Trustees report for 2022/23
Charity name: Finmere Village Hall and Playing Fields (CIO)
Charity registration number: 1168895
Address: Finmere Village Hall, Water Stratford Road, Finmere MK18 4AT
Contact address : Finmere Village Hall c/o 2 Chinalls Close, Finmere, Bucks., MK18 4BQ
Website : www.myfinmere.com/villagehall
Trustees:
Illa Moss – Chair Phillip Rushforth - Finance and Bookings secretary Paul Nash – Secretary Pat White Steve Trice
Management committee:
Above trustees Emily Ackland Bernadette Ballantyne Trevor Jones
Type of governing document: Constitution (2016)
Objectives:
The objects of the CIO are to run a village hall and playing field and to promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Finmere (“area of benefit”) without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or political, religious or other opinions the provision of facilities for recreation, sport and play or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.
Trustee / Management committee selection :
The Annual General Meeting is normally scheduled for January / February each year, however due to continuing concerns over COVID, the AGM for 2023 was postponed, with Trustees and the Management committee appointed through email communication.
Organisation structure :
The management committee operates on behalf of the Finmere Parish Council, who are the owners of the lands upon which the village hall and playing fields are located. All committee members give their services to the committee on a voluntary basis and received no remuneration or other benefits.
Activities report for 2022/23:
Principle activities in pursuit of objectives
The hall was finally fully re-opened after the renovation, following the arson attempt in 2021. A number of additional facilities have been added and by mid 2023, most of the regular users had returned, with the hall in use most days of the week. The future bookings calendar is healthy.
The Playing fields have continued to require maintenance and the trustees’ thanks go to Alan & Trevor Jones who spend many hours throughout the year looking after the playing field.
Funding strategy and reserves policy
The hall management strategy is to maintain the revenue budget on a self-financing basis i.e., lettings.
Volunteer contributions, Grants and Fundraising
The trustees thank the hall management committee for their work during the year. The trustees thank the Finance and Bookings secretary for diligence in applying for COVID relief grants from local authorities and managing the positive bank balance, as a result that the hall continues to have sufficient funds and reserves for day-to-day expenses, and to consider a variety of possible improvements in the hall facilities.
The Village Hall Management Committee continues to operate under an informal and temporary authority from the Parish Council. The committee continues to believe that this arrangement represents an issue that should be resolved by the Parish Council.
Future plans
The core activity of the hall and playing fields management is the delivery of a sustainable, safe and high-quality community building for the use and benefit of the village. This is in line with the charitable objectives.