Newsletter - May 2010
16/05/10 00:57
Dear Members and Supporters,
THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE – WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We want to advise you of the current situation at the Community Centre, update you on the changes taking place there and stifle any inaccurate rumours. We are seeking your support and views to maximise the chances for the survival of this valuable community asset, which is at stake. In the New Year we wrote to you describing the Centre’s precarious financial position and asking for more people to become members. In recent weeks it has increasingly come to light that the Centre’s debts are greater than previously known. The Community Centre is in serious financial difficulty and action must be taken now.
The Community Centre consists of two separate organisations. The Community Association (a registered charity that owns the land and buildings) and the Social Club (a limited company) which historically operated the bar and passed on its profits to the Association. The Social Club has been running at a loss and is no longer able to provide funds to the Association. In April, the Social Club was served with a winding-up order by HM Revenue & Customs for non-payment of VAT, a matter that needs our immediate attention. The Community Association has its own problems with outstanding debts, one of which if not attended to urgently, could lead to the electricity being disconnected.
However, there is much good news. As a result of efforts made, membership for 2010 already exceeds last year and we would dearly welcome this to continue. The operation of the bar is now contracted to Mr Peter Smith and is again providing the Association with regular rental income and a share of the profits from gaming machines. This arrangement is also reducing many of the management issues. The atmosphere in the bar has improved and it is hoped we can go from strength to strength.
Furthermore, the Association has several new trustees from the main ‘affiliated user groups’. Representatives from the Drama and Operatic Group, Young Expressions and the Bowling and Tennis Clubs have joined with existing trustees to bolster the range of skills and experience needed to carry out a root and branch review of all aspects of management. Plans are already in hand to increase income and reduce overheads. Projections indicate the Association can make an operating surplus and service its longer-term debts – but it must first survive the next few weeks and months.
A generous loan from Des Felton, one of the trustees, together with additional funding from the user groups has paid off some of the utility and other immediate debts. We have approached the bank and asked for further assistance to allow us to go forward and are hopeful of a positive response in due course. However, we need to build up a fighting fund to ‘keep the lights on’ over forthcoming weeks and months.
Given the Community Centre’s dire financial circumstances, we are asking for help from members, supporters and indeed the whole community. If you are able to, please make a donation of £10 or more, although any amount will be gratefully received. Please complete the slip below and return it with your donation to the above address. By doing so you will be helping to save a valuable asset that has been a part of village life for many years and supporting the many activities going on there. If you have any queries or concerns regarding this letter, or have suggestions to improve your Community Centre, please contact Lilian Hunter in the first instance on 352360 or e-mail us at welcomeifcc@live.co.uk.
Thank you for your support.
IFCA Trustees
THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE – WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We want to advise you of the current situation at the Community Centre, update you on the changes taking place there and stifle any inaccurate rumours. We are seeking your support and views to maximise the chances for the survival of this valuable community asset, which is at stake. In the New Year we wrote to you describing the Centre’s precarious financial position and asking for more people to become members. In recent weeks it has increasingly come to light that the Centre’s debts are greater than previously known. The Community Centre is in serious financial difficulty and action must be taken now.
The Community Centre consists of two separate organisations. The Community Association (a registered charity that owns the land and buildings) and the Social Club (a limited company) which historically operated the bar and passed on its profits to the Association. The Social Club has been running at a loss and is no longer able to provide funds to the Association. In April, the Social Club was served with a winding-up order by HM Revenue & Customs for non-payment of VAT, a matter that needs our immediate attention. The Community Association has its own problems with outstanding debts, one of which if not attended to urgently, could lead to the electricity being disconnected.
However, there is much good news. As a result of efforts made, membership for 2010 already exceeds last year and we would dearly welcome this to continue. The operation of the bar is now contracted to Mr Peter Smith and is again providing the Association with regular rental income and a share of the profits from gaming machines. This arrangement is also reducing many of the management issues. The atmosphere in the bar has improved and it is hoped we can go from strength to strength.
Furthermore, the Association has several new trustees from the main ‘affiliated user groups’. Representatives from the Drama and Operatic Group, Young Expressions and the Bowling and Tennis Clubs have joined with existing trustees to bolster the range of skills and experience needed to carry out a root and branch review of all aspects of management. Plans are already in hand to increase income and reduce overheads. Projections indicate the Association can make an operating surplus and service its longer-term debts – but it must first survive the next few weeks and months.
A generous loan from Des Felton, one of the trustees, together with additional funding from the user groups has paid off some of the utility and other immediate debts. We have approached the bank and asked for further assistance to allow us to go forward and are hopeful of a positive response in due course. However, we need to build up a fighting fund to ‘keep the lights on’ over forthcoming weeks and months.
Given the Community Centre’s dire financial circumstances, we are asking for help from members, supporters and indeed the whole community. If you are able to, please make a donation of £10 or more, although any amount will be gratefully received. Please complete the slip below and return it with your donation to the above address. By doing so you will be helping to save a valuable asset that has been a part of village life for many years and supporting the many activities going on there. If you have any queries or concerns regarding this letter, or have suggestions to improve your Community Centre, please contact Lilian Hunter in the first instance on 352360 or e-mail us at welcomeifcc@live.co.uk.
Thank you for your support.
IFCA Trustees
