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2025-09-30-accounts

PDCC Chair’s Report 2025

Welcome to the Community Centre and thank you for attending the AGM

Governance

There have been no changes to our governance arrangements over the year. We have continued to make improvements to the Community Centre, based on suggestions from the Fire Risk Assessment for the general health and safety of our visitors and to protect the assets of the charity. Last years AGM was held in February 2025 and the minutes are available. The meeting was attended by 15 Members and the Officer posts were filled with the exception of the Vice Chair.

Bookings and Events

Once again, there has been a decrease in membership despite our best efforts to recruit. Thankfully the reduced income has been made up in other areas, but as a Committee we really would like more members to support our efforts. Anything (within the boundaries of the law and good neighbourly practice) that anybody here could do to sign up new members would be welcome.

In previous annual reports The Chairs have reported on the steady increase in hirers (both regular and private). I am pleased to report that this year is no different. The income from this source helps us to pay our bills and also make meaningful improvements to the Centre.

Jane and Lee are the welcoming faces to the hirers and their guests and customers, and ensuring that their needs are met. What is not always seen is the work they put in behind the scenes as volunteers and using their own time. The cleanliness, repairs, maintenance and communication and resolution of problems, proposals to the Committee and subsequently resolving them are all down to them and I would like to thank them and ensure this is recognised. I could quite easily add to the list of contributions they make, but for the time being I will just say that Jane and Lee will pull me up for making mention of this, and so I will leave it there.

The list of activities and events taking place at the Centre and on the field is little changed from last year, and so I will not repeat them. They represent an extensive variety of activities to support people in the community covering a wide range of ages and abilities. We are continually looking at what else we can do to broaden the offering. For this we need feedback and suggestions.

We are looking for PDCC events, that is to say events we can sponsor. The challenge is identifying the need. The Coffee Caravan had an immediate impact helping those who were here. The range of solutions they provide is immense, but to do it they need to get people to attend.

We are currently looking at whether transport is an issue. We are considering trialling a ‘lift’ scheme for people in Palgrave who would otherwise not attend due to mobility issues. If you know anybody who does not attend an event or socialise as they would wish then please let us know.

Events will continue this year with Open Gardens, a Garage Sale, quizzes, bingo, fetes, talks and so on. We are extremely grateful to the people who operate the stalls at the fetes deliver talks and make the quizzes and bingo so successful.

The Community Centre

We continue to face the cost challenges of inflation, regulation and our general regard for the health and safety of our visitors and assets.

Our costs are increasing due to inflation, and in some areas above the headline rate. As a community centre we are looking at various ways of not passing that cost on to our users. I think we have succeeded to date but we may need to review prices going forward. Our preference is to increase our charges gradually, rather than a single hefty increase that alarms and deters people

Regulation is nothing new but it does seem that we are constantly up against conflicting interpretations of the rules we must follow. We will continue to ensure that we follow a principle of safeguarding the visitors to the Centre and our assets.

For the record, the Centre is considered a “low risk fire hazard”. We have minimised the risk further through the use of extinguishers and fire communications procedures. There are items that, if we were to replace them, we would have to upgrade them at considerable cost. We will continue to monitor the situation.

We are in a somewhat isolated location, and during the 24/25 year we obtained funding from a Mid Suffolk and District Council Community Development Grant to fund security cameras. These are in place and have been beneficial in monitoring the Centre.

The external lighting and bollards required upgrading and was this done as a cost to the Community Centre in the 24/25year. These provide a safer environment for visitors during the hours of darkness.

We had the wifi upgraded to fibre during the 24/25 year. We were originally offered free installation and free ongoing costs This was retracted by County Broadband when we came to order and we were told we had to contribute £500 towards the £1,500 installation cost and the free ongoing cost would only last for two years. We then received poor service from County Broadband and, following a complaint, the matter was referred to the Communications Ombudsman. The Ombudsman ruling allowed CB to make the £500 charge but we received £250 for the poor service. We signed up for the deal and the service we received during the installation was first class. As Val has mentioned, this deal means we have no broadband charges for two years for a £250 up front payment.

