The Baxter Hall Charity Trustee Annual Report
1[st] September 2024-31[st] August 2025
The Baxter Hall has continued to develop as a community facility over the past 12months, since the Baxter Hall Charity (BHC) took over the full legal responsibility of the hall on 11[th] September 2024. The Baxter Hall Trust then became a legal entity and was separated from the original trust, which included some of St Margaret’s School grounds. The Trust Scheme, written and approved by the Charity Commission, states that “The Baxter Hall Charity (a charitable incorporated organisation with registered charity number 1193753) shall be the sole corporate trustee of the Baxter Hall Trust.” The Baxter Hall Charity has faced considerable legal expenditure to effect this transfer from Leicestershire Diocesan Board of Education, which has amounted to a shocking £16,445 (including the cost of securing the original lease in 2020) and we are still waiting for the land registry confirmation of the transfer. We understand from Stone King Solicitors that this will be completed in January 2026. It will be a relief to draw a line under this difficult and expensive process and use any funds to improve and develop the Hall rather than pay solicitor fees.
The Baxter Hall Charity has successfully met its aims to establish and run a community hall, to improve conditions in the hall and to achieve financial stability and resilience to satisfy the needs of the community for space to meet, socialise and learn. The Trustees have all worked hard to achieve this, particularly in organising an increased number of bookings and in monitoring and improving health and safety, maintenance, financial and legal matters. The ten trustees who have managed the hall over the year possess a wealth of skills and knowledge between them.
The dedicated space in the lower hall for the village Playgroup, Little Explorers, has been improved during the year thanks to a grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, administered by HBBC, a grant from The Charity of Thomas Barton and BHC funds. New flooring has been fitted to over half the space as well as a new kitchen, water heater and outdoor shelter. The trustees have maintained a good relationship with the owner of the playgroup.
The community hall has provided a safe and well-maintained space for Smiles before and after school care, an essential service for working parents. A variety of other groups have used the community hall including regular Pilates, yoga, dance, art and craft, music, W.I., community coffee mornings, committee meetings and private parties. St Margaret’s Church has used the hall for events such as the Snowman Festival.
The Baxter Hall Garden is now an attractive green space for the Little Explorers Playgroup and Smiles before and after school club to use for experiencing nature and
watching things grow. It now has pear and apple trees as well as herb garden. During the Spring and Summer months, the garden has been open to the community on Sundays and for events such as the church Flower Festival which has worked very well. The success of the garden development this year has been mainly due to a valued trustee who is a passionate gardener.
BHC takes maintenance and safety of the whole building very seriously and, over the past 12 months, it has provided new gates for the School House and a replacement double door in the downstairs hall, as well as guttering and roof work, All 3 gas boilers are serviced annually to ensure gas safety and regular checking and servicing of the fire alarm system and fire extinguishers in the two main halls is done by a professional company. Weekly safety checks, including fire alarm, fire extinguishers and emergency lights are now carried out by our cleaner after St Margaret’s school caretaker was no longer able to fit the work into her timetable.
Trustees During the Year
Anthony Baxendale Jane White Nick Robinson Kirsty Danks Jean Buckby Ruth Fisher Margaret Collier Caroline Lewis Andrew Clover Sarah Beale
Financial Position
The Charity is in a stable financial position thanks to careful financial planning, budgeting and fundraising. The Treasurer’s Annual report can be found in Appendix A Annual Income and Expenditure statement (Appendix B) and Examiner’s report (Appendix C)
Challenges Ahead
The Baxter Hall is an old building, and maintenance will always be a significant challenge, particularly now BHC is the legal owner of the building. In April we commissioned a full survey of the building by a qualified surveyor in order to understand and identify any issues which need to be addressed. This has enabled us to agree a long-term maintenance and improvement plan, looking at the fabric of the building including brickwork, roofing and windows as well as internal improvements and we are now in the process of starting phase one, which includes the boundary wall at the front of the building and the porch upper brickwork. Grants from the Heritage Building Improvement Fund, administered by HBBC and the Charity of Thomas Barton have enabled us to go ahead with this work.
The Baxter Hall will only be able to continue if it can attract suitably experienced Trustees. There are currently 3 vacancies for trustees (out of a total of 12) including one representing St Margaret’s church. Going forward we need a recruitment campaign to target suitable members of the community, particularly those who have children attending Little Explorers and Smiles. Skills we need include social media, website and organisation of building maintenance.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
To BHC trustees for their support, hard work and enthusiasm during the year and for making a real difference to the community by making sure the Baxter Hall will be here for many years to come.
