Colston Bassett Village Hall – Chairs report, March 2025
I will be stepping down immediately after the AGM as Chair after a 5-year tenure. I took up the vacant Chair position in January 2020 after the mass resignation of the previous committee, and the timing is right to hand onto new leadership.
Over the last 5 years, there has been a clear focus on investment in the VH facility. This has included procurement of an online booking and invoicing system, a major acoustic tile sound enhancement project, loop for hard of hearing, new sound system and Wi-Fi installation (which has just been upgraded). Access for disabled visitors has been improved, with thanks specifically to Martyn Davies for his generosity. A new roof was quickly followed by a very successful solar panel installation with benefits above and beyond just renewable energy sources and consequent cost savings. The central heating system has recently been completely replaced and main hall floor refurbished.
The existing kitchen facility will be refurbished and new equipment installed in early May 2025, with specific thanks to the Landa family for their generous support. A highly proactive approach to securing grant and donation funding, led by treasurer David Lambert, has made a very significant contribution to these projects and more - e.g. new BBQ for summer (and winter) events as well as cutlery/crockery replacement
The Village lottery was relaunched in 2021 and makes a significant contribution to revenues. An expansion of the lottery is planned to increase participation, prize money and revenue.
Usage of the Hall and its facilities has increased year on year from the difficult times during the Pandemic, and bookings now fully cover running costs, with wedding events now becoming more popular and regular events, for example monthly village breakfasts, enjoying great support. The re-opening of the Martins Arms under new management has also presented an opportunity to the VH management team for closer collaboration and co-operation for a wide range of village events.
In terms of fundraising and family-oriented events, the international duck racing combined with other national events, e.g. Jubilee and Coronation, Xmas fayre et al, have all provided good experiences for the community and welcome revenues. The extremely hard working VH management committee team deserve great credit for their sterling work and organisational skills during a very challenging period for Village Halls across the country. The consistent financial and moral support of the Parish Council is both appreciated and valued, as is the support received from the Borough Council.
John Jennings. Chair 2020-2025
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examlnerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of I LL•4K 4t4LL On accounts for the year ended 31 Charity no (if any) 4134- Set out on pages (rem)hol to irdud• th• paqp niimbers of Hddilional sh•@l. I report to the trustees on my examination of the a charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31 Ic>3 Responsibilities 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.). unts of the above I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying 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 confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no cOnmS 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 accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to dlsclose. IER October 2018