Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
## **DRUITT HALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
# **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF DRUITT HALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, CHARITY NUMBER: 1157590**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity which for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of the report**
As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters other than those disclosed below have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: (i) accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or (ii) the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## **James Hill FCCA FCA Hill Osborne Chartered Accountants**
Tower House Parkstone Road Poole Dorset BH15 2JH
Dated: ………………………………………….
26/10/2025
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## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period**
|A|**From**
Period start date
Day
01
Month
01
Year
2024|**To**
Period end date
Day
31
Month
12|Year
2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Section A Reference and administration details|Section A Reference and administration details||||
||**Charity name**|Druitt Hall Community Association||Druitt Hall Community Association|
|**Other names charity is known by**
-
**Registered charity number (if any)**1157590
~~————~~|||||
|**Charity's principal address**
Druitt Hall|||||
||High Street||||
||Christchurch||||
||**Postcode**|**BH23 1AB**|||
Section A Reference and administration details
**Registered charity number (if any)** 1157590
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee(if any)**|
|---|---|---|---|
|1 Martin Vieyra|Chair||Trustees|
|2 Carolyn Guest||||
|Sara Stewart-
Haddow||||
|Emma-Louise
Hembling-Yeates||||
|5 Barbara Hembling||||
|6 John David Pendrill Treasurer|6 John David Pendrill Treasurer|||
|7 Christopher Guest||From 17/7/24|Trustees|
|8||||
|9||||
**Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole year** ~~_—~~ **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address** ~~————~~ **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
1
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## **Section B Structure, governance and management**
## **Description of the charity’s trusts**
Type of governing document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
Constitution
How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
- Appointed by Trustees
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
- relationship with any related parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
## **Reserves**
The identification and allocation of funds reserved for specific purposes was continued in the accounts and regularly reviewed. The **Reserves Policy** continues to be followed including the Charity Commission recommended contingency reserve.
## **Bank Account**
A current account continues to be held at Lloyds Bank. An investment account was added during the year to take advantage of interest receivable.
**Airborne virus** :
Government and health authority guidance on precautionary measures continued to be followed.
**Statutory Policies** were reviewed and updated as necessary.
Annual ‘PAT’ testing of electrical equipment was carried, including provision of free testing of equipment belonging to and used on these premises by regular / long-term hirers (eg audio, fans, laptop chargers, leads etc Inspection and servicing of fire fighting equipment was carried out.
The Friends of **Druitt Gardens** (FoDG) continued to use the former Markham Room area as a secure and successful ‘wildlife education area’ and base for their voluntary work of planting and maintenance work in Druitt Gardens. Activity in this part of our leased area and the work of FoDG in the wider gardens has elicited tremendous praise from the general public and has resulted in family interest (especially in the tadpoles) and a greater public enjoyment of the gardens (green-space and the improved bird-life. Unfortunately, as part of their ongoing lease renewal preparations, the landlord has intimated that they consider that this use of part of the leased area falls foul of some (unidentified) provision of the lease and that they will be seeking to amend our proposal to continue with terms of lease that have been acceptable for over 10 years. Our proposals for renewed terms were submitted to the landlord in October 2024.
Six **trustee meetings** were held in 2024, maintaining an emphasis on collective decision-making and responsibility.
## **Improvements to the Building**
Owing to the protracted discussions, landlord inaction etc over the promised extension to the lease, it has been impossible to apply for external grantfunding of any substance. The specific requirements of funding bodies for length of remaining lease cannot be met. Accordingly, it has not been deemed a proper use of our resources to invest much further in the building, for example in improved insulation, heating and renewal of roof coverings etc. Volunteer effort has been made, for example town planning enquiries, but we cannot provide definitive details without the extended lease in place.
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
2
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
## **Lease**
The delay and apparent blocking of progress on the issue of an extended lease has continued.
