REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07747502 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1144541

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

for

Friends of Grappenhall Library

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Grappenhall Community Library

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Balance Sheet

8

to

9

Notes to the Financial Statements

10

to

15

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

Aims and purposes

The charitable company's purpose, as set out in the objects contained in the Articles of Association, is to further or benefit the residents of Grappenhall (a district of Warrington) and the neighbourhood by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of a social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for residents.

In furtherance of those objects, as also set out in the objects "to establish or secure the establishment of a community centre at the former Grappenhall Library, Victoria Avenue, Grappenhall, Warrington and to maintain, manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance of such centre for activities promoted by the charity in the furtherance of the above objects".

Significant activities

Objectives

To achieve its purposes, the company has re-opened the library building to operate as a community library organised and staffed by volunteers and as a community centre for the benefit of all the residents of Grappenhall and the neighbourhood. In addition to re-establishing a lending library, the company has promoted work with children, young people and the elderly and has made the building available to other voluntary and charitable organisations for the promotion of their own activities for the benefit of the community and for letting for private functions.

Public benefit

It is a fundamental principle of the charity that borrowing membership of the library is open to all members of the public without charge. Membership of the charitable company is also open to all members of the public subject to the payment of an annual subscription, which for the financial year 2024/2025 was £10. Accordingly, the activities of the charity meet the public benefit criteria.

The trustees will review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity annually to consider the achievements and development of the objectives over the previous twelve months. The review will help to ensure that the trustees remain focused on the company's objectives and the activities remain focused on the company's aims and purposes. The trustees will act at all times in accordance with the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public Benefit.

Volunteers

Throughout the year, and in this report, the actions and support of volunteers have been mentioned time and again. There are many people who have been active and we would like to thank one and all for their stellar support. Without them nothing would be possible.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

During 2024/25 there were changes to the Board of Trustees, Terry Lempriere resigned, wishing to focus more on his activities and interests with us and Sheila Wallace decided to leave at the end of her tenure. We thank them for many years of work as trustees.

Friends of Grappenhall Library co-opted Anne Gannon onto the Board. At the AGM Judith Patterson and Anne were voted onto the Board with Anne taking the position of Treasurer.

Our core remains the lending library. In accordance with our founding documents this is free to use. Books are separated into adult and junior sections with a steady turnover of stock from donations. We aim to offer a wide range of authors and topics.

The library, activities remain steady, in conjunction with the library we run a children's story time for pre -schoolers, children's craft and reading groups.

Community activities continue to increase and include:

Lego Club, for 5 - 10year-olds focusing on building kits.

Busy Bees, an adult craft and chat group.

Jigsaw Puzzle Club attracting attention and puzzles from around the world.

Time to Chat, for people with dementia and their carers, meeting twice a month. This continues to be generously supported by Heathfield Residential Home.

Community Groups hiring regularly are Zoom Craft, Crochet Gang, Marlfield WI, The Trefoil Guild and Woolston Eyes.

Events have had a strong base with jigsaw and book sales of excess stock, quizzes including a new afternoon slot, whisky and wine tastings.

A new venture has been Soup Lunches, running on some Wednesdays, linking the morning and afternoon sessions.

We continue to work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

The building has been hired by Warrington Borough Council as a Polling Station, G&T Parish Council plus occasional use for private hire.

Infernal Twangers and Kumon Maths have both left during the year. We thank them for their support.

There remains much potential for expansion into community activities and support groups. We are always seeking new people emerging from the community to initiate and develop new project ideas.

Thank you to everyone for their support and hard work.

Friends Membership

Friends of Grappenhall library are very important and supportive of the life of the library. At the beginning of the financial year the "Friends membership" stood at over 200 participants. However this has decreased over the year by about 10%. There are various reasons for the decrease, however the trustees need to look more closely at what they can do to encourage membership. There are still many people that use the library and are unaware of the "Friends" membership.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Overall, the library has had a good financial year, despite losing two significant hirers halfway through the year. We have welcomed the crochet and Friday craft groups which have replaced some of the lost income. There has been approximately £1K increase in our income from last year, however this could be attributed to the interest which we have received on our investments. Fundraising and the activities which the library run are well supported, but this does not mean that this income can be taken for granted. The trustees continue to apply for gift aid where appropriate.

