St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2026
Registered Charity – 1212474
St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2026
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Trustees’ Report | 1 – 3 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 4 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 5 |
| Statement of Balances | 6 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 7 – 9 |
St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Trustees’ Annual Report For the period ended 31 March 2026
Chair’s Report
This is our first annual report as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and it has been an exciting year!
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The "old" unincorporated charity (registration no. 1045999) was dissolved, and its assets transferred to a new CIO (registration no. 1212474).
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The final phase of refurbishments to the Front Hall was completed, and we have received very positive feedback from users, with increased light and usable space.
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We are undertaking a major project called Making St. Aidan's Sustainable ("MSAS"), whose purpose is to make us greener and more energy-efficient and to help us cope with substantial increases in our energy bills.
The first phase, which involved insulation of the Back Hall, has been completed, and we have begun the second phase, which involves installation of solar panels, battery storage and heat pumps. This requires substantial ancillary work to our roof and to make our battery storage area watertight and fireproof.
We could not have undertaken this project without the considerable support of Community Action Northumberland, nor without the very generous financial support of The National Lottery Community Fund (through their Community Spaces Partnership with CAN), Berwick Community Trust (through their CoRE Legacy Fund), the Lough Fund (through Community Foundation North East), The Joicey Trust, The Simpson McCreath Trust, the Freemen of Berwick, and The Rothley Trust.
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Along with Greener Berwick and Community Action Northumberland, we hosted a Community Showcase Event, which, despite the weather, was very well attended. The focus of this was cutting energy use, through the use of solar, batteries and heat pumps. The feedback received was that it was a very worthwhile event, with a lot of people interested in learning more about energy saving possibilities.
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We have re-configured our WiFi, so that we now have superfast WiFi in both halls.
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We have introduced a new booking system, which allows users to check availability and make bookings online.
I am delighted that all this has been achieved against a backdrop of increasing use of both halls. St. Aidan's is a busy and vibrant community centre, and we thank our users, who contribute so much to the physical and social wellbeing of our community.
Helen Atkinson Chair of Trustees
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Trustees’ Annual Report For the period ended 31 March 2026
Secretary’s Report
Charity name St. Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Organisation & registration Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered on 10 March 2025 to replace St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust, unincorporated charity (1045999) Charity number 1212474 Contact address 46 Church Street Berwick-upon-Tweed Northumberland TD15 1DX Website https://staidanshallberwick.org.uk/
Trustees Trustees, unless otherwise stated, were appointed on 6 March 2025:
Helen Atkinson, Chair Patricia Ranson, Secretary Jean Anita Standing Violet Robinson Cian Ronan McHugh, Treasurer Agnes Steele Trevor James Standing
Charitable Objectives: 1. To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the town of Berwick upon Tweed and the neighbourhood by associating together the said inhabitants, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. 2. To establish or secure the establishment of a community centre.
Patricia Ranson Secretary
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Trustees’ Annual Report
For the period ended 31 March 2026
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts reflect a number of developments over the period:
(i) An increase in operating income, due to both higher utilization of the halls and higher fees. This was partly offset by higher costs.
(ii) Revenue expenditure on improvements (Main Hall re-decoration, Back Hall insulation, WiFi improvement), which led to an operating loss.
(iii) Capital fundraising for MSAS, detailed in our Restricted Reserves.
(iv) A transfer to Designated Reserves of £5,000 in connection with the MSAS project.
The net effect is a reduction in our Unrestricted Reserves, but we expect that completion of the MSAS project will enable us to lower our energy bills, and generate an operating surplus going forward.
The trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, that at year end the charity did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties or any debts secured on assets of the CIO.
Cian McHugh Treasurer
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf
H Atkinson
Helen Atkinson Chair 11 June 2026
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Independent Examiner’s Report For the period ended 31 March 2026
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the the accounts of St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust for the period ended 31 March 2026.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s Trustees 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 Charity'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.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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
E Alsop
Elaine Alsop ACA DChA FCIE EA Independent Ltd 5 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AN 17 June 2026
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Receipts and Payments Account For the peiod ended 31 March 2026
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | ||||
| Voluntary income | 3 | 21,453 | 37,165 | 58,618 |
| Charitable activities | 4 | 17,981 | - | 17,981 |
| Investment income | 226 | - | 226 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| 39,660 | 37,165 | 76,825 | ||
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Payments | ||||
| Charitable activities | 5 | 19,398 | - | 19,398 |
| Buidling improvements | 6 | 3,342 | 20,565 | 23,907 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Total payments | 22,740 | 20,565 | 43,305 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Net receipts for year | 16,920 | 16,600 | 33,520 | |
| ════ | ════ | ════ |
No comparatives are available as this is the first period of account for the CIO
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these accounts
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Statement of Other Assets and Liabiities As at 31 March 2026
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Opening funds | - | - | - | |
| Receipts for the year | 16,920 | 16,600 | 33,520 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Closing funds | 7 | 16,920 | 16,600 | 33,520 |
| ════ | ════ | ════ | ||
| Reconciliation to bank: | ||||
| Payments | ||||
| Opening balance at bank | - | - | - | |
| Net movement in the year | 16,920 | 16,600 | 33,520 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ||
| Closing balance at bank | 16,920 | 16,600 | 33,520 | |
| ════ | ════ | ════ | ||
| Other assets and liabilities | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Fixed assets | ||||
| Building brought into CIO | 5,000 | |||
| Plant & machinery | 7,125 | |||
| Current assets | ||||
| Hall rentals receivable | 524 | |||
| Creditors | ||||
| Deposits returnable/income in | advance | 116 | ||
| Independent examination fee | 300 |
Approved by the Trustees on 11 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
H Atkinson
Helen Atkinson Chair
The notes on pages 7 to 9 form part of these accounts
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Notes to the Accounts For the period ended 31 March 2026
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
VAT
The charity is not registered for VAT and, accordingly, expenditure includes VAT where appropriate.
Resources expended
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the Independent Examiner’s fee.
Building improvements include the costs involved in making the building more energy efficient.
Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. All restricted funds received in the year were in respect of the building improvement work.
2. Payments to Trustees
Three trustees were paid travel expenses totaling £99 in the year for travel inciurred in their duties as trustees of the charity.
Payments of £2,999 were made to a related party of one of the trustees in relation to cleaning services for the Hall. The trustees confirm they have followed guidance form the Charity Commission in respect of payments to related parties of trustees.
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Notes to the Accounts
For the period ended 31 March 2026
3. Voluntary income
| 3. Voluntary income |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Grants | |||
| Lough Fund | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Berwick Community Trust CoRE | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| National Lottery CSP | - | 7,665 | 7,665 |
| Joicey Trust | - | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Simpsons McCreath Trust | - | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Rothley Trust | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Freemen of Berwick | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Donations | |||
| Transfer from1045999 | 21,453 | - | 21,453 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 21,453 | 37,165 | 58,618 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 4. Receipts from charitable activities |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Hall rentals | 17,946 | - | 17,946 |
| Other | 35 | - | 35 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 17,981 | - | 17,981 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 5. Payments on charitable activities |
|||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Utilities | 7,488 | - | 7,488 |
| Maintenance & refurbishments | 3,683 | - | 3,683 |
| Cleaning | 3,489 | - | 3,489 |
| Insurance, licenses & subs | 1,729 | - | 1,729 |
| IT and communications | 2,740 | - | 2,740 |
| Travel | 99 | - | 99 |
| General expenses | 170 | - | 170 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 19,398 | - | 19,398 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── |
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St Aidan’s Hall (Berwick) Trust Notes to the Accounts
For the period ended 31 March 2026
6. Building improvements
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 | 2026 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Back hall insulation | 3,342 | 12,000 | 15,342 |
| Solar panels | - | 8,565 | 8,565 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| 3,342 | 20,565 | 23,907 | |
| ────── | ────── | ────── |
| 7. Funds |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Balance at | ||||
| 10 Mar 25 | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | 31 Mar 26 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Lough Fund | - | 10,000 | (10,000) | - | - |
| Berwick Community Trust CoRE |
- | 10,000 | (900) | - | 9,100 |
| National Lottery CSP | - | 7,665 | (7,665) | - | - |
| Joicey Trust | - | 3,000 | - | - | 3,000 |
| Simpsons McCreath Trust |
- | 2,500 | - | - | 2,500 |
| Rothley Trust | - | 2,000 | - | - | 2,000 |
| Freemen of Berwick | - | 2,000 | (2,000) | - | - |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Total restricted funds | - | 37,165 | (20,565) | - | 16,600 |
| Unrestricted funds | - | 39,660 | (22,740) | (5,000) | 11,920 |
| Designated funds | - | - | - | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | ────── | |
| Total funds | - | 76,825 | (43,305) | - | 33,520 |
| ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ | ═════ |
Nature and purpose of Funds
Restricted funds: All funds received in relation to the building improvements for energy efficiency are restricted and listed above.
Unrestricted funds: This fund has no restriction and is administered on a discretionary basis by the trustees in line with the objects of the charity. This represents the free resereves of the CIO.
Designated funds: The Trustees have set £5,000 aside to cover additional expenditure on MSAS.
A transfer was made from the unrestricted funds to achieve this.
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