charity's main activities
We provide free access to our members to over 12,000 books. These include adult, teenage and children’s books. They cover a wide range of genres including fiction, non-fiction, reference, talking books and large print books.
Members have access to a range of computers and the internet for a minimal charge. Unwaged and job seekers have free access and advice on preparing CVs and job hunting.
We support a wide range of community events and organisations across the village throughout the year.
Public benefit statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of education. In addition, we are committed to enabling as many people as possible to gain access to information for knowledge and pleasure through the provision of books and online access. We provide free and open access for everyone to become part of our village community.
We have provided a warm space over the winters months and offered free hot drinks and newspapers to read. The library is a welcoming and homely place, that both benefits the community and is valued by the community.
Achievements and performance
A Year of Growth and Resilience
The past year has been one of continued growth for the charity, marked by impactful projects and the ongoing strengthening of community ties. Despite staff changes, the charity has not only maintained momentum but has broadened its reach and deepened its local impact.
Staff Changes and Development
In March 2025, we said farewell to Debbie, whose creativity and enthusiasm enriched our Storytime sessions and children's programming. We sincerely thank her for her valuable contributions and wish her every success in the future.
Volunteer Contributions
Volunteers remain the backbone of our operations, with a team of 12 supporting both in-library work and outreach events. Their efforts have enabled work experience placements for students from local high schools and New College, helping young people build confidence and skills. The consistent weekly support and enthusiastic participation in weekend activities are invaluable, and we are always pleased to welcome new volunteers.
Community Engagement and Support
The library has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the community. A key initiative this year was the continuation of our Warm Space offering throughout the colder months—made possible by generous contributions from local businesses. This project provided vital support during a time of widespread need.
Our membership continues to grow steadily, and the popularity of our children’s programmes and seasonal celebrations remains high. The lively Friday morning Storytime sessions and weekly coffee mornings continue to embody the spirit of community that defines our library.
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Ackworth Community Library
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance continued
Community Partnerships and Training
Our partnerships with local schools have grown stronger, with regular book loans, library visits, and Duke of Edinburgh placements offered.
Fundraising and Social Events
Fundraising has been a highlight again this year. We have participation in local galas, and weekly coffee mornings continue to serve as both a social and fundraising cornerstone. Other initiatives—including seasonal raffles, literary evenings and craft sessions .
Impact on Beneficiaries and Society
Our charity's impact over the year has been deeply felt. From offering educational opportunities to creating inclusive spaces, from building partnerships to meeting social needs—the work we do continues to enrich lives. The Warm Space project, growing school collaborations, and thriving events calendar demonstrate our lasting commitment to serving the community.
Membership growth and increased participation reflect the real, positive difference we’re making. Through our diverse programmes and ongoing innovation, we remain dedicated to social, cultural, and educational enrichment for all.
Financial review
The net receipts for the year were £4,626, comprising net receipts of £4,626 on unrestricted funds.
Reserves policy
The charity's free reserves, at the year end were £33,885.
The calculation of reserves has been based on the following considerations:
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Annual salaries – the trustees will be able to reduce this figure and reserves going forward.
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Essential costs. For example, public liability and contents insurance.
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Scarcity of grants in the current economic climate.
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Closure costs. This would include estimates of redundancy payments and disposal of assets.
We are required to produce two figures for reserves:
Minimum : If it seems likely that the reserves would fall below this figure in any future three month period, an emergency meeting will be convened with trustees and staff to discuss alternatives. However, should the reserves fall below this figure the trustees will be asked to close the library. The liabilities to cover a three-month closure period have been estimated as follows:
Salaries: £3,800 Closure Costs: £5,000 Total: £8,800
Maximum : Should the reserves rise above this figure, the trustees will be asked to sanction disposal of the excess income, either with the inception of new projects, suspending further grant applications, passing the excess to another charity or any combination of these three options.
Salaries: £18,000 Essential Costs: £5,000 Closure Costs: £5,000 Total: £28,000
The trustees recognise that the free reserves at year end are currently in excess of the maximum stated in the policy, and will therefore review the policy, and if they decide this is still an appropriate figure they will look at ways to expend these excess funds in the coming year.
Approved by the board of trustees on 6/11/25
Wendy Bell (Trustee)
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Ackworth Community Library
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Ackworth Community Library
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Katy Sargeant
12/11/25
West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
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Ackworth Community Library Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes 2025 Unrestricted funds £ Receipts Grants and donations (2) 13,133 Sales 11,822 Bank interest 264 Other income 446 Total receipts 25,665 Payments Staff costs 17,540 IT expense 340 Insurance 96 Miscellaneous 165 Phone and broadband 568 Printing and advertising 417 Bank charges 78 Events 493 Raffle tickets - Independent examination 454 Subscriptions 114 Supplies 553 Repairs and maintenance 160 Professional fees - Platform fees 61 Total payments 21,039 Net receipts / (payments) 4,626 Fund balances brought forward 29,259 Fund balances carried forward (3) 33,885 |
2025 Restricted funds £ 4,836 - - - 4,836 4,836 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4,836 - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 17,969 11,822 264 446 30,501 22,376 340 96 165 568 417 78 493 - 454 114 553 160 - 61 25,875 4,626 29,259 33,885 |
2024 Total funds £ 24,912 10,391 229 165 35,697 20,168 265 96 192 915 397 81 1,506 454 114 203 - 800 - 25,191 10,506 18,753 29,259 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ackworth Community Library Statement of assets and liabilities
| as at 31 March 2025 2025 Unrestricted £ Cash funds Cash at bank 33,885 Total cash funds 33,885 Debtors and prepayments Prepayments Assets retained for the charity's own use Approximately 12,000 books 6 computers Chairs, tables and bookshelves Water boiler Till 2 printers Shed (The charity retains a full register of assets) Liabilities Accruals Taxation and social security |
2025 Restricted £ - - |
2025 Total £ 33,885 33,885 2025 £ 1,271 1,271 2025 £ 528 165 693 |
2024 Total £ 29,259 29,259 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 6/11/25
Wendy Bell (Trustee)
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Ackworth Community Library
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
Taxation
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
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Ackworth Community Library
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2 Grants and donations The Brelms Trust The Co-op Sir George Martin Other donations 3 Restricted funds The Brelms Trust Fund name The Brelms Trust |
2025 2025 2025 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds £ £ £ - 4,836 4,836 500 - 500 2,000 - 2,000 10,633 - 10,633 13,133 4,836 17,969 Balance b/f Incoming Outgoing Transfers £ £ £ £ - 4,836 4,836 - - 4,836 4,836 - Purpose of restriction Towards the salary costs of the library assistant. |
2024 Total funds £ 4,836 3,155 - 16,921 24,912 Balance c/f £ - - |
|---|---|---|
4 Related party transactions
Trustee expenses
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
Trustee remuneration and benefits
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
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