## 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**
1
## 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.
2
## 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.
3
## 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:
1. Annual salaries – the trustees will be able to reduce this figure and reserves going forward.
2. Essential costs. For example, public liability and contents insurance.
3. Scarcity of grants in the current economic climate.
4. 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)
4
## 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
5
## 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|
|---|---|---|---|
6
## 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)
7
## 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.
8
## 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.
9