Charity Commission / Annual Accounts Submission Report
Banwell Village Hall Foundation Charity Number: 290796 Trustees’ Annual Report For the Period January 2025 – December 2025
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of Banwell Village Hall Foundation are to provide and maintain a community facility for the benefit of residents of Banwell and surrounding rural communities. The Hall exists to promote community connection, social wellbeing, recreation, and local engagement by providing an accessible and affordable venue for local groups, organisations, and residents.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
During the reporting period, the Hall was used for a wide range of community activities including art classes, drama productions, bridge club, exercise groups, choir activities, soup lunches, mental health and wellbeing initiatives, and private social events.
Achievements and Performance
A key focus during 2025 was understanding both the long-term viability of the Hall and the needs of the local community. Trustees therefore commissioned a structural survey of the building and undertook a community consultation survey.
Feedback from the community demonstrated continued support for the current range of activities offered, while also identifying concerns around affordability of hire charges and the ageing condition of the premises. In response, Trustees agreed to cease further hire fee increases during 2025–2026 and established a fundraising team to support future maintenance and reform projects.
The Hall also increased its community outreach through the introduction of social media communication platforms aimed at improving awareness, accessibility, and engagement.
The Foundation continued to receive strong support from volunteers and local residents. During the year, approximately 10 volunteers assisted with events, fundraising activities, and minor maintenance works.
Financial Review
The charity’s total income during the year amounted to approximately £28,000, primarily generated through hall hire charges and bar revenue.
Total expenditure for the year was approximately £32,000, with significant expenditure relating to building maintenance and reform works.
The charity’s financial position remains stable, although continued careful budgeting is required due to ongoing building maintenance obligations.
During the year, Trustees invested £40,000 into a higher-interest savings account due to mature in November 2026. Trustees intend to retain approximately £25,000 as protected reserves to cover approximately one year of operating costs, with the remaining funds intended to support essential future reform works including roof replacement projects.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees recognise the importance of maintaining adequate reserves to safeguard the future operation of the Hall and to manage unexpected expenditure relating to building maintenance and repairs.
At the end of the reporting period, unrestricted reserves stood at approximately £40,000.
Governance and Management
Banwell Village Hall Foundation is governed by a committee of Trustees. During 2025 the charity operated with five Trustees supported by four Associate Members representing user groups of the Hall.
The Associate Membership structure was introduced to encourage wider participation in committee discussions and decision-making from community groups who did not wish to undertake full trustee responsibilities.
The Trustees met monthly throughout the reporting period, supported by occasional additional trustee and fundraising meetings.
During the year, several governance and operational improvements were implemented including the review and updating of existing policies and the introduction of new policies relating to:
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Equality and Diversity
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Expenditure
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Fundraising
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Health and Safety
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Safeguarding
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Fire Officer Procedures
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Bar Operations
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Social Media
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Associate Membership Roles
A structured progress-monitoring system using red, amber, and green reporting was also introduced to improve accountability and project oversight.
Staffing and Volunteers
The charity employed one cleaner and engaged two self-employed contractors in the roles of Bar Manager and Accountant. Casual bar staff were utilised for larger events where required.
The Trustees acknowledge the valuable contribution of approximately 10 volunteers who supported the Hall throughout the year.
Plans for Future Periods
The Trustees’ priorities for 2026 include:
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Replacement and repair of the small roof area
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Redecoration and reform of the lobby and hallway
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Expansion of fundraising activities
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Continued community engagement, particularly with younger families
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Development of collaborative initiatives with local organisations and Banwell Parish Council
The Trustees remain committed to maintaining Banwell Village Hall as an affordable, relevant, and sustainable community hub for future generations.
Banwell Village Hall Trial Balance As of December 31, 2025
Bar Float Cambridge & Counties Bank HSBC Bank Current Account 42178176 Petty Cash Account Bar Stock Soup Lunch Bar Equipment Fixtures and Fittings Cost Village Hall Building Hire Deposits Opening Balance Equity Retained Earnings 1001 Extra Hire Items Kitchen 1002 Extra Hire Items Kitchen:Audio Equip. & Projector 1004 Extra Hire Items Kitchen:Stage (With Lighting) 1007 Village Hall Hirers:Casual Hirers 1009 Village Hall Hirers:Regular Hirers Bank Interest Bar Hire Bar Sales Grants & Donations Solar Energy Bank Charges Cleaner Cleaning supplies & Services Finance costs:Finance software Grounds Maintenance Hall Repair & Maintenance Office/General Administrative Expenses:Advertising/Promotional Office/General Administrative Expenses:Insurances & Warranties Office/General Administrative Expenses:Other Professional Services Office/General Administrative Expenses:Printing, Postage and Stationery Office/General Administrative Expenses:Website & Computer costs Overall Bar Expenditure:Bar Equipment & Repairs Overall Bar Expenditure:Bar Licenses Overall Bar Expenditure:Bar Supplies Overall Bar Expenditure:Casual staff Training Courses Utilities TOTAL
| Debit | Credit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 50.00 | |||
| 40,000.00 | |||
| 8,665.96 | |||
| 151.00 | |||
| 1,011.22 | |||
| 163.40 | |||
| 835.00 | |||
| 3,776.98 | |||
| 95,534.00 | |||
| 418.00 | |||
| 167,760.37 | |||
| 14,855.14 | |||
| 100.00 | |||
| 35.00 | |||
| 110.00 | |||
| 5,478.56 | |||
| 12,400.29 | |||
| 99.66 | |||
| 720.00 | |||
| 8,120.79 | |||
| 498.00 | |||
| 1,068.94 | |||
| 82.52 | |||
| 6,218.30 | |||
| 1,761.39 | |||
| 552.52 | |||
| 320.00 | |||
| 6,725.47 | |||
| 120.00 | |||
| 1,489.77 | |||
| 1,442.00 | |||
| 49.90 | |||
| 173.90 | |||
| 309.78 | |||
| 361.60 | |||
| 4,442.98 | |||
| 3,150.19 | |||
| 114.00 | |||
| 4,779.39 | |||
| £ | 196,973.01 | £ | 196,973.01 |
Bath Accountancy Services JiIN141NiY ANLJ ,'iXA-, ION.SL L.:. l Argyle Street Bath BA2 4BA 01225 423037 07917 302 885 mail@bathaccountanry.co.uk Our ref.. AKlsh Banwell Willage Hall Foundatio Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees For the Year Ended 31 Dernber 2025 Independent examiners report to the Trustees of Banwell Village Hall Foundation I report to the trustees on Tny exaTnination of the accounts for Banwell Village Hall Foundation l-the chariv) for the year ended 31 December 2025. Responslbllltles and basss of report As the charity trustee5 of the charity. you arè responsible for the pparatiOn of the accounts in accordance with the requirement5 of the Charities Act 20111-the 2011 Acff l. I report in respect of my examination of the charit5 accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act. Independènt Èxamlnèrfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm ihal no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination 8ivin8 me cause to believe that in any material respect. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connertion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this port in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Andrew Knibb Bath Accountancy 5ewvi Dated.. 8 May 2026