The Victoria Hall Trust has finalised its accounts for the 2024/25 financial year and submitted them to the Charity Commission, while also awaiting the outcome of a potential appeal against the Charity Commission Scheme of September 2024. The Trust property has remained closed throughout the 2024/25 reporting period, impacting the Trust's ability to generate income.
The Victoria Hall Trust Advisory Committee convened on Thursday 11 December 2025 to discuss these matters, among other key issues. According to the Public Reports Pack, the committee agreed that the report and its appendices should remain unpublished due to the inclusion of sensitive financial and business information, specifically information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular individuals or organisations, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
The accounts indicate a marginal cost of £1,798 for the reporting period, which factors in an adjustment to reimburse the charity £102,018 for costs related to the earlier Charity Commission appeal.
Regarding the appeal against the Charity Commission Scheme, the committee noted that the First-tier tribunal dismissed the appeal in November 2025. The Public Reports Pack includes a copy of the tribunal's decision. The appellants have until 23 December 2025 to apply for permission to appeal this decision.
In other business, the committee reviewed a revised independent measured building survey of Ealing Town Hall. The survey, commissioned to verify the extent of Trust property, has been agreed upon by both Trust and council officers as an accurate representation. It confirms that Victoria Hall and Prince's Hall account for 14.47% of the total Town Hall area, providing a clear baseline for the Trust's property holdings. This figure is relevant for determining the correct apportionment of the lease premium and rental income under the agreed terms of the Mastcraft hotel deal. The proportion of Town Hall floor area attributable to the Trust lies between 14.47% and 19.05%, depending on whether the disputed spaces are to be included in the calculation.
The committee has authorised officers to negotiate final terms with the council regarding lease and premium apportionment related to the Surejogi (Mastcraft) hotel deal. The Charity's share of the total premium payable is to be calculated on the basis of a pro-rata of the proportion of floor area of Trust property relative to the wider Town Hall building. The next step will be for the Trust to appoint an independent valuer to review any offer from the council based on these agreed measurements. A recommendation will be brought back to the Committee following the conclusion of these negotiations.
The date of the next meeting is to be confirmed.