A positive occurrence has been the appointment of two town centre ward councillors in a ‘liaison’ role with whom we might deal directly. This resulted in a re-affirmation of the landlord’s intention to provide an extension to the lease. Following this, however, it was put to us in this liaison that it would be a ‘cleaner’ start to issue a 30-year lease to run from 2024 (rather than ‘tack on’ the extended period from 2027). We were persuaded to go along with this as the term of lease needed for funding applications would be all the more definite.
We were then required to (again) submit to the landlord our proposal for the terms of the lease which, being based on the existing terms as issued by the preceding local authority / landlord, were expected to be acceptable in principle. This was done in October 2024 and were referred by the landlord for comment to a local solicitor. In view of the low level of fee quoted for the service, the landlord said they anticipated a response from the solicitor within a week or two. The landlord advised us in December that no response had been received by them although they also advise us about vague queries over insurance, the use of part of the leased area (refer above) and it being our responsibility to provide an Energy Performance Certificate.
It was a little reassuring that the landlord did arrange a condition survey, carried out in mid-November, although we have not been provided with a copy of the resulting schedule.
**Management of Bookings and billing etc** Use of the ‘Hallmaster’ system continues and has proven to be a great convenience resulting in both time and cost savings.
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
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## **Section C Objectives and activities**
|**Summary of the objects of the**
**charity set out in its**
**governing document**
**Summary of the main**
**activities undertaken for the**
**public benefit in relation to**
**these objects (include within**
**this section the statutory**
**declaration that trustees have**
**had regard to the guidance**
**issued by the Charity**
**Commission on public**
**benefit)**||The objects of the CIO remain:
To further the welfare of, or to benefit the residents of Christchurch
Dorset and neighbouring areas, without distinction of sex, sexual
orientation, race or of political religious or other opinions, by associating
together the said residents, and voluntary and other organisations in a
common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for
recreation, health and fitness, education, leisure time occupation,
community meetings and activities, with the objective of improving the
quality of life for residents and enhancing of community activities
in the Christchurch Dorset town centre and High Street area.
In furtherance of these objects but not otherwise to manage the existing
Druitt Hall, and to accumulate funds towards a replacement single-storey
Community Hall on the footprint of the existing leased area as and when
funds allow provided always that such building operations have no
detrimental effect upon the status, condition and use of Druitt Gardens.|
|---|---|---|
|||Protects and enhances the existing building
The Trustees continue to give due regard to guidance issued by the Charity
Commission in formulating policy and in exercising their powers and duties.
The Trustees continued to demonstrate there is a financially sustainable
demand for this facility, operating within the terms of the lease.
Further improvement works under consideration, including improved heating
system, improved insulation, redecorations and renewal of roof coverings
continued to be ‘on hold’ throughout the year pending landlord action on the
lease (see above).
Runs the hall as a community centre
The regular testing of equipment, fire detection, water, CCTV and security
installations, safety lighting etc continued. Consultation with hirers on such
matters continued.
A CO2 monitor was kept in service to demonstrate the adequacy of
ventilation of the space (viral transmission precaution).
At the end of 2024 the groups using the facility included:
Weekly community food and craft market
Twice-weekly table tennis club
Local resident's association (monthly)
Three fitness classes (weekly)
Three dance/fitness classes (weekly)
Women's lnstitute (monthly)
Second Women’s Institute (twice-monthly)
Tabletop / craft markets (one weekly, one fortnightly)
Life-drawing class (monthly)
Karate group (weekly)
Age Concern friendship meeting (weekly and monthly)
Toddler and baby group – crafting (monthly)
Record fair (monthly)
Win on Waste recycling project (monthly)
Town Council meetings (occasional)
Sundry private family parties, CQC meetings etc
We participated again in the ‘Christchurch Living Advent Calendar’
programme,thistimefor two of the24events. We providthevenue at|
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
4
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
‘community rate’ for one evening and free of charge for another evening at which we were the recipient of the sponsored donation.
Operation of the hall continued to require careful and proper management to facilitate hirers’ activities, minimising health and safety risks to anyone in the building.