As there were no major projects on the horizon this year there was no need to apply for grant funding.

Although the trustees review the library hire charges annually, there has been no increase in the current financial year.

The expenditure has decreased this year and the library is fortunate to have fixed rates on the gas and electric costs as well as our telephone and WIFI package. This has allowed the trustees to benefit from the control of some of the costs. The other major costs, such as repairs & maintenance, insurance, IT costs and audit costs are subject to constant review, but are subject to market conditions.

Reserves policy

The trustees review the reserves policy throughout the year. The cash at the year end is £63,583 and far exceeds the £6,500 which was the initial free cash reserve which the trustees agreed would be held. In 2024 it was agreed to increase the minimum level of free reserves to £26,000 to cover management, administration, support costs as well as emergency needs which may arise from time to time. In addition, it may be necessary to designate certain sums from the reserves for anticipated/unanticipated expenditure irrespective.

Interest rates continue to fluctuate and when the term bond matured in February 2025 the trustees invested £20K in a 95-day access account paying 3.46%. This is significantly less than the 5.08% which we were previously receiving. The library also has a 32-day access account with a substantial balance paying 2.15%, and a commercial instant access account with £11K paying 0.08%. All the interest accounts are compound interest. The day-to-day account is just over £5K. However, as this does not accrue interest, the trustees keep this to a minimum. Most months the income covers expenditure. However additional funds are required in December and March to cover larger invoices such as insurance and library software.

The trustees will continue to look at the financial markets and invest where and when it is appropriate.

Going concern

The Trustees are aware that the charity is reliant on its current streams of income to allow the charity to operate. At this time, and looking forward, the trustees consider that the charity is a going concern and that the accounts are produced on a correct basis.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Friends of Grappenhall Library is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 22nd August 2011 and registered as a charity on 4th November 2011. The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which established the objects and powers of the company. In the event of the company being wound up the members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

Charity constitution

In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles, the affairs of the charitable company are governed by the board of trustees. The trustees are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles. In the financial year 2024/25, all the trustees of the company gave their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity. The trustees are accountable for the overall performance of the company and for ensuring that the company meets its charitable objectives. The Board has particular responsibility for ensuring that grants received for funding the operations of the charity are managed and controlled effectively in meeting the objectives of the company.

Under Article 32 of the company's Articles of Association, one-third of the trustees or the number nearest to one-third must retire from office each annual general meeting of the company. The retiring trustees may offer themselves for re-election. Other persons may be appointed to be trustees by ordinary resolution of the charity, subject to compliance with the notice requirements of Article 35.

Organisational structure

None of the volunteers has received any payment or benefit from the charity.

Induction and training of new trustees

All Trustees are offered an induction package, including information about the charity, meetings with staff and Charity Commission trustee's leaflets. All Trustees are invited to participate in relevant training.

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against known risks. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed in particular those related to its operations and finances. No changes have been considered necessary to the policies in place in respect of health and safety and data protection,however a new policy was written and put in place to cover the guidelines laid down by the Government due to Covid-19. The Trustees seek to maintain good governance across the organisation and to operate within best practice. Financial stability has been secured by grants for capital expenditure. Revenue expenditure has been met from income, including fundraising initiatives and donations in addition to annual subscriptions from members of the charity and hire fees from letting of the building.

The Trustees have maintained buildings and public liability insurance with Aviva Insurance.

The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major financial risk.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

07747502 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1144541

Registered office

Victoria Avenue

Grappenhall

Warrington

Cheshire

WA4 2PE

Trustees

S R Yates

Mrs S M Wallace Treasurer (resigned 8.11.24)

Mrs J A McQuillian

Mrs A M Gannon (appointed 8.11.24)

Mrs J A Patterson (appointed 8.11.24)

Independent Examiner

Janine Boyo

Voisey & Co LLP

Chartered Accountants

8 Winmarleigh Street

Warrington

Cheshire

WA1 1JW

Advisers

Bank

Lloyds Bank

Horsemarket Street

Warrington

Cheshire

WA1 1TP

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 28 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs A M Gannon - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Friends of Grappenhall Library ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Janine Boyo

