## **Guilden Sutton Community Association CIO** Registered Charity Number 1201751 ## **Annual Report 2025** Well, I’ve now come to the end of my role as Community Association Trustee. I’ve always seen the Community Association as one building block in a wide network of Guiden Sutton communities all trying to do things better. But three years ago, the Community Association had only a handful of Trustees and was struggling to recruit. With this in mind, we set out to change the Community Association’s legal structure to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to protect Trustees from financial liability and thereby help recruit more trustees. We did this with members’ approval at the 2022 AGM. In our second year we overhauled and updated the policies and procedures that underpin activities in the Village Hall, replaced the Village Hall doors and spent time on making the Village Hall feel loved and cared for and started to plan and finance major maintenance and refurbishment projects. So, in the last twelve months I believe we have acted on our convictions in a consistent and tangible manner. We have been busy improving the Village Hall by fixing the roof, modernising the toilets, installing a solar energy system and many other minor works to repair and improve the Village Hall. The two major projects are way outside the normal territory of a volunteer run Village Hall and frankly, it sometimes felt it. In retrospect, the energy and time invested has, I believe, resulted in something we can be justifiably proud of. Is much of this known about by many residents? I don’t think so, nor do I think this is crucial; perhaps surprisingly given my appetite for participation. I think we can sometimes get carried away worrying about everyone being consulted or on board with every idea and decision. The direction towards greater engagement and involvement is at the core of the CIO’s achievements and I’m sure this will steadily grow. So, after three years, it is tempting to think that the job is done but the Community Association is more than just bricks and mortar. At its heart are its members, user groups and volunteers who bring people together through events like the Open Day, Art Exhibition, the Fete, the Village Quiz, Christmas Lights and the recent Murder Mystery Evening. The Community Association now has sound finances, a wellmaintained Village Hall and an up-to-date constitution with new policies and procedures. We can now focus looking after those many groups who hire the Village Hall and on future community activities and events. At this point, I’d like to thank Stephanie Pinder for her role as Booking Secretary a role that has become more detailed and demanding. The new Constitution limits the number of years that trustees can serve to ensure that new people with fresh thinking and different skills can become trustees. I and Matthew Peacock (Secretary) and three other trustees are retiring from the Executive this evening. We wish to make way for and encourage a younger generation of trustees, with the ideas to further develop the range of social and community events held in the Village. I’m delighted to say four members are seeking approval to become Trustees this evening with a possible further two intending to join the Executive in September. I appreciate that volunteering to be a Trustee requires maintaining a tricky balance between family, work and the other pressures of everyday life. So, on behalf not just the membership, but all the Village, thank you for coming forward and volunteering to be a Trustee. Finally, a few more thankyous. I know it is dangerous to name them, as some may feel missed out but I’m grateful to everyone from within the Community Association and outside who has taken the time to advise and support me over the last four years. First, I’d like to thank the Fete and the Christmas Lights Committees. These are key events in the Community Associations calendar and are brilliantly executed. They require tremendous organisation and planning and on behalf of Community Association, we are so grateful for your commitment year after year in delivering such magnificent events. I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the members of the Executive for their forbearance and support especially during the last 12 months. Any group enterprise requires trust, co-operation, and a great deal of effort to maintain focus and direction. It would not have been possible to deliver the two frenetic construction and refurbishment projects and the Community Village Hall Events without the backing and support of the Trustees and other key supporters. I’d also like to mention Brian Lewin