Registered Charity Number: 1176562
Broomhill Community Trust
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Broomhill Community Trust
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustees' annual report | 2 – 6 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 7 |
| Receipts and payments account | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 9 |
| Notes to the accounts | 10 - 11 |
Broomhill Community Trust
Legal and administrative information for the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Charity number 1176562
Trustees
Judith Pitchforth Chair Elaine Nunn Treasurer Katharine Harbord Kathleen Whittaker Dermot Gleeson Lindsey Beagles Hari Hara Subramanian Raghuraman Fiona Carr Aline Yasmine
Resigned 9 May 2024
Appointed 11 September 2023 Appointed 21 October 2024 Appointed 9 December 2024
Principal address
10 Taptonville Road Broomhill Sheffield S10 5BR
Accountants
Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH
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Broomhill Community Trust Trustees' annual report For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
The trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements for the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024.
Structure Governance & Management
Broomhill Community Trust (BCT) is a community-based CIO (Charity number 1176562) run by volunteers which was registered in January 2018. In September 2022 it was agreed that Broomhill Community Library Ltd (BCL) would be wound up and transfer its assets to BCT. The library was previously run by the two organisations, but is now run by BCT. This has simplified the organisation, reduced duplication and achieved financial savings. BCL ceased trading in November 2022 and was dissolved on 13 June 2023.
The trustees are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Objects and activities
The charity's objects are:
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The advancement of education for public benefit in the district of Broomhill, Sheffield and the surrounding area through the provision of a community lending library and associated services.
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To further benefit the residents of the area without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.
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For the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of the area of benefit in particular but not exclusively by the preservation, promotion, support, assistance and improvement of the gardens at Oriel House.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit
The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when planning their activities.
BCT was established to progress the development of the library building and restoration of its heritage garden. The Trust operates to raise funds for this development project through donations, grants and developed revenue streams. The aim is to develop the building and garden into a hub and green space for the benefit of the local community.
BCT has continued to progress the development of the library building and the restoration of its heritage gardens. Successful applications for grant funding have been used to commission professional services from architects and landscape designers. Detailed design options have been developed in consultation with BCT Members, and library visitors. Members and other volunteers have continued to clear the garden areas in preparation for future works.
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Broomhill Community Trust Trustees' annual report - continued For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Activities during the year
Context
Broomhill Community Trust (BCT) was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in January 2018. Since then, BCT has operated to progress the development of the library building and its gardens towards a future sustainable community hub.
The library service in Broomhill is co-delivered by agreement between Sheffield City Council (SCC) and Broomhill Community Trust (BCT). The agreement with SCC Library Services operates in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is reviewed annually. The library continues to be staffed entirely by volunteers whilst the building and its gardens are owned by the local authority. Volunteers maintain the gardens around the building.
Achievements and Current Operating Position
BCT currently has over 90 committed volunteers, who help to run the library and maintain its heritage gardens. In September 2024 the library has increased its opening hours to 33 hours per week, closing at 17.30 on weekdays to increase our range and offer of children’s activities. During 2024 volunteers worked as library assistants for over 7,500 hours. People spent over 5,500 hours in managing and developing the library, with some of that work taking place at home. The number of people volunteering in our garden continues to grow – and they spent 800 hours over the year in doing so. Our grand total for volunteer hours is approximately 14,000 over the year. We have had over 44,000 visitors in the period covered by this report.
There were 2,450 registered borrowers at Broomhill Community Library at the end of December 2024:
Children under 5: 288; 5-15 yrs 1244; Young Adult: 127; Adult: 3,791.
The number of issues at Broomhill Community Library in 2024 was 56,700 made up from 34,830 Adult print items and 21,870 of children’s books. During this year we did not have any books on our own catalogue.
BCT continues to provide free computer use and Wi fi for library users, together with scanning and printing facilities. BCT income mainly comes from grants, donations, rental income, printing and fundraising events. We have noticed a marked increase in the number of people coming in to print documents over the past year, which was reflected in the number of toner cartridges we used! Donations come from book sales, recycling and activities as well as from individuals. Gift aid is claimed on eligible donations received.
