Trustees report for Bramley Village Trust for year ending 31st March 2023. Written by the Finance Officer, Teresa Sayner.
Notes of Interest
This was the first full year since COVID, with the building open as normal throughout the year. With most groups not returning, no charge for the Clerk and the Finance Officers time was included in the accounts for this financial year. Although outside audit fees of £105.30, bank charges of £9.00 and small balance write offs of £6.64 have been included.
Once again, we have made savings where possible by applying and receiving full rate relief on Trust buildings, although it should be noted despite being advised prior to COVID that the discretionary rate relief would end, no further communication of this fact has been received from RMBC and some additional portion of rates may be payable in coming years.
Parish Hall - Cross Street
The aftereffects of the COVID pandemic are still being felt throughout the Trust. The Parish Hall income remained steady with a slight increase from £6309.50 last year to £6799.00 this year. This is still only around 31% of the 2019/20 income of £21,594.00. Although opened for use, it proved difficult to attract new users. As stated previously this will impact on income for years to come and leaves the Trust looking to rebuild hire in general. This will be a slow process and will require staff hours and some lateral thinking to promote Trust facilities to potential users. As predicted last year the £728.00 old balance was written off in this years accounts as it was thought the dispute could not be resolved for this proportion of the debt.
With regards to expenditure, gas bills increased from £1299.34 in 2021/22 to £3877.24 this year. Electricity costs remained constant being £725.55 in 21/22 and £778.49 this financial year. Water cost showed a credit balance last year after negotiation with the supplier. However, this year’s figure of £401.42 is believed to be more accurate.
Premises expenses including wages and repairs and renewals were £13437.78 in 2021/22 and reduced slightly to £11955.42 in the financial year.
To summarise once again the parish hall made a loss of £10932.48 in comparison to the loss of £9541.93 in 2021/22. This loss-making position is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The hall hire fee is priced competitively with rates of £10 per hour weekdays and £17 at weekends.
Bill Chafer Youth Centre - Flash Lane
Youth Club lettings totalled £8582.25 in 2021/22 and increased to £11983.50 in 22/23. This is almost a return to pre COVID figure of £12,653.25 in 2019/20.
Although, a few smaller users have now stopped using the facilities due to lack of interest in their groups.
Gas costs ran at £1815.66 in 2021/22, with costs being expected to increase as a new contract highlighted a 50% increase in the base unit cost. However, the cost has skyrocketed further than expected to £10,065.89 in the financial year 22/23. The heating system is old and inefficient, and it is recommended that replacement should be considered by the Trustees. Although this will be a substantial outlay for the Trust, the reduction in heating costs may make the investment prudent. In 2021/22 after many issues, water figures appeared normal at £446.50 and they have increased by 32% to £589.92 in 22/23. Electric costs for this financial year remained constant at £1513.30 with only a marginal increase from £1503.65 last year.
The 2021/22 report detailed premises expenses, wages, repairs, and renewals totalling £13415.96. This figure remained steady at £13928.71 in the 22/23 financial year.
This building is still in need of further refurbishment and repairs and renewals are expected to remain high over the next few years with further repairs to the roof going ahead.
The Youth Club in 2022/23 made a loss of £14114.32. This is double the 2021/22 figure of £7095.87 with over half of this being the final stage of the first roof repair. Losses are expected to continue as this building requires further refurbishment and ongoing repairs. Although, grants and funding opportunities are now being more thoroughly explored by the current Clerk, positive outcomes cannot be relied upon.
Recreation Ground - Flash Lane including Play Area, MUGA and Skate Park The only income received from the recreation ground is from pitch hire which totalled £1485.00 in 2022/23 a 30% reduction on last years total of £2085.00. The nonregular football teams that took up use during COVID when many pitches closed, have now returned to their regular ground. This reduction is despite having two regular junior teams that play on our junior pitch for which this is the first full season.
