July 2025 AGM Chair person’s report
As last year, this report will be brief. We have had another busy year finishing off the major refurbishment project, completing everything within budget and mandatory deadlines. We will not rest on our laurels and are thinking about applying for another UK Shared Prosperity Fund Grant to perhaps put in a lift, hearing loop and further enhance the electrics. This will be discussed at the committee meeting which follows this AGM. Staffing and volunteers have remained constant.
Financially LBPHVI is ok although we do need to keep on top of income and spending. The refurbishment work has enhanced the building but did also use up some of our reserves. I cannot thank Lin enough for all the work she does monitoring the finances, paying the wages and keeping records. It is easy to forget that she puts in all the time and effort needed on a voluntary basis.
We have a strong staff and volunteer team and committee each member of which brings their own ideas, skills and knowledge. Strength of character and forceful personalities are a huge asset to any organisation as they provide ideas, energy and drive which in turn bring successes. They also throw up the odd conflict / disharmony in the team that is not always pleasant to deal with, but I accept that it is part of my territory. In my opinion, the positives that this team bring to our project far outweigh the minor niggles. As an individual, I have sat back a little and analysed what we all bring to our organisation and what we have achieved. I would encourage everyone to do the same at some point. This reflection endorses my opinion that I am privileged to be part of Low Bentham Public Hall and Village Institute.
If anyone has questions or comments on this report please bring them up at the meeting, email me on julielbridgeman@gmail.com or ring me on 07939059812.
As you know, I do not live in Bentham anymore and am happy to step down as chair if people on the ground feel that the chair should be more of a physical presence.
Julie Bridgeman
Low Bentham Public Hall and Victo Income and Expenditure from 1st April 202
2024/2025 2023/2024
| Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Hire | |||
| Helen Howard | 4111.25 | 3184.00 | |
| Tai Chi and Yoga | 1865.00 | 226.50 | |
| Snooker Club | 300.00 | ||
| Small Hirers | 2053.95 | ||
| Occasional Hire | 1093.50 | 1346.50 | |
| Cornerstone Church | 2735.00 | 2496.38 | |
| Post Ofce Outreach | 842.50 | ||
| Community Link Cafe Hire | 500.00 | ||
| Art Classes | 640.00 | ||
| Hip Joint | 500.00 | ||
| Low Bentham WI | 445.00 | ||
| Bank Interest | 897.95 | ||
| Other Income | |||
| Fundraising | 1474.36 | 801.85 | |
| Donations and Grants | |||
| Donations and Grants | 139807.05 | 40207.53 | |
| Total Income | 154711.61 | 50816.71 | |
| Balances 1st April 2024 | 44395.74 | ||
| Income Year ended 31 March 2025 | 154711.61 | ||
| Total Funds | 199107.35 | ||
| Less: Expenditure year ended 31 March 2025 | 131921.85 | ||
| End Balance | 67185.50 |
oria Institute 24 to 31st March 2025
2024/2025 2023/2024
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Running Costs | ||
| Utilities inc. Rates and Insurance | ||
| Heat and Light | 4669.83 | 3686.25 |
| Water and drainage | 1296.34 | 2271.20 |
| Insurance | 2734.39 | 2769.01 |
| Rates | 134.00 | 125.46 |
| Telephone and Internet | 769.00 | 467.64 |
| Ofce Supplies | 148.59 | 176.23 |
| Sundry Expenses 1259,1 | 1177.75 | |
| Tr. To CLC (rec'd in Account) 10,00 | ||
| Volunteer Expenses77,61 | 1346.78 | |
| Capital Equipment | 214.19 | 2081.16 |
| Ofce and Other Staf Expenses | ||
| Salaries and HMRC | 6554.52 | 8068.68 |
| Payroll | 180.00 | 180.00 |
| Other Expenses | ||
| Petty Cash | ||
| Building Development Work | ||
| Maintenance Inc. Garden | 8132.28 | 5675.32 |
| Building Works | 105910.96 | 5598.84 |
| Total Expenditure | 131921.85 | 32446.6 |
Community Link Cafe Income and Expenditure from 1st April 2024
2024/202 2023/2024
| Income Lunch Contributions 9297.00 10644.50 Transport Contributions 2485.20 2915.70 Fundraising Cofee Morning 320.60 471.60 Lunch Club Rafe 954.00 1250.00 Grants and Donations Cornerstone Church 237.00 130.00 Brown and Whitaker 50.00 Age Concern North Craven 200.00 Donations from Individuals 30.00 40.00 Transfers from BOPT 1200.00 Town Council Precept 166.32 McCarthy Stone 6000.00 Harnessing the Power of Community 780.00 Day Trip Funding 1856.00 Donation Ribblehead Sheep Show 250.00 Total Income ### 23848.1 |
Income Lunch Contributions 9297.00 10644.50 Transport Contributions 2485.20 2915.70 Fundraising Cofee Morning 320.60 471.60 Lunch Club Rafe 954.00 1250.00 Grants and Donations Cornerstone Church 237.00 130.00 Brown and Whitaker 50.00 Age Concern North Craven 200.00 Donations from Individuals 30.00 40.00 Transfers from BOPT 1200.00 Town Council Precept 166.32 McCarthy Stone 6000.00 Harnessing the Power of Community 780.00 Day Trip Funding 1856.00 Donation Ribblehead Sheep Show 250.00 Total Income ### 23848.1 |
|---|---|
| Balances 1st April 2024 Income Year ended 31 March 2025 Total Funds Less: Expenditure year ended 31 March 2025 Balances 31st March 2025 |
20988.69 15429.80 |
| 36418.49 23891.44 |
|
| 12527.05 |
to 31st March 2025
| 2024/202 | 2023/2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Expenditure | ||
| Salaries | 18131.60 | 14849.19 |
| Transport Costs Age Concern | 727.00 | 1485.00 |
| External Catering | 65.00 | |
| Food Costs | 2743.91 | 3287.76 |
| Miscellaneous | 175.19 | 1001.09 |
| Hire of Victoria Institute | 500.00 | |
| Xmas Party Costs | 666.67 | 754.00 |
| Safeguarding Training | 150.00 | |
| Day Trips | 1297.07 | |
| Total Expenditure | 23891.4 | 21942 |
Bentham Older People Together Income and Expenditure from 1st April 2024 to
2024/2025 023/2024
| Income Grants Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust Donations W G Grifths Grant for Exercise Classes Black Pig Quiz Proceeds Bentham Town Council Calendars Total Income |
4000.00 1560.00 240.00 800 1560.00 5040.00 6570.72 1560.00 8130.72 2506.39 5624.33 |
|---|---|
| Balances 1st April 2024 Income Year ended 31 March 2025 Total Funds Less: Expenditure year to 31 Mar 2025 End Balance |
6570.72 1560.00 |
| 8130.72 2506.39 |
|
| 5624.33 |
o 31st March 2025
2024/2025 2023/2024
| Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Disbursements | ||
| Disbursement to Age Concern | 1200.00 | |
| Disbursement to CLC | 1200.00 | |
| BOPT Training Costs | 35.00 | |
| BOPT Activities Costs | 570.00 | 510.00 |
| Bentham Hub | 50.00 | |
| Lower House Sensory Farm | 500.00 | |
| Bowland View for Workshop | 500.00 | |
| Victoria Institute for Fire Alarm | 1000.00 | |
| Victoria Institute for Handrail | 394.24 | |
| Miscellaneous Costs | ||
| Travel Expenses | 42.15 | |
| Total Expenditure | 2506.39 | 1060.00 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of
Charity Name
Low Bentham Public Hall and Victoria Institute
On accounts for the year 31[st] March 2025 ended Set out on pages 1-3
Charity no 523773 (if any) (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025 .
- 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.
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 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
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.
.
Signed: u�� Name: Zillah Hopps
Date: 15/01/2026
Relevant professional FMAAT qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: Cobdale Cottage Warter York YO42 1XD
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
1
October 2018
IER