2025-03-31-accounts

The Bryce Institute, Burneside

the Bryce

Burneside Kendal

Cumbria LA9 6QX

Registered Charity No.: 233864

This annual report has been prepared for the financial year 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025.

Details

The Bryce Institute Burneside Kendal Cumbria LA9 6QX

email: [e-mail] website: www.thebryce.co.uk

The Bryce Institute is registered with the Charity Commissioners (no. 233864) in a declaration of trust dated 17[th] April 1897 and sealed on the 15th October 1992.

The object of the Charity shall be the provision and maintenance of a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of Burneside without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including use for meetings, lectures and classes, and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

A Management Committee that meets regularly throughout the year administers the Charity. The Management Committee is constituted as seventeen persons, consisting of seven elected and ten representative members, and assumes the roles and responsibilities associated with being the trustees of the charity.

The Bryce Institute Charity Scheme is approved and established with the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales and is administered and managed in conformity with the provisions of the Scheme by the Management Committee constituted as the Charity Trustees within the meaning of section 46 of the Charities Act 1960.

The Management Committee at the financial year end was as follows:

Chairperson Mrs Yvonne Nelson	(Elected)
Secretary Mrs Sue Cook	(Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society)
Treasurer Mr Gordon Lawson Elected Mrs Sheila Daws Elected Mr Nigel Crook	(Elected)

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The Bryce Institute, Burneside

Representative Mr Ron Milnes (Bryce Street Strummers) Representative Mr Ian Conway (Kendal Model Railway Club)

Independent Accounts Examiner Daniel Craghill Bankers Barclays Bank plc

Finance

The banking arrangements were unchanged during the year with the main operating account being with Barclays Bank plc.

The published accounts show a profit for the year of £22,185. This is compared to the loss of £7,165 in the previous accounting period.

There has again been an increase in income this year of over £5,000, with an increase in rental income making up over 80% of this amount.

During the year, the main donations received were as follows:

• £2,500.00 – Burneside Parish Council

• £1,500.00 – Burneside Community Energy

The Charity’s expenditure was over £24,000 lower compared to the previous year and this is mainly due to the reduction in building maintenance costs during the year.

Maintenance undertaken has included:

• Provision of infra-red heating in the Cropper Room £2,890

It is worth noting that the Management Committee commission a full professional Fire Risk Assessment of the building at a cost of £576. This report has informed and driven a major series of works within the building which will fall into the next financial reporting period. This will be a significant investment in the building.

The total maintenance expenditure for this financial year was £3,412.

The closing bank balance was £52,338 (2023 - £29,482).

The Management Committee authorised the opening of a deposit account in this accounting period and the money is now spread across 3 accounts (Main, Bar and Deposit accounts)

The cash balance available remains in line with the objective of a minimum of 6 months of normal expenditure.

It is an aim of the Management Committee to maintain a reserve equivalent to at least six months of the normal running costs as a contingency against a total loss of income for a prolonged period due to unforeseen circumstances.

This objective is being controlled well, balancing the income with the ongoing running and improvement project costs, whilst still maintaining this reserve.

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The Bryce Institute, Burneside

Room hire income continues to improve year on year, as below:

Total income from room hire: 2025 - £28,418 2024 - £22,920 2023 - £20,590 2022 - £16,888

The Committee continue to market the venue through social media and advertising.

The cottage income was static at £6,000. The tenant also contributes to electricity and water costs.

A review of room hire charges was undertaken this year, with an increase coming into force on the 1st April 2025.

A rent review is due on the cottage rental, which will be undertaken in this year, for implementation in November 2025.

The Bryce also enjoys a secondary income stream from bar sales. We continue to operate a bar for parties and events (such as plays and pantomimes).

Sales for the year were £6,693, with stock costing £2,671. With other charges, the profit on the bar for this year was £3,914.

All monies from the Bar are held in a separate account and during this accounting period, £20,000 was transferred to the new deposit account.

The running costs for gas, electric and, particularly, water are the most significant proportion of ongoing cost.