We have sought to provide a good level of comfort to our hirers and visitors. As you can see, we refurbished the lounge which has attracted a lot of positive feedback. My thanks go to the team who came up with the ideas and the volunteers who gave up their time to do the redecoration. The cost of the redecoration and new furniture. was borne by the Community Centre during the ‘24/’25 year, and the flooring was paid for by means of a grant from the Mid Suffolk and District Council Community Development Grant in the year ‘25/’26. There were also donations of a clock, cushions, one of the chairs, the pictures and the lamp and we are very grateful to the donors.

There have been problems with the drains over the years, and we employed the services of a drain company who determined that some were damaged either through wear and tear or because of tree roots. These were repaired and relined, again funded by a Mid Suffolk and District Council Community Development Grant in the 25/26 year.

Our patio from the lounge was showing signs of wear and tear, and was presenting a health and safety risk. We applied for a grant to extend the paving around the whole building to provide better access, however this was declined. We managed to obtain funding from the Mid Suffolk and District Council Community Development Grant, but it was only for the area outside the lounge. Again, this falls into the 25/26 accounting year. We have made an enquiry for a grant from the Mid Suffolk and District Council CIL fund to have the patio extended around the building as per the original plan, and we are awaiting the outcome.

The Palgrave Star has a new editor and I would like to thank Heather for previously carrying out the role. Our new Editor, Jackie, has seamlessly taken over the role, and I would like to welcome and thank her for her effort to date. The cost of producing the Palgrave Star is quite high, but we have always taken the view that it is a service to the Community giving them information, not only about the Community Centre, but concerning the residents of Palgrave in general. We will continue to distribute to every house in Palgrave, with copies at other points locally for pick up. My thanks go out to the volunteers who deliver the Star on a monthly basis. I am pleased to advise that we have been awarded funding by Councillor Tim Weller through the Mid Suffolk and District Locality Grant which will pay for 6 months production of the Star. Our thanks go out to Councillor Tim for his support. Whilst on this subject, I would remind anyone who wishes to get a message out to the community about their business that the Palgrave Star advertising rates and very competitive.

Many of you will be aware that we have been experiencing problems with the locks to the entrance doors. There have been several attempts at repair, but these have proved temporary and inadequate. We are aware of the risk that this poses to visitors, and we have arranged to have new doors fitted. This is scheduled for this coming Friday. The Community Centre will bear the cost of this work in the 25/26 financial year.

During February, we will commence redecorating the hall. Although this will not be as much as a transformation as the lounge we are expecting it to provide a brighter and cleaner look and feel. The Community Centre will bear the cost of this redecoration.

We applied for a grant from Adnams for replacing the amplification system which is generally used for the cinema. We have been granted part of the cost and we are currently looking at sources who will provide the additional funding required.

As part of the enquiry for the grant application for the remaining patio, we have applied for funding to have the area under the swings in the childrens playground replaced. The cost is quite considerable. The area has been patched up using bark over the years, but this is a short-term solution as the bark is displaced and causes rainwater to accumulate under the swings. As previously mentioned we are awaiting the outcome of the enquiry for a grant from the Mid Suffolk and District Council CIL fund application.

Upkeep of the wild flower meadow is another cost we incur. Along with the cutting there are various seeds etc. that need to be purchased to maintain it. We are speaking to Mid Suffolk about this as they may provide some or all of the requirements.

As in previous years, the bar has made a generous donation to the Community Centre and this is a welcome source of income. The bar is open for all members on a Friday night, and it would be good if more people were aware of it and attended.

With all of this work required we have had to prioritise our needs and for the time being the kitchen refurbishment mentioned last year is on hold. There is however a wish list and this is one of them.

I hope this overview provides you with an idea of the work we have done and that is pending to maintain and improve the Centre. Please let me know if you have any questions or observations.

Thanks

Once again, my thanks go out to an army of volunteers who work quietly behind the scenes to make the Centre and its events tick. I have, again, grouped them as follows;

Financial Review

As has been mentioned the Financials that have been distributed today have not been audited by our auditor due to bereavement. I am sure you will join me in saying our thoughts are with her and her family at this sad time. We have had the financials reviewed by a competent volunteer and I am grateful to him for the time he spent going through the figures. We are not expecting any change but the audited figures will be made publicly available once signed off. The Treasurers Report details the financial position, and this report has commented on the highlights and areas of concern. Again, this year, we believe we are in a good position to be optimistic about the coming year.

