Sidlesham Community Associaton
Annual Report for the year ended 30th April 2024.
The trustees of Sidlesham Community Association (SCA) submit their annual report for the above year during which the Association has completed the major refurbishment with the Parish Council of the premises owned by the Parish Council and known as the Sidlesham Memorial Hall. This refurbishment was jointly funded by the Parish Council and the SCA with each party committing to spend £25,000 each. It became obvious to both parties that if the hall and grounds were to become income earning then a total of £50,000 would be required and this substantial expenditure was commenced in the year beginning April 2022. By July 2024 the full sum committed had been spent and the most visible part of the expenditure is a new stage and new flooring for the main hall. Less visible, but equally important was the need to address the badly leaking roof. In order to ensure the hall could be fully used, a large part of the total expenditure was committed to a total refurbishment of the kitchen.
Although major expenditure was undertaken on the premise, Infinity Football Club were looking for a base for their club and an initial agreement was signed in August 2023. Infinity undertook much capital expenditure on the changing rooms as well as the team ‘dug out’ as well as the covered viewing area. This football club came to Sidlesham with much enthusiasm both on and off the pitch leading to league promotion at the end of June 2024. Much work on maintaining the quality of the pitch became essential as the SCA - through the contacts within the Parish Council - enabled a further six clubs to use our grounds during the season. This additional pressure of regular use of the changing rooms and main premise required a renewal of the waste water system; in this connection the Parish Council incurred substantial costs in renewing the waste water system on our behalf as well as the repair and renewal of the car park.
This is the first full operating year without the special external income generated from the NHS. This has enabled us to have a clearer idea of annual Indirect Costs and thus a more accurate means to cost properly our charges for external and internal events. We are now aware that these Indirect Costs are approximately £8,000 per annual for electricity, water, rates, and heating. The annual net surplus of £707 needs further explanation; during the year the final tranche of capital expenditure was undertaken amounting to approximately £4,500. It is this figure, which is not maintenance of assets, which must be added to the surplus of £707 (mentioned above) to produce a more accurate figure for the surplus at approximately £5,200 for the year. This is a creditable result when judged against income of £20,400 from our various income streams.
The main hall is now being used for both significant functions such as Burns Night where over 100 local residents enjoyed a Scottish Night of dancing and an appropriate haggis supper. These major functions require much organisation and thanks go to a now retired Trustee David Blackford for his contribution not only for this special night but also for his contribution in raising our profile of what we can now offer. Smaller indoor functions such as
the weekly choir and Pilates together with our own version of Music Night now contribute to the regular use of the building.
Externally, mention has already been made of the various soccer clubs who now call the Memorial Ground their ‘home’ fixture. Mike French is now an amateur but excellent groundsman whereas the Devonshires have contributed much of their Trustee time to the wider ground and internal management of the booking of ground and internal facilities.
Looking to the future we are mindful of the floodlights which are reaching their final years. Discussions are ongoing as regards their replacement particularly as the lights are not LEDs. Although the café is managed from the interior it serves outside visitors who come to watch games or support the monthly external auction. Under the able management of a Trustee Corina Hall the café produced net income of almost £3,000 in the most recent year from the sale of hot drinks and snacks.
Finally, the Trustees have become a stable part of the Association and contribute their experience of practical work, computer expertise, large function and financial management. We shall shortly be undertaking a strategic review having built up a knowledge base of those functions that appeal to local residents. With the benefit of a new alcohol licence we are now appealing to a wider group of residents and this will feature in the strategic review.
SIDLESHAM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30th APRIL 2024
| Income (£) | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Football Income | 6,612 | 1,187 |
| Café Income | 2.974 | 1,167 |
| Grants | 0 | 1,260 |
| Village Functions (net) | 4,705 | 698 |
| Bric a Brac | 0 | 108 |
| N.H.S. | 0 | 4,200 |
| General Hiring | 3,673 | 1,119 |
| Luncheon Club/Bar | 2,490 |
614 |
| 20,454 | 10,353 | |
| Expenditure (£) | ||
| Website, Printing & Subscription | 1,792 | 152 |
| Insurance | 405 | 314 |
| Premises Expenditure & Maintenance | 8,802 | 19,560 |
| Donations/Wreath | 50 | 75 |
| Utilities (Water and Electricity) | 4,870 | 1,787 |
| Equipment Purchased | 2,161 | 238 |
| Cleaning & Hall Running Costs | 1,715 | 88 |
| Carol Costs | 0 |
47 |
| 19,745 |
22,261 | |
| Excess of Income over Expenditure | 707 | (11,908) |
| Bank Account | £23,702 | £22,994 |
Accounts prepared by Norman W Robson Hon. Treasurer, independently verified by Tony Harrison and accepted by the Trustees.