## **The Red House, Stepney (Incorporated) Charity No 208940 Company No 103592**
## **Trustees Report April 2020 – March 31[st] 2021**
## _**In relation to governance**_
The Trustees met on six occasions in this period, the same number of meetings as the previous year.
Trustee membership and roles remained the same:
Chair: The Rev’d George Bush
Company Secretary: Ann Morisy
Trustees: The Rev’d Susie Paddock; Mrs Kizzie Proctor and the Rev’d Brian Ralph.
In attendance: Richard Strawson and Margaret Kesterton
Our chair has indicated that he anticipates standing down from this role in the next year or so, ideally remaining as trustee for a further year to facilitate the induction of a new chair. The search for a new chair is therefore a priority for the forthcoming year.
## _**Flood**_
We are pleased to report that we have now achieved significant flood protection to our buildings:
- flood gates have been fitted on 5 external doors
- concrete flood barriers created along both side alleys
- removable flood barriers fitted across the front courtyard entrance
- new redirected guttering fitted to take water away from the house.
- a sump pump installed in the right-hand alley which is particularly prone to flood water gathering in this area.
Our insurers have been informed of these additions and we await further guidance from specialist contractors Flood Control Northern Ireland (aka Watertight International) appointed by Tunbridge Wells Borough project team to further the Five Oak Green Flood Resilience Scheme. The Borough’s aim is to secure a Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) and this will involve detailed property surveys, including Hoppers. This should result in financial support towards the work we have undertaken.
## _**Pestilence**_
During the year our only activity was participation in the Heritage Week organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough in September. Drafting policies and identifying practices to ensure a safe environment at Hoppers was a priority.
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## _**In relation to priorities set for the previous year**_
We are pleased to report
1. The trustees re-assessed Hoppers’ Risk Register especially in the light of flooding and the impact of Covid-19
2. Completed the work in relation to fire prevention in particular applying ‘Thermoguard’ fire resistant and flame spread paint to all walls, ceilings and woodwork downstairs in the main house, and replacing 6 doors with regulation fire doors in the main house.
3. Installed flood defences
4. Reviewed policies in relation to Health and Safety in the light of Covid-19
5. Undertook building improvements
6. Updated our website
Our policies are available via the Hoppers website www.hopperskent.org or from our registered office.
## _**Financial performance**_
In this period income increased from £29,533 to £50,200. Lettings income was understandably diminished due to enforced closure during the height of the pandemic.
Our expenditure was £44,655 compared with £25,072 in the previous year. We had a surplus of £5,545 income over expenditure. The bulk of our income during this financial year was a result of insurance claims due to flood damage and Government support payments administered by Tunbridge Wells Borough. There were also gains in the capital value of our investments amounting to £12,872.
We also received a generous donation of £1000 from Paddock Wood Baptist Church. This donation came at a time of maximum financial insecurity so the trustees were doubly grateful.
We continue to note that in order to ensure smooth cash flow £3000 had been drawn down from reserves in the 2018-19 financial year.
## _**Caring for the building**_
Parts of the building date back to the 17[th] century and therefore good and wise attention has had to be devoted to maintenance. The trustees are pleased to report that with the exception of the Cat Slide roof all recommendations made by Carlton Boulter in his Condition Survey (2019) have been undertaken.
## _**Priority tasks for the forthcoming year**_
The trustees will:
- i. Continue search for a new Chair of Trustees
- ii. Embark on a focused advertising campaign to boost bookings and get Hoppers better known amongst youth and children’s workers
- iii. Identify priority tasks in the upgrading of the Cottage
- iv. Review our hire charges
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## v. Monitor the condition of the cat slide roof
## _**Thank you**_
With some trepidation we give warm thanks to the many many people who have supported Hoppers during this doubly difficult year of flood and pestilence. Please forgive us if we have missed anyone because there are so many to thank....
