## **Chairman’s annual report – Richard Evans 2023 - 2024** It only seems a short time ago since we had the last annual meeting, doesn’t time fly when it’s all fun? Generally, the activities at the Hall have been at a consistent level, with hirers both regular and occasional continuing to find the premises useful and accommodating to their requirements. We appear to have weathered the storm of the increases in the operational costs including power and the general increasing cost of supplies and services. You will hear from our outgoing Treasurer more about these finances as the meeting goes along so, please stay awake for that!! In addition to the hirers income we do, of course have our active Fund-Raising team led by Liz James who continue to work hard on our behalf creating a wide range of attractive activities which are both enjoyable and provide essential additional funds required to keep this place going. We are fortunate also to have three very active sectional organisations (Choir, Short Mat Bowls and Drama) who as well as providing entertaining and worthwhile activities contribute significantly to the Hall income. Unfortunately, we have lost the Panto group who have found it impossible to continue. Funds are not only used for the premises upkeep but in addition help support those who need assistance from time to time through our link with Citizens Advice the Local Schools and more recently our Ukranian visitors. We continue to administer the Saltford Community Support Fund. Additional income comes by way of Donations; again, we are most grateful for the generosity shown. We could not operate without the help of both the Staff and our large band of willing volunteers, ready at the drop of a hat to peal an onion or two, put out tables, serve behind the bar, wash the dishes all with a beaming smile!!! The Office staff of Helen and Lynda who deal with the complexity of bookings and liaison with our many hirers. You will also be aware that Steve Oliver has been our Hall manager over the past period, with his help and guidance there have been many improvements completed around the building, nothing that is really obvious, such as improved fire protection, replacement ceilings, doors and many other small improvement and repair jobs. I am amazed by the range of required updates and we haven’t finished yet. However, with the ever-increasing labour and materials costs these improvements have still exceeded some £30,000 in the year. On the volunteer front we are so lucky to have a large group of helpers without whom we would not be able to operate at the level we are doing, our grateful thanks to them all. We do have a number of new recruits so please welcome them to the SCA family. It’s not easy to single out individuals for specific thanks but I do feel that here is one who deserves a special mention for her unselfish and dedicated work for and with our Ukranian families. She has patiently made sure that they are made as comfortable as possible upon arrival and in the second phase as they move from being hosted into their own accommodation making sure they have furniture and domestic equipment available right down to pots, pans, cutlery, bed linen and all the essentials we take for granted delivered and in place in a timely fashion. She has scavenged far and wide to put together a vast stock of items most of which have now found homes. If there were a category of Volunteer of the year (there may be in the future!) she would be the first recipient. Sylvia Dando. (Sylvia was presented with some flowers from Richard) You may recall from the last annual meeting we highlighted the work of the two groups providing monthly Sunday Teas for those on their own and the Coffee Club for retired folk, I’m pleased to report that these are as popular as ever. Thanks to all concerned. (New aprons from Judy Read) The Santa Sleigh Team also deserve a mention, thanks to them for another successful year. I think they may be looking for a couple more volunteer Santas, so step up if you fancy a turn in the red outfit. In the last period we have also supported the Share and Repair Bath with a regular Repair Café, supplying our own team of “fixers” so don’t forget to bring along your items for repair, it looks to me that the most troublesome items are toasters. Unfortunately, not all of which are repairable. So, if you are missing out on a breakfast; we can provide an excellent bacon sandwich while you wait. We are also looking for old or unused tools to send out to Ukraine, there will be a “Tools Amnesty” at the future Repair Café so have a dig around and pass any unwanted items on to us when you can. I couldn’t move on without mention of the Post Office/Library, I asked David Halton, their Chairman if he wanted to say a few words, he said “We’re doing