## **Galhampton Village Hall AGM Tuesday 16th September 2024 Annual Chairmans Report** 

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the AGM for 2024. This meeting will cover the period from September 2023 to today. 

This evening you will hear two reports, firstly from the Chair, secondly the treasurer. After each report you will have the opportunity to ask any questions. After the reports and questions the existing committee will resign, and we will be looking for anyone that wishes to be elected or nominations from the audience to re-elect the existing committee. 

Could I kindly ask that all mobile phones are now switched off or on silent. 

Galhampton village hall remains at the centre of the community and continues to build on its reputation. Since my 2023 report one of our goals has been for the annual running costs to be covered by our hirings, I am pleased to report that as you saw in the treasurer’s report, this is starting to happen. As a result, we can keep the hire charges as low as possible whilst reducing our fund-raising activities. WHY. 

The Hall is in an extremely healthy financial position, and we have been able to set aside 3 years running cost rather than the recommended 6 months, along with money to cover short, medium, and long-term projects, this allows us to be proactive and start to focus on such things as the redecoration of the hall along with replacing its wooden floor. This is mainly down to the work Pete then Drew have done as treasurer along with the support from Jenny and Sue in ensuring that invoices are paid promptly. 

We have now completed the final stages of the transfer from a Charitable Trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO, whilst this has taken considerably longer than anticipated, I would like to record our Gratitude to Dan Bradshaw for overseeing the work. Galhampton was one of the first village halls in the area to transition to a CIO and as a result we have worked with several other committees in assisting them with their decision to follow suit. 

Whilst our relationship with the National Lottery is now officially over, we maintain a close relationship with them and have completed several presentations to other halls seeking Big Lottery assistance and it is pleasing to note that Galhampton Village Hall is being used as a successful example of how to do business. I personally can take no credit for this work, but we should recognise the sterling effort done by 



the likes of Pete Marsden and Judy Fox, without whom this facility would not exist. 

So, what have we achieved since my 2023 report. One of our main achievements for the year must be the decision to introduce a hire facility. Over the years our hall like many others have purchased items to be used at fund raising events and as a result many of these items may only be used once or twice in a season. We therefore made the decision to set up the Hire Shack. This allows for villagers within the local area and other halls to hire items at a vastly reduced cost. There is everything from Tables and chairs through to marquees, lighting and generators available and since going live at the start of April, have secured several bookings. Paul has done an amazing job in setting this up ably assisted by Drew with the website and Fiona as the in-house photographer. 

The Hall committee has taken on the responsibly from Ruth Eyre and Jan Livsey in securing new Village Road signs on the A359. Ruth and Jan secured much of the finances needed and the committee secured the outstanding balance from local businesses. I am pleased to say that the Council have agreed them, they have been through planning and are due to be installed during this financial year. I am also pleased to state that the council have also agreed to the marking of the two bus stops on the outskirts of the village. This will hopefully go some way in getting drivers to acknowledge the village and slow down. 

Due to the linear nature of Galhampton it was decided to procure a second defibrillator to be installed at the Hall, with the first located at the Church. This project is now complete and both devices are registered with the emergency services. A lot of the money raised for this project was down to Kerry organising several Bingo events and Ruth and Sue for organising the race nights. 

The Garden. I recognised that whilst the Hall is superb the Garden felt somewhat lacking. We discussed investing in a full refurbishment but settled on various phases. Brian kindly agreed to manage the expansion of the patio along with some new furniture, which was completed before the summer. We then turned our attention to a fence along our boundary. Whilst this did not meet with everyone’s agreement, and I was informed that some residents were against the idea the decision was made for several reasons. We have had numerous occasions where livestock have entered the garden and on the last occasion was during a private hiring for a wedding. Whilst the hirers saw the funny side, the outcome could have been very different. More importantly we suffered numerous occasions where dog owners were allowing their pets to foul in the garden. So, a dead tree was removed, and Paul and Trevour Grey kindly 



installed a standard stockproof fence and gate. This also now means that the children’s groups can play safely in the garden. 

The playing field. We have renewed our contract for the grass cutting and thanks to Brian secured a very reasonable rate, which is paid for by the Parish Council. We now have the grass cut on a regular basis, with the aim that the younger members of the village can enjoy a good kick about. 

