Registered Charity Number: 1158802
Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Annual report and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Contents
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2 - 4 |
| Accountants’ report | 5 |
| Receipts and payments accounts | 6 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8 - 10 |
Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Administrative information For the year ended 31 March 2025
Trustees
Victoria Bowden Chair John Bowden Barbara Russell David Morton Interim Treasurer Andy Bainbridge Pamela Hamshere Bridget Kelly Susan Davidson Adam Hurst Suzannah Marshall
Re-appointed Oct 2024 Resigned Oct 2024 Appointed Mar 2021 Appointed Feb 2022 Resigned Oct 2024 Appointed Dec 2022 Appointed Oct 2024 Appointed Oct 2024 Appointed Oct 2024 Appointed Oct 2024
Registered office
Ecclesfield Associate Library 113 High Street Ecclesfield Sheffield S35 9UA
Charity number 1158802
Accountants
Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Trustees' Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees of the charity submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Structure, Governance and Management
Friends of Ecclesfield Library (FoEL) is a registered charity and constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Approved by the Charity Commission and registered on 7 October 2014.
The FoEL Board of Trustees consists of a Chair, and 7 Trustees.
Appointment of Trustees
The Trustees are appointed on an annual basis, normally at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). They may hold the office (so long as they are re-elected at subsequent AGMs) for a maximum of 3 terms in succession.
FoEL is managed by a committee of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overseeing of FoEL and the running of Ecclesfield Library. The Board of Trustees normally meet monthly to receive and review the operating and financial reports, and to make strategic decisions to ensure that the charity continues to be a viable entity into the future. A minimum of three Trustees is required to form a quorum of the committee.
The FoEL is run and governed solely by volunteers who receive no remuneration or benefits to that effect. Our aim is to try to continue as a community led group. We currently have a full team of volunteers required to run the library operation effectively.
The committee abides by the FoEL constitution, which sets out all major governance procedures such as duties of Trustees, elections, annual and general meetings, and voting rights. Whilst the trustees make all major decisions, day-to-day management decisions for the library are made by the volunteers at meetings and discussions as required.
Overseen by the Trustees, senior volunteers and ex Trustees manage different responsibilities for aspects of the operation; from Health & Safety, GDPR through to recruitment. With support from the Team Coordinators, the Trustees manage a team of 20 front line and 5 support volunteers. The Library is now open for 17 hours per week. There are no paid staff. Volunteers are unpaid but can claim outof-pocket expenses.
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Trustees' Annual Report – continued For the year ended 31 March 2025
Charitable Aims and Objectives
The objective of the charity is to advance and promote education, in all its aspects, to the general public in Sheffield, particularly the area of Ecclesfield and its surrounds. The facility is open to all who have need, for whatever reason and regardless of their circumstances. These needs will be met particularly, but not exclusively, by a community-based library facility and associated services and cooperation with other organisations whose aims and objectives include those of the charity.
The charity runs a community library at Ecclesfield which is free to all users, though there is a small charge for the loan of DVDs, for photocopying and printing.
There is also the provision of education and activities for children, which include:
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Baby and Toddler weekly sessions for under-5s
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The Summer Reading challenge, involving around 80-100 children taking part, from pre-school children to age 12+
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School visits from Ecclesfield Primary School. The aim remains to forge links with other local schools
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Craft Activities in School Holidays
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Seasoned Themed Activities
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Children’s Author Visits
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Imagination Gaming
We also support:
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A monthly Writers Group
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Art Classes
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A Knit and Natter Group
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A History Group
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Computer Club
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Chairobics Classes
With 28 volunteers and trustees, activities for children and adults, fundraising events and a welcoming building – a greater sense of a community is being built.
FoEL will
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support the lifelong learning of our community to promote healthy living and lifestyle
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evolve the library in response to community need.
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provide space for local activities and groups such as Ecclesfield Village History Group, Creative Writers Group and craft groups etc.
