WINGATE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

 COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGER

The Wingate and District Community Association (Association) is seeking to appoint a Community Centre Manager (Manager) whose key role will be to manage the operation of the Wingate and District Community Centre (Centre) ensuring it is a vibrant community hub providing activities and events for those in the community.

The Manager will need to be enthusiastic, self-motivated with a real passion for community engagement and support.  The Manger will need to be able to manage a small operational team of employees and volunteers, you will also have overall day to day responsibility for the Centre including maintenance and regulatory matters.

The post is offered on a 3 years fixed term basis initially with the anticipation that it will become a permanent role.

What You Will Be Doing

• Day to day management of the Centre.
• Organising and managing activities and events that meet community need.
• Managing and coordinating staff.
• Building and maintaining the Centre’s reputation as a community hub.
• Driving revenue streams while managing costs.
• Ensuring compliance with building maintenance and regulatory requirements.
• Maintaining string focus on health and safety.

About You

• Enthusiastic and self-motivated.
• A passion for community engagement.
• An understanding of running a community building.
• Knowledge of statutory regulations and health and safety.
• Leadership qualities with a collaborative working style.
• Clear communicator with an ability to communicate in various format .
• Organised and methodical.
• Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

About Us

The Association is an Incorporated Charitable Organisation (ICO) established to:

Deliver for the residents of the Wingate and District Parish a central pivotal place where facilities such as education, social and recreational maybe the outcome. Continue to add to the improvement of social welfare conditions for those residents. Improve and build upon the services offered so can be accessed by more residents.

Wingate Parish Council is the sole Trustee of the Association.

The salary on offer is £28k per annum.

If you are interested in applying for the role then please send your CV with a detailed covering letter to wingateparish@gmail.com by 5pm on Friday 17 July 2026.

Please use the same email address if you have any queries.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

WINGATE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

COMMUNITY CENTRE MANAGER

 

1. Principal Place of Work

The Wingate and District Community Centre (Centre) and potentially other associated community facilities in Wingate.

 

2. Salary

£28k per annum

 

3. Normal Hours of Work

37 hours per week, some evening and weekend working will be required to meet service needs and you may be required to work more weekly hours with less weekly hours at other times.

 

4. Purpose of the Role

The Community Centre Manager will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management, operation and development of the Centre.

Working within the strategic direction set by the Trustee(s), the postholder will ensure that the Centre operates as a well-managed, sustainable and responsive community facility that meets the needs of local residents and organisations.

The postholder will support the development and delivery of community activities and services, working collaboratively with the Trustee(s), staff, volunteers, local partners and stakeholders to maximise the use of the Centre and promote its role within the community.

 

5. Principal Duties and Responsibilities

5.1 Management of the Community Centre

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Centre, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality services.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and statutory requirements, including health and safety, safeguarding and building compliance.
• Maintain accurate records to support legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
• Ensure that facilities are maintained to an appropriate standard and that any issues are addressed promptly.

 

5.2 Knowledge and Compliance

• Maintain a working knowledge across a range of operational areas, including health and safety, safeguarding, facilities management and relevant legislation affecting community services and premises.

5.3 Management of Staff and Volunteers

• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to employees, volunteers and any contractors working with or on behalf of the Association.
• Allocate work, provide guidance and check outputs as required.
• Promote a positive working environment, ensuring equality, diversity and dignity at work are upheld.
• Support staff and volunteers in delivering services aligned to the aims of the Association.

 

5.4 Working with Others and Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local partners, service providers and community groups.
• Represent the Association/Centre at meetings and events, promoting its role and activities within the local area.
• Support the development of activities and services that meet identified community needs.

(Where applicable)

• Engage with a wide range of community users, including individuals or groups who may present sensitive or challenging situations, requiring a professional and empathetic approach.

5.5 Communications and Promotion

• Promote the Centre and its activities through appropriate channels, including social media, local networks and stakeholder engagement.
• Liaise with local media and partners to maximise awareness and engagement.

 

5.6 Financial Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and monitoring of budgets in conjunction with the Association’s Treasurer.
• Account for income and expenditure, including handling cash and other financial transactions where required.
• Ensure that financial processes are followed accurately and securely.
• Ensure incoming invoices are acted upon promptly and in-line with SLA’s agreed with the Trustee(s).

 

5.7 Project and Service Delivery

• Support the planning and delivery of projects, activities and services within the Centre and the wider community.
• Monitor progress against agreed objectives and outcomes and produce insights and reporting for the Trustee(s).
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments and controls are in place for activities and services.

