Charity Number 1162093
Parkside & District Community Association
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which have been prepared following the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102A) (effective 1 January 2019), applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name
Parkside and District Community Association
Charity Trustees
Christopher Kennedy Christine Kennedy Anthony Thompson Ian Dinsdale Dawn Taylor Ann Johnson
Elected Members
Chairperson Margaret Bunts Vice Chairperson Richard Cameron Secretary Diane Cameron Treasurer Dawn Taylor
Representatives
Cllr Kevin Shaw (Durham County Council) Cllr Leanne Kennedy (Durham County Council) Carole Hutton (Seaham Police) Sarah Kinghorn
Young People’s Representatives
Paige Kennedy Abby Graham Bryan Taylor Dylan Taylor Chrissy Kennedy
Address
Community Centre, Heathway Seaham Co Durham SR7 7UH
Bankers
Lloyds Bank 1 Marlborough Seaham Co. Durham SR7 7SD
Independent Examiner
Adam James MAAT Eric Southwick & Co Accountants 51 The Avenue Seaham Co Durham SR7 8NS
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Structure and Organisation
Organisation
The Parkside & District Community Association is a registered charity (number 1162093), a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which operates according to its constitution which was registered on 15 June 2015.
Trustee Appointments
Trustees are appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting from members present and eligible to vote. New trustees are provided with support to enable them to understand and undertake their duties.
Volunteer Support
The charity is reliant on the support of its volunteers to achieve its objects; the work of volunteers is invaluable.
Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objects
The Association has the following objects:
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(a) To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Parkside and the neighbourhood (hereinafter called ‘The area of benefit’) without distinction of sex or of political, religious, or other opinions by associating the local authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
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(b) To establish or secure the establishment of a community centre/village hall (hereinafter called ‘the centre/village hall’) and to maintain and manage, or to cooperate with any local statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre/village hall for activities promoted by the association and its constituent body in furtherance of the above objects.
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(c) The Association shall be non-party in politics and non-sectarian in religion. The Association shall have power to affiliate to the National Federation of Community Associations, the Durham County Federation of Community Organisations, and to other organisations with similar charitable objects.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning activities and setting policies and priorities for the year ahead.
The Association runs Parkside and District Community Centre on a non-profit basis providing an affordable local facility for meetings, sport, celebrations, and exhibitions etc., rents are kept as low as possible, and membership is open to all inhabitants of Parkside.
Chairman’s Introduction
Over the past year the Community Centre has been busy and productive. Which is excellent for the community centre! Again, as previous years, the community centre is practically running to full capacity. This is because we can offer a quality venue, with a wide range of training opportunities, for both young and old alike.
However, the community centre has seen some drastic changes over the past year. My main source of gratitude must go to Margaret bunts, Marie Kennedy and Denise Cameron. Without these 3 people I do not think that the community centre would have survived over the past year. This has been through, their selflessness, and have put the community first: disregarding everything else.
I would like to thank Denise Cameron who has ensured that all weekly, monthly books are kept up to date and in order for the auditor to do the accounts. As well as, ensuring that a treasurer’s report is distributed at every management committee meeting. Plus
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Objectives and Activities (Continued)
Chairman’s Introduction (Continued)
Denise has taken on the task of doing all the admin work and running the centre. With the support of the above mentioned committee members.
I would like to thank our “Secretary” Diane Cameron, who has the task of ensuring that all the minutes of the committee centre over the past year are a correct record: and ensure that they are distributed to everyone in plenty of time before the next meeting.
Next I would like to thank Richard Cameron and Chris Kennedy, for all their hard work and commitment that has been given to the community centre over the past year..
Next I would like to thank all other management committee members, staff and volunteers who have all worked extremely hard over the past year to help and support the community centre.
Next I would like to thank our youth representative Paige, Dylan, Bryan continuously brings forward the views of our young people of the community centre, without hesitation or fear of intimidation from their peers, which is exhilarating to see. I hope that you keep up the high quality of reports to the management committee in the forth-coming year.
