## **Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Charity** 

Registered Charity No:  1163497 Sole Trustee:  Rowlands Castle Parish Council 11 The Green, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6BW Tel:  02392 413044 and Email: clerk@rowlandscastlepc.org.uk 

## **Trustees Annual Report and Accounts 2021** 

## History and Background 

The land forming the Recreation Ground was conveyed to named Trustees on 19[th] November 1924.   A Deed dated 27[th] January 1925 confirmed that the land was to be used “forever hereafter as a public playing field or Recreation Ground for the benefit of the inhabitants of Rowlands Castle and the immediate neighbourhoods.”   The Trustees are at liberty to make and enforce any bye-laws. 

By a Deed dated 28[th] April 1949, Rowlands Castle Parish Council, as a corporate body, was appointed the sole Trustee, so replacing the named Trustees in the 1924 and 1925 Deeds, some of whom had by then died. 

By a Constitution dated 18[th] May 2015, Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Foundation. 

To retain integrity and avoid conflicts of interest, the Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Management Committee (RCRGMC) was formed to manage this land and its assets, and is answerable to the Trustee, Rowlands Castle Parish Council.  The Committee is comprised of 3 Parish Councillors and 5 interested parties.  It was not feasible for the full Committee to meet during the Covid-19 pandemic, however Parish Councillor members met to provide recommendations to the Trustee advising on use of the Recreation Ground during periods of lockdown. 

## Objectives and Activities 

The aim of the Recreation Ground Charity is to provide and maintain the Recreation Ground for the benefit of the parishioners of Rowlands Castle and the immediate neighbourhood to include Finchdean.  There are 4 football pitches, 1 cricket pitch and 3 tennis courts, a pavilion, a children’s play area, outdoor gym equipment and a car park. 

The Charity: 

- Maintains and develops the Recreation Ground and land it manages, to ensure it provides a safe, pleasant and fit-for-purpose space. 

- Maintains the outdoor gym and playground equipment, with weekly equipment checks to ensure it is in good working order and state of repair.  It also organises an annual ROSPA inspection. 

- Maintains the Pavilion to ensure it is kept clean and in a good state of repair. 

- Grants permission to local football and cricket clubs to hire the recreation ground land for matches and training purposes. 

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- Grants permission to other local bodies for recreation/sporting activities to take place on the Recreation Ground, such as charitable fundraising events and the village annual fireworks display. 

- Seeks to provide excellent facilities that encourage as many residents as possible to benefit from the recreation ground space. 

## Projects during 2020/21 

Due to restrictions imposed following the Coronavirus Pandemic, planned work to improve the football pitches and children’s play equipment were deferred until such time when these initiatives can be carried out safely. 

## Financial Affairs, Assets and Liabilities 

The Recreation Ground Charity generates income from the hire of facilities to sports users, and set up its own bank account with effect from 29[th] May 2015 following its conversion to CIO. 

Rowlands Castle Parish Council pays for additional expenses beyond those covered by revenue to the CIO from sports users, supplementing the total costs associated with maintaining and improving the Recreation Ground facilities.  The Charity had full financial responsibility for utilities and grass cutting during the financial year. 

The Charity’s assets are listed and insured under Rowlands Castle Parish Council’s policy. The charity has no debtors or creditors and no outstanding loans. 

## Volunteers 

We would like to thank the volunteers involved with the charity, including the Parish Councillors, and the groundsman, cleaning staff and contractors who work hard to keep the recreation ground at a high standard for all users. 

## Governance, Management and Administration 

All correspondence should be addressed to the Administrative Assistant at Rowlands Castle Parish Council, 11 The Green, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6BW  Tel: 023 9241 3044. Email: clerk@rowlandscastlepc.org.uk 

**This Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts was approved at a Meeting of Rowlands Castle Parish Council on 10 January 2022 and signed by the Chairman of the Council.** 


Cllr C Stanley, Chairman of Rowlands Castle Parish Council 



## **Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Charity Accounts prepared for the Charity Commission Annual Return 2021** 

## **1[st] April 2020 – 31[st] March 2021** 

|**From Recreation Ground Charity Bank Account**<br>**Income 2020/21**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**Expenditure 2020/21**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>DACDCC Pitch Fees<br>200.00<br>Pavilion Expenses (see Note 1)<br>132.60<br>CUFC Pitch Fees<br>133.00<br>Recreation Ground Expenses (see Note 2)<br>166.38<br>Public Hire of Tennis Courts<br>128.00<br>Wayleave Fees<br>255.00<br>Grass Cutting & Pitch Maintenance<br>2062.00<br>SSE Rebate<br>21.71<br>Utilities & Healthcare Hygiene<br>741.93<br>Donation from Bootcamp Trainer<br>100.00<br>Settlement of Insurance Claim<br>152.12<br>RCPC Management Grant<br>1,000.00<br>1,989.83<br>**Total Income**<br>1,989.83<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**2019/20 balance carried forward**<br>**Total Income**<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>3,102.91<br>2,467.74<br>+1,989.83<br>4,457.57<br>-3,102.91<br>**Balance as at 31 March 2021**<br>1,354.66|**From Recreation Ground Charity Bank Account**<br>**Income 2020/21**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>DACDCC Pitch Fees<br>200.00<br>CUFC Pitch Fees<br>133.00<br>Public Hire of Tennis Courts<br>128.00<br>Wayleave Fees<br>255.00<br>SSE Rebate<br>21.71<br>Donation from Bootcamp Trainer<br>100.00<br>Settlement of Insurance Claim<br>152.12<br>RCPC Management Grant<br>1,000.00<br>**Total Income**|<br>**Expenditure 2020/21**<br>**£**<br>Pavilion Expenses (see Note 1)<br>132.60<br>Recreation Ground Expenses (see Note 2)<br>166.38<br>Grass Cutting & Pitch Maintenance<br>2062.00<br>Utilities & Healthcare Hygiene<br>741.93<br>1,989.83<br>1,989.83<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**2019/20 balance carried forward**<br>**Total Income**<br>**Total Expenditure**<br> <br>**Balance as at 31 March 2021**|**£**<br>3,102.91<br>2,467.74<br>+1,989.83<br>4,457.57<br>-3,102.91<br>1,354.66|
|---|---|---|---|



**From Rowlands Castle Parish Council Bank Account** 

Hedge Maintenance & emergency tree works Playground: Maintenance & repairs Consumables, incl. lining machine & fluid Staff costs: Groundsman, pavilion cleaning 

## Note 1: Pavilion Expenses 

|Servicing of Fire Safety Equipment & Security System<br>Note 2: Recreation Ground Expenses<br>New Signage for Play Area<br>Legal Fees in respect of renegotiation of Rowlands Castle Tennis Club Lease|132.60|
|---|---|
||132.60|
||16.38<br>150.00|
||166.38|