 

5.8 Physical and Information Resources

• Take responsibility for the security and appropriate use of the Community Centre premises as a nominated keyholder.
• Manage supplies and resources, including ordering or procuring goods and services as agreed with the board of trustees.

 

5.9 Initiative and Independence

• Work within policies, procedures and delegated authority set by the Trustee(s).
• Prioritise workload and manage day-to-day operational issues independently.
• Refer complex, unusual or strategic matters, including significant financial or policy issues, to the Trustee(s) for direction and decision.

 

6. Reporting Arrangements and Governance

The postholder will report to the Trustee(s) of the Association.

The postholder will operate within the Association’s governance framework, exercising delegated authority for operational matters while referring strategic, policy or significant financial decisions to the Trustees.

 

7. General

The duties outlined above are not exhaustive and may vary from time to time in line with the needs of the Association.

The postholder will be expected to carry out all duties in accordance with the Association’s policies and procedures.

 

 

Wingate Parish Council

Internal Audit Report 2025-26

Background

Statute requires all town and parish councils to arrange for an independent internal audit examination of their accounting records and systems of internal control and for the conclusions to be reported each year in the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).This report sets out the work undertaken in relation to a review of the 2025-26 financial year during May and June 2026.

Scope of the Work and the areas of Audit Work examined

The objective of this review is to provide an appropriate level of assurance to the Council on their governance, procedures and financial control for the entire financial year, generating full and supportable assurances in the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for 2025-26. The Scope of Work covers the key control tests identified in the AGAR so the following areas of activity have been examined and tested by internal audit.

 

Accounting Records and Bank Reconciliations

The Council continues to use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to record cash transactions during the year. I have test-checked a range of cashbook transactions for the financial year to the schedule of payments reported to Councillors; to the supporting bank statements; and checked and agreed the bank reconciliation. It was noted that bank reconciliations are now presented at Council meetings and this practice should be continued to add further degree of financial control. Based on the records presented, and the limited amount of testing that can be done remotely. I have agreed the reconciliation of the bank statements at the end of the year to the Receipts and Payments book closing balances as at 31 March 2025. Consequently, the accounting records once again appear to have been satisfactorily maintained by the Council.

 

Payroll

Payroll services are provided by Durham County Council under a service level agreement so that the County Council pays the Wingate employees and pays over the employee and employer NI & Pension contributions to the appropriate bodies. Reimbursement of these payments are made weekly and / or monthly by BACS. through the Council’s bank account. All payments are confirmed by Councillors and recorded in the Council agendas at each parish council meeting. A detailed payroll report for the year was provided by Durham County Council which enabled the reconciliation of the payments that appear in the Wingate accounts.

 

Income

Fees for the bowling club, the football teams and the allotment rents were discussed at tthe meeting of the Council in May 2025 and it was agreed to maintain the fees at the level of the previous financial year. Income for these activities recorded in the cash book is in line with the agreed fees.

Accounts Payable

With the exception of Direct Debits for the reimbursement of payroll costs, the majority of payments are made by cheque with only a small number of cash payments made by the Clerk where this is the most appropriate method. The Clerk is then reimbursed by cheque.

 

The Council does not operate a Petty Cash system.

 

Cheques for payment are prepared by the Responsible Finance Officer (Clerk) and together with the relevant invoices are presented to the Council each meeting. The cheques are matched to the invoices and signed by the Clerk and 2 of the Members, who all sign the cheques stubs. I have followed the audit trail on a sample of payments following the process from the original invoice to the cheque; the council agenda; the bank statement and the Receipts and Payments spreadsheet. It was found that everything was correctly recorded throughout the process.

 

Security/Assets

The asset register is kept on a spreadsheet with either the historical cost or insurance value recorded against each asset in accordance with recommended practice. The register was last considered by the Council at its September 2025 meeting.

 

Assessment and Management of Risk

It is necessary to ensure that the Council has put in place appropriate arrangements to identify all potential areas of risk of both a financial and health and safety nature, whilst also ensuring that appropriate arrangements exist to monitor and manage those risks. The Risk Register was considered by the Council at its meetings in October 2025 and January 2026 but it was recognised that that some key risks still need to be addressed and this should be done with some urgency.

