2021-12-31-accounts

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2021

Charity Registration No: 0285705

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

Trustees: MR MARTIN LAKE (CHAIR) MR HARRY TODD (VICE-CHAIR) MS JUNE HAYLES (TREASURER) MR ANDY COLES (SECRETARY) MR IAN HEPPELL MR BERT KENNEDY MRS PHILOMENA KENNEDY MS PAULINE COWPER MR BEN BUTLER MR THANABALASINGAM RATNAVADIEVEL MR SHAUN BUCHANAN MR JOSE 'PEPE' BRENES (Deceased 8th July 2022)

Office Manager: Kate Holmes, Caretakers: Patrick Cotter, Mousa Storer (to March 2021) and Keith Bernard (from June 2021).

Correspondence Address: 78 Victory Road London SW19 1HN Principal Bankers: Barclays Bank PLC, Nationwide Building Society and Virgin Money.

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

78 Victory Road Wimbledon SW19 1HN

Charity Number: 0285705 Telephone: [phone] Website: www.southwimbledoncommunity.com Email: [e-mail]

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

The Board of Trustees of the Association has pleasure in presenting their Annual Report and the Financial Statements of the Charity for the Year Ended 31st December 2021.

INTRODUCTION

South Wimbledon Community Association is a registered Charity (No. 0285705).

OBJECTS

To further or benefit the residents of South Wimbledon and the surrounding area, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organizations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents.

In the furtherance of this objective the Association hires room facilities, to predominantly local groups, from three locations in South Wimbledon.

The Board of Trustees has considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit & is of the opinion that the Association is fully compliant.

GOVERNANCE

The Association is governed by a written Constitution which has been approved by the Charity Commission. The Board of Trustees are all subject to re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

They have control of the charity and its funds. Potential Trustees with local knowledge or expertise along with representatives of user groups are encouraged to seek election to the board. The aim is to achieve a diverse range of individuals who can make a positive contribution.

FINANCES

Income and Expenditure during the year amounted to £56,349 & £67,731 respectively.

RESERVES POLICY

The Board of Trustees believe that the Charity needs Reserves of at least £120,000 to ensure the future smooth running of the charity. This is intended to cover relocation costs in the short to medium term.

The attached financial statements show the current state of the charity’s finances. The Charity’s bankers are Barclays Bank Plc, Leicester, LE87 2BB; Virgin Money, Jubilee House, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4PL and Nationwide Building Society, Pipers Way, SN38 1NW.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The Trustees continually review the controls and procedures throughout the organization, in order to minimize external and internal risk. The organization has adequate indemnity insurance.

SERIOUS INCIDENTS

The Board declares that there were no serious incidents to report in 2021 under section 169 of the Charities Act 2011.

THANKS

The Board of Trustees would like to thank Merton Council, and everyone involved with the Charity for all their support and help throughout the year.

SWCA CHAIR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

In the autumn of 2020 there were realistic hopes that 2021 would be a much better year as the country sought to emerge from the Covid pandemic. The relaxation of the first lockdown in July 2020 and the increasing prospect of a successful vaccine gave strength to these hopes. However a second serious wave of the virus resulted in a second national lockdown from early January. This meant a further disruption of the Association's business right through to July 2021.

In line with Government regulations we managed a staged return from March (school group) through to July since when it has been almost “business as usual” albeit under the “new” normal. Thanks to the very successful vaccine rollout this was not derailed too much when the Omicron variant struck towards the end of the year. Most of our clients have returned along with some new ones and we welcome them back and continue to appreciate their support.

I would like to record once again the Committee's appreciation of our staff; Kate who manages the day-to-day operations in an expert fashion and our caretakers Patrick and Keith. Keith Bernard joined our staff in June 2021 following the resignation of Mousa Storer. We welcome Keith and thank Mousa for his 3 years of service and wish him well in his new career.

Our clients will be well aware that we undertook a price review at the end of 2021 and effected a 9% increase to most charges from January 2022. This was the first increase since 2017 and while regrettable has proved prudent in view of the current inflationary situation. Going forward the Committee feels that a more regular price review is sensible and fair. We will make a decision in this matter by December.

Finally I would like to thank my fellow board members for their voluntary work on behalf of the Association. We can only exist as a service to the community through the work of our staff and volunteers.

2022 Preview: The year to date has seen an uninterrupted continuation of our operations with a very healthy stream of casual bookings and support from established users. Fingers crossed that we can put the pandemic behind us but we can never forget the devastation and personal losses that it caused.

Also on a very sad note our beloved trustee Jose Brenes passed away on 8[th] July in St. George's Hospital following a collapse at home. 'Pepe', as he was known to many, had been a board member for 14 years and we will remember him with much affection.

Martin Lake, Chair SWCA, 24[th] August 2022

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2021

As stated at last year’s AGM, it was not until late into the 2[nd] half of 2021 that South Wimbledon Community Association (SWCA) began to regain a ‘norm’ in operations. For large periods of the year room hire was not permitted under ‘lockdown’ and other restrictions and, on occasions when they were, reduced footfall and understandable caution from clients meant demand was very low. Not until late September did a steady client base of bookings begin to build and become more of a weekly pattern that has continued into 2022. Therefore, SWCA’s financial report for the second year running shows a marked decline on that of the previous decade.

