2024-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ annual report for the period

From: 22 August 2023 to: 31 December 2024 Charity name: Wallasey Village Library and Community Centre Charity registration number: 1204436

Objectives and activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To advance the education of the public in Wallasey, Wirral and the surrounding area or communities, by operating and managing a community lending library. To promote for the benefit of the residents of Wallasey, Wirral and the surrounding area or communities, the provision of a public library for recreation and/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 said residents.
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 charity has acquired the lease to the former Wallasey Village Library from Wirral Borough Council and, throughout the period of this report, worked to reopen the building, including a new community space and café, toilets. Work to reopen the library was almost complete by the end of this report period.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	This report includes how the charity has carried out our charity’s purposes for the public benefit. This requirement is set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (see Annex A Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008).

Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The charity does not make grants to other charities or organisation. All funds raised are for the benefit of the charity alone.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The charity did not borrow money, for social investment or other purposes during the period.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity is volunteer-led and relies fully on the goodwill and support of our volunteers, whether those who act as trustees and/or part of the Management Team or those who contribute their time to ensuring the building is open and available to meet the needs of the local community. The contribution from volunteers throughout the period of the report was substantial and critical to the foundation of the charity and successful transfer of the asset from the Council to the charity. Post completion of the building works, several volunteer parties were held to bring the building into use. We were grateful for the continued active support of the Friends of Wallasey Village Library. A Volunteer Handbook was produced and adopted for day-to-day use. Specific volunteer roles created for the purpose of meeting of our objectives included: - Volunteer Co-ordinator - Library Team Leader - Library Volunteers

Achievements and performance

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 closure of Wallasey Village Library in October 2022 by Wirral Council was a significant blow to the local community. In response, and with the support of the Friends of Wallasey Village Library, Councillor Ian Lewis initiated the creation of a group to seek to re-open it. Throughout the period of this report, suitable trustees and volunteers were recruited; the asset transfer of the building negotiated and completed; a business plan created, and funds raised. During the period, the building was remodelled, creating new café and community space. We were delighted to partner with ‘Baked’ to provide a café within the building, drawing in new visitors to the library and community space. Donations of books were sought and much of the work within the library was to catalogue and process more than 5,000 books. The success was recognised at the official re-opening of the library in December 2024 by renowned local author, Ramsey Campbell and around 100 guests from the local community. The opening attracted coverage from the local media including the BBC. As anticipation and awareness grew, so did the numbers of people volunteering to support the charity. Many were volunteering for the first time, due to recent retirement or loss of partners. This helped us to implement our plans to re- open the building quickly, following completion of the lease, and to receive donations of books for use in the library and community space.

Financial review

Financial review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	This was the first period since the charity was formed and, as such, most of the financial activity was geared towards bringing the building back into use. By the end of the period, with most works completed, the charity had £8,754 in funds, with £5,704 committed to completion of the works.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The charity did not adopt a dedicated policy for reserves during the period with all funds dedicated towards the re-opening of the building.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£5,704 was held for completion of the building works and £2,579 was raised for re- opening the library.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	None
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	Not applicable – as a new charity, we were grateful for the support and goodwill of the community.
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The principal sources of funds were grants received from Wirral Council (£33,575 towards building works; £22,000 towards running costs) and the Lonsdale Trust (£21,300). Following the opening of the community room in October 2024, funds began to be received for room hire and donations for surplus books.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	Not applicable – the charity does not make material investments.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The main financial risks to the charity came from higher than forecast energy costs and the impact this would have on our cashflow. Other risks were mitigated via insurance and commitment to increase fundraising in the event of one or more income streams reducing.

Structure, governance and management

Type of governing document:	Para 1.25	Constitution – adopted in July 2023 and amended in August 2023 – by the founding trustees (Sarah Jones, Ian Lewis, Raymond Lyons and Nadina McShane).
How is the charity constituted?	Para 1.25	Following advice and guidance from the Wirral CVS, the charity was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’) in August 2023.
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	The four founding trustees undertook a public recruitment exercise and interviews were held throughout 2023. Once selected, each applicant confirmed their eligibility for appointment using the Charity Commission’s guidance. Trustees were appointed for various terms (between one and four years) to enable continuity of business and mitigating risks from mass-retirement.
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	A Safeguarding Policy was adopted in October 2024. Trustees were inducted throughout the period with additional training offered by the Wirral CVS and the Community Managed Libraries Network.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The Charity’s full Board of Trustees meets not less than twice yearly, with functions delegated to: - Finance Subcommitee for the purposes of finance, compliance reporting and fundraising - Management Team of five trustees who ensure day-to-day and urgent decisions are taken. The Charity is a member of the Community Managed Libraries Network and seeks guidance, and support, when needed.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	The Charity maintains good relations with Wirral Council and the local community. With the exception of the lease on the building, and a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Baked, the Charity has no formal agreements in place with external organisations.