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provide a space for the local councillors to hold their monthly surgery
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provide a high-quality community library service, which nurtures a love of books, literature, and the arts.
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Trustees' Annual Report – continued For the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
Fund-raising activities have taken place this year and the main grant that the charity receives from Sheffield City Council has continued. The focus of the Trustees is to continue to provide activities and events to encourage library usage .
Grant Funding
Sheffield City Council continues to support the library with the main grant of £9,336 which is for the upkeep and running of the library. The council also awarded an additional £1,000 grant payment towards book stocks. Other grants were received as detailed in the notes to the accounts.
Reserves Policy
FoEL Trustees review the financial risks associated with the running of the library service on an ongoing basis. It is library policy to ensure that sufficient reserves are kept in the charity bank account in order to meet any unforeseen expenditure that may occur, for example repair or replacement of fixtures and fittings, and to help keep the library open for as long as possible after the main grant from Sheffield City Council finishes, if we have a shortfall in our fundraising activities. The minimum target for free reserves is £15,000.
Unrestricted cash reserves as at 31 March 2025 were £61,228.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Annual Report above on 12/09/2025
Signed for and on behalf of the Trustees by:
Victory, MGov deer
Victoria Bowden Chair
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Chartered Accountants' report to the trustees on the preparation of the unaudited statutory accounts of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO [which is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation] for the year ended 31 March 2025
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Charities Act 2011, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Receipts and payments account, the statement of assets and liabilities and the related notes from the charity's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given to us.
As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at http://www.icaew.com/en/membership/regulationsstandards-and-guidance.
This report is made solely to the trustees of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 10/02/2023. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the trustees of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 08/16 AAF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO and its trustees, as a body, for our work or for this report.
You have approved the financial information for the year ended 31 March 2025 and have acknowledged your responsibility for it, for the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for its compilation. You consider that Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO is exempt from the statutory audit requirement or independent examination requirement for the year.
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or independent examination of the accounts of Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial statements.
Seven Hills Accountants Limited
Seven Hills Accountants Limited Chartered Accountants 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH
Date 18/09/2025
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Receipts & payments account For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Receipts Donations and grants 2 Charitable activities 3 Investment income - bank interest Total receipts Payments Premises Expenses Event and activities costs Books Council tax Electricity & heating Water Telephone Refuse collection Cleaning Equipment Insurance Repairs and maintenance Legal fees Advertising and promotional costs Printing, Postage and Stationery Refreshments Volunteers expenses, training & support Administrative costs Accountants' fee Paypal fees Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Transfers between funds 3 Net movement in funds Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward |
Unrestricted fund £ 1,217 3,288 1,452 5,957 - 1,546 - - - - - - 10 - - 30 - 172 28 373 - 73 - 5 2,237 3,720 - 3,720 57,508 61,228 |
Restricted funds £ 11,675 - - 11,675 - 649 981 492 3,724 311 516 175 267 36 964 28 - 245 160 124 - 330 480 - 9,482 2,193 - 2,193 16,865 19,058 |
Total 2025 £ 12,892 3,288 1,452 17,632 - 2,195 981 492 3,724 311 516 175 277 36 964 58 - 417 188 497 - 403 480 5 11,719 5,913 - 5,913 74,373 80,286 |
Unrestricted fund £ 1,566 3,418 1,035 6,019 330 905 - - - - - - 41 366 - 5 - 18 212 - - - 7 1,884 4,135 - 4,135 53,373 57,508 |
Restricted funds £ 14,539 - - 14,539 25,078 1,473 1,713 441 4,584 230 458 166 520 36 880 20 1,000 30 119 79 526 360 - 37,713 (23,174) - (23,174) 40,039 16,865 |
Total 2024 £ 16,105 3,418 1,035 20,558 25,408 2,378 1,713 441 4,584 230 458 166 561 402 880 25 1,000 48 331 79 526 360 7 39,597 (19,039) - (19,039) 93,412 74,373 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Statement of assets and liabilities As at 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash assets | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 80,286 | 74,373 |
| 80,286 | 74,373 | |
| Debtors | 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
| Other debtors | - | - |
| - | - | |
| Assets retained for the Charity's own use | 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
| Equipment | - | 19 |
| Fixtures and fittings | 122 | 307 |
| 122 | 326 | |
| Liabilities | 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
| Accountancy fee | 495 | 480 |
| Other accruals | 646 | 1,487 |
| 1,141 | 1,967 |
Approved by the trustees on 12/09/2025 and signed on their behalf by:
V M Bowden Trustee
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 March 2025
1 Receipts & payments accounts
Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year.
