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2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: Period start date 01/04/23 To: Period end date 31/3/24 Charity name: Friends of Church Stretton Library

Charity registration number: 1182554

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 The purpose of the CIO is to promote the
advancement of education for the general
public in Church Stretton and surrounding
area, in particular but not exclusively, by
supporting the provision of a community
library and information centre.
To further or benefit the residents of Church
Stretton and surrounding area, without
distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race,
disability or of political, religious or other
opinions by associating together the said
residents and the local authorities,
voluntary and other organisation in a
common effort to advance education and
facilitate learning and to provide facilities in
the interests of social welfare for recreation,
leisure time and occupation with the
objective of improving the conditions of life
for the residents.
•
To support the provision of a
community library and information
centre in Church Stretton; to
promote education, cultural
activities and lifelong learning in
Church Stretton and the
surrounding area.
•
To organise events and activities
which support education, culture
and the health and wellbeing of
residents and visitors.
•
To encourage the involvement of
the local community in all we do
without distinction of gender, age,
sexual orientation, race, disability,
religion or political opinions.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 Our activities in pursuit of these objects
include:
•
Proactively encouraging the local
community to make use of library
facilities.
•
Raising funds to support and
enhance the work of the library.
•
Running a programme of activities
supporting lifelong learning, culture
and promoting health and social
wellbeing.
•
Providing volunteers to support - but
not replace - library staff and
enhance the work of the library.
•
Acting as a link between the Church
Stretton Library Service and the
wider community.
•
Working in collaboration with other
local groups and organisations to
support a coordinated approach.
•
Encouraging the involvement of
local community in all we do,
without distinction of gender, sexual
orientation, race, disability, religion
or political opinions.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 In pursuing these activities, trustees have
followed the guidance issued by the Charity
Commission on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 We make grants to the library to improve
and enhance its service.
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 Para 1.38
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 We have a large and active corps of
volunteers who support our work in several
ways:
•
Raising funds through table top sales,
stalls at charity fairs and other venues.
•
Advising visitors at the library’s Visitor
Information Centre when the library is
closed.
•
Organising our programme of
speakers.
•
Supporting events (selling tickets,
organising seating, serving
refreshments, etc).
•
Putting up posters and distributing
other forms of publicity to advertise
such events.
•
Proofreading publicity materials and
articles.
•
Baking cakes and other goods to serve
at such events.
•
These different contributions are much
valued, and we hold occasional ‘thank
you’ events that bring volunteers
together and generate new links
between the library service, local stake
holders and the wider community.
These all demonstrate the value of
collaboration between a professionally run
library and an active Friends group. They
also show ways in which local engagement
can help secure the future development of
the library service and foster new
generations of active users.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole		 Para 1.20 We ran various events with educational
and cultural content (to cover a broad
range of interests.
We also helped fund children’s activities
run by the library staff in the library.
We raised funds for the library and helped
pay for new library shelving can be moved
to allow a more flexible use of space e.g.
for educational talks.
With the help of volunteers, we continued
to open the Visitor Information Centre two
days a week, when the library is normally
closed.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41 We successfully ran events covering a
broad range of interests and involving other
community organisations. These included
a poetry workshop and readings for
National Poetry Day, a talk on the author C
S Lewis, a local nature conservation
project, a community garden and Russian
literature.
We also paid for ‘Zoolab’ to visit the library
in the summer holidays and educate the
children about animals and the natural
world.
In doing so, we have helped promote
educational, cultural activities and lifelong
learning in Church Stretton and the
surrounding area.
We produced a calendar of local scenery,
with support from local photographers, to
help raise funds. This was sold in shops in
Church Streton and the library.
We have continued to support the provision
of a Visitor Information Centre by recruiting
volunteers from within the community to
open it on the days the library is closed
(Mondays and Wednesdays). Many of the
volunteers have commented on how much
they enjoy this role, because they meet
other local residents as well as provide
assistance to visitors. This helped us meet
our objectiveto support and enhance the
work of the library.
We have continued to make an active
contribution to Shropshire Council Library
development initiatives that seek to
enhance the health, wellbeing and
involvement of local residents. This
included supporting a local charity to set up
a Dementia Café, which takes place in the
library once a month. These all
demonstrate the value of collaboration
between the community, a professionally
run library and an active Friends group.
They also show ways in which local
engagement can help secure the future
development of the library service and
foster new generations of active users.
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41 We were happy to have generated income
of_£_9,960. included £4,376 from donations,
£4,432 from fundraising activities and we
claimed £935 Gift Aid on donations and
216.86 interest on the savings account.
Our administrative costs for the year were
£709, which includes the cost of insurance.
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41 N/A
Other N/A