Conclusion

As last year, The Community Centre continues to provide services to the local community that are being utilised. Demand for the centre continues to grow and the events are well attended. We are and will continue to look for ways to maintain and improve the current position. The Trustees are aware that the repairs and improvements to the Centre are consuming our funds and we will work to minimise this however we remain aware that we need to adhere to new regulations and a changing environment. We are actively working on ways to improve the facility and seek funding for these changes.

Thank you for your time.

Incon* and LxpeiKlilu(e kcounl 2024125 24125 £l,US. ri,CL78 (X) £4.￿) ly) £1&22:.25 17.31¥J(X) EI.107.52 f977 00 £7,￿ 63 £134 30 £519.88 EI.109.00 £1.305.$3 £756 £1.312.CKI MEMBERSSUBS BAR RENI BAR DONAnoN GRANTSI DONATIONS ROOM HIRE REFUNDS STAR ADVERTS TURBINE MID SUFFOLK RECYCUNG GLASSRECYCLE Coffee Morning Cinema Crib Carpet Bowls Fayres Talks Bingo Quiz TOT￿ INDOOR EVENTS £1,135.00 £1,008,00 £2,000 00 £3,026.80 £19,646.60 £1,260 00 £6,875.46 £296.82 £207.80 £2,090 87 £784.50 £1,218.00 £560 60 £526 17 £1.470.84 £io.(yJ £8.183.78 Garage Sale Mini Music Festival Fete Open Gardens TOTALoufDOOR EVENTS £570.63 £0.00 £1.809.12 £1,745.02 £3,85425 £2,379.75 MISCELIANEOUS OTHER EVENTS £275.58 £959.40 £2,604. TOTALINCOME Income and Expenditure Account 2024125 11 £419.09 £1.738.81 £6.360.00 £174 00 £1.869.70 £4,309.00 £513.40 £4,40234 ADMIN PROFESSIONAL FEES PAYROLL LICENSES INSURANCE PALGRAVE STAR PRINTING ELECTRIC WIFI WATER WASTE CAREfAKING &CLEANING REPAIRSAND MAINTENANCE £6.360.00 £353.17 £2,304.70 £4,374.00 £146.20 £4.832.71 £912.67 £184.00 £122.26 £130.00 £407.39 £239.84 £29,064.80 £4.948.75

£1,kn.3S £1235.55 EQUIPMENT PLAYING FIELD TURBINE PLAY EQUIPMENT CINEMA FAYRES BINGO Quiz £361.11 £4.089.68 £0.00 £2,729.86 £1,148.40 £1,080.48 ElO.00 £426.73 £375.97 TOTAL INDOOR EVENTS £2.013. 18 MINI MUSIC FESTIV GARAGE SALE FETE OPEN GARDEN TOTAL OUTDOOR EVENTS £0.00 £140.45 En8.84 £919 29 GRANTS MISC DEPOSITRETURNS £5,053.80 £1,637.81 £2,650.50 £4,197.84 ).323 05 TOT￿ EXPENDITURE £43.993.69 Income and Expenditure Account 202W25 2023124 CASH BALANCES 2024125 £33.191.03 Toial cash lunds b/fas of 1st Oct Income Expenditure Movement In cash resources Deposit account I Interest Deposit account 2 Interest Event float Cash funds c/fas at 30th September £35.7%.46 £ 62,652 38 £ 60,323.45 £47,047.19 £43.993.69 £2.328 93 £126.50 £3.053.50 £91.34 £84.04 £150.00 £35.7%.46 £39,025.34 ANALYSIS OF CASH FUNDS £ 25,198.96 £ 10,197.50 Treasurers Current kcount Deposit kcount l (Reserve} Deposit Account 2 Event Float (Petty Cash) £10,252.46 £10.288.84 £18,084 04 £400.00 £ 400.00 £ 35,796.46 ToT￿FUNDs £39,025.34 These accountswere prepare(J on a recelpt and pa nts basis bythe Treasurer and Inde￿n￿entlY examined by Janet Thorne: ...... Treasurer: . Date:.. 2..1..: 7 2ts