In this context "cash" includes cash equivalents, for example, bank accounts where cash can be readily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.
2 Grants & donations
| Sheffield City Council- Main grant Sheffield City Council- Ward Pot North LAC - Cost of Living fund Sheffield City Council - Book fund Co-operative Community Fund St Mary's Lane Trust Donations |
Unrestricted fund £ - - - - - 400 817 1,217 |
Restricted funds £ 9,336 - - 1,000 1,339 - - 11,675 |
Total 2025 £ 9,336 - - 1,000 1,339 400 817 12,892 |
Unrestricted fund £ - - - - - 400 1,166 1,566 |
Restricted funds £ 9,336 787 2,500 1,000 904 - 12 14,539 |
Total 2024 £ 9,336 787 2,500 1,000 904 400 1,178 16,105 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 3 Income from charitable activities
| Events and activities income Room hire Book sales, photocopying, refreshment and other income |
Unrestricted fund £ 2,249 849 190 3,288 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - |
Total 2025 £ 2,249 849 190 3,288 |
Unrestricted fund £ 2,542 701 175 3,418 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - |
Total 2024 £ 2,542 701 175 3,418 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Notes to the accounts
For the year ended 31 March 2025
3 Restricted funds
| North LAC Cost of Living Fund SCC - Book Grant Co-op grant SCC Grant- running costs SCC Ward Pot - Teenager activities and digital inclusion SCC Ward Pot- Community development SCC marketing grant |
Funds b/fwd £ 964 1,041 878 12,445 787 400 350 16,865 |
Receipts £ - 1,000 1,339 9,336 - - - 11,675 |
Payments £ (964) (981) (379) (7,136) (22) - - (9,482) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - |
Funds c/fwd £ - 1,060 1,838 14,645 765 400 350 19,058 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North LAC Cost of Living Fund
Funding provided to contribute towards the costs of keeping the community space open during the cost of living crisis.
SCC - Book Grant
This fund was received for the purchase of book stocks.
Co-op grant
Funding to help expand the number of children's activities on offer during both term time and the summer holidays.
SCC Grant- running costs
This fund was given towards the running costs and maintenance of the library.
SCC Ward Pot - Teenager activities and digital inclusion
Funding to help develop the activities provided for teenagers and also to provide activities to support digital inclusion for the elderly.
SCC Ward Pot- Community development
Funding to help develop the activities provided for children and to provide activities to support digital inclusion such as computer courses for the elderly.
SCC marketing grant
This fund was received for marketing costs and towards readathon expenditure.
| Prior year comparison North LAC Cost of Living Fund SCC - Book Grant Co-op grant SCC Grant- running costs SCC Ward Pot - Teenager activities and digital inclusion SCC Ward Pot- Community development SCC marketing grant |
Funds b/fwd £ - 1,720 - 37,569 - 400 350 40,039 |
Receipts £ 2,500 1,012 904 9,336 787 - - 14,539 |
Payments £ (1,536) (1,691) (26) (34,460) - - - (37,713) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - - - |
Funds c/fwd £ 964 1,041 878 12,445 787 400 350 16,865 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Friends of Ecclesfield Library CIO
Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
4 Trustees' remuneration, expenses and benefits
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment in the year (2024: £nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £nil). No other charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).
5 Related party transactions
Other than those detailed in note 4, there were no related party transactions in the year.
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