## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year 1st January 2025 31st December 2025 **From To** ## Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name** Friends of Golcar Library **Other names charity is known by** FoGL **Registered charity number (if any)** 1162979 **Charity's principal address** Golcar Library, 12 Town End, Golcar Huddersfield West Yorkshire **Postcode** HD7 4QD ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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12|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Karen Armitage|Chair||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||John Chappell|Minutes and Membership
Secretary||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Jeremy Cuss|Project and Fundraising
Officer||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Andrew
Marchington|Treasurer and
Social Media Officers||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Angela Sewell|Volunteer Co-Ordinator||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Sue Eaton|Events Organiser||FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Beverley Ingham|Committee member|Left Oct. 2025|FoGL Annual Meeting| ||Nick Price|Committee member|Left July 2025|FoGL Annual Meeting| ||SallyKerry|Committee member||FoGL Annual Meeting| |||||| |||||| |||||| FoGL volunteers have continued to support the local library service throughout 2025. It has been a difficult year, with new staff and limited staffing levels particularly through the summer. During this time volunteers were called upon to open the library independently on a number of occasions. However, the last quarter of the year has been more settled with good working relationships re-established. A council review of the library service was completed and a new model of working introduced in order to protect the service. Although budgets are still tight the future appears more settled than in previous years. Two trustees stood down – Beverley Ingham and Nick Price both due to moving away from the area. All the other trustees agreed to continue standing and bi/tri-monthly meetings have been held throughout 2025. NOTES FOR 2024/2025 Annual report CIO Annual Report March 2026 1 **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 - (eg. trust, association, company) CIO Trustee selection methods - (eg. appointed by, elected by) 1/3[rd] elected by the AGM every year after the first AGM at which all the trustees resign and are eligible for re-election. ## **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. The Friends of Golcar Library group is run by a management committee, all of whom are trustees of the CIO. This committee meets at least quarterly to decide how best to support the work of Golcar Library. The volunteer rota is overseen by the volunteer co-ordinator. Everyone (including trustees) who wishes to volunteer in the library is provided with an induction for this role. There are several groups of library friends which form a network across Kirklees. They are all independent but learn from and give support to each other if the need arises. New trustees are provided with a copy of the FoGL constitution, the accounts and the annual report for the previous year. When the group started in 2015 a business plan was developed and the possibility of an asset transfer of the building considered. However, following careful consideration it was concluded that without significant fund raising it would not be financially viable to refurbish the integral flat (for income generation) or to fund the operation of the library. Kirklees Council have undertaken a review of library services and a new model of working introduced which, for the time-being, has protected the service. Whilst budgetary constraints remain significant the outlook is more positive Although insufficient to maintain the library as it is now, refurbishment of the flat is something which, although unlikely, may need to be revisited. Together with FoGL there are a number of voluntary groups within the local area, each providing advice, support and assistance to each other in regard to annual events and have been invaluable with input for our garden project. CIO Annual Report March 2026 2 **Section C Objectives and activities** ## **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** To advance the education of the public in Kirklees, by operating and managing a lending library in Golcar with access to computer technology. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable. ## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. FoGL have continued their involvement in the running of the library. Volunteer support has been provided to both regular and temporary members of library staff. Although not deemed to be a sustainable measure volunteers have also opened the library independently to prevent temporary closure during times of staff shortages. One member of staff and one volunteer continue to open the library 15 hours a week over 4 days. Our volunteer list has remained relatively stable with a core group celebrating 10 years of volunteering with FoGL. We have also welcomed some new faces as well as some previous Duke of Edinburgh students who have come back to volunteer during their university holidays. A variety of groups continue to use the library regularly for both educational and social gatherings. Groups include: - knit and natter, book reading, ancestry, walking, board games and jigsaws as well as story-time, crafts and Lego building. These groups and activities are enjoyed by a wide range of ages. A warm drink is also always available for anyone who just wants to call in. Story-time and craft