Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2023 To 31[st] March 2024
Charity name: HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM AND WORKMAN'S HALL TRUST
Charity registration number: 233752
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objectives of the Trust are set out as: “Upon trust to use or permit it to be used as a Gym for the benefit of the residents of Hitchin and for other purposes mentioned in s6(3) Museums and Gymnasiums Act 1891 and also for any other (charitable) purpose for the benefit of the North Hertfordshire District for which North Hertfordshire District Council can lawfullyuse buildingand land vested in them” |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Town Hall is a beautiful community facility available to hire for a wide range of private and corporate events. which along with the Museum provides a fantastic community facility for the residents of North Herts and beyond. In the week, a range of regular classes is held during the day, from Tai Chi to fitness classes, including those catering for older people. In the holidays children’s discos are always popular. On weekday nights the hall is rented out for regular dance lessons and other activities, including concerts and private functions. At weekends the hall is used for events like art and craft fairs, and private weddings and other private parties. On Sundays the hall is sometime used by a church group. The museum café offers event and exhibition themed afternoon teas eg Halloween Teas,Mother’s Dayteas. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The charity’s purposes are in accordance with the tests set out in the Public Benefit rules. The trustees are aware of the Public Benefit tests, and would apply them to any relevant decisions. There have been no decisions requiring Trustee consideration during the year. |
Page 17
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Town Hall has regular hall hire events such as dance and exercise classes including classes catering for older people. Visitor numbers to the museum were up, at 33,053. The museum put on a wide range of popular exhibitions, including a_Peter Rabbit_ exhibition, and a_Diane Arbus_photography exhibition (from the Tate)_,_both of which attracted 8,500 visitors. The museum celebrated Black History month with an exhibition about the Windrush migrants. Museum staff ran art and craft workshops for adults and children, sessions for schools, and monthly day and evening talks. There were also evening visits by Brownies, Rainbows and Cub Scouts. There were 20 volunteers and work experience students, who contributed a total of 750 hours to the museum. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Resources expended of £176k, of which £62k relates to asset impairments and depreciation. The charity generated £33k from grants, donations and sales. The balance is funded from unrestricted funds provided by North Hertfordshire District Council. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Trust’s reserves total £2.686m at 31 March 2024. The reserves consist totally of restricted funds. These funds represent the land and equipment assets of the trust. The Trust has no unrestricted funds as at 31 March 2024 that can be expendable at the discretion of trustees in furtherance of the charity’s objectives. The Trust’s general expenditure is typically greater than general income. As a result, North Hertfordshire District Council provides a contribution to the Trust and unrestricted funds are maintained at a zero balance over time. If the financial situation was to change and the Trust’s level of income significantly increased the Trust would need to adopt a policy on an appropriate level of reserves |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £2.686m at 31st March 2024, all restricted funds relatingto the value of assets held. |
Page 18
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The Trust’s general expenditure is typically greater than general income. As a result North Hertfordshire District Council provides a contribution to the Trust and unrestricted funds are maintained at a zero balance over time. |
|---|---|---|
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None, continuing financial support from North Hertfordshire District Council covers any shortfalls. |
Page 19
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust Deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Trust |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | THE COUNCIL AS A CORPORATE BODY IS THE TRUSTEE, COUNCILLORS SIT AS TRUSTEES AND ARE ELECTED BY THE ELECTORS OF NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM AND WORKMAN'S HALL TRUST |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charitynumber | 233752 |
| Charity’s principal address | North Hertfordshire District Council, District Council Offices Gernon Road Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF |
Page 20
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Hertfordshire District Council |
Corporate Body (represented by Sub Committee consisting of the trustees named below) |
|||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Councillor Amy Allen Councillor Mick Debenhem Councillor David Winstanley