• Electric £3,893 (Net £2,943) (2024 – £1,197) – This is offset by

• £527 credit from Sir James Cropper for electricity used by a chlorination plant which shares the Bryce electricity supply;

• Cottage tenant contribution £480; and

• Gas £4,603 (2024 - £3,200)

• Water £2,914 (Net £2,794) (2024 – £2,416) – Offset by cottage tenant contribution of £120

In stark terms between the last two accounting periods:

• Electricity costs (adjusted for overpayment costs in previous year) have gone up £32%;

• Gas costs have gone up 44%; and

• Water costs 16%.

These costs are reviewed. Whilst there is little that we appear to be able to do with water (and it is not water usage, which is pretty consistent month in month out) which makes the bulk of this bill, the electricity and gas costs will be renewed on new tariffs in September 2025. The Committee feel the prudent approach is to fix contracts given the volatile nature of the market due to geopolitical instabilities.

The Committee are committed to ensuring that the building is run as efficiently as possible, the Committee continue to utilise the Conditions and Greening Report from A Muir Surveying to follow through on his recommendations. This report gives the Committee an indication of where works need to be completed to maintain the fabric of the building and provides insight into how we can manage moving to a “greener” operating model.

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The Bryce Institute, Burneside

We are now embarking on a major project to ascertain the efficacy of installing solar panels on the roof of the building and creating battery storage to offset our electricity costs. At the same time, we are looking at the best way to move away from gas heating to electricity. This supports our wider goal to be “greener”…but will be dependent on the success of obtaining funding for solar power and battery storage.

There is no cost associated with the cleaner. All cleaning continues to be undertaken by volunteers.

The annual insurance premium has been renegotiated and was £1,848 in this period (2024 – 5,133). This is a substantial reduction, and we were also able to discontinue the “gap” insurance which covered the first £5,000 of any claim as part of this renewal.

Annual running cost of the Bryce (excluding variable maintenance costs) is projected to be £15,679.

The accounts of The Bryce Institute were subjected to independent examination, as required by the 1990 Act, by Mr Daniel Craghill.

Serious Incidents : There have been no incidents that have harmed the charity's beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, assets, or reputation.

Safeguarding : Policies and procedures related to protecting vulnerable individuals involved with the charity are in place.

Data Protection : Measures are in place to protect personal data and comply with data protection laws.

Compliance: The Trustees believe that the charity is meeting its legal and regulatory obligations.

Bryce Institute Building

The only asset managed by the Committee / Trustees remains the Bryce Institute building consisting of:

• Foyer;

• Main Hall with permanent stage area and Green Room (including theatrical lighting, owned separately by Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society);

• 3 meeting rooms (Cropper Room, Acland Room and Hoyle Room);

• A room rented out on a sole user basis to the Kendal Model Railway Club;

• An office; and

• Male and female toilet facilities.

• Separate 2-bedroom cottage, which is currently rented out.

The Main Hall is now fitted with an induction loop for the hard of hearing and a permanent ramp has been created at the front door to allow ease of access into the foyer and the Cropper Room.

A new permanent access ramp from the car park into the Main Hall has now been fitted and the ladies toilets have been retrofitted with disability aides.

User Groups

The Institute is used on a regular basis by a wide variety of users ranging from sports activities to theatrical performances and musical concerts, model railway to woodturning enthusiasts and young dancers.

The Committee would like to see new user groups using the meeting facilities from the local community, but there does not appear much movement on this front as new societies setting up are very rare with people seeming to be ever more reluctant to get involved. However, the Committee is involved with local initiatives to improve services and community facilities within Burneside.

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The Bryce Institute, Burneside

Activities undertaken include:

• Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society (Pantomimes, plays, songs from the shows and cabaret evenings);

• The Bryce Street Strummers (Ukulele performance and learning)

• Cumbria Woodturning Association;

• Kendal Model Railway Club;

• Karate;

also

• Space for bands practicing;

• Space for business meetings;

• Local and meetings and information “drop-in’s”; and

• Private parties.

