2026-03-31-accounts

THE BRYCE INSTITUTE, BURNESIDE

Registered Charity No. 233864

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

For the Year Ended 31 March 2026

1. Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Name:

The Bryce Institute

Charity Number: 233864

Principal Address:

The Bryce Institute Burneside Kendal Cumbria LA9 6QX

Email: [e-mail] Website: www.thebryce.co.uk

Bankers:

Barclays Bank plc

Independent Examiner:

Stables Thompson & Briscoe

2. Structure, Governance and Management

The Bryce Institute is governed by a Declaration of Trust dated 17 April 1897, as amended on 15 October 1992, and operates in accordance with a Charity Commission Scheme.

The charity is managed by a Management Committee, whose members are the Trustees. The Committee consists of elected and representative members drawn from user groups and the local community.

Trustees are appointed in accordance with the governing document. The Committee meets regularly throughout the year to oversee the operation, financial management, and strategic direction of the charity.

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Trustees serving during the year and at the date of approval:

• Chair / Secretary: Sue Cook

• Treasurer: Gordon Lawson

• Elected Trustees:

• Shiela Daws

• Yvonne Nelson

• Rebecca Skull

• Representative Trustees:

• Ron Milnes (Bryce Street Strummers)

• Nigel Crook (Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society)

• Don Davies (Cumbria Woodturners Association)

• Dick Towler (Burneside Community Energy)

3. Objectives and Activities

Objects of the Charity

The object of the charity is to provide and maintain a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of Burneside, without distinction, for:

• Meetings, lectures and classes;

• Recreational and leisure-time activities; and

• Activities designed to improve the conditions of life for the community.

Main Activities

The Bryce Institute provides facilities for a wide range of community uses, including:

• Theatre productions and musical performances;

• Community groups and clubs;

• Recreational and fitness activities;

• Private functions and events; and

• Meetings and local initiatives.

The Institute is also partly supported by rental income from an attached residential property.

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Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

All activities are undertaken to further the charity’s objectives and provide benefit to the residents of Burneside and the surrounding area. The facilities are available to all members of the community.

4. Achievements and Performance

During the year, the charity has:

• Continued to provide a well-used and valued community facility;

• Maintained or increased levels of room hire usage;

• Supported a wide range of user groups and activities; and

• Undertaken necessary maintenance and improvements to the building.

The Trustees continue to encourage wider use of the Institute and engagement with new community groups.

5. Financial Review

Financial Position

The charity recorded a surplus of £8,375.83 for the year (2025: £22,184.81 surplus).

• Total income: £66,910.90

• Total expenditure: £58,535.07

• Closing bank balance: £60,714.14 (2025: £52,338.31)

However, it should be noted that £20,000.00 has been received from the National Lottery Community Fund. This money is solely for the installation of solar panels and battery storage at the Bryce, which is projected to be completed in June 2026. This money is strictly ring-fenced and if the project does not complete by the 31[st] December 2026, must be returned.

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Principal Funding Sources

The charity’s main sources of income are:

• Room hire;

• Rental income from the cottage;

• Bar operations; and

• Grants and donations

Room hire continues to represent the primary income stream and reflects strong community usage.

Expenditure

The main areas of expenditure are:

• Utilities (electricity, gas, water);

• Insurance;

• Maintenance and repairs; and

• General running costs.

Utility costs remain a significant financial pressure and are actively monitored.

Main maintenance expenditure costs in this financial year were:

• Installation of a new fire alarm system, new fire doors and emergency lighting up-grades (£23,064.94) – this work was all undertaken following completion of a professional Fire Risk Assessment of the building in November 2024;

• Repairs to the stage roof (£10,416.00);

• Refurbishment of the Green Room (£4,024.98)

• Refurbishment of the Cropper Room (£1,021.91)

Investment Policy

The charity holds funds in bank accounts (current and deposit) to manage cash flow and maintain reserves. No higher-risk investments are held.

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Reserves Policy

The Trustees aim to maintain reserves equivalent to at least six months’ normal operating expenditure .

At 31 March 2026, reserves stood at £40,714.14, which is considered adequate to support the charity’s ongoing operations and planned commitments.

6. Plans for Future Periods

The Trustees’ priorities for the forthcoming year include:

• Undertaking a two-phase project to improve the building’s energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure the long-term sustainability of this important community facility.

• Phase 1: which is fully costed and funded, will install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Bryce Institute. This will allow the building to generate a significant proportion of its own renewable electricity, reducing both energy costs and reliance on fossil-fuel generated power. We will also instal 50kWh battery storage – this will provide extra resilience from future energy price shocks and allow the Bryce to be used as a “safe-haven” for the village during any emergency.

• Phase 2: for which we are seeking funding support, will replace the current gasbased heating in the Main Hall with modern infrared heating panels. These systems provide efficient, targeted heat directly to people and occupied spaces, rather than heating the entire air volume of the hall. This will significantly reduce energy consumption, lower running costs, and cut the Institute’s carbon footprint.

• Together, these improvements will make the Bryce Institute a more environmentally sustainable community building, while helping to control rising energy costs. This will protect the affordability of hall hire for local groups and ensure the Bryce can continue serving the community as a welcoming hub for activities, events, and social connection.

• Ongoing maintenance and improvement of the building

• Increasing usage and attracting new user groups

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7. Risk Management

The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have implemented systems to mitigate these risks.

Key risks include:

• Rising utility costs;

• Unexpected building repair costs; and

• Income fluctuation due to reduced usage

Reserves policy and regular financial monitoring help manage these risks.

8. Safeguarding, Compliance and Policies

The Trustees confirm that:

• There were no serious incidents during the year;

• Appropriate safeguarding measures are in place where required;

• The charity complies with data protection legislation; and

• The charity continues to meet its legal and regulatory obligations.

9. Structure, Governance and Management (Additional Disclosure – Trustee Responsibilities)

The Trustees are responsible for:

• Preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law;

• Ensuring proper accounting records are kept;

• Safeguarding the assets of the charity; and

• Taking reasonable steps to prevent fraud and irregularities

10. Independent Examination

The accounts have been independently examined in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

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11. Approval

This report was approved by the Trustees on:

Date: 04.06.2026

Signed on behalf of the Trustees:

Name: Sue Cook

Position: Chairperson / Secretary

Signature:

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