Annual Report for 2023-24
Governance:
The Trustees, referred to as members of the Management Committee, manage the affairs of the Society in line with the Society’s Constitution (dated 7[th] June 2018). Trustees are selected annually by vote at the AGM, with the exception of the President. The President is invited by the Trustees to join the Management Committee at the first meeting following the AGM. Where a committee member steps down mid-term, the remaining committee members may select a replacement to stand until the next AGM.
Trustees for 2023-24
Jeanette Winstanley (President) Nicola Crompton-Hill (Chair) Patricia Grady (Vice Chair) Neville Grady (General Secretary) Kathryn Wilkinson (Treasurer) Jonny Cunliffe Connor Davies-Parkinson Clarice Greenhalgh Ursula Greenhalgh Gary Harvey Libby Hill Jennie Pearce Frances Shinks
Trustees retiring during 2023-24
Connor Davies-Parkinson January 2024
Objectives:
The Society’s Constitution states that “The objects of the Society are to educate the public in the dramatic, operatic and choral arts, and further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts”.
In furtherance of its objectives, the Management Committee has regard to the Charity Commission guidance on the Public Benefit requirement of the Charities Act 2006.
Activities:
Registered as a charity – No. 1000865
At the 2022-23 AGM, the Management Committee proposed that the Society becomes a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) to reduce the personal liability of individual Committee members regarding certain financial matters. This was agreed at the AGM.
Kathryn Wilkinson, as Charity Commission nominated officer, produced a new Constitution using the Charity Commission’s model policy. The bulk of this policy must remain unchanged in order to be approved. However, the policy has been amended to reflect our current constitution, and the AGM’s proposal that the parents of those in the Youth Theatre be given a voice.
The review of the Society’s Health and Safety policies and procedures continued throughout the year, using policies and procedures recommended by NODA. Each section now has a H&S folder which guides the activities of the production team, particularly regarding back-stage and front-of-house arrangements. Procedures involving children and young people are also informed by the requirements of Bolton’s Child Licensing department.
Efforts have been made to maximise the Society’s fund-raising activities. Costs of productions are increasing each year, but there is a limit to how much this can be recouped via ticket price increases without having a negative impact on the ability of audience members to pay. To date, we have:
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Expanded the range of merchandising at musicals and Youth Theatre productions,
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Explored ways to encourage members to buy goods on-line via a purchasing portal which pays out a small amount per transaction.
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Improved our social media presence to increase ticket sales.
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Planned a range of fund-raising social events for 2024-25.
Throughout the year, we have tried to seek ways to widen participation in the Society’s activities. The new website is now more attractive and there have been a number of requests to join the Society via the contacts. The increase in the Society’s social media has also sparked additional interest. Individual members have also supported the Society by seeking out new people to join us for performances, and by helping during performance weeks. However, there is still room for improvement in getting more cross-over between the three sections of the Society.
Achievements and performance:
The Musicals Section continued its excellent activities with a highly-regarded performance of “The Addams Family” in September 2023. Although audiences at the start of the week were not as good as we had hoped, the performance received excellent reviews and several NODA awards, including Best Musical.
The Choral Section performed “Carmen” in May 2023, in collaboration with BMS Singers and Bolton Symphony Orchestra. This event was well attended and the Choral Section made an overall profit.
The Youth Theatre performed “The SpongeBob Musical” in March 2024. This was a show new to the UK so it was less familiar to audiences. Ticket sales were reasonable and the performance received very good reviews. The
Registered as a charity – No. 1000865
excellence of the previous year’s performance of “Matilda” was recognised by winning a number of NODA awards, including Best Youth Musical.
The Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions made to its activities by the many volunteers who support the work of the Society, and without whom the Society would find it difficult to function efficiently.
Financial review:
The Society raised funds through membership fees, ticket sales, merchandising and contributions from its 100 Club lottery. The post-Covid resumption of performances in 2022-23, with profits being made by all sections, was not replicated in the 2023-24 financial year. The Management Committee made the decision to introduce a more structured programme of fund-raising events beginning in April 2024.
There is still a residual risk that future audience numbers will not be as high as we would wish to see. The Management Committee have sought to identify where savings could be made, and ways of maximising audience numbers, such as through merchandising, improved advertising and seeking grants funding. The focus on merchandising was particularly successful.
