## **Snodland Community Association —Treasurer’s Report — Year to 31st March 2024** 

independently prepared and scrutinised by Mr. T. Aylward, accountant of Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone. The last financial year has been busy with the community centre continuing to be a popular venue for a wide range of activities and events. This has resulted in a surplus of £15,788, a considerable increase on the £1148 of the previous year. This has been achieved without any government grants, but by increased hire fees, lower expenditure in some areas and the ability of the _Downsview Bar company_ to pay its annual rent of £5000 for the first time in some years. 

_**Fundraising:**_ a number of events were organised over the year, including a Christmas quiz and several Musical Nights. As well as this, catering was provided for a number of wrestling events and one boxing show. While overall £1971 was raised over the year through these activities, it was a mixed year with only the quiz night and  boxing show yielding good profits, while the musical nights usually only breaking even because of the raffle, as insufficient tickets were sold. Much discussion has ensued concerning the lack of desire to attend what are enjoyable evenings, but so far all attempts to increase ticket sales for these events have failed.  As was said last year, for events like the music nights to be good fundraisers, it is important that members support them actively by either spreading the word to others, buying tickets themselves or offering prizes for the raffles. Many thanks as ever to those volunteers, who plan and organise these activities. 

_**Centre Operation:**_ the amount of money raised from hall hire increased again last year and totalled £60,621, which was an increase of £4128 on the previous year. While a few of the clubs and groups have folded, they have generally been  replaced by new ones. By the end of this financial year there was something like 27 groups meeting regularly at the centre. 

The fees raised from one-off events, such as parties, were also healthy. Children’s parties in particular continue to be very popular in both halls. Hirers are continuing to come from farther afield. Feedback is always very positive and many comment on what an asset Snodland has with its community centre. Adult parties on the other hand are still not as popular as they were, which has meant that bar takings over the period have not been as good as we would like. However, things had improved sufficiently for the decision to be made to charge the _Downsview Bar Company_ its annual rent of £5000. The introduction of the _Sum Up_ card reader has been a success and most payments at the bar are now made through it. It is planned also to acquire another one so that the public can pay if they wish for other services run by the Association (e.g. hire fees, catering events etc). 

The Centre have has always been reluctant to raise fees, but it did increase them by £1 an hour in July 2023. The Centre has benefitted over the past three years from fixing its electricity fees at pre-Ukrainian War prices. With the special rates due to end in early 2025, it is clear from initial investigations that the new rate will be at least 40% higher than what has been paid. This will sadly mean another increase in rates of perhaps £3 an hour from this July. While the Association is still committed to providing a good quality facility at a fair price, it is a difficult time and with the centre also having to increase what it pays to its staff to £11.50 an hour, it has become unavoidable. However, having surveyed other halls and centres in the area, we are still very competitively priced and will always strive to offer value for money. 

Electricity usage continues to be a major expense, although slightly reduced from the £9,788 of last year to £9336. Thanks to all users for being vigilant in their use and avoiding waste wherever possible. Water on the other hand has   increased considerably over the year from £1712 to £2653. 

Vandalism has not been a major issue this year, although it is frustrating when it does occur. Over the year when youths were going around the town with slingshots breaking windows, the Centre also suffered breakages to two high level windows facing Cemetery Road. These have yet to be repaired, as the Association is still looking for the cheapest way to get a repair done, having been told that scaffolding at a cost of £1600 would be needed. There have also been issues with youths climbing onto the Centre’s roof via the air con unit at the rear of the changing rooms, putting themselves at risk and also at times breaking tiles. The police have not been very supportive, as climbing on roofs uninvited is a civil rather than criminal matter. The Association have therefore invested £3470 in a better quality CCTV with more cameras to protect the building and its users. 

viewpoint, the fire alarm is tested weekly and serviced each year along with the fire extinguishers and the PAT testing of 

A number of repairs were required over the year. Six taps, for example, were replaced (£526) as well as various lights and sensors around the building (£335). Some areas seemed to require more attention than others with the air con system requiring several visits for servicing and repairs (£2134). The changing rooms also developed a number of issues, including the need to repair leaks and a failing toilet among other things, which amounted to £2966. The floor cleaner, which is vital for keeping the main hall floor in good order needed a thorough overhaul (£1065) as did the water heater in the kitchen (£178). 

