New Hartley Community Association Annual General Meeting. Thursday 16 th October 2025.
Chairs Report by Michelle Williams.
It has been another interesting year. The Christmas Fair, the V.E.Day Celebrations and the Summer Fair were all very successful, well attended and enjoyed by the village. However, on the other hand, we have not had as many individuals or commercial groups/ classes hiring the hall. Therefore, we are not bringing in as much money as usual.
The fairs in the Memorial Hall were complimented by activities in the village, including the scarecrow competition, glam post competition, and we once again teamed up with Seaton Valley Council so that the Christmas lighting celebrations followed on straight after our Christmas Fair. This year Michelle asked the village which of the competitions we should have and, by popular demand, we are having a Christmas Window/Garden Display competition which will be judged over the 20[th] /21[st] December.
In January, we remembered the victims of the Hester Pit Disaster with a moving service in the Memorial Garden, followed by refreshments and entertainment in the Hall. It was lovely to be joined by so many residents on this special day for the village and to be supported by local folk group, Beeswing who provided entertainment after the service.
The Hall continues to be used by the Toddler Group, Tot Shots, the Kid’s Club, Karate, W.I., Walking Cricket, Dance classes, and the Craft Group (who continue to keep the village entertained with their amazing post box toppers). New Hartley First School continues to use the Hall for school performances and St Michaels Church comes in to host some of their fundraising events. We will once more assist the church by opening the hall on Remembrance Sunday so that people are welcomed in to see the War Memorial inside the hall. We are willingly doing this to offer a warm and dry place for people to remember. The hall will be opened as a safe, warm place, on request, at any time when needed.
As well as maintaining the Memorial Hall to provide a base for local community groups and facilities for birthday parties and celebrations for residents of the village, the committee has also continued to support the community through the monthly Afternoon Teas, the weekly Food Pantry, monthly hot lunches, providing Soup and a Sandwich most Mondays during winter and annual Christmas Dinner. Our community freezer donated through FareShare assists us greatly to sell food on and give out ready meals. We are delighted to have received a grant from the council, thanks to Cllr David Ferguson, to provide a new cooker which has made such a difference. Seaton Valley Council also provide us with free lunches for children attending the free Holiday Sports Clubs.
We are so lucky to have a really good community Post Office/Café in the village. We must all make sure that we use the Post Office to ensure that this important facility is not taken away.
We are continuing to work with Seaton Valley Council and the other community associations in Seaton Valley to plug the gap left by Northumberland County Council’s decision to stop funding youth services. Working with Children North East, we aim to hold youth services one night every week, using our room in the upstairs hall as a base. We are continuing to acquire funding, including a generous donation from Barratt Homes, to refurbish this room and make it more welcoming for this purpose.
To uphold our Child Protection Policy, we are very fortunate to have Helen Mathwin as our suitably qualified Safeguarding Officer, who also runs Kids Club, to whom any concerns about children’s safety or welfare will be reported.
Grants successfully applied for by the committee and Food Pantry have enabled us to purchase new re-cycling bins inside the hall, a new front door for the hall and new large & small children’s games for the Summer Fair. We also got a grant for the Summer Fair from the council and had a donation from BAM Builders.
We are continuing to liaise with Northumberland County Council to push for the sorting out of our Hall lease. We need this in place so that we can apply for grants to make structural improvements, with the priorities being improved toilet facilities and storage. Currently this is being discussed with a local solicitor to resolve an issue regarding who is legally responsible for maintenance, repair and alteration costs.
We are also in continued communication with the council regarding a solution to the dangerous car parking taking place at the front of the Memorial Hall.
As you all know, we have 4 Defibrillators throughout the village, and these are monitored and maintained so that we are in the very best position to save lives. Every time the pads are used or the batteries expire we have to buy replacements which are expensive. However, thanks to generous donations of YOU people of New Hartley we have a pot of money building. Michelle set up the Just Giving page, and this money is saved under the umbrella of the NHCA because, as we are a registered charity, we are able to apply for grants to help it grow. Michelle also arranged for defib training sessions for all which were held in the hall and run by Lynsey Leighton who was amazing.
We would like to say a big thank you to Ann our cleaner for all of her hard work and commitment. The hall is always so clean, hygienic and fresh.
New Hartley In-Bloom goes from strength to strength, with more new members whose enthusiasm and hard work keep our village and the Memorial Garden looking beautiful. Karen Collier’s ‘In-Bloom’ Group have been recognised yet again having now received a ‘Gold Award’ in the SVC Garden Competition and a ‘Level 5 Outstanding’ grade in the RHS Awards for the Memorial Garden. A huge well done and thank you to each member of this amazing group. Litter picks are carried out every month, which all residents are welcome to join in.
