The Play House (B’ham) Limited
(a company limited by guarantee)
Report and accounts
for the period ended 31 August 2021 Company number 2828276 Charity registration number 1034809
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
Pages Directors, trustees and advisers Directors’ report 3 - 5 Independent examiner’s report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements 9 - 12
1
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
CONSTITUTION
The Play House (B’ham) Limited trades as Language Alive! and Catalyst and is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. Charity number 1034809. Company number 2828276.
DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES
Deborah Shaw – Chair Keshena Bowie – Deputy Chair Alexandra Henwood – Deputy Chair Daniel Jones Sian Roberts (resigned November 2021) Tessa Taylor (appointed May 2020) Gillian Twaite
SECRETARY
Laura Killeen
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
Guest Wilson Chartered Accountants 8 Wolverton Road Snitterfield Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 0HB
REGISTERED OFFICE
The Play House c/o Birmingham Repertory Theatre Centenary Square Broad Street Birmingham B1 2EP
2
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The directors present their report and accounts for the period ended 31 August 2021.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY
The company’s principal activity during the year continued to be the provision of arts education services mainly to schools in the West Midlands.
LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND REVIEW OF THE BUSINESS
The income and expenditure account for the period is set out on page 7. A full review of the business is included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
DIRECTORS AND THEIR INTERESTS
The directors of the company during the year are listed on page 2.
RESERVES POLICY
It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level that equates to not less than 3 months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management and administration and support costs.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Directors have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE ACCOUNTS
Company law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the income and expenditure for that period. In preparing those accounts the directors are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
AUDIT EXEMPTION
The Directors are satisfied that the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011. These accounts have not, therefore, been subjected to audit.
APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
At every annual general meeting one-third of the Directors who are subject to retirement by rotation shall retire from office. The Directors to retire by rotation shall be those who have been the longest in office.
The Directors may appoint a person who is willing to act to be a Director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Director. A Director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following annual general meeting and shall not be taken into account in determining the Directors who are to retire by rotation at the meeting. If not reappointed at such annual general meeting, he shall vacate office at the conclusion thereof.
3
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
A Director who retires at an annual general meeting may, if willing to act, be reappointed. If he is not reappointed, he shall retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his place, or if it does not do so, until the end of the meeting.
TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING
New trustees receive orientation information to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Constitution, the decision making processes, the company plan and recent financial performance of the charity.
The company aims to have twice annual board/staff events where board members get the opportunity to meet employees, other trustees, and see examples of the company’s work. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
ORGANISATION
The Play House is governed by a Board of Trustees. The board meets at least quarterly. A General Manager has been appointed by the trustees to manage the day to day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the General Manager has been delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment, artistic and educational activities.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL REVIEW
The Play House is a long established and highly respected theatre in education company, known nationally and internationally for its trademark participatory approach. Since it was founded in 1986, the company has developed a strong track record of high quality work in schools. It has an excellent reputation locally and regionally with teachers, local authorities, arts organisations and academic institutions.
Our vision is to stimulate the learning and curiosity of children and young people through engagement in drama experiences. We have a strong ethos of meaningful participation at the heart of everything we do through the creation of rich fictional worlds, where children interact with a range of situations and characters. We strongly believe in the transformational power of theatre.
The Play House continues to weather the storm of a very challenging economic climate impacted by the global pandemic caused by the virus COVID-19. Due to restrictions in place to combat the virus schools closed instantly, impacting significantly on The Play House’s potential earned income. COVID-19 continues to create an uncertain future with negative financial impacts on many businesses. Support from Paul Hamlyn’s Covid Recovery Fund and Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund has enabled The Play House to maintain a core staff of 4 part-time employees, employ freelancers, inflate the company’s reserves to pre-pandemic levels and most importantly continue to serve children and young people across Birmingham.
