COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL 

Location : 83 High Street, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0NS 

## www.colneyheathvillagehall.com 


DOCUMENT CONTROL Date Revision Prepared by Approved 12 May 2021 Issue for AGM John Clemow At AGM 18 May 2021 

## **ANNUAL REPORT** 

For the financial accounting period April 2020 to March 2021 

By a Deed of Transfer dated 31[st] March 2020 Colney Heath Village Hall, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation charity number 1182267, accepted the transfer of the hall from the original charity (number 312357) established in 1936. 

## **Trustees** 

John Clemow, Pam Fox, Iris Green, Anne Jarman, Mike Redfern, Gerry Savage, Graeme Shaw, Eddie Walsh. The trustees form the management committee. 

## **1. CHARITABLE PURPOSES** 

The “Objects” in our Constitution are “The provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Colney Heath and the surrounding neighbourhoods without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for: 

(a) Meetings, lectures and classes, and 

(b) Other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants.” 

The Trustees confirm it has taken the commission’s public benefit guidance into account when making any decision it is relevant to meet its purposes. 

In accordance with the UK Government’s directive the Hall was closed for use on 21 March 2020. The Hall was opened for use from May 2020 within the legal restrictions imposed. 

## **2. STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT** 

The Hall is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the charity’s Constitution. The Trustees did not delegate powers in the reporting period. Trustees fulfil the functions of secretary, bookings, marketing, treasurer, and facilities management. One part-time employee provides housekeeping services. There is no standing Chair, the chair is elected at each management meeting. 

The trustees gratefully accepted the offer by Mike Redfern to join as a trustee in February 2021. 

## **3. REVIEW OF YEAR** 

With the “lockdown” and closure of the hall in March 2020 the charity faced a very uncertain future. A budget was drawn up minimizing expenditure while no income could be forecast with any confidence. Forecasts of the depletion of cash reserves showed the charity would continue to be solvent for several years. 

While pre-school providers were permitted to open, it took time to work with Treasure Tots PreSchool to understand and implement the Covid-19 Secure Facility requirements before they restarted in June 2020. During the school holidays in July and August Iris’ Art Group and A Different Dog used the Hall with Badminton and Taekwan Do returning in August and September respectively. Yoga classes started in September. 

The second “lockdown” was imposed on 31[st] October with only Treasure Tots continuing and hires by Mad Science for permitted childrens’ activities in the 2021 half term and Easter school holidays 

Colney Heath Village Hall, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity number 1182267 registered in England & Wales Public and correspondence address 54 Bullens Green Lane, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0QS 



## COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL 

Location : 83 High Street, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0NS 

## www.colneyheathvillagehall.com 


The Hall is the official local polling station for statutory elections (which were cancelled in May 2020) and provides shelter in the event of an emergency being declared in the locality. 

Step 2 in the UKG’s Road Map out of Lockdown started on 12 April 2021. 

## **4. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **4.1 Marketing** 

a. website 

Started in December 2017 our website has created an online presence for people searching for a Hall both on Google and referring websites. This has been maintained and has provided a good platform for enquiries that began to increase in March 2021 in anticipation of the easing of restrictions in the Roadmap out of Lockdown announced in February 2021. 

## b. bookings 

Bookings in the reporting period reduced dramatically as reflected, for example, in the comparison of the 51 bookings Jan-March 2021 with 197 bookings in the same period in 2020. 

c. pricing 

The Trustees have maintained the pricing policy set by the original charity i.e. regular user hire rates to cover the operational costs of the Hall (the “breakeven cost”) with casual hire income contributing to improvements. However, this has not been applied during the FYE March 2021. Trustees continue to provide a subsidized rate for the Old Friends Club to support this group in the community. 

Casual hire rates are benchmarked against other Halls on a “best value” basis with a rate structure to encourage social and community use the Hall. 

## **4.2 Facilities management** 

a. Assurance 

To the best of our knowledge and belief, insurance cover within all legal boundaries for all foreseeable eventualities was placed. 

All licenses are up to date as are all tests and checks of building systems. All our 5 year electrical test issues have been cleared and tested. 

## b. Covid-19 Secure Facility 

With guidance from ACRE and CDA Herts the requirements to establish and maintain a “Covid-19 Secure Facility” were implemented. No reports of infection have been received and compliance by hirers has been carefully monitored and shown to be good. 

## c. Building maintenance and repairs 

Currently the building is in reasonable condition with some items that need to be addressed in the ordinary course. 

## d. Garden and hard surface areas 

Trustees and volunteers have maintained the Bill Franklin Garden and other external areas§. 

e. Housekeeping 

Our housekeeper has continued to do an excellent job in keeping the Hall in an exemplary condition with the additional requirement for a “Covid-19 Secure Facility” and we had no complaints from users. 

## f. Improvements 

Given the reduction in income and the uncertainties during the reporting period, improvements planned were put on hold. 

## g. Issues to resolve 

Colney Heath Village Hall, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity number 1182267 registered in England & Wales Public and correspondence address 54 Bullens Green Lane, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0QS 



## COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL 

Location : 83 High Street, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0NS 

## www.colneyheathvillagehall.com 


More car parking is needed to prevent problems with the neighbours especially when we have large functions. 

## 4.3 **Parish Council ongoing issues** 

The charity is supporting the original charity trustees who are being sued by the Colney Heath Parish Council who refused to mediate prior to making in Court, having resolved to request mediation by the Court. 

The trustees have issued a s25 notice under the Landlord and Tenant Act to recover the office space that the Parish Council occupy for a “work near to home” alternative and to host a digital inclusion service. 

## **5. FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The Accounts for the period ended March 2021 have been submitted for independent examination and signature by David Gutteridge. Comparisons with the previous year relate to the final accounts for the original charity year end 31[st] March 2020. 

Income from bookings of £9,487 reflects the impact of the lockdown on the income (previous year £19,543) 

Operating Expenditure of £8,892 was reduced (previous year £16,953 which included £6,094 on rainwater system replacement). 

The operating surplus/deficit for the year is shown to be a surplus of £692 (previous year £3,894). 

Grants from St Albans District Council under the Covid-19 schemes totaled £20,241. This support has been vital as it has protected the reserve fund established for estimated costs for medium and long term maintenance, repair and replacement of the hall’s facilities, and contingencies. 

As of 31[st] March 2021 the total of the charity’s funds was £58,956 (previous year £43,279). 

From this total a provision of £16,000 has been set aside for future facility liabilities. The annual transfer to the reserve fund of £4,000 is based on an opening balance in the reserve of £15,000 set in 2018. 

The balance for improvements and contingencies is therefore as follows Total funds £58,956 Base reserve fund £15,000 Reserves made £16,000 Balance remaining £27,956 for improvements and contingencies 

All the funds are held by the charity. 

## **6. OUTLOOK** 

Bookings have increased and the bookings calendar has started to fill up again with most of the previous regular users returning and with several new regular users. Booking for parties etc have started. The Trustees remain cautious in view of potential restrictions being imposed again. 


John Clemow Secretary 12 May 2021 

Colney Heath Village Hall, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Charity number 1182267 registered in England & Wales Public and correspondence address 54 Bullens Green Lane, Colney Heath, Herts AL4 0QS 



COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL
L(¢thn.' 83 Hith W Cdrw Hth. HE￿ AL4 CWS
vttAv.¢olneyheathvillagehail.(J)m
31103121
ISSUE
OPENING BALANCE
Curiern ACcL￿ni8nd Cash
29.747
29,696
29.0
13,532
43.279
58.696
16.000
42.696
Prty415￿ INL*e l)
INCOME
ular Lets
15.853
3.69)
8.343
Li44
Casud Lets
otal Letti
Ret￿nable Dep)yts
Retumab
4.870
CHPC Utilmes clwit
CHPC Grani for
e Wl sign
2x1
47
Mi*iianeo
Refund on Insui
120
TAL IN¢¢X
ai,740
1ntwe5t1Natir￿zJ Sa
107
97
TOTAL INCOME
ludi
Inte
20,847
ENDMJRE
O ratiDnal costs
C*aJ
e￿ne￿
Hdid Com
Gas & Uecii
nsaticn 18119 + 19r2D + 21WU
18631
11.769
91
UDlities
2.0791
Counal Ta
665
Cleani
ateria
Cowtk19 relared Irerns
Genera M￿nIen￿ce
Oecorate Lots￿￿5
174
18
Facilme5
Is
1926)
New VThlty Hal .
135
In5wance
1.233)
ebs
PRS for m￿Sit ￿Cer
Posi
Ncrfe 3
Mi5cdIane￿
1201
Gifts arnj cdelxauL¥
Put￿
CDA mem
Bank Account Fee
Bo)￿n
refunds tknE ty CL¥on&wL
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
16,953
892

PERATING SURPLUS
SPECIAL rrEMS
10 Cthverwn
CHPC Claim
117131
io,r
SADC Grw
SADC Grant
8.145
SADC G￿1
SURPLUS
EFEC
3,708
15.417
cAp￿AL
One off tostsrmtDmÈ irt
ICI￿n and Ccmm
.74
28.747
18361
(3.195
(793)
ARMAC Grar*for KJICI￿ 8nd
R(KJm
Proie¢t
rdP
CHVHC
rt81 balan
CLOSING BALANCE
41279
58,696
116,QU)I
PrtrI￿￿on
eli
Note I
Note 2
io be 9￿f￿r rTwh ofttEye
N(rte 3
Nrte4
Nrrte 5
I, the unde￿gned. in ac¢ordance ￿ the wshes of the members, elected as
HonoTary Auditor to the Colney Heath village Hall Counryl. have examined the
records and accounts arKI firKI them to te a tyue aThJ ac(#JRte record as
p￿senIed by the Treasufer.
Signed ...

COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL
V•*W.cdneyheathvillagehatl.com
ndituye
2021
B￿ance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
Total
29.746.78
2,739.26
32.486.04
Less ex
r￿S
otal balance in bank 31° Pawch 2021
32,486.04
0.00
Bpjance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
Total
0.00
72,433.40
72.433.40
Less expenses
otsl bolance In bank 31" March 2021
142.737.08
29.69632
Balance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
otal l>alance in bank 31" March 2021
0.00
29,000.00
29,000.00
Balance held In account 201912020
Income 202012021
13.531.82
147.43
Less ex
otal balance in bank 31" March 2021
n5es
13.679.25
o.oo
Bdance held in Santander Account 31° March 2021 CLOSED
Batance held in CAF Account 31° March 2021
Bdance held in CAF Sawngs Account 31" Marth 2021
8alance held in National Savin
s at 31° March 2021 CLOSED
otal balance in bank 31" March 2021
0.00
29,696.32
29,000.00
0.00
58,696.32
l. the undersigned, in acwdance the wshes ofthe members. elected as
Honorary Auditor to the Colney Heath Village Hdl Courril. have examined the
records arKI accounts and find them to be a true and accurate Tecord as
presented by ihe Treasurer.

COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL
L(¢thn.' 83 Hith W Cdrw Hth. HE￿ AL4 CWS
vttAv.¢olneyheathvillagehail.(J)m
31103121
ISSUE
OPENING BALANCE
Curiern ACcL￿ni8nd Cash
29.747
29,696
29.0
13,532
43.279
58.696
16.000
42.696
Prty415￿ INL*e l)
INCOME
ular Lets
15.853
3.69)
8.343
Li44
Casud Lets
otal Letti
Ret￿nable Dep)yts
Retumab
4.870
CHPC Utilmes clwit
CHPC Grani for
e Wl sign
2x1
47
Mi*iianeo
Refund on Insui
120
TAL IN¢¢X
ai,740
1ntwe5t1Natir￿zJ Sa
107
97
TOTAL INCOME
ludi
Inte
20,847
ENDMJRE
O ratiDnal costs
C*aJ
e￿ne￿
Hdid Com
Gas & Uecii
nsaticn 18119 + 19r2D + 21WU
18631
11.769
91
UDlities
2.0791
Counal Ta
665
Cleani
ateria
Cowtk19 relared Irerns
Genera M￿nIen￿ce
Oecorate Lots￿￿5
174
18
Facilme5
Is
1926)
New VThlty Hal .
135
In5wance
1.233)
ebs
PRS for m￿Sit ￿Cer
Posi
Ncrfe 3
Mi5cdIane￿
1201
Gifts arnj cdelxauL¥
Put￿
CDA mem
Bank Account Fee
Bo)￿n
refunds tknE ty CL¥on&wL
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
16,953
892

PERATING SURPLUS
SPECIAL rrEMS
10 Cthverwn
CHPC Claim
117131
io,r
SADC Grw
SADC Grant
8.145
SADC G￿1
SURPLUS
EFEC
3,708
15.417
cAp￿AL
One off tostsrmtDmÈ irt
ICI￿n and Ccmm
.74
28.747
18361
(3.195
(793)
ARMAC Grar*for KJICI￿ 8nd
R(KJm
Proie¢t
rdP
CHVHC
rt81 balan
CLOSING BALANCE
41279
58,696
116,QU)I
PrtrI￿￿on
eli
Note I
Note 2
io be 9￿f￿r rTwh ofttEye
N(rte 3
Nrte4
Nrrte 5
I, the unde￿gned. in ac¢ordance ￿ the wshes of the members, elected as
HonoTary Auditor to the Colney Heath village Hall Counryl. have examined the
records and accounts arKI firKI them to te a tyue aThJ ac(#JRte record as
p￿senIed by the Treasufer.
Signed ...

COLNEY HEATH VILLAGE HALL
V•*W.cdneyheathvillagehatl.com
ndituye
2021
B￿ance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
Total
29.746.78
2,739.26
32.486.04
Less ex
r￿S
otal balance in bank 31° Pawch 2021
32,486.04
0.00
Bpjance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
Total
0.00
72,433.40
72.433.40
Less expenses
otsl bolance In bank 31" March 2021
142.737.08
29.69632
Balance held in account 201912020
Income 202012021
otal l>alance in bank 31" March 2021
0.00
29,000.00
29,000.00
Balance held In account 201912020
Income 202012021
13.531.82
147.43
Less ex
otal balance in bank 31" March 2021
n5es
13.679.25
o.oo
Bdance held in Santander Account 31° March 2021 CLOSED
Batance held in CAF Account 31° March 2021
Bdance held in CAF Sawngs Account 31" Marth 2021
8alance held in National Savin
s at 31° March 2021 CLOSED
otal balance in bank 31" March 2021
0.00
29,696.32
29,000.00
0.00
58,696.32
l. the undersigned, in acwdance the wshes ofthe members. elected as
Honorary Auditor to the Colney Heath Village Hdl Courril. have examined the
records arKI accounts and find them to be a true and accurate Tecord as
presented by ihe Treasurer.