One of the key risks that was identified was that most of the administrative and financial information relating to the Council resides with the Clerk and maintained solely on his computer. It was also recognised that the Clerk was working additional hours arising from proposed capital projects and the added responsibility for the Community Association with the risk that some other tasks were delayed and this point is referred to in the paragraph on governance.

 

Budget Monitoring and the Precept determination

The Council considers the precept for the ensuing financial year based on a report showing detailed estimates of income and expenditure after reviewing the original and revised budget for the current financial year. At its 2025 meeting, the Council agreed its budget for 2025-26 setting the precept at £191,000.

The financial regulations require that the Council is provided with regular statements of receipts and payments under each head of the budget comparing actual expenditure against the estimate but there is no evidence that this takes place other than a revised estimate based on actuals when calculating the following years precept. At the very least, an end of year comparison of actual expenditure and income against budgeted figures will assist the budget process for the following years and identify any balances earmarked for outstanding payments. This point was raised at last year’s audit.

 

Investments

The Council operates a Community Direct Plus Account with the Co-operative Bank from which payments are made and income received which maintains a balance of £3k by transfers to and from a Business Select Instant Access Account, which holds the balance of the authority’s cash balance and earns interest. The total cash as at the 31st March 2026 was £68,827. The general reserve is higher than that because there is a VAT claim of some £27k due from HMRC at the end of the financial year.There are no further investments.

 

Reserves

Section 50 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires that billing and precepting authorities in England and Wales have regard to the level of general reserves needed to meet estimated future expenditure when calculating the budget requirement. There is no specified minimum level of reserves that an authority should hold. It is the responsibility of the Responsible Financial Officer to advise the Council about the level of reserves and to ensure that there are procedures for their establishment and use.

 

Having examined the policies of some other parish councils, most express the level of reserves as either a percentage of the precept or the equivalent of 3 month expenditure. Some have a policy of reserves being at 40% of the precept, which in Wingate’s case would mean reserves of around £76k, whilst covering 3 months’ worth of expenditure would mean reserves of around £67k.

 

In arriving at the precept for 2025-26 an increase in balances was built into the estimated requirement and with also a small underspend against the budget, the balances currently are in a healthier position for the authority.

 

The actual figure for balances at 31^st March 2026 was £92,308. Consequently, the general reserves are in a much healthier position than in previous years.

 

Governance Arrangements

Standing Orders and Financial Regulations were last discussed at May 2022 meeting of the Council and it was resolved that the Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair undertake a review of the model standing orders and financial regulations and adapt them to ensure appropriateness for use by the Parish Council.

 

The AGAR requires confirmation that the authority provided for the exercise of public rights and that the authority complied with various publication requirements. Whilst the Council complied with the requirements, they missed the dates set out in the legislation and this is undoubtedly a result of the increasing workload placed on the Clerk to the Council as set out in the paragraph on the identification of risk.

Overall Conclusion

On the basis of the of work undertaken this year, the Council has again maintained more than adequate and effective internal control arrangements. Thanks to the Clerk for the excellent records kept by him and for his assistance, which has ensured the smooth progress of the audit process. Consequently, I have completed and signed the ‘Annual Internal Audit Report’ as part of the year’s AGAR process having concluded that, in all significant respects, the internal control objectives set out in that report were achieved,  during the financial year other than those relating to the exercise of  public rights and publication of various information.

 

Jeff Dinning

Internal Auditor

WINGATE PARISH COUNCIL

Notice of appointment of date for the exercise of public rights

Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2026

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and

The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 234)

1.     Date of announcement:   23 June 2026                                  (a)	(a) Insert date of placing of this notice on your website.
2.     Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounts to be audited and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them. For the year ended 31 March 2026 these documents will be available on reasonable notice on application to:
(b)  Clerk, Wingate Parish Council, Inglewood, Stockton Road, Easington Village, Co Durham SR8 3AZ	(b) Insert name, position and contact details of the Clerk or other person to whom any person may apply to inspect the accounts.
commencing on (c)           24 June 2026	.
and ending on (d)              4 August 2026	(c )And (d)The inspection period must be 30 working days in total and commence no later than 1 July 2025.
3.     Local Government Electors and their representatives also have:
·       the opportunity to question the auditor about the accounts; and
·       the right to make objections to the accounts or any item in them. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the Authority (f).   The auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose during the inspection period at 2 above.
4.      The auditor’s limited assurance review is being conducted under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015 and the National Audit Office’ Code of Audit Practice.  Your review is being carried out by: Forvis Mazars LLP, The Corner, Bank Chambers, 26 Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1DF Email: local.councils@mazars.co.uk
5.    This announcement is made by (e))_Graeme Reid, Clerk to the Parish Council	(e)   Insert name and position of person placing the notice

 

Completion Notice 2025

Please see below a link to the Notice of appointment date for the exercise of public rights in relation to Wingate Parish Council’s accounts for the year ending 312 March 2025.

