Salwarpe and District Village Hall
Registered Charity No.525139
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024
Salwarpe and District Village Hall (“the Foundation”) is governed by the terms of a Deed of Conveyance dated 22 February 1973.
The Foundation is established for the maintenance of a Village Hall for the use of the inhabitants of the parish of Salwarpe and the neighbourhood (“the area of benefit” as defined in the Trust Deed). The Village Hall has been provided for letting to persons both within the area of benefit and to other parties throughout the year. In carrying out these activities and exercising their powers and duties under the Trust Deed, the Trustees have paid due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission.
The principal office of the Foundation is Old School House, Salwarpe, Worcestershire, WR9 0AH, being the address of the Secretary, Mrs M Harris.
The members of the Committee of Management are Trustees of the Foundation. The names of all the trustees at the date of this report and other trustees acting during the financial year are set out below in alphabetical order. Elected Members of the Committee are normally appointed at the Annual General Meeting but the Committee has the power at other times to co-opt further members to act until the following Annual General Meeting. The local organisations set out in the Trust Deed may appoint Representative Members of the Committee; their names are to be advised to the Secretary of the Committee, in advance of any Annual General Meeting, for appointment for the year following that Annual General Meeting.
Dr B Clough Mr C Downey Mrs C Luscombe Mrs M Harris Mrs M Miles Mr J Hill Mr F Randall
*denotes Representative Member
Financial Review
The accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are enclosed with this report, show a surplus for the year of £7906. The Hall Reserves were £34215 at that date.
Hire income for the year was £29465, an increase of more than £3000 on the year before and once again the highest level ever achieved. Operating costs totalled £23048 and this year there were no major exceptional costs. The largest item of expenditure was the charge for caretaking and maintenance services of £8752, an increase of about 5.5%. The only other item showing a significant percentage increase was, unsurprisingly, electricity costs, which rose by 45% following the maturity of the previous two-year fixed rate contract.
Investment income has more than doubled, reflecting the higher interest rate environment. Fund raising income of £746 relates to the barn dance earlier this year.
The deposit funds are held on two accounts. A 95-day notice account with Cambridge & Counties (£12427) earning 4.5% and COIF Charities Deposit Fund (£15904) earning over 5%.
The accounts were reviewed by the Independent Examiner without qualification and a copy of his report has been filed with the signed accounts.
Chairman’s Report
At the beginning of the year Barbara Clough agreed to become a trustee of the village hall and was welcomed onto the committee.
During another busy year, security issues were dealt with, tightening up of key safe use and the requirement of the caretaker to lock up after parties. Despite this the hall was broken into, and a window was broken but nothing was stolen. Our insurance no longer covers the use of bouncy castles. Their use is now the responsibility of the hirer.
A fibre broadband connection has been made to the hall and wi-fi is now available for general use.
Damage to the floor in the ladies cloakroom due to two leaking toilets was eventually repaired. Other improvements to the hall have been delayed due to a very wet winter and spring, namely repairs to the boiler house and tidying up the path alongside the hall. No decision was taken on the purchase of crowd control barriers to act as a temporary barrier, when required, between the car park and the garden.
An enjoyable and successful pig roast supper and barn dance was held after Christmas.
The Parish Council encouraged the application for a part funded grant from the Wychavon Rural Fund. This would be for repair and resurfacing of the car park and include several “green features.” The verdict on the application is awaited.
My thanks to all who contributed to the hall’s success again this year. Special thanks to Clive Downey who, sadly, is retiring.
SALWARPE & DISTRICT VILLAGE HALL Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Ri&lJi%tered C.haril% SO. i2)139 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 2023-24 2022-23 Receipts Hirings Imiestmenl income. deposit inlwest Fund raising StIon 11b grant Other income Total ReiptS 26458.50 731.38 746.28 257.19 3261. 3CP354.63 30349.31 Payments Booknng sayotary Cleaning charges Equlpment Insur8n( Licensing 199$ Maintenanc of grouThJs Repair5 & MnI•nanc BuildiThJ malntwAnL Claaning male31$ Ebxrical, heating & pluMtj Fumlshings & equipm&rt Refuse ColltIon Winrsyw cthning Section 1c6 improvements lè Mainlerwicè S&vic48 3227.59 3157.49 45.29 1388.89 229. 73 947.98 1.12 257.04 2629.62 28431.70 713.50 480.14 734.80 374.40 176.CKI 4514.75 154C 3261.80 8752.00 El&#ri¢ity 1171.98 1407. .78 2975.76 8C6 47 2168 46 414.75 Wal Ml8¢dIanUs 212.80 238.20 407.18 282.62 451.(X) Totsl PaYmts 52W2 68 N•t su Iu8 -defi¢it for the ar 7K6.37 -22133.37 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES 31.3.24 31.3.23 Reserves 48442.33 Net surFlus {. defKxtl kn the BAlanc• at 31 March 79X.37 34215 33 -22133 37 26308.96 Assets Curnent acxJ)unt 210.85 5208.40 28331.48 24301.47 Athanc hire deF#)siIs Adan 1( gr*rt Total assets .3327. -9)4.91 34215.33 26308.96