Hirings. Fiona continues to secure both regular and Private hirings. Notably one wedding this year and one in the pipeline for next. Private hirings are an excellent income generator which all goes towards our goal of keeping costs low. That said we must recognise that the Hall is somewhat a victim of its own success. As our hirings and usage increase then so does our need to clean and maintain the hall on a more regular basis and we must balance the revenue generated versus the maintenance costs. 

How do we define success? Some may say that it’s based on a financial outcome, I believe that whilst we aim not to lose money, even if a small number of villagers attend an event and have a great time then that in itself can be deemed to have been successful. We have indeed considered several events which on paper would be great but when researched just did not make financial sense. An example would be the planning of an annual beer festival. On paper tasting local beers and wines whilst enjoying a BBQ with music all sounded great, but the expenditure was in excess of £2000 and we could just not see even with sponsorship how we could generate that income, so sadly the right decision was made to shelve that idea. 

So, what can you look forward to in this coming year. We will continue with our regular events such as Jenny’s delightful luncheon club, coffee mornings, film nights etc. Ruth has kindly agreed to organise the Christmas raffle and of course we will enjoy the Bonfire spectacular. 

I aim to complete some further work improving the garden with a view that it can become a place that residents can come, relax and enjoy. I have also had preliminary discussions with James Buxton regarding creating a small nature trail through the copse at the back of the hall. If this were to go ahead then it would be a community project designed to create a space that all villagers, young and old could enjoy. 

Anti-social behaviour. Whilst not as prevalent in our village as some areas we must recognise that this is on the increase, and therefore must consider action to be taken to protect our assets. So, we are currently 



researching the installation of CCTV cameras at the Hall front and rear along with the playing field. 

Of course, there are also members of the village that whilst not on the committee do help as and when they can, notably Trevor Grey, Jane Salter, Nick Howman, Ally and Dan Bradshaw and Pete Hardy. I hope I have not missed anyone but if I have, please accept my sincere apologies. 

We are of course always open to new ideas and are willing to try something new. I would love to see some new faces coming forward to join the committee and think some youngers members would be a great asset. 

Before I conclude my report, I would now like to ask the members of the committee in the audience to join me at the front of the Hall. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, these individuals give so much of their time freely to ensure that this village has one of, if not the best halls in the area, and as chair I would like to personally thank each and every one of them for everything they do, not just for the hall but also the wider community, I think it is also important to recognise that this evening is Pete’s last evening on the committee. Pete has given over 28 years’ service to this hall which of course would not be standing today without his efforts organising Party in the Park. Pete has not just been a colleague on the committee but has also become a personnel friend. 

However, before I finish, is there any member in the audience that would like to add anything to what I have just said? 

This concludes my report for 2024, and I would be happy to take any questions. 

I will now hand over to the treasurer for his annual statement. 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is now the point at which the committee will formally resign. 

Do we have any members of the audience that wish to be elected as committee members for this coming period? 

May I have a proposer from the village to elect the committee for the period September 2024 to September 2025? 

May I have a seconder. 

All those in favour. 

Against if any? 



Ladies and gentlemen, unless there are no other points. That concludes the AGM for 2024. 



6alhampton Vllla8e Hall Accouiits
202>24
2023124
Net
Amount
2022123
Net
Amount
l Hall hlre Inc dubs
12.755
8,417
2 Runnlng Costs
112,261)
{11.763)
Surplus1{Defidt) M hall hfre
494
13,3461
3 Fund Ralsln8
6,642
8,075
4 Grant5, Dorwtlons & Asset Sale..
Covld-19
Par15h grants
Donations
A55et sale
Interest received
Communty Fund
Total
1,225
672
1.648
10,317
22
1,591
1,404
13.369
5 Exceptlonal Items
111,461)
{83,348)
SurplusllDefi¢lt} for Year
18371
{65250)
Funds openlng balance
86,647
151,897
Funds dosln8 balance
Bank & deposit accounts
Cash
Bar Stock
Total
84,466
1,063
281
86.201
358
Restrlcted funds In above
1,300
1.3CK)
lJi.//
I d c-45 8Y.'