Wilbarston Village Hall Annual Report
st – st September 1 2022 31 August 2023
Wilbarston village hall continues to operate as a popular and successful social and community venue for the village. The hall is used on a daily basis for a whole range of community activities. During the week we have mothers and toddlers group, indoor bowls, Tai Chi, pilates, Art classes - to name but a few. And most weekends the hall hired out to ‘celebration’ events such as weddings, children’s parties etc. All of this activity had led to a sustained increase in the monthly income for the hall and, consequently we end the financial year in a very strong financial position.
This year has been a time of significant change – both in terms of membership of the management committee of trustees, and the allocation of new roles and duties across the committee. A number of existing members have indicated their intention to leave to pursue other interests but at the same time we have had an influx of new members bringing with them fresh expertise and enthusiasm as they have taken up their new roles and responsibilities. The net effect has been a positive one and the number of trustees on the committee is now at its highest level for many years.
Our financial policy remains the same: to hold a prudent level of reserves and allocate surplus financial resources, either to investments, or to make ongoing improvements to the hall. As reported in the Chair’s previous report for 2021/2022, the committee has provisional plans in place for a major refurbishment of the toilet facilities. However, unanticipated complications with the current lease arrangement have affected our ability to apply for additional grant funding to implement the project. Consequently, the project is currently on hold until we can resolve this issue with the local authority. Despite this setback, the committee has continued to invest in other areas of the hall with new furniture and equipment being installed. For example, following the successful installation of a projector and screen in our lounge/meeting room, we are in the process of installing a large projector and 4 metre motorised screen in the main hall. This offers a number of exciting opportunities: including the prospect of a cinema club!
In sum, the financial year ends on a very positive note. Special thanks are due to Mrs June Pocock who now retires from her long standing role as our Treasurer at the end of this financial year and our cleaner Diane Atter who is leaving us in October. The committee also wishes to thank our Hall Manager, Keith Langdon for his considerable efforts in managing the booking system so successfully and Barrie Leadbeater for organising our bar facility.
Dr Mike Doyle Chair, Wilbarston Hall Management Committee On behalf of the Management Committee, October 2023
1
Wilbarston Village Hall Management Committee as at September 2023
| Dr Mike Doyle | Chair |
|---|---|
| John Hooper | Vice Chair |
| Georgina Royle | Secretary |
| June Pocock | Treasurer |
| Barrie Leadbeater | Bar Manager |
| Tony Huxley | Trustee |
| Ray Kemp | Trustee |
| Serena Mallows | Trustee |
| Tommy Kelly | Trustee and Parish Council Representative |
| Sue Hussain | Trustee |
| Dr Sophie Crowley | Trustee |
| Siobhan Lovell | Trustee |
| Jeanette Ross | Trustee |
| Jill West | Trustee |
2
Update (JH) to AGM March 2024
Kheira Ghachi has now joined the committee further strengthening a very talented group. An update on the toilet project is covered under agenda item 6. The large screen and projector system is now installed in the main hall.
As Mike Doyle mentioned, June Pocock, retired from the treasurer’s post at the end of the financial year (31[st] Aug 2023). We are very pleased that Jill West is now our treasurer maintaining financial control and management.
A very significant change, of course, is that Dr Mike Doyle stood down as Chair after 10 years of dedicated service. We held a presentation to Mike last autumn. The wine has probably been drunk and Eleanor’s flowers have faded but there is a permanent plaque in the kitchen acknowledging his chairmanship. As vice- chair I have taken on the role of acting chair until this AGM. Mike took on the role when the hall was financially and organisationally in a poor place; this gave Mike a tough job. I have had the luxury of working with a committed and talented committee where delegation of responsibility and authority is how we are able to work.
Another, and just as significant, change is the hall manager. Keith Langdon indicated some time ago that he wanted to leave the post. I asked for expressions of interest which led to a selection process. I must thank Serena Mallows and Sue Hussain for taking a lead role in this work. Paul West was subsequently offered the post and we are pleased that he has accepted. Keith and Paul are now working together to effect a smooth change. The committee are now looking at ways we can acknowledge Keith’s years of service.
3
Income and expenditure 2022-2023
| Income Expenditure Wages Maintenance Utilities Sundry Net Income over expenditure |
29378 8588 7243 3617 2367 |
|---|---|
| 21815 | |
| 7563 |
'ILBARSTON VILIAGE HAIL To the •f WUbarJt•o Vllage Han I repth (m the acclxmts of the charity f the yw o%Kkd 3 Id Augu. 2023. which are set out wes 4 to 6. Respectlve responslbllltleg of trustttg Ind exarnlner As the charity's trustees you are resp(Msible for the preparation of the accounts. you consid(Y that the audit requiranent of secti(M 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (tiie Act) does n(X apply. It is my responsibility to statq the Ixsis of procedures specified in the Genernl Directi(mS givffl by the Charity C(xnmissioners under section 43 (7Xb) of the Act. whdhff particular matters have me to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's port N4y &xamination was carried out in accord with the Genffal Directi(ms given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a c(xnparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual itans or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view givffl by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examinatson. no matter has come to my attention . 11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any mtsial respect the requirements 11 to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act: and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting rwllrements of the Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinioo attention should be drawn in (Kder to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Richard W Brown Chartered Management Accountsnt 23 Springfield Road Wilbarston Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 8QR th 4 October, 2023