Annual Report
of North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Introduction
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust is a Registered Charity (304595) which was established in 1963 to look after the playing fields at Parker’s Field (known as Parkersfield) and the Memorial Field (Memorial Park). North Petherton Town Council is the sole managing corporate trustee of the Trust.
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust operates separately from the Council, with an income from grants and it holds separate bank accounts from the Council.
The Trustees of North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust are pleased to present the annual report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
This has been a busy year for the Trust’s Management Committee. Besides the regular maintenance programme, including the grass cutting contracts and keeping the parks clean and tidy, a greatly improved schedule of weekly, operational and annual inspections of all the play equipment has been implemented.
We have also now been able to complete several projects with the generous grant from North Petherton Town Council.
Projects completed
Monies for the BMX Track, cleaning of tennis courts, purchase of picnic bench, resurfacing of Parkersfield Car Park, were committed during the year 24/25, however due to the weather several projects were completed during the spring and summer of 2025.
At the Memorial Park the major repair to the Titan was finally completed and this extremely popular and muchused item of equipment has been back in use for the Easter holidays after having to be re-set into a new concrete base.
The pedestrian gate off Newton Road at Memorial Park has been fitted with a self-closing mechanism, this will improve safety for users. The avenue of cherry trees has been flourishing despite the dry weather, but the commemorative tree by Cllr Bradford’s bench has been replaced. The Trust have also ordered a new wheelchair -accessible picnic table to replace the one that was sadly damaged beyond repair
At Parkersfield the car park surface was levelled and topped with a gravel mix which was compacted to fill the potholes. as there is considerable traffic using this area the repairs will be kept under review in case further work will be required. A substantial sum has been allocated for a more permanent solution if this becomes necessary. At present the repair is holding and the surface is smooth to drive over. The Trust has received positive feedback from the public, including from the Football Club who contributed £500 towards the cost.
The ever-popular Tennis Courts at Parkersfield have had a thorough cleaning and are looking and performing much better.
The BMX/Pump Track has been substantially repaired, is again looking good and is very well-used and enjoyed, with enthusiastic feedback from the young riders.
Additionally, at Parkersfield the signage has been replaced and updated at both entrances and at the Toddlers play area, where the self-closing mechanisms on both gates are due to be replaced due to wear and tear. The seesaw, which had been so well-used but worn out since the Toddlers area was designed in 2015, has been replaced with a new model.
Financial Review
Income
In 2024/25, total income amounted to £30600.00 this comprised 22/23 grant £15000 and 24/25 £15600. (In addition, a further grant 24/25 of £30000 was received 1.4.2025 therefore are not included in this set accounts)
Expenditure
Total expenditure for the year stood at £46563.84 (£16721.62 maintenance 23/24 and £29842.22 for 24/25)
The operating balance of £15369.13 was committed in 24/25 for the repairs of the BMX/Pump track, Resurfacing of the Car Park at Parkersfield, cleaning of the Tennis Courts, and the purchase of a picnic Bench, all of which have been completed in spring/summer of 2025.
Statement of accounts are attached.
Governance and Structure
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust is governed by a The Town Council as sole managing corporate Trustee. The day-to-day management is dealt with by a management committee which include members of the community who meet on a regular basis to oversee the maintenance of the two multi-use playing fields.
Looking Ahead
Our priorities for 2025/26 include:
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The relocation of the Memorial Stone from outside the Memorial Park to within the park, public consultation started 6[th] August 2025, due to end 17[th] September 2025
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To act regarding access to the Memorial Park to prevent unauthorised encampments
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Maintaining the inspection routines.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust
The Small Hall, North Petherton Community Centre, Fore Street, North Petherton, TA6 6QA
Email: enquiries@northpethertontowncouncil.gov.uk
Thank you for reading our 2024/25 Annual Report.
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust Statement of Accounts 2024/25
| Receipts | Payments | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Openingbalance as at 1 April 2024 | £14,252.84 | |||
| Grant 22/23(received 11.6.24) | £15,000.00 | |||
| Grant 24/25(received 31.3.2025) | £15,600 | |||
| Bank charges | 13.75 | |||
| Maintenance 22/23 | 12912.12 | |||
| Closingbank balance | £31,926.97 | |||
| Commitments | ||||
| NPTC payment for 23/24 works) invoice 346 paid 1.4.2025) |
£16,721.62 | |||
| NPTC payment for 24/25 services (invoice awaiting payment) |
£29,842.22 | |||
| Total committed expenditure | £46,563.84 | |||
| Income | ||||
| NPTC additional Grant 24/25(received 1.4.2025) | £30,000.00 | |||
| Total income owed | £30,000.00 |
North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust Independent Examiner's Report to the tru3tpes of North Petherton Playing Fields Charitsble Trust I report to the charity Irustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Respectlve responsibilitles of trustees and examlner As the charity's trustees of North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the aGcounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,) Having 5atisfi.ed myself that the accounts cf North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust are not required to be audited and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independont oxaminer'8 Statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect,. 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of North Pelherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust as required by section 130 of the Act, or 2. the accounts do not accord with Ihe accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whlch attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the account8 to be reached. Luke Parchment FCCA 52 Old Road North Pelhertor) Bridgwater Somerset TA6 6TQ 30 January 2026