Howden le Wear Village Hall
Report for year ending 31[st] July 2024
The year has seen further improvements to our facilities with the installation of new blinds for the windows and the replacement of the floor in the main hall following the installation of a new kitchen last summer. We would like to thank the councillors especially Patricia Jopling and Anne Reed for their continued support which is much appreciated. Numbers of members of the community using the Village Hall have increased with the introduction of new activities by our key user Village Friends including the Connect Group, Men’s Night, and Chair Aerobics Session to supplement their popular weekly drop in café. We would also highlight the growth of the Tiny Feet baby and toddler group which means that our facilities are used by people of all ages from the local community including the Scouts, History Society, Craft Group, Art Group, Howden Live Music Group, Creative Writing Group and Zumba class. Financially conditions remain challenging with energy bills alone having increased by 28% in the past year while income has remained static even when boosted by donations from funerals and the use of the hall as a polling station in local and national elections. Reluctantly we would propose that the hire fees are increased to ensure that we can continue to afford to heat the hall to a comfortable level in the winter for the benefit of all users. We already have a music licence, and we would now propose that we obtain a motion picture licence at a cost of £326 + VAT per annum to allow us to introduce film nights as part of our regular range of activities. Negotiations for the lease of the garden are continuing with Hewitt’s Solicitors of Bishop Auckland acting on our behalf and we are awaiting the return of local searches and other enquiries relating to the land before proceeding to the completion of the lease. Next year is the thirtieth anniversary of the foundation of Howden le Wear History Society a thriving group which has made a great contribution to the like of the Village over the years, and we look forward to hosting an exhibition celebrating this milestone in the Society’s history next year.
Alan Bowman
Chair
Howden le Wear Village Hall Society
Income and Expenditure Accounts for the Twelve Months 01/08/2023 to 31/07/2024
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Room Hire | 5129.00 (6110) |
| Donations | 573.14 |
| Grants Restricted Funds | 4000.00 |
| Total | 9702.14 |
| Expenditure | |
| Energy | 3895.88 (3040) |
| Water | 374.36 (359) |
| Communications | 656.16 (629) |
| Property Repairs/Maintenance | 13044.66 |
| Insurance & Licences | 1111.11 (976) |
| Sundries | 115.67 |
| Total | 19197.84 |
| Bank Account Reconciliation 31/07/2024 | |
| Cash in Hand 31/07/2023 | 265.36 |
| Bank 31/07/2023 | 42929.11 |
| Income | 9702.14 |
| Expenditure | 19197.84 |
| Bank 31/07/2024 | 33377.25 |
| Cash in Hand 31/07/2024 | 321.52 |
Notes to Accounts
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Property Repairs and Maintenance includes expenditure of £10,137.30 on kitchen refurbishment supported by a DCC Grant of £8,000
-
Sundries are expenses relating to repairs to the Jubilee Park Mosaic and a donation to RBL Poppy Appeal
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Donations are the collection at the funerals of Jean Maughan and Cyril Clement plus collections from the dog show and railway exhibition
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Insurance cover for tenants improvements has been increased to cover the refurbishment of the kitchen.
-
Restricted Funds DCC Floor Grant
Grant Received £4000 Cheques Issued £3658.49
- 6 Restricted Funds: Defibrillator Account
Balance 1/8/23 £1091.10 New Pads 71.94 Electricity Charge 30.00 Balance 1/8/24 £989.16
- £450 is due from DCC in respect of the use of the Village Hall as a Polling Station.