Stanwick Village Hall - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06317281 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1122786

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

for

STANWICK VILLAGE HALL

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

to

7

Statement of Financial Activities

8

Balance Sheet

9

to

10

Notes to the Financial Statements

11

to

18

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

The objectives of the charitable company are to establish and maintain a village hall for the use of the inhabitants of the Parish of Stanwick and the surrounding area without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or political, religious or other opinions.

The village hall has been established for meetings, lectures and classes or other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of Stanwick and the surrounding areas.

Significant activities and financial review

The objectives of the charitable company are stated in the Annual Report and Accounts and the activities during the year have been consistent with these objectives.

Activity

Occupancy levels continued to be high during the year, and the hall has continued to be used daily by Stanwick Preschool Playgroup and for a range of other activities including dance and fitness classes, badminton and table tennis as well as educational and language lessons, family parties, blood donors, handbells, a church group and family support groups. It continued to be at the centre of whole village events such as the Christmas Fair and Stanwick Races events. Parish Council meetings were held in the hall and the Parish Council Clerk continued to have an office in the hall.

The Trustees are pleased to report that the solar panels that were installed in the previous year have reduced running costs and lowered the halls carbon footprint.

There was a continuing focus on ensuring the hall was in good condition and routine repairs and maintenance was carried out on a timely basis.

Financial review

Total income for the year of £51,210 was 13% higher than the previous year, reflecting an increase in utilisation and the increase in hire rates which was introduced part way through the previous year in a response to the significant rise in energy costs. Rates had not been increased for 4 years.

Fundraising income of £4,361 reflected the income from quiz and cream tea events as well as our Christmas raffle and includes ticket sales, bar and other income. Income was up compared to the prior year due to more events. The related costs are included in expenditure.

Expenditure reduced by 8% (prior year increase of 20%) year on year, to £52,514 primarily reflecting a reduction in energy costs and lower repairs and maintenance, partially offset by an increase in other costs.

Overall, we recorded a net deficit of £1,304 compared with a deficit of £11,578 in the prior year.

The Trust's cash balance increased year on year reflecting the lower deficit and the impact of depreciation which is a non cash cost.

Green Agenda

The Trustees, having installed new lighting and solar panels in recent years, continue to consider other ideas as part of their focus on reducing the carbon footprint.

Future hire rates

Since increasing the hire rates in 2023, for the first time in 4 years, because of the impact of the huge rise in energy costs, the Trustees have held rates for 2024 and 2025 and will review rates in 2026. It is believed that the Trustees will then have a clearer view on the impact of the solar panels and the level of the ongoing cost base of the hall.

Stewardship

The Trustees continued to meet on average every six weeks, and monitor hall hire activity, finances, the physical state of the hall, the green agenda, risks and other matters.

We continue to look for other volunteers to act as new Trustees to help oversee the charity for the next decade! Please do volunteer and email or speak to the existing Trustees or Rebecca.

The Trustees appreciate the great support that Rebecca, the hall manager, provides not only to users but also to the Trustees in using her experience and knowledge to ensure the continuing success of the hall.

Please do monitor the website www.stanwickvillagehall.org which provides details on forthcoming and regular events.

Strategy and viability

The hall is a charity, and its income is from hire, fund raising events and donations. During the year The Big Lottery Fund, which provided most of the funding for building the hall, indicated their intention to release the legal charge it had over the hall. The Land Registry completed the removal of the legal charge in April 2025. The impact of this change, which will primarily be the designation of restricted and unrestricted funds will be reflected in the 2026 accounts.

The Trustees are mindful of their responsibility to ensure the building is sustained to provide a facility to the community for the long term and monitor the financial position at their meetings and seek to maintain adequate, but not excessive, reserves.

Reserves policy

The Trustees are aware of the need to maintain reserves to ensure the hall is available for the longer term and ensure, as far as possible, that sufficient, but not excessive, funds are accumulated and maintained to cover future property costs which are anticipated, over time, to be significant.

Depreciation of the building and fixtures and fittings represents a cost to reflect the wearing out and hence requirement for their future replacement. Over the past 14 years depreciation has been cumulatively approximately £200,000. The cash balance held at the year end was less than half of this amount. It is anticipated that major replacement costs will increase as the hall becomes older and the Trustees are focused on the facility being available, and maintained, for the long term, and not being reliant on future funding. Given this, it is anticipated that cash reserves will, in the short-term continue to increase.

How you can help

In addition to hiring the hall and supporting events that take place in it, there are a number of ways in which people can help support the hall and ensure its future viability is assured. Some years ago, we introduced "pledge an hour" to encourage people to help with small jobs around the hall, at a time to suit themselves, which saves the hall money. This would benefit from further support.

Finally, on a personal note I would like to express my appreciation for the support of the Trustees and Rebecca during these recent and ongoing challenging times. As noted above we are keen for new trustees to come on board to help ensure the hall is available to future generations as a viable asset and a focal point for the community.

Phil Crooks

CHAIR

Financial review

Reserves policy

It is the policy of Stanwick Village Hall to hold sufficient reserves to meet its objectives; to firstly establish the hall and now maintain it for the inhabitants of the parish of Stanwick and the surrounding area. As noted above, this is a long term objective and fund raising will be required to provide further reserves for larger items of repair and maintenance in the future. It is the policy of the charitable company to use the money as laid out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

Stanwick Village Hall is a company limited by guarantee. The company was incorporated on 18 July 2007. The company is also a registered charity, having registered with the Charity Commission on 14 February 2008. The governing documents of the charitable company are contained within the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Stanwick Village Hall.

