GROBY COMMUNITY MANAGED LIBRARY ANNUAL REVIEW
NOTES AND ACTIONS OF MEETING HELD ON THE 31st July 2025
Present
Dave Robinson (DR), John Martin (JM), Mandy Sohanpal (MS), Sarah Gildroy (SG)
Apologies
None
Action
Matters arising
SG thanked the trustees for the very comprehensive report.
Volunteers – group has a good number including a waiting list some have been passed over to the café. At the limit of numbers so that everyone can get a regular shift.
Trustees – would be good to start succession planning with new trustees shadowing those currently in post, possibly from volunteer pool. None of the current five trustees want to step down at the moment.
The library and café are well supported by the local community who regularly express their gratitude and appreciation of the service.
Axiell Spark LMS and catalogue are an ongoing problem. Issues with several things, particularly Loan History, Paying Charges, Lagging and Dead Stock reports. The online catalogue isn’t accurate, appears to search OK but at other times will not bring up a title without inputting further information. MS to feedback continuing issues to Systems (done).
MS
Events in the library are great, both regular and one off. The Greys of Groby group used to meet at Age Concern but now meet in the library and play dominoes etc. Cuppa and Company had proved really successful for locals experiencing loneliness but sadly numbers are decreasing due to illness etc. need to rebuild through promotion. VE day event organised at the village hall so café was opened too.
Performance figures – its unfortunate that the issue and new joiner stats don’t reflect what is actually happening. Having no new books for three months also affected visitor numbers during that period.
Finances - the cafe continues to make a good profit, achieving the original objective of sustaining finances. The local pub will be opening a café and deli in the autumn/winter which hopefully won’t affect business as café already well established, will be a different offer and presumed higher prices. The treasurer is
Action
good at maintaining as reasonable contracts as possible for utilities. Funding has also been received from the Parish Council and National Lottery to cover revenue costs.
DR fed back that the Adults and Communities strategy doesn’t reflect CMLs being community hubs and the reading for pleasure offer.
Stock – since the new stock started to arrive there have been some very random hardback titles delivered including duplicates in some cases (these have been relocated). There doesn’t seem to be any particular buying profile or pattern as not popular authors either. Also seems to be a disproportionate ratio of hardback to paperback items. Reading Well collection titles don’t appear to issue, CMLs are grateful that they are purchased and aware that it is a national initiative but a review of how many collections are spread across the county may be needed? SG to SG discuss stock with the resources team.
The lease renewal process is up and running, the new draft lease will be sent to trustees direct from the LCC legal department giving time before expiry for the new lease to be agreed. The group will need legal representation.
Property issues – Cassies repaired the roof that had leaked over the porch area but pointed out that the downpipes needed clearing, they did fit a new leaf guard to the top but it is unclear if the clearing has been done. Also, external store door is rotting MS at the bottom, Ryan Gibson has been dealing with, MS to chase (done).
Forward planning
Looking at reorganising the layout of the library, interfiling all genres of fiction together and reducing the levels of Large Print and Talking Book stock which is DR rarely borrowed.
Class visits are planned during the new school year from Martinshaw. Will visit in year groups over a period of time.
Section 106 funds of £470.45 expiring in October 2025, DR to put together a DR potential stock spend to share with Victoria.
Date of next meeting
Thursday 30[th] July 2026, 2.30pm at Groby CML
Groby Community Library Statement of Income & Expenditure Year Ending 31st January 2025
INCOME EXPENDITURE
| Groby Parish Council Grant | 500.00 | |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Income | ||
| Café Income | 14190.20 | |
| Library Income | 1299.88 | |
| Interest on Zettle Account | 183.61 | |
| Donations | ||
| Bradgate Rotary Club | 426.22 | |
| Donations | 140.00 | |
| Sale of Calendars | 210.00 | |
| Glass Fusion Workshop | 824.00 | |
| Cake/Book Sale/Craft Event | 515.10 | |
| Zurich Insurance Claim | 152.24 | |
| ADT Callout refund | 109.55 | |
| Room Hire | 60.00 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 18610.80 | |
| FUNDS HELD BY GCLG | ||
| Balance Bank Account 31/01/2025 | 2433.56 | |
| Zettle Instant Access A/C | 18422.71 | |
| Total Funds | 20856.27 | |
| End of Year total as at 31/01/2024 | 19547.54 |
| Utilities | |
|---|---|
| Energy (Gas/Electricity) |
3757.83 |
| Water | 397.74 |
| Insurance (Public Liability) | 276.27 |
| Premises | |
| Cleaning Contract | 1119.00 |
| Window Cleaning | 91.00 |
| LCC Waste Collection | 194.59 |
| LCC Security Charges | 326.27 |
| ADT Alarm & Maintenance | 1433.78 |
| Fire Extinguishers | 493.88 |
| Emergency Lighting | 452.51 |
| Fire Door Maintenance | 280.80 |
| Boiler Service | 114.00 |
| PAT Testing | 84.00 |
| CCTV Contract | 240.00 |
| Library Expenditure | |
| Bradgate Rotary Calendars | 210.00 |
| Email Host Website | 34.56 |
| Library Equipment/Admin | 158.70 |
| Volunteer Catering | 231.57 |
| Café Expenditure | |
| Café Cakes | 2505.08 |
| Café Consumables | 3229.86 |
| Café Equipment | 1048.26 |
| Workshops & Events | 622.37 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 17302.07 |
Increase in funds
1308.73
These accounts have been accepted as a true and accurate statement of Groby Community Library Group finances for year ending 31 January 2025
SignÈd