WATTON COMMUNITY CENTRE (CHARLOTTE HARVEY TRUST) REPORT TO ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 2024
The Charlotte Harvey Trust is the charity responsible for the Community Centre on Harvey Street. Thanks to the work of staff, volunteers, the Management Committee and the Trustee, we are continuing to develop the facilities and extend Community use of the Centre. There are now 3 members of staff based at the Centre. Graham our Caretaker, Jo the Food Hub Manager and Sue the Community Projects Officer. Their work has made a big difference in our developments during 2023-24 as has the support of Watton Town Council.
This year we have been fortunate again in receiving grants which have enabled the Centre to offer more support to the Community. Watton Community Centre is now a busy and active hub.
Groups using the Community Centre during 2023-24 include:
Brownies Parent and Toddler Group Youth Club and Young Carers Group (Benjamin Foundation) Yoga Chair Yoga Slimming World Sewing Group Saracens Kick Boxing Short Mat Bowls Stroke Support Group NCC Out of School Tuition Young Carers (Norfolk) HM Prison & Probation Service Dog Training Scheme Multiply Board Game Group Church Group Community Voices
Other Activities during the year 2023-24 include:
Uniform Sales Open Meeting for Consultation on Watton Neighbourhood Plan Celebration of First Year of Food Hub Private parties/events The Mayor’s Civic Reception for Volunteers in Watton will be held at the Centre in April
Projects and other work during the year 2023-24
Food Hub - this project continues and is now an integral part of the Centre. (See below). Community Voices - Community engagement (Funding through Norfolk and Waveney NHS). Literacy Project (Funding for Library Corner). Multiply (Adult Numeracy programme) Warm Spaces (NCF Funding) Brannan Roof Replacement Lighting replaced by LED lighting, (Part funded by NCF Greening Your Community grant) Completion of Toilet Refurbishment programme. Introduction of new booking and accounts software.
We hope that in the coming year a Scouts group will be able to join us, and there is a possibility that a local school may use our facilities for a PE programme.
Food Hub
Watton Food Hub has now celebrated its first year. The Celebration event was well attended and thanks were given to all our volunteers, sponsors and donors. Although the press did not attend, photos and information were forwarded to local news agencies.
The Hub also featured in a news item on Anglian Television in March, and was mentioned on local radio. Our Hub Manager has represented us at regional events.
There are now 230 families using the Hub, and we are proud to be part of a successful project supporting our local Community.
We are still reminding potential users that referral is not needed to use the Food Hub. We offer heavily discounted food, plus some free food items. Our aim is to “bridge the gap” and help families “make ends meet”. The Hub also aims to help families in offering some advice on finding other support,
During the year the Hub has continued to benefit from funding from Nourishing Norfolk, local donors including traders, and our major local sponsor, Belvoir. Members have also benefitted from the National Household Support Fund as well as food donations from local boxes, and both Lidl and Tesco.
We have received funding that will provide packs of useful basics for Afghan families who recently have been located into Watton.
Some Plans for 24 - 25
Community Group / Information Event
Refurbishment of Kitchen (to Food Safety Standard) to extend activities in the Food Hub and for Centre Users. Currently pursuing funding options.
Website and Signage improvements (We have submitted an application to NCF ‘Love Norfolk’ fund which would pay for the website (£3000) and to install new signage (£2000). Summer Activities - Fun Tuesdays for Primary aged children. (This project has been accepted for the “Tesco blue tokens”- in store in April)
Develop Literacy Corner. We now have a bookcase and books and intend to order 2x bean bags and 10x banqueting chairs.
The Trustee and Management Committee would like to thank all the funding agencies, donors, sponsors and volunteers who have done so much to make this a successful year. We also thank all those who use the Centre, for their continued involvement in this Community resource.