The funds in the Investment account set up following the sale of the Society’s old premises remain steady. The most recent valuation as of 03.03.24 is £48,324.46.
Future plans
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To move to CIO status
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To improve the efficiency of the 100 Club To seek additional fundraising streams, including additional external grants.
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To maximise the use of Gift Aid
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
Registered as a charity – No. 1000865
BCMCS Statement of accounts 2023-24
| INCOME 2022/23 2023/24 £100.00 Opening Balance Current Acct £100.00 £9,286.31 Opening Balance Reserve Acct £11,273.82 £ 9,386.31 Total in bank £ 11,273.82 £0.00 foat £0.00 £0.00 Pety cash £0.00 £9,386.31 Total in bank and hand £11,273.82 £10,820.13 Youth Theatre £9,949.73 £2,660.69 Choral Secton £2,251.81 £48,778.75 Musical Secton £33,309.34 £11,403.96 General Accounts £6,214.17 £73,663.53 Total Income in-year £51,725.05 £83,049.84 Total £62,998.87 |
EXPENDITURE 2022/23 2023/24 £5,605.05 Youth Theatre £12,484.00 £2,238.47 Choral Secton £2,859.37 £50,619.62 Musical Secton £38,195.91 £13,312.88 General Accounts £5,455.22 £71,776.02 Total Expenditure in-year £58,994.50 £100.00 Closing Balance Current Acct £100.00 £11,173.82 Closing Balance Reserve Acct £3,904.37 £11,273.82 Total in bank £4,004.37 £0.00 Float £0.00 £11,273.82 Total in bank and hand £4,004.37 £83,049.84 Total £62,998.87 |
|
|---|---|---|
Investment 1 (separate account) £ 48,324.46
Investment 2 Iseparate account) 11.53
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
Page 1 Accountants Report
Page 2 & 3 Income and Expenditure
Page 1
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
ACCOUNTANTS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
We have examined, without carrying out an audit, the financial statements for the year ended 5[th] April 2024 as set out on pages 2 and 3.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND REPORTING ACCOUNTANT
As the Charity’s trustees you are responsible for the financial statements, you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state the basis of procedure specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
BASIS OF OPINION
We conducted out examination in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity. This examination consisted of review of the accounting records and comparing the financial statements with the accounting records kept by the charity. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the financial statements.
OPINION
In connection with our examination, not matter has come to our attention
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which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act and
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b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act, have not been met or
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to which in our opinion attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
AINSCOUGH & CO ACCOUNTANTS AND REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS
Page 2
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023
| INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Opening Balance Current Account | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| Opening Balance Reserve Account | 11173.82 | 9286.31 |
| Total in Bank | 11273.82 | 9386.31 |
| Float | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Petty Cash | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total in hand and bank | 11273.82 | 9386.31 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Youth theatre | 9949.73 | 10820.13 |
| Choral Section | 2251.81 | 2660.69 |
| Musical Section | 33309.34 | 48778.75 |
| General Accounts | 6214.17 | 11403.96 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total | 51725.05 | 73663.53 |
| ======= | ======= |
Page 3
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 Contd..
EXPENDITURE
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Theatre | 12484.00 | 5605.05 |
| Choral Section | 2859.37 | 2238.47 |
| Musical Section | 38195.91 | 50619.62 |
| General Accounts | 5455.22 | 13312.88 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total Expenditure for the year | 58994.50 | 71776.02 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Closing Balance Current Account | 100.00 | 100.00 |
| Closing Balance Reserve Account | 3904.37 | 11173.82 |
| ------------ | ----------- | |
| Total in bank | 4004.37 | 11273.82 |
| ------------ | ----------- | |
| Total in bank | 4004.37 | 11273.82 |
| Petty cash and float | 00.00 | 0.00 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total in bank and hand | 4004.37 | 11273.82 |
| ------------ | ------------ | |
| Total | 62998.87 | 83049.84 |
| ======= | ======= |
BOLTON CATHOLIC MUSICAL & CHORAL SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024
In reviewing your accounting records we would like to bring the following points to your attention:
- 1 .The amounts relating to investments at the yearend were as follows
a) Investment 1 Fidelity Int £48324.46 b) Investment 2 Other £52.88
AINSCOUGH & CO ACCOUNTANTS AND REPORTING ACCOUNTANTS