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Page 21
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
|
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
The Trust comprises of an element of the Hitchin Town Hall comprising the Gymnasium and Workman’s Hall. The remainder of the building is in the ownership of North Hertfordshire District Council, which is also the Trustee of the Trust part of the property. Both parts of the property are managed by the District Council (the Trust property under formal agreement) and are used for community purposes, in line with the objectives of the Trust. To affect management of the Trust and ensure separation from the Council, a Sub-Committee with full decision-making powers in the interest of the Trust has been set up comprising of three Members of the Cabinet, whose Portfolios have no direct interest in the Council’s part of the building. Since local government re-organisation in 1974, when the Trustee changed from Hitchin Urban District Council to North Hertfordshire District Council, until 2009 the distinction between the Trust owned element of the building and the Council owned element has been lost. The arrangements explained above have been put inplace to correct this omission. |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
THE COUNCIL’S ASSET REGISTER DETAILS THAT THE LAND IS HELD IN TRUST. |
Page 22
HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM & WORKMAN’S HALL TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended March 31st 2024
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Contribution from North Herts District Council Grants and Donations Sales Rents Income Museum Talks and Events Special Events Income Total Incoming Resources: RESOURCES EXPENDED 1 Charitable Activities Governance Costs Total Resources Expended: Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources for the year before Transfers. Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Total Funds B/Fwd FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD:- |
Unrestricted funds 81,215 9,104 18,256 244 4,706 400 113,925 113,925 - 113,925 - - - - |
Restricted funds - - - - - - 62,458 - 62,458 62,458 - - 62,458 - 2,748,165 2,685,707 |
Total Funds 2024 81,215 9,104 18,256 244 4,706 400 113,925 176,383 176,383 62,458 - - 62,458 - 2,748,165 2,685,707 |
Total Funds 2023 70,507 9,575 7,542 107 4,056 871 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92,658 155,116 |
||||
| 155,116 | ||||
| 62,458 - - 62,458 - 2,810,623 2,748,165 |
Page 13
HITCHIN TOWN HALL GYMNASIUM & WORKMAN’S HALL TRUST
| Notes 2024 £ Fixed Assets Tangible Fixed Assets 2 2,685,707 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 2,685,707 Reserves Restricted Funds 2,685,707 Unrestricted Funds - Total Funds:- 3 2,685,707 Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2024 |
2023 £ 2,748,165 2,748,165 |
|---|---|
| 2,748,165 - 2,748,165 |
Page 14
HITCHIN GYM AND WORKMAN'S HALL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended March 31st 2024
| 1 RESOURCES EXPENDED Direct Costs Indirect Employee Expenses Utilities Repairs and Maintenance Museum Exhibition and events Equipment Purchases and Repairs Fixture and Fittings Stationery Hired Services Depreciation 2 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Hitchin Town Hall Gym and Workman's Hall Carrying Value b/fwd at 1st April Write off CRevaluation Depreciation Charge for Year Net Book Value at 31st March 3 FUNDS Balance at Start of the Year Net Incoming (Outgoing) resources for the Year Depreciation of Fixed Assets Net Movement in Funds Reserves at the end of the Year. |
2024 £ - 56,773 25,839 17,584 13,438 497 - 197 591 62,458 |
2023 £ 45 29,136 32,894 18,136 9,738 1,527 297 885 62,458 |
Total £ 2,748,165 - 62,458 - -62,458 2,685,707 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 176,383 2,748,165 - 62,458 - 2,685,707 |
155,116 2,810,623 - 62,458 - 2,748,165 |
||
| Restricted Funds £ 2,748,165 - 62,458 - -62,458 2,685,707 |
General Unrestricted £ - - - - - |
Page 15
This page is intentionally left blank
Independent Examiner’s Report for the Hitchin Town Gymnasium & Workman’s Hall Trust
I report on the accounts of Hitchin Town Gymnasium & Workman’s Hall Trust for 2023/24.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
The Trusts transactions run through the North Herts Council’s bank accounts. My examination includes a review of the accounts prepared, considering any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations concerning any matters arising. 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 obtained all the information and explanations I consider necessary to complete the statement below. Further, I have not identified any significant concerns regarding these accounts which remain either unresolved or undeclared in the accounts themselves or this report.
I certify that the accompanying final accounts (summary income and expenditure account and balance sheet) present an accurate picture of the activities and transactions undertaken through this account and of the financial position at the end of the year.
Examiner’s / Auditor’s signature
Date: 19 December 2024
Name: Chris Wood FCCA CMIIA – HCC Head of Assurance and CAE for North Herts Council