To our funders, as detailed in the treasurer’s annual report, enabling us to develop and improve our facilities.
To 34SP, who host our website, they not only continue to provide free hosting for the Baxter Hall website but are always more than happy to help when we need it.
To Mike Cowley for providing us with a detailed building survey.
To Andrew Payton for checking our accounts.
To everyone in the local community who has helped us during the year.
Jane White (Chair)
On behalf of the Baxter Hall Charity Trustees
APPENDIX A
Treasurer’s Report
Financial Year: 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025
Prepared by: Anthony Baxendale, Treasurer
1. Overview
The Baxter Hall Charity remains in a satisfactory financial position. As at 31 August 2025, the charity’s bank balance stood at £39,078.77 . The end-of-year accounts have been independently examined and approved.
2. Income and Financial Performance
Our anchor tenants— School House , Smiles , and Little Explorers —continue to provide the majority of our income and remain fundamental to the charity’s ongoing financial stability and viability.
Regular income from community use has also contributed significantly, enabling us to maintain a high standard of maintenance and repair while strengthening our overall financial position.
For the financial year, income excluding donations exceeded overall expenditure by £435.62 . Our funds were boosted by generous donations of £4,000 from a private individual and £3,200 from The Charity of Thomas Barton , resulting in an overall increase in funds available of £7,635.62 .
3. Capital Investment and Grants
During the year, we invested £14,898.51 in a major refurbishment project for the lower hall (see Chair’s Report). This project was part-funded through a grant from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) , the donation from The Charity of Thomas Barton , and the charity’s own reserves.
By pursuing and securing grants, we are able to leverage external funding and achieve greater impact from our limited financial resources. This approach will continue to be central to our strategy as we address the recommendations from the recent professional building survey.
4. Future Funding and Trustee Involvement
We are particularly grateful to our Chair for their expertise in identifying funding opportunities and preparing grant applications. Recognising the importance of sustaining this capacity, steps are being taken to involve additional trustees in this vital area of work.
At the same time, it remains essential that we maintain sufficient financial reserves to manage the inherent risks associated with maintaining an older building, given that external grants cannot always be guaranteed.
5. Expenditure and Cost Changes
A notable change during the year was a significant increase in utility costs , primarily due to the charity now being responsible for water and waste charges . These totalled £1,111.44 for the 12-month period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
6. Conclusion
The charity remains in a stable financial position, supported by strong tenant relationships, prudent management, and effective use of grant funding. Continued focus on income diversification, building maintenance, and trustee engagement will ensure that Baxter Hall remains financially resilient and well-prepared for future challenges.
APPENDIX B
The Baxter Hall Charity
Accounts for Financial Year 1st September 2024 to 31 August 2025
| Income 2024-2025 2023-2024 Donations from Private Individuals £4,000.00 £0.00 Gift Aid Claimed £0.00 £0.00 Donations from Local Charities £3,200.00 £0.00 Grants £8,991.00 £439.00 Interest from Bank Account £610.67 £60.70 Regular Rentals (House, nursery, after school) £19,758.00 £18,183.05 Community Rentals £3,768.39 £3,141.00 Sales of Tickets to Fundraising Events £0.00 £630.00 Deposits received £700.00 £200.00 Total Income £41,028.06 £22,653.75 Expenditure 2024-2025 2023-2024 Legal & Other Fees to obtain Lease from LDBE £2,284.20 £3,115.20 Regular Maintenance & Materials £2,202.49 £2,601.80 Repairs to Building £4,797.88 £5,287.37 Bank Fees £60.00 £60.00 Baxter Hall Insurance £1,381.34 £1,317.14 Utility Bills £5,384.28 £3,561.23 Weekly cleaning fees £1,198.00 £1,332.00 Stationary & IT £233.25 £166.66 Returned Deposits & Hire Fees £700.00 £200.00 Sundries (including gifts & expenses for fundraising) £252.49 £131.04 Hall Improvements (From Grant Funds) £14,898.51 £860.44 Total Expenditdure £33,392.44 £18,632.88 Cash at Bank 2024-2025 2023-2024 Opening Balance £31,443.15 £27,422.28 Plus Income £41,028.06 £22,653.75 Minus Expenditure £33,392.44 £18,632.88 Closing Cash at Bank £39,078.77 £31,443.15 |
Notes HBBC Refurb Project Operational Cash Flow Analysis (Viability Check) Operating Income (Regular Rentals) Operating Costs (excl legal + grant funds) Operating cash flow |
£19,758.00 £16,209.73 |
|---|---|---|
| £3,548.27 |
£7,635.62
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