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2024-09-30-accounts

WALSALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 36 Wolverhampton Road Walsall WS2 8PR

01922 615179 walsallacca@msn.com Facebook: WalsallACCA Website: accawalsall.com

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OCTOBER 2024

Registered Charity No. 1189701

Programme for the Annual General Meeting of the Walsall Community Association Friday 25th October 2024

1. Registration

2. Welcome and Opening Remarks

3. Apologies

4. Minutes of the last AGM

5. Elected Officers Report:

6. Presentation of Accounts

7. Election of Officers

8. Election of Additional Members to the Management Committee

(N.B. nominations must be made, accepted and seconded by members eligible to vote)

9. Chairman’s Closing Remarks

WCA/AGM/2024

Section 1

MINUTES OF THE LAST

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Registered Charity No. 1189701

Minutes of the Walsall Community Association (WCA) Annual General Meeting held on Friday 27[th] October 2023 at the WCA Centre

36 Wolverhampton Road, Walsall Meeting started at 7:30pm

In Attendance Management Members

Chairman Ms. Yvonne Vassell Vice Chair Mr. Hartley Walker Secretary Mr. Basil Ellis Treasurer Mr. Leslie Haye Ms. Evadne Harris Mr. Norman Reid

WCA Members

Non Members

E. Buckley C. Ebanks-Powell E. Honeyghan D. Johnson S. Walker A. Smith A. Stephenson (WBSC)

APOLOGIES

Opening Remarks

The Chair welcomed members, visitors and friends to the meeting. The Chair told the meeting that it has been a challenging year for Walsall Community Association, but with the help from the trusted members she was able to complete the 12 months with much zeal and diligence. The organisation was showing signs of recovery, albeit slow but steady, resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic. There was a slight increase in bookings and the Luncheon Club users numbers were up as well.

Minutes of the Last AGM ( circulated)

Accepted: L. Haye & E Harris.

Matters Arising

Maintenance: Given the age of the building and its surroundings, maintenance is inevitably hard work and the older the building gets the more expensive maintenance becomes. Budgeting for the building creates a big gap and deficit in our finances.

Elected Officers Report

Chair’s Report (circulated)

The Chairperson’s report covered the upkeep of the building and events that took place over the last 12 months. Maintenance cost and the increase in utility bills have been crippling for the organisation. However, with a slight uptake in room bookings and social events, the organisation managed to show a cash surplus for the year ended 30[th] September 2023. The report ended by acknowledging committee members, the lone staff member and volunteers for their hard work ensuring that the organisation continued to deliver a service to the community.

Accepted: H Walker and L Haye respectively.

Secretary’s Report (circulated)

The report covered the on-going activities, budgeting and partnership with other bodies. Sporting Spirit CIC (a Community Interest Company that offers sports) has become a regular user of the organisation. During the school holidays in August and December, Sporting Spirit ran a range of activities for children age between 5 – 11 years old.

Finance – our audit report showed that the organisation was currently keeping its head above water. Budgeting for building management has been very expensive given an ageing building that presents a challenge in its own kind. We have seen an uptake in centre activities, more social events and the Luncheon Club returning back to normal.

The Secretary’s appealed for younger people to join the organisation as a move to ensure the long-term existence of organisation and its value in the community.

Accepted: - E Harris & N Reid respectively.

Treasurer’s Report (produced by Accountant Paul Wilcox - circulated)

Balance Sheet at 31[st] September 2023

Current Assets £67,182.00
Current Liabilites
Creditors £2,670.00
Net current assets £64,512.00
Total assets less current liabilites £64,512.00
Capital Reserves £64,512.00
Unrestricted Funds £64,512.00

Fixed Assets

The Association holds the freehold of the charitable premises 36 Wolverhampton Road

Walsall

WS2 8PR Accepted : Y Vassell and H Walker respectively.

Election of Officers

The outgoing chair thanked committee members and volunteers for their commitment and hard work over the last year.

Chairman

Yvonne Vassell: nominated by B Ellis, seconded by E Harris. Yvonne Vassell elected unanimously as Chairman.

Vice Chair

Evadne Harris: nominated by H Walker, seconded by B Ellis. Evadne Harris elected unanimously as Vice Chair.

Secretary

Basil Ellis: nominated by Y Vassell, seconded by L Haye Basil Ellis elected unanimously as Secretary.

Treasurer

Leslie Haye: nominated by E Harris, seconded by N Reid. Leslie Haye elected unanimously as Treasurer.

Election of 5 Management Committee members

All members to the Management Committee have been unanimously elected on to the committee.

N Reid nominated by B Ellis, seconded by E Harris

H Walker nominated by B Ellis, seconded E Harris

M Idowu nominated by H Walker, seconded by N Reid

Mkuu Amani nominated by B Ellis, seconded by Y Vassell

New Member

Camille Ebanks-Powell nominated by E Harris, seconded by N Reid.

Election of any other members will take place at the next management meeting.

Closing Remarks

The chair thanked members for re-electing her for another term and is looking forward to the challenge ahead for the next 12 months.

E Harris also thanked members and the organisation on a whole for being part of the establishment and has promised to work assiduously in making sure that the presence of the organisation is felt throughout the community.

C Ebanks-Powell said that she was not aware that the organisation existed during her time living in the community. She proposed that a sign should be erected in the presence of passers by, indicating that the organisation is here.

D Johnson introduced himself to the meeting. He is looking at a new start-up venture of providing a Mental Health Service with a focus on personalised care that meets the unique needs of each client. More details were to follow.

Meeting closed at 8:30pm.

Section 2

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Registered Charity No. 1189701

Chair’s Report 2024

As the Chair of Walsall Community Association, it is my pleasure to present to you my report for the year 2024.

As has been the case for a few years now, it has been a challenging year for the centre, but also a productive year full of well attended activities and events.

Centre Activities

A number of events & activities have taken place at the centre over the last year.

The Luncheon Club continues to provide a warm and welcoming space for our senior members and for the community, with hot Caribbean cuisine served up in the kitchen every week. Social activities continue to take place each week, and cost of living and health sessions have been run throughout the year.

The organisation continues to have monthly meetings to co-ordinate and execute plans of action, whilst the bar sub-committee meets on a more regular basis to plan community events and make preparations for room bookings.

In June, I was recognised by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands for volunteering services in the community. It was an honour to be nominated for, and to receive this award. This award is an acknowledgement of the hard work and commitment of everyone who volunteers at the centre.

Celebrating Volunteers in Walsall

Maintenance

As has been the case for the last few years, a considerable amount of money has been spent on maintenance around the centre, including repairs on the roof, a new boiler being installed in the kitchen and taps replaced in the school toilets. Asbestos and Legionella reports have been carried out, emergency lighting has been changed and all the electric around the centre has been regularly checked, to make the centre safe for everyone to use.

General Cleaning

Members, volunteers and friends have attended a number of “Clean-up Days” at the centre over the last year. All the weeds growing in the yard, on the side of the building and on the roofs have been cleared. Rubbish and unwanted furniture was removed from the centre. Cleaning and general maintenance of the Community Garden was regularly carried out as well.

Future Plans

We are always looking to improve upon the facilities that we have; the main building at the front of the centre has been derelict and an eyesore for some time now and the organisation has been actively looking at funding to refurbish and redevelop the building.

The Management Committee have assembled a sub-committee, who will put together an action plan to help to identify and manage our priorities, and to identify funding opportunities and make applications.

Financia l

Despite large maintenance costs and an increase in our utility bills, our centre continues to be used by the community for social events and we are able to show a cash surplus for the year ended 30[th] September 2024. As has been the case for some time now, our financial strategy remains the same, to have sufficient funds to maintain our significance in the community and to cover our liabilities.

Thanks

I would like say thank you to all of the organisations who have contributed to the centre over the last 12 months, including Emmanuel School, PAL Fitness, Plasma of Hope, Sporting Spirit and Walsall College, and to everyone who has provided valuable information during our cost of living and health information sessions.

I would like to thank everyone who has attended our Luncheon Club each week, who has taken part in our activities and who have attended our events over the last year, and thank you to everyone who has used our centre for functions during the last 12 months.

