Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 Nov 2022 Period start date To Period end date
31 Oct 2023
Charity name: THE FRIENDS OF SOUTH PETHERTON LIBRARY
Charity registration number: 1186429
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the public benefit, the provision and maintenance of a library in South Petherton. To promote for the residents the provision of a public library for recreation and/or other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the condition of life of the said residents. |
| 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 |
To campaign actively for the Parish Council to maintain funding for a Community Library. To strive constantly to enhance the services available for residents from the Library. To play a leading role in the acquisition of a Community Hub, to include a larger library better able to meet residents’ needs. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | It is confirmed that all Trustees have signed as having read, understood and given due regard to the Guidance 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 | FOSPL policy is to fund service enhancements up to 66% of annual income averaged over a 3 year period. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The continued contribution of the 31 volunteers is essential to the successful enhanced operation of the Library. The bureaucratic administrative hurdles introduced by the new Unitary Authority have placed additional pressures on these volunteers but have been successfully overcome. |
| 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 | The extended opening hours enabled by the volunteers has seen the figures for book issues, footfall and new members increase significantly over the past year and are almost back to pre-Covid levels. The Fast Track scheme, funded by FOSPL, gives Community Library users access to the very latest popular books ahead of any eventual distribution from the County Library service. Authors’ Visits are now a regular feature, and the LEGO club and Rummikub are both thriving, limited only by space in the current Library building. FOSPL volunteers enable the use of the Library as a Community Meeting Space, for the “Stitch and Sew” group, Book Clubs, and Solicitors. FOSPL sponsored a visit of “Pete the Poet” to the Infants School and enabled the pupils to read out their own efforts as part of the village Folk Festival. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
FOSPL continues to play a leading role in the identification and satisfaction of Community needs. Trustees were at the forefront of commissioning, administering and the analysis of a Community Survey which has provided the evidence necessary to underpin grant applications. This clearly identified the support for a Community Hub which would include a larger Library space, thus enabling more and varied activities. After the previous disappointment described in the last Annual Report, negotiations to take over |
|---|---|---|
| the redundant Methodist Church are well advanced and funding is being sought from the National Lottery. County Library Service officers continue to commend the Community Library for setting the standards and range of activities for others to aspire to. These accolades are only possible through the dedication and commitment of the Trustees and volunteers outside of the set hours of the Library Information Officer. The same personnel have organised the Plant and Book Sales that have raised the majority of FOSPL funds. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | With the Community memory of the near-loss of its Library in 2019 fading, donations to FOSPL have declined; however Plant and Book Sales, Authors’ Visits and Club activities have meant that the Charity’s income has been maintained. FOSPL now offers a Laminating service in the Library which has added to FOSPL funds. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Aware that acquisition of a Community Hub would require significant outlay to reconstitute the Library facilities, FOSPL continues to build its limited Reserves and has opened a Savings account to safeguard its resources. |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income for this FY was £2507, against £3107 last year, whilst Expenditure was £1946 against £1914 last year. This small reduction in Income is explained below. Overall the Charity’s finances remain healthy with £3,836 carried forward. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are held in part to smooth annual variations in Income and Expenditure, but principally in anticipation of the eventual acquisition of a Community Hub; expenditure on Library facilities therein will be required. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £3,000 |
| 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 | In early Jan 2023 FOSPL’s Treasurer had her personal computer hacked and fraudsters gained access to the Charity’s account with Lloyds Bank. The Bank responded immediately and all monies were refunded to FOSPL the same day. The Treasurer has improved her security protocols and her computer has been declared safe by a local IT company. |
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 |
Plant and Book Sales, Authors’ visits, Club subscriptions, Laminating service and Supporters’ Donations. The Village Map, which was a major contributor to funds last year, is produced biennially so there was no income this year. Similarly there was no Covid-recovery grant available from the Somerset Community Fund. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The objective of our investment is to safeguard funds raised such that when the acquisition of a Community Hub comes to fruition then FOSPL will have the resources to establish improved Library Services in the new facility. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Should the Parish Council withdraw from its contract with Somerset Council then FOSPL would be unable to fund the full costs of the Library on its own; however the operating contract has been renewed for a further 2 years to March 2026, deferring any risk for the time being. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Foundation Model Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation established 1 July 2019. |
| 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 | Election by existing Trustees; re- election of Trustees on completion of term. FOSPL is keen to elect more Trustees and was pleased to recruit Anne Tole. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 | The new Trustee has past corporate experience so was quickly up-to-speed. She has read and signed as having agreed and understood the various policy documents including Public Benefit. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Trustees meet on a monthly basis to address the FOSPL agenda alongside the larger Library Management Group. FOSPL has representation at the quarterly meetings with Somerset Libraries which review the workings of the partnership between Somerset Council and the Parish Council. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Friends of South Petherton Library |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | FOSPL |
| Registered charity number | 1186429 |
| Charity’s principal address | 44 Compton Road, South Petherton, Somerset TA135EN |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Kidner | Chair | |||
| Mark Freeman | Vice Chair | |||
| Anne Brown | Treasurer | |||
| Biddy Martin | Lead on Community Hub |
|||
| Marion Parr | ||||
| Michael Callaghan | ||||
| Anne Tole | ||||
– 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 others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
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
N/A
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Mark Freeman Signature(s) Peter Kidner Mark Freeman Full name(s) Peter Kidner Position (eg Secretary, Chair Vice Chair Chair, etc) Date 17 Nov 2023
FOSPL Accounts 1/11/22 to 31/10/23
| Income From | 2021/22 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 998.52 | 2404.01 | |
| Charitable Receipts | 2109.16 | 102.25 | |
| Savings Account interest | 1.58 | ||
| Total Income (b) | 3107.68 | 2507.84 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Raising Funds | 42.5 | 260 | |
| Charitable Activities | 1872.25 | 1686.61 | |
| Total Expenditure (c) | 1914.75 | 1946.61 | |
| Net Income/Expenditure (b-c) | 1192.93 | 561.23 | |
| Total Funds Carried Fwd (a+b- (a)3275.02 |
3836.25 |
Funds held:Lloyds Current Account £2834.67; Savings Accou Total £3836.25Plus £40 Cash Float
A.M. Brown Nov-23 FOSPL Treasurer …............................
P.J. Kidner Nov-23 FOSPL Deputy Treasurer
…...............................
Int £1001.58.