sessions have been run weekly and through the school holidays. These sessions have been organised by two very committed volunteers and extremely well attended. These sessions provide an opportunity for parents/carers to bring children to activities which are free. The crafting activities are often linked to the library services reading challenges and funding for craft materials supported by FoGL. Close links have been maintained with other local voluntary groups particularly the Golcar Environment and Golcar Winkle Club who have assisted with some of the physical aspects of our library garden maintenance. This year we have grown onions, garlic and some very tall sunflowers. Our garden has been utilised over the year and our long-term garden project continues. CIO Annual Report March 2026 3 **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** ## Sunflowers previously planted by children on Golcar Lily Day (windblown and top heavy!) The library continues to be central to local annual events with FoGL supporting and running events – Golcar Lily Day and the Christmas Lights Switch On. A year-on-year increase in footfall being noted. Another well attended event, organised as a finale to the summer school holiday craft sessions was Donkey Day. Donkey Day One of our craft sessions In December world renowned author Lee Child chose to visit Golcar library. He gave a very interesting talk on his life and career. He also gave insight into how the local library had been so important to him as a child and stressed his belief in their benefit to the community and the significant value of volunteers in supporting them. Lee Child visited Golcar Library CIO Annual Report March 2026 4 Section D Achievements and performance **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** This year has presented challenges with staff changes. However, because of good working relationships with senior library management difficulties encountered have been overcome. Limited staffing levels has also meant FoGL volunteers ‘manning’ the library particularly through the summer to ensure the library was open as usual. FoGL have been able to publicise events on social media as an update of its Facebook page has been undertaken. Events have also been advertised within the library. All members of the FoGL committee are Trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation set up and registered with the Charity Commission on the 4[th] August 2015. We have continued with excellent attendance at management meetings which have taken place quarterly (more frequently if needed). A celebration of our 10-year anniversary was held with old and new volunteers attending. World-famous author Lee Child visited the library in December to give a talk about his life and career – he stressed the importance of local libraries and the valuable input of volunteers to the service. Following review of the library service and the adoption of a new model of working FoGL volunteers have again stepped up to support the service. After a difficult and unsettling year, we have shown we can meet challenges together and are confident we will be able to in the future. CIO Annual Report March 2026 5 ## **Section E Financial review** **Brief statement of the** Apart from funding craft materials, there are no regular financial **charity’s policy on reserves** commitments at present and hence no need for significant reserves. **Details of any funds materially** None **in deficit** ## **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. ## **Section F Other optional information** ## **Section G Declaration** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** John Chappell **Full name(s)** Karen Armitage **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair Secretary **Chair, etc) Date** 23rd March, 2026 CIO Annual Report March 2026 6 Charlty Narnè Friend5 of Golcar Library No lif any) 1162979 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perjod from Isl Janua 2025 31st Dec 2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrostri¢Èed fund8 tothe nearest Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last y94r lo nearest É to th• neawt £ tolho no•re$t£ lo th• nearn*t £ A1 Receipt$ Gol¢arWinkle Club Colnovaiiey Lion$ Bad e M8king Donations 1,000 100 40 17 24 Sub total (Gross incon7e for ARJ 24 I.IS7 A2 Asset and invg$tment Sales, {$ee tsblel. Sub total 24 1.157 A3Pa ment8 GardeTh Bench R8sour¢•s lorGarden Resources forLibra Ffoal to Library 610 70 40 (Crafts) 91 25 Sub total If6 720 A4 Asset and Inve¥tm8nt urchases, see table Sub total Total payments 116 116 720 Net of recelpts/{payments) A5 Tran8fers between funds A6 Cash funds last yaar end Cash funds ihis ygar end 92 1,091 998 1,091 998 sss 1,091 CCKY R1 accounts ISSI 3010312026 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period UnrÈ$trl¢ted funds to n•arost£ Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowment funds to nearest £ ategories B1 Cash funds Bank Accounl 960 Cash in Hand 38 Total cash funds 998 18gr89 balaKe5Wiil weipts and PaymBrtS acwuntlsll Unrèstricted funds to nearEst£ RestriGt8d funds to nèarest £ Endowment funds to noarest £ Detai15 Fund to whlch a$8Ot bolon Cost lopUonall CuTrgnt value Detall$ Fund to whlch asset bèlon ¢urr•nt valutr Ilonal Details Cost lopllonall B4 Assats retained for the charIt￿S own use Fund to whlch rol4to$ Atnount due ttonal Detai5s Whvn duo onal B5 Liabillties sign￿ by on8 or truslee5 on b8half of all the trustees Trèasurer FOGL Signature Print Name Dale of roval Andrew Marchin ton 23rd Masrch 2028 Chair FOGL Karen Amiita 23rd Masrch 2026 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 2310312026