Over the year we have been doing our best to increase the usage of the Hall, as our bookings are down. Sadly, we have lost a few of the groups that used the hall regularly. We have to balance our grant funding and our own income (from hall hire and fundraising events) to cover our running costs, which are rising all of the time. Over the years we have tried several events to raise money including tabletop sales and quizzes with pie and pea suppers, but we are open to more ideas from residents please. Let us know what you would like to see, or do, in the hall.
Events that we have already planned include:
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Christmas Fair on Saturday 29th November, followed by turning on of SVC Christmas lights.
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Christmas Window/Garden Display competition with judging 20/21[st] December.
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Christmas lunch for 60 residents.
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Christmas Afternoon Tea 8[th] December.
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Centenary of the Memorial Hall celebrations throughout the year.
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Hester Pit Disaster Memorial Service in January.
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Easter Fair.
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Summer Fair.
Details of all these events will be advertised around the village and in our regular newsletters, produced by Michelle and delivered, along with SVC Futures magazines, by committee members and volunteers to every house in the village.
We are already planning celebrations for 2026, when the Memorial Hall will have been open for 100 years. It was built as a memorial for those villagers who lost their lives in the First World War and was funded by miners donating 2d a week from their wages! It also served as a soup kitchen during the General Strike. Now, we are restoring the prominence of the War Memorial in the Hall, researching the history of the Hall, and have been contacting descendants of those who lost their lives to produce a historic record of the Memorial Hall. We will involve the local schools as usual and of course it will all end with a village celebration in
the Hall, decorated with their work! We are also going to host a soup kitchen event and also have an old-fashioned picnic on the field. In this way we can spread out this Centenary celebration throughout the year. Let us know if you would like to be involved in this project.
There have been changes on the committee over the past year. Unfortunately, Geri and Fred Manning resigned from the committee to do other things, and Judith Fraser had to resign due to ill health. They will be missed. We wish them all well and thank them for their service. However, we are delighted to welcome Carol Conway who was co-opted onto the committee at a meeting earlier in the year.
I would like to thank all the committee members, without whom none of this would be possible. Every member of the committee contributes to the success of the Community Association and the maintenance of our lovely Memorial Hall, so that we can serve all the residents of New Hartley, who are all members of the Association. Everyone comes with different skills and experience and our meetings are focussed, but fun. Please come forward and join us if you would like to offer anything at all. Just an extra pair of hands would be like gold dust.
NEW HARTLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2025
NEW HARTLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| CONTENTS | PAGES |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 1 |
| Income and Expenditure account | 2 |
| Balance sheet | 3 |
Page 1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NEW HARTLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
I report on the accounts of the Association for the year ended 31st May 2025, which are set out on pages 2 and 3.
Respecitve responsibilities of the Association and examiner
The Association's representatives are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this period and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibilty to:
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Examine the accounts
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To ensure the accounts are prepared using generally accepted accounting priciples
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of report
My examination was carried out in accordance with generally accepted acconting principles for the preparation of accounts. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Association and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records, it also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as representatives of the Association, concerning any such matters The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eveidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records have not been met,or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Paul Connon FFA, FFTA Suite 24, Arms Evertyne House Quay Road Blyth Northumberland NE24 2AS
Date 15th September 2025
Page 2
New Hartley Community Association Income & Expenditure Account
| Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-May-24 | 31-May-25 | |||
| INCOME | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| New Hartley Kids Club | 500 | 810 | ||
| Dancing | 306 | 984 | ||
| Lunch Club | 275 | 285 | ||
| Mother & Toddler | 700 | 710 | ||
| Klids Football | 471 | 615 | ||
| Exercise | 1,142 | 1,450 | ||
| New Hartley Crafts | 248 | 183 | ||
| Misc Income | 20 | 800 | ||
| Dancing School | 888 | 480 | ||
| Marching Band | 258 | 360 | ||
