RAINHILL VILLAGE HALL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Since the end of February 2023 several areas of the Hall have been decorated. A number of regulars have been involved, namely Ally, Phil, Ruth and Danielle, although the lion’s share has been taken on by Joe who has put in three or four shifts a week since the end of February. A number of our hirers, participants and visitors have commented positively on the improvements
During the year a number of groups have started/finished.
Sewcial Stitches, a fabrics (sewing and knitting group) AC Theatre ( a children’s performing arts group) and Paper Foxes (a children’s art group) joined us at the beginning of the year, but Reading Fairy had to cancel their sessions, due to low numbers.
In June ‘Flufftastic’ (needle felting) and Children’s Counselling Service started. Unfortunately AC Theatre and Dancebeats reduced their session time in May
In September two new groups ‘Move It or Lose It’ and a ‘Sequence Dance’ class joined us but we lost the Tai Chi Stick and the Children’s Counselling group Indi Productions: A Burlesque and Street Dance group started in October
Luncheon Club resumed on Tuesday 05 September after a break over August. Reps from the MPs Office were available to take questions and comments before and after the lunch on Tuesday, 11.07
Luncheon club current numbers were at a level that is making it hard to break even and the organisers struggled with staffing levels so Eunice and Joan decided that their last session will be on 05 December and the Club will resume on 12 March.
Danielle and Michele now use those Tuesday mornings to extend the Chit Chat Club facility. As well as the usual facilities, soup and sandwiches will be available for attendees
MP’s Surgery was held in September. MP for St Helens South (Marie Rimmer) attended to answer questions put by members of the public
o New groups:Groups Left Hall: that provided a service for young people
St Anns Primary School used the Oak room for a talent show on 27 March.
‘Riding Lights’, a travelling theatre group, performed on 11 Nov. Arranged through St Ann's Church and attracted an audience of 150. Feedback very positive.
RMTC performances of Adams Family attracted good audiences over the four nights. Additional requirements for the production have led to further amendments to the conditions of hire document.
The Garrick’s production of Titfield Thunderbolt, went down well with the public The Hall’s application to Rainhill Rotary ‘Community Support Fund’ was unsuccessful as their funding is limited.
Phoenix Moon Market held a charity fayre on Mon. 29 May to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Oak, Maple and Cedar rooms used. Money made on the door and profit from the café (£370) was donated to the V Hall.
Mrs. Nixon has retired as Minuting Secretary and the position has been filled by Ruth Gibb. We are very grateful to Mrs Nixon for her services over the years.
MAINTENANCE REPORT
Outside Lighting: The 5 bulkheads positioned down the left-hand side of the building have new LED bulbs
New curtains and poles have been fitted to the windows in the Maple, Willow and Elm rooms. New dividing curtains have been hung in the Maple
The door lock barrel (Oak/corridor) broke in two while the door was locked. A replacement mortice lock and barrel have been fitted
Pat testing was carried out 27.03
Internet reliability has been very poor.
Progress, re. parting company with our internet provider, has been disappointing. After numerous exchanges, our complaints have met with little success. As
reported in September, overcharging and mis selling are pivotal to our case, but Onecom refuse to accept responsibility for their behaviour. Our main complaint is the 60-month contract that we signed up to initially. At no point were we given the choice of a shorter period.
To remind members in a little more detail, we signed up to a 5-year contract in 2019, but in addition to line rental were hoodwinked into taking on their
VOICE1000, all-in calls deal at £20 per month, which proved to be excessive in provision. Then in 2021, we made efforts to improve Wi-Fi provision to the Oak side of the building through various types of extender, which proved ineffective. The only solution that Onecom could recommend was to instal a second line to that side of the building with an additional router. We agreed to this and after several visits from Openreach and Quinns (subcontractors) the installation was completed. As a sweetener for the increased costs and further 5-year contract for the new installation, our provider changed us over to a VOICE500 deal on a new 60-month contract and also brought the original contract in line with the new contract and so effectively extended the original 2019 contract to 7 years
As well as the contract length, we’ve been sold a service (on two lines) that will become obsolete as fibre is rolled out. At every turn they have reminded us that we signed the contract and if we want to dispense with their services, we will have to pay the full amount based on when the contract ends in 36 months, at a total cost of £3600. We’ve offered them a one-off payment of £2300 + VAT, but they are insisting that we stick to the contract period.
We’ve signed up to a Facebook page, ‘Onecom Complaints’, that has dozens of posts outlining dissatisfaction with the company, but mainly in respect of ‘5-year contracts’. It’s going to be a long battle, but we seem to be in good company.
Onecom were contacted on 27.10, re. our poor broadband. They arrange for Openreach to visit the Hall to check the connection. An engineer visited on 31.10, resulting in slightly faster speed and more consistent connection.
