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2025-08-31-accounts

Charity Registration Number 1172784

LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The Trustees present the annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity’s governing document.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objects

The charity’s objects, as detailed in the constitution, are:

To promote the benefit and protect the interests of the inhabitants of Leverstock Green and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

Establish or secure the establishment of a community centre, The Village Hall, and to maintain and manage the same (whether alone or in co-operation with any local authority or other person or body) in furtherance of these objects.

Activities

In order to achieve these objectives, during the year the charity has:

Kept a watching brief on all planning and environment issues which affect residents and lobbied the appropriate authorities where necessary.

Ensured that the Village Hall is well maintained and appropriate for all hall users and drawn up plans to initiate refurbishment projects to keep the facilities to a standard expected by the local residents and users. In this connection the charity has liaised with the Leverstock Green Parish Trust for funding.

Raised funds by a variety of means to cover any shortfall between the hall-hire income and expenses; to pay for the refurbishment works

Maintained sub-committees and working parties as are necessary to address the aims and objectives of the Constitution. These currently comprise, Finance; Environment; and Fete/Fund raising (working party) all of which report back to the Main Committee.

Placed any surplus funds not needed for immediate running of the Village Hall, or other projects, on deposit to earn interest.

Public benefit

The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in the planning and operations of all its current and future activities. In particular, the Trustees have given due regard to public benefit to ensure that all the activities have open access and are affordable.

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LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Hall hire bookings have remained fairly constant and provide varied activities for members of the community and for those from further afield. These have been supplemented with occasional bookings: children’s birthday parties, family events etc, which have proved popular.

Environmental & Planning Issues

The Environmental & Planning Sub-Committee (ESC) is made up of members of the main committee and other local residents. Its function is to examine planning applications and proposals with the aim of protecting and preserving the local environment, amenities and Green Belt from encroachment or inappropriate development. The ESC also examines relevant National, Regional, County and Local Plans to establish the possible impact on the environment and amenities of Leverstock Green and the wider LGVA Area of Benefit.

The East Hemel Development, which is part of the Hemel Garden Community (HGC) project, includes the proposed construction of 2,400 house and supporting infrastructure on Crown Estate land between Leverstock Green and the M1. The Crown Estate has held three stages of community engagement including workshops and exhibitions. The ESC has been actively involved in the workshops and has participated in the exhibitions.

The HGC project is included in both the new St Albans City and District and Dacorum draft Local Plans which have both reached the Public Examination stage. The ESC has attended hearings and has been closely monitoring the progress of both Local Plans.

Events provided in accordance with our aims:

Winter Fayre, Christmas Lights and Village Fete

The Winter Fayre and Christmas Lights Switch-on, held in Nov-24, has proved very popular, particularly the Christmas Grotto. It is intended that we should build on this for 2025.

The Summer Fete had many new and different stalls. Particular emphasis was placed on family entertainment and there were more children’s rides this year. The Best Dressed Stall Rosette was won by SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Air Families Association), who assist families of ex-service people.

The Dog Show, usually part of the Fete but delayed due to the extremely hot weather, was held on 6[th] September.

Additional Activities

The Village Voice, our revamped newsletter, has been well received by members of the community. The cost of printing is covered by the income from the advertising.

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LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds, which have not been designated for a specific use, should be maintained at a level equivalent of £60,000 or twelve months’ hall expenditure whichever is the greater. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

At 31 August 2025 the charity held free reserves of £115,120 (2024: £118,015). This equates to 19 months of running costs. The committee is aware of the excess reserves. Any investments will be made with caution due to the situation created by the rising costs of running expenses, in particular Utilities.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Leverstock Green Village Association CIO is governed by its constitution dated 27 April 2018.

15 individual trustees are elected at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. Trustees representing local bodies are nominated by each individual body under its prevailing rules or constitution. At its first meeting after the Annual General Meeting the Management Committee elects from among its members the Officers of the charity to serve for the forthcoming year. Two members are appointed by our landlords, Dacorum Borough Council.

A Welcome Pack is in place to give to each new Trustee on joining the Main Management Committee. It is reviewed and updated each time it is needed so that the very latest information is included. In addition to the Constitution, latest accounts, minutes of last 2 months’ meetings, the various Policies, a map of our Area of Benefit and information from the Charity Commission concerning Trustees, information such as contact details of staff and Trustees, a Who’s-Who of those actively involved in the association, a history of the charity and the Village Hall, also of the Parish Trust and their Charity Scheme and any other material considered relevant, is given. All new Trustees are personally welcomed by the Chairman and encouraged to ask any questions and join any sub-committee in which they may have a particular interest and are assigned an experienced trustee to assist in familiarising themselves with the charity’s activities.

Powers to invest the charity’s funds for the benefit of the charity and its members are set out in the Constitution and are vested in the Management Committee.

The charity has no direct connection with any other charity or organisation, but the Leverstock Green Parish Trust provides the charity with donations towards the maintenance of the hall in accordance with its own Scheme of Arrangement.

With the exception of the paid staff, all Trustees are volunteers and all the work of the charity is undertaken by volunteers (not necessarily Trustees) without whom the charity would not be able to function.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

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LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Leverstock Green Village Association CIO is an incorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission (number 1172784).

The principal operating address of the charity is:

Village Hall Leverstock Green Herts HP3 8QG

The Trustees who served in the year and up to the date of this report were:

Elected Members I Parish Chairman C B Gage Vice-Chairman (also Holy Trinity Church Representative) D Tang Treasurer B Makins Secretary (also Leverstock Green Cricket Club Representative) H Bassadone Resigned (did not stand for re-election at the AGM) S Brind C Hill S Read Appointed 13[th] January 2025 N Taylor J Walker A Weightman

Representative Members Leverstock Green Football Club W Dawes Leverstock Green Bridge Club A Woof 1[st] Leverstock Green Scouts M Griffiths Nominated Members Dacorum Borough Council Councillor C McArevey Dacorum Borough Council Councillor J Gale

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LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2025

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year.

In preparing accounts giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the Trustees

I Parish – Chairman

10 November 2025

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LEVERSTOCK VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

I report to the trustees on the accounts of Leverstock Green Village Association Trust CIO (charity no: 1172784) for the year ended 31st August 2025 which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Respective responsibilities of trustee and examiner

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is required.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention to indicate that:

271 St Albans Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 4RP

Dated: 22 October 2025

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LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total
Note 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations & Grants 18,936 567 19,503 5,186 163 5,349
Charitable activities & events 2 671 13,056 13,727 1,179 14,342 15,521
Other trading activities 57,560 57,560 61,246 61,246
Investment income 4,313 4,313 3,609 3,609
Total income 19,607 75,496 95,103 6,365 79,360 85,725
Expenditure on:
Charitable & Fund-raising costs 2 (671) (8,152) (8,823) (1,179) (8,431) (9,610)
Staff costs 3 (44,658) (44,658) (42,346) (42,346)
Light, heat & water 4 (2,585) (11,413) (13,998) (2,689) (17,327) (20,016)
Insurances & Licences (2,138) (2,138) (2,161) (2,161)
Repairs & maintenance (15,766) (634) (16,400) (1,773) (9) (1,782)
Telephone, postage and stationery (1,207) (1,207) (1,316) (1,316)
Hall & Office equipment (585) (3,207) (3,792) (724) (747) (1,471)
Depreciation (100) (8,179) (8,279) (100) (8,179) (8,279)
Independent Examiner’s Fee (390) (390) (390) (390)
Professional Fees (2,626) (2,626) (80) (80)
Sundry (4,067) (4,067) (3,781) (3,781)
Total expenditure (19,707) (86,670) (106,377) (6,465) (84,767) (91,232)
Net income/(expenditure) (100) (11,174) (11,274) (100) (5,408) (5,508)
Transfer between funds - - - - - -
Net income/(expenditure) after transfers (100) (11,174) (11,274) (100) (5,408) (5,508)
Reconciliation of funds
Fund balances at beginning of year 436 179,179 179,615 536 184,587 185,123
Fund balances at end of year 336 168,005 168,341 436 179,179 179,615

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these accounts.

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LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 6 52,885 61,164
Current Assets
Debtors 7 4,883 4,831
Cash at bank and in hand 114,407 116,323
Total Current Assets 119,290 121,154
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due
Within One Year 8 (3,834) (2,703)
Net Current Assets 115,456 118,451
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 168,341 179,615
Represented by:
Restricted Funds 336 436
Unrestricted Funds
Designated funds 52,885 61,164
General funds 115,120 118,015
9 168,341 179,615

Approved by the Trustees on 10th Nov 2025

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The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these accounts.

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LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective 1 January 2015 and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Trustee considers that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Income recognition

Income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement. All other forms of income are recognised on a receivable basis. Income relating exclusively to future accounting periods is deferred.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Hall Improvements 25 years straight line (lease term) Fixtures, fittings & equipment 10 years straight line Computer equipment 3 years straight line

Capitalisation limit of £250.

Funds structure

Restricted funds represent grants, donations and legacies received which are allocated by the donor for specific purposes.

Unrestricted income funds are those funds that are available to the trustees to apply to the general charitable purposes as laid out in the Trust Deed.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds which have been put aside out of unrestricted funds at the discretion of the Trustees.

