SIDEGATE LANE COMMUNITY CENTRE TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2024
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
I am pleased to say that we now have representatives from most sections on the committee and that membership numbers are slightly higher than the previous year.
You will all have noticed that during the summer break last year we had tree surgeons come in and take down a number of trees from the front car park area, as well as do some other necessary work to look after the trees at the side and rear of the building. This has resulted in us being able to use the wood chippings as a mulch on the borders in an attempt to keep the weeds away! This work is ongoing. Paul also did a great amount of maintenance inside the building last summer, including polishing the dance floor and painting the walls and woodwork.
During this past year the committee have been looking into updating the policies and procedures of the centre. We have sought guidance from Community Action Suffolk and have paid for their Health Check Plus which will enable us to further progress this area.
Most of the committee recently attended a Safeguarding Training session run by Community Action Suffolk. Something which was highlighted during this training session was that this centre is so much more than just a building where activities take place. It is very much a place where people come to meet and they form good friendships; genuinely caring and looking out for one another. The sections are their own mini-communities and each one of us contributes to the life of these, so thank you all for making these places of enjoyment.
You will all be aware that it takes a lot of people and hard work to run this centre each week. I would like to thank all of the officers and committee members for their support and efforts over the past year. Both Peter, our Treasurer and Alison, our Secretary, give a lot of their time and they work diligently for us. Neither of them has received an honorarium in the last financial year, so I wish to thank them, not only for their work but also for thinking about the financial circumstances of the centre. A very big thank you to Paul, our Caretaker, for all of his hard work in maintaining our facilities to such a high standard throughout the year. Thank you also, to all of the tutors, section leaders and other volunteers who enable the activities to run smoothly.
Finally, I would like to thank every member of the centre for their commitment to this special place. At a time when there are so many negative things going on in the world in which we live, mental and physical wellbeing has never been so important. May we continue to strive to make this centre a place which has a positive impact on every member. Please do tell your friends and family about the activities we have here and encourage other people to come along and join us.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The Hon. Treasurer distributed copies of The Clubs Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024 with an additional sheet showing the receipts and payments of the Section accounts.
He thanked the members who collect and record class and section fees for the centre. Then he mentioned the main aspects of the accounts:
that our surplus of £3,073 is less this year than previously due to rising costs. The income difference is because we no longer receive grant support as we had in coronavirus times. The payment difference can be seen in increase in costs of Insurance up £400, Electricity up £1,797 and Gas up £438. We have benefitted from a fixed price gas tariff up until renewal during this last year. Significant costs have been £3,600 for decoration of the outside of the building, £4,250 for the major tree work and grounds work.
SECTION REPORTS These were received from the following Section Representatives: Margaret Osborne for Ballroom Dancing David Vickers for Sequence Dancing Graham Garrard for Art Mick Bugg for Badminton Alison read Tony Crane’s report for Carpet Bowls Alison read Linda Horan’s report for Keep Fit Jean Knapman for Yoga Margaret Page for Thursday Ladies. Alison read June Lawrence’s report for Wednesday Ladies Kevin Brazier for Table Tennis James Spurling for Tea Dance Dave Rowland for Circle Dance Dot Walker for Saturday Dance
These reports will be kept with the minutes and can be viewed. Mary Baxter a member of the Art Section wished to thank Graham and Sue for taking over from Janet, who led the group, when she had to retire during the year.
Margaret Page is now retiring from Thursday Ladies having made the programme for next year. She hopes there will be a volunteer to take over from her. Linda Horan, the tutor for Keep Fit has not yet achieved a nomination to represent the section.
CONFIRMATION OF SECTION REPRESENTATIVES ON THE MANAGMENT COMMITTEE These are all nominations from the Sections, this year additionally Proposed and Seconded.
| Proposed | Seconded |
|---|---|
| BALLROOM DANCE - Margaret Osborne. James Spurling | Frances Curwen |
| SEQUENCE DANCE - David Vickers. Peter Hillman. | Alison Last |
| ART - Graham Garrard. Mary Baxter. | Margaret Osborne |
| BADMINTON - Mick Bugg. Rachel Daniels. | Peter Hillman |
| CARPET BOWLS - Tony Crane. Graham Garrard. | Peter Hillman |
| YOGA - Jean Knapman. Rachel Daniels. | Andrew Johns |
| WEDNESDAY and | |
| THURSDAY LADIES - June Lawrence. Margaret Page | James Spurling |
| TABLE TENNIS - Kevin Brazier. Shirley Glazebrook | Jenny Wallis |
| TEA DANCE - James Spurling. Pat Addison | Peter Hillman |
| CIRCLE DANCE - Dave Rowland. Tony Mounter | Margaret Osborne |
| SATURDAY SOCIAL DANCE - Dot Walker. Pat Addison. | Dave Rowland |
The Art members made a special Thank You to Janet for being their representative after the tutor retired. They are a very happy group.
ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Proposed Seconded Rachel Daniels. Frances Curwen Peter Hillman Peter Keeble. Jean Knapman. Kevin Brazier Pat Addison Peter Hillman. Margaret Osborne Alison Last. Rachel Daniels. Jean Knapman Frances Curwen Rachel Daniels Andrew Johns Peter Hillman. Dave Rowland. James Spurling
ANNUAL SUBSCIPTION
This is to increase as agreed by the committee to £15.00.
This rate has not increased for over 10 years and is necessary for the reasons of increasing costs as pointed out in the Treasurer’s report.
There was one expression of concern and one of strong support about this.
NOTICE OF PROPOSAL AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEME GOVERNING SIDEGATE LANE NEIGHBOURHOOD GROUP;
Copy of amendment attached. The Chair read this out. This was agreed by a show of hands- the big majority of members present voted in favour.
APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDANT EXAMINER
The Treasurer recommends that we re-appoint Mr S Lasky FCCA of RDP Accountants to Independently Examine the Accounts next year. Agreed.
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