Shirley Breen who as soon as she arrives from London cleans, paints, polishes and anything else that needs doing
Daniel Breen from London who has given so much of his skill on behalf of Hoppers Claire Macey from Five Oak Green who helped throughout the summer with so many jobs Tanyia Taylor from London who helped throughout the summer Julie Jeakins from London who helped paint the bedrooms Roger Worraker from Five Oak Green for his support
Charles and Carol Mackonochie from Five Oak Green for advice and support
Anita and Robert Keywood from Tonbridge for advice and volunteering
Kizzie and Richard Proctor from Five Oak Green for helping throughout the summer
All of the Strawsons and Jake from Five Oak Green for help throughout the summer and beyond
Sam Hadfield and Dave Miller from London who came down in the summer and dug out the alley flood defences
Roy Oluwi from London who relentlessly badgered BT for our WIFI connect Paul Mckinnell and Steve from Five Oak Green who fitted Hoppers WIFI system Roderick Parrish from Five Oak Green for curtains
Maggie Sceal from Five Oak Green for making up Hoppers curtains
Phil from Man Shed for making the chapel benches, book shelf and bedroom name plaques Toby Butler from Tonbridge for his historical knowledge and sharing of resources Toby Simmonds from Kent Brewery for his generous donation and good company Robin Garwood from Kent for donating signed art photos
Rosie Webe from Five Oak Green for her support and willingness to help with everything Jackie Briggs from Five Oak Green for helping us
Eddie Paddock for releasing his 'chief cook and bottle washer' to Hoppers during the summer months!
Margaret Kesterton for keeping our ‘books’ in good order
Michael Byrne for inspecting our accounts
Buggs Farm for donating the beautiful hop pocket
Christine from London for donating an Edwardian Salon Chair
And all those who donated and supported us throughout the struggle to get back on our feet after the flood.
And we give special remembrance to Celia Worraker who cared for Hoppers plants and made Hoppers a beautiful place in every sense.
_Report of the Trustees May 2021_
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||**THE RED HOUSE, STEPNEY (INCORPORATED)**
**BALANCE SHEET AT 31st MARCH 2021**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Freehold land and buildings
1,027,901
1,026,881
Contents
_Note 2_
47,537
23,979
1,075,438
1,050,860
**INVESTMENTS**
Charities Official Investment Fund
63,393
52,521
**TOTAL FIXED ASSETS & INVESTMENTS**
1,138,831
1,103,381
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Santander Bank
15,594
8,243
**Less current liabilities**
Creditors: falling due within one year
_Note 1_
300
0
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
15,294
8,243
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**1,154,125**
**1,111,624**
**REPRESENTED BY:**
General Funds
1,154,058
1,111,559
Restricted Funds
67
67
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**1,154,125**
**1,111,626**
companies. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with s.476 of the Companies Act 2006.
preparation of accounts.
Revd George R. Bush, Chairperson
For the year ending 31 March 2020 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s.477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and for the|||
|-1||||
|||||
**4**
||**THE RED HOUSE, STEPNEY (INCORPORATED)**
**BALANCE SHEET AT 31st MARCH 2021**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Freehold land and buildings
1,027,901
1,026,881
Contents
_Note 2_
47,537
23,979
1,075,438
1,050,860
**INVESTMENTS**
Charities Official Investment Fund
63,393
52,521
**TOTAL FIXED ASSETS & INVESTMENTS**
1,138,831
1,103,381
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Santander Bank
15,594
8,243
**Less current liabilities**
Creditors: falling due within one year
_Note 1_
300
0
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
15,294
8,243
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**1,154,125**
**1,111,624**
**REPRESENTED BY:**
General Funds
1,154,058
1,111,559
Restricted Funds
67
67
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**1,154,125**
**1,111,626**
companies. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with s.476 of the Companies Act 2006.
preparation of accounts.
Revd George R. Bush, Chairperson
For the year ending 31 March 2020 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under s.477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and for the|||
|-1||||
|||||
**4**