Chair’s Report – Spencers Wood Village Hall AGM 2025
Good evening everyone, and thank you for coming to the Annual General Meeting of Spencers Wood Village Hall.
It has been a busy and productive year for the hall, with a continued focus on maintaining and improving the building, supporting our regular users and community events, and strengthening the role of the hall as a focal point for the village.
Facilities and maintenance
We have made some important improvements to the fabric of the hall this year:
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Wellington Room refurbishment The Wellington Room has been redecorated, with new lighting installed and soundproofing boards added. This has already made a noticeable difference to both the look of the room and the experience for users, particularly for meetings, classes and smaller group activities.
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Shed renovation and extra storage
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The external shed has been renovated and painted, the roof has been re-felted, and racking has been installed to create additional storage. This has helped us get longterm items and event equipment out of the way and stored safely, freeing up space inside the hall and making it easier to set up and clear down for events.
These works are not glamorous, but they are essential if we want the hall to remain a safe, attractive and functional space for the community in the long term.
Community initiatives
The Repair Cafe0 has continued to grow as a valued community initiative operating out of the hall. A particular highlight this year has been the launch of a student apprentice scheme , giving young people the chance to learn practical repair skills alongside experienced volunteers. This not only supports the ethos of reuse and sustainability, but also builds confidence and intergenerational links within the village.
Although the Repair Cafe0 is technically a separate initiative, it is closely associated with the hall and showcases the kind of community activity we want to encourage and support.
Thanks
I would like to record my sincere thanks to:
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The committee, for their time, judgement and willingness to get stuck in when needed.
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Our volunteers, who quietly do the unglamorous jobs that keep everything running.
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Our hirers and regular groups, whose continued use of the hall underpins its financial viability and its role in village life.
As ever, none of this happens by accident. It happens because people give their time and energy to keep this place going.
Looking ahead
In the year ahead, the committee will continue to:
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Maintain and improve the building where needed
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Support community events and activities in the hall
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Look for opportunities to strengthen our links with local groups, schools and organisations
Thank you again for your support of Spencers Wood Village Hall. I am happy to take any questions.
Treasurer’s Report
Spencers Wood Village Hall
Financial Year: 1 September 2024 – 31 August 2025
1. Introduction
I am pleased to present the financial statements for Spencers Wood Village Hall for the year ending 31 August 2025. These figures are subject to independent examination before filing with the Charity Commission. The hall continues to be well used and well supported by the local community, with several positive developments during the year.
2. Financial Overview
Total Income: £46,789
Operating Surplus: £9,933
Income increased slightly year-on-year, driven mainly by growth in regular hirers and community-led activities.
3. Income Breakdown
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Hall Bookings £37,295
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Bank Interest £655
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Returned deposits £360
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Fundraising (Market & Repair Café) £8,479
Total turnover rose from £45,008 to £46,789.
4. Costs and Expenditure
Expenditure for this year was up by just over £250, hall running costs fell by about £4.5k but other expenditure rose in line with cost of living and insurance increases
Key movements:
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Insurance premiums rose significantly, in line with national trends.
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Repairs & maintenance reduced from last year due to fewer capex projects and reduced maintenance costs some of which fell in to the previous year.
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General expenses increased, reflecting replacement of consumables and small operational items.
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Utilities costs dropped slightly.
The year finished with a healthy surplus of £9,933
The hall remains debt-free and in a strong financial position.
6. Farmers Market Update
Feedback from stallholders highlighted concerns around declining footfall and a need for more consistent advertising. To support sustainability, Judith (Fox & Bear) now leads promotion, Lisa (Taste of Genoa) manages the traders and Lynn runs the market on the day.
Competition from nearby village halls is rising. To maintain momentum, the intention is to run the market for all 12 months of the year.
7. Repair Café & SWVH Kitchen
The Repair Café continues to attract steady attendance. It remains volunteer-led and donation-based.
SWVH Kitchen, now a year old, offers low-cost, high-margin food. Volunteers completed Food Hygiene training and earned a 5-star hygiene rating from Wokingham Environmental Health.
8. Future Projects & Priorities
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Air conditioning / climate control
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Southern boundary hedge and new fencing
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Kitchen worktop replacements
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Re-sealing the main hall floor
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Ongoing maintenance
9. Outlook
The hall is in a strong financial position but must stay prudent due to rising costs and squeezed household budgets.
10. Conclusion
Another positive year for Spencers Wood Village Hall. Independent examination will follow before submission to the Charity Commission.
Charity Name Spencers Wood Village Hall 300204 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/09/2024 31/08/2025
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 8,479 37,295 360 655 - - - 46,789 - - - 46,789 20,612 9,483 2,730 4,031 - - - - - 36,856 140 3,385 225 428 - 4,178 41,035 5,754 - 48,311 54,065 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 8,479 37,295 360 - 655 - - - 46,789 - - - 46,789 20,612 9,483 2,730 4,031 - - - - - 36,856 140 3,385 225 428 - - 4,178 41,035 5,754 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| Fundraising | 8,479 | 1,833 | ||||
| Hall Bookings | 37,295 | 42,412 | ||||
| Refundable Depoits | 360 | - | ||||
| Donations | 250 | |||||
| Interest | 655 | 513 | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
46,789 | 45,008 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 45,008 | ||||||
| Hall Running Costs | 20,612 | 25,275 | ||||
| Professional Fees | 9,483 | 8,306 | ||||
| Insurance | 2,730 | 1,174 | ||||
| Costs of Fundraising | 4,031 | 1,825 | ||||
| Costs of Events | - | - | ||||
| Donations | - | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 36,856 | 36,580 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| Computer Equipment | 140 | 210 | ||||
| LeaseholdImprovements | 3,385 | 10,824 | ||||
| PlantandMachinery | 225 | 1,763 | ||||
| Fixtures &Fittings | 428 | 5,712 | ||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 4,178 | 18,508 | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 55,088 | ||||||
| 5,754 | - | - | 5,754 | - 10,080 | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 48,311 | - | - | 48,311 | 58,391 | ||
| 54,065 | - | - | 54,065 | 48,311 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Signature Damage Deposit Account Details Details Computer Equipment Leasehold Improvements Plant and Machinery Fixtures & Fittings Details Details Current Account Reserve Fundraising (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 1,836 - 52,230 - - - 54,065 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 742 45,550 2,118 9,977 - - - - 58,387 Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Chris Baker |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| Chris Baker | 11/06/2026 | ||
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name Spencers Wood Village Hall On accounts for the year 31/08/2025 Charity no 300204 ended (if any) Set out on pages (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
Report to the trustees
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2025.
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: Name: Kelly Willcox Relevant professional ACMA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 1 Peach Street
Date: 12/05/2026
1
Oct 2018
IER
Wokingham
RG40 1XJ
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER