Review of Progress and Actvites
After 10 years of dedicated service and shear hard work, Dr Mike Doyle stood down as Chair at the AGM in March 2024. Taking over when the Hall was in a weak financial position and a management committee struggling to cope, he has brought the facility to the successful and sound position it is today. The whole community has much to thank Mike for.
Wilbarston Village Hall continues to be the centre of community activities in the parish. The main hall is used daily for regular activities with the smaller lounge in use most evenings for various management meetings including the Parish Council and the Parish Neighbourhood Plan development.
There have been further changes of people in key roles. Jill West is now treasurer bringing her considerable experience to the financial management of the Charity. Sam Perkins is our new cleaner providing a safe and smart facility. Keith Langdon was our Hall manager for many years but he has now retired from the post. His time and dedication to this complex role has been exceptional and we wish him well. After a formal selection process, drawing on the expertise of trustees Serena Mellows and Sue Hussain, Paul West has been appointed as new Hall Manager.
Paul has brought a fresh prospective to the position and is proving to be a real asset. He was asked to identify and address unused capacity, particularly in the daytime use of the lounge. This has resulted in more hirings for the lounge, particularly from commercial organisations. This, and more celebratory events, has increased our income significantly. Also, bar sales have grown and thanks are due to Barrie Leadbeater and his team in their response.
This has improved further the financial position of the Charity enabling us to increase our support to village groups by reducing or waiving hiring fees and, in some cases, contributing to their event costs.
The 4-metre motorised screen is operational, the film club is in place and the village is enjoying the films. However, our main project for new toilets and accessible facilities is still on hold. The Parish Council and North Northamptonshire Council are in advanced negotiations to transfer ownership of the Hall to the village. When these are complete, we can then make application to funding bodies to help fund this project.
John Hooper – Chair, Wilbarston Village Hall Management Committee
Income and expenditure 2023-2024
| Income | 29504 |
|---|---|
| Expenditure | |
| Wages | 10811 |
| Building & equipment improvements | 7609 |
| Building maintenance | 5745 |
| light and heat | 2901 |
| Insurance | 1311 |
| Rates and Water | 1126 |
| 29503 |
From: jillwest@btinternet.com jillwest@btinternet.com jillwest@btinternet.com Subject: Auditors report Date: 8 May 2025 at 14:56 To: hussainsusan@rocketmail.com