I would like to give thanks to our volunteers and staff, particularly those helping out in the kitchen. I am always in awe of the effort put in by everyone associated with Walsall Community Association, including all of the Management Committee, whose support and care make my job as Chairperson so much easier. The activities of the Committee can often go largely unseen by many, but without them the organisation would quickly grind to a halt.

As always we are looking for new members to join the organisation or our committees. We are always welcoming of new faces and new ideas, so if anyone would like to speak with us and give us your input, then please do not be afraid to do so.

Yvonne Vassell Chair 25[th] October 2024

Section 2

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Registered Charity No. 1189701

Secretary’s Report 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Secretary’s Report for Walsall Community Association, in which I am pleased to report on the organisation’s contribution of services and benefit to the community.

I am especially satisfied with our continued commitment of putting the needs of the community at the heart of what we do.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the dedication of our board members and our long list of volunteers and friends who continue to give their free service and support to the organisation. Not forgetting also our lone staff member Darren Mitchell who has worked tirelessly in his administrative and managerial role in the organisation.

We will continue our commitment to maintaining our presence and services to the community.

Funding

2023/2024 has seen a low uptake of activities and income from outside bodies. The sole funding which we received during the last year was from PAL Fitness & Education CIC. WCA was provided with £800 funding to help to run Warm Hub sessions in February and March 2024. This funding allowed meals to be offered to the community and members at a discount and went towards overheads associated with running the sessions. Plasma of Hope also contributed towards the warm hub sessions, paying for meals during two of the sessions and providing valuable health information during the year.

Bookings

Use of the function rooms this year has increased, with Birthday Parties, Christenings, Baby Showers, Funerals and a Music concert all running in our function rooms. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) have also started using the centre every Sunday for their services. There are some enquiries that were made which the organisation was unable to facilitate due to the nature of the events. Some enquiries were for 2 hours sessions, which were not cost effective, whilst some enquiries were for use of the centre during the day and others required a lot of manpower involving moving out the furniture from one room to another.

Events & Activities

Over the last 12 months we have run a number of events, including our Christmas and New Years Eve Parties, a Valentine’s Party, Domino Dance and Ladies DJ Night. The events were well attended and they all had positive feedback.

BBQ Fundraising Event

Our annual Bank Holiday BBQ in May was a success. There was Bouncy Castle for the little ones, face painting and use of the Community Garden, and for the adults there was music and dominoes in the Social Club, along with hot food and cold drinks available for everyone.

Fish Fry Fundraising Event

This was a new event introduced to the centre from a couple of our Trustees. The Fish Fry offered a traditional Jamaican cooked meal where a variety of fish dishes were available for the community to try. A popular choice was the fried snapper dishes and a preparation of Escovitch, a traditional Jamaican fish dish with spicy, lightly pickled vegetables and sauce. The event was warmly received, and the fish dishes were enjoyed by all. We will be looking to run the Fish Fry event again in the future.

HAF Children's Activities

Sporting Spirit ran a range of activities during the school holidays in August for children aged between 5-11 years old, including arts & crafts and multi-sports activities. These activities went on for two weeks, with over 20 children attending each week. The activities received positive feedback, and future activities are planned for 2025.

Walsall College

Staff and students from Walsall College have been helping WCA every Wednesday during the community hub sessions. They have been running activities, delivering exercise sessions and provided a pampering session for our members in December. We have continued to work with Walsall College throughout 2024 and more students will be helping us in 2025.

New Member

We welcomed on board a new member to the committee, Mrs Camille Ebanks-Powell. Mrs Ebanks-Powell is an educator who brings a vast number of transferable skills and experience to the organisation. Discipline, risk management, meticulous organisation, planning timelines, budgets and resources to name just a few.

Challenges

In my last report I mentioned that the organisation faces many challenges, a declining building, high utility costs and price increases, and a small workplace. Trying to get funding for redeveloping the site is a major task. Developers are interested in the site, but only to serve their own purpose. A proposal being put forward is to host a Community Consultation meeting on re-imagining a Walsall Community Asset. This will involve identifying Key Stakeholders. Their presence is crucial for fostering collaboration and enhancing community initiatives.