On a more positive note, the conversion of the original changing rooms into an office and additional storage for the Centre was completed with paint, floor coverings, a laptop/printer and office furniture (£2202). Both changes of use have proved a very useful addition to the building. 

Downsview bar accounts are available for the year ending 2023. 

_**Summary:**_ It has been pleasing to see how strongly the Community Centre has continued to perform over the last year and how it continues to fulfil its vital role in the community. The Association remains financially viable with sufficient funds to meet all future commitments. As was highlighted last year, the Association does need more volunteers to keep the  Centre’s costs to a minimum. Whilst the Association has attracted a few keen volunteers, there is still a need for more and it is planned to employ a part time admin assistant in the near future to support the running of the community centre. 

Chris Howick _(Treasurer)_ 



SNODLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31" MARCH 2024
The following accounts have appnNed by the Trustees on
Date:
29th Jul 2024
and signed on their behalf by:
C ,j,th￿",1.
ACCOUNTANfs REPORT
I certlfy that the accounts overleaf show a true and fair view of the Snodland
Community Association's affairs for the year ended 31" March 2024 and the
Balance Sheet as at that date and are in accordance with the books and
records fw that year. All funds are unrestricted.
T.GAylward FAIA FMAAT

Balanc￿ Shegt
AS at 31 March 2024
2024
2023
Fsxeil 85g8ts
(48.161)
48.687
(48.029)
48.029
2,162
Bank
Buiidiru ac¢trturt 2
CJJrrent alc
17.554
17,393
139,304
124,878
Alx￿al3
12.4W)
11.080)
(2.679)
11,727)
(3.S70)
14.406)
Gengral FuThl
120.472
15.788
119.324
1.148
Excess to Fund
136,260
120.472
Genard FLmd
Page1of1

Income & Expenditure Account
For the year 8nded 31 March 2024
Income
DepDsit a￿Unt Irrtergst
Du•msvtaw Rental
Fundralsi
162
1.971
917
H811 Hwe
Membership Fees
170
59270
(7￿?
Adv8rllsiThJ Well*
(1.￿)
{8.5S8)
(1321
{9.￿6)
11.451)
(2.932>
(1258)
{61)
120.742)
(3111
(2.653)
(1.380)
(8.766)
(1.931)
19.7881
ClÈaning & L8uIMJry
Fundraising evwrts
Housekeeping
Insurances & Littan
(2.8921
12.939)
16611
127,440)
(79)
{1.712)
Repairs & Renewals
Sundrles PNET
Wat8rlSèwage
152.3B2)
{58.121)
Exc•s5 to Fund
Page1of1

SNODLAND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
YEAR E14DED 31st MARCH 2024
2022123 Excess of Income over Expendtture
1148
INCOME
Higher booking fees
Lower membership Fees
Lower Grants
Higher Rents
Equal payphone
Higher Interest recelved
Ltr*er ￿fts & Donatlons
LÉMer Fundraisin8
4128
-182
-828
-749
TOTAL
7452
EXPENDITURE
Higher Caretskerwage5
Higher Services
Equal Rates
Higher Insurance
Lower aeaning
Higher HouSek￿P[n8
Lower Repalrs & Malntenance
Equal Legal expense5
Higher Audit & Accounts
Lower Stationery
Hither Advertising
Higher Sundries PNET
Lower Depreciation
-526
-319
-240
47
-264
-232
1799
TOTAL
7188
2023124 Excess of Income o¥er Expendittsre
15788