ROPSLEY HALL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 25 APRIL 2022
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: NOVEMBER 2021 – MARCH 2022
I will start this report with my sincere thanks to all of the members of the Management Committee, our employees and volunteers for your continued support for the Hall and assistance and contributions at the meetings.
Since the last AGM in November 2021 we have been able to keep the Hall open for business; fortunately the anticipated problem with the Omicron variant of the coronavirus did not lead to a lockdown or unworkable restrictions.
Hire of the Hall
We have a good range of regular weekly/fortnightly activities: Yoga, Zumba, seated exercise, table tennis, carpet bowls and a Wednesday coffee morning. Touring Arts returned with a varied programme, one aimed at a younger audience being very well received. We also have had bookings for craft sessions, relaxation, WI, Parish Council, private functions and birthday parties. There will be more information from the Booking Secretary.
We undoubtedly have a excellent facility; response from hirers has been very favourable. However the challenge is to increase the number of weekday, daytime hirings, so we can say we are genuinely succeeding in “Bringing Leisure to Life”.
Finance
The Treasurer’s Report shows our financial position for 2021. 2021 was a “normal” year compared to 2020 which was skewed by the new build project.
Our expenditure exceeded our income for the year; this is not too surprising as we have only had a half a year of operation. However we now have a better understanding of our running costs and believe that the new pricing strategy, based on houly rates, is fit for purpose.
Our gas usage is of some concern. However we still do not have a true understanding of this as we have been hampered by problems with the underfloor heating system (more details in the Snagging section) and having to heat areas of the Hall for periods to test the system. One bright spot is the savings we will be making on what we are paying for our gas; a 30% reduction in the price to be paid in 2022 (compared with 2021) was negotiated with Calor, part of a new 3-year deal.
It goes without saying that we are constantly reviewing our income versus expenditure and when the time is right we will commit to further expenditure on the priorities as agreed by the Committee.
Bringing Leisure to Life
ROPSLEY HALL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 25 APRIL 2022
Snagging
As with any new building, we have had a number of problems with the Hall.
The most significant has been the underfloor heating system. During periods of very cold weather the temperature in some of the rooms became uncontrolled; to keep the main hall in use we had to hire some portable heaters. Visits from Burmor (our builder) and specialist heating engineers indentified a number of issues which now appear to have been resolved. However we will not know for sure until next winter; there will be an agreement put in place with Burmor in which they will be responsible for any further work that may be required.
I would particularly like to record my thanks to Paul Mason and Trevor Hammond for their efforts in getting the problems attended to.
Other areas that have been worked on include but are not limited to flooring in the main hall, lobby and community room, a worktop in the kitchen, and cracks in walls and ceilings in most rooms (except main hall). Some minor items still need to be rectified.
Outside
The border directly outside the main entrance to the hall turned from a bare patch of ground to a blaze of colour over the summer of 2021. I look forward to seeing what Karen and helpers have in store for the coming year.
The condition of the playing field continues to improve, aided by grants from the Football Foundation. Special thanks to Ropsley Farms for its continued support with the field and hedge maintenance.
Parking
Car parking space is at a premium. Although we have space for up to 40 vehicles, without ground markings or marshalls to guide drivers into spaces, that capacity is unlikely to be achieved. Therefore there are times when visitors have to park on the roadside outside the Hall. I would like to thank Ropsley Colts for their efforts to protect our neighbours’ verges by placing no parking signs on them during match days. I will be attending a Parish Council meeting in May 2022 to discuss councillors’ concerns.
Chris Cordon Chairman
Bringing Leisure to Life
Ropsley Hall Acconts for the year ending 31 Dec. 2021 1 Rèceipts & payment8 General Fund 2 Statemont of a8setslllabilities 31 Dec. 2021 Income Re¢elpts Grants Donations Hall Hlring Income Sport Hlre Equipment Sales Touring Arts & R8ffles Deposits Assets Cash in hand Barclays (Main) 8arcl8ys (Saver) Be10Y$ (Lottery) 28303 6109 3595 758 879 1203 245 689 307e4 2384 3461 37 Includ88'. Ring fènced funds Playground Touring Arts Reseves 553 3120 7000 10673 40892 Dlroct Charltablo Expandlturo Equipment Conslrucllon Profession81 Fee3 Fltllngs & Maintenance Electricty Heal Water Charges Cleaning Insuran¢e & Bus. Rate8 Licences Deposit Refunds Ground M8Sntenance Fund Raising Committee Admin B.Soc. Res.Download 9310 720 1241 1194 1777 209 1890 1524 Llabllltlo• Retenllon (Burmorl Professlonal Fees (Focu8} 20012 2022 22034 Non Monètsry A880ts 150 6114 647 41 Land & buildongs used by the Charity Furniture and equipment héld In the Hall Othèr a880ts . hold for functlonalu88 by the Charlty 24712 Furniture and equlpment held in the Hall Net receptslpaymonts for the year Cash & Bank balances at 1 January 2021 16181 21117 Ca8h & Bank balance8 at 31 December 2021 37298
Examiners Report- Ropsley Village Hall I rwrt on the accounts of the Charity (No. 521863) for the year ended 31 December 2021, wbich are set out on the attached page& Respective re5POD$ibilitses of trustee and examiner The cl]arAty's tnteeS are responsibl¢ for the preparatton of the accounts. The charity's trlteeS consider that an audit is not required for this Y (under section 14412) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examinthon is needed. It is my responsibility as examiner to: Examine the acwunts under section 145 of the 2011 A¢ To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the CRlty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of th¢ 2011 Act; and to state whether parti¢ulaT matters have come to my attentio Basis of independent eLqMines report My examithon included a review of the accounting records kept by the cbaTity and a comparison of the accounts Presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any Un8lla1 items or disclosures in the a¢Ullts and seeking explanations fir)m you as trustees concerning any such matters. The pmcedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden¢¢ that would b¢ required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the Independent examineVs statement In connection Kqth rny exami0 no matter h&$ come to my attentio to wbxch. in my opinioo attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reach David Doughty 9. Paddock Close Ropsley Lillcs. NG33 4BJ Date". 0810412022 Signed: