Newton & Bywell Community Trust
Annual Report for the Year to 30th September 2024
Trustees:
Mr James Brown, Chair Mr A Beddis. Vice Chairman
Mrs A Wilkinson. Treasurer
Mr R. Palmer Mrs L Kirsopp Mr W Witchell
Secretary: Miss M. Anderton
Registered Charity No. 1167253
Financial Governance
Objectives of the Charity
The Community Trust looks to serve the Parish of Newton and Bywell and neighbourhood to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation, leisure and education, to offer community activities and to manage the Community Hall.
Funding Strategy
It is the strategy of the Trustees to manage the revenue budget on a selffinancing basis. The contributions made by commercial users of the hall are set to achieve this. The Trust has a policy of making the hall available to residents for private parties at a 50% discount and to the Newton and Bywell Women’s Institute at 100% discount.
Reserves Policy
It is the Trustees’ policy to transfer 10% of the hall income to general reserves and to maintain an operating reserve to cover six months budget
expenditure. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance of the village hall and from time to time this might involve major works far in excess of cash reserves held. On identifying such major works, fundraising will be undertaken with the objective of meeting the costs in full.
Insurance
The Board of Trustees recognises that it is under a legal obligation to protect the building and its users through adequate and appropriate insurance and carries appropriate insurance cover in the following categories: Building Contents
Public, Employee, Hirers and Trustee Liability
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Annual Report above. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
CHAIRMAN
TREASURER
Statement of Assets & Liabilities at 30th September 2024
Balances at the Bank
The following balances were held
Current account £4703 Deposit account £35946
Land and Buildings
The Community Trust holds the leasehold title to the property known as the Newton and Bywell Community Hall. A peppercorn rent of £1 a year is paid to Allendale Estates. The Trust recently completed a licensing agreement with the owners of the neighbouring East House to allow a small section of land to be used to allow access to the rear of East House. The Trust receives a nominal £50 per annum for this license.
Future Plans
The Trust has a policy of continual improvement for the hall and welcomes suggestions from the parishioners and hall users as to any requirements to achieve this improvement. Provision of storage for the hall chairs and tables is being considered and sources of possible funding are being investigated.
Community Funding
The Trust is willing to provide funding for any agreed project within the Parish and any resident can approach the Trust with ideas and requests. Funding will be limited to a maximum of £1000 per project. There have been no applications received in the past year.
Contractual Liability
The contract with Monica Anderton to provide secretarial services continues in the same manner; Also that with the Bookings Manager, Mrs Jill Harrison. Jill Harrison is now also the hall cleaner who comes once a week unless requested otherwise.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2023 - 2024
| 2023/24 | 2022/23 | |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL INCOME | £20266.42 | £19162.48 |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | £20630.88 | £20009.09 |
| NET SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) | (£364.46) | (£846.61) |
EXPENSES ANALYSIS
| CATEGORY | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Manager |
2160 | 2160 | 0 |
| Secretary | 1560.00 | 1,727.60 | 167.60 |
| Broadband | 239.40 | 239.40 | 0 |
| Cleaning | 2054.40 | 2080 | 25.60 |
| Insurance | 796.62 | 760.87 | (35.75) |
| Oil | 1353.61 | 1293.79 | (59.82) |
| Electric | 1413.82 | 774.30 | (639.52) |
| Water Rates | 452.46 | 483.35 | 30.89 |
| Council Rates | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Licensing | 810.07 | 910.27 | 100.20 |
| Other | 59.95 | (59.95) | |
| Maintenance | 7405.07 | 4825.57 | (2579.50) |
| Miscellaneous | 19.33 | 333.24 | 313.91 |
| Bank charges | 62.40 | 63.60 | 1.20 |
| Donations made |
100.00 | 1000.00 | 900 |
| Events expenses |
2143.75 | 3184.40 | 1040.65 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
20630.88 | 20009.09 | (621.79) |