Snodland Community Association —Treasurer’s Report — Year to 31st March 2021
prepared and scrutinised by Mr. T. Aylward, accountant of Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone. The last financial year coincided with the coronavirus pandemic, which in common with many other businesses severely restricted the operation of the community centre. However, despite this the accounts for this year still show a surplus of £8104 compared to £8284 in the previous year. The explanation for this paradox is that the Community Association received £20,194 in government grants to support small businesses during the crisis via Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. Without this welcome contribution to our funds, the Association would have experienced a substantial loss of over £12,000.
previous year. This was hardly surprising as the Tribute Nights and quizzes that had been planned along with boxing and wrestling shows all had to be cancelled because of lockdowns etc.
Centre Operation: for the first time in seven years the amount of money raised from hall hire fell from a high of last year of £51,541 to £8297, a decrease of £43,244. This, of course, was to be expected, as for the first five months of the pandemic the centre was barely used, as the Robin Club re-located temporarily to Snodland Church of England Primary School. From August, most of the evening groups as well as the gym and boxing club returned until they were shut once more in December, leaving just the Robin Club until the next re-opening in April 2021. Since then, as the roadmap has been followed other groups have returned, although some, especially those with more senior members, are delaying their return to later in the year or even 2022, whilst a few, such as Music Mayhem and Fitsteps have decided not to return after such a long break, which is a shame, as they had been longstanding users of the centre and would probably have continued if there had not been a pandemic.
As well as this, no one-off events, such as parties, took place during this period. At the beginning of 2020, the situation looked very healthy with over £7000 of potential hires already booked and the possibility of exceeding the £11,200 figure posted for both of the previous two years, but this was not to be and many deposits had to be returned. The lack of parties meant also that there were no bars during the whole year and so the decision was made not to charge the Downsview Bar Company their annual rent of £5000, especially as a fair amount of out of date beer and drink had to be disposed of. Interest in parties and other events is returning slowly, although the officers of the Association have decided to be very cautious as the Centre re-opens
The restricted use of the Centre did, however, mean that savings were made in other areas. While the building continued to be cleaned, it was done so less frequently and with less use, less maintenance was needed, although the opportunity was taken to touch up paintwork and repair settlement cracks during the period, as well as paint some of the external doors. For several months also the dustbin collections were cancelled.
reducing our costs was being placed on a 5% VAT rate instead of the 20% we had been paying and also recovering over £2000 in back payments. Looking ahead, however, electricity continues to be a major consumer of the Association’s funds and is a concern, as increasing fuel costs are predicted to be one of the indirect consequences of the pandemic.
maintenance and improvement of the building and expenditure fell from £14,948 to £1371. We still struggle to find tradesmen to do the jobs around the Centre, although last year we continued to work with a plumber and electrician who are willing to do small scale jobs and who are reasonable in their charges. We are also grateful to the few who have offered their time, skills and equipment to do various jobs voluntarily around the Centre over the year. #
increased markedly this year by £124. In reality the accountant only charged £20 more, but because during the year he had joined up with other members of his family to make a larger business, we became liable for a VAT charge for the first time.
financial year along with the lower usage as a result of the virus have both contributed to this. Hopefully a more realistic figure will be arrived at once any other overpayment has been returned.
Downsview bar accounts are available for the year ending 2020.
The opening of the changing rooms and hospitality suite by Snodland Town FC will have an impact on the community centre. Not only will there be no need to use the bar of the Paddlesworth Rooms during match days, the number of times that the changing rooms will be used will be markedly reduced, as only the Sunday and Veterans teams will continue to use our facilities. The need for two sets of changing rooms is, therefore, questionable and perhaps once finances are straightened out again, a discussion needs to be had regarding how the space occupied by the old changing rooms can be best re-deployed.
managed to survive and remains financially viable with sufficient funds to meet all future commitments. However, as was highlighted last year, this is partly based on the volunteer work, which is done by the few and which keeps the Centre’s costs to a minimum. To continue in this way, more volunteers are needed urgently. Failure to do so may result in having to employ more staff, which would seriously affect the finances of the Association, or possibly even the viability of the Association itself.
Chris Howick (Treasurer)
SNODLAND COMMUNrrY AssoaATION ACCOUPIt5 FOR THEYEAR E14DED 31- MARCH 2021 102 and sned on their behalf by. Chris Howick AccourirAPW5 REPORT I cert6fy that the accounts overleaf shwi a tn and fair vlew of the Snodland Communlty ASkn.5 affairs for the year ended 31" Marth 2021 and the Balance Sheet as at that date and are In acconIan with the books and records for that year. All funds are unrestrItt. T.GAylward FAIA FMAAT
Balan Sheet As at 31 2021 (41295) 47. 41) 47 6244 10998 44503 31311 11.195) (117) {1.620) {1.414) 11 1&034) 101 87,540 8.104
Forth• 31 ma 21Y21 131 19 20.141 51.541 710 31296 61.631 (1.404) (4) 1115) {4.754) (6y9) 401) {4.754) {11.7591 P243) (In7) 11371) IZ1261 (3.0351 114.918} 547 R3.192) {53J471
2019120 Excess of Incomelhw EAdILUre INCOME 43245 119 20193 Higher membershlp Fees Higher Grants Equal paypho Higher gifts & Donatiorts Lower Fundrnising 75 4229 TOTAL EXPENDrruRE Lower CaretakerwaBes Lower Services Lower Insuran Lower aeaniNa Lower Housekeeping 5145 6246 3413 1705 13577 Equal Legal expenses Hi8hÈrAudit & Accouiilaicy Equal Stationery Equal Adverttsir Higher Covid costs Equal Depredation -124 -1 TOTAL 30155 8104