Charity registration number: 1153611
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
https://thestationmastershouse.co.uk/
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 - 14 |
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Trustees: | Mrs C French | |
|---|---|---|
| Mr A R Gadd | ||
| Mrs W J Hewitt | ||
| Mrs J Ives | ||
| Dr J P Margham | (Chair) | |
| Mr K B Wallis | ||
| Mr A D Webb | ||
| Treasurer: | Mr A R Gadd | |
| Secretary: | Mrs W J Hewitt | |
| Charity number: | 1153611 | |
| Charity Address: | 2 Liverpool Road | |
| Birkdale | ||
| Southport | ||
| PR8 4AR | ||
| Charity Website: | https://thestationmastershouse.co.uk/ | |
| Independent Examiners: | Lifestyles Accountancy Limited | |
| 39 Kirklees Road | ||
| Southport | ||
| PR8 4RB | ||
| Solicitors: | Hill Dickinson LLP | |
| No. 1 St. Paul's Square | ||
| Liverpool | ||
| L3 9SJ | ||
| Bankers: | Barclays Bank | |
| 265-267 Lord Street | ||
| Southport | ||
| PR8 1PD |
Page 1 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024. The financial statements follow the requirements of the revised Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102) (second edition - October 2019) – Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The organisation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which was registered on 2 September 2013 and amended to a CIO association on 8 February 2022. It is governed by its Constitution.
Recruitment and appointment of the trustees
The board seeks to achieve a balance of skills and experience amongst the trustees. In order to maintain this, the board reviews its skill and experience mix each year and seeks to recruit new trustees when necessary.
There must be at least 4 charity trustees serving at any one time and the maximum number of trustees is 9.
In appointing trustees due consideration is given to ensuring that the trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law. In order to retain our relevance to the needs of the community, we also look to recruit trustees with active experience and first-hand involvement in the sector.
At each AGM of the charity one third of the charity trustees shall retire from office by rotation (or the nearest to one third if not directly divisible by 3). Those having served longest shall be first to retire.
Trustee induction and training
The current board of trustees will provide any new trustee with an overview of the timetable of board meetings, copies of the recent minutes of meetings, the constitution, the recent reports and accounts and explains their general and specific responsibilities.
Ongoing training is provided by the board of trustees as and when the need arises.
Risk management
The trustees are aware of the major risks to which the charity is exposed to and have plans in place to mitigate these as far as possible. A full risk review is planned by the trustees to ensure that all known risks are mitigated as effectively as possible.
Page 2 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objects of the charity
The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
The charitable objects are:
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= to advance the education of the public by fostering lifelong learning, including digital learning, in particular but not exclusively through the provision of books, computers and the internet;
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= to create opportunities to volunteer and make friends, helping to improve mental health and well-being; and
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= to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents of Birkdale and the surrounding area.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The year 2023-24 continued in the same vein as previously, with increases in income from all revenue streams, namely, Sales of books donated by our members, the 200Plus Club monthly draw, Room Hire and Classes, and Functions and Fund Raising. Donations for the year were lower at £592.
A Grant of £3,500 was obtained from Sefton CVS, for the year 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025, £1,750 of this was added to the £3,908 which was received in September 2023, giving £5,658 for this financial year, this grant was used against the cost of running the weekly Warm and Welcome Spaces Initiative.
The number of Volunteers increased to over a hundred and their hard work is reflected in the figures which table a profit of £3,554. A new Home Visit service was started to deliver books to those unable to get out, and a large Jigsaw collection for loan became operational. Both services proved very successful.
We attracted a further 300 new library members, our total membership running at 2,150 at the end of the year.
We continue to print and distribute our quarterly magazine, the Birkdale Buzz, with a higher print run of 3,500. This booklet is well received by the local population and is now considered a mainstay of the locale.
Page 3 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the year the charity received income of £39,516 (2023 - £30,814) and spent £38,202 (2023 - £29,683). At the end of the year the total reserves held by the charity were £66,066 (2023 - £64,752), of which £24,857 was held for restricted purposes.
Reserves policy
The Charity’s policy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance which is sufficient:
-
to preserve the financial viability of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or
-
= unavoidable circumstance precipitate a short-term fall in its income; and
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to enable the Charity, in the interests of meeting its objectives, to undertake from time to time the setting up of new and innovative projects on a pilot basis to demonstrate the
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= viability and potential benefits of such activities as a precursor to securing the external funding necessary to maintain such projects on an on-going basis.
For these purposes the Charity will endeavour to generate and maintain free reserves which are at least 3 months of its annual costs.
As at 30 September 2024, 3 months costs were calculated to be about £9,500, whilst the amount held in free reserves was £39,459. The trustees appreciate that this level is in excess of what is immediately needed but is deemed appropriate for the year since they are still looking to invest in the future of the charity.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
General plans
Plans are afoot to cover the back yard, known as the “Sidings”, with a fixed transparent roof in order to use the space more effectively. The cost will be taken from the Restricted funds for “Access for All”. The work should be completed by Easter 2025.
We are also working on the idea of a Community Workshop to be sited at the Birkdale, Liverpool Road, Methodist Church, any costs will be covered by Sales of Donated Books.
