2025-03-31-accounts - South Oxford Community-Association

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POF Trustees' Annual Report for the period
RegistrationCertific Period start date Period end date
ate_304351_compre:
Day Month Year Day Month Year
01 04 2024 31 03 2025
T
From o
Section A Reference and administration
details
Charity name South Oxford Community Association
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 304351
Charity's principal address South Oxford Community Centre
Lake Street
Oxford
Postcode OX1 4RP
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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Name of person (or
Dates acted if not body) entitled to
Trustee name Office (if any)
for whole year appoint trustee (if
any)
1 Mark Essex Chairperson
2 Richard Watts Treasurer
3 Anna Railton Secretary
4 Claire Stentiford
5 Martin Beeks
6 Philippa Muir
Up to 11th June
7 [Bodo Schulenberg ]
2024
8
9
10
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
	Name	Dates acted if not for whole year
	N/A.

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Independent examiner	R Candy	9 Norreys Avenue, Oxford OX1 4ST
City Council Observer

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Debby Forbes – Centre Administrator Michelle Plaisted-Kerr – Community Food Coordinator

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) The charity is constituted as a Community Association How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) The Managing Committee of Trustees are elected at the annual Trustee selection general meeting by members of the Association and serve for one methods (eg. appointed by, elected year by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

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South Oxford Community Association (SOCA) manages South
You may choose to Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street, Oxford
include additional ● The Trustees are responsible for the governance of the
information, where Association and management of the Centre
relevant, about: ● A Volunteering Policy provides guidance on the procedure to
● policies and be followed on the induction of new Trustees and the duties procedures adopted and responsibilities of those trustees alongside briefing for the induction and provided from the Charity Commission and the Constitution training of trustees; and the induction of other volunteers at the Centre
policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
SOCA is a member of National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCV), Oxford Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community Matters. It belongs to the Federation of Oxford Community Associations (FOCA)
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
SOCA is supported by the Communities Team of Oxford City Council and receives good support from South Oxford’s local Councillors who sit on the MC as part of their Ward duties
relationship with any related parties;
A range of policy and procedure is in place to guide the Trustees, employees and volunteers to manage South Oxford Community Centre
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	The objects of the Association are to: “Provide facilities for educational, social welfare, recreation and leisure time activities that contribute to improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of South Oxford; and to establish and maintain and manage a Community Centre in cooperation with any statutory authority with an interest in the Centre.”
	● SOCA runs South Oxford Community Centre in accordance with the constitution and provides affordable rooms, directly manages some activities open to the local community and manages the facilities for the residents of South Oxford ● SOCA holds these premises under a 25 year lease with Oxford City Council with certain responsibilities to maintain the premises in a certain condition under this lease and work in partnership with Oxford City Council to renovate and upgrade the facilities, keeping them to a good standard for community use ● The Constitution defines the Community Association’s Area of Benefit as the areas of Cold Harbour, New Hinksey and Grandpont in South Oxford ● SOCA has a discounted room hire policy for local charities and activities to benefit those within the Area of Benefit. The Association aims to develop income to provide a dedicated fund for each annual budget to offset provision of such discounted room hire SOCA directly runs: ● The Hinksey Park Community Café each Tuesday and Thursday, reaching out to the Community and encourage local people to come

Summary of
the objects of
the charity set
out in its
governing
document
Summary of
the main
activities
undertaken for
the public
benefit in
relation to
these objects
(include within
this section the
statutory
declaration that
trustees have
had regard to
the guidance
issued by the
Charity
Commission on
public benefit)

The objects of the Association are to:
“Provide facilities for educational, social welfare, recreation and leisure time
activities that contribute to improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of
South Oxford; and to establish and maintain and manage a Community Centre
in cooperation with any statutory authority with an interest in the Centre.”

● SOCA runs South Oxford Community Centre in accordance with the
constitution and provides affordable rooms, directly manages some
activities open to the local community and manages the facilities for the
residents of South Oxford
● SOCA holds these premises under a 25 year lease with Oxford City
Council with certain responsibilities to maintain the premises in a
certain condition under this lease and work in partnership with Oxford
City Council to renovate and upgrade the facilities, keeping them to a
good standard for community use
● The Constitution defines the Community Association’s Area of Benefit
as the areas of Cold Harbour, New Hinksey and Grandpont in South
Oxford
● SOCA has a discounted room hire policy for local charities and
activities to benefit those within the Area of Benefit. The Association
aims to develop income to provide a dedicated fund for each annual
budget to offset provision of such discounted room hire
SOCA directly runs:
● The Hinksey Park Community Café each Tuesday and Thursday,
reaching out to the Community and encourage local people to come

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into the Centre for socialising, networking and sign-posting from the Centre
● The Hinksey Park Community Fridge, open from Monday, to support the reduction of food waste, working with the Oxford Food Hub and local retailers
● The Hinksey Park Community Larder each Thursday, to support the reduction of food waste, working with the South Oxford Food and Educational Alliance (SOFEA)
● A regular bingo group for local older people – especially serving those seeking friendship and company during the week
● Supports South Oxford Arts (previously known as New Hinksey Arts) to put on Art events at the Centre to promote the arts for the local community and to support local artists - Oxfordshire Artweeks and The Big Draw

The Community Centre hosts a range of activities run by groups that rent our facilities, such as:

yoga, pilates and exercise classes
music and drumming groups
community group meetings and training events
South Oxford Farmers’ Market ● meetings and special events of the South Oxford Women’s Institute ● a number of martial arts groups use many spaces at the Centre, including our Dojo with fixed mats

● Hinksey Sculling School activity for whom the Centre is their primary site for land and lake training, classes and storage of their single sculls All the groups running at the Centre are part of bringing the community together, creating community cohesion, supporting those who may be lonely or isolated and promote the use of the Centre by showcasing the facilities through the welcome they provide.

The Trustees are attentive to the regulation of the Charity Commission, engage with Oxford City Council and opportunities for joint working, attending meetings to discuss issues relevant to Community Centres in Oxford and their communities. There are measures in place to ensure the sound financial running of the Centre and to ensure the Centre’s financial stability and security. The Management Committee regularly reviews the accounts and undertakes a financial review and budgeting process each year and produces a written Financial Strategy document outlining the financial management of the Centre

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose
to include further
statements,
where relevant,
about:
● policy on
grant making;
● policy
programme

Policy and procedure are regularly reviewed in line with best practice and
changing guidance or statutory regulation.
Where possible, the Management Committee seeks data to inform and
support the running of the Centre and to assess the relevance and success of
activities, including the financial viability and social benefit.
Where possible, grants (and sponsorship) are sought to support the running of
the Centre and specific projects, e.g.: art exhibitions, improvements to garden
and internal fixtures and fittings, development of the Cafe and Fridge initiatives
and extended activity where possible.

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related investment;

contribution made by volunteers.

SOCA values the contributions made by our volunteers and a regularly reviewed policy guides the volunteering activity:

Volunteers play a crucial role in the running of the Centre, and SOCA is thankful for those who regularly give up their time to support the Cafe and other community food waste related initiatives
Trustees give their time freely to the Management of the Centre and to support employees and volunteers.
Links are being established with a range of other community groups to work in partnership and to involve volunteers in a number of roles at the Centre such as running the Community Café, Larder, Fridge and helping with gardening
In turn the Centre can provide local people with work experience that represents a step towards employment and can support mental health and wellbeing
SOCA has continued to work with and support South Oxford Arts (established in 2022) to develop as an independent group based at the Centre. In partnership SOCA and SOA have participated in Oxfordshire Artweeks and the National event: The Big Draw.

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance

The period of this report is 12 months 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025. The
Summary of following summary gives examples of initiatives and achievements in this
the main period:
achievements ● Received grant funding to add insulation to the roof spaces at the
of the charity Centre
during the year ● SOCA completed a review of Room Hire/Rates and the pricing structure is now fully established and a full review of finances in place. This took place during January, February and March, as part of the budget process.
Groups are encouraged to use the updated Discounted Room Hire Policy to assist them setting up or running one off events for the benefit of the local community. Groups are encouraged to seek grant funding as well in partnership with SOCA if that can support the local benefit.
● The chairperson and other Trustees continue regular ‘Catch Up’ meetings with employees and volunteers
● Funds from any accrued surplus went to improvements to the lower hall to develop the ‘Community Space’ and increase use. These included improvements to storage, flooring, internet and kitchen area
● Local volunteers, staff and the chairperson decorated the Community Space, part of meeting our obligations under the lease.
● Artweeks exhibition was well attended with positive feedback and the Big Draw was a friendly and positive event.
Grants were received for these community food initiatives, including a monthly cooking class to use surplus food and targeting those in need of simple, economic recipes, with few cooking facilities or those with little experience of cooking and also to share cultural heritage.
● The Hinksey Park Community Café on Tuesday and Thursday continues to thrive with good numbers and donations.
The Hinksey Park Community Larder (Thursday) and Hinksey Park Community Fridge (Monday-Wednesday) has had a successful year and its use is growing: with locally housed refugee families among its users and referrals attending regularly
The Community Food Coordinator has established good links within the community and with Council teams and other Oxford NGOs and established clear job descriptions for the volunteers
The online booking system is well established and helps hirers as well as provided useful data on room usage.

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

The Association continues to hold an appropriate reserve level, recorded in the accounts, to fulfil any financial obligations should the charity fail or its work under the constitution become impossible

The reserve is calculated to meet the amount needed to meet staff redundancy payments plus a sum representing the equivalent of 3 months annual expenditure.