Key projects and highlights from 2020/21
Split Second
Split Second, a programme for 9-13 years exploring consequences of knife crime in terms of medical and legal implications. Due to COVID-19 The Play House filmed Split Second and it was shared with schools in a digital format. The programme resonated with children and had strong Teacher feedback: “A brilliant and effective workshop that helped the children think about the serious consequences of their actions. It explored the difficult topic of knife crime in a way where children understood the impact without it being too graphic.”
HOPE
HOPE is an engaging workshop for primary school children aged 7-11 which explores their experiences and feelings surrounding lockdown though the safe context of a story. Set in the Derbyshire village of Eyam after the plague of 1666, HOPE explores the amazing true story of the villagers' voluntary isolation that saved the lives of the surrounding communities. HOPE was created in response to children’s experiences of COVID and gave them a safe environment to make sense of their feelings.
4
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
Hansel & Gretel
We continued our ever popular strand of ‘Traditional Tales’ by filming Hansel & Gretel to share with schools digitally during the time of school closures. This received a positive response and was popular during the winter season.
Storybike Fundraiser
To highlight the impact COVID-19 had on The Play House we developed a fundraising campaign through the Storybike Fundraiser. Malcolm Jennings, Teacher Actor, created and developed the idea. Malcolm borrowed a delivery bike which was adapted to contain a story box. Malcolm visited schools along the number 11 bus route (which took The Play House across the areas of Birmingham where the company first delivered work) and children chose an object from the box, which Malcom created a story about. This helped to raise the company’s profile and we raised £1,202 in donations.
#ItGetsLighterFromHere
Culture Central launched the collaborative campaign with arts organisations across the West Midlands, #ItGetsLighterFromHere, for the 2020 Winter Solstice. Artists were commissioned by arts organisations to share creative moments of hope and happiness. The Play House commissioned local artist Ayeisha Siniara to create Love Letters To The Moon.
Resilience Quest
In the Spring of 2021 The Play House worked with 6 students from Birmingham Conservatoire to create Resilience Quest, which was our first programme touring to schools after the second national lockdown. Resilience Quest provided a safe avenue for children to explore healthy coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions.
Careless Talk
Careless Talk is a thought provoking workshop which explores how a young person could be groomed to take part in extremist action. The piece is set in the fictional town of Brodingham and tells the story of Scarlett, a young member of a minority community, The Circle, who are being persecuted by another group. The children are guided through a process where they find positive and peaceful solutions for the characters in this piece which promotes social responsibility, tolerance and respect. This programme is a long-established touring workshop for The Play House and was the company’s first full schools tour after the second national lockdown.
By The Riverbank
We adapted By The Riverbank for an outside public performance as part of Coco Pop-up in Cotteridge Park. The piece was supported by the Sir Barry Jackson Trust, which enabled us to engage over 80 children and their parents/carers for free. By The Riverbank took the children on an interactive storytelling journey across the park to discover the animals and nature present.
By order of the Board
Laura Killeen Secretary Date 2022
5
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
to the Directors of The Play House (B’ham) Limited
I report on the financial statements of The Play House (B’ham) Limited for the period ended 31 August 2021 on pages 7 to 12.
This report is made solely to the company’s members as a body, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in our report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our examination work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner
As described on page 3 the company's Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The Directors consider that an audit is not required for this year under the Charities Act 2011, s.144(2) (“the 2011 Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. I am qualified to undertake the examination, being a qualified member of ICAEW.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under s.145 of the 2011 Act;
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under s.145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of 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 charity 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 Directors 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 statement 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 the Companies Act 2006 s.386; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006, s.396 and the methods and principles of FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”.
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.