The defibrillator and cabinet continued to be maintained available for public use. The equipment remains registered with ‘The Circuit’, a British Heart Foundation initiative in liaison with the ambulance service, requiring us to diligently log use and maintenance.
## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)**
As noted above, time given by volunteers continues to make a crucial contribution to the maintenance and improvement of this facility.
The Trustees are aware of the need to encourage participation by more volunteers and the need for additional skills in (eg) grant-funding and social media.
You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about:
- policy on grantmaking;
- policy programme related investment;
- contribution made by volunteers.
As a member of the Christchurch Chamber of Trade we have the availability of their training programme and look forward to participating in eg first aid and social media training.
It is planned to fund and out-source more of the maintenance / improvement works in future, as the amount of this work becomes smaller over time. Along with many other local organisations, it has proved difficult to obtain additional volunteers although, it should be noted, the various user-groups are almost entirely themselves volunteer-run.
The ‘Friends of Druitt Hall’ group (ie a Members’ group as permitted by the Constitution) was established as planned and a programme of events, such as public talks, is being arranged.
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
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## Section D Achievements and performance
**Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year**
Some slight progress over an extension of the lease. Retention of most existing users and the gaining of additional hirers was achieved. New and frequent enquiries about hiring continued and family events, in particular children’s birthday parties, increased. It is our belief that, little by little, public knowledge of the existence and suitability of the facility is growing. Over the year the use of the hall amounted to an average of 30 to 35 hours per week.
The hire agreement continued with Christchurch BID for the use of the meeting room on a shared (with DHCA Trustees) basis.
A volunteer continued to carry out the monthly safety / maintenance checks (smoke alarms etc). A substantially detailed log of results is maintained.
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
6
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
## **Section E Financial review**
**Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves**
It remains the charity's policy to hold in reserve as a minimum, an amount equivalent to 6 months' operating costs. Charity Commission guidance is to hold a reserve equivalent to between 4 and nine months’ of operating costs.
While the provision of a replacement community hall remains a long-term aim of the constitution, it is not considered to be a primary aim and so not one that should attract our funds ahead of other responsibilities and more immediate improvements that can be made.
Trustees remain mindful of the enormous embodied CO2 that a new building would generate versus the relatively very small saving in emitted CO2 that might be achieved.
**Details of any funds materially in deficit**
None
## **Further financial review details (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
It remains the case that hire income remains the sole means by which operating costs etc are met.
Trustees are mindful that the introduction of additional resources (principally human resources) is how meeting the principal aims of the constitution can be continued
Support for planned works of improvement to the building would provide an excellent opportunity for the Landlord to be seen to act upon their declaration of a ‘Climate Emergency’ while improving the comfort provided to residents using the building.
Only when the extended lease is in place will the Trustees meet the criteria for applications for substantial grant funding. We continue to remind the Landlord (Council) of this. At the current year-end, 42 months have been allowed to pass by the Landlord without a new lease even being drafted. The Trustees continue to suggest a reversionary lease which proposal continues to be dismissed out of hand.
Again, the delay in implementing decisions made at Full Council in June 2021 continue to directly consequences on a range of planned maintenance, repair and improvement works.
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
7
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
## **Section F Other optional information**
Our aims for the coming year are:
- to continue and develop a ‘Friends of Druitt Hall’ support group
- to continue to meet our obligations under the current lease
- to continue to monitor and maintain resources to permit adequate public health measures
- to again review and determine whether certain services (eg janitorial, decorating) should be ‘out-sourced’ rather than rely solely on the volunteers
- to seek and develop skills at trustee-level in respect of funding and marketing
- to further improve the facilities for hirers / users of the facility
- to improve the storage facilities
- to support the Friends of Druitt Gardens in their work in maintaining and protecting the adjacent gardens
## **Section G Declaration**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
## **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature(s) ni Q Q
Jou PoraAnt ) WAY KY
Full name(s) John Pendrill Martin Vieyra
— A635B13CAD5B4F8...
