**Registered Charity Number 1189181**
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
## **CONTENTS PAGE**
|Annual Report|2|
|---|---|
|Statement of Financial Activities|3|
|Balance Sheet|4|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|5 to 8|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|9|
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY Registered Charity Number 1189181**
|**Trustees**
Pauline Jones
Glenys Stone
**Trustee Name**
**Office (if any)**
**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**
David Picton
Chairman
Carol Williams
Resigned 14 October 2024
Secretary
Treasurer
Janet Crookes
Pamela Naish
Maria Hall
NickyHamblin
Barbara Richards
Vivien Hopkirk
Brian English|**Trustees**
Pauline Jones
Glenys Stone
**Trustee Name**
**Office (if any)**
**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**
David Picton
Chairman
Carol Williams
Resigned 14 October 2024
Secretary
Treasurer
Janet Crookes
Pamela Naish
Maria Hall
NickyHamblin
Barbara Richards
Vivien Hopkirk
Brian English|
|---|---|
|David Picton|Chairman|
|Janet Crookes|Treasurer|
|Carol Williams|Secretary|
|Pamela Naish||
|Maria Hall||
|NickyHamblin||
|Vivien Hopkirk||
|Brian English||
|Glenys Stone||
|Pauline Jones||
|Barbara Richards||
## **Patrons**
Johnny Ball Michael Mills
## **Office Address**
Farnham Common Community Library Victoria Road Farnham Common SL2 3NL
## **Bank**
HSBC 1 Corn Market High Wycombe HP11 2AY
## **Independent Examiner**
Mr Lee Chapman 42 Crispin Way Farnham Common Bucks. SL2 3UE
## **THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **Objectives and Activities**
The Farnham Common Community Library (the Library) aims to advance the education, recreation and enjoyment of the public by the provision of a lending library service for the benefit of residents of Farnham Common and the surrounding area. The Library is currently operated in partnership with the Buckinghamshire Council Library Service.
It is the policy of the Library to provide its service without discrimination on grounds of sex, age, disability or beliefs.
As well as the provision of materials, in physical or digital forms, for reading and research, the Library runs activities for the enjoyment of the local community, and rents out its premises to other local or community groups. In determining the activities of the Library the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The charity was registered on 23 April 2020 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to take over from the previously established charity (1153026) which was set up in 2011 to continue the provision of library services in Farnham Common. The assets and liabilities of the old charity were transferred to the new CIO at the close of business on 15th May 2020.
The charity trustees also form the management committee which meets approximately eight times a year to review the operation of all activites, including the financial position and future strategy and plans of the Library.
The trustees, and all those who work in the Library on its core activities, are volunteers.
The trustees are appointed at each AGM. New trustees are appointed during the year if additional skills are needed and are chosen after consideration by the trustees as a whole. The detailed process varies according to the complexity of the role.
