Annual report of Harkstead Village Hall CIO - 2025 

Over the past year, the number of Village Hall trustees has slightly increased to 7, with the recruitment of two new trustees – Tony Cotton and Joy Stodart. 

We did lose Sally Wilden, however, due to health issues, but thank her for all her loyal support and help over many years, particularly in her role as our point of contact with the theatre companies that continue to come to Harkstead. 

At present we do not have a Chairperson but, as permitted by our constitution, we always have someone who offers to chair the meeting. 

Our finances are still expertly managed by our Treasurer, Mike Fry, while I (despite my best efforts) am still Secretary. Sarah Donnison manages the website and the Village Hall bookings with great efficiency. A whole host of other tasks are also undertaken by all the trustees in order to keep the Hall and its grounds in a well-maintained state. 

We have just appointed a new cleaner (Mark) to replace Kim, who is now too busy with her other jobs; he has already got off to a flying start, and given the entire Hall a really thorough clean. 

Our Finances are in good shape, (though Mike Fry will give you much fuller details) despite some major expenditure over the last year, in particular the replacement of the three aging Velux rooflights and the installation of a new, more efficient and reliable heating system. The total redecoration of the Hall is also about to commence, and the purchase of a new storage shed is imminent. 

Bookings continue to be steady, both from regular hirers of the Hall, and for one-off events. The now well-established Pop-up-Pub run jointly by representatives from the Parish Council, Harkstead Church Heritage and the Village Hall have, so far, been a very great success. We feel that this really shows what an important asset our Village Hall is for everyone in the village, particularly in one so short of alternatives, and now that the pub is shut, possibly for good. This makes the Hall`s continued improvements a necessity, not a luxury, if we are to successfully compete for bookings. 

The Monthly Market has, sadly, ceased to operate, at least on a regular basis. Without any food stalls (other than Kim`s delicious cakes) it was no longer a draw for our previously loyal customers who came from all over the peninsula. 

Over the past year, we have continued to suffer from some low-level, but none-the-less highly irritating, unauthorised activities both within the Hall, and in the grounds, ~~some of which probably amounts to criminal damage.~~ As a response to this, Tony Cotton researched, and then installed, a CCTV camera system to monitor the situation. We are at present assessing its effectiveness, and whether a second camera may be necessary. 

Finally, I can report that the Village Hall`s Constitution was successfully updated in October last year, in accordance with the Charity Commissions latest model version. We feel that it is now easier to read, and has removed a few previous inconsistencies; in substance it remains largely the same as earlier versions. 

Also, and importantly, Joy Stodart, with the help of Mark Sanderson from Community Action Suffolk, has redone our occupancy calculations for the Hall. The booking form will shortly be amended in accordance with any (minor) changes that now apply so that all hirers will be aware of these. 



Gharit¥ Nair
Harkstead Vlllage Hall ICIOI
No Ill anyl
', Qrs
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
01-A r-24
31-Mar-25
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
lo the nearest £
Restricted
funds
lo the nearest £
Endowment
funds
to the nearest £
Total funds
Last year
to the n8ar•st £
to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
HI￿ of Hall and Equipment
Famiers. Market + Famiers, Market Raffle
Auction
Events
Incorne from Solaf Pannels
Refreshments
COIF Charities Oeposrt Fund
Donations & Gifts
Govemment Granl In
Sub total (Gross income for
AR)
990
618
171
34
387
550
250
618
171
2,476
324
362
387
560
260
9,437
9,437
10,557
A2 Asset and Investment sal•¥,
(880 tablo).
Sub total
9,437
9,437
10,557
A3Pa
ments
Light and Heating
Repairs and Maintenance linc. cleaning &
aidenin
Cleaning
Insurance
Water and Sewagè
Rates
Li¢gnce$
Events
Br08dband
Sundry Expenses
Government Grant oul
Donation5 & Gifts
Capital Expenditure
3.058
3,058
3.633
12,208
964
881
528
46
91
12,208
1,072
422
856
598
B81
528
46
91
100
382
21
250
382
21
260
128
10
97
Sub total
A4 Asset and investment
purcha8es, (Soe tsble)
Tables
COIF Charities Ethical Invèstment Fund
Solar Pannels
Sub total
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last yoar end
Cash funds this year end
19,757
19,757
10.765
16,058
CCXX R1 accounts {SSI
2010512025

ion B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted
funds
lo nearest £
Restricted
funds
lo nearest £
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
Categorios
Details
, B1 Cash funds
Cash
226
Barclays Currenl Account
COIF
8,193
Total cash funds
10,764.76
l•ore• boi•n¢¢& *lth wcoipts and payments
•ccountlsll OK
Unrestricted
fund8
to nearest £
OK
Endowment
fund8
lo nearest £
Restrlctod
funds
to neai8St £
Details
Fund to whlch
a88et belon
Unre•trSclod
Current value
tional
52,687
Details
COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund
Cost loptlonall
24,000
83 Investment assets
Fund to whlch
asset belon
Curront valuo
tional
Detalls
Cost loptlonal
B4 Assets retalned for tho
charity's own use
Fund to whlch
relates
Amount due
tional
Whgn du•
tional
Ootails
BS Liabilities
Signed by one or tsvo Iruslges on
behalf of all the Iruslee$
Date of
roval
Signature
Print Name
Hon. Treasurer
MILHAtrL PR%
Chairman
SAUI H fJ>v ISTh4
Eggmy [&l/eNHv/ j
01 I￿/25
Independent Examiner
CCXX R2 accounts ISSI
2010512025