Chairman's report for the Annual General Meeting of Forest Row Village Hall Management Committee held on Monday 9th May 2022 (for the year for the year May 2021 to May 2022)
Object of the Charity “The provision and maintenance of the village hall for the use of the inhabitants of Forest Row and the neighbourhood without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes and for other forms of recreation and leisuretime occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.”
Trustees At present the trustees are; Mr. N. de Knoop, (Aikido) Mr. Shane Hannan (co-opted) Miss V. Hill, (co-opted); Dr. J. Josephson, (Forest Row Parish Council & Forest Row Business Group); and Miss A. Yard (co-opted),
There are three non-trustee members of the committee.
Mrs Joan Hills has stepped down as trustee and we thank her for her work, especially her financial expertise, over many years.
Management and staffing
We have had some staffing changes this year as our two part-time hall managers have left us to take on full-time positions. The committee would like to thank these ladies for their enthusiastic, efficient and cheerful work for the hall. While we are sorry to say goodbye to them they were able to assist the trustees in choosing two new, parttime hall managers. Our cleaner continues to keep the hall cleaned and welcoming.
Policies and Procedures
Now committee meetings have been resumed we have continued to regularly update the policies according to the Charity Commission guidelines. Our working methods and data storage are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations.
Registered Charity/Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Our solicitors have advised that there is an eighteen month wait for completing Land Registry applications, however once time allows we should resume this matter.
Finances, funding, bookings
Our audited accounts as at the end of February 2021 show reasonable reserves and the auditor considers we have good accounting.
This year bookings have resumed well, with familiar and new hirers and both halls fully booked on many days. Many single bookings have been received too. We hope that many of these ‘occasional’ hirers will come again. These increased bookings may soon require more staff time.
Major works will be necessary in the near future and additional hiring income
will add to our savings.
The building
Various major and minor works to the building have been undertaken or are planned. One further section of the Peter Griffits Hall roof has had extensive repairs (£1,240) which should protect the north wall of the Freshfield Hall.
The Freshfield Hall porch needs major works, an architect has been engaged, plans have been drawn up and he will apply for LBC. The same application should cover future works to the stonework of the south-west corner of the building, stonework there continues to degrade. The Peter Griffits Hall floor will need a professional survey in the near future. These three projects will all be costly and we hope that we can apply successfully for some grants.
In conclusion
This last year has shown a steady return of classes, of a variety of activities and almost full occupation of the hall, a validation of its use to the local community.
I would like to thank our cheerful and hard-working staff, both past and present and I am sure the committee members join me in this. My personal thanks are due, as chairman, to the members of the committee. Our discussions and decisions are essential to the everyday running of the hall and to its planned improvements.
We hope, in the coming year to maintain and further improve the hall. We believe that this building, set up for the benefit of the village, continues to be an asset to Forest Row and the local area.
Thank you.
Forest Row Willage Hall Financial Activities March 2021 - FebnJary 2022 TOTAL 4.517.22 X D8pr8cialion Exp8nS8 NET OPERATING INcE Lmher Income Donation Ashdown Pantornin• a Frffo8t Play•Ys Lord Uethyr Fund 244.00 2,000.00 Int8r•sl in¢om• WDC cOd 19 Grant 2.04 13.896.57 £1&197.61 £1&197.61 701.41 NET OTHER INCOME NET INCOK4&1IEXPENOITUREI Fthday. sern2022 01:06 GIAT+01..LXI 212