Plus, I would like to thank our domestics engineer Marie Kennedy for all of their hard work and dedication they have given to the community centre over the past year. Without her then the community centre would not be clean, presentable and comfortable place for everyone who comes in and uses the community centre facilities.
Also I would like to mention and thank all the members of the community centre for their loyal support over the past year.
Next 1 would like to thank “Eric Southwick” who “audits” all of the community centre’s books and ensures that all are in working order.
I am now looking forward to be working with an excellent management committee, staff, volunteers and members, to make this a bigger, better and more exciting 2024. I would like to congratulate all of our achievers, both the young people and the adults for all their accomplishments over the past year, and I hope they go on to do many other courses in the community centre to achieve their aims.
Achievements and Performance
Review of the Period
Skinny pigs - The group has grown since becoming part of the community. We meet up 6 times a week at the centre for our keep fit session, the sessions are ran at different times throughout the week. The group has been running for the last 8 years in the centre and started with only 2 sessions but have built it up over the years. The group is ran by 2 teachers Paige and Gabriel new members joining all the time since starting back up this group is going from strength to strength anyone interested in joining please check out the Facebook page.
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Achievements and Performance (Continued)
Review of the Period (Continued)
Inters - The inters started off as a pilot scheme but has been running now for 12 years. This group is ran by the management committee and volunteers. This group is self supporting and all money raised from the tuck shop and raffles all goes back into the group.
This year the group has taken part in art and craft sessions, music sessions, sports day events, cooking sessions also a getting funding from bally trust and renewing the sensory garden in part of the car park, also we have brought new games and a ps gaming machine the group has also had Easter, Halloween and Christmas parties these parties were funded by bally trust who came out and saw the centre and what good work we are doing for the young people in the community, the group also attended the pantomime at Seaham town council offices at Christmas.
Gerlingen visits - We have been going to Gerlingen for the past 10 years now as an exchange visit through Seaham Town Council. Each year we have the Germans come over and visit the centre and stay in the centre for 1 week in the April. We then go over there in the September to visit them, this year we had a new group starting again with young people from 15 years up to 19 yrs.
We went on a trip to:
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Beamish museum
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Panda all you can eat Chinese restaurant
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Riverside bowling
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Escape rooms
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Laser quest
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Sunderland shopping
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Sunderland stadium and museum
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Seaham beach and shops with a visit to Lickerty spilt for ice cream
then played team building games in the centre.
This proved fantastic as our young people got on great with the young people from Gerlingen.
Football courts - Football courts were built in 1997 a year after the centre was built but with football regulations we were unable to use the courts due to the surface not been 3g, so with thanks to Seaham town council, Durham county council, and Biffa for helping fund the new surface. We have now updated the court into a 4g surface and the community have come together and are now using the courts.
The courts have been damaged due to vandalism in the area and have had to be repaired this is eating into the community centre budget, we have a overhead net on top to stop the bail going into people's gardens in the area but again the vandalism has damaged this again.
A lot of community groups are using these courts mainly during the winter months but during the summer we are finding it hard to fill so have to reduce the cost of the hiring to encourage groups to use it instead of going on the fields.
Christmas grotto/sleigh - The grotto has become really popular with all the community and all over England. It has been in local and national papers. it is ran by the management committee and volunteers, the grotto has had funding from Asda, Wilko, Thoburn fruiters and go ahead northern. The community help out by giving us lights, paints, Christmas trees and decorations which the centre recycle to use in the grotto, without this help we would not be able to have a grotto.
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Achievements and Performance (Continued)
Review of the Period (Continued)
This event is becoming larger and larger each year and we are on all weekends in December, this year we had one full day for disability young people who came along this was a great success. the grotto was decorated by young people and volunteers of the centre who spend over 12 weeks putting this up and getting it ready for the event to take place, it is a lot of hard work with most volunteers ail working full time jobs.
The sleigh was given to the centre by the rotary club of Seaham over 10 years ago. since receiving this from them it has had to be re built and all new lights put in place, we would like to thank Paul Graham builders and for helping out this year. The sleigh along with Santa and his elf's went around Seaham streets for all the community to see Santa, this was great to see again has it was off the road last year due to the condition making not road worthy but due to some business's stepping In again thank you to the community who donated lights for the sleigh as this would not be possible to keep running without the community helping.