Finance

Our financial report shows that we are in a good financial position. Emmanuel School is our major income contributor and as always we appreciate their continued support. Maintaining an ageing building has a substantial impact on the finances of the centre.

Conclusion

It remains a great privilege to be part of the organisation and to play a lead role in its affairs. Thank you once again for your support and we look forward to 2024/25.

Basil Ellis Secretary 25[th] October 2024

Section 2

TREASURER’S REPORT

Produced by

WCA Accountant Paul Wilcox

Registered Charity No. 1189701

Walsall Community Association

Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2024

Contents

Page
2 Report of the trustees
4 Report of the accountants
5 Profit and loss account
6 Balance sheet
7 Notes forming part of the financial statements
9 Accounting statement
For the directors only
10 Income and expenditure account
Trustees B Ellis
E Harris
L C Haye
M Idowu
Peace
C Ebanks-Powell
N W Reid
Y Vassell
H Walker
Registered office Afro Caribbean centre
36 Wolverhampton Road
Walsall
WS2 8PR
Registered number CE021996
Accountants Paul Anthony Wilcox Accountants Limited
Chartered Certified Accountant
The Barn Common Farm
Luton Road
Chalton
LU4 9UH

Page 1

Walsall Community Association

Report of the trustees

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2024.

Principal activity

TO FURTHER OR BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF WALSALL AND THE NEIGHBOURING AREA, WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE OR OF POLITICAL, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES, LEARNING HANDICAPS OR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS BY ASSOCIATING TOGETHER THE SAID RESIDENTS AND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, VOLUNTARY AND AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN A COMMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION AND LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS. IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE OBJECTS BUT NOT OTHERWISE, THE TRUSTEES SHALL SPECIFICALLY HAVE THE POWER TO MAINTAIN A COMMUNITY CENTRE. ALSO, TO CO-OPERATE WITH ANY TYPES OF ORGANISATIONS IN THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SUCH A CENTRE FOR ACTIVITIES PROMOTED BY THE CHARITY IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ABOVE OBJECTS.

Accountants

The accountants, Paul Anthony Wilcox, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Page 2

Walsall Community Association

Report of the trustees (continued)

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to :

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently ; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent ; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report was approved by the board on 16th October 2024 and signed by order of the board.

..................................

B Ellis Trustee

Page 3

Walsall Community Association

Report of the accountants to the trustees of Walsall Community Association

Registered Charity Number : 1189701

We report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 30th September 2024.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and accountants

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of report

Having satisfied ourselves that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited for this year under part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligble for independent examination, we report in respect of our examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out our examination, we have followed the directions given by the Charities Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiners statement

We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come our my attention which which gives us cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

1) accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the companies Act 2006: or

2) the accounts do not accord with such records: or

3) the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination: or

4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).

Paul Anthony Wilcox Accountants Limited Chartered Certified Accountants The Barn Common Farm Luton Road Chalton LU4 9UH

16th October 2024

Page 4

Walsall Community Association

Income and expenditure account for the year ended 30th September 2024

Note
Turnover
1,2
Cost of sales
Gross surplus
Administrative expenses
Operating (deficit)/surplus
3
Taxation
4
(Deficit)/surplus on ordinary activities after taxation
8		 2024
£
43,720
-
43,720
45,830
2,110
-
-
2,110
-		 2023
£
46,418
-
46,418
45,897
521
-
521

The notes on pages 7 to 8 form part of these financial statements.

Page 5

Walsall Community Association

Balance sheet as at 30th September 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets (restricted fund)
5
Current assets
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors :amounts falling due
within one year
7
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Capital and reserves
Revenue account
8
Shareholders' funds		 2024
£
£
-
17,793
45,433
63,226
824
62,402
62,402
62,402
62,402		 2024
£
£
-
17,793
45,433
63,226
824
62,402
62,402
62,402
62,402		 2023
£
£
-
17,385
49,797
67,182
2,670
64,512
64,512
64,512
64,512		 2023
£
£
-
17,385
49,797
67,182
2,670
64,512
64,512
64,512
64,512
63,226 67,182
824 2,670
62,402 64,512
62,402 64,512
62,402 64,512

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and were approved by the board on 16th October 2024 and signed on its behalf.