 

Attachment 3 1 – electors rights NO Guidance

Please see our unaudited return for 2024/25 which has been submitted to our external auditor for review.  Please see the links below:

Scan_0094

Scan_0095

Scan_0096

Scan_0101

Scan_0100

Also attached is a copy of our internal auditors report for the year.

Wingate Parish Council Internal Audit 2024-25

PARISH COUNCIL VACANCIES

There are currently three vacancies on the Parish Council. If anyone is interested in being co-opted to it then please contact me at wingateparish@gmail.com or by calling on 0191 5272582.

As a Parish Council we:

• Own and manage an 18 acre park with a play area, football fields and a bowling green. We are hoping to invest around £400k in the park over the next year.

• Are the sole Trustee of the Wingate and District Community Association which owns and manages the Wingate Community Association. We are working hard to ensure the Community Centre remains open and better serves those in the community.

• Maintain some open spaces and community areas such as the war memorial and pit wheel areas.

• Organise children’s summer activities and provide an annual away day trip for children, parents and guardians.

• Work with our County Councillor on local issues relating to highways, parking and traffic issues for example.

• Consider and comment on planning applications that Durham County Council consults us on.

• Own and manage local allotments.

Further information about the Parish Council and the role of a Parish Councillor are available by contacting me.

The deadline for submissions of interest is 12 noon on Friday 6 June 2025. Further details relating to the co-option process will be provided to those who express an interest in joining the Parish Council.

Many thanks

Graeme Reid
Clerk

NOTICE OF UNCONTESTED ELECTION
Durham County
Election of Parish Councillors for
Wingate Parish
on
Thursday 1 May 2025
I, John Hewitt being the Returning Officer at the above election, report that the persons whose
names appear below were duly elected Parish Councillors for Wingate Parish
Name of Candidate HomeAddress Description(ifany)

BRADLEY
John
49 The Maltings, Wingate, TS28
5PH

MASON
Ernie
4 Coronation Road, Wingate,
County Durham, TS28 5JL

MASON
Pam
9 Dawson Road, Wingate, County
Durham, TS28 5BS

MCEWAN-THOMPSON
Fi
68 Chillerton Way, Wingate, TS28
5DY

OGLE
Alison Margaret
9 Moor Lane, Wingate, County
Durham, TS28 5BA
Independent

WHITING
Mark
7 Moor Lane, Wingate, TS28 5BA Independent

WILLIAMS
Scott Anthony
(address in County Durham) Independent

Dated Monday 7 April 2025

NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN THE OFFICE OF
COUNCILLOR
WINGATE PARISH

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that due to the non-attendance of Gerharous Theeunis Jacobus Smith, a vacancy has arisen
in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
If by Thursday, 1 August, 2024 (14 days after the date of this notice) a request for an election
to fill said vacancy is made to:

The Returning Officer
Electoral Services
PO Box 721
DURHAM
DH1 9RG
Tel: 03000 261212
Email: electoralservices@durham.gov.uk

by TEN electors for the said Parish (Ward), an election will be held to fill the said vacancy,
otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
If an election is called, a poll will take place not later than Friday, 4 October 2024

Dated Friday, 12 July, 2024
Graeme Reid
Clerk to the Parish
Wingate Parish Council

WINGATE PARISH COUNCIL

 NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

1. Date of announcement 10 July 2024
2. Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd. The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

 Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2024, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

 (b)   _Graeme Reid, Clerk, Wingate Parish Council, Inglewood, Stockton Road, Easington Village, Co Durham, SR8 3AZ email wingateparish@gmail.com

commencing on (c) Thursday 11 July 2024

and ending on (d) Friday 09 August 2024

3. Local government electors and their representatives also have:

• The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and
• The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015. The appointed auditor is:

Mazars LLP

Limited Assurance Team

The Corner

Bank Chambers

26 Mosley Street

Newcastle upon Tyne  NE1 1DF

5. This announcement is made by (e) Graeme Reid, Clerk Wingate Parish Council