2025-03-31-accounts

Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Charity

Registered Charity No: 1163497 Sole Trustee: Rowlands Castle Parish Council

11 The Green, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire PO9 6BW Tel: [phone] and Email: [e-mail]

Trustees Annual Report and Accounts 2024-2025

1163497

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.

In June 2021, the Trustee appointed a Facilities Officer to undertake the delivery of specific projects and support aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Recreation Ground. The Facilities Officer acts in support of the objectives of the CIO.

To retain integrity, avoid conflicts of interest and ensure scrutiny of works designated working groups are formed, which include the Facilities Officer, a minimum of 2 Parish Councillors and interested parties. These groups report to the sole Trustee, Rowlands Castle Parish Council (‘the Trustee’).

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, one cricket pitch, 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 three operational inspections and 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.

• 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.

• Leases the tennis courts to the Trustees of Rowlands Castle Tennis Club, who maintain the courts to ensure they are in good working order and state of repair. In addition to private use by its members, the Tennis Club facilitates public bookings as part of the terms of the lease.

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

Projects during 2024/25

• Successful application to the Football Foundation for a 5-year programme of pitch improvements

• Assessment of all football pitches carried out by the Hampshire FA

• Carried out roof repairs to the pavilion

• Major repair carried out on the basket swing

• Works carried out to improve the surface of the playpark

• Meet held with Hampshire FA, Hampshire Cricket Board and East Hants District Council to discuss future project of pavilion renovation and review general recreation ground facilities.

These projects were/will be managed by the Facilities Officer, who acts in support of the objectives of the CIO.

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.

Personnel

We would like to thank the groundsman, cleaning staff and volunteers involved with the charity, including the Parish Councillors 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 Clerk at Rowlands Castle Parish Council, 11 The Green, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6BW. Tel: [phone]. Email: [e-mail] or admin email

This Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts was approved at a Meeting of Rowlands Castle Parish Council on 12 January 2026 and signed by the Chairman of the Council.

Cllr C Stanley, Chairman of Rowlands Castle Parish Council

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Rowlands Castle Recreation Ground Charity

1[st] April 2024 – 31[st] March 2025

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From Recreation Ground Charity Bank Account
Income 2024/25 £ £ Expenditure 2024/25 £ £
DACD Cricket Club Pitch Fees 844.00 Grass Cutting & Pitch Maintenance 2550.00
CUY Football Club Pitch Fees 2224.00 Pavilion Expenses (breakdown below) 1570.42
RC Tennis Club Hire Fees 1030.00 Reimbursement to RCPC for RCTC legal 1000.00
fees
Prince Of Wales 70.00 DVLA request for crashed vehicle 2.50
Total Income 4068.00 Total Expenditure 5122.92
2023/24 balance carried forward 4561.55
2024/25 Total Income +4068.00
8629.55
2024/25 Total Expenditure -5122.92
Bank Balance as at 31 March 2025 £3506.63
Pavilion Expenses (breakdown)
Utilities (Water, Electricity) 1328.08
Plumbing Pavilion internal Toilet 200.00
Hygiene Services 42.34
Payments via Rowlands Castle Parish
Council Bank Account
Rec Ground Expenses incl play park 19445.00
payment & pitch improvements
Playground & Gym Equipment: 716.01
Maintenance & Repairs
Playground & Gym Equipment: Quarterly 522.00
Inspections
Recreation Ground: General 1611.35
Maintenance
Consumables, incl. lining machine & fluid 678.91
Sack Track 66.65
Staff costs: Groundsman, pavilion 5152.33
cleaning
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