Northampton Croquet Club Trustees Annual Report
Charity Registration: 1191519 Reporting Period: 01/11/2021 to 31/10/2022
1. Introduction
This report covers a momentous year for Northampton Croquet Club as it began development of what is hoped will be our long-term home at Roade, Northampton. The trustees accept that they have overall responsibility for the direction, management, and control of the CIO.
2. Objectives and Activities
The object of the CIO is the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for people of all ages in Northamptonshire and the surrounding area by providing facilities to participate in the sport of amateur croquet at both competitive and social levels (facilities means land, buildings, equipment and organising sporting activities).
The CIO is also involved in promoting croquet as an activity that contributes to both physical and mental welfare and through social interaction creates a supportive environment for its members.
The membership is engaged in social and competitive play both as individuals, and teams. The latter ranging from doubles partnerships to larger teams involved in competitive play in the regional croquet leagues (at various levels of play) and inter-club competitions.
Whilst still operating from our temporary home at the Old Grammarians Memorial Sports Ground in Northampton we have also been preparing and commissioning ground works at our new home in Roade, Northampton, with a view to establishing full occupancy in 2023. The club has been engaged in extensive fund raising so that two full croquet lawns could be commissioned from professional providers. The trustees having assessed the issues with a self-build and concluded that we have insufficient experience to go this route but may well experiment on any future lawn development that the site will support.
The volunteers that assist the trustees are drawn both from the membership and those that are associated with the club commonly these are partners of members. The club regularly runs introductory sessions and coaching to all levels and ability, and this year promotional activities and fund raising have featured extensively.
As part of regular maintenance, the trustees regularly review the club risk registers, club handbook and key policies updating and communicating them to the membership as appropriate. These policies include Safeguarding, Equality, Disciplinary, Reserves policy and Data Protection (GDPR). Some of the material related to site specific requirements are in the process of review in anticipation of the move to Roade.
As Trustees, we have regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance and have taken it into account in all decision making. We are fully aware of our place in the wider community and believe that we have complied with our duty to have regard to the published guidance on public benefit. Membership is open to all, including those with restricted ability to pay.
All Trustees gave their time to the Charity voluntarily and received no Honorarium, emoluments, or other benefits aside from receipted expenses.
2
3. Achievements and Performance
This year has been another challenging one as we have continued to return to full play (post COVID-19) as well as raising the necessary funds and commission the ground works necessary for developing a site at Roade, Northampton for croquet.
The first challenge was to obtain the appropriate planning permission to develop the site as well as affect change of use to facilitate its purpose as a sports ground. Whilst this was accomplished the response from the West Northamptonshire council was protracted due to the backlog of other applications and its own change of status and lack of staff. Initial enquires were supportive of our intentions, so we began soliciting quotations for the groundwork and the associated fund raising to commission the works.
We were successful in running a ‘Crowdfunder’ campaign that raised over £20k and since this event, have been able to support other clubs and charities by relaying our experiences and lessons learned. Moving forward we are reviewing another such campaign, this time related to providing a modest club house to escape the inclement weather and provide a meeting place for members and visitors.
We have also been successful in obtaining grant funding through the local parish council and the governing body of our sport (The Croquet Association) to support ground development and purchase a used shipping container for use as secure storage, a composting toilet (as there are no services to the site) and the necessary lawn care equipment such as cylinder and rotary mowers. We have also sought advice from those involved in lawn care to establish and budget for the groundwork going forward.
Two croquet lawns were prepared in the Spring of 2022 and a water connection also financed. This work whilst successful was affected by the long hot summer but has since recovered due to the late Summer/Autumn rains. This has given us an appreciation of the need for the water connection as part of a longer-term plan to install suitable irrigation.
We will take up full residence at our new ground in 2023 and until then still operate at our temporary home at the Old Grammarians Memorial Sports ground in Wellingborough, Northampton.
On the participation front we have fully returned to play, and our members have taken an active role once again in participating in both social and competitive play.
We entered teams in the East Anglian Croquet Federation (Regional body) leagues. These teams represent a cross section of all abilities and codes (types) of croquet and all did well although none won their respective league.
Members who enjoy the competitive aspect of croquet were also able to participate in tournaments and several made it through to the National finals of their class.
At the top level of performance, one of our members represented the club and country at the Golf Croquet World Championships held in the UK this year and another at the inaugural European Women's Golf Croquet Championship in Latvia.
On a more social level several ‘friendlies’ were held with other local clubs and enjoyed by all with the club being well represented. The most notable, receiving local media coverage was that with Peterborough Croquet Club – The Nene Challenge. Signalling to all that the Northampton Croquet Club is still going strong despite its change of circumstance. This year the event was also followed up by the local radio station where interest again raised the profile of the charity.
We have also held our equally varied club competitions and regularly publish the results on social media such as Facebook.
