- Vernon Institute (V.I.) Charity No. 1156797 – ’ - AGM Chair s Report Tuesday November 8[th] , 2022
Comments: This report covers the period from November 2021 to October 2022 The Vernon Institute is known locally as the V.I.
Name of the Trustees of the Vernon Institute CIO for this period
Chris Harman – Chair Jenny Young – Vice Chair Peter Young – Secretary Harry Dobson – Treasurer Kay Parry Claire Nicholas
Governance
This report covers the period from November 2021 through to the end of October 2022. The following trustees were re-elected –as trustees at the November 2021 AGM. Jenny Young Harry Dobson Kay Parry
The Trustees key focus this year have been progressing with the recommendations of the comprehensive damp report commissioned this time last year which covered the main building and the 3 of the 4 cottages that we own.
Financial
Our accounts for the year ending 5[th] April 2022 showed a surplus of £11,641 – due to the a Council grant paid to support Covid lost revenue in 2021 – this was mentioned in my last report.
The treasurer’s report contains some detailed highlights of the financials and a copy of the accounts, which will be submitted to the Charity Commission once audited and before the January 2023 deadline.
Peter Harris our independent accountant - provides the Trustees with the accounts, management reports, budgeting, and advice on financial decisions and is still in the process of completing the annual audit with our independent auditor.
This year we have reviewed our fixed investments and currently we are not making any changes. I would like to thank Peter for his continued support to the Trustees over the last 12 months.
Reserves
The cash reserves have been maintained in the last year and we now have £20,040 in a deposit account earning a small amount of interest.
Part of the rainy-day reserve may be needed, as we are still working through the recommendations from the damp survey.
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Main Buildings
The last year we have decorated both the halls and we have replaced a skylight and replastered the staircase to the snooker room both were part of the damp report repairs.
Property
The four cottages are let to the same long-term tenants and the rental income was on budget with no arrears at the end of the year.
The management of these properties is provided by Teal Estates, who continue to deliver a good service over the last 12 months, managing the tenant relationship, maintenance, and legalities on all our properties. There has been more maintenance tasks in the last 12 months – some due to Covid backlog in 2020-21 – and a lot focused on damp and insulation improvements.
In the last financial year property repairs amounted to around £3,260. We have been working through a long list of projects for the cottages focused primarily on the damp repairs and this repair figure is over £10,000 so far for this financial year.
The tearoom has required several maintenance jobs in the last year also, but now the business seems to be back to pre-covid levels.
Land
The Vernon Institute own the recreational land at CH1 6HH and this has continued to be leased and used by Saughall Colts Junior Football Club. They continue to make significant investments to the grounds with more new fencing, and improvements in the car park. Over 300 children are members of the club.
Development Plans 2022-22
The main development plans we had for 2022, focused on the damp report recommendations which are now 70% complete with the remaining tasks quoted and expected to be completed before Xmas.
Next year we will be revisiting the plans we had to improve the courtyard area and outside toilets which will require us to look at funding opportunities.
Management Committee
I would like to thank the management committee members for their support. The Vernon Institute is all about being a place for the local community and the continued support of the many affiliated groups using the Vernon Institute enables us to meet our charity’s objective.
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Bookings
The Hallmaster booking system is providing a great tool to manage bookings and invoicing for hall hire along with useful management information.
| Total | |
|---|---|
| Event Bookings | Bookings |
| Art Group | 44 |
| Baby & Toddlers | 34 |
| Baby Shower | 2 |
| Badminton - Adults | 29 |
| Birthday Party | 14 |
| Bruce School of Dance | 100 |
| Christmas Band Concert | 1 |
| Craft & Chat | 46 |
| Dance Classes | 81 |
| Fitness Class | 23 |
| Gardening Club | 9 |
| Golden Link | 50 |
| Handbags | 3 |
| History Society | 2 |
| Hynet Northwest | 1 |
| Palliates (Church) | 46 |
| Paranormal | 4 |
| Parish Council | 8 |
| Preschool Rep | 1 |
| Private Dance Practice | 7 |
| Public Meeting | 2 |
| Robert Morgan School of | |
| Dance | 4 |
| Rotary | 24 |
| Saughall Blades Taekwondo-do | 72 |
| Saughall Colts | 2 |
| Saughall Pre-school | 191 |
| Saughall Table Tennis | 52 |
| Snooker Club (annual) | 1 |
| Saughall Village Parish Council | 7 |
| Super Little Scientists | 3 |
| Talk Society | 1 |
| The Story Tent | 6 |
| Trustees/Mgmt. Meetings | 11 |
| Wedding | 3 |
| Woman’s Institute WI | 35 |
| Yoga | 6 |
| Nov-2021 to Oct 2022 | 927 |
We have welcomed more hall users during this year with regular bookings now for new fitness and dance classes. We also had a weekend wedding booking plus a few baby showers along with 4 Paranormal bookings.
The total bookings are 9% up on the last years report for the same period.
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Personnel
The caretakers completed extensive decoration and many minor repairs during the year, but the most important service they provide, is the hall preparation and cleaning which has been reflected by several customer comments on the quality of our venue. I extend the thanks of the Trustees to both Peter Durose and Debbie Harris for ensuring our buildings are in excellent condition and safe for our users.
Trustees
We currently have our full complement of 6 trustees and there are 3 Trustees due to stand down as required under the constitution of the CIO and the election will be completed as part of the AGM.
Thanks
As Chair I would like to thank all my fellow Trustees for their support and advice in running the Vernon Institute.
Prepared by Chris Harman
Cjharman
Chair of the Vernon Institute 8[th] November 2022
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VERNON INSTITLttE Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forlhe period To Section A Receipts and payments URr8&tricted funds fvnds Total fvnds Last year A1 Recelpts hire of hall dtvidends and interest property rentals council grants fund raising donations car park and field rental interest and sundry 23.450 3.750 32,811 12.000 1J26 1.122 166 2262 23,450 3.750 32,811 12,000 1,326 1,122 166 2,262 76.887 8.744 3,883 31.864 6,239 2,068 415 13.306 lurfc4¥gh ross incon ARJ 76,887 66,519 A2 Asset and investment sales. (see table}- Total receipts wa es and taxes utilities v I repairs and cottage repairs and maintenance capital expend Insuran hall and agent m m fees cleanin misc expenses le 29,949 9223 6,818 29.949 9,223 6,818 26,487 3,220 7.268 3.260 3.260 5,065 6,298 7.500 3.189 357 5,995 300 65.379 4,422 375 661 7.338 4,422 3,575 661 7,338 Sub total 65246 65,246 Tolalpayments Net of receipts/{paymentsJ AS Transfers betweèn funds Afj Cash lund5 last y•arènd Cash fun(ts thts year end c R1 ac¢cts ISSI
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Vernon Instituie, Saughall On accounts for the year ended 5 April 2022 Charity no (if any} 1156797 Set out on pages I report to the Irustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (he Trust'l for the tax year end1 As the chanty's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act°l- I report in respect of my examination of Ihe Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 14515}(b) of the Act. Responsibilities and basls of report Independent I have cornpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect-. the accounting records were kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., the accounts did comply with Ihe applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connedion with the examinalion to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Dave Ash Date: 1311212022 Name: Dave Ash Relevant professional qualification(sl or body (if any)- Address: 27. The Ridings Saughall Chester. CH16AX Oct 2018 IER