## **Sidlesham Community Associaton.** 

## **Annual Report for the year ended 30th April 2025.** 

The trustees of Sidlesham Community Association (SCA) submit their annual report for the above year during which we have concentrated on selling the facilities to a Manhood audience rather that the more limited area of Sidlesham. This widening of the catchment area has been undertaken to reach a wider audience and thus have the hall and other facilities used by a wider group of hirers.  Externally the major user of the grounds, Infinity F.C., have now completed the renewal of the changing rooms which has proceeded as part of their desire to obtain success in a higher league. 

Internally, village functions, including the amateur theatrical group contributed almost 60% of our total income, with the balance of 40% being generated by external football activities. Our income has been on a steady and increasing trend since 2023. In that year income was around £10,000 whereas in 2024 it had risen to £20,454 whilst in the latest year to April 2025 income rose to £25,700. 

Turning to the cost side of our growth, we are using an old building and, whilst the capital investment has now been completed, we still incurred repairs and renewals of approximately £9,000 p.a. This figure was similar to the previous year and represented nearly 50% of our total costs. In many respects such costs could be much higher except for the fact that external repairs have been undertaken by the Parish Council – for which we are grateful. The other major aspect of costs has been our utility bills of water and electricity. In the year just ended this cost 30% of our total outgoings. During the year we took the opportunity when renewing our agreement with Infinity F.C. to begin charging separately for electricity and whilst this was at cost price this major user of electricity is now covering a substantial part of the overall cost in this area. We are also mindful that the Parish Council have taken responsibility for the renewal of the floodlights with replacement LED bulbs. This should also contribute to a better use of energy. 

We applied during the year for a grant towards the replacement of the hall heaters as one had failed during a cold spell in the winter. Although the grant from Ferry Farm was declined, we were introduced to an energy firm who are now reviewing both the type of electric heating used and the most appropriate form of heating to suit our needs. It is anticipated that this review will be available for the next Ferry Farm grant committee’s use. 

Internally, we have had significant additions to the trustees. We welcome both Kate Wade and Tim Edwards. In their contribution both in day-to-day management as well as their input to our strategic review it was evident that an input of ‘new blood’ had been welcome to the management of the charity. Existing trustees continue to fulfil a valuable role although both the Chairman and Treasurer have announced that they wish to stand down after many years 



of service, much of which in the early days of taking over from the then existing users was time consuming work with little progress in the early years as we became established. 

The trustees carried out a strategic review in the course of the year and this is now being formulated into a business plan which will reach fruition shortly. We are mindful that there are many volunteers aside from the trustees who help, particularly with the ground maintenance. Financial progress is shown with the highest surplus generated in any year under current management of £6,549 or 25% of sales income. Although this is an achievement in itself, we are nevertheless aware that the ultimate ambition is the replacement of the current building with a new build. We have sold our building to hirers so far on the basis of fees a little less than competitor halls. This will need a thorough review as we price our charges during the summer. We will need to reflect the current building’s poor insulation in the winter months and the costly annual repairs bill due to the age of the current premises. The trustees are proud of the progress but recognise that we need to continue to grow income whilst trying to contain costs with much work being done on the premises free of charge. 



## Sidlesham Community Association 

Accounts for the year ended 30 April 2025 

|Income (£)<br>Football Income<br>Café Income<br>Grants<br>Village Functions<br>Bric a Brac<br>General Hiring<br>Luncheon Club<br>Total Income<br>Expenditure (£)<br>Website, Printing & Subs<br>Insurance<br>Premises Ex. & Maintenance<br>Donations/Wreath<br>Utilities (water & electricity)<br>Equipment Purchased<br>Admin Costs<br>Cleaning & Hall Running Costs<br>Total Costs|£<br>2025<br>8,201<br>2,403<br>0<br>6,975<br>0<br>5,273<br>2,826<br>25,678<br>624<br>383<br>8,998<br>50<br>6,194<br>2,216<br>394<br>270<br>19,129|£<br>2024<br>6,612<br>2,974<br>0<br>4,704<br>0<br>3,673<br>2,490|
|---|---|---|
|||20,454<br>1,792<br>405<br>8,802<br>50<br>4,870<br>2,161<br>0<br>1,715|
|||19,795|



Accounts prepared by Norman W Robson Hon Treasurer, independently verified by Tony Harrison  and accepted by the Trustees. 

Surplus for the year 2024/25 = £6,549 



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