## Debenham Library ## Foundation School Corner, Debenham Suffolk IP14 6PL ## Report and Financial Statement For the period 1 May 2020 —30 April 2021 Registration details Debenham Library Foundation A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Number 1154313 School Corner, Debenham, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6PL ## Trustees Tony Hutt Chair Richard Blackwell Maureen John Nominee of Suffolk’s Libraries IPS Howard Simpson Pam Harling-Challis ## Bankers The Co-operative Bank, PO Box 240, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, WWN8 6WT Main account: 089299 65674112 00 ## Contents of report |Contents of report|| |---|---| |Introduction|2| |Structure, Governance and Management|3| |Objectives|4| |Achievements and performance|4| |Future plans|4| |Financial|5| DLF report 2020 final 2021 report Page 2 ## Debenham Library ## Foundation ## Introduction ## Report of the trustees for the year ending April 30, 2021 The trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the financial statement for the year ending April 30, 2021. ## Chair’s report There have been no major changes during the year, but the library continues to be well used and numbers are still increasing gradually. All primary school children continue to be registered and there is a weekly session for school children in the library. The Summer Reading Challenge was well supported by children. Four films were shown during the year in the School Hall as follows:- Some Like it Hot 21-6-19 Evita 13-9-19 Yesterday 15-11-19 Sorry, We Missed You 31-1-20 One of these films, Yesterday, had significant local interest content, featuring Ed Sheeran who lives nearby, and various filming locations in Suffolk and Norfolk. All made a profit and attracted regular attendees. Unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic prevented us from showing any more films from March onwards. The Library closed from the week beginning 23 March. During this time, library staff at Debenham have been using online training courses and contacting vulnerable customers. Some book publishers gave permission for video recordings of illustrated children’s books, so staff have published some readings of children’s books on the Debenham Library and Friends Facebook page with help from a volunteer. Some of these featured on Suffolk Libraries’ social media output also. A video tour of the library’s garden was also made and published. This was in addition to the efforts being made by Suffolk Libraries to publicise their various online offerings including eBooks and Audiobooks, plus videos being made by staff at other libraries. Publicity of the Library’s and Friends’ activities continues in Parish Magazines and websites in Debenham and nearby villages, which is broadening with time. Children and young people continue to make good use of the board books, picture books and other resources suited to their age groups. Work in the garden continues, and afternoon teas held during the summer were held outside where possible. One volunteer assists in the library weekly, and occasionally others. The Library Friends meet approximately monthly to plan fund-raising and other events. DLF report 2021 final 2021 report Page 3 ## Debenham Library ## Foundation ## Structure, Governance and Management The DLF was initiated by a local library campaign group, and three of its members were asked to become the founding trustees. In order to ensure continued representation of other bodies, there are also nominated trustees. Three nominating bodies are named in the constitution: Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School, Suffolk’s Libraries IPS and Debenham parish council. The DLF is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and its rules are laid down in the constitution which was approved by the Charity Commission in October 2013. This permits the trustees to appoint additional trustees or ask other community organisations to nominate trustees. These powers have not been used. The Debenham Library Working Group was dissolved after the successful completion of the move of the library to its new premises in September 2016. The trustees delegate work to a ‘Debenham Library Friends Group’ who are a group of volunteers who bring enthusiasm and support to the library whenever a fundraising event is being organized. The trustees oversee the Friends Group and review decisions, to ensure they meet the objectives of the foundation. ## Objectives These are stated in the constitution to be: (and remain unchanged from last year) - (1) T o advance the education of the general public in Debenham, Suffolk, and the surrounding area, in particular but not exclusively by the provision of a lending library. (2) T o further or benefit the residents of Debenham, Suffolk, and the neighbourhood, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other options by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the quality of life for residents. The trustees endeavour to ensure that there is a continuing free public library service in Debenham regardless of any further cuts in local authority spending. The new, larger premises have allowed greater use - especially by children - as well as room hire and DLF report 2021 final Debenham Library ## Foundation 2021 report Page 4 fund-raising activities. This makes for greater sustainability should Suffolk Libraries reduce funding of the library. Longer-term plans include the provision of all-age education programmes, events for various social groups and access to a wide range of services available to the public. No education classes were held during the period, but we continue to look for openings should the demand be present and suitable tutors available. The library can also support economic development both with information and as a meeting place with full access to online and traditional sources. The primary test for additional services will be community benefit but the trustees will also seek to establish income streams which help ensure a continuing library service. ## Performance and Achievements The library continues to be popular with users making the most of the new premises. The provision of refreshments for purchase within the new facility (during opening hours, as well as at fund-raising events) has helped to generate a greater community spirit within the space, as have regular film showings. New members continue to join the library and we are pleased to see that all new primary school children are signed up as members. Colocation with the school has allowed use of the school hall for showing films with a bigger audience, and use of the garden area outside for fund-raising events. ## Future Plans Work on developing services will continue. It is intended to print and distribute a leaflet about the library to all households in Debenham, so that all Debenham residents are aware of the new location and its facilities. DLF report 2021 final ## Debenham Library ## Foundation 2021 report Page 5 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance Sheet at
April 30, 2021
Fixed Assets £0
Current Assets £4692
Cash at bank
Creditors £0
Net current £4692
assets
Restricted Funds £389
Unrestricted £4303
funds
£4692
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## Finance DLF report 2021 final ## Debenham Library ## Foundation 2021 report Page 6 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income and
expenditure
2021
Income Expenditure
Grant £300
funding
Local events £0
Film Events £0
Donations £0
Total £300
Expenditure
Film & Local £0
event
Sundries £339
Benches £24
Net income £-63
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DLF report 2021 final