Reference and administrative details

Registered Company number

06317281 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1122786

Registered office

Spencer Parade

Stanwick

Northamptonshire

NN9 6QJ

Trustees

Mr P J Crooks Chair

Mrs S E Kitchener Treasurer

Mr M Johnson Vice Chair

Ms E Lowe Company Secretary

Mr J H T Shearer

Company Secretary

Ms E Lowe

Independent Examiner

Cobley Desborough

Chartered Certified Accountants

Chartered Tax Advisers

Artisans' House

7 Queensbridge

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN4 7BF

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 12 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs S E Kitchener - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Stanwick Village Hall ('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.

Jonathan Cobley

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Cobley Desborough

Chartered Certified Accountants

Chartered Tax Advisers

Artisans' House

7 Queensbridge

Northampton

Northamptonshire

NN4 7BF

12 December 2025

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

46,849

-

46,849

42,119

Other trading activities

2

4,361

-

4,361

3,305

Total

51,210

-

51,210

45,424

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Expenditure

42,861

9,653

52,514

57,002

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

8,349

(9,653

)

(1,304

)

(11,578

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

137,444

357,141

494,585

506,163

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

145,793

347,488

493,281

494,585

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

62,220

347,488

409,708

422,401

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

387

-

387

66

Cash at bank

97,013

-

97,013

85,692

97,400

-

97,400

85,758

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(6,827

)

-

(6,827

)

(5,574

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

90,573

-

90,573

80,184

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

152,793

347,488

500,281

502,585

ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME

10

(7,000

)

-

(7,000

)

(8,000

)

NET ASSETS

145,793

347,488

493,281

494,585

FUNDS

11

Unrestricted funds

145,793

137,444

Restricted funds

347,488

357,141

TOTAL FUNDS

493,281

494,585

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 12 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mrs S E Kitchener - 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.

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.

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

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Freehold property

-

2% on cost

Solar panels

-

10% on cost

Fixtures and fittings

-

15% on reducing balance

Computer equipment

-

33% on reducing balance

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.

The Big Lottery grant of £482,630 is being written off over 50 years in line with the freehold property depreciation policy.

During the year The Big Lottery indicated their intention to release the legal charge it had over the hall. The Land Registry completed the removal of the legal charge. The impact of this change will be reflected in the 2026 accounts.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Volunteer help

The value of any volunteer help received is not recorded in the accounts but any help in addition to that given by the Trustees is described in the Trustees Report if significant.

2.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Fundraising events

4,361

3,305

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

2025

2024

£

Depreciation - owned assets

13,828

12,717

Deficit on disposal of fixed assets

130

-

4.	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.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Manager

1

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

42,119

-

42,119

Other trading activities

3,305

-

3,305

Total

45,424

-

45,424

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Expenditure

47,349

9,653

57,002

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(1,925

)

(9,653

)

(11,578

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

139,369

366,794

506,163

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

137,444

357,141

494,585

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Freehold

Solar

and

Computer

property

panels

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

Cost

At 1 April 2024

537,503

14,880

52,204

1,056

605,643

Additions

-

1,265

-

1,265

Disposals

-

(1,250

)

-

(1,250

)

At 31 March 2025

537,503

14,880

52,219

1,056

605,658

Depreciation

At 1 April 2024

139,075

247

43,206

714

183,242

Charge for year

10,750

1,488

1,476

114

13,828

Eliminated on disposal

-

(1,120

)

-

(1,120

)

At 31 March 2025

149,825

1,735

43,562

828

195,950

Net book value

At 31 March 2025

387,678

13,145

8,657

228

409,708

At 31 March 2024

398,428

14,633

8,998

342

422,401

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade debtors

339

18

Prepayments

48

387

66

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Prepaid income

1,300

1,090

Trade creditors

1,571

920

Social security and other taxes

20

-

Other creditors

1,202

230

Accruals and deferred income

1,000

Accrued expenses

1,734

2,334

6,827

5,574

10.	ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME

2025

2024

£

Accruals and deferred income

7,000

8,000

A grant was received for £10,000 to be used towards the purchase of solar panels acquired in the year. The solar panels are being depreciated over their estimated useful life of 10 years and in line with this the grant is also being released over 10 years. £1,000 is reflected in deferred income falling due in one year and £7,000 is shown in deferred income falling due in more than one year.

11.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1/4/24

in funds

31/3/25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

137,444

8,349

145,793

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

357,141

(9,653

)

347,488

TOTAL FUNDS

494,585

(1,304

)

493,281

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

51,210

(42,861

)

8,349

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

-

(9,653

)

(9,653

)

TOTAL FUNDS

51,210

(52,514

)

(1,304

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1/4/23

in funds

31/3/24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

139,369

(1,925

)

137,444

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

366,794

(9,653

)

357,141

TOTAL FUNDS

506,163

(11,578

)

494,585

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

45,424

(47,349

)

(1,925

)

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

-

(9,653

)

(9,653

)

TOTAL FUNDS

45,424

(57,002

)

(11,578

)

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

139,369

6,424

145,793

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

366,794

(19,306

)

347,488

TOTAL FUNDS

506,163

(12,882

)

493,281

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

96,634

(90,210

)

6,424

Restricted funds

Big lottery grant

-

(19,306

)

(19,306

)

TOTAL FUNDS

96,634

(109,516

)

(12,882

)

Restricted Funds

Grants received from The Big Lottery are restricted funds for 20 years and during this period the Big Lottery has a legal charge over the property.

During the year The Big Lottery indicated their intention to release the legal charge it had over the hall. The Land Registry completed the removal of the legal charge. The impact of this change will be reflected in the 2026 accounts.

12.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.