The reserve for 2025 is £24,592.

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Details of any funds materially in deficit

None

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
SOCA’s principal source of funds is from letting and room hire income, with small amounts from the sale of artworks, catering and entertainment
Grant funding is sought for all major room upgrading, purchase of equipment, or new projects
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Aspirations for 2025-2026

Promote some form of membership of the Association by individuals or sponsorship by local companies.
Continue to seek partnerships for work alongside the Community Café, Fridge and Larder offering to support the local community and their needs
Continue to seek out a grant to trial a Centre Manager role to take on some workload from the Trustees such as Grant Applications, Marketing of the Centre, Website and Social Media work and analysis of local demographic information, room occupancy
Improve measurement of ‘impact’ from the Centre.

Long Term Aspirations:

To have the Centre open across the week for more Café days, providing a warm and welcome space for the local community

Section G Declaration

[The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. ] Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Richard Watts Signature(s)[Mark Essex ]

Richard Watts Full name(s)[Mark Thomas Essex ]

Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, etc)	Chair	Treasurer

Date 23/7/2025

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South Oxford Community Association 12 months endèd 31 March 2025 Statement of assets and liabllltles at the end of the perfod March 2025 March 2024 Assats CAF Bank aceount Deposit bank account Sutn-up accounl Petty Cash l floats 12,699.06 63,548.96 60.00 81.22 76.389.24 4,8[.58 70,474.98 79.00 Y2.16 75.452.72 Llabilities Refuncjabje deposits Tax&NI 1.457.(Kl 313.95 1,770.95 1,307.00 310.61 1.617.61 Net Assets 74,618.29 73,835.11 Fund5 Restricted Funds Macmlllan Cancer Support Re¢elpls frorn fundraiser event Payment to Macmillan Balance clforward 56.63 56.63 OXFED Pèrlod Povety Grant re¢¢ived Payments Balancg dforward 300.00 133.50 166.50 Llvln9 Well - community cooklng, seated exercise Balance blforwRrd 3,725.99 Gran15 received 7.451.00 Payrnents 7,440.74 Balance clforward 3.736.25 3.747.00 21.01 3,725.99 Communlty Larder Grant received Payments Balance clfotward 8,090.00 1,225.57 6,864.43 Defibrlllator Balance blfopKard Grant recèived Payments Balance dfoThv8rd 3,iN)O.00 3.000.00 2.252.40 747.60 3.000.OQ Loft Insulation Grant received P8yments Balance cttotward 5.059.(K) 5.059.00 Kitchen unlts Balance brf0rVrd Graftl received Payments Balance cllorward 500.00 500.00 500.00 500.00 Dolo Reserve Balance blforward Balance dforward 6,012.26 6,012.26 ,012.26 6.012.26 Unrestricted Fund8 General Fund Balanc8 blforward Receipts Payments B8lanc8 clforward 60,336.86 84.591.23 87.909.84 57.018.25 58.642.56 78,37T.91 76.683.61 60.336.86 Designate(l Fund: Bin90 Club Balance bttofward Receipls Payments Balance clfoThvard 260.00 12.00 199.00 73.00 260.00 260.00 Total Funds 74.618.29 73,835.11

South Oxford Community Association 12 months ended 31 March 2025 Receipts and Payments in respect of Unrestricted General Funds 2024125 2023124 Receipts Room hir8 other hire Art events SOCA clubs SOCA Mernbership fees Community café Sundry, induding donations Grants Bank interest 63,225.86 9,007.00 480.56 570.20 135.00 7,368.68 1.488.81 223.00 2,092.12 84,591.23 61.324.77 6.995.40 727.70 565.50 175.00 5,043.66 60.80 2,000.00 1.485.08 78,377.91 Payments Staff costs Heat, light, water Business rates Insurance Repairs & Renewals Housekeeping & equipment, trade waste, and cleaning contractors offi supplies LiGenS and memberships Telephone & IT General expen56S Art event expenses Community Café Capital projects 39,503.75 16,540.64 268.21 764.96 349.95 12,721.42 37.439.53 14,362.78 275.20 763.59 346.66 11,617.50 1,196.98 1,487.96 1,131.46 530.14 32.59 475.02 12,906.76 87,909.84 874.30 2,045.24 759.28 853.70 1.053.84 373.33 5.918.66 76,683.61

South Oxford Community Association

12 months ended 31 March 2025

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of South Oxford Community Association

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the South Oxford Community Association (the Association) for the 12 months ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Association you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Association’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 examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Association as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

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: R Candy

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies: Chartered Accountant

Address: 9 Norreys Avenue, Oxford OX1 4ST

Date: 19 May 2025