alright!” and that was it! Seriously tho’ I understand that they are doing more that alright and our thanks to them and the library volunteers for their hard work in making it such a success and to all the villagers who now use the facility. More on this in the report from Chris. Later. You may recall last year that John mentioned the forward planning projects and in particular the possibility of a first-floor extension, plans are all ready and approval obtained, all that remains is the money. Since this was first suggested the likely cost has doubled and with the reduction in sources of funding John has struggled to find a suitable provider, however he has recently submitted an application via the National Lottery and we are awaiting their decision. Thanks, John for all your hard work on this project. The other project is the enlargement of the Bar area and we are now concentrating on how to move this forward. You will be pleased to note that I am coming to the end of my report…. Just to say that there have been a number of changes here; John Davies has stepped down as Chairman and will be retiring as a Trustee, our grateful thanks to him for all his work and guidance over the many years of his involvement. Richard presented John with a card and gift from the association, John thanked him and said it had been a real pleasure over the last 8 years working with the wonderful staff, volunteers and trustees. Peter Dando retired as a Trustee some time ago and has now stepped down from the management committee, again our grateful thanks to him for his many years of commitment to the SCA. Jo Ball who has been our stage/lighting and sound officer for many years has stepped down and we are grateful to her for all her hard work. We now have a new team of 4 who have taken over the role, they are still finding their feet so bear with them please. In addition, Mr SCA himself Chris Essex has stepped down as our treasurer a position he has held for some 14 years, he leaves the finances in excellent order and we are most grateful to him for all his hard work on our behalf. I am pleased to announce that Angela Ashworth has now taken over as treasurer and as a Trustee and we wish her well in her new role. Thanks Angela. In case you are wondering Chris will continue with many of his roles including cooking a mean Bacon Roll at the Café. As we move forward into the new SCA year keep your eye out for events coming up, we will also have a festival in June and the new committee are working hard to create an enjoyable and active week. We will be looking for additional trustees as we plan for the future and succession, so if you are at all interested, please do come and have a chat. Thanks for listening to me and for your continuing support of the activities of the SCA Questions were invited from the floor, there were none. CHARITY COMMIS510N FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perfod To Section A Receipts and payments Llnrtstric¢¢d fund5 Restriclod Endowmènt funds Tolal fwmts La5tyoar A1 Recei 67.104 1,575 10,983 67.104 1.57$ 10,985 Interest SCAN adberts SecbDfb81 In¢￿)e- Short Mat BLN SeCtv)￿l Income- Village Choir SediDna1 Income- Drama Club S8tbona Incorne- P¥ito Affiliabon fees SCA (Kgani5ed wts FIT Paymènts Granisl8eque* DonalDns-generai tknal*)rs- paths D￿at￿ns- 1iljr3ne$￿rt rxxt office DOnat￿n5- SCCC Donat￿￿￿- suoportknnd In(>xY Donations- Sants Sleigh Donations. books and DVDS ub total(Gro&s income for 1Q179 4250 610 610 625 T6.773 1,788 1.493 4727 3.743 1.7BB 1.493 1727 3,743 6,660 1.804 3.n9 1075 5.10D 1661 5.893 1.$42 13,032 954 1.716 1.716 AR) 1815 183￿9D A2 Asset and In￿StMent sales, Ise8 table). Sub total 184590 183590 204.084 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 1910312024 A3Pa ents Wasiedswjsa eaning rnatwols Ulilibes-Gas .Water&Se¥ .Elecble Athnin & Statiot Windw¢eaning Tdepthellntemel expenses SCAN Pr0dL￿an Costs Hall Ma￿le￿ Hall IT￿F￿￿¥￿m￿ts SCA Actiwl*S Expw685 SCA SCCC direct costs s￿￿ord S￿e$.th￿k wsts Yiyjth ewsÈ5 bJDing Coythbubon to NEST Cleaner5 Wages Irtsurar SCAMP 1276 137S 1278 1.734 6A12 270 27 1?91 396 302 12A45 18 11730 11730 20.305 10.386 25.$91 759 1Q386 24591 759 27J43 152 16237 639 3.047 152 16.237 34.83$ 3.047 324 15.864 2,825 UbBry & Postoffi SLPWNt as￿sta[￿e nabons L02n repayrnertts Loan Keyrtsham Swdry Exrenges 4755 4.795 456 7,785 18,795 442 176A04 Sub totsl 160248 160 A4 Asset and inNpslmant urchases,1$ge tsblel Sub total 160,248 160.248 176,504 Net of reeeiptslpayments) A5 Transfers b8￿88n fvnds A6 Cash funds last year •nd Cash funds thls yevend 23.342 23,342 57.324 108346 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 19103r2tr24 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted ds Restricted funds Endowment funds B1 Cash funds G4F Cashfioa Total cash fun