## **Achievements and Performance**
This has been a successful year despite the continuing challenges facing libraries locally as well as nationally. Detailed management of the book stock enabled us to add new titles and dispose of those not used keeping our borrowers interested in visiting the library. The number of books issued has remained steady over the period. Our programme of activities for members of the community has gradually expanded to include craft activities for adults as well as children, and we have participated in more local events to show residents what the library has to offer. The number of people who want to be regularly informed about our activities has increased by 3% to 695. Despite the number of Friends who support us with annual donations reducing by 12% to 244, the total amount donated has increased by 4%. With the kind support of the Beeches Community Board we have been able to provide children with the opportunity to develop stop animation skills,
bl di ti it d t h l In September 2024 the trustees carried out a strategy review to enable us to plan to 2030 and beyond. This new strategy was presented to the AGM in October and we sought the opinion of as many stakeholders as we could contact before finalising our plans in December. The trustees are now focussed on implementing the actions flowing from that review to enhance and expand our facilities and engagement with the community making the library the welcoming and inspiring heart of our community where everyone comes to learn, discover, create We continue to receive thanks from members of the public for enabling the continuation of the library service and this appreciation in turn enhances the experience of the volunteers who are the lifeblood of the organisation. The trustees are grateful for the work of all the volunteers, in whatever capacity, and applaud their dedication and flexibility in keeping the library operation viable for the whole
## **Finance and Resources**
Following the volatility of the previous year we were able to keep our finances on a stable footing having established fixed contracts for the main utilities. Despite the reduction by 25% in our grant from the Council we appreciate the range of support services they continue to provide within our Resource Grant Agreement. This basis enabled us to concentrate on increasing our own fund-raising efforts and with the work of the trustees and volunteers and the generous support of the community we were able to increase our income to £42,533 (2024:£36,462). Many Friends of the library kindly increased their donations and our profit from fund-raising events was £7,966 (2024:£2,677). In total the surplus of income over expenditure was £10,730 (2024:£2,996) which was further improved by a gain of £3,496
To support our aim to provide a thriving library operation for the next generation the trustees have designated a sum of £120,000 to be ringfenced for use when the current funding model no longer exists. Due to the hard work and generosity of the trustees, volunteers and the community we also have some funds which, along with grants we hope to secure, will enable us to re-decorate and refresh the library interior so it is a welcoming and flexible space where the community can learn, discover, create and connect.
The trustees are satisfied that the Library is a going concern, with a stable operating budget for the next two years.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees regularly review the key areas of risk management, including safeguarding, health and safety and finance.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 14 July 2025
David Picton (Chairman)
Page 2
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
|**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Donations
3(a)
Activities for generating funds
3(b)
Charitable activities 3(c)
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES USED**
Costs of generating funds
4(a)
Charitable activities
4(b)
Governance costs 4(c)
**TOTAL RESOURCES USED**
**NET INCOMING RESOURCES**
**UNREALISED GAIN/(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Funds brought forward
**FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
Designated funds
General funds
**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**|**2025**
**£**
6,567
18,795
17,171
42,533
9,944
21,579
280
31,803
10,730
3,496
14,226
147,788
162,014
120,000
42,014
162,014|**2024**
**£**
6,490
10,883
19,089|
|---|---|---|
|||36,462|
|||8,160
25,041
265|
|||33,466|
|||2,996
10,129|
|||13,125
134,663|
|||147,788|
|||0
147,788|
|||147,788|
Page 3
## **THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2025**
|**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2025**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Notes**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Investments
5
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors and prepayments
6
Cash at bank
Total current assets
**CREDITORS: Amounts**
**falling due within one year**7
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**CREDITORS: Amounts**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
Designated
General
**TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**falling due in more than one year**|**2025**
**£**
120,341
40
42,778
42,818
1,145
41,673
162,014
0
162,014
120,000
42,014
162,014|**2024**
**£**
116,845|
|||31
33,356|
|||33,387|
|||2,444|
|||30,943|
|||147,788
0|
|||147,788|
|||0
147,788|
|||147,788|
Approved by the Trustees on 14 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
David Picton CHAIRMAN Janet Crookes TREASURER
_The notes on pages 5 to 8 form part of these accounts_
Page 4
## **THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
- **1 Basis of preparation**
- 1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in these notes. The accounts and annual report have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2014), the Financial Reporting Standard FRS102, and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
- 1.2 Going concern
The accounts are prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees are satisfied this is an appropriate approach.
## **2 Accounting policies**
- 2.1 Incoming Resources
Income is included when the charity is entitled to the resources and can measure its value with sufficient reliability.
Income that has been received but relates to committed expenditure in next year is treated as deferred income under liabilities on the balance sheet.
The charity receives a grant from Buckinghamshire County Council towards the provision of the library service and received a further grant from the County via the Beeches Community Board.
Donated services and facilities have all been donated at no charge and are not reflected in the accounts as the trustees consider it impractical to measure the fair value. The premises are provided by the County Council at a peppercorn rent. All staff and trustees are volunteers and provide their services for free.
Friends subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are shown in Donations (note 3).