Voisey & Co LLP

Chartered Accountants

8 Winmarleigh Street

Warrington

Cheshire

WA1 1JW

28 July 2025

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

5,621

6,369

Other trading activities

3

13,034

12,021

Investment income

4

1,960

1,173

Other income

1,264

1,283

Total

21,879

20,846

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

1,446

1,368

Charitable activities

Library services

14,847

16,439

Total

16,293

17,807

NET INCOME

5,586

3,039

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

62,790

59,751

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

68,376

62,790

31.3.25

31.3.24

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

4,989

7,044

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

3,021

2,583

Cash at bank

63,584

55,668

66,605

58,251

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(3,218

)

(2,505

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

63,387

55,746

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

68,376

62,790

NET ASSETS

68,376

62,790

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

68,376

62,790

TOTAL FUNDS

68,376

62,790

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 28 July 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

A M Gannon - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The reporting currency is £ Sterling and is rounded to the nearest £.

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

•

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;

•

the requirement of paragraph 3.17(d);

•

the requirements of paragraphs 11.42, 11.44, 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);

•

the requirements of paragraphs 12.26, 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Donations are recognised on receipt. Any restriction applicable the donations are noted and would be included in a separate restricted fund.

Subscriptions are due annually and recognised on receipt.

Fundraising events and letting income is recognised on receipt and the events have been completed.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants,is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, and it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially recorded at cost and subsequently stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less and subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Improvements to property

20% Straight Line

Outdoor equipment

20% Straight Line

Fixture & fittings

20% Straight Line

Library equipment

33% Straight Line

Computer equipment

33% Straight Line

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Donations

3,446

4,000

Gift aid

318

325

Subscriptions

1,857

2,044

5,621

6,369

3.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Fundraising events

7,867

7,541

Lettings and hire income

5,167

4,480

13,034

12,021

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Deposit account interest

1,960

1,173

5.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

2,653

2,558

Independent Examiners fee

1,364

1,058

6.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

Fixtures

to

Outdoor

and

property

equipment

fittings

£

£

£

COST

At 1 April 2024

60,192

10,772

3,298

Additions

-

598

-

Disposals

(306

)

(476

)

(70

)

At 31 March 2025

59,886

10,894

3,228

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2024

59,446

6,300

2,102

Charge for year

326

1,610

294

Eliminated on disposal

(306

)

(476

)

(70

)

At 31 March 2025

59,466

7,434

2,326

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2025

420

3,460

902

At 31 March 2024

746

4,472

1,196

Library

Computer

equipment

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1 April 2024

2,396

5,995

82,653

Additions

-

-

598

Disposals

-

(932

)

(1,784

)

At 31 March 2025

2,396

5,063

81,467

DEPRECIATION

At 1 April 2024

2,396

5,365

75,609

Charge for year

-

423

2,653

Eliminated on disposal

-

(932

)

(1,784

)

At 31 March 2025

2,396

4,856

76,478

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 March 2025

-

207

4,989

At 31 March 2024

-

630

7,044

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Trade debtors

-

40

Other debtors

3,021

2,543

3,021

2,583

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.25

31.3.24

£

£

Trade creditors

626

258

Other creditors

1,085

1,127

Accruals and deferred income

1,507

1,120

3,218

2,505

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.24

in funds

31.3.25

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

62,790

5,586

68,376

TOTAL FUNDS

62,790

5,586

68,376

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

21,879

(16,293

)

5,586

TOTAL FUNDS

21,879

(16,293

)

5,586

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.23

in funds

31.3.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

59,751

3,039

62,790

TOTAL FUNDS

59,751

3,039

62,790

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

20,846

(17,807

)

3,039

TOTAL FUNDS

20,846

(17,807

)

3,039

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

movement

At

At 1.4.23

in funds

31.3.25

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

59,751

8,625

68,376

TOTAL FUNDS

59,751

8,625

68,376

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

42,725

(34,100

)

8,625

TOTAL FUNDS

42,725

(34,100

)

8,625

11.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

All trustees pay an annual subscriptions of £10 to the library which is the same rate as any members of the library.