FRIENDS OF KINGSTON MUSIC SERVICE
TRUSTEES REPORT 2023/24
This financial year has been dominated by the creation and launch of the Searby Scholarship program, something I would never have envisaged being asked to take on when I first stepped into the role of Chair. It marked, for us as a group, a big step up in the way that we thought, and took us on a learning curve which now permeates our practice in other areas of the charity. The hard work to set up the programs was certainly worth it, and the wonderful moment of offering the first Searby Scholar a full scholarship on her dream instrument, the French Horn, is one that I will treasure always.
Since the parent-led committee was formed, the charity has been building its infrastructure and creating systems in order to function effectively. The ‘back office’ is now the strongest it’s been. Our focus for the year 24 25 will be to extend our formalisation of systems into our fundraising efforts. This year sees the first time use of a budget for the charity, and I hope that in 12 months we will be able to set a reasonable, achievable and sustainable fundraising target.
With a strong administrative foundation in place, and an increase in our fundraising efforts, my hope is that in 25 26 we will be able to turn our thoughts towards the two funds that we administer, and the possibility of creating more, to better serve the aims of the charity, and help to spread music education further throughout the borough.
About Kingston Music Service
Kingston Music Service (KMS) provides instrumental and vocal music lessons to young people and adults in Kingston. We offer lessons both in schools and at our evening and Saturday morning music centres. Since March 2020 we also provide online tuition using the Google Hangouts platform.
In addition, we run a number of bands, orchestras and other ensembles for young people to make music together and organise regular concerts and tours. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and to this end we have a Wider Opportunities programme available in schools which allows whole classes to learn musical instruments, after which students are encouraged to continue learning via small groups or individual tuition.
KMS has a Youth Board which gives young people from across the borough an opportunity to share and develop their ideas.
The Hook Centre has a recording studio where students can learn about music technology and record music with the support of dedicated technicians. We also hire musical instruments and offer an instrument repair service. KMS has good relationships with primary and secondary schools across the borough, offering tailored packages of music provision including professional development for teachers.
About Friends of Kingston Music Service
Founded in 2001, Friends of Kingston Music Service (FKMS) exists to promote, maintain, improve and advance music education within the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames.
FKMS supports this mission by offering financial assistance to those who might be struggling in times of hardship and are unable to afford the cost of their music lessons and activities.
FKMS membership & committee. FKMS is an independent charity. KMS service users are automatically considered members of FKMS and there is a small committee which steers its activities and manages its finances. Although this committee has previously included KMS staff members it should be led entirely by parents/carers, adult students and members of the wider community with staff members ex-officio in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
A general meeting with all FKMS members is held once a year, with the management committee meeting at least three times a year.
FKMS is reliant on donations for income. It was fortunate to receive a large donation around 10 years ago - some of which remains - but as these reserves diminish annually it is imperative that we find new ways to raise money. It receives donations at the end of concerts and from activities such as busking - particularly by the KMS bands at Christmas time. Most recently, some parents have forgone refunds of cancelled ensembles activities and lesson discounts in order to donate this money to FKMS.
Given the current financial climate we anticipate that the number of KMS students in need of financial support will rise and, as we want to continue to support all that we can to continue their musical journey with us, the charity needs to find new ways to raise funds as soon as possible.
How are funds spent?
FKMS funds have been used to subsidise tuition for individual students who would otherwise be unable to afford lessons or participate in ensemble activities via the KMS Fund . It has also subsidised specific KMS ensemble activities such as tours and KMS events.
In 2023/24 a second fund, The Clive Searby Brass Education Fund was inaugurated. This aims to increase the number of young people taking up brass instruments by offering fully funded scholarships to students judged to have music potential by music coordinators and KMS tutors in the borough of Kingston and who lack the means to pay for tutoring, an instrument and ensemble fees.
Sarah Lewis Chair, FKMS
Friends of Kingston Music Service Statement of Financial Activities
(including income and expenditure account) for year ending 30 September 2024
| Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income: Donations Bequests Total incoming resources Resourcs expended Charitable activities: Distribution of bursaries Governance costs Total resources expended Net incoming (outgoing) resources and net movement in funds for year Reconciliation of funds Total Funds brought forward Total Funds carried forward |
Restricted Restricted Total Total Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ FKMS Fund Searby Fund 2024 2023 617 617 1,406 26,227 26,227 0 |
|---|---|
| 617 26,227 26,844 1,406 |
|
| 735 0 735 941 50 96 146 0 |
|
| 785 96 881 941 |
|
| (168) 26,131 25,963 466 8,076 0 8,076 7,610 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
Friends of Kingston Music Service Balance Sheet
as at 30 September 2024
| Fixed assets Total Fixed Assets Current assets Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditors falliing due within one year Net Current Assets Total assets less current liailities Creditors: falling due after more than 1 year Net Assets The funds of the charity: Restricted income funds Total charity funds |
FKMS Fund Searby Fund 2024 2023 £ £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 220 220 7,688 26,131 33,819 8,076 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 0 0 0 0 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
|
| 7,908 26,131 34,039 8,076 |
The trustees have prepared accounts in accordance with Schedule 5A of the CharitiesAct 1993.
Signed …………………………… Name Mark Swainson , FCCA, Treasurer on behalf of the trustees
Approved by the trustees on 8 July 2025
Iwona Pelczarska 97 Lordship Park !2 Brookgate N16 5UR London
8 July 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Friends of Kingston Music Service (Registered Charity: 1089255) for the year ended 30 September 2024.
I the undersigned, confirm that I have reviewed the records kept by the charity and have compared the accounts with those records. I have reviewed the accounts and considered any unusual items and disclosures.
It is my professional opinion that proper accounting records have been kept for the period above and that the accounts have been duly prepared in accordance with the accounting records.
I have identified nothing to give rise to any significant concerns and no matter of material significance that would necessitate a report to the Charities Commission. In forming this opinion I have given regard to the areas of dishonesty, fraud, money laundering, criminal activity, management of significant conflicts of interest and Sections 5 and 6 of the Commission’s guidance notes Independent examination of charity accounts: examiners (CC32) contained at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independentexamination-of-charity-accounts-trustees-cc31/independent-examination-of-charityaccounts-trustees.
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Iwona Pelczarska, ACCA
Independent Examiner