Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1.9.23 Period start date To 31.8.24 Period end date Charity name: Simpson Memorial Community Association Moston Charity registration number: 521247
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Moston and the neighbouring districts by association with the local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants to advance education and to provide facilities for recreation and with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
SMCA manages the hire and use of the building facilities (except a GP Surgery)in keeping with a formal Trust with Manchester City Council (MCC) It is responsible for minor repairs, utility costs and stage systems, using rental income from outside lets, resident affiliated user groups plus grants. The building is in its own gated grounds with a small car park and bowling green. Facilities are on 3 levels with a kitchen on each and include a hall with equipped stage and theatre (seating capacity of 130) plus 5 rooms (total seating capacity of 150). We have 3 pianos, portable presentation and computer equipment plus indoor and outdoor bowling facilities. Outside Lets customers include registered charity groups offering extensive education, advice, support and well being activities (much of which is free) e.g. NMCP, MCC, Sick Festival, Contact Theatre, CAHN diabetes, GP surgery education for staff and patients, One Manchester Ltd a housing association, The Duchy Project and We Stand Together Ltd. MCC are very active in our area promoting community cohesion. Our 2 resident affiliated groups are an amateur theatre group (NMAODS) and a bowling club (60s Club Simpson Memorial) both of which recently celebrated their centenary. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | SMCA Financial Policy as updated in the MCC 2022/23 Governance Review confirms SMCA rules and responsibilities |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | We are grateful for the for the unpaid work provided by our volunteers, trustees and house committee members. Without their valuable contribution we would not achieve so much. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | SMCA has been in continuous existence since 1886. Post COVID, MCC invited SMCA to complete a Governance Review (Conversion to Cash Project) for a £2K grant. We successfully reviewed all SMCA processes including Health and Safety, Finance Management, Volunteering. This provided internal and external evidence of our competency, enabling a full reopening of our facilities for public use. The grant is being used to replace 2 broken pianos and a new advertising campaign. MCC is especially supportive and recommends use of our facilities for the public e.g. yearly Africa Day event to link local support organisations to develop outreach and integration. So very successful with footfall exceeding 600 and it encourages bookings from highly regarded organisations. A changing population of residents and businesses is responding positively to community support available e.g. NMCP have increased the variety and duration of their sessions. Our upgraded telephone/broadband package and stage systems again in 2023 added to user bookings and satisfaction. Sick Festival bookings included a new 2-week youth theatre festival working with professional technicians to showcase new contemporary presentations. MCC introduced Manchester One Housing Assoc Ltd to launch a new local housing project. We have close relationships with the Simpson GP Surgery and help other community organisations to support each other. They provide free medical assistance to SMCA users during their open hours Our efforts continue to see more positive feedback and bookings. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | It is in a healthy position. Total income doubled to £34459 due to more bookings and a generous payment for GP Surgery utility costs. Expenditure decreased to £16534 because of a cheaper gas supplier and hard management of heating costs. Overall, we had a net gain in the year of £17925. This was despite a huge problem when Barclays Bank closed our accounts in error when their scanning systems failed to record trustee details accurately for their money laundering review. There was a national outcry with similar errors with hundreds of other charities. SMCA battled for justice for 4 months. In this time despite a complaint case, Barclays insisted we apply for a new account which meant reducing our trustees from 4 to 3 to avoid bank charges and a mountain of form filling. SMCA had no access to the old accounts and were unable to pay bills or pay in monies but continued business fully. Our Treasurer personally paid all bills until matters were rectified. Barclays Bank never opened a new account. It conceded our claim, reopened our accounts and paid compensation. It then took weeks to restart direct debits to our suppliers and arrange payments from our users. Our treasurer was reimbursed with thanks. Our retiring trustee remains on the SMCA as Vice President. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Sufficient minimum reserves are need for 3 years operations especially for utility cost where SMCA pays by direct debit in arrear and operates an annual bill back system for the GP Surgery usage. Escalating utility costs and changes of supplier controlled by MCC are a challenge. Also, MCC started charging Business Rates despite our Trust agreement which add to financial pressure and involves annual applications for relief. Our hire rates for outside lets are unchanged to encourage bookings as we rely on building up finance in the spring and summer when we use less lighting and heating. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £69738 at 31/8/24 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | SMCA continues to work hard to sustain this beloved charity run by unpaid volunteers with hire charges unchanged. A large financial drain is utility payments for the GP Surgery and the bill back arrangement which distort our financial figures. We have repeatedly asked MCC to instal separate meters especially when most of the gas and water costs relate to GP Surgery use. Our trustees and volunteers are ageing, and we continue to try and recruit younger folk. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | SMCA retains a savings account with NS&I which generates valuable interest. The amount in the Barclays Bank savings account was increased by £20K from the current account to also generate more valuable interest We plan to open a second bank account to safeguard access to funds |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust deeds 1886 and 1947 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Approval by Trustees and House Committee at AGM |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Simpson Memorial Community Association Moston |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | SMCA |
| Registered charity number | 521247 |
| Charity’s principal address | Simpson Memorial Hall, Moston Lane, Moston, Manchester M40 9NB |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Garside- Trickett |
President | SMCA | ||
| David Gordon | Chairman | SMCA | ||
| Carol Slade | Secretary & Treasurer | SMCA | ||
| Colin Garside- Trickett |
Deputy President | Until 16/11/23 | SMCA | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Carol Slade Full name(s) Carol Ann Slade Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer & Secretary Chair, etc) Date 19/6/25
| SMCA BALANCE SHEET YEAR END 31/08/24 | SMCA BALANCE SHEET YEAR END 31/08/24 | SMCA BALANCE SHEET YEAR END 31/08/24 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | **31/08/2024 ** | **31/08/2023 ** | 31/08/2022 | EXPENDITURE | **31/08/2024 ** | **31/08/2023 ** | 31/08/2022 | ||
| BROUGHT FORWARD | 51812.96 | 58618.30 | 42179.23 | ||||||
| Premises licence | 180.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | ||||||
| Room rents/Affiliation fees | 3593.00 | 2444.49 | 2236.00 | Insurance | 747.55 | 699.46 | 731.49 | ||
| Outside Lets | 22300.00 | 13327.50 | 12842.00 | Outside Lets | 100.00 | ||||
| GP water | 754.78 | 3565.58 | Water | 957.47 | 596.11 | 750.36 | |||
| GPgas | 7463.73 | 345.19 | 7750.39 | Gas | 8866.41 | 17981.93 | 6112.35 | ||
| Electric | 0.00 | Electric | 2940.43 | 2482.27 | 2353.36 | ||||
| Telephone/Broadband | Telephone/Broadband | 786.79 | 630.27 | 562.28 | |||||
| Stationery | 109.46 | 129.84 | 157.07 | ||||||
| Cleaningsupplies | 189.36 | 76.34 | 113.38 | ||||||
| Grants | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2650.00 | Grants | 650.00 | ||||
| Business Rates | 1573.33 | 0.00 | |||||||
| Equipment & repairs | 33.47 | 57.21 | 125.01 | ||||||
| Stage system repairs | 0.00 | 770.00 | |||||||
| Misc | 23.73 | Misc | 150.00 | 112.82 | 0.00 | ||||
| Bank interest | 348.07 | 0.40 | Bank charges | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| TOTAL | 34459.58 | 16140.91 | 29044.37 | TOTAL | 16534.27 | 22946.25 | 12605.30 | ||
| **ANALYSIS C/F ** | |||||||||
| PO NS&I A/c | 2862.64 | 2840.66 | 2838.02 | ||||||
| Grand total Income | 86272.54 | 74759.21 | 71223.60 | Barclays CommunityA/c | 40694.19 | 42966.95 | 54886.02 | ||
| Grand total expenditure | 16534.27 | 22946.25 | 12605.30 | Barclays Premium A/c | 26181.44 | 6005.35 | 894.26 | ||
| Carried Forward | 69738.27 | 51812.96 | 58618.30 | TOTAL | 69738.27 | 51812.96 | 58618.30 | ||
| X | |||||||||
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of sii(IPEt)N WI£MDKihL eJbMMQNiiq è&SociA IiobJ On accounts for the year ended 31 sr AIu(iUSf 202 Charity no (if any) S 212WI Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended r,- 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"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried 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 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 examiner's statement 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 accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: AN/1 Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: kl PTONI A(LS kJ 0£1 trj tKQAp4Q(-4i S i i 2 3g 9trtT IER October 2018