## FAIR OAK COMMUNITY LIBRARY
(a charitable incorporated organisation registered under no 1192709) Fair Oak Library Cambell Way Fair Oak Eastleigh SO50 7AX
## **Report of the Trustees for the period ending 31 December 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements for the year to 31 December 2024.
## **Structure and Governance**
Fair Oak Community Library is a charitable incorporated organisation which was registered on 8 December 2020 under no 1192709. Its principal office is at Fair Oak Library, Campbell Way, Fair Oak, Eastleigh SO50 7AX. It is governed by its constitution and is operated by trustees.
The constitution requires one third of the Trustees to retire each year. Two Trustees, Steve Broomfield and Beth Lack resigned at the annual general meeting on 24 May 2024. It was agreed at that meeting to reduce the number of Trustees to 5 and they were not replaced. In order to fulfil the constitutional requirements Chris James resigned and was re-elected.
The other Trustees were John Dunne, Nick Couldrey, Roz Marsh and Pauline Pearce.
There is power for Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council to appoint up to two trustees, but this has not been exercised.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The object of the Charity, set out in its constitution, is “to advance the education of the public in the parish of Fair Oak and Horton Heath and the surrounding area, by operating and managing a lending library”.
Throughout the year, the charity has maintained a library service for the community.
## **Overview**
2024 was the first full year of opening since our major renovation and we still get positive comments about the changes.
As well as support from the wider community we have also had links with both the local Infant and Junior schools. All fifteen infants’ classes visited the library during the academic year 2023/2024 with pupils choosing a book to take away and a story to finish their session and many have continued to be regular borrowers.
The Junior School had a summer holiday artwork project featuring sea creatures which was then mounted on two large panels which we displayed in the library and were much admired. We also ran our holiday Summer Reads scheme again, to keep children reading in the holidays and about 100+ children took part and got a badge on completing the challenge.
In September the BBC ran a feature on library closures and a BBC Solent reporter visited the library and interviewed a mother and daughter who talked very positively about their
library use. The library got publicity on BBC Solent TV, Radio and local website which was a real boost to our profile.
In December the local Women’s Institute hosted a carol service for the wider WI community and voted half of the proceeds to the Library (£79.34) which was much appreciated.
Events provide a major part of our income throughout the year with quizzes, raffles and two Magic Jack shows run by one of our readers Jack Ford with all proceeds going to the library. Sponsorship is also an important part of our income and a number of local shops and businesses giving regular monthly income.
The regular sessions throughout the year including Baby Rhyme time, Crafts, Knit & Natter, and a Book Club provide enjoyment for all.
We also produced our third calendar Fair Oak Past and Present with Gary Stupple cleverly blending old and new photos of both Fair Oak and Horton Heath.
## **Statistics**
During the year we had 9,124 visitors to borrow books and take part in regular sessions and events. We issued 12,230 books to both adults and children and 329 readers joined the library giving a total membership since opening in July 2021 of 2,022. Comparison figures with 2023 are not valid this time around as the library was closed for three months for refurbishment.
## **Volunteers**
The volunteers provide an invaluable service to the library, giving up their time to cover the 25 hours a week which we open. They also promote and contribute to our events and activities and create the inviting atmosphere which makes a visit to the library such a pleasant experience for readers.
## **Parish Council**
The Parish Council own and maintain the building ensuring any minor issues are solved. They also maintain the garden at the front which is a distinctive feature of the building.
## **Financial Review**
2024 was the third full year of operating the library. The income from donations, fundraising activities and unrestricted grants from local public bodies exceeded the costs of running the library during 2024 by £3,497.
Our status as a Charitable Trust enables us to apply for grants and during the year a grant was secured from Hampshire County Council for the purchase of equipment and furniture, and we received a small grant from Age Concern towards general running expenses.
Fund-raising is essential to ensure we continue to provide a library service for the community. As well as fundraising events such as our quizzes, Bluebell Walk and Magic Jack shows we raised funds through the sale of our Fair Oak Then and Now Calendar; the sale of books; Easyfundraising; recycled ink cartridges and donations from our members and regular user groups. This year we asked local businesses to sponsor us by making regular donations and this is gradually becoming more popular.
During the year we felt the effects of the change to under-floor, electric heating, which has proved to be very expensive.
On 31 December 2024, total reserves amounted to £5,801.40 of which £1,298.95 was restricted to being used for specific costs (New books and furniture). The trustees consider that these together with the income that they expect to receive will be enough to cover the Charity’s needs over the next year.
The main risks facing the trustees is that running costs will increase and income will fall. The trustees continue to pursue ways of raising money and limiting costs as far as possible without detriment to the services we provide.
The trustees have not yet adopted a reserves policy as they consider that it would be premature.
## **Public Benefit**
In exercising their powers or duties, the trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Charity Name No (if any)
Fair Oak Community Library 1192709
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01/01/2024 31/12/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
HCC Grant - 1,000 - 1,000 2,000
Other Grants 100 - - 100 2,450
Donations 2,256 - - 2,256 1,376
Fundraising 2,297 - - 2,297 1,894
Sponsorship 908 - - 908 -
Bank Interest 96 - - 96 -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) [ 5,657 ] 1,000 - 6,657 7,720
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 5,657 1,000 - 6,657 7,720
A3 Payments
Premises 53 - - 53 979
Print, post, stationery 268 7 - 275 313
Heat, light, phone, internet 927 563 - 1,490 1,509
Insurance and finance 57 497 - 554 453
IT 7 1,377 - 1,384 1,350
Fundraising 534 - - 534 517
Miscellaneus 81 - - 81 - 23
Moving Costs - - - - 343
Legal & Professional Fees 234 - - 234 378
Equipment - - - - 24
Sub total [ 2,161 ] 2,444 - 4,605 5,843
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Books - 306 - 306 390
Equipment - 1,299 - 1,299 1,476
Sub total [ - ] 1,605 - 1,605 1,866
Total payments [ 2,161 ] 4,049 - 6,210 7,709
Net of receipts/(payments) 3,496 - 3,049 - 447 11
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 6,289 4,066 - 10,355 10,344
Cash funds this year end 9,785 1,017 - 10,802 10,355
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
10/09/2025
1
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**the end of the period**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**|R B Marsh
Signature
John Dunne
Charities Aid Foundation Loan
**Details**
**Details**
Computers
Furniture
Books
Shelving
Office Equipment
Barclays Bank
Cash
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**9,778**
**1,017**
**7**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**9,785**
**1,017**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
Unrestricted
**5,000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
John Dunne
Rosalind Marsh|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**When due**
**(optional)**
Date of
approval
13/05/2025
13/05/2025|
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
10/09/2025
2