..............................

Y Vassell Trustee

The notes on page 7 to 8 form part of these financial statements.

Page 6

Walsall Community Association

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2024

1. Accounting policies

Limited Status

The company is registered as a Charitable incorporated organisation does not have a share capital.

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.

Turnover

Turnover comprises the invoiced value of goods and services supplied by the company, net of Value Added Tax and trade discounts.

Tangible assets and depreciation

Tangible assets are stated at cost less depreciation.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives.

Taxation

The provision for corporation tax is calculated on the basis that the charity is not liable to tax.

2. Turnover

In the year to 30th September 2024 all of the company's turnover was to markets within the United Kingdom .

Page 7

Walsall Community Association

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2024

3. Operating surplus
The operating surplus is stated after charging :
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Reporting accountants remuneration
4. Taxation
UK corporation tax at 0%
5. Fixed Assets
Fixed assets
6. Debtors
Other
7. Creditors : amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
8. Revenue account
Opening balance
(Deficit)/Surplus for the year
Closing balance
Made up as follows
Unrestricted fund
Restricted fund : Maintenance fund		 2024
£
-
480
-
-
17,793
17,793
824
824
64,512
2,110
-
62,402
38,552
23,850
62,402		 2023
£
-
450
-
-
17,385
17,385
2,670
2,670
63,991
521
64,512
42,160
22,352
64,512

Page 8

Walsall Community Association

Accounting statement for the year ended 30th September 2024

INCOMING RESOURCES
Income from donors
Investment income
Charitable trading income
Other income
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Direct expenditure
Fund raising and publicity
Management and administration
Repairs and maintenance
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
NET INCOMING RESOURCES
REALISED GAINS ON
INVESTMENT ASSETS
UNREALISED GAINS ON
INVESTMENT ASSETS
UNREALISED GAINS ON
TANGIBLE ASSETS
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUNDS BALANCE:
BROUGHT FORWARD
CARRIED FORWARD		 Restricted
Unrestricted
income
Endowment
Last
funds
funds
funds
year
£
£
£
£
17
-
-
190
313
-
-
119
30,710
-
-
23,658
12,680
-
-
22,451
43,720
-
-
46,418
-
9,447
-
-
12,051
-
-
-
-
24,695
-
-
21,696
11,688
-
-
12,150
45,830
-
-
45,897
1,498
-
1,498
-
-
3,608
-
1,498
-
521
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,608
-
1,498
-
521
42,160
22,352
-
63,991
38,552
23,850
-
64,512

Page 9

Walsall Community Association

Income and expenditure account for the year ended 30th September 2024

Income:
School rent
Room hire
Project 3 donations
Interest
Memberships
Warm hub and donations
Cost of sales
Gross surplus
Administrative expenses (see below)
Surplus from operations
Other Income:
Bar
Income
Exprenditure
Adminastrative Expenses
Wages national insurance and pensions
Volunteer caretaker costs
Rates and refuse
Refuse recharged
Heat light and water
Heat light and water recharged
Windrush, Jubilee and arts costs
Windrush, Jubilee and arts grants
Sports equipment costs
Sports equipment grant
Insurance
Repairs and renewals
Legionella services and reports
Telephone and internet
Licences
Printing stationery and software
Photocopier costs
Accountancy		 2024
£
18,500
10,910
360
313
140
817		 £
31,040
-
31,040
36,383
5,343
-
3,233
2,110
-
£
9,574
777
1,582
5,878
-
-
792
4,306
7,382
2,577
1,619
144
1,272
480
36,383		 2023
£
18,000
3,948
360
119
150
1,390		 £
23,967
-
12,680
9,447		 22,451
12,051
23,967
33,846
9,879
-
10,400
£
2,247
665
-		 £
2,070
-
521
£
8,945
-
2,070
5,567
-
90
734
12,150
-
2,315
1,155
370
-
450
32,923
27,045
-		 27,835
22,268
-
-
-		 10,200
10,200
-
-
-		 1,842
1,752
-
33,846

Page 10

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