We continue to be a ‘Warm Space’ for people, offering tea/coffee and newspapers as well as our book stock for people to use. Activities for both children and adults continue to thrive, with the offer ranging from crafts to chats for people for whom English is not their first language. A shared reading group started in the autumn, with two volunteers receiving specialised training for this.
During 2024 SCC Library Service decided to remove the self-service kiosk because it was unsupported technology. With this in mind we reorganised the adult library so that we would have two volunteers on the front desk to manage book loans and have recruited more volunteers to specialise as Children’s Librarians, to manage the children’s book loans. This has proved to be popular with both the public and volunteers alike. The number of excellent quality children’s book donations we have received has been such that we felt that we would like to add them to the library stock. This proved problematic, because we could not add them to the SCC library stock so the decision to have Broomhill Library’s Own Books (BLOB) was taken. This has led to a huge amount of work in book management and training
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Broomhill Community Trust Trustees' annual report - continued For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
for the volunteers, which again has proved to be a positive experience, building up the Children’s Library teams.
Once again BCT put on standalone events such as the Heritage Open Days and a Welcome Cultures Picnic, the latter being funded by grants from Roots and Futures and the Council’s Local Area Committee. We celebrated World Book Day in March by giving away books to children who came in to the library. The ever popular quarterly bumper Book Sales in the library raised funds, along with the Children’s Toy Sale at Christmas. A plant sale in June was also well received. The Summer Reading Challenge numbers were disappointing this year – but it was part of a trend across the city. We have again run visits for local schools during Thursday when the library is closed. Book Groups continue to be popular and we started a fourth group during 2024.
September 2024 marked the 10[th] anniversary of the library being run by volunteers and this was marked with a cross-city event which was a true celebration of all that is good with community run libraries. Plans are in place to continue the 10[th] anniversary celebration with events in 2025.
Governance
The trustees continue to meet on a monthly basis. One trustee resigned in May, because of other commitments but we were delighted to welcome two new trustees in the autumn who have added to the skillset of the trustees.
We have reviewed and revised all our policies and added new ones to the portfolio including Social Media.
We have contacted the Charities Commission seeking permission to update some of the vocabulary in our Objects, and are still awaiting feedback from them.
Groups continue to meet, focussing on different aspects of the charity for example, communications. The Communications Group was very involved in rebranding during the year and updating our logo. We now have a branding guidance document which has been put to good effect on our much improved website, our Facebook pages and we now have a presence on Instagram. Social media has proved to be essential in publicising events and activities.
Building and Garden Development
In 2023 we thought that we would redesign part of the Children’s Library and adapt the stock room into a meeting room, but both were put on hold, partly because of the prohibitive cost of moving the SCC Communications box and broadband cable. The other reason was that we decided to put in an Expression of Interest to the NHLF for the overall Development project.
BCT funded the replacement of two carpets in 2024, one of which had been damaged by water ingress. We also purchased some new desks for the Adult library so that we could work without the self-service kiosk. We also purchased four good quality folding tables on wheels which enable the space in the Children’s Library more flexibly without volunteers having to lift tables.
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Broomhill Community Trust Trustees' annual report - continued For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Events and activities
Events and activities are focussed around our three strands of Heritage, Well-being and Learning. BCT participated in the Heritage Open Days in September, with free events provided by volunteers and the library was also used as a venue for ‘outside events’. The events were popular and illustrated how much we need to increase our available space for such activities. The Big Green Week went ahead.
Adults’ activities (weekly unless stated) Crafternoons (crochet, knitting, art) Tea, Talk and Tots Shared Reading Garden Blitz Coffee, Cake and Chat Well-being walks (fortnightly) Creative Writing (fortnightly) Litter Pick (monthly) Book Groups (monthly)
Children’s weekly activities StoryFun for pre-school children Babytime Chatterbooks (7-11 yrs) Baby Self-weigh (NHS lead) Stay and Play Friday Fun
Financial review
During 2024, BCT secured grant funding of £5,883. This included £495 from SCC Local Area Committee and £300 from Sheffield University Roots & Futures to fund our second successful Welcome Cultures picnic. We also received £2,400 from the Gardens Trust for tree work and garden equipment, and £2,688 from SYCF for the new Social Gardening project.