All charities generally speaking have seen their income adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic so SWCA is not unique. But our income as a Community Association does come by far from the hiring of facilities and in 2021 this figure was £38,032 compared to £38,455 in 2020. In comparison the year before the pandemic began, i.e 2019, that figure had been £98,278.

Principal Funding Sources

The principal funding sources for SWCA during 2021 were grants; Job Retention Scheme (JRS), i.e. furlough, and London Borough of Merton (LBM).

All claims made to the JRS were agreed and gave us 80% of basic salary payments. With this support, and by SWCA paying the additional 20%, we were able to maintain our staff on full basic pay throughout the pandemic. LBM once again maintained our grant (£5,920) for the year and continued to charge us zero Rates on the Victory and Pincott Road properties.

For all support, national and local, the Trustees would like to express their grateful appreciation. I would also personally wish to thank Agilysis payroll and LBM Human Resources for the support given to me in managing the furlough payments throughout. Their time and payroll expertise were invaluable in ensuring salaries were paid correctly and on time.

I cannot over-state how important this financial support has been. Our position would have been much more precarious without it, and required us to draw much more heavily on our reserves.

Reserves

Our Reserves on 31[st] December 2021 were £199,244 (2020; £210,603). All the monies having been transferred to our current account to top up salaries to 100% and meet direct debit payments throughout the year.

Expenditure

Where it was possible, we continued to suspend services and their regular payments from 2020 into 2021. For example, we suspended payments to Castle Water for Pincott Road. Unfortunately, not all Utility companies offered the facility to suspend payments, and the downside of being able to was that eventually companies caught up with us again. Such as with Castle Water, who now as I write this in June 2022 have just issued a demand for nearly £4,000.00! So, we now have the task of working out what might have happened in the interim!

Looking forward into 2022, the Trustees consider that satisfactory financial controls are in place, and that the Charity is well placed and resourced to continue providing its services into the foreseeable future. The current year 2022 has we are delighted to relay seen a return by many of our long-term group and individual regulars. We are also delighted to have welcomed new faces whom we hope will go forward with us in the future.

After much discussion we have increased our hire rates in 2022. Our last increase was back in 2017. The intention is to keep future increases to a minimum and the next to at least a year in the future, maintaining our ethos of offering competitive prices yet affordable facilities to our community.

We thank you for your continued support.

June Hayles Treasurer, SWCA September 2021 E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.southwimbledoncommunity.com

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

The Board of Trustees are required to prepare a statement of accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial year and of the income resources and application of resources in the year. In preparing the statement, the Board of Trustees are required to:

• a. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.

• b. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• c. State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the statement of accounts.

• d. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the ‘Charity’ will continue its operations. The Board of Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the ‘Charity’ at that time and to enable the Board of Trustees to ensure that any statement of account prepared by them complies with the regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT REVIEW YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

I report on the accounts for the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2021 which is set out on the following pages.

This review is made solely to the Board of Trustees of South Wimbledon Community Association as a body. My review has been undertaken so that I might state to the Board of Trustees, those matters I am required to state to them in a review and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the Board of Trustees as a body for my review, for this report or for the opinions I have formed.

Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees

As the Board of Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements.

Basis of Independent Report

A review includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking any explanations from you as the Board of Trustees, concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent statement

In connection with my review, no other matter has come to my attention:

1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records have not been met.

or

1. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT REVIEW YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

Mr P Okusi Independent examiner Thompson & Co Vestry Hall Mitcham CR4 3UD Date: ……………

		SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
		RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS SUMMARY
		1ST JANUARY 2021 - 31ST DECEMBER 2021
			2021	2020
			GBP	GBP
Income Received
	Hall Hire		38,032	38,455.00
	LB Merton - Grant		5,920	5,830.00
	Gov. UK - JRS Grant		11,990	17,124.00
	Membership		5
	Investment - Interest Received		402	42.00
			56,349	61,451
Expenditure
	Bank charges		282	294
	Cleaning		10,540	8,039
	Rent			768
	Insurance		1,500	1,477
	Maintenance		689	1,571
	Office & Sundry		378	1,746
	Telephone		1,112
	Professional fees		325	325
	Commission Payment		740
	Staff		44,009	51,301
	Light & Heat		3,378	6,372
	Sundry			490
	Deposits returned		3,227	5,927
	Waste Removal		1,550
			67,731	78,310
Net Surplus For The Year			-11,383	-16,859
We approve these accounts and confirm that we have made available
all records and information necessary for their preparation.
……………………………………………………………………
June Hayles
For and on behalf of the Board of Trustees

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SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES
1ST JANUARY 2021 - 31ST DECEMBER 2021
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 2020
GBP GBP GBP GBP
Fixed Assets - - - -
Current Assets
Debtors - - - -
Cash at bank 199,244 199,244 210,603
-
199,244 199,244 210,603
Current Liabilities
Creditors
- -
Castle Water (Est) 1,500 1,500
Total Assets Less Liabilities 197,744 - 197,744 210,603
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SOUTH WIMBLEDON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under Receipts and Payments basis and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and Statement of Recommended Practice

2. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor

3. Transactions with Trustees

No remuneration was paid to Trustees. Trustees are reimbursed expenses incurred on behalf of the charity in furtherance of the charity’s objectives.