## **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 s*ned on their behalf by.
Chris Howick
AccourirAPW5 REPORT
I cert6fy that the accounts overleaf shwi a tn* and fair vlew of the Snodland
Communlty AS￿￿kn.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 EA￿dILUre
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