| Functions | 3,540 | 4,008 | ||
| Grants & Donations | 26,748 | 15,599 | ||
| Interest Received | 927 | 1,202 | ||
| Carpet Bowls | 0 | 930 | ||
| Karate | 831 | 840 | ||
| Meetings & Parties | 3,782 | 2,079 | ||
| Photocopier, Ads etc | 600 | 0 | ||
| IT Suite | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total Income | 41,234 | 31,336 | ||
| GROSS SURPLUS | 41,234 | 31,336 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Youth &Kids Club | 0 | 2,000 | ||
| Water Charges | 1,368 | 1,830 | ||
| Lunch Club | 0 | 0 | ||
| Postage & Telephone Charges | 911 | 570 | ||
| Cleaning | 6,657 | 7,326 | ||
| Gas & Electric | 3,379 | 4,499 | ||
| Equipment & Stationery | 30 | 14 | ||
| Printing Newsletters | 536 | 133 | ||
| Repairs | 493 | 8,157 | ||
| Hall Expenses | 358 | 192 | ||
| Functions | 2,160 | 3,034 | ||
| Licences /Food Hub | 7,348 | 5,927 | ||
| Refurb Costs | 3,000 | 250 | ||
| Advertising | 646 | 529 | ||
| Audit & Accountancy | 145 | 152 | ||
| Insurance | 346 | 470 | ||
| Total Expenditure | 27,377 | 35,083 | ||
| TOTAL OPERATING COSTS | 27,377 | 35,083 | ||
| NET (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS | 13,857 | -3,747 | ||
| I&E Account B/Forward | 70,095 | 83,952 | ||
| I&E ACCOUNT | 83,952 | 80,205 |
Page 3
New Hartley Community Association Balance sheet as at 31 May 2025
| ASSETS | £ £ Year Ended 31-May-24 |
£ £ Year Ended 31-May-24 |
£ £ Year Ended 31-May-25 |
£ £ Year Ended 31-May-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank & Cash Co-Op savings A/C Co-op Current A/C Cash in Hand |
79,394 4,558 |
76,596 3,608 |
||
| Current Assets | 83,952 | 80,205 | ||
| Less: Current Liabilities Creditors |
||||
| Current Liabilities | 0 | 0 | ||
| Current Liabilities | 0 | 0 | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS NET TOTAL ASSETS |
83,952 83,952 |
80,205 | ||
| 80,205 | ||||
| FUNDS I&E ACCOUNT C/Forward |
83,952 | 80,205 | ||
| FUNDS EMPLOYED Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Operating Reserve (50% expenditure) |
36,803 33,459 13,690 |
31,800 30,863 17,542 |
||
| Total Funds Employed | 83,952 | 80,205 |
2024-25
Treasurer’s Annual Report
The accounts for the financial year ending on 31 May 2025 shows an overall deficit of £ 3,747 compared to a surplus of £13,857 in the year ending 31 May 2024. The main reason for this is the award of £20,000 from National Lottery in support of the Food Pantry in 2024 and drawdown on this during the year. The accounts operate on cash receipt basis. That is to say, funds actually in the account at the end of the period, as opposed to accrual accounts which also assess outstanding payments and debts.
Total income for the year of £31,366 was significantly lower than the previous year’s income of £41,234, while expenditure has increase to £35,083 compared with £27,377 previously.
The balance sheet for 2024-25 shows total retained funds of £80,205 as of 31 May 2025, compared to £83,952 in 2024. This can be further analysed into unrestricted or operational funds and restricted or project funds.
The movements in income & expenditure result from the timing of expenditure on projects for which the grants were received in different accounting periods and varying maintenance costs.
The restricted funds balance has reduced from £33,459 to £30,863, principally to support the activities of New Hartley Food Pantry and HOPE. This is a combination of drawdown on previous year grants together with receipt of new applications to continue these activities, which again will be spent over the coming years.
Grants received in 2024/25 are to cover:
Summer Fair - 2024 and 2025 Supported by NCC, Seaton Valley Council, Ted Weekes Fund
Upstairs Hall redecoration Support by Barrattt Homes NE
Food Hub and HOPE Supported by: National Lottery Scotmid (L&D) ASDA
New cooker Supported by NCC Cllr David Ferguson
There are also restricted funds held to support New Hartley Post Office operations and improvements generated from occasional surpluses over the years.
Taking out the deficit n the Restricted funds leaves an overall operating deficit on the year of £1,151
This leaves unrestricted funds of £31,800 for general use which is an reduction from 2024 of £4,803 and is considered enough to provide cover for the coming year.
In line with good financial management, an Operating Reserve has been set at 50% of current expenditure. This would allow sufficient funds to meet expenditure obligations for 6 months without any income. This level will be reviewed throughout the coming year as expenditure levels are confirmed.
In the longer term, however, the Association must continue to break even or make an operational surplus on a regular basis to continue its activities. This can only be achieved with increased use of the hall.
The overall financial position will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis and further Grant funding opportunities explored. in order to improve the building and maintain it as a valued facility for the community. These can only be progressed once the long-term lease for the hall has been secured with Northumberland County Council.
Discussion with NCC over this are still ongoing and current Head of Terms propose all financial responsibility for the upkeep of the hall and structure to be borne by the Community Association – even if funds are not available NCC can compel the Community Association to finance repairs. This is unacceptable to the Trustees and until this is satisfactorily resolved we are restricted in what funding opportunities are available as funding organisations will not offer grants to projects that do not have long term security of their premises. NCC are repeatedly pressed to resolve this issue.
John Barrell October 2025