Cost for the recreation ground grass and pitch marking totalled £4205.00 in 22/23, with £2420.00 being grass cutting and £1785.00 attributed to pitch marking. However, it should be noted that grass cutting costs would remain should pitch use no longer be offered.
Under the new contract electricity costs which include the MUGA lights and the Changing Rooms, saw an increase of just over 26% this year to £1129.90 from £892.17 in 2021/22. The £773.98 water cost for 2021/22 has reduced to £269.98 in 22/23.
Total costs including all repairs, renewals, wages and maintenance costs were £15546.66 in 2021/22. In 22/23 this increased to £26527.61. The majority of this being £15366.61 on a skate park refurbishment and the balance being wages £8178.57, play area costs of £1510.40, small projects totalling £1400.08 and cleaning of £71.94. There are grants from the FA and other sources and it would be prudent to investigate these for refurbishment of the changing room and pitch improvements.
The Flash Lane site made a loss of £15539.89 in 2021/22, this increased to £30647.49 in 22/23. The increase being attributed to the skate park refurbishment of £15366.61. However, expenditure will always far out way the income received on this site due to the nature of its use.
Conclusion
In conclusion before grants received Bramley Village Trust made a loss of £55928.55 in 22/23 an increase on £33092.45 in 2021/22. This loss was covered as always by a grant from the sole trustee Bramley Parish Council, this year’s grant totalling £50,000.00 against £34,200.00 in 2021/22.
The long-term loss of users due to the COVID pandemic continues to influence the Trusts income. Without a drive to attract new users this is not expected to change.
It should also be noted that the prediction for the grant figure required for the financial year 2023/24 includes the roof repair to both the Parish Hall and the Youth Club expected in this financial year. Should other major refurbishment cost be incurred, then it will increase. It is hoped some other grants outside of Bramley Parish Council will be received to contribute substantially the refurbishments to both the Youth Club and changing rooms. Based on past and current information and two roof repairs expected to be around £25,0000.00 per building in mind, it is suggested that a grant of between £80,000.00 and £100,000.00 will be required in the next financial year.
Date: 23/10/2023 Time: 15:39:50
Page: 1
Bramley Village Trust Profit and Loss
From: Month 1, April 2022 To: Month 12, March 2023
Chart of Accounts:
Default Layout of Accounts
| Period Sales Parish Hall Lettings 6,508.00 Bramley Parish Council & Other Grants 50,000.00 Bank Interest Received 174.68 Bill Chafer Y. C. C. Lettings 11,983.50 Football Income 1,485.00 Purchases Gross Profit/(Loss): Overheads Hall Water Rates 401.42 Hall Repairs and Renewals 11,955.42 Hall Electricity 778.49 Hall Gas 3,877.24 Hall Cleaning and Refuse Collection 718.91 Premises Expenses 11,899.53 Bank Charges and Interest Paid 9.00 Audit and Accountancy Fees 105.30 Bad Debt Write-Off 3.64 Youth Club Water Rates 589.92 Changing Rooms Water Rates 269.98 Youth Club Electric 1,513.30 Youth Club Gas 10,065.89 Changing Room Electric 1,129.90 Youth Club Repairs & Renewels 2,029.18 Play Area, MUGA & Skate Park Repairs & 26,527.61 Flash Lane Field Maintenence 4,205.00 Net Profit/(Loss): |
70,151.18 0.00 70,151.18 76,079.73 (5,928.55) |
Year to Date 6,508.00 50,000.00 174.68 11,983.50 1,485.00 401.42 11,955.42 778.49 3,877.24 718.91 11,899.53 9.00 105.30 3.64 589.92 269.98 1,513.30 10,065.89 1,129.90 2,029.18 26,527.61 4,205.00 |
70,151.18 0.00 70,151.18 76,079.73 |
|---|---|---|---|
| (5,928.55) |
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Bramley Village Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Bramley Village Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2023
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation 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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Janice Hepworth
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FMAAT Address: 47 Tiln Lane, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 6SN Date: 29 August 2023