During 2018, Belmont Community Centre has been hired for over 3,500 hours and the School facilities for 2,000 hours. Thanks to all our users for your continued support in providing activities for our local community.
Our changing status
From 1 January 2019 will operate as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation under Charity Number 1177041. For Users there will be no change to your hiring agreements, but the new status will provide Trustees with more protection. At present, we have 11 Trustees and are looking to recruit one more. The role of a trustee is to manage resources and provide accountability. If you are interested in filling one of the Trustee positions, please get in touch with the Chair, Bill Moir, through the Community Development Manager on 0191 3866659.
Trustees meet bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Community Centre in January, March, May, July, September and November. Any user is welcome to attend.
Hiring Charges
Trustees are reluctantly increasing hiring charges, for the first time in over 2 years. From 1 January 2019 you will see an average increase of 5%. BCA is self-financing and since the last review, we have seen a rise in the National Minimum Wage by some 10%, electricity charges are set to increase by 18% and in general terms, inflation has risen 5.2%. We have successfully marketed our facilities, in order to maximise income. However, running cost for the Community Centre amount to over £36,000 a year, including provision of a music licence billed at over £1,000 a year.
Your responsibility
Groups operating as a business are reminded that you must hold public liability insurance. This protects you if clients or members of the public suffer personal injury or property damage because of your business activities. Anyone working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults should be DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and such groups should have a safeguarding policy.
Wishing you a safe and Happy Christmas
And a prosperous New Year!
From
BCA
Staff and Committee