Website – www.hmpf.co.uk
Charity Number 303972
## **ANNUAL REPORT May 2021**
The Memorial Playing Field is an asset to Hethersett, especially in the strange times that we have all endured over the past year. During that time the trust has been managed by seven committee trustees, which conforms to the terms of reference set by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees are Ian Fieldhouse, Phil Hardy, Tim Hudson-Church, Steve Irvine, Mel Perkins (Treasurer), Stephen Slack (Secretary) and Mike Stark (Chairman).
The Memorial Playing Field, like every other aspect of our lives, has been significantly affected by the Covid 19 Pandemic. That period has seen the playground closed for a period, use of the sporting facilities severely affected and the amount of everyday use fluctuating along with the various changes in lockdown restrictions. All the sports clubs that use the amenities were affected by cancelation of fixtures and restrictions upon the interaction between individuals. One effect of that was a reduction in income from booking fees. Thankfully the football club, cycle speedway, croquet club, bowls and (welcome newcomers) Norfolk Cricketers in Retirement all managed to maintain a level of involvement once restrictions allowed.
An early feature of the easing of restrictions was the encouragement to enjoy local outdoor spaces like parks and this saw a welcome increase in numbers of people visiting the playing field. Unfortunately, even if the small proportion of users that behave inappropriately remains the same as usual, if you increase the number of visitors, then the small proportion of litter droppers, dog owners that fail to clear up dog mess and youngsters that commit mindless damage increases too. Sorting out the problems left by anti-social behaviour continues to be an annoying and costly drain on time and funds. Two particularly disappointing examples of those problems were graffiti sprayed on the pavilion wall and crude writing on the freshly painted playground equipment. It is believed the person responsible for the graffiti on the playing field was also guilty of similar criminal damage on the Village Hall.
An unforeseen benefit of periods when use of facilities were restricted was that it allowed various changes to be completed in an undisturbed way. In the playground some essential repairs to equipment took place and the re-painting of the play equipment referred to earlier to be completed. Having said farewell to the aged pair of swings stranded outside the fenced off area, new replacements were installed inside that fence. The area where the old swings had been was tidied up, levelled and re-seeded, as was the area next to the Bowling Club which previously contained an unused Petanque playing rectangle.
Routine tasks associated with the management of the playing field continued, including maintaining the grass in good order and trimming the perimeter hedges. Inspections of play equipment, electrical testing and a survey of the condition of the trees within the park boundaries were completed. Sadly, the survey of trees found that five required either complete removal or some trimming for safety reasons and that task will be completed shortly.
Additional tasks made it an expensive year. It was unfair for sports groups to be charged normal fees when their enjoyment of the facilities was so restricted by the Pandemic. However that shortfall in income was more than compensated for by a Government Leisure Grant of £10k and, later, Government Local Restrictions Grant of £9 917, both of which came via the District Council. As ever, the Trustees are grateful to
the Parish Council (the Custodial Trustees of HMPF) for their committed support of the trust. In addition to the basic running costs through the Precept of £6300, they have generously granted funds for many of the improvements paid for during the past year. There is still much to do, but trustees hope that the various grants received from other sources will allow the Parish Council some respite from requests for essential assistance. Those grants will also help with fitting out the new pavilion. An account of the Trust’s income and expenditure is attached to this report.
The coming year promises to be as busy as ever, and not just because of the hoped for gradual return to relative normality for the various sports clubs. In addition to the tree safety work already in the pipeline, there are plans to add safer surfaces under much of the play equipment during the next few months and new picnic benches, seats and litter bins are ready to be installed around the park in the near future. The latest annual play equipment inspection has just been completed. Hopefully there will not be any expensive repairs resulting from the report.
What are perhaps the two most exciting future developments on the playing field involve building developments. The Parish Council led project to replace our present Pavilion is making steady and determined progress, despite a number of disappointing delays. The deterioration of the existing facilities make the need to rebuild an urgent one. There is a real risk that extended delay might see funds needed for the new building being used for some refurbishment of the present building .
On a more positive note, the trustees are pleased to be working in conjunction with Hethersett Hawks Cycle Speedway as they develop their amenities. They have already gained planning permission and collected some impressive funds through their various fund-raising initiatives. As far as the community is concerned, an exciting element of their project will be the Wonky Wheels Community Bicycle Workshop which could become a real help to all the increasing number of cyclists seen around the village.
