Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Charity name: The Victoria Hall Trust
Charity registration number: 1194739
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purposes as described in the Scheme approved by the Charity Commission on 23 September 2024 are ‘To promote the benefit of the beneficiaries by the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the beneficiaries.’ It should be noted that the Charity Commission’s approval decision is currently subject to appeal. Should an appeal be successful against the Scheme, it is anticipated that the purposes would revert to those within the original 1893 Trust deed. Namely: “To let the said Hall and the Rooms and Offices belonging thereto or any or either of them for the purpose Meetings, Entertainments, Ball, Bazaars, and other Gatherings whether Social or Political and to charge therefor at their discretion or according to a scale of charges settled or agreed upon by the Trustees PROVIDED ALWAYS that it shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Trustees to allow or refuse to allow any person or persons to hire the said Hall and the Rooms and Offices belonging thereto or any or either of them without being called upon or obliged to state their reason for allowing or refusing to allow any person or persons to hire the said Hall and the Rooms and Offices belonging thereto or |
| any or either of them. To stand possessed of the proceeds of such letting and hiring and after paying thereout the expenses of erecting repairing maintaining and keeping the said Hall and the Rooms and Offices belonging thereto in good and substantial repair and condition and paying all Salaries wages rates taxes and other outgoings whatsoever and all other expenses in connection with keeping the Hall open for Meetings Entertainments (whether Theatrical or otherwise) Balls Bazaars and other gatherings and of insuring the said Hall and the Rooms and other Offices belonging thereto against loss or damage by fire and after paying all rents that may be due to the said Local Board for anything whatsoever in connection with the Hall UPON TRUST to pay and divide the balance of such proceeds or so much thereof as the Trustees may think fit between and among any Charities or Philanthropic or Charitable Institutions in the District of the Ealing Local Board as the Trustees may think fit and so that the Trustees may in their own absolute discretion pay the whole of such balance or other sum to any one or more Charity or Charities to the exclusion of any other Charity or Charities and the Trustees shall not be required to state their reasons for benefitting or refusing to benefit any particular Charity or Charities” |
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|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been constrained by the uncertainties pending the outcome of the legal challenge as well as the closure of Trust property on health and safety grounds. Some limited letting of the Trust Property has occurred during the reporting period and the usage of the property is reflected in the accounts. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustee has had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. A copy of ‘Public benefit: the public benefit requirement (PB1)’ has been circulated to the members of the Victoria Hall Trust committee. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The Trustee may prepare such a policy upon obtaining clarity on the charity’s future. The current operating deficit means there are no surpluses to distribute as grants are not likely in the foreseeable future. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The Trustee may prepare such a policy upon determination of the charity’s future. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The three co-opted independent members of the Victoria Hall Trust Committee are members of the public who have given their time voluntarily. The Trustee may seek further contributions from volunteers upon determination of the pending appeal and clarification on the charity’s future. |
| Other | At the present time, Ealing Council (acting in its corporate capacity) continues to subsidise the operation of the Trust, via the provision of council officer time and support for the work of the Trust and by covering the ongoing deficit position of the Trust – as overheads continue to exceed income. It is not possible to secure a sustainable and financially viable future for the Trust until the outcome of the outstanding legal challenge is known. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Trust has been able to let its property on a limited basis during the reporting period, however the work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been severely constrained by the uncertainties around the charity’s future and the closure of its property on health and safety grounds. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been severely constrained by the uncertainties around the charity’s future and the closure of its property on health and safety grounds. |
|---|---|---|
| The Trust will be in a position to set future objectives upon obtaining clarification on the charity’s future. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been severely constrained by the uncertainties around the charity’s future and the closure of its property on health and safety grounds. The Trust will be in a position to set future objectives upon determination of the pending appeal and clarification on the charity’s future. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been severely constrained by the uncertainties around the charity’s future and the closure of its property on health and safety grounds. At the present time, Ealing Council (non- trustee side) continues to subsidise the operation of the Trust, via the provision of council officer time and support for the work of the Trust and by covering the ongoing deficit position of the Trust – as overheads continue to exceed income. It is not possible to secure a sustainable and financially viable future for the Trust until the outcome of the outstanding legal challenge is known. |
| Other | Not applicable |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The Trust’s financial position at the end of the period is a deficit of £231,342 and a cumulative deficit of £885,813, based on a carry forward of the previous year’s deficit of £654,471. The cumulative deficit is to be funded through a loan provided by the Council acting in its corporate capacity. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The trust does not have a formal reserves policy. A policy will be formulated once clarification has been reached on the charity’s future. The trustee did not hold reserves at the period end, with the cumulated deficit being funded in full by an interest free loan from Ealing Council. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | No reserves held. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | At the present time, Ealing Council (acting in its corporate capacity) continues to subsidise the operation of the Trust, via the provision of council officer time and support for the work of the Trust and by covering the ongoing deficit position of the Trust – as overheads continue to exceed income. It is not possible to secure a sustainable and financially viable future for the Trust until there is clarity on the Trust’s future. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | The Council loan outstanding at 31 March 2024 of £885,813 represents the overall unrestricted funds deficit of the charity. This is made up of the £231,342 cash deficit accumulated during the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 and £654,471, being Victoria Hall Trust’s cumulated deficit relating to the charity’s historic activity carried forward from the previous reporting year. This amount was agreed with the Council and is considered to be significantly less than the total deficit accumulated by the charitable activity since the charity’s original inception in 1893. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | At the present time, Ealing Council (non- trustee side) continues to subsidise the operation of the Trust, via the provision of council officer time and support for the work of the Trust and by covering the ongoing deficit position of the Trust – as overheads continue to exceed income. It is not possible to secure a sustainable and financially viable future for the Trust until the outcome of the outstanding legal challenge is known. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity’s principal source of funds is generated through: 1. the income received by letting its property, which was suspended in year due to the closure of Trust property 2. a subsidy provided by Ealing Council (non-trustee side) in the form of a loan It is not possible to secure a sustainable and financially viable future for the Trust until clarity is reach on the charity’s future. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been constrained by the uncertainties on its future. The Trust is currently in a deficit position so has not developed investment or social investment policies. Such policies may be developed in the future. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The work of the Trust in pursuit of its purposes has been constrained by the uncertainties around its future. The Trust’s deficit position means that it must find a new, sustainable and long-term solution if it is to survive. The proposal identified is wholly dependent upon a successful outcome (for the Trust) to see the Town Hall redeveloped. |
