Aylsham Recreation Ground
Charity Number 303895
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Period 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
January 2026
Reference & Administration Details
Charity number: 303895
Charities operating address: The Pavillion, Sir Williams Lane / Burgh Road, Aylsham, Norwich NR11 6AW
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity
Lauren Stroud Chairman 01/04/24 – 31/03/25 Sean Cannon Vice Chairman 01/04/24 – 31/03/25 Aylsham Town Council Treasurer 01/04/24 – 31/03/25
Names of Trustees for the Charity
Lauren Stroud Sean Cannon Heather Morton Jon Minns Alan Marchbank Barry Lancaster Philip Kingsford
Aylsham Town Council Dates acted, if not for the whole year
Names & Addresses of Advisors (Delete rows which are not relevant)
Bank : Barclays Independent Examiner N/A Solicitor N/A Financial Advisor N/A
Structure, Governance & Management
Description of the Charity’s Trusts
Type of Governing Document: Constitution
How the Charity is constituted: Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee Selection Methods: Volunteers
Objectives & Activities
Summary of the Objects of the Charity as set out in its Governing Document
To provide recreational facilities for the residents of Aylsham, Norfolk
Summary of the Main Activities Undertaken for the Public Benefit in relation to the Charity’s objects
Provision of:
Play Parks Skate Park Tennis Courts Bowls Green Pavillion Football Cricket Pétanque Outside Gym Green space for recreation and team games
Achievements & Performances
Statutory Declaration
The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
Chairman’s Report
2024-2025
Year ending March 2025 saw a year of stability and progress within the Recreation Ground committee. The Chairperson was re-elected for a second year and longstanding member, Sean, appointed as Vice-Chair, with all other members continuing as per the previous year.
Some work was undertaken at the recreation ground, including a new sink in the pavilion, car park lining, improvements to the entrance via Burgh Road and the children’s playpark (which was supported by grants, applied for by trustees).
Financial reviews were undertaken to investigate ways to save on costs in-year, and in particular the next financial year, including grounds costs, insurance, cleaning and charges to customers on hire of facilities including room hire and storage were increased. Key customers were maintained.
Work was also undertaken on developing a website for the recreation ground and this went live in the early part of the next financial year.
The committee also voted to put on hold the application to become Charitable Incorporated Status (CIO) approved, while general reform and updating of policies and procedures, continued.
User groups:
Many user groups have seen a pleasing growth in membership numbers in 24/25, particularly in tennis, bowls, cricket and running.
Financial Review
Brief statement of the Charity’s Policy on Reserves
The charity has a ‘reserve’ fund, secured within the Town Council, which remained unused at £50,000 in this financial year.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
None
Other Optional Information
The funding supplied by Aylsham Town Council from April 2024 has been paid as a grant
Page 1
06 January 2026 (2024 - 2025)
Aylsham Recreation Ground STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
| RECEIPTS | PAYMENT | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance | ||||
| Balance at Bank | 15,162.71 | |||
| Cash in Hand | ||||
| Bank Interest/Charges | 130.95 | 0.75 | ||
| Grants & Donations | 90,529.00 | 25,000.00 | ||
| Hooked on Stitching | 3,055.47 | |||
| Bowls | 2,319.00 | 12,820.78 | ||
| Tennis | 879.00 | 430.97 | ||
| Football Pitch | 66.66 | |||
| Storage Unit | ||||
| Pétanque | 414.00 | |||
| Zip Wire | 542.12 | |||
| Cricket | 1,161.04 | 6,810.00 | ||
| Other Income | ||||
| Salaries | 5,093.95 | |||
| PAYE | 1,273.00 | |||
| Training | ||||
| Insurance | 2,691.00 | |||
| Broadband | 1,681.58 | |||
| Rates | 143.92 | |||
| Utilities | 3,798.92 | |||
| Fire Inspection | 495.75 | |||
| Pavilion | 6,018.68 | 1,994.28 | ||
| Cleaning | ||||
| CCTV | ||||
| Groundsman | 16,035.00 | |||
| Professional Services | 9,135.00 | |||
| Smile Park | 51,756.38 | 52,321.60 | ||
| Football Posts/Area | ||||
| General Maintenance/Repairs | 6,543.59 | |||
| Tree Care/Fencing | 5,729.01 | |||
| Outside Gym | 78.00 | |||
| Refuse Collection/Litter Bins | 3,168.41 | |||
| Income | ||||
| Storage Unit | 264.21 | |||
| Equipment | 90 | |||
| Skate Park Fundraising | ||||
| VAT | 137.28 | |||
| Miscellaneous | 129.12 | 259.36 | ||
| VAT | 16,863.89 | 16,745.93 | ||
| 173,587.40 | 180,942.56 | |||
| Closing Balances: |
27 January 2026 (2025-2026)
Aylsham Recreation Ground
Summary of Receipts and Payments
All Cost Centres and Codes (Between 01/04/2024 and 31/03/2025)
| Administration | Receipts | Payments | Net Position | Net Position | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Title | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | +/- Under/over spend | |
| 1 Bank Interest/Charges | 115.00 | -115.00 | -115.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| 17 Broadband | 540.54 | 540.54 | 540.54 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 41 Charity Administration Items | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 20 Fire Inspection | 700.00 | 700.00 | 700.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 2 Grants & Donations | 72,500.00 | -72,500.00 | -72,500.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| 44 Health and Safety | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 16 Insurance | 2,500.00 | 2,500.00 | 2,500.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 38 Miscellaneous | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 14 PAYE | 1,031.00 | 1,031.00 | 1,031.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 25 Professional Services | 13,000.00 | 13,000.00 | 13,000.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 18 Rates | 350.00 | 350.00 | 350.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 43 Replenishment Reserve | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 13 Salaries | 10,500.00 | 10,500.00 | 10,500.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 36 Skate Park Fundraising | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 19 Utilities | 4,944.80 | 4,944.80 | 4,944.80 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 37 VAT | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| SUB TOTAL | 72,615.00 | -72,615.00 | 38,816.34 | 38,816.34 | -33,798.66 (-30%) | -33,798.66 (-30%) | ||