BCT was chosen as one of the local causes by the Co-op Community fund, and expect to receive approx. £2,000 from the fund for the garden in 2025.
BCT recently submitted an Expression of interest to NHLF for our building and garden development project, which will cost approx. £1.7m and require 10% match funding. Unfortunately we have not been invited to submit an application at this time, so we will explore alternative funding options.
BCT received its final legacy instalment during the year, which was set aside in the Development project designated fund. This money was placed in a savings account, and the interest earned is also allocated to this fund. In view of the potential opportunity to apply for HLF funding, which requires 10% match funding, the Trustees agreed to designate £7,000 from general funds to the Development project. In addition, Trustees agreed to designate £3,744 to fund committed professional fees for the project from BCT reserves.
The charity's policy on reserves
As part of the annual financial review, the Trustees agreed to hold the minimum reserve at £3,000, which is in line with the current level of annual commitments. As at 31 December 2024 BCT had free reserves (general fund cash after transfers) of £8,811.
In addition £74,007 was held in designated funds (see note 4 to the accounts).
The level of reserves and designated funds will be regularly reviewed by the Trustees as options for the development project are explored.
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Broomhill Community Trust Trustees' annual report - continued For the 12 month period ended 31 December 2024
Looking to the future
The current method of funding the library is reviewed annually, although there has been a proposal to change that, but the changes are currently unknown. SCC continues to value the work that we do, as voiced by one of our local councillors at the 2024 AGM who cited the library building as the only non-secular safe space in Broomhill.
We will continue to offer a wide variety of activities and events for people of all ages. In 2025 we will start to issue Broomhill Library’s Own Books for children, which will enhance the book offer by over 1000 items, thanks to kind donations from library users.
We will continue to invest in our volunteers in terms of training and extending our offer to the public. We are still seeking to widen our board of trustees in 2025 to expand our base of expertise. We are also looking to build our staff of volunteers to reflect a diverse range of people from our community, building on contacts made through the cultures picnic. We will also involve more volunteers who wish to be involved in ‘background’ short term projects which will enable us to broaden our offer.
The future of the Broomhill Festival remains uncertain, but BCT will organise some events for both community engagement and fund raising. We plan to take part in the Sheffield Environment Week in June and the Heritage Open Days in September.
10 Mar 2025
Approved by the board of trustees on _______and signed on their behalf by:
J A Pitchforth
…………………………………………. Judith Pitchforth Chair
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Broomhill Community Trust (“the CIO”)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
S Lightfoot
Signed: ____ Sarah Lightfoot, FCA DChA Seven Hills Accountants Limited 57 Burton Street Sheffield S6 2HH 13 Mar 2025
Date: ____
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Broomhill Community Trust Receipts & payments account For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Notes Receipts Grants 2 Donations Legacies Fundraising events SCC rates recharge Total receipts Payments Fundraising events costs Advertising and marketing Insurance IT equipment and software Printing, postage and stationery Equipment Furniture, fixtures and fittings Book stock Professional fees Services Grounds maintenance Rates (recharged) Total payments Net receipts/(payments) Transfers 3 Net movement after transfers Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward BCL residual costs (corporation tax) Part repayment of legacy Bank Interest Transfer in from Broomhill Community Library Independent examination fee/ Accountancy fee for the previous Training Charitable activities - Library printing charges, recycling, room hire |
