2025-02-28-accounts

TREASURER’S REPORT

The financial year for the Ron Dawson Hall ends on the 28[th] February. I am pleased to confirm that the year has been a very successful one for the hall.

The main figures are our net surplus which stood at £52,525

This needs to be broken down a bit to understand what has occurred.

Our total income was £69,486 but this includes £52094 received as grants from the SKDC Shared Prosperity Fund and money from the S106 funds provided by the developers of the new housing estates. The cost of the solar panels, at £26,502, is shown in the accounts as a capital purchase of a fixed asset in the Balance Sheet and not in the Income and Expenditure Account.

Our income net of these grants was £17,392 which represents a 60% increase in our income from the previous year. The principle reasons for this are:

• An increase in the rent paid by Pre-School.

• A significant increase in the income from hiring out the hall and field to a number of caravan clubs which brought in approximately £3000.

• The launching of a partnership with Events at Corby Glen to hold musical and theatrical events. Our first event in December raised over £1000. Several more events are scheduled for this financial year and it is a welcome addition to the financial security of the hall and the cultural life of the village.

Our regular friends from the Tae Kwondo class and from Ropsley Colts football club have also been important and we have also held a number of other parties and social events during the year.

It is important to recognise the part played by Pre-School. They remain our main customer. The rent increase agreed last year after very constructive discussions which have, I think, made for an excellent working relationship and I thank them for this.

The grants received have been used to install solar panels. Electricity costs, as everyone knows, have increased greatly and generating our own power will make a significant difference to this. As far as these accounts go, the majority of the time since installation has been through the winter so it will really be in next year’s accounts that we should see the true benefits of the system. Money was spent on acquiring a ride on mower for the field. It was felt that the old tractor, which has done a sterling job over many years, needed to be replaced and I can confirm it has now been sold.

In summary, the year has seen significant growth in income, both from grants and from lettings. Financially, the hall is in a secure position and there is every reason to believe this will continue in the current financial year.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2025

This has been a year of many positives and a few concerns.

The hall’s most important relationship is, as always, with Pre-School. I feel that there is a healthy partnership at present. I think we all understand that neither of us could easily survive without the other and our aims are much more aligned than not. Pre School is very important to the community and we are delighted to be part of helping them.

A huge development this year has been our partnership with Terry Lucking and the Events at Corby Glen group. The 2 concerts we have hosted so far have been well attended and great fun. So much more appropriate for them to be in Corby Glen rather than Irnham!

The continuing use of the field by Ropsley Colts is greatly appreciated. Those of you that remember Ron Dawson will appreciate that he would have been delighted to see youth football being played here again. Tae Kwondo classes also reflect our sporting heritage.

As outlined in the Treasurer’s Report, other lettings for caravans and parties have also been welcome, significantly increasing our financial health.

The investment on solar panels will surely pay dividends this year. Given that electricity cost us over £7000 last year, the installation was probably in the nick of time.

Other expenditure on improvements will also be beneficial and the current year’s accounts will feature the container we have acquired to house our new mower and which is shared with Pre School and renewed toilets which are in need of upgrading.

With regard to the grants, my thanks to Ben Mead who has been instrumental in applying for and administering them. Without his energy and persistence I don’t think this would have happened.

My thanks also to Liz Hargreaves for taking on so much as secretary and bookings clerk.

Thanks too for Tracey Lamming for her support and advice on the committee and to Mark Sandon who has attended most of our meetings.

This brings me on to my concerns. As the hall grows, the workload to manage it grows with it. At present there is a committee of 4 which requires a lot of doubling up. If any of the 4 decides to move on, and as volunteers they are entitled to, the hall is instantly in crisis. We need help. This can be in the form of volunteering for specific things like helping on the bar when we run one for big events, or opening or closing the hall after bookings, or cutting the grass on the field.

A few people to join the committee and take on some of the responsibilities would also be incredibly helpful. So if you want to help, or know someone who might, please don’t be shy, your hall needs you.

The Ron Dawson Memorlal Trust Registered Charity No. 519153 endent Examiners Re ort to the Trustees of the Ron Dawson Memorial Trust. On the accounts for the year ended 28 Fèbruary 2025 set out on pages three and four. Respective Responsibllttles of Twstees and Examiner The tharity's trustees are responsible for the Pfeparation of the accounts. The tharttvs trustees consider that an audit r5 ftrot required for this year under sertion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charltie5 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. tt Is my responsiwtyto." examine the accounts under sectron 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedu￿5 laid down rn the general DirectÈons 8iven bythe Charity Commission (under section 14515llbl of the Chartties Art, and to state whether parricular matters have come to my attention. Basls of lThlependent E¥amlnee5 Statement My examinatéon was carrted out In accordan￿ with general Directions given by the Charity Commissron. An examination rncludes a ￿VIeW of the accounting ￿CordS kept by the charlty and 3 tomparison of the accounts p￿Sented with those records. Italso indudes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the atcounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not provrde all the evFdence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion 15 given as to whether the accounts presenta'true and fairf view aTrd the report Is limtted to those matters set out in the ststement below. Inde*ent Examlnets. Ststsment In connettion wlth ffly examination. no matter has comè to my attention which gi¥es ffle reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the ￿quIrernents.. to keep accounting records in accordance with sectron 130 of the Charities ACL" and to prepare accounts which accord wlth the accountln8 records and thmply wlth the accountiit8 reqtitrements of the Charlties Act ha¥e not been me¢. or 2. to whlch. in myopinion, attention should be drawn In order to enable a proper undetstsndint of the accounts tD be reached. 21 April. 2025 Flona Hatrhlrsan AdditlonsAc£ountsncylGranthaml Ltmtte(I 2BamEn Skillirwo Grantham NG33 SEA Page 2