Officers and professional advisors 3
Report of the trustees and
Unaudited statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
for
Somerset Chamber Choir
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1003687
| Trustees’ report | 4-6 |
|---|---|
| Independent examiner’s report | 7 |
| Statement of financial activities | 8 |
Page 1
Balance sheet
9
10 and 11
Notes to the financial statements
------not forming part of statutory accounts-------Income & expenditure report Concert account – Wells Cathedral July 2023 Concert account – Taunton Minster 2024
Page 2
Somerset Chamber Choir
Trustees
Adrian Male (Chair) Philip Bevan Janice Collins Jane Harris Anthony Leigh Tim Lewis Annette Milburn Mel Rendell Ray Singleton Rachel Williams Lin Winston
Independent examiner
David Hallett FCA Read & Co Chartered Accountants 1 Park Gardens Yeovil Somerset BA20 1DW
Bank
Lloyds Bank 31 Fore Street Taunton Somerset TA1 1HN
SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Page 3
LEGAL STATUS
The Somerset Chamber Choir is an independent charity, registered number 1003687, established under a legal constitution adopted on 2 April 1985, as amended on 22 April 1990 and 23 July 2006. The choir was registered as a charity on 6 August 1991. Its registered charity number is 1003687
CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of the choir are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music.
POLICIES AND PUBLIC BENEFITS
The choir seeks to achieve its key objectives by presenting concerts to the general public and by such other means as the choir, through its board of trustees, determines from time to time. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the choir should undertake. Somerset Chamber Choir recognises and welcomes the need to carry out its charitable activities for the benefit of the general public, and retains this aim at the centre of its strategic planning. The choir is working to increase the breadth of music it performs and aims to make its concerts and workshops accessible to the widest possible range of people, and is also increasing its involvement with children and young people throughout the county, looking at new ways of involving them in its music-making.
RISK
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the choir is exposed and review these annually. Appropriate systems are also in place to mitigate these risks.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The financial position of the choir is set out in the statement of financial activities on page 8 and the balance sheet on page 9. Net funds increased over the year by £6,819 (2023: increase of £1,889). At 31 March 2024, the balance of unrestricted funds was £25,272 (2023: £18,453).
FUNDRAISING DISCLOSURES
The choir had no fundraising activities requiring disclosure under S162A of the Charities Act 2011.
Page 4
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
On Sat 29[th] July 2023 in Wells Cathedral, we performed our final concert under the baton of Richard Laing. ‘Un Banquet Celeste’ was a programme of French choral music accompanied by Southern Sinfonia an orchestra with whom we have worked on several occasions. In addition to Faure’s Requiem, works by Yves Castagnet, Arvo Part and Charles Gounod were augmented with music by Galina Grigorjeva, a Ukrainian composer to recognise the sadness of the conflict that had developed following the invasion of Ukraine. The concert was well attended but numbers were still below those of the years preceding the pandemic. It was nevertheless a fitting celebration of our time working under Richard’s musical direction. His five year term with the choir had been very enjoyable but much disrupted by the pandemic and as a result was extended by an additional year.
The trustees were strongly of the opinion that it was essential to appoint a musical director based more locally to help build relationships with other musical contacts based in the Southwest and to assist with a smoother running of the choir’s administration. There were several occasions when Richard had not been able to attend rehearsals and he had arranged for other professional conductors to deputise. Andrea Brown led one of these successful rehearsal days and was based locally and within several miles of our rehearsal venue. Following a process of determination the trustees invited Andrea to lead a rehearsal weekend following which she was invited and accepted the position of musical director.
Over recent years, members had expressed some concerns about repertoire and our first concert conducted by Andrea, ‘The Private Music’ was an a cappella concert of Renaissance choral music by Byrd, Tallis, Dering, Phillips and De Monte. We were delighted that our Patron, Dame Emma Kirkby agreed to attend and to sing three lute songs by John Downland. The concert held in Taunton Minster, was very well received by a large appreciative audience with sizeable queues for tickets evident outside the church. The event was also successful financially with a worthwhile profit being achieved.
In accordance with previously stated objectives, the trustees have continued to carefully manage expenses and maximise concert income, whilst trying to provide members with innovative and exciting concert programmes.
ORGANISATION
The choir is managed by a board of trustees appointed annually by the members of the choir. The trustees during the year were as noted on page 3.
The choir has one patron and two vice-presidents, who are appointed by the Board of Trustees from time to time, as follows:
Patron Dame Emma Kirkby Vice presidents Anthony Leigh Adrian Male
Page 5
ACCOUNTS
The financial statements attached to this report have been prepared in accordance with current statutory requirements, the choir’s governing document and the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
On behalf of the trustees
ADRIAN MALE Chair SCC
- 5 October 2024
Page 6
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of the Somerset Chamber Choir
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages 8 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The choir's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The choir's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required instead.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the choir and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Hallett FCA Read & Co Chartered Accountants 1 Park Gardens Yeovil Somerset BA20 1DW
Date 2024
Page 7
Somerset Chamber Choir
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS |
Unrestricted funds |
Designated funds |
Unrestricted funds |
Designated Funds |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Subscriptions, donations and legacies |
2 | 13,495 | - | 12,612 | - |
| Income from concerts | 17,062 | - | 11,837 | - | |
| Other income | 2 | 5,149 | - | 6,767 | - |
| Total | 35,706 | - | 31,216 | - | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
| Concert expenses | 19,369 | - | 17,268 | - | |
| Charitable expenditure | 8,797 | - | 11,068 | - | |
| Governance costs | 624 | - | 877 | - | |
| Friends Scheme costs | 97 | - | 114 | - | |
| Total | (28,887) | - | (29,327) | - | |
| SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR |
6,819 | - | 1,889 | - | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
|||||
| Total funds brought forward |
12,053 | 6,400 | 10,164 | 6,400 | |
| Total funds carried forward |
18,872 | 6,400 | 12,053 | 6,400 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 10 and 11 form part of these financial statements
Page 8
Somerset Chamber Choir
Balance sheet at 31 March 2024
| Note | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CURRENT ASSETS | Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds |
|
| £ | £ | ||
| Debtors | 3 | 108 | 2,048 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 33,941 | 27,504 | |
| Total | 34,049 | 29,552 | |
| CREDITORS | |||
| Amounts fallingdue within oneyear | 4 | (8,777) | (11,099) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 25,272 | 18,453 | |
| NET ASSETS | 25,272 | 18,453 | |
| FUNDS | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 18,872 | 12,053 | |
| Designated funds(unrestricted) | 6,400 | 6,400 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 25,272 | 18,453 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 7 December 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................…………………………….. Adrian Male, Chair Tim Lewis, Trustee
The notes on pages 10 and 11 form part of these financial statements
Page 9
Somerset Chamber Choir
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the choir have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, its constitution, and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102) (‘the Charities SORP’). The choir is a public benefit entity under FRS 102 and its financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis once the choir has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income is deferred to future periods in respect of ticket sales for concerts where the concert does not take place until after the year end, and where subscriptions are received for the subsequent year.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the choir to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. The musical director is being paid by monthly standing order rather than according to the service provided, and the related expense has been categorised as a charitable expense rather than as a concert expense.
Fixed assets
The choir owns a small amount of office equipment, the costs of which were written off in full in the year of purchase.
Taxation
The choir is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds, including designated funds, can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives of the choir at the discretion of the trustees
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the choir. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
Page 10
| 2. INCOME ANALYSIS 2024 2023 £ £ |
2. INCOME ANALYSIS 2024 2023 £ £ |
2. INCOME ANALYSIS 2024 2023 £ £ |
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions, donations and legacies |
||
| Subscriptions - members | 10,963 | 10,732 |
| Subscriptions - Friends | 2,090 | 1,880 |
| Donations | 442 | - |
| Total | 13,495 | 12,612 |
| Other income | ||
| Refreshments | 1,057 | 970 |
| Gift Aid tax refund claimed | 3,139 | 4,646 |
| CD sales, accruals written back and sundry income |
953 | 1,151 |
| Total | 5,149 | 6,767 |
| 3. CURRENT ASSETS - DEBTORS |
||
| Prepayment of expenditure | 108 | 2,048 |
4. CURRENT LIABILITIES
| 4. CURRENT LIABILITIES |
||
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions and donation received in advance |
8,627 | 9,247 |
| Concert expenditure creditors |
150 | 1,852 |
| 8,777 | 11,099 |
5. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustee received or was due any remuneration or other benefits in respect of either the year ended 31 March 2024 or the year ended 31 March 2023.
