2025-12-31-accounts

Chairman’s Statement 2026

Good evening, everyone.

The following are my highlights from the year to 31[st] March 2026

1. From a personal perspective I took over the chair from Cedric who had led the Committee since 2017. A hard act to follow, and I thank him for his support before and since to ensure a smooth transition.

2. Excellent work was done once again by Jim Gould who among other things, obtained sufficient grant funding in conjunction with Jane from the Parish Council to enable significant enhancements to the Hall’s solar panelling capacity and its associated storage.

The grants we received from SKDC, BNA and the National Lottery were used to enhance the existing solar panels and to carry out further work to drive heating efficiencies, including improvements to the loft insulation and replacement of the radiators in the small hall.

Unfortunately, whilst this work was ongoing, it was discovered that the boiler was faulty and unfit for purposes. The company that had supplied this had ceased to trade in the interim and the new company the same person had established, refused to carry out any remedial work. Fortunately, with agreement from SKDC, we were able to fund most of the replacement using the grant monies.

This did mean that we had a period of time in which we were unable to heat the Hall to the desired temperature, but thankfully most of our hirers were understanding and we only had to manage a few cancellations.

1. A new development was our partnership with Live and Local, an organisation funded by the Arts Council. We staged our first performance through them called “Dead on Cue” in October 2025. This was very well received and was followed by a further act in March 2026 (Victor and Albert). This also was hugely successful.

My thanks to everyone involved in organising these events and ensuring their success, particularly Chris Jordan who handled the relationship with Live and Local. We will be hosting more events in 2026.

We also staged a quiz night in partnership with Rotary, with Cedric as quizmaster which was well-received. The wine tasting event run by Raj Solank- a former member of the committee was a resounding success and also raised much needed funds for the Hall.

1. The new collaborative partnership with the Parish Council is working well. The PC (sole Trustee of the Hall) has been very accommodating as we ensure compliance with their procurement process. There are still final steps to take before the full land registry process is completed, which could take another year.

2. The Hall has met all legal requirements for fire safety and electrical testing during the year. We have reviewed the fire exit in the bar as a result of an unfortunate accident during the Winter caused by a trip in the dark. This door will be locked in future and no longer designated as a fire door to prevent anyone trying to use it in the dark. PIR lights will also be installed.

Future Challenges

1. We, together with many volunteer organisations, face a continued shortage of willing volunteers. This means that the burden of administration falls on a fewer number of individuals. Consequently, we have planned an open morning in April 2026 in which we hope to attract more local people get involved in the work of the committee.

Closing Remarks

1. I will finish by thanking the hard work of the Committee during the year. Our Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-chair and Facilities Manager have all been magnificent in their contributions to the Hall, and the mutual support efforts during times of absence has been the lifeblood of keeping things running smoothly. Thanks also to all our other members and associates (such as Rosemary and John) for helping with all the activities required to keep the Hall in good condition and making it ready for special occasions when needed.

It has been a pleasure serving as Chair for the year, and I hope with your support that this will continue in the coming year.

FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

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Closing Balance Sheet at 31 December 2024 Closing Balance Sheet at 31 December 2025
Cambridge
Cash in & Cash in Cambridge
TSB Hand Counties Total Movement Movement Movement TSB Hand & Counties Total
Current Assets Bank 21,281.05 60,811.27 82,092.32 2,473.55 2,392.30 23,754.60 63,203.57 86,958.17
Cash in hand 0.00 0.00
Debtors - prepayments 0.00
Current Liabilities Accruals -4921.09 -4,921.09 794.37 -4,126.72 0.00 -4,126.72
Net Current Assets 16359.96 0.00 60811.27 77,171.23 3267.92 0.00 2392.30 19627.88 0.00 63203.57 82,831.45
Reserves B/f -77171.23 -77171.23
Profit in year -3,267.92 -2,392.30 -3267.92 -2392.30 -5660.22
Transfers 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total Equity -77,171.23 -3267.92 0.00 -2392.30 -82,831.45
Notes to the Accounts:-
Accrued Expenditure B/F P&L Move C/F
Electricity -2,017.46 2,017.46 0.00
-1,966.00 -1,966.00
Hire Deposits -1,503.63 1,503.63 0.00
Murphy Electri -1,400.00 1,170.00 -230.00
Nottingham Boilers -3,900.00 -3,900.00
Unspent Grant -552.00 -552.00
Enva -110.00 -110.00
Deferred income Hire Deposits -1,268.72 -1,268.72
Prepayments 0.00
Accrued Income SKDC grant 3,900.00 3,900.00
-4,921.09 794.37 -4,126.72
0.00 0.00 0.00
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Independent Examination of Charity Accounts in accordance with CC32

Unless there is a specific requirement in the charity's constitution, the trustees are able to choose an independent examination instead of an audit if the charity’s gross income is: more than £25,000, but not more than £1 million, provided that if its gross income is more than £250,000, its gross assets (fixed assets plus current assets) are £3.26 million or less.

The trustees will not be able to choose an independent examination if the charity’s governing document, a funder or the Commission requires an audit to be carried out.

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of St James' Village Hall

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the St James Village Hall for the year ended 31st December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Signed:

Richard Sharpe

Name:

Richard Sharpe

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any):

Chartered Association of Management Accountants

Address:

26 The Pastures, Long Bennington, Newark, Notts NG23 5EG

Date:

10th March 2026