Our Christmas food appeal which was a great success thank you goes to go ahead northern, and Seaham town council for all the help this year, a lot of parcels were delivered to people in need over the Christmas period thank you to everyone who helped with this.
Birthday Parties - weekend parties are going really well with plenty booking up from word of mouth. The parties are just for young people no adult parties. We offer bouncy castle all tables set up with birthday covers and banners on the wall a disco and use of the kitchen. The cost of all this is only 80 pounds. Thanks goes to Dawn Taylor for running these when not at work. money made off these goes back into the centre.
Art - Art group has been using the centre for 18 years. This group has grown in size. The group meet on a Wednesday afternoon 12 till 3pm. The group has been on visits to places around the town to draw or paint different sites of the community. A few of the artists has had a exhibition of their work, the group are on the lookout for any new artists looking to join.
Bands - We have 2 bands which come along every week and practice in our music room the music room is all gear that was donated to the centre from the community who did not want it the groups both go around the community area with the bands entertaining the old and the young, the band members are all over the 50's.
Both bands like to help young people in learning to use the equipment on a Tuesday night during youth nights in the centre
Thank you to the following:
Durham county Council, Seaham Town Council, D.T. Balloons, Haley Fields, L.J.M tyres, Byron Place, Card Factory, Asda, Lottery Funds, East Durham Trust, Area Action Partnership, John Purvis, local councillor Paul graham
All the management team and volunteers - Richard Cameron, Ian Dinsdale, Margaret Bunts, Marie Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, Dawn Taylor, Anthony Thompson, Diane Cameron, Christine Kennedy, Denise Cameron, Ann Johnson Ronnie Brewster, Nick Dow
Youth Representatives - Paige Kennedy, Abby Graham, Dylan Taylor, Bryan Taylor.
Durham County Councillors - Kevin Shaw
Administration worker – Denise Cameron
Special thank you to everyone who used the Centre in 2023.
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Financial Review
At 31[st] December 2023 the charity had unrestricted funds totalling £32,751 (2022: £26,398) (which were available for the trustees to use at their discretion) having raised £73,309 (2022: £46,813) during the year and spent £66,956 (2022: £57,138) as set out in accounts.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the Trustees to hold reserves, which provide for the ongoing work of the charity whilst retaining financial stability and the potential to respond to new opportunities. At the 31[st] December 2023 the unrestricted reserves held were £32,751 (2022: £26,398) which were available for the trustees to use at their discretion, the trustees consider this level to be adequate but would seek to increase them to a higher level.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period, which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently:
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make judgments and estimates that are prudent and reasonable:
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in existence.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Mrs M Bunts Trustee Date: 10[th] September 2024
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Independent examiner’s Report to the Trustees Parkside & District Community Association.
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Adam James MAAT Date: 10[th] September 2024 Eric Southwick & Co Accountants 51 The Avenue Seaham Co Durham SR7 8NS
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Receipts and Payments Account For the year ended 31[st] December 2023
The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31[st] December 2023
The financial statements on pages 8 to 12 were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs M Bunts Trustee Date: 10[th] September 2024
The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Notes to the accounts
1 Accounting policies
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In preparing the accounts the following accounting policies have been complied with:
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a) The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. The accounts have been prepared following the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102A) (effective 2 February 2016), applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.
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b) Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
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c) Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity receives the income.
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d) Expenditure is recognised on a payments basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
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i) Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. It also includes those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
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ii) All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the statement of financial activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis as set out in the notes.
2 Taxation
- The charity is exempt from taxation on its income and gains where they are applied for charitable purposes.
3 Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Notes to the accounts (Continued)
4 Income and endowments from: Charitable activities
5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities
6 Employee information No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the period. The average number of people employed during the period was as follows:
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Parkside & District Community Association Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements 31[st] December 2023
Notes to the accounts (Continued)
7 Trustee information
No trustee or connected party of a trustee received any remuneration in the year.
No trustee received any expenses during the year.
8 Reserves
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