6. RESERVES
The trustees’ policy on reserves is that at each financial year end a balance at least equal to the worst-case loss of one major concert, which has been demonstrated to be approximately £8,000, be held as a contingency against unexpected deficits in the following year.
The designated funds comprise the balance of the Diana van der Klugt legacy received in 2018 of £1,400, and the donation of £5,000 made to the choir in memory of Dorothy Tullett by her daughters
7. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions during the years ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023.
Page 11
SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Members’subscriptions | 10,963 | 10.732 | ||
| Friends’subscriptions | 2,090 | 1,880 | ||
| Donations | 442 | |||
| Refreshments | 1,057 | 970 | ||
| Gift Aid refunded | 3,139 | 4,646 | ||
| Taunton Minster concert surplus | 3,010 | |||
| CD sales | 407 | 600 | ||
| Accruals written back | 490 | 360 | ||
| Sundry income | 56 | 191 | ||
| Total income | 21,654 | 19,379 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Wells concert deficit | (5,317) | (3,937) | ||
| Glastonbury concert deficit | - | (1,494) | ||
| Friends’scheme costs | (97) | (114) | ||
| Charitable expenditure | ||||
| Conductor’s fee and expenses | 5,367 | 7,305 | ||
| Accompanist | 1,870 | 2,120 | ||
| Rehearsal hall hire | 780 | 710 | ||
| Rehearsal tuition costs | 282 | 385 | ||
| Making Music membership and insurance | 377 | 186 | ||
| SumUp card reader | - | 47 | ||
| Donation to Ukraine Disasters Fund | - | 50 | ||
| Donation to Turkish earthquake appeal | - | 200 | ||
| Net cost of RL gifts & quiz | 121 | |||
| Other | 65 | |||
| (8,797) | (11,068) | |||
| Governance costs | ||||
| Cost of CDs | 492 | 719 | ||
| Trustee expenses | 60 | 116 | ||
| Sundry expenses | 72 | 42 | ||
| (624) | (877) | |||
| Total expenditure | 14,835 | (17,490) | ||
| Surplus for the year | 6,819 | 1,889 |
Page 12
SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR
ACCOUNT FOR WELLS CATHEDRAL CONCERT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
| Faure Requiem etc | 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Ticket sales | 9,524 | 8,315 | ||
| Programme sales | 297 | 297 | ||
| Programme adverts | 750 | 550 | ||
| Donations | 10 | 1,529 | ||
| Total income | 10,581 | 10,691 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Orchestra | 6,216 | 6,630 | ||
| Vocal soloists | 1,000 | 1,750 | ||
| Venue hire | 4,830 | 4,546 | ||
| Music costs | 1,778 | 136 | ||
| Performing rights | 549 | 454 | ||
| Publicity and printing | 361 | 281 | ||
| Programmes | 664 | 399 | ||
| Box office and ticket costs | 500 | 372 | ||
| Sundries–Ritchie Hall rehearsal | - | 60 | ||
| Total expenditure | (15,898) | (14,628) | ||
| Deficit | (5,317) | (3,937) |
Page 13
SOMERSET CHAMBER CHOIR
ACCOUNT FOR TAUNTON MINSTER/GLASTONBURY CONCERT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income | ||||
| Ticket sales | 5,980 | 1,578 | ||
| Programme sales | 351 | |||
| Programme adverts | 150 | |||
| Total income | 6,481 | 1,578 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Vocal soloist/Instrumentalists | 1000 | 975 | ||
| Venue hire | 385 | 300 | ||
| Music costs | 647 | 620 | ||
| Publicity and printing | 530 | 469 | ||
| Programmes | 618 | 483 | ||
| Box office and ticket costs | 291 | 60 | ||
| Licence fee for readings | - | 165 | ||
| Total expenditure | (3,471 ) |
(3,072) | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 3,010 | (1,494) |
Page 14