AGM Friday 03 July 2015

Present:

Susanne Barker

Darren Griffin ((Treasurer)

Helen Ridley (Chair)

Petra Carlsson-Mitchell (Secretary)

Helen Hunter

Zeena Shepherd

Karen Douglas

Victoria Leigh

Harry Adler

Sean Lynch

Claire Davies

Apologies:

Helen Adler

Agenda Item

Action By

1.0 Welcome and Leader’s Report June 25, 2015

Susanne thanked the committee for their input and hard work this year.

She reminded us about the parent meetings next week and that parents can sign up for a slot on the sheet by the front door at pre-school.

Susanne also mentioned Quiz night on Saturday 4th July and that tickets that are 5 pounds can be bought at the door.

Suzanne handed out a copy of the Leader’s report June 2015 and it was suggested that we read the report (see copy of Leader’s report 2015) rather than going through it at the meeting.

2.0 Treasurer’s Report (See separate sheet)

Darren reported that as a result of a continuous increase of children at pre-school since autumn 2014, there has been an improvement inthe schools finances. In addition to tuition fees and grant money, fundraising over the last year has also contributed to the increase of the schools finances (separate sheet). Darren pointed out that the autumn term in 2015 looks good financially.

Darren noted that Tracy has /will audit the accounts in the next couple of weeks. It was mentioned that the profit that is generated in good years, will be used to tie the school over in less profitable years.

3.0 Fundraising and outdoor space for pre-school

It was noted that some of the profit this year has been spent to create an outdoor space for the pre-school. This followed on from the Ofsted report suggesting that the schools outdoor space was good, but in order for the pre-school to receive an outstanding the area would need more resources.

Helen R spoke about how the Parish Council have been supportive regarding improving the pre-schools Ofsted grading.

Harry mentioned that Helen A will ask parents to support the development of the outdoor space at the Spinney by helping out practically over the summer. It was noticed that the autumn and winter term will focus less on fundraising and more on meeting with the Village Trust regarding development of outdoor space.

We were reminded of the main fundraising events that have taken place this year such as:

The Pumpkin Party, selling calendars and Christmas cards, the Christmas party, Summer disco the Quiz night. Helen thanked the parents for helping out and supporting these events.

Suzanne spoke about how the focus of the summer term is to get the pre-school children ready for reception and create a smooth transition for them.

4.0 Nomination of the new committee of 2015-2016

Suzanne reported that she has enjoyed taking part in the committee and thanked Darren, Helen R and Helen A for their hard work and wished the new committee good luck:

Victoria Leigh was nominated and appointed as the new Treasurer

Helen Hunter was nominated and appointed as the new Chair.

As yet the committee has not nominated a secretary but were hopeful that they will find someone over the summer that can perform this role or alternatively that parents can take turns to take minutes at the committee meetings.

Petra Carlsson-Mitchell 8/7/15

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited

Trustees Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 28 February 2015

Registered Charity No. 1114179

Trustees Report

Board of Trustees report for the year ended 28 February 2015:

Board of Trustees:

The following were Trustees at 1 March 2014:

Suzie Done (Chair)
Helen Yates (Secretary)
Tracey Craft(Treasurer)

The following were Trustees from 9th June 2014:

Helen Ridley (Chair)
Helen Alder (Secretary)
Darren Griffin (Treasurer)

Address:

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited (Registered Charity Number 1114179)

Millennium Hall

Riding Mill

Northumberland

Principal Activities:

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited is a registered charity that aims to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups. It runs a pre-school for around 20 - 30 children in and around Riding Mill.

Activities and Achievements:

The 2014/15 financial year has been one of looking to the future as well as maintaining the high educational standards and safe environment of the Pre-school. At the outset of the year, the key objectives were to review our policies and procedures and to focus on promoting the Pre-school to prospective parents and carers. During the year, all of our policies and procedures have been reviewed and updated in line with current guidance. To improve the information available to current and prospective parents, a website has been launched for the Pre-school. Information leaflets have also been prepared for this purpose.

Spending during the year has been focussed on meeting our overheads and a wage increase was given to one staff. The Trustees would like to thank Suzanne Barker and our dedicated team for their hard work and commitment during the year. Our continued investment and support in this team is the foundation for a successful future for the Pre-school and our children.

The 2014/15 year saw headcount numbers on the increase once more, a welcome respite from 2 years of low registrations. The influx of children will go some way to helping the financial situation of the school. As always fundraising was a key activity of this year’s committee with funds going towards overhead and the development of the school’s outside space.

Trustee Selection Method:

Trustee membership is open to anybody with an interest in the Riding Mill Pre School and the development of its children at pre-school age. New Trustees are recruited by existing Trustees, and are typically the parents of those children attending Riding Mill Pre-School. This year, the Trustees have asked village members who are not parents for expressions of interest in becoming future Trustees.

Trustees are either voted onto the committee at our Annual General Meeting or are co-opted onto the committee between Annual General Meetings. New Trustees must submit an application that meet Ofsted’s requirements.

Risk Management:

The Trustees have examined the major risks the charity faces and confirms that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen the risks.

Volunteers:

The charity is grateful for the efforts of its volunteers who contribute greatly to the work of the organisation.

This report has been approved by the Board of Trustees on

Signed………………………………………… (Chairperson)

Date…………………………………………...

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

For The Year Ended 28 February 2015

The Charities Act 1993 requires the Trustees of the Charity to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year end of its financial position at the end of the year.

In preparing the financial statements the Trustees are required to:

  • Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
  • Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
  • Follow applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP, disclosing any departure in the financial statements; and
  • Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which are such as to disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the Charity at any time, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with Charity law. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the Charity’s assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Trustees on:

And signed on their behalf by:

Name and Position:

Independent Examiner’s Report

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited

Year Ended 28 February 2015

I report on the accounts of Riding Mill Pre-School Limited for the year ended 28 February 2015, which are set out on the following pages.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of The Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

  • Examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the1993 Act);
  • Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act); and
  • State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1)which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect the requirements:

  • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
  • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act;

have not been met; orto which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Name:Date:

Charity Number; 1114179

Year ended 28 February 2015

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited

Income and Expenditure for the year ended 28 February 2015

Year ended Year ended

28 February 201528 February 2014

££ ££

Receipts

Fees and Grants25,05723,743

Fundraising 3,581 5,551

Interest received 72 184

28,710 29,478

Payments

Wages, Tax and NI28,39227,839

Rent 2,725 2,475

Insurance 372 303

Fundraising 1,150 1,738

Equipment and Other Expenses 1,897 1,798

34,536 34,153

______

Deficit of Income over Expenditure (5,826) (4,674)

Riding Mill Pre-School Limited

Balance Sheet as at 28 February 2015

28 Feb 201528 Feb 2014

££

Current Assets

Stock55

Cash at bank and in hand 19,742 27,627

19,747 27,632

Creditors due within one year

Other Creditors and accruals 522 2,605

Taxation and social security 392 368

(914) (2,973)

______

Net Assets 18,833 24,659

======

Other reserves 4,517 4,517

Income and Expenditure Account 14,316 20,142

______

18,833 24,659

======

For the year ending 28 February 2015, the company was entitled to exemption under section 479(2) of the Companies Act 2006. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for ;

(i)Ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386; and

(ii)Preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of its financial year, and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with Section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.

Approved by the Trustees on:

And signed on their behalf by:

Name and Position: