HOLDING TRUSTEES’REPORT 2023
There are presently 2 holding trustees; myself Diane Taylor and Patrick Turner who became a trustee earlier this year, although has been helping out for some time before that. Until more recently, we had a third trustee, Ronnie Thornton who resigned earlier this year for personal reasons. Briefly, the trustees are responsible for the playgroup building, but are involved in other aspects of playgroup’s life as well as attending committee meetings.
The maintenance of the building is ongoing, with the trustees carrying out an annual inspection each summer to highlight any general maintenance problems. This year’s inspection revealed relatively little repairs were needed although a number of window cills needed revarnishing and this has been completed. Additionally, a replacement finger guard is needed and has now been ordered and repairs to the sandpit roof have been identified - some of the tiles have lifted and part of the ply wood is rotten and needs replacing. Quotes are being obtained.
During the past year, the major project was replacing the trim trail. The annual safety inspection found some of the timbers rotten and it became a priority to replace this outdoor equipment. The new trim trail was installed in November last year and is well used and enjoyed by all the children. Playgroup continues to fundraise to cover the large capital outlay. We also identified a fundraising opportunity with the charity pot from the Gransden Airshow, which secured some new bikes for the playground.
Other projects considered during the year included enclosing one section of the veranda to make the veranda area more usable in all weather conditions, as well as replacing the rotten fencing around the bio disk. These projects are presently on hold but will be revisited once funds allow. The trustees are also looking into the cost of solar panels and funding sources.
During the year, general maintenance has included boiler repairs, cutting the playgroup hedge (for which we have found a new, good value contractor) and repainting the fencing. The fence painting was undertaken with the help of playgroup staff, committee members and parents. It’s not quite finished, but nearly there.
The relatively quiet summer break, was interrupted by a water leak, leaving repairs needed to pipes, electrics and ceilings both in the extension and the children’s toilets. Thankfully, despite the leak flooding the red room, the carpet did not need replacing. However, the flooring to the children’s toilet area has lifted in a couple of places and may need replacing. After repairing the leaks and making safe the electrics, work is underway to repair the damage and temporary measures enabled Playgroup to re-open at the beginning of the Autumn term as normal. My thanks to Cindy for being available to gather the professionals for the emergency repairs and to Sharon for dealing with the insurance claim, although not all the damage will be covered by the insurers.
On behalf of myself and Patrick, I would like to thank Cindy and all the staff for their hard work and dedication over the past year in continuing to provide such a wonderful environment for children to flourish. Playgroup would not be the fantastic place it is without such committed staff. Thanks also to Sharon for all her support, not least keeping up with all Playgroup’s paperwork and admin.
Finally, I would like to thank Ronnie for all her hard work and enthusiasm during her 12years+ as a custodian trustee. Her vast experience with nurseries and playgroups has helped enormously in her role as well as her ability to find the right contractors to carry out the numerous maintenance
and capital protects over the years. I am sorry to see Ronnie leave this role but equally pleased to be working with Patrick as co-trustees.
Diane Taylor September 2023
GREAT GRANSDEN PRE-SCHOOL INCOME & EXPENDITURE STATEMENT
| Fees (incl grants & lunch) Events Fund Raising Misc (including donations) Wages Staff Cleaning Costs Admin Wages Utilities Education Equipment Fund Raising Office Sundries (incl Tesco) Maintenance Trim Trail NET EXCESS / (DEFICIT) CAPITAL ACCOUNT Opening balance Adj to opening balance Excess / (Deficit) Interest received Closing Balance Represented by** Current account Nationwide 1 yr Saver (1) Nationwide 1 yr Saver (2) Cambridge BS savings |
2023 145,668 853 1,367 2,532 150,421 125,188 2,555 5,127 4,577 7,452 0 0 5,884 2,140 3,692 156,617 8,954 (15,150) 85,683 (15,150) 678 71,210 2,840 11,041 11,103 46,227 71,210 |
2022 NOTES 138,653 5.0% increase 42 1,933 108 140,736 6.0% increase 115,654 12% increase 2,050 5,596 4,599 6,614 0 156 9,566 1,273 10,510 156,019 0.3% increase (15,282) 100,761 (28) (15,282) 232 85,683 17,990 10,859 10,919 45,914 85,683 |
|---|---|---|
**
Onecom payment 31/3/21 not included in 2022
Address:
Sharon Peer Great Gransden Preschool PlayGroup Caxton Road Great Gransden
Admin Address: 5 Williams Close Great Gransden SG19 3QS
01767 677562 sec@simplesolutionscambs.co.uk
15 June 2022
Dear Sharon,
Please find my comments as independent examiner for the Accounts ending 31[st] March 2023 below:
Although as you know, an audit is not strictly necessary under the terms of the 1993 Charities Act, I believe it is good policy to continue to follow basic audit procedures as I have done in the past.
This was the second year of using Xero and I am pleased to report that everything is looking neat and tidy within the Profit & Loss account.
I made three amendments to coding – 2 x printer ink from IT to Printing & Stationery and transferred Mr Marvel to Entertainment 100% business. I also added in the annual interest for the Cambridge Building Society account.
I found no errors or issues that caused concern with the way the accounts are administered but I did find one duplication of payment that will need to be sorted out. This was for an Amazon purchase of a Pop-up Gazebo costing £118.99. The purchase of this item was refunded to Cindy on both the 21/6/22 and the 5/7/22 in two separate expense claims. Please have a look at the transactions in question and if you agree that the refund was duplicated, make the necessary adjustment.
Everything was, as usual, extremely well documented and clear to follow.
If there is anything arising from my examination that you would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Sue Chase Director
Registered office: 5 Williams Close, Great Gransden, SG19 3QS. Registered in England & Wales No. 08031947