who, whilst not a Trustee, has been a tremendous support particularly in the compiling and editing the Community Association magazine, The Marigold. I’ve appreciated his gentle steer and ability to find the right words to relay the Community Association message. We were also enormously lucky to have Sarah Jessop whose creativity, communication and process skills in meetings were so helpful in opening up new possibilities and new ideas. Now, it would be remiss of me not to pay special tribute to Evelyn Batterham and Peter Evans who have given more than a decade of service to the Community Association. During her tenure, Evelyn managed our day-to-day accounts, collecting income from Hall hirers and making sure contractors and utility bills were paid. All this was done at a time when the Community Association had only two active trustees. She also kept the Village Hall supplied with essential toiletries, paper towels, and cleaning materials etc. and I will always be grateful for her support and skilful prompting at the Village Hall Users committee. Over a similar period, Peter Evans was always available to make sure the essential Village Hall maintenance tasks are carried out and, frankly, has effectively kept the Village Hall doors open. We have been so lucky to have had someone with Peter’s skills, expertise and commitment. He is such a modest man who has also helped me and others, to think through questions relating to the new roof, solar panels and batteries and so many other issues. At this point I’d like to make presentations to Evelyn and Peter to show our appreciation for the many years of support given by them to the Community Association. Now, what can I say about our retiring secretary, Matthew Peacock. Matthew was the man who joined with me four years ago in seeking to change the Community Association constitution. He is big man with a big voice who can be challenging. But he has an insatiable appetite for process, procedure, research and detail. At times, it’s been a bumpy ride, but Matthew is man of great resilience and above all, integrity. He has worked tirelessly for the Community Association making my job so much easier for which I am truly thankful. I am, of course, enormously grateful for the support from my partner, Vivian who brings organisation and drive to everything she touches. Look at the new toilets, one of her projects, the Village Hall entrance doors, the Wall Hanging in the foyer, the heaters in the Hall, the blinds in the Community Room and so much more. She has brought structure and drive to projects and events like the Village Quiz, the Art Exhibition and, more recently, the Murder Mystery evening last month. We simply wouldn’t have achieved so much if she hadn’t been around to prod me (and others) and to provide drive and energy when I was flagging. She knows just how much I love her Finally, a huge thankyou to the Trustees who are remaining from those of us that are retiring. We thank you for your support in all collectively we have achieved. I know I will genuinely miss the creativity, of such a “can do” team. We wish you well and remain available for selection from the subs bench to support future events. I learnt many years ago that if you want to have success, surround yourself with people that are miles better than you, and that way there’s a chance you’ll look brilliant yourself. Any regrets? I have none. They are a waste of time which, at my age, is becoming more and more valuable. Thank you for listening Robin Norrie – Chair **Trustees:** Matthew Peacock **,** Sarah Connolly **,** Peter Evans **,** Vivian Downing **,** Sarah Jessop **,** Rachael Whelan **,** Alice Hay **,** Derek Hughes. DEPENOENTEXAMWEWS REpoRf om ThEACC Rep(rttothe Trwste•s ofGulhJ¢n Sutton CommwatyAs50cth CK>I1201751}on accowtsfor year ended 31* Oecernber2024srt outon p•8es 1-3. I ferKfft ts the tru5teeson ex•rnlnaUon of the acajuntsof the above Charlty for the year ended 31° December 2024. Asthe chariVstru5teesi respons1b￿ forthe preparatson ofthe accounts In accord*rKe wlth the fequirements of theIncome from lettings, equipment rental
Less expenditure
**1**|**Year to**
**31/12/2024**
£
29,913
(144,632)
(114,719)|**7 months to**
**31/12/2023**
£
14,303
(32,316)
(18,013)| |---|---|---| |**Donations, Grants, other income**||| |UKSPF Grant (for roof replacement)
Greenspace
Bowls Club
For Christmas Tree event
From Players (actual amount received)
From BIH Support Group (actual amount received)
**Other income**
West Cheshire AC - Guilden Sutton 10k
Christmas Tree event
Happening at the Hall
Art Exhibition (inclusive of fees paid over to artists)
Quiz night
Village fete income (grants and event income)|10,000
