Chairman’s Report Eaton Bray Village Hall (20252026)
This past year has seen continual activities covering the refurbishment and upgrading of the hall, along with social media and booking systems.
The kitchen refurbishment is working well, locks replaced and now complimented by regular weekly cleaning of all equipment and surfaces to maintain the cleanliness standards expected.
After last year’s stability issues with the solar installation and energy storage system, we have had no tripping due to voltage and frequency fluctuations. The system now we have changed to Octopus Energy for both gas and electricity is proving very beneficial. We have negotiated a good export rate for our electricity and are generating healthy returns on our investment. (spot report for this year thus far is that of the electricity produced 9.5MWh, 72% (6.8MWh) was exported. The hall has consumed 2.4MWh of which half was supplied by our system. To note this had accounted for the winter months, we are showing considerable reduction paying for imported electricity.
The new roof installation, along with refurbishment of the double glazed windows has improved the look of the building, along with making the building watertight.
The storeroom has been rationalised and excess cleaning material removed. We have also had a number of the chairs cleaned and refurbished. The far end of the carpark has been replenished with gravel to bring it up to the same standard of the rest of the carpark.
We reviewed the general fabric of the building and refurbished the toilets, along with internal and external walls.
We have diversified the management of casual hirers and booking system, reducing the work load of the existing member responsible, who shall manage regular hirers and general running of the hall. What is still paramount, is the need to seek additional volunteers to help with the hall’s financial responsibilities and reporting. We also have to establish back-up contacts for each of the functions, such as electrical, hire, etc. as and when key members are not available.
There have been two guidance reports issued by ACRE (action with communities in rural England) covering Fire Safety in Village Halls and Martyn’s Law
(Prevention of Terrorism Act). Bothe are being reviewed to see what impact this has on the general day to day running and hiring.
Finally, we are addressing the need to limit sound / noise emanating from the hall by installing noise monitors that are coupled with timers and energy trips. So if noise levels exceed limits (to be agreed and set) that occur beyond defined times, optical warnings that the power supplies are to be cut.
The main expenditure for the next few month shall be the complete replacement of the existing hall flooring that is showing definite signs of wear, delaminating tiles that are currently being taped down with chequer tape. Contractors have been approved and due to start work in October. The hall shall have to be closed for one week. Regular hirers to be informed well in advance.
It leaves me to thank everyone for their invaluable support and involvement in both running and developing the hall over the last year.
Steve Burnage Chair of Eaton Bray Village Hall Trustees. 20[th] July 2026
EATON BRAY HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
31[st] DECEMBER 2025
| 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| INCOME | £ | £ | ||
| 45668 | HALL LETTINGS | 38129 | ||
| 2279 | BANK INTEREST | 1965 | ||
| 250 | INS.CLAIM 2023 – REPYMNT OF EXCESS | - | ||
| --------- | -------- | |||
| 48197 | 40094 | |||
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| 1092 |
RENT | 1131 | ||
| 491 | WATER | 782 | ||
| 2388 | LIGHTING AND HEATING | 2459 | ||
| 1822 | INSURANCE | 1857 | ||
| 1042 | WINDOW CLEANING & CLEANING SUPPLIES 1254 | |||
| 8801 | CONTRACT CLEANING | 10513 | ||
| 5300 | BOOKING CLERK | 3850 | ||
| 1717 | CARETAKER | 1740 | ||
| 496 | ADVERTISING | 240 | ||
| 1551 | PERFORMING RIGHTS | 514 | ||
| 11530 | REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE |
6877 | ||
| 1222 | POSTGS/STNRY/TEL./PHTOCPYNG/BROADBND 905 | |||
| 180 | PREMISES LICENCE | 180 | ||
| 989 | NEW LECTURN | - | ||
| - | NEW FRIDGE | 170 | ||
| - | NEW TABLE | 141 | ||
| - | GRATUITY FOR AUDITOR | 14 | ||
| 36300 | ROOF REPLACEMENT | - | ||
| 98305 | 26486 | SOLAR PANELS | - | 32627 |
| 50108 | EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE | 7467 |
EATON BRAY HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS AS AT 31[st] DECEMBER 2025
| GENERAL FUND Balance brought forward from 31.12.24 10000 ADD Donations - ADD 2024 Excess of Income over Expenditure 7467 ______ 17467 DEDUCT Transfer to Dev.Fund 7467 ______ 10000 ADD Transfer to Development Fund ______ 10000 ______ REPRESENTED BY:- CO-OPERATIVE BANK:- £ A/Cs.NUMBERED 6511649200/50 6307 UNITED TRUST BANK 57439 63746 |
DEVELOPMENT FUND 46279 - __ _ 46279 _ 46279 7467 _ 53746 _ |
DEVELOPMENT FUND 46279 - __ _ 46279 _ 46279 7467 _ 53746 _ |
|---|---|---|
I have examined the books and records for the above committee, supplemented by information and explanations given to me. In my opinion the Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Affairs show a true and fair reflection of the Accounting Year as at 31[st] December 2024 C.Siddons (Examiner) _(signed C.Siddons ) 34 Wallace Drive, Eaton Bray, Dunstable,Beds. Date 25[th] .April 2026