The Charlotte Harvey Trust
Accounts summary 2023 / 24
| Accounts summary 2023 / 24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of Accounts Charlotte Harvey Trust |
Balance b/f 1 April 23 |
IN | OUT | Balance 31 March 2024 |
| Toilets | 7900 | 42000 | 52066.7 | -2166.7 |
| Butterfly Patch | 648.94 | 0 | 528.76 | 120.18 |
| CHT Reserves | 16972.97 | 0 | 6066 | 10906.97 |
| Warm spaces | 647.19 | 2000 | 647.19 | 2000 |
| Community Voices | 0 | 3430 | 300 | 3130 |
| Focus Group | 0 | 490 | 134.74 | 355.26 |
| Lighting | 0 | 2100 | 2100 | 0 |
| Literacy Corner | 0 | 3000 | 210 | 2790 |
| Household Support | 0 | 11650 | 0 | 11650 |
| MacDonalds | 560 | 0 | 628.46 | -68.46 |
| Food Hub Sustainability Grant | 0 | 9000 | 0 | 9000 |
| Food Hub Volunteer Support | 0 | 10000 | 24 | 9976 |
| Project Table Tennis | 0 | 400 | 0 | 400 |
| Brannan Room Roof | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Backpacks | 2000 | 0 | 2000 | |
| Centre Income / Costs | 4775.59 | 18022.07 | 16323.67 | 6473.99 |
| Food Hub income | ||||
| Staff costs | 5089.18 | 0 | 11193.85 | -6104.67 |
| Food sales / income | 2017.76 | 12483.71 | 18500.83 | -3999.36 |
| Reserve | 0 | 1000 | 0 | 1000 |
| Donations | 2596.5 | 0 | 2596.5 | |
| Miscellaneous | 94.25 | 9.39 | 23.6 | 80.04 |
| Mileage | 100 | 0 | 64.4 | 35.6 |
| Till & cash management | 500 | 0 | 1173.95 | -673.95 |
| Fixtures & fittings | 300 | 0 | 1441.36 | -1141.36 |
| Promotion | 400 | 0 | 267.02 | 132.98 |
| Consumables | 100 | 132.41 | -32.41 | |
| Centre running costs sub-total | 4775.59 | 18022.07 | 16323.67 | 6473.99 |
| Projects sub-total | 26729.1 | 86070 | 62705.85 | 50093.25 |
| Food Hub sub-total | 8601.19 | 16089.6 | 32797.42 | -8106.63 |
| Sub-Total | 40105.88 | 120181.67 | 111826.94 | 48460.61 |
103 Dereham Road, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6HA
01953 883234 / 07775 803690 phil.kibler@kibler.co.uk
11[th] June 2024
Watton Town Council
Wayland Hall Middle Street
Watton IP25 6AG
Sue Dent, Community Projects Officer
Dear Sue,
Re: The Charlotte Harvey Trust, Registered Charity 304104
As requested, I have today carried out an examination of the accounts for the above charity for the Financial Year 2023/24. This involved checking the printed bank statements against the records obtained from the SCRIBE software system and viewing online reports on the actual SCRIBE system.
Examination
From my examination of the paper records and the information shown on the SCRIBE system I can say that the two printed records attached to this letter as an annex, are an accurate record of the Charity’s financial position. There are no discrepancies when comparing bank records with supplier bills received or client invoices issued.
The use of the SCRIBE software is a great improvement over the previous Excel sheets as it provides various easy to understand reports and is easily available to anyone with authority to use it.
Recommendations
Presently the accounts do not provide any costs for manpower, as those staff involved are employed by the Sole Trustee, Watton Town Council. While the Council may not wish to levy an actual charge for the costs of the staff involved it may be sensible to offer some indication of the cost of manpower or number of hours involved.
103 Dereham Road, Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6HA
- 01953 883234 / 07775 803690 phil.kibler@kibler.co.uk
This might be by:
-
WTC invoicing hours worked at an hourly rate or,
-
WTC invoicing hours at an hourly peppercorn (Say £0.01) rate
-
In the case of (1) I would assume that WTC would issue a credit so that the costs would be shown but would be supported by the Sole Trustee
Presently the true operating cost of the charity is obscured and most importantly Councillors do not have a clear picture of what staff hours are needed to run the Charity.
Whereas this may not be considered important right now if, at some stage in the future, WTC decided to review staff numbers it will be important to understand what level of manpower is needed to run the Charity and to fulfil their obligations as Sole Trustee.
Yours sincerely
Phil Kibler
The Charlotte Harvey Trust Accounts summary 2023124 Summary of Accounts Charlotte Harw Trust Balance b/f l Aprfl 23 IN OUT Balano 31 March 2024 Toilets 420 52066.7 -2166.7 Butterfly Patch CHT Resen$ 528.76 120.18 16972.97 10906.97 Warm spaces Communityvoices Focus Group Lighting Literacy Corner Household Support MacDonalds 647.19 647.19 3430 3130 134.74 355.26 21(Kl 2100 210 27 11650 11650 560 628.46 -68.46 Food Hub Sustainability Grant Food Hub Volunteersupport Project Table Tennis Brannan Room Roof 24 9976 400 Backpacks Centre Income / Costs Food Hub Income 4775.59 I22.07 16323.67 6473.99 Staff costs 5089.18 11193.85 -6104.67 Food sales / income Resepde 2017.76 12483.71 185(MJ.83 -3999.36 io(x) Donations 2596.5 2596.5 Miscellaneous 94.25 9.39 23.6 Mileage Till & cash management Fixtures & fittings Promotion 35.6 1173.95 -673.95 1441.36 -1141.36 267.02 132.98 Consumables 100 132.41 -32.41 Centre runnln8 costs sUtOtal Projects sub-total Food Hub su&total 4775.59 18022.07 16323.67 6473.99 26729.1 86070 62705.85 50093.25 8601.19 I619.6 32797.42 -810&63 sUTOtal 40105.88 120181.67 111826.94 48460.61
18 .1202412023- W24) The Charlotte Harvey Trust Prepared by.. ApFxoved by: Bank Reconclllallon at 3110312024 C&ryh in Hand 01104r2023 40.105.88 ADD RIpts 01104r2023- 31K13r2024 120,181.67 180,287.55 SUBTRACT PayTnents 01n412iY23- 31103r2024 111,826.94 C••h In Hand 31102024 (per Caeh Book) 48,480.61 Cash In hand per Bank Statthnts Pety C88h Unty Truat BarA( 16h)8r2023 31A)&V21r24 48,480.81 48A60.61 48,460.61 Plus unsy888nted receipts AdJu•t•d Bank B•l•n 48,400.61 A= B Checks out OK . lmscn.be 11