3
We have also managed to resume our ability to host groups for ‘Have a Go’ events during the summer. Local WI groups, and a u3a group were introduced to the sport, not only providing a modest source of revenue but as importantly introducing new people to the sport and the club. The club also supported national croquet week, an open event for people to come and try our sport and which was well supported by the local community and from which we drew some new members. We continue to publicise the club and sport through local magazines and have plans to do more once we move to the Roade site. Several people cognizant of our work at this site have expressed an interest in trying the sport when we open.
As part of establishing our place in the community the club also fielded a ‘Have a Go’ event at the Roade Jubilee celebrations again with plenty of local interest being demonstrated and no doubt contributing to the sympathetic hearing that our grant request received at the local parish council.
The ‘buddy’ scheme set up to help support new members by providing an established and knowledgeable member as mentor continues to operate effectively.
The trustees believe that the club is forging links with its new local community and looks forward to continuing to develop the site and promoting croquet for the benefit of its members and all those that it supports.
4. Financial Review
As mentioned in the previous Trustees Annual Report the reserves formally held in the building society account have been assigned to the development of the charity’s new home at Roade. These funds have been bolstered during the year by various fund-raising activities. In compliance with the charities financial policy its current account holds sufficient funds to manage its running costs such as ground rent, affiliations, insurance, and administration support costs.
As at 31/10/2022 the total club funds stood at £24,154.
The income for the year was £44,555, with an expenditure of £42,451 and outstanding liabilities of £15,650.
The substantial increase in income arose from the extensive fund raising conducted in the year via grant applications including the local Parish council and the sport’s governing body, a Crowdfunder campaign supported by Sport England as well as more traditional events such as quiz and race nights. Also, members past and present were generous in their giving.
The expenditure largely relates to the professional development of two croquet lawns and the purchase of the necessary ground care and secure storage equipment.
All outstanding liabilities will be settled from the unreserved funds. The trustees monitor the outstanding payments that are accrued from work commissioned or orders placed, recording the liabilities above £1,000 that will be settled prior to the next subscription round (1[st] April each year).
Whilst the club is not formally required to conduct an independent examination it has traditionally commissioned one and will continue, reflecting the professional way the finances are dealt with and giving confidence to the membership and any interested third parties.
As suggested in the previous Trustees Annual report most of the club reserves have been invested in preparing the new ground and its facilities at Roade. Going forward, they are also to be used in the provision and maintenance of a club house.
The trustees maintain both a business risk register and a Health and Safety register. These are reviewed regularly regarding all issues pertinent to the charity.
4
4.1 Receipts and Payments Account Northampton Croquet Club 1191519 Receipts and Payments Accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGN0 AND WAIES CC16a For the period from 0111112021 To 3111012022 Section A Receipts and payments Unreslricled fund5 Restricted funds Endowrnent funds Total fund5 Lastyear the near¢5t lothe rare$l£ to t neaies1£ to the nw•51£ tothe D•8re5t£ A1 Recel ts Subscri Coachin CAILe3 Club Com Club Events Giou 4615 325 15 185 325 ue cl etibons 1B5 Wl, u3a elc. 675 100 382 675 777 95 739 13 l Grants 38200 Other Sorie Sub totallGross income forAR) 44,555 44,555 6,250 A2 Asset and inve$tsnent sale$, l$ee tsblel. Sub total Total CeIptS 44,555 44,555 6,250 A3Pa ents Grd RenVFee5 Insui3n¢e sPurlMnl ment Purl Mnl Ground Develo enl Club Events Rdocalioncosls etibons 1899 190 2186 4535 31297 1296 190 2,186 4,535 31297 36 502 5Q2 553 213 413 14 CA& EACF 489 Officers Ex Dse5 62 1,000 245 42,451 1000 245 42,451 Other Sub total 2,817 A4 Asset and investment urcha5e5, see table Sub total Totalpayments 42,451 42,451 2,817 Nel of receipts/(paymentsJ A5 Transfers beNtefjn funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 2104 2104 3,433 22,050 24,154 22,050 24,154 18,618 22,050
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to n#arost£ Endowtnent funds tonèar•st£ Lategories funds to n•arost£ B1 Cash funds Natwest Icurrwll 9658 Natwest (Dgvglopmgnll Stafford RaiWAccount PEtty Cash 14372 22 103 Total Gash Ivnd5 24,154 ly1 Unrestricted funds Restrtcted funds Mar#stÉ Endowment funds Detalls B2 Olher monetary assets B3 Invèstmènt as8et$ Details Fundtowhlch assot C1 loptkinl Currént¥aluo B4 AsÈts rètained for the tharity's tswn usè Detsiis Fundttswhl¢h ASÉÈt C¢ loptkinl Currént¥alu# B5 Liabilitie5 Fund towhkh lknbll mDuntdu• WhoTrdu• 2022 ReTrtal P8ri¢NI UTrreseNod Funds ,230 Nov-2022 2023 Annual Rent Unresetved Funds £4.5ryJ 31 March 2023 Mumby Landscapes (Ground WoTksl & Bugg (Waier Contrart[l Unreaefved Funds £3,30 < March 2023 Unreserved Funds £3,60ts < March 2023 Carnwstin9Toilgt LJnre8etvEd Funds £2,0 < March 2023 ed byor* or tr$tee$ on behalolAII the trustse$ Slgnature Prlnt Narne Oats of approv81 Martyn Palmer 2111212022 Paul Chard 2111212022
4.2 Independent Examiner's Report CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to th? tru$tg9 members of Northampton Croquet Club On accounts for th• yoar ended Charity no Ilf any) 31st October 2022 1191519 Sgt out on pagg¥ Th18 page I report lo the trustees on my examination of the acwunts of the above charity lllhe Tiust'l lor the year ended 3111012022. As the charty's trustees, you are responsible forthe pparatIOn of the accounts in 8ccordance with the requ1mentS olthe Charrties Act 2011 llhe Act'l. R8sponstbiliti8s and basis of report I report in fesrÉd of my examination of the Trust's 8c£ount5 carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the aplicab Directions given by the Chanty Commission under section 14515llbl of the A(* Indondent I hgve completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have •xamlnerf$ stst•ment come to my attention in conn8ction with th8 eXamatiOn whi¢h givès mg cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting re[d$ were not kept in acK0rdar with section 130 ol the Charities A(I', or tha accounts did not %cord wth the accounts.ng records", or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charithes IAccounls and Report51 Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view whKh is not a matter nsK18red as part of an indap8ndÈnt examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with th¢ examination to whth attention should be drawn to enabk o r understanding of the aUnts to be reached. Signed: Data: 2411212022 Name: Joh F. Oeakin Relevant pMf•ssional qualIfiCaonI$l or body Iiranyl.. Chartered Accountant F.C.A. Addrass.. Dorset House, Meadow Gate, Perks Lane, Prestwood, Buckinghamshire. HP16 OJN Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiiiei need5 lo highlight nknteiial niatters ol concerii (see CC32. Independent examinabon of eharity accounts.. directsons and guanCe fo¥ examine¥51. Give here brief detalls of any items thai the •xamin•rvJish•s to dlsclose.
5. Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is setup as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and controlled via its constitution.
Trustees are elected from the membership according to the process and provisions within the constitution.
The constitution sets out the eligibility requirements for a trustee and the process for those eligible to be considered by the membership. The incumbent trustees offer advice to anyone wishing to be considered regarding the role and associated responsibilities along with the Charities Commission documents including the ‘Welcome Pack for New Trustees.’
On election each new trustee will receive:
-
(a) a copy of the constitution and any amendments made to it.
-
(b) a copy of the club handbook and policies.
-
(c) a copy of the CIO’s latest trustees’ annual report incorporating the statement of accounts.
The charity has a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 trustees. It also has introduced several specialist teams to assist the trustees in taking the club forward.
Northampton Croquet club is a member of the sport’s governing body – The Croquet Association (CA) and it also affiliates to the regional organisation the East Anglia Croquet Federation (EACF).
The trustees serving over the period of this report were:
| ver the period of this report were: | |
|---|---|
| Trustee | Role |
| Paul Chard | Chair |
| Mike Hills | Secretary |
| Martyn Palmer | Treasurer |
| James Skelton | |
| Lionel Tibble | |
| Peter Taylor |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues involved in re-locating the club then the trustees meet via the Zoom video conferencing tool fortnightly. With special meetings set aside for risk register review or the management support teams.
The trustees are satisfied that our processes and systems are both legally compliant and adhere to the requirements of the charity commission.
The appointed Independent financial examiner for the period of this report:
John Deakin FCA Dorset House, Prestwood, Bucks. HP16 0JN
The charity has no corporate or advisory trustees. It has no trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity and no Funds are held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.
There are no reasons supporting ‘non-disclosure’ of key personnel details.
8
6. Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Northampton Croquet Club |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Not applicable |
| Registered charity number | 1191519 |
| Charity’s principal address | The principal office of the CIO is Wellingborough Old Grammarians Memorial Sports Field, Sywell Road, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 6BS. However, for postal purposes, including the receipt of documents, its address shall be the home address of the secretary of the CIO, which shall be shown on all correspondence from the club and on the Contacts page of the CIO’s website. Secretary: Mike Hills 168 Ryeland Road, Duston. NN5 6 XJ |
7. Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
----- Start of picture text -----
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Paul Chard Martyn Palmer
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc) Chair of Trustees Trustee
Date
24/12/2022
----- End of picture text -----
9