As ever, the Trustees are grateful to the Parish Council for their continued support in maintaining the Memorial Playing Field. They particularly thank the villagers that help keep it tidy and attractive through both small and sustained voluntary actions, especially those that pick up mess and litter left by less caring neighbours. Their community spirit is appreciated and valued. The trustees are pleased and grateful that the playing field is enjoyed by so many of our village community.
## **Stephen Slack, Secretary and Trustee**
**01-05-2021**
## **Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trust Receipts and payments accounts 1-4-2020 to 31-3-2021**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Actuals
to the
nearest £
Receipts
Parish Council Precept 6,300
Bowls 73
Football 562
Cycle Speedway 97
Croquet 36
Cricket - NCIR 100
District Council - Government Leisure Grant 10,000
District Council - Government Local Restrictions Support Grant 9,917
Bowls Club re Water Leakage / Usage 118
Sub total 27,203
Payments
Grass cutting & hedges 2,637
Maintenance - Pavilion 195
Maintenance - general 177
Maintenance - anti-social behaviour
642
Litter picking 819
Park keeper 500
Insurance 1,868
Electricity 191
Secretarial inc Website 282
Fire Extinguisher check 30
Water 409
Play equipment inspection
120
Tree Survey 486
Sub total 8,356
Net of receipts/(payments) 18,847
-
Transfers between funds (1)
18,988
Cash funds last year end 2,361
Cash funds 2,220
**----- End of picture text -----**
## NOTES
(1) Balance of Leisure Grants transferred to Development Projects and Pavilion Reserve
## **Facilities Development Receipts and payments accounts for 1-4-2020 to 31-3-2021**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Actuals
to the
nearest £
Receipts
Parish Council Grant - painting playground 1,210
Parish Council Grant - new swings -1978
Less refund re District Council grant 500 1,478
-
Crowdfunding Wonky Wheels Workshop 4,105
Sub total 6,793
Payments
Painting Playground as per budget
1,725
Painting Playground - additional work
250
Petanque and old swing area clearance and playground entrance
(1)
1,675
Painting Playground - completion (1)
2,945
Re-seeding areas 350
New Swings - purchase & install 3442 -
topsoil for surrounds 30
3,472
Replacement Matting 287
Hedge Cutback Firs Road (1)
221
Litter Bins (2) 2,993
Picnic Tables (2) 2,038
Cycle Speedway Club - Wonky Wheels Workshop
4,105
Bench Seats (2) 910
Sub total 20,971
Net of receipts/(payments) -14,178
Transfers between funds (1) 13,802
Cash funds last year end 3,522
Cash funds 3,146
**----- End of picture text -----**
NOTES
(1) Leisure Grant has covered these items
(2) Parish Council Grants earmarked to cover these once fitted
## Pavilion Upgrade Project Reserve **Receipts and payments accounts**
**Actuals to the nearest £**
## **Receipts**
|**_Sub total_**
**Payments**
**_Sub total_**
**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**
**Transfers between funds**
**Cash funds last year end**
**_Cash funds_**||
|---|---|
|||
|||
||**5,186**|
||**4,814**|
||**10,000**|
## **OVERALL BALANCES**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Running Costs 2220
Development 3146
Pavilion 10000
TOTAL 15366 allow for
rounding
BALANCE AT NAT WEST BANK 15362.91 actual
**----- End of picture text -----**
Mel Perkins MBE Trustee and Treasurer 09.04.2021
RE: Charity Commission Annual Return
https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-gb/PrintMessage
**From:** adrienne.quin@gmail.com,
**To:** babylon5sp@aol.com, hethersett.pc@tiscali.co.uk,
**CC:** stephen.slack5@btinternet.com, starkm@sky.com, **Subject:** RE: Charity Commission Annual Return **Date:** Tue, 25 Jan 2022 11:05
Mel Perkins
I am happy to confirming that I have examined the account of Hethersett Memorial Playing Field Trustees and as the Chairman of Hethersett Parish Council I happy to except them as a true and accurate record of the accounts of Hethersett Memorial Playing Field for the year ending 31/3/2021
I understand that due to the income received in that year the Charity Commission require the accounts to be independently examined.
I am happy for this email to be forwarded to the Charity Commission, if however they require an email directly from me then please send me the relevant email address along with a reference number
## **Adrienne Quinlan**
Chairman Hethersett Parish Council
Village Hall, Back Lane Hethersett NR9 3JJ For web site click here Tel: 01603 814379
27/02/2022, 17:20
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