| Outside Spaces | Receipts | Payments | Net Position | |||||
| Code Title | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | +/- Under/over spend | |
| 4 Bowls | 1,020.00 | -1,020.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 3,980.00 (66%) |
(66%) | ||
| 23 CCTV | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 11 Cricket | 1,300.00 | -1,300.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 3,700.00 (58%) |
(58%) | ||
| 35 Equipment | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 30 Fencing | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 46 Food Outlet | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 7 Football Pitch | 360.00 | -360.00 | -360.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| 27 Football Posts/Area | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 28 General Maintenance/Repairs | 6,300.00 | 6,300.00 | 6,300.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 24 Groundsman | 18,081.00 | 18,081.00 | 18,081.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 33 Income | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 42 Information Displays/Noticeboard | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 31 Outside Gym | 150.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 9 Petanque | 700.00 | -700.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 300.00 (17%) |
(17%) | ||
| 47 Play Equipment | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 32 Refuse Collection/Litter Bins | 3,150.00 | 3,150.00 | 3,150.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 26 Smile Park | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 8 Storage Unit | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 6 Tennis | 1,000.00 | -1,000.00 | -1,000.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| 40 Tree work | 2,500.00 | 2,500.00 | 2,500.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 10 Zip Wire | 200.00 | 200.00 | 200.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| SUB TOTAL | 4,380.00 | -4,380.00 | 44,281.00 | 44,281.00 | 39,901.00 (82%) | 39,901.00 (82%) |
Page No. 1
27 January 2026 (2025-2026)
Aylsham Recreation Ground
Summary of Receipts and Payments
All Cost Centres and Codes (Between 01/04/2024 and 31/03/2025)
| Pavilion | Receipts | Payments | Net Position | Net Position | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Title | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | +/- Under/over spend | |
| 22 Cleaning | 6,800.00 | 6,800.00 | 6,800.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 3 Hooked on Stitching | 5,200.00 | -5,200.00 | -5,200.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| 12 Other Income | (N/A) | (N/A) | ||||||
| 45 Pavilion Costs | 1,050.00 | 1,050.00 | 1,050.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 21 Pavilion Hire | 6,200.00 | -6,200.00 | -6,200.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| SUB TOTAL | 11,400.00 | -11,400.00 | 7,850.00 | 7,850.00 | -3,550.00 (-18%) | -3,550.00 (-18%) | ||
| Storage Unit | Receipts | Payments | Net Position | |||||
| Code Title | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | +/- Under/over spend | |
| 39 Storage Unit | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 (100%) |
(100%) | ||||
| 34 Storage Unit Income | 300.00 | -300.00 | -300.00 (-100%) |
(-100%) | ||||
| SUB TOTAL | 300.00 | -300.00 | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | 700.00 (53%) | 700.00 (53%) | ||
| Summary | ||||||||
| NET TOTAL | 88,695.00 | -88,695.00 | 91,947.34 | 91,947.34 | 3,252.34 | |||
| V.A.T. | ||||||||
| GROSS TOTAL |
Page No. 2
AYLSHAM RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE – 2024/2025
I have examined the records of the Aylsham Recreation Ground Committee for the financial year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Paper copies were provided for audit.
INCOME
Invoices are issued monthly to all hirers, clearly showing details of the hire, e.g. pavilion hire, storage, etc. Income is mostly received via BACS, c ash/cheque income is listed on a schedule to complete the banking audit trail.. Most invoices are settled within the 30-day period stated, however, I noted that there were four invoices for one hirer which remained outstanding at the end of the financial year. They may have since been settled, but I have not seen any documents relating to the current financial year. I recommend that an explanation be provided for next year’s audit.
PAYMENTS
There were staff changes during the year, but with established systems in place invoices for payment were counter-signed by a Council Officer before presentation to nominated signatories to authorise payment. Direct Debit Mandates are in place for utilities; other payments are made via BACS. Records indicate that invoices are settled promptly.
STAFF RECORDS
Copies of payslips were provided, salaries are processed using the HMRC system, clearly listing gross, net and deductions. Payments due to HMRC were made promptly.
VAT
VAT was correctly charged; all VAT returns were provided for audit and were in order.
FINANCIAL REPORTING
Regular bank reconciliations are carried out, at least monthly, and copies were provided, together with the relevant bank statements. Separate sheets are prepared for banking receipts received via cash/cheque.
CONTRACTS FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
With the retirement of the former grounds contractor, some maintenance has been taken “in house” by the Town Council. Contracts for specialist work, e.g. bowls green, cricket square are clearly documented, and invoices checked and signed by a nominated member of the club before presentation for payment.
GENERAL
There have been staff changes during the year as mentioned above, and the new Committee has settled in. I noted from the Minutes that after detailed consideration, and taking specialist advice, it was concluded that a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was not the right model for Aylsham Recreation Ground Committee.
M E Anderson-Dungar January 2026