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Treasurer Trustee
etc)
Date
26/10/2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
**TAR**
DHCA - 2024
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Druitt Hall Community Association|1157590|
|Receipts and payments accounts|CC16a|
|For the period|Period start date|Period end date|
|To|
|from|1/1/2024|31/12/2024|
|ee|ee|ee|ee|
|ee|Section A Receipts and payments|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|
|Total funds|Last year|
|funds|funds|funds|
|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|
|A1 Receipts|
|Donation|44|-|44|-|
|Hire of Hall|28,585|-|-|28,585|29,810|
|Electricity - Transfer from U3A|128|-|-|128|97|
|Key Deposits|-|-|-|-|270|
|BH Coastal Lottery|26|-|-|26|26|
|Water - Payment for Watering Druitt Gardens|-|-|-|-|178|
|Grant for Store Cupboard Flooring|-|-|2,113|
|Broadband Rebate|-|-|3|
|Hall 70th Anniversary Event|-|-|28|
|Friends of Druitt Hall|55|-|55|-|
|Lloyds Bank interest|625|-|-|625|-|
|-|-|29,463|32,525|
|Sub total|(Gross income for AR)|[ 29,463 ]|
|A2 Asset and investment sales, (see|
|table).|
|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|Sub total|-|-|-|-|-|
|———|——|
|Total receipts|29,463|-|-|29,463|32,525|
|CO) Fe)|(Ld|
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
Druitt Hall Community Association - Accounts 2024 - 1
03/10/2025
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
**----- Start of picture text -----**
A3 Payments
Repairs & Maintenance 1,326 - - 1,326 27,163
Cleaning & Consumables 4,146 - - 4,146 3,255
Telephone, Internet & Postage 309 - - 309 390
Water & Sewerage 351 - - 351 499
Insurance & Safety 843 - - 843 782
PRS_PPL Licence 285 - - 285 85
Electricity 3,530 - - 3,530 3,660
Admin & Stationery 900 - - 900 5,995
Improvements - - - 10,224
General 176 - - 176 825
Rent Rebate & Key Deposit Return - - - - 106
- - -
- -
Defibrillator - - 116
Hall 70th Anniversary Event - - 204
Business Rates 153 - - 153 193
Sub total 12,018 - - 12,018 53,497
A4 Asset and investment purchases,
(see table)
Flags & Signs 373 - - 373
- - - -
Sub total 373 - - 373 -
Total payments 12,391 - - 12,391 53,497
Net of receipts/(payments) 17,072 - - 17,072 - 20,972
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 13,648 20,803 - 34,451 55,424
Cash funds this year end 30,720 20,803 - 51,523 34,452
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
Druitt Hall Community Association - Accounts 2024 - 2
03/10/2025
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
## **Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**
|**Categories**
**B1 Cash funds**|Liabilities - Key Deposits
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Cash at Bank - Emergency Operating
Reserve
Cash at Bank - Planned Expenditure
PA System
Defibrillator
Repair Windows
Reclad & Insulate Side & Rear Walls
Paint Windows & Cladding
Cash at Bank
Key Deposits
Remove Moss from Roof
Secondary Glazing
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**30,721**
**-**
**-**
**30,721**
Agreement Error|**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**12,720**
**100**
**500**
**-**
**-**
**753**
**5,000**
**1,730**
**20,803**
OK|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**-**|
|||||OK|
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
Druitt Hall Community Association - Accounts 2024 - 3
03/10/2025
Docusign Envelope ID: C58110F3-70E5-4A9E-81C9-B7D93ED74F13
**Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -** =—=== **Fund to which Current value Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional) B3 Investment assets - - - - - - - - - -** ——==_— **Fund to which Current value Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional) B4 Assets retained for the - - charity’s own use - - - -** —<—— **Fund to which Amount due When due Details liability relates (optional) (optional) B5 Liabilities** Electricity Current Key deposits Restricted **430** —=== Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of Date of all the trustees Signature Print Name approval Martin Vieyra 27/10/2025 John Pendrill 27/10/2025
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
CCXX R4 accounts (SS)
Druitt Hall Community Association - Accounts 2024 - 4
03/10/2025