Future Development

As alluded to earlier in this report, there will be major expenditure this year:

• Complying with the provisions of the Fire Risk Assessment completed in November 2024

• This includes upgrading several doors to FD30 standard and in the cottage to FD60 standard; and

• o Installation of a new fire alarm system.

• The budget for this work is £20K which will come from reserves. Work is scheduled to be completed July 2025.

• Undertaking roof repair work to the area where the stage extension abuts to the main building. There is major damp ingress here. The Budget for this £4K and will be paid for from reserves. This work is scheduled for September 2025.

• Solar panel installation – this is subject to the obtaining of grants to complete, with a budget forecast to be in the region of £50K. We have the support of Burneside Community Energy, who have offered to pay up to half the cost if required, although this would be phased in over a number of years. We are actively looking for grant funders for this project. It is unlikely that any costs relating to this will fall into this financial period.

• Redecoration of the Cropper and Acland Room – this needs to be done and quotations obtained suggest a cost of £4K for both rooms. This will again probably be held over until the next financial year.

Other

This report would not be complete without thanking all the members of the Management Committee for their support and efforts over the last 12 months and for their representation of their respective user groups.

There is no doubt that the village needs a building such as The Bryce to provide facilities to explore a range of hobbies, social and recreational activities, and without the dedication, time and effort shown by the Management Committee the position would not look as bright as it currently does for maintaining this provision for the longterm use by the community.

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Registered Charity Number 233864

The Bryce Institute

Accounts for the Year Ended

31 March 2025

The Bryce Institute

Profit and Loss account for the year ended 31 March 2025

Income Main hall rental Stage rental Cropper room rental Acland room rental Railway room rental Hoyle room rental Office room rental Storage rental Flat rental Equipment rental Donations and grants Interest receivable Fundraising events Barnabys Bar (net) Expenses Cleaning costs Gas Electric Water Insurance Telephone costs Performing rights licence Premises licence Stationery costs Advertising costs Sundry expenses Fundraising costs Equipment hire Equipment servicing costs Equipment purchases Plumbing costs Electrical costs Building maintenance Accountancy Depreciation Donations Net profit/(loss)	2025 £ 13,733 1,186 5,054 3,383 3,120 1,229 216 497 6,000 979 4,030 173 80 3,914 43,594 471 4,603 2,943 2,794 1,848 523 779 - 64 132 - 416 690 203 825 305 946 3,412 250 135 70 21,409 22,185	2024 £ 9,219 469 6,545 2,558 3,120 1,327 288 467 6,000 1,238 3,550 - 258 3,416 38,455 478 3,200 1,198 2,416 5,133 503 572 330 25 163 47 696 460 713 256 1,574 1,742 25,715 250 149 - 45,620 (7,165)

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The Bryce Institute Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Fixed assets Bryce Institute Stage Extension A Room and Storage Fixtures and Fittings Current assets Stocks Debtors Current account Bar account Deposit account Creditors Net current assets Net assets Capital and reserves Brought forward balance Profit/(loss) for the year	250 3,831 12,731 4,434 35,173 56,419 (250) (250)	2025 £ 1,500 7,500 43,592 1,210 53,802 56,169 109,971 87,786 22,185 109,971	2024 £ 1,500 7,500 43,592 1,345 53,937 250 4,367 8,962 20,520 - 34,099 (250) (250) 33,849 87,786 94,951 (7,165) 87,786

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The Bryce Institute 8ume5ide Kendal Cumbria LA9 6QX Registered Charity No.: 233864 Independent examinerfs report to the tru5*es (rfThe Bryce Instltute I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Bry￿ Institute {the Trust) for the yearended 31 March 2025. Responsibilitie5 and basis of report As the charit￿5 trustees you are re5￿n$1b1e for the preparation of the actounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.the AcVI- I report in respert of my examination of the Tru5Ys 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 14515)Ibl of the Act. Independent examinerf5 Statement I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my attention in onnection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. l. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Charities Att- or 2. The accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or 3. The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and ReF)ortsl Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gwe a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concern5 and have come across no other matters in connertion 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. Daniel Craghill 24 June 2025