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 We spent £10,000 on new library shelving
and 517 for other things including
subsidised sessions in the library for local
primary school children.
This left us with a balance of £27,498.
in the bank at year end of which
£17,216.86 is in a high interest savings
account
We have put £7,000 in our reserves and we
are in discussion with the library about
future possible spends. These include
purchasing additional cupboard storage
space to house a local history archive and
replacing some of the chairs with ones
more suitable for the elderly and less
mobile.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 We have put £7,000 in reserves as a safety
net for our operating costs which leaves
approximately £20,000 to spend either this
or next financial year.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 £7,000
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 Shropshire Council, which funds the library,
is having to make massive savings in its
budget. They are seeking additional
funding from the Town Council to keep the
library open. There is a risk the local
authority will declare a section 114 in the
next few months. We are holding back on
making large purchases for the library until
there is more certainty about the future.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Donations from local residents, including
some donations by regular standing orders,
and profit made from running events.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 N/A
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 External factors as Shropshire Council
plans cuts to funding libraries in 2024/25.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:		 Friends of Church Stretton Library
Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(		 Para 1.25 CIO
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Elected by members at AGM or co-opted
by Committee.
People interested in becoming a trustee
are first invited to attend a few committee
meetings so that they better understand
the role.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 Trustees are provided with the charity
commission document ‘Welcome – you’re a
charity trustee‘ andcopies of the policies
listed below which can be found on our
website:
•
Data Protection
•
Equality
•
Financial
•
Safeguarding
•
Terms of Reference
Our financial accounts and annual return
are independently checked by a local
accountant.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 Managed by committee of trustees who
meet once a month.
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51 We regularly meet with Church Stretton
Library staff who advise us on how we can
support their work.
Other

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name Friends of Church Stretton Library
Other name the charity uses
Registered charitynumber 1182554

Charity’s principal address

c/o Church Stretton LIbrary Church Street, Church Stretton, Shropshire SY6 6DQ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Sheila Davies Chair
Madeline Haigh Secretary
Margaret Quartly Treasurer
Ben Warren
Beth Furlong
Inese Neilson

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of other

Description of the assets
held in this capacity		 N/A
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 N/A
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own
assets		 N/A

Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position
(e.g. Secretary, Chair,
etc)
.
Date
Sheila Davi Madeline Haigh

Chair
17/10/24
17/10/24
17/10/24
Charity Name No (if any)
Friends of Church Stretton Library
Receipts andpayments accounts CC16a
For the period
from		 01.04.23
Period start date		 To 31.03.24
Period end date

Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year funds funds funds to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ £ A1 Receipts

Events **4,432 ** - - **4,432 ** 5,115
Donations 4,376 - - 4,376 4,365
Gift Aid 935 - - 935 878
Grant - - - - -
Interest 217 - - 217 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)		 9,960 - - 9,960 10,358
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 9,960 - - 9,960 10,358
A3 Payments
Cost of events 1,140 - - 1,140 1,865
Postage & Stationery 83 - - 83 101
Publicity 131 - - 131
Repairs & Renewals 2 - - 2 -
Insurance 372 - - 372 372
Miscellaneous 121 - - 121 144
Grants to Library 10,517 - - 10,517 1,131
- - - - -
- - - - -
**Sub total ** 12,366 - - 12,366 3,613
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - - -
- - - -
**Sub total ** - - - - -
Total payments 12,366 - - 12,366 3,613
Net of receipts/(payments) - 2,406 - - - 2,406 6,745
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 29,904 - - 29,904 23,159
Cash funds this year end 27,498 - - 27,498 29,904

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

21/10/2024

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use		 u
Signature
VIC Book stands
Details
Donated projector
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Bank Account
Cash In Hand
Details
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
27,478
-
20
-
-
-
27,498
-
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)

unrestricted
-
unrestricted
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Print Name		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

21/10/2024

2