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WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL
Annual Report for the year ended 31 October 2024
The Wolvercote Village Hall, Godstow Road, Wolvercote Oxford OX2 8BD is registered with the Charity Commission (no. 304392). The charity is constituted by deed, dated 2 September 1932.
The charity is administered by a council of management comprising:
Chair: T Metcalfe Vice- chair: J Winterbottom Secretary: J Attoe Treasurer: C Winterbottom Other members: G Chapman E Chaston P Gibbs L Hagmann-Smith G Jones A Munro J Powers R Taberner
Chairman’s Report 2025
Reflecting on the past 12 months, the village hall continues to be very well used, however we have been struggling financially thanks to various unforeseen considerable expenses - such as several repairs to the roof and guttering caused by storms and heavy rain and the replacement of fencing around the children’s play area required by the Montessori nursery. Increases in on-going utility bills has also put our cash flow under pressure.
We also still need to make repairs to some areas of rendering, damaged by the weather and will schedule these when our bank balance is looking healthier.
Thanks to the careful management of our treasurer Clare Winterbottom, we have largely managed to keep our head above water. It does mean we shall have to reconsider our hire charges, which have remained much lower than similar local venues for some time. We shall report these increases in the near future.
We do intend to replace our aging seating thanks to a grant from the Neighbourhood Forum and the city council. Examples of the style of folding chairs we are considering are on display tonight. This means our old chairs are surplus to requirement and if you know anyone who could make use of them please let the committee know.
The hall continues to be in high demand from local groups and hirers from outside the village. We often have to disappoint potential users and always suggest alternative venues in the village, such as the Wolvercote Young People’s Club, the Baptist Church Hall, St Peter’s Church Rooms and the community building at the Mill. Wolvercote is lucky to have such a wealth of good community spaces.
Local residents will know all about the parking restrictions introduced in upper Wolvercote, which have impacted the hall. These were introduced despite our response to the county council’s scheme, which pointed out the problems this would cause for hirers and regular users, including the nursery.
As is traditional, I would like to thank our hard-working support team - treasurer, Clare Winterbottom; bookings secretary, Jennifer Attoe; vice-chair John Winterbottom; and our building manager/caretaker Wayne Prescott - for the considerable efforts they have put in over the past 12 months to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the hall.
On behalf of the management committee, Tim Metcalfe, Chairperson, February 2025
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2024 which are set out on page 3 and 4 appended to this report.
Respective responsibilities of Council of Management and Examiner
The council of management are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, they consider that the audit requirement of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility without performing an audit, to carry out an examination of the accounts and report to you.
Basis of Examiner’s statement
My report is in respect of an examination carried out under s145 of the Act and in accordance with directions given by the Charity Commissioners under subsection 5(b) of that section. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the council of management and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records which is primarily limited to analytical procedures and to the making of such enquiries of the council of management as was necessary for the purposes of this report. The procedures undertaken do not constitute an audit.
Examiner’s statement
Based on my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s130 of the Act, or that the accounts presented do not accord with those records or comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. No matter has come to my attention to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A Churchill Stone Mercer Lewin Chartered Accountants New Barclay House, 6-7 Citibase, 234 Botley Rd, Oxford OX2 0HP
18[th] February 2025
Page 3.
WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
| Income receipts Hire receipts Oxford Montessori Nursery Drama societies War games Karate, Yoga, etc Meeples Horticultural Society WI Meetings Other casual hire Other income Interest received Solar electricity rebate Supporting grants Donations Direct charitable expenditure Annual running costs Caretaker Cleaning and consumables Heat and light Gardening Rubbish and refuse Rates Insurance Licences Maintenance Secretarial expenses Misc General expenses ` Exceptional costs Gate and gate posts Sheds and roofing Refurbish accessible toilet Fencing Flooring Drain Repairs New Basins Surplus/(deficit) for the year The above expenditure includes the following amounts: Amounts paid to members of the council of management for services and expenses unconnected with their membership of the council Management and administration of the charity Fee for independent examination |
£ £ £ £ 22,200 21,600 1,805 1,923 1,179 613 2,623 2,455 1,135 560 - 214 60 420 - 190 4,448 5,999 33,450 33,974 79 75 1,196 3,764 3,700 1,250 - - 4,975 5,089 38,424 39,063 5,695 4,855 4,128 2,891 8,053 4,770 2,838 4,056 1,133 890 150 70 1,146 1,137 883 781 7,024 9,447 1,200 1,200 110 1,202 4,151 4,330 (36,511) (35,629) 1,680 - 2,790 - 2,837 - 2,400 - - 5,634 - 2,700 - 900 (9,707) (9,234) £(7,794) £(5,799) £1,200 £1,200 £180 £180 2024 2023 |
|---|---|
Page 4.
WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2024
| Accumulated fund Balance brought forward at 1 November 2023 Surplus/(deficit) for the year Balance carried forward at 31 October 2024 Represented by: Bank current account Business saver account Business saver account Cash in hand |
2024 £ 10,767 (7,794) £2,973 829 1,006 1,049 88 £2,973 |
2023 £ 16,566 (5,799) £10,767 953 5,212 4,514 88 £10,767 |
|---|---|---|
Non-monetary assets
In addition to the above assets the charity also owns the following:
Land and buildings used by the charity - Wolvercote Village Hall The freehold title to the land is vested in the Official Trustee for Charity Lands in trust for the charity.
Furniture and equipment in the hall (chairs, tables, piano, heating system etc). These assets are maintained in a suitable condition by the council of management and repairs and replacements are written off through the receipts and payments account. The total cost of these assets is unknown.
For and on behalf of the council of management
T Metcalfe Chairman Date
C Winterbottom Treasurer
P a g e | 1
WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL
Annual Report for the year ended 31 October 2024
The Wolvercote Village Hall, Godstow Road, Wolvercote Oxford OX2 8BD is registered with the Charity Commission (no. 304392). The charity is constituted by deed, dated 2 September 1932.
The charity is administered by a council of management comprising:
Chair: T Metcalfe Vice- chair: J Winterbottom Secretary: J Attoe Treasurer: C Winterbottom Other members: G Chapman E Chaston P Gibbs L Hagmann-Smith G Jones A Munro J Powers R Taberner
Chairman’s Report 2025
Reflecting on the past 12 months, the village hall continues to be very well used, however we have been struggling financially thanks to various unforeseen considerable expenses - such as several repairs to the roof and guttering caused by storms and heavy rain and the replacement of fencing around the children’s play area required by the Montessori nursery. Increases in on-going utility bills has also put our cash flow under pressure.
We also still need to make repairs to some areas of rendering, damaged by the weather and will schedule these when our bank balance is looking healthier.
Thanks to the careful management of our treasurer Clare Winterbottom, we have largely managed to keep our head above water. It does mean we shall have to reconsider our hire charges, which have remained much lower than similar local venues for some time. We shall report these increases in the near future.
We do intend to replace our aging seating thanks to a grant from the Neighbourhood Forum and the city council. Examples of the style of folding chairs we are considering are on display tonight. This means our old chairs are surplus to requirement and if you know anyone who could make use of them please let the committee know.
The hall continues to be in high demand from local groups and hirers from outside the village. We often have to disappoint potential users and always suggest alternative venues in the village, such as the Wolvercote Young People’s Club, the Baptist Church Hall, St Peter’s Church Rooms and the community building at the Mill. Wolvercote is lucky to have such a wealth of good community spaces.
Local residents will know all about the parking restrictions introduced in upper Wolvercote, which have impacted the hall. These were introduced despite our response to the county council’s scheme, which pointed out the problems this would cause for hirers and regular users, including the nursery.
As is traditional, I would like to thank our hard-working support team - treasurer, Clare Winterbottom; bookings secretary, Jennifer Attoe; vice-chair John Winterbottom; and our building manager/caretaker Wayne Prescott - for the considerable efforts they have put in over the past 12 months to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the hall.
On behalf of the management committee, Tim Metcalfe, Chairperson, February 2025
P a g e | 2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WOLVERCOTE VILLAGE HALL
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2024 which are set out on page 3 and 4 appended to this report.
Respective responsibilities of Council of Management and Examiner
The council of management are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, they consider that the audit requirement of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility without performing an audit, to carry out an examination of the accounts and report to you.
Basis of Examiner’s statement
My report is in respect of an examination carried out under s145 of the Act and in accordance with directions given by the Charity Commissioners under subsection 5(b) of that section. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the council of management and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records which is primarily limited to analytical procedures and to the making of such enquiries of the council of management as was necessary for the purposes of this report. The procedures undertaken do not constitute an audit.
Examiner’s statement
Based on my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s130 of the Act, or that the accounts presented do not accord with those records or comply with the accounting requirements of the Act. No matter has come to my attention to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A Churchill Stone Mercer Lewin Chartered Accountants New Barclay House, 6-7 Citibase, 234 Botley Rd, Oxford OX2 0HP
18[th] February 2025