WISSETT VILLAGE HALL Trustees Report for the Year January – December 2024
REPAIRS AND REFURBISHMENT
The hall remained closed until July while repair work was undertaken following the flood on October 20 2023. Hiscox (Insurers) arranged for Anglia Revival to dry out the building and agreed to Kerslake carrying out the redecoration, following a tendering process by the Trustees.
Hiscox paid the costs of all repairs, including the additional electricity required to run fans and dehumidifiers for 43 days and a reasonable sum to cover the loss of income while the hall was closed. Kerslake were paid via the village hall account soon after funds were received from Hiscox. The village hall was liable only for the £100 excess.
As expected, the buildings and contents insurance for 2024/25 has been increased by Hiscox from £520.10 to £858.73 (67%) with an excess of £5,000 for flood damage. This arrangement was negotiated on our behalf by Community Action Suffolk (as insurance brokers) and it is expected that the excess, and possibly the premium, will be reduced if there is no further claim for flood damage within 3 years.
The Parish Council have agreed to continue paying for the village hall insurance at a rate similar to that of previous years, which amounts to 50% of the current premium (village hall £429.36, Parish Council £429.37).
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New castors were fixed to one of the chair trolleys and the Bowls Club storage box.
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A new outside light and censor was installed.
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A new kettle was added to the kitchen equipment.
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The floor polisher was sold for £70 as it was not required for the new floor.
BOOKINGS
Use of the hall has stabilised since it was reopened with weekly Bowls Club sessions and a monthly art class. One-off bookings are also building up but the hall continues to be underused so the income from hiring fails to cover costs.
The AGM decided to:
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Increase hire charges by £1 to £8 per hour for the entire length of the hire period.
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Discontinue subsidising electricity usage and charge the full rate of 28p per KWh.
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Charge fundraising events a nominal fee of £10 (previously been free to users).
It was agreed the trustees would consider marketing the hall via the Community News (if affordable) and on-line with better information about the hall and facilities. This might also be combined with and on-line booking system, although it was noted that in some cases an alternative method would be required.
FUTURE WORK
The Trustees will examine the possibilities for:
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Installing Wi-Fi.
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Adding more sockets to the ring-main in the hall.
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Install some for of background heating to reduce condensation.
ELECTRICITY
The new smart meter stopped working around March and was finally replaced in October, despite reporting the issue to E-ON in May. The main electricity meter had also failed, so this was replaced at the same time. E-ON were therefore unable to determine the amount of electricity consumed between March and October but as we had continued to make monthly payments it was agreed that this sum would be adequate for the period during which the meters were not operating.
This payment was actually covered by our insurance claim for flood damage.
MANAGING THE VILLAGE HALL
The accounts for 2024 show that the annual expenses for running the village hall are now about £3,100 due to increasing costs, particularly for insurance cover. Income from hiring the hall amounts to about £650, from the Parish Council about £430 and fundraising and donations about £800, which equals £1,880 so leaving a shortfall of about £1,220 a year.
Reserves at the moment are well able to manage the deficit and it is hoped that further annual fundraising efforts and better marketing will enable the hall to at least break even.
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WISSETh VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMIThEE Accounts for l January to 31 December 2024 INCOME EXPENDITURE Hall Hire 1,031.00 50.00 Refunded Deposits Elettricity Water/sewage Flre Safety Cleaning/Grass/Hedge' Malntenance 383.50 Tent Hire 925.08 Standing Orders Donations 120.00 95.00 Grants 645.(K) Fundraising Insurance (Parlsh Council) Electrlc Meter Insurance Claim 585.00 429.37 48.00 Hall Improvements Premises Licence 85.29 140.00 70.(KI 22,563.67 Miscellaneous Insurance 858.73 20,334.IJ) Insurance Claim. Total 25,014.04 Total 23,438.04 * Includes part of 2023 *¥ Payment to Kerslake for flood damage repairs GENERAL FUND DEPOSIT ACCOUNT Balance at 01/0112024 Income 20,402.44 25,014.04 45,416.48 Balance at 01/0112024 Interest 8,076.81 121.51 Subtotal 8,198.32 Expenditure 23,438.04 Balance at 3111212024 21,978.44 TOTAL FUNDS 30.176.76 Chair of Trustees Treasurer Date /b_L- Date
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustsesl members of k/i3sErr ViLLhqE ItrfLL On accounts for tho year ended Charity no (If any 3L)¥S¥o Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('Ihe Trust") for the year ended Responslbilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act.). I report in respect of my examin8tion of the Trust's accounts Caled out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirn that no material matters have come to my attention "} in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records Vre not kept in accordance 1th section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounts'ng records Independent examinor's 8tatsment I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounis to be reached. Please delete tha words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Date.. Name: Rici+rtR O s f2èi/C£ TL)<HKihJ Relevant professlonal qualiflcatlon(s) or body (if any): F/+fQRIsTEE Ar IIVW&Y< TrMP2£ 1 %77 Address: s ItF*vE ISSS HfrLESHJ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32. 5ndependent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give hero brief d•tai15 of any itsms that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018