- 2.2 Resources Used
Costs and liabilities are included when it is more likely than not that the charity has an obligation to pay and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Costs of generating funds by fund-raising activities comprise the actual direct costs of the relevant activities.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its functions and services for the local community. It includes all premises running costs, administration costs, book purchases, costs of running children’s activities and publicity and promotional costs. Any donations to local community initiatives are within the charity's objectives.
- 2.3 Investments
Fixed asset investments in quoted shares, traded bonds and similar investments are valued initially at cost and subsequently at market value at the year end. Realised gains and losses are included as Incoming Resources or Resources Used. Unrealised gains and losses arising from revaluation at the year end are shown separately.
- 2.4 Funds
All funds are unrestricted. At the year end the Trustees designated £120,000 to be kept for the future running of the library for the next generation when the current funding model is expected to have changed. This designated fund is represented by amounts within the investment portfolio. The remaining unrestricted funds in the General fund are made up of the remainder of the portfolio, the cash at bank and sundry debtors and creditors.
Page 5
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
|**3 INCOMING RESOURCES**
**3(a) Donations**
Friends donations
Gift Aid
**3(b) Activities for generating funds**
Events including Lunch Group
Bank interest
**3(c) Charitable activities**
Grants
Fines and fees
Book sales, photocopying and printing
Children's activities
Room hire
Miscellaneous
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
Other donations|**2025**
**£**
5,204
925
438
6,567
17,910
885
18,795
6,878
1,432
765
246
7,850
0
17,171
42,533|**2024**
**£**
5,012
1,016
462|
|---|---|---|
|||6,490|
|||10,837
46|
|||10,883|
|||8,000
1,837
614
218
8,420
0|
|||19,089|
||||
|||36,462|
Page 6
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
## **4 RESOURCES USED**
|**4(a) Cost of generating funds**
Fund raising costs including Lunch Group
**4(b) Charitable** **Activities**
**Premises**
Light and heat
Insurance
Business rates
Water charges
General cleaning
Maintenance costs
Annual safety costs
Garden maintenance
WiFi & Broadband
**Library Running costs**
Book stock purchases
Display costs
Consumables
Volunteer costs
Postage
Stationery
Publicity
Children’s activities
IT equipment
Bank and iZettle charges
**Donations to other charities**
Donations
**4(c) Governance Costs**
AGM costs
**TOTAL RESOURCES USED**|**2025**
**£**
9,944
9,944
7,524
715
274
423
6,383
367
68
175
427
1,655
0
452
496
0
206
66
1,254
71
373
650
21,579
280
31,803|**2024**
**£**
8,160|
|---|---|---|
|||8,160|
|||11,403
639
282
513
6,273
393
96
360
460
1,981
45
574
649
0
326
25
94
0
328
600|
|||25,041|
|||265|
|||33,466|
**Page 7**
## **THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
|**5 INVESTMENTS**
Market value at start of year
Market value at end of year
**6 DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS**
Prepayments
**7 LIABILITIES: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
**C**reditors and accruals
Gain/(loss) on revaluation
The original cost of the investment portfolio wa|**2025**
**£**
116,845
3,496
120,341
**2025**
**£**
40
**2025**
**£**
1,145
s £118,800 in May 2021.|**2024**
**£**
106,716
10,129|
|---|---|---|
|||116,845|
|||**2024**
**£**
31|
|||**2024**
**£**
2,444|
## **8 Fees for examination of the accounts**
No fees were paid for the examination of the accounts.
## **9 Transactions with trustees and related parties**
During the year trustees were reimbursed for transactions they had undertaken on behalf of the charity in relation to fund-raising Payments totalling £175 (2024:£ 360) were made for garden maintenance to a business run by a related party of one trustee.
## **Page 8**
**THE FARNHAM COMMON COMMUNITY LIBRARY**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2025**
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Farnham Common Community Library.**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Farnham Common Community Library (the Charity) for the year ended 31st March 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
## 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Lee Chapman
42 Crispin Way Farnham Common
Bucks SL2 3UE
Date: 14 July 2025
Page 9
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