Name: Neil Wilson
Relevant professional qualification or body: ICAEW
8 Wolverton Road, Snitterfield, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 0HB Date 2022
6
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT AND STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the period ended 31 August 2021
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | Restricted | Unrestricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Funds £ |
Funds £ |
August | Funds £ |
Funds £ |
March | |
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| INCOME | 2 | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | 101,632 | - | 101,632 | 71,453 | - | 71,453 | |
| Income from charitable activities | |||||||
| Arts education services | - | 26,534 | 26,534 | - | 74,756 | 74,756 | |
| Income from other trading activities | |||||||
| Investment income | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total income | 101,632 | 26,534 | 128,166 | 71,453 | 74,756 | 146,209 | |
| EXPENDITURE | 3 | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 44,782 | 21,206 | 65,988 | 71,453 | 63,322 | 134,775 | |
| Governance | - | 11,016 | 11,016 | - | 14,427 | 14,427 | |
| Total expenditure | 44,782 | 32,222 | 77,004 | 71,453 | 77,749 | 149,202 | |
| NET INCOME | 56,850 | (5,688) | 51,162 | - | (2,993) | (2,993) | |
| Net transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD | - | 58,641 | 58,641 | - | 61,634 | 61,634 | |
| FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD | 8 | 56,850 | 52,953 | £ 109,803 | - | 58,641 | £ 58,641 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
7
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 August 2021
| BALANCE SHEET as at 31 August 2021 |
|
|---|---|
| Notes Restricted Funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 5 - 2,694 |
August 2021 £ March 2020 £ 2,694 1,536 |
| CURRENT ASSETS Debtors - 22,095 Cash at bank and in hand 64,966 28,164 |
22,095 10,280 93,130 60,579 |
| 64,966 50,259 CREDITORS: amounts fallingdue within oneyear 6 (8,116) - |
115,225 70,859 (8,116) (13,754) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS 56,850 50,259 |
107,109 57,105 |
| NET ASSETS 56,850 52,953 |
£ 109,803 £ 58,641 |
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS General 8 - 52,953 Designated - - RESTRICTED FUNDS 8 56,850 - |
52,953 58,641 - - 56,850 - |
| 8 56,850 52,953 |
£ 109,803 £ 58,641 |
For the period ended 31 August 2021 the company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts in accordance with section 476.
The directors have acknowledged their responsibilities for: selecting suitable accounting policies and then applying them consistently; observing the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; making judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; stating whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and preparing the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.
Deborah Shaw
Director
Date 2022
8
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
at 31 August 2021
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Company and charitable status
The Play House (B’ham) Limited, a public benefit entity, is incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital. Each member has undertaken to contribute to the assets in the event of winding up a sum not exceeding £1. The charity is a registered charity. The registered office is given on page 2.
Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015)” applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), effective 1 January 2015 and the Companies Act 2006.
In preparing the accounts, the directors have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required. At the date of transition in applying the requirements of FRS 102 no adjustments were required.
The directors consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The company does not seek to make a profit, nor can its achievements be measured by normal commercial criteria. In order that a true and fair view should be given in these accounts the directors have set out on page 4 an income and expenditure account which shows the results for the year, but in a format other than the standard formats prescribed in the Companies Act 2006. In the opinion of the directors the format adopted provides greater clarity on the nature of the company's activities and discloses the required information relating thereto. A summary of the more important accounting policies of the company is set out below.
Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Charitable status and taxation
The company is a charity and is therefore exempt under section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 from corporation tax.
Fixed assets and depreciation
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets held for use by the charity at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value based on prices prevailing at the date of acquisition or revaluation, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life as follows:
Premises improvements - over 10 years Computer and other office equipment - over 4 years Minibus - over 4 years
9
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
Income and deferred income
Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except when donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, in which case the income is deferred until those periods and is included in Deferred Income within creditors.
All other income is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and allocated to the appropriate heading in the accounts. Where expenditure is incurred which relates to more than one cost category, the expenditure is apportioned over all relevant headings. The bases of apportionment used reflect time and resources expended on various activities or in support of those activities.
Pensions
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the profit and loss account as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
-
Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Directors.
-
Designated funds – these are funds set aside by the Directors out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects.