A decision was taken to upgrade to fibre through locally based National Telecoms UK and BT will install on line on 20 November. Installation costs, including line, router and line extender to Oak will be £***. However, at a recent meeting with the manager of the St Helens CCTV suite, it was agreed that the ‘hub’ for Village centre camera coverage could be housed in the Hall office as the apparatus is
unobtrusive and could be placed next to the Hall router. The suite agreed to contribute to our fibre installation costs
Twenty tables were replaced recently at a total cost of £1055.00. A second trolley, converted from a redundant kitchen trolley, is now available. Both trolleys need to be painted. They will be used in the Willow and Maple rooms. New Elm tables are stacked by the window
Decoration of the Corridor to the rear of the stage has been completed. The decision was taken not to resurface the stage floor.. RMTC & Individuality Productions advised to consider using matting. Garrick have used matting successfully for a number of years
In consultation with Graham Swift (Garrick), it was decided that a replacement curtain cord needed to be fitted before the opening/closing of the curtains can be upgraded
The condition of the flat roofing which covers most of the Hall continues to cause concern. A local roofer has attended on three occasions to fix leaks
Toilets: Refurbishment of the six areas completed 17.10. Painting & decorating, repairs, replacements, new flooring in 3 areas, relocation of hand dryer. Total cost £6076.00
Oak Heaters: Convectors were replaced with recycled units. Extra unit to left of kitchen hatch. Total cost, £2500.
The hall office has been decorated.
Carpet tiles have been fitted in corridors to side and rear of stage at end of Oct. Total cost of tiles and fitting, £644.53. A number of ceiling tiles were replaced previously in back corridor and Pine room
Broadband Cable: Extender cable has been fitted, running from the office to the Oak. This will provide a good quality broadband to that side of the building
Roof Issues : Joe cleared gulleys, gutters and downpipes recently. Regular attention required at this time of year. Some minor repair work required, mainly to guttering. Waiting for local roofer to get back to us with price for further repairs/reroofing. Further quotes still required from two other roofers. Due to heavy rainfall over the last couple of days, leaks noticeable on wall at boiler room end of Elm and usual ingress over Oak doors from corridor
Income & Expenditure
Rainhill Village Hall For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Income & Expenditure Rainhill Village Hall For the year ended 31 March 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Turnover | |
| 100 - Rev - Hall - Regulars | 56,672.44 |
| 130 - Rev - Grants (Unrestricted) | 11,301.00 |
| 180 - Rev - Interest Received | 1,265.44 |
| Total Turnover | 69,238.88 |
| Gross Profit | 69,238.88 |
| Administrative Costs | |
| 400 - Staff - Salaries | 43,451.59 |
| 401 - Staff - ER NI | 2,970.60 |
| 402 - Staff - NI Employment Allowance | (2,970.60) |
| 403 - Staff - ER Pens | 1,908.03 |
| 410 - Fac - Depreciation | 453.74 |
| 411 - Fac - Gas | 5,859.16 |
| 412 - Fac - Electricity | 2,665.88 |
| 413 - Fac - Water | 1,488.90 |
| 414 - Fac - Insurance | 1,723.44 |
| 415 - Fac - Cleaning & Hygiene | 830.97 |
| 417 - Fac - Non-Cap Purchases | 341.03 |
| 416 - Fac - Security | 1,398.03 |
| 418 - Fac - Consumables | 393.09 |
| 443 - R&M - Boiler Gas & Heating | 1,800.00 |
| 444 - R&M - Electrical | 389.74 |
| 446 - R&M - FF&F | 312.00 |
| 440 - R&M - Main Structure & Roof | 980.00 |
| 490 - R&M - Other | 778.89 |
| 442 - R&M - Water & Drainage | 159.00 |
| 461 - Adm - Printing & Stationery | 324.08 |
| 465 - Adm - Computer Costs | 647.16 |
| 464 - Adm - Health & Safety | 129.00 |
| 463 - Adm - Legal & Professional | 630.00 |
| 469 - Adm - Consumables | 165.67 |
| 462 - Adm - Telephone & Broadband | 2,357.70 |
| 470 - Adm - Other | 92.33 |
| 419 - Fac - Licences | 1,985.82 |
| 420 - Fac - Waste Disposal | 1,179.20 |
| 447 - R&M - Lift | 790.34 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 73,234.79 |
20 Mar 2025 Page 1 of 2
Income & Expenditure Rainhill Village Hall
Income & Expenditure
| 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Operating Profit | (3,995.91) |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | (3,995.91) |
| Profit after Taxation | (3,995.91) |
20 Mar 2025 Page 2 of 2
Income & Expenditure Rainhill Village Hall
70 Mooreway Rainhill Prescot Merseyside L35 6PD
Income & Expenditure Accounts Rainhill Village Hall For the year ended 31 March 2024
Accounts checked by independent third party : Maria Heaton Treasurer of Friends of Kirkby Gallery & Prescot Museum
Date of check and approval:
20/3/25
Signature
Maria P Heaton