Ward Freman Community Pool Group CIO Charity Number: 1207746 Registered Office: 52 Oak End, Buntingford SG9 9BU Trustees Annual Report
The trustees present their report and the financial statement of Ward Freman Community Pool Group CIO (WFCPG) for the year ending 31st December 2024.
Objectives and Activities
Charitable Objectives
The WFCPG was established to promote for the benefit of the public at large, in particular but not exclusively those living in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
The first facility it wishes to provide is the Ward Freman swimming pool which was closed by the local authority in December 2023.
Charitable Activities
Whilst the Ward Freman swimming pool remains closed the WFCPG focuses on charitable activities to raise awareness and funds to reopen the pool. It has hosted fundraising events such as dances, quizzes and table top sales.
Achievements and Performance
The WFCPG has worked with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and East Herts District Council (EHDC), along with the pool operator Everyone Active to obtain an accurate scale of works required to reopen the pool. This included the WFCPG funding an independent structural survey of the pool by Pell Frischmann following a condition survey conducted by Oakleaf (commissioned by EHDC) which suggested that there may be subsidence present at the site. With no evidence of subsidence found, WFCPG were happy to proceed in developing a business plan with the intention of applying for a government Community Ownership Fund grant.
WFCPG were lucky enough to have local architectural firm G2 offer to develop plans for the refurbishment of the dry side of the building free of charge. Similarly, Lawson Cook Limited provided free of charge a structural survey required to support G2’s plans.
The new Labour government formed in June 2024 and put an early closure to the Community Ownership Fund. Thus WFCPG had to change the plan from generating the capital investment required to completely refurbish the whole building, to a phased refurbishment scheme.
Negotiations are still ongoing with Hertfordshire County Council in order to obtain the lease or even a Community Asset Transfer, which is a key criteria for many grant awarding charities.
Promotion of the WFCPG charity at village summer events resulted in over 700 people signing up to be pool supporters, receiving regular updates via email about the WFCPG activities and achievements.
Financial Review
The initial plan for total refurbishment stands at £934,000. Without the possibility of a COF grant, the phased approach is looking for £400,000 to complete phase 1 which will see the pool open with new filtration, dosing, expansion joints, repaired tiles and air handling system. Reserves are being held in order to fund necessary capital expenditure.
East Herts District Council has pledged £200,000 in addition to £16,000 s106 money previously specified for the Ward Freman pool.
WFCPG has generated a total income for the year ending 31st December 2024 of £15,871 with an expenditure of £2,922. A net income of £12,949.
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Income | £ |
| Other Trading Activities | 7,843 |
| Donations | 6,923 |
| Grants | 1,000 |
| Investments (Interest) | 105 |
| Total | 15,871 |
| Expenditure | |
| Other Trading Activities | 1,552 |
| Insurance & Professional fees | 1,370 |
| Total | 2,922 |
| Net Income | 12,949 |
Structure, governance and management
The WFCPG is governed by our constitution as agreed on 5th April 2024 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). First Trustees were recruited following public consultation in January 2024 and hold office for either 4 or 3 years ensuring that all trustees do not step down at the same time.
The first charity trustees are as follows, and are appointed for the following terms – Frazer Willett for 4 years Joanne Willett for 4 years Philip Wylie for 4 years Sheila White for 4 years Ian Ballantyne for 3 years Linda Roberts for 3 years Tim Miller for 3 years Alison Barr for 3 years
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) Joanne Willett
Position (eg Secretary,Chair, etc) Chair
Date 16/4/25