Town Hall, High Street, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 0EZ Tel: 01249 702130 Email: towncouncil@corsham.gov.uk www.corsham.gov.uk
Clerk to the Trustees: David J Martin
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR 2024-25 – METHUEN HALL TRUST
Trustees
Councillors S Abbott, H Belcher, N Brakspear, J Brook, A Brown, T Bush, T Ellis, N Farmer, R Hopkinson, D Jarman, A Mackie, G McCaffery, R Munn, J Roberton, A Thomas, G Ward, L Waugh, A White and R Williams.
Charity Registration Number 222278
Bank Lloyds TSB, High Street, Corsham, Wiltshire
Solicitor Goughs, Pickwick Road, Corsham, Wiltshire
Auditor Mr S Pollard – Managing Director, Auditing Solutions Ltd, Clackerbrook Farm, 46 The Common, Bromham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2JJ
The charity was set up as a Trust Deed in 1897 and the Councillors of Corsham Parish Council, now Town Council, are automatically Trustees for the time of their office as Councillor. The objective of the trust is “to provide a hall to serve as a Parish Meeting place and for usage by local groups”.
This report relates to the financial year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. As the building is a public building it complies fully with access under the Disability Discrimination Act.
The Trustees took the decision to provide a range of levels of charging for use of the building. The first is Charity Rate and is applicable to other registered Charities and local non-profit making groups. The Standard/Commercial Rate covers functions by individuals and businesses hiring the building.
The number of bookings during 2024-25 were :
Local Charity Rate - 162 Standard Rate/Commercial Rate - 139
Block Bookings receive a discount. The administrative details of the charity are dealt with through the Town Council offices.
Enclosed with this report is a copy of the audited accounts for the relevant financial year, and the independent examiners report.
The Town Council makes an annual grant to the Trust which is paid in instalments during the year. The grant for 2024-25 was £119,200
Charity Number : 222278
THE METHUEN HALL TRUST
Accounts
Year Ending 31 March 2025
Prepared by Auditing Solutions Ltd
Unit 7, Clackerbrook Farm
46 The Common
Bromham, Chippenham
Wilts
SN15 2JJ
Telephone: 07986 095004
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of the Methuen Hall Trust
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] March 2025, which are set out on pages 3 and 4
Respective responsibilities of the trustee and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts: you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply.
It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act, whether any particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiners report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissions. 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 from you as 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 opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiners statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements;
-
a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
-
b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
Have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
25[th] April 2025
Stuart J Pollard
Auditing Solutions Ltd
Unit 7, Clackerbrook Farm, 46 The Common, Bromham, Chippenham Wilts, SN15 2JJ
Page 2 of 4
Methuen Hall Trust
Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31st March 2025
| Methuen Hall Trust Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31st March 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| Income | ||
| Lettings | £17,763 | £21,644 |
| Grants received- Corsham Town Council | £57,265 | £119,200 |
| Miscellaneous | £0 | £158 |
| £75,028 | £141,002 | |
| Less : Expenditure | ||
| Security | £1,366 | £1,339 |
| Cleaning and Refuse collection | £5,508 | £6,038 |
| Business rates | £552 | £555 |
| Electricity | £4,541 | £4,457 |
| Gas | £5,500 | £3,644 |
| Water charges | £728 | £793 |
| Insurance | £2,550 | £2,650 |
| Advertising | £466 | £392 |
| General Maintenance | £7,825 | £19,759 |
| Equipment & Fittings | £305 | £380 |
| Service contracts | £5,437 | £4,567 |
| Performing rights | £490 | £521 |
| Audit examination | £160 | £175 |
| Town Hall improvements | £17,770 | £65,931 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | £0 | £96 |
| Caretaker consumables | £545 | £482 |
| £53,743 | £111,779 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | £21,285 | £29,223 |
| General Balance brought forward | £3,800 | £25,085 |
| General Balance carried forward | £25,085 | £54,308 |
Page 3 of 4
Methuen Hall Trust
Balance Sheet
As at 31st March 2025
| Current Assets Debtors and recoverable VAT Cash at bank Less: Current liabilities Creditors and accruals Represented by: General Fund Balance |
2024 £1,449 £24,986 £26,435 £1,350 £25,085 £25,085 |
2025 £3,116 £52,732 |
|---|---|---|
| £55,848 £1,540 |
||
| £54,308 | ||
| £54,308 |
Approved for and on behalf of The Methuen Hall Trust
Trustee……………………………………………………… Dated ……../………/2025 Trustee……………………………………………………. Dated ……./……../2025
I have examined the books and records of The Methuen Trust and certify that the attached Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet are in accordance therewith.
Independent Examiner Dated: 25[th] April 2025
Page 4 of 4
Charity Number : 222278
THE METHUEN HALL TRUST
Accounts
Year Ending 31 March 2025
Prepared by Auditing Solutions Ltd
Unit 7, Clackerbrook Farm
46 The Common
Bromham, Chippenham
Wilts
SN15 2JJ
Telephone: 07986 095004
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of the Methuen Hall Trust
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] March 2025, which are set out on pages 3 and 4
Respective responsibilities of the trustee and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts: you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply.
It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act, whether any particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiners report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissions. 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 from you as 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 opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiners statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements;
-
a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
-
b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
Have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
25[th] April 2025
Stuart J Pollard
Auditing Solutions Ltd
Unit 7, Clackerbrook Farm, 46 The Common, Bromham, Chippenham Wilts, SN15 2JJ
Page 2 of 4
Methuen Hall Trust
Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31st March 2025
| Methuen Hall Trust Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31st March 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| Income | ||
| Lettings | £17,763 | £21,644 |
| Grants received- Corsham Town Council | £57,265 | £119,200 |
| Miscellaneous | £0 | £158 |
| £75,028 | £141,002 | |
| Less : Expenditure | ||
| Security | £1,366 | £1,339 |
| Cleaning and Refuse collection | £5,508 | £6,038 |
| Business rates | £552 | £555 |
| Electricity | £4,541 | £4,457 |
| Gas | £5,500 | £3,644 |
| Water charges | £728 | £793 |
| Insurance | £2,550 | £2,650 |
| Advertising | £466 | £392 |
| General Maintenance | £7,825 | £19,759 |
| Equipment & Fittings | £305 | £380 |
| Service contracts | £5,437 | £4,567 |
| Performing rights | £490 | £521 |
| Audit examination | £160 | £175 |
| Town Hall improvements | £17,770 | £65,931 |
| Miscellaneous expenses | £0 | £96 |
| Caretaker consumables | £545 | £482 |
| £53,743 | £111,779 | |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | £21,285 | £29,223 |
| General Balance brought forward | £3,800 | £25,085 |
| General Balance carried forward | £25,085 | £54,308 |
Page 3 of 4
Methuen Hall Trust
Balance Sheet
As at 31st March 2025
| Current Assets Debtors and recoverable VAT Cash at bank Less: Current liabilities Creditors and accruals Represented by: General Fund Balance |
2024 £1,449 £24,986 £26,435 £1,350 £25,085 £25,085 |
2025 £3,116 £52,732 |
|---|---|---|
| £55,848 £1,540 |
||
| £54,308 | ||
| £54,308 |
Approved for and on behalf of The Methuen Hall Trust
Trustee……………………………………………………… Dated ……../………/2025 Trustee……………………………………………………. Dated ……./……../2025
I have examined the books and records of The Methuen Trust and certify that the attached Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet are in accordance therewith.
Independent Examiner Dated: 25[th] April 2025
Page 4 of 4