Dalton Community Association (DCA)

Minutes of the Trustee meeting held 5.30pm 

Thursday 27th November 2025

1. Attendance: Welma Robinson (WR) Chair, Steve Nott, Vice Chair (SN), Brian Ryninks, Treasurer (BR), John McGill (JM), Raymond Willock (RW), Beverly Louw (BL), Barry Curley (BC), Kathy Corn (KC), 

2 Apologies:  Dave Ward (DW), Ian Maddox (IM), Barry Doughty (BD) 

WR reported that Nick Perrie (NP) had unfortunately had to resign as a trustee.

WR was pleased to confirm that tomorrow would be the anniversary of Raymond Willock (RW) serving the DCA for the past 20 years.  She thanked him for all of his support and contributions and handed over a Certificate of Recognition and a small gift.

3 Declaration of interests:

Raymond Willock – Fairtrade

Minutes of the Previous Meeting 

   The Minutes of the Meeting of 30th October 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 – None

6 Financial Approval of Payments

KC had circulated the details of the November 2025 financial transactions prior to the meeting and reported that income banked for November was £1,192.50 mainly for room hire. There were two petty cash expenses, which were for window cleaning and a heater for the office. A total of £114.98 was spent leaving a balance of £71.14. A total of £2,788.39 was spent on non-routine payments which were for cleaning products, PAYE, emergency light repair, repair to the projector including spare bulbs, catering for lunch club, NVCO membership renewal, plumbing repair to ladies’ toilets, boiler service and new door to side entrance.

7 Financial Report 

7.1 Annual Financial Statements 2024/5 Approval

The Treasurer BR had circulated the Annual Financial Statements, the Independent Examiner’s Report and his financial report for the year ended 31st March 2025 to Trustees prior to the meeting. There was an unrestricted funds deficit of £5,500 that would have been £10,216 were it not for the release of old accruals no longer required totalling a net £4,716. This left unrestricted reserves at £56,642 against the reserve policy requirement of £34,000. BR reported that the DCA’s financial outlook was cautious with the budget for 2025/6 that showed an unrestricted deficit of £6.3k.  VR asked what the make-up of the Miscellaneous costs of £7.6k were and BR said that these were various and a list would be sent to Trustees following the meeting. The Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 were approved by the Trustees subject to no concerns being raised following the meeting regarding the details of the Miscellaneous expenses.

7.2 Monthly Management Accounts

BR had circulated the monthly management accounts for October 2025 to all Trustees prior to the meeting. These showed that there was an unrestricted funds surplus of £94, 7-month cumulative unrestricted surplus of £2,219.  This resulted in unrestricted funds reserves of £54,184 against the reserve policy requirement of £34,000.

As far as restricted funds are concerned, there was a restricted funds deficit of £192 in October 2025, giving a 7-month cumulative deficit of £1,184, leaving a total of unspent restricted funds of £2,683.

There were no questions raised.

8 Facility Users

KC reported that we have two bookings for the main hall for the month of December.

Action – KC

9 Maintenance of the Building

Anti climb paint / Building work on back of the Centre

A copy of the report produced by BC was circulated to all trustees prior to the meeting.  A quote of £1400 was submitted by Mark Robson, covering anti-climb paint, signage, repairs to the outside wall and roof tiles, as well as all labour and materials.  Whereas this quote was approved BC suggested obtaining a second estimate from C&B Joinery before making any decisions. One neighbour who shares our wall has been contacted and has given permission for the work to go ahead whilst WR would contact another neighbour re painting part of their wall.

Action – WR

New Door to TA storage area

C&B Joinery has installed the new door and have received payment for this.  

10 Funding Applications 

Co-Op Award for Arm Rest Chairs – WR announced that we have now received £1800 from the Co-Op 

Furness Community Network £500 – Is available to provide a Warm Spot which should include activities.  KC to complete and submit form and lead the activity.

Action – KC

11 Anti-Social Behaviour

WR met with the library to address ASB issues at the Centre. It was agreed the Centre can permanently close at 4pm. There were concerns raised about the area being left unattended for extended period of times, and WR plans to talk with KC about possibly increasing her hours to help cover some of these periods.

12. Governance

Policies/Retainers 

BC and WR had recently met to discuss, and BC referred to his correspondence regarding policies and procedures.  A proposal to have HR support, especially given the upcoming changes in April 2026, would incorporate changes now not just then.  BL added that certain items were not required immediately though she had a preference not to defer implementing these with the £75 cost per month being good value for money.  BC indicated being happy to proceed with this contract.  He said that governance on matters beside HR also needed addressing and whereas he had previously offered to assist with re-writes, he no longer had the time to do so and so reluctantly tendered his resignation.  WR said that it was sad to receive this news, whilst JM added that he was awaiting a reply to a request to share policies with another community centre.  WR also thanked BC for his assistance so far that had been most helpful and noted that whereas policies had been reviewed by trustees, perhaps they did not have the required experience with governance hance the DCA now seeking external advice.  JM also thanked BC for his assistance to date on policies and confirmed that seeking professional advice was now a priority.

Contract – Baywind Energy Cooperative – Livingstons

Ongoing with the solar panels now included in the insurance cover.

Action – WR

Family Hub – Licence to Occupy – Ongoing

13 Any Other Business – Update

Flowhesion Initiative – JM had provided trustees with an update on the progress to date.

WR thanked all for their attendance and work during the year and wished all a Happy Christmas and New Year.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 29th January 26 at 5.30 pm at the Centre