## Walton ( Berkswich ) Village Hall ## **Treasurers Report for accounts year ended 31st December 2025** The income from regular group hires in **2025** was **£16,147** compared to (2024 £15,371). The three major changes are the increase in hire by GKY dance, a reduction by the Church group and a contribution from the Nursery of £500 for the repairs to Green Gore Lane. Casual booking income decreased by £472 from 2024. The change in the Bank of England base rate interest rate has decreased the income generated from the positive bank balance held with NatWest, by £1,022 from 2024. Total income 2025 amounted to **£24,738** (2024 £25,256), a decrease of £518. Overall expenditure in 2025 was lower by £1,805 than in 2024. Utility and insurance costs increased by £768, reflecting the higher energy market costs and adjustments to the price cap. The bank balance increased by £6,693 with £3,734 coming from interest and £388 from the surplus from the other activities in 2025 and timing differences. The use of CCTV has helped us to monitor hall usage and address instances of misuse when necessary. This has been required on a few occasions. We continue to be one of the most actively used Village Halls in our area, with a usage rate significantly higher than most others. Our hall remains a valued and essential resource for the local community. We concluded 2025 with a surplus of **£4,122** (2024 £2,834). Raj Bandha 20/2/2026 ## Walton Village Hall Management Committee Trustees Report for 2025 Walton Village Hall continues to operate with a satisfactory level of occupancy of both the Main Hall and Bromage Room. Over 30 groups are regular users during the Autumn and Winter months while weekends are busy with functions throughout the year. The Treasurer (Raj Bandha), Bookings Manager (Darren Francis) and Secretary (Philip Burns) have performed their duties with great skill and dedication. The Hallmaster internet-based booking system has proved to be a great advance in reducing effort and enabling regular and casual users to request bookings. Three Trustees assist Darren with its operation Maintenance of the village hall tends to be ongoing throughout the year to keep the high standards our users are used to. Our cleaner, Sarah Anne-Louise Miller from Gleam Bunnies Domestic Cleaners, performs her duties each morning from Monday to Friday inclusive. In addition to her daily cleaning tasks, Sarah also undertakes the occasional polishing of the Main Hall floor and the shampooing of the Bromage Room carpet. As a result of her efforts, the rooms and facilities in the hall are maintained to a high level of cleanliness. A local professional furniture cleaner was employed to clean all 150 textile covered chairs to great effect. Additional financial support for the previous year’s re-surfacing of part of the private lane which leads to the Walton Village Hall was secured by the Treasurer from Bright Horizons Nursery, 12 of whose staff are permitted to use the car park during term times. A major drive was initiated during the year to take action against drivers of vehicles who use the Hall car park illegally. This is a matter in which the police will not take any action as it is viewed as a civil issue. The law bans us from any action such as wheel clamping and so notices have been posted in a similar way to that used by supermarkets which make clear that when drivers use the car park, they are agreeing to the conditions. These state that an invoice will be issued to any driver who is not using the hall for an approved activity. This has been successful in stopping most illegal car parking but invoices have been sent to one particular offender. The Walton Village Hall website has been a great success and enables event organisers to review the facilities and make bookings. The site also contains extensive instructions on how to use the facilities, Terms and Conditions, safety instructions and fire regulations. A maintenance contract with a local software company called DACCAA, enables quick and effective resolution of any problems. The Trustees have suffered one loss by ill health during the year but a new Trustee has been recruited to maintain the same number. The Chairman continues to undertake the role of the Facilities Manager. Jeremy Wheeler Chairman of the Trustees of Walton Village Hall >oxz *** ¥#¥¥¥¥¥ XT.* W4 8¥¥8.¥¥~ #8¥