WOODLEY COMMUNITY CARNIVAL 2023
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Carnival continues to be one of the main community events for Woodley and I am delighted to have completed my first year as Chair of the Woodley Carnival Committee. Once again, the Carnival provided lots of opportunities for the public to engage in and enjoy.
Remaining accessible to as many in the community as possible is at the forefront of our constitution. This year’s Carnival continued to freeze entry prices for attendees and pitch fees for local charities, groups and businesses. The atmosphere on the field was bustling as we looked to offer more free attractions, displays and arena shows, providing lots to see and do without additional expense from attendees.
A personal highlight for me this year was the Woodley Carnival Primary Schools Choir initiative, which provided schools with singing workshops for their students, allowed cross school community engagement and a superb experience for the children performing on the day.
The Carnival is an independent charity which is not subsidised or funded from local taxes, with its income derived from Carnival Day. Allowing the committee to continue freezing prices and offer more to see and do relies on the support of many in the community.
Residents volunteered time to help make Carnival happen, including roles which the committee would otherwise need to pay for. Looking back at Carnival week volunteers erected the necessary infrastructure, staffed our bar, gates, marshalling and litter picking needs, while local business and groups offered events free of charge. My heartfelt thanks go to all these individuals, without who the Carnival could not happen.
The Committee continue to see event costs increase and therefore we remain heavily reliant on the generosity of our sponsors, without whom the Committee would need to make difficult decisions, increasing prices and charging for attractions on the field. We remain hugely grateful for their continuing support and engagement.
Our Evening Concert continues to be a great addition to our Afternoon Carnival with a fantastic turnout. Seeing whole families from grandchildren to grandparents gather on the field for Woodley’s biggest party is exactly the community atmosphere we hope to provide and was much loved by our late president John.
John Hicks stood on the committee for over 50 years as a member then Chair and President. John epitomized the meaning of the Carnival, always looking to ensure the Carnival remained community focused, accessible, sustainable and a fantastic day for Woodley. Our condolences to his family, friends and local groups in the community, who John supported tirelessly for so many decades.
We received many positive comments from members of the public who took time to thank Committee members and volunteers for putting on such a brilliant and enjoyable community event. I contribute this to the efforts of the committee and the support of our local community supporters.
My personal thanks to the committee who give generously of their time. Together we are a unified and strong body, working tirelessly to put on a Carnival for Woodley.
As we look to 2024, I keep in mind our core constitutional focus on community and hope we can continue to provide a Carnival accessible to as many in Woodley as possible.
Matthew Jacobs, Chair
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TREASURERS ANNUAL REPORT
Report on the Accounts to 31[st] July 2023
I am pleased to report that we made a surplus for the year of £7,116.81
Comments
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An income of £63,851.40 was generated from this year’s event against £70,571.02 in 2022.
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Gate income remained above 2019 levels leading to gate takings of £27,013.90 compared to £21,927.00 in 2019, but remained below to extraordinary £32,499.75 taken in 2022.
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This year’s Carnival cost £57,128.50 against £52,706.20 in 2022 (8% increase). It should be noted that many of the 2022 infrastructure costs were quotes honoured from the cancelled 2020 carnival.
I would recommend 2024 planning works on the assumption of a 10% price inflation.
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Our reserve account currently holds £54,566.70 (95% of 2023 costs). We normally aim to maintain a reserve equal to the cost of holding the annual carnival. I would advise the committee to consider using £2,629.09 of this years surplus to ensure the reserve account holds 100% of 2023 costs.
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I would further recommend the Carnival look to review which account funds are held in to benefit from higher interest rates.
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In line with Constitution clause 7.3, remaining surplus (£4,487.72) will be used for the purpose of organising, managing, promoting or otherwise supporting the Carnival and associated events and activities.
The accounts will be independently examined and submitted to the them Charities Commission as required.
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Woodley Carnival Committee 2023 (V4.1 - Published)
| Woodley Carnival Committee 2023 | (V4.1 - Published) | |
|---|---|---|
| Profit and Loss Account Income Other Income - Interest Direct Event Costs Gross profit/(loss) Other Charges Surplus/(loss) Surplus/(loss) |
2023 £ 63,851.04 393.82 (57,128.05) 7,116.81 - 7,116.81 7,116.81 |
2022 £ 70,571.02 14.30 (52,706.20) |
| 17,879.12 | ||
| 17,879.12 | ||
| 17,879.12 |
Woodley Carnival Committee 2023 (V4.1 - Published)
Balance Sheet
| Balance Sheet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Assets Prepayments and accrued income Creditors: amounts falling within one year Net current assets Toal assets less current liabilities Net assets Capital and reserves |
103,108.83 - |
2023 £ 98,942.02 |
91,957.21 - |
2022 £ 91,825.21 |
| 103,108.83 4,166.81 |
91,957.21 132.00 |
|||
| 98,942.02 | 91,825.21 | |||
| 98,942.02 | 91,825.21 | |||
| 98,942.02 | 91,825.21 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Woodley Carnival Committee On accounts for the year Charity no (if any) 291732 ended[31][st][ July 2023]
Set out on pages 2-5
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/07/2023. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s 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 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 25/09/2023 Name: Paul Maddock Relevant professional FMAAT FCCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Oak Tax Ltd 63 Redwood Avenue, Woodley, Berkshire, RG5 4DS
Oct 2018
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