CHARITY COPAMISSION FOR ENGtANO AND WALES Thg Frf8nds of Kennlngton Ubrary 1179939 Receipts and payments aGGounts CC184 For the period To 1st 31st Marth 2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrtcted fundB toth• rwrn•t e RÈ5trfcte lund• Endowtnent lund• Total funds La•t y•ar ioth• n•ll￿t £ A1 R8c8lpts Membership SubxdpDr*i6 Fundraisi Even15 DonaiKJn$. Grants & Sponwlhp Gift Aid wovered Intere Mismllanoous 1,ST2 104 472 472 452 s$ incom AR) 4881 3.514 (see tabl•l. Total r•e•lpts 3.814 A3Pa ments Salary c0nlrbuts￿• Hire ol H41 FurKlr8iginge¥•ts M18c8118fiew8 ex￿688 B8nk charg•$ Computer Eouikmrnnt Onllr)è Setyice8 Suppll•s & Enl•rto1nm￿t Sub total 6.S4J A4 ABJet and InvwJtm•nt urehase# 8•0 tsbl• Sub total 5.559 &559 Net of recelpts/fpayments) A5 Transfers between funds A8 Ca#h fund* last y••r •nd Cash funds this yearend 978 3,029 19.163 20.141 P•Je1 of2 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ￿n￿tr1¢fed Re¥tr4¢ted fundg Endowment fund8 Categories Details to nBnr•Bt£ Bl Ca8h funds Total cash funds 19.163 *)) Unrestr1￿ Re•trlcted EndoYmi?nt fvnd• funds fundB to nwMt£ ts118 to nMrw¥l£ 82 Othor monet•ry a•••t• to¥thleh Dotalls ¢￿t{Or￿lon￿? Currnnt valu• B3 Inv••tm•nt •M•ts to ¥thlch Cojt lortlonall ¢urr•nt ¥alu• B4 A•8•t• rela1n￿ for Ihfr charfty'o own Fund lOt•hl¢h Amwnl dug onal Wh•n du• onal Detsl B5 Llabilities Signed by one or Iwo Iruste*s on b8haW of all the tNsts88 SvJnaturn Prvrt Name DBte of 8prKoval Hugh F￿rnI￿J Page2oF2 **THE FRIENDS OF KENNINGTON LIBRARY ANNUAL TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2024** ## **Registered Charity number 1179939** The Friends of Kennington Library operated as normal during the year ending 31[st] March 2024. Kennington Library was open throughout the period. The 2022/2023 AGM was held on 22[nd] June 2023 at St Swithun’s Church Hall. Eleven members attended in person and proxy votes were submitted by two others. ## **Charitable Purposes and Public Benefit** The advancement of education for the public benefit by supporting the operation and maintenance of a public library in Kennington, Oxford for the benefit of local residents. It is widely accepted that reading has a major contribution to general education. The Friends of Kennington Library (FOKL) exists to support the provision of library services in Kennington. ## **Charitable Activities** FOKL organises events throughout the year for all age groups; some are held regularly each month (e.g. Rhyme Time Stories and Sing-Along and Craft activities for the younger age groups and author talks for the more mature reader). It also organises larger events periodically to attract the widest audience. These events cover a range of topics ranging from presentation of children's stories with audience participation to group discussion. ## **Structure and Organisation** FOKL’s operations are managed by its six trustees who are listed below and who meet regularly throughout the year to review progress towards meeting its financial targets, its partnership arrangements with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) and any related policies, as well as organising fundraising activities and its regular events which are open to all. In accordance with our constitution two Trustees who have served longest stand down in rotation at the next Annual General Meeting of Members, although they may stand for immediate re-election if they so wish. Following review by the trustees, the Partnership Working Agreement has been signed by both parties. Outreach, which for many years was funded separately by FOKL, is now funded by the OCC Library Service. Claire Gilbert was confirmed as a Trustee at the 2022/2023 AGM. The 2024 AGM will be held in person at 7:30pm at St Swithun’s Church Hall on Thursday 27[th] June at which two Trustees will stand down in rotation. Members will receive documentation in early June including a proxy voting form and the Trustees very much hope that members will take advantage of this should they be unable to attend the AGM in person. A recruitment drive was organised during the period. As part of this exercise a survey of members was undertaken to understand what members wanted from FOKL. An online membership application process was introduced which has simplified the process of applying for membership of FOKL. This was combined with an improved paper membership form for those who prefer to apply using traditional methods. As in previous years, the rota of those working alongside the library staff has been covered by regular volunteers. The enthusiastic group of volunteers has been joined by several more during the year and some have retired or are having a rest from volunteering. The Trustees are very grateful to all those who give so willingly of their time and talents in support of the library. We currently have around 11 active volunteers, who between them help to cover five one hour and a half sessions in the library each week. These volunteers are augmented by Duke of Edinburgh volunteers. The Trustees always welcome new volunteers. The very popular coffee talks were held throughout the period. We have continued to use the large Main Hall at the Village Centre which has allowed a larger audience. The ever-popular FOKL Best Reads of the year event was held in December 2023. During the period these Wednesday morning events were augmented by an evening talk on Wildlife on 11[th] January 2024, following comments by members expressed in the membership survey requesting events for those who are unable to attend during the working week. This event was very successful and FOKL plans to continue this initiative in the coming year. Two fundraising events were held during the period, a Murder Mystery Evening and the everpopular Quiz Night, kindly sponsored by Tonks Brothers. Children’s events at the library, such as Rhyme Time, Stories and Sing-Along and Craft activities have continued throughout the year. Kennington Library has taken part in the 2023 Children’s Summer Read Challenge on the theme of “Ready, Set, Read!”, culminating in an End of Summer Read Party at the Village Centre at which the children were presented with their certificates. Outreach activities for nursery and school children have continued throughout the year. A new initiative, the Language Café, has provided an opportunity for local people to gather at Kennington Library to practice language skills. This was initially funded by FOKL, but responsibility for later events was taken over by OCC. FOKL has supported a Tea Books reading group at Kennington Library, organised by Age UK, by paying for monthly hire of a room at the Village Centre. The Warm Welcome Wednesdays initiative, in conjunction with OCC, has continued through the winter months with Kennington Library opening as a ‘warm space’ on Wednesday mornings, with the provision of hot drinks, etc. ## **Financial Report** The accounts have been prepared on a strict cash basis as in previous years and reviewed by our Independent Examiner, a copy of whose report to the Trustees is in the Treasurer’s file available for inspection. In the year ended 31[st] March 2024 the charity generated a modest excess of expenditure over income (£978) thereby reducing its financial reserves. The loss arose following the continued catch-up of payments due in settlement of contractual salary contributions to Oxfordshire County Council amounting to £4,524. Income from Members’ subscriptions which underpin the sustainability of the charity’s operations has been marginally reduced in the year under review. It is reassuring to note that subscriptions from individual members remain largely unchanged. We are most grateful for members’ continuing support as well as that of our sponsors, donors and Friends in these challenging times. Income from Fundraising events, at modest cost to participants, contributed in excess of £1,000. Notes to the accounts 1. The Charity has not given any guarantees and there are accordingly no potential outstanding liabilities in this regard as at 31[st] March 2024. 2. The Charity has no outstanding debts secured by an express charge on any of its assets as at 31[st] March 2024. ## **FOKL Trustees** John Argyle (Chair), Helen Hurrell (Secretary), Hugh Fleming (Treasurer), Jenny Forder, Sylvia Vetta, Claire Gilbert