Reference and administrative details

Charity name	Wallasey Village Library and Community Centre
Other name the charity uses	None although can be shortened to‘WVLCC’
Registered charity number	1204436
Charity’s principal address	St George’s Road, Wallasey Village CH45 3NE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Name:	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for the whole year:	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any):
Wendy Alderton	Chair, Finance Subcommittee; Management Team
Christopher Stephen Byrne
Lisa Duggan
Sarah Elizabeth Jones	Management Team		Founder
Ian Lewis	Chair of Trustees, Management Team		Founder
Raymond John Lyons	Management Team		Founder
Nadina McShane		August 2023 - August 2024	Founder
Veronica Jane Pugh
Susan Simpson	Management Team
Eleanor Sarah Sturgess
Stephenie Walsh
William (‘Bill’) Wyllie

The Charity did not appoint any Corporate Trustees during the period and no trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity or act as custodian trustees on behalf of others.

There were no serious incidents during the period that should have been reported to the Commission but were not.

We are grateful for the services of Dr. J. K. Ashford, BA (Econ.) PHD FCMA for agreeing to be appointed as Verifier for the accounts and to Mr C Parkinson for taking on the role of Secretary to the Board in a nonvoting capacity.

Declarations

The company has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors:

Signature(s):

Full name(s): Ian Lewis

Position: Chair of Trustees Date: 28 October 2025

Wallasey Village Library and Community Centre (CIO Charity number 1204436)

Accounts for the period ended 31st December 2024

Receipts Donations and Grants Service Charge (Baked) Reimbursed energy costs (Baked) Book sales Room Hire Total receipts: Payments Building works, Repairs, Equipment Fittings IT Library Energy Publicity and postage Safety, security and compliance Insurance Miscellaneous Total Payments Excess Receipts over Payments FUNDS HELD: WBC Capital WBC Revenue Support (Year One) Library Fund Unrestricted TOTAL: Signed Date Printed	Totals £33,575.00 £22,000.00 £2,129.59 £22,950.00 £80,654.59 £2,500.00 £2,500.00 £226.54 £226.54 £2,385.00 £2,385.00 £450.00 £450.00 WBC Capital Grants Revenue Support (WBC) Library Fund General Fund
	£33,575.00 £22,000.00 £4,514.59 £26,126.54 £86,216.13
	£33,575.00 £5,299.21 £21,118.22 £59,992.43 £1,150.00 £1,150.00 £310.60 £310.60 £1,934.75 £1,934.75 £7,032.04 £7,032.04 £1,158.20 £1,158.20 £756.32 £2,705.74 £3,462.06 £1,998.02 £240.00 £2,238.02 £59.99 £123.18 £183.17
	£33,575.00 £16,295.58 £1,934.75 £25,655.94 £77,461.27
	£0.00 £5,704.42 £2,579.84 £470.60 £8,754.86
	£0.00 £0.00 £5,704.42 £5,704.42 £2,579.84 £2,579.84 £470.60 £470.60
	£0.00 £5,704.42 £2,579.84 £470.60 £8,754.86
	5thMay 2025

Inde ndent ExamIne￿$ re ort Ilase Vill Lib & Commun entre CIO charl number 1204436 This report is on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31. De￿rntr￿r 2024, which are set out on page 1. Responslbllltlos and basls of report As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the a¢counts in accordance with th8 requir8m8nts of th8 Chariti88 Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the charity'8 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 secb'on 145(51(b} of the Acl. Ind•pnd•nt •xamln•V8 8tat6mant I have completed my examlnatlon. I conflrm that no material matters have come to my attention Sn connertion with the examln3tion glvlng me cause to believe that In any materlal respect: accoUn￿n8 records were not kept In respect of the charlty as requlred by sertlon 130 of the Act,. or the accounts do not accord wlth those records. I have no concerns and have come across rko other matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatton to which attention should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a proper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. Slgnod Name.. Relevant professional ualifi¢ation or bod Address. Date. Dr J K Ashford BA(Econ) PhD FCMA 9 Seaft)rth Drive Wirral CH46 OTD 5°Ma 2025 8aJ8don CC32 2017