Unrestricted funds £ - 2,397 13,804 3,917 4,902 2,071 - 1,025 28,116 1,762 196 489 1,171 755 568 4,411 91 775 517 897 2,071 95 - 405 - 14,203 13,913 35 13,948 68,870 82,818 |
Restricted funds £ 5,883 - - - - - - - 5,883 752 90 - - - 6 174 - 2,340 - 95 - - - - - 3,457 2,426 (35) 2,391 7,690 10,081 |
Total 2024 £ 5,883 2,397 13,804 3,917 4,902 2,071 - 1,025 33,999 2,514 286 489 1,171 755 574 4,585 91 3,115 517 992 2,071 95 - 405 - 17,660 16,339 - 16,339 76,560 92,899 |
Unrestricted funds £ - 5,265 - 1,759 5,117 - 447 - 12,588 728 95 445 850 183 422 725 371 370 43 751 - - 750 - 667 6,400 6,188 - 6,188 62,682 68,870 |
Restricted funds £ 8,221 163 - - - - - - 8,384 883 - - - 39 258 1,140 - 2,880 345 128 - - - - - 5,673 2,711 - 2,711 4,979 7,690 |
Total 2023 £ 8,221 5,428 - 1,759 5,117 - 447 - 20,972 1,611 95 445 850 222 680 1,865 371 3,250 388 879 - - 750 - 667 12,073 8,899 - 8,899 67,661 76,560 |
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Broomhill Community Trust Statement of assets and liabilities As at 31 December 2024
| Cash assets Current account Assets retained for the charity's own use IT equipment Furniture, fixtures & fittings Debtors Legacies due - see trustee report for further information Liabilities Independent Examination fee 10 Mar 2025 |
General Funds 8,811 8,811 Fund Fund General |
Designated funds 74,007 74,007 |
Restricted funds £ 10,081 10,081 |
Total 2024 £ 92,899 92,899 Current value 2024 £ 1,752 1,477 3,229 2024 £ - - 2024 £ 570 570 |
Total 2023 £ 76,560 76,560 Current value 2023 £ 1,773 1,456 3,229 2023 £ 13,803 13,803 2023 £ - - |
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Approved by the board of trustees on ___ and signed on their behalf by:
J A Pitchforth
………………………………………………..
Judith Pitchforth Chair
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Broomhlll CommunltyTrust Note5 to the accounts For the year ended 31 December 2024 l Notes on the preparation of the accounts Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context 'ca5h" includes cash equivalent5, for ex3rnple, bank accounts where cash can be re3dily withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due. Unrestricted funds comprise of general funds and designated fund5. General fund5 are expendable at the discretion of the trustee5 1 furtherance of the objectives of charity. Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and U5e5 of the designated funds are Set out in the notes to the accounts. Restricted funds are subjert to specific conditions by donors 3S to how they may be used. The purposes 8nd uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts. 2 Grants Unrestrlcted Restricted funds fvnds Total Unrestrlcted Restricted 1024 fund funds Total 2023 Sheffield City Council Ward Pot Sheffield City Councll Loc31 Area Commlttee Gardens Trust South Yorkshire's Community Foundation Sheffield University Root5 & Culture5 Waitrose Community Fund Sheffield Town Trust Sheffield Church Burgesses Trust 370 951 370 951 495 2,400 2,688 300 495 2,400 2,688 300 5(10 400 5,000 1,000 500 400 5,000 1,000 3 Restrithed fvnds Brought Forward ReIPtS Carried Forward Payment5 Transfers Sheffield City Council- Pocket Park5 IMHCLGI SYCF- HOO costs SCC- Ward Pot- Community Noticeboard Memorial plaques and benches Co-op- IT upgrade & furnishings Sheffield University Roots & Culture5 Sheffield Town Trust- fees Garden5 Trust SYCF- Social Gardening SCC- Ward Pot/LAC Welcoming Cultures picnic 3,535 1951 3,440 28 417 174 409 3,120 1281 417 11741 300 356 780 2,400 2,688 12,3401 2,400 2,688 495 14951 7,690 5,883 3,457 135 10,081 O&tails of the main restricted projects can be found in the Trustees, annual report. io
Broomhlll Communlty Trust Note5 to the accounts- continued For the year ended 31 December 2024 4 Designated funds Brought Forward Receipt5 Carried Forward Payments Transfers O&v&lopment project Library costs 44,220 7,972 14,829 10,744 69,793 4,214 13,7581 52,192 14,829 3,758 10,744 74,007 Development projert The trustees have set aside the legacy and further funds tOW3rds the bullding ènd garden development project. The transfer represents support from gener81 funds agreed by the trustees. Llbrary ¢orts The resldu31 funds transferred from Broomhlll CommunSty Llbrary Ltd are designated to runnlng the library. 5 Trustees. remuneration No trustees received remuneration or out of pocket expenses during the financial year. 6 Related Partles The were no related partytransactions to report during the financial year. li