The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes 1 to the financial statements and comply with the SMCH's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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).
History of the Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust
Councillor Shiraz Mirza founded the Trust in 2003. Twice Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and later also Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mirza had recognised a need to provide Kingston with affordable venues for use by all communities and groups within the Borough.
It was also Shiraz Mirza’s wish to provide a new facility that would develop into a multi-cultural hub for the Royal Borough’s residents, encompassing all community and voluntary groups, while providing an attractive, affordable venue, offering excellent modern facilities. A conference was held at Kingston University early in 2003, well attended by local voluntary and support organisations. The conference agreed that a new multi-cultural venue, able to enhance and assist the growing voluntary sector, with a capacity to further develop community cohesion, was a clear and urgent need.
A suitable site was identified near Norbiton railway station, the property being the former YMCA meeting hall. In the early summer of 2003, Shiraz Mirza approached local professionals who could contribute their experience and expertise. This group were then invited to become Directors/Trustees of the new, ‘Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust’. A very industrious search for sponsorship amongst the Kingston community proved very successful. Kingston Council gave further invaluable assistance in progressing the proposed site, and a sub-lease was taken out on the property. Very comprehensive regeneration work was carried out on the Norbiton site and in October 2003, it was formally opened by Mayor of London, Ken Livingston.
Following its opening, the Shiraz Mirza Community Hall in Norbiton met all its projected and planned objectives. Supported by enthusiastic editorials in Kingston’s local newspapers, public awareness of the new community hall grew rapidly. This greatly assisted its high utilisation across a highly diverse range of users. At this time the Mayors of other London and Surrey Boroughs, and the leaders of London community groups also formally visited the hall and witnessed what had been achieved. Unfortunately, the sub-lease for Norbiton Hall was not extended and came to an end in May-2020 and therefore Norbiton Hall is no longer part of the Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust.
However, due to the success of the Shiraz Mirza Trust Manor Park Hall, situated in New Malden, this much larger facility, which was formally opened by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, in November 2009 has now become the most popular venue for our hirers.
Manor Park Hall Update
A revised Lease was granted by Kingston Council for Manor Park, signed on 17 October 2023. The lease is for the period of 20 years from 9th May 2023 with a £5k annual rent. There is a 10-year break clause with a review every 5 years index linked to CPI.
The refurbishment works at Manor Park Hall were complete by late summer 2024.
The objectives of the Trust, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, are: -
To provide, promote and maintain a multi-cultural resource centre and associated facilities for the principal benefit and use of community, charitable and voluntary groups, and bodies predominantly within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames;
To promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined.
The main activity of the charity is the running of the Shiraz Mirza Community Trust and the promotion of those groups who use the Centre’s facilities.
Hiring Agreement
Use of the community halls is subject to a Hiring Agreement which must be signed by the hirer when booking. The hiring agreement sets out the conditions of hire and identifies the respective responsibilities of each party to the agreement.
The Charity’s principal source of funding is the charges it levies for the use of the community Centre at Manor Park, augmented by local authority grants and public donations from individuals and organisations.
Risk Assessment and Management
The Management Committee recognises that it is under a legal obligation to protect the building, financial and other risks, its users, and employees through adequate and appropriate insurance. The community hall is insured with respect to property damage (buildings insurance). It is insured with the same company with respect to contents, public liability and employers’ liability.
The charity’s Trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity might face.
The charity manage to maintain its income from the hire of the hall facilities to £70,254 (2024 : £75,890). The demand for Manor Hall continues to rise and will be increased with the future plan of the upgraded website.
An Internet booking service is ongoing and available. The Trust office is manned regularly with administrative tasks being undertaken by Mr Jim Maclellan.
At meetings of the Trust, the maintenance, security, and safety of the property is discussed in detail and acted upon. Trustees recognise that the appearance of the property has had a beneficial effect of its repeat usage, and any dilapidations are acted upon quickly.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and consider that the extensive use of the hall by The Borough’s residents, community, and voluntary groups for social, training and business activities is of considerable benefit to the wider community and meets the charity’s aims and objectives.
Hire of the Manor Park Hall was popular and now accounts for all the incoming resources. The expenditure figures include the refurbishment of the Manor Park Hall due to the completion in late summer 2024. Overall income and expenditure were as follows:
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Total Income | 90,446 | 87,864 | 25,700 | 53,039 | 76,514 | 75,890 | 70,254 |
Total Expenditure | 99,196 | 96,521 | 39,977 | 56,520 | 43,591 | 73,124 | 263,594 |
Surplus/(Deficit) | (8,750) | (8,657) | (14,277) | (3,481) | 32,923 | 2,766 | (193,340) |
Reserves
The reserves, which represent cumulative operating surplus, amounted to £56,191 (including designated funds) at the balance sheet date. This was as a result of expenditure on the refurbishment works amounting to £198,761 (incl. VAT) during the financial year as well as other normal expenditure of £64,833. This had resulted in the level of reserves being reduced from the previous £250,471 in 2023/2024.
In addition to the initial £10,000 set aside by the Trust, Kingston Matters had received £3,004 from external donors. By 31 March 2024, £8,702 had been distributed and in 2024-25 £940 was distributed. The amount of £3,362 is still available to support future projects
Plans for Future Periods
The Trustees intend to continue providing the Manor Park Hall as quality resource for the local community well into the future. There are two new trustees appointed in 25-26. The introduction of the newly appointed trustees is seen as a positive opportunity to further recognize and respect the strengths and expertise of others.
There will be increased collaborative work with other organizations and Kingston council to ensure a broad offer of Manor Park Hall after the refurbishment across the whole borough.
We are thrilled to announce that work is in progress on the launch of our brand-new community hall website. This new online website is designed to be a central hub for all information about our hall and booking events. The site has a fresh, modern design making it easier to navigate and find the information you need.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We have woven EDI into all activities and the appointment of the new Trustees to support members in becoming more representative of the communities they serve.
The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 24 July 2003 and registered as a charity on 25 January 2005. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, Trustees are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We have woven EDI into all activities and the appointment of the new Trustees to support members in becoming more representative of the communities they serve.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Recruitment and appointment of Trustees is confirmed at the Trust's Annual General Meeting.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the SMCH and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the SMCH will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the SMCH and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the SMCH and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust (the SMCH) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the SMCH are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the SMCH’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the SMCH as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Restricted funds represent Kingston Matters which was set up in July 2015 as a Designated Fund to support those in need in the Borough.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Shiraz Mirza Community Hall Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Manor Park Hall, 316-B Malden Road, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 6AU.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the SMCH's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The SMCH is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The SMCH has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the SMCH. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the SMCH has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the SMCH has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the SMCH reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The SMCH has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the SMCH's balance sheet when the SMCH becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the SMCH’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the SMCH is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the SMCH’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The trust had no employee during the current or previous year.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).