150
150
500
-
-
10,800
100
576
190
2,813
910
11,570
16,159|-
-
-
1,953
-
-
1,953
-
740
-
-
522
-
1,262
536
(14,262)
-
(14,262)| |Bank interest received|1,052|| |**Net income**
Less depreciation
**SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)**|(86,708)
-
(86,708)|| |**Note 1: Expenditure**||| |Cleaner and window cleaning
Cleaning materials
Gas
Electric
Water
Waste disposal
Maintenance
Property improvement expenditure
**4**
Licenses & Memberships
Insurance
Printing inc Marigold
Broadband
Event costs - Happening at the Hall (open day)
Event costs - Art Exhibition
Event costs - Village fete
Event costs - Quiz Night
Event costs - Christmas Tree event
Sundries|6,153
719
1,372
1,284
322
2,313
6,427

106,978
677
2,060
393
928
674
1,925
10,255
476
1,185
493
144,632|2,874
240
496
634
149
1,308
2,406
19,495
50
2,117
494
-
-
-
-
-
1,817
236
32,316| ## **GUILDEN SUTTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CIO Registered Charity number 1201751 BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
At 31/12/2024 At 31/12/2023
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets 3
Cost 133,777 133,777
Less grant received (4,000) (4,000)
Depreciation (121,222) (121,222)
Net Book Value 8,555 8,555
Current Assets
Bank & Cash
Natwest Current 1,723 10,757
Natwest Savings 10,027 38,322
Santander Current 8,245 7,760
Santander Savings 21,481 70,881
Fete Account 7,779 7,175
Cash 15 74
49,270 134,969
Debtors 2,900 3,377
2,900 3,377
Current Liabilities
Creditors - 72
Provision for fete activities 7,779 7,175
7,779 7,247
Net assets 52,946 139,654
Reserves
Brought Forward 139,654 -
Cash transferred from Association to CIO - 46,350
Association reserves introduced to CIO - 107,566
Surplus/(Deficit) for period (86,708) (14,262)
52,946 139,654
0 0
0
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **GUILDEN SUTTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CIO** ## **Registered Charity number 1201751 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **Note 2: Charity merger** At 1 June 2023 Guilden Sutton Community Association CIO (Registered Charity number 1201751) took on the activities of Guilden Sutton Community Association (Registered Charity number 510231) . All assets were transferred to the CIO as at 1st June 2023. The previous period of account was 7 months, and so is not directly comparable with the current accounting period of 12 months. ## **Note 3: Fixed Assets** |LAND
BUILDINGS
COST
DEPRECIATION
CAR PARK & PATH
COST
DEPRECIATION
FENCE & BLINDS
COST
DEPRECIATION
HEATING SYSTEM
COST
LESS GRANTS RECEIVED
NET COST
DEPRECIATION|**At 31/12/2024**
8,555
104,281
(104,281)
-
3,835
(3,835)
-
7,240
(7,240)
-
9,866
(4,000)
5,866
(5,866)
-
**8,555**|**At 31/12/2024**
8,555
104,281
(104,281)
-
3,835
(3,835)
-
7,240
(7,240)
-
9,866
(4,000)
5,866
(5,866)
-
**8,555**|**At 31/12/2023**
8,555
104,281
(104,281)
-
3,835
(3,835)
-
7,240
(7,240)
-
9,866
(4,000)
5,866
(5,866)
-
**8,555**|**At 31/12/2023**
8,555
104,281
(104,281)
-
3,835
(3,835)
-
7,240
(7,240)
-
9,866
(4,000)
5,866
(5,866)
-
**8,555**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Note 4: Property improvement and other significant expenditure**||||| |Toilet block refurbishment
New roof and solar panels
Contribution to the storage shed via the Parish Council||36,653
68,325
2,000
106,978||| For th• ye*ended JI D¥knbèr20 INDEPE14DÈNT EXAMINERS REPORfoNThE ACCOUPIts Report to the Trustee5 of Gullden Sutton c0mmunitykn50cia￿OTr cio112017511 on ae￿UntsfOrthe year ended 31¥t December 2024set out on page5 1-3. Respwtslblllllts ond bas15 of rewt I report to the tn15tees on myexamlnation of the accounts of the above charlty for the year ended 31" Decernber 2024. A5 the charity's tiustee5. you a￿ respDn5ible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the rEoulrementsofthe CharltiesAtt 2011 lTrhe Art"). l ￿port In respett of my examination of the Trust's ac(Dunts tarried out Under sethon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 Out my eXamITra￿On. I have followed all the applicable Direcknon5 given bv the Charity Commissfon under5eth(Fn 14515llbl of the Act. Indep•ndentexamlnerf$ Stsknent I have completed m¥ examination. I confirm that no material matter5 have cometo my attention in connectlon with the examination which gNes me cause to believe that In. any material respect-. weremt kept In respect of the Trust a5 required by sectlon 130 of the Art; or 2. the accounts do ntit accord wlth those records. I have no concem5 have corne across no other matters in ronnection with the examlnation to which attention should be drawn In thrs report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgneo.. A Winstanlev Date..