2026-01-04-accounts

BUCKNELL MEMORIAL HALL AND RECREATION GROUND CIO

Principal Office – Weir Cottage, Bucknell SY7 0AA

Registered Charity Number 1213956

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD 4 JULY 2025 TO 4 JANUARY 2026

1. Formation and Purpose of the CIO

• The CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) was formally registered on 4 July 2025 with three founding Trustees: Michael Alderton (Chairman), David Blake and David Davies.

• Its purpose is to replace the former Unincorporated Charity (Bucknell Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground Charity Number 1051444) with a stronger legal structure for fundraising for the new Village Hall.

• Two additional Trustees, Marion Cox and Andrew Rolfe, were appointed on 14 July 2025.

• Following the dissolution of the Unincorporated Charity on 9 September 2025 , its eight Trustees were appointed to the CIO on 16 September 2025 : Len Barrett, Roger Bates, Burwell Bowen, Dorothy Edwards, Nicola Edwards, Jim Hughes, Derek Meredith and Christine Price.

• Viv Dodd was added as a Trustee on 14 October 2025 .

• All of the above named were Trustees of the Charity on the date this Report was approved.

2. Transfer of Responsibilities

• The CIO took over the responsibility for the Memorial Hall and Recreation Ground on 10 September 2025. Assets, including bank balances were transferred on the same date.

• Legal work in connection with the property transfers is ongoing.

3. Structure, Governance and Management

• The Charity’s Constitution is dated 19 April 2025. There have been no amendments. Under the Constitution each of the following external bodies is entitled to appoint one charity Trustee:

• Bucknell Youth Club, Bucknell Women’s Institute, Bucknell St Mary’s Church, Bucknell St Mary’s School PTA, Bucknell Skittles Club, Bedstone & Bucknell Parish Council.

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• The Trustees, acting collectively as a Board, have the total responsibility for the management of all aspects of the Charity’s functions under the provisions of its Constitution approved by the Charity Commission on 4 July 2025.

• Much of the work of the Charity is handled initially by its committees (Finance, New Hall/Funding) and by its groups (Maintenance, Events, Website and Publicity) who report to the Board of Trustees who meet monthly.

4. Objectives and activities

• The objectives of the Charity are:

• To provide and maintain a village hall, and

• To manage an open space known as the Bucknell Recreation Ground

• The income and property of the CIO is applied solely towards the promotion of its objectives.

• The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

5. Finance

• The CIO took over bank balances totalling £26,670 on 10 September 2025 .

• There were net receipts in the period to 4 January 2026 of £1,784 taking the bank balances at 4 January 2026 to £28,454.

• Receipts from lettings continue to decline and the Charity is increasingly dependent on the receipts from Events and grants and donations.

• A summary of the Receipts and Payments for the period covered by this Report is attached.

• The reserves, in the form of bank balances totalling £28,454 are held to meet possible shortfalls of net receipts in future years and towards the costs associated with the New Village Hall project. There is no formal reserves policy in place.

6. Events

• A successful programme of events had been established by the CIO’s predecessor and these will be continued with additions and variations to maintain interest.

• During the period covered by this Report, four events (Quiz Night, Fashion Show, Choir Concert and Disco) were staged raising a total of £2,057.

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7. Maintenance

• The Memorial Hall, now more than 100 years old, continues to require regular maintenance and repair to protect the fabric of the building and its fittings. The CIO have continued to test and replace as necessary, failed electrical equipment.

• Ramps to the accessible toilet in the Daffodil Lane changing rooms are now available and are fitted when the building is in use.

• Repair work to the Multiplay Centre at the Daffodil Lane Children’s play area has been undertaken following damage. This work is ongoing.

• The CIO continues to maintain the Recreation Ground in accordance with its obligations under the agreement with Natural England and with financial support from the Parish Council.

• The Trustees record their grateful thanks to the Pop-In Café for their generous grant of £500 in the period and a further £1,000 in January 2026, towards the cost of maintaining the Memorial Hall.

8. New Village Hall

• The Unincorporated Charity took the decision to resurrect proposals to build a new Village Hall to replace the ageing Memorial Hall more than five years ago. The Charity was successful in obtaining the support of Liverpool University School of Architecture who have guided them through the design process securing planning permission in October 2024.

• The CIO have continued to work with the University team in developing the internal layout of the new Hall. The New Hall will provide more space for a wider range of activities.

• The New Hall will be presented as a Community Hub, whereby in addition to providing facilities for pre-booked use and community events, it will be open as a “Drop-in Centre” during the day providing a safe, warm space for users to meet informally.

• The Trustees have held a number of “open days” over the last three years and have listened carefully to residents’ views on the design and layout of the New Village Hall. This engagement has been invaluable to the Trustees during their deliberations.

• The Trustees have produced a Business Plan covering the years 2025 – 2030. This document will be used in support of the funding applications which are now being prepared.

• This Plan estimates that the construction costs to be more than £2million (plus fees), a project start date of October 2027 and an estimated completion date of December 2028. This timetable is of course, subject to funding becoming available.

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1. Next Steps Undoubtedly 2026 and the first 6 months of 2027 will be crucial to the success of the New Hall project. During that time funding must be secured for professional fee5 lengineer5 and the likel and the costs of constructlon. This will be far from easy and thè Trustees expect that funding will come from more than one sourcè, each with its own crlteria for approval and specifsc conditions. However, the Trustees consider that they have a strong case which will be professionally prepared and presented to selected funders after careful research. The Charity now has a fully functioning and very attractive new Website which is so important when introducing Bucknell Ishropshirel to potentsal funders. Potentlal funder5 will wish to be satisfied that the New Hall project has the broad support of Bucknell residents and across all age groups. This is a big, indeed a very bi& project for Bucknell and everyone has a part to play in making it a success. io. In Concluslon The Trustees wlsh to record their thanks to everyone who has supported the Charity's events by the purchase of tickets, caterin& donating raffle prizes and in so many other ways. Their appreciation extends to those who have helped with undertaking repairs. grass cutting and the loan of equipment. Finally, the Trustees thank those individuals and organisations that have hired the Hall in 2025. The Trustees recognise the Memorial Hall's shortcomings and are working hard to provlde a modern. warm and welcomlng alternative. Slgned by Mlchael Alderton (Chairman) James Hughes ISecretary} Dorothy Edwards ITreasurer) 11 August 2026

 This Plan estimates that the construction costs to be more than £2million (plus

BUCKNELL MEMORIAL HALL AND RECREATION GROUND CIO

Registered Charity Number 1213956

RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT SUMMARY FOR THE PERIOD 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 TO 4 JANUARY 2026

	£
RECEIPTS
Letngs & Hire	675
Events	2,057
Donatons	207
Wayleaves	25
Grant (Parish Council)	500
Bank interest	81
	3,545
PAYMENTS
Wages (Caretaker)	680
Electricity (net of meter
receipts)	464
Water	88
Hedge cutng	252
Licences	21
Bank charges	10
Repairs	106
Equipment purchased	88
RCC Membership fees	52
	1,761
NET RECEIPTS IN PERIOD	1,784
RESERVES BROUGHT FORWARD	26,670
RESERVES CARRIED FORWARD	28,454
CASH AT BANK (Current Account)	6,183
CASH AT BANK (Deposit Account)	22,271
	28,454

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