Chairman’s Report for the AGM of South Brent Village Hall 2024-25
Once again welcome to the AGM of the Village Hall.
The Hall continues to thrive. Bookings are excellent, both by regular hirers and one off hirings. The users are almost unanimous in their appreciation of our Hall and its facilities, particularly the condition and cleanliness of the building. Much of this is due to the hard work of our Caretaker, George Watson and his assistant, Steve Jones. My grateful thanks are, as always, due to them and to the members of the Trustee Committee. Sue Astal-Stain has rejoined us, as the Parish Council representative, following the resignation of Katie Armstrong. We hope to be able to signup another member in the near future. The trustees, as always, would welcome new members to help with the task of running the Hall.
Our financial situation has improved since the dark days of Covid, but there is no room for complacency, we still have to pay our way and set aside funds for repairs and renewals. The Hall is in a sound condition both physically and financially, for which we are grateful to everyone. We changed our power supplier, during the year, having sourced a better rate. There was a possibility that we would have to register for trade waste, particularly recycling, but as we have less than10 employees, this proved not to be the case. The Solar panels continue to provide very useful income. Our problem with alarm call outs is fixed, we hope, and various electrical problems has also been attended to. John Shepherd will give you a fuller picture when we discuss the Finances under the next item.
During the year we appointed SJR Services, a local company, as our bookkeepers. This decision was made to simplify matters for the Trustees. They now deal with matters to do with payroll, with our Treasurer, having been working on our behalf with matters related to HMRC. They are now also our Auditors. Geoff Addy who had for many years acted in this capacity, decided to retire after last year’s AGM. This arrangement has proved to be very beneficial to the smooth running of the Hall’s finances.
Discussions have started with others who run Community Buildings in the Village, to see if there are ways we can work together for the common good. I am attending a meeting to-morrow at the Old School Centre hosted by South Hams Village Hall Cluster Group, at which future collaboration is likely to be discussed, so, watch this space.
This report covers the period up to the end of March this year, so several items which have happened since then will not be reported until next year’s AGM.
Once again thank you for your attendance this evening and your ongoing support of the Village Hall.
Cathie Pannell. Chair.
SOUTH BRENT VILLAGE HALL REGISTERED CHARITY NO 300970
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Independent Examiner's Report
I report on the accounts for the above year as set out on the attached financial statements:
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Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2025 showing a total surplus of £2,463
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2025 showing Net Funds of £21,248
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by South Brent Village Hall and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and I have sought explanations where necessary and appropriate.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out below,
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the need: (a) to keep reasonable accounting records, and,
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(b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records,
have not been met, or,
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
………………………………………………………………………… Sarah Reynolds
Date: 8 October 2025
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