-
Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
| 2 INCOME GRANTS– RESTRICTED The Home Office Arts Council of England Millennium Point Trust Royal Academy of Engineering The Sir Barry Jackson Trust Edward Cadbury Trust West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Rogers & Douglas Trust Birmingham Repertory Theatre Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Birmingham City Council West Midlands VRU Woodward Trust Coventry City Council John Feeney Charitable Trust Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Paul Hamlyn Foundation |
August 2021 £ March 2020 £ - 27,698 55,410 15,000 - 14,690 - 5,565 1,500 2,500 1,000 2,000 - 2,000 3,000 - - 1,000 4,880 - - 1,000 7,342 - 5,500 - 1,500 - - - 1,500 - - - 20,000 - |
|---|---|
| 101,632 71,453 |
|
| ARTS EDUCATION SERVICES– ALL UNRESTRICTED Sales to schools and universities Sales to local authorities Other sales |
23,153 46,756 3,381 28,000 - - |
| 26,534 74,756 |
10
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
| 3 EXPENDITURE Restricted £ Unrestricted £ CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Staff costs 36,756 19,792 Payments to freelance artists 2,020 1,087 Motor and travel 31 13 Production expenses 5,975 314 Recruitment costs - - |
Total August 2021 £ March 2020 £ 56,548 85,034 3,107 41,648 44 776 6,289 7,317 - - |
|---|---|
| 44,782 21,206 |
65,988 134,755 |
| The average number of employees on long term contracts in the year was 4 (2019 – 5). The average number of staff on short term contracts was 6 to the nearest full-time equivalent GOVERNANCE Motor and travel - - Insurance - 1,449 Printing and stationery - 2,351 Telephone and postage - 1,444 Premises expenses - - Independent examiner’s remuneration - 1,140 Legal & consultancy - - PR and marketing - 2,217 Other - 2,415 |
- 863 1,449 1,449 2,351 2,172 1,444 672 - 686 1,140 1,140 - 175 2,217 411 2,415 6,859 |
| - 11,016 |
11,016 14,427 |
4 DIRECTORS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The directors of the company are listed on page 2. No remuneration was paid to any Director during the year and no director received any expense reimbursements.
| 5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Premises improvements £ Computer and other office equipment £ Cost or valuation 31 March 2020 - 1,536 Disposals - - Additions - 1,157 |
Minibus £ Total £ - 1,536 - - - 1,157 |
|---|---|
| 31 August 2021 - 2,693 |
- 2,693 |
| Depreciation 31 March 2020 - - Disposals - - Charge for theperiod - - |
- - - - - - |
| 31 August 2021 - - |
- - |
| Net book value 31 August 2021 - 2,693 |
- 2,693 |
| 31 March 2020 - 1,536 |
- 1,536 |
| 6 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other taxes and social security Accruals Deferred income(note 7) |
August 2021 £ March 2020 £ - 448 - 1,445 - 161 8,116 11,700 8,116 13,754 |
11
The Play House (B’ham) Limited
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|7|DEFERRED INCOME|August|March|
|2021|2020|
|£|£|
|Balance at start of year|11,700|-|
|Amount released to incoming resources|(11,700)|-|
|Amount deferred in year|8,116|11,700|
|Balance at end of year|8,116|11,700|
----- End of picture text -----
8 ANALYSIS OF FUNDS MOVEMENTS
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance at|Incoming|Balance at|
|31 March|resources|Expenditure|Transfers|31 August 2021|
|2021|£|£|£|£|
|£|
|Unrestricted funds|
|Undesignated|48,641|26,534|(32,222)|-|42,953|
|These are funds which can be used in accordance with the|
|charitable objects at the discretion of the Directors|
|Designated|
|Development reserve for IT and website upgrades|10,000|-|-|-|10,000|
|Total unrestricted funds|58,641|26,534|(32,222)|-|52,953|
|Restricted funds|
|These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted|-|101,632|(44,782)|-|56,850|
|purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise|
|when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for|
|particular restricted purposes|
|58,641|128,166|(77,004)|-|£ 109,803|
----- End of picture text -----
12