Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Nov 1[st] 2024 To Oct 31[st] 2025
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 | 1. For the public benefit, the provision and maintenance of a library in South Petherton and a library service for the town and surrounding area. 2. To promote for the residents of South Petherton and the surrounding area the provision of a public library for recreation and/or other leisure time occupations of individuals who have need for such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and 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 |
1. To campaign actively for the Parish Council to maintain funding for a Community Library. 2. To strive to enhance the services available for residents from the Library. 3. To seek improvements to the Library premises which makes the building 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 three-year period. |
|---|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Our 25 volunteers are essential to the successful operation of the library. They provide a variety of roles: offering library services for a minimum of six hours a week when the part time Library and Information Officer is not present; operating the library management system (despite its many shortcomings); updating website and social media posts; servicing the Local Information Centre, providing surgery services; organising activities and clubs for the community; management and coordination of volunteer activities. |
| 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 | FOSPL has continued to expand its community offer, despite the limitations on space offered by the current premises. Weekly surgeries are held: Village Agent, IT support, Hospital Patient Participation Group and Parish Council. Occasional surgery sessions are also held with the PCSO, Age UK and Wessex Water and the Flood Group (established after flooding in the centre of the village in January 2025). The local Junior School has made visits on a number of occasions and, in February, FOSPL played a leading role in the Great Yeovil Storytelling Event for disadvantaged children in the area. Rhyme Time sessions (for toddlers) are held fortnightly as well as occasional Story Time sessions for the Pre=School. Events have included regular Lego Club and Rummikub sessions, occasional Magic Shows and fund-raising events (including a cake sale organised by a Y5 pupil at the Junior School). |
| 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: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The importance of the services organised at the Library by FOSPL (in addition to statutory provision by Somerset) was recognised by the Parish Council which voted to extend the lease on the premises for a further five years and a Partnership Contract with Somerset for seven years). |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Hopes of moving the Library into the redundant Methodist Church as part of a Community Hub were dashed at the last moment in December 2025 despite much community support. With no other suitable premises available and with the departure of key personnel, the Community Hub Project Group (of which FOSPL was a key member) reluctantly decided that it was not going to progress the creation of a Hub. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Current Account stands at £2073.66 and the Savings Account at £3060.11 providing a total of £5133.77 plus £45 cash float (an increase of £1267.89 over 2023- 34) |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves were held in part to smooth annual variations in income and expenditure, but principally in anticipation of the acquisition of a Community Hub. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £5178.77 |
| 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 | Uncertainties raised as to the future of the community library (as enumerated in the 2023-24 report) have not been realised – with new contracts being signed with a new landlord and Somerset Unitary Authority. The only threat to the charity is the need to build in succession planning. Two trustees had resigned over the course of the year and the vacancies not filled. |
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, Produce and Book sales; supporters’ donations; a laminating service; sale of cards; author visits; fees from clubs and organisations using the premises. A new edition of the Village Map was produced by FOSPL volunteers in Spring 2025 and raised £700 through the sale of advertisements to local businesses. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | With the failure to secure a Community Hub for the village, FOSPL is looking to enhance facilities at the current premises. Over the coming year we intend to replace some of the existing shelving for units on casters (to enable the space to be used more flexibly), improve the lighting, replace the flooring in the stockroom and redecorate throughout. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | See above. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 1stJuly 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. |
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 |
No new trustees appointed. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 meets with Somerset Libraries quarterly and also attends Somerset sponsored group meetings of Somerset Community Libraries. |
| 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 | Orchard Rise, North Street, South Petherton TA13 5DA |
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 | Resigned March 2025 | ||
| Mark Freeman | Vice Chair | |||
| Anne Brown | Treasurer | |||
| Biddy Martin | Lead on Community Hub |
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| Marion Parr | Lead on Local Information Centre |
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| Anne Tole | Lead on Health and Safety |
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– 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 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
Signature(s) A.M.Brown
Full name(s) Anne Margaret Brown
Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc)
Date
14/5/26
FOSPL Accounts 1/11/24 TO 31/10/25
| ** | Income From 2023/24 2024/25 Donatons 1633.07 2024.89 Charitable Receipts 830.98 475.8 Direct to Bank 232.36 3682.12 Savings Account Interest 32.36 26.17 Total Income (b) 2728.77 6208.98 Expenditure on: Raising Funds 278.17 841.98 Charitable Actvites 2420.97 2142.8 Yeovil Storytelling Day 1956.31 Total Expenditure (c) 2699.14 4941.09 Net Income/Expenditure (b-c) 29.63 1267.89 Total Funds Carried Fwd (a+b-c) a.3865.88 5133.77 FUNDS HELD: Lloyds Current Account £2073.66, Savings Account £3060.11. TOTAL: £5133.77 plus £45 cash foat. |
|---|---|
NOTE: Income increase largely due to Ads for village map, Read Yeovil donation and Somerset Community Grant. Reflected in increased Income over expenditure and final Fund figure.
A.M. Brown M. Parr FOSPL Treasurer FOSPL Deputy Treasurer A.M.Brown M.Parr …............................ …...............................
Nov-25
Nov-25