Page 4 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
REMUNERATION OF TRUSTEES
All trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:
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a. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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b. observe the methods and principals in the Charities SORP;
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c. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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d. state whether applicable UK accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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e. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. 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.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 20 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
……………………………… Dr’ Dr J P Margham - trustee P Margham - trustee
Page 5 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BIRKDALE COMMUNITY HUB AND LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
We report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 14.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is our responsibility to:
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(i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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(ii) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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(iii) to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
Our examination was carried out in accordance with 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 trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence 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 our examination, no matter has come to our attention:
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a) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- b) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Daniel Styles (Independent examiner)
for and on behalf of Lifestyles Accountancy Limited
Dated: 24 March 2025
Page 6 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
==> picture [495 x 574] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
2024 2024 2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME
Income from generated funds:
Voluntary income:
Donations and gifts 2 7,726 - 7,726 9,238
Grant income 2 - 3,500 3,500 7,642
Fundraising income 2 2,957 - 2,957 1,510
Other income 2 23,385 - 23,385 11,786
Investment income 3 1,948 - 1,948 638
TOTAL INCOME 36,016 3,500 39,516 30,814
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities 4 32,842 3,120 35,962 27,707
Raising funds 5 2,140 - 2,140 1,876
Governance 6 100 - 100 100
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 35,082 3,120 38,202 29,683
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR 934 380 1,314 1,131
Fund balances at 1 October 2023 40,275 24,477 64,752 63,621
Fund balances at 30 September 2024 41,209 24,857 66,066 64,752
----- End of picture text -----
The notes on pages 9 - 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Computer equipment Equipment and furniture 8 |
Total Total funds funds 2024 2023 £ £ 494 989 1,256 4,686 |
|---|---|
| CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand |
1,750 5,675 64,416 59,177 |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals |
64,416 59,177 100 100 |
| 100 100 |
|
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 64,316 59,077 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 66,066 64,752 |
| FUNDS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 9 & 10 |
24,857 24,477 41,209 40,275 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 66,066 64,752 |
Approved and signed on behalf of the board on 20 March 2025 by:
……………………………… Dr J P Margham - trustee DrJP Margham trustee
The notes on pages 9 - 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's memorandum and articles of association incorporated 1 December 1994, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest whole £.
b Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements where relevant.
c Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
d Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Fund raising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management costs. Management and administration costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
Page 9 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
e Fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Computer Equipment 33% straight line Equipment and Furniture 25% straight line
2 VOLUNTARY INCOME
| Donations and gifts: Donations received Friends subscriptions 200+ club Grant income: Grants received Fundraising income: Other Other income: Room hire Book and online sales Functions and classes Printing |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 592 - 592 628 - 628 6,506 - 6,506 - 3,500 3,500 2,957 - 2,957 3,485 - 3,485 15,552 - 15,552 3,737 - 3,737 611 - 611 34,068 3,500 37,568 |
Total funds 2023 £ 2,408 694 6,136 7,642 1,510 1,815 7,188 2,393 390 30,176 |
|---|---|---|
Page 10 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
3 INVESTMENT INCOME
| Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Bank interest received 1,948 - 1,948 1,948 - 1,948 4 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Administration costs: Birkdale Buzz costs 4,949 - 4,949 Insurance 1,594 - 1,594 Room hire 1,539 - 1,539 Computer costs 381 - 381 Digital costs 725 - 725 TV, telephone and internet 924 - 924 Miscellaneous costs 566 - 566 Postage and stationery 768 - 768 Refreshments 1,052 - 1,052 Property costs: Annual maintenance charges 1,274 - 1,274 Security costs 528 - 528 Repairs and renewals 1,567 1,370 2,937 Electricity and water 5,412 169 5,581 Cleaning and PPE 1,501 - 1,501 Support costs: Bank charges 49 - 49 Books and library costs 3,186 - 3,186 DBS costs 480 - 480 Depreciation 4,485 - 4,485 Donations 100 - 100 Function costs 1,762 1,581 3,343 32,842 3,120 35,962 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
Total funds 2023 £ 638 638 Total funds 2023 £ 2,574 1,392 - 307 4,174 323 20 808 763 826 505 872 3,236 1,184 39 1,519 440 7,195 - 1,530 27,707 |
|---|---|
Page 11 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
5 COSTS OF RAISING FUNDS
| 200+ club prizes Advertising Independent examination GOVERNANCE COSTS |
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 1,599 - 1,599 541 - 541 2,140 - 2,140 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 100 - 100 100 - 100 |
Total funds 2023 £ 1,490 386 1,876 Total funds 2023 £ 100 100 |
|---|---|---|
6 GOVERNANCE COSTS
7 TRUSTEES REMUNERATION
No trustee received any remuneration throughout the year.
Page 12 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
8 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Computer Equipment & Equipment Furniture £ £ COST OR VALUATION At 30 September 2023 10,033 15,398 Additions - 560 At 30 September 2024 10,033 15,958 DEPRECIATION At 30 September 2023 9,044 10,712 Charge for the year 495 3,990 At 30 September 2024 9,539 14,702 NET BOOK VALUE At 30 September 2024 494 1,256 At 30 September 2023 989 4,686 9 Unrestricted Restricted Total funds funds funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Tangible fixed assets 1,750 - 1,750 Current assets 39,559 24,857 64,416 Current liabilities (100) - (100) 41,209 24,857 66,066 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS |
Total £ 25,431 560 25,991 19,756 4,485 24,241 1,750 5,675 Total funds 2023 £ 5,675 59,177 (100) 64,752 |
|---|---|
Page 13 of 14
Birkdale Community Hub and Library
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
10 RESTRICTED FUNDS
| AfA for disabled access Sefton Council - Warm Spaces |
Balance at 1 Oct 23 Income Expenditure £ £ £ 24,477 - (1,370) - 3,500 (1,750) 24,477 3,500 (3,120) |
Balance at 30 Sep 24 £ 23,107 1,750 24,857 |
|---|---|---|
The restricted grants as shown above are for the furtherance of the charitable activities of the charity. The AfA for disabled access is to cover the remaining cost of disabled access modifications to the property, the other grants were "warm space" grants to provide warmth over the winter months for those struggling to afford the rising cost of heating bills.
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