Dalton Community Association (DCA)

Minutes of the Trustee meeting held 5.30pm 

Thursday 26th June 2025

1 Attendance: Val Robinson (VR) Chair, Barry Doughty (BD), John McGill (JM), Raymond Willock (RW), Dave Ward (DW), Ian Maddox (IM), Beverly Louw (BL), Steve Nott (SN)

VR welcomed all Trustees present to the meeting.  VR referred to the email sent out earlier the week to inform Trustees of the sudden passing of Sue Johnson and ask those present to participate in a minute of silence to remember Sue and the great contribution she has made over many years.  VR will hand deliver a sympathy card to Gary and Harvey.

VR also informed Trustees that the previous Centre Manager has left.  VR contacted Kathy Corn (KC), who was forced to resign in 2024 due to medical reasons, and she will be joining the DCA on the 1st July as Centre Manager. 

2 Apologies:     Nick Perie (NP), Brian Ryninks (BR) Treasurer, Barry Curley (BC),

3 Declaration of interests:

Raymond Willock – Fairtrade, 

4 Minutes of the Previous Meeting 

   The Minutes of the Meeting of 25th April 2025 that were circulated to Trustees prior to the meeting were approved by the Trustees as a true record.

5 Matters Arising not on the agenda – VR did look at the Constitution regarding attendance of meetings.  VR to arrange a meeting with the Trustee as a matter of courtesy to discuss this.

Action – VR

VR also mentioned the Voices of Wales concert, and particularly the Cowbridge Male Voice Choir, which was held on the 24th May.  Feedback has been excellent and many enquired if there would be another concert in the future.  The DCA will receive £1,050 from the £2,200 made on the night. VR earmarked these funds towards youth provision, but until such time we are certain of what and how youth provision will continue at the centre. 

BD informed that Cowbridge Male Voice Choir enjoyed the weekend in Barrow and especially the warmth with which they were received.  VR mentioned how lovely it was to hear the choir sing at the ‘after-glow’ after the show.  

6 Financial Approval

BR had circulated the details of the May 2025 financial transactions prior to the meeting and reported that income banked for May was £405 for room hire.  A report on petty cash will be provided at the next meeting. In May a total of £574.73 was spent on non-routine payments mainly £311.90 for the annual film licence.  No cheques were issued as all payments were made by bank transfers from the new bank account. 

BR had circulated the details of the June 2025 financial transactions prior to the meeting and reported that income banked for June was £305.65 for room hire.  A report on petty cash will be provided at the next meeting. In June a total of £1,079.80 was spent on non-routine payments with the highest of six payments being £285 for plants.  No cheques were issued as all payments were made by bank transfers from the new bank account. 

7 Financial Report 

7.1 Monthly Management Accounts

BR had circulated the monthly management accounts for April 2025 to all Trustees prior to the meeting. These showed that there was an unrestricted funds surplus of £2,197, mainly due to £2,520 from True Life Church catch up from Q4 2024, giving a 1-month cumulative unrestricted deficit of £2,197.  This resulted in unrestricted funds reserves of £54,160 against the reserve policy requirement of £34,000.

As far as restricted funds are concerned, there was no restricted funds movement in April 2025, giving a 1-month cumulative deficit of £nil, leaving a total of unspent restricted funds of £2,242.

BR had circulated the monthly management accounts for May 2025 to all Trustees prior to the meeting. These showed that there was an unrestricted funds deficit of £680, that would have been reduced by £514 of rental income being processed/shown in error last month as April that was in fact received in May, giving a 20-month cumulative unrestricted surplus of £1,5216. This resulted in unrestricted funds reserves of £53,480 against the reserve policy requirement of £34,000.

As far as restricted funds are concerned, there was a restricted funds deficit of £200 in May 2025, giving a 2-month cumulative deficit of £200, leaving a total of unspent restricted funds of £2,042.

8 Facility Users

VR reported that a number of enquiries have been received, one for a children’s party in September, Westmorland and Furness meeting in September and ‘We buy Vintage’ has booked the hall for the 30th July.

9 Maintenance of the Building

VR asked Trustees to put in their diary’s potential dates for a clean-up day.  The dates are the either the 2nd August or the 23rd August.   There are some paint work to be done and it would be appreciated if all could help.  It will only be from 9.00 am to 1.00pm.

      Action – VR/All Trustees

With the help IM items were taken from the loft and disposed of.  Thanks to IM and JMcG for their help and support.

VR will contact Les Johnson to carry out the PAT testing of all the electrical and electronic equipment.

Action – VR

In partnership with Dalton Town Council, the DCA has sponsored one of the planters on Ulverston Road for Cumbria in Bloom.  Dalton Town Council made a £30 contribution towards the plants.

All the solar panels were inspected in the last week.  This is a 5-yearly exercise and there were no issues reported.  

10 Funding Applications

VR has amended the application, but with the current situation VR proposed that she will meet with Drop Zone in the near future to discuss the delivery of youth services and future funding opportunities

Action – VR.   

11 Anti-Social Behaviour

VR reported that during the recent half term, no anti-social behaviour took place.   An issue with the ladies’ toilets was dealt with.  No other complaints have been lodged.

BD reported that he has spoken to Baywinds, regarding the longstanding issue on the contract and he has now been assured that a new contract will be issued.

Action – BD

12. Governance – Nothing of urgency to report.

          Action – VR/BC

13 Any Other Business

13.1 BD suggested that we change the name of the King’s Own to the Sue Johnson Suite, as a mark of appreciation for the work and personal contribution Sue has made to the DCA.  VR stated that she totally agrees and that we should discuss how to take this forward in the next few months.  When the time is right, we could discuss with the family and recognise all Sue’s efforts.  

13.2 VR has made contact with Neil Austin of Energy Services to enquire about the report following the review carried out on the 26th February.  He promised to email the report on his return to the office, but VR have not to date received a report.  VR will action and chase up.  She reported also that no response has been received from Stepen Leaper of Westmorland and Furness Council following her email to him dated the 30th April 2025.  BD suggested VR to contact Alison Meadows to ask for assistance.

Action – VR

14 Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 31st July 2025 at 5.30pm at the Centre.