| Other | None. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Charity’s governing document is the Charity Commission Scheme issued on 23 September 2024. Ealing Council is the sole Trustee of the charity which is operated via an elected Member who is part of the Council’s Cabinet – that Cabinet Member will take any decisions on the recommendations from the Victoria Hall Trust Advisory Committee. Theremit of the Advisory Committee is set out inpart 3 of Ealing Council’s constitution.It is anticipated under the Scheme that the Trust governance will change once a lease is completed. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is constituted as a Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Ealing Council is at present the sole Trustee but has delegated its functions as trustee to a Cabinet member who is advised by the Victoria Hall Trust Advisory Committee. Members of the Victoria Hall Trust committee comprise: - Three elected Councillors, appointed at annual meeting of Ealing Council, and - Three independent members, selected following public advertisement, open recruitment and selection, and interview process. - The 23 September Scheme anticipates the appointment of two further independent members - these roles are vacant at this time. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Ealing Council is currently the sole trustee of the charity. Independent members sit on the Victoria Hall Trust Advisory committee which provides recommendations to the Cabinet member. Any new committee members are given an induction by council officers on their duties and responsibilities. All members of the Victoria Hall Trust Advisory committee are |
| reminded at the start of each meeting of their responsibilities under charity law. |
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|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Ealing Council has delegated its functions as trustee to the Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities on the recommendations of the Victoria Hall Trust Advisory Committee (see above). It is currently supported by Council officers. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The sole trustee is currently Ealing Council. This creates the potential for conflict between the Council’s trustee and corporate arm. This potential conflict is managed by having separate officers advising the Trust to those working on the remainder of the Town Hall building and by ensuring that members of the Victoria Hall Trust Committee are different from those taking decisions in relation to the council’s corporate interests. |
| Other | None |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | The Victoria Hall Trust |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charitynumber | 1194739 |
| Charity’s principal address | LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING PERCEVAL HOUSE 14-16 UXBRIDGE ROAD LONDON W5 2HL |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING |
Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| LONDON BOROUGH OF EALING | Not applicable | |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the None. charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for None safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Lead / technical advisor |
Adam Whalley | Assistant Director of Major Projects, Ealing Council, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London. W5 2HL. |
| Legal advisor |
Rhian Davies | Director of Legal and Democratic Services, Ealing Council, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London. W5 2HL. |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Cllr Blerina Hashani, Portfolio Holder Thriving Communities
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
None
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Cllr Blerina Hashani
Position (eg Secretary, Cabinet Member for Thriving Chair, etc) Communities Date 202513 January
The Victoria Hall Trust Independent Examiner’s Report For the year ended 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, 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 Trust’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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting 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.
Adam Fullerton FCA, DChA Independent Examiner For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP
Date: 21 January 2025
| Victoria Hall Trust | Victoria Hall Trust | Victoria Hall Trust | 1194739 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | |||||
| For the period from |
01-Apr-23 | To | 31-Mar-24 | ||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Room Hire - Victoria Hall | 8,742 | - | - | 8,742 | 99,393 |
| Room Hire - Princes Hall | 25,276 | - | - | 25,276 | 15,293 |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 34,018 | - | - | 34,018 | 114,685 |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). | |||||
| Cash loan from London Borough of Ealing | 231,342 | - | - | 231,342 | 168,791 |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | 231,342 | - | - | 231,342 | 168,791 |
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| 265,361 | - | - | 265,361 | 283,476 | |
| Payments to London Borough of Ealing for management and admnistration of hall hire |
38,678 | - | - | 38,678 | 49,943 |
| Recharge from London Borough of Ealing of operational premises costs |
198,280 | - | - | 198,280 | 159,132 |
| ConsultancyincludingForensic Accountant | 28,403 | - | - | 28,403 | 74,401 |
| **Sub total ** | 265,361 | - | - | 265,361 | 283,476 |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | ||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||
| 265,361 | - | - | 265,361 | 283,476 | |
| - | - | - |
- |
- |
|
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - |
- | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds ccounts (SS) |
Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Endowment funds to nearest £ - Current value (optional) - Current value (optional) 1,050,000 635,000 When due (optional) Subject to sale of Ealing Town Hall Date of approval 13-Jan-25 21/01/2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||
| Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
- | - | - | |
| OK | OK | |||
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
|||
| None | - | - | - | |
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | ||
| None | - | - | ||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | ||
| Victoria Hall - trust owned last valued in October 2020 |
Unrestricted | - | 1,050,000 | |
| Princes Hall Hall - trust owned last valued in October 2020 |
Unrestricted | - | 635,000 | |
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
||
| Interest free loan from London Borough of Ealing to be repaid back from capital receipts following sale of Ealing Town Hall for Trust's proportion of Victoria Hall and Princes Hall |
Unrestricted | 885,814 | Subject to sale of Ealing Town Hall |
|
| Accrual for independent examination 2022/23 |
Unrestricted | 3,500 | ||
| Signature | Date of approval |
|||
| Cllr Blerina Hashani 1 |
Cllr Blerina Hashani | 13-Jan-25 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)