**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: - = 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; - = to create opportunities to volunteer and make friends, helping to improve mental health and well-being; and - = 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 - 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 - = 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: - a. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; - b. observe the methods and principals in the Charities SORP; - c. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - 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; - 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: - (i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - (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 - (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: - a) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and - 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. Page 14 of 14