DIGBY HALL AND LIBRARY

Registered charity 275065 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as DIGBY MEMORIAL HALL AND LIBRARY

MANAGEMENT AND HIRE OF A PUBLIC HALL FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF SHERBORNE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Objects

A PUBLIC HALL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF SHERBORNE IN THE COUNTY OF DORSET AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS INCLUDING USE FOR MEETINGS, LECTURES, CLASSES, MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, DANCES AND FOR OTHER FORMS OF RECREATION AND LEISURE-TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE OF THE INHABITANTS.

Area of benefit: SHERBORNE

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Education/training · Amateur Sport · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£63k

Latest spending

£74k

Registered

1978

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity ended the year with unrestricted reserves in deficit at -£6,199, following a net expenditure of £11,226 against income of £62,551. The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the ability to continue as a going concern, relying on expected grant funding from The Simon Digby (Sherborne) Memorial Trust and potential further support from Sherborne Town Council.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: Rental income (72% of income)

“Income generated for the year amounted to £62,551 (2024: £59,141). This comprised £45,148 rental income” — page 3

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £-6k; policy: Specific reserves are held only for the provision of improvements or the renewal of equipment provided for the facility)

“At the current year end reserves are in deficit” — page 3

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor

“At the current year end reserves are in deficit, however the Trust is still a going cgncern as it is expected that The Simon Digby (Sherborne) Memorial Trust will provide grant monies to contribute towards running costs. There are also measures being considered by Sherborne Town Council to provide the Trust with more financial support.” — page 3

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: Sherborne Town Council is the sole Trustee. The Council employs two caretakers who look after the Hall, the costs of whom are reimbursed by the Trust. The Town Council also recharges the actual cost of goods and services ordered on behalf of the Trust. The Trust pays a fixed contribution of £5,000.00 p.a. in relation to other staff services provided by the Town Council.

“Sherborne Town Council is the sole Trustee. The Council employs two caretakers who look after the Hall, the costs of whom are reimbursed by the Trust. The Town Council also recharges the actual cost of goods and services ordered on behalf of the Trust. The Trust pays a fixed contribution of £5,000.00 p.a. in relation to other staff services provided by the Town Council.” — page 10

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Complaints handling
Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Risk management

Trustees · trustee networks

SHERBORNE TOWN COUNCIL

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Dorset

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/03/2025	£63k	£74k
31/03/2024	£59k	£68k
31/03/2023	£79k	£68k
31/03/2022	£89k	£66k
31/03/2021	£33k	£65k

Common questions

Is DIGBY HALL AND LIBRARY financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with unrestricted reserves in deficit at -£6,199, following a net expenditure of £11,226 against income of £62,551. The trustees consider there are no material uncertainties about the ability to continue as a going concern, relying on expected grant funding from The Simon Digby (Sherborne) Memorial Trust and potential further support from Sherborne Town Council. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

Funder	Date	Amount	Purpose
The National Lottery Community Fund	02/09/2004	£5k	disabled access