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LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2. Charitable activities and events & fundraising costs


Income
Expenditure Net Total
Year to 31 August 2025
£ £ £
Winter Fayre 1,587 (107) 1,480
Christmas Lights 671 (1,886) (1,215)
Magic Show - - -
Quiz Night 1,087 (184) 903
Fete 2,881 (592) 2,289
500 Club 2,622 (1,465) 1,157
Newsletter 4,740 (4,144) 596
Other 139 (444) (305)
Totals 13,727 (8,823) 4,904
Year to 31 August 2024
£ £ £
Winter Fayre 1,119 (145) 974
Christmas Lights 1,179 (2,409) (1,230)
Magic Show 582 (450) 132
Quiz Night 1,201 (145) 1,056
Fete 3,657 (412) 3,245
500 Club 2,830 (1,560) 1,270
Newsletter 4,831 (3,977) 854
Other 122 (512) (390)
Totals 15,521 (9,610) 5,911

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LEVERSTOCK GREEN VILLAGE ASSOCIATION CIO

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

3. Staff costs
2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 43,702 41,450
Social security costs 0 0
Pension costs 956 896
44,658 42,346
Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees (head count based on
number of staff employed) during the year was: 5 5
Staff work part-time and the average number of employees (full time
equivalent based on hours worked) during the year was: 2 2
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The
assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company
in an independently administered fund

4.

Light, heat & water

Light, heat & water
2025 2024
£ £
Electricity 5,061 8,406
Gas 6,046 8,727
Water 2,891 2,883
13,998 20,016

5. Trustees’ remuneration and expenses

No trustee received any remuneration or expenses in the year.

The premium for the Village Hall insurance policy was a total of £1,217 (2024: £1,163) and includes Trustee indemnity insurance. This is provided by the Charity in order to indemnify the trustees or other officers against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part.

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

6. Tangible fixed assets
Hall Fixtures,
improvement fittings &
equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 September 2024 166,324 63,167 229,492
Additions - - -
At 31 August 2025 166,324 63,167 229,492
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024 113,100 55,227 168,327
Charged in year 6,653 1,626 8,279
At 31 August 2025 119,753 56,853 176,606
Net book value
At 31 August 2024 53,224 7,940 61,164
At 31 August 2025 46,571 6,314 52,885
7. Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Other debtors 684 313
Prepayments 1,889 1,730
Accrued income 2,310 2,788
4,883 4,831
8. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025 2024
£ £
Other creditors 1,350 1,340
Accruals and deferred income 2,484 1,363
3,834 2,703

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

9a. Funds of the charity – Current Year

At 31 Aug
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Transfers At 31 Aug
2025
£ £ £ £ £
RESTRICTED FUNDS
500 Club 36 - - 36
Christmas Lights Fund - 671 (671) 0
Photocopier - 585 (585) 0
Maintenance - 15,766 (15,766) 0
Heat, Light & Water - 1,554 (1,554) 0
Door Entry System 400 - (100) 300
Total restricted 436 18,576 (18,676) - 336
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
Designated
Fixed Asset Fund 61,164 - (8,279) - 52,885
General 118,015 76,527 (79,422) - 115,120
Total unrestricted 179,179 76,527 (87,701) - 168,005
TOTAL FUNDS 179,615 95,103 (106,377) - 168,341

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

9b. Funds of the charity – Prior Year
At 31 Aug Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 Aug
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Newsletter fund - - - -
500 Club 36 - - 36
Christmas Lights Fund - 1,179 (1,179) -
Photocopier - 727 (724) -
Maintenance - 1,773 (1,773) -
Heat, Light, Water - 2,689 (2,689) -
Door Entry System 500 - (100) 400
Total restricted 536 6,365 (6,465) 436
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
Designated
Fixed Asset Fund 68,873 570 (8,279) 61,164
General 115,714 78,790 (76,488) 118,015
Total unrestricted 184,587 79,360 (84,767) 179,179
TOTAL FUNDS 185,123 85,725 (91,232) 179,615
10a. Analysis of net assets by fund – current year
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total funds
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 52,885 - 52,885
Current assets 118,954 - 336 119,290
Creditors: amounts falling due within 12m (3,834) - - (3,834)
115,120 52,885 336 168,341
10b. Analysis of net assets by fund – prior year
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total funds
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Tangible fixed assets - 61,164 - 61,164
Current assets 120,718 - 436 121,154
Creditors: amounts falling due within 12m (2,703) - - (2,703)
118,015 61,164 436 179,615

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

11. Financial Commitments